About a week and a half later, the entertainment pokemon are at the park, gathered around picnic tables and having lunch. It is a company picnic that Elle and Gloria have arranged together to boost morale of their staff and to congratulate their hard work. And as a bonus, they have asked Team Rescuers to come and join the fun. Betty sits at one of the tables with Manny, Richie, and some of her other performers. She’s finished explaining to them about the events that took place the night Zach and Julie had appeared. Manny confirms her story to be true when some doubt it.
“That’s crazy!” Richie spurts. “The Rambunctious Riolu is dating one of Gloria’s friends? Why’s he doing that?”
“I bet he’s doing this to get back at Gloria for taking Elle away from him,” utters the chimchar.
“No, no, no,” Betty says. “Zach isn’t doing this to get revenge… It may look that way, but that’s not the real reason. He’s desperate and has no one else in his life, and Julie took advantage of the situation. Julie’s the one trying to get back at Gloria, if anything…”
“How do you know that?” asks the kirlia. “You’ve been spying on them?”
“No… Elle and Gloria were telling me about Julie and what happened on their date night… She came to them at the restaurant and the pachirisu wasn’t happy Gloria was pushing her away, mostly because Gloria’s been focused on Elle… They also told me they were watching Zach at the speed dating event… He was rejected by every woman there and got deeply upset.”
“How did she and him end up together?” Richie queries.
“Julie went up to Zach after he was crying in the bathroom, and she asked him out.” The pokemon stare at her, wondering how she knows this information. “Julie told me what happened after Elle and Gloria left. She said she felt bad for Zach, initially… After a couple of dates, she asked him to be her boyfriend, and of course, Zach agreed to it.”
“So…” The chimchar starts. “That pachirisu just went up to him and was like, ‘Hey, want to me my boyfriend?’”
“Pretty much… She’s also told me Zach’s been staying with the scorbunny from Team Rescuers, and working as a file clerk under Mayor Azumarill.”
“But hey,” Manny interrupts. “He’s moved on and getting by without us, right? Aren’t we happy for him?” He notices Betty turning away. “What…?”
The brionne looks back to him. “I… don’t think he’s happy with his current position… I saw it in his face the night he came up to me with Julie… And when he left… I just sensed it…”
“Well, gee,” Richie goes. “If he isn’t happy with his life, why doesn’t he just make changes? For once, why not leave Heroto and start anew? I mean, did he really have to accept being someone’s roomie or take a job he never wanted? And that pachirisu, why didn’t he just break up with her if he’s not pleased with her? Get another girl?”
“I don’t think he has much choice, Richie… As I’ve said before, he’s desperate and has nothing left… He had US before Elle and Gloria sacked him, and we let him down…”
“Why do you care, Betty?” asks the chimchar. “You didn’t care about him when he first joined us. So, why all of a sudden do you care about him?”
“I feel bad for him, okay?”
“Why do YOU feel bad?” asks Cindy, standing across from her at the other end of the table. “Sounds like you liked him from the first day you met him.”
“It isn’t like that, Cindy… He’s gone through a lot of hardship, and it isn’t fair he’s being treated this way. He deserves better…”
“Are you kidding? The amount of times he’s screwed up has proven he’s not worthy of anything. Nothing more than a runt. Now, he has the nerve to go after Gloria’s friend as a means to stab at her and my sister? All because of everything I was doing for Elle? That makes it okay?”
“Why does it matter to you? He’s not hurting anyone…”
“He’s a demon, Betty! All he does is ruin everything and cause chaos! Master Ezma agrees with me, too. That runt has no place in our world.”
“He’s not a runt, Cindy…”
“So, that’s how it is, huh?” Noise from nearby causes her and the table to look at see the commotion. They spot Zach and Julie walking along a path, passing the party, off in the distance. Cindy looks back at the brionne. “Well, maybe you and Elle can tolerate his behavior, but I won’t!” She flies off.
“Sis?!” Elle takes notice of her sister’s speed. “Where are you going?!” She chases off after her. Gloria and Betty follow suit, as well.
Julie smiles as she talks with Zach along the path, holding his paw as they do so. “I really enjoy this, Zach. I don’t know why other pokemon doubt you. You’re a really nice guy to me.”
