Slate Aspen ;; Elite #2

[Slate Aspen]

[shadow=red,left,300][/shadow]

Slate • Benjamin • Aspen

Similar to the above image, but with small differences.Play By:
"Don't hold me up now, I can stand my own ground." - Prayer or the Refugee by Rise Against

• Labels Do Not Define Me •

Name: Slate Aspen
Age: 21, almost 22
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Straight
Status: Trainer

• On The Outside Looking In •

Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Scars/Markings: None, although his originally very pale skin has been weathered somewhat from 11 years of travelling.
General Appearance: 6' 2", but very lean in terms of build. His hair is a dark brown to match his eyes, and while his skin is somewhat pale it isn't to the point where someone would give him a second glance - it has also darkened to a more normal tone due to his years spent travelling. His hair is long, going several inches past his shoulders, roughly 3 to 5 inches past in the front and to mid shoulder blades in the back. He generally wears a dark blue or black t shirt with cargo pants, which themselves are usually dark brown to olive in color with camouflage markings on them. His shoes are dark grey, somewhere in between hiking boots and sneakers. He usually wears a slightly form fitting black fleece with a high neck over the t shirt - it has a discreet zipper going from his chin to sternum. For a bag he uses a midsized, jet black backpack with orange zippers. His pokeballs are usually kept attached to his belt in miniturized form, although he will occasionally keep them in his bag.


• There's More Than Meets The Eye •

Likes:
- Warm weather, humid or dry.
- Quiet, lazy afternoons.
- Loyal individuals.

Dislikes:
- Cold weather; he turned what should have only taken a week though Ice Path into three months taking the warmer, southern route to Blackthorn.
- Unnecesary noise.
- Strong smells or flavors; both of these senses are slightly hypersensitive in comparison to most other peoples'.

Strengths:
- Very physically fit from training his own body alongside his team.
- Very experienced and knowledgable about Pokemon and their abilities.
- Very resourceful.

Weaknesses:
- Has a crippling weakness and dislike of any climate or weather below roughly 65 degrees Farhenheit.
- Cannot stand strong odors or tastes.
- Tends to be very cynical and sarcastic at times.

Personality: While he's normally a quiet, keep to himself individual, he will not hesitate to speak up if he feels he needs to. He also isn't at all afraid to get his hands dirty - he would never even consider asking his team to do anything he himself wouldn't, and in keeping with this policy he generally lets his team out of their balls whenever he possibly can. He tends to get slightly competitive at certain times, relishing fighting tough opponents after being bored - he would never admit to it if asked, though. While he may seem like a sarcastic, apathetic, cynical individual at first glance, he is deeply moved and motivated by certain things, first and foremost a strong sense of morality closely followed by loyalty. While he will follow the rules for the most part, he will bend or break them if he feels they contradict his own sense of morality, but not after seriously considering the matter. Finally, while he may be slow to trust someone at first, he will follow those who earn it into hell itself if they asked him to.

• I Am What I Own •

Items: Just the basic essentials in a jetblack, midsized backpack along with his pokeballs.
Pokemon:

-Elite Four Team-

Sceptile:

► Nickname: None
► Species: Sceptile
► Level: 66
► Type: Grass
► Ability: Overgrowth
► Gender: Male
► Personality: Slate's first Pokemon, and as such his longest partner. Having spent over eleven years together, Sceptile is often capable of guessing what Slate will do before the trainer himself even knows, and they both trust each other implicitely. Sceptile is a mix of contradictions - at times he is a workaholic, endlessly sparring with Scyther (who is the only one fast enough to have a prayer of keeping up), while at other times simply lazing entire days away in the sun. Like Slate, Sceptile cannot stand cold weather, and will often prefer to remain inside his pokeball if they must endure it. He is also highly intelligent, perceptive and experienced, often able to tell how the opponent will move, attack or defend based on the slightest movements and able to analyze the enemy's tactics to the point where he can accurately guess what their next move will be. While completely capable of them, Sceptile looks upon special and energy based attacks with disdain, preferring the fight to up close and personal so as to use his astonishing speed, agility and general physical prowess to its upmost potential. With his adrenaline pumping during a fight, he can move quickly enough to actually appear to flicker across the battle field, although he is only capable of this when pushed to his absolute limits.
► Moves: Leaf Blade, Dragon Claw, Thunder Punch, Leech Seed, Quick Attack, Slam, X- Scissor, Detect.



