Ooc: Again I am completely overwhelmed by the response and submissions that I have gotten. Everyone has done an amazing job and I have extended the deadline out into next week. So please keep them coming.

The battle was intense. Just two Pokémon going at one another with unbridled intensity. On one side was what appeared to be a Sawsbuck except this Sawsbuck was not ordinary. It's fur was black, the horns on its head were made of ice. It's eyes were dark with a hint of ice blue. The eloquent deer Pokémon started to dig into the ground. The Sawsbuck's dark eyes just stared over at its opponent. "Sawsbuck", the creature let out a menacing growl. The horns on its head started to glow blue as a chill was spread across the field. The Sawsbuck was ready for whatever it's opponent had in store for it.

Across from the Sawsbuck stood a Floatzel. Instead of the traditional brownish color to its fur, the Floatzel was yellow. The otter Pokémon had its arms crossed in front of its chest. A sly smirk had formed on its face. Whereas the Sawsbuck seemed to be battered and exhausted, the Floatzel did not appear to have been in a fight. Instead it looked as if it had just gotten out of a groomer. The Floatzel titled its head at the Sawsbuck across from it and just let out a chuckle. "Floaaaaaatzelllll", the otter Pokémon let out a large laugh at the Sawsbuck. This caused the deer Pokémon to dig into its stance even more. The Floatzel did not care. Instead it looked back at its trainer as if to say, "you want me to finish this now. I'm getting bored."

The trainer the Floatzel was looking at was tall about 6'2. The trainer was quite muscular and had messy brown hair. He was wearing khaki pants and a dark blue polo. The trainer also had blue/black rimmed glasses. In his hand was a white pokeball, clearly ready to use it on the Sawsbuck. Behind the male trainer stood a small female trainer, her hair was tied into small buns. The beige sweater she wore covered up her delicate female features. The young woman seemed to just be watching the battle and not really participating in it. She seemed to just be observing what was going on. Taking everything in and not really battling. The male trainer looked back at her, "watch this BunBun. You're going to really enjoy it." The little female student rolled her eyes and simply mumbled something about hating being called that name.

The trainer gave a nod to his Floatzel who smiled. "Floatzel!", a sudden veil of water engulfed the Floatzel as the creature charged right at the Sawsbuck. The deer creature tried to get out of the way, but was too slow. "Saw!", the creature cried out as the aqua jet attack had struck the Sawsbuck flush. The strong deer Pokémon tried to get up, but was met by the male trainer throwing the premier ball at the Sawsbuck. The male trainer and his Floatzel stared at the premier ball. The young man even crossed his fingers as he stared at the ball. The ball shook once, then twice, and finally a third time. That seemed the Sawsbuck in the pokeball. Both the young man and his Floatzel leapt up at the sight of the Pokémon being captured. Their reaction frightened the young woman behind them.

They would race over to the ball and the young man scooped it up. He had a large smile on his face as he turned to his Floatzel. "We did it Jet! We finally caught a Sawsbuck. It'll be the perfect compliment to the team.", the Floatzel, Jet, nodded emphatically. The trainer patted his Floatzel on the head, the Pokémon had a smile on her face. His hand would then move to the sensitive areas behind her ears which was Jet's favorite areas to be petted. The Floatzel let out a noise of pleasure as her trainer continued to rub her favorite spot. "You did so good a Jet. I'm so proud of you. Now it's time to go rest and enjoy our victory.", the trainer pressed a pokeball to his Floatzel's head. The otter Pokémon accepted being recalled to her pokeball. Her trainer looked at Jet's pokeball and his newest addition. This was going to be a strong team.

"So BunBun, are you impressed?", the young man asked as the small young lady approached him. The trainer had a huge smile on his face and his chest puffed out. He was fully ready to accept the compliments that the young woman was going to bestow on him. "Come on, I am waiting. After all, I just landed a Sawsbuck and not just an ordinary Sawsbuck. A Avantura Sawsbuck which, as you know, is much tougher than a regular Sawsbuck. Not just anyone can capture or take down that tank of a Pokémon, but Jet and I did. Are you impressed?", he continued to flash his political esque smile at the small female. She did not seem impressed by the boisterous young man. She placed her fingers on the bridge of her nose as she let out a shy.

