I’m being harassed to make content by the Pokémafia! I better get this next one out fast…
Welcome back to my series, where I assign a team of Pokemon to different members of the Ardowin:Fractured party! This post, I’ll be giving a team to our roguish playwrite, Penelope!
I’m very excited for this one; I’ll actually be breaking a rule I’d set out for myself originally whenever I thought up this idea. Though I will continue to exclude mythicals and legendaries from this team (because, despite what Penny may tell you, the party is still far from legendary), I’ll be giving Penny more than three Pokemon to herself. Penny is the one party member out of the 8 that I could see having the resources and abilities to maintain a larger team of Pokemon on her own. So let’s get right into it!
The first Pokemon in Penny’s roster is one that fits into her regal but sheltered past: Hisuian Growlithe is famed for its brave and trustworthy nature. Its design is also based on the guardian lion dog statues of China, who held a responsibility of protecting temples from evil. I could imagine Growlithe being a companion of Penny’s from a young age, perhaps being a respite from the torturous boredom of princess hood.
The next Pokemon I’d see meshing well with Penny is the Toxic Monkey Pokemon, Grafaiai. Grafaiai’s Pokédex entry reads: The color of the poisonous saliva depends on what the Pokémon eats. Grafaiai covers its fingers in its saliva and draws patterns on trees in forests. This little guy is clearly based on graffiti artists, and I could see Penny encountering the pokemon as a Shroodle early in her rebellious phase, building up a love of art and getting into trouble together. It’s a very roguish Pokemon, but I think where it really shines with Penny is as an assistant set designer!
Also aligning with Penny’s set design career, as well as her love of crafts and tinkering, would be the metalsmith Pokemon herself, tinkatink! Tinkatink has a reputation as a perfectionist, constantly hammering and hammering its own tool to be the best it can be. Imagine late nights between Penny and this pink gal, drafting and redrafting designs that may never even see the light of the day.
The last theater focused Pokémon I’ll include in Penny’s team is Mimikyu, a beloved Pokemon of mine, the disguise Pokemon. Mimikyu has two seperate dex entries: one for when its disguise is intact, and another for when its disguise is busted. Its Sword intact entry reads: It wears a rag fashioned into a Pikachu costume in an effort to look less scary. Unfortunately, the costume only makes it creepier. Its Shield Busted entry reads: Its disguise made from an old rag allowed it to avoid an attack, but the impact broke the neck of the disguise. Now everyone knows it's a Mimikyu. Truly a tragic creature, one that has such a deep insecurity of how others perceive it that it hides behind a performance, the mask of someone it wishes it could be. I think Penny can relate to that in some way.
Okay, so that’s… about two of the five backstories Penny has covered so far. There’s still her criminal experience and her investigative nature to be covered, as well as her life on the road.
I think Alolan Meowth is a perfect fit for Penny. Shes pretty, she’s sassy, she’s dramatic, she learns taunt, nasty plot, feint and payday—all moves that fit into the thieving life style that Penny has described in the past. It’s also a very intellectual seeming pokemon, and Penny always wants to stay one step ahead.
The last Pokemon to fill out Penelope’s six may seem like it comes out of left field, but I think it is a piece of symbolism that Penny would hold close to her. It’s called Nosepass, the compass Pokemon. Its Sun Pokédex entry reads: The magnet in Nosepass’s nose provides an unerring compass, making it an excellent partner for Trainers going on a journey. In my headcanon, Penny encountered Nosepass pointing North in the first days traveling across the desert with her troop. Recognizing its value as a guide, Penny caught the Pokemon, then created a deeper meaning for it. Her Nosepass also represents her moral compass, always facing North, always guiding her toward her dreams of heroism.
Of course, this one was a doozy. I promise to get out Yvette’s soon! So don’t sit too much on that seat’s edge!
