"Can Pikachu, Wartortle, and Igneel all evolve a second time?" James Hunt asked blankly. He stood in the main office, staring at Ethan Grave in surprise. The notion had never crossed his mind.
Ethan leaned against his desk and nodded calmly. "That's right. Each evolution increases their strength."
"Wow…" A few nearby staffers paused, trying to process the idea. They all knew a single evolution was possible. But two evolutions? That felt like a whole new door opening. Everyone murmured excitedly, speculating about the impressive skills these Pokémon might gain in a second transformation.
"If the second evolution is as impactful as the first," one researcher said, "this is going to blow people's minds all over again." They recalled how the global audience reacted to Pikachu and Charmander evolving for the first time; a second round might cause an even bigger sensation.
---
In another area, staff were busy feeding the newly hatched Catterpie. They were small green caterpillars with bright eyes and a surprising appetite. A few days earlier, Ethan had introduced them to the lab, explaining they were cheap to produce, sold for only 3,000 Dollars, and evolved quickly. Most employees had never seen such an affordable Pokémon.
"You barely need to fuss over them," James remarked. He was still mildly uneasy about insects, but maintained a professional interest. "They'll eat nutrient paste at the start, then switch to leaves. Isn't that too simple?"
"That's the beauty," Ethan replied. "Catterpie hardly costs anything to raise. We discovered they prefer leaves from two or three specific plants. Their growth is so fast it's almost mind-boggling. By the end of the week, they're going to be noticeably bigger."
---
Each day, Ethan visited the nursery to check on developments. On the second day, the earliest catterpies were plumper than before, reflecting how quickly they matured. A few days later, a second batch of Catterpie eggs hatched in the breeding room, creating rows of big green caterpillars.
"It's like an assembly line," one staffer joked. "We'll run out of leaves if we keep going like this."
James smiled thinly, then spotted Ethan in conversation with another researcher. "We're set to move these Catterpie's to the mountain at Pokémon Paradise, right?" James asked, stepping closer.
"Yep," Ethan confirmed. "They're robust enough to manage on their own, bugs develop fast. By relocating them, we'll free up space here for the second batch. A rotating cycle, basically."
James looked uneasy. "Aren't they too small? Won't wild Pidgeotto or Spearow pick them off?"
Ethan waved off the concern. "You underestimate them. Catterpie can fight back with String Shot. Plus, the mountain's wildlife is less of a threat now that Igneel has been scouring for eggs. After Igneel showed up, no bird dares approach, anyway."
James snorted at the mention of Igneel. That Pokémon was notorious for "borrowing" eggs or rummaging for them in nests. "Right, I heard about that fiasco," he said, half-amused.
---
Curious staff followed Ethan outside to a small playground area. He gently placed one Catterpie on the grass and pointed to a large rock. "Use String Shot on that boulder," he commanded.
At first, Catterpie blinked with big black eyes, as though uncertain. But upon a few encouraging gestures, it spewed strands of sticky white silk. The rock was quickly enmeshed. Several staffers rushed to test the silk's durability, finding it strong and elastic.
"Imagine a wild bird trying to snatch them," Ethan said with a light smile. "They'd get entangled before they knew it. These guys aren't helpless."
"So it's not all about metamorphosis," James remarked, stroking his chin. "Catterpie can defend itself, even if it looks like easy prey."
"Exactly," Ethan agreed. "No Pokémon is entirely defenseless."
James recalled another example: Meowth looked harmless until staff discovered it fiercely guarded shiny objects. Two Meowth once had a brutal spat over a pearl. "Every one of these creatures," James thought, "has hidden depths."
---
Two hours later, a company truck pulled up to the lab entrance. They carefully loaded the first batch of Catterpies into portable containers with air holes. Ethan stepped into the driver's seat, while James hopped aboard to accompany him. Together, they headed for Pokémon Paradise, the popular park for public visits and Pokémon housing.
Today happened to be an open day, so crowds of visitors streamed in and out. Street vendors around the entrance hawked licensed Pokémon merchandise:
"Pichu dolls, get your official plush here!"
"Squirtle candies, only two Dollars each!"
"Charmander-themed lighter, a perfect gift for a collector!"
As soon as Ethan parked, he hopped down. James and a few helpers opened the truck's rear compartment. From inside, squeaking caterpillars began emerging, startling the onlookers. Several passersby gasped at the sight of dozens of big green worms.
"Look at those bugs!" a mother exclaimed, pulling her child close. But to their surprise, the child's eyes sparkled with curiosity, not fear. Others paused to watch the staff unload these wiggly newcomers.
James approached Ethan with a raised brow. "We are sure they'll adapt on the hillside?"
"Absolutely," Ethan said, watching the Catterpie squirm around. "We'll release them in a secured enclosure. Let them roam, munch leaves, and grow. Then, if they want to evolve into Metapod and eventually Butterfree, they can do it in a wide, natural space."
Some onlookers took photos or short videos. A few recognized Ethan as the head of Pokémon Biotech, whispering about how he must be "adding a new feature to the park." Others simply stared, half in awe, half in squeamish fascination at so many caterpillars.
---
Staff guided the wriggling line of Catterpie up a winding path, fenced off from the main tourist trails. Once they arrived at a suitable, leafy section, they carefully released the little bugs. Catterpie squeaked and spread out, nibbling any fresh foliage they could find. Some staff meticulously recorded how each one adapted to the environment, while James and Ethan observed from behind the fence.
"This place used to attract flocks of wild birds," James pointed out. "You're certain Igneel's presence will keep them away?"
Ethan chuckled. "Igneel's been patrolling, so yes bird sightings have dropped drastically. If one tries to snag a Catterpie, well… it'll be in for a sticky surprise from String Shot. Let's not forget these guys can defend themselves."
James nodded, satisfied. "I'll keep watch for a few hours. Then we'll rotate staff so they can settle in. They do look healthy enough to manage, though."
As they strolled back to the entrance, a couple of tourists walked up. "Mr. Grave," a teenage boy ventured, "are those big green bugs new Pokémon? Will you sell them here?"
Ethan gave a small, reassuring grin. "Yes, they're called Catterpie. We'll announce official sales soon. If you're interested, check our site for details. They're among the most affordable Pokémon we've introduced."
The teen seemed intrigued, nodding before rushing off to tell his friends. Ethan shared a glance with James, both feeling a warm sense of accomplishment. Another piece of the Pokémon tapestry now flourished in the park, offering a unique experience for visitors.
---
Later, as evening settled over Pokémon Paradise, the newly released Catterpie settled among the leaves, chirping softly. Tourists slowly left, and the park grew calm. Ethan took a last look at the hillside, mentally picturing a near future of green worms spinning cocoons, followed by a sky dotted with newly emerged Butterfree. James stood beside him, arms folded, quietly acknowledging the possibilities.
"Think it'll work out?" James asked in a low voice.
Ethan looked thoughtful. "I do. They'll adapt, evolve, and show people that even a bug can be a beloved companion. Meanwhile, we've got bigger problems to tackle like Suicune's birth for cleaning up Japan's nuclear mess. But for now, I'm satisfied."
James just gave a faint, respectful nod. With that, they turned away from the enclosure, leaving the Catterpie to feast on fresh leaves and begin their swift journey toward metamorphosis. Another day, another stride in expanding the world of Pokémon, forging new connections between nature, people, and the wonders of gene-engineered life.