Brief synopsis:
Every gym leader had to get their start somewhere. That's where the gym trainer institute comes in. The gym leader institute trains would be gym leaders. Future gym leaders learn what is required of them, how to lead a gym, amd all the finer details. Of course not everyone can make it amd rivalries will form from friendships.
I decided to write this because I saw everyone did a journey story. Or they had self inserted into the original canon. So I decided to take a different route. What's it like to be a gym leader? They have to go to school, right? Well what would that look like? Who would teach it? So this is set to take a look at what it would be like to be a gym leader in training. I felt like Pokémon Sword and Shield was really missing an oxford like university. So that is what this is going to be. Now I do want reader participation. More on that at the bottom.
Specifics about the school:
Region: Galar.
City: Dulford which is located south of Wyndon.
-The Institute is located in Galar. Given that the region has 18 separate gyms of minor and major status there are ample opportunities to become a gym leader in the region. A few graduates have gone on the be gym leaders not just in Galar, but across the world. Skyla from kalos,Flannery from hoenn, Clement from kalos, Bea and Gordie from Galar, etc. The institute is very proud of their achievements in putting many gym leaders into their roles.Several former gym leaders are now instructorsSabrina, lgt. Surge, Whitney, Kabu, and Giovanni are instructors at the institute. Their experiences as gym leaders has been invaluable to the institute. They teach various subjects such as maintain the gym, marketing the gym, choosing which trainers to use at the gym, etc. their knowledge has better trainers that come through the institute. The former trainers are held in the highest regard.
Requirements/rules:
1.They must have a monolithic team. Candidates must have caught at least 6 Pokémon of the same type. This is because all gyms are of the same type so the students will get accustomed to using the same type of teams.
2.Students will have to have shown an aptitude in their respective region gym challenge to be considered. Perspective students need to have beaten all of the gym leaders. This is a requirement to show that the students are skilled in raising and fighting their Pokémon.
3.The perspective students must have gotten a recommendation letter from 5/8 gym leaders from their region. This is done to validate that the trainer beat the gym leader. The institute want3d to see the gym leaders perception of the student. How they battled, what their strategy was, what Pokémon they used, etc. The gym leader would also have to say if the potential student would make a good gym leader.
4. Score a 80% on the enterance exam. It is 100 question test. The questions range on a variety of topics. It is called the great equalizer. Many have failed the test and not been accepted. Even if they have gotten past all the other requirements the test has failed many students.
Rules to plete all course work. This includes the internship under a selected professor in the students last year. The student learns the former gym leaders philosophies. They must complete various tasks that the former gym leader/instructor have given them.if the student doesn't complete the tasks/internship they will not graduate.
2.This is a 2-3 year program. The students must follow the code of conduct(seen below). If students violate the code of conduct one t8me they receive a warning. A second time is suspension. Third is expulsion. There is an appeal process, but those rarely go for the students.
3.Have submitted their end of year project.
4.There are no guarantees that comp,Etienne of school will guarantee job as a gym leader. This depends on a numerous set of factors. The institute will try their best to get the students a job in a gym, but again there are no guarnetees.
5.Defeat their mentor professor in battle. Professors and their mentees will battle at end of the year. This is the ultimate test to graduate. The students will go one on one with the staff to graduate. If they lose then the students will have completed the coursework for nothing. Those that do beat the professors will graduate.
Internship for 3rd years description:
The internship will be completed by 3rd years. It is a rather lengthy process that starts in August. The 3rd years are randomly paired with professors. The students list their preferred choice, but there's no guarantee that the preferred choice will be said students mentorMentees and mentors are to check in every week. The tasks of the internship is to have the students study under the former gym leaders. They will be given their own makeshift gym. Here the former gym leaders will instruct the students on what tyoe of puzzles and tasks a gym challenger would have to do.Students will design their own gym interior and exterior. They will be graded by a panel of professors at the end of the year. It is pass fail.
If students pass the panel portion they will then fight their mentor in the makeshift gym as the final test.
Code of conduct
1.Battles are restricted to only 3 options: a battle for class, practice battles, and accepted challenges between students. There is to be no gambling or betting on these battles. Underground battle are strictly prohibited. Anyone caught participating in one will be severely punished.
2.Students are not to leave the grounds after 11pm. If students are caught then they will be disciplined. Instructors quarters are forbidden unless invited.
3.Physical altercations are not allowed. Physical Fighting will result in suspension.
4.No harming trainers during battle. Any attacks directed at a trainer during battle will result in immediate expulsion.
5.No drinking or drug use is allowed on campus even if one is of age.
Instructors
Peony
Lgt. Surge
Whitney
Giovanni
Kabu
Wattson
Sabrina
Candice
Flannery
Byron
Juan
Valerie
Tournaments held at the university:
The Welcome Tournament- This tournament pits 3rd years vs 1st years. It takes place in the month of September at the Kyogre arena. It is a way to see who is better the 3rd years or 1st years. It establishes who is a good strategist and is a good trainer. This is mandatory for trainers.
