Seeing Abra's surprisingly forceful telekinetic blast dissipate harmlessly against Alakazam's passive defenses, Xiu finally snapped back to attention. He quickly stepped forward and gently gathered the small psychic Pokémon back into his arms.
"Hey, what was that?" He admonished softly, though more out of concern than anger. "I said increase the power slowly. You don't need to go all out."
Abra didn't respond telepathically. It just turned its head slightly, leaning against Xiu's chest, a silent gesture that felt almost like seeking comfort.
Xiu sighed, sitting back down helplessly beside the desk where Director Bao Ba was still silently communicating with his Alakazam. The waiting felt interminable, exactly like sitting anxiously in a hospital waiting room, anticipating a doctor's diagnosis for a loved one.
Finally, Bao Ba seemed to conclude his telepathic conversation with Alakazam. He turned towards Xiu, his expression grave, integrating the information from the scan and the practical test. "Alright, Xiu," He began slowly, his voice heavy. "I believe I understand the nature of your Abra's condition now. And… I have good news, and bad news."
"Just tell me," Xiu interrupted, his own anxiety overriding politeness. The 'good news/bad news' framing felt trivial; he needed to understand what was wrong with Abra.
Bao Ba nodded, accepting Xiu's urgency. "First, let's review a normal Abra," He began, adopting his familiar pedagogical tone. "As we know, they are born with the innate ability to Teleport, often mastering it almost immediately. This skill is crucial for their survival, as their physical bodies are frail and their offensive capabilities non-existent for a long time. They have an extended growth period, during which they typically cannot learn or utilize other psychic skills."
He paused, ensuring Xiu was following. "The reason for this limitation lies in their brain development. An Abra's brain is incredibly powerful, but also incredibly delicate in its early stages. It requires immense psychic energy just for growth and maturation, hence the need for up to eighteen hours of sleep per day. Using complex psychic skills beyond Teleport during this critical period would divert necessary energy, potentially causing catastrophic damage. Only when it evolves into Kadabra, and then further into Alakazam, is the brain considered fully developed, the 'restrictions' lifted, allowing access to the wider spectrum of psychic abilities inherent to their evolutionary line."
He leaned forward slightly. "A normal Abra, therefore, has what amounts to an innate psychic 'limiter' – restricting its power output but allowing for the fine control necessary for precise Teleportation."
He then looked pointedly at the Abra resting in Xiu's arms. "Your Abra, however, is anomalous. The scan by my Alakazam confirms it lacks this limiter entirely. Its brain structure is inherently different – significantly larger and developing at an accelerated rate compared to a normal Abra. This grants it access to raw psychic power far exceeding its peers, allowing it to manifest Telekinesis instinctively."
He held up a hand before Xiu could interject. "That's the 'good news', if you can call it that. Exceptional raw psychic potential, far beyond the norm for its species and age— a shorter developmental period before potentially reaching its full capabilities."
His expression turned grim again. "The bad news," He continued, his voice lowering, "is the lack of that limiter. It cannot perform Teleport because it lacks the fine control necessary for precise spatial manipulation. It can't 'find the feeling', as Alakazam described it. And worse… it cannot properly contain its own psychic output. The Telekinesis it uses? Alakazam confirms it's essentially just excess psychic energy bleeding outwards, crudely shaped by instinct. Uncontrolled and unstable."
Bao Ba let the implications sink in. "You need to understand, Xiu. Raw psychic power is incredibly volatile, dangerous. The uncontrolled energy constantly leaking from your Abra… it inevitably affects its surroundings. People, other Pokémon… anyone nearby is exposed to this chaotic psychic radiation. And the influence," His gaze was sharp, serious, "is almost universally negative."
He sighed heavily. "If this Abra were to remain within a normal colony… the constant psychic 'static' it emits would likely disrupt the delicate mental balance of the other Abra and Kadabra, potentially causing them to lose control of their own powers. Like a psychic contagion as Alakazam believes," He stated with grim certainty, "is the most likely reason it was truly exiled. Not just because it was different, but because it was inherently dangerous to its own kind."
Hearing this, Xiu felt a chill. He suddenly remembered stories, fragmented memories from his past life's knowledge – Sabrina, the Saffron City Gym Leader, whose uncontrolled psychic powers as a child allegedly warped reality, even turned people into dolls… Uncontrolled psychic energy…
He pieced it together. "So… the limiter protects a normal Abra," He reasoned aloud, looking down at the small creature in his arms, "allowing controlled development. Only after evolution, when the brain is fully mature, can it handle the full scope of its power?"
"That's the prevailing theory," Bao Ba confirmed. "Though the exact mechanisms are still debated, even among psychic specialists."
Xiu fell silent for a moment, processing the danger. Then, another realization hit him. "Director… when you said I might be in trouble… you were worried I had been affected by this psychic leakage?" He recalled Bao Ba's insistence on the check-up, his serious demeanor.
