Oh, late, late, late!

But this chapter was a little bit harder to write. That or I've lost a tiny bit of steam (with both editing and writing new chapters weekly). I'll try not to push too hard, but I'll get back on track!

Chapter 47
Uneasy Premonition

Marina handed the thermometer to the nurse. She settled still in her nestle of blankets and waited, watching the pink-haired woman before her scribble on the clipboard held in her arm. In those few moments, Marina began to close her eyes, her vision growing fuzzy as her fatigued body slowly dozed off. Yet she broke into a short coughing fit, shaking it off as she endured the weak aching in her chest. She sighed and rested back again on the bed.

With a glance at the flushed girl, Nurse Joy waved the thermometer as she spoke. "I think it's obvious enough that you have a cold. So just get plenty of sleep and don't worry about training your Pokémon or any of that for now."

"...Yeah," replied the Trainer with a weak smile, "Thank you."

"Now rest," ordered Joy, who gave a curt nod before swiftly leaving the room.

Marina grasped her covers, closing her eyes to shut out the sight of the little medical room. For a while, she rested there, breathing as smoothly as she could to prevent herself from coughing. A sneeze, instead, escaped her, and she made a miserable frown.

I should've rested instead of going to the Pokémon Gym...I was only there for an hour training, but I didn't think that it'd get this bad. At least I have a room now, I guess. The girl let her head fall back on the fluffy pillow.

Her eyes opened and shifted to the little desk beside her, where her backpack, belt, PokéGear, and jacket rested. Beside her, her lavender bandana rested loyally on the bed. She gazed at it silently. Unable to contain her heavy drowsiness, Marina made another feeble smile and snuggled in the white sheets.

I hope I get better soon.

Finally shutting her eyes again, she drifted off into a much-needed sleep.

There came a snarling from the ominous clouds overhead. The infinite abyss was deathly empty, unchanged every time Marina found herself within it. She shivered the minute her feet touched the icy floor, taking a moment to recognize her location.

There was a definite amount of silence—safe even from the rumbling of thunder. The ground's surface, cloaked in darkness, was absent of any other living thing. However, the air was free and crisp, liberated from any sort of pressure. Even as the dark thunderclouds quickly moved past in the shadowy sky, it was the only thing that seemed alive aside from her.

Fighting the tingling weakness she had, the girl took a step. The single advance made a crystal clear echo, announcing that she had moved.

A sudden burst of invisible wind tore at Marina's frail body, and she grasped herself at the bitter coldness. Her vision faded and yielded for merely a few moments, the moments in which an undeniable emotion rose in her heart. In that jolt of fear, she could feel the choker around her neck tighten. She went to touch it, pinching the little rose clasp that refused to let her free.

Another sensation flecked her very soul with enough valor to make her stop; Marina blinked, confused at the sudden sense of calm sorrow that pervaded her.

What?

The wind continued to shift the fog-like darkness. Slowly Marina looked up from the ground, and paused upon spotting the girl in the near distance. She released the grip on her choker.

"It's you again," she spoke.

The unknown girl's dark hair billowed wildly as it was carried by the breeze. She seemed to acknowledge Marina's presence this time with a gentle tilt of her head. The bright yet distant horizon made her face indistinguishable, while her petite body was posed like a perfectly standing marionette. She stood without moving, unfazed as she stared indefinitely at Marina.

Marina, mystified, forced herself to move closer. "Really..." Her voice was evermore quiet than it had been and it almost frustrated her; could the girl even hear her? "Are you...?"

Harsh gales chopped up the brittle breezes between them, blocking Marina from continuing. Unable to help herself, she cried out. She shielded her eyes, trying her best to stand her ground as she was being pulled away from the girl. But he winds shoved her to the dark ground. Marina climbed back to her feet and regained her balance, peering ahead of her with dread; what she saw shot the fear ever higher.

The girl's eyes were sealed shut. Her delicate fists were clenched, her face twisted with a conflicting internal struggle. She began to step back, away from Marina, who tried to cut through the unbreakable high-speed winds.

"Wait…! Are you really May?" What was left of her voice went silent as her throat burned and tightened. Marina struggled to keep gaze straight, witnessing the haunting sight of the prowling, shadowy Suicune mirage appearing from behind the unknown girl. The girl's expression twisted further, holding in a possessive demon from within.

Not a second later, needles came down upon them like rain.

"Watch out!" Her voice crackled as she screamed aloud.

