Chapter 32: Chapter 32 - Going to High Snow City
At the last day of the year, Rico, his team, friends, and parents, and everyone are at the city plaza celebrating the New Year's. Fireworks displayed in the clear night sky as trumpets dominated the sounds of the people. Cheering was almost everywhere, in homes and businesses, and even in the alleyways as well as the homeless people join in the celebration.
"Man, this year was full of happenings," Rico thought in his mind in happiness. Riolu and the other Pokémon are with him as well.
"I don't know what opportunity knocks at my door," he continued thinking in his mind. But, a bigger opportunity was already knocking at his door. Meanwhile, at a town far away, a hooded figure was observing the fireworks display from his workplace, an inn.
"Brother, I hoped we can see each other again," he thought in his mind. But, who was that hooded figure? And what brother he was talking about?
After a week, at the first week of the first month of the year, people are removing the Christmas decorations from buildings and trees. Businesses of all kinds are normalizing their opening hours while schools and universities are preparing for next week's classes.
One evening, Lucas came home from work with a sudden announcement: he will be taking them to High Snow City in the Sierra Mountains, the only of the two mountain ranges in the Philas region to have snow year round, for a 3-day vacation. Everyone in the house was excited at his surprise.
Then, the next day, it became true. They packed their bags, and flew to High Snow City via a two-engine, jet plane. Once arrived at the small airport of High Snow City, they all went to a luxury resort and hotel, complete with hot springs. Later, at their hotel room, Rico, staring at the mild, falling snow outside of the window, thought in his mind, "Jonathan, I hoped you would see this. I had became a Pokémon Trainer like Ash." He then turned around, and went to unpack his own bags.
Later, at 11:34 a.m., the family and their Pokémon went to the dining hall to eat an early lunch. After that, they went out into the city to explore and experience. At this point, Rico's parents are revealed to have Pokémon: Rosario have a Sylveon, a Fairy-type and an Azumarill, a Water and Fairy-type, while Lucas have a Samurott, a Unova Water-type starter, a Magneton, an Electric and Steel-type, and a male Unfezant, a Normal and Flying-type.
High Snow City is a large metropolitan city in the Sierra Mountains. It sits between the mountains at an elevation of over 2,990 feet. The buildings are semi-modern and cultural, with an ancient wooden and stone tower for Regice, a legendary Pokémon Titan. There are areas where snow can be used for skiing, snowboarding, training Pokémon, etc. The most common fruit there is strawberry. Also, others like Yellow Curry, Hot Chocolate, and Coffee are being served in restaurants and cafes. Lastly, in the northernmost part of the mountains is the Piplup Island and Water Safari, where tourists can see Piplups, Prinplups, and Empoleons inhabiting a small, ice-covered island.
After that, they went to the ski lodge's restaurant and café to eat a hot snack, while Rico's parents and their Pokémon are still out there skiing at the snowy slopes. At the said restaurant and café, they are eating hot food, which consisted of cucumber, Tamato Berry, potato, and carrot salad, Yellow Curry, and freshly baked macarons. Their drinks are cups of hot chocolate. The atmosphere around them is busy, but peaceful, while their Pokémon are eating at a special area for Pokémon.
And then, as he and Dawn eat and drink, Rico took a Tamato Berry bit and eats it, turning his face red and throws a flame for a few seconds.
"Water! Water! Water!" Rico yelled in a medium volume.
This alerts Dawn, who then noticed this, and immediately called a waiter to order a glass of cold water for her desperate friend.
Moments later, the waiter came back with a tall glass of water with ice cubes and give it to Rico, who then immediately drank all of it, including the ice cubes, and he eventually cooled off.
After that, Rico said thank you to Dawn and the waiter for the glass of water.
"You're welcome, kid," the waiter positively and politely replied back. "Be careful with the Tamato Berry next time;" he then left their table.
After that hot and spicy experience, Dawn asked Rico if he was alright.
"I'm fine, Dawn," Rico happily answered back as he wipes the sweat off his face with a white and blue handheld towel. "I ate this dish like a hundred times."
"Oh, okay then."
And so, they resumed eating their hot meal.