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Vulnerability wasn’t common for shellder, using their hard shells to protect themselves from outside predators. But even among each other they found themselves closed off, rarely getting to know each other on a more personal level.
But it was different for those who were partner Pokemon with a trainer. While most shellder found themselves among a collection, destined to live their lives in a box, she was different. Her human found a liking to her- love, even, if she dared to say those words.
Her human was so vulnerable, and she found herself wanting to be such in return. She learned her human loved the pearls that got made when sand mixed with her body. She found them annoying, so she was happy to share with the human who didn’t resign her to a PC.
When her human was upset, she would tell her about all the troubles she experienced- from heartbreak to difficulties winning Pokemon battles. So shellder worked hard, learned how to battle even stronger than she normally would, so she could help her human become champion.
Vulnerability wasn’t common for shellder, but she allowed herself just a little, when she knew it would help her human.