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

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Paying It Forward

Raido took the short walk through the streets of Violet City, the soft glow of streetlights casting a warm hue on the cobblestone paths. The night air was cool, and he enjoyed the tranquillity of the city as he approached the PokeStop. As he reached the entrance, the automatic doors began to slide open, but before he could step inside, a familiar figure emerged, nearly colliding with him.

Raido looked up, his eyes widening in recognition. It was the odd man who had saved him earlier, his Arcanine nowhere in sight but his presence unmistakable. The man's expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold and distant.

The man glanced down at Raido, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You need a shower, boy," he remarked with a snide tone, his gaze briefly lingering on Raido's dishevelled appearance.

Raido stuttered nervously, "I... uh... thank you for saving me earlier!" He tried to muster the courage to express his gratitude, but the man was already walking away.

"Wait!" Raido called out, his voice filled with earnestness. But the man didn't even turn around. He continued to walk into the darkness, his silhouette soon blending with the night.

Raido stood there for a moment, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. Despite the man's cold demeanour, Raido couldn't help but feel grateful for his help. Shaking his head, he turned and stepped into the PokeStop, ready to finally get some much-needed rest.

Raido entered the PokeStop, the warm interior contrasting with the cool night air outside. The automatic doors slid shut behind him as he walked up to the front desk. A young lady with black hair greeted him with a bright smile.

"Welcome!" she said cheerfully. "How can I help you tonight?"

Raido approached the desk, his exhaustion evident. "Hi, is there a room where I could spend the night and rest with my Pokémon?" he asked.

The clerk nodded, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she checked the availability. "Yes, we do have a room available," she confirmed, continuing to type.

Raido reached into his pocket for his wallet, but his hand met empty fabric. Panic set in as he patted down his pockets, searching desperately. "Oh no," he muttered, his heart racing. "I must have dropped my wallet deep in the caves."

The clerk noticed his distress and paused her typing. "Is everything alright?" she asked, concern in her voice.

Raido shook his head, his anxiety growing. "I've lost my wallet. I must have dropped it in the caves on Route 31. I can't pay for the room."

The clerk's eyes softened, and she smiled cutely at him. "Don't worry," she said, her tone reassuring. "The man who just left the PokeStop actually paid forward a night's stay for you specifically."

Raido's eyes widened in shock. "He did? Why would he do that?" he questioned, unable to hide his confusion.

The clerk shrugged gently. "I don't know, but he seemed very specific. He said to make sure you had a place to rest tonight."

Raido stood there, processing the information. The man's behaviour puzzled him. He had saved Raido earlier, then made a snide remark, and now this act of kindness. It didn't make any sense.

"Why does he keep helping me?" Raido wondered aloud, more to himself than to the clerk.

The clerk smiled again, handing him a key card. "Sometimes people help in their own way. Maybe you'll figure it out eventually," she suggested kindly.

Raido took the key card, still in a state of disbelief. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

"You're welcome. Your room is down the hall, second door on the left. Have a good rest," the clerk replied, returning to her work.

Raido made his way down the hall, his mind racing with thoughts about the mysterious man. As he opened the door to his room, he couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and gratitude. Why was this stranger looking out for him? He didn't have the answers yet, but he was determined to find out. For now, he was just thankful to have a place to rest, and with a sigh of relief, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Raido threw down his bag on the floor, its heavy thud a reminder of the long, arduous day he'd just endured. With a groan, he jumped onto the bed, sinking into the mattress as his muscles ached from the day's trials. The soft sheets and the slight bounce of the bed felt like a luxury after the harsh cave floor and the relentless pursuit of the Kabutops. He stared up at the ceiling, the faint glow of the bedside lamp casting soft shadows across the room.

Nidoran jumped onto the bed, her small body landing lightly beside him. She curled up next to him, her warmth and gentle breathing providing a comforting presence. Raido reached out and stroked her soft fur, feeling a sense of peace wash over him.

He tapped the screen of his watch, activating the PokeBanking app. His fingers moved swiftly as he navigated through the menu, ordering a new card to be dispatched to the Violet City Pokémon Centre immediately. The thought of being without his card, and thus his money, in the coming days was unsettling. He knew he'd need to restock supplies and prepare for whatever lay ahead on his journey.

The app confirmed the order, and Raido sighed in relief. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the tension to ebb away. The room was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of Nidoran shifting beside him. He thought back to the events of the past few days—the excitement of leaving Harley's house in Cherrygrove, the thrill and danger of the Route 31 competition, and the strange encounters with the red-haired man and the Arcanine's mysterious trainer.

Raido's mind swirled with memories: the dark caverns, the feel of a Poké Ball in his hand, the sight of Tyrunt standing bravely against the Kabutops. Each moment played back like a scene in a movie, vivid and surreal. Despite the exhaustion, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. His journey had only just begun, yet he had already faced so many challenges and made incredible discoveries.

As he lay there, the events of the day blending into the haze of fatigue, Raido felt his mind slipping into the realm of sleep. His eyelids grew heavy, and the world around him began to blur. Nidoran's gentle warmth beside him and the rhythmic sound of her breathing lulled him further into relaxation.

The ceiling above him became a canvas for his dreams, the adventures of the Pokémon world melting into the comforting darkness of sleep. With one last deep breath, Raido surrendered to the well-deserved rest, his body and mind finally finding peace. The promise of tomorrow's unknown adventures awaited, but for now, he let the tranquillity of sleep envelop him completely.