[hider=Malik Harvey][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hvl926r.png[/img][/center] [hr] [color=Orchid][b]NAME:[/b][/color] Malik Harvey [color=Orchid][b]AGE:[/b][/color] Twenty-seven years old. [color=Orchid][b]GENDER:[/b][/color] Male [color=Orchid][b]BIRTHPLACE:[/b][/color] Wedgehurst [color=Orchid][b]OCCUPATION:[/b][/color] Minor League Gym Leader [i](current)[/i], Major League Gym Leader [i](former)[/i] Flying Taxi Cabbie / Postman [color=Orchid][b]GYM TYPE:[/b][/color] Psychic [hider=Information][color=Orchid][b]HAIR COLOR:[/b][/color] [color=Gold]Golden[/color] [color=Orchid][b]EYE COLOR:[/b][/color] [color=PaleGoldenrod]Saffron[/color] [color=Orchid][b]HEIGHT:[/b][/color] 6'0 [color=Orchid][b]COMPLEXION:[/b][/color] Fair [color=Orchid][b]BODY COMPOSITION:[/b][/color] Fit [color=Orchid][b]OTHER:[/b][/color] Speaks with a Cockney accent.[/hider] [color=Orchid][b]PERSONALITY:[/b][/color] Malik has always tried to maintain a lower profile despite what his reputation as a renowned Pokemon Trainer may suggest. He isn't necessarily meek or timid; rather, he exudes a calm and level-headed demeanor. With quiet confidence and swagger, he isn't one to boast his own victories; it's only the thrill of a real challenge that can ignite the true passion that lays dormant from having few worthy adversaries. He likes to mentor Gym Challengers and trainers across all levels of experience, sharing this dedication with his affinity and adoration for nurturing Pokemon. He is known as a reliable busybody among the higher authorities of the region, often undertaking responsibilities and running important errands for people such as the Pokemon Professor, Gym Leaders, and the Pokemon League, should they call on him. Malik likes to note this as a favor done for the petitioner, and always finishes by saying that he expects repayment of some kind in the future; whether he isn't being serious or always forgets about it is a mystery. But, adding to this, he is notoriously difficult to reach at times, even reported to be absent from his stadium during periods of scheduled challenges. It's rumored that Malik can communicate with Pokemon telepathically. [color=Orchid][b]BIOGRAPHY[/b][/color] [hider=Childhood: The Dream]Malik Harvey hails from the quieter boondocks of the Galar Region, born and raised in a small homestead in Wedgehurst. He is one of six children in his humble family; his father is a former police officer who retired early to become a cabbie for the Galar Taxi company, while his mother is a model who owns the Wedgehurst Boutique Store. The previous generations of his family name were mostly small-time Pokemon Trainers who found little to no interest or success in the region's Gym Challenge, and in the boy's early years, it appeared that Malik would share that same lack of ambition. His parents were more pressed on raising hard-working, intelligent children that would grow up to oversee what they considered to be the more important matters of the world, and generally discouraged them from 'wasting time' with the adventurous life of a Pokemon Trainer. Malik and his siblings were always around Pokemon in their childhood, raising and working alongside them on their family's farmland. He was unaware that Pokemon were capable of battling against one another in an organized fashion until, at the age of nine, his oldest brother asked their parents to take them to the Motostoke Stadium to watch a Gym Challenge in person. The impressionable boy was captivated by the energy of the audience and the atmosphere created by the Dynamax phenomena, becoming fixated on the idea of becoming as strong of a Trainer as the Gym Leader was.[/hider] [hider=Teenager: Gym Challenger]Alongside his siblings, he would spend the next few years working up the favor of his parents, saving up his earned allowances and maintaining top marks in his education. By the eve of his fourteenth birthday, after a series of back and forth, the teenager managed to convince them with his resolve, earning the full cooperation of his father. In dedication to the latter, Malik initially specialized in Flying-type Pokemon when he began to focus on adjusting to the new life and venturing across the Galar region. He spent the next year preparing himself for the Gym Challenge, and after becoming a full-fledged trainer with some merit by the end, he earned an endorsement from the Galar Taxi Company with the help of his father. Unfortunately, while Malik had a natural affinity when it came to Pokemon, he and his Flying-types fell short of completing the Gym Challenge that year, mired with defeat before even scratching the surface of the Champion's Cup. He took the loss hard, contemplating on giving up on his dream before ultimately deciding to make another run in the next year to come. He spent much of the offseason in exploration, hoping to expand and strengthen his team further. During one of his Wild Area excursions by the Motostoke Riverbank, a strange voice broke into his mind, crying for help from the water below the bridge. He answered the plea without question, rescuing a Hatenna that had been drowning after accidentally stumbling into the river. Malik was confused as to how he'd heard the Hatenna's voice, but as the wild Pokemon sought to follow him after its rescue unlike any other instance, he decided to foster the small one as his own. Over time, he found himself growing more attached to the Hatenna, and strangely enough, he began encountering more and more Psychic-type Pokemon. He took this as a sign to shift his specialty away from Flying-types, and began to build up his team from square one. This would prove to be a wise decision, as his next two years of Gym Challenges proved to be largely successes. He claimed all eight badges both times with relative ease, only managing to falter in the semifinal rounds of the Champion's Cup. By eighteen years old, Malik was considered a favorite contender to win it all versus the Champion, now endorsed by the Motostoke Gym Leader that he'd watched as a kid. Though, he would be met with resistance in a lone competitor who had deemed him to be their rival. Throughout the Gym Challenge, he would suffer more losses than victory against them, but when their rivalry would come to a head during the Finals of the Champion's Cup, he managed a narrow victory against them. He sought to carry this momentum in full swing for the title match against the Champion, but was dealt a convincing defeat after only managing to knock out half of their team.