OC: Elizabeth 'Eliza' Cantrell
Age: 14+
Appearance: A teenage girl with fair skin, long straight "wine red" hair with straight bangs/fringe, "lavender ice" eyes with long lashes, and frequently wears red lipstick.
Eliza is my version of Gloria/my Gloria replacement, however you want to view it. She's the first of my MC OCs (aka replacement) despite customization being possible in XY and SM/USUM.
Trainer Class: Trainer -> Champion
Personality: Succinctly - looks like a cinnamon roll, is a cinnamon roll. Eliza is a girl with a big heart, and big emotions (even more devastated than Hop when she wins against him in the Champion Cup, she even bursts into tears. She didn't enter the league challenge with the goal to become Champion - she just wanted help Hop achieve his dream; and make new friends both pokémon and human, and just have fun battling. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!! I'm so, so sorry Hop! I just wanted to help you achieve your dream - not destroy it! And now here I am crying about it when I don't deserve to-") and is a little naive because she always sees the best in everyone even if to anyone else some people come off as highly suspicious. She's also an eternal optimist because even when the masks come off and she ends up being wrong, she'll still treat them with kindness and try to see them for who they could be at their very best. Still, it's also that quality about her that inspires everyone around her to actually want to be their best selves and live up to what she sees.
Hometown: Postwick Town
Family: Nesta Cantrell nee Glynn (Mom), and Gilbert Cantrell (Dad)
Team:
Bond (Inteleon/Gigantamax Factor Inteleon | Male | Ability: Sniper | Moves: Sucker Punch, Snipe Shot, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam)
Enid (Shiny!Runerigus | Female | Ability: Wandering Spirit | Moves: Iron Defense, Earthquake, Phantom Force, Dark Pulse)
Joan (Amped!Toxtricity/Gigantamax Factor Toxtricity | Female | Ability: Punk Rock | Moves: Discharge/Psychic Noise, Gunk Shot, Overdrive, Boomburst)
Una (Galarian!Rapidash | Female | Ability: Pastel Veil | Moves: Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, Smart Strike, Megahorn)
Polaris (Silvally | Ability: RKS System | Moves: Air Slash, X-Scissor, Dragon Claw, Multi-Attack)
Zamazenta (Ability: Dauntless Shield | Moves: Iron Defense, Crunch/Psychic Fangs, Moonblast, Iron Head-Behemoth Bash)
Relationships:
Ness and Gil Cantrell - She's very close with both of her parents and gets along well with them. Eliza inherited her mother's love of baking, and often helped out at her bakery Nesta's Bakery after school. She also inherited her father's love of history, myths, and legends which is only natural in his position as a Professor of History at the University of Hammerlocke - one of the oldest universities in the world. She and Sonia (together and separately) go to visit him during her journey across Galar for information on The Darkest Day and the two kings who protected Galar in the past.
Hop - Hop is not only Eliza's best friend since diapers, but also her crush. It is very obvious. Everyone who ever sees the two of them together for more than a few passing seconds knows. Everyone but him. And it's not that he's oblivious, at least not entirely, but because she's always been very affectionate and sunshine-y towards him he thinks That's Just How She Is and it doesn't really sink in that she really does act differently towards him compared to everyone else until they go on their journey and meet Bede and Marnie, etc. But he has reciprocated for a long time. Definitely a 'she falls first, he falls harder' situation. Theirs is a bond built on deep friendship, unbreakable trust, and unshakeable loyalty.
Leon - Contrary to canon where Leon straight up says that he's never met the player character before they show up with Hop to greet him at Wedgehurst Station, they have definitely met before. (I mean, there's nothing to indicate that SWSH MC hasn't lived in Postwick their whole life so realistically, there's no way Leon and MC haven't met even if only in passing.) Even before Leon gives Hop and Eliza his endorsement for the league, he thinks she's a good kid and a sweet girl, and is glad that she and Hop are friends. Though as they grow older, and he gains more life experience, he can't help but...worry. He knows that Hop his intense feelings for her that go beyond friendship, and his and Hop's parents and grandparents tell him their impressions of how Eliza feels - which is that she reciprocates those feelings with the same intensity. Then he finally starts getting to know outside of her being just his kid brother's best friend. And he worries more because they're both still children, they haven't met or interacted with many other kids their age before, so are their feelings for each other the real deal? Or are they temporary through the circumstances they grew up in, and then if they confess too soon will that then end up wrecking their friendship in the fall out? So while he doesn't interfere, he does watch. And then when they end up confessing, he is happy for them, but also feels trepidation. He loves his brother, he likes Eliza as a person, but again they've ALWAYS been together so he's worried for both their sakes. Then Hop decides to go into Pokémon Research, and Eliza decides to travel and continue her journey in other regions, which gears Leon up into anticipation because this is it, this is the test - the distance they both need from each other to determine if this is real. So years later, when they're older teenagers and have seen more of the world, and have had that time apart, he's happy for them when they finally start dating for real because he no longer has any doubts. What they have is The Real Deal. (Does this worry from the normally unflappable Leon come from something similar he experienced? Something between him and Sonia, perhaps?)
