The dim light of a lamp shined onto a permit. Tapping her pen against the sheet of paper, Roserade remained in thought. Something about this paper felt off. It was like a key to a door that you had never seen before. Itching away in the back of your conscience, making you wonder where it could lead, what secrets were locked away just by a simple key. Yet you didn't know where that door was.

Roserade groaned in exhaustion. It was what, 1:30 in the morning. She should be in bed right now, but no. She was here staring at a benign piece of paper. It was that name that bothered her. Vida? Who the hell was named Vida with no last name? That could be a company, a fact that filled her curiosity. Knowing she wouldn't get any sleep tonight, Roserade threw up her hands and surrendered to her whims.

"I guess researching Mawile's real estate is on the menu tonight."

She first started with the name Vida. There were about three companies with that name but none of them made sense. VIDA or Video Interstream Delivery Application was a streaming website so there was no reason for it to have a warehouse. Next was the VIDA foundation, a Buenosan charity group primarily operated in Buenosa and its southern neighbor Amerdul. They focused on the preservation of local wildlife. The contradiction was obvious. Finally, there was the Vida mining company, which again didn't need a warehouse in Tetrador of all places.

"This is going nowhere fast," Roserade muttered to herself. Next was the assumption that Vida was someone's name. Again, this bore no results worth looking into. However, this didn't deter her. She began to systematically scroll through dozens of names. Some articles weren't even in Nihoneran or Galarian, so she had to use her rudimentary understanding of other languages to guess an answer. "Whoever this is covered their tracks proper," she thought.

Frustrated, Roserade took a break and walked toward her kitchen. She lit up a lantern and walked through her home. The faint patter of rain filled the empty air, followed shortly by a quiet boom of thunder. Roserade opened up her freezer and pulled out a frozen meal, a prepacked pack of fish sticks, and popped it into the microwave. It was nothing like the real fish and chips up in Galar, but with this, she didn't have to worry about the import costs. She additionally grabbed an energy drink from the fridge and quickly drank it.

Obviously, this name thing wasn't going anywhere. No connections revealed themselves and the trail was growing colder by the minute. Perhaps she was looking at this the wrong way. Maybe she ought to look at this from a different angle. There must be an archive of who had purchased that warehouse somewhere. Perhaps all she had to do was find out who bought it and figure it out from there.

A loud crack of thunder then banged out from outside, illuminating the kitchen. A sinking feeling then abruptly came over Roserade. Anxiously, she looked around to see the same kitchen she had lived in for the past year or so. Something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. As if there was some invisible threat all around her, tension then built up with Roserade.

"Who's there?" she asked out loud. No response. It was almost comforting. Almost.

The wind began to pick up, howling around like a pack of wolves. Roserade then sent a vine to grab a kitchen knife. The storm picked up, with the rain beginning to drown out the microwave's droning. With a knife in hand, Roserade grabbed her finished meal and retreated to her room like a soldier in hostile territory. Her sense of awareness was heightened. She wouldn't let this distract her, but the feeling wouldn't go away.

So she continued, but not without the occasional look over her shoulder. Looking at the paper, she saw that it was sold to Vida by a chemical plant owner who moved his operations away from Tetrador. After a quick call to confirm things, she found something, Hani Sabanto. A Vespiquen businesswoman who had purchased significant shares in several famous restaurants in Nihonera, shipping companies, the Lovely Ladies Lounge, a place that made Roserade shudder in disgust, and most importantly, Tomi, the company that owned the Kinnoyamma Casino.

"So it was Vida who bought that warehouse. Then that means that Mawile had some connection to her. But if this partnership was legit, then why would she keep it under wraps? Why would Hani have this document under a different name?" She decided her next course of action would be to contact Tyranitar, see if he knew anything. Perhaps she was just missing something.

"No need to apologize," Tyranitar insisted softly over the phone, "I've got some questions about her as well." Roserade sighed with relief. When she was waiting for him to answer, she was running through what she would say. It's not exactly easy to tactfully ask someone about their manipulative and dead wife. Thankfully, he was much more accommodating than she expected. Tyranitar then told her tiredly through the WristOn, "She never mentioned working with Tomi. I'm looking through our shared bank account and I don't see any sort of payment to Tomi as well." Now with some additional information, she had a theory.

