Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Emmet bounced his knee, occasionally bumping the underside of the table between himself and Ingo. The table was bolted to the floor of the train, so he didn’t have to worry about disturbing the papers spread out across its surface.

I need to save Haxorus for the late game. I’ll need him to guarantee a one hit KO on Latios, unless Ingo lets me borrow Chandelure… no. Three of her pokémon can land super effective moves on Chandelure. Two can on Haxorus, but that’s still better odds. I’ll need Eelektross for Suicune, of course. He’d never forgive me if I took Galvantula instead. Archeops won’t be happy to be left out, but the type matchups are too unfavorable. Klinklang has some redundancy with Thunderbolt, but Toxic and Protect will help wear down some of her bulkier partners… Unless I bring Garbodor? If Ingo doesn’t wear her out, her bulk and Toxic could fill Klinklang’s role, and her STAB Venoshock is another way to bring down Latios… I should replace her Psychic with Protect, if so—

“Look, Emmet!” Ingo kicked Emmet's foot under the table, his face pressed to the window glass. “A pack of Pyroar! No—it’s called a pride, isn’t it? I’ve never seen them in the wild before!”

Emmet looked up from his notes for a moment. The group of Pyroar loped through the field alongside the tracks. Some bore flowing plumes of hair, while the remainder had manes that resembled Fire Blasts bursting from around their heads. How long could the pokémon keep pace with the train?

He shook his head. There would be time to gape at the Kalosian pokémon later. He needed to get serious if he wanted a chance at beating Evelyn. His grin widened just thinking about their impending rematch. 

“You can put away your strategies, you know. They won’t depart without you.” The edges of Ingo’s lips curled upwards, making him look a bit like a Pyroar himself.

“No, thank you.” Emmet scooped his papers closer, but Ingo managed to snag one that escaped.

Ingo cleared his throat.

“Raikou. Nickname: Nimbus. Held Item: Air Balloon,” he read off of the notebook paper.

“Give it back.” Emmet reached across the table, but Ingo held it above his head. Emmet’s fingers didn’t even brush the bottom of the page.

“Moveset, likely nature, inferred EV spread… Is this what you’ve been scribbling about all month? How on earth did you get all of this, anyway?”

“I am Emmet. I am verrrrry observant.”

Ingo gave him a deadpan look. 

“Of course you are. How many of her VS Recorder videos have you watched?”

“Only six!”

Ingo’s eyes narrowed.

“...Today,” Emmet admitted in a mumble. “That doesn’t matter. Studying your opponent isn’t cheating. If anything, using a team of four legendaries is cheating.”

“Hmm. You have a point there.” Ingo frowned, squinting back up at the paper. “I still don’t see how knowing Raikou’s favorite foods will help you defeat it, however.”

“It will. Shut up.” Emmet’s face heated. 

His research was thorough. Evelyn’s Pokégram page had plenty of photos and video clips of her teammates. He’d spent hours combing through the posts, studying Evelyn’s training regimens, her pokémon’s natures, how adorable she looked grooming them… Er, that last part wasn’t relevant. The point was, Evelyn’s partners were legendaries, but they were still pokémon. Suicune and Raikou liked Watmel berries, just like both of Ingo’s Haxorus. Entei liked to nap after a long battle, just like Eelektross. 

Evelyn was strong, but she was still a trainer. She could be defeated. 

Emmet finally managed to stretch far enough to snatch the page back from his brother, though he flopped across the table in the process. Ingo snickered.

“I haven’t seen you plan this seriously since our depot agent exams. Are you sure there’s no special reason you want to defeat Evelyn so badly?”

“Of course there is. She is the strongest trainer I’ve fought.” He kept his voice even. His lack of vocal inflection came in handy sometimes.

“Stronger than me? The second car to your train?” Ingo held a gloved hand to his chest, pretending to be hurt.

“Smarter than you.” Emmet grinned sharply. “She doesn’t use Earthquake when it would knock out her own pokémon.”

“I don’t knock out my own pokémon. I only knock out your pokémon. If you have a problem, you should teach Eelektross Protect.”

