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Lee Henson and Team
Lee Henson
Lee Henson
A middle-aged zookeeper who never outgrew Pokémon, he awakened in the Hoenn region after a nuclear explosion destroyed his world. With help from Professor Birch, he became a Lab Trainer alongside Brendan.
Vulpix/Ninetales
Vulpix/Ninetales
Lee's starter, a Fire-type kitsune Pokémon that somehow manifested in the real world from his modded Pokémon Emerald game. She is fiercely loyal to and protective of Lee, and the two share a strong psychic bond through her powers.Her Ability is Drought.
- Living Emotional Crutch: She becomes this to Lee for the early parts of the story. Slowly downplayed as Lee gradually works through his trauma.
- Long-Lived: Information states that Ninetales can live up to 1,000 years. Deconstructed at first as she abhors the thought of outliving Lee but she ultimately chooses to evolve to achieve her potential and gain enough power to protect her trainer.
Treecko/Grovyle
Treecko/Grovyle
A Grass-type leaf-tailed gecko Pokémon originally obtained by Ash Ketchum, Lee caught him to save his life when his home tree was destroyed. A quick-witted and quick-footed fighter.- The Gift: Grovyle is shown time and again to be a talented battler. One moment has him learn Detect during an intense battle against Andre’s Absol. Lee calls him a kinetic genius.
Corvi
Corvi the Corvisquire/Corviknight
A Normal/Flying-type (Steel/Flying after evolving) raven Pokémon native to Galar whom Lee caught in Petalburg Woods. Aloof and ruthless due to his troubled past, he grudgingly warms up to Lee's care.- The Gift: Unlike the norm for his species, he can use Extremespeed.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's mean, capricious, antisocial, and deathly loyal to Lee after he returns.
- Older and Wiser: The burning hatred that spurred his evolution from Rookidee and defined his entire life as a Corvisquire finally cools into something refined and controlled when he evolves into Corviknight, as he affirms the resolve to never lose someone he cares about again.
Shinx
Shinx
An Electric-type lion cub Pokémon native to Sinnoh, Lee found her in the care of a breeder in Slateport's market. Lee adopted her due to a memory of another cub he raised, and she begins training to battle shortly after the clash with Team Magma at Mount Chimney. Octillery
Octillery
A Water-type octopus Pokémon, Lee found him dying of iron poisoning on the way to Lavaridge Town, and caught him to save his life. A cunning and erudite fighter, when Lee offered him freedom, he chose to stay due to Ninetales's glowing endorsement of Lee.- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: The only genuine part of his behavior is his intelligence. Beneath his amicable and sociable mask is a creature of cold logic with a Lack of Empathy who looks down on almost everyone around him. His companions are, by and large, only a bother to him that have tempted him to go his own way more than once, and his only reason for agreeing to join Lee was to understand why Ninetales cared about him so much, because he wants to be able to counter it.
- Break the Haughty: The disaster on Mount Chimney seems to have taken its toll on him; in the aftermath, he makes no attempt to keep up his cheerful façade.
- Instant Expert: When Lee uses the Psychic TM on Octillery, he only needs 20 minutes to harness the power and form it into a cushion beneath him to neutralize friction for easier movement. Not quite levitation, but one step away from it.
- Lack of Empathy: First shown in Act 2: Interlude 3, Octillery has been numb to emotions for most of his life, ever since he barely outthought and escaped from a group of vicious Water-type predators. He wears a convincing mask, but he's relied on the strength of his mind for so long that he can't comprehend the strength of the heart. Indeed, the chapter shows that the only reason he joined Lee was that when Ninetales told him how important he was to her, the numbness in his mind wavered for the first time, and he's determined to learn what caused it.
- What Is This Feeling?: Revealed in Act 2: Interlude 3 to be the reason that Octillery joined Lee; feeling Ninetales's fervent affection for Lee, the numbness that he's hidden behind for most of his life wavers, and he's determined to understand what caused it.
