Chapter 113: Buried in Research
"Alright, Professor, these should be all the files you mentioned, right?" Xiu stood beside Professor Oak's desk in the second-floor study, holding a towering stack of thick, brown-covered notebooks – the ones containing Oak's past research notes on Abra and other psychic Pokémon. Nearby, Professor Oak was still searching through another section of the bookshelf.
"Uh… yes, that should be most of the relevant behavioral studies," Oak replied distractedly, pulling out another slim folder. "These are mostly observational records, notes on habitat, social interaction, basic psychic energy fluctuations… useful context, perhaps, but likely won't hold the key to your Abra's specific structural anomaly. The reference value isn't particularly high for your problem."
"Let me review these first regardless," Xiu insisted, carefully balancing the heavy stack. He weighed them mentally. "Still… this is a lot. I don't know how long it will take me to get through all of this."
Professor Oak finally turned away from the bookshelf, looking at Xiu with renewed curiosity. "Are you truly intending to tackle this yourself? Deciphering Abra's condition?"
"Yes, Professor," Xiu affirmed, his expression determined. "Even if I can't find a direct 'cure' within these notes, perhaps understanding the average Abra would allow me to see a pattern… maybe I can identify other corresponding methods and alternative approaches to managing its condition." He wouldn't give up. If evolution was too risky, if suppression failed… there had to be some way.
He paused, then added, recalling his earlier thoughts, "By the way, Professor, I was thinking… could I borrow the brainwave analysis equipment again tonight? After Abra rests?"
"Certainly," Professor Oak nodded readily, seeing Xiu's unwavering determination seemed to have solidified his own decision to offer support. He hesitated, then added, almost reluctantly, "Look, Xiu… if you encounter specific technical questions while reviewing those notes, or during your own scans… theoretical hurdles you can't overcome… you can ask me. Analyzing psychic anomalies is dangerous, especially for the inexperienced. Don't attempt anything reckless based on incomplete understanding."
"Thank you, Professor!" Xiu felt a surge of genuine gratitude. Having access to Oak's expertise, even just for consultation, dramatically increased his chances. He quickly bowed slightly in acknowledgement.
"Alright, alright," Oak waved him off gruffly, perhaps slightly embarrassed by the display of gratitude. "Just… try not to break any of my multi-million Poké Dollar equipment in the process. Some of those diagnostic tools are irreplaceable prototypes, you know." He turned and left the study, presumably heading back to his main lab.
Xiu hurried back downstairs, carrying the heavy stack of notebooks, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Professor Oak's offer of assistance, however conditional, was a significant breakthrough. 'He said he'll help!' Even if Oak wouldn't lead the research directly, having him as a consultant… it felt like the success rate of finding a solution jumped from a near-impossible 0.1% to a daunting but achievable 90%. And climbing.
He recalled Professor Oak's proficiency not just in biology, but also in engineering – the custom Poké Ball, the complex lab equipment, much of which Oak apparently designed himself. Rumors even suggested Oak was involved in the early development of the Pokédex system. Having access to that level of intellect, that breadth of knowledge… it was terrifyingly invaluable. Many of Professor Oak's patented technologies likely funded a significant portion of this entire Institute.
'How could he afford all this otherwise?' The scale of the operation, the resources required… it far exceeded what simple League grants or donations could cover.
As Xiu walked back through the main hall towards the living room, he heard the familiar thwack and splat sounds coming from the backyard – Abra and Scyther, still engaged in their training drill. He smiled faintly and decided to spectate Scyther who was a green blur, expertly deflecting a swarm of mud balls controlled by Abra's Telekinesis.
Compared to yesterday's frantic struggle, however, Abra's control seemed… different. It wasn't launching a massive, overwhelming barrage anymore. Instead, it controlled only six fist-sized mud balls, maneuvering them with intricate precision, testing Scyther's defenses with complex feints and angled attacks rather than sheer volume. Each time Scyther sliced a mud ball apart, Abra would instantly reform it from the damp earth nearby, maintaining a constant, relentless pressure of exactly six projectiles.
