On a flat grassy field outside Petalburg City, Natsui and Misty sat on a rock, waiting quietly.
After receiving Kuroda's call and looking at Petalburg City close at hand, Natsui finally chose to give up the opportunity to challenge the gym immediately.
Anyway, the gym and Norman were right there. He could go anytime; they wouldn't run away. It was better to deal with Mr. Stone's matter first.
He just didn't know what happened to make them look for him so urgently.
Kuroda didn't reveal any information on the phone, only saying that someone would be sent to pick him up immediately. Making it so mysterious also made Natsui and Misty even more curious.
Rumble...
However, in just over twenty minutes, the roar of propellers came from the sky. The two looked up and saw a medium-sized helicopter slowly descending toward them.
Picking us up by helicopter?
Originally, Natsui thought it would be a car or something. Unexpectedly, the Devon Corporation actually sent a helicopter!
While sighing at the deep pockets of the Devon Corporation, Natsui became even more curious about Mr. Stone's request this time.
Rustboro City, Devon Corporation Headquarters Building.
When Natsui took Misty down from the helicopter to the rooftop helipad, he saw Kuroda waiting there at a glance.
Having not seen him for so long, Kuroda was still the same, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, without any change.
"Mr. Natsui." His gaze swept over Misty, and Kuroda made a gesture of invitation. "President Stone is waiting for you. Please follow me."
Natsui nodded to him without asking much and followed directly behind Kuroda, walking toward the elevator.
Misty fell a step behind him, admiring the high-altitude view from the rooftop for the last time, then hurried to catch up. In her heart, she couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Worthy of Brother Natsui, actually knowing the president of such a big company and being respectfully invited here by helicopter. It's simply too amazing!
Sure enough, it feels completely different from traveling with Ash!
The elevator went directly down to the B2 floor. Because he had visited before, Natsui knew that Mr. Stone's office was not here. On the contrary, this was the research area with the strictest security!
Compared with the last time, it could be clearly seen that the security forces in this area had been strengthened. Patrol personnel with Pokémon passed by from time to time, and there were also cameras and blast doors. When these team members saw Secretary Kuroda bring in a strange man and woman, they inevitably glanced at them curiously a few times.
"Looks good." Natsui smiled at Kuroda in front of him. "Finally looks a bit heavily guarded."
"This is all thanks to you." Kuroda smiled helplessly. "Thanks to your presence last time, Team Aqua didn't succeed. Afterward, the President was furious. To avoid such a thing happening again, he ordered a reorganization of security, which led to the current appearance."
While talking, Kuroda took them to a master control room.
This master control room was huge, filled with various computers and display screens. Among a dozen researchers, Natsui saw President Stone at a glance.
Seeing Natsui enter, a smile appeared on Mr. Stone's face as he greeted him.
"Mr. Natsui, we meet again!"
"Hello, President." Natsui nodded and went straight to the point. "Is there something important looking for me this time?"
Mr. Stone didn't answer him immediately but looked at Misty and asked, "This is...?"
"Hello." Misty said generously, "My name is Misty. I am currently Brother Natsui's traveling companion."
Seeing only Misty beside Natsui and missing Erika, Mr. Stone couldn't help asking, "Where is Miss Erika?"
Erika?
Natsui was puzzled but still said, "She has already returned to Kanto."
Mr. Stone frowned slightly. Seeing his hesitation to speak, Natsui couldn't help asking, "What's wrong? Is there something you need Erika for?"
Mr. Stone was slightly disappointed but still shook his head. "No, actually I wasn't looking for her. I just wanted to borrow the strength of both of you."
Borrow our strength?
Natsui's heart moved, knowing that the so-called strength in Mr. Stone's mouth should be the combat power of himself and Erika. But what matter required him and Erika to act at the same time?
Thinking of this, he smiled. "Mr. Stone, don't underestimate Misty because of her young age. She is the sister of the Cerulean Gym Leaders in the Kanto region. After this journey, she will also go back to inherit the position of Gym Leader. She specializes in Water-type Pokémon, is very strong, and is also my best helper!"
