Chapter 75: Diverging Paths

The sign was unmistakable—𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺. The red letters glared at us, almost taunting. Ash, Brock, and Misty stood ahead, like a trio of defeated statues. Ash's Pikachu lay sprawled out on the ground, barely twitching by Ash's leg. The kid looked ready to collapse any second himself, while Brock rubbed his stomach, and Misty seemed like she might snap at anything that moved.

Behind me, Erin stood quietly, clutching the Pokémon egg I'd handed her. She cradled it with a delicate mix of fear and fascination. A subtle breeze lifted her oversized hoodie, making her look smaller than usual. Her hazel eyes flicked between the egg and me, as if the thing might explode at any moment.

Brock groaned first. "Let's get inside and go to the Pokémon Center. I'm starving." His voice dragged, like he'd been saying it for the last hour.

"I just want to take a shower," Misty grumbled. Her arms crossed, eyes narrowed. She looked like she could murder someone with a wet towel at this point.

Ash's energy flickered back to life, a grin breaking his exhausted face. "Let's go and win the badge!" He almost ran off toward the city, Pikachu half-conscious at his feet.

I stepped forward before he could take off. "Me and Erin aren't going with you." My voice came out calm, sharp enough to make Ash skid to a stop. Misty shot me a raised eyebrow.

"We'll meet you at the Pokémon Center," she offered, her voice curious but suspicious.

I glanced at Erin, standing just behind me, still holding that egg like it was some kind of alien artifact. "As you can see, it's been two weeks. Erin doesn't flinch around Raichu anymore. Or her own Pokémon." I gave Misty a small smile, trying to keep the conversation light.

Ash waved it off with a loud, "Let's get the badge first! Then we can talk!" His tone left no room for argument—except he forgot who I was.

I sighed. "Your Pikachu can barely stand," I said, motioning to the limp yellow creature lying by his feet. "Brock, why don't you tell him?"

Brock nodded, already picking up Pikachu in his arms. "You're not thinking straight, Ash. Pikachu's in no shape to battle right now."

Ash started to argue, but I didn't give him the chance. "We'll catch up later. I've got some plans." I kept my tone even, controlled.

"Plans?" Misty echoed, folding her arms tighter. "You're always mysterious."

"Not that mysterious," I replied, a slight grin tugging at my lips. "I'm just taking it easy for once. Erin needs some new clothes—she's been wearing that weird hoodie for too long."

Ash ignored the rest. "Badge first," he muttered, determined. Before Brock could stop him, Misty slapped him on the back of the head.

"First, we go to the Pokémon Center, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 you can think about the badge," she scolded, dragging him toward the city.

I smirked as I watched them disappear, Brock following with a tired but understanding wave. "Let's go. He's smarter than you, Ash," Brock muttered as he passed me, still holding Pikachu.

Ash slowed down, suddenly calmer. "I'll beat you all," he mumbled. "Blaze, Rio, Gary—you're all going down." His eyes, despite the fatigue, still burned with determination.

I chuckled softly, but didn't say a word. Erin gave the group a stiff wave, her voice as flat as ever. "Take care, Ash, Pikachu, Misty, Brock." Her words hung awkwardly, as they always did. The others nodded in response, none of them quite sure how to handle her bluntness.

When they were finally gone, I turned to Erin, who blinked up at me, still holding the egg close. "Let's find a hotel, then rest. After that, I've got some plans."

She nodded, her face unreadable as always. But she was calm, no longer trembling like she used to when Raichu or any other Pokémon got too close. Small progress, but progress nonetheless.

As we walked toward Vermilion. My egg shifted in Erin arms, and she held it a little tighter. I glanced down at her, trying to read her expression. She looked tired, maybe a little out of place, but I could tell her mind was racing.

"Do you ever wonder what's in that egg?" she asked suddenly, her voice so soft I almost missed it.

I smirked. "No. I don't know exactly what's in there."

Erin looked up at me, confused but not asking any more questions. That was something I appreciated about her—she wasn't nosy, just... awkward. But she had potential, if she could get over her fear.