Mawile was working with, for, or alongside Vida and asked for Vida for a warehouse under the radar. Vida agreed and handed it over but kept it under her company so that it wouldn't be traced back to Mawile. Perhaps this was in exchange for some information, equipment, something that wouldn't leave a trail. However, Mawile tried to double-cross Vida but she found out about it. In response, Vida presumably hired a hitman that killed Mawile with a root, letting Garchomp take the fall. Perhaps the murder was planned to include Garchomp or it was a lucky coincidence.

"So Mawile has a business mogul friend who she betrayed. But Hani Saboto is a legitimate business woman. Why would she take that risk? What was so important about that warehouse that they needed to keep it under wraps?" asked Roserade aloud.

The power then shorted out. Roserade looked around frantically, her nerves now on overdrive. She hung up on Tyranitar and held out her knife in front of her. A window then shattered in the kitchen, which only terrified Roserade further. It could just be the weather, but even the slightest possibility of a robbery or worse was enough to make adrenaline rush through her system. Her first instinct was to call the police. After an agonizing minute of waiting, someone answered,

"911, what's your emergency?"

"My window just shattered. I think someone's in my house!" The operator then, in a dismissive tone, responded,

"It's probably just the weather."

"Please, just send someone over here!" Roserade demanded. Despite her obvious pleas for help, the operator continued to remain blase,

"Check the kitchen. A branch probably flew in."

"Just listen to me!" Roserade snapped before the operator hung up. She slammed her fist into the table, "Dammit!"

Thunder cracked, making Roserade scream in fright. But she steeled her resolve. If the police weren't going to help, then she'd get out of this situation herself. Tentatively, she stepped out of her room and back into the kitchen, holding out her knife. She quickly grabbed up her notes and the permit, sensing that this was important, making a sleeve out of strong leafs and placing the papers into them. Roserade turned the corner to see her kitchen with glass strewn about all over the place. There was a stone laying on the floor with some sort of strange black mark on it. With every single part of her being protesting, she picked up the rock, and as lightning illuminated the room, her heart froze.

On that stone was a black skull with razor-sharp teeth.

Suddenly, something to her left began to creak. Roserade looked to see a cabinet falling off of the wall towards her. She backed away just in time, only to bump into something behind her. That something was someone. They clutched onto Roserade's head tightly, one hand over her mouth and the other on her cheek. Their hand's felt barky like a tree. With a seductive smoothness to his voice, the assassin told Roserade,

"Donquixote sends his regards."

Acting quickly, Roserade stabbed the knife into the criminal's side. He screamed in pain and let go of Roserade as a result. She sprinted away with the knife in hand, but not before looking back at her aggressor. The darkness shrouded the details, but she could tell he was a Trevenant. Speaking of which, Trevenant growled as he threw his hand forward, sending a path of vines along the floor. They outran Roserade and grew rapidly in front of her, blocking the exit. Roserade slid on the floor and looked back to see Trevenant standing up. His wound was covered with leaves.

"Come back here, you bitch!" he yelled as he slashed his claws at Roserade. She rolled out of the way but was hit in the gut with a vine of bark. She slammed into the oven, shattering it. Trevenant's next move was swift, sending a sharp vine to finish this quickly. Roserade ducked and rolled out of the way before looking around for an escape. All the doors were blocked off, but there was one option left, a desperate one. Taking a deep breath, Roserade sprinted. Seeing her escape attempt, Trevenant slashed at her with razor leaves but it was too late.

Roserade jumped through the remains of the broken window into the storming rain. She landed hard on the concrete, scraping her palms from the impact. This didn't matter to her. Trevenant would soon be on top of her if she didn't move. She quickly got back onto her feet, running full sprint into the night.

Trevenant was just barely in time to see her bolt into the darkness.

"Dammit," he muttered coldly. He had planned this out for a few days and it had all gone to shit. Now she was on her way to the cops. He had to give chase as soon as he could and take her out. Probably make it look like she went to go get help and was crushed by a falling tree. How she died didn't matter, all that mattered was burning those damn papers.

The road towards civilization was long and barren. Roserade cursed herself for being in a house so far from town. Looking back, it appeared that she lost him, but she didn't trust him to give up. Whoever he was, he wanted her blood. She then patted her little leaf purse, thankful that it was strong enough to protect her research from the rain.

Wait, what if he was after these papers? From what she could see, he didn't steal anything and she hadn't made any enemies to her knowledge. Even if he was a burglar, why would he go out of his way to set up such an elaborate trap for her? What motive could it be aside from destroying the permit?

