History Characters / HardEnough

** To Falkner, who was a ContrastingSequelAntagonist of Brock in the core series' games, along with a MythologyGag backstory reminiscent of the anime. Both are considered the youngest Gym Leaders in the Indigo League's history who inherited the position from their absent fathers and are regarded as the "weakest" ones due to being the traditional starting point for up-and-coming Pokemon Trainers in their respective regions. While Brock manages to carve his own path and prove his Gym's worth throughout the story, Falkner is still trying to work past his own Gym's reputation. Also, their personalities are quite different in the [[ElementalPersonalities elemental sense]]; Brock is a Rock-Type Specialist whose capable of holding his ground and not cracking under pressure while Falkner, a Flying-Type Specialist, tends to let his own nerves get the better of him when the pressure becomes too much.

** To Falkner, who was a ContrastingSequelAntagonist of Brock in the core series' games, along with a MythologyGag backstory reminiscent of the anime. Both are considered the youngest Gym Leaders in the Indigo League's history who inherited the position from their absent fathers and are regarded as the "weakest" ones due to being the traditional starting point for up-and-coming Pokemon Trainers in their respective regions. While Brock manages to carve his own path and prove his Gym's worth throughout the story, Falkner is still trying to work past his own Gym's reputation. Also, their personalities are quite different in the [[ElementalPersonality elemental]] sense; Brock is a Rock-Type Specialist whose capable of holding his ground and not cracking under pressure while Falkner, a Flying-Type Specialist, tends to let his own nerves get the better of him when the pressure becomes too much.

* {{Foil}}: See MirrorCharacter below.

* MirrorCharacter: As a result of his actions causing a major divergence, this Brock becomes a mirror for many other characters within the story.
** A big one for Anime!Brock, to the point that the latter would be impressed, clenches his teeth in envy, and[=/=]or feels sorry for him.
*** In the anime, Brock dreams of being a Pokemon breeder, then later became a Pokemon Doctor, but is unable to do so because of his already tough workload. This Brock manages to successfully breed Pokemon and created "new" variant types, all while juggling his guardian and Gym Leader responsibilities.
*** In the anime, Brock is a CasanovaWannabe with at least ''three'' female characters who would've to return his affections (not counting the ones who he doesn't like back) and vice-versa, but missed the timing. Here, he's not only a ChickMagnet, but was in a romantic relationship "once" before breaking things off amicably and is currently a CelibateHero for the time being.
*** In the anime, Brock never held a grudge towards either of his parents for them running off, although he does get justifiably annoyed by them doing so, while this Brock has a very low opinion of them doing so due to his own morals, DeliberateValuesDissonance, more mature mentality, and he tends to [[CallingParentsByTheirName refer to them by their names]] at times.
*** In the anime, Brock is unable to go anywhere because of his duties to his family and Gym until Flint came back. Here, Brock has already gone on his Pokemon journey and due to his accomplishments and more distant relationship with Flint, Brock is now unable to realistically leave to join Ash unless everything he build up so far falls apart without his presence.
*** In the anime, Brock's status as a Rock-Type Pokemon specialist is very much an InformedAttribute due to owning and catching more Pokemon of other ''types'' instead. This Brock, however, is truly the Rock-Type Pokemon specialist he is thanks to owning and training many different Rock-Type Pokemon.
*** More importantly, Anime!Brock is merely an important supporting character while this Brock is practically TheProtagonist.
** This Brock is also a complete foil to ''[[TheHero Ash Ketchum]]'' of all people.

** Like the anime, Brock comes from a broken family by being the sole caretaker of his 9 younger siblings while playing the role of a BigBrotherMentor.
** Appearance-wise, he mostly takes after his incarnation in ''VideoGame/PokémonHeartGoldAndSoulSilver''. Also in the game, he uses Ancient Fossil Pokemon as well.
** He owns a Tyranitar as a starter in his story, much like his ''VideoGame/PokemonMasters'' incarnation.

* AscendedExtra: Moreso than the anime's egregious example, where he was given a backstory and became an important supporting character to Ash and co. throughout the latter's Pokemon journey. Not only is Brock's TheProtagonist, [[ExperiencedProtagonist who has not only gone on his own Pokemon journey]], but the story focuses on him being both a WakeUpCallBoss for new trainers and returning ones and an AudienceSurrogate navigating through the politics and lore of the Pokemon world.

