Devon Research Projects

Lin Mo accepted the Jaw Fossil with both hands. The moment his fingertips touched its surface, he seemed to feel a faint tremor. He held the fossil tightly in his palms, his eyes full of anticipation. "Thank you, Mr. Steven."

"You're welcome."

Steven closed the glass cabinet and turned toward the exit of the collection room.

"Come with me. The Revival Laboratory is on the second floor of Devon Corporation. I guarantee this ancient Pokémon will awaken in its best possible condition."

After leaving the collection room, the two took the elevator to the second floor. The instant the doors opened, a crisp, clean chill washed over them.

They passed through a long corridor.

The walls on both sides were covered with pictures and materials related to Pokémon fossil research, including reconstructions of prehistoric ecosystems and records from various fossil excavation sites.

As they walked, Steven introduced the place to Lin Mo, his tone filled with confidence in his family's company.

"The entire second floor has been designated as a special research area. Aside from fossil revival projects, we also conduct other research and development projects.

"For example, machines that can communicate with Pokémon, machines that can peer into Pokémon dreams, and so on... Of course, none of those have been fully developed yet. They're still in the research stage."

Lin Mo listened attentively, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the signs along the corridor.

There were hardly any other employees in the hallway. Only the occasional researcher hurried past from a side passage, each dressed in a uniform white coat with an ID badge hanging from their chest.

Whenever they saw Steven, they stopped and gave a slight nod before quickly continuing on their way. The entire space was permeated by an efficient, focused atmosphere.

After turning a corner, they came upon a heavier metal door. An electronic screen was embedded in it, scrolling the words: "Fossil Revival Area. Unauthorized Personnel Prohibited."

Steven pressed his palm against the scanner again. A string of complex code immediately appeared on the screen, followed by a soft beep as the doors slowly opened to either side.

Beyond them was a spacious, brightly lit reception hall. At the center stood a display platform with a transparent glass case containing a complete Aerodactyl skeleton model.

Its wingspan stretched nearly three meters. The curves of its bones precisely recreated the posture of an ancient flying dragon soaring through the skies. Even as a model, it exuded a breathtaking majesty.

Past the reception hall was the true core area of the Revival Laboratory.

A massive laboratory spread out before them. Countless bright shadowless lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.

All sorts of precision instruments filled the laboratory. Some emitted faint humming sounds, while others displayed complex data and charts on their screens.

Several researchers in white lab coats worked busily at their stations. Their expressions were focused and their movements meticulous, lending the entire laboratory a serious, professional atmosphere.

When Steven entered, an elderly researcher with graying hair and thick glasses immediately came over and respectfully said, "Young Master Steven, you've arrived."

"Mm."

Steven nodded and pointed at the Jaw Fossil in Lin Mo's hands.

"This is Lin Mo. The fossil he's holding is a newly excavated fossil I obtained recently. Process it according to the highest revival standards and try to revive it as soon as possible."

The elderly researcher's gaze fell on the Jaw Fossil in Lin Mo's hands. He pushed up his glasses, surprise flashing in his eyes.

"A completely new fossil?"

"Yes," Steven said. "That's why it must be handled even more carefully. Make sure the revival process is absolutely foolproof."

"Please rest assured, Young Master Steven. We'll give it everything we have."

The elderly researcher answered solemnly, then held out his hand. "Mr. Lin Mo, please hand the fossil over to me. We'll begin preparations immediately."

Lin Mo carefully handed the Jaw Fossil to the elderly researcher.

The elderly researcher accepted it and examined it closely for a moment before turning to several assistants nearby.

"Activate Revival Chamber No. 3 immediately. Prepare genetic sequence analysis and cell culture solution. Follow the revival procedure for an unknown fossil."

"Young Master Steven, over the past three years, we've made considerable breakthroughs in Pokémon gene extraction and cell proliferation technology."

As he placed the Jaw Fossil on the testing platform, the elderly researcher explained to Steven and Lin Mo.

