After the circus, things took a new turn for the riolu. Yet despite the turnaround, he isn’t happy. As mentioned in the previous episode, Ralph the Scorbunny, a sort-of friend of Zach, takes him in and makes him a roommate. Zach, however, is not too comfy with the tight space or being with a pokemon he doesn’t hang out with much. He and Ralph have only talked at the bar before this. Nonetheless, he feels it will have to do. He gets a position as a file clerk/secretary for the newly-elected mayor of Heroto, Mary Azumarill, a female azumarill. He hates every second of the job, yet doesn’t complain as it’s at least something he can do. Though, it’s not as proactive as the circus. Zach now does everything he can to try and make do with what he can.
“Heya, Zach!” Ralph appears before the riolu, who is sitting at a desk with a stack of papers. The scorbunny pulls up a chair. “I came to see how you were doing. How would you and I like to head over to the tavern and grab some lunch?”
“Sorry, Ralph,” Zach tells him. “I’ve got a lot of work to do. I think I’m going to have to skip lunch…”
“What? No, you shouldn’t do that. Oh also, I heard the academy is hosting open-enrollment! I know you were expelled from there, but I can help you get back in. I can pull a few strings and talk to some pokemon I know to get you back in.”
“Thanks, Ralph… But, it’s not going to work… Even if you do help me back in, Cindy will find out and she’ll just get me kicked out… Besides, I’ve got to focus on the ‘real world.’” He taps on the file pile to show what he means.
“You shouldn’t put off following your passion and dreams, Zach. More importantly, you shouldn’t let pokemon like Cindy ruin everything for you. Yes, I’m in the same boat as you, but it doesn’t stop me from trying and doing what I love.”
“I get it… But, after everything that’s happened, I just don’t know if now’s a right time… I just want to focus on what I need, first.”
“All right… I get you.” A ping sounds from beside the riolu. He picks up a flat, rectangular shard of crystal and looks into it. Instead of smartphones, pokemon use crystal shards for communication and such known as a “smart crystal.” It’s a silly concept, but it’s something to add to the world. Anyway, back to it. “Who are you texting?” asks Ralph.
“It’s a dating app,” says Zach. “I’ve been using it for a while, now. A pokemon wants to meet up for a first date.”
“Oooh! Do tell! Who is this mysterious pokemon?”
“She’s a fennekin by the name, ‘Fiona.’”
“She sounds ‘hot.’ When do you plan to meet up with her?”
“She… wants to meet at the tavern tonight after work.”
“Go for it, Zachy. You should get to know her. She might be perfect for you.”
“I don’t know… Maybe… I’m still thinking about what happened with Cindy and Elle…”
“Don’t be. They obviously made poor decisions when they didn’t choose you. This girl, however, has made a good choice by asking you out. She might even be the one!”
“We’ll see…”
***
On date night, Zach takes a seat across from the fennekin after exchanging greetings with her. The two carry on; getting to know each other, having a nice meal, and even drinking nice wine together. The date drags for about an hour, and Zach manages a smile.
“I enjoyed this evening with you, Zach,” says Fiona. “Maybe you’re not as bad as other pokemon say you are. You’re actually kind of… interesting.”
“Thank you,” Zach responds. “I really loved spending time with you tonight. I was wondering… Could I take you out again sometime?”
“Hm…” Fiona ponders a bit. “Well, gee. I suppose it’s only fair if-”
“Runt Riolu!” shouts a voice across the restaurant. All of the patrons turn to the source and notice the celebi in the middle, having her gaze fixed on Zach. “You’re dead, now!” She zooms for the riolu, who gets out of his chair and dodges her charge.
“What the hell?!” Zach spurts. “Cindy, what are you doing?!”
Cindy reorganizes herself. “You won’t be able to dodge your fate when I’m done with you! I’ll kill you!” She pounces and tackles the riolu against the table, grabbing hm by the chest and pinning him down. “You never listen!”
“Cindy, stop!” Elle appears on scene. “This isn’t the way to go about this!”
Cindy turns to her sister. “Why?! He deserves what’s coming to him!”
“How are you sure Zach even did it?!”
“Sis, he was there when it happened! He was the one!”
“We don’t know that!”
“Did you murder him, yet, Honey?” asks Jay, coming to the group. “I want to see this!” Gloria comes onto the scene as well.
“What is the meaning of this?!” exclaims Fiona.
Cindy looks to the fennekin. “Stay out of this! This riolu is a criminal!”
“Criminal for what?!” Zach utters. “What did I even do?!”
Cindy looks to the jackal pokemon. “Save it! I know you touched my sister! You couldn’t keep your little paws off her, couldn’t you?!”
“Cindy, get off of him!” Elle orders. “It’s obvious he doesn’t know. We need to inform him.”
“Sis…”
“Cindy… Now…” The shiny celebi’s sister sighs and gets off of Zach. Gloria then grabs the riolu and lifts him back to standing position.
“What’s going on here?” Zach asks. “What am I being accused of?”
“I laid an egg,” Elle tells him. “I was pregnant.”
Zach freezes from this statement. “W-what…? What does that have to do with me?”
“Save it, Runt!” spurts Cindy. “We all know you had your way with my sister! You did this to her!”
“Me?!”
“You were the only boy with Elle! You couldn’t resist trying to get back with her! Not to mention, getting back at her for dumping you and firing you!”
Fiona slowly inches away. “I don’t feel too comfortable about this… I think I’ll-”
Jay grabs her. “No. You stay here. We may need you for further questioning.”
“For what?! I just met this riolu!”
Cindy takes a step closer to the jackal. “Start talking. Now!”
“I would never do that to Elle, or any pokemon,” Zach claims. “It goes against everything I believe in.”
Cindy grabs him by the blue bandana. “Trying to cover it all up, now? You think you’re really smart, huh?!”
“Cindy!” Elle snaps. “Stop it! Zach didn’t touch me in the way you think.”
Cindy quickly pivots to her sister. “You’re now defending a criminal?!”
“I’m not! I’m just saying he’s not the pokemon who would do something like that. I know him too well. Besides, Gloria and I were the only pokemon engaged in that sort of fun.”
“What?!” adds Jay. “There’s no way you and Gloria can have a child. You’re both girls!”
“I want to see proof!” Cindy states. “I want the riolu tested, along with the egg! We’ll see who the parents of the child are.”
“Can I please go home, now?” asks Fiona. “I don’t want to be part of whatever this is.” Jay nods.
Zach looks to her. “I’m sorry about all of this. If you want, I’ll-”
“I don’t want you anywhere near me, now!” the fennekin interrupts. “Just, stay away!”
“But, Fiona… I-” She sprints away before he could get out another word. “Come on…”
“Runt Riolu…” Zach turns to the celebi. “You better not be the father. Because if you are, you’re in big trouble!”
“Heh,” chuckles Jay. “Can’t wait to find out. You’re dead if it’s true!” He and his mate head out of the restaurant.
“You better be at the clinic tomorrow,” Gloria tells him. “Nine AM sharp. Don’t be late!” She escorts Elle out. Zach remains standing, staring at both pairs of pokemon as they exit the premises.
