Life of Trainer Lines

By TMan87 and Pikachu315111. Released: 2020/04/07.
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Life of Trainer Lines artwork

Art by Kaiju Bunny.

Introduction

The world of Pokémon is a vast one, with its own rules, cultures, and workings. Yet, we always get to see this wondrous world through the eyes of our protagonist only. We are the Chosen One, the one Trainer that will go on an epic adventure, meet lots of Pokémon, defeat the region's evil team and eventually become Champion, all in a day's work.

However, what about the 99.99% of Trainers who don't get this chance? What happens to every person who failed the Protagonist audition? They get another job and move on with their life. As they get older, they switch Trainer Classes to show how experienced they are or how they managed to hone their abilities enough to become a master of their craft. Today, we're highlighting this slow, lifelong progression of theirs, including how Trainers use their Pokémon in their daily life.

Early Age

Preschooler (Both Genders):

A very important time in a human's life, Preschoolers are learning about and experiencing the world outside their home and getting social skills they'd need throughout their life. In the Pokémon world, they would also need to learn how to interact with Pokémon as much as with other people. Preschoolers you battle are actually programmed to choose a random move much like normal wild Pokémon, showing that they're not battling to win but to have fun with their Pokémon partner and gain new experiences.

When they're not enjoying their life at the kindergarten, Preschoolers can also be found in Double battles, with either a Black Belt (for boys) or a female Office Worker (for girls). Both duos are named "Family", a sweet thought if you consider they partake in familial activities together. Unless you bash their poor Pokémon until they can't get up, of course.

Finally, Preschoolers can also team up among themselves and form duos, just there bein' friends! How would they use their Pokémon? Pokémon they use fall into two categories: maybe it's a young Pokémon like them and so they are just having fun and learning things together. It could also be an older Pokémon given to look after the Preschooler to make sure they don't get into any trouble.

Youngster (Boy only):

Between Preschooler and Schoolkid, boys in particular become more rowdy and rambunctious. They want action and adventure, they want to take on the world, so they become very interested in battling Pokémon. Since they are a bit older now, they can start catching and training Pokémon they can call their own and are better at choosing moves. In the end though, they are still beginners, meaning they still aren't all that strong and have much to learn. Now that they're using their own Pokémon they're starting to act more like Pokémon Trainers, focused on battling and raising their Pokémon to be strong. They either haven't started school yet or their schooling is done for the day, so they're spending all their free time on training and battling with their Pokémon.

How would they use their Pokémon? They charge into battle with full throttle, using almost any excuse to have a battle, whether it's boasting about their Pokémon or how their clothing fits them. All that's important to them is the battling itself and even if they lose and are a bit upset about it, they're still excited to have battled.

Schoolkid (Both Genders):

Now older and going to school, they have less free time to train and battle with their Pokémon. However, their trip to and from school also gives them the excuse to cross paths with other Trainers and have a quick battle. But more importantly, now that they're going to school, they can make friends with kids their own age. When they're not doing schoolwork or at home doing chores or other hobbies, they now have others who share the same interest as them to train and battle with before class, during lunch and recess, and after school. While this is an important time for them to learn basic math, language, and writing skills they'll need for the rest of their lives, what's just as important is them making human friends to share their experiences; hanging out, having fun, and training and battling their Pokémon. If they keep up their friendships, when they go on their Pokémon journey, they may do so with friends by their side as both companions and rivals.

How would they use their Pokémon? Now these kids have more responsibilities, their Pokémon probably also help with their schoolwork and chores whenever they can. Schoolwork may even require the use of a Pokémon to complete, thus it isn't only the trainer who is learning but also the Pokémon. Now that they have made friends, they may trade their Pokémon around or at least use their friends' Pokémon, widening their training experience with other species of Pokémon without having to catch them for themselves.