“Why don’t you teach yourself Protect?” 

Emmet rolled his papers into a tube and whacked his brother with them. Ingo just laughed, loud enough to startle the passengers sitting in the back of the car. 

“I’m starting to think you don’t like winning at all.” Emmet pouted. “You’d better not embarrass us by bringing Emby to the Multi Challenge. I’ll disown you.”

Emby, or MB,was the not-always-affectionate nickname for Ingo’s Mold Breaker Haxorus. Arvee, or RV, was their Haxorus with the ability Rivalry. He was the one Emmet would be taking into the Doubles Challenge—assuming Ingo didn’t switch their pokéballs to mess with him (again).

“Fine. But only because I’m afraid you’re being serious about that,” Ingo conceded.

“I am Emmet. I am always serious.”

Ingo sighed and reclined in his seat.

“Well, I hope you can find some time to relax, as well. This is supposed to be a vacation, after all.”

“I will relax after I beat Evelyn.” Emmet unfurled his papers and organized them back on the table. He glared at his brother, daring him to touch his notes again.

“Very well. But let me say one thing.” The corner of Ingo’s lips twitched upwards. “I think blue and white would make excellent wedding colors.”

Papers went everywhere when Emmet launched himself over the table, yanking on his traitor brother’s tie until he stopped laughing.

XXX

Emmet fiddled with the cuffs of his button-up as he waited for the final match of the Doubles Challenge. It still felt strange, not wearing his Subway Boss uniform. Ingo thought that it would seem disrespectful to wear their uniforms here, in a different battle facility. As if they were trying to usurp authority or something. 

Emmet felt naked without his coat, but he could handle it. It was just another handicap of being the visiting team. Just like the dim lighting of the indoor arena, and the feeling of eyes watching him. Not good for safety at all. He could barely make out Ingo’s silver gaze observing from the balcony above.

Those were eyes that Emmet didn’t mind watching him. It was nice that they could view each others’ matches, for once. It was a rare opportunity to see Ingo in his element, sweeping Nita’s team in the Singles Challenge with little fanfare. For all of Emmet’s teasing, Ingo was the strongest trainer he knew.

Emmet tapped his foot, trying not to seem impatient. He just needed to move, to focus on something other than the audience watching him. When he was battling, he could ignore the murmur of voices, but they made the wait between matches unbearable.

Dragons, he missed the Battle Subway. He missed the feeling of the floor rumbling beneath him. He missed announcing himself before each battle. He missed shouting All aboard! with Ingo. He missed only facing the strongest of the challengers.

But it was okay. Because every battle he won was one step closer to Evelyn. He had to follow the rules: nineteen battles to face her weaker team, then forty-nine more for the real challenge.

Well. Maybe he was being overly confident to assume her early battle would be weak. Though he’d watched videos, he’d never actually faced her regular Doubles Challenge team. She had used her aces when challenging the Battle Subway.

Suddenly, spotlights illuminated the stairs leading down from the balcony—and the woman standing at the top of them. He blinked spots from his eyes, his breath catching in his throat.

“Here she comes: Battle Chatelaine Evelyn!” the commentator announced.

She twirled, and her teacup-shaped dress glittered in the light. His heartbeat sped up in anticipation, gaining momentum to propel him through the fight to come.

Finally!

She descended the stairs quickly, despite her tall heels. He bit back the impulse to call check safety. 

“Uh-umm... W-welcome to the Battle—o-oh!” Evelyn blinked. “I, um, s-sorry I didn’t recognize you without your coat! I should have known you would make it this far, but I, um, I didn’t prepare anything special—”

“I know. You don’t need to.” He grinned. “I’m excited to battle you in your home region. Don’t go easy on me!”

“A-ah… this isn’t actually my… but, um, I-I’ll do my best not to disappoint!” 

At her wavering smile, they both sent out their pokémon. He’d chosen Garbador and Excadrill as his leads, with Eelektross and Haxorus in reserve. Excadrill gave an enthusiastic roar. Garbador’s squeak sounded small in comparison, but Emmet knew that she was prepared to do her best, too.

