Shocking Super Energy?

It's all in the tingly feeling... Or is it the numbing effect?

It's time for your first task! Bring me some gentia venom glands from the Karek Swampland.

There's a lifeform that can control lightning on the Serena Coast. My dear assistant, go find it and bring it here!

If I can grasp the principles behind this, I might be able to develop a revolutionary new energy source, even better than prisma. I must not give up!

Oh, you must be the assistant I ordered!

Wuh? Me?

I've been waiting for you. We have a lot of work to do!

Wait, what are you talking about?

Ah, forgive me. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Scott. I'm currently researching a possible new energy source.

What kind of source?

Have you ever seen...lightning?!

Of course. During storms and stuff.

I got to thinking... A lightning strike produces light, sound, even destruction. Why can't we harness that power? Now, have you ever touched a metal object and gotten a shock from it?

Yeah, now you mention it. It always spooks me when that happens.

Indeed, that moment your finger touches the metal, it's like a miniature lightning strike! It passes through you in an instant.

No way. How could it be lightning if there aren't any thunder clouds? Where's it coming from?

Don't be so fast to write off this theory. Think outside the box a little! Just imagine how much easier our lives would be if we could contain that lightning energy and use it whenever we wanted. It could be the biggest step forward for human civilization since the discovery of prisma. Bigger, even!

So you're looking for a way to summon rainclouds or something?

No, think about those tiny shocks. They can happen when there isn't a cloud in the sky. If it has nothing to do with the weather, we must be overlooking something.

That's where you come in. I want you to find me something capable of inflicting that tingly, shocking feeling.

Something that can shock, huh? I've got to admit, I'd like to see where your research might lead.

Well said! Curiosity is essential in matters such as these. Now, are you familiar with monsters called gentia that live in the swamp? Eating them causes your tongue to tingle, wouldn't you say?

Yeah, I know them all right. You've got to be careful not to bite into one too hard or your whole mouth goes numb...

That's because of their poison. Their venom glands secrete it constantly, so it gets mixed into the water around them. They need to have those glands removed to be eaten safely. You see where I'm going with this, yes? Now go gather some gentia venom glands so we can get started.

...Nope, I have no idea where you're going with this. But I guess I can go to the swamp and hunt down a couple of gentia. This guy seems kinda...eccentric, but I think his heart's in the right place.

Hey, I got you the glands.

Hm, yes, very good. Just what we need. Let's see what makes these things tick.

Uh... Hey, is that safe?

Don't worry, I know what I'm doing! Now, just apply it to my skin, and... And...

......

......

...And nothing happens?

Curious, there's no trace of that sharp, tingling shock, just a strong sense of lethargy...

Are you okay?

Oh. I'm starting to go numb all over. This wasn't the result I was expecting. How disappointing.

You're being way too blasé about this! Let's get this poison off you...

Geez, that was a close one. What were you thinking? That experiment could have killed you!

A small price to pay...for science. But never mind about that! I remembered something, the rumors about the Serena Coast. They say sparks have been flying out of the sea! It must be a lifeform capable of controlling lightning. My dear assistant, go find it and bring it to me!

You're not giving up yet?

Besides, those rumors sound pretty crazy to me. Can a creature like that even exist? I'd better go check it out. Hey, don't do anything weird while I'm gone!

Okay, here we are. No sign of this lightning creature yet.

Whoa! What the heck was that? The whole ocean lit up for a second.

Maybe the thing Scott was talking about really does exist? Only one way to find out for sure.

Whew, I got it. With my bare hands, too! I'd probably make a pretty good fisherman.

So this was what was making all those sparks fly. I'll just give it a little poke...

Yaaargh! Man, that stings! You pack a real punch for such a little guy. Better be careful with this on my way back. Maybe this time Scott will find out something useful.

Welcome back. Do you have some good news for me?

Ta-da! One fish that shocks just like lightning.

Wonderful! Assistants like you are hard to find. Now, let's take a look...

Whoa, hold on! Don't touch it, or...

Yaaaaaaaaargh!

I tried to warn you...

Oh... My oh my... Eureka! This is the sensation I've been seeking to recreate! This phenomenon and lightning strikes are one and the same. Good work, my boy! This might just open the door to a technological revolution!

Yaayaayaargh!

It hurts much worse than a little shock from a metal object. What power!

Hrm... Heh heh... I'm feeling light-headed... Is this the joy of discovery?

Hey, are you all right?

If I can unravel the mysteries behind this, prisma will become obsolete...

Yeeaaarrrgh!