Lass (Girl only):

Lasses are middle or high school students so they have a very different experience than the younger Schoolkid. It's during this time that many teens start to form circles of friends who are more often than not the same gender as themselves. Because of this, Lasses are often portrayed with having interests associated with girl stereotypes. This may or may not affect the kind of Pokémon they prefer, and even if it does sometimes expectations are subverted (for example, a Lass may be into "cute" Pokémon but what they consider "cute" could be a certain atypical trait or quirk that has them using a Pokémon not usually considered "cute"). Being the oldest "Early Age" Trainer Class, the Lass is starting to take steps toward what she wants to do in her life or at least thinking about it. Koji Nishino stated Lasses grow up into Beauties, but there's actually quite a few young woman Trainer Classes a Lass can grow up into being depending on their interests: Beauty, Aroma Lady, Nurse, Teacher, Office Worker, Parasol Lady, Reporter, Baker, Dancer, Painter, Battle Girl, etc.. It shows that while the Lass may fall into stereotypes from time to time, just as in real life they have many paths they can choose not limited by gender stereotypes.

How would they use their Pokémon? That all depends on the Lass's interest. If the Lass has a hobby, they'll have their Pokémon help in any way it can. If the Lass is interested in fashion they'd most likely would include their Pokémon either dressing them up or having their clothes match their Pokémon's appearance. Being in middle and high school, the Lass may start following trends that could include having a certain kind of Pokémon or participating their Pokémon in a popular activity. So, in a way, a Pokémon would be more treated as a partner they can accessorize and socialize with.

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Bug Catcher

Bug Catcher:

It makes sense Bug Catchers are young kids, as the early Bug-type Pokémon are the easiest Pokémon to catch and evolve. I imagine Bug Catchers are kids who at the very least have a strong interest in becoming a Pokémon Trainer but are too young to set out on a journey, so they just stay close to home. This also means they catch the only Pokémon they can raise quickly. However, once they're old enough and can explore the region to catch many different kinds of Pokémon, it's not hard to believe many of them may become a more general Trainer or find another specialty. It takes a special kind of Bug Catcher to keep their strict love of Bug-types, and that gets us to the Bug Maniac.

How would they use their Pokémon? Bug Catchers are interested in collecting their wriggly companions, so they would logically try to keep them in pristine condition to show off to their friends. They can also be used as a good basis to learn about the general biological mechanisms of Pokémon, making them a good entry point for future dedicated Trainers.

Bug Maniac:

While they certainly appear more experienced, since they are older, if a bit more insane, the poor Bug Maniac was introduced in the wrong generation. While they were meant to show that there were stronger Bug-types than the early-route ones, Hoenn didn't have that many, making them almost no different from Bug Catchers except that they occasionally used the Surskit family. But I guess you can say that only proves how strong their dedication to Bug-types is; even in a region that's lacking strong Bug-types, they earnestly kept to the first ever type they trained, confident that better training could get them through any challenge they faced. However, we did get a glimpse of the true potential of a Bug Maniac via Bug Maniac Felix in the Battle Resort; not restricted by the Regional Dex, he uses many strong Bug-types from many generations, such as Heracross, Scizor, and Pinsir.

How would they use their Pokémon? Bug Maniacs take a step up from the previous class and often hold contests not unlike Johto's Bug Catching Contest, where they compare their collection. They also realized that Bug-type Pokémon have several ways of attracting others of their kind, whether it is with pheromones, by stalking them, or even by laying traps. Thus, they are much more efficient in their pursuit of rare Bug Pokémon, finally acting more in tandem with their Pokémon.

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Super Nerd

Super Nerd:

The Trainer class that, let's be honest, many of us could probably relate to the most. Instead of playing a sport or hanging out with friends in a shopping mall they're surfing the web, playing video games, or doing some science. They learn how to build a powerful computer or what the proper equipment is to handle mixtures and substances they created. They're not the most social, and their hobbies have given them some odd behaviors, leaving them with the stereotype of smelling bad. This last point should be noted, as it, and their Japanese names, explains why they use the Grimer line and Koffing line even though their design has a heavy technology lean to it.

How would they use their Pokémon? For science, of course! Which Pokémon are most suited for building, powering and operating small-sized science projects than Electric- and Steel-types? A Steel-type Pokémon's natural affinity for metal could also be key in maintaining structures and preventing undetected mistakes.

