What else could she do? What else could she use to get back to Olivine quick enough? All she could think of was surfing.

She looked up, squinting at the sun. It was early afternoon now. She definitely wouldn't make it back in time if she surfed.

Then she saw the gym, gleaming in the sun that was slowly but surely making it's way to the horizon. The sky. . .the gym. . .sky. . .gym.

Shit, why didn't she think of that earlier?

She ran over to the gym, stopping short to make sure she didn't bowl over the woman standing in front of it.

"Quick. Does this gym's badge allow me to fly and what type is it?"

The woman hesitated, seemingly shocked by her sudden appearance before answering, "Uh. . .yes. . ."

Jackpot.

". . .And the type's fighting," she continued.

As soon as she was done talking, Arella ran into the gym. Moments later, the building shook a little as a crack was heard inside. Another shake, and a Poliwrath went flying out the roof, making a hole in the roof as it did.

Another couple moments, and Arella was out again with a new badge in her hand and a newly evolved Daniel at her side.

"You ready to fly then?" the trainer asked, and Daniel smiled.

"Ready when you are."

Arella nodded, climbing on to his back. Before anyone watching could blink an eye, the Pidgeot took off into the sky, heading towards the Olivine Lighthouse.

Over in Olivine, the sun was starting to set, painting the clear ocean various shades of red, orange, and yellow. Usually, this was sight to behold for the gym leader, but today wasn't a usual day.

Jasmine flipped over the cold washcloth on Amphy's head, whispering into her ear as she did. She tried her best to tell her that it would be over soon, but even she wasn't sure herself if the Ampharos would pull through.

Why did she even send that random trainer off to get the medicine for Amphy. She didn't even know herself, but. . .for some reason, she felt like she wanted to trust him. He had come up to check on the sick pokemon, so she had assumed that she could trust him to bring back the medicine.

But there was the voice in her mind, that little voice in her head that doubted her decision. That kept telling her that trusting the boy was a bad idea. That he would never make it back in time. That he probably didn't even care about Amphy.

She shook her head. No, she had to stay positive. If Amphy had held on for this long, she could hold on for a little longer.

Her head snapped as she heard the elevator announce it's arrival with a long ring. Moments later, the doors slid open, and the trainer ran in and up to the gym leader, paper bag in hand as his Pidgeot followed close behind.

"Here. . .sorry it took so long," he said, slightly panting. Jasmine could only stare at him before taking the bag. As quickly as she could, she took the medicine out of the bag, slowly pouring the liquid it contained into the Ampharos's mouth, then put a hand to her forehead.

". . .She's getting better already," she smiled, then turned back to the trainer, "Thank you. . .uh. . ."

"Arella," he nodded, "Will she make it through the night then?"

"Most definitely, though I'm staying to make sure," she nodded, ". . .I'll go back to the gym tomorrow morning, so we can fight then."

"Just as long as the Ampharos is better, I'm happy," he smiled, "Take as long as you need."

She could only stare as trainer and pokemon walked back to the elevator. And as the elevator doors closed, she couldn't help but feel a little pang in her heart.

Morning couldn't come quick enough for Arella, as she had almost not slept the entire night. She didn't know why she was so excited, it was any other gym battle that she had yet. But yet. . .it was like she was excited to see the gym leader.

She entered the gym on the north side of town, and was surprised that it was relatively empty. All the other gyms she had gone through before had many trainers before the actual gym leader, but this one was completely empty, save for Jasmine, who was standing at the back.

"I said you could come in the morning, but I didn't expect you to come this early," Jasmine smiled as Arella walked up.

"What can I say? I'm excited," she smiled back.

"That's good," she nodded, "I. . .want to thank you again for saving Amphy's life. . .for helping her keep the sailors safe," the gym leader paused, "But I'm not going to go easy on you," she chucked the pokeball in her hand to the ground in front of her, and a Steelix came out, rising to it's full height and roaring.

"I would hope not. Go Fudge!" she sent out the Graveler, who eyed the giant metal snake warily.

The snake started screeching, making both trainers plug their ears, but only slightly jarring Fudge as he fought to stay focused. Seeing the opportunity, he smashed his fail onto the rock, but he had already rolled away and smacked into the wall, causing the floor to shake and knocking the snake off-balance.

"One more Magnitude Fudge!" Arella yelled, and Fudge quickly obeyed, shaking the snake even further and causing it to crash to the ground.

"Well. . .it looks like you won," Jasmine smiled timidly.

"Hear that, Fudge? We did it!" the trainer quickly ran up to Fudge, hugging him. Unfortunately, Arella did not register the gym leader's sudden gasp until a sickening crack filled the room, and the Graveler's body slowly fell to the floor, revealing the still conscious Steelix behind him.

". . .Fudge? Fudge, answer me," she kneeled next to him, shaking his body gently, "Come on Fudge, wake up. It's still alive, we still need to win. . ."

She looked up at Jasmine, who's face was dead white as she realized what the Graveler's own trainer failed to realize yet.

"Thank. . .you. For. . .For. . .ev. . . ery. . .thing."

She looked down at the sudden unfamiliar voice, but only met Fudge's closed eyes and his slump body.

"Fudge, was. . .that you?" her eyes' widened as her mind grew frantic, "Come on Fudge, speak to me! You have to wake up!" she threw herself onto his body, tears forming in her eyes, "Please. . .Please. . .just. . .w-wake up."