Akari: Marley (Hisuian Arcanine), Lucian (Hisuian Braviary), Volkner (Luxray)

Nate: Ruffles (Rufflet)


[Akari]

True to what the police man said earlier, it takes hours for Marley to cover the entirety of Route 4. Some of that time is spent on breaks for her to catch her breath, but the majority is just her running over the sand and past any Pokémon or Trainer we come across.

Thankfully we do reach the gate to Nimbasa eventually, but at that point I have to stop Marley in her steps and recall her before walking through the gate proper. Better safe than sorry when going through these checkpoints.

My first impression upon entering Nimbasa is that of a less claustrophobic version of Castelia. It is still an expanse of concrete with buildings taller than anything in Jubilife Village, but at least they are not as tall or as crowded. From what little I remember of Veilstone or the city Jubilife will grow into, it's not so different.

It is still quite a contrast to the Hisuian wilderness my team is used to. I remember how shocked Volkner and Cheryl looked when I showed them Castelia, or how panicked Lucian was when he saw the tall buildings obstructing the sky he loves so much. All reminders of how different the two eras are.

"Enough of that," I tell myself as I shake my head. "First of all, find Gear Station."

I grab Lucian's Poké Ball and unlock it, the Braviary letting out a loud screech of relief as he comes out and flaps his wings to stay a meter or so off the ground. He looks around our new surroundings shortly after and I notice the psychic flames above his eyes flicker.

Not long after, he turns to me. "Brav?"

"Yeah," I sigh and point to the way we came from. "Castelia was larger than most, but big cities like this are very common in this era. We won't find many places like the village."

Lucian lets down a gulp, warely snapping his gaze from one place to another. I decide to reach for his neck and scratch at that spot he likes so much. A smile comes to my face when I see his expression relax.

"Now," I tell him, retracting my hand in the process, "do you remember what Gear Station looks like?"

"Brav."

"Good. Go then, I'll be waiting right here."

"Brav!"

Lucian flies upward soon after while I watch as his form grows tinier and tinier the higher he goes. Once his trajectory shifts to a different direction, I turn my attention to my shaking belt.

"Come on, Volkner," I sigh, "can't you wait until we've found Emmet?"

His Poké Ball shakes some more, to which I let out a groan.

"Alright, fine, come out." At least a Luxray should raise less questions than the rest of my team.

As soon as he's returned to his normal proportions, Volkner moves his front paws forward and stretches his back and limbs, making his tail straighten upward. The Electric-type lets out a pleased groan before sniffing the air, after which he wrinkles his nose.

"I warned you the air wouldn't be that different from Castelia," I tease, his only response a low growl.

Before I can add anything, our attention is picked by a "Brav", and see Lucian flying back to us, much to my surprise.

"You're already back?" I ask. "Is the station nearby?"

"Brav!"

Well, that's an unexpected stroke of luck.

"Good job, Lucian," I tell him. "Lead the way. Volkner and I will-"

"Brav," he interrupts, and before I can ask what it is, his eyes glow. Shortly after, an image flashes in front of me. An image of three people speaking to one another in front of a structure.

One of them has his back turned to me, and the only things I can make out are the blue sweatshirt he's wearing, the white bag strapped around his shoulder, the mane of brown hair on his head and a Rufflet resting on his shoulder.

The other two stand opposite of him in matching poses with their hands by the front of their hats. Unlike the other one, I'm able to see their faces and how they both match Ingo's round features and sideburns, only with less wrinkles and without the goatee. Both also wear trenchcoats similar to Ingo's, but where one has the black swapped out for white, the other is the exact same one without the tethers.

As that image dissipates to reveal Lucian's eyes returning to normal, the realization of what that image means hits me. We are at a point in time where Ingo has not been taken to Hisui yet. The twins are still together.

"Dear Arceus…"

A meowing sound turns my attention to Volkner, who I find looking at me with his brow furrowed. Glancing at Lucian, I notice he has a similar expression.

Well, what now? Do I just meet Emmet like I planned to? Even when his brother is right there? Should I warn the two about what will happen to Ingo in the future?

No, better if I don't do that. Even if I knew how or when Ingo will be sent to Hisui, there is no telling what paradox I could cause by preventing it. The only thing I can do is what I promised Ingo back in Hisui.

