Nihilego (dubbed UB-01 Symbiont by the Aether Foundation Science Team)
Morphs [Oak Catalog #]
- Nihilego [793]
Physical Description(s)
Prior to the Aether Incident, Nihilego was considered an urban legend. As such, there have been many conflicting accounts of what the Pokémon looks like. The two most common descriptions stated that it either appeared to be a young girl or a luminescent jellyfish-like creature. Cryptozoologists and conspiracy theorists often combined the two accounts, characterizing it as a shapeshifter that can take on both of the aforementioned forms.
Footage released after the Aether Incident1. 1 1. 2 reveals that both accounts are true, though Nihilego is by no means a shapeshifter. Instead, the Pokémon resembles a jellyfish but it’s easy to see how it could be mistaken for a little girl if one's vision was to be partially obstructed.
The top of the Pokémon resembles a large sunhat. The “bell” of the “hat” is partially transparent save for six stars (six points each) positioned at regular intervals around the crown. The “brim” is wavy with the dips marking the intervals between the stars. On the very outer part of the “brim”, there is a blue outline, surrounding the entire circumference of it.
Below the “hat” is white tentacles 2 that resemble the hair, dress, and legs of a little girl. The tentacles start at the very bottom of the “hat” where three small tentacles 2 form the “bangs” of the “hair.” Four more protrusions create the side “locks” of the “hair” and following that one long tentacle 2 that splits into eight more forming the “dress” with the center two being longer than the others, giving the Pokémon its “legs.”
There are rumors that a yellow-colored version of the Pokémon exists as well.
Notable Biology
According to analyses of alleged tissue samples, Nihilego's body appears to be made out of a glass-like substance with a gelatinous consistency 3 and lacks a skeleton. The Pokémon does not seem to have any sort of organs, including a brain and reproduction system. It is therefore considered genderless. Reportedly, it is covered in some sort of neurotoxin which would indicate that it has glands somewhere on its body to secrete the chemical.
Most curiously, the Pokémon seems to be able to fuse with and/or assimilate a human host, as it fused with Lusamine. It is unknown how it might achieve this, but it is possible that the fusion was actually Lusamine’s doing.
Habitat
Nihilego lives in an alternate dimension dubbed “Ultra Space” by the Aether Foundation science team. The specific area within Ultra Space that Nihilego lives in has been dubbed “Ultra Deep Sea.” It is unknown if life forms other than Nihilego and the other native Pokémon 4 live in Ultra Space.
Most technology, excluding Pokèballs, will short out upon entering Ultra Space. As such, if you enter Ultra Space you will be unable to call for help if you get lost or are otherwise unable to get back to Normal Space.
While there have only been three Nihilego spotted in Normal Space, there are reportedly many in Ultra Space, almost to the same level as Rattata and Zubat in Normal Space.
There seems to be no relation between Ultra Space and the Distortion World, where Giratina lives.
Diet
The Pokémon is carnivorous in nature, though it is unknown how it eats. It reportedly uses its toxins to subtly alter its prey’s behavior in order to make it easier to catch. If what the released files say is true, it preys on both humans and Pokémon.
Hazards
The Pokémon is extremely hazardous. Approaching it without heavy protection is not advised. According to the accounts of the Aether Incident, it is capable of powering up normal Pokémon with the power of Totem Pokémon 5 . However, it could possibly have been Lusamine’s doing or a side effect of being in Ultra Space for too long.
The most important thing to watch out for is the Pokémon’s neurotoxin. Subjects exposed to it end up with their brain chemistry subtly altered to stimulate intense feelings of excitement and release any latent potential within a subject. Too much exposure to the toxin will drive one insane 6 . When approaching the Pokémon (which, due to the aforementioned reasons, is not advisable) it is a good idea to take Pokémon that has the advantage against Rock- and Poison-Types.
If the aforementioned fusion was not Lusamine’s doing, it would be prudent to watch out for that. Any human to fuse with Nihilego would be subjected to enough neurotoxin to overload their central nervous system, putting them in a catatonic state.
Courting and Childrearing
It is theorized by the Aether Foundation Science Team that Nihilego reproduces asexually via an egg sack dubbed a planula. The planula latches onto a rock where it will begin to grow into a new Nihilego. It is unknown how it does this as it, as mentioned before, seems to have no organs.
Social Structure
Nihilego appears to be independent Pokémon, not showing any real interaction with each other from what little we have seen and heard of them.
In Human Culture
While Nihilego was still an urban legend, it inspired an author to write a book about an eldritch Pokèmon that drove people mad and slept at the bottom of the ocean. This eventually evolved into a franchise featuring eldritch abominations based on Nihilego's other Ultra Beast kin. The revelation of Nihilego's existence has resulted in a surge of popularity for this franchise.
Entry brought to you by BackSet1, who has told us to advise you to never talk to “that Faba guy.”
