Hey figured I'd say something here since I may be joining. My character would be a new arrival, maybe even late, if accepted. So nobody has to worry about being the last to join lol.
On the topic of canon characters, for what it's worth, in I considered doing my own take on El Dorado or Jaime Reyes.
Ah crap. Sorry to see this go. Holidays really took some time from me. But time to go back to intermittently checking out the interest checks. Good playing with y'all!
Zeke watched Isla go, the smirk never leaving his face. Of course he'd left himself wide open for the most obvious comeback. He turned back to the cameras, "Cute isn't she? Did she say... she brought home the gold? Well if any old award counts towards the League now, I better start carrying around my medals from the Lilycove Spring Break Beer Olympics." He laughed, and there was a boom from somewhere in the crowd. "These newcomers always get a big head, but it's cool. We can settle it on the pitch."
At that moment Fiona's Pokemon chose to do their display. The combined boom drew all their eyes upward. Zeke rolled his eyes. Flyers. But with the new arrivals and all the showing off, the cameras' attention drifted slowly away from him in different directions. After all, the major leagues were here. The smirk melted off his face as the last of them ran off.
The crowd was in a frenzy and an excited Loudred somewhere in that mass of people was only egging them on. Zeke chuckled to himself then grabbed a Pokeball and called forth his Gallade. The serious Blade Pokemon stood straight and tall and took a quick look at its surroundings. The expression it wore made it clear the celebrations and music and crowd did not impress Gallade. Zeke gave it a moment. And then a light breeze carried the scent of sugar and cinnamon to them. Gallade's head immediately turned in the direction of an array of dessert carts. "All right. Go find Loudred, please. I'm gonna need some extra noise at the Ceremony. Afterwards I'll get you all a donut or waffle or something. Maybe there's Casteliacones somew-" Zeke turned to find that Gallade had already disappeared. Likely at the word donut. He smiled to himself and went to join the other Gym Leaders, even greeting a few them in a friendly manner.
They were soon called to the locker rooms by the Chairman's assistant. Zeke was quick in the locker room. He'd come wearing his uniform shorts, so it was only a matter slipping off the hoodie and changing his shoes for some flip-flops he could slide off quickly. "Well, break a leg out there. Show these challengers what they're in for." He quickly checked his hair in the mirror, then gestured to the others before going off to find his seat.
There were a few seats set on the pitch opposite the entrance everyone would be watching, so Zeke slipped in and took his seat with only a few fans having noticed him. Zeke looked around at the stadium. Thomas's people had done good work. It was almost like they were in a city other than Motostoke. He'd have to pay Thomas a compliment afterward.
Zeke's phone buzzed. Then buzzed again. And again. Them again.
Isha: damn zeke you got rooooooasted Abby: Yeah, that went beyond taking the piss out of someone. Isha: whatd you do cheat on her?
Zeke sighed and began typing out a quick response. It might be a while before the ceremony started.
Brennan: He was acting like a jerk that's what he did. Zeke: shouldnt you be getting ready for the ceremony Zeke: and i told you to stop adding me to your grouptexts Isha: did you really win the beer olympics Brennan: Pretty sure that was a joke. do they even have those in Lilycove Abby: We're all ready. We got here early and changed. We were just watching you be an ass. Abby: And Isha's nervous. Zeke: Isha is nervous? Isha? Isha: its a lot of people Zeke: All you have to do is walk out there. It'll be fine. You all walk in together. Just breathe. And I'll be on the other end of the pitch when you walk out. If you start to panic, just look at me and pretend you're running circles around my Lucario again. Zeke: You're going to do great. Knowing you you'll get addicted to the cheering Isha: i guess Abby: No, he's right. You're going to become a monster Zeke: anyway it looks like everyones ready. i think its time to start soon Brennan: What if we can't find you Zeke: oh you will
Zeke silenced his phone and slipped it back into his pocket as the other minor league leaders began to join him. And then Amaranth's voice poured from the speakers, and Zeke stood up to watch the ceremony. It was a familiar script. It didn't change much from year to year, but it never failed to give him chills. He noticed the figures forming up at the opposite end, ready to make their entrance. Zeke thought back to his own experience in that group. He could remember the first time walking out on to that field as a Gym Leader like it was yesterday. He glanced over at Malik. Could he be thinking about the same thing? But no, the other man had willingly given up his spot. It wasn't the same.