* CompositeCharacter: Besides the reincarnation shtick, this version of Brock is pretty much the accumulation of the ones from the core series games and anime characterization.

*** Most importantly, as of their respective positions in the story, Brock's TheProtagonist ([[AmbiguousSituation possibly]] a [[PinballProtagonist pinball]] one) whereas Ash is a DemotedToExtra RedRookieRanger.

*** Their core battle styles are quite opposites. Brock has a slight tendency for DeliberateInjuryGambit[=/=]StoneWall tactics (not unjustified due to the inherent weaknesses of Rock-Type Pokemon) but is shown to be a very flexible battler. Ash, on the other hand, prefers the LightningBruiser approach and has problems with using Pokemon of the MightyGlacier variety.

* CripplingOverspecialization: As Pewter City's Gym Leader, he specializes in using Rock-Type Pokemon[[note]]Which are known for their natural low-Speed stats, in addition to [[MagicallyIneptFighter Special Attack]][=/=][[WeakToMagic Defense]], but great Physical Attack[=/=]Defense stats in the games. Along with ''[[KryptoniteIsEverywhere five]]'' weaknesses in Type disadvantage[[/note]]. So he downplays this trope as much as possible by working to circumvent such weaknesses by playing their strengths; StatusBuff (Defense Curl, Rock Polish, etc), [[TrapMaster Stealth Rock]], StoneWall, learning movesets of different types, heavy doses of {{Combination Attack}}s, [[ConfusionFu out-of-the-box tactics]], and [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]], and relentless [[{{Determinator}} determination]].
* CompositeCharacter: Besides the reincarnation shtick, this version of Brock is pretty much the accumulation of the ones from the main series games and anime characterization.

* DishingOutDirt: He's Pewter City's Gym Leader after all, and that territory comes with specializing in Rock-Type Pokemon.

* PinballProtagonist: Something that he lampshades in his situation. Regardless of what he accomplishes at the moment, Brock knows that in the grand scheme of things, it's [[TheHero Ash Ketchum]] who would go on to prevent the world-ending disasters on his Pokemon journey and it'll be his role to support him when the time comes. {{Subverted|Trope}} however, as the story shows that "nothing is set in stone", making Brock's eventual decision of whether to join Ash and destroy everything he build up so far or doom the world by not joining him, a MortonsFork.

* TallDarkAndHandsome: He's a tall and well-built man of mystery and a handsome ChickMagnet.

*** At the core of their battle style, Brock has a slight tendency for DeliberateInjuryGambit[=/=]StoneWall tactics while Ash prefers the LightningBruiser approach.

* AsTheGoodBookSays: He makes a reference to ''Literature/TheBible'' (in his thoughts) by witnessing Titan's Fissure move of splitting the ground akin to Moses PartingTheSea. A very amp description for the natural strength of his [[SemiDivine Pseudo-Legendary]] starter.
* AudienceSurrogate: Is one for the readers who have not only played the main series games and its spin-offs, along with watching the anime, but for them to experience a world that is not entirely familiar to them due to its [[PatchworkFic combined]], [[AdaptationExpansion expanded]], and [[AlternateUniverseFic alternate]] lore.
* BigBrotherInstinct: He cares greatly for his siblings' well-being and constantly works to better their living situation. In fact, the main reason why he accepted the challenge against Lance during the exhibition match for the Indigo League is because of the negative feelings the latter stir up for his ''siblings'' upon dismissing Pewter City's Gym on live television.

* {{Foil}}: A big one for Anime!Brock and Ash Ketchum. See MirrorCharacter below.

* MirrorCharacter:
** As a result of his actions causing a major divergence, this Brock is a neat contrast towards Anime!Brock to the point that the latter would be impressed, clench his teeth in envy, and[=/=]or feels sorry for him.

*** In the anime, Brock's status as a Rock-Type Pokemon specialist is very much an InformedAttribute due to owning and catching more Pokemon of other ''types'' instead. This Brock, however, is truly the Rock-Type Pokemon specialist he is thanks to owning and training many pure Rock and Dual-Type Pokemon.
*** Anime!Brock is merely an important supporting character while this Brock is practically TheProtagonist.

