Hope this one didn't take too long. This week seemed oddly long and unfruitful...
Then again, I stayed up late writing the majority of this because I had one of those random writing streaks I tend to get in the middle of the night. I love it a lot!
...Except when I wake up at 1PM. I miss mornings.

Alright, now where's my Deoxys? (As in, the event Deoxys for the games currently going, not TST. lol)

Chapter 42
A Fazing Arrival

A constant, salty breeze brushed through the port city. Fatigued from her travels, Marina looked upon the city in front of her with curiosity and mild excitement. Route 39's dirt path yielded to beautiful cobblestone. The sturdy houses, donning azure blue shingles, lined up unevenly to divide the main streets and alleys. A grand lighthouse sat in the far distance, facing the brilliant azure ocean.

Olivine City...I'm finally here.

She gazed around her for a moment, catching her breath. To her right, a large building constructed of gray steel stood strongly above the others. It was almost certainly the city's Pokémon Gym, where she would obtain her next badge. Her need to find a Pokémon Center renewed, and she hoped that it would be easy to find the red roof amongst the sea of blue.

Marina took a turn down the main street leading to the Pokémon Gym. She grasped the PokéGear around her neck, simpering softly as she saw the, "LOW BATTERY," notification. The time it then displayed was 1:19PM, the day being a Monday. She stared even as it went blank again. Calculating the exact date in her mind without much success, she tilted her head in thought.

"What day is it...How many days does November have?" Marina asked herself.

"There's thirty days; it's December 1st."

Taken aback by the anonymous answer, the girl paused and curiously looked around. Her eyes caught a lock of crimson hair. As her gaze ascended, she locked with a pair of piercing silver irises that stared at her in their usual frigid manner. She immediately fixed her posture with a little smile.

"Oh! Thanks," she said. "Already December… Can you believe it, Silver?"

"Humph. Did you just get here?" the boy asked, disregarding her attempt to strike a friendly conversation.

"Yup, just did," Marina replied. Unconsciously she touched her untidy bangs with her free hand. She felt uncomfortable at how pathetically dirty she must have looked. Her light blue jacket still had temporary mud stains from her final trip she had made through Route 38. There were a few faded brown streaks on her legs as well due to a few incidents involving her sliding down Route 39's many muddy hills. As it had been a couple days since she last stayed in a house of any sort, she had spent her nights outside in the damp wilderness.

Yet she had little sleep; the very thought of the rampaging Tauros she had encountered haunted her thoughts above everything else. Marina wasn't scared, or at least she insisted she wasn't, but she was weary and a little paranoid. The fact that she had neglected rest did not aid the heavy fatigue that showed in her eyes.

Silver stared her down without a response, observant much to Marina's dismay. He again made eye contact with her, his expression darkening in annoyance.

"You're slow," he said.

"Am I really? The storm stopped anyone from entering Olivine City, after all." Marina did her best to hide her dallying exhaustion by placing her hands on her hips.

"I went to Cianwood City, got the Gym Badge there, and came back here," Silver responded without a sign of sympathy. Then, with an impatient edge in his voice, he added, "Before the storm."

The girl's mouth opened a little in shock, her eyebrows raised high in amazement. "Wow... Really?"

Silver folded his arms. He struck a glare at the Gym behind him. "You'll have to do the same, seeing as how the Gym Leader of this city still isn't here."

"Why?"

"I found out when I trained in Olivine's lighthouse," he answered almost irritably, "that the Gym Leader is tending to her sick Pokémon that operates the lighthouse itself. She refuses to battle me and anyone else who challenges her. It pisses me off; if the Pokémon is this sick for so long, just give up and let it go."

With a frown, Marina said, "Silver, do you still think that way about Pokémon? That's just cruel!" She could feel her voice rise without meaning to. "If your Pokémon was sick, wouldn't you make sure that it was okay first before going into a battle?"

"It's not worth going out of your way for a Pokémon you don't even use in battle."

"Whether she uses it in battle or not, it's still her Pokémon that she cares about!"

It was Marina's turn to cross her arms. The two glared at each other and stubbornly held their ground. Yet she was the one to give in first, breaking her pose as she covered her mouth to yawn. Her rival refused to budge, though his eyes did waver as he watched. When she finished her drowsy sigh, Marina still kept her eyes shut for a few seconds longer.

"I hate waiting," Silver retorted, looking away stubbornly. "That's all."

He scowled as Marina let out a laugh in response to his excuse.

"You really are slow," he reiterated.

"I know." Marina shrugged and her previous temper washed away. "But I couldn't help it—."

