DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokémon or any of the characters and locations associated with the franchise. But I own the story "Of Smiles" and all references to dialogue not originating from Nintendo and Game Freak.
Author's Notes: I just wanted an excuse to write a post-reunion story about the Subway Bosses. It's also a tribute to World Smile Day, which happens on October 7.
Timeline: After the events of Pokémon Legends: Arceus
The subway car rocked gently on its axles. From its position in the Anville train yard, it remained still on the tracks, shifting only from the weight of its current occupants.
Today was a maintenance day for this particular car, undergoing stress and stability inspections before it rejoins the Battle Subway. Unlike the regular commuter cars, the battle cars were specially engineered to withstand attacks, and so the routine checks also included subjecting them to battle.
And for the Subway Bosses, it's an opportunity to train their teams in the enclosed space outside of the Battle Subway.
Ingo was seated on one side of the carriage, Chandelure drifting above him, watching his brother healing his team on the other. The brief but intense battle had ended in a draw, but the excitement had yet to fade, if the grin on Emmet's face and the excitement in the postures of their Pokémon were anything to go by. His own nerves were still buzzing from the battle.
"Maintenance checks complete!" The white-garbed conductor flopped onto the seat beside Ingo. "This carriage should be ready for battle within a week. Just in time for the grand reopening next month!"
"Bravo!" A moment passed before Ingo fully registered his words. "Wait, grand reopening?"
The black-clothed Subway Boss could have sworn they had just planned to have him quietly reappear on the Singles Line as his official return. But a full reopening…? In his confusion, he missed Emmet moving to stand. Suddenly, there were hands on his shoulders.
"You're back! And Nimbasa—no, Unova—will want to welcome you back! Officially! You were greatly missed!"
"Emmet…"
The gleam in the younger twin's eyes softened. "But not even the entire region missed you more than I did. Not even close." A pause. "Well, maybe our parents… But still!"
A small, genuine smile slowly spread on Ingo's face, replacing his perpetual frown. "It's very comforting to be reminded how much I was loved and wanted while I was gone…"
Emmet's own smile widened in return. "I'm still not used to that," he said, gazing at the upturned curve Ingo's lips had formed. "But if there's anything I'm glad you brought back besides yourself, it's this."
He stared at his brother's face a short while longer before he brought his arms over Ingo's shoulders and pulled him into an embrace. Ingo raised his own to return the hug just as tightly, to reassure him he wouldn't leave again, if he could help it.
But the moment was brought to an immediate halt once Emmet felt his side being prodded by something sharp and hard, forcing him to pull away. He glared down at the offending object.
Ingo took this opportunity to climb to his feet. "It seems our newest passenger requires your attention." Where only his voice conveyed his emotions in the past, his lips now also betrayed his amusement.
Emmet merely chuckled in response, shooting him a mischievous grin before immediately pouncing on the small blue levitating object that had poked him.
"Got your nose!"
A stony growl filled the interior of the subway carriage, and the elder Subway Boss watched as the younger Boss stubbornly held onto the Mini-Nose. Ingo couldn't help but join Emmet in loud laughter as Emmet was slowly dragged towards the Probopass waiting patiently at the other end of the cab.
And the whole while, the smile didn't leave his face.
Author's Notes:
• This takes place after Ingo returns from Hisui. His memories have recovered by this point.
• The conditions of his return required him to leave his Hisuian team behind because they belonged to that time period. The farewell between him, his Pokémon, and the Noble he served was an emotional one.
• Probopass and Magnezone were the only Pokémon from Ingo's team who managed to survive into modern-day Sinnoh. When Ingo reappeared in the present, their loyalty to him also withstood the years apart and they chose to follow him to Unova.
• They accepted Emmet immediately. Seeing Ingo's happiness with his brother during their reunion was more than enough to deem the younger twin trustworthy. When the Subway Bosses rotate teams, they have no problem taking orders from Emmet. Speaking of…
• It doesn't take long for them to befriend the brothers' Unovan teams, either. But their teamwork in Double and Multi Battles needs improvement, which is why Probopass is training in this story.