As they were announced, Zeke clapped and cheered as expected. His part had been played and he didn't have to be "on" for the ceremony, thankfully. And yet...
The stadium shook from the crowd's passion. And then Chairman Amaranth announced the challengers. In a flash, Loudred was at Zeke's side. "Ready to give these kids the full experience?" His words could not have possibly reached its ears, but Loudred nodded in understanding. Zeke cheered even louder as the challengers poured out of the tunnel to join the gym leaders on the field. He caught sight of a few familiar faces. As expected Isha took quickly to the cheers and was already basking in the attention. Brennan however, looked around a little timidly. Zeke gestured to Loudred who joyfully added his own booming cries to the noise. It was enough to catch the attention of some, including Brennan and Abby. He smiled and clenched a fist in solidarity. The returned the gesture, standing noticeably taller and more confident.
"Good work buddy," he muttered.
Zeke was in high spirits. This had been as good a send-off as any for these trainers. He'd made sure that they all kept him updated on their progress. Many of the challengers who'd come through his gym still didn't believe he was as invested as he claimed to be. But they promised to let him know.
As Zeke slipped his hoodie back on, he caught the end of a conversation about Victoria. He had noticed she was absent. Elijah too... Something seemed wrong but there didn't seem to be much reason to worry just yet. Even the Chairman thought it could wait.
"All right, so about that meal? What's the plan?" He glanced at Nordrin. "Also I kind of promised Gallade I'd take the team for something sweet."
Ah, Gym Challenge season was here again. The sights, the sounds, the crowds! ...the smells, the smokers, the opressive industrial air. Same as it had been for years. Growing up in the his parents' line of work, Zeke was well-acquainted with this time of year. Even if he hadn't been able to participate, he was well attuned to the big events of Motostoke. They meant work. In fact, Zeke had come into town a few days early specifically to give his parents some extra help around the inn. An oversized porter suit, some sunglasses, and simply keeping his mouth shut made sure nobody realized the guy carrying their bags was a gym leader. He was thankful to finally be on good terms with his parents, though he shuddered to think what his life would be if he had never left Motostoke.
None of that was on his mind now though. The Fighting-type gym leader was currently strutting through the mass of fans come to watch the opening ceremony. His trusted Grapploct accompanied him on his right side, and an excited Loudred danced along on his left. His little hype man would occasionally let out a cry, a blast of sound that could be deafening if not for the Pokemon's own self-restraint. Of course these blasts drew attention to Zeke and he made the most of it. He flexed for the cameras, his arms exposed in his unzipped sleeveless hoodie. He and his Pokemon got a few pictures with fans, made some boyfriends jealous, signed some autographs, insulted some challengers. The usual. There was almost an incident with some local fans of Fiona, but thankfully they backed down at his bluffs. Zeke causing any actual trouble would cause problems for everyone.
Soon a different Pokemon's cry drew the crowd's attention away from him. The roar came from above and was accompanied by a plummeting silhouette backlit with flames. Some of the spectators cringed in fear, but of course the familiar Charizard pulled up at the last second so it could descend a little closer to the gym. The momentary distraction had let Zeke and Grapploct step out of the throng of people before it started rushing the stadium. His Loudred remained part of it, however, and was carried along, adding his own noise to the growing uproar. He'd find his way back to them later. He always did.