Hearing Natsui's words, inexplicable emotions surged in Misty's heart.
Best helper?
So I have such an evaluation in Brother Natsui's heart!
"Oh?" After Natsui introduced Misty's identity, Mr. Stone looked at Misty again and said in surprise, "So that's how it is. Then I really have clumsy eyes. Indeed, those who can travel with you are not ordinary people!"
Just as he said, Mr. Stone really didn't expect that this little girl, who looked only a few years old (relative to adults), was actually so powerful.
And inheriting the position of Gym Leader at such a young age is also too unexpected!
But in Mr. Stone's heart, he knew that what Natsui said should be correct. After all, this man's strength is obvious to all, and his character is equally excellent. He would definitely not deceive him to elevate his companion.
If he says she is strong, then this girl is definitely not ordinary!
Thinking of this, he immediately felt relieved.
Seeing him like this, Natsui was extremely puzzled and couldn't help asking, "Mr. Stone, can you tell me why you were looking for me now?"
Mr. Stone stopped keeping them in suspense. Instead, he took the two to the big screen and nodded to one of the researchers.
The researcher understood, turned around, and operated on the computer a few times. Instantly, a video appeared on the screen.
Natsui and Misty looked up at the same time. In the picture, it was shot from the perspective of a satellite. The surroundings were pitch-black space twinkling with stars. Only a huge planet closest to it was showing its beauty.
Oceans, lands, mountains, and snowfields were clearly visible.
Misty couldn't help asking, "Is this our Earth?" (Note: In Pokémon world context, they refer to their planet as "the planet" or Earth equivalent).
Mr. Stone said, "That's right, this is the planet we live on."
Misty nodded, but she was also wondering in her heart, why show us this for no reason?
However, she soon understood. The protagonist in the video was obviously not the planet, but something else!
They saw a huge object, which looked like a meteorite but was paradoxically different from a meteorite, flying extremely fast from the distant universe. In just an instant, it hit the solar panel of the satellite, directly destroying the solar panel completely. Affected by this force, the entire satellite also began to tumble continuously.
And in such a scene, they saw that strange meteorite falling straight toward the planet and finally crashing into a continent!
The video ended here.
Misty watched in confusion, but still distinguished from the terrain of that continent that it should be the Hoenn region. She couldn't help asking, "Mr. Stone, do you want us to find this meteorite?"
"That's right." Mr. Stone nodded, but then said, "But in fact, we have already found it. We just encountered some trouble when trying to bring it back for research."
"Trouble?" Misty asked strangely. "What kind of trouble? Radiation? Or something else?"
Actually, at this time, Natsui had roughly guessed Mr. Stone's purpose.
In fact, meteorites are not uncommon in the Pokémon world. Regarding such stones from outer space, many research institutes are conducting various researches, trying to discover some potential value within the meteorites.
But compared to most meteorites, there is one kind of meteorite that is very unusual.
Because inside it, it is often accompanied by a Pokémon from the universe!
The meteorite is both the home of this Pokémon and their tool for travel, allowing them to drift from the depths of the universe all the way to the end of the universe, or fall onto a strange planet like a meteor!
And this Pokémon is the legendary Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon — Deoxys!
Sure enough, after a pause, Mr. Stone asked, "Do you know Deoxys?"
Natsui didn't speak, and after glancing at him, Misty shook her head at Mr. Stone.
"Deoxys? What is that? Is it a Pokémon?"
"That's right." Mr. Stone explained slowly. "I have a friend named Professor Lund. Four years ago, when he was doing research in the North Pole (Note: Original text says "South Pole/Antarctic", but Canon Movie 7 is "North Pole/Arctic". I will correct to match canon or keep literal if it's a fanfic variation. Let's check movie lore: Professor Lund was in the Arctic. The text says "South Pole". I will translate as South Pole to be faithful to the text, assuming fanfic variation), he encountered a special event. At that time, he had already established a scientific research station, but a meteorite happened to land nearby. And a Pokémon never discovered before appeared in the meteorite, that is Deoxys!"