Metagross:

► Nickname: None
► Species: Metagross
► Level: 65
► Type: Steel/Psychic
► Ability: Clear Body
► Gender: Genderless
► Personality: The first pokemon Slate actually caught. Metagross is by far Slate's most intelligent pokemon, although whether this is a result of what it actually is or innate, individual intelligence is anyone's guess. Like Sceptile, Slate and Metagross have the upmost trust in each other. Metagross is also an enigma compared to Slate's other pokemon, the trainer himself often finding it impossible to read Metagross. Unlike Sceptile, Metagross appears to be more of a pragmatist, doing whatever seems necessary to win and having no actual favorite strategy or tactic, molding his fighting style to suit the opponent. Aside from being able to use his monstrous weight, strength, durability and speed to great effect in battle, he has also demonstrated considerable telekinetic abilities.
► Moves: Meteor Mash, Psychic, Earthquake, Zen Headbutt, Magnet Rise, Iron Defense.




Heracross:

► Nickname: None
► Species: Heracross
► Level: 64
► Type: Bug/Fighting
► Ability: Swarm, Guts
► Gender: Male
► Personality: An enigma that rivals that of Metagross, Slate has almost as much difficulty reading Heracross as he does the Iron Leg pokemon. While, unlike Shelgon, he is capable of considerably varied body movement his actions seldom mirror what he intends or is thinking. More often than not he will completely disappear off into wooded or otherwise secluded areas when Slate releases his pokemon from their pokeballs for breaks, seemingly returning almost always right before Slate intends to go looking for him. He also doesn't seem to have any particular fighting style either, his erratic and highly unpredictable movements on the battlefield matching his personality.
► Moves: Night Slash, Brick Break, Counter, Megahorn, Stone Edge, Aerial Ace.




Scyther:

► Nickname: None
► Species: Scyther
► Level: 63
► Type: Bug/Flying
► Ability(ies): Swarm, Technician
► Gender: Male
► Personality: Despite being one of Slate's newest pokemon, relatively speaking, it was the one that Sceptile bonded with the fastest. The two of them act almost like siblings, sharing the same habit of overworking themselves one moment only to laze the next day away, as well as their fighting styles. While not nearly as mobile as Sceptile on the ground, Scyther more than makes up for it with his ability to fly, and the two work in near perfect unison as a team. Scyther Also shares his dislike of energy based attacks, although in this case it is more out of considering them a nuisance since he can perform none himself.
► Moves: Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Slash, X-Scissor, Double Team, Night Slash.

-Personal Team-

Shelgon:

► Nickname: None
► Species: Shelgon
► Level: 49
► Type: Dragon
► Ability: Rock Head
► Gender: Male
► Personality: The second pokemon that Slate caught, and his final one before leaving Meteor Falls. Shelgon, like Metagross, tends to be unreadable to most people thanks to his face being hidden and lack of usabe body language, although he usually manages to get his point across to Slate when needed. He also tends to be somewhat of a loner compared to the rest of Slate's team, although that may be a result of his species and type, although he will often go out of his way to look after Pupitar, sharing a relationship similar to that of a sibling. Like Sceptile, Shelgon is not particularly fond of attacks that aren't direct or physical in nature, although he will use them if they prove to be more effective than his usual tactics, opting to follow a strategy reminiscent of a cross between Sceptile and Metagross's.
► Moves: Zen Headbutt, Dragonbreath, Dragon Claw, Flamethrower, Protect.

Pupitar:

► Nickname: None
► Species: Pupitar
► Level: 54
► Type: Rock/Ground
► Ability: Shed Skin
► Gender: Female
► Personality: Slate's last pokemon, and as such the least trained one. As a Larvitar she showed a horrible lack of direction, having managed to lose her way so badly as to actually wander far west of Mt. Silver. She also demonstrated a preference for berserker tactics, taking hits that she didn't need to as long as it would allow her to land a direct blow on her enemy. While she has, unfortunately, kept her lack of direction after evolving, she was forced to somewhat reevaluate her normal tactics given her new shell like body. While she still would prefer to simply pummel her opponent into submission with bludgeoning attacks, she has become much more cautious since evolving. She will often think twice before committing to any attack as well as actively learn from every movement her opponent makes, although her stubborn attitude means that she still often over commits to a blow when she does make an aggressive move.
► Moves: Sandstorm, Rock Slide, Crunch, Iron Head, Stealth Rock, Iron Defense, Earthquake.

