Pokémon Unbound / Characters

The main characters of Pokémon Unbound.

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Main Characters

Player Character

Francis/Fresia

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_18.png

^{Concept art by Phosie P, designed by trietnio:}

The playable protagonist of this game. After suddenly being warped into the base of the Shadows by Hoopa, you uncover a mysterious plot that threatens all of Borrius.

The Ace: Despite being a newbie trainer, they aid in defeating the Shadows and the Light of Ruin, fight and defeat several legendaries, often back-to-back without rest, and succeed the previous Champion. It's to a point where you seem to be helping your partners and friends, rather than the other way around - something Lampshaded by Jax (and Ivory during her boss battle on Route 9, on higher difficulties).
Almighty Janitor: You become this, once the Black Emboar accept you into their gang, with even the leader James renaming it after you. You even carry out several Missions for them in Antisis City, and are considered by far to be the best battler in the gang. At least, up until a raid gone wrong forces the gang to disband, leaving you to carry on their legacy.
Always Someone Better: The Player is this to Ace, since they, with the possible exception of the first bout at Frozen Heights, must defeat him to progress through the game—over and over and over again. At the end of the main story, they are this to Jax as well, having beaten him to become the new Champion.
Anti-Hero: Downplayed. You are on the side of good, and you're always putting a stop to villains and criminals, like the Shadows and the various gangs throughout Borrius like the Black Emboar and Terror Granbull. However, after defeating the Black Emboar's leader, they name the gang after you, take a liking to you, and you're able to help them do some shady stuff like smuggling and theft. That said, even if you're working with criminals, you're still helping take down another set of criminals, namely the Black Ferrothorn.
Badass Biker: In a first for the main series ^note, you are this. Rather than just get a regular bicycle, defeating the Black Emboar not only yields you a motorcycle, the gang even renames themselves after you, which would indeed make you part of a biker gang. The motorcycle is functionally the same as the bicycle though, just letting you travel around faster, but your motorcycle also has a turbo boost function, letting you travel around really fast.
Badass in Distress: Despite their status as The Ace, they do get transported elsewhere against their will a LOT (up to and including: the Shadows' Base, a hiding place at Cinder Volcano, then the KBT south of Crater Town, the Ruins of Void, Cube Space, and the Distortion World). Heck, the first time we see the Player, the game opens with them being whisked away from their bed!
Bad Liar: During the interrogation by Zeph after being kidnapped at Crater Town, the Player tries telling him they weren't following anyone's orders during the Cinder Volcano incident, but Zeph doesn't believe them, saying that they're barely even trying to think of a more plausible lie.
Bash Brothers: There are plenty of Multi Battles in this game, where the player has to team up with several different Trainers over the course of the story, and through various missions.
- Jax is your most common partner, as you team up with at Cinder Volcano, Route 9, and once more for a postgame mission at the Ruins of Void.
- Your rival Ace fights alongside you at Crystal Peak, close to the climactic confrontation with the Big Bad.
- You team up with Marlon at Cinder Volcano to fight against Véga (just by himself on Expert or Insane, paired with a grunt otherwise).
- Two NPCs can also be teamed up with on separate Missions, although functionally they are both identical - they're Poké Kids with Pikachu as their partner.
- One Mission also sees the Player team up with Tessy in Cootes Bog, to drive out the Terror Granbull causing havoc there.
Battle in the Rain: Your second battle against Marlon at Thundercap Mt. takes place during a thunderstorm, so the battle has permanent rain.
Breaking Old Trends: Unlike most Pokémon protagonists, you do not have a hat. You can however, acquire Red's hat and his outfit after trading with him twice. Also unlike most protagonists, you actually do get to see your dad, well, sort of. You only run into him briefly in Cube Space and there isn't much time for you to catch up, but he helps you and Marlon return to Borrius.
Character Customization: You have a choice of gender and skin tone like in most Pokémon games, but you can also customize the colours of your outfit. You also acquire a few more outfits throughout the game, namely Marlon's, a special outfit for becoming the Champion, and Red's outfit.
Chronic Hero Syndrome: There is seemingly no hesitation on the Player's part to get involved with taking the next step to thwart the Shadows, gangs such as the Terror Granbull, and that's not even mentioning the Missions the Player can complete, a lot of which involve helping someone in distress, rescuing people, etc.
Damsel out of Distress: Despite the Player's tendency to get kidnapped or imprisoned, they regularly fight their way out. That includes fighting their way past a guard alongside Ace with some newly acquired Pokémon, defeating both Ivory and Zeph in succession after they kidnap the Player, and defeating Giratina, impressing it enough to let them and Jax out of the Distortion World.
Determinator: Always presses on, working to get the next badge for the next step in thwarting the antagonists, even powering through obstacles that shouldn't be overcome by ordinary people. Marlon even comments on their stubborness, at Thundercap Mt., perhaps combined with Achievement In Ignorance:
Marlon: "You again! What were those guards doing? I had them all stationed to prevent you or that green-hatted boy from interfering! I even destroyed the stairs behind me... and yet... you're here. How did you manage to pull it off...? It would take a monumental amount of stubbornness to not realize it was supposed to be impossible."
Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?:
- Most mainline protagonists usually just have to deal with only one Legendary Pokémon at their story's climax. Here, you have to fight several, and some fights are consecutive. These include: Raikou, Entei, Suicune (all back to back), Ho-Oh, Lugia (also back to back), Primal Groudon, Giratina, Reshiram and Zekrom (in a Dual Boss fight), Mega Rayquaza and Hoopa-Unbound (also a Dual Boss, and is back to back with a Dynamaxed Hoopa-Unbound immediately after on Insane difficulty). These fights are also special in that the boss Pokémon all have boosted stats (called a Totem boost, like the Totem bosses from Alola) and can ignore certain moves that would normally cheese such fights like Destiny Bond or Encore.
- In the postgame, there are plenty of Legendaries and Mythicals that can be challenged and caught. However, many of them won't go down without a fight, as some of them are fought in a Dynamax battle, and some of them have the totem boost like the aforementioned Legendaries as well.
Disappeared Dad: Like most Pokémon protagonists, the Player's father is missing for the most part. All they hear for the most part was how he was a legendary hero and peacekeeper. They later learn that it's through no fault of his own - their father, Aros, was sealed away by Fey inside a virtual space shortly after the Player was born.
Dragon-in-Chief: While you aren't the second-in-command, you can become this among the Black Emboar/(player name), due to the way they handle themselves in battle against the Black Ferrothorn, even their leader.
Dragon Tamer: You can become one if you choose Gible. Notably, Dragon types are quite rare in the main series and usually don't show up until later in the game.
Exposed to the Elements: Subverted and inverted in this case - as their hometown is Frozen Heights, their default outfit DOES show them dressed for the cold weather. However, if the Player doesn't change outfit via the Costume Box, they can walk into even a desert wearing such thick clothing with no ill effects.
Generation Xerox: Bares a pretty strong resemblance to their Mom. In fact, HER overall appearance is based on how you customise the Player's overall look when you start the game.
I Have Your Mother: The Player's mother's safety is used against the Player twice: the first time is when Aklove threatens her if you will not be willingly sealed inside Cube Space, with the second time leading to an actual kidnapping in the Post-Game, forcing the Player into one last confrontation with Aklove at the Ruins of Void.
Heroic Mime: For the most part, the Player only speaks in dialogue prompts, but occasionally they do speak during cutscenes (however, their dialogue isn't written out). The reaction of some NPCs, as well as some internal dialogue, reveal they're hiding a somewhat sarcastic side to them, despite their near-silence.
Kid Hero: On the higher end of the scale, anyway - they're confirmed to be sixteen years old, which is considered to be higher than any canon Protagonist in a Pokémon game, barring Legends: Arceus, who has a protagonist who is only estimated to be fifteen.
Limited Wardrobe: Averted, partially - while there's only four available costumes, the default costume the Player starts with can change the jacket color and the trim in the Costume Box whenever they like. They cannot, however, change their hair or skin color after choosing it in the opening customisation screen.
Meaningful Name: Francis, named after the Germanic people called the Franks, whose name is believed to mean 'free'. Likewise, Fresia contains 'free' as its first syllable. An appropriate name, given that the Player has to free themselves from many imprisonments over the course of the game, as well as try and free Hoopa from Aklove's control.
Mistaken for Spies: Zeph sees you arrive, disguised in Marlon's discarded uniform, and mistakes you for an agent of Aklove. Granted, he just saw Aklove seal the Player away inside Cube Space, and having recently been deposed as leader of the large majority of the Shadows, he wasn't exactly in his right mind.
Purely Aesthetic Gender: The gender selection only changes their appearance and the reward for one milestone at the Fallshore City Mission House; other than that, it affects nothing, save for some dialogue changes.
The Reliable One: Arthur pegs the Player as this, citing the fact they obtained their first Gym Badge so soon after starting as a Trainer, to a point where they are enlisted to fight the Shadows directly.
Schrödinger's Player Character: The Player character that you don't pick doesn't appear in the game, much like Red/Leaf from FireRed/LeafGreen.
Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Marlon warns the Player not to follow him back to the Shadows' Base at Frozen Heights, since securing Zeph's help is vital to stopping the Light of Ruin, and the former leader of the Shadows would most likely react badly to the sight of them. So of course, that's exactly what they do.
Secret-Keeper: Becomes this for Marlon, namely, the fact that he and Ivory are Ace and Melony's parents. It doesn't last, however, since Aklove drops that bombshell on Ace during the invasion on the Light of Ruin's base.
Silent Snarker:
- In one of the houses in Dehara City, right outside the room containing the game's developers, the Player can see a notice scrawled outside the door, wondering if they couldn't afford a proper sign.
- After listening to Galavan praise the local Gym Leader (himself), one look from the Player, and he gets defensive, asking if he's not allowed to have favorites.
- After arriving in Polder Town, Jax tells the Player that they need the town's Gym Badge to reach Crystal Peak, before commenting that the look on their face says that they must've known already, since the Player's had to earn a badge to get anywhere they urgently need to be since the 2nd one.
- When Penny shows a video she picked up to show her 'maturity', they take one look at the cover, and internally comment that whatever the person on the front's doing to the Goomy, it doesn't look comfortable.
Starter Mon: You have a choice between Gible, Beldum, and Larvitar.
Super Mode: You have access to Mega Evolution after defeating Successor Maxima, who gifts you an Altarianite. The Mega Stone for your starter can be found in the same place you found it, namely at the Shadow Base.
Video Game Cruelty Potential: Can subject their own Pokémon to this via the use of certain NPC services, as the procedures to change the Nature and Individual Values of a Pokémon are described as painful to the subject, with an IV change lowering friendship, while a Nature Change completely takes friendship to 0. However, if you're playing on Expert or Insane, putting their mons through such pain may be unavoidable, in order to actually succeed...

Rival

Ace/Rival

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_25.png

^{Concept Art by kwen:}

"You're one of those Shadow goons, aren't you? I'd recognize the symbol on your chest anywhere."

The main rival of the game. He was also locked up in the Shadow base alongside you and helps you break free. He's originally from Hoenn, having just moved to Frozen Heights like you, and his goal is to travel Borrius to find out what happened to his missing parents.

Always Someone Better: The Player is this to him, since they, with the possible exception of the first bout at Frozen Heights, must defeat Ace to progress through the game—over and over and over again.
Bash Brothers: Is one of the partners the Player teams up with in the story. You even fight three separate bosses with him as your partner.
Calling the Old Man Out: After Marlon tries to explain that he and Ivory felt that they had to come back with their deceased son, or else it would have all been for nothing, all Ace can do is yell at Marlon that they treated him and Melony as though they were just afterthoughts, like their lives meant nothing to them. Marlon can't even deny it.
Composite Character: He has traits of multiple rivals from the main series, namely Silver, Gladion, Barry, and Hugh. Even his encounter and battle themes are reminiscent of Gladion, Hugh's, and a bit of Bede's as well.
- He pursues strength, is very blunt, and doesn't mince his words, similarly to Silver and Gladion. Ace also has red hair just like Silver. He's nice enough to you at least, but he doesn't exactly respect his elders, and he detests the Shadows. And just like Silver and Gladion, Ace is also the child of one of the villains, being Marlon and Ivory's son.
- Just like Barry, he's a bit impatient, but he's a pretty competent trainer, and he tries staying one step ahead of you whenever he can. And just like Barry, he also has a father who's a very formidable trainer with a powerful Legendary Pokémon under his command (Zapdos for Marlon, Regigigas, Heatran, and Cresselia for Palmer).
- Similarly to Hugh, he has a bit of a short temper, and his pursuit of strength has him journey around the region in search of something important relating to his family, in this case, it's to find his missing parents. He also has no tolerance for the local villain team and demands answers out of them whenever he runs into them. Hell, one of his very first lines in the game is Ace expressing to a Shadow grunt that he's about to feel his wrath, almost exactly like how Hugh treats the Plasma grunts in his game. And just like Hugh, Ace is taken aback when the truth of his quest comes to light. Hugh was disturbed when his sister's Purrloin grew up to be a Liepard under Team Plasma's control, while the irony of Ace's journey is that his parents that he's been looking for have been a part of the villainous Shadows that he's been facing off against the whole game.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard:
- On Insane, should he start with Gible, it will come with its Hidden Ability, Rough Skin straight away. (For the Player, it's only possible to get one with its standard Sand Veil ability.)
- During your third battle with him on Insane, should he start with Larvitar, he'll have a Pupitar that knows Crunch, which it learns as a Larvitar at Level 35, below the Level Cap of 32. Should he start with Beldum, he'll have a Metang that knows Meteor Mash, which usually needs to be at Level 56 to learn.
- During your fourth battle with him on Insane, should he start with Gible, he'll have an Aggron that knows Metal Burst, which it learns as an Aron at Level 55, below the Level Cap of 45. He also still has his Meteor Mash Metang (or Mega Metagross should the Player's party and Level Cap result in his Metang being at Level 45 or more), should he have started with Beldum.
Declaration of Personal Independence: After escaping the Shadow's base, he rejects Professor Log's claim that he isn't ready to find his parents, and wastes no time challenging the Player to their first Single Battle. Regardless of the outcome, he decides to take his starter and high-tail it out of Frozen Heights before Log can stop him.
Dragon Tamer: He can have Gible as his starter if you don't choose it, which would make him this. Notably, he'd be the first rival or even main character to start with a Dragon type, unlike any rival or protag in the main series.
Giving Someone the Pointer Finger: Ace's VS sprite.
Irony: His parents that he's been looking for all this time have been right in front of him the whole time, being Ivory and Marlon. Naturally, he doesn't take this well at all at first.
Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique: Does this twice: once when escaping the Shadows at the start of the game, then once more when trying to get into the Light of Ruin's base.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's a bit rude and standoffish to most people that aren't you, but he means well.
Leitmotif: Has two themes, one for when he appears, and one for battle.
Mythology Gag: Mentions to you that he registered 100 Pokémon in the Dex before your third bout with him, just like what Blue claimed to you in the Kanto games. Ace can even potentially raise a Tyranitar, a Pokémon that Blue has raised in some games.
Recurring Boss: You fight Ace a total of five times over the course of the story.
The Rival: He is your rival, challenging you and testing your strength every now and then, all to ensure that you're both capable of taking on the Shadows.
Olympus Mons: In the postgame, during his Title Defense match, he mentions catching a super rare Pokémon from Cinder Volcano, which happens to be Volcanion.
Optional Boss: One of the potential Title Defense challengers in the Pokémon League during the postgame.
Signature Mon: He picks whichever starter you didn't pick, but he will also always raise a Mamoswine (which has the advantage against all the other starters), Toucannon, and Vaporeon for his team. You even have to command the latter three on Ace's behalf against Ivory at Crystal Peak.
Super Mode: He Mega Evolves his starter, meaning he can have either Mega Tyranitar, Mega Garchomp, or Mega Metagross.
Take That!: After he learns about Shadow Warriors, all he can say is that the name's pretty unimaginative.
"Well Done, Son" Guy: Part of the reason why he wants to find his parents. That, of course, makes the realization that they're members of the Shadows all the more painful. Even then, after making up with his father Marlon, he still continues to train, in the hopes of showing off to him how strong he's become.