I let out a sigh. "Nothing's changed. We'll still give Emmet his letter."

Volkner lets out a weary growl. Lucian looks down for a moment, but then raises back his head to look at me again.

"Lead the way," I tell the Flying-type, to which he turns around and starts flying off. Volkner and I follow him right away.


[Nate]

"No, no, no, don't chase him, Ruffles!" I say as I try to hold him by his talons. The last thing I need is him picking a fight with that white-feathered Braviary and angering whoever his Trainer is.

"Ruf!" Ruffles protests as he keeps trying to break free from my grip. Fortunately, he relents when the other Pokémon gets out of sight and gets back on my shoulder, even if he pouts while doing that.

"You have quite an enthusiastic partner."

I turn back to the Subway Bosses at that remark, feeling some heat over my cheeks as I meet their gazes again. While Mister Emmet's expression is still the same, Mister Ingo's lips have turned slightly upward.

I still can't believe my luck. It isn't every day one runs into the twin leaders of the Battle Subway, not to mention get the chance to talk with them and ask for a match.

"But back to your request, young man," Mister Ingo says as his face returns stern, "We would be more than glad to grant it."

Yes!

"However," Mister Emmet chimes in, "how many Pokémon do you have?"

"Uh…" I hesitate and glance at Ruffles, "just him."

"I see," Mister Emmet replies, his perpetual smile never wavering, much to my discomfort.

"In that case, we can do one of two things," Mister Ingo chimes in, "Either you find a partner for a double battle, or we can have two one versus one battles in succession."

"I, uh…don't have anyone I can call on for a double battle."

Mister Ingo nods while Mister Emmet replies. "Two battles in succession it is."

Both Bosses suddenly point at the ground by their feet with one arm and to the Gear Station behind them with the other. "Please await for your ride here, young man. We will be picking up your opponents for the day," Mister Ingo explains, to which I nod. The two then head inside the structure with matching strides.

While the two do that, I turn to Ruffles, who's eyeing them with a quite interested gaze.

"Aren't you excited, Ruffles?" I tell him. "We're going to be facing the Ingo and Emmet themselves!"

"Ruf-!"

The Rufflet is cut off by a wind suddenly hitting the two of us from behind. I turn around at that sensation and my jaw almost falls when I see the form of that same white-feathered Braviary from before landing in front of me.

After retracting his wings, he looks me straight in the eyes. Wh-what did I do?

"Ruf!" Ruffle squawks just as I feel his weight leave my shoulder, and I glance him charging at the Braviary with his talons stretched out.

"Wait, Ruffles, don't-!"

A magenta glow comes into the Braviary's eyes while he turns to Ruffles. Before the smaller bird can actually attack, his entire body is enveloped in an aura of the same color and remains frozen in place.

Did…this Braviary just use psychic powers to hold Ruffles in place? How did he do that?

"Ruf!" he protests. "Ruf! Flet! Ruf!"

The Braviary ignores it all and turns back to me with his eyes still glowing. Now that I'm taking a better look at him, I notice the plumage isn't the only thing out of the ordinary. Some kind of purple and blue flame is above each of his eyes, his mane is larger and the feathers of his underside are gray rather than dark blue. On top of the psychic powers, he's also noticeably taller than a regular Braviary should be.

Just…what is this thing?

"Uhm…" I hesitantly mutter, "look, Ruffles didn't mean any harm, he's just…he likes to play around."

I make a nervous chuckle while I feel Ruffles' eyes glare into me. The mutant Braviary remains impassive.

"So, uhm…could you let him g-?"

"Lucian!"

The Braviary turns around at the angry call. I take a step to the side, and see just who drew his attention.

A woman rushes from the streets toward the bird Pokémon, dressed in a black hoodie, magenta pants and pink sneakers. Another Pokémon I don't recognize is right behind her, a feline with blue and black fur, a pointy mane and a long tail ending in a star.

"What do you think you're doing?" the lady scolds the Pokémon once she and the feline are close enough, to which the Braviary lowers his head.

