Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

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As the golden electricity faded, the rapidly spinning whirlpool lost its momentum and turned back into water, flooding the entire icy battlefield. Then, the figures of Nidoking and Cloyster gradually emerged from the dissipating currents.

"Cloyster is unable to battle! Nidoking wins!"

The referee, upon seeing the state of Nidoking and Cloyster, quickly made the announcement.

"Cloyster!!"

"Cloy…"

With the Shadow Claws fading from Nidoking's hands, Cloyster—who had been caught in its grip—fell from midair, crashing onto the ice with a crisp crack. Its hard shell split open, revealing its now-dazed eyes swirling in defeat.

"Nido…"

Although he had won the round, Nidoking wasn't in great shape either. As a Ground-type Pokémon, he would normally be immune to electric attacks as long as he was standing on solid ground. However, right now he stood atop a massive chunk of ice. 

Just earlier, both Nidoking and Cloyster had been caught in the whirlpool and simultaneously struck by Thunderbolt. While Nidoking suffered less damage than Cloyster, he wasn't unscathed.

"Return, Cloyster! You've worked hard—get some rest…"

Seeing her Pokémon fall again, Lorelei's expression darkened slightly. She withdrew Cloyster into its PokéBall and carefully selected another one, tossing it onto the field.

"Wooo~"

A beam of light flashed, and Lapras appeared on the battlefield. It lifted its neck and let out a clear cry.

"Lapras, I'm counting on you."

Lorelei spoke softly to Lapras.

"Wooo~"

Lapras turned and nodded in response.

"Nidoking, are you still okay? Can you keep going?"

Liam frowned as he looked at Nidoking, whose purple body was now dotted with scorched marks, and asked with concern.

"Nido!!"

Nidoking roared back confidently.

"Alright, then I'm counting on you again! Do your best! The opponent is strong, but let's aim for another win!"

Liam nodded at Nidoking's reply and then turned to look at Lapras, who had just stepped onto the ice. He spoke to Nidoking in a low voice.

"Nido!"

Nidoking also turned to face Lapras, nodding slightly.

"Both trainers have sent out their Pokémon! Battle, begin!"

"Go, Nidoking! Charge in and use Double Kick!"

"Nidoking!!"

Nidoking charged forward, stomping across the ice toward Lapras.

"Lapras! Use Mist!'

"Wooo!!"

In response to Nidoking's charge, Lapras sprayed a thick white mist from its mouth, concealing its figure before Nidoking could reach it.

"Nido!"

Nidoking stopped in his tracks and stared into the rapidly spreading fog, caution flickering in his eyes.

"Nidoking! Use Flamethrower! Evaporate all the mist!"

Liam shouted toward the uncertain Nidoking.

"Nido!!"

Nidoking opened his mouth and released a torrent of flames. The fiery stream roared into the mist, and the thick white fog quickly turned into steam and vanished as it came into contact with the heat.

"Lapras, use Rain Dance!"

Watching the mist disperse quickly, Lorelei immediately called out to Lapras hidden within it.

"Wooooo~~"

A long cry echoed from within the mist. Dark clouds swiftly gathered in the sky, and the bright sun disappeared as the skies dimmed. Then, heavy raindrops began to fall, turning into a torrential downpour that covered the entire battlefield.

"This rain is really something…"

Liam wiped the accumulating rainwater from his face, looked up at the dark clouds above his head, then at the clear skies above Lorelei's side. He was absolutely certain—this was intentional on her part!

With the rain pouring down, Nidoking ceased his Flamethrower. Though he wasn't afraid of rain, the heavy downpour was uncomfortable. He swished his tail irritably and growled low in his throat.

The downpour also washed away Lapras' mist, gradually revealing its silhouette.

"Lapras! Use Perish Song!"

"Woo~ woo! Woo~ woo~"

Upon hearing the command, Lapras lifted its long neck and sang a haunting melody. It wasn't just beautiful—it carried an eerie power.

"This is bad! Nidoking! End it quickly with Hyper Beam!"

With the Perish Song echoing, Nidoking's battle time had started its countdown. He needed to end the fight quickly, or Liam would be forced to switch Pokémon.

"Nido…king!!"

Golden energy rapidly gathered in Nidoking's mouth, forming a brilliant golden orb that soon blasted out as a massive beam.

"Lapras! Use Ice Beam!"

"Wooo~"

The two beams—Nidoking's golden Hyper Beam and Lapras' white Ice Beam—collided fiercely. For a moment, they were deadlocked before exploding into a plume of black smoke.

"Lapras! Use Brine!'"

Seeing both attacks cancel out, Lorelei immediately ordered Lapras to use Brine.

"Wooo!"

Lapras obeyed without hesitation. Opening its mouth, it launched a high-pressure jet of water that tore through the smoke and struck the unprepared Nidoking.

Nidoking flinched as the jet burst through the smoke. He tried to dodge, but his previous injuries slowed him down by a beat. The jet slammed into him, launching his heavy body through the air. 

When he got back up, his expression was twisted in pain.

Already injured and low on stamina, Nidoking was especially vulnerable to Brine, a move that doubles in power when its target is already hurt. The hit left him in bad shape.

"Return for now, Nidoking. Take a moment to recover…"

Liam frowned as he looked at Nidoking, then withdrew him into his PokéBall. He gently whispered to the ball before returning it to his belt.

"Smart move. I knew you'd do that," Lorelei said with a knowing glint in her eye. "The effect of Perish Song is about to trigger. If you hadn't recalled Nidoking, it wouldn't have just been about taking damage. He'd be knocked out entirely. He might not be out of the fight permanently, but he won't be a threat for a while. That means my odds of winning just went up!"

Seeing Liam recall Nidoking, Lorelei smirked and returned Lapras to its PokéBall as well.

"Heh… I just did what any responsible Trainer would," Liam replied with a chuckle. "You're a worthy opponent—I won't be careless anymore. And my next Pokémon is…"

"Come on out, Arbok!"

With a loud shout, Liam hurled Arbok's PokéBall onto the field. A burst of light flashed, and Arbok's domineering form appeared. Landing directly in the water, Arbok's usually lazy eyes sharpened slightly. 

Arbok glanced at the downpour above, visibly annoyed, then slithered up onto the ice field.

But the moment it touched the ice, Arbok's expression soured further. With a disgusted hiss, it turned right back into the water. The cold battlefield wasn't to its liking—it preferred the water.

Lorelei saw Arbok take the stage, and a victorious glint flashed in her eyes. She still held Lapras' PokéBall and tossed it back out.

"Let's go, Lapras! Time to return to the stage!"

"Wooo~~"

Liam: "..."

Lorelei, flustered under his gaze, blushed slightly and snapped, "W-what are you looking at! A girl's allowed to be capricious, okay?!"

"The trainers Liam and Lorelei have switched Pokémon. The battle continues!"

The referee raised both flags and shouted out the next phase of the match.