Within moments, the two of them had arrived at Lu Ze's room. On the desk sat two culture media tanks—one for the Galarian Farfetch'd, and one for Deoxys.
"What's this?"
"Deoxys's energy core. You could also call it Deoxys's Pokémon Egg."
Sui Yan leaned in curiously, studying Deoxys's energy core up close.
"Wow, so eggs can exist in this form too?"
Lu Ze smiled. "Now, let me show you something even more incredible."
With that, he pulled the item he'd retrieved from the school's treasure vault from his pocket.
Sui Yan eyed the silver, four-pointed star-shaped object in Lu Ze's hand. "I was wondering why you took this. So this is your cheat?"
Lu Ze shook his head at the Comet Shard, then placed it into Deoxys's culture medium.
The system's description of the Comet Shard surfaced in his mind.
Item: Comet Shard
Effect: Extremely high collectible value; can also accelerate Deoxys's energy absorption. Appears to share the same origin as Deoxys.
"This isn't the cheat—but it can make my cheat appear ahead of schedule!"
"So… your… che—"
Sui Yan stammered, staring at the bizarre phenomenon unfolding within the culture medium. He couldn't believe his own eyes.
The Comet Shard Lu Ze had just placed inside cracked open abruptly, crumbling into silver-gray dust that flowed into Deoxys's energy core.
Moreover, due to the sheer speed of the energy influx, the nutrient solution in the culture medium began swirling into a vortex, and the blue liquid rapidly lightened in color.
However, since Lu Ze and Sui Yan's full attention was fixed on Deoxys's energy core, neither of them noticed that the three stone tablets beneath the medium were also faintly glowing, apparently channeling energy into Deoxys's core as well.
Lu Ze stared at the medium with wild excitement. "That's right—this is the real cheat!"
In short order, Deoxys had finished absorbing the energy.
A visible burst of pinkish Psychic-type power exploded outward from Deoxys's energy core, then swiftly drew back just before it could reach the Farfetch'd egg beside it.
Then, with a flash of white light, the energy core elongated within the light.
Two breaths later, Deoxys stood before them both.
Its body resembled an extraterrestrial's—orange-red in color, with blue-green markings on its face and both arms. On either side, an orange arm and a blue arm intertwined in a spiral formation.
But unlike any other Deoxys Lu Ze remembered, the core in its chest glowed a jewel-like sapphire blue.
"Deoxys…"
Lu Ze gazed at Deoxys with unmistakable longing, murmuring the name.
Deoxys regarded Lu Ze and gave a slight nod. Then, using its telekinesis, it pulled open the desk drawer.
A Luxury Ball floated in the air. Deoxys lightly pressed the release switch with one hand, then dissolved into a beam of red light and entered the ball.
"Deoxys?"
Lu Ze snapped back to reality, momentarily stunned—then broke into a grin.
He snatched the floating Luxury Ball and opened the catch.
"Come out! Deoxys!"
Just moments ago, Lu Ze had been worried—whether Deoxys, upon being born, might simply bolt.
But Deoxys's actions had given him a tremendous pleasant surprise.
He'd originally thought that even having Deoxys follow him would be enough—he never expected to actually catch it.
But Deoxys had voluntarily entered the Poké Ball itself, allowing itself to be captured.
"This… is that… your cheat?"
Sui Yan finally snapped out of his daze. That Psychic power that had just manifested as something almost tangible—he hadn't even seen that level of force from the Psychic-type Elite's ace Pokémon. And this unknown creature that seemed so incredibly powerful had actually chosen to let Lu Ze catch it voluntarily!
"Looks seriously strong!" Sui Yan exclaimed.
"His name is Deoxys!"
After introducing Deoxys to Sui Yan, Lu Ze turned back to the Pokémon. "Want to battle? How about a match?"
Deoxys regarded Lu Ze calmly and gave a small nod.
"Sui Yan—want to have a battle? Let me show you what kind of cheat this really is."
Lu Ze said excitedly to Sui Yan, while Deoxys paid no attention at all, merely gazing温和ly at the Mini Dragon perched on Lu Ze's shoulder.
Mini Dragon eyed Deoxys with equal curiosity. She could clearly sense a special closeness between herself and this Pokémon standing before her.
Deoxys gently beckoned with one hand.
Mini Dragon glanced at Deoxys, then at Lu Ze, and gently shook her head in response.
Deoxys showed no disappointment—the warmth and fondness in its gaze undimmed.
Lu Ze and Sui Yan, of course, hadn't noticed the exchange between the two Pokémon. Sui Yan had already agreed to a battle and was now discussing where to hold it.
Lu Ze didn't want to expose Deoxys's existence so quickly, so he did his best to convince Sui Yan to head to the back mountain for their match.
True to form, Sui Yan readily agreed.
"Wait here—I'll go call the others over!"
With that, Sui Yan sprinted out. Deoxys looked incredibly powerful, but it had just been born. How strong could it possibly be?
Once Sui Yan was gone, Lu Ze finally called up Deoxys's full information panel.
Pokémon: Deoxys
Gender: None
Type: Psychic
Ability: Pressure (opposing Pokémon's moves cost additional energy and HP)
Quality: Gold (Virus)
Base Moves: Leer, Constrict, Night Shade, Teleport, Power Trip, Psychic, Psycho Shift, Zen Headbutt, Cosmic Power, Recover, Psycho Boost, Hyper Beam, Taunt, Close Combat, Zap Cannon, Amnesia, Counter, Swift, Agility
Inherited Moves: None
There didn't seem to be any difference from before—except for the addition of the "(Virus)" tag.
That must be the space virus Deoxys naturally carries.
He wondered if this virus worked the same as in the games—whether it could double Effort Values gained, or if it had some other effect.
But thankfully, from the look of it, Deoxys didn't seem to be suffering any side effects, just like in the games. Otherwise, Lu Ze would have had to exercise more caution.
"Deoxys—are you ready!"
Deoxys nodded, then extended its right fist in imitation of Lu Ze, and the two bumped fists.
Lu Ze smiled at Deoxys. Looking forward to the day you shock the world!
(End of Chapter)