Crasher Wake

"The Torrential Masked Master!"
Crasher Wake
Species	Human
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Black
Base	Pastoria City
Debut	Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Versions

Crasher Wake (less commonly known as just Wake) is the fourth gym leader (fifth in Platinum) of the Sinnoh region who must be battled in Pokémon: Diamond, Pearl and Platinum Versions. He specializes in Water-type Pokémon.

Background

Crasher Wake is actually a foreigner who hails from somewhere unspecified overseas. Despite this, he lacks a noticeable accent. Wake has been described as being "breathtaking in a weird way", and dresses in the style of a luchadore wrestler despite specializing in Water-type Pokémon. This is because he actually is a professional wrestler outside of his gym leader career, with his matches (which he always wins) being recounted in the Sinnoh Sports segment of the Pokémon Variety Hour. He describes himself as a glory and believed that his Pokémon could take anything due to having been toughened up by stormy white waters. Wake also describes himself as a "triple-threat Gym Leader" in the areas of Pokémon, wrestling and song, the latter being due to a theme song for himself that he occasionally sings. He is also known for his charitable acts, as he uses the prize money from his Pokémon battles to help the disadvantaged and also will use the move Defog to keep Pastoria's weather clear.

In Platinum, he was first seen at Veilstone City, leaving its gym as Lucas/Dawn arrived, having come to spar with Maylene only to be stunned by her power. He introduced himself to the player trainer after warning them about how tough Maylene was and then departed for Pastoria. He could then be challenged there in all three versions. After being defeated, he said that he had wanted to battle a lot more but had a great time battling. He then bequeathed the Fen Badge and TM55: Brine to the player trainer. In Platinum, Pearl attempted to become Crasher Wake's apprentice, but Crasher refused, saying that he knows Pearl's father but thoughts that Pearl and Lucas/Dawn have the potential to become great trainers in their own right (although Pearl still persisted in calling him his master). He then went to investigate the Great Marsh after a Galactic Bomb was set off in it, but found no lasting damage.

In all versions he can later be seen near Stark Mountain in the Battle Zone, having come to the area to compete in a tournament. He warned Lucas/Dawn and Pearl about the dangers of Stark Mountain and then departed to train. In Platinum, he can be battled again at the Battleground and will also visit the player's villa on random days.

Wake also makes a cameo appearance at the Celadon City Department Store in Pokémon: HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions, where is shown shopping for masks. Thinking Gold to be a mask fanatic, he bought him Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup masks, then left. He could then be seen at the bridge on Route 47, where he admired the great waterfall there as well as the effect of standing there. Recognizing Gold as the mask fanatic from earlier, Wake mused about the nature of water and hoped that Gold would become a trainer with the qualities of water: "strong, tough to beat, yet refreshing."

Pokémon Roster

Crasher Wake uses the following Pokémon for the Gym Challenge in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum:

• Gyarados
• Quagsire
• Floatzel

Crasher uses the following Pokémon for Battleground rematches in Platinum:

• Sharpedo
• Quagsire
• Floatzel
• Gyarados
• Ludicolo

Other Appearances

• He was featured in two episodes of the Pokémon anime's Diamond & Pearl series. In the first episode he was part of a panel of judges at a Croagunk Festival, and in the second episode Ash Ketchum battled and defeated him for the Fen Badge.
• Wake appeared in several chapters of the Pokémon Adventures manga where Platina challenged him. He was actually first shown without his mask (although his face was obscured by shadow) until he was reminded to put it on. His charitable nature was also mentioned and summarized in his motto, "The strong should serve the people and the Pokémon." He used a Floatzel and a Quagsire in battle with Platina, but he was defeated. Wake reappeared following the Galactic attack on Lake Valor after being notified by Byron. Although he was too late to stop Team Galactic, he was able to save the lake's Magikarp using Rain Dance and then submitted Pearl to one night of training due to seeing potential in him, helping Pearl to catch his own Pokémon. He then later helped the gym leaders fight off Team Galactic at the Spear Pillar.