Dragon Gym Leader: Nicholas Johnson Interview

Here is the interview with Dragon Gym Leader Nicholas Johnson. We talked about being gamers engaged to women who understand our lifestyle, me possibly crashing the wedding dressed as John McClane, our fevered rivalry, and the bounty I put on him using Robyn Stanford......

Me: Ok welcome to the show Nicholas.
How fairs the cheese eating Dragon Gym Leader?

Nicholas: Busy very busy lol

Me: I see. So why Dragon Types?

Nicholas: Well when I first joined the ECPL ... FOREVER AGO!!!! .... Dragon was the only
type I kinda felt I fell into ... Ghost and Dark were already taken .... so 3rd place would be dragons ^.^
and who doesn't like OP pokemans?

Me: So ghost would be your favorite type?

Nicholas: OMG YES!!!!! They have the best descriptions and the best fan made fiction ......
just .... makes you think how deep pokemon goes.

Me: Ok. So what's your favorite Pokemon?

Nicholas: Duskull by far!
However I do have an Umbreon Tattoo ... Duskull just seems like my "Pikachu"

ME: No dusknor?

Nicholas: DUSKULL LOOKS SO LOVEABLE (Not by bad children though)
Ducknoir is not cuddly looking lol

Me: Well you are married. So of course you want cuddly things.
Oops, engaged. Lol so when is the wedding?

Nicholas: August 29th ^.^

Me: Oh. Coming up. Not to give you jitters, but you nervous?

Nicholas: Of course .... but not for the reason I think most people are .... I'm more
worried about making this the best day of my future wife's life ^.^

Me: My brother had the same statement when I asked him that on his bachelor party night.
How long have you been together?

Nicholas: Two years last month ^.^

Me: Congrats. So how did you both meet?

Nicholas: Well I was her boss for a few months .... then when I left her store, she found
me on FB .... started liking EVERY POST I MADE ... then after we talked for a month or
so I asked her out to a movie .....

Me: Nice. And the rest is history. And as much as I want to make a sexual reference to
you being her boss, that's your soon to be wife, so I'll let it go. Lol any plans for children?

Nicholas: She wants kids once she gets out of medical school ... she is currently a Medical
Assistant ... but wants to be a full fledged nurse.

Me: Ok. Definitely a respectable career. And what do you do for a living?

Nicholas: I'm a convenience store manager ... for anyone down in PA or lower it's called
Wawa ..... pretty popular place lol

ME: Oh my god. Your ECPL's Dante. Lol

Nicholas: HAHAHAHA

Me: So what else beside Pokemon are you playing?

Nicholas: OH WOW .... What don't I play .... Ummmm ... COD: Advanced Warfare .....
Mortal Kombat ..... Borderlands ..... Destiny .... pretty much devour my life

Me: What systems do you currently own?

Nicholas: The only one I currently don't own is an Xbox 1

Me: You fucking up man. How am I supposed to rip your head off outside of football season?
Moving on, how does your fiance deal with being engaged to a gamer?

Nicholas: I didn't buy one just so I could stay away from you .... I mean ... you could
keep bugging me about it ... get it? lol Oh wow ... umm ... I honestly dont even know
how she handles it lol .. I get home from work ... eat dinner with her at 11pm-12am ....
then she passes out next to me while I play hahaha .... she has just came to accept it I think lol ...

Me: Sounds like my woman. Lol and you will suffer for your disrespect Johnson!!!!
So does she play with you? The video game I mean. Lmao

Nicholas: Hahahaha We are actually into different games .... but If i but in Smash
Bros ... or anything else two player she will play with me

Me: Ok

Nicholas: She is more into the platformer games lol .. I guess nostalgia lol

Me: I get mines to play injustice one in a awhile. So what other hobbies do you have outside of games?

Nicholas: Between getting the wedding together .... working 50+ hour weeks ..... and keeping up
with all the games I play ... I don't have much room for other Hobbies lol

Me: Understandable. Gonna have a normal wedding or is it gonna have a twist?

Nicholas: Hahaha we have about 90 people ... not too huge .... and we are doing a kinda
Beauty and the Beast inspired wedding .....
our colors are gold and blue .... roses everywhere .... being held at a manson by the house

Me: Jesus. So a rose petals gonna fall apart and you die only to be resurrected?
Lol so what's your plans for the bachelor party?

Nicholas: "That's the game plan" - Jessica HAhahahaah

Me: Is she reading this?

Nicholas: no but I told her what you said Haha

Me: Lol so what's your plans for the bachelor party?

Nicholas: not into the whole bachelor party thing ... might go hang out and chill
with my groomsmen ... but nothing too crazy

Me: Lol well tell I said hello and thank her as well for being one of the few women
able to accept a man that's a gamer. My first bachelor party involved doing a podcast
and drinking a mixed drink my friend found called dragons blood. Cinnamon Aftershock,
Gordons Vodka, and Sprite. Ugh. Never again

Nicholas: "Not just a gamer, a pokemon gamer .... they are completely different, a whole new level" - Jessica
Hahahaha Dragons blood? ..... you killed a DRAGON!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?

Me: Rofl man you found the perfect woman.
And yes i slayed a dragon as my rite of passage
I dropped from the cavern ceiling and choked the life force out of him.
don't you know the tales of Darryl and his awesome crit rolling skills?

Nicholas: Hehe Ask Robyn about my Crit skills haha .... just so clutch lol

Me: Yeah, but Robyn doesn't wishbone Chimeras and set Dragon Turtles on fire. Bottom line,
you and me buddy, we gonna always be on opposite sides of the fight for as long as we breathe....

Nicholas: Hahaha 49ers fan

Me: Has Jessisca ever accompanied you to Magfest?

Nicholas: Yea the last two years ^.^ ... the first year she was the girl passed out next to me
the whole time .... year two she finally went around and played some arcade games while I battled people ^.^
... obviously you are a bug .... if you don't drop from the ceiling you aint doing something right lol
Oh ..... I was also the Dragon Gym Leader for MAGfest also .... Love doing this ^.^

Me: So did you enter any tournaments at last year's Magfest?
Stinking cheese head

Nicholas: OMG!!!!!! I was so upset with MAGfest and how they got their info released to the public ....
I didn't know about any of the computer LAN tournaments TILL THE DAY OF THEM .... SO League of Legends,
Smite .... all the LAN computer games I play ... I couldn't enter because I left my computer at home ...
and didn't expect anything really
I wanna get a gaming laptop for next year so I can bring it easily ... and enter ALL OF THEM lol

Me: You poor soul. See myself I'm not a PC gamer, but I feel your agony. So you mentioned earlier
you have the new Mortal Kombat. What characters do you use?

Nicholas: ERMAC!!!!! ERMAC IS ONE
However everyone uses Scorpion .. he is so over powered ... I now use scorpion when someone
else does ... because I also know how to use him hahaha

Me: Smh. I faced an Erma user at the tournament I entered for MKX. Everyone thought he was gonna
take the damn thing.....till I introduced him to an icy hell

Nicholas: dude .... sub zero is so over rated lol
he has one combo lol
let me slide kick then freeze you lol

Me: And scorpion is easy to use. Throw spear, do xxy (square square triangle for you station owners)
teleport, due superman punch. Smh

Nicholas: Yea I hate battling scorpion lol
just because he is the flavor of the month lol

Me: Sub-Zero has multiple combos, but only in cyromamcer and grandmaster

Nicholas: the one everyone spams .... Ice slide freeze .. then grab ..... they spam it .... and it sucks

Me: Moving on, what would you say is the lost challenging thing about being Dragon GL?
Having to live up the likes of Lance and whatnot?

Nicholas: I use a very beastly Dragonite just to Honor Lance

Me: Sweet. What hardships have you faced since being dragon GL?

