Masked Man: Difference between revisions

The '''Masked Man''' (Japanese: '''仮面の男''' ''Masked Man''), also referred to as the "'''Mask of Ice'''" (Japanese: '''マスク・オブ・アイス''' ''Mask of Ice''), is the main antagonist of the {{chap|Gold, Silver & Crystal}} in the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, serving as the leader of [[Team Rocket]] after Giovanni disbands it but before the {{tc|Executive|Rocket Executives}} take over.

==={{chap|Gold, Silver & Crystal}}===

==={{chap|Diamond & Pearl}}===

|desc={{p|Houndour}} is another one of the Masked Man's battlers. It first debuted in a round named after its species, and casually overwhelmed Gold's [[Exbo]] and its entire team with alacrity, as did its fellow team members. It is later seen again on the Masked Man's team in both the battles at the [[Lake of Rage]], as well as in the [[Team Rocket HQ]] situated in [[Mahogany Town]] when [[Lt. Surge]] infiltrated the base. There, it displayed the ability to use its howl to call upon many wild Houndour for assistance when needed.

|desc=Although the appearance of {{p|Ho-Oh}} was alluded to as early as flashbacks in the {{chap|Red, Green & Blue}}, where it was described as being a huge bird Pokémon that kidnapped {{adv|Green}}, it wasn't until midway into the {{chap|Gold, Silver & Crystal}} that it made its first true appearance. There, it clashed with its former master, who had earlier had a team of {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}s demolish the [[Bell Tower|Tin Tower]] and most of [[Ecruteak City]] to draw it out. Soon enough, its battle with "him" was shown to Gold and {{adv|Crystal}}, confounding them as the Masked Man's identity was narrowed down to those among the 16 Gym Leaders in [[Johto]] and [[Kanto]]. Eventually, it was caught by the [[Pokégear]]-controlled dummy that was set up by Masked Man, and rampaged in [[Indigo Plateau]] alongside {{DL|Tower duo (Adventures)|Lugia}}. Soon, after its [[Rainbow Wing]] had been extracted, both the Legendary Pokémon were lent to [[Karen]] and [[Will]], and fought against Green's {{adv|Legendary birds}}, and was eventually brought back to its senses. As it has yet to be shown upon it regaining freedom, it is not known where it and Lugia ended up settling in.}}

|desc={{p|Lugia}}'s first appearance dates back to the end of the {{chap|Yellow}}, where it was summoned by [[Lance]] to complete his plans of creating a utopia for Pokémon where humans that abuse Pokémon or destroy their habitats would be no more. Lance was eventually beaten, and the Badge Amplifier energy Lugia had absorbed transferred to the soils of mainland Kanto, where it would spread life instead of bringing about death. It was in the [[Whirl Islands]] where it made its proper debut, finally identified as a Lugia for the first time. Although the resuscitated Gold, Silver, and Crystal stood little chance against its might at first, their [[Exbo|starters]] [[Silver's Feraligatr|all]] [[Megaree|evolved]] and helped deliver a critical blow by aiming straight for its forehead to maximize its [[catch rate]]. A bright flash of light soon followed, after which it seemed to have been trapped in the Ball Crystal had kicked, the three young [[Pokédex holder]]s were shocked to find that it was empty, and were led to assume that it ran. In reality, however, the Masked Man was behind the attack which caused its rampage all along, and was revealed to have caught it himself as he appeared at Indigo Plateau and led an attack on the league alongside {{DL|Tower duo (Adventures)|Ho-Oh}}, which he also had recaught. Eventually, after much turmoil, Lugia was freed and flew off with its fellow bird.}}