Before reaching their destination, the gang met an Old Hippie who played songs on his Pokéflute, which woke up Tesla and Levina from their naps. They came to the next town, only to find out that there was no food in any of the stores and restaurants. The reason why was because there was a drought which meant no food, no water, and no river or stream anywhere.

The gang thought it was odd, so they went to find the source of the problem. So they followed the river and found the source: A Snorlax who was sleeping in front of a bunch of thorns that was blocking the stream water.

They knew that they needed to move Snorlax. So they tried other ways: an alarm clock, loudspeaker, a bucket of cold water, and other things. Ember remembered that a Pokéflute should be able to wake up Snorlax and that the old Hippie they ran into earlier had one. But then Team Rocket showed up and wanted to steal Snorlax as well. But the gang was able to send them blasting off before they could even go after the Hippie.

Once they found the Hippie, they asked him if he could wake up Snorlax and he agreed. When they brought the Hippie to Snorlax, he told the gang that the Snorlax belonged to him, which Ember already knew, surprising the others. They told him that Snorlax was blocking the town's water source.

The old Hippie understand and used his Pokéflute to wake up his sleeping Pokémon. It soon woke up and stretched its body. However the river was still blocked. Then Ember remembered that Snorlax's favorite snack was thorns. Snorlax wasted no time in eating up all of the thorns allowing water to flow through the river again thus saving the town. The gang was glad the town won't have anymore problems with these two around and left to continue their journey.

Right now the gang had just arrived at the entrance to a town known as Dark City.

"(So...this is Dark City, huh?)" Lucario looked around.

"It really is a Ghost town," Ember observed, "Are you sure this city hasn't been abandoned, Brock?"

"No, this is the right place." Brock said.

"So creepy." Misty commented.

"Rai Raichu. (Oh its creepy alright.)" Tesla agreed.

They walked through the town and could easily see how desolated it was. There was practically no people or any other signs of life around this place.

"Hey, there's a woman there with her son." Misty said about to wave over at them but the woman herded her son away from the trainers, "What was that about?"

Ember remembered this episode. Two rival gyms wanting to be the official Pokémon gym, who neither care that they were destroying their town in the process. She was really starting to get a bad feeling in this city, "I don't know."

"We should probably be on the look out for anything." Brock advised.

"Yeah." Ember said.

Suddenly a rock was thrown at her, Luckily Lucario caught it before it could hit her. Lucario turned his head to where the rock came from. The gang looked to where Lucario was staring at and spotted three kids on a roof with rocks in their hands. Lucario glared heatedly at them and the three boys ran away in fear.

"Let's get something to eat and find someone who could tell us what's going on here." Ember suggested.

A restaurant owner, Mr. Jim, saw what happened and invited them in to get something to eat while he explained the situation to them. The three boys from before were also there. The first one was Troy who had reddish brown hair and black eyes. The second was Alex who had black hair and eyes. The last one was Ben who had blue hair and dark blue eyes.

"In Dark City, there are two Pokémon gyms: The Yas Gym and the Kaz Gym. The two gyms are in the middle of a gang war, and they'll hire any wandering Pokémon trainers as soldiers to battle for them." Mr. Jim stated.

"But I don't see. What's the point of fighting each other like this?" Brock questioned.

"They claim that whatever gym wins will become an official Pokémon gym." Mr. Jim replied.

"That makes sense. Becoming an official Pokémon gym's a big honor." Ember said, "But they need the approval of the Pokémon League Inspector. Since there can only be one official gym per city."

"And both Gyms seek to eliminate the other before an inspector arrives." Brock added.

"Sounds intense." Misty said.

"So they just brawl anywhere they want without even thinking about how the people of the town feel about it. Selfish idiots." Ember stated calmly but the others could tell she was mad.

Ember was able to see another person sitting at another table from the corner of her eye. She knew that that person was Nurse Joy in disguise. She guessed that Nurse Joy wasn't happy with what the two gym leaders were doing. Suddenly they heard the sounds of breaking windows and buildings, coming from outside.

"It's them!" Ben growled, angrily.

"What is that?" Misty asked.

