Name: Holt Roderick
Hometown: Lavaridge Town (Hoenn)
Specialist Type: Fire
Flames burning brighter than a Ho-Oh and stronger than a Reshiram, Holt Roderick is a legendary trainer perfect recruited by Orion Paxton to serve as the eight and final gym leader of the Akkadios Pokémon League. While his fiery specialty might clash with that of Elite Four Member Oliver Lord, Holt is here to prove that there's no fire-type trainer stronger than he - and he's entered the Pokémon World Tournament to show that it's not bluster.
Hoenn born and raised, Holt moved away from Lavaridge so he wouldn't cramp Flannery's style, and he and his Torchic set out on an epic and amazing journey, making friends that shared their blazing passion. Eventually settling on Akkadios as the site of his conquest, he once tore through the eight gyms of the time and the Pokémon League, only stumbling at the final hurdle as he was bested by Paxton himself. However, recognising his strength and heart, Paxton offered him a place in the league, replacing the then outgoing final gym leader.
Burning a trail straight into the specialist bracket, Holt's team of Fire-type are as formidable as they are precious to him. His Houndoom is a sharp and focuses fighter, and his Ninetales mystifies foes with a balance of fiery strikes and psychic attacks, bolstering her teammates with her powerful drought ability, something Holt's Volcarona loves to take full advantage with immense bursts of fire amplified by the son. Perhaps Holt's greatest feat as a trainer however is his Ignitragon and Akkadian Haxorus. While in the wild, these would be mortal trainers, Holt has instilled a respect in both of them to look past that. Sure, they don't particularly like each other, but the two powerhouses won't get into a scrap and jeopardise everything their trainer has worked hard for.
But it should come as no surprise that Holt's prized Pokémon is his Blaziken. Having been with him since the start of his journey, Holt considers him more than just a partner, but a brother to him... just don't tell his actual brother, Rip. They've worked hard together, and while Blaze is a bit too strong to serve on Holt's gym team, he's excited to compete in the World Tournament, but not just to show off his strength. For you see, on a little reckie, deep in the depths of the Arois Caves below Akkadios, Holt and his Blaziken made a discovery. A new Mega Stone, likely never seen before. The Pokémon World is gonna be rocked when they flaunt the power of Blazikenite A!