Ash stared in shock, unable to get over what had happened to his best friend.

There, in the container, sat a small teenage boy. He was slumped against the side of the cell, pale skin sparking faintly. A mop of messy blond hair adored the top of his head, and sticking out were two long ears, both laid back against his head. His cheeks held two red spots, where the electricity was sprouting from along his back were three identical stripes. A tail sprouted from behind him, twitching faintly. He was nude, but the way he was positioned hid the boy from the others eyes.

"P-Pikachu… Is that you?" Ash whispered, walking slowly toward him.

The boy opened his eyes and looked up, blinking rapidly. Golden eyes stared up toward Ash with confusion. The slight look was recognized instantly. This was his Pikachu. This was his friend… his buddy. Ash blinked back and looked over his shoulder as the scientist cackled and looked at some charts. He glared, narrowing his eyes dangerously before reaching for his belt and pulling a Pokéball out.

As he threw the ball forward, the red flash came out and Chimchar appeared. The small ape smiled and looked up, making small noises. Ash huffed, ordering Chimchar to attack the man and send him flying. Chimchar complied with a rather impressive Fire Spin, sending the scientist out the door quickly as the heat from the Fire Spin started to cause some of the machines to combust, and break, sparks flying and fire starting.

"P-Pika…" Pikachu whispered, eyes fluttering closed.

Ash sighed gently and leaned down, picking the boy up into his arms, "Don't worry Pikachu. I got you!"

Turning toward the door, Ash started toward it, dodging around the machines. Chimchar followed close on heel, whining and jumping up to hold to Ash's shoulder. They made it out into the open right as the building started to crumble and catch fire fully. Ash held Pikachu close to his chest, quickly jumping the gate and running down toward the stream where Brock and Dawn stood waiting in worry.

"Ash! Did you find… what… is that?" Dawn asked, pointing in shock.

Ash blinked and flushed gently. He couldn't let his best buddy be seen by the entire world! He turned his back to Dawn and gently laid Pikachu in the grass, shifting him carefully into a comfortable position. He pulled his jacket off and laid it on the sleeping figure before sighing and looking back toward Brock.

"What?" Brock asked.

"It's Pikachu…"

"Oh no! What happened? Did he…die…?" Dawn asked in a whisper.

Ash glared slightly and shook his head. "No! This… this boy is Pikachu! A scientist did something to him and now he's… part human, I guess…"

Dawn blinked and laughed. "You're funny, Ash!"

"I'm not kidding around!"

"But Ash, that can't be possible! Can it Brock?"

Brock sighed and slowly walked over, eyeing Pikachu. "Well, it sure does look like a Pikachu in a human form… And I guess it's not impossible if a scientist does it right? We've seen a ton of odd things."

Ash sighed and quickly reached over, pulling out a spare pair of jeans and carefully putting them on the boy. He bit his lip and thought. They could pick up some clothes for him in the next city, but for now he'd have to wear Ash's clothes. He walked to the stream, gently scooping some water into his hands and splashing Pikachu's face.

As soon as the water touched his skin, Pikachu's eyes snapped open. He glared; eyes narrowing as sparks flew from his cheeks. Crying out slightly, he sent an electric jolt toward Ash, hitting him dead on. Ash gasped and cried out before slumping down, head bowed. Pikachu blinked in shock and lurched forward, standing on his hands and knees.

"Pika! Pika pi, Pikachu! Chu!"

"Ughhh… Pikachu…it is you… are you okay buddy?" Ash asked, smiling a bit.

Pikachu blinked in confusion and cocked his head to the side. "Pika?"

"You're part human now…" Brock murmured.

Pikachu looked toward Brock as if he was stupid before looking down at his own body. He blinked and stared in shock before lifting a hand and holding it before his face. He flexed his fingers, testing out the hand and shaking his head. How had this happened?! Pikachu whined and looked himself over. He twitched his ears, sighing with relief when he felt them move and his tail twitch.

Looking up, Pikachu slowly tried to stand and stumbled into Ash, not able to hold his body up. Ash caught him, supporting him carefully while biting his lip. He murmured something before Pikachu looked up and blinked, a slight red tint coming to his face as he looked away. Ash cocked his head before blowing some hair from his face and smiling.

"What now?" Ash asked, gently holding the Pikachu to his chest.