Chapter 262: Sensing the Flow
He continued, "The first step is learning to sense the energies within your own body. Your innate Insect-type and Steel-type affinities." He glanced towards the meditating Pokémon, "Abra has accumulated considerable experience in this area through its own psychic training. It will guide you."
With Abra facilitating a three-way telepathic link, it began to gently guide Scizor's awareness inward, teaching it to perceive the subtle currents of elemental energy that defined its very being.
Xiu, connected to the link, observed and absorbed the process, marveling at the intricate interplay of psychic guidance and raw, instinctual ability. After a while, he and Abra withdrew from the shared consciousness, leaving Scizor deeply immersed in experience.
I've given it the key, Xiu thought. Now, it's up to Scizor to unlock the door, to comprehend and digest this new understanding.
As Xiu prepared to leave Scizor to its meditation, he noticed Gary lurking not far away, staring intently at the motionless Scizor with a covetous gleam in his eyes.
Xiu felt a familiar throb of irritation. He had other matters to attend to, research that required his undisturbed focus at the Murasame garden— but he couldn't leave Scizor in this vulnerable, meditative state with Gary hovering nearby.
The boy is arrogant, but not stupid. He wouldn't dare interfere directly, but his mere presence could be a distraction. And I can't risk Scizor's concentration being broken.
Then suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. He walked over to where Xiaochun was patiently working with the Pidgey. After a few quiet words with her, he then approached Daisy, who was reading in the shade nearby.
"Daisy," he began, his tone casual, "I'm heading over to the Murasame Botanical Garden for a bit. Rinko is expecting me. Care to join?"
Daisy looked up, surprised. "Me? Why?"
"It's good opportunity to catch up. Besides," Xiu replied smoothly, employing a bit of shamelessness with a glint in his eye, "I'm planning to teach Rinko what it means to be a Pokémon Trainer. So, what do you say?"
Daisy's eyes lit up with genuine curiosity. "Alright, Big Brother Xiu. That sounds interesting!" Then, a hesitant frown soon followed. "Should we invite Gary?
"Ah," Xiu said, feigning sudden recollection. "I believe Rinko mentioned he had unfortunately inhaled some Stun Stem pollen that paralyzed him for a good hour."
Daisy's eyes widened. "Oh! I… I think I remember something about that. Poor Gary." Her brow furrowed with concern. "Perhaps it's best he doesn't come then."
"Indeed," Xiu agreed solemnly. "It's best not to reopen old wounds." He then stood and walked over to Gary, who was still trying to surreptitiously observe Scizor.
"Gary," Xiu began, voice deliberately loud enough for Daisy to overhear, "I'm taking your sister over to the Murasame Botanical Garden for a visit. Care to join us?"
Gary, startled by Xiu's abrupt approach, scowled. "No! Why would I want to go there?"
To which Xiu smoothly interjected, "Because I'm teaching them something good!"
Gary's expression immediately shifted, his scowl replaced by a look of indecision. He hesitated, clearly torn.
"What's wrong, Gary?" Xiu pressed, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips. "Don't tell me you're… afraid?"
That did it. Gary's temper flared. "Of course not!" he snapped, his pride stung. "Fine! I'll go! Who's afraid of some stupid plants?"
Xiu suppressed a laugh. "Excellent," he said, his smile widening. "Such bravery."
"What are you two talking about?" Daisy asked, walking over, a puzzled look on her face.
"Gary was just saying how long it's been since he visited the garden," Xiu explained innocently, smoothly taking control before Gary could protest. "A rare opportunity for us all to visit Miss Rinko together, isn't that right, Gary?" He gave the boy a pointed look.
"Right," Gary mumbled, clearly unwilling but trapped.
"Well then, let's be off," Xiu announced cheerfully.
Daisy looked from Gary's sullen face to Xiu's amused one, then just shook her head with a helpless smile. "Honestly, you two. And Gary," she added, ruffling his hair, "try not to cause any trouble this time, alright?"
Gary flushed crimson but remained stubbornly silent. Xiu, however, laughed out loud at the boy's speechless fury. Daisy certainly knows how to push her brother's buttons.
As the three of them set off down the path, Daisy turned to Xiu. "So, Big Brother Xiu, this lecture you're giving Rinko-neechan… what exactly is it about?"
"Ah, just sharing some of my unique experiences and insights into advanced Pokémon breeding and combat strategy," Xiu replied vaguely.
Gary, trailing behind them, listened to their conversation with a mixture of suspicion and grudging curiosity. He still didn't understand why his sister, or even his grandfather, seemed to tolerate this strange, often infuriating assistant.
As they approached the foothills leading to the Murasame garden, Xiu suddenly paused, his head tilting slightly, his gaze sweeping the dense forest lining the path. He focused on a specific point high in the canopy, then quickly returned to normal.
Daisy, however, noticed his momentary shift in attention. "What is it, Big Brother Xiu?" she asked, following his gaze, though she saw nothing out of the ordinary. "What did you see?"
"The Fearow," Xiu replied casually. "The ones that were causing trouble near the garden a while back. Remember?"
"Rinko-neechan… she tamed them?" Daisy asked, surprised.
"Not exactly tamed," Xiu corrected. "More like… befriended. I let them stay, on the condition they guard the area. That one up there," he nodded towards the unseen bird, "is just marking its territory. Nothing to worry about."
Gary, still lagging behind, frowned. He hadn't seen anything. What Fearow? He quickened his pace, not wanting to be left alone.
When they finally arrived at the botanical garden, they found Rinko at the edge of the villa, carefully changing the bandages on the injured Fearow's wing. Its mate stood watchfully nearby.
Her Vileplume (no longer a Gloom, evolved with a Leaf Stone) basked contentedly in a patch of sunlight by the villa door.
"Rinko-neechan!" Daisy called out, voice bright with excitement, and trotted towards her.
Her sudden appearance startled the healthy Fearow. It let out an angry shriek, launching itself into the air, circling menacingly above Daisy, its sharp eyes fixed on her, its powerful talons flexed, ready to strike. Its territorial instincts and its protective nature towards its injured mate, flared instantly.
Xiu observed the Fearow's aggressive display with a calm expression. He didn't move and didn't speak. He simply met the circling bird's gaze.
The Fearow, poised to dive, suddenly faltered before it let out a frustrated squawk and reluctantly broke off its attack, landing obediently on the ground beside Rinko, its earlier ferocity visibly subdued.
Xiu allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smirk. So, it learned its lesson after all. And already seeking a new protector, it seems. He then turned his attention to Rinko, who had stood up, waving cheerfully at them. Daisy rushed forward, and after a brief, warm greeting, Xiu and a still-sullen Gary followed.