Hardy

> *You're gonna rock this fight, aye?*
>
>

**Hardy Andersen** is the Rock type Gym Leader of the Reborn League, and the younger brother of Titania. He hands out the Geode Badge, the 17th Gym Badge the player receives.

Hardy is stubborn and headstrong, not too unlike his sister. Although he comes off as an oaf, he is keenly aware of how people feel and is incredibly supportive to those in need, particularly Aya. Hardy is impulsive and protective of those in danger, but is otherwise laid-back and cheerful with his allies. In his off time from being a Gym Leader, he practices with his guitar to advance his career as a musician.

## Story Events

### Wasteland Hideout

Hardy later appears at the Wasteland Hideout. After some dialogue between Fern and Aya, Hardy enters and introduces himself as Reborn's Rock type Gym Leader. It is revealed that Hardy and Fern have a strong disliking of each other, as they were in the same class when they attended the Onyx Trainers' School, and were also dragged along by their sisters - Titania and Florinia - when they hung out together. Hardy came to Byxbysion Wasteland to greet the new Gym Leader to her job, but says Fern's attitude probably gave her a sour welcome. He then referees the gym battle between the player and Aya. After the player defeats Aya, Hardy stays behind to help her transition into being a Gym Leader and tries to cheer her up.

### Agate City

The next time the player meets Hardy is in Agate City, where the player and Cain find him asleep on the floor next to Aya. After Terra makes her introduction, she proceeds to use her oversized hammer to send both Aya and Hardy flying towards the general direction of Agate Circus. Aya landed in the middle of the circus, but Hardy landed much farther away, near Fiore Mansion on Route 2. After Aya wakes up, she insists on finding out where Hardy landed and asks the player to rescue him. The player must navigate downwards through Route 2 in order to find Hardy.

### Fiore Mansion

The player eventually finds him in the Fiore Mansion on the Celestinine Cascade, where he is being temporarily taken care of by his sister Titania, and Amaria. After Titania use Wake-Up Slap on him, he wakes up and immediately begins worrying about Aya's whereabouts. Hardy says he was going to show Aya his gym and Titania remarks that he must know how to treat a lady. Hardy tells her to shove off and after being informed that she is in the Agate Circus, he hurriedly makes his way up there. He catches the news that Calcenon City is dealing with Team Meteor and wonders if he should help them.

### Agate Circus

Upon reuniting with Aya in the Agate Circus, Cain and her talk to Hardy for a bit before the player battles Samson. Hardy traveled to Agate City with Aya to give her an example of a puzzle since Aya's gym doesn't have one yet. He also reveals that he is a musician during his free time from gym battles, which Aya says he's really good at the guitar. Cain is surprised that Hardy managed to impress Aya, since Cain failed to do so for her entire life, which leads to Aya arguing with him. After beating Samson, Terra says that the PULSE which has the city in a sleeping curse is located on top of Ametrine Mountain. Hardy, Aya, and Cain decide to head towards Calcenon City to help the other Gym Leaders help fend off against Team Meteor while the player will head to Ametrine City.

### Ametrine Mountain - Route 3

While the player heads towards Ametrine City, they find Aya, Cain, and Hardy looking at an enormous ice blockage in the path. Hardy sends out his Gigaltih to break it but is unable to break through it. With Ametrine City being trapped at the top of the mountain without supplies, the group proposes treading to Calcenon City to get help. Before they can climb the southern stairs into the city, the entrance is destroyed by a deflected blast from a PULSE Clawitzer. Saphira, who is currently trying to combat the PULSE, meets up with the group on her Dragonite and tells them to enter through the city's eastern entrance, requiring them to progress through Route 3 and Route 4. As the group is traveling, a bridge is destroyed by another stray shot from the PULSE Clawitzer, splitting the group up and forcing the player and Aya to team up as Hardy and Cain continue onwards without them.

