-Out of Character-
Name: Kogenta (or anything reasonable/recognizable)
-In Character-
-+- The Basics:
Full Birth Name: Aidan Kir Iiolo
Nick Names: The Magician, Garnet
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Location of Childhood Home: Ecruteak City
Gem Classification: The Illusionist, *Garnet
-+- Pokemon:
Name: Lili
Gender: Female
Type: Mawile
Distinguishing Marks? The mark on her horns is diamond-shaped rather than elliptical
PERSONALITY: Lili's smile is almost as disarming as her master's, and the consequences of trusting her sweet face may be even more serious. While Aidan may draw satisfaction from simply causing a person to believe a ridiculous lie, Lili draws satisfaction when her jaws find something to bite. Hard. Around Aidan's living quarters are various sheets and bars of metal that he keeps for Lili's horns to chew on. The teeth marks evident on these objects serve as warnings to those who might be tempted to near the young Mawile.
Though in many ways childish, Lili is not wholly dependent on her charm for victory. After the initial attack, an opponent fortunate enough to wrest itself free from the Mawile's grip is not likely to fall for the same trick twice. Thus, to prevent others from "doing unto her" as well as to satisfy her own desire for violence, Lili has become quite a competent battler.
Note: Lili's favorite food is Pecha Berries. She will trick, maim, and steal for them.
History: Aidan obtained Lili in true Rocket fashion: stealing. Having heard about a certain type of Pokemon with an innocent face and a vicious bite, he investigated Granite Cave in order to verify the stories. While in the cave, he noticed a light ahead and approached in time to see yellow humanoid creature staring wide-eyed at a trainer who hesitantly approached her. At his side was a Clefairy using Flash to light up the area. As the trainer drew near, the wild Mawile pulled back shyly as though nervously preparing to flee into the darkness.
"Don't worry--it's alright," the boy assured the Pokemon, slowly extending his arm toward her. Snap! A giant pair of black jaws clamped down on his arm like a vice, and he cried out as his Clefairy threw itself at the offending Mawile. Aidan silently watched the ensuing battle. Currently he cared little for the trainer's Pokemon in themselves--only in how the Mawile responded to them. On his second Pokemon, the boy finally wore down his opponent enough to capture her in a Great Ball. Then, everything went dark. The trainer's every movement sent echoes throughout the cavern as he glanced to and fro in panicked confusion. After its initial attack, his Clefairy had stopped fighting in order to maintain its Flash tenchnique. So why . . . ? "Clefairy?" the boy called. He heard its response beside him. For a moment he was relieved, only to be terrified as inhuman laughter rang out about with maniacal glee. Eyes. Glowing blood red, less than a foot from his own face. Before he could even scream, a black sleep had claimed him, and he fell to the floor. Aidan strolled up to the trainer's unconscious figure and plucked the newly-caught Mawile's Pokeball from his limp hand. The teenager smiled. "Thanks, Sand. Let's go."
Initially Lili was not strongly inclined to obey her new trainer. She liked her freedom, after all, and why should she give it up to some random person who happened to hold her Pokeball? But before long she found herself charmed by Aidan, and in being charmed realized she had met a kindred spirit--the idea of which amused her. To this day, she still considers herself free and is not likely to easily accept the authority of many individuals over her.
Name: Sandman
Gender: Male
Type: Haunter
Distinguishing Marks? N/A
PERSONALITY: As with most Haunter, Sandman draws great pleasure from frightening and tricking whoever he can. His skill at casting illusions has proven useful to Aidan on many occasions, while Aidan's lack of morals allows Sandman the considerable satisfaction of carrying out many misdeeds.
One vice Sandman suffers is his frequent hunger pangs. And since he eats only dreams and spirits, such a hunger can be difficult to satiate. When Aidan does sleep, he allows Sandman to devour his dreams--something more helpful to the human than unpleasant since most of his dreams are nightmares. At times, the Haunter's Hypnosis is the only way Aidan can go to sleep. Because he is able to see the dreams he consumes, Sandman has a unique insight into his trainer's mind.
