Was the world mad or was she? It was quite the question. One with vast implications. It would be easy to determine that Being X, her stint in the Imperial Army, and her current situation were all the delusions of the mind. Perhaps she'd somehow survived the train and was currently in a coma.

Being an easy answer did not equate to being the right answer. A review of her mental faculties told her nothing was amiss and so she would continue to operate on the assumption that this was reality.

And thus, the world was mad.

She was being melodramatic, it was uncharacteristic but she was feeling rather frustrated.

'Again'

Why was she even doing this?

'Mama'

The Pokemon insisted and she sighed, pulling back the seat before pushing it forward. Ralts swung forward and then back on the swing set. After stopping at a public restroom to change, she'd found a playground to sort through the rest of her new belongings. Aside from the simple swing set, there was a jungle gym and a seesaw. The paint had faded from sun exposure and begun to flake at parts.

Still, it was clean and vacant. Less could be said from the makeshift arena across the street. There was a small crowd and she could hear the sounds of battle. She'd taken a peek but she had bigger things to focus on.

Mainly, what was she going to do about Team Flare? No, what was she going to do about Lysandre?

Born to a wealthy family and descended from royalty, the man had one hell of a silver soon. Unlike others in his position, he did not coast on his family's success and used the resources available to him to create Lysandre Labs. The company had been fairly quiet until unleashing its flagship product, the Holo Caster. A marvel of technology, it far outstripped anything their competitors offered and quickly swept the region.

The thought unsettled her.

There was no way a megalomaniac like that would not install a backdoor on every device shipped. She was immensely grateful for the relic the clerk had tossed her, the store must have been flooded with old models from people upgrading.

The man must have had terabytes of blackmail to call upon whenever he felt the need to push something in a certain direction. Not that he would need it with the ludicrous amount of wealth and connections he'd accrued.

Considering the combination of those factors, maybe the world wasn't insane. Most would be cowed by his power and influence. And those few who weren't? A simple message on or to someone with a Holo Caster and suddenly they were on a list to be dealt with. Whether that was to be discredited, coerced, or permanently silenced she didn't know.

That was the only way she could justify society turning a collective blind eye to this.

'Again'

She idly gave Ralts another push and pressed on the video she had been watching. It was an interview with a reporter, they looked to be in front of some new store opening. She skipped to the important part.

"I consider myself one of the chosen ones responsible for preserving the beauty of this world. I can't stand the thought of the world becoming uglier." His face on the screen twisted and she watched the pair of scissors he held tremble. "I would end it in an instant if its beauty began to fade."

She scrolled to the comment section.

Wow, what a visionary!

Does anyone know when they'll get more stock? The website says sold out.

The League could use someone like him in charge!

Bring back the Monarchy!

I'd choose him if you know what I-

She stopped reading to preserve her fraying sanity. That wasn't even the most extremist quote she'd found. It barely cracked the top ten.

'More'

Tanya obliged, putting a bit more force into it. Those idiots online probably mirrored the public sentiment for the man. Her gut instinct was to blast what she knew everywhere and to everyone. It wasn't like they could simply move their secret headquarters, it was a massive facility.

For a moment, she put herself in Team Flare's shoes. They were looking for their lost test subject. She'd slipped through their initial net which meant she could be hiding anywhere in the region.

Monitoring Pokemon Centers and setting an alert for anyone matching her description was the obvious choice. The cult may have a large reach but they couldn't physically be everywhere at once. They had to rely on their information network and collaborators.

Pokemon Centers were out, even if she hadn't read about the numerous donations Lysandre Labs provided to them she'd not forgotten that was where she had been outed the last time. The same went with local and federal law enforcement, those uncorrupted would still have to report to their superiors and the further along you went, the more likely Team Flare would be made aware.

Time was a double-edged sword. On the one hand, new issues and priorities may crop up that supersede the search for her. On the other hand, they may be able to refine their search process to make discovering her easier.

It came down to how important they thought her to be. She was sure Xerosic would lobby for her retrieval, but the others? Tanya was just a naive little girl with dangerous information. And with their ability to shape the narrative, how much of a threat did she really pose? After she proved difficult to track down they might only put in a token effort.

