Beyond the Ball

We're celebrating 150 episodes of Beyond the Ball by starting an exciting new endeavor! We've generated fresh new Pokedex entries for every Pokemon we've covered in the show so far using AI Dungeon, the hilarious and powerful AI tool/game/infinite content generator, and today we read as many as we can in about 80 minutes! We got through 23 entries in this episode but we'll definitely be coming back to this series on occasion to read more. There were too many entries to include here in the episode description but you can check out the ones we covered here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1maByBngJOhUlSy7JPVcqBvvbmB79XABwkAL8SXn3CJY/edit?usp=sharing

References:

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Episode 150 is finally here and, as decided by listener poll, we're talking about the one and only Mewtwo, the McRib of Pokémon! There's a lot to dig into so buckle up for an extra special, oversized episode of Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below:

Red and Blue: It was created by a scientist after years of horrific gene splicing and DNA engineering experiments.

Yellow: Its DNA is almost the same as MEW’s. However, its size and disposition are vastly different.

Gold: Because its battle abilities were raised to the ultimate level, it thinks only of defeating its foes.

Silver: It usually remains motionless to conserve energy, so that it may unleash its full power in battle.

Crystal: Said to rest quietly in an undiscovered cave, this POKéMON was created solely for battling.

Ruby and Sapphire: MEWTWO is a POKéMON that was created by genetic manipulation. However, even though the scientific power of humans created this POKéMON’s body, they failed to endow MEWTWO with a compassionate heart.

FireRed: A POKéMON whose genetic code was repeatedly recombined for research. It turned vicious as a result.

Emerald: A POKéMON that was created by genetic manipulation. However, even though the scientific power of humans made its body, they failed to give it a warm heart.

Diamond, Pearl & Platinum: A Pokémon created by recombining MEW’s genes. It’s said to have the most savage heart among Pokémon.

Sword: Created from the DNA of Mew, this Pokémon is a dangerous combination of overwhelming power and a savage heart.

Shield: The research efforts of a certain scientist ultimately resulted in this Pokémon. Its powers are dedicated to battling.

BTB: Perhaps the most misunderstood Pokemon of all time, it should probably just be left alone.

Mega Mewtwo X (https://img.pokemondb.net/artwork/mewtwo-mega-x.jpg)

Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee: Psychic power has augmented its muscles. It has a grip strength of one ton and can sprint a hundred meters in two seconds flat!

Mega Mewtwo Y (https://img.pokemondb.net/artwork/mewtwo-mega-y.jpg)

Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee: Despite its diminished size, its mental power has grown phenomenally. With a mere thought, it can smash a skyscraper to smithereens.

24 Flames Per Second crossover ep: https://anchor.fm/24flamespod/episodes/S02E45---Pokemon-The-First-Movie-e3ul7d/a-aeeapn

Giovanni in Mewtwo Returns: https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/b/b2/Domino_and_Giovanni.png

Domino AKA Agent 009 AKA the Black Tulip: https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/archive/2/2e/20210918201659%21Domino.png

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

As we approach episode 150 we round out the Togepi family this episode with it's final evolution, Togekiss! Join us as we explore exactly what blessings this big, beautiful egg bird bestows upon others and get caught off guard with some super loaded entries right off the bat. Strife ahoy! Follow along with the Pokedex entries below:

Diamond and Pearl: It will never appear where there is strife. Its sightings have become rare recently.

Platinum: It shares many blessings with people who respect one another’s rights and avoid needless strife.

HeartGold and SoulSilver: As everyone knows, it visits peaceful regions, bringing them gifts of kindness and sweet blessings.

Sword: These Pokémon are never seen anywhere near conflict or turmoil. In recent times, they’ve hardly been seen at all.

Shield: Known as a bringer of blessings, it’s been depicted on good-luck charms since ancient times.

Legends: Arceus: Scant few have ever sighted this Pokémon. After studying what literature remains, I am certain Togekiss will reveal itself when peace reigns in the land.

BTB: This big beautiful blimp bird brings blessings but has a real conflict avoidance problem. Like physiologically.

The Big Egg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wubgAIiWpY

Tim Curry capitalism:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Sq1Nr58hM

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

The spike ball baby Togepi has evolved into joyous Togetic! Kindhearted folks are in for a treat when this happy little egg bird comes around. Join us as we uncover the mysteries Togetic of revealed in the Pokedex and stay tuned through the end for some big show announcements! Follow along with Togetic's entries below:

Gold: They say that it will appear before kindhearted, caring people and shower them with happiness.

Silver: It grows dispirited if it is not with kind people. It can float in midair without moving its wings.

Crystal: Although it does not flap its wings very much, it can stay up in the air as it tags along after its trainer.

Ruby and Sapphire: TOGETIC is said to be a POKéMON that brings good fortune. When the POKéMON spots someone who is pure of heart, it is said to appear and share its happiness with that person.

