Chapter 114: Examination and Debate
Abra lay quietly on the examination table, its small form dwarfed by the complex machinery surrounding it. It watched with its large, intelligent eyes as Xiu carefully attached the various sensor pads and electrode wires to its body and head.
Sensing its slight apprehension, Xiu offered a reassuring mental touch through their telepathic link. "It's okay, Abra. Just like my check-up yesterday. I'll be right here beside you the whole time."
Because this was his experiment, his attempt to understand Abra's condition, Xiu couldn't commandeer Professor Oak's main research console. Fortunately, the lab contained several older, seemingly obsolete computer terminals tucked away in corners. Functional, even if slow.
After confirming all connections were secure, Xiu initiated the program, monitoring the initial baseline readings scrolling across the dated screen. He then walked back over to Abra's side. "Alright," he murmured softly, "just relax now. Close your eyes. Try to enter that meditative state Alakazam taught you."
Abra complied, its eyes drifting shut, its breathing evening out, entering a state of deep psychic calm.
Two hours passed in focused silence. Xiu remained by Abra's side, monitoring the data feeds on the old terminal, occasionally making notes, while Abra rested peacefully on the examination table. Compared to the anxiety of undergoing the tests himself, observing felt almost… detached. He knew, intellectually, that this examination was crucial, potentially life-altering for both of them, but the immediate fear was absent. 'Strange.'
Finally, satisfied he had enough data, Xiu gently roused Abra up. "Okay, Abra," he projected softly, "that's enough, you can wake up now. Eat something, then you can rest properly in your Poké Ball." He knew Abra's daily activity window was limited; pushing it further after the mental strain of the examination felt unwise.
Abra's eyes slowly opened. As it began to stir, its body emanated a faint blue psychic aura. The sensor wires and pads attached to it detached themselves automatically, floating neatly back to their designated spots on the nearby equipment tray.
Xiu watched silently as Abra floated off the table, accepting the gesture without comment. He reached out a hand to catch it, perhaps offer a comforting touch. But Abra, perhaps sensing his underlying anxiety, or maybe just asserting its independence, bypassed his hand entirely, the psychic aura converging around it as it lowered itself gently to the floor.
Xiu sighed inwardly, retracting his hand, feeling slightly sad. He offered Abra its prepared recovery meal instead.
After Abra had eaten and returned to the relative stability of its custom Poké Ball, Xiu immediately sought out Professor Oak, eager to have the expert analyze the data he had collected.
He found Oak reviewing Scyther's fragment analysis results on the main console. "Professor? Could you take a look at this?" Xiu asked, holding up the data chip from the older terminal.
Oak glanced up, then back at his own screen. "Later, Xiu. Busy right now."
"But Professor, it's Abra's scan data…"
"Ah!" Oak's head snapped up, interest immediately piqued. "Finished already? Let me see!" He eagerly took the data chip, plugging it into his console, his earlier research momentarily forgotten. He scrolled rapidly through the neurological readings, muttering to himself. "Fascinating… wave patterns highly irregular… energy output significantly elevated, even during resting state… amplitude fluctuations far exceed norms…" He zoomed in on specific data points, completely absorbed, like a child unwrapping a complex new toy. "This uncontrolled growth… remarkable…"
Watching Oak's intense focus, Xiu felt a familiar flicker of unease. He seems more excited by the problem than concerned about finding a solution. "Professor?" Xiu prompted nervously. "Is… is Abra okay?"
"Huh?" Oak finally looked up, momentarily pulled from his data absorption. "Oh! Yes, yes, fundamentally stable," he reassured Xiu distractedly. "No signs of immediate neurological collapse or critical instability. Just… significantly advanced brain development for its age. Similar to your own condition, actually, though manifested differently."
"..." Xiu didn't know how to respond to being casually compared to his potentially dangerous mutated Pokémon.
Seeing Xiu's expression, Oak chuckled. "Just kidding! Mostly." He became serious again. "Physiologically, Abra appears slightly weaker than average for its developmental stage, likely due to the high energy demands of its brain. But the brain itself… exceptionally developed. Almost… too developed. Which likely exacerbates the control issue." He tapped the screen. "My recommendation? Adjust Abra's diet immediately. Reduce any supplements aimed at boosting mental acuity or psychic power. Focus entirely on physical conditioning and stamina. A stronger body might help it better withstand the strain of its own power."
"Right!" Xiu exclaimed, remembering. "The Pokéblock formula Director Bao Ba gave me… I modified it slightly, added some ingredients thought to enhance psychic focus…" He hadn't considered that boosting Abra's already hyper-active brain might be counterproductive. "I'll change it back immediately and focus on physical nutrients."
"Show me the formulas," Oak requested, holding out a hand. "All three. Yours, and the ones you're using for Scyther and Happiny."