### Calcenon City

Hardy and Cain safely enter Calcenon City, and Hardy waits for the player and Aya at the checkpoint. When he realizes that Aya has been kidnapped by Team Meteor, he hurries to the Barrier separating Labradorra City from Calcenon City. Hardy is seen trying to break the barrier to get her back but Saphira tells him someone is coming. Fern appears and is revealed to actually have sided with Team Meteor when he appears on their side of the barrier. When he speaks to the player, Hardy, and Saphira, he explains that the reason he joined Team Meteor is simple - he's just siding with the winners. He also taunts and torments Hardy over the fact that Team Meteor currently holds Aya captive and Hardy tells him he will punch his face in when the barrier gets broken.

Some time later after talking with Fern, Aya is dragged in front of the barrier by Sirius in order to bargain the Ruby Ring for her life. Hardy tells the player to give the ring but Saphira says disagrees, as the Ruby Ring is more valuable. Hardy then asks if one of Saphira's sisters was on that side, would she think any different, to which Saphira says she wouldn't change her decision. Charlotte then shows up when hearing Saphira and asks if you would trade her for the Ruby Ring. However, either choice will lead Charlotte to taking the ring and running off to "make a deal" with Team Meteor. Hardy then yells at Saphira for not giving a damn about Aya, which Saphira says Charlotte just in fact saved her due to not having anything of value, so there is no reason to threaten Aya's life. Saphira has absolute faith in her sisters since the three of them been through so much together. Hardy then remarks that absolute faith in someone will always end up broken in the end, so you need to take matters in your own hand.

After the player gets the Ruby Ring back from Charlotte, they can go talk to Hardy to tell him about the trick she devised. He's relieved that Charlotte was on his side the whole time and remarks how crazy these girls are. Hardy then says he doesn't know when he became so concerned for Aya, but he has become connected to her, implying he has some romantic interest in Aya. Hardy then stays in Calcenon City to watch over the city from Team Meteor. He walks around the city after the player comes back from Ametrine City, saying he has to do something for Aya, but being on the same side as Fern would be torture. After the player activates TMX Fly, Hardy says the Twins are missing and he is looking for them. After the player gets the Alloy badge, he says the Cain and Shelly, who just came back from Ametrine City with Heather, went to find the Twins instead, although they haven't returned.

After getting the Torrent Badge, the player goes back to Calcenon City to search for the Twins, Cain, Shelly, and Laura, as they've all gone missing. Florinia reveals that a broadcast signal putting Agate City to sleep is somewhere in Route 4, and their allies have all failed to return from their attempts to investigate it. Hardy insists that the resistance force against Team Meteor stationed in Calcenon should gather what few trainers haven't gone missing and make for Route 4, but Florinia reiterates that to fully abandon the city is equivalent to handing it over to Team Meteor. On the Reshiram Route, Titania also appears to criticize the both of them over their inability to devise a plan. The decision is eventually made for the player and Hardy to venture into Route 4 to rescue their friends, while Florinia and potentially Titania remain in Calcenon to defend the city if the need arises.

### Route 4 - Glass Workstation

Hardy and the player then explore the upper regions of Route 4 to search for them. Hardy gives the player TMX Rock Climb following their victory over Amaria and goes on ahead. The duo discover the Glass Workstation and try to enter, only to discover that there doesn't appear to be an entrance to the underground facility at all. Hardy the sends out his Gigalith to use Earthquake in an attempt to make an entrance, eventually revealing an elevator shaft the duo use to proceed downwards. After entering the elevator, Bennett ambushes them and puts them to sleep.

The player wakes up due to Glaceon's Heal Bell but Hardy is unfortunately still asleep and repeated uses of Heal Bell prove ineffective, forcing them to explore the Glass Workstation on their own. As the player battles their way through the facility, they eventually come face to face with Zero and Bennett, as well as the PULSE Hypno. Despite their best efforts, the player is eventually hypnotized by the PULSE, requiring the aid of Radomus, Serra, Luna and Gardevoir to set them free. The quartet encounter Hardy, still asleep in the elevator, but any attempt to wake him up is still ends in failure, and the group is forced to proceed further into the complex, leaving him behind. In the aftermath of the group's battle with Team Meteor, Radomus carries him back to Calcenon City.

