Egon Spengler (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pkemeter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
victory_road2019-01-07 03:30 pm
pkemeter) wrote in victory_road2019-01-07 03:30 pm
[002] - video
[The camera focuses on a bespectacled man in a dimly lit hotel room. He speaks exclusively in a monotone, and his expression hardly changes beyond flat stoicism as he drones on. It's like watching a professor speak.]
The more I learn about the breeding habits of Pokémon in this world, the more research seems necessary. As far as I am aware, there seems to be no such reproductive isolation between any two species of Pokémon. My current standing theory is that a lack of reproductive isolation would encourage more genetic diversity among Pokémon--this would explain offspring inheriting minor physical attributes and powers despite being another species entirely than one of its parents. However, barring these physical attributes, what is odd is that the offspring of two drastically different Pokémon are genetically either the mother or the father, and there is little actual "mixing" of the two, in a sense. In my dimension, this is not how reproduction works, but, then again, almost every species in my dimension has some form of reproductive isolation to prevent interbreeding between drastically different organisms. Perhaps the "evolution" mechanism is another way that Pokémon have grown to promote genetic diversity.
[He furrows his eyebrows slightly.] Another possible theory that can be proposed relies on the assumption that humankind and Pokémon developed simultaneously in this world, and thus Pokémon have grown to be dependent on humankind. Under this theory, all Pokémon are not wild so much as feral, as their ancestors have all been domesticated and bred to have similar modes of reproduction. However, this brings up additional questions, such as how there are several undiscovered Pokémon still in this world and how an entire species forgets their history with the organisms they share this dimension with. Until I can get my hands on genome sampling equipment, my theories will have to remain untested for now.
[He pauses for a moment, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose with his left hand.]
The reason I am dictating this verbally as opposed to writing is because my hand has been bitten by the Zubat currently in my possession, and the venom has caused it to swell. This is not the first time this has happened.
[...He...doesn't seem particularly concerned about this at all.]
The more I learn about the breeding habits of Pokémon in this world, the more research seems necessary. As far as I am aware, there seems to be no such reproductive isolation between any two species of Pokémon. My current standing theory is that a lack of reproductive isolation would encourage more genetic diversity among Pokémon--this would explain offspring inheriting minor physical attributes and powers despite being another species entirely than one of its parents. However, barring these physical attributes, what is odd is that the offspring of two drastically different Pokémon are genetically either the mother or the father, and there is little actual "mixing" of the two, in a sense. In my dimension, this is not how reproduction works, but, then again, almost every species in my dimension has some form of reproductive isolation to prevent interbreeding between drastically different organisms. Perhaps the "evolution" mechanism is another way that Pokémon have grown to promote genetic diversity.
[He furrows his eyebrows slightly.] Another possible theory that can be proposed relies on the assumption that humankind and Pokémon developed simultaneously in this world, and thus Pokémon have grown to be dependent on humankind. Under this theory, all Pokémon are not wild so much as feral, as their ancestors have all been domesticated and bred to have similar modes of reproduction. However, this brings up additional questions, such as how there are several undiscovered Pokémon still in this world and how an entire species forgets their history with the organisms they share this dimension with. Until I can get my hands on genome sampling equipment, my theories will have to remain untested for now.
[He pauses for a moment, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose with his left hand.]
The reason I am dictating this verbally as opposed to writing is because my hand has been bitten by the Zubat currently in my possession, and the venom has caused it to swell. This is not the first time this has happened.
[...He...doesn't seem particularly concerned about this at all.]
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Egon please put on some ointment at least!
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[Bold of you to assume Spengler would ever prioritize his own health over knowledge.]
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[for the love of god just give him a goddamn antidote]
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Okay fine, if you're not going to accept it, he's going to make you accept it!
Ray grabs an antidote and is now sneaking up on Egon.]