"Alex, how many times do I have to tell you, I hate it when you call me BunBun. You're the only one besides my brothers, please stop calling me BunBun.", her voice was meek. It was nearly a whisper. Of course the male trainer, who she had called Alex, decided to poke at her. Alex cupped his left ear as he bent down towards the very short female. He gave the universal signal that he had not heard her. Of course that smirk was still on his face. Alex was quite a confident and arrogant eighteen year old who liked to tease the young woman. He had done this ever since they had met last year. This was just the way he acted towards her. Bunny had suspected that Alex had a crush on her until she quickly realized that this was just how he was. She often tried to ignore Alex's taunts and remain her normally stoic self, but this was really starting get to her.

"What's that BunBun, I can't hear you. What we're you saying? You think I should keep calling you by your nickname. Sure why not, thank you for the permission to continue to call you BunBun.", Alex would chuckle to himself. He had always found unique ways to entertain himself and this had been one of those occasions. Bunny, however, was not amused. She formed fists with both her hands as her tanned skin started to turn red. Alex stopped what he was doing as he looked at the target of his mocking. He stepped back from the small female. "Uh BunBun, are you ok?", before he knew he was doubled over from the punch that Bunny had delivered to his stomach. His glasses had fallen off his face. Alex wheezed as he tried to regain his breath as he stared at the small female trainer who stood over him. "What the hell", he squeaked our.

Now it was Bunny who had a smile on her face as she watched Alex start to recover. She her usual calm demeanor was gone, "my name is Bunny. Not BunBun. It's been a year now and I keep telling you this and you keep ignoring it. Well now you will hopefully stop." Her almond colored eyes searched to make sure that he got the point now. Alex nodded as Bunny seemed to relax. The natural rosiness of her cheeks returned and the buns in her jet black hair maintained their shape. She took a few deep breaths to calm down and settle in. He wouldn't be bothering her with that stupid nickname anymore. She hated it whenever her brothers called her by this name and she sure as Arceus was not going to let Alex call her BunBun. Now he fully got the point that she had made.

Alex returned to his feet and dusted himself off. Bunny blinked at him as if nothing had happened and smiled at Alex. "I've never seen a Sawsbuck like that before. I usually have to chase a few Deerlings and Sawsbucks away from my gardens, but have never come across one that looked like that.", Bunny knew a lot about normal types especially when it came to those that had tried to invade her garden. But this creature was different. "I knew that a Sawsbuck had been trying to get at my school garden which is why I called you, but this one was completely different than I expected.", there was a little tremor in her voice. The Sawsbuck that Alex had just caught terrified her. It was an intimidating Pokémon. It looked absolutely vicious and not the friendly creature that she had known that roamed around her home.

"It's a ice and dark type.", Alex managed to cough out. He rubbed his stomach where Bunny had punched him. Alex had gotten the point of not calling her by her hated nickname anymore. "It's specific to the Avantura region. I have wanted it ever since I heard about it in the Regional Pokémon class. It's the perfect compliment to my team. I needed to make adjustments after that embarrassing performance last year.", Alex had been absolutely embarrassed in the school wide tournaments last year. That had ate at his psyche all summer break. He had only brought 3 Pokémon to the school this year because he needed to reshuffle his team. So Alex jumped at the chance to try to catch a Sawsbuck to add it to his team. This year Alex was going to build a squad that would allow him to show off his full potential as a trainer.

Bunny patted Alex on the back. This was one of those rare moments where he wasn't being his usual boisterous self. "You didn't embarrass yourself. You did better than me...", Bunny winced when the words left her mouth. Her parents and brothers had heard about her failures last year in battling. She had heard about it all summer long. About how she had let them down and how she needed to prioritize fighting over her love of gardening. Her parents just did not understand that Bunny really did not like battling. But they probably would have disowned her if she had ever said something like that. She felt as if she would always be living in their shadows. So for Alex to be complaining about how he had performed in last year's tournaments after doing better than Bunny did not make sense to her.

