Chapter 84: Chapter 83: Growing Buzz Over New Pokémon and the Approach of Evolution Fluid
It had been a week since Hoothoot, Meowth, and Bulbasaur had received their official certificates from the rating agency.
Their successful debut showed just how far Pokémon Biotech had come under Ethan's leadership. In that time, the company had stepped up its promotion of each new species, and the public's interest had grown exponentially.
Bulbasaur's vine-covered design generated the most buzz in online communities, while Hoothoot's hypnotic powers sparked wild theories about its potential uses.
Meanwhile, Pokémon Paradise continued to thrive, attracting huge crowds every day. With so many visitors, Ethan realized they needed additional staff. He hired more staff for both the park and the lab, hoping to keep up with the constant demand. Now, almost every day, lines of tourists snaked around the park entrance, excited to cuddle or watch the little pichu and squirtle that roamed the open habitats.
It was no secret that new species would soon be arriving at the park, thanks to rumors circulating online. Eager fans began to speculate about which ones would be next. "I wonder if the Charmander from the demo a while back will be on display?" wrote one blogger, while another wrote, "He might add Bulbasaur and Hoothoot, I can't wait to see their Vine Whip or Hypnosis in person!
The official Pokémon Biotech channels tried to temper expectations, noting that a safe environment and thorough training were required before the new Pokémon could be added to the park. Nevertheless, anticipation remained high. Whether it was the "Cannon Toad," as some jokingly nicknamed Bulbasaur, or the "Naptime Owl" (a fan nickname for Hoothoot), netizens were clamoring to see them all.
That same week, Ethan and his team announced progress on the so-called "Evolution Fluid," which had caused quite a stir on Weibo. He had previously explained that it could help certain Pokémon evolve, but not all. People immediately asked if it could work on standard genetic creatures. He answered clearly: "No." This dashed some hopes, but many trainers with Pokémon in mind became more intrigued and eager for a release date.
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One afternoon, James stood in a corner of the lab, cradling a newly hatched Growlithe. The little pup wriggled in his arms, uttering soft whimpers that James found adorable. Meanwhile, Ethan hovered over two other brand-new Pokémon: Audino and Happiny. He marveled at how strange they looked - so different from Ditto's gooey form, yet strange enough to mark them as part of the emerging "Pokémon lineup.
The reason was simple: Audino had pink and beige fur draped in a pattern that looked like a fancy coat, and Happiny resembled a small egg with curly pink hair. James, noticing Ethan's quiet fascination, asked, "Mr. Grave, what do we call these two?"
Ethan pointed to Happiny. "This one is Happiny. It looks like an egg, right?" The small, egg-shaped Pokémon nodded as if it understood, blinking at James as it nibbled a piece of fruit. Ethan chuckled softly. "And Growlithe is that little pup you're holding. I like the sound of that name, Growlithe."
James looked at the puppy in his arms. "Growlithe? I was thinking something like Beard Dog, because it has that little tuft on its chin. Oh well, I guess we'll go with Growlithe."
He scratched behind Growlithe's fluffy ears. The puppy closed his eyes in contentment and let out a low growl of pleasure. "And that pink one with the tuxedo-like pattern?" James nodded to Audino, who stood upright and looked around with big, curious eyes.
"That's Audino," Ethan said simply. "I didn't think too much about it. The name is distinctive enough."
James raised an eyebrow. "Is that all? Aren't you a little careless with names these days?"
Ethan just shrugged. "It fits." It felt random to James, but Ethan often settled on these names quickly, trusting a vision in his mind that guided the entire Pokémon concept. He mentally noted that each new design had strong novelty potential for marketing.
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With his morning's work done, Ethan returned to Pokémon Biotech's main office. For the past week, the creative team had been working on a promotional video for Hoothoot, Meowth, and Bulbasaur that was about to go online. Comments on the first images of these Pokémon were already pouring in, sparking renewed interest in the so-called "Pokémon series:
Some netizens dubbed Bulbasaur the "Garlic Toad," entranced by its seed-laden back that would eventually bloom.
Hoothoot earned the nickname "Sleepy Owl" for its rumored hypnotic powers. People joked that he could replace sleeping pills.
Meowth drew fewer comments, but people were still curious about the gold coin on his forehead.
