Nicholai
Nicholai (Japanese: ? Kiyo) is a Pokémon trainer in Hoenn who is obsessed with short pants and cosplaying as Pokémon.
Nicholai was May's first opponent in a Pokémon battle.
In the Anime
Ash, May, Brock, and Max were traveling through the Petalburg Woods on the way to Rustboro City
They were surprised by a gigantic Zigzagoon. It was actually Nicholai in a costume. The boy was trying to lure the wild Zigzagoon closer so he could battle them.
Ash and his friends scared the Zigzagoon away, and Nicholai introduced himself to the group. The boy then showed off his collection of Pokémon costumes.
Nicholai explained that he believed that his costumes allowed him to know what a Pokémon felt like. In addition, the costumes helped him blend in with wild Pokémon. Nicholai wanted a Zigzagoon so he could challenge Norman at the Petalburg City Gym.
After learning that May was Norman's daughter, Nicholai excitedly challenged May to a Pokémon battle.
May tried to decline, but Nicholai insisted. Nicholai sent out his Mudkip and May used her only Pokémon, Torchic. Wearing a Mudkip costume, Nicholai easily knocked out Torchic with a couple of Water Gun attacks.
Nicholai then concluded that since May lost so horribly, Norman must be a pushover in battle, too.
This comment makes Max angry. Nicholai runs off, excited about getting an easy Badge.
Team Rocket plotted to steal Nicholai's Mudkip, while Max ran off alone.
Max followed Nicholai, who was still trying to capture a Zigzagoon. Max stole Nicholai's Pokémon bait, and ended up surrounded by a pack of the Normal-type Pokémon. Ash and the others rescued Max.
Nicholai then tried to lure some Zigzagoon over by having Mudkip knock some Oran Berries out from some trees. Nicholai and Max reconcile and the costume-wearing boy challenges a Zigzagoon to a battle and ends up catching it.
Team Rocket tried to steal Mudkip, but Nicholai used a Gligar costume to fly up and rescue the Mud Fish Pokémon. Pikachu then blasted Team Rocket off witn an Electric attack.
Nicholai used his new Zigzagoon in a battle against Ash's Taillow before parting for Petalburg.
Later, when Ash, and his friends were traveling to Fallarbor Town, they once again met Nicholai on Route 111, the gang once again met Nicholai - who was dressed up as Zangoose and with a new Zangoose of his own.
Nicholai has challenged Norman and lost, but Caroline told him where May and Max were headed so he came to meet them.
Ash had another battle with Nicholai that Ash's Treecko won.
In the forest, Jessie and James planned another ambush. Jessie sent out her Seviper. The two rival Pokémon instantly attacked each other and started to savagely wrestle.
Seviper and Zangoose both ignored the orders of their trainers and continued to fight.
Zangoose was knocked out by Seviper's powerful Poison Tail attack, but Ash sent out Corphish to rescue it.
Later, Nicholai and Ash dressed up in Zangoose and Seviper costumes and fought each other.
Jessie lured Zigzagoon to a rematch with her Seviper.
Nicholai had Zangoose use it's speed to get behind Zangoose and attack it from behind. A Crush Claw attack later, and Seviper faints.
With that settled, Nicholai and Ash had one last battle.
Pokémon
This listing is of Nicholai's Pokémon in the Pokémon anime.
- Mudkip → Marshtomp
- Zigzagoon
- Zangoose