Chapter 2: Touko

The Pink Line is short.

Too short.

It's a half hour exactly from one end to the other, from Castelia's outer reaches back to Gear Station. I've always wondered why Nimbasa is the center for the subway. You would consider that Castelia would have been a better fit, but the terrain between Castelia and Nimbasa has been unbearable until now. Or at least that's what they say. I hardly ever go above ground for anything, and when I do, it's only in Nimbasa. That's because I know where to go, how to evade the police like a sneaky Audino (or at least that's what all the challenging Trainers say).

"This is Castelia City - Liberty Pier. The next stop is Castelia City - Pokemon Center. The doors are closing. The doors are closing. Bing bing bing." And the doors close again.

I've been awake for some time, transferring from the Sky Blue line to the Pink line upon arriving at Gear for the third time this morning. With both Tepig and Typhlosion under my belt, I'm not so bad at double battles, although to be honest Typhlosion does most of the work. I'm usually unbeatable by the unexperienced Trainers on the Red Line, even with just Tepig, but the Pink Line poses more of a challenge (for better or worse).

I just got done defeating a punk-nosed youngster who thought he could stand a chance with his Pidove. Sigh. Why do they even let Trainers like that onto the Pink line? They think that just because they lucked out with a Subway boss once that they can stomp all over the Super Express lines like they're nothing.

I'm hungry. I need a pop. Maybe a deli sandwich, if I'm lucky. If I wait until Central Plaza, I can stop by and grab a quick roll and a can of Sharra. I've only got one more stop to go, which means one more round of Trainers.

Bring it.

The first Trainer is a schoolgirl who goes down pretty quickly; the second is a hiker who actually stands a chance until he doesn't use a Hyper Potion in the right spot. I stretch my legs and retie one of my pink bootlaces, tightening my greasy ponytail. My purse is secure against my side, and Tepig is hanging out on one of the bucket seats, waiting for its turn to play with Typhlosion again.

"You having fun?" I ask it.

Tepig smiles at me, his snout wiggling in anticipation. Even though he likes to battle, Tepig's never wanted to evolve. Back when I was younger and I was just starting out on the lines, I would ask him anytime he approached evolution, and the topic alone made him run into a corner and scrunch his face up. I actually think it works in my favor: unsuspecting opponents don't see such a cute little pig as having so much power.

They totally miss the pouch I've tied around his neck that holds the Charcoal I found.

The car door opens again, and another arrogant challenger steps out. "Watch out, stranger! You may think you're hot, but Bartholomew Perle, son of the great Palmer Perle, has just arrived on the scene!"

Great, I think to myself. Though I'm almost willing to give this guy a bit of leeway, because he's clearly not from Castelia guessing from the clothing. People from Castelia wear all sorts of different fashions, but you don't wear a scarf in the middle of summer and get away with it. Especially a heavy scarf like he's wearing. He also has on black jeans, a orange and white striped top, and a smirk on his face like he knows he's gonna beat me.

I don't care whose son he thinks he is. He's going down.

I hear a "There he goes again" from behind the challenger, and I see another boy about the same age, dressed kind of similar. Instead of blonde hair and brown eyes, this dude has dark grey hair and blue eyes, with a hat on his head that further confirms he's not from Unova, as I can't tell the style. In addition, he is wearing baggier blue cargo pants and a black vest over a white t-shirt. Oh, and another scarf.

I stand my ground as the train rumbles on toward its next destination. Most other players have to hold onto a handrail when they battle, but not me. I've got this. I've been on this train enough times that I could stand still in my sleep and still not fall over.

"You think you're so cocky?" I ask, a smirk on my own face.

Now the trainer - what was his name? Something Perle? - he points at me. Ahh, flamboyance. "You think you're so special because you're a lady, because you think you can wear your short shorts and prance about and pretend like you're soooooo important."

He did not just go there.

He did NOT just go there.

Oh, it. is. on.

