Pokemon: Behold the Father of All Pokemons

Not long ago, Ethan had almost left the Shangguan International Convention and Exhibition Center, until the disaster on the upper floors forced him back inside. Now he found himself in a scene of fleeing crowds and wounded genetic creatures, the air thick with tension.

At his side, Secretary Elijah sighed with relief. "Thank God you arrived," he said. The tall man was usually composed, but even he couldn't hide the strain twisting his features. "But be careful. Some of these creatures have inhaled some kind of hallucinogenic poison. They lash out at anything that moves."

Ethan nodded. Above them, the sound of footsteps and panicked shouts bounced off the concrete walls. The whole building felt like it was about to collapse from the chaos. "What's happening on the third floor?" he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the din.

Secretary Elijah grimaced. "Rumor has it that two assassins are after Charles Sullivan. They're using bizarre genetic creatures, a monstrous kangaroo and a poisonous python. They've also released a poisonous mist that has turned some creatures rabid. The entire Biolife Alliance meeting erupted in pandemonium.

A muffled scream from the stairwell made them spin around. A middle-aged man clung desperately to the railing as a deranged raccoon-like beast tried to bite his ankles. It was clearly another creature under the python's hallucinogenic influence. Ethan reacted immediately: "Squirtle, water gun!"

A powerful blast of water sent the creature tumbling away before it could do any serious damage. Shaking, the man stumbled down the stairs, muttering a broken thanks over his shoulder. Secretary Elijah darted to stop any more people from rushing headlong into the confusion. "I'll lead them to safety," he told Ethan. "Try not to kill any creatures if you can; it'll look bad if more deaths pile up. Concentrate on subduing them."

Ethan let out a short breath. "Got it. But be careful."

He paused as Shevaun Smith, the pitchman for the nutrient solution he recognized, appeared, clutching a bloody gash on his shirt where a crazed creature had nearly mangled him. Gasping for air, Shevaun pointed to the third floor. "It's chaos up there! These assassins attacked Charles Sullivan and his people. They also released toxins that made some people delusional. Secretary Sloan and Jerry Fowler's spirit dog fell out the window... I barely escaped."

Ethan's eyes darkened. He'd already seen Secretary Sloan's grisly end downstairs. He hadn't realized that Jerry's spirit dog was the one that had landed near the entrance. "What about Charles Sullivan?" he pressed.

"Alive, but badly cornered," Shevaun panted. "The assassins are incredibly strong. They have something like a... super-strong boxing kangaroo and a venomous python. The whole place is a bloodbath. Oh, and apparently Sullivan has ordered all Biolife Alliance members not to work with your Pokémon Biotech," he added awkwardly, as if realizing the irony of telling the man who'd just saved his life.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Huh," he said dryly. "The man's as domineering as ever, I see."

Shevaun managed an apologetic shrug. "I applied for membership in the Biolife Alliance and was accepted just yesterday, and I had no idea Sullivan was planning to sever ties with you. I even told him we already signed a contract... but he insisted I break it. Said he'd cover any lawsuit or penalty fee."

Ethan scoffed. "Well, that's Charles Sullivan for you." At another time, he might have pressed Shevaun on loyalty and contractual obligations, but now was hardly the time. People were dying upstairs; the whole building was in an uproar. "Whatever," he relented, "just get out of here safely."

With that, Shevaun nodded and stumbled downstairs to join the evacuees.

Secretary Elijah looked in Ethan's direction. "I'm going further down to direct the survivors to the east exit. Will you be all right?"

"I'll be fine. I want to see what's going on upstairs," Ethan said, his voice clipped with urgency.

"Understood. Be careful." Secretary Elijah gave a stiff nod, then turned to lead a confused family of four huddled in a corner. A wave of gratitude for the man's competence washed over Ethan. At least Secretary Elijah knew how to stay calm under pressure.

Ethan led Pikachu, Squirtle and Charmander upstairs, weaving past slumped bodies, some groaning, some simply too shocked to move. He clenched his jaw at the sight of battered genetic creatures lying amidst broken furniture. These assassins. Who on earth are they to wreak so much havoc so quickly?

He quickly reached the third-floor corridor, where the walls bore the scars of savage combat. The tile underfoot was cracked, shards of glass glittered everywhere, and the metallic taste of blood hung heavy in the air. Some terrified attendees cowered behind overturned vendor booths, while others had either fled or been dragged out.

