Chapter 71

Although Jax spoke very quietly through gritted teeth, everyone on the float was able to hear him loud and clear. As their emperor was just mocked by a child who knew nothing of the world, the soldiers leaped into action and surrounded the boy. The rest of the royal family looked towards the boy and their emperor with bated breaths not knowing how the situation would turn out. The waving and cheering guests on the street quieted down as they saw that the situation on the float was turning abnormal. Even if they hadn't heard what was said, they saw armed soldiers surround a boy who was young enough to be their own child. Shocked, the crowd immediately started booing and released their own pokemons to come to the aid of the helpless boy.

Seeing that the situation was getting out of hand, Emperor Augustus rubbed his face and sighed. He didn't know that by asking such a simple question could make the boy who had been happily sharing stories just moments ago turn so cold. In this world, it was very common to trade, sell or even steal pokemons so he thought that he handled the situation quite well. Not only was he going to compensate the boy for taking up his time to indulge his whims, he was even willing to pay a high price for the rare shiny for his daughter.

"Enough! Step back, soldiers. What are you doing surrounding a boy old enough to be your own child?" Rebuking the soldiers who only wanted to protect his face, Emperor Augustus shook his head. With so many people looking towards him, some his own citizens, some influential parties invited by him, others powerful trainers, he knew that he had to deescalate the situation quickly. But as an emperor, what would he do if he bowed down to a seven-years old child? He wouldn't have the face to meet his opponents on the battlefield!

"Boy. You have crossed the line. Daring to compare your pokemons to the royal family of the great Borden Empire is a crime punishable by death. As you are still young and naïve and as a benevolent emperor, I shall excuse you. As compensation, I will take one of your pokemons. Mhm. The shiny Metagross will do."

Smirking, Jax knew that the man in front of him was just trying to save face at this point. With so many people looking at their float, Emperor Augustus wouldn't dare kill him in front of so many onlookers. Plus, it looked like they all had his back. "Psh. Old man, if you think I will hand over one of my family members to you with my own hands, you'll have to cut them off first."

Hearing the boy's audacious statement, Emperor Augustus's face was turning red in anger. No longer caring about the people looking towards them, he summoned his own pokemon, Pyroar. "Boy, since that is your wish, let me grant it for you!"

Before Jax could summon his own pokemons, a streak of orange flew down from the sky and landed on the float. When the thing landed on the float, a dust storm was kicked up blocking everyone's view. As the dust settled down, Jax who was hunched over and coughing looked at what had landed in front of him. What he saw left him completely shocked!

In the past, Jax was able to see his teacher, Headmaster Leon's Charizard. From its size, shape of horns and radiating aura, it was the strongest pokemon he had ever seen. So then, how was this beast in front of him compared to his teacher's Charizard? No comparison! The behemoth Charizard currently in front of him was in a league of its own! Standing at 3 meters tall, horns the length of his whole arm, and wings that could probably block out the sky, the orange titan in front of Jax was now the strongest pokemon he had ever laid eyes on!

Not knowing what this Charizard's intentions were, Jax stepped back cautiously as not to alert it but just as he missed a step and was about to fall off the float, a tail appeared and pushed him back up onto it. Looking towards the Charizard, Jax gave a silent nod to thank it before remembering what had transpired before the beast arrived. Peeking past the orange wall blocking his view, Jax glared at the Emperor who had his mouth wide open.

'Wha-what's he doing here? I heard from Nixson that he disappeared along with Oscar over seven years ago!' Emperor Augustus was beyond shocked and excited about his uninvited guest. He never thought he would see him ever again, definitely not in this fashion either. Completely forgetting why he had summoned Pyroar, Emperor Augustus was about to run up to the Charizard and ask it all the questions he had. But before he could, the Charizard raised his head up into the air and let out a stream of fire!

"ROAR!"

Covering their ears, everyone in the vicinity ducked down and tried to find cover at this new arrival letting out a Flamethrower into the air. They didn't know what the Charizard's intentions were but they weren't going to stick around and find out. Even the elite trainers ran off knowing they weren't its match! As everyone disappeared to corners unknown, the Charizard let out a 'Hmph' with tiny flames coming out of his nostrils.

"You've grown bold, Augustus. My trainer and I disappear for a couple of years and you now think we aren't worth anything. Why else would you pick a fight with a Skyborne?"

"Wait! Zennon! I have no idea what you're talking about! Before that, where have you been? Nixson told me that you and Osc-."

"SILENCE! Don't forget that the only reason you are even sitting on that throne is because we saved your life. And how do you repay our favor? By bullying my trainer's child? Explain why I shouldn't correct history right this instant."

"Your trainer's child? Oscar's? What are you talking about? I was talking to Ja-." Seeing the boy's silver-grey hair, Emperor Augustus was finally able to connect the dots! 'Of course! No wonder his information was kept so tightly under wraps! Tsk! LEON! If I die today, I'm haunting you for life!'

"I will give you 10 seconds to suggest me appropriate compensation. Or else. And you don't want tot know what 'Or else' entitles you to."

Hearing Zennon's blatant threat, Emperor Augustus paid it no mind. Even if he rallied his entire army and allies' armies, they still wouldn't be able to beat this monstrosity. Knowing he messed up big time, Emperor Augustus started sweating buckets while thinking about all the treasures in his Empire's safe. 'Ah! That just might work!'