"That Charizard's kind of an attention whore, eh?" Zeke muttered to Grapploct, holding back a grin. His Pokemon stared back at him unamused. The two took a detour through a smaller side street. Zeke noticed a passing Weezing and took a few deep breaths, thankful for the brief respite. Without Loudred drawing attention to them and with his hood up, Zeke moved quickly and efficiently, not sticking around long enough for anyone to recognize him. He came out on to the main street just in front of the stadium, and he and Grapploct squeezed through the crowd.
Zeke found Fiona, Hestia, and Isla hanging out in front. He took another deep breath and put his back hood down. Break was over. He approached the girls, noticing Isla was talking to the press. Good, he was glad she could keep them busy for a while. As he walked over to Fiona and Hestia, however, a snippet of Isla's interview drifted over to him. "...Victoria better watch out, because I'm coming for her title." Oh, well, that was just to good a setup. He winked at the Major League leaders then turned to stroll up to Isla and the press.
"Ha! YOU?" he punctuated the question with an exaggerated laugh. "Oh no, Isla's coming for the Champion's spot!" he pitched up his voice in mock worry. "That's cute, but how about you go back to playing in the snow and leave her to someone with some experience, sweetheart. Actually, I'll let you be my cheerleader and watch how I do it." It occurred to Zeke that this was the first time Isla had had to deal with Gym Leader Zeke. But she was a champion snowboarder, she'd certainly dealt with much worse from people who actually meant it. Even as he interrupted her, some jeers went up from the small crowd hanging around to get a look at them. Then a familiar call went out from somewhere in the larger crowd around them and more people joined in. Dammit Loudred...
You should turn around. Give up now and I won't have to embarrass you in front of all these people. -------- All the hard work you've put in will pay off.
NAME: Zeke Webber
AGE: 26
GENDER: Male
BIRTHPLACE: Motostoke
GYM TYPE: Fighting
APPEARANCE:
Standing at 5'11", Zeke has a relatively tall frame made up of lean muscle placing him at 175 lbs. His light skin is tan from frequent time outdoors. He has a tattoo of a dark blue octopus with yellow rings on his left side, with the head on his shoulder and the tentacles reaching out onto his chest. His brown hair matches his similar colored eyes. He keeps it short for practicality and styled into an undercut for show.
For public battles he'll typically wear his bright orange and black uniform shorts with no shirt, and wraps on his hands and feet.
In his personal time, he goes for comfort and wears athletic or leisure clothes in muted colors. Not much one for fashion, he is fond of jeans, t-shirts, henleys, sneakers and hoodies of various thickness and sleeve lengths.
PERSONALITY: Cocky. Vain. Materialistic. A bully. A playboy. Well, that's who he tries to be for the public. They eat that stuff up. It's a persona he made up for himself in his younger, shyer days to deal with nerves. He's since outgrown the need for it, but it's kinda fun.
Despite his larger-than-life battle persona, Zeke is a quiet thoughtful young man. As opposed to the fear that controlled much of his early life, any restraint he shows now is a result of discretion. He never speaks without thinking, and sometimes just doesn't speak at all. Far from coming off as cold, there is a warmth to his silence. He is contemplating, giving each thought and each person the attention he feels they deserve. That said, like most people, he comes alive with his friends or discussing topics of interest to him. Though certainly not the life of the party, Zeke is more open to jokes and watches his tongue a little less when around those who really know him. He's got a knack for bad jokes and playful jabs at his friends and himself.
Zeke is driven above all else to reach his full potential. There is no point in getting out of bed if he doesn't go to bed better than he woke. Despite any public show rivalries, Zeke's biggest opponent is always himself. Like many others, he dreams of being Champion, but in his mind the act of winning it is the important part. It's another rung on an ever higher ladder. Zeke feels most himself when he's in competition or training.
Despite his reserved and cautious nature, Zeke also has something of a rebellious, almost contrary, streak. He can't stand being told what he can or cannot do. Some of his most questionable decisions have been in reaction to criticism of the initial ideas. He extends this idea to others as well. In witnessing an overbearing authority talking down to someone, he'll actively encourage rebellion without thinking. It doesn't always end well.