Evelyn’s pokéballs cracked open to reveal Pachirisu and Persian. He recognized the pokémon from the videos he’d watched. That meant she likely had Primeape and Lumineon in reserve, unless her team had changed recently. Her sisters didn’t share teammates like Emmet and Ingo did, though, so the odds of that were slim.

Even so, he wouldn’t underestimate her. That Persian had a Life Orb and Fake Out, so—

“Follow the rules. Everyone smile!” he called, distracting from the hand signs he gave his pokémon. Left arm horizontal in front of his chest, signaling Garbador to Protect. A clockwise sweep of his right arm, telling Excadrill to use Earthquake.

“Chiri-Chiri, Volt Switch! Perrla, Fake Out!” Evelyn’s voice steadied when she commanded her pokémon. She stood straighter, her stance more grounded, her eyes sharp and focused.

Focused. He needed to focus on the battle, and not on her.

Garbodor’s Protect stopped the Volt Switch in its tracks, but considering Fake Out got Excadrill, the turn was pretty much a waste. Pachirisu and Persian would both outspeed his leads, and Garbodor couldn’t Protect again.

Toxic on Persian, tank the Volt Switch, swap out Excadrill before Primeape or Lumineon can set up on it…

He conducted his team silently, sweat beading on his forehead. He didn’t even have the luxury of his hat to hide it. Evelyn’s pokémon were fast, and his only real method of speed control was Eelektross’s Thunder Wave. Luckily, none of Evelyn’s team were ground types.

Eelektross landed paralysis on Lumineon, but Persian was already poisoned. That was fine. With Life Orb, it would wear itself down without Emmet needing to do much else.

At Evelyn’s firm command, Lumineon conjured clouds above their heads. Drat. With its Swift Swim, the speed effects of paralysis went down the drain. 

Emmet snorted. Elesa would appreciate that accidental pun. 

Garbodor went down to a wave of water, which crashed close enough to soak through Emmet’s shirt. He grinned. That was a refreshing way to get rid of his sweat.

“Good work, Garbodor!” He recalled his exhausted pokémon, wiping his face on his damp sleeve. “Excadrill, aim for victory!” 

It was a risky gamble, putting Excadrill out with Lumineon on the field. With his special defense EVs, though, he should be able to survive one Surf. Hopefully. 

Lumineon raised another wave at the same moment Eelektross’s Discharge lit the arena, electricity crackling through the water. Emmet felt his hair rise, despite the rubber mat covering his corner. The electric attack took down Persian and Lumineon in one go.

“Ha! Fantastic driving, Eelektross!”

Eelektross wiggled happily at the praise.

Evelyn’s hair was disheveled, but her teacup-dress somehow maintained its shape, despite the water dripping from it. She was still beaming almost as brightly as Emmet was. She cooed to her pokémon as she recalled them, sending out Pachirisu and Primeape.

Emmet grinned, rain running down his face, electricity still sparking in his veins. He still had three teammates left. He was on track for victory.

He didn’t even need Haxorus, it turned out. Excadrill’s Earthquake and Eelektross’s Discharge made quick work of Evelyn’s last two pokémon. It was almost anticlimactic, but Emmet was relieved. If his team had struggled against Evelyn’s weaker party, he would be screwed when it came to their later match.

“O-oh! Fair play! You're quite strong, aren't you, Emmet!” Evelyn beamed as she called her pokémon back into their balls. “But then, I knew that. You gave me quite the run around in our last battle. Honestly, I was hoping you’d beat me this time… so that next time, we can battle without holding back!”

Another thrill ran through him, though the electricity had faded from the arena.

“I look forward to it! It’ll be the most fun battle ever!” 

Emmet stepped into the middle of the flooded arena to shake Evelyn’s hand, and she giggled.

“M-maybe we should clean up first… and, um.” She looked down at her feet for a moment. “If, you would like, um, I mean, if you’re still here… o-oh, I’m sorry, I’m keeping you…!”