Nicholas: The introduction of fairies lol .... Just because it gave me something I had to now think about ....
and everyone uses the most OP ones!! lol leave azumarill at home please

Me: Can you blame them. They're here to win man. So what would you say is your gym's mascot?

Nicholas: Mascot? .... I would have to say Dragonite ... however Dragalge is such a monster
..... I can go into a fight with out Dragonite .... but I cannot leave Dragalge sitting on
the side lines ... he will always be there ....

Me: K. Next question. What would you do I Daenrys Tagaryn showed up at your gym?

Nicholas: She has but three .... I have legions.
So I would do nothing ... she will know her place.

Me: But she could control the legions. Her or the green ranger....

Nicholas: She doesn't have enough badges HAHAHAHAHA

Me: Ooooh Brotality!!!!
Any siblings?

Nicholas: I have one .... who is actually the electric gym leader for MAGfest .....
He doesnt play pokemon as often as I

Me: So no sibling rivalry in games?

Nicholas: not really .... we use to all the time ... back when FF11 hit ....
we would also be talking about who was the higher level and who had the best things lol
always not also ^ lol

Me: Lol ok have you and the Mrs. ever make any bets involving games?

Nicholas: not really any bets ..... I mostly win lol ... she knows better
then to bet on any type of game lol

Me: Ok. Have you two ever gotten into an argument over games?

Nicholas: "We are not a normal couple" - Jessica lol ..
I had to ask her .....
we rarely fight ... RARELY

Me: Same here. I actually enjoy the fact that I can count on one hand the number of fights me and my woman have had

Nicholas: GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! its great lol
You ready for your kid ^.^ .... so excited for you!!!

Me: My second kid. Lol yes and no. Like my father used to say, nothing can prepare you for children.

Nicholas: I know it's your number 2 ^.^ .... big man over here setting himself up a legion of ants lol

Me: watch yourself scale face. I'll come a knocking on your cave door and make a daedric armor from.your corpse....
So man to man, I need to know, how much are you spending on your wedding? Cause im currently the
only income in my household and I worry somedays that me and her might not be able to have the wedding
she wants. She doesn't want anything extravagant but I just need an idea of what im gonna be getting into

Nicholas: Think our wedding is like 5-6k

Me: Jesus. I'm trying to keep it under 4

Nicholas: saving up for a while though .... her income is pretty much all usable.
lol thats completely doable
just depends on where and WHEN you have it

Me: See we were supposed to get married this month, but a lot of stuff happened
last year so we had to postpone
She wants to have it at hersheys botanical gardens

Nicholas: that looks amazing!

Me: And that date will always be may 15th. Our anniversary. The day we went on our first date and I asked her to be my woman

Nicholas: That date is almost here!

Me: I know. 3 years man.

Nicholas: good stuff ^.^

Me: So what anime or shows are you currently watching?

Nicholas: Currently watching GOTHAM!!!!!! best show man ....
Animes .... i haven't really found a good one .... trying to get into Black Butler ...
but I haven't been trying hard lol

Me: My fiance keeps kicking my butt for not watching it. Especially since im a huge batman
fan (for Halloween I want to be batman, dress my oldest as night wing and the baby as robin).

Nicholas: OMG!!!!!!

Me: Black butler is good. But only the first season. And book of circus. Which I believe
takes place in sometime during season one

Nicholas: Man gotham is so good ... they have it set primarily on the villains and you get to see it all begin!!!

Me: What? I've been to preoccupied with the flash, supernatural, secrets and lies and blacklist

Nicholas: They don't follow exactly how the comic plays out .... but they do a very very good job
Dude ... stop with the flash ... pick up Gotham lol

Me: No show ever really follows the written version. Except game of thrones. And I can't. It's getting so good. Lol

Nicholas: Game of thrones kinda jumps a round a bit....

Me: So have you watched sword art online?

Nicholas: YES SAO 4LYF

Me: Yo word to the starburst stream!!!
Second season was even as good as the first. It's what really sold me on destiny

Nicholas: I wish they had an SAO MMO lol
JUST DO IT ALREADY
EVERYONE WANTS ONE
lol

Me: Man, I think that would be the first time in life I would actually be a PC gamer.
I just wanna fight the skull reaper

Nicholas: Death gun homie ... Death GUN ....

Me: Speaking of the skull reaper (which they stated on the show was the most challenging
foe they ever faced) what would you say is the most challenging game you've ever played?
And dark souls don't count
And death gun wasn't a real threat. He was only a threat because he had outside help.
My thunderlord would rip him to pieces

Nicholas: BattleToads ....
hardest game .... of my life

Me: I think that's an under statement
Hardest boss fight?

Nicholas: any side scrolling punch'em up game really lol
FF10 I think .... thign had like 20 forms
or it felt that way
JUST DIE ALREADY!!!!!!

Me: FF10? Final fantasy boss?

Nicholas: yea lol
maybe not the hardest ... but the FING LONGEST BOSS FIGHT EVER

Me: Ok. Yeah, Lady Yunalesca was a bitch. She ranks up there in my top 5 of hardest bosses

Nicholas: I really only played story so I didn't grind too many lvls lol
like I think everyone does in FF games
but that ... ugh ...

Me: Last ff game I played was ten. And I didn't beat it cause the chick I was having "relations"
with at the time saved over my save file. Smh. I was so pissed. She had to go after that

Nicholas: HAHAHAHAHAHHA

Me: Looking forward to any games coming up in the next few months?

Nicholas: umm .... I was told by a friend I'm preordering Splatoon ...
so I guess that>
Nintendo is haviong a direct about it soon I think

Me: Lol don't you love when friends do that?

Nicholas: lol
always

Me: I just want to know what's the next Pokemon game. You know Nintendo barely shows at E3
Speaking of, looking forward to anything from E3

Nicholas: no idea ... havent looked at it hahahaha
OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO
the next Rare game .... Yuka-Laylee? ... or something it's in kickstarter
They showed it at e3

Me: Smh Rare just should go die already. Moving on. If you could any song play in the
background during a battle at your gym, what would it be and why?

Nicholas: Hmmmm .... Maybe ... Mudvayne "Not Falling"
It was the main song for a movie called Ghost Ship
Watched that movie ... fell in love with not only the movie .. but the song too lol

Me: Listened to the first 30 seconds. Awesome choice. Ok so say you entering a gaming
tournament. They announce your name. You enter the arena, what song plays as your entrance?

Nicholas: I listen to music every match I battle actually lol .... At MAGFest I had head phones on ... keeps my mind concentrated lol
Centuries by fall out boy .... ... Or the highlander theme song ....
REMEMBER ME FOR CENTURIES!!!!!!!!

Me: Nice.

Nicholas: Hahaha I can see me walking into a boxing ring with that song BLOWING THE PLACE UP lol

Me: So a few more questions and we can call it a night.

Nicholas: your good lol I can do this all night lol great company lol

Me: I saw for your proposal you did something involving spiders for your fiance. I take it she's into horror?

Nicholas: HAHAHAHAHAHA I force her into horror things .... It was actually the day before
Halloween ... and I wanted to make it big ^.^ ... we had no decorations .... and I didn't wanna do a
small proposal ... all those decorations costs a pretty penny at my local "Spirit Store" ... those bums over price everything lol

Me: I know man. It's highway robbery at its finest. I remember seeing the pics. So she wasn't bugging out?
Oh god now im doing it. Smh damn you Johnson!!!!!

Nicholas: HAhahaha I think our cat was more worried about wtf was going on lol

Me: Rofl sounds like my cat. Sigh I miss her. Moving along, if you could use one legendary in your gym, what would it be and why?