Taking a better look at the Braviary's Trainer, the first thing I notice is her dark blue hair kept in a ponytail minus two bangs hanging by her temple. However, what I find more interesting are her vivid blue almond-shaped eyes, further accentuated by the dark make-up around them. Those very eyes are a trait typical of people from the eastern continent.

Is she a foreigner? Is that why her Braviary looks so weird? Some kind of regional variant from her homeland? Is the feline also from there?

"Let the Rufflet go!"

The glow leaves the Braviary instantly and I release a breath I didn't know I was holding when Ruffles starts flapping his wings again.

"Come here, Ruffles," I invite him, to which he flies back on my shoulder without complaint. I turn to talk to the lady, but my words die in my throat when I see her recall the Braviary.

She does use a Poké Ball to do so. However, it is no Poké Ball I have ever seen before. Its top is a different shade of red than usual, its bottom is a wooden color rather than white and - most notably - rather than the usual button, it has some kind of latch at the center. Looking at her waist, five more hang by it.

Just…who is this lady?

"Apologies for Lucian's behavior."

Her words snap me back to attention, and I'm…shocked to see the lady bowing her head to me.

"I-it's fine! Ruffles was the one who started it." I ignore his protests for the moment. "I probably should be the one apologizing, Miss…uhm…"

She raises her head and meets my gaze with a small smile. "You can call me Akari, no need for the 'miss'."

Ah, okay, okay.

"That said," she continues, "do you know where I can find the Subway Bosses? I was hoping to meet them."

Oh! Another Trainer. Of course she'd be here.

"They should be here shortly," I tell her. "They agreed to a battle with me and-"

Wait. She's a Trainer. I'm a Trainer. Mister Ingo and Mister Emmet said they'd challenge me to a double battle if I found a partner. Maybe…

"Is something wrong?" Miss Akari asks, a worried look on her face.

"I, uhm…" How do I put it? "Would you be interested in a battle?"

She has a slight wince. "You mean with you?"

The feline Pokémon at her side lets out an amused meowl, a grin plastered on its face while it takes a few steps forward with electricity dancing around its mane.

"Uhm, not exactly," I hastily correct myself before Ruffles can take the challenge. "Let me explain."


[Akari]

When I saw Ingo and Emmet were gone, Lucian taking it up to the boy that was with them earlier was the last thing I needed. It was some really good luck that not only this Nate Black didn't hold it against me but he was willing to tell me of his arrangement with the two.

I have no reason to tell him no. I'd probably have to wait for the three Trainers to be finished regardless of my answer, and Volkner is already pouncing in place at the thought of getting into a battle. Still, it takes little more than a look to tell Nate has only one Pokémon, and that said Pokémon has seen little battle, if at all.

"From what I'm seeing, there might be some disparity in experience between the two of us," I warn him. "Is that going to be a problem for you?"

He shakes his head and earnestly replies, "Not at all!"

Alright then. I guess I'll just watch his back and let him get some experience.

It isn't long after that the Subway Bosses return. My heart skips a beat at actually seeing a younger, less worn-out - and arguably happier-looking - Ingo, but I do my best to keep my reaction in check.

"New friend?" Emmet asks, his voice eerily identical to his brother.

"Yeah," Nate nervously chuckles while twidling his fingers. "Miss Akari said she wanted to fight you too so we decided to team up."

I didn't actually say that, but I suppose it's a convenient cover for why I'm really here.

However, the twin brothers both suddenly narrow their eyes at me, and I feel some worry come over me.

"You look familiar, Miss Akari," Ingo states. "Have we met before?"

Uh-oh.

"I'm afraid not," I reply, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm from the Moscow region, I've never been to Unova before."

They thankfully relax at that answer.

"Very well, apologies for the misunderstanding," Ingo replies, to which I'm tempted to let out a sigh of relief.

"If that is all, we can begin in earnest," Emmet chimes in.

"Yes, let's." Ingo strikes that pointing pose I've seen him do so many times before. A knot forms in my throat when I see Emmet striking a specular one.

"All aboard! We depart in earnest."

"Right!" Nate bumps his fist and then points forth. "Ruffles, go!"

"Ruf!" the Rufflet takes off from his trainer's shoulder and gets in between him and the Subway Bosses.

On my part, I look down to my Luxray. "Are you feeling up to this, Volkner?"

