Many months have passed and we start to see changes in the riolu’s life. We see him enter a small room and stand before a wigglytuff, who is the head of the guild school that resides outside of Heroto.
“So, Zach the Rambunctious Riolu,” the wigglytuff begins. “The top funny act of Ringmaster Raichu’s Big Top, approaching the headmaster of one of the greatest guild schools in the region. Do I even dare ask why you are here?”
“I…” Zach struggles to get the words out of his mouth. “I’m… here to apply for your academy.”
“You?! Apply to us? And what reason be that?”
“I’m looking to follow my dreams and be among one of the best guilds in all of the land.”
“If you think you’re planning on trying to win yourself back into Team Rescuers, then your comedy needs more work.”
“It’s no comedy, Sir… And I’m not trying to win back Team Rescuers… I’m looking to set out on my own and make a name myself. The reason I am here is because I want to learn from the best masters and prove to everyone I am guild material.”
“And why should I believe you? An accident-prone clown who can’t stop getting hurt for thirty seconds.”
“Please, Sir, I do not wish to be that; that isn’t my calling. My true calling is to help others and earn everyone’s respect through honor and bravery. Plus, adventure is my passion in life. Should you accept me, I shall prove to you I truly belong among great guild pokemon.”
“Fancy words for a circus clown… We don’t usually take pokemon like you in.” Zac remains silent and keeps his eyes onto him. “However, unlike Team Rescuers, we expect students to prove themselves. If you are willing to do that, like you say you are, then you are welcomed here. Let us see.” The riolu is tested with some attacks from the wigglytuff, which he defends and retaliates. The riolu dodges throws at him and fights back with some of his moves like force palm. The wigglytuff evades some of the riolu’s advances as well. At some point during the mini fight, the wigglytuff grabs the riolu’s arm to stop a punch. “Such form. Such reaction. And yet, a mere circus performer. My dear riolu…” He grasps Zach’s paw and shakes it. “Welcome to the academy!” Zach lets out a gasp and smiles. “I trust you shall do good here.”
***
Not everyone is pleased with the news of Zach’s entry, however; Ringmaster Raichu is one of them, yet he must let his newest performer go and grow as a pokemon, vowing he will still be part of the riolu’s life.
Elle, hugging her boyfriend upon greeting him, congratulates him on the news. “Oh, Zach! I’m happy for you!”
“Aw, shucks,” says the riolu, blushing and turning away. “I have you to thank for it all.”
“I’m glad things are looking up. Oh, I hope you don’t mind, but I have family with us.”
“Not at all! In fact, I’m excited to meet your family.”
“It’s… complicated, actually…”
“Hey, Sis!” Appearing out from the tavern door is the regular celebi. “How long is your boyfriend going to be?! We-” She freezes and turns to surprise upon seeing the riolu before her. “Elle…” She points to Zach. “What is he doing here?”
“Cindy,” begins Elle. “This is the boy I was talking about. He’s the one I am dating.”
“What the fuck?!”
Zach remains staring at his ex-crush. “Um… Hello, Cindy… Nice to-”
“You and him, Elle?!” interrupts Cindy. “Are you fucking serious?!”
“Now, now,” says Elle, getting between the two. “Let us all just go sit down and have lunch together. We can discuss more at the table.”
Inside the restaurant, the table is eerily quiet in contrast to the other patrons around them. Cindy, Jay, and their triplet children sit across from the riolu, staring at him as he’s next to the shiny celebi. The triplets consist of a female celebi named Ezie, a buizel boy named Jacob, called “Junior” by his parents, and a shiny buizel girl named Zoe.
Zach keeps his posture. “Um, so… Lovely day, isn’t it…?”
The buizel turns to his mate. “Did you know about this?”
“No,” Cindy tells him, keeping her gaze fixed on Zach. “In fact, when Elle was telling me she met a nice male and started a relationship with him, I didn’t think it would be Zach…
“How did you two meet each other?” asks Ezie.
“Yes,” Cindy adds. “I think we’d all like to know how this… riolu… met a lovely pokemon such as my sister…"
“Oh, well it’s quite an interesting story,” Elle starts. “I first met Zach at the circus, where he had a big crush on me. Of course, I wouldn’t have known if Betty hadn’t told me. He asked me out before I left and that’s when we started dating. Zach told me he had been dating other women before laying eyes on me, and he stated I was perfect for him.”
“Are you joking…?” Jay spurts. “You and a runt riolu?”
“I actually don’t think Zach is a runt. He’s proven to be much more than that, actually. In fact, Zach just told me he got into the guild academy.”
Jay freezes with a face full of surprise. “Say what?!”
Cindy stands. “Sis, can I talk to you alone, for a moment?” The two fly off away into a corner of the restaurant. “You cannot be serious…”
“What do you mean, Sis?”
“You can’t really be that riolu’s girlfriend.”
“Why not? Zach’s a sweet guy and he loves me.”
“He’s just using you to try and get to me! He doesn’t love you at all! It’s all just an act!”
“How could you say that, Cindy? Zach and I have been dating for months and not once has he mentioned anything about you!”
“Because he’s waiting for the right moment, like when he claims you as his mate, which will not happen!”
“Okay, stop it!”
“I’m just trying to protect you, and this family, from pokemon like him and from tainting pure blood!”
“You and I barely talk, Cindy. And how can you say that about Zach like that, and how he will ‘taint our blood?!’”
“Open your eyes! He’s nothing but evil!”
“You’re just jealous of him and me. Why can’t you accept I’ve finally found someone to care about ever since you left me and the circus?”
“Jealous?! Me?!”
“All you do is point out faults and negatives about him and other pokemon! You’re nothing but toxic! Zach and I are a lovely couple. It’s my choice to be with him.”
“Why couldn’t you be with anyone else, Elle? Why did it have to be him?!”
“That’s enough! I don’t want to hear this anymore!” She turns and heads back to the table. “Zach, we need to go.”
“Uh, okay…” He stands from his seat and follows her out, holding her paw. “Honey, is everything all right?”
“Just keep walking, Baby. I don’t want to look back…”
“I get you… I feel the same…” They disappear out of the tavern.
Cindy returns to her mate. “Can you believe that?! My own sister falling for the runt riolu!”
“I don’t see a problem with it,” Jay tells her.
“I do, though!”
“Well, hey, at least he has someone other than you, right?”
“That doesn’t make me feel better, Jay! Even if that riolu is over me, which he isn’t, he’s not laying another paw on any one else of my family! I need to find a way to break them up! Of course, I’m going to need some help…”
