Ooc: This Chapter shows a new character or does it?

Dexter Monet had went to see the damage that had been caused bty the battle. The bar that his parents had given him had been utterly destroyed. Of course it did not come as a shock to him or Klaus. The place had been where he had made his money, but he knew he could rebuild it especially with the insurance money he would get. The police had questioned him, especially after he had brought Ava to the hospital in such a state, so he had them the story. How he was going to host a small gathering and how the Righteous had attacked them. How the students from the university and the former champion had fought back against those losers. Of course officials from the Institute had tried to keep him quiet, but Dexter hated them just as much as he hated The Righteous. In fact the former champion secretly thought they were working together, but couldn't prove it. Nor did he want to be bothered by any of this nonsense that went on between the two factions.

He just wanted to live in quiet and peace. The expectations of the champion of Avantura was that he was to live a celebrity lifestyle or go teach at the Institute. Dexter was not interested in either. He was just interested in his now destroyed bar. Dexter sighed as he picked up some of the damaged items from the battle. He looked over at his Kommo-o, "well Klaus, we wanted to begin a remodel of the place and here we are. Guess I could say that they did us a favor by decimating the place." Klaus smiled for a moment. He then stared at something or someone in the distance. Dexter looked up to see what the Kommo-O was looking at. There by some of the wreckage was a young blonde woman, but this young woman looked anything besides normal. She wore a black studded jacket, black t-shirt with a splattered design and upon closer inspection a mask. Dexter had never seen her before. She had picked up some tattered and burned photos of Dexter's.

"Excuse me, I was the bar owner here. May I help you?", Dexter called out to her. But at the sound of his voice, the female had just stared at him. It was as if she knew him. The way that she just stared at him was like she had recognized him. But he didn't know anyone that would wear a mask like that out in public. Whatever the case was, Dexter had an uneasy feeling about who this was. There was a tension in the air that could be cut by a knife. It was so thick and dense. It would suffocate someone . Even Klaus looked utterly uncomfortable with this blonde female that stood in the wreckage. She tilted her head and Dexter heard what he thought was a loud gasp from her. The girl dropped the pictures and ran. Of course this intrigued Dexter. The twenty two year old walked over to see what the female had been looking at. Dexter gasped too as he looked.

Before him, from what he could make out, was a picture of him and his sister. 'There's no way it can be her, can it?", even Klaus' eyes widened. He hadn't heard from his sister in years. Not since their parents had done what they had done. Dexter's blue eyes stared as the female had completely disappeared. Dexter looked at Klaus who stared back at him. Dexter needed to talk to someone about what he had just seen. But first he had to go check in on Ava and the young girl that had nearly died in the fight. Of course at the hospital his thoughts were utterly wrapped up in on who he had just thought he had seen. It really couldn't be her. Not his sister. He hadn't seen her in years or even heard mention of her. Truthfully, Dexter thought she was dead. But if that was her what was she doing at the bar? And why was she wearing a mask? The usually rock solid 22 year old was stunned.

Dexter had been distracted by his thoughts on Melody or the girl that he figured was Melody. He had nearly passed Ava's room when he saw Alex standing outside it. Dexter could tell that the young man was torn up. Being a bar owner, Dexter had heard the gossip about what had transpired between the two last year. In fact it had been Alex that had secretly and drunkily poured his emotions out to Dexter after the apparent fight. About how he was madly in love with Ava , but had warned her about battle bond. How he had felt betrayed by her actions. Dexter had heard it all. Alex didn't remember it, but Dexter sure as hell did. He also knew Alex had a run in with the Righteous before.

That was why he had pulled Alex aside and pulled him into JJ's room. JJ, who the doctors said could return to her dorm in a week, was stunned. "Dexter...who is this?", Arthur tilted his head at Alex and let out a little snarl. The Skarmory did not trust anyone strange not with JJ injured like this. Alex brushed the Skarmory's failed intimidation off with a wave of his hand, "oh please, Sam and Honcho are scarier than you ever could be." JJ glared at the older looking student who Dexter had just shoved into her room without an invitation. "Douchebag", the weakened JJ said as Arthur nodded, he didn't fully understand what the word meant, but he could get behind the sentiment of his trainer.