Prize: Trip to isle of armor with Flannery
The Winter Triple team Extravaganza- Starting in January. Teams are randomly selected between first, second, and third years. They will engage in triple battles between other teams. Teams advance through a bracket style tournament. Voluntary.
Prize: Trip to Crown Tundra with Professor Peony
Student vs Teacher Challenge: The third years take on the professors in the makeshift gyms of the students. If the student beats the teacher then they are eligible to graduate after completing other requirements.
Prize: Graduation for 3rd years
Characters:
Now at the end of this section I will have details about how you can participate. I think building a strong community is important. Now initially I will accept 5 OCs. I think 9 characters will be a lot to work with. I'll have the form at the bottom. You can either reply or DM me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Here are some examples of my own characters you will see throughout the story.
Nick Baldwin
Age 20
3rd year
Region: Sinnoh
Physical description - He is about 6'1 with brown hair and brown eyes. For reading, he wears glasses. In terms of clothing , he wears preppy clothing. He is often seen in the spring/summer time wearing a polo and khakis. Sometimes jorts as well. He often wears boat shoes in the spring and summer as they are comfortable. In the winter he will wear sweater vests and jackets. They of course are preppy.
5 words to describe personalities: Funny, personable, analytical, preppy, prankster.
Future Gym type: water.
Top 3 regions for gym: Sinnoh, Kalos, Galar
Friendships: Marcus and Chelsea Gibbs are his best friends.
Enemies: to be updated as story progresses.
Preferred Mentors 1.Peony 2. Juan 3. Kabu
Pokémon Team:
Floatzel- Jet- Female -level 70
Relationship with trainer- Jet was the first Pokémon that Nick ever caught. They have a special connection. Jet is Nick's go to Pokémon when it comes t battling. Outside of the battle arena, jet likes t hang outside of her pokeball. She loves to be apart of nick's pranks especially when it comes to prancing Chelsea.
Clawitzer- male- Krustav -level 65
Relationship with trainer - Nick found Krustav on the outskirts of sandgem town when Krustav was a clauncher. The clauncher had been badly beaten by a tentacruel. Nick raised the clauncher back to health. They've been together since. Krustav has a intense loyalty to nick.
Walrein- male- wally -level 63
Relationship with trainer- nick won an egg in a trivia contest. From the egg hatched Wally. Nick has raised Wally since then. Wally loves to have fun. He prefers that to actually battling. Wally is an entertainer than a battler. He doesn't like to fight too much.
Kingdra - female- Kara -level 55
Relationship with trainer: one of nicks newest mons. Kara is quite aggressive . She tries to boss nicks other Pokémon around. Fights with Jet to see who the alpha of the group is. Nick has to often separate Kara and Jet because the two are engrossed in some sort of power struggle.
Chinchou- female- Joules level 20
Relationship: Joules is nicks latest Pokémon. Joules is still getting used to being apart of nicks team. She is shyer than the other mons. But when she is in battle she is aggressive.
Empoleon -male- charlemagne -level 67
Relationship: The empoleon was the starter of nick. They are very close. Both nick and the piplup grew up together. Probably nicks best and strongest battler.
Marcus Awoyni
Age 19
Year 3rd year
Region Alola
Physical description- Has long black hair that he ties into a ponytail. He is about 6'3 with black eyes. He has tanned skin from his time in Alola. Marcus is often wearing a Alola style shirt and board shorts. He is also seen wearing flip flops around campus. Even in the winter, Marcus can be seen wearing his flip flops.
5 words to describe personality: care free, funny, compassionate, adventurous, intelligent
Future gym type: ghost
Top 3 Future gym locations: Alola, Sinnoh, Kanto
Friendships: Nick is best friend. Close to Chelsea and Lexi Gibbs as well.
Enemies: to be updated later
Preferred mentors 1. Sabrina 2. Byron 3. Watson
Spitiromb-male-Legion level 48
Relationship: one of marcus' newest Pokémon. The spiritomb seemed standoff and weird to Marcus. Marcus has no idea how to truly control the sliritomb in battle with legion often ignoring the commands of Marcus. This has caused the would be gym leader not to use him too often.
Golurk- level 62 -titan
Relationship: found while Marcus went exploring in galar, titan is quiet. Titan is the powerhouse of the group and is unequivocally the best battler on Marcus' team. Marcus is cautious allowing the golurk interact with others.
Mimikyu - level 56- Mimsy - female
Relationship: the first Pokémon Marcus ever caught. In fact he considers Mimsy his true starter. Their personalities match one another. Mimsy is rewlazed and chill. Yet when she gets angry, she tends to be quite aggressive. Likes to battle.
Aegislash- level 60-Oathoeeper-male
Relationship: the clear alpha of the group, Oathkeeper is marcus most trusted Pokémon. Whenever a situation gets tough, Marcus will br8ng oathkeeper In to remove any doubt of victory. Oathkeeper doesn't get along with anyone outside of Marcus' Pokémon.
Chandelure- Level 55- Flare- Female
Relationship Quiet and shy. Flare really likes to battle, but doesn't interact with the other Pokémon except for Marcus' recently caught dreepy. She seems to be curious about the creature and wants to take it under her wing.
