Chapter 109: Inviting Norman to a Battle
---
"Excuse me, is Mr. Norman at home?"
After completing the challenge at the Rustboro Gym and resurrecting the fossilized Aerodactyl through the Devon Corporation, Gary, Rosa, and Hilda left Rustboro City and arrived in Petalburg City.
After a short rest in Petalburg City, they went to the Petalburg Gym the next morning so Hilda could challenge it.
Upon entering the Petalburg Gym, Gary looked at the empty living room and called out.
"I'm here!"
As soon as Gary finished speaking, a response came from the inner room.
Soon, Norman, still wearing his red coat, came into the living room.
When Norman entered, he saw Gary and Rosa standing there, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
"Gary, and Rosa, why are you here?"
Norman asked curiously about Gary and Rosa's presence at his Petalburg Gym again.
"Could it be?"
At this moment, Norman noticed Hilda beside Gary and Rosa and had a guess.
"Yes, our companion Hilda is going to challenge the Petalburg Gym."
Gary noticed Norman's gaze and nodded to confirm his guess.
"Mr. Norman, please accept my challenge to the gym."
Hilda stepped forward and addressed Norman.
"Since you're here to challenge, I can't refuse."
Norman readily agreed to Hilda's challenge.
After Norman agreed, he and Hilda quickly engaged in a battle in the Petalburg Gym's battlefield.
Hilda defeated Norman's three Pokémon with her outstanding strength and won the Balance Badge from the Petalburg Gym.
Although Norman did not use his full strength, he was still amazed by Hilda's abilities.
After Hilda's gym challenge ended and she obtained the Balance Badge, Gary did not plan to leave immediately. Instead, he turned his attention to Norman.
"Gary, what's on your mind?"
Norman noticed Gary's look and asked curiously.
"Mr. Norman, could you have a battle with me again?"
At Norman's inquiry, Gary did not hesitate and directly invited Norman to a battle.
"A battle? Of course, no problem."
Norman was slightly surprised by Gary's invitation but soon smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Then Mr. Norman, when are you available?"
After hearing Norman's agreement, Gary quickly asked.
"Well," Norman pondered for a moment, "Tomorrow, we can take this opportunity to prepare well."
"Okay."
Gary agreed to Norman's proposed time without hesitation.
"Then we'll see you tomorrow."
After agreeing to battle with Norman the next day, Gary left the Petalburg Gym with Rosa and Hilda contentedly.
---
Time soon came to the next morning, and Gary rushed to the Petalburg Gym with Rosa and Hilda at the time scheduled by Norman.
"How about choosing an outdoor venue for our battle today?"
Because the noise of the battle might be too loud, Norman decided to move the battle outdoors.
It happened that the backyard of his house was large enough, so Norman used it as the battle venue.
"Of course, no problem."
Gary just wanted to battle and had no other requirements.
Then Gary and the others went to the backyard of the Petalburg Gym under Norman's guidance.
When they arrived in the backyard, they saw an unexpected figure.
"Aunt Caroline, why are you here?"
Rosa was surprised by Caroline's appearance. After all, in her impression, Norman rarely let others watch his matches.
"Because I heard that my husband was going to battle Gary, and I thought the match would be very intense, so I wanted to come and see."
Faced with Rosa's question, Caroline smiled gently and explained her reason.
"Is that so!"
After hearing this, Rosa understood instantly.
Then Gary and the others briefly introduced Hilda to Caroline.
After a brief chat, Gary and Norman were ready to start the match, so they looked at Rosa, Hilda, and Caroline on the side.
After Rosa and the others saw Gary and Norman's eyes, they tactfully moved to the outermost side of the venue, ready to watch the upcoming match.
"I'm really looking forward to the battle between Gary and Norman."
After arriving at the periphery of the venue, Rosa looked at Gary and Norman in the center and spoke with anticipation.
"Indeed."
Hilda nodded in agreement.
"These two will definitely bring a wonderful duel."
Caroline also smiled softly.
Compared to the harmonious atmosphere among Rosa and the others, the atmosphere between Gary and Norman was a bit solemn.
"Gary, let's have a three-on-three battle, how about it?"
After saying that, Norman set his sights on Gary.
"Okay."
The guest follows the host's wishes. Since Norman suggested it, Gary, as the challenger, did not refuse.
"Alright," Norman said, taking out his first Poké Ball, "Then let's start our battle!"
"Okay!"
Gary also took out a Poké Ball and responded to Norman.
"Go ahead, Slaking!"
"Please, Umbreon!"
In two beams of white light, two figures appeared on the field, facing each other. One was Gary's Umbreon at level 68, and the other was Norman's Slaking.
Pokémon: Slaking
Type: Normal
Ability: Truant
Gender: Male
Level: 67
Moves: Slack Off, Body Slam, Hammer Arm, Feint Attack, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Shadow Claw, Thunderbolt, Substitute, Yawn...
"Level 67 Slaking, it seems Norman has some expectations of my strength!"
After seeing the strength of Norman's Slaking, Gary showed a look of understanding.
"But this is just right; I can take this opportunity to improve and train those three Pokémon."
With a plan in mind for the next two Pokémon to send out, the battle officially began.
After taking a look at Norman, who stood confidently on the opposite side, Gary decisively took the initiative and issued an order to Umbreon.