Rosa's trainer shoes pounded against the golden pavement as she raced through Pokestar Studios square. She ducked and dodged through the throngs of people, ignoring the alarmed shouts of those who recognized her as Mr. Deeoh's next "rising star." A middle-aged man tried to stop her, concern etched on his face, but she blew right past him, heart pounding with determination.

She couldn't allow them to harm any more trainers or Pokémon.

As she sprinted, Rosa brought her wrist to her face, dialing Hugh's number. She didn't want to drag him into danger, but if Team Plasma was causing trouble, she would be far better off with backup. The call rang several times before her friend's face appeared on the smudged screen.

"What? I'm busy." Hugh's voice sounded irritated, but there was a hint of humor in his probing crimson eyes as he studied her through the screen. It flooded her with relief; she'd been so worried he was still hurting. "You're shaking the camera so badly, you're gonna make me sick. You're not in trouble, right?"

"I need you. Where are you?" Her breathing was labored as she dashed through the passageway between Pokestar Studios and Virbank City, the receptionist casting her a puzzled look.

Hugh's eyebrows knit together in concern. She heard him returning whatever Pokémon he'd been working with. "I'm outside of Virbank right now, but I can be in town in ten minutes. What's going on? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She reached the Pokémon Center and leaned against the building's rose-colored wall, gasping for breath. Each inhale scorched her lungs, a reminder that her training had a long way to go. "I need you to meet me at Virbank's seaport. I heard Team Plasma is there, and I don't want to face them alone."

Especially if there was more than one of them.

Hugh grew quiet, and Rosa felt a pang of anxiety. What if he refused? She couldn't blame him—Team Plasma had already caused him enough damage.

After a moment, he spoke. "Like I said, ten minutes. Don't approach them without me." The Xtransceiver clicked off, and she let out a sigh of relief, dropping her arm. She could rely on him after all.

Rosa's gaze drifted toward the seaport, and she pushed herself off the wall, starting to walk. Hugh had told her to stay put, but she didn't want to go in blind either.

As she approached the harbor, she made an effort to blend in. Boats bobbed gently on the ocean waves, tethered to the docks by heavy chains and anchors. Above, swarms of Wingull and Pelipper circled, calling to one another. The seaport was far quieter than Pokestar Studios, but she could see a small crowd gathered around the entrance to the docks, their murmurs reaching her ears.

"Do you really think of Pokémon as equal partners, or are they your slaves? Humans and Pokémon cannot live in harmony the way things are. Pokeballs are the equivalent to a ball and chain! Trainers! If you love your Pokémon, you'll let them go! All Pokémon must be freed if they are to live happily. Team Plasma will see to it that this bright future comes to pass! We will create a new world!"

Hadn't she heard this same speech somewhere? It sounded familiar. Rosa didn't join the crowd on the dock, but chose to hover by the railing and listen. The group of people surrounding Team Plamsa didn't seem overly interested in the rally. Many of them were grumbling, and one seaman voiced his annoyance with colorful words and his middle finger.

"What did I tell you?!"

Rosa jumped at the harsh voice near her ear, and she hit her elbow on the metal railing. Painful tingles shot through her arm where the bone connected.

Shipped around and glowered at Hugh. "Geez, there's no need to sneak up on me like that. You scared the daylight out of me!"

His tone was unapologetic. "I said not to go near Plasma until I could be with you. You know how dangerous they are. What if something had happened?" Hugh crossed his arms tightly against his chest, and she withered under his piercing gaze.

"I just wanted to see what was going on," she said. Going in without knowing anything seemed like a bad idea. "There's only three or four of them, but I don't know if they're on the same level as the guy before. It sounds like they're protesting Pokémon training."

