Chapter 90: The Hardest Choices Requires The Strongest Of Wills
The concept of Scizor being an alternate developmental path, rather than a strict evolution, resonated with Xiu. It explained the shared base potential and the reallocation of strengths.
He knew many trainers deliberately chose not to evolve their Scyther, valuing its incredible speed and agility over Scizor's increased bulk and defensive typing. In the wild, Scyther's green camouflage offered superior stealth compared to Scizor's conspicuous metallic red sheen.
Perhaps the prevalence of Scyther over Scizor wasn't just due to the rarity of evolutionary materials, but also natural selection favoring Scyther's specific skillset in most environments. It reinforced Professor Oak's theory – maybe Scizor was originally a niche adaptation, only becoming more widespread through human intervention.
"You needn't worry about hindering Scyther's natural growth," Professor Oak continued, pressing his advantage now, clearly sensing Xiu's cautious interest. "My research wouldn't involve forceful methods. Just… carefully controlled environmental enrichment. Optimal nutrition, mineral supplements… ensuring it has every opportunity to reach its full potential, whichever path that might be. With my guidance," he added significantly, "its development would be far faster, far more effective than anything you could achieve alone."
The offer was tempting. Professor Oak, the world's leading Pokémon expert, offering personalized guidance and resources to maximize Scyther's potential… It was an opportunity most trainers could only dream of.
Seeing Xiu still hesitating, Professor Oak decided to lay his cards on the table. "Alright, Xiu," he said directly, dropping the purely scientific pretense. "Let's talk conditions. You allow me to study Scyther, monitor its development, perhaps guide it towards this potential 'natural' evolution… In return, you name your price. Money? Rare Pokémon? Advanced training materials? Access to restricted research data? Anything within reason," he cautioned, "consider it yours."
But Xiu wasn't swayed by the offered rewards. "Professor," he replied respectfully but firmly, "these conditions, this decision… it's not mine alone to make. Scyther isn't just a research subject; it's my partner. Its future, its potential evolution… that's a choice it needs to understand and consent to." He thought of Abra and the complexities of its situation.
He wouldn't force another of his Pokémon down a path, however potentially beneficial, without its explicit agreement. "I need time. Time to discuss this with Scyther, explain the situation, understand its own wishes."
If Scyther was willing, Xiu wouldn't stand in the way of such an incredible opportunity. But if it refused? Then Xiu would have to decline the Professor's offer, consequences be damned. Offending Professor Oak, potentially losing this sanctuary… it was a terrifying prospect— but his responsibility to his Pokémon came first.
Professor Oak looked genuinely surprised by Xiu's response, by his insistence on consulting the Pokémon itself. He stared at Xiu for a long moment, his expression unreadable, perhaps reassessing the young man yet again.
Hesitating? Over consulting the Pokémon? Most trainers, offered such an opportunity by him, would have agreed instantly, consequences for the Pokémon be damned. 'This boy… his priorities were certainly… unusual.'
"Very well," Professor Oak conceded after a moment, picking up his teacup again. "Discuss it with your Scyther. Let me know its decision by the end of the day." He seemed confident Scyther wouldn't refuse such a chance.
With the Scyther issue temporarily tabled, Xiu returned to his primary concern. "Professor," he asked, trying to keep the anxiety from his voice, "setting Scyther aside for now… Abra's condition? The instability? The danger? Is there any solution? Any direction at all?"
Professor Oak's expression turned serious again. He leaned over, picked up the other document folder from the table – Abra's full diagnostic report – and handed it across. "The situation with Abra," he began gravely, "is… complex. Similar to my initial assessment, and likely corroborating Bao Ba's findings. Extreme hyperactivity in the brain's psychic centers, accelerated development compared to norms…" He gestured towards the report. "But my scans also detected specific structural anomalies within the primary psychic lobe itself. Deeper than just functional instability. It appears to be a congenital difference, possibly a rare mutation."
"A mutation?" Xiu scanned the report, trying to decipher the technical diagrams. "So… can it be fixed? Is there a treatment?" This was the core information Bao Ba had lacked, the reason he'd sent Xiu here.
Professor Oak frowned, pondering for several seconds before replying, his words measured, cautious. "That's the difficulty, Xiu. This isn't an injury or illness in the traditional sense. There's nothing to 'treat'. It seems to be… fundamental to Abra's very nature. More akin to a natural variation, albeit an unprecedented and potentially dangerous one."
