Chapter 45: Small World
As everyone was escaping Block X's holding facility, Happy and the group were stopped by Sid Seudo, who wanted to lock them back up. However, Moody insisted that they go ahead whilst he stayed behind to fight him. Sid proved to be formidable until Moody had the advantage, managing to defeat him. However, unbeknownst to him, Sid had called his underling Junior Chilli to take care of things on his end.
Meanwhile, Colonel Hummus had heard the alarm ring, which made her suspicious of it as she called Brigadier Chan Way on the situation.
Hummus: Brigadier, what's happening?
Chan Way: It appears that the Pokemon of Block X have escaped! I heard Sergeant Olive was to take care of things there, but I'm not getting a response from him!
Hummus: Call Junior Chilli, then. He's still out there.
Chan Way: Good idea. Uh, Colonel…In case Junior Chilli fails, I'd like for you to go down there yourself. I'm so sorry I have to rely on you for this. According to the monitor, the activity of their whereabouts are in Block W, which is where one of the exits are.
Hummus: Say no more. I will be there before they escape.
She hung up, set to do her mission. On Chan Way's end, he noticed some sort of activity happening in Block C, which added to the pressure as multiple voices were chiming in about what was happening there.
?: Brigadier! Number 774! Squads down in Block C! We're being attacked by a phantom intruder!
Chan Way: What?! Did you get a look at it?!
774: No, sir! We couldn't see them!
Chan Way: Then prepare the spirit bullets!
774: Y-Yes sir! I'll-
The soldier screamed before communication was cut off, worrying Chan Way.
Chan Way: N-Number 774! What happened?! Respond!
Nothing. There was no response, confirming the answer. However, another voice was received, appearing to be in the same area like the other soldier.
?: Number 519 here! Someone's freed the children from Block C!
Chan Way: …No…!
519: We still can't get an accurate detail of the intruder! It's too hidden to determine their appearance! Only thing we can gather is a pair of white hands! And…Oh-
The voice cut off, adding more worry to Chan Way's plate.
Chan Way: …Shit…!
His eyes shrunk in fear, knowing that the situation was completely out of his control. He was getting stressed from the constant chaos that was brewing within their headquarters. He then slammed the desk in frustration, glaring at the monitor, wanting to curse his enemies straight to hell.
Chan Way: *repeatedly slams desk* Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit! Why does the chaos have to happen under my watch?! The Senior Head is going to have my head for this! I don't think I'll be standing tall in front of him anymore…!
He began to cry as he planted his face on the desk in shame, hoping for either the chaos to end or his life. In a gloomy voice, he said…
Chan Way: …Please, Colonel Hummus…Make a miracle happen…
...
Back in Block W, the escaped Pokemon were making their way down the hall towards a large door that seemed to be the exit. Baye had informed Zamenza of going to Block P to free her parents and any others who were on Happy and Charles's list. Surely, she was being assisted by Happy and Charles, along with Unhaus and Tanner. As for Mr. P, he was with Zamenza in the squad. Suhi, on the other hand, went with them as Baye also told her that the children were being rescued by someone, giving her some sense of relief.
Of course, Zamenza was the first to be leading the pack. As they got closer and closer, Zamenza screeched to a halt, which made the other Pokemon stop as well, although confused by it. He sensed someone approaching their way, as well as someone in the area Happy and the others were headed, but the one coming his way was more important as they seemed to be stronger and approaching fast.
Mr. P: …What is it, Mr. Zamenza?
Druddigon: …You sense something, don't you?
Zamenza: …A strong foe is coming this way.
He pulled out his two spoons from his tail for the oncoming threat, speaking somewhat loud and serious to proclaim…
Zamenza: Be on your guard, everyone!
Some of them looked at each other, wondering if it was the same Pokemon that defeated them before. A moment later, he raised his right hand to block a knife being held by a blue cloaked Pokemon before it jumped in front of him, blocking the exit. The Pokemon standing before them was familiar, since they remembered how strong it was.
Morgan: It's…
Druddigon: It's that Helioptile!
Hummus: …How intriguing. You all escape, thinking you're free. I won't allow it so long as I am here.
Zamenza: I do not wish to fight you. You seem like someone with a heart, even if you're working for a terrible organization.
Hummus: Spare me the lecture. I work for the Senior Head, and I won't betray his trust. I want you all to go back to your cells.
Zamenza: …Huh. I think I know what happens when we say no.
