Chapter 37

It has been about a week since Ash left Sunny Town with Shellder and the knowledge of Damien's neglect. The week had been full of winter storms, which were mostly rain, not snow. After all, the Kanto region was on the warmer side of the plant.

The group was now riding towards Dark City, a place that Ash remembered as being gloomy and run down. This is because two group (the Yas and Kas gyms) were battling to become the most worthy gym to be recognised by the Pokemon League. However, in the end, the two leaders had fallen into Ash's trap and had to rebuild the city that they had systematically begun to destroy with their street battles.

Now, the boy was looking forward to seeing what the city looked like without the chaos and the downtrodden environment.

As Ash, Brock, Louise and Pikachu rode towards the entrance the boy gasped. No longer was the city sign hanging crooked at an angle. Instead, being help up steadily by four large black pillars of wood was a black sign. 'Welcome to Dark City', was written in pure, clean white.

Then as they drew nearer, the group could hear laughing and lively chatter, as people shopped in the streets. Many store and stands filled the city selling anything from clothing to food. Salesmen shouted, "Bread! Great your fresh white bread here!" Whilst customers handed over money yelling, "Thank you!"

Ash had never seen the city, or any other city, this full of life. Gone was the debris and tumbleweed. Gone was the litter and damaged shop signs, and most importantly, gone was the fear of Pokemon trainers. Yas and Kas had done a good job.

As Ash, Brock and Louise locked their bikes to a wooden pillar, the laughing of children could be heard, growing louder and louder. Then suddenly a blue, white and red blue ran forward, straight into the black haired boy.

"Hey, it is you," Ash exclaimed from his place on the ground. Opposite him stood a boy with deep blue hair and black eyes.

"Ash!" the boy smiled. "You are back!"

"Yep," he smiled, popping the 'P' as he spoke. He then stared at the boy that used to be obsessed with the colour green. When Ash had first met the boy, he wore a dark green pair of shorts and light green and yellow stripped shirt. However, he now wore a red sun cap, a white shirt and blue denim jeans and a jacket. He looked almost exactly like Ash.

Then two other kids appeared behind the boy, wearing exactly the same thing.

"Ash!" they grinned.

"Hi, guys," Ash greeted the boys.

"I bet you are here to fight the KY Gym, aren't you," the first boy said.

"KY Gym?" Louise asked unsure as to why the boy would assume that.

"Yeah," the second boy with black hair said. "It only becomes a Pokemon League gym last month."

"Really!" Ash said excitedly. "Who is the leader?"

"Leaders," the third boy corrected. "To get a Merge badge you have to beat both Yas and Kas."

"Yas and Kaz now own a gym together?!" Ash questioned slightly worried.

"Yeah," all three of the boys said at once. Then the first boy continued, "Once they got their acts together the Pokemon League sent another Agent to investigate and they were both approve as long as they worked together."

"That is great!" Ash said. "Do you want to show us to the gym then?"

"Sure," the boys chirped.

The KY gym was in a small traditional Japanese dojo with light oak wood and cream painted walls. The front door was a shoji with translucent paper in a wooden frame which was protected from rain by a canopy. Above the canopy were two letters in light pink 'KY'.

"Hello," Ash called out. "Yas? Kas?"

Immediately after his call banging could be heard in the distance and the loud shouting of, "Challenger!" Then two men shot around the corner, the first one wearing a skin tight, black long sleaved shirt, dungarees and an orange scarf. The other man wore blue overalls and a red scarf around his neck.

As the two stopped in front of the group, both stared at the boy in recogntion. "Ash!," they shouted excited to see the boy after all this time.

"Er, hi," the boy said waving his hand awkwardly at the pair. "I heard that you guys had started a gym together."

"Yes," Yas answered. "Since Dark City can only have one official league gym, and we were definitely not going to start fighting again, we decided to work together. That way both of us could be what we want."

"Are you here to challenge us?" Kas asked his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Yep," Ash said. "Once the boys told me that you opened a gym, I had to. When I win my battle with you guys I will have eight badges."

"Ah!" Yas exclaimed. "Do not be so confident. We are much stronger now."

"The one on one battle between Yas and Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town starts now," shouted Kas as he dropped his arms. The battlefield in the KY gym was different that the other gyms the boy had fought in, with the area covered in grass. Ash supposed that because the gym was relatively new and it had two owners to finance it, they could afford something a little better that a dirt covers field.