The relationship between Aidan and Sandman is somewhat peculiar. While the absence of morals shared by the two encourages the worst in one another, their common understanding helps keep them in check. They also bear the ability to see beyond the other's surface level, though they would likely never admit how deeply their relationship runs--if they themselves know at all.
History: Aidan met Sandman during his first visit to the Burned Tower after Rain's death. The Ghastly saw the young boy gazing blankly at a set of stairs and thought him an easy target. As he began to drain the life from Aidan, however, the phantom sensed something unusual: a sense of brokenness, an unspoken grief, and an uncommon lack of regard for life. His interest only increased when the boy's piercing, ice-blue eyes lifted and stared directly in the Ghastly's direction, as though he could see the hidden Pokemon. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, the ghost-type's curiosity led him to not only spare his prey, but to approach and befriend it.
Sandman became Aidan's partner in crime while the boy was at home, and the pair performed numerous malicious acts together. When he began his Pokemon journey, Aidan brought Sandman with him, and the Ghastly evolved within the first few months of his travels.
Name: Imp
Gender: N/A
Type: Rotom
Distinguishing Marks? N/A
PERSONALITY: As its name would suggest, Imp is a rather mischievous creature whose highest loyalty at the moment seems to be to chaos. Aidan is currently attempting to tame the Rotom to a degree that would make it more useful. At the moment, however, he uses Imp when general destruction is his goal.
From experience, Imp has learned that Aidan's battle directions are usually better to follow than not. Occasionally the electric type will act on its own volition, even against its trainer's words; but for the sake of self-preservation, Imp is slowly learning otherwise. Outside battle, any respect the Rotom holds for Aidan comes from the latter's allowance on multiple occasions for Imp to simply run wild. Stillness is not something Imp holds in high regard, so attempts to stay destruction by this creature must be accompanied by other directions.
History: Imp is Aidan's newest Pokemon and was one of the most difficult to capture. When he met Imp, Aidan was investigating a report from a Rocket base in Sinnoh that had complained of equipment trouble of an unusual nature. When the malfunctions persisted, followed by a lack of communication with the base, Aidan was sent to determine the nature of the problem. When he arrived, Aidan found all the electronic locks on the doors and windows closed, with flashing lights and strange noises occasionally making appearances from within the building. He was intrigued. Then, amidst a set of crackling sparks, the trainer thought he saw the form of a pair of eyes. Releasing Banshee, Aidan ordered her to send her cries throughout the building, hoping to force out of hiding a being whose existence he only suspected.
A series of explosions rang out--signs of machines possessed by Rotom now thrashing in pain. Then Imp appeared. A shining red figure engulfed in electricity, he charged straight from the front gate's control pad toward Aidan. The battle that followed was a challenging one for both sides, with the wild Rotom dodging in an out of whatever electrical devices were nearby, and possessing and destroying each Pokeball thrown at it. Such measures were made necessary by the relentless attacks launched against the electric type, and at times escape was all the Rotom had opportunity to attempt. But Aidan had the advantage of both strength and numbers, and his Pokemon eventually wore the Rotom down enough for it to be captured.
Name: Oracle
Gender: Male
Type: Absol
Distinguishing Marks? Orange eyes, rather than red
PERSONALITY: Being able to sense coming disaster, Oracle tends to have a rather dark outlook on life. While he is not the type to weave long, woeful tales of self-pity, he does not have much patience for blind optimism either. Oracle's actions tend to be efficient and purposeful, and he has a keen understanding of the more negative aspects of the world around him. The Absol does not have much tact either. If he chooses to tell something, he is only vague if his own understanding is vague or he is particularly depressed. Otherwise, he has a habit of being more blunt than most would want.
Unless he has something to do, Oracle can usually be found lying down somewhere with his eyes closed.
Oracle is one of the few beings in this world that Aidan truly respects.
History: While scouting out a mountain village, Aidan saw an Absol walking through the streets. He had never seen that type of Pokemon and was curious, so he began to follow it. Once they reached the outskirts of town, the Absol turned and spoke. Aidan was surprised to discover that he could understand the Pokemon, though it did not use human speech. "This village will be destroyed by a mudslide tonight. Tell them, if you want," the dark type said and disappeared into the forest.
