Chapter 224: Origin
The Pidgey, awoken by the nutrient-rich liquid, shook its head vigorously, spraying droplets of water. It seemed disoriented, but it realized that the immediate threat of death was gone.
"Easy there," Xiu murmured, observing it with a detached calmness. "I'm trying to help, remember?"
His voice seemed to register. The Pidgey looked towards him, then instinctively tried to flutter away, a desperate scramble to escape. Its one good wing beat frantically, but the other, bandaged and useless, dragged limply, preventing any hope of flight.
It stumbled, then turned its head, its small, bright eyes fixing on the unfamiliar white binding around its injured wing. It pecked at the bandages curiously, perhaps finding the sensation strange and was trying to remove it.
Whatever the reason, it quickly desisted, instead meticulously trying to preen its remaining, disheveled feathers with its blunted beak.
"Here," Xiu said, holding out a small, ripe red apple he'd brought from the truck. He swung it gently in front of the Pidgey, then placed it on the ground a short distance away and stepped back.
Perhaps remembering Xiu's earlier assistance, or simply driven by hunger, the Pidgey cautiously hopped towards the apple. It tried to peck at the fruit, but its blunted beak, designed for soft insects and seeds, couldn't break the apple's tough skin. It persisted, pecking repeatedly, with a stubborn determination that was almost comical.
Not the brightest, this one, Xiu mused, watching its futile efforts. Though it has spirit. He knew that for Pokémon like Pidgey, most of its actions now were driven by instinct – hunger, fear, the urge to preen, etc.
It would likely need to evolve, perhaps even to Pidgeotto, before it could truly understand complex human language or intent.
Sighing softly, Xiu reached out and gently scooped up the Pidgey. It struggled briefly, fear flaring in its eyes, but Xiu held it firmly with one hand. With the other, he took the apple, crushed a small piece between his fingers, and carefully placed the pulp into the Pidgey's open beak. He then offered it a few drops of water. After it swallowed, he gently set it back down.
The Pidgey immediately hopped away, putting some distance between itself and Xiu, then turned to watch him warily.
Xiu smiled faintly. He took a small, shallow container, poured in more of the nutrient paste mixed with water, then crumbled some basic Pokéblocks into the mixture, creating a soft, easily digestible mix. He placed the container near the base of the withered tree where the Pidgey had taken refuge.
The combination of its recent injury and prolonged starvation made the Pidgey desperate for food and water. After Xiu moved away, it tentatively hopped back towards the tree, its fear momentarily overcome by hunger. It began to peck at the mash, consuming it eagerly.
The other Pokémon residing in Oak's backyard, curious about the newcomer, began to gather at a respectful distance. Happiny, naturally inquisitive, was the first to toddle closer, its round eyes wide with interest.
The Pidgey, likely accustomed to human captivity and perhaps other Pokémon from a young age, didn't react aggressively, focusing entirely on its meal.
"Alright, that's its food," Xiu called out to the onlookers, his voice firm but not unkind. "Leave it be. No stealing. Especially you, Happiny," he added, eyeing the mischievous little egg.
With a final warning glance, Xiu turned to other tasks. He located some spare lumber and tools in the warehouse and quickly fashioned a simple raised platform bed for Xiaochun. It was rough, creaking protestingly when weight was applied, but it was functional.
"Perfect," he declared with satisfaction, surveying his handiwork.
Later, on the second floor of the research institute, Xiaochun lay quietly inside one of the advanced diagnostic scanners. Xiu stood at the control console, confidently operating the complex machinery.
He had spent enough time around Oak's lab to have picked up the basics, particularly for the detection and analysis equipment. Professor Oak, meanwhile, was deeply engrossed in his own research at a separate terminal, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
"Alright, that should do it," Xiu murmured, initiating the final scan sequence. "We'll have the detailed data analysis tomorrow." He helped Xiaochun out of the scanner. "Professor," he called out, "do you want anything for dinner?"
"Whatever's edible," Oak replied distractedly, waving a dismissive hand without looking up.
Xiu rolled his eyes good-naturedly and led Xiaochun downstairs to the kitchen. It hadn't been used for several days, and while not filthy, it needed a good cleaning. He enlisted Xiaochun's help, patiently guiding her through the process.
"Come on," he said, opening spice cabinets and ingredient bins. "Time for another lesson. If you're going to learn to cook properly, you need to understand the fundamentals."
He began proudly introducing her to his collection of herbs, spices, and unique flavoring agents he had discovered and developed. "This," he announced, holding up a small jar of a particular crushed powder, "is one of my secrets." He poured a tiny amount onto a spoon and offered it to her. "Try this."
Xiaochun, trusting him implicitly, licked the powder without hesitation. Her eyes immediately widened. An intense, spreading numbness, followed by a faint, sharp spiciness, exploded on her tongue.
Even her usually impassive facial muscles contorted into a mask of pained surprise. The sensation quickly faded, however, replaced by a strange, tingling effervescence, like tiny sparks of lightning dancing across her palate. A very unusual experience.
Xiu chuckled. "That's derived from a plant normally used in certain medicinal compounds. I discovered its unique taste profile after being processed. It can add an incredible dimension to many dishes." He continued to guide her through the kitchen, explaining different ingredients, their properties, their uses.
Upstairs, unbeknownst to them, Professor Oak had paused his own work. He sat before his monitor, looking at the preliminary diagnostic data from Xiaochun's scan. His brow furrowed, a deep, unspoken worry clouding his features.
By evening, Xiu had helped Xiaochun settle into her new, makeshift room in the warehouse. He'd found an old but sturdy cabinet for her clothes and few possessions. Life here would be simple, but safe. Fulfilling, in its own way.
Xiaochun, bathed and changed into the clothes Daisy Oak had outgrown, sat quietly on her new bed, watching him fold the last of her things.
"It's not much," Xiu admitted, "but it's secure. Worry-free. A good place to start over." He finished his task, feeling the day's exhaustion settle over him. "Alright, it's late. You should get some rest."
He left the warehouse, his expression shifting, becoming colder, more serious as he walked back towards the main institute building. He found Oak on the second floor, still at his computer.
"You certainly know how to stir up trouble, don't you, boy?" Oak said without turning around, his voice dry. He clearly expected Xiu's return.
Xiu ignored the jibe, walking over and sitting beside the professor. "Professor. What did the scans show?"
Oak finally turned, his expression grave. He tapped a file on the desk. "Before we discuss her medical condition, Xiu… perhaps you should explain her origin to me. And don't try to tell me you don't know."
Xiu met Oak's steady gaze. He gave a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "Professor," he said quietly, "do you recall the theft of the 'Heart of the Galaxy' necklace from the Viridian Museum, just before the city-wide crisis began?" He paused, then casually handed over the dossier he had compiled on Xiaochun. "She was the one who stole it."
Oak didn't look shocked. He simply nodded slowly, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "I thought there was something… familiar… about her case, her injuries. Something about the way she moved, the look in her eyes. Now I remember where I encountered similar circumstances before." He picked up the dossier, his gaze thoughtful.