About a month has passed since the contest, but the riolu is in stable-enough condition to walk and get back out into the world. He sits behind a desk as a crowd of pokemon watch from behind. In the crowd behind him are the celebi sisters, Ezma, and various others. Betty sits silently as she watches in the audience portion. To his left is the lucario and two other riolus, who are her older daughter, Mabel, and younger son, Zackary. To his right, a stand of pokemon no more than thirteen to act as a jury.
“All right, all right,” says Judge Marion, a gardevoir in black robes, pounding the gavel on the desk. “Court is now in session. The case of Delilah the Lucario and her family v. Zach the Riolu shall commence.”
A sawk comes forward and stands in front of the judge, armed with a paper in their hands. “The civil case involves the parties of Delilah the Lucario and her family against Zach the Riolu in which the former is seeking to distance themselves from the latter. Defendant was warned to keep away, and was met with resistance from the plaintiff. Plaintiff is now suing to remove the defendant from all aspects of her life. That is all.”
“Thank you.” Marion turns to the lucario as the sawk goes to sit back down. “Can I have testimony from the plaintiff, please.”
Delilah stands. “Your honor, I stand before the court today to fight for my protection and freedom. As you know, the plaintiff claims he is my biological son and is looking to take advantage of me for financial gains.”
“Hold on,” Zach says. “That’s not all true!”
The judge slams her gavel. “Order in the court! Please, continue, Miss Delilah.”
“Gladly,” the lucario says. “So, you see, I have been doing my best to avoid the defendant, yet he has always pursued me under the belief of being my son.”
“Has it been proven he is your son?” asks the judge. “Has a DNA test been ordered?”
“It has, your honor,” states the sawk. He presents a slip of paper to the judge. “Here are the results of that test.”
Judge Marion scans over the papers. “I see a match in numbers. It does look to me he is your son biologically.”
“Even if he is,” continues Delilah. “I still want no part of him in my life or any of my children’s lives, despite his pleas.”
The judge gives the papers back to the sawk. “Thank you. Miss Delilah, I can see clearly on the record he is your biological son. How were you two separated?”
“He was only an egg… I couldn’t bear the responsibility of taking care of such a small pokemon. I had no house, no job, no means of taking care of a family then.”
“However, you have all of that now.”
“Yes, but I didn’t have anything then… I had to abandon the egg, and it was there I left the egg at Team Rescuers, hoping they would raise the pokemon as one of their own.”
“Miss Delilah, based on your records, you have a mate and two children, now. Why the change over the years?”
“I was a young riolu back then… I’ve done many things I wasn’t proud of… I had to rely on others for comfort, security, and survival. I would often reward my guests with special treatment. I didn’t want children back then at all. I didn’t feel ready for one, yet. There was a mistake made which resulted in what you see next to me.”
Zach gasps, as well as the entire audience. The judge pounds the gavel on her desk to keep order. The riolu in the blue bandana puts his paws over his mouth with his eyes wide open with trauma, nearly brought to tears. “A m-m-m-mistake…? M-m-me…? O-oh n-n-no…”
“Miss Delilah,” continues the judge. “Is there any further you wish to say?”
“Your honor, I hope you could see from my side of the story that it would be a sin to allow this demon to be brought back to me, given what he has done in his life. That is all.” She sits back down and wraps her arms around her children. Zach stares at her with his mouth still covered.
“The defendant may give his testimony,” Marion states. “Zach the Riolu.”
Zach turns his head to the judge. “Huh…?”
“You are next.”
“O-oh…” He stands and begins his side. “Your honor, I want you to know I have no intention to harm. I understand pokemon look at me differently… I was never taught how to be an ideal pokemon. When I was under Team Rescuers’ roof, I was constantly ignored and neglected… No one ever showed me how to do things correctly… It is why pokemon view me as such…”
“How does that affect your situation now?”