Aidan began to question the locals about the Absol and was told that Pokemon was a bringer of disaster. Apparently, each time after he appeared, a devastating event occurred shortly afterward. Droughts, storms, disease, and more followed the Absol's walks through the town, and no one seemed terribly fond of him. Aidan left the village that evening without giving anyone the Absol's message. As predicted, a mudslide buried the village during the night. The next morning, Aidan returned to survey the damage and noticed a white-furred figure doing the same. After a time, the Absol spoke.
"Did you tell them?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I didn't want to." Aidan paused. "Did you care?"
"Not really."
Following a period of silence, Aidan asked the Absol to come with him. The Absol considered for a moment, then agreed under the condition that he could leave whenever he wanted to. Aidan accepted the terms.
In the Box
Name: Banshee
Gender: Female
Type: Mismagius
Distinguishing Marks? N/A
PERSONALITY: Banshee's personality is a combination of cold maliciousness and heart-wrenching sorrow. While she may cry for the suffering and tragedy in the world, the ghost Pokemon is not opposed to causing tragedy and suffering either. Even as she uses the sadness in her heart to fuel her songs, she breaks people down for no other reason than to watch them crash and burn. In terms of her interaction with others, Banshee is capable of being polite--even amiable. Unless she likes you to an unusually high degree, however, she will not object to shattering your sense of reality with one of her chants the next moment. Much of the cheerfulness Banshee had as a Misdreavus has vanished, but signs of happiness still evidence themselves at times.
History: During one of his sleepless nights while on the road Aidan decided to walk through town. While moving amongst a series of empty warehouses, he sensed something following him and released Sandman from his Pokeball. The Haunter sensed a soul beginning to move away from him and his trainer and followed it. Upon rounding a corner, he found a Misdreavus whirling about to face him. The smaller ghost released an ear-piercing scream. For a moment Sandman was silent; then he laughed. The Misdreavus laughed. Aidan strolled up moments later and with a smile asked the Misdreavus if she wanted to accompany him and his Haunter on their walk. Eager for company, she agreed.
When dawn arrived, Aidan asked if the Misdreavus would be willing to come with him since he was sad to part from her company. He also promised her many future opportunities to meet new people and, if she so chose, become a blight to them. The offer appealed to her, and she joined Aidan's team. After he joined Team Rocket, Aidan stole a Dusk Stone and evolved Banshee into her present state.
Name: Claymore
Gender: Male
Type: Skarmory
Distinguishing Marks? Slightly larger than an average Skarmory
PERSONALITY: Fiercely proud and belligerent, Claymore hates being looked down upon or thought of as weak. Though not unintelligent, he does tend to let his temper control him if he considers himself insulted. Claymore is not particularly social, which is probably good since not many would want to interact with someone so sensitive. On a positive note, Claymore's pride instills within him a sense of honor that binds him to keep his word--even under circumstances others might not think of seriously (ex: After agreeing to get a soda for his trainer, Claymore broke open a vending machine to do so when he could not find the beverage elsewhere). If he tells you something will be done, consider it done.
History: One spring, a family of Taillow and Swellow nested on the roof outside Aidan's room at one of the Rocket bases. Rather than using one of the Pokemon he already had or borrowing another person's Pokemon, he caught and trained a Skarmory specifically to drive the family away. No one is quite sure why he did this, but at least his efforts were rewarded when he released Claymore on the unsuspecting wild Pokemon and watched them squawk and fly away. With this task accomplished, he considered returning Claymore to the wild, but eventually decided that he might as well keep the Skarmory since he might prove useful later.
Name: Havoc
Gender: Male
Type: Typhlosion
Distinguishing Marks? Black back, red edging his stomach
PERSONALITY: Despite his nickname, Havoc is generally a good-natured Pokemon--perhaps a bit serious, but not wrathful without reason. If he had a vice, it would be his loyalty to his trainer despite Aidan's criminal occupation. Seeing the changes in Aidan over the years has saddened the Typhlosion, but he has not given up on his human partner yet.
