Knowledge Part 2

Or...

Black Roses

Gangs. Gangs. Gangs.

Rowan stepped into the lobby, already knowing what was going on. Nurse Joy was standing at the counter, shaking her head in an annoyed manner. When he appeared, she looked up to him. Saying nothing, she just made a motion with her head toward the door. Rowan nodded, and followed the order.

The door slide open as he walked toward them. Outside, he could hear the warm sound of the beach waves, as well as the salty air produced by it. He wish he could enjoy it, but a glance down showed him the trouble of all of this.

Dawn stood at the base of the Poké Center, fists on her hips in a powerful stance. Standing before her, three young men, in the weirdest of jumpsuits. These suits were familiar, as they once belonged to a very important group that terrorized the region some time ago. When Team Galatic fell, thousands took its place. It was shortly after their building in Veilstone was seized. Somehow, thousands of items were stolen from them, and they all ended up on the streets. Now, any punk with the need, could easily get their hands on these items, and become some hot new Team. They were all pretty small, but still relevant.

These boys before the Sinnoh Champion wore the same clothing of the past team, but what was once white, was now red, and what was once grey, was now black. The golden stylized 'G' was also gone as well. They must have thought they were so tough right now. They forgot who they were dealing with.

"Lookie here," one of them said. He was in the center, and appeared to be the leader, "If it isn't Professor Rowan..."

The aged man merely cocked his head at the lad before him. He was some teenage boy, slightly older than Dawn, it seemed. In fact, all of them were. It pained Rowan in his heart to see teens like this throw their lies away. It was different with Team Galactic, at least members of that organization could say they were led to believe that what they were doing was correct. These punks, on the other hand, just wanted anarchy in the form of selfishness.

"What do you want?" Rowan responded, crossing his arms.

"Ain't it obvious?" the leader said, as if it were second nature, "I come to you, because you're the dude who gives everyone their Pokémon, right? Chimchar, Piplup, Turtwig. I wants them, Rowan, each and every one."

"And why's that?" Rowan inquired, as if it would change anything.

"Simple," the teen said, "If we, the Black Roses, get our hands on them Pokémon, we'll be able to make an army!"

Rowan would be surprised if these kids could raise the Pokémon they had, let alone an army.

These gangs were getting crazier and crazier as time went on. Rowan had even heard that a gang had assaulted an Officer Jenny, somewhere in Canalave City. Or maybe it was Eterna. It didn't matter, all it did, was serve to remind him how courageous these kids were becoming. At least they had Dawn in these parts.

"I'm afraid that choice would come to bite you in the but..." Rowan stated, as he laid his hands on Dawn's shoulders, "Do you know who this young lady is?"

The leader shifted his gaze to Dawn. Upon doing so, he put on his best, flirtatious smile, and slicked back his hair.

"She's a fine thing, I'll say that much..." he commented.

Dawn's face grew annoyed from the punk's attitude. Her hand reached into her bag a moment later, and she started prodding one of her many Pokémon. It took her a while to figure which one would meet out the best punishment. She didn't want to use Scorch. No, the Infernape was much to great for these idiots to handle. She finally settled on one, however, one that would easily defeat them, as well as invoke the fear within them.

She withdrew a Quick Ball, after a few moments of rummaging. A devilish smirk took her face, as she wheeled back the ball in her hand.

"I choose you!" she cried, "Go! Maria!"

She lob the ball forward, and it slammed into the ground between her and her foes. Upon doing so, it snapped open, releasing the Pokémon within. It floated down, its veil like body being ruffled by the stirring wind. It had yellow and red eyes, with a red mouth bent up into a smile. Red oval-shaped objects that shimmered like jewels were adorn on its body in a circular fashion around the base of its neck.

"Mismagius..." Maria said, her voice low and stirring, like all ghost Pokémon.

"Holy shit man!" one of the gang members said, "She's the Champion! That bitch is Dawn!"

It took them long enough to figure this out. Unfortunately enough, there was very little they could do now. Dawn's Mismagius stretched out her sheet like arms, as she awaited her master's call. Dawn was just waiting for her opponents to make their first move.

"I don't care if she's Lance himself!" the leader cried, as he withdrew all Poké Ball, "I am not going to lose!"

The red and white sphere enlarged in his hand, then he cocked it back, and threw it forward. It snapped open against the ground, erupting into a brilliant shine, as all Poké Balls do. This figure zipped through the air, and landed on the ground.

