Paint the Town Red

"My name is not important. What matters is that I have a proposition for you."

Such innocent words, in a situation that possessed everything but innocence. Not that she was thinking that at the time, the red-haired woman still gaping at the figure standing in the middle of her room casually. It hurt just to look, a figure that seemed to be less of a 'person' and more like an amalgamation of concepts and energy that was shaped like a person. Gender, shape, clothing, none of these things could be made out clearly, for the woman couldn't stare too long without the pain becoming unbearable on her eyes.

It was almost laughable, how this happened. Not ten minutes ago she had been browsing various websites and playing around with a character customization screen in a video game while falling into a stupor. It was easy to make her fall into a stupor, actually. Anything that reminded her that she would never be as good-looking as the characters she would enjoy playing was usually enough to do it... along with the multitudes of concoctions that lay in her numerous prescription bottles that was her only option to even get part-way to a facsimile of a life she wanted. Such depressive moods would often snowball, and cause the woman to feel emotions of spite and hatred directed towards herself. Wishing desperately that it were so easy just to look how she wanted... to become what her heart desired.

That was when she had heard a voice chuckling, asking if it was really what she wished. Which left her in this situation.

"Still awestruck? Then allow me to explain what I am truly offering you, and why. The reason I have approached you is simple... you wish your life could be different." Something about the way the figure moved seemed to imply they were... smiling? It was hard to tell how a shrug could give away what was on a face the woman could not see. "Perfectly normal, by the way. Escape fantasies are a natural part of life these days. However, what I am offering you is an actual chance at escape. Or, at the very least, a break."

She was positively dumbstruck, still in her computer chair almost instinctively trying to back up... unable to thanks to her desk being in the way. She could feel the sweat building up on her body from the sheer nervousness, her heart pounding like an overworked machine piston that was ready to give way. Her brain, on the other hand, felt like it was shutting down. She could only muster a single word. "...why?"

"Simple. I want to see a story of adventure and excitement. ...but this is impossible in this world. There is excitement and adventure of the mundane variety... but unfortunately, it is not true escape. Not for you, anyway. The Earth is completely mapped out save for parts of the ocean, the space program doesn't have the funding needed for what I'm looking for, and I can only take so much of James Cameron's submarines and space cats. Thus, this world would be unsuited for providing the palette of stories I crave. ...which is why you would be sent to another world."

What.

"Specifically... Pokémon!"

WHAT.

"Yes! The video game franchise, with its own show and books and toys and little trading card games and..." The figure paused... tilting its head at the bewildered woman in the chair. "...oh don't give me that look. Everyone loves Pokémon, and it's far more fun to send someone from this world over there to see what happens. I mean... why would I choose someone from the world of Pokémon to live in Pokémon? Nothing would change and I would be back where I started." ...that was surprisingly straightforward logic. After all, to someone who lived in Pokémon it would be their version of mundane. "I... g-guess? I mean that it... sounds..."

"Dangerous? Oh, the world of Pokémon is actually quite dangerous! What with the feral creatures of unimaginable power, the roving gangs of criminals that are often pursuing some horrible cause and must be stopped... oh I can't wait to see what happens!" It... the energy being of eye-tearing, unfathomable nature was hopping up and down on their feet. Sounding like an eager child who wanted to get started doing their favorite part of the day.

The horror she was feeling must have been expressed on her face without her realizing it, because the figure stopped hopping a few seconds later. "Ah, I suppose I did get ahead of myself. ...right, here's the deal so you know this isn't just me destroying your life for giggles." The figure took a step forward and motioned to the woman in her chair, making her recoil back by instinct. "YOU, should you accept, would be sent to the world of Pokémon for ten years. During that time, I will be pausing time in this world 'Magic Treehouse' style. ...before you start gaping at me, yes it is well within my power. More importantly, should you be entertaining enough... I will offer you a few choices at the end of your journey, including going back home or moving on to another world. Should you perish... well. You will be sent back here, not a scratch on your body."

Wait. She would be revived and sent here? But that would mean that there wasn't as much risk... okay there would be a TREMENDOUS amount of risk still, but it wouldn't truly be the end if something happened. ...that sounded really good.

