Pasio University

Chapter 34- Progressing

Professor Oak POV

I picked up my office phone and called professor Kukui after watching our team put on a stellar performance in Wyndon Stadium. He answered, "Professor Oak. I assume you watched the match today?" I responded, "I did. That was good stuff professor Kukui." He chuckled, "I told you. This group is special. Anyway, that enough to convince you the program is worth saving?" I shook my head, "Nope. Sorry Kukui. The school only gets the funds we need if you make the Final Four." I heard him stutter, "Th-... The what?" I sighed, "You heard me." He sounded defeated, "But if everything plays out the way it should... We'd have to beat Goldenrod... And they're one of the best Gym Leading schools in the world! That's not an easy task for a bunch of freshman!" I answered sharply, "Well I didn't say it would be. You just have to rise to the occasion." Kukui snarled on the other end, "It sounds to me like you just don't have any faith in this team!" I laughed dryly, "Me!? You're the one doubting they can make top 4." Kukui made his frustrated reply, "Yeah. Any old team can get lucky against us. If everything goes to plan though, no way we don't get it. I guarantee you." I heard Kukui hang up the phone, then Professor Blue who was sitting near me laughed, "Like it or not gramps, he has a point. You seem awful excited to cut the program." I shook my head, "Blue, you don't understand do you?" He stood up, "Nope. And I don't think I want to. They're gonna kick some a-" I heard the door swing open and Professor Red silently acknowledged us, then Blue walked out with him, "Anyway, me and Red are going to Unova to watch the game, you should probably tune in, those kids are gonna stick it to Dendemille." I shrugged, "Fine. Have a nice trip." I sat down in my chair after they left. All this will be over soon... I won't have to worry about it. Don't get me wrong, I love when my school succeeds athletically, but that team embarrassed us on a national scale, I just don't think it's worth doing all this for them.

Brendan POV

Finally back in Pasio! Just for a day, but man it's good to be back. First order of business is finding May, then second is doing some research on Dendemille. The first was accomplished seconds after the thought as I saw my caramel haired friend walking up to meet me. I smiled, "May! How was the watch party yesterday?" She smiled, "It was great! You guys looked really good." I scratched my head, "Yeah. It felt really good to put together a win like that one." I saw Kukui walking with a lot more purpose than he usually does. May raised an eyebrow, "Is he ok?" I shrugged, "Oak said our program is still dead unless we get Top 4." May sighed, "So I guess the suspense will continue for a while longer huh." I nodded, "Yes. But the outcome will be the same." Calem approached me, "You think we can do it?" I nodded, "Yeah." He looked at me questioningly, "No doubts at all?" I shook my head, "None." He patted my shoulder, "Good. Anyone who has a doubt is getting benched, which so far is no one. We're not letting this end yet." I looked at Calems back as he turned away and stalked forward. I turned to May, "Nothing about any of this is normal huh." She shrugged, "More entertaining that way." I held out my hand and she grabbed it and walked with me back to who knows where.

Lillie POV

Thankfully Elios flight arrived safely at the airstrip. I walked around looking for him... Ah... I can't find him... I then felt someone tap my shoulder from behind, I looked back and it was Elio standing awkwardly behind me, he smiled, "Hey!" I hugged him, "I'm so glad you're back! You guys looked great by the way." He responded, "Yeah. I can't wait to get after these other teams." I frowned, "I heard President Oak isn't making this easy on you guys." Elio chuckled, "Heh. Yeah, it is what it is though, when I get my hands on that trophy I'm gonna put it right on his desk and kick my feet up." I giggled, "isn't that a bit far?" He chuckled, "Yeah... Heh. Glad you're around to keep me grounded." I grabbed him and began to lead him, "Now come on, let's go back to my dorm! I'll make you something to eat." Elio scratched his head as I happily led him forward, "You really know me better than I do Lil..."

