After leaving the Petalburg Woods, Lionel looked up into the distance.
Petalburg City, a massive metropolis, came into view.
As Lionel approached, skyscrapers stood tall, and wide streets bustled with traffic.
If it weren't for his own observations, no one would imagine that this prosperous city was just a tiny, undeveloped town a decade or so ago.
"Is this Petalburg City?" Lionel murmured to himself, looking at the roadside scenery.
Lionel walked along, recalling the information about Petalburg City he had seen at the Devon Corporation.
North Petalburg City was a newly built area that expanded along with the original city in recent years.
Originally, Petalburg City was just an ordinary small city.
Because no Gym Leaders were stationed there, it was inconspicuous in the Hoenn region.
It wasn't until Norman came and established the Petalburg Gym that the city's fate completely changed, and he gained unparalleled popularity.
Lionel was filled with curiosity about Norman.
Before deciding to come here, he had searched extensively for information about him in the Devon Company's database and Pokémon forums.
Norman's ace Pokémon is a Slaking with the Truant ability fully adapted.
Lionel also fantasized about how great it would be if his system could draw items that could change a Pokémon's ability.
A Slaking with immense strength and no drawbacks—that had always been his dream in his previous life's games.
Unfortunately, the system's lottery rewards didn't include such a heaven-defying item.
Although Norman is the Gym Leader of the Petalburg Gym in the Hoenn region, he is not a native.
He came from Olivine City in the Johto region. It is said that Norman traveled in Hoenn when he was young.
While travelling, he encountered a Slakoth in Petalburg Woods, and it was this encounter that forged an inextricable bond between him and the city.
Later, when President Goodshow initiated the four-region alliance, Norman chose to establish a gym in the place where he first met his partner.
It should be noted that although the four regions formed an alliance, it was no easy feat for a trainer from Johto to own a gym in Hoenn.
However, Norman, with his unparalleled strength, proved himself. '
At the Hoenn Championship Tournament, his Slaking was invited to become the "King."
A single Pokémon defeated all six of its opponents, winning the tournament!
This demonstrated the terrifying power of Slaking.
Furthermore, he successfully advanced in the League's Gym-Building Assessment.
It's worth noting that the final assessment was overseen by the former Elite Four member.
At that time, the assessor disapproved of many outsiders establishing Gyms in Hoenn.
A Gym Leader from Johto was seen as a declaration that there was no one left in the local area!
The assessor applied the highest standards to Norman's test.
However, Norman easily passed the theory; the final battle assessment against the Elite Four member was never made public.
Yet, after the battle, the assessor completely changed his attitude, praising Norman and supporting the Petalburg Gym.
From then on, the assessor's personality changed as well—becoming much more open-minded.
Regarding the outcome of that battle, many trainers already had a clear idea: Norman's Slaking was a force of nature.
Before Norman, it wasn't that no trainer in the Hoenn Region had bred Slaking; however, many concluded it wasn't suitable for battle.
More often, they'd equip Vigoroth with an Eviolite for battle. The main reason was Slaking's Truant ability!
Slaking and Snorlax are somewhat similar—both are fond of lounging.
However, Snorlax is different.
As long as you lure Snorlax with food, it can still obey and participate in training.
Slaking is different; its laziness is a genetic defect that forms its characteristic, deeply influencing it.
Even when full, it often refuses to move.
Only when Slaking is extremely enraged can it be seen to unleash its true power.
It was only then that trainers witnessed just how powerful Slaking could be once the effects of Truant were momentarily ignored.
Despite being a Normal-type, it possesses defensive capabilities more terrifying than Steel or Rock types.
It appears slow but moves with lightning speed, coupled with terrifying attack power and superhuman stamina.
Normal-type Pokémon aren't always seen as outstanding, but they have the unique ability to learn a vast array of moves.
Back then, Norman's Slaking easily defeated opponents by utilizing various type advantages.
When opponents used status moves like paralysis, Slaking would immediately counter with Facade, a terrifying technique to retaliate.
Facade: An attack move that doubles in power if the user is poisoned, paralyzed, or burned.
Plus, with moves like Drain Punch and Slack Off, Slaking single-handedly battled six opponents in every match.
His invincible stance made "Slaking" truly live up to the "King" in its name.
Because of this strength, Devon Corporation and the League funded Norman's research.
A vast greenhouse forest was built behind the Petalburg Gym, providing a habitat for the Slakoth family.
If they can overcome the Truant ability, the League even plans to include the line as starter Pokémon.
Besides his strength, Norman is known for sharing his knowledge.
Before his arrival, Petalburg lacked professional guidance.
Now, the Gym regularly opens the Greenhouse Forest to the public for training classes.
Anyone can learn from Norman's experience, which won him the admiration of the city.
This helped Petalburg grow rapidly, and North Petalburg was born from this expansion.
When Lionel stepped into North Petalburg, he was struck by the atmosphere.
Almost every shop had posters of Norman: some showing him in battle, others showing him in the forest guiding children.
A newly built battle arena was nearby, where trainers frequently clashed.
Lionel decided to stay for a while to use the arena to help his newly evolved Metagross learn new skills in preparation for the Gym challenge.
He also wanted to share the news of Metagross's evolution with his fans. He booked a room on the 28th floor of a hotel, overlooking the whole city.
"Come out!" Lionel said softly, releasing Metagross and Larvesta.
As Metagross's massive body landed, the floorboards creaked.
It walked to the window to view the city. Larvesta perched on the sill, watching the pedestrians with cheerful chirps.
Lionel opened his system space. He had obtained several TMs from the advanced lottery. His thoughts focused on a specific move: Body Press.
Body Press: The user attacks by slamming its body into the target. The higher the user's Defense, the more damage it can inflict.
Lionel immediately thought of Metagross.
With Metagross's defense enhanced through Iron Defense, the power of Body Press would be unimaginable.
Previously, Metang couldn't master it, but now as a Metagross, there was no problem.
Lionel handed the skill orb to Metagross.
It lowered its head, and the orb transformed into a beam of light, merging into its body.
Metagross closed its eyes, its four brains processing the new data.
A moment later, its body lowered, the metal joints making a "crackling" sound as a white light emanated from its body—Iron Defense activated!
Immediately after, it lunged forward, the air crackling with a soft boom.
"Very good!" Lionel nodded.
Fighting-type moves are super-effective against Normal-types.
Body Press would be a major weapon against Norman.
Nearby, Larvesta ran to Lionel, looking at him with anticipation.
It also wanted a new move. Lionel found a suitable skill—Substitute.
"This is for you," Lionel handed the white halo to Larvesta.
"Milotic, Tyrantrum, and Metagross have all had their turn. Now it's yours."
Larvesta excitedly pounced on the light.
A moment later, it tried to activate the skill.
A faint white light appeared, and a blurry phantom of a Larvesta began to take shape.
But before it could solidify, the energy dissipated with a whoosh.
It tried several more times, but the phantom either failed to form or accidentally ignited.
Metagross let out a low, affectionate sound.
It walked to Larvesta and transmitted its understanding of the Substitute technique through telekinesis: how to precisely control energy and maintain the form.
The evolved Metagross possessed intelligence comparable to a super-computer.
Its four brains had defined functions: one for body movements, one for telekinesis, and the other two for simulating battle strategies.
For it, improving skill proficiency was pure calculation.
Larvesta took a deep breath and mobilized its energy once more.
This time, the white halo stabilized, and a substitute—similar in size to itself—took shape.
It was a slight improvement, but impressive nonetheless. Larvesta cheered excitedly, thanking its big metallic friend.