Author name: Nyankokimi

From a very young age, Whitney was part of the Johto Pokémon League. Getting restless of being the Goldenrod gym leader, she decided to visit her pen pals, Dawn and Cynthia. They kept talking about their travels to the Boston area and how both their experiences helped refresh their outlook on battling. Whitney then decided to see what these two champions were talking about and now finds herself at PAX East to fight young and refreshing trainers. Come see if you have what it takes to survive Whitney’s honed skills and earn the Rollout Emblem!

The PAX Pokémon League, in a scramble to find some of the most renowned scientists in the Pokémon field to attend the Pokémon Advancement Expo, sent out a few letters and made a few calls. Perhaps they called the wrong numbers or sent letters to the wrong address, because the renowned professors they sought out arrived at the Expo with a bit of an evil glance in their eyes…. With smiles on their faces, the Oak, Elm and Birch who arrived asked (or demanded, but let’s not split hairs) to battle this years challengers. With terrifying smiles like theirs, who could say no?! Take them down and you’ll come out with a shiny Counterfeit Emblem! (We swear it’s real.)

Since he was young, Ciro has travelled the regions, hunting down and capturing dangerous wild Dragon-type Pokémon as an unlicensed trainer, always bringing them back to Blackthorn Gym Leader Clair for safekeeping. His deeds finally earned him a trainers license, and his skill earned him a position as an Ice-type Gym Leader. Recently, as Ciro travelled in the Kalos region to learn more about the newly discovered Fairy-type, he was attacked by a swarm of Ghost Pokémon. Ciro managed to fight them off, but they had not attacked alone. They had been spurred on by a powerful ghost who had felt the rage of the dragons Ciro had captured, and had sympathized. That powerful ghost was none other than the ruler of the Distortion World, Giratina. Giratina attacked and stole Ciro’s beloved Walrein, dragging it into its underworld. Thus an enraged and mourning Ciro began a new hunt, outfitting his team with two new types to suit his new quarry. His rigorous training earned him a spot as a member of the League’s Elite 6. Now he challenges trainers to test his strength, offering the icy Cocytus Emblem to those who can prove he is not yet strong enough to face Giratina.

Two years ago Antoine exploded onto the scene as the bug leader of the PPL and left no doubt that his beloved bugs were a force to be reckoned with. But news of this rough treatment got back to the people of his kingdom and was the spark they needed to rise up. Led by one of their own, Bugly, another promising bug-type trainer, they cast Antoine down and banished him from his kingdom. They then elected Bugly as their leader and he represented bug type Pokémon at the next PAX East.

Antoine wandered the deserts, forests, and mountains surrounding his former kingdom and rededicated himself to his bug Pokémon. Together they trained harder than ever and when time came to represent bugs for the PPL Antoine challenged Bugly for the honor. His grueling training and new techniques have elevated him to elite status and Bugly proved no match. He may no longer be king but Antoine is back to show that bugs are king. Defeat him and you’ll earn the Carapace Crown Emblem and be one step closer to facing the Champion!

Sabrina first discovered her psychic powers as a young child in the Kanto region’s Saffron City. From that day onward, she began to develop a powerful bond with Pokémon that shared her natural ability. After battling in Unova’s Pokémon World Tournament, Sabrina had a vision of a gathering of countless trainers at the PAX Pokémon League. Sensing the potential for greatness among them, she immediately took it upon herself to test their mettle. A veteran gym leader, Sabrina has faced more than her fair share of Pokémon battles. Rumor has it that she knows how every battle will end, days before its even begun. Defeat her to earn the Marsh Emblem, and take one step closer to facing the champion!

Growing up with a severe lack of self-confidence, young Daniel’s only friend was a Wooper, the first Pokémon he ever caught. Spending most of his time playing with Wooper in the mud, he found his imagination oddly sparked when digging his hands through the wet earth, and turned his thoughts towards training Pokémon. Pushing himself to become a Gym Leader, Daniel overcame his lack of confidence with the help of his Pokémon including Quagsire, and has become famous for his experimental use of Ground-type Pokémon. If you can hold your ground against this Gym Leader, you’ll receive the Terracotta Badge!

Beatrice is returning, but with a different line-up this time! During her continuing research on poisonous and medicinal plants, she noticed the relationship between the butterflies that pollinated her flowers. Wanting to look more into this interesting connectivity, she has decided to change up her routine and find out everything she can about these beautiful bug-types! If you think you’ve got what it takes, challenge her for the Flutter Badge!

While traveling as the world-famous rock legend Thane Vector, Nathaniel treated his concerts as a sort of mobile gym. He played PAX a few times, so he was a natural fit as the electric-type gym leader at the PAX Pokémon League. Unfortunately, citing creative differences, his band recently broke up, and Nathaniel decided to ditch his stage name and return to his roots. He still rocks, but even he admits his solo work isn’t as good as his when he had his band…. Inspire Nathaniel with your battling skills to receive the Warrior Badge!

As a child, Patrick saw a group of kids picking on a little Jigglypuff. He immediately stepped in to stop the bullies, but was unable to do anything. Inspired by his selfless act, the ‘puff fought back and knocked out the bullies! Ever since then, he has dedicated his life to protecting and empowering all pink Pokémon. When he heard tales of a great gathering of Pokémon trainers in Boston, he knew this was his opportunity to prove that these plushy pink puffs won’t be pushed around!

Don’t be lured into a false sense of safety because of his pink and cuddly line up. If you can defeat this pack of pink Pokémon, you’ll earn yourself the Pink Badge.

Kinchō is a mysterious figure. She claims to have emerged from her hermited life in the mountains of Sinnoh to request a place as gym leader in the PAX Pokémon League. She boasts an archaic family line of Pokémon battlers, and has come to stake a claim of honor for herself. What she seems to delight in most, however, is baffling and tricking her challengers. Kinchō prefers traditional Japanese wear, as well as concealing her face with a Noh-like mask. Can you rise to the challenge to earn the Yagyo Badge?