[/hider] [hider=Adult: Gym Leader]Though Malik had fallen short of grasping the title for himself, his prowess had impressed the Champion so much that he was nominated to become the next Gym Leader of Motostoke City. He graciously accepted the unexpected offer, and would become known as one of the harder Gym Challenges that trainers would have to go through. He continued to partake in the Champion's Cup each year to try and snag the title, but in the end, he would always be thwarted by the Champion if he wasn't beaten in the previous rounds. Malik served as the Gym Leader of Motostoke City for a good seven years before suddenly announcing his intention to pass on the responsibility to another worthy candidate. He had the intention of opening up a Minor Gym in his hometown of Wedgehurst, receiving funds and approval from the [Rose Company placeholder]. He wanted to embolden the dreams and resolve of aspiring trainers instead of hinder them, opening his Minor League Gym on the hill that overlooked Wedgehurst. Its purpose aimed to mentor and hone Pokemon Trainers of all skill ranges, primarily for those without official endorsement for the traditional Major League Gym Challenge. Alongside his father, Malik also became a licensed Flying Taxi cabbie and postman, doing so as a hobby when he isn't preoccupied by other responsibilities. He did not partake in the Champion's Cup for those two years, opting to remain outside of the limelight despite the difficulty of not being recognized. He regularly ran errands and favors for the Gym Leaders and other important individuals, also occasionally finding the time to visit and explore other regions. But, now he's become directly involved once more after the disappearance of his old friend.[/hider] [hr] [hider=MAIN TEAM][center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_TPXbH7ee4[/youtube] [i]His personal team for the Champion's Cup and serious battles.[/i] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/196.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Espeon[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - [i]'Lady'[/i] - Psychic [/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/475.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Gallade[/b] [color=Blue]♂[/color] - [i]'Sheen'[/i] - Psychic / Fighting [/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/579.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Reuniclus[/b] [color=Blue]♂[/color] - [i]'Apex'[/i] - Psychic The first pillar of Malik's team[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/376.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Metagross[/b] - [i]'Nickel'[/i] - Steel / Psychic The second pillar of Malik's team, Nickel maintains the calmness that his trainer exudes. It is his bulkiest, heaviest-hitting Pokemon among the six, [/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/687.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Malamar[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - [i]'River'[/i] - Dark / Psychic Cruel and violent in battle, but a complete goofball outside of it. River will only hypnotize people that it can sense irritation from within Malik, and command them to do or say embarrassing things as a joke. She is Malik's pivot and secret weapon in battle, most often catching unprepared challengers off guard.[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/858.png[/img][img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/858-gi.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b](Gigantamax) Hatterene[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - [i]'Noel'[/i] - Psychic / Fairy Malik's Ace Pokemon that he rescued over ten years ago when she was still a Hatenna. Noel is solitary and reclusive towards all others besides her trainer, and won't hesitate to cause headaches in those who approach. Overall, she is the strongest among all of his team, and possesses the Gigantamax Factor.[/color][/center][/hider] [hider=BEGINNER TEAM][center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSuQ3kBzXdk[/youtube] [i][color=Orchid][b]"The atmosphere of this stadium, the way that the crowd's chants match the beating of your heart... Everybody's gotta start somewhere, right? So, Gym Challenger-- earn this moment, here and now!"[/b][/color] His Gym Challenge team versus beginner-level Pokemon Trainers with little experience / few to no badges.[/i] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/856.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Hatenna[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Psychic[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/281.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Kirlia[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Psychic / Fairy[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/064.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b](Dynamax) Kadabra[/b] [color=Blue]♂[/color] - Psychic[/color][/center][/hider] [hider=INTERMEDIATE TEAM][center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYjN57Tycg[/youtube] [i][color=Orchid][b]"Been doin' this for a while now, guv; I'll admit, I've seen plenty o' faces like yours pass by. Tread carefully, Gym Challenger, or my team and I might just read into your mind!"