Marina began avoiding Barry after that event. If he approached her, she'd turn on her heel and walk away. If he called her, she'd answer just to get his hopes up but then hung up before he could say anything. However, every time she shunned him, I could see this microscopic spark of utter sadness in her eyes that I doubt anyone else could notice. I suppose I don't know her story well enough to assume why, but I mean, even if they're rivals now it must hurt to give the silent treatment to your best friend.

Anyway, Marina managed to find other people to train with instead of Barry. I was growing in strength rapidly. I partially wished she'd battle Barry, because I could probably kick Piplup's butt at this point. Plus, Shinx and I weren't alone anymore: she'd added a Bidoof and Starly to our family. They were getting stronger too, but Marina kept it so they never surpassed me.

That made me feel great.

One day, about a month after we'd started our journey, Marina came down with a cold. Not just a sneezey-coughy one, one that caused her to be restricted to bed rest for a whole week.

It had only been 3 days since she was bedded that she was fed up with it. "This SUCKS! I can't spend as much time with you guys anymore, and when I do we can't do squat! I wish Nurse Joy hadn't run out of that final ingredient for that medicine… If I took that now, I'd be better by tomorrow!" she whined one day. Nurse Joy had told her about a medicine that would in fact make her in ship-shape over night, but she was out of the final ingredient and couldn't find time to get more in stock. She must've been too busy, because she had told us exactly where it was and everything…

Then, I had an idea.

"I'll get it for you! " I exclaimed. It's strange, how Marina can understand the exact meaning of "Chim, chimchar!"

"Are you crazy? No, buddy, you don't gotta do that…"

I shook my head, shooting her a "Yes I do" look. She bit her lip, then sighed,

"Fine. But please come back quickly…"

If only it was that easy.

In my determination, I lost track of time. I didn't hesitate to leave the Pokémon Centre and bolt into the forest where the final ingredient- a special type of berry- was located, but I didn't even realize I was fuzzy on where I was going. It took me a while- 2 hours, actually- to accept that I was absolutely lost.

I looked up and saw that the sun was beginning to set. I started to panic. Not only did I not know where the berry was, but I didn't know how to get back. I'd be ashamed to return empty handed, but at least I'd be safe…

I kept loping along, my spirits deflated. The ground seemed to be getting cooler and moister with each step I took. I heard the quiet trickle of water, and soon found myself by a lazy stream. My heart gave a little leap. The berries grew by fresh bodies of water! Or, wait… Or was it that they grow AWAY from water? Oh, man, I had no idea!

It wasn't long until I was surrounded by darkness. My only light was my own feeble flame and the stars & moon, which were mostly blocked out by trees. Shivering and whimpering, I curled up at the foot of a tree after making sure I was truly alone.

I went to sleep murmuring, "I'm sorry Marina…"

I awoke with the tiny hope that I had just been dreaming. Looking around me, I sighed. Of course it wasn't. I sluggishly stood up, unclear on what I was to do next. What time was it? Where was I? Was Marina okay? Was she worried? Was… was she disappointed in me? Oh, anything but that…

Overflowing with self pity, I dragged myself back toward the stream. Maybe if I followed it, I could find some form of civilization, and maybe due to some miracle Barry would be there and take me back to Marina… I checked to make sure my ribbon was still there. Good, it was.

I was just starting to walk when I got the disturbing feeling that I wasn't alone. That I was being watched. I heard a chorus of muffled ripples in the stream, and slowly turned to face the sound. 8 big, beady black eyes were staring at me angrily. I gulped. I WAS in water type territory…

All at once, 4 freakishly large Quagsire sprung out of the water, landing simultaneously. This was really bad… Not only were they three times my size, but they were water and ground types: the two types I was weakest against.

All 4 of them had these wicked grins on their stupid faces as they slowly approached me. I took a shaky step back, and felt the rush of slimy, wet skin. They had me surrounded! I hung my head, closing my eyes so tightly I brought on tears. I had failed Marina…

Just as the Quagsire aimed their Water Guns- Hydro Pump, for their leader- at me, I suddenly felt two arms grip me tightly. My face was now pressed against soft, blue fabric that smelled strongly of…

The sound that filled my ears filled me with rage: it was Marina's cry of pain as the Quagsire attacked her all at once. It made me feel even worse that I wasn't impacted by any of their attacks. Marina had curled herself in a ball, acting as a perfect shield for me. I opened one eye and saw that she was shaking horribly, tears streaming down her soaked, pale face.

Those Quagsire hurt her… Because of ME… Th-they hurt, MY Marina…

I can't precisely recite what happened next, because it was all too confusing. I just remember opening my eyes to see nothing but red, and to feel nothing around me except heat. It didn't feel like I was even in my own body. I felt the warmth around me intensify tenfold, and couldn't hear anything except the Quagsire's cry of retreat and my own scream of fury.

I didn't even acknowledge the Quagsire had fled. I still wanted to burn them, tear them to pieces… The rest was a complete blur.

When I awoke, I was sore and shaky, but the feeling of a hand stroking my forehead reassured me. I slowly opened my eyes, and once my vision cleared, I gasped in horror. Marina was still shaky as heck, and she was covered in horrible burn marks. I felt like I had died that very moment; I burned Marina.

She gave a smile so weak, it made me sick to my stomach. "Oh, good… You're awake. I was worried, y'know… The ability Blaze can do crazy stuff to a Pokémon." Blaze… So that's what it was. My anger and weakness had conjured my ability, which I hadn't yet learned how to control.

"A few minutes after you left, Nurse Joy came in saying someone had loaned her some more of that berry she needed. She mixed me up some medicine, and wouldn't let me go look for you until I got enough sleep. The moment my eyes were awake, I went looking for you. I'm sorry I hadn't come earlier…"

I shook my head furiously, chanting "No! No! Don't be sorry, don't be sorry!"

She gave a chuckle that sounded like it was being choked due to tears. "Gosh, I wish I could understand what you were saying…"

I snuggled into her, wrapping my yellow hand around her finger. "You do understand me, Marina… I can tell…" Marina sighed, smiling, and shakily got to her feet. I tried to get down so she could walk without having to be concerned with the extra weight of me, but she shook her head and pulled my face into her shoulder.

"No, Chimchar. I don't want to let you go. Not ever."

If you could feel so much abrupt love for someone that you exploded into nothingness, then there'd be nothing left of me for her to hold onto.