Chapter 12: Tournaments Begin
As they were trying to pass the time for the tournament to announce the numbers to be drawn, Moody was attacked by three members who appeared to be part of an organization known as the Dirty Delinquents. Luckily, Moody's son Tanner stepped in to help and managed to stop their attacks for now, but they were still on their guard about when they would strike next. For now, they wanted to focus on the tournament as they didn't want to spoil the children's fun.
Zamenza: (...There's no telling when they'll strike again…) Moody, I'm curious. What did they look like?
Moody: I believe that they were a Dwebble with a red coat and whiskers, an Ariados and a Galvantula. I suspected that I was being followed at first when I went to the bathroom, but their presence then proved my suspicion.
Tanner: They were about to take my father away, but had I not stepped in, he would've been gone.
Zamenza: I see. In any case, we'll have to be watchful. There's no telling what they're planning next.
Moody: (...Who knew that doing the right thing would put you on a hit list of an organization…?)
Zamenza: ...Moody, there's something that was bothering me earlier. You knew the Dirty Delinquents far better than you let on. Is there something you're not telling us?
Moody was silent, which increased Zamenza's suspicions. However, Tanner spoke to clear the air.
Tanner: ...I'll have to fill you all in.
Moody: Tanner, you don't have to-
Tanner: It's alright, Dad. They deserve to know.
Baye: Know what?
Tanner: You see, some years ago when me and my father had a falling out, I joined the Dirty Delinquents.
Unhaus: What?!
Baye: Huh?!
Eve: Is that true, Mr. Tanner...?
Tanner: ...It's the truth.
Zamenza: So that's why he knew more about them.
Tanner: Back then, I joined them as an act of rebellion and freedom from my father. Little did I know that the organization was far worse than they let on. I thought that I was truly free, but I was wrong. They aim to take over the world and undo societal expectations.
Baye: What?!
Charles: Take over the world? Isn't that a little "extreme"?
Zamenza: It is.
Tanner: They also raided homes, looted towns and cities, and even killed those that defied them.
Unhaus: (...Eve…)
Baye: But you have to know something about them! Maybe their leaders or something?
Tanner: I never met the leader. Every one of us wore cloaks, so the leader was not recognizable.
Zamenza: Did they have experiments there?
Tanner: They do. I heard that they are creating Pokemon to surpass the ordinary by enhancing their genes with environmental objects.
Unhaus: Do you know anything about them?
Tanner: Sadly, no. I was never able to see them, but judging by how they described them, they could be pretty powerful.
Zamenza: That means they're using those enhanced Pokemon as weapons.
Tanner: Something like that, yeah.
Baye: That's...That's horrible!
Unhaus: Since their organization was going on for 400 years, that would mean those experiments could've been enhanced over time…
Moody: Darnit…! The problem is, we can't tell for certain who's part of the organization!
Zamenza: Calm down, Moody. We'll figure it out.
Moody: *sighs* ...You're right.
Zamenza: Buuuut, since your son was part of it, does he know where they are?
Moody: Well, Tanner? Do you?
Tanner: At the moment, I don't really remember. It's been so long since I was there.
Zamenza: That's understandable. But, enough of that. Let's have some fun, shall we?
They noticed that Moomoo and Talabert were at their market selling milk from their farm.
Moomoo: Well, hello there!
Happy: Hello!
Talabert: If it isn't the two tykes! You both look like you've gotten stronger!
Zamenza: Thanks to me.
Moomoo: Well, Zamenza! It's been quite a while since we've seen you. So that's why we saw those boys coming for our milk.
Moody: ...Zamenza…
Zamenza: It was a part of their training.
Moomoo: So, who are these creatures with you?
Baye: I'm Baye, a botanist.
Unhaus: I'm Unhaus. Please don't ask about my name. This is Eve, an Eevee I look after.
Eve: Hi!
Moody: I'm Moody, and this is my son Tanner.
Tanner: Pleasure's mine.
Moomoo: Nice to meet you all.
Talabert: So you're here for the tournament?
Zamenza: That's right. We're waiting for them to announce the numbers.
Talabert: I bet you all are going to do just fine.
A male voice then spoke, which could be heard throughout the entire stadium.
?: Attention all fighter participants! It is time to draw the numbers for the tournament! Please head to the main stadium ring to receive your number from the machine! I repeat, please head to the main stadium ring to receive your number from the machine!
Zamenza: *smiles* Looks like it's time.
Happy: Alright!
Charles: Showtime!
Unhaus: Stay here with Miss Baye and Mr. Moody, alright Eve?
Eve: Okay, Unhaus.
Tanner: Wish me luck, Dad.
Moody: Sure, son.
Zamenza: You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up. I just have to use the bathroom. Show them the way, won't you, Tanner?
Tanner: I will.
