It began as it always began: in darkness.

Then there was a dazzling flash of light, color, Power. Bulbasaur blinked his large, round eyes, adjusting from the sudden change in brightness, and then set his four stubby legs. He had been released from his pokeball to do battle for his Master. If he allowed himself to be dazzled by the overhead sun, he would shame himself, and worse, his Master.

Bulbasaur stared across the grassy plane that had been chosen as the battle ground, his eyes focusing on the Other. The Other had many forms and many names (Balbasaur had very little understanding of the human world; the fact the Other may have simply been different people had never occurred to him,) but always wanted the same thing - to shame the Master by defeating his Pokemon in combat.

Standing before the Other was the Pokemon that Bulbasaur was to challenge; a Pikachu. Bulbasaur had encountered those little yellow devils before; they were powerful, but at least they were beatable. Out of the five Bulbasaur had faced before, he had been victorious over two of them. Not the best results, but it was enough for Bulbasaur to have hope.

He also had an extra incentive; he had lost his last battle, upsetting his Master greatly, and had been banished into the confines of his pokeball. He hated the ball; felt it to be against Nature. But Master's law was above Nature's, and so if he fail his Master again, he would return to his spherical prison without protest. But that would not happen. Bulbasaur would simply not fail.

His Master conversed with the Other, gibbering away in their peculiar language, using short, sharp sounds that were harsh and mocking. From what Bulbasaur could follow, Master wanted the right to first attack. The Other was arguing for the same right. Bulbasaur was of two minds on that subject; Master's will was law, and therefore should get what he wanted. But if he allowed the Pikachu to attack first, both he and Bulbasaur would be able to judge the Pikachu's skills and power.

But then the decision was made; Bulbasaur would go first. He was happy for his Master, but not so happy for himself. He braced himself on his four stubby legs, and wait for his Master to call his first order. Setting his wide mouth, he stared into the eyes of the Pikachu, who just snared back. It, too, would have a near fanatical devotion to the Other, and would give Bulbasaur no inch in the upcoming battle. Then the order was given.

Bulbasaur charged forward with a grace and speed that belied his tiny legs. The Pikachu also charged. They met in the center, heads ramming together with incredible force, but Bulbasaur, blessed with the thicker skull, came out on top, the force of his blow knocking the Pikachu backwards. Before he could recover, Bulbasaur let loose with a whirlwind of razor leaves, the twirling maelstrom slicing thin red cuts into the Pikachu's yellow fur.

Behind him, Master let out a cheer, and Bulbasaur allowed himself a grin, turning to see the happy expression on his Master's face. But he regretted it instantly, realizing his mistake. The Other barked an order, and the Pikachu struck Bulbasaur with a bolt of lightning. For a moment, the world turned into a bright haze. Bulbasaur felt his skin sizzle and burn, and moaned with pain.

The Pikachu grinned maliciously, and then charged into the dazed Bulbasaur with all his might. The force of the Pikachu's blow toppled Bulbasaur, sending him rolling across the grass until he came to a stop in a muddy puddle. The Other shouted again, and Bulbasaur was hit by another lighting strike, on so fierce that it caused the mud boiling around him.

Dazed and badly hurt, Bulbasaur crawled out of the mud, his wide eyes glassing over as tears of pain swelled. He could still make out a little yellow blur in front of him, but that was all. He was virtually blind, and thus at the Pikachu's mercy. And that little yellow devil had none.

Bulbasaur rocked as he received blow after blow, all the time he could hear the disappointed moans of his Master. The Other was cheerful in his gloating, and that feed the Pikachu's fury even more. Bulbasaur did his best to retreat from the attacks, but the nimbleness of his opponent and his own inability to see, he knew it was hopeless.

Bulbasaur felt his body weaken as he was hit by a third lighting bolt. The Pikachu's energy reserves were astounding! Crawling, he made his way towards the blur of his Master, realizing that he could not win. He had failed his Master.

A yellow blur suddenly appeared before him. He heard the Pikachu laugh; it was an evil, sadistic laugh that said, "you do not escape that easily." Bulbasaur snarled. His hatred for the Pikachu and his love for his Master swelled within his body, clearing his eyes and strengthening his muscles. He stood up to his full height, beads of sweat pour down from his scorched brow.

"Bulbasaur!" he screamed, and let loose with a series of vines that exploded from the bulb mounted on his back. The Pikachu was so shocked by this sudden display of power that it failed to dodge the oncoming threat, and found itself wrapped up tightly in a tangle of near-indestructible vines. Using those vines, Bulbasaur threw the Pikachu up into the air. The Pikachu screamed as it seemed to defy gravity, and was quickly hit by a whirlwind of razor leaves.

Bulbasaur braced himself as the Pikachu hit the ground. As soon as it was on it's feet again, Bulbasaur charged, ramming his head into the Pikachu's belly with all his might. Though the Pikachu fell, Bulbasaur also felt himself falter. In his weakened state, the blow had hurt him as much as it had hurt his enemy.

Around him, the words of both Master and the Other echoed, each yelling encouragements to get their Pokemon to rise first. Bulbasaur rose, clawing inch by inch with all his remaining energy, his eyes locked firmly on the Pikachu. It, too, had managed to get to it's feet, and was looking dazed, until it locked eyes on Bulbasaur. Fear caused droplets of sweat to flow from it's forehead. Knowing it had only the slightest chance of victory, the Pikachu clutched it's tiny fists and began a chant that rose steadily in tempo.

"Pika-pika-pika-pika-pika-pika-pika-pika-pika-"

Bulbasaur set his jaw and charged, knowing what was coming. He lowered his head, mentally prepared himself for the strike, and steadily picked up speed.

"-pika-pika-pika-pika-CHOOO!"

The lightning blast hit Bulbasaur with incredible force, burning his skin and blinding his eyes, but he did not stop. The Pikachu cried in dismay, terror showing on it's face, and shocked Bulbasaur two more times, with no effect.

"BULBASAUR!!!" Bulbasaur screamed, and struck Pikachu, his forehead hitting the Pikachu so hard that the sound of bones breaking could be heard. The little yellow devil was thrown backwards, and tumbled once it hit the ground. Slowly, it raised to it's feet, staring at Bulbasaur with pain and fear.

Then it toppled forward, beaten.

Master shouted with joy. The Other screamed in disbelief. Bulbasaur had won; despite his injuries, despite of the permanent damage that had been done, he had Won! He slowly staggered towards his Master, tears of joy rolling down his face. He felt his front right leg give way, but did not care. His other limbs followed, and he fell to the ground, but still he did not care. He had won. The Master was happy. Nothing else mattered.

Master let out a shout of concern when Bulbasaur managed to get back up to his feet and promptly faltered again. Bulbasaur found it strange, for he felt no pain. He smiled, not questioning why the sky had gotten so dark, or while the Master was beginning to blur. He crawled forward on his stubby, burnt legs.

He felt joy ... he felt tired ... he felt every so tired...

He heard a sorrowful cry come from his Master, who he could no longer see. He didn't understand this ... Master should be happy ... so tired ... ever so tired...

Bulbasaur smiled once again, clinging to the image of his Master, one of memory, as his eyes did not seem to work anymore...

And it ended as it always ended...

In darkness.