Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Twenty-Six: "Igniting a Spark"

Mark nodded to Pryce. He needed to call Spark. Glancing at Sean, he saw him waiting to pick up his order. Patting Pryce's shoulder, he told him seriously. "Stay with him. I'm going to make that call now." Pryce lightly pushed him as a hint to go. Rushing to a small hallway between the elevators and the Pokemart, he tried not to run into anyone opening travel lockers. At the far back were the bathrooms, but on the opposite wall from the lockers were three little sitting cubicles with video phones. No one was using them currently. Dropping quickly onto a plush square stool, he clicked the power button on the keyboard to wake it from its sleep mode. On the bulky square monitor, a light robotic voice asked him. "Local or long distance?" Mark used the wired mouse to click on local. The screen changed to a typing bar, asking politely. "Please enter the number you wish to call." Mark rolled his eyes. He didn't just memorize something like that. Lifting his arm, he checked the information logged into his Trainer bracelet. He couldn't call from his bracelet, but all his important information was on it.

It was a lifesaver in moments like this. Typing out the number, he waited for it to process. Once the number was verified, it brought up a mini screen with a price on it as it said. "Thank you. This call with cost you... this much. Is that ok? If so, scan your bracelet now. If not-" Mark didn't wait, he just scanned his bracelet across the little scanner pad built into the top of the keyboard. Instantly, the payment went through, putting a little check by the price. Then the voice asked him sweetly. "How would you like this video chat to be received? Through the phone. Through messaging. Or through the speaker? If through the speaker, please be mindful of those around you." Mark glanced around before clicking for the phone option. He was in Mystic territory. It would be stupid to practically broadcast his chat with Spark. The screen changed to a purple waiting screen as the voice told him. "Please pick up the receiver now. You're call is being placed." Mark picked up the bulky wired phone and put it to his ear.

The waiting screen began to show a ringing phone, while the voice cheerily uttered repeatedly over the speaker of the phone. "Ring, ring, ring. Ring, ring, ring. Phone call. Phone call." Mark pulled the phone away from his ear, grumbling out gruffly to himself. "Spark, pick up... Don't make me listen to this..." Mark was beginning to wonder if Spark would ever pick up. He'd never taken so long to answer something before. The guy was practically addicted to his phone. Finally, the call was picked up, causing the video screen to reveal Spark. Spark's short blonde hair was messier than usual, and he seemed completely distressed. His normal smile was gone. Replaced by a show of him biting his lower lip with furrowed brows. Upon seeing Mark's face, he cheered up a little bit as he blunted out. "Mark! There you are! I've been trying to reach you! What happened?! Are you ok?" Mark nodded, huddling a bit closer to the screen and phone as he told him. "I'm good. My phone got wet. Spark, listen-" Spark was so distracted that he cut him off to ask hopefully. "Mark, have you seen Lewis?"

Mark's heart sank a bit, replying curiously. "Not since I left him at the daycare center. Why? What's going on?" Spark took a seat on what looked like a garden rock, telling him a bit shakily as he ran a hand through his golden hair. "He never made it back here. The woman I sent to get him. We found her unconscious in the woods. All her pokemon were gone. I suspected Team Rocket, but after the fight to rescue that Milotic from Mystic. I think it was revenge. I just don't get why they'd take him. There has been no ransom and Blanche... She denies it. But I know she's hiding something. She looked worried too and I'm sure it is because someone from her team is behind this!" Mark shook his head, trying to slip in as calmly as he could. "No. Spark, it's not Mystic. Get someone to the shrine now!" Spark dropped his hand from his hair, asking a little caught off guard. "What? Why?" Mark glanced around again, before trying to whisper to him. "Spark, Team Rocket is going after the jewel."

Spark tilted his head a little, uttering out confused. "Why would they do that? While it's true that the jewel will summon Zapdos. He doesn't answer to just anyone. They'll just piss him off and send him into a rage. Even our strongest electric types are no match for him. He's already injured a dozen of them that have tried to talk to him..." Spark's eyes drifted up to the sky, before adding very softly. "We've been trying to calm him. But it's not working. The jewel glowed and... Zapdos has become so territorial of the island. It's like he's expecting a fight... He's been sapping power from all over the island. I don't know what is going on. I've never seen him like this." Mark heard thunder rumble loudly on Spark's end. Mark realized where Spark was after seeing baby pokemon rush up to cling to his long legs. Spark was in the green house garden on Lightning Island. Mark swallowed, quickly informing him. "There is too much to explain. But you have to trust me, Spark. They are coming for that jewel! You can't let them have it! Lugia is-" Mark didn't get a chance to finish because a flash of lightning blacked out the screen before the call was cut short.