Inside the room.
After Steven's explanation, Wayne finally understood the true nature of this meteorite—or at least, he had a general idea.
"This is very similar to the legendary Mega Stone meteorite."
The reason it was only a general idea was because Steven couldn't be entirely certain either.
After Steven mentioned it, Wayne also realized it did bear some resemblance.
But he always felt it was unlikely.
After making a video call and observing carefully through the camera, Steven still wasn't entirely certain.
"I can't be sure just from the video. If you don't mind, I'll make a trip to Jubilife City."
On the other end of the screen, Steven furrowed his brows, as he also found it hard to believe.
Even if it was a Mega Stone meteorite, why would it be in the Oreburgh City coal mine?
Even more outrageous was Wayne's claim that the meteorite was just half-buried in the dirt, and then Lucario simply picked it up.
It was so simple that Steven found it hard to believe.
"Will it be too much trouble for you?"
Steven laughed heartily. "I happen to have a competition in Oreburgh City in mid-April, and I'm also very interested in the Oreburgh Coal Mine."
"Then you're always welcome."
If this thing really had a connection to Mega Stone meteorites, then it might be closely related to Rayquaza and Deoxys.
It was better to have Steven come over to ensure safety.
"I'll go to Jubilife City first before the competition. I'll contact you then."
"Okay."
After arranging a meeting time with Steven, Wayne hung up the phone.
At the same time, the meteorite on the table emitted a colorful glow.
After the colorful glow appeared, Wayne could vaguely see Mega Stone patterns appearing on the meteorite's pitted surface!
Especially after Wayne took out his Diancite for comparison, the resemblance was striking.
It might actually be one!
Wayne shook his head. Before the true nature of this meteorite was confirmed, it was best not to jump to conclusions.
...
At the same time, in Oreburgh City.
Roark, the Gym Leader of the Oreburgh Gym, had already joined forces with Officer Jenny of Oreburgh City to seal off the area around the Oreburgh Coal Mine.
This was due to a major discovery in the Oreburgh Coal Mine!
"What happened?"
"Please take other routes. This area will be temporarily sealed off."
"But the route through the Oreburgh Coal Mine is the fastest!"
Without Flying-type Pokémon, the Oreburgh Coal Mine route was the fastest and most economical way to connect Jubilife City and Oreburgh City.
Other routes either involved taking a maglev train or making a long detour over the mountains.
Officer Jenny said helplessly, "We don't wish for this either, but it's not safe to pass through the mine right now. Please cooperate with our work."
"Since Officer Jenny said so, let's just take another route."
"Thank you very much for your cooperation."
Roark made a phone call, communicating with the League with a serious expression.
"Yes, we hope the League can send someone to investigate."
Standing outside the Oreburgh Coal Mine, after ending his call with the League operator, a strange expression appeared on Roark's face.
It all stemmed from a major discovery made by Roark and other miners in the Oreburgh Coal Mine that morning.
The Oreburgh Coal Mine was located south of Oreburgh City and was the most important site in the entire city.
It could be said that all of Oreburgh City depended on it for its livelihood.
As its name suggested, coal was the most important resource here.
In addition, there were also reserves of granodiorite, flint, and diabase tuff.
These materials could be used in various construction industries, and also for Pokémon training, especially for Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon.
Lastly, there were Pokémon fossils. The Oreburgh Coal Mine had unearthed fossils of Cranidos and Shieldon.
Roark's Cranidos had been revived from a fossil found here.
Born and raised in Oreburgh City, Roark had been involved with the Oreburgh Coal Mine for as long as he could remember.
Roark knew the Oreburgh Coal Mine inside and out, perhaps better than anyone else.
But now, a substance he had never seen before had appeared in the mine.
The Oreburgh Coal Mine was a labyrinth of tunnels. As Roark delved deeper, he returned to where the other miners were gathered.
The illumination inside the Oreburgh Coal Mine usually relied on kerosene lamps or torches.
But the light here was blue, as if one were standing inside a blue grotto.
Mirror-like transparent stones were embedded in the walls, illuminating the space within the cavern.
Roark asked, "How is it? Any discoveries?"
"None."
The staff member didn't even look up.
"Strange. Why is that?"
"How did this cave appear in the first place?"
Not only miners, but geological workers had also entered successively for exploration.
What was strange about this cave wasn't just the mirror-like stones, but also the fact that these caves hadn't existed before!
The story began that morning after Roark met Wayne.
Roark, who had been chatting animatedly with Wayne, was interrupted by the discovery made by other miners.
"There shouldn't have been any explosions last night, right?"
"No, if there had been explosions, we should have heard them."
The entire Oreburgh Coal Mine connected to the underground of Oreburgh City. If there had been explosions, they would have felt them.
"Could it have been dug out by some Pokémon? Like Onix or Steelix?"
This was Roark's hypothesis.
Onix and Steelix were massive, and if there were enough of them, they could have done this overnight.
"It's not impossible, but there are no traces of them tunneling through or leaving, and it doesn't explain the appearance of these stones."
"Perhaps the stones were already here?"
Geologists, Roark, and the miners debated this endlessly, but there was no clear conclusion.
"It seems we can only wait for the League to send someone over for a more detailed investigation."
Roark had already contacted the League, and he believed someone would be sent to investigate very soon.
...
Time flew by, and mid-April arrived.
Wayne successfully entered the main competition of the Breeder Competition, advancing to the top 32.
The meteorite hadn't affected Wayne's daily life. Steven was arriving in two days.
He had placed the meteorite in the system's backpack, where it sat harmoniously alongside the Diancite.
Wayne carried two portions of Pokémon food to the front gate of the Breeding Center.
Luxray eagerly began eating, while Arcanine stood in place, staring intently at Wayne.
"Eat."
Only after hearing Wayne's command did Arcanine lie down and begin eating its breakfast.
Arcanine and Luxray had been serving as "security guards" for the Breeding Center for some time now.
With these two majestic "security guards" and the video of Pokémon coming to aid the Breeding Center still circulating online, the Breeding Center remained very stable.
Arcanine lay on the ground, quietly eating its food, as Wayne gently stroked its soft mane.
Arcanine raised its head, its bright, spirited eyes meeting Wayne's, and its fluffy tail unconsciously wagged.
Looking at Arcanine's condition, a genuine smile appeared on Wayne's face.
He believed Arcanine's recovery was just around the corner.
"Get well soon, Arcanine."
Regardless of the reward he might receive after Arcanine regained its confidence, Wayne only hoped Arcanine would recover as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Brock made an important decision.