“I am Emmet. I am still here.” His head tilted. 

Her hands were held close to her chest. She fiddled with one of her damp gloves, still not meeting his eyes.

“I could… we could… um, a-and there’s, a nice… a-ah! I shouldn’t be asking this in front of everyone…” 

Her gaze flickered to the audience watching from the balconies above. Somehow, Emmet had forgotten about them. He could see Ingo’s smug almost-smile above his crossed arm. Emmet resisted the urge to stick his tongue out at him.

“Just, um—meet me in front of the Pokémon Center, when you’re done! Please!”

“I will put it on the schedule.” Emmet smiled. “Thank you for the exciting battle, Miss Evelyn. I will see you soon!”

“Y-yes! Thank you!”

He gave a little bow like Ingo would before exiting the stage. 

Ingo met him quickly, still looking awfully suspicious. 

“Ingo. Do you know why Evelyn wants to meet me later?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You do!” 

Emmet wanted to noogie the answer out of his brother, but that would have to wait until they weren’t in public. In the meantime, he could drape his wet self over Ingo’s side.

“My favorite brother, the other car of my train. You are being verrrrrrry rude right now.”

Ingo shoved him off, laughing. 

“Why don’t you get into something dry, and go find out yourself? It would be rude to keep a lady waiting.”

Still suspicious. Ingo would probably crack if Emmet annoyed him enough, but he was right. It would be faster to clean up and see Evelyn himself. They wouldn’t start the Super Doubles Challenge until tomorrow, anyway, so whatever she wanted wouldn’t cut into his battling time.

What could she want, though? He had no idea.

He powerwalked towards their hotel, strangely eager to find out.

Chapter Text

Evelyn had said to clean up. How clean was “cleaned up”? He showered and combed his hair, but he didn’t know how fancy she expected him to dress. Granted, most of the shirts he’d packed were white or pale-colored button-ups. He needed something to cover his neck, since he couldn’t currently rely on the collar of his Subway Boss coat. There were a few turtlenecks in case the weather was chilly. Would one of those suffice?

He stood shirtless in his pair of khaki pants, staring down at the contents of his suitcase on the hotel bed. Elesa would probably know strategies for picking out an effective outfit, but Emmet didn’t. Matching effective combinations of pokémon was easier than matching clothes.

“Why don’t you go out like that, if you can’t choose between tracks?” Ingo asked, making Emmet flush.

Emmet chucked his stick of deodorant at his brother. It bounced off of Ingo’s chest uselessly.

“The black turtleneck would look nice,” Ingo offered as if nothing had happened.

“Shut up.” Emmet glared, snatching up the white turtleneck out of spite. It was only after he’d pulled it on that he realized Ingo had probably planned for that.

“Excellent!” Ingo gave his cat-mouthed grin and brushed off Emmet’s shoulders. “You look quite dashing. Though it would be difficult not to, considering you have my face.”

“Our face.”

“Only one of us was voted most handsome man in Unova.”

“Most insufferable man in Unova,” Emmet huffed. 

Ingo would never let him live that down. Emmet hadn’t even come in second place in the polls. No, he’d been third, after that green-haired guy who’d awoken Reshiram. 

“Most insufferable man in Kalos, right now,” Ingo said smugly.

Emmet hopped onto the bed and tackled him a headlock, noogieing the top of his head until they both fell onto the mattress laughing. 

“Alright, alright.” Ingo gave a small smile, sitting up and smoothing back his hair. “Are you going to meet Evelyn, or are you going to stand her up on your date?”

Emmet froze. “It is not a date.”

Evelyn had not called it a date. It wasn’t a date. He couldn’t date his rival. That would be counterproductive to his goal of winning.

“Hmm. I suppose you’re wearing cologne just to stink up this room, then.”

Did it stink? He didn’t use cologne often. He hadn’t used too much, had he?

“Emmet—I'm sorry, I did not mean that,” Ingo said when he saw Emmet sniffing his armpits. “I was only teasing you. You look and smell perfectly fine. I’m certain that you’ll have a wonderful time tonight, be it on a date or otherwise. I have something that I hope will make you more comfortable, as well.”

