Betty looks at herself in the mirror as she sits at her dressing table, while fixing her appearance. “Ugh… What is wrong with this thing…?” She notices Gloria come into her room through the reflection, yet continues to work on her guise.
“Betty,” starts the goodra. “You have a minute?”
“Go on,” the brionne says, keeping her gaze to the mirror. “What seems to be the problem, Gloria?”
“No problems. I just need to have a word with you.” Betty nods and signals her to continue. “You aren’t planning anything rash, are you?”
“Rash? Come on, Gloria. You know me; I’m Betty the Brionne, star of Heroto! What makes you think I’d cause any trouble?”
“Because you were with the riolu last night.”
Betty stops, turns to her, and gets out of her seat. “What?!”
“Elle was telling me about it…”
“Why are you and the shiny celebi spying on me?! I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Maybe so, but you were there, and with him, at the time of that apartment fire. Elle was the one who told me after she heard it from her sister.”
“Listen to me good, Gloria! Zach and I aren’t doing anything. We are just hanging out and chatting.”
“Why do you even talk to him?”
“What’s it your business?!”
“You two a couple or something?”
“He’s an old coworker and a friend! Your mate and her sister are, too! What is this about?! You don’t trust me anymore?!”
“Easy, Betty… I’m only saying you shouldn’t trust him… That’s all I’m saying…”
Betty crosses her arms. “Why do you care about who I hang out with? You aren’t my mother…”
Gloria turns her back to her. “Just… be careful and cause no trouble…” She then heads out.
“What the hell is she talking about…? Why is she treating me this way?!” Knocking interrupts her monologue. “What?! What is it now?!”
“Betty, it’s me,” says a familiar voice through the door. “Can I come in? I need to talk to you.”
“Oh! Come on in!” The door opens and reveals the mayor. “Ah, Cousin! So sorry for my response… It’s a pleasure to see you! You here to visit me before my show? You going to come watch me perform tonight?”
“Actually, I wanted to ask you something,” Mary utters. “Have you seen Zach?”
“What…? Why do you want to know that?”
“He hasn’t shown up for work this morning… It’s not like him to run late, or not come in at all…”
“What makes you think I know?”
“You were with him yesterday. I thought you might know where he is. Like, has he told you anything?”
“Um, no… Haven’t really seen him since last night… Maybe the scorbunny would know.”
“Who? Ralph?” Betty nods. “Good thinking! I’ll inquire with him.”
“Can I come with you, Cousin? I want to know what’s going on. Also, I feel like I need to get out for a moment…”
“Why not? I don’t mind the company, especially from family.”
***
After knocking on the door, it opens to show the scorbunny in the red bandana. “Oh, top of the morning to you, ladies. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Ralph,” begins Mayor Azumarill. “Is Zach in there with you?”
“Zach isn’t here… When I woke up, he was gone. I assumed he left early for work. Isn’t he at the office?”
“It’s been a couple of hours… He hasn’t shown up. I thought he might have gotten sick or something…”
“Uh, no…”
“Wait!” Betty spurts. “If Zach’s not at town hall or in the apartment, then where is he…?” The three pokemon look at each other, cluelessly. “You don’t suppose something bad has happened, do you?”
“I hope not,” says her cousin. “We need to find him…”
“I may have an idea,” says Ralph.
“You know where he might be?” Betty asks.
“No, but I know what we can use to look for him; Lana’s crystal ball.”
“How much will it be to use her services?” queries Mary.
“We can’t rely on her help. If she finds out, Team Rescuers will be involved. Lana’s already friends with Ezma, and she would inform her of anything, especially of Zach. And, you both know Team Rescuers aren’t the kindest… We need to find him without them knowing.”
Betty sneers. “Oooh, I like where this is going. This involves sneaking into the latias’ shop and stealing her ball?”
“Mostly use it to find Zach, but I guess you can say that… We just need to find a way to sneak in without her noticing.”
“Leave that part to me,” says Mary.
***
The mayor stands outside and knocks on the door to the shop. The latias comes and answers the door. “Hello there, Lana.”
“Ah, Mayor Azumarill!” Lana responds. “Such a surprise to see you here.”
“Yes, well, I need to speak with you about something.”
“Oh? What might that be?”
“It is something absolutely important and I have to speak with you urgently.”
“Must be private, I imagine. Why don’t you come in?”
“Actually, I’d rather we talk out here.”
Lana narrows one eye. “Aren’t you afraid someone may hear us out here?”
“It’ll only be quick.” She extends her arm away from the dwelling. “Please.” The latias follows the mayor away as they talk. This gives both the scorbunny and brionne enough time to sneak into Lana’s little store and into the main room with the crystal ball.
Ralph walks up to the transparent sphere. “Okay… Let’s see if we can find him…”
“You know how to use this thing?” asks Betty.
“Of course. I’ve been at Lana’s several times.” Ralph waves his paw around the globe and says some chants. “Come on, Zach… Please show me you’re in no danger…”
Back outside, Lana is just about finished with the conversation as she turns and floats toward her shack. “Well, this all does sound a bit serious, Mayor Azumarill. However, I have no time to be meddling about in it. I will see to it when I am finished with my business.”
“Hold on!” Mary spurts. “I’m not finished, yet.”
“I am, though. Should you require my services, please write to me next time!”
“Lana!”
“This conversation is done! Goodbye!” Lana pushes through the door and slams it behind her.
“Ugh, I see Ezma and Cindy aren’t the only ones with irritable behaviors…” She takes notice of rustling in the bushes nearby. Upon sighting, Betty pops out and motions with her hand for her cousin to come to her. The mayor does as commanded, joining the two pokemon away from the site and hidden in a spot within the foliage. “Well? Did you find anything?”
“Yes,” Ralph tells her. “We know where he is… The crystal ball gave us hints to his location.”
“Really? Where?”
“We can’t say. But, he’s safe. I’m going to head out and find him.”
“I’m going, too,” adds Betty. Both Ralph and Mary look at her. “What? I want to come along for the thrills. I’ve got plenty of time until tonight’s show.”
“Be careful,” the azumarill tells them. “Not sure what kind of dangers are ahead.”
“Don’t worry,” Ralph responds. “Nothing bad is going to happen. I’m an experienced guildsmon.” He turns to the brionne. “Ready, Betty?”
Betty nods. “Lead the way, Fire Bun.”
