Over the past two days, outside conversations about meteorites continued to swirl. Online speculations declared that if humanity ever harnessed the space-distorting power in those mysterious stones, it might set technology on an entirely new course.
Alien theories proliferated too, filling forums with wild tales of advanced civilizations depositing meteorites to uplift human progress. Yet at Pokémon Biotech, Ethan largely tuned out the commotion. He had far more pressing tasks than indulging conspiracies.
He had recently launched the first batch of evolution fluid. Beyond the small hype his private rumor campaign drummed up, few immediate success stories emerged among buyers who had used it on their Pokémon.
Even so, no one seemed to doubt its authenticity. Previous videos of successful evolutions lent credibility, and Pokémon Biotech's strong reputation reassured buyers. Moreover, the accompanying instructions advised waiting until a Pokémon's maturity or emotional bond had peaked, so many owners chose to hold off. Ethan concluded that any evolutions spurred by the fluid might trickle in, later rather than sooner.
He also understood that impatience might push some to disregard the packaging guidelines. But so far, owners reported they would remain prudent. Many had simply begun training their Pichu or Squirtle more diligently, hoping the fluid would deliver a dramatic result once their Pokémon reached an ideal stage.
During these eventful days, Ethan visited Pokémon Paradise more frequently, strolling around the hillside where his newly planted cone trees took root. Already the saplings climbed nearly two meters in height, causing a stir among staff. He overheard lively chatter and theories:
"Could these be some type of hyper-accelerated forestry?"
"Are they profitable fruit trees or simply a research project?"
He grinned each time. Only he knew the cones would someday bear fruit shaped like red-and-white spheres, each harboring the potential for space containment. For now, he merely supervised daily watering and made notes on their growth.
One such afternoon, as he ambled along the hillside, James joined him. "So these are the same seeds you brought from the lab?" James asked, gazing up at the leafy green canopy overhead.
Ethan nodded. "They've come a long way in two days. The trunk thickness doubled, branches have begun sprouting leaves. They're definitely responding well to the meteorite-infused water."
James stooped to examine an ant crawling across a cone tree's bark. "Insects, but no leaf damage. Usually fast-growing genetic plants become bug magnets."
Ethan exhaled with satisfaction. "I added certain insect-resistant traits, so they don't need chemical pesticides. No sign of pests, so the orchard is thriving."
James gave him a skeptical glance. "You always claim it's just an experiment, but you're devoting serious time and resources. Are these trees more important than some of your Pokémon? That's how it looks."
Ethan offered a faint smile. "That's your imagination. I trust you to run the labs, so I visit them less. Meanwhile, these trees are brand new and unproven, so I check them daily. But yeah, they're special."
James teased, "More secrets. As usual, you're going to drop a bombshell later, right?"
Ethan shrugged, eyes trailing across the orchard. "Maybe. Right now, it's just about ensuring they survive. If it works, we get a nice surprise. If it fails, well, I'll try something else."
James just laughed gently, recognizing the futility of pressing him further. A phone call interrupted them. James stepped aside, speaking in hushed tones. When he returned, he said, "The hospital folks are at Lab No. 2, wanting to confirm Hoothoot's hypnotic ability."
That instantly jogged Ethan's memory. He had offered two Hoothoot to Tarvok City's Holistic Hospital to assist insomnia patients. The arrangement required approval from the hospital's administrative board, so a thorough inspection was inevitable. At last, the day arrived for them to test Hoothoot.
"Got it," Ethan said. "Let's head down. I don't want to keep them waiting."
---
They traveled from Pokémon Paradise to Lab No. 2, weaving through corridors until they reached a small reception area. Three representatives from Tarvok City's Holistic Hospital awaited them: one man and two women, all clad in medical attire. The man introduced himself as Dr. Sun, while the two women were Nurse colleagues. They stood politely, holding clipboards and wearing guarded smiles.
Ethan extended a hand. "Hello, Dr. Sun, I'm Ethan Grave, CEO and head of Pokémon Biotech. Pleased to meet you. Let me give you a rundown on Hoothoot."
Dr. Sun bowed his head. "Thank you. We appreciate your offer of two Hoothoots to treat insomnia. But we need to confirm their safety and effectiveness first."
"No worries," Ethan said, guiding them through a set of double doors into the laboratory's general exam room. He had asked staff to bring in both Hoothoots, though it turned out they were currently perched outdoors, enjoying the morning sunshine. A few minutes passed, and the owls were ushered inside. One hopped as it walked, the other fluttered onto a table to watch the humans curiously.
