Chapter 787 781: The Appearance of Totem Sandslash

"President, what is this?"

After seeing off all the guests, Ethan arrived at the laboratory.

At that moment, in his hand, he was holding a bottle of blue reagent.

And that blue reagent was precisely the congratulatory gift that President Beckett had given him.

"It is called Totem Sandslash reagent."

Upon hearing President Beckett's words, Ethan could not help being stunned for a moment.

Totem reagent?

Don't tell me that, by drinking that bottle, one could become a Totem Pokémon?

But then... why was it called Totem Sandslash reagent?

"That's right. This is a reagent that can turn a Sandslash into a Totem Pokémon."

President Beckett nodded and began explaining the origin of that bottle.

It turned out that this reagent had been extracted from a Totem Sandslash.

As for how they had extracted it, President Beckett did not go into detail, although Ethan knew perfectly well that it must have been extremely difficult.

After all, once a Sandslash drank the reagent, it could transform into a Totem Sandslash.

That was practically equivalent to a true reconstruction of its entire being; for Sandslash, the meaning of something like that was immense.

Naturally, risks still existed, since that safety was only guaranteed in theory.

In addition, although this type of reagent had already been tested on other Totem Pokémon, there was still a difference between species.

Even if the reagent had not caused problems in other Totem Pokémon, they could not be completely certain that it would work just as well on a Sandslash.

"Come out, Sandslash."

"In this matter, it would be better for you to decide yourself."

Ethan released Sandslash from its Poké Ball, determined to leave the final choice to it.

"Sha!"

After listening to Ethan's words, Sandslash's eyes lit up.

Just as Ethan had imagined, Sandslash accepted almost without the slightest hesitation.

It had long wished to become a Totem Pokémon.

When it lived in the Sandslash Secret Kingdom, it had always dreamed of becoming the leader of the Sandslash.

Because of that, the concept of a Totem Sandslash had a very special meaning for it.

In addition, as an ordinary Pokémon, the limitations of its species had always constrained it.

Although it now mastered combination moves and the steel muscles method, all of that had only allowed it to keep up with its companions.

As its strength continued increasing, it felt more and more clearly that it was beginning to run out of room.

Pokémon like Lucario and Charizard, relying on the innate advantages of their own species, were already directly approaching the Elite level.

Under those circumstances, its desire to become a Totem Pokémon became even stronger.

After all, the Totem state, just like evolution, was also a form of leap in life level.

Perhaps that could help it break the limitations of its species and become the opportunity it needed to successfully enter the Elite level.

Now that this opportunity was before it, even if there was danger, it had to try anyway.

"All right, I understand."

Ethan held Sandslash's gaze and confirmed his companion's decision.

Afterward, he turned toward President Beckett and said, "Then, what follows will be in your hands, President."

"All right, I understand."

President Beckett nodded and immediately began preparing everything.

Although he could not guarantee one hundred percent that Sandslash would succeed in becoming a Totem, at least he was determined to guarantee its basic safety.

It did not take long before all the auxiliary laboratory instruments were ready.

Sandslash held the bottle of blue reagent, and its expression mixed excitement and nervousness.

"Let's begin."

Once everything was prepared, Sandslash drank the blue reagent.

Then its body was seen beginning to tremble without stopping, while its muscles started to swell.

"SHHAAAA!"

Along with the changes in its body, Sandslash let out growls full of pain.

Seeing that, Ethan's heart tightened involuntarily.

Fortunately, at that moment President Beckett patted him on the shoulder, and that managed to calm him a little.

According to accumulated experience, that reaction was within the normal range, and the data shown by the instruments also indicated that Sandslash was still out of danger.

As time passed, Sandslash's Totem mutation continued to develop.

"This... did it work?"

After a good while, Ethan looked at the energy fluctuations of the instruments, which were becoming increasingly stable, and tried to restrain his excitement as he asked.

"Yes, it worked."

A smile appeared on President Beckett's face.

Although the process had been rather dangerous, Sandslash had finally managed to get through it.

When he directed his gaze toward the center of the laboratory, a figure that was already around four meters tall could be seen.

With pale green skin, red spikes bristling on its back, and an imposing size, it looked like a wild beast, radiating a slight sense of oppression.

In that instant, Sandslash had successfully completed its Totem mutation, and its life level had made a leap.

"Sandslash, how do you feel?"

After confirming that the Totem mutation had succeeded, Ethan excitedly approached his Pokémon.

"Sha!"

Sandslash narrowed its eyes with joy.

Feeling that its body had become much more powerful after becoming a Totem Pokémon, it moved its claws with excitement.

Immediately, a sharp whistling sound was heard in the air.

After becoming a Totem Pokémon, Sandslash's physical qualities in every aspect had improved enormously.

It was easy to imagine that, when using all kinds of close-combat moves, its power would be even greater.

Just thinking about how it would use the move Rollout with that new size, launching itself directly against the opponent, Ethan already began to feel anticipation.

"Congratulations, Ethan."

"Sandslash's size has increased more than threefold, and its physical qualities in every aspect have also grown proportionally..."

"In addition, it has successfully inherited the Totem aura. Although that aura is quite weak and is very far from that of an orthodox Totem Pokémon."

Very soon, President Beckett handed Ethan all the collected data. And, after reviewing the comparison between the figures before and after the domination, Ethan could not help marveling at how powerful the Totem state was.

If it was compared, for example, with Tyranitar, the current Totem Sandslash was not inferior at all in terms of physical qualities.

That was precisely the result of a leap in life level: now, Totem Sandslash's life level was no longer inferior to that of a pseudo-legendary.

And, if the reinforcement of the Totem aura was added as well, then, speaking only of pure capabilities, Totem Sandslash even surpassed a Tyranitar of the same level.

That leap in life level was, at the same time, extremely valuable research material for the Life Transition Research Institute. Perhaps, from it, they could find an even better method to raise the life level.

"Although... it is a pity that the Totem aura is still deficient. If there is a possibility, perhaps we can try to research the true essence of the Totem aura."

Ethan narrowed his eyes and suddenly thought of that Secret Kingdom belonging to the Alola region that was deep in the Pacific Ocean.

In the original Pokémon world, Totem Pokémon originated precisely in the Alola region.

And perhaps, by exploring that Secret Kingdom of the Alola region, he could find a way to help Sandslash perfect its Totem aura.

In addition, aside from Totem Pokémon, the Alola region also had the Z-Power system, and all of that was enormously worth researching!