Dark City

The gang arrived at a location known as Dark City. They had been busy the past month. First they ran into a trainer named Duplica, who owned a Ditto. Next they met a computer geek named Dr. Akihabara, who owned a Porygon. Then they entered a forest where a herd of Pikachu lived. Tomo ended up catching a small female Pikachu for himself. And last but not least they came to a town that was suffering from a drought. The issue was that the river upstream was blocked by thorns. But thanks to a hippie and his Pokemon, Snorlax, the thorns were removed and the town was saved.

"I'm looking forward to a nice rest here." Misty said.

Ash, Tomo and Brock felt sleepy too.

"I'm also looking forward to getting something to eat." Ash said.

When they entered Dark City, the town looked like a ghost town and there was not a soul in sight.

"Where is everybody?" Ash asked.

"Something doesn't feel right here." Brock said.

Just then some stones came out of nowhere and nearly hit the group.

"Who threw those stones?" Ash demanded.

He saw some kids on a roof, holding stones.

"What do you think you're doing throwing stones at us?" His eyes were narrowed at the kids.

"We don't want Pokemon trainers here!" One of the kids shouted.

"Go away!" Another shouted.

A restaurant owner saw the commotion.

"You kids need to leave." The restaurant owner ordered.

"What is going on here?" Ash asked.

"I'll explain." The owner said.

He made lunch for the gang.

"So why did those kids tell us to leave just because we're Pokemon trainers?" Misty asked.

"It's because of Yas and Kaz." The owner explained. "They are the gym leaders of the two gyms in this city. They both seek official status and approval from the Pokemon League inspector, who's supposed to arrive soon. As there can only be one official gym, Yas and Kaz keep on trying to eliminate one another. And every time Pokemon trainers enter the city Yas or Kaz would recruit them to join their gym. Then fights between the Yas Gym and Kaz Gym break out."

"In that case, it's no wonder people here dislike Pokemon trainers." Ash said. "There is a full-blown gang war occurring in the streets."

Tomo, Brock and Misty agreed.

Just then a female recruit from the Yas Gym entered the restaurant and walked up to the gang.

"Hi there." She said. "I've noticed that you four are Pokemon trainers. So I'm here to ask you to join the Yas Gym."

Ash, Tomo, Misty and Brock huddled together to discuss what to do.

"Let's go to the Yas Gym." Ash whispered. "But we're only doing that to see what the gym is like and then we're leaving."

"Good idea." Misty whispered. "But we use fake names. Using our real names would ruin our reputation as trainers."

The group broke apart.

"We'll go to the Yas Gym." They told the woman.

"May I have your names please?" The woman asked.

"I'm Tom Ato." Ash said.

"I'm Ann Chovy." Misty said.

"I'm Caesar Salad." Brock said.

"And I'm Ris Otto." Tomo said.

The woman took them to the Yas Gym and introduced them to Yas. The Yas Gym resembled a fighting Dojo.

"Before I decide to recruit you four." Yas said. "I would like to battle one of you."

Ash accepted the challenge and sent Pikachu out to battle. Yas sent out his Pokemon, a Scyther.

Ash looked Scyther up on the Pokedex.

"Scyther, the Mantis Pokemon. With ninja-like agility and speed, it can create the illusion that there is more than one."

"Scyther, Cut!" Yas ordered.

Scyther turned out to be such a fast Pokemon, Pikachu had a little trouble trying to avoid it.

*'I'm happy that I also have a Scyther.'* Ash thought.

Suddenly Scyther's scythes cut through a can of red paint. And the red paint splashed onto Scyther's face. Scyther was seeing red and began to attack Yas. Yas quickly returned Scyther.

"Even though that was a quick battle." Yas said. "I could see that you are a strong trainer. Join me and my gym."

"Before I come to a decision." Ash said. "What's your reason for becoming a official gym leader?"

"To make money." Yas explained.

That caused Ash to become upset. He could tell that Yas was a greedy individual.

"I refuse to be involved with you and your gym." Ash turned the offer down. "You only consider Pokemon to be tools for war and money. Well I'll let you know I want no part of this. Let's go Ann, Ris and Caesar."

The gang left the gym after that.

They returned to the restaurant. The three kids they saw earlier were there too.

"Yas is a idiot." Ash said. "And I'm pretty sure Kaz is too."

