Disclaimer:
"She's gone? Are you sure?"
Ye-es . . .
"Because I've heard that little demons like her can sneak right in and spo - "
Dot! Don't make me bring in D-A-R -
"Okay! Okay, okay . . ."
Dot swims in, suspiciously glaring a burn spot at everything she could glare at. Eventually, an yellow eye fills the screen, red veins standing out.
"Are you sure you're not her, you little guppy?"
Satisfied that no one has answered her, Dot backs up and then grins with cheerfulness like something odd has never happened.
"Hello, people! So you've managed to read through the most boring fiction ever, and I'm betting that you're looking forward to finish this as quick as you can . . ."
The Domino pauses, puzzled. She waits, looking expectant, peering at her sides and above. Nothing happens.
"What's happening? I'm making fun of the novelization here! You're supposed to stop me from doing it by now, like throwing a pearl at me or chasing me out. . . . JC? Mademoiselle?"
A tiny voice whispers, thick and emotional, "This's - " *sniffle* " - a sad chapter." *Sniffle* "No abuse or humor here, ok?" *Sniffle*
She narrows her eyes. "Is that a tear I see dripping down your cheek, JC?"
"This's a sad chapter, ok?! I'm a sensitive guy! I cry at sad scenes! Do you have a problem with that?!"
Dot backs a little, grinning shakily. "No, I don't have a problem with that." Before JC begins to wail, she hurriedly starts the disclaimer. "You already know that we don't own anything that relates to Finding Nemo, right? Ok, good." She then goes to her friend's side and gently pats his fin.
"It'll be okay. The chapter has a happy ending, too."
"Happy endings make me cry, too."
" . . . You're awfully sensitive, aren't you?"
Chapter Twelve: Father and Son
She didn't know what to do.
Whenever she saw someone being grieved, mad, or even impassive, she would do anything to see a smile on the face. She didn't care if her first rewards were scowls, growls, or snarls, as long as her efforts formed smiles afterward. It was a blessing to her, a natural sensation for her to do. She often found a reason to be happy in sad moments, and she loved to show that to everybody.
But she couldn't feel happy when she got to see her friend's son. Back there . . . where? Somewhere outside the ocean, she thought so, but she could remember the very moment so clearly. A little Clownfish, floating on his back in that tiny bag. Her friend's face filled with grief when he saw his son after a long time. She was stunned, immediately knowing that the floating-on-the-back sign meant death. What a horrible end for the young son and what a terrible end for the father. As the Pelican departed, her friend sank onto the tongue, eerily silenced. He radiated such powerful grief that it affected her, too. She was almost frightened of the new emotion, knowing that she had experienced it before, but never that profound, never that solid.
She'd returned to his side, attempting to put a smile on his face, but couldn't. Her heart leaped with uncertainty when he simply leaned against her, as if was seeking comfort or losing strength, and began weeping openly. His shaking sobs weakened her confidence, and all she could do was place her fins around him and let him weep.
Several moments later, they were returned to the sea by the nice Pelican (couldn't recall his name) somewhere off the harbor. She was bewildered, too, at the Pelican's sorrowful face. Why? Was he sad about her friend's son, too? The Pelican's voice was very gentle, and she felt grateful for it, hoping that it will ease down her friend's grief.
"I'm so sorry. Truly, I am." Then he flew off, leaving the fishes.
Dory watched the bird getting smaller, wondering how she could stop feeling sad. She didn't want to feel it again. It was a scary feeling, and sometimes, she felt like she was supposed to cry. But she didn't want to. A faint sensation of movement, and she looked at her side. Her friend was gone. Was he underwater already? Her guess proved right as she dove back in. The Clownfish was already low in the water, again eerily silent. She hesitated, fearing to see more tears from his face, but he'd stopped weeping already. Still, she would prefer him to be weeping instead of being so scarily silent like that.
Still, her kindness pursued her to aid him. Carefully swimming down to float behind his tail - she was too scared to see his blank face - and voiced gently, "Hey . . ."
"Dory." He didn't even try to look back. Only his voice responded and it was thick with despair. Yet, she thought she heard a hint of gratefulness in it. "If it wasn't for you, I never would've even made it here." His head slightly shifted, appearing to nod. "So . . . thank you."
