10 Intimidating Video Game Characters We're Glad Were On Our Side!

While the world of Pokémon is one intended to be suitable for children, it's also a decidedly messed up world in some regards - and not just that sometimes children's souls become Phantump when they die.

The society of many of the regions of the Pokéworld are particularly screwed up, especially when it comes to Gym leaders or the Elite Four. Giovanni, a Mafia boss, is the final gym leader in Kanto. Claire is able to refuse to give challengers gym badges even when they defeat her in Johto. Tate and Liza are made gym leaders in Hoenn, proving that there are no child labour laws there, because those kids are like ten.

As such, it's more than a little reassuring when you see signs that not everyone given a position of power in the Pokémon world immediately goes mad and tries to summon a legendary creature. This is best seen with Lance in HeartGold and SoulSilver, where he is both the champion of Kanto, and one of the seemingly few actually helpful adults in the game.

And so when you break into the Team Rocket facility, who ends up having your back? That's right: Lance. And when you see how powerful that Dragonite is, you're going to be pretty glad that the guy lets you train up for a long while until you finally do fight him.