The World of Pokemon

So this is it? Another day. Or is it night? I can't tell. The whole world is deep blue, but that could mean anything in these confused times. How long have I slept? Perhaps I haven't slept at all. I never feel awake. I might be dreaming. Hallucinating, more likely. Stuck in a trance between reality and illusion, wandering in a cursed nightmarish haze, disturbed at what might be real and afraid of what might not be, even more probable. It's certainly happened before. But that was then. No amount of ruminating on the very darkest of ages will stir the lowliest motes in this world, a world I must now face.

The music is ominous. A fiery phantom appears before me. I think it's telling me to "press start." I don't know what that means, but questioning such entities can have painful consequences. I will comply if possible. The phantom vanishes. I decide that this is a positive development. And then I hear the voice...

"Hello there! It's so very nice to meet you!"

Experience has taught me to be wary of such unprovoked enthusiasm from strangers, especially invisible ones. Things aren't blue anymore though. Through some subtle transition or simply during a lapse in my consciousness, everything turned pink. My host might be trying to invoke flowers, but I think the phantom was about this color...

"Welcome to the world of Pokemon!"

My host speaks slowly as well as enthusiastically. And I still cannot tell what I'm in for. A welcome to a new world could be genial or sadistic. Still, this entity knows more than I about my present cirumstances. Best to listen...

"My name is Rowan."

He reveals himself: a gentleman with white hair and an impressive moustache. He is wearing a blue vest, dark blue pants, a white collared shirt, a black tie, and brown shoes. Some sort of brown case rests at his feet. A fellow human? Actually, we'd better make sure that I am human first...

"However, everyone just calls me the Pokemon Professor."

An expert, then. And he specializes in Pokemon...

"Before I go any further, is this your first adventure?"

Oh no. That certainly is not the case.

"If you need advice, I'm certainly capable of giving it."

Good. We'll see. Did he just summon some sort of placard? A magician, then. Or is that how this new world works? The sign reads...

CONTROL INFO
ADVENTURE INFO
NO INFO NEEDED

I've learned enough by now to know that I am never in control, really. But that second line seems promising...

"You are about to enter a world where you will embark on a grand adventure of your very own. Speak to people and check things wherever you go, be it in towns, roads, or caves. Gather information and hints from every possible source. New paths will open to you when you help people in need, overcome challenges, and solve mysteries. At times, you will be challenged by others to a battle. At other times, wild creatures may stand in your way. By overcoming such hurdles, you will gain great power. However, your adventure is not solely about becoming powerful. On your travels, we hope that you will meet countless people and, through them, achieve personal growth. This is the most important objective of this adventure."

So, it's one of those worlds. Actually, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Best to play along though, for now...

"Would you like to know more about anything else?"

Not about control, no. I'm hoping that he'll get rid of the placard and start talking like a normal person. Then I remember to indicate the third line. He immediately dismisses the floating banner and speaks...

"This world is widely inhabited by creatures known as Pokemon. Here, I have a Poke Ball. Touch the button in the middle of the Poke Ball, if you'd please."

He proffers a spherical device. As per his instructions, I touch the button in the center. A creature flies forth from the device, landing at the professor's feet. The goblin is a bit portly, but I can't tell whether it's a biped or a quadruped. It seems to be asleep.

"We humans live alongside Pokemon as friends. At times we play together, and at other times we work together. Some people use their Pokemon to battle and develop closer bonds with them. What do I do? I conduct research so that we may learn more about Pokemon."

So he's this world's equivalent of a biologist? Now we're getting somewhere...

"Now, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

I wish I knew. Now I do. I seem to be a juvenile. Male. Human, at least...

"Tell me, what is your name?"

I've had many names. If I can have the denizens of this world call me whatever I want, perhaps I do have some of that "control."

"Master," I respond. Will he buy it?
"Your name is Master?" Is he suspicious or merely inquiring?
"Yes."
"OK...So you're Master? A fine name that is!"

It worked! Either this professor is abnormal, or these people will be easy to dominate. We shall see. We shall see...

"Now, this boy here," he continues, "I believe he's your friend. What might his name be?"

He conjures an image. I've never seen this other boy. But I know what to call him...

"Slave," I intone, trying not to laugh.
"Slave, is it? That's your friend's name?" Uh oh, is he finally on to me?
"Yes."
"All right, Master, the time has come. Your very own tale of grand adventure is about to unfold. On your journey, you will meet countless Pokemon and people. I'm sure that along the way, you will discover many things, perhaps even something about yourself. Now go on, leap into the world of Pokemon!"

I feel as though I am shrinking. And then I wake up. Was it all a dream? It's not that it lacked a dreamlike aspect. But am I really just a normal boy? Nothing feels normal. And what's that sound? Oh, the television is on and I was asleep. What were they just saying? They failed to find the red Gyarados?

"That concludes our special report, 'Search for the Red Gyarados!' Brought to you by Jubilife TV on Nationwide Net! See you next week, same time, same channel!"

I don't know why I was watching that stupid show. It's so boring. No wonder I drifted off. Let's check my computer. It seems I have some notes. Let's see what they say...

"So this is it? Another day. Or is it night? I can't tell..."

Wait, this is describing earlier. But how? If I was asleep—how? Forget it. I return to the television, but apparently it's displaying the title screen of a video game. What? I know this is my room, but this room is not playing nicely with my sanity. Time to get out of here. I descend the stairs. My mother notices me. I hope it's my mother, anyway.

"Master! Slave came calling for you a little while ago."

Slave. The boy from my dream. Disconcerting. But if I am insane, it would make sense that my fantasies procure some features, be they precious or mundane, from my real experience. Is it possible that this Slave really is my friend? Forget it. Just play along, Master.

"I don't know what it was about, but he said it was an emergency."

And with that, she returns to the couch and continues watching her show. Clearly she doesn't think that it's an emergency. That, or she judges me capable of dealing with emergencies. I don't know which is more likely. She seems a strange and enigmatic person. Probably not my real mother. I'll probably have to kill her later. Whatever. Say, what's she watching anyway? The Contest Digest? So Mom's into some sort of contests? But who isn't?

Just as I'm about to walk out the door, Mom warns me not to go into the tall grass because I don't have my own Pokemon and there are wild Pokemon in the tall grass. From this and my dream or whatever it was, I deduce that Pokemon can be dangerous, but that kept under control, the domestic creatures can defend their human keepers from their wild brethren. Obtaining some Pokemon of my own should then be a priority if I'm to conquer this world. I should find out more about them too. Perhaps if I can find that professor, if he even exists—but first, let's deal with Slave. I examine the mailbox next to my door. It reads, "Master's house." Did I put that there? Mom's name should be there. Or maybe Dad's? What are their names, anyway? In any case, perhaps Slave's house will be similarly labeled...