Pasio University

Chapter 8- Time to Get Serious

Ethan POV

I sat on my bed with my head hung, overhearing Elio having a conversation with his mom on the phone. "Mom- what if they were right, I mean we still haven't even won one!" I shook my head, he was right, we still haven't won one, heck at this rate it looks like we might never. Whatever, guess we'll just stick with it. "Yeah I love you guys too, see ya." He hung up and then laid flat on his back staring at the ceiling, "Elio? Is something... particularly wrong?" He sighed, "I don't want to bother you with my problems Ethan, you've got enough on your plate." I shook my head, "It's fine really. If you have something on your mind you can tell me." He closed his eyes, "It's not a big deal really. I can tell you one thing though." "What's that?" "We're not losing this next game. Not even close." I shrugged, no idea why he says that. "Alright."

Serena POV

I walked back from Volleyball practice and saw Calem sitting by his Meowstic, who was bouncing up and down on a... Psychic trampoline? Meowstic sure is having a ball.... Whatever, now's not the time for me to ask I took a deep breath and walked up to him, "Hey Calem." He jumped in a startled way but then saw it was me and calmed down, "Oh. Hey Serena." I sat down by him, "You hear about the Harvest Festival this coming weekend?" Calem shook his head, "Uh... no actually I didn't, why?" Play it cool Serena. "Er- no reason in particular. Just wanted to know if you were gonna go or not." Calem scratched his chin, "I dunno. If there's a match that day then-" "There isn't." "...then yeah if you're going I wouldn't mind tagging along." I sat there trying my absolute hardest not to blush. "Great! See you there then Calem!" I then walked back to my dorm.

Gloria POV

I tossed a rock to my Cinderace who launched it super far with a kick. "Wow. Your Cinderace sure has strong legs." Hilda said as she watched. I nodded, "Yeah! He's the best." Cinderace smiled and made a noise. Hilbert then approached us, "Hey, you guys hear about this Harvest festival thing?" Hilda nodded excitedly, "Yeah! You wanna go?" Hilbert nodded, "Sure, why not." Hilda reacted, "Alright! Gloria you want to go too?" I shrugged, "Sure why not." Hilda pumped her fists, "It's gonna be so much fun! Thanks for coming with guys." Hilbert and I nodded and then continued practicing long in to afternoon.

Lillie POV

It's getting pretty late, in fact, it's already quite dark out. I can barely read my studying materials anymore. I decided to close my books and notebooks and begin to head back. I saw someone approaching me though so I stayed, who in the world would be arriving here at this time... It's Elio. He sat down by me. "Hey Lillie." I began slowly, "Hi Elio, what're you doing out here?" He shrugged, "Just came out here to... Get my mind off things I suppose." I figured now would be a good time to confront him about something I've been worrying about, "Elio..." "Yeah?" I took a deep breath and began, "You seem... Distant... I suppose. Compared to how I've known you, or at least how I remember you. So... While I might just be reading things wrong... I uh... Well I'm worried about you." Elio laid back, thankfully it's dark out so he can't see how hard I'm blushing. "That's... That's really nice of you Lillie, but I don't want to bother you wi-" I was getting impatient with him, he doesn't understand that all I want to do is help him, "It's not a burden Elio! It's more of a burden to see you like this." He looked over and took a deep breath, "Well. If you really feel like that I'll tell you. I'd appreciate if you didn't tell anyone about it though." I whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "Not a soul..." He looked over, "So... When you left for Kanto... I erm... I was really sad... For a long time. You were, well besides Hau, my only friend, even then Hau was more focused on bettering himself than being my friend- which is fine- he's in a good place now. But uh... Yeah. I became the uncrowned Champion of Alola pretty much, people... Well they thought I was the best plain and simple." I wasn't following so I asked, "Well first of all I'm really sorry, looking back I shouldn't have left you... It was selfish of me. But my question is, why is this... bothering you." He continued, "Well... I was... Lonely without you and... I made a few friends. They were interested in battling like I was. I taught them everything I know, or at least that I could teach. My plan was as soon as I was old enough I wanted to battle for Alola Regional. And that group of friends I had eventually overtook me and then never talked to me again. They...left me, and then they said I wasn't worth the coach's time... So I was left here... Once the uncrowned king, then just a nobody with no friends. Eventually of course Selene was my friend but by then I was unmotivated and dejected. So if you only caught a little of that... I uh, well I got betrayed. Used if you will. And I realise now I'll have to come face to face with the people that did it." I was shocked, every part of me wanted to give him a hug, but I restrained and made my reply, "I-...Elio-...I'm so sorry that happened..." He looked down, "Me too. I wanted nothing more than to be the pride of Alola. Now that I'm here though, I want to make the best of it... And..." He trailed off and gulped in a deep breath, "...Well I think meeting you again has turned me back in the right direction. So thank you Lillie. Thanks for being here for me." I got misty-eyed and replied, "Aww Elio... I'll always be here for you." We sat there for a long time before eventually heading back. I'm so glad to have Elio back.

