Pasio University: Sophomore and Junior Years

Chapter 56- Giant Slayers

Calem POV

"Come on, let's work!" I yelled to the team as the scrimmage raged on. I clapped my hands as I watched and helped them tweak some things here and there. I made sure to ask Austin's opinion on things too. We're getting better, but I don't know how noticable it'll be yet. Ricard walked up to me after going out in the scrimmage, "Hey Calem, any advice for how to break a trap?' I scratched my chin, "Best way is to track their movements, if they're jumpy and move to help with little pressure, they're looking to get you, bait the trap and get your teammates to force a 3 on 2 with the trappers." He nodded, "Good call. Thanks." I nodded. Austin chuckled, "Do you have answers for everything?" I shook my head, "Nah. Still don't know why Serena decided to date me heheh." Austin chuckled, "Life is crazy like that sometimes. You're a good dude Calem. Sorry we didn't get off on the right foot." I sighed, "Me too man. It's a lot better with you on my side."

We've got a game tomorrow. The Accumula Titans are 3-1 so far. We're gonna go as hard as we can on that away soil and show them what we've got. Aviators 2.0... my bad, V2, forgot 2.0 is Elio's trademark. I walked back from practice while discussing some of the improvements we would have to make soon. One thing I will say is that I guessed right. This team is fiercely loyal, and they're hungry to learn. So much in fact that I have to be too. I need to figure out some new strategies and what not for a full team, rather than just 3 people, and that's a good thing because it gives us so many more options.

I reached home and walked in to Serena's little studio to see how she was doing. She had her second performance at that club today and I wager to guess it went pretty well too. I opened the door and Serena was at a desk writing something. She looked up to me, "Hiya Calem! How was work today?" I quickly responded, "Fantastic! Having a team that listens to you is so much more fun. But hey that's all you. How'd your second performance go?" Serena swiveled her chair, "I think I could've done better-" I cut her off, "Yeah- but how'd they say you did?" She scratched her head, "I got even more tips than last time. And I guess I'll be the first regular performer there." I patted her on the back, "There ya go." She sighed, "What I'd do without you... I'd probably still be getting sick all the time." I looked over her shoulder, "Hm... Hey, is that an electric guitar?" Serena was a little caught off guard by that and replied, "Huh? Oh. Yeah. I've been experimenting with some pop-rock music today, it's really fun." I was always so happy to hear about her enjoying herself. Seeing her so genuinely unbothered and happy gives me great joy. I looked at her, "That does sound fun, would you mind playing some of the songs for me sometime?" Serena replied happy, "Of course, I'd love to! Not now though... I'm really tired... Care to join me?" I nodded, "I'll be up in a bit. I'm gonna fix myself a snack first." She walked out and headed for the stairs. "Ok!" I then got to the kitchen and began to busy myself with making a sandwich.

I woke up the next morning next to Serena and once again managed to sneak out of the house without waking her after putting on my uniform. I put my headphones on and listened to some music on the way down. I feel inspired and so ready to take on the day ahead. I jogged in to the airfield and Skyla was sitting in the cockpit waiting to take off, she chuckled, "Well, well, well, you've got quite the pep in your step! You feeling good about today?" I ran my hand through my hair while taking off my headphones, "Yeah! Been some promising stuff in the last few practices." Skyla leaned forward, "Heheh. Glad to hear it, you've changed the culture here man, I think we can get some winning done." I humbly replied, "Thank you so much. We've got one heck of a gameplan to execute today, the Titans are formidable, but I think we have what it takes."

Commentators POV

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Accumula Stadium, where, in front of a packed house, the Titans will look to extend their record to a solid 4-1 with a victory over the resilient 2-2 Mistralton Aviators. Partner, how do you see this one going?" My partner began, "Well I think the Titans are going to win, but it'll be uncomfortable. The Captain's line of Calem, Dusty, and the rookie Ricard has been, in my opinion, the most underrated in the league, and I'd say could even be debatably a top 5 line in the league, the weakness of the Aviators lies in the first three who have been nothing short of unimpactful the last year and a half here. Accumula will likely power their titans to a victory, I'll say either 6-4 or a close, but still relatively safe 6-5." I nodded, "Alrighty, the two teams are taking the field, let's see what they can do!"

The match began and the frontline of the Aviators looked so different. "The Aviators are moving with much more precision than we've seen before! I wonder what made them change their strategy so drastically... Whatever reason it is works! Mistralton jumps out to a 1-0 lead and the packed crowd is stunned! Austin with the first pick! And they're looking to snowball... Brilliant trap set! It's 2-0! This is incredible! Mistralton looks like a completely new team right now!" Trades and other brilliant plays from Mistralton kept them ahead until the score reached 4-2. Austin, Dusty, and Ricard were on the field for Mistralton with two to go. "And it looks as though Mistralton is stalking their prey, and this is all too impressive, striking with pinpoint precision! Austin trades and it's a 5-3 lead for Mistralton still, and Captain Calem comes on with the chance to close the upset win. And Calem's Meowstic finds the point in seconds! A 6-3 upset for the Mistralton Aviators, and I am beyond impressed with them right now, they looked so in sync, and so much more coordinated through the whole roster than maybe we've ever seen from them. It could be a fluke, but their new 3-2 record isn't. Mistralton wins!"

Calem POV

I raised my arms and then pumped my fist after we pulled the upset. I knew what we were capable of, but I didn't know if we were quite ready for an opponent of that caliber. That answers that question. Ricard fist bumped me and Dusty and I also fist bumped before I noticed someone coming to interview me. It was a reporter from the Unova Sports Network, I raised an eyebrow, as this is the only time I've ever seen an interviewer head toward us. She walked up and began, "Hey Calem, got a minute?" I shrugged, "Sure." She stood by me and got the camera crew set up in front of us.

"I'm here with the captain of the Mistralton Aviators, Calem. Calem, what went right with your game today, and how were you able to defeat such a tough team in front of their home crowd?" I thought about my answer for a second then replied, "Well, first off, big shout out to the front line, specifically Austin. We made some great progress together working in practice and I'm so happy with the results. Other than that, big game experience from my time in Pasio helped me greatly." The reporter nodded and said, "Off of that, there have been rumors that Elio has... Passed away in hospice care. Is there any truth to these rumors and how are you feeling?" I narrowed my eyes and replied, "No comment." She shrugged, "Fair enough. Great performance from you guys today either way." I shook my head and walked away. You'll know when we want you to know. Personal stuff like that has no place on TV. That's just my opinion though. Didn't mean to be a jerk about it. Still, great day to be alive, everything just seems to be getting better.