Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

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Seeing the group of innocent and adorable children, Liam couldn't help but feel fond of them. He decided to showcase his cooking skills tonight and make some delicious food for the kids.

Among the items purchased today, there were plenty of ingredients, giving Liam the perfect chance to shine. The results of his culinary attack were evident—now, the children gazed at Liam with a mysterious level of admiration. 

But why were some of them already drooling as they stared?

After dinner, it was time to relax. Miss Miyamoto gathered the children around to tell stories, while Liam released Ekans and Nidorino to clean them up. 

After the earlier battle, they were a bit dirty, and Liam wanted to take this opportunity to give them a proper wash.

As soon as Ekans and Nidorino were out, Liam found himself surrounded by a curious crowd of children. They exclaimed in awe at the Pokémon and looked at Liam with envy. 

Even Miss Miyamoto's storytelling session lost its audience. Jessie, who was sitting in her lap, stretched out her hands, trying to get closer to Liam and his Pokémon. With a resigned sigh, Miss Miyamoto carried Jessie over to join the group. 

The child looked at the proud Ekans with starry eyes, her thoughts unclear.

"Big brother, your Pokémon must be really strong!" exclaimed Cory with an envious expression.

"Of course!" Liam replied proudly. "My partners are the strongest."

"Wow! So, are your Pokémon stronger than Boss Giovanni's?" Cory asked excitedly.

Liam was momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected to be trapped by a child's question, but he couldn't back down now. 

With confidence, he replied, "Although we haven't battled, I'm sure I won't lose."

No sooner had Liam spoken than the children scattered. Before Liam could wonder what was going on, they returned, dragging Giovanni along. The boss had a wry smile as he looked at Liam.

"They said you wanted to challenge me. Is that true?" Giovanni asked.

Liam felt as if a stampede of Tauros had just rolled over him. Seeing the mischievous smiles of the children around Giovanni, Liam had no choice but to bite the bullet.

"Ahem, as a Trainer, a friendly match is always good. What do you say? A little post-dinner exercise?" Liam suggested.

Giovanni chuckled, tied his flowing hair back with a headband, and pulled out a PokéBall. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Outside the run-down building, Liam and Giovanni stood facing each other, ready to battle. The children gathered enthusiastically to watch.

Giovanni set the rules. "One Pokémon each, keep it light—we don't want any serious injuries. Treatments are expensive. I'll be using... Meowth!"

With a flash of light, a sleek and shiny Meowth appeared, arching its back and letting out a threatening hiss.

"Go, Boss! You can do it!" the children cheered fervently.

Seeing the spirited crowd, Liam grinned and called out, "It's your turn, Ekans!"

Ekans leaped forward, its cold gaze fixed on Meowth as it let out a chilling hiss. Liam expected the same passionate cheers but was met with a cold silence, broken only by the wind.

Heartbroken, Liam muttered, "Not fair... where's my support?"

Jessie's tiny voice piped up, "Go, little snake!" Her babyish tone only made Liam's heart ache more.

"Ekans, strike first with Poison Sting!" Liam commanded, channeling his frustration into the battle.

Ekans immediately fired a volley of purple needles, showing no mercy.

"Meowth, use Pay Day!" Giovanni countered.

Meowth swiped its claws, sending a rain of golden coins colliding with the poison needles. Both attacks neutralized each other. Liam noted that for a Meowth capable of Pay Day, it should have already evolved into Persian, yet this one hadn't. 

Something was peculiar.

"Ekans, use Glare!" Liam ordered, aiming to paralyze Meowth.

"Meowth, use Taunt!" Giovanni countered immediately.

Liam was surprised by Giovanni's quick response. 

Meowth was able to use Taunt faster than Ekans' Glare, rendering the move ineffective. It also successfully prevented Ekans from using the move again in quick succession. 

(Note: Taunt prevents the target from using Status-category moves for three turns)

"Ekans, stay calm and alert. Defend for now." Liam called out as Ekans, preferring to wait for Giovanni's next move. 

Giovanni smirked. "Impressed? I was ready for this after seeing your Ekans use that move earlier today. Wanna surrender yet?"

"There's no surrender in my dictionary. This battle has just started and this will be over much sooner than you expect," Liam said with a smile, having thought of a good counter strategy. 

Giovanni nodded. "Then I'll have to finish it right now. Meowth, close in with Fury Swipes! Take it down!"

Meowth's claws extended with a glowing white light as it lunged at Ekans.

"Ekans, use Iron Tail on the ground!" Liam commanded swiftly, taking Giovanni by complete surprise. 

"Chaa."

As Meowth neared, Ekans' tail glowed brightly and it struck the ground hard. In an instant, smoke and dust rolled up, making Ekans disappear from view.

"Meow?"

Meowth, who had just closed the distance, had to stop in surprise when Ekans disappeared from view in the dust cloud. It looked around in confusion, unable to see its opponent. 

"Now Ekans! Use Wrap, followed by Bite!"

"Chaa!"

Immediately after, taking advantage of the situation, Ekans wrapped itself around Meowt, binding it tightly. Its fangs then glowed with Dark-type energy, preparing to land a Bite on the bound Meowth. 

"Stop!" both Trainers shouted simultaneously. Ekans halted just in time, lifting its head high in a display of dominance.

The battle ended with mutual respect, and the children erupted in cheers.