Collector:

While a bit of an indirect path to take from the Super Nerd, there is a connection aside from similar appearance. Collectors cover an aspect that the Super Nerd didn't that's part of the "hacker culture" they represent: collectables. Trading cards, action figures, video games; if there's a wide variety of items and there's some that are rare, there will be people who want to collect them, and usually these people are like the Super Nerd. In that sense, it's not a stretch to think that, in the Pokémon world, a Super Nerd who is into collecting would want to collect rare Pokémon, thus becoming a Collector. By becoming a Collector, they begin going outdoors more and more, which means meeting with others they can talk about their rare collection with. This, in itself, is a sign of maturity from their introverted teen years, and a step forward. However, they still have odd behaviors and relatively poor social skills when interacting with people not from their special "circle".

How would they use their Pokémon? You could take everything we said about Bug Maniacs and apply it here, but this time, the range is much broader. Several Pokédex entries mention how certain Pokémon are insanely good at tracking others: Poochyena comes to mind, but Water-types fans know how acute Sharpedo's sense of smell is, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. A good Collector should have a team specialized in hunting down and restraining rare Pokémon, but not in dealing damage: you wouldn't want your crown piece to be damaged, now would you?

Scientist:

The more natural path for a Super Nerd. Instead of being a lone teen in their room building something or doing amateur experiments, they're now part of a team of similar-minded adults trying to expand our understanding of the world. Because of this they mostly use the same Pokémon, but now including Pokémon that would be part of research topics such as psychic ability, the construction of the mind, and ghostly phenomena. They turned a free-time hobby into a job they love to do, something that we all wish we could do.

Interestingly, Scientists in this game are often associated with the bad guys: Team Rocket used them almost as much as grunts, and every other villain team has a small army of scientists to throw at you. There are, however, peaceful scientists, often seen around fossil revival sites or museums.

How would they use their Pokémon? For broader science! In addition to the aforementioned Steel- and Electric-types, Scientists also use Pokémon helping them understand chemistry and compounding, such as Fire- and Poison-type Pokémon. Since they're not amateur anymore, they can actually control these more dangerous Pokémon.

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Camper & Picnicker

Camper & Picnicker:

Campers and Picnickers are just one small step away from Youngsters and Lasses. The only difference is that Campers and Picnickers are more interested in nature, the environment, and caring for Pokémon. If they keep these interests up, and depending on how they go about continuing their interest, it can lead them to two different paths: will they live a quiet life with ranch animals, becoming either a Rancher or a Cowgirl, or will they swear to protect nature with a more adventurous lifestyle, thus leading them to become Pokémon Rangers?

How would they use their Pokémon? They're scouts, so it is expected at least some of their badges are Pokémon-related, probably encouraging them to take care of Pokémon and see they are happy in their natural habitat. Some scout trials may involve small survival tests, in which Pokémon are crucial, to light up a campfire for instance.

Pokémon Breeder:

If a Camper or Picnicker decides they want to breed and raise Pokémon, they may become a Pokémon Breeder. Breeders are often found around Pokémon Day Cares. The Breeders who run the Day Care, the Day-Care Couple, tend to breeding Pokémon and make it a comfortable environment to lay Eggs. Meanwhile, Breeders outside are raising newly hatched Pokémon by having friendly Pokémon battles with passing Trainers. Breeders are very kind people who truly care about Pokémon and want to see them grow healthy and strong, whether it be their Pokémon or another Trainer's.

How would they use their Pokémon? There are two groups of Pokémon here: Pokémon that they are breeding and Pokémon that help them work. For the breeding Pokémon, they pair compatible couples together and keep them comfortable, as well as give them their privacy, so they can produce healthy and strong Eggs. For the Pokémon they work with, they can better understand the needs of the breeding Pokémon, which they then inform the Breeders. They also help with chores such as organizing stock and cleaning up messes. While the two groups closely interact, I don't think a Breeder would have one Pokémon both breeding and doing work, as that could impact their and the Egg's health.