There was a silent tension between the two as they both had begun to wallow in their own sorrows as they sat in the open field where Alex had caught his Sawbuck. But the silence did not last long as both their pokedexes had begun to vibrate, both reached into their pockets and pulled out their dexes. "Welcome ceremony starts in 15 minutes, ALL STUDENTS SHOULD REPORT TO THE MAIN HALL IMMEDIATELY.", the two eighteen year olds looked at one another. Their faces had turned pale and their eyes had widened. "Oh shit we got to go now!", Alex had said as both he and Bunny ran as quickly as they could towards where the opening ceremony would take place.

The two students weren't the only ones that were going to be late. For whatever reason, Dr. Babic had called Avaline Bloodsworth to his office. She had not even realized that he even knew who she was. Avaline liked to keep a low profile, if you didn't bother her then she would not bother you. She was dedicated to her craft of raising Pokémon. In fact she preferred Pokémon to humans which is why she spent most of her working with Pokémon. While her other classmates were off partying and enjoying the perks of being a university student, Ava was focused on developing a bond with her Pokémon. This was why the junior always had done well in the school wide competitions she entered. Ava was widely considered to be one of the best strategists in the school and one of the best battlers in her grade level. She had earned this through hard work and dedication contrary to popular opinion and gossip that had spread throughout the university. Ava had earned her reputation through her own work. But those rumors still persisted. That couldn't be the reason why Dr. Babic had called her to his office, could it?

The black haired student plugged her headphones from her iPod into her ears. She was dead to the world as she closed her eyes. If he was going to be late for their meeting she might as well enjoy herself. Most people could not relax to rock music, but she could. It was her escape from her parents arguing. Ava had gotten good at just tuning out the world. That was why she was devoted to her Pokémon either through contests or battling. They didn't argue well except Amun, but that was a story for a different time. The junior slipped away into a nice few moments of peace and tranquility before being poked in the shoulder. Ava's red eye looked at the woman standing above her. She had blonde hair and was probably in her late 40s. "Dr. Babic will see you now.", his secretary said. Ava nodded and headed towards the head of The Institute's office.

Dr. Franz Babic's office was a shrine to his father. There were numerous pictures of Luka Babic scattered throughout the office. There was Luka breaking ground on the Institute, Luka with the first champion from the Institue Dominic Knezevic, Luka and Franz at the university. Framed articles about Luka's success were all over the walls. There was one thought that popped into Ava's head as she slowly made her way over to where Dr. Babic was sitting. "This place gives me the creeps", there was a eerieness that she just could not put her finger on it, all the seventeen year old knew was that she did not like it one little bit. Still her stoic expression did not change as she reached where the head of the Institute was waiting for her.

Franz Babic had short grey hair and a grey beard. His eyes though were a deep, ocean like blue. The president of the Institute wore a black suit with grey pinstripes throughout it. Over his left shoulder, a Corviknight sat perched and staring at Ava. It's needy red eyes would have sent shivers up anyone else's spine, but she was not paying attention to that. Instead her eyes were firmly trained on the painting behind Dr. Babic. The painting depicted some sort of battle between three different Pokémon. One of the Pokémon was some sort of eloquent bird. It was all white except in the head which had a gold crest and gold beak. The plumage on the inside of its wings was also gold. Another, what appeared to be Pokémon, stood on a cliff using some sort of fire attack. This creature had a ashen colored body and three heads. It looked like a mega evolved Houndoom, but with obvious differences. The creatures' heads each had red eyes and a thick body. The last creature was a hydra. All 7 heads twisted and turned as the dragon like sea creature popped out of the water. Why the head of the Institute would have a painting like this she did not know. But Ava was captivated by it.

"Ah so you are a great fan of art.", Dr. Babic's voice boomed. The head of the university had been studying the black haired girl since she arrived. He knew exactly what she was looking at. The painting had always captured many people's interest when they came into his office. Avaline Bloodsworth was no different. "It's a painting based on the Avantura legend 'Beskrajni rat' or as we say Endless War. It's a fairy tale my father used to tell me.", the head of the school spun his chair around and looked at the painting. A small smile cracked his face as if a memory had popped in his mind. He let out a sigh as he turned back to Avaline. "Would you like some tea?", Dr. Babic would push a button on the intercom on his desk. "Alexa, can you please get some tea for Ms. Bloodsworth. Thank you." Dr. Babic would then turn back to the black haired girl with a smirk on his face.

