Elias looked sowhat disinterested after hearing Regigigas's proposal.
It wasn't that the offer held no appeal.
But...
What Regigigas described—while it might be considered a "wish" for most people—was, for Elias, simply a goal he could reasonably achieve with effort.
His psychic abilities and the mysterious [Power of Viridian] were already more than enough to place him at the top of any human tribe.
So to him, Regigigas's offer wasn't especially tempting.
And more importantly—he still didn't know what this colossal, terrifyingly powerful Pokémon actually wanted from him.
Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't going to be simple.
After thinking it over, Elias finally shook his head.
"Sorry. I don't really have anything I want right now."
"Maybe you should ask soone else."
Regigigas, who had been so sure of victory, froze.
A flicker of multicolored light glowed in the hollow ports across his face.
If he had actual eyes, he would've been staring at Elias in stunned disbelief.
Did I... just get rejected?
Impossible.
For a mont, Regigigas suspected his own brain might be suffering from "Slow Start" too.
Across from him, Elias gently took Zoroark's paw.
"Shall we go?"
Zoroark looked up and asked softly, "We're leaving?"
"Mm. We've talked about everything we needed to."
As he spoke, Elias gave her paw a reassuring squeeze.
She'd seed out of sorts ever since they'd t Regigigas—and he didn't need to ask to know why.
She's overthinking again.
But Elias wasn't surprised. Zoroark had always been like this. Despite her fierce appearance, she was fragile and sensitive deep down.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have tried to leave him just to keep her identity a secret.
"Elias... what did you two talk about?" Zoroark suddenly asked.
Her long, narrow eyes were full of curiosity—and unease.
Being targeted by a Pokémon that massive had her thoroughly on edge.
Elias didn't hide anything. He paused to find the right words, then explained:
"He asked to do sothing. In return, he said he could grant a wish."
"But I turned him down."
As he spoke, his hand wandered up to her ears and gave them a gentle tug. The feel of her fur—now fuller and softer after evolving—was deeply satisfying.
But just as he was playing with her ear, Zoroark suddenly stopped walking.
"Any wish?" she asked, staring at him.
"That's what he said..." Elias blinked. "Why? Do you have a wish?"
If she did, then maybe... he'd have to reconsider Regigigas's request.
"N-No, it's nothing," she stamred, quickly shaking her head.
But after so many years together, her poor attempts at hiding the truth didn't fool Elias in the slightest.
He cupped her cheeks with both hands, holding her face steady, and looked her in the eye.
"No lying like Lucario. Out with it—what's your wish?"
He didn't want her keeping anything from him.
Because knowing her, she'd end up dwelling on it. Maybe even sneak off to co back here on her own.
And that would be far more dangerous.
Seeing she couldn't hide it, Zoroark's expression wilted.
After a long internal struggle, she finally whispered:
"I want to get stronger."
Zoroark had a lot of wishes.
She wanted Elias to always stay by her side. She wanted to be the only Pokémon he ever needed.
She even wanted him to beco soone who couldn't live without her.
But in the end, after much hesitation, the wish she spoke aloud was simply:
To get stronger.
She'd taken too many hits to her pride lately.
And she'd realized—if she didn't have the strength to protect Elias, then none of her other dreams would matter.
Even Lucario, if he really wanted to, could just take Elias away from her—and she'd be powerless to stop him.
Just the thought of it made her chest tighten.
She couldn't let that happen.
She refused.
So she wanted strength. Desperately.
Elias was montarily taken aback.
He'd honestly thought her wish would be... well, him.
But now that he thought about it, getting stronger might actually be the harder wish to fulfill.
Because for that—he'd have to ask the giant.
"I can do that!"
Before Elias could say a word, Regigigas—who had been silently eavesdropping—answered first.
He'd already been feeling hopeless, convinced he'd sohow invited a monk with no desires.
But unexpectedly... the fox had a wish.
Praise the fox!
As for helping her get stronger—well, that wasn't impossible. He had, after all, once created Pokémon himself.
Using similar thods, he could absolutely enhance Zoroark's power.
Elias glanced at him, now deep in thought.
From what he'd seen so far, Regigigas did seem trustworthy.
Which ant—Zoroark's wish really could be granted.
With a sigh, he reached out and ruffled her hair.
"So if you get stronger, does that an most of the work protecting goes to you from now on?"
He teased lightly.
Zoroark couldn't help the bright smile spreading across her face. But then, a note of worry crept in.
"If I agree... will it be dangerous?"
She'd wished for strength so she could protect Elias.
But if he was going to be put at risk to get it, then it was all aningless.
"It'll be fine."
With that, Elias turned back to Regigigas.
"So... what exactly do I have to do?"
"Re...gi...!"
...
After a brief exchange, the deal was struck.
—Regigigas would help Zoroark grow stronger, without harming her body.
And Elias, in return, would search the Hisui region for eighteen fragnts of sothing called the [Arceus Plates].
To Elias, it didn't seem all that difficult.
If it could help Zoroark achieve her wish, then it was worth it.
"Mmm~"
Zoroark purred, eyes narrowed like a cat's, rubbing her head against Elias's shoulder.
She looked just like a child who'd finally gotten the toy they'd been begging for.
She knew she'd been a little selfish this ti.
But...
Just like she'd realized before—she never wanted to feel that helpless, powerless despair again.
She wanted to be Elias's shield, to shelter him beneath her wings.
---
PS: Like in the gas, the Plates were originally scattered across Hisui—but that didn't make much narrative sense. So here, they've been changed to "Plate fragnts" instead.
Praise Suliupu! (T/N: a fandom nickna for Regigigas.)
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