Compared to the bustling arena on the other side of the city, the research institute was eerily quiet. Scholar Rick was gazing curiously at the Pokémon before him, a creature with a gray body, a single eye centered in its spherical form, and a peculiar horseshoe-shaped magnet on each side. A Magnemite: an Electric-Type Pokémon.
According to Rick's research, this type of Pokémon possesses a very strange power within its body, which he had taken to calling Electricity. As a researcher, Rick suddenly found himself struck by a new idea. Fire-Type Pokémon could use flames as energy, so what about the electricity of Electric-Type Pokémon?
An image flashed through his mind: a thunderstorm, lightning splitting the sky, igniting raging fires in the treetops. But electrical energy, when it appeared, also emitted light. If they could collect and store this electrical energy, wouldn't it be possible to replace kerosene lamps and introduce an entirely new source of lighting for Lucien City?
He felt a completely new world slowly unfolding before him.
[Your subject, Rick, has become interested in Electric-Type Pokémon's electricity. Rick has begun researching electricity.]
Inside the castle, Lucien had just exchanged for a Generator, Electric Lamp, and other electrical technologies. He was preparing to hand them over to the craftsmen at the Royal Workshop for further research when he suddenly noticed this notification appear on the territory's board.
'Rick? Interested in electricity?'
Lucien looked at the notification with quiet enthusiasm.
'Interesting.'
He suddenly recalled a thought that had lingered in the back of his mind: if he hadn't used his ability to unlock these technologies, could the people of this era have eventually developed electric lamps and similar technologies entirely on their own?
The answer was, of course, yes. It would simply be a matter of time.
'Since that's the case, let's add fuel to the fire.'
Lucien summoned Elif and instructed him to deliver the blueprints and technical documents to the craftsmen at the Royal Workshop.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Elif replied. Having carried out such tasks so many times that it had become second nature, he accepted the blueprints without hesitation and turned to leave.
"Wait a moment!"
"What is it, Your Majesty?" Elif paused, turning back to face Lucien.
"I've heard that Rick is currently researching Electric-Type Pokémon. Have him come to the Royal Workshop to collaborate with the craftsmen." Lucien said. Perhaps Rick would bring him a pleasant surprise.
After a brief moment of surprise, Elif nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Back at the research institute, when Rick received the news, he was instantly stunned.
"His Majesty is inviting me to visit the Royal Workshop?" he asked, barely able to believe it.
'What could His Majesty possibly want from me?'
"His Majesty said you'll understand once you arrive," Elif replied with a smile.
"Alright then," Rick said with a nod. He set down his research materials and followed Elif through the city toward the Royal Workshop, located in the heart of Lucien.
The moment he stepped inside, he was captivated by the sight before him. Spread across a large central table were numerous miniature objects, a small-scale replica of the familiar steam train, a detailed model of the entire city of Lucien, and even a model of the original Steam Engine itself.
A group of craftsmen and scholars were huddled around one of the tables, deep in discussion. Scattered around the room were several Electric-Type Pokémon, including Mareep, Magnemite, and various Electric-type Bug Pokémon.
As Rick stepped further inside, he caught fragments of the workers' conversation:
"A Pokémon bio-energy generator... an entirely different power source from a Steam Engine. Utilizing the electrical power of Electric-Type Pokémon as the primary propulsion system..."
"That's truly an unimaginable marvel!"
"A light bulb... a tool used for illumination, using a tungsten filament..."
"I recall that the nearest refinery on the other side recently acquired a batch of Black Ore, didn't it? If so, let's have them give it a try!"
Following the Workshop Master's command, the entire Royal Workshop immediately burst into motion, like a massive machine roaring to life. Rick watched the scene unfold, observing the craftsmen moving back and forth with purpose. Although he didn't fully understand the Emperor's intentions, he remained quietly at the side, watching with keen interest.
On the first day, the craftsmen used crystal to craft a glass casing, similar in shape to an ordinary cage.
On the third day, the Black Ore processed by the smelting plant was delivered, and the craftsmen carefully transformed it into tungsten filaments.
On the seventh day, after extensive work by the craftsmen and carpenters, the world's first bio-energy generator was officially completed.
Rick watched as the craftsmen assembled all the components together. Then, an Electric-Type Pokémon was brought forward to power it. Immediately afterward, a miraculous scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.
The small crystal casing flickered, and then, an incredibly bright light shone forth.
It was...!
"Electric lamp, research successful!" one worker whispered in disbelief.
"A miracle! His Majesty Lucien has done it again!" another cried out, his voice trembling with excitement.
Traditional kerosene lamps consumed enormous amounts of kerosene. In comparison, this device, the electric lamp, could illuminate a room effortlessly using nothing more than the power of a Pokémon. And the electricity a Pokémon expended could be fully replenished with just a single Berry. More importantly, from this day forward, Lucien City would no longer be swallowed by darkness at night.
In that moment, everyone in the room truly understood the significance of what they had just created.
And Rick finally understood why His Majesty Lucien had sent him here.
The power of Electric-Type Pokémon could indeed be harnessed as a source of energy. So then... what about the other types? Where were their limits?
Fire-Type Pokémon could assist with heat and industry. Grass-Type Pokémon could help with harvesting. Ground-Type Pokémon could aid in planting. Water-Type Pokémon could help with irrigation, and the more powerful ones could even temporarily alter the weather. And now, Electric-Type Pokémon could generate electricity.
There were so many Pokémon in this world, so many types yet to be fully understood by humanity. What other powers were waiting to be discovered?
Rick's heart swelled with excitement. He bid farewell to everyone at the Royal Workshop, turned on his heel, and ran back toward the research institute with renewed energy, eager to begin an entirely new round of research.
Meanwhile, back in the castle, Lucien was gazing with quiet enthusiasm at the small light bulb sitting on the table before him.
"Come now, Dragonite, would you help generate some electricity?"
"Roar~!" Dragonite stepped forward eagerly, grasping the electric lamp in its large hands. With a surge of electricity, the small, magical bulb flickered to life, glowing brilliantly.
"Woo!" Dragonite's eyes lit up, transfixed by the light.
"Your Majesty, the generator and light bulb have both been completed. Our craftsmen are currently working to reproduce them on a large scale. It won't be long before electric lighting can be expanded across the entire city," Elif reported.
Lucien gave a small nod.
This was only the beginning. The next goal was to bring electricity to all of Unova, so that every citizen, in every corner of the region, could have access to electric light. Once that was achieved, humanity would no longer have to fear the darkness.
And yet, much like the laying of railway tracks, this was an enormous undertaking. It would require time, resources, and unwavering dedication to see it through.