open/close all folders
Ash's Team
Ash Ketchum
Main protagonist of Zorua Trainer, and potentially the first literal Pokémon Trainer. A Zorua of unknown origins, (besides being abandoned in an alleyway as an egg, but don't bring that up around him) and adopted by a human trainer; Ash is determined to go on a Pokémon Journey and see the world.
- The Ace: Slowly becoming this as the fic has progressed, showing a sharp mind and adaptability that is the envy of many trainers; and slowly but surely gaining mastery of his dark typing and illusions along the way.
- Abandoned Pet in a Box: More like Abandoned Egg in a Box, but the spirit is the same. Nobody really knows why Ash was left as an Egg in an alley, but it can't be for any good reasons.
- Ability Required to Proceed: If Ash were any other Pokémon besides a Zorua line (or Ditto, or Vulpix line) Pokémon, there's no way his scheme of becoming a pokemon trainer would have worked.
- Accent Relapse: Ash does have his moments where he forgets to speak like a human while in his human disguise; or vice versa, where he talks like a human despite being in his Zorua form.
- Accidental Discovery: He has made a few, though the most notable is the "haunted house" where the Ghost girl lurks in the basement.
- Ace Custom: His hat, of course.
- A Child Shall Lead Them: He's ten years old chronologically speaking, which is the starting age of a normal trainer. Mentally he's more like a 13-15 year old, due to how some Pokémon can mature a little bit faster than humans.
- Actor IS the Title Character: He is the titular Zorua Trainer after all.
- Actually, I Am Him: Happens a few times when people realize that he's just a Zorua disguised as a human.
- Adaptational Backstory Change: Was abandoned as an Egg and spent an indeterminate amount of time alone in an alley, eating garbage to survive and with only a friendly Trubbish for company. Once he was kicked out of his "home" (the cardboard box and blanket his egg was left in) by a gang of Pokémon, he was captured by a friend of Delia's and traded to her. After that, Delia raised him like her own son.
- Adaptational Intelligence: Not to the point of Ash being an OC in all but name, but he does show signs of being more intelligent (or at the very least, more mature) compared to his canon counterpart at this point in his journey.
- Adaptation Species Change: Ash is a Zorua instead of a human... As if the premise and previous tropes didn't tell you this.
- Adoption Angst: Before he recognized and started calling Delia his mom, Ash did struggle with the idea of no one loving him. He quickly gets over this.
- Adoptive Name Change: Before Delia took him into her house, Ash was known simply as "Zorua"; since no one ever bothered to name him. Notably, Delia does consider a few other names (such as Cinder) for him before settling on Ash.
- Adorably Precocious Child: Even as a little Zorua Kit, Delia had her heart stolen by him. Once he figured out how to make a human disguise, Delia found him even more adorable. Despite being older and more mature, he still does have his moments where other characters find him cute.
- Ambiguously Absent Parent: Given how Ash was left as an Egg in a cardboard box in an alleyway, we don't really know what happened to his biological parents. Did they abandon him? Was he a Trainers Pokémon egg that was left because the trainer or parent didn't want to deal with him? Was he left there to protect him? No one knows, and Ash doesn't like to talk about or dwell on it.
- Animal Talk: Before he learned how to speak like a human, Ash talked just like any other Zorua or Pokémon; and he does occasionally slip up and speak Pokémon at times.
- Attention Deficit... Ooh, Shiny!: He certainly has his ADD moments, like when Karen offered to teach him the move Dig; he was more obsessed with digging holes rather than learning the move at first. This never fails to annoy Pikachu and the more straight minded members of his party.
- A World Half Full: Even with a very rough start in life, and with less than optimal occurrences happening around him; Ash still maintains a positive attitude in spite of it all.
- Beware the Nice Ones: While Ash is generally a nice guy (or Pokémon in this case), he will get furious when you imply Delia isn't his mother, bring up his abandonment issues, or hurt/take away his friends.
- Bilingual Animal: A given since Ash is a Pokémon who taught himself how to speak the human language.
- Cunning Like a Fox: As a Tricky Fox Pokémon, Ash used his illusions to trick many people, including his own trainer Delia at times.
- Deliberately Cute Child: More like "Deliberately Cute Zorua Kit", but there are a few times in his younger days when Delia is raising him that Ash plays up his cuteness to try and get out of trouble.
- Good Is Not Soft: Ash may be one of the nicest people (or rather Pokémon) you will ever meet, but God help you if you piss him off and press any of his berserk buttons.