*** Brock is the oldest of his siblings and has a poor and distant relationship with his parents while Ash is an only child with a strong and close relationship with his mother.
*** Ash is hinted to possess talent in using Aura, but it never went anywhere. Brock on the other hand, is able to use Aura in his backstory and slowly learning to better harness it upon joining the Aura Guardians.
*** In his backstory, Brock enters a romantic relationship with Sabrina before breaking things off amicably whereas Ash never undergoes any romance, besides a possible reconciliation to Serena's feelings.
*** Whereas Brock managed to garner fame by defeating [[TheAce Lance]] early on in the story in an exhibition match, Ash didn't become well-known as the strongest Pokemon trainer until he defeated ''[[WorldsStrongestMan Leon]]'' in the World Coronation Series near the end of ''Journeys''.

* MirrorCharacter: As a result of his actions causing a major divergence, this Brock is a neat contrast towards Anime!Brock to the point that the latter would clench his teeth in envy and[=/=]or feels sorry for him.
** In the anime, Brock dreams of being a Pokemon breeder, then later became a Pokemon Doctor, but is unable to do so because of his already tough workload. This Brock manages to successfully breed Pokemon and created "new" variant types, all while juggling his guardian and Gym Leader responsibilities.
** In the anime, Brock is a CasanovaWannabe with at least ''three'' female characters who would've to return his affections (not counting the ones who he doesn't like back) and vice-versa, but missed the timing. Here, he's not only a ChickMagnet, but was in a romantic relationship "once" before breaking things off amicably and is currently a CelibateHero for the time being.
** Compare this to the anime, where Brock never held a grudge towards either of his parents for them running off, although he does get justifiably annoyed by them doing so, this Brock has a very low opinion of them doing so due to his own morals, DeliberateValuesDissonance, and more mature mentality, and he tends to [[CallingParentsByTheirName refer to them by their names]] at times.
** In the anime, Brock is unable to go anywhere because of his duties to his family and Gym until Flint came back. Here, Brock has already gone on his Pokemon journey and due to his accomplishments and more distant relationship with Flint, Brock is now unable to realistically leave to join Ash unless everything he build up so far falls apart without his presence.
** In the anime, Brock's status as a Rock-Type Pokemon specialist is very much an InformedAttribute due to owning and catching more Pokemon of other ''types'' instead. This Brock, however, is truly the Rock-Type Pokemon specialist he is thanks to owning and training many pure Rock and Dual-Type Pokemon.
** Anime!Brock is merely an important supporting character while this Brock is practically TheProtagonist.

* CripplingOverspecialization: As Pewter City's Gym Leader, he specializes in using Rock-Type Pokemon[[note]]Which are known for their natural low-Speed stats, in addition to [[MagicallyIneptFighter Special Attack]][=/=][[WeakToMagic Defense]], but great Physical Attack[=/=]Defense stats in the games[[/note]]. So he downplays this trope as much as possible by working to circumvent such weaknesses by playing their strengths; StatusBuff (Defense Curl, Rock Polish, etc), [[TrapMaster Stealth Rock]], StoneWall, learning movesets of different types, heavy doses of {{Combination Attack}}s, [[ConfusionFu out-of-the-box tactics]], and [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]], and relentless [[{{Determinator}} determination]].

* {{Foil}}:
** As a result of his actions causing a major divergence, this Brock is a neat contrast towards Anime!Brock to the point that the latter would clench his teeth in envy and[=/=]or feels sorry for him.
*** In the anime, Brock dreams of being a Pokemon breeder, then later became a Pokemon Doctor, but is unable to do so because of his already tough workload. This Brock manages to successfully breed Pokemon and created "new" variant types, all while juggling his guardian and Gym Leader responsibilities.
*** In the anime, Brock is a CasanovaWannabe with at least ''three'' female characters who would've to return his affections (not counting the ones who he doesn't like back) and vice-versa, but missed the timing. Here, he's not only a ChickMagnet, but was in a romantic relationship "once" before breaking things off amicably and is currently a CelibateHero for the time being.
*** Compare this to the anime, where Brock never held a grudge towards either of his parents for them running off, although he does get justifiably annoyed by them doing so, this Brock has a very low opinion of them doing so due to his own morals, DeliberateValuesDissonance, and more mature mentality, and he tends to [[CallingParentsByTheirName refer to them by their names]] at times.
*** In the anime, Brock is unable to go anywhere because of his duties to his family and Gym until Flint came back. Here, Brock has already gone on his Pokemon journey and due to his accomplishments and more distant relationship with Flint, Brock is now unable to realistically leave to join Ash unless everything he build up so far falls apart without his presence.
*** In the anime, Brock's status as a Rock-Type Pokemon specialist is very much an InformedAttribute due to owning and catching more Pokemon of other ''types'' instead. This Brock, however, is truly the Rock-Type Pokemon specialist he is thanks to owning and training many pure Rock and Dual-Type Pokemon.
*** Anime!Brock is merely an important supporting character while this Brock is practically TheProtagonist.
** This Brock is also a complete foil to ''[[TheHero Ash Ketchum]]'' of all people.
*** Unlike Ash, Brock is TheStoic ExperiencedProtagonist in contrast to his HotBlooded IdiotHero.
*** Brock has already gone on his Pokemon journey before cutting things short while Ash is just about to start his journey.
*** Brock is the oldest of his siblings and has a poor and distant relationship with his parents while Ash is an only child with a strong and close relationship with his mother.
*** In his backstory, Brock enters a romantic relationship with Sabrina before breaking things off amicably whereas Ash never undergoes any romance, besides a possible reconciliation to Serena's feelings.
*** Whereas Brock managed to garner fame by defeating [[TheAce Lance]] early on in the story in an exhibition match, Ash didn't become well-known as the strongest Pokemon trainer until he defeated ''[[WorldsStrongestMan Leon]]'' in the World Coronation Series near the end of ''Journeys''.