Ranchers & Cowgirls:

If the Camper or Picnicker decides they want to work with the land and Pokémon, they may become a Rancher or Cowgirl. Ranchers and Cowgirls work on a farm raising Pokémon, like Tauros and Miltank, and growing crops. They are caring towards the Pokémon they raise and are also physically strong and fit from all the physical labor they need to do. A Rancher is often depicted as the owner of the farm or an experienced farmhand, having more responsibility with keeping the business running and keeping everything and everyone happy and working as they should. In Gen VII, they also run the Pokémon Nursery, the replacement for the Pokémon Day Care, though this is more a carryover of them technically being Breeders.

How would they use their Pokémon? Cowgirls and Ranchers would use their Pokémon to help do farm work: heavy lifting, plowing fields, maintaining the crops, harvesting, and taking care of the other Pokémon that may provide goods like Mareep (wool) and Miltank (milk).

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Nursery Aide

Nursery Aide:

Both the English and Japanese names imply different things. The English name suggests the Nursery Aide is just starting her teaching career, while the Kindergarten Teacher had chosen to focus on teaching kindergarten. Whatever the case may be, wherever there is a Nursery Aide there is at least one Preschooler nearby.

What makes a Nursery Aide in the Pokémon world different from the real world? Not much it seems. Nursery Aides are caring and kind young women whom parents put in charge of their children to take care of them while they work and educate them. Pokémon doesn't seem to change anything about that, aside from the Nursery Aide using Pokémon themes to help teach lessons and her own Pokémon to help keep watch of the kids.

While being a kindergarten teacher is a full-time career, a Nursery Aide may decide she wants to teach a higher education to help older kids start forging their own path. A few more years of their own schooling lets them graduate to becoming a Teacher.

How would they use their Pokémon? This is one of the Classes that would use their Pokémon to help them in their work. As such, they would prefer caretaking Pokémon (Chansey and Audino spring to mind), but they would also need a handful of Pokémon to watch over the kids and/or play with them. They could also use the help of strong Pokémon to carry supplies as needed.

Teacher:

Like Nursery Aides with Preschoolers, Teachers are usually found along with Schoolkids. Oddly it wouldn't be until Gen VII that they were the Trainer Class running the Trainer's School.

Dealing with older kids, Teachers are more strict and focused on teaching their lessons. In addition to teaching the basics (math, reading, writing, etc.), with many kids choosing to go on Pokémon journeys, Teachers also teach the basics of Pokémon raising and battling (and probably survival skills). Some Trainer Schools are even ranked according to the number of successful Trainers who were students there, and the Teacher who taught them becoming in demand (similar to, in real life, university and college coaches who had trained successful athletes). So unlike the Nursery Aide, it's one job that has been impacted by the presence of Pokémon in a major way.

How would they use their Pokémon? Teachers could also use Pokémon to carry supplies around, but the main interest of Pokémon here would be as a study tool. Indeed, while PowerPoint presentations have their merits, nothing beats a live Pokémon in action to understand how they function. As such, Teachers probably have a broad stock of Pokémon they can use to illustrate their current subject.

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Fairy Tale Girl True Path

Fairy Tale Girl True Path:

You know, at first glance, the Fairy Tale Girl could be a textbook example of an overly girly girl. Small child? Check. Pink dress code? Check. Cute fairylike Pokémon? Double check. And yet, there is a bit of a creepy aura around them. Maybe it's their odd proximity with Hex Maniacs, or maybe it's their weird anime eyes when the rest of the world has realistic eyes, or maybe it's their eerie comments, but something doesn't sit right with that Class. Their personality is hard to grasp as well, between their cute demeanor and said eerie comments like wanting to "end you" the next time you cross paths, or other sentences chillingly sounding like they'd happily knock at death's door for you, all with a smile. It's worth noting they appeared in the generation where Mawile, the Deceiver Pokémon, was made a Fairy-type...

