Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Pikachu use Thunderbolt!
"Ethan, how could..." James felt a wave of dizziness. If Jerry's words held any truth and Timmy had developed a disease, their entire investment would crumble.
"Don't worry, just wait and see," Ethan replied calmly.
James bit his lip, the tension in his chest mounting.
Suddenly, a spark flickered from Pichu, who lay curled up in a tight ball.
"Zzzt—"
The current grew, wrapping around Timmy's body in a radiant spark.
The audience held their breath, eyes fixed on the mysterious glow surrounding Timmy. Then, just as suddenly, the spark faded.
"Pikachu!" A bright call echoed through the room.
Timmy emerged from the light, transformed. He looked similar to Pichu but with clear changes: larger, blinking eyes, a chubby yellow body, rosy cheeks, and a lightning-bolt-shaped tail. He was still undeniably cute, but now he radiated a new power.
"What's happening?"
"Wow, is this some kind of mutation?"
"It's adorable, but isn't this supposed to be a disease?"
Confused murmurs rippled through the audience as they absorbed Timmy's transformation.
"Mr. Ethan, Timmy, he..." James gasped, covering his mouth in shock.
Ethan raised his voice, addressing the crowd with feigned surprise, "It's a gene I embedded within Pichu. Under certain conditions, it triggers... I call it morphological evolution. I expected we'd see this only when Timmy matured, but today's environment must have set it off. Now, he's become Pikachu, he's evolved with greater power."
"Evolution?"
"Is this only possible for Pokémon?"
"Ethan's design is groundbreaking! No other company has even attempted something like this!"
The audience buzzed with excitement, realizing they were witnessing something revolutionary. Ethan had designed Pichu with an advanced gene that triggered evolution, a completely unprecedented achievement.
"This is impossible!" Lina muttered, unable to hide her disbelief. She knew the intricacies of gene mutations but had never seen a creature evolve right before her eyes.
Beside her, Jerry clenched his fists. He'd hoped to label this as a pathological disease to discredit Ethan, but it was clear now: this was something new, something thrilling, it was Biological Advancement, the evolution of one form to another.
As the reality of the situation sank in, Jerry realized that once word spread, Pokémon Biotechnology's value would skyrocket, possibly surpassing even the largest competitors.
"No... I can't let this happen," Jerry growled, glancing down at Rocky, his spirit dog. "Rocky, go! Don't let it survive!"
Sending the spirit dog to attack Pikachu had been Jerry's backup plan, meant to sabotage Ethan's showcase under the guise of an "accident."
Today, many trainers used genetically modified creatures for battle. Rocky, designed for combat, was fast, with sharp teeth and a powerful bite force.
"wooo!!..."
Rocky growled, spreading his wings as he launched himself toward Pokémon Biotechnology's booth.
Timmy, still adjusting to his new form, sensed the danger.
Swish!
With a Quick Attack, Timmy disappeared in a flash, leaving Rocky striking nothing but air.
Rocky snarled, frustrated, as Timmy darted back and forth, his newfound speed making him hard to track.
"Pikachu!" Timmy steadied himself, turning to face Rocky with fierce determination.
Ethan, James, and the crowd looked on in shock as Rocky charged. Had Jerry lost his mind?
Gasps erupted from the audience, uncertain of Timmy's fate. But Ethan's expression turned cold as he called out, "Timmy, use Thunderbolt!"
Ethan had dreamed of this moment, of seeing Thunderbolt unleashed. Now, he would witness it firsthand.
Timmy's body crackled with electricity, and with a sudden burst, a bolt of lightning shot forward.
PIKA CHUUUU!!!
"Hur hut hur!" Rocky yelped, struck by the full force of Timmy's Thunderbolt. The spirit dog staggered and fell to the stage, smoke rising from his singed fur.
Rocky lay twitching, defeated but alive.
After releasing Thunderbolt, Timmy circled Rocky, his chest puffed with pride, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"That was incredible!"
"Evolution gave it so much power, unbelievable!"
The crowd erupted in applause, marveling at Timmy's transformation and strength.
Jerry and Lina stood fuming, their meticulously planned sabotage backfiring spectacularly.
"Curse it all!" Jerry muttered, watching Rocky twitch on the stage. Rocky had been his ace, his failsafe plan, and now... this.
His original scheme had counted on Rocky overpowering Pichu and then blaming the incident on an unfortunate "accident." With a few bribes, he could have swept the matter under the rug.
He had been so certain Rocky's speed would outmatch any defense Pichu could muster. But fate had taken an unexpected turn. His plan had backfired, serving only to highlight Pokémon Biotechnology's genius.
The rise of Pokémon Biotechnology Company was now unstoppable, and Jerry knew it. Even the failed attack would become an unforgettable moment, one that only added to the spotlight on Ethan's revolutionary creation, overshadowing Jerry's brand and ambitions.
...
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