She stared at his departing body. "Wait a minute . . ." Why was he leaving? Why did she feel like he was leaving her? No, please. She darted forward and landed in front of him. "Wait. Where are you going?" She tried to search for any other emotion on his face, but all she found was sorrow. His eyes were so dull that they were like dead.
"It's over, Dory. We are too late. Nemo's gone, and I'm going home." He shifted away and swam deeper in the dark waters.
Dory felt the sorrow intensifying, hardening her chest and throat. Why? Why was she feeling sad? She didn't want him to leave. She didn't want to . . . be alone. "No. No, you can't."
He kept swimming.
Wait! Please! Stop. Stop . . .
"Stop!"
He stopped. Didn't look back. But he did stop.
"Please . . ." She bit on an escaping sob and attempted to control her emotions. "Don't go away . . . I - I - No one's ever stuck with me for so long before." It was true. No one cared enough to look beyond her flaw to stay as a friend. She had no friends, as much as she could remember, until she met him. If he leaves . . . "If you leave . . ." Why didn't she want him to leave . . . ? She looked at him and recalled why. "I - I remember things better with you." A slight smile appeared. "I do! Look - P. Sherman, 42 . . . 42 . . ." Oh, no, not again! Stupid memory loss! "Oh, I know it's there! I know it's because when I look at you . . . I can feel it."
Again, she gazed at her friend. Her only friend. "When I look at you, I . . . I'm home."
Please look at me. Please trust me. Please stay.
"Please. I don't want that to go away. I don't want to forget."
Finally, he turned. There was gentle friendship in his face, she could see it. But . . . but there was something else. She didn't know what, but it scared her. His faint smile scared her. The farewell in his eyes scared her.
"I'm sorry, Dory. But I do."
He vanished into the dark waters. She was alone.
Please remember.
***
Like all the other Crabs who dwelled near the sewer pipes, Baz and Bernie knew that they'd found the perfect feeding spot. The pipes were a great source of bits of food, scum, and other things you won't really want to know, which escaped from several holes via bubbles. Crabs loved to eat them, and since the pipes had constant leakage of food, they wouldn't dream to leave their feeding spots.
Baz and Bernie had found a small hole, perfect for the red and green Crabs, jealously guarded it, glaring with toughness at any invader. They were sitting there, using their pincers to skillfully snatch bits of food from the bubbles stream.
Occasionally, they would burst with joy and utter:
"Manna from heaven!"
"Sweet nectar of life!"
Must be a Crab thing.
Baz and Bernie loved their quiet life, enjoyed scaring off other Crabs and eating for hours. They didn't expect any excitement. But no matter how quiet life can be excitement was bound to leak in. Baz, the red Crab, gazed up and tensed, hissing, as he regarded a small orange-white fish swimming for them. "Hey! Hey!" When the fish ignored them, swimming past, Baz grinned nastily. "Yeah, that's right, fella! Keep on swimming!"
"Too right, mate," agreed the snorting Bernie. He then jerked away from the hole as he saw another fish popping out! "Hey, I've got a live one!'
The fish questioned hopefully, "Have you seen my dad?" He then yelled, dodging, as the Crabs snapped at him. He darted away in a flash.
The Crabs stopped after a very brief chase, staring at their would-be food in sorrow. Baz then scowled and bonked on his friend's shell. "You let him go!"
"Hey!" Bernie pushed him off.
As the Crabs bickered and wrestled, Nemo swam near the surface, his tiny voice pushing to yell out 'Dad!' with loudness. He was in a new place, but the taste of the waters proved that he was near the harbor, what from the filthiness and the vastness of the space. "Dad! Dad!" His father was supposed to wait! Gill said his father would be waiting in or near the harbor, so where was he? "Dad!" The surrounding fishes weren't as colorful as him, colored dull blue, grey, or green. It should be easy to see a flicker of orange that was his father, but he couldn't see anything.