* OpenSecret: It's no secret that Brock's family situation is pretty much well-known throughout Pewter City and beyond.

* NoSell: Thanks to his Dark-Type Aura, he's unaffected by PsychicPowers involving {{telepathy}} and [[{{Seers}} clairvoyance]], [[CombatClairvoyance including in battle]]. A good thing too if someone were to actually see his PastLifeMemories.

* PinballProtagonist: Something that he lampshades in his situation. Regardless of what he accomplishes at the moment, Brock knows that in the grand scheme of things, it's [[TheHero Ash Ketchum]] who would go on to prevent the world-ending disasters on his Pokemon journey and it'll be his role to support him when the time comes. However, the story also shows that nothing is set in stone, making Brock's eventual decision of whether to join Ash and destroy everything he build up so far or doom the world by not joining him, a MortonsFork.

* NoSell: Is able to be unaffected by PsychicPowers involving {{telepathy}} and [[{{Seers}} clairvoyance]], [[CombatClairvoyance including in battle]].

* KiManipulation: He's able to use ''Aura'', complete with a Dual-Type for Rock and Dark. But so far, only uses it for calming effects and being hyper-aware of his surroundings. And as a side-effect of his Dark Aura, is able to NoSell {{Telepathy}} and CombatClairvoyance used by Psychic Trainers.

* LockedOutOfTheLoop: {{Inverted|Trope}}. Very early on in the story, Brock narrates that he has no intention of ''ever'' revealing his past life. This also makes sense as not only would that bring a lot of trouble in the long run, but his situation would sound so convoluted that no one would believe him anyway.

* OutsideContextProblem: Even in a world where there are magical creatures that could bend the elements, create natural disasters, and warp reality to an extent, Brock's reincarnation situation along with his PastLifeMemories would still be beyond what anybody could think of or anticipated. As well as the fact that Brock's older mentality and meta-knowledge of the Pokemon franchise allow him to accomplish more than what the original Brock could've ever done or dreamed of.

* AscendedExtra: Moreso than the anime egregious example, where he was given a backstory and became an important supporting character to Ash and co. throughout the latter's Pokemon journey. Not only is Brock's TheProtagonist, [[ExperiencedProtagonist who has not only gone on his own Pokemon journey]], but the story focuses on him being both a WakeUpCallBoss for new trainers and returning ones and an AudienceSurrogate navigating through the politics and lore of the Pokemon world.
* AudienceSurrogate: Is one for the readers who have not only played the main series games and its spin-offs, along with watching the anime, but for a world that is not entirely familiar to them due to its [[PatchworkFic combined]], [[AdaptationExpansion expanded]], and [[AlternateUniverseFic alternate]] lore.

* CallingParentsByTheirName: What to know what Brock thinks of Lola and Flint for their abandonment, despite knowing that it'll happen regardless? He tends to refer to them by their names, even in front of some of his siblings at times, at least very rarely.

