Paradise, isn't IT? (TG, Stepfordization) (Patreon)

As she appeared in Levinicia, IT couldn’t help but feel out of her element. This was not a region the stylist had visited in any meaningful capacity, which would make it all the more harder to find the woman she was looking for. But IT was up for a challenge. This would be no different than all the times she had been to unknown places. Just without an Ash or someone to transform.

“NOW WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?” IT thought, taking a moment to make the salon disappear. Wouldn't want anyone to think that they could waltz in. "I ABSOLUTELY SHOULD'VE APPEARED CLO-"

IT's thought was swiftly cut off by a pair of arms grabbing hold. Pulling her in for a hug, the stylist spun around. Iono's pretty face stared back.

Done up as immaculately as she had been upon exiting her salon, she hated the feelings that bounced about her chest. Yes, Iono could be the one. But would she be willing to spend her time with someone who would almost never be at home or worse, get swept up into her affairs? Such a burden was not something that she was ready to consider. Let alone entertain.

"I'm so happy that you're taking me up on my offer!" Iono announced, shaking IT up and down a couple times. Setting the stylist back down, Iono stepped back.

"YES. I NEEDED A VACATION, SO I DECIDED TO GO HERE." IT answered and watched Iono perk up. Why did it have to be her who was aware on some level. Why couldn't have been someone like Rose or Aria? Heck, she could deal with someone like Jessica, Beth G or even Jamie. Okay, maybe not the last one. What happened last time was proof of that. Leave it to that pink-haired broad to balance out her girlfriend’s weaknesses. Then there were the Ash’s with boyfriends or husbands. While not a part of the multiverse she visited often, they were probably just as bad. Worst of all was… 'her'. The less she had to do with her, the better.

"IT, is there something wrong?" Iono inquired, snapping IT back to reality.  Shaking her head, she looked away. Muttering something to the pavement, her gaze returned to Iono.

"JUST… THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING." IT announced and Iono nodded. Reaching out to the stylist's hand, the gym leader grabbed hold. Squeezing IT's hand, it felt like plastic with a slight warmth. The oddest feeling.

"Could I get you something to eat that isn't a sandwich?" Iono announced and IT reluctantly nodded. Getting led along, IT couldn’t help but look around. While the denizens of this town seemed nice, it almost looked as if they were trapped in some kind of glitchy purgatory. Was this just some property of Paldea or was someone here intent on attacking her. Likely the Aether Foundation, but there was always a chance of the Club or 'her'. No, those two parties were very much on the flashy side. Especially when it came to Pikachu's and their subspecies. No, that left all kinds of other explanations. Ones that weren’t so easily proven or disproven.

“I WOULD LOVE THAT.” IT announced, squeezing Iono’s hand. In turn, Iono squeezed back as they headed further into the city proper. For something considered a ‘city’ (by paldean standards), it was relatively sparse. It was more of a town like Pallet. Not that anyone here had heard about such a town. Let alone Kanto.

“So how have you been?” Iono inquired, IT’s gaze shifting back to her. How exactly to answer her question? Closing her eyes, the memories of her last couple jumps flooded into her memories. After leaving what she could only assume was an Aether Foundation base, she had found herself in a desert. While a nice change of pace from the places she had been, the name of which had remained out of reach. Afterwards, then came the mess.

It had started out simple enough. She had appeared in Cerulean Cave, lying in wait for her targets. But that stupid grunt had to attempt to enter the salon. For that, she punished him - reducing the male into her plaything. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to last. Much like all the other team rocket grunts who claimed ‘they just wanted to help her out’ and then turned their backs when that bitch got her hands on her.

“IT?”

IT’s eyes flashed open. Still holding onto Iono’s hand, her gaze was staring off into space. Pulling her attention back over to her guide, she let out a deep breath.

“I KILLED SOMEONE. A TEAM ROCKET GRUNT.” IT announced and Iono froze. Shifting her full attention to IT, a sigh escaped her lips.