"The Yas and Kaz Gyms are fighting again. If you don't want to get dragged into this, you'd better go upstairs and hide." Mr. Jim suggested.

The gang nodded and followed the three boys as they led them upstairs and hid with them.

The gang watched from the window as the Yas Gym leader's Scyther battling against the Kaz Gym leader's Electabuzz. Uncaring that they're destroying buildings in the process. The people were running for their lives in order to stay away from the fight.

"Is it always like this?" Brock asked.

The three boys nodded, "Yeah."

"Now I can understand why everybody around here hates Pokémon trainers." Brock realized.

"That's not even a Pokémon battle. It's more like a street fight." Misty observed.

"This is just too much to look at. Do they even realizing what they're doing to this town?!" Ember yelled.

"Of course they don't, the only thing they care about is battling. It doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process." Brock stated.

"Those bullies. They don't even understand what it really means to be a Pokémon trainer." Ember said, angrily.

Suddenly they heard noises downstairs. The gang quietly walked down to the end of the stairs. When they got there, they noticed three familiar figures had entered the restaurant and started harassing the restaurant owner for food, when he refused they sent out Arbok and Weezing but before they could do anything Ember had Tesla sent them flying out of there.

Ember sighed, "Team Rocket just never learns."

Her Pokémon nodded.

At that moment, another person entered the restaurant, this time it was a girl that was with the Yas gym. Ember believed that her name was Cindy. She came right over to them.

"Hey, I saw what you did with your Raichu and I'm impressed." Cindy said, "Please, please. You must tell me your names."

"Could you excuse us for a moment?" Ember asked.

Cindy smiled and nodded.

"Huddle." Ember said.

The gang huddled together to talk.

"I know that we shouldn't get involved, but if we don't, things might get worse for the townsfolk." Ember stated, "Our best bet is not giving her our real names."

"Yeah, it could ruin our reputations as Pokémon trainers." Brock agreed.

"Think of a fake name." Misty suggested.

Brock nodded, "This is also a perfect opportunity to see what the Yas Gym is about."

The gang nodded and turned to Cindy.

"My name is Isabel." Ember went by her previous life's name.

"I'm Ann Chovy." Misty introduced.

"I'm Caesar Salad." Brock introduced.

Everyone turned their heads over to Brock with deadpanned looks, "I can never say 'no' to a pretty girl."

"You are seriously pathetic." Misty shook her head.

"Oh, Isabel, Ann, Caesar, would you consider joining our cause at the Yas Gym? Unlike those animals from the Kaz Gym, we at Yas are truly worthy of becoming a Pokémon gym." Cindy asked.

Ember sighed at this, "Lead the way."

Ember gave Mr. Jim and the boys a reassuring look as they let the woman lead them to the Yas Gym, looking around the ruined places only made Ember's mood even worse. She hated how these two gym leaders are destroying the town without realizing it. She really needed to blow off some steam and quick.

They finally arrived and entered the building, saw some trainers using equipment. The Yas gym was more of a fighting dojo. Cindy led them to a room where the leader was there waiting for them.

Cindy explained to her leader about Ember being a strong trainer and that she should join them.

"Before I let you join, how about we have a battle? You and me." The Yas leader challenged Ember.

"I accept." Ember narrowed her eyes at the Yas leader angrily.

"Hopefully this battle will help Ember blow off some steam." Brock commented.

"(I'm with Brock on this one.)" Lucario agreed.

"I hope you're right." Misty said finally.

Ember gave Tesla a look who understood completely and got into position, "I'll use Tesla, call out your Pokémon."

"Scyther, tear 'em up!" the leader sent out his Scyther.

"Scyther (Let's do this)!" Scyther got ready.

"Scyther, use Cut!" Yas Leader ordered.

Scyther's pincer started glowing as it came at Pikachu.

"Iron Tail." Ember said, calmly.

Tesla's tail glowed a metallic color and she hit the pincers away from her and slammed her tail on Scyther's stomach. Scyther cried out in pain as it was sent flying back into a wall and a pail of red paint fell on it, covering it.

"Rai (That's not good)." Tesla said.

