Pokemorphs/Pokehybrids: Your Opinions

[Kiyohime]

Pokemorphs and Pokehybrids, one of the most sinister, feared cliches of the fandom. XP What do you think of them? Utterly off-limits and a taboo and a blight to the entire fandom, or acceptable asl ong as they're done in a realistic fashion?

Myself, I can't say for sure, as I have no experience whatsover in those areas. However, for a long while, I've had a created character that interests me greatly, despite her being a Pokemorph.

Most Pokemorphs are portrayed as abused and born as a result of laboratory science, but I've attempted to be original, and made it so that this Pokemorph, by the name of Ashling, was simply born as a result of a taboo love between a Blaziken and a human woman. Ironically enough, I depise Blaziken. XP It may sound disgusting to some people, and I know it may defy a lot of biological basics, but Ashling is just a character that's stuck in my head. Basically she's a Blaziken with a human upper torso and face, but the rest of her is pure Blaziken, including arms and horns.

I think it may skim on cliche, but I was wondering, is there a general "list" of DOs and DON'Ts with Pokemorphs? I'd imagine in the created world of Ashlnig's story, she would never learn to speak English, only her Pokemon language, and be raised to always obey the "superior" humans. Humans and Pokemon alike would look down on her, and her owner would enter her in illegal cockfight-style underground tournaments., and she raises no objections because she has been raised to always obey, no matter what...she absolutely adores and looks up to humans because she knows no other way. She'd deal with learning how to think for herself and how to react when faced with liberal people who seem to demand on treating her like an equal, much to her own alarm and distress. Her ultimate goal is simply to fight to earn glory and honor for her owner, and she wears a collar, much like a dog, to identify her should she get lost.

However, I wish to maintain some semblance of dignity, and don't wish to be pelted with raw eggs for daring to attempt Pokemorphs. I honestly want to hear everyone's say on the subject concerning Pokemorphs and Pokehybrids.

 

[PDL]

to be kinda honest, I find the idea of Pokemorphs a tad... unsettling...

first of, it's only a step away from furries (which I dislike because that whole culture is so damn screwy) and it screams cliche as already meantioned.

another thing is that that sort of thing doesn't exist AT ALL in the official versions, no pokemorphs exist at all in the anime, games or anything of the franchise...

I think it would have been perfectly fine if it was a human speaking pokemon rather then a pokemorph

the only exception would probably be were-pokemon... or maybe Ghost types.

 

[Kiyohime]

Well, my Wereyenas were practically Pokemorphs, as they reverted between human and Mightyena, so it seems a full-time Pokemorph is barely a step away. ^^; I have no problem with furries, though. How are they screwy? I mean, pretty much the entire Egyptian god pantheon are furries. XD You have Osiris, you have Anubis, you have Bast, and so on and on...furries have been around a long time.

 

[PDL]

I have no problem with furries, though. How are they screwy?

well, screwy is a bit of an understatment... it's hardcore members are BATSHIT INSANE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom

give this a read-through to learn more...

 

[Negrek]

Pokemorph and hybrid stories are incredibly difficult to write well because there is so little canonical, biological, and logical basis for them. I think I could enjoy a good morph or hybrid story--assuming I could ever find one that I like.

Isn't the story idea that you're talking about a hybrid one, not a pokémorph? As I understand it, hyrbrids are those having characteristics of both pokémon and human; morphs are able to change from pokémon to human, often retaining some pokémon characteristics whil in human form (but, interestingly enough, not vice versa).

Most morphs or hybrids have angsty pasts that are an irritant--they often will go on about how society is unfair to them, be in captivity and rage against their masters, or generally mope about how unpretty they are. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are those written as absolutely in love with their own hybrid nature, well-liked by all, and omg so cool.

Stay away from the extremes and you should be fine. I know little in this area, but that's generally good advice.

 

[Kiyohime]

Really? Wow, I really know nothing about pokemorphs/hybrid terminology, then. XD I thought Pokemorphs WERE hybrids. XP

Still, it's turning out to be a interesting challenge, and I'd like to attempt doing it. If the hybrid was complacent, unmindful of her own identity, and only wished to fight to earn acceptance as a dutiful battler for her master, she'd be sastified. The reason it interests me, her being a hybrid, is because you've got an almost-human psychology coupled with animal tendencies, which would be a good "excercise" for me, as I need to brush up on psychology. I suppose I'd try it as a one-shot at first, see how it works out.

I haven't ever read anything about hybrids, so I admit I know next to nothing about them, which is why I'd be grateful for input.

 

[Negrek]

*shrug* If you're interested in looking into other hybrid stories, there is a C2 community for them on FF.net. As with all C2's, some are good, many are crap, but in general, it may give you a look at the way some other people have handled the problem, and perhaps what you like or don't like about their approaches.

 

[Bu†cH]

Hybrid stories don't bother me as much, unless they exist as hybrids artifically.

I was planning to have a hybrid as a main character in an upcoming fanfic of mine.

