The Light Of A Flare

Chapter 12 - Like a biscuit?

"Was that Last Resort?"

We were back in the Pokémon Centre, sitting around a table in the back. Beth was looking at her feet, almost in shame, but my intrigue was stronger than my urge to comfort her.

"Yup. I thought we were close to learning it, and I was right."

"You know when Pokémon learn moves?"

"Yeah. They learn them at similar points, and Umbreon was getting to the right stage."

"Wow! That's pretty cool! What's Eevee gonna learn next?" Eagerly, I began to lean forward unconsciously, and Robin smirked slightly.

"I'll leave it as a surprise."

"So you don't know?"

Robin looked shocked, but his eyes were sparkling. "What? Of c- yeah, fine, I don't know." Looking around, his eyes landed on Beth. "Hey, are you okay?"

"No." Her reply was flat, almost zombie-like.

"Is it because I beat you? If so, I'm sorry, I guess, but..."

"Kinda."

"Have you never lost a battle before or something?" Robin seemed bewildered, but also with a slight hint of mocking. Beth didn't seem to notice.

"I have. I just thought that I'd be able to join Team Flare if I'd wanted to, not be stopped at the last hurdle. And I let Eevee down." Speaking seemed to be helping her, but there was still a tear pooling in the corner of her eye.

"Hey," Robin's tone was soft, softer than I'd imagined it could be. "You didn't let anyone down. That was the closest I've come to losing for weeks, and you nearly beat Umbreon. Nobody's done that before."

Beth shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I still can't join unless I beat you, or another admin who could be anywhere, or pay a ludicrous amount of money."

Robin's movements were skittish, as if he wanted to go over to her but didn't trust himself. He paused. "I'll tell you what." Sighing, he continued. "I'll tell them you beat me. I don't care what they think, you deserve to join."

Beth sat up instantly, as if she didn't quite believe him. Nor did I, to be honest. "Really? You'd do that?" Upon Robin's nod, she almost leapt across the table. "Thank you, so much!" She crushed him in a tight hug that he returned with a façade of reluctance.

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"Someone beat you?" Robin was leading us through the Team Flare base, having explained the situation upon entry to the guard. The one speaking was someone of a higher rank than the guard, who apparently knew Robin well. Her long hair wasn't entirely covered by her Team Flare outfit, and her goggles were pulled back on top of her head. Robin darted a glare at Beth, who gave him a grateful glance.

"Yeah. She uses Eevee and its evolutions, and they're really well-trained."

"She beat Umbreon? She must be good."

"If she beats me, yeah." Robin smirked back at us, and Beth stuck out her tongue.

"Oh! I forgot! We have to give in that report on our ideas for... You know. Have you done it?"

"It was my idea." Robin smirked, as the girl's eyes widened. "I told Lysandre an idea, and he wanted help on how to execute it, so asked you guys."

"So we're what, your secondary advisors?" The girl scowled.

"Something like that. You might wanna get started on that report quickly, sweetie." She began to protest, but Robin cut her off: "Please. I know the way." She slapped his arm, before storming off in mock rage.

We walked through the hospital-like corridors, identical but for the room numbers, in silence for a minute, before I decided I had to ask.

"Are you two an item?"

Robin gagged. "The what now?"

"You heard her." Beth smirked.

"No! We're not. She might - we were - argh." I was trying hard not to laugh. "We're not, okay?"

"Suuuure." I giggled, setting Beth off at the same time.

Robin sighed dramatically. "No arguing with you two, is there?" I shook my head, grinning.

Fortunately for Robin, we were approaching the boss's office. Lysandre, I think his name was? Reading it on the door, I nodded to myself. Robin knocked in a pattern - tap, ta-tap tap, tap tap - and a voice came from inside, beckoning us in.

Robin opened the door, and I got my first glimpse of the man who'd nearly destroyed the world just three years ago. His first words to me, however, were not exactly what I'd expect from an evil mastermind.

"Ah, welcome. Would you girls like a biscuit?"

Robin cracked a smile. "Sucker for hospitality, this one." Smirking, Robin opened a drawer filled with biscuits of every kind. He picked out a handful of bourbons, while Beth took a chocolate digestive. I stared slightly, and on noticing my gaze, Beth turned around. Mouth full of half-chewed biscuit, she tilted her head and spoke a truly philosophical, thought-provoking question:

"Mwhah?"

Lysandre chuckled. "I like this one. Is she the one who wanted to join?" Upon Robin's nod, he gestured to me, his scarlet mane even more prominent, and asked, more in the style I'd expected, "So what's she doing here?" I flinched slightly.

"She mistrusts the organisation, so I decided to give her a tour to show her that we're not all bad." Lysandre nodded.

"So well-spoken. I normally wouldn't allow that, but frankly, I don't have time not to." He turned to Beth. "Speaking of frankness, you didn't beat Robin, did you." It was spoken flatly, a statement rather than a question.

"N-no, Lysandre, sir."

Lysandre waved his hand nonchalantly. "Oh, please, dispense with the formalities." Turning to Robin, he scowled, but Robin didn't flinch under his stern gaze: "So, I'm assuming there's a perfectly good reason she's here?"

"Yes, Lysandre, sir." Robin smirked, causing Beth to glare daggers into the back of his head. Lysandre chuckled slightly at the sight. "She didn't beat me, but she came the closest of anyone since Umbreon evolved. I have no doubt that she'd beat any other admin."

"Hmm." Lysandre seemed to consider, before making his judgement. "Fine, she can stay. But-" He shot a glare at Beth to stop her leaping from her seat in joy, "You're going to mentor her. She'll have a probationary period, and if she fails, she's gone. No second chances. To avoid unnecessary attention, no uniform. Any questions?"

"I have one." Beth piped up. Lysandre gestured for her to continue, "How can I thank you?"

Lysandre fixed her with a deathly serious stare and spoke in a razor-sharp voice. "By not fucking up."