Was it wishful thinking? Yes. Was it a believable series of events? Also Yes.

There could be no guarantees but it did make her breath a little easier.

Of course, she wasn't a little girl. She was a battle-hardened veteran. Hiding wasn't her objective, it was a means to an end.

The end of Team Flare and the beginning of her peaceful life.

She needed hard evidence, something more than coordinates to a secret base. It had to be easily verified and distributed. A video would be ideal but enough files could also work. It would all depend on what she found. Once she collected everything she'd have to get it in enough hands to make the prospect of silencing it impossible.

Until then she had to be careful with her moves, nothing too overt. They couldn't know she was gunning for them until her rifle was loaded and the safety off.

This would be more akin to a campaign than a battle.

Now which string to begin pulling on first? She'd not be going back to Geosenge Town but Lumiose City? That was a strong possibility. There would be more eyes but she'd also be lost in a sea of people. However, it would also involve traveling through Route 13, known as the Lumiose Badlands. While a name alone would not deter her, it would be prudent to first see what she could dig up here before moving on.

Lysandre Labs distributed its products directly through its online portal. That did not cater to everyone's needs so they also sold in bulk to third parties who operated traditional brick and mortar stores. Those supply lines might be transporting more than consumer electronics.

'Again'

She gave Ralts a large shove to keep her busy and typed in her phone. Coumarine City had one such store, she'd pay them a visit. The odds of her finding something were slim but it was worth a cursory check.

The swing stopped unnaturally and Ralts hopped off, her tiny feet carrying her away faster than one might expect.

"Hold it," She called after the Pokemon while strapping her gear on. "Ralts!" She caught up and placed a hand on her head, stopping her. "Don't randomly cross the street. And remember to look both ways before crossing."

She'd heard stories of toddlers wandering onto the road but experiencing it was something else. Tanya felt the Pokemon shift its head before taking a step out. Ralts didn't make it far as Tanya scooped the Pokemon up. If there was one advantage of having tiny Pokemon it was being able to manhandle them.

'Mama' Ralts pointed at the field she'd been trying to get through. 'Fight'

Did Ralts want to see the battles? From the glance she'd given them they were nothing worth of note. However, they were already here and it wasn't a large inconvenience. Carrying the Pokemon she crossed the street.

The field was made of packed dirt with some spray-painted boundaries. Small tufts of earth looked to be upended but overall it was in good condition. The occupants gave her pause, it looked more like a mugging than a Pokemon battle with half a dozen children angrily facing a single trainer.

There was an age difference, with the trainer being a teenager while the others may have been at most ten. A Furfrou stood next to the teen, it had an expensive look scarf tied around its neck. The coat was dyed green and styled into a top hat? Was that supposed to be in style? Francois culture was strange.

The children held PokeBalls and it became clear that, although outnumbered, the teen held the upper hander.

"That all you brats got? Man here I was hoping for an actual challenge, this city is so boring."

The teen obnoxiously complained and his former opponents loudly yelled back.

"Looks like we're too late," she spoke to Ralts. "We'll head into the city proper then, I'm sure we'll stumble on another."

If her luck was exceptional there would be a battle area within line of sight of the store, it would make a good location to do recon from.

"Hey you," the teen jeered at her. "I don't remember fighting a Ralts, what do you say about giving Furfrou a try?"

"Who are you?" One of the kids, a young boy asked. "Another tourist? Mind your own business."

"Don't be a jerk." A girl matching her height rebuked the boy before turning to her. "It's a public court, if you want to fight go ahead but I called my older brother. He'll show that guy who's boss.

"That guy is still here and bored out of his mind." The teen kicked a pebble. "Come on, entertain me why don't you? I'll make it worth your while." The man grinned and pulled out a wad of bills, tossing it up and down. "Two thousand if you win. What do you say? Zero downside for you."

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That was awfully tempting, even if there was a downside. Medical supplies were limited and procuring more would eat into her budget.

"It's a trap." Another girl grumbled. "He's picking on us because we haven't gone on our journeys yet. If he wanted an actual fight he'd go to the gym."

"Is whining all you can do?" The teen scoffed, shoving the bills into his pocket. "Sore losers."

