Clay

Clay (Japanese: ヤーコン Yakon) is a character in the Pokémon franchise, first appearing in Pokémon Black and White. He is the Gym Leader of Driftveil City in the Unova region, specializing in Ground-type Pokémon. Clay is also a businessman in the mining industry, known as the 'Miner King'. He is a rugged man with a cowboy hat and miner's outfit, possessing a straightforward personality who values strength and hard work. He awards the Quake Badge to trainers who defeat him. In the games, Clay assists the protagonist multiple times, such as repairing the bridge between Driftveil and Nimbasa City. He also joins other Gym Leaders in N's Castle to oppose the Seven Sages. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Clay continues as Gym Leader and hosts the Pokémon World Tournament. He is the father of Lacey, a student at Blueberry Academy and a member of the BB League Elite Four, who also uses Excadrill as her ace Pokémon. In the anime, Clay is a prominent character who battles the protagonist Ash in a Gym match. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Clay discovers the Dark Stone and participates in the fight against Team Plasma.