Marina watched in horror, attempting to flail and call out helplessly as the poor girl was relentlessly stabbed. Her body was truly a penetrated puppet, hanging in a mangled position while silence and calmness again unjustly reigned. Only Marina's cries of her sister's name dully tried to break through it, and she only continued as she fell to her knees—even as her shoulder was shaken violently.

"May, May!"

"Wake up!"

"May!"

"Wake up, it's just a nightmare!"

With an incredible amount of effort, Marina's eyes snapped wide open. She panted heavily, gasping despite her sore throat that ached, and she looked around in an alarmed state. Again she was in her white bed, in the small room she where had fallen asleep, though now Nurse Joy was leaning over her with a haggard—yet very concerned—expression burdening her young face. There were a few moments in which neither of them spoke, allowing Marina to catch her ever-fleeting breath.

"Are you okay?" Joy eventually asked, soothingly as she could. She pulled away a little, still leaning with a frown.

"Um...Y-Yeah, I'll be fine," said Marina after a moment's delay. Her hand eventually reached for her neck, though her fingers first reached her wet cheeks, making her freeze in surprise. As she wiped the tears from her face, she accepted the tissue that the nurse offered her; however, she avoided eye contact with the woman.

Was I crying in my sleep? The single innocent thought tumbled forth in her scrambled mind. That's weird...

"That must've been some nightmare, my lord," sighed the pink-haired nurse as she stood up straight, "You were crying and screaming in your sleep, even when I was trying to wake you up. Are you a deep sleeper?"

"N-No, I don't think so." Marina still shivered nervously, and her jumbled-up mind continued to jam random thoughts into her head. Trying to keep her mind clear, she shook her head and said unsteadily, "That...That was just a bad dream..."

Really, really bad…

"Well, it's over now, so no need to worry." Nurse Joy then stood, turning away and looking over her shoulder as she headed for the exit. "There's some soup on the table next to you."

"Thank you," replied Marina and slowly sat up. She swayed a little as her head swam.

"You're welcome, just get some peaceful rest."

With a nod, the Trainer watched as the woman left and closed the door. Now by herself, Marina inhaled and sighed deeply, coughing soon after. Her glistening eyes trailed to the tray of food with consideration, managing a weak smile as her forehead fell to her hand. She let her bangs loom over her face as she did this, waiting for her dizziness to leave and only moving when it did.

"Oh god, what a nightmare..."

Grasping her lavender bandana, Marina gently placed it in a safe spot on the table. She proceeded to grab the warm bowl of soup and put it on her lap. Its soft, warm fumes alleviated of her illness's symptoms temporarily, and she nibbled the noodles while her mind was left deep in thought.

The dreams so far were never this bad. I hope that one was just a regular, mean nightmare; it doesn't mean anything... May is fine, I'm sure... I guess after this I have no choice but to go back to sleep...

But what if I have that nightmare again?

Marina turned to the window that was on the other side of the room. Her eyes caught slight movement as they observed the still white sky outside. After watching a few moments longer, spying more soft falling motions of white, her eyes grew wide in amazement.

"...Snow?"

"You don't have to go. I-I'm sure she's fine..."

Holding her PokéGear, Jasmine faced the Trainer before her. Light poured into the windows that encased the top room of the lighthouse, showing a clear sight of the stunning azure sky. But even so, dark clouds could be seen clearly far across the sea.

"I won't take long; I can just fly there," the boy reassured. He was, however, rather distant and distracted, and his calm Quilava looked up at him as it took notice of this.

"But the storm...It's in Cianwood still."

"That's not going to stop me. My Pokémon and I can make it. We'll go, don't worry." With a grin, the boy turned away as he approached the descending staircase. Before climbing down the stairs, he paused. "...How was she?"

"Huh?" Jasmine, holding her PokéGear to her chest, tilted her head. Her confusion lingered when Kenta turned to her wearing a soft look of concern behind his previous stern determination.

"Marina. How was she doing?" he asked.

"H-How was she?" The shy Gym Leader looked away, glancing at her sick and bedridden Pokémon behind her. A moment later, she made eye contact with him with a gentle smile. "She was very understanding...and offered to help right away, like you did. Though," Jasmine's face fell, "Sh-she seemed a little distracted... But she was very eager and called me when she could. That's why I'm worried; I haven't heard from her, a-and she told me she'd call back a couple days ago...but never did..."

