Chapter 32

A Trip Down Memory Train

Our friends and I were on the road once along the northern border of Kalos. Our first stop was to Dendemille Town, where Serena hoped to earn her very first Princess Key. After that, we would proceed to Anistar City, where Ash and I could challenge our seventh Kalosian Gym.

One day, we were traveling along this one path on Brun Way. It was a beautiful day - not a cloud in sight, warm like a mother's hug, and the trees were green as could be. Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet began to crumble. Before any one of us could realize what was going on, a hole formed right underneath us. We fell a good ten to fifteen feet before we hit solid ground. To make matters worse, the landslide seemed to collapse the entry from whence we came. There was barely enough light to see our surroundings. Since Dexter was technically not standing, he was left behind on the surface.

"Is everybody alright?" asked Ash as we started to pick ourselves up. Most of us answered in the affirmative.

"Big booms like that are a lot of fun…" said Bonnie in a dizzy manner.

I sat up on a pile of gravel and rubbed my head. I think I hit it on a rock or something. "J'ai mal à la tête... mais je pense que ça va aller."

Everyone else looked at me in confusion. "Brianna…?"

"Quoi? Quelque chose ne va pas?" I covered my mouth for a moment. "Ce qui se passe? Pourquoi ne puis-je pas parler anglais?"

"Can't you speak in Normalese?" Jessie asked out of annoyance.

"J'essaye! J'essaye!"

"You don't have to shout my name. I'm not that far away."

Ash came over and looked at my head. He could see a bruise through my bang. "Looks like you hit your head pretty hard. We should have someone look at that when we get out of here… wherever 'here' is…"

Clemont looked around. The faint light revealed rusty rails, broken containers with wheels, and a rotten wood frame holding up the walls. "Looks like an abandoned mine," he muttered. "and judging by these tracks, nobody's been down here for a really long time."

"D'accord, donc si nous suivons les rails, nous devrions retrouver notre chemin vers la surface," I suggested.

"No idea whatcha said there," Meowth replied, "but all we gotta do is follow the rails, and we should find our way back to the surface!" I sighed out of frustration.

"Gloriously groovy!" Jessie replied..

Before we left, Serena checked the compass app in her guidebook. She shouted through the rubble. "Dexter! If you can hear me, there's a mine down here! See if you can find an opening in the southeast!" She then headed in that direction, and the rest of us followed.

But as we got further down the mine shaft, the natural light of the sun began to diminish. It was not long before we were almost completely blinded by the darkness. Clemont then pushed a button on his shoulder strap to reveal his Heliolisk lamp, but no light seemed to emerge from it. "Must've gotten damaged from the fall…" He unscrewed the light bulb and lightly shook it next to his ear. "Hmmm… sounds like it still has some life in it…"

Then I had an idea. After asking for the light bulb, I called upon the power of the Pure Hearts. "Puissance de l'électricité!" Once I had transformed, I was able to illuminate the bulb in my hand, and at the same time reveal my Electric-type form.

I had dark gray skin, with a lighter gray on my face, stomach, palms and toes. My ears were finlike, and smaller pink fins sprouted from my hips and ankles. My hair was replaced with a tail-like hood, lined with 'gold', and several golden fins protrude from it. To put it in perspective, it kind of looked like a giant Eelektrik latched to my head.

"Princess, you keep finding new and impressive ways to make me jealous…" said Meowth cheekily. But he was only teasing…

For a while, all was quiet. The darkness of the caves creeped some of us out - for example, Magearna was holding onto Ash and Serena, while Cocoa held Diancie's hand, which I found rather adorable…

Clemont and his sister, on the other hand, were not as intimidated by the dark as the others though, and for good reason… "Hey, Clemont! We're stuck underground with only train tracks to guide us! Remind you of anything?"

Her brother smiled. "Of course! When we first met Bunnelby!" As he spoke, he let out his partner-in-question, who hopped onto his head in affection.

"Really?" asked Jessie. "Can we get some deets?"

"You sure you want to know?"

"Why not?" asked Cocoa. "It'll help to pass the time."

