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

Chapter Forty-Three - Confusion's In The Air

Nidoran bounded onto the battlefield with energetic determination.

Noctowl, still hovering in the air, glared down at the new opponent. Its large wings flapped powerfully, generating gusts of wind that rustled the ground below. Raido could see the intensity in Noctowl's eyes, ready for the next command.

Fanale's voice rang out clearly, "Noctowl, let's show them our speed. Take flight!" Noctowl's wings beat with immense power as it rose higher into the sky, merging seamlessly with the airstreams. Raido's eyes widened as he watched the bird's speed triple almost instantly.

"Nidoran, be careful and stay alert!" Raido shouted, his voice filled with urgency. Nidoran nodded, its eyes locked on Noctowl as it chirped back in response.

Determined to avoid being a vulnerable target, Nidoran leaped onto the podiums above, its agile form making quick work of the heights. Meanwhile, Noctowl swooped and glided around the podiums with predatory grace, its movements swift and calculated, like a predator toying with its prey.

Raido's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the scene unfold. Noctowl's speed was terrifying, and it moved through the air with a lethal elegance. Nidoran stood its ground on the podium, its small body tensed and ready for action.

Fanale's smirk remained, but there was a flicker of respect in her eyes as she watched Nidoran's determination. "Noctowl, show them no mercy," she called, her voice steady and commanding.

Raido knew the battle ahead would be fierce. "Nidoran, we're in for a tough fight," he called out, his voice filled with both determination and resolve. Nidoran glanced back at him, nodding with fierce determination. The battle was far from over, and Raido was ready to give it everything he had to prove their strength.

"Noctowl, now! Swoop down!" Fanale commanded, her voice cutting through the air like a knife.

Raido braced himself, expecting a physical attack like Wing Attack or Aerial Ace. His eyes tracked Noctowl's swift descent, its form blurring with speed. But instead of a direct hit, Noctowl's eyes glowed with an eerie light.

"Confusion!" Fanale called out.

A wave of psychic energy rippled from Noctowl's eyes, enveloping Nidoran in a shimmering aura. The young Pokémon's eyes widened in shock as the powerful psychic attack assaulted her mind. She stumbled, her movements disoriented as the Confusion attack took hold. Nidoran's cries of distress echoed through the battlefield, and Raido's heart sank.

"Nidoran, shake it off!" Raido yelled, desperation creeping into his voice. But Nidoran struggled, her movements erratic as she stood on the podium, defenceless and open to attack.

Fanale seized the opportunity. "Noctowl, Wing Attack! Finish it!"

Noctowl's wings glowed with a bright, silvery light as it dove towards Nidoran. The powerful wings struck with the force of a gale, hitting Nidoran squarely and sending her skidding across the podium. The impact was brutal, and Nidoran's small body tumbled to the edge, clearly shaken by the attack.

Raido's mind raced. He hadn't expected the psychic assault, and now Nidoran was vulnerable. His tactic hinged on getting Noctowl in close, but with Nidoran dazed, the plan seemed on the brink of collapse. The look of concern on his face was unmistakable, and Fanale noticed.

She chuckled softly, her confidence unwavering. "You didn't see that coming, did you? Noctowl's more than just speed and strength. It's time to end this, Raido."

Raido clenched his fists, his mind a whirlwind of strategies. He needed to regain control, to adapt. "Nidoran, I know you're struggling, but we can't give up now! Try to focus, we need to get Noctowl in close!"

Nidoran, though battered and confused, lifted her gaze to meet Raido's. There was a flicker of determination in her eyes, a refusal to give in despite the odds.

"Noctowl, prepare for another Confusion!" Fanale commanded, her voice dripping with finality.

As Noctowl's eyes began to glow again, Raido took a deep breath. He had to think fast, to find a way to turn the tide. The intense pressure of the battle weighed heavily on him, but he knew that giving up was not an option.

"Come on, Nidoran, we can do this," he muttered under his breath, the resolve in his voice growing stronger. The battle was reaching a critical point, and Raido was determined to find a way to victory, no matter the odds.

As Noctowl powered up another Confusion attack, Raido's mind raced to find a solution. He knew he needed to think fast and stay one step ahead of Fanale. "Nidoran, evade it!" he commanded with urgency.

Nidoran, still dazed but determined, began to duck and weave through the stones jutting out of the podiums. Noctowl soared above, its eyes glowing ominously as it tried to lock onto its elusive target with the Confusion attack. The bird Pokémon was like a homing predator, its gaze fixed on the small, nimble Nidoran darting between the rocky protrusions.

"Keep moving, Nidoran!" Raido shouted, his voice filled with encouragement.

Nidoran managed to evade the psychic blasts, zigzagging through the battlefield with surprising agility. Frustration etched across Fanale's face. "Noctowl, search for Nidoran and attack!" she ordered, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Noctowl swooped down closer to the podiums, its large wings beating powerfully as it scanned the rocks below, searching for any sign of Nidoran. The bird's elegant form glided just above the jagged stones, making it more vulnerable and within striking distance.

Raido saw his chance. "Now, Nidoran! Make your move!"

From behind a cluster of rocks, Nidoran leaped into the air with impressive speed, catching Noctowl completely by surprise. Her horn glowed with a toxic purple light as she used Poison Sting, aiming directly at Noctowl.

The attack struck true, Nidoran's glowing horn hitting Noctowl with precision. Noctowl yelped in shock and pain, the force of the hit throwing it backwards. It flapped frantically, trying to regain control of its flight.

"Yes!" Raido shouted, celebrating the direct hit. His eyes sparkled with newfound confidence. "Great job, Nidoran! Keep it up!"

Nidoran landed back on the podium, her stance firm and ready for the next command. The battle was far from over, but Raido's quick thinking had given him and Nidoran a fighting chance.