Amara lay curled at the foot of Elliot's bed, her soft white fur pressed tightly against his blanket. She stared at him while he packed his school bag for the next day, watching each movement with an anxious flick of her tail. Elliot had been talking about the upcoming Pokémon tournament at his school — an event where trainers battled their partners in friendly matches. Naturally, Elliot wanted to bring her along, something that thrilled her at first. She couldn't believe he was proud enough to show her off. He wanted her to be part of his world.
The next day, as Amara padded beside him through the school's crowded courtyard, she realized that Elliot wasn't just any ordinary student — he was popular. Everywhere they went, people greeted him, high-fiving him or shouting his name from across the hall. Girls whispered to one another when he passed, giggling behind their hands and shooting sly smiles his way. Amara felt her chest tighten with an unfamiliar, burning sensation. She kept her head low, her ears flicking as she followed close beside him.
When they reached the tournament grounds, things only got worse. Elliot's best friend — a tall, athletic boy named Marcus — strolled up to them, his partner by his side: a sleek, toned, and undeniably attractive Cinderace. The Cinderace had a lean but muscular build, her bright red fur hugging her form tightly. Her sharp eyes flicked to Elliot, and she grinned wide, flashing her fangs.
"Yo, Elliot!" Marcus called, throwing an arm around him. "You still down to hit that party tonight? I told you, man — my buddy's hosting, and it's packed with girls. Cheerleaders, seniors — you name it. It's gonna be wild!"
"Yeah," the Cinderace chimed in, her smooth voice practically purring. "You should come. There's gonna be tons of cuties there." She flicked her tail playfully, shooting Elliot a wink. "I'm sure they'd love to meet you."
Amara's fur bristled, and she shifted closer to Elliot's side. The smile on his face faded as he sighed and shook his head.
"Sorry," Elliot said. "I've got a ton of homework to finish, and I promised my mom I'd help her out tonight."
"Dude, c'mon!" Marcus groaned. "You're, like, the coolest guy on the team! You can spare a couple of hours!"
"Yeah," the Cinderace added with a grin. "Besides…" Her gaze briefly flicked to Amara, her eyes narrowing. "You can't spend all your time with your pet."
Amara stiffened, her blood boiling.
"She's not my pet," Elliot said firmly, placing a hand on Amara's back. "She's my partner."
The warmth of his hand on her back soothed her, but Amara couldn't ignore the lingering glances Elliot kept receiving from those girls. The cheerleaders, the Cinderace, even some of the teachers had looked at him like he was some prize to be claimed. And the way they smiled at him — those bright, flirtatious looks — it made her stomach twist with anxiety.
That evening, after they returned home, Amara couldn't stop thinking about it. Elliot was popular. He was handsome, funny, and talented. He could have had anyone — someone more beautiful, more outgoing, more... human.
As Elliot worked at his desk, Amara lay curled on his bed again, her tail flicking anxiously against the blankets. She finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"...Elliot?"
He glanced back over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
"...Is there something I should change about myself?" Her voice trembled slightly. "To make you like me more?"
Elliot blinked in confusion and set his pencil down, turning fully in his chair. "What? No! What are you talking about?"
"I mean…" Amara bit her lip and looked away. "You're... you're really popular. You could have anyone — someone stronger... prettier... someone with a better smile…" Her voice trailed off, her heart hammering in her chest. "If you wanted to spend more time with someone like that... I'd understand."
"Whoa, hold on." Elliot stood up and moved toward her. Before Amara could react, he cupped her fluffy face in his hands, his thumbs brushing through her silky fur. "Where's this coming from?"
Amara couldn't stop the words from spilling out. "That Cinderace… the cheerleaders… they were all flirting with you. And you're always so nice to everyone... I just…" Her voice cracked, and she lowered her gaze. "I don't want you to forget about me."
"Amara…" Elliot's voice softened. He sat down beside her on the bed, his arm sliding over her back. "None of that matters to me." He pulled her closer, letting her lean against him. "You're my partner, my best friend… I wouldn't trade you for anyone. Not some girl at a party, not a cheerleader, not anyone." He rested his chin against the top of her head. "I like you, just the way you are."
Amara's breath hitched, and she clung tightly to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "...You mean it?"
"I swear," Elliot murmured, stroking her back in slow, gentle motions. "I don't care what anyone else thinks. I just want you."
For the first time that day, Amara's heart felt light again. She nuzzled deeper into his chest, her cold fur pressing against his warmth. Her arms tightened around him, holding on as if letting go might tear him away. Even as the memories of her past — the stares, the whispers, the rejection — lingered in her mind, she knew one thing for certain.