Nicholas: Giratina .... my name in game is Lucifer/Unholy ... only fits ^.^
ALSO GHOST DRAGON
hahaha

Me: Lol I so wish I could use him competively
If you could take your fiance anywhere for your honeymoon, where would it be?

Nicholas: Most likely ... to France .... where the story of Beauty and the Beast
originated ....... just travel around and visit all the castles ....

Me: What made you two choose this theme?

Nicholas: obviously I'm ugly and she is a bomb shell lol
hahahaha jk jk

Me: Lmao

Nicholas: she has always liked it ... but I'm a beefy guy ... in both ways ...
fat and muscular ........ so it kinda fits pretty well

ME: When did you know she was the one?

Nicholas: when you find a girl who brags that your a gym leader for the ECPL to her friends ...
and they call me childish and random names (You know the uninformed about how competitive this
thing actually gets) she stuck by my side .... and hasn't been anything but supporting my this gaming addiction ....

Me: Are these friends women?

Nicholas: obviously lol HAHAHAHAHAH

Me: Yeah, if I was single I would woo all her friends, sleep with them, dump them, move onto the next one
till i had slept with all of them. Then I would let it slip that I slept with one of them till they all
found out. Then I would feign ignorance and say they came onto me after the break up and say that they said
"I had a thing for you but i didnt want her to find out. she is my friend" I would then sit back and let them
tear each other part while eating popcorn and drinking a Code Red. BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

Nicholas: HAHAHAHAHAHA

Me: I suppose they rather her be with a tool who works out and does dumb jock shit all day.
At least your trying to make am honest woman of her. That should count. Tell you what, if you
want, I'll come to your wedding and turn those broads against each other. Bwahahahahaha

Nicholas: hahahaha she doesn't talk to too many of them anymore I think ....
its mostly her mom her aunt or my family lol

Me: Ah. Nothing I can do there. I follow bro code my friend

Nicholas: lol
come by .... we can start a Die hard tradition

Me: Lol who do we get to play Hans?

Nicholas: Hahaha great question hahahaha

Me: Well I guess I could crash the wedding dressed as John McClain. The bald head is gonna be a problem though....

Nicholas: Bald cap
lets go!

Me: that could work. Paintballs or air soft gun?
K lets get these last two questions out so I can type this up. In your time as gym leader, who would you say was your most difficult challenger?

Nicholas: They are all challenging ... each one has their own merits ..... and they all have great teams ....
paint ball ... come F some stuff up lol

Me: Ari gold style. Love it. Ok last question. You have been credited for stopping hurricane Robyn.
For now.....how long do you think it will be before she slays your beast and brings me their heads as trophies?
You think that it just so happens she's targeting you? No buddy, I put a bounty out on that ass.
I will have your dragons hides and make beautiful armor and weapons with their corpses. Mwahahahaha

Nicholas: I think the next match she has me .... with only five pokemon though ... she has showed me
all her cards now... as she has known mine since the first battle
Don't make me go try hard lol

Me: Bring it on fool! I'll see you im the rotation tournament. *in Shang Tsung voice* YOU WILL DIE!

Nicholas: Shang Tsung is dead and history homie JUST LIKE YOU WILL BE ...
spin you around so much all eight of your eyes will be crossed

Me: When Robyn's done with your crushing your gym like the relics they are, im gonna come in and stand
over the mound that will be their corpses. And when they look up to me, eyes begging for mercy, I'll simply look down and say "No"
Anyway you've been a great guest. Congrats on the wedding. Too bad your woman's marrying a dead man......

Nicholas: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting ..... Old Bug Leader .....
Thank you for your time ^.^ it has been fun!

Me: Indeed. And just like Michael I'll see you in hell....

Nicholas: Goodnight homie! ^.^ till the next play off game lol

Interview with ECPL Champion; Michael Lee

Interview with East Pokemon League Champion; Michael Lee

Me: Welcome to the show Mr. Lee.
So how fairs the ECPL champion?

Michael: Eh well, it's kinda slow you know? There are some gym challengers making
serious headway but with two gym leaders out of commission for the time being (You
and Brett unless he got all his stuff back) if they don't have those badges I won't
be seeing anyone anytime soon.

Me: Saw do you feel there's a legitimate threat to your reign as champ?

Michael: I feel that any challenger that makes it to the top is a potential threat.
Robyn's kicking ass with only 5 pokes and speaking of Robyn there's this rivalry thing
between her, Kevin, and David. (Quinn) It's fun to watch. Like I said, any of these
challengers could easily dethrone me if they put their minds to it.

Me: Lol ok so how did to first join ECPL?

Michael: Mmm well it all started a couple years ago *cue flashback warble noises* I
met Adam at a local community college we were both attending and he lit the spark that
returned me to Pokemon and eventually made me into a competitive player. Soon after
all of those little lessons he told me about the ECPL, I joined, and the rest you know.

Me: Ah yes, my cousin, the poison GL. We actually became gym leaders at the same time.
So what's your championship team? The team that took you to the top?

Michael: The team that took me to the top was a dual weather team that premiered a
Pokemon that quickly became a favorite of mine, Castform. Though I didn't use it
much it came in handy sometimes. The other eight Pokemon were Ninetales, Politoed,
Nidoking, Greninja, Sharpedo, Sableye, Kangaskhan, and Meowstic. Here's the trainercard link,
I have no secrets:
http://ecpl.orgfree.com/trainercard/cardviewer.php…

Me: Hmmm heavy on the water type I see. Who was the first and who was the last gym you fought?

Michael: The first gym was Ian mainly because he helped me a lot with this team.
Took me 6 tries and a Meowstic to win. Ask him, I really could not win until I had my
Meowstic. My last Gym was Adam. I wanted the man that got me back into Pokemon to be
the last badge I acquired

MeL Awesome. Who would was the hardest gym?

Michael: That's a long long list. Brett's dual drought strategy taught me and crafted
my abilities to use weather, Steve's Surf wall was one of the most nerve-wreaking, and
most frustrating, Pokemon battles I've had to date and then there were the gyms like
David, Aaron, Ian, and Orvie that just stopped me time after time.

Me: .....i noticed that bug wasn't in there. That's cool though....*sniffle*.
So what's your favorite type?

Michael: Darryl, buddy, pal, amigo, if it makes you feel better you and Ian are my
biggest, and most favorite MK rivals. Now favorite type...well, when I first got
back in I was all about Flying Types, and granted they still hold a major place in
my heart, but due to past events, and online name changes, Bug is a very solid second place for favorite.

Me: Very nice. By the way, shove down your pie hole. Your D'Vorah will fall as your Ferra/Tor did!
Moving on favorite Pokemon?

Michael: My Ferra/Torr fell you your happy Marksman trigger finger >.>
Favorite Pokemon...hm....if I had to single out one it'd be Emolga. That little
thing's as cute as a button. Going further down the list you'll see Castform,
Accelgor, and Combee rounding out the Top 4

Me: Hmmm definitely an affinity for the bug type here. So at last year's Magfest
you subbed for me as Bug GL. What was that like?

Michael: Hellish. There were back to back challenges. The only respite I got was if
I took off my scarf to go get something to eat or if I was going somewhere and had to
turn someone down. Regardless it was a fun event full of amazing battles and awesome
people, some of which joined the ECPL after MAG. So all in all 10/10 would do forever.

Me: Yeah. I did it last year and man, we kept running out of places for our chargers.
Lol there was lines for days. I went on a 9 game winning streak. Then it was snapped
by a guy wielding Togetic. So any other games besides Pokemon and Mortal Kombat X?