“I will not judge you. After all, I’m still getting to know you. Yet, that doesn’t mean I quite agree with the solution to your problems. Okay?” Iono scolded and IT reluctantly nodded. While she was not one to take orders from others, something about the way Iono was talking to her made her want to at least attempt to do so. Even if the universe had other ideas.

“I CANNOT ENSURE THAT, BUT I’LL AT LEAST TRY. JUST… NO PROMISES.” IT answered, staring down at her hand for just a moment. Feeling Iono grab hold once more, she met her eyes.

“Anything else happen?” Iono continued and IT nodded. Turning her attention ahead, what looked to be a restaurant awaited ahead. Definitely not a sandwich place, that was for certain. Tables had been set up outside, but nothing in the way of people.

“I TRANSFORMED AN ASH… BUT ALSO DIDN’T. THE LATTER WAS THE TRUE OUTCOME, THE FORMER OUTCOME… WAS WRECKED BY THE ASH’S MAWILE WISHING FOR HER TRAINER AND HER BELOVED TO FIND EACH OTHER. JIRACHI HEARD HER WISH AND MADE IT HAPPEN - BINDING THEIR FATES TOGETHER. UNNECESSARY. THEIR FATES WERE ALREADY BOUND AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE BOUND FOR ETERNITY.” IT answered and Iono raised an eyebrow. While she liked to think that she had a pretty good grasp on the concepts IT was throwing about, this of all things threw her for a loop.

“What do you mean… bound by fate?” Iono inquired and IT came to a stop. Letting go of her hand, she stepped forward.

“IT’S EXACTLY AS IT SOUNDS. CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE JUST MORE LIKELY TO RUN INTO YOU. BUT WE CAN DISCUSS THIS MORE IN A MOMENT.” IT answered as a creamish white portal appeared. An Aether Foundation member walked out, electric marks on full display.

“You may have escaped my grasp in Galar, but I will stop you - UB: Salon!” the aether employee announced and IT rolled her eyes. What the hell was he even talking about here? She hadn’t even been to Galar as of late. Could this be related to an entirely different Ash being transformed? Most likely. Wouldn’t normally be a problem, but here it somehow was.

“REALLY? THAT THE NAME THE PRESTIGIOUS AETHER FOUNDATION HAS DECIDED FOR ME? IT’S JUST ‘IT’ YOU MORONS! WHY CAN’T YOU GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEADS!” IT countered, only for the employee to pull out a white pokeball decorated with that of the Aether Foundation on the top lid. Tossing it up into the air, the ball opened up and an Araquanid appeared on the ground. Looking around its new surroundings, it lets out a frustrated cry. IT muttered something at the ground, taking the time to pull out a pokeball of her own.

“SNEASLER, HELP MOMMY OUT HERE!” IT announced and threw the pokeball forward. Opening up and revealing a flurry of hearts, Sneaseler appeared. Looking in IT’s direction, they get a thumbs-up from their mommy. Then it’s back over to their opponent.

“Come on out, Bellibolt!” Iono announced as she threw what appeared to be a heavy ball. A large frog creature appeared right beside Sneaseler. Giving Sneasler a wave, their attention shifted to the araquanid.

“Araquanid, sticky web!” the aether employee announced and Araquanid looked their way. Attention forced back to Sneaseler and Bellibolt, they reluctantly shoot some web enough. Not enough for either pokemon to notice or really need to dodge.

“SNEASLER, SCREECH.” IT ordered and was treated to an ear-piercing screech from her pokemon. Knocking Araquanid back, what looked to be tears came out of their lenses.

“Bellibolt, confuse ray!” Iono added and Bellibolt slid forward. Letting forth a short beam of energy, it managed to disorientate araquanid. Stumbling about, the water bubble pokemon tried their hardest to maintain balance. But all that accomplished was

“Personality Override: Battle.”

Araquanid stood up, their eyes glowing blue. Very much human shrieks of pain echo forth from their body, bringing with it questions that might be best left unanswered for now.