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I exited the team plane and moved for the practice field. Just because we won 6-0 doesn't mean I couldn't have been better. "Matisse." I turned around, "What?" I saw the president of Mauville of Hoenn standing there. I raised an eyebrow, "Mr. President. What're you out here for?" He shrugged, "Wanted to talk to you. I heard the interview you gave the other day." I shrugged, "Yeah. Most people have." He thought, "Why were you entertaining the thought of Pasio University?" I shrugged, "Old habits die hard I suppose. I used to beat Calem all the time, so I guess I'm just pretty confident I can do it again." He sighed, "You're missing the mark. They're the six seed, they're not making the finals." I turned my hand over and ran my thumb over my fingernails, "I didn't know that. Still. It's either gonna be them or Lumiose." The President shook his head, "You been watching at all? Goldenrod is going to make them look stupid. If they don't get upset first-" I cut him off, "So why are you bringing up Pasio now huh?" He groaned, "To reinforce to you how far above them we are. We're letting them win just by giving them publicity." I shook my head, "Whatever. Don't get so defensive about it." The President looked at me in an annoyed way, "Watch your tongue. Just because you're the best on the team doesn't mean we couldn't win without you." I shrugged, "Yeah. I don't think you'd want to find out. Would be a shame if one thing about last year's team changed and then your team didn't win it this year. Would make it look like someone was responsible for winning it all last year, possibly your best player?" The President walked off angrily and I then stood and made a 'tch' sound. Very petty. I think the President fails to recognize the value I've brought to this team. When I say I'm preparing for a team. You listen to me. I know this game better than any other person in the world aside from some professionals. I want what's best for this team, and I legitimately think that preparing only for Goldenrod and Lumiose is dumb. Pasio isn't all that good, but I think they have enough trickiness up their sleeves to beat one if not both of those teams. Dendemille is pretty good too though... I heard footsteps behind me, "You going to kick me off the team then?" I heard a familiar laugh behind me, "You know even if I wanted to I couldn't." I smirked, "Wally." The green haired freshman stood next to me, "You and Meowstic just couldn't take a break huh?" I looked at my blue Meowstic who was tirelessly working. "Yeah. The competition is tougher this year. But thanks to you and Gallade, we are too." Wally shook his head, "That's high praise from you. You know the end goal though." I smirked, "Thought you were crazy initially. You said Pasio was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Now your goal of beating them in front of a TV audience may be realized. I never did ask you why though." Wally sat down, "Brendan is on that team. We were rivals back in the day. Everyone looked to him as the next great trainer to come from Hoenn. He was nice to me sure, but it's time for me to step out of the shadows and show my family what I can do. I'm tired of coming in 2nd." I sat down by him, "I respect that Wally. You deserve your time. I met a lot of people back in the day who wanted to take credit for things they didn't do, but you're not like that. You've worked hard, buckle down, we'll be on top in no time."

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Calem POV

Another day another flight. I'm getting better with these again, when I was young I used to go all over the place with my parents, but since then I kinda resented it and stayed home whenever I could. It's been a tall task for me to go all these new places and meet all these new people, but it has been a rewarding one, I went from someone with almost no friends to someone who now has a girlfriend and a wonderful circle of friends. This team has been an incredible thing for me, and where I'd be without it I don't know. I felt a tap on my shoulder, "Hey Cal, you good?" My rather social Alolan friend asked as he probably was bored after doing nothing for the last half hour. I raised an eyebrow, "Do I really look off or are you just bored?" Elio leaned back and put his arms behind his head, "Guilty as charged. I'm bad with planes." I chuckled, "Yeah. I know, you can't deal with silence, I'll never understand you naturally outgoing people." Elio scratched his head before smiling "Yeesh, just wanted to talk, didn't expect a personal attack Cap." I chuckled, "Sorry. You ready for today?" Elio once again put his hands behind his head, "No. But I never am. Heh. After the whole incident earlier this year I don't want to get myself too worked up about anything." I looked at him, "Be careful with that. Don't get careless." Elio smiled, "It's not about that. I really care, it's just that I do everything I can to prepare, so I don't worry about the outcome. It is what it is. I've done all I can." I looked at him, "You say a lot of philosophical stuff. I'm starting to think you do an equal amount of thinking and talking." Elio chuckled, "I don't want to look in to what you're implying there."