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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"You want me to raise my swords against a kid?" Lucca snapped. Panzer's infant Pokémon drew closer, which only made the warriors back into one another.
"I will get to that insufferable Kangaskhan's pretend story in due time. For now, listen well, warriors," Panzer spoke above them all. Her voice now seemed to be amplified and echoed across the area. "Since time immemorial, Heroica has been a land wracked by conflict. Wars over provisions, conquests of kings and queens, a desire to survive against invaders... The humans who once claimed this land as their own were all but wiped out by their inability to coexist. We Pokémon took over."
Despite Lucca's complaints, the children attacked. Since they didn't have weapons, they threw themselves at him with their natural abilities: claws, tails, any hard-hitting tackles. He refused to attack them back, even as he found himself surrounded. A Charmander attempted to scratch him from the left, while a Rowlet pecked from above and to the right. He rolled away from both, only to nearly be bitten by a Totodile. He shoved his sword in the way, and its jaws locked around his blade until he threw them off.
"We Pokémon are on track to falling to the same fate. We stay separated by our distinct races... the Pokémon, the Undine, and the Angels. Even more groups vie for independence, like the Aska and Van Akens. And it all happened because of that one Pokémon who claimed themselves a hero, and took away our Anima Energy!" Panzer continued. "Anima is the essence of Pokémon. Our attacks, our abilities, the very fabric of our life forms that connects us to the laws of nature: that is Anima."
"That's Bestia! What you just described is Bestia energy," Azu called out. She was concentrated on keeping back a Torchic that continuously pecked at her. She had to kick a Treecko, and then spun to swing her tail around and knock back a couple of Tepig.
"Anima was our fool proof source of sustainable life. But the self-proclaimed hero who lost his love to Heroican conflict took away our Anima and reduced it to Bestia. Now we struggle to survive on this traditional Shining Warrior Journey, sucking up to the them like they are a god. This unrelenting routine creates endless conflict, and Heroica will never know peace. That is until today, when I defy the laws of nature and life itself," Panzer announced.
Ruby's fire spread across the area, forcing the children to run back to Panzer's side. She still held the Parashelter open to defend against them, but they didn't attack again. "Huh? Is that it?"
"I don't get it, what does any of this have to do with us? Or me?" Crystal cried.
"I am to be Heroica's new ruler. The only one smart enough to command Bestia and turn it back into Anima. In these dark times that rebel against the Shining Warriors, I am the one true warrior who shines in the darkness. The one who began this five-hundred year-long plan," Panzer announced. "In this metal coffin, I do not age. My body ages, but my mind does not, leading to this decaying form you see before you. With my ever-growing knowledge, I learnt how to artificially resurrect bodies and create souls. I can create life. Shining Warriors! I made them. I made them all. Every child you see before you now. They are Shining Warriors!"