Ava shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was not here for tea, she was here because she had been told that she had to meet with the president of the university. If she was being expelled from the school then she wanted to know right away. This seemed like it was some sort of game from Dr. Babic and she was not one for games. "Dr. Babic, I do not mean to chat shit, but I am not here for tea and paintings. I was given an invitation to come here and if I am in trouble or some sort of other dross I would like to know about it. I really do not understand why I am here.", Avaline rarely let her emotions get the best of her, but right now she was annoyed. She knew she had done nothing wrong yet here she was being toyed with by the head of the university. Her hands made the way up to her bat charm on her choker. She began to rub it as she was nervous.

The grey haired man rubbed his beard as he took in what the 17 year old had said. His deep blue eyes pierced through Ava which caused her to rub the bat charm even more. He would sit up in his chair and tent his fingers. Finally, much to Avaline's surprise, the head of the Institute let out a boisterous laugh. Even the Corviknight had sat up in surprise from the laughter of Dr. Babic. Franz's face turned red from laughing so hard. He would finally compose himself as he looked at Avaline whose nervousness had turned into utter confusion. "Ms. Bloodsworth, if you were going to be expelled or were in trouble then we would have made the process swift. You would absolutely know why you were here.", he settled back into his natural demeanor. The laughing fit had ended as he had wiped a tear from his eyes. "No you are not in trouble. I apologize for making you think that."

The junior now was utterly baffled. Yes, she was relieved that she was not in trouble. Yet there was a part of her that did not believe it. This could have been some sort of trick. Ava was naturally a suspicious person, given her family issues, so she really did not trust what the man was saying. Avaline's eyes narrowed, "so I am absolutely not in trouble. I am not going to be reprimanded or anything of the sort?" She really did not believe that this wasn't some sort of set up. But again, he just shook his head. The sly smirk on his lips still made Avaline very nervous. There was something that she did not trust, "then why am I here? Why was I invited to your office?" The pleasantries we're gone from Ava. Sure she made have been curt, but at this point she was ready to leave.

A knock on the door interrupted whatever Franz was going to say. "I will tell you after tea. Alexa, please come in.", the secretary from earlier walked in with two cups and a kettle. She would place the cups in front of both Franz and Ava, but Ava was not in the mood for tea. She would wave the secretary away before Alexa could pour a cup for her. The head of the Institute titled his head to the dark haired junior, "not a fan of tea? I thought the people of Galar loved tea. When I visited there a few years ago it seemed like everywhere I went served tea. Well your loss." He would thank his secretary for bringing him the tea as he would take a few sips of the drink. He would let out a noise of satisfaction from the tea.

Ava meanwhile had enough. She was not one to be played with and whatever the president of the university wanted clearly had not been important. The black haired young woman got up to leave the office as she had taken out her iPod to select some music to listen to on her way to the opening ceremony. This had been a waste of Ava's time...or so she thought. "I guess you don't want to be the champion of Galar then.", she stopped dead in her tracks. Ava turned around as the playful Dr. Babic that had been talking to her had seemingly disappeared. Replaced by a man that had crossed his arms in front of his chest. His eyebrows were raised as if he was waiting for an answer. Ava was not sure if she had heard what Dr. Babic had said correctly, her the champion of Galar? How was he going to make that happen? She walked back to the seat in front of his desk.

"How... how can you make me champion of Galar?", that was a desire of hers ever since she had started working in her father's gym. The fact that this man was offering her a chance to go ahead and reach that goal. Sure there was a part of her that questioned how she would be made champion of Galar, but she brushed those qualms aside. Becoming the champion of Galar would be a achievement. Whatever Dr. Babic wanted she would do if he could just guarantee her that she would become champion. She knew that this probably was going to require some sacrifice on her part, but at this point Ava did not care. She was always looking for a new challenge and this would be the ultimate one. Ava rarely showed excitement, but right now her face was filled with eagerness.

