"Zoruaa~"
The Zorua in front of Silas had a gray-black body, pale blue eyes, and dark red markings around its limbs and face. The tuft of fur on its head resembled a small flame.
Normally, Zorua gave off a sly and cunning vibe. But this one?It looked… timid.
Silas forced a gentle smile.
"Nice to meet you. Welcome to my team, Zorua."
The reaction was instant. Zorua's fur bristled, and it bolted straight into a corner, trying to hide like it had just seen something terrifying.
Silas rubbed his forehead.
"…Seriously? That scared?"
"Zor Zou Zou~~"
Silas planned to switch its Poké Ball.
If Zorua was going to be part of his main team, there was no way he'd keep it in a basic Poké Ball. A Luxury Ball was a must.
He raised the Poké Ball ,A red recall beam shot out.
Zorua dodged it instantly.
Silas blinked. "That reaction speed… not bad."
He tried again and got Same result. Zorua twisted mid-air, bounced off the bed, and kept dodging like it was playing a game.
"Zou Zorua~~!"
Silas sighed.
"Alright… you've got talent."
In the end, talent didn't save it. He grabbed Zorua by the scruff and lifted it up.
"Zou…"
Zorua instantly gave up, shrinking into itself and putting on a pitiful expression. Only its gem-like blue eyes peeked out, blinking innocently.
Silas stared at it for a moment.
"…I'm upgrading your living conditions, not harming you."
"No more cramped space. You're getting a 'luxury villa.'"
After switching it into a Luxury Ball, Silas pulled out his Pokédex and checked its data.
Beep!
___________________________________
Zorua : the Tricky Fox Pokémon
Type: Dark
Level: 5
Gender: Male
Ability: Illusion
Height: 0.7 m
Weight: 13 kg
Evaluation: Excellent potential. Exceptional energy control. Outstanding neural reaction speed.
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Pursuit, Fake Tears, Torment, Hone Claws
Inherited Moves: Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse, Extrasensory
___________________________________
Silas's eyes lit up.
This filled a major gap in his team.
Special attack.
While Zoroark could go mixed, its Special Attack was clearly superior and the Pokédex even highlighted its energy control.
That meant one thing.
Special attacker core.
Silas released Zorua again.
Looking at the timid little fox, he couldn't help himself He scooped it up and ruffled it hard.
"Heh. You're going to be a core member of my team."
Zorua's eyes flickered with something… speechless. But outwardly? Still timid. It even used Fake Tears, squeezing out two drops on command.
Silas: "…You're acting, aren't you?"
"Zou~~"
...
Later, at Team Rocket's training ground.
"Zorua! You can't get stronger if you keep avoiding fights!"
"Don't you want to evolve into Zoroark?"
Silas stood with arms crossed, trying to motivate it.
Zorua?
Completely uninterested.
Silas had high expectations for it. Not just because it was a Dark-type But because of something deeper. A familiarity he couldn't explain. If it evolved into Zoroark, it would become one of his strongest Pokémon But right now?
It had zero drive to fight.
...
At lunch
Before the food even landed Zorua snatched an Pokeblock Cube mid-air and stuffed it into his mouth in one smooth motion.
Silas froze.
"…You're worse than Umbreon was."
Zorua lowered his ears, acting pitiful again.Big watery eyes ,Trembling ears.
Perfect performance.
Too perfect.
Silas narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah… no. That's fake."
"Stop using Fake Tears."
After promising:
3 Dark-type Pokeblock Cubes
10 chocolate bars
Zorua instantly switched expressions.Back to that sly grin.
"Zor Zor~~!"
It jumped up and held out its paws expectantly.
Silas stared. "…You want to check the goods first?"
He took out a chocolate bar and Zorua tapped it. Sniffed it and Bit a small piece.
Paused.
Then nodded seriously showing Satisfied expression.
Silas exhaled slowly.
"…This Illusion ability is ridiculous."
It had barely grown out of infancy And it was already mimicking human behavior.
He looked at the little fox thoughtfully.
How long until you can fully transform?
<><><><><><>
(End of chapter)