"Well, if you insist…" Clemont began. "It was the day Clembot kicked me out of my Gym…"

*Clemont's POV*

I was spending all my time trying to figure out what went wrong with Clembot's programming and how I could get back into Prism Tower. Fortunately, I had a few schematics from when the Tower was built. I scanned them thoroughly to find a way in. But it was hard to concentrate on an empty stomach…

That was when Bonnie came back. She managed to sneak into our house and take some food without our father noticing. We did not want him to worry about what had happened. She sat down next to me and presented an apple. "This was all I could find…"

"Thanks, Bonnie. Anything will do." But before I could take it from her, a blur of gray cut between us, swiping the apple with it. It was the Bunnelby I would eventually capture, and he had stolen what was our only form of sustenance at the time. "Hey! Get back here, you little thief!" The two of us chased after him.

True, no one would have guessed that Bunnelby would be the one with me now, but I would eventually find out why he did so. Anyway, Bonnie saw him jump behind a barrier for some sort of construction, so we hopped over… only to realize there was a massive hole in the street behind it. Down we fell like coins in a wishing well. I hit bottom first, and Bonnie landed on top of me.

"Bonnie! Are you okay?" I asked between groans.

"I think so…" she replied as we got up. "Where are we?"

I linked around to see a brick tunnel, with rails along the floor. "Looks like a subway tunnel…"

"Subway?! What if a train comes by?!"

I kneeled down and felt the rails. They were old and rusty. "No train has been down this way in years."

"Thank goodness…" Then Bonnie remembered something. "Bunnelby! Where'd he go?"

"Nevermind him. Let's just get back to the streets." I pulled out an old map of Lumiose City and located the subway lines. "Let's see… I think we fell in right about here… If we head this way, there should be an old subway station that'll get us out!" I started to walk in that direction, and Bonnie followed closely.

Soon, we found the aforementioned station… Thank Arceus… I figured it was scheduled to be demolished, but for some reason, it was remarkably well preserved. We helped each other onto the station platform, but before we could look for the exit, we saw Bunnelby hopping into an old train car that stood nearby.

So as not to scare it away, we sneaked a peek through the window. Inside, we saw five other wild Pokémon - Zigzagoon, Patrat, Skitty, Delcatty, and Trubbish - who were all happy to see him. Using his ears, Bunnelby sliced the stolen apple into slices and handed one to each of them. "So that explains it…" I said quietly. Stealing my apple may have been wrong, but he did it for the right reason.

"Why do you think they live down here?" Bonnie asked.

"Shelter from the rain, perhaps," I theorized. "And they can stay warm, no matter what it's like outside. Finding a secure and cozy place to live is essential for anything to survive."

"So for Bunnelby and their friends, this is like their home."

Suddenly, we saw something else walking into the station. It was a Diggersby, Bunnelby's evolved counterpart. It marched into the train car and snatched the apple slices up for itself. Then when Bunnelby tried to get them back, Diggersby kicked him out of the train… literally. The other Pokémon escaped out of fear.

"I think Diggersby is trying to take the train for itself," I commented.

"That's not nice!" Bonnie agreed. "Isn't there something we can do to help them?"

"I don't know…" Without any of my Pokémon, what could I do?

Then, right before us, a wild battle ensued. The two big eared Pokémon fired Mud Shots at each other. Bunnelby's attack countered most of Diggersby's… but not all of it. Some of them struck Bunnelby, but he was still standing. Then the two charged another attack, their ears glowing brightly. I think Diggersby was using Hammer Arm. Bunnelby struck first, but Diggersby was too strong. It just slapped him away with little effort. Next, Bunnelby used Dig to get behind Diggersby, but Diggersby countered with a Super Fang attack. Bunnelby then used Double Team, but Diggersby successfully attacked Bunnelby with multiple Double Kicks. With Bubbelby knocked over, Diggersby fired another Mud Shot.

Then I realized there was something I could do to help. "Aipom Arm, GO!" It reached out and snatched Bunnelby just in time. However, Diggersby attacked all of us with Mud Shot. I sounded a tactical retreat, and we all ran to safety.

Even though my expertise was Electric-type Pokémon, I was more than willing to help Bunnelby recover. I applied a Super Potion to the afflictions and bandaged them up. Bonnie and the other Pokémon from the train watched with concern.

"There, that should do it," I stated as I finished the last bandage. It tried to get back up, eager to fight Diggersby once again, but the others held him down, myself included. "Please, don't. Diggersby's just too strong for you to fight."

