Chapter 104: Super Shy[1]
Professor Oak watched Xiu process the confusion, the internal conflict, the dawning realization that much of what Xiu thought he knew might be fundamentally flawed, or at least incomplete.
"Alright then," Oak finally said, changing the subject again before Xiu could spiral further into existential doubt. He tossed the standard Poké Ball he'd been holding back to Xiu. "Here."
Xiu caught it automatically, looking down at the red-and-white sphere, then back up at Oak, bewildered. "Professor? What's this for?"
"Consider it… training for Scyther," Oak explained casually. "That Forretress I called down from the back mountain? I've already spoken with it," he added, implying a level of understanding and communication far beyond simple commands.
"It has agreed to spar with your Scyther regularly over the next few days. To provide it with some much-needed practical experience against a defensively challenging opponent." He paused, then added with a twinkle in his eye, "I'll arrange for a different sparring partner in a few days, perhaps something faster, to keep things interesting."
Xiu finally understood. The 'battle' earlier hadn't just been a philosophical demonstration; it was the start of Scyther's new training regimen, designed by Professor Oak himself.
Using Forretress, a Pokémon Scyther couldn't easily damage but also couldn't easily be damaged, forced Scyther to rely on wit and endurance, rather than just raw power or speed— a calculated setup.
"And Forretress's… diet?" Xiu asked hesitantly, remembering Oak's earlier cryptic warnings about its wild nature.
"Ah, yes," Oak nodded. "Forretress is primarily carnivorous," he stated matter-of-factly. "Particularly fond of small Bug-types. Caterpie, Weedle… quite nutritious for them."
Xiu paled slightly. "This..." The thought of having to regularly catch live Caterpie to feed Scyther's sparring partner… he felt momentarily speechless.
Seeing Xiu's horrified expression, Professor Oak burst into laughter. "Relax, boy! Just joking!" he chuckled heartily. "Standard high-protein Pokéblocks will do perfectly well." He wiped a tear of mirth from his eye. "But," he added, his smile turning mischievous again, "be careful when feeding it. Don't reach towards it directly while it's eating. Give it space. Otherwise," he shrugged nonchalantly, "whatever happens is not my responsibility."
"Yeah~" Xiu replied weakly, feeling thoroughly played. This Professor Oak… his penchant for teasing and misdirection was relentless. Any image Xiu had held of a purely serious, dignified researcher was rapidly crumbling, replaced by the reality of a brilliant, powerful, but undeniably eccentric (and slightly terrifying) old man with a wicked sense of humor.
'In a few more days, Xiu suspected, my entire perception of him will be completely overturned.'
With a final wave, Professor Oak turned and headed back towards the institute, leaving Xiu alone in the living room, holding the Poké Ball containing Scyther's new sparring partner.
Xiu stared at the Poké Ball, feeling a familiar headache beginning to throb behind his temples. 'Dealing with Professor Oak is exhausting.' He sighed, then focused on the task at hand. He needed to establish some kind of rapport with Forretress, especially if it was going to be Scyther's regular training partner.
He knew direct confrontation or demands wouldn't work. He needed a gentler approach. 'Food. The universal language of all Pokémon.'
"Alright, Abra," he called softly, releasing the psychic Pokémon. "I need your help again, and maybe keep an eye out, just in case."
Abra nodded silently, floating nearby. Xiu then took a deep breath and pressed the release button on the Poké Ball Oak had given him.
With a flash of red light, Forretress materialized before him. It immediately retracted its four tube-like appendages, clamping its two shell halves shut tightly, presenting only its rugged, impenetrable exterior. No eyes visible. Just a silent, armored sphere.
Xiu approached cautiously, squatting down a respectful distance away. "Hey there, Forretress," he began softly, projecting calmness. "Professor Oak mentioned you'd be helping my Scyther train. That's… uh, thanks."
He paused. "Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot earlier. But maybe… maybe we can start over?" He reached into his backpack, retrieving several ripe, red Cheri Berries – good for curing paralysis, but also generally palatable to most Pokémon. "You must be hungry after that workout. I brought some snacks."
He carefully placed the berries on the floor a short distance in front of the closed Forretress. He remembered Oak's warning – don't hover, don't reach. He stayed squatting, waiting patiently.
Forretress remained utterly still, unresponsive. The berries sat untouched.
'Okay, not interested in fruit,' Xiu deduced. He rummaged in his pack again, pulling out a small handful of the high-quality, insect-based protein pellets he used for Scyther – expensive, but nutritious, and likely appealing to a Bug/Steel type like Forretress. He placed these near the berries.
Still nothing. Forretress remained clamped shut tighter than a vault.
'This isn't right,' Xiu thought, frowning. 'Even carnivores often enjoyed berries as treats. Scyther certainly did. And refusing high-quality Pokéblocks… Is it just wary of me? Or is there another reason?'
He remembered Shouhe's explanation of berries back in Pallet Town. They weren't just food; they contained specific compounds beneficial to Pokémon, aiding recovery, and curing status conditions. It seemed counterintuitive for any Pokémon to completely refuse them, unless… unless it had a specific aversion? Or maybe…
Just as Xiu puzzled over the situation, Abra projected a thought into his mind.
"It dislikes being watched while eating."
"Okay!" Xiu immediately stood up, took several steps back, then slowly turned his back completely to Forretress. He nudged Abra gently. "See no evil," he projected wryly. "Let me know when it's done."
He stood there, back turned, listening intently. After a few moments of silence, he heard it – a soft clack as the shell segments likely shifted, followed by the distinct, quiet crunching sound of something being eaten.
'So that was it! Xiu almost laughed out loud. It's shy about eating! Good to know.'
The crunching sounds stopped after a minute or two. Xiu waited another moment, then asked cautiously, "All finished? Can we… talk now?"
No response. He glanced towards Abra, who gave a subtle mental nod. Xiu slowly turned back around.
Forretress had indeed opened up slightly. The four red tube-like appendages were extended again, and its large black-and-white eyes peered out from the gap, regarding Xiu with a calm, unreadable expression. The berries and pellets were gone.
Seeing it 'open' again, Xiu approached cautiously, stopping a respectful distance away. Up close, he could appreciate its size better. Even clamped shut, it was larger than a basketball. With the appendages extended, it looked considerably bigger, definitely too large and heavy for him to lift easily. The space inside the shell must be surprisingly accommodating to allow everything to retract so completely.
He also noticed the texture of the outer shell more clearly now. Not smooth rock, but rough, like unrefined iron ore or perhaps hardened tree bark. And the jagged protrusions weren't random; several formed distinct ridges running along the top and bottom halves, almost like a natural mohawk wrapped around a sphere. The shells were clearly asymmetrical, designed to clamp together tightly when closed.
'Fascinating..., Xiu thought, appreciating Forretress. But… how do I talk to it?'
[1] yes, I decided on this chapter title with the song in mind