Pokemon #2: Ditto

   In the planning phases of Pokemon Red and Green, Ditto was going to be an event Pokemon. This was before Mew (and for that matter, Mewtwo) was even a thought, and, given this chronology, I think this may put certain online theories regarding Ditto's origin to rest. Anyways, Ditto was meant to be a highly adaptive Pokemon, capable of learning any of the HMs (yes, even fly!) and TMs, and also having no significant type weakness (although it was still labelled as "Normal" type [probably due to the connoted neutrality of such a type]). Furthering the adaptability of Ditto, you could also use all five of the Evolution stones on it. The evolution stones (excluding Moonstones) would give Ditto the corresponding type, giving Ditto the like type advantage without the weakness. Moonstones would revert Ditto back to Normal Type. Using one of the four "main" evolution stones on Ditto would cause the evolution sequence to occur, changing Ditto's sprite into a pseudooval shape with its face in the middle. The PokeDex entry for these evolutions explains that the newly taken shape is caused by a crystalline coating around the Ditto's regular, gelatinous body.

The evolved Ditto.

    This may sound like it was potentially overpowered, and I would believe that to be granted given that this was going to be an event Pokemon, but that is actually quite untrue. Ditto possessed average stats, teetering close to being poor. They were all around the same number, really, and the HP was severely low, so going against a well-balanced and high-leveled team would definitely give Ditto a run for its money. The main appeal to Ditto as an event Pokemon would be the simple pleasure in having him fill that empty PokeDex slot, and another, considerably more unique feature.
    In the planned promotional material for Ditto, there were various hints to visit Blaine at his Gym in Cinnabar Island after acquiring the Pokemon. These hints were present because having Ditto in your party would trigger Blaine to have new dialogue. He would tell you that you have in your possession a scientific marvel, and that he would like for you to visit Mr. Fuji in Lavender Town. At this point in development, Lavender Tower wasn't in existence. In its place was a cave, which served as the "Graveyard" area. It had multiple descending levels, and a much similar side-quest plot involving the rescue of Mr. Fuji. Anyways, when you spoke with Mr. Fuji after being prompted to do so by Blaine, he tells you he has been looking for a specimen such as the one you hold for a long time, and that he thanks you for taking Blaine's words into consideration. (I suppose there was some implied speech on the player's part, but who am I to say?) Towards the end of this exchange, Mr. Fuji tells you he'd like for you to meet him in his "secret laboratory," and that it can be accessed through the fourth grave to the left of the stairs on the second lowest floor of the graveyard in the cave.
    At this point, I believe it has been made clear that the ambition of the developers with this promotional material was very high. I think Ditto was actually going to be a bought addition to the game, so at whatever retailer you would go to for his purchase, he would be transferred to your game through trade similarly to the actual Mew event. In Mr. Fuji's "secret laboratory," you soon find out that his apparent  resignation from the field of science wasn't quite true, and you will come to know him again as Dr. Fuji. Dr. Fuji's laboratory, despite what natural inclinations may lead you to believe, contains nothing sinister or dangerous-looking. Quite the contrary, actually; everything you find as you explore this labyrinthine complex of tiled-floor and science equipment is something related to the benefit of the health of Pokemon. You find many work-in-progress potions, ones with added benefits to the side or massive healing power; some can even be picked up and used on your Pokemon! There are many journal entries akin to the ones that would be found later in development within the Pokemon Mansion (at the time, this dungeon was nonexistent) describing attempts to reverse-engineer various substances like Revives. It's an incredibly insightful and intriguing trip through what could have lead to major in-plot developments in later games.
    After roaming through this completely innocuous dungeon, free of the common burden of enemy Pokemon, you eventually find Dr. Fuji standing within an office-like room. Upon approaching him, he automatically turns to you, and takes a few paces in your direction, initiating dialogue. He tells you that he is glad that he has held your interest for this long, and that you are already showing the worth as a trainer to possess such a Pokemon as Ditto. But, he says, he would like to take it further, and gain total assurance in your knowledge of Pokemon and skill as a trainer. He challenges you to a battle, prompting you with two options: Yes and No. If you select no, Dr. Fuji simply says that he understands, and that perhaps you could revisit him later if you change your mind. Selecting yes initiates the battle, and it is a ravaging one. A full team of six level one-hundreds, all with incredible stats beyond anything found within this game and any future ones in the series. The three starters of this generation - Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle - are within his team in their second-stage evolutionary forms. Their stats are ludicrously high, and they are dispersed through his team in an order of 2, 4, and 6. The first Pokemon within his team is a Marowak, with completely intense damage output and HP. Third in line is a Gengar, with an extreme mastery over the Special stat, who throws a barrage of Hypnosis, Lick, and Dream Eater at you. Fifth is a Porygon with suspiciously high stats all around; the crux of its power is its relentless hyper beams. And let it be known that the developments you see across Dr. Fuji's laboratory are not in vain within the context of this battle: he uses tons of stat boosts and healing items - even Revives! - so this battle can potentially drag on for a while.
    If your team is good (or lucky) enough to defeat Dr. Fuji, the battle ends with him saying "Wow. It truly is surprising,.." and upon returning to the overworld, the dialogue continues. He tells you that he knows you possess the knowledge and skill to be worthy of training the scientific marvel that is Ditto, and he wishes you well on your continued journey. He also informs you that he actually has an invention related to Ditto, that being a machine that can swap Ditto into any of its five forms with no repercussions at all. He also gives you an item that could serve as a Deus Ex Machina of sorts: the Universal Revive. It fully heals all of your party, curing them of all ailments and reviving any who are knocked out. After this, he says his final goodbye, ending the speech with a promise to keep his eye on your progress in the world.