Michael: Over the post few months I've been jumping to and from various titles.
My most frequented were Final Fantasy Type-0, Destiny, and Borderlands 2 and the Pre-Sequel

Me: Haven't tried type-0. Lost love for final fantasy. Destiny I just got rid of
(needed cash for diapers). What class did you play?

Michael: Warlock all day, every day. Fuuun class.

Me: Thank god. I hate titans. I'm a hunter till the day I die. I was basically Kirito'd
my way for a bit till I made a clan. Can't solo raids. Well some people have bit they
have no life. Lol so any games your looking forward to this summer?

Michael: Not in particular since I don't have any preordered and don't know what's
coming out in the summer. Games in general I'm looking forward to though are KH3 and Final Fantasy 15

Me: Ok. What systems do you currently own?

Michael: I currently have a PS3, Xbox 360, a Xbone and a 3DS too but that one kinda goes without mentioning.

Me: True. Yesterday when we were playing mkx you mentioned you have a woman. How long you've been together?

Michael: Joy and I have been together for 2 years so far. 3 in October.

Me: Lol it'll be 3 years with my fiance on the 15th. How'd you meet?

Michael: Remember that community college I talked about earlier? We met there, started
talking and hanging out and poof we got together. Pretty quick too, we had only actually
known each other from some 2 months or so.

Me: Hey, a good woman is a rare thing to find, so when you do find them you snatch them up quick. She play games to?

Michael: Oh yeah, as I mentioned last night she and I play a bit of Minecraft, though
you took that in a different direction. She plays Pokemon as well and is, in fact, a member
of the ECPL. Ever since she showed interest I've been teaching her some things about competitive
Pokemon and she's learned a lot! She successfully earned a few badges at MAGfest, mine included,
and, if we can go, she'll be attending the VGC regional challenge in Georgia with me.

Me: Nice. And hey, we're all adults here. If it would've went that way im sure there
would've been no complaints. Lol so would you consider yourself both a gaming couple?
And if so (as I have asked this of every other gaming couple on here) have you two ever
made any bets via video games?

Michael: I could consider us a gaming couple, I feel that it's safe to say that.
As far as bets there was one time with Mario Kart. Nothing too big though but I ended up winning.

Me: What was the bet? Or is that a personal one? Giggity

Michael: We're going to go with more personal lol. What's said on Facebook tends to stay on Facebook.

Me: Perfectly understandable. Lol moving on. Any siblings?

Michael: Nope no siblings here. I have friends that I treat like siblings but that's as close as I've got.

Me: Ok. Children?

Michael: Nope not yet. Going to wait for a few years on that if it can be helped.

Me: Wise man. I have a 1 year old son and a son on the way in September.
So what do you like to snack on when you game?

Michael: Chips and popcorn typically. Since I moved into my apartment I tend to
eat full meals when I game too xD
And by full meals I mean sandwiches and ramen because college kid budget.

Me: Hey I completely understand. I use to be a bachelor. So what do you drink?

Michael: Hm whatever's in the fridge. I made tea today so there's that. Milk,
soda, juice. Like I said, whatever I can get my hands on.

Me: Ok. Any anime or shows your currently watching?

Michael: Hm. I typically watched what's suggested to me. Recently that's been
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Akame ga Kill, and I just finished one called Another

Me: Hmmm I have another on my watch list. Akame ga kill I haven't gotten the
chance to get into. And jojos is actually getting pretty close to the end in my
opinion. So I just saw a taco bell commercial that was pretty hilarious which
leads to my next question, what was the one gift you got for Christmas that made you spaz out?

Michael: Like spaz out how? Excited spaz out? Electronics do that for me.
Computers, video games, things of that nature.

Me: Yes excited

Michael: Yeah electronics
I'm a hard person to shop for though. Money works for me.

Me: Ok. So you mentioned your currently in school. What you studying?

Michael: Computer Science with a business concentration. Going through finals week
right now and trying my hardest to not think about it lol.

Me: Think of what? Lol greater melee weapon ever?

Michael: Greatest melee weapon ever...hm...maybe a whip? If made right it hurts like
hell and it can help you keep your distance if needed. The best unorthodox melee
weapon...scissors. Like Extase style scissors. Here's what I'm talking about
http://akamegakill.wikia.com/wiki/Extase

Me: Ok..so what other the games what do you do in your free time?

Michael: I'll scroll around on the internet. I frequent sites like 9gag and Memebase.
I'll also goof around on Youtube or I'll be making a video to put on Youtube.

Me: Love YouTube. So you do video editing?

Michael: I do a bit of commentary for Pokemon battles and I have like 2 build videos.
I'm still pretty green when it comes to both of those things but I thought I might as well give it a go.

Me: Lol might have to do one of is with you. Commentary thing. Would that be possible online?

Michael: Over Skype yeah. I use a bit of software called Open Broadcast Software or OBS
for short. It does a really good job of picking voices over Skype and my own.

Me: Wow. Michael I may have a bit of a project for you. Also, would you be interested in a video game podcast?

Michael: A video game podcast huh? Yeah I could be down for that! Sounds like fun!

Me: Sweet. I use to do a podcast called The Next Save Point. It was mainly directed
towards older gamers who deal with everyday life. So I'll get back to you about that
after this. So any other hobbies besides games and video editing?

Michael: Eh nah not really. I'm a pretty boring individual lol. Outside of my computer I don't do much

Me: Hey boring is better then exciting some days. So you and your gf, how do you split time with games and each other?

Michael: Well we tend to play minecraft when she gets off of work but we do see each
other at least once a week. So we either do couple stuff then or we go back to playing minecraft lol

Me: Does the time apart put strain or does it strengthen your relationship in your opinion?

Michael: I won't lie, it's a strain. We only live an hour apart and that may not seem
like much but it does have major downsides. The only being able to see each other once
or twice a week doesn't help but at least we get to have that time.

Me: I've been there. Only difference being that my ex lived only 15 minutes from me,
but never had time for me. Smh moving on, if you become Bug Gym Leader, how will you run the gym

Michael: Hm. I'll probably use the trails to see how I can run it effectively.
To start I'll probably run it like the MAGfest challenge 4v4 doubles. I might make it 6v6 but I'm not 100% sure yet.

ME: Ok. I ran triples. It's a gym that is quite versatile. So are you a game of thrones fan?

Michael: Not really. Haven't watched an episode. I have, however, had it compared to
LOTR + Softcore porn. So that was a funny way to learn about the show.

Me: Lmao I don't know about the porn part. Maybe in the beginning of the series.
You mentioned earlier that your gfs name is joy. Has she ever dressed up as nurse joy? Lmao

Michael: She does have a Nurse Joy hat thing. She's wanted to cosplay as her.

Me: Nice. So how did you feel once you became league champion?

Michael: I was excited. I had taken down all of the gym leaders and stood proud.
Then I realized I didn't have anything to do but to sit and wait for someone else to
show up lol. It's a nice title to have but at this point that's all it is. Just a title.
One that I don't take seriously. I don't and will not ever claim to be a better player
than anyone in the ECPL because, frankly, that's a lie. I made it though the challenge
with luck and persistence, some skill is needed of course, but that doesn't make me better than anyone.

Me: Wow a humble champion. Couldn't ask for a better kind. So if you lose your
championship, you become of the E4. What type will you run?