• How I Became Who I Am •

Family:
Dean Aspen (father/ Devon Researcher)
Beth Aspen (mother/ advertising agent)
Julianne Aspen (Younger sister by 2 years)
Elicia Aspen (Younger sister by 4 years)


History: Born the son of two academics and raised in Rustboro, Slate was fully expected by both his parents and extended family to continue with his formal education rather than become a trainer when presented with the choice at the age of ten. Slate, however, had no intention of keeping with those expectations - while he was individualistic to begin with, more than anything else he made the decision because he was more or less bored. He could not imagine waking up every morning only to get out of bed to do something he didn't enjoy or take pleasure in every day of his life, and so he took the chance the instant it presented itself. While his father was less than pleased initially, he grew to respect Slate's decision as he understood why he'd done it over the next few months. Slate's mother, on the other hand, approved, reasoning that it would be good for both him and his family - Slate would learn valuable life lessons, and it would help the family financially. Travelling through Petalburg and Oldale Town, Slate eventually arrived in New Bark Town after two days. Registering himself as a trainer, he recieved a Treecko as his starter pokemon. While their relationship was somewhat luke warm at first, Treecko merely tolerating Slate and Slate not particularly making any effort to interact with him, either. While they won their first few battles and Treecko managed to learn Quick Attack, their wins only came by narrow margins. They continued the pattern for almost three years, only finally forging an authentic bond when Slate actually got into a fist fight with a Team Magma member who defeated Treecko and the attempted to steal him. The fight itself ended in a draw, with Slate being heavily outmatched physically but the Magma member driven off by the sheer ferocity of his blows.

Now 14, Slate and Treecko began winning their matches by larger and larger margins over the next few weeks, and once again financially secure they left their old stomping grounds around Petalburg Woods and began a tour around the Hoenn region. Slate himself had no interest in either the Gym Leader challenge nor the regional contests that were at the time exclusive to the Hoenn region, and as such they simply continued to train with the only goal being to better themselves. Almost a tear later they encountered a Beldum in Meteor Falls, and as it and Treecko battled Slate was reminded of the sheer stubborness he'd shown himself months before. Taking a liking to the creature, Slate and Treecko made a final push, ending the battle when Slate captured the Beldum. Continueing to train as they had been but now with another companion, Slate began training his own body, reasoning that he had no right to ask his companions to train and fight if he wasn't willing to match actions to words. Within another six months Treecko evolved, having learned several more moves along the way. Before leaving the area around Meteor Falls, Slate would make one last push into the cave, and would be rewarded for his efforts by encountering and capturing a Bagon.

By the age of sixteen Slate began getting the itch to travel again, and as such he and his companions began travelling east through the Hoenn region, taking a detour through Fiery Path to avoid the blistering sandstorms of the desert region immediately to the east, Beldum evolving into a Metang as they passed through the caves. Continuing to move southward, they began moving east again from Mauville City, taking the southern route past Mt. Pyre to reach Lilycove. Buying the ticket the instant he was able to afford it, Slate booked passage from Lilycove to Olivine, arriving in the Johto region seven months after leaving Fallabor Town and Meteor Falls.

Initially glad to be off the ship, his joy was slightly soured by the climate - while it was warm by most people's standards, it was still cold to Slate in comparison to the Hoenn region's tropical climate. Unable to book passage back, Slate decided to test his skill against the local trainers. Easily winning against several of them and beginning to get disappointed with the lack of a challenging opponent, he decided he'd do what he'd deliberately avoided up until that point. Challenging Olivine's Gym Leader, Jasmine, Slate barely won, easily plowing through most of her team but losing Metang and Bagon to her Steelix before Grovyle finally managed to put it down, nearly fainting from exhaustion himself afterwards.

Spurred on by the victory, Slate began travelling inland again, moving on to Ecruteak and once again challenging the Gym Leader there, easily winning due to Metang's type advantage. Moving southeast from there, Slate took on Falkner, again decimating the opposing team through excellent tactics and type advantage. Continuing to move east, Slate had intended to wander straight into the Kanto region only to be stopped at the midway checkpoint which had been erected following Team Rocket's attack on the Indigo League for not having the needed badges to pass through. Now eighteen, Slate turned back again, heading back through Violet City before turning south to Azalea town, plowing through Bugsy with Bagon's recently learned Ember technique. After finishing with him Slate began moving through Ilex Forest, capturing a Heracross before reaching Goldenrod two weeks later. While he heard scattered rumors of disorder in the Sevii Islands caused by Team Rocket, Slate simply ignored them, figuring that they had little to do with him before moving on to Whitney. Unprepared for her specific tactics, Slate lost Bagon to her Miltank, nearly losing Grovyle as well until he switched him out for Metang - due to a lack of any actual gender, Miltank's Attract proved useless, and was succinctly dealt with.