Zach manages a small smile as he finds comfort in her conversation. “Thanks, Julie… That means a lot…”
“Don’t think about what other pokemon say. They’re all jealous; Cindy, Elle, Team Rescuers, and many other pokemon. They just aren’t-”
“Aren’t what?!” interrupts the green celebi, floating behind them with arms crossed. They freeze and turn to her. “Telling her lies, are we, Runt?!”
“Oh, hi, Cindy,” Zach says. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Cut the crap, Runt! You just couldn’t take Elle dumping you, huh? So, you had to go after her and Gloria’s friend just to get back at them both?!”
“Cindy, don’t!” cries out Betty, who manages to catch up with the others, including Elle and Gloria. “Leave him alone! He’s not doing anything to you!”
“Shut up!” the celebi orders. “Now, tell me, Riolu. Is this one of your attempts to get back with my sister?”
“It’s none of your business why we’re together, Celebi,” Julie tells her, calmly.
“Everything that riolu does is my business! It’s the whole guild’s business, too. Now, you better tell me!”
“You have issues!”
“You’re damn right I have issues! I do everything around here to protect this town and make everyone feel safe, and he ruins it for everyone!” She points at Zach. “He’s nothing but a runt!”
“I’m not doing anything to you, Cindy,” Zach claims. “Nor am I doing anything harmful… I’m just trying to live a peaceful life now, and move on from everything…”
“Yeah,” the pachirisu utters. “You’re just paranoid and jealous of our relationship.”
“How dare you talk that way about me! You just made yourself an enemy of the community!” Elle gets to the front of her sister, trying to prevent a fight. Gloria and Betty stand by her, ready to react if she attacks.
Zach puts his paw on the pachirisu’s shoulder. “I’m not comfortable with this, Julie… Let’s just get out of here… She’s not worth it…”
Julie looks to him. “You know what? Yeah, you’re right… Let’s go.” She and the riolu begin walking away from the group.
“Get back here!” shouts Cindy. “I’m not through with you, yet!”
“Sis, calm down,” Elle tells her, staying in front of her. “They aren’t worth it!”
“Listen to your sister,” Betty adds. “They’re not doing any harm… They’re just walking through the park… Just leave them be!”
Cindy pushes them away with telekinesis. “I’ll teach you all to go against me!” She launches a hyper beam toward Zach. Upon hearing it, Zach turns around, but gets hit and knocked to the ground.
“Zach!” Julie looks to the celebi. “Stop it! Stop it, right now!”
“The runt needs to learn his place! Now, beat it, Pachi girl!”
“Don’t call him a runt, you bitch!” Julie sends a spark of electric toward her, hitting the celebi and causing her to get to her knees. She then charges toward the fairy pokemon. The two fight for a bit, exchanging moves and punches until they are separated by both parties. Zach pulls her by the arm to keep her at bay, while Elle and Betty detain Cindy.
Ezma floats in between the two groups. “That is enough!”
“But Master,” Cindy spurts. “The runt-”
“Cinthia the Celebi, mind your temper!” The mew turns to the pachirisu and riolu. “You two, get out of here!”
“What?!” Julie cries. “But, she-”
“Now!”
Zach pulls on her arm. “Julie… Let’s just go…” She nods to him. The two make for the exit out of the park.
As Ezma is talking to Cindy about her behavior, the celebi breaks free and shoots a solar beam at the couple. “Cinthia, stop!” Julie manages to spot her attack in time and pushes Zach away, only to take the attack in full force and into a tree. Upon impact, the branches break off and pierce through her body upon impact.
Zach gets to his paws and knees before witnessing his girlfriend lying there. “Julie!!!” Everyone else freezes and watches as the riolu scurries over to her. He kneels to her as the pachirisu opens her eyes halfway. “Julie…”
“Zach…” She lets out a cough. “You’re okay…”
“Julie, don’t worry! I’ll get you to the clinic…! I’ll make sure you’re cared for…!”
“You’re a very kind riolu…” She gives a smile before her eyes shut for the last time.
“Julie… Julie… JULIE!!! NO!!! Please!!! No…” Zach remains in place, staring at the pachirisu’s lifeless body. Silence occupies everyone else around. Their faces full of shock. Betty comes up to Zach and places her hand on the riolu’s shoulder as he breathes deeply.