Understandably, he looked upset. Though for good reason. He had basically lost everything in no time flat.

"However… that doesn't mean you can't win."

"Believe it or not," Bonnie chimed in, "my brother's the local Gym Leader! He knows all about Pokémon Battles!"

Then I started to explain myself, "When you're up against someone bigger than yourself, like that Diggersby, strategic battling is better than brute force. You can use Dig or Double Team to dodge your attacks, and if possible use their power against them!"

"But he was able to find Bunnelby with that Double Kick attack," Bonnie reminded me.

"Oh…! You're right…" I thought for a moment. "I know! Your ears should be a good defense against a lot of things! All you need is a little special training…and I can help you!"

A good half-hour later, Bunnelby was ready. We returned to the old station, ready to get Bunnelby's friends' home back. Diggersby was waiting, as though he knew we would return. The two rabbit Pokémon took their positions on the train platform, while everyone else watched from a safe distance.

Diggersby made the first move. He charged forward, Hammer Arm ready. This was just like we trained for. Bunnelby used Dig just in time to dodge, and Diggersby crashed to a pole. Then Diggersby fired off a Mud Shot. Bunnelby evaded with Dig once again. His opponent tried to get him by firing another Mud Shot into the hole, but he was too late. Bunnelby came out of another one.

"All of our special training is working!" I shouted proudly.

"You can do it, Bunnelby!" Bonnie chimed in.

When Diggersby used Super Fang, Bunnelby evaded with Double Team. Ir almost got him once, after eliminating the illusions, but Bunnelbny used its ears to lift a stone tile for a shield. That must have been painful to chomp into. Diggersby then tried to land a Double Kick, but Bunnelby stopped it with its ears and sent his rival flying towards a wall using Double Slap. I could tell the last of Diggersby's HP was knocked out of him. The battle was won.

Bubbelby then ran over to the defeated Diggersby and held out his paw in compassion. It looked like he was trying to make peace. But Diggersby refused. Instead, he just ran away in shame, disappearing into one of the tunnels. I could tell he felt bad for Diggersby, so I gave him a reassuring pat on the head. "Hey, at least you offered to make peace with him, Bunnelby. You did the best you could." I could tell that made him feel better.

Bonnie smiled. "You know, you and Bunnelby make a really good team." I was surprised to hear her say that, but I think she was onto something…

…but there was little time to think about that. All of a sudden, the station began to rumble, and bricks began to fall from the ceiling. The scheduled demolition had begun. "We have to get out of here, NOW!" Bunnelby and the others looked sad as they heard that. This old train was their home. "I know! If the engine is still functional, we can move the train somewhere safe!"

"Think you can do that?" Bonnie asked.

I went to the control panel and inspected the interior. Most of it seemed to be intact - all we needed was a power source. That was where I came in, because… "The future is now, thanks to science! Clemontic Gear, ON!" I then activated my backpack and it assembled my Running Generator. This little beauty was designed to generate electricity as one ran on the treadmill. I quickly connected it to the train battery and we were all set.

Then there was trouble. We felt a large tremor outside. In front of the train sat a huge boulder. Even with enough power, the train was stuck where it sat. But then, something unexpected happened…

Diggersby returned. Seeing we were in trouble, he hefted the boulder away and cleared the tracks. Seeing how sorry it was for earlier, Bubbelby helped him onto the platform and into the train car.

I took the helm of the train, while everybody else took their position on the generator. I gave them the signal, and they all started running. As I hoped, the generator started feeding the train electricity, and we were off for safety.

As the train accelerated down the tunnel, I checked my map. If my source was correct, we needed to make a right turn at one junction in particular, but I could see the points were set in the wrong direction. And we had no chance of stopping the train to throw the switch. We could risk being caved in. Hearing my muttering, Bunnelby hopped up to me and hit the switch with Mud Shot. The points were switched just in time.

"Excellent shot, Bunnelby!" I praised my heroic friend. Shortly afterwards, I saw daylight. We were out of the tunnel and safe at last.

We soon found a new home for Bunnelby and his friends. It was a long forgotten train station far removed from the city. There would be shelter from the weather, and I saw a lake nearby with some Berry trees, so there was plenty of sustenance for everyone. And as far as I knew, there were no plans for demolition or reconstruction. They could stay there as long as they wanted.

