As our heroes are continuing on towards Calforn City for Davis' final gym battle, it would seem they have ran into a serious situation that needs their attention.

"Mawile, hang in there." Davis said as they all hung over Mawile. Mawile didn't look good at all. She looked rather sick and appeared to be having a hard time catching her breath. "Guys, this looks serious."

"I'll say." Tetsu said as he placed his hand over Mawile. "There's a bit of a fever. Something is seriously wrong here. I'm no doctor, but this doesn't look like a common cold."

"Cletus, where's the nearest pokemon center?" Davis asked as Cletus was looking around for it.

"I'm sorry, Davis." Cletus said. "There doesn't appear to be one anywhere." That's not good. Mawile looks like she needs some serious help. Davis was getting scared on what might be wrong with Mawile, but it doesn't appear to be help anywhere.

"Growl! Growl!" They all looked and saw a Growlithe showed up.

"It's a Growlithe." Tetsu said with Davis pulling out his pokedex.

"Growlithe, the Puppy Pokemon. A fire-type. Growlithe are brave and trustworthy while also faithful and friendly towards others, making this pokemon quite a lovable one."

"Is there a problem?" All of them looked and saw a man dressed as a doctor with perfectly combed brown hair and glasses.

"It's my Mawile. Something is seriously wrong with it, but we don't know what to do." Davis said. Hearing that, the man hurried over and tried checking on Mawile.

"This doesn't look good." The man said. "It might be best to take your Mawile to my hospital."

"Your hospital?" Davis questioned as that sounded rather strange.

Pokemon

It's a battle, win or lose

It's the friends you make

It's the road you choose

We've got the right stuff

So make your mind up

And find the courage inside of you.

If you're strong, you'll survive

And you'll keep your dream alive

Let the battle begin

Pokemon

Be the best you can be and find your destiny

It's the master plan

The power's in your hand

Pokemon

(Davis' voice) Have to Part Ways

The mystery man helped Davis and the others out. He brought them all to some sort of lab that was acting like a hospital. When they got there, they saw lots of pokemon with people that looked like doctors. They were rather impressed with how the place looked.

"What is this place? I thought there weren't any pokemon centers in the area." Davis said.

"Well, this isn't exactly a pokemon center." The doctor said as he had Mawile placed on a stretcher and his fellow doctors escorted Mawile to another room. "It's sort of like a hospital and a wildlife reserve."

"Huh?" Davis questioned as they weren't getting it.

"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Marcos." He claimed. "This here is a wildlife reserve for wild pokemon, but it also acts as a hospital for them. What we do here is that we take sick and injured pokemon and treat them. If they feel well enough, they are free to leave. However, some here like to stay. We allow them as long as they are willing to help out around here."

"Are we lucky we found you." Tetsu said as they all felt a sense of relief.

"So, what about Mawile? What's going to happen to her?" Imperialdramon asked.

"We have examine Mawile first to determine what's wrong." Marcos said.

"Mawile..." Davis mumbled as he was rather worried about her.

"Growl. Growl." Davis looked down and saw Growlithe staring at him.

"You should thank this Growlithe. It detected something was wrong and that's what brought me to you." Marcos said.

"You did. Thanks for that." Davis said as he petted Growlithe.

"This Growlithe is an example of what I was talking about." Marcos said. "It's a wild pokemon that we treated earlier, but it chose to stay and help us out. Anyway, I'll go see what's going on with your Mawile. You're allowed to look around and interact with the pokemon, but try not to be in the way if a doctor is working."

"Thank you. We will." Cletus said. He and Tetsu were going to enjoy this, but Davis and Imperialdramon were rather worried about Mawile. They can only hope this is nothing too serious.

...

Cletus and Tetsu

Cletus and Tetsu had a look around like Marcos said they could. They were rather impressed with all the pokemon they saw in the area. Many were helping out or just trying to enjoy their time there.

"This place is rather incredible." Tetsu said. "I never knew a place like this actually existed."

"It's a good thing we found it." Cletus said. "You think Mawile is going to be okay? It didn't look good back there."

"I surely hope so. I'm also worried about Davis." Tetsu said. They were all worried about something as they both looked towards a window where Davis and his pokemon are at.

...

Mawile

Mawile was taken to a room after being examined with Davis and Imperialdramon staying close by for her. Still, Mawile wasn't looking any better. Neither of them were liking this. Dr. Marcos came in to give them the report.

"How's Mawile?" Davis asked.

"Well, Mawile is fighting off something serious." Marcos said. "It might be best to leave Mawile here overnight and see how she's doing tomorrow. Sometimes getting some rest is best. You and your friends are allowed to stay."