"In the past, reviving an unknown fossil required a great deal of time just to reconstruct its genetic sequence. But with our new technology, we can complete the extraction of a full DNA chain within two hours. Combined with cell proliferation technology, half a day is enough to let an ancient Pokémon see the light of day again."

"That's incredible."

Lin Mo sighed sincerely.

He had seen videos of early fossil revival procedures before, and they often took weeks or even months. Now it could be done in half a day. The advancement of technology was truly astonishing.

Steven patted him on the shoulder. "The revival process will take a few hours. I'll show you around Devon Corporation in the meantime and let you see some of our other research achievements."

Naturally, Lin Mo did not refuse. He held the inflatable fish tank containing Feebas against his chest a little more securely and followed Steven out of the Revival Laboratory.

Steven brought Lin Mo to the exhibition area of the Poké Ball R&D Center.

Unlike the precision laboratories they had seen earlier, this place felt more like a cleverly designed exhibition hall. Different kinds of Poké Balls sat inside transparent display cases, while nearby screens continuously played explanations of their operating principles and test footage.

Steven first walked over to a display case labeled "Nest Ball" and pressed the button beside it.

The Nest Ball at the center of the case opened in response. Instead of the simple interior of a traditional Poké Ball, it simulated the environment of a small cave—

The rock walls were covered in hollows, the ground was spread with fine gravel, and several smooth round stones rested in the corners. It looked exactly like the habitat of wild cave-dwelling Pokémon.

"This is a Poké Ball specifically made for cave-dwelling Pokémon such as Aron, Rhyhorn, Diglett... and others like them.

"Besides increasing the chances of catching this type of Pokémon, it can also create a more familiar living environment for them. The more comfortable a Pokémon is in its home, the safer it feels.

"For captured Pokémon, a comfortable living environment can gradually ease their wariness of a new place. When they spend time with their Trainer, they'll be more willing to approach on their own and follow the Trainer's commands."

Next, Steven brought Lin Mo to the adjacent display case for the "Net Ball."

This Poké Ball had a very distinctive appearance. Its shell was a vivid dark green, printed with dense net-like patterns.

"This is a Poké Ball developed specifically for catching Bug-type Pokémon. The electronic display here has a detailed introduction to how it works."

As Steven spoke, he lightly tapped the screen beside it, and the footage began playing again.

A Wurmple was perched on a branch. After the Net Ball was thrown, before Wurmple could react, a soft net hidden inside the ball rapidly unfolded like a gentle trap wrapped in clouds, steadily enclosing it.

"This isn't a spiderweb. It's an imitation spiderweb made of biomimetic fibers," Steven explained to Lin Mo.

"When activated, these fiber nets release pheromones similar to those of a spiderweb. Bug-type Pokémon have very poor resistance to that scent. On top of that, the net is highly elastic and can tighten along with their movements. It won't hurt them, but it can calm them down quickly."

On the screen, after Wurmple was covered by the soft net, it tried to break free. But after struggling three or four times, its movements gradually slowed until it became weak and still.

The Net Ball swiftly retracted the soft net and snapped back into its original form. The Wurmple inside did not struggle again from start to finish, and the capture process was smooth and steady.

Steven continued enthusiastically introducing other Poké Balls to Lin Mo, who listened with rapt attention.

He had only known before that Poké Balls were tools for catching and carrying Pokémon. He had never imagined there was so much knowledge behind them. Devon Corporation's Poké Ball research considered not only practicality, but also the emotional bond between Pokémon and Trainers.

No wonder that in just a few years, it had broken Silph Co.'s monopoly in the Poké Ball manufacturing industry and become a new-generation giant among Poké Ball manufacturers.

Time slowly passed as Lin Mo toured Devon Corporation. Then Steven's communicator rang. It was a message from the Revival Laboratory.

"Young Master Steven, the fossil's awakening procedure is ready. The final activation can begin at any time."

"Looks like our tour will have to end early." Steven smiled as he put away his communicator. "Your new partner can't wait to meet you."