Something smelled good.
The Riolu's nose twitched as he drank it in, the scent of tomato sauce and bread wafting into his nostrils. As a grumble reverberated in his stomach, Ash's eyes fluttered upon and he rose off of the mat where he'd slept. His body ached, but the sheer hunger he felt was unbearable.
"Ash!" Pikachu voice called.
Ash opened his and regained awareness of his surroundings. His Electric-type stood right in front of him, a look of concern in his eyes. Ash realized he had been returned to the guest room at Zorua's place. Though, how he got here was beyond him at the moment. Why did he hurt so much?
The Riolu turned his head around the room. He spotted Misty and Brock nearby, sitting up on expensive looking sleeping mats. Staryu rested in a pond, whilst Zubat hung from a post. Everyone was hurt and beaten, bandages wrapped around their bodies. Some of the Riolu's other friends were present as well, but none of them were in a bad state.
Ash slowly began to remember what had happened: the battling in the mines, and challenging Zorua's father.
The Riolu uncomfortably rubbed at his chest; seeing everyone in such a state reminded him of his own injuries and how he got them. "Did we win?" he managed. He paused and then noticed one particular member of their group was missing. "Where's Zorua?"
"We won," Misty confirmed. "But we haven't seen hide nor hair of Zorua since we arrived. Nor her father."
Ash felt his stomach twist. He wanted to make sure his friend was safe. His senses latched onto a distant agony; he could feel that someone had suffered overwhelming anguish. It had to be Zorua.
Determined, the Riolu pushed himself off of his mat and made his way onto his feet. His balance wobbled unsteadily.
"Ash, you should get back to resting!" Pikachu shouted as he grabbed onto the Riolu's waist.
"Ow!" Ash felt his bruises sting. "Pikachu, let go! I have to find Zorua!"
"Not until you stop rushing into danger in your current state!" the rodent shouted at him..
"Cyclizar," Misty called out.
Before Ash could wonder what that was about, he felt a large, scaly arm grab onto his torso from behind. He looked up and saw a reptilian face looking down upon him.
"Sir, you're not really in any condition to pick a fight," said Cyclizar.
"I'm not a Sir…" Ash muttered, and made a face. All of his friends and companions might have been right. Even with a type advantage, he was no challenge to Zorua's father even when he'd been relatively uninjured. As much as he wanted to save what might have been Zorua in tremendous pain, what could he do as he was right now? As he was, he couldn't even fight the one armed lizard, let alone Zoroark.
"Look on the bright side, Boss," Squirtle said as he came up to Ash, holding up a pizza on a plate. "We still have leftovers!"
Ash took the slice into his hands as Cyclizar guided the Riolu towards a cushion near a table and set him down; Ash abided. He took the pizza slice and shoved it into his mouth. With thoughts about Zorua lingering in the back of his mind, the Riolu couldn't truly enjoy it.
"How long has it been?" he asked.
"It's pretty much nighttime now," said Misty. The Buizel walked over, her gait unsteady. "I've been up for about two hours, after the healers worked their magic on me. Still sore, but not as bad as it could be."
Ash's eyes turned towards a window as his senses directed him towards what hopefully wasn't Zorua. What kind of suffering would she have to go through to feel like that?
A cloud of animated smog drifted into the room. As Haunter floated over, Ash saw she was holding a tray containing a round teapot with several cups and saucers in her hands. "Ah, I see you are all awake!"
Ash practically leapt out of his seat. "Miss Haunter, can you please tell me if Zorua is okay?"
The servant eyed the Riolu for a second before she placed the tea set onto the table "I am afraid to say that the young lady is… preoccupied with her father at the moment." She poured tea into a cup and offered it to Ash. "How about some tea? This will help with muscle sores."
"No, thanks," Ash said, and frowned. He didn't like what he'd heard. He went to stand up, only to find himself sat back down by Cyclizar.
"Thank you, Cyclizar," Pikachu said as he took a seat nearby.
Squirtle, Brock, and Misty also walked over. Togepi cheerily asked Misty about what drinking tea was like.
"Ash, I know you're worried, but this is Zoroark's house," Brock reminded him. "We have to follow his rules, while we're here."
"Then we should leave," Ash grumbled. "That way, we don't have to follow what he wants and help Zorua."
"I don't like it either, Ash, but we can't exactly just get up and go somewhere else, especially not at this hour," Misty sighed.
Haunter poured out a saucer for Brock, while Misty got a cup.
Ash continued to look in the direction where Zorua likely suffered. It seemed like she was underground. No doubt in some horrible dungeon, because Zoroark seemed like the kind of guy who would have one. "We can't just sit here."
Pikachu gave him a cross look.
"Haunter," Brock addressed the ghost as she served tea to the other members of the room. "Can you ask our host if he'd be willing to join us?"
"Of course, I can," the servant said as she floated through one of the walls.
"Ash, what has you so agitated?" Brock called out. "I mean, I know you're worried about Zorua, but you have that look you get whenever someone steals Pikachu."
The Riolu took one of the tea cups and looked down at it. "I can feel her suffering."
"You can feel her?" Misty seemed shocked. "Wait, what do you mean by that?"
"...Because I can feel things… from others?" Ash frowned.
"Like, what kind of things?" Misty eyed him. She seemed almost worried.
Ash blinked. Did he ever take the time to explain the fact he could feel… things from everyone around him? He knew he told Charizard a while back and Brock was there, but did he hear the full explanation?
"Ever since I became a Riolu, I've had the power to feel other people's… feelings," Ash said, as he brought up one of his paws. "I couldn't make sense of it, at first, but I slowly got better at it. It used to be I could only feel their strongest emotions when they're very close by, but as I got more used to it, I've been sensing more and more and from further away."
A jolt of surprise went through Misty, before being engulfed by a strange mix of confusion and fear. Ash didn't know what to make of it, but he continued.
"It was weird at first, but I could pick up on people's joy, their happiness, but also their anger, their frustration, their fear…. their pain," Ash let that last word hang in the air as he turned to look down where he believed Zorua to be. "And now, I can feel Zorua suffering down there, with Zoroark doing who knows what!"
"I know, Ash. I know." Brock said in a serious tone. "But fighting Zoroark, even with our teams, isn't going to make the matter better."
"Indeed, it won't," Zoroark's voice filled the room.
Ash felt his heart leap, whilst the rest of the room got defensive.
The Zoroark betrayed no emotion as he walked into the room. He took a seat at the head of the table.
"Where's our friend?" Ash asked directly.
"In isolation," Zoroark answered, a twinge of guilt spilled from his walled up heart. "She… wants time to think for herself, to gather her thoughts. She will be here when she deems it appropriate."
Ash somehow felt even more worried than if the older Pokémon had been aggressive or scornful. It would have been easier to think about what to do next if all it was simply a matter of rescuing his friend; instead, Zorua… isolated herself? The Dark-type could be lying, but what if he wasn't? "What happened to her?"
"I believe that it would be better for her to explain it herself, when she is ready." The Zoroark shook his head as he poured tea into a cup. "For now, you and I have matters to discuss, Ash Ketchum."
