A/N: this chapter mentions abuse. Also, the police are actually competent in this story. Unlike in the games.
The leader of the gang stepped forward, a snarl on his face, and pulled a pokéball out of his belt as his four lackeys mirrored his movements. A battered Hawlucha burst out of the pokéball that the leader sent out. A gash ran down the Hawlucha's leg, and the feathers on its wings were bent, and one was snapped in two. But the winged Pokémon's back was laced with scars, and so were the backs of the four Scraggys that each of the lackeys sent out.
"Ivy … use tackle," Emma said shakily.
A growl suddenly came from behind them. Everybody whirled around and saw two police officers, with two Growlithe behind them.
"You are under arrest," the first officer said calmly.
Emma backed up against the wall of a building, stammering. The police officer seemed to sigh. "Not you, girl. Them."
"Oh." Emma's cheeks flushed, and she looked down in time to see the Hawlucha collapse on its knees, wrapping its wings around its injured body as if scared.
"Weakling," the gang leader muttered, kicking his fallen Pokémon.
"We will be confiscating your Pokémon, as you are unfit guardians," the second officer said, stepping forward. "Antoine, would you mind taking those five to the station? I'll get a statement from the girl and bring these Pokémon to the center."
"Okay," Antoine said, as the other officer disappeared, the gang in custody. It was apparently called the Anarchy Gang.
"What's your name?" The officer asked as they ran to the Pokémon center.
"Emma. Emma Craig," she whispered.
"I'm Officer Julien Francois. What happened, Emma?"
"Well, I was walking home from school when they jumped me. Ivy – uh, my Turtwig – ran in front of me, and I ordered him to use tackle, then you two showed up. And sir?"
"Yes, Emma?"
"My dad works at the center, should I call him and tell him we're coming with the four Scraggy and the Hawlucha?"
Officer Francois seemed taken aback, but then nodded. Emma dug around in her purse and dug out her phone, and called her dad.
"Emma? What is it? How was school?"
"Later, dad. I… uh… was, er, jumped by a gang-"
"EMMA!" Emma winced at her father's yell, and pulled her phone away from her ear.
"I'm okay dad, but the gang… they were…. Abusing…. their Pokémon, and we're bringing them to the center. Just letting you know."
As they entered the Pokémon center, Emma's dad rushed to her, hugging her tightly. "Oh Emma, I'm so glad you're safe."
"Uh, Doctor?" Officer Francois interrupted, feeling very awkward, "the Pokémon?"
"Oh, right," Emma's dad said sheepishly. He looked at the Pokémon. "Nurse, take these four Scraggy. I'll help the Hawlucha. Emma, start on some homework."
Emma sighed, and sat down. As her father walked away, she asked, "Uh, Officer Francois? You all have to find homes for the Pokémon, right?"
"Yes, why?"
"I, er, was wondering, if my dad says it's okay, could I have the Hawlucha?"
"Yes. Well, I'll be leaving now."
"Thank you, Officer." Emma dug around in her backpack, and pulled out her geometry homework. But every time she tried to focus on proofs, she kept seeing the image of that Hawlucha, and the resigned anguish in its yellow eyes.