Work Text:
Twas a night unlike any other. The sky gleamed a cyan hue, and the streets of Geo City were overrun by coaches and their Beasties willing to take on any other team in their vicinity. Indeed, the Bigmoon was out. Also known as the Mother Moon, the Bigmoon gleaming over the night sky was a sign, a sign that coaches and their Beasties were to fight with all their might. The beautiful blue hue among the glades of Amberstone, the waters of the Chroma Sea, the forests of Mythwood... Everyone was enjoying themselves.
Well, all except for one individual. A recently cursed individual. Cursed by a dream, she fears the Bigmoon, as it will bring her unending pain. For she has been cursed, with the transformation of Beastanthropy. Though, we will just cut to the chase. She has already transformed, and is hiding away from those who may fear her in this form. Even those who trust her. For a champion of the entire league, she is acting more reserved than she would usually act. Her grown fur and flippers are enough indication that she should be hiding away, at least until she is able to turn back to normal.
However, a curious black-haired coach approaches behind the barrel that she is hiding in. How she was able to hide in such a small space is a mystery, yet she has found a way to hide inside anyway.
The small fellow, known as Ace, approaches the oddly filled barrel, and tries lifting it up, to no avail. They do not seem to have the strength to lift up the beastanthrope in the barrel, as Broslidons themselves are known to be especially heavy. This does not deter them from trying to lift up the barrel, as their curiosity knows no bounds.
They eventually cease their actions, to peer into what is inside the barrel, causing the champion great distress.
"Hi, fluffy friend!" The smaller coach hums, as they peer into the barrel.
This frightens Valerie greatly, as she immediately busts out of the barrel, breaking it into dozens of pieces.
She shivers. She looks frightened, and her hair is utterly disheveled. Out of all the people who shouldn't know about this. Ace is the one who should never have known. The champion puts her head down in shame, and looks away from the smaller coach. Knowing that Ace is seeing her like this, and knows about her beastanthropic curse, it brings her much dismay, much shame.
"...Don't tell anyone, okay?" The champion mumbles to the black-haired coach, desperate to keep the secret hidden. "All this... this is stupid. This whole curse is stupid. You think it's stupid, right?"
"Wait! Valerie?" The smaller coach sputters. "Valerie, even if you are cursed, it's still not something to be ashamed of!"
The small coach speaks the truth. Valerie knows this. However, considering she is the champion of all of Ballstralia, it does not feel like the wholehearted truth. She has become a monster. A monster that fears herself.
The two of them are silent for just a little longer, before Ace opens their mouth again. "Listen. I... I won't tell anyone, okay? It'll just be a you and me thing, and probably your Beasties, too. Okay?"
Valerie knows this is not a permanent fix for her curse. She wishes she could do better, know better. However, she knows that it will suffice for now. Despite their past grievances, Ace has become a trusted ally, and someone she knows she will have fun battling. Maybe even something more, if the two of them willed it to be.