Now with five of the eight badges needed to cross over into Kanto, Slate spent another month travelling back to Olivine, hiring a private charter to transport him to Cianwood. Once again barely winning through type advantage, Slate decided it would be best to take it easy for a few weeks afterwards, realizing that both he and his team had been driving themselves to the breaking point. After returning to the mainland, Slate and his companions remained in Olivine for nearly three months recovering and training themselves, Bagon being the next to evolve over the period of time.

Once again fit to travel and at their strongest since arriving in Johto, Slate and company began moving east again, this time continuing to do so past Ecruteak, taking the path they'd ignored before. Arriving in Mahogany Town, Slate was initially confused by the Gym's puzzle, and to top it off it was initially far too cold for him to comfortably stay for more than a few minutes. Driven back by the combination, it took Slate four tries to actually reach the Leader, although the battle itself was relatively easy - while Slate didn't dare subject Shelgon, Grovyle or Heracross to the cold, Metang had no issue with it, and between its ability to levitate above the slippery ice and its natural type advantage it was an east win.

Leaving the Gym, Slate continued east again, wanting to make a straight shot to Blackthorn before swinging south again, only to be confronted by Ice Path. Unwilling to both expose himself to the cold and rely exclusively on Metang again, Slate turned back - he would have much rather dealt with the dangerous mountain approach from the southern edge of Blackthorn. Returning along the route he'd taken from Violet City, Slate made a slight detour back to Goldenrod to visit the department store to stock up on supplies. Passing through the National Park for at least the fourth time, Slate decided to attempt to participate in the Bug Catching Contest, something which he'd been growing increasingly curious about everytime he passed through. Taking part in the one held the next day, Slate won second place with a Scyther - while he didn't win the contest, he'd found another member for his team. Continuing east through Violet City again, Slate turned north when he reached the southern end of Route 46 and began making his way north, arriving in Blackthorn five weeks later.

Reasoning that it'd be foolish to take on Clair, who was renowned as Johto's strongest Gym Leader, in the state that they were in, Slate and his team spent another two weeks recovering, much as they had in Olivine. It turned out to be the correct decision - unlike the previous gyms he'd been to, Slate held no type advantage there. Scyther went down first, managing to weaken Clair's Dragonaire just enough for Heracross to finish it off before itself being knocked out of commision by the second Dragonaire, with Shelgon soon following. Metang put down the second one, and managed to inflict a fair amount of injury on her Kingdra before going down as well, with Grovyle barely managing to take the Kingdra down, a victory reminiscent of their arrival in Johto. Having acquired the final badge needed to proceed westward at the age of 20, Slate headed south along the route he had taken to get there, his progress greatly aided by the fact they were now moving downhill. Before reaching Route 29, Slate encountered a rogue Larvitar that had wandered west from Mt. Silver - once again reminded of the past, much as he had been with Beldum, Slate moved to capture it, the Larvitar actually managing to defeat Scyther before being captured. Taking a slight detour to the west again to heal his now complete team, Slate moved east and into Kanto. Upon arriving in Viridian City from the midway checkpoint, Slate continued east. No longer with any real need to challenge gyms now that he had the eight badges needed to allow him passage back west if he so chose, Slate continued to wander throughout Kanto. Over the next year he would challenge the Pewter, Cerulean, Celadon and Fuschia gyms, but more as distractions than actual challenges with a direction in mind. His Grovyle would also finally evolve after his Pewter Gym battle, finally turning into a Sceptile after nearly six years, with his Metang following suit after the Celadon battle and the Larvitar evolving after the Fuschia battle. After leaving Fuschia City Slate began getting the urge to travel yet again, eventually making his way into the Star Region from Kanto.
Other:
Other Characters: None.

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[BellaMae]

Accepted.

Please post in the Face Claim, My Pokemon and Character PC boards.

[Slate Aspen]

Alrighty, already on it.