Predictably, Yas called out his Scyther, causing Ash to smile. He was considering putting his Scyther against Yas's, however he changed his mind last minute. "Spearow, I choose you!" the black haired boy shouted.

Since Scyther was weak against flying types, Ash had the type advantage in this battle. However, his disadvantage is that he has yet to fight with this Pokemon and, therefore, does not know its moves.

Quickly, the boy pulled out his Pokedex and listened intently to what it said, "Spearow, the tiny bird Pokemon. Eats bugs in grassy areas. It has to flap its short wings at high speeds to stay airborne. This Spearow is male and knows the moves peaks, fury attack and aerial ace. It also has the egg move steel wing."

"Battling with a new Pokemon," Kas said from the sidelines. "That is either brave or stupid."

"We will find out," Ash responded. "Spearow use peak."

"Dodge it," Yas shouted and with Scyther's ninja-like speed, dodging was a relatively easy task. "Sword dance, Scyther and then attack."

Yas' Scyther began to glow a natural green light as sword dance allowed it to increase its attack power. Therefore, as it sliced its blades towards Spearow. Ash knew if he got hit it could all be over.

"Spearow, fly higher and get out of the way'" Ash ordered and the tiny bird Pokemon instantly flew out of reach. The boy has studied scyther since he had caught one of his own and leant that despite being flying types these mantis Pokemons rarely stread their wingsand took to the air and he was right in this case.

Scyther stopped its attack, giving Ash the opening he was hoping for. It was the opportunity to carry out a severely damaging move.

"Aerial ace," the boy ordered with glee.

Thye flying and normal type Pokemon dived towards the Scyther, allowing the power of the wind to wrap around its body. However, as it flew towards the mantis Pokemon, Yas ordered it to use double hit.

The Spearow had two choices, the first was to avoid the two strikes, but lose the power of the aerial ace. The second was to keep going and be smashed into the floor. Unfortunately for the tiny bird Pokemon, loyalty was their fault, especially when they loved their trainers as much as they loved Ash.

"Dodge," Ash commanded, taking the Pokemon choice away, much to his relief. Then the black haired boy continued, "Now go in with steel wing."

Due to the adrenaline in the tiny birds body, the steel wing attack became stronger than ever before and so fast the Yas could not counter it. Therefore, it hit dead on.

"Scyther is unable to battle. Spearow wins," the referee called out noticing that the mantis Pokemon was unconscious on the ground.

Yas sighed before saying to Ash, "It appears we are not only ones who have become stronger. However, don't think you have won yet." With that said, Yas stepped back and away from the trainers, allowing Kas to take his place.

Ash instantly recalled his Spearow, knowing that if the man called out his Electabuzzthe flying and normal type Pokemon would be at a disadvantage. That and it was tired from the first battle. Unfortunately, the electric types only weakness was ground types. However, it is damaged normally by dragon types.

"Dratini," Ash shouted. "I choose you!"

Just as Ash predicted, Kas said, "Electabuzz go!"

"Dratini use ice beam," Ash said to his blue dragon Pokemon.

The dragon type Pokemon opened its mouth as if it was about to yawn, but instead a small cool blue ball formed, growing bigger and bigger it his jaws. Then it reared his head forward releasing a stream of zig-zagging power.

"Thunder punch," Kas ordered punching his fist into the air.

The black and yellow Pokemon instantly pushed its power into his right arm, causing it to crackle with electrical energy. It then threw its fist into the coming ice beam.

To both trainers surprise both attacks were shattered, leaving the Pokemon untouched.

"Amazing," brock said more to himself than the blonde beside him.

However, this did not stop Louise from asking, "What? What just happened?"

"Dratini and Electabuzz's attacks both carried the same amount of power," the teen tried to explain. "So when they collided together, they cancelled each other out."

"Don't give up yet Eletabuzz," Kas shouted at his Pokemon. "Use thunder bolt."

Ash smiled at this, before saying to his Pokemon, "Put your tail into the ground."

Dratini thought this was a very unusual order but did as he was told to do, bracing itself for the attack. However, what the blue Pokemon did not know was that the boy had memorised most of his Pokemons strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, he knew that dragon types were relatively resistant to electric attacks. Also, with its tail in the ground, it ensured that the thunder went straigth through Dratini.

"Now, use dragon pulse," Ash said.