At that moment, she remembered the group and how they were going to search for some 'Donquixote.' She had heard that name before. Lopunny had mentioned it before she left! Was…Was this one of Donquixote's men? And Trevenant was after the papers. Did that mean that Hani 'Vida' Sabato had some connection to Donquixote? How many more people were involved with this?

A bullet piercing through her shoulder silenced her thoughts. She tumbled to the asphalt and grasped at her shoulder in pain. Glancing up, she could see a bright green light rocketing away from her. Her eyes went wide, Bullet Seed. Bullet Seed didn't leave any forensic evidence. Roserade tried to stand up but Trevenant stamped on her legs.

"Nowhere to run. Say your prayers," Trevenant seethed as he aimed. Roserade looked back, momentarily frozen in fear, before making her next move.

Roots then latched onto Trevenants legs, pinning him to the spot. Standing up, Roserade stabbed the weapon deep into several of Trevenant's legs. He screamed in pain and swiped at his victim, who deftly dodged his attack and stabbed another leg before standing up. Roserade then threw mud into the sentient tree's eyes to ensure her safety and sprinted as far as she could. Trevenant tried desperately to pull himself forward as the roots released him, but the damage was too great. He fell into the grimy and wet road as Roserade made her getaway. In fury, he screamed out,

"YOU CAN'T HIDE! WE HAVE EYES EVERYWHERE!"

As Roserade ran through the night, her paranoia skyrocketed. What Trevenant said shook her to the core. Even now, she was looking back behind her. Somehow, he would get back up and catch up to her and he wouldn't make the same mistake thrice. Then there was the worry about when she arrived in town. How many people were involved with this? Would the doctors be trying to kill her? Would the police gun her down as soon as she turned her back?

She had run long enough for the sky to brighten. The rain had almost stopped. It was just bright enough for Roserade to realize where she was. This wasn't the way to town.

"Dammit," She thought, "I ran the wrong way." The pain finally set in. Her back was screaming in pain from the night before, as were her forearms, which were scraped from when she fell. Though nothing could describe the agony in her shoulder. Burning like a blazing needle that never ends, continuously stabbing into her, spreading from the wound to her entire shoulder. Adrenaline, the only saving grace for her, was evaporating quickly.

Exhausted and in a lot of pain, Roserade limped forward. She hadn't the faintest idea where she was and had forgotten her WristOn at home. There was no way for her to figure out if she was anywhere near civilization. Her lungs screamed at her to stop, but she didn't.

A police siren then screeched out. Roserade welled up with joy. Someone was here. She'd be saved. Limping over, she yelled out for the police. The car pulled over and two officers stepped out of the car.

"Oh, thank Arceus," Roserade whimpered, "There's a Trevenant chasing after-"

"HANDS IN THE AIR!" the police screamed. Confused, Roserade raised her hands and protested,

"Wha-What? I-I've been shot!" The police then demanded,

"Give us those documents! Now!" At that point, Roserade nearly gave into despair. Even the police officers were on Vida's side. It was doomed from the start. She never stood a chance. No matter where she went, no matter how long she fought, she could never escape.

Fire then exploded in front of Roserade. She could only listen to the sounds of someone fiercely fighting. One of the cops was thrown across the street, smoking billowing from around him. Roserade's thoughts immediately went to Infernape, but he was in looking for Donquixote. So whoever this was, they were a good samaritan.

The smoke drifted away, revealing a white, red, and yellow bird-like pokemon. Feathers stretched down from her head like hair. Her hands were clawed with the talons of an eagle. The pokemon then jumped into the air and flipped, spinning around to face Roserade. Standing up, the Blaziken smiled,

"No need to worry, I am here." Roserade's eyes went wide in recognition.

Sierra Hellstorm. Known to Nihonera as Blaziken, she was transferred from UR to where she was as part of a training program. She became world-renowned after the raid and arrest of terrorist leader Absol, alongside Sceptile and Swampert. What she was doing in the middle of nowhere was an anomaly to Roserade, but considering her current state and what was about to happen to her, she didn't think to question it. Help had arrived and that was all that mattered.

