Smithson, Darien

[MizuJakkaru]

Name: Darien Smithson
Nickname: N/A
Age: 18 (July 1st)
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Olivine City, Johto
Family: Richelieu Smithson (Father), Clarisse Smithson (Mother), Grant Smithson (Older Brother)

Trainer Orientation: Lawful Good
Ranger Rank: Ranger of Johto
Ranger Class: Trainer
Starter Pokémon: Cyndaquil

Character Theme:
Yasunori Mitsuda ~ Scars of Time (Chrono Cross)

Versus Theme:
Motoi Sakuraba ~ Fly! (Forest of Glass)

Blaze [Male Typhlosion] — Blaze with the fire that is never extinguished.
Blaze is Darien's starter and his best friend. The past eight years have been filled with great times for the duo. Blaze is fearless for his Trainer and has the scars on his chest to show for it, the two deeps ones in particular came from a gory battle with a Skarmory. Blaze is laid back in battles and is Darien's strongest fighter, having trained with the boy for all his life, through the hard times and the good times. Today Blaze and Darien travel the world, protecting the environment and Pokémon alike.
—Received in New Bark Town from Professor Elm.

Ability: Blaze
Nature: Brave
Move Pool: Earthquake, Eruption, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, Hidden Power (Grass), Rock Slide, Smokescreen, SolarBeam, Substitute, Sunny Day

Chaotic [Female Kingdra] — Chaotic action is preferable to orderly inaction.
Chaotic as been with Darien for nearly as long as Blaze, and she has gone through many changes over the years. She began as a innocent Horsea, then evolved into a brash, fierce Seadra. Now she lives up to her name, Chaotic, as a Kingdra, once Darien gave her a Dragon Scale. She's unpredictable in battle, deceiving her enemies at the last moment and then striking in ways they never foresaw.
—Captured in the Whirl Islands.

Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Bold
Move Pool: Brine, Dragon Dance, Draco Meteor, Outrage, Rain Dance, Rest, SmokeScreen, Substitute, Twister, Waterfall

Loireag [Female Donphan] — The heart of a maiden is a dark forest.
One of the two main tanks of Darien's common team, Loireag, or Loir as Darien will sometimes nickname her, is quite a powerhouse. If there's one attack Loireag has down, it's Rollout. She's deadly when she uses it and stays on course, and she's learned to couple it with Earthquake for devastating effects.
—Captured on Route 45.

Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Serious
Move Pool: Assurance, Attract, Earthquake, Facade, Poison Jab, Rapid Spin, Return, Rollout, Stone Edge, Toxic

Beelzenef [Male Xatu] — I'm not scared of the light!
Beelzenef was just a young Natu when Darien captured him and he's as shy in the present as he was as his pre-evolved form. He's oft to hide his head in his wings and feathers, loathing sunlight, and he dislikes battle. Darien usually only uses his Psychic powers when they're in closed areas, like caves or buildings, to preserve his Xatu's health. Beelzeneff has a creamy marking on his chest, instead of the norm.
—Captured in the Ruins of Alph.

Ability: Synchronize
Nature: Bashful
Move Pool: Aerial Ace, Giga Drain, Light Screen, Protect, Psychic, Quick Attack, Reflect, Shadow Ball, U-Turn, Wish

Ravine [Male Houndoom] — They pushed me down a big ravine, but I'll get back up again.
The previous leader of a pack of Houndoom and Houndour, Ravine was cast out when another male challenged him for leadership. In that battle, Ravine chipped and cracked his left horn. Darien found Ravine beaten and bloody after the fight, and he nursed the Houndoom back to health. Grateful to the human, Ravine eventually came along with Darien, after spending a few days in his care. He's loyal to Darien and is a powerful asset to his team.
—Captured on Route 7.

Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Calm
Move Pool: Crunch, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, Iron Tail, Nasty Plot, Overheat, Smog, Shadow Ball, Sucker Punch, Toxic

Ouph [Male Tyranitar] — It is the fort that armies cannot take or floods wash away.
Raised from an egg, Ouph has come a long way with Darien, as some of the others on the Ranger's team. Ouph is regal and collected and acts as Darien's second tank. He never steps out of line and he knows when to hold back in battle and let the enemy think they're winning before going in for the kill himself. He often closes his eyes just to meditate and pool his thoughts into a single thread.
—Hatched in Goldenrod City.

Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Quiet
Move Pool: Aqua Tail, Crunch, Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Ice Beam, Iron Head, Stone Edge, Superpower, Thunder Punch

Emerald [Male Victreebel] — Those emerald trees of lush green.
A relatively late capture of Darien's, he prides Emerald as his chosen Grass-type Pokémon. She absolutely adores him and spends quite a bit of time snuggled up against him when he uses her. Emerald is adept at moves like Vine Whip and the like, and particularly enjoys battle. She is fond of sweeter types of food... and she is fond of trying to swallow Beelzenef up in her delight to see the shy little Xatu. The bird Pokémon doesn't take kindly to this, and often faints in fright.
—Captured on Route 44.

Ability: Chlorophyll
Nature: Naive
Move Pool: Encore, Growth, Hidden Power (Ice), Leaf Blade, Return, Sleep Powder, Sludge Bomb, Sunny Day, Swords Dance, Vine Whip

[color=##A47B73]Juliette [Female Hitmonlee] - Oh, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?.[/color]
[color=##CDA483]Received from the kindly couple south of Goldenrod, Juliette has known Darien as her Trainer all her life. Darien cares deeply for the Pokémon, and Juliette returns the sentiment ten-fold. She gives Darien her all, helping him protect and defend nature with all her fighting might and all her ability. Juliette never backs down from a challenge, though, and sometimes she's prone to pushing herself too far.
—Hatched in Slateport City.

Ability: Reckless
Nature: Hasty
Move Pool: Close Combat, Counter, Double-Edge, Double Kick, Double Team, Helping Hand, Hi Jump Kick, Mach Punch, Reversal, Stone Edge[/color]

Logan [Male Electabuzz] — Does it hurt? Everytime.
Stubborn and brash to a fault, Logan is one of those lone wolf types of Pokémon. He refuses to listen to orders and he refuses to be teamed up with anyone... with the lone exception of Ophelia, whom he treats like his own daughter. Logan was named after a certain popular superhero, one that Darien read a lot of comics about in his youth. Strangely, he fits the character's personality quite well...
—Captured on Route 222.

Ability: Static
Nature: Rash
Move Pool: Cross Chop, Fire Punch, Focus Blast, Hidden Power (Ice), Low Kick, Protect, Psychic, Substitute, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch

Country [Male Tauros] — I've done some livin', yeah, I've had fun. But there is one thing that I haven't done...
A real honky-tonky type of Pokémon, Country was the one Pokémon Darien "captured" on his trek through the Kanto Safari Zone when it was under review by the Ranger Union. Though he found nothing amiss and the Safari Zone passed with flying colors, Darien did walk away with one excited and chill Tauros who wanted nothing more than to see the world at the hands of a Trainer like Darien. Country is the type of Pokémon that takes life a day at a time, without a care in the world.
—Befriended in the Kanto Safari Zone.

Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Relaxed
Move Pool: Double-Edge, Earthquake, Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Rain Dance, Rock Climb, Stone Edge, Zen Headbutt, Water Pulse, Work Up

Soundwave [Female Crobat] — Feel the terror on the waves of sound.
Captured in Johto, Soundwave is a vicious little bugger and she refuses to take no for an answer. Darien rarely uses her, given her attitude, but he's also reluctant to release her, because she actually loves him very much. Soundwave just prefers to battle, which is something Darien rarely does. While they may not see eye to eye on that, they do get along as much as a Trainer and Pokémon can. Soundwave has her moments, though. She has one of the largest sweettooth's Darien has seen on a Pokémon, after all.
—Captured in Dark Cave.

