Chapter 10: First Timers

As Happy and friends finally made it to the Pokken Arts Tournament, they were being watched by an unknown assailant who took a particular interest in Moody, watching his movements. Despite this, Happy and Charles were as excited as ever to participate thanks to a little "persuasion" from Zamenza. Unhaus, their newest member, would participate in it as well, with Eve being his biggest supporter.

Moody: Fighters from all around the world are here. I've even heard that there are kingdoms and countries out there that support this event.

Baye: Some of the fighters here are from other kingdoms and countries as well?

Moody: Seems like it to me.

Unhaus: Well, it won't matter to me. As long as I have Eve here cheering me on, I think I'll do well.

Moody: Keep your head leveled. You won't know who you face unless otherwise.

Zamenza: So, how's things going?

Moody: Pretty good here.

Happy: Are you going to be fighting too, Master Zamenza?

Zamenza: Who, me? Naaaah. I'm just a sideliner, is all.

Moody: ...Really?

Zamenza: I just want you two to get to know yourselves a little more. What better way to test those skills than here?

Moody: ...Fair point.

A fighter was then knocked out of the ring. The Pokemon who did it appeared to be a Tangrowth with his body covered in yellow vines. The red tips of his fingers were short, and wore headphones to which he was jamming to despite no music being played. The only thing that stuck out was a curly black mustache on his face.

To everyone else, this was something expected, as a fighter would be tough to earn a spot in the ranks. However, Zamenza noticed Moody's expression changed to a deep, somewhat confused and distant look. The referee monitoring the fight jotted down the Tangrowth's victory, appearing as a white Larvitar that was much older as wrinkles showed under his eyes. The black lines around his eyes connected together over his blue pupils, and lacked a tail.

Referee: Victory, Tanner!

Baye: That Pokemon's pretty strong...

Zamenza: ...Moody, what's wrong?

Moody: ...It's nothing…

Zamenza: (...Nothing, huh…? I've got the feeling that there's more than meets the eye…)

Happy: Master Zamenza, what are they doing over there?

Zamenza: It's an Elimination Ring. It's meant to weed out fighters who are unable to deliver the most hits within a minute. That, or if one of the contestants is either thrown out of the ring or is knocked out.

Unhaus: Well, I have speed on my side. It'll be no problem if I can dodge every single attack.

?: Hey, look! It's the "Horned Dragon"! *laughs*

Charles: *groans* ...Oh no...

From afar, Charles's old dojo mates approached them with grins on their faces.

Golem: Looks like he's still in his baby form!

Staravia: Hey, shrimp! Who's that next to you? Your playdate?

They began laughing, with Charles being somewhat mildly bothered by their words.

Baye: Hey! That's pretty rude!

Scyther: Oh, look. A dinosaur who thinks she's tough. Wouldn't want a leaf to get out of place.

Baye: What did you just say?!

Unhaus: Hey, if you have a problem, why don't you just save it for the match?

Scyther: What's it to you, birdie? Those feathers of yours look like they could use some "spring cleaning"! *laughs*

Moody: You young ones! Stop your childish insults.

Graveler: Hey, look! It's "grandpa with a stick"! Oh, watch out! I think he's gonna poke my eye out with it! *laughs*

Moody wasn't even bothered by their insults. They began laughing in an uproar whilst pointing towards the group. However, their laughter ceased when a familiar face came forward as they moved out of the Pokemon's way, with said Pokemon being a Hawlucha with a blue mask and crimson red eyes who was familiar with Charles.

?: Again, we meet. Still not impressed, I am.

Charles: *growls* Oh, yeah?! I've changed quite a lot! Just you wait, Mister Libre! I'll show you just how much I've improved! I'll show every one of you that pushed me around and made fun of me!

Libre: See that, I'd like to. Three-footed lizard, you still are. Depart, we must.

Zamenza: Hold it. I see you're my student's last master, right?

Libre: ...Concern you, why does it?

Zamenza: I'd prefer you'd see him in action. You will be surprised by how far I've taken Charles.

Libre: ...Luck, I wish you. Leave, we shall.

He and his students left their sights, with some of them snickering at Charles.

Baye: Hmph! Good riddance! *blows raspberries*

Moody: Baye...That's no way to act after that.

Unhaus: It seems that they gave you some grief, Charles.

Zamenza: Do not worry about him. Let them do the talking. It is you two who shall show them just how powerful you are.

Charles: Right.

The Tangrowth from the ring headed towards the group, which caught Zamenza's attention.

Tangrowth: Hey, you guys alright here?

Zamenza: We are.

The Tangrowth took one look at Moody, which gave a sudden realization.

Tangrowth: ...Dad?

Baye: D-Dad?!

Zamenza: (...As I suspected…)

Moody: ...So, you've shown yourself here, haven't you?

