Now he understood what all this was about and for the first time in days, he picked up Zorua as he nuzzled him and held him close. He didn’t say anything for a while, just hugged him and pet the top of his head, resting on the pillow together. After a few moments of this, he sat up again, meeting Zorua eye to eye.
“Oh Zorua. I knew you would eventually grow up on me. It has always been your decision. I never really knew how hard it would be on you though,” he said this as he lightly scratched his cheek. “But, you see, you are a Zorua! And your specialty is illusions. As a Zoroark, it would be even better, even stronger. You would not have to stay in just one shape if you did not feel like it.” He smiled in a playful fashion. “Just think! You can be as small or big as you like, any color, any shape. You could be a little Zorua every day, only to show your true shape when danger approaches.” He made a fist, as if signifying strength in the face of that danger. His smile became proud but sad, “But I do not wish to think of you as alone though. Or have you think that way either.”
“Because, if you think about it— Momma will always be with you. Because you will remember me. Right here.” And Cathal pointed at his head. “And right here.” He touched over his heart. “True, one day I will be gone. But that time is a ways off, I feel. But you will never be alone. You will carry every memory we have made in the past, today and every memory afterward with you. You will only be as alone as you allow yourself to be.”
“So, if you are ready, and remember that Momma is always here, then I think it is time you grew up, Zorua.” He smiled warmly and nuzzled him close before sitting him down on the bed again to think that over.
Zorua carefully listens to everything Cathal says to him, and through out it, becomes more and more excited, and his wagging tail makes that obvious. He could be anything he wanted! Any time he wanted! He'd be a master at illusions. And he'd be strong and powerful, too!
"Then I'll do it! I'll grow up and evolve! And I'll become strong, too! " He stands tall, puffing out his chest at that, looking stoic. Then he starts laughing. "But no one will know! Because I'll pretend to still be a Zorua! Heheheh! It will be fun."
"And I'll always have my Momma in my heart. Forever and ever." He moves over to him, nuzzling his trainer's face again. "Thank you for helping me decide, momma."
Giving him a couple licks on the cheek and a final nuzzle, Zorua then steps back. A white glow engulfs him. It starts out in the shape of a Zorua, but slowly becomes larger until eventually it disappears, and where Zorua sat is now a Zoroark.
The Pokemon seems confused for a moment, looking down at its new larger body, then to Cathal. Zoroark grins and then jumps at the grunt, hugging him and licking his face. "Momma, look! I did it! Heheh, I evolved!"