Actually, some Fairy Tale Girls mention how they are older than they look, implying they somehow defy all biological laws and manage to force their body to stay young forever and ever. Living in one's own world sure seems to have some perks! However, should they lose that creepy aspect of theirs and fully embrace the Fairy type, they'd blossom into much more normal girls...

How would they use their Pokémon? Having some kind of supernatural ability they don't understand and/or can't control, their Pokémon partner would be able to help them channel this power or at least keep it under control. The Pokémon in this way sort of acts as a familiar to the Fairy Tale Girl, assisting them in their daily life to make sure they can live their life and not be in danger if they use their power.

Furisode Girls:

Furisode Girls are much easier to be around thanks to them not throwing thinly veiled death promises at you every five seconds. Most of them are either originating from or trained at Laverre City, renowned for hosting the queen of all Fairy-types, Valerie.

Furisode Girls are very fashionable and come in four shades, officially making them the most varied Class within one generation. It is possible a Furisode Girl's clothing reflects her personality.

Pink Furisode Girls are the truest to their craft and will like Fairy-types no matter what. They are probably the most introverted out of the four, but also the most likely to succeed to Valerie should she retire.

White Furisode Girls are the genki girls of the bunch. Outgoing and cheerful, they see Fairy-types more as cute companions to have.

Blue Furisode Girls act like a middle ground between the previous two. They are calm and disciplined, providing the others with assistance and advice. They are also the most likely to be chosen for the rare and coveted consecration for a Furisode Girl...

Finally, Black Furisode Girls are rebellious in nature. While they still follow their training, they're still a bit wilder and more passionate than the others, perhaps mixing the traditional Laverre style with a bit of Roxie's for some "new wave" elegance.

Most Furisode Girls will stay that way forever, roaming the world with Fairy-types to bring to places where no Fairy-type has set foot yet. However, some Furisode Girls choose Eeveelutions over Fairy-types and go train at the Battle Chateau. If they are deemed strong enough, they can go one step further.

How would they use their Pokémon? It is to be assumed a Furisode Girl's partner Pokémon undergoes the same training they do. While not as intense, they are still part of many rituals and must be trained properly. Keeping their psychic abilities in check is no longer needed, so they can fully focus on technique and finesse.

Kimono Girls:

Kimono Girls are exceptionally rare and exceptionally talented Furisode Girls. To become a Kimono Girl, a Furisode Girl must master her Eeveelution, traditional dancing and presumably other arts akin to the tea ceremony, and ritual dancing. This list may sound short, but it is actually a daunting task requiring near perfection for every single item. Imagine being forced to repeat every single step of a dance until you memorize it so perfectly, you can pull it off in an emergency situation should the need arise.

The challenge proves too great for many Furisode Girls who can't possibly achieve that level of dedication. Black Furisode Girls in particular have little hope to succeed. However, that doesn't prevent dozens of these girls from undertaking the course, year after year, in hope of becoming part of one of Johto's most respected group of Trainers. Whoever harms a Kimono Girl puts the region in peril, as they have the ability to summon Ho-Oh and Lugia. Thus, they hold great power as well as great responsibility. They never stop training, always trying to achieve greater perfection, until the day they retire and a new Kimono Girl can be appointed.

How would they use their Pokémon? Their Pokémon are ritual partners. They dance alongside the Kimono Girls, they help serve food and drinks, they overwatch rituals so that they aren't disturbed, and they even take part in some rituals where superhuman abilities are required. Kimono Girls have one of the strongest bonds with their Pokémon, making them their equals.

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Fairy Tale Girl Corrupted Path

This path occurs when a Fairy Tale Girl gives in to her inner demons and ditches the cute exterior to fully become one with the creepiness. Their mental balance crashes down, and it will take a long time to be restored...

Hex Maniac:

You'd be hard pressed to find a more disturbing Trainer Class than the Hex Maniac. These young girls just exude eeriness, often encoutered whispering to themselves, seemingly seeing things from another world, having crazed eyes, when it's not outright cackling and the like.

