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

Chapter Thirty-Eight - A Deal is a Deal

The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over Violet City as Raido walked down the cobblestone streets. The city was alive with the sounds of daily life: shopkeepers setting up their stalls, children playing, and the distant chirping of Pidgey. Raido's heart was light, knowing that he was about to fulfil a promise he had made. Walking beside him were his trusted Pokémon, Nidoran and Tyrunt, who shared in his excitement.

Raido approached a modest house on the edge of town, the wooden fence surrounding a small garden filled with blooming flowers. As he drew closer, he could hear the excited chatter of a young boy and the deep, hearty laughter of an older man. He smiled, feeling a sense of anticipation and joy.

Suddenly, the boy spotted Raido coming up the path. His eyes widened in recognition, and he burst out of the front gate, shouting in excitement. "Dad! It's Raido!"

The boy's voice was filled with uncontainable joy, and he raced toward Raido, his feet barely touching the ground. Raido couldn't help but laugh at the boy's enthusiasm. Kneeling down, he presented the Pokéball containing Bellsprout with a flourish.

"Happy birthday," Raido said, offering the Pokéball to the boy. "This Bellsprout is all yours."

The boy's eyes sparkled with amazement. He reached out with trembling hands to take the Pokéball, his mouth hanging open in awe. "This is the best birthday ever! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he exclaimed, his words tumbling over each other in his excitement.

Despite being a little nervous around humans, Bellsprout emerged from the Pokéball and started to warm up to the boy, sensing his good heart and genuine excitement. The boy's smile was so wide it looked like it might split his face in two. He danced around, holding the Pokéball close, unable to stop talking about all the adventures he and Bellsprout would have together.

The father, a kind-looking man with a thick beard and gentle eyes, approached with a wide smile stretching across his face. He bent down to pat Bellsprout gently on the head. "Thank you, Raido," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You've made my son's dreams come true. Not just his, but mine as well."

Raido brushed off the appreciation modestly, a humble smile on his face. "It was a challenge, but I was determined to help someone in need and to give your boy the best birthday possible."

The boy continued to play with his new Bellsprout, his laughter ringing out like music. The father watched his son for a moment, a look of pure joy on his face, before turning back to Raido.

"Thank you again, Raido," he said earnestly. "It looks like it's time for me to fulfil my end of the bargain."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Pokéball, taking a moment to stare at it longingly. With a deep breath, he released his Onix. The massive Pokémon appeared beside him, its body large and commanding. Raido couldn't help but admire its form, thinking to himself how amazing it would be to have an Onix of his own. He imagined the strength and loyalty such a partner could bring to his journey.

The man began talking to Onix, his voice filled with a mix of pride and sadness. "Onix, the day has come. I want you to go with Raido now, and be the best Pokémon partner for him. You've been my companion for so long, and now it's time for you to help someone else achieve their dreams."

Raido could see the pain in the man's face as he began his farewells. He remembered from their first meeting how the man had grown so attached to Onix over the years and was reluctant to part with it despite his dream of having a Bellsprout. Raido watched as the man embraced Onix, both of them clearly heartbroken at the thought of parting. The bond between them was evident, and it tugged at Raido's heartstrings.

He felt the evident pain at the thought of being without each other. He watched them both as they embraced, bidding farewell. Suddenly, Raido shook his head and interrupted. "Wait!" he exclaimed. "I can see the bond between you two. I won't be the one to break that."

The man struggled to get his words out, taken aback by Raido's act of selflessness. "But Raido, you've done us a great deed. We can't let it go unrewarded. Please, accept Onix."

Raido argued back, staring at Nidoran beside him. "Even in just a few days, I can't imagine parting ways with Nidoran, my best friend. I couldn't bear to think about losing her. And I see that same love in your eyes when you look at Onix. I insist that you keep Onix at your side and accept Bellsprout as a gift for your boy."

The man started to cry, his tears of happiness mingling with his surprise. He looked at Onix, who looked back fondly. "I... I don't know what to say, Raido. This is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for us."

He hugged Raido tightly, then ran back to embrace Onix. Raido nearly welled up too, touched by the display of love between the man and his Pokémon. He felt great to be able to help such good people in need.

The man turned to Raido, wiping his eyes. "I can't let your good deed go unrewarded," he said, running into his house. He returned with something in his hands, presenting it to Raido. It was a small coloured piece of paper.

Raido took the paper and examined it closely. It was a colourful ticket embossed with small illustrations of numerous Flying-type Pokémon. The man explained, "The Violet City Gym is extremely busy, being the first gym in Johto. Trainers from all over come to challenge the gym, leaving the gym leader inundated with requests. They started using a booking system, giving each trainer their own slot and time to challenge the leader. The waiting list is very long. I want you to have my ticket."

Raido's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your ticket? But... this means..."

The man nodded. "I had a battle slot booked in three days. It's yours now. It's the least I can do for you."

Raido's excitement was palpable. His very first gym battle, just three days from now! "Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."

The man smiled. "Be careful. The Violet Gym Leader is not only powerful but employs incredibly intelligent tactics to enhance the challenge for trainers. You'll have to train hard to stand a chance."

Raido nodded, his determination growing. "I will. Thank you again, for everything."

After thanking the man once more and saying farewell to the boy and his new best friend Bellsprout, Raido turned to leave. As he walked away, he talked to Nidoran about the prospect of their first gym battle. "Are you ready to train hard over the next few days to take on the gym?" he asked.

Nidoran chirped back, a fire of determination in her eyes. Raido punched the air dramatically, smiling. "Let's do this!"

The father watched them go, his heart full. He turned back to see his son sitting cross-legged in the garden, Bellsprout by his side. The boy was talking animatedly to his new Pokémon, already forming a bond. The man walked over and sat beside his son, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"Dad, this is the best birthday ever," the boy said, looking up at his father with shining eyes.

The father smiled, his heart swelling with pride and love. "I'm glad, son. Take good care of Bellsprout, okay?"

"I will, Dad. I promise!" the boy exclaimed, hugging Bellsprout gently.

The father looked down at Bellsprout, who gazed back with curious eyes. He reached out to pat its head gently. "Welcome to the family, Bellsprout."

Bellsprout let out a happy, soft sound, leaning into the boy and his father. The garden seemed to glow with the warmth of their newfound happiness and unity.

Meanwhile, Raido walked back through the streets of Violet City, his heart light. He was glad he had decided not to separate the man and his Onix. It felt good to have done something so selfless and kind. He knew that his journey was about more than just battling and winning. It was about forming bonds, helping others, and making a difference in the lives of people and Pokémon alike.

He glanced down at the ticket in his hand, feeling a surge of excitement. His first gym battle was just three days away, and he was determined to be ready. He would train hard with Nidoran and Tyrunt, preparing for the challenges ahead.

As he walked, he thought about everything Elder Troy had told him. The importance of compassion, the bonds between humans and Pokémon, and the responsibilities that came with being a trainer. He felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead, with his Pokémon by his side.