Watching Metagross and Larvesta playing around, Theo smiled and took out his phone, opening the video recording function.
The camera first slowly swept across Petalburg City outside the window.
The orderly streets, the scattered buildings, and the lush greenhouse forest in the distance were all clearly captured in the frame.
Then the camera turned toward himself, and Theo's smiling voice was recorded into the video.
"Hello everyone, this is Theo. I've just arrived in North Petalburg City, and I have some good news to share first. Metang has already evolved into Metagross."
As soon as he finished speaking, the camera shifted and focused on Metagross by the window.
Metagross's silver-white body shimmered under the sunlight streaming in from outside, and the golden X-shaped mark on its face stood out strikingly.
Seeing the camera pointed at it, Metagross cooperatively lifted one of its metal arms as if greeting the audience.
Beside it, Larvesta excitedly ran over, chirping toward the camera, its antennae occasionally sparking with tiny flames.
Theo continued,
"For the next few days, we'll be staying in North Petalburg City for a while. The main goal is to let Metagross get used to its evolved body through real battles and prepare for challenging Gym Leader Norman."
"I'll be starting livestreams during these days. Anyone interested is welcome to watch, and trainers who want to battle are also welcome to come anytime."
After finishing the recording, Theo uploaded the video to his social media account. Within just ten minutes, the comment section became lively.
"Holy crap! Metang evolved? That's way too cool! I'm in love!"
"How long is the streamer staying in Petalburg City? I'm in the neighboring town, I'm coming over right now! Please let me take a photo!"
"A battle? I'm in! I'm in Littleroot Town, my Swampert has been looking for a strong opponent. Fighting a shiny Metagross like Champion Steven's? Just thinking about it gets me excited!"
"Hehe, I'll join too. Maybe I'll get lucky and win. Then I can brag that I defeated a shiny Metagross!"
"Wake up, bro. Don't get punched into the sky and cry for your mom later."
"The streamer is going to challenge Norman? Looking forward to it! I'll definitely watch the livestream!"
Theo casually replied to a few comments, then smiled at Metagross.
"A lot of people want to battle you."
Metagross let out a low hum, its crimson eyes sharpening as a faint energy ripple spread around its body, clearly eager for a fight.
Larvesta was not willing to fall behind either.
Its five antennae burst into small flames as it circled around Theo, as if saying it wanted to fight too and show everyone its strength.
After putting down their luggage at the hotel, Theo took his three Pokémon to a well-reviewed Pokémon buffet restaurant.
Although North Petalburg City had only been built recently, its facilities were quite advanced. This Pokémon buffet restaurant was especially thoughtful.
Not only were there meals for trainers, but there were also specially prepared foods for different Pokémon types.
Chilled berries loved by Water-types, flame-grilled meat and vegetable platters favored by Fire-types, and mineral-infused biscuits preferred by Steel-types. The variety was dazzling.
"Go pick whatever you like. Don't be shy."
Theo reminded them.
Milotic and Metagross stayed together. With Metagross's psychic power, they selected plates of food they wanted and brought them back to the table.
Larvesta was the most excited, clinging to Theo and asking him to help carry its selections.
It looked left and right, first taking a liking to cake, then to a delicate vegetable platter, its eyes full of excitement for food.
After helping Larvesta choose its food, Theo returned to the table with it.
Watching the three Pokémon eat happily, Theo also picked a simple meal and sat by the window, enjoying it slowly.
In the afternoon, Theo took his Pokémon around Petalburg City.
Most of the shops along the streets were related to Pokémon, and there were many bookstores displaying "Norman-style Training Manuals."
Occasionally, people in Gym apprentice uniforms could be seen handing out flyers that read "Greenhouse Forest Open This Weekend, Gym Leader Norman Teaching in Person," attracting many passersby to stop and take one.
There was also a Pokémon accessory shop, with its display windows filled with exquisite collars and bells. Many trainers were selecting items with their partners.
Larvesta took a particular liking to a small hat decorated with tiny flame ornaments. It refused to leave the display window.
Helpless, Theo bought it and put it on Larvesta.
The little guy immediately ran to Metagross, shaking its head proudly to show it off.