"Me?" Ash blinked. He didn't want to ignore the pain Zorua was in, but it wasn't like he could change anything about that.
"Does this mean anything to you?" The Zoroark placed a small polaroid photograph in front of the Riolu. It looked battered and worn.
Ash picked up the picture. It depicted a boy with a Pokéball styled hat with a red jacket and blue jeans. He stood in front of a lifebuoy with the words S.S. Vermillion on its ring. Most alarming of all was the boy's hair, which gave the Riolu an uncomfortable feeling in his gut. He had seen pictures of this boy before, in old albums.
"He looks a lot like you," Pikachu murmured as he leaned in. "He even has the same tastes as you."
"That's because that's my father, when he was my age," the Riolu answered as he wondered why Zoroark had a photo like that.
"Your father!?" Pikachu gasped.
The entire room shook as everyone choked.
"I figured that would be the case." Zoroark took the photograph back and instead shown a new photograph depicting a Shinx who wore the same cap as the boy. "I've never seen him in his human form, but this is what he appeared as while he traveled with us in Citrine. He had left us some of his photographs when he returned to the human world."
"He… was here? I… didn't know anything about that." It seemed almost impossible to believe, yet Ash somehow knew the Zoroark wasn't lying. He hadn't known much about his father, other than his mother saying that he had gone on a journey. To know that he was here, having done the same thing as them? It felt reassuring.
"He couldn't have, because as I told you before, those who leave Citrine are doomed to forget their time here," Zoroark explained. He took his cup of tea and took a sip.
"What?" Brock gasped.
Ash blinked. Oh, right. The Lycanroc had been knocked out when Zoroark brought that up. "You weren't making that stuff up?"
"I've never lied in my dealings with you thus far; I had simply intended to use the information I knew to distract you," the Sensei confirmed. "When our team won in the Great Tournament, Legendaries told us about what would happen to us when we left Citrine. We were told that anyone who left Citrine would forget their time here. For those who only know these lands, it would mean forgetting everything."
...And that meant if Zorua left, she'd forget everything she had ever known. Ash thought it was bad enough that he'd lose all of the memories he'd have shared with his friends, but for the spirit fox's situation, the price felt far steeper. "That seems unfair."
"Indeed." The Zoroark put another photograph in front of Ash, this time revealing a Luxio and a Lucario together, both sitting down. They seemed happy together. "This is one of the last images we have of your father before he left; he is the Luxio in the image; he had evolved sometime. The Lucario, I believe, is your mother."
"...What?" While Ash was willing to accept his father had been to Citrine, learning his mom had been with him? It seemed practically unthinkable.
The Zoroark stared intently at him, as if trying to capture every detail. "This is your mother, Hanako, isn't it? You have a very strong resemblance to her."
"That's… not my mom's name!" Ash managed to say. He rubbed the back of his head. "At least, I think it isn't."
The Zoroark blinked, as if not expecting that reply.
"Maybe you made a mistake," Ash offered. "I mean, that can't be right. My mom… would have said something about this."
"Ash, what if she forgot her name?" Misty suggested. "And what happened here?"
Ash froze, not liking the sound of that idea.
"Hanako was born here, yes," Zoroark confirmed. "I suppose. She was a Citrine native and thus was stripped of even that as she left."
"Mom… came from Citrine…" Then as Ash thought it over, he came to the obvious conclusion that came from having been born in these lands. "My mom was a Pokémon!?"
Zoroark nodded as he drank his tea.
"But… how!" The Riolu felt like he was grasping at straws. "She's— she's human! How can she be born a Pokémon and yet be human now?"
"The same means that you'll use to return to human form," Zoroark answered. "You need to create a spell."
"But why can't they do that? I mean, if the legendaries can take you out of Citrine… why don't that change you back?" Ash balked.
"That I never quite got an explanation for," Zoroark responded to the question. "But what I do know is this: it's a bit more involved and would require a good deal of diving. I can give you the full details later, but it is the only way that I know of for a Pokémon to become human."
Brock stuck out his tongue in disgust, muttering about how he hoped he didn't have to swim, whilst Misty giggled to herself as he patted the Lycanroc's mane.
"... That's reassuring," Ash spat. "How are we supposed to know if the spell works or not? Especially once we're out the other side?"
"By your own admission, you have lived most of your life as a human." Zoroark pointed at him. "Clearly, the spell worked for you parents."
Ash growled slightly. He looked down at a cup of tea that had been placed in front of him, his gaze looking at the distorted reflection in the liquid. "What were my parents to you?"
Zoroark took a deep sigh. "Distant friends. Your mother in particular, I cannot overstate how much I owe her."
"What did she do?" Ash questioned.
"She… helped me approach my love, Zorua's mother." He shook his head. "She was… human, and I struggled deeply with whether or not I should pursue my feelings for her, especially as we had originally expected to leave Citrine and for her to return to human form. Your mother helped me come to terms with those feelings."
"She did?" Ash felt a shudder surge through Brock and Zubat at the same time.
Zoroark nodded his head. "We had spent nearly two years in Citrine together." A storm welled up within Zoroark. However, instead of an unbridled rage like an inferno, came a downpour like a thunderstorm. "I hesitated for so long because I knew that outside, humans and Pokémon were… not the same; she was supposed to be my trainer, nothing more. Yet, I… aspired for more. That changed, when Hanako told me of her plan, to use the same means that Red and my love would have used to return to human form. Her theory was that the status of one's birth did not matter; she believed she could have become human that way. I thought to copy her actions."
"You were prepared to become human for your trainer?" Pikachu managed to say, a current of fear radiating from him.
"Nothing stops humans and Pokémon from forming bonds, but the language and physiological barriers make certain things difficult. So, I was prepared to give up a great deal of myself." Zoroark shook his head. "However, we did not have the time to prepare more spells. And we had just won the tournament. In the end, only two of us would become human."
Ash's ears drooped slightly, as he felt the sorrow that came from the older Dark-type.
"For my love and I, we debated on whether or not we could just return as we were and use our powers of disguise to simply pretend to be human, yet my mate decided to simply remain behind," Zoroark bowed his head down. "She gave up her chance to return home so that your mother could pursue her dreams as well. The rest of the team simply requested wealth, while Red and those that served under him left Citrine."
He raised his head and looked the Riolu in the eye. "Now that I see you, I wonder how things might have turned out, had we simply followed your parents or had we prepared more of that required spell. Perhaps you and Zorua could have grown up together."
Ash's imagination ran wild, as he wondered what that might have been like. What would things have been like if he had a shy and bookish girl growing up beside him and Gary? Would she have been human?
The Riolu did not think about that for very long.
"Hello, everyone." The door to the room slid open and a white furred fox stepped into the room, her face twisted into a pained wince.
"Zorua?" Ash spoke. He didn't need his ability to sense emotions to know that she must have felt awful. He got up from his seat. This time, Cyclizar didn't stop him. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," she lied. "Though, I am famished."
