The Victoria show's backstage area hummed with the controlled chaos of a major corporate event. Display monitors showed the main stage where genetic engineering's elite paraded their latest achievements, while production assistants with headsets darted between nervous executives and their prized creations.
"Pokemon Biotech's minimal showing is... unexpected," Jason Hobbes remarked, loud enough to carry across the preparation area. The Northam Group executive made a show of surveying Suicune and Timmy, his carefully neutral expression betraying nothing. "Though quality over quantity has always been their approach."
Annie Wheeler maintained her professional composure, but Ethan caught the slight tightening around her eyes. They'd deliberately kept their full roster hidden, letting competitors draw their own conclusions from seeing only Suicune and Timmy. Entry number 118 gave them plenty of time to observe the competition's strategies before their own reveal.
On the monitors, Ciguli Biotech's presentation commanded attention - a collection of deer-like creatures with crystalline antlers that caught and refracted the stage lighting. Their movements were precisely choreographed, each step synchronized to create shifting patterns of light across the convention center's ceiling. The audience's appreciative murmurs carried even backstage.
"Impressive use of bioluminescent gene sequences," Ethan commented quietly to Annie. "Though the neural architecture seems basic - notice how they rely entirely on external cues for timing."
Annie nodded, making notes on her tablet. "Northam Group is up soon. Their black and white ursine pairs tested well in preliminary market research."
As if on cue, Northam's delegation moved toward the stage entrance. Their lead researcher, Dr. Margaret Chen, paused beside Ethan. "I hope Pokemon Biotech isn't feeling overshadowed by the competition's... broader offerings." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Though I suppose after Japan, you've earned the right to rest on your laurels."
Ethan matched her professional courtesy. "We believe in letting our work speak for itself." He gestured to where Suicune stood watching the monitors, its quiet dignity drawing constant glances from passing staff. "Quality, as Mr. Hobbes noted, has always been our priority."
The monitors showed Northam's presentation beginning - their engineered creatures moving with powerful grace across the stage. The black and white pairs created striking visual contrasts, their movements clearly designed to emphasize their raw physical capabilities. The audience responded enthusiastically to the display of strength and precision.
"Pokemon Biotech, you're on deck," a stage manager announced. "Five minutes to position."
Annie stepped closer, pitching her voice low. "Mr. Grave, shouldn't we at least practice some basic formations? Every other company has demonstrated coordinated movements."
"Sometimes the most powerful statement is the one you don't choreograph," Ethan replied, reaching into his jacket. The collection of minimized Poke Balls felt warm against his palm - eighteen in total, though only two Pokemon were currently visible to their competitors.
As Northam's presentation concluded to robust applause, Ethan moved toward the stage entrance. The moment their entry number was called, he released his full roster in a cascade of materialization energy that drew gasps from the nearby staff and competitors.
Where seconds before stood only Suicune and Timmy, now a full complement of Pokemon materialized - each one a testament to Pokemon Biotech's mastery of genetic engineering and neural development. The sudden reveal sent a ripple of whispers through the backstage area. Annie couldn't quite suppress her smile at the competitors' reactions.
"A decent line, if you would," Ethan addressed his Pokemon quietly. He didn't need elaborate choreography - their natural intelligence and the bond they shared would create something far more authentic than drilled precision.
Hobbes had moved closer, his earlier affected nonchalance replaced by intense focus as he studied the newly revealed Pokemon. "Clever," he admitted. "Though some might call it theatrical."
"The Victoria show is about showcasing innovation," Ethan replied. "Sometimes that means challenging assumptions about what's possible." He gestured to his assembled Pokemon. "Shall we?"
As they moved toward the stage, Ethan caught fragments of urgent messages being passed among the competitor companies' staff - no doubt updating their corporate headquarters about Pokemon Biotech's unexpected roster. The strategic advantage of their surprise reveal would be brief, but valuable. More importantly, it positioned them perfectly for his planned announcement.
Annie fell into step beside him. "The judges' scoring metrics favor technical achievement and market viability. A speech slot requires top ten placement."
"Trust me," Ethan said, watching his Pokemon arrange themselves with natural grace rather than drilled precision. "Some things transcend scoring metrics."
The stage lights beckoned, and with them, the next phase of Pokemon Biotech's carefully orchestrated emergence onto the global stage. As they stepped into the spotlight, Ethan allowed himself a small smile. Sometimes the best corporate strategy was simply showing your true capabilities at precisely the right moment.