Pasio University

Chapter 17- A House Divided

Kukui POV

"YES! That's what we needed to see Lyra!" I yelled as Lyra closed the show on a 6-4 Victory over Dendemille to put our records at 14-3. Everyone ran to me and we celebrated the victory before heading out once again. Tomorrow was the big one. We play Alola Regional, and if we win we'll be in the driver's seat for our conference and past that, the final Tournament! We exchanged high fives as we were all walking out and then I told them all to rest up and be ready for the game tomorrow.

Dawn POV

I walked over to Brendan, "Hey Brendan, I heard you and May are together now." He nodded, "Yes! I'm super happy about it." I looked Around, "Man. Everyone on the team is hooking up..." Brendan patted me on the back, "Don't worry Dawn. I'm sure you'll find someone at some point." I replied, "Very reassuring. Thank you." He chuckled, "Yeah. So, got a game plan for tomorrow?" I shrugged, "No. Hopefully Elio just does his thing like he did against that other Alolan school he was acting weird about." Brendan put his hand under his chin, "Yeah. Now that you mention it he has been acting weird recently..." I shrugged, "Yeah. Super carefree guy most of the time. But anytime Alola gets brought up..." Brendan nodded, "As long as it doesn't get in the way of out match, he's fine to feel however he wants." I slowly nodded, "I suppose. we can only hope whatever it is, he gets over it at some point, I hate to see him so distant."

The next day

Match day
Pasio University (14-3)
Vs
Alola Regional (15-2)

Elio POV

I woke up and immediately called Lillie. "Elio! Good morning!" I always felt happy talking to Lillie. It was the best way for me to be ready. "Hey Lillie. Good morning." I heard her begin on the other end, "Hey, I know how you're feeling... relatively... Today and I just wanted to let you know I'm here for you. Go out there and give it your best ok?" I nodded, "I will. Thank you Lillie. I love you." She giggled, "I love you too Elio. Best of luck!" She then hung up, probably to get ready to come watch the match soon. Today was the day I had to show Rich that I moved on. That I'm better. I clapped my hands and then got myself ready. It's go time.

Calem POV
I stood in the locker room waiting for the whole team to get here to give them the pre match briefing. Well besides Elio. He was here before even I was. He had been sitting silently in a corner for some time. Though this goes against my antisocial disposition, I think I'll ask him about it. "Hey Elio. If you're good with it, can you at least tell me why you get like this before matches like these." He looked around for other people. Then nodded, "Yeah. Only Lillie and Selene know right now...but I trust you Calem. I won't bore you with the whole deal. But Rich, and a few other guys at these Alolan schools. I used to know them. We were 'friends' for a while, but all they did was use me, to steal my battle styles and strategies, then deny me any place on the teams." I sat down next to him, "Man...that's horrible. I can see why you get so worried. But uh... If I can offer you any advice, we got your back." Elio looked up and nodded, "Appreciate it cap." I patted him on the back, "Focus up. Go time soon."

Soon the rest of the team arrived and I paced around as I explained the game plan that Lucas had come up with for us. It involves a lot of cooperation, which I will be interested to see considering how Elio played hero-ball last time he was in this situation. We were the home team today though once again, And I think the crowd will give us enough energy to come out on top. I clasped my hands, "Alright. You know the drill. Let's roll." I said motioning the team to follow. Today's roster, Me, Brendan, Elio, Ethan, Dawn, and Victor.

Elio POV

I stood warming up with Primarina when I heard laughter behind me. It was Rich. I looked back at him and he was surrounded by his gang. He noticed me and laughed, "Why'd you even bother. Go back home kid. You don't have what it takes." I shook my head, "We'll see Rich. If I were you I wouldn't get all too comfortable." He laughed dryly. "You've never been, and quite frankly you will never be enough Elio." He then turned off and took his place. I shook my head and continued warming up as the huge pro-Pasio crowd filed in. I saw Lillie for a second and waved to her. Which she returned. No time to focus on that though. I have to win. I have to.