"Thank you, but I'm not leaving Mawile's side." Davis said as he reached over and grabbed Mawile's hand. Mawile took great pleasure knowing Davis was going to stay with her like this. Growlithe watched from the door and could see Davis was rather scared and worried for his pokemon and wishes to do something to help him.

...

Cletus and Tetsu

Davis haven't left Mawile's side ever since they came. Cletus and Tetsu had a look around the place and loved it, but they were also trying to get settled since it seemed like they were going to be staying overnight.

"You think Davis is going to be okay? I've never seen him like this before." Tetsu said.

"I surely hope so." Cletus said. "He's just worried about Mawile and what he's feeling is natural. I just wish we could do something to try and cheer him up."

"Maybe one of us should battle him." Tetsu said. "You know he always enjoys a good battle." It did sound like a good idea. It would at least get Davis to forget about his troubles for a while. What neither of them knew was that Growlithe overheard that and wanted to help Davis out as well.

...

Davis

Davis and Imperialdramon haven't moved from Mawile's side since they got there. They want to stay close to Mawile when something does happen or if Mawile needs them. Davis was making sure to do what he could to help Mawile as he took a wet cloth and dabbed it on Mawile's head.

"Just try to hang in there, Mawile." Davis said.

"Growl! Growlithe!" Both of them looked and saw Growlithe came running in. It was trying to say something, but Davis didn't understand it.

"Growlithe is saying it wants to battle. Growlithe heard how you like battling and thought it might help cheer you up." Imperialdramon said.

"Thanks." Davis said as he was touched by that and petted Growlithe's head. "It's a nice idea, but I want to stay close to Mawile in case she needs something."

"But Davis, you haven't moved from here all day." Imperialdramon said. "You must want to eat something. You should at least get some water or something." When Imperialdramon mentioned that, Growlithe knew what to do. It just ran right out of the room with the two of them wondering what Growlithe was going to do. In truth, Growlite ran all the way to the kitchen. Using some ingenious thinking like using its teeth to open cabinets and the fridge, Growlithe was able to grab a bottle of water and a snack for Davis. Growlithe ran all the way back to the room with it.

"Huh? For me?" Davis questioned. He couldn't believe Growlithe went and did that for him. "Thanks, Growlithe." He said as he took them. Cletus and Tetsu saw what happened and were impressed themselves.

"What is with that Growlithe?" Tetsu said.

"You know, I've heard that pokemon like Growlithe can be great judges of character." Cletus said. "Maybe there's something about Davis that Growlithe likes." It's good that Davis has a friend that is willing to help him out, but even Growlithe's kindness might not be enough.

...

Later

Night soon fell, but Davis and Imperialdramon still haven't left Mawile's side. While Cletus and Tetsu were sleeping somewhere else in the hospital, Davis and Imperialdramon were sleeping near Mawile. Mawile opened her eyes just enough to see Davis sleeping near her. She loved that, but didn't stay awake.

"Mawile?" Davis questioned as he thought he felt something. He looked up and saw Mawile was still trying to sleep comfortably. This was so hard for Davis because he felt powerless to really do anything to help Mawile. As Davis was going to try and fall asleep again, he looked down and saw Growlithe was sleeping there as well. "Hey, Growlithe. Wake up." He shook Growlithe and got it to take up.

"Growl?"

"Are you sleeping here for my sake?" Davis said as he couldn't believe how kind Growlithe was being. "You're a really sweet pokemon."

"Growlithe."

"Still, I wish Mawile would get better." Davis said as he was getting really worried about Mawile. Mawile hasn't really done much of anything since they got here. "It's funny. Mawile had some sort of crush on me when I first caught her. I wasn't sure what to think on that. Now, I can't stop worrying about her."

"Growl..."

"I just feel so helpless." Davis said. Mawile might be in trouble, but there's really nothing he can do to help her. Growlithe felt so bad for Davis and wants to keep trying to help him. That's why Growlithe jumped right on Davis' lap and tried to provide some comfort. "You really are a sweet pokemon." He said as he loved Growlithe was doing all of this for him. As Davis held Growlith close knowing he's got a good friend supporting him through this tough time.

...

The Next Day

Growlithe has been a really big help to Davis during this tough time. Growlithe has been there for support, care, and much more. However, sometimes supporting isn't enough. As Growlithe was walking through the halls of the hospital, it was passing by Dr. Marcos' office.

"Are you sure these results are right for Davis' Mawile?" Dr. Marcos asked a fellow doctor.

"I'm afraid that they are."

"I see... I'll go break the news to them." Dr. Marcos said and he sounded rather serious. Growlithe didn't like how this was turning out at all. Davis wasn't going to either. He still remained by Mawile's side, but even after a whole day of resting, Mawile doesn't appear to be any better.

"No change?" Tetsu asked as his friends stayed with him.

