Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Sixteen: "Friends...Forever"

Walking along the road, Mark gawked at Ice Town. He had never been here. He didn't know what he expected... but it wasn't this. All the buildings were built with clean white stones with blue shingle roofs. It was the middle of summer, but from streetlamps were misters that made the air feel cool and almost icy. Around the town were ice sculptures of ice or water pokemon. In the center of the town was a large stone fountain with an Articuno ice sculpture. The bushes and trees around the town were covered in a light frost that made them glisten in the fading light. The streetlamps were giving off a blue tinted light as it got darker. It was clear that the Team color was present here just as much as it was in Lightning Town. The Team members were wearing Mystic jackets or uniforms with the white Articuno on it. While the locals or family civilians of Shamouti simply wore casual clothing with the color blue but no Team symbol. It was only the older locals of Shamouti that wore headbands or colors supporting all the birds. Mark flinched as a passing older man glared at him as he led a Taurus pulling a cart of supplies.

Pryce watched the older man go, before asking him curiously. "What was that about? Shouldn't he be arrested for wearing all the colors like that or something?" Mark shook his head, answering coolly. "No. He's an exception to the rule because he's an islander. See... The Islanders worshipped ALL the legendary birds. The Teams kind of moved to the island and slowly took over the islands for themselves. They learned what they wanted from them and... kind of... destroyed their culture. But to keep the peace with them, they are allowed to stay neutral and believe what they wish. They do not like us though... Can't blame them." Pryce huffed softly to himself, stating as he looked around. "So, the people that believe in Harmony are the ones pushed from the picture... Interesting. And you know about them how?" Mark cleared his throat, nervously admitting. "I talked to a local once. The Teams go out of their way to ignore them unless they have to interact. I... got curious." Mark glanced over his shoulder to see if Sean was still following them. He was. He was looking at everyone nervously.

Mark followed his eyes, noticing some of the Team Mystic people staring at him with dark expressions. Their angry features were unsettling. It wasn't illegal for him to be here, but there were reasons the Teams had their own town and Island. Pryce didn't take notice of the Mystic people starting to watch them like predators. Slinking in the shadows to tail them with pokeballs at the ready. Pryce looked over all the buildings of clothing stores, restaurants, the police station, little apartment homes, and more. Shrugging, he mumbled out. "Where is the Pokemon Center? It's usually a red building, right?" Mark snorted, tugging on his arm before he passed it, commenting lightly. "Maybe where you come from. Not here. This way." Mark steered him up to a little square building with a bright blue and white design. In bold bright blue letters, it read; 'Pokestop.' Mark chuckled as Pryce gawked at the building with wide nostalgic eyes. Tilting his head, he told Mark in a wispy voice. "Oh my god... I had forgotten... I recall... Just wow. What a blast from the past."

Mark patted his arm, walking him over to a group of trainers by what looked like a circular blue tech styled pokeball signpost outside the building. The young trainer in front of them, pulled up his sleeve to reveal a black bracelet with a flat pokeball ID reader. The center of the pokeball on both the sign and the bracelet blinked as he swiped it before the sign. The sign turned from blue to purple, asking the trainer in a sweet automated voice. "Welcome to the Pokestop. Your one stop shop. How may I help you, Samuel Oak?" The young man began scrolling through a list of things on the circle of the sign. Mark flinched as Pryce grabbed his arm in an iron grip, looking like he'd seen a ghost. Mark glanced between Pryce and the young trainer. Did he know him? Mark watched the young trainer press a few tabs, before the automated voice told him. "Thank you. Your number is fifteen. Please wait inside to confirm your room and pick up your supplies. Have a pleasant day." The young trainer hefted up his backpack, starting to head inside as a young woman called out to him. "Samuel, hurry up! We have to confirm our rooms before the class goes to the museum without us!"