“That isn’t actually an Araquanid… is it?” Iono whispered, catching a nod from IT. Turning her attention back to Araquanid, her thoughts turned to her rescue from that place. Was a similar fate awaiting her had IT not intervened? Or did the Aether Foundation have something else in mind? She honestly didn’t even want to think about it. While IT probably had a good idea of what fate that might be, perhaps it was best to let sleeping maschiffs lie.

“NO. THAT THING IS CLOSER TO THAT OF A MAN-MADE MONSTER. MUCH LESS ALONG THE LINES OF ME AND MORE… A PARADOX POKEMON.” IT announced, her salon appearing right behind the aether employee. While the temptation to kick him right in and end this fight easily, such a blow was bound to kill him instantly. Instead, a different strategy was in order. One she hoped would get Iono on her case here. “SNEASLER, DIRE CLAW ON THE TRAINER.”

Sneasler nodded. Attention moving over to the aether employee. They charge at the luckless soul. Managing to just clip their side with their poison, they retreat back over to Bellibolt. Focusing on Araquanid, the water bubble pokemon charged at the pair.

“Araquanid.” their opponent, the tone monotone and mechanical. Opening their mouth, a pressurized blast of water shot out. Slamming into Sneasler, she held her ground.

“Bellibolt, Thunder!” Iono announced and Bellibolt raised his hands to the sky. Watching the sky darken, a bolt of thunder came down. Slamming into araquanid, the water bubble pokemon weathered the blow. Drops of red exit their mouth, muffled screams coming right after.

“Did you… did you really think your tricks would actually get you the upper hand?” the aether employee announced, the purple bubbles coming from their side on full display. Even as he flashed a fist. “Continue to fight, Araquanid. You don’t want to lose her, do you?”

Araquanid ignored the command. Charging for Bellibolt, the eleFrog pokemon stepped out of the way. Sneasler did something similar, their gaze hanging to the opponent.

“ACID SPRAY.” IT ordered and Sneasler opened her mouth. Letting out a thick purple spray, she dumped it all onto Araquanid. Stopping the water bubble pokemon in their tracks, parts of their body melted away. A twisted and mutated woman could be made out, trying her hardest to break free from the programming enforced over them.

“Is there anything we can do for this woman?” Iono inquired and IT nodded. She could only hope that Iono would understand what she was about to do. If not, the stylist was fairly certain she could smooth things over.

“SNEASLER, FOCUS ON ENSURING THAT OUR TRAINER OVER THERE IS READY FOR THEIR MAKEOVER.” IT announced and walked over to araquanid. Not even looking to see if Sneasler caught her order (she had), her attention was instead on the woman within. Unaware of the stylist’s approach, IT would need to act fast. A shame her stylist was over by her other target. An obstacle to be looked past. “PLEASE DON’T HATE ME FOR WHAT I’M ABOUT TO DO.”

Reaching into the araquanid shell, she grabbed hold of the woman. Ripping her out of the shell, IT set her down. Stripped of her hair, eyes and nails, it was honestly surprising that she was even able to breath on her own.

Taking a moment to compose her thoughts, IT got a clear idea of what she would do with this subject. While the obvious choice, creativity was something that could be looked past here.

“IONO, COULD YOU COVER ME? THIS WILL TAKE A MOMENT.” IT explained and Iono nodded. Looking in the direction of the aether employee, he was attempting to grab another pokeball.

“Bellibolt, Sucker Punch on the trainer!” Iono announced and pointed at the opposing trainer. Bellibolt headed over, his tiny fin charging up with dark energy. Slamming into the grunt’s stomach, he stumbled back. Landing on his ass, a one finger salute hung to his hand.

“Sneas!” Sneasler announced as she ran over. Fist pulled back, she slammed it into her opponent’s chest for good measure. Knocking him out, Sneasler’s attention shifted back to IT. Currently shaping the woman’s body, what looked to be an ariados tattoo had formed on the left arm. For the right, that of an araquanid tattoo had appeared. While that happened, locks of greenish black hair filled with webs formed on the subject’s head, complimenting the blue eyes reminiscent of an Araquanid.

