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

Chapter Twenty-Four - Show and Tell!

The excitement in the air was palpable as Mr. Pokémon Jr. stood at the podium, flanked by his panel of esteemed judges. He smiled broadly at the crowd gathered before him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your patience and enthusiasm. I am honoured to introduce our panel of judges for this special competition," he began, gesturing to his right. "First, we have Dr. Raymond Sterling, curator of the Pewter Museum of Science all the way from Kanto."

Dr. Raymond Sterling, a distinguished-looking man in his late fifties with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard, stood up and waved to the crowd. His presence exuded a mix of scholarly gravitas and friendly demeanour, and the audience responded with enthusiastic applause.

"Next, we have Professor Juniper," Mr. Pokémon Jr. continued, "known for her ground-breaking research and her endless dedication to the study of Pokémon."

Professor Juniper, a sweet-looking lady with a wash of ashy grey through her mousey brown hair, stood up. Her emerald eyes sparkled against her fair skin, and despite the slight signs of age, she wore her lab coat with pride. She waved warmly to the crowd, even giving a playful wink that drew a few chuckles and more applause.

"And finally," Mr. Pokémon Jr. said, "I'll be joining the panel myself."

With the introductions complete, Mr. Pokémon Jr. addressed the eager trainers. "Let's begin the judging. We'll call up each trainer one by one to showcase the rare Pokémon they have caught. First up, we have Samuel!"

Samuel, a young trainer with a confident stride, stepped forward and released his Pokéball. Out came a Kabuto, its dome-shaped shell glistening in the sunlight. The crowd murmured in awe as the ancient Pokémon clicked its pincers.

Dr. Raymond Sterling stood up, clearing his throat. "Samuel, your Kabuto is a remarkable specimen. Its shell is in excellent condition, indicating it has been well cared for. Kabuto's historical significance and its rarity make it a valuable addition to any trainer's team."

The crowd murmured in appreciation as Dr. Sterling's words echoed through the clearing.

"Next, please welcome Emily!" Mr. Pokémon Jr. announced.

Emily, a petite girl with bright red hair and freckles, released her Pokéball to reveal a Lileep. The strange plant-like Pokémon wobbled slightly, its petal-like appendages swaying as it surveyed the crowd. People gasped at the sight of the ancient creature, once thought to be extinct.

Next, Professor Juniper stood up, her warm smile putting everyone at ease. "Emily, your Lileep is absolutely fascinating. The resilience and adaptability of Lileep, which can thrive in both water and on land, is quite impressive. It's a testament to your skills as a trainer that you were able to find and capture such a unique Pokémon."

Emily beamed with pride, and the audience applauded her achievement.

"Now, let's see what Lucas has to show us," Mr. Pokémon Jr. called out.

Lucas, a tall and athletic teenager, stepped forward and released his Pokémon. A Shieldon appeared, its steely armour glinting under the sunlight. The little dinosaur snorted and stamped its feet, drawing appreciative cheers from the audience.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. then took his turn to comment. "Lucas, your Shieldon is a formidable Pokémon. Its sturdy armour and defensive capabilities are exceptional. Shieldon represents strength and perseverance, and you should be proud of your catch."

Lucas nodded, his face glowing with pride as the crowd cheered for him.

Raido watched each presentation with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. He clutched his Pokéball containing Tyrunt, feeling its weight and the responsibility that came with it. He could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he awaited his turn.

"And last but certainly not least," Mr. Pokémon Jr. announced, "we have Raido!"

Raido gulped nervously and stepped forward. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, a mix of curiosity and expectation. Taking a deep breath, he held up his black and green marked Pokéball.

"Here goes nothing," he whispered to himself as he released Tyrunt.

The Pokéball opened with a flash of light, and Tyrunt materialised before the crowd. The little dinosaur stood proudly, its eyes wide with curiosity and determination. Its small but sturdy frame, covered in tough scales, glistened under the sunlight.

The crowd gasped in awe. "It's a Tyrunt!" someone shouted, and the murmurs of excitement rippled through the audience.

Raido felt a surge of pride as he looked at Tyrunt standing there, a symbol of their shared determination and courage. Mr. Pokémon Jr. stepped forward, examining Tyrunt closely.

"A remarkable catch, Raido," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Tyrunt is an extraordinary Pokémon, and you've done well to find and capture it. The determination and courage it showed in the face of danger are commendable. Tyrunt's ancient lineage and fierce loyalty are rare qualities that reflect well on your abilities as a trainer.""

Raido's heart swelled with pride as the crowd applauded. He glanced at Tyrunt, who seemed to puff out its chest a little more, basking in the attention.

The judges conferred amongst themselves, nodding and making notes. Professor Juniper gave Raido an encouraging smile, and Dr. Sterling nodded appreciatively.

As the applause died down, Mr. Pokémon Jr. addressed the crowd. "This concludes the presentations. Our judges will now deliberate and decide the winner. Thank you all for your incredible efforts and for bringing such amazing Pokémon to light. We'll announce the results shortly."

Raido stepped back, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. He looked at Tyrunt, who nuzzled his hand affectionately. Regardless of the outcome, Raido knew he had made a remarkable friend and partner in Tyrunt. Now, all he could do was wait for the judges' decision.