With the PULSE Hypno deactivated, the sleeping spell put in place on Agate City is lifted, and Team Meteor begins an assault on the city in order to procure a power supply for the PULSE Arc, hidden under the city. Hearing the news, Hardy is woken up and hurries to Agate City to defend it from Team Meteor.

### Agate City

During the Battle of Agate, the player meets up with Hardy in the center of the city, where the pair team up to battle Team Meteor, although Hardy stands aside so that the player may dual Solaris alone. After the player defeats Solaris, Hardy blocks off some Meteor Grunts along with Samson and Ciel, so that the player can continue pursuing Lin. Lin is successful in procuring the Relic Stone, and during her escape, she sends either Samson or Ciel to the void using Gardevoir's power, depending on the Route the player is one. Shelly is distraught over her inability to save her allies, although Hardy arrives to cheer her up and advises her to return to Calcenon City to help the rest of the group. Hardy then tells the player that he's waiting to challenge the player for a long time and after the battle they'll go back to save Aya.

After the player beats Hardy, he gives the player the Geode Badge and TMX Rock Slide. He remarks that the final showdown between Team Meteor isn't so far from now but he's going to get Aya back no matter what. If he needs to beat every single part of Team Meteor or even the player to save her, he'll do it, and hurries back to the city to get through the Barrier.

### Calcenon City

Prior to the Battle of Labradorra, Hardy can be found directly in front of the Barrier separating the two cities, seeming more eager than anyone else to break it down and rescue Aya. While initially skeptical over Bennett's proposition to cross the Barrier and disable it from the inside, following the player's trust in Bennett, Hardy too opts to trust in him. Bennett eventually keeps his word, and the siege of Labradorra begins in earnest, with Hardy charging headlong into battle ahead of most of his allies.

### Labradorra City

During the battle, Hardy can be seen on the city streets combatting Team Meteor Grunts, although he expresses concern in not being able to find Aya anywhere. Following the bulk of the battle where the player disables the PULSE Clawitzer and Mime, Hardy and the rest of his allies enter the Labradorra Tournament building, where they are trapped by Terra and forced to battle one another for the right to continue pursuing Team Meteor into Victory Road.

In the first round of the Tournament, Hardy partners up with Radomus versus Noel and Serra. Prior to their match, Noel and Serra both admit that faced with the possibility that the losers will be unable to continue their pursuit of Team Meteor, it is in everyone's best interest that Hardy and Radomus win, both due to their reasons for fighting behind more dire, and their ability in battle being far superior. While Radomus does his best to convince his son that regardless of the most logical outcome, if he has reasons to fight, he should fight with everything he has. Hardy interjects however, stating that if you spend all your time prioritizing your opponent over yourself, you'll never hope to win. In the end, Hardy and Radomus emerge victorious, and are met with the horrible truth that the losers of the Tournament aren't just trapped, but "deleted" entirely. Hardy continues into the lobby for the second round while Radomus remains in the arena for a time, attempting to talk to his son.

Hardy joins the remaining contestants in the lobby for the second round, expressing his shock at the results of the first round. While he initially gets into an argument with Charlotte and Saphira over their arrogant willingness to eliminate all of their allies, his resolve to keep pressing on is ultimately unchanged, and he enters the arena for his second match, versus Radomus. Prior to their battle, Hardy reaffirms to Radomus that they both have equally virtuous reasons to keep pressing forward in the Tournament. Radomus laments that there was once a time when he pressed forward, never fearing how his own success might harm those around him, and that he takes no pleasure in needing to return to that attitude in order to win the Tournament. Hardy disagrees, saying his resilience in the face of such feelings is what makes him human, having Radomus remark that in spite of his simple demeanor, Hardy has wisdom beyond his years. The two pit their sense of humanity against one another in their second round, where Hardy emerges victorious.