"Lux!"

Without missing a beat, he leaps forward and gets next to the Rufflet, paws spread out and ready to pounce.

The twin Trainers nod, adjust their hats and grab a Poké Ball.

"Andy!"

"Torno!"

"Go!"

The two Pokémon that come out are a pair I've never seen before. Ingo's is a gray and muscular humanoid mon, with pink bulging veins all across its body, a bulbous head, a round nose and holding some kind of girder. Emmet's is a three-legged mon made out of blue rock, with two yellow openings at the front and red protrusions on the rest of it.

Still, even if I'm not familiar with them, I can take a pretty good guess what their types are. The latter is the bigger issue at the moment.

Volkner risks a glance to me, his eyes filled with less bravado now. A nod from me is all it takes for him to focus on the two again.

"Your move," Emmet invites.

Nate nods enthusiastically. "Ruffles, attack Andy! Use Peck!"

A white glow envelops Ruffles' beak, but that's as much of his attack as I pay attention to. I briefly glance at the two Pokémon and see them steady their stances in preparations. One look at their Trainers shows nothing at first, but when I glance Ruffles approach Andy, Emmet starts moving his lips.

"Thunder Wave on Torno!"

Volkner growls and leaps at the Rock-type with small sparks dancing around his body, Emmet wincing slightly at my command.

Volkner releases the electric ring mid-leap and Torno doesn't react in time to avoid it. The electricity grazes one of its legs, and its movements instantly get twitchier. Volkner lands close to it, but steps back almost instantly, leaving some space between the two.

While that happens, though, Ingo does not sit still.

"Rock Throw!"

The large pebbles quickly materialize around Andy, and the Fighting-type doesn't hesitate to toss them at the approaching bird.

"Look out, Ruffles!" Nate warns his Pokémon. "Don't let them-!"

It changes nothing. Ruffles is able to avoid the first couple of pebbles, but the third hits him head-on, stunning him long enough to be an easy target for the others. He manages to land on his talons and stay on them, but the pants he lets out are hard to miss.

Looks like I'll have to give Ruffles a little edge.

"Again."

Volkner breaks off from Torno and rushes toward Andy. Emmet tells his Pokémon to use Mud-Slap, but the Rock-type is so slowed down by his paralysis that by the time he's conjured the mud, Volkner is out of its reach. On the other hand, Andy conjures another Roch Throw that he tosses at Volkner.

"Break through with Wild Charge."

Blue and yellow bolts come off of Volkner's fur and soon envelop him into a ball of pure electricity. A ball that leaps toward the rocks and shatters them, much to both Andy's and the Subway Bosses' dismay.

"Whoa," Nate mutters to the side.

After stopping the attack, Volkner calls off the move and releases another Thunder Wave, one Andy doesn't recover in time from his stupor to dodge. Just like with Torno, Volkner makes some distance between him and Andy.

"Bravo," Ingo comments from his side. "I see you are quite the experienced Trainer, Miss Akari. Your Luxray is clearly no novice at this."

If only you knew you played a part in his training, Ingo. Or rather, will play a part, from your point of view.

Still, I thank him for the praise and then turn to Nate. "Now's Ruffles' chance. Keep him focused on Andy, Volkner will take care of Torno."

Nate has a momentary wince, but then responds. "R-right. Ruffles, use Peck again!"

The Rufflet, who had been staring at Volkner as well, takes off, makes his beak glow again and charges the Fighting-type a second time.

As for Torno, it slowly has been crawling toward Volkner this whole time, but even now the paralysis is impeding its movement.

Let's see what it can do with this.

"Iron Tail!"

Volkner stretches his tail and a gray glow envelops it, after which he starts running toward the Rock-type. At this point, I would expect Emmet to have it conjure another Mud-Slap before Volkner comes within reach, which he could easily break through with his tail.

He does something much worse.

"Iron Defense!"

Torno buckles down while Volkner steadily approaches, and just as it's about to be hit by the Iron Tail, the same gray glow as Volkner's tail covers it whole, causing the attack to bounce off harmlessly.

At that point, I'm the one doing a mistake. Rather than pressing on, I hesitate on my next move.

"Power Gem!"

