Thanks for the review, AnimeCrazy88!

My life's a little more busy than usual, as of late. It'll probably just slow me down a little.

Chapter 11
Explaining the Situation

Shuffling through a path of knee-high grass, Marina looked into the sky thoughtfully. King had been recalled to his Poké Ball, so she now sped through Route 29 with both her hands free. From time to time, she nimbly scaled down ledges to speed up the amount of time to get back home.

Silver's blunt words drifted in her pondering mind. She frowned as she slowed a little.

"Am I still really that naïve...?" she murmured.

A scream escaped her as her foot slipped. She clumsily skidded down a ledge she hadn't noticed. Coming to a stop on her knees, she blinked once and quickly opened her bag. She heaved a sigh, seeing that the egg she carried was still intact. Her eyes caught the smaller front pocket, and a moment later she opened it and grinned softly at the green and white Poké Ball inside. Touching it only once, she zipped up her bag and brushed the grass off before standing.

"Well, that was close," Marina said. She slipped her backpack over her shoulders and continued through a tall field of grass. Her hand unconsciously went to check the bandana on her head before grasping her PokéGear. She went through the menu, and a geometrical mapping of the area around her appeared on the screen, full in color to represent the earth's varying levels.

I'm definitely close now. So...Oh! She spotted a satellite dish poking out of the trees not far off—the one from Professor Elm's laboratory—and headed straight for it.

When she reached the building, she found that the front door was unlocked; probably left that way for her and her friends.

Marina looked around as she shut the door behind her. The lab was oddly silent despite some shuffling she could catch in the distance. She turned with a start, however, as she saw the broken window on her left. The nervousness that she had vented on her battle with Silver crawled back to her. She scanned the area again.

What on earth happened here?

"Marina!"

Fast-paced footsteps that echoed ahead. Marina looked ahead to see Jackson running toward her.

"Hi, Jackson. Just what happened—?"

"Are you okay, Marina?!" He interrupted as he grasped her shoulders. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you!"

"Wha…? I'm okay," Marina replied after a moment, blinking blankly. "Why?"

"Well, uh, just follow me!" Jackson snatched her arm firmly and dragged her further into the building. Taken aback by the action, she winced and tried to pull away.

"Wait—! Hold on a second! Jackson! Let go! Are you trying to pull my arm off?"

She asked more intensely than she intended, almost snapping at him. As soon as she said it, her friend automatically released her, stunned.

"Did I hurt you, Marina? I'm sorry!" he apologized.

"N-No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way," Marina replied just as quickly. "But what's up with you?"

"Umm." Jackson distractedly whirled around and hurried to the other side of the building. "Yo, can you guys hear me?"

Glancing around anxiously, Marina followed him. What's going on? Really, why is Jackson concerned about me? He should be worried about the Professor...

They passed by the library and entered the main room where they had received their first Pokémon. The table was spotless and Professor Elm sat in one of the chairs, unharmed to Marina's relief. Kenta was drinking from a can of soda as Marina walked in. Upon seeing her, he choked on the beverage and let it slip from his hand to clatter onto the floor.

Marina's eyes widened at this and she asked, "Kenta, are you okay?"

"I should be asking you that," Kenta coughed. He avoided the mess he had made and approached her.

"What...?"

"How did it turn out? What did he do?"

"Did he make you bet your Pokémon too?" Jackson interjected with his own question. Both of the fretful boys watched her as she waved her hands, silencing them.

"What's going on here?!" Marina raised her voice as she continued in a ramble, "Everyone's acting weird! Don't be asking about me, what about you, Professor Elm? What about the broken window back there? What happened? And who do you mean by 'he'?"

"They mean the battle you might've had with a particular boy, if you met him," Professor Elm calmly stated, "Don't worry, I'm fine now." He had fetched a mop and was cleaning the floor where the soda had spilled.

"S-Sorry, Professor," Kenta apologized with a weak grin.

"So how did it turn out?" Jackson asked Marina

"Wait a minute..." Her heart beat a little faster. They mean Silver, don't they? Do they know about Wani-Wani? "How...How did you know that I...?"

"Professor Elm told us," Kenta stated simply, "But I guess that means you did meet him."

"Hey, don't interrupt Marina!" Jackson snapped.

"What? I knew what she was going to—."

"So what? Don't act oh-so-cool, detective Kenta, trying to predict what people say and cutting them off. It's rude to interrupt when someone's speaking!"

"Funny that you say that, because you just interrupted me," Kenta countered and crossed his arms.

"Well...Whatever!"

Geez, Marina sighed. She walked around the two and approached Professor Elm. Having finished cleaning the mess, he watched the boys that continued quarreling. The girl slipped off her backpack and placed it on the table.

"The egg's in my bag," she said.

Elm looked at her, puzzled. "The what?"

"Mr. Pokémon's discovery, of course!" Marina took the mop Elm was holding. "I'll put that away for you!"

But really, how did they know about Silver? It's almost creepy, Marina mused as made her way to the small closet in the corner of the room. The Professor only called me before I met him again. He might've told them about Wani-Wani, but that doesn't explain why they know about the battle, her eyes cast a stealthy glimpse at Professor Elm, I hope the egg will distract him long enough so I can leave. I don't want to talk about what happened.

