PAX East 2012

Spirited away and raised by Drifloon’s as an infant, the true name of Virus is only known in Floonish and kept only by his cluster of ‘floons. When Team Rocket attacked a nearby carnival one night, all but him were slaughtered or captured in the ensuing chaos. Finding comfort and survival in the shadows that hid him, he took on a new name, Virus, and vowed to infiltrate Team Rocket to find the culprits responsible and punish them for their atrocities. That is, before he found a much more devious plot in their database: a plan to corrupt the power of every original Badge, thus controlling the most powerful Gym Leaders in the world. Constructing his own Gym in a town of endless night, Virus hopes to lure the strongest trainers in the world to his side. Now, he has set his sights on a new proving ground to foster allies: PAX. If you humble yourself before the power of the night, the Moonlight Badge will be bestowed upon you.

Born into a military family located in an industrial zone, Ampere enlisted into the armed forces shortly after his 18th birthday. Having grown up in an urban and industrial area surrounded by numerous plants and factories, Ampere has a deep familiarity with electric-type pokemon. Willing to give his mind, body, and potentially life for his country and family, Ampere shows no hesitation to confront his foes in a full-forced manner. Can you shock his soldiers hard enough to receive the Regiment badge?

Hiker Bill was born in the quiet mountain retreat of Blackthorn City. At the age of six he wandered away from home to explore the world around him. When he realized he was lost, he sat down on a rock and started to cry. Unbeknownst to Bill, the rock he sat down on was a Geodude, and when Geodude heard Bill crying he started to move. When Bill’s parents realized that he was missing, they went out to find him, but it wasn’t hard at all: they could hear him laughing and playing with his new friend Geodude. That evening, Bill went home with his new Geodude and they have never been apart since. As Bill grew older he continued to explore the world and collect other Pokemon with his Geodude. After defeating all the other Hikers throughout his journeys, the Hikers choose Hiker Bill to be their gym leader. Defeat Hiker Bill in battle and you’ll be awarded the Spelunker Badge!

At the age of nine, Ciro befriended a Sneasel in the Snowpoint mountains where he lived. After his town was razed to the ground by a battle between a Salamance and a Garchomp a month before he was to earn his pokemon license, he stole a pokeball and, with the help of Sneasel, tracked down the wounded Salamance and captured it. He then followed the path of destruction wreaked by the victorious Garchomp, and, with the help Sneasel and Salamance, defeated it. Returning home to his worried parents, he was forbidden from obtaining a license and told he must free the Salamace and say goodbye to the Sneasel. He refused and fled the town, vowing to track down and capture dangerous dragon-types that could be harmful to people. Years later he has earned his license, and a position as a Gym Leader, for his services as a dragon hunter. Prove you are more ferocious than a dragon and earn the Icewyrm Badge!

Involved in music since before he could speak, desmond Bell was an award-winning musician, well known for his virtuosity. One day, on the roof of his apartment building, he stumbled across a baby Munchlax caught in a clothesline. desmond took it in and, as they grew closer, took an interest in battling together. Eventually, desmond realized he must choose between his love for music, and the world of pokemon battling. After much deliberation, he set out into the world to battle and train with his new found friend, resolving to one day find a way to practice both his passions. After a multi-year absence, desmond has reemerged into the public eye, accepting a position as a PAX Pokémon League Gym Leader with both his music and his pokemon at his side artfully blended together. Challengers, beware, or you may succumb to the bombastic barrage of music and battling! Those who can withstand the salvo of dissidence at symphonic proportions will have earned the Clef Badge.

Pandora was born in Ecruteak City. He grew close with the gym leader Morty and his ghost Pokemon. From then on, Pandora knew he wanted to be Morty’s successor and take over the Ercuteak Gym after Morty retired. Sadly, at the age of ten, his family moved to Mistralton city in the Unova region, far away from the ghost-type Pokemon he loved. Depressed and lost, Pandora wandered north of Mistralton and found himself at the entrance of Celestial Tower. Curious, and a bit anxious, Pandora entered the tower. He discovered that Unova had its own species of ghost Pokemon, and he befriended a small Litwick. Pandora realized he could still live his dream by becoming a ghost gym leader in Unova. With his new friend Litwick he left his home in search of ghost Pokemon across Unova. Battle Pandora, emerge victorious, and be awarded the Destiny badge! 

Over the past year, Hamato, caretaker of the Safari Zone and leader of the Safari Zone gym, couldn’t shake the desire for adventure burning in his heart. Baoba saw this, and, after hearing of a mysterious forest in the Unova region from his friend Mr. Pokémon, knew Hamato would be the perfect trainer to investigate. Excited to be sent out on an expedition after so long, Hamato and Kosshi, his faithful Marowak, set out for the Unova region. Upon reaching the White Forest, they heard from the locals the tale of a gateway hidden deep in the forest leading to a mystical world where Pokémon of all types ran free. After spending a month deep in the forest, Hamato emerged with both tales of fantastic adventures, and with Pokémon with strange new abilities. He has re-opened the Safari Zone gym and, together with his new friends, will take on all challengers. Defeat him and you will earn yourself the Expedition Badge.

Like many young trainers, Antoine was once a weak Bug Catcher. But while others caught stronger pokemon and abandoned their bugs, Antoine worked hard with his exotic bug pokemon, and raised them to be formidable. Now, with a chip on his shoulder, he is a champion for the cause of his beloved bug pokemon and the reputation of Bug Catchers and Trainers everywhere who love Bugs. Trainers may be dismissive of bugs, but Antoine knows that bug pokemon can be strong, if you work hard and believe in them. If challenged, he will show you through fantastic battle that bug pokemon are a force with which to be reckoned, with his rallying cry, “Onward to victory majestic, bug pokemon!” Do you think you have what it takes to squash his bug pokemon and earn the Swarm Badge?

There was a time when Nando considered becoming a Pokémon Coordinator, as opposed to a Trainer. In the end, he decided on both. And why not? He’s a multi-talented man with a Musical Heart. Travelling across the country, Nando decided to join the PPL in hopes of spreading his music and his love for Pokémon to others who care about them as much as he does. Nando is not, by nature, a competitive man. However, his Pokémon are well trained and you shouldn’t be surprised if he comes up to challenge you to a Battle or a Dance Contest. Always a peace keeper, Nando strives for Pokémon interaction without the tension and will even play you a tune on his harp, if you’re feeling down. He has a rivalry with Dawn and will always request a rematch if he finds her out in the world. Best him in a Dance Competition or Battle to earn the Clarity Badge.