"You're slower than Kenta, even."

The girl froze on the spot. Kenta?

Recovering as quickly as she could, she avoided Silver's eyes while she tried to form a reply in her head. Even so, Silver's eyebrows rose at this reaction.

"He arrived before you," he continued slowly at first, watchful, "But he hasn't gone to Cianwood yet either."

Marina failed to find her voice, but forced it out to break the silence that followed when Silver stopped. "R-Really?"

"Yeah. In fact…" The boy jerked his head in a gesture to the Gym behind him, his long scarlet hair whipping out before gently falling back into place. He paused intentionally, a pause that made Marina grow uneasy as she waited on every word he said.

"In fact...?" Marina repeated.

Come on, say it already, she begged inwardly. What about Kenta?

Silver stared at her but then turned away, facing the steel-clad Pokémon Gym again. "I dealt with the wimp not long ago. He didn't believe my story and checked the Gym anyways; he's probably been doing that daily since he got here.

"He's still in there," he concluded.

"Huh...?" Marina quieted as the last bit repeated in her mind. Unable to subdue her rapidly beating heart, she followed his gaze.

Kenta's here...He's right inside that Gym? Feelings of excitement and paralyzing fear stirred within her, and she moved her eyes to the cobble road below. She stumbled past him, and he watched her approach the building at a slow pace.

"If you're his friend, you should at least be excited about seeing him," Silver spoke up loudly, causing the girl to notably flinch. He maintained his smug frown as he watched her back, waiting to see what she would do.

Marina's hands curled into trembling fists. She then broke into a sprint, taking a quick turn and bolting away from the Pokémon Gym. Silver unfolded his arms, downright dumbstruck for a moment.

"...What?"

The girl's cyan pigtails flew behind her as her feet struck the flagstone, her PokéGear flying helplessly at her side. The cold wind burned her eyes, but she squinted and continued on. She paid little attention to the few people on the road who eyed her as she ran by. She had to run; she needed to, despite a part of her that yearned to head back.

Kenta's there, but... I can't bring myself talk to him! What if he…

Just as she reached the outskirts of the city's central square, a wide clearing with quite a lot of pedestrians about, she bounced to a cumbersome stop. She panted heavily, the jumpy heart inside her chest beating against her ribs in desperation. Her hands fell and rested on her knees as she literally gasped for breath. If the girl hadn't been so exhausted from her traveling and lack of sleep, she would have recovered faster.

No, she would probably still be running.

The last image she had seen of her close friend came into her mind—again—and Marina sighed on top of her panting. It was not only in grief, but in regret.

He was… right there, her thoughts even delayed a little as they churned confusingly. I could've...found out if he was okay. Kenta... But how can I face him?

As her heaving lungs proceeded to slow down, she placed her hand on her warm forehead as the chilly ocean wind breathed in her face. Her fingers descended to her neck, and she closed her eyes, allowing the breeze to comfort her.

The words from the imposter of Bugsy, Latios, came to mind. She remembered it clearly; what he had said felt as if he had pulled feelings directly from her own heart.

"But you're scared what he would have said to you… right? Are you afraid that he'll reject you now? Even though it wasn't your fault?"

"Am I...really that scared?" she asked again, this time aloud and to herself.

She pondered her options. There was the possibility that she could go back and just hide long enough to catch a glimpse of him at least, but she couldn't even bring herself to do that. If she actually confronted Kenta, she didn't think she could spout anything but apologies. Besides, she looked terrible; a part of her knew that was just an excuse to avoid him. Of all the things that she could do, she was the most distressed yet comfortable with running.

Marina shook her head, tightening the grip on her knees.

I'm such a coward.

Behind her, she could hear fast-paced footsteps. Her heart itself nearly stopped for a moment.

Kenta...? She painfully hesitated, but turned. Fortunately or unfortunately, who she saw wasn't Kenta, but it surprised her nonetheless.

"Why did you do that?" Silver asked.

"Um...Why...?"

"Yes, why," replied Silver between his now silent breathing, "You idiot."

"I...well." Marina made a short laugh. His unconvinced glare, however, made her drop the façade. She looked away. "I was just wondering that myself."

There was some silence. "Did something happen between you two?"

Still facing away from him, she bit her lip as the question strangled her ears. As she wallowed in her swimming thoughts, Silver went on.

"Not like I care; at least he doesn't run away, but your Pokémon are stronger than his."

She did not reply at first, and he noted her hesitation—the unusual troubled expression that she wore.

"Silver," Marina said after a full minute.

"What?"

