Over the past week, Pokémon Biotech had drawn even more attention from medical professionals in Tarvok City, particularly since Dr. Sun's successful demonstration of Hoothoot's Hypnosis.
Word got around that these quiet, one-footed owls could lull even the most stubborn insomniacs to sleep in mere seconds. The Holistic Hospital decided to test them on actual patients, and, sure enough, approval came swiftly. They arranged for Ethan's team to drop off two Hoothoots each morning and pick them up in the evening.
On a bright morning, Ethan arrived at the No. 2 laboratory just as Lily, one of the staff assigned to ferry the owls, was about to leave with them. She carried a small cage in one hand, though the Hoothoots were perched on her shoulders instead, blinking placidly as they observed the hustle of the corridor. Lily paused by the door when Ethan strode in, holding a modest black bag that clearly contained small vials destined for the incubators.
"Good morning, Mr. Grave," Lily said, nodding in greeting. "I'm on my way back to the hospital. They have a new patient with a severe case of insomnia."
Ethan lifted a brow. "Another one? Word sure spreads fast. Let's hope Hoothoot can help."
"They did wonders for Dr. Sun and a few mild insomniacs, so the hospital wants to try them on a deeper case." Lily gently stroked the nearest Hoothoot's fluff. "They've become minor celebrities in the neurology ward."
Ethan smiled. "Good sign. Let me know if there are any complications." He tapped the small bag in his hand. "After that, I'll see about getting a new batch of species into the incubators. Today is quite busy."
Lily's eyes gleamed. "More Pokémon on the way, Mr. Grave? We only just expanded the lab's capacity."
Ethan gave a polite shrug. "We never stop innovating. But go on, you've got a schedule to keep. Let me know how the hospital test goes."
With that, Lily and the pair of Hoothoot set off to Tarvok City's Holistic Hospital. Ethan carried on deeper into the lab, nodding to staff who greeted him with curiosity everyone noticed the black bag, which usually signaled new seeds or genetic material for the next wave of Pokémon. They murmured excitedly, suspecting fresh species would appear soon.
---
Lily walked briskly past waiting rooms filled with patients, stepping onto an elevator that took her to the neurology floor. One Hoothoot perched on her left shoulder, the other on her right, twisting its head at the passing staff who stared wide-eyed at the unusual sight.
Finally, Lily emerged in a corridor where Dr. Sun and an older gentleman waited. The older man wore a neat suit, small reading glasses perched on his nose, and a glint in his eye that spoke of sharp wit he was none other than the hospital's director. The moment Lily approached, the old director leaned forward, adjusting his glasses to examine the owls.
"So these are the legendary Hoothoot," the director murmured, voice brimming with interest. "I hear they can hypnotize almost anyone. The Internet calls them… Pokémon, right?" He paused, recalling he'd nearly used the term 'genetic organisms,' but the public recognized them as Pokémon nowadays.
Lily nodded proudly. "Correct, sir. These two can apply Hypnosis at will, and from what we've observed, they're quite safe. Their ability is beneficial for severe insomnia if used under proper supervision."
The director's eyes crinkled. "Fascinating. I have some knowledge of standard genetic organisms, I even keep one at home for companionship. But my granddaughter's been pestering me about these Pokémons, claiming they're more advanced. If these owls impress me today, I might open my wallet for her."
Lily grinned, suspecting the granddaughter would be thrilled if her Grandpa caved. "We'll let them speak for themselves, Director."
At that moment, a nurse approached with a middle-aged patient wearing a weary expression and dark circles around his eyes. The nurse explained that he hadn't slept more than two or three hours a night for months, culminating in severe exhaustion. Conventional sleeping pills no longer worked, so Dr. Sun had recommended Hoothoot's sleeping therapy.
"Let's do it right here in the exam room," Dr. Sun said, guiding them inside. It was a small space with a window letting in morning sun, a basic bed, and a few chairs. "Mister Dirk, please lie down. Miss Lily will help direct the Hypnosis."
Dirk complied, settling onto the bed with visible relief. Lily stepped forward, retrieving one of the Hoothoots from her shoulder, placing it on a rolling stool near the bed. "Focus on Hoothoot's eyes," she instructed softly. "Try not to glance away."
The man nodded, swallowing uneasily. His bloodshot eyes locked onto the owl's gaze. With a quiet hoot, the bird's pupils glimmered faintly, stirring a ripple of psychic energy that drifted through the air. At first, Mister Chen resisted eight to ten seconds passed. Then his tight shoulders slackened, and he exhaled a long sigh, slipping into deep slumber.
"Remarkable," murmured the director, leaning in to see if the patient was truly out. Dr. Sun gave a subtle wave in front of the patient's eyes. No reaction. The nurse tapped his shoulder, but he lay motionless, breathing evenly.