Michael: I uh...don't know. I don't really know the rules concerning the E4 and
Champion's teams. I was told there were rules being drawn up but...that was a while
ago. Pre-MAGfest actually lol

Me: Ok. We'll cover that a different time. I just recently read a rant from David Quinn
where he basically ripped smogon a new one due to Greninja being banned but not Talonflame.
What are your thoughts on the banning of any Pokemon?
Legendaries aside

Michael: Well, when a Pokemon is banned from a format there needs to be a reason. From a
singles perspective, and correct me if I'm wrong Darryl or anyone reading this, Talonflame
is a one trick pony. Brave Bird. If you aren't pressing the Brave Bird button you're playing
Talonflame wrong. Being a flying type move and with Talonflame's base 81 attack there are a
lot of things that can survive a Brave Bird, not well mind you but they can live. This makes
it to where Talonflame can be controlled in the meta and easily dispatched if one appears.
Greninja is a bit of an awkward Pokemon when it comes to checks. This Pokemon boasts the
ability Protean, changing it's type when it attacks to match STAB, and a colorful movepool.
Add that to a base 91 Attack and a base 103 Special Attack, this thing can hit hard no matter
what set you run it with. The reason that Greninja was banned and Talonflame was not is that
people had to build teams to deal with the high powered and speedy threat that was Greninja.
Sure Talon gets the priority on Brave Bird and sure it's a hard hitter but there were things
in the meta, or things that could adapt to OU to deal with it. Greninja after ORAS....not so
much. If it makes David feel any better though I hear Greninja is one of the least used Pokemon in Ubers.

Me: I personally think its cowardice to ban a Pokemon. But hey that's my opinion. So
are you ready for the rotational tournament tomorrow? And bug gym trials?

Michael: Oh yeah! More so the bug trials. I want to focus on that more buuuut theres this tournament thing.

Me: Lol well best of wishes to you. A few more questions and we can call it a night. So seeing as you're a
destiny player and mkx player, you can understand this question. Arkham night releases next month. The
season pass is boasting to be one of the most priciest seasons passes in memory. What are your thoughts
on this and on games that force you to buy dlc too fully enjoy the game? A few examples, Asuras Wrath required
you to download the final chapter, gears of war 3 so you could play online with friends properly, and last but
not least destiny so you could reach 32?

Michael: I feel that DLC is a way for game companies to have more time to create a game. With how vicious
the video game community is nowadays when something isn't released on time people make a stink about it.
Granted I don't agree with some of their price choices with these DLC but the devs have to make money
somehow. In the instance of Mortal Kombat though I am a bit upset considering most of the characters
they are offering through DLC you fought in the story, but there could be many reasons behind that as well.

Me: I am a tad sore about that as well. And im hoping that'll be more characters other then the four they mentioned.
If you could use any legendary you wanted for competitive play, what would it be and why?

Michael: Competitive play as in VGC or the ECPL challenge/

Me: Both

Michael: I'm content with the amount of legendarys in VGC right now but for the ECPL if there
was one that I could use then it would have to be Volcanion. The Fire/Water mixup has so much
to offer for a dual weather time like mine.

Me: Volcanian? He out yet?

Michael: Negative, but Serebii has a a move list for him and it looks very promising

Me: Hmmm. Patience then.
So which Pokemon are you playing now?

Michael: In general? I've been trying to find some silly stuff that has credit to it.
I recently found myself using Dragalge. That was neat.

Me: K. I'm replaying alpha sapphire since I had to go buy it again. I would love to get
Y again but I don't think I have it in me to go through it one more time. Moving on, if
you met ash Ketchum in real life and battled him, what do you think would be in his team.
Also who would be the weak link and what would be the trump card in his team?

Michael: IRL Ash would probably have the team he currently has in Kalos. That being Pikachu,
Hawlucha, Fletchinder and Frogadier. The weak link on those would probably be his Fletchinder
considering it hasn't learned all it needs to to be a successful win button bird. His trump card
would probably be, as always, his Pikachu.

Me: Pikachu can suck it. Hate that little bastard.
So what was your first Pokemon?

Michael: Ironically enough, since you said that, Pikachu. My first Pokemon game was Pokemon
Yellow when I was five. I remember Quick Attacking Brock's Onix to KO with Pikachu lol. That fight took forever.

Me: Lmao. Shoudve caught caterpie, evolved to butterfree, have it learn confusion.
K last question. Over the years we have seen our variety of legendaries. What typing
would you like to see in the next Pokemon game?

Michael: Hm....Fire/Ice. I want to see that Pokemon from a design aspect.

Me: That would be an interesting one. But didn't they have that in white 2?
Oh wait you couldn't catch him, you could only fight him

Michael: No. The Kyurem forms were all considered Dragon/Ice still
And you could get him.

Me: Never caught him. Should've. Well thanks Mike, you've been a great guest.
Best of wishes to you and the misses.
Also.....that D'Vorah pic was most definitely FOR YOU!!! I'll see you in hell boy!!!!

Michael: I'll save us a table XD

Me: Make sure you get pie. God so help me if you forget the pie.....

Michael: He can't....we'd be in Hell remember?

Me: just get the damn pie Mike!!!!!

Michael:GAH fine.

Robyn's Interview with former Bug Gym Leader; Darryl Bowers

Greetings, everyone! Presented below is the long-waited Darryl Bowersinterview, the legendary Bug GL as backed in the glorious light of his Volcarona, presented by yours truly, Robyn Stanford. Boom shackalaka!

http://th09.deviantart.net/…/day_22_volcarona_by_xheliak-d6…

ROBYN: *swivels back her client-desiginated chair, rises, and turns about the glass-laiden table; she indicates the other, more ornate chair on the other side* If you will, Mr. Bowers.

Welcome, welcome, Bug Gym Leader of the East Coast Pokémon League! We are pleased to meet the man behind the curtain of our latest interviews this evening, and what a mighty throne, indeed. You keep the wood — or is it marble? — well polished. Alas, I digress from any ulterior interpretation of that statement. Tell me, how did you yourself join the ranks of the ECPL?

DARRYL: *sits in chair* This journey will only hasten your descent into madness. But if you must. *ahem* I joined after my first Magfest (Magfest 8, it was Mega Man themed that year). I remember cause that was a particularly odd year.

ROBYN: Fascinating! Math tells me it was early January 2010 for MAGFest 8. Not bad! However, if I recall correctly it was only as the last two MAGFests that featured a Gym Leader setup. How did you go about meeting these same trainers?

DARRYL: Well on the last day of Magefest, they had a Pokémon tournament. We okayed on Pokémon Battle Revolution. I remember I got knocked out the first round. Lol Came down to my Drapion and Starmie. Charizard, Solar Beam after using Sunny Day. Bye Starmie. Drapion followed a little afterwards thanks to a Clefable. I forget the move it used to finish me off, but damn that thing wouldn't go down easily.

ROBYN: Hah! One for the memories. I assume we needn't look any farther than our own forums to estimate how the rest online followed. Of which, how did you go about becoming the Bug GL?

DARRYL: I believe it was about 3 maybe 4 years ago. I was still single and was fiddling around with a few things. I think White and Black just came out earlier that year. I decided I wanted to try to be a gym leader. I looked at the vacancies and saw that Bug and Fighting were open. I remember thinking Fighting would be easy but Bug type really gets no love. That and we had the egg clause back then so I figured it be a good opportunity to try something different.

ROBYN: Oh, an Egg Clause? What would that be? Educate this newly joined member.

DARRYL: Well it was for Bug and Dragon types. It basically stated we could use any Pokémon as long as they were in our gyms’ respective group. For instance Drapion, Flygon, and Glicsor are all in the bug egg group.

ROBYN: Aha! Well isn't that an interesting bit. Times have changed — and I must commend you, that was a very flexible move you made there.

DARRYL: Thank you. Although just recently we removed that clause. Since Bug and Dragon have more options now.

ROBYN: Make sense. Needless to say, would Bug now rank one of your favorite types or Egg Groups? Or would that platform be shared with an original?

DARRYL: Hmmmm, good question. Over my tenure as Bug Gym, I have actually grown quite fond of Bug types. Originally I was into Water types. Blastoise and Feraligatr made me have some of the greatest memories, especially since my younger brother always chose fire types.