"No." Davis said. "Guys, I'm really getting worried here. Mawile doesn't look like she's getting any better."

"This isn't good." Imperialdramon said.

"But what are we going to do? We can't stay here, but we can't just leave Mawile." Cletus said as this looked to be a difficult situation. That was when Dr. Marcos and Growlithe came walking in and it didn't look good.

"I'm afraid things are much worse than we thought." Dr. Marcos said. "Mawile's fighting off some sort of illness, something much stronger than just a mere cold."

"What?!" Davis said as they didn't like how that sounded at all. "Is there anything you can do?"

"We'll certainly do our best, but I'm afraid that this is the type of illness that can't be cured in just a few days." Dr. Marcos said. "It could possibly take months or so for Mawile to truly be cured."

"But what are we going to do? Mawile needs medical help, but we can't just stay here." Tetsu said.

"You're right. I'm afraid this place isn't quite suited for people to remain here." Dr. Marcos said. "That's why...I think it might be best if Mawile was left here where it can be treated and you all can be on you way."

"No way!" Davis said. "I want to compete in the Centros League, and I'm only one badge away from doing that! I can't leave Mawile here! Are you really saying that when I'm so close to my goal, I have to leave one of my friend's behind?!"

"I'm afraid so, Davis." Dr. Marcos said as he tried being sympathetic. "Mawile needs to stay here. I'm afraid you're going to have to let Mawile go."

"No! This isn't fair!" Davis cried as he couldn't believe this was happening. Mawile was a great pokemon, willing to battle alongside him. Mawile was a great addition to the team. Even if it didn't seem like the time was long, the two of them had a great time together. He just can't believe he has to leave one of his pokemon like this. He just couldn't hold back the tears with all of his friends feeling so bad for him. "How could this have happened? How could I have let this happened? I should have known something was off sooner and got Mawile help then."

"It's not your fault, Davis. It's possible Mawile itself didn't even know it was sick until this happened." Dr. Marcos claimed. "I understand this is hard for you, but it's what's best for Mawile." Davis hated this and Growlithe felt so sorry for him. As for Mawile herself, she knows this is hard, but knows what to do.

"Mawile..."

"Mawile?!" Davis said as he held her hand, but Mawile got him to let go and gently pushed him away with a tearful look in her eyes.

"Maw... Mawile...

"Mawile is saying she wants you to go, Davis." Imperialdramon said. "She understands how important your journey is and doesn't want you to give it up just because of her." Davis didn't know what to think. Mawile understands how important this is to him and wants him to go without her. It's just like the old saying, "if you love something, set it free". That's what Davis needs to do now as he cleared away the tears.

"Promise you'll take good care of Mawile." Davis said as he knows this is the right thing.

"I promise. We'll do everything we can for Mawile." Dr. Marcos assured and Davis had to leave it with him.

"Let me give you Mawile's pokeball." Davis said as he reached for it, but his luxury ball fell out and activated. "Oops. My luxury ball."

"Growlithe!" Suddenly, Growlithe ran straight for the ball and willingly went inside it.

"Growlithe!" Davis called as all of them were shocked Growlithe did that. The ball shook around for a while until it stopped and Growlithe was still inside. "Uh... What just happened?" He questioned as he grabbed the ball.

"Well I'll be..." Dr. Marcos said. "That Growlithe always had a big heart. My guess is that it didn't want you leaving so sad and thought you could use a friend. Growlithe wanted to be that friend."

"Looks like you got one heck of a pokemon now." Tetsu said as things started turning good. Even Mawile was glad Davis was taking a new friend with him. Having no choice but to leave now, Davis and his friends hit the road once again and were leaving Mawile there to try and get better. As they were all leaving, Davis took one last look up the window to Mawile's room and could see Mawile seeing them off, hoping things go well for Davis on the rest of his journey.

"Bye, Mawile..." Davis said knowing it was tough, but it was the right thing. Once they were passed the hospital, he stared down at his luxury ball that had his new Growlithe in it. A friend he knows he can depend on.

Although Davis and Mawile must say goodbye, he takes with him a new friend with Growlithe. It is hard to say goodbye to a friend, but Davis did the right thing so Mawile can try to get better. With leaving one friend and taking with him a new one, Davis and the others will continue on just like Mawile wants...as the journey continues.

To Be Continued...

AN: Well, I would like to give a shoutout to S.C.A.R.S-shawn since he was the one that suggested Growlithe. I thought that pokemon was the best fit for this, but the rest of you don't get discouraged. Some of the pokemon were good ideas. It's just that there were a few that I plan to use for future stories. Also just a small reminder; if you haven't voted yet, I still got that poll up. As for right now, that's where the story pauses but will be back.