Chapter 89: Metal Affinity
Professor Oak spread Scyther's diagnostic report across the coffee table again. This time, Xiu recognized the characters and symbols as representing various elemental analyses, blood work results, and energy signature readings. Still largely incomprehensible, but he could grasp the general categories.
"As I suspected," Professor Oak began, pointing to a specific section of the report filled with complex chemical symbols and high numerical values, "your Scyther exhibits anomalous metallic element concentrations within its biological systems. The levels easily one hundred times higher than the baseline recorded for average, healthy Scyther specimens."
"Metal… Metal Coat…" The pieces clicked together in Xiu's mind with sudden, startling clarity. He looked up at Professor Oak, understanding dawning. "Professor," he asked, excitement tinged with apprehension, "are you saying these elevated metal levels… this is the actual requirement for Scyther's evolution into Scizor?"
Professor Oak nodded, a satisfied glint in his eyes. "That is indeed the core requirement, yes. The key. But," he added, holding up a cautionary finger, "it's not quite that simple. There's another critical factor involved, one that explains the historical difficulty and the modern reliance on artificial aids."
"Wait," Xiu interrupted, needing clarification. "If it's just about absorbing metal, why don't all Scyther eventually evolve? They live in forests, near mountains… surely they encounter metallic ores naturally?" This seemed like the missing piece connecting Oak's ancient Scizor theory to his own Scyther.
"An excellent question," Professor Oak commended him. "And that brings us to the heart of the matter. The factor that could potentially overturn the established consensus." He retrieved the photocopied images of the ancient murals again, pointing specifically to the depictions of Scyther interacting with substances before evolving. "The missing element," he stated simply, "is affinity."
"Affinity? For metals?" Xiu clarified.
"Precisely!" Oak confirmed. "Look closely at the materials depicted in these ancient evolutionary rituals." He indicated a section showing Scyther seemingly consuming or being coated in a fine powder. "Analysis of trace residues found at similar archaeological sites confirms these powders were primarily composed of finely ground iron ore – nearly eighty percent – mixed with various other catalytic minerals and compounds." He then picked up another document, showing translated fragments of ancient texts. "These texts describe complex recipes, specific ratios tailored, it seems, to individual Scyther."
"Tailored?" Xiu frowned. "Why? Because each Scyther might have a different natural affinity for absorbing specific metals?"
"You grasp it quickly," Oak nodded approvingly. "To trigger the evolutionary metamorphosis into Scizor, a Scyther must absorb and integrate a significant threshold of specific metallic elements into its exoskeleton and internal systems. However, most Scyther possess a naturally low affinity for absorbing these metals directly from the environment. Simply being near ore deposits isn't enough."
Professor Oak sighed suddenly, a flicker of historical empathy crossing his face. "Imagine the challenge faced by ancient peoples who first observed this potential. To overcome this low affinity, they experimented, developed these… concoctions. Materials designed to stimulate Scyther's body, forcing it to absorb the necessary metals." He shook his head grimly.
"But the process was crude, dangerous even. These ancient texts also record the consequences of failure. Success rates were likely abysmal – less than thirty percent, based on some interpretations. Failure didn't just mean no evolution; it often meant severe internal damage, conflict arising from the failed assimilation of energy… eventually resulting in the Scyther's death."
Xiu felt a chill hearing this. 'Generations of trial and error… countless failures…' The origins of Scizor were darker than he'd imagined.
Perhaps sensing Xiu's reaction, Professor Oak offered a slight reassurance. "Modern science, thankfully, has refined the process considerably. Large corporations, building upon ancient knowledge and applying advanced biochemical principles, developed the 'Metal Coat' and associated techniques – injectable metallic liquid and controlled energy infusions. While still not foolproof, the success rate is much higher now, and failures rarely result in the Pokémon's death, merely… discomfort or temporary illness."
Xiu nodded silently, absorbing the grim history.
Professor Oak brought the topic back to the central point. "But even with modern methods, not every Scyther subjected to the Metal Coat treatment successfully evolves. And the origin of the initial concept, the idea that Scyther could transform this way… remains murky.
