After seeing Lizabeth and her family off, Theo finally found the time to head to the most iconic building in Mossdeep City, the Space Research Center.
Over the past few days, he had deliberately gone through Devon Corporation's internal database and gained a general understanding of this place. The center focused on space exploration, aerospace engineering, and the study of extraterrestrial Pokémon. It was responsible for rocket development, satellite deployment, deep space observation, cosmic radiation monitoring, and tracking the trajectories of meteors and comets.
Before the discovery of Mega Evolution, this had actually been the League's primary focus for development. After all, no one wanted to relive the crisis of a meteor striking Hoenn. They could not rely on Rayquaza to save the day every time. Humanity had to possess its own means of response.
Satellites were used to monitor near-Earth objects in real time, while rockets served as weapons against meteor disasters, capable of detonating threats in outer space when necessary. Beyond that, exploring whether Pokémon existed in outer space, locating Rayquaza's habitat, and attempting to establish contact were all core missions of this facility.
These grand research goals felt somewhat distant to Theo. What truly interested him were the extraterrestrial meteor fragments that Liza had mentioned. Pieces of fallen meteors, or samples collected by spacecraft from the moon and outer space, might very well contain rare and unknown materials.
It was Saturday, the gym's rest day. At the white steel gates of the Space Research Center, Liza and Tate were already waiting.
Seeing Theo approach, Liza waved enthusiastically.
"Theo, you're finally here! Today we'll be your guides and show you around properly!"
Liza smiled and added, "There are a lot of interesting places inside, especially the zero-gravity training area. We used to play there when we were kids."
With two little Vulpix perched on his shoulders and Larvesta and Deino following behind him eagerly, Theo smiled in response.
"Then I'll be counting on my two guides."
"Just follow us," Tate said as he led the way, brimming with excitement. "Some research areas aren't open to the public, but I'll take you to places that are both fun and educational."
As soon as they entered the working area of the research center, Theo was immediately struck by the sight before him.
Behind massive glass walls were all kinds of precise instruments and screens displaying complex data and star maps. Researchers in white coats hurried about, occasionally exchanging quiet discussions. Not far away, in an exhibition hall, a massive rocket model stood on display, its silver-white body imposing and awe-inspiring.
"Here we are. Look, this is the low-gravity training device that simulates walking on the moon," Tate pointed at a cylindrical chamber ahead. "And over there is the centrifuge used to train astronauts to withstand G-forces, simulating the intense pressure during rocket launches."
He grinned mischievously at Theo.
"Want to try it? It's pretty fun."
Looking at the centrifuge that resembled a spinning top, Theo immediately thought of Ash's experience in his previous life and decisively shook his head.
"I'll pass. I get dizzy easily."
Just as he finished speaking, Larvesta beside him suddenly chirped excitedly, staring at the machine with eagerness.
This little guy had always been the most curious, wanting to try everything.
Theo raised an eyebrow.
"You sure? It's not as fun as you think. You'll get really dizzy."
Larvesta snorted arrogantly, clearly unconvinced. Since it was already here, how could it not give it a try?
Since Larvesta insisted, Theo did not stop it. He had already warned it.
Larvesta proudly climbed onto the machine, allowing Tate to fasten the safety belt, even letting out a smug chirp as if asking Theo to record its heroic moment.
As the machine started, the centrifuge spun rapidly like a top.
At first, Larvesta chirped excitedly, but within seconds, its tone changed. The confident "lar lar" turned into a panicked "laaaar," completely flustered.
When the machine finally stopped, Larvesta staggered down, swaying unsteadily, its large body wobbling as it tried to walk.
Deino watched from the side, laughing so hard it rolled on the ground, almost out of breath.
Larvesta glared at it angrily, its eyes spinning, clearly plotting to trick Deino into trying it as well.
But Deino was not foolish. It immediately ran behind Theo, refusing to go no matter what.
"Hahaha, looks like Deino isn't interested in that. Let's go to the zero-gravity training room. That's more suitable for Pokémon," Liza said with a smile.
Next, Liza led them to the zero-gravity chamber. Inside was a massive spherical space where gravity would be significantly reduced once activated.
Theo took the lead, entering with the two Vulpix and Deino.
The moment they stepped inside, Fire Vulpix and Ice Vulpix began to float, startling them so much that they quickly wrapped their tails around Theo's arm.
But soon, curiosity took over. They cautiously let go, drifting through the air like feathers.
Deino also flailed excitedly, but because it could not control its balance, it ended up upside down, unable to flip back, and hurriedly called out to Theo for help.
Larvesta, remembering its previous experience, stayed outside for a long while observing. Only after confirming that Theo and Deino were fine did it cautiously float in.
It tried to control its movements, tracing crooked paths in the air. Occasionally it bumped into Deino, and the two began chasing each other in the weightless environment, drawing laughter from everyone present.
After experiencing the zero-gravity training, Liza and Tate finally brought Theo to the place he had been most looking forward to, the meteor fragment collection room.
This place resembled a massive exhibition hall. Various oddly shaped stones were placed within transparent protective cases, each labeled with its place and time of discovery.
Some meteorites were pitch black, their surfaces marked by intense burning, while others gleamed with metallic luster, revealing intricate crystal structures in their cross-sections.
As Theo walked along, he scanned the meteorites with his system panel.
[Ordinary meteor fragment: Contains trace cosmic energy, no special function.]
[Magnetic meteorite: Can attract metal, has a slight attraction effect on Electric-type Pokémon.]
[…]
Aside from their unusual appearances, most of these meteor fragments had little practical value.
That was until Theo stopped in front of a display case, his gaze drawn to an irregular stone inside.
The rock looked as if it had been scorched by intense flames, its surface uneven and pitted, dark brown in color. The label beside it read:
"Discovered in the Arctic glacier region, suspected meteorite debris."
At that moment, a special line of text appeared on Theo's system panel.
[Special meteor fragment: Contains trace core residue of Deoxys. Function unknown.]
Deoxys?!
Theo's heart stirred.
That was a legendary Pokémon from outer space, capable of changing forms depending on combat needs, possessing overwhelming power.
(End of Chapter)