Ability: Inner Focus
Nature: Impish
Move Pool: Cross Poison, Confuse Ray, Heat Wave, Hidden Power (Fighting), Roost, Sludge Bomb, Super Fang, Taunt, U-Turn, Wing Attack

Nero [Male Scizor] — The lake of darkness where Nero does his fishing.
Something of a fluke capture, Darien has had Nero for a long time, longer than some of his regular team members. Darien had originally meant to let the boy he was helping out in the Bug Catching Contest keep the Pokémon... but the boy insisted that Darien keep the Scyther instead. Now a Scizor, Nero is a capable asset to Darien's purposes, often aiding the Ranger in missions that require a bit more speed and muscle combined. Nero was named by Darien's father, who has an affinity for Roman history.
—Captured in the National Park.

Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
Move Pool: Brick Break, Bug Bite, Bullet Punch, Iron Head, Pursuit, Quick Attack, Roost, Superpower, Swords Dance, U-Turn

Aki [Female Swellow] — A gift for you, in hopes you forgive the error of my ways.
A gift from his brother who was in Hoenn at the time, Darien admits to not having used Aki much... given the sore terms he's at with his sibling. Aki is prime scouting material, he knows, but every time he sees the Swellow, he's reminded of Grant. Aki personally loves him, though, and forgives him the notion. Grant sent Aki to Darien in hopes that Darien would forgive Grant's previous slights to his brother's choice of career, and the other man still bears a feather of the Swellow as a remainder that he needs to work up the guts to call Darien one day.
—Received in Olivine City from Grant Smithson.

Ability: Guts
Nature: Modest
Move Pool: Agility, Aerial Ace, Brave Bird, Double Team, Endeavor, Facade, Protect, Quick Attack, Toxic, U-Turn

Jaden [Male Aggron] — Loose canons are dangerous business.
The loose canon of Darien's collection, Jaden is the one that refuses at all instances to listen to his Trainer. No matter what Dairen has tried, he can not get the Aggron to obey. He half is terrified of going to his father about the Pokémon... because he knows what Richelieu would tell him. Send the Aggron to Grant. Why? Grant has more experience dealing with stubborn Pokémon and unruliness. Darien can't bring himself to go to his brother for anything, so unruly Jaden remains.
—Captured in Granite Cave.

Ability: Rock Head
Nature: Rash
Move Pool: Aqua Tail, Earthquake, Head Smash, Ice Punch, Iron Defense, Magnet Rise, Metal Burst, Protect, Rock Polish, Substitute

Dreamshore [Male Wailord] — I've been having this really strange dream lately. Is any of it real... or not?
An off beat Pokémon, Darien doesn't use Dreamshore for battling or for mission assignments. Instead, Dreamer is the Pokémon that he uses when he needs to do some at sea traveling. Without a doubt, the Pokémon is an imposing sight when the Ranger lets it out at docks and ports. Dreamshore is a bit of an airhead, surprisingly, and doesn't have many a care in the world.
—Received from the Ranger Union.

Ability: Oblivious
Nature: Docile
Move Pool: Hidden Power (Grass), Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Surf, Water Spout

Ophelia [Female Banette] — You never know what's coming your way until it passes you by.
Wonderful friends with Logan, Ophelia was a gift to Darien from his mother, so he takes really good care of the Ghost-type. She is calm and demure, one of the most simple-lived Pokémon on Darien's set. She takes nothing for granted and is thankful and appreciative of everything others do for her. She loves Logan dearly, and she is the only one who can warm the Electabuzz's heart when he's being his usual gruff self.
—Received in Olivine City from Clarisse Smithson.