Nemo stopped at some sort of structure that he didn't know the name. He heard someone crying. It came from above, and he looked up. He saw a fish circling a chain that hung from the structure - oh! She was bright-colored! He didn't know what species she was, but she appeared to be a Tang. Maybe a Regal Blue Tang. She was tropical, so she must be from the north. But why was she sad? Was she lost?
Nemo swam up to her, watching her circling the chain. She did look like she was lost; her eyes darted around helplessly, and an occasional sniffle escaped from her. "Excuse me?" Nemo questioned shyly. "Are you alright?"
At his question, the Blue's eyes seemed to mist over with tears. "I - I don't know what am I doing here." She kept swimming around, wiping her eyes. "I don't know where I am. I think I lost somebody, but I can't remember."
Nemo tilted his head at the sight of her. She seemed nice and he wanted to help her, too. "It's okay. I'm searching for someone, too." Hey . . . maybe they can look together! She can help him find his father, and he can help her find whoever she was searching for. It was a nice thing to do. He beamed, wagging his tail. "C'mon, we can look together!"
The Blue stared at him and then shyly smiled. "I'm Dory."
"I'm Nemo."
"Nemo?" She seemed to halt, looking like she was remembering something. Then she grinned. "That's a nice name."
Several minutes later, Nemo already loved his new friend. He knew that she was as old as his father, maybe younger, but she acted like a kid. She beamed and laughed just like a kid, and she was obviously very eager to help him find his father. She was funny, too, when she called for his father not by his name, but by the title.
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
"Dad!"
Dory stopped, confused. "Wait a minute. Is it your dad or my dad?"
"My dad." Nemo giggled at her forgetfulness.
"Got it! Dad!"
Nemo again scanned his surroundings. He wondered if he was really in the harbor or even close to it. Gill didn't tell him what the harbor looked like underwater because he'd never been there, and Nigel wasn't much help, for he haven't seen it underwater, either. Nemo felt lost, and he was worried. He hoped that his father didn't think the same and tried to search for him at the same time. What if they ended up searching in the wrong places?
"Where are we, anyway?" Nemo wondered out loud, hoping that a name will help him.
Dory floated down to the pipes, searching for 'Dad'. Then she stopped, seeing words engraved on a pipe. Wait a minute . . . They looked very familiar. "Oh, Sid - Shir - Sydney - " She gasped in remembrance. "'P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney'!" She remembered. She remembered! Like a dam opening to let water flooding out, stored memories began flowing in, filling her mind, flashing their pictures and words in blurs of colors. She remembered everything! Meeting her friend. The Sharks. Abyss. Anglerfishnemosquishyturtleswhalenemopelicansdentistnemo! Nemo!
"Oh, Nemo!" She grabbed on the shocked Clownfish in ecstasy and spun him around. "You're Nemo! You're alive!"
"Yes, Yes, I'm Nemo!" he managed to stutter out.
"You're alive - !" Dory let him go, gasping. "But you were dead! I saw you!" But then she beamed with joy, again embracing him. "And here you are! I found you! And your father - " She stopped, realizing. Mar - Marlin. Marlin! She remembered his name! "Your father!"
"My father?" Nemo wiggled out from her strong embrace and gazed at her with a mix of bewilderment and hope. "You know my father?" Talk about luck! She knew about his father and she completely forgot about him! Was his father the one she lost, too?
Dory never felt so excited. When she remembered the city's name, she finally recalled everything, even the sad moments. She now remembered that Marlin thought he'd lost his son and left her behind. She remembered that the Clownfish beside her was really Nemo, and she was determined to take him back to his father. She glanced back and remembered that over there was where Marlin departed. He had to be there! She grabbed on Nemo's lucky fin. "Oh, quick, quick, he went this way, come on, follow me!"
They found a couple of Crabs, one already waiting on the pipes as the other attempting to get on. "Hey, hey!" The Crabs alarmingly looked up toward the wide-eyed Blue, backing up, putting up their pincers threateningly. Dory ignored the reaction and firmly asked, "Have you seen an orange fish?" She then pointed to Nemo. "He looks just like him!"
"But bigger!" Nemo added.