Blaziken picked up Roserade,

"What happened? You look like you just came back from a warzone." Roserade then told Blaziken everything about Trevenant. When she got to the subject of her research, Blaziken leaned to Roserade's right and pointed,

"That's what you're talking about?" she said. Panicking, Roserade turned around but was relieved to see that the papers were still within their leafy sleeve. Out of kindness, Blaziken picked up the sleeve and let Roserade continue her story.

"I was looking into this person called Vida and-" In a complete change in attitude, Blaziken then grabbed Roserade by the neck and slammed her against a tree,

"Do you have any idea who that is?!" she snapped. Roserade answered quickly,

"S-Someone was framed by her! Someone I know!" After a few tense moments, Blaziken let go of Roserade,

"Arceus, man. I thought you were one of them"

"I was being hunted by one of them," Roserade cheekily responded.

Blaziken carried Roserade all the way to a hospital. Turns out, Roserade had ran for half a marathon, 21 kilometers through a few hours. She couldn't run much more so Blaziken carried her to the town of Dariquin. She had to undergo conscious surgery to fix the bullet wound and stay for a few weeks. Naturally, with Trevenant after her, Roserade was terrified of the idea of being trapped in one location long enough for him to find her, but Blaziken had that covered. Recruiting several trusted Senshi from the nearby HQ, she set up Roserade to be under 24-hour watch with at least two Senshi in the room at all times. No one would hurt her during her recovery.

Her hospitalization now gave Roserade some time to think. She really had plunged herself into another world of danger. Whoever had ordered Trevenant after her, whether it was Vida or this 'Donquixote' person, they wanted her dead. Blaziken arrived in the room, alongside a Toxicroak. Toxicroak lit a cigarette and opened a window. Curious, Roserade asked,

"Who are you?"

"Just call me Rook. I'm working for a top-secret task force to infiltrate and destroy the Phantom Corp." After being informed about the Phantom Corp, a chill ran down Roserade's spine. This was becoming so much more terrifying than she could've possibly imagined. Toxicroak then took a look at Roserade's research and a subtle grin appeared on his face.

"I'm impressed, Rosy. You found all this out all by yourself. What made you do all this work?" said Toxicroak.

"A friend of mine was framed by Vida's friend."

"Vida's friend?"

"Mawile. She was the wife of Stalagmiton's mayor," explained Roserade. She then quickly stated, "He didn't know anything!" Toxicroak hmm'd to himself. He remarked,

"Guess the rumors were true after all. Damn, I owe Drapion twenty." With a slight chuckle, Roserade continued,

"Do you know anything about her involvement with the Phantom Corp?

"No. It must've been some sort of deal. I'll contact Queen, see if I can get some intel on that."

"Who's Queen?"

"I am legally obligated to withhold that information."

Within Donquixote's forest mansion, Audino was currently in her room. Her room was completely featureless aside from the soundproofed walls, no posters, and no additional details. Just a desk, a bed, and a bookcase. However, there was more than meets the eyes. Audino wasn't stupid, she knew doing her job within Donquixote's home was extraordinarily dangerous so she took some precautions. She had snuck in a custom router so as to not use Don's WiFi. On top of that, she used VPN software to hide her IP address. A micro security camera was installed into her front door and rigged to an alarm on her phone letting her know if anyone was coming. Even her computer was a special one-of-a-kind model that was untraceable.

Audino's burner phone blinked to life with a message from 'father.' Codename for Toxicroak. Their story was that Audino was the daughter of Akihabara Kitaki, the owner of a country club in Sinnoh. The Nihoneran Government went as far as repossessing and renovating an abandoned country club and granting Toxicroak ownership just to ensure that no one asked questions. Audino herself was pretending to work for an advertising agency to hide the truth from 'father.'

She looked on her phone and saw the message,

"Hey sweetie! How's the ad going? Can't wait to see it on the TV!? ﾟ:0

"Dad, I'm busy right now. This had better be important."

":(" Responded Toxicroak, going full dad with the responses. Audino sighed in moderate frustration.

"The boss needs this editing to be done in six hours. What is it?"

"I met a florist today that I think you'll just love. She knows a thing or two about advertising?" Now intrigued, Audino typed out,

"Oh, did she attend a marketing class?"

"Nope! She's self-taught. Not to mention that she's a very fast learner. You'd like her."

Audino was properly surprised now. Someone had learned about the Phantom Corp on their own? She needed to learn who this was and get what she learned immediately, but not now. She had to wait for the right chance, lest she blow her cover and risk Donquixote's wraith.