[/b][/color] His Gym Challenge team versus intermediate-level Pokemon Trainers with some experience / many or few badges.[/i] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/578.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Duosion[/b] [color=Blue]♂[/color] - Psychic[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/857.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Hattrem[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Psychic[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/561.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Sigilyph[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Psychic / Flying[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/026-a.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b](Dynamax) Alolan Raichu[/b] [color=Blue]♂[/color] - Electric / Psychic[/color][/center][/hider] [hider=ADVANCED TEAM][center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5LyE9yq6os[/youtube] [i][color=Orchid][b]"So you've made it this far, Gym Challenger! Must say I'm impressed. Now, try to make it all worth my time. You'll have no hope of overcoming the Champion if you're stuck with me!"[/b][/color] His Gym Challenge team versus expert-level Pokemon Trainers with lots of experience / lots or many badges.[/i] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/437.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Bronzong[/b] - Steel / Psychic[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/078-g.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Galarian Rapidash[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Psychic / Fairy[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/065.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Alakazam[/b] [color=Blue]♂[/color] - Psychic[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/sunmoon/pokemon/655.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b]Delphox[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Fire / Psychic[/color] [img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/858.png[/img][img]https://www.serebii.net/swordshield/pokemon/858-gi.png[/img] [color=Orchid][b](Gigantamax) Hatterene[/b] [color=Red]♀[/color] - Psychic / Fairy[/color][/center][/hider] [color=Orchid][b]RELATIONSHIPS:[/b][/color] [hider=Hestia Quintrell][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/228707920571793410/775780017351295056/2281762_whuLYmSEU8mFWn3.png[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"It's been a while since we've had a serious talk with one another-- actually, I don't think we've [i]ever[/i] had one. Needless to say, she probably hates my guts for beating her in the Finals a long time ago, back when she called me her 'bitter rival' and all. Wouldn't blame the girl, since that was the first time I didn't get utterly crushed by her, but I still respect Hestia 'cause of how hard she's always pushed me. I've helped her out a few times, like when she was first becoming a Gym Leader. Tried to refuse and throw me out with the tough girl act, but I know Hestia's a softie inside. Our battle record? Uh... think it's 6 wins and 11 losses in the lady's favor. Most of those losses came around during the Gym Challenge that one year, but I've closed the gap just a bit recently. Feel like she's always [i]extra[/i] mad at me for some reason, though."[/color][/hider] [hider=Ezran Hawthorne][center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/e7/3a/04/e73a04e88a269cab162d3be998b802ae.jpg[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"Z's a swell lad, good to his friends and even better to his Pokemon, makes me proud to know 'im. I'll never forget his miracle run during the Gym Challenge and Champion's Cup a few years back; poor guy was stuck at several points all throughout the event. Even after losing a bunch of times, Z kept comin' back at it to the point where he even made it to the end against Victoria. Damn thing reminds me of my own run almost ten years ago. Maybe when it's all said and done, our numbers' hangin' up on the rafters and we're old men, I'll ask Z what he thinks 'bout startin' up a band. Ha!"[/color][/hider] [hider=Joseph Johannes][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/410301230821146624/776309970567168020/d84ares-b42b1ccb-f067-440d-9a89-812fda78e45b.png[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"The Man o' Steel, hmm? Honestly have [i]no[/i] idea where he came from, kinda just showed up outta nowhere, but... I respect the gig that he's grown for himself. I [i]may[/i] or [i]may not[/i] have a bit of his merch sittin' at home, or watch reruns of his show while I'm flyin' about. Too bad he's about as hard to reach as I am, these days. I'm sure there's more to him beneath all that shiny armor."[/color][/hider] [hider=Moira Kingsley][center][img]https://static.zerochan.net/Aisha.%28Oninaki%29.full.2579736.png[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"You'd think our residential Dragon-type specialist would be as flamboyant and annoying as someone like Hestia, but from what I've seen, Moira's quite the opposite. She's like every bit of a living, breathing knight from a page in those ancient books down in Hammerlocke's Vault, almost brings the Man o' Steel's image to shame. I'd try to have a good talk with the lady, but I'm kinda afraid that I'll come off too direct and frighten her. Lord knows that her dragons already do enough scary shit to the lot of us in battle."