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[Pokémon: Ivysaur]
Level: Lv.18
Type: Grass / Poison
Nature: Calm, Strong Sense of Justice, Highly Responsible
Ability: Overgrow
HP: 65
Attack: 65
Defense: 65
Special Attack: 85
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 65
Total: 430
Potential:Blue (Perfect)
Moves (Copyable):
Mastered (1/5000):
Tackle
Vine Whip
Sleep Powder
Poison Powder
Razor Leaf
Growth
Leech Seed
Proficient (1/1000):
Growl
Skilled (1/500):
—
Novice (1/100):
—
As expected, after evolving, Bulbasaur—whose foundations had already been thoroughly strengthened—gained two full levels, reaching Lv.18.
Although its move pool hadn't expanded with any new techniques, the across-the-board increase in all six base stats clearly showed that Ivysaur's overall strength had risen significantly after evolving.
"Very good."
"It's only your first evolution, and at Lv.18 you're still a long way from becoming the team's true Grass-type ace..."
"But at least you've taken the first solid step toward that goal."
"And after all the practical combat experience you've gained in the Pokémon Battle Hall, your mentality and battle instincts are already exceptionally refined."
"Once you stabilize the surge of power brought by your evolution, it'll be about time to start entering matches at the City Arena."
Watching the newly evolved Ivysaur surrounded by Pikachu and the others, Ash nodded to himself in satisfaction.
"Ivy! Ivy!"
After accepting everyone's congratulations, Ivysaur happily squeezed through the crowd of Pokémon and ran over to Ash, eager to share the joy of its evolution with him.
"Bulbasaur... no..."
"I should be calling you Ivysaur from now on."
"Ivysaur, congratulations on evolving."
"But don't relax just because you've evolved."
"You still have to keep working hard."
"Let's continue getting stronger together."
Looking at the adorable little Pokémon before him, Ash couldn't have been more pleased.
"Ivy~"
Ivysaur nodded obediently.
"Come on."
"After lunch, we'll head to Viridian City."
"Later this afternoon, I'll take all of you to the Pokémon Battle Hall and the City Arena for some matches."
Ash smiled at the Pokémon gathered around him.
"Pika!"
"Croak!"
"Pidgeot!"
"Fearow!"
"..."
"..."
After lunch...
Ash rode his bicycle toward Viridian City, accompanied by all of his Pokémon, preparing for another afternoon of study at the Viridian Gym.
...
— Team Rocket • New Island Laboratory —
"Professor Fuji, how are Mewtwo and Ash Clone No. 2 progressing?"
Inside the Rocket Headquarters, an electronic holographic display projected Giovanni's image.
As he gently stroked the Persian curled up beside him, he calmly questioned Professor Fuji.
"Reporting to the Boss."
"Mewtwo's condition is excellent."
"As for Ash Clone No. 2, his physical development has already reached that of a three-year-old child."
"If everything continues according to schedule, he should reach your target of a six-year-old's body in another six months."
Inside the laboratory, Professor Fuji—the same scientist Ash had met twice while treating Mewtwo's cells—respectfully delivered his report.
"A six-year-old body in just another six months?"
"Excellent."
"Very good."
Giovanni smiled in satisfaction.
"Since the child has already developed to the equivalent of a three-year-old..."
"It's time his education begins."
"I'll arrange for Instructor Viper to travel to New Island."
"He'll be responsible for instilling absolute loyalty to Team Rocket into both Ash Clone No. 2... and Mewtwo."
Giovanni made the decision immediately.
"Understood, Boss..."
Professor Fuji responded.
However...
The smile that had just appeared on his face vanished almost instantly.
A trace of concern replaced it.
"What is it, Professor Fuji?"
"Is there a problem?"
Giovanni frowned slightly.
"Yes, Boss."
"It's about Ash Clone No. 2."
"Although accelerated growth hormones have successfully developed his body to that of a three-year-old, allowing him to reach your desired six-year-old stage within another six months..."
"The excessive hormone injections have also dramatically accelerated the shortening of his cellular telomeres."
"In other words..."
"Even after reaching the body of a six-year-old..."
"His accelerated growth won't stop."
"His body will continue aging at the same abnormal rate."
"Ash Clone No. 2's physical growth and aging are progressing approximately fifteen times faster than those of a normal human."
"Based on the average human lifespan of one hundred years..."
"He will only live for about six years."
"Even if we continuously administer the Cellular Life Elixir synthesized from Mew's genetic cells..."
"We could only extend that lifespan to around ten years at most."
Professor Fuji finished his explanation.
"Only six years..."
"Ten years at best..."
Giovanni's brows knitted together deeply.
…
Back then...
While Ash had been treating Mewtwo's damaged cells...
A member of Team Rocket's staff had accidentally picked up one of Ash's hairs that had fallen onto the treatment platform.
Professor Fuji had later extracted Ash's genetic material from the follicle.
Originally...
Creating a clone of Ash had been nothing more than a sudden inspiration on Giovanni's part.
He had discovered that Ash's Viridian Power was far more complete than his own.
Cloning Ash would allow Team Rocket to study the mysteries of Viridian Power.
At the same time...
Ash's astonishing talent had convinced Giovanni that a clone—just like Mewtwo—could become another ultimate biological weapon for Team Rocket's conquest of the world.
But...
As the real Ash continued growing stronger...
He had also become an increasingly formidable enemy of Team Rocket.
And every great organization needed capable people to lead it from within.
Who could possibly be more suitable than Ash himself?
Unfortunately...
The real Ash could never simultaneously become Team Rocket's enemy...
And its future leader.
But...
A cloned Ash...
Solved that contradiction perfectly.
If Ash Clone No. 2 were merely experimental material for studying complete Viridian Power...
Then a lifespan of six to ten years didn't matter at all.
Giovanni wouldn't care in the slightest.
However...
If he were to be cultivated as Team Rocket's future biological weapon...
And eventually become the organization's next leader...
Then a lifespan of only six to ten years was completely unacceptable.
"Professor Fuji."
"Do you have any solution for Ash Clone No. 2's lifespan?"
Giovanni asked gravely.
"Boss..."
"While studying a sample of Mewtwo's tissue..."
"I managed to isolate a tiny remnant of Ash's healing psychic ability."
"I discovered that Ash's healing power possesses the remarkable ability to slow cellular aging."
"It can restore Ash Clone No. 2's accelerated development and aging back toward normal."
"So..."
"If Ash were somehow able to continuously treat Ash Clone No. 2—whether now or sometime in the future..."
"I believe the clone's physical condition could eventually be completely stabilized."
Professor Fuji calmly revealed the results of his latest research.
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