Natalya's Marowak

**Natalya's Marowak** (Japanese: **ナタリアのガラガラ** *Nataria's Garagara*) is the first Pokémon that Natalya was known to have.

## **New Era**

### **Indigo Challenge**

Marowak first appeared as a Cubone when Natalya challenged Dwayne to a battle to achieve her desired 100th winning streak, where Cubone battled against Dwayne's Pidgeotto. Dwayne noted that a Flying-type Pokémon should have the advantage. However, Cubone surprises him by using Smack Down, which connects and causes Pidgeotto to lose his Flying-type privileges, and Dwayne notes that now Pidgeotto could get affected by any Ground-type attacks. Dwayne tries to use Double Team, but Cubone quickly uses Earthquake, which eliminates all copies at once, and promptly defeats Dwayne with Take Down. Dwayne notices that Cubone suffered no recoil damage, and realizes that its Ability was Rock Head.

Dwayne then calls out Butterfree, and he orders a Stun Spore attack, but Natalya cracks her whip and Cubone Digs underground, avoiding it. It bursts out of the ground, eliminating Butterfree with Smack Down, as the attack causes double the damage due to Butterfree's typing, giving Natalya the victory, and Dwayne becomes surprised at the strength of Natalya's Cubone.

Months later, Cubone was shown to have evolved when Natalya challenged Dwayne to a battle for his Badges, facing off against Dwayne's Roselia. Dwayne commands Roselia to use Bullet Seed against Marowak, though Marowak dodges. Dwayne instructs Roselia to use another Bullet Seed as Natalya tells Marowak to use Focus Energy and Bone Club to deflect the attack. Then Marowak rushes over and attacks Roselia with Bonemerang, causing great damage. Dwayne then tells Roselia to use Solar Beam, but Marowak's flurry of Bone Club attacks force Roselia to have to dodge the attacks while continuing to charge Solar Beam. Natalya then commands an Ice Beam attack, just as Roselia's Solar Beam launches. However, the Grass-type attack proves stronger, as it easily pushes the Ice Beam, and scores a direct hit, giving Dwayne the victory.

Afterwards, Natalya explains that she had her Badges stolen by Adrian and Adriana, and Dwayne offers to help her find the thieves. However, Marowak grows frustrated with his Trainer, throwing a tantrum, and begins to walk away without Natalya. When she asks Marowak to stay, the Bone Keeper Pokémon knocks Natalya's hand away and leaves her. Later, Marowak is walking through the woods and notices some Trainers and their Pokémon training for the Pokémon League, which reminds him of the intense training he experienced with Natalya. Subsequently, Marowak decides to go back to Natalya's side, remorseful and ashamed of abandoning her because of a single mistake.

After Natalya and Dwayne defeat the twins in a battle for the Badges, the twins refuse to hand them over, and when they attempt to run away, they get clocked on the head by Marowak's bone. Marowak then threatens to attack them with Bone Club if they don't surrender the Badges, and the twins fearfully comply, and throw the Badge case to Natalya. Marowak then fires off an Ice Beam at their feet, and the twins flee while cursing the duo for ruining their chances of competing at the Pokémon League. Natalya walks over to Marowak asking it if it will battle in the Pokémon League by her side. Marowak accepts as Dwayne congratulates Marowak for seeing sense and not abandoning his Trainer.

During the fifth round of the Indigo Plateau Conference, Marowak was selected as Natalya's third and final Pokémon to battle against Dwayne's Pidgeot. Marowak starts out with Smack Down, and makes a direct hit and grounding Pidgeot, which now allows Ground-type attacks to affect him. Marowak then uses Bonemerang, and Valeria commands Pidgeot to dodge. Natalya takes on a surprised look, and Dwayne points out that he and Pidgeot have been doing special speed training. Dwayne then commands Pidgeot to use Aerial Ace, which lands and causes Marowak to take severe damage. Natalya then commands Marowak to go in for multiple Ice Beams. However, Pidgeot dodges them all with grace. Natalya then commands Double-Edge. However, Pidgeot dodges again and uses Gust, which Marowak blocks. Pidgeot then uses a powerful Brave Bird attack which lands and sends Marowak flying back. Marowak gets up, and Dwayne commands Pidgeot to use another Brave Bird. Marowak commands Marowak to catch the Brave Bird and use Bonemerang. After being weakened, Pidgeot is unable to dodge an incoming Ice Beam from Marowak, which knocks him out, evening the score between both Trainers.

Dwayne recalls Pidgeot and sends out Wartortle, who shows his exhaustion from the damage he took earlier in the battle. After giving each other a quick speech of intimidation, Dwayne and Natalya get ready to finish it. Marowak is commanded by Natalya to use Bonemerang while Wartortle is commanded by Dwayne to counter with Rapid Spin. After attacking, Wartortle begins to look like he can't take another attack, right as Marowak prepares for an Ice Beam. However, at that exact moment, Wartortle charges up and learns a brand-new attack: Skull Bash, which pushes through the Ice Beam and makes direct contact with Marowak, knocking him out and giving Dwayne the win allowing him to advance through the tournament.

## **Personality and Characteristics**

Marowak is an incredibly strong Pokémon, both physically and emotionally, always having a determined and focused expression on his face. Much like Natalya's other Pokémon, Marowak enjoys and appreciates his Trainer's rough and rigorous training regime, seen flexing after every session to boast about his power.

Despite their strong bond, however, Marowak is not above showing frustration with his Trainer, throwing a tantrum over all their hard work being seemingly wasted after Natalya's Badges were stolen by Adrian and Adriana, causing Marowak to temporarily abandon Natalya, disappointed with his Trainer. However, Marowak quickly regretted his actions upon recalling the times he shared with Natalya, quickly returning to her side, and assisting her in retrieving her Badges.

To make up for his Ground-type status, Marowak relies on a variety of different attacks, often using his Smack Down attack to ground his Flying-type opponents, and also using his Ice Beam attack to freeze them in place should they prove themselves faster than himself.