Large and furry, with a purple and white body. It was a large creature, easily dwarfing the Mismagius before it. A disturbing smell resonated from its body, ruffling the skin on everyone who smelled it.

"Skuntank!" the Pokémon said, with a malicious smile.

His friends got ready to. Reaching into their pockets and withdrawing their Poké Balls as well, they weren't as gung-ho as their leader. But they would follow him, it seemed.

The two Poké Balls were thrown and landed. Brilliant flashes occurred, before bringing to life two more Pokémon. One was purple, with a horn on its head, and a single red claw on each hands knuckles. The area under its face wasn't a neck, instead this large red sack was there. It had an evil smile, something inherent of all of its kind.

"Toxicroak!" it stated.

The other one was different from the last. Large and fat, it had a grey head, and one red-eye. Various areas on its body had gold on it, with two eye-shaped objects on its chest, and a jagged gold line around it stomach, making its body look like a face. The ghastly creature stretched out its hands, as if it were trying to grab out at anything before it.

"Dusknoir..." it said, and quite lowly as well.

So there it was. Dawn stared down toward three Pokémon, two of which were her weakness. She wasn't sure how strong these Pokémon were, but just by the look of their trainers, she could tell they weren't much to be worried over. Only the leader looked as if he knew what he was doing, but the fear of the knowledge, that he was fighting the Sinnoh Champion, was in his mind.

Dawn could have easily equated the numbers. She did have six Poké Balls on her, after all. But she didn't. Call it cockiness or childish bravado, whatever it be named, she did not send aid to her Mismagius. And it looked as if the magical Pokémon could really care less.

It must have been some sort of sight in Sinnoh. The Champion, battling, if anyone heard that, a crowd would surely form in no time. And it did. People in the town of Sandgem started to form. The encircled the Champion, as well as her three foes. The crowd grew, and people started yelling out barks. The Leader of the Black Roses stared all around him, and his face twisted into rage.

"Dammit!" he stated, "We were supposed to be sneaky!" he suddenly threw forward his finger, "SKUNTANK! Eviscerate that thing! Night Slash!"

The skunk Pokémon started growling, as it eyed the Mismagius toward it. She didn't seem that bothered, even though if it hit her, she would feel extreme pain. The Skuntank rushed forward, darkness swooshing through its body.

"Maria!" Dawn yelled, pointing forward, "Double Team!"

The ghastly Pokémon suddenly split into two. Skuntank tripped up over himself, as the two Mismagius flew away, dodging the attack easily. It crashed into the earth, and slid a few feet. Staring up, it realized that it was at Dawn's feet. Her eyes squinted at him.

"Maria, Charge Beam!"

The witch-like Pokémon started to surge with electrical powers. The Skuntank turned around, peering into the Mismagius' eyes. They were burning yellow. The Pokémon fired out a stream of electricity, one that swallowed the Skuntank whole. It pulsed, shook, and screamed out, as volt upon volt of electricity surged through its poisonous veins. Maria didn't stop firing, not until the Skuntank ceased its movements, and lay flat upon its belly.

"What!?" the Black Roses leader yelled, "She's shocking my Skuntank!" he turned to one of his subordinates, "Stop her!"

his allies started fiddling around, before run pointed forward.

"Dusknoir! Shadow Sneak!"

The hulking ghost Pokémon suddenly sank into the ground. A puddle of shadows and darkness moved along the ground, before rising behind its Mismagius foe. Maria looked back, and as soon as it struck forward, she split apart. Its punch waved harmlessly through the air, as the Mismagius formed once more behind it.

"Maria! Shadow Ball!" Dawn ordered.

A blob of darkness and malice formed before the magical Pokémon, as the Dusknoir turned around. Its singular red eye widened, when she fired it forward. The blob struck it in the chest, exploding into darkness and sending the Dusknoir ground bound. The attack was super effective, and as such, knocked it cold immediately. Defeated, the Pokémon's master returned it to its Poké Ball, while he grew even more terrified.

The crowd grew ecstatic at the battle unfolding before them. The chants of Dawn's name echoed within them, as the fighting took turns for the impressive. The Skuntank struggled to its toes, as its fur crackled with yellow electricity. The Toxicroak that hadn't even thrown one punch, started to step back in fear. It was matching the movements of its master, who too was feeling the fear. He still made the unwise decision of attacking, however.

"Toxicroak," he murmured, "Uh... Retaliate?"

