A yelp of surprise escaped Apollo’s maw as he scrambled to put Grail’s leg between him and the Skitty. “Nooo, you’re the last person I wanted to see me like this!” The Feraligatr moved his leg to the side but Apollo stayed hidden, at least until Grail’s claw came down. Lifting him and placing him in front of the Skitty. “Mr. Grail!” He protested, his flustered face turning back to look at the tall pokemon who only shrugged in reply.

Apollo shifted on his feet as his tails curled around themselves tighter, a nervous reaction. “W-well... my mom was a Ninetails of course, but my dad is a Zoroark. I doubt he’s still around though, and even if he was I wouldn’t know what he looks like.” Apollo looked off the the side, avoiding eye contact with Skitty as his black hair drifted down to his side. “Mom did tell me once he was really nice and could sing really well, but other than that I wouldn’t know.”

“Maybe I should’ve asked mom for his name...”

“I’m not really sure honestly.” Apollo tilted his head, thinking back to when his life consisted of simple classes and no shape shifting. “He’s my guardian now but… back then I was just some kid who was not paying him any attention in classes. And well… not attending classes.” A nervous laugh escaped him, a bit of shame for his old childish behavior showed on his face.

“O-oh um... yeah.“ His displeased look remained on his face as he looked away from his guest. Apollo sat for a minute until he was ready to finally speak again, “It’s because other clan members call me a Zorua and a fake vulpix...” His frown grew as he spoke and remembered the experience. “ A few have even uh... thrown me out, ordered the doors closed and forced me to stay outside. Didn’t even care if it were raining or snowing...”

The little vulpix’s ears perked up and a little smile showed up on his face, even if he were looking away it could be seen. “But whether or not it was two or ten pokemon bothering me, King would always come help me. They didn’t dare even glare at me wrong when he’d show up.” He snickered a bit like a Zorua would, “I heard his punishments were pretty rough on those members. 

Grail stopped his slow march home as Linda asked the Pikachu on his shoulder a question. Apollo sat for a moment before slowly climbing his way down the Feraligatr’s bulky arm; dropping to the ground with a little squeak. “Apollo ya don’t have to show her if ya don’t want to.”

The little pikachu’s hands were held together at his chest, looking down nervously as he pressed them together. “I- I don’t want to burden you Mr. Grail a-and I don’t want to accidentally hurt anyone anymore, s-so I’ll show both of you.” Before Grail could form a reply, Apollo took in a nervous breath. His ears became smaller pointed triangles as he lowered his front paws onto the ground. His fur dyed itself a dark red as his tail became larger, splitting into three that coiled around one another. A long mane of black and red formed between his ears and extended down his back.

After it was over he turned his head away from the two who looked over his new form, “This is it…” A frown covered the vulpix’s face as his ears sat down to the side of his head.