Pokemon: A different Ash

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"Please come to my restaurant! I'd like to properly apologize to you!" the man said with a remorseful expression, extending a warm invitation.

After considering the offer, Ash and his friends agreed. Having just arrived in this city, they needed a place to rest, and learning that this man ran a restaurant provided the perfect opportunity to take a break.

The three children were visibly displeased about entertaining Ash's group, but they couldn't protest once the adults had made the decision.

The restaurant wasn't far away—just around the corner.

Upon entering the establishment, they immediately noticed how empty it was. Business appeared slow, with only a single customer present—a mysterious figure wearing a windbreaker, sunglasses, and a mask that concealed their identity completely.

"Looks like there's nobody around," Misty observed, glancing at the vacant dining area.

"It's all you Trainers' fault this happened," the blue-haired boy muttered bitterly.

Misty felt uncomfortable at his accusation. She didn't know what had occurred in this town, but clearly, Pokémon Trainers were somehow responsible. She remained silent, unsure how to respond.

"Don't be rude to our guests! I apologize for his behavior. Please, have a seat," the restaurant owner said helplessly, gesturing for Ash, Misty, and Brock to sit down before heading into the kitchen.

Though the children remained resentful, they stopped hurling accusations and ran off to play elsewhere in the restaurant.

Shortly afterward, delicious aromas filled the air as the owner emerged with plates of freshly made omelette rice. It was lunchtime, and the hungry travelers eagerly began eating.

"This is delicious! But sir, what's going on in this city? It's the middle of the day, yet the streets are completely deserted," Misty asked between bites, appreciating the meal despite her curiosity about the strange atmosphere.

"To be honest, it wasn't always like this. The problems started because of the Yas Gym and Kaz Gym in our city," the owner explained candidly.

"Gyms?" Both Brock and Misty looked puzzled.

"Yes! These two gyms constantly hire traveling Trainers as thugs. Whenever there's a disagreement, they start Pokémon battles regardless of location or consequences. Over time, things have deteriorated to what you see now."

Their confusion cleared quickly after hearing the owner's explanation.

"So that's why the streets are empty. People are afraid battles might break out suddenly?" Brock asked, now understanding the situation.

"Exactly!"

"But why would they do this? Gyms shouldn't behave this way," Misty said, perplexed by the situation. Official Gyms were supposed to be respected institutions.

"The truth is, our city didn't have any Gym before. Then Yas and Kaz established rival gyms simultaneously."

"After setting up their gyms, they began competing fiercely. Apparently, whichever side prevails will receive League certification and become the official League-sanctioned Gym!"

The three friends now understood. Two ambitious Trainers had established competing gyms, both hoping to gain official Pokémon League certification. Since a city typically only needed one Gym, competition was inevitable.

"No wonder..."

Considering these circumstances, the children's hostility toward Trainers made perfect sense. The entire city had been caught in the crossfire of this rivalry.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Brothers, don't let those Kaz Gym punks escape!"

"Take down all those Yas Gym goons!" Suddenly, the sound of running footsteps echoed outside, accompanied by aggressive shouting.

"Here they go again!" The blue-haired boy gritted his teeth and clenched his fists upon hearing the commotion, though powerless to intervene.

"What's happening?" Misty asked worriedly.

"Yas Gym and Kaz Gym are about to clash again. You should hide upstairs for a while!" The owner's expression darkened as he urgently directed Ash and his friends.

Ignoring the warning, Ash stood up, walked to the window, and peered outside. The mysterious customer in the windbreaker watched Ash's movements intently.

Outside, the conflict had begun. Leading each faction were Kaz and Yas, the respective Gym leaders. Kaz had sent out an Electabuzz, while Yas countered with a Scyther.

The two Pokémon immediately launched attacks without restraint. Electabuzz's Thunder Punch struck buildings indiscriminately, while Scyther's slashing moves did equal damage. Surrounding structures crumbled under their assaults.

People fled from their collapsing homes in panic. Other trainers from both sides released their Pokémon, turning the street into a chaotic battlefield. Brock and Misty frowned deeply at the sight.

Although they were associated with Gyms themselves, they had never witnessed such reckless behavior.

"This isn't a Pokémon battle—it's just a gang fight using Pokémon as weapons!" Misty exclaimed indignantly.

"No wonder Trainers are hated here! If this continues, people will start hating Pokémon too!" Brock rarely showed anger, but this situation clearly infuriated him.

As a former Gym Leader, he understood that legitimate Gym status wasn't achieved through intimidation. Even if the League eventually recognized one of these gyms, they would never gain the citizens' respect.

Ash remained silent, watching the chaos with a furrowed brow. The skirmish ended without a clear victor when both sides sustained injuries and retreated.

The conflict disappeared as quickly as it had erupted, leaving behind damaged buildings and debris as the only evidence of the battle.

BANG!

The door suddenly flew open, kicked violently by a short figure in a ninja outfit who swaggered in with an air of importance. Their face was covered, concealing their identity.

"Boss! Thirty boxed lunches, and deliver them to Kaz Gym within one hour!" the ninja demanded.

"Huh? That voice!" Both Misty and Brock perked up, finding something strangely familiar about the voice.

"Yes... but you've been ordering on credit lately and haven't paid anything yet," the restaurant owner replied nervously, having been startled by the recent commotion. His expression showed embarrassment as he mentioned the unpaid tab.