Judith stood tall, her silhouette cutting a striking figure against the gleaming backdrop of the Victoria show stage. Her outfit, a masterful blend of avant-garde design and classic elegance, caught the light in a way that made photographers itch to capture every angle. Behind her were only four genetic organisms, but each one had been carefully selected through months of meticulous research and development. The small number drew whispers from the crowd, but Judith knew better than to let it affect her confidence.
For Judith, quality had always trumped quantity - a philosophy that had served the Northum Group well over the years. Their reputation for excellence had been built on this foundation, and they had won first place in every competition to date. This year, they saw no reason to deviate from their winning formula, even though the competition was getting tougher.
As the staff announced that it was Northum's turn, Judith took a deep breath and felt the weight of anticipation settle on her shoulders. The lights seemed to brighten, and the murmur of the crowd faded to an anticipatory hush. "Go!" she commanded, her voice carrying the authority of someone who knew exactly what was about to unfold.
Four genetic beings followed her lead with practiced precision. Two of them were upright humanoid designs, their movements so fluid and natural that they could easily be mistaken for traditional runway models were it not for their subtle alien features. But it was the third creation, dubbed "Cape Monkey," that drew the most gasps and whispers of amazement.
Inspired by the legendary Monkey King of the Alverez Kingdom, it wore a scarlet cape that seemed to catch invisible winds, the fabric rippling like liquid fire across its shoulders. His movements combined apelike agility with almost theatrical grace, every gesture deliberate and commanding. The golden crown on his head caught the stage lights, creating a halo effect that made the creature seem almost mythical - he didn't just display flair, he embodied it!
Wherever the "Cape Monkey" appeared, heads turned and conversations stopped in mid-sentence. Though grainy photos and speculation had leaked online in the weeks leading up to the show, this was his first real public debut. Walking in perfect sync at Judith's side, his fierce, ape-like eyes carried an aura of dominance that made even the VIPs in the front row lean back in their seats. The intelligence in those eyes was unmistakable, a testament to Northum's mastery of genetic engineering.
The other two organisms were equally remarkable in their own right. Both had been available in limited editions for several months, but seeing them in person was an entirely different experience. One had fur that seemed to change color under different angles of light, while the other had feathers that seemed to be spun from living silk. They glided with such regal grace that they seemed to float rather than walk, their movements so precisely choreographed that they seemed to dance on invisible currents of air.
The last creature, resembling a peacock but clearly something far more exotic, brought up the rear with deliberate poise. Its neck, elongated beyond natural proportions, moved with serpentine grace. Every inch of her body shimmered with an iridescent sheen that made her look as if she had been carved from living opals.
At the end of the runway, Judith paused to scan the faces of the audience, her eyes sweeping over the crowd with calculated slowness. She saw exactly what she had hoped for - awe, admiration, and more than a few dropped jaws. She couldn't help but allow herself a satisfied half-smile, knowing that her coup de grâce was yet to come.
With theatrical timing, she turned slightly and snapped her fingers - a sound that seemed to echo through the silent arena. Immediately, the peacock-like organism responded, its tail feathers unfurling in a mesmerizing display that seemed to defy the laws of physics. The movement began slowly, building anticipation, then accelerated into a cascade of color and pattern.
Swiss...
The explosion of color that followed was beyond anything the audience had expected. The creature's tail didn't just spread - it blossomed like a living kaleidoscope, each feather containing patterns within patterns, colors within colors.
The display created an optical illusion that made the stage itself appear to ripple. The audience gasped in unison, followed by a moment of stunned silence, before erupting into thunderous applause and cheers that threatened to shake the rafters. Video screens throughout the room struggled to capture the full spectrum of the display, their digital renderings pale imitations of the reality before them.
Judith's performance had achieved exactly what she'd intended - not just success, but dominance. With a slight bow that managed to be both gracious and slightly smug, she led her four extraordinary genetic creatures back offstage, their exit as perfectly choreographed as their entrance.
The Char group followed, led by Oliver Crisp, and the contrast couldn't have been more stark. Coming immediately after Judith's mesmerizing performance was always going to be a challenge, and despite their best efforts, their performance felt somewhat muted in comparison. Still, they managed to introduce a new and promising species, earning respectful applause and generally positive marks from the judges, who appreciated their technical achievements if not their showmanship.
Oliver Crisp made his way backstage as Team 117 - the Polar Bear Group - prepared for their moment. The transition from one extreme to the other was about to unfold.
Anton burst onto the runway with characteristic flair, drawing appreciative laughter from the crowd who had come to expect his theatrical entrances. Behind him came his creation - massive ursine organisms in stark black and white that commanded attention by sheer presence rather than flashy displays.
These weren't just bears; they were living mountains of muscle and grace that somehow managed to make the runway look small. Several more giants followed, each a variation on the theme of power and presence, making Anton seem like a leader among titans. The stark contrast between these behemoths and the sleek, fashionable creatures that preceded them gave the audience whiplash in the best possible way. Their enthusiastic applause confirmed that sometimes bigger really is better.
...
