The spark that lit the flame

As Taf observed his stalkers through the mirror's reflection, he pondered, "How do I get out of this ordeal unscathed? Wait, something looks a bit odd." After calming himself, it dawned on him that the person from Bing was seemingly just casually observing him as he window-shopped. "What are they up to? Normally, they couldn't bear their frustration and would have attacked by now." 

Taf slowly discerned some clues from their movement with his seasoned young eyes. "Why are they so calm and collected all of a sudden? Normally, I would have to be running with my tail between my legs after being in such close proximity." Taf kept on looking until he saw a gang member who was foreign to his eyes. This fella was short but bulky. "Wait, he appears new, and why is Scarface tactically standing behind him?"

 Taf continued to question his own observation. "I finally found the boss with his dogs. Interesting, this one seems to be intelligent," He thought. 

Soon, everything became apparent to Taf, but he knew the situation was against him. "This doesn't look good at the moment. My usual tactics won't work against the boss," he mused. Still, Taf was not one to give up easily. If he still had breath, then there were options available to him. Composing himself, he muttered, "If that's the case, I should go for the one thing that works and just run for my life!" As he prepared to sprint away, Taf noticed the smirk on the leader's and Scarface's faces turning into a smile, making him stop.

"No, that's what they want me to do," Taf thought as he took another look. "It appears they have planned for me to run. If that is the case, I will have to disappoint you." Sighing, Taf took another breath, staring into the slowly darkening sky. Now, he knew what had to be done. "Oh well, I have no other choice. I'll have to play my ace in the hole." With a change in his demeanor, Taf turned around. He smiled at the members of the Bing gang and started walking towards them. Scarface and Boss Fang were surprised and looked at each other with bewilderment. "It appears this runt has gone mad, Boss Fang. Why else would he be walking over to face his certain demise?" Scarface asked. As Taf walked over, his smile grew wider as he saw the smirks disappearing from their faces.

"Oh, big brother Scarface, how has this past month treated you? I hope you have been well," Taf uttered. Sigh!

"During our previous meeting, I deeply regret being called away by urgent matters and having to depart without properly greeting you," Taf expressed apologetically to Scarface, his remorse evident in his tone and mannerisms. As Taf uttered those words, Scarface appeared to be on the cusp of exploding with frustration.

This is why he hated this little brat with every fibre.

Slicing him into tiny little pieces would bring him nothing but utter delight.

The other members heard Taf's words. They felt no different from Scarface as they drew their concealed weapons in hand.

"Brother Scarface, it seems something is wrong. Did I leave you a false impression last time?

If so, my sincerest apologies. Now, about that matter of the pouches. Well, I confiscated them for safekeeping. You know how it is, you can't be too careful, the city isn't as safe as it once was."

Taf, who now displayed a look of confusion and concern, questioned as Scarface burnt in rage,

"I took the contents for my selfless act of endangering my person for its protection. You understand, right, big bro?"

He spouted with a cute, childish smile.

" After all, what are a mere 30 coins among friends?"

Veins Kept popping up on Scarface as he vowed he would kill this kid in his mind. Beside him, Boss Fang was calmer, but he also was puzzled.

From the information about this runt, he was said to be cunning and decisive for his age. Why is he acting like he doesn't know the meaning of death? This is truly interesting indeed.

As Scarfaces and his goons were about to rip him limb by limb, Taf smirked.

He thought, "It's time for the play to start, where I'm the lead, and you all will be my unwilling cast." Taf cleared his throat and started to bellow at the top of his lungs.

" PLEASE! PLEASE! DON'T BEAT ME UP, ELDERS. I ONLY HAVE A FEW COINS THAT MY SICKLY MOM GAVE ME TO BUY SOME FOOD FOR MY POOR LITTLE SISTER. SHE HAS BEEN DEATHLY ILL FOR THE PAST WEEK. I AM BEGGING YOU, AS MEN, HOW COULD YOU BE THIS DESPICABLE AND CRUEL!"

The haggling crowd stopped when they witnessed the commotion between the gang members and the seemingly helpless child. Taf continued to shout, noticing that his desired result was within reach.

"I WILL NOT GIVE YOU THE LAST COINS THAT MAMA GAVE ME. EVEN IF I HAVE TO DIE. MAMA SACRIFICED TOO MUCH FOR ME AND MY BABY SIS. AFTER FATHER PASSED, POOR MAMA HAS TO TRY WORKING NIGHT AND DAY JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET!!"

Scarface and the other gang members were taken aback by the outburst from the runt.

What is he talking about, and what is this about his mother? They didn't realize the crowd that was starting to form around them at that very moment.

"YOU MAY HAVE DRAWN WEAPONS, BUT HELL WILL FREEZE OVER BEFORE I GIVE YOU POOR MAMA'S LAST COINS. NO, NO, NO....!"

Taf continued bellowing on with a tenacious grip on a small pouch in his hand. Then he thought,

'Time to wrap this up with the icing on the cake.'

He exerted a firm stamp on his big toe, causing relentless tears to flow.

Murmurs started to come from the crowd as they closed in.

"These damn despicable thugs have the gall to do such an act in the open. It is not enough that they have become a plague upon our city.

Now our poor children are being targeted."

The air filled with shouting as the gym members conducting demonstrations noticed the young boy crying uncontrollably. Their fists clenched in anger as they stepped forward to address the situation.

The city had long been dismayed by the rampant crime, yearning for an outlet to express their frustrations. Then, a pivotal moment sparked the flame.

As the Bing gang members became aware of the growing crowd, their faces drained of colour. Fear seized their bodies as they comprehended the inevitable unfolding before them.

"Please calm yourself, my fellow citizen," pleaded Scarface.

"This is just a misunderstanding, I assure you. My little brother and I are only pretending; please understand," Scarface nervously explained as he backed up.

"It is time to clean some of the filth from our city, and you will be first to receive the city's justice.

Beat the shit out of them. None will be left standing. If they go, it should be crawling like the bugs and pests they are."

Salvar, the imposing Gym Leader with a reputation for unwavering strength and determination, let out a fierce battle cry that echoed through the air. Without a hint of hesitation or fear, he fearlessly led the charge of the furious mob, his eyes blazing with determination and resolve.