"So! To sum it up, what I am offering you is the grand adventure of a lifetime. A chance to escape this life and build yourself a new one... in another world, and possibly others. Nothing to lose, and everything to gain provided you are not a brick-headed fool or a talker who can't walk." Wait, wasn't that... oh, right. 'Talk the Talk' and 'Walk the Walk'. That. Clever. But something still bothered her on this. This... figure, this admittedly god-like looking figure who randomly shows up and offers this chance. It sounded too good to be true.

Which meant usually it was.

"...why me? I mean... there's... so many people, but... why...?"

For the first time since the being had appeared in her room, she could finally make out the visage of emotion on its face. A small, yet sly smile.

"Why you? Oh sweet child... asking yourself 'why' is a disservice. Some would call it a question of the weak, who cannot understand the nature of the world. Others would call it a question of the reserved, not wanting their own greed to sink them into something inescapable. Either way, it is both an irrelevant question and an improper question. What you should be asking yourself... is why not?"

The figure's smile only seemed to grow wider, which made the woman's head start to throb fiercely... a terrible ache accompanying said throbbing as she could not look away, no matter how hard she tried. "For instance. Why NOT give you the chance to see if you would truly follow up on your words? Why NOT see if you would truly be happy with a body that could eventually outreach all your wildest fantasies of beauty and power? ...or if we wanted to take the role of a more impersonal being, why NOT simply kill you for taking too much time answering, and move on to someone who would blindly accept? For every 'why', there is a 'why not'. For every cry of wondering 'why' you were chosen and whether you truly deserve your fantasy, there is a rebuttal asking 'why not' you, for do you not deserve it just as much as the next person you would point me towards?"

"I don't know, okay!?" She wasn't sure which was more responsible for the outburst... the pain that was more intense than anything she felt right now, or the way this being was just... pushing all her buttons. "I don't know! I feel like I would just turn out like all the horror stories you see in escapism! With their greed and their wants making them turn cold and selfish and like fucking assholes who start treating others like dirt! I don't want to end up like that!!"

There was a bit of silence as the figure stood still, watching as the woman curled up in her chair. This... was just pathetic. She felt pathetic. Literally, the chance of a thousand lifetimes with the chance for more if she played it right, and she was complaining about it. As much as she tried, she couldn't keep a drop of water or two from escaping her eyes. "...I'm sorry, it... look, I don't think I'd... I'm sorry."

Yet there was no disappearing like she feared, or even a scolding or sneer. Instead the figure talked peacefully. "I think we're going to have more fun than you realize. But as understandable as your fear is... I find there is a way to get to the core of what the heart yearns for. It's never failed me, at least not in any long-lasting manner. ...I'm going to count to three. Whether this journey happens or not is up to you, but an answer must be given by then." Wait. She only had until the count of three?

"Going once, going twice-"

Oh shit she had three SECONDS.

"I'LL DO IT!!!"

The woman was unsure of why the pain suddenly disappeared, but it made her suddenly feel lightheaded... the feeling one gets after pain medication had kicked in. But it was enough to make her stop trying to lean back as the figure did an arm pump in the air. "Yes! Weeee're DEALIN'!!"

The next thing she knew she was suddenly floating in a void of stars as far as the eye could see. The unexpected shift in scenery made her scream as she curled up again, fully expecting to fall... screaming for a few more seconds until she realized she wasn't falling. Just... floating there.

"Welcome to our little Selection Stage! Name pending, but I really would be a poor host if I just sent you like you are... it wouldn't be escapism! Now what say we get you started?" The figure appeared again on a platform of translucent blue energy, but appeared more... pleasant to look at this time. No pain at all, which let the woman appreciate the paradoxical nature of her... benefactor? Energy, yet physical. Multiple 'ideals' assailing her mind, yet they did not conflict harshly. That same smile on their face. "You're going to start with a budget. Choice Points, I like to call it. You will get one thousand 'Choice Points', which you can use to buy supplies... or improvements for yourself in the form of skills, alterations, the works!"

Before the woman could ask what the figure meant, flat 'screens' of the same blue energy appeared in front of her. All of them containing... good heavens, the choices. The things she could gain. ...as scant as it was so far, it was enough to gain quite a few advantages. Enough to even make her feel like she could survive and take a few chances.