Match Day 3

Pasio University (0-2)
Vs.
Melemele Regional (2-0)

Calem POV

I stood at the bow of the boat as I usually did, but this time Elio was standing by me, just silently looking out at the waves, Alola wasn't a far trip, I have to wonder what's on his mind. I don't usually start conversation, I usually leave that to other people but I guess I'll give it a shot, "All good Elio?" He broke from his trance, "Huh? Oh. Yeah cap, I'm all good." I shook my head, "You're not like yourself, you're from around here aren't you?" He nodded, "Yeah. I won't bore you with the whole thing, but don't try to reign me in, I'm not gonna get in your way, but I have a lot of work to do." I shrugged, "Alright. Sounds good to me. As long as we win."

Commentators POV

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Today we have a College Pokemon Battling spectacle for all people! Melemele Regional is going to do battle with Pasio University, who have yet to pick up a win, but today may be different. Pasio is once again starting Calem, Brendan, and Elio, who I might add has been exchanging words with some people in the stands as well as some players for Melemele..."

Elio POV

I noticed one of my old 'friends' on the other team. I also saw quite a few more of them in the stands, the one on the other team was Eric. He strutted over to me while Primarina and I were warming up with Brendan. He jeered, "The Misfit came back huh, should've stayed away." Brendan looked up, but I didn't, I heard the rest of the gang laughing in the stands. The ringleader of those being Rich. Brendan looked at me and whispered, "What's his deal?" I shrugged, "Don't worry about it." I turned back, "I made you. And I assure you I can break you too. Pass the message on." Eric sneered, "We'll check on that after the battle." Calem approached us, "Indeed we will, and it's starting now, so get back to your side." Eric scoffed and then headed back to his side. I looked to Calem, "Thanks man. Now let's do this!" He nodded and we took our places.

Commentators POV

"And the battle has begun quickly! Woah! That Primarina is relentlessly pushing forward, it's drawing the whole team! That definitely wasn't expected! And the rest of the team is capitalizing on it! Primarina gets a KO! Make that 2! And then the Meowstic grabs 1! It is a 3-0 Shutout for Pasio University right now and Elio is letting them hear it. There must be some history there... Anyway the second team is on now lead by Eric, and they have their work cut out for them. Eric gets Meowstic out... Sceptile gets one to make the score 4-1, In comes Hilda for Pasio... That Primarina is still fighting! It's taken blow after blow but it just won't go down...And it finds Eric's Toucannon!! What an effort from Elio and Primarina for Pasio! Melemele scores one back... And Hilda closes it!! Wow! Pasio University grabs their first win of the season in spectacular fashion!"

Kukui POV

"HAHAHA!!! YES!!" I yelled as I threw my clipboard and hugged Elio and Hilda at the same time. Brendan was jumping around hugging Calem, who seemed to be not enjoying it, as well as Hilbert and Lyra. I looked to Elio, "You did so good today! What happened?" He smiled, "That was... Well I've been waiting years to do that." I shrugged, "Alright." I then watched as Elio walked to the center of the field and yelled over at Melemele's team, all I heard was something about an 'L' and what not. Elio was unusually heated, like the commentator said, I'm sure there's a history there, but I'm just glad we won.

Elio POV

After telling Eric off I stormed over to the crowd and pointed up to Rich, "I don't want any trouble, but don't push it ok." He scoffed, "You'll never be trouble." I shrugged, "Tell Eric that when he's crying in to your shoulder." I stormed off after that. I want to say I felt satisfied after that, but to be honest I feel bad, I need to collect myself better and not stoop to their level. Going to be a fun ride back though, just then I saw my Mom in the stands, "Mama!" I yelled as I jumped up in to the stands and hugged her, she laughed, "Aw, hi Elio. You looked so good out there, I knew you could do it." I smiled, "Thanks Mama, did I tell you Lillie is at Pasio too?" She reeled, "Really!? That's wonderful, I'm glad everything is good over there." I nodded, "Alright, see ya Mama." She nodded, "Take care Elio."