Jax

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_35_7.png

^{Concept Art by kwen:}

"You think I'm gonna let you walk out of here!? You stole the Prison Stone...the very thing needed to seal and unseal the dark force! You couldn't possibly want it for anything, except evil!"

The grandson of Arthur, who was the former Champion of Borrius. Jax has been in training to be his replacement, and to defend Borrius from danger. You often team up with him against said danger as you two fight the Shadows.

Ambiguously Absent Parent: We never see Jax's mother or father in-game. It's not even clear if he even HAS parents.
Bash Brothers: He's the partner the Player teams up with the most in the story. He admits to you afterwards that he's a bit ashamed that he has to continuously rely on you to complete the tasks set by Arthur.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane difficulty, when Jax battles you for the title of Champion, almost all of his party have Effort Values OVER the 510 you would normally be allowed per Pokémon (most likely to compensate for the fact that his battle carries no special field effect or gimmick). To be exact, Arcanine has FOUR stats with 252 Effort Values each, while his Zygarde, Suicune, Kartana and Mega Rayquaza have 252 EVs in ALL of their stats.
Dragon Tamer: He has Mega Salamence and Naganadel during his boss fight, but on Insane he has Mega Rayquaza and Zygarde instead.
Final Boss: He is the final boss of the game, and he challenges you for the Champion's title after you beat the Elite Four.
I Will Only Slow You Down: Backs off from helping the Player fight Giratina, since he's only got one Pokémon to fight with, and would just get in the way.
Just One More Level!: When the Player meets Jax in Dehara City, they find him playing Cloud Burst at the Game Corner... and apparently, he's played long enough to have won enough Coins for two Ability Capsules, worth 16,000 coins. To put things into perspective, an average run of Cloud Burst should net you roughly 100 coins if you do well enough.
Leeroy Jenkins: He has a habit of rushing into danger, which unfortunately gets either him or his Pokémon hurt in the process. After some reflection after being banished to the Distortion World, he does things a bit more carefully, as he calls upon his Gastrodon to use its Sticky Hold ability to keep him grounded to the floor before Aklove tries sending him hurling through a portal again later at Crystal Peak.
Leitmotif: Has two themes, one for when he appears, and one for battle.
Nice Guy: He's always friendly to the Player (no matter how unfriendly they might act to him in return by refusing to team up with him), and holds them in high regard for their accomplishments.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: You team up with Jax quite a lot, and he usually leads with Staravia or Staraptor. On most difficulties, it's a great lead, since its Intimidate helps soften the blow from physical attackers. However, on Insane difficulty, this is almost always a detriment, because during the battle against Ivory and a Shadow grunt on Route 9, the Shadow grunt leads with a female Meowstic, which has Competitive, boosting its Sp Atk by 2 stages whenever its stats are dropped. This happens again during the postgame when you team up with Jax against Aklove at the Ruins of Void, where Aklove leads with Meloetta, which gets Competitive in this game, and it has an Adrenaline Orb, which grants +1 Spd when hit by Intimidate. You and Jax have to stare down a powerful Psychic type Pokémon that starts the battle with +2 Sp Atk, +1 Spd, and is under Psychic Terrain thanks to Aklove's Tapu Lele, and can spam Expanding Force.
Optional Boss: One of the potential Title Defense challengers in the Pokémon League during the postgame.
Overshadowed by Awesome: Although he isn't a bad Trainer, he constantly finds himself in situations that he can't get out of without the Player's help. His belief in himself takes several hits, starting with the news that the Player rescued Zapdos without help, and his banishment to the Distortion World after rushing in unprepared. It never quite goes away either, as he cites it as the main reason the Player triumphs over him at the League.
Passing the Torch: He's been training under his grandfather Arthur, to succeed his role as Champion.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Jax delivers one to Aklove, during the Post-Game, after the latter's Motive Rant.
"Let's say you're right. Let's say the legend's true and the king's still alive. But 3000 years...Do you really think not a second of that was spent on reflection? On regret? Isn't it possible he no longer wants war? How would you know? You just projected your desires onto a myth and nearly destroyed our region because of it!"
Signature Mon: His seems to be Staraptor, as it's what he leads with the most when fighting against the Shadows. He also has a Gastrodon that shows up both later to help him outwit Aklove at Crystal Peak, and he uses it during his boss fight.
Sleeves Are for Wimps: Wears a black sleeveless vest.
Super Mode: He has a Mega Salamence (or Mega Rayquaza on Insane) that he uses during his boss fight, which is powered up by his Hitmontop using Helping Hand.
You Shall Not Pass!: At the Ruins of Void, Jax takes his lone Staraptor and holds off two Shadow Grunts (having recently secretly joined the Light of Ruin) so that the Player can chase after the Shadows and stop the unbinding.

Supporting Characters

Professor Log

Euler Log

"Well, he's certainly a handful, isn't he? And now that he's gone, who will run my errands for me?"

The professor of the region, who focuses on studying Pokémon stats.

The Conscience: The Player doesn't just hear his voice in their heads, telling them they can't use their bike indoors, but you can hear him tell you not to just abandon Ace's unconcious self at Frost Mountain.
Floral Theme Naming: Matches the theme naming of the other professors in the main series. His full name is Euler Log, like yule log.
Parental Substitute: Acted as this to Ace once he moved to Frozen Heights, not that he seemed grateful to Log for the fact.
Retired Badass: Was Arthur's rival, back in their youth when they were still Pokémon Trainers.
Secret-Keeper: Is the one who informs the Player's mother that they've gone to take the Gym Challenge, which definitely does not involve being roped into fighting a criminal organisation and trying to prevent the destruction of Borrius. Nope, not at all.

Arthur

"Don't force yourself, [Player name]. If you feel you are too injured to continue, then you must fall back. Jax will help, if it comes to that. Good luck, youngster."

The former Champion of Borrius, historian, grandfather of Jax, and a good friend of Prof. Log. He tasks you to fight the Shadows alongside his grandson Jax.

As You Know: Has to explain things this way on account of the player character being new to Borrius, both reaffirming that the player knows about the history of Borrius, as well as establishing his friendship with Professor Log to the player.
Badass in Distress: In the postgame, he is kidnapped by Aklove, alongside the player's mom and Zeph's son.
Big Good: He's the one who tells you to stop the Shadows and informs you on where they are, what their plans are, and what you should do to take them down.
Mr. Exposition: Arthur's the one who will explain what's going on to everyone.
Passing the Torch: He's been training Jax to inherit his title as Champion, at least up until the Player defeats him and takes it instead. However, he understands it was always a big ask, and encourages Jax to improve and defeat Player for his own sake, not Arthur's, in the Post-Game.
Retired Badass: He was once the Champion of Borrius, but left the seat open for any new potential challengers.

Aros

The player's father, renowned as a great hero of Borrius. He aided in the construction of the first Cube, before he suddenly disappeared 16 years ago.

Foreshadowing: He mentions that the Shadow Warriors are sensitive to light. Fairy types are usually associated with light, although not that it's necessarily a force for good, as the Light of Ruin proves, and the Shadow Warriors are indeed weak to Fairy types.
Gadgeteer Genius: Smart enough to have worked on the original Cube, and even worked out a way to escape the Cube Space he's currently trapped in, even if he doesn't have the means to free himself at the moment.
The Ghost: Nowhere to be seen in the main game, having disappeared before the events of the game. Except not, as he was actually stranded in Cube Space this entire time at the hands of Fey.
Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Threw Hoopa's Poké Ball into the rivers of Route 14, to keep Hoopa away from the wrong hands. Instead, it ended up washing ashore and into Aklove's hands, kickstarting the events of the game.
What the Hell, Hero?: Directed at Marlon, for keeping the Shadow Warrior Project going for sixteen years, despite the intentions behind it.

Gym Leaders

Mirskle

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_65.png

The Mellow Master of Flowers

"See, I'm the sort of guy who's into flowers. You get me? Most beautiful part of nature, duuuuuuude... You'll be trippin' just watchin' them all! Let's get funky!"

The Gym Leader of Dresco Town, who specializes in Grass types, but also the occasional Fairy type. He has a rather sketchy reputation due to the foggy atmosphere in his Gym, and his... activities outside working hours.

Cloudcuckoolander: His airy personality makes him come off as a bit weird. The fact he surrounds himself in such a foggy Gym, plus his side-job as a supplier of 'Oddish Leaves' doesn't help, either.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, his Gloom carries Apple Acid. While it IS possible to teach Gloom that move in Unbound, it's impossible for Gloom to learn until at least Level 48, below the Level Cap of 20. His Floette also carries Petal Blizzard and Moonblast, moves which it can't learn until Lv 29 and 49 respectively as a Flabébé. His Comfey also shouldn't get Floral Healing until Level 56, either.
Convenient Weakness Placement: There are plenty of ways in the nearby areas to help you deal with the Fog in his Gym and the Pokémon he uses. To list:
- Ace gives you Safety Goggles (or 3 Chesto Berries on Insane), the former of which blocking Gloom's Sleep Powder entirely, the latter healing the Sleep status it brings.
- The NPCs around town are not shy about offering advice on multiple ways to get around the Fog in his Gym - one suggests bringing Pokémon with the Keen Eye ability, of which there is more than one that can be caught in the routes nearby, one suggests changing the weather in the Gym (and two of the starters, Gible and Larvitar, learn Sandstorm very early).
- An early Mission grants a TM for a move that can improve accuracy in the form of Hone Claws.
- There's even the option of dispelling the fog entirely with an NPC who will trade a Ducklett that knows Defog.
- Finally, the nearby Route 2 has a gift Litleo that has a good matchup against Mirskle's Grass and Fairy types with its Fire type.
Early-Bird Boss: Mirskle's challenge depends on the type of the Player's starter Pokémon—his hybrid team of Grass and Fairy-types means his Grass-type attacks have an advantage over Larvitar, his Fairy attacks have an advantage over Gible, but are both resisted by the Steel-type Beldum. To show that this game isn't just about type matchups however, all of the starters have to contend with fog that drops their accuracy.
The Fair Folk: Is never stated outright to be a Fairy-type specialist, but his team does carry a couple of Fairy-types that are related to flowers (Florges and Comfey).
Green Thumb: He prefers to use Grass types, and his Gym is themed around plants. Well, plants.
G-Rated Stoner: He's a hippie, always speaks... like this... he's always on the run from the cops, and deals and supplies something called Oddish Leaves.
Hoist by His Own Petard: If the Player doesn't clear the Fog, Mirskle's most useful attacks may not hit your Pokémon as often as he may like, since none of his own Pokémon, not even on the highest difficulty, have Abilities or moves that make it any easier for attacks to land.
Low-Level Advantage: Should you attempt a game on Insane difficulty, but turn the Level Cap off, and then overlevel the party to be at 35 or above, Mirskle then becomes the FIRST Trainer to battle you using Mega Evolution - his otherwise weak Weedle becomes a Mega Beedrill.
Meaningful Name: Mirskle, whose first syllable can be pronounced as 'myrrh' (a type of tree gum resin used as perfume, medicine and funeral incense), fitting his use of Grass-types and his connection with "Incense".
Ominous Fog: Well, not ominous, but his Gym has a mysterious fog that lowers the accuracy of nearly every move. It can be dispelled with Defog or done away with by other weather however.
Opaque Lenses: You never know WHAT his eyes look like behind those glasses.
Run Away Hide Away: There's a place under the pool in the Gym where he and his Gym Trainers can lie low from the police - or other criminal types. In fact, the moment the Player wins his Badge and customary Technical Machine, two guys from the Black Ferrothorn barge in, and they all jump in the pool to hide from them.
Signature Mon: His is Gloom, later Vileplume.
Status Buff: It's entirely optional, but his Gym Battle can grant both the Player's lead Pokémon and his with defensive buff, should the Player allow them to sniff some of his 'Rose Incense'.
Status Effects: Fond of these, as part of his playing style - on Vanilla, it's Poison, but on Difficult and above, it's Sleep. Of course, if you don't dispel the fog, it's not always easy for such moves to actually HIT you...
Stealth Pun: He uses a Weedle during his boss fight.
Troll: Apparently he once knew someone who kept falling over. He blamed it on a genetic problem, but it was actually because Mirskle kept secretly tripping him up with Grass Knot.
What Did I Do Last Night?: When he first arrives at the Battleground, it's apparently due to some REALLY strong Oddish Leaves...and so he's stuck there until a boat can pick him up the next day.
Wrestling Doesn't Pay: His side job as a provider of 'Rose Incense'...to shady types like the Black Ferrothorn or Black Emboar.

