Electric Dreams: The Remarkable Journey of Marcus

"This is, like, the worst day ever."

Marcus lay naked on a stainless steel table, his arms and legs bound by four leather straps. He flinched as he felt Prof. Oak's hand on his forehead. The skin was cold and clammy. Marcus's heart pounded as he tried to ignore the pain in his sides.

"You've been very brave today, Marcus," said Prof. Oak. "We're almost finished, I promise. You're doing so well!"

Marcus squinted up at the professor, who was standing on a stool, preparing to inject a needle into Marcus's shoulder. The needle was huge, and Marcus squeezed his eyes shut as he heard a small hiss.

"This won't take long at all," said Prof. Oak, moving the needle around to make sure it was in the right place. Marcus squirmed, and then yelped as he felt a sharp pinch. "There we go," said Prof. Oak, stepping down from the stool. He pulled out the needle and placed it on a small metal tray, where several other empty syringes lay. Marcus felt his face flush with anger. What did Prof. Oak think he was, some kind of animal?

"And this," said Prof. Oak, walking over to the table with the tray, "is it."

Marcus watched as the professor held up a small black pellet. He had seen them before; they were used in Pokémon battles to contain special attacks.

"Ah, Marcus, what would life be without some good old-fashioned science?" said Prof. Oak, smiling broadly. "This is an experiment, of sorts. We're going to see if we can't turn your fur into something a little more...you know. Like a Pikachu."

Marcus's eyes grew wide and he twisted against his restraints. "What?" he shouted, but all that came out was a squeak.

"Shh, shh," said Prof. Oak, waving a hand. "Don't get yourself too excited. This is for science, after all. And for you, of course."

He walked back to the table, picked up the pellet, and held it out in front of Marcus. It gleamed in the florescent light.

"I know you've been wanting to be a Pikachu for a while now," said Prof. Oak. He took off his glasses and cleaned them with a cloth. "And this is your chance."

Marcus realized that he couldn't move. The straps held him tightly to the table. He felt tears welling in his eyes and he let out a pitiful whine.

"What do you say, Marcus?" said Prof. Oak, putting on his glasses again. "Are you ready?"

Marcus looked up at the professor, who smiled back down at him. He turned his head to the left and the right, looking at the walls of the lab, which were lined with shelves filled with glass jars. Each jar contained a different Pokémon. Next to a shelf lined with jars full of Pidgey and Spearow, there was a cage with a Scyther. Marcus looked at the Scyther and felt a pang of sadness. He used to be a Scyther. He used to be free.

"Yes," said Prof. Oak, breaking into Marcus's thoughts. "Are you ready?"

Marcus nodded slowly. He didn't want the professor to inject him with the pellet. He didn't want to be a Pikachu. He wanted to be free. He wanted to fly.

"Good boy," said Prof. Oak. He held the pellet up to Marcus's cheek. "Open wide."

Marcus opened his mouth and felt the pellet slide on his tongue. Prof. Oak smiled down at him.

"Say 'aaah'," he said.

Marcus did as he was told. Prof. Oak leaned in close and blew a small puff of air into Marcus's mouth. Marcus felt the pellet slide down his throat. He closed his mouth and swallowed.

"There we are," said Prof. Oak, stepping back. "Now we just have to wait."

Marcus watched as the professor washed his hands in a bowl of water. He dried them on a towel and then put on a pair of gloves.

"Is it supposed to work right away?" asked Marcus, his voice still squeaky.

"Oh no, that takes time," said Prof. Oak, shaking his head. "It could take weeks, or even months, to see the results."