After receiving Norman's call, Tetsuya immediately headed for Professor Birch's Laboratory.
Ditto Transformed into Rapidash and galloped through the streets, quickly arriving at Professor Birch's Laboratory. However, the entire Laboratory seemed very peaceful, nothing like the urgent situation Norman had described.
Tetsuya dismounted and knocked on the Laboratory's door. A young Researcher wearing a white lab coat answered.
"…May I ask who you are?"
"Norman, the Gym Leader of Petalburg Gym, asked me to come visit Professor Birch," Tetsuya said.
"Oh~ The Professor isn't here. He went to the mountain behind the Laboratory to observe Pokémon," The Researcher said.
"…What? Doesn't he know…" Tetsuya was astonished. Researchers like this really could not be judged by normal standards. How could he still be in the mood to go "observe" Pokémon on the mountain at a time like this!?
…Unless Professor Birch still did not know that someone was planning to attack the Laboratory?
With this question in mind, Tetsuya once again mounted RaDittash and headed toward the mountain behind the Laboratory.
Fortunately, the mountain was not densely wooded. From higher ground, he could see into the distance, and he soon spotted Professor Birch studying a Torkoal.
Tetsuya urged RaDittash toward Professor Birch.
Hearing someone approaching, Torkoal was startled and withdrew into its shell.
Professor Birch also noticed the newcomer. Having his observation interrupted naturally irritated him somewhat, and he stepped forward to demand, "What are you doing here? Don't you know you're interfering with my observation!?"
"Professor, don't you know that Team Magma has already set its sights on your Laboratory? Leader Norman sent me here to help you." When Tetsuya mentioned Norman, Professor Birch's expression softened slightly. Norman was quite renowned throughout Hoenn.
"Oh, I know."
Professor Birch looked completely unconcerned as he reached out to stroke the frightened Torkoal.
"…"
Tetsuya was rather speechless as well and felt there was no need for him to remain any longer.
If the owner himself did not care, why should he stay here and get in the way? Besides, he had not come to help Professor Birch in the first place. He simply wanted to encounter Team Magma as soon as possible and find out the whereabouts of Brodie.
Just as Tetsuya was about to leave, the Researcher came running over and stood on the hillside, shouting, "Professor! Leader Norman is here! Please come back!"
Professor Birch shook his head and muttered, "What a fuss…"
Tetsuya followed Professor Birch back to the Laboratory. By this time, Norman's people were already patrolling the site, while Norman himself stood at the entrance.
Norman still had the same tall, upright bearing, commanding respect without showing anger.
"Professor… didn't I already warn you? I've received reliable intel that Team Magma intends to make a move against your Laboratory. Why aren't you taking this seriously!?" Norman demanded.
"Sigh… Norman, there's nothing valuable in my Laboratory at all! There's nothing to worry about," Professor Birch said, shaking his head.
"You need to understand that your safety is the most valuable thing here!"
Professor Birch was left with nothing to say. Only after he fell silent did Norman notice Tetsuya behind him.
Since Norman had seen him over a video call, he still recognized him.
"And you must be Tetsuya. You look even more… spirited, in person. Welcome to Hoenn." Norman politely shook his hand.
Afterward, everyone entered the Laboratory.
Team Magma's objective had always been very clear: to expand the world's landmass by awakening the Groudon. Since they had taken an interest in Professor Birch's Laboratory, then the research Professor Birch was currently conducting had to be related to Groudon.
Tetsuya voiced his thoughts.
Sure enough, a volcanic rock from Mt. Chimney had prompted Professor Birch to begin researching Fire-type Pokémon in the Hoenn Region, which in turn led him to uncover a great deal of information related to Groudon.
It was now certain that Team Magma had come for this information!
"There's no need to worry about that. My research data is protected by multiple layers of encryption. By the time Team Magma manages to crack it, our reinforcements will already be here." Professor Birch looked completely confident.
Tetsuya had a nagging feeling that something was not right…
Just then, a series of explosions sounded outside!
"Leader, it's Team Magma!"
Norman's men shouted from outside, and Norman rushed out with Tetsuya.
Team Magma had really come in force this time, with nearly thirty people in their group. It seemed they were determined to succeed, with Mightyena and Houndoom making up half of their Pokémon each.
Norman had only brought ten people, and naturally, those ten were the first to attack.
Team Magma had the advantage in numbers, and Norman's side was quickly defeated as Team Magma advanced step by step toward the Laboratory.
"I'll handle this."
With that, Tetsuya threw out all of his Poké Balls.
Golurk charged at the forefront, using High Horsepower together with its ability to unleash explosive power in an instant as it rushed toward Team Magma.
Several Mightyena and Houndoom were immediately sent flying and suffered considerable injuries!
Only then did the Houndoom react and begin lunging at Golurk. Several Houndoom and Mightyena attacked together, but they were unable to pose much of a threat to Golurk.
What Tetsuya could not understand was that the Team Magma members whose Pokémon were incapacitated immediately left the scene, as though everything had been disposed beforehand…
Drapion and Ariados took the lead with Pin Missile. Several Houndoom used Flamethrower to block the move.
Weezing and Mamoswine had yet to make a move, mainly because the battlefield was too small.
Watching Tetsuya's performance, Norman thought that remaining imperturbable in the face of such a formidable enemy was already difficult enough. To also exhibit such powerful combat capacity was truly remarkable.
Ariados was an expert at field control. Its Toxic Spikes scattered across the ground and quickly covered the entire front courtyard of the Laboratory. Although there were no Toxic Spikes where Team Magma's Pokémon were standing, that did not mean they could relax.
Toxic Spikes were inherently a form of Poison-type energy. Although they could remain concealed underground, the slightest disturbance would cause them to emerge and attack.
Tetsuya had always focused Ariados's training primarily on Toxic Spikes. Especially after its "special" training at Mahogany Gym, it had become even more experienced in battle. The potency of its poison's toxins naturally went without saying, but most importantly, it had learned to control its Toxic Spikes.
Normally, once Toxic Spikes were scattered somewhere, they remained there. Ariados, however, could control the range of its Toxic Spikes for several minutes after scattering them!
Therefore, although currently appeared to have no effect on Team Magma's Pokémon, the Toxic Spikes under Ariados's control had already appeared beneath their feet. The slightest movement would cause the toxins to enter their bodies.
Of everyone present, only Professor Birch and Norman saw through Tetsuya's tactic, and they could not help but praise it. Norman had long since taken out Slaking's Poké Ball, but he had yet to throw it. Tetsuya's battle made him want to keep watching a little longer…