Suddenly the girl whirled around to him, wearing a wide smile. She held out a hand to him and tilted her head.

"Let's make a deal here, 'Kay?" she offered.

Silver looked from the Trainer's hand to her amiable emerald eyes, unmoving and already recovered from the hint of shock that had appeared on his face. Despite appearing suspicious, he took her hand firmly in his. They didn't shake, however, and just held each other's hands unfaltering. "What do you want?"

"Well..." Marina made a merry grin, to which made her rival frown. Even so, he said nothing as she continued. "If I tell you what's going on, then you have to promise that from now on you'll treat your Pokémon with love and care. So pet them a lot, spend plenty of time with them, congratulate them whenever they do well; oh, and don't forget to give them treats and tell them how much you love—."

"Bullshit," spat Silver, and his grip on her tightened. "I'm not doing that."

"Oh." Marina pursed her lips, looking at the slightly pissed off boy before her. But she made a tight grin as she let out a snicker, which turned into a fit of giggles.

"Humph." Silver, frustrated, yanked his hand away from hers. "Quit kidding around."

Marina freely giggled as she spoke. "Looks like you won't find out then. Well, I have to go to the Pokémon Center, so see you later!"

She swiftly strolled away from her rival, weaving her way through the square. The brilliant sparkle in her eyes returned to their previous, true and tired state. A fake smile remained on her face as her final giggles died down. Without a sound, she scanned the roofs around her, quickly spotting the familiar red shade close to the ocean and heading straight for it.

Her expression fell a little before, and she looked over her shoulder. As expected, Silver had vanished within the crowd of people. Marina smiled again in spite of herself.

Maybe I should've asked him if Kenta was alright, at the very least... But it's too late now. She continued walking, oblivious to everything but the Pokémon Center. All of her sleepiness lunged at her possessively, causing her to yawn again. Maybe I'll run into Kenta if I stick around long enough...

Oh geez. She pushed the thought aside. Just thinking about what would happen makes me so nervous!

Olivine City's Pokémon Center was located near the harbor. The tropical storm had failed its attempt at sweeping it into the sea, as there wasn't so much as a dent in its walls. Marina stared blankly as she lingered in front of it, but was sure to be out of the way of those who came and went. It was taller and larger than the one in Ecruteak, though not as huge as the Pokémon Communication Center in Goldenrod. But it was much more exotic inside; the most interesting feature seemed to be a fountain that appeared to be a wall of blue water falling from the ceiling. She smiled as her mind desired to admire the place while, at the same time, demanded her to just heal her Pokémon, get a room, take a shower, and—most importantly—rest.

I'll just have to explore later. Not right now, she told herself.

Marina glanced at the ocean, meaning to take one last look before going inside. A couple others did the same closer to the dock, and she made a note to join them when she got herself settled. But all her thoughts were erased from her mind as she noticed a woman with brown hair chatting with another. The outfit was ridiculous for her age, adorned with a matching crimson plaid shirt, knee-length skirt, arm-warmers, and hair styled into two high pigtails. This threw Marina off altogether, yet the woman's face was too familiar to disregard.

Then when she saw her friendly face, Marina couldn't help it; her jaw dropped as if she were in a cartoon.

"Mom?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

Caroline turned around curiously upon hearing her; the extra, little white frills on the edges of her outfit could be obviously seen now, causing her daughter to almost fall over stunned. Upon spotting Marina, a gleeful smile spread on her face and she dashed toward her. The shocked girl let her mother grab her in a vigorous embrace.

"Oh, Marina!" She pulled away, still holding Marina's shoulders in joy. Her eyes shimmered youthfully, appearing a lot younger in her cutesy getup. "What lovely timing. I never thought I'd see you here! I'm so glad to see you! How are you, dear?"

"Mom... Why are you wearing that?" Marina could only ask what had completely distracted her from every thought that burdened her earlier. She took her a few seconds, and she quickly blinked as the answer rung in her mind. "Is...um, is Dad here?"

"Yes, he was here," her mother answered with an assuring nod. "He came overseas to have Thanksgiving dinner with us in Olivine."

Thanksgiving dinner... Marina remembered the night she had spent the holiday's dinner with a twinge of regret. Sure, she had enjoyed talking and being within the warm company of the MooMoo Farm family that had welcomed her. But the idea that she could have spent that time with her own loving family made her frown guiltily.

If it weren't for the Tauros, I might've made it here...Maybe.

With a forgiving smile, Caroline gave her another tight hug. "It's alright, Marina, we know you're busy."

