Zach sits at a cloth-covered table with Elle, along with Betty and a random charmander, in a fancy restaurant. The four pokemon are engaged in conversation and having sips of wine, enjoying the moments of their double date night. Zach hasn’t been too talkative, however, still trying to process the recent events in his head; being kicked from the academy, came back to his old position back to the circus, and summoned to court by his biological mother. Elle does what she can to help him forget about all of that, though.
“Isn’t this wonderful?” Elle asks. “Being with friends and lovers?”
“I guess so,” Betty comments. “Feels kind of odd to be sitting in a fancy place and having an elegant dinner.”
“You’ve never had nice cuisine before?”
“How can I, Elle? I’m not like you, where my life’s extravagant; I’ve not had a nice family or vast wealth. It’s mostly been a struggle to stay afloat.”
“I can understand how that feels,” Zach adds in. “Being left out with nothing and having to work your way from the dirt.”
“What do you know about being abandoned and struggling?” asks the brionne. “You’ve only been in the circus for almost a year. You’ve been treated well by Team Rescuers before you were kicked out.”
“Not really… Ezma confined me to a closet for my sleeping space. She didn’t like me trying to befriend the rest of the team. She and the others always thought I don’t belong with them. Ezma always told me we were not family, but caretakers.”
“Didn’t really ask for a life story, to be honest.”
“Arceus, Betty,” Elle tells her. “At least show sympathy. Zach’s struggled with life much like you.”
Betty sighs. “I’m just saying he hasn’t been on the streets long enough to fully understand…” She then turns to her date. “What about you, Charlie? What do you make of all of this?”
“Huh?” Charlie Charmander looks at her. “Oh, I-”
“Elle!” shouts a female voice, catching everyone’s attention. They turn to see a goodra with round spectacles approach them. “Elle, I need to talk to you!”
“Oh, hey, Gloria!” Elle smiles. She flies up to her for a hug. “How’s it going, Bud?”
“Elle, there’s something I’ve been needing to tell you for so long.”
“Okay, can we discuss it later? I’m with my boyfriend and two friends.”
“No, I have to tell you this now.” Elle waits for her to speak. Zach, Betty, and Charlie stare in confusion. “I’ve been wanting to admit this every time we were hanging out together, but I have been so shy and afraid to tell you this.”
The shiny celebi’s smile disappears. “G-gloria, what are you saying?”
“I’m trying to say that I’ve liked you for a while, and… Well, I have more feelings than ‘like…’ I… I love you, Elle.”
Elle’s eyes widen. “W-what?”
Zach stands out of his chair in shock. “What’s going on here?”
“Stay out of this, Riolu,” spurts Gloria to him. “This is between me and Elle!”
“Gloria, there’s no need to talk to my boyfriend like that!”
“He doesn’t deserve you.” Gloria grabs Elle’s hands. “You deserve a pokemon who is understanding and close.”
“Zach IS understanding and close.”
“Not like me! He’s only known you for nearly a year, whereas I’ve known you for longer!”
Elle keeps her gaze to the goodra. “Gloria, you’ve never expressed these feelings before… Why all of a sudden are you coming out like this?”
“Your sister, Cindy, approached me and wanted to talk,” Gloria explains. “She told me she knew about your feelings and mine, and she wanted to set about to get us together.”
Elle stumbles backwards, almost ready to fall. “Cindy put you up to this?! What is she trying to get out of this?!”
“Your happiness…” The green celebi appears from behind the goodra. “Sis, let me explain.”
“Explain what? Another attempt of you trying to control my life?!”
“Not at all, Sis… I was thinking about what you’ve said and… Well, you are right… I have been toxic and controlling toward you, and it’s not the way to be treating family… You are able to make your own choices, and you should choose to be happy with someone despite others judging you and despite my opinions. For that, you deserve a pokemon who is right for you.”
“I appreciate your feedback, Cindy,” Zach says. “Glad you’ve come to terms with us being together.”
“Not you!” She spurts toward the riolu. “Elle and Gloria!”
“What?!”
Betty smiles. “Dinner and a show? Okay, now I’m starting to enjoy this.”
Zach turns to Elle. “Can you believe this, Elle?” The shiny celebi remains silent. “W-wha- You’re not seriously thinking about doing this, are you? Honey…”
“I don’t know, Zach,” Elle tells him. “I don’t know…”
“Elle, you’ve told me you love me for who I am and you’re happy to be with me. You’ve been the only girl whose understood me and been by my side.
“I know I have, Zach… And I know I haven’t really told you everything, but if Cindy is okay with me being with Gloria…”
“What if it’s a trick?!”
“It isn’t… I sense it…”
“You know I’m doing this for you, Sis,” Cindy adds. “You are family, and family should be happy together… Whatever your choice is, I’ll learn to respect it and accept whatever you choose no matter what.”
“Please, Elle,” Gloria says. “Give me a chance to make you happy for real. I will do whatever to ensure you are treated well and loved every day for the rest of your life. You know I would.”
Elle faces Zach. “Zach, I… I don’t know what to say…”
“Who do you choose, Elle…?” Zach walks over and stands next to the goodra. “Me, or your best friend…?”
“Elle,” begins Cindy. “Look into your heart… You and I know what you want… Choose it!” Elle stares at the two pokemon presented before her; one who has been with her and would do anything for her love and happiness. The other knows her for too long, sharing the same feelings with her and has come asking for a chance. An agonizing decision for a lifetime of happiness. Who will she choose?
The shiny celebi sighs. “I know who I want…”
