Chapter 16: Blazing Fire
The last battle concluded with an easy victory for Zamenza, also going by the alias "The Great Foodini". However, it was clear to Charles that Zamenza was on a whole different level compared to them, and equally as convincing that his opponent Tengu was strong almost like him. Despite the odds, Charles had support from his friends as he made his way to the ring with Zamenza behind him.
Charles's battle was to be the first of his age, since he and Happy had trained for a year under Zamenza's belt, so this was the perfect time to test his skills against a real opponent. According to Zamenza, Charles's opponent was named Manfred, a Mamoswine.
Charles: Master Zamenza, if I may ask, what am I in for?
Zamenza: Hmm? Oh, it's nothing. Try to ignore his accent. He's not originally from here.
Charles: Alright. I'll do my best.
Zamenza: Charles.
Charles: Huh?
Zamenza: Remember to dodge.
Charles: *sweat drop, groans* ...I'll try to remember that…
Zamenza: *chuckles quietly* I'm sure you will.
The crowd began cheering as the excitement over this match was about to begin.
Nester: Ladies and gentlemen! Our next match is about to begin! Charles vs Manfred!
As Charles made his way to the stadium ring, the cheers started dying down as they took one look at him, knowing immediately that he was a child. The cheers turned into jeers as they thought that this was unfair and a major fault of the tournament organizers. His opponent Manfred was already in the ring and matched as Zamenza described him. He also had a thick yellow mustache over the fur that covered his mouth.
The voices of the crowd turned hostile as they were witnessing a child in the ring.
?: What the fuck?! He's only a child!
?: I came here to watch two grownups compete, not a child!
?: The staff should be ashamed of themselves!
?: Disqualify him!
The crowd began chanting "disqualify him", which could be heard throughout the entire stadium. It made Charles feel uncomfortable from the hurling swears and comments. Happy and the group felt tense, which was understandable as Charles was their friend and what they were saying was completely uncalled for. Nester decided to speak up on the matter in hopes of quelling the tension in the air.
Nester: *sweat drop* U-Um, ladies and gentlemen, I know what you're thinking, but who knows? Even if he's a child, maybe he has more skills than what we know...?
The jeers got even louder, with some of them throwing food and bottles of beer at the stadium. The expletives got even worse as some of them were hurled towards Nester himself.
?: Fruit fuckbat!
?: Damn wingnut!
?: Kiss the rock and my ass!
?: Shitty announcer! Get wrecked! You and your dumbass staff!
It got to the point where Nester's patience was wearing thin from the voices, and had to defend himself.
Nester: Okay, that was uncalled for! What do you want me to do about it?! It's not my fault that a child entered a tournament for adults!
His words went on deaf ears, and some of them wanted to fight him personally. Some of the group's reactions were just as bitter towards the crowd due to their disrespect to Charles.
Moody: Disrespectful degenerates…!
Baye: Who are these Pokemon?!
Unhaus: Their words were uncalled for!
Eve: …How could they say such a thing?
Happy: ...Grandpa...Why are they saying those mean things?
Moody: ...Happy...It's because they don't understand...They are adults who think that children should be looked down upon. They let their words take over instead of their minds...
However, all of that stopped when Zamenza out of all Pokemon stepped in to come to Charles's defense yelling…
Zamenza: SILEEEEEENCE!
The entire stadium was stunned in silence as Zamenza somehow made his voice be heard without a mic. Even Happy and friends were surprised to see him there. His voice was angrily stern as it was loud.
Zamenza: Every single one of you...Looking down upon a child just because of his looks...What's wrong with you lot?!
Nothing. They said nothing at all.
Zamenza: This is his first battle, and you decide to judge him based on age alone. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves! And guess what?! He's my student! I have another one similar in age to this young man here! Are you telling me that you'll look down on him too?! If so, then back your words up and watch them in action. You'll be surprised as to what they can do!
Most of the audience sat back down and said nothing, letting the match continue on as usual.
Charles: (...Old man…)
Moody: (...Zamenza…)
Nester: Er...Anyways…! Both fighters are inside the ring!
Manfred eyed Charles down and took in what Zamenza said earlier, but still saw him like everyone else did. When he spoke, it was in a thick accent, further proving that he wasn't from here.
Charles: *sweat drop, gulps* (...I don't think I'm ready for this…)
Manfred: You arrre baby lizarrrd, rrright?
Charles was taken aback by his accent, which was something unusual to hear for him.
Charles: I'm not a baby! Also, your accent is weird.
Manfred: It bekause I not frrrom herrre. Wherrre I kome frrrom, ve arrre giants zat shake lands.
Charles: …Okay? (...I hope I can take him on…)
Manfred: Tell you what. I'll make it easier forrr you, since you arrre child.
Charles: Don't go easy on me. Your size doesn't intimidate me.
Manfred: Verrry vell. I von't hold back. Hovever, some prrrobably might have differrrent point of view of zis. Just rrremember zat I varrrned you.