"It's just leftovers, but the pizza's still good!" Ash smiled back. He was glad that Zorua seemed okay, though he could tell she still hurt on the inside. Hopefully, she'd get better soon.
That was when Zoroark raised himself off his mat and went to walk out the door.
"Wait, father?" Zorua pleaded. "Won't you join us for dinner?"
"It… wouldn't be right." Zoroark answered. He made a pained expression on his face. "I'll be with your mother."
"Oh." Zorua frowned. "I… I understand."
The Zoroark then walked away.
"Are things between you and your father better now?" Misty asked.
"...I'm not sure. They're not… worse. I think I understand him better." Zorua sighed. "Can we please avoid these topics for a bit? It isn't the time yet."
Ash had no problem with that. He sat down. "You okay with talking about the Gym Battle? Because everyone did great."
"You say that, but I'm never going to look at sandcastles the same way again." Misty shivered.
Zorua giggled lightly. "I don't know, I thought you did great for fighting in a minefield. Especially since the Sandygasts knew Water Compaction."
"A minefield?" Brock balked. "I know the other regions of Japan say that Kanto has the worst Gyms, but an actual minefield?"
"Yup!" Ash smirked. "It was surprisingly fun! Even if I did get blown up a bit."
The Lycanroc sat back heavily. "I'm glad I got knocked out early," Brock murmured.
Ash smiled. The battle at the Dojo was very different from what he was used to, but having taken part in it, he had fun. The highlight of the whole thing had to have been his tag team with Pikachu, as they fought foes side by side. They weren't a trainer and his Pokémon, but friends who stood by each other! "Pikachu and I made a great team, isn't that right, buddy?"
Yet, instead of getting a reply, no one spoke.
Ash turned his head and yet found no trace of his yellow furred partner. "Hey, wait. Wait, where did Pikachu go? When did he leave?"
"He left some time after Zoroark talked about how your mom became human." Misty gave the Riolu a stink eye. "I always knew you were a weirdo, by the way. Now, I know that it's because you're actually supposed to be a Pokémon."
Ash snorted. He could go looking for Pikachu in a bit. "That's rich coming from a girl who's been following me around for a whole year over a bike!"
Pikachu ran out of the room, Zoroark's words still filling his head. "Nothing stops humans and Pokémon from forming bonds, but the language and physiological barriers make certain things difficult…"
While the Electric-type had known something had been bothering him ever since Ash had become a Pokémon, he hadn't really understood what it was. Until now.
When Ash and the others returned home, they would be back to being human again. He and Ash would still be friends, but Pikachu's trainer would never again be able to understand his every quip, his every barb. Likewise, he could never fight by the Riolu's side, not as equal combatants, and certainly not for fun. Worst of all, none of them would remember anything about what transpired during their stay in Citrine. Things would go back to the way they used to be, like nothing happened at all…. Unless he took action.
So, Pikachu ran away from where his trainer was, to give himself room while he collected his thoughts. He didn't leave Zoroark's mansion, but he instead traveled to the other end of the building.
The electrical rodent ran into some of his other traveling companions, specifically, Brock's other Pokémon.
Being the largest, Onix was the most readily noticeable. The large rock snake rolled and spun at the ground as he prepared himself a sleeping space. He inclined his head over to Pikachu without prompting. "Pikachu. Where trainers?"
"They're okay. They're up and about in the guest room." Pikachu frowned. "Which is weird, because aren't you supposed to be there, too? It's large enough to actually fit you if we went to fit you in."
"Too heavy. Too rough. Destroy floors." the rock snake admitted with a grinding annoyance. "Haunter complained."
"I guess that would be a problem in such a nice house," Pikachu sighed. His gaze leveled as he went to look at the others nearby.
"We're here mostly to give Onyx here some company before he goes to sleep," Goedude explained before shrugging. "Though, I think we'll probably end up visiting Brock before the night is over."
Vulpix made a low wince at the mention of her trainer.
"You okay?" Pikachu questioned.
"I saw… Zoroark go over to the guest room. And I heard some shouting, but I couldn't make anything out," the fox admitted. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just peachy," Pikachu grumbled. He shook his head. His trainer was fine, but the things Zoroark brought up opened up many questions.
"That sarcasm?" Onix grumbled.
"No… yes… doesn't matter." Pikachu sighed. "Zoroark didn't hurt us. It's just…I don't like what he told us.."
"Like what?" Geodude
"He was like us, a Pokémon who came to this place with his trainer." Pikachu took a seat on the ground. Maybe he could make sense of what he needed to do if he told someone else. "The only difference was that he… fell in love with her and had a kid."
Vulpix gasped. "You mean, Zorua's mom was human!?"
Geodude went over and layed one of his big hands over the Fire-type.
"Apparently." Pikachu nodded his head. If he didn't know any better, he might have thought that was the reason Zorua acted so weird. "And that's not even the weird part!"
All three of Brock's Pokémon looked at him.
"Weirder than some gal we know having a human mom?" Geodude squinted.
"Ash's mom is a Pokémon!" Pikachu blurted out.
Everyone blinked.
"We met her. Not Pokémon."Onix scrutinized. He then tilted his head. "Unless. Was one prior."
"Zoroark told us about it, how she had fallen in love with Ash's dad enough that she was willing to become human for him." Saddened, Pikachu's ears fell.
Vulpix bent her head downward. "...Is this all true?"
"I wish it wasn't." Pikachu shook his head.
"That's a lot to take in," Geodude commented.
A shadow fell over Pikachu then..
The Electric-type turned his head and spotted Charizard approaching, his back blocking the light.
"Pokémon could become human?" the fire lizard spoke.
Pikachu's face twisted into the scowl. No doubt that the lizard was here to jab at him. "What are you doing here?"
Charizard flicked his tail. "Zoroark doesn't want to risk me burning the house," he grumbled.
Pikachu grunted. "Is that right?" At least someone was giving the lizard his just deserts.
Charizard walked over and knelt down. He placed something on the ground right in front of the rodent.
It was a plastic ketchup bottle. More specifically, it was a familiar looking ketchup bottle that, come to think of it, had been emptied when their blimp crashed. Now, it had been refilled.
"What's the meaning of this!?" Pikachu narrowed his eyes as he looked towards the lizard.
"I have to get going now," Vulpix said as she wandered off. "I have… things to do."
"Yeah, same here," replied Geodude.
Onix made an agitated grumble as he slithered away
Pikachu wanted to leave as well, but he couldn't just ignore the lizard was trying to prank him.
"Ash kept an old ketchup bottle in his pack and I wondered if we could just refill it. Squirtle helped out, while we were waiting for you to get out of the mines," Charizard answered.
Pikachu opened the cap and sniffed at the bottle's contents. It seemed okay, with a strong, yet familiar odor. He scowled, realizing what this meant. "You're the one who keeps making the ketchup?"
The overgrown lizard shrugged. "To tell you the truth, I wanted to rub it in your face, but I changed my mind on that."
"Then why!?" Pikachu shouted. "Why are you going through all of this trouble?" He picked up the ketchup bottle, and though it was big enough to be awkward, he raised it to make a point. "Why make bottled ketchup!?"
