Tactical

Perhaps because you trained so close together, you and Green have both developed a tactical approach to battles. It just makes sense to analyze a given situation and formulate the proper response. The two of you are fairly evenly matched, but the fact that you've known what pokémon each of you will be choosing for far longer should give you a distinct advantage.

You're pulled from your thoughts by Professor Oak's voice. "And now, the second ranked trainer in this year's class. Green, please come out and pick your pokémon."

You watch from your spot at the far side of the stage, as your friend steps into view and the audience erupts into the same applause that you faced earlier. Green smiles and waves at the crowd, any anxiety she might be feeling hidden beneath her usual bravado. You can't help but chuckle; Green might be a bookworm, but no one could ever accuse her of being a shrinking violet.

When she reaches the podium, Professor Oak asks, "Any words before you choose your pokémon?"

Green accepts the offered mic, and says, "I think Red covered everything pretty well. I'd just like to add that everyone graduating today deserves everything that they're getting and more. We all worked our—" Green pauses mid-sentence and glances at the professor. She joins the audience in a quick laugh, then clears her throat and says, "We all worked extremely hard.

"Like Red said, we couldn't have done this without support, and I'd like to thank everyone who supported me along the way. I'd particularly like to thank the person who got me interested in pokémon—you know who you are. I wouldn't be here without you."

You feel your cheeks heat up and hope the audience doesn't notice, breathing a sigh of relief as Green hands the mic back to Professor Oak without getting any more specific. The old man laughs knowingly and says, "Well said, Green. Now, please choose your pokémon."

Your friend reaches out to the dais and picks up the leaf-engraved pokéball. She nods a respectful thanks to Professor Oak, then holds the ball up proudly and flashes a smile at the crowd. As the crowd applauds, she jogs over to the side of the stage opposite you and shoots you an exhilarated grin.

You grin back, eager to get started. Unfortunately, you have to wait for Blue to collect the remaining pokéball on the dais. Without waiting to be called, he struts onto the stage with the cocky confidence only assholes possess.

You can hear the disappointment in Professor Oak's voice as he says, "And here is Blue the third ranked student in the program." Noticeably not offering his grandson the mic, the professor says, "Congratulations Blue, please take the remaining pokémon."

Blue's frustration is palpable, but he apparently at least knows better than to make a scene. He grabs the last ball from the dais to polite applause, before shooting you and Green a hateful look and trudging off stage.

His usual enthusiastic tone returning to his voice, Professor Oak announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here today. Families and friends, as our graduates have said, you are all essential to our students' success. And students, I know you have all worked—" he grins over his shoulder at Green "—very hard, and will go on to make your families and the faculty here proud. Now, without further ado, what I'm sure you've been waiting for, the exhibition match between our top two students!"

The audience erupts into the loudest applause yet. As Professor Oak moves to the side, the podium and now empty dais retract back into the stage with a mechanical whir. Once the crowd has died down, the professor faces you and Green, and says, "Ready... Begin!"