Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

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This was a makeshift battle arena with no referee, just pure combat. The battle would only end when one side surrendered or was no longer capable of fighting.

Jiro, who could barely stand on his injured leg, let out a sigh of relief when Liam sent out Growlithe instead of that powerful white Pokémon from before. 

He then sneered maliciously at both Liam and Growlithe, his tone filled with resentment.

"Gyarados! Take them down!!"

However...

Gyarados remained unfazed, roaring to itself in self-amusement.

This was incredibly awkward. The onlookers turned their attention to Jiro, their faces full of ridicule.

"...Hey! Gyarados! Attack already! Obey your trainer's orders!" Jiro's face turned Arcanine with embarrassment as he wished he could disappear into a hole in the ground.

"ROAR!!"

Gyarados glanced back at Jiro with a single disdainful look before flicking its tail, a stream of water coiling around it, slamming down beside its trainer. 

Jiro was so terrified that he fell to the ground, his face pale with fear.

"Hmm... This scene feels familiar somehow. But whether you can control your Pokémon or not is your problem, not mine. Growlithe! Use Flamethrower! Snap it out of its daze!"

Liam glanced at the terrified Jiro with disdain. While this guy had a lousy character, the Pokémon he had captured weren't half bad.

"Growlithe!"

Growlithe immediately opened its jaws wide, unleashing a torrent of flames that engulfed the roaring Gyarados. The roar abruptly stopped as its body was consumed by fire.

"Gyarados!! Damn it! Growlithe, how dare you attack like that! You really are a traitorous mutt!" Jiro exclaimed in shock, glaring at Growlithe with hatred as Gyarados was swallowed by flames.

"Growlithe..." Hearing this, Growlithe hesitated, its eyes showing a flicker of doubt.

"Don't get distracted! The attack is coming!" Liam frowned slightly, his tone sharp.

"Woof!"

"ROAR!!"

Just as Liam finished speaking, Gyarados roared from within the flames, its body charging with draconic energy as it emerged. A vortex formed, pulling the surrounding flames into a blazing tornado that spiraled toward Growlithe.

"Growlithe, Agility! Follow up with Flamethrower!" Liam's voice remained calm. If Growlithe could use Thunderbolt, Liam would've had it electrocute Gyarados into submission by now. 

Unfortunately, although teaching it Wild Charge was an option, Growlithe's stamina wasn't the best—it would be better suited after evolving.

"Grow..!"

Growlithe's body gleamed with a silvery light, its movements so swift they left afterimages as it dodged Gyarados's attacks effortlessly. It then countered with another Flamethrower, but Gyarados avoided the attack this time, having become more cautious of its opponent.

"Hah! Gyarados, I knew you could handle this! Show that traitor what you're made of!" Jiro, who had been panicking earlier, now shouted arrogantly.

"ROAR!!"

Gyarados snarled impatiently at Jiro, silencing him immediately.

"Growlithe, circle Gyarados and continue to harass it! Look for openings to keep striking with Flamethrower!"

Growlithe responded with a bark, dashing around Gyarados while firing bursts of flames. Gyarados retaliated with Aqua Tail and then followed up with a glowing bite, snapping at Growlithe like a serpent. 

However, Growlithe's agility kept it out of harm's way.

Liam didn't expect to face a Gyarados. It was a tough matchup due to the type disadvantage. 

Fortunately, Gyarados hadn't used a move like Hydro Pump, suggesting its level wasn't particularly high. That left room for a possible victory.

However, Jiro suddenly shouted in frustration.

"Gyarados! What are you doing? Hurry up and finish this! Or I'll toss you out like that useless mutt!"

Gyarados showed no reaction to the threat, likely wishing Jiro would abandon it altogether. But Growlithe, hearing those words, visibly faltered, its movements slowing as sadness clouded its expression.

"No! Growlithe, stay alert!" Liam noticed immediately and shouted a warning, but it was too late.

"ROAR!!"

Seizing the moment, Gyarados lunged with its glowing jaws and clamped down on Growlithe's back.

"Grow..!!" Growlithe let out a pained howl as Gyarados bit into it.

"Growlithe!" Liam's expression turned icy as he clenched his fists tightly, however, immediately after that, he suddenly relaxed, looking at Jiro with a smirk instead. 

Seeing Liam's gaze, Jiro sneered, thinking he was just trying to play tricks.

"Hah! That mutt is as dumb as ever! I knew it would get distracted! This battle's mine. And by the rules here, the winner gets to claim something from the loser, even their Pokémon. That white one of yours seems like a waste with you—I'll take good care of it."

Before he could finish gloating, Growlithe let out a defiant roar! 

A sacred light enveloped it, and a fierce Flamethrower burst forth, scorching Gyarados's face. Roaring in pain, Gyarados released Growlithe and stumbled back, its vision blurred by the burns. 

In its frenzy, it began firing Dragon Rage wildly in all directions.

Explosions erupted one after another, the spectators scrambling to avoid the chaos. Growlithe, despite its injuries, leaped back to Liam's side, its expression filled with rage and determination.

"Phew. Justified got activated just in time. Gyarados's Bite is technically a Dark-type move, which had to trigger it. Still, that was a close call," Liam thought, relieved. 

After all, even though he knew it should work, it still felt like a pretty close call. If Growlithe had Intimidate or Flash Fire ability instead, the situation would've been much worse.

"ROAR!!"

Gyarados, now blinded by rage, unleashed a Dragon Rage straight into the sky, blasting a massive hole in the warehouse roof. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the battlefield.

"Now's our chance! Growlithe, use Morning Sun!"

Growlithe sat down, tilting its head to soak in the sunlight. Soft green light swirled around its body, healing its injuries and restoring its energy.

"No! Gyarados, stop it! Attack now, you useless beast!" Jiro screamed in panic, realizing Growlithe had an ability he had never noticed in all the time he'd raised it.

Gyarados's response was a vicious smack, sending Jiro flying into a wall. He slumped down, unconscious after pointing accusingly at Gyarados one last time.

"Tch, and he thought he could act tough with that kind of composure. Growlithe, end this! Use your full-powered Flare Blitz!"

Growlithe, now rejuvenated, roared and leaped into action. Flames and lightning intertwined around its body, forming a massive fiery sphere. 

With a mighty charge, it struck Gyarados's neck, toppling the massive Pokémon. 

Exhausted from its earlier attacks, Gyarados collapsed, out for good.