While their appearance in RSE had already left quite the mark, as in the Japanese release their eyes are fully white as if they were in urgent need of an exorcist, the Hex Maniac's popularity exploded in XY. There's a small, easily-missed easter egg in Lumiose City where, in one of the empty buildings, taking the elevator to the second floor prompts you to a creepy (by Pokémon standards) cutscene with a floating Hex Maniac stating "you're not the one" and seemingly vanishing afterwards. Fans went all out as to what that meant, and while Game Freak didn't bother giving an explanation, a second and relatively normal Hex Maniac can be seen in ORAS, stating the same fact.

To this day, we never got an actual explanation about who are these two Hex Maniacs, but being closely associated with death (Ghost-type Pokémon) and the supernatural (Psychic-type Pokémon), the theories run wild.

Hex Maniacs who actually enjoy their bond with Ghost-types can proceed forward... in a twisted kind of way.

How would they use their Pokémon? They use Pokémon that can communicate beyond worlds to try to quench their immense curiosity for the afterlife. These Pokémon also tend to be naturally attracted to strong spiritual energy, which suits the Hex Maniac well and leads her to the next step.

Channeler:

Channelers may seem relatively similar to Hex Maniacs, but they are not to be confused with each other. While a Hex Maniac merely adopted Ghost-types, a Channeler is possessed by them, molded by them. It is widely believed that a Hex Maniac left to herself soon becomes obsessed with Ghost-types in particular. And we're not talking obsession like "collecting plushies or posters", but more like "trying to encounter Haunters at night in graveyards". Obviously, sometimes, they succeed.

This is where a Channeler is born. Their body is still human, but the same can't quite be asserted with the same confidence regarding their mind. Incoherent speech and blank white eyes show their possessed state, interestingly making them one of the rare occurences of a human and a Pokémon "fusing" in a way.

Some Channelers will thank you after being bested in battle, with the Pokémon apparently leaving them after being defeated. This may indicate they weren't actually expecting a ghostly encounter when exploring graves, and these girls will probably revert to a more ordinary Trainer Class, made wiser by the experience. However, some do not, implying the channeling was actually consensual.

A successfully exorcised Channeler can become a Medium by putting their knowledge of the other world to use, instead of reverting to a normal life. Obviously, only the most passionate Channelers take this path.

How would they use their Pokémon? Did you mean "how would their Pokémon use them"? Most Pokémon that would possess a Channeler lean on the chaotic evil side of things. While the Channeler may get a boost in spiritual power as a return, being possessed means the Pokémon uses the human body as a means to carry out its deeds... which I'm pretty sure are not benevolent, far from it.

Medium:

Mediums are the final stage of a Fairy Tale Girl getting a bit too comfortable with spirits. Their rough life experience granted them wisdom, and their knowledge of the afterlife and its residents is used in full control. Mediums now have the upper hand on any ghost, as they can summon or banish them at will, having honed their supernatural abilities to the point where they are effectively immune to any kind of possession, unlike their younger counterparts.

However, Mediums are scarce, since this kind of ability takes an insane amount of time and practice to master. Only so many places offer a suitable training environment, and the candidates themselves aren't exactly flooding the gates, with many not wanting to be near paranormal activities ever again.

The few Mediums that are willing to undergo the training and actually succeed at doing that get esteemed positions directly under a Gym leader, either Sabrina, possibly to keep her in check, or Morty, since such a dense concentration of ghosts could get dangerous for the townspeople if one of them went berserk.

Mediums are finally at peace with the overworld, and when one of them passes away, they are only crossing a door they are already very familiar with.

How would they use their Pokémon? Mediums have full control over the afterlife and use Pokémon that can help them maintain peace in this world and the next. They chase away malevolent souls with the help of their Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokémon.

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Rising Star

Rising Star:

A Rising Star isn't your normal Schoolkid. Either a child of a prodigy or proving to be a prodigy in their own right, a Rising Star is a kid that is destined for glory, or at least hopes it is (which is probably why their Japanese name is "Hope Trainer"). They'd go to the top Pokémon Schools, ones which had taught Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and Champions, where every lesson would somehow involve being a Pokémon Trainer. To a normal kid, this would be a nerve-wracking experience, but not to a Rising Star; they'd rise to the challenge and excel in it. When it comes to battle they also have a leg up over any other kid their age, using more advanced and experienced Pokémon that older Trainer Classes generally use and commanding them to the best of their ability. For those who can hack it, they'll become Ace Trainers.