"Are these the 'Night Owl' Pokémon?" one nurse asked, leaning forward with fascination. Both Hoothoot had their signature single-foot stance, though occasionally they revealed a second foot tucked behind, surprising onlookers.
Dr. Sun adjusted his glasses. "Hypnosis, correct? The idea is they can lull a patient to sleep just by eye contact?"
James explained softly, "That's right. We call it 'Hoothoot's Hypnosis.' They focus their gaze on someone, triggering a mild psychic wave that induces drowsiness, sometimes swiftly leading to sleep."
Dr. Sun nodded. "I'd like to experience it directly, with your permission. If it truly helps me drift off, we can chart the results."
The nurse pair exchanged wary looks, uncertain if the procedure was entirely safe. But Dr. Sun sat down in a chair and beckoned to the Hoothoot. "I'm wide awake now. Let's see how powerful this is."
Ethan gave an encouraging nod to one Hoothoot. "All right. Use Hypnosis."
The little owl lifted its head, big round eyes glimmering faintly. Dr. Sun locked eyes, posture tense. In seconds, a faint swirl of energy seemed to flash around Hoothoot's gaze. Dr. Sun's shoulders slackened, his eyelids drooped. The nurse pair gasped as his head lolled back. He slumped in the chair, mouth open, a soft snore escaping.
Stunned, the two nurses rushed to check his pulse. "In just a few seconds," one muttered. "No sign of distress, just deep sleep." They looked at Ethan with astonishment.
James folded his arms. "Impressive, right? That's Hypnosis at work. Dr. Sun can probably be woken anytime, with no ill effects."
Carefully, one nurse tapped Dr. Sun's cheek. "Doctor," she murmured. He stirred but didn't wake. Next, Ethan signaled Hoothoot to dismiss its effect. The owl blinked, reversing the flow of psychic energy, and Dr. Sun's eyes fluttered open. He shook his head, looking momentarily disoriented.
"…That was fast," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "I felt a wave of exhaustion, then nothing. It's so smooth, not at all jarring." He glanced at the nurse pair, who nodded in confirmation that he was out cold for a short while. "In a medical context," he said, still blinking the sleep from his vision, "we would want to ensure duration control and see if patients remain stable. But it's definitely promising."
Ethan smiled. "We can tune that. Over the last few weeks, we discovered Hoothoot can decide how long to maintain the effect. If we set an external alarm or another staff member comes to end it, they can instruct Hoothoot to cease. The subject wakes naturally soon after."
"That's good. We can't have indefinite sleeps," Dr. Sun said, adjusting his coat. "We'll run a few more simple tests, but from this demonstration, it looks safe."
The two nurses then tried weaker versions of Hypnosis individually, letting Hoothoot only apply half its usual power. After a few minutes, each nurse reported feeling drowsy and had to move away or break eye contact to stay upright. They concluded the effect was quite controllable and not harmful if monitored correctly.
Satisfied, Dr. Sun turned back to Ethan. "All right, that's enough for today. This is definitely worth exploring at the Holistic Hospital. I'll compile a report. If the administration gives the go-ahead, we'd like to formalize a pilot program for insomniac patients."
Ethan brightened. "I'll gladly provide the two Hoothoot. Just treat them well."
He escorted the medical team to the exit, shaking hands and exchanging contact details. Once they left, James let out a small laugh, sounding relieved. "That went better than expected. No side effects, and Dr. Sun was impressed."
"Which means we're on track," Ethan said. "Hoothoot might become a real therapy option. Another point for Pokémon's place in healthcare."
James nodded in agreement, then recalled a rumor swirling around the lab about a new orchard project on a hillside. He decided not to press Ethan about that now, especially after such a productive demonstration. Sometimes, trusting Ethan's quiet planning ended up yielding breakthroughs later.
The rest of the day, Ethan mulled over the next steps: finalizing Hoothoot's hospital contract, continuing the orchard's care, and monitoring feedback on the evolution fluid.
Along with all that, the meteorite discussion burned on the internet, though he doubted anyone would soon realize how he harnessed that cosmic energy to cultivate special trees. If or when that truth emerged, the world might realize that Pokémon Biotech was bridging cosmic phenomena, cutting-edge genetics, and everyday life into a single tapestry of innovation.
Leaving Lab No. 2 that evening, Ethan sensed momentum in every corner of his operation: from Hoothoot's budding medical role, to the orchard's abrupt growth, to the slowly rising acceptance of evolution fluid among owners who were waiting for the right time.
Each small milestone seemed to usher in an era where Pokémon were not just experimental creatures, but integral parts of healthcare, emergency response, and beyond. In the back of his mind, he silently thanked the swirl of fate that allowed this dream to keep unfolding, step by step.