Hummus: …I don't play games. I want things to run smoothly, and I'd prefer if you fall in line to keep things going.
Zamenza: …I was expecting things to go south, but okay. You don't seem like one to have a sense of humor, do you?
Hummus: …Just shut up. Either go back quietly, or fight a losing battle. Your choice.
Zamenza: I'm going to lead the path to freedom, and so long as someone's in the way, I'll fight for it, even if it costs me.
Hummus: …Tch. Fool. A fight to a losing battle it is.
She drew her knives and on two legs, she ran towards Zamenza, swinging her knives at him, with him using his spoons to fight back. There was a balance of power right in front of the others as it was similar to the style of clawfighting, only with weapons. Their attacks were quick, with each block followed by struggles from the clashing.
Morgan: Holy crap! I get to see the legend in action!
Druddigon: A-Amazing! He…He's actually capable of fighting on par with her!
After a minute of exchanging clashes over weaponry, they took a step back to recollect their thoughts. They were exhausted, but were far from done.
Zamenza: (...Phew…! That Pokemon's feisty…! She's really strong as they say…! I'm actually impressed that the Dirty Delinquents have someone like this…!)
Hummus: (...That old man is stronger than he looks…He saw me a mile away and blocked my attack…Is it possible that…he could be stronger than me…? Even stronger than-)
She shrugged off her negative thoughts, sticking to her beliefs.
Hummus: (...No…There's no way he's that much stronger than the Brigadier or the Senior Head himself…It's impossible…)
Zamenza: Listen, there's no need for any of this.
Hummus: Why? Why persist in goading me into something I have no interest in? Can't you see it's pointless?
Zamenza: …You really have that much loyalty to your leader? For what reason, might I ask?
Hummus: …Why should I tell you? You're an old man. I devote myself to him because of his beliefs. I don't need an outsider to tell me otherwise.
Zamenza: (...She truly does believe in her leader…But, does she believe blindly…?)
Hummus: I know what you're thinking. It won't work. I'm not letting any of you pass.
She lifted her tail in the air and began wiggling it back and forth, generating energy towards it to form a yellow electric ball on the tip. It was also bigger than her as it lit up the hall. Zamenza noticed this, realizing just how strong she was.
Zamenza: (...Incredible…! The size of that Electro Ball being bigger than her shows her strength…! However, can she stand up against my power…?)
He placed his fingers together in front of him to create a ball of blue energy before tucking them at his side. They both chucked their attacks, which collided and caused a blast that created smoke to block everyone's vision. The impact also forced them to shield their eyes. As it cleared, they were still standing, not even hurt in the slightest.
Dylan: I-Incredible…! He held his own against her! He really is the legend from that tournament!
Nemesio: I'm imprrresset by just jhow jhe's managet to keep jhimself steady at jhis age!
Wire: Come, regret, food, dinner.
Suhi: *sweat drop* (...Neva' ave I come to being so confozed by language as 'is…)
Zamenza: …Are you do-
Interrupting his speech, Hummus charged quickly with a head coated in iron, forcing Zamenza to reach his hand out to block it, stopping her instantly. However she let herself go and as she landed, she was like a blur to everyone else except him. Zamenza, in his years of training, could easily sense where she was. He didn't even have to look where she would appear. He could feel her energy and stood still, closing his eyes to concentrate on just that.
Manfred: (...Tiny lizarrrd vas moving too fast forrr us, yet Zamenza makes it look like she vas in slow motion! I vonder…)
Still concentrating on her movements, he could tell that Hummus was bouncing off the walls at high speed, making as little movement on the ground as possible.
Zamenza: (...She's attempting to strike me whilst keeping her true movements silent…Luckily, I'm not letting up for a second…)
As Zamenza made to turn, Hummus came at his right side with a knife in her hand, only for him to reach out a hand filled with a blue aura that stopped her in her tracks, coating her in a similar aura. Zamenza realized it was a perfect chance for everyone else to escape.
Zamenza: Go! Make your way to the exit!
Some of the fighters ran towards the exit, but Morgan and Mr. P stuck around, wondering if he would make it.
Morgan: Mr. Zamenza…What about you?
Mr. P: Surely, you need to escape as well?
Zamenza: I'll be fine. Go.
Morgan and Mr. P looked at each other before running towards the exit. Hummus struggled to get herself free, but Zamenza could feel his grip on her weaken, forcing him to release her to regain his energy. She made her way to the exit, only for Zamenza to outspeed her, stopping her pursuit.