“PERFECT.” IT announced and pulled her hands away. Making a circular motion, a cocoon of yellowish green light appeared. Flashing a couple times, it and the body within disappeared. Letting out a sigh, she approached Iono and company. Picking up the aether employee, the stylist threw him over her back. Heading for the salon, she motioned for Iono to follow right behind. Accepting the invitation, she returned Bellibolt to their pokeball. Slipping it into her pocket, she stepped through.

Inside, the salon was unchanged. Made it all the easier to set the luckless employee into the chair.

“Let me out of here!” the aether employee announced as IT placed a salon cape over his body. Getting it snug, she reached over to the counter. Grabbing a pair of scissors, the stylist held them up for her subject to see.

“DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE I’M GOING TO LET YOU GO? DO YOU WISH TO TAKE YOUR CHANCES WITH YOUR BOSS? HER BOSS? OR PERHAPS THE MANY OTHER FORCES OUT IN THE MULTIVERSE?” IT cooed and the aether employee fell silent. Gazing at Iono, his gaze was not met back. Instead, it was far more focused on IT than him. “I THOUGHT AS MUCH.”

Bringing the scissors closer to the aether’s employee’s hair, IT got to work trimming it into a style more fitting in her mind. What that was, remained to be seen.

“Why are you going along with this? She is clearly a monster! Only monsters go about doing this!” the aether employee announced, Iono shooting him a look. What the heck was he even talking about here? Yes, IT transformed people. But she at least acknowledged that fact. The Aether Foundation did it without even acknowledging what they were doing in the slightest. How acknowledgement made it ‘worse’ in their eyes was a mystery she wasn’t solving anytime soon.

“Because we’re friends.” Iono answered, watching IT cut the employee’s hair. Locks of raven black hair fell to the ground, bringing with it tears. Tempting as it would be to wipe them all away, Iono decided against it. This was not her battle to face. She was only a guest/reluctant helper in this mess. Much like sneasler here. Looking over to the free climb pokemon, she found her companion patiently awaiting mommy’s next command. Even if such a command was likely to be ‘get in the ball’ or ‘throw this lady out to defend for herself’. Typical stuff expected from someone like IT.

“HMM… I THINK BLONDE WOULD WORK MUCH BETTER FOR YOU. ANY PREFERENCES WHEN IT COMES TO THE SHADE, IONO?” IT inquired and Iono raised a finger to her chin. Taking care for her long twintails to not bump into anything, she took the time to think it over. What shade would work here? A part of her was thinking dandelion blonde, but that didn’t feel best. Bleached blonde was always a good option but wasn’t particularly calling to her. Maybe something with a bit of pink in it. Like…

“Strawberry blonde.” Iono suggested and IT set the scissors down. Putting her hands into her subject’s hair, she got to massaging it. As she did so, color-changing pixels appeared across the aether employee’s hair. Turning into the desired shade of strawberry blonde, it brought with it the disappearance of any body hair that this luckless employee had managed to grow. Followed up with a burst of water, the pixels in the aether employee’s hair jumped down to the body. Rapidly spreading, they found their way to the wound created by Sneasler. Taking hold, their body began to be reshaped. Losing an inch of height, said growth instead was placed around the chest area. Rising out, his aether uniform was clearly not designed for such growth.

“SOMETHING CONSERVATIVE.” IT cooed and got back to rubbing. Only now, the stylist had taken to shaping the hair. Going for a beehive of all hairstyles, they reminded Iono of a video she saw the other day. What that video was and why the streamer was reminded of it now of all times eluded her mind. No matter. She could just look it up after this mess was over. Yeah. “This is what you want, don’t you? To be seen as the spouse, rather than the protector here?”

The aether employee looked away, unaware of the reshaping of their facial features. IT was right on the money here. They had tried to hide to the best of their abilities from their colleagues, but they had to know. It was clear as day.

“Yes. Please take me to my fantasies.” the wannabe housewife announced, not even noticing her tone take on that of someone born and raised  in Unova mixed with a touch of sweetness. Expected of someone who lived in the fantasy of spending all their time at home while waiting for their husband and/or wife to get home and perhaps get it on. Maybe even have a nice dinner that the titular housewife whipped up.