In a quiet voice, Lily said, "He's gone under. Let's see how long he sleeps. Hoothoot, you can stop now." She stroked its feathered head. The owl ended the Hypnosis, but the patient did not instantly wake. The effect had set him on a genuine path to rest.
Watching them, the director's eyes shone with excitement. "Marvelous. If he can maintain a quality sleep for even half an hour, that's better than most prescriptions. Usually, something with this level of sedation leaves people groggy or reliant on chemicals."
Dr. Sun nodded. "Precisely. The last few trials indicated that once Hypnosis is triggered, the patient can remain asleep on their own, hopefully waking refreshed."
The nurse cast a quick glance at Lily. "They're expecting results in neurology. This demonstration is crucial. Should we move him to a quieter ward?"
"Yes," Dr. Sun replied. "No reason to keep him here in the exam room. Let's roll him out carefully." A second nurse wheeled the bed out, leaving Lily, Hoothoot, the director, and Dr. Sun to discuss the next steps.
The old director scratched his chin. "This is so direct, so… easy. No lengthy induction, no complicated script. Just eye contact. Though I must ask, if someone used Hoothoot's Hypnosis for ill purposes… that's worrisome."
Lily sighed. "Mr. Grave addressed that. We caution all owners about misuse. It's part of the official licensing. Anyway, in a hospital, the environment is controlled. That's why we're only placing them here under daily supervision. They won't stay permanently, just from morning to evening."
Dr. Sun nodded. "We appreciate that. They'll be safe and supervised. They'll also need rest so they aren't overworked. Even a machine can burn out, so a living creature definitely needs downtime."
The director patted Hoothoot's small antenna, which twitched at his touch. "I admire their docile nature," he remarked. "We'll do our best to treat them well."
---
The group stepped into the hall, letting the nurse handle the newly sleeping patient. A momentary hush fell as they recognized how quickly Hoothoot had subdued insomnia that might otherwise require heavy medication or sedation. The old director turned to Lily once more.
"Miss Lily, these Hoothoots are certainly more than I imagined. If someone wanted one personally, how much is it?"
Lily glanced at the owls perched on her shoulders. "They cost about the same as Pichu or Squirtle. Two or three hundred thousand, typically."
The director's eyebrows rose. "That's not cheap. But it's not outlandish if it's as effective as we're seeing. Hmm… I've purchased advanced medical equipment far pricier than that." He rubbed his chin. "On the hospital side, I can see us adopting this approach. Though I hear your company might provide them free if we help you with further outreach?"
Lily nodded with a smile. "We're offering two for free if the hospital is satisfied and endorses them publicly. The rest depends on the agreement with Mr. Grave. Right now, we're just performing daily visits."
That was enough to excite the director. "Well then, we'll see how the next few weeks go, but I'm inclined to sign off on a formal collaboration. This could truly alleviate many insomniacs' suffering."
A short while later, Lily took her leave, leaving the Hoothoots behind for the day. They would hypnotize a few more severe cases, gather data, and sleep at the lab by night. Meanwhile, the hospital's staff were brimming with excitement some even talked about filming short demonstration clips, which the administration only allowed for internal review.
---
That evening, Lily arrived back at Pokémon Biotech's No. 2 lab, meeting Ethan in the corridor. He was just finishing up some instructions for the new species to be loaded into the incubators.
"How did it go?" he asked, referencing the day at the hospital.
Lily couldn't restrain a big grin. "Better than I expected. The old director was thoroughly impressed, and Dr. Sun used Hoothoot for a severe insomniac who fell asleep in seconds. They're talking about possibly taking it further. If everything remains stable for a few weeks, they might adopt a formal arrangement."
Ethan relaxed visibly. "Wonderful. The more real-world uses for Pokémon, the stronger our brand becomes plus we're helping folks at the same time. Win-win."
As they spoke, lab workers bustled around them, prepping enclosures and nutrient solutions for the new seeds or creatures Ethan planned to hatch. The entire building hummed with activity, but Lily and Ethan stood calmly in the middle of it all.
They both felt the satisfying glow of progress: Hoothoot was opening a new chapter for medical therapy in Tarvok City, and soon the lab would welcome yet another wave of Pokémon. It seemed each small step forged a larger tapestry, bridging everyday human needs with the wondrous powers of these evolving genetic marvels.
With a final nod, Lily hurried off to return the Hoothoots to their own nest for rest, while Ethan withdrew to his office. By now, he had grown accustomed to the daily swirl of revelations.
Tomorrow might bring a new challenge or another unexpected triumph like discovering an entirely new use for Pokémon in mental health or unveiling another spawn of meteorite-laced cone seeds. All told, Ethan was convinced that the future brimmed with possibilities, each day nudging Pokémon Biotech and humanity closer to a new era of synergy and wonder.