Val Fray

Val Fray (full name Jared Luke Fray) is a fictional character in the All My Pocket Monsters series. He is Derek Fray's brother and a key member of Team Rocket.

Biography
Val was born Jared Fray in Pastoria City, Sinnoh, to Gladys and Professor Elm. He was six when Professor Elm was (allegedly) killed in a wild Pokémon attack. This caused his mother, Gladys, to become extremely anti-Pokémon. Despite his mother's blatant disapproval, Val was always interested in the Training of Pokémon, something he always associated with his beloved late father, with whom he had held a very close relationship.

However, when Val was ten, his opinion on Pokémon changed drastically and – presumably at his mother's request – he joined several anti-Pokémon clubs, specifically designed to turn children against enrolling in Pokémon Academies. Although he was unusually young to become so involved in the Rebels' faction, he was championed by the media as a spokesperson for the new generation. His relate-ability to other impressionable young children caused an international storm of debate. However, he remained adamant than banning Training was the right thing to do, often touting his father's death as an example of the dangers of interacting with Pokémon.

At the age of twelve, Val was on a Rebels-sponsored trip to Johto in order to educate fellow children about the dangers and misconceptions surrounding Training, when he was kidnapped and reportedly held at ransom. Because of his age and public status, this caused a media uproar and the world all but screeched to a halt. Although the ransom was paid, Val was killed. Although no information could be uncovered, it is believed that his kidnappers were pro-Pokémon supporters, staunchly opposed to the Rebels.

Pre-series, Val was found to be alive after all when he launched a horrifying attack on Derek as a way of signalling Team Rocket's comeback. It's estimated that he was twenty-four at this time, and that his kidnapping and supposed execution was in fact an elaborate ploy to conceal his induction into Team Rocket. However, he disappeared after this attack and is not seen again until the start of season one, five years later.

Val is twenty-nine at the start of season one.

Season One
Val first appears in the second episode, “Our Sons and Daughters”, confronting Derek after the attack on the Academy during the graduation battle. He immediately claims responsibility for the decimation of the school. Although he does not reveal his identity to Flynn, it is apparent that Derek knows who he truly is. He challenges Derek to a battle and, in the same episode, fights against both Allen and Derek with his partner, Van. During this battle he confirms that he is part of Team Rocket.

Val ultimately loses the battle and is forced to flee due to arriving Jennys. In the next episode, Val kills Gladys after calling Derek to taunt him.

He does not appear again until the tenth episode, “Turn This Mother Out” during which he helps Van and Deidre attack Ash Ketchum's hideout. They are beaten by the combined efforts of Allen, Misty, Flynn, Iris and Derek.

Later, he visits Derek while he is being held captive by Stars of Tomorrow and claims that Professor Elm is their biological father. He also runs a sword through Derek's shoulder before leaving – presumably for Saffron City, as that is where he turns up next.

In the fifteen episode, he challenges Flynn to a battle but is wholly defeated due to Flynn's powers manifesting all at once. The battle is interrupted by Professor Elm, who tells Flynn of his true fate and thereby saves Val's life.

When Val appears in the next episode he seems completely unharmed: this is the first real sign that Val may have some kind of supernatural ability. He assists Van and Deirdre in attacking Flynn; however the attack is turned around when it becomes apparent Deirdre has double-crossed them. After seeing Van killed before him, Val flees.

In the eighteenth episode, “Acts of Contrition”, Val presents himself as Flynn's final challenge. He quickly gains the upper hand, but is finally rendered unconscious when Flynn decides to use his powers. However, he has disappeared by the time Flynn releases Mewtwo.

Val is last seen disappearing into the sewers.

Season Two
Although he is mentioned, Val is not actually seen until the end of the first episodes, after he has taken over the CEO position at Minecorp. He makes a public appearance, during which he reveals himself as Jared Fray and provides an elaborate story to explain his absence. This story includes being held captive by Team Rocket. The story endears himself to the public, and his return is widely celebrated.

Val is not seen very often in the first half of the series, but is frequently mentioned by the main cast. He leads Minecorp to success, dominating the stock market and re-launching it as an anti-Pokémon establishment. Due to the unrest caused by season one's events, this outlook is embraced. Val is personally responsible for introducing the culling of all level-five Pokémon. Minecorp releases the Codex in the thirteenth episode.

In the fifteen episode, “We Own the Night” he makes it clear that Minecorp is close allies with the Next Step. In the same episode, he is involved in a deadly duel with Allen that leaves him mortally wounded. It is not known how he survives, but it is presumed that he receives medical attention from Giovanni. It is suggested that Val has a degree of invulnerability.

Later, the Minecorp headquarters are completely destroyed. The building itself is blown up; it is heavily implied that this is Val's doing, but never actually confirmed. It's unknown whether or not this was part of Giovanni's plan, as Val states that the destruction was due to him “feeling bored”.

Gradually, Val and Derek's personal vendettas against each take a turn for the worse, as each ramps up their attacks against each other. Val seems to get immense pleasure from Derek's obvious distress. During a particularly vicious one-on-one battle, Val manages to badly wound Derek, but their fight is interrupted by Flynn, who takes Derek to safety after easily defeating Val.

