Norman's Slaking was an existence comparable to a Legendary Pokémon… well, at least, in some aspects. The Team Magma members, who had just been about to advance, immediately stopped in their tracks, hesitating and wavering.
"Professor, the data on Groudon has been thoroughly encrypted." At that moment, a Researcher walked out of the Laboratory.
Professor Birch nodded. The newcomer was none other than his most accomplished student!
However, the Ditto on Tetsuya's wrist kept rubbing against him, and Tetsuya had the feeling that Ditto was trying to tell him something…
"Ditto… if there's something you want to say, you can tell Gengar…" Tetsuya quietly raised his arm and spoke softly.
A moment later.
Gengar transmitted what Ditto had told it directly into Tetsuya's mind. "That Researcher is wearing a fake face."
'…What?'
Tetsuya was also taken aback, but immediately noticed something was amiss. Team Magma had suddenly begun retreating in its entirety, and the reason definitely was not simply Norman's deterrence.
As all of Team Magma retreated, the Researcher beside Professor Birch suddenly burst into laughter.
"Professor, thank you for the data! Team Magma will be sure to thank you properly." With that, he tore off his "mask", and a small rocket launcher attached to his arm propelled him into the air.
"Brodieeee!" Norman roared. He had been trying to capture him for so long, yet there was still nothing he could do against him.
"Norman, if you want to arrest me, dream on!" With that, Brodie made his escape.
Norman let out a long sigh where he stood.
"Next time, I won't let him escape," Tetsuya said. But Norman gave Tetsuya a doubtful glance…
"Professor, I'm deeply ashamed…" Norman said as he stepped forward to address Professor Birch.
"Norman! It's nothing serious. These people dream of using Pokémon to do evil… but sooner or later they'll suffer the consequences of their own actions!" Professor Birch said.
"Professor…"
---◓---
After taking care of a few matters, Norman brought Tetsuya to Petalburg Gym. He then explained the current situation in the Hoenn Region to Tetsuya.
At present, the greatest headaches for the League in Hoenn were undoubtedly Team Magma and Team Aqua, so dedicated units had been established specifically to deal with these two organizations.
The leader of the unit/team dealing with Team Magma was naturally Norman, while the one dealing with Team Aqua was led by Juan, the Gym Leader of Sootopolis Gym and the teacher of Wallace, who would later become the Champion of Hoenn.
These two were also the strongest among the Gym Leaders of the Hoenn Region, and no one else could have taken on these roles. It was precisely because of their efforts that the growth of Team Magma and Team Aqua in the Hoenn Region had been kept in check.
At present, the member of Team Magma who gave Norman the greatest headache was Brodie. He came and went without a trace, blending into crowds so thoroughly that there was simply no way to identify him.
Team Magma also frequently made use of Brodie to infiltrate the League and steal confidential intel and data, causing the League considerable trouble.
Therefore, dealing with Brodie had now become imperative!
After thinking about it for a moment, Tetsuya also explained Ditto's ability to Norman. It had already demonstrated that capacity just now, but Tetsuya had failed to notice it in time. The next time they encountered Brodie, they would definitely be able to catch him off guard and arrest him in one go.
It makes you wonder why Yuri never tried giving Tetsuya a demonstration beforehand; at least then he wouldn't have frozen up, wasting precious seconds to act. Maybe, deep down, Yuri was unconsciously trying to drag things out…
Norman finally saw some hope this time and let out a long breath.
"I'm counting on you to deal with Brodie, Tetsuya," Norman said earnestly.
"I have to capture him too." Tetsuya nodded. After all, this was crucial to his learning the disguise art and make Ditto stronger. Naturally, he would do everything possible to arrest Brodie.
"Oh, right! Just now, when you were dealing with Team Magma, you didn't panic in the slightest despite facing so many people, and you nearly managed to drive all of them back!
The battle style of your Pokémon team are already beginning to take shape. Having this kind of capacity at such a young age is honestly impressive. There are only a handful of Trainers like you across all the regions…
So, Tetsuya, how about having a battle with me and put your strength to the test?" In high spirits, Norman made this proposal to Tetsuya.
Naturally, Tetsuya could not have asked for anything better. Growing stronger meant constantly battling.
"I don't think we need to have a conventional Single Battle. Let's make it more direct. How about a Triple Battle?" Norman said.
"Sure."
"Haha… That's the spirit! Let me see everything you've got!" With that, Norman threw out three Poké Balls, containing Slakoth, Vigoroth, and Slaking respectively. It was certainly worth looking forward to seeing what kind of battle Norman could put up with three Normal-type Pokémon.
The four-headed Weezing, Drapion, and Ariados formed Tetsuya's newly established "Poison-type Team". Although Ariados had only recently evolved and was still somewhat lacking, that did nothing to change its important position within the entire team.
"Go!"
As soon as Tetsuya spoke, Drapion and Ariados simultaneously used Toxic Spikes. The hidden purple energy seeped into the ground. Once the battle began, they would have to enter the Toxic Spikes field, and a tactic like this would inevitably poison the opponent.
Leaving aside just how potent Ariados's and Drapion's toxins were, Ariados's Toxic Spikes alone, mixed with Venom Drench, would severely restrict many opponents' options, leaving them caught between advancing and retreating.
"There's no faulting this move of yours. Aside from Steel and Poison-types, Pokémon of almost every other type would have a very difficult time overcoming it. Even I need to think carefully about how to deal with it.
Move out. Slaking, roll around the field. Slakoth, use Blizzard. Vigoroth, use Flamethrower."
'I guess commenting on the opponent's tactics was something common among Gym Leaders…'
Norman's tactics were difficult for Tetsuya to read, so he could only respond to each move as it came.
"Weezing, Gyro Ball and Sludge Bomb. Ariados, set up Spider Web. Drapion, Cross Poison."
Slaking rolled around the field. With that kind of brute strength and size, no one dared approach it. However, establishing a "team" meant having to account for many different situations. Only a team capable of dealing with all kinds of tactics could be considered powerful and effective.
Tetsuya was also well aware of the strength of Norman's Slaking. It was definitely not something these three Pokémon of his could stop. Even Golurk currently lacked that capacity.
Ariados stepped forward at this moment; the Pokémon that was currently the weakest in terms of brute strength…
In an instant, Spider Web had already covered the entire ceiling. Using the lifting force of its silk, Ariados climbed onto the web and looked down over the entire field, spraying Sticky Web along Slaking's path.
Every time Slaking became stuck in Sticky Web, its Speed would inevitably be affected considerably.
This move of Ariados's worked against any Pokémon that excelled in speed and strength, and it had proven effective time and again. The fact that even Norman's Slaking could fall victim to it was enough to show just how outstanding its effectiveness was.
Vigoroth and Slakoth were both held back by the Toxic Spikes covering the field ahead and did not dare advance, so for the time being they could only use ranged moves.
This was extremely disadvantageous for Vigoroth, which specialized in close-range combat. Now it remained to be seen how, not "if", Norman would overcome it…