Oliver Crisp led his team behind the curtain, navigating past a black partition separating the stage area from the wings - and almost collided with Ethan Grave. The near-miss turned into a moment of revelation that would be discussed in industry circles for months to come.
"Ah, you're next!" Oliver began with professional courtesy, only to have his words fade into stunned silence. "Wait, what?"
He stood rooted to the spot, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. Just moments ago, during the rehearsal, he had seen Ethan with only two genetic organisms - the now famous Pikachu and the legendary Suicune. But now, the space around Ethan was alive with movement. There were creatures of types he had never seen before, some that defied classification altogether. Small, round ones bounced with barely contained energy, others cradled stones that seemed to pulse with inner light, and one that resembled a miniature dinosaur pranced impatiently in place.
His eyes were drawn to a particularly striking creature with a bright green leaf sprouting from its head like a natural crown. Next to it stood what he at first thought was a snake, but quickly realized was something far more complex - a creature with fully developed limbs, a green-scaled back, and what appeared to be a yellow "wing" collar framing its head. Its most distinguishing feature was an enormous leafy tail that seemed to sway with a mind of its own.
"When did you bring all this here?" Oliver managed to blurt out, his professional composure completely shattered by the surprise. The question hung in the air, unanswered, as a stagehand had to physically guide him away from the area to keep the traffic flowing. Oliver reluctantly moved on, his mind racing with questions and implications.
...
The announcement came over the loudspeakers with crystal clarity: "Number 118 - Welcome, Pokémon Biotech!"
The room fell into expectant silence. Despite the assumption that Ethan's presentation would be limited to two or three creatures, the anticipation was high. Suicune's reputation had grown to mythical proportions, especially in Japan, where the creature was hailed as a hero after his remarkable performance in cleaning up the floating island disaster. The crowd began chanting Suicune's name, the sound building like a wave about to break.
As Ethan prepared to step onto the runway, a thought crossed his mind: "This is just a fashion show," he mused, "but with a few tweaks to the format, it could be something more...almost like a contest or a competition..." The idea would later prove prophetic, but for now he had a show to put on.
He stepped into the bright lights, taking a deep breath to center himself as the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Pikachu perched on his shoulder with characteristic charm, while Suicune padded along at his side, her presence commanding respect as she surveyed the stands with quiet confidence. Then, like a parade of living jewels, more and more small figures began to appear behind them...
The reaction was immediate and electric.
"What are they?!"
"I thought there were only a handful of Pokémon? There must be a dozen... no, more..."
"Oh, my gosh, look at that pink round one - it's absolutely adorable! I want it!"
The atmosphere changed as Igglybuff's soft, melodious singing began to fill the air. Several audience members found themselves fighting off unexpected waves of drowsiness, enchanted by the gentle sound.
In all, eighteen Pokémon made an appearance, many of them never before seen by the public. While they may not have matched the large, imposing presence of the larger creatures of the previous acts, each had its own unique charm.
Their sizes ranged from adorably diminutive to elegantly streamlined, and their movements were refreshingly natural. In contrast to the military precision of other performances, some hopped playfully, others took to the air in short bursts, while still others strolled along with casual confidence. The seeming chaos of their procession somehow enhanced rather than detracted from the performance, delighting the audience more than any rigidly choreographed routine could have.
As they reached the end of the runway, Ethan gave a subtle signal that triggered a coordinated display of skill. Pikachu unleashed controlled bursts of electricity that danced through the air like golden ribbons.
Igneel the Fire Lizard demonstrated precise control by creating tiny patterns of flame that hung in the air like burning calligraphy. Wartortle created a shower of bubbles that caught the stage lights and turned them into rainbow orbs, while Bulbasaur showed both strength and delicacy by using his vine whip to lift Happiny in a graceful aerial dance.
The show was brief but effective, ending with a lowered hand from Ethan. The return trip, however, proved that even the best-laid plans can go amusingly awry. Igneel, perhaps too excited by the performance, bumped into Wartortle, causing a domino effect that rippled through the group. Igglybuff, trying to jump away from the chaos, was accidentally knocked aside by an over-enthusiastic Growlithe, sending the pink puffball rolling across the stage like an adorable bowling ball. Totodile, showing quick thinking and gentle control, caught up to Igglybuff and carefully scooped it up in his jaws, returning the dizzy creature to the group.
Ethan felt his face twitch with mild embarrassment at the unplanned slapstick routine, but the audience's reaction turned the moment from a potential disaster into a highlight. Their laughter was warm and appreciative, finding charm in the natural interactions between the creatures. By the time they left, the applause and cheers had reached a fever pitch.
The judges' reactions indicated that they were thoroughly entertained by the entire presentation. While the final walk may not have achieved technical perfection, the sheer variety and authentic charm of the performance was undeniable.
The presence of Suicune alone would have guaranteed a high score, but the addition of so many unique and engaging creatures seemed to ensure that Pokémon Biotech would be among the top performers of the show. The Japanese judges in particular, still grateful for Suicune's heroic efforts to save their floating island, seemed eager to award generous scores, their pens moving quickly across their scoresheets as they discussed the performance in excited whispers.