Prologue: The Interview

Welcome, you two!

This is the portal that leads to the world of Pokémon! But before I can let you through, I have several questions to ask you. See, this world is quite different from your own. As such, I must determine what form you will take on. I want you to answer these questions sincerely. Since there are two of you, I will interview you both separately. So, you will go first. Are you ready? Don't worry. Just relax. Let your soul do the talking for you. All right, ready? Here we go.

First off, have you ever heard of the Pokémon world before?

No. No, I haven't.

All right. Then you have much to learn. So, what do you do when you first meet someone?

I'm a hugger! I go up to them and hug them!

Ah. Energetic, are we? I see. So, do others see your energetic nature as endearing, or do they resent it?

It really depends on the person. I've had plenty of people tell me it's adorable, and plenty of others have told me it's really obnoxious.

Hmm. So, you see yourself as outgoing and talkative, correct?

Yes.

You must be very comfortable with publicly speaking or performing, then, yes?

Of course! Pretty much a requirement if you're a performing musician!

Oh, so you're a musician? How does your creative process go?

We just go by what happens. Sometimes, I'll have lyrics already figured out and just need backing music. Sometimes, Erik will have something on the keyboard. It just happens how it happens.

So, you kind of go with the flow, then?

Yes.

One more thing: do you sometimes see yourself as impulsive? Do you find yourself wishing you had looked before you leaped?

Yes, that does happen, I will admit.

Very well, then. I see what kind of person you are now! You're the jolly type! You have a good sense of humor, and you're compassionate. You're always making others around you laugh. You have a sunny, positive outlook, and you have a vitality that raises the lowest of spirits to giddy heights! You can make friends with practically anyone. Your energetic, outgoing personality is what defines you. You have no qualms openly performing in front of people. That's why you're so endearing to others! You have a kind of cool aura to you. That cool aura makes you…

just like Crawdaunt!

You will not remember this conversation. You will remember yourself, your friends, and your past, for the sake of our experiment. Go forth, now! To the world of Pokémon!

All right. Now it's your turn, sir. I want you to answer the questions I'm about to ask you sincerely. I want to find out what form you'll take in this world. You see, the world I'm about to send you to is quite different from the one you currently live in. Don't worry. Just relax. Let your soul do the talking. Are you ready? Then let the survey begin!

To start off, have you ever heard of the Pokémon world before?

I have not.

I see. You have a lot to learn as well. So, what do you do when you first meet someone? Are you a compulsive hugger, or…?

Nope. A handshake is good enough for me.

Hmm. So, you're a bit more placid or calm than others?

Yes.

Do you like that aspect of yourself, or do you wish you could change that?

I try not to think about it all that much. I'm sure there are advantages to essentially being a clone of Curtis, but since I'm not Curtis, I can't say for certain what those are.

Would you say you're comfortable performing on a stage in front of tons of people?

You kinda have to swallow those kinds of fears if you're in a touring band, so…

Ah. So even if you're not comfortable with it, you try not to show it and get up there anyway?

Yes.

Do others look up to you for that kind of bravery?

It's not as often that people notice me like they do Curtis, but I do have admirers.

One more thing: even with your calm behavior, do you sometimes find that you've been pushed to the limit? Are you vocal about these limits?

Well… everyone has limits, don't they? I do try to make things clear, just in case, but… some things just slip through the cracks…

Very well, then. I see what kind of person you are now! You're the quiet type! And very calm! You carefully analyze information before making decisions. You rarely make mistakes because you make decisions so calmly and rationally. Despite that, you're very kindhearted. You're not prone to impulsive, hasty actions. You would rather hear a situation out, and aren't likely to jump to conclusions. As such, do you often find that others enjoy speaking to you because you're such a good listener? Your quiet attitude is why many are surprised by your rare outbursts. Despite that, you have true potential, just waiting to be discovered! You have a kind of powerful, shockingly so, aura to you. That shocking aura makes you…

just like Manectric!

You will not remember this conversation. You will remember yourself, your friends, and your past, as per our experiment. Go for it! To the Pokémon world!