Chapter 15: Wits of Wisdom
After Tanner's victory against Wire, he was patched up by the medical staff and spoke to Zamenza a bit before his next match against a Pokemon named "Tengu". In the shadows, Chilli and his arachne henchmen were watching closely on the group like a stakeout, waiting for the right moment to strike. It still bothered Tanner that the Dirty Delinquents were planning something that he was unaware of.
When the break was over, the crowd cheered for the next match, which was Tengu versus The Great Foodini.
Nester: Ladies and gentlemen! Our next match is about to begin! Tengu versus The Great Foodini!
Unhaus: Looks like this match will be interesting.
Moody: (...Zamenza...Why…?)
From the left entrance came a Shiftry who had a red body complexion and wore purple monk's robes. He also had a curly gray mustache like the rest of his hair covering his face and backside and extraa leaves on his branch-like spokes. From the right entrance, Zamenza wore the same clothes as earlier, trying to keep his identity a secret. It wasn't fooling Moody, who knew who he was and Charles was also confirming his suspicion.
Both fighters made their way to the circular ring, eyeing each other as they stood face to face.
Nester: I've got a feeling that this battle will be between skillful seniors!
Tengu took a good look at Zamenza and recognized him immediately from…somewhere…
Tengu: Zamenza...What a surprise.
Zamenza: Huh?
Tengu: I didn't expect you to be in this tournament. You don't remember me, do you?
Zamenza: ...I'm...sorry. I'm a little hazy on old-time appearances.
Tengu: Hm. It seems that you're slipping.
Zamenza: *scratches cheek* Well, I was told I had some screws loose.
Tengu: Since you don't remember...I'll brief you a bit. I'm the Shiftry you fought against a long time ago in the same tournament like this one. I'm Tengu.
Zamenza: S-Seriously?!
Tengu: That's right. However...I can't help but wonder...Why are you taking on an alias name like "Foodini" and wearing those clothes?
Zamenza: *gestures, whispers* Come closer.
Tengu: Hm?
Tengu walked towards Zamenza and leaned in a bit so Zamenza could whisper in his ear.
Tengu: …I see. Don't you think that you'll be disqualified for that?
Zamenza: Pfft. Nah. Those boys are stronger than they look. I trained them, after all.
Tengu: Very well. Unfortunately, as much as I'd like to, we can't go down memory lane right now. Our match is beginning. I've grown a lot since then, so prepare yourself.
Zamenza: *grins* Sure.
His eyes glowed blue and stopped, which was strange to Tengu but shrugged it off as if it was some sort of "effect" to add to his words.
Zamenza: But so have I.
Nester: Fighters! Are you ready?!
Both struck fighting stances for the match.
Nester: Get set...Begin!
The gong was struck, and the two fighters were off to a fast start as they charged towards each other. Both of them were moving at the sight of blurs around the ring to the point where everyone was amazed and shocked by their power. Some of them could see little movements, while others could only look at the ring and hope the fighters would be visible again.
Nester: I...I can't believe it, folks! Those two are on a whole different level compared to the previous fighters we've seen!
Tanner: (...Holy crap...! Their movements…! They're so fast that even I can't see them…!)
Baye: What's going on?! Where are they?!
Happy: Hey! It's like that guy said! He's a magician!
Charles: If this is a trick, I think he's managed to pull the wool over our eyes! Maybe they're in conjunction with one another?
Moody out of the entire group was the only one to know where they were at all times, looking everywhere with his eyes around the ring.
Moody: No. They're moving very fast. So fast that the eyes alone are not enough.
Charles: Huh?
Baye: Huh?!
Tanner: What?!
Eve: Our eyes alone aren't enough…?
Unhaus: Is that...even possible?!
Moody: It's as the announcer said. They're on a whole different level compared to what we've seen.
Unhaus: Wait...Can you see them?
Moody: ...Yes. Yes I can.
Baye: R-Really?!
Unhaus: Wait..If you can see them...then that means you're on the same level as them, aren't you?
Moody: ...I have no idea.
Unhaus and Baye dropped to the floor in a comedic fashion, but as they got back up, they were somewhat peeved with his response.
Baye: *frustration mark* Well, which is it?!
Moody: Now, now. Respect your elders.
Unhaus: *frustration mark* That's not an excuse, Mr. Moody!
Tanner: *sweat drop* N-Now, now. Who knows? Maybe you don't have to be on their level to see them.
Unhaus: ...You have a point.
Charles: *sweat drop* (...I knew the old man was strong, but this…? I think we've signed up for our death sentences…!) H-Hey...Happy...? I think they're out of our league...Maybe we should've fought in the junior leagues…
Happy: Are you kidding? I want to be as strong as them! Even fight them!
Charles: You don't even know what the heck you're saying!
Tanner: *sweat drop* I don't even know what to think after this….
The invisible fighting continued for a good thirty seconds until they stood at the same spot as before, not even looking tired or scraped from their blows.
Nester: It seems that this fight is going right down to the wire!
