Upon hearing Gym Leader Norman praise him so highly, Lionel immediately felt a bit embarrassed; scratching his head, he shook it repeatedly in denial.
Caroline also chimed in with a smile:
"Lionel, there's no need to be so modest.
May made it to the Top 8 at the Grand Festival last year, but she cried for days after returning home, constantly lamenting that she still had so many shortcomings.
Whenever she calls home, she often mentions you to me, saying that watching your battles always teaches her something new—that you consistently provide her with fresh perspectives."
Lionel rubbed his nose sheepishly:
"Auntie, if you put it like that, you're really going to make me blush.
Miss May herself is incredibly talented; making it into the Top 8 in her very first Grand Festival appearance is already an extraordinary feat."
Over the next few hours, the group sat together in the living room, discussing everything from the intricate details of Pokémon breeding to their various travel experiences across different regions; the atmosphere grew increasingly convivial.
Norman reminisced about the days of his youth when he challenged Gyms across the land, and also shared his unique insights and findings regarding Pokémon Abilities.
MaX, meanwhile, acted like a curious child, occasionally interjecting with questions about Pokémon breeding or training strategies—questions to which Lionel provided thoughtful and detailed answers.
As their conversation flowed, Norman turned to Lionel and suddenly made a suggestion:
"If you aren't in a rush to continue your journey, would you consider staying in Petalburg City for a few extra days?
I currently have quite a few Trainers' Pokémon boarded in the greenhouse forest located behind my Gym; there is a wide variety of species there, which might just give you some fresh inspiration for your own breeding endeavors.
Furthermore, I happen to be putting my Slaking through some special training right now; you're welcome to come observe—we can exchange notes and insights on training methods together."
Lionel's eyes lit up; this was precisely the kind of opportunity he had been hoping for. He nodded eagerly:
"Really? Is that truly possible? Thank you so much!"
"Of course."
Norman smiled and nodded:
"Trainers should always be open to exchanging ideas with one another; that is the only way we can all grow and improve together."
Over the following days, Lionel spent almost every waking moment immersed in Norman's greenhouse forest. This greenhouse was built behind the Petalburg Gym, covering a vast area.
Inside, various natural environments—such as rainforests, grasslands, and wetlands—have been meticulously simulated. Aside from the Slakoth family,
many other Pokémon—including Vigoroth, Oddish, Shellder, and others—inhabit and roam this space, effectively forming a miniature ecosystem.
Lionel followed Norman, assisting him in feeding these Pokémon and checking their health status; like a sponge, he greedily absorbed every bit of Norman's expertise in Pokémon breeding and care.
Norman held nothing back from Lionel, explaining every detail with meticulous precision—from dietary composition and sleep schedule adjustments to the fine-tuning of move training and the strengthening of weak points.
In the area designated for the Slakoth family, Norman pointed to three little creatures that stood out from the rest and said to Lionel:
"For years, I've been researching how to help them overcome their 'Truant' Ability.
Although my Slaking is a unique exception, by observing it and following certain instincts, I've finally achieved some results.
Look at those few over there; they can now exert a degree of control over the effects of their Ability. They manage to stick to an hour of training every single day—that is, without a doubt, the biggest breakthrough in all my years of research."
Lionel followed the direction of his gaze, and sure enough, those few Slakoth were distinctly different from their companions, who were merely hanging from branches—drowsy and listless—or simply dozing off.
Their eyes were noticeably brighter and more alert; they were clumsily attempting to mimic the stretching exercises demonstrated by a Vigoroth nearby. Although their movements were slow, they did not slack off or give up halfway through. "This really isn't easy."
Lionel sighed with genuine emotion:
"An Ability is an instinct innate to a Pokémon—like a habit etched into their very bones. To change it would likely be hundreds of times more difficult than simply training their moves."
"Indeed."