Charles: Sure.
Nester: Fighters! Are you ready?
Both took a fighting stance.
Nester: Get set…Begin!
As the gong rang, Manfred raised a front foot and took one stomp to create a ground shaking earthquake, which knocked Charles off-balance. The entire stadium could feel the impact of the earthquake, with some of them even teetering from their seats. However, only Nester couldn't feel the impact due to him flapping his wings but could understand what was happening due to how the stadium moved.
Nester: It appears that Manfred is shaking things up literally! I can't feel it, but I know most of you can! I just hope it doesn't cost us anything!
Unhaus: Is this guy trying to tear up the entire stadium?!
Happy: This is fun! *laughs*
Moody: (...This isn't good…! Charles is at a major disadvantage…!)
The earthquake stopped, which brought relief to everyone.
Charles: W-What was that?!
Manfred: Zat vas just grrreeting frrrom my home vorrrld.
Charles: "G-Greeting"?! You start greetings with an earthquake?! What the heck is wrong with you?!
Manfred: It not nice to insult my home grrreeting. It's what ve do to let otherrrs know of ourrr prrresence.
Charles: Hmph.
Manfred: Alrrright. Herrre I kome! Full on Ice Rush! Arrrrghh!
Manfred's body began swirling cold wind before he charged at Charles like a stampeding elephant, panicking by his sudden loud footsteps that rocked every motion of the ground. Despite this, Charles was nimble enough to avoid the oncoming attack, but Manfred tried again as he turned around for a second attempt, which Charles dodged again by moving to the side.
Charles: Crap! He's too big for me to strike! Wait...Zamenza said that he was an Ice and Ground type, so why not fire?
As Manfred turned his back, Charles's mouth was ablaze and unleashed a stream of flames, striking him on his rump. It was enough to get him to run around the ring with it on fire, prompting laughter from the arena shouting...
Manfred: Arrrrgh! Firrre! Firrre! FIRRRE! My furrr! Arrrrghh! It burrrns!
Nester: *chuckles, clears throat* Amazing! Manfred's Ice Rush proved to be no match for Charles, and in response, Charles unleashed a Flamethrower attack, setting it up for what folks call "entertainment"! How will Manfred cool down from this? *laughs*
Charles: *sweat drop, snorts, stifles* O...Oops...I think I overdid it a bit…
Zamenza: *chuckles* Well, this match has certainly taken a page out of the funnies.
Manfred managed to park his rump on the concrete a couple times before the fire was put out, giving him some relief. However, when he turned to Charles, his face was dead furious, as he was embarrassed by what he just went through.
Manfred: Do you zink zat vas funny?! I was humiliated by what you did! ! You have made me angrrry! Prrreparrre to be squashed by my giant footprrrint!
Charles: Uh-oh! (...I think I made the gentle giant mad…!)
Manfred stomped angrily towards Charles, knocking him off-balance a bit before landing his left foreleg on Charles completely, attempting to crush him. Everyone gasped in horror, knowing full-well that he was a child being crushed to death by a 700-pound Pokemon.
Baye: NO!
Eve: *screams* No!
Moody: Charles!
Unhaus: Charles!
Happy: What's happening, Grandpa?
Moody: He's being crushed to death!
Happy: Crushed to death? As in, he's going to die?
Moody turned to Zamenza with an angry face, knowing just who to blame.
Moody: Well, Zammy! Great job letting a child get crushed to death! This one's on you! I knew I shouldn't have let you take them here!
Zamenza: …Watch closely.
Unhaus: "Watch closely", my ass! Your student's being crushed to death by a grown-ass Pokemon! Not to mention, 700 pounds of it!
Zamenza: (...How did he know how much that Mamoswine weighed…?) I know what it looks like, but give him a-
Happy: M-Master Zamenza…!
Happy's eyes were filled with tears, now realizing that Charles might've died right then and there. Everyone turned at him with worry, including Zamenza himself.
Happy: ...M-Master Zamenza…! Charles is...is dead, isn't he…? *sniff*
Zamenza could only look on with solemnity, wondering if what he said earlier was a mistake. As for the crowd, their reaction was anger, knowing that this was a tragedy that shouldn't have taken place. Even Nester grew worried, seeing as how Charles was easily crushed under Manfred's weight.
Nester: Oh no…
?: What the fuck?!
?: That old man was a dumbass liar!
?: He should be locked up for child abuse!
?: Such brutality unleashed on a child! Has he no shame?!
?: That child didn't deserve to die!
?: The staff should've prevented this!
?: Get off him, you hairy beast!
Manfred: It not my fault zat it kame to zis. Zat child shouldn't even be herrre. If anything, it's staff's fault forrr alloving zis.
Happy: CHARLES!
Nester: L-Ladies and gentlemen...I...I don't know how to say this...but...we shall-
Before Nester could finish his sentence, Manfred suddenly felt as if his leg was being lifted.
