Hello everyone! This is supposed to be a lighthearted story that will use the Institute even if it is not considered canon anymore. Therefore, the characters are not supposed to act completely like the lore says. Alternatively, you can think of this as an alternate universe. I'm currently planning a more "serious" story with the conflict between Demacia and Noxus in mind, but it will take more time to write. So I wanted to write something less serious to pass the time! (Oh, and I ship Lux and Talon. There are too few stories with this pairing!)

Sorry for all this chattering. Please enjoy the story!

Summer was always a peaceful time at the Institute. No summoners were present during the summer, Summoner's Rift was disabled and most champions returned to their homes. Those who decided to stay, or didn't have any home, just walked around idly in the Institute. This summer, however, was completely different. While the summoners left as usual at the start of the season, all of the champions stayed. It was a rare sight since the Institue was known to be extremely boring and empty during the summer season.

A sigh escaped the lips of the young woman as she watched her friends gather around the red-haired Noxian assassin. Lux was always positive around other people, but she actually liked the silence that summer usually brought to the Institute. It was a time when she could sit in the garden and watch the stars without having a smile plastered on her face at all times. It was a time when she could break free from her usual habits and rest. She never expected all champions to remain at the Institute this year. The shouts from the crowd around Katarina was already giving her a headache.

"Silence everyone!" Katarina grinned as she stepped onto the bench in the middle of the garden. The eyes of all champions were on her as she spoke. "Summer is always so boring at the Institute! So this year, we in the Noxian living quarters decided to host a game!"

The crowd started cheering as they heard the word "game". Lux sighed again as she recalled the events of the past summers. Someone, and in most cases it was Katarina, always had to propose something like this. And it always ended with some really awkward situations. Last summer, Lux was forced to hand a love letter to Talon. It was really embarrassing for her, but it didn't help that Talon was completely emotionless when she tried to explain her "love" for him. And on top of that, her own brother and his girlfriend, the same person who had forced her into that situation, were laughing like maniacs behind her.

"Before I start explaining the rules, do any of you have other suggestions?" Katarina asked. Most champions shook their heads, but some of them shouted some games that quickly were shot down by the others. Annie's squeaky voice echoed through the garden as she happily yelled "Hide-and-seek!"

Katarina's grin grew wider and there was something in her eyes that frightened Lux. The "game" she was talking about was obviously not an innocent game like Hide-and-seek. Lux almost wanted to walk back to her room and just sleep, but she couldn't deny that she was curious.

"We are going to divide all champions into two teams! Obviously, it's going to be Demacia versus Noxus, since the living quarters are on the opposite sides of the Institute. Champions of other factions are welcome to choose the team that they prefer." Katarina explained, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

"To achieve victory, a team must capture the leader of the opposite team and manage to keep them for at least three days in a row. During this time, the leader can be rescued by their team. The battlefield is the whole Institute. Basically, it's a war between Demacia and Noxus."

The crowd cheered again as Katarina kept explaining. To most of the champions, the game sounded exciting and they couldn't wait for it to start. Lux just buried her face in her hands as she heard the rules. She liked games and she usually shone with enthusiasm, but summer was her season of peace. Now she wouldn't even be able to read a book in the library without being ambushed by the other team. Not even one corner of the Institute would be peaceful.

"There are some rules that we have to state before beginning." Katarina turned towards the fountain behind the bench. There was a piece of paper plastered onto the bottom of the fountain.

"One: You may fight the enemy, but never kill. We will set up a protective barrier in the Institute, so no one should receive any fatal injuries. Two: You may not leave the Institute while participating in the game. Three: After you have chosen a team, you may not switch teams. Therefore, you cannot use any tactics involving spies or back-stabbing. Four: You may only have one captive from the other team at all times. Five: Rules can be added if needed."

"What about the prize?" Sivir yelled. The other champions joined her as they shouted "Prize, prize, prize" in unison.

"How about... the losing team has to do one thing that the winning team decides?"

The crowd immediately agreed as they resumed the cheering. After all, most of them wanted to have fun during the summer. And Katarina had stopped them from leaving the Institute because she had planned something "fun". The prize was just a bonus, but some champions were already imagining what they would be able to demand from the other team.

"So let's choose the leaders... it makes sense to have Jarvan for Demacia and..." Katarina pointed towards Jarvan who was standing next to Garen. She turned around, but was immediately cut off by Talon who suddenly rasied his voice.

"Let's make this even more... interesting." He sounded serious like usual, but Lux could hear a hint of smugness in his voice. "Each team gets to choose their own leader without telling the other team."

Katarina didn't bother to reply. She smirked as she clapped her hands.

"The games begin in one hour! Each team will now return to their living quarters and champions of other factions may choose their teams. You can only choose one leader per team!"

The champions scattered quickly as they ran towards opposite sides of the Institute. Lux didn't bother running, but she smiled at the sight of her brother dragging Jarvan towards the Demacian living quarters. It seemed like they were having a lot of fun already. She started walking slowly behind Ezreal who immediately began talking about how easy it would be for them to achieve victory. Her gaze drifted slowly towards Katarina. She was talking to Talon about something. Katarina's lips curved into a devillish smile as Talon whispered something before leaving. From the corner of her eye, Lux could see Talon staring at her, his dark eyes hidden beneath his hood.

This chapter is supposed to be a prologue to the story. I will try to make future chapters longer, so just see this as a tiny taste of what you will get later. Although there is not much to review right now, please leave a review after the story has started for real!