When he is outside his Pokeball, Havoc will usually watch situations in silence until he is called upon to do something. If he is doing something, however, he will work hard at it and devote however much concentration and effort are needed to succeed.
By now Aidan considers Havoc his "firepower Pokemon" (pardon the pun) and usually only withdraws the Typhlosion for training or a situation in which he believes blatant power will be needed. Another, less (if at all) known reason Aidan prefers not to withdraw Havoc is that having the fire Pokemon with him somehow makes him feel obligated to a degree of morality.
History: Havoc was Aidan's first official Pokemon and was the last being Aidan met who caught the boy's clear strains of morality. For their first month together, Aidan and his new Cyndaquil were relatively happy. As hoped, the young Pokemon was a good influence on Aidan, and the human's protectiveness toward the fire-type appeared to help him recover some of his sanity. But dark intentions run deep, and after his month in New Bark Town (see Past) Aidan received a phone call from his parents asking if he wanted to come home. Part of him wanted to stay in New Bark and simply leave his old life behind. But before leaving Ecruteak he had already made plans, and to those plans he held. With a Cyndaquil and a Ghastly in his arsenal (see Past), Aidan began his Pokemon journey.
Gradually Aidan fell further and further from his more innocent self and began to call his Cyndaquil "Havoc"--perhaps a statement of intent, but who knows? Asking would hardly provide a trustworthy answer.
Name: Spike
Gender: Male
Type: Seadra
Distinguishing Marks? Black tips on his spines
PERSONALITY: Spike is a rather spirited, yet easy-going Pokemon. He enjoys a good fight, and if the stakes are not serious he does not mind losing if he feels he gave his best effort. Having mostly been reduced to a transporter at the moment, the Seadra is a little restless and disappointed, but happy about the battles he still is able to experience. One thing that does bother Spike is an opponent who disrespects a battle by not giving true effort to it. While he is not particularly outgoing, Spike is fairly receptive to those who might try to befriend him.
The relationship between Spike and Aidan is nothing abnormally close. Both have the usual trainer-Pokemon regard for one another and mostly get along well. Sometimes Spike is uncomfortable with Aidan's colder acts, however, and will speak if he feels uneasy enough. In the past Aidan has never resented this, but simply taken note and never changed.
History: Spike and Aidan met while the former was still a Horsea and the latter was still a normal trainer. The story of the water type's capture is not particularly unusual. Aidan had met a strange old man on a seashore, been asked his opinion on a slogan for a weather-watching club, then been given a Fishing Rod upon his answer. Having nothing else to do with the rod, he attempted using it. Three Magikarp later, Aidan met a Horsea and sent Sandman to battle it. The fight was not particularly easy or difficult, and in the end Aidan had himself a new Pokemon. Having a water Pokemon proved useful for travel through lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. Since lately the amount of outright fighting Aidan has been participating in has been reduced, Spike has become mostly a travel Pokemon. But whenever he is at a base, Aidan maintains his Seadra's training in order to ensure that it will still be battle-ready should a need arise.
-+- Appearance:
Eye Color: Clear grey-blue
Hair Color/Style: Dark blue/mid-length, layered
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 135 lbs
General Appearance: Aidan's most outstanding physical feature is his eyes. Bright, sincere, open, and honest; his eyes fervently promise to all who meet their gaze that every word their owner speaks is the absolute truth. Unfortunately, believing such innocent eyes has been the end for many people. Like whirlpools, they can drown the unwary in a sea of false reality. While his dark blue hair is mostly straight, it tends to curl a little forward at his face as well as around his neck where it starts to thin. Aidan's expressions--both facial and in body movement--tend to be relaxed and warm. He has a certain air of gentility about him, and when people talk he has a habit of gazing quietly them as though he were carefully considering their every word. Overall, anyone who simply saw him walking down the street would have difficulty believing that such a person was a member of Team Rocket.