“This had better not be another—”

Ingo bent down to his suitcase and pulled out a royal blue hat. It definitely hadn’t been there when Ingo had packed.

“Where did you get that?” Emmet asked, kneeling on the bed and leaning closer to inspect the felt hat. 

A pair of black-and-white teacups were embroidered on the front above the ribbon, with Kalos Battle Maison stitched in fine cursive on the back.

“You didn’t even look at the Battle Point shops, did you?” Ingo held back a laugh. “It’s alright. I assumed you would be too busy, so during a break in your matches, I picked out souvenirs.”

He set the blue hat on Emmet’s head, pulling out a yellow one for himself. It had a single black teacup on it. Ah—they represented the Singles and Doubles challenges.

Which meant he was wearing Evelyn’s merch. But Ingo looked so proud of their matching attire, Emmet couldn’t bring himself to be embarrassed.

He had no reason to be embarrassed. It was just a souvenir to commemorate their victories. 

Emmet straightened his new hat and smiled at his brother.

“Thank you, Ingo. It’s perfect.” And it would make him more comfortable tonight. He had been missing the familiar weight of his Subway Boss hat. “What will you do tonight while I’m gone? I didn’t intend to leave you on your own.”

“It is quite alright! There is a pokémon safari to the north of town, where it will be nice to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace.”

Ah. Emmet did have trouble curtailing his speed. 

“Good.” He nodded. “Take pictures of any neat pokémon for me!”

“I will document my stops with care! Now then—”

They pointed in unison, and Emmet grinned from ear to ear.

“All aboard!”

XXX

Evelyn was already standing in front of the Pokémon Center by the time he arrived. He winced at the thought of her having to wait on him. He was used to being the early one.

He picked up his already-quick pace, joining her under the red awning.

“Verrrrrry sorry for the delay!”

“A-ah!” Evelyn jumped at his voice.

She was wearing black leggings and a sleeveless blue top. His first thought was that without her hat and the wide-rimmed skirt of her uniform, she looked absolutely tiny. His second thought was that she was going to freeze in the autumn evening without anything to cover her arms. It wasn’t until his third thought that he realized he had definitely overdressed.

“I, um, h-hello Monsieur Emmet!” She gave a wobbling smile. “I, um, l-like your hat!”

“Thank you. And I am just Emmet.” He smiled back, hoping to put her at ease, even though he was nervous as well. He had no schedule to follow for tonight. He had to trust that Evelyn knew these tracks.

“E-Emmet.” She nodded. Her hair bobbed up and down around her shoulders. “I w-was wondering, if you w-would—wouldyougoonawalkwithme?”

Emmet blinked. He’d never heard her talk so quickly. Not that they’d talked often, he supposed.

“I am Emmet. I will go on a walk with you.”

From how hard she was breathing, it seemed like she had already been on a run. Maybe she had rushed to get here? He felt even worse for making her wait.

“Y-you—thankyou!” Her smile widened enough to show her gums. 

Emmet bit his lip to hold in a laugh. He’d never seen her this excited, even during their battles. He liked it. 

“Where is our destination?” he asked. 

Hopefully it wasn’t the safari. He didn’t trust Ingo not to say something mortifying if he saw them together.

“It’s a, um, a surprise. Unless you need to know! I w-wouldn’t, try to take you somewhere weird, or anything—”

“I like surprises.” 

Why did he say that? He enjoyed following the schedule. He enjoyed planning for any bumps on the tracks that might arise.

But as Evelyn looped her arm around his to pull him toward the south end of town, he decided that a surprise could be nice, every once in a while.

XXX

Evelyn walked fast. Just like him! She had apologized for it until he’d shown her just how quickly he could powerwalk, his arms swinging stiffly at his sides. Then she’d giggled and imitated him. Not in a mocking way, unlike other kids had done when he was younger. 

“I bet this would feel really nice with your uniform,” she said as they walked.