Véga

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The Ever-Following Shadow

"Incidentally, are you afraid of the dark? Many people are. Knowing exactly what you're up against gives people courage. But when they stumble blindly, never sure when the foe will approach...Fear destroys even the largest armies. Let's see if you, too, will be crushed by the heavy atmosphere and my might!"

The Gym Leader of Crater Town, who specializes in Dark types. A stern and serious individual, who many find hard to get a handle on.

Badass in a Nice Suit: He's an agent, and dresses pretty sharply.
Blackout Basement: His Gym limits your vision, which he combines with a Stealth-Based Mission to try and spot (and avoid) the guards walking around in order to reach him.
Casting a Shadow: He prefers to use Dark types, which is unusual for the main series.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard:
- On Insane, his Honchkrow carries Oblivion Wing. While it IS possible to teach Honchkrow that move in Unbound, it's impossible for Honchkrow to learn until at least Level 63, below the Level Cap of 26. His Pawniard also carries Night Slash, a move it can't learn until Level 54.
- During your second battle with him on Expert and Insane, his Bisharp is underlevelled (Pawniard evolves at Level 52, while his Bisharp is Level 47).
Damage Over Time: His Gym has negative emotions as a field effect, which inflicts damage over time to any Pokémon that isn't a Dark or Ghost type.
Dark Is Evil: In a first for Dark-type Gym Leaders and Elite Four members in the franchise, he really is this, being part of the Science Society, who are in league with the Shadows and the Light of Ruin.
Double Agent: First he's working with the Shadows, then he's revealed to be part of the Science Society, who's working with the Light of Ruin. Then by the end, he's willing to help Zeph stop the Light of Ruin at Crystal Peak. His allegiances seem to change every scene, making you wonder whose side he's really on.
The Dragon: He's Fey's second in command, although she doesn't inform him of her true motives. Despite this, he still serves her and the Science Society.
Dual Boss: His second battle with the Player is this, partnering with another Light of Ruin Grunt to fight both you and Marlon, unless you're playing on Expert and above, in which case he fights you alone.
Foreshadowing: Some of his dialogue and before and after his battle hint at something sinister. After the battle, he tells you to avoid the shadows and stay in the light whenever possible, to avoid falling into ruin, all but namedropping his true allegiances.
Karma Houdini: Doesn't seem to face any repercussion for his crimes for working with all of these villainous groups, and he still gets to be a Gym Leader. However, he acknowledges this in his Battleground rematch and understands you may still have grievances with him, and that a good battle can let off some steam.
Locked Out of the Loop: He admits that not even he knows what Fey, his employer, is planning, since she's apparently the type to remain tight-lipped about her goals and motivations.
Meaningful Name: Vega is the name of a crater found on the moon, befitting the location of his Gym, as well as the darkness of space.
Not So Above It All: Despite his serious exterior, the nicknames of the Pokémon he can trade the Player at Magnolia Café shows he has some knowledge of popular culture, such as naming his Malamar Squidward.
Perpetual Frowner: Mentioned by Galavan, in that he's never been seen with a smile on his face.
Primal Fear: Cites this as the reason for his preference for Dark-types: darkness conceals the enemy, and fear of the unknown can cause even large armies to destroy themselves.
The Reveal: He is actually a member of the Science Society, who at first works with the Shadows, and then later the Light of Ruin.
Signature Mon: His is Absol, which Mega Evolves on higher difficulties, but he's also fond of using Bisharp.
Sunglasses at Night: Never takes those shades of his off, not even in the darkness of his own Gym.
Token Evil Teammate: No other Gym Leaders are involved in an organisation of unethical and borderline crazy scientists, whos leader sponsors the Shadows and later, the Light of Ruin.
Unwanted Assistance: Véga decides to invoke and subvert this trope during his battle at Cinder Volcano on Expert Difficulty and above, making his fight a battle where the Player can no longer gang up on one partner's Pokémon to make the fight easier.
Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Unlike most Pokémon antagonists however, rather then a black screen, and then vanishing, we actually get to see how he escapes - namely, by awakening Groudon into its Primal form and having it distract the Player and Marlon as he hightails it out.
You Have Failed Me: On Expert and above difficulty, he decides to just fight Marlon and the Player himself, after berating the Light of Ruin Grunt keeping watch for letting them pass.

Alice

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The High-flying Ice Queen

"Do you believe in luck? I don't. But I do believe in opportunity. Seizing and riding the winds is how I got this far off the ground. And I'm telling you, at this height, the battles you get to see are something else!"

The Gym Leader of Blizzard City, who specializes in Flying types. A single mother who eschews luck in favour of making opportunities come to her, with the goal of devising a non-mechanical way for people to fly.

Action Mom: A Gym Leader who also happens to have a daughter at home. Said daughter offers the Player an Electrode to trade for an Onix, and Alice always takes her to the Battleground in the Post-Game whenever she visits.
Affectionate Nickname: Refers to the Player as 'cutie' if they're a boy, or 'sweetie' if they're a girl.
Amazon Brigade: All of her Pokémon during her first battle with the Player are female, save for the genderless Minior.
Blow You Away: She prefers to use Flying types.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, her Dodrio carries Jump Kick, a move it can't learn until Level 35 as a Doduo, which is below the Level Cap of 32. Her Pinsir also carries Storm Throw, a move it can't learn until Level 40.
Convenient Weakness Placement: Downplayed, and on higher difficulties even subverted - you'd think that the fact that the routes close to Blizzard City being packed with Ice-types would be this to a Flying-type Gym Leader, but even on Difficult, most of her Pokémon carry at least one attack that is super-effective against Ice-types, and with her permanent Flying-type exclusive Tailwind up, she will almost certainly move first and inflict a lot of damage to them.
Determinator: States to the Player at the Battleground that she'd never give up in a battle, not even when there's a 99% chance she'll lose - she'll just gamble on the remaining 1% and keep going.
Flight: Her primary goal is to devise a way to fly without the aid of machines.
He Knows About Timed Hits: After defeating her and leaving her Gym, the Player is given a quick tutorial from Alice on how to use Rock Smash, clearing the KBT entrance that's frozen over by ice, mentioning how it can be done instantly if the Player's enabled Quick HMs in the Options Menu.
Meaningful Name: Alice, named after altitude, and ice, referencing the fact her Gym's located in Blizzard City, a snowy town.
No OSHA Compliance: Her Gym involves being elevated up to platforms on nothing but fans, and the Player is required to make equally steep drops to the floors below, to navigate their way to her.
Rooftop Confrontation: To fight Alice, you have to make it all the way to the top of her Gym, which is structured like an enormous tower - the only Gym in the game where the exterior is different to the others.
Screw Destiny: Writes off destiny as 'calculated chance', preferring to succeed with either skill, or taking advantage of opportunity.
Signature Mon: Hers is Pinsir, surprisingly, but it does acquire the Flying type upon Mega Evolving.
That Came Out Wrong: Just before you complete her Mission "If We Were Meant To Fly", she mentions that perhaps her attempts at non-mechanical flight fail because she still lacks the large chests birds have...and then she catches herself, realising how that sounded.
20 Bear Asses: Sends you on this sort of Mission, tasking the Player to collect 20 Pretty Wings, to complete her set of Icarus-esque wings for flight. That means beating up a LOT of Wingull and Pelipper and stealing the Pretty Wings, or using Knock Off.
Two Girls to a Team: She and Tessy are the only female Gym Leaders in the Borrius League.
Wake-Up Call Boss: On Difficult and above, at least. On Expert, she's the first Gym Leader to use Mega Evolution ^note, as she has a Mega Pinsir. She also has permanent Tailwind active for her Flying types, which doubles their Speed, turning her Pokémon into speed demons, as they're all fully evolved (while you might still be using Pokémon that have not fully evolved yet) and can hit hard with good coverage. She also leads with a tanky Pokémon that can set up Stealth Rock (Minior normally, Skarmory on Insane). All of this tests you on how well you can take hits from hard hitting Pokémon, how well you can deal with a speed disadvantage, and how well you can deal with Stealth Rock, and on Insane, how well you can also deal with Delta Stream, as that removes the Flying type weaknesses of her team. Despite being a Flying type specialist living near a route and forest full of Ice types, Alice is more than prepared with her speed, power, and coverage moves.
Weather of War: Her Gym has a permanent Tailwind effect for Flying types, doubling their Spd, and on Insane, she has Delta Stream active during her boss fight to remove the weaknesses of her Flying type Pokémon.

Mel

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He with Good Grace and Good Looks

"Now, I was thinkin' 'bout layin' down the law on them outlaws. 'Cos not only do I look good, I do good, too. And I do it while lookin' good!"

The Gym Leader of Fallshore City, who specializes in Normal types. He's an old ex-boyfriend of Tessy, the Water-type Gym Leader, and in honor of her, never re-modeled the old Gym she left him.

Be Yourself: Seeks a rematch with the Player in the hopes they'll be this, since he feels that during their Gym Battle, the personal stakes for the Player were too high for them to truly enjoy the battle.
The Casanova: Surrounds himself with girls almost constantly - female Trainers make up the majority of his Gym, and at the Battleground, he even has a cheerleader accompany him to cheer him on.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, his Porygon Z only has two moves: Uproar and Tri-Attack. Problem is, they're copied to the last two moveslots, so he has double the use of such moves, essentially.
Funetik Aksent: His dialogue has a southern drawl to it, much like Clay, in that regard.
Hidden Depths: As much as he fools around with women and is incredibly vain regarding his looks, he is observant enough to know that the Player isn't challenging his Gym for fun, but as a vital necessity. He is also noted by Tessy as having a hard time letting go of things, whether it's his past, gifts, or grudges (which is why he never made renovations to Tessy's design of his Gym).
Honor Before Reason: He acknowledges that the Player needs his Badge for something important, but says that a Gym Leader can't just fork one over to someone who hasn't proven they deserve it, and so they have to battle. He does make up for it afterwards by clearing the path to Thundercap Mt. for you, however.
House Rules: He prefers his Gym's style of Inverse Battles, since it allows his Normal-types to flourish and actually hit for super-effective damage against certain opponents, while having no resistances. It's also because his own Z-Crystal doesn't have to be outshone by other Z-Moves in such a format.
Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique: Clears out the Shadow Grunt blocking the Player's access to Thundercap Mt. with his Miltank's Body Slam. Said guard was making him late for a deep-tissue massage.
May–December Romance: Is noticeably a fair bit older than his ex-girlfriend, Tessy.
Meaningful Name: Mel uses Normal-types.
Non-Elemental: He prefers to use Normal types.
Scissors Cuts Rock: Normal types have no major weaknesses or strengths usually, but Mel fights with Inverse Battle rules, meaning his Normal types cannot be resisted.
Signature Mon: His is Mega Lopunny.
Silver Fox: He's not at that stage yet, but his dialogue at the Battleground show that he acknowledges his youthful looks won't stay forever. He hopes to eventually become this, however.
Super-Strength: His Badge allows the use of the move Strength, to move large boulders. He's not entirely sure why already strong Pokémon can't already do it, but that's how the world apparently works.
Walking Shirtless Scene: Has absolutely no problem showing off his 'all-natural pecs'.

Galavan

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The Brains Behind the War Machine

"Invention is born out of necessity! Machines and technology grow only because what came before wasn't quite good enough! That's what me and my Gym want to test! So how are ya gonna advance when the most obvious weakness isn't useable anymore? I want you to show me how ya adapt!"

The Gym Leader of Dehara City, who specializes in both Electric and Steel types. He's hardly ever serious, and a bit irreverent.

…But He Sounds Handsome: Throughout Borrius, you'll run into him at Pokémon Centres to tell you about the local Gym Leaders. In Dehara City though, he just praises the hell out of that town's Gym Leader, who turns out to be Galavan himself.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard:
- On Insane, he carries a Metagross and Klinklang, both of which are underlevelled (his Metagross is Level 44, when it evolves at Level 45, whereas Klang doesn't evolve into Klinklang until Level 49, below the Level Cap of 45).
- Also on Insane, for his Battleground rematch, he has a Heatran which learns Frost Breath (already strange for a creature born of magma) and Nature Power, two moves that it cannot learn at all.
Cool Old Guy: One of the older Gym Leaders, but he's not above using lingo used by the younger generation, being generally jokingly irreverent to his fellow Gym Leaders, and is one of the stronger Gym Leaders, to boot.
Extra-ore-dinary: He prefers to use Steel types alongside Electric types, making him the first Gym Leader to have a focus on two types at once.
Gadgeteer Genius: Comes package and parcel with training Electric-types. In fact, his dialogue at the Battleground Lampshades this, but then points out that Trainers of Electric-types need to be, given that it'd be too expensive to replace machines that they'd be prone to breaking.
Improvisational Ingenuity: Values this amongst his challengers, citing that technology only has reasons to improve if it is required to do so. He demonstrates this with his magnetised floor, to force challengers to find solutions other than using Ground-type attacks against him.
Labcoat of Science and Medicine: Sports a white one, with yellow and black decals, to highlight his preference for Electric and Steel-types.
Meaningful Name: Galavan, named after 'electrogalvanization' (the process of coating iron or steel in a zinc coating, to prevent rusting, via running electrical currents in a saline/zinc solution with a zinc anode and steel conductor), representing his mastery over Electric and Steel-types.
Nerd Glasses: Sports these, as expected of a Gadgeteer Genius.
No OSHA Compliance: The platforms in his Gym have no railings or barriers of any sort keeping people on them from falling off.
Power Floats: In his Gym, any Electric and Steel types have their Ground weakness removed like a permanent Magnet Rise effect. On Insane, he also has Electric Terrain applied during his boss fight.
Race Lift: From older versions to version 2.0 onward, he goes from a middle aged man with white skin in a stereotypical lab coat to a Younger and Hipper man with darker skin in a more futuristic lab coat.
Recurring Boss: More than most of his fellow Gym Leaders in the Post-Game - he's one of two possible Gym Leaders, the other being Big Mo, who can battle the Player at any Battle Facility on every tenth battle.
Shock and Awe: He prefers to use Electric types alongside Steel types.
Signature Mon: His is Mega Ampharos.
Third-Person Person: Refers to himself as "ol' Galavan".
Your Mom: Makes this joke at Big Mo's expense.
"Ya ever seen Big Mo? The guy's huge - seriously! He's so big, a Lickilicky thought he was its mama! Ha ha ha!"

