Hearing Gym Leader Norman praise him so highly, Theo immediately felt a bit embarrassed. He scratched the back of his head and waved his hands repeatedly in denial.
At this moment, Caroline also smiled and said,
"Theo, don't be so modest.
Last year, May stopped at the Top 8 in the Grand Festival. When she came back, she cried for several days, saying she still had too many shortcomings.
Whenever she calls home, she often mentions you. She says that watching your performances always teaches her something new, and every time you bring her fresh ideas."
Theo touched his nose awkwardly.
"Auntie, if you keep praising me like that, I'll really get embarrassed. Miss May herself is very talented. Being able to reach the Top 8 in her first Grand Festival is already incredibly impressive."
...
Over the next period of time, the group sat together in the living room, chatting from the details of Pokémon training to travel experiences across different regions. The atmosphere grew more and more relaxed and harmonious.
Norman talked about interesting stories from when he was young and challenged various Gyms, and he also shared his unique insights into the study of Pokémon abilities.
Max, like a curious little explorer, would occasionally ask questions about Pokémon training or adventures, and Theo patiently answered each one in detail.
As they chatted, Norman looked at Theo and suddenly suggested,
"If you are not in a hurry to continue your journey, how about staying in Petalburg for a few more days?
In the greenhouse forest behind my Gym, I take care of many Trainers' Pokémon. There are quite a lot of different species, and it might give you some new inspiration in training.
Also, I have been training Slaking recently. You can come and observe as well, and we can exchange training insights together."
Theo's eyes instantly lit up. This was exactly the kind of opportunity he had been hoping for. He quickly nodded.
"Really? That would be amazing, thank you so much!"
"Of course," Norman said with a smile.
"Trainers should exchange knowledge with each other. That's how we all improve."
...
During the following days, Theo practically spent all his time in Norman's greenhouse forest.
This greenhouse was built behind the Petalburg Gym and covered a vast area.
Inside, various natural environments such as rainforests, grasslands, and wetlands were carefully simulated. Aside from the Slakoth, there were also Vigoroth, Oddish, Shellder, and many other Pokémon living and moving around, forming what looked like a small ecological system.
(TN: There really was Shellder.)
Theo followed Norman in feeding these Pokémon and checking their conditions, absorbing his knowledge of Pokémon training like a sponge.
Norman held nothing back when teaching Theo. From dietary balance and daily routines, to the fine control of move training and strengthening weaknesses, everything was explained in meticulous detail.
In the Slakoth area, Norman pointed at three slightly different individuals and said to Theo,
"For years, I have been researching how to help them overcome their Truant ability.
Although my Slaking is a special case, based on its experience, I have finally made some progress.
Look at those three. They can now slightly control the effects of their ability and can persist in training for about an hour every day. That is my biggest breakthrough so far."
Theo looked in the direction he pointed. Those Slakoth were indeed different from the others that were lazily hanging from branches with sleepy expressions.
Their eyes were much more focused, and they were clumsily following Vigoroth in stretching exercises. Although their movements were slow, they did not slack off halfway.
"That's really not easy," Theo said sincerely.
"An ability is an instinct Pokémon are born with, like a habit carved into their bones. Changing it is probably hundreds of times harder than just training moves."
"Yes," Norman sighed softly, his gaze resting on the Slakoth with a hint of expectation.
"But I still believe that as long as they are willing to persist, one day they can break through their limits just like my Slaking."
In addition, during these days, Theo's Pokémon also trained alongside Norman's Slaking.
Metagross, in particular, had been holding onto a strong determination ever since losing to Slaking in their previous battle.
No matter how tough the training was, it endured everything. From physical strength control to the coordination of various moves, it practiced each aspect with extreme dedication.
Slaking also noticed its persistence. During training, it would deliberately slow down its pace, using straightforward sparring to teach Metagross how to better control its power.
The reason Theo stayed in Petalburg City so comfortably during these days was not only to learn from Norman, but also because of another important reason.
A few days ago, he received a message from Elite Drake, saying that he had found a suitable Pokémon for him in Alola and was already on his way back to Hoenn.
But when Theo tried to ask what Pokémon it was, Drake only replied with a smiley face and refused to give a direct answer.
This left Theo full of anticipation. He could not help but keep wondering what kind of Pokémon Drake would bring back from Alola.
Could it be that illusion-transforming little fox, Zorua?
