Things could not have gone worse for Franz Babic the last couple of weeks. The Righteous had failed him on multiple occasions. They had not found any traces of The Legendaries or any clues. Melody Monet, who Franz had put a lot of faith in, had completely defected from The Righteous. Dries, the leader of the elite grunts, had informed the leader of this new development. Franz was not pleased at this at all. Melody had been his most competent general. He could trust her as he had crafted Melody into the perfect weapon. Now she was gone and worst of all, Dries had reported that she was with two people that he assumed were students. Franz knew that Alexander Knight had planned on going to the dark forest where the Ptica was supposed to be. Franz had used his Alakazaam to to read Nikki's thoughts thus Franz was always ahead of the game. That was why he had sent Melody there to take Alex and his group of friends out, but apparently she had different plans. Franz suspected that Melody had linked up with Alex. Now this made him dangerous to Franz. This was why Franz had tried to get Davis to take Alex out. That would eliminate two loose ends.
The worst loss for Franz though was the fact that Nikki Allaire was not coming back. Nikki was the key to everything that Franz was trying to do. She was the last female of the Allaire line, which was key to Franz's plan. Nikki's mother was not a true Allaire, she was an Allaire by marriage. Nikki, though, had the ancient blood in her veins. According to legend, it was the female from the Allaire family that sealed all three legendaries away. The only one that could control all three of the legendaries. Nikki would be the key in The Institute reigning over the other regions. To bringing Avantura back to his era of dominance over the other regions. Because Nikki was the last female Allaire Franz had controlled every single aspect of her life. There was no aspect of her life that he did not have a hand in controlling. He had thrown numerous tests at Nikki without her realizing it and she had passed each one. Franz knew that she was ready and after October break, Franz was going to put his plan into action. But Nikki had not returned from October break. She had seemingly fallen off the face of the earth. She had not even told Franz where she was going and she had not visited in a while. So Franz had no idea where she was this meant that Franz sent Wrath to go track her down.
Franz's Alakazaam had informed Franz that the connection he had with Davis Walkmen had been broken. "And how exactly did that happen?", Franz sat in his home desk as he was trying to analyze where his plans had failed. He had hoped that the plan to have Davis take out Alex and vise versa would have been successful. But after what his Alakazaam had just stood him it was clear that the plan had been a failure. The Alakazaam would go onto explain that Davis' Dragapult had broken through to him which broke the connection between the Alakazaam and Davis. Franz slammed his fists onto his table as he was not happy. No, Franz Babic was not happy with what was going on. He sat back and stroked his beard as he took a sip of his whisky. "These students have become quite a nuisance. I did not think that they would be a issue in our plans. But they have become a thorn in my side.", Franz could personally go and take these students out, but how would that look? He couldn't be the one to take out these students. Plus, Franz planned on trying to go find the legendaries himself so he needed a distraction. Something that would keep those students quite occupied. That way they wouldn't be able to figure out what he was doing. He tented his fingers in front of him as he tried to figure out a plan that would suit him.
That was when the lightbulb came on for Franz Babic. He could move The Institute Cup up. Oh yes, The Institute Cup was the holy grail for students in The Institute. Everyone wanted to win the cup and be claimed the best trainer at the university. That still carried a sense of prestige for the trainers. Franz also knew that Alex Knight's little group of friends were very competitive and had done well in last year's tournament. Franz was sure that they would simply forget about the legendaries temporarily which would give Franz time to go out and find the legendaries. Oh and Franz was going to make sure that he made the bracket to ensure that Alex and his friends were all taken out. Or they would take each other out. Franz would ensure that they would have to come up against each other eventually. That would slowly poison their friendship group from the inside out. This would take care of them ever interfering in his plans ever again. As for Dr. Walkmen, well Franz would take care of him. There would be "budget cuts" and Davis Walkmen would be the first casualty of those cuts. Another loose end tied up.
Franz looked at his Alakazaam, "I wish for you to summon Davis Walkmen to me. Tell him it's a business matter." The Alakazaam nodded and bowed. Franz would then sit and start to draw up the bracket for the tournament. He wanted to ensure that Alex Knight and his little group of friends fought against each other. He also wanted Kuroku to have an easy route to the finals. This would be the perfect distraction to keep people from what Franz was doing. Franz Babic was going to find the legendaries himself. The righteous had failed and failed him. They were utterly useless to Franz. They would be dealt with soon enough. The same could be said about the professors at The Institute. They had failed to find concrete evidence of the legendaries. It was just speculation from the professors which angered the president of the Institute. They should all be fired, but knew that he couldn't do that. Rather he could punish the person he held most responsible for their failures. The man that had been the most uppity and defiant to Franz. That was Davis Walkmen. This would send a message to the others: get in line or face the punishment.