A loud crash came from around the next corner, followed by a guttural roar. Ethan pushed forward, carefully rounding the bend. The hallway opened into a large room meant for panel discussions, a place he recognized from the morning session. Now it looked like a war zone: scattered chairs, half-smashed display booths, and at the far end, a small group of survivors huddled around Charles Sullivan, who was hunched over, clutching a shoulder wound.

Between them and two masked figures stood Jerry, supporting the badly injured Spirit Dog. The invaders' monstrous kangaroo stood ready to strike again, while the coiled form of the python glistened with bone spurs and reeked of venom. Both creatures exuded raw lethality.

Ethan pressed quickly behind a damaged partition, his heart pounding. He took in the scene:

Charles Sullivan trying to keep his composure, a trickle of blood running down his arm; Jerry gasping for breath, his Spirit Dog trembling from its injuries; the red-haired and blue-haired assassins glowering, eyes glittering behind V-shaped masks.

Ethan could guess how Charles Sullivan had stayed alive: he'd obviously used his Golden Sword Bird to hold them off. Feathers were everywhere, and the poor bird's body was collapsed near a fallen screen, probably unable to fight. That must have bought them just enough time to retreat, though they were now pinned in a corner. The masked assassins advanced with cold precision.

They're going to finish him. Ethan's pulse shot up. He might have a lot of grievances against Charles Sullivan, but having the man slaughtered here and now wasn't going to cut it. Besides, if these two remained on the loose, they'd kill anyone who got in their way - Jerry was in danger, too.

He motioned silently to Pikachu, Squirtle and Charmander. "Hold tight," he whispered. "We'll strike fast and subdue them if we can."

The reptiles' eyes glowed with readiness; Pikachu's ears flicked in understanding.

Just as the red-haired woman raised her hand, commanding the python to charge Charles Sullivan, Ethan sprang into action. "Squirtle, bubble now!"

Caught off guard, the assassins whirled as a stream of sticky bubbles shot in from the side. The kangaroo, in mid-step, slammed directly into them, losing traction and skidding across shattered glass. The python hissed, rearing its head with menacing speed, fangs dripping poisonous fluid.

"Charmander, Ember!" Ethan shouted. The little red lizard inhaled, then spat out a barrage of tiny flames that engulfed the front half of the python. The creature recoiled, thrashing in pain and surprise.

Charles Sullivan used the brief opening to stagger back. Jerry, blinking with startled relief, recognized Ethan's intervention. "Ethan?!" he shouted, his voice cracking. Then he barked at his spirit dog, urging it to retreat from the direct line of fire.

The blue-haired assassin growled, "Who's this idiot interfering? Kangaroo, crush him!"

The kangaroo, muscles bulging, tried to leap free of the bubbles, but its limbs got stuck momentarily, enough to slow its speed. Pikachu wasted no time: "Pi-ka-chuuuu!" A bolt of electricity crackled out, hitting the kangaroo dead on. It howled in agony, its legs nearly buckling under the sudden voltage.

But the python was still dangerously active. With a single lunge, it hurled itself at Ethan and the Pokémon, spikes bristling. "Pikachu, Quick Attack dodge left!" Ethan yelled. Pikachu darted aside in a white streak, sending the python crashing into a fallen metal pillar. A resonant clang echoed through the battered hall.

For a split second, an eerie standoff ensued. The assassins regrouped, glaring murderously at Ethan. The red-haired woman's mask glinted under the overhead lights, her voice dripping with contempt, "You dare defy us? Do you know what we're paid for?"

Ethan forced a half-smile, adrenaline surging. "I don't care who you are. Killing everyone in your path to get to Charles Sullivan is reason enough for me to stop you."

If she or her companion responded, it was drowned out by the kangaroo's angry shriek, still half-soaked from Squirtle's attacks and faintly smoking from Pikachu's Thunderbolt. That wild look in its eyes, the wild hiss of the python behind it, Ethan braced himself for a second wave.

He caught Jerry's gaze across the debris-strewn room. The man uttered a near-silent "Thank you," a mixture of relief and apprehension. Behind him, Charles Sullivan struggled to stand, presumably too proud to show weakness, though his face was ashen.

In the next split second, the assassins barked new orders to their creatures, preparing to retaliate. For Ethan, there was no turning back now. He had three Pokémon, each with a proven track record in battle, but this conflict involved deadly killers who wouldn't hesitate to strike a fatal blow.

Still, Ethan Grave refused to back down. Let's see if these two are ready for round two.

...

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