Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

"Attention, dear viewers! The battle has now reached its climax! Just moments ago, our contestant Liam boldly declared that he will face Lorelei's remaining two Pokémon using only this rare white Garchomp—who has yet to appear in any of his previous matches in this League tournament! What's more, he promised that if this Garchomp is defeated, he will concede the match voluntarily! Although such a statement isn't in line with the official tournament rules, if Liam insists on surrendering... well, there's nothing we can do about it! So... come on, Lorelei! We're all rooting for you!!"

As soon as Liam released Garchomp, the announcer shouted excitedly over the broadcast, as if afraid Liam might change his mind.

"Heh, being pretty has its privileges after all. Looks like after today, you'll have a whole swarm of passionate fans. I'm almost a little jealous," Liam chuckled after hearing the announcement, glancing up at Lorelei with a smile.

"Hmph! Don't gloat just yet. If you're going to get famous, then I'll be famous right alongside you," Lorelei shot Liam a glare before her eyes locked onto Garchomp, a trace of tension flickering across her face despite her composed words.

"And another thing—battle is battle. I'm not accepting anything you said just now. If you lose and try to slink off quietly, I'll definitely look down on you."

Liam smirked and pointed a finger toward Lorelei's Slowbro, confidence gleaming in his eyes.

"I already said I won't hold back. The moment Garchomp stepped onto the field, there was no possibility of defeat remaining! Get ready—it's coming!"

"Garchomp! This is your debut! Show them your strength! Use Shadow Claw!"

"Gaaaar!!"

Blinding speed—blazing, unmatched speed!

The moment Liam issued his command, a white flash tore across the battlefield. Garchomp surged forward, its momentum kicking up twin streams of water laced with shattered ice. One of its sharp forefins glowed with shadowy energy as it slashed viciously toward Slowbro.

"Slowbro! Withdraw!"

In the blink of an eye, Garchomp was already upon Slowbro. Lorelei had no time to react, and Slowbro, with its usual dull gaze, seemed utterly oblivious to the danger. In desperation, Lorelei could only order a defensive move.

"Slooow!"

Though usually sluggish, Slowbro responded to the Withdraw command with lightning speed. The shell on its tail rapidly expanded and, just as Garchomp's Shadow Claw came crashing down, enveloped Slowbro's body completely.

The next moment, Garchomp's Shadow Claw collided with the shell with a resounding boom, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of cracking armor.

BOOM!!

Blasted away! In the instant after the attack landed, the shell-covered Slowbro was sent flying by Garchomp's blow. 

It spun like a top through the air before crashing into an ice pillar, which then collapsed and buried Slowbro beneath the debris.

"ROARRR!!"

Despite landing a clean hit, Garchomp didn't pursue. It instead raised its twin fins high, letting out a victorious roar to the crowd like a gladiator who had claimed triumph.

"Slowbro! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Quick—use Slack Off to recover!"

Seeing her Slowbro buried under shards of ice, Lorelei was filled with worry and anxiety. She wanted to rush out and dig it free, but she knew if she stepped onto the field, it would be counted as Slowbro being unable to battle. 

With only two Pokémon left, she couldn't afford such a loss. Still, she believed her Slowbro wouldn't go down that easily.

Sure enough, as her shouts faded, a green glow began to emanate from the pile of broken ice, gradually gathering toward the center.

"It's Slack Off! Well done, Slowbro! Hurry and regain your strength!"

Lorelei beamed with joy at the sight of the green light.

"Gaar…"

Garchomp lowered its previously raised fin, its eyes gleaming with curiosity as it watched the glowing ice mound. With no further orders from Liam, it simply waited.

Within seconds, the green glow faded, signaling the end of Slack Off. Seeing this, Lorelei knew Slowbro had recovered at least some stamina. She quickly issued a follow-up command.

"Slowbro! Use Psychic!"

"Slooow!!"

This time, Slowbro's voice rang out from within the ice. A beam of purple light burst through the shattered ice, heading straight for Garchomp.

"Garchomp! Dodge it and counter with Flamethrower!"

"Gaar!"

At Liam's command, Garchomp smoothly sidestepped the Psychic beam. Then, baring its fanged maw, it unleashed a stream of intense fire that engulfed the icy debris.

"Don't worry, Slowbro! It's just fire—use Water Pulse!"

As the flames melted the ice, Lorelei quickly called out another order.

"Slooow~!"

With a low growl, Slowbro launched a pulsing water orb. The instant it collided with the fire, it exploded into a crashing wave, extinguishing the flames and clearing the ice to reveal Slowbro's still-dopey face.

Slowbro still looked as sluggish as ever, seemingly unharmed. However, the shell on its tail was visibly weakened—wilting and cracked along the sides.

"Slowbro! Use Rain Dance!"

By now, the clouds had dispersed overhead. Lorelei quickly seized the opportunity to call down more rain.

"And now—return, Slowbro! Your turn is coming. Go! Golduck!"

As dark clouds once again gathered and raindrops began to fall, Lorelei withdrew Slowbro and threw her final PokeBall onto the field. A flash of light revealed her last Pokémon—a sleek, blue-furred Golduck.

"Golduck!"

"And here it is! Lorelei's final Pokémon! A glossy-furred Golduck enters the field! It looks powerful—but can it take down Liam's Garchomp? Stay tuned, folks!"

"So it's Golduck, huh?" Liam muttered as he looked at the newly released Pokémon. "I spent quite some time puzzling over what your last pick would be. I was sure it'd be a super-strong Ice-type…"

"Hmph! I caught this Golduck on Ice Island after a lot of effort. I've been training it as my ace—you'd better be careful! Its strength might just surprise you!" Lorelei grinned proudly. It was clear she was confident in Golduck's capabilities.

"Alright then—I'll test it properly. Garchomp! Dragon Claw!"

"Gaaaar!!"

Already agitated by the heavy rainfall, Garchomp roared as both forefins lit up with blue-purple energy. Then, like a phantom, it dashed toward Golduck.

"Dodge it, Golduck! Then use Fury Swipes!"

Despite Garchomp's blistering speed, Golduck remained calm. Just as Garchomp reached striking range, Golduck moved with startling agility, dodging both of Garchomp's Dragon Claw attacks. Its glowing white webbed claws lashed out with wild Fury Swipes.

"Gaar!"

Garchomp blocked the assault with one fin while countering with the other—but Golduck swiftly evaded once again.

"Hm? Ahh, I see…"

Liam raised an eyebrow at Golduck's speed, then glanced up at the rain clouds above. Realization flashed in his eyes.