"JJ, this is Alex. Alex, this is JJ. There now you two have met. But we have more important things to discuss right now. After what I think I just saw, we may have a problem. Or at least I might.", so Dexter would explain it all to Alex and JJ. How he had went back to the destroyed restaurant to see what was salvageable. And that was when he had seen a mysterious girl in the mask. How when he went over to talk to her she just ran away. Then what he saw her looking at was a picture of them together. Dexter explained that he thought his sister was dead. Of course he had left out the part about what his parents did and how the Righteous were involved, but that was for another time. He let the, process all of this. JJ's head started to really hurt now. She needed some more medicine or a stiff drink. Perhaps her uncle was right afterall. She groaned as she leaned back in her bed. Even Arthur looked sad.

"So let me get this straight...", Alex began. He was one to cut through the bullshit. Plus he had fought a Righteous member before so he knew they operated in pairs. "Your sister, who you thought was dead, suddenly reappears after years of not speaking to you.", Dexter went to correct him, but Alex was on a roll now and could not be stopped even if he was making mistakes. "She is wearing some freaky mask and then runs away from you after, and I am assuming, she recognizes you. This is after the Righteous attack your bar and try to kill Ava and this hot first year here.", Alex jammed a finger towards JJ. JJ blushed a little, she never thought she was 'hot', athletic yes, but not hot. Perhaps Alex wasn't a douchebag afterall. Dexter nodded. Alex had gotten the gist of it. The sec d year exhaled deeply, "ohhh Buddy sounds like they want you to either join them or want you dead." That was what Dexter thought too. So he knew he would have to go underground for a bit, but not until he put his plan into place.

Alex took out his phone and dialed a number, "Kat, my love, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to get those four together and bring them back to your place...No Catherine, this isn't some weird sex cult thing. Just trust me on this...Yea, even the freshmen, especially them. I will tell you later...ok bye." Dexter and JJ had been utterly curious as to why Alex had planned. While Alex was a preppy douche, Ava had told Dexter some of the things Alex had done last year, he was smart. Now dexter and JJ were just watching Alex work. The short haired brunette seemed to be pacing. This was a chess match and he was in check. He needed to get out of it. Finally Alex looked at Dexter and nodded his head towards JJ, "can you trust her? I don't need a maybe, I need a definitive answer.", Dexter did not hesitate as he looked at JJ then gave a nod to Alex. The sophomore then smiled.

Alex would unload his plan on both of them. It was intricate and required a few things to fall into place. While there were some parts that seemed risky, especially to Dexter, the former champion was actually excited. How he had t thought about some of this stuff he didn't know. If this was how Alex thought out his battles then Dexter could see him being a great champion in whatever region he was fun. Still there was something that Dexter wanted to bring up, "if this girl is my sister then I will handle her. No offense, but this is something I will need to take care of. If it is Melody then this is my situation to handle.", Alex wouldn't disagree with Dexter's assessment of wanting to help his family/sister. Some things needed to be handled by family and this would be one of them if this girl Dexter saw was his sister.

There was only one person that was not happy with the plan. That was JJ as she wanted a bigger role in the plan. She sat up, though there was still some pain in her body from the injuries. Still she was absolute defiant. "Excuse me.", she said as she looked at both Alex and Dexter her brown eyes shining. "I know you guys don't know me, but I am not some fragile lass who just sits back. Sod that. I can handle a bigger role. Isn't that right, Arthur?" Her Skarmory nodded and extended his wings, "Skarmory!" Of course the plan had not really take. JJ into account. She was in a hospital bed after all, Alex hadn't thought of using her. But the fought that she just showed now really intrigued him. This was someone that could be used in his plan. He smiled at JJ and nodded. Yes, he could find a place for her in her plan. He liked this girl's spunk, it reminded him of Bunny in some ways.

Dexter and Alex would leave the hospital. Of course they would not return to their places of residences. No, they had somewhere else to go. Alex had arranged this meeting. It had to be a success. Meanwhile, JJ laid back in her bed. A smile had crept over her face. She was going to prove that she wasn't weak, especially to her uncle. That this was just a blip on the radar. JJ managed to peer towards the hospital doorway where the guys had been. She had initially hoped that it was Nikki that had come to visit her. Her roommate had not come to visit for the two nearly three weeks she had been in the hospital. That was not ok and once JJ was released she and Nikki would talk.

The perks of being a junior was that Kat and Ava did not have to live on the crappy dorms. The dorms, despite being bigger than normal universities, allowed no privacy and the beds sucked. There were a handful of private houses tucked into a gated community to the side of the main campus. The houses were two stories high with some land to train and let their Pokémon roam.These had been the old professors homes, but Franz had upgraded the professor's homes when he had taken over. Now he gave these homes to the older students who were the elite of the elite. Only those older students that had achieved high ranks in battling and grades. Given that both Ava and Kat were in the top ten for both it was no surprise they had been granted this house off campus. The outside of the house was white and a red roof. Several different Pokémon were outside and playing as Kat and the three boys approached.