There was a knock on Frank's door as Franz looked. His Alakazaam had indeed brought Davis Walkmen to Franz. The president could see that Davis had a look in his eyes of hate towards Franz. The manipulative president of The Institute put on a faux frown on his face as he thanked his Alakazaam. Davis stared at Franz with pure unbridled hate. This was the man that had manipulated him into potentially doing some horrific things. Arceus, Franz even had Davis attack a student! Davis knew that Franz was a sick bastard, but that was even sick for him. Now Franz wanted to talk to Davis about "business." Davis assumed this was about Davis no longer being under the control of Franz's Alakazaam. Davis had Chihiro's pokeball at the ready just in case he needed to use his beloved Pokémon. Franz just stared at Davis with his typical arrogant look of his. Franz always looked like he was better than everyone else and Davis hated it. In fact most of the staff hated how Franz looked at them and interacted with them. Franz always looked like he was the superior. Everyone hated him because of that.
"I will not bore you or humor you by asking you to sit down, Davis.", Franz's voice just oozed with pompousness as Davis had to fight the urge to punch the president of the university. Franz just sat back in his chair as he tented his fingers, oh yes Franz Babic was going to enjoy this. He did not like Davis at all. Davis was not an ambitious man which explained why he had not really done what Franz wanted him to do with the legendaries. He was too moral and had too much of a conscience to do what was necessary. He was not like Franz Babic at all. Which was why Franz had to stamp Davis Walkmen out. The way to do that was by what was coming next, "sadly I have looked at the budget for next year, Davis. It has been cut significantly which means that I have to make some very hard choices in terms of staff members and departments. I have to save money somewhere which means that I have to cut you.", Davis noticed that there was a small smile on Franz's face. Davis did not buy the excuses that Franz was selling to him. Davis knew that this was a revenge for Davis not being a stooge. Davis remained stone faced in front of the president.
"Don't worry, I will allow you to finish out until December, but then you will be terminated. It has been an honor having such a well respected professor. I am sure your niece will be so disappointed in this development. But our enrollment went down since the return of the students from October break. It was shocking, but it's just what happened. I am so sorry to have done this to you. It is just what has to be done.", Franz was looking for any sight or clue that Davis was upset. Franz had wanted to fire Davis for so long and Franz wanted to see if Davis was sad. It would be a great satisfaction to Franz to see the famous Davis Walkmen a beaten man. Yet, Davis did not give this to him. In fact Davis didn't say anything he seemed resigned to his fate. Like he knew that this was coming. This disappointed Franz greatly as Davis shrugged and turned to walk through the doors. He would leave without saying a single word. One last way of Davis Walkmen telling Franz Babic to go fuck himself. That was what Davis wanted to do. He knew that Franz Babic had wanted him to react, but Davis would not do that.
Franz sighed as he watched Davis walk away. He had wanted to see that arrogant prick beg for his job. Franz turned to his Alakazaam, "I want you to follow, Davis. I want to know who he interacts with and where he goes. I have a suspicion about where he's going and I want you to confirm it. Do not fail me again.", the Alakazaam nodded as he floated out of the room. Franz suspected that Davis was going to meet with Alex Knight and that group of friends. This was another reason why that this group of friends had to be taken out by Franz. They would start to know too much from Davis. No, Franz could not have this at all. He needed to ensure that they were either taken out by trainers from around the Institute or by themselves. Which was why he was glad that he had come up with the idea of moving the Institute Cup up. Speaking of which, Franz Babic needed to make the announcement of the competition. Then he would revel in the confusion and chaos. It was the perfect distraction for Franz to go and try to collect the three legendaries himself.
After his battle with Dr. Walkmen, Alex had gathered Melody, Bunny, Ava, and Kat at Kat and Ava's house. It was here that Alex explained what happened between him and Dr. Walkmen. "I really think that Dr. Babic was controlling Dr. Walkmen. It was an odd experience even Chihiro looked like she was crying over Davis. I think that Franz wanted to have Davis try to take me out.", Ava, Kat, and Bunny were freaked out. They looked as if Alex was crazy. There was no way that the president of the Institute would deliberately try and harm a student. Yes, Franz was insane that was clear, but to try and attack a student was crazy. Bunny and Ava really didn't believe that Franz would do something like that. Even Kat started to doubt her boyfriend's story. Of course Kat had noticed that Dr. Walkmen had been acting weird towards Kat, but she did not believe that Dr. D would do something like that. There was only one person that actually believed what Alex was saying. Afterall, she had heard stories about the leader of The Righteous mind controlling people. So Melody Monet was not shocked by this story.
