Blackthorn City is secluded from the rest of the country of Johto. It is located in the far north-eastern corner so it is a very difficult trek to arrive there. The only way to enter Blackthron City is through the cave known as the Ice Path. Lance stands at the entrance of the Ice Path, ready to finally begin his quest for self-discovery.
It is the middle of the day and the sun shines brightly over head. The young dragon trainer looks into the cave and notices that even though it is an enclosed area, it is still brightly lit. That is because that entire cave is lined in ice, just as the name implies. Sunlight hits the ice and reflects it like a mirror throughout the entire length of the tunnel, illuminating it. Lance sets foot into the Ice Path and quickly feels how cold it is. A continual wind blows around him that keeps that walls and floor frozen year-round.
Lance: I didn't think it would be so cold in here.
Outside the Ice Path, a man is seen sitting beneath a waterfall, meditating. His body appears to be aged and rugged from a lifetime of struggling. His gray hair is weighed down by the falling waters. After finishing his meditations for the day, he stands and decides to go home for the day. The man dries himself off and puts on a blue shirt and picks up a cane. A small pokemon covered in brown fur follows him.
Man: Okay, Swinub, let's go home.
The man and his Swinub walk into the Ice Path.
Meanwhile, Lance is having trouble fighting the cold and finding his way through the frozen maze.
Lance: How do I get out of here? I can barely see anything.
Lance doesn't realize it but he is being getting hypothermia from prolonged exposure to the extreme cold. The young trainer starts feeling very sleepy all of a sudden.
Lance: I think I'll take a quick nap.
He collapses onto the frozen ground. If he doesn't get up soon, he will freeze to death. As the man and his Swinub pass through the cave, the small pokemon sniffs something nearby.
Man: What is it, Swinub?
Swinub sniffs the ground until it arrives upon a frozen rock.
Man: What are we doing here?
The man doesn't know it, but the rock is actually Lance covered in ice. Swinub starts digging him out carefully. Once the man figures out that a boy is trapped in the ice, he quickly picks him.
Man: He's not looking too well. I have to get him somewhere warm.
Back in the Dragon's Den, Clair and Shum sit together. Neither of them make eye-contact. Something is on their minds. Clair is the first to speak.
Clair: Why didn't you tell him?
Shum: I just couldn't. I couldn't put him through that.
Clair: He has to find out eventually.
Shum: I know. Hopefully he'll forgive me.
After an hour, Lance awakens and finds himself in someone's bed. There are about four blankets on top of him.
Lance: Where am I?
Man: You're in Mahogany Town.
Lance turns and sees an old man sitting next to him.
Man: You almost died in the Ice Path. If it wasn't for my Swinub's sharp nose, you'd be lying in an icy grave.
The young trainer's eyes open wide. He had almost died and this man saved his life. He is instantly grateful to this man, but is he?
Man: I can sense you're wondering who I am. My name is Pryce. I'm the gymleader here in Mahogany Town.
Lance: Gymleader?
Lance has never heard that term before. Pryce senses this, but doesn't want to take the time explain it. Instead, he wants to know something else.
Pryce: What were you doing in the Ice Path? Children shouldn't be playing in there.
Lance: I wasn't playing. I was lost and trying to find my way out.
Pryce: But why were you there in the first place?
Lance: I'm on a journey. I come from Blackthorn City.
The old man thinks about it.
Pryce: If you can't even find your way through the Ice Path, then you're not fit to be a pokemon trainer. Turn around and go home.
Lance is shocked by the man's words. He suddenly becomes mad.
Lance: I won't go home! My grandfather is counting on me to become a great trainer!
Pryce: Then you're grandfather is a stupid man.
Lance is finally pushed too far. He quickly stands and gets Dragonair's pokeball ready for battle.
Lance: My grandfather is a great man. Don't you dare insult him.
Pryce: Kid, you don't want to do this. I'll destroy you in battle.
Lance: Prove it. If you're such a great trainer, face me in battle. If you win, I'll give up my journey and go home, but if I win, you'll acknowledge me and take back what you said about my grandfather.
Pryce sees the determination in Lance's eyes. He knows the boy won't back down.
Pryce: Fine, I accept your challenge.
Lance and Pryce walk over to the town's pokemon gym. Upon entering, Lance realizes how cold it is, reminiscent of the Ice Path. No wonder Pryce didn't seem to mind walking through the Ice Path. He's used to training in cold environments. Both combatants take their places on opposite sides of the battlefield. The floor is covered in ice, which makes it diffcult to walk on. Pryce gives Lance a smug look.
Pryce: Are you sure you don't want to back out?
Lance: I never back out from a pokemon battle. Let's do this!
Both trainers prepare to face-off in battle. Lance of Blackthorn City versus Pryce, the leader of the Mahogany Town gym.