Everyone watched as Scyther got up and blinked its eyes before they turned red. Then Scyther began attacking its trainer. Everyone but Ember and her Pokémon were surprised at this.

"Scyther, enough!" Yas leader commanded as he dodged Scyther's pincers, "Scyther! Arg, Scyther, return!" He recalled his Pokémon, "That's the first time my Scyther has been frightened so badly. You're a powerful trainer." He complimented, "You must work for me. I need your strength."

"Before I give my answer, explain why you want to be an official gym." Ember said.

"For money." He answered.

"...Huh?" The gang stared dumbfounded.

"It's a simple means to earn money quickly, official gym status comes with prestige and funding." The leader explained simply.

"Is he serious?" Misty asked.

Ember couldn't believe what he was hearing. This whole time, scaring the town's people, recruiting trainers, all for money?

SNAP!

"Huh? I thought I heard something." Misty said.

"Rai (Me too)." Tesla said.

"(Ember snapped.)" Lucario shook his head.

"This is stupid, we're leaving." Ember said to the others walking towards them.

"You think you can just come in here and leave?! I don't think so, get her boys!" the leader growled.

Ember stopped in her tracks before she handed Tesla off to Misty. Then she turned to the men who came at her wasting no time charging at the Yas members and proceeding to beat them into a bloody pulp.

"(I knew this would happen)." Lucario sighed.

"Raichu (Serves them right)." Tesla huffed.

"Pika (I can't watch)." Levina covered her eyes.

Ember took down the last goon before she spin kicked the leader in the face sending him flying across the room. Sighing deeply, she walked away and Tesla jumped back onto her shoulder as they all left the gym without another word leaving some flabbergasted trainers behind them as they all left.

"Feel better?" Mr. Jim asked.

Ember sipped her drink calmly, "Much, guess beating them up along with the leader was just what I needed."

"Oh man did you beat them down good, Ember," Misty grinned, "Maybe they'll stop after what you just did."

"I doubt that they'll stop after that, Misty. Guys like them are the types to keep on fighting until the other one is no longer capable of doing so." Brock pointed out.

"So what now?" Misty asked.

"I know exactly what to do." Ember said.

"You do?" Misty wondered what she had in mind.

"Yeah, both Scyther and Electabuzz are color-sensitive and the color red in particular sends them into a rage. We'll use that to end this...permanently." Ember said with determination.

Once again fighting broke out between the two gangs outside. The two sides were destroying the buildings and everything around them as they fought, seeing an opening Ember gave the signal to the others to drop the red paint on both sides which was successful as both Pokémon attacked their trainers ending the war between them both as their Pokémon took them all down.

Ember then appeared, "Well? have you two idiots learned your lesson?"

"Yeah...we can come to an agreement on one thing." The Yas leader said.

"That one thing is..." The Kaz leader agreed. "Dealing with you!"

"Thunderbolt!" Ember hollered.

Tesla and Levina shocked them taking great pleasure from it too as they were soon knocked out.

"Had enough now?" Ember taunted.

"Had enough?" The Yas and Kaz grabbed a large stick each.

Brock, Misty and Lucario stood by Ember.

"Now we'll teach you." Yas leader snarled.

"I suggest you run." The Kaz leader warned.

"They haven't given up." Misty said.

The two leaders were about to attack...

"Hold it right there." A female voice said as a mysterious person (which Ember knew was the disguised Nurse Joy) appeared in front of them.

"Huh?" Everyone said.

"What-?" Yas leader blinked.

"And who are you?" Kaz leader demanded.

The mysterious person held up a Pokéball, "I'm the inspector from the official Pokémon League." She said.

The Yas and Kaz leader screamed and paled at the sight.

"Pokéball go!" The mysterious person released her Pokémon which turned out to be a Chansey.

"Chansey, Chansey." Chansey clapped its hands.

"Argh!" The Yas and Kaz leader face planted on the ground.

"Chansey? That must mean..." Brock trailer off.

"That's right. My true identity is..." Nurse Joy took off her disguise, "Nurse Joy."

Yas and Kaz panicked.