This ambiguity is why the 'artificial Pokémon' theory took hold— why it's widely believed there are no truly wild Scizor, that they only exist through human intervention, ancient or modern."
"But Professor," Xiu interjected suddenly, recalling the mural images again, "that doesn't seem entirely right. The ancient method, using powders, seems like an internal absorption process. The modern Metal Coat sounds like an external application or infusion. They're fundamentally different mechanisms, aren't they? Can they truly be compared directly?"
Professor Oak looked at Xiu, genuinely surprised by the insightful observation. He smiled. "You're absolutely right. They are different." He picked up the mural image again. "Why do you think the modern methods are safer, even if they fail? Because they bypass much of the internal biological stress."
Xiu pondered Oak's words, nodding slowly.
"The core principle remains the same, however," Oak continued. "Evolution into Scizor requires absorbing and integrating metal. Most Scyther need artificial assistance, ancient or modern, to reach that threshold. But," his voice grew excited again, "what if that need for assistance isn't universal? What if the ancient texts, the modern consensus, are based on studying the average Scyther?"
He slapped his hand on the table for emphasis. "Our discovery today – your Scyther – could potentially rewrite everything! What if Scizor isn't solely man-made? What if wild Scizor can exist?"
"Because," Xiu finished the thought, understanding dawning fully now, "my Scyther… it has an unusually high natural affinity for metals?"
"Exactly!" Professor Oak beamed, radiating the pure joy of scientific discovery. "Its internal metallic content is off the charts, far exceeding anything attributable to normal diet or environmental exposure! If a Scyther with such a naturally high affinity existed in the wild, living in an ore-rich environment… perhaps it could absorb enough metal over time, through simple contact and ingestion, to trigger evolution without any human intervention!" He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Finding proof of that… confirming the existence of naturally occurring Scizor… would fundamentally change our understanding of Pokémon evolution!"
"Professor," Xiu asked carefully, seeing the intense research fervor in Oak's eyes, "are you proposing… to study my Scyther? To test this hypothesis?" The earlier unease returned.
"Yes!" Oak confirmed enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to Xiu's apprehension. "I want to explore this possibility! Monitor its metal absorption rates under controlled conditions, analyze its genetic markers… perhaps even try to induce evolution without using a standard Metal Coat, simulating natural environmental exposure! Understand the true mechanism!"
Xiu fell silent, staring down into his now-cold teacup, weighing the implications.
Seeing his hesitation, Professor Oak shifted tactics, appealing to Xiu's own goals. "This research wouldn't harm Scyther, Xiu, I assure you. In fact," he added persuasively, "it would involve providing optimal nutrition, specialized mineral supplements, controlled environmental enrichment… essentially, the best possible care to encourage its natural development. We'd be working together to enhance its strength, unlock its hidden potential. Isn't that what you want as its Trainer?"
"What… what exactly would the research entail?" Xiu asked cautiously. Evolving Scyther was certainly a long-term goal, but doing it now? Through some experimental process? It felt premature, risky. Scyther was still young, barely adolescent.
"We'd carefully increase the metallic content in its diet and environment," Professor Oak explained, already sketching out protocols in his mind. "Simulate long-term exposure to mineral-rich conditions found in certain wild habitats. Monitor its physiological responses, track the integration of metallic elements… see if the evolutionary threshold can be reached naturally, without the forceful intervention of a Metal Coat." He observed Xiu's still hesitant expression.
"Think of it this way, Xiu," Oak pressed gently. "Perhaps Scizor isn't truly an 'evolution' in the traditional sense, but rather an alternate developmental path for Scyther. A potential that always existed, inherent within the species, but only achievable under specific environmental conditions – or through artificial means. Our modern reliance on the Metal Coat might just be a shortcut, obscuring the original, natural process."
Xiu considered this. It made a certain kind of sense. Scyther and Scizor shared the exact same base stat total (500), just distributed differently – Scyther emphasizing Speed, Scizor focusing on Defense.
One wasn't definitively 'stronger' than the other, just… different— specialized; an alternate form, rather than a strict upgrade.
This reframing made the idea of facilitating the change seem less like forcing an unnatural evolution and more like guiding Scyther towards a different expression of its inherent potential.