"Well as you know my dear protégée Leon has resigned as champion to clean up the mess that idiot Rose left", Leon was considered to be the crown jewel of the Institute. The last great champion that had been the product of the university. Obviously Avaline had heard about Leon, after all he had beaten her father in battle before. She had heard about what had gone on in Galar so yes she knew that Leon had resigned as champion. Dr. Babic continued to sit back as he studied the junior. He knew that he had enticed the rather ambitious Pokémon trainer. His plan was coming together. "Leon has asked me if I have anyone here that I would recommend to replace him. And naturally, I had considered you. After all you have shown the talent here at the Institute and you are from Galar. Your father is a gym leader there. So it would just make sense to have you succeed Leon as the next great champion of Galar." He would then recline in his chair to see how Ava would react to this proposal.

Being an intelligent young woman, Ava knew that there had to be a catch. She wasn't just going to be handed being the crown as champion of Galar. There was something that the president wanted. "What's the catch?", she had tried to keep her voice calm and collected, but the high pitch crack at the end of the comment betrayed this. Her head was spinning from this meeting. A sharp pain started to form in her head, "NO NOT NOW!" She screamed at herself to calm down and relax. She didn't even know what the professor wanted from her. "Come on Ava, you have to keep it together. You can't let it flare up. Not now.", the Corviknight behind Dr. Babic had titled it's head as it stared at Ava. She made sure to avoid its gaze as her eyes peered at Dr. Babic.

A smile had crossed Dr. Babic's face. "I wouldn't call it a catch rather it's a favor. A personal favor that is very important to me.", he reached into his pocket as a pulled out a set of keys. Franz would then select one key and used it to unlock a drawer on his desk. He would then pull out a Manila colored folder. He slid the folder over to a confused Avaline. "Inside you will find details about an incoming freshman, Nicole 'Nikki' Allaire. I have had my eyes on her for quite a while. She is extremely talented and might be the most talented trainer to ever come to the Institute.", he motioned for Ava to open the file and study it.

The pink haired, perky girl that stared back at Ava made her roll her eyes. This Nikki seemed more like a cheerleader than a Pokémon trainer. She had pink and white ribbon in her hair and a big toothy smile. Avaline had to admit that this incoming student was quite attractive looking, but really didn't look like a Pokémon trainer. Perhaps the rumors of the Institute's demise were true if they accepting students like this. The junior was going to make a snide comment until she saw Nikki's record, "undefeated." Ava's jaw fell open. This girl was undefeated? How was that possible? Not even Ava was undefeated, but this perky girl was? Perhaps Kalos was easier than people made it out to be. But Ava still wanted to know what Dr. Babic wanted her to do with this incoming student. "So what's the favor?", she asked.

"I need you to mentor her. Nikki has a lot of potential, but she needs someone to guide her. To help bring out her full potential. That is why I picked you, Ms. Bloodsworth. You have the talent to bring out the best in your Pokémon. I want you to teach Ms. Allaire how to be able to bring out the best in her Pokémon. If you can help her to unlock her full potential then I will recommend you to Leon.", Avaline felt a pit in her stomach not because this was hard work, but because this meant she would have to associate with this Nikki. Ava tended to avoid people like this like the plague, but now in order to help reach her dream Ava would have to spend countless hours with Nikki. It would probably cause her headaches to be out of control, but that would be a small price for becoming champion of Galar. Finally, Ava just gave a nod of her head and a sigh. Yes, she would agree to help mentor this incoming student.

Dr. Babic smiled and placed his hands on his desk. "Excellent. You can start out by finding her at the welcoming ceremony. Speaking of which...", he looked at his watch which signaled a quarter to 12. "I don't want you to be late. So Ms. Bloodsworth, I thank you for your time.", Dr. Babic would escort the rather confused 17 year old out of his office. Ava just stood in the waiting area of Sr. Babic's office stunned. This was a lot to process and she didn't know everything that had happened. All she knew was that she needed a drink.