Ethan reviewed the final video cuts and was pleased with the quality. That afternoon, Pokémon Biotech's social media accounts uploaded the official launch clips. Within hours, the footage had been reposted on numerous platforms, garnering millions of views and climbing the trending lists. Fans left thousands of comments:
"I need that Bulbasaur. Vine Whip looks so cool."
"Hoothoot's Hypnosis could cure my insomnia. Where can I buy one?"
"Hoping for a price drop. The last wave was too expensive, but I'm saving up."
A day later, the marketing team teased an update about the first batch of Squirtle, now fully grown and awaiting shipment to their new owners, further stirring the pot of excitement.
As a result, many fans speculated that the rumored "Evolution Fluid" was also about to go on sale, although no date was announced. Ethan wanted to handle this with caution, considering how disruptive this product could be to the biotech market.
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At noon, Ethan strolled down a wide corridor lined with large windows that let in bright sunlight. He reflected on how quickly the "Pokémons" had captured the public's imagination.
In just three months, they had eclipsed many established genetic lines, from the so-called "Northam Group" to even the incidents caused by the infamous "Ice and Fire Alliance. The media called him a genius, though he found the term inappropriate. He was more of a conduit for the ideas his system presented.
He listened as his staff discussed Bulbasaur's synergy of animal and plant genes, or Hoothoot's mental manipulation. Some foreign experts marveled at such advanced gene splicing.
Many had tried to create symbiotic organisms or psychic-like abilities, usually resulting in aggression or flawed designs. But Pokémon Biotech's creatures displayed gentleness, intelligence, and unexpected powers that rarely caused trouble.
As news of new Pokémon began to spread, people were not forgetting about the impending release of Evolution Fluid.
From the moment Ethan teased its existence, fans clamored for details. Ethan reiterated that it would not guarantee evolution, only increase the odds. Still, that was enough for many hopeful trainers, especially those who longed for Pikachu forms of their Pichu. They devoured every scrap of information about the fluid's potential release date.
Deciding to manage expectations, Ethan posted a second statement on the official site, clarifying that the fluid would only be suitable for Pokémon, not other genetic life forms.
He also urged owners to treat their Pokémon well, emphasizing that emotional bonds and good health are essential to successful evolutions. This philanthropic stance further enhanced his public image. Critics who accused him of being profit-driven gained little traction as he continued to advocate for responsible ownership.
The first day after the product teaser, Ethan took a brief call from Secretary Elijah, who praised his approach. "The community sees your caution as a sign of integrity," Elijah said. Ethan just laughed and reminded him that the fluid had not even been fully tested. If a major mishap occurred, the brand could take a hit, so caution was best.
With so many developments swirling around, Ethan sensed that the biotech world was on the cusp of more upheaval. Every time Pokémon Biotech released a new species, demand skyrocketed, and copycat labs struggled to replicate the innovations.
Evolution Fluid would be another shockwave. If Pichu and Squirtle had proven the potential of these creatures, and if Bulbasaur and Hoothoot offered glimpses of telepathy or symbiotic plants, then a fluid that advanced evolution could be the final piece that rewrote genetic research forever.
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In the afternoon, Ethan took a short break and returned to Pokémon Paradise to observe how visitors were interacting with the Pokémon already there.
A staff member reported that everyone was calm and happy; no incidents of tail-pulling or harassment had occurred. This stability gave him confidence that the environment was ready for more species to join soon. He considered letting Bulbasaur roam an enclosure when they were more mature, and perhaps introducing Meowth in a smaller test area.
Back at the main building, Ethan locked himself in his office and read the latest wave of online comments.
A grin tugged at his lips. In time, the public would witness Hoothoot, Meowth, and the miracles they could perform. In the meantime, talk of Evolution Fluid kept them in suspense. The entire world was watching Pokémon Biotech's every move, waiting to see if these creatures would change the future of gene editing forever.
Ethan sat back in his chair. The next few weeks were going to be busy, but he was ready. Just as Pichu and Squirtle proved that everyday people could enjoy friendly, intelligent companions, Bulbasaur and Hoothoot could prove that there was no limit to what genetic engineering could accomplish if done with care and imagination.
The continued momentum only fueled his ambitions, driving him to push even harder to carve out a place for Pokémon Biotech at the forefront of biotech innovation.
He gazed at the setting sun outside his window, feeling both excitement and a sense of responsibility. The Pokémon franchise had become immensely popular, but it was up to him to ensure that it remained sustainable, safe, and above all, magical.