Zamenza: You know, I'm wondering if I can get you to stop.
Hummus: Out of my way!
Zamenza: (...She really is stubborn…! I guess I have no choice…I'll have to use that move…I don't like using it very often, but I'll have to do it to get it over with…)
Hummus: Very well, then.
She tossed her knives at him, with Zamenza knocking them away as usual, but that was what she wanted to do, needing to sneak in for a hit as the knives were for a distraction. When she lunged forward towards his face with her claws ready, Zamenza's left eye began to sparkle as he pointed a finger that touched her head, causing her eyes to blank out before dropping to the ground in an unconscious state. It was as if he shut her entire brain down with a power from his one finger.
Zamenza: *sighs* …Never thought it would work in over 20 years…
From around the corner, Moody was seen walking as he noticed Zamenza standing near an unconscious Hummus.
Moody: …What happened here?
Zamenza: Oh, good. *smiles* You didn't die of a heart attack yet.
Moody: *frustration mark* Oh, "ha-ha" funny, "Zammy"! Got any more jokes up that tail of yours?!
Zamenza: *sweat drop* Calm down! Sheesh…Anyways, I take it you defeated that Sid Pokemon?
Moody: Yeah. Where's Happy and the others?
Zamenza: The other fighters went to the exit, whilst Happy and the others went to Block P for something.
Moody: Oh?
Zamenza: But, Moody…Someone's headed their way. Why don't we hurry to their aid?
Moody: Sure, but I can't run that fast. I wish I had my cane.
Zamenza: I'll get you a new cane. How's that?
Moody: Still might not feel as good, but alright.
...
Meanwhile, where Happy's group was, they had ran past several blocks, knocking over more Dirty Delinquent soldiers as they pleased. As they reached Block P, they were greeted by a nasty surprise. A Crustle wearing a purple cloak and a large castle-shaped shell on its back had approached them, seeming to have waited for their arrival. Only Tanner wasn't happy to see the Pokemon again.
Crustle: So, Tanner…you brought friends. Not bad, considering how badly I beat you last time. Though I still wonder how you're not dead yet…
Baye: Who is he, and why does he sound like he's got a grudge against you, Tanner?
Tanner: …That's Junior Chilli. Although he's actually different from last time, as he evolved from a Dwebble to a Crustle. And yes…we have a history together.
Chilli: Oh, come now, Tanner. No need to bore them with our life story together. We're just getting acquainted with our guests.
Tanner: I may have lost against you last time, but you failed to kill me due to not understanding my Regenerator ability and my thick hide.
Chilli: So that's why.
Unhaus: Look, pal. Save us the trouble and get out of here, or else we'll shut you down.
Chilli: I'm not afraid of you. I could take every one of you on.
Happy: What about us?
Chilli: Children? Hmph. They usually don't last very long against me.
Tanner: Happy…Charles…Leave him to me.
Unhaus: Are you crazy?! You lost to him last time! You could die if you fight him again!
Happy: Mr. Tanner…We have to fight. We'd rather you all get to free the adults here.
Tanner: Happy, it's unwise for you to-
Baye: Hey, at least they can handle themselves. I've seen them fight, and they're not ordinary children.
Unhaus: Even I have to agree. The first time I fought them, they were stronger than I thought. If they're capable of kicking butt, then let's leave it to them.
Chilli: *laughs* You're leaving it up to children to fight your battles for you? How stupid!
Tanner: *sweat drop* (…Never did I think that I'd agree with him for once…)
Charles: You'll be laughing now, but I assure you, we'll make you regret your actions!
Chilli: Well, come at me, then.
Happy and Charles grinned, to which Chill prepared himself. However, he was shocked as they moved like a blur to him. Even Tanner and Unhaus were shocked by their speed, being completely different from last time.
Chilli: Impossible!
They delivered an uppercut to his underside, causing him to tip over.
Tanner: (...N-No…way…! Their speed…! It's like a different wavelength…! Their vibes are on a whole other level…!)
Chilli was now forced to withdraw into his shell, wanting to avoid any other incoming attacks.
Chilli: (...I don't believe it…! Those children are stronger than I thought…! How the hell could they have gotten that strong…?!)
Despite being in his shell, he felt punches and kicks all around, rattling his shell.
Charles: Hey, crabby! Come out of the shell!
Happy: This is no time to be playing hide and seek!
