Tiber

Tiber is a recurring antagonist in the PokePioneers game.

## History

**The Conqueror**

From what is understood and known about Tiber he was- and still is to some extent- a ruthless warrior who became renowned for his combat ability throughout the Plains Continent. His exploits alongside the other Founders of the Pioneering Club earned him a title: a rare badge of honor for Pokemon that is generally bestowed or acquired by reputation rather than self-proclamation. The title being "The Conqueror" and it was quite apt. During his time on the Plains Continent he became increasingly aggressive, doing harm to those who did not deserve it and resorting to violence in situations that did not merit it. This cascade of madness and violence did not stop until he was finally slain by his ex-husband, Raize, in order to prevent Tiber from doing more harm to innocent Pokemon.

A phrase common to this period of time, and one heard often from the Lucario even after, is "Nobody takes what's mine!"

**The Revenant**

Death itself was not enough to keep Tiber at bay. Through unknown means he became linked to Riley of Team Cheer and awakened when Riley first fainted in Claydol Cairn. Since that point he has plagued Riley's mind, hounding him and hurling verbal and emotional abuse at the poor Riolu. The will of Tiber is so strong that even in times when Riley has not fainted he has been able to influence Riley's actions, driving him toward Tiber's goals and coloring Riley's perspectives on certain events and Pokemon. Quite literally coloring, as Tiber's influence as a revenant is often seen as scarlet, driving away Static dreams and burning as red aura. This even extends to haunting the young Riolu's vision as Tiber's influence waxes. On the whole he is a cruel, sadistic, and sometimes impatient guest in Riley's head, relishing when he can take over and wreak havoc and suffering.

Tiber's power is so great that it has even damaged Riley's body in the process of possessing him, using moves the Riolu has no business executing in order to get his way. Systematic manipulation of Riley and intimate knowledge of Riley's interests and vulnerabilities allowed Tiber to time and again goad him into allowing the revenant of the Conqueror to take control. Each time extracting something from Riley in return for use of his power. This came to a head when Team Cheer fought Mistress Salazzle in the depths of the Stone Alcazar. Tiber unleashed an incredibly destructive move (Scarlet Bedlam) which caused a mass cave-in event, forcing Team Cheer to flee. Yet when Riley regained control he relinquished it again quickly in order to save Lizard's life, giving Tiber full command of his host.

Though Riley's body was relatively broken Tiber still took it, utilizing his immense willpower to leave the rest of Team Cheer, traveling toward the Cave of Mirrors in order to fulfill a part of his plan for revenge on his ex-husband. Hate, anger, and vengeance drove Tiber to reach the cave before the rest of Team Cheer could arrive, though not long before.

**The Mirror**

In the Mirror Realm Tiber's twisted spirit manifested fully for the first time, revealing his true and full nature to Team Cheer, who had come to save their friend. Clad in armor forged of crimson aura and wielding a lance that burned with his fury, he sought to sweep Team Cheer aside and claim Riley's body, forcing an evolution that would give him all the necessary power he needed to enact his revenge on those he felt wronged him. Alas, despite his vast power he made the mistake of underestimating Team Cheer to his own detriment. He was foiled just as he swept aside each member of Team Cheer in a bid to reach Riley's projection in the Mirror Realm by Lizard awakening to the Aspect of Resurgence. This revitalized the Team and gave them an extra edge in stopping Tiber's wrath.

The second major factor in his undoing was Tucker utilizing Connection to strike at the weakened barriers surrounding Tiber's mind and heart. This forced Tiber to face memories and feelings he had locked away behind blind hatred, obsession, and a need for revenge. In the end he fell, and underneath the scarlet fury of the Conqueror lay a Lucario outlined in sorrow and silver.

When the Team was split by the Cave of Mirrors to their respective Mirror Realms in the wake of their fight with Tiber, Riley was confronted not only by his own self, but also with the remnants of Tiber's spirit. Whereas before he had been a furious blaze now he was more like hollowed-out ashes with embers of his anger still inside. Riley then made a deal with Tiber where they would work together and be better than their past selves. It was more than Tiber deserved, or so he thought, but a deal he accepted.