Bernie briefly glanced to Baz and both sneered sleazily. Bernie stepped forward, acting all tough-y. "Yeah, Bluey, I've seen him, but I'm not gonna tell you and you don't gonna make me." He performed a flourish of waving his snapping pincers in the Blue's face, and laughed smugly.
Dory stared at the insulting Crab and then experienced a boiling sensation in her. An unlikely expression came on her face - a scowl. The scowl actually made her looking fierce. For the first time, as long as she could remember, Dory was mad. Simply mad. Surprisingly, to the rest, she didn't yell, threaten, or even beat them up. Instead, her scowl seemed to deepen into a bitter glower, and she gently pushed Nemo aside. Then, with an amazing show of her strength, she snatched on the astonished Bernie's pincer tightly and darted up to the surface. Flipping him upside-down, she then shoved him up in the air.
Bernie blinked, balancing on the flimsy fin, and then glanced over to a rock perched with Gulls. Unpleasant memories flashed through his head. Almost eaten by a Pelican. Being chased from Seagulls. The same Seagulls.
Pairs of black eyes instantly locked on him.
"Mine."
He screamed girlishly. "Alright, I'll talk, I'll talk! He went to the feeding grounds!" He was pulled back in just before the gulls could take a nice chuck out of him.
Serves him right for offending a lady.
***
He knew he shouldn't have left her behind, but it was necessary. He knew that once Dory forgot all about him, it wouldn't hurt her that much as she thought so. The only one who was truly hurt was Marlin. He had felt the same despair over his Coral's death. He lost Nemo. His only child. That wounded his heart so deeply that he thought he could die from the grief. After he wept in Dory's fins, he regretted that he will eventually leave her, and for that, her comfort was too painful. He then felt impassive, no longer feeling the grief. He knew he was mourning, but no more tears came. All he could recall were Nemo's face and laughter. Nothing will take him back. He was grieved that Nemo's last words were 'I hate you' and that hurt him so bad. But Marlin couldn't do anything about it. It was too late. The only thing he could do was return home. To an empty home.
He joined in a school of grim groupers, not noticing that his actions were leading him to the feeding grounds. But even if he did know, what was the point? He lost his only son, and he had nothing else to live for. What was the point?
He mindlessly bumped in a Grouper, receiving a frown from the giant Grey. "Hey, watch it."
"I'm sorry," Marlin softly muttered. "I'm trying to get home."
"Daddy!"
Marlin slowed down, unsure with what he heard. He thought he heard things, but he hoped he did. He didn't want to have Hope nagging in his mind again. But . . . the yell was real. He knew it. A flicker of hope warmed in his chest, and Marlin turned his head, looking back. " . . . Nemo?"
"Daddy!"
Marlin's eyes widened when he saw a small flash of orange flittering among the greyness. "Nemo?"
"Nemo is alive!"
"Dory?" It was her. She was a dark blue shade by the orange flash, but it was her. If it was her, then the orange had to be . . . He gasped. "Nemo!" As he hurried closer, he knew he was right. They were Nemo and Dory! He didn't stop to think how Nemo came to the ocean or even how Dory get to be with him. The fact that Nemo was alive and here was just too much for him. With a cry of joy, he tumbled into Nemo, embracing him tightly. He never thought that he would have his Nemo in his fins, feeling the warmth of his son.
"It's okay, son," Marlin murmured, looking down to Nemo's beaming face. "It'll be alright."
Dory grinned, glad that the grief was gone. She didn't have to cry, and Marlin didn't have to leave her and Nemo anymore. She then gazed up in puzzlement as she heard someone yelling. The grey fishes were hurrying past her, the opposite way from where they were originally going. Turning around, she saw a strange object in the water, coming for the fishes - a Diver-made thing. Look like a net . . . Dory gasped, realizing that she and her friends were in its path. Darting forward, she then yelled, "Look out!"
Marlin responded quickly, dragging Nemo out of the path, out of the gaping mouth of the net. He kept holding tightly on Nemo's fin, not wanting him disappearing out of his sight. He was dismayed to see most of the groupers getting trapped in the net. He wanted to help, but he knew that it was too difficult. Divers built their traps so effectively that there was no way for any of the fishes to escape. But . . . but he felt that something was missing. Someone was missing. But who?