His heart was filled with expectation.
That anticipation finally received an answer during a training session a few days later.
At noon that day, Theo was training together with Metagross, Milotic, and Larvesta under Slaking's guidance when suddenly, a deafening buzzing sound came from the sky.
The sound grew closer and closer, and even the ground seemed to tremble slightly.
"That is…"
Theo looked up and saw a massive Salamence breaking through the clouds. When it spread its wings, it resembled a blood-red crescent moon, and its scales gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight.
On Salamence's back stood a tall figure, none other than Elite Four Drake.
"It's Elite Four Drake!"
Max's voice came from the side as he ran into the yard, clutching his Treecko plush toy, his face full of excitement.
Salamence landed steadily on the grass. Drake jumped down from its back, patted its neck, and greeted them with a smile,
"So it's little Max. Long time no see, you've grown taller.
And Norman, it's been a while."
"It really has been a while," Norman said as he stepped forward and shook his hand.
"How did your trip to Alola go?"
"Very smoothly," Drake replied with a proud grin.
"I reached an agreement with a wild Totem Pokémon there and brought its group back to help the League research Z-Power and the secrets of the Totem aura."
"Then why didn't you go report to Chairman Goodshow first? What brings you here?" Norman raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I have something more important to do first."
Drake's gaze passed over Norman and landed on Theo. He beckoned to him.
"Theo, come here."
Theo's heart stirred, and he quickly walked over.
Drake reached into the backpack slung over his shoulder, took out three Poké Balls, and weighed them lightly in his hand.
"I've found the Pokémon for you," he said, "but whether their mother will feel at ease handing them over to you will depend on your own ability."
As he spoke, he pressed the buttons on the Poké Balls. Three flashes of red light burst forth, and in an instant, three Pokémon appeared on the field.
The most eye catching among them was a massive Alolan Ninetales. Its entire body was covered in snow white fur that shimmered delicately under the sunlight. Its nine fluffy tails swayed gently behind it, and simply standing there seemed to lower the temperature of the surrounding air by several degrees.
At its feet, the twin sisters, an Alolan Vulpix and a Fire type Vulpix, huddled close beneath their mother. They looked timidly at Theo and the others, clinging to their mother's side.
They had never seen so many humans before.
It was their first time encountering such a crowd, and they were clearly frightened. They hid behind their mother, occasionally peeking out with cautious curiosity.
Theo's gaze swept across the three Pokémon, and their information instantly appeared in his mind.
[Pokémon: Alolan Ninetales (Totem Pokémon)]
Type: Ice / Fairy
Category: Fox Pokémon
Ability: Snow Warning (When it enters battle, the weather becomes snowy)
Moves: …
…
[Pokémon: Alolan Vulpix]
Type: Ice
Category: Fox Pokémon
Ability: Snow Warning (When it enters battle, the weather becomes snowy)
Moves: Baby Doll Eyes, Powder Snow, Icy Wind, Extrasensory, Confuse Ray, Aurora Beam, Disarming Voice, Draining Kiss, Nasty Plot
…
[Pokémon: Vulpix]
Type: Fire
Category: Fox Pokémon
Ability: Drought (When it enters battle, the weather becomes sunny, boosting Fire type moves and weakening Water type moves)
Moves: Baby Doll Eyes, Ember, Incinerate, Extrasensory, Confuse Ray, Will O Wisp, Fire Spin, Nasty Plot
A Totem Alolan Ninetales, along with two hidden ability Vulpix, one Fire type and one Ice type. Although they were not the Zorua he had imagined, they were by no means inferior. Instead, they were like two differently colored little fox Pokémon, each with their own charm.
The two little Vulpix kept poking their heads out, only to pull back again, repeating the motion over and over. Their timid yet curious expressions made them more and more endearing the longer one looked at them.
Meanwhile, the Totem Alolan Ninetales immediately set its gaze on Slaking in the distance.
This giant ape, nearly as tall as itself, emitted a pressure that even it found unsettling.
Alolan Ninetales instinctively tensed its body, its nine tails spreading slightly as it assumed a defensive posture.
"So this is a Totem Pokémon from the Alola region?" Norman stepped forward a few paces, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"It's indeed much larger than a normal Ninetales. Its strength must be extraordinary as well."
"More than extraordinary," Drake said with a sigh of admiration.
