Tess.

"Brrrii-brrrriii!"

...An Electabuzz. Reggie sent out an Electabuzz for his second pokemon.

"Huh?" Flint questioned. "Wouldn't a flying-type like Staravia be better to battle Machop?"

Aaron sighed. "Didn't you hear me earlier, brat?" He snapped. "Machop is plenty worn down, and besides, once Machop is defeated, Staravia would have Sneasel to worry about. Electabuzz is a great choice, situation considering."

While Maylene took note of Reggie's switch, I considered what Aaron said. Machop really was looking tired...if we had been allowed to switch, I would have.

No, Tess, don't get soft now. The battle's half over!

"Begin!"

"Machop, use Focus Energy!" I started off.

Reggie smirked, saying, "I thought so. Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!"

Crap!

Electabuzz loosed a great lightning bolt at Machop, before he could stamp his feet. "Brrriiiii!"

The blast knocked Machop off balance, and he fell to a knee.

"Now use Low Kick, Electabuzz!" Reggie ordered.

The chunky electric-type all but punted Machop across the field, and Machop was over.

Maylene nodded. "Machop is unable to battle!" She announced. "The winner is Electabuzz!"

I already had Machop's pokeball ready to return him to. I returned him, murmuring, "Thank you, Machop."

On the sidelines, Flint clapped his hands. "C'mon, Sneasel!"

My left hand shook as I drew Sneasel's pokeball. I closed my eyes, and kissed the button of the device.

This is for luck, Sneasie.

"We're not done yet, Sneasel!" I called out, sending him in.

I'm bulletproof,

Nothing to lose.

Sneasel came out and stood tall and regal in the center of the field, opposite Electabuzz. He glared down the bigger pokemon, as if he were ten feet tall.

"Sneasaaaallll!" Sneasel roared, readying his claws. He knew the drill.

Fire away,

Fire away.

"Begin!" Maylene announced.

"Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!" Sneasel didn't intimidate Reggie or his pokemon, but I knew my partner could pull through.

Ricochet,

You take your aim.

Electabuzz tried shocking Sneasel, but Sneasel was a much more agile pokemon than Machop, and easily evaded the attack.

"Sneasel, use Faint Attack!" I countered.

Fire away,

Fire away.

Sneasel dashed behind Electabuzz, staying near enough to the pokemon not to be seen. He tapped one of Electabuzz's shoulders, then slashed him in the face with the other.

"Brrrriii!" That angered Electabuzz. He balled up a fist, charged with electricity, and tried punching Sneasel; Sneasel dodged easily, throwing back another.

You shoot me down,

But I won't fall.

"Damn!" Volkner exclaimed. "That's rough."

I laughed. "Sneasel, now use Ice Punch!"

I am

Titanium.

Sneasel's right claw glowed bright blue with the power of ice, and he punched Electabuzz hard.

"Hit Sneasel back, Electabuzz!" Reggie urged. "Use Thunderpunch! Don't just stand there!"

Electabuzz pulled his fist back, crackling with electricity. Sneasel dodged the attack, sticking his tongue out at the bigger pokemon.

"Snea!" Sparks flashed across Sneasel's body. He fell to his knees, crying out in pain.

I gasped, glancing at Electabuzz. "No! Static!"

"Electabuzz, use Thunderpunch! Now's your chance!"

Sneasel was on the ground, unable to move. Electabuzz pulled back his fist to charge the electricity. I couldn't watch.

In a fit of cowardice, I covered my eyes when I saw Electabuzz swing. But, I didn't hear an impact.

I opened my eyes to see a scene. Electabuzz was trying to punch Sneasel, but Sneasel had grabbed his fist, and he was pushing it back!

"Hell yeah, Sneasel!" My sister stood up, cheering. "Fight back, little man! Fight!"

Dee's words put the fire back in my heart. I pushed my bangs behind my ear.

"Sneasel, use Fury Swipes!" I ordered. "Fight through the static! I know you're tough enough!"

Sneasel showed off the long, sharp claws on his right paw. "Sneas-all!" He slashed at Electabuzz's face, then swerved around the electrified fist and continuing clawing at the electric type from behind. He winced from the electricity, but refused to relent.

"Brrriiiiiii!" Electabuzz gripped at his face, crying out.

"Catch that Sneasel, Electabuzz!" Reggie was visibly sweating. "Don't let him make you into a pin cushion!"

I smirked, grinning ear to ear. "Too late." I balled my left hand into an anticipating fist. "Sneasel, this is it! Use X-Scissor, and end this battle!"

Sneasel crossed his claws together and slashed them across Electabuzz's back, almost like a brand. Electabuzz was knocked to the ground.

"Brrrriiii..." Needless to say, he didn't get back up.

Maylene was even more hesitant to claim me winner. But, she raised a hand towards me, declaring, "Electabuzz is unable to battle! Sneasel is the winner, and the victor is Tess!"

Reggie returned Electabuzz, looking more than a little surprised. He exhaled a small breath in surprise.

A loud tinking noise echoed through the whole gym. I turned my head at the sound.

Aaron was sitting forward so far, his glasses had fallen off the tip of his nose. His ashy eyebrows were shot high up, almost to his hairline.

"Holy hell...Reg, did you just lose?"

Astro.

"Astro! Please, I'm not asking much, just watch Max and Paul while I go to the store!"

I sighed. I was curled up in the armchair in the livingroom, remote in my paw, catching up on my TV shows. Riley's Riolu sat on the ground in front of me.

"Do I have to, Annie?" I complained. "I mean-"

Annie groaned, rolling her eyes. "Astro, unless you intend on letting me cook you for dinner tonight, you'll watch the boys!"

To illustrate her point, Annie grabbed the remote and stuffed it in her purse as she left the house. I groaned.

"Cheap shot!"

Hearing Annie leave, Max and his little friend ran out into the living room. Max pulled Paul to a stop.

"Mom gone?" He asked.

Paul eyed me dubiously. "We're being babysat by...your sister's Riolu?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Move, Riolu." Riolu scooted out of the way, and I hopped to the floor and helped him up.

Max elbowed Paul. "Don't be rude to Azzy!" He chided. "Astro's a great babysitter!"

Yeah, Max said that, even when I was only as tall as their shoulders. Paul crossed his arms.

"Don't look that cool to me," He insisted. "I could kick Astro across the yard!"

I chuckled, shuffling off to the kitchen with Riolu. "You really wanna threaten a fighting type?" I asked. "I ain't afraid to beat the holy hell out of a kid."

"You were afraid to beat up that Riley guy's Riolu in the Hearthome Tourna-"

"Aye!" I reached into the fridge, and took out one of Max's chocolate milks. "That was a hard-fought loss, you damn brat!" I slammed the fridge. "Max, open this for me."

Riolu nodded in my defense. "Hyunn!" He cooed. Astro's right!

Max and Paul came into the kitchen, Max taking and opening the chocolate milk for me.

"And anyway," I continued, chugging the beloved drink. "I wouldn't be talking about intimidation, junior. You and that brother of yours, you have hair the color of fruit."

"Sh-shut up about my brother!" His ashy face flushed in anger at me. "Max, make him stop!"

It wasn't the first time I'd babysat Max and a friend of his, but Paul was a lot more fun to tease than Barry was.

Almost made it feel like a shame when I passed out later.