Disclaimer:

Listen . . .

Do you hear that? Silence. Just silence. No chaos is happening here. No arguments. No threats that end up in bloody noses and skinned shins. Though, fishes do not have noses and shins . . . Behold. JC and Dot are facing you, seeming patient and thoughtful. On the sand bed, there are two piles of white cards in front of them, apparently. What are their plans? Are they scheming a plan to rule the world? Nah. They are too nice for that. Finally, they have putted aside their differences and wish to perform the disclaimer in one of the most honored games ever recorded in the history.

Pictionary.

Well, not exactly.

But you probably don't care, right? Let them continue, guppies - I mean humans.

JC and Dot glance at each other simultaneously.

"Ready?" the Blue questions.

"PrĂȘt," the Domino answers.

Together, they pick a card from their piles, and JC flips his. "'Disclaimer'."

Dot peers at the card. There is a child's attempt at drawing a cloud. At least . . . it does look like one. Luckily, Dot has a keen eye for art. "Cloud?"

He nods. "A statement of escape from responsibility. Disclaimer."

"Ah." Dot then flips her card. "'Debbie'."

JC smacks his forehead when he looks at her picture. Instead of the driver's license-ugly photograph of the author, Deb the Humbug's picture is displayed. "Wrong picture, Dot! This's Deb, not Debbie. You've got the pictures mixed up."

"I did not! You must've done it, man," she defensively retorts, eying the Blue with suspicion.

He simply points at her pile. "This's not my pile."

"So?!" Finally, she manages to find the right picture. It's digitized to avoid disgusted expressions or the fleeing of several readers from the ugliness of the driver's license. Because it's the universal purpose that every driver's license must displays the ugliest picture possible. Only the DMV knows why. Dot points at the picture. "This's really Debbie. Ok? Got it." She then throws it over her shoulder.

JC picks up another card, which displays the twin face of the author. "'Dai-chan' . . ." He peers at the picture, greatly puzzled.

Dot is also puzzled. "She looks like Debbie . . . who?"

"No idea."

Dot stares at the picture for a moment, then horror contorts her face. "You mean . . . Mademoiselle is schizophrenic?!"

aldshgoiwne -- ! !*$%*@ . . .

"I seriously doubt it," JC calmly mentions, while his fins make frantic cutting motions near his throat toward Dot.

Dot nervously nods, her grin plastered. "Understood. Gotcha." Hurriedly, she receives a card, just words. "'Does not own'."

After noticing that the card was correct this time, the Blue quietly mutters to himself, "First thing you've done right."

The Domino glares. "I would like to see you do better!"

"Gladly." With a flourish of his fin, he picks up a card. "'Finding Nemo'."

Dot is eying the picture with an intentness that worries him. She then shakes her head. "'Finding Marlin'? I'm sorry, but another author already have the title."

"What?" JC looks down and frowns. "Bugger." He tries another card. "Is this better?"

"Finding Dory." Third picture. "Finding the Tank Gang. Finding Blenny. Finding . . . hmm, Dory's scars?"

"Sca - what?"

Dot laughs and shrugs. "Sorry. I was reading off the 'Finding Nemo' Board and one of the members mentioned that the scars Dory had were missing by the end of the movie, and I was trying to be funny here . . ."

The Blue then gives her a look of incredulous disbelief. "Your attempt of humor is wet."

"Well, I try. By the way, nice pun."

"Thank you."

Dot then grins in excitement. "'Or any of the characters'."

"Cue!"

The screen then fast-forwards by moi, knowing that the Muses are going to voice every character's name from the movie. That's right, ladies and gentlefish. Every name. 3.7 trillion names. But we don't need to hear all of them, right? Let we skip them all.

The Muses finish, panting from uttering every name they could remember of. "Well, it's short," Dot says, leaning against JC for support.

Just then, everybody's favorite neurotic Royal Gamma swims past, oblivious to his surroundings. The golden and maroon eyes follow him, he in puzzlement and she in growing realization.

