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

Chapter Thirty-One - Saved By The Bell...Sprout

Raido stood frozen in the centre of the silent room, the stern rejection from the Elder echoing in his ears. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision as he fought the urge to run and hide. He could feel the weight of the monks' eyes on him, and he heard their whispers, each one a dagger of embarrassment.

The Elder began to turn away, signalling an end to the interaction. Raido's heart sank further, and he clenched his fists, struggling to find the words to defend himself.

Suddenly, Nidoran sprang into action, jumping in front of Raido with a fierce chirp. Her small body vibrated with protectiveness, and her eyes locked onto the Elder, filled with anger and determination. The Elder halted, his back still turned, while his Bellsprout pivoted to face the commotion.

Bellsprout mirrored Nidoran's defensive stance, its slender form poised and ready. The two Pokémon locked eyes, a silent battle of wills unfolding between them. Nidoran chirped insistently, her sounds a mix of anger and pleading. Bellsprout responded, its tone firm yet soft, as if trying to mediate the situation.

Raido watched, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no idea what the Pokémon were saying, but it was clear they were communicating. Bellsprout then glanced up at Raido, its gaze intense and searching.

After a moment, Bellsprout walked over to Raido, stopping just in front of him. Nidoran chirped, encouraging Raido to respond. He nodded, swallowing his fear, and lowered himself to eye level with Bellsprout. The Pokémon looked deeply into his eyes, studying him with an almost human-like intensity.

Bellsprout lifted one of its leafy arms and gently placed it on Raido's forehead. The leaf began to glow a soft green, and Raido stared at it in wonder and hesitation. He felt a warm sensation spreading through him, a sense of calm and understanding that soothed his nerves.

The leaf stopped glowing, and Bellsprout lowered it, smiling and chirping positively towards Raido. He chuckled softly, feeling as if Bellsprout had sensed his good intentions. He reached out and gently rubbed the top of Bellsprout's head, his touch tender and grateful.

The Elder remained silent, his back still turned to them. Then, he spoke in a voice that was both stern and curious. "Bellsprout, follow."

Bellsprout chirped back, its tone insistent and pleading. The Elder repeated, his voice firmer, "The boy is not welcome here. His dark intentions have no place in this sacred tower."

Bellsprout chirped again, arguing back. The Elder turned slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "Are you trying to tell me that...?"

Bellsprout nodded, its eyes earnest. The Elder paused, deliberating. He turned fully to face Raido, his gaze piercing. "Boy," he said, his tone still stern but less hostile. "I will await you on the top floor of the tower."

Raido gulped, his mind racing. He managed a nod, still too shocked to speak. The Elder beckoned Bellsprout, who chirped reassuringly at Raido and Nidoran before returning to the Elder's side. Together, they walked towards the stairs leading to the higher levels.

Raido stood rooted to the spot, bewildered and hurt by the elder's abrupt dismissal. He watched the elder and Bellsprout ascend the stairs at the back of the room until they disappeared from view. His mind raced with questions. Had he inadvertently done or said something to offend the elder and the monks? Could the elder have mistaken him for someone else? Or, more troubling, did the elder genuinely sense some deep-rooted darkness within him?

As these thoughts swirled in his head, the room began to stir back to life. The monks and trainers who had been watching him gradually broke their gaze, returning to their own activities and conversations. The whispers and murmurs faded, and the attention on Raido dissipated, leaving him feeling isolated yet again.

Nidoran nuzzled against his leg, her presence a comforting anchor in the sea of confusion and embarrassment. Raido looked down at her, his heart swelling with gratitude. She chirped softly, her fierce loyalty evident in her eyes.

"You're right, Nidoran," Raido whispered, his voice shaky but determined. "I'm here to help that boy. Someone with dark intentions wouldn't be doing that."

He took a deep breath, steeling himself. The elder's harsh words and the intense scrutiny had shaken him, but he couldn't let it deter him from his mission. The memory of the young boy clutching his Bellsprout plushie and the father's desperate plea for help fueled his resolve. He had promised to find a Bellsprout, and he intended to keep that promise.

Raido glanced around the room one last time, noting how the monks had returned to their serene activities. He straightened his shoulders, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't here to prove himself to the elder or the monks. He was here for the boy, for the promise he had made, and for the journey that lay ahead.

"Nidoran, let's go," he said firmly, his voice gaining strength. "We have a mission to complete."

Nidoran chirped in agreement, and together they headed towards the stairs. The uncertainty still gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Raido and Nidoran began their ascent up the ancient wooden staircase, each step creaking and swaying slightly under their weight. The wood was worn and polished from centuries of footsteps, adding to the tower's mystical ambiance. The air grew cooler as they climbed, carrying a faint scent of incense and aged wood.

Reaching the next floor, Raido paused to take in the sight before him. The room was spacious, its high ceilings supported by thick, wooden beams intricately carved with floral patterns and ancient symbols. Soft light filtered through paper-panelled windows, casting a serene, golden glow across the polished wooden floor.

The atmosphere here was different—quieter, more focused. There were fewer people, but those present were deeply immersed in their training. Raido watched as several monks moved with fluid grace, practising martial arts forms that seemed almost like a dance. Their robes flowed elegantly with each movement, mirroring the discipline and harmony they sought to achieve.

Alongside the monks, various Pokémon moved in synchrony with their trainers. A Hitmontop executed powerful kicks with precision, spinning atop it's pointed head, while a Meditite balanced perfectly on one leg, its eyes closed in deep concentration.

Raido was captivated by the harmony between the monks and their Pokémon, each motion a testament to their mutual trust and understanding.

As he approached the next staircase leading to the upper floors, his heart pounded with anticipation. Just as he was about to place his foot on the first step, a voice cut through the silence.

"Trainer!" someone called from across the room.

Raido startled, his heart skipping a beat. He turned to see a monk walking towards him, his eyes piercing yet calm. The monk's stride was purposeful, his gaze fixed on Raido.