Ability: Insomnia
Nature: Calm
Move Pool: Calm Mind, Faint Attack, Hidden Power (Fire), Night Shade, Ominous Wind, Psychic, Pursuit, Shadow Ball, Substitute, Trick

Mage [Male Shiny Glaceon] — Honestly.
A Pokémon that Darien captured during his travels in Sinnoh, Mage is stuck up at best. He's completely full of himself, and if Darien had known what he was getting into when he captured the silvery Eevee, he might have walked the other way. Mage is an entire handful and a half, completely narcissistic and vain about his appearance, and one of the most rotten and spoiled Pokémon out there. He abhors battle (because he abhors getting dirty). He doesn't enjoy doing much of anything, really, other than flaunting his beauty.
—Captured in Eterna Forest.

Ability: Snow Cloak
Nature: Sassy
Move Pool: Barrier, Blizzard, Hail, Ice Fang, Ice Shard, Attract, Helping Hand, Shadow Ball, Frost Breath, Water Pulse

Darien has auburn hair and light hazel eyes. He stands about five feet, ten inches tall, and he is fairly well toned. He's got a crooked but kind smile and it's somewhat toothy. He also has two piercings on his left ear, both of which are silver studs.

He wears fairly normal Ranger gear — consisting of a black shirt, though he tore the sleeves off, and black pants. His boots and sleeveless vest are Ranger red and his pants are tucked into the top of said boots. Around his waist he wears a belt capable of holding his team, as well as some of his gear pouches in the back, and a rope he uses for his work. On his head, he wears an orange visor.

Artwork by ale-mangekyo (front) and Ginsugimamomamo (left).

Darien is determined and straight forward for a Ranger. He speaks his mind, especially when it concerns Pokémon habitats or the environment in general, and he often goes out of his way to protect these two things. He's generally well-mannered and polite, just don't threaten the environment around him. He has rather high values and believes in them completely.

Values aside, he's a laid back guy to hang out with. He's fairly nice, likes to joke, and is always up to hanging out with good-hearted people. When he's in a bad mood, he can be quite hot tempered though, and when this happens, he often lets his temper get in the way of what he really means and can step out of line.

Name: Richelieu Smithson — The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.
Age: 57
Gender: Male
Relationship: Father
Trainer Orientation: Lawful Good
Trainer Class: Veteran

Richelieu is, in short, very old fashioned. He believes and values both honesty and chivalry and raised both his boys with the same set of values. While he is stern, however, he is not heartless, and he cares for and pushes his boys to be their best.

Name: Clarisse Smithson — There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.
Age: 54
Gender: Female
Relationship: Mother
Trainer Orientation: Neutral Good
Trainer Class: Socialite

In contrast to Richelieu's sternness, Clarisse is quiet and patient with her children, but would still see them grown wings and soar. She has a soft spot for doting upon them, but manages to not over do it somehow. Clarisse is fond of windy days.

Born in Olivine City, Darien has always been fond of travel, watching the ships at port that led to Kanto and Hoenn and Sinnoh. Often he would dream of traveling faraway places, and couldn't wait the day he would turn ten and be able to wander Johto, and then finally the world.

When Darien was six, he witnessed a group of older boys beating up on a young Corsola. Though he tried to stop them, he failed due to being outnumbered (the Corsola would get away in his distraction, so some victory was achieved), the encounter stuck with him. He vowed that when he was a Trainer, he would protect Pokémon, no mater the cost.

Later, he added the environment into that vow when he discovered what Rangers did. When he was nine, a Ranger visited Olivine and Darien's school, demonstrating and detailing a Ranger's duties. The visit put it in Darien's heart to make being a Ranger his dream. He came to understand how important the world was in ways he did not before. He began to take care of the environment around him. Most importantly, he decided to pursue a career as a Ranger.

Originating from Johto, and not the much more wild regions of Almia and Fiore, his Ranger duties don't involve a Capture Styler. Signing up to be a Ranger two years after he got his starter, Blaze, he was given his Ranger Badge after a year of training. Happy to finally have achieved his dream, he was sent out from the school, badge fresh inside his vest, and began to travel as a wandering Ranger, protecting and preserving the environment on his journeys.