Diamond and Pearl: It is said to appear in front of kindly people to scatter a glowing down called “joy dust.”

Platinum: To share its happiness, it flies around the world seeking kindhearted people.

Legends: Arceus: No records exist of Togetic being seen in the wilds. Rumors abound that it evolves under the loving care of a trusted human companion, upon whom the Pokémon then bestows great joy.

BTB: Like a tiny Doug Funny Santa Clause, it spreads joy around the world as was Quail Man's sacred charge.

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

The Baby has arrived! That's right, it's time to talk Togepi. Join us as we explore the secrets of Togepi's mysterious shell, the difference between joy and happiness, and the connection between fortune and kindheartedness. Follow along with the entries below:

Gold: The shell seems to be filled with joy. It is said that it will share good luck when treated kindly.

Silver: A proverb claims that happiness will come to anyone who can make a sleeping TOGEPI stand up.

Crystal: It is considered to be a symbol of good luck. Its shell is said to be filled with happiness.

Ruby and Sapphire: As its energy, TOGEPI uses the positive emotions of compassion and pleasure exuded by people and POKéMON. This POKéMON stores up feelings of happiness inside its shell, then shares them with others.

Diamond and Pearl: Its shell is said to be stuffed with happiness that it shares with kindhearted people.

Platinum: It transforms the kindness and joy of others into happiness, which it stores in its shell.

Legends: Arceus: This ovate creature is frequently mistaken for a moving egg when encountered out in the fields or in the mountains. Its guileless smile soothes the soul.

BTB: It's THE baby. It trades positive emotions like currency. It's not a moving egg.

Mischievous Togepi: https://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/2/2b/Togebo_Togepi.png 

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

It's time to take our voyage through the Pokemon world into the deep sea as we explore Finneon's evolved form, Lumineon! In this episode we learn a surprising amount about Lumineon's behaviors and place in the food chain so buckle up for some actual facts I guess? Don't worry, the Pokedex will of course still find ways to baffle us. Follow along with the entries below!

Diamond: It lives on the deep-sea floor. It attracts prey by flashing the patterns on its four tail fins.

Pearl: To avoid detection by predators, it crawls along the seafloor using the two fins on its chest.

Platinum: It crawls along the seafloor using its long front fins like legs. It competes for food with LANTURN.

HeartGold & SoulSilver: LUMINEON swimming in the darkness of the deep sea look like stars shining in the night sky.

Sun: With its shining light, it lures its prey close. However, the light also happens to attract ferocious fish Pokémon—its natural predators.

Moon: This deep-sea Pokémon lives at the bottom of the sea. Its fins haul it over the seabed in search of its favorite food—Starmie.

Ultra Sun: Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, prey is scarce. Lumineon get into fierce disputes with Lanturn over food.

Ultra Moon: They traverse the deep waters as if crawling over the seafloor. The fantastic lights of its fins shine like stars in the night sky.

Legends: Arceus: Uses its gleaming fins to hunt its prey. The view of Lumineon schooling near the surface of the sea at night is breathtaking— it’s as though there were shining stars right there.

Photodex: Lumineon uses the fins on its chest to drag itself along the ocean floor, shuffling and sweeping sand away to reveal hiding Starmie.

BTB: This big fish just loves to eat Starmie. It crawls around on the sea floor all day looking for them.

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

The future of BTB is looking bright this week as we discuss our first piscine Pokemon, Finneon! Follow along with the entries below!

Diamond: After long exposure to sunlight, the patterns on its tail fins shine vividly when darkness arrives.

Pearl: The way its two tail fins flutter while it swims has earned it the nickname “BEAUTIFLY of the Sea.”

Platinum: The line running down its side can store sunlight. It shines vividly at night.

HeartGold & SoulSilver: Swimming and fluttering its two tail fins, it looks like a BEAUTIFLY. At night, the patterns on its tail fins softly shine.

Sun: It absorbs sunlight with the pink areas of its skin, which then shine. This appears to be a form of camouflage.

Moon: Its double tail fins propel its energetic jumps. When it breaks the surface of the sea, Wingull swoop down to grab it on the fly.

Ultra Sun: When night falls, their pink patterns begin to shine. They’re popular with divers, so there are resorts that feed them to keep them close.

Ultra Moon: It lures in prey with its shining tail fins. It stays near the surface during the day and moves to the depths when night falls.

Legends: Arceus: What a gorgeous sight this Pokémon is as it swims with its long, pink-painted caudal fins fluttering behind it. Finneon’s beautiful appearance has led to its nickname: “finery fish.”

Photodex: If you see the pink patterns on Finneon’s tail fins shining at night, that means it stored up plenty of sunlight during the day. Isn’t Finneon beautiful when it flutters its fins like a pair of delicate wings?

BTB: Finneon's a regular glow-in-the-dark nightlight fish. The glowing pink markings have many purposes, including camoflage and prey attraction and human charming.

