JOCT: Mana Merlo

 

 NAME: Mana Merlo
 AGE/DOB: 24 || May 03
 PRONOUNS: She/Her
 HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'1" // 155lbs 
 HOMETOWN: Hau'oli City, Melemele Island, Alola
 CURRENT RESIDENCE: Seafolk Village, Poni Island, Alola

 

--COMING SOON--

"I heard Mana beat a Machamp at arm wrestling."

"Yeah? I heard she outran a Dodrio."

"Well I heard she outwrestled Inciniroar and Emboar, at the same time!"

"I was there when she saved a school of Wishiwashi by drinking water from the ocean and spitting it back out into a lake."

A somewhat well-known figure on her home island of Melemele, Mana is adventurous, ambitious and idealistic; some realities have wizened her enthusiasm, but not dampened it. She is an extrovert through and through and thrives on social and emotional connections with others.^[?] A very competitive individual, not due to a feeling of entitlement, but because she genuinely puts her all into everything she does, Mana isn't one to hold back during challenges. Mana wants to be seen as strong and capable, someone others can depend on and feel safe around. Although she's left some of her more flashy heroics behind, deep down she is still driven to leap to the defense of others, often regardless of the consequences to herself, her Pokemon, or even the person she thinks she is helping. She has developed an aggressive and relentless side to her that can be disconcerting to those who are used to her otherwise laid back demeanor.



Mana Merlo is Alola-born, Alola raised. Her mother is a Civil Engineer, also Alolan, who studied in Kalos and Unova during her university days. Her father is a screenwriter she met in Unova, although he is half-Alolan, half-Kalosian.^[?]  Mana had a blissful childhood and grew up watching PokéStar Studios productions and idolizing groups like the Hoenn Rangers Coexistance Force. Since neither of her parents were career trainers, Mana didn't feel strongly about catching her own pokemon as a child, and instead or attending Pokemon School or starting her island challenge, traveled often with her parents and their companion Pokemon. She wouldn't team up with a Pokemon until she was 15 years old and Wela Volcano erupted.

When the volcano erupted, Mana was visiting her uncle and cousins on Akala and was caught in the chaos. While trying to avoid being trampled she heard ^[?] a pokemon cry out from one of the blazing buildings. Having always been a 'take action in the face of danger' sort of girl, young Mana ran into the fray without a second thought. She pulled a badly burned Medicham out of the fire before collapsing from smoke inhalation herself; luckily an emergency response Ranger found her and brought them both to safety. The Medicham's trainer was nowhere to be found and is presumed to have burned up in the fire.

Three years ago she entered the Battle Test series^[?], full of idealistic dreams of being a real-life costumed hero alongside winning the competition. Things did not work out that way, and while she made some strong friendships and learned that she could see aura, she was also overcome by guilt over her actions and choices. After returning from BFOI, Mana was admittedly a bit shaken up. On the more peaceful islands she reconsidered the need for a costume, as she had witnessed many trainers standing up to the plate and being real heroes. A lot of contemplation and an emotional visit with the man who had saved her and Kamala years ago led her to focus on doing what she could on her own island home, and finally decided to become a more proper trainer and take up the island challenge. She became rather notorious in those 3 years for completing odd feats and challenges as she pushed her body to its limits. This lead to locals across all four islands to create a running joke of mythos about this strong girl. Eventually through this exposure Mana stumbled into a career as a Personal Trainer for the Island Challenge as well as movie stars through Pokestar studios.

Nine months ago she took a sudden hiatus and moved semi-permanently to Seafolk Village on Poni Island. A personal trip to Kalos was the first time she'd been noted to have left Poni island, although no one can be certain about where she was or what she was doing for every moment of that period of time.

Recognized by the organizers of the Festival of Life and feeling nostalgic^[?], Mana volunteered to help out.

EXTRA INFO
- Three years ago Mana discovered she had something akin to an aura sensing ability; she believes it is due to her long term syncing relationship with Kamala. This has allowed her to see the ghost of Maki, who had a strong aura when she was alive, but does not extend to typical ghosts. Important to note, she can only read and track aura, she cannot read minds or project it and there is no indication that Mana would be able to develop these abilities.
- Has burn scaring on both wrists and forearms similar to Kamala, from the same event. Unlike Kamala, she continues to cover it.
- In terms of weightlifting, can snatch 190lbs/87kg and clean & jerk 210lbs/95kg 
- Worked as a lifeguard as a teenager; is on hiatus but has been a Personal Trainer for 2+ years
- Has not completed the final trial/Alolan Pokemon League
- Works out daily and eats very healthy (although she will indulge in a cheat meal, especially malasada, on occasion)
- HATES wearing shoes and will toss them off at first opportunity. The only thing that significantly bothers her.