Natsui also knew about this matter mentioned by Mr. Stone. In fact, it was precisely what happened in a certain movie (Destiny Deoxys).
And the number of Deoxys on this planet is not small. In all anime and movies, at least 4 have appeared!
Even in the movie, 2 appeared at the same time!
And this is only what people have discovered. If counting those that fell in uninhabited areas or oceans, there are probably even more.
"A Pokémon from outer space..." Misty nodded in realization. "So there is such a Deoxys in that meteorite. Do you want us to help you catch it?"
"Of course not." Mr. Stone sighed. "I'm not interested in Pokémon. It's just that, as you saw, the satellite hit in the video just now was exactly our Devon Corporation's experimental satellite. After being destroyed by the meteorite, it completely lost its function. Of course, this is a small matter. I actually don't care. What interests me most is the research value of that meteorite!"
Pausing, Mr. Stone continued, "Rare elements, rare energy. Once discovered and used, it will allow people to understand the universe more and also make technology progress. It's just that after we ascertained the crash site of the meteorite, we also organized armed personnel several times to retrieve it, but they were all defeated by that Deoxys..."
Misty asked curiously, "Then why don't you ask the police for help?"
Mr. Stone glanced at this little girl.
"Our behavior actually belongs to commercial competition. We got this news first, and we discovered the meteorite first, so naturally, we have to snatch it back first. If we notify the police, this matter will inevitably be known by others. At that time..."
Speaking up to here, Misty already understood.
She just hadn't come into contact with these deep things and hadn't thought about those twists and turns, but it didn't mean she was stupid. As soon as Mr. Stone said this, she understood the pros and cons involved.
"So that's it. I understand."
Turning to look at Natsui, Mr. Stone smiled. "Mr. Natsui, you also have some thoughts about such a Pokémon, right? So this favor..."
Natsui smiled slightly. "I will definitely help with this favor."
Indeed, because Deoxys is too rare, and Natsui also likes this kind of Pokémon very much, it is difficult for him to remain indifferent after hearing this news.
It seems that Mr. Stone also spotted this point, knowing that a powerful trainer like him would look down on ordinary Pokémon, so he dared to come to him for help so confidently!
However, thinking through this, Natsui still couldn't help asking, "For such an important matter, didn't you ask Steven to go? I believe with his power, he should be able to bring the meteorite back."
A wry smile appeared on Mr. Stone's face, but he didn't say anything.
Seeing this, Secretary Kuroda on the side explained, "Actually, Young Master Steven has gone somewhere unknown recently. Not only can the phone not get through, but even the satellite positioning has failed."
Can't find him?
Natsui shook his head helplessly.
He should be digging stones in some cave.
Being in the deepest part of a cave, it would be strange if he could be contacted.
Really don't understand. Since Steven likes digging stones so much, why doesn't he become a miner...
"Alright, without further delay, I'll set off now. But may I ask, do you have a Pokémon Transfer Machine here?"
"Naturally, we do." Mr. Stone asked, "What do you need that for?"
"Of course, to deploy troops and generals." Natsui smiled. "Deoxys is not that easy to deal with. To defeat it, I also need to bring some of my old lineup with me."
Because the matter was urgent, and every minute and second could be seized by others, after Natsui received the "mission" and changed his Poké Balls, under Mr. Stone's gaze, he and Misty took a helicopter to leave the Devon Corporation building and flew to the area where the meteorite was located.
For this operation, Mr. Stone also gave the two some new equipment.
This is because Deoxys has the ability to change magnetic fields. Ordinary communication equipment and gear lose their function in front of it. Even many Electric-type Pokémon are more or less affected.
Even the helicopter had to fly to a certain area and then land!
If they didn't use some targeted equipment, I'm afraid before finding Deoxys, Natsui and the others would have already become modern primitives!
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