Charizard looked away for a second before returning his attention. He visibly made a decision. "Because, I shouldn't have dared you to evolve."
Pikachu deflated suddenly. Was Charizard apologizing to him?
"I shouldn't have forced you to do that. And it was… rude of me to call you for your choice." The Fire-type grabbed onto the bottle and set it on the ground. "So, I thought, maybe this stuff would cheer you up, since you liked it so much."
Pikachu stared. This wasn't the same lizard who liked burning everyone who bothered him. "...Who are you and what have you done with our overgrown lizard?"
"That's a good question, isn't it?" Charizard placed a claw over his snout. "To tell you the truth, I thought evolving would give me the answer to that. Turns out, it didn't." He shrugged.
He shook his head. "Look, Pikachu. This is awkward for me, too. I don't know what I want to say, but words are cheap. So I made this thing."
Pikachu stared at the ketchup bottle and saw it for what it was: a peace offering, an apology, given a physical form.
What had happened to Charizard? ….No, that was the wrong question. Pikachu remembered now. He had outright told the dragon that everyone would have been better off if Charizard hadn't evolved. That was every bit as rude as what Charizard had said to him. "I suppose I should apologize, too. I shouldn't have called you useless."
"...I'm honestly wondering if I have any use at all." The dragon flexed his wings. "I love to fly, but… I've noticed that for all of my strength, I kept losing battles I could have won."
"That Sensei didn't count," Pikachu said. "He's way older than either of us and he's probably fought loads of Charizards before, too."
The large lizard snorted. "How'd you compare him to Zoroark? Those two Marowak didn't seem impressive, but I think that's just because they're new."
"... Not sure. Zoroark faced the whole team and we only won because Zorua ran away," Pikachu thought it over, imagining what it might have been like to fight the Dojo if Charizard had been around. "You could have physically overpowered Zoroark, but he'd have been too fast for you to nail down on your own."
"Yeah, but I don't think I could have handled the stealth section." Charizard turned a glance towards his fiery tail.
"Oh, right…" Pikachu let out a light chuckle.
The two Pokémon stood silently at one another, their gazes turning up to the stars.
"...When was the last time we talked like this, after a Gym battle?" Charizard broke the silence.
"...I think it was Koga's. I remember congratulating you about how clever you were for burning that Stun Spore before it got to you," Pikachu murmured, a bittersweet tingle in his heart. "Things got weird when Team Rocket interrupted the battle, but even then, you came out on top when Koga sent out his Golbat."
"I wanted to prove how strong I was," Charizard said morosely. "And for a while, I thought that was the only thing that really mattered."
"Strength is nice to have, but other things are important, too." Pikachu agreed.
"Like… having friends." The world shook at Charizard's utterance. "And giving gifts to them, from time to time."
Pikachu smiled warmly. It felt… nice to finally talk to a friend for the first time in months. And even better, he brought a bottle of homemade ketchup with him. Things between them were not the same as they had been, but maybe, given time, things could warm between them.
The Electric-type picked up the bottle and lightly squeezed a smidgen of its contents into his mouth. The flavor of the tomato sauce resembled nothing like a store bought brand; if anything, it was sweeter.
Then, Pikachu frowned, as a realization struck him. "Charizard…"
The large dragon squinted an eye. "Something wrong?"
"When we leave Citrine, we'll forget everything that happened here." Water seeped through the Electric-type's eyes. "We won't remember our experiences and we'll probably go back to the way things were when we came here."
"So?" Charizard snorted. "That's not our problem right now. That's months away, at the least."
"Or longer. Maybe " Pikachu sighed. "I suppose you're right," hefound himself saying.
"And besides, I think….I'd hope to come to my senses eventually," said the Charizard. "Losing, especially on my own, made me realize my… weaknesses. And, I guess Brock evolving helped, too. Everyone looks up to him, relies on him."
"That's an optimistic way of looking at things," the Electric type thought aloud. "I'm still scared… I'm afraid of going back to a world where Ash and I can't talk to each other as well as we can now."
Charizard put a clawed hand over the electrical mouse's back.
Pikachu then noticed something in the corner of his eye. As he turned his attention to it, a dark blue blur fell behind a wall.
"Did you see something?" Charizard questioned.
"... I think I saw Ash." Pikachu admitted. Did that mean Ash had been watching them? If so, why did he run away?
"You sure about this?" Geodude squinted an eye.
Her heart heavy, Vulpix nodded her head. "I have to meet him. He knows what I'm going through."
Geodude shrugged, raising both of his fists. "Alright, girlie. We'll meet up with Brock and you can go see our host."
"Good luck. Vulpix." Onix bellowed as he slowly slithered alongside, careful not to destroy anything of value and make the owner upset.
Her friends broke away from her and went one direction, towards the guest room, whilst Vulpix herself went the other way.
To think there was someone in this world who not only loved a transformed human, but also had a child with their trainer; not only that, but apparently, it worked both ways! Still, she had her misgivings. Was it right for her to love a human?
She walked towards what she believed to be the bedchamber for the owner of the house. The door had been sealed, but a light bled out through the cracks in the sliding door.
Yet, before she could approach, a familiar Riolu walked past the door. Ash eyed Vulpix, raising a hand. "Hey, Vulpix! Have you seen Pikachu anywhere?" he gasped, exhausted from running.
"Over there," the fox pointed with her snout. "Though, I think he's with Charizard at the moment."
"Oh." Ash blinked before his eyes widened. "That's bad, I… should get there before they start fighting."
"Please do," Vulpix agreed. "Charizard looked like he wanted to confront Pikachu over something."
"Right! I have to get going!" The Riolu hobbled out, a slight limp on one foot. "Thanks for telling me!" He waved at the fox.
"No problem!" Vulpix raised a paw to signal her goodbye.
Then, departing as well, Vulpix navigated the small manor towards what she believed was the appropriate room.
The fox walked over to the sliding door and readied herself for her fate. Not knowing the precise protocol for entreating her host, she simply tapped her feet against the door, making a low sound.
"Speak," the voice came from within the room, slightly muffled.
"I want to ask your help… regarding affairs of the heart. Of love," Vulpix answered truthfully, hopefully her voice would carry through.
"And you do not have other friends? That Buizel might be better able to assist you," the voice answered back.
That was not the answer she had been hoping for. "Misty already gave me advice, but she… doesn't know have any experience with my specific issue." Vulpix sighed.
"And you'd prefer my assistance?" the voice practically snarled, as if bothered by the question.
Vulpix held her ground. "...Because Brock is human, and I am not."
There was a thud of footsteps behind the door before it abruptly slid open. Zoroark looked down at the smaller fox. "You have my attention."
Vulpix shivered, feeling the Zoroark's eyes probing at her. Yet, she knew she had to persevere; this might have been the only place she could have asked someone who went through the same feelings she was going through right now.
"Get in," Zoroark ordered.
Vulpix took in a deep breath and walked in, her host closing the door behind her.
While the room had little furniture of its own, scattered about the floor were several albums, photographs, sketches, and paintings.