Sonia - Eliza thinks that Sonia is the coolest person ever from day one, and that opinion never wavers. Very 'if Sonia has 100 fans I'm one, if Sonia has one fan it's me, if Sonia has 0 fans I'm dead' etc. about her lol. Definitely the type to call her 'big sis' zero hesitation if that was part of Galar's culture, but alas for her it's not. Sonia is very flattered by this, and loves to dote on her like an actual older sister would.
Prof. Magnolia - Eliza has a very 'ah, The Blueprint' (to Sonia's Coolness) reaction when she meets her, which the older lady is highly amused by.
Marnie - Marnie is very Tsundere Light ™️ towards Eliza's very gungho attitude about becoming rivals and her insistence that they're friends now too. Softens further when she realizes that the other girl does take her seriously despite her lighthearted and unambitious nature. Marnie becomes comfortable with Eliza fairly quickly without even realizing, and the other girl becomes one of the very few people she will let into her inner world.
Bede - At first Eliza thinks that Bede is overall "quirky but okay", his snarkiness doesn't bother her, but recognizes deep down that something is wrong with him. That feeling fully surfaces when she sees him bullying Hop and he then becomes Public Enemy Number One. Normally she's not one to hold a grudge but when it comes to Hop, all bets are off and she doesn't forgive him - even when Hop does, until she finally sees substantial personal growth from Bede and he genuinely apologizes to Hop. She realizes that he won't ever be nice, but as long as he does his best to be kind to his gym trainers, pokémon, and doesn't make the same mistake he made with Hop then he's in her good books.
Milo - She doesn't really have a strong opinion on Milo other than thinking that he's really nice.
Nessa - Eliza thinks that Nessa is also very cool, but she's kind of shy around her because she usually finds her hard to read with how collected she normally is. And when she gets teased by Nessa, she's unsure whether she is laughing with her or at her. She gets more comfortable with her over time though, after she gathers the courage to bring up her misgivings.
Kabu - Something about Kabu is very comforting to her, like drinking warm soup on a cold winter's day. Maybe how he's still full of energy, intense, but at the same time very serene? Seems like he would have a very pleasant reading voice. In anycase, Kabu has Wise Uncle Energy, so that's how she treats him.
Allister - Allister is lucky that he decided to wear a mask as part of his gym leader persona because of the constant shyness and blushing Eliza induces in him. She thinks he's the most adorable person she's ever met, and is mostly successful in suppressing constant urge to hug him whenever they're in the same room together. Can mostly circumvent this through battling or feeding him and his pokémon baked goods from her mum's bakery. She's probably his first crush with how pretty, strong, and kind she is, and is mostly happy with her attention even with how much it also embarrasses him. Eventually they both grow out of this dynamic, though Eliza will always be fond of Allister and they will consider each other friends when they're older. She will always happily cheer him on, and celebrate his successes.
Opal - Ms. Opal and Eliza hold mutual respect for each other, even if Eliza didn't get 100% on the quiz (guessed her real age.) Eliza loves the older lady's whimsical style, and while Opal recognized even before their gym battle concluded that Eliza was a strong trainer and would have made a good gym leader; she's glad that Eliza isn't "pink" and therefore isn't what she's looking for in her successor. She doesn't think that it's a bad thing at all.
Melony - Melony has very "I could steamroll God Arceus, if I wanted" energy and Eliza is in awe of that level of confidence lol. She enjoys seeing the softer side that Allister brings out of her though.
Piers - Eliza's immediate first thought on seeing Piers is "someone get this man a hearty meal, and a good night's sleep, stat." She loves this man pretty much immediately, (is it the tired single mom [positive] energy he gives out, or what? LOL) and by the time she, Piers, and Hop tackle the last of Sordward and Shielbert's forced dynamaxing incidents Eliza is ready to fight Marnie for joint custody of her brother. She's really out here collecting older sibling figures at this point.
Raihan - Eliza find's Raihan's energy infectious, and really enjoys battling him. And while Raihan is disappointed that he wasn't the one to dethrone Leon, he can't find it in him to be mad at her since he also has such a good time battling her. He finds it equally as fun as his battles with Leon, in fact. To his surprise.
Sordward & Shielbert - Very Cross with them with putting those pokémon through forced dynamaxing. Otherwise, she expects them to use their alleged vast resources and connections to make things right and help the community as ordered. Even still, she chooses to deliberately see the best in them and praises them when she thinks they deserve it to reinforce good behaviour lol.
Avery - Confused but then understanding when she finds out the reason behind his beef with her. Eliza forgives him immediately which causes him to deflate - because how could someone so ridiculously nice actually exist!? He begrudgingly grows to respect, and hold affection for Eliza - the way one might have affection for a much younger sibling or cousin who clings on to or follows them around looking at them with hero-worship in their eyes. It's not exactly how Eliza feels about Avery - she considers the two of them to be friends and rivals now - but that's that the feeling she elicits in him.
