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

Chapter Nineteen - A Jurassic Journey!

Raido and Nidoran pushed their way to the front of the crowd, eager to hear more about the competition. The man on the podium, dressed sharply in a black suit, looked around the gathered trainers with a serious yet enthusiastic expression.

"Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice carrying over the hushed crowd. "My name is Mr. Pokémon Jr., and I'm honoured to announce the start of our weekly Pokémon competition. This event is held in memory of my late father, who you all affectionately knew as Mr. Pokémon."

The mention of Mr. Pokémon brought a respectful silence over the crowd, many of whom nodded in recognition. He had been a beloved figure in the community, known for his deep knowledge and love of Pokémon.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. continued, "Those of you who wish to participate must register on the board at the front. But before you do, let me explain the details of this week's competition."

He gestured behind him, where a registration board was set up, and then turned back to the crowd. "This competition will take place just north of here, in the dark caves of Route 31. Thanks to the archaeological efforts of Brock and his team, the dark caves now expand further than anyone ever thought possible."

The crowd murmured with excitement. Raido's eyes widened. Brock was a legendary Pokémon Trainer and Gym Leader, renowned for his expertise in rock-type Pokémon and his contributions to Pokémon archaeology.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. went on, "While burrowing tunnels with his trusty Onix, Brock and his team broke through into an undiscovered cavern. This cavern had been undisturbed for millions of years, home to a prehistoric ecosystem untouched by man. Many varieties of prehistoric Pokémon, thought to be extinct, call this place home."

A collective gasp went through the crowd. Raido felt his heart race. Prehistoric Pokémon? This was an opportunity of a lifetime.

"The mission is dangerous," Mr. Pokémon Jr. warned. "Only the bravest and most skilled trainers should consider participating. The rules of the competition are simple. You must work your way through the pitch-black tunnels, down into the prehistoric cavern, and catch one of the rare prehistoric Pokémon. You have two hours to complete the task and return here. The Pokémon you catch will be judged by a panel of Pokémon experts back at this house."

He paused for dramatic effect, letting the anticipation build. "The winner will be granted a valuable prize, presented by myself."

Raido was practically dancing with excitement in his spot. The thought of rare and prehistoric Pokémon had him bursting with curiosity. What would he find down there? Would he discover a brand new Pokémon, never seen before? The possibilities were endless.

Unable to contain himself, Raido turned to Nidoran. "What do you think, Nidoran? Are you up for it?"

Nidoran, ever faithful and ready

for a challenge, responded with an excited chirp, her eyes shining with determination.

Raido grinned and grabbed the pen to sign up, his hand shaking with excitement. As he wrote his name on the board, he felt a surge of anticipation. This was it. This was his chance to prove himself as a Pokémon Trainer and to catch a rare, prehistoric Pokémon.

Around him, other trainers were also signing up, their faces a mix of determination and excitement. Raido glanced at the crowd, sizing up his competition. There were trainers of all ages and experience levels, each one eager for the chance to explore the newly discovered caverns and catch something extraordinary.

As the crowd continued to register, Mr. Pokémon Jr. gave some final instructions. "Please make sure you have the necessary supplies for navigating the dark caves. Flashlights, plenty of Poké Balls, and maybe even some healing items for your Pokémon. Safety is paramount, so stay alert and be prepared for anything."

Raido nodded to himself, mentally checking off the items in his backpack. He felt confident that he was ready for this challenge. With Nidoran by his side, he knew they could tackle whatever lay ahead.

The crowd began to disperse, some trainers heading off to gather supplies, others discussing strategies and forming teams. Raido looked down at Nidoran, who was bouncing on her paws, ready to go.

"Let's get our gear and head out," he said, his voice full of excitement. Nidoran chirped in agreement, and they set off towards the house to make their final preparations.

As they walked, Raido's mind raced with possibilities. What kind of prehistoric Pokémon would they encounter? How challenging would the dark caves be? And what kind of prize awaited the winner?

They reached the house, where a small shop had been set up to provide the necessary supplies for the competition. Raido quickly stocked up on extra Poké Balls, a flashlight, and some potions for Nidoran. With his backpack now fully equipped, he felt ready for the adventure that lay ahead.

They returned to the starting point, where the other trainers were gathering, their expressions a mix of excitement and nervousness. Mr. Pokémon Jr. stood by the entrance to the dark caves, ready to give the signal to start.

"Remember," he called out, "you have two hours to catch a prehistoric Pokémon and return here. The competition begins... now!"

With that, the trainers surged forward, eager to be the first to delve into the dark caves and begin their quest. Raido and Nidoran joined the rush, their hearts pounding with anticipation. As they entered the cave, the light from the entrance quickly faded, replaced by the cool, dark air of the underground tunnels.

Raido switched on his flashlight, casting a beam of light ahead. The tunnel walls were rough and jagged, the floor uneven and covered with loose stones. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of earth and rock.

"Stay close, Nidoran," Raido said, his voice echoing softly in the dark. Nidoran stayed by his side, her ears twitching as she listened for any signs of danger or opportunity.

The cave stretched out before them, a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers waiting to be explored. With determination in their hearts and excitement in their veins, Raido and Nidoran took their first steps into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their quest to catch a rare, prehistoric Pokémon.