In the lobby for the third round, Hardy arrives ahead of everyone else, followed by the player. He tells them that Radomus likely would have bested him, but in the last moment, he choked. Hardy remarks that Radomus would have certainly gotten the better of him, if only time hadn't wore him down so much more compared to everyone else, making him question if one day he'll befall the same fate. Saphira and Florinia enter the room later, and if Titania was present in the Tournament, Hardy admits he has mixed feelings about Titania losing in such an upset versus Florinia. Regardless, the third round is set to begin, with Hardy facing off against Saphira. Before their match, Saphira uses the opportunity to speak with Terra to test her personal theory as to why the Tournament is being held in the first place. After eliminating every other possibility, and having her belief reaffirmed by Terra's willingness to give Hardy a terrain advantage, she arrives at one conclusion; the Tournament exists purely for Terra's entertainment. She neglects to inform Hardy of this revelation however, believing that even on his most preferred terrain, his defeat is guaranteed. Even with the odds stacked in his favor, Hardy unfortunately meets his end at the hands of Saphira, and is "deleted", his only saving grace being that in her interrogation of Terra, Saphira tricked her into revealing there is in fact a way to save all of their allies.

Following the player's victory over Saphira, they and Florinia are able to strip Terra of her control over the Tournament building, enabling the player to battle and defeat her once and for all. Following this, Florinia is able to begin freeing the contestants that lost the previous rounds of the Tournament, including Hardy.

### Victory Road

The player pushes forward into Victory Road, where they confront Blake, Fern, and Sirius, who is still holding Aya hostage. The Team Meteor Agents continue to take defensible positions above the player as they retreat, raining down attacks from their Pokémon directly aimed at them. Hardy assists the player in discovering a means of flanking the Team Meteor Agents, and combined with Radomus' observation of their position being directly under a giant stalactite, the trio proceed upwards, hoping to find a means of dropping the it on top of the Agents. Hardy adamantly refuses to go along with this plan, as the impact of the stalactite would directly harm Aya. Nevertheless, they continue climbing higher until the group finds themselves in a position to drop the stalactite. Saphira swoops in at an opportune moment, knocking Sirius and Aya out of the potential impact of the stalactite, giving Hardy the confidence he needs to use his Gigalith to drop it. In the aftermath of the impact, Radomus remarks that all parties accounted for seem to have escaped the impact, except Fern. Wracked with guilt over killing his former friend, Hardy is left with no choice but to steel himself and press forward to confront Sirius and save Aya. Radomus reassures the player in his absence that if anyone is to have Fern's blood on their hands, it is him, as the this course of action was his idea.

Hardy is encountered for the last time in the Ruby Room, in a standoff versus Sirius as he attempts to rescue Aya. Charlotte is also present, as well as Titania if the player is on the **Reshiram Route**. Try as he may to devise a way to save Aya, Hardy is unable to think of a plan that doesn't directly put Aya in harm's way. Unwilling to take that risk, he is ridiculed by all parties present, even his allies, for his inability to act after spending so long saying his sole objective is to save her, no matter the cost. Forced into a standstill, Aya's rescue is left in the hands of his allies. Aya's rescue pans out slightly differently depending on the Route the player is on. In the **Zekrom Route**, Following Sirius' confession that he is responsible for the death of Charlotte's parents, Charlotte feigns apathy, saying she no longer cares what happens to Aya, to Sirius' confusion. This bluff buys enough time for Saphira to ambush Sirius, freeing Aya and allowing the player to defeat him. In the **Reshiram Route**, Titania is present, and berates Aya for continuing to be a damsel rather than making any attempt to free herself. This spurs Aya to feign heat exhaustion, and she collapses. As Aya is seemingly on the verge of death, Sirius loses any leverage he has in the conflict, allowing the player to battle and defeat him. In the aftermath of the battle, regardless of the Route taken, Saphira throws Sirius into a pool of lava, killing him. Freed, Aya is reunited with a dejected Hardy, who is deeply disappointed in his inability to take a more active role in her rescue. Aya reassures him that this is the outcome she wanted, as if Hardy was solely responsible for her rescue, she'd feel even less worthy of standing beside him than she already does. She also reassures him that in spite of his personal failure, he remained the only person who seemed to genuinely care about her safety. Although Hardy still wishes he could have done better, he is satisfied enough with this outcome, and if Titania is present, she gives some light words of encouragement to the couple. His personal battle with Team Meteor finished, Hardy and Aya depart from Victory Road and return home, leaving the player to continue on to the Pokémon League for their final showdown with Lin.

