Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

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A modest hill, with a white building perched on top, was visible even from the base. A winding path stretched from the foot of the hill to the building at its summit.

Liam stood at the bottom, cradling a Pokémon Egg in his arms, gazing at Professor Oak's research lab with a mix of awe and disbelief. He couldn't help but marvel. 

"This is insanely extravagant..."

It had taken Liam about half an hour to walk from Prof. Oak's house to the lab, even with a few minutes' detour. At most, it was a twenty-minute journey. Yet, Professor Oak never went home for lunch. 

Was it his dedication to research? Or perhaps he was hiding some mysterious secret?

"Today, Detective Liam is on the case! I'll uncover whatever secrets lie hidden in Professor Oak's lab!"

After a few minutes of walking the gentle slope, Liam arrived at the research lab's gate. He pressed the doorbell and waited.

Ding-dong…

"Hello? Who's there? Ouch! No, no! Don't bite there! That's not for biting! Ahhh!!~~~"

What?! Liam's mind raced. Professor Oak, what are you up to in there? It sounds… oddly entertaining.

"Professor Oak! It's me, Liam! I've come to visit your lab!" Liam shouted into the intercom.

"Oh! Liam, is it? Wait a moment, I'll let you in… Ahh! Not so tight! Easy! Easy!"

Standing outside the gate, Liam was left speechless. Maybe barging in now wasn't the wisest choice.

After about a minute, the gate creaked open. Resolving himself, Liam put on a determined expression and strode inside, ready to face whatever awaited him.

The lab's front yard was spacious, enclosed by tall walls, and the main research facility stood directly ahead. But at the entrance to the facility lay a bizarre sight: Professor Oak, sprawled on the ground in his lab coat, bound tightly by an Ekans.

The good professor's legs were tied, and he was dragging himself forward inch by inch with his hands.

"Um… Professor Oak? What kind of game are you playing here?"

As a modern, well-adjusted young adult, Liam had no interest in anything resembling S and M.

"Help… me…" Professor Oak weakly extended a hand.

"Uh, Professor, you've got to be kidding me. Look at me—I'm no match for that thing! Besides, you two seem to be having fun, so maybe I shouldn't intrude. This must be some groundbreaking research, right? I'll just—"

"Enough! This isn't a joke! I'm serious—help me, or I'm done for!"

"Alright, alright! But… how do I help?"

Professor Oak sighed and pointed feebly toward a PokéBall lying on the ground nearby.

Liam rushed to pick it up. Holding the iconic red-and-white PokéBall, he felt a surge of excitement. He wanted to snap a photo, write a three-thousand-word blog post, and gush about the moment—but now wasn't the time.

Turning to face the Ekans, he shouted, "Return, Ekans!" and pressed the button in the center of the PokéBall. A red beam of light shot out, enveloping the Ekans, which let out a hiss before vanishing into the ball.

Crisis averted.

"Phew! That was way too close."

Holding the PokéBall, Liam marveled at its smooth curves, flawless design, and perfect red-and-white color scheme. Wow… This is nothing like those knockoff versions sold online!

Professor Oak, now free, coughed a few times as he got to his feet. Liam hurried over to help him.

"That was far too dangerous. I was so close to death! Thank you for showing up when you did, Liam," the professor said, still shaken.

"Heh, it was nothing. But seriously, Professor, this 'game' of yours might be thrilling, but it's also pretty dangerous. Maybe tone it down in the future?"

Professor Oak: "..."

Clearing his throat, the professor explained, "This wasn't a game! That Ekans was sent to me by a friend earlier today. I wasn't familiar with it yet, but I wanted to measure its length and examine it patterns, so I tried to straighten it out. It got angry, knocked the PokéBall out of my hand, and… well, you saw what happened. Oh, and please don't tell your Auntie Fumiko about this—I don't want her worrying unnecessarily."

Liam quickly nodded, thinking this was just like Professor Oak.

After helping the professor inside and setting him on the sofa, Liam placed the Pokémon Egg and PokéBall on the table. He poured a cup of tea and handed it to the professor.

"Have some tea to calm your nerves, Professor."

Professor Oak sipped his tea, then looked at Liam with a smile. "So? Have you made your decision? Will you work at my lab?"

Liam hesitated briefly, then stood and bowed slightly. "I've decided to study under you for a while, Professor Oak. Please take care of me."

Delighted, Professor Oak burst into laughter. "Excellent! From now on, you're officially part of my research lab. I'll register you with the League later so you won't have any issues if you decide to travel."

"Thank you, Professor!"

As someone who had traveled from another world, Liam was essentially undocumented. Having Professor Oak resolve his identity issue was a huge relief.

"It's no trouble. This is the least I can do. Since you're here, let me show you around the lab. I'll also introduce you to the Pokémon here. Usually, I have a few assistants, but since it's Sunday, they're off. You've come at just the right time to lend a hand."

"Really? That's great!"

Hearing about the Pokémon in the lab, Liam's excitement skyrocketed.

"Hold your horses. Come on, I'll take you to the backyard."

Liam grabbed the Pokémon Egg and followed Professor Oak toward the rear of the lab.

As they walked, the professor spoke with pride. "Do you know how many species of Pokémon I have here in the lab? Forty-three! And do you know how many species there are in the Kanto region? One hundred forty-one!"

Hearing this, Liam paused, then blurted out consciously, "Only 141? Isn't it 151?"

Professor Oak stumbled, nearly falling. He turned to Liam with a look of utter disbelief.

Realizing his mistake, Liam quickly clapped a hand over his mouth.