I glance at Tepig, and he jumps down from the plastic bucket seat and prances over to my feet. He sits with a smile as I let the challenger continue to laugh and make fun of me. "Whahahaha?! Who is this? A Tepig? In a Super battle? And I hate to let you know, lady, but you're supposed to let two Pokemon out in a double battle, not just one."

He's about to eat those words.

"My name is not lady." And I reach for the Pokeball in my purse. "It's Touko - miss Touko, if you're nasty."

Typhlosion comes out with a vibrant flash, already standing on both hind paws. He towers over Tepig with his bright fur and focused brown eyes, nearly filling all of the car space ahead of me.

I smile, even though this Perle kid can't see me through Typhlosion's fur.

"Woah..." I do hear that come from him, but thankfully, he uses that second of wonder at my Typhlosion to recover. "Well, you're not the only one fighting with foreign Pokemon! And two fire Pokemon can't win against my team! Go, Prinplup and Ambipom!"

He throws out their Pokeballs, and with a vibrant display of stars and musical notes that almost makes me sick, his two Pokemon appear. Seriously? How did he make his Pokeballs do that? It must be some trick to phase his opponents before he attacks. I try my best not to roll my eyes and fail.

"Ambipom, Fury Swipes! Prinplup, hit both of them with Surf!" the challenger shouts out. The other guy has mostly stayed silent now; I was kind of wishing he would be part of this battle, but such are the nature of Double battles.

I grin again. "Rollout, Typhlosion. Tepig, use Roar."

Tepig is able to cry out before Prinplup can conjure up enough water to cause a decent wave. The good thing about Roar is that I've taught Tepig well: it lowers its eyes and lets out a low, guttural growl that sounds way more like an Emboar than a Tepig. The cry does its job, and Prinplup runs back to its trainer, causing another Pokemon to be released out of a Pokeball.

Typhlosion is hit by two Fury Swipes before he's given a good chance to roll forward, hitting Ambipom right smack dab in the chest and flinging him to the other side of the train car. I pump my fist just as the Perle kid groans at what Pokemon was brought out. "No, no, not Wormadam!"

I just laugh. "Flamethrower."

It only takes one hit, considering the Charcoal and the vast difference in levels, to knock Wormadam out. "Agility!" Perle yells out, but it's too late; Typhlosion has rebounded and, still spinning, knocks right into Ambipom again and knocks him out. It's over.

Bing bong. "This is Castelia City - Pokemon Center."

I steady myself as the train pulls into the station. This one was recently remodeled; you can take the stairs straight up to the lower level of the Pokemon Center itself, or you can enter onto Oceanfront Road. Typhlosion, fresh from its run in imitating a clothes washer, runs behind me as Tepig sits back down on the bucket seats.

"Return," the blonde haired kid - I'm still sure I'm getting his name wrong - and both Ambipom and Wormadam disappear back into their Pokeballs. He sticks out his tongue as the doors open, then steps out with a "You'll regret this!" His friend with the hat just shrugs and follows after him.

"This is Castelia City - Pokemon Center. The next stop is Castelia City - Castelia Street. The doors are closing. The doors are closing. Bing bing bing." And the doors close again, and I hope I never have to see that kid again. How annoying. I sit near Tepig on the bucket seat and steam. And how dare he comment on my outfit, either? It's not like I particularly chose to wear it. Oh, well. One more stop and then -

"Barry? Lucas? Are either of you in here?"

The door opens just as the train starts up again, and somebody new steps through. I turn to see who it is, and I swear the train grinds to a halt.

Oh, my Arceus.

I don't even know who this kid is, or why he has my attention. But he does the moment his brown eyes meet mine. He looks more like a Unova trainer, from the red visor holding up his spiky brown hair to the short-sleeved blue pullover that looks like it came from Leavanny and Sons, to the grey shorts with wide pockets, Trainer leggings, and red and black sneakers. He has a messenger bag over his shoulders as well.

I have barely enough time to register that everything on this person looks brand new, like it was just bought.

