Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Seventeen: "Storm Warning"

Mark hugged his ribs, looking immediately for a place to sit. The room wasn't overly big, but in the corner was a small booth that could sit four people comfortably. Limping to it, he dropped down onto the grey cloth seat and jumped in surprise as Chad leapt up onto the table. Chad's costume head fell to the side awkwardly, prompting Mark to lean back against the booth. Chad scooted to the edge of the table and Mark uttered out gruffly. "Hello...?" Chad didn't move, he just stood there staring at him, making him feel uncomfortable. He hated when Chad just stared at him like that. It was creepy. Sean drew his attention away from creepy Chad, by bluntly stating out. "Nate, you aren't going to take that man to Ice Island, are you?!" Nate leaned back against the wall by the door, defensively uttering out. "Look, not that it is any of your business. But I could give a Raticate's ass about your petty Team's problems. You've been reviving pokemon for years now. What's one more?"

Mark rolled his eyes cutting in before Sean could yell something in response. "Not this again... Guys! Stop! For five fucking minutes, can we just... get along?" Sean whirled around to snap out at him. "We can't waste time sitting around! We have to do something! And most of our problem stems from HIM!" Nate rolled his eyes, groaning out loudly. "Oh, fuck you. It wasn't my Team that kicked your ass down there." Sean pointed a stern finger at Nate, shouting out. "This is all your fault! You're ruining my reputation! And now you plan to destroy everything I have for a man that only cares about fucking you as often as a free whore in Pokestop Hotel room!" Chad's costume head jerked upright like he understood that, seconds before Nate lunged at Sean. Tackling him to the ground, Nate started wailing on Sean with aggressive blows. Sean yelped as Nate forced Sean to cover his face from being beaten bloody. Mark tried to get up to separate them, but his ribs were against his movement. Gengar encouraged Nate, until Zoey growled at him. With a whimper, Gengar retreated into his pokeball, leaving Zoey to rush in and lift Nate off Sean.

Nate thrashed, yelling out. "Let me go! I'll kill him!" Zoey set Nate down, keeping him back from Sean with soft growls. Mark reached out to Sean to help him up, but Sean smacked his hand away and crawled across the floor to sit in a corner. Mark watched Sean press the sleeve of his jacket to his bleeding nose. Forcing himself to stand up, Mark grabbed the black square table for support, telling them both in a stern voice. "I said STOP! How is killing each other going to solve anything?!" Nate pointed over Zoey's shoulder, snapping out. "I didn't do anything! He started it! I could have let them take you in, Asshole!" Mark slammed his hand on the table, causing Chad to fall off the table to the floor with a soft thud in the silence that followed. Peeking over his shoulder, he saw Chad's flat costume rise like some ghostly undead creature. Mark shivered. Bringing his attention back to the others, he told them in a tired but hopeful voice. "Look... Let's try something." Mark winced, but took off his hat and Team Instinct jacket. Tossing them to the floor, he looked between them and added. "Take them off..."

Sean scoffed, turning his head to glare into the corner. Nate shrugged, grumbling out. "Why? It doesn't change anything." Mark stared directly at him, answering confidently. "Oh, I think it will. It's clear we can't see past the surface. No one can see us here. Let's just try. I'm only asking for five minutes." Nate backed up from Zoey, looking to her for advice. Zoey crossed her arms, turning slightly as she told Nate coolly. "I don't see the harm. It's just clothes." With a sigh, Nate removed his hat and sunglasses. Tossing them on the top bunk bed, Nate adjusted his black leather jacket and zipped it up to cover the bright red R. Giving Mark a shrug, he mumbled out. "Fine. Whatever. This good enough? Cause I don't have spare clothes." Mark nodded to him, then looked to Sean who was avoiding everything about them. Taking a seat again, Mark gestured for Nate to sit across from him. Sliding into the seat across from him, Nate crossed his arms over his chest. Realizing that he'd have to start, he asked Nate casually. "Did you get a room yet?"