This particular story began the way a lot of stories did. In total darkness.

Regina wasn't quite sure why she was here to begin with. But she was here, floating aimlessly in this strange, dark space. She couldn't tell her hands from her feet, let alone move. There was absolutely nothing for her to interact with.

The entire situation should have freaked her out. Yet although she was alone, Regina knew that she was exactly where she was supposed to be. It was an instinctual feeling of sorts. And so, with little else to do, she simply waited, waited for something to happen.

And then, a voice called out to her.

"Welcome! This is the portal that leads to the world inhabited only by Pokémon."

Pokémon? Regina knew of Pokémon of course; there were few who hadn't. But she had never engaged with the franchise beyond noticing the Pikachu pictures on posters and advertisements. And Henry was more interested in other fantasy titles, like Star Wars and Kingdom Hearts. But a portal? There's another world where Pokémon live? And she was going to cross it?

The voice continued to speak.

"Beyond this gateway, many new adventures and fresh experiences await your arrival! Before you depart for adventure, you must answer some questions. Be truthful when you answer them!"

If Regina could, she would have rolled her eyes. The voice was apparently treating her like a child, reminding to tell the truth. Next, he'll encourage me to say things like 'please' and 'thank you,' Regina thought.

"Now, are you ready? Then…let the questions begin!"

All of a sudden, the pitch darkness of the void was replaced with a kaleidoscope of changing colors. The colors appeared to move like waves, red rising, blue falling, and so on. It reminded Regina somewhat of what the inside of a television would be like. And although the scenery changed, Regina still couldn't move or make sense of her body. Strangely, however, she found herself able to speak.

The voice began asking Regina questions, one by one.

"Good news and bad news... Which one do you want to hear first?"

Regina internally sighed in relief. So the questions served to gauge her personality. Very well, she could put up with this.

"The good news," she answered. It was the truth, if only because she always hated hearing bad news.

The kaleidoscope seemed to accept her question, the colors vibrating out of their rhythm as she answered. The next question followed.

"Do you think you have good study habits?"

"Study habits? What, is this test for children?!" Regina asked, briefly wondering what the voice perceived her to be. Pokémon was a franchise marketed towards children, right? And that voice did seem to treat her like one earlier. Maybe crossing this portal meant becoming a child. Regina couldn't be sure.

After a long pause however, she answered, "Yes." That was also a true answer. Her mother made sure of it, punishing her ruthlessly on the occasions when Regina did fall behind in her studies.

Another question.

"Do you think that, no matter what, life goes on?"

"All the time," Regina answered, "I have to, otherwise I wouldn't have survived this long."

"Do you want to be taller someday?"

"You really do think I'm a child, don't you?" Regina scoffed. Nevertheless, she played along. "Yes." At least by two inches, so she could match Henry in height. He was growing much too fast for her liking.

The questions continued, one by one.

"If you saw someone doing something bad, could you scold them?"

"Of course! I do that all the time."

"Do you think it's important to always aim to be the best?"

"Usually, yes."

"You're about to buy a popular game when someone else gets the last copy! How do you feel?"

"Annoyed. I was there first! I should get the game!" Regina snapped.

"Are you male or female?"

"Does it even matter?" Regina questioned. Clearly, this must be the last question. It must matter, she figured, otherwise the voice wouldn't ask it. So she answered, "Female."

Upon answering that question, the voice's tone shifted.

"And now, your aura must be identified. Your aura is the energy that you radiate!"

"Aura?"

A colorless bow appeared in front of Regina. "Relax…take a deep breath…and now, place your fingertip gently on the bow."

Regina didn't know what the bow had to do with her aura, but she reached forward anyway. She could feel her hand! Very gently, she pressed the tip of her middle finger on the center of the bow. The bow responded to her touch and began to pulse with energy.

The voice was pleased. "Yes…that's it…stay perfectly still…take a deep breath…and exhale…"

What are these breathing exercises? I didn't realize this was a therapy session, Regina thought sardonically. Nevertheless, she followed the instructions. After a few moments, the voice rang out, "Very good. Your aura has been identified. Remove your finger from the bow."

Regina removed her finger and waited for the next step.

"Your aura has been identified. Your aura is…"The bow that Regina had touched began to shine, turning silver in color. "A stately silver!"

"Does that mean anything?" Regina asked aloud. The voice didn't answer her question.

"Thank you for answering all of those questions. You seem to be…the relaxed type!"

Regina fought the urge to laugh. This person or voice, whatever it was, couldn't have gotten her personality any more wrong.

"You're so casual, leisurely, and carefree. You don't rush or stress yourself out, and you don't worry about anything. You like to take a seat and kick up your feet! Oh yes! You definitely have an easygoing personality, and you don't sweat the details. People naturally flock to you because they find you to be a free spirit, which is so refreshing!"

Regina had never heard a more inaccurate description of herself in her life. Sure, she would enjoy having the leisure to relax and 'kick up her feet,' and she liked the idea of people enjoying her for her unique personality. But that was more so an ideal than her reality.

"So a relaxed type like you…will be a Vulpix!"

An image of an orange fox flashed before Regina's eyes. The fox had dark brown fur atop its head, and its tail matched in color. The fox had big brown eyes and a soft-looking, white underbelly. It was…cute. Regina didn't know much about Vulpixes or what they were supposed to look like, but if she had to look like a Pokémon, she was glad to be a Vulpix.

Wait, I'm going to 'be' a Vulpix?

"And finally, who will be your partner? Choose the Pokémon you want for a partner."

A large list of names suddenly flashed before Regina's eyes, along with corresponding images of the Pokémon. She recognized Pikachu and Eevee, but many other names were new to her. Chikorita, Torchic, Piplup, Riolu, Munchlax, Mudkip, Shinx…these were all new to her. They all looked somewhat cute to varying degrees.

Eventually, Regina settled on a pink cat Pokémon with big ears that resembled the Vulpix's somewhat. It had stubby little legs and a tail that resembled one of those fluffy cat toys on a stick. Regina ultimately picked this Pokémon for its big smile. It was silly to think about, but the happy, goofy smile reminded her of someone very dear to her.

"Is Skitty who you want?"

"Yes."

"What is your partner's nickname?"

"Nickname? I guess that would be Emma." Regina blushed slightly at her own admission, that Emma was the one she was thinking about when she chose the Pokémon called Skitty.

"Is the name Emma okay?"

"Yes."

Finally, after what felt like forever, the voice was satisfied. "OK! That's it! You're all ready to go! You're off to the world of Pokémon! Be strong! Stay smart! And be victorious!"

The colors faded away, and the voice faded with it. Regina was cast back into the darkness. Alone.