Commentators POV

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, as usual I will be your host for this evening, but not as usual is this match we are about to witness. The top two teams in the Greater Islands Conference are about to throw down, the winner will be in the driver's seat to be the #1 seed in the Conference Championship Tournament. One thing to watch for today, the leader in votes for league MVP, Rich. He and his Kommo-O are a force to be reckoned with. Without further ado... They are ready to go. The referee has signaled the beginning and we are off!" I observed closely, Elio once again led with incredible aggression. But Rich and the others were simply avoiding him and pressing Calem and Brendan. Brendan made multiple calls to Elio to form back up, but Elio wasn't listening. He was on his own mission. Brendan was visibly frustrated. Calem was staying cool, but was close to done for. "Oh! A hard hit from Aggron sends the Meowstic down! 1-0 for Alola!" I yelled as the first point came through. Brendan yelled at Elio, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? FORM UP!" Elio didn't even look at him, "Relax Brendan we're fine." Ethan came in and the battle restarted. Once again, while Elio was landing some hits, Brendan was getting pressed hard. Eventually both Sceptile and Typhlosion went down. "OH! A huge double KO for Alola! Brendan is not happy! What is... What is happening!?" I yelled. Brendan had charged Elio and hit him with a hard punch to the jaw. Elio didn't fall but was staggered by it. Ethan was in the middle of it as well as Calem and Victor now trying to break it up. Kukui was as well. Alola Regional was laughing. They probably know what this means. "I can't believe my eyes! This is bedlam! 2 of Pasio's stars have come to blows! They have now been separated, but man...that is not good for Pasio. That is actually a forfeit, for having an interruption mid battle like that. So Alola Regional wins it 3-0! That is not how these things usually go folks..."

Elio POV

What just happened!? Did we just- did we...AGH! I felt a throbbing pain in my jaw where Brendan had drilled me. I was being led away by Kukui right now, as well as about half the team. The other half dealing with Brendan. I got put in to the locker room and someone shut the door behind us. Kukui put me down on the bench forcefully. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!?" I shook my head, "Professor I-" he shook his head, "That was... unacceptable out of both of you! We lost the match! We lost credibility... You embarrassed us all!" I hung my head, "I felt like it was going to work-" Kukui turned his back on me, "The only thing that is going to work is you. On your classes. Because if what usually happens is what is about to happen to you. We won't see you again on this field. Possibly for the rest of the regular season. Possibly for the rest of the whole season. Possibly for your whole life." I hung my head and sat there, why did Brendan have to hit me! It would've been fine if he just left me alone!

Brendan POV

I was being restrained by Calem as he led me to a room in the stadium and shut the door. Just the two of us in the room. He locked the rest of the team out. I stood, still fuming at Elio's arrogance and stupidity. Calem looked back at me after locking the door. "Take a seat." He said relatively calmly. I sat down and he stood on the other side of the room. "What. Got. In. To. You." He said very firmly while staring me down. I looked back up at him, "You were ok with that!? Elio just completely ignored us and-!" He held up his hand, "Stop. I don't care. He didn't make you PUNCH him!" I shook my head, "I was trying to knock some sense in to him." Calem looked exasperated, "You two ought to knock some sense into yourselves individually!" He began to pace, fuming, "We didn't just lose because of that Brendan! You and Elio are going to be suspended. For how long? I don't know! But you just put your own egos in front of the team. Both of you. If I ever see you on this team again you best consider yourself lucky that they had mercy on you." He then stormed out angrily. I was left there with my own thoughts. Stupid Elio! All he had to do was follow the game plan!

Professor Oak POV

I was still sat in my seat after watching the match. What a disaster for this school. I can't really imagine a worse outcome. I'll have to get the conference chairmen over here to hand out some suspensions to those involved, but beyond that there isn't much I can do I suppose. I sighed and called Kukui, he answered immediately, "Professor I'm so sorry I don't know Wh-" I cut him off, "Kukui. It's not your fault. It's fine. You know the program only has one year in it anyway. It's not like I'm gonna fire you for this or fire you as a teacher." He sighed, "I-I know I'm just... confused...they're good kids and I just... This is so out of character for them." I agreed, "I'm sure. You picked the starters based on character. So I'm interested to get to the bottom of this. Hopefully we'll have them back and in shape by the end of the season...but I don't think we will..."