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

The mystery deepens this episode as we delve into Baltoy's evolved form, Claydol! Join us as we navigate superstition and hearsay while trying to straighten out the facts on this ancient Pokémon! Follow along with the entries below:

Ruby: CLAYDOL are said to be dolls of mud made by primitive humans and brought to life by exposure to a mysterious ray. This POKéMON moves about while levitating.

Sapphire: CLAYDOL is an enigma that appeared from a clay statue made by an ancient civilization dating back 20,000 years. This POKéMON shoots beams from both its hands.

FireRed and LeafGreen: It appears to have been born from clay dolls made by ancient people. It uses telekinesis to float and move.

Emerald: A CLAYDOL sleeps while hovering in midair. Its arms are separate from its body. They are kept floating by the POKéMON’s manipulation of psychic power.

Diamond, Pearl and Platinum: An ancient clay figurine that came to life as a Pokémon from exposure to a mysterious ray of light.

HeartGold and SoulSilver: It is said that it originates from clay dolls made by an ancient civilization.

Black and White 2: This mysterious Pokémon started life as an ancient clay figurine made over 20,000 years ago.

Ultra Sun: If it gets wet, its body melts. When rain starts to fall, it wraps its whole body up with its psychic powers to protect itself.

Ultra Moon: The ancient people who made it apparently modeled it after something that descended from the sky. It fires beams from both arms.

BTB: A Pokemon created from a doll which was modeled upon something. It came to life when something happened to it.

References:

Shakkoumon - https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/digimon/images/b/b7/Shakkoumon_b.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090630211300

Claydol card art - https://i0.wp.com/pkmncards.com/wp-content/uploads/en_US-SWSH9-059-claydol.jpg?fit=734%2C1024&ssl=1

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

It's time to delve into the mysteries of Baltoy! The psychic clay top that loves to party a little too loudly! Follow along with the entries below:

Ruby:

BALTOY moves while spinning around on its one foot. Primitive wall paintings depicting this POKéMON living among people were discovered in some ancient ruins.

Sapphire:

As soon as it spots others of its kind, BALTOY congregates with them and then begins crying noisily in unison. This POKéMON sleeps while cleverly balancing itself on its one foot.

FireRed and LeafGreen:

It was discovered in ancient ruins. While moving, it constantly spins. It stands on one foot even when asleep.

Emerald:

A BALTOY moves by spinning on its single foot. It has been depicted in murals adorning the walls of a once-bustling city in an ancient age.

Diamond, Pearl and Platinum:

It moves by spinning on its foot. It is a rare Pokémon that was discovered in ancient ruins.

HeartGold and SoulSilver:

It moves while spinning around on its single foot. Some BALTOY have been seen spinning on their heads.

Black and White 2:

Discovered in ancient ruins, it moves by spinning around and forms a group when it finds others.

Ultra Sun:

Depictions of Pokémon similar to Baltoy have been found on the walls of caves where primitive humans lived.

Ultra Moon:

When they find others of their kind, they cry out loudly and gather together. Large numbers of them can be found in old graveyards.

BTB:

It's a funny little top buddy. A mysterious friend to humans for generations. It spins.

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

This episode we're talking about the Key Ring Pokemon Klefki! Is it really just keys or are there more secrets to unlocked within its Pokedex entries? Why does it collect keys? What came first, keys or Klefki? Join us as we explore exciting questions like these and more on Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below:

X:

These key collectors threaten any attackers by fiercely jingling their keys at them.

Y:

It never lets go of a key that it likes, so people give it the keys to vaults and safes as a way to prevent crime.

Sun:

This even-tempered Pokémon has a habit of collecting keys. It will sneak into people’s homes to steal their keys.

Moon:

It inserts its horn into chinks in metal, absorbing metal ions. For some reason, it collects keys.

Ultra Sun:

Although it’s unclear why it collects keys, giving it a key makes Klefki very happy. However, it apparently only likes master keys.

Ultra Moon:

Long ago it lived in mines, but once the minerals that make up its diet became scarcer, Klefki began appearing in human settlements.

Sword:

This Pokémon is constantly collecting keys. Entrust a Klefki with important keys, and the Pokémon will protect them no matter what.

Shield:

Klefki sucks in metal ions with the horn topping its head. It seems this Pokémon loves keys so much that its head needed to look like one, too.

BTB:

This metal sucking little goblin has formed an almost religious fascination with human-made keys. Give it keys because it will just steal them anyway.

References:

Braden's booster packs: https://youtu.be/6GbFU91dvZ8

Klefki gif: https://64.media.tumblr.com/6d8820999195f1e5c8454ff1a8a983e3/tumblr_nr3efpV8km1uw4h4no1_500.gif

Klefki with many keys: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/pokemon/images/c/c8/Klefki_Adventures.PNG/revision/latest?cb=20151231201138

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Original Klefki artwork by Ken Sugimori