Pokemon: Behold the Father of All Pokemons

The annual International Genetic Engineering Exchange Conference has always been a spectacle, drawing the world's top researchers, corporate giants, and media to its halls.

This year, the event descended on Tarvok City in the Kingdom of Alverez, enveloping the modern metropolis in an atmosphere of intellectual fervor.

Signs announcing the conference hung from lampposts and towering skyscrapers. Downtown, crowds bustled with eager anticipation, everyone whispering about rumored scientific breakthroughs that could reshape the next few years of genetic engineering.

Beneath the majestic Shangguan International Convention and Exhibition Center, a vast underground parking garage hummed with the rumble of arriving vehicles.

The faint echo of footsteps echoed off the concrete walls as luminaries from around the world stepped out of stylish cars, ready to unveil or discover the latest biotech marvel. Among them was Ethan Grave, the remarkable young man behind the rapid rise of Pokémon Biotech - a company that, in just two months, had unveiled a series of amazing genetic creatures.

As Ethan stepped out of his vehicle, the overhead lights bathed him in a fluorescent glow. Dressed in a modest but well-tailored suit, he was accompanied by Secretary Elijah, who was rumored to have a meticulous eye for all things business-related. 

Standing beside them were three quirky companions. The first, Pikachu, stared up at Ethan with bright, intelligent eyes and cheeks that occasionally crackled with static. Next was Squirtle, a small turtle-like creature with a playful grin and a penchant for mischief. Finally, there was Charmander, whose salamander-like body was topped by a tail that was constantly tipped with a flickering flame.

No one looking at these three Pokémon would mistake them for ordinary pets. Each moved with an alert intelligence, giving the distinct impression that they understood far more than one might expect.

In fact, Ethan had become famous throughout the Alverez Kingdom and internationally since he demonstrated the evolution of a Pichu into a Pikachu at the New Century Pet Show. 

That singular event, just over a month ago, had captured the world's attention. Articles about "evolutionary gene technology" or "instant evolutionary breakthroughs" lit up research forums and social media. Competing biotech companies suddenly found themselves in a race to catch up or risk irrelevance.

But Ethan had no interest in giving away company secrets. With calm determination, he refused offers to be acquired or to license his technology. This unwavering stance meant that any competitor, especially those with deep pockets, had little choice but to step up their own research. 

Meanwhile, Pokémon Biotech unveiled yet another genetically engineered creature: first Pikachu, then Squirtle, and now Charmander. Two months, three new species revealed. 

The rate of innovation was unheard of, and it had the established labs scrambling. Still, Ethan refused to be swayed by the swirl of speculation. He was here at the conference simply to learn, to observe, and, if the moment seemed right, to share some insights.

"Remember," Ethan told the trio in a low voice. "Don't wander off. Especially you, Squirtle, you have a habit of touching anything that glitters." His tone was affectionate, but underscored by genuine concern. The last thing he wanted was an incident that could cause a media frenzy.

"Jenny Jennie!" Squirtle protested, rubbing its forehead where Ethan had gently flicked it earlier. Beside them, Secretary Elijah hid a grin, always amused at how these genetic creatures behaved more like a bunch of precocious kids than lab-grown specimens.

They walked to an elevator at the far end of the parking lot. A set of double doors slid open, revealing a vast interior. People in formal attire crowded in, some wearing lanyards indicating press credentials, others carrying state-of-the-art lab equipment or biotech demonstration kits. 

Most recognized Ethan, who had become something of a headline in the last two months. A few pointed discreetly at Pikachu, Squirtle, and Charmander and whispered to each other. Others snapped photos, hoping to get an exclusive picture to post online within minutes.

The elevator climbed to the second floor of the convention center. As the doors slid open, Ethan stepped out, the Pokémon obediently following him. 

Almost immediately, two figures approached, one a tall white man with a friendly smile, the other a broad-shouldered black man with a similarly enthusiastic demeanor. Both seemed eager, perhaps even starstruck.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Ethan Grave, CEO of Pokémon Biotech?" the white man asked, holding out his hand. His eyes darted to Pikachu, then lingered on Charmander's tail flame, which was dancing like a tiny lantern.

"That's me," Ethan replied, shaking the stranger's hand.

"My name is Henry Garcia," the man announced with a broad grin. His pronunciation of the local language was imperfect, but intelligible. "I've been following your work for months. Let's just say I'm a big fan."

Ethan tilted his head and searched his memory. While he didn't immediately recall the name, Secretary Elijah leaned in and whispered, "He's an internationally acclaimed bio-designer who's improved tempering gene technology. Consider him a rising star in his field, much like yourself."

A spark of recognition lit up Ethan's eyes. "Oh! Right, Thee Henry Garcia. It's a pleasure to meet you in person." To cover his earlier ignorance, Ethan quickly added, "You look different from the photos I've seen in the trade publications."

Henry Garcia laughed, obviously not offended. "It happens all the time. Believe me, I'm thrilled to finally meet you. Ever since your demonstration with the Pichu evolving into Pikachu, I've been dying to know more about your process. Squirtle was another jaw-dropper, I still haven't figured out how you achieved that water output so efficiently.

With an embarrassed chuckle, Ethan deflected gently. "Well, we've been experimenting with several unique gene-editing approaches in combination with nutritional regimens. Nothing too special." It was a cautious half-truth; the secrets of Pokémon Biotech were not easily explained, nor shared so casually.

Henry seemed unfazed by the evasion. Instead, his gaze shifted to Charmander, his eyes glowing with curiosity. "And this is Charmander, right?" He pointed to the flame-tipped tail. "Does that really burn? It must be some kind of constant biochemical reaction. Mind if I take a closer look?"