Tanner led the way for the boys, while Zamenza was heading in another direction, leaving Moody, Baye and Eve by themselves. Moody however couldn't help but be suspicious of Zamenza needing to use the bathroom at this time.
Moody: (...Zammy...What are you up to…?)
...
A few minutes later, the boys made their way to the stadium ring. It was huge beyond their comprehension. There was a large crowd that filled the seats amassing over 500 Pokemon in attendance. The ring itself was a large circle with tiles made to fit it surrounded by grass and a rectangular box all around where Pokemon would sit. The announcer, a male Noibat with a blue coat and wearing a mic and headset around his face, stood in the ring next to the machine that had numbered balls inside.
The red Shiinotic appeared in the ring and began whispering something in the Noibat's ear, to which he was confused but kept listening anyway. He turned the mic off to prevent the audience from hearing it.
Noibat: Huh? There's-Is that okay? And the referee allowed it?
Shiinotic: Yeah.
Afterwards, the Shiinotic walked away and the Noibat turned his mic back on. The contestants appeared in the ring, with each of them being different creatures, being up to 32. From one of the entrances, a Pokemon appearing as an Alakazam came through wearing a white turban that covered his upper face and ears, and a white cape that covered their entire body, although the back part made it look awkward as if something was trying to stick out. He joined the other fighters in the ring without any hesitation.
Moody, Baye and Eve peered out from one of the entrances for fighters to see it up close. Whilst Baye and Eve were oblivious to the Alakazam, Moody knew all too well who it was and facevined whilst groaning.
Moody: (...Zamenza...This is a new low…)
Noibat: All fighters are here! Ladies and gentlemen! We will commence the drawing of numbers from this machine! Now, one at a time, please, as you line up in front of it and press the button, you shall be given a random number from 1 to 32. Then we'll randomize the numbers chosen and whoever the two contestants are compared with, they will fight each other. Let the drawing...start!
Each Pokemon lined up and pressed the red button that shuffled the balls inside before it dropped out, with each contestant receiving a number. Happy recieved a number 7 ball, whilst Charles received a number 4 ball. Luckily, no one in the audience suspected that Happy and Charles were children.
Happy: Hey Charles, look! I got a 7!
Charles: Darn. I got a 4.
The Alakazam overheard Charles as he approached the two, holding a number 22 ball using telekinesis.
?: Don't feel bad, son. Numbers aren't everything.
Happy: Who are you?
?: Oh, me? I'm the Great Foodini!
Charles: Are you a magician?
Foodini: Uh, w-why yes! Yes I am! I also take part in fighting as well. Gotta keep my body in good shape if I am to continue properly.
Charles: (...That old guy looks reeeeal familiar…)
Happy: Awesome! My name is Happy, and this is my friend Charles!
Foodini: Oh, nice to meet you both. I'm sure you two will do well out there.
Charles: Say, if you're a magician, how come I never heard of you?
Foodini: That's because I'm popular in another side of the world. News doesn't travel down here as often, you know?
Charles: No...I don't… (...Yep, he's reeeeeal familiar…Even his voice is familiar...)
Foodini: Well see you two boys later. Good look out there.
The Great Foodini left the two to consult with other members.
Charles: *folds arms* Hey, Happy...That old guy looks familiar. Almost like someone we know...
Happy: Really? I don't know anyone who looks like him.
Charles: (...He probably can't connect the dots yet…)
A minute later after everyone was jotted down by their numbers, they placed their balls into the machine, to which two were to come out randomly. When it was Happy's number to drop out, it landed next to another number ball, which was number 10. As for Charles, his number was next to another one, which was number 19. Once everyone was jotted down, the announcer made his voice loud and clear.
Noibat: Ladies and gentlemen! That concludes the number drawing! And now, since we have all contestants documented and ready, we shall commence with the tournament!
The audience cheered, roaring louder than a single Exploud shouting. Well, not that there weren't any in the crowd to begin with...
Noibat: I'm sure we will have many exciting matches, so don't leave your seats folks, unless you have to use the bathroom. I'm your host, Nester Sound, and I shall provide commentary throughout these matches! Now, let's get this underway!
The crowd cheered once again, excited to see some fights going on.
Nester: We shall start this off with a random number selected! As always, the referee will step up and choose who fights first!
The referee, who was the same Larvitar doing the Elimination Ring, stepped up in the ring and held the paper with the contestants involved, looking it over until he made a decision.
Referee: It shall be...Number 28 vs Number 21! Unhaus vs Crusta!
Nester: Our referee has chosen! It shall be Unhaus of Number 28 vs Crusta of Number 21! The rest of the fighters shall reside in the lobby until the next match is decided! And remember, no fighting outside the ring, or you shall be disqualified.
