Wanderer of the Pokémon World

Chapter 230: Next Stage of Training

What happened, Xiu wondered, standing by the stream, the cool water still dripping from his face, to cause such a shift in the relationship between humans and Pokémon?

A century ago, they seemed deeply intertwined with everyday human life. Now… there's more distance, more fear, more regulation. The founder's journal hinted at a world far removed from the one he currently inhabited.

He shook his head, pushing the broader societal questions aside for now. He returned to his secluded spot near the withered tree and retrieved the small metal box he'd found in the Gym's ancient tree.

He carefully uncapped the sealed glass vial within. As he gently swirled the contents, he heard a faint, dry rattle. Seeds. Wrapped in the parchment detailing the potion formula were a small number of dried, dark seeds – undoubtedly from the purple flower.

He'd been so focused on the formula itself during his initial quick skim that he'd missed them. The old Gym Leader was very considerate.

The Gym's history, the purple flower's properties, the seeds, the formula, Xiaochun's grim fate – everything felt so overwhelming. Xiu sat for a long while, sorting through it all in his mind. And only then did he carefully repack the vial and the metal box, securing them deep within his keeping.

His curiosity about the remaining journals, however, had only intensified. If the founder's notes were this enlightening, what secrets might the subsequent Gym Leaders have uncovered? And the most pressing question: Could any of this knowledge be adapted to benefit Scizor?

He eagerly retrieved the second journal and began to read.

For the next several days, Xiu became a recluse. Aside from essential chores – caring for Xiaochun and the injured Pidgey, overseeing Scizor's training, preparing meals for Professor Oak and the other Pokémon – he devoted every spare moment to devouring the legacy of the Bug-type Gym.

The subsequent Gym Leaders, while perhaps not possessing the same mythic luck as the founder, were clearly skilled and dedicated individuals. Elites, if not outright geniuses in their field. Their journals detailed extensive research into the cultivation and application of the purple flower, meticulously documenting its effects.

They had experimented with various Pokémon, discovering that its potent properties primarily benefited what they described as 'shell-shedding' or 'metamorphic' Pokémon – those that underwent significant physical transformations.

Bug-types, Xiu translated, his excitement growing. This means Scizor could benefit. The journals also warned of an upper limit; excessive use of the flower's essence could lead to cellular dissolution, literally causing a Pokémon to break down.

Unfortunately, but predictably, the historical focus of the Bug-type Gym was almost exclusively on Beedrill. All the cultivation methods, the specific potion refinements, the training regimens – they were tailored for Beedrill.

Adapting them for a Scyther, let alone a Scizor with its unique metallic composition, would be a monumental task. He also confirmed that the vials of 'Super Beedrill Potion' found with the books were indeed derived from the purple flower's extract.

He carefully examined one of the vials, holding it up to the light. Tiny, snowflake-like purple crystals shimmered within the viscous liquid. Only a handful of doses remained. Not nearly enough for extensive experimentation.

In the following days, Xiu requested access to Professor Oak's advanced laboratory equipment. He began a systematic analysis of the purple flower extract, using modern scientific techniques to break down its composition.

The technology available, while impressive by this world's standards, still fell short of the sophisticated analytical tools he recalled from his past life. Some aspects of the substance remained frustratingly opaque.

Even so, Xiu meticulously documented his findings, cross-referencing them with the archaic notes from the journals, creating his own synthesis of old wisdom and new science. He kept his research private, sharing none of his specific discoveries with Professor Oak, who, in turn, respected Xiu's intellectual boundaries and remained engrossed in his own projects.

Slowly but painstakingly, Xiu began to feel a sense of mastery over the new knowledge. He was no longer a novice in the specialized field of Bug-type Pokémon. He, through a combination of a recovered legacy and his own unique perspective, had effectively been given a blueprint towards success.

His existing knowledge, his past life's experiences, and his understanding of certain Pokémon mechanics allowed him to assimilate and extrapolate from the ancient texts with astonishing speed.

But knowledge was only the first step. The real challenge lays in application. He needed to digest this information fully, internalize it, and then, the most difficult part: modify the ancient Beedrill-specific formulas and techniques, and adapting them for Scizor.

It was an audacious goal, fraught with risk, but the potential rewards… they were too significant to ignore.

One afternoon, while taking a break from his intensive studies, Xiu found Professor Oak hunched over a complex chemical apparatus, meticulously adjusting dials and monitoring readings.

"Professor," Xiu began, intending to offer a polite thank you for the use of the lab before seeking a request for more specialized reagents, "what fascinating project are you working on today?"

To his surprise, Oak actually answered directly. "A new formulation for a metallic coating compound," the professor explained, his eyes still glued to his instruments. "Preliminary tests suggest it could increase the success rate of certain evolutionary processes by an additional five percent."

Good heavens! Xiu immediately understood. The Metal Coat. Five percent might not sound like much, but in the high-stakes world of Pokémon evolution, it was a game-changer. With Professor Oak's reputation and connections, a product based on this new formula could dominate the market. 

"Is it truly that significant?" Xiu asked, feigning curiosity.

"Potentially," Oak conceded, still focused on his work. "However, its practical market value is limited. The Pokémon who use Metal Coat (like Onix and Scyther) to evolve are relatively rare Pokémon to begin with. And their temperament… they are proud, fierce creatures. Unless raised from a very young age, they rarely bond well with Trainers.

Consequently, the number of Trainers successfully evolving Scyther into Scizor and Onix into Steelix, and thus requiring Metal Coats, is not particularly high." He paused, then glanced at Xiu, a peculiar, almost appraising look in his eyes. "And even fewer Trainers manage to cultivate the kind of deep, trusting bond you seem to share with your Scizor."

"Perhaps because I don't treat it as a mere tool, Professor," Xiu replied quietly. "Any intelligent being, Pokémon or human, will instinctively resist oppression. True partnership requires mutual respect."

Oak seemed to consider this for a moment, then grunted noncommittally, turning back to his experiment. "It seems your trip to Viridian City was fruitful for you, in more ways than one."

"Indeed," Xiu admitted. "The Bug-type Gym's legacy provided… considerable inspiration. I believe I have a viable path to significantly enhance Scizor's development plan." He was deliberately vague.

He trusted Oak, to a degree, but the professor's insatiable curiosity was a powerful force. If Oak got wind of the purple flower extract and its unique properties, he might be tempted to 'assist' in the research, potentially consuming the limited supply.

Scizor's needs come first. Maybe later, if there's anything left, I'll consider sharing.

"Well, I need to get back to Scizor's training," Xiu said, sensing Oak's attention was already drifting back to his metallic liquids. He found a polite excuse and retreated from the lab, heading back to his 'territory' in the backyard.

He found Scizor diligently practicing its one-legged stances, its movements now far more stable, almost fluid. The awkward wobbling was gone. It could hold the pose for quite a while, even making small, controlled shifts in its raised leg without losing balance.

"Alright, Scizor," Xiu said with a satisfied smile on his face. "Time for the next stage." He gestured. "Now that you can maintain balance, we need to develop the technique of how to kick. It's all about power, precision, and speed.

There are a few fundamental ways to strike with the foot – front, round, side, crescent, hook, spinning/heel, and axe… we will master them all."