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

Chapter Thirty-Nine - A Violet Challenge

The past few days had been a whirlwind of training and preparation for Raido. He and his Pokémon, Nidoran and Tyrunt, had been working tirelessly in anticipation of his first gym challenge at the Violet City Gym. Raido knew that this was a crucial step in his journey, and he wanted to be as prepared as possible.

In the early mornings, Raido would take Nidoran and Tyrunt to the outskirts of Violet City, where they would train against wild Pokémon and visiting trainers. He had faced various opponents, each with different strategies and Pokémon. Some battles ended in ecstatic victories, where Nidoran's Poison Sting or Tyrunt's Bite proved to be too powerful for their adversaries. In one particularly memorable match, Nidoran had taken down a powerful Butterfree with a well-timed Double Kick, earning cheers from a small group of spectators.

But not all battles were easy wins. Raido encountered trainers with formidable Pokémon and clever tactics that pushed him to his limits. One such battle was against a trainer with a crafty Abra that teleported around the battlefield, making it difficult for Tyrunt to land a hit. After a long and gruelling battle, Raido and his Pokémon emerged victorious, their bond stronger than ever.

Throughout these battles, Raido's bond with Nidoran and Tyrunt deepened. He learned to trust their instincts and they, in turn, trusted his commands. Their teamwork became more fluid, their strategies more cohesive. With each passing day, Raido's excitement for his first gym battle grew exponentially.

Now, the day of the gym challenge had finally arrived. Raido stood by the window of the Pokémon Centre, staring out at the city as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon. He had woken up too early, his excitement and nerves making it impossible to fall back asleep. He decided to get an early start and make some last-minute preparations before his battle time.

Raido turned as Nurse Joy approached with Nidoran and Tyrunt's Pokéballs. "Here you go, Raido," she said with a warm smile. "Your Pokémon are fully rejuvenated and ready to go."

Nidoran chirped happily, feeling rested and full of energy. Raido knelt down and scratched behind her ears. "Are you ready for today, Nidoran?" he asked.

Nidoran chirped again, this time with a fire of determination in her eyes. She was clearly ready.

Nurse Joy watched the exchange with a fond smile. "You've done a great job training them, Raido. I know you'll do well today. Just remember to trust in your Pokémon and stay calm."

"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Raido said, feeling a surge of confidence. "I'll do my best."

As Raido left the Pokémon Centre, he bumped into Mr. Pokémon Jr. on the street. The older man beamed when he saw Raido. "Raido! It's good to see you," he said, bending down to stroke Nidoran. "And how's Tyrunt doing?"

Raido released Tyrunt from his Pokéball, and the dinosaur Pokémon roared happily. Mr. Pokémon Jr. examined him fondly. "Tyrunt looks great. You've done a wonderful job with him."

"Thank you," Raido said, feeling a swell of pride. "Actually, I'm on my way to the Violet City Gym. Today's my first gym challenge."

Mr. Pokémon Jr.'s eyes twinkled with excitement. "That's wonderful news! But be careful young Raido. The gym leader here in Violet City is no pushover. This gym is known for it's skill with Flying-type Pokémon and clever use of the battlefield. It won't be an easy battle by any stretch of the imagination."

Raido nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. "We're ready for whatever comes our way, but thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

Mr. Pokémon Jr. then glanced at Raido's backpack. "By the way, have you made good use of that rare TM I gave you as a prize?"