Chapter 126: Gyarados for Growlithe Swap

Sitting in the dimly lit Pokémon Center, I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. 

The hum of the video call system filled the room, faint and mechanical. 

My eyes flicked over to Erin, who was sitting nearby, legs crossed, her calm hazel eyes fixed on the floor. 

She looked calm as ever, though I knew she was just as tense as I was about the upcoming conversation. 

I ran a hand through my tousled hair, sighing.

"You sure you don't want to talk first?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.

Erin didn't even look up, her voice as calm as a breeze. "Because of us, my grandfather might have a heart attack."

I chuckled, more to shake off the weight pressing on my chest than out of any real amusement. 

Shadow, my ever-loyal partner, slept on the chair next to me, his dark, sleek body rising and falling steadily, unaware of the storm we were about to step into.

I turned back to the screen as the call connected, and there she was—Daisy Oak. 

Her expression softened the moment she saw us, but there was something in her eyes, a mix of curiosity and tension. 

"So, Professor Oak doesn't want to talk to me now?" I said, letting the words slip with a relaxed tone that didn't match the moment.

Erin stood, coming over to me and, without a word, settled onto my lap. 

Her body was as light as ever, but I could feel the tension in her shoulders. "Hey, Daisy. How are you?" she asked softly.

Daisy smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm good. I hear you two are having fun."

Erin's lips curved into a smile, one that said everything and nothing all at once. 

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close, letting her calm aura seep into me for a moment before I spoke.

"Can we swap Gyarados with Growlithe? Then you can keep talking," I said, already pulling Gyarados's Pokéball from my bag.

Daisy nodded, the transaction quick and smooth. 

Theweight of Growlithe's Pokéball settled into my hand as I handed over Gyarados's.

Erin stood up, her movements smooth as silk.

I followed her lead, rising from the chair, but just as quickly, I pushed her back down into the seat. "You both talk," I said, voice firm, though a playful smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. 

Erin shot me a look, but I was already walking away, my mind half on the conversation and half on the Pokémon that now rested in my bag.

As I made my way to the vending machine, Shadow sprang up from his spot, his small, sleek form landing perfectly on my shoulder. 

His red eyes glowed faintly, and before I could react, he was licking my cheek. 

His rough tongue scraped against my skin, but I couldn't help but grin, swatting at him playfully. "Alright, alright, calm down."

I slid a couple of coins into the machine, grabbed two cold drinks, and handed one to Shadow. 

He eagerly lapped at it, his blue electric sparks flickering along his fur as he drank. 

After finishing, we dropped the cans into the recycling bin, and I turned to see Erin walking toward me, her expression unchanged.

"Done," she said, voice steady as always.

I reached out, touching her cheek with the back of my hand. "Let's go to the department store. I need a Fire Stone. You need anything?"

"No," Erin replied, her tone flat but firm.

I nodded, motioning for her to follow as we stepped outside. 

The early morning sun hit us like a blast, and the bustling city of Caldeon stretched out in front of us. 

Trainers moved in and out of buildings, eyes sharp, conversations hurried. 

But we moved with purpose, cutting through the chaos like a blade through water.

The department store loomed ahead, towering over the streets, a hub for trainers looking to buy supplies or evolution items. 

As we entered, the cold air inside was a relief, but it didn't soften the stares we received. 

Most of them were directed at Shadow, who clung to my shoulder, his jet-black form and eerie red eyes marking him as something far from ordinary.

Whispers followed us as we approached the receptionist's desk.

"I need one Fire Stone, urgent," I said, my voice steady, no nonsense. 

The receptionist blinked, nodding quickly as she sent someone to fetch the item. 

After what felt like minutes, though it was probably less, a young man returned, placing the Fire Stone in front of me. 

I took it, slipping it into my bag and handing over the Pokédollars. 

As we stepped back outside, I could feel the weight of the stone in my bag, a small but significant shift in the plan. 

I glanced at Erin, who was watching the passing trainers with her usual detached calm.

"We need to find a place to evolve Growlithe," I said, my tone relaxed despite the anticipation building in my chest.

Erin simply nodded, falling into step beside me as we walked.