"GURGLE!" Dot yells in ecstasy. With a hard push of her tail, she darts off and grabs on Gurgle, her speed sending them tumbling out of the screen.

JC watches the turmoil for a moment, listening to the Gamma's whimpers of protest and her excited giggles, then he simply looks upward. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?'

No comment.

A horrified scream trembles the water.

JC slightly flinches and shakes his head. "Ooh . . . The Death Hug of a Fanfish. Well, well, well." Out of nowhere, he gets out a crowbar and departs. "Dislocation time."

Chapter Six: Impressions and Jellyfish Forests

"I'm going to 'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney' . . ."

Ok. He can do it. He definitely can do it. He knew how to tune out from the surroundings and lock out any unnecessary sounds from his mind. He patiently glided through the waters, warmed by the bright, early morning lights above. He didn't know where he was right now, just got out from the horrible dark pit and the monstrous Anglerfish, and slept through the night safely inside a small, empty cave with the Blue. The surroundings were all sandy and rocky altogether, just like any other ground. He could be anywhere, but this time, all that mattered was keep patient and swimming on.

"Where are you going? I'm going to 'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney' . . ."

But . . . Dory. That was the problem. She was like that since she actually recalled the address from the mask. She never stopped chanting the address, so thrilled that she had a chance to remember. At first, it wasn't bothersome, he just tuning out whenever she continued her chant, but her blithe voice kept on piercing through his mind and stayed there. The words stuck in his mind like writing on stone and he doubted he would forget them. He didn't think he could even force himself. Amazingly, Dory never grew bored of chanting the words. It was rather annoying, if was not driving him insane.

"If you ask where I'm going, I'll tell you that's where I'm going. It's 'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney' . . ."

However, Marlin didn't have the heart to tell her to shut up. Not when she was very happy like that. He assumed that she did have problems with her memory, and the fact that she didn't forget the address caused extreme happiness in her. He did hear the happiness in her voice. It kinda warmed his heart that at least in this adventure, she was having fun. So that was why he let her tagging along, let her chanting the address to herself, as he silently swam around the rocky shelves.

"Where? I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. 'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney' . . ."

Marlin gave a tolerated sigh, again wondering where he was. He and Dory didn't know where this Sydney was, so he needed to find someone who might know. His orange eyes shifted around and finally, he caught spots of flickering silver. Oh, there! A large-size school of silvery-grey fishes were circling lazily around each other. Moonfish, he thought. Excellent sources of information, having been everywhere and doing everything. Marlin smiled in relief. Finally, a step closer to his son.

He shyly drifted over to the school. "Excuse me. Hi. Do you know the way to - "

He was cut off when the school suddenly turned fin and departed away. Puzzled, Marlin chased after them, calling out and pleading. He didn't understand why the Moonfish suddenly ignored him or darted away before he could catch them. He just wanted directions. "Hello? Whoa, wait! Can you tell me - " Left, they went! "Hey! Hold it! I'm trying to talk to you." Right! "Fellas, come out here. One quick question. I need to - " Marlin slowed down, the silvery flicks vanishing in the waters. "And they're gone again . . ." He hung his head. It wasn't fair. He can't believe how rude the local fishes can be. After his experiences in the school back home, he understood that not all the fishes weren't that friendly, but he only needed directions. A heavy despair weighed in his chest, escaping out with a heavy sigh.

"'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney'. Why do I have to tell you again and again? I'll tell you. I don't get tired of it . . ."

Marlin clenched his teeth. Now he can't stand the chanting anymore. He didn't have time to listen to her silly singing. She caused too many delays, making him losing precious time. Every minute she was with him, every minute he lost being closer to his son. No more.

"Ok," Marlin cut Dory's chanting off, his face stiff. "Alright, here's the thing." He hesitated briefly, seeing the wide scarlet eyes on him. He can't do this, being so tough on her. She wouldn't understand, and he had to break it gently to her. "I think it's best if I just carry on from here by . . . myself."

"Okay." Dory beamed.

"You know, alone."

"Uh-huh."