"Be careful where you step and do not burn anything." the Zoroark commanded as he took a seat at the center of the maze. "What is here is irreplaceable."
Vulpix followed, careful to avoid putting her feet where they shouldn't be. She could barely parse the characters within the labyrinth of images. She noticed several humans, most of them young girls around Misty's age. And the slew of Pokémon depicted within boggled the mind.
"So, you love a human?" Zoroark stated intently
"I do." Vulpix lowered her head. "Brock is sort of my trainer."
Zoroark cocked an eyebrow.
"You see, Brock is not actually my trainer. My mother, my real trainer, instead gave me to him as part of an education, both for him and myself." Vulpix answered. "He became my caretaker…until he became a Rockruff."
"And what did you think of him before, as a human?" Zoroark raised an eye.
"He was always caring, affectionate, and competent. Silly at times and… often admired female humans." Vulpix said, her mind flashed back to all of those times Brock would fawn over girls he just met. "Very recently, his tastes started to include female Pokémon and I have grown concerned."
"And you became jealous," Zoroark uttered, his eyes piercing into the Fire-type's gaze.
"No! I mean…" Vulpix winced and lowered her head. "Yes. I wasn't bothered before since he was human then, but seeing him now… One time, we met a Ninetales and he basically fawned over her!"
"Ah." Zoroark stated. "So, then what's the problem? You clearly know what you want."
"I mean, he's cute and strong now, but he's…"
"A Lycanroc," Zoroark cut her off. "A canine, quadrupedal. Not too different from what you are, save the element."
"I mean, yes, but… that's only right now!" Vulpix protested.
"And right now is what matters." Zoroark shook his head. "You're worried that if you chose to pursue him now, you'd have to face the complication of your relationship ending the moment you left Citrine."
Vulpix winced. It was like the tall Dark-type knew what she wanted even more than she knew herself. "That's right. He's… going to be human again."
"That's making several assumptions that cannot be assured of," Zoroark replied. "Fact is, there is no guarantee you'd even win the Tournament, just like how winning the Pokémon League isn't a guaranteed event."
"...We might never leave..." Vulpix felt a twinge of guilt about it, that she was reduced to hoping that they'd be forced to stay here: that Brock would have no choice to be a Lycanroc.
"On the flipside, even if your team did manage to win, that doesn't mean your options are limited," Zoroark raised a photograph and presented it to the smaller fox.
Vulpix pawed at the photo as she ran her eyes over it. It showed a Riolu, a young female who held a wooden pole in her hands as she struck a fighting pose. "...Is that Ash's mother?"
"Indeed. You could follow the path she chose, and give up your physical form to become human yourself." Zoroark pointed to the Fire-type. "It would mean a drastic change in how you live, but would be the easiest option for your human."
Vulpix narrowed her eyes, pondering the iea in the back of her mind. If she did become human, it would mean… changes. She wouldn't be capable of being a Contest or Show Pokémon anymore, which had been her original desire. She had no idea if her mother, Suzie, would accept this change. On the other paw, it would mean her mother would actually be able to understand her in the first place. Brock could fulfill his dreams and she could be by his side.
"Of course, it assumes that he would want to return to being human," Zoroark's voice stirred Vulpix away from her imagination. "It is entirely possible he stays a Lycanroc and accepts his new life."
"But Brock wouldn't do that!" Vulpix immediately replied.
"People's preferences, dreams, and desires change all the time. It doesn't matter if they're human or Pokémon; that's just a fact of life," Zoroark replied as he took one of the photographs and longingly stared at it. "It's entirely possible that should he fall for you, he would be willing to give up human form for your sake."
Vulpix froze, her mind lingering on that thought. If Brock did give up on returning to human form, because he fell for her, it would mean he couldn't go back to being a breeder or a cook. Maybe in Citrine, he could manage something with enough practice. But if he went back home as a Lycanroc, he wouldn't be able to speak to his family. The Rock-type would basically have to give up… everything. Brock had always been so passionate; would he go that far if he fell in love?
"This is so unfair," Vulpix whispered.
"Nothing is simple, is it?" Zoroark stated. "My advice, you'll never know how things will play out until you make your move."
"... But is that… right?"
"'But is that right?" Zoroark imitated her voice in scorn. "Are you scared of him being human or are you scared of being rejected?"
Vulpix held her mouth shut. Her thoughts turned towards that other Ninetales, that priestess she had met that day Brock evolved. She couldn't imagine Brock would choose her over that beauty. Maybe Zoroark was right.
"You already know what you want, the question is whether or not you'll seize it!" Zoroark's voice shook the younger fox. He raises his clawed hands and clenched them in front of Vulpix. "You'll never get what you desire by playing safe!"
Vulpix blinked in understanding. For the time in a week, she knew what she had to do.
Zoroark seemed to notice this. "You have a plan?"
"I think," the Fire-type responded. She rose up off of her rear. "...I think I know what to do. Thank you." She bowed her head.
Zoroark grunted and gave the fox a nod of acknowledgement. "Very well."
Sensing her audience was at its end, Vulpix turned away and left the room.
With purpose in her step, she walked over to the guest room and decided she was long overdue for a certain talk.
Vulpix found Brock outside the guest room, talking to Onix whilst the rock snake hovered around the garden.
"...never thought about it that way," Brock spoke. "You really think?"
Vulpix shivered and leapt behind a nearby wall. Her caretaker had been closer than she realized.
"Gym Battle fun." Onix replied in a low bellow. "Pikachu lucky. Fight with trainer. Beside and against."
Brock made a laugh. "Hey, by tomorrow, I think I'll be back into fighting shape." He stretched his body, leaning himself forward. "I'm almost fully recovered. We can probably spar then."
"Appreciated." Onix tilted his head. "Fortunate you Lycanroc."
"Yeah. It's still amazing how fast I'm healing. If I was human, I'd think I'd be looking at some weeks of a long drawn out recovery," Brock said back. "So, instead of a fight for my life, that was just… a very stressful workout."
"I'd prefer to stay out of it," Zubat groaned as she hung from a nearby post. "I don't think the Gym battle life is for me!"
Vulpix steadied herself once she got her bearings. It sounded like the others were talking about the recent battle at the Tanzanite Dojo. Brock sounded like he had enjoyed himself and it seemed like Onix was eager to fight on his trainer's behalf.
Vulpix shook her head, disappointed with herself. She had to follow through and do what the Zoroark had told her.
Taking a deep breath, the Fire-type mentally prepared herself and walked forward. "Hey, Brock!" she spoke, trying to put a little extra cheer in her voice.
"Hello… Vulpix," the large wolf replied. "I uh…" Despite being larger than her, he looked away.
Vulpix inwardly frowned. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but the last time the two of them had spoken for any real length of time had been when they met that priestess. It truly felt like neither of them knew what to do with the other, ever since Kyoko had entered the picture. If the young fox wanted to have her chance, she had to overcome the awkwardness and figuratively break the ice.
Regardless of whether she would pursue Brock or not, Vulpix knew that the first and most important step had to be mending the rift between herself and the wolf. "Brock, I still want to be your friend."
