"Everyone, test these two Meteorites immediately!"
"Additionally, reassign half the staff to repeat our previous experimental research on Jirachi, but this time target Deoxys instead!"
John, who had teleported to the laboratory's center, retrieved his Pokeball and released its occupant.
In a flash of light, Deoxys materialized in the laboratory's center.
The Deoxys that had been severely injured minutes ago now appeared completely restored. John had to admire how the game system truly defied reality.
Every researcher in the laboratory suddenly widened their eyes, frozen in place as if paralyzed.
"What's wrong with you all? Get moving!" John produced two Meteorites seemingly from thin air.
"Right away, right away!" The group of researchers snapped back to awareness and rushed forward.
But they seemed uncertain how to proceed, like headless chickens.
Despite the Meteorites being only fist-sized, over a dozen people crowded forward to collect them. Dozens more surrounded Deoxys, staring stupidly while doing nothing, as if bewitched.
"Caboose, Sarge, you two handle ore testing. Red team will install monitoring equipment for Deoxys, and Blue team will prepare the experimental site. Everyone, get moving!" At this critical moment, Emerald stepped forward, organizing assignments and issuing orders.
The entire research operation resumed orderly function, or rather, super-efficient operation.
Being able to study Jirachi represented a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, and now they could also study Deoxys.
This trip to Draconia couldn't have been better timed!
"John, did you just travel to space?" Saul approached with the question everyone wanted answered.
He voiced what all researchers were thinking as they listened for John's response.
Deoxys, the famous cosmic Pokemon, had only appeared on Earth a handful of times throughout recorded history, even rarer than Jirachi. The crucial point was that no recent meteorite impacts or alien visitation reports had occurred.
Yet John had left briefly, returning within hours carrying two Meteorites and a captured Deoxys.
Considering historical records, Deoxys possessed combat power rivaling any legendary Pokemon.
How powerful did someone need to be to locate and capture Deoxys within hours?
Was this Draconia's champion, the youngest and strongest champion in history?
"No, I just remembered some information about Deoxys and followed the leads to find it," John waved dismissively, not intending to explain further. "Deoxys is a relatively powerful cosmic Pokemon. Let's see what abilities it has, maybe it can help Jirachi."
Saul didn't press the issue and hurried off to oversee testing.
With ready-made equipment and experience from previous detection work, this analysis proceeded much faster than the initial research.
Two hours later, Emerald delivered a report to John.
Deoxys contained the same "cosmic energy" as Jirachi and other space-origin Pokemon, and the colored energy orbs it condensed when using its signature move Psycho Boost also contained abundant cosmic energy.
If they could separate the cosmic energy from the psychic force within the energy orbs created by Psycho Boost, then this cosmic energy could serve as pure "fuel", possibly usable to sustain Jirachi.
"How long would it take to build the separation equipment?" John asked, knowing less than three days remained before Jirachi's return to the slumber cocoon.
If it simply fell asleep, that would be manageable, injecting cosmic energy later should enable quick recovery. But if it transformed into a shooting star and departed for space as recorded in anime and historical texts, that would be catastrophic.
"I don't know," Emerald shook her head.
They had only just defined cosmic energy's existence, and research into this energy system was barely beginning. Manufacturing containers and separation equipment could take an indefinite amount of time.
"Damn." John frowned. Had capturing Deoxys been pointless?
At that moment, Saul emerged from the Meteorite research laboratory, report in hand.
"Good news, the Meteorite analysis is complete. These two Meteorites differ from ordinary meteorites. They're high-density cosmic energy concentrates."
"High-density concentrates?" John's eyes widened as he quickly took the report and examined it carefully.
"Yes, if Jirachi has absorption capabilities, it should be able to supplement its energy directly through the Meteorites," Saul explained.
"Excellent! Let's test this immediately!" John rose urgently. "Gardevoir, teleport Jirachi here!"
Gardevoir immediately warped Jirachi from the villa.
It was already late night, and Jirachi, Togepi, and Wobbuffet had fallen asleep. The wish Pokemon arrived still bleary-eyed from the sudden teleportation.
"Jirachi~~~(Is it morning already?)" Jirachi yawned and floated toward the laboratory, ready to begin the day's "work."
John quickly guided the little one back. "Come here, Jirachi. Try absorbing energy from this Meteorite and see what happens."
"Jira?" Jirachi looked at the Meteorite curiously but obediently followed John's instructions, grasping the Meteorite and absorbing its energy.
Seven-colored light flickered, and Jirachi's vitality visibly improved.
John quickly opened Jirachi's status panel to check.
The timer at the bottom remained, but it was no longer counting down.
(Note: When cosmic energy is completely depleted, will return to slumber cocoon and drift through space. Countdown: 3 days, 20 hours, 1 minute)
(Note: When cosmic energy is completely depleted, will return to slumber cocoon and drift through space. Countdown: 4 days, 2 hours, 22 minutes)
(Note: When cosmic energy is completely depleted, will return to slumber cocoon and drift through space. Countdown: 5 days, 2 hours, 27 minutes)
The timer increased steadily, returning to seven days before stopping.
"Burp~" Jirachi hiccupped, looking refreshed and energetic.
"It seems Jirachi's cosmic energy storage capacity maxes out at seven days," John sighed with relief, finally having saved the little one.
"Mentor, please check exactly how much energy Jirachi absorbed from the Meteorite."