I was tempted to try and catch Bunnelby right on the spot, but I held back. I did not want to take him away from his friends. We said our goodbyes and decided to head home. It was pretty easy to head back - we just had to follow the tracks back to the city.

About fifty feet down the tracks, we heard the pitter patter of paw prints behind us. We turned around quickly to find that Bunnelby had followed us. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Bunn Bunn By! Bunnelby!" he replied.

Even though we could not actually understand him, I think we both had the same idea. "I think Bunnelby wants to come along with you really badly," Bonnie told me.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" I asked, and he seemed to reply affirmatively. So I pulled out a PokéBall and tossed it at our new friend. And that was how I got my first non-Electric-type Pokémon.

*Brianna's POV*

"…after a few days of special training," Clemont concluded, "we went back to reclaim my Gym. But on the way there, we ran into Brianna and Cocoa, and the rest is history."

'What a great story!' Diancie told us.

"So Bunnelby was your first Pokémon that wasn't an Electric-type?" Magearna asked.

"That's right!" Clemont told her. "And because of him, I was able to take my Gym back, and eventually build the body you're using now!"

At that moment, Jessie looked ahead. "Uh-oh. Dead End."

"Maybe we should turn around," James suggested.

But Clemont knew better. He saw that rubble was covering the tracks. "Bunnelby, use Dig!" he called out. His long-eared companion burrowed into the rubble like a drill. We shielded ourselves as dust and pebbles flew everywhere.

Then, at long last, we saw daylight. We had returned to the surface. Dexter was waiting for us. "What a relief…"

"Je suis désolé si nous t'avons inquiété, Dexter," As I spoke, I gave Clemont his lightbulb back and reverted to my original self.

"I'm just glad you're okay… but why did you say that in Kalosian?"

Meanwhile, Clemont rubbed the head of his partner. "You were amazing, Bunnelby! Thanks a lot!"

"Bunnelby!" At that moment… Well, it was not just daylight at that moment. Clemont stepped back and watched as Bunnelby grew at least five times as large and much thicker. And his ears grew as large as Cocoa's. "Diggersby!"

"What just happened?" Magearna asked.

"Bunnelby just evolved!" Dexter answered her and analyzed the new form before us.

Diggersby

The Digging Pokémon

A Normal and Ground-type

Diggersby's ears can move boulders of a ton or more with ease. They can be a big help at construction sites.

Clemont then reapproached his newly evolved partner and placed a hand on his shoulder. At the same time, he released his other Pokémon - Quilladin and Lucky. "Great for you, Diggersby! With your newfound strength, we're sure to be unstoppable!" Diggersby placed one of his stubby little paws on the resting hand as though he were grateful. The four then embraced in a loving hug.

Later that same day, we found a clinic that we thought could help me with… whatever was happening to me. The medical officer examined the spot where I hit my head, while my friends explained the situation. "You got a pretty decent-size bump… might be a slight concussion… You can understand what I'm saying, but you can only speak Kalosian?"

"Mais oui," I told him.

"Sounds to me like aphasia," the doctor told us. "It's a condition that affects the language part of our brains, but it's usually temporary. You're gonna be okay, Your Highness."

"She hits her head and forgets an entire language?" Meowth muttered. "Can that happen?"

"Sure, it can," Jessie interjected. "Remember what happened to Manfredi and Johnson at the Paldean surprise party? They couldn't speak at all for two weeks."

"And even then, it was gibberish..." James added.

I sighed in relief. "Mais qu'est-ce que je vais faire en attendant?"

It was a good thing he could understand me. "Well, in the meantime, I would suggest you find an alternative means of communication - a pen and paper, or a tablet, or maybe a translator."

Dexter hovered over. "The RotomDex was programmed for proper communication with people of all different kinds. I can translate for you until you recover, Brianna."

I smiled. "Merci beaucoup, Dexter. Je compte sur vous."

He replied with a quick salute. "I won't let you down, Brianna!"

A heartwarming tale of times past has led Clemont and his newly evolved Diggersby to reaffirm their bonds of friendship. True, I did lose my English because of this incident, but only for a little while. In the meantime, our journey through Kalos continues…