Go, Squirtle!

The second the Professor gives the signal, you and Green each activate your pokéball, releasing your pokémon in perfect unison. A thrill shoots through through you as you see your squirtle materialize from the red beam of the ball for the first time, only a few meters from Green's bulbasaur.

With a grin, you push aside your wonder at being in your first real battle, and focus on winning it with tactical finesse. You know your first move and have anticipated all of Green's likely counters. Before she can act, you call out your feint, "Alright, Squirtle, run straight ahead and use tackle!"

The water-type nods its assent and takes off toward its opponent as quickly as its short limbs will carry it. It's closed most of the distance, less than a meter left, when Green calls out her counterattack.

"Bulbasaur, trip it up with vine whip!"

Twin vines sprout from the plant-lizard's shoulders and stretch out, sweeping low toward your charging squirtle. Before they can reach their target, however, you shout out your counter to Green s move.

"Squirtle, withdraw into your shell and wheel your way into Bulbasaur!"

The little turtle looks uncertain for a moment, then does its best to e execute your order. It throws its shoulder forward to shift its momentum, then retracts into its shell. The movement sends the shell-covered creature spinning on its side like a wheel, deflecting the vines and slamming into Green's bulbasaur for a solid hit. As Bulbasaur is recovering, you call to your pokémon.

"Now, come out of your shell and give it a close range tackle!"

Squirtle pops out of its shell, but is clearly dizzy from its first attack. Despite being unsteady on its feet, it manages to follow your order and tackle Bulbasaur, though not with the power you had hoped for. Meanwhile Green's pokémon has recovered, and she gives it an order.

"Bulbasaur, bring your vines back in and sweep its legs from behind."

You watch in frustration as the grass-type's vines swing back from where they'd been knocked away and hook around your unsteady squirtle from behind. The water-type falls back onto its shell, it's limbs flailing helplessly.

"Squirtle, get up!" you cry, not optimistic about your chances.

Disoriented and in a disadvantageous situation, your squirtle is unable to right itself and only becomes more panicked as it continues to flail wildly.

"Use poison powder while it's stuck," Green orders, excitement showing through her collected facade.

"Quick, get in your shell!" you command, trying to reach Squirtle before your opponent's pokémon can act.

The plant-lizard leans forward and releases a cloud of purple powder from its bulb. Unfortunately, Squirtle is still in a panic, and doesn't fully retract its limbs before the cloud descends upon it. Before you can think of a way to counter Green's attack, she calls out another move.

"Bulbasaur, extend your vines up to the light fixture above us and pull yourself up."

So, she's planning to wait out the poison. You aren't in a good position, but you aren't going to make it easy for her. Thinking as fast as you can, you order, "Squirtle, rock your shell then jump out to get some footing."

Your steady voice bringing it back from its panic, the water-type follows your command. You watch as it begins to rock back and forth in its shell, then extends its limbs at the perfect moment and triumphantly lands on its feet. Your joy is short lived, however, when you see the purple hue its skin has taken on and how unsteady it is on its feet.

While worried about your pokémon, you **** yourself to go on and tell it, "Okay, Squirtle, try to launch yourself up with a water gun and slam Bulbasaur with your shell."

Struggling to keep its feet, your water-type nods determinedly and faces downward to spew a torrent of water from its mouth. It withdraws its limbs into its shell again as the blast sends it rocketing upward toward where Green's pokémon is hanging above.

Unfazed, Green commands, "Bulbasaur, lower yourself."

****, you call out, "Squirtle, change trajectory to hit it."

You see Squirtle's eyes shift up toward Green' s bulbasaur, and, to your amazement, the turtle manages to change its direction and smash into its opponent.

Both pokémon fall several meters to the floor; your squirtle is protected somewhat by its shell and Bulbasaur's fall is mitigated by the vines it has attached above, but both still hit the ground hard. The two pokémon slowly struggle to their feet, neither willing to give in, but just as they are both upright and ready for battle, Squirtle collapses. The poison has taken its toll and it can no longer continue.

"Squirtle is ****, Bulbasaur and Green are the winners!" announces Professor Oak from his spot on the sidelines.

The crowd roars as you and Green recall your pokémon. The two of you shake hands for the crowd, Green smirking and whispering, "You almost got me; that's one sharp squirtle."

"Thanks. It was over the second you landed that poison powder though," you admit.

Green shrugs. "Pretty much, but you and Squirtle put up a hell of a fight." She pauses, then grins and says, "I guess this means I won our little wager."

Your mind blanks for a moment, then you remember. The bet you and Green made had completely slipped your mind in all the excitement. She can make you do anything. A chill runs down your spine.

Before your mind can really start processing what Green winning the bet could mean, Professor Oak pulls you aside for a few comments on the match. The next couple of hours are a blur of speeches, ceremony, congratulations, and finally a tearful goodbye to your mother. Through it all, the thought of your bet with Green pokes at the back of your mind.