"Without, without, I mean, not with you, but I don't want you . . . with me." Marlin ended with a pathetic grin. Does she understand it?

She stared at him, her cheerful visage fading into a puzzled look. "Huh?"

"Am I . . . I don't want to hurt your feelings."

"You want me to leave?"

"I mean not - yes. I just can't afford any more delays, and you're one of those fishes that cause delays." Seeing the hurt deepening, he tried again to cheer her up. "Sometimes, it's a good thing. There's a whole kind of fishes. They are delay fishes."

It was not funny.

Her scarlet eyes seemed to glow with new tears. "You mean . . ." Her lower lip quivered, and her freckled face contorted into a wounded expression. "You mean you don't like me?" She whirled around, weeping in her fins.

"Oh, I like you," he protested weakly. "It's just because I like you that I don't want you with me . . ." He paused, considering what he said. "That's a complicated emotion." His words wounded the Blue profoundly. His heart took pity, and Marlin felt guilty for making a gal cry. He haltingly reached to soothe her. "Don't cry. I do like you."

"Hey, you!"

Marlin turned around at the voice. The Moonfish school was there, floating in a shapeless sphere. Even though the sphere looked harmless, the tension within was enough to unnerve him. He felt every pair of eyes on him, glaring hotly. Then the voice came out from a fish somewhere inside, apparently the leader of the Moonfish. "Lady, is this guy bothering you?"

Dory's weeps had quieted, and she appeared distracted at the question. "I can't remember." Her wet eyes went to Marlin. "Were you?"

"No, no, no! We're just - " Marlin waved his fins, grinning at her awkwardly. He then gazed to the Moonfish, trying to ignore the glares, questioning, "Um, guys, do you know the way to - ?"

"Hey, pal," the Moonfish leader cut in, "we're talking to the lady, not you." Simultaneously, all the Moonfish grinned with gaiety toward Dory. "Hey, hey, you like impressions?"

The Blue shyly nodded, smiling.

"Ok, just like in rehearsals, gentlemen." Abruptly, the group went into chaos. They were forming a picture of something. Charades, apparently. Marlin recognized the picture as a swordfish. "So, what are we? Take a guess."

Dory completely forgot about being rejected and was now grinning with eagerness. "Oh, I've seen one of those!"

"I'm a fish with a nose like a sword."

"Wait, wait, it's . . . um . . ."

Marlin frowned at this. Do they have to play games with Dory right now? It'll take her forever to guess right, wasting his time. He told her, "It's a swordfish."

"Hey, Clownie boy, let the lady guess," the leader rebuked. The school shifted into a gigantic lobster. "Where is the butter?"

Dory clapped her fins together. "Oh, it's on the tip of my tongue!"

"Lobster." Marlin quietly coughed in his fin.

"Saw that!" An octopus appeared. "Lots of legs! Lives in the ocean."

"Clam!" she guessed.

"Close enough!" Once again, the school altered, this time into a pirate ship, complete with fishes shooting out like cannonballs and one fish 'walking the plank'. "'Oh, it's a whale of a tale, I tell you, lad . . . '"

"They're good," Dory murmured with marvel.

The Clownfish wasn't awed at all. He was furious. He needed to find directions and go find his son, and What were the Blue and the Moonfish doing? Playing silly, stupid games! His son could be in utter danger, and they didn't show any care! Frustrated, he shouted, "Will someone please give me directions?!"

Abruptly, the Moonfish shifted into a new picture, and that one maddened him. A silvery Clownfish with its mouth pouted, the perfect imitation of the smaller one. The leader mocked his voice, "'Will someone please give me directions?!'"

She delightfully laughed at the scene.

"I'm serious!"

"Blah, blah, blah, me, me, me, blah, blah, me, me!"

Marlin's frustration calmed slightly, seething under his scowl. This was ridiculous. "Thank you," he said flatly before he turned fin.

Dory's grin faded as she watched him swimming away. "Oh, dear. Hey, wait up!" She hurried after him, finally stopping him by shooting out in front of him. "Hey, what's the matter?"