"Correct," Bao Ba nodded gravely. "Alakazam's initial scan confirmed the presence of residual, chaotic psychic energy signatures within your brain. Faint, but detectable. You have been exposed, Xiu. Continuously, ever since you acquired Abra." He had braced himself for Xiu's panic upon revealing this, prepared to offer calming explanations.
But Xiu's reaction surprised him. Instead of fear, Xiu just nodded slowly, absorbing the information, his expression thoughtful rather than panicked. After another moment of silence, he asked quietly, "What… what are the potential effects? Of this kind of exposure?"
Bao Ba hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The effects are unpredictable, but potentially severe. Uncontrolled psychic energy can warp natural biological processes. Cellular mutation, tumor growth, abnormal physical development – even growing an extra limb isn't outside the realm of possibility. Psychological effects too – instability, paranoia, delusions. And, in cases of prolonged or intense exposure… the worst case is systemic breakdown. Death."
Xiu listened impassively. "Do you have any suggestions, Director? How can this problem be solved?"
"My suggestion?" Bao Ba repeated, his tone heavy with reluctance. He glanced meaningfully at the Abra nestled in Xiu's arms. The implication was clear.
"That's not an option," Xiu stated immediately, firmly, instinctively shielding Abra slightly with his hand. "Absolutely not. Are there any other ways?"
"Xiu, that is the simplest, most effective solution," Bao Ba argued, frustrated by Xiu's stubbornness. "Eliminate the source. Do you think its own colony, its own parents, didn't explore other options before resorting to exile?" He gestured towards his own powerful Pokémon, "Alakazam possess intellect rivaling, perhaps exceeding, human genius. Their societal bonds are strong. They cherish their young. They wouldn't cast one out unless the danger was deemed uncontainable, the situation truly hopeless." He spoke bluntly now, trying to make Xiu understand the severity.
But Xiu remained unmoved. "I have my own principles, Director," He replied, his voice quiet but unyielding, his expression hardening, almost robotic. "I made a promise, so I must take responsibility for it. I won't abandon it."
Abra meant more to him than just his 'first Pokémon'. It was a tangible link to the world he'd dreamed of, a symbol of the strange second chance he'd been given. It was his partner, his companion. Their telepathic bond, however rudimentary, felt real. Discarding it like a broken tool was unthinkable. Besides, a detached part of his mind whispered, 'I've died once already, what more do I have to lose?' The fear of death holding less power now.
Bao Ba sighed deeply, recognizing the intractable resolve in Xiu's eyes. He decided to try a different tack, appealing to Xiu's sense of responsibility. "Do you understand now," He asked quietly, "why I said it was fortunate you didn't take Abra to the Pokémon Center?"
He saw Xiu frown, waiting for the explanation.
"Because if Nurse Joy or the Center's specialists had detected this level of uncontrolled psychic leakage, this anomaly… they would have been obligated to act," Bao Ba stated grimly. "They would have detained Abra immediately. Classified it as a potential danger. 'Dealt with it' through protocols designed to protect the public. And you, Xiu, would have had absolutely no power to intervene." He leaned forward again. "This isn't just about your potential risk anymore. The uncontrolled energy escaping Abra… it affects everyone nearby. It's a public safety concern, whether you acknowledge it or not."
That finally hit home. Xiu fell silent, the weight of the implication settling heavily upon him. He could accept risks to himself, perhaps even rationalize them. But endangering innocent bystanders? Putting others at risk due to his attachment to Abra? That felt… indefensible. He stared down at the floor, conflicted.
Seeing Bao Ba's own troubled expression, Xiu knew the Director was also wrestling with this, caught between concern for Xiu, responsibility to the public, and perhaps even a scientist's curiosity about the anomaly Abra represented.
"There might be… one other possibility," Xiu murmured, mostly to himself, an idea forming. He looked up at Bao Ba, then quickly released Scyther and Happiny from their Poké Balls into the small office space.
Scyther immediately tensed, scanning the unfamiliar room, while Happiny blinked owlishly, looking confused.
"Director," Xiu said urgently, turning back to Bao Ba. "Before we discuss Abra further… can Alakazam check them too? Scyther and Happiny? See if they've been affected? How badly?"
Bao Ba nodded wordlessly, relaying the request to Alakazam. Another brief, silent psychic scan ensued.
After a moment, Alakazam conveyed its findings. Bao Ba looked relieved. "You anticipated correctly," He told Xiu, his expression softening slightly. "Yes, both Scyther and Happiny show traces of the residual psychic energy. However," He added quickly, "Pokémon physiology seems inherently more resistant to this kind of influence than humans. The impact is minimal, negligible according to Alakazam. No signs of mutation or instability. Essentially, no lasting harm done. To them, at least."