Hugh glowered. "It doesn't matter what they're planning, they're not going to get away with it. I've been doing some research on these clowns, and they have a colorful history. Two years ago, they tried to conquer the Unova region by attacking the Pokémon League. They put their supposed king on the throne as champion, and used the legendary dragon Pokémon Reshiram as their weapon of power. They claim their goal is to liberate Pokémon from human control, but they're nothing but a bunch of lousy, filthy thieves. I guess a trainer dethroned their leader and retook the league, but here they are, making their presence known again." His lip curled into a bitter frown. "A kicked dog doesn't stay down. It gets up and fights with more aggression than before."

"Where did you learn all of this?" Rosa asked, gripping the metal railing to keep herself from rubbing her aching elbow.

"Libraries, mostly. But gym leaders tend to know a lot about these things," he replied with a shrug. "I'm surprised you didn't do some research yourself. Are you really okay with being totally ignorant?"

"Geez, that was harsh. Who spit in your cereal this morning?"

Her attention was stolen from Hugh when there was a shout from the docks. One of the female Team Plasma grunts was addressing the crowd, but she looked aggravated as she ripped a Pokeball from her waist and cried, "If you won't release your Pokémon willingly, then Team Plasma will make you!"

The pokeball in her fist cracked open, revealing a Watchog. Some of the surrounding group snickered amongst themselves, undisturbed by the normal type, but then the Watchog advanced on the nearest trainer and sunk its powerful front teeth into her arm. The bitten woman shrieked and tried to tear her arm away, but the super fang refused to release its hold. Chaos erupted on the dock as people screamed and tripped over each other to evacuate.

Rosa found herself pounding up the steel staircase before she'd fully thought the action through. Her hand found a pokeball on her belt, and Sven erupted from the capsule. His tuft stuck up every which way, and it took him only a fraction of a second to assess the situation and hurl himself at the meerkat Pokémon. Sven growled savagely as he ripped the Watchog off the trainer and shook it like a ragdoll.

Blood gushed freely from the girl's injury, but she was too busy escaping to be bothered. Rosa let her go.

"Sven, fire fang!"

"Horrid trainer," Watchog's owner snarled. "Why is it that every time Team Plasma tries to make the world a better place, overpowered teenagers like you get in our way? Can't you just go battle while you can and be satisfied with that? This was supposed to be an easy assignment!" She stomped her foot like a five-year-old having a tantrum. "I'll be in trouble if you win, so opposition is pointless. Just give up your Pokémon!"

The other members of Team Plasma withdrew their own Pokeballs and released a small army of Watchogs and Patrats. Rosa snarled a vow to destroy them all, but then felt a warm hand on her upper arm.

"You're so stupidly reckless, Rosa." Hugh murmured. He sounded proud.

Hugh called out his Servine, and Sven tossed aside the unconscious Watchog he'd been chewing on to rejoin his trainer. Growlithe took a protective position in front of Rosa, and his entire body shook as he snarled.

Rosa wasted no time. "Sven, flame wheel!"

"Servine, leaf storm!"

The Patrat and Watchog scattered, trying in vain to escape the flood of razor sharp leaves that had burst from the clusters of vegetation on Servine's back. The forest-colored tornado stormed around Sven, avoiding the pup completely in favor of consuming each opponent in turn and slicing their bodies to ribbons. The evolved Pokémon endured the attack, but each defending Patrat collapsed as their consciousness failed them. The Plasma members swore and howled.

One-hit KOs were always a blow to a trainer's pride.

Rosa could feel waves of satisfaction emanating from Hugh, but she ignored the egotistic teen to track her own Pokémon. Sven's fluffy form had disappeared in an intense torrent of flames, and as he charged forward, he dove into a summersault. He whirled across the dock, leaving veins of fire in his wake as he plowed into the remaining Watchog like they were bowling pins. Sven rolled over the top of them as they fell against the wooden panels, and Rosa felt her own chest puff with pride. She'd never used her puppy in battle, but already, she was impressed with his speed. He was going to be a firecracker at the league.

"Watchog, low kick," a male plasma member yelled.

The only Watchog still standing lowered itself into position, and as Sven approached, the meerkat kicked the dog like a soccer ball. Rosa heard a sickening crunch, and Sven whimpered horribly as he crashed into one of the steel poles lining the side of the dock.