BIOGRAPHY: Motostoke is pretty unhealthy for kids with asthma. Unsupportive parents are even unhealthier. That's not to say Zeke's parents were bad parents. They just weren't very good either. Busy with the demands of the hospitality industry, they didn't really have time to entertain Zeke's early notions of being a trainer. Then after one too many asthma attacks, his mother decided it'd be best if he stayed inside. The air was cleaner, and the hotel guests' Pokemon were well behaved by necessity. Isolated, he developed into a pale weak child with very little self confidence. Though he had friends, their interactions were limited. He couldn't leave the hotel too often and his friends couldn't be around to disturb the guests. By the time Zeke's friends went off to take part in the Gym Challenge, he didn't even consider going himself. On their way out of town after the ceremony, one of his friends dropped by the hotel and left him a gift. A single Pokeball.
Everything changed on a holiday in Circhester a few months later. It wasn't so much a holiday as a business trip for his parents, but they managed to find some time to visit the baths as well as Circhester Bay. In a rare moment of bravery, Zeke ventured farther from the shore than he was allowed... only to begin drowning in the frigid water. A friendly Clobbopus rescued him. Upon reaching the shore, Zeke was immediately snatched up by his terrified parents and taken back to the hotel. They didn't leave the hotel for the rest of the trip.
The last evening before returning to Motostoke, Zeke snuck out of the hotel while his parents were in a meeting and made his way back to the bay. He wandered a while until he found a friendly Clobbopus wading in the shallow water. The markings seemed familiar so Zeke approached it. "I didn't get a chance to thank you." The Pokemon let out a cry of glee, followed up by an excited punch in the thigh. Zeke fell to the ground, stunned. The panicked Pokemon rushed to try help him to his feet. In that fall, Zeke had felt something. He was reminded of his younger days, running playfully with the other toddlers. Before he was locked away. Zeke sat on the sand looking down at his own hand. He slowly balled it into a fist... and socked the Clobbopus right back. Though there was very little force behind the punch, the Clobbopus comically toppled over, rolling right onto Zeke. And so a friendship was born.
Zeke found his parents apoplectic when he returned. He apologized, genuinely upset that he had caused them so much worry in such a short time. He waited until they were safely back in Motostoke to introduce them to his new friend and make his announcement.
The next ceremony found Zeke in the stadium with all the other excited young challengers. His parents had not been happy. But given time, they'd accepted his decision. It helped that his Pokemon seemed intelligent and reliable, if a little punchy. He could protect Zeke just fine. Still, Zeke was nervous. Terrified, in fact. His small world was about to open up into something immense. But, at least he wasn't alone. He had Clobbopus and all the other trainers going the same way as him.
In time, Zeke became a real Pokemon trainer. It was hard. He went from a sedentary experience to life on the move. The hiking and training with his Pokemon took a toll on him. But the fresh air and active lifestyle renewed him. The sad emptiness in his life was replaced with a burning drive to grow, to become the best trainer, the best person he could be. This drive drew him to others like him. Pokemon looked down on, or worse overlooked entirely. Together they formed a team.
Their drive was tested when Zeke failed in his attempts to earn his seventh gym victory. Try as he might, he had hit a roadblock. After a week of feeling sorry for himself back home, Zeke ventured into the wilds to train so he could try again in the next year. Again he failed to secure the necessary badges. Again he retreated to the wilds, braving all manner of harsh weather, dangerous encounters, training and learning with his Pokemon. The next year found him fall in the second round of the Champions Cup, and Zeke decided his training could use a change. The next few years found him traveling through other regions, occasionally coming back to try his hand at the Champions Cup again and finding varying degrees of success (or failure). After an extended training session on the Isle of Armor, he received a message from a retiring Gym Leader. Would he like to take over?