Sylveon
Sylveon
A Fairy-type Pokémon with feline, canine, and rabbit-like anatomy, Lee met her while searching for an Eevee to add to his team as an aide to Evelyn, a Pokémon Breeder in Verdanturf. Having evolved due to affection toward a human who turned her down, she was on the verge of dying of a broken heart, but Lee persuaded her to find a new reason to live.- Combat Medic: She's forecasted to be one, as Evelyn says she knows Wish.
- The Empath: Sylveon, as a species, can read the emotions of anyone touching its ribbons. Lee knows this, and uses it to make his intentions clear to her when words aren't enough.
- Unrequited Love Lasts Forever: According to a Fairy-type expert Evelyn consulted, Sylveon will be pining after her first love until the grave.
Brendan Birch and Team
Brendan Birch
Brendan Birch
The son of Professor Nigel Birch and one of his Lab Trainers, he began traveling with Lee after training with him for several weeks. An energetic and earnest young man.- The Chessmaster: Lee compares Brendan's battling style to someone playing chess: every attack is carefully measured to preserve his Pokémon's stamina and strike with maximum efficiency.
- Hidden Depths: Brendan has a solid understanding of history and foreign politics. Justified since Professor Birch ensured he’d have a thorough education.
Mudkip/Marshtomp
Mudkip/Marshtomp
Brendan's starter, a Water-type (Water/Ground after evolution) mudfish Pokémon. A cheerful but determined fighter.- The Determinator: He's introduced right before he starts sparring with Lee's Vulpix, who thrashes him despite the type advantage. And he and Brendan keep coming back for more after every loss.
- Made of Iron: He generally takes high levels of punishment in most battles and is none the worse for wear.
- Super-Senses: He has the ability to sense vibrations in the ground or air with his fins.
Shroomish/Breloom
Shroomish/Breloom
A Grass-type (Grass/Fighting after evolution) mushroom Pokémon who practically allowed himself to be caught by Brendan on the road to Oldale Town due to starvation. Mawile
Mawile
A Steel/Fairy-type based off of the two-mouthed woman yokai, Brendan caught her in the depths of Granite Cave where she had been terrorizing a group of Lairon. A mischievous but loyal Pokémon Electrike
Electrike
An Electrike with the Giant's Gene, his egg was stolen early in Lee and Brendan's journey, and Lee pacified his mother Manectric by returning the egg; impressed, she later returned to request Lee raise her child, but accepted his deference to Brendan instead.Zinnia and Team
Zinnia
Lorekeeper Zinnia
A Dragon Tamer and member of the Draconid Tribe, an upbeat but dangerous woman who is on a mission to prevent the destruction of Hoenn at any cost. She joins Lee's group after defeating him in Oldale Town.- Blood Knight: She’s constantly seeking out strong opponents to battle. Zinnia does so to help strengthen her Pokémon to be worthy of her title as Lorekeeper.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Zinnia is the most brash of the group, rarely filtering her thoughts and is most likely to support more aggressive options. She also shows nothing but support for her Pokémon and gradually comes to see Brendan and Lee as true friends.
- No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction: Zinnia’s enthusiasm is dampened after facing Ash (who battled with his new Hoenn Pokémon rather than his veteran Pikachu) in Rustboro City.
Shelgon
Shelgon
A quadrupedal cocoon-like Dragon-type Pokémon, likely Zinnia's starter, he evolved from Bagon after defeating Lee's Vulpix. A fierce and protective Pokémon loyal to his trainer and team. Swablu/Altaria
Swablu/Altaria
A Normal/Flying-type bird (Dragon/Flying-type dragon post-evolution) Pokémon with cloud-like wings. She evolves in Chapter 2-21. Goomy
Goomy
A Dragon-type slug Pokémon more timid than the rest of the team, but a surprisingly powerful fighter.- Cowardly Lion: Goomy has the lowest self-esteem on Zinnia’s team but can put up a good fight when sufficiently roused.
- Poisonous Person: While he isn’t a Poison-Type, his antennae can inflict Toxic levels of poisoning on an opponent should they hit. This proves instrumental in defeating Andre’s Absol.