Kenta stared at the Quilava at his feet for some time with his hands in his jacket pockets. His Pokémon's curious, expectant gaze drifted to Jasmine for a moment, but went back to him. The boy grinned a little and petted its head as he returned it into its Poké Ball. He glanced at Jasmine and nodded, waving once.

"I'll call you if I see Marina. Later!"

"Th-Thank you…!" Jasmine made a clumsy bow that went unnoticed, watching the Trainer until he was out of sight.

Kenta's steps echoed as he navigated the downward staircase. A few lamps passed by him, serving as the only light sources in the dim hallway. His navy eyes darted to the PokéGear on his sleeve.

Marina... Lurking on his face was a very small, lighthearted grin. That sounds like something she'd do, helping that sick Pokémon. But where could she be? More importantly...

Words from Jackson when he had talked to him via PokéGear some time ago resurfaced in his mind.

"Marina? Why do you ask?"

"Uh, it's not really anything. I'm just curious."

"Suuure you are. Heh, you aren't my rival for nothing."

"Ugh. Quit that already, Jackson."

"Absolutely not! ...Eh, I was going to ask you about her too. Marina's great as usual, what else would you expect? ...But she did look a bit down. Thoughtful too, like she was worried about something, you know?"

"I guess..."

"But it's probably nothing big; else she would've said something by now. Anyhow, have you seen Marina?"

"I...haven't since New Bark Town. Not at all."

"Well that's good! If you had, I'd have blamed Marina's troubled mind on you."

"What!? Why?"

"For reasons I won't say, obviously!"

"..."

Jackson said that she looked worried, Kenta concluded as he slipped out of the recollection. He reached the bottom of the steep steps and turned to venture down the platform, still keeping his thoughts to himself. The Olivine Gym Leader said a similar thing.

Could she be thinking about the Ruins of Alph? ...If that really was her. It had to have been her. Kenta paused, brushing his bangs away from his eyes. Beside him, a cramped window spilled chipper daylight on his face. He then continued, quicker than before as he grabbed a Poké Ball in his jacket.

We'll just have to see.

A familiar coldness nipped at Marina's ankles, and the girl shivered as she found herself in the peculiar dimension. She looked down at her feet, barely able to do so since the dark fog was thick. Marina held her arms and frowned.

This place...

She kept very still. From what had happened before, she was wary to move, but also felt incredibly exhausted. Trying to shake the feeling, she searched the large area. Nothing was around her; that was to be expected.

As silent moments passed, the girl shut her eyes, eager to somehow fall asleep within the dream. There came a quick chill of northern wind, and she looked ahead with a jolt, clutching her crimson shirt. The clacking of shoes became apparent as the unknown dark-haired girl seemed to descend upon arrival. She stared at the Trainer, impossible to tell if she was doing so out of spite or sorrow.

She's here again... She's still alive.

Marina grimaced at the girl, somewhat anxious as she scanned the area again. There was no sign of any eminent danger, but this did little to comfort her. Unexpected things have happened before, and she was learning to keep her distance for as long as possible—despite the part of her that instinctually wanted to reach out.

She gasped as her gaze returned. The young girl's white dress, once in horrible tatters, was fully restored to its former glory. It was lavished with frills and minuscule gems on the hem and neckline. In such detailed, luxurious attire, she appeared to be an adorable princess.

Wow...

Marina tilted her head and so did she, mimicking in a harmless manner. A more soothing aura wafted around the girl, yet the dark synthetic air lingered.

"You're…not my sister, right? ...Who exactly are you?" asked Marina.

Directly responding to this, the girl cocked her head to the other side slowly. Her arms, fair and pale with a ghostly glow, rose with her hands together and in front of her. She was silent as always even as her hands worked slowly to make different shapes.

When she stopped, she stared at Marina, as if expecting a reply ever so patiently. She didn't even seem to notice the peculiar bits of purple and white that began to fall from the strange dark clouds.

Uncertain, Marina quietly voiced, "What...?"

The unknown girl in white let her arms fall slowly. Some glitters rested in her dark hair as she held her hands timidly. The strange snow resembled fairy lights as they descended around the two girls, not making a sound in the empty silence that pervaded the area.

But again, she made another series of fluent hand movements. This left Marina confused as she watched her, unable to comprehend the girl's actions no matter how many times they were repeated. Marina flicked away some of the glistening snow from her eyes, frowning in her puzzlement.

What...is she doing?

Hm...
I haven't a clue of what to say this time.

Until we meet again, dear readers, at your bedside... Not literally, though. lol