"What's the matter?" he repeated with a bitter grimace. "While they are doing their silly little impressions, I'm miles from home with a fish who can't remember her own name!"

"Bet that's frustrating."

"Meanwhile, my son is out there . . ."

"Your son, Chico?"

"Nemo."

"Nemo, right."

Marlin shook his head, still fuming at the insulting Moonfish and at all the other fishes who won't help him. He kept on swimming, muttering, "But it doesn't matter because no fish in the entire ocean is gonna help me."

"Well, I'm helping you."

The Clownfish halted. She was helping him? He didn't recall anything . . . the mask. She was the one who read it. The only one. She could've told him the address and continued on her own way. But she didn't. She stayed by his side, sharing the same adventures. She lived the same adventures and she didn't waver from the dangers. In fact, she faced them with optimism - that is, whenever she remembered anything. Her helpfulness and innocence really aided him moving on, encouraging him when he could've froze at the face of danger or given up in despair. In the entire ocean, she was the only fish who didn't leave his side. The only one who helped him.

"Wait right here." Marlin turned to watch Dory nearing the school, which still displayed the pouting Clownfish. "Guys!"

"Is he bothering you again?"

She smiled. "No, no. He's a good guy. Go easy on him. He's lost his son, Fabio. Have you heard of 'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney'?"

"Sydney? Oh, sure!" The Moonfish changed into a new structure that the fishes never seen before - the Famous Sydney Opera House. The Moonfish seemed enthusiastic to show off their talents of knowledge to the Blue. "Ted's got relatives out there. Have you, Ted?'

"Sure do!"

Dory grinned; this was amazing! She shouted over to Marlin, "Oh, hey, they know Sydney!"

He looked up in disbelief; Dory actually helped him? Another chance to find his son caused new hope and he rushed to her side.

"You wouldn't know how to get there, would you?" she asked.

"What you wanna do is follow the E.A.C. That's the East Australian Current." The Sydney Opera House structure altered into two waves parallel to each other, along with a couple of fishes swimming between. "Big current. Can't miss it." An arrow before it veered southward. "It's in that direction. And you're gonna follow it for . . . I don't know, what do you think, guys? Three leagues? That little baby will take you right past Sydney." More fishes came around the arrow and shifted their scales to cause silvery lights. "Ta-da!"               

Ecstasy filled his chest. Finally, he found a way to his son! There were fishes out there who will help him, and they did help! "That's great!" Marlin embraced the Blue in rejoicing. "Dory, you did it!"

Her laughter was bashful. "Oh, please, I'm just your helper - helping along, that's me."

Dory stayed close to Marlin's tail as he thanked the Moonfish sincerely. "Thank you, fellas."

"Don't mention it!" The Moonfish changed back into the replica of Marlin, this time grinning. "Just loosen up, okay, buddy?"

She giggled. "Oh, you guys. You really nailed him. Bye."

"Oh, one more thing, ma'am." The school halted her, forming into a small-size trench in front of her. "Remember, when you go to this trench, swim through it, not over it."

Dory's face frowned thoughtfully as she pressed her memory to receive the important information. "Trench. Through it, not over. I'll remember." She gave them her positive grin, then caught a last glimpse of Marlin disappearing around rocks. "Hey, wait up, partner!" With her speed, she was quickly caught up with the Clownfish, who had stopped, his eyes looking up to something. "I have to tell you something . . ." She noticed the cautious face and followed his gaze. "Whoa . . ."

The Moonfish's trench didn't give the real thing justice. It rose as high as their gazes can follow. The rocks were dark grey, touched blue by the waters, the rugged rocks split apart into a 'V' shape. Within, darkness waited. It was amazing that this trench was formed in the middle of the ocean, appearing small compared with other trenches, but to the reef fishes, it was obviously dangerous, from the looming look.

"Nice trench," Dory was impressed, and then yelled, "Hello!" Her voice echoed in the trench. Marlin eyed the shadows with uncertainty. He wondered if he should listen to the Moonfish and continue this way, but he didn't want to have to swim through it. It looked too terrifying.