Then, he stammers. "Oh - hi there." He comes all the way into the train car, and the door between cars slams shut behind him. He fidgets for a moment, eyes now off me, then looks down at his sneakered feet. "Excuse me. Have you seen two other people go through here?"

I pause for a moment until I realize: he means those two freaks with the scarves? "Oh, the guys with the scarves?"

His brown eyes light up in excitement. "Yeah, those two! Did they go on to the next car already? Sorry, I got held up by something."

I look toward the side doors. "They got off at the last stop."

He looks at the doors as well, the smile in his eyes suddenly replaced with worry. "They just - they just got off?"

And for a minute, I realize that maybe this strange boy who has my attention was with those two scarved freaks. "Wait - you were with those two guys?"

His worried look gets worse. "Did they already beat you?"

"Darkrai no. I kicked their asses. They got off at the last stop."

I really hate the look on this kid's face - mostly because it's tugging at me in this weird way, I don't know. Like he actually looks disappointed about something. It's not like I just beat him and he runs off the train, crying like everybody else. And then I realize - this is real worry. The new Trainer clothes, the clueless look in his eyes -

"Dude. Do you even train?"

He jumps in surprise, and I know I've got him found out. I stand up. "Then what are you doing in this car?" I ask. "Don't you know that there's a designated car for non-Trainers?"

He backs into a corner, not seeing the hand rail, and runs right into it, almost tripping and grabbing onto it at the last second. "No, I'm with a Trainer!" he insists. "I - I was! Barry just came through here! I just...I got held up, though."

"Held up? Doing what?"

"...well, the person in the last car said my Vulpix was really pretty, so..."

I can't hold it in anymore - I lose my marbles. I sit back down on the red bucket seat and laugh my ass off. "HAHAHA! You - your Vulpix - hahaha!" Tepig and Typhlosion, both still out of their Pokeballs, start laughing as well.

"It's not funny," the boy says, sitting down at the opposite end of the car just as another announcement plays over the loudspeaker. "Ladies and Gentlemen, upon entering and exiting the car, please do not block the doorway, and do not hold the doors. Thank you for riding the Battle Subway - Unova's Transportation Link!"

It's quiet save for the rumble. Then, "This is my first time on the train."

I glance over and realize I've scared the kid. He's looking at his shoes, leaning forward, gripping the bucket seat. It gives me another chance to look at him. Gosh, when you really think about it, he's so out of place...what's he doing here, anyway? Oh. Right. He was following those two dudes in the scarves and got held up because of his Vulpix.

Then I realize. Shoot. The kid's got a Pokemon with him.

"You know," I say, "they're not gonna let you get off this car unless you battle me."

He looks up again, his brown eyes meeting mine. And for once, I don't feel triumphant when I see that sad look. It usually means I won. But I haven't won anything yet.

He's just a lost kid.

"They're not gonna let me off?" he asks.

I take my eyes off of him for the first time since he entered, looking up at the route map. "If you win, you keep going," I say. "But to be honest, I was going to get off at the next stop anyway. I haven't had anything to eat yet. We have to report a battle, though, or else they'll take us in for questioning, and I'm not in the mood. If you let me, though, I'll beat you easily. Just let me rough up your Vulpix a little."

"But - I don't want you to rough Pia up. I've never battled with her before."

"Pia? That's her name?"

He nods, and his eyes meet mine again. I don't know why I don't mind. I just like that he's here. There's no explaining it.

But I take a deep breath. Come on, Touko. Focus. Battle. Go easy on him, but don't be afraid to show who you are. I tighten my ponytail in my baseball cap and stand up, gripping the handrail - for now. An unnecessary gesture mostly done for his benefit. "Okay. Let's see what Pia can do. You can call her out, can't you?"

He stands up and almost loses his balance as the train hits a particular bumpy section. Then, he grips the handrail on his side of the train car. For now, we are two parallels: I am facing him, riding backwards on the train, and he rides forward to meet me, this connection drawn between our eyes keeping us in perfect stillness despite the rumble beneath our feet. Neither one of us moves, but I feel it, this gravity between us, and I wonder - does he feel this, too?