 

[Zerodius]

Actually, I think that the reason Pokemorphs/hybrids are taboo is because:

1-The second you match animal and human, all hell is let loose (face it: a big reason why Fighting Pokemon are hated in general is because of human-like they look... and Pokemorphs/hybrids take the step further. Instant hate guaranted).

2-Pokemorphs/hybrids are AWFULLY used in 99% of the stories they star (Team Rocket experiment #30928434012... or even worse... *a shiver goes down my spine as I point at... ugh... Pokegirl*

Awfully used, taboo subject.

That's why Pokemorphs/hybrids utherly fail.

Personally, I only used Pokemorphs once, hybrids twice... but the rare times I used them, I made sure that the characters would be memorable.

Ex Lightheart is probably one of the best "hero" character I created while Siryx and Silvera both stands as extremely convaincing villains.

As for making stories revolving totally around hybrids... when I had first thought about making a fic about them... but gave up, for lack of inspiration... but maybe not after all. Scrap's idea gave me inspiration...

But well, anyway...

Well, that's all. Thank you for your time.

 

[Kiyohime]

By artifically, I assume you mean generated by an experiment? Yeah, seeing as it makes less sense than natural birth. XP My reasonig is, if a Swalot can mate with a Magcargo (just check the egg groups..XD) then surely Blaziken could do it with a human, as they seem pretty similiar in biological structure. <<;; A bit weak, but it's all I can think of at the moment. XP I imagine hybrids would be like Africian-Americans were in the early 19th century-- looked down upon as a "lesser" lifeform by both humans and Pokemon, so it seems to be a better direction than both scenarios Negrek described.

 

[Zerodius]

Scrap...

About your idea... well, your character wants recognition as a SLAVE (because, face it, it's slavery)?... well, here are some points to consider:

-Your character will NEVER get recognition. The trainer will get everything: the trophies, the fame, everything. He will be considered a brillant strategist and trainer. Your character? PAH! Just a common hybrid. Who cares about her? It's the trainer, not the hybrid, that determine the issue of the battle.

-Can your character bear with being trained into the ground, being treated as a tool (especially if Pokeballs works on her), people talking of her as "it"?

-Repeat after me: "No free will". She can do ONLY what her trainer tells her. Her trainer tells her to jump into the way of a Hyper Beam? She must do it or be punished. Do an attack that does nothing although she KNOW she can end the battle now? She must do it or be punished. You get the point, I guess.

Now... your character has a human psychology? How will she be able to desire being a slave with the problems above if she thinks like a human? I'll let you deal with this... although, in my opinion, the only answers are either "insanity" or "she's in love with her owner".

 

[Kiyohime]

You bring up good points. That's sort of what I'd like to explore...what would happen if the rational, thinking part of her mind conflicts with the slave mentality? It's sort of a cross between Uncle Tom's Cabin and a lot of other books. I honestly don't know if it'd really turn out any good, but there are cases where a person would do anything to gain acceptance, even though it's an empty dream. It's this mentality where you keep hoping, if you do this you'll be accepted, if not, then that....it's never enough...you keep wanting more...and then you lose yourself in that struggle. To paraphrase a quote from Sin:

“Risks are taken for the certain value that it has to offer. They are not acted upon with irrational emotions.”

“I don’t care. There’s something that I must do and I’ll do anything to achieve it.”

“Don’t say 'anything' so easily. I do not know what it is that you’re trying to accomplish but what is there to celebrate when you’ve sunken so low to achieve it?”

The older girl paused before she continued.

“You’re thinking… just this once. This very once and it’ll be over. No more. But it’ll only be the beginning. The once justifies the twice. There’ll be a third time, a fourth, a fifth…then suddenly, it won’t matter anymore. You know what that would make you? Some sort of inhuman beast capable of all atrocities… And by the time you realized it, it would be too late.”

That's the sort of stuff I'm going to try and explore, see if the inner conflict would result in a burnout, a hopeless resignation to her fate of battle after battle until she drops dead.

 

[Zerodius]

Actually... my thoughts on the subject...

I am STRONGLY against three types of philosophies:

-Humanity = EVIL!!!

-Peace cannot be eternal ; Chaos for the sake of chaos

-It isn't worth it to pursue good causes ; too much trouble for no results

Answer to #1: Humans were, before being conscious beings, animals... and although our way of life (civilization) suppressed the animal instincts in us pretty much... they still are there. In short, humans aren't evil... they are like every creature and seeks always to better themselves (read: gain power, fame, respect...) and have always that little bit of ego within them. The so-called evils of humanity are, in fact, very common among animals... it's just that since it's exterior to us, we tend to ignore it. Animals do know of sadistic desires, of war, of intolerance (in fact, humans are VERY tolerant compared to animals).

Answer to #2: Everything arrives for a reason. There isn't a mysterious force that dictate that every two, five, or twenty years, a war must happen. May it be ambition, misunderstanding, need of ressources, greed... every act has it's motivations.