## Story Battles

### Agate City Partner

Hardy is your partner for one battle in the Agate City.

### Agate Arena Battle

Hardy is battled on the Rocky Field in a Double Battle format and he has two Full Restores.

### Neo Blacksteam Fabrication Partner

Hardy is your partner for a Double Battle during the Genesect Quest.

## Boss Rush Battles

### Normal Mode

Hardy is battled on a Rocky Field in a Double Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

### Hard Mode

Hardy is battled on a Rocky Field in a Double Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

## Theme Teams

### The Ocean

Hardy is battled on a Water Surface in a Single Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

### Rocky Mountain Way

Hardy is battled on a Mountain in a Double Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

### Lucy in the Sky

Hardy is battled on a Crystal Cavern in a Single Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

### Bites the Dust

Hardy is battled on a Desert Field in a Double Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

## Quotes

* “*What happens here is one thing... But don’t think our spirit can ever be broken!*"-When sending out last Pokemon.
* “*Heh, looks like I still got a ways to go.*"-After defeat.

 [Hardy]: What's up, mate?
[Hardy]: I've been pumped for this for a while.
[Hardy]: You ready to roll?

 [Hardy]: Hell yeah!
[Hardy]: Don't you dare think I'm some kinda pushover like my sister, aite?
[Hardy]: There's a reason I'm ranked higher than her.
[Hardy]: Lemme show it to ya in double time!
[Hardy]: This is gonna rock!

 [Hardy]: No sweat, mate.
[Hardy]: I'm all set whenever you are.

 [Hardy]: Back for more, huh?
[Hardy]: You're stubborn-- and I like that.
[Hardy]: You good to go again?

 [Hardy]: Hell yeah!
[Hardy]: You just gotta rock it harder this time, yanno?
[Hardy]: But I know you didn't get this far by crumbling at the first sign of trouble.
[Hardy]: Show me what you can do!

 [Hardy]: No sweat, mate.
[Hardy]: I'm all set whenever you are.

 [Hardy]: Looks like I choked after all.
[Hardy]: Welp, Geode Badge is yours, mate.
[Hardy]: You've earned it.
{player received the Geode Badge}
[Hardy]: With that bit, your Pokémon are good for up to level 95.
[Hardy]: Almost to the top, huh?
[Hardy]: And peep that TM.
{player received TM80 Rock Slide}
[Hardy]: Best slide in the world that ain' on a guitar, yanno?
[Hardy]: I bet you can see some use for it.
[Hardy]: Well... I'm countin' on ya to get some good use of it.
[Hardy]: The final showdown with Meteor pro'lly ain't far off now.
[Hardy]: An' no matter what, I'mma get Aya back.
[Hardy]: If I gotta beat all of Meteor for it, fine.
[Hardy]: If I gotta beat you for it, I'll do it.
[Hardy]: You get what I'm sayin'?
[Hardy]: You gotta stay on track to finish the job.
[Hardy]: ...
[Hardy]: Tch, yeah, I can't wait any longer.
[Hardy]: I'm headin' back to Calcenon right now.
[Hardy]: I'll bust through that barrier one way or another.
[Hardy]: And when I do, Team Meteor is through for good!
[Hardy]: Catch you there, <player>!