How would they use their Pokémon? An important trait of a Rising Star is that they can easily connect with Pokémon. When doing anything with their Pokémon partner, they act in perfect sync and seemingly know what the other one is thinking. This doesn't only mean they are good at battling but also any other task that they could use or need a Pokémon for. They may even be able to make a connection with wild Pokémon and befriend them as if they were trained Pokémon.

Ace Trainer:

Possibly one of the few Trainer Classes that can take on the player character and give them a challenge, by the time you meet Ace Trainers they're either in the middle or end of their journey with many taking the Pokémon League challenge like you. They have graduated from Pokémon School with top marks and are ready to show the world what they can do. But Pokémon School was a cakewalk compared to real life, and though they are fierce battlers, many Ace Trainers still find themselves having to train long and hard to keep furthering their career. It should be no surprise that Ace Trainers (and their adult counterparts, Veterans) are found by the dozens in Victory Road. It's not only because they are one of the Trainer Classes that are likely to get that far, but it's also to show how strong the Elite Four and Champion are. Although they are very skilled, many are found in Victory Road because they are all training to one day be strong enough to face the Pokémon League, and many mention they already have but were beaten. Some even may give up. I can think of two notable examples. First is Vito Winstrate in Gen III: you previously battled his whole family and encounter him in Victory Road. He trained with his whole family and never lost before, but after being beaten he loses confidence in himself, giving up and going home. Second is Chase in Gen VII, who was never able to complete his Island Challenge; he quit feeling like he disgraced his family (the small event goes into more detail but that doesn't matter for my point). So while Ace Trainers may be battling prodigies, there seems to be a hidden cost that, while good, they may not be good enough, and that can weigh heavily on some who couldn't accomplish what they set out to do.

How would they use their Pokémon? The only people who can beat Ace Trainers are other Ace Trainers, League Trainers, and the player character and their rivals. They are very in tune with their Pokémon and, with confidence, are able to do anything with their Pokémon partner at their side. I imagine an Ace Trainer's journey may be similar to that of the player's; in addition to training Pokémon, they also help out those in need, with their skills be it helping with a mundane task to stopping a rampaging Pokémon. They're like the wandering adventurers in a Dungeons & Dragons game.

Veteran:

What happens after the journey ends? A popular literary question, after the heroes go on a grand journey, what happens when they finish their task? Game Freak asked the same question of the Ace Trainers, and their answer was the Veteran. There are two types of Veterans: ones who have completed their Pokémon journey and ones who have yet to stop. The ones who have completed their Pokémon journey settle down. Some become notable members in their community using their Pokémon experience to help people out, others start a family raising the next generation of prodigy Trainers, and few start working for organizations like the Pokémon League to help guide new Trainers on their journey. But for the ones who are still on their journey, it feels like their tale has taken a tragic turn. You usually find them in isolated places, and when you talk to them you get a sense of loneliness. They're still powerful Trainers, yet they were unable to find what they were looking for and so continue to go on without an end in sight, unable to move onto the next phase in life for whatever reason.

How would they use their Pokémon? The ones who settled down use their Pokémon to help guide young Trainers or help their community or organization, be it by having a battle or doing physical labor. The ones who are still on their journey probably feel like they are closer to their Pokémon than any other human being; they are platonic life partners that together will keep searching for what they're fighting for.

Expert:

It's possible the Veteran replaced the Expert from Gen VI onwards, but with Experts being elderly, they feel like the proper last stage of the Ace Trainer family. The Experts have lived out a full life and now just want to rest and relax for their remaining years. Some live alone or with their significant other, while others have moved into their now adult children's home to be with them and their grandchildren. Many are more than happy to share their wisdom with young Trainers who visit them and even have a battle with them.