Theo also picked out a small bell for Metagross to hang on one of its metal arms, producing a clear jingling sound.
For Milotic, he chose Allenght blue ribbon, which perfectly matched its blue fins.
.........
The next morning at nine o'clock, Theo had already washed up, eaten breakfast, and set off with his Pokémon toward the battle lawn in Central Park.
The livestream started right on time, and viewers instantly flooded in.
"Front row! First check-in!"
"Where's the guy who said he'd beat Metagross yesterday? Come take your beating!"
"Go streamer! Let Metagross show its power!"
Theo waved at the camera.
"Good morning everyone, we've arrived at Central Park and are heading to the battle field."
When he reached the battle area, it was already bustling with activity.
Large grassy fields were divided by red and blue railings into separate battle arenas. Many trainers were already engaged in battles.
On one side, Electrode's electric attacks clashed with Oddish's Vine Whip. On another, Heracross used its horn to charge at Tauros, the two struggling in a contest of strength.
Cheers and the sounds of moves colliding rose one after another across the battlefield.
While introducing the scene to the audience, Theo walked toward the field management area.
The battle fields here required a rental fee. The price was not expensive, and you could pay per match or by the hour. There was also an unwritten rule.
Whoever lost the battle would pay the field fee. Sometimes there were even small wagers, which added extra excitement.
"Three hours."
Theo selected an empty field and paid the fee. Before he could even step onto the field, quite a few people had already gathered around.
Some came to watch, while others were eager to step forward and challenge him.
Yesterday's video had already spread through the local trainer community, and with the livestream location, it was easy for people to find him.
"That's Theo, right? I heard he's going to challenge Gym Leader Norman."
A local boy in a green tank top asked.
"Yeah, that's him. He's a really strong trainer. He has the same kind of shiny Metagross as Champion Steven. I heard it's insanely powerful."
Someone beside him replied.
"Challenge Gym Leader Norman? Hmph, you'll have to get past us first!"
A muscular young man suddenly spoke up. Beside him stood a well-built Tauros.
He was the same trainer who had just been battling Heracross.
"My name is Allen. I'm a local trainer. I've trained at the Petalburg Gym before. I'll test your strength first!"
As soon as he spoke, several trainers immediately responded in agreement.
"Yeah! If you want to challenge Gym Leader Norman, you have to get past us first!"
"I want to battle too! Let me see just how strong your Metagross really is!"
Looking at the enthusiastic crowd in front of him, a smile curved across Theo's lips. This was exactly why he had chosen to train in North Petalburg City.
Here, or anywhere in Petalburg, as long as you said you intended to challenge Norman, you would never lack opponents. The local trainers held deep respect for the Gym Leader, and naturally wanted to "test" any outsider who came to challenge him, to see whether they were worthy of standing before the Gym.
"Sure, I'm happy to oblige. Who's first?"
Theo smiled and nodded, taking out a Poké Ball.
"I'll go first!"
Allen stepped forward without hesitation, his Tauros beside him letting out a series of low, aggressive bellows.
Theo tossed all three Poké Balls at his waist. Metagross, Larvesta, and Milotic appeared one after another.
Allen's gaze immediately locked onto Larvesta and Milotic. He had not seen Theo's previous streams and had only heard about the shiny Metagross. He had not expected Theo to have two other such rare Pokémon.
Some of the surrounding trainers who did not recognize Theo were instantly astonished upon seeing the three Pokémon. Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"That's a shiny Milotic… oh wait, I know him now! I've seen clips of him, he's that Coordinator who participated in the Fallarbor Contest!"
"Not just that, he's also strong in battles. I've seen his Gym challenge before, especially that Tyrantrum, it was incredibly fierce. Why isn't it here today?"
Meanwhile, the livestream chat also began to scroll rapidly.
"Here we go! Just entered and already a battle, perfect timing!"
"Where's Tyrantrum? Anyone know?"
"+1, I want to know too!"
"Didn't the streamer reply yesterday? Tyrantrum went off for special training, it'll be back in a while."
"Where did it go for training? I didn't see that reply!"
The discussions had not even died down when Theo had already stepped onto one side of the battlefield, while Allen and his Tauros took the opposite side.