"When combined with the Z Power unique to their region, their strength is truly remarkable. Blaine was right, the power of that region should not be underestimated."
At this moment, Alolan Ninetales shifted its gaze to Theo, looking him up and down as if evaluating him.
Milotic and Metagross instinctively moved in front of Theo, staring intently at this beautiful yet imposing fox that was nearly as large as Tyrantrum.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Just then, a red figure suddenly dashed out from beside Theo's feet. It was Larvesta.
This little guy seemed completely oblivious to the tension in the air. Its attention had been entirely captured by the Fire type Vulpix behind Alolan Ninetales.
In its perception, that small red Vulpix was like a tiny sun, radiating warmth that made it feel incredibly comfortable.
The flames within its body seemed to become more active. Its instincts told it that if it could play with this little one, it would definitely be a lot of fun.
"Lar?"
Larvesta ran up to the red Vulpix and tilted its head, examining it.
The Alolan Vulpix immediately stepped in front of her younger sister, glaring at Larvesta with vigilance and letting out a low growl.
But the Fire Vulpix was not as afraid.
Since birth, aside from its mother and siblings, it had never seen any other Pokémon.
Especially the warm flame aura on Larvesta, which felt similar to its own power yet more lively and vibrant.
It blinked curiously, gently slipping out from behind its sister's protection, and peeked out to meet Larvesta's gaze.
The two little Pokémon stared at each other for more than ten seconds, then slowly moved closer.
Larvesta was the first to act. It stretched out a tiny claw and lightly touched the Vulpix's head. The Vulpix shook its head and dodged.
Larvesta did not mind at all. It immediately leaned forward, and this time, the red Vulpix did not avoid it. Their heads touched lightly.
Then, as if not satisfied, Larvesta suddenly released a few small bursts of flame from its five antennae, the sparks popping playfully in front of the red Vulpix.
Startled at first, the Vulpix quickly let out a cheerful giggle. It opened its mouth and released a small puff of fire in response.
Just like that, the two of them began playing a little fire breathing game, taking turns.
The red Vulpix even turned back and called out to Alolan Ninetales, as if sharing its joy.
The tense atmosphere was instantly broken by this unexpected interaction.
After playing for a while, Larvesta suddenly seemed to remember something.
It turned and ran back to Theo, tugging at his pant leg with its tiny claws, then pointed toward the red Vulpix while chirping insistently, as if asking for something.
Theo immediately understood. It wanted food.
Without hesitation, he took out a box of high grade Pokéblocks from his backpack.
Ever since discovering the Mega Evolution mural in the Meteor Falls, the Devon Corporation had been supplying him with more and more high quality Pokéblocks each month, so his stock was quite abundant.
"You want to share this with them, right?" Theo shook the box slightly as he asked.
Larvesta nodded vigorously, its eyes wide.
Theo opened the box, and a rich fruity fragrance along with a strong energy aura immediately spread through the air.
The Fire type Vulpix looked at the sparkling cubes inside, unsure of what to do, yet it could not help swallowing.
Sensing its hesitation, Larvesta directly opened the box with its claw, grabbed a piece, and stuffed it into its own mouth. Then it picked up another piece and offered it to the red Vulpix.
Vulpix hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. Its eyes instantly lit up. The taste was sweet, and a warm current flowed through its entire body.
It was even tastier than the ones that man had given them a few days ago.
Vulpix happily began eating, and did not forget to pick up a piece and run back to its sister, stuffing it into the Alolan Vulpix's mouth.
The Alolan Vulpix was a bit reserved at first, but after tasting it, it could not resist and began eating as well.
Then Larvesta pushed the entire box toward the red Vulpix, indicating that it could take it all.
Delighted, the red Vulpix picked up the box and ran back to Alolan Ninetales, lifting its head to look at its mother.
Alolan Ninetales lowered its head, looked at its child, then at Theo and Larvesta behind him, both smiling gently.
The evaluating look in its eyes gradually softened.
It lightly licked the Pokéblock offered by the red Vulpix, then gave a slight nod toward Drake.
Seeing this, Drake let out a breath of relief and smiled.
"Looks like this is settled."
Then he turned around, took out more than a dozen Poké Balls from his backpack, and pressed their buttons one by one.
Red light flashed repeatedly, and more than a dozen snow white Alolan Vulpix emerged, instantly running toward their mother, affectionately nuzzling against their two younger sisters.
…
(End of Chapter)