Tengu: Not bad. I see you've still got the same energy as last time.
Zamenza: You've gotten far better than last time as well.
Tengu: Like I said before, I've grown a lot since then. Now you'll see what I can really do this time.
He began to place his arms close to his chest as a black aura emitted from him before spreading them out, unleashing a slow, dark ring from his body, which Zamenza jumped to avoid but Tengu raised his left arm and fired dark rings from it, forcing Zamenza to go on the defense in the air as he dodged them.
Zamenza: (...Dark Pulse, huh...? He never used that before in our last fight…)
He then saw Tengu leap into the air and stood there for a second before with his arms out before placing them to his chest once again, but this time started spinning, stirring some wind and leaves from the ground up to him, moving like a twister until everyone including Nester could feel the strong winds picking up.
Nester: Whoa, folks! I think it's getting windy here! It seems that Tengu's about to unleash a Leaf Tornado attack, and it's really powerful!
Nester backed away from the ring and landed on the ground so as to not get swept up from the current. He knew that a Flying type like himself could easily get picked up by the wind.
Zamenza: (...Leaf Tornado...This one I remember, but it wasn't as weak back then...But it seems that he's mastered it…)
When the current got strong enough, Tengu unleashed the Leaf Tornado, sending the storm towards Zamenza. The crowd was left in shock and awe as they could see just how strong the tornado was due to its size.
Zamenza: (...There's got to be a way to diffuse this tornado…)
He went to the ground and took a stance by placing two spoons out in front of him, bracing for the impact. The Leaf Tornado hit, but was halted by Zamenza as the wind kept blowing. Out of nowhere, a strong psychedelic force struck the tornado, destroying the attack in the process. Everyone was surprised by just how the tornado was completely obliterated.
Nester: I don't know what happened, but it appears the Leaf Tornado is gone!
Unhaus: That's some insane power! I don't think I'd last long against that!
Happy: But you're a Flying type. You can resist that, right?
Unhaus: We don't resist the wind. Our wings are as vulnerable to the winds as much as we control them.
Moody: (...Just how did Zamenza do that…? It must be one of those moves that I don't know…)
Tengu landed back in the ring just after the destroyed attack, somewhat confused as to what happened.
Tengu: ...I don't understand...How did you do that?
Zamenza: Hmm...I don't know.
Tengu: Hm… (...Wait a minute…! I know how...He stopped it with Future Sight…! Those glowing eyes earlier weren't for show…! He must've seen this happening before it came to this…!) You used Future Sight, didn't you?
Zamenza: Oh, really? How did you know?
Tengu: Call it a...hunch.
Zamenza: (...He must've caught on when my eyes glowed earlier…)
Tengu: If you thought that was the end of it, I have other attacks in progress.
Zamenza: Looking forward to it.
Tengu raised his right arm, with the leaves glowing blue before moving it like a sword, creating a blue wave-like slash that headed towards Zamenza. Zamenza himself didn't move and with his left spoon, it glowed pink before slicing with it, sending a pink wave-like slash at the other attack. They canceled out, with some wind and psychic energy stirring about from the impact.
Moody: (...Countering Air Slash with Psycho Cut…I'm pretty certain that Zamenza has this in the bag...Although...That Shiftry seems familiar...)
Tengu rushed towards Zamenza with his leaves glowing green, attempting to slash him with them, but Zamenza's spoons glowed pink once again and countered it. Clashes ringing in the air similar to sword fighting (or clawfighting) took place, exciting the crowd.
?: Awesome! Are they clawfighters?
?: I dunno. But they seem to be on that level.
?: Two old dudes fighting with this power? They could clap this place in seconds!
Nester: Tengu and the Great Foodini are neck and neck with each other, striking like mighty swords in a sea of flames! Leaf Blade vs Psycho Cut! Which one will prevail, or will this keep going?
They continued clashing for a bit until they backed away from each other. Tengu was about to use a Dark Pulse attack again on Zamenza until he noticed his spoons were on fire. Zamenza slashed both spoons down, creating a flaming trail in front of him similar to an arrow pointing up before completing it with two horizontal slashes to form a flaming daimonji and sending it towards Tengu with the force from his hands. Tengu jumped out of the way, but to Zamenza, that was nothing. With an upward gesture from his right spoon, the attack went up, following Tengu in pursuit.
Charles: (...Since when could the old man do this…?!)
Tengu saw it coming and grinned. In an instant, he fired a dark ring from his left, which caused an explosion. Some of the Pokemon in the audience were wondering if he was struck by it, but their curiosity was quelled when he landed unharmed.
Tengu: Not bad, Zamenza. You've gotten stronger like you said.
Zamenza: And so have you.
Tengu: I plan on defeating you this time.
Zamenza: That's if you can.
Tengu jumped up again, but this time, his leaves were emitting steam.
Zamenza: (...Hm...? This is new…)
Tengu then flapped his arms, blowing some hot wind at the ground, which started changing the temperature in the air.
Nester: It must be "Heat Wave Wednesday", because I'm sensing a spike in temperature!