ROBYN: They do say regular exposure promotes fondness of the heart. Seems the Bugs have carved in their own proper notch! What a peculiar aftereffect over due time. I'm pleased. Oooooooo, and an original rivalry! And one that's shared with me and my brother. 'Nuff said. You mentioned Blastoise and Feraligatr, whereupon I sense a R/B and G/S version respectively. What did your teams look like back then?

DARRYL: Let’s see, my first original team was Blastoise, Articuno, Onix, Mewtwo, Nidoking, Jolteon. That was Blue. Silver was Feraligatr, Jumpluff, Heracross, Lugia, Ampharos, Scizor. Looking back I've been using Bug types for awhile. Lol

ROBYN: And the predictions of a match well destined have it! How would you say these compared to your current crews? Has the emphasis in VGC settings shifted? I would ask about your…more private collection of Bug comrades, *shifts for a Poké Ball on her belt* though I sense that may be more reclusive information.

DARRYL: Lol Unfortunately my reserve team is gone. Currently rebuilding. And no, I've never based any of my teams on VGC settings. Nor have I been to VGC. Lol I go with what I think will work. Be it for a tournament or for competitive reasons. Usually I'll get an idea and I'll test it out to see if it works. And I suggest you watch how you handle those balls......

ROBYN: *laughs* So long as I get to place a well deserved Net Ball on the table…which I now recall might have some dual implication for you as Bug GL, though really it's one of my favorite designs. No bias, I swear.

You have wise words about you. I respect that. Experience does lay claim to be the greatest teachers, and seeing you've been around since R/B, no doubt that experience follows. Would you have a mascot to emblazon that flag?

DARRYL: Hmmmm that's a special place for my Volcarona. Been in love with that thing since it debuted (in Diamond and Pearl I believe).

ROBYN: Close! Black and White, but with it's own share of poignant plot at the Desert Resort's Relic Castle, needless to say, I bow. It's one of the few bugs I feel I should go down one knee to greet, unworthy of direct eye contact. (Fire bias meeting an old Bug crossroads? Possibly.)

DARRYL: Lol I remember catching it and thinking is this thing legendary? But she's been a part of my main team since her introduction.

ROBYN: ^That one. With she as your love, what would you say has been the most challenging aspect of being a Gym Leader thus far?

DARRYL: Hmmmm, Rock Slide. Lol um the most challenging aspect is coming up with new tactics for bug types. For instance I don't think I've seen anyone incorporate Attract like I do. Also it sucks that there's no water/bug type.

ROBYN: Attract incorporation. Now there's a thing I haven't seen! Damn. Almost unnerving just because it is in fact so uncommon. Note to self: watch for that. Darryl is familiar with the definition of shenanigans. And d'aww, Surskit doesn't make the cut? :< *turns to Surskit* TELL YOUR OLDER SIBLING TO INVENT A DAWN STONE FOR YOU OR SOMETHING.

DARRYL: Lol it becomes Masquerain when it evolves. I wish I could use it, but it’s like Beautifly, no use for it. Or Mothrim.

ROBYN: Valid statement is valid. Pity she does, namely with all the other Bug-Flyings already present. *watches Surskit scurry away hurriedly* With that matter hopefully amended by the next gen, what other games would you play besides Pokémon?

DARRYL: Lol man that is a whole discussion within itself. I currently own an Xbox one, Xbox 360, and Xbox. 3DS and N64. To make things easier, I’m currently playing Mortal Kombat X, Alpha Sapphire, and Heroes of Ruin.

ROBYN: Simplified before it was multiplied! Though that glimpse of an advisory stands true, whew. Whereupon, new question. Which one of these would you say is the most challenging and for what reasons? Present or a past classic.

DARRYL: Hmmmm, all are pretty easy. I guess the most challenging would be mortal kombat X. Each fighter has 3 variations, so finding a variation that works for me and them working out combos is kinda a task when in itself. I think the real challenge is finding time to keep up with my games between work and parenting.

ROBYN: Parenting I would suspect being the bigger word of the two. My due salute. Would you have a snack and or beverage of choice while the buttons be mashin'?

DARRYL: Code red is always the drink of choice. Lol If I can't have that V8 Mango Peach. Snacks usually range from Cheddar Jack Cheez-Its, Goldfish, Ranch Doritos, and Oreos. I have a big sweet tooth but I tend to stay away from certain snacks when I game.

ROBYN: Rage Candy Bar make that list? Or maybe more of the traditional Rare Candy person?

DARRY: Lol I’m a Snickers guy. And I only use Rare Candies in dire circumstances.

ROBYN: SNICKERS. Good man. Me, I'm all above the lava cookies.

DARRYL: Lol I wonder if there's an actual recipe for those?

ROBYN: Oh my Groudon let there be please. I like to dream they're reminiscent of oatmeal raisin ones. Hobbies beyond the gaming franchises?

DARRYL: Manga, anime, comics, when I get the chance I like to build Gundam models. And I’m also a cook. I like to bake as well.

ROBYN: Baking! Oh snap, I envy you. Got any favorite dishes? …Gundam models. I might have to nitpick you for details about that.

DARRYL: Hmmm I have a penchant for Oreo cream pies. And when I have the opportunity peanut butter cookies.

ROBYN: Ooooooooooo. Deserts at the Bowers' must be delightful.

DARRYL: They are when I have the time. My fiance can be demanding when her sweet tooth gets out of hand.

ROBYN: Then may it be known: her husband has made the cut as the best of the best to meet such requests! What would you say might be among your favorite animes and respective mangas?

DARRYL: Oooh. Ok I'll break this down on 3 levels. Nostalgia: Dragon ball, Dragon Ball Z, Yuyu Hakusho, Ruroni Kenshin. Action: Highschool of the Dead, Bleach, Samurai 7. Comedy: FLCL, Ouran Host Club, and Assassination Classroom. As to current stuff I'm watching it’s Assassination Classroom, Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works, Jojos Bizarre Adventure, Caprice of Grasia, Highschool DxD Season 3. As of newer anime I finished Irregular at Magic High, Sword Art Online Season 2, Log Horizon Season 2, man there are so many. Ah Tokyo ghoul and Parasyte. Manga I’m currently still reading Bleach, One Piece, and god knows how many others.

ROBYN: *whistles* Well versed in the culture and stories is a fine summary. Did one of them strike a note more than the others? …I just realized that might share some definition with the term favorite, though more to do with resonation.

DARRYL: Hmmm I would say Sword Art Online stands out. That and High School DxD. Only because I wish I had a dragon gauntlet. I actually had one when I played D&D last. Ingot it from the chimera I wished bone.

ROBYN: Dragon Gauntlet. Can't say I have any counter argument for a dragon gauntlet, and what goes in D&D, is newly rewritten as future sentimental.

DARRYL: Lol Hey when I can play something that puts no limits to my imagination, awesome shit happens.

ROBYN: *gleams* Okay, Dragon Gauntlet wielder: you mentioned earlier on that you've never based your teams on VGC settings. More specifically, do you have any opinions on Smogon and its related resources perhaps?

DARRYL: When I returned from my first Magfest I knew I needed help to rebuild. I used Smogon to help grasp certain concepts. I had skipped Gen 3 and really didn't know much about IV's. After 3 months I stop referring to them and referred to the ECPL instead. I definitely wrote them off after they banned Blaziken. I mean a starter that's banned? Seriously? So when the did the same to Greninja I stuck a fork in them.

Ultimately,I respect the time and effort they put in. I really do, but they've gotten in their heads that they are the Arceus of competitive Pokémon. Honestly one day I would like to take 5 of our best in ECPL and go against 5 of their best and shove it down there smug throats.

