PAX East 2014

When Soren was very young, his grandfather would sit him on his lap and tell him stories about the Pokémon journeys he went on as a boy. Fascinated by this throughout his childhood, he promised himself that he would follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and collect amazing stories from across the Pokémon world. After traveling in the Kanto region for a year, collecting badges and training his partner Pokémon, he was overtaken by his wanderlust. On the backs of Flying-Type Pokémon, he travelled from region to region, year after year, creating his own stories, and collecting even more from the trainers he battled. If you think you’ve got a story to tell, challenge Soren for the Quill Badge!

Born in the Kalos region, Olivier’s parents ran a café that was frequented by many Pokémon trainers who used the place to enjoy food and battle each other. When Olivier received his first Pokémon, a Munchlax affectionately nicknamed Munchie, he grew more serious about food and Pokémon battles. With Munchie’s unending appetite, Olivier focused on creating and improving upon the Pokémon food to give them a better edge in the field. He traveled the world learning all about the different regions’ foods. During his exploring, he realized that it wasn’t just the food that helped make Munchie the best that he could be, it was also the excitement that they were getting out interacting and battling with other trainers. After getting their first badge together, Olivier was preparing Munchie’s favourite meal when Munchie evolved into Snorlax. They completed their journey together and came home to take over his parents’ restaurant focused on feeding Pokémon and their trainers… with his best known dish – the Delectable Badge – served to only the best!

Darius left his homeland of Kanto to seek challenges throughout the world alongside his trusty Sawk, Ares (who was given to him by his father upon his return from the Unova Region when he was ten). Hailing from a long line of Fighting type Pokémon trainers, Darius is the latest in his family to bear the title of “The Fist.” His quest to become the best led him to the cold and exotic land of Boston, Massachusetts, where Darius ran into several rivals who defeated him handily. Learning that the path to supremacy was longer than he originally envisioned, he trained alongside his new found friends with the dream of one day surpassing them. In order to hone his skills and the skills of those he meets, he decided to join the PAX Pokémon League as a gym leader, inspired by the Detective who served as the Fighting Gym Leader at PAX East 2012.Those who can withstand the torrent of punches and kicks will earn themselves the Haymaker Badge!

Dedicating his life to the study of ancient Pokémon, Paul is visiting the Pokemon Advancement Expo from the Pewter Museum of Science. A staple on expeditions from Mt. Moon all the way to the Sinnoh region, he has met and battled many aspiring Pokémon trainers. Exchanging tales about Pokémon, some of these trainers appreciated his passion for fossils, but many were less understanding. They’d scoff, “If those Pokémon were so great, why did they all go extinct?”

Motivated by their jabs, the researcher has now turned gym leader, and intends to show the world the power of prehistoric Pokémon! Can you defeat Paul and collect the Amber Badge?

During his youth in the rough neighborhoods of Castelia City, Cylis encountered an abandoned Houndour digging through the garbage. Though at first it was very hostile, Cylis was able to win it over with kindness and the two became fast friends. It was then that Cylis decided to dedicate himself to raising troubled and abandoned Pokémon, eventually establishing his own gym that doubled as a home for them-most of which were Dark-type. Though Dark-types often have a reputation for being bad, Cylis is determined to prove that they have the potential to be every bit as loyal and hard-working as any other Pokémon. In hopes of seeing other trainers also eager to prove themselves and their Pokémon, he joined the Pax Pokémon League in Boston. Prove your potential to Cylis and you’ll be rewarded with the Outcast Badge.

Professor Kaden Chang was once a well-respected Astrophysicist. However, after a close encounter with what she claims to have been a Clefairy spaceship, her interests rapidly turned to aliens and her credibility plummeted. Years later, she has continued her search for proof of aliens and proof of Pokémons’ extraterrestrial origins, proof she claims to have found when she and her assistant (Woopy the Wooper) attempted to resurrect a Deoxys from its hibernating state. Chang claims Deoxys enlightened her to the truth of aliens. She has now joined the Pokémon Advancement Expo at the PAX Pokémon League (the only place that would hire her) in hopes to share her wisdom with those who dare challenge her and regain her credibility. Come challenger, and prove you have what it takes to win the UFO Badge!

When he was young, Drago was swept out to sea by a rogue wave created from the battle between Groudon and Kyogre. He was not able to swim in the harsh current and would have drowned if it wasn’t for a Kingdra that saved him. Drago bonded with the Kingdra that saved his life and became its trainer. Currently, Drago has dedicated his life to using his Dragon Pokemon to save those impacted by natural disasters, and to educate people on how to better survive calamities. Hearing about the PPL, Drago decided to join the league in order to share his knowledge and experience with others. Those capable of overcoming his challenge will receive the Catastrophe Badge, and a mystery gift!

On the dusty country back roads just north of Olivine City rests a small, peaceful ranch hidden in the shadows of its bustling neighbor, MooMoo Farm. Named after the family that has established and cultivated it from the ground up, Cooper Ranch has for decades provided quality goods and services at exceptional prices to local cities and events—the PAX Pokémon League included. However, hard times recently fell upon this humble family business, and its name nearly perished under the shade of its more successful neighbor. Losing money fast, the ranch’s original owners were stricken with grief and decided to close down the farm for good. Two of their children, cousins Justin and Blaire, had different plans in mind. The two had grown up on the peaceful farmlands of Cooper and were not willing to go down without a fight. With helpful suggestions from their friends and loyal customers, Justin and Blaire decided to go to PAX as more than just suppliers this year. Suiting up in their best rancher garb and carrying along their closest Pokémon pals, the cousins hope to put the name of Cooper back onto the map and captivate people with their hard work, loyalty, and dedication. If you can defeat the strong family bond between the Cooper cousins, you’ll earn yourself the Pasture Badge!