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Nero stepped off the boat, his feet hitting the boardwalk planks that stretched out into the sea. Stretching his limbs in the open air felt refreshing and he let out a sigh of satisfaction. The boat had been luxurious, practically a holiday cruise ship with a variety of facilities for every purpose he could imagine. Yet he’d made use of none of them. The boat had picked him up almost two weeks ago and had made a few stops to pick up others since then, but Nero had simply spent the time in his cabin. He’d watched the sea from his window for hours hoping for the first glimpse of the island they were headed too. The rest of his time spent watching recordings of televised matches, broadcast from previous years of applicants. He wasn’t regretful of this though; the ship and all its luxuries weren’t what was important to him. He’d boarded the ship for one reason only and that was to reach this destination.
The Pokémon Training Resort Tournament Series.
A prestigious training school on a large island entirely shut off to anyone except attendees and faculty. The Island was an environmental enigma, home to an astounding number of biomes making it home to an enormous variety of Pokémon throughout its sprawling lands, it even covered a few small islands in the sea surrounding it. It was rumoured that the person who originally discovered it spent his life on the islands and still couldn’t uncover why it was such a paradise for all environs and Pokémon. That man had created the resort to train young trainers and keep this island safe from would be poachers, as well as being able to continue to research the islands origins. When the resort had begun to struggle with money and that man’s life savings were spent, the Tournament Series was founded.
That was Nero’s goal. Grand Tournament Champion.
A set of loudspeakers atop a pole on the boardwalk crackled to life. ‘WILL ALL NEW ATTENDEES PLEASE REPORT TO THE AUDITORIUM FOR INDUCTION. WE WILL START IN ONE HOUR’. There was a sudden crush of people hurrying off the boat and Nero was swept up in the crowd unable to force his way out again. It was at least a good two or three minutes before he was spat out again and managed to get his bearings. Then seeing as he was now one of the few stragglers left on the pier. He hurried off towards the path that he hoped led to the auditorium building.
Luckily it was well sign posted, and the few other stragglers were headed the same way. It was a short path away from the dock and nearby beach, through a small copse of trees before coming back out before a low hedge wall. A grand gate built into the wall was swung wide open revealing the plaza beyond. A grand fountain stood at the center of it all, marble carvings depicting a variety of water type Pokémon with streams of water spilling from open mouths. Around that, pathways sprawled out in different directions, separated by lavish gardens and leading to grand building or other gates leading to the island terrain beyond. Nero could have spent ages just looking around, if it weren’t for the person who knocked his shoulder as they ran past. An apology was shouted as they carried on but it was enough to remind Nero where he was headed. Another convenient signpost was labelled ‘Auditorium’ and everyone ahead of him headed in the same direction. It was a large building, not nearly the biggest on site, but the sculpted face of an Exploud commanded attention. The doors situated in its carved mouth were swung wide open as people poured inside.
Nero followed the crowd and found himself immediately inside an expansive room, rows of chairs easily accommodating of over a thousand people. The room wasn’t nearly filled by the new arrivals, perhaps a little over halfway at Nero’s best guess. The frontmost seats had filled up fast, leaving Nero to file into one of the rows at the back of the crowd with only a few other trainers. There were a few murmurs beginning to break out amongst them, eyes turned to the front of the room where a raised stage stood with a single lectern and a microphone stood at its center. Clearly most of the hour had passed without realising it for it didn’t take long before a man dressed in a bespoke suit took to the stage before the mic.
“Greetings.” He said simply. The speakers around the room resonated with his voice causing it to fill the room without any effort on his part. “I imagine most of you will know who I am already, but for any who that information has skipped by, allow me to introduce myself. I am Head Director of the Resort, Tarquin Kaver.” Another murmur echoed around the room. Tarquin was a previous grand champion of the tournament series turned head director when the previous one retired.
“Allow me to properly welcome you to the Pokémon Training Resort. Each of you applied here because you desire to be the very best. You were accepted, because we believe you can be. And while you’re here, learning the skills needed to be top Pokémon trainers, you shall all have the privilege to compete in our esteemed Tournament Series.” There was a round of applause at this. While the resort was an excellent teaching facility, it’s Tournament Series was a dream for many new trainers, the number of applicants was in the thousands and only six hundred or so were accepted each year. “For the sake of clarity and fairness to all attendees, I will explain the rules and regulations regarding our resort and Tournament series. I ask those who may have researched beforehand to remain quiet and pay close attention, there may be something you’ve missed.”
“First of all, each of you should have been issued with a Resort standard Rotom Phone.” Nero felt around in his pocket, suddenly remembering the phone he’d found in his cabin aboard the ship when he’d been picked up. “Those phones are programmed to update with all the information you will need while you are here. They carry your personal trainer files, your class schedule and also are your devices to register for Tournaments and keep track of your points total.”
