Chapter 82: Planning
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Rustboro City – Devon Corps]
Rustboro City is a metropolis located in western Hoenn. It is the fourth-largest city in Hoenn, after Mauville City, Lilycove City, and Slateport City. Rustboro City has an unusual yet unique cityscape in the Hoenn region. The buildings' architectures are designed with stones, giving it an old-town feeling.
According to the Cutter's daughter, Rustboro was expanded to accommodate its growing size with the help of the Cutter's Pokémon, which cleared the trees. The Devon Corporation is headquartered on the northwest side of the city.
Rustboro serves as the establishment for the Devon Corporation, a company that makes many items for Pokémon Trainers. The company headquarters is in the northwest corner of the city and takes the appearance of a large, old-fashioned-looking building.
Apart from developing improved and innovative items, the company also revived Pokémon from Fossils. The Devon Corporation's workers are also attempting to build impossible machines, such as one that can transform people into Pokémon. In the south section of the town is an apartment complex for Devon employees.
Devon Corporation is a large company that is based in Rustboro City in Hoenn. Most of the locals just shorten the name to "Devon".
It was a small company that mined rocks and smelted iron sand to iron many years ago but has grown by leaps and bounds and even rivals Kanto's Silph Co. The Devon Corporation is headquartered in a large stone building in the northern section of town.
Devon makes many useful products, most of which are geared towards Pokémon training. The company is responsible for creating the new types of Poké Balls found in Hoenn.
The Devon Corporation also developed a process to revive Pokémon from Fossils. It is unknown if this process was developed independently from the Cinnabar Island and Sinnoh region research laboratories.
Within Devon Corps sits the CEO of the corporation, Mr. Stone. Mr. Stone is the president of the Devon Corporation, and he considers himself generous and collects rare rocks and stones. He also has a large interest in Pokémon; he wanted the PokéNav developed so that he could better understand Pokémon emotions.
Mr. Stone prioritizes quality products and is prepared to invest in experimental technology rather than profit. The President also makes a point to know all his employees, namely for security purposes.
He also tries to escape from his business duties so he can walk the streets of Rustboro City in search of new inventions. He often speaks with children, finding their young and inquisitive minds to be among the biggest sources of inspiration.
But this morning, he received a call from Professor Oak with an interesting offer. He said in a calm tone, "You mean to say this young man's Poke Blocks are better than the ones produced here in my company, Oak?"
Prof. Oak nodded his head sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head as he explained in a happy tone, "Yeah. I buy your brand of Poke Blocks for my Pokémon, but my Dragonite just seems to like Azure's better. Even when it is made, Dragonite goes over to get its own, and Azure makes a Poke Block specifically for its species, which Dragonite enjoys happily. Better than the ones you make. Most of the Pokémon in the lab prefer his version of Poke Blocks to the ones you make."
Mr. Stone quickly thought whether such a recipe would be able to draw in lots of customers and the potential. Mr. Stone then asked calmly through the video screen, "If that's the case, taking your word, I'd like to send my son to discuss the deal if the creator is willing to allow us to purchase 5 billion for the exclusive usage rights to the Poke Block formula."
Prof. Oak was caught off guard by Mr. Stone's enthusiasm. Scratching his head, he replied honestly, "Actually, the one who wrote the idea happened to be working under me at a very young age. 11 years old, to be exact, that came up with this and asked Devon Corps instead of Silph Co. as they're recovering from the Team Rocket attack if he could get a yield willing to add a Poke Block for each Pokémon type."
Mr. Stone froze for a moment as he processed Prof. Oak's words. Slowly, the image of an 11-year-old flashed in his mind as he asked, stunned, "Really? A child managed to make this. And he works under you?"
Professor Oak smirked, puffing his chest in pride. Mr. Stone smirked, chuckling as he thought curiously, 'I'll need to meet this boy myself. I always knew that children would have inquisitive minds, but this… this is the sign of a prodigy. No, perhaps I'll send my son to make the deal. It'll take a few days, but we can't let Silph Co. get ahead of us with this momentum game changer!'
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~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Next Day, Pallet Town – Oak's Lab]
Professor Oak made the call to Devon Corps CEO Joseph Stone about my Poke Block recipe, as they seemed interested in making the deal. But he said it'll be a few days before his son comes to finalize the deal.
Otherwise, it was the next day, helping Professor feed Pokémon with Pikachu and Eevee. His granddaughter, Daisey Oak, asked me to bring Prof. Oak his lunch. I happily applied with Pikachu over my shoulder and Eevee on my head, heading to his lab.
Heading to his room, I quietly opened the door and saw Prof. Oak sitting inside, staring blankly at an adorable Pokémon. The Pokémon in question was an Eevee.
The scene gave the impression of someone lost in memories. Clearing my voice, I called softly, "Professor Oak."