Larvesta rubbed against Theo's pant leg, the flames on its antennae flickering eagerly. It clearly wanted to battle immediately.
Theo crouched down and gently patted its head.
"Don't rush. Let Metagross go first this time. We're mainly helping it get used to its new moves, okay?"
He paused, then lowered his voice, deliberately speaking so only the two of them could hear:
"The king always comes out last. Got it?"
Hearing this, Larvesta's eyes lit up instantly. Its small eyes rolled as it secretly glanced at Metagross and Milotic, confirming the "order of appearance."
After figuring it out, Larvesta obediently stepped back a few paces, even lifting its head proudly as if to show it was not in a hurry, clearly accepting its role as the "final boss."
Theo suppressed a laugh, then raised his chin toward Metagross.
"You go first, Metagross."
Metagross had already read their conversation through lip reading. A trace of helplessness flashed in its red eyes. Ever since Larvesta had been spending time with Tyrantrum, its thinking had started to resemble Tyrantrum's more and more, becoming increasingly… simple.
Still, it gave a slight nod toward Larvesta as if playing along with its "grand finale" act, then stepped forward steadily, planting its four legs firmly at the center of the battlefield.
Across from it, Tauros flicked its three tails, snorting white air from its nostrils, its hostility unmistakable.
Theo's system panel immediately displayed its information:
[Pokémon: Tauros]
Type: Normal
Category: Wild Bull Pokémon
Ability: Intimidate (lowers the opponent's physical attack upon entering battle)]
Moves: Tackle, Horn Attack, Rage, Swagger, Work Up, Assurance, Take Down, Facade, Flamethrower, Surf, Wild Charge…
Quite a diverse movepool. Theo raised an eyebrow slightly.
This Tauros had clearly been carefully trained. In addition to its strong same-type moves, it had also learned a variety of moves from other types, Fire, Water, Electric, and more.
However, Tauros was still best suited for close combat. Its ability to control energy for ranged special attacks was not its strength. Even moves like Flamethrower, which countered Steel types, would have limited power in its case.
On top of that, Metagross's Steel typing resisted Normal-type moves, making this battle relatively straightforward.
Tauros let out a thunderous bellow, a faint aura surrounding its body as its Intimidate ability activated.
However, it had no effect on Metagross. A faint white light merely flickered across Metagross's body.
Clear Body had activated, completely negating any stat-lowering effects.
Seeing that Intimidate had failed, Allen quickly issued another command.
"Tauros, use Flamethrower!"
Tauros opened its mouth and unleashed a stream of orange-red flames straight toward Metagross.
Larvesta, watching from the side, chirped disdainfully, shaking its head like a rattle drum. In its eyes, Tauros's Flamethrower was simply too weak to even be worth mentioning.
Theo gave no command. He had already discussed this with Metagross beforehand. This battle was for it to act independently and familiarize itself with its new abilities.
Facing the incoming flames, Metagross did not move at all. Its red eyes flashed, and an invisible psychic force wrapped around the fire.
With a slight twist, the Flamethrower was instantly torn apart, scattering into countless sparks that drifted down.
"How is that possible?"
Allen froze in shock. He knew Tauros was not strong at special attacks, but he had not expected Metagross to neutralize Flamethrower so effortlessly.
Theo casually reminded him,
"You should switch to close combat."
Allen gritted his teeth.
"I don't need your reminder! Tauros, use Rage! Charge!"
Hearing the command, Tauros's eyes turned red. Its muscles bulged as white energy burst across its body.
Rage was activated!
Metagross did not dodge. Its body lowered slightly, and a soft clicking sound echoed from within its metallic frame as a faint white sheen appeared over its surface.
Iron Defense had been activated, sharply boosting its durability.
BOOM!
In the next instant, the two massive figures collided violently at the center of the field.
Tauros's sharp horns slammed into Metagross's body with a harsh metallic screech.
Yet Metagross did not budge an inch. Instead, it slowly exerted force, steadily pushing Tauros backward.
"No way… hold your ground, Tauros!"
Allen shouted anxiously.
Tauros dug in with all its strength, its hooves carving deep furrows into the grass, yet it still could not stop Metagross from advancing.
(End of Chapter)