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

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Living The Dream... Or Nightmare!

Raido's fingers desperately clutching the jagged rocks. The darkness below seemed endless, a yawning abyss ready to swallow him whole. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in the suffocating silence of the cave. His muscles screamed in pain as he tried to pull himself up, but the weight of fear and exhaustion was too great.

A sinister laugh echoed through the cavern, chilling Raido to the bone. He looked up, and there stood the red-haired man, his eyes glowing a malevolent red in the darkness. The man's foot pressed down on Raido's fingers, and the cruel smile on his face twisted into something monstrous.

"You think you can escape?" the man sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "This is where you belong, boy."

Raido's grip weakened under the pressure, his fingers trembling and slipping. "No, please!" he begged, his voice a desperate plea.

The man laughed again, the sound reverberating through the cavern like the tolling of a death knell. "You're not worth saving," he said coldly, grinding his heel into Raido's fingers. "Fall."

With a final, agonising crunch, the man's boot crushed Raido's fingers, sending him plummeting into the abyss. Raido screamed, his voice raw with terror as he fell into the endless darkness. The walls of the cavern raced past him, blurring into indistinct shapes as he spiralled down, down, down...

Suddenly, Raido jolted awake, his body drenched in a cold sweat. He gasped for air, his heart racing as he tried to shake off the lingering terror of the nightmare. Nidoran, startled by his sudden movement, hopped to her feet and nuzzled him, her concern evident in her wide eyes.

"It's okay, Nidoran," Raido said, his voice trembling. "It was just a nightmare." He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. The ordeals of yesterday must have taken a toll on him, manifesting in the haunting dream.

He looked around the room of the PokeStop, the sunlight streaming through the window casting a warm glow across the floor. The chirping of bird Pokémon outside signaled the start of a new day. Raido sighed, relieved to be back in the safety of the present. He realized he had fallen asleep still fully clothed, dirt and grime from the cave adventure caked on his skin and clothes.

Nidoran continued to nuzzle him, her presence grounding him. "Thanks, Nidoran," he said softly, petting her head. "I'm okay now."

He glanced at the Dusk Ball on the bedside table, its uncommon green and black markings catching the light. With a sense of purpose, he clicked the button. A flash of red energy emerged, and Tyrunt materialised in the room, blinking sleepily.

"Good morning, Tyrunt," Raido greeted, his voice filled with warmth. Tyrunt let out a cute yawn, stretching its small body and shaking off the remnants of sleep.

Raido smiled at his Pokémon, feeling a surge of affection and gratitude. "How about some more adventures today?" he asked, looking at both Nidoran and Tyrunt.

Nidoran chirped enthusiastically, and Tyrunt, still a bit groggy, joined in with a happy trill. Raido laughed, their energy infectious. But then he caught a whiff of himself and looked down at his dirt-covered clothes and skin.

"First things first," he said, wrinkling his nose. "I need a shower."

He gathered some clean clothes from his bag and headed to the bathroom. As he stepped under the hot spray, the water washing away the grime and tension, he felt a sense of renewal. The steam filled the small bathroom, and he closed his eyes, letting the warmth soothe his aching muscles.

Meanwhile, in the room, Nidoran and Tyrunt played on the bed, their newfound friendship blossoming. Nidoran hopped around, playful and energetic, while Tyrunt tried to mimic her movements, his little legs moving clumsily but determinedly. They chased each other in circles, giggling in their own Pokémon way, forming a bond that promised many adventures together.

Raido emerged from the bathroom, feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. He watched his Pokémon play, a smile tugging at his lips. This was what his journey was about—exploration, friendship, and the joy of discovery.

He dressed quickly, eager to join his Pokémon in their play. "Alright, you two," he said, catching their attention. "Let's get going. We've got a whole new day ahead of us."

Nidoran and Tyrunt chirped in agreement, their eyes sparkling with excitement. Raido felt a sense of determination well up inside him. No matter the challenges ahead, he knew he could face them with his Pokémon by his side. Together, they would conquer whatever came their way.

Raido headed down to the hotel reception, feeling refreshed after a good night's rest and a much-needed shower. As he approached the desk, the pretty receptionist with black hair smiled at him warmly.

"Good morning!" she greeted.

"Morning," Raido replied with a smile. "Thanks for everything last night. I really appreciate it."

The receptionist's eyes twinkled. "No problem at all. I'm glad we could help."

As Raido turned to leave, he paused and glanced back at her. "I'll make sure to pay the kindness forward someday. Thanks again."

With a nod and a wave, he stepped out into the streets of Violet City. The sun was just beginning to climb higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. Trainers and Pokémon bustled about, and the city was already teeming with life. Raido took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp morning air as he headed towards the Pokémon Center to pick up his new PokeBank card.

However, as he walked, he heard the upset wailing of a youngster coming from around the corner. His curiosity piqued, Raido quickened his pace and peered around to see what was happening.