Dreepy- level 10- Spyro- female
Relationship: the newest Pokémon in Marcus' team. The dreepy doesn't know what to think about the others. Though flare seems to enjoy her.
Chelsea Gibbs
19
3rd year
Region: galar
Physical description: about 5'6 with bruenmette hair with blonde highlights. She has deep green eyes. Chelsea will often wear s,all shorts to show off her assests. She likes to wear revealing clothing to attract the guys. She's beautiful and knows it. She likes to wear a backwards baseball hat during battle as she considers it lucky.
Personality- Tomboy, flirt, loyal, competitive, friendly
Future gym: flying
Future gym location: galar, sinnoh, kalos
Friendships: Marcus and nick are the closest to her
Enemies: friendly rivalry with Lexi
Top 3 gym leader mentors: 1.Flannery 2 Whitney 3. Candice
Staraptor level 70-female-Zara
Relationship: Chelsea and Sara are very close. Chelsea found Zara fighting off a pair of vullaby and rescued the starly. Zara has been loyal to Chelsea ever since. Zara is her strongest Pokémon and best battler.
Honchkrow level 60- female- honcho
Relationship: the second Pokémon Chelsea ever caught. Honcho likes to boss Chelsea's other Pokémon much to Chelsea's chagrin. Chelsea is trying to break honcho of this nasty habit. Though there have been quite a few mixed results.
Toucannon- level 54- male- Zazou
Relationship: Chelsea found Zazou when she was visiting Marcus in Alola. The Toucannon is relaxed and calm compared to her other flying Pokémon. Zazou had no ambitions when it comes to being the lead Pokémon. Instead Zazou is content with his place.
Crobat- level 56- male- ozzy
Relationship- The crobat is energetic. He matches his traners personality well. The crobat will often get into conflict with honcho about honcho bossing aro7nd the other Pokémon. The crobat acts as if it does not need to be contained.
Noivern- level 55-female- echo
Relationship- Echo and Chelsea get along well. She hatched from a Pokémon egg that Chelsea won by winning the freshman introductory tournament their first year. Echo looks at Chelsea like a mother because of this more than any of her other Pokémon. Echo will battle tooth and nail for Chelsea
Dodrio-32-male-Dune
Relationship- dune is new to the team. Chelsea just caught him before returning to school. They haven't had time to bond.
Lexi Gibbs
19
3rd year
Region: Galar
Physical description: she is platinum blonde with black streaks in her hair. She is as tall as Chelsea. Unlike her sister, chelsea is more conservative in her dress. She is into fashion and likes to wear blouses and dresses. She sometimes wears high heels as well. Will wear jewelry especially a heart shaped locket around her neck.
5 words personality: Standoffish, competitive, vain, intelligent, jealous
Future gym: ice
Future gym locations: Galar, Hoenn, Kalos
Friends: Marcus
Enemies: Chelsea
Top 3 gym mentors: 1. Byron 2. Giovanni 3. Juan
Mamoswine-male-level 58-Goliath
Relationship: Goliath is the powerhouse of lexi's team. Goliath believes he is superior to the others in the party. Will come into conflict with other Pokémon as it's aggressive.
Dewgong- female- level 56- Crystal
Relationship: Crystal is not like Lexi's other Pokémon. She does not have a desire to fight. Rather Crystal likes fun and games. Lexi will only use Crystal when she has to. Crystal likes to be petted by anyone. Tries to get along with all Pokémon.
Frosslass- level 61- female-Kara
Relationship: The frosslass and Lexi get along well. It's Lexi's sister, Chelsea, that Phantom has a problem with. Kara and Chelsea's Staraptor fought one day and Zara suffered massive damage. Something Chelsea has not forgotten. Lexi did not seem to mind kara's antics which caused a rift between the sisters.
Weavile-level 70-Female-Sonya
Relationship: Lexi's neighborhood crush gave this Pokémon to her as a gift. Lexi has treasured Sonya since. The unquestioned leader of the group. Will get challenged by Lucky the absol, but Sonya comes out on top every time.
Absol- level 62- male- Lucky
Relationship: Standoffish like his trainer, Lucky is more likely to get into a fight with other Pokémon then be welcoming. Will fight often with Sonya for the alps spot in the group.
Aurorous: Level 55
Relationship: Calm and does not like to fight too much.
Where you come in:
So if you guys want you can submit your oc's in similar format. Again I will take 5 OCs I am intrigued by initially. That number may grow as the story continues
Character Name
Age
What year they would be in(looking for 1sr or 2nd years)
Home region:
5 words to describe personality(if accepted I will pm to discuss in more detail)
Physical appearance
Gym type(what type of gym does your trainer want to run?)
Friends:
enemies:
3rd years only: name 3 instructors you want to guide character
Future gym locations: where do you want the future gym to be located?
Pokemon(Reiner 6. None can go over 70. NO LEGENDARIES) Pseudo legendaries I will consider though you have to make a good case as to why they should be allowed.
Have fun!