Dory glanced to Marlin's face, and then shrugged. She didn't see why the trench can be so scary. The darkness didn't bother her, and she didn't have the foreboding feeling at all. "Ok, let's go," she said as she headed into the trench.

"No, no, bad trench," Marlin protested, grabbing on her fin and dragging her out. "C'mon, we will swim over it."

A sudden apprehension twitched in her mind and Dory hesitated. It could be nothing, but something about it alarmed her. "Whoa, partner, wait up. Little red flag going up." She considered the trench, now troubled about the sight and about the sensation she got. Her memory slightly stirred as she studied the rocks. "Something's telling me that we should swim through it, not over."

Marlin floated down in her sight, disbelieved. "Are you looking at this thing? It's got death written all over."

She looked at his face and quietly voiced, "I'm sorry, but I really, really, really think we should swim through."

The Clownfish frowned. "And I really, really think we're done talking about this. Over we go."

"Trust me on this."

"Trust you?"

"Yes, trust. That's what friends do." She gave him a beaming grin that radiated her honesty. Please. Trust me.

Marlin didn't look relieved at that, eying her with doubt, and then his eyes shifted to something behind her. He suddenly pointed. "Look, something shiny!"

"Where?" Excited, Dory gazed around. She didn't see anything shiny, but the apprehension was gone. She wasn't worried anymore.

"Oh, it just swam over the trench," he said. "C'mon, we'll follow it."

"Okay!"

The swim up to the top took them a while to arrive, the trench amazingly tall, even taller than anything they could remember. Finally, they were over the trench, and they were awed at how clear the waters were up above. Marlin felt home in the clear waters; no predators around, but Dory was puzzled.

"Boy, it's sure clear up here." She didn't believe what she saw. It was like crystal waters, so empty, and they were all alone. Again, the apprehension entered her mind briefly, and then disappeared. Should they be up here . . . ?

"Yes." Marlin swam farther until he spotted a strange current spinning through the waters. It was easily recognizable with the darker waters moving in ropey currents. "And look, there's the current. We'll be there in no time."

Dory was quietly listening to his words, already bored of the clear waters, nothing else to see . . . A pinkish movement caught her eyes. She grinned at the cute tiny thing floating alone in the waters. It was so small, even smaller than her eyes, its top squeezing to keep itself afloat. "Oh, hey, little guy."

"And you want to swim through the trench," he was chuckling, not looking back.

It was so cute! "I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine. He shall be my Squishy." She giggled, turning to the tiny thing. "Come here, Squishy. Come here, little Squishy." She made baby noises, gently reaching to touch it. The instant she touched the thing, a burst of electricity bit upon her right fin, stinging like fire, rushing up to the joint, and remained there, aching and burning. Dory yelped in surprise, pulling her fin away. Already, her fin became numb, despite the deep ache.

She heard a gasp and "Dory, that's a jellyfish!" before Marlin fell in beside her.

The sting made her peeved as she scolded the thing. "Bad Squishy! Bad Squishy!"

"Shoo! Get away!" He then swatted the thing hard with his tail that sent it flying. He neared her, holding out his fins. "Here, let me see it."

Dory felt the apprehension and she recoiled away. "No, don't touch it!" She cradled the injured fin, flinching at the burn.

"I won't touch it. I only want to see."

Dory glanced to his tail and was surprised to see that it wasn't limping at all. He didn't express any pain. "Hey, how come it didn't sting you?"

"It did. It's just . . ." Gently, Marlin held on her injured fin, sending more fire through her body. Her cries of pain were quickly soothed. "Hold still. I live in this anemone and I'm used to those kinds of stings." His touches were comforting, paternal as he inspected her fin. She tried to ignore the ache, focused her attention on his kind words as he spoke, "You're gonna be fine. It doesn't look bad. But now, we know that we don't want to touch these again." Of course, she didn't want to touch bad Squishy again! It was so mean. He stroked her fin, smiling. "Let's be thankful it was just a little one . . ."