**The Mentor**

In return for remaining in Riley's body, Tiber was to serve as a teacher for the Riolu. Having a lifetime of experience manipulating aura, he was- while not perfect- a teacher for Riley in that regard. While he still makes snide comments and even occasionally manifests a projection or takes over Riley's body to communicate with Team Cheer, it is not nearly so hostile an exchange as before. Though he is not trusted he does not care to be trusted. So far it seems as though he has returned everything he 'stole' from Riley previously and is somehow 'reliving' his own memories while he sits in the back of Riley's mind.

Of important note is the fact that at this stage Raize is now aware of Tiber's residence in Riley's body and the two seem to have some sort of silent understanding with one another. Thus far it has resulted in remaining apart from each other, though Riley and the rest of Team Cheer are perfectly willing to deal with the stubborn specter should he overstep his bounds and try to reap revenge on Raize again.

Though it is not always apparent Tiber has begun to feel something akin to a familiar- or at least student/teacher- bond with Riley. The more he acts as a mentor, the more he shows a surprisingly doting side of himself that was seemingly nonexistent before. Though much of his interactions remain with Riley and Riley alone they appear to be more frequently comforting or neutral in nature and tone, rather than aggressive.

**The Lucario Before...**

In the Mirror Realm Tucker's use of Connection on Tiber resulted in fragments of memories and feelings to manifest as mirror shards, giving the Team glimpses into how Tiber used to be. Similarly, Riley has occasionally glimpsed Tiber's memories, which are often jealously kept out of the Riolu's reach followed by statements like "That's not for you!" or "It's mine, not yours!"

A few of these memories are of deep importance to Tiber as well as insight into who he was before he became the Conqueror. Notably:

-Tiber as a Riolu with a Purrloin Raize on a cliff watching a sunset, tearfully telling Raize nobody will separate them ever. Possibly the first time "Nobody takes what's mine." is spoken by him. Though this is followed by "Not even me!" Implying he wouldn't even let himself get in the way of being with Raize back then.

-Confronting the Clockwork Butler in combat and being sorely beaten, the Clockwork Butler making remarks that Tiber will end up alone and is completely unable to protect Raize or anyone else.

-Confronting and possibly even killing a strange pink-purple creature that may or may not have been an Observer.

-Several brief moments throughout Tiber's history as part of Team Pioneer, including facing off against Zecian and Zamazenta, meeting Blaze, and a few snippets of his childhood together with Raize and Pangoro.

These memories so far paint the picture that Tiber was, in fact, a much kinder Pokemon in the past and deeply loving and protective toward his best friend (Pangoro), and his husband (Raize). Somewhere along the line, likely after confronting the Clockwork Butler, his desire to protect became a possessive obsession that spiraled into violent madness. Some theories point out that it may have been caused by the Observers themselves, or at least their manipulation of Tiber's emotional vulnerabilities.

It is known that, prior to his descent into madness, Tiber was Deadeye's master or teacher, and Tiber is responsible for the creation of the Gladiator Arena in Seaspray Town as well as being its first champion.

## Known Abilities

Tiber is a consummate combatant, survivalist, and aura wielder, utilizing an aggressive combat style with a notable lack of capacity for support moves that benefit others. He has implied in-game that he is incapable of using certain moves that would otherwise be available to a Lucario, as he doesn't have the capacity for them.

- Aura Armor: Tiber is capable of manifesting a multi-plated armor of aura around himself for protection. This armor absorbs blows and harnesses their energy, capable of exploding into shards on command to deal with attackers.