Big Mo

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The Top Link in the Food Chain!

"Everyone around here calls me Big Mo! And I'm the only thing here in Antisis keepin' the underworld under control! Every gang's beneath my heel, got that?"

The Gym Leader of Antisis City, who specializes in Fighting types. He was assigned by the region's League to act as the peacekeeper between the various gangs that make trouble in Antisis City.

Acrofatic: Under his Gym rules, the heavier his Pokémon are, the more likely they are to strike first.
Always a Bigger Fish: Realises this after losing to the Player. It's what motivates him to renovate his Gym and create the Ring Challenge, as well as challenge himself against the Player at the Battleground.
Bare-Fisted Monk: He prefers to use Fighting types, but on higher difficulties, he focuses more on heavy Pokémon.
Bling of War: Wears a gold chain necklace, with an equally golden pendant carved into the outline of a fist.
Boisterous Bruiser: He's the Kingpin of Antisis City, and he's not afraid to show it.
Combat Pragmatist: He may be the Fighting type Gym Leader, but he employs some underhanded tricks, and even uses some Dark types like Pangoro, as well as Guzzlord on Insane. During the trainer fights of his Gym, they're 1v1 and you can't use any attacking moves that are super effective on Fighting types, which also applies to his boss fight on Insane. During his actual fight, he has Trick Room active that accounts for a Pokémon's weight, and with incredibly heavy Pokémon like Mudsdale and Snorlax, he is almost certain to go first.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, his Guzzlord carries Core Enforcer. While it IS possible to teach Guzzlord that move in Unbound, it's impossible for Guzzlord to learn until at least Level 75, below the Level Cap of 52.
Conflict Killer: Antisis City is a Wretched Hive that exists only to contain the criminal gangs that once plagued Borrius, and so his main job in the city is to prevent any one gang from becoming too powerful and risking spreading their influence to the outside world.
Developer's Foresight: His pre-challenge dialogue is slightly different, depending on whether or not the Player has completed the Mission 'The Black Emboar'.
Duel Boss: The battles against him in the Antisis Gym Ring Challenge are these. In fact, fighting three of these battles against Gym Trainers is how the Player earns the right to battle Big Mo for his Badge.
Face of a Thug: He's big and mean-looking enough to resemble one of the gang leaders he's supposed to be controlling, but he's actually a peacekeeper in Antisis, and while he has his own followers, he is never seen committing any crimes.
Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond: After his defeat, he encourages the Player not to become this by wasting themselves on the territory wars in Antisis City, and to become 'King of the Pond' in the world outside.
NPC Roadblock: Not one himself, but his first appearance is clearing one for you, handing the Player the Devon Scope to eliminate the invisible barrier blocking the way to Route 16 (a Kecleon).
Recurring Boss: More than most of his fellow Gym Leaders in the Post-Game - he's one of two possible Gym Leaders, the other being Galavan, who can battle the Player at any Battle Facility on every tenth battle. There's also his appearances at the Antisis Gym Ring Challenge, where he battles the Player every after 19, 49, and 99 consecutive victories.
Signature Mon: His is Snorlax, fitting his big, heavy theme, but he also uses the heavier Mudsdale a lot.

Tessy

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The Gal Gettin' Down and Dirty!

"Huh...look at that. Picked a mighty fine time for a shower. But hey, ain't nothin' gonna dampen the mood on this battle, right?"

The Gym Leader of Polder Town, who specializes in Water types. She's an old ex-girlfriend of Mel, the Normal-type Gym Leader, who moved to Polder Town for undisclosed reasons.

Battle in the Rain: Her Gym battle is this, set to a permanent rain (or heavy rain, on Expert Difficulty and above).
Be Yourself: Like Mel, she seeks a rematch with the Player in the hopes they'll be this, since she feels that during their Gym Battle, the personal stakes for the Player were too high for them to truly enjoy the battle.
Breaking Old Trends: She's the only Gym Leader who offers the Player an HM instead of a TM, as the additional reward for defeating her. Compared to most other Water-type specialists in the main series, who usually focus on either swimming or grace, and are often near pristine pools of water, Tessy's more down to earth, has more of a country girl look to her, and lives near a boggy swamp instead.
Combat Pragmatist: She's described by Galavan as someone who isn't afraid to play dirty to beat a challenger, and it shows in her Gym rules, designed to trick Trainers into thinking her Pokémon will be a certain type, before they become something else...
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, she carries a Hydreigon, which is underlevelled (hers is Level 58, when it evolves at Level 64). Her Zeraora also carries Plasma Fists, a move it doesn't get until Level 88, below the Level Cap of 57, while her Seaking carries Aqua Jet, a move it actually can't learn at all.
Confusion Fu: She has a special rule in her fight called Camomons, where a Pokémon's type is determined by the types of their first two moves, meaning Pokémon that didn't start out as Water types could acquire them, or Pokémon that are normally Water types might be a different type instead.
Funetik Aksent: Like Mel, her dialogue carries signs of a Texan accent.
Guest-Star Party Member: Joins up with the Player temporarily, in a Mission to find Swampert, the guardian of Cootes Bog, and drive out the Terror Granbull, who are making trouble there.
Hidden Depths: Like Mel, she recognises the Player's urgency in getting her Badge, for the ability to use Waterfall outside of battle, and offers some deep insight into how Mel thinks, namely his inability to let go of things.
Making a Splash: She prefers to use Water types, although there's a good chance that her Gym rules won't treat them as such...
May–December Romance: Is noticeably a lot younger than her ex-boyfriend, Mel.
Meaningful Name: Tessy uses Water-types, including those from the sea.
The Maze: Her Gym is the Tricky variety of maze: you have to Surf on swamp water, that will wash you to the point of land you were last on before the wave hit. Reaching Tessy may also involve running on land to force a wave, to clear the countdown before Surfing again.
Nigh-Invulnerability: During her Battleground rematch on Insane difficulty, she takes full advantage of her Camomons ruleset in regards to her Shedinja - it's treated as Poison/Dark, meaning only Ground-type attacks can bypass its Wonder Guard ability and damage it... except it holds an Air Balloon, preventing it from being hit by any such attacks, and also cannot be removed WITHOUT direct damage from an attack. This basically means only indirect damage from things such as weather or a status condition can damage it, except the battle's heavy rain can't be swapped out to sand or hail whatsoever, and being a Poison type means it can't be hit by Toxic. If you don't have any methods of indirectly damaging it like with Stealth Rock, or if you don't have the Mold Breaker ability to bypass Wonder Guard, then Shedinja can single-handedly shut down your entire team. (When you first arrive, there's even an NPC hanging around outside the Camomons Trainer House in Seaport City warning you of this strategy.)
Signature Mon: Hers is Mega Gyarados.
Two Girls to a Team: She and Alice are the only female Gym Leaders in the Borrius League.
Water Is Womanly: To a point. Tessy IS a woman, who uses Water-types, but she carries almost NONE of the attributes associated with this trope - she's got more of a connection to muddy swamps than clear water, and her mannerisms carry none of the calm, graceful purity you'd expect. She does, however, represent fluidity in her Camomons-style battling.

Benjamin

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A Mature Child, or Immature Adult

"Many think Bug-types are weak, unworthy of being the final test for Trainers in the Borrian League... And it's been my life's goal to prove them wrong! I shall show you our resilience! And by doing so, I swear to be a worthy final obstacle before the Pokémon League!"

The Gym Leader of Redwood Village, who specializes in Bug types. He has an odd condition that causes him to temporarily regress to a younger form when overly excited.

Adorably Precocious Child: Becomes this whenever he regresses. It doesn't affect his mental state, so he sounds quite a bit older than his apparent age as a child.
Affectionate Parody: He's based on Benjamin Button, down to even the name. Unlike the film however, the whole de-aging thing seems to be only temporary. Sadly, that didn't extend to his first Pokémon, who like Benjamin Button, aged backwards up until its death.
Big Creepy-Crawlies: He prefers to use Bug types, but on higher difficulties, he focuses more on Pokémon that evolve from what were once fully evolved Pokémon like Scizor, Rhyperior, and Magnezone.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, his Flygon and Volcarona carry Effort Values of 252 in three different stats (both offensive stats and Speed), when it should only be possible to maximise Effort Values for two.
The Determinator: His Gym's ruleset was meant to embody this trope, according to Benjamin - as long as you still have a little strength, you can still resist any danger.
Disproportionate Retribution: Not Benjamin himself, but his old teacher was apparently prone to using the Bug-type Z Move Savage Spin-Out, on students who failed to tell the difference between a cocoon and a chrysalis.^note
Do Not Go Gentle: Even if his Pokémon's time grows short, he and his team will fight on to the end.
Fountain of Youth: His Gym has a strange ruleset where after a Pokémon faints, it reverts to their previous evolution stage, and keeps going until they no longer can. This means that while you're facing a full team of six Pokémon, you're actually fighting at least several more since you have to go through the other evolution stages in the line first. This also happens to him after his boss fight, as he goes from an old man to a young boy.
Hot-Blooded: He always stays composed, but it's evident that this is his true nature, since every battle with him ends with him having reverted to a young boy afterwards in his joy.
Hufflepuff House: Subverted - it's been his life's goal to prove even Bug-type Pokémon are worthy to represent a final Gym in an official League.
Involuntary Shapeshifting: His regression to a younger form can be described as this, whenever he gets overly excited - something that happens a lot, saying that when it comes to Pokémon, he'll always be a child at heart.
Mistaken Age: He was once mistaken for a child, after he tried going to Magnolia Café shortly after regressing in age. The staff gave him a juice box, and asked him where his parents were, to his annoyance.
Signature Laugh: "Ooh hoo hoo hoo..."
Signature Mon: His is Mega Scizor, who does evolve from the previously fully evolved Scyther. He does also use his namesake Butterfree on the lower difficulties.

Elite Four

Moleman

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"Who dares enter the domain of the Mole-Man? Surface-dweller! For years, my fellow mole-people and I have lived below ground with only Ground-type Pokémon and the Earth itself. In that world without sunlight, we tempered our spirits and grew strong! And yet, you try to establish dominance over us, as your ancestors did so many years ago!? Very well! Learn of the wrath of the mole-people and the very Earth!"

One of the Elite Four, who specializes in Ground types. Rather grouchy, due to the fate that befell his kind, and the fact he is apparently not an Elite Four Member of his own free will...

Ambiguous Situation: He cannot leave the Elite Four voluntarily, but the reason why is not clear. Although, it hasn't stopped him from waiting for an opportunity to do so, in the hopes of enacting his vengeance on the surface world...
Breaking Old Trends: On a non-Insane difficulty, he's the only member of the Elite Four who does not battle the Player using a Mega Evolved Pokémon. Of course, some may still find him challenging enough without one.
Character Catchphrase: "Who dares enter the domain of the Mole-Man?"
Dishing Out Dirt: He prefers to use Ground types, claiming his time underground tempered his bond with such Pokémon.
Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas: Compares the coffee at Magnolia Café to the dirt his mother made for him as a child. That alone is enough for him to consider it the only thing on the surface world that's worth preserving.
Fantastic Racism: Towards all 'surface-dwellers'...so really, towards almost everyone. Sort of justified, since his kind were forced underground by humanity, although we see no other mole people in the game.
Fossil Revival: He uses a Mega Aerodactyl on the Insane difficulty, and he also gifts you a fossil daily in the Lost Tunnel.
Hey, You!: Never refers to the Player as anything other than 'Surface-dweller'.
Hostile Weather: He has a vicious Sandstorm swirling during his boss fight, which cannot be dispelled and does more damage to Pokémon than a regular Sandstorm.
Misanthrope Supreme: He's never in a good mood. He only rewards the Player with items begrudgingly, and makes his dislike of you very clear, no matter where you find him.
Mole Men: He's part of an underground race of mole people, and wants to enact his revenge on humanity some day for casting him and his people aside.
Sins of Our Fathers: The source of his grievance against the Player: he seeks to punish them for trying to assert dominance over him, as their ancestors did to the mole-people, long ago.

Elias

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"Guess being dead doesn't get me out of my duties as a member of the Elite Four, huh? Lousy economy..."

One of the Elite Four, who specializes in Ghost types. A man, forced to continue on as a member of the Elite Four even after death, due to the poor job market.

