Pasio University

Chapter 46- The End

"THAT IS IT! PASIO UNIVERSITY ARE YOUR INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

I smiled widely raised my arms in victory. A wave of redemption washed over me. I looked over to Matisse and remembered what Elio told me about having a rival, and what he and Brendan just showed. I walked over to him as the confetti rained down the royal purple and red colors of Pasio University, and walked over to him and started, "Life's crazy sometimes huh?" He shook his head, still on the ground after dropping in shock, "Yeah. Maybe I underestimated you Calem. I thought you just wanted to piggyback on my success... But you've really showed growth. Heh. To think we might be rivals in the pros next year." I smiled and extended my hand, "Yep. Should be one of the best rivalries the league had ever seen." Matisse smirked and accepted my help to his feet, then spoke, "That it should. Enjoy this one Calem, you won't get another." I chuckled, "Wouldn't have it any other way." We shared a firm handshake and the whole crowd cheered loudly.

We went out separate ways and I ran with all the energy I had left to the team who was running back at me. We all had a group hug and bounced up and down together. Pasio University are Champions, not just division, not just regional. World. Champions. I ruffled the hair of the person nearest to me, then clapped my hands loudly. I looked back and saw Elio laughing, "Hah. You really handled that well. I'm glad you two came to an understanding." I smiled, "All thanks to you and Brendan man. You guys showed me how to handle a rival. Though I guess your job isn't done yet is it?" Elio shrugged and smiled, "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, who cares!? We're world champions!" We hugged each other tightly. Elio then broke quickly, "Shoot. I gotta go link up with Brendan real quick-." I pulled him by the shirt collar, "Ah! You're not missing this trophy presentation." He turned to face me and smiled apologetically, "Oh yeah... Alright. Let's go." We walked together to the platform that had raised in the center of the stadium, and there it was on a pedestal. The prize we have everything for. The International Collegiate Pokemon Battling Championship trophy. It's gold surface glistening in the fading sunlight. I motioned the rest of the team still celebrating to meet me in the center at the trophy. I looked to the section that had all the families too, Professor Burnet, Elio and Selene's Mom, May, her parents, Brendan's parents, Lillie, and most importantly to me, Serena. I ran over quickly and told them all to come down with us, to me, we couldn't have done it without these guys. I embraced Serena as she got down to me, she didn't say anything, because really the moment spoke for itself. We held hands and walked to the podium where the team had circled around the trophy. We counted and then raised it all together as even more confetti shot around us. The team let me hold the trophy first and I scanned it over.

After I got my fill of holding it, I passed it to Brendan for him to hold and continue holding, just then I saw someone come up to interview me. The interviewer came up to me as I fixed the "Pasio University: International Champions" hat to my head, (The only one that didn't was Elio, he loves the hat Lillie gave him, so he just wore the T-shirt). The interviewer made it to me, and Serena went to move to get out of the frame, but I pulled her back, I smiled, "Don't leave me now, no way I get anywhere near here without you." She blushed bright and smiled, before accepting and standing by my side with my arm around her. The interviewer started, making no attempt to hide the excitement and disbelief in their voice, "I'm here with the captain of this championship team, none other than Calem. Calem, what does this victory mean to you?" I shook my head, "To me? It was the ultimate redemption. But that's not important. The only thing that's important to me is the smiling faces of my teammates right now. That... That's something bigger than any rivalry, and bigger than any win really." The interviewer shook her head, "I gotta ask, how did you manage to plan that final sequence?" I pointed my thumb at Meowstic, who was once again playing on his psychic trampoline. She nodded understandingly, "That's cute. Anyway, you have any final things to say?" I nodded, "There will never be another team like this one. Our players, our support system, it's all the best I could ask for. A lot of us... Came here broken, unsure of our futures. We found each other, and in my case especially I found... Well I guess I should say this wonderful girl found me. She changed my life all for the better, and there's no way I'd be standing here without any of the once-called misfits you see here with me. Through every challenge we fought together like there was no tomorrow and... I just... This team will always be a part of my family. They say that friends are the family you choose, but this is closer, this is a real brother and sisterhood." I ended the interview there and hugged Serena again. This is really happening isn't it?