Along the way he would meet many Pokémon, but would only take a select few for his own collection. He prefers not to collect, and instead trains just a handful (one of each type, actually) for battle and to help him in his quest to protect the environment. Most of them are Johto native, though a few originate from Hoenn and Kanto, and he has a alternate colored Glaceon that evolved on a trip he took to Sinnoh. Nowadays, in these dark times, he dwells once more in Johto, protecting the environment from the growing strangeness that is creeping along the lands.

The grass crunched underneath his feet in the darkness of the woodland. There was no trail, only the far stretching darkness of the forest around him and the spattering of sunlight clawing its way through the quilt of leaves above him. The crisp scent of pine and aspen tickled his nose, and the the flutter of leaves compounded in the wind, making a symphony all its own for his enjoyment.

He took in a deep breath, relishing the flavor of evergreen that tinged the oxygen in his lungs. He could live and die here, if he were ever in that situation. Could idle away his years contently beneath the sun-pocked canopy, never needing to seek out a full-bright day again, not in the solitude and calmness of the night forest. It was a small patch of paradise here... and it was shame he could see the glow of sunlight in the distance. Could see the foretelling of Route 34. The clawed branches of the trees surrounding him grasped at his clothing, tugging and tearing at his person, begging him to remain in the lullaby.

The essence in him pleaded with him to remain. To die and wilt and waste away in the cores of the world, where the spirits of the wild were still strong. Where the cities had not carved away at the soul of the world, polluting and digging holes in the body of the Mother. The Ranger in him knew better. The wild would always be his preferred surroundings... but the Ranger in him knew that no work could be achieved where damage had not yet be wrought. To protect the wilds, he had to be on the edge of the human spread. To be there, like a guard: monitoring, saving. And so, with that always in the foremost of his thoughts, he stepped out of the forest, stride by stride.

Yet again no path greeted him as the forest faded away, tree by solitary tree. No path carved its way unnaturally through the grass into the warm, golden world ahead. He charted his own course, cutting across the wilds, living off the land and maintaining the environments in the heart of the darkest reaches of the world. He needed no map, and the PokéNav in his vest pocket was for mere convenience. The world and all its wonders beckoned to him like a siren of legend, whispering tales of beauty and danger that his soul could only interpret as a lull he could not deny.

From habit, his fingers clasped around the object of mention, digging the PokéNav from his vest in a fluid motion. It was habit of his to check his distance from the physical man-made path. Though the wilds were his sanctuary, human contact was his nature. He had grown up a human, was a human, and would always be a human. As attuned as he was with the wilds, his mission in life could not be achieved without contact with his own species. One auburn eyebrow rose in surprise. The world around them must be thick and lush indeed, if he were but a mile from the physical route itself.

Tucking the device back into his vest, he set his course for the path. Crossing country was easy enough in this type of foliage. Tall grasslands specked with the odd aspen made for quick and easy going. The occasional slab of bedrock jutted from the ground in such a way that it oft appeared like it wished ever dearly to be akin to its mountain brethren. He shook his head with a smile. It was all teeth, flashing in the sunlight, his lips tugged into a crooked grin of amusement.

Nature amused him in ways humans could not. The fact was, nature was not personified... rather humans were part of nature, and only acted as nature bid them. One could say the rock was yearning to be more than what it was, the way a school boy yearns so eagerly to become the man he will eventually grow into. ...But who is to say that the boy is the one setting the basis? That the boy is not the one copying the ideas of the gneiss, the schist, or the granite? Nature came first, after all. Nature was born, was young and grew old long before the first human breathed a breath or shed a tear... or burned the first innocent tree. Nature set the basis and in that granite's wish to grow tall like the mountains to the east, he found his amusement.