“The rules used to be unbelievably strict. At first it was only that one zoo for extinct species in Kanto that was allowed to own them, since it was the research center where revival of Fossil Pokémon was first achieved. But as with all secrets, this one got out, and soon fossil Pokémon were being used for everything from military development to, yes, Pokémon battling and even Contests. I have to admit, it’s somewhat of a shame that such innovations in technology have to go toward entertainment, and I myself wouldn’t pay for a freshly restored Fossil. But Fossil Pokémon are common enough today that you could get one from a breeder. Most of them work from a single restored Pokémon--and you need a special license to own one of those--and some of them are lucky enough to own a pair so that they can produce purebreds. But the vast majority of Fossils used in entertainment today are crossbred and show some striking differences to their original counterparts. It’s because of these differences that the law says you don’t need a fossil permit to own one of those, just a Rare Species permit like one you might get for a Lapras or a Snorlax. For some Fossil Pokémon you also need a Dangerous Species permit, such as Aerodactyl or Tyrantrum.”

      “As for the odd Fossil Pokémon here and there that actually managed to survive the extinction…well, in principle, they’re supposed to be protected, and many of them benefit from the law of protection. But poaching is such a problem--especially since the International Pokémon League itself doesn’t have a law against using poached fossil Pokémon. In fact, they like it when people use ‘living fossils’ because they always get a spike in ratings. And since the last country to ban airing the Pokémon League over illegal fossils had a nationwide riot because of that, I doubt anything will be done about it anytime soon.”

      “Sure thing. Gyarados is my favorite Pokémon that I’ve never used, you know,” she says, completely oblivious to the fact that a decade or so down the road she will be getting and using LITERALLY THE MOST OVERPOWERED GYARADOS ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET. “It’s an important symbol in Sinnohese culture–it represents order, the bringing of rain, personal excellence and the ruler of our country, and we even have a special breed for it called the Imperial. The breed was created during the Qin Dynasty, when the first emperor tamed wild Gyarados for the first time in Sinnoh and they produced a golden Gyarados with a power beyond anything ever seen from a Gyarados before. She was the first Imperial, and all Imperial Gyarados alive today are her descendants–we know this for a fact because court records have been very well-kept. Even today their powers are beyond anything else we know in the species, and they’re enough to keep minor Legendaries such as Darkrai at bay. They were bred for that purpose so they could protect our country from anything. And while there have been a few, ah, slip-ups, they do great work if there’s a strong connection between them and a competent Emperor!”

      “There are all sorts of Gyarados all over the world, too. The Imperial actually comes from crossbreeding the ocean Gyarados and a Sinnohese species called the Yellow River Gyarados, which is named not only for its place of origin but also for its golden scales. Yellow River and other freshwater species tend to be more Special Attack instead of Attack oriented and learn a wider variety of support moves, but most importantly they have the wisdom and regal temperament that Sinnoh has revered. Other than that? There are blind cave-dwelling Gyarados that are Rock/Water instead of Water/Flying, and they live in the sinkhole cave systems in tropical forests. There are mountain Gyarados that aren’t Water-type at all, but have fully evolved for a life on land–they’re usually Flying-type, but their secondary type can range from Grass to Ice to even Bug. And have you ever seen a Spiritually Reverting ghost Gyarados? They’re just beautiful–I’d kill to see one of an Imperial!”

       Oh, Zoe, if only you knew…

      “See, this is why you should actually help me with handling the money, because then you wouldn’t have to ask me such a basic question,” she said, shaking her head at her irresponsible piece of shit husband. Pulling a Pokédollar out her pocket, she began to explain.

      “The universal currency project was carried out as a result of worries about exchange rates affecting international relations and the international economy. Which is why here on the back, there’s an image of world leaders gathering together to pass the law of creating one in the first place. On the whole, the designs are based on the Unimese dollar, and they feature portraits of important historical personages--for example, the hundred-dollar ones have Ceraeion Fieorel, the fifty-dollar ones Ghetsis Harmonia, and the twenty-dollar ones have three versions, each of which features an Arceitic Reformer. The one-dollar bills like this one are my favorite--as a nod to how universal Pokémon battling has become, they are all printed with random images of national Champions and other famous figures in Pokémon entertainment history.” 

       She pulled another bill out of her pocket to illustrate her point.

      “Have you ever seen the one of you?”

      “Internationally? We are the greatest. Chinese Sinnohese athletes and Pokémon handlers have won more awards in international competitions than any other country in the world. Even you Unovese, who put such pride in their own athletics–I’m almost sorry to say it, but you can’t compare. But domestically…” She sighs. “It’s another story entirely.”

       “I’ll tell you right now–the main reason we hold the title we do is because we have sacrificed for it, and sacrificed too much. We don’t need the current system to maintain our hold as the best nation in the world for Pokésports, and I intend to make myself living proof of that, but in the end, I’ll still have been a product of an exploitative system that should never have existed in the first place. The state schools are nothing short of abusive, and they encourage handlers to be the same with their Pokémon. In fact, the Sinnohese National Team was investigated for Pokémon rights abuses, and seeing as a good part of the International Pokémon League is in Sinnoh’s pocket, you know something’s wrong when even they rule us fit for investigation. The Sinnohese team model is often toxic, too–most of the time we’re friendly with each other, but the way our pay is tied to our performance, it encourages competition among teammates instead of cooperation. And as for domestic circuits themselves, the only ones that really matter to people are the Sinnoh League, the Grand Festival and certain pre-national-ranked Contests–if you’re not part of one of those, you’re not worth anything to people as a Trainer. In other words, we have the best results and the best reputation, but the structure supporting it is rotten.”

      She looks Roxie in the eye, her voice and gaze full of purpose.

      “And I’m going to be the one who fixes that.”

     “That’s a question most scientists are debating as well. Humans are the only naturally Q-type species on Earth. Many Pokémon have been proven to have Q-type form changes, but humans are the only ones whose inherent type is Q--that is, except for Aura-sensitives, who are Fighting-type, and Psychics, who are Psychic type. Arceists will say that it’s because humans are special and chosen by Arceus to be special, since Arceus Himself is Q-type and we are the species closest to him. But reliable sources will tell you that we Q-types are so rare because the typing itself does not allow for many abilities. Even though Q-type conversions still allow a Pokémon to use some of their moves, inherent Q-types can't use typed moves, which hardly compensates for its ability to drive off spirits and its resistance to any Type in terms of giving an edge to survival. In other words? Arceus’ special type is useless when it comes to practical application.”

      [Mun note: Q-type = ???-type.]