Once again the dragon Pokemon opened its mouth, building up its power into a large sea green ball, which equalled Electabuzz's body in size. It would be very difficult to dodge this attack because even if the ball missed he affect effect sends a pulse of energy towards the opponent.

So Ash was not surprised hat Electabuzz had been hit, causing major physical damage. However, the boy was surprised that the electric type was still able to move after that. It stumbled to his feet, breathing heavily.

"Use wrap," Ash said.

As the Dratini, for the first time, physically touched its opponent, the Electabuzz could do nothing but weakly struggle. Ash's dragon Pokemon then began to squeeze the black and yellow Pokemon tighter, until it fell limply from its grasp.

"Electabuzz!" Kas shouted.

"Electabuzz is unable to battle. Dratini wins," the referee said. "Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town wins."

"Yes!" Ash cheered along with his Pokemon as his friends and the three boys ran up to him."

"This is great Ash, now you can entire into the Pokemon League," Brock said to his friend.

"Yeah," the three boys shouted excitedly. "You were awesome. I cannot believe you have a Dratini. It was so cool!"

On the other side of the battlefield, the two gym leaders smiled at the boy.

"We lost our first challenge," Yas sniffed sadly.

Kas nodded with the man, but added, "At least it was too Ash. After all, if it was not for that boy we would not be where we are right now."

This also caused Yas to nod enthusiastically, "That is true."

"Ash!" the two men shouted at the boy as they walked over. Kas then reached into his pocket and pulled out the badge. It was an arrow-like shape, divided into two long ways. One-half being green for Yas and the other half being yellow for Kas.

"Wow, thanks," the boy smiled.

He then pulled out his badge case and put his eighth badge in its place.

"You have got all eight badges already?" the boy with black hair said shocked that the boy had done it so fast.

"Really," the other boy said peeking over his friend's shoulder. "Awesome."

"That means you are going to be in the League, doesn't it."

"Of course," Ash said brimming with confidence.

"We will cheer for you then," the third child announced.

Ash and Pikachu could not help but stare at his eight well-earned badges with complete and utter happiness. Each one sparkled in their place.

"So what are we going to do now?" Brock asked. "Now that you have eight badges we do not have to go to Cinnabar Island."

Ash and Pikachu glanced up in surprise. What Brock said was true, he did not need to, but he wanted to. So in response, the boy said, "No, I still want to battle Blaine."

"Why?" Louise frowned.

"Because I battled Blaine last year and lost. I want to see if we have actually gotten stronger," was Ash's reply.

"Pika," the yellow mouse Pokemon on his shoulder nodded.

After Ash's last gym battle the group found themselves riding through the beautiful Grampa Canyon, which is right outside Neon Town, the town that never sleeps. All around them was golden yellow sand and light brown cliffs. Above them were clear skies and a scolding hot sun.

It was a relaxing ride until the group came across Gary Oak, Ash's worst enemy. The arrogant boy wore brown trousers, held up by a black leather belt, a dull white shirt and dark brown jacket. On his head was a brown sun hat that blocked the bright light from his eyes.

"Gary, what are you doing here?" Ash questioned.

"Once again Ash, you show just how little you know," came Gary's response, but when the boy did not react how he wanted him to, he sighed. "Last year there were sightings of prehistorical Pokemon. I am going to be the one to find them."

Ash tried to keep the disbelief from his face as he said, "Good luck with that."

"This just caused Gary to grunt, before turning his eyes to Louise and Brock. "Who are your friends?"

This also caused Ash to look back at the two people behind him. "This is Louise Dimare from Pallet Town and Brock, the previous gym leader of Pewter City."

"Well later, Ash," Gary sneered, just as a group of his fan girls came into view. Was it Ash or had Gary's attitude worse since the black haired boy had seen his last.

"Gary, Gary, he's are man. If he can't find them no one can," the girls in pink cheerleading outfits yelled.

"Er, right, bye," Ash muttered.

As the group continued on their way, they zig-zagged down a path leading to the bottom of the cliff. This path was created by the fossil diggers that came to Grampa Canyon every year, allowing them safer travel.

At the bottom of the cliff, there was a cave to the left and uneven terrain on the right.

"Hey, should we check out the cave?" Ash said wonder if there were any knew types of Pokemon in there.

"I do not know," Brock muttered.

"It does not look very safe," Louise said unsurely.

"Yes, but maybe there is a bunch of cool Pokemon in there," he continued. "Wouldn't it be great if we could catch some."

Brock thought about this for a moment before finally saying, "Okay."