Tyrunt
Tyrunt
A Rock/Dragon-type Tyrannosaurus Pokémon resurrected from a Jaw Fossil. Noivern
Noivern
A Flying/Dragon-type bat-wyvern Pokémon that Zinnia captured in the Meteorfall Crater.Other Characters
Nigel Birch
Professor Nigel Birch
The Professor of the Pokémon Lab in Littleroot Town, Brendan's father and Lee's benefactor, he profits greatly from every new development that Lee brings to the world.- Retired Badass: He was a ruthlessly powerful trainer in his day, and his retirement to focus on his family was met with much disapproval.
- Secret-Keeper: He is the first human who learns the full truth of Lee's origins.
Ash Ketchum
Ash Ketchum
Protagonist of the Pokémon anime, a young man from Pallet Town in Kanto on his own journey challenging the Hoenn League. His group and Lee's cross paths from time to time and are largely on good terms.- Age Lift: Instead of being 10 forever, Ash is 12 when he’s finally introduced.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Ash isn’t the brightest kid around, whether it’s falling for Team Rocket’s disguises or being fooled by Double Team. But in battle, he's no pushover, as Andre’s Absol found out firsthand.
- Experienced Protagonist: Ash has already completed the Indigo and Johto Leagues and proves to be a tough battler.
- Heroic BSoD: When Ash learns about how Gym Leaders have true teams and that he never faced any during his circuits in Kanto or Johto (save for Brock, who wasn’t that tough to begin with), Ash falls into a temporary depression, questioning his skills.
Ash's Group
Pikachu
Ash's starter and strongest companion, an Electric-type murine Pokémon with ludicrous power.Taillow
A Normal/Flying-type swallow Pokémon that Ash caught in Petalburg Woods.Seedot/Nuzleaf
A Grass-type acorn Pokémon (Grass/Dark tengu after evolution) that Ash caught in Petalburg Woods in place of a Treecko.May Maple
One of Ash's traveling companions, she is the daughter of Norman Maple, leader of the Petalburg Gym. Though a skilled trainer, she dreams of being a Pokémon Coordinator.Torchic
May's starter, a Fire-type chicken Pokémon.Max Maple
One of Ash's traveling companions and May's younger brother, he is too young to have his own Pokémon but is well-studied in Pokémon moves and species.Brock
One of Ash's longtime traveling companions, he is the former Gym Leader of Pewter City, specializing in Rock-type Pokémon. As an aspiring Pokémon Breeder, he handles nutrition for Ash's group.Forretress
A Bug/Steel-type bagworm Pokémon that Brock caught as a Pineco in Johto, and the only Pokémon Brock brought with him to Hoenn. Andre
Andre
A skilled but bellicose Dark-type trainer who looks down on every Trainer he meets. He specializes in Detect strategies and is implied to have some estranged relation to Sidney of the Elite Four.- Jerkass: While he cares about his Pokémon, Andre shows no hesitation in insulting other people and assuming the worst about them. He intentionally riled up Zinnia and slanders Lee when he first meets them.
- Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond: Andre is introduced as a powerful trainer on Dewford Island compared to all the casual trainers he crosses there, even as a previous tournament winner. His losses to Lee and Ash prove he’s not so insurmountable.
- Pet the Dog: He doesn't seem to have a nice word for any fellow human, but the love and care he has for his team is plain from the loyalty they show him.
- This Cannot Be!: He has this reaction when he loses to Lee and Zinnia for the first time. And it happens again when Ash beats him.
Courtney
Magma Admin Courtney
An almost mechanically stoic young woman and one of Team Magma's highest-ranked members, she joined Lee's group to investigate a potential threat to Maxie's plans, initially unaware that Zinnia and Lee already knew who she was.- Becoming the Mask: Brendan was the only member of the group who was ignorant of Courtney's true affiliation, and he even developed a crush on her. When the events of Mount Chimney are on the horizon, Courtney, previously unquestioningly loyal to Maxie, is incredibly reluctant to attack Brendan if he doesn't choose her side.
