The group walked through the man made road that Fearrow found and came across a place called Evolution mountain, that was another hot spot for evolution stones and items. As they were walking towards the city at the base of the mountain, they realized the city was decked out for a festival. They looked at each other before going towards the festive city, curious about what was going on and after asking around realized they were celebrating the evolution of Pokemon. As they were enjoying going through the different stalls, Misty had just got a King's rock when someone put their hands above her eyes.
A very familiar voice went, "Guess who?"
Misty gasped, "That voice, it couldn't be, Duplica?"
Duplica let go grinning, "Heya Misty, how have you been?"
Misty, "I have been great, how have you been? I have not seen you for a year now."
Duplica laughed, "Yes it has been, I didn't expect to run into you here though! Oooh! Is this little guy your newest Pokemon?"
Dewpider, "Ewp."
Duplica, "Squeeeeeeeee, so adorable."
Misty beamed, "I know right, Dewpider is a bug water type Pokemon."
Duplica, "A dual typing, how cool, you are not so scared of bugs either, that's good to see."
Misty smiled, "Butterfree helped now he is with his mate at Cerulean gym."
Duplica, "Awwww how sweet! Say are you here alone?"
Misty, "Actually I'm traveling with Ash, Brock, Jessilina and Jameson, but we separated a bit to enjoy the festival."
Duplica, "Ash is here too, cool! I will catch up with him later but for now, how about the two of us check this place out together, like an all girls date."
Misty smiled, "That sounds fun, let's go."
Misty and Duplica went from stall to stall trying out the games and the food as well as getting some stuff. Misty told Duplica about the adventures she had gone through ever since starting her journey. Duplica told Misty about her four Dittos, one of which was a shiny, she was currently at the festival so her Dittos could check out the evolutions. They soon heard an announcement by a group of boys called the Eevee brothers, the past part of the festival, the evolution of Pokemon was being hosted by them.
The youngest Mikey welcomed them to the last show piece, "Welcome ladies, gentlemen and Pokemon trainers of every kind. Now we will start the last part of the festival. Those who have chosen to evolve their Pokemon as part of this last act, please join us on stage."
Mikey's Eevee chirped, "Vui."
Ash, "Misty there you are..... Duplica? Is that you?"
Duplica, "The one and only, Mistress of Copying. Who are you three? Well I know Brock but you two I don't know."
Brock smiled, "Good to see you again, Duplica."
Jessilina laughed, "I'm Jessilina, pleasure to meet you, Duplica, Ash and Misty have told me a lot about you."
Duplica, "All good things I hope."
Jameson, "I'm Jameson, nice to meet you too. and this is our soon to be adopted son."
Tomo looked at her from behind Jessilina, "I am Tomo.... What Pokemon is that?"
Duplica grinned and started to explain about the Ditto and their abilities getting a wide eyed look from the young boy. Meanwhile Brock had chosen to evolve Onix as she wanted to become stronger and used a metal coat he had brought from one of the item stalls to help her evolve. She proudly showed off her new steel body that was glimmering in the sunlight as they group congratulated her. Misty invited Duplica to join them as it had been a while since they had spent time together and she agreed.
Duplica, "So you are going for your seventh and eighth badge, and you already got all your ribbons. That's a pretty good haul if you ask me."
Ash, "Thanks Duplica and yes we are."
Misty, "We are going through Dark City first."
Duplica, "I heard about that city, Pokemon battles are not allowed there as the City was almost destroyed three years ago due to two gyms fighting over it."
Jameson, "Human stupidity really. Tomo do not grow up like them."
Tomo nodded before turning to the Ditto who was making faces making him giggle, "Can I have a Ditto too?"
Jessilina, "Of course dear, if we find one and you make friends with it."
Brock smiled, "We are only going to stop long enough, in Dark City, to restock our supplies before leaving."
Dark City despite it's name was not so dark, it was actually very lively and was a paradise for both Pokemon and humans. The two worked together to keep the city harmonious and peaceful, and although battled were not allowed inside the City proper, there were many well maintained battlefields outside the city. The Pokemon centre in Dark City was just as large as the one in Viridian City but unlike Viridian, that had one of the largest human hospital, it also catered to sick humans as well.
Ash, "Well the City was not so bad as the news made it out to be three years ago."
Misty frowned, "Tell me about it, they didn't deserve to be gym leaders. Gym leaders are responsible for the protection of their City not become a reason for the City's destruction."
Brock nodded, "A gym leader leads by example for trainers to follow. What those two did was horrible."
The group then came across a village called Mossgreen village where they ran across a magician called Melvin who was trying to get his Exeggcute to evolve. He was part of a Circus group but was unable to get a good crowd in as his Pokemon did not have the capacity to handle larger acts. He mostly did solos around to earn money for himself and his Pokemon's upkeep but he wanted to do more than earn money.
Misty, "Well grass type Pokemon have the type advantage over water types, right?"
Melvin, "Yes!"
Misty, "How about I help you out?"
Melvin, "You will, thank you very much little lady. I truly appreciate the help."