## Profile

Yo, Reborn City! What’s up?! We’re here with the Reborn Rundown, giving you a look at the Leaders of the Reborn League!I’m your host, DJ Arclight, now on air!
We’ve got a special program rolling out for you today on the Rock-type and rockin’ roller renegade, Hardy Andersen! If that last name sound familiar to you, it should— He’s the younger brother of Steel Leader Titania Andersen… And in a sense, he’s got her to thank for his stairway to heaven!
You see, nowadays there isn’t a whole lotta love between them, but they weren’t always in such bad company. Back in the glory days, the two of them were as thick as thieves, united in their interest for Rock-type Pokemon! But when Steel-types were discovered and were all the latest pride and joy of the Pokemon world, Titania jumped ship and went her own way! She never looked back, but Hardy was determined to dream on with his classic type! And thus started an enduring rivalry between the siblings— one that don’t stop even today!
Hardy's held that determination fast to take care of business and rise up in the ranks, raring to prove once and for all just which is the better type! And indeed, Hardy isn’t just another brick in the cabal of Rock Leaders at the bottom of their totems. As the second highest-ranked Leader in Reborn, that boy promises to rock all his challengers like a hurricane!
Challengers looking to face down Hardy should take extra care for his Dusk Form Lycanroc! This beast of burden promises to send any challenger free-fallin’ unless they escape just by the hair of the dog! And that’s more than just a feeling.
That’s all for now, but remember, Trainers, Keep fighting with everything you’ve got! Hold your spirits high, and even you can defeat the Reborn League!

## Interview

Hello! Gossip Gardevoir here in Interview Intermission, bringing YOU the inside scoop on Reborn's celebrity figures!
So! Today I'm joined by Reborn’s Gym Leader, Hardy!
So Hardy, I hear you’re pretty adamant when it comes to defending rock types, right. Why’s that?
[Hardy]: Aye. Here’s the deal, you remember back in the old days before all this Steel type stuff, aite? See, back then, Rock was well known champ of defense. You know there ain’t nothin’ that’s gonna beak it. But then this whole steel nonsense comes along, suddenly Rock is like old news, everyone’s too caught up with the shiny new. But theres one thing, mate, Rock’s still as solid as ever. It didn’t change, it didn’t get worse- it never was. It’s the underdog, it’s the sleeping giant, aye? So I roll with that, and dish out the pain!
[Gardevoir]: Very well said! You’re certainly more personable than your sister, Titania!
[Hardy]: …Yea, that’s not much of an accomplishment, yanno? But I rather not talk about her.
[Gardevoir]: I agree! She's so ungrateful, she should just never be mentioned ever because she doesn’t deserve it!
[Hardy]: Um, did I miss somethin’?
[Gardevoir]: No! Nothing! It was Titania who missed out! But anyways…that’s all on today’s interview intermission. Until next time!

## Trivia

* Hardy's name is a wordplay on "hard", like rocks.
* His VS Sprite is based on that of Silver from Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver
* The replacement of Hardy's Gigalith as his ace Pokémon with Dusk Lycanroc came from a suggestion by former developer Jasper Fox. Its still on his gym team, but is the lowest level on the team.
* Hardy has the move Rock Smash on both of his Lycanrocs, which can't be learned through legitimate means.
* Hardy's "accent" (yea, aye, dunno, yanno, etc.) is apparently fake.
* According to Amethyst, Hardy gave Aya a Lycanroc (Dusk Form), which is seen on her team in Route 3.
* His strategy in the online league was to apparently set up Trick Room for his slow rock-types to out speed his opponents. However, its the opposite in the game, mostly to differentiate from Radomus.

1. ↑ https://amethystblack.tumblr.com/post/182950066277
2. ↑ https://amethystblack.tumblr.com/post/187683029207
3. ↑ https://amethystblack.tumblr.com/post/182949940912