Zoroark (Zorua)
Dolosusfur laventon
Overview
Phantom pokémon are often tied to death. There is good evidence that some, such as gengar and mimikyu, are created when a living creature dies. Remnant zoroark are some of the only known ghosts that are created by the death of a particular species rather than a death under a certain set of conditions.
Zoroark are a species of foxes native to continental Europe. They are best known for their illusions and desire to mimic humans. Some zoroark will thoroughly integrate themselves into human culture under an assumed identity. There are frequent reports throughout their range of human babies disappearing and being replaced by zorua. This naturally builds up resentment towards the species, often culminating in attempts to cull them from an area.
Zoroark have one last defense against genocide attempts.
If a majority of an area's zoroark die off within a short period of time, some of these souls are reanimated into remnant zoroark. These phantoms harbor a deep hatred towards all life, but especially towards whatever species they hold responsible for their death. Remnant zoroark will terrorize and kill the living until they are eventually put down once more.
Before the mass-produced pokéball it was uncommon for trainers to wield dark-types, the best counter for remnant zoroark. This made putting down an entire fraid of remnants very difficult. Humans entered into an uneasy peace with the imposters living among them, afraid that lashing out indiscriminately could result in an even worse outcome. The pokéball and deforestation changed this dynamic. Zoroark are now extripated from most of their former range and remain critically endangered in the few countries they remain in.
Not all mass-death events are caused by humans. As the Europeans began to explore the world a few zoroark inevitably snuck onto the ships with them. Sometimes these new populations were able to establish themselves. About as often the fledgling population would die due to predation, hostile natives who did not know about remanent zoroark, or inhospitable climates.
It is believed that zoroark arrived in Alola between 1995 and 2005. The population failed to thrive. The woodlands of Alola were too hot and humid to be comfortable for creatures with thick coats of fur. The montane areas often had established populations of canids such as growlithe, lycanroc, houndoom, and ninetales. Tapu Bulu's rampage killed a number of zoroark living like humans in Tapu Village.
A remnant population developed. These remnants are limited to the few cold areas of Alola, but they are still a major threat to travelers in these places. Trainers should exercise caution when traveling around Seaward Cave, Tapu Village, and the base of Lanakila.
Training remnant zoroark is not recommended. They are fueled by malice, spite, and a hatred towards all living things. Those rare trainers that can bond with a zoroark can find them to be loyal companions, but the risk is generally not worth the reward.
Physiology
Zorua and zoroark are classified as dual normal- and ghost-types. Some scientists support a dual ghost- and ice-typing. It is true that zoroark prefer cold places, but they have practically no ability to manipulate ice elemental energy. Other ghosts, such as gengar, are capable of chilling the air without using ice moves. The normal typing is supported because zoroark can make themselves almost entirely immune to ghost attacks when they are corporeal.
Zorua are fox-like pokémon with grey 'skin.' Red and white 'fur' lines their tail, neck, and the top of their head. The fur will often trail away from the pokémon in wisps and appear to dissolve into the ether. Zorua are usually incorporeal clouds of cold fog. Alternatively they can make themselves far denser to the point where their fur feels like actual fur, and not just reshaped fog. While incorporeal it is almost impossible to harm them without elementally charged attacks. Corporeal zorua can avoid attacks charged with ghost elemental energy. The inner biology of zorua is poorly understood as they rarely trust humans to perform tests, lose their corporeal form when unconscious, and tend to lash out when stressed.
Zoroark also have grey skin and wispy red and white fur. They lose their tails and gain much more fur around their neck and head. The roots are white while the tips are blood red. Patches across their 'skin' seem to be raw and bloody.
Zoroark can be up to 6' tall. Their maximum corporeal weight is forty pounds. The maximum incorporeal weight is approximately four pounds. Some of their mass must be shunted into other realms when incorporeal.
Lifespans of wild zoroark are very difficult to estimate. Remnants can persist for thirty years after the initial population experiences an extirpation event. It remains unclear how long after the extirpation event new zorua and zoroark can be 'born.' Captive zoroark that have become bonded to a human can live for the remaining lifespan of their trainer.
Behavior
Zorua and zoroark are nocturnal. They spend most of the day invisible and incorporeal. At night they begin to roam. Both stages are skilled illusionists. These illusions are used to disguise their presence and terrorize enemies. Humans who wander too close can be presented with images of a massive carnivore, an incoming avalanche, nightmarish abominations, of their own rotting or frostbitten corpse. These illusions are partially powered by the belief of the victim. Emotional detachment and a firm denial of the reality of the illusion can shatter it. Their defensive illusions are also less effective if the observer knows or strongly suspects that a zoroark is present.
Zoroark illusions can be visual, olfactory, and auditory. They are never tactile. Reaching out to touch the illusion will usually dispel it. Zorua are usually too inexperienced to affect more than one sense at a time.
Sometimes zoroark will continue to attack their prey after casting the illusion. It is suspected that wild zoroark are parasitic and drain the will and vitality of targets with their attacks. Their slashes will seldom leave gouges, but they can inflict frostbite, pain, terror, and drowsiness. It is extremely difficult to scare a zoroark off once it has begun attacking: even mortally wounded specimens will continue to fight on. Zorua seldom attack directly and may subsist entirely off of the feelings of terror created by their illusions.