The man was delighted when his Pokemon finally evolved after a few battles and thanked them for their help, the group then left the village only to run into a pharmacy. Ash remembered this was when the original Charmender evolved into a Charmeleon after fighting a group of Exeggutors. They decided to stock up on medicine after leaving Melvin and the owner of the Pharmacy called Cassandra helped them out, she told them that she used her Parasect to make her special medicines.
Cassandra, "But there's one problem."
Ash, "Problem?"
Cassandra, "My youngest Paras does not seem to be interested in growing mushrooms instead..... "
Duplica looked down as her leg was poked, a little spunky Paras was challenging her, "Um!"
Cassandra look at the little guy exasperated and amused, "He's more into battling but I'm unfortunately too busy making medicine to battle anyone. So I'm unable to help the little guy. I was hoping one of you could take him."
Ash, "Looks like he wants to go with you after battling with you first."
Duplica, "Is that so?"
Paras nodded and lifted his front claws, "Ras ras."
Duplica battled the little Paras using one of her Ditto who changed into another Paras getting a surprised look from the mushroom crab. The battle was short as Duplica's Pokemon had more experience than Paras and the little guy joined her. Cassandra waved them goodbye and good luck as they left the village and came across a dessert with a city in the middle of it.
Ash, "Where are we?"
Brock, "We are in Neon dessert and that's Neon City."
Ash remembered, "Ah! The infamous city that never sleeps, that can't be healthy right?"
Duplica winced, "No it's not, the people here are short tempered and rude."
As they were walking through the City a man bumped into Tomo making him fall, "Watch it brat."
Misty, "Oi! Leave him alone."
The Mam turned to her, "Teach your kid some manners then Bimbo."
Misty got a tick mark, "What did you just call me you dumbass?"
Officer Jenny came on her scooter, "Hey break it up, no fighting!"
Arcanine growled as he stood between them, "Grrrrrr!"
The man grunted, "Whatever little brats."
Ash helped Tomo up, "Are you okay?"
Tomo, "I think so big brother."
Officer Jenny had already left to stop another fight by then and they decided to find the centre, but even that was no better. Nurse Joy had a pretty sharp and no nonsense attitude when she talked to them and sleep was difficult because of the constant fights. They had eye bags the next morning and decided to leave after breakfast .
Meowth yawned "Sho shleepy nya."
Ash, "No wonder everyone is so cranky, they can't even sleep."
Brock, "Hey Ash, do you think your Jigglypuff could put them to sleep?"
Ash, "Not on her own no! She would need help with it. Maybe if I find another Jigglypuff.... Ah! I promised Diamond I would catch one for him too."
Duplica, "You met Diamond? When?"
Ash nodded, "Back in Cerulean City, during the contest, actually. I should probably find a Jigglypuff for him too, I did make a promise."
Lucario, -I see one.-
Misty, "How cute! Hi! I was wondering if you could help us a bit."
Jigglypuff jumped back surprised but looked at her curiously, "Jiggly?"
Meowth then sat down and explained their plan to put the city to sleep using the move sing making Jigglypuff sad. They learned Jigglypuff could not sing and Ash called his Jigglypuff to help the other Jigglypuff. Ash's Jigglypuff first showed how powerful the move sing could be by putting everyone to sleep getting a wide eyed look from the wild Jigglypuff. She than started to teach the wild female how to sing while the rest of the group woke up refreshed after the power nap and decided to train as well. Soon the wild Jigglypuff mastered sing and the two of them sang in the middle of the City putting everyone to sleep.
Unknown to Ash and the others the two Jigglypuffs song was so powerful together they put even the people working in an underground lab to sleep, allowing their experiment a chance to escape. When they all woke up the next day Ash and the others were approached by the man from before who apologized for what happened.
Ash, "Well I need to call Diamond, I'll see you guys in a few minutes."
Misty, "Sure Ash, we'll get breakfast in the meantime."
Ash dialed in the international number, "Hello, may I speak to Diamond please."
Diamond, "Diamond here... Ash, been a while since you last called me, my friend."
Ash, "Sorry about that.... Wait a minute! Why am I apologizing? I talked to you a few days ago."
Diamond chuckled, "Sorry sorry, it just feels like a long time for me sometimes especially when I'm doing nothing but paperwork."
Ash, "Which is why I will never accept the title Champion." :P
Diamond chuckled, "For what reason did you call me though?"
Ash turned to the side, "Hey pretty girl come here for a sec."
Jigglypuff jumped and sat on Ash's left, "Jiggly."
Ash smiled, "I found you a Jigglypuff, if you are willing to have her."
Diamond gaped, "Really? Oh Arceus! Ash, I.. Thank you. I have prepared the Pokemon here for you as well. I chose him after seeing your shiny Charmander perform."
Ash, "Trade then?"
Diamond, "Yes."
Ash caught Jigglypuff after introducing her to Diamond and explaining what would happen next. The Jigglypuff did not seem to mind and Diamond seemed like a nice person, once the trade was done, Ash thanked Diamond for the new Pokemon before going to join the others for breakfast. Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy thanked them for giving them a chance to sleep. They left Neon City behind after that and Ash was a little disturbed by his dream before waking up but, didn't let it bother him.
Ash, 'What needs to happen will happen.'