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Ray hesitates for a moment to make sure that Egon is distracted, before he grabs his infected arm and tries to spray an antidote on it.]
no subject
I told you that my hand was fine--
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You're making the basic mistake of assuming Pokémon genetics and breeding works in a way remotely similar to an Earth mammal like you or I.
[A pause, before he amends:]
Assuming you are an Earth mammal originally and didn't just become one on arrival. And that your Earth is similar enough to my Earth for a comparison to be drawn.
My name is Dr. Stanford Pines. This is what you might call one of my specialties, and I've done quite a bit of research in the past two and a half years.
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Yes, I find that it is difficult to discuss differences between dimensions when you are mostly familiar with the rules in which your home dimension operates. Unless you have the time and the knowledge to discuss the intricacies of every system that has ever existed throughout the history of your universe. Nevertheless, I will make an attempt to wrap my head around the new logic of this dimension.
[Hmmm. Egon raises an eyebrow at the fact that Ford is a doctor.]
My name is Dr. Egon Spengler. I study mostly parapsychology and the unnatural world. As far as I was aware, I was a human being in my home dimension and I am still a human being in this world. Do you mind sharing conclusions you have drawn regarding Pokémon breeding?
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Of course not. [His gym may not be built yet but he's still an Indigo League Champion and planning to set up literally right next to the trainer school, so like. He'd be piss-poor at his job if he didn't have some kind of dedication to education.
Also he just likes hearing himself talk about his own cool and totally right theories that he only has to call theories because people won't just universally accept that he's right.]
First it is important to consider what we know about Pokémon biology: they're little walking generators. They create and expend huge amounts of energy. They even convert 'experience' to energy and use it to radically alter their own physical form when they have enough saved up. If you've seen an evolution you've noticed the huge output of light as that energy is burned.
Taking that into account, I believe that Pokémon are not hundreds of individual species but rather about twenty, some of which can interbreed across species lines and all of which have an extremely malleable and much more expansive genetic code wholly unlike what we're familiar with. A Skitty and a Wailord are, at a basic level, the same being. The lack of genetic mixing between species is likely because there is one genetic component that 'turns on' what species a Pokémon hatches as. Whichever parent contributes that marker is the species that wins out. That marker turns on the other markers for the particular species in question, and the baby Pokémon then develops inside the egg in accordance to that blueprint. This explains why aside from small cosmetic differences all Pokémon adhere to a recognizable breed standard.
Do you follow so far?
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The extent of this unbridled enthusiasm can be observed through Egon tilting his head to the side, his expression and voice still relatively flat.]
Of course. That would also explain why, upon hatching, Pokémon are engulfed in a bright light similarly seen in states of evolution. I initially assumed this to be an enormous output of energy that would allow the Pokémon to quickly develop to a variety of situations, but--
[And that's when his arm gets grabbed and immediately sprayed with an antidote. Ford can probably glimpse the other Ghostbuster ambushing Spengler. The PokéGear falls over, pointing towards the ceiling, and Ford can heard quiet cursing. In a slightly more stern tone--]
I told you that my hand was fine. I was in the middle of an important conversation regarding--
[He picks up the PokéGear again, frowning and positioning it so Ford can see both Ray and Egon.]
My apologies, doctor. This is my partner, Dr. Ray Stanz. He arrived here around the same time I did. [A pause.] Curiously, he is from another dimension, although we are acquainted with our respective dimensional versions of each other.
[Way to make a first impression.]
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Nice to meetcha!
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That isn't as unusual as you may think, both in general and for this universe specifically. Whatever mechanism pulls people in casts a very wide net.
[He offers a small wave to Ray. For just a few seconds his six-fingered hand is visible and then it disappears out of frame again. He's getting much better about people seeing his hands but, y'know, old habits. Half the time he doesn't even realize he's holding them out of sight.]
Anyway, as I was saying, it is my theory that eggs aren't eggs at all in the traditional sense. They require being near humans and other Pokémon to hatch-- they require sources of energy. The egg is an incubator for the developing being to gather enough energy to manifest its first physical form. Hence all eggs being roughly the same size and color, no matter the species contained within or the size of the baby once hatched.