- Happily Adopted: By Delia, openly considering her his mother.
- Human Disguise: A given, seeing as how he's a Zorua disguising himself as a human.
- Manchild: A downplayed example. Despite ten being considered fairly mature for Pokémon, he mostly acts like how a ten-year-old human would. This is shown best when he encounters a bamboozle of Zorua and discovers that one of the Zoroark chaperones was younger than him.
- Meaningful Name: In this fic, Delia named the Zorua Ash because of his black fur with red highlights. Cinder was another possible candidate, but she preferred Ash as a name.
- The Nose Knows: Due to being a Zorua, Ash's sense of smell is very sensitive. This helped him identify that the Delia Team Rocket tried to hand back in exchange for Ash was a disguise.
- Speaks Fluent Animal: As a Pokémon who can speak the human language, when he is in his true form around other humans (besides his traveling companions), he talks in the Pokémon language.
- Talking Animal: Ash taught himself how to speak the human language (without the use of an illusion) after hearing Delia and Spencer discuss about Molly learning how to talk. It took a couple of months for Ash to learn and master making the sounds, with the letter "P" being the hardest for him to produce due to his Zorua lips being not as flexible as a human's.
Ash's Pokémon
While a small team compared to most, they are Ash's friends and his family. Despite only having seven battlers as of writing, Ash has made it farther than one would expect in the Kanto League. All are more than accepting of Ash being a Pokémon, and are willing to take orders from him. It helps that Ash is a friend to all.
Pikachu
Ash's "starter" and his first real friend, after getting off to a rocky start that is. The two are like brothers now, and are more than willing to stick their necks out for the other.
- Accidental Discovery: Was quite surprised to find out that the "human" he was insulting was in fact another Pokémon in disguise.
- Actually Pretty Funny: There are a few moments when he's at the butt of a joke that he agrees is actually funny.
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: In canon, his parents fate is unknown; in Zorua Trainer, they were taken from him by humans.
- Adaptational Backstory Change: As is the case when Canon Marches On, Pikachu's backstory here was written before his official backstory was known to the fanbase. In canon, the fate of his parents is unknown, but he was raised by a Kangaskhan; in Zorua Trainer he all but states that humans took his family away.
- Adaptational Early Appearance: He and Ash meet when they're both still pretty young (and while he's still a Pichu); and they both don't exactly get along all that well when they first meet.
- Ad Hominem: He tended to do this as a Pichu, and he does still default to this kind of retort when he gets burned and he has no real comeback for it.
- A Dog Named "Dog": He's a Pikachu named Pikachu; although this is more along the lines of him finding concepts like human names stupid, and Ash wanting him to pick his name rather than the other way around.
- Adoption Diss: During a pretty big argument with Ash that quickly turned nasty, Pikachu throws this out; which infuriates Ash enough for the two of them to start throwing actual moves at each other. This incident actually causes Pikachu to evolve and pretty seriously injure Ash with a thunderbolt. Naturally, he's mortified by both the insult and hurting his friend once he calms down enough.
- Adventure Duo: If Ash is out there going on an adventure or getting himself into trouble, you can bet that Pikachu is on his shoulder or following close behind.
- Affection-Hating Kid: Pikachu really doesn't like it when someone other than Ash touches him. Delia, after a good long while of getting accustomed to her, is an exception to this. Misty as well once Pikachu starts trusting her more.
- Agree to Disagree: Happens a few times when he gets into arguments, but the most prominent example is how he feels about Pokéball. The other members of Ash's team and Ash himself see no problem with Pokéballs, while Pikachu absolutely despises them.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: While he may argue that he's the older sibling in his and Ash's dynamic, Pikachu is definitely the younger in terms of maturity and chronological age.
- Animal Talk: A given, since he's a Pokémon; and unlike Ash, he doesn't bother to learn to speak human.
-
Awesome, Dear Boy: Part of the reason he fights for Ash, because he enjoys fighting the gyms and training. -
Awesome Ego: Let's just say that Pikachu isn't the most humble Pokémon, and leave it at that; although he does typically have the strength to back up his boasts. - Beware My Stinger Tail: A given considering that he knows Iron Tail, and it's one of his go-to moves for dealing with Electric resistant/immune Pokémon.
- Beyond the Impossible: His ability to shock ground types, much like in canon.
- Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: Has this relationship with Eevee.
Pidgeotto/Morningstar
The first Pokémon that Ash caught, and one of his heavier hitters; Pidgeotto is still one of the boys, and more than willing to take part in the crews hijinks. She evolves into Pidgeot and adopted the nickname Morningstar.
