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

Chapter Forty-One - Through The Winger

Raido examined the dire situation before him, watching Tyrunt take a beating from Taillow, who moved quicker than the speed of light. He followed the bird's rapid movements with anxious eyes, trying to spot a way to beat it. His gaze shifted to Fanale, who was smirking confidently. She was admiring her Pokémon's graceful but fierce manoeuvres, fully aware she had the upper hand.

Raido's eyes darted back to Taillow. There was something in its movements, a pattern—a choreographed sequence of swift and swooping attacks. He focused intensely, noticing the rhythm in Taillow's flight. As the bird Pokémon darted around the field, weaving through the windstreams, Raido's mind worked furiously. There had to be a way to counter this.

"Tyrunt, hold on! Stay calm and wait for your moment!" Raido shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Tyrunt nodded, its eyes locking onto Raido's, mirroring his determination. Taillow continued to swoop around, its speed enhanced by the windstreams. Raido's eyes followed every move, predicting its next attack. Tyrunt, perched upon the podium, stood firm, its gaze never leaving the darting Taillow.

Raido watched as Taillow reached its peak speed, swooping down true and fierce towards Tyrunt. Time seemed to slow down. This was their chance.

"Hold, Tyrunt!" Raido commanded, his voice steady despite the tension.

Taillow fired towards Tyrunt like a missile, a blur of feathers and speed. Raido's heart pounded in his chest as he waited for the perfect moment.

"Hold... hold... hold..." Raido repeated, his eyes narrowing as he tracked Taillow's every move.

And then, Raido saw it—the split-second window they needed. "Now, Tyrunt! Bite to your left!" he shouted.

Tyrunt, synchronising perfectly with Raido, swung its head to the left and snapped its powerful jaws shut with force. To Fanale and Taillow's shock, Tyrunt's teeth clamped around Taillow's wing mid-flight. The sudden capture dealt a significant blow to the speedy Pokémon, stopping it in its tracks.

Taillow cried out in pain, frantically flapping its wings in a desperate attempt to escape. The crowd gasped as Tyrunt held firm, its powerful jaws locked onto Taillow's wing.

"No! Taillow!" Fanale cried out in concern, her confident demeanour shattered.

Tyrunt began to shake Taillow around, inflicting full damage. The bird Pokémon screeched, its cries echoing throughout the gym as Tyrunt's grip remained unyielding. The intense moment seemed to hang in the air, the noise of the windstreams filling the silence.

Finally, Tyrunt released its grip, and Taillow flapped its wings desperately, trying to regain its balance. The once-confident bird now appeared visibly weakened, its flight unsteady. Raido and Tyrunt had managed to execute a flawless counter, seizing the opportunity with perfect timing.

Fanale's confident smirk faded, replaced by a look of surprise and respect. Raido felt a surge of adrenaline and hope. They had turned the tide, but the battle was far from over. Tyrunt roared, its eyes locked onto Taillow, ready for the next command.

"Great job, Tyrunt! Stay focused!" Raido encouraged, his voice strong and steady. The battle had become even more intense, and every move from now on would be crucial.

Raido felt a surge of confidence, a smile spreading across his face as he watched Fanale. Her confident smirk had shifted slightly, a hint of concern now visible. They locked eyes, and Raido's smile widened. Fanale's expression finally cracked, changing to one of respect. She breathed out, closing her eyes and smiling contently.

"When I first set my eyes on you, I knew this would be an interesting battle," Fanale said, her voice calm and sincere. "I knew you would be a worthy challenger."