Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Thirty-Nine: "The Fallen Ranger"

The silence that fell between Mark and Pryce was deafening. Mark couldn't even bare to look at him. Leaning forward, Mark tried to think of a safe way to get to Fire island, but his mind was distracted. He felt bad about putting his friends in danger. While his head still hurt from dealing with the rush of visions and pain he had felt. Running a hand through his hair, he glanced at his wrist. The scars from wearing his old Ranger Styler just hadn't faded away like he thought they would. Sighing, he pressed his forehead to a large smooth cold blue crystal next to him. He wanted it to take his headache if nothing else. The heartache, he could live with. After a few hours, Pryce stood up and told Mark a bit gruffly. "I'm exhausted. Can I trust you enough to keep watch?" Mark turned his head, snapping back in a defensive tone. "What is your sudden problem with me?" Pryce adjusted his long white jacket, retorting icily. "I wouldn't expect you to understand." Mark slowly rose to his feet, facing Pryce as he replied firmly. "Try me. Just get it out."

Pryce looked between Zoey at the entrance and Raichu sitting up by the others sleeping forms, before nodding and blurting out. "Alright. I DISPISE Rangers. And I especially don't trust the ones that were 'kicked out' of their little group. In my personal opinion... The Rangers are worse than the damn Teams." Mark shrugged, asking seriously. "Why would you think that? The Rangers are-" Pryce pointed a finger at him in warning, interjecting darkly. "You quote that bullshit motto at me and I'll beat the shit out of you! You and I both know that motto is covered up bullshit! Because if people knew what you are... They'd see you for the hypocrites you are." Mark puffed himself up, trying to remain calm but his voice grew angry as he said. "I don't know what you've heard. But you are wrong." Pryce snorted with disgust, creeping closer to Mark as he sneered out. "Oh? Who's the one from the future? That's right. ME. You wanna know where the Rangers are in my time? You wanna know how 'good' their deeds are?"

Mark stood his ground as Pryce inched up to him, bitterly hissing into his face. "The Rangers are cowards. They helped start this war... and when it gets too bad. They'll all run back home. In my time, they are 'pokemon activists.' As if that will help them regain honor from abandoning thousands to DIE in the war that they could have helped prevent! They protest and bitch about the war being all the 'Trainers' fault. They claim your ways are better for everyone... but tell me. These 'bonds' you force upon the pokemon. Are they really better than the friendships you have made as a trainer?" Mark opened his mouth, but Pryce pointed at Sean and snapped out. "The Aerodactyl you gave him tried to kill him when the bond broke! I've seen the bite on Nate's shoulder! The same happened to him, didn't it?! The bonds you forge as a Ranger. They mean NOTHING! Your ways get people killed." Pryce's eyes misted over a little, when he added in a more distraught voice. "I wouldn't be here... if a Ranger hadn't gotten my pokemon KILLED! Rangers caused the avalanche in the hopes of destroying an Artic lab..."

Pryce took a shaky step back from him, continuing in a smaller voice full of pain. "How many other pokemon have you Rangers killed trying to do the 'right' thing. How many innocent people? So, when I ask you... What happened to your stalker. It's not because I care about YOU. It's because I wonder if you care about the people you hurt." Mark swallowed, then retorted darkly. "That's rich coming from a man that sided with Giovanni. How many pokemon and people have you hurt for him? Or did you not care?" Pryce stepped back in to shout at Mark sternly. "Giovanni never tried to hide who he was. He lived by a simple set of rules. He saw through people like YOU. Say what you want about him. He's got more followers than your precious fucking Rangers. People that are loyal and respect him because he doesn't fuck you over unless you prove you're unworthy. He seals off cities before making a scene. He doesn't just set off avalanches with people in the area!" Frustrated, Pryce shoved Mark away from him, sneering out darkly. "The Chosen One of Wisdom? Fuck you! You can lie to THEM but not to me. Now I know what you meant now by your 'mistakes."