On the mountain, Ethan climbed a tall tree and inspected the cone fruits hanging from its branches. Each fruit was nearly the size of his fist, and he had trouble determining if they were ripe. Just then, he plucked one and tested its weight in his hand.
It felt lighter than expected.
He tapped the surface and listened. Judging by the faint echo, it seemed hollow.
"Perhaps not fully ripe," he murmured, looking at the shiny red and white orb. Its exterior looked more like processed plastic than a natural plant product, just as he'd designed it. Still, it was not identical to the classic anime Poké Ball shape, and that intrigued him.
"Let's see if it can hold a Pokémon."
On the ground, Pikachu looked up curiously. With a gentle motion, Ethan lightly tapped Pikachu's head with the fruit.
"Pikapi?" Pikachu blinked, confused as to why it was being tapped. The fruit did not make a proper "click," just a faint burst of energy that flickered for half a second before dying. It looked like Pikachu was almost pulled in, but then the process was cut off prematurely.
"So it's close, but not quite there," Ethan concluded, picking up the fruit. Though it looked tough, he noticed small scratches from his previous attempts. Another quick test with Mew's telekinesis dented the surface, but the fruit still managed a slight reaction when pressed against a Pokémon.
Interestingly, the fruit showed no reaction when he tried to test it on an inanimate object, such as a rock. It was as if the cones only recognized Pokémon. This was consistent with the genetic modifications he'd added.
"They're not quite ripe, so let's leave them on the tree for a while longer," he said quietly, dropping the fruit. He turned his attention to the fruit saplings nearby. Most of them had grown to nearly two meters in height, though progress had slowed. Flowers and fruit were still a long way off. The leaves were thriving, but around the edges he saw ragged bites where Catterpie had helped himself to a few meals.
To prevent more damage, Ethan had assigned staff to patrol. Any Catterpie sneaking onto these saplings would be intercepted and redirected. He'd also hired new security after the incident with the masked intruder, including several veterans to stand guard day and night. Cameras now lined the western slope, blocking off secret paths.
"We can't risk sabotage," Ethan reminded himself. "Not after this kidnapping stunt."
...
After finishing his survey, Ethan whistled to Pikachu, Wartortle, and Igneel (Charmeleon), signaling that it was time to head back down. As he reached the base, his phone buzzed. James, a key researcher, was on the line.
"Mr. Grave," James said, sounding a bit breathless, "another batch of Pokémon eggs just hatched. Including the Suicune egg. Could you come over?"
Ethan's face lit up with interest. "On my way."
By the time Ethan arrived, the lab was buzzing with excitement. He entered the hatching room to find several newborn Pokémon squealing and wriggling:
Magikarp: flopping around, clearly fishlike.
Cyndaquil: A small mammal with blue and cream fur and red spots on its back.
Totodile: A small crocodile, all energy and chomping jaws.
Chikorita: A light green, leaf-headed Pokémon with a pleasant scent.
James stood in the middle of the hustle and bustle, giving instructions to the staff. "Do we put these fish directly into the water, or do we keep them in a separate enclosure first?" he asked Ethan hastily.
"Put them in the larger tank in the breeding room for now," Ethan replied, nodding at the dozen or so Magikarp flailing around. "When they're older, we'll move them to the pond in Pokémon Paradise."
Each Magikarp, reddish in color and sporting a golden "crown," flopped weakly on the lab's tiled floor. A staff member carefully scooped them up and placed them in a prepared aquarium.
Other newly hatched Pokémon stumbled about. Cyndaquil curled up into a ball now and then, sputtering little embers from her back. A staff member yelped as Totodile nipped at his glove. Chikorita, waving a leaf, let out a quiet chirp.
Ethan couldn't help but grin. "I'll call this fish 'Magikarp'...the little one with the fire spots 'Cyndaquil'...the blue crocodile is 'Totodile'...and the leafy friend is 'Chikorita'."
James scribbled notes. "Got it. Any reason for these names?"
Ethan shrugged playfully. "It just fits. Their designs fit the concept, and I like the theme. Keep them well fed and note any special quirks."
Ignoring the newborn Pokémon for a moment, Ethan approached the corner where a large Suicune egg lay. He saw it shaking slightly. The upper part of the shell had small cracks.
"Looks like it's almost time," Ethan said to himself, his heart pounding. Suicune was crucial, if it went well, it could clean up the radioactive contamination. He bent down and checked the condition of the hull.
"Not long now," he thought, stepping aside so the staff could watch it carefully. "A day or two at the most, and Suicune should hatch."
In the background, the newly hatched Pokémon continued to captivate onlookers. Several interns gushed about how adorable Cyndaquil's flames were, or how Totodile would try to bite anything that moved. Magikarp and Chikorita received a gentler welcome. The entire lab was buzzing with feeding tasks, water checks, and data collection.
James approached Ethan's side. "That's four more species at once. We're running out of room in the hatching area, Mr. Grave."
Ethan nodded. "We'll expedite the relocations. Magikarp to the pool, Cyndaquil and Totodile to the main hatchery. As for Chikorita, keep it in a separate greenhouse; it thrives best with lush foliage. We'll set that up soon."
He paused, glancing at the trembling Suicune egg. "And we have an even bigger arrival soon. Once Suicune hatches, we'll have to give it special care. If it can truly neutralize nuclear waste, the stakes are high."
James exhaled and put his tablet in his pocket. "We'll handle it, sir. I'll coordinate with the staff to make sure everything goes smoothly."
Ethan cracked a small smile, appreciating James' quiet efficiency. "Good. Now let's get these new Pokémon settled. Then I'll finish the next wave of expansions, both the lab and the security protocols. We can't risk another infiltration."
They left the hatching room as the staff bustled about, carrying squeaky critters to designated areas. The lab was alive with possibilities: Magikarp destined for watery realms, Cyndaquil with a fiery future, Totodile snapping at life, and Chikorita waving its leaf in greeting. All the while, in a corner, the Suicune Egg quivered, silently heralding the next great chapter in the unfolding story of Pokémon Biotech.