Mustard - Respects him as a fellow trainer and former champion, but not even she can withhold herself from judging him for the age gap between him and his wife. (At least internally.)
Peony - Eliza thinks Peony's dorkiness is hilarious, and loves his exuberance. She wishes that he and Peonia had a better relationship since she loves her own dad and can't imagine being embarrassed of him. So, she vows to herself that she'll help Nia see how cool her dad actually is.
Peonia - I wish Peonia had a bigger role in the Crown Tundra DLC, like teaming up with the PC to investigate Calyrex and The Steed so she can "rescue" her dad from Calyrex's influence. So through that, Eliza and Nia get to know each other and become friends even though they were reluctant (on Peonia's part) allies at first. Though the reluctance stems from Nia having no desire to be more than a casual battler. And the conflict with her dad being less "ugh you're so embarrassing" and more "I get that you want to bond and hang out more, but I don't want to be a serious trainer. And I don't know how to tell you that without hurting your feelings."
Penny - a year (or two?? I need to check the timeline to see if there's a canon amount of time stated between SwSh and SV in universe) younger than Eliza and Peonia? (Nia looks like she could be anywhere from 14-16 to me) they first meet when Peony and Nia invite her over for dinner. Eliza is able to coax Penny out of her shell a little, especially when she praises her for how cute and well cared for her "vee vees" are.
Trivia:
- Since the Galar League is much more rigid than other leagues (in that participation is by invite-only and that the champion can only be challenged once a year instead of any time, by any one [who makes it past an elite four, that is]) since Leon still takes care of all the boring paperwork stuff, brand deals, etc. for her as she's still a minor she uses that downtime between Champion Cups to the fullest. Eliza is curious about many things out there - not just battling in the other leagues. Pokéathelon, Pokémon Contests, Pokémon Showcases - she wants to try them all.
- If Eliza were to be a mono-type trainer, she's be a Fairy Tale Girl/Fairy Type Trainer and she wouldn't let Bede stop her lol.
Eliza's Theoretical Mono-Fairy Team:
- In the future Eliza and Hop have twins, a boy and a girl. One looks like Eliza with Hop's eyes, and the other looks like Hop with Eliza's eyes. I'm not sure which is which, yet. Nor do I know their names.
- Related to the above point, if there is ever going to be a Legends: Eternatus/Galar game with another time travelling protagonist my MC for that might end up being their daughter.
- While I do ship Leon x Sonia I had a big brain epiphany recently, so I now ship Sonia x Piers more. I actually think they would make a much better couple temperament-wise, and they're both very cool. So, Sonia x Piers endgame in my version of the world too.
Eliza's Other Team Members:
Castella (Corviknight/Gigantamax Factor Corviknight | Female | Ability: Mirror Armor | Moves: Hone Claws, Hurricane, Steel Wing, Brave Bird/Sky Attack)
Dex (Orbeetle/Gigantamax Factor Orbeetle | Male | Ability: Swarm | Moves: Light Screen, Bug Buzz, Psychic, Psychic Terrain)
Truly (Love Sweet Rainbow Swirl Alcremie/Gigantamax Factor Alcremie | Female | Ability: Sweet Veil | Moves: Acid Armor, Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Misty Terrain)
Lee (Rapid Strike!Urshifu/Gigantamax Factor Rapid Strike!Urshifu | Male | Ability: Unseen Fist | Moves: Detect, Close Combat, Iron Head, Surging Strikes)
Calyrex (Ability: Unnerve | Moves: Psychic, Solar Beam, Heal Pulse, Giga Drain)
Glastrier (Ability: Chilling Neigh | Moves: Swords Dance, High Horsepower, Icicle Crash)
Ice Rider Calyrex (Ability: As One | Moves: Psychic, Solar Beam, High Horsepower, Glacial Lance)
Sweetie (Appletun | Male | Ability: Thick Fat | Moves: Apple Acid, Body Slam, Iron Defense, Dragon Pulse) -> Eliza receives Sweetie from Hop as an Applin, in the Galarian tradition of gifting an Applin to a loved one to express romantic feelings. Hop evolves the female Applin he receives from Eliza into a Flapple.
- Eliza would use a standard lavender rotom phone case, a Neo-Kitakami rotom phone case if she could get her hands on one, OR order a custom rotom phone case that has the Galarian Rapidash's pastel mane colours in thick vertical stripes (to match Una), or a Rainbow Alcremie gradient rotom phone case with a love sweet adhesive phone ring (to match Truly.)
- I've always felt that Eliza's canon team in any form doesn't fully suit her or completely speak to her character, which is part of the reason why she leaves Galar to continue on her journey. So she can "discover herself" so to speak, and find what she really wants to do in life - or if "trying everything" is just her own way of living life to the fullest.
Eliza's "True" Team
She switches her Lucario with Zamazenta when back in Galar for the Champion Cup and Galarian Star Tournament. She also catches the Pokémon on her Theoretical Mono-Fairy Team, as well as a Cinccino.