Alex walked back toward his refuge with slow, careful steps, the forest no longer feeling as hostile as it had days before. The Poké Ball resting in his pocket felt heavier than it should have, warm, almost alive. Inside it was the reason he couldn't stop smiling.
A shiny Hisuian Zorua.
For the first time in days, Alex allowed himself to feel something close to happiness. Not victory. Not pride. Just… relief. He hadn't imagined it. He hadn't chased a ghost. The forest had truly been hiding something rare.
By the time he reached the camp, dusk had begun to settle. The shelter was barely standing now: a crude lean to be made of branches, vines, and scraps of cloth. Supplies were nearly gone. The fire pit was little more than ash and embers. They couldn't stay much longer.
Alex dropped his bag and exhaled slowly.
"We made it," he murmured.
He released Zorua.
The small Pokémon appeared instantly, fur bristling, red eyes sharp with suspicion. It took a step back the moment it saw Alex, shadows rippling faintly around its body. It looked ready to bolt or bite.
Alex didn't move closer.
Instead, he knelt.
"I won't abandon you," he said quietly. "I know you don't believe me. That's fine. But I mean it."
Zorua's ears twitched.
"I want to make you strong," Alex continued. "Strong enough that your pack realizes what they lost."
he looked at him, really looked at him wanting zorua to believe him
Zorua looked away.
It didn't want this. Didn't trust this. But it had no other choice.
Slowly, reluctantly, it stayed.
Alex offered food, berries, dried meat, even some of the last rations he had left. Zorua refused at first, backing away, snarling softly. Only when Riolu sat down and began eating calmly did Zorua hesitate. Then Charcadet. Then Grovyle.
Only then did Zorua approach the food.
Even then, it ate quickly, nervously, eyes never leaving Alex.
"That bad, huh…?" Alex muttered, watching. "They really did a number on you."
Night passed quietly.
Alex slept lightly, one hand near his knife, the other near Larvesta, who curled close for warmth. Zorua stayed at the edge of the camp, half-hidden in shadow, watching everything.
Morning came too soon.
Alex woke before the sun fully rose. His body ached. His Pokémon were exhausted. And they were out of resources.
"We leave today," Alex said softly. "But before that…"
He looked at Zorua.
"Let's see where you're at."
He released Grovyle.
The Grass-type stretched, eyes sharp and focused. Grovyle was fast. Experienced. One of Alex's strongest Pokémon second only to Riolu in battle sense.
"This is just a spar," Alex said. "No killing blows."
Zorua lowered its stance.
The battle began instantly.
Zorua struck first, darting forward with a sharp Scratch. Grovyle sidestepped effortlessly, the claws missing by inches. Before Zorua could retreat, Grovyle countered, Leaf Blade flashing green.
The strike hit.
Zorua was sent skidding across the dirt, crashing hard against a rock. It struggled to stand, breathing ragged, but its eyes burned with stubborn fury.
It refused to yield.
Zorua lunged again, shadows coating its claws—Shadow Claw. But its movements were sloppy, unrefined. Grovyle leaned back, the attack missing entirely.
"Stop!" Alex shouted.
The battle ended immediately.
Zorua collapsed to one knee, shaking, still trying to rise.
Alex walked over and sat beside it.
"I don't want you to faint right now" he said calmly. "Not after pushing you that far."
Zorua glared at him, chest heaving.
"Show me your moves," Alex said instead. "All of them."
Zorua hesitated.
Then, one by one, he showed Alex his moves. leer, its body twisting unnaturally as dark energy flared; Shadow Sneak, flickering briefly from one spot to another; Scratch; Shadow Claw, crude but powerful.
Alex watched closely.
When it finished, he smiled.
"You're rough," he admitted. "Undisciplined. But that power… it's real."
Zorua looked away, distrust still written all over its face.
Alex extended a hand not to touch, just to offer.
"Let's get strong together," he said. "Okay?"
For a long moment, Zorua didn't respond.
Then, slowly, it nodded.
Not fully convinced.
But willing to try.
The camp behind them crackled softly as the last embers died out.
And with that fragile agreement, Alex knew one thing for certain—
This wasn't just another capture.
It was the beginning of something dangerous.