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

Chapter Fourteen - Raido In The City!

Raido and Nidoran stepped out of the dense forest of Route 29 and into the picturesque city of Cherrygrove. The early morning sun cast a golden hue over the quaint town, its rays reflecting off the tranquil lake that bordered the city. Cherrygrove was a blend of old-world charm and modern convenience, with cobblestone paths leading the way to various well-maintained buildings.

Raido took a deep breath, savoring the crisp, fresh air. "So this is Cherrygrove, huh?" he said, glancing around with a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity. "This place seemed so much bigger when I was a kid."

Nidoran walked beside him, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sights and sounds of the bustling city. The Pokémon Center, a tall building with a red roof and a large, welcoming sign, stood prominently near the center of town. Trainers and their Pokémon came and went, the automatic doors sliding open and shut with a soft hiss.

Next to the Pokémon Center was the PokéMart, its blue roof and large windows displaying rows of items and supplies that glittered in the sunlight. Raido could see trainers inside, perusing the shelves and chatting with the friendly staff.

As they strolled through Cherrygrove, Raido and Nidoran passed several charming houses, their gardens bursting with colorful flowers. Neatly trimmed hedges and white picket fences added to the idyllic atmosphere. Beyond the houses, Raido could see other well-kept buildings, their facades adorned with hanging flower baskets and welcoming signs.

People bustled about, going about their daily routines. An elderly man sat on a bench, feeding flocks of Pidgey and Starly that fluttered around him. A group of children ran by, laughing and playing with a friendly Flareon, its fur a bright orange against the green grass.

Raido's eyes widened as they passed Pokémon he had never seen in real life before. A Skitty pranced daintily across the path, its tail curling in a playful manner. A Mareep stood near a lamppost, its woolly coat shimmering in the sunlight. Further ahead, a Quagsire waddled by, its chunky, blue body moving in a cheerful rhythm as it chirped happily.

"So many different Pokémon," Raido muttered to himself, his excitement growing with each new sight. "I can't believe how lively this place is."

Nidoran nudged his leg, her eyes sparkling with the same excitement. Raido smiled down at her, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. They had faced challenges and dangers on their journey so far, but seeing the vibrant life of Cherrygrove filled him with determination.

As they continued their walk, taking in the sights of the quaint lake that bordered the city. The water was calm and clear, reflecting the sky like a mirror. A group of Poliwag swam near the shore, their tails flicking gracefully through the water. On a nearby pier, a fisherman cast his line, a Magikarp leaping from the water with a splash.

Raido sighed contentedly. "This is more like it," he said. "A place where we can rest and recharge before our next adventure."

As they approached the Pokémon Center, Raido's thoughts turned to their next steps. He knew they needed to heal and rest, but his mind buzzed with possibilities. Cherrygrove was just the beginning, a stepping stone on their journey to becoming stronger.

Just steps away from the Pokémon Center, Raido heard a loud commotion. People cheered and gasped, their excitement palpable. Both he and Nidoran looked up and scanned the street to see a crowd gathered just down the way, people moving and jumping with excitement. Curiosity piqued, Raido and Nidoran ran towards the throng to see what was happening.

As they approached, Raido could hear the sounds of an intense Pokémon battle. The crowd was buzzing with energy, and Raido squeezed through the mass of bodies to get a better view. "Gallade, use Brick Break!" a trainer's voice rang out.

Raido finally made it to the front of the commotion, where he saw two trainers locked in a fierce battle. The first was a younger man with dark hair and a sweeping blue fringe, dressed in a bright yellow dinner suit that seemed almost out of place in the midst of the dusty battleground. His Gallade, an elegant Pokémon with sharp, blade-like arms, ducked and weaved around the makeshift arena, its movements swift and precise.

The opposing trainer was an elegant redheaded woman, her hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She wore a smart black top and a pencil skirt, her demeanour calm and collected. She commanded her Abomasnow with a quiet authority that contrasted sharply with the younger man's frantic energy. The Abomasnow, a large, bulky Pokémon covered in snowy fur, stood solidly, its eyes never leaving its opponent.

It was clear that both trainers were experienced. Gallade's nimble movements allowed it to dart around the battlefield, searching for an opening. The crowd watched with bated breath as Gallade lunged forward with a focused Brick Break attack, its arm glowing with energy. But just as the attack was about to connect, Abomasnow narrowly dodged, moving its massive body with surprising agility. The crowd gasped, and the blue-haired man's face twisted in frustration.

"Gallade, you missed! Try again!" he barked, his irritation evident. Gallade didn't hesitate, darting around once more and launching another attack. But again, Abomasnow evaded at the last second. The redheaded woman smiled, adjusting her glasses with a look of serene confidence. Her calm demeanor only served to further irritate her opponent, who gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Grrr... right, time to end this! Gallade, Cross Chop now!" he shouted. Gallade's arms began to glow with an ethereal light, and it launched itself towards Abomasnow with incredible speed, its intent clear. The redheaded woman, however, remained calm, her eyes never leaving Gallade.

"Now, Abomasnow, Ice Beam!" she commanded. To everyone's surprise, Abomasnow didn't aim at the incoming Gallade. Instead, it directed its Ice Beam at the ground, covering the entire battleground in a thick sheet of ice. The crowd scrambled to avoid the spreading frost as the battleground transformed into a slippery, glistening rink.

Gallade, charging forward with its Cross Chop, suddenly found itself on the treacherous ice. It slipped, losing its footing and scrambling desperately to regain its balance. The crowd held its breath as Gallade skidded uncontrollably, its momentum carrying it straight towards Abomasnow. The bulky Pokémon stepped aside at the last moment, watching with a stoic expression as Gallade crashed into a large boulder with a sickening thud. Dust and debris flew into the air, and Gallade let out an agonized yelp.

"Abomasnow, end this," the woman said calmly. Abomasnow lifted its arms, focusing a powerful, gleaming energy ball between its hands. The attack's glow illuminated the faces of the crowd, who watched in stunned silence. With a powerful snarl, Abomasnow launched the energy ball towards the downed Gallade. The explosion was immediate and intense, a cloud of dust and smoke filling the air.

The crowd gasped, straining to see through the dust. As it settled, the outcome was clear. Gallade lay in a heap, KO'd and unable to move among the shattered rocks and debris. The redheaded woman and her Abomasnow bowed courteously to the cheering masses, their victory undeniable.

Raido's eyes shimmered with admiration for the trainer and her Pokémon. The battle had been a stunning display of strategy and skill. As the crowd continued to cheer, Raido felt a renewed sense of determination. He was in awe of the redheaded woman's calm authority and Abomasnow's raw power. This was the kind of trainer he aspired to be.