So, just got to act normal, she concluded and turned around wearing a half-smile. Merrily she strolled right in-between her two friends, who stopped arguing the moment she did so.

"Can you two knock it off? Please?" she requested cutely. "It's no big deal."

"...I guess we got carried away again, didn't we?" Kenta asked.

"Yup."

"I'm sorry, Marina. I'll try not to reply to Kenta when he starts these silly fights," Jackson apologized endearingly.

"You're the one that started it," Kenta muttered, shattering the false innocence. His friend sent him a glare.

"You two... Just stop fighting already. Don't..." She trailed off as she said the last sentence under her breath.

Don't fight over me. Why do they always have to fight? Is it because I'm naïve and weak so I always need to be protected...? Marina pondered, a frown fixed on her lips. It is, isn't it?

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing," she waved away Kenta's question. She shifted her eyes the other way and forced a nervous smile.

"This is amazing!" Professor Elm's exclamation intercepted the three children's chatting, and they turned to him. The Professor was looking at the egg that he had pulled out of Marina's backpack, observing it with sheer fascination.

"Eheh," Marina giggled, skipping back to the table. "Isn't it funny how there's all those triangle markings on it?"

"Quite curious; nevertheless it's a grand discovery! I've never seen such an egg before; it must be a rare Pokémon!"

"Marina, wait for me!" exclaimed Jackson as he trailed behind her. Kenta followed suit, though he wore a frown.

The three Trainers watched with interest as Elm examined the egg at every angle, checking the shell and various other things. At times Marina would space out until the Professor spoke to her, in which she would answer belatedly. Eventually, Elm put the egg down next to Marina's knapsack.

"I'll truly have to thank Mr. Pokémon for this, and of course thank you for delivering this egg safely, Marina," he said.

Marina twitched, snapping out of another profound trance with a self-conscious smile.

"Of course," again she replied.

"Why don't you three take a seat? You must be tired after having me call you here," Professor Elm advised. Her two friends replied casually, shrugging.

"Sure."

"Alright."

"Ah, Kenta, Jackson, sit over here on my side."

Regretting not announcing her desire to leave earlier, Marina moved and unwillingly sat down on a wooden chair. Her eyes observed as Kenta and Jackson sat across from her, on either side of Professor Elm.

"Um... So what happened, Professor?" Marina asked.

"That's right, I haven't told you yet... Someone broke in and stole some of the Pokémon we have here," Elm informed her.

"Oh!" The girl looked back at where she had come. "Oh my gosh… So the robber broke that window?"

"Yes...Everyone's fine now, but I have a few questions to ask you. Would you mind?"

Crap, he remembered. And worst off, her eyes darted at the empty chairs beside her, He put me right in the spotlight. I don't mind being the center of attention, but this…

"Sure, I don't mind," she said stiffly.

"You've heard from Kenta and Jackson, but... Did you battle someone on your way here?" Professor Elm asked.

Marina hesitated, but nodded silently. The image of her Totodile confidently standing at Silver's feet—and blatantly turning away from her—came to her mind.

"Marina, was he—?"

"Kenta, let me ask her," Professor Elm calmly cut in before Kenta could continue. "What did he look like? He was a boy, right? I want to make sure."

Marina frowned, feeling a sudden wave of reluctance. Even so, she answered. "He was a boy, probably around my age with long, red hair. He had gray-blue eyes; I remember because they stood out a lot."

"Did you happen to get his name?" Professor Elm asked after a few moments. His face maintained the mixture of a friendly seriousness and one she could not identify.

I feel like I'm ratting him out. He stole my Pokémon, but Wani-Wani was...happier with Silver. And stronger. She scanned the room again. Outside, the sun continued to set, darkening the light in the room; it must have been later than she thought.

"Silver," Marina muttered.

Professor Elm sighed, to her surprise. Kenta nodded slightly, making mental note to remember the name.

"Silver?" asked Jackson. The tense air in the room prevented him from voicing a haughty remark, so he kept it to himself.

"Well," the Professor began. "You said you battled him. Did you win or lose? ...And what Pokémon did he have?"

He was only able to ask the last question when he noticed Marina's hesitation, though it seemed to have been an afterthought.

"I won," Marina replied.

"You won? Really?" Jackson gasped.

"Yup. It was a fair, one-on-one battle. As for the Pokémon he used..."

I don't like this at all...I don't want Silver to get in trouble. He doesn't seem that bad, I guess. Even if he was... Finally she looked down and closed her eyes, heaving a long, weary sigh.

Kenta murmured something. He could foretell what her response would be, and he had the sudden desire to sit next to her; he disliked seeing her like this, alone and upset.

"It was a Totodile." She opened her eyes and looked up, preparing herself. "My Totodile."

"I see... So he was the one that took it from you."

She nodded, her voice mute upon seeing the alarmed stares her friends gave her.

"Did it recognize you?" Elm asked.