Norman let out a soft sigh, his gaze resting upon his Slaking with a hint of hopeful expectation:
"But I have always believed that as long as they are willing to persevere, there will eventually be an opportunity—just like with my Slaking—to truly break through the limitations imposed by their Abilities."
In addition to this, Lionel's Pokémon have spent the last few days training alongside Norman's Slaking.
This was especially true for Metagross; ever since its defeat against Slaking in a battle recently, it has harbored a burning resolve deep within its core.
No matter how grueling the training became, it gritted its teeth and pressed on. From the precise control of its physical strength to the seamless chaining of various moves and techniques, it approached every single aspect of its training with exceptional diligence.
Slaking, too, recognized this unwavering determination; during their training sessions, it would deliberately slow down the pace, utilizing direct offensive exchanges—the most intuitive method—to guide Metagross in mastering its control over its own power.
There was a specific reason why Lionel had remained settled in Petalburg City these past few days—aside from his desire to learn from Norman, there was another significant factor:
A few days prior, he had received word from Elite Four Member Drake, who informed him that he had discovered a suitable Pokémon for himself in the Alola region and was currently on his way back to Hoenn.
However... When Lionel pressed him for specifics—asking exactly which Pokémon it was—Drake simply replied with a smiley face, refusing to give a direct answer.
This left Lionel brimming with anticipation; he couldn't help but constantly ponder:
*What kind of Pokémon would Elite Four Drake be bringing back from the Alola region?*
*Could it be... a Mythical Pokémon capable of transformation—perhaps even a Ditto?* Lionel's heart was filled with eager expectation.
This anticipation was finally answered during a training session a few days later.
That afternoon, Lionel was supervising Metagross, Milotic, and Blaziken as they trained under the guidance of Slowking.
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed down from the sky. The sound grew steadily louder, and the very ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble slightly in response.
Lionel looked up to see a massive Salamence bursting through the clouds. As it spread its wings wide, they resembled twin blood-red moons, while its draconic scales gleamed with an iridescent luster under the sunlight.
Standing atop the Salamence's back was a tall, imposing figure—none other than Champion Drake.
"Elite FourDrake!"
Max's voice rang out from nearby. Clutching a Treecko plushie, he excitedly dashed out into the courtyard.
The Salamence landed gracefully on the grass. Drake hopped down from its back, patted the Pokémon on its flank, and offered a smiling greeting:
"Well, hello there, Max! It's been a long time since I've seen you—you've really grown taller, haven't you?"
"And Norman—long time no see!"
"Indeed, it has been a long time."
Norman stepped forward and shook his hand.
"Did your trip to Alola go smoothly?"
"Quite smoothly, actually."
Drake grinned with a look of triumphant pride.
"I managed to reach an agreement with a wild Totem Pokémon native to the region. I'm bringing them back here to assist the League in researching the mysteries behind the Z-Power and the Totem Aura."
"In that case, shouldn't you be heading straight to President Damaranch's office to file your report? How do you have the time to drop by my place?"
Norman asked pointedly.
"Well, that's because there's something even more important I need to attend to first."
Drake's gaze shifted past Norman, landing squarely on Lionel. He beckoned to him:
"Lionel. Come over here." "
Lionel's heart stirred, and he walked over briskly.
Drake reached into the backpack slung across his back and retrieved three Poké Balls.
Holding them in his hand, he said:
"I've found the Pokémon for him, but whether or not their mother feels comfortable entrusting her children to you ultimately depends on your own capabilities."
As he spoke, Drake pressed the buttons on the Poké Balls.
Three flashes of red light burst forth, and three Pokémon materialized in the center of the area.
The most striking among them was a massive Alolan Ninetales; its pure white fur shimmered with a lustrous sheen under the sunlight.
Its nine fluffy tails swayed gently behind it; simply by standing there, it caused the surrounding air to drop a few degrees in temperature.
Beside it, a pair of twin siblings—an Alolan Vulpix and a Kantonian Vulpix—were nestled affectionately beneath their mother, casting timid glances at Lionel and the others standing before them.