The group had left their bikes outside the cave before entiring. However, they soon realised that it was too dark to go any further. So, in a quick decision, the black haired boy traded his Bellsprout for his Charmeleon, making a mental note to trade back later.

Inside the cave, the constant sound of dripping water richoched off the walls. Large peaks of rock grew out of the ground and ceiling, making the cave somewhere very dangerous if you were not careful. The darkness surrounded them and if it was not for Charmeleon's flame on his tail they would be blind.

Suddenly, Pikachu's body stiffened in fear as he felt someone or something staring fixedly at his back. Slowly the yellow mouse Pokemon turned around and froze, eyes wide in terror.

"Pi-ka," the yellow mouse said as loud as it would allow itself to go.

"What is it, Pikachu?" Ash said louder, turning the direction that his Pokemon has been looking at.

"Ah!" the black haired boy the exclaimed as his eyes met with a pair of glowing red ones. One pair then turned into two pairs, then into ten pairs.

"What! What is that?" Brockstuttered, also frozen in place.

Then, as the creatures stepped forward, close enough for Charmeleon's light to touch them the group gasped. The red eyes belonged to Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto and kabutops.

Omanyte was a small, sky-blue ammonite Pokemon with ten tentacles and a pale yellow, helix spiraled shell on its back. Omastar had a similar appearance except for the fact that it had several sharp spikes on its shells mid sector.

Then there was Kabuto, which was a small Pokemon with a large brown shell covering its body. There were two small eyes facing upwards on the outside of its shell. Lastly, Kabutops, the evolved form of Kabuto, had a body that closely resembled a living skeleton with a half-moon, disc-shaped head and two small, forward facing eyes.

The groups fight or flight reflexes were on high alert at the look on the Prehistoric Pokemon eyes. They were beyond angry at the intrusion. They were furious.

Slowly, they took a small step back, then another and another.

Then when they felt like they were a safe distant away, the group ran for it. Not looking back. However, if they did then the group would have noticed that these Pokemon were very fast, but it was not until Ash tripped over that they discovered it.

"We are going to have to fight them," the black haired boy announced. "They are too fast to outrun."

This caused Brock and Louise to nod seriously, before grabbing a Pokeball.

"Geodude, I choose you," Brock yelled.

"Go Squirtle," Louise shouted but got a shock when Squirtle and her Psyduck came out.

Oh, well, the more he better, they three was fighting for their lives now.

Sorry, it took a while to update guys. PLEASE REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THE KY GYM!

Here is an update of Ash's Pokemon!

1)*Pikachu - Male - Electric

2) Pidgeotto - Female - Flying, Normal

3) Raticate - Female - Normal

4) Primeape - Male - Fighting

5) Gloom - Male - Grass, poison

6) Butterfree - Male -Bug

7) Rhyhorn - Female - Ground, Rock

8) Golbat - Female - Poison, Flying

9) Poliwag - Female - Water

10) Shiny Gyarados - Female - Water

11) *Bulbasaur - Male - Grass, Poison

12) Charmeleon - Male - Fire

13) Squirtle - Male - Water

14) Seadra - Male - Water

15) *Bellsprout - Female - Grass, Poison

16) Haunter - Male - Ghost, Poison

17) Parasect - Male - Bug, Grass

18)Nidorina - Female - Poison

19)Muk - Male - Poison

20) Magnemite - N/A - Electric, Steel

21) Dugtrio - Male - Ground

22) Ponyta - Female - Fire

23) Espeon - Female - Psychic

24) Eevee - Male - Normal

25) Umbreon - Male - Dark

26) Glaceon - Male - Ice

27)Jolteon - Male - Electric

28) Snorlax - Male - Normal

29) JigglyPuff - Female - Normal, Fairy

30) Venomoth - Male - Poison, Bug

31) Togepi - Female - Fairy

32) *Spearow - Male - Flying, Normal

33) Clefairy - Female - Fairy

34) Tangela - Male - Grass

35) *Dratini - Male - Dragon

36) Scyther - Male - Bug, Flying

37) *Elekid - Male - Electric

38) Shellder - Male - Water

Louise's Pokemon

1) Squirtle - Female - Water

2) Cubone - Male - Ground

3) Psyduck - Male - Water

4) Staryu - Male - Water

5) Starmie - Male - Water, Psychic

Brock's Pokemon

1) Geodude - Male - Rock

2) Rhyhorn - Female