How would they use their Pokémon? They mainly use Fighting-type Pokémon now in order to help them do physical things they are no longer strong enough to do on their own. As for what happened to their other Pokémon, they either gave them to their children or grandchildren to use or they passed away having shorter lifespans than humans.

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Poké Kid

Poké Kid:

Poké Kids are extreme fans of the Pikachu line. Everything they do is related to Pikachu: their attire, their Pokémon of choice, and even sometimes their battle cry! Their overworld sprite in Generation IV is also the same as Pikachu's (which is sometimes used to surprise the player, like hiding a Poké Kid among a cluster of Pikachu dolls).

They perhaps reflect the children in real life that got swept up by the Pokémania; Poké Kids most likely grow up liking cosplays, since they used to practice it at a very young age, and thus are familiar with the concept. Though, they probably get tired of Pikachu somewhere down the line and decide to diversify their outfit a bit, leading to their next phase: the Poké Maniac

How would they use their Pokémon? Poké Kids mimic Pokémon, and thus use them as observation subjects and partners in crime. In an inversion of what you'd expect from a Trainer, the Pokémon likely "teach" them how they behave so the kids can learn and adapt to better blend in with Pokémon. Of course, all of this is merely a game for the Pokémon.

Poké Maniac:

Poké Maniacs have outgrown their childish Pikachu phase, instead focusing on the cooler, fiercer, (and edgier?) Monster Egg Group. Poké Maniacs are much more diverse both in their cosplaying ability, ranging from Slowpoke to Charizard to... whatever they were wearing in HGSS (preparing for the future Pokéstar Studios, maybe?), as well as in the Pokémon they use.

They are still transforming, trying to find themselves, and as such they can be viewed as some sort of adolescent phase. Only when they can share their love of Pokémon as a whole can they become truly adult and reach a more peaceful state.

How would they use their Pokémon? Battling and mimicking are the two sides of the same coin for Poké Maniacs. They're fiercer, so they actually want to win when they engage you in battle, but they still use their Pokémon as models somewhat, to create cosplays they can then wear. Their battles are used to see how Pokémon react in tense situations, allowing them to perfect their impressions.

Poké Fan:

Poké Fans are middle-aged adults, depicted either with armfuls of Pokémon merchandise or their kids dressed as Pokémon, and they raise a variety of Pokémon that are considered cute. They've matured from sticking with the most popular Pokémon (Poké Kids with the Pikachu line) or the Egg Group that makes them look cool and tough (Poké Maniacs with the Monster Egg Group) and just roll with whatever they actually like (which turns out to be cute Pokémon). They're most likely members of the Pokémon Fan Club, and it translates into them caring deeply for their Pokémon, since they're notable for having their Pokémon hold healing Berries and using Potions during battle.

Let us focus on the male Poké Fans: they are very often seen carrying around babies or young children dressed as the Pikachu line (though ones from Kalos dress them as Pancham). What does this mean? This means... they are raising new Poké Kids to take after themselves! They've passed on their love for Pokémon and are bringing forth a new generation to perpetuate this cycle, much like how in real life many adults who grew up with the early-generation games are sharing their love for Pokémon with their kids.

How would they use their Pokémon? Being fans of Pokémon, they treat their Pokémon more as pets than battling partners or something to collect and show off. So, while taken care of, they aren't groomed so they look presentable but rather to be a family pet. At most the Pokémon help out their Trainers in simple ways like doing chores around the house and providing emotional support.

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Conclusion

This rounds off our look at how some Trainers live their life while we pass them by. Some of them use their Pokémon to help them in their work, while others simply enjoy their company and treat them as playmates. In any case, the world of Pokémon certainly does not stay still while the protagonist goes on their quest, and every Trainer Class has a story to tell.

We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at some Trainers' lives, though the world is still vast and we couldn't possibly cover everything in one article. Next time you stop by Castelia City, take a moment to watch the ballet of Office Workers that waltz in and out of the main street and ask yourself where they come from and where they are going...

HTML by Ryota Mitarai. | Some sprites by Kilima. | Script by Toast++.
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