Chilli: (...I can't lose to children…! I'll never be able to look at myself again…Not since…I was picked on as a child…)
He remembered his past as a child, to which he was severely bullied by bigger Pokemon. They would look at his size as if he was a shrimp compared to others. It didn't help that he never found a place in the world due to his size, and the history between him and Tanner were more like rivals in size compared to others. The only thing he could remember positively was when the Senior Head took him in, as if he was worth something and gave him a place to live in.
Taking on more hits, he was forced to climb out of his shell and abandon it for speed. He was peeved that being knocked around in his shell was like being kicked around as a child by others.
Chilli: *growls* That's it! I refuse to be reduced to a mere kicking stone! Get ready to die, brats! I'll not be mocked and belittled by children!
He began to scream as he placed his claws together to create stones, which formed to be tightly packed together and got bigger and bigger until they were as big as his castle, now a single giant rock-like cannonball. Everyone was surprised by the size of the rock itself.
Baye: W-What is that?!
Tanner: He's using Rock Wrecker! He's really getting desperate!
Unhaus: That boulder could crash a bridge!
Charles: H-Happy! We can't bounce that back!
Happy: Yes we can!
Charles: W-Wait, what?
Chilli: Have a taste of my Rock Wrecker Cannon!
He hurled the large rock towards the duo, to which Happy only saw it as a challenge.
Happy: Charles, throw me!
Charles: A-Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you.
He grabbed Happy by the arm and swung him around, which confused their friends by the display. As Charles's swinging got faster, Happy withdrew into his shell and Charles let go, sending him straight into the large boulder. Water began spraying from the holes of his shell, propelling power for him. He crashed into the boulder, still spinning as he was pushing into it until it broke into pieces.
Chilli: What?! No!
He placed his claws together to create rocks, only forming smaller, tightly packed ones for a rapid fire to stop Happy. One by one, the boulders headed his way, only for them to break upon impact as he bored his way through.
Chilli: This…can't be...!
Before he could create another rock, Happy smashed into him, knocking him further down the hall until they crashed into a wall, creating a crater-like impact as he fell to the ground in a weakened state, bleeding from his mouth.
Chilli: …This…This…can't…be…! This…has to be…some kind of…joke…
He began coughing up blood, which was somewhat disturbing to Happy. He was then joined by his friends, who were surprised to wonder how he managed to pull it off. Chilli only kept his eye on Tanner, with tears suddenly forming in his eyes.
Chilli: …Why…? *sniff* …Why does it…seem like…I'm always…small…to you…?
Tanner: …You felt small the entire time?
Chilli: …Don't…Don't pretend you're…the good guy in all this… *sniff* Why…do you think…I hate you…so much for…? *sniff*
Tanner: …Huh?
Chilli: …You always…made me feel small… *sniff* I was picked on…as a child…And just when I thought…I had my way here…You came and…picked on me…! I hate you, Tanner! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU!
He cried softly to himself, expressing his pain and frustration that he had pent up for years. However, Tanner had no choice but to give his input on the matter as he took in his true feelings about him.
Tanner: *sighs* …Look, I know I was a jerk back then, but I've changed. I'm not the same Pokemon anymore. If you thought your world was small, step into my shoes. I've lived a small world my entire life, thinking I was better. I thought I was able to make it on my own, but I've never really managed to do any better. To be honest, when I met these guys at first, I only had my sights set on winning the tournament to get somewhere…
Chilli: …Why…does that even matter…? *sniff* …I don't care about your…stupid dreams…! All I want…is to be big…To stand in the world…for a change…
Happy: We're smaller than you, and we have a big view of the world.
Charles: Children like us were belittled by the world, but look at us now! We showed them!
Baye: No one should be made to feel small. The world is large.
Unhaus: Whatever size you are, you have a place in the world. It shouldn't matter.
Tanner: …Doyle…If it makes you feel any better, I'm sorry for what I did back then. I don't want to see you suffer for the rest of your life because of what happened. You deserve some sense of humility…
Chilli: …T…Tanner…I…I can't…I… *sniff* …I…a…accept…your…apol…ogy…
He lay unconscious, with Tanner carrying him to his shell, placing him inside. As everyone else left to go find the adults, Tanner turned around to say one last thing to him.
Tanner: …You may not realize it, but you're actually getting bigger. That's a small step to being big in the world. Unlike me…who still thinks that I'm not growing at all…
...