Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

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

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

The battlefield shifted in an instant. What was once a desperate, life-threatening scenario was swiftly reversed.

"Chaa!"

At Liam's command, Ekans opened its mouth and sprayed a purple liquid that split mid-air into four precise streams, hitting the hands of the poachers holding their weapons. The highly corrosive venom caused immediate, excruciating pain. 

With agonized screams, the poachers dropped their weapons, which had already started to corrode and deform, rendering them harmless.

Following up was Nidorino with a barrage of Poison Stings, the purple needles raining down like a storm onto the poachers. 

The cries of pain intensified, and the poachers collapsed one after another, fainting from the double onslaught of venom and agony.

Finally, Gible hopped over to Giovanni, chomping down on the iron net with its sharp teeth. With a few powerful bites and tears, the once-sturdy net was shredded to pieces.

 Freed at last, Giovanni and Takeshi were momentarily stunned.

"Who's there?! Damn it! I'll kill you all!" The man in the black trench coat, shocked by the sudden turn of events, glared at Liam with hatred. His hand darted into his coat, clearly reaching for a weapon.

"Not a chance! Ekans, use Glare! Follow it up with Wrap!"

Liam caught the motion immediately and issued commands to Ekans.

"Chaa!"

"Ugh… Numb… So numb…"

Ekans's Glare hit its mark, paralyzing the trench-coated man before it swiftly slithered over and tightly wrapped around him. Immobilized, his hand slipped from his coat, and a handgun fell to the ground.

Ekans raised its smooth, rounded head, staring coldly at the man as if deciding whether he would make a good meal.

"Phew… That was close. Ekans, keep him tied up; don't let him escape. Nidorino, check on the other four. Gible, remove the capture nets from the Pokémon."

"Chaa!"

"Rino, Nido!"

"Gible!"

Nidorino eagerly ran over to the unconscious poachers, stepping on each of them to ensure they were all out cold before relaxing. 

Gible, meanwhile, enthusiastically tore through the capture nets restraining the trapped Pokémon, then climbed back up to Liam's shoulder, looking proud of its work.

Giovanni's face remained dark as he observed Liam, his mind deep in thought. Takeshi, however, ran up cheerfully.

"Hey! Aren't you the kid from the gym entrance? What a coincidence meeting you here! You really saved my life this time. I have no idea how to thank you!" Takeshi laughed heartily.

"Uh… haha… It's nothing, really. I was just passing by. I couldn't stand by and watch you get killed," Liam replied, scratching the back of his head. He avoided mentioning he had been tailing them.

Giovanni slowly walked over, his intimidating glare almost sending a chill down Liam's spine.

"Thank you. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Giovanni said coldly. He didn't fully believe Liam's story of coincidence, but gratitude for being saved was undeniable.

"Heh, it was nothing. But what about these guys? Shall we dig a hole and bury them?" Liam joked, pointing at the restrained poachers.

Giovanni frowned, while the trench-coated man shouted in terror, "No! You can't kill us! You're supposed to treat prisoners with dignity! Killing is against the law!"

Liam rolled his eyes. "The nerve of a criminal lecturing me on the law…"

"Ekans, tighten your grip," he commanded.

Ekans obeyed, coiling tighter. The man's bones cracked audibly as he let out a pained wail before fainting.

Takeshi coughed to regain composure. "We'll hand them over to Officer Jenny. It saves us trouble and earns us a decent bounty. Don't worry, kid; you'll get your share."

Liam wasn't interested in the money but grew excited at the mention of Officer Jenny.

"Officer Jenny? So there's one in Viridian City too? Let's not waste time—let's go!"

The Pokémon world had two wonders: the Joy family of nurses and the Jenny family of police officers. Besides a few special specimens like Brock, hardly anyone could tell them apart.

The group tied up the unconscious poachers and made their way to Viridian City. Liam carried one, Giovanni another, and Takeshi carried two. 

Meanwhile, the trench-coated man was dragged along by Ekans, his legs bound and trailing behind like a sack.

Upon arriving, the residents initially showed admiration for Liam's heroics but quickly grew wary upon seeing Giovanni and Takeshi, their expressions turning wary before they dispersed.

Liam noticed this and understood: Giovanni didn't have a good reputation in Viridian City. Giovanni, however, acted indifferent, ignoring the stares and heading straight for the police station.

Ten minutes later, the poachers were handed over to the police. Due to their injuries, they were sent to a medical center for treatment. Liam, meanwhile, got to meet Officer Jenny, even shaking her hand—a moment of pure bliss for him.

As they exited the station, Giovanni turned to Liam, pulled out a thick envelope, and handed over two-thirds of the bounty.

Liam was stunned. "Uh, what's this for?"

"It's your share of the bounty," Giovanni said. "Consider the rest a token of gratitude for saving our lives."

Liam quickly shook his head. "I don't need it. Use it for your younger siblings."

Realizing his slip, Liam immediately covered his mouth, embarrassed. Giovanni's eyes turned cold.

"So, you were following us from the start?"

Liam sighed. "I meant no harm. I heard about your actions from the gym leader and admired it greatly. I just wanted to meet you. When I saw you targeting the poachers, I stayed hidden so I wouldn't be a burden. I swear, I had no ill intentions. If you don't want to see me again, I'll leave."

As Liam turned to go, Giovanni's voice stopped him.

"Wait!"

Liam turned back, puzzled.

Giovanni frowned, staring into Liam's eyes before letting out a soft sigh.

"What's your name? Would you like to be friends?"