<div align="center">(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k512/MissF1R3/PokemonAcademy_zpsv5hekm6h.jpg)</div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: courier;">-It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World-</span></span></div><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><strong>-=IC=-</strong></span></span></div><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k512/MissF1R3/Council_zpsokhlnb3u.jpg)</div><br/>Somewhere in Benfield, in a place known only as The Tea Room, four masked individuals gathered and sat around an old table. Despite the plush chairs under them and the fine wood of the table they were seated at, the rest of the room was nondescript and bland by comparison. Simple windows with bars let in sunlight in broad beams that made motes of dust dance in the air. The room was hot and musty, but none of the figures seemed to mind. They were all dressed in a way to hide their identities. Heavy coats, hats, and metallic masks cloaked the strangers in mystery. Swathed in multiple layers to avoid hinting at body types, the figures talked without paying mind to the stifling weather in the secluded room. Only voices could give away identities, but even these were slightly scrambled when they spoke through their masks. Each mask had a number carved into it, though these did not denote rank, but simply served as a means of identification.<br/><br/>The stranger with glasses was speaking. His mask had a 'I' etched into it and was shaped like the beak of some predatory bird.<em>"As I said, the newest group of specimens is arriving and we will be starting the testing phase shortly. Progress is moving along on my front."</em><br/><br/>Another responded, his mask almost human. No. Simian. Broad features, a down-turned mouth indicated by a thick line of metal. His voice boomed, even through the mask's voice manipulator. The covering bore a 'IV' on the cheek.<strong><em>"Ohoho! Haha!"</em></strong>He laughed, deep and brassy.<strong><em>"Finally. Let's hope for some results this time! If we have to keep waiting, the equipment is going to rust before we can start digging. I've got enough invested in this foolhardy scheme as it is without having to buy new gear, One."</em></strong><br/><br/>One simply made a dismissive gesture.<br/><br/>Another stranger, more slender, with a cat-like mask and a 'III' etched over one eye spoke.<em>"Settle down, both of you. Here, some good news; we're making large strides back at the lab. The frequencies are almost in tune and the development of the device is nearing completion. We just need more stress testing."</em><br/><br/>The two other figures nodded at this, approving. All three turned to the remaining stranger in the Tea Room and looked upon the hunched figure with questioning glances. It finally spoke, the hunched stranger with the snake-like mask. This was 'II', as indicated by the engraving upon his mask's jaw.<em>"The text... is hard to translate... It keeps me up nights. Many nights. Sometimes I still see it when I shut my eyes."</em><br/><br/>Four rolled his head in such a way as to indicate his frustration. He groaned.<strong><em>"Let's get Two some medication before he goes mad. If he drives himself insane before he's done he'll be useless to us."</em></strong><br/><br/>One waved his hand dismissively at Four and looked at Three, who nodded to him. One glanced at Two,<em>"Take a day or two to collect yourself, good sir. Three has enough to go on for a while. If you strain yourself, you'll burn out. Understood?"</em><br/><br/>Two nodded rapidly. He pulled himself from the table and hurried out the door like the offer might be rescinded if he stayed longer than necessary. Three watched him leave, then looked at the other two strangers. He grunted.<strong><em>"What a pain,"</em></strong>he said.<br/><br/>One was smiling behind his mask.<em>"All worth it soon enough, good sir. Soon enough."</em><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="floatright">(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k512/MissF1R3/Academy2_zpseniychyt.jpg)</div><br/>Opening day at The Poke Trainers Academy was a hurricane of activity. Despite all the preparation the Elzebelt region's finest institution had completed it never seemed like enough. There was always one more tee to cross, one more eye to dot, one more thing to check and double check. Staff could be spotted moving quickly from place to place, while returning students hurried to their rooms to unpack and new students arrived and looked instantly lost in the sprawling academy. You couldn't blame the new students for getting lost; the PTA was enormous! It's property stretched out across many acres of forest and grassland. As the students arrived, they would first see the sprawling academy building in front of them with it's grand marble steps leading up and the signs everywhere. The main building not only housed many of the classrooms and labs, but it was also host to the student store, the cafe, and the lounge. It was a constant hub of activity.<br/><br/>Paths led off in all directions with signposts pointing the way to various destinations. Many of the buildings were obscured by trees, as the campus had elected to leave as much of the land intact as possible. The paths cut through grassy fields or the verdant forest. Off to the east was the long medical building, distinctive with it's tower and bell that chimed every day at noon. Also in that direction was the gymnasium, and past the woods, the athletic complex. Off to the north and just behind the main building were the dorms, faculty building, and library. To the west was Tower Lake. Once home to an island prison, it had been completely converted into something much more humane; an arcology. The building on the island not only contained a spa which used natural remedies to help the students relax, it was also a research center for studying acquatic pokemon. On top of all this, the arcology processed all of the PTA's waste into useful chemical compounds like fertilizer, snack blocks for pokemon, and even clean water. All this was accomplished via a process known as anti-matter re-vitalization, or AmRe. Only a handful of the staff and upper class poke scientists knew what it was for sure, but it made the PTA into the most advanced school in the region and a one of a kind place where humans and pokemon could flourish and grow together.<br/><br/>For proof of this bond, students need look no further than Avalon, a tree that grew atop a massive hill behind the campus. Even from the entrance one could see it's green leaves and massive branches. The so-called 'tree of life' was said to have been planted at the founding of the PTA and the start of the AmRe experiments and it's spectacular growth is a thing of beauty.<br/><br/>As the students arrived, they'd see staff all along the entry. They would welcome the new arrivals, hand out pamphlets that had a campus map on one side, and make a formal announcement to all around;<em>"All arriving students, please be in front of the main building by ten 'o clock! There will be a welcome ceremony, then you'll be given dorm assignments and have the rest of the day to settle in! Please don't be late! And welcome!"</em>