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

Chapter Forty-Five - Gaining Our Wings

Fanale looked down at the floor, her shoulders slumped as she returned Noctowl to its Poké Ball. The crowd's cheers and Raido's jubilant celebration filled the air, but she was lost in her own world, tears streaming down her face. She raised a trembling hand to her eyes, sobbing quietly.

Raido, caught up in the euphoria of his victory, didn't notice Fanale's distress. He basked in the applause, feeling the rush of triumph. But the sudden sound of flapping wings broke through the noise. He turned around just in time to see Fanale being swept up by the Pidgeot she had arrived on. The magnificent bird flapped its powerful wings, lifting her effortlessly into the air.

"Fanale, wait!" Raido shouted, but his voice was lost in the wind and the commotion.

The Pidgeot soared higher, carrying Fanale into the heights of the gym. She clung to its back, her sobs carried away by the wind as they ascended. Within moments, she had disappeared from sight, leaving Raido standing on the battlefield, his shout echoing in the now silent arena.

Confusion washed over him. Shouldn't he be granted the victory and presented with the Zephyr Badge? The crowd's cheering slowed down, turning into a murmur of confusion. Raido stood beside Nidoran, looking up at the empty space where Fanale had been moments before.

"What just happened?" he muttered to himself, scratching his head. Nidoran chirped, sharing in his confusion.

The spectators exchanged puzzled glances, the excitement of the battle giving way to uncertainty. Raido felt the weight of the silence, the victory he had worked so hard for suddenly feeling incomplete. He had expected triumph, recognition, and the badge that would mark his achievement. Instead, he was left with unanswered questions and an empty battlefield.

Just as Raido stood in the midst of his confusion, he noticed a figure approaching from the stands. Falkner, the revered Gym Leader of Violet City, made his way to the battleground. Raido watched him closely, curiosity and anticipation mixing in his chest.

When Falkner reached Raido, he outstretched his hand. Raido accepted the firm handshake, feeling the strength and respect in Falkner's grip.

"Congratulations, Raido," Falkner began, a genuine smile on his face. "Thank you for the intense and exciting battle. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it from the stands. Your quick thinking and tactics were impressive, and the bond between you and your Pokémon, Tyrunt and Nidoran, is undeniable."

Raido felt a flush of pride as Falkner continued, "You've earned my respect today, and although it might not seem like it, you've earned Fanale's respect too. This was actually her first loss as a Gym Leader since she took the mantle. I apologise for her sudden departure. I'll go and talk to her, but in the meantime, you and your Pokémon should bask in your victory."

Falkner then spoke into a small microphone, addressing the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give Raido and his Pokémon a huge round of applause for that incredible battle!"

The crowd erupted into applause, cheers, whistles, and screams of excitement. Raido turned to face the audience, his heart swelling with joy. The lights of the stadium flashed in a myriad of colours, illuminating his face alongside Tyrunt and Nidoran on the big screen.

Raido was almost overwhelmed by the attention. He couldn't believe this was happening. The cheers of the crowd seemed to echo in his ears, each cheer making the moment feel more surreal. He glanced at Tyrunt and Nidoran, both of whom were revelling in the applause as well.

He was so lost in this dreamlike situation, soaking up the adulation, that he barely noticed when Falkner left to speak with Fanale. This was his moment of glory, a testament to his hard work and the unbreakable bond with his Pokémon. Raido felt a deep sense of fulfilment and excitement for the battles yet to come.

A short time passed during the celebrations, and Raido was lost in the euphoria of the moment. The cheers and applause were a symphony of validation, and for a while, he almost forgot about the badge he came to get. The colourful lights were like a dreamscape, flashing and reflecting the triumph he felt inside.

Suddenly, the flashing lights stopped, replaced by two bright spotlights. One spotlight illuminated Raido, standing victorious on the battlefield. The other pointed towards the upper levels of the gym, where Raido spotted the same majestic Pidgeot.

The Pidgeot swooped down gracefully, executing aerial manoeuvres with elegance. It was clear to everyone that Fanale was riding it, her smile radiant as the Pokémon twisted and turned on its descent. The spotlight followed them until they reached the floor, and Fanale hopped off the bird Pokémon, affectionately stroking its head and neck. Then, with determined steps, she walked towards Raido, the spotlight following her every move.

When she reached Raido, a moment of silence passed between them. Then, she reached out her hand, mirroring her father's gesture. Raido accepted the handshake, feeling the same strength in her grip as he had felt in Falkner's.

Fanale looked into Raido's eyes, smiling. The respect in her gaze was unmistakable, and Raido beamed back at her, pride swelling within him for both himself and his Pokémon.

Releasing Raido's grip, Fanale turned to the spectator stands, her face mirrored large on the huge screen. "Thank you, everyone, for watching the battle," she announced, her voice steady. "I apologise for my unexpected departure. Part of being a Gym Leader is being humble, and today, I have truly been humbled." She turned back to Raido. "Raido, your quick thinking, your tactics, and the bond you share with your Pokémon are commendable. You've put on an incredible battle for both the spectators in the gym today and those watching at home."

Raido's eyes widened. He had completely forgotten that each Gym battle was broadcasted on Gym TV for people to watch at home. A sense of awe and slight nervousness washed over him.

Fanale continued, "It is now my duty as the Gym Leader of Violet City Gym to present you with the Zephyr Badge." The crowd's applause intensified, filling the arena with a renewed wave of excitement.

She turned to Raido again, the spotlight brightly illuminating them both. "Raido," she announced, "as the official Johto League Association states, you have earned the revered Zephyr Badge, given by me, Fanale, of the Violet City Gym." Opening her hand, Raido saw the badge sitting, shining in her palm. It was a beautifully crafted piece, shaped like a pair of wings, symbolising freedom and flight, with a metallic blue sheen that caught the light.

Feeling a mixture of shock and pride, Raido reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the badge from Female's outstretched palm. It felt almost surreal as he looked down at it in his hand, the weight of his achievement settling in. He felt like he was dreaming.

Fanale smiled warmly. "Raido, show it to the audience."

The huge screen zoomed in close to his face, capturing every detail of his expression. Snapping out of his dreamlike state, reality began to sink in for Raido. He had just earned his first badge in Johto! With pride, he lifted the badge to the camera, showing it off as the audience erupted in wild applause and cheers.

Nidoran and Tyrunt jumped around excitedly, their joyous cries echoing through the arena. They were as proud of themselves as they were of their partner. Raido's heart swelled with emotion, realising that this was only the beginning of their journey together. The bond they shared had carried them through their first major challenge, and it would guide them through many more to come.

The applause continued to thunder around them, and Raido basked in the moment. The lights, the cheers, the sense of accomplishment—it was all a testament to the hard work, determination, and the unbreakable bond he had with his Pokémon. This victory wasn't just his; it was theirs. Together, they had faced the challenge, and together, they had triumphed.

As the audience continued to cheer, Raido felt a surge of gratitude. He looked at Fanale, who nodded in acknowledgment, a smile of respect still on her face. Then he turned back to the crowd, lifting the Zephyr Badge high above his head, a symbol of their victory and a promise of many more to come. The journey ahead was long, but with his Pokémon by his side, Raido knew they could face any challenge that came their way.