The crowd began cheering as the fighters left the ring with the exception of Unhaus and Crusta, a Crabrawler that had a red shell coat and cream belly, green pincer-like boxing gloves, and brown hair. He started boxing the air in front of him and moved sideways as he eyed Unhaus. Two Boldore came and took the machine out of the ring so it wouldn't be damaged by the fighters as a preventative measure.
Unhaus: (...So, I'm up first, huh…?)
...
Elsewhere at Baye's house, Chibi and Maga were doing their daily routines, which was reading the newspaper. Chibi was preparing coffee for her husband, which wasn't surprising as he was about to go to work.
Chibi: Dear...Baye hasn't returned. Do you think something happened to her?
Maga: Oh, come now sweetheart. She is in no danger. She's staying with that blue turtle fellow and his grandfather. They're in safe hands.
Chibi: I don't know…
Maga: Hm?
He noticed a headline in the newspaper that caught his attention. It was about the Pokken Arts Tournament, which was taking place right now.
Maga: Apparently, there's a tournament going on right about now.
Chibi: Wait a minute...Didn't Baye say something about that two days ago?
Maga: Now that you mention it, she did. And I'm supposed to bring the market there.
Chibi: That means...She's there, isn't she? And that cute little Squirtle!
Maga: ...They'll be fine. I know that they're under some good protection.
Chibi: *gasps* But our baby! There's a lot of dangerous Pokemon at that place! She can't handle them by herself! Oh no! We've got to save her!
Maga: *sighs, puts down newspaper* If it makes you feel any better, you can come along with me. It's where I'm headed anyway for my work.
Honori, the Marokrow cawed in response.
Maga: See? Even Honori agrees. When we get there, you can do all the pampering with Baye as much as you want.
Chibi: Could you at least care about our daughter for a minute?
Maga: I do care. But honey, she's growing up. You can't baby her anymore. The real world isn't kind to anyone. We're still her parents, but at times like these, we have to let her take her own steps.
Chibi: Aww...I...I guess you're right… *sighs* I don't know about this...I...I just want her to know that I still love her, no matter what.
Maga: And I do too. But for now, I need to be ready and so do you.
Honori cawed, with Chibi smiling as he looked at her.
Chibi: Aww...Thanks, Honori.
...
At the headquarters of the Dirty Delinquents, the cloaked figure stood around in his office, admiring his magnificent feat. The office itself was too dark to tell what it was, but a desk could be seen with a Roto-Radio of an older model and a mic on top of it, which was used for communication. As he watched out of the window, another figure stepped into the room. It was shorter than the other figure, but one he could recognize. When it spoke, it sounded female.
Female: Excuse me, sir. I wish to speak with you.
Male: You may.
Female: Apparently, Junior Chilli is on the tail of the old Tangela. He also found out that a Tangrowth that joined us years ago is there as well.
Male: ...Interesting. I assume that they're getting the job done?
Female: Yes sir.
Male: Is that all?
Female: No sir. Some of our soldiers are establishing their bases near the islands. However, some of them have been captured.
Male: ...What?
Female: It seems that there are Pokemon who are stronger than we imagined.
Male: That's impossible. Those idiots must've revealed themselves.
Female: Should we still continue our cause?
Male: ...Yes. This time, we sit by no more. Those adults have crossed us for the last time. Colonel, get the squad ready to attack the villages.
Female: Yes sir.
...
Back where Happy and the group were, Happy, Charles and Tanner joined up with Moody, Baye and Eve near one of the exits to watch Unhaus's fight. To Happy and Charles, something, or rather someone was missing.
Happy: Hey, where's Master Zamenza?
?: Right here.
Zamenza returned to them with his hands behind his back. Sarcastically, Moody responded with…
Moody: ...That was one looooooong bathroom break. Had trouble pooping on the toilet again, or were you "a-dressing" something?
Happy: Huh?
Zamenza: Oh, I assure you, I found out I had to take a good poop.
Moody: ...Really? (...You're not fooling me, Zamenza…)
Baye: Ugh...Could you two not talk about your...gross things around me?
Moody: Sure.
Tanner: So...Anything happened? Like the whereabouts of those cloaked Pokemon?
Moody: None so far.
Charles: Hey, look! The match is about to start!
They looked to the ring, showing the two fighters in parallel view.
Nester: Ladies and gentlemen! Our first match is about to start! Unhaus vs Crusta!
The crowd cheered, which was enough to boost morale in both fighters. Crusta had some words to say to Unhaus. When he spoke, it was with a French accent.
Crusta: So zen, you ahre my oppahnent?
Unhaus: I am, and I aim to win the match.
Crusta: Very well. I'll show you just how cahpable I ahm weeth my bahxeeng clahws!
Unhaus: Looking forward to it.
Nester: Fighters! Are you ready?
They both took a fighting pose to let the announcer know they were indeed ready.
Nester: Get set...Begin!