Wait. Wait a minute. There was still the issue of her body. There was something to become healthy and strong, but nothing like... the woman looked at the figure with hesitation. "Um... wait, I've been... look I'm sorry if this is awkward but how would I...?" Much to her relief and partial shame, the answer was as calm as it was precise. "Don't worry... I'm not going to pull any fast ones on you. Simply focus on your choices, ma'am."

There it was... and with the confirmation, came the metaphorical opening of the floodgates. She didn't know if the figure was amused or not at how quickly she was choosing her options. A healthy body. Wilderness skills. Combat training, athleticism. All things she craved. But she stopped herself when she noticed the requirements on certain options... "Wait. Backgrounds. ...I'll gain other memories?"

"That's right... it will be like gaining a new life. Of course there's the risk of one set of memories overcoming the other, it will happen when you remember two lives. Two lives, I might add, with their own upbringings and instincts and world views. You will still be you, with your own morals... but it will be two different versions of 'you' brought together, should you choose that route."

There was an uncomfortable silence as she pondered it. It would let her afford what she wanted more easily, yes... even give her experience. ...but would it really be her anymore? What about the fear of schizophrenia, or worse, going insane with memories blurring together? She could try to play it safe instead... go in with minor knowledge of things and hope for the best.

...but that wouldn't be really redefining herself, would it? No. She needed an edge. ...but she also needed some kind of guarantee. Something to show she wouldn't just lose herself or the good parts of her mind.

Wait. 'Savant' granted perfect memory? ...but she would be over budget...

"Ah! Perhaps you want to look at 'Drawbacks' to help. Quite risky, but if you feel you require more points... well, I'm sure it can help. But you'll only be able to take two this time around. I want to see what happens when you need to weigh things out... don't want to get too min-maxed, do we?" Well, that made sense. Get too powerful too fast and she wouldn't provide a good story. But what would be a good risk-reward?

Fuck the higher options.

It took a few minutes, but she eventually decided. ...clicking two options and watching as her points moved up, before sinking like a stone with her two final purchases, making the energy being lean in. "Mm... those Zubats are going to be quite annoying. I do hope you know what you're doing... and that criminal group isn't going to be a bumbling trio either. But... not a bad selection. Someone who doesn't know how to survive in the wilderness, was physically weak and something of a sharp mind... now with quite a strong body with an even stronger mind, and the power of the Aura no less! ...oh I'm going to have fun watching what happens."

The idea that her choices were pleasant ones was... admittedly good to hear. She wanted to reforge herself, but she didn't want to break herself either. This way she would have a bit of fun with it all, but stay on her toes too. But there was a last option... a location and an age. Just needed to roll and make sure she got good numbers, right?

The first number landed on an '8'. Making the figure clap their hands. "Ah, and so we're off to an interesting start! Lady Luck smiles upon you... pick a location, any location." Well... she wanted to have an interesting upbringing since she was a Small Town girl. On top of that, culture meant different foods... and so with a press of a finger, 'Kalos' was selected. Now for the age...

...the number that came up was '1'.

Oh no.

"Well well well..." Oh no why was the figure sounding the most amused out of everything with THIS? "You're going to be quite the spry young one, aren't you? I'll get to see a mental AND physical development... see how well you grow into this new life, as it were. Quite fitting. ...don't worry. You'll get the new childhood you've always wanted, just like how you wanted it to be."

Already she could feel herself changing. On one hand she was feeling... stronger. More capable, more powerful as energy coursed through her. Her mind was racing with thoughts and memories, knowledge she would never have had otherwise with a strange feeling of twisting 'eureka' moments and 'deep thought' feelings stretching her consciousness. It was like becoming who she had wished she could be.

On the other hand... she was shrinking. Everything was getting smaller as her height was being taken away, her chest was disappearing, and the mass was disappearing off of her body. The environment around her was changing as her new 'Benefactor' gave a playful wave. "Have an exciting ten years, my new friend! Just remember... be entertaining!"

The last thing that 'Red' remembered before it all went white was screaming with a voice that was sounding more high-pitched and... childish.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"