The Toxicroak looked down. Gazing at the sight of its downed ally, it dashed forward at intense speeds. Maria gazed over to her rushing foe, not scared in the least bit. Then the toxic mouth Pokémon threw a punch. It swayed right through Maria's body. It tried kicking next, only for the same actions to occur. Not matter how many times it threw a punch, it did absolutely nothing to its foe.

"You idiot!" the Black Roses leader roared at his ally, "Retaliate is a normal type move! That doesn't affect ghosts!"

"Oh..." his subordinate replied.

"Maria!" Dawn suddenly yelled, gaining precedence over everything, "Psychic!"

The magical Pokémon's eye started to shine, and suddenly, the Toxicroak was lifted into the air. It was jerked to and fro in violent manners, crashing into the grass every now and then. Ultimately, its eyes were forced to look at its ally, the Skuntank, as it was thrown face first toward it. They crashed into one another, tumbling through the ground, before falling over in defeat.

Maria descended to the ground, smiling devilishly as she did so. The two were quickly returned to their Poké Balls, as their masters stepped back.

"Dammit..." the leader commented, "What now?"

"What now?" one of his allies remarked, "We run! That's the Champ, man! Why are we even standing here!"

"No!" the leader said, gaining bravado, "I can beat her! I can!"

He withdrew another Poké Ball. It was black, white, and yellow. An Ultra Ball.

"You little skank," he commented, "You won't best me! I'm the leader of the Black Roses!"

He threw the Poké Ball forward, and it opened in the air. In a magnificent flash, it appeared in the air, gazing down upon the many people it flew over. A rock-like Pokémon, with the ability to fly. It perched its grey body on a rooftop, appearing like a gargoyle as it glared down to the ground.

"Areaodactyl!" the leader said, "Ancient Power!"

He at first pointed toward Maria. The ghost Pokémon lowered itself to the ground, as it braced itself for impact. But then, the leader smirked. As the fossil Pokémon started raising rocks, its master aimed directly at Dawn. Her eyes widened.

The rocks were launched forward, before any kind of command could be given. Maria noticed they were going to miss by a long mile, but didn't know who they were really meant to attack. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion next. Dawn lifted her arms, ready to defend herself, as the rocks were flying so fast, there was no way she could defend herself against their strike. She was fully suspecting the pain to come.

But it never did. After a minute or two, she realized the crowds calls were muffled. Her eyes opened, and she noticed a shade was cast over her body. She gazed up, seeing the tan under skin of a mouth. This Pokémon had scales, blue scales, and mouse like ears. It was a hulking creature, for even though its height was comparable to Dawn's, it stature was so muscular. It faced the Aerodactyl and its master, before its mouth opened.

"QUEEN!" the Nidoqueen roared.

Dawn cocked her head. She didn't have a Nidoqueen, and even if she did, she didn't send it out. No one had their Pokémon out at the time as well, so, who sent out the drill Pokémon?

"Poison..." a weak voice croaked from behind.

Dawn turned around and gazed behind her. Her vision passed Rowan, who was also gazing toward the Poké Center's entrance. There she was. Barely standing, as she held her empty Poké Ball in her hand. Wearing this light blue sleeveless shirt, and red skirt. Leaf looked as if she was struggling to stand. All the power she thought she had, wasn't really there, it seemed. But she wouldn't let that get to her.

"What the fuck!?" the Black Roses leader roared.

Leaf's eyesight intensified, as she dragged her vision from him, up to his Aerodactyl. She pointed forward.

"Superpower..." she ordered.

A golden aura overtook Leaf's Nidoqueen. The wind around the drill Pokémon began to pick up, as it continued to charge. Then her aura floated up, and formed an orb of pure power.

"Nido..." she grunted, as she her hands thrusted forward, "QUEEN!"

The aura was launched toward the unsuspecting Aerodactyl. The attack struck the fossil Pokémon square in the chest, sending it up, then back down. Somewhere in the town, the winged rock collapsed into the earth, triggering a miniature quake.

The leader started walking backwards. His allies had already run off, and now it seemed, it was his turn as well. He faced Dawn, who was still standing behind Leaf's Nidoqueen. Then he pointed forward. The next moment, he was running, piling through people and objects alike.