The Lycanroc shuddered slightly. "I… uh thanks." He looked ashamed at himself.
Onix hovered over and gently nudged the Lycanroc's side. "Stand strong," he urged.
"I know, I know, it's just…" Brock made a sigh. "I know I messed up."
"We aren't a couple, Brock," Vulpix stated simply. "We were not courting each other."
"We aren't, but I know that I made you jealous and worried," Brock answered. "I know you had a crush on me, yet I… brushed you off for an older Ninetales. That wasn't right, when you're right there."
"We can't always control how we feel. If we could, this wouldn't be a problem," Vulpix walked over and approached her caretaker. "And… you just did what you always do whenever a pretty lady's in sight. If anything, I shouldn't have let it bother me."
"Controlling how we feel…" The Lycanroc's frown deepened before he closed his eyes.
Vulpix wondered if she had said something wrong. "I'm sorry if I'm bothering you."
"No, I'm sorry." Brock replied back. "I'm making you worry."
"Hey!" Zubat piped up from her post, flailing her arms wildly in agitation.. "Are you guys just going to keep apologizing to each other over and over again? Because it's getting annoying!"
"Sorry!" Brock and Vulpix said simultaneously.
Zubat made an annoyed shriek. "Oh, come on!"
Then, Brock just started laughing. Vulpix felt her own throat seize up, the laughter infectious. Onix then joined in, his voice booming. It sounded awkward and silly, but at that moment, no one cared.
They all laughed for only a few seconds before the moment passed.
At the end, Brock's eyes fell over Vulpix.
The Fire-type, in turn, stared deeply into his eyes; she knew that she could get lost in those emerald greens. "You're important to me," she reiterated. "I want you to remember that."
"Yeah, I know. But it's always good to hear confirmation.." Brock murmured.
"Huh. What about me?" Onix questioned, his tone the closest thing a giant stone serpent could come towards teasing
"Like that was ever in doubt?" Brock laughed. "Because if it is, I really need to step up."
"Good answer." Onix made a yawn. "Bed now. See later."
"See you," Brock replied before walking into the guest room. Onix slither away.
Zubat let go of her body from her perch and spun to fly into the room.
Vulpix walked into the guest room as well, a surge of satisfaction going through her. She accomplished her goal for the day and reconnected with Brock.
Now, came the next part: where could she buy a Fire Stone?
Misty kicked her feet in the water, sending ripples throughout the small pond, distorting the shimmering moonlight that fell within.. It wasn't big enough for her to properly swim in. And even if it was, her body ached badly enough that she'd probably hurt herself. Though admittedly, she looked forward to going back to the ocean and taking a dive.
She looked down at her own reflection, wondering how to make sense of all of those things Zoroark had. Of them, one thing rose above all of the others. "Pokémon can become human," she said to her own reflection.
Staryu's image shimmered in a pond as he floated behind his trainer. "You're focused on what Zoroark said about Miss Ketchum, aren't you, Mistress?"
"Kind of. She just seemed so… normal. Like, I'm having a hard time seeing her becoming a martial arts jackal." Misty admitted as she turned her head to meet her starter. "You didn't have to come with me, you know."
"And leave your side?" Staryu flexed his body slightly to strike a pose. "Don't be ridiculous-OW!" One of his limbs went limp.
Misty lightly giggled. "Should have spent more time in that healing salve."
"I'll be fine. Ow!" Staryu's light flickered unsteadily as he fell flat on his rear.
Misty gently patted her starter gently, careful not to make the whole thing too painful for him.
Her whiskers shaking, Misty sensed a shuffle of movement heading her way. The Buizel abruptly turned in time just in time for Togepi to run barreling toward her.
Misty braced herself and caught her adoptive daughter before she could have knocked her into the pond.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Togepi shouted.
"Ow!" Misty laughed warmly, even despite her pain. "Togepi, I'm still injured."
Togepi pursed her lip. "But I wanna be with you Mommy!"
"I know that, but you have to be more careful, alright?" Misty responded. "You don't tackle people who are injured because you can end up making them hurt even worse.
The little egg blinked suddenly, a look of childish guilt upon her face. "Oh, okay…"
"Good," Misty said. She felt disheartened to have to teach something like that to her precious baby, but Togepi had to learn that lesson because no one but Ash had Pokéballs.
The Buizel turned her head to see Goldeen floating over to her. "I apologize, Mistress, but Togepi insisted on following you."
"So much for that moment of privacy," Misty shrugged. She hugged onto Togepi, at least glad to have her presence.
Psyduck had also decided to join in, though he looked in the completely wrong direction.
Togepi giggled brightly.
The Buizel sat her precious egg Pokémon down. Staryu and Goldeen practically gushed at the sight of them.
"Hey, Mommy. Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, go ahead," Misty answered, eager to please her.
"Why are Pokémon and humans different?" Togepi asked so innocently.
Misty opened her mouth to answer, before closing it again. Where did she even begin? "What do you mean?"
"Just thinking. Mister Zoroark made it sound like it was very important!" Togepi hopped. "So I wanna know, Mommy!"
"Well, it kind of is," Misty said as she looked up at the starry sky. "Humans aren't good at listening to Pokémon speak, among other things."
"But you can listen to me now!" Togepi spoke out loud.
"That's because Mommy isn't human right now," Staryu volunteered as he rose from the ground. "If she was human, still, she wouldn't have an easy time understanding you."
Togepi made a face, as she puzzled through that. "Oh. That makes sense."
Misty frowned, not liking the fact that if she ever went back to being a preteen girl, again, she wouldn't be able to simply understand her Pokémon like they shared the same language.
"What's it like being human? Does it feel weird?" Togepi then asked.
Misty squinted an eye, worried for where that line of discussion might go. "I mean, not really. I was born human, so everything felt fairly normal, I guess."
Togepi tilted her head. "Then, did becoming a Pokémon feel weird?"
"No," Misty answered. "I mean, my legs are much shorter, but I've picked up on how to move very quickly." If anything, turning into a Buizel felt completely natural, to the point that she didn't really feel like anything was strange. Maybe things would have been more rough if she had turned into something else; Brock seemingly suffered because he went on all-fours, but that just seemed to come from how he didn't have dexterous paws.
"You have also picked up new habits and lost several old ones that aren't as applicable," Staryu offered.
The Buizel raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Misty, haven't you noticed you grooming yourself?" Staryu answered. "During idle moments, you sometimes lick the fur on your arms and sometimes rub your hands against your face to clean it. True, you tended to groom yourself when you were human, but you haven't used a comb or brush since you became a Buizel."
"Huh. I hadn't noticed, but I suppose it's natural for a Buizel to do that automatically." Misty turned back at her reflection, and gave it a considering look. She seemed completely identical to any other Buizel, to the point that if she didn't know better, she would have thought her own reflection belonged to some random Pokémon she wanted to catch. How would anyone know that she used to be human if she didn't tell them?
Togepi yawned and leaned against her adoptive mother's chest. "I'm tired Mommy!"
