A story of Pokemon

Come on Blue Do the Thing

Ash, still standing, was panting heavily. He was in complete ecstasy, unable to believe what had just happened: he had won his first Pokémon battle. He stared at Blue, his eyes wide open and fixed on him.

Blue, on the other hand, was devastated, crouched on his knees and clutching his Pokéball, his eyes filling with a mix of anger and frustration directed at Ash. If only he hadn't used that potion, he might have won.

"Congratulations, boys, you've had an amazing battle, one of the most epic ones I've witnessed", Professor Oak affirmed as he approached the two boys.

"Now, Blue" he added, placing his hand on his shoulder "I think there's still one last thing you need to do to properly conclude this battle."

Blue remained upset, head down, his face a mix of disgust and confusion. He had just lost to someone he had, just a minute ago, called pathetic. His ego had taken a hard blow. Blue's face tightened, brows furrowed, eyes sharp. He bit his lip so hard thinking about what he had to do that it started to bleed slightly. He knew what was expected of him, but was he willing to do it?

Blue suddenly straightened up, his expression serious. Everything on his face showed he had no desire to do it. He especially didn't want to; it hurt his pride. But did he really have a choice? The loser must comply with the winner's will that's the rule of Pokémon battles.

Ash, who had been floating on a cloud after his victory, began to feel uneasy. He was intrigued by what the professor had just said and even more so by Blue's actions. What could this thing that Blue had to do? And even more curious, why did Blue seem angrier after hearing it? Odd.

Blue began to move slowly towards Ash.

But what could possibly be happening now? I thought I heard the professor mention something about one last thing to accomplish. Wait, I hope it's not something like shaking hands or something. That would be too awkward, Ash thought to himself, shaking his head.

He was lost in pointless speculation, his mind wandering, throwing out all sorts of theories, from the plausible to the absurd. But all of it was futile, because soon he would find out what this last thing was.

Blue was now level with Ash, barely 39 inches separating them. Ash almost flinched when their eyes met. He hadn't noticed it at first, but now that Blue was so close, he could read animosity in his gaze; Blue wasn't even trying to hide it.

Wow, I never thought he would hold such a grudge over just a simple Pokémon duel. I get he's upset, but technically he didn't even fight, he sighed to himself.

Anyway, let's end it, Ash began moving his hand, reaching towards Blue as the other trainer did the same on his end. Just a few more inches and it would be done, the handshake would be complete.

Ash had his eyes closed, not wanting to meet Blue's vehement face.

Whether he kept them open or not at this distance, he couldn't miss it. Ash's mind was prepared; he expected to feel Blue's cold, sweaty hand against his and be done with it. However, he felt something else, something drier, with a firm texture less like a hand: it was paper, specifically valuable paper: Pokédollars.

"Pokédollars?!" Ash exclaimed, opening his eyes wide and leaving his mouth slightly open. So, that was the thing he had to do? Ash was even more confused than before.

Pokédollars? Why? At this stage, a handshake would have seemed more logical and simpler, but money...

"Could you explain, Professor? I don't understand, was that the thing to do?" Ash asked, feeling embarrassed. The situation was more than awkward.