Dawn couldn't believe what happened. Not only was he underhanded, he was also a coward. She didn't know what was worse. The fact that he tried attacking her directly, or the fact that he just ran off with his tail between his legs. What's worse, she was sure he didn't even return his Aerodactyl to his Poké Ball. He just ran off, without even trying to get his Pokémon. Someone who leaves their Pokémon in a hostile environment, is some kind of monster. She shivered in annoyance, anger, and outright hatred.

Then she eyed the Nidoqueen. The drill Pokémon stood up tall. Stepping forward, she laid her hand on the Pokémon's backside, touching its individual spikes. The Nidoqueen turned around, meeting the trainer's eyes with her own.

"Nido..." the drill Pokémon whispered.

Dawn smiled. Her Mismagius appeared next, fluttering beside the Pokémon that saved its master. She smiled, whispered something in Pokémon language, then shifted her gaze to Dawn. Dashing forward, the magical Pokémon dove herself into Dawn's arms, to which her master held her close.

The Sinnoh Champion finally let out a sigh of relief, as she peered skyward toward the night sky. Then her eyes settled upon Leaf. The Kanto trainer was sitting on the Poké Center's steps, gasping for air. Rowan walked behind her, and laid his hand upon her shoulder. She stared up a moment later, seeing a smile etch its way upon his lips.

"That's your Nidoqueen, isn't it?" he inquired, making Leaf nod.

She lifted a Great Ball the next moment, showing it to him. The ground started shaking, and the professor turned away. Standing behind was Leaf's Nidoqueen. She stared off star ward briefly, before dragging her vision down to her Trainer. Leaf aimed her Poké Ball toward her Nidoqueen, and fired out a red beam, one that transformed the drill Pokémon back to digital information. She lifted the Poké Ball, as it was now heavier in her hand, then gazed up. Rowan's hand reached down, and she gripped it. With a tug, he pulled her to her toes. She was a bit woozy, but okay.

Rowan gave a small smile, then turned away to meet a certain raven-haired girl. To his surprise, Dawn was not behind him. He glanced through the crowds that centered around them, seeing one path had been carved out of people. He rose an eyebrow, before releasing Leaf's hand to give chase. The crowds started to shift, as he crossed them. Leaf, not wanting to be left again, tightened the grip her hat held on her head, before following.

…

She was right, it seemed.

Dawn crouched down near the Aerodactyl's unconscious body, rubbing its rocky head. He wasn't moving, for Leaf's Pokémon had done its job, and a damn fine one. Still, she felt nothing but remorse for the Aerodactyl that now, lacked a master. When her Sinnoh adventure started years ago, she hated Team Galactic. But now, she'd give anything to battle Galactic again. They may have wanted world domination, but at least they had ethics, goals, honor even. But when it comes to these gangs, she had no idea what they wanted. Power? Tyranny? Did it even matter? At the heart, they were all cowards.

She was always taught that there was no such thing as evil Pokémon, just evil people who use Pokémon. And this day seemed to prove it.

Removing her warm hat, she scratched the top of her head. She didn't know what to do with the Pokémon before her, though a thought did come to mind. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a Luxury Ball. The gold, black and red Poké Ball would do wonders, she was sure.

"I can't believe he just left him..." Rowan's voice commented from behind.

Dawn stood tall and gazed at him, while a disappointed visage came to her face. The Sinnoh Professor stepped forward a moment later, and the two gazed down upon the winged rock Pokémon. Rowan had already noticed the Poké Ball Dawn was palming in her hand, but decided not to say anything about it. Instead, he laid his hand on the girl's shoulder, an action that made her stand. After all that happened tonight, she was waiting for bed.

She stepped past Rowan, prepared to make her way to Twinleaf Town. But upon stepping past the Professor, she almost immediately walked into someone else. Leaf fell back, but Dawn reached forward, grabbing her by her hand, and stopping her fall. The Kanto Trainer was still a bit weak in the knees, but at least she was walking. Ultimately, Dawn looked down to her, and smiled. It was a sunny smile, one of those smiles that only she could muster. It was that smile, that she was known for, well, that and her Pokémon skills, of course.

"Thanks..." she said, commenting on the timely intervention of Leaf's Nidoqueen.

Leaf merely nodded. But then those crowds returned, and the duo gazed up. A flash from a camera, happened next.

…

Dawn's eyes peered down in disappointment toward the newspaper article. It had such an unflattering picture of herself, and Leaf. Both wide-eyed thanks to the sudden snap of some random photographer. But that's not what had her so angry. She read the headline.

Sinnoh Champion Rescued!