His unexpected gasp of terror startled her and she turned around. Pink. That's all she saw. All pink. Like the tiny thing she had touched and got stung . . . Jellyfish? Jellyfish!

The Blue darted to his side, hugging him in dismay, her eyes shut. Marlin tried not to show fear, but his body was shaking as he looked around. So many jellyfish here . . . He couldn't believe how many jellyfish were alive, could be alive right here in the crystal waters. "Don't move," he ordered her, gently removing her fins from around him. Everywhere he looked, there were jellyfish, blocking his view. Hundreds of pink tentacles filled his view, reminding him of the stinging poison running through them. Marlin wouldn't have much trouble with the tentacles, for he was immune to the stings. But his immunity was limited. Jellyfish' stings were more powerful and more dangerous. He could be safe if he was stung first, but more stings after that, he would lose his immunity and wouldn't get out in time. And Dory . . . She was most vulnerable here. Both of them needed to get out.

"This is bad, Dory," Marlin murmured, his eyes on the pink.

"Hey, watch this!"

Her merry voice started him, and he whirled around to see the Blue gleefully bouncing upon a jellyfish! Even though she was only bouncing on the top, still she was bouncing on a jellyfish! "Dory, no!"

He tried to catch her and pull her away safely from the coming tentacles, but Dory dodged, laughing, and went off to bounce on another jellyfish. "You can't catch me!"

"Dory, don't bounce on the tops! They will . . ." Marlin watched her bouncing on the top. The only safe spot of the deadly creatures. ". . . not sting you! They will not sting you!"

Now she sprung on the third top. "Twice in a row! Beat that!"

An idea was forming in his mind. Maybe, they could get out safely! He hurried to her, avoiding several passing tentacles in time. "Dory, I have an idea - a game."

Her scarlet eyes widened with thrill. "A game? A game! I love games! Pick me!"

"Here's the game," Marlin tried to speak, ducking and recoiling at the closing tentacles. They had to act quick! "Whoever can hop the fastest out of those jellyfish wins."

"Okay!"

"Rules, rules, rules! You can't touch the tentacles. Only the tops."

Dory frowned as she forced herself to remember. Unfortunately, she could remember some. "Something about tentacles. Ok, got it! Go!" She shot off, began her bounces.

Marlin chased after her, yelling, "No, it's not something about tentacles! It's all of 'em!" Why must her flaw act up in this dangerous situation?! He had to keep close to her to make sure she didn't go tumbling into tentacles.

She laughed and glanced back. "Gotta swim faster if you want to win!"

Her speed was tremendous, and she rapidly increased the distance in between. But she then slowed down, enjoying bouncing on the jellyfishes. Soon, he was at her side, wildly avoiding the tentacles.

"Ok, ok, we're cheating death, that's what we are doing." But he was surprised to sense a spark of elation, a thrill inside him. He was enjoying this game. Her laughter burned the spark further, and Marlin began to smile. He never knew that doing something dangerous can be fun. "But we're having fun at the same time. I can do this. Just be careful."

"Yeah, be careful not to cry when I win!" Dory teased before she darted forward.

Marlin gave out a passionate laugh. "I don't think so!"

Through the Pink Death, the Clownfish and the Blue were having time of their lives, springing on the jellyfishes' tops altogether, their laughter filling their ears. Marlin was astonished to feel so excited, so electrified by the sight of danger. He was actually having fun bouncing on the jellyfish, even though a voice inside his mind kept yelling that it was too hazardous to do. He recognized it as his own voice, the same voice he recently used to keep Dory out of trouble, keep Nemo out of trouble. He ignored it this time. This was too much fun! Why should he stop?

The fishes were now racing for the exit. Dory evaded the tentacles with such an accuracy that surprised him, but then she was a sprinter, swift with her flat body and shapely fins. She giggled as she watched him, admiring the unusual speed he had to be able to catch up to the Blue. "Give it up, old man! You can't fight evolution. I'm built for speed."

Haha! I'm as fast as you are! "The question is, Dory, are you hungry?"

"Hungry?"

