This little white fox was actually a Zorua—but not the normal gray Zorua. It was a white one.
Of course, it wasn't a shiny but a regional variant.
---
Pokémon: Zorua (Normal/Ghost)
Level: 29
Potential: Green
Ability: Illusion
Held Item: None
Gender: Female
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Torment, Hone Claws, Fury Swipes, Scary Face, Taunt, Knock Off, Fake Tears
TMs: None
Egg Moves: Detect, Copycat, Sucker Punch
---
The Zorua in front of Julian was Normal/Ghost type, while the Zorua he knew about was Dark-type.
So this Zorua was a regional form of the Pokémon, with distinct differences in both attributes and appearance compared to the Zorua found outside.
However, both shared the Illusion ability, allowing them to transform into any Pokémon, perfectly mimicking both form and essence. Because of this, Zorua and its evolution, Zoroark, were also known as Illusion Fox Pokémon.
Although a Ditto could also transform into any object—not limited to Pokémon, even inanimate objects, whereas Zorua and Zoroark could only transform into living creatures.
Seeing Celebi being held by Julian, Zorua knew it couldn't be attacked right now and couldn't help but flash a mocking expression, even beckoning Celebi with a finger.
This guy really had a death wish.
Poof!
Just as Julian was thinking that, he suddenly saw Zorua transform into his own appearance. To the naked eye, it really did look exactly like him.
Then Julian watched as the transformed Zorua pulled down its pants, glanced downward, and immediately showed a disgusted expression.
Julian: ⊙0⊙
'Damnit, what's this guy trying to imply? I'm plenty big!'
He immediately let go of Celebi.
"Hit it—hit it hard!"
A teeth-gritting voice reached Celebi's ears.
"Jirachi, Nebby, you two join in too."
Julian felt Celebi alone might not be able to handle it, so he very unsportingly went for a three-on-one.
Listening to Zorua's series of miserable cries, Julian felt much better. This thing really deserved a beating.
Looking at the bruised and battered Zorua, Julian nodded in satisfaction and lightly kicked its little butt.
"Hurry up and leave. Don't stay here anymore."
Julian had no intention of catching this little guy. Sure, it looked pretty cute, but often the cutest ones had the most mischievous personalities.
After all, he knew from experience.
Just look at Celebi, Jirachi, and Nebby—who would dare say these three weren't mischievous?
Nebby only seemed less mischievous because it was still in its infant stage and needed lots of sleep. Just look at how it acted when it was awake.
Just now, it had actually hit even harder than Celebi.
Nebby had been with him for over a year already, yet it was still in the infant stage. If it were an ordinary Pokémon, even a pseudo-legendary cub would have long since grown out of the infant phase after more than a year.
Yet Nebby was not only still an infant but also only at level three.
Whether he could even raise Nebby into a true First-class Legendary someday, Julian honestly wasn't sure. Luckily, the system covered its Pokéblocks, or he would've been bankrupt just from feeding it.
Before leaving, Zorua even taunted the three little ones—losing the battle but not the attitude.
After taunting, it immediately ran off. Just thinking about it was irritating.
"Tch, trash. I, Celebi, stopped using tricks like that ages ago."
Celebi shook its head disdainfully. It didn't even bother with such petty tactics anymore.
"Celebi, do you think it's going to call for backup?"
Jirachi looked in the direction Zorua had fled, reminded of shows it had watched before—where villains, after getting beaten, would shout for the other side to wait while they went to call reinforcements.
In Jirachi's eyes, Zorua was definitely the bad guy.
"Let it call. Even if it brings more, what use is that?"
"Would they be stronger than us?"
"You, Jirachi, are a First-class Legendary!"
"Nebby will be one in the future too!"
"And I, Celebi, am your big brother!"
"Whether it's strength or background, no matter how many it brings over, it'll all be useless."
Celebi spoke with soaring confidence—and with absolutely no shame.
"Mm-hmm, you're right. I am a First-class Legendary."
Egged on by Celebi, Jirachi finally remembered that it was a mighty First-class Legendary, an existence standing at the pinnacle of countless Pokémon.
It had almost forgotten its prestigious identity as a First-class Legendary.
Truly, Celebi had led it astray—and Nebby as well. The two of them had basically forgotten the significance of their own identities.
Every day they only knew how to eat, drink, sleep, and act cute.
Watching Nebby fly back into his arms and yawn, Julian chuckled, "Did you tire yourself out just from throwing a couple of punches?"
Nebby nodded, then immediately closed its eyes and fell asleep.
Its ability to fall asleep in an instant was even stronger than Julian's or Celebi's—truly sleeping on command.
"Julian, I just helped you vent your anger—shouldn't you reward me?"
Celebi ran over to claim credit.
It had clearly wanted to beat the other party itself, and now it was saying it had done it for Julian.
Though Julian had indeed told it to hit Zorua.
"You still have the nerve to ask for a reward?" Julian said irritably, poking Celebi's little belly.
"If it weren't for Jirachi and Nebby helping you, would you have stood a chance against Zorua?"
"Blockhead, you're going too far. I'm Pseudo-Champion—if I were serious, I could kill Zorua with one finger!"
Celebi huffed, glaring at Julian.
Couldn't we just move on from the fact that it got punched twice by Zorua?
"So you do remember you're a Pseudo-Champion? I thought you were just a salted fish."
Julian said as he continued to poke Celebi's belly.
He had to admit, the texture felt pretty good.
Much better than Dragonite's big belly—Dragonite's belly was a bit hard.
"What's wrong with being a salted fish? No matter what, you'll take care of me anyway. Unlike those people outside—working themselves to death and still not making ends meet."
As it spoke, Celebi wore a proud, smug expression.
Office workers everywhere: 'That really hit home.'
Julian was momentarily dazed. Was Celebi right? Well, yes—he really was raising this little guy, feeding it and letting it lounge around without making it battle. Meanwhile, it often talked behind his back and even threw shade at him.
But this mindset wasn't right! How could it just accept being a salted fish? It should strive to improve and work hard!
"And what's wrong with being a salted fish? Aren't you the same at home—lying on the sofa all day? You're just one step away from Love feeding you by hand."
Celebi shot back.
"I'm only lazy sometimes! That's called relaxation! After exploring secret realms for so long, can't I enjoy myself a bit?"
Julian's face flushed slightly as he looked at Celebi in annoyance.
How was he a salted fish? You're the salted fish. This was called work-life balance—you illiterate.
*****
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