Tanya ignored the renewed bickering. She wasn't overly familiar with the species but the Furfrou looked to be breathing heavily. If it had fought multiple times in a row it would be severely weakened. Even at full strength, well she found it difficult to believe Mawile was not able to turn it into meat paste.

'Fight' Ralts wriggled out of her grip and plopped to the ground.

No.

"Ralts," she addressed the ambitious Pokemon. "You're too young to be battling. Let one of the others handle this."

"Ha," the teen barked. "At least one of you has spirit."

Spirit was not the issue. Tanya hadn't spent a lot of time with the Pokemon, they hadn't yet gone over what moves she knew. Without knowing her capabilities, she couldn't give proper orders.

Ralts held the doll at arm's length, staring into two slits on its side. Should she patch it up? The sewing kit she purchased would make quick work of it.

'Mimi' The Pokemon nodded once and held the doll out to her. 'Protect'

So she was supposed to protect the doll? She shook her head.

"Ralts, this isn't a game. You can get hurt, don't make me return you."

The Pokemon's head tilted and her hair moved to the side, revealing pinkish-red eyes. Tanya froze at the sight.

Ralts blinked and the grip on her knife slackened. Wait, when did she even reach for it?

That…what the hell was that? Ralts hadn't touched her mind but for an instant, she thought herself facing Gardevoir again.

"Okay." She assented slightly apprehensively. "But I can't direct you."

"Al, Ra"

Ralts patted her hand and a feeling of understanding came over her. The patting continued and soon she found out the Pokemon was reaching for something.

Huh, well she supposed that made sense.

They both walked forward and the group parted, giving them space.

"Wait." The teen pointed a finger at Ralts. "Why does she have a knife?"

Ralts stood in front of what was marked as the challenger's box, practicing slashes with her survival knife.

"Is there a problem?" Tanya asked in a confused manner.

"Are you…you can't just give your Pokemon a knife," the teen said, displaying his flustered state. "That's not allowed."

"Oh yeah?" The boy who'd called her a tourist replied. "What about the Silk Scarf you gave yours!"

Tanya inspected the scarf again. It did give off a peculiar feeling.

"No, he's right," the girl whose sibling had yet to arrive spoke. "Silk Scarves are League-approved battle items. Knives aren't on the list. You'd remember that if you didn't sleep through class."

Knives weren't allowed but Gurdurr could carry around steel beams. How was that in any way fair?

"I didn't sleep through anything!" The boy exclaimed defensively. "Besides, I passed the trainer's exam didn't I?"

"Barely," the girl said with her arms crossed. "And only because I forced you to study."

"Whose side are you on?"

"The side that doesn't have a Ralts maiming anything"

"Maim, what?"

"Arceus! Read a dictionary, you dummy!"

The knife plunged into the earth in front of Tanya. She eyed the Pokemon who had begun a starring contest with the poodle. Well, she wouldn't limit her team when facing real threats but for playground brawls allowances could be made.

"No knives." Tanya holstered the weapon. "Can we start then?"

Whispers from the sidelines reached her ears.

"Why does she even have that?"

"Who knows?"

"Are we supposed to have them for journeys? No one told me."

"I got it." The girl uncrossed her arms and searched the ground before standing in the referee's position. "Standard League rules! When the rock hits the ground battle is on! Trainers ready!"

League rules? Ralts looked back at her and Tanya shrugged. It wasn't one of the subjects covered in Team Flare's cram school.

She nodded to the girl anyway, who after receiving the teen's nod, wound her arm back.

The rock did not travel far before striking the earth.

"Okay Furfrou! Open up with Sand Attack!" The dog did a twirl and its tail swept the ground, flinging sand in Ralts' direction.

The sand buffeted the small Pokemon who didn't seem to mind.

Ralts held both palms out and purple balls, spun around her before shooting out. Confuse Ray then, useful. She wasn't aware the line could learn it.

"Furfrou dodge!" Did it have to be told to do that? Then again, she'd had to do the same for Carbink so maybe she shouldn't be throwing stones. "Get in close and use Headbutt!"

With its head down, the Pokemon surged forward.

She bit her tongue, Ralts would have to deal with this herself.

