Pasio University

Chapter 23- Midterm

Elio POV

I walked out of the hotel with Selene and Lillie. We were on our way to the Battle Royale Dome, close on the island. That would be where the Semifinals would be at today. We were the second game up today. Second after Alola Regional vs Malie City. We walked down the street and carried a conversation with my girlfriend and best friend respectively before being stopped on the way. "Elio!" I turned back, "Mama!" I jogged over to my Mom and shared a hug with her. She craned her neck behind me, "Lillie! Is it really you? And Selene! Oh! I'm so happy to see you both." Mom broke the hug with me and hugged Selene saying, "Oh Selene! Thanks for taking care of him." Selene giggled, "Yeh. I'm gonna start needing payment for this." Mom laughed then hugged Lillie, "Lillie I haven't seen you in years! You're so mature... But I recognize that sweet face anywhere!" Lillie giggled "Awh... It's good to see you too... It's been too long." I snapped my fingers, "It has been hasn't it. But uh, you won't have to worry about any similar droughts." Mom looked at me, "Huh?" Lillie laughed awkwardly, "Er- yes... I'm your son's girlfriend now." Mom excitedly reacted, "Wow! That's so awesome! You too are so perfect for each other I-! AH!" Lillie and I laughed, Mom then sobered up, and looked solemnly to me, "Ah... That reminds me on the subject of family..." I looked at her questioningly, "What?" Mom looked down, "Look. I don't have to remind you about how your Dad left when you were 4, and Selene I don't need to remind you that yours left when you were little as well..." Selene looked questioningly, "Ye- what hey how'd you know that I never to-" Mom turned, "Well apparently your fathers are one in the same. Apparently he was a notorious dead beat who pretended to want to start families... Anyway to cut to the chase you two are rather technically siblings." I reeled in shock, what! Selene! My sister!? I looked over at Selene who returned my look whole saying, "Heh... I thought I might've been on to something..." I looked over at her in complete shock, "Wh- How is this not turning your entire world!?-" Selene looked at me, "Are you a college student or not Elio? I'm too busy to get shook up." I laughed, "Whatever sis." She reeled, "Ok now that, that's weird." I tilted my head, "What, don't like it?" She shrugged, "Nah it's really cool, just not used to it yet." Mom looked at us both, "Ah... So uh... Selene, if you ever need a place to stay, my door is always open... It already was but I can officially say so now I suppose." Selene scratched the back of her head, "Aw gee... Thanks." Lillie smiled, "This is such an odd thing, but how nice it is..." I nodded, "Welp, that's enough to distract me from the pressure, guess I'll be on my-" Mom grabbed my shoulder, "Not yet. I have... I have something for you." She reached out her hands and handed me a box, I took it and opened it, she smiled as I took out a... bath robe with a hood? I looked at her, "What is this?" She smiled, "Your grandfather... My dad... He used to be a fighter... He wore this robe out to the fights... Grandma made it for him and it reminded him of her... I hope that it will give you that same strength of remembering... That same feeling of love from your family and friends." I smiled, "I think it will. It will actually help a lot... Because I have something planned for my teams entrance today?" Mom looked at me, "Oh? What might that be?" I looked up, "A statement. The people of Alola abandoned me at my lows... I'm going to show that I came back because of the people like you, the people like Selene, the people like Lillie. The ones who stuck by me through my hardships and through my trials. I don't fight for the glory of Alola anymore. I fight for my friends." Lillie reeled, "S-so you'll be playing the villain essentially?" I nodded, "In their eyes, yes." Lillie frowned, "That isn't like you to be like that, but I support you whatever you choose to do." I smiled, "Thanks Lil. This isn't a villain story really though. This is a story of redemption, and I'm eternally thankful for you guys that helped me on it."

Calem POV

I sat in the away locker room of the Battle Royale Dome. My team was all here minus Elio and Selene... What are they up to? I heard some jeers and boos outside the locker room as Elio and Selene then entered the room. I looked up, "You two are later than usual." Elio shrugged, "Sorry cap. Crowd isn't too friendly to move for me." I sighed, "Don't let it get to you. Last thing we need is it to-" he cut me off, "I'm letting it get to me, but this time in a motivating way, not a scared way." I smirked and huffed, "Ahhh a mindset change. I trust ya Elio. You too Selene. Put on a show." He nodded, "Oh you bet!" They took a seat down on the other end and began to discuss how they would make their entrance. I figured I'd just tag along with whatever they did. Elio is the showman, I'm more about the physical warfare, not the mental. I stood up and paced to the locker room exit. Where I heard the fans filing in and chanting Melemele fight songs. I stood in front of all the benches and put my hands behind my back as I looked out over the team. "If I could have your attention please..." I began, the team all stopped their conversations and looked at me. I'm glad they respect me. "Thanks. Welp. As you all know, this is it. We win today, we go to the conference championship, we lose today, we all go home." I looked around, "I know we haven't had the easiest road, and I know there are still some unresolved conflicts." I looked down, "But it doesn't matter. Today and tomorrow we fight for a common goal. The Conference Championship. So I ask you... Look to the people at your sides... That's your family. I want you to fight for that person like you fight for yourself. If we do that, there's no doubt in my mind we leave this building drenched in confetti." I looked up, there were a few nods and the rest looked solemnly motivated. I clasped my hands, "Now... I would be remiss to mention... Here, nobody wants to see us succeed. After our heated rivalries, we have become the villains, chiefly Elio." Elio shrugged, I continued, "Which is exactly why he'll be leading us out today. We want to be the villain, takes the pressure off us, puts it on the hometown heroes to deliver." The team nodded, I smirked, "This will only work if you know what you're fighting for. We don't care about what everyone else thinks, we cate only about the people beside us and those who were behind us from the beginning, the rest never really cared anyway." I motioned them all to put their hands in. The team grouped and I led them, "Pasio on 3! 1,2,3!" The team yelled "PASIO!"