He hangs on with his left hand and reaches into his pocket with his right, visor hiding his eyes for just a second. I inhale - when did I forget to breathe? Then, he pulls out a Pokeball and throws it. "Okay, Pia," he says in what has to be the most unenthusiastic voice I've ever heard a Trainer use.

I turn toward Tepig. "You're up," I say, and Tepig jumps down from the bucket seat and stands in front of me, perfectly balanced.

He arrives in front of my feet as this Vulpix comes out of her Pokeball - and man, the kid in the other car wasn't kidding. This has to be the most well groomed Pokemon I've ever seen in my entire life! Seriously, I don't even know how they got the fur to shine like that, and the bow isn't frayed either. She stares up at me with glossy eyes and sits so perfect - except that we hit another rough patch, and the same Vulpix is sent tumbling to her left against the doors. It has to be the first time she's gotten dirty in years.

Who does this kid think he is, anyway? Pulling out what is probably a pure-bred Vulpix on a train like this? He's right, though. If this is his only Pokemon, then he shouldn't be fighting. He shouldn't be in this car to begin with!

I sigh. For once, the secret I've rigged in this subway car is going to work against me. "Tepig, use Roar," I say. It's the only attack I know won't totally knock this Vulpix out - although it won't do anything, it'll still give this kid a chance to attack. You know, I won't totally bruise his ego.

...besides, at least he does look like a Trainer, even though one straight out of Aspertia City or wherever in the world they're coming out of these days. I try to search for the right words in my mind and settle on not too bad looking. Though I'm kidding myself.

Tepig gives a more timid roar than usual, and the Vulpix struggles to find its footing in the shaking subway car. It finally leans up against the door as Tepig's Roar ends. My eyes meet the boy's again, and the subway disappears. I stop thinking. Shoot.

"Your turn," I say when I find my voice again. And I finally realize what this is. Attraction. Damn. This boy? Really? Right now?

Oh, well. I tell myself what I always tell myself when this happens: that he's got a girlfriend - or boyfriend. Especially since he comes off as well brought up as he is, what with the nice clothes and pretty looking Vulpix and what not. Totally out of my league, anyway...not that I've had a 'boyfriend.' Far from it.

It'd be nice...maybe someday when I don't live on the Sky Blue Line.

"Okay, Pia," the boy calls out, "um...use Flamethrower! I know you've got that one, because you use it in class."

And I let myself smile. I let my emotions play along, let myself be a bit charmed by his naivete. It's moments like these where I actually feel something that I'm reminded I'm human, that I do still feel something even though I'm forgotten down here underground.

Besides, I know he'll be off this train in a matter of seconds, and so will I, and hopefully I won't see him or his friends ever again - his friends because they suck at battling, but him? If he's smart, he won't get hurt in any more battles, he'll go back to Aspertia or wherever he's from, back to his pretty little life.

And I won't have to feel this way anymore -

The lights go out. The ground disappears from under my feet. From somewhere in the car, I hear Typhlosion roar. My feet scramble, but I don't know which way is up until my back hits what must be the floor, and then I'm staring at the ceiling.

Or, at least, I think I'm staring at the ceiling.

I feel Typhlosion fall on top of me with a grunt, my face meeting his soft fur. I turn my face to the side and realize there's no rumble - the train has completely stopped. I also can't see a thing - power's out.

This has never happened before. Not in five years of living in the Subway.

"Tepig, give me a flame to see by," I yell. Tepig has to be okay somewhere in this car. He just has to be.

And then I see a flame light up over to my left. I don't know if it's Tepig, or if it's that Vulpix the kid had, but some Pokemon listened to my command, and we finally have light in this dark car -

and I realize it's not Typhlosion who's on top of me. And it's not his fur I had my face in. I realize this as I look up into the boy's eyes, feel his body against mine from where he fell, recognize there's next to no space between his nose and mine, that my hat's brim was pushed out of the way by his visor, that I'm laying on the subway car floor but I'm still falling, falling, falling.

And I can't control it.