Whenever possible, Aidan prefers not to wear a Rocket uniform since he perceives it as being limiting and a stigma to his ability to charm. The youth's appearance is carefully tailored, yet his usual attire is rather simple: A green t-shirt with a white long-sleeved shirt beneath, dark blue jeans held with a black belt, white tennis shoes, and a black cord necklace with a bone pendant carved into the shape of a stylized fish hook. On his left wrist he wears both links to a pair of handcuffs (from the first and only time he has been arrested) and a sports watch, while his left forefinger bears a silver ring set with a green garnet. In white letters on the front of Aidan's shirt are the words "Waking Dreams." To help block out some of Banshee's worse chants (and because he enjoys music), Aidan keeps a pair of headphones hanging about his neck. While his clothing is worn enough to signify that it is well-used, it is also clean and well-kept. During warm weather, his sleeves may be rolled up; or the long-sleeved shirt may be altogether absent. For cold weather he has a black, hooded jacket. As with most trainers, Aidan keeps his Pokeballs on his belt. His other travel items are held in a green and black backpack.
-+- Personality:
Strengths | Fear:
Strengths
Negotiation
Intermediating
Psychoanalysis
Manipulation
Creativity
Fears
Actually caring about something/someone
Losing himself
Likes | Dislikes:
Likes
Toying with people
Spicy food (particularly curry)
Freedom
Walking through graveyards
Watching the night sky
Dislikes
Psychiatrists
Forgetting things (personally)
Tapioca
The Burned Tower in Ecruteak
The words "I dare you to [...]"
Children
Goals:
Eventually finding some sort of peace or happiness
Skills:
Dissecting personality traits for future imitation and reference
Copying mannerisms
Cooking curry
Quirks | Habits: If he considers a defeated opponent worthy enough, Aidan may keep some sort of reminder of the encounter.
Secrets: --
Reputation: Aidan is said to be rather nice to anyone who does not cross him, occasionally helping those he favors when he has a notion to--whether by bringing them an extra cup of coffee or interceding if they mess up on a mission. He is also said to be able to make most people believe almost anything he wants them to. According to rumor (though who knows how much truth lies in it), Aidan has convinced several trainers to give their Pokemon to him with nothing but his words.
Personality: If asked, Aidan would tell you that honesty is one of the most important parts of his life since it is essential to any good relationship. Unfortunately, Aidan is a pathological liar. He lies to tell people what they want to hear, to tell people what they do not want to hear, and for his own general amusement. While Aidan does not always lie, naturally, he generally feels no remorse when he does. This, and his skill in said area, make him particularly suited to the job of Illusionist since he can easily, instantly weave together a web of falsehood.
Despite the fact that everyone who knows of Aidan knows him as a liar, his charisma tends to curtain reason. Because of this, people who meet Aidan often like him--at least, until they realize he has somehow convinced them to give him their watch, wallet, Pokemon, and a promise to lock themselves in a fridge for the rest of the week. While he often manipulates in minor instances for mere entertainment, Aidan is also capable of manipulating on a more significant scale when the situation demands such.
Aside from this, Aidan has the ability to alter his personality to suit his present needs. Though normally easy-going and friendly, he knows how to be whatever he wants to be--a groveling coward, a brave warrior, a shy and awkward outcast, etc. Oddly, amidst all his webs and guile used to bend events to his favor, Aidan cares surprisingly little for himself. Winning challenges is inherently preferable to him, of course, but losses (while inconvenient) tend to be seen as challenges in themselves or mere points of entertainment. The losses that seem to bother Aidan most are ones that he perceives will place an extended limitation on him (ex: A plan to uproot and replace one of his superiors failing). Physical pain does not seem to trouble him much either.
While being liked generally makes his life easier, and achieving a favorable status in the eyes of others is something entertaining to do, Aidan cares little about what most people think of him providing he is still eventually able to get what he wants.
Whether because of his own deceptive skills or some other reason, Aidan is able to see through most facades and lies. But if he sees no reason to act otherwise, he may simply act based on what he was told--however false he suspects it may be.
In battle, Aidan will rarely attempt to simply crush an opponent with brute force. Rather, he prefers to trick, disorient, and otherwise disable his opponents so that he can destroy them as he pleases.
-+- History:
Past: [I attempted to keep the rating of Aidan's history reasonable. But if should change it, I will.]