Unhaus: What?! He can use it too?!
Moody: He certainly lives up to his name.
Unhaus: Huh?
Moody: ...Nothing.
Zamenza could feel the temperature, but it wasn't as worrying to him unlike everyone else. However, when Tengu dropped almost to the ground, he began spinning, not only stirring the heat up, but also combining it with another move of his own, stirring up great wind that circled around the entire ring. It was capable of pushing him back a bit, but under the cloak, he placed both hands at his right side, forming a small glowing blue orb from between.
Tengu: Behold the mighty power of my Hurricane!
Zamenza jumped up high enough to be over the hurricane, keeping his eye on Tengu, who was still spinning. At this height, Zamenza could get a good view of him.
Tengu: W-What?
Baye: What's he doing?
In only two words, Zamenza shouted…
Zamenza: FOCUS BLAST!
With enough force, he fired the orb from his hands, which became massive, forming like a bullet of blue energy. At this point, Tengu realized that it was too late. The attack struck Tengu dead at the center, creating an explosion from the impact. It was enough to stop the Hurricane attack, with Tengu flying out of the ring with charred spots on his body and was unconscious.
Referee: Out...Tengu! Winner...The Great Foodini!
The crowd cheered, with Nester confirming the announcement.
Nester: You heard the referee, folks! The winner is the Great Foodini!
Tanner: (...I-Incredible…! He actually stopped the attack…! Zamenza is far more powerful than I thought…! Even his groove was on point…!)
Nester: Referee, as usual.
Referee: Number 4 vs Number 9! Charles vs Manfred!
Nester: Well, you heard him, folks! Charles and Manfred will be next! In five minutes, the two competitors will compete against one another!
Unhaus: Looks like you're up.
Charles: *snorts smoke* I'm ready for anything!
Happy: You can do it, Charles.
Charles: Thanks, buddy.
In the ring, Zamenza walked towards Tengu, which was something nobody expected. As Tengu came to, he noticed Zamenza heading in his direction and offered a hand, which confused him.
Tengu: ...H...Huh…?
Zamenza: Congrats. I didn't expect that. You really have grown a lot, like you said before.
Tengu: ...G...Good...sportsmanship…? Just like...last time…
Zamenza: It's my way of respect for fighting a great opponent.
Tengu: *chuckles* ...You sure know how to gain trust…
Zamenza: It's what I do. Come on. Let's get you patched up.
Zamenza carried Tengu, with both of them walking with arms resting on each other for support as they exited the arena. They heard the audience clap and cheer, seeing this rare behavior for the first time.
Nester: Now, if that doesn't say "good sportsmanship", I don't know what will!
Moody: *smiles* (...Good old Zammy…)
Happy: What's "good sportsmanship"?
Unhaus: It's a sign of respect from one opponent to another.
Charles: So, like celebrating someone for their great talents despite not actually winning in it?
Unhaus: Yeah, like that.
Moody: Well, Charles? Think you can handle it?
Charles: I think so. This "Manfred" opponent isn't someone I should be afraid of. *pounds chest* I'll probably take him on without breaking a sweat!
Baye: (...Says the Charmander who's afraid of water…)
Moody: I know you can do it.
Eve: Unhaus, is it possible that some of the Pokemon here can use similar moves like you can and everyone else here?
Unhaus: It depends. Technique plays a factor in how we execute it.
Moody: That's true.
Baye: (...So technique plays a factor in all this…)
Unhaus: You know, there's something that's been bothering me...Where's Zamenza?
?: Right here.
They turned to see Zamenza, who appeared without the cloak and turban. In a sarcastic tone, Moody said…
Moody: Hello, Zamenza. That was a loooong bathroom break. You missed everything.
Zamenza: Ah, I had some trouble, so I couldn't really finish it in time.
Moody: (...You're not fooling me…) Sure you did. Was it as "heat-inducing" as the match was?
Zamenza: Are you implying something here?
Moody: No. Not really. Just saying.
Zamenza: Yeah, right…
Charles: (...You'll be found out eventually, old man…)
Zamenza: So, little Charles's match is coming up. How do you feel, little guy?
Charles: Ready as ever!
Zamenza: I can tell you about your next opponent.
Unhaus: You can?
Zamenza: Of course. You'd be surprised by what Manfred looks like. He's an Ice and Ground type. He's a black Mamoswine with cream colored tusks and a red face. You can't miss him.
Eve: A Mamoswine?
Moody: Isn't that Pokemon-
Zamenza: I'm sure you can take him on.
Moody: (...Zammy, don't interrupt me…!)
Zamenza: (...I'd rather instill confidence in him...You don't want to shatter that, do you…?)
Moody: (...No...I guess you're right…)
Zamenza: I have faith in you, Charles. I know you can do it.
Tanner: Good luck, Charles.
Unhaus: Knock em' out.
Eve: Good luck.
Happy: Go, Charles!
Charles: Thanks, everyone. (...Looks like I'm going to show them what I can do…!)
...