- Action Girl: Probably the most willing to get into a fight besides Pikachu. Part of the reason she joins is so that she can get stronger and fight others in a challenge.
- A Dog Named "Dog": Like Pikachu and Eevee, Pidgeotto is just called by her species name; though it's more along the lines of her wanting the right name and not wanting to be too hasty in choosing it. Averted when she evolves into Pidgeot. Now going with the name Morningstar.
- Animal Talk: As with all the Pokémon characters, she doesn't speak a word of human.
- Awesome Ego: Like Pikachu, she's not the most humble of Pokémon; and like her electric mouse comrade, she has the brawn and brains to back it up.
- Embarrassing Nickname: Enjoys calling Ash "Uncle", mostly because she knows it embarrass him.
- Related in the Adaptation: An adoptive variant, Pidgeotto finds out she's related to Delia's released Pidgeot, thus making her, in a way, Ash's niece.
Selene
Ash's second catch, a Clefairy that wanted to see the outside world; and was also grateful to Ash for saving her home from the clutches of Team Rocket. While more reserved and shy compared to the other team members, she's still a much appreciated addition. She evolved into Clefable for the rematch against Blaine.
- Acrofatic: She's not really fat, but being a Clefairy means that she naturally has a rather round figure that can be interpreted as such. Nevertheless, she's just as maneuverable and agile as some of the other fast hitters on Ash's team.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: Unlike in canon, where Ash never had a Clefairy nor Clefable; here, Selene is a core part of his team and a good friend as well.
- Adoptive Name Change: She's named Selene instead of just Clefairy.
- Adorably Precocious Child: She has a naiveté about her that the other characters (besides Sunny) lack; as well as being mystified by the outside world, due to living underground for pretty much all her life.
- Alien Animals: Her dialogue implies that Clefairy were originally Aliens that came to Earth.
- Animal Talk: Like with all Pokémon, this is a given.
- Animal Religion: She, like most Clefairy, worships the moon.
- Backwards-Firing Gun: Metronome has a habit of backfiring on her in some way.
Sunny
Canonically the Charmander that was left to die by the abusive Trainer Damian; Sunny is Ash's third catch after rescuing the poor fire lizard from dying of exposure. Shy and withdrawn, Sunny still considers Ash his true trainer. Sunny evolves into Charmeleon to save Ash from Giovanni's Persian.
- Abandoned Pet in a Box: As in canon, Sunny was left to die on a rock by Damian because he was too weak. What makes this even worse is that it's made clear in later chapters that Sunny is only a year old at the oldest; essentially the mental equivalent to a five-year-old kid. Damian is one of the few people on Ash's permanent shit list because of this.
- Accessory-Wearing Cartoon Animal: Sunny wears an Everstone tied with a ribbon around his neck to prevent himself from evolving.
- Adaptational Explanation: Instead of Ash and the group leaving him alone in the dark and the rain until he nearly dies from exposure; Ash (after nearly blowing his cover due to losing his temper with Damian) comes over to see Sunny and the two talk things out, with Sunny breaking down once he finally acknowledges that Damian isn't coming back for him.
- Adaptation Name Change: His name is Sunny as opposed to just being Charmander.
- Adoptive Name Change: Say it with me one more time, he's named Sunny; not Charmander.
- Adorably Precocious Child: He's the mental equivalent of a human five-year-old, and his actions and mentality reflect that. It's telling that all of the other team members treat him as such, and he has no problems with it.
- Happily Adopted: Ends up feeling this way about Ash.
Eevee/Eve
Ash's fourth catch, a gift after helping the Pokémon Scientist known as Bill. More analytical and logical of the group, she's less of a battler and more of a burgeoning scientist like her former caretaker; Eevee is still one to pack a punch if push comes to shove. She evolves into Umbreon after the loss to Blaine and is now named Eve.
- Academic Athlete: She's much more of an intellectual than the rest, preferring books and science experiments or theorizing; but she is more than able to punch above her weight class, and isn't some helpless egghead when push comes to shove.
- Acting Your Intellectual Age: She's the second oldest of the group chronologically, only behind Ash himself. But she tends to act like she's closer to an adult than the rest, quick to point out errors in others' thought processes or theories.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: Ash never had an Eevee in canon, while in Zorua Trainer she's one of his core teammates.
- By extension, Ash never had an Umbreon either, whereas Eevee, now nicknamed Eve, evolved into Umbreon after Ash lost to Blaine.
- Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: Has this relationship with Pikachu.