Answer to #3 (which I assume to be what you meant with the quote from Sin):
Now, here's the big one.

There are causes fighting and dying for. I divide "bad" people into two categories... those who actually do the bad things and those who do nothing and have given hope.

It doesn't matter how impossible a problem may seem... if you do not ever move, the problem will always remain. It doesn't matter if you can't do much... if the only thing you can is just to try and keep your own thoughts for yoursef and transmit to others your thoughts.. then do it! Anything is better than nothing and as such, do something, even if it may seem small and unsignificant!

As for those who give up... well, they are lazy and self-centered. After all, they judge that since struggling will not bring them results to them directly that they should not bother. Those types of people need to have some sense slapped into them... seriously, they need it.

Well... I guess that's pretty off the subject but well... anyway...

Feel free to laugh at my rant all you want... I don't care. Actually... I'll care since it will mean you will have read my rant, which is a good thing.

Anyway... have a nice day and thank you for your time.

NOTE: May have seriously missed the point of your post... which I believe I'm guilty of... well, anyway, you'll probably tell me how I missed the point or simply bring the discussion back to topic.

 

[Kiyohime]

I definitely don't think humanity is evil; the world isn't as simple black-and-white as that. Animals will and do shun those who are different, just as we do. It's just how we evolved, to protect our existence. The person who beats his wife can truly believe he does so because he loves her. Psychology's pretty complex, and it's only the naive who believe things can be categorized so neatly. People may treat slaves well but also look down upon them because in their world, that's the way things go, and it couldn't possibly be any other way. There's a really good simile that Plato (or Socrates, can't recall) created about this sort of thing, involving prisoners in a cave. If you see someone who's confused and staggered by the world it finds itself in, instead of laughing at their foolishness, consider: Is the person blinded by the brightness of this world compared to the darkness of its past world (world equals belief) or is it blinded by the darkness of this world because it came from a brighter world? I'm trying to apply that principle here. I'm sorry if my post made no sense, as my mind's sort of wandering in all directions at once. XD

 

[Iveechan]

I have a character who's never been in stories who is the result of a Hitmonchan father and a human mother. I do think that, in non-canon, humans and Pokemon will engage in sexual intercourse. It would be a common but "hush hush" practice. The chance of one of them (normally the human) becoming pregnant is very very slim but it does happen.

For my story idea, much like your Blaziken, the Hitmonchan hybrid, Gregory, is raised as a Pokemon. His mother really didn't want to treat her son that way, but a friend convinced her otherwise. It pained her at first to speak to her child like he was a lesser being, but she got used to it. Eventually, she sells him off, and Gregory leads an oh so sad and wangsty life until he meets this young guy and they become gay lovers. Holy taboo Iveechan!!!

Anyhow... I like human/Pokemon hybrids but I despise the "Team Rocket kidnaps some kids and changes them into cute Pokemon like Ninetales and Raichu for no reason" plots. Also I like furries and I think Hitmonchans and red pandas are drop dead sexy. Ha ha!

 

[PDL]

the only pokemorphs that could logically exist in the canon could be Nurse Joys and possibly Officer Jennys

how so? well, I had some ideas for a storyline involving them being the results of genetic experimentation in the distant past. Of course this past doesn't exist in the canon, it's basically the "humans came from a distant planet and settled onto a prehistoric pokemon world" thing I made up.

anyway the Nurse Joys are a pokehybrid of human and chansey, though it's 95% human, 5% chansey... rather then 50/50

 

[Kiyohime]

But that's your own opinion, PDL. You can't decide that those two are the ONLY pokemorphs that could LOGICALLY EXIST in the canon, although the chansey idea is interesting.

 

[SnoringFrog]

I recently had an idea for a story involving a human/pokemon hybrid, but I've also thought about switching it to a non-pokemon story. If it were a human/pokemon hybrid story, it would most likely be a human wiht the wings of some flying type pokemon, but 'm not too sure how it would work. I'm still trying to think o a good plot, and I'm leaning towards making it a one-shot.

 

[Dilasc]

In my story, there is a crime called committing 'Insect', which is not to be mistaken for incest, which is by far where I get the parodical name for this. Insect is akin to rape, where a Pokemon or human rapes a bug Pokemon. Another catch, is that the Pokemon must be unable to breed with a bug, so while the rape and eat Spinarak in DtD is safe, a Machoke would be framed. Though nothing will be birthed, there are some sick individuals in the world, and even if it were to work, the newborn would be of the mother's species anyway.

[SPOIL]I was going to have a part where Entei, ye old legendary, is said to have a thing for Bugs, mainly the sexually active yet very famous for naughty videos Lady Ledyba. The creepy thing is, Entei, being legendary, is genderless![/SPOIL] I kind of turned that idea down though in consideration of suitability for the Young-uns, and to be appropriate

 

[Kiyohime]

Wait, what does that have to do with hybrids? >.o Does "Insect" MAKE hybrids?