"Heeeelp!"
Marlin caught sight of a bright blue spot among the greyness. "Dory!" No! It can't be! Dory was trapped in the net, too! His chest tightened again with the same despair.
He was snapped back when Nemo tugged on his fin. "C'mon, let's go!"
Dory was gripping on the crossed cords with her fins, her face's expression mixed with fright and persistence, bracing at the wild thrashes of the Groupers against her. She felt so stupid. She'd stopped to make sure that her friends were free of the net, but instead, she got herself trapped. She was upset at herself, but then when she saw the Clownfishes coming for her. They were free! It was a good thing, but what about her? How could she get out?
She felt her grip slackening, already sore, and she gasped out, "Get us out!" before she was pushed deeper between the Groupers.
Marlin missed grabbing on her fin, only seeing her scarlet gaze vanishing into the greyness, pleading. "Dory!" He can't believe that he forgot all about her! He should've kept an eye on her!
Beside him, Nemo was watching the net not with worry, but with realization. "Dad, I've got an idea!" He darted forward into the net, but then was pulled into a stop by a grasp on his tail. Looking back, he saw Marlin's fin tightly on his tail.
"Nemo, no!" He looked so frightened.
Nemo tried to yank his tail out, but the fear had sharpened the tightness. "Dad, we have to tell all the fishes to swim down together!"
"Get out of here!" His dad snapped, trying to pull him back out.
Nemo used his good fin to brace against the hold, glaring back. "I know this will work!"
"No, I won't lose you again!"
"Dad, there's no time!" Nemo then recalled his father's care for Dory. If Nemo couldn't convince him, then the safety of Dory should. "It's the only way to save Dory!"
He saw the frown on Marlin's face softening. He could see that his dad was too frightened to let him go in fear that he will lose him again. But if he didn't let him go, he will lose her, too. The face held such softness and fear for both him and her that Nemo faintly smiled in reassurance. "I can do this."
Marlin was amazed with heavy confidence in his son's face. So much has changed, and Nemo was changed, he can see that. He seemed more confident of his actions, learned to live without having his father watching over him every minute. He'd grown up. He may be a different Nemo, but he was still his son. He felt pride coming in his chest, and he softly smiled back. As the son was changed, the father was changed, too.
He let go of Nemo's tail and nodded. "You're right. I know you can."
Nemo twisted around until his lucky fin was out of the net. "Lucky fin!"
Grinning, Marlin gave him a low-five. "Now, go! Hurry!"
"We have to tell the fishes to swim down!" the lad acknowledged before he disappeared inside.
Marlin backed, now eying the nearby Groupers. "Well? You heard my son! C'mon, swim down together!" He understood that it was natural that anybody would be so overwhelmed in times like this that it was difficult to think straight. If a firm voice didn't keep them in track, they would be taken out of the ocean and die there. Marlin knew it. His sole concern was for Nemo and Dory, but seeing the befuddlement in pairs of startled eyes, he decided that he has to take charge.
He grabbed on the cords and glared at one of the Groupers, who was staring back in bafflement. "You have to swim down!" He gazed at the nearby fishes, they now calming their thrashes and focusing their attention on him. "Listen, you all have to swim down! It's the only way to get out of that net! Swim down!" He became frustrated at the confused looks. "Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" Finally, they nodded. He let go of the cords and jabbed his fin down. "Swim! Down!"
Marlin glanced up and saw that the edge of the net was already out of the water. He could see some of Groupers becoming frightened as they neared the surface. He turned to the bottom Groupers and barked, "C'mon, swim down! Don't give up! Put your tail into it!" The Groupers forced themselves, their faces now persistent. Slowly, slowly, the net halted in motion, then . . . the fishes had got it! The net was moving down! "That's it!"
A song came in his head, and Marlin was astonished that he still recalled Dory's Swimming Song. It was so welcoming that he decided to use it for his advantage. Grinning madly, Marlin began the song. "When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do?"
He was surprised when a Grouper asked, "What do we do?"
"Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!" He laughed as some of the Groupers joined in, their bass voices mingling with his voice. Who ever knows that Dory's little song would help save fish-hood? The Groupers were no longer frightened, now grinning as all joined in. He was still singing when Nemo and Dory finally came in his sight. They looked weary and sore from having to swim between thrashes, but they were grinning, their tasks done.
Dory gave him an astonished look when she regarded him singing, then grinned when he winked back. She joined in, her voice blithe.
Nemo laughed, holding on a cord for balance, also surprised to see his over-protective, worried father singing in merriment. But he didn't want him to stop. He loved the singing. He wanted him to keep singing. "Come on, Dad!"
Marlin grinned. "You're doing great, son!"
Nemo felt strong pride for his father, proud to be his son. He told the nearest Grouper with glee, "That's my dad!"
"Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!"
Lower . . . Lower . . . Lower, the net was pushed down. Just a bit more . . .
"Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming! Just keep swimm-"
Snap!
Now that the rope was ripped off, the net was slackened. With the force of the fishes, the net's bottom met the bottom of the sea with a crash. Cheers filled the waters as the Groupers fled from the slackened net. Marlin had backed off when they crashed, waiting for the fishes to leave. Worriedly, he searched for his son and Dory, hoping that they were alright and safe. But he only saw her, floating and beaming at the Groupers. He hastened to her, relieved to see her safe, but she was alone. "Dory! Where's Nemo?"
Dory slightly frowned for a moment, but recognizance was still in her face. She didn't forget about his son. She glanced around and pointed down, gasping. "There!"
The net was already on the bottom, everybody out of the grasps. But not everybody, as Marlin spotted a tiny orange object on the sand, under the cords. Nemo! Together, they hurried down and pulled the net off from him. Nemo didn't even stir, laying limply and quietly.
Marlin clenched his fins, not wanting to cry again. "Nemo? Please, Nemo, wake up."
'There, there, there,' the father soothed as he tenderly picked up the egg in his fins. 'It's ok. Daddy's here. Daddy's got you . . .'
Nemo coughed out sand and stirred, weakly opening his eyes. The orange eyes shifted onto him. "Daddy?"
He sobbed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness."
The lad then expressed wounded guilt. "Daddy . . . I don't hate you."
Marlin shook his head, touching his son's face gently. "No, I'm sorry. It's okay."
Nemo merely smiled and weakly held up his right fin - his lucky fin. Marlin stared at it, sensing profound love for his son, so proud to have a son like him, and he smiled back. His fin lovingly held around it. The moment seemed to be still, he alone with his son once again.
He sank onto the sand, his smile widened. "Hey, guess what?"
"What?" Nemo was now curious.
"Sea turtles. I met one. And he was 150."
The son's eyes slightly widened, then looked puzzled. "150?"
"Yep."
"Sandy Plankton said they live up only to be a hundred."
The father's smile didn't slacken, but a sparkle of awareness danced in his eyes. He then gave out an amused laugh that made him appear younger. "Sandy Plankton? Do you think I'd cross the entire ocean and not know as much as Sandy Plankton?" Nemo giggled as Marlin tickled him, continuing, "They live up to 150, not 100! Who is this Sandy Plankton who knows everything?"
Nemo was content. His father did swim all over the ocean, battling jellyfish and sharks, just to find him. He felt so safe under his fin, so happy that he was finally back with him. He then knew that he wouldn't ask for a better father than Marlin.
'Daddy, you're the best.'
A/O:
I actually cried during 'Good-bye, Dory' scene for, like, seven or eight times! Even though I know that at the end, Dory gets to stay with Marlin and Nemo, I bawled.
*hugs Marlin* In this scene, I had to love Marlin! I know that Nemo deserves a shining moment, but hey, look at Marlin! Nemo knew what to do, convinced his dad to let him do his plan, and succeeded. Marlin just jumped in charge and did it beautifully! I was amazed at how easy he fit in that role. Marlin is officially my second favorite fish after Gurgle. But then Dot has Gurgle, so that means I have Marlin. ^^ But wait! I love Chum, too! Well . . . Dang, too many fishes to choose from! ^^ Ok, enough of the fangirl mushy stuff.
