In a large dog park in the Imperial City, Julian stood holding a frisbee in his hand. In front of him, Growlithe panted with its tongue out, eagerly eyeing the frisbee.
As Julian threw the frisbee, Growlithe shot off like a red streak, racing after it at lightning speed. Just before the frisbee hit the ground, it leapt up and caught it in its mouth.
Growlithe then brought the frisbee back to Julian, looking up at him expectantly for another round.
The dog park was filled with all kinds of canine Pokémon—Growlithe, Poochyena, Mightyena, Snubbull, Granbull, Houndour, Houndoom, Herdier, Stoutland, and more.
Every type of dog-like Pokémon could be spotted here. Even Pokémon resembling dogs, like Absol and Manectric, were present.
An aloof Absol sighed quietly when its Trainer threw a ball and looked at it with hopeful eyes, expecting it to fetch. Reluctantly, Absol turned and retrieved the ball.
"Let's play a little longer, and then we'll head back."
Julian said as he pulled a ball from his pocket. They'd been playing with the frisbee for a while, so it was time for a change.
Julian had promised Growlithe a visit to the dog park long ago, but various things had delayed their outing. Now that he finally had some free time, he decided to bring the energetic Pokémon here for some fun.
"Grow!~"
Growlithe nodded and wagged its tail enthusiastically, but Julian doubted it was really listening to him.
The last time he brought it here, Growlithe had flat-out refused to leave when it was time to go home. Julian had to recall it into its Poké Ball to get it to settle down.
Although Growlithe was a rare Pokémon, this park—the largest in the Imperial City—had other Growlithe as well. There were even a few Arcanine roaming around.
However, compared to Growlithe's boundless energy and playful nature, the evolved Arcanine were much more composed.
"You've raised your Growlithe well, and it's even a shiny one."
A fellow Trainer commented as Growlithe returned with the ball, dropping it at Julian's feet. The Trainer, who also had a Growlithe by his side, approached Julian, admiring his Pokémon.
"Yours isn't bad either."
Julian replied, glancing at the other Trainer's Growlithe. Its Cyan potential, sleek fur, and sharp gaze marked it as an exceptional Pokémon.
"Thanks for the compliment."
The Trainer said, clearly pleased. Being praised by someone with a Growlithe as outstanding as Julian's was no small thing.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Kai."
The Trainer said, extending his hand.
"Julian," he replied, shaking Kai's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you."
Kai said, realizing something. He glanced at Julian, who wore a mask, and then at the red Growlithe.
Kai had been wondering if there was another Trainer in the Imperial City with a shiny red Growlithe. Now he knew the answer.
"How about a battle?" Kai suggested.
"No"
Julian refused immediately, shaking his head without even asking for details. He wasn't in the mood for battles right now, nor for any other competitions.
Kai was slightly taken aback but soon chuckled lightly. "Alright, forget it, then."
"Growlithe, we're heading back," Julian called.
After throwing the ball a few more times, Julian checked the time and decided it was about time to leave.
"Grow!~"
As expected, Growlithe didn't want to leave so soon.
"If you don't come with me, I'll take you to the cat park next time," Julian threatened.
Naturally, where there was a dog park, there was also a cat park, conveniently located right next door.
Perhaps due to their inherent rivalry, cats and dogs rarely got along. It was much like the rivalry between Fearow and Pidgeot, or Zangoose and Seviper—they were natural adversaries.
Even if the same Trainer owned both, they'd often end up fighting every time they met.
Hearing Julian's words, Growlithe immediately backed down. It wasn't afraid of cats, but dealing with a lot of cats was a different story.
As Julian and Growlithe walked away, Kai opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately decided against it.
"We're both dog lovers and even exchanged names. Can't we just chat for a bit? Walking off without saying anything."
"No wonder people from other families say he is hard to get along with," Kai muttered to himself.
With Julian's aloof personality, it was almost impossible to hold a normal conversation with him unless you were as outgoing as Luis or as thick-skinned as Dalton.
After leaving the dog park, Julian didn't recall Growlithe into its Poké Ball. The Imperial University was about a thirty-minute walk away, and since Growlithe still had energy to burn, Julian decided to let it walk with him.
Growlithe, being a small Pokémon, was perfectly suited for walking on city streets. The streets were filled with other small Pokémon as well.
Growlithe's unusual coloring caught quite a bit of attention along the way.
Some people even approached Julian to ask if the Growlithe was for sale, casually offering starting prices in the hundred millions.
There was no shortage of wealthy individuals in the Imperial City, which was also a hub for prestigious families.
Naturally, Julian turned them all down.
After being rejected, they didn't press the issue or resort to threats or force. Such irrational behavior was the stuff of novels, not reality.
In a city as mixed and complex as the Imperial City, making trouble without knowing someone's background could easily backfire.
And really, would someone with a shiny Pokémon be an ordinary person?
"Ice cream—second serving half price!"
As they passed an ice cream shop, Growlithe suddenly stopped in its tracks.
"Dogs can't eat sweets—they'll die," Julian said sternly, trying to put on a serious face.
"Grow!~"
Growlithe responded with a defiant bark, clearly stating, 'I've eaten ice cream before, so you're lying to me'
From the shadow at Julian's feet, a small hand emerged, tugging at his pant leg—it was Gengar, signaling it wanted some too.
"Two, please," Julian sighed.
"Right away, sir."
In no time, the server handed him two chocolate ice creams. Julian passed one to Growlithe and the other to the Gengar hiding in his shadow.
"And get me the most expensive one."
"Grow!~"
Growlithe: "You're the real dog here."
Seeing Growlithe's grumpy expression, Julian couldn't help but chuckle.
Even the server found their interaction amusing and smiled as she prepared the priciest ice cream on the menu.
"Hey, cutie, can I get your number?"
"No," Julian replied flatly, rejecting the fifth woman that day to ask for his contact information.
The shiny Growlithe walking by his side had undoubtedly made him the most eye-catching person on the street. It was as if he had the words 'I'm loaded' written across his forehead.
Nowadays, the way to turn heads wasn't flashy cars, luxury villas, or high-end watches—it was owning rare Pokémon.
A rare and powerful Pokémon was the ultimate status symbol.
As he bit into the expensive ice cream, Julian noted the rich, creamy flavor. It was, admittedly, quite good.
"Grow!~"
Growlithe: "Is it tasty?"
Julian: "Nope. Not tasty at all."
Watching Julian take bite after bite while claiming it wasn't good, Growlithe concluded that its Trainer was the 'real' dog here.
*****
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