As a child, Aidan was rather quiet and even a little shy. Because he never defended himself, he tended to be teased often and occasionally bullied at school. But his experiences were not unbearable, particularly after he was able to find a friend--or rather, after a friend found him. One day Aidan sat curled on the ground, turning his face from the leaves and tufts of grass being thrown at him by his kindergarten classmates. Then she appeared in a blaze of righteous fury, brown eyes glowing with fire and tongue slicing adeptly as a warrior's sword. The boy's persecutors dispersed in seconds.
Aidan, who had never been defended before, was initially uneasy around this strange girl. Her friendliness and his curiosity overcame whatever reservations he held, however, and soon Aidan found himself talking to the girl every day. Rain was the same age as Aidan and had a laugh light and soft as her namesake. Her eyes, which had been set alight with anger during the friends' first encounter, were normally inquisitive and warm. Grown a little past shoulder length, her black hair was usually allowed to hang down, though Rain had a habit of tying it back when she grew annoyed--perhaps subconscious preparation to beat whoever was irritating her into the pavement.
- - - - -
"Hey, Rain, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Aidan's head was tilted and turned, resting atop the knees he hugged to his chest. His azure eyes were fixed attentively on the girl that sat beside him.
Legs stretched out in the grass, Rain leaned back on her hands and stared up at the sky. For a few seconds her face contorted a little with her intensity of thought. Finally she laughed and let herself fall to the ground. "I don't know! There's just too much out there." Then Rain's expression grew a little more serious, and she bit her lip. "Maybe a police officer like Jenny--so I can help people, you know?" she said slowly. "But I wouldn't mind being a Pokemon trainer either. It would be really fun, and I could still help people then. 'Pokemon trainer for justice!'" She laughed again. Rain turned toward Aidan. "Hey, did you know that your eyes are almost the same color as the sky?"
"They are?"
"Yup."
- - - - -
When he was almost eleven, Aidan's classmates dared him to sneak into the Burned Tower. Since he met Rain, the boy had become happier and more confident; but he was still considerably more susceptible to outside pressure than most people are. The boy knew the idea was a bad one. Most things people are dared to do are. Still, he was swayed. And following school he made his way to the tower.
After Aidan left, Rain asked someone nearby where he went. Upon discovery of what had happened, she postponed releasing her rage only to go after Aidan and first bring him back. Aidan had already entered the Burned Tower when Rain arrived. She found him on the second floor, his expression uneasy as he whirled about to glance in the direction of every new imagined sound.
- - - - - - -
"Aidan!"
Surprise, relief, and shame simultaneously flooded through the boy as he recognized the voice that called his name. "Rain!" he replied, his voice drifting through the dimness that his squinting eyes sought to pierce.
Rain cautiously made her way across a creaking section of floor. "Aidan, what were you thinking coming here? It's dangerous." The girl entered a shaft of light that shone through a missing section of wall. "Who knows what kind of wild Pokemon are here, and this entire building could come down at any moment."
"Y-yeah . . . You're right. I'm sorry." Aidan hung his head.
"Just don't do anything like this again. Come on--let's go."
"Coming." He began to pick his was down the pile of rubble on which he stood.
Suddenly, a rumble shook the tower. Dust streamed from the crumbling ceiling, followed by fragments of stone. The boy braced himself against a wooden column as larger segments of ceiling begin to fall away. His eyes widened. "Rain, look out!"
A shard of stone the size of a bowling ball crashed down on Rain. She did not scream or cry, but merely crumpled to the ground. Before he could reason or consider, Aidan found himself running to Rain's side. Blood was smeared on the rock that had struck her, and dark crimson was already pooling around her head. The girl's eyes were closed.
"Rain?" Aidan hesitantly reached a hand out and touched her arm. Her eyes flickered open. "Rain!" A smile tugged weakly at the edges of her lips. "Hey . . ." she whispered.
"I'm gonna go get help. Don't worry." Aidan started to stand, but felt fingertips brushing against his hand.
"Don't."
"But why?" Immediately he regretted asking the question, since immediately he realized its answer. Aidan leaned forward, his grey-blue eyes shimmering with fervent desperation. "Y-you're not gonna . . . ?"
