Be Brave, Little One

[Celeste Valacari]

Elena stood at the entrance to the cave, staring in and positively shaking with fear. It was extremely dark, very cold, and who knew what pokemon lived inside. She had heard that Golbats could drink up to six gallons of blood from their prey, and Gravelers could bring the ceiling crashing down on unwary foes.

Emma meowed and headbutted her trainer, excited to go inside and battle the creatures within. Elena put her hand on the two pokeballs sitting on her hip.

"You'll protect me, right?" she asked in a small voice. The purple-pink Skitty meowed again and bobbed her head.

"Right, then I'll protect you," she said quietly. "Of course, if that's what you want."

Emma rolled her eyes and bounced away, leaving Elena alone at the entrance.

"Okay," she murmured to herself. "Go on, Elena. Be brave."

[Butterfly]

Sora strolled up next to the little girl standing at the cave entrance, her hand resting delicately in her coat pocket and her two Pokemon bouncing around beside her.

"Hey El!" Sora called, waving to her. "What're you doing?"

[Celeste Valacari]

Elena squeaked in surprise and jumped, only relaxing when she realized it was her friend.

"Sor, thank goodness. I thought Emma was going to drag me in there all my myself," Elena said in almost a whisper peering fearfully into the cave. "She wants me to go in, but I'm scared of all the freaky pokemon inside. Will you come with me?"

She looked down quickly. "I mean, if that's alright with you. You don't have to."

[Butterfly]

"Of course I will El!" Sora squealed, picking up her younger friend in a tight hug, "Trust me, it's not that scary. You'll be fine! Didn't you have to go through here to get to the Academy anyways?" Sora giggled, setting Elena down.

[Celeste Valacari]

Elena nodded a tiny bit, still peering fearfully into the cave.

"My mom was with me when I came," she whispered. "That's how I know how scary it is."

Emma purred from inside, coaxing the two to follow her. Elena whimpered and took a step inside. Once the darkness overcame her, she froze.

"Sora? Sora!"

[Butterfly]

"I'm right here El." Sora said calmly, reaching out and taking Elena's hand, "I'm right here. It's alright." she soothed the little girl, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Why're you even coming here again in the first place?" Sora asked curiously, trying to squint through the darkness.

[Celeste Valacari]

Elena shivered.

"Emma, Becca, and Lacey wanted to level up," she whispered quietly. "I just don't know if I can do it, Sora. It's so scary..."

Emma purred and rubbed up against Elena, and the shy little girl found some strength.

"Um, do any of your pokemon know Flash? It's really dark in here..."

[Butterfly]

"I think Lecty does." Sora said softly, looking around her for the little Shinx.

"Lecty, use Spark." she commanded, and then, there was light. A bright glowing light that followed them around, "That better?" Sora giggled

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