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

Chapter Twenty-One - A Fossilised Fright!

As Raido tumbled down the steep slope, rocks scraped against his skin, and his body bounced painfully against the jagged terrain. He clenched his teeth, his heart pounding in his chest as he slid uncontrollably into the depths of the cave. Finally, with a jolt, he landed hard at the bottom, rolling and tumbling until he came to a stop.

Shaking his head to clear the dizziness, Raido pushed himself up, wincing at the aches and pains that shot through his body. Despite the bruises and dirt covering him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for still being alive after such a harrowing fall. With a groan, he reached for his rucksack, slinging it over one shoulder, and scrambled to retrieve the flashlight that had fallen from his grasp during the descent.

With a click and a tap, the flashlight flickered to life, casting a feeble beam of light into the darkness. Raido took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes scanning the cavernous expanse before him. The air felt different down here—colder, heavier, with a faint, musty odour that hung in the air.

The walls of the cavern were rough and uneven, streaked with veins of ancient minerals that glimmered faintly in the dim light. Shadows danced and flickered, playing tricks on Raido's senses as he cautiously navigated the unfamiliar terrain.

"Nidoran!" he called out, his voice echoing off the walls of the cavern. But there was no response, only the eerie silence of the underground depths. Panic gnawed at the edges of his mind as he realised that he was alone down here, separated from his loyal Pokémon companion.

As Raido ventured deeper into the dark cavern, his breath hung in the air like a spectral mist, each exhale a tangible reminder of the oppressive chill that surrounded him. With each step, the shadows seemed to grow thicker, enveloping him in an eerie silence broken only by the faint echoes of his own voice as he called out for Nidoran.

But as he pressed on, a growing sense of unease began to gnaw at the edges of his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes followed his every move, lurking in the shadows just beyond the reach of his flashlight's feeble beam.

The sound of movement echoed through the cavern, a soft scuttling that set Raido's nerves on edge. His heart pounded in his chest, a frantic rhythm that matched the quickening pace of his steps. He felt vulnerable and exposed, the absence of Nidoran's reassuring presence leaving him feeling more alone than ever.

Then, like a thunderclap in the darkness, a guttural grunt reverberated through the chamber, sending a shiver down Raido's spine. His breath caught in his throat, fear gripping him in its icy embrace as he realized the perilous situation he was in. Down here, in the depths of the cave, anything could lurk in the shadows—dangerous and unknown creatures that could spell doom for an unsuspecting trainer like himself.

With a surge of adrenaline, Raido broke into a run, his feet pounding against the rocky floor as he desperately sought refuge from the unseen threat that pursued him. His mind raced, thoughts tumbling over one another in a frantic cacophony as he searched for a way to escape the looming danger.

Finally, rounding a corner, Raido spotted a large boulder looming ahead, its shadowy bulk offering a potential sanctuary from the unknown menace that stalked him. Without hesitation, he darted behind the rock, his heart hammering in his chest as he crouched in the darkness, waiting and listening for any sign of his pursuer.

As the seconds stretched into eternity, Raido strained his ears, every nerve on edge as he awaited the inevitable confrontation. And then, just as he feared, he heard it—the unmistakable sound of footsteps drawing nearer, accompanied by the low, ominous growl of his unseen adversary.

With trembling hands, Raido raised his flashlight, his breath catching in his throat as the beam pierced the darkness, illuminating the figure that loomed before him. And there, bathed in the pale glow of the flashlight, stood the source of his terror.—a young Pokemon.

For a moment, Raido's heart stopped, his mind struggling to comprehend the sight before him. But as the initial shock subsided, he found himself struck by the creature's appearance. Despite its fearsome reputation, the Pokemon before him seemed almost... playful, its sharp features softened by an inquisitive tilt of its head as it regarded Raido with curious eyes.

With a nervous chuckle, Raido stepped out from behind the boulder, his fear giving way to a sense of wonder as he gazed upon the prehistoric Pokémon before him. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," he murmured, his voice tinged with relief and amusement. "You nearly scared the life out of me, you know that?"

As Raido steadied his flashlight on the small Pokémon in front of him, he couldn't help but marvel at its unusual appearance. With its sturdy legs, powerful jaw, and sharp teeth, Raido realized he had never encountered this type of Pokémon before.

"What could you be?" Raido muttered, curiosity piqued. He activated the Pokédex app on his watch, holding it up to scan the creature. The app whirred to life, analysing the Pokémon and soon displaying a readout.

"Tyrunt, the Royal Heir Pokémon. Tyrunt is known for its strength and its tendency to throw tantrums if it doesn't get what it wants. It's believed to be over one hundred million years old."

"Tyrunt, huh? You're a pretty cool little guy," Raido said, a smile spreading across his face. The Tyrunt tilted its head to the side, examining Raido with equal curiosity.

Raido extended his hand slowly, trying to show he meant no harm. "Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you," he assured the Tyrunt. The little Pokémon seemed to relax slightly, taking a cautious step closer to Raido.

The Tyrunt chirped in response, its gaze never leaving Raido as if trying to decipher the human before it.

As Raido and Tyrunt stood eyeing each other, their initial relief was shattered by the return of the ominous guttural groan. The sound sent shivers down Raido's spine, his heart pounding in his chest as he realised that Tyrunt wasn't the source of the terror after all.

Both Raido and Tyrunt squealed in terror as the unsettling noise echoed through the cavern once more. The Tyrunt's eyes widened in panic, its primitive instincts kicking in as it scrambled across the floor, seeking refuge behind the same boulder that had provided shelter for Raido just moments before.

Raido didn't need to be told twice. With a sense of urgency, he dove behind the boulder alongside Tyrunt, his heart racing as he whispered frantically to the prehistoric Pokémon.

"What on earth is down here?" he breathed, his voice barely above a terrified whisper.

But as he spoke, a bone-chilling sense of dread washed over him, his blood running cold as the shadowy figure of something much, much worse emerged from the darkness.