The strain of Rain's smile increased, and tears squeezed out of the edges of her closed eyes. "It's getting hard to stay awake. I don't know how much longer--"
"Don't say that! Please!"
"I don't want to go, Aidan . . . I don't want to, but everything is getting so dark." For a moment the old tower, which neither had noticed was no longer moving, was silent. Her hand twitched in its effort to move. "Aidan, are you still there?"
He immediately grasped her hand, then lifted her head from the ground with his free one. "I'm here."
"Good . . ." Her voice was fainter, and her words began to slur. "I was scared to be alone."
Aidan could not prevent his voice from choking as he answered, "But what about me?! Don't leave me alone! Don't go. Not because of--because--"
"Hey, Aidan, could you do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Smile." He shook. Her body relaxed. He cried.
- - - - - - -
For three months following Rain's death, Aidan fell into a deep depression and lingered on the edge of insanity. The events at the Burned Tower had broken him completely, and even simple tasks such as walking down the street disoriented him. Then, after his tri-month fall into darkness, Aidan made a sudden and seemingly miraculous recovery. The boy was bolder and more outgoing than before; he even somehow befriended the group of children who had sent him to the Burned Tower. Some might have considered him a good friend, too, since he so diligently remained by their sides amidst the stream of misfortune that now seemed to follow them wherever they went.
Six months after he lost Rain, Aidan returned the Burned Tower. As he lingered on the first floor, wondering if he could force himself to proceed to the second, the world about him began to distort. Then an ice-cold, burning hot tongue was on his face, draining the life from him. Aidan fell to one knee and almost lost consciousness. This was his first encounter with a certain wild Ghastly, later to become his own Sandman. Somehow the two beings befriended each other, and Aidan's visits to the tower grew more frequent so he could meet his Pokemon companion. Before long, the Ghastly began to venture from its home, shadowing Aidan unseen and unknown to all but the boy. The phantom's unique abilities proved quite useful to Aidan in execution his malicious acts against his human "friends." But despite Aidan's efforts to appear normal, his parents began to grow worried about the changes they noticed in their son. Relatives in New Bark Town suggested giving Aidan a starter Pokemon so that the boy would have someone he could trust and play with while learning responsibility. His parents found the idea agreeable, and Aidan had no objections as well. In fact, he requested permission to become a full-time trainer. This idea was a little more questionable to his parents, and after some deliberation they decided to allow his wish under the stipulation that he could spend a month with his Pokemon in New Bark Town with no trouble.
The moment he received his Cyndaquil, Aidan was surprised (and troubled) to find himself genuinely happy. And as he bonded and trained with Havoc for a month, he perhaps did recover a little. Once the one-month testing period was over, however; he brought his Cyndaquil back to Ecruteak, picked up Sandman from the Burned Tower, and started his journey as planned. Aidan was thirteen.
At the age of fourteen, Aidan experienced his first encounter with Team Rocket. A pair of grunts stopped him on the road and threatened to send their Pokemon after him if he did not hand over his own. Rather than being frightened, Aidan was curious. He had heard stories about the nefarious Team Rocket, and he wanted to know how much of those rumors was true. Aidan threw a set of empty Pokeballs to the ground; and as one grunt leaned over to pick them up, the youth tossed Sandman's Pokeball into the air. Half a second after the phantasm's release, Aidan's opponents found themselves sinking in pits of tar--or so they thought. Panicking and crying out, their flailed their arms and looked upward, only to be met with a pair of unearthly eyes. The eyes glowed with Hypnosis, and the grunts tumbled to the ground asleep. Aidan leisurely gathered up the Rockets 'Pokeballs and began to search the area for more grunts. That had been fun.