Wild zoroark seem to only care for zorua. They will watch over and protect any zorua in their range and immediately lash out if anyone gets too close. Camera traps have observed zoroark grooming and playing with zorua while corporeal. This may be a remnant of affection from a past life.
Husbandry
Far and away the most difficult part of zoroark husbandry is bonding with one. This is discussed more in the Evolution section of this article. After bonding has occurred there are still some difficulties in caring for a captive specimen. Zorua are not bonded to any human and have substantially more dififcult care requirements.
Zoroark and zorua's diet of fear and suffering is best satisfied through regular battle. Both stages are reluctant to manifest during the day and may actively be harmed by sunlight (see Illness). All battles should occur in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Trainers should take care that their pokémon learn to target the opposing pokémon's fears rather than the opposing trainers. When given a choice, the line will almost always try to feed off of humans. Directly attacking another trainer, physically or psychologically, is generally considered to be poor form and may result in disqualification and/or tickets.
Zoroark be clingy around trainers they are bonded with. They will spend most of their time incorporeally stalking their trainer and watching for threats. A zoroark's definition of 'threat' can include people giving their trainer hugs or handshakes. It is recommended that zoroark be kept in balls while in social settings until they have been with their trainer for at least a full year.
Enrichment is often difficult for ghosts due to their odd mindsets. Standard toys like balls, scratching posts, and simple puzzles are unnecessary. Some zoroark learn to read or already know how to from memories of a past life. Others enjoy television, music, or audiobooks. Tastes in programing vary, but most appreciate morbid and violent works as well as sentimental works about platonic love and friendship. Romance is generally not well received. One remnant zoroark used a modified controller to become a professional gamer specializing in first person shooters. They were known for playing in such a way to take opponents by surprise while making haunted screams or incredibly bizarre taunts. She may have been able to actively feed from the fear and anger of her opponents, even when separated by thousands of miles.
Zoroark, living and remnant, have human-equivalent intelligence. Most figure out how to communicate with their trainers, either through visions or speech. They should be allowed to have input on their own schedule and enrichment activities.
Zorua care is far easier with a bonded zoroark on the team. The zoroark will take on a parental role and keep the zorua happy and in line. Trainers without a zoroark will need to attempt to contain an upset ghost while slowly bonding with it. This is usually best accomplished by using a stronger ghost that can track the zorua even while incorporeal and punish attempts to escape. Unfortunately, zorua are practically immune to spectral attacks while corporeal and can punish opponents with their own spectral energy.
There are rituals and substances that can contain spirits. Experienced channelers can perform these rites to keep zorua bound to a single room. Traveling trainers who do not have a zoroark and are not experienced channelers or apothecaries will struggle to raise a zorua.
A final way to contain zoroua is to have a truly airtight space. Unlike most ghosts, zorua and zoroark cannot simply phase through solid materials. The best they can do is turn into a gaseous state and move through small cracks. Zorua are pokémon, however, and most can scratch or shatter weak barriers and create a way out.
Illness
As parasites that feed on negative emotions and have a strong grounding in a prior species, zoroark are among the most resistant ghosts to aminovoric illnesses. There may still be illnesses that result in abrupt changes in appearance or behavior. These illnesses are best treated by a specialist.
The most common health problems from zoroark are inflicted by sunlight, wind, or battle. The line naturally weakens in sunlight. Over time this might affect their ability to pull in mass from other realms, forcing them to stay invisible and incorporeal. It may also be impossible for them to form illusions after spending too long in sunlight. Feeding is usually the best solution to curing maladies in ghosts, but this is complicated for zoroark. Being fed upon by a zoroark is terrifying and may be determinantal to the health of the prey. The best solution is to allow the pokémon to feed in battle. Unfortunately, battle can also result in injury to the zoroark and be counterproductive. The only real solution is to allow the zoroark to feed off of the trainer. For maximum feeding potential the trainer must allow themselves to be sucked into the illusions and confront their greatest fears while simultaneously being physically attacked by their pokémon.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of remedy. Do not allow zoroark to spend too much time in direct sunlight or to face opponents that can damage them with powerful light-based attacks.
Zoroark and zorua are primarily gaseous. Strong winds can lead to difficulty in retaining their shape. After a long and unpleasant process they will eventually reform. During this time the pokémon should be kept inside and allowed frequent feedings. It may again be necessary to let the pokémon feed on their trainer.
Finally, zoroark show no regard for their own well-being in combat and will create deliberate openings if they believe it will let them hurt their opponent just a little bit more. Keep a careful eye on zoroark in battle and withdraw them as soon as things get dangerous for the pokémon. They will be annoyed but will not have to prey upon weakened wild pokémon or their trainer to regain health.
Evolution
Zorua evolve into zoroark after experiencing a close bond with a human. This is understandably difficult given their tendency to run away from or terrorize any human they come across. Trainers with a great deal of patience, a knack for seeing through the illusions, and a willingness to read to or otherwise interact with the zorua may finally calm it down enough for further bonding to occur. A very closely bonded human can even pet or cuddle with the zorua. After the bond is solidified the zorua will flash evolve into zoroark.
