In a small shop situated near the riverside of town, Ezma and Lana are enjoying themselves in a small tea party and nice conversation. Their moment of peace becomes interrupted with the celebi flies in.
“Master!” Cindy calls out. “Oh, excuse me for interrupting your tea time with Lana, but I seek your assistance… Lana as well…”
“Both of us?” Lana questions. “This seems serious… What is the problem?”
“It’s the runt riolu…”
“Again?” Ezma spurts. “I thought we kicked him out ages ago. He hasn’t shown his face around the guild ever since he was banned.”
“This is different… I saw him with my sister… and I found out they are… together…”
Ezma raises her eyebrow. “And…? What is your point?”
“I’m not comfortable with this! I need to find a way to split them apart! That’s why I’m here; I want to know what I can do to push that riolu away from Elle!”
“You are disturbed because your sister is dating the riolu?” asks Lana. “That doesn’t seem like a major issue.”
“I also need to find out how to get him out of guild school.”
Ezma gasps and floats in the air out of surprise. “He got into the guild academy?! How could they have accepted a worthless pokemon like him?!”
“Elle mentioned he got in. I think he’s planning to force his way back to us once he’s graduated.”
“Perhaps you both are overreacting,” Lana claims. “It is plausible and possible that the riolu could use these means to make his way back to the both of you. However, judging from his absence, I’d say he’s moved on from our affairs.”
“Lana,” Cindy starts. “Can you please tell me how I can get him away from my sister? Is there anything your magic can do?”
“Give me a moment…” Lana accesses her crystal in the center of the table; the center for her mystic powers and ability to access magical things. “Hm… interesting… I sense you cannot separate them based off of your command, as your sister believes in control of her own life. But, I do recognize something much deeper.”
“Deeper?! What is it?!”
“Your sister, Elle, is close with another pokemon; Gloria Goodra.”
“Gloria… That’s her best friend… She’s the goodra with the round spectacles… What about her? Is Elle in love with her or something?”
“Suppressed feelings. Gloria has a crush on your sister, yet has not admitted to her… I can also feel Elle sharing the idea of being with her, more than a friend… It is nothing more than an idea, however.”
“Why…? Do you know?”
“I sense… Fear of you disagreeing…”
“Well, I don’t care who Elle sees as long as it’s not the runt riolu. I need to find Gloria and speak to her. Maybe I can get her to pull Elle away from him. As for his position in guild school, I should do something about that.”
“I do agree with this,” comments Ezma. “And I wish there is something I can do to help you, yet I can’t. The school master has already made their decision… Unless, you can show them that the riolu is nothing more than a screwup and doesn’t belong there…”
“Why do that?” asks Lana.
“He doesn’t belong in a guild, even if it’s not ours. He’s not an adventurer, and never will be!”
“How did he even get in in the first place…?”
“Hm… let’s see…” The latias concentrates using the crystal. “I sense… it was Elle who mentioned to him about it. Upon meeting with the headmaster, he proved himself through sheer agility and wit from the initial test… The only promise would be for the riolu to keep up hard work and do well. So far, the headmaster expects him to be at best.”
“Well, we’re going to prove the headmaster wrong,” Cindy states. “I have a plan.”
“Share,” Ezma commands. The celebi relays her ideas at the table.
***
In the plaza, Zach takes a stroll with Elle along the cobblestone path. They take small comfort in holding each other’s hands/paws as they walk.
“Such a lovely day for a walk, isn’t it, Zachy?” asks Elle.
“Yeah,” responds the riolu. “Sure is… Elle, are you mad?”
She stops and looks at him. “Mad? Why would I be mad?”
“I… overheard your conversation back at the tavern. I want to apologize if I’ve caused issues within the family… It’s just-”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Zach,” she interjects. “I don’t know what my sister’s deal is… You’ve proved to me you are better than what she says you are.”
“Y-you really think so?”
“Cindy has always been fighting to get her way, even ever since we were younger. It’s one of the reasons we don’t really interact very much. She can’t always get what she wants, and she should know by now. She also has these high expectations and prejudice beliefs. Pay no attention to her, okay?”
“Okay… I’ll try…” He takes notice of another riolu standing beside him, wearing a red bandana and staring at Zach. “Uh, hello there… Can I help you…?”
“Zackary!” shouts a lucario coming up from behind. “There you are! I’m glad I’ve found you.”
Zach looks up at the lucario. “Um, Ma’am?”
“I was worried sick about you!” She picks up the riolu in the red bandana. “Don’t you run off again!” The lucario then looks at Zach. “You…”
“Sorry for the confusion… I was just in the park with my girlfriend, and-”
“Stay away! I don’t care if you’re my son or not!”
“Uh… Ma’am…? What do you mean by that…?”
Elle concentrates on the lucario’s thoughts. “Zach… do you know who this is…?”
“Um… a lucario woman…?”
“That’s Delilah the Lucario… She’s your mother…”
“W-what…?”
Delilah points to Elle. “Don’t give him ideas, celebi!” She then points to Zach. “And you, stay away!” The lucario turns and leaves quickly.
Zach remains in his position, motionless. “That… was… weird…”
“How about we just go about our date, shall we?” asks Elle. “I want you to tell me all about the academy.” Zach agrees, grabbing her hand and walking along.