In the years since, Zeke has developed something of a reputation. His public face as a cocky ruthless gym leader serves as a psychological obstacle to challengers who enter his gym. Trainers who manage to battle him (and those old enough to remember his early years) eventually get to see what he's like off the pitch. Zeke keeps in touch with all those who get to challenge him, cheering on those who make it past him and encouraging those who don't to try again. After all, he knows what a difference having someone believe in you can make.
When not actively on gym duty, Zeke spends a lot of time training away from the city, in the wilderness and exploring dens. These used to be solitary trips, but he's recently begun to occasionally invite other Gym Leaders or challengers to go with him.
TEAM:
Mienfoo - The act is not an act for her. She thinks she's better than every competitor. Loves to win. The rest of the group thinks it's good for her to be humbled now and then. Prefers to stay at the gym when possible Lucario - An older Pokemon. His aging owner couldn't travel and battle anymore so he traded him to Zeke. A little bit petty, enjoys the frustration in gym challengers when he neutralizes their type advantage. Infernape - A born performer. He loves being the center of attention though his flames sometimes burn brighter when they should be burning hotter. Prefers to stay at the gym when possible Hitmonlee -
Grapploct - A dear old friend Poliwrath - A sickly Poliwag from a polluted pond that Zeke nursed back to health. Peppy and upbeat Kommo-o - A small Jangmo-o bullied for her size. She's grown into her own through hard work but can still be insecure from time to time. Breloom - A feisty Shroomish that kept pelting Zeke with seeds from within the trees. Something of a troublemaker Gallade - Found taking shelter from a storm in the same cave as Zeke. A no non-sense Pokemon who puts his all into training. His serious face melts right off in the presence of sweets though. Bewear
Most of these are more focused on their specific art than battling. Sirfetch'd Hitmontop Medicham Hawlucha
Loudred - Hype Man
RELATIONSHIPS: Zeke has a healthy respect for most (all?) of the other gym leaders. Despite their differences, he appreciates that they understand the Pokemon lifestyle. He likes to trash talk in their public appearances but he rarely says anything too out of line without their permission, and usually apologizes afterwards to make sure he didn't cross any lines.
They are his rivals. Simultaneously partners and obstacles in his path forward. What more could he ask for?
Note: I write my CS with the assumption that I can take a later position in the Gym Challenge order
Poggers. So, uh, how we divvying up the Gyms and Major/Minor leagues? Assuming Major/Minor gyms can stack in the same town, but otherwise, are we just calling dibs? I'd like either Hammerlocke, Hulbury, or Stow-on-Side, really.
Not sure if Ambra has anything particular in mind yet. But some possibilities
Stick multiple gyms in a city, more rivalry potential. With people in town choosing a side. Have the minors use the Major gyms in the off season, or just have the minors battle wherever they are Set up some extra gyms in non-traditional locations: small towns we make up, some of us wouldn't mind setting one up in the Wild Area, the DLC areas I don't think we know much about the minor division other than it exists. But I think it might be a cool requirement to give endorsement rights to the minor leaders. You don't necessarily gotta beat em or anything, but definitely impress them
shrug, I figure we'll discuss it once the Discord is set up
Probably getting ahead of myself, but anyone wanna share gym puzzle ideas? I'm thinking Zeke's might involve like... Climbing the same stairs/incline over and over again. A bunch of trap doors or conveyor belts keep sending them back to the beginning.
Maybe there's like a series of two doors to choose between. The wrong choice sends them back to the beginning. There's no actual puzzle to it. It's just rigged so the last combination they try is the right one. Maybe he teases the challenger over the PA with every restart.
Idk, I wanna stick with my Knights and Dragons theme I have in mind, but since someone else already has a knight, I'm not sure now.
Seems like a perfect set up for a rivalry though. Since Eden is an actor I don't know how good his actual swordsmanship skills are? (The CS doesn't mention them specifically I don't think so it could go either way. Perhaps @Lord Orgasmo can enlighten us)
And Z and his Sirfetch'd and Gallade will be calling both of them out anyway :P
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