The Light Of A Flare

Chapter 11 - I hate to say "I told you so"...

Robin sighed. "Rose, do you know how to officiate battles yet?"

"Um..." I honestly didn't know. I'd seen people doing it, I just didn't know how to tell if a Pokémon had fainted, say, or if there were any rules I'd missed. "I can try?"

Sighing, Robin turned to Beth. "That'll have to do, right?"

"Don't be like that! Give her a chance," Beth nodded encouragingly to me.

"I was?" Robin looked slightly intimidated by her tone.

"Good. Now, Rose?"

"Um... How many Pokémon each side?"

"Good question," Beth turned to Robin. "I have a full team. You?"

Robin nodded appreciatively. "Just the three."

"Three it is then," I said in what I hoped was an authoritative tone. "The battle will now commence between Robin and Bethany. Each side will have the use of three Pokémon only, and both trainers may substitute Pokémon. Battle begin!"

Robin smirked. "Malamar, help me out."

Beth narrowed her eyes. "Sylveon," she smirked, "I need you."

They threw out their Pokéballs, Robin in the same style as before, smugly; Beth somewhat casually, as if she was simply bored.

"After you," Robin smirked.

"How gentlemanly. Bite, Sylveon."

Robin smirked, as usual. "Dodge."

"Swift." The confidence of both trainers was overpowering, as if they both had something to prove.

"Hypnosis." Robin folded his arms as Malamar used the burst of psychic waves, stopping Sylveon from releasing its Swift and sending it to the ground.

Beth winced, causing Robin to chuckle. "It has Heal Bell, doesn't it?"

Beth nodded. "Not the first time, either."

Robin grimaced. "I can imagine. I'm almost sorry about having to do this." He sighed melodramatically. "Psycho Cut."

Malamar sent two blades of light flying across the battlefield in an X shape; they hit Sylveon head-on, and the ribboned eeveelution collapsed.

I was watching intently, before Robin gave me a pointed look, hissing, "You have a job to do."

"Sylveon is unable to battle," I called. "Malamar wins."

Beth smiled, recalling her Pokémon. "You were great. Thanks, Sylveon."

Robin smirked, running a hand through his hair. "So, who's your next choice?"

"Leafeon," Beth called, "Help us out."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Do I sense a theme, perchance?" Beth glared, causing Robin to burst out laughing. "Let's just go. Malamar, Hypnosis."

"Dodge."

Robin smiled. "So you can battle after all."

Beth simply ignored him. "Swords Dance."

Robin chuckled. "Interesting. Malamar, Foul Play."

"Leaf Blade."

The two collided in the middle of the arena, neither yielding, neither gaining ground. They fell apart, uttering their cries in indignation.

"Swords Dance, let's go."

Robin smirked. "Topsy-turvy."

I looked on in confusion at Beth's horrified look, while Leafeon seemed to lose all its energy.