#p.a.m

P.A.M stands for Pokémon Assistant and Moderator, but such a title and appearance doesn't quite show the true power this one entity holds over New Unova. While used as the equivalent of our Siri within the Pokémon universe, this A.I controls and watches over New Unova like a more charming version of “Big Brother”. For the modern citizen, Pam answers any questions posed to it and helps organize technology interfaces. For those of higher status, Pam is the eyes and ears of the Pokémon League. He watches and listens for anything that threatens the rule of the Champion or the citizens of Unova. His ever watchful presence in Unova’s advanced cities and technology pushed many more shady characters underground and into isolation from any post-war technology. These restraints apply for characters such as Emmet and Fajra, who completely abandoned modern technology for their own illegeal gadgets and pre-war technology.

Like any good A.I assistant, P.A.M portrays himself as a friendly, happy-go-lucky Minccino who is willing to help solve any problem. At least, that's what the citizens are supposed to see. The criminals and outcasts instead whisper his name with fear. They sit the furthest from the televisions in bars and Pokémon Centers, give kiosks wide berths, and never speak their true names in a room with any sort of technology. The best case scenario is simply disappearing after being caught for treason by P.A.M, but no one knows what happens to those who disappear after speaking too truthfully about the current state of the region and League. The protagonist Una has never had to face P.A.M’s scorn, which often leads to careless mistakes. Emmet, however, has seen the true nature that lies hidden behind P.A.M’s grin, pushing him to consistently remind his charge not to speak to candidly in front of any tech. Una may not quite understand the reason for the fear, but she knows anything that can frighten her often optimistic guardian should be given some sort of respect.

Even the A.I Minccino is not exempt from having his own partner Pokémon. While P.A.M is a borderline omnipresent being, he still has his own “home base” within the Pokémon League’s headquarters in Victory Road. Upon Pam’s request, Champion Harlan allowed this Muk to remain in P.A.M’s lab where it quietly mopes. Very few people know of this Muk’s existence, and even fewer know why an A.I Minccino would be drawn to such a Pokémon. It is rumored that this particular Muk is the last in the whole region since no other wild Muks have been sighted since their native environments were wiped out after the war. This would explain why some witnesses (including Emmet) reported that the Muk appeared to be consistently depressed, although seems to find solace in P.A.M’s company. As sadistic and heartless as P.A.M appears, Muk’s presence shows that P.A.M is capable of forming some sort of emotional connection— what emotion is the basis of this connection is unclear.

P.A.M has the most concept art of all my Project Spectrum characters right now, but I'm only going to share a few. I plan to share my full pieces in separate posts.