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

Chapter Forty-Four - Clipped Wings

Fanale clenched her fists in frustration, clearly annoyed at being tricked into making her Noctowl vulnerable. She shot a glare at Raido, then turned her attention back to the battlefield. "Noctowl, attack with Aerial Ace!"

Noctowl spread its powerful wings and, with a sudden burst of speed, darted towards Nidoran. Raido's eyes widened as he realised how fast Noctowl was in the airstreams. "Nidoran, brace yourself!" he shouted, but Noctowl was already upon her.

With a swift and precise strike, Noctowl's wings slammed into Nidoran, sending her skidding across the podium. As Nidoran struggled to get back on her feet, Raido noticed something crucial. Noctowl was significantly more efficient and dangerous in the open, where it could fully spread its wings and attack without obstruction. This gave him an idea.

Nidoran wobbled but managed to stand, clearly hurt from the powerful Aerial Ace. Her legs trembled, and Raido knew she couldn't take much more. One more hit like that, and she would be down for the count. He could see Fanale's smug expression returning, and he knew he had to act fast.

"Nidoran, are you okay?" Raido called out, his voice filled with concern.

Nidoran chirped back, her tone determined despite her injuries. She was still ready to fight, and her spirit gave Raido the resolve he needed.

Fanale smirked, her confidence radiating. "Noctowl, take to the air again!" she commanded. As Noctowl ascended, Fanale glanced at Raido. "You've been a challenge, I'll give you that. It's been a while since I've been this entertained. But sadly for you, this battle is about to end."

"Noctowl, use Confusion!" Fanale ordered. Noctowl's eyes glowed a sinister purple as it prepared to launch its psychic attack. The air around it shimmered with psychic energy, creating an eerie and menacing atmosphere.

Raido's heart pounded in his chest. "Nidoran, get ready!" he yelled.

As Noctowl unleashed the Confusion attack, Raido commanded, "Nidoran, evade it!"

Nidoran immediately sprang into action, darting between the jagged rocks jutting from the podiums. Noctowl soared above, its eyes glowing as it tried to lock onto Nidoran. The chase was on, and Raido's strategy began to unfold. Nidoran zigzagged through the rocky terrain, narrowly avoiding the psychic blasts that exploded around her.

Fanale's frustration grew. "Noctowl, don't let her escape! Keep attacking!" she commanded, her voice tinged with desperation.

Raido watched intently as Noctowl hovered close to the rocky outcroppings, a strategic placement that appeared to corner Nidoran. To Noctowl and Fanale, it seemed as though Nidoran had encountered a dead end with nowhere to go. But this was exactly Raido and Nidoran's plan.

Fanale, overconfident and believing this next strike would be the finisher, commanded, "Noctowl, use Aerial Ace!"

Noctowl locked onto the seemingly vulnerable Nidoran and flapped its wings powerfully, firing towards her with deadly precision. As Noctowl closed in, Raido's voice rang out, filled with determination. "Nidoran, now!"

At the last moment, Nidoran leapt to the side near a large, sharp protrusion. Noctowl adjusted its course towards Nidoran, but as it honed in for the killer move, it clipped its wing against the large rock, knocking it off balance. The mighty bird yelped in shock, thrown off course.

This was their moment.

"Double Kick, now!" Raido called out with determination, his voice merging with Nidoran's as she sprang from the ground with her powerful legs.

Nidoran's legs connected powerfully with the vulnerable Noctowl, once, then twice, each impact echoing through the arena. Noctowl was launched helplessly into a nearby rock with a huge crash of feathers and debris. Fanale cried out for her Pokémon, clearly unaccustomed to seeing her ace struggle in battle.

"Noctowl, get up!" Fanale urged, her voice tinged with desperation.

Noctowl struggled, trying to pick itself up. Raido seized the moment, "Nidoran, it's time to win this!"

Nidoran chirped in agreement, her eyes blazing with determination. Noctowl forced itself to its feet, its wings flapping weakly but enough to hover. It saw Nidoran charging up an attack, ready to finish it, and in a desperate defence, tried to get off a Confusion attack. Its eyes glowed, but it was already too late.

"Nidoran, Poison Sting!" Raido shouted, his fist clenched in the air.

With its glowing horn, Nidoran launched forward like a missile. Noctowl barely had time to yelp before the horn connected directly, sending it crashing to the floor. Feathers and dust filled the air, and a moment of silence fell over the battlefield.

Raido, Fanale, and the numerous spectators in the stands stood on the edge of their seats, breath held tight. The majestic bird lay silent on the floor, feathers ruffled and injured, every eye in the stadium fixed upon it.

Fanale's confident smirk wavered as she called out, "Noctowl, come on, get up!"

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a slight twitch rippled through Noctowl's wings, eliciting a collective gasp from the crowd. With agonising slowness, Noctowl began to move, dragging its battered body off the ground. The audience watched in silent suspense, each movement of the bird magnified by the tension in the air.

"N-No, I thought we'd done it", Raido stuttered.

Noctowl shuddered again, its powerful form visibly weakened. It struggled, inch by inch, its determination forcing it upright. The gasps turned to murmurs of disbelief as the bird stood, albeit shakily, its wings flapping weakly but defiantly.

Fanale's eyes gleamed with a mixture of hope and pride. "You can do it, Noctowl!"

But just as quickly as hope had risen, it began to falter. Noctowl's body shuddered violently, the effects of the poison and the earlier attacks wreaking havoc on its system. With a pained cry, it staggered, wings failing to support its weight.

Noctowl gave one last valiant effort, eyes glowing momentarily as it tried to muster the strength to continue. The audience collectively held their breath, the entire stadium plunged into a tense silence. But the poison was relentless. With a final, defeated shudder, Noctowl's eyes rolled back, and it collapsed heavily to the ground, wings splayed out and motionless.

A hush fell over the arena, the tension palpable. Fanale's hopeful expression crumbled into despair as she whispered, "No..."

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, the loudspeaker crackled to life, and the robotic voice announced, "Noctowl is no longer able to battle. The victory goes to Raido!"

The silence broke into a roar of applause and cheers. Raido's look of concern shifted to one of disbelief and then pure joy. He threw his arms up in triumph, a broad smile spreading across his face. Nidoran hopped around excitedly, chirping in celebration.