Xiu quickly retrieved his notebook and copied down the three Pokéblock recipes he had been meticulously refining based on his own observations and the Stationmaster's notes. Getting Professor Oak's expert opinion is nothing short of invaluable.
Oak took the paper, scanning the ingredient lists, his brow furrowing slightly, his expression growing progressively stranger as he read. "These improved formulas…" he finally asked, looking up at Xiu, his tone unreadable, "did someone give these to you? Or did you develop them entirely yourself?"
"I… adapted them," Xiu replied honestly, though a sense of unease returned. Oak's reaction felt… critical. "Based on an original foundational formula from… an experienced breeder I knew." He deliberately kept Bao Ba's name out of it for now.
"Write down the original formula," Oak instructed curtly, handing the paper back.
"Yes, Professor." Xiu quickly jotted down the base recipe Bao Ba had initially provided. He handed the paper back, asking tentatively, "Is… is there something wrong with my modifications?"
Oak took the paper, glanced at the original formula, then back at Xiu's modified versions. He pointed to several ingredients Xiu had added to Scyther's mix. "These additions," Oak questioned sharply, "Powdered Chople Berry? Certain silicate minerals? Increased chitin supplements? Why?"
Xiu explained his reasoning – aiming to boost resistance to Fighting-type moves (a common Scyther weakness), strengthen the exoskeleton, enhance blade sharpness… logical additions, he thought.
Oak listened silently, then smiled faintly. "Did this 'experienced breeder' you knew," he asked pointedly, "not warn you against altering established formulas without a complete understanding of synergistic effects?"
"Did I… make a mistake?" Xiu asked, bracing himself.
"Nonsense!" Oak suddenly declared, startling Xiu again. "Your mistake wasn't adding ingredients; it was perhaps being too conservative!" He picked up the paper again, tapping vigorously at Xiu's modified Scyther formula. "This original recipe? Solid, yes, but dated! Your additions? Mostly minor tweaks for taste or texture, some marginal ability enhancements… adequate, but uninspired!" He sounded almost disappointed. "Luckily, you didn't add anything truly counterproductive, or Scyther might have faced real problems."
"Then… should I change it back?" Xiu asked, confused again by Oak's apparent reversal.
"Change what back?" Oak retorted impatiently. "You don't even grasp the purpose of some of these ingredients, do you? Why would you change anything?"
"I know what they do!" Xiu protested defensively.
"Oh?" Oak raised an eyebrow again, clearly skeptical. "Then tell me," he pointed to a specific ingredient in Xiu's Scyther formula listed simply as 'Choco-root powder', "why add this? It's primarily used in topical burn salves. Offers minimal internal nutritional value."
Xiu narrowed his eyes, sensing another test. "Professor," he countered calmly, "what do you believe is the primary purpose of a well-formulated Pokéblock?"
Oak seemed momentarily thrown back by Xiu asking him a question. He paused, then answered textbook-perfectly, "To provide the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients for healthy growth and energy, and potentially, to enhance specific natural abilities or mitigate weaknesses relevant to the Pokémon's type or role."
"Exactly," Xiu nodded. "So, Professor, you know Choco-root is used in burn medicine. Do you know why? What specific property makes it effective?"
"Well," Oak considered, accessing his vast knowledge base, "its primary active compound has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory properties and promotes rapid tissue regeneration specifically in thermal injuries…" He paused, then added dismissively, "But ingesting it wouldn't directly enhance Scyther's speed or cutting power."
"Perhaps not directly," Xiu agreed smoothly. "But what is one of Scyther's primary weaknesses, besides its fragility against Rock-types?" He didn't wait for Oak's answer. "Fire. And what does Choco-root excel at treating? Burns. By incorporating it into the diet, perhaps Scyther develops a low-level, systemic resistance to heat damage, slightly mitigating its Fire-type vulnerability. Not eliminating it," Xiu clarified quickly, "reducing the severity of potential burn injuries. A subtle, defensive enhancement."
He then pointed to another of his additions. "And the silicates? Combined with the extra chitin? Not just for general exoskeleton hardness, but potentially, over time, subtly altering the edge geometry of the scythes at a microscopic level, increasing their cutting efficiency against certain materials." He continued, explaining the synergistic logic behind each of his 'uninspired' additions, revealing a depth of theoretical consideration Oak clearly hadn't anticipated.
Professor Oak listened, his initial skepticism slowly fading, replaced by surprise, then grudging respect. He hadn't expected this level of nuanced, forward-thinking rationale from someone so young, someone seemingly lacking formal training. Xiu wasn't just following recipes; he was thinking like a researcher, like a true Breeder, hypothesizing, experimenting, optimizing.
"I see," Oak finally murmured, looking at Xiu with newfound appreciation. "Very… innovative."