"Kind of. I'm sure he knew it was me, but... I don't think he wanted me as his Trainer anymore," admitted Marina.

Shifting in her seat, she smiled uncomfortably. She was distraught; if she could, she would have run out of the laboratory as soon as Professor Elm had sat her down. Her severe reluctance began to crumble, but her resolution to hold back any horrible information about Silver remained.

For Wani-Wani...and maybe a little for Silver too, even if he is a jerk. A little laugh escaped her.

"Actually, I think Wani-Wani wants to stay with him now. Silver's taking better care of him; he was a lot stronger when I fought Silver. And my brother finally sent me a Pokémon. See?" She separated King's Poké Ball from her belt and held it up to show it to her friends.

"I know it's a bit weird to say," she said, "but don't chase Silver. I have King now. Wani-Wani's better off without me… and I think that Silver must have had his own reasons for doing what he did."

Professor Elm raised an eyebrow at this, but he yielded a grin. "You're very forgiving, Marina."

With a screeching slide from his chair, Kenta stood abruptly, causing everyone to turn to him.

"You mean you think it's all right for that guy to make off with your Pokémon like that?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying," Marina replied. Her fake smile vanished as she looked into his burning navy blue irises.

"Then why are you sticking up for him? He stole your first Pokémon!"

"Kenta...!" She grew quieter as she held King's Poké Ball. "I'm not sticking up for him... Don't get so worked up. It already happened; Wani-Wani belongs to Silver now."

"But are you really fine with that? You...!" As Kenta's face was burdened with a fierce anguish, he choked on his words when Marina looked back at him.

No, I'm not, and it's not because Wani-Wani was stolen from me. It's not just about that, Marina mentally responded, but the meaning shimmered in her stare. There was only silence as everyone watched the two young Trainers, Jackson being sternly held back by his father from snapping at both of them.

"Tch." Kenta turned his head away so she couldn't see his face. As soon as he did this, Marina's gaze wavered and she stared down at her lap, King's Poké Ball held loosely in her hands. She clipped it to her belt, silently sitting in the chair for a few more moments.

She let out a sigh and, unable to take the atmosphere, stood up.

"I'm going home now," she muttered.

"But—!"

"Jackson," Professor Elm spoke sharply and his brown-haired son shut his mouth. He then looked back at the girl. "It's all right, Marina. If you're fine with Silver having your Totodile, then I won't do anything about it."

Crossing her arms feebly, she nodded without uttering a sound.

"But it's already dark out, so you can stay here for the night. I'd like the three of you to stay tomorrow as well just in case. By then, my assistant should be back. This is just one more thing I ask of you; I don't want to take any chances," Professor Elm requested.

Jackson nodded slowly, wearing a concerned and helpless frown as his eyes moved from Kenta to Marina and back again.

"Alright," she said and then added flatly, "I'm going to bed early then. Good night."

She dragged her backpack off the table and headed down the hallway. Watching for a second, Kenta started after her.

"Marina, wait—."

Professor Elm grabbed Kenta's arm, pulling him back. Frowning, Kenta turned his head toward him, whose eyes were sympathetic behind his spectacles.

"Leave her be, Kenta. She just needs some rest; it's been a long day for her, I'm sure."

Kenta hesitated, but nodded as Elm went to speak to Jackson. He glanced down the hallway.

Marina...sometimes I don't get her. She looked really upset. Why would she defend that guy? Did…her Totodile really…?

The boy narrowed his eyes solemnly. He sat down again, staring at the egg that now sat alone on the table. Releasing a quick sigh, he folded his arms and rested his head on them.

I'll talk to her tomorrow...

Marina shut the door weakly behind her and leaned her back against it, her eyes casting a tender stare downward as they adjusted to the dark. She didn't bother to turn on the lights. She just allowed herself to slide down to the floor.

"Why was I sticking up for him so much?" she asked herself softly. With the backpack in her arms, she opened the front pocket. She retrieved her unique, green Poké Ball replica. As she stared at it somewhat fondly, she held it tight in her hand as if King's Poké Ball were a substitute for this one. Holding it always brought her a little comfort.

Her eyes shifted to the trees and the twilight sky outside the window. Even though she stared blankly, her thoughts churned in her head like slow-turning gears.

For Wani-Wani, I know...but there was something else. That hair, those eyes…I didn't notice it at first, but I honestly think I've met Silver before. He seems familiar, somehow...

She placed a hand on her forehead, clearing her mind. She shut her eyes and moved her fingers to gently touch the side of her head, which throbbed almost painfully. While enduring the interrogation, Marina didn't say a word about the headache that slowly developed. At first, it wasn't bothersome, but it grew much more severe when Kenta began yelling at her.

"Geez," she sighed under her breath. She let her head incline until it hit the door, and she rested on the floor for a while. Beyond the walls, she could somewhat hear the voices of her friends. Even hearing them made the little migraine worsen.

But between the pangs that relieved the longer she sat in the dark, she held her green and white Poké Ball gently in the palm of her hand.

Marina opened her eyes, staring ahead at the ceiling in thought. Still baffled, she closed them again.

"But where do I know him...?"