Pokémon: A Tale Of Time (Volume One: Zephyr)

Chapter One - The Dawn of Adventure

In the quaint town of New Bark, nestled amidst the verdant hills of Johto, a new day dawned with the promise of adventure. Sunlight streamed through the window of a modest house, casting a warm glow upon the slumbering form of a young boy. Today was no ordinary day for the boy - it was his thirteenth birthday.

As the first rays of sunlight danced across his face, Raido stirred from his dreams, his heart already racing with anticipation. He threw back the covers and bounded out of bed, his mind buzzing with excitement. Thirteen - the age at which aspiring Pokemon trainers in New Bark were deemed ready to embark on their journey, to explore the vast wilderness, and to forge bonds with the magnificent creatures that roamed the land.

Raido's gaze fell upon the Pokemon League themed calendar hanging on his bedroom wall, the date circled in bold red ink - a reminder of the momentous occasion that awaited him. Today, he would finally take his first step towards fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a Pokemon trainer.

Ever since Raido's older brother Domuno had set out on his own Pokemon journey some years before, Raido had idolised him, hanging onto his every word and marveling at his every accomplishment. From the moment Domuno had been gifted his first Pokemon - a fiery male Nidoran - Raido had dreamt of following in his footsteps, of embarking on his own grand adventure and making a name for himself in the world of Pokemon trainers.

With a grin stretching from ear to ear, Raido hastily dressed in his favourite pyjamas adorned with the images of legendary Pokemon. His fingers trembled with excitement as he ran a hand through his unruly hair, unable to contain the thrill coursing through his veins. Every fibre of his being hummed with anticipation, his heart pounding likke a drumbeat in his chest.

Bounding down the stairs two at a time, Raido practically flew into the kitchen, where the tantalising scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. As he skidded into the kitchen across the waxed wooden floor, he was met not by his Mother but by his older brother, Domino, leaning casually against the kitchen counter with a knowing smirk.

"Hey there, birthday boy," Domino greeted, his voice laced with playful mischief. "Looks like you're in quite the hurry."

Raido's excitement faltered for a moment as he glanced around the room, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Where's Mom?" he asked, a hint of disappointment creeping into his voice.

Domino chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "She's out arranging a special gift for you," he explained, his grin widening. "But in the meantime, you've got me to keep you company."

As if on cure, a flash of movement caught Raido's eye, and he turned to see Domuno's Nidoran, Rhino, bounding into the room with a cheerful yip. The sight of the playful Pokemon brought a smile to Raido's facem his heart swelling with affection at the thought of one day having his own companion by his side.

As Raido gazed lovingly into Rhino's eyes, he felt a surge of excitement coursing through his veins. In that moment, he could almost see flashes of his own future - a future filled with epic adventures, fierce battles, and unbreakable bonds forged between Trainer and Pokemon. "You excited to meet a new friend, buddy?" Raido spoke to Rhino, who nodded it's head eagerly to match the young boy's excitement.

But Domuno's teasing voice broke through Raido's reverie, pulling him back to the present. "You know, Raido," Domino remarked with a playful grim, "not everyone has what it takes to be a Pokemon trainer. Maybe you'd be better off as Mom's personal assistant at her Pokemon contests."

Raido's cheeks flushed with indignation, but he refused to let Domuno's jibes dampen his spirits. "I'll show you, Dom," he declared, his voice tinged with determination. "One day, I'll be the greatest Pokemon trainer in all of Johto, and you'll see that I'm not just Mom's assistant - With my own Nidoran by my side, we'll be a force to be reckoned with. 

Domino chuckled softly, ruffling Raido's hair affectionately. "I'm sure you will, little bro," he replied, his tone softening with pride. "But for now, why don't you just enjoy being a kid on your birthday?".

Raido nodded, his resolve strengthened by his brother's words of encouragement. With a determined glint in his eye, he wrestled playfully with Rhino, who like always, rolled over for bell scratches.

Minutes stretched into hours as Raido settled onto the couch. His foot tapped impatiently against the floor, his excitement building with each passing moment. He sat and listened admirably at his older brother's stories of his recent gym battles. Dom recited stories of epic battles against Powerful pokemon, and the triumph of earning his third gym badge in the distant city of Goldenrod. Each story ignited a fire within Raido, who's excitement was almost overflowing.

And then, just when he thought he couldn't wait a moment longer, he heard a call from the front door - a familiar voice tinged with anticipation.

"Raido, my wonderful birthday boy, are you ready?" his mother called, her voice echoing through the ajar doorway.

Raido's heart skipped a beat as he leaped to his feet, his pulse pounding in his ears. With trembling hands and a wide grin across his face, he took a couple steps forward towards the open door, his eyes alight with the promise of adventure that lay beyond. With each second that passed, as he stared at the open door before him, Raido knew that he was one step closer to fulfilling his destiny as a Pokemon Trainer.