ROBYN: Now there be more backstory to its introduction in your life than I bargained on. Saluted. Every blue moon or two I might consult it, but the total duration of minutes is easily countable on a single hand per question. My wariness is more of simple intimidation — folk who talk too highly of themselves are turn-offs — but even as a resource, there remain second thoughts when things I regularly OHKO are deemed bannable. Regard me as mutually agreed. How now, if we were to play by VGC rules or even the occasional international online legendary friendly, which legendary would you play in ECPL and why?

DARRYL: Well, I would love to play Genesect. Lol But him and Giratina are the only two legendaries I would live to use. Outside of that I rarely rely on them. Not till Yvetal. Now when I fight my brothers, oh yeah, all bets are off. In ECPL, even if given the chance I don't use them due to the fact I can't breed them. Your basically stuck with he nature you get unless you trade or soft reset. I don't reset. I get what I get and that's that. Oh and lugia. God how could I forget her. I used to wreck my brother David's Ho-oh all day with Lugia.

ROBYN: I like the names you dropped: Giratina, Yveltal, Lugia…how did you know what ones I preferred each gen? lol Well, I suppose I could make an exception for the fellow clone…like you said, bugs need love. Especially cloned bugs.

DARRYL: It just kills me he's Steel Bug. If only when you gave him the different drives his type changed as well rather then Techno Blast alone.

ROBYN: …That would give his typing a second chance, wouldn't it? Hmm. We'll keep an eye on you, Genesect! Maybe a new toy will show up for you in the future. Now, a new kind of question, pardon me if I were to ask where curiosity leads: I heard you have a soft spot for challenging the Flying Gym Leader, David Kelman. Would this be a rivalry I sense here?

DARRYL: Oh lord. Yes. A thousand times yes. That man’s Pokémons are not normal. By any means. And it really has nothing with him being Flying GL and me being former Bug GL. Has to do when I first joined ECPL. Everything I would throw at him would get trounced. Then there were times where I thought I had him, only for the bane of my existence, that damned Scizor, would pull through in the clutch. Our last encounter (which many of you have seen) was actually a small victory for me. That was not only the closest I've ever come to beating him, but also the first time I knocked out his Scizor.Often times when I make a new Bug team I test it on his Flying team. If I can get him down to two pokes, I know it’s a good team. Lol Oh and the fact his name is David as well. Lol my younger brother David, whose rivalry with me dates back to us in diapers, has always been my greatest adversary in EVERYTHING.

ROBYN: *flexes* Marvelous answer! Darryl vs David. Has a nice ring to it. If you could have any song play when you two entered battle, what would it be and why?

DARRYL: Hmmm when I enter Headstrong by Trapt would play. For him , I think it’d probably be some old school rock. The music playing during the battle would be My Shadow by The Veer Union. Headstrong has been my entrance music for the longest. I play wrestling games and some allow you to use your own music as your entrance music and it has always been Headstrong with the Stone Cold Titantron. And My Shadow simply because that song sums up our battles. Listen to it. The song just makes you wanna battle someone. With all the trash talking, jumping up and down, adrenaline filled antics of a good fight. Hell, I’m listening to it right now.

ROBYN: …Music, like a preferred art or artist's style, I would say great lengths about a person's world. I'm honored I've now heard what decorates yours, haha. My Shadow plays as I write this. I can't say mine is colored by the same light, nor have I heard of these artists or songs before, so I'm quite intrigued.

DARRYL: I listen to a little of everything. Depends on mood. If I hear something and I like it, I'll listen to it. Right now im listening to the 1st opening song of Magic Kaito.

ROBYN: Reasonable clarification! Larger Than Life by the Backstreet Boys, by perhaps major contrast, has been my long-time Pokémon Stadium go-to. I have liked to think the lyrics were what the Pokémon would say about becoming glorious 3D after a lifetime as GB pixels. Different flare, just by a bit. *laughs* Magic Kaito! Anime I suspect? Ooooooo, also something I could get used to! Japanese pop, always swell stuff.

DARRYL: Yes. Omg the first time I beat my brother on Stadium 2 I played Bye Bye Bye. Lmao

ROBYN: Mr. Bowers, you childhood was spent correctly, lol.

DARRYL: Funny story about music from Pokémon (gonna die from embarrassment). I was home by myself and just so happen to have Radio Disney playing (it was the only station that didn't play the same sing every 15 minutes). The Pokémon theme song comes on. I'm cleaning the kitchen. So I grab my mic (the broom) and start singing. I mean I’m into it. Really into it. I finish the song out on my knees like I’m a rock star on stage. Mind you, I had my mom’s stereo on full blast. I hear clapping. I turn around and my mom is standing there laughing hysterically. She saw the whole thing. Smh

ROBYN: Shameless fun fact: I just burst out laughing. That story could have been riddled straight out of a popular fiction novel. I applaud for your retelling. No shame shall ever be had on your end: I wish I could say similar, bahaha. Next plot twist of this interview in line! So…if I were again to be so brazen, just how did life go about crossing lines with Asuna, Kirito?

DARRYL: Well I actually met my Asuna through her older sister. I had just started a new job and was preparing for bed. Her sister messaged me via Facebook asking how I was doing since she hasn't heard from me in a bit. Told her I was well and what not. I asked what she was doing and she said her and her older sister were about to walk to the grocery store. I needed some groceries and was curious about the sister. So I went and I tell you the first time I saw this woman I was awestruck. She was unlike anyone I ever met. So we walk to the store. I talk to her. Ask her out to dinner at my place. The rest is history.

S/n I once sung my nephew to sleep singing Tribute by Tenacious D.

ROBYN: I didn't recognize the name of the song at first — and then I googled it. And remembered, and laughed. Standards: raised. Such a bedtime song feat should be on all bucket lists.

D'AWW. What an unsuspecting location and scenario! Or, so seems by my ranks: seems you had the right suspicion to tag along, right on! Congratulations to you both on finding each other. Would you both game together here and there?

DARRYL: Yes actually. Oddly enough I once came home to her playing Dishwasher Samurai. lol We used to play injustice and Fruit Ninja all the time, but since my son was born things have changed. Once in a while I get her to play with me. Now my stepdaughter, there’s a story. She'll play GTA, Call of Duty, fighting games. If it involves punching, shooting, or driving, my stepdaughter will play.

ROBYN: Hah! Your step daughter rocks. Sounds she knows exactly what's she's after in a game: I commend that confidence.

DARRYL: Hey, she’s beaten me a few times.

ROBYN: HAHAHHA! Oh man! Game well played. I nod and applaud. Figure the Bowers household shall be one of experienced gamers down the line?

DARRYL: Well, I’m not gonna force games upon my children, but I have a suspicion that my oldest son will indeed be a gamer. He already knows how to hold the controller and everything. If they turn out anything like me and my brothers, yeah, its gonna get ugly. lol

ROBYN: By now I sense there's a number to you all. How many would make up your family, if I would be permitted to ask?

DARRYL: Let’s see: I’m the oldest of 3 boys. It goes me, my brother David, then my baby brother, Daniel. Daniel is married with no kids. David is married with one son and one stepson. I’m engaged with two sons and a stepdaugheter. In my household it numbers five.

ROBYN: *whistles* What a family! I tip my hat to you and yours, good sir. Mine by comparison is just myself and my brother, both of us single, so such sounds like an adventure, and one, like y'all, I would duly look forward to.

DARRYL: Hey small is good some days. Fewer people to worry about.

ROBYN: *bows* Truth to the one-on-one conversations, notably. Those are always special. Speaking of the ladies in our lives, a new question for you. It was brought up a few times in previous interviews about those (namely who may be attracted to guys) feeling excluded, misunderstood, or stereotyped by some of the gaming world. As the dear husband of a queen and stepfather of a young warrior, in what ways have you witnessed these moments? Have they ever crossed the wire even within alternative gaming genres?