“It does! The way the sleeves catch the air is really satisfying.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, only interrupted by their footsteps and the buzz of Ninjask flitting in the trees. 

It wasn’t often that he could walk with his natural gait around others. For one, the subway was usually too crowded, and his swinging arms would injure someone. For another, he had grown used to masking in public. 

It was nice. Maybe this was what Ingo meant when he’d told Emmet to relax.

Evelyn looked calmer as well. Her hair waved in the breeze, and her eyebrows had lost their worried scrunch. Getting out of the city—even if Kiloude barely counted as one—seemed to relieve some pressure from her. 

The trees thinned out as the land sloped upwards, and Evelyn’s pace quickened.

“W-we’re almost there! I hope you’re not expecting too much, though—it’s nothing too impressive, really…”

Emmet had actually forgotten that their track had a destination. He was enjoying himself enough just walking alongside her.

At the top of the hill, she pointed northward, nearly mimicking his signature pose.

“Here! Y-you can see…”

Emmet clapped in excitement.

“The trains!” 

He hadn’t realized they’d traveled so high up. This hill gave the perfect vantage point to see the rails cutting across the plains, through the mountains, nearly all the way to the pinprick lights of Lumiose City on the pink horizon. The TMV chugged along the tracks, a tiny blip in the darkening dusk.

“Y-you like it?” Evelyn smiled hopefully. “I know there’s not much to do in Kiloude, not like the big city where you’re from. This was, um, the most interesting thing I could think of. Besides, u-um… well…”

“The Battle Maison?” he asked. “Or the safari?”

She looked away, biting her lip. “W-well, I guess, um, those too, of course…”

He took a step to the side, putting himself back in her line of sight.

“You are verrrrrry good at keeping me in suspense.”

“I-I’m sorry… I’m just afraid you’ll think it’s silly…” 

She drew back in on herself. He didn’t know why, but he hoped it wasn’t something that he had said. He tapped his foot in an attempt to release some of his nervous energy.

“O-oh, I’m not t-trying to keep you waiting! I’m just s-so bad with words…”

“So am I.” He smiled, trying to put her at ease. “Is it something you want to show me? You don’t have to talk, if you don’t want to.”

“I do want to!” She tugged on the ends of her hair. “I want to talk to you, s-so much, I’m afraid it makes me look right silly…”

He thought back to picking out his shirt earlier. Maybe for her, picking the right words felt like that. He could relate. There were no words he knew of that were guaranteed to be super effective.

He would just have to take his best shot. 

“We are talking now. I don’t think you look silly.”

She laughed a little, though it still sounded strained.

“Y-you’re sweet, Emmet.”

His chest felt a little too warm. Maybe the turtleneck had been the incorrect choice after all.

“Thank you.” He smiled. “I try my best to be pleasant and approachable.” 

And it was working! It didn’t always. Maybe he’d landed a super effective hit after all.

“Y-you are! Pleasant and… um, lots of o-other things…” She cleared her throat loudly. “U-um, would you like to ride Raikou?” 

“Huh? I—what?” Had he heard her correctly? 

She waved her hands as quickly as if she were trying to use Double Team.

“N-nevermind! F-forget I asked, really!”

“No, I will not.” He stepped closer to her, grinning. “I can ride Nimbus? You would let me?”

He’d never interacted with a legendary pokémon outside of battle, much less ridden one. He felt giddy just thinking about it.

“You remembered their name?” Evelyn asked in surprise.

“Of course I did.” Because he wanted to defeat them. He didn’t say that last part out loud, though.

She laughed behind her hands.

“Nimbus remembers you, too. They were impressed with how you handled your electric-type pokémon. I, um, I love Nimbus, but I’m—I’m not so good at riding them. The static… it makes me a right mess.” She smiled sheepishly. “But Nimbus gets jealous when I spend more time with Aurora and Rasalas… so I asked them if they’d be okay with, um, you g-giving them some attention.”

“And they were?”

He remembered his last battle against Nimbus. The Raikou had blasted Chandelure with a surprise Shadow Ball, and evaded Excadrill’s Earthquake with an Air Balloon-boosted leap. He couldn’t imagine how his quick defeat could have made an impression on the legendary. 