She knew about the press, and how they mush up stories to get views, but this was ridiculous. She felt her blood boil every time she read the article's name, and the article itself. It made her out to look like some dumb broad, and not the hero of Sinnoh that she was. They almost unanimously neglected to talk about how she fended off three attackers, and stopped them from taking over the Poké Center. No, they instead focused on her failure, of course. Like she was supposed to know that Aerodactyl was going to attack her.

Stuffing away the newspaper, she groaned in defeat. Her fists slid to her hips, as she peered toward the front of Rowan's Lab. He told her the night before he had something important for her to do, so she was really interested in knowing. Normally, when he needed such important things done, he'd ask Lucas to get it done, so she was really interesting in learning what the Prof had in hand for her.

So, pushing the door open, she gave another one of her smiles. The first person she noticed, was Leaf. This struck an awkward cord in Dawn's head, because she wasn't expecting to see the trainer up and about. Was she not supposed to stay on the hospital bed a bit longer. Still, not wanting to be rude, she stepped forward and gave a wave, something that garnered a soft smile from the Kanto Trainer.

Taking a seat beside Leaf, Dawn merely started to fiddle with various instruments within the lab. She felt awkward sitting near Leaf, and yet knew not why. There was just something off about this girl. Maybe it was the mystery surrounding her arrival to this land. Or maybe it was the fact that the media was calling her, The Champion's Savior. Just thinking about it made Dawn a bit angrier.

A door in the lab opened up a moment later however. Rowan walked in, holding another one of his various candy bars. He waved it around at first, as his other hand reached into his jacket. While Leaf cocked her head in anticipation, Dawn squinted at the sight. When Rowan's hand returned from his coat, he held pieces of paper. He placed it on a desk beside the two girls, and gazed at them.

"We're going to Kanto..." he stated, and easily as well.

Maverick Talks!

Okay, like I said, I was going to post this chapter in the same day. And I did. See, I don't break promises, do I?

Now, I can better answer questions and talk a lot of crap!

First of, TheDivines had a question asking what time this happens. Obviously, its after Gen 1 and 2, as well as 3 and 4, since Dawn is now the Champion of the Sinnoh region. This story takes place during Gen 5, so I guess you can say its happening during the year 2013. And no, I'm just going to say it now, nothing from Gen 6 is going to appear in this story. Let me just end that now. Maybe a reference or two here and there, but no direct Pokemon. Also, because of the time differences, the characters are a little older. Dawn's not ten or eleven or however old she was in DP, she's a teenager now. Blue's also no longer whatever old he was in GSC, he's a groan man now. Or, whatever age he is in BW2. Leaf's still the same age as she was in FrLg, however. Weird right?

We also learn more about what Pokemon our heroines have. Like I said before, the Pokemon used by Dawn and Leaf are Pokemon I've own. It just makes it easier for me to reference. Everyone else has their appropriate Pokemon, only player controlled characters will have Pokemon based off of my own. So far, we know Dawn has an Infernape, and thanks to these pass to chapters, we also know she has a Pachirisu, a Houndoom, and a Mismagius. Just so you know, they all will have names, so I can differentiate Dawn's Mismagius is named Maria, obviously, and the next two will have their names revealed sooner or later. Leaf has also had two of her Pokemon revealed as well. So far, we know she has six Pokemon on her, like all Trainers. So far, we know she had a Venusaur, which unfortunately died, and now we know she has a Nidoqueen, and surprisingly, a Larvesta. What is a girl from Kanto doing with a Larvesta, which is resident in the Unova region? Let me tell you now, it is important. So, three of Leaf's Pokemon have been revealed, leaving three more. What will her next Pokemon be? We'll see, though I'm a tell you now, they'll be Gen 1 specific. Maybe...

We also learn of a problem going on with the Sinnoh region, that being their gang violence. Don't worry, this story won't focus on Dawn and her war on gangs in Sinnoh, this is just another subplot. One that you should keep in mind.

And, let me nip this in the bud right now. No, there will be no romance between Leaf and Dawn. In fact, this story will hold no romance at all. If these two seem like they're getting a bit fresh in your mind, but a wall in between it. Go get your Dawn x Leaf fix somewhere else.

Well, that's enough for today. I'm actually having fun writing this, honestly. I hope you guys are having fun reading it. So please, I implore you to review. Yeah, tell me how you like it. So, until next time.

This is Maverick Kay Prime, signing off.