Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

Read up to 30 advanced chapters exclusively on my Patreon at - patreon.com/LoverrBoy

---------------------------------

"Chaarbok!!"

Perhaps a bit too excited, Liam threw the PokeBall a little too high this time. When Arbok emerged, it found itself still midair. With a startled cry, it dropped straight down, crashing onto the platform below and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Chaarbok! Chaa!"

Landing with no real damage, Arbok shook its head vigorously and turned back with clear irritation, hissing loudly at Liam.

"Ahem... sorry, I got carried away! Just got a little excited, that's all. Don't mind it~"

Liam scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish and apologetic.

"Uh… alright! Since both Pokémon have entered the field, I now declare—!" 

Charles Goodshow cleared his throat gently, drawing the audience's attention. Raising both hands high, he announced, "The Championship Match! First Round—Begins now!"

"Whoa… Arbok, time really flies. Back when I gave it to you, it was just an ordinary Ekans. Look at it now… a powerful, independent Pokémon. Liam, you've raised it incredibly well—just as I expected." 

Professor Oak gazed at the powerful Arbok with a look of pure satisfaction, his voice nostalgic.

"Heh, I'm honestly a little ashamed. Arbok's gone through a lot under my care. Its strength today is thanks to its own efforts. I've barely helped it. If anything, it's always been the one clearing the path for me. I really owe a lot to Arbok…" 

Liam responded with a heartfelt smile as he looked at his companion.

"Chaa~"

Arbok quickly lifted its head in a proud gesture, pretending not to care. But its rapidly wagging tail betrayed how pleased it actually was inside.

Seeing the trainer and Pokémon reminiscing instead of battling, Charles Goodshow couldn't help but cough again, this time a bit more firmly.

"Ahem, both Pokémon are in position—Battle, start!"

Professor Oak immediately straightened up, realizing they couldn't stall anymore. He assumed a serious expression. 

"Liam! I'm going all out in this battle! You better watch yourself! Let me show you the strength of a former Champion—along with my Champion partner! Go, Pidgeot! Make the first move with Quick Attack!"

"Pidgeooooot!!"

With Oak's voice still echoing, Pidgeot—who had been circling high above—suddenly tucked in its wings, transforming into a blur of light as it dove straight toward Arbok on the ground.

"Arbok! Use Poison Sting! Now!"

"Chaarbok!"

As soon as Pidgeot made its move, Liam responded sharply. Arbok immediately opened its mouth wide, firing a barrage of purple Poison Sting needles into the sky like a storm.

"Pidgeot, use Brave Bird!"

The Quick Attack hadn't even finished when Professor Oak countered with another command, laughing as he saw the wave of incoming projectiles.

"Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot, already tucked into a dive, shifted its angle downward, completely avoiding the poison needles. Just before it hit the ground, it suddenly spread its wings wide. A brilliant blue-white light burst across its body, glowing with such intensity it looked like it was set aflame. Like a flaming bird of valor, Pidgeot streaked across the battlefield, tearing a trench into the stone ground as it charged at Arbok at full speed!

"Arbok! Protect! Quick!"

Liam didn't hesitate. He shouted the command as he felt the pressure mounting—this was the first time he'd been forced to open a match with a defensive move.

"Chaaaa!!"

Hearing Liam's voice, Arbok responded instantly. With a low growl, a pale blue energy shield rapidly materialized around it. The very next second, Pidgeot's Brave Bird collided with the shield in a thunderous impact. 

The two forces locked for a moment, then the shield shattered explosively, sending Pidgeot rebounding back into the sky from the backlash.

"So that was Protect, huh? You must've used a TM for that. Tch… it's been years since I've been in a real battle. My old tactics just don't work anymore. The market's full of all these handy tools now… Makes me feel a little outdated."

Professor Oak's tone was mixed with frustration as he watched Pidgeot's attack fail.

"Heh, Professor, you're still on the cutting edge of Pokémon science! Who would dare say you're outdated? But now it's our turn to attack! Watch out! Arbok, use Dragon Rage! Go!"

Liam chuckled and pointed toward the airborne Pidgeot, giving the next command.

"Chaarbok!!"

Having just withstood a powerful assault, Arbok knew this opponent was no ordinary threat—it was a true powerhouse. Steeling itself, Arbok opened its maw once more. A stream of draconic energy burst forth, roaring toward Pidgeot.

"Pidgeot, use Agility!"

Professor Oak stayed calm, issuing his counter.

"Pi! Pi! Pi!"

Pidgeot's wings beat swiftly, dodging the Dragon Rage with ease. Its form flickered and blurred through the air, appearing unpredictably at different angles—making it hard for Arbok to keep track.

"Now's our chance! Pidgeot, Wing Attack! Full force!"

"Pidgeoooooot!!"

Because of Pidgeot's flickering movement, both Liam and Arbok struggled to pinpoint its real location. Then, at the moment Professor Oak shouted, Pidgeot let out a crisp cry. Its broad wings glowed white with power—and it vanished again. 

This time, it reappeared directly in front of Arbok!

Arbok, who had been staring skyward, lost sight of the bird just before a powerful gust hit it from the front. Realizing something was off, Arbok immediately tried to pull back—but too late. 

A glowing white wing slashed into its side like a cleaver, sending it crashing into the rocky ground with a pained cry—followed quickly by a second hit!

"Arbok! Hang in there—Wrap! Now!!"

Seeing Arbok slammed headfirst into the rocky floor, Liam panicked. Most of its head was buried in stone. He shouted loudly.

"Chaarbok!!"

Despite being slammed into the ground, Arbok still heard the call. Enduring the pain, it began to move. Its thick tail whipped out like lightning, coiling around Pidgeot's lower half as the bird shrieked in surprise.

"Nice one! Now use Thunder Fang! Give it everything you've got, Arbok!!"

Seeing Pidgeot restrained, Liam was elated. He shouted the next command like a finishing blow.

"Chaaaa!!"

It took considerable effort, but Arbok yanked its head out of the rock, shaking off the dust. Its eyes gleamed menacingly as it looked at the struggling, wing-beating Pidgeot. Opening its jaws wide, it began charging electricity in its fangs.

"Don't let it! Pidgeot—Twister! Now!"

Despite Pidgeot being caught, Professor Oak remained calm. His command rang out sharply.

"Pidgeoooooot!!"

Just as Arbok prepared to strike, Pidgeot stopped struggling. Its sharp eyes gleamed. The wings not yet ensnared beat rapidly in front of its body, stirring up a powerful tornado. 

In an instant, both Pidgeot and Arbok were engulfed in a whirling Twister!