"I believe Alex.", the other girls turned to Melody shocked. Alex just sat back and smiled. He held his arms in the air in victory. At least Melody, who knew The Righteous better than any of them, agreed with Alex. Still the three females all had various questions that Melody would have to explain. She took a deep breath as she was going to tell why she suspected that Alex's story was truthful. "Back when I was with The Righteous, there were rumors about the leader being able to mind control people. Whenever we had our meetings with him, he always had has Alakazaam with him. As you know some Alakazaam's can read people's thoughts. Even control them.", everyone leaned into listen to what Melody was saying. It was both fascinating and terrifying, but they needed to know more when it came to what Melody had been through and what Franz could be capable of. "I always thought that some of the the stuff that I did was because of that Alakazaam. That there were these fake memories inside my head which manipulated me. I wouldn't be surprised if Franz is doing the same to his staff and students.", Melody dropped the bombshell.
Everyone looked at Melody. No one knew what exactly to say. The sixteen year old had basically confirmed what Alex had said that Franz was a manipulative bastard. That he was using mind control on people. Worst of all, he had used mind control from his Alakazaam to try and hurt Alex. No one knew what to say until Bunny actually coughed to get her friend's attention. "So we know that Franz is for sure the leader of The Righteous. It just makes too much sense. Too many things are connected. So the head of The Institute is also the Leader of the Righteous.", there was a pause as everyone took this in. They had doubted Alex's theory before, but what Melody said confirmed it at least in Bunny's eyes. If Bunny believed it them they all would as well. She was not one for conspiracy theories, but this wasn't a theory. Bunny's brown eyes then trained onto Alex who let out an audible gulp. "He clearly thinks you're a threat Alex. That's why he sent his Alakazaam to control Davis. He wouldn't do that if he didn't think you were a threat. And the people close to you would be viewed as threats too.", of course everyone looked at Kat. Everyone in the university knew how close Alex and Kat were so it would be something Franz could use against Alex. The 19 year old wouldn't allow that.
"Then I should disappear. That way no one is hurt. Not you, not Ava, and especially not Kat.", Kat looked at her boyfriend. She understood that he was trying to be heroic, but that was stupid. He couldn't leave her, Kat would stick by Alex even if Franz was somehow coming after him. Franz could try and hurt Kat all he wanted, Kat could take it. She didn't want Alex to leave her or as he called it disappear. Kat grabbed Alex's right hand and intertwined her fingers with his. She would stick with Alex even if The President of the Institute wanted to come after her and Alex. Alex just looked at Kat and shook his head as he pat her hands, "no babe. I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want any of you guys to get hurt. That is why I want to go to where JJ and the others are. That way I can hide amongst friends. I don't want Franz coming after you if he wants to come at me." There was a gaging noise that came from Ava. Everyone looked at the brunette who just shrugged at the stares. Kat wondered if Ava was acting like that because she was jealous that Kat had gotten Alex. Again they would have to talk about this at some point.
"Ok if you two just want to do some sappy movie, lovey thing fine. But some of us have bigger aspirations. For example, FUCKING DR. BABIC IS THE HEAD OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND IS NOW TRYING TO HURT STUDENTS.", Ava huffed as everyone looked at her. She did have a point. They needed to put things into perspective and Ava had just done it. Ava looked at Alex, "listen, we stick together. If you leave us then he'll go after Kat. Then she will leave and the circle will continue. So you have to stay here until we can figure out what exactly is going on. We have to figure out what the next step is. But that does not include you just wandering off and going to a random island. No, we have to stay here and train. Perhaps we can get Dr. Walkmen to help us out. Afterall he knows Franz and this place better than anyone. And I have an idea." Everyone was captivated by what Ava was saying. She was going to be the brains in this case. "I think we should try to go after Franz's Alakazaam. If we can take that Pokémon out then that will just be another blow to him. We can lure it out and then Alex, you can have Poe poison it. Then Dr. Babic won't be able to control people's minds.", Alex nodded. That was a solid plan. Everyone seemed to agree with that except for one….
