Chapter 91: The Path of Steel
Xiu knew that being a Trainer involved far more than just catching Pokémon and issuing battle commands. Building a true partnership, earning genuine loyalty and obedience… that required understanding, effort, and navigating the unique personalities of each individual creature.
Simply capturing a Pokémon in a Poké Ball didn't guarantee compliance; the ball was merely a convenient dwelling place, not a tool for mind control.
The idealized scenarios often depicted in animations, where newly caught Pokémon instantly became devoted partners, were largely fantasy. Perhaps individuals blessed with an extraordinary, almost supernatural affinity – the kind of aura that could reportedly soothe legendary beasts – might experience such instant connections.
But for ordinary people like himself? 'Better go back to sleep,' Xiu thought wryly. 'Everything's possible in dreams.'
Even the game mechanics hinted at this reality, with the badge system limiting the level of Pokémon a Trainer could effectively command – a simplified representation of the need for earned respect and proven competence. The true bond, the foundation of a successful partnership, ran deep— forged through shared experiences, consistent care, daily communication, and mutual trust.
Xiu's own recent preoccupation, his internal turmoil over Abra's condition and his own uncertain future, hadn't gone unnoticed by his Pokémon. They were far more sensitive to emotional shifts than most humans realized.
His usual focused, 'everything-is-under-control' demeanor had been replaced by frowning distraction, by periods of blank staring. They sensed something was wrong.
'They know I'm worried,' Xiu realized, feeling a twinge of guilt. He needed to address the situation with Scyther directly.
"Abra, Scyther," he called out softly after they finished their midday meal. "Come inside the warehouse after you're done eating. I need to talk to you both."
He walked into the relative privacy of the large warehouse alone, giving them a moment. Soon, he heard the soft thrum of Abra floating in, followed by the distinct click-clack of Scyther's footsteps on the concrete floor.
He turned as they approached. "Come here," he instructed quietly, sitting down on the floor near the entrance, leaning back against the stacked crates of Pokéblocks.
He looked up at them as they stood before him. Abra floated impassively, eyes closed as usual while Scyther stood tense, alert, sensing the seriousness in Xiu's tone. The words he needed to say, the explanation for Professor Oak's proposal, felt lodged in his throat. 'How do I even begin?' He could only let out a heavy sigh.
"Alas~" Xiu lowered his head, running a hand through his hair. "Forget it," he murmured, mostly to himself. "It's all fate, isn't it?"
His cryptic utterance clearly meant nothing to his Pokémon. Abra, however, seemed prepared, already extending a subtle telepathic link. Xiu hesitated only a moment before accepting the connection— but the first thought that came through wasn't from Abra; it was sharper, more direct, tinged with anxiety.
"Is this about me?" Scyther's thought echoed in his mind.
Xiu looked up, surprised. "My worry… was it that obvious?"
He forced a weak smile, trying to appear casual, but seeing their unwavering, expectant gazes – Abra's unseen mental focus, Scyther's intense stare – he knew pretense was useless. He straightened up, adopting a serious expression.
"Yes, Scyther," he confirmed, switching to projecting his thoughts clearly through Abra's link. "Your diagnostic report came back from Professor Oak. Abra's situation… is largely unchanged, still complex; but your report… revealed something new. Something significant."
Now that the topic was out of the bag, Xiu decided dragging it out served no purpose. He relayed everything Professor Oak had told him – the anomalous metal content, the theory of innate metal affinity, the ancient history of Scizor evolution, the possibility that Scyther possessed a rare, natural potential to become Scizor without artificial aids, and finally, Professor Oak's keen interest in studying this potential, in using Scyther as a research subject to potentially rewrite evolutionary history.
He laid it all out, concealing nothing, including the potential risks and the invasive nature of being a 'research subject'.
'Lying now would just create more problems later,' Xiu reasoned. 'Scyther deserves the truth, deserves to make its own informed decision.' He couldn't bear the thought of another situation like Abra's initial departure, born of misunderstanding and fear. Honesty, however difficult, felt like the only right path.
"I know," Xiu concluded his mental explanation, "that my initial reasons for bringing you out of the park were… selfish. I needed allies, needed strength. And finding out the truth about your condition now…"
Just as his thoughts began to wander, Scyther's voice cut through again, sharp and direct.
"What is your opinion?"
"Huh?" Xiu felt momentarily thrown. My opinion?
"On this. On the research. On… becoming Scizor. I want to hear what you think," Scyther clarified.
Xiu paused, gathering his thoughts, unsure exactly which aspect Scyther wanted his opinion on. The metal affinity? The difference between Scyther and Scizor? He decided to address the core issue.
"My opinion?" Xiu projected back carefully. "I think… this metal affinity… it's not a defect, not a problem. It's a talent— a rare potential. Like Professor Oak suggested, maybe you represent the original path to becoming Scizor, the natural one, before humans interfered with Metal Coats. Those other Scizor? Maybe they are just crude imitations, forced evolutions lacking your inherent potential."
He continued, warming to the idea. "And this talent… it shouldn't be ignored, shouldn't be wasted. Yes, staying as Scyther has advantages – speed and stealth— but evolving into Scizor… it offers immense power and incredible defense.
It's not about one being definitively 'better', but about choosing the path that best suits your potential, your goals. And realistically," he added pragmatically, "you can't avoid metals entirely, even in the wild. Ore deposits exist. Human settlements use metal everywhere. If the potential is there, wouldn't it be better to embrace it, control it, develop it under guidance, rather than letting it remain dormant or trigger unexpectedly?"
"So… you think I should pursue this? Cooperate with the Professor?" Scyther asked, processing Xiu's perspective.
"Ultimately yes," Xiu projected back firmly but honestly, "but the choice is yours. If you don't want to evolve, if you prefer remaining a Scyther, we can manage the metal exposure and avoid certain environments, perhaps find ways to metabolize the excess buildup. With care, it probably wouldn't be a major issue…" He deliberately downplayed the potential difficulties, wanting Scyther's choice to be free from coercion.
He waited for Scyther's response. The insectoid Pokémon stood silently for a long moment, seemingly deep in thought. Xiu watched it, remembering how small and vulnerable it had seemed when he first rescued it.
Now, it stood taller, exuded confidence, and carried the sharpness of skill. 'Bug-type Pokémon sure do develop fast,' he mused. Barely two months, and it had transformed into a formidable young warrior. Abra and Happiny, by contrast, seemed almost unchanged physically. 'Different species, different growth rates.'
Finally, Scyther looked up, meeting Xiu's gaze directly through Abra's telepathic link. Its decision radiated with unwavering certainty.
"I have decided. I will evolve. I will become Scizor."
Xiu blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden, absolute conviction. "Are you sure?" he projected back, needing confirmation. "You seemed hesitant before…"
"I want to become stronger," Scyther interrupted, its mental voice ringing with fierce determination. "This path… perhaps it is meant for me. As you said, this talent shouldn't be wasted." Its experiences – being hunted, being injured, and feeling helpless – had clearly forged an intense desire for power, for control over its own destiny.
And seeing the world outside the park, perhaps it realized, like Abra, that staying still wasn't an option— that moving forward was the only path. Maybe, in Xiu, despite his flaws, it had found a partner it could trust to guide it on that path.
"Alright then," Xiu finally replied, accepting its decision. He felt a complex mix of emotions – relief that Scyther had chosen growth, apprehension about the research process, but ultimately pride in its determination.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering the next step. "So… do we agree to Professor Oak's research proposal then? Cooperate with him?"