Casting a Shadow: He prefers to use Ghost types.
Damage-Sponge Boss: Elias has Shadow Shield applied to all Ghost-types in the battle, which provides Damage Reduction at full health. He takes advantage of this by running Pokémon that can reduce the offensive power of the opponent, heal themselves, or bolster their own defense even more.
Deadpan Snarker: To a level that can only be achieved by being dead. It comes with being kind of sour about the inability to pass on peacefully.
Dude, Where's My Respect?: He's considered as not much more than a cheap source of labor. Even after he died, the League had no problems denying him eternal rest just so they wouldn't need to find a replacement.
Meat Puppet: He's basically just this, as his body is controlled by whatever Ghost-type Pokémon is possessing his body. He can't even seem to move on his own, as during the ending sequence, his sprite just kinda moves without any actual frames of him moving around.
Obvious Rule Patch: His shadowy veil prevents entry hazards such as Spikes from affecting his Ghost-types when they are at full health, to prevent people from bypassing the Shadow Shield effect with passive damage the moment they enter battle. The moves Safeguard and Substitute will also fail when used by a non-Ghost type.
Our Zombies Are Different: He is a reanimated corpse, possessed by a ghost, and somehow, he managed to stay on as one of the Elite Four.
Perpetual Poverty: Is the constant victim of this, since the Borrius League felt it was cheaper to keep Elias's corpse on as an Elite Four Member: being dead, he doesn't need to be paid for anything a living person needs, such as food, or somewhere to sleep.
Possessing a Dead Body: An unspecified Ghost-type Pokémon moves his body around.
Sharp-Dressed Man: Wears a white shirt and black tie.
The Trope Formerly Known as X: Introduces himself to the Player as 'the corpse formerly known as Elias'.
Understatement: Warns the Player not to let anyone dig them up and use them for experiments after they die, describing it as 'really inconvenient'.

Arabella

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_8.png

"I just finished a tea party with my friends just now. Sorry, you'll have to wait for the next one...Oh! You're here for a battle instead, aren't you...?"

One of the Elite Four, who specializes in Fairy types. A young girl responsible for keeping her father, an ex-member of the Elite Four, afloat after dismissal.

Artistic License – Child Labor Laws: No matter how good at battling she is, Arabella is nowhere near old enough to be earning money to support her unemployed father, and yet here she is.
The Baby of the Bunch: She's easily the youngest member of the Elite Four - actually, she's the youngest boss character in the main game.
Badass Adorable: She's only a child, yet she's on par with everyone else in the Elite Four in terms of battling skill.
Cheerful Child: Upbeat and happy, even with the burden of being the one to keep the roof over her father's head.
Cheery Pink: Wears a pink dress, and never loses her pep, even after a loss.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, during her first battle, her Magearna carries Fleur Cannon, a move it can't learn until Level 90, which is below the Level Cap of 75. Her Azumarill also carries 4 extra Effort Values than the 510 usually allowed, invested in Speed.
The Dreaded Pretend Tea-Party: Likes to invite people to her tea-parties when she wins a battle. There's a twist though, as her dialogue at Magnolia Café makes clear: the tea's actually real - her wages as an Elite Four Member means she can splash the money for it, and her father doesn't really mind. No coffee though, since her father says she's not old enough.
Everyone Has Standards: Believes only food or drink bought from an establishment should be consumed at that same place, out of fairness. That's why all the tea she has at Magnolia Café was bought from them.
Everything's Better with Sparkles: Comes package and parcel with her cute Magical Girl appearance.
The Fair Folk: She prefers to use Fairy types.
Improbable Age: A small child, younger than even most other Pokémon protagonists, who is also among the 4 best Trainers in the Borrius League.
From the Mouths of Babes: Doesn't know what a 'deadbeat' is, just that it's what people call her Daddy.
Magical Girl: She's styled after one, sparkles and all.
Mysterious Mist: She has Misty Terrain permanently active during her battle.
Status Buff: All Fairy-types under her special rules receive a defensive one: it grants a +1 Def or Sp Def boost to any Fairy type that switches in, depending on which of their respective stat is lower.
Token Mini-Moe: She's the only child in the Elite Four.

Penny

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_10.png

"Dragons are the best! With their tails and their wings and their FIRE BREATHING! A filthy casual like you doesn't stand a chance against me! I'll prove it to you right now! GRAWR!"

One of the Elite Four, who specializes in Dragon types. A knowledgeable, if immature, fan of Dragon-types, there's hardly anything she doesn't know about them.

The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, she has a Mega Salamence that carries Iron Head, a move it cannot legally learn in Unbound at all.
Cosplay: She appears to be in a Goodra cosplay, is a fangirl of dragons, and mentions a Dragoncon that she likes to attend.
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: She may be a somewhat hyperactive fangirl for Dragon-types. That does nothing to change the fact that she DOES train Dragon-types, and that includes multiple pseudo-legendary ones.
Cycle of Hurting: Fond of doing this under her special battle rules, especially on higher difficulties: her Dragons like to abuse attacks such as Rock Slide, which have a doubled chance of making the opponent flinch, or causing paralysis via Secret Power.
The Ditz: Not the most sensible person. In fact, she once subscribed to a Dragon-related magazine, without realising there was no way to cancel the subscription.
Dragon Tamer: She prefers to use Dragon types.
Genki Girl: Excitable and energetic, especially when talking about Dragons.
Luck-Based Mission: She has Serene Grace applied to all Dragon types in the fight, which doubles the chance of secondary effects happening, so with the wrong team, her battle can turn into this.
Nightmare Fuel: In-universe, she believes Eternatus to be this, astonished at how it doesn't even look like a Dragon at all.
Otaku: Has learned basically everything about Dragons, has bought almost all merchandise related to Dragons, trains Dragons...you get the idea, she's a fan of Dragons.
Rule 34: Never stated outright, but she shows the Player a Dragon-related video she picked up with a Mature rating.
You inspect the cover of the video's box... That...is NOT a comfortable thing to do to a Goomy.

Shadows

In General

The main villainous team of Borrius, who search far and wide for Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

Casting a Shadow: Alongside the typical Dark and Poison types that most villainous teams use, the Shadows use Ghost types as well.
Cool Boat: The organisation has a ship known as the Shadow, designed to stealthily cross the sea at night. It comes with the means to launch explosives too, which is useful when you're raiding someone's secret base via the sea.
Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas: To make up for his folly for letting you and Ace go at the start, one of the grunts manages to intercept a package that was meant for Professor Log. Marlon commends the grunt and offers anything that the grunt may have wanted when he joined, and in this case, he wanted to help out his crippled mother who lost a limb.
Norse Mythology: Referred to at least; when the Shadows summon the Legendary Birds, they perform an incantation using terms from the Norse mythology. For instance, to summon Articuno, Marlon chants, "Sankren fimbulvetr!", with fimbulvetr meaning "harsh winter".
The Reveal: The Shadows are a branch organisation of Cube Corp., founded with the purpose of researching how to revive the dead - specifically, Zeph, Marlon and Ivory's children. Zeph was Cube Corp's CEO, but stepped down to head the Shadows full-time. The reason no-one realised was because Zeph and Fey had to pretend the Shadows and Cube Corp weren't related, to avoid a public relations disaster.
Take Over the World: This is definitely NOT the purpose of the Shadows, but it doesn't stop several of its members thinking that it is (what other reason would there be for making living weapons like the Shadow Warriors and seeking out what is described in Borrian legend as 'the dark force'?). Several members apparently willingly turn themselves into Shadow Warriors for the power they think it'll grant them, and those that don't are the first to ditch the Shadows for the Light of Ruin instead.
Undying Loyalty: After the events at the Ruins of Void, half of the Shadow grunts defect to the Light of Ruin to become their grunts instead, alongside Ivory. The rest however, stay out of loyalty to Zeph and Marlon.
Well-Intentioned Extremist: The higher ups may pull some shady, often illegal things, like steal a package not meant for them, threaten people to cough up important artefacts, forcefully capture Legendary Pokémon, and even create abominations like the Shadow Warriors, but it's all to ressurect their dead children.

Zeph

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_29.png

Shadow Boss

"In the absence of anyone else, Houndoom and I will personally show you the meaning of pain. I've been quite patient with you, but I'm afraid you've forced my hand. Time to suffer for your interference!"

The leader of the Shadows, who tasks his admins and grunts to seek out the Legendary Birds of Kanto to unleash Hoopa's true power.

Badass in a Nice Suit: He's the leader of the Shadows, and dresses to the nines.
Big Bad: He's the leader of the Shadows, making him the main villain of the game. That is until you realize that his plans are noble, as all of his plans were to revive his dead son. He also gets upstaged by the real villain Aklove, making Zeph one of the good guys.
The Coup: Inverted. After he gathers all the Legendary Birds at the Ruins of Void, and the Prison Stone, Aklove promptly finishes the ritual himself, steals control of the Shadows from him, all the while mocking him for being strung along by his schemes so easily.
Doting Parent: Was this to his son. With his son's revival after the events at Crystal Peak, he is now this again, with his rematches against the Player in the Post Game motivated by the desire to impress and entertain his son.
Even Evil Has Standards: For all his unethical and illegal acts, he won't forcibly turn living people into Shadow Warriors unless they consent, and isn't willing to destroy an entire region for the sake of his deceased son.
Go-Karting with Bowser: He can be battled daily in the Post-Game. Never mind that he led an apparently villainous team and spent time in prison before Aklove's final arrest, if you wanna help him entertain his son, then go ahead.
Honest Corporate Executive: Used to be the CEO of Cube Corp., but the death of his son, and the knowledge two of his friends lost theirs as well made him step down after founding the Shadows, and from there he starts dabbling in a whole lot more shady and unethical experiments.
Know When to Fold 'Em: Once Aklove reveals his true colors, and Hoopa warps away his Houndoom effortlessly, he concedes, unable to fight Hoopa's power. To add insult to injury, however, Aklove announces himself as the new leader, and several Shadow Grunts rally to his side and kick him out.
Necromantic: The true purpose behind his founding of the Shadows is to revive his deceased son.
Olympus Mons: His goal is to capture Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, all for the sake of unbinding Hoopa's real power. On the Insane difficulty, he does battle you with a Legendary Pokémon, namely Thundurus-Therian.
Optional Boss: He can be fought at the Shadow Base in the postgame, and is a potential Title Defense challenger in the Pokémon League. Both matches are just good, old fashioned spars, for the sake of entertaining his son.
Rank Scales with Asskicking: Leads the Shadows, and wields the power of Mega Evolution.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Tries to retreat when Aklove returns from Hoenn, with the mission to launch a surprise attack on the Light of Ruin's base compromised. He doesn't get far before a Portal from Hoopa sends him to join his Houndoom's fate.
Signature Mon: His is Houndoom, which can Mega Evolve, and it's also very loyal to him, saving him from falling into Cinder Volcano after Aklove warps them both there.
Super Mode: He faces you with Mega Houndoom, and then later in the game, Mega Gengar on Expert or Mega Gyarados on Insane.
Unwitting Pawn: Was manipulated by Aklove into abandoning the idea of using the Shadow Warriors to revive his son, and instead seek out the Ultimate Weapon, the device said to have revived the King of Kalos's partner Pokémon, Floette, and do most of the ritual to unseal Hoopa's power for him.
Villain Respect: The first time you battle him, he uses only his Mega Houdoom, thinking it would be enough. Nonetheless, despite being weakened by Ivory previously, the Player wins, and Zeph comments that their strength was something he wished for his son as well.
We Have Ways of Making You Talk: Attempts this on the Player, after kidnapping them. Of course, this being a Pokémon game, it's via a battle.

Marlon

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_unbound_203_12.png

^{Art by lacrimosa:}

"I take it, then, you've decided to make it your business to interfere? That's unfortunate."

Zeph's right hand man, an admin of the Shadows. As the top enforcer, he leads his grunts to capture the Legendary Birds for seemingly nefarious purposes.