'Sixty hits worth of practice condensed into six,' Xiu analyzed, impressed by the efficiency.
Scyther, too, seemed much more comfortable, no longer just reacting defensively but moving with purpose, anticipating Abra's attacks, parrying cleanly, occasionally even finding brief openings for counter-slashes. Its focus absolute.
Xiu watched them for a while, sitting on the grass outside the designated training area marked out on the lawn. He didn't interrupt. Abra was handling Scyther's training perfectly according to the refined plan they'd discussed.
His thoughts, however, inevitably drifted back to Abra's condition. He frowned again, looking at the small psychic Pokémon floating serenely amidst the swirling mud projectiles. 'Professor Oak is right. Even if the training helps Scyther, it doesn't solve your problem, little one.' He felt a familiar sense of helplessness. 'I have to find a way.'
He picked up the top notebook from the stack he'd brought outside, forcing himself to focus. 'Time to find answers.' He opened the notebook, filled with Professor Oak's meticulous observations of wild Abra behavior from decades past.
The information was fascinating, detailing social structures, feeding habits, migration patterns, basic psychic communication methods… far more nuanced than any Pokédex entry. Xiu admired Professor Oak's dedication; tracking wild Abra colonies, given their penchant for instantaneous Teleportation at the slightest disturbance, must have required incredible patience and skill.
Especially considering Professor Oak mentioned observing twelve different wild groups over the years for this research. 'How did he even manage that?' Psychic Pokémon were notoriously difficult to find and study, often avoiding human contact entirely, which was why they rarely appeared on the black market compared to other rare types, and why the League maintained such strict controls over their study and ownership.
Xiu absorbed the behavioral data eagerly, gaining a deeper understanding of Abra's natural instincts— but as he read further, his initial hope began to fade. While the notes were incredibly detailed regarding behavior, they offered little insight into Abra's internal physiology, particularly the brain structure or the mechanics of psychic power generation and control. It wasn't the focus of this particular research.
What he really needed, Xiu realized with growing frustration, wasn't just behavioral observation notes. He needed anatomical charts. Neurological diagrams. Ideally, comparative studies between normal Abra and Kadabra brains, maybe even autopsy reports detailing psychic lobe structures. 'Bluntly put, he admitted grimly to himself, I need data from a dissected Abra.'
The thought felt obscene, violating. But scientifically… observing the physical mechanism of the psychic 'limiter' in a normal Abra and comparing it to his own Abra's mutated structure… that seemed like the most direct path to understanding the problem.
'But it's impossible,' he concluded immediately. He would never allow such a procedure on a living Pokémon, even if one were available. And acquiring one specifically for dissection? 'Unthinkable.'
He sighed again, closing the notebook, feeling stuck. He looked over at Abra and Scyther, still locked in their focused training drill. His thoughts drifted again, aimless, frustrated.
— — —
Later that evening, back in the Institute's second-floor lab
"Professor?" Xiu found Professor Oak reviewing data logs at the main console.
"Yes, Xiu?" Professor Oak replied without looking up.
"I was wondering," Xiu began tentatively, "about Abra's condition… I'd like to run some more detailed diagnostics. Specifically, focused brainwave monitoring during different states – resting, meditating, and actively using Telekinesis."
"Oh?" Oak finally turned, looking intrigued. "Decided to take a more active role in the research after all?" He seemed pleased. "Certainly. The equipment is available. Do you know how to operate the advanced neural scanners?"
"I believe so, Professor," Xiu replied confidently. "I studied the manuals earlier. Basic operation seems straightforward."
"Excellent," Oak nodded. He gestured towards the examination table Xiu himself had occupied previously. "Go ahead then. Just be meticulous with the setup."
Xiu nodded and called Abra over. "Okay, Abra," he projected calmly, "time for another check-up. Same as before, just need to monitor your brainwaves while you rest, then while you practice your control exercises."
Abra floated willingly towards the examination table. "Lie down here," Xiu instructed gently. "You might feel a slight tingling from the sensors again. Try to relax. Don't worry," he added reassuringly. "It's perfectly normal."