Evolution of a wild zorua has never been documented. It may be impossible.
Battle
Zoroark primarily rely upon their illusions in battle. These are psychologically devastating and can entirely immobilize some opponents. Unfortunately, zoroark illusions are weakened by knowing the zoroark is there and causing them. Resistance to psionic and spectral attacks further limits their effectiveness. In battle settings zoroark can struggle to use their illusions against intelligent foes or those with a natural resistance. Mineral pokémon have strange reactions to zoroark illusions, either being entirely sucked in with no hope of escape or not noticing them at all.
Without their illusions, zoroark are reduced to glass cannon attackers. They can sprint at speeds of up to seventy miles per hour. Their slashes can inflict physical, mental, or spiritual damage to wear down attackers. Zoroark can chill the air around them to harm reptiles and plants or inflict frostbite with their attacks. While they prefer to fight up close, zoroark can also use ranged moves like flamethrower and shadow ball to wear down opponents from a distance.
Anything that can see through zoroark's illusions is a major obstacle. Dark types in particular can resist zoroark's spectral and psionic illusions and deal massive damage back. While most ghost-types resist zoroark's illusions, they will struggle to harm a corporeal zoroark.
The real best counters to zoroark are light and wind attacks. Very powerful flying types can manipulate the winds to force zoroark's fog apart. Pokémon with attacks such as moonblast, dazzling gleam, or sunny day can knock out zoroark with one or two hits. Zoroark also struggle to fight on sunny or windy days.
All of this makes zoroark are a bit too inconsistent for most competitive trainers to rely on. A few high profile channelers use one on their team, but almost no other professionals bother to train them. Those that do rarely use them outside of nighttime or indoor matches.
Zoroark are instinctual attackers that prefer to rely upon their illusions before going in with a variety of close-quarters attacks. Breaking this pattern requires a great deal of careful training. On the island challenge zoroark are inconsistent attackers that can dominate a match or fail to do much of anything. Neither of the Poni Island trials, traditionally fought last, take place in direct sunlight. Most other trials will be fought outdoors during the day. Most Grand Trials are also scheduled during the day. As a result zoroark will be fighting at reduced strength more often than not.
Zorua are naturally cautious. If their illusions are broken they may choose not to fight at all. With some coaxing they can be encouraged to fight. Still, it is usually better to wait to battle with them until they evolve. Doing otherwise risks attacks on the opposing trainer or escape attempts.
Acquisition
Zorua and zoroark can be found in Seaward Cave and around the base of Mauna Lanakila. They rarely venture higher than 2,000 feet above sea level as this puts them into ninetales territory. Ninetales dislike other foxes, wield powerful light attacks, and can banish spirits. The area around the base is cold enough for zoroark to be comfortable and is closer to humans they can haunt. The area around the ruins of Tapu Village are home to a number of zoroark and zorua.
Capture of both stages is legal with a Class IV license. Trainers attempting to catch a zorua should be warned that doing so will likely provoke a nearby zoroark into attacking.
Adoption of a zorua or zoroark is usually impossible. No shelter wants to keep a zorua or unbonded zoroark on hand, and bonded zoroark tend to pass with their trainer. Occasionally one will be available for purchase, but these circumstances are extremely rare. They can be purchased with a Class IV license when available.
Breeding
Scientists remain uncertain exactly how the process of resurrection as a remnant takes place. The gradual dissipation of the species over time suggests that remnants cannot reproduce. Captive breeding has never occurred and zoroark tend to get uncomfortable or depressed when the topic is raised. Zoroark are willing to take on the role of adoptive parent towards zorua or, when bonded, any small mammal. Conventional reproduction may be impossible.
Relatives
Remnant zoroark are formed from dead zoroark (D. olympia). Living zoroark are foxes with long manes and peculiar customs. Zoroark seem to be jealous of humanity and usually attempt to live among them. To this end they will master illusions that make them appear to be human and learn how to act the part. Sometimes they kidnap human children to raise as their own so that their zorua learn how to convincingly appear humans. These children will sometimes be replaced by the most accomplished illusionist of the litter to be raised as a human.
Zoroark illusions use a mix of psionic cues, hydrokinesis, aerokinesis, and light manipulation to create rough audio and visual illusions perfected by directions to nearby brains to ignore the imperfections. Older zoroark can sometimes stop using the psychic cues for all but the tactile elements of their illusions. It is rumored that intelligence agencies utilize zoroark as convincing illusionists for infiltration and information gathering missions. Some cults also employ zoroark in order to make their leaders appear supernatural through the use of illusions. At least one zoroark started and led a cult of her own.
Previously zoroark could be found across much of Europe and in portions of Northeast Africa and the Near East. Through eradication campaigns they have been removed from Africa, most of their Asian range, Russia, Germany, Denmark, the Low Countries, and Poland. The last remnants have faded from Central Europe and living zoroark have begun to expand into these areas of their former range.