The Psychic Pokemon let out a cry and she was prepared to recall her when pink notes surrounded by hearts manifested in front of her mouth. The charging Pokemon ran into them, it staggered for a half-second but its momentum carried it onward.

Ralts attempted to sidestep but was only partially successful and Furfou's head brushed against the Pokemon's side before continuing past. The brief contact was enough to knock the Pokemon on her butt.

"Turn around! Use Bite and don't let go."

Ralts didn't waste time getting up and raised her hands again. A blue light coated Furfou, pausing it in its step. The green-haired Pokemon slowly got to her feet and backed up, creating distance.

"Shake it off! Don't let her get away!"

Tanya could see Ralts strain under Furfou's struggle and before long the light faded. The Pokemon's head snapped in Ralts' direction and let out a low growl.

"Bite! Remember Bite!"

It shook itself and charged Ralts with its fangs bared. Tanya's hand reached for the PokeBall as Furfou bore down. Ralts' eyes met hers and a faint smile appeared on the Pokemon's face.

Ralts hiccuped and disappeared from Furfou's reach.

Teleport? It knew Teleport this entire time???

Tanya couldn't help but let out a chuckle. In terms of personal utility, the move would be invaluable. She was having a sit down with Ralts after this. She needed to know how proficient she was with the move.

Her eyes spotted Ralts form, rather than taking a large distance, she'd only moved a few meters to the left flank of the poodle.

Ralts inhaled and her small chest ballooned.

"To your left! Bite again!"

Furfou headed its trainer's call and swiftly closed in. Ralts' mouth opened and a brilliant torrent of flames whipped out.

There was a flash as the attack made contact and Furfou was engulfed in an inferno. It stopped dead in its tracks, shaking itself in vain as the fire clung stubbornly to it. Cries filled the area.

"Shit." The trainer's panic delayed his response. "Roll, Roll, Kill the flam-"

He seemed to finally grasp the futility of it and recalled the howling Pokemon.

Ralts did not learn Flamethrower. At least she was pretty sure it didn't. What was more, the after-effects did not look like the move she was familiar with. Flamethrower could leave a burn but the flames themselves were usually promptly snuffed out, these grew exponentially when they reached the target and then stuck around. It was almost as if it had hit an accelerant of some kind…

'Mama' Ralts had waddled over and pointed at herself with a thumb. 'Win'

She had, despite Tanya's reservations.

"Good job." She crouched and gently brushed some of the sand off of the Pokemon. "You did well."

Ralts clambered up her side, hugging her like a koala. Tanya moved to support her, making sure she didn't fall. Her lips twitched, she must have looked ridiculous with a doll in one hand and a Pokemon in the other. She'd have to put up with it for now. Surely the Pokemon would grow out of the behavior.

"Hey." The teen approached her with hesitant steps. His tone was muted compared to earlier. "You win, I gotta head to the Pokemon Center but good match." He tossed the wad and she was wondering how to catch it when Ralts' power enveloped it, carrying it to her.

That she still had strength to spare bode well for the future.

"Give me your number," He demanded. "I want a rematch."

That certainly wasn't happening.

"Buzz off." The girl acting as the referee saved her from forming a hasty excuse. "Go back to your side of the city already."

"Yea!"

"Leave!"

"Loser!"

The children piled on in a chorus. The teen's face contorted and he gave up his attempt, turning to leave.

Ralts flipped through the bills and Tanya counted the amount. There was more than agreed upon.

"Excuse me," She raised her voice over the children's babble. "There's extra here."

She tried to shift her burdens to hand over the surplus.

The teen looked over his shoulder and waved off her concern.

"Keep it, I'm not a miser."

Clearly, he'd never made an honest living. She wasn't going to say no to a bonus but it did prompt her to share her suspicions.

"Next time you decide to go to a groomer, make sure they don't use flammable products!"

She heard a swear and the teen ran off while clutching the Pokeball.

Either to heal his Pokemon or sue a beauty salon she didn't know. Her eyes drifted down to her newfound wealth.

In mere minutes she'd made what she felt was a sizeable sum. The danger itself had been minimal.

An absurd thought crossed her mind.

Being a trainer could be a viable career.

She banished it and another came in its place

Was the stupidity of this world contagious?