"I hate to think what would happen if either of them became a official gym leader." Misty said.

"When Yas and Kaz fight with their Pokemon they keep on wrecking the town." One of the kids explained.

"At this rate." Brock said. "Everyone will think all Pokemon trainers are dangerous. We need to stop them."

"What can we do big brother?" Tomo asked Ash.

"I have a idea." Ash said out loud.

"Hey kids." He said. "I know Yas's best Pokemon is Scyther. But what's Kaz's best Pokemon?"

"Electabuzz." Another kid said.

"In that case." Ash said. "Remember when Yas's Scyther went berserk after being covered in the red paint?"

Misty, Brock and Tomo nodded.

"I recall reading that Scyther and Electabuzz hate the color red and whenever they see something red they attack like crazy. They even attack humans if they wear anything red. So the plan is to make Scyther and Electabuzz see red."

"I get it." Misty said. "Then if they attack their own trainers Yas and Kaz will suffer a humiliating defeat and learn a lesson they will never forget."

"Exactly." Ash nodded. "Mr. Owner we will need a lot of tomato juice and I will need for you to let everyone know to take shelter inside their homes until the fight is over. Your help will be needed as well kids."

Everyone agreed with the plan and offered to help then acted fast.

That afternoon Yas, Kaz and their disciples started another one of their fights.

"Let's go Scyther!" Yas shouted.

"Go Electabuzz!" Kaz shouted.

The disciples released their Pokemon to fight too. The Pokemon were fighting each other like crazy and the humans went at each other too. It wasn't a pleasant sight.

Ash and the gang watched everything from the roof.

"Okay." Ash said. "It's go time."

The gang poured barrels of tomato juice over Yas and Kaz. When Scyther and Electabuzz saw their trainers wearing red, they attack them immediately. Yas nearly got cut up by Scyther and Kaz was repeatedly shocked by Electabuzz.

"Your plan is working Ash." Brock said.

"One last thing to do." Ash said.

He grabbed a bucket full of tomato juice and poured it over Scyther and Electabuzz. When Scyther and Electabuzz made eye contact, they fought each other until they collapsed from exhaustion.

"Well. Have you learned your lesson?" Ash yelled down from the rooftop.

Yas and Kaz were really angry and decided to attack him.

"Big mistake. Get off the roof." Ash instructed.

Misty, Tomo and Brock knew what was about to happen next and led the restaurant owner and the kids back inside.

As soon as the others were back inside, Ash shape-shifted into his dragon form.

Just then a mysterious patron showed up out of nowhere.

"I'm a inspector for the Pokemon League." She said, holding up a Poke Ball. She released her Pokemon from the Poke Ball. It was a Chansey. The mysterious patron revealed herself to be Nurse Joy. Yas and Kaz panicked.

"I have seen everything you two have done." Nurse Joy said. "And I won't allow people like you to become gym leaders."

"Please give us another chance." Yas and Kaz begged Nurse Joy.

"Very well." Nurse Joy said. "But I suggest you listen to what this young man has to say."

She pointed to Ash.

"First things first." He said. "Using Pokemon as tools of war is wrong. That is not their purpose; they are supposed to be by your side as partners and best friends. You two love your Pokemon right?"

"Of course." Yas and Kaz said at the same time.

"Alright then." Ash replied. "What you two did with them doesn't make you Pokemon trainers, let alone gym leaders. Your gyms would give other gyms a bad name. Don't you agree Ann, Caesar?"

Misty and Brock nodded in agreement. After all they were official gym leaders.

"If you two want to start from the beginning, repair the damage your gang wars have done to this city and then apologize to the townspeople. When you're done with that rebuild your friendships with each other and your Pokemon."

Yas and Kaz agreed to his terms.

Dark City was finally peaceful. The Yas and Kaz gyms worked with their Pokemon to restore Dark City to normal.

The townspeople were grateful for Ash and the gang's intervention.

"Thanks to you three." The restaurant owner said. "Children can play in the streets again. And we no longer have to afraid of Pokemon trainers or Pokemon."

"Let's just hope this isn't repeated." Ash remarked.

"Don't worry." Nurse Joy said. "I'll make sure this never happens again."

"We can't wait to become Pokemon trainers." The kids said.

"I get the feeling you'll become great Pokemon trainers." Ash smiled.

Ash and the gang then left Dark City shortly after that, knowing everything was going to be okay now.