They had never encountered so many humans before.
Seeing such a large crowd for the very first time, they felt a bit frightened; they hid behind their mother, peeking out furtively.
Lionel's gaze swept over the three Pokémon, and instantly, their information flashed through his mind:
[Pokémon: Alolan Ninetales (Totem Pokémon)]
[Type: Ice / Fairy]
[Classification: Fox Pokémon]
[Ability: Snow Warning (When this Pokémon enters battle, the weather changes to a snowstorm.)]
[Moves:]
[Pokémon: Alolan Vulpix]
[Type: Ice]
[Classification: Fox Pokémon]
[Ability: Snow Warning (When this Pokémon enters battle, the weather changes to a snowstorm.)]
[Moves: Nuzzle, Powder Snow, Icy Wind, Extrasensory, Confuse Ray, Aurora Beam, Captivating Voice, Aurora Veil, Nasty Plot]
[Pokémon: Vulpix]
[Type: Fire]
[Category: Fox Pokémon]
[Ability: Drought (When entering battle, the weather changes to harsh sunlight; the power of Fire-type moves increases, while the power of Water-type moves decreases.)]
[Moves: Charm, Ember, Douse, Extrasensory, Confuse Ray, Will-O-Wisp, Flame Burst, Nasty Plot]
The Totem Ninetales (Alolan Form)—along with two Vulpix possessing Hidden Abilities (one Fire-type, one Ice-type)—might not be the Zorua I had originally envisioned, but they are certainly no disappointment; they are, in their own right, two distinctively colored varieties of "little short-legs."
The two little Vulpix would occasionally poke their heads out to take a peek, only to shrink back inside immediately—peeking out, then shrinking back in, over and over again.
The timid yet curious expressions on their faces made them all the more endearing to behold.
Meanwhile, the gaze of the Totem Ninetales (Alolan Form) fell immediately upon the King of the Sea, Manaphy, standing not far away.
From this massive creature—who stood roughly the same height as itself—radiated an oppressive aura that made even the Ninetales feel a sense of trepidation.
The Ninetales instinctively tensed its body, its nine tails fanning out slightly as it assumed a defensive stance.
"So this is a Totem Pokémon from the Alola region..."
Norman stepped a few paces closer, exclaiming in admiration:
"It truly is far larger than an ordinary Ninetales; I imagine its power must be extraordinary as well?"
"Extraordinary doesn't even begin to cover it."
Drake clicked his tongue in awe:
"When combined with the unique powers native to their region, their strength is truly phenomenal. It seems the rumors were right after all—the power of their region is certainly not to be underestimated."
At that moment, the Ninetales' gaze shifted toward Lionel, its eyes scanning him up and down as if assessing something.
Milotic and Metagross instinctively positioned themselves in front of Lionel, keeping their eyes locked on this beautiful, massive fox—a creature nearly as large as a Dragonite. The atmosphere suddenly grew somewhat heavy.
Just then, a flash of red suddenly darted out from beside Lionel's leg—it was a Larvesta.
The little creature seemed completely oblivious to the tension in the air; its entire attention was captivated by the small Fire-type Vulpix standing behind the Ice-type Ninetales.
To its senses, that little red Vulpix resembled a miniature sun, radiating a warmth that made the Larvesta feel incredibly cozy.
The flames within its own body seemed to stir to life; its instincts told it that if it could just play with this little guy, it would surely have a wonderful time.
"Chirp?"
The Larvesta scampered up to the little Fire Vulpix and craned its neck to get a better look.
Upon seeing this, the little Ice Vulpix immediately stepped in front of its younger sister, glaring warily at the Larvesta while emitting a low, guttural growl from its throat.
The little Fire Vulpix, however, wasn't nearly as frightened.
In its entire young life—aside from its mother, its older sister, and its brothers—this was the very first time it had ever encountered a different kind of Pokémon.