Artificial Limb: His left arm was ripped off by a rogue Shadow Warrior prior to the events of the game. However, after being converted into data inside Cube Space, Aros manages to configure his data to restore the lost limb before sending him back to stop the Light of Ruin.
Badass Boast: Marlon delivers a pretty solid one to you at Thundercap Mountain, after seizing Zapdos.
Marlon: No matter how it happened, no matter that you're here now... None of it changes the fact that I have Zapdos in my possession. With its power in my hands, there's no chance you'll be able to stop me from leaving. And if you think there is, then, I will show you first-hand... the power of Zapdos! The power of a Legendary Pokémon!
Badass in Distress: Gets warped away by Hoopa when the invasion on the Light of Ruin's base goes pear-shaped, finding himself imprisoned at Crystal Peak along with his twin children Ace and Melony. However, Ace manages to escape and rescues both him and Melony just before the climax.
Bash Brothers: You team up with him for a battle against Véga shortly after returning from Cube Space together.
Battle in the Rain: He challenges you at Thundercap Mt. after seizing Zapdos, and the battle has rain permanently active. On higher difficulties, he even takes full advantage of this as Zapdos has Hurricane which becomes a perfectly accurate attack, and he has an incredibly strong Mega Sharpedo whose Water type attacks are boosted in the rain.
Co-Dragons: As one of the Shadow admins, both he and Ivory serve Zeph to enact their wicked schemes upon the people of Borrius. After his wife Ivory defects to the Light of Ruin however, Marlon stays loyal to Zeph.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard:
- During your first battle with him on Insane, his Krokorok carries Stomping Tantrum, a move it can't learn until Level 29, which is below the Level Cap of 26. His Cacnea also carries Sucker Punch, a move it can't learn until Level 35, while his Swoobat carries Air Slash, which it can't learn as a Woobat until Level 34.
- During your second battle with him on Insane, his Zapdos carries Bolt Beak. While it IS possible to teach Zapdos that move in Unbound, it's impossible for Zapdos to learn until at least Level 70, below the Level Cap of 40. His Sharpedo also carries Jaw Lock, which is also a move it CAN learn in Unbound, but not until Level 56.
Dual Boss: His first battle with the Player is this, partnering with another Shadow Grunt to fight both you and Jax. You then team up with him against Véga and a Light of Ruin grunt on lower difficulties, or just against Véga on higher difficulties, and then Marlon's final match with you has you team up with Ace in a good old fashioned bout of strength.
Enemy Mine: After you both return from Cube Space, you fight alongside Marlon against Véga and the Science Society, as well as a rampaging Primal Groudon. Afterwards, makes it clear to Zeph that the Player is the best chance they have at stopping Aklove and the Light of Ruin, despite their past as enemies.
Graceful Loser: After losing to you at Thundercap Mountain, he concedes and lets Zapdos go freely.
Heel–Face Turn: After understanding Marlon's motivations, and after events of Ruins of Void and fighting alongside Marlon at Cinder Volcano, he is firmly on your side as the Light of Ruin becomes the greater threat to Borrius.
Know When to Fold 'Em: He also lets Zapdos go, after conceding that all the Grunts be brought were defeated by the Player, and Zapdos destroyed all the Shadow Warriors he could have used to stop you, so there's nothing to stop the Player from stealing back Zapdos by force.
Necromantic: The true purpose behind working with the Shadows is to revive his deceased son. However, after seeing what it would cost, he's more willing to accept the loss and move on, after his Heel–Face Turn.
Olympus Mons: He has Zapdos under his command, and on Insane, he also raises a Yveltal and Nihilego for his final battle, the latter being an Ultra Beast that's similar in strength to Legendary Pokémon. During his first Title Defense rematch, he mentions how the Zapdos Aklove summoned from Hoopa's portal appeared before him, and that he successfully captured it, unsure as to why it chose him. He then uses it in his party, in both his rematch and as a partner in Max Raid Battles.
Optional Boss: Appears as one of the Title Defense challengers in the Pokémon League.
Parental Neglect: To Ace and his sister Melony, moving to Frozen Heights away from them to dedicate himself to reviving his first child. He does however come to realise and regret being barely in their lives for so long, however. In the Post-Game, he focuses himself on playing catch-up with his twin children so much that he neglects Zeph's son, who remained in his care, and as a result, he gets kidnapped along with Arthur and the Player's mother.
Poisonous Person: Typical for most villainous team admins, he ends up raising a few Poison-types for his later fights like Tentacruel, Mega Beedrill, and on higher difficulties, Nihilego.
Recurring Boss: You fight Marlon three times, with the last battle being a team-up with Ace in a Double Battle.
Red Hot Masculinity: His admin outfit is mostly red all over, to match his drive and willingness to fight his way through obstacles. His Signature Mon Krookodile is also maroon, a somewhat red colour, and is quite masculine in appearance. After Marlon's Heel–Face Turn, however, he reveals a more cautious and regretful side of himself.
The Reveal: He's Ace's dad, and Ivory is his wife. The two joined the Shadows in an effort to revive their own dead child, the same goal as Zeph, who also lost his son.
Shock and Awe: He manages to seize Zapdos, and uses it against you during the events of Thundercap Mountain.
Signature Mon: His is Krookodile, but he also proudly faces you with Zapdos once he catches it, and then he raises another Zapdos during his Title Defense matches.
Spikes of Villainy: The shoulder of his Artificial Limb has a silver spike sticking out. Having said that, he's more of an Anti-Hero, come The Reveal regarding the true purpose of the Shadows.
Strong Family Resemblance: When unmasked, it's revealed he looks similar to Ace, sporting red hair. His daughter Melony inherited her looks from her mother Ivory, it seems.
Theme Song Reveal: His battle theme is a more intense remix of the Shadow battle theme, but it also incorporates another theme: Ace's battle theme, as he's actually his dad.
"You!" Exclamation: When he sees the Player again, at Thundercap Mt., having just captured Zapdos.

Ivory

^{Art by lacrimosa:}

"Try not to struggle so much - it'll only hurt all the more."

Zeph's right hand woman, another admin of the Shadows. More of a scientist than a battler, but she can put up a fight if need be.

Apologetic Attacker: Towards Ace, at least before she's forced to make his back hit a wall with her Alakazam. Twice.
Armor-Piercing Question: When confronting Ivory on Route 9 alongside Jax, Jax questions the motives of the Shadows, believing them to want to seek out Hoopa's destructive power to destroy the region and plunge it into chaos. Ivory simply asks why they would ever release a destructive force, and Jax has no answer other than 'evil for its own sake', an idea Ivory wastes no time mocking.
Cats Are Mean: Part of the villainous Shadows then later Light of Ruin and uses the feline Pokémon Incineroar, and her Shadow grunt partner on Route 9 uses Meowstic. Even Landorus-Therian, who Ivory uses on Insane difficulty, can be considered somewhat feline-like.
Character Select Forcing: For your final battle with her, you are forced to use Ace's Toucannon, Vaporeon, and Mamoswine against her, and then three Pokémon from your own team.
Co-Dragons: As the other Shadow admin, both she and Marlon serve Zeph to enact their wicked schemes upon the people of Borrius. However, she defects to the Light of Ruin, believing that Aklove will be the one to help her out.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: Not Ivory herself, but her partner in your second battle with her: On Insane, her partner's Oranguru carries Instruct, a move it can't learn until Level 50, which is below the Level Cap of 36.
Cutting the Knot: Fond of doing this to people, using her Alakazam's Psychic to just remove or knock out people who are in the way, although she's not above battling the Player when push comes to shove.
Dual Boss: Her second battle with the Player is this, partnering with another Shadow Grunt to fight both you and Jax.
Face–Heel Turn: She was already a villain, but after Marlon explains what their deal is, you see that they're both anti villains. At least until she abandons the Shadows for the Light of Ruin, who actually do want to cause destruction upon Borrius.
Foreshadowing: The way she speaks to your rival after knocking him out at Frost Mountain has her talking down to him as though he were a child. "Is that really any way to talk to someone?" She also seemed to know what his name was. Ivory likely had to resist the urge to say "is that really any way to talk to your mother?".
Graceful Ladies Like Purple: Her admin outfit is mostly purple all over, matching her more calm, level personality at least until Aklove betrays her and hightails it from Crystal Peak.
Hypocrite: Despite questioning Jax on why the Shadows would release a dark force that would cause destruction across Borrius, she has no problems with siding with an Omnicidal Maniac if it means reviving her own son.
I'm a Doctor, Not a Placeholder: After failing to defeat the Player the first time, Zeph admonishes her, and she gives the response that she's a scientist, not a serious Trainer. She's still not to be underestimated however, with powerful Pokémon like Alakazam, Mismagius, and Incineroar under her command.
Karma Houdini: Since she high tails it out of the story after all has been said and done, she's basically still on the run, with her crimes of working with the Shadows and the more dangerous Light of Ruin being unanswered for.
Lack of Empathy: She believes that all that matters is her family being 'whole' again, and will destroy everything else for that goal, even if the rest of her family protest very strongly. She's also not above the use of force should any of her family try to stop her.
A Million Is a Statistic: Her dead son is all that matters, and the rest of the world can go to hell. The fact neither Marlon or Zeph believe that is what sets her against them, in the end.
Necromantic: The true purpose behind working with the Shadows and the Light of Ruin is to revive her deceased son.
Olympus Mons: On Insane, for her final battle, she uses Landorus-Therian, as well as Pheromosa, an Ultra Beast that's similar in power to Legendaries.
Parental Neglect: To Ace and his sister Melony, moving to Frozen Heights away from them to dedicate herself to reviving his first child. Unlike Marlon, however, she continues on trying to revive her son, as though giving up would mean having abandoned them for nothing.
Recurring Boss: You fight her a total of three times, with the second battle being a team-up with Jax in a Double Battle.
The Reveal: She's Ace's mom, and Marlon is her husband. The two joined the Shadows in an effort to revive their own dead child, the same goal as Zeph, who also lost his son. However, she betrays the Shadows to join the Light of Ruin.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Leaves after the events of Crystal Peak, saying that she needs time to herself to think, and isn't seen again after that, at least as of the current version 2.0.
Signature Mon: Hers is Alakazam, which can Mega Evolve. As of version 2.1, she also uses Vullaby (and later Mandibuzz) on most difficulties, although her Alakazam is the one that has the most on-screen presence.
Theme Song Reveal: Her battle theme is a more sinister remix of the Shadow battle theme, but it also incorporates two other themes: the Light of Ruin theme, hinting at her eventual betrayal of the Shadows to work with Aklove, and it also incorporates Ace's battle theme, as she's actually his mom.
The Unfettered: There is absolutely nothing she considers off the table when it comes to reviving her dead son, up to and including the destruction of Borrius itself.
Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Unlike most Pokémon antagonists however, rather then a black screen, and then vanishing, we actually get to see how she escapes - namely, by converting two innocent hostages into Shadow Warriors and having them fight you and Jax as she hightails it out.

Shadow Warriors

Strange creatures that are created by the Shadows for reasons unknown. They seem to resemble Pokémon, and can be fought just like any other Pokémon.

Achilles' Heel: They're Ghost/Dark, making Fairy their only weakness. On Insane, they have Wonder Guard, meaning Fairy type attacks are basically the only attacks that can touch 'em. Also, removing their cloak has them crumble into dust, but good luck doing that without pissing them off.
Animalistic Abomination: They resemble draconic figures in hooded cloaks, and they use Gabite's cry.
Artificial Human: They're artificial creations that require a human vessel. In older versions, they required the ashes of the dead instead, but from Version 2.0 onward, they're more like half human half Pokémon hybrids. The old couple on Route 9 were forcibly turned into these beasts, but defeating them brings them back to normal.
Came Back Wrong: They're the result of trying to find a way to use the remains of Pokémon to ressurect the dead. However, they're animalistic and difficult to control, bearing no trace of either human or Pokémon's previous personalities.
Chekhov's Gun: You see a scene at the start that shows that they show great Ice and Fire resistance, but not Electric. ^note. While this means they're able to help the Shadows capture Articuno and Moltres, they get wiped out by Zapdos, that is until Marlon takes matters into his own hands and just catches Zapdos outright.
Gameplay and Story Integration:
- They are part Dark type, and you're told that they're sensitive to light. Fairy types are usually associated with light, as the Light of Ruin proves, and so are super effective against 'em.
- As of Version 2.1, Shadow Warriors cannot be inflicted with a burn or frostbite, showing their immunity to extreme heat and cold.
Kill It with Fire: They leave behind trails of fire that, when touched, inflicts Burn on all of your Pokémon.
Living Weapon: Well, Unliving Weapon, anyway. They're employed by the Shadows to help restrain and subdue the Legendary birds. However, that was not their original purpose - Zeph wanted to improve them to be the perfect vessels for his dead son, before changing tack and focusing on locating the Ultimate Weapon. Fey, however, pressured him into improving on their combat capabilities, to serve an unknown agenda of her own.
Powered by a Forsaken Child: In the climax, all the Shadow Warriors end up being repurposed as fuel, to fire the Ultimate Weapon.
Unique Enemy: Cannot be caught or controlled in any way, and are basically just tougher Mooks to fight every now and then.

Light of Ruin

In General

A mysterious group in Borrius who also have their own nefarious schemes.

The Fair Folk: They specialize in Fairy-types.
Flower Motifs: Their symbol is styled after the Eternal Flower Floette, the very same one that was AZ's partner Pokémon.
Light Is Not Good: They're clad in white cloaks, use Fairy types, and are basically a death cult, following Aklove as he wishes to destroy all of Borrius with the Ultimate Weapon.
You ALL Look Familiar: Unlike the Shadows, there is no distinction between overworld or battle sprites, not even between male and female members. The only way to tell their gender is through the colour-coded text boxes.

Aklove

^{Concept art by kwen:}

"I can finally have the satisfaction of eliminating you once and for all. You have been a repeated nuisance to the Shadows... And I cannot have you becoming a nuisance to me as well."

The leader of the Light of Ruin, who also seeks out Hoopa's power for his own sake.