Manfred: (...What...? He's not dead...?)
Zamenza: Everyone, look!
As Manfred's pressed leg was slowly being lifted, Charles was seen pushing it off him, although he was struggling a bit as he was gritting his teeth. Even the audience was shocked by just how strong he was to not only endure the crushing, but also to push Manfred's weight off him.
Nester: L-Ladies and gentlemen! I-I think that the young boy Charles is pushing back!
Happy: *smiles* CHARLES!
Baye: He's okay!
Unhaus: You can do it, Charles! Don't let that hairy beast overpower you!
Tanner, Eve & Happy: Go, Charles!
Even though Charles was struggling, he felt something click inside him, which gave him a tremendous boost in strength. It was almost like pure rage pushing him to survive and protect him from a great threat. With enough force, he managed to lift Manfred's leg from under him, causing Manfred to take a step back.
Nester: Amazing! It seems that Charles has managed to push Manfred's weight completely off him!
Manfred: Zis is not possible! (...Vas old man serrrious when he said zat...?)
From a distance, Happy and the group noticed Charles's tail fire getting bigger and his stance changing. However, both Zamenza and Moody were the only ones to know what it meant.
Unhaus: H-Hey...What's going on with Charles? His tail fire got bigger.
Baye: *turns to Zamenza* Yeah, what's happening?
Zamenza: ...Blaze.
Baye: B-Blaze?
Moody: Charles's ability. I also assume that when he used Flamethrower on Manfred earlier, he didn't take that much damage. It's because of his Thick Fat that allows him to have some resistance to Fire.
Happy: What's an ability and what does Blaze do?
Zamenza: All Pokemon have natural abilities. It's to help us with our daily lives, whether through battling or helping around. As for Blaze, Charles gets a power boost for his Fire-type moves.
Unhaus: Whoa, really?!
Zamenza: Exactly.
Nester: Folks, it looks like Charles's ability has clicked in!
Manfred: (...W-What...?)
Charles stood still, but kept his eyes on Manfred.
Charles: (...So, it activated finally...I was in danger, but I pulled myself out of it…)
Manfred: It's not possible! You have zat ability?!
Charles: I do. It's what the old man told me during my training. And thanks to you...I can show everyone here what I can do like the old man wanted!
Manfred: Not if I stomp you down into earrrths of my ancestorrrs!
As Manfred brought his foreleg down on Charles again, Charles's fists were on fire, which were roaring intensely from his Blaze ability.
Charles: FIRE...PUNCH!
As he went under Manfred with a flaming right uppercut, he sent him flying into the air, to which a stupefied audience could only watch in awe as they watched a tiny lizard knock a heavy mammal Pokemon into the air, almost exceeding past the height of the stadium itself. Even Nester himself looked on with eyes popped out and mouth opened as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
When Manfred landed with a ground shaking thud, he was outside the ring unconscious, with a silent crowd wondering how Charles actually won despite being a child. The referee himself was stunned, but maintained his composure to announce the result.
Referee: O-Out...Manfred! Winner...Charles!
The silence from the crowd slowly turned into claps and cheers.
Eve: He did it…!
Unhaus: I-Incredible…! He actually did it…!
Baye: He beat him…!
Tanner: Amazing…!
Happy: Yay, Charles! He did it! *jumps, laughs*
Moody: (...He actually did it...But, I'd prefer if I didn't suffer a near-death heart attack experience...)
Charles: *grins* (...I did it…!) *chuckles*
Zamenza: (...My work is paying off…)
Moody: But at such a young age? How did he manage to control that ability?
Zamenza: Hmm...Good question.
Moody: So, you're saying that you trained both him and Happy and you never knew their abilities?
Zamenza: I did, it's just that it never came up during the training.
Moody: *sweat drop* (...You've got to be kidding…)
Zamenza: I guess that they were inexperienced at the time since they were just children growing into themselves, so their abilities weren't as rampant then.
Moody: ...At least that makes sense, but shouldn't Charles have lost control?
Zamenza: Hmm… (...Perhaps he understood it faster than I anticipated…?)
Moody: Looks like it might be your turn, Happy.
Happy: I can't wait!
Zamenza: Neither can I.
As he looked at Tanner, he noticed that he was somewhat distracted from the conversation, which was all too obvious what he had on his mind.
Zamenza: (...Tanner, let's talk...privately…)
Tanner was surprised to hear Zamenza's voice in his head, but complied as he indeed had some things to get off his mind. As the two walked away quietly, Moody noticed them, but didn't bother going after them. Zamenza and Tanner were in a private room away from prying eyes to discuss without worry.
Zamenza: You're worried about the Dirty Delinquents, aren't you?
Tanner: ...Yeah...Zamenza, please keep this a secret between you and me. My father already knows about it.
Zamenza: About what?
Tanner: The real reason I joined the Dirty Delinquents.
...