Chapter 43: Chapter 42: Are You Human!?
Officials have been sharing photos and information about Squirtle across multiple platforms, creating a wave of anticipation. While the rest of the promotional shorts are still in production, the first reveal has already garnered significant attention.
First up is the image of Squirtle, the dawn of a new era.
Despite being a turtle-like genetic creature, Squirtle walks upright. It boasts large, expressive purple eyes, a brown turtle shell, soft blue skin, and a tail that resembles a small wave. Its appearance is undeniably adorable.
According to Pokémon Biotechnology, Squirtle has remarkable intelligence, evolutionary potential and the ability to control water. Its unique physiology allows it to store large amounts of water in its small stomach. While the exact amount remains unspecified, "a lot" is the official description.
Some netizens humorously dismissed the claim, assuming that "a lot" was relative to Squirtle's size. But the promotional description didn't stop there; Squirtle's abilities include Water Spout and a unique skill called "Rocket Headbutt" that can smash rocks, demonstrating just how powerful its head is.
In a creative twist, Pokémon Biotech employees turned Squirtle's promotional photo into an emoji. One caption humorously read: "I'm Squirtle, I have a hard head and a skill to use it, let me show you how it feels!"
The emoji quickly spread through chats, adding to the hype leading up to the official release of Squirtle's promotional videos.
Unlike the initial skepticism surrounding Pichu, Squirtle has been met with widespread anticipation, leaving fans eager for more news.
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Meanwhile, Ethan received confirmation from Secretary Elijah that the Fire Department would be visiting the lab the next day to evaluate Squirtle's firefighting capabilities.
On the morning of the appointment, Ethan arrived early at Lab #2 to finish preparations. Holding a mysterious black glass bottle, he headed toward the Breeder Room.
"Mr. Grave, what is this?" James Hunt asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's for a new species," Ethan replied with a grin, shaking the bottle. "After several days of effort, I've been inspired to create four new Pokémon."
James blinked, stunned. "Four? Already? Mr. Grave, you're not human."
Ethan frowned. "What?"
"I mean, you're a genius. If other designers saw this, they'd feel like amateurs," James clarified with a wry smile. "Everything you create is bound to be extraordinary."
Ethan chuckled. "You'll get used to it. For now, prepare the culture tanks as usual."
James quickly relayed the instructions to the lab team. The new employees were amazed at the speed of Ethan's work, but the experienced staff reassured them: "This is normal. Mr. Ethan's designs are unparalleled!"
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Once the tanks were ready, Ethan accessed his system and began adding the seeds for his new creations:
1. Mew: Due to its extraordinary nature, only one seed could be placed in the tank at this time.
2. Hoothoot: Designed for increased intelligence.
3. Meowth: With enhanced learning capabilities, he may even be able to speak human languages in the future.
4. Bulbasaur: Ethan speculated on its unique seed-growing process and decided to experiment with the conditions in the grow tanks.
By 10:00 a.m., all ten cultivation tanks were active, and the lab buzzed with excitement. The seeds were thriving, absorbing nutrients at an incredible rate.
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Commander Zidaine Coleman, a determined man with calloused hands, led the Tarvok City Fire Department into Laboratory #2.
"Mr. Grave, I've heard great things about Pokémon Biotech," he said, shaking hands firmly. "Secretary Elijah mentioned a new creature that could help our firefighters?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, it's called a Squirtle. It's only ten days old, but it already understands human language and is able to store large amounts of water."
"Squirtle, huh?" Zidaine's curiosity was piqued.
"Please follow me to the training ground," Ethan said confidently. "Squirtle won't disappoint you."
At the training ground, a group of Squirtle were already demonstrating their agility and charm. Their blue forms bounced energetically, drawing smiles and laughter from the firefighters.
"With their water skills, they could be invaluable in firefighting," Ethan explained.
The sight of these playful yet capable Pokémon made an impression. The officers joked about forming a "Squirtle Squad" for future missions, imagining the humor and effectiveness such a team could bring to firefighting.