Prologue, or Deep Down Under.

Near the invisible line dividing Kanto from Johto, there is a wide-open plain that stretches as far as the eye can see. Around this plain is a forest of trees; beyond the forest of trees, there is a white-capped mountain that looms up and up from below. Settled into this plain, right at the edge of the forest, is a school. It is a school for both general education and Pokémon training alike, and its secluded location makes it the perfect place for refinement of both areas of study.

This school houses an expansive campus. With the main building hosting three floors, an entire wing devoted to STEM programs, three gymnasiums, one eight-lane fifty-meter pool, and plenty of wide-open space, there is more than enough room for each student and their Pokémon no matter where they choose to go. Wide, sweeping dormitories allow for comfortable and social on-campus life, and a beautiful courtyard within the school's own bounds gives students a peaceful place to study and chat.

The cafeteria in this school offers a wide variety of food that is not seen elsewhere in other schools – or, indeed, in this very region. Students will be treated to delicious dishes on a daily basis, and with this school's unique style of choosing one's own meal, students will be able to pick and tailor which food they want to eat each and every day. Our professional cooks spare nothing to make their dishes, and students will be more than happy with the fruits of their labor.

Given each class consists of only fifteen students at most, teachers are able to work with each student quickly and effectively no matter the subject matter. A homeroom class gives students a home base in which they can speak to a trusted adult about any problems that may arise; a large staff ensures that each student's experience in their chosen classes will remain unique to that class. Kind, understanding administration provides a supportive, friendly place for students to come with their troubles, and counselors are able to focus on each individual student, understanding what works best for each.

In this school, there is a plethora of skilled, intelligent, and battle-savvy students. Each student's talent is carefully monitored so that they may always know when to improve, where to improve, and how to improve. This level of individual care is not found in any other school in the region, and any student who is lucky enough to attend is guaranteed success in their future.

These combined qualities are more than enough to place Ossos Academy as the best school in the region. Congratulations on passing the prerequisite exams and making it into the ranks of our future alumni. We welcome you with open arms, and we look forward to seeing you on the first day of the term.

Sincerely,

[illegible signature]

Some time in the past...

He then folded up the brochure, tossed it onto his bed to join the rest of the contents of his acceptance letter, and proclaimed to no one in particular, "This is the dumbest thing I've ever read in my entire life."

Even as he said this, he already knew that the school that had been so stupidly, meticulously described in the paper was the very same one he was to attend in just a few days. The place hadn't sounded so bad at face-value, but he knew of its hidden qualities, of the things that the school didn't dare put to print – the things that former students would never speak about, the things they would persistently deny if asked about them.

Ossos Academy was not a normal high school. Those committed into its walls were destined to come out changed – and for most, this change was not a good one. Some came out as shells of their former selves; others, previously gentle and kind, became ruthless and relentless. Their Pokémon underwent similar transformations, and he himself had seen firsthand what kind of treatment the students received there, the scars that laced over hands, arms, legs, necks, sometimes even faces, on humans and Pokémon alike.

Yet he could not deny their graduates' success. Many of those who came from Ossos Academy were highly skilled, highly intelligent, highly battle-savvy; more than one had gone on to challenge the League, and many others had secured high-ranking jobs that would have otherwise been beyond their reach. For all that it was brutal, Ossos was effective; and in the end, it was the results that the public cared about. He couldn't remember a single instance of Ossos press being negative in any way, and he had been tracking the Academy in the news for a few years now.

He looked over at his empty suitcase, and wondered what – or if – he should begin packing. He felt it understandable that he was not eager to try his luck, and for a few long moments, he wistfully imagined a scenario where he might escape the responsibilities the acceptance letter had set upon his shoulders. But alas, the decision had been made, and it was final. Regardless of whether he liked the idea or not, he was going, and he knew with grim determination that he had to be as ready as he could ever be.

"I'm so screwed," he said to himself, as he forced himself to his feet and moseyed over to his closet.

Present

She fancied that she was staring death in the face as she cradled her unconscious Pokémon in her arms.

"Looks like that's a loss! – Take one star from her and send her on her way."

The crowd around her roared, as her opponent advanced, reached down, and tore one of two yellow stars from her uniform's collar. She felt herself trembling as she slowly, painfully forced herself to her feet, holding her Pokémon briefly before returning it into a Pokéball – just in time for her opponent to shove her away from her.

"Quit standing around and get out! You lost. That's it for you."

She turned on her heel, holding back tears through willpower alone, and moved her feet forward, stumbling a bit before she found her stride. She looked at her shoes as she walked through the enormous number of students crowded around the ring, and all of them booed and catcalled her as she went.

She kept one hand over the star on her collar the entire time. At this point, it was something she could not afford to lose.

A wild OC submission story appears! What will Reader do?

[FIGHT] [BAG]
[PKMN] [RUN]

Reader selects [FIGHT]!

If you haven't done this before, don't be disheartened; just mosey over to my profile and scroll to the bottom of my bio. There you will find the OC form, which you will then copy-paste into a PM, fill out, and send along to me. Once you do this, you'll wait for a bit while I go write the next chapter, and then your character will appear in the following update. Easy-peasy.

Please keep in mind that OCs will be immediately rejected if they are submitted by review. No, seriously, I will not consider them for a moment. Give them to me by PM, just so we save you some time and save me some annoyance because I've reiterated this maybe three times now. Thanks!