Agent Peacock: He may be a pretty man who uses rather feminine Pokémon like Primarina and Mega Gardevoir, but he is no less competent a trainer, as he's eventually able to have Hoopa-Unbound and several Legendaries and Mythics under his control.
Antiquated Linguistics: He hardly ever uses contractions in his speech.
Arch-Enemy: Considers the Player to be this, given that Hoopa consistently shows that it would prefer them as its Trainer instead of Aklove. Of course, Aros' final words to Hoopa aside, the abuse Hoopa receives would be enough for it to want literally anyone else as a Trainer.
Badass Cape: Wears a white cape, befitting his position as leader of the Light of Ruin, with a pin styled after the flower carried by the Eternal Floette.
Bad People Abuse Animals: Controls Hoopa, constantly forcing it to overexert itself, and berates it for every failure, making it reluctant to follow his orders.
Big Bad: The real villain of the game, who poses as a Shadow grunt just to foil Zeph's plans for the sake of his own. He seizes Hoopa, and plans to activate the Ultimate Weapon to finish what he believed the King of Kalos started.
Climax Boss: Shares this role with Hoopa and Mega Rayquaza, being one of the two bosses who must be beaten before the Plot Tunnel closes.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard:
- On Insane, during your first battle with Aklove, his Manaphy carries Tail Glow, a move it can't learn until Level 76, which is below the Level Cap of 52. His Ribombee also carries Charm, a move it cannot learn at all.
- During the second battle with him on Insane, his Primal Kyogre carries Origin Pulse, which it learns at Level 63, one ahead of its actual Level of 62.
- During the final battle with him (on Insane, as per usual), should you challenge him at the lowest possible Level, his Melmetal carries Double Iron Bash, a move it cannot learn until Level 88, below its minimum level of 74. His Mega Diancie will also, despite its lowest Level being 75, carry Diamond Storm, which it normally learns at Level 91.
Cutting the Knot: So Marlon couldn't bring back Zapdos, the last key to releasing Hoopa's power? No problem! Just get Hoopa to use its Portals to bring another Zapdos to you instead!
Destroy the Evidence: In a phone-call to Fey, he promises his plan to use the Shadow Warriors as fuel for the Ultimate Weapon will be clean, leaving no trace that they ever existed.
Didn't Think This Through: Aklove's attempt to dispose of Zeph's Houndoom, and later Zeph himself. It's one thing to teleport a Houndoom, a Fire-type with the ability Flash Fire, to Cinder Volcano in order to get rid of it. It's another thing to teleport said Houndoom's trainer, to whom it's undyingly loyal, to that very same location.
Dragon Tamer: On Expert, he raises a Dragonite that he uses during his fight at Crystal Peak.
Dual Boss: Inverted. Two of his fights has you team up with an ally (Ace or Jax) and you both fight him two on one, but he's no less formidable.
Evil Counterpart:
- He was designed to be one to N, being misguided, long haired pretty boys who seek to change the world, and partake in villainous methods to do so. Both are royalty, N by way of being crowned king of Team Plasma, and Aklove by being the descendant of AZ, the King of Kalos. However, N truly wanted to help out Pokémon and was manipulated by Ghetsis to do his bidding, while Aklove is the one manipulating others for his own gain.
- He's also an evil counterpart to the player, as Aklove abuses poor Hoopa and its powers, while Hoopa often comes to you for help, and eventually joins you, letting you be its rightful trainer. While Aklove holds people at arms length at best, or treats everyone but himself as tools and pawns at worst, you end up befriending and teaming up with several people, including the once villainous Shadows.
Evil Redhead: He's got red hair, leads the Light of Ruin, and is unhinged enough to want to destroy all of Borrius, all for what he believes is his destiny.
The Fair Folk: Specializes in Fairy-types like Togekiss, Primarina, and Mega Gardevoir.
Gold and White Are Divine: Some of the Legendary/Mythical Pokémon that he uses are bright, gold, or white in design, like Mega Diancie and Tapu Lele. He even has a shiny Registeel on Insane difficulty, which in this game, has a gold palette instead of its regular one.
I Lied: Ivory learns he never intended to let her use the Ultimate Weapon to revive her son. He was just going to straight up abandon her and scapegoat her for the destruction of the region.
It Only Works Once: He's only got enough Shadow Warriors at hand to fuel one firing of the Ultimate Weapon...and it's wasted, being used to revive Zeph's son instead of nuking Borrius.
It's All About Me: His crucial flaw is his giant ego. Not only is the password to his own base his own name, something that Zeph lampshades to be arrogant, he also did not give a damn about Ivory's plan to resurrect her fallen son, and was even planning to pin all the blame on her for firing off the Ultimate Weapon. His whole goal is to fulfill what he thinks is his destiny, when he was really just projecting and thinking about himself the entire time, something that Jax completely tears into him for in the postgame.
Manipulative Bastard: He's been secretly a part of the Shadows all so he could obtain Hoopa's power for himself to cause destruction, he double crosses Zeph and Marlon to form the Light of Ruin, and he manipulates Ivory by claiming he can revive her deceased son, only to say it was a falsehood and even planned to turn her into a scapegoat.
Motive Rant: Once he unmasks himself as the mastermind to Zeph, and once more, when the Player and Jax foil his plans to start again. Jax, needless to say, isn't impressed.
Olympus Mons: Seeks out and uses Hoopa-Unbound against you, and it's also capable of summoning many Legendary Pokémon to stop you, some of which you have to fight back to back. On higher difficulties, Aklove also just has various Legendary Pokémon on his team like Registeel, Primal Kyogre, and a full team of them in the postgame, with the likes of Meloetta, Tapu Lele, and Mega Diancie.
Omnicidal Maniac: He's a manipulative mad man whose goal is to activate the Ultimate Weapon to wipe out all of Borrius.
Rank Scales with Asskicking: Leads the Light of Ruin, and holds the power of the Mythical Hoopa. Like Zeph, he is also capable of Mega Evolution (though most likely with a bond forged by abuse, or a Villainous Friendship, as alluded to by Successor Maxima).
Recurring Boss: You fight him a total of three times, with the final battle being a team-up with Jax in a Double Battle.
Royal Blood: He's the descendant of AZ, the King of Kalos.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Abandons everyone at Crystal Peak, after failing to destroy Borrius with the Ultimate Weapon.
Signature Mon: Hoopa Unbound, who he not only uses against you, but beckons it to summon Legendary Pokémon to stop you, which includes the Legendary Beasts, Ho-Oh and Lugia, Reshiram and Zekrom, and Mega Rayquaza. However, he also carries a Gardevoir, that is capable of Mega Evolution.
Status Buff: On Insane, during his final confrontation at the Ruins of Void, all of his Pokémon inexplicably get +1 to all stats. Also, Meloetta gets Competitive in this game, is equipped with an Adrenaline Orb, and is paired with Tapu Lele to set up Psychic Terrain. Thanks to Intimidate from Jax's Staraptor, this means Aklove's Meloetta starts the match with +3 Sp Atk and +2 Spd, and is ready to run your team through with Psychic Terrain boosted Expanding Force.
True Final Boss: Serves as this, since defeating him at the Ruins of Void is required for the Player to truly complete the game and begin a New Game Plus.
Villain Ball: For all his scheming, he's prone to grabbing this with both hands, when a more practical option exists. This proves to be his undoing in the Post-Game, as he kidnaps Zeph's son, Arthur and the Player's Mom as an act of revenge, but instead of killing them, he keeps them all alive to bait out Jax and the player for the purpose of a battle. As Arthur puts it, his ego outweighed his common sense.
Villainous Breakdown: First the Player, Jax, Ace and Marlon show up to stop him firing the weapon, then Hoopa loses to the Player AGAIN, then Aklove is personally defeated in battle by the Player and Ace, before the weapon finally fires...and it was on the wrong setting when it did. This leads to him just straight up abandoning the mountain, and when the Player next sees him again, he's a ruined wreck, deluding himself into thinking he can start from scratch. It's up to the Player and Jax to disabuse him of the notion once and for all.
White and Red and Eerie All Over: Decked out in a white cape, with red hair and a red flower-shaped pin, to indicate he's one of the bad guys.

Criminal Gangs

The Terror Granbull

General Tropes

A criminal gang who were kicked out of Antisis City after the Black Ferrothorn dethroned them as the most powerful gang. Now, the Terror Granbull are wanderers, stirring up trouble wherever they appear.

Butt-Monkey: Everywhere they think to cause trouble in Borrius, the Player seems to always be there to ruin whatever they have planned. Also, unlike the other gangs who use pretty fitting, threatening Pokémon like Krookodile or Weezing, these guys use a lot less intimidating Pokémon like Dedenne and Pachirisu.
The Fair Folk: Favour the use of Fairy-types, including their signature Granbull.
Real Men Wear Pink: The Terror Granbull, despite being a tough biker gang, use Fairy types like their namesake Granbull, as well as Fairy types like Togekiss and Dedenne, and cute Pokémon like Skitty and Pachirisu.
Unwitting Instigator of Doom: One of the Trainers in Frost Mountain mentions the Terror Granbull spooked Articuno away from its usual home, towards Frozen Heights, making the Shadows accelerate their plans to capture it, thus kickstarting the overall plot of the game. Who knows what would have happened then, if the Player hadn't gotten involved that very same day?
Walking the Earth: The whole gang's been banished from Antisis City, and as criminals, they've got nowhere to settle since crime's all they know.

Gruff

"Get ready, ya wannabe hero, 'cos Gruff only knows how to play rough!"

The leader of the Terror Granbull.

Badass Biker: Never seen without his signature bike. Gruff's battle sprite even depicts him with that same motorcycle.
Bad People Abuse Animals: His last appearance is at Magnolia Fields, trying to force some Miltank the Terror Granbull stole into giving them milk.
Battle in the Rain: Fought on Route 10, which is permanently raining. This does weaken Fire type attacks directed at his Ariados (and Breloom on Insane), and it powers up his Crawdaunt's Water type attacks.
Beard of Evil: Sports a big black beard, in contrast to his big bald head.
The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, should the Player challenge him at the first opportunity, his Vibrava will carry Clanging Scales and Boomburst. While it IS possible to teach Vibrava those moves in Unbound, they're impossible for Vibrava to learn until at least Level 59 and 64 respectively, below the Level Cap of 36. His Crawdaunt will also carry Crabhammer, a move it cannot get until Level 48 as a Corphish, at its earliest, while his Breloom will carry Spore, which it learns as a Shroomish at Level 41.
Hypocrite: Berates his underlings for running away from one Trainer and a single policeman sent to arrest them...before also running off himself.
Pun: Gives one before battling the Player, saying he only knows how to 'play rough' - the name of one of his signature Granbull's best attacks.
Signature Mon: As expected, it's Granbull.
Sleeves Are for Wimps: Wears just a black sleeveless leather vest around the upper body, and nothing else under it.
Surrounded by Idiots: Has this attitude towards his gang, since they can't seem to NOT be messed with, by the same Trainer, over and over, and yet they keep underestimating the Player, even after they become Champion.
Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Upon defeat, he takes off on his bike to hop on a boat to East Borrius, since it never occurred to the policeman sent to arrest him to confiscate his bike during or after the battle.

The Black Ferrothorn

General Tropes

The newest gang in Antisis City to achieve the status of most powerful group. They're the first gang that the Player encounters, with two members barging into Dresco Town Gym at the conclusion of the battle with Mirskle.

Brick Joke: After your battle with Mirskle, a few Black Ferrothorn goons rush in looking for him. Mirskle and the other trainers proceed to jump into the pond in the middle of the Gym, and that seems to be that. You can return in the postgame with the ability to Dive under water, and you find out that underneath the Gym is a greenhouse that manufactures Oddish Leaves. Those goons at the start weren't there for nothing.
Extra-ore-dinary / Green Thumb: Almost everyone in the gang carries their own Ferroseed, or at least its evolved form Ferrothorn.
Poisonous Person: They also tend to use Poison types like Weezing and Muk.
Status Buff: During one mission, you have to fight a pair of Black Ferrothorn goons whose Pokémon get a huge stat buff at the start of the battle, courtesy of the Science Society.

Barbs

"I got a reputation to uphold, see? So if ya seriously thought ya could just steal our turf and supplies, trash our digs, and beat down my boys... Well, that would just give other gangs the same stupid idea, ya get me?"

The leader of the Black Ferrothorn.

The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard: On Insane, should you challenge Barbs at the first opportunity, his Honchkrow carries Oblivion Wing. While it IS possible to teach Honchkrow that move in Unbound, it's impossible for Honchkrow to learn until at least Level 63, below the Level Cap of 52. His Pangoro also carries Wicked Blow, which is also a move it CAN learn in Unbound, but not until Level 65.
Defeating the Cheating Opponent: Before the battle with him, James warns the Player Barbs isn't above playing dirty, with liberal use of his enhancers. Granted, James also tries evening the playing field with his own enhancers, but the fight makes it clear Barbs has the superior stuff, so it's still an uphill climb for the Player.
Delinquent Hair: Sports an unusual mohawk, styled in a way that looks like he has green spikes running across the back of his head.
I Am the Noun: Boasts that no one can defeat the Black Ferrothorn, and claims that he IS the Black Ferrothorn.
Get Out!: To the Player, when all is said and done about the invasion of his headquarters.
Graceful Loser: Respects the Player enough that he agrees to let the Black Emboar/[player name] members go, after their failed raid of his base, while sparing the Player, just as he promised.
Hell-Bent for Leather: That black leather jacket of his is how you know he's the top dog in the Black Ferrothorn.
My God, You Are Serious!: Incredulous that James honestly thought he could dethrone the Black Ferrothorn and run them out, only to realise that yup, he totally thought that.
Signature Laugh: "Chaw ha ha ha!"
Signature Mon: Ferrothorn, just like his gang's namesake.
Spikes of Villainy: Uses Pokémon with spikes or protrusions like Ferrothorn, and on Insane, Starmie.
Status Buff: Both the Player's Pokémon and his get a defensive buff throughout their battle. However, on higher difficulties, the enhancers supplied by the Science Society prove more effective than the ones James gives you, buffing his own Pokémon further than yours.
Super Mode: He has Mega Heracross as his strongest Pokémon, and after his defeat, you find a Heracronite on the ground outside his base.
To the Pain: Threatens James with this, after defeating him, as a message to any other gangs who might try and pull what the Black Emboar/[player name] did: invade his space.

The Black Emboar

General Tropes

An up-and-coming gang, seeking to make a name for themselves. They're first seen causing trouble at the KBT entrance to Crater Town, but after the Player defeats their leader James, he renames the gang after the Player, as a sign of respect. They are then seen in Antisis City, plotting the downfall of the Black Ferrothorn.

Bittersweet Ending: The end of the Black Emboar/(player name)'s set of sidequests. Despite the efforts of the player, the Black Emboars are ultimately defeated by the Black Ferrothorns, and they are forced out of Antisis City. However, they accept their loss with pride, leave for Magnolia Fields, and give the player a Heracronite as a parting gift. Additionally, this means one less gang in the Wretched Hive that is Antisis, giving the few remaining citizens a glimmer of hope that the city will return to its former glory.
Kill It with Fire: Almost everyone in the gang carries their own Tepig, or at least its evolved forms.
Poisonous Person: They also tend to use Poison types like Koffing and Salandit.
Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: After doing some missions for the Black Emboar/[player name] gang, they decide to storm the hideout of a rival gang, the Black Ferrothorn, who have Antisis City under their control. Even after getting past a few grunts, traps, and beating the big bad boss Barbs himself, all of the Black Emboar/[player name] gang get wiped out and driven out of town. As gutsy as they were, they were outmatched in numbers and even in tech, considering that their base was pretty run down while the Black Ferrothorn had an actually pretty high tech base courtesy of the Science Society. Barbs commends you for your strength, but it's not enough to ruin his gang's standing at all.

James

"You claim you care about me, but you really ain't got no guts, bro. You keep sendin' these Trainers to harass me 'cause you're too scared to get your own hands dirty. This kid, [Player name]'s got guts! Let me tell ya! No one has ever wrecked me as good as he/she did!"

