Inside the device that stabilizes the power of lightning, Pikachu gently stepped onto the tray and began to look around.
However, the pitch-black space made Pikachu a little uneasy.
"Pika…" Looking at the slowly approaching Researcher Nero, Pikachu cautiously asked, as if seeking reassurance one more time.
"Just relax for now, it's fine at the moment. The pain comes later," Researcher Nero comforted Pikachu based on his past experimental experience, then manually fixed the palm-like extensions on both sides to Pikachu's cheeks.
"All right, secured."
After checking everything, he nodded. At this moment, Terrance handed over the Light Ball. Taking the Light Ball, Researcher Nero gently placed this small bead filled with electrical energy onto the tray.
"Is it really okay? I have a bad feeling about this…" Misty clasped her hands together nervously.
"Don't worry, both Researcher Nero and Terrance said there won't be any danger," Brock said to Misty, glancing at Ash, who was in front cheering Pikachu on. "Look at Ash, he really believes in Pikachu."
"Let's hope so…" Misty replied helplessly.
When all preparations were complete, Terrance nodded at the Rotom Pokédex.
The next moment, Rotom Pokédex flew over, connected itself to the device, and collected the current data.
"I have to say, Researcher Terrance, your Rotom Pokédex is truly a great assistant. How on earth did you modify it? If I get the chance, I definitely want to try catching a Rotom myself,"
Seeing the wonders of Rotom Pokédex, Researcher Nero exclaimed in admiration once more. As someone who studied Electric-type Pokémon, he'd never imagined a Pokédex could merge with a Rotom. This was a genius idea.
Terrance just smiled. His Rotom Pokédex had been a gift, and Nero knew this, which made him even more envious.
He figured, once the Light Ball was thoroughly researched, Researcher Nero would probably come running to study Rotom next.
Compared to human assistants, having a helper that was a fusion of Pokémon and electronic equipment meant more accurate data, whether conducting experiments or communicating with Pokémon.
"Ready to begin."
After a while, Researcher Nero took a breath and prepared to start. Meanwhile, Terrance's eyes flashed as he closely watched the Rotom Pokédex.
When the electrical energy in the Light Ball fuses with Pikachu's own lightning energy, or when life energy merges with fire energy, a particularly wild force is created!
How to control this wild force had always been a headache for Terrance.
If it couldn't be controlled, then it would be impossible for Altaria to fuse ordinary flames into the Flame of Life. Right now, Terrance hoped to gain some insight from the Light Ball fusion process.
The main role of the Rotom Pokédex was to observe and record the energy changes during Pikachu's fusion with the Light Ball.
Once Researcher Nero turned on the device, Pikachu didn't need to draw on the Light Ball's power by itself. The device automatically assisted Pikachu in extracting and fusing the electrical energy.
Later on, the device could even suppress the wild power of lightning. With this setup, the danger during fusion would be minimized.
Because previous experiments had resulted in his own Pikachu being injured, Researcher Nero had put a lot of effort into developing this device. Now, with the device running, the electrical energy from the Light Ball slowly poured out, starting to swirl around Pikachu.
"Pika..."
Feeling the numbing sensation spreading through its body, Pikachu frowned, realizing things weren't so simple.
Sure enough, in the next moment, under the pull, Pikachu's own lightning energy surged out, intertwining with the electrical energy and crazily stimulating Pikachu's body from the outside in.
The electrical energy swept together with Pikachu's own lightning energy, rapidly invading Pikachu's body, causing Pikachu to gradually show a pained expression.
Researcher Nero's expression didn't change; this was always how it started. As the electrical energy invaded, the wild power of lightning would only grow stronger and stronger. For now, this pain was nothing; any Electric-type Pokémon should be able to endure it.
Sure enough, after just a brief bout of pain at the beginning, Pikachu quickly recovered. However, it soon realized that the power of lightning inside its body was getting more and more violent as time went on.
This feeling was stranger and different from all its previous charging experiences. Pikachu didn't dare be careless; it focused its willpower, trying to regain control of the power of lightning within its body.
"Nine seconds."
Terrance counted silently in his mind. According to Researcher Nero, the longest his own Pikachu had ever held out was only half a minute before completely passing out. With this point of comparison, Terrance was particularly concerned with how long Ash's Pikachu could last.
"Pikachu, you can do it!" Seeing that Pikachu still seemed to be holding up fine, Ash continued to cheer it on.
At the same time—
"Pika… pika…"
Enduring the ever-increasing strain on its body and struggling to control the power of lightning, Pikachu began to sweat.
As time passed, it had already held on for twenty seconds. By now, Researcher Nero's device was also helping out by absorbing the excessively wild power of lightning that was spilling out of Pikachu's body.
"Twenty-four seconds…" Researcher Nero gulped. This Pikachu was about to last longer than his own Pikachu had.
However…
Fusing with the Light Ball wasn't about who could endure the longest, but whether one can control the increasingly wild power of lightning generated during the fusion!
At this point, Pikachu's expression was twisted in agony. Seeing Pikachu's face, Ash could feel Pikachu's pain, but aside from cheering it on, he didn't know what else he could do to help Pikachu get through this.
"Twenty-eight seconds…" Terrance said to himself.
At twenty-eight seconds, Pikachu seemed unable to hold on any longer. Its body started to sway unsteadily, as if it could collapse at any moment and lose consciousness.
Seeing Pikachu's condition dip so low, both Terrance and Researcher Nero's hearts sank. Had it failed?
But just then, as Ash shouted encouragement, Pikachu suddenly reached out and slapped away the stabilizer fixed to its cheeks. This move nearly scared Researcher Nero to death, his heart almost jumping out of his chest.
"Turn off the power! Quick, turn off the power, or Pikachu will be in danger!!"
Everyone was shocked. Before the experiment started, Researcher Nero had repeatedly stressed that the device must not be removed, or it would be dangerous. No one had expected Pikachu to slap off the device that was stabilizing the wild power of lightning.
No one had time to cut the power. The moment the device came off, the wild power of lightning inside Pikachu gushed out again…
Then, with a bang, a dazzling flash burst from the device. The sudden explosion could be heard all around the laboratory.
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