Kamala - Medicham
Pure Power
High Jump Kick | Meditate | Psychic| Ice Punch
Kamala is Mana's teacher/personal trainer, confidant, and best friend. She was the one who originally encouraged Mana into pursuing heroics. While she used to cover them up, she now bares the burn scars she received during the volcanic incident in which her trainer presumably died. She used to suffer from nightmares about it, but they have become more infrequent as she and Mana worked through the trauma in their own way. In a battle she moves only at the right moment and while her movements may appear graceful she as a lot of power behind her attacks. She will often synchronize her body movements with Mana to try to improve her coordination and form.
Notable Markings/Characteristics: Freckles, "earring" on right side, burn scars across chest and over left shoulder, scar on center left of chest.
**Holds Medichamite 

Makhaira - Honedge
No Guard
Shadow Sneak | Sacred Sword | Automitize | Destiny Bond
A very celebrated and accomplished warrior and general when she was alive, Makhaira, or "Maki" retains a sharp battle sense and a commanding air. Maki has apparently been with her father's family for at least a few generations and she was given to Mana by her father when she was recovering from her burns. Maki is typically very protective of Mana. After BFOI, Mana's emergent aura sensing abilities allowed her to occasional see Maki's ghost form and speak with her. For the past few months Maki has been unresponsive; she seems to have gone dormant. Mana's is unusually reticent when asked about her.  
Notable Markings/Characteristics: Blade shape is different from the standard Honedge. Her sash is tattered and restitched together in some places. Scabbard is cracked at the bottom. 

Cassie - Noivern
Frisk
Boomburst | Dragon Pulse | Hurricane | Moonlight
Mana's wings, Cassie is mute but that doesn't stop her from being expressive, or somewhat annoying. She's been known to nip ears and give attitude until you give her a berry, which she adores. She'd sit around and eat every berry in sight if you let her. Despite this she is a very reliable partner who would do anything for her team. In battle she is a hard hitter and tries to end matches in as few moves as possible.
Notable Markings/Characteristics: Small scar under her left eye from BFOI R4

Samdi - Alolan Marowak
Rockhead
Shadow Bone | Will o' Wisp | Flare Blitz | Bonemerang
Samdi is laidback but not lazy, admiring hard work and loyalty. He likes to enjoy himself and has a fondness for rum that Mana is somewhat concerned about but not sure if she's up to addressing. Locals told stories of dancing teal flames visible at night from the town. Curious, Mana followed them one night and found a lone Marowak dancing beside a mound of dirt. Mana came back, night after night and somehow convinced him to teach her how to spin and dance with fire at night (she was not very good for a long time). Impressed with her diligence and reverence, he decided to join her permanently.
Notable Markings/Characteristics: Scratch marks on his head is more narrow than usual. 
**Holds Ghostium-Z

Svalinn - Bronzor
Heatproof
Protect | Safeguard | Confuse Ray | Extrasensory
On their last visit together, Mana's savior gifted her his Bronzor, who had served them as a companion while they were a Ranger and allowed them to formally capture it when they retired. As far as they were aware, Svalinn has always been "missing" an eye. Bronzor are mysterious pokemon and Svalinn is no exception. Given that they are a psychic type, they can communicate with Mana and others, although most of the time it's seemingly nonsensical sayings, in various languages including morse code. Sometimes in "song".  
Notable Markings/Characteristics: Rusted, with 8 tally marks scratched into the front. One eye is blank.

Namor - Wishiwashi
Schooling
Hydropump | Ice Beam | Aqua Ring | Double-Edge
Namor is a very grumpy fish. He's channeled his anxiety over his helplessness in his normal form into grumpiness. He would much rather be Schooling; he feels relieved to be part of a crowd. Schooling!Namor clamors for battles and competition. When she began her island challenge in earnest, Mana saved Namor from an aggressive Mareanie.
Notable Markings/Characteristics: None.

Adze - Rockruff
Brave
*Companion only*
A rambunctious little pup who follows Mana everywhere. In fact, that was how they met; after lounging around watching Mana train multiple days in a row, the Rockruff followed her home. Mana couldn't resist the pups charm and decided to let the pup stay with her, although not as a battle pokemon. She has no battle experience but loves to "train" with the other mons. Adze is particularly fond of belly rubs, behind the ear scratches and licking up fallen scraps. Oddly enough, despite her typing she is also really into swimming.
Notable Markings/Characteristics: Very fluffy with stubby legs; wears a knotted headband and a stylish jacket