Go, Charmander!

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 charmander 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 get ready to support your partner. "Alright, Charmander, get Bulbasaur!" you call out, trying not to influence your pokémon's natural battle inclinations.

The small orange lizard lets out an eager growl in response. It raises its claws and rushes headlong toward Green's bulbasaur, leaping into the air at the last moment and descending on it from above.

Green remains collected, and commands, "Bulbasaur, use sleep powder!" The grass-type releases a cloud of green spores into the air your Charmander is flying through, and though it takes a nasty shredding from your pokémon's claws, it remains standing.

"Alright, good job Charmander! Keep it up with another scratch!" you cheer, noting that it prefers physical moves. Your Charmander raises its arm to attack again, but the motion is slow and languid. Your pokémon is looking drowsy; Bulbasaur's sleep powder is definitely having an effect.

Green seizes the opportunity and commands, "Bulbasaur, vine whip the stage lights to get out of reach." Her pokémon growls and shoots its twin vines up to the light rigging above the stage, then pulls itself up, kicking your Charmander in the face as it does.

Charmander is reeling from the hit, it's movements still slowing. "Come on fight through it and get ready for the next attack!" you shout, not ready to give up." Your charmander lets out a loud growl and shakes its body, the green powder sticking to it falling off.

Meanwhile, Green's bulbasaur has reached the rigging and found a perch. "Alright Bulbasaur, stabilize yourself with one vine and grab Charmander with the other," Green calls, getting confident.

The vine shoots down from above before your pokémon has fully recovered and wraps around its arm. You watch in horror as the vine retracts and pulls Charmander toward the ceiling. The fire lizard struggles, scratching at its restraint to no avail.

When Charmander is most of the way up, Green commands, "Bulbasaur, let go." The grass-type obeys its trainer and releases your charmander, leaving it to fall several meters to the stage. Your pokémon bounces from the impact, landing in an **** heap.

"Charmander 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 quirking an eyebrow and whispering, "No ember?"

"It likes to use its claws," you return with a shrug.

Green shakes her head. "If you say so. I guess I win 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.