Misty pulled her feet out of the water and rose to stand. "Then, let's get you into bed." She turned to Staryu. "And you need to spend more time in that tub."
"I suppose I do." Staryu floated into the air. "I'm having a hard time stabilizing myself if I float too fast."
"Please don't crash into another pantry," Misty told him.
"That only happened one time!" Though Staryu didn't sound that mad.
Goldeen giggled as she floated in front of everyone else.
Psyduck tilted his head, zoned out like usual. He didn't move from his spot, as he looked at them.
"Come on, Psyduck," Misty shouted to get the duck's attention. She was responsible enough to know better than to leave him behind, even if it was tempting.
"Oh." Psyduck waddled forward.
Togepi leaned against Misty as she walked beside her. Misty hoped she would evolve into a Floatzel soon, if only because she wanted to be big enough to carry her adopted daughter once more. Still, even with that hassle, she did appreciate being able to walk side by side with Togepi.
"Why do you need something to become human again?" Psyduck asked abruptly.
"What do you mean?" Misty squinted an eye. Psyduck's mental faculties were suspect even at the best of times, though on occasion, he had an insight worth gleaning into.
"You didn't need anything to become a Pokémon," Psyduck answered.
"That's not-" Misty shut her mouth as the idea formed in her mind. She and her friends became Pokémon the moment they washed up on the beach.
"I did recall something about a spell needed for you to return to human form, though Zoroark had not explained what it was or why it was needed," Goldeen chimed in.
"And it's the same thing Ash's mom needed to become human, too." Misty shook her head. This was something that they'd have to think about later, when they had more information.
Besides, Togepi needed to get into bed. Maybe she'd like a bedtime story.
If a blockage in the crown chakra impairs the intellect, can the chakra be amplified to enhance it? Similarly, what of the throat chakra that affects communication or of the third eye which governs intuition and imagination?
Zorua sat in her room and looked down at her journal before her, assessing her notes and filling her mind with recipes and formulae, so that nothing else could fill in the empty spaces in her mind.
"Go, run!"
"Momma!"
Droplets fell onto the tome and the fox fought hard to hold back the tears.
"It all happened so long ago. You can do this…" Zorua said to herself. "You're older now." She took a deep breath and kept hold of her emotions.
Overwhelmed, those memories were new to her, so vivid and bright. She struggled with the images and voices in her mind, unable to quench them. The only thing she could compare her current situation to was that of a sealed wound being reopened. So, the best she could manage at the moment was to try thinking of something, anything else.
Sadly, her methods didn't work well enough.
"Daughter, may I come in?" her father's voice came from outside the room.
"Papa!" Zorua imagined a younger version of herself saying, excited to see her overworked father.
"Hey, there, you little rascal!" her father laughed in a distant memory.
Shaking away the memories, she turned to her father. "Come in," she managed to say.
Father walked into the room, his face like a stone. "Are you well?" he spoke in an even tone.
Zorua was unused to that kind of concern from her father. She didn't know what to respond with, other than the truth. "I believe as well I can be." She lowered her head and swallowed a lump in her throat. "Remembering hurts."
Father approached slowly, as if worried that the slightest motion would destroy her, then knelt down and offered a clawed hand.
Zorua looked at the hand, an offer of companionship no doubt. She looked him in the eye, her eyes lightly watering. "Father, why did you make me forget?" she whispered, her thoughts full of the others who once lived in this house along with her parents. "...I had… we had a family… and you made me forget each and every one of them."
"The mind healers recommended it," Father answered in a bitter tone. "You… suffered greatly following their deaths."
Zorua shivered as her vision flashed with those memories. She could barely stand them now, when she was over a hundred Moons old. As a kit less than ten Moons how much worse could it have been?
"You did not sleep nor eat, nor did you get up out of bed to play like you used to. I couldn't bear to watch you suffer that way. The healers believed you would have not lived for much longer," Father said. His face contorted into a grimace. "So, I allowed the mind healers to use their magic to remove the majority of your early, formative memories. Your condition immediately improved, but at the cost of having forgotten the rest of the family. I still wonder if I made the right decision."
Zorua did not know how to feel about that; she'd always perceived her father as cold and unmovable. Then again, she hardly knew her father at all.
"What will you do now?" Father asked, his tone exhausted.
Zorua looked up, momentarily at a loss for words. "...I still want to leave," she said as she got a hold of herself. "I still want to see the world outside of Citrine, I don't think I can just… let it go now, not with everything that's happened so far. Maybe I'll even go where you and mother came from."
"Unova," Father answered promptly.
Unova. Zorua tensed, now knowing where beyond Citrine she wanted to go first.
Father slid a box over to Zorua. Curious, the fox bent her head down and lifted the lid. Within, a small photograph of her other mother and a list of what had to be biographical information stood atop of several other items. One seemed to be a catalog of various Maiju. "What's this?"
"It's your inheritance." Father answered. "I held onto your mothers belongings from when she was a human. You'll need them for when you leave Citrine; they'll make things easier for you, since it'll show the authorities who your mother was."
Inheritance. Zorua had known for a long time that she had one, since her father was relatively well off and held property. Yet, she hadn't ever thought about what her mother might have left for her. She stared at her father. "...You aren't going to stop me?"
"You won the wager, fair and square," Father sighed. "I would prefer you did not leave these lands, because of the risks and dangers involved, yet at this point, I know I cannot stop you. Nor should I."
Father knelt down on one knee.
"Zorua, please understand that while I have been far from an ideal father, I do still care about you and your well being," Father stated for what might have been the first time. "I want the best for you, though we have never agreed on what that is."
The words cut like a dagger going through Zorua's heart. Her eyes searched around her room, still in a state of disrepair. Things had been so rough between the two of them.
"...Why don't you come with us, father?" Zorua whimpered, her vision blurry. She leapt into her father's arms, and he grabbed on tight.
Father shook his head. "Because my place is here, with the rest of the team."
"... I understand." Zorua's throat tightened. A human trainer can command up to six Maiju into battle; there were six urns in that burial chamber. Father likely did not feel it right to leave them behind.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "We have him!" a voice called out. It sounded like… Bulbasaur.
"Curses, they're early." Father snarled under his breath.
"What's going on?" Zorua blinked, as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She leapt away from her father.
Father did not answer. His expression shifted as he visibly considered something. Then, he reached into a small satchel. He pulled out a purple gemstone, which he held in front of his daughter.
"Is that the Emera?" Zorua questioned. Come to think of it, the Emera had largely been forgotten about since the big fight at the Dojo.
"I feel it would be more appropriate if you were the one to do this. You are still a member of the Dojo," Father spoke in a low voice. "Do you remember what to say?"
Zorua's heart fluttered. When she was very young, she wanted to be like her father and become strong in the Dojo. While she had outgrown those early desires and she had never progressed up the rankings enough to present an Emera herself, a small, childish part of her was enamored by the notion. She pawed the stone and hid it.
"COME IN!" Father shouted as he sat in a seiza position next to his daughter. "THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED."