Tangrowth: Aw, c'mon Dad! That's no way to talk to me after what happened last time!

Moody: Tanner, what happened last time is irrelevant. What are you doing here?

Tanner: Well, I came here to fight and stuff. Y'know, the good "vibes" for the body.

Moody: W-What?

Tanner: Dad, take a seating chill. I actually wanted to win this so I could visit you again. Y'know, after what happened?

Moody: Boy...Have you actually changed?

Tanner: Dad, I'm not a "boy" anymore. I didn't want to look like a "failure" to you after that...even though I stormed out and did some bad things I'm not proud of…

Moody: *sighs* ...I'll...hold you to your word.

Tanner: Say, who's them? Do they have some "grooves" in their rhythm or what?

Moody: (...And here we go again…)

Unhaus: I'm Unhaus, and this is Eve.

Eve: Hi.

Happy: I'm Happy!

Charles: I'm Charles.

Baye: I'm Baye. (...Ugh...Why does he smell like kitty litter…?)

Zamenza: And I'm Zamenza.

Tanner: Nice meeting you all too! I had no idea that these are Dad's folks! Somehow, that makes me envious.

Moody: Look no further than the apple that fell from the tree.

Zamenza: (...Moody...Do you have to be so cold to your son…? I mean, I can understand your situation since...Nevermind…)

Tanner: So, what brings you guys here?

Happy: I'm here to get stronger!

Charles: Me too! Me too!

Zamenza: I'm their teacher. I expect to see them using their skills correctly.

Tanner: Oh, so they're in the junior league?

Zamenza: Nope. Adult league.

Tanner: ...Huh?

Zamenza: Junior league won't work for them. From my experience over the years, most of them weren't determined at all to fight.

Tanner: ...Uh...Okay…? I'm just wondering if that's alright with the rules, because you do know that children can't enter a league for adults, right?

Zamenza: I'm very sure of that.

Tanner: Hmph. *shrugs* Whatever. As long as those two got some good vibes flowing, the music will surely liven up. Why don't you two try your luck?

Happy: Sure!

Charles: Showtime!

He led them to the ring, where the Larvitar referee stopped them.

Referee: Hold it, hold it! No children allowed unless they are in the junior league.

Tanner: Unfortunately, these guys are probably too strong for that league. I think it's time to test them.

Referee: *sighs* ...I'm gonna get in trouble for this. Fine. I'll let them in. *points* You. Over here.

A male Feraligatr stepped up to the referee.

Feraligatr: Yeah?

Referee: Your opponent will be...that Squirtle there.

Everyone then turned in the direction of the referee in shock.

Feraligatr: *laughs* "That"?! But it's a child! This has to be a joke, right?

Referee: *shrugs* I dunno. Try 'em' for yourself.

Feraligatr: Heh. I don't fight wimpy first-staged Pokemon, but if you can put up a fight, so be it. Just let the feeling sink in after I'm done. *laughs*

Zamenza: *strokes beard* I'll say...I wonder how this outcome will play out…

Baye: Don't you think it's unwise to let them fight like this?

Zamenza: Not really. Let them. They have the heart's content.

Unhaus: If that Feraligatr thinks he's strong, I suggest he thinks again.

Happy: I'm up!

Charles: Good luck!

As Happy and the Feraligatr stepped into the ring, it drew many Pokemon to watch. Most of them were in shock, as they didn't expect to see a child fighting a fully evolved adult Pokemon. Even the Larvitar referee couldn't believe it.

Referee: *facepalms* (...Oh, dear Arceus...I'm going to get fired for this…)

The Pokemon crowd had some…heated things to say upon witnessing the event taking place.

?: Are they crazy?! Who decided to let a child fight an adult?!

?: Someone drag him out of the ring! He's too young!

?: Remove the kid!

?: Baby-stage Pokemon shouldn't be allowed!

?: What's the referee thinking?!

Referee: *sighs* (...Yep...I'm definitely going to get fired for this…)

A Poliwrath approached the Larvitar, giving him stern eyes and a response of anger with…

Poliwrath: Yo, what the hell is this?! You're letting a kid fight an adult?! The rules don't bend that way, you know!

…Of course, the Referee responded the same way with…

Referee: What do you want me to do?! I don't make the rules, you know!

Baye: ...Zamenza…

Unhaus: It seems the audience has a different objective in mind.

Zamenza: *smiles* Let them keep talking. They'll soon start eating those words.

Feraligatr: *laughs, cracks knuckles* You know, kid? I feel sorry for you. I'm going to knock you out of the ring with one punch. How's that sound to ya?

Happy: Just fine.

Feraligatr: Are you sure? Doesn't seem like it to me.

