Author name: Professor Pine

        Born Nathaniel Kee, Thane chose a new name when he first decided to take to the stage and become a rock star. During his early tours, his faithful Mareep provided constant companionship and doubled as a decent pillow during those long drives from city to city. Thane challenged trainers at every city he visited, enjoying the diverse array of talent he got to see from region to region. His skill and reputation as a trainer grew with his skill and reputation as a rock star, and soon Thane became a gym leader. Not content to give up his freedom to travel as a rock star, Thane dubbed his tour bus a mobile “gym” and continued to tour, telling people what it means to be a hero through the power of rock n’ roll. He chose to champion Electric-Type Pokemon both as a practical matter and in deference to his old Mareep. On his unending quest, Thane has chosen to ally himself with Team Magma, hoping that their earthy ways will assist him in rocking harder!

Trainers enter battle with Thane as Challengers of the PAX Pokemon League. By the time the battle is over, they will become Warriors of the PAX Pokemon League.

Defeating Thane will earn you the Warrior Badge!

     Zoroark was raised in the wild by Pokemon in the Noir Forest in the Oblivia Region. The Pokemon there gave him the name of Zoroark, seeing as he looked like nothing else they had ever seen, and loved to trick others. One day, He traveled to far, and came across the Tilt Village. He was taken in by a man named Hocus, who taught him much. After Horus was taken by the Rangers for arrest, he was left all alone. Soon a Pokemon Trainer came to him, and said that she had come looking for rare new Pokemon, and the chance to help people. She then asked Zoroark a question that changed his life forever, “A young man at your age, who isn’t a Pokemon trainer/Ranger? Why not?” And with that, his great journey begun. Soon he rised up in the ranks of Pokemon, utilizing brutal intimidation skills that he had learned when he lived in the wild, eventually becoming a Gym Leader and a member of Team Aqua. Soon afterwards, an organization called the PPL was gaining power, and as one of Team Aqua’s star commanders in less than 2 months, Zoroark was sent to be their conquer it. With his team of super-scary Pokemon, he makes a very formidable opponent.

Defeating Zoroark will earn you the spooky badge, seen below!

         Professor Pine was an outstanding graduate from the Castelia University Pokemon Research department. After graduation, Pine traveled the world, studying allongside Professor Elm, Ivy, Oak, and Juniper before settling in to research pokemon in the Pacific Northwest. Professor Pine does most of his research on Pokemon’s adaptations to unusual environments that allow them to survive. Despite his time spent doing research, Professor Pine is also an accomplished trainer, having collected many badges in his days of travel. If you end up facing him in a battle, Just be sure to expect the unexpected, and know you’re up against a very knowldegable opponent. Professor Pine does not consider himself in allegiance with any organization, other than the International Academy of Pokemon Researchers.

Defeating Professor Pine will earn you a starter badge (picture to come soon)!