Topic: Zeke Matthews

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Name: Zeke Matthews
Age: 14
Gender: Male

Description: Zeke stands at 5ft6, and has mid-length brown hair. His eyes are a deep brown, with the iris leaking into his pupil in both eyes. His hair is partially straightened, and a bit fuzzy in places. He wears a black zip-up jacket with a blue t-shirt underneath. He also wears two armbands, one on each arm, and blue jeans. He wears a red scarf, although this is mainly for colder weather. He has a yellow rucksack to keep all his items inside. He is fairly thin, although spending time at home has resulted in a little weight gain.

Personality: Zeke is often seen as the little brother of the groups he joins, usually being the youngest of them. He is usually quite cheerful and friendly, willing to offer advice to others, even if they are more experienced than him. Through spending time with Xander, Tramp and Vince, Zeke has become a more competent battler, but still believes himself to be far from Contest-worthy. If he sees a Pokemon or a person in trouble, he will act without hesitation, often getting him into trouble. Being a coordinator-in-training, Zeke has begun to consider the natural abilities of his Pokémon and is currently devising new battle styles for his Pokémon.

History: Zeke lived with his mother and sister in New Bark Town, a small town in Johto, having no interest in Pokemon or the world around him. A random encounter with an Aipom from a nearby plain made Zeke more interested in the world beyond his home. The two spent much time together, with Aipom eventually moving in to the family home, and after 2 years of friendship, Aipom allowed Zeke to capture her. Although he was officially a Pokemon Trainer, he decided to stay at home rather than travel. After his sister's 10th birthday, he decided it was time he and Aipom travelled the world. Despite setting himself on the path of a coordinator, Zeke has suffered many losses which have set him back. With a few more wins and ideas under his belt, Zeke is slowly becoming a more accomplished trainer.

His mother, named Kasey, is a Pokémon Breeder who keeps a small amount of Pokémon in a small garden, and his sister, Melanie, is currently travelling throughout Hoenn with her partner, a Treecko.

Friends: Kristian Royap, Taylor "Ty" Seraito, Gordo Wilde, Charlie Blacksmith, Dane Umbran, Tyler Wilkins, Thomas Tramp, Xander Blake, Vince Gurin, Tyra Jordon, Lyra Evans, Evan Goldman.

Enemies: None.

Pokemon on hand:
 
Aipom - Female. Modest Nature. Wearing Everstone

Ability: Run Away
Ball: Poké Ball
Moves learnt: Swift, Sand Attack, Shockwave, Fury Swipes, Screech, Shadow Claw, Tickle, Bounce
Combinations/Improvised Moves: Shock Shield
Aipom was Zeke's first Pokémon, whom he met in New Bark Town. The two have only a few experiences together, but this does not prevent them from holding a close bond. Through brief training with Dane in Orre, Zeke became confident in using Aipom's newly developed speed-based techniques, though this confidence has since dwindled. Aipom is far from confident in her own abilities, and finds it difficult to grasp new strategies. She will always give her best effort in battle, following Zeke's commands closely.

Blaze
Houndour - Male. Timid Nature.

Ability: Flash Fire
Ball: Premierball
Moves learnt: Leer, Ember, Howl, Smog, Fire Spin, Will-O-Wisp, Overheat, Roar, Bite, Fire Fang
Blaze was given to him by his friend Ty after his loss at the Kanto Pokémon League. Ty and Blaze seem to have quite a history. He seems quite young and timid, but nonetheless a willing fighter. Blaze seems hesitant under pressure, possibly from his young age combined with Zeke's inexperience. Zeke has taken the time to concentrate on Blaze both in and out of training, leading to a change in their bond. Blaze is no longer hesitant to follow Zeke's command and is more comfortable in his company, but this is only the beginning of their development.

Skorupi - Female. Bold nature.

Ability: Battle Armour
Ball: Safari Ball
Moves learnt: Knock Off, Pin Missile, Poison Sting, Bite, Acupressure, Scary Face
Zeke came across Skorupi in the desert of the Cianwood Safari Zone, catching her because of her very forward attitude. Skorupi has proven herself to be a competent battler with a strong will, and she will volunteer herself for battle ahead of Zeke's other Pokémon. Through training with Blaze, Skorupi has become more capable of dealing with Physical attacks.

Totodile, male. Gentle nature.

Ability: Torrent
Ball: Poké Ball
Moves learnt: Scratch, Leer, Water Gun
Totodile hatched from the egg that Zeke received near Ecruteak City. Zeke treats Totodile as a child in most respects, and is taking Totodile's training in small steps. So far, Totodile recognises it has attacks and that they can be used in battle, but the Water type has no interest in battling so far. Zeke is currently trying to teach Totodile to defend itself with its attacks. Outside of training, Totodile seems to be a cheerful Pokémon who enjoys inspecting new things. He often takes walks, sometimes alone, and Aipom is usually drafted in to keep an eye on him.