“The resort prides itself on producing intelligent, capable trainers. As such I know classes are probably bottom of the list for activities you’d wish to indulge in but each of you must attend two days a week of classes, these will be assigned via your Rotom Phone so be sure to check your weekly schedules. The rest of your time may be used as you see fit, studying, training, exploring the island and more.”
“Pokémon are obviously a core part of this resort and its facilities; we ask that you take the utmost care of your Pokémon as well as the facilities you will be using. As such, no aggressive Pokémon or Pokémon taller two meters are allowed outside of their balls inside the resort's buildings, aside from the indoor battle stadiums of course.”
“Now for the Tournament series.” He began quickly holding up his hands to settle the excited noises that began to break out. “As you know, the Tournament Series is televised to the general public. Across the year, multiple Tournaments shall be held. Each one shall be announced two weeks prior to the event; the information shall be displayed on screens around the resort and also updated to your Rotom phones. Each Tournament may have different rules for competition and entry requirements so be sure to check these. Entry must be completed three days before the Tournament to allow time for seeding and matchups to be decided.”
“Seeding will be decided based on an attendee’s points total. You will be ranked throughout the year based on points that will then be used for a multitude of things. These can be Tournament seeding, also Tournament entry requirements may include a points threshold. Points are also your currency, use them to buy items or services in our various resort stores, but keep track of how many you have, you must balance your spending with how many points you’re earning if you wish to be competitive in the Tournament series.”
“Points can be earned in many ways!” He had to raise his voice over the crowd now. “Attending mandatory classes will earn you a number of points, as will the tests and quizzes held by those classes. Training activity will also earn points; this includes a sanctioned battle between attendees, you can sanction a battle via your Rotom Phone to connect with a faculty member who may act as judge, this way you can battle each other all over the island. In addition, the Pokémon who inhabit this island are free for you to capture, this also earns points as it is valuable in forwarding your efforts to become better trainers.”
“The last way to earn points, is to take part in our very own Resort Gym Challenge. Hidden across the island resort are eight total gyms, these are for you to find and challenge at your leisure, if you’re successful you shall earn a badge and points, these badges may also be an entry requirement for some tournaments. The points ranking shall be readily available at all times on your Rotom phones or on leaderboard screens around the resort.”
“Finally, The Grand Tournament. The final Tournament of the series. Only thirty-two of you, shall qualify for it. Those who become champion of a Series Tournament shall automatically qualify, qualification for the remaining spots shall be revealed at a later time.” He finally ended his long explanation of the resort and its tournaments.
Nero had listened intently and was now raring to go more than ever before. No doubt there was more he’d learn during his time at the resort, but for now he understood the general gist of the Tournament Series.
Tarquin cleared his throat and spoke once more. “Dorm allocations can be found in your trainer profile on your Rotom Phone. May you all become the very best.” With that he stepped away from the mic and left the stage with a friendly wave goodbye.
There was a hum of activity as everyone began to load up their Rotom phones and check their room allocations. Nero did the same, pulling out the phone and checking over its home screen. There were a few apps installed, trainer profile, registered Pokémon, Pokédex, Tournament information, class schedule, assignments, gym challenge, daycare contact and points ranking.
He figured he’d check out the rest a little later and for now opened the trainer profile app. The little screen flickered for a moment as it loaded and displayed his profile.
Name: Nero Caraval
Age: 16
Height: 5’11”
Trainer ID: 1451815 3
Badges: 0
Dormitory: Overqwil Oasis, Room 181
Alongside was a picture of himself, scruffy brown hair and energetic brown eyes looking back at him. He put the phone away and grabbed one of the Pokéballs from the belt at his waist. Heading out of the auditorium to find his dorm room he spoke to the Pokémon held inside. “We’re going to have a lot of fun here, Kid.”
Rules for character submission are pretty straightforward, they are as follows:
Rules:
1 - No Legendaries/ mythicals.
2 - 4 pokemon maximum to begin
3 - Only 1 starter evo line if wanted
4 - "Competetive viability" doesn't matter, nor does level as battles with be fought to provide a good narrative and not just a case of "better stats and higher level will win."
5 - Don't submit a team of fully evolved pokemon for their starting 4, this leaves room for growth, I'd say 1 full evo or mid stage evo is ideal.
6 - I'd prefer pokemon that aren't the super popular ones you see everywhere, give a team some variety.
Any problems or further information needed then I'll reply letting you know.
OC
Name:
Age: (16-19)
Gender:
Sexual Orientation:
Build: (Height, weight etc.)
Features: (Hair, Eyes, scars, etc.)
Clothing:
Personality:
Battle Style: (offensive, defensive, tactical, reckless, etc.)
Preferred type:
Other: (Anything you feel is important that doesn't fit an above section)
Pokemon (Repeat as needed)
Pokemon/Nickname:
Gender:
Ability:
Personality:
Other: (Anything extra you feel is important)
Thanks for any submissions!