His smile widened into a youthful and bright grin. "Yeah, 'cause you're about to eat my bubbles!" He flashed a teasing wink before a thrash of his fin pushed him forward. A few dodging and sidestepping, and he was out. Instead of the uncomfortable warmth the jellyfishes gave out, he now felt the soft warmth of empty waters. Just before him, there was the current, whirling through the waters. Marlin was rejoiced; he got himself and Dory out of here safely! "The Clownfish is the winner! We did it!"

Apprehension touched him when he didn't hear the laughter of Dory. He hurried around, but . . . he was alone here. ". . . Dory?" She didn't answer. He didn't see any flash of blue that belonged to her, didn't see the blithe grin . . . Alone. Marlin gazed up to the jellyfishes, the pink forming a deadly wall . . . No blueness. No laughter.

Total alarm filled him. What if she . . . "Oh, no . . ." He darted back into the jellyfish forest. The creatures weren't too close, but it could still be a close call. But Dory wasn't meant to be in small spaces, and being in the jellyfish forest would be the death of her. Marlin shook his head, removing the horrible thought out, and yelled out her name.

He was despaired when he couldn't hear her voice. He hoped he wasn't too late. A flash of blue over there and Marlin gazed down. She was there, all tangled in tentacles! "Dory!" She was silent, barely breathing. The tentacles were tightly bound across her right side, and he couldn't imagine how much pain she was suffering now. The pain must've knocked her out cold. He eyed the tentacles, hesitating, but frowned. He can't wait any more second! He can do it! He had strong immunity and he can get her out.

Taking a deep breath, Marlin darted into the clouds of tentacles, feeling the unbelievable stings pounding against him, grabbed on her back, and yanked her out. She wasn't heavy, but her body was too large for him to carry. He had to curl his fin around her dorsal fin and back and used his other fin to keep himself afloat. He was in a difficult position. He couldn't swim as fast, and he didn't know how fast he can go carrying her out from the Pink Death.

A feeble groan escaped and he gazed down to her. She weren't moving, but her eyes were slightly opened. She sluggishly glanced up to him before closed her eyes in lack of energy. Then she barely whispered, "Am I disqualified?"

A surprised laugh came in his mind. She didn't even know that she was hurt and she just merely asked if she was out of the game. She was so optimistic . . . A new admiration shone for her, but then the sight of the jellyfishes closing in jolted him back into the situation. He wouldn't have a chance to admire her if he didn't get her out in time.

"No, you're doing fine!" Marlin said, seeing that she was sinking back into blackness. "You're actually winning! But you need to stay awake. Where does P. Sherman live?'

Obediently, Dory weakly recited the address, and Marlin wildly searched for any opening, any exit to flee. Pink, pink, pink - blue! It was a tiny opening, but he will make it! He darted forward, his balance turned off by using only one fin and more weight on his right. But he fought back, starting and recoiling every time the tentacles brushed against him. Burst after burst were worse than the previous, eventually dazing him with the terrible ache. His vision blurred, but he focused on the blue spot, reminding himself of the safety waiting out there. "Stay awake!" He was bellowing for both Dory and himself. "Stay . . . awake!"

A jellyfish floated up in front, covering the opening. Marlin didn't stop there, keeping on swimming right through the tentacles. Daggers of pain and burns pierced right inside him, numbing his body and mind. Dory sank out from his weak grip, murmuring the words again and again. The ache filled his mind, dulling his senses and pulling him slowly into blackness.

"Awake . . ." he gasped. He barely saw a shadow of some animal he didn't recognize, sinking downward to him. "Wake up . . ."

Blackness swallowed him all.

"Nemo . . ."

A/O:

I literally recoiled when Marlin and Dory got stuck in the jellyfish forest. I was so frightened for them and was praying for them to get out. I was totally surprised that Marlin was having fun bouncing on those jellyfishes! Was he insane or what? Why can't he just see that it was dangerous?! Am I sounding like Marlin? Phooey.

One last note: This scene had proved my theory right. Pink is evil. ;)