"The Corviknight is more dangerous.", everyone looked at Melody. The former blonde had turned pale as she just thought about that creature. She knew how horrific it was because it used to be hers. It had been the most tortured Pokémon. "Elko, used to be my Pokémon. It was one of the first Pokémon I ever caught. He was my most beloved Pokémon. He used to always be there for me when I needed him. Dexter actually caught him for me. I loved Elko so much. But then I was sold to the Righteous. Elko tried and tried to protect me. He fought off The Righteous with all his might. But then they brought him to the brink of death. They did things to him that no Pokémon or trainer should ever have to see or endure. Because he was on the brink of death they started to heal him, but really experimented on him. Then he was then showing up in our meetings with a new name and new demeanor. He's not the same Pokémon I used to know. They have done something to him and it's horrific. He's extremely dangerous and gives me the creeps.", Melody had tears in her eyes again. It was so horrific to retell what had happened to Elko. She refused to call him Wrath anymore. He would always be Elko to her and she just wanted to get her last Pokémon back.
Bunny patted Melody on the back. The sixteen year old needed to get that Corviknight back. Ava still remembered the look of that Corviknight when she had met with Franz to start the year. It did give her the creeps. Whatever the Righteous and Franz had done to him must have truly been horrific. Everyone in the room had a sudden urge to go play with their Pokémon now. "We'll get your Corviknight back.", Bunny said. Melody just nodded though she didn't know if she could get Elko back. Whatever they had done to him was so horrific. She could still remember his screams. Melody feared that it would be too late for Elko. That he was too far gone still Melody appreciated the sentiment from Bunny. Bunny continued to pet Melody on the back, "you have to trust us. We will get Elko back for you. Alex is too hard headed to let this go. So I already know that the wheels are turning in his head to try and get the Corviknight back." Alex nodded his head which caused everyone to laugh.
Then the four students' pokedexes started to vibrate with an email. Melody had scooted next to Bunny to look at it too. It was a email from Dr. Babic which made all the students nervous. There was a video attachment which Alex clicked and put on speaker so everyone could hear it. The smug face of Dr. Franz Babic had come into focus which made everyone sick. "Good evening, I am glad to welcome you all back from the October break. I hope you all had a wonderful vacation. I am so excited that you wonderful students have returned from break.", everyone rolled their eyes. This was clearly some bullshit from Franz. Everyone was waiting for the bomb from Franz to drop. He had something in store for the students. He wouldn't have made this video if he didn't have something up his sleeve. Franz was clearly desperate so he had to do something. "I would like to announce that starting next week, The Institute Cup will be in full effect. The winner of The Institute Cup will win a special prize besides the usual pride and prestige that comes along with winning the Cup. I am sure that all of you have been eager to participate in the Cup. I look forward to watching what should be a great competition.", with that the video ended.
No one said anything. They just took in everything that they had just heard. So The Institute Cup would start the following week. Usually Ava, Kat, and Alex would be so excited. But they couldn't help, but right now there was a feeling of dread. Franz was not doing this out of the kindness of his heart. No, he was going to try and do something sketchy. No one knew what it was either which was really why everyone felt a sense of dread. It was the unknown that hung over their heads that was nerve racking. Of course Alex figured he knew what the point of all of this and that was to try to have trainers take them out. That Franz couldn't rely on The Righteous anymore so now he had to resort to try to disguise this attack on them as The Institute Cup. This meant that they all had to really train beyond what they were used to. It would have to be even more intense because they were all going to be in survival mode. But luckily Melody was here to try and help them train. She would be a great resource to use in training. Plus she had already shown that she is a great trainer which would again be a great benefit.
"I want to join. I am going to enroll in classes as Melody Monet.", everyone in the room let out a gasp. Alex and Kat shook their heads as did Ava and Bunny. No, this would not be a great idea. They were already being targeted by Franz, if he realized that they were housing Melody Monet they would only be a even bigger target. That was why Kat had tried to disguise Melody by cutting her hair. But Melody was so sick of running, she wanted to be brave. Plus, she wanted to send a message to Franz that she was coming after him. That Melody wasn't going to be a coward anymore. "I wore a mask for most of my life. I hid my face from The Righteous. I have done nothing, but hide from this bastard. I want him to know that I am here and I am coming coming him. I want Elko to be able to see my face. Maybe that will help him shake whatever those bastards have done to him. So please, I have to do this.", all the students looked at one another. They couldn't even begin to imagine what she had gone through. If she wanted to join the competition then that was her choice. They would not stand in her way.
So off they all went to go train for what was to come.