Val is present in the season's climatic battle, spread over the last two episodes. He uses his Dragonite to attack from above, until it is taken down by Derek's Charizard. Val spends the rest of the battle alternating between killing as many innocent people as he can, and trying to kill Derek. His comments on Giovanni capturing Arceus implies that he has known about Giovanni's abilities for quite some time.

In the midst of the battle, Val is shot through the chest by Saul – he is last seen falling to the ground, disappearing in the fight's commotion. His fate remains unknown.

Personality and Traits
Despite being described as warm and loving as a child, as an adult Val is shown to be very cruel and aggressive towards humans and Pokémon alike. He does not seem to have any real loyalty, simply siding with whoever seems to have the upper hand at the time. It is not known what propelled him into finding his father or joining Team Rocket: although he is callous towards them, he does not seem to have any real hatred for Pokémon.

Val is noted for being extremely fond of exploiting weaknesses. He seems to find a perverse pleasure in causing people emotional distress and in destroying people that are vulnerable and/or weakened. He is very vindictive, holding grudges for remarkably long periods of time.

Despite his high profile in Team Rocket, he despises people fawning over him. He possesses an equal hatred for authority and loathes being told what to do. He has been described as having sociopathic tendencies and has no hesitations about killing innocent people, seeming to enjoy the practice of murder. Val seems to find destroying emotional bonds very gratifying, getting a particular kick out of hurting those closest to him.

Abilities
Val is an extremely accomplished swordsman, often bearing a katana and, at several points, a scythe. He has proven to be extremely adept handling any kind of bladed weapon, though he has also shown skill at using a three-sectional staff.

Like all Team Rocket members, he is a master of unarmed combat. He has been able to disarm almost every main character with the exception of Saul. His fighting style is similar to that of savate, as it is noted for being very graceful and only ever using his feet. This leaves his hands free to use his swords to his advantage.

Val appears to be extremely proficient in the art of parkour and is able to use this to his advantage regardless of terrain, easily mastering all kinds of environments. He is remarkably agile and is capable of performing complex acrobatic moves in a variety of situations. He appears to have an endless amount of stamina, never seeming to tire.

His resistance to pain is unparalleled. It is unknown whether or not his abilities are from extensive training or genetic manipulation.

Family
Although Val seemed close to his mother growing up, with their relationship strengthened by Val's anti-Pokémon beliefs, he has stated that he faked his love and affection for her and that he actually despised her growing up, finding her weak and obsolete.

Similarly, Val hated Derek because of Derek's immovable love for Pokémon. It is assumed that this distaste never altered, as he actively chooses Derek as Team Rocket's first target after the Civil War. Throughout seasons one and two, Val retains an extremely antagonistic and violent relationship with Derek, with them often trying to kill each other. He has promised to be the one to kill Derek.

Growing up, Val was very close to his father until his death. He has said that he learned more from his father in those ten years than in the nineteen years that followed. However, as an adult Val seems to show no emotional attachment to Professor Elm at all. It is not known if this was weeded out of him by Team Rocket, or if it is because of his obvious detachment issues. He has implied that he would kill Professor Elm in an instant if he could survive Giovanni's retribution. Val was visibly pleased by his death, but vowed to kill Allen for taking the “right” to kill Elm away from him.

Val has no relationship at all with Flynn and has openly stated his detachment to him.

Friendships
Val does not have any friends. Though he works almost exclusively with Van, he does not have any attachment to her at all. This is mutual. They have both stated that they would turn on each other if tempted.

Romantic Interests
Val does not have any romantic interests whatsoever.

Appearance
Val is noted for being the tallest character in the series, and having very feminine, waif-like features. He is described as having blond hair as a child, but is seen with long black hair in seasons one and two. Because of his hair and build, he is often mistaken for a woman from afar. He has very pale skin, which seems to be a recurring feature of Team Rocket. Val has blue eyes.

Val has always been shown in the same outfit, being a one-piece made from synthetic stretch fabric. It has been equipped with micro-suction caps on all fingers and feet, allowing him to cling to most surfaces for a short amount of time. He is known for keeping a variety of weapons stashed in his suit, including grappling hooks and small, lightweight throwing knives.

He has the letter 'R' tattooed on the sole of his foot – it is customary for members of Team Rocket for them to have this insignia on some part of their body. He wears a silver watch given to him at an extremely young age by his mother; it is believed to be his father's.

Pokémon
Although Val utilizes Pokémon, he is not a registered Trainer and does not have any other qualifications to handle them. He has a fairly limited understanding of the complexities surrounding Pokémon and, other than using them in battle, has shown little interest in their existence.

It is not known how he possesses Pokémon, as he has stated that he does not capture them himself. He has no established relationships with his Pokémon and does not seem to care whether they live or die.

Val's known Pokémon are: Dragonite, Beedrill, Diglett, Sandslash, Golbat, Machamp and Onix.