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That would explain why the Solosis hatched looking exactly like an egg embryo. I had assumed that energy had gone into the development of her mental and psychic abilities as opposed to her physical form.
[But...he was...wrong? Maybe? He feels weird not knowing things about how...things work, but he's not one to turn down an opportunity to learn as much as possible.]
Although there is strong evidence supporting your theory, it is still just that--a theory. I wonder if there would be a way to prove it effectively without risking harm to the developing Pokémon--perhaps by measuring the intake of energy over time and juxtaposing that to the development of the egg. Of course, I would be happy to help construct an experiment that would effectively test this relationship.
[There is absolutely nothing in his expression to indicate anything remotely resembling "happy".]
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[Wait, no. That's a tangent. That's not what this discussion is about. Refocus, Ford, rein it in.]
But I digress. I happen to be a Breeder so I almost always find myself in possession of an absurd surplus of eggs. If you need a set guaranteed to be more or less identical to reduce the amount of variables you need to keep track of I can easily make that happen.
[SCIENCE SCIENCE SCIENCE SCIENCE]
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[They're just two old nerds who love going on tangents about cool science shit!!!!]
Oh? I am also a breeder, though, as I have only arrived recently, I have not had the chance to gather as many Pokémon or taken the time to see if they would breed with each other. [And they're all babies, which is, like, weird.] Nevertheless, I will be glad to take you up on that offer. I will need to gather more equipment before I properly begin the experiment, as well as a lab space to better control other external variables, but I will be sure to record my observations in great detail and report my results.
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[Is he recommending it because he's absolutely submitted a couple of articles to it? Yes. Shh.]
It also is my personal belief, to touch on your assumptions about non-native influence, that humans as a species are not native to this universe. Non-natives like us have only been arriving regularly for about a decade but it is my belief there was another period of intake similar to this one thousands if not millions of years ago. The native humans are descendants of that initial group, unaware of their origins. And just as we are not guaranteed to stay here it is possible some of those early visitors were returned to their native universe and brought the influence of Pokémon with them. The Condor may actually be a Sigilyph.
Or it could be a massive coincidence! [He shrugs one broad shoulder. Apparently this possibility doesn't bother him at all but then, it's kind of hard to get hung up on things like that when you're aware of the sheer magnitude of the multiverse and the sheer potential implied by infinite realities.] That's the beauty of multidimensional theory.
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[Through the Electronic Mails, Yes? The Internet sure is neat. Spengler blinks.]
I see. Rather than humankind domesticating Pokémon, Pokémon have domesticated humankind. It would be foolish to assume that humans are one of the most intelligent species in a single dimension--as we already know, there are Pokémon that reflect some sort of rudimentary writing system. It could be speculated that Pokémon had already formed an incredibly complex civilization pre-human contact, and with the new variable of human interference, these creatures were able to shift and adapt accordingly.
I have to say, I regret not spending as much time studying multidimensional theory during my undergraduate years at MIT. I was far too focused on the ways in which spirits and apparitions interacted with the physical world.
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[FINALLY, SOME GOOD FUCKING VALIDATION]
You're the first person to independently come to the same conclusion I have in terms of humans-as-domesticated-species!
[It's been such a hard sell otherwise and he really does not understand why. It's easy to get people to accept that it's a mutually-beneficial symbiotic relationship; why is it hard to then make the leap that the beings benefiting far more from the arrangement are the Pokémon?]
And really I think wishing one had studied a broader scope of subjects is a common regret. It's never too late to go back for that second PhD. Or fourth, or fifth. I myself have twelve and probably enough years left to collect a few more if I feel like it.
[Twelve is just such a good joke. He almost doesn't want to ruin it.]
To a degree paranormal studies is interdimensional studies, depending on how the spiritual and living planes intersect in your native dimension.
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It is the most logical leap to make, after all. From my experience, most human beings I have met overly-exaggerate their importance in the grand scheme of things. When it comes to overall function and sheer measure of existence, fungi have humans beat on most accounts.
