Bestia: an ancient energy that allows Pokémon to use their powers. Lucca Aska is a plucky Brionne raised as a hero in a world devoid of Bestia, where Pokémon must use weapons and armour to survive. Destiny has chosen Lucca and five other outcasts to...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
When the going gets tough, all sorts of scary, negative feelings take over. That's how it's always been for Shelly. His paws would go numb, his teeth would clatter, and in the worst cases, he'd clench his eyes shut. The lightest touch would send him sailing to the other side of the country, and he'd drown out every bit of noise he could. He couldn't even tell what someone right next to him is saying.
Now was the opposite. He hadn't seen it, but he didn't want to lie to himself in knowing Crystal had just been killed by that monster. One second, she shoved him and Elise aside, the next, she disappeared into the giant Wishiwashi's mouth.
Shelly flew to his feet and glared at the monster. As if mocking him, it didn't turn in his direction once. Ruby and Lucca stood at the front as always, their serious stares showing they weren't intimidated by it. Azu and Mimia stood close behind, concerned about their frontliners. Lastly was Kusha and a Pikachu he didn't recognise, but they both looked ready to strike lightning down on anyone who so much as twitched.
But why can't I move? Shelly hissed as he dragged himself forward. Elise was latched to his lower half, and her words lost in the tone of her wails. "Ruby told me never to turn away from my enemy, but... Elise!"
The Steenee continued to cry and wail at him, even going as far as to try and pull him back. He had no idea what she was saying, but he didn't need to. He growled as he turned his back to her to observe the battle. It hadn't started yet.
"This is bad!" Angel's voice echoed into his head. Shelly held his amulet forward, and his heart jumped as its colour had completely drained. It was a black gem with no markings. "Crystal's in critical condition. You have to save her, and now!"
She can still be saved... Shelly realised. He grit his teeth and turned back to Elise. "Elise! Let go of me, now!"
She stopped wailing, but was hyperventilating so loud he had to shout over her.
"Let go of me so I can fight!" he demanded. She didn't let go. She stared at him with the most anxious and pathetic gaze he had ever seen her make. "Elise!"
"Shelly no!" she cried and shuffled up to grab him even tighter. He attempted to kick and shove her away, which only scared her more.
I can't let her stop me. If we don't destroy this thing now, then everything was for nothing! Shelly told himself. It was a struggle to take out his Treasure Orb, but he managed it, and reached for the one item he always knew how to retrieve from it: a knife, his personal weapon of choice. He pointed the knife at Elise, and she held her breath.
"Sh-Shelly?" she whispered.
"I need to fight, so let go of me. Don't make me have to hurt you!" he threatened. He had no idea how he appeared, but his desperation finally got through to her. She slowly let go of him and sat back, but her gaze never left his once. Her leaf remained a fiery blue however, so he knew how terrified she was. "Just stay out of harm. I'll make sure you won't get hurt."
