A.N. This is the last official chapter of the story. I was going to dedicate one to Elio and Lillie's wedding, but there's no way I can bullshit an entire chapter surrounding a wedding, especially since I have absolutely no idea how to write one, since the only info I have is from stereotypes. But, because I don't want to end this on an uneven chapter number, I'm going to add an epilogue. But anyway, onto this one.

CHAPTER 11

Success and Failure

Faba was found still unconscious from when he had his ass handed to him by Gladion and the trainers that stuck with him. Gladion slumped him over his shoulders and carried him with them out of the Aether Paradise. Gladion simply tied him to the back of a Rotom Bike rather haphazardly. If he fell off into the sea, what was it to him.

Hau tied Elio's wrists around Lillie's waist and Selene tied his ankles to the bike, so he didn't fall off during the journey. Thankfully the bikes were very buoyant, and Elio had lost a bit of weight, so him leaning on either side won't have to much effect on the weight ratio. Then everyone else got onto the other bikes and Lillie notified the people who stayed behind that they were successful. Then they were on their way back to the mainland.

During the trip back nothing much happened. The only thing of note was at one point Elio slumped onto Lillie's back, which reassured her that he really was sitting behind her again, and Faba had regained consciousness to find himself dangling directly over the sea. He screamed with obvious panic and began swearing vengeance for this injustice. Gladion shut him up by yelling, "Oh do be quiet you wannabe bad guy!" and keeling the bike enough for Faba to get a face-full of seawater. He proceeded to do that every time Faba spoke at all.

The group returned to MeleMele to uproarious cheering. Everyone in the region who didn't join them in the Wormhole had set up a small victory celebration for the trainers who went. When they spotted Faba, everyone within range would suddenly find their bag jutting out right where his face was, or suddenly needing to scratch their leg, allowing his head to be hit with their shoes. This evolved to straight up just hitting him when they saw Elio's state.

Eventually, the trainers stopped in the middle of Iki Town and got off the bikes. Lillie and Gladion went on ahead however, with Lillie going straight to the nearest hospital to get Elio checked out, and Gladion going straight to the nearest police station. Once Elio had been checked in, they determined that he was fine. He just used up far too much energy by using two Z moves without a break. They also worked out that he'd reawaken the next day, then he'd need to be fed quite a bit in order to regain his former weight.

This news caused a wave of relief to spread across the region. Once that was clarified, the Island Kahunas began planning a huge festival in honour of getting their champion back. The festival planning went into overdrive and was planned to be even bigger when Lillie finally decided to announce her and Elio's engagement. It was decided that the victory festival would double as a wedding ceremony. It wouldn't be too loud of course due to Elio's noise sensitivity, but it was still highly anticipated.

True to the doctor's word, Elio awoke the next day. Due to his muteness, he had to bang his bedside table to alert the people in the room that he was awake, which caused his hand to begin hurting. Lillie screamed in delight when she saw him and enveloped him in a huge hug. She then proceeded to explain the plan about their wedding being the festival. She didn't want to greenlight the idea until Elio was onboard. As it turned out, he was all for it. "Just as long as it's not too loud," he signed, "then I'd like that. Sure as hell beats having to do all of the planning ourselves." Lillie laughed and agreed.

Elio had to spend a full week in the hospital in order to regain his former strength. Once he'd fully recovered, he was discharged, and Hau immediately took him out to buy a tuxedo. While they did that, Selene and Mallow took Lillie out to buy a dress. Once they had those, their festival began.

Overall, the whole thing lasted a full week. The first five days were for their success in saving Elio. They played music, which was turned down a bit when Elio was getting overwhelmed. It lasted that long because both Elio and Lillie needed a bit of time to mentally prepare themselves for it. The day finally came on the 6th day. They held the ceremony in Iki Town, and the entire region was there. Elio and Lillie exchanged their vows and I dos in sign language, with Hau there to translate.

Since they didn't want to waste a good festival, the reception was held the next day. Once again it was quietened down whenever Elio was present. But after that day, it ended. Elio and Lillie decided to break away from the crowd now milling back to their homes, wishing them well as they passed. Elio led her up to the place where they first met. "Thank you for all of this" Elio told her when they arrived. "For what?" Lillie signed back, not wanting to ruin the tranquillity of the night.

Elio turned to look at her. "Well, for saving me for starters," he said. "But also, for organising all of this. The idea of having to plan this entire thing would've caused me a great deal of stress. Knowing me I might've even tried to call it off." Lillie laughed at that. "Of course I'd organise all of that for you," she replied. "You're more than worth it." Elio hugged her at this and smiled. Lillie used this moment to kiss him, which he was all too happy to return. They were so absorbed in each other that they didn't notice Hau leading Selene up there too. They saw the two of them, smiled, then Selene led Hau away, so they wouldn't disturb the newly-weds.

Man, that was a bit of a mess. But I had absolutely no idea where I was going with that, so I just wrote that mess. Sorry if it's a bit cringe. Anyway, the next chapter is going to be an epilogue. It's basically going to be the Sun and Moon trio meeting with the Sword and Shield trio during Victor's quest to release all of his Legendary pokémon (if you want to know what I'm talking about read The Lost Champion). It's basically a one shot I wrote last summer. I'll see you all then.