The red protrusions on Torno's body all start glowing and quickly release ruby-colored energy beams against Volkner, who at this range is hit at point-blank. He is pushed backward, but still thankfully manages to land on all fours, his gaze fixed on Torno as he growls. Meanwhile, I notice Emmet's smile widen slightly.

How unfortunate for him that two can play at this game.

"Charge Beam!"

Volkner's jaws open up and a ball of electricity forms within them, soon releasing a beam of lighting aimed at Torno. The Rock-type tries to conjure another Power Gem, but it acts too slowly to intercept the attack, which sets electricity running through its entire body.

"Now let's finish with a Thunderbolt!"

Electricity surges through Volkner's fur and is sent out as a lighting bolt against Torno, who still fails to conjure a Power Gem in time. After the thunderbolt strikes and sends an electrical surge through its entire body, Torno's legs give out and the Pokémon goes still entirely. It isn't long before Emmet recalls it.

As it turns out, though, he's less inclined than his brother at giving compliments. At least, not strange ones.

"I lost. You're a verrrrry strong Trainer."

"Uhm, thanks?"

"You're welcome."

Okay?

In any case, I turn to Ruffles and Andy. I find the former flying in circles around the latter, all while landing hits with his beak. The Fighting-type tries to hit the bird Pokémon with its fists and girder, but its twitchy arms move too slowly to actually hit him.

I decide to just let them at it for the moment and, before long, Ruffles lands a Peck on top of Andy's head. The Pokémon loses its balance from the poke and plumps down on its back. It tries to get back up, but soon faints.

Ingo recalls Andy and makes that content smile of his I'm so used to seeing when he loses a match. Even his words match what he would say in that situation.

"Bravo! Excellent!"


[Nate]

When I see Andy fall over, it takes me a moment to register what just happened. Ruffles was able to outmaneuver one of Mister Ingo's own Pokémon and beat it. We actually won our first Pokémon battle.

"Bravo! Excellent!"

Mister Ingo's praise breaks me out of my stupor, as well as Ruffles' subsequent triumphant squawk. "I…thanks."

The faint smile he had on his face drops as he speaks again. "It is more than earned, young man. Your recovery from the initial setback was swift, and your exploit of Andy's handicaps most astute."

I really didn't do much. It was just luck Miss Akari paralyzed him for me, otherwise I don't know how we would have gotten past the Rock Throws.

Ruffles flies back on my shoulder after that exchange, while Mister Ingo's eyes shift to the side. "Ah, and it seems we aren't the only ones finished."

I turn and see just what he means. While "Volkner" is licking one of his paws between Miss Akari and Mister Emmet, there is no sign of Torno. Judging by how the latter seems to be pressing his lips together and the former is smirking at me, I have to assume she was the victor.

"Congratulations," Mister Ingo chimes in. "You and your Pokémon were able to make a most effective team." He shifts his gaze to Miss Akari. "You especially, Miss Akari. I hope you'll consider facing us within the Battle Subway with our stronger teams."

Given that she wanted to meet them, I half-expect Miss Akari to be ecstatic at such an offer. Instead, her reply comes with a shrug and a half-hearted tone. "I'll consider it. Though, I'm not sure I'll stay in Unova long. I have some other business to take care of back home."

Mister Ingo lets out a disappointed snort. "Understandable, but a shame nonetheless. Unova is a region worth exploring, even with all the damage Team Plasma did."

For a moment, just a moment, I think I see Miss Akari's brow furrow.

"And you," I slightly flinch when both Subway Bosses turn to me, "if you are just starting out as a Trainer, you have a promising career ahead of you. But never forget, a good beginning is nothing without dedication and diligence."

I weakly nod to him, "Y-yes, sir!"

"Ruf!" Ruffles responds more animatedly.

"Well then," Mister Ingo continues, he and Mister Emmet striking a similar pose to the one they made earlier, "we're off! All-!"

"Actually, one more thing," Miss Akari interrupts the two before producing an envelope from her hoodie's pockets. "I've got something here to show you." Her gaze lingers on Mister Emmet for a moment before shifting to Mister Ingo. "To be precise, just you."

Huh? What's going on here?


