Childhood

Maylene's parents are separated - it was an acrimonious separation, and it left Maylene and her older sister, Marcia, with their father, who has an ongoing gambling issue at Veilstone's Game Corner. Maylene and Marcia frequently went hungry because of it. Their father presented it as a sort of martial training, which Maylene took to heart. Marcia eventually had an explosive argument with their father and left on a Pokémon journey, leaving Maylene on her own.

Maylene ended up reconnecting with their Uncle Marco, their father's brother, and would often flee to his dining room table for a hot meal and words of advice. Marco, the Veilstone Gym Leader at that time, did his best to pick up the slack, and encouraged Maylene's passion for battling and martial training.

When Marco decided he'd had enough of his time as Gym Leader, he suggested his niece step into the role. Maylene was surprised by his praise and recommendation, and while she was uncertain of her suitability for the role, worked hard to make herself a worthy Gym Leader for Veilstone.

Gym Leader

Abilities

Most will assume that Maylene has a fighting affinity because of her uncle's affinity and her gym's typing. In actuality, both Maylene and her sister are normal affinities. Maylene's resilience and ability to shrug off sparring with her Pokémon is part learned skill, and part oddity. Maylene has plenty of scars and calluses from those experiences.

Family

Marco (uncle):

Marcia (older sister): Marcia and Maylene aren't exactly on pleasant terms. They're coldly cordial to each other, but Maylene unconciously resents Marcia for leaving her behind, and Marcia is jealous of Maylene's success with the Veilstone Gym. That being said, they'll defend each other to the death in front of their father, and they'll always have that core understanding between them that no one else will have.

Candice (partner): Maylene and Candice are in a long distance relationship, constantly travelling between Snowpoint and Veilstone City. Maylene adores Candice for the ways that she is constantly seeking to improve herself, and her cheerful support of Maylene and insistence to take care of herself. Maylene and Candice both ascended to the Gym Leadership at around the same time, which led to Candice befriending Maylene. Maylene was originally shocked that Candice of all people would admire her for her dedication to training, and eventually they built a strong friendship and a stronger relationship. While they would love to live together, Candice has responsibilities in Snowpoint, and Maylene has worked too hard to give up Veilstone. They're at an impasse. The travelling and video calls work for now, but they're at a place where they know it won't last forever.

Friends

Volkner: While on the surface they only seem to have their battling and status in the Sinnoh League as a commonality between them, they seem to have found some spark of kindred spirit in each other. Perhaps with Volkner's low lows and Maylene's low opinion of herself, they see each other on a different level, and occasionally hang out when they have time. Maylene looks up to his status as Sinnoh's strongest gym leader, and is honoured to have his friendship.

Main Pokémon

Traded/Given Away

Medicham: Maylene gifted Candice with a Meditite, who Candice has evolved into Medicham. She has a place on Candice's gym team!