* MightyGlacier: He uses Rock-Type Pokemon, which are known for their natural low-Speed stats, in addition to [[MagicallyIneptFighter Special Attack]] and [[WeakToMagic Defense]], but great Physical Attack and Defense stats in the games. So he downplays this trope as much as possible by working to circumvent such weaknesses by playing their strengths; StatusBuff (Defense Curl, Rock Polish, etc), [[TrapMaster Stealth Rock]], StoneWall, learning movesets of different types, and heavy doses of {{Combination Attack}}s, [[ConfusionFu out-of-the-box tactics]], and [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]].

* MightyGlacier: He uses Rock-Type Pokemon, which are known for their natural lack of Speed but great Physical Attack and Defense stats in the games. So he downplays this trope as much as possible by working to circumvent such weaknesses by playing their strengths; StatusBuff (Defense Curl, Rock Polish, etc), [[TrapMaster Stealth Rock]], StoneWall, learning movesets of different types, and heavy doses of {{Combination Attack}}s, [[ConfusionFu out-of-the-box tactics]], and [[CombatPragmatist pragmatism]].

* MightyGlacier: He uses Rock-Type Pokemon, which are known for their natural lack of Speed but great Physical Attack and Defense stats in the games. So he downplays this trope as much as possible by working to circumvent such weaknesses by playing their strengths; StatusBuff moves (Defense Curl, Rock Polish, etc), [[TrapMaster Stealth Rock]], StoneWall tactics, and heavy doses of CombinationAttack and ConfusionFu.

* AudienceSurrogate: Is one for the readers who have not only played the main series games and its spin-offs, along with watching the anime, but for a world that is not familiar to them due to its [[PatchworkFic combined]], [[AdaptationExpansion expanded]], and [[AlternateUniverseFic alternate]] lore.
* BigBrotherMentor: He serves as this to his siblings and any up-and-coming Pokemon trainers, or returning ones, to who challenge his Gym.

[[/folder]]

* MirrorCharacter:

** This Brock is also a complete {{foil}} to ''[[TheHero Ash Ketchum]]'' of all people. On the virtue of being a [[TheStoic stoic]] ExperiencedProtagonist in contrast to Ash's HotBlooded RookieRedRanger. Also, Brock has managed to garner fame by defeating [[TheAce Lance]] early on in the story in an exhibition match whereas Ash didn't become well-known as the strongest Pokemon trainer until he defeated ''[[WorldsStrongestMan Leon]]'' in the World Coronation Series near the end of ''Journeys''.

*** In the anime, Brock is a CasanovaWannabe with at least ''three'' female characters who would've to return his affections (not counting the ones who he doesn't like back) and vice-versa, but missed the timing. Here, he's not only a ChickMagnet, but was in a romantic relationship "once" before breaking things off amicably and isn't focused on romance at the time being.

** This Brock is also a complete {{foil}} to [[TheHero Ash Ketchum]] of all people. On the virtue of being a [[TheStoic stoic]] ExperiencedProtagonist in contrast to Ash's HotBlooded RookieRedRanger.

* DramaticIrony: As a result of his actions diverging off the anime, this Brock manages things that would make Anime!Brock clenches his teeth in envy and[=/=]or feels sorry for him.
** Unlike the anime, where Brock dreams of being a Pokemon breeder, then later became a Pokemon Doctor, and is a CasanovaWannabe with at least ''three'' female characters who would've to return his affections (not counting the ones who he doesn't like back) and vice-versa, but missed the timing, this Brock manages to successfully breed Pokemon and created "new" variant types, all while juggling his guardian and Gym Leader responsibilities, and is a ChickMagnet who was in a romantic relationship "once" before breaking things off amicably.
** Compare this to the anime, where Brock never held a grudge towards either of his parents for them running off, although he does get justifiably annoyed by them doing so, this Brock has a very low opinion of them doing so due to his own morals, DeliberateValuesDissonance, and more mature mentality, and he tends to [[CallingParentsByTheirName refer to them by their names]] at times.
** In the anime, Brock is unable to go anywhere because of his duties to his family and Gym until Flint came back. Here, due to his accomplishments and more distant relationship with Flint, Brock is now unable to realistically leave to join Ash unless everything he build up so far falls apart without his presence.

* AscendedExtra: Moreso than the anime, where he was given a backstory and became an important supporting character to Ash and co. throughout the latter's Pokemon journey. Here, Brock's TheProtagonist, [[ExperiencedProtagonist who has not only gone on his own Pokemon journey]], but the story focuses on him being both WakeUpCallBoss for new trainers and returning ones, and navigating through the politics and lore of the Pokemon world.

Characters and Pokemon who appeared in ''Hard Enough''.

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