The leader of the Black Emboar. The Player first meets him after his brother assigns a Mission to find him after he fell into the gang. However, it turns out James is the LEADER, and that his brother was trying to turn him away from a life of crime, to no avail. He has great respect for the Player, after losing a battle to them.

Bald of Authority: He's the gang's leader, without a hair on his head - or it may be shaved, for the tough-guy image.
Black Sheep: His brother wishes he'd do something more honest with his life, but James won't have any of it.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Despite all the planning, and manpower, the Black Ferrothorn completely defeat and drive out his gang, consigning them to wander the region, like the Terror Granbull.
Defeat Means Friendship: After you defeat him in the KBT, he decides the Player's such a badass, that he makes them a member of his gang, and even renames it after the Player.
Sequel Hook: A postgame mission tasks you to find some missing Miltank at Magnolia Fields, only to find out that the Terror Granbull were up to no good. Your confrontation's cut short as James appears to recruit the remaining Terror Granbull members into a new gang, and then they all leave. As of version 2.0, this plot thread ends right there, but it implies that in a future update that both gangs are now part of the Science Society, or is at least working with them, all under Fey, who according to James has "special plans" for you.
Signature Mon: Pignite. Justified, since his gang hasn't been around for long enough for it to be trained to a point it can evolve, and The Computer Is a Cheating Bastard is averted, even in this case. (If you battle him after obtaining the 3rd Badge, and your Level Cap and party results in his Pignite becoming Level 36, then it will be fought as an Emboar, however).
Sleeves Are for Wimps: Wears just a red jacket with the sleeves torn off around the upper body, and nothing else under it.

Other Characters and Groups

Hoopa

Hoopa Confined

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unboundhoopa720u.png

Hoopa Unbound

The Pokémon whose existence drives the plot of the game. Originally the partner Pokémon of Aros, the Guardian of Borrius, its Poké Ball was thrown into a river in an attempt to keep it out of the wrong hands. Unfortunately, it ended up in a very different pair of wrong hands instead...

This page will only cover tropes related to the Hoopa found in this game. For all other tropes related to Hoopa in general, they can be found under Hoopa's folder here.

Balance Buff: Unbound gave Hoopa Confined Prankster as a Hidden Ability, and an Ability exclusive to its Unbound form called Portal Power, which reduces the damage it takes from attacks that don't make direct contact by 25%.
Climax Boss: Shares this role with Aklove at Crystal Peak, where defeating both wraps up some major plot threads of the story.
The Corruption: Transforming into its Unbound form against its will. Its attempts to try warping the Player close to it is in the hopes it will rescue it before that can happen.
Disabled Deity: While it can create portals, and summon almost anything from them, this Hoopa cannot actually pass through its own portals, instead relying on entering someone's Cube and transforming itself into data, so that they can be carried through a portal by its Trainer.
Earn Your Happy Ending: After Aklove abandons Hoopa after its defeat at Crystal Peak, it can join the Player's party, at long last. Can also double as 11th-Hour Superpower should the Player take Hoopa into the climatic battle with Aklove.
Flunky Boss: The battle with Hoopa at Crystal Peak is this. It begins the battle by summoning a Mega Rayquaza and entering a Double Battle with the Player. To make things worse, even if you knock out Rayquaza, Hoopa will spawn another to take its place mid-battle until Hoopa is knocked out itself.
Irony: Summons a Groudon after the Player defeats Zeph, to provide a distraction and let it rescue the Player, sending them back to Crater Town. That very same Groudon would then be used as a distraction by Véga, so that HE can escape.
Kick the Dog: Is the subject of Aklove's constant abuse throughout the story, getting berated for every failure.
Kidnapped While Sleeping: The game opens with them doing this to the Player, in the hopes they would rescue it from Aklove. Of course, it doesn't pan out that way.
Let's You and Him Fight: Even after the main events of the game, its residual power opens Portals containing other Legendaries that were not encountered before Post-Game.
Make My Monster Grow: On Insane difficulty, Hoopa basically has a second phase after its initial Flunky Boss fight where you have to fight it while it's Dynamaxed. It's consecutive too, so you have to do both fights back to back.
Recurring Element: Much like Giratina in Platinum or Necrozma in Ultra Sun and Moon, Hoopa's fight is the obligatory boss battle against the cover legendary that's present heavily in the main series. Unlike them, however, Hoopa fights you alongside a Mega Rayquaza, which respawn infinitely until Hoopa is defeated, so you have to face two powerful Legendaries at once. On Insane, Hoopa has a second fight that immediately follows the first where you must defeat it while it's Dynamaxed, similarly to the Eternatus fight in Sword and Shield. However, unlike that fight, you're on your own here.
Summon Bigger Fish: Under Aklove's orders, it summons several Legendary Pokémon throughout the game to set against the Player.

Successor Maxima

Maxima

^{Concept art by kwen:}

"It is one thing to "want". It is quite another to "deserve". You see, Mega Evolution is only possible when both Trainer and Pokémon share a deep bond. Yet, there are those who visit me, focused only on what perceived power can be achieved with Mega Evolution. And the bonds that make Mega Evolution possible...are not always bonds of friendship and love."

The heir of Tarmigan Mansion, and an expert in Mega Evolution. Defeating her gives you access to Mega Evolution as well.

The Fair Folk: Is never stated outright to be a Fairy-type specialist, but at least half her team is composed of them, including her signature Mega Altaria. What's more, the Player can obtain a Fairy Gem as a reward for defeating her from the man at the Gym's entrance.
The Gambling Addict: In the postgame, she can be found spending her time at the Dehara City Game Corner.
Iconic Item: Her headband, which also doubles as her Mega Keystone, seen in her battle sprite.
Idle Rich: Is either at her Mansion, waiting for Trainers to battle her, or at the Game Corner. She also employs a lot of chefs in her kitchen, to prepare some of her favorite Berry-based dishes.
The Power of Friendship: Offers the power of Mega Evolution, in the hopes Trainers will draw upon this power to achieve it. However, she acknowledges that a 'bond' doesn't always mean a healthy one, so she won't just hand down the power she guards to anyone unworthy.
Only the Pure of Heart: Invokes this, as she has no interest in those who seek out Mega Evolution merely for its power, at least without 'great skill, and a natural love for Pokémon'.
Race Lift: From older versions to version 2.0 onward, she went from looking exactly like a Lady trainer class with red hair, to looking more like a proper princess with long hair, and she has tan skin instead.
She Knows About Timed Hits: After she grants the Player their Keystone, she explains how to Mega Evolve, making references to the START button to do so.
Signature Mon: Hers is Mega Altaria.
Sixth Ranger: While not officially a Gym Leader, only being fought once, her mansion is essentially treated as a Gym 4.5, which Jax even lampshades. Like any other Gym, there are puzzles to solve and trainers to fight, and her boss fight awaits you at the end. You can even acquire a type boosting Gem (a Fairy Gem) from the Gym guide at the entrance of the mansion, just like in the Gyms.
Super Mode: She tests you on the concept of Mega Evolution, facing you with her Mega Altaria. After her defeat, you get a Mega item of your choice that lets you use Mega Evolution as well, provided you have the right Mega Stones. She gives you the Altarianite to start off with.

Science Society

A group of mad scientists who conduct immoral experiments on Pokémon. For Science!, of course.

Cyber Green: Their regular costume is a black labcoat, with green patterns lining it.
Easy Level Trick: One of the scientists you can fight has three Electrodes that gain +3 Atk, only have Explosion, and are equipped with Normal Gems. Against most Pokemon, that's gonna hurt. Bring a single Ghost-type against her though and well, watch the fireworks.
The Ghost: As of Version 2.0, the head of the Science Society, Fey, has an important role in the story but is nowhere to be found, although her battle theme is coded into the game to listen in the Battle Frontier.
Mad Scientist: They comprise of these, and they're willing to help out criminals like the Terror Granbull, Black Ferrothorn, and the Light of Ruin. Some missions against them show just how unhinged they can be, like one Mad Bomber scientist who rigs her home with explosives and fights you with three Electrode equipped with Normal Gems and, of course, Explosion.
Shock and Awe: Any time you face any of them, they usually use Electric-types. One mission even has you face off against a Dynamaxed Electivire which one of these scientists stole from another trainer.
Stuff Blowing Up: One Mission involves raiding the house of a Science Society member, who defends her goods with Electrodes hidden around the floor to explode. Once the Player gets close enough to her, she fights back with three more Electrode - who of course, only know Explosion.

Frontier Brains

Tower Tycoon Palmer

Palmer

The Frontier Brain of the Battle Tower, the very same from Sinnoh. For more info about him, see his folder on the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl characters page.

Circus Ringmaster Paula

Paula

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... My apologies for interrupting the show, but I, Ringmaster Paula...have decided to step into the ring, to test our latest star!"

The Frontier Brain of the Battle Circus. She's always on the lookout for someone who can entertain the crowd, with their style of battling.

Attack! Attack! Attack!: Her first battle with you prevents both players from switching their Pokémon, while she uses tactics that let her get around this, like using switch out moves or Ghost type Pokémon (who are immune to trapping effects). Her second battle sets several conditions, preventing the use of most held items, only permitting attacks that deal direct damage, and nullifying Abilities.
Artificial Brilliance: During her second battle with you, since Abilities are negated, her party tends to carry Pokémon who have very high stats that would normally be curbed by a negative ability, like Slaking and Regigigas.
It's All About Me: Subverted — Paula takes great care in reminding the Player that someone who only puts on a show to make themselves feel good, without considering the audience's feelings, will never succeed in connecting with them.
Large Ham: She's all about playing to the crowd, and is pretty open about how best to entertain. She even reduces her second battle with the Player down to what is a basically a raw and brutal slugfest between powerful Pokémon, calling it another form of entertainment.
Luck-Based Mission: She randomly sets conditions during your battles that both Trainers must follow, featuring everything from permanent Terrains, weather, starting battles with a status condition, Gym gimmicks, the works. As you progress further into a win-streak, Paula will stack more than one condition every battle, too.
No OSHA Compliance: Once you start the challenge, a hole opens up under the Player, and they drop right into the middle of the stage, with no apparent soft landing.
Red Baron: The Circus Ringmaster.
So Proud of You: Is thrilled after having been bested twice by the Player, seeing that they carry the qualifications she seeks as an entertainer.

Mine Excavator Pablo

Pablo

"I heard all the ruckus upstairs, so I got some idea of what sort of battle style you have. I toil, day in and day out, digging in this mine... Waiting for someone good enough to make it down here... And for what? No one ever leaves a lasting impression. But judging by what I heard, I think you got something good to show me. Let's go. See if you can't ease my boredom."

The Frontier Brain of the Battle Mine. Bored of having to wait for strong Trainers to reach him, and with the Trainers that DO reach him unable to meet his standards, he is resigned and apathetic.

Be Yourself: Mentions that strategies and how to use different Pokémon can be learned from others, but what's important is that the Trainer can arrange what they learn into something only they can do.
Brutal Bonus Level: The Battle Mine challenges you to build a team that can handle multiple rulesets at any given time. For instance, you might have to do a Single Battle in one match, then a Double Battle the next, then the Camomons ruleset, and then the Benjamin Butterfree ruleset, and you just have to adapt to each one as it comes.
I Am Not Left-Handed: Tells the Player, after their first victory over him, that he'll get a more serious team together for their next match, out of respect for the Player.
Iconic Item: His trusty shovel, seen in his battle sprite.
Lonely at the Top: His resignation and apathy stems from his frustration at none of his challengers being strong enough to challenge him, or battling in an unremarkable, forgettable style.
Red Baron: The Mine Excavator.
Luck-Based Mission: The Battle Mine as a facility is this, with different conditions being set for every fight, so the Player can go in with a suitable team for the format, or be put on the back foot with unfavorable conditions.
Victory Is Boring: None of the Trainers that reach him are good enough to ever impress him, until the Player comes along.

Sands King Patroz

Patroz

"What did you experience battling alongside your friend's comrades? From the looks of things, the bond between you and them must be tight indeed. But! I wanna see you shake out some more! Show me what sort of Trainer could shake your soul for you to come this far!"

The Frontier Brain of the Battle Sands. Has great interest in the bonds that connect Trainers, as well as between Pokémon, believing with the right bonds, a Trainer can flourish with anything.

Ambiguously Brown: Has dark skin, all of which he seems happy to show off.
The Chooser of the One: Tells the Player that all Trainers are essentially this, building a party of companions that they trust from any number of combinations. But sometimes, Pokémon can take on this role for Trainers (made clear from Hoopa's bond with the Player).
Mr. Fanservice: He's wearing nothing but a pair of purple beach shorts.
Luck-Based Mission: The Battle Sands in the Battle Frontier has an NPC trainer fight in your stead while you give them two or three of your Pokémon temporarily. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is command the trainer to fight or switch, and the moves chosen are at random, so there is no guarantee or certainty that the NPC will do what you want them to. Trying to win, let alone trying to do it fifty times in a row for the Gold Print, is essentially just up to chance.
The Power of Friendship: Emphasises this, as part of the ideals he seeks in a Trainer, both human and Pokémon.
Red Baron: The Sands King.
Walking Shirtless Scene: Not that he's wearing much below that, either, save for a bit of swimwear.

Characters / Pokémon Unbound

Edit Locked

Main Characters

Francis/Fresia

Ace/Rival

Jax

Supporting Characters

Euler Log

Arthur

Gym Leaders

Mirskle

Véga

Alice

Mel

Galavan

Big Mo

Tessy

Benjamin

Elite Four

Moleman

Elias

Arabella

Penny

Shadows

Zeph

Marlon

Ivory

Light of Ruin

Aklove

Criminal Gangs

General Tropes

Gruff

General Tropes

Barbs

General Tropes

James

Other Characters and Groups

Hoopa

Maxima

Frontier Brains

Palmer

Paula

Pablo

Patroz

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