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

Chapter Twenty-Five - A First-Placed Friend

Mr. Pokémon Jr. stepped back up to the podium, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. "Ladies and gentlemen, after intense deliberation, we have reached our decision."

The crowd fell silent, hanging on his every word. "The winner of this competition, due to his extraordinary catch... is Raido with his impressive Tyrunt!"

A roar of applause erupted, and Raido felt his heart leap in his chest. He turned to Nidoran, who was just as ecstatic, jumping up and down with joy. "We did it, Nidoran!" he exclaimed, and the two of them celebrated, jumping around in excitement.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. continued, "And as a side note, Raido also caught this remarkable Pokémon with a Dusk Ball, adding a stylish touch to an already impressive competition entry."

Raido looked down at the Dusk Ball with its uncommon green and black markings, realisation dawning on him. "So that's what this is," he murmured, finally understanding why the ball looked so different from the usual Poké Balls.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. added, "This is the first time in the history of our competition that a Tyrunt has been presented. In fact, we were unaware that Tyrunt even dwelled within the caves of Route 31. This discovery is a testament to how much we still have to learn about these ancient Pokémon and the mysteries that lie within these caverns."

Raido and Nidoran's celebration caught Tyrunt's attention. At first, the young Pokémon seemed puzzled, but seeing the joy on Raido's face, the same boy who had saved him, Tyrunt couldn't resist joining in. It began to chirp happily and jump around, mirroring Raido and Nidoran's excitement.

The crowd's applause grew louder, and Raido, overwhelmed with happiness, picked up Tyrunt and spun it around in the air. "We did it, Tyrunt! We actually did it!" he shouted, his voice filled with elation.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. then stepped forward to congratulate the other trainers. "I want to thank all the participants for their great effort and wonderful Pokémon. Your enthusiasm and dedication to discovering and catching these prehistoric Pokémon are commendable."

He then walked over to Raido, examining Tyrunt closely. "This Tyrunt is in great shape and its rarity makes it an exceptional find," he said, nodding in approval. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, elegant case. "As the winner of this competition, Raido, you have earned a valuable and useful prize."

Mr. Pokémon Jr. opened the case to reveal a shiny CD with a greyish hue. The light reflected off the CD, casting a shimmering glow onto Raido's face. "This," Mr. Pokémon Jr. explained, "is a Technical Machine, or TM for short. It contains a move that suitable Pokémon can learn. The TM you have earned is Stealth Rock."

Raido's eyes widened in amazement. "Stealth Rock?" he echoed, mesmerised by the shimmering CD.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. nodded. "Yes, Stealth Rock is a rock-type move that allows a Pokémon to lay a trap of sharp stones on the battlefield, causing damage to the opponent. It's a strategic move that can give you a significant advantage in battles."

Raido looked at Tyrunt, who was still chirping happily. "You hear that, Tyrunt? How do you feel about learning a new attack?"

Tyrunt let out an enthusiastic roar, clearly excited by the prospect.

Mr. Pokémon Jr. handed the TM to Raido. "Congratulations, Raido. You've earned this. Your bravery, determination, and the bond you've formed with Tyrunt are truly inspiring. I look forward to seeing how you and Tyrunt grow and what new heights you'll reach together."

Raido took the TM with a sense of reverence, knowing how valuable and rare such an item was. "Thank you, Mr. Pokémon Jr. This means a lot to me."

The crowd continued to cheer, and Raido felt a surge of pride. He looked at Nidoran, who was still bouncing with excitement, and then at Tyrunt, who seemed just as eager to begin their next adventure. "Thank you Harley," Raido thought, "without your gift, this wouldn't have been possible."

As the event began to wind down, Raido found himself surrounded by well-wishers, fellow trainers who came to congratulate him and admire Tyrunt. He felt a sense of camaraderie and respect from the community, a feeling that strengthened his resolve to become the best trainer he could be.

As Raido spoke to the other trainers, basking in the admiration they showered on Tyrunt, he remained blissfully unaware of the sinister figure watching from the trees. Hidden within the shadows, the red-haired man in the black uniform, the very one who had left Raido for dead in the caverns, glared down at the young trainer with malevolent eyes.

"A rare Pokémon, huh?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Bringing one of those back to the boss is sure to earn me some points with the higher-ups."

He watched for a few moments longer, his gaze fixated on Tyrunt and the joyous scene below. Then, with a cold smirk, he slipped away into the trees, vanishing as silently as he had appeared, plotting his next move.

Later, as the sun began to set, Raido sat with Nidoran and Tyrunt by his side, reflecting on the day's events. He gently patted Tyrunt's head, the young Pokémon nuzzling against his hand. "We're going to make a pretty great team, aren't we?" he said softly, feeling a deep connection with his Pokémon.

Nidoran chirped in agreement, and Tyrunt let out a happy roar. Raido smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. With friends like these, he knew he could face any challenge that came his way.

As they prepared to leave, Raido looked back at Mr. Pokémon Jr.'s house, the place where his journey had taken such a significant turn. He felt grateful for the experiences and the lessons he had learned. With renewed determination, he set his sights on the future, ready to tackle whatever adventures awaited him and his Pokémon.

"Let's go, team," Raido said, standing up and looking at the path ahead that led directly to his next destination: Violet City.