Kat whistled to her Pokémon as Gale, Kat's Swellow, landed on her shoulder. Kat though looked around for a certain Pokémon, "HERDIER!" The small, Yorkshire terrier like Pokémon came running around the corner of the ground. The canine Pokémon leapt up and wagged it's tail. Kat laughed, "down Scout. We have guests." Kat nodded to the four males who snickered at the scene that unfolded before them. Kat would give them all the finger. Suddenly, Kat felt a nuzzle against her legs. It was warm and furry. She knew exactly what this was. "Phoenix, my baby!", Kat picked up the Vulpix. Phoenix smiled at its trainer and rubbed against Kat's face. The young Vulpix was so happy that it's mother was home. It had felt like ages since the Vulpix had since Kat even though it had only been a few hours. Kat would then motion the males inside to the home.

Kat had decorated the place, Ava's punk rock taste would not be suitable. Instead Kat had gone with neutral colors like greys and whites. There were flowers around and the home was friendly. 'Just don't look in Ava's room.', Kat thought to herself, her roommates taste was not good. Plus, Ava was messy. They would go into the sunken living room where the males would sit on a dark charcoal colored couch. Kat went into the kitchen and grabbed Atwood six packs and returned to the living room. The black haired junior tossed the two six packs on the table. She would then grab a beer and slump into the chair looking at the four guys. They were utterly confused by what was going on and why they had been called to Ava and Kat's house. Whatever had been said on the phone had changed her mood.

None of the guys grabbed drinks. Royce wouldn't anyways because that would go against his belief system and how he was raised. Alcohol was a weakness and ruined ones concentration. The other three didn't either. Jer and James especially were suspicious about what was going on. Kat was acting odd, "ok Kat, what's going on? You're acting really odd. You went from taskmaster to giving us beers? Come on what is going on?" The other males nodded with James' sentiments Andy crossed his arms across his chest as did Jer. Royce peered at the female as James studied her looking for any sign of what was going on. Kat sighed, "Alex and Dexter are coming over. They have information about something that happened at Dexter's today." The guys all looked at one another, each grabbed a drink, even Royce had considered partaking in it.

There was a tap at Kat's door. The tapping was repetitive. Kat got up and walked to her door. She opened it and was greeted with a "Cannon!" Standing before her was a Toucannon, but not an ordinary Toucannon. This Toucannon had a grey body and blue eyes. It's beak was lined with pink, red, purple, and two shades of blue. "Hello Sam, yes Gale is outside, I'm sure you'll get along.", the Toucannon nodded and hopped towards the back. "Sorry about that, she just wanted to come out of the pokeball and look for Gale.", Alex called as he and Dexter emerged in the doorway. Kat would give Alex a hug amd spdid a standard greeting for the older former restaurant owner. Kat led the two guys into the living room with the others. Dexter had not planned to stay for long so he stood in the room. Alex sat in the chair Kat had been in. The smaller call would sit on the armrest of the chair.

"Well the gang is all here.", Alex said as he cracked open a beer. Of course everyone's eyes fell on him. He was the one who had arranged the meeting and everyone was intrigued by what he wanted. Of course Alex knew why he had brought them all here. They were key cogs in his plan to help take down The Righteous. Afterall they all now had a connection well besides Jer and James, but they were talented battlers in their own right. "So why I have brought you all here is because I have a plan on how we can protect ourselves from the Righteous. In fact a plan that can make sure that we are not caught off guard by them ever again.", everyone looked at him like he was crazy. That the sophomore had lost his marbles. Even Kat looked at Alex liked he was crazy. But he wasn't done. "Listen, something is coming and it doesn't sound good. Dexter, you want to tell them?", all eyes fell on the former champion.

"I think my sister was just at the scene of the battle. And if that's the case then something bad is coming.", Dexter was cold and serious. The other students looked at the champion confused. They didn't understand what he meant. So Dexter told them about the situation from earlier. But this time he filled in some more details. Melody had been sold to The Righteous as a way to pay off debts. This had been done without Dexter's knowledge or consent. He had thought that she had died while under The Righteous' watch, but that apparently was not the case. "So imagine my shock when I see this strange figure looking at a picture of us. I think this girl is Melody. And if it is then I need to be the one to deal with her. Right now I have to go underground and rattle a few cages. That's my job.", no one said a word. They just processed what they had just heard. They were stunned.

