Chapter Text
The Battle Subway had never missed a day in the five years it had been open. From even before the break of dawn to after the Sun had set over the horizon, it was possible to catch some sort of train to do some sort of battle.
That was what made that one month so significant.
It had happened so quickly that people found it hard to react. The Battle Subway’s trains reserved for their challenges, where trainers would fight one another in a series before facing one of the Bosses, had suddenly stopped entirely. Emmet had claimed that it was just a small delay, that Ingo had fallen a little ill and they had decided to take a sudden break. No worries, though! It would be back up to speed soon!
The trains did, in fact, start up again after a month, even if they were a bit slow at first. The Singles and Doubles trains ran at two separate times - the former in the mornings and the latter in the evenings. The Multis trains, however, stopped entirely for a while. The brothers, on separate occasions, claimed that it was all fine. They’d get back in motion in no time!
Drayden pondered this as he waited at Gear Station. It wasn’t bustling to the same degree as it once did, especially given the lower number of trains running. Even he had to wait for his turn to board any of them, though he aimed on challenging Ingo on the Singles train once it came around.
Yes, it was absolutely necessary for him to do that. He picked up one of the magazines from the stands to glance at as he waited. As expected, it was absolutely tasteless.
The citizens of Unova always wanted some new information on the celebrities of the area. He always felt bad for people like Cynthia, who could barely leave her vacation home in Undella to take a walk around the beach without being hounded by reporters. Luckily, she had her Garchomp to keep them at bay. Not everyone had the same imposing energy, however, or were followed in such an open area like a beach.
The current talk of the reporters, it seemed, was the situation of the Subway Bosses. It was to be expected after their sudden break, but theories were flying around like mad. In fact…
“Is it true that Emmet and Ingo haven’t been seen in public together for over a month?” Drayden heard a bystander ask his companion, who nodded.
“Yeah. I heard that it’s been since before Emmet claimed his brother was sick. Do you think something happened?”
“I dunno. Maybe Ingo’s still sick or something…”
Drayden sighed softly, putting the magazine under his arm. He wasn’t in the mood for reading some exaggerated tale that the media had made up about the Bosses, especially since he noticed one of the subway trains arriving. Though it wasn’t his turn yet, he still kept a close eye on it as a familiar, black-clothed figure stepped out, his usual scowl on his face.
“All aboard!” Ingo called out, his voice ringing across the station. “Next in line, ready to board! Your destination is just ahead!”
Drayden watched as Ingo boarded the train yet again, the people who were ready to board approaching the train. He would wait his turn, yes… but he felt as though that time could not come soon enough.
With the way that the queue was, it took Drayden a couple of hours to be able to board the train. Resuming an old challenge he had shelved, his Haxorus was easily able to make it through the first few battles with ease.
When you’ve been battling as long as he had, things just became second nature to him. He wished what he was about to do would also come as easily to him as battling did.
Stepping into the final train car, he was greeted with a familiar… yet unfamiliar frame. Ingo stared at him as he emerged, surprise painted on his face for only a moment before it hardened to its usual expression. He readied a PokeBall, not taking his eyes off of Drayden.
“I am Ingo. I am a Subway Boss.” He started. “I will choose your next destination based on your talent. How well do you understand your Pokemon?”
“I understand my Pokemon well enough.” Drayden interrupted, stepping forward. “But I also understand you well enough.”
Again, a look of surprise from the Subway Boss. “... I am not sure what you mean, Gym Leader Drayden.”
Drayden huffed. “Enough of this. You know why I’m here.” He stepped forward until he could see what others could not - the forced nature of his scowl, the shakiness of his right hand as he gripped the PokeBall. Drayden spoke again, slower. Softer, even.
“Emmet. Where is Ingo?”