- Meld Moves: Tiber helped pioneer the practice of creating Meld Moves in the Plains Continent area and has many he has created and mastered over the years. Many of which he showcased while fighting Team Cheer in the Mirror Realm. However his signature move is "Scarlet Sphere" which is an overpowered red aura sphere capable of generating a singular blast or scattering to hit multiple targets. Unlike most Meld Moves, he seems capable of using this one with impunity, unhindered by the strain one might normally undergo while using a Meld Move.

- Aura Manipulation Master: Besides combat, Tiber is still a Lucario and even by instinct can mold and manipulate aura- both his own and that around him- with relative ease. While his aggressive nature lends itself well to forming weapon shapes and destructive techniques, it is safe to say he could manipulate aura into any number of utilitarian shapes and effects if he put his mind to it.

- Possession: It is uncertain if it's because he's dead or if something specific triggered this ability, but Tiber currently inhabits Riley's body in a form of possession. While he is content to sit back and let Riley have the wheel, he is capable of exerting control at a moment's notice and can even speak through his host if he so chooses, assuming he is unresisted.

- Projection: Tiber is capable of projecting an image of his spirit into the physical realm for brief periods of time, usually accompanied by something Riley is doing or outside interference. The projection seems incapable of interacting with the physical world, but serves as an excellent mouthpiece for Tiber, particularly when Riley also has to speak.

- Anathema: While not explicitly stated to be a proper Aspect, Tiber has been called "Anathema" by the Observers and his crimson aura seems to have an adverse effect on both them and the Static. It is implied that while Tiber was once a Vessel candidate, his original Aspect became corrupted during his descent into madness and became Anathema. While it's used to derisively refer to the revenant, this power provides the useful benefit of keeping Observers and their ilk- not to mention many other mentally-affecting adversaries and abilities- from taking control of or manipulating Tiber or his host.

## Relationships

*Team Pioneer*

- Raize: Ex-husband. Was beheaded by Raize during the worst periods of his madness while living. May still love him.

- Pangoro: Childhood friend and confidant.

- Blaze: Friend. Helped to make the Spike Pendant that Tiber gave to Raize. Strangely though they were technically romantic rivals there seems to be no animosity toward him.

*Team Cheer*

- Brooke: Sees them as the leader of the group, acknowledges their ability to some minor extent. As of recent events, considers Brooke to be an example for Riley to follow, due to Brooke not constantly putting himself down for his mistakes.

- Ralph: Considers them a fool, though admires the fact the Munchlax is capable of remaining so aggressive towards him.

- Riley: The host. A living vessel to possess. Student. In some respects the son Tiber never had. Has been attempting to encourage Riley to overcome the fear the Riolu had experienced when needing to feed on Pokémon while they were out on their own.

- Tucker: Thinks of them as childish. Actively avoids them when possible to prevent Connection linking the two of them again.

*Others*

- Luxray Librarian: Unknown. Possibly friend or ally when alive.

- Deadeye: Saved them from death by bringing them to the Cave of Mirrors as indicated in a Glimpse. Deadeye was Tiber's student once upon a time and still holds Tiber's respect.

- Shadow Scavenger Alpha: Considers the Mightyena to be an annoyance, and is amused by their brazen attitude. Fully willing to trounce them again.

## Notable Items

- There is a "Champion's Jacket" that supposedly belonged to Tiber that Deadeye possesses, but does not wear.

- Spike Pendant: A pendant made from Tiber's chest spike as a gift to Raize and confession of love. Currently in Riley's possession.

- Bones: Tiber's bones are buried out in the Wild Prairie and, for a time, his Skull was in Riley's possession.

- Bands: Certain artistic depictions of Tiber show him or his projection with possibly metal bands on his body.

## Trivia

* Brooke's player calls him "Murdernugget"
* In Session 10, Raize confirms that he and Tiber lived together on the Sand Continent. When he and Raize first met, he was living in Baram Town on the Air Continent with his parents.

## Quotes

* "Nobody takes what's mine." - Frequently
* "If you hadn't changed, you wouldn't have made it this far. Doesn't mean you’ve changed to be like me, much as I tried to teach you." - Session 81