Zorua straightened her posture and tried to make herself seem more regal and composed.
The door opened, and Bulbasaur walked forward, with Ash trailing behind him.
Above both and to the side, Dexter floated nearby. It took a while, but we finally found him training in the yard far past his bedtime.
"I can't sleep," the Riolu muttered. He looked upset.
You should really take it easy. I know you're not really that injured, but you still shouldn't tax your body while it is recovering if you can avoid it. Dexter provided.
Zorua blinked. "Is it really that late? I recall meeting you all not too long ago."
"Daughter, it is past midnight," Father answered directly.
That caught her by surprise, and the fox gave her father an awkward grin.
"Hey, speaking of. What did you need Ash for?" Bulbasaur yawned. "Because I have to hit the hay soon."
"Yes. We should do our business while we can," Zoroark answered. He gestured a claw towards Zorua. "Daughter, present the Bearer with his Emera."
Zorua promptly stepped forward, the gemstone caught between her digits. She stopped in front of Ash and brought the stone to eye level with him.
The Riolu looked surprised.
"The Sensei isn't the only member of the Dojo allowed to assign Emeras," Zorua answered with a smile. "For you Ash, I give you the Tanzanite Emera."
Ash raised his Looplet and with his opposite hand reached towards the stone.
"When the first Bearer came here," Zorua continued, "he and his followers braved the depths to defeat the Shadow Queen. They faced uncertainty and danger. Where lesser hearts failed, theirs did not fear, nor waver." She let go of the stone, letting fall into Ash's paws.
The Riolu slotted the gemstone into the looplet, his eyes betraying a sense of pride.
"In overcoming the Dojo, you and those that fought by yourself have demonstrated great bravery," Zorua said. She paused for a second as she realized what she was saying. She… never thought of herself as brave before. She bowed her head. "We wish you well in the next step of your Quest."
"Thank you!" Ash said, before rubbing the back of his head, a look of surprise on his face. "Wait, you're not coming?"
"I am!" Zorua answered. "I still want to go with you all. I was just… in character. I was acting the part of a member, even though I fought against the Dojo." She frowned, thinking to herself. She got all of the major points, but she wondered if she made any mistakes.
"You did well, daughter," Father spoke calmly, as if reading her mind.
Zorua froze for a second, unused to direct praise from her father. It still confused her, though maybe she just needed more time.
That was when father turned towards the other three Maiju in the room. "There is one last issue I need to take care of."
Bulbasaur grumbled something unintelligible, frustrated with needing to stay awake even longer.
"What is it?" Ash stared back.
Zorua likewise eyed her father, curious as to what the matter was.
Father pointed to the Rotom and snapped his claws. "Elemental, do you have a means of taking a photograph?"
Ele-what? Dexter shook himself.
"It's the proper name for a certain class of Maiju," Zorua explained. "It consists of Maiju who are… created, rather than born. Typically those created of a particular substance."
I suppose I qualify, then. And yes, I can record photographs and videos. Dexter hovered over.
"Then, I wish for you to record this matter while the other two in this room are my witness," Father said as he turned toward Zorua. "My daughter. While it is the tendency of Maiju to not name their children, I feel tonight, you have earned this right."
One of Dexter's lenses glowed faintly, while Ash and Bulbasaur stood frozen.
"...What?" Zorua hadn't expected she would be receiving a name at all. "I mean… why?"
"Because it is the last thing I can give you. And I feel that should you become human, you cannot go around calling yourself Zorua," her father explained.
Become human herself? The fox hadn't even considered that possibility, having always thought humans as being separate from Maiju. But with her mother being originally human and Ash's being from Citrine, she realized that there was very little actually stopped her from becoming one herself. "I…" She bowed her head. "I thank you, father."
"I have never felt right about choosing a name for you, without your mother's input," Father spoke again. He sounded sad about it. "However, I think I know now what to bestow upon you. Are you ready?"
Zorua felt uncertain, as though something fundamental about herself was about to change. She turned towards Ash, as she wordlessly pleaded for what to do next.
"You can do it!" Ash shouted, encouraging her. "Go on!"
Zorua turned towards her father and sucked in her fear. "I am ready, father."
"Then, I name you Cinder, my daughter." Father raised a hand and placed it over Zorua's back. "May fortune smile upon you."
Zorua… Cinder rose to her feet, feeling the world around her shift.
Her father had given her a name.
Ash ran up to her, he looked concerned for her. "Hey, you okay?"
"I… think I will be. It's going to take some time getting used to it," Zorua… Cinder considered.
If Professor Oak were here, he'd be very interested in studying the cultural context behind naming. Dexter supplied.
"I can give you some notes, there should be a book about that somewhere around here," Cinder answered. She spotted her father silently making his way out the door. He only stopped to look at her once; he looked so… sad. Then he disappeared.
Bulbasuar yawned. "If it's okay with you, I'd like to see you later."
"It's fine by me," Cinder told the toad.
The Grass-type took this as his cue to leave the room.
"I'm not tired yet," Ash said.
You should still sleep.
Ash growled at the Pokédex. "I'll sleep in a bit."
Cinder giggled lightly. "We should both take a rest. It's good for the body."
Ash glowered at her, before stifling a yawn. "Fine."
Cinder went to leave her room, and the Riolu and the Rotom went to follow beside her.
"Hey, why did your dad name you that?" Ash asked out loud. "Like, why 'Cinder'?"
"Probably because of you, I suppose," Zorua said. "Cinders and ashes are both the remnants of fires."
"Huh, I guess that makes sense." The Riolu blinked. "But… why me? Is it because he was friends with my mom?"
"Possibly," Zorua admitted. Though as she thought about it some more, she realized that her father had recognized the connections and contrasts that the two of them shared.
Ash was born human, with a Maiju who left Citrine and became human. Cinder's mother was human and remained in Citrine a Maiju. Where the Zorua was a cowardly bibliophile, the Riolu practiced bravery and action. Riolu were associated with the sun and life, due their connection to both the sun and Aura, while Zorua were nocturnal tricksters. There might have been more parallels if she bothered to search further, but that assessment could wait for another time.
"You know, it's kind of funny how all of this happened because we ran into each other," Ash mused.
"Indeed, it is," Zorua admitted as she crossed the threshold to her room, possibly for the last time.
Come to think of it, what were the chances that she would have been traversing that beach at that exact moment to run into Ash's friends? The Riolu's familial ties were so heavily connected to her own that it was hard to believe that he would have arrived at Citrine so close to her. Did that mean someone placed Ash there? And if so, why?
Zorua stopped moving as another stray thought entered her mind, one that should have been obvious given Ash's mother was born within Citrine. The spirit fox's eyes widened.
"Is something wrong?" Ash turned to face her.
"... I just realized that you might have blood relatives in Citrine," she answered slowly. "Your mother was born here, after all."
Ash fell over.
And so we have it, the end of this arc.
Also, Citrine Isles will be taking a short break following this chapter as I get ready to plan out the future events.
Certain hooks have been seeded for the future, but for now, I have to accomplish other projects I put on hold for the sake of this arc.