PAX East 2013

Both an easy-rider and a rebel without a cause, Toph A. Snails was exiled from his hometown, the Wobbuffet Village, for his strong dislike of Wobbuffet. He set out on the open road looking for challengers, eager to prove his Steel-type Pokemon cannot be beaten (especially not by any inflatable blue Pokemon). Toph roamed the bike paths of every of region looking for fights, and now he’s come to the PAX Pokemon League. Defeat Toph A. Snails and be awarded the Biker Badge!

Twitter: @PPL_Toph

In her small hometown of Eterna City, Crystal’s childhood was filled with spooky stories about dark Pokemon – stories about Pokemon who would fill your dreams with horrifying, unending nightmares or bring you great misfortune solely for crossing their paths. Imagine her surprise when she was led to safety by a helpful Sableye after getting lost in the depths of Iron Mountain! After this experience, Crystal began to question those tales she grew up on and set out to meet as many dark Pokemon as possible. She has made it her mission to expose the world to the redeeming qualities of dark-type Pokemon and show that they shouldn’t be judged based on their appearance or silly urban legends. Realize this truth and defeat her team of unfairly outcast Pokemon to receive the Redemption badge!

JTK and Chalkey became a couple after realizing they shared two common interests: pokemon, and taking over the world. After moving up the ranks of Team Magma, this power couple quickly became the faces trainers all over the world associated with Pokemon Crime. The only way to defeat this devious duo is with a partnership stronger than theirs, so teaming up with a long-time rival or short-time ally may be the sole option for victory. Trainers who do manage to win will receive the Lava Badge!

Admin JTK’s Twitter: @iBidoof

Born Nathaniel Kee, Thane changed his name when he committed himself to becoming a rock star. After an embarrassing number of years touring hard and using Jeff, his Mareep, as a pillow during long rides, Thane’s achieved fame that matches his passion as a traveling gym leader. After an amazing performance at PAX Prime, he’s been invited to PAX East. Challengers deemed worthy will receive a Warrior Badge for their efforts. Plans for a full east coast tour are underway. For more information, contact his booking agent.

Beatrice was raised among the blooming fields of Floaroma town. Although she loves all plants, she is especially drawn to poisonous varieties. Beatrice is interested in finding ways to use poisons to make useful things, like medicines. When she was ready for her Pokemon journey, she traveled all over the world to gather up exotic, poisonous grass type Pokemon which aid her in her work. Eventually she opened a studio, which doubles as her gym, where trainers are invited to learn all about flowers and challenge her for the Nightshade badge.

Upon retirement from his travels, Brock settled down and focused on fulfilling his dream to become a Pokemon breeder. While he breeds Pokemon of all types, Brock retains his affinity for rock-type Pokemon. Recently, he has become restless, and has decided to travel to the PAX Pokemon League to find others who share his passion for Pokemon. If you manage to prove your strength and your love for your Pokemon by defeating him, you will be awarded the Wall badge!

Lawrence the Third was once the greatest collector of all time. He used his vast wealth and power to attempt to capture the Legendary Birds, in the hopes of fulfilling an ancient prophecy and meeting the great Pokemon Lugia. Lawrence intended to collect Lugia, even if it meant the end of the world! His plans were foiled by an upstart young trainer named Ash Ketchum, who crashed Lawrence’s flying castle and became the Chosen One of prophecy. His plans foiled and his collection destroyed, Lawrence picked up the only item that had survived, an Ancient Mew Pokemon card, and vanished, vowing to start his collection over again. Years later, Lawrence has reemerged as a Gym Leader in the PAX Pokemon League. Can you stop this madman from adding your Pokemon to his collection!? Do so and you’ll collect the Prophecy Badge!

At the age of nine, Ciro befriended a Sneasel on Mt. Silver, near the tiny town 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, captured the wounded Salamance and defeated the Garchomp. Returning home to his worried parents, he was forbidden from obtaining a license and told he must 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. Since then he has had a series of successful captures of dangerous dragons, which he left anonymously with Blackthorne City Gym Leader Clair. His good deeds were finally found out by Professor Oak. He was absolved of his crimes, and given an official license, and his skill in battle against dragons led him to becoming a Gym Leader in the Johto Region. Do you have the cold skill to take on this battle-scarred hunter and earn the Rimewyrm badge?

Twitter: @PAXDragonHunter