As long as Elliot was with her, she wasn't cursed. She wasn't a burden. She wasn't bad luck.
She was loved.
The sun was starting to set by the time Elliot and Amara left the school grounds, the soft orange glow casting long shadows across the pavement. Amara walked closely beside him, her fluffy tail brushing his leg every few steps. She stayed unusually quiet, her mind still restless from earlier that day. Despite Elliot's kind words, her anxiety gnawed at her like a festering wound. She knew he cared about her, but what if someday that wasn't enough? What if someone else, someone better, took him away from her?
They turned down a quieter street, one that cut through a narrow alley — a faster way home. Amara had always hated this path; it was dark, cluttered with trash bins, and had an uneasy stillness to it. She stayed even closer to Elliot, pressing against his side.
That's when she heard footsteps — not Elliot's, but heavier ones. Multiple pairs, moving in sync, closing in fast. Before she could warn him, three figures stepped out from the shadows ahead. They were older boys — rough-looking delinquents with smug grins plastered across their faces. One of them had a chain wrapped around his wrist, while another cracked his knuckles loudly.
"Yo, Elliot," one of them sneered. "Heard you've been gettin' real popular lately." His gaze flicked to Amara, and his grin widened. "Even walking around with your own little pet, huh?"
Amara's fur bristled, her claws twitching with instinct. She stepped protectively in front of Elliot, lowering her body like a predator.
"I'm not looking for trouble," Elliot said calmly, his voice firm. "We're just trying to get home."
"Oh yeah?" the thug with the chain chuckled darkly. "See, we don't really like guys like you… always actin' like they're better than everyone else."
"You're a cocky little punk," another added. "Guess we'll have to fix that."
The biggest one stepped forward, reaching for Elliot's collar. "Maybe we'll show your Pokémon what happens when—"
SHRRK!
The glint of sharp claws cut through the air, and in an instant Amara was in front of Elliot, her arm stretched out, dripping faintly with shadowy energy. The thug stumbled back, clutching a gash across his arm.
"W-What the hell?!" he shouted, staggering back in disbelief.
"You don't touch him," Amara snarled, her crimson eyes glowing fiercely in the dim light. Wisps of dark energy curled from her fingers like smoke. "If you so much as breathe near him again, I'll rip you apart."
"Y-You're crazy!" one of them stammered. "She's nuts!"
"Then back off," Amara growled, her claws flashing with a sharp, inky gleam as Shadow Claw coiled around her hands. "Or I'll make you regret it."
The thugs didn't need a second warning. They bolted down the alley, disappearing into the fading light. Amara didn't chase them — her focus was locked entirely on Elliot.
"Are you okay?" she gasped, turning around and frantically checking him over. "Did they hurt you?" Her claws retracted as she placed her trembling hands on his chest.
"I'm fine," Elliot assured her, gently holding her wrists. "Thanks to you."
Amara didn't move. Her breathing was shaky, her crimson eyes wide and glossy with emotion. Slowly, her fingers curled tighter around his shirt.
"I… I can't…" her voice faltered, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "I can't lose you…" Her legs buckled, and she slumped against him, pressing her face into his chest. "I don't care what happens… I don't care what I have to do… I just… I can't live without you…"
"Amara…" Elliot whispered, his arms wrapping around her.
"I love you," she choked out, her voice breaking. "I love you more than anything… I've loved you since the day you saved me, and I-I know I'm clingy, and I know I get jealous and scared, but…" Her arms clung tightly to him, her breath hot and shaky against his chest. "Please… please let me stay by your side. Let me be yours… I'll protect you no matter what… I'll do anything for you… just… please don't leave me…"
Her tears began to soak into his shirt, and Elliot held her even closer.
"Amara," he whispered again, his fingers running gently through her snowy hair. "You don't have to change anything about yourself. I don't want anyone else." He cupped her cheek, lifting her face until her tear-streaked eyes met his. "You're not just my Pokémon… you're my family. My partner. The most important person in my life."
"You mean it?" she whispered, her voice fragile.
"Of course I mean it," he said with a soft smile. "I love you too."
Amara's breath caught, her crimson eyes widening in disbelief before she threw herself against him again, burying her face in his neck. "I'll never leave you," she whispered fiercely. "Never…"
"I know," Elliot murmured, his hand stroking her fur again. "And I'll never leave you either."
Amara held him tightly, as if the whole world would fall apart if she let go. Because to her, Elliot was her world — the light in her darkness, the warmth that chased away the cold. And as long as she had him, she knew she could face anything.