Two years ago…
"Cottonee, use Leech Seed!" Black called. The cotton puff Pokemon responded quickly, much more quickly than any other Pokemon on the field. Before anyone could react the seeds had been planted on the opposing side, much to the distress of the Oshawott. However, the opposing Snivy feared nothing from its natural element.
"Snivy, hit it with a tackle!"
"Wait!" Cheren barked, though he knew Bel's Snivy would not listen. He could only watch as Snivy dashed across the field after Cottonee. The tackle made contact - but the move brought Snivy within range of their second opponent: White's Tepig.
"Now Tepig, use Ember!"
It was a double battle: Black and White - twins born minutes apart - versus Cheren and Bel, neighbors who had befriended one another long ago. What was at stake? Bragging rights, of course. These four young adults were on the verge of starting their Pokemon adventures. Nothing was more important than their first victory. Cheren knew this, and he knew of the twins' plan. The Leech Seed was just bait, a way to make Bel think her Snivy would get a free move due to its immunity to the effects. Tepig was a slower Pokemon incapable of hitting the much faster Snivy - but when Snivy brought itself within Tepig's striking range, that didn't matter.
Tepig moved with enough physical force to first separate Cottonee from Snivy. Snivy must have realized what was going to happen the moment Tepig took in a deep breath, but by the time Bel shouted for a dodging maneuver the flames were already upon it.
Snivy fell back with a cry. The leaf on its tail showed signs of a burn, and it looked considerably weak as it slinked away from Tepig.
Well Tepig may need to relay on Cottonee to draw Snivy in, but Osha's got something better, Cheren thought. Range!
"Oshawott, use Water Gun!" Cheren ordered. Oshawott had been battling the vines that grew around him. He used the shell on his stomach to cut himself free, the he stepped forward and blasted Tepig with water. The fire type was pushed back until Cottonee stepped in to take the hit. It didn't look pleased at being soaked, but it had spared Tepig from fainting.
"Thanks, Black," White said to her brother, smiling.
"We got your back, sis!" Black replied without turning to look. "You ok, Cottonee?" Cottonee shook itself dry, then roots sprung up from the ground and grabbed hold of it. Oshawott cried out as the roots came after itself again and energy was transferred from one to the other. Cottonee was all too willing to take back some health.
"Ah, Snivy's burned!" Bel whined.
"Serves you right for rushing in - again." Cheren smirked at Bel.
"Oh yeah? Well I don't see you doing much better, Mr. Seeded!"
"C'mon, Bel, we gotta come up with a strategy-"
"No time for talk. Snivy, Vine Whip on Cottonee!" Snivy's vines struck Cottonee with ease, though Cottonee didn't seem to bothered by the contact. "Now hold it, Snivy!"
"Cottonee!" Black gasped, realizing that with Snivy holding it down there was no way for Cottonee to make its move as he had planned. "White-"
"I'm on it. Tepig, Ember on Snivy!" White ordered. Tepig was all too eager to oblige.
"Oshawott, Water Gun!"
Fire and water met across Snivy's vines, much to the discomfort of the grass snake. Though no major damage was done, Snivy let go in panic.
"Cottonee, Absorb from Oshawott!"
Cottonee struck with a vengeance. It was super effective against the water type, and to top it off the seeds were still leeching additional energy. Oshawott fainted after the attack.
"One down," Black began.
"One left!" White finished. She and her brother gave a high-five to each other. Meanwhile, Bel looked struck. She couldn't come up with a plan to take on both Tepig and Cottonee, but she wasn't about to go down without a fight. She figured that after the Water Gun, Tepig would have the least amount of health.
"Snivy, tackle Tepig!"
"Tepig, Ember!"
Snivy's tackle connected before Tepig could ready its Ember. The fire pig fell unconscious. As Bel had suspected, it had little to no energy left. She cheered.
"Not so fast, Bel. Cottonee, Absorb."
Bel watched as Cottonee sucked energy from Snivy. Though Snivy normally resisted such attacks, it found itself reeling back from the force of it all. Snivy wobbled on its feet.
"No! Snivy, hang in there!" Bel called, dancing in her spot with anxiety. It was too late, though. Snivy fell.
Bel ran to her Pokemon while Black and White cheered for themselves. "Once again, victory goes to the twins," Cheren commented. "Good battle, you two."
"Aw, but why did Snivy faint?" Bel held Snivy in her arms, cradling it as one would cradle a baby.
"The burn from Tepig's Ember took its toll. You need to fight carefully when your Pokemon has become inflicted with a status condition, Bel. Running in without thought will be your downfall, as they just demonstrated."
"Well your 'tactics' didn't get you much further. Oshawott only ended up hitting Tepig the entire battle!"
Cheren bristled at Bel. "Oshawott saved your Snivy's-"
"Pathetic."
Everyone froze with the introduction of a new voice. They turned to see it had come from a young man with long, green hair, and the strangest necklace they had ever seen. The four glanced amongst themselves, all confirming that they had no idea who the new guy was. White spoke first.
"Uhm…what?"
"You're pathetic, all of you!" The mystery kid snapped as he flung his arm in a wide, sweeping motion. "It's not enough to submit your slaves into battle, is it? You insist on fighting among yourselves as well!"
"Dude, don't take Cheren and Bel seriously. They bicker like old couples," Black offered, smiling with the hopes of disarming the fellow. "But what are you talking about with that 'slave' bit?"
"Of course you don't understand. You've been taught your entire lives that capturing Pokemon is ok, that forcing them to do battle on your behalf is okay. Whatever. I'll show you - and all trainers like you - that slavery is not okay." The man stormed off with clenched fists and gritted teeth, clearly upset.
"Wow," Bel commented when the man was out of sight. "Wonder what his problem is?"
"No idea," Cheren answered.
"Whatever. C'mon, let's watch go watch the game and give our Pokemon a nice rest," Black offered, snuggling his Cottonee.