"Nurse Joy~!" Brock said with hearts in his eyes.

Misty sighed, "Enough already."

Nurse Joy confronted both men, "I could never allow people who use Pokémon for nothing but street fighting to open an official Pokémon gym."

"Please, Nurse Joy." Yas leader started.

"Won't you give us another chance?" Kaz leader finished.

They both begged as they bowed their heads.

Nurse Joy smiled, "Only if you're willing to start over from the beginning." She said, "And I believe that you should listen what this young lady has to say." She pointed to Ember.

"Huh? Me? Are you sure?" Ember questioned her.

Nurse Joy nodded and smiled, "I'm sure."

Ember smiled and nodded, "First of all, using your Pokémon as tools for your selfish and greedy goals is just plain wrong. Your Pokémon are your partners who fight with you, side by side, and are best of friends for life. You both love your Pokémon, right?" She asked.

"Of course we do." Yas and Kaz immediately replied.

Ember nodded, "Good answer. But what you did to them doesn't give you the right to be Pokémon trainers, let alone gym leaders. Also your gyms would give other gyms a bad name." She explained, "Pokémon should never be used for street fighting." She continued, "Also, I believe that having a gym isn't about money, recognition, or fame, its to test trainers and Pokémon to do their very best and trust in each other, not senseless violence."

Yas and Kaz looked up at Ember with admiration.

"Now, first, you have to fix everything you broke in this town and apologize to all the citizens of Dark City. Also, don't forget to rebuild your friendships with your Pokémon and each other." Ember advised.

Yas and Kaz both bowed their heads at her, "Thank you for your kind words, Miss Isabel! Thank you so much!"

Ember sweat dropped at the mention of her disguised name.

Nurse Joy nodded, "That's great advice."

And so, Dark City was at peace at last. The Yas and Kaz gyms were working together with their Pokémon to repair Dark City and the citizens were very grateful towards the gang for helping them.

"Thanks to you all and your Pokémon, our children can play in the streets once more and we won't have to be scared of Pokémon trainers or Pokémon ever again." Mr. Jim bowed, "So thank you once more."

"You're welcome." Ember smiled.

"We were wrong about Pokémon trainers being bad guys. Now we all want to become Pokémon trainers." Ben declared.

Alex and Troy nodded, "Right."

"And I'm sure that we'll be as great as you, Isabel." Ben said.

"Uh, actually, Isabel is not my real name." Ember admitted.

"It's not?" Alex blinked.

"Then what is it?" Troy asked, curious.

Ember smiled, "Ember Ketchum."

"That's a cool name." Ben complimented.

"Thanks." Ember said with a closed eye smile.

"If its not too much trouble, can we have your autograph, Ember?" Troy asked, holding out a paper and pen.

Ember blinked and then nodded, "Sure."

Ember signed her name for all three boys.

"I'm sure that you'll all become great Pokémon trainers." Ember smiled.

Then the gang said their good byes and left Dark City, knowing that the town will be fine now.

After saving the town and making some new Pokémon fans, Ember and her friends are moving on to their next adventure.

Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Bulbasaur (M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Espeon (F), Pikachu (Levina)(F), Shiny Charmander (Natsu)(M), Squirtle (M), Pidgeot (F)

Prof. Oak's Lab:

Mienfoo (F), Glaceon (F), Leafeon (F), Jolteon (F), Sylveon (F), Shiny Umbreon (Mani)(M), Clefable (F), Sandslash (M), Rockfuff (M), Gengar (M), Butterfree (M), Pink Butterfree (Momo)(F), Primeape (M), Raboot (M), Braixen (F), Kingler (M), Muk (M), Magnemite (Genderless), Nidorina (F), Nidorino (M), Shiny Suicune (Azure)(F), Scyther (F), Marowak (F), Cubone (M), Dewgong (M), Persian (F), Horsea (F), Vulpix (F), Eevee (F), Abra (M), Kangaskhan (F), Growlithe (M), Rapidash (F), Tauros (9), Porygon (Genderless), Dratini (F), Flareon (M), Vaporeon (F), Shiny Rapidash (Comet)(M), Boltund (M)