- The Needs of the Many: Has no real bias towards any one possible evolution, instead deciding based on what the team needs. She ends up picking Umbreon.
Storm
Storm the Squirtle, formerly Numbah Five of the Squirtle Squad, was Ash's fifth catch. She evolved into a Wartortle during the Fuchsia Gym battle.
- Adaptation Name Change: Her name is Storm as opposed to just being Squirtle.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: While Ash owns a Squirtle in canon, Storm wasn't the leader of the Squirtle Squad in Zorua Trainer (the leader became Misty's Pokémon instead), is female, and wasn't caught until later in the story. Additionally, Squirtle never evolved into Wartortle in canon, whereas Storm evolved during the Fuchsia Gym battle.
Art
Ash's sixth catch, Arthalothadamesh the Ralts, shortened as Art, desires for adventure, dreaming of wanting to evolve into a Gallade.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: Ash never had a Ralts in canon, while in Zorua Trainer he's one of his core teammates.
- Affectionate Nickname: Art calls Ash, Dash, combining Dad and Ash together.
Ash's Traveling Companions
Misty Waterflower
Ash's first traveling companion, like in canon. Also like in canon, Misty originally tags along with Ash so he can pay for a new bike; but unlike canon, she also decides to stick with him because she's genuinely curious about the Zorua able to blend in with and act like a human.
- Absurd Phobia: Like her canonical self, she's terrified of bug type Pokémon; for seemingly no other reason than for the fact that she finds them creepy.
- Accidental Discovery: She didn't intend to discover that Ash was a Zorua. In fact, she initially thought that he was a Buizel and chucked a Pokéball at him to catch him (and to make it easier for her to transport the injured Pikachu that was with "Buizel"); and was, to put it mildly, quite stunned when Ash's illusion broke. She was even more stunned when the Zorua talked back to her like a human.
- A Child Shall Lead Them: She's the youngest of the Cerulean sisters, and yet she's the one that whips them into shape and forces them to actually start taking their gym duties seriously instead of just focusing on their shows.
- Adaptational Explanation: Instead of her fishing Ash and Pikachu out of the water and Ash subsequently stealing her bike to get Pikachu to a Pokémon center; she instead fishes them out of the water, discovers that Ash is a Zorua, and gets attacked by the Spearow along with them and helps them escape. Her bike does still get fried though...
- Ambiguously Absent Parent: Nothing is ever said about why Misty's sisters are running the gym instead of her parents, and Ash never bothers to ask.
- Cloudcuckoolander: A downplayed example, but after reigniting her love of Tabletop Fantasy, Misty starts comparing everything to something from her game. She also fails so see what's odd about her carrying a sword with her everywhere.
- Heroes Prefer Swords: Mostly played for laughs, but after going to a knights class in Rota, She starts carrying a sword with her everywhere.
- Mistaken for Romance: Everyone tends to assume she and Ash are either dating or crushing on each other, which irritates her since 1) they're only friends and 2) he's a Pokémon in disguise.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: A Hoist by His Own Petard variant. It was Misty reporting to Agatha about Sabrina that led to Her and her sisters losing their gym.
- White Sheep: The only one in her family who's actually concerned with being a trainer, much less a gym leader.
Karen
A future Elite Four member, and a Dark type specialist; Karen initially tagged along in order to convince Ash to join her team, having wanted a Zorua for some time. She even initially tries to catch Ash, thinking that Misty was unaware of his true nature; or potentially trade him if she was his trainer.
- Adaptational Backstory Change: It's not really known what Karen did canonically before she became a Elite Four member in Johto, but traveling with Ash and Misty while she happened to be hanging around in Kanto is definitely a change in her backstory.
- Adaptational Explanation: Instead of meeting her in Johto like in canon, Ash meets her in Kanto after she tries to catch him to add him to her team (a dark type Illusion Fox Pokémon would be a game changer for her).
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: While having nothing more than a passing meeting in canon, Ash and Karen are traveling companions, and even consider each other friends (after some getting used to each other, that is).
- Anime Hair: Her hair color is not exactly natural for humans to have, and let's leave it at that.
- Official Couple: Ends up becoming one with Brock after he joins.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Becomes less apparent after traveling for a while, but is definitely someone who thinks about herself first and everyone else after.
Brock
Ash's third companion, having joined much later than in canon after losing his gym leader status.
- Adaptational Late Appearance: Downplayed, he's introduced at the same point as canon, but only joins the party much later after losing his gym leader status.
- Official Couple: With Karen.