“I lacked attention, love, and affection in my life. To put it simply; I never had a true family… I’ve always wanted one… I always thought Team Rescuers were my family, only to find out later they weren’t… I had struggled to get their love and approval… It was for nothing… When my ex-girlfriend and I ran into Delilah and found out she was my mother, I wanted to get to know her more… I don’t seek financial aid or anything rash, your honor. I have a job and place to live… I’m going out on random dates with other pokemon… All I just want is to reconnect with my family… I want to get to know them and bond with them… It’s all I want to do… I’m just hoping we can establish a good relationship… That is all I have to say, your honor…”
“Well, Zach, your story sounds touching… Though, you have been known to cause trouble among the community, given your record. Not to mention your reputation as the ‘Rambunctious Riolu’ and your trail of destruction, as well as recent events.” Zach’s ears droop and he frowns. “You do not ever give up, do you? I sense you have the heart of a fighter. All right, thank you for your statement.” Zach sits back down. She turns to the thirteen pokemon in the stand. “Jury, you shall be given time to think over what was heard and cast your votes for your opinion.” The jury pokemon waste no time in their decisions.
In this system, the jury votes on who is the better side. Majority votes would rule in favor; the plaintiff or the defendant. Based on a certain number of votes, the judge may agree and hand over the win based on the number of votes put in.
“Time is up! Cast your votes, now!” The jury submit their ballots into a box, which is then handed over to the judge. She looks over the pieces of paper and counts them. “Interesting…” She then looks back up at the two parties. “Based on the total amount, majority has ruled over the plaintiff. However, as you all know, I will give the final say.” Marion proceeds with her closing statement. “I am not impressed at both of your backgrounds and choices, I will say. You both experienced hardships and have struggled with trying to get by in life. If anything, this should bring the both of you close together, and yet it doesn’t. Family is not always perfect, yes…” She turns to the lucario. “I am more displeased with you; having done the things you had done and not know the consequences of your actions. And now, here you are, a mother of two.” She then turns to Zach. “I understand where you come from and you want to reunite with your family, but you’re old enough to care for yourself and have proved you are self-sufficient.”
“I understand, your honor,” Zach says. “As I’ve said before, though. I only seek to befriend my mother and siblings.”
“I respect that. However, based on your reputation, it’s clear to see why Delilah doesn’t wish for you to be part of the family. And based on the jury’s opinions, I’d have to agree. I am ruling in favor of Delilah the Lucario and her family.”
Zach’s taken aback by the choice. “W-what…?”
“You will be issued a restraining order against Delilah and her children. That means, you are not to be within three-feet of any of them. Also, per Delilah’s request, you are to not to be considered part of the family, and therefore banned in any attempted in establishing connections with any of them. Now, does the defendant have any final statements.”
Zach pauses for a moment, looking down before shifting back to meet the judge’s gaze. “No… Your honor, I do not…”
“All right then… Case dismissed!” The bang of the gavel signals the end of the court case. The riolu tilts his head downward toward the desk with his ears drooped. Betty stares at him with a neutral expression.
***
Betty meets up with Zach outside in the hallway. “Sorry about the case, Zach.”
“Why are you sorry…?” he asks. “It’s not your fault…”
“The best I can do is show you sympathy, okay?” She turns and takes notice of Delilah and her children speaking with Cindy and Ezma. “What the hell…? Stay put a moment.” Betty leaves the riolu to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“Thank you so much for your help,” Delilah tells the two of them. “I know I haven’t been the best pokemon around, but I am grateful for your assistance.”
“You are welcome,” Ezma tells her. “Usually, this goes against what we stand for, but anything to show the riolu is unworthy can be justifiable.”
“Perhaps now Zoe and Zackary can be together without any interference,” adds Cindy. “May their love blossom like the flowers of the meadow.”
Betty’s eyebrows dip down. “So… that’s the deal, eh?”
***
On the way back to the circus, Betty relays everything she had heard to Zach. “And that’s the story.”
“Cindy and Ezma had been helping Delilah this whole time, huh…? Why am I not surprised…?”
“That’s not all… Apparently, Delilah’s son and Cindy’s daughter have some interest for each other. I’m thinking the three arranged a deal to keep you out of the picture just for that. Maybe even more.”
“Cindy’s been doing everything she can to push me down… What’s worse is, Ezma and the others have her side.”
“What do you plan to do about it?”
“What can I even do, Betty? She’s a second leader of Team Rescuers and I’m just a clown to Ringmaster Raichu’s… There’s nothing else to say or do… I’ve got nobody else left but the circus, now…”
“At least that’s a good thing, right?”
“I… don’t know…”
“Let’s go home, Zach. It’s been a day.”
“Yeah… Sure…” The two head off and leave the courthouse behind.
