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...
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On the border of the black and white ruins, Elise and her Tropius all landed to gather their bearings. It was impossible to tell whether it was night or day with that darkened void before them. The corrupted land started so suddenly it was like a line had been drawn onto the sand in greyscale. Everything within it was eerily silent and lifeless to the extent that the sun couldn't be seen. Meanwhile, the desert sands outside retained their harsh natural conditions.
Lucca, Mimia, Shelly, Crystal, and Ruby all sat with their backs to each other on the edge of this dark realm metres away from Brine and the soldiers. As oblivious as the Steenee queen preferred to be, even Elise knew not to dare try and get a word out of them so readily. They had been sat like this for what must have been hours, yet no one spoke or moved from the spot.
"Okay. That's enough water for me. I should be good to go," Brine handed a canteen to a Lilligant soldier. "Thank you. You really saved me."
"Brine," Elise realised she wasn't mourning. "What happened?"
"I should be asking you. It's a miracle you girls all showed up when you did and had everything we needed. How did you know where to find us?" Brine replied.
"I got an emergency letter from Shelly. He sent it through the Treasure Orb, so I knew it was an emergency," Elise answered. "He even said to bring the Tropius. I just didn't think... whatever's going on would be this bad."
Brine faced the ruins. "That's Vilé. To you, that'd be the place that Kusha came from."
"Kusha? That funny Wigglytuff?" Elise put a hand on her hip.
"She was there when this happened. Alongside Azu, one of our closest companions. They, alongside all the other citizens, perished in that," Brine explained. Elise gasped and covered her mouth. "The entire city was living on a tightrope, and that tightrope tore when we arrived. All Bestia in the region drained, and well, you can see the result for yourself."
Elise watched as Brine walked off to join the other warriors. She was solemn for a moment, and then clenched her fists and walked over as well. She went to Shelly and Lucca, but didn't face them. "Okay. What now?"
Neither Pokémon replied, but Shelly's Gospel Vibe turned red.
"I asked you lads a question. What now?"
"We're supposed to be Shining Warriors," Lucca began. His voice was dry and weak. "I was warned, and yet I..."
"And yet you what?" Elise asked, still not looking at him.
"It's my fault. It's my fault all those Pokémon died. I can't just say 'I messed up' this time. So many Pokémon, even Pokémon I cared about. I couldn't save them. I let them down, and it cost them their lives," he trembled.
"So we go back to my first question. What now?" Elise glared at him.