[Akari]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the twins instantly got puzzled at the request of one of them being singled out. It took some convincing, but I was fortunately able to convince Ingo to humor my request, even if that meant leaving Volkner with Nate and Emmet and feeling the constant presence of the latter's eyes on me as Ingo and I stepped to the side.

As I gave Ingo the envelope, his face was set in a frown, but not anything more than what he would normally have. The same held true when he took out the letter and started reading it. Unfortunately, his frown only deepened more and more as his eyes went through the letter.

"A Sinnoh of the past?" he mutters. "No memories? No way to return?"

His head turns to me, revealing the shocked expression his face turned into. "Is this some kind of sick prank?"

I shake my head. "Check the writing and the signature at the end. Tell me if you recognize the handwriting."

He turns back to the letter and I see his eyes go over the words again, widening the longer he looks at them.

"How…how is this possible?"

"He- You didn't tell me. Your memories of how you came to Hisui never returned."

Ingo pauses for a moment. "When will this happen?"

I shake my head. "I don't know."

The Subway Boss and future Warden of the Pearl Clan lets down a gulp as the corners of his mouth sink lower than usual. His gaze remains on the letter for some time before he turns back to me.

"This letter was for Emmet," he states matter-of-factly. "Am I correct in assuming this…this other me thought you'd find only him?"

I nod. "He did. I was surprised to learn my time was before you were sent to the past."

"Then why me?"

Now it is my turn to let down a gulp. "Because your future self said he would have wanted nothing more than to tell goodbye to his brother face-to-face." I glance down to the letter in his hands. "But as he explained, he couldn't."

Ingo closes his eyes and lets out a deeper sigh. His next words, however, are a surprise.

"I think I now know why you looked familiar."

I freeze in place at hearing them. When he opens his eyes again, there's an understanding look in them.

"Akari. A name very similar to 'Hikari'. The surname of another Trainer, who disappeared years ago and knew a Gym Leader with the same name as your Luxray. A Gym Leader famous for training Electric-types, especially the Shinx line, I might add."

My throat tightens at his words. My first instinct is to lie, say I don't know what he's talking about and that he's reading this all wrong. An instinct I have to suppress. This is Ingo, and he's the only one who knows about Hisui.

"I will be gone again before long." My voice comes out hesitantly. Quietly. "I…did not want to cause a stir with a temporary return."

At least, not to the ones that matter before I'm ready.

Ingo's face remains impassive for the next few moments as he keeps looking me in the eyes. Eventually, his hand goes to adjust his hat. "Fair enough."

Without any other preamble, he puts the paper back in the envelope, opens up one side of his coat and places the letter inside of it.

"I will handle telling this to Emmet." His brow furrows slightly more. "But know this. If learning of this means I can avoid being taken away from my brother and losing all memories of him, I will. I won't be taken away just because it happened to another me."

I nod to him. "I understand."

With how time seems to work, I doubt he will be able to make good on that, but he doesn't need to hear that.

Without another word, we turn and move to rejoin Emmet and Nate.


[Nate]

"So these Pokémon are from colder regions?" I ask Mister Emmet as I keep my eyes on the sitting form of Volkner.

"Yes," the Subway Boss replies, "Originally from Sinnoh, they expanded to various nearby regions. Like Moscow, where Miss Akari says she's from."

While Mister Emmet gives his answer, I notice Volkner look down to the floor and his ears fall.

"Aww," I say, as I try to pat him. "Do you miss home?"

Before my hand can actually make contact with his head, though, he stiffens in place and turns to look at it. Not a moment after, he gets on all fours again, steps away from my hand and makes a show of his fangs, a hiss coming out of his mouth.

What…what did I do?

"Ruf!" Ruffles intervenes as he spreads his wings.

Before I have to calm down my Pokémon, the Luxray's eyes shift to the Rufflet by my shoulder. For some reason, that makes him relax his expression and, after giving me another glance, he sits down again.

I hear a hum come from Mister Emmet, and I turn to see him looking at Volkner with a furrowed brow and his smile almost dropped.

"It seems his Trainer is the only human he's comfortable with doing that."

Uh…"Is that normal?"

Mister Emmet takes a moment to respond. "Sometimes."

Sometimes?