Without waiting for an answer, Henry reached out, presumably to test the heat of the flame. Before his fingers could make contact, Charmander sprang into action, leaping forward and striking his forearm with a swift but gentle strike. 

Henry yelped in surprise and backed away. Charmander shot him a warning glare, then trotted back to Ethan's side.

Ethan smiled apologetically. "He doesn't like people touching the flame on his tail."

Henry rubbed his forearm in embarrassment. "Heh, I can see that."

The black man behind Henry chuckled softly, but that didn't stop him from coming closer, obviously tempted to try his luck. Ethan quickly gave him a look that suggested caution, and the man took a respectful step back.

"It's just fascinating," Henry murmured, his eyes still on Charmander. "I've read that your gene evolution technology could rival some of the largest biotech companies in the world. Some are calling it a new wave of research - a leap beyond standard gene editing. Everyone's curious to see how you manage these stable morphological transformations and distinct elemental abilities."

Ethan shrugged modestly, refusing to take the bait. He felt Minister Elijah's presence on his shoulder. She was adept at sensing when a conversation was about to veer into dangerous territory, where trade secrets could be revealed with a single careless remark.

"Anyway," Henry continued, "I don't want to pry too much right now. I'm sure you have a panel or two to attend. I just want you to know that a lot of us are very excited about what Pokémon Biotech is doing. We're all looking forward to your talk." He gave Ethan a mischievous smile. "We heard you might be talking about gene evolution technology?"

"That's up in the air," Ethan replied, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I'll definitely be attending the sessions on nutrient solution breakthroughs. Then we'll see how everything else works out."

Henry nodded. "Understood. Either way, I'll be watching. This conference is shaping up to be pivotal. Word is that one of the big announcements will involve a process that drastically cuts the cost of synthesizing nutrient solutions. That alone could shift the balance of the biotech market."

"I've heard the same thing," Ethan agreed. "Research labs that normally spend fortunes maintaining genetically modified organisms could see those costs plummet."

As the group chatted, a swirl of other attendees passed by: journalists with cameras at the ready, local staffers in official lanyards directing traffic, and scientists flipping through program schedules. 

Occasionally, people paused to watch Charmander's flame or snap sneaky photos of Pikachu perched next to Ethan's leg. Squirtle, meanwhile, fidgeted excitedly, occasionally looking around for something shiny to touch. 

Secretary Elijah managed to gently direct the playful Turtle Pokémon, making sure they didn't stray into passing foot traffic.

From the elevator lobby, Ethan led the group through tall glass doors into a spacious lobby. Massive banners hung from the ceiling, each listing different panels: "Panel A: Next-Gen Nutrient Solutions," "Panel B: Gene Editing Ethics," "Panel C: Evolutionary Research," and so on. A sense of almost electric excitement permeated the air. 

This was where groundbreaking theories or prototypes might emerge, potentially shaping the fate of biotech research for years to come.

In the center of the lobby stood a circular registration booth manned by volunteers scanning badges. Henry Garcia produced his badge, exchanged a few words with the staff, and turned back to Ethan. "I have to check in, so I won't keep you any longer," he said. Then, as if he remembered something important, he added, "Oh, and if you see me around, I'd love for you to meet some of my colleagues, top people from various labs. They've all been dying to talk to you. Maybe we'll run into each other at the welcome reception tonight?"

Ethan dipped his head in a polite nod. "That would be great." He made a silent vow to remain cautious yet gracious; Pokémon Biotech's breakthroughs were too valuable to jeopardize with idle talk, but forging alliances could also open up future possibilities. Balancing secrecy and cooperation was a delicate dance.

With a final handshake and wave, Henry disappeared into the crowd, chatting in hushed tones with his companion. Ethan and Secretary Elijah pressed on toward their own check-in, weaving past suits, lab coats, and camera crews. Charmander, Pikachu, and Squirtle trailed behind, occasionally drawing exclamations of delight or squeals of fascination from unsuspecting attendees.

"Try to keep them from running away," Secretary Elijah teased, glancing at Squirtle in particular. "It might be best if we kept an eye on all three of them at all times. Can you imagine the headlines if Charmander's tail set a booth on fire, or if Squirtle soaked some official's demonstration device?"

Ethan swallowed the sudden mental image of a flooded booth or a scorched marketing display. "Let's just hope for the best," he said, a wry grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And I'll leave dinner on the table as an incentive for these three to behave."

At that, Pikachu's ears twitched as if it understood the mention of food. Charmander flicked his tail, while Squirtle let out a delighted squeal. 

They walked on, the hustle and bustle of the conference swirling around them, every corner buzzing with chatter about new scientific prospects. Several screens dotted the lobby, showing trailers for upcoming presentations. 

One video displayed bold text proclaiming "Genetic Evolution: The Future Is Now," accompanied by animations of cellular morphing. Another screen promoted the keynote on nutrient solutions, with a subheading about cost efficiency.

As the day wore on, Ethan was sure he'd cross paths with more people like Henry Garcia-fellow innovators, curious reporters, and maybe even skeptics. Each conversation could be a springboard for either forging alliances or fending off infiltration attempts. 

Meanwhile, the eyes of the media followed his every move, perhaps hoping to catch the moment when Ethan or Secretary Elijah dropped a hint about Pokémon Biotech's secret technology.

Beneath the polished floors and swirling excitement lurked the tension that always accompanies a high-stakes competition. But Ethan Grave moved forward with quiet confidence, flanked by his three loyal Pokémon. 

In just a few months, these creatures had already sent shockwaves through the industry. Now, at the International Gene Biotechnology Exchange Conference, the entire world was waiting to see what other surprises Pokémon Biotech would reveal, or choose to keep hidden, in the coming days.

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