Chapter 32 - Chapter 32

Amber hung her goggles around her neck, leading Barbara into the Pokémon shop. "Hello, Takashi, I'm back again!"

Takashi put on his usual welcoming smile. "Welcome, Miss Amber, Miss Barbara."

Amber casually walked over to Xerneas to greet her, then leaned against the counter. Meanwhile, Barbara looked around curiously, hands behind her back. She had visited clothing stores, department stores, restaurants, and churches many times, but she had never seen a shop like this. Shelves were filled with red and white balls, a wide variety of books, and packages in different colors.

Not to mention, the store had a handsome shopkeeper and a cute deer-like Pokémon that she had just met today—Xerneas.

"Good evening, Takashi," Barbara greeted politely, bowing.

"This isn't the Knights of Favonius headquarters, no need to be formal," Takashi said, taking a Pokédex off the shelf and handing it to Barbara. "Come on, time to draw your destined Pokémon! Barbara, charge ahead!"

Hearing the last line, Barbara held her cheeks, blushing. "Please, don't say that, Takashi. You're making me embarrassed."

Amber couldn't help but laugh. She had always thought Barbara never got embarrassed by her catchphrase, but seeing Barbara's flushed face was a rare sight.

Barbara took the Pokédex and looked at the button on it. "I just need to press this button, right?"

"That's right."

Barbara rubbed her hands together, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "Barbara, charge ahead!" before pressing the button.

The silhouettes of various Pokémon flashed rapidly on the screen. Barbara grew more nervous, and Amber, who had been watching from the side, couldn't resist her curiosity and moved closer.

"Larvitar," Takashi announced the name slowly.

In his memory, Larvitar was a creature that loved to eat, though its favorite dish was soil. It was said that when young, it devoured dirt deep in the mountains until it had eaten an entire mountain to prepare for its evolution.

Amber and Barbara were both stunned at the sight of Larvitar. It had a grayish-green skin, a small black triangular marking under each eye, and bright red eyes that looked fierce. It had short arms, two toes on each foot, a diamond-shaped red scale on its belly, and four diamond-shaped holes on its waist. Its tail had a cone shape surrounded by a plate-like structure.

Amber scanned Larvitar with her Pokédex. "Larvitar, a Rock-type Pokémon. Usually born deep underground, it takes a long time to surface."

"So this is Larvitar?"

Amber crossed her arms, looking at the tiny figure on the Pokédex, a mischievous smile on her face. "Looks like my Ponyta has a new rival!"

Barbara nervously swallowed, her fists clenched. "Takashi, is this Pokémon strong? I was hoping to draw a powerful Pokémon for combat, not a cute one that I can put on my bedside table as a decoration."

Before Takashi could answer, Amber interjected, "Barbara, this is a Rock-type Pokémon that could beat my Ponyta! And Traveler's Wingull would have a tough time too."

Takashi added, "Don't forget, while Wingull is a Flying type, it's also a Water type. Water is effective against Rock."

"Oh, right," Amber said, tapping her forehead. "I almost forgot."

Takashi had thought Amber only ever focused on running around with Ponyta. It turned out she still remembered some basics.

Seeing Barbara being left out of the conversation, Takashi felt bad. "Miss Barbara, actually, Larvitar isn't weak at all. It has immense potential for the future. Its final evolution form is comparable to a pseudo-legendary."

"What?" Barbara had just hit the jackpot? Amber's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Deep inside, Amber felt a tinge of jealousy. "Darn it, I didn't draw a pseudo-legendary on my first try."

She pouted. "Some people are just too lucky!"

Ponyta, at that moment: *WTF? I thought I was the star athlete here!*

Barbara, on the other hand, was equally stunned. "Pseudo-legendary?"

Was this really happening? Had her devotion to Barbatos really brought her such a blessing?

"Takashi, are you saying this Larvitar is a pseudo-legendary?" Barbara asked, her lips parted slightly, her expression shifting in awe.

"Yes," Takashi nodded again, confirming.

Amber couldn't help but ask, "So, will it be able to fly in the future?"

Takashi scratched his head. "Not all legendaries or pseudo-legendaries can fly. Unfortunately, even at its peak, Larvitar's final form can't fly."

"Oh," Amber said, a bit disappointed.

Takashi shrugged. "Anyway, Amber isn't the main customer here, so her disappointment doesn't matter much." He turned back to Barbara. "Miss Barbara, even though Larvitar may look small now, its future combat potential is significant."

"Really?" Barbara said, brightening, her hands holding her skirt as her eyes seemed to shine, as if the lingering clouds had finally parted. "Can I see this little guy right now?"

"Of course," Takashi said, nodding slightly. Xerneas picked up Larvitar's Poké Ball from the shelf. The two of them were as in-sync as an old married couple.

"Come out, Larvitar." Takashi pressed the button, and in a flash of light, a small but determined Larvitar appeared.

It let out a cute, firm cry, "Lar!" raising its tiny arms excitedly, its fierce eyes making Barbara take a step back in surprise.

"I... I'm a bit scared of it," Barbara admitted, retreating slightly.

Afraid of a Pokémon? Takashi thought this was interesting. As far as he could remember, people scared of Pokémon were rare. There was Joey, who feared Water-types after a bad incident involving a Qwilfish and an overturned boat. Then there was Kel, who was terrified of Raichu due to its static electricity.

But Barbara? She didn't have any childhood trauma like that—so why was she scared?

Takashi cleared his throat. "Miss Barbara, Larvitar may look fierce, but it's definitely not evil. We shouldn't judge a Pokémon by its appearance."

Although Barbara understood, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions when she saw Larvitar's energetic demeanor.

Seeing Barbara hesitating, Amber spoke up. "Barbara, if you don't want this little guy, I wouldn't mind taking him!"