Happy: Yeah! *chuckles*

Feraligatr: Alright, then. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Referee: A Squirtle vs… *checks paper* Fenton! Begin!

He threw a right punch at Happy, who somehow managed to be behind him. Everyone except Happy's group was surprised by the sudden movement displayed by Happy, including Fenton himself.

Fenton: W-What the?

Baye: S-So fast!

Tanner: Whoa! Didn't see that coming!

Referee: (...Was I dreaming…? How did that Squirtle suddenly move that fast to be behind him…?)

Happy: *taps Fenton* I'm right behind you.

Fenton: Why you little…!

He threw another punch, to which Happy jumped on his arm before kicking him in the face, knocking him out of the ring. Some of the Pokemon in the crowd had to move out of the way so he could land on the floor on his back.

Referee: I...Impossible…! U-Uh...V-Victory...Squirtle…!

Happy: My name's Happy!

Referee: *sweat drop* (...I think I need to see my psychiatrist…) Whatever!

The crowd was stunned in silence. Even Fenton couldn't understand what happened as he got up in shock.

Fenton: *groans* ...I don't understand! How did that Squirtle beat me?! That kick was not normal! I think it's an adult Pokemon playing the role of a child! I want him disqualified immediately!

Referee: Sorry, but your loss. You lose to a child, so what?

Fenton: *growls angrily* Punk-ass brat!

He walked away in anger whilst muttering to himself, to which the audience had nothing to say.

Zamenza: What did I tell y'all? They're going to be eating those words they spat earlier.

Referee: U-Um...N...Next opponent.

A male Magmortar stepped up, spitting flames onto the floor.

Magmortar: Hey, why don't I go next?! I'm gonna teach that little brat that this is only for adults! No one does that to adults and humiliates them just like that!

Referee: *sighs* ...I'm going to see what's in store next…

Charles: Good job, buddy!

Happy: Thanks! You're next!

Charles got into the ring, to which the Magmortar also entered. The Larvitar then tapped on Charles's tail, asking him for his name.

Referee: Hey, kid. What's your name?

Charles: Charles.

Referee: Uh-huh. (...Finally, a normal name…)

Magmortar: So, you'll be the one I'll fight, huh? You'd better run away whilst you still can, cause I'm gonna send you into the middle of next year! *chuckles*

Charles: Go ahead and make my day already, would ya?

Referee: Charles vs Cannon! Begin!

Cannon rushed forward with his body on fire and an arm ready to swing, to which Charles already noticed a weak point. As Cannon got close, Charles delivered an uppercut to his chin, knocking him out of the ring unconscious as he lay on his back on the floor. The crowd was once again silent, trying to process what happened.

?: ...Uh...What just happened?

?: Did that Charmander...knock Cannon out with an uppercut?

?: I don't know. And it was so fast too!

?: Who are those children?

The Shiinotic registrant approached Zamenza in anger.

Shiinotic: *frustration mark* Hey! You slick son of a bitch! How dare you hypnotize me and let those children in?!

Zamenza: Too late now. Look.

He did, and noticed how Charles was still in the ring while Cannon was unconscious.

Shiinotic: ...What the hell happened here?

Referee: Your guess is as good as mine. I hate to say this, but those two children being able to knock those Pokemon out of the ring is on a whole different level.

Shiinotic: Unreal…! But what am I supposed to tell the officials?! I'll lose my job for this!

Referee: So will I, but you don't see me complaining about it.

The Shiinotic then turned to Zamenza, who still had a grin on his face.

Shiinotic: *sighs* ...Alright, old man. I'll let you go with a warning, but the next time you pull that stunt again, I'm going to disqualify your students immediately!

Zamenza: Sure, sure. I got the message. (...What's with these desk jobs nowadays…?)

Unhaus: I think I'm next.

Eve: Go get them, Unhaus!

Tanner: Hey, Dad. You've got some interesting Pokemon in the group. Never thought I'd see youngsters doing it in this league.

Moody: That's half of it. It doesn't compare to what I did back in the day.

Zamenza: Don't worry. They'll do just fine.

Nearby, Master Libre and his students watched the fight, to which half of them were boiling mad about what happened.

Libre: (...Something, he has planned...Improved, Charles has...But, responsible is he…?)

Golem: What?! That's not fair! How'd he do that?! He never did that with us!

Libre: Calm, you must. Strength, not yet realized.

Zamenza: (...I hope you're watching, Libre...Your student became a better one under me…)

From afar, the purple cloaked figure began pulling out a Roto-Phone to call his boss.

Boss: Hello?

?: Boss, we've got another one coming soon. And it's a dead ringer…

Boss: Who?

?: You'll know. When he's brought in…

Boss: ...Bring this "dead ringer" to me...whoever he is.

?: Certainly.

...