DARRYL: lol I can honestly say I have seen this. My fiancée once kicked the ass of someone I once considered a friend as well as my stepdaughter. This person came over for one of my tournaments and wanted a shot at my title. (In my group of friends and family, I am the current reigning ultimate gaming champion.) Anyway, he came over talking a whole bunch of trash in a game called Injustice. I told him if he could beat my woman, I'll give him a title shot. He picked Bane and she picked Wonder Woman. Demolished him. Then he picked the Joker, she picked Aquaman. Summoned a fleet of sharks and yelled "Yeah, Aquaman has mad sharks yo!"

Another instance was my stepdaughter. Her bf came over and he was talking a whole lot of trash about being able to beat me in Black Ops 2. I told him if he could beat his girl i'll play him. She wiped the floor with him. And he was talking mad trash before playing her. smh

It does irk me when things like that happens, but then I laugh about it cause to me it’s the ultimate ruse. Oh, you have tits and look beautiful, you probably suck at games. Psssh alright, I let the other idiots think that, but I know when someone’s a threat. All you have to do is look at how someone holds a controller or goes through the options screen. If someone can set up their personal settings in less then 10 seconds, you better not underestimate them.

ROBYN: Heard and heard. It's strange in a way: one of those moments where I'm fumbling for a proper response, perhaps as it hits the nail on the nose so well. I'm glad your fiancée and stepdaughter took names in spades when their qualifications were questioned. The world would all around be a better place is humility were to be the first incentive, rather than assuming for the inferior. Till then, it's people like you and the Bowers to maintain that standard strong: I'm extremely pleased the ECPL appears to be flooded with like-minded folks.

DARRYL: I am as well. I can’t stand ignorance. I'll kick ass, be it man, woman, or child. You challenge me, I give it my all.

ROBYN: *reaches across the desk with a fist bump*

DARRYL: lmao

ROBYN: And that there were the better part of my questions for you, which you passed with flying colors. Wrapping up with a dash of light-hearted fun facts!You find yourself in a MMORG. What is your weapon of choice? …oh wait. Dragon Gauntlets. lol I think those count as weapons?

DARRYL: Sword. Dual wielding. Once in a while a two handed hammer. And as of that gauntlet, it did count as a weapon. I wielded it with my left and used a fire sword with my right. I remember that after I got it, me and my party had to fight a dragon turtle. And to make matters worse, one of the party members didn’t check for traps and the room was filling with water. So imagine having to fight this thing while the room is filling up with water. The room is on a slant so the damn thing keeps coming out of the water and hitting us and then trying to drag us in.

ROBYN: LOL. I nominate this well-crafted scene an award. And for the record, that's a spectacular weapons setup.

DARRYL: I grow tired of the damn thing and come up with a plan. So not to go into too much detail, I basically had someone cast Swords Dance on me twice while I used Curse. We wait till the damn thing comes out and stun it. It starts to head back into the water; I hop on its back (I was playing a half orc warrior) and I use the gauntlet to latch myself onto its back. The damn thing completely submerges itself. I’m like I’m screwed if this doesn’t work. I then take my sword and thrust it into the top of the damn thing’s shell all the way to the hilt and then activate its special effect. The blade would become engulfed in flames once I applied a certain phrase to it.

ROBYN: *holds her breath*

DARRYL: I rolled a crit (perfect 20); dm rolled a 1. I not only killed the damn thing, but fired shot out of the holes for its head and legs and evaporated all the water in the room, effectively killing the thing in one blow. My teammates look at me and I just raise my fist in the air and say "black dragon gauntlet, solid."

ROBYN: …oh my deities. See, it's stories like that that mesh very well to songs like "a tribute to the greatest song in the world."

DARRYL: The dm was so shocked he called it a night. lmao

ROBYN: LOL

DARRYL: I have been told I have the tendecy to fuck up whole campaigns with my rolls.

ROBYN: Winner. Winner, right here. Sir, it's been a pleasure. Before you go, two more questions. Have you had the pleasure of wielding some of these items in real life, as props at a renaissance fair or otherwise? And, who might be your favorite fighters on Smash?

DARRYL: Well in terms of real life, I have several weapon props. I have a skull scythe (which my son loves to drag around when he’s in his walker), i have a giant "orc" sword (plastic, all this is plastic), a toy gun, and shotgun (which i spray painted silver for a halloween party). I have the double side light saber Darth Maul had in episode 1, I have a nerf sword that i got as a Christmas gift. Hmmm, I think thats about it. I’m a big ass kid. lol

In terms of Smash Bros, I'll start with each entry. Super Smash Bros it was Captain Falcon and Link. Melee it was Marth, Falco, Dr. Mario, and Luigi. Brawl I didn’t play really, but if I had to spit ball, it’d be Sonic. 4 would be Mii Fighter, Pac Man, Ike, Robin, Little Mac, Greninja, and.....I’m forgetting someone, lol. Lucina. Only cause she reminded me of marth. and Marth. I do believe he was in 4. I don’t have the game no more so I can’t tell.

ROBYN: Damnnnn. Dabbled in a little bit of everything! So much for my same old habits, bahah. And no worries: he is.

DARRYL: Ok then. Yeah, I don’t like to stick to just one fighter in fighting games. I like to have at least 3 at my disposal. One leaves you open to getting beaten easily.

ROBYN: True story. Bad habits have me usually at a primary and secondary choice, but I should look into a third. Still figuring out that one.

DARRYL: Suggestion: try Samus or Mega Man. Hell, use your beloved Charizard. And why I’m at it, I want to bring something up: so earlier I was talking about Stadium 2. I remember that you could transport your Pokémon and not only use them in the game, but also for mini games. Why in the blue hell can’t we do that for Smash?

ROBYN: Oh snap, THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF IT. I wrecked those logs with my beloved HM/False Swipe Scizor. Pfft, who needed Pinsirs or Scythers? But in Smash…oh, if we could import them like Amiibo files into Smash. I'd take my old Shiny Charizard everywhere with me. Retire his Gen 3 bum from the Gen 6 scene, and into Smash. Genuis mentioning.

DARRYL: Thank you.

ROBYN: …For the record, that there is what you call an inventory. I envy your long term exposure with your wide array of big kid toys, lol. Only the past year I was introduced and graced with my own gift boffer sword. Here's to hoping I do a dual-wielder just!

DARRYL: lol I can’t help it. When my son is old enough it’s gonna be worst. Yes, I will have my own nerf gun as well.

ROBYN: Snicker. These things were meant to be. And the world pay tribute? If you'd like to call it an evening, it would be a pleasure be posting this fine lot tomorrow morning-afternoon. Go through and pay the "delete the returns and time clock" game till it posts correctly.

DARRYL: lol Hey you get the hang of it. Do you have anymore queries?

ROBYN: None that I would say could top your MMORG tale, haha. Any shout-outs that you'd like to send?

DARRYL: yes.

*ahem*

to the entire ECPL

YOU

WILL

ALL

PERISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

QUAKE WITH FEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*plays Ronin Warriors theme song*

ROBYN: *watches the desk rumble; the Net Ball rolls off the tabletop with a glassy thud* …TO ARMS!

DARRYL: ah my childhood

ROBYN: Well spotted interview, Sir Bowers. A good evening and better tidings this day and the days to follow! And now… *rises* Your desk and throne, sir. The captain's chair awaits you.

DARRYL: Make it so, Number 1. Engage.

ROBYN: Don't think I… descended too fast into… dark nest. Darkness. *twitches*

DARRYL: mwahahaha