Upon meeting his first Rocket leader, Aidan promptly tossed his bag of stolen Pokeballs forward and requested to join the organization. For a few days Aidan was investigated, and afterward he was allowed a six-month trial period with the group. At first a few minor rumors circulated about the boy due to the unusual circumstances under which he joined the group. But before long no one took notice of him, which was exactly what Aidan wanted. For six months Aidan bowed, bent, cringed, grovelled, and observed. He learned all that he could about everyone and everything, and tried to gain the favor of anyone he thought might be useful in the future. Meanwhile he also trained his Pokemon as hard as he could while hiding their strength as well as possible and still proving himself useful in combat. One week after he became an official, full-fledged Rocket member, Aidan made his first move. Through a series of pre-planned manipulations he was able to replace the leader of his squad. The next two years were spent burning, breaking, battling, bribing, befriending, and generally doing whatever Aidan thought necessary to allow himself to move up in the organization. When Aidan was 17, he achieved the status of Gem.
Family: Mother - Karen Iiolo (40), Father - Morgance Iiolo (41)
Other: Aidan is not quite an insomniac, but often runs on an hour or less of sleep per night unless Sandman is hungry.
Though they are not aware that their son is a Gem, Aidan's parents do know that he joined Team Rocket and have heard several rumors of his ill acts. By this point, they have essentially disowned him.
Also, in the past, Aidan has performed numerous under cover missions.
*Garnet - The garnet is a luminous gem, its characteristic glow caused its ability to refract light. In the past, it was carried by travelers to ward off forces that might cause them harm. Aidan's gem name was given due to his ability to "refract truth" and ward away the forces that inevitably seek to apprehend those aligned with Team Rocket. Ironically, garnets are said to naturally occur in about every color but blue--the shade of Aidan's eyes.
RP example:
"What's wrong? Don't you care about your Pokemon?"
"Of course I care about them! That's why I'm never handing them over to the likes of you!"
Aidan stood on an open road, facing a single trainer who was glaring at him with open hatred. The latter appeared about 12 and had short blond hair that was held back from his face with a pair of goggles. The former frowned thoughtfully for a moment. His expression was confused, and even a little hurt. Then Aidan's face grew serious. "You shouldn't judge people you don't know. How can you say what type of person I am?"
"Because you're a member of Team Rocket!" The trainer snapped belligerently. "What else is there to know?"
A sad note entered the back of Aidan's eyes, which briefly flicked downward. "Listen," Aidan said quietly. "I know Team Rocket has a bad name among trainers. And I'll be the first to admit that the things we've done haven't always been right. But there's a lot more to us than you hear about." He looked up, earnestly meeting the youth's incredulous gaze. "I used to be a trainer like you. And I'd have to say I hated Team Rocket just as much. After all, I loved my Pokemon, and how could I let anyone take them away from me? I still remember how excited I was the day I got my first one . . ." Aidan removed a Pokeball from his belt, causing the trainer in front of him to instantly tense. Aidan did not seem to notice, but simply asked, "What's your name, friend?"
"Daniel. Why?" came the terse reply.
The Pokeball in Aidan's hand split open, releasing a figure of red light that solidified into a Mawile. The Mawile's mouth opened into an energetic smile, and she giggled. "Mawile!"
"I don't know what you've heard about Team Rocket, but I know we get a lot of bad rep about the way we supposedly treat our Pokemon. This Mawile is mine; her name is Lili. Now look at her, Daniel."
Without a word Daniel obeyed.
"Does she seem hurt? Underfed? At all unhappy?"
"No, but that doesn't mean--"
"When I met her, she was a lot worse off than she is now. But I took her in, cared for her--and now she's happier than any Pokemon I know. And she's been even happier since I joined Team Rocket. Actually, all my Pokemon are better off than they were when I was just a trainer. Maybe you're thinking like I once did that you can take care of your Pokemon on your own. But what happens when you're in the middle of nowhere and one of your Pokemon is in critical condition? Who can you turn to for help? Or will you just watch one of your Pokemon fade away like I did . . . Will you let that happen?"
"But--"
Aidan fervently grasped Daniel's shoulder. "No 'buts.' How else am I supposed to make you see? It's time to face reality. I know it's a sacrifice for you, but think of your Pokemon. You owe this much to them. They deserve to live--to be happy."
Silence.
"Don't they, Daniel?"
Hesitantly Daniel turned his eyes to meet Aidan's. Honor, hope, compassion, and truth all lay within those engulfing pools of blue. Emotion, like a small girl grasping the edge of your shirt as she asks you if her mother will live. And you have to say yes.