Hearing me, both turned their heads. It took a moment for the Professor to regain his senses as he smiled, greeting me kindly, "Oh, it's you, Azure. When did you get here."
I gave him a wry smile. I handed his lunch to him as I explained to him, "Daisy was worried you hadn't eaten lunch yet and asked us to give you your lunch, Professor. Ain't that right, guy?"
Both bobbed their heads, agreeing, "Pika! Eevow!"
Prof. Oak looked embarrassed as he said, "Oh, my bad. I'll be there."
Professor Oak picked up Eevee and followed me to the hall. He placed a full bowl of Pokémon food in front of Eevee, who happily started eating. Satisfied, the professor sat down at the table and began devouring his lunch.
The man was starving. But feeling curious about him studying Eevee, I couldn't help but ask, "Say, Professor, are you perhaps trying to do research for the other types of Eevee Evolution?"
I smiled, knowing the answer, as Prof. Oak seemed surprised by the sudden question, but quickly smiled confidently as he said smugly, "Of course! Ever since I've seen your Eevee changing into the new forms, I've been trying to see if I could replicate the evolution of other forms, showing them to the Pokémon Scientific Community. Not only that, but also prove the existence of Fairy Type Pokémon through backing evidence!"
I chuckled inwardly at the professor's confidence. So, I threw him a bone to help get Steel Types get certified, as well as I said calmly, "Really? That's great to hear! But did you know that Scyther while holding a Metal Coat, isn't the only Steel-type Pokémon; it could also evolve into Onix can too."
Oak froze for a moment but didn't immediately refute me. Over the past weeks, he had to take me seriously after showing off my knowledge about Pokémon.
A prime example would be Oak's Dragonite Poke Blocks, specifically made for it. I then made Poke Blocks for his Kangaskhan Kanga and Chansey Seych.
So much that they love their specific Poke Blocks-made food, thanks to the Arc Phone providing me with the info to make them stronger and healthier. Hesitant but curious, he asked me cautiously, "So, Azure, are there more? Tell me!"
Seeing the professor's eagerness, I gestured for him to calm down, organized my thoughts, and began explaining, "From what I know through my own experience that certain Pokémon can evolve in certain ways. Like how Eevee needs friendship or moonlight to turn into Umbreon. Or for Sylveon, it requires an exceptionally strong bond with its trainer and learning a Fairy-type move."
Professor Oak was stunned as my expression turned serious as I said, revealing Fairy Type Pokémon, "Fairy Type is a hidden, unknown type. Fairy-type moves are immune to Dragon-type attacks and deal double damage to Dragon Types. This revelation could greatly impact how the Pokémon world is changed along with the Steel and Dark Types."
Professor Oak was stunned by all the information that was revealed, pausing his note-taking. He deliberated for a moment before responding, "If what you're saying is true, then verifying and documenting the data for the other two Eevee evolutions would be vital. You wouldn't happen to know how to evolve them in the environmental state, would you?"
I smiled, hearing that as I said calmly, placing a hand over my chin, "In fact, I do happen to recall a Mossy Rock in the Viridian Woods. But the Icy Rock, I'm not sure, possibly in the deep depths of Seafoam Island?"
Professor Oak's eyes widened. He jumped up excitedly as I explained to him, "I found out there were Steel Types because my Scyther held the Metal Coat. He managed to evolve, figuring out a new type. It seemed to have affected the Magnimites in the lab being exposed to Steel Type energy."
Fortunately for me, Oak believed my words, having time to study under him and his laboratory relating to Pokémon, along with showing proof. Proving my point, when I had Scizor was all I needed was for him to believe my every word.
Giving him some serious news as well as feeding certain Pokémon Fairy Poke Blocks, managed to unlock their innate Fairy Typing, Oak was ecstatic. He was smiling as he said happily to me about these discoveries, "Well then, let's focus on the research! Azure, I've got work to do to see if these discoveries are true! Oh! I've got to call my collogues to give them the news about this!"
He hurried off as he began to prepare for his next experiment. Sigh… shaking my head helplessly, this guy will be the same as usual.
Hopefully, I'll get something useful or a souvenir from his research. Shrugging my shoulders, I began to clean up and focus on my next journey ahead –
Before I could finish my thoughts, Daisy yelled out, getting my attention, "Azure! You got a lot of challengers again showing up!"
Rolling my eyes, being annoyed, both Eevee and Pikachu chuckled, hearing that. Sigh… guess crushing people's dreams of defeating me is becoming a hobby now.
Maybe I should have my Pokémon do the battling, as I'm busy… nah. Better not, or else they'll just straight up challenge my Pokémon instead. Besides, crushing them feels fulfilling somehow.
Preparing my jacket and cap best to crush some noobs. Otherwise just a regular day in the Oaks' household.