Emolga, male. Rash nature.

Ability: Static
Ball: Poké Ball
Moves learnt: Air Slash, Thundershock, Quick Attack, Pursuit, Double Team, Tail Whip
Zeke met Emolga around Route 1 while Xander and Tramp focused on a practice battle. Emolga attacked without warning, but was subdued when it relied on its Quick Attack to strike Skorupi. He seems to be fairly strong and is a confident flier, but he overestimates his own battle skills. He's a bit of a brute towards others and will challenge anyone to a battle, regardless of their size.

Achievements:
Phenac City Pokémon Contest - Second Place
Ecruteak City Pokémon Contest - Second Place
Olivine Frontier Festival:
Battle Hall - Reached Second Round
Battle Arcade - Finalist

Key items:
Xtransceiver

[Typhlosion]

Looks good to me. Approved.

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Pokémon at home:
These Pokémon are being cared for by Zeke's mother, Kasey. While they are easily available to him through Professor Elm's Pokémon transfer machine, Kasey often travels and may feel the need to take some of Zeke's Pokémon with her.

Yanmega - Female. Quirky Nature.

Ability: Tinted Lens
Ball: Great Ball
Moves learnt: Sonicboom, Bug Bite, Aerial Ace, Air Slash, Ancientpower, Shadow Ball, Uproar, Steel Wing
Combinations/Moves Improvised: Aerial Ace+Shadow Ball (experimental), Aerial Ace+Uproar, Bug Buzz+Uproar (experimental)
Yanmega was given to Zeke by Dane shortly before leaving to go to the PHQ in Orre. Dane described her as playful and can often be a handful, but with confident trainers by his side, Zeke is sure to master Yanmega's quirkiness. Yanmega is Zeke's most experienced Pokémon, and showed herself to be a confident battler.
She has been a major participant in Zeke's battles and is seen as the reason for his successes. For this reason, Zeke has temporarily left Yanmega at home, to allow her to rest and to give him the chance to succeed on his own terms.

Gligar - Male. Naive nature. Wearing Everstone.

Ability: Sand Veil
Ball: Poké Ball
Moves learnt: Poison Sting, Quick Attack, Metal Claw, Sand Attack, Harden, Knock Off
Zeke encountered Gligar on his way out of the Orre region, stopping off at one of the Pokéspots to use the Pokésnacks he had bought. Gligar is very young, indicating it has not long been given independence by it's mother, and it has little to no experience of the world. He is curious and willing to learn and is also eager to develop.
Gligar struck up a friendship with Zeke's newly hatched Totodile which has resulted in a dependence from the latter. To convince Totodile to be more independent, Zeke has asked Gligar to remain at home for a while.

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Previous events:

Should be joining The Odd Squad during their travels in Johto after being approved by Dane and Kristian. Zeke will be inactive until then.

EDIT: Made a few minor changes and additions to Zeke and Aipom which I felt were appropriate.
Posted on: July 17, 2008, 21:54Added a sprite to show Zeke, made my myself. Updated Description again.
Posted on: August 04, 2008, 09:35Zeke has now travelled to Orre after witnessing the Indigo League, feeling discouraged about his contest skills. He has been given a new Pokemon from his friend Ty, a Houndour called Blaze. During Zeke's time between Kanto and Orre, Aipom has learnt Screech.
Posted on: October 11, 2008, 22:03Zeke has been given a Yanmega by Dane.
Posted on: November 10, 2008, 23:24Zeke is no longer travelling in Orre, having entered the Phenac City Pokémon Contest and investigated the Cipher activity with Dane. Zeke made his first capture upon leaving Orre, obtaining a Gligar. Zeke is unsure of where to go next, but Johto is a likely choice, being his home region.
Posted on: February 05, 2009, 07:29Updated Zeke's appearance with a new sprite. Zeke is currently in Johto.
Posted on: July 03, 2009, 10:47Added the Journeys cast to Zeke's Friend list, and updated the descriptions of Aipom and Gligar to include their Everstone necklaces.

Zeke has captured a Skorupi in the Cianwood Safari Zone.

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Zeke recently received an egg.

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Recent changes:
- Zeke's egg hatched into a Totodile in the 2 month timeskip between Ecruteak and Blackthorn.
- Gligar learned Knock Off in the timeskip.
- During the two weeks that Zeke spent training alongside Xander in The Dragon's Den, Blaze learned Fire Fang and Skorupi learned Acupressure and Scary Face.

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Zeke left both Yanmega and Gligar at home with his mother prior to arriving on Knot Island, and is preparing to travel to Unova.

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Zeke caught an Emolga around Route 1.

Zeke received a Xtransceiver from Zenno.