[/color][/hider] [hider=Fiona MacConnell][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/fwfKF9q.png[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"What can I say? Fiona's probably the only person among everybody that I can confidently say that I'm friends with. Maybe she has an idea on why I packed my bags and gave up Motostoke, maybe not. I try to make it a point to share a drink with her when available, and Pops goes on social media thinkin' she's the one for me. Just because he's obsessed with Flying-types, she happens to be a specialist, and I used 'em as a kid. No thanks-- I wouldn't wish [i]me[/i] upon anyone, hah. To be honest, I'm a bit jealous with how carefree and unburdened she seems to be. I know it's hypocritical 'cause I willingly throw meself into all the work, but... sometimes I feel like I tied her hands when I passed all that responsibility onto her. Back then, I heard some fans in Motostoke tried to harass Fiona after I left 'cause they didn't want her to take over, tryin' to spread some bad rumors... Some balderdash, that. Of course, I was more than obliged to shut 'em up; I'll always have her back, so I figure she'd have mine."[/color][/hider] [hider=Nordrin Yasmar][center][img]https://i.ibb.co/Db344Yc/110295-01-r05.png[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"Grumpy one. You'd have me convinced if you told me Nordrin spits in your food before servin' it if he doesn't like you. [i](Don't tell 'im I said that.)[/i] That being said, being a prestigious chef that came from the bottom, you're bound to be a no-nonsense kinda lad. If fancy titles were the name of the game, he'd take the cake, no pun intended... but I've dealt with my share of pretentious people over the years, and I wouldn't mind knockin' down another one by a peg like a [i]real[/i] trainer does. I can tolerate 'im otherwise at least, from one workaholic to another."[/color][/hider] [hider=Zeke Webber][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/AgGFyOf.gif[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"The only guy who doesn't make me feel like a midget around the others, and yet, I'm still a small fry in comparison. 'Bout as arrogant as Nordrin, except he's got muscles instead of a frying pan. I wouldn't be surprised if he held a grudge against me for all the times I've beaten him, but I don't think he's the kind of musclehead that people make him out to be. I've seen him ponder to himself in deep thought sometimes, it's almost like lookin' at a completely different person."[/color][/hider] [hider=Thomas Tyrell][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/U2AmKmd.jpg[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"Doesn't give himself enough credit for how good he is of a trainer. If you ask me, I feel like Thomas is handicappin' himself, given how wicked smart the lad is. I feel like he and I could connect on a few similar bases, but we just happen to never be available for a chat; he's busy when I'm not, and I'm busy when he ain't. I'm sure that we'd be pretty good friends, though. Takes great care of Pokemon and the environment, something I really admire."[/color][/hider] [hider=Elijah Grayson][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/759308820857094184/776638512471474186/e7061bc2674c16d4da03e913a9431b1a.jpg[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"It's kinda scary how laser-focused the guy is, not just in battles but outside of 'em too. Don't underestimate Eli just 'cause he's only got 'vanilla' Normal-types; you're guaranteed to have a bad time, and he'll even give you an essay on why you got trounced. Trust me when I say that I know from personal experience. He's worked just as hard than almost everyone else, if not [i]more[/i] than some, to get to where he's at now, and in such a short time span too. If I'd known him sooner and hadn't given the gym to Fiona, then I'll bet Eli would've been sittin' in Motostoke instead."[/color][/hider] [hider=Henrietta Durand][center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/a3/4d/de/a34dde047dc1fefa1f27d3b12f422df5.jpg[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"Everyone seems like they've got some connection to the other regions, huh. I only know Miss Durand a bit loosely, not even sure if she ever partook in the Gym Challenge here in Galar, but I think we're all in for a real surprise with her. She's got the spunk in her confidence that Hestia wishes she had, and she isn't a sore loser after losin' a battle. I think of her as an 'Ace Trainer' of sorts. She's also got a great fashion sense; her mum works for one of the boutique stores that I go to, and bein' in the same industry, she probably knows my mum as well. She's cute."[/color][/hider] [hider=Liam Anwell][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/15Xsc4g.png[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"He's an interesting character, fits the archetype of a Fairy-type specialist down to the molecule. I'm very glad to have someone like Liam as a part of our league, someone who isn't afraid to be themselves even if there's a handful of idiots who think he's weird or something. Guy's the sweetest person I know, and it ain't even close; always puts a smile on my face when I see 'im. Sad to admit, but my mum's said that Liam's her favorite Gym Leader. I'm sure he could be even better if he didn't worry so much about findin' a boyfriend, but who am I kiddin'."[/color][/hider] [hider=Isla Owens][center][img]https://safebooru.org//images/2524/d31ae1b17b534e3ec5df404ea292cc13a539448b.png?2631676[/img][/center] [color=Orchid]"The newest face of the bunch. Don't know her a whole lot, but I know not to underestimate someone, even if they're who I'd consider a a newbie. Fangs might be sharp but I've yet to see 'em bite. I think she's a friend of Hestia's? Would explain why they're a bit similar in that regard. Sometimes I feel like I've done something to offend her with how she looks at me, but I thought I was just bein' nice when offerin' some help. Oh well, hopefully I'll get to know Isla a bit better beyond that awkward first year."[/color][/hider][/hider]