“OF COURSE.” IT remarked, watching a rather large bust sprout forth from her subject’s chest. Not quite as large as her own chest, it definitely gave Iono a run for her money. Especially with the vintage undergarments serving to support her girls and add to the homemaker look.

“Do you think you could maybe… you know?” Iono joked and got treated to a glare from IT here. Then it’s back to the wannabe housewife. While she had already known what answer her friend would give, it didn't hurt to at least ask.

“MY ‘MAGIC’ DOESN’T WORK TWICE. NOT WITHOUT CAUSING A FURTHER CHANGE. A CHANGE YOU LIKELY WOULDN’T WANT HERE.” IT answered as the housewife’s jumpsuit twisted and shifted about into that of a pinafore dress. White fabric gave way to a dark blue, the traditional polka-dot pattern coming right after. Tan stockings snaked down her legs, leading right into a pair of blue heeled pumps. Moving up her hands, vibrant blue polish had been applied to her nails. While not likely to be seen particularly often, her significant other definitely would notice.

“It’s been too long since I’ve gotten such an amazing makeover!” the housewife announced as a pearl string appeared around her neck. Reaching out, she was blissfully unaware of her now blue lips and perfectly done up face. “Though, could you be a dear and tell me my name?”

IT held her hand to her mouth.

“OF COURSE.” IT answered and shifted focus over to Iono. Bringing a hand up to her chin, the streamer tried to remember any names that sounded like they came from Unova. Something starting with A too…

“How about, Annabelle?” Iono announced and the housewife’s gaze snapped over. Giving a series of nods, it’s back to IT. Such a perfect name for a perfect housewife.

“That’s right! My name is Annabelle. I’m such a silly goose to forget something like my name. Thank you for that.” Annabelle announced and watched IT remove the salon cape. Setting it off to the side, a portal appeared.

“YOU’RE FREE TO GO.” IT explained, Iono and Sneasler taking care to give Annabelle room in order to walk over to the portal. Stepping through, the housewife took the time to wave. Iono waved, watching the portal and in turn - Annabelle disappeared. Turning back to IT, she got a sigh from the stylist.

“SORRY ABOUT THAT.” IT muttered, only for Iono to grab her hand. Cradling it to the best of her abilities, it felt good. Far too good in fact. She wanted her to stop and yet, something told the stylist to let her continue. At least for a little bit longer.

“Do you still want to go and get a bite to eat?” Iono inquired as she let go of her friend’s hand. IT looked over to Sneasler. The free climb pokemon stared back, giving a thumbs-up. When that somehow wasn’t enough, she pushed her mother closer. Even as the stylist shot her a look.

“I GET IT, my daughter.” IT announced and returned Sneasler. Exiting the salon, she waited a moment for Iono to follow right behind. Once outside, the salon faded away. Turning their attention to the restaurant, they headed over. While they would need to wait to be seated and to get a menu, that didn’t matter.

.

In an entirely different world, a woman with locks of raven black hair paces back and forth. Electric bolt marks on full display, she is dressed in the traditional white rocket uniform. Nothing in the way of a pokemon, though.

“Worm, you better not make me wait again.” the woman announces as a much shorter male grunt cautiously approaches. Taking care to watch out for any potential dangers, he does his best to meet the woman’s gaze.

“I… I… I won’t.” the grunt answers and pulls out a file folder. Handing it to the much taller woman, he braces for impact.

“Good thing there won’t be a next time, worm.” the woman announces and reaches off to the side. Grabbing a whip from a nearby counter and setting the folder in its place, she gets to whipping the luckless grunt. Taking the punishment head-on, it’s a miracle that the woman doesn’t kill him. “Go present yourself to the punishment block. They’ll get you all fixed up.”

The grunt gulped, but ran off nonetheless. As for the woman, she set the whip down. Grabbing the folder, she lifts the lid up.

Involuntary Transformed (IT)

Action Plan

Feeling a smile form on her face, euphoria fills her mind. Yes, she was going to enjoy reopening old wounds and creating new ones to boot…