[Not that human life isn't important, but that doesn't mean that it's the most important thing. How can a species claim to be so great when it is easily thwarted by small hiccups and diseases?]
Twelve doctorates? That is impressive. I, myself, have a PhD in parapsychology and microbiology.
[Great, now he feels inadequate for going into business instead of furthering his academic existence.]
Oh, there are multiple planes of existence in which different "types" of supernatural beings reside. The one we work most often with is the ethereal plane, host to what an ordinary person would categorize as "ghosts", or spirits of the deceased of my home dimension, most commonly of human beings. It is normally difficult for the deceased to pass over into the physical plane, though, if the ghost had any emotional hang-ups or unfinished business during their state of living, they can get "stuck" in the physical plane.
[i don't know anything about how the ghost zone works in ghostbusters and at this point im too afraid to ask]
It could be argued that this plane is a sort of "afterlife", though we have never personally ventured into this plane to see if the deceased who have passed on still exist in this plane or whether they ascend to an entirely different plane.
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This young man- in his twenties after spending so many years here, takes a moment to stare in a mix of disbelief and bewilderment.]
...Might wanna get an Antidote for that.
[But still, the rest of his speculation is... interesting, if a bit windy.]
Anyway, one thing to keep in mind with Pokemon is that even the "feral" ones are intelligent. Kinda have to be if they can learn and understand human language. Heck, some have even learned to talk and write without telepathy.
If I had to guess? Any domestication was probably something that happened outta some shared needs. Pokemon are just all around stronger with human trainers to whip 'em into shape. They're more likely to find stronger enemies and evolve if they're yanked from their habitat and brought all around the world.
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I already have.
[Hey, if you stick around Egon, you get used to his long-winded infodumping sessions about isopods or the intricacies of breeding fungi.]
So what you propose is less of a "domestication" theory as so much a symbiotic relationship. Interesting. Both Pokémon and humans benefit from this arrangement, with Pokémon growing stronger and getting the chance to interact with more species, which promotes genetic diversity, and humans being able to....
[He trails off, his eyebrows furrowing.] ...connect more effectively with other human beings?
[He's not exactly keen on the social aspect of science--that's more Venkman's forte.]
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I'd say humans benefit from the protection and utility for sure. I mean, fully evolved Pokemon can fly, carry people over bodies of water... Never mind the offensive power.
[Really, the fact that they possess such insane strength is a huge reason why he hates the weapons ban. People oughta be able to defend themselves.
But while a frown cuts across his face, it's faint, at least.]
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[and also foster close unbreakable bonds with animals which, like, is every child's dream]
However, with such ease of access to such destructive power, I can't help but wonder whether there is anything stopping anyone from utilizing this power in a lethal and destructive way beyond the heavy cultural norms that I have observed in this dimension.
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[He narrows his eyes and brings a hand to his forehead.]
Hasn't happened in a while, but there used to be this anonymous guy who'd routinely post cryptic messages and blow up huge chunks of cities. It was always a scare.
Never mind the radio signals that made Pokemon go berserk, the trainjackings... When disaster does strike, it's pretty severe, and a lot of the time the cops don't have a clue how to deal with it.
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Yes, the police seem ill-equipped to deal with a large scale crisis of what you describe.
[He idly wonders what would happen if, say, Gozer dropped by this dimension for a visit.]
I suppose that the other trainers in this dimension can be trusted to utilize their Pokémon to act as some sort of damage control, but if they were unable to use their Pokémon in any way.... [His eyebrows furrow.] They should at least look into technology capable of neutralizing instead of causing harm. That fits within their inane criteria, yes?
arrrrgh, this got buried in my inbox. so sorry about the delay D:
[He rubs his chin, contemplating this further.]
As is, the closest things we've got are the sleep, paralysis, and moves like Disable. But nothing that just outright blocks a Pokemon's ability to use elemental moves.