Game Week of the Multiverse: Riverbank Beach

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion was used to explaining Null things. Even though he was describing himself this time, he still fell into the same impersonal explanation. "One would take samples of the blood or saliva of several species, which have samples of the genetic instructions used as a blueprint for that species. You can then splice together various parts of those species to make a new one. These feathers, for example," he said, gesturing to his neck, "are based on Oricorio."

"...Was that a hypothetical question?"

 

[Luxray1000]

"..." Dusk had lost Gladion around the word 'genetic'. "Uh, not hypothetical as such" he said. "I'm genuinely interested... but I'm afraid I'm not particularly a science Pokemon. I meant more about the general level of technology your world has. In my world, for example, we've worked out how to revive fossilized Pokemon, but actually creating a species from nothing is still something beyond our capabilities." He chuckled slightly. "I'm afraid once you get into the specifics, though, you've lost me. History is more my thing."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Ah, I see. That's not too far off from what created this species, you just have to mix some fossil together..."

Hold on... His world didn't have humans!

"Wait, your world managed to revive fossils without humans? Who came up with the way to do that?"

 

[Luxray1000]

Dusk grinned, delighted for an opportunity to discuss his specialist subject. Well, it wasn't really his specialist subject-history of technology wasn't his best suit-but it was close at least. "Well, I believe, the fossil revival technique was first created on the Air Continent..." he thought for a moment, "by... let's see, I think it was a Sigilyph, a Ribombee and... a Relicanth, I believe. I'm afraid I can't give you any details of the process itself, though. I have no idea how it works, just that it does. I think there's a specialist machine involved? And reviver seeds?" He gave Gladion an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I'm not sure beyond that. Why, who came up with the technique in your world?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Well, I don't know the team who made it, because the idea was owned by a company. We don't have any sort of 'Reviver Seeds' in our world, so it would've taken a large team to come up with it anyways. Plus I can't just remember their species because it would be 'Human, Human, Human, Human, Human,' and so on ad infinitum. Maybe with an Alakazam mixed in there somewhere or something."

 

[Luxray1000]

"Oh? So humans do everything in your world?" Dusk considered that. "I suppose if all your world's Pokemon are feral, it makes sense... Rather difficult for me to imagine, I must say, but it does make sense."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Likewise, it's difficult for me to imagine your world. Are there still limits to species intelligence? I can't imagine a Caterpie having as much room in their brains for the kind of complex thoughts we're discussing, but nobody I've met thus far seems to be any lesser to a human. Does species matter at all? Would things be any different if you were something other than a Houndoom, or is it all the same for all anyone cares?"

 

[Luxray1000]

"Well, I can't speak for Caterpie, but I've met a Butterfree or two and they seemed intelligent enough. I wouldn't say species doesn't matter at all, though. It depends on where you are. For example, in Treasure Town, where I live, I would say species doesn't matter very much. But out in the wild, where I grew up, it's a different story. I imagine if I'd been another Pokemon, my upbringing would have been rather different."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Huh. So how much it matters depends on where you're born, then..."

He thought that sounded unfortunate. "You ever wonder what it would be like if you were just... born differently?"

 

[Luxray1000]

"Not really..." Dusk shrugged. "This is the first time I'm really considering it. I suppose if I was another Pokemon... well, perhaps I would have grown up in a place like Treasure Town. I think I would have preferred that to the wild, if I'd had the option. But if I was born in the wild as another Pokemon? I have no idea what it might be like. Wild groups of Pokemon-packs, herds, flocks, whatever collective noun applies-tend to have extremely different structures that vary with both the species and the individual group."

"...how did you grow up, if you don't mind me asking?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"M-Me? I, uhh..." I should've seen this coming.

"It's a bit of a long story. My sister and I were born into a role. She was okay with it, I was not. She was the golden child, I ended up running away. I wonder what it would've been like to have a normal, functional family..."

 

[Luxray1000]

Dusk was silent for a moment. "...that's... awful. What do you mean born into a role? I might be able to relate... sort of. I was never satisfied with the pack life that I was expected to lead... but I didn't... couldn't... leave until I was an adult." As soon as he said that, something else occurred to him. "Actually, if you'll forgive me for asking, how old are you? And how old were you when you fled from this 'chosen life' of yours?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"We were expected to lead the... the 'Pack,' if you will." There was also the other role he had been born into, but there was no way he would discuss that with a stranger.

"Legally, I wouldn't have been able to leave until I was an adult, either. The human legal system gives parents full control ignore of the autonomy and rights of their children. Illegally, the didn't manage to stop me from dong it anyways. I was only fourteen years old at the time, I only reached 18, the human age of adulthood during this year..."

Gladion shuddered. "I'm glad I got out before then. Being stuck for four more years would have ruined me."

 

[Luxray1000]

"That sounds horrible... I can definitely understand not wanting to lead the pack. My parents weren't pack leaders, so there was little chance of me becoming one, but I definitely remember thinking about it, and thinking about how I would definitely not be cut out to be a pack leader. And that wasn't even something expected of me... I can't imagine how it must have felt for you."

"Your parents approved this, though?" Dusk actually scowled for perhaps the first time since arriving here. "That's awful. If I'd done that, even accidentally, I would be horrified at myself. Did your parents really care so little about their own hatchling? If so, you have my deepest sympathies."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Well, my egg donor sure didn't care, she's the one who was running the system in the first place. My father is more complicated. He just... didn't get it. He was idealistic to a fault. Couldn't see people's flaws. He really did believe in his wife, he truthfully thought she loved us and was trying to do what would be best for us. It was easier for him to believe that, since she was better around him. He kept her in check..."

Gladion whimpered. "And then he died. It was all downhill from there..."

 

[Luxray1000]

Dusk stepped towards Gladion and offered a comforting paw. "I'm sorry" he said. "That must be awful for you. Your mother sounds like a horrible person. I can definitely understand your wish to run away."

"You said you had a sister, right? How did she handle it? Were you able to remain in contact with her?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Gladion couldn't see Dusk touch him, but he felt it. It was... strange. "My sister got along with her well enough, at least when I last talked to her. Never found a way to keep in touch, so it's been four years since we last met. Things can change..."

He let out a strange noise between a choke and a laugh. "I suppose I'll find out about that soon, because... she's here. I don't know what she's become, but I saw something that belongs to her. It's going to be an awkward reunion."

 

[Luxray1000]

"Oh? Your sister is here?" Dusk gave an encouraging smile. "Well, in that case, you should take this opportunity to try and reconnect with her. Away from your mother."

"...strange that you would both turn up here, though. A coincidence? Or could there be something more to it? Could there be any particular reason both you and your sister were chosen to end up here?"

 

[Shiny Phantump]

"Not a coincidence, it's our family's bullshit. My sister was trying to stop our parental disaster from playing with wormholes, but she fell through one instead. So, since nobody else was going to stop her, I took a little visit back home, but... It didn't work out the way I needed it to, either."

Gladion hesitated before continuing to speak. "If everyone who fell through is here now, then it won't be just the two of us reuniting."

 

[Luxray1000]

"I see..." For a moment, Dusk sounded a little disappointed, but it passed quickly. "Could your mother be here too, then?"

"If she is, don't worry. Everyone I've met so far has been kind and helpful, and I'm sure they would be happy to give you support in dealing with someone like that."