Marina kept her half-smile as she recalled something else. Her eyes darted around them in search for her sister, who she knew would've interjected the conversation if she were present. The absence seemed awkward, especially because May was usually never too far from their mother.

"Mom," she made eye contact with her, "Where's May?"

Caroline's eyes widened, and she too grew mellow. She let out a little sigh and fixed her posture, her atypical pigtails flipping as she did so. "I'm sorry Marina. I guess it wasn't exactly the best timing, after all."

A chord of worry struck Marina's heart as she heard her reply. Unfailingly, concern rose in her face. "Why?"

Noticing her daughter's reaction at once, Caroline became apologetic and leaned close to her again, petting her head gently.

"Oh, Marina, don't get worried; May's just fine."

"Then what?"

Marina let out a little sigh as she tried to heed to mother's comforting words. A malicious memory nagged her of the time she promised to call her sister often before she left New Bark Town. It dragged onto when she joked with Jackson about the issue in Violet City, then to the time in Goldenrod City's Department Store. May's flustered yelling echoed in her mind, furthermore pulling Marina down as mixed images of her wild Lapras and her PokéGear's dead battery shoved into her mental view. Her frown twisted bitterly.

"May is fine, but she just hasn't been feeling too well lately," explained Caroline, "So your father and I decided that it'd be best for her to have a little change in perspective."

Feeling the sinking of the knot in her gut, the girl looked up at her, troubled still. Guilt piled up with what her mother just said. Was May upset because Marina didn't call her? Was she lonely? The shards of reality pricked her heart as she couldn't help but blame herself; having the truth beat her now began to feel as stressful as the darker side of her travels so far.

I've really been carried away by everything that happened, she thought. I never noticed that...that I never...

Marina could barely get herself to ask, "What kind of change?"

"Well," Caroline took it slowly as if to ease the news on her ears, "You know that your father has a house in Hoenn. We decided to have May live with him for a while, and she agreed. They both left yesterday by boat.

"I'm sorry, Marina. If we knew that you'd be here, we would've waited for you," she apologized.

For a while, Marina looked down at her feet. Her frown trembled as Caroline tenderly stroked her tangled blue hair. Even though her mother's eyes were at even with her own, Marina didn't return the tender gaze.

"You just have to call us more often," Caroline urged, "We worry about you when we don't hear from you. We miss you, Marina." Her voice seemed to slip into soft concern as she went on. "I know that you want to become a successful Pokémon Trainer, and I support you all the way, honey. But please, don't act like Chris."

Marina's shimmering eyes met her mother's. She nodded silently, understanding what Caroline had meant. Chris rarely contacted them. Before she became a Trainer, there had been nothing from him for a long time, even when the Kanto League Tournament ended.

Mom's worried that I'd turn out the same as Chris? The thought accompanied another pang of guilt inside her. It was obvious; Marina's mother practically said it to her face.

It was not unfounded, as Chris had influenced her way of thinking about what a Trainer was. He had always romanticized the rougher road of a Trainer. He thought real Pokémon Trainers traveled alone with nothing but their team and the supplies on their backs, aiding people on a whim like a kind of wandering hero. The wilderness and foreign towns would become their homes, the Pokémon their family, and the people they meet their friends, until finally they forget they have a place to return to. But that was not true at all, not entirely.

Kenta had dispelled those thoughts for her long ago, and yet she followed by them without meaning to. She put off calling her loved ones too many times.

My family and friends will never forget about me, Marina thought, barely able to hold in her tears any longer. But I…

What happened after that wasa blur. Marina muttered something to her mother along the lines of getting a room in the Pokémon Center, and rushed inside. She could only vaguely remember picking up the room key or handing her Pokémon to the nurse at the counter, or even heading straight for the bathroom as soon as she entered her room. Yet before she knew it, she had peeled off her dirty clothes and was standing within the warm mist of the shower. Her head hung low as her loose hair was quickly drenched in the soothing water. At times, she coughed. The choker was hurting her again, but this time she had a feeling of why—the reality of it was what caused her to flee tearfully from her mother.

She meekly rested her forehead on the wall covered with tiles, not uttering a sound aside from the involuntary ones caused by her coughing and sobbing. Kenta, then May—it was all too much for her to handle. She listened to the shower's whispering rain pelting down on her, silencing any thought that further attempted to burrow from her mind.

Even so, a single pleading echo made its way from her heart to her mouth.

"I'm sorry."

A fazing arrival indeed...
Expect the next chapter to be a little more thoughtful. And maybe enlightening somewhat?

That's for me to write and you to find out.

Until next time, my dear readers, take care!