"So… what about evolution?" Xiu pressed, remembering Bao Ba's theory. "If it evolves into Kadabra, will its brain mature enough to handle the power then? Will the instability resolve?"
Professor Oak's answer was blunt, immediate, and utterly deflating. "No idea."
The crisp finality of it stunned Xiu into silence for a second. "No idea?" he repeated incredulously. "But… you're Professor Oak! The world's leading expert! How can you not know?" Frustration, fear, and crushing disappointment surged through him.
He gripped the report tightly, the paper wrinkling in his hand, unaware of his own actions— all this effort, traveling here, pinning his hopes on this legendary figure… only to be met with uncertainty? It felt like a cruel joke.
"Because," Professor Oak replied calmly, seemingly unfazed by Xiu's outburst, "as I stated, this appears to be an unprecedented mutation. Without prior examples, without comparative data, any prediction about its evolutionary effects would be pure speculation. And I," he added pointedly, "do not deal in speculation."
He met Xiu's frustrated gaze evenly. "Young man, there are only two types of people who claim to know everything: gods, and liars. I am merely a scholar— a human. My knowledge, however vast, has limits."
His calm, logical explanation cut through Xiu's rising panic. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain composure. "I'm sorry, Professor," he apologized quietly, consciously relaxing his grip on the crumpled report. "I… I was just… hoping for a clearer answer."
"It's okay, I can understand." Oak acknowledged with a slight nod, continuing with, "This is a problem that requires further study. Deeper analysis. We cannot devise potential solutions until we fully comprehend the nature of the anomaly."
He paused, then added significantly, "Which brings us back to Scyther. Cooperating with my research on its unique condition… might provide valuable comparative data, perhaps shed light on unusual evolutionary mechanics in general…" The implication was subtle but clear: help me, and maybe, just maybe— there is a chance it could help you.
Xiu understood the unspoken bargain. "I'll… discuss it with Scyther," he repeated. "Thank you, Professor." He stood up. "If there's nothing else for now, I should probably get back to my duties."
"Yes, yes," Professor Oak waved him away absently, already turning back towards his own research notes. "Go on."
Xiu left the living room, his mind reeling. No easy answers for Abra. A difficult choice regarding Scyther. And the ever-present ticking clock of his own condition. He felt adrift again, like a headless fly buzzing randomly, unsure which direction to turn.
He walked automatically towards the backyard, needing the familiar routine of work to ground himself. As he passed the warehouse, he paused. He knew he needed to talk to Scyther, explain Oak's proposal. But how?
Tell the whole truth about being a research subject? Lie, frame it purely as a training opportunity? The wrong approach could shatter the trust they'd painstakingly rebuilt. 'What if it reacts badly? Tries to leave?' The thought terrified him.
Lost in thought, he wandered aimlessly, not realizing he'd strayed from the main paddock path until he found himself near the edge of the dense woods marking the boundary of the 'back mountain' area.
He recalled Professor Oak's stern warning: 'They will attack intruders.' A sudden prickle of unease ran down his spine. He felt… watched— as if something unseen within the deep shadows of the woods was observing him.
He quickly retreated, backing slowly away from the area until the feeling subsided. 'My intuition is rarely wrong,' he thought, unnerved. 'Especially when my life might be on the line. What was lurking back there?'
Shaken, he decided to postpone the difficult conversation with Scyther. 'Do the job first. Think later.' He returned to the warehouse.
"Abra," he called out as he approached the cart still loaded with midday rations. "Need your help again."
Abra appeared silently beside him, its eyes still closed. The leaves it had been manipulating earlier dropped unnoticed to the ground.
Soon, Xiu was pushing the cart back out into the sunny paddock, a bright, forced smile plastered on his face. "Lunchtime!" he called out cheerfully to the various Pokémon grazing or resting nearby, trying to project an air of normalcy he definitely didn't feel. The Pokémon looked up, recognizing the food cart, and began to gather expectantly.
Later, after the feeding round was complete, Xiu sat under the large oak tree near the warehouse, watching his own Pokémon eat their specially prepared meal. Happiny was happily munching on berries. Abra consumed its nutrient paste silently via Telekinesis. Scyther picked its high-protein pellets.
Xiu himself felt no appetite. He just sat there, watching them, the weight of the decisions before him pressing down, unsure how, or even if, he could possibly explain the situation to the proud, traumatized Pokémon sitting beside him.