I did the Team Magma stuff at Mt. Chimney, swept Flannery with Luvdisc, evolved some of my Pokemon, and saved outside of Norman's gym. My team is Loudred, Weepinbell, Primeape, Honchkrow, and Luvdisc. I do have the Leaf Stone to evolve Weepinbell, but I'm waiting until it learns Sludge at Lv32 for Poison STAB before I evolve it. The Bellsprout line has Adaptability in this game. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/6/678bb623.png
Emerald Seaglass has following Pokemon like HG/SS, except
better
. You can set any Pokemon in your party as your "preferred" follower so it doesn't need to be in the lead spot of your party to follow you, plus can put your follower back in its Pokeball at any time so it doesn't interfere with your movements while you're moving around in grass or caves.
https://i.imgur.com/PmF1p9q.jpg