Hugh stepped forward in defense, shouting, "Servine, vine whip!"

Watchog's eyes grew wide as saucers. Thick vines erupted from Servine's back, curling threateningly as they launched themselves at the Pokémon. They wrapped around its thin body like snakes, and Watchog gasped as its breath was stolen.

"Watchog, super fang! Bite the vines!"

The meerkat struggled, trying fruitlessly to angle its face so it could attack, but the vines were too strong. Rosa couldn't help but be disturbed watching the light leave Watchog's eyes, but then it sank into unconsciousness and the battle was over.

Team Plasma withdrew their Pokémon, and their unofficial spokesperson cried, "I'm reporting you to our boss! When he finds out you're sticking your noses in Plasma's business, you'll pay for messing with us. You two better watch your backs for me as well, because once I steal some stronger Pokémon, you'll regret crossing me!"

The only way off the dock was the set of stairs behind Hugh and Rosa, and recognizing this, Plasma charged. Hugh sidestepped to avoid being shoved aside, but Rosa braced herself to use her body as a barricade. If they got away, they could torment more trainers and cause a lot of people heartache. Maybe she could stop them here.

It was a nice thought, anyway. Plasma's two men were far stronger than she was, however, and as they tore past her and Hugh, Rosa was shoved into the dock. She threw out her arms to catch herself, and splinters of wood dug into her palms. The planks quaked under the weight of rushed feet.

"Bunch of low life, worthless-" She pulled herself up and picked sharp splinters of wood from her skin. Her palms stung, and she was certain she'd need a needle to remove the smaller stickers.

Hugh tugged on her arm to draw her back to attention. "We can't let them get away. Come on."

"Hang on, Sven is-"

"Then take care of him, I'm going."

Hugh took off down the stairs, leaving Rosa to tend to her wounded Pokémon. Sven hadn't gotten up from his place against the metal pole, but his tail wagged as Rosa approached. She dropped to her knees to place a calming hand on his stomach, and he whimpered.

"Oh dear, it's a broken rib." She fussed, carefully pressing her fingers along the dog's ribcage to determine the exact location of the break. He whined when she brushed the worst spot, but continued to beat his tail against the dock. "That rotten Watchog broke your rib, but you're still smiling. Come here."

She scooped him into her arms, being careful not to jostle him too much, and then started walking to the Pokémon center. Regular medicine couldn't treat broken bones, and she was afraid he would feel abandoned if she returned him to his pokeball. An irrational fear, but she carried him nonetheless.

Sven was undergoing treatment in one of the back rooms of the Pokémon Center when Hugh called. Sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace in the waiting room, Rosa lifted the device to her eyes. Hugh's expression was contorted in disgust.

"Bad news?"

"I chased them into route 20," he growled and swept a hand through his midnight hair, "but those woods are plenty thick to hide four slimy criminals. I think they escaped up the mountain. How's your Growlithe?"

She explained about Sven's rib, then sighed and rested her head in her hand. "You know, in school, we always talked about Pokémon like they're invincible. We pit them against each other as if losing is the worst-case scenario. But they're so fragile. When someone doesn't care about hurting them, they're like glass."

"You're breakable too," he retorted. "Being a trainer always comes with risks. You knew that when you signed up. Accepting that is part of the journey."

"I get that, but—"

"Just take care of your Pokémon, and they'll take care of you."

She nodded and adjusted her position to sit cross-legged, her gaze dropping to the shaggy cream-colored carpet as she picked at its fibers. She'd wanted to stay out of their way before, but now... "I want to know what their end goal is. I want to stop them from hurting people."

"Obviously," Hugh said.

"I'm leaving tonight for Castelia City," she continued, her determination rising. "I think there's a better chance of finding the main roots of Team Plasma on the mainland. That's where the next gym is anyway, but I want to end this as quickly as possible, before they can hurt anyone else."

Hugh nodded. "Wait for me at the seaport. I'm coming with you."