It was particularly drawn to the warm, fiery aura radiating from the Larvesta—an energy that felt remarkably similar to its own power, yet carried a distinctively more lively and spirited quality.
It blinked its eyes in curiosity, gently nudged past its sister's protective stance, and poked its head out from behind her to lock eyes with the Larvesta.
The two Pokémon simply stared at one another—you looking at me, and me looking at you—for a good ten seconds or more, before slowly inching closer.
The Larvesta made the first move, tentatively extending a tiny paw to gently tap the little Fire Vulpix on the head. The Fire Vulpix gave a slight shake of its head and pulled away.
Undeterred, the Larvesta immediately leaned its head forward again. This time, the Fire Vulpix didn't shy away; instead, it leaned in to touch its head against the Larvesta's. After a moment of hesitation, the Burmy's five antennae suddenly spat out several tiny sparks, which burst into a crackling frenzy right over the Vulpix's head.
Startled for a split second, the Vulpix immediately began to giggle; opening its own mouth, it exhaled a small puff of sparks in return, answering the Larvesta.
And just like that, the two little creatures began playing a game of "fire-breathing"—taking turns spewing flames at one another.
The Vulpix even turned back to let out a couple of chirps at the Ninetales, as if sharing its joy.
The tense atmosphere that had previously hung over the scene was instantly shattered by this sudden, unexpected interaction.
After playing for a while, the Larvesta suddenly seemed to remember something.
It turned and scurried over to Lionel, tugging at his pant leg with its tiny claws; then, pointing toward the Vulpix, it let out a series of chirps and squeaks, clearly trying to convey a request.
Lionel understood immediately: the little creature was asking for food.
He reached into his backpack and pulled out an Energy Cube.
It was a High-Grade Pokémon Energy Cube.
Ever since the discovery of the Mega Evolution mechanism linked to the "Meteorite Feather," the monthly supply of High-Grade Energy Cubes provided by the Devon Corporation had steadily increased, leaving Lionel with a rather ample stockpile in his backpack. "So, you want them to share this?"
Lionel shook the box in his hand as he spoke to Larvesta.
Larvesta nodded vigorously, its eyes wide and round.
Lionel opened the box, and a rich fruity aroma—along with an aura of potent energy—immediately wafted out.
The little Fire-type Vulpix gazed at the sparkling cubes inside the box, looking a bit bewildered, yet unable to stop itself from swallowing hard.
Sensing its hesitation, Larvesta used a claw to push the box fully open; it snatched up a cube with its mouth, popped it in, then picked up another and offered it to the little Fire Vulpix.
The little Fire Vulpix hesitated for a moment before taking a tentative bite. Its eyes instantly lit up; the taste was sweet, and a warm current seemed to flow through its entire body.
*Delicious!*
It was even better than the small cubes that man had given them a few days ago.
The little Fire Vulpix began eating happily, yet didn't forget to grab another cube and carry it over to its sister, gently nudging the treat into the little Ice-type Vulpix's mouth.
The little Ice Vulpix was initially a bit reserved, but once the taste hit its tongue, it, too, couldn't resist and began to eat.
Larvesta then pushed the entire box toward the little Fire Vulpix, signaling for it to take the whole thing.
Happily carrying the box in its mouth, the little Fire Vulpix trotted over to the Ninetales—its mother—and looked up at her.
The Ninetales lowered her head to look at her child, then glanced back at Lionel and Larvesta, who were watching with smiling faces; the wary, scrutinizing look in her eyes gradually softened into tenderness.
She gently licked the energy cube that the little Fire Vulpix offered her, then gave a slight nod toward Drake.
Seeing this, Drake breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:
"It looks like we've pulled it off."
Drake then turned around, retrieved over a dozen Poké Balls from his backpack, and pressed their release buttons one by one.
Red lights flashed in quick succession as more than a dozen pure-white Ice-type Vulpix emerged from the balls; they instantly swarmed around their mother, affectionately nuzzling their two little sisters.