Before I can ask any more, Mister Ingo and Miss Akari walk back to us. Mister Ingo's expression is the same as before, but somehow it feels…warier. Miss Akari's, on the other hand, both looks and feels like the same as before.

"So, that is all," Mister Ingo say as he stands by Mister Emmet's side again. He turns to Miss Akari. "I wish you good luck on your next endeavors, Miss Akari. And always remember to stay on your tracks."

What does that mean?

"I will," Miss Akari replies. "Thank you for the battle and for hearing me out." She bows her head to the two brothers. "Subway Bosses." She does the same to me, much to my surprise. "Mister Nate. Goodbye."

Without another word, she spins around and walks off, Volkner hot on her tail.

Did…did any of us do something to offend her?

"Young man."

I jump in place at being called out by Mister Ingo. When I turn to him, I find his expression is still the same as before.

"If you are in Nimbasa, it means you plan on challenging the local Gym Leader, doesn't it?"

"Uh…" I awkwardly respond, "actually, I live here."

Mister Ingo remains unfazed. "Even so, Gym Leader Elesa is the closest one as of now." He glances to Ruffles. "But with your current team you are at a severe disadvantage."

"RUF!" Ruffles protests, so loud he almost deafens my ear.

Again, Mister Ingo remains unfazed. "However, with the proper training one can learn how to overcome such disadvantages. I believe a proper sparring partner, someone like a strong Electric-type trained by an experienced Trainer, could help you with that."

…is he saying what I think he's saying?

"Are you suggesting I should train with Miss Akari and her Luxray?"

"Yes."

Uh…I can't really deny his logic. I was thinking of figuring something out when we challenged her, but Gym Leader Elesa's Electric-types are problematic for Ruffles. Even so, would that other Trainer that dad is sponsoring take offense by this? I mean, we could both train with Miss Akari, but-

Actually, dad said it would still be a few days before she'd arrive. Miss Akari said she would return to her home region soon. Maybe I can take the chance to get a head start until that other Trainer arrives?

"Whatever your decision, better choose fast," Mister Emmet, who had been silent up until now, intervenes as he nudges in the direction past me. "That train will depart soon."

Uh? Uhm…Oh!

"Right," I mutter as I turn to where Miss Akari went and start running after her. Ruffles takes off from my shoulder and flies ahead, while I wave behind me. "Thanks and see ya!"

If the Subway Bosses say anything, I don't hear them.


As the two Trainers left them, Emmet turned to his brother. "What did that Miss Akari want to show you?"

Ingo did not meet his brother's eyes, much to his concern. "I'm…still trying to process it. I'll tell you when I have."

Neither of the two were easily shaken. Emmet knew that if Ingo was acting like this, it had to be something bad. That said, he also knew he could count on Ingo telling him eventually. Neither of them was one to keep things from the other. For the moment, though…

"And to what do I owe your attempt to make them work together?" Emmet added. "It is unlikely she'll be available to mentor him."

Much to Emmet's relief, Ingo answered in earnest. "Maybe so. But considering some stuff she said, and if she is who I think she is, it might be good for her to stop running for once."

Her Luxray sharing a name with one of Sinnoh's Elite Four had given Emmet some suspicions about her identity. Judging by Ingo's words, the brothers were of one mind.

Her Luxray. A specimen surprisingly aggressive toward humans considering how well-trained he was. That said, it was possible he merely didn't like to be touched, but Emmet couldn't shake the feeling something else was going on.

"In any event," Ingo intervened as he turned toward Gear Station and flashed one of his rare smiles at Emmet. "I believe we've dawdled long enough." His arm raised and pointed at the station. "Let's get back to the Subway!"

Emmet returned the smile and matched his brother's pose. "Yes. Let's!"

The two strode toward the station right after.


Had to post this a day early due to real life stuff.

Anyway, new chapter, with some more context of what the deal with "Akari" is and a rendition of the battle with Ingo and Emmet exclusive to BW2.

Fun bit of trivia: "Andy" and "Torno" are respectively the names Ingo and Emmet got in the italian version of the games.

Once again, thank you to Softandhappy and Krosrodes for betareading. If you're interested in some writing advice, you can find it at the Fanfiction Treehouse discord server at: 9XG3U7a

Let me know what you guys thought and see you next time!