Kat grabbed another beer. She usually did not drink so heavily, but she needed to. Jer and James followed suit as did Andy. Royce though kept his eyes trained on Dexter and Alex, "so then what can we do? I mean you said you had a masterplan so what is it? Is it that we just sit back and be sitting ducks again because that is not something I want to do!" The dragon trainer had rage in his eyes. If this was. Alex's plan, just to have Dexter rattle some cages, then this was stupid. Alex just smirked and chuckled. If this was how this Royce character battled then Alex doubted he could last. He was far too impatient. Alex would keep his eyes on Royce and monitor his progress. The student now intrigued him. Had he had this conversation with Royce earlier, he would have found a bigger role for him.

"Patience is a virtue.", Alex said as everyone rolled their eyes including Kat. She knew Alex could be a cocky douche, but she had hoped he could have toned it back. He hadn't which just caused her to roll her eyes. Alex would continue on, "so as the older students know, we will have mentees. This is something that happens in two weeks we get to be assigned our mentees. We train with them and train with them. Usually it's a random process, but this is where you come in." He patted Kat on her legs which called the junior to raise her eyebrows. She was curious what Alex had in store for her. "You're Dr. Walkmen's assistant. You get to arrange the pairings. I want you to pair us all together. Jer, James, Me, Bunny, you, JJ, Royce, someone called Nikki. Make sure we all get put together." Of course Kat got an evil smile on her face as she noticed Alex had omitted someone. "What about Ava?", she stuck her tongue out at Alex. He just nodded, yes Ava would be included.

Alex would continue, "then over winter break, right before the Clash of Classes happens, we go to these areas where The Righteous have been seen. We need to get more information on them. What is their battling style? Where they came from? Why these attacks have gotten worse lately. With this information we will be able to train on how exactly to beat them. They seem to know stuff about the Institute. We need to learn more about them. That way we can figure out how the hell to beat them and protect ourselves." Alex had gotten serious for a moment as he narrowed his eyes as he took a deep breath. Everyone seemed interested in what he was saying. It made sense to them. Of course the sophomore had another angle. "The people in this room right here are the only people I trust at this school. That's why I want to rig the selection process. There's something that doesn't seem right here, the older students know it too. So I don't want this getting out. No one can know what we are up to.", Alex had suspected since last year that The Institute wasn't all that it seemed to be. Not after what he had heard in that fight with The Righteous member. So Alex had this in the works for a while.

Jer, James, and Kat looked at one another. They had t known Alex to be so serious yet here he was putting together a risky plan. It was especially dangerous to Kat. She had built her reputation and report with the professors and people in the university. Rigging the selection of mentors and mentees would be a big risk to her. She would face expulsion. As for Jer and James, they had never fought against The Righteous before and had heard horror stories about those that had fought that organization. What Alex had planned was dangerous especially risking going into Righteous territory. This could be a spectacular failure or a great success. The two males looked towards Kat, whatever she decided to do they would follow. Kat pondered the predicament for a moment before grabbing a beer, "well I wanted my junior year to be an adventure. Filled with excitement and to test my limits. Risking death and expulsion seems to fit that billing. I'm in." Jer and James grabbed beers as well and toasted.

Of course all their eyes fell to Andy and Royce. Alex needed them to be on board with what he had in store. If these two dominos fell then the others would as well. Andy hated bullies. They made him sick to his stomach whenever he thought about them. He had dealt with them his whole life. The righteous seemed like the worst kind of bullies. He knew he wasn't the best battler, but he would still be willing to put the bullies down. He grabbed a beer and toasted, "I'm in too." Everyone looked towards Royce. The dragon trainer just let everything soak in. He had a natural suspicion of authority that wasn't related to his village so Alex's point about the Institute intrigued him. But he also wasn't the biggest risk taker. This seemed like a big risk. Still, Royce knew what the right thing was, he grabbed a beer.

Ooc: So there we go. First, let me thank Rosalind Gold for the suggestion about Melody. I love what I was given and it's going to make for an interesting character. Now we see that a plan is in place against The Righteous and perhaps the university itself. Let's see if it works out.

I wanted to get this chapter out now because chapter 10 is going to be a big one. Let's just say JJ and Nikki are finally going to talk.