But Evelyn nodded.

“Nimbus, also, u-um, watched some of your Joltik breeding videos with me? I hope that’s not weird!” she said quickly, holding her hands in front of her chest. “I just, um, thought it was r-really… cute how gentle you were with the baby pokémon, since I never got to see you like that in battle. B-but I wasn’t trying to st-stalk you or anything, honest!”

He barely heard the rest of what she’d said. His mind had fizzled out as soon as she’d called him cute.

She’d called him cute. Which he was! Statistics had proven it! 

So why did his heart speed up when she said it?

“Emmet? I'm s-s-so sorry, I knew it was weird—!”

“I went through every post on your Pokégram account. And your public VS Recorder battles.” He blushed. 

If she was weird, then he was, too. They were even. Neither of them needed to be embarrassed about putting their all into studying their opponent. 

Pink spread across her cheeks. “You… what?”

“I needed to know how to defeat you. For our rematch.” 

He pulled the brim of his hat lower over his eyes. Tugged at the end of his turtleneck. He should have worn a shirt with cuffs. Fidgeting with the knit texture wasn’t doing enough to calm him.

“O-oh! Oh.” Evelyn took a deep breath. “M-me too. That’s why I watched all of your PokéTube videos. No other reason!”

All of his videos. He felt like he was practically buzzing.

“You already beat me. But I respect your thorough research.” He grinned.

She laughed, hugging herself tight. He hoped it wasn’t because she was cold. He didn’t have a coat to let her borrow. Just one more reason why he should always have his uniform on him.

“A-anyway! Raikou! They may not know you well, yet, b-but—they’d like to.” She looked up, meeting his eyes with a small smile. “As… as would I.”

Oh. 

Oh. 

Something about those words. That smile. They hit him like Haxorus’s Dragon Tail—knocking the breath from his lungs, switching it out for…

Something else. He couldn’t say it. Couldn’t think it. This kind of feeling didn’t happen to him. Couldn’t happen to him, especially not now. Ingo would never let him hear the end of it if he knew the static-fuzz thoughts clouding Emmet’s mind. Not to mention how feelings like this might affect tomorrow’s battle.

“I—I would be honored,” he replied quietly. 

He could be normal. He wouldn’t be immobilized by… nope, he wasn’t thinking it.

Evelyn unclipped Raikou’s pokéball from the pack at her waist, holding it out for him to take. He swallowed when their fingers brushed.

“A-all aboard!” he called hoarsely as he called out the legendary pokémon.

A flash of light, a thunderclap of a roar, and Raikou stood in front of him. Their red irises locked on him. He didn’t know the pokémon well enough to interpret their expression, but it felt intimidating. 

That was silly. Raikou’s ability was Pressure, not Intimidate. Though, maybe Pressure would explain the tightness in his chest…

“Good evening, Nimbus,” Evelyn cooed, scratching the giant pokémon under their chin. It required her to stretch quite a bit, since the top of her head only came up to the tips of Raikou’s tusks. “You remember Emmet, right?”

“I am Emmet,” Emmet said helpfully.

Nimbus gave a low rumble. Evelyn seemed to interpret that as a yes.

“Good. He’s going to take you for a run. Be nice to him, alright? He’s being very polite to come all the way out here with us.”

Nimbus rolled their whole head, which Emmet assumed was equivalent to rolling their eyes.

“D-don’t be like that! You were the one who wanted attention, remember?”

The Raikou gave her a soft headbutt—but “soft” for such a large pokémon was still enough to knock Evelyn off balance.

Emmet caught her. Her back was warm against his ungloved hands. He was normal about this. Even when she clutched his arms, looking up into his eyes.

He nearly dropped her again before she righted herself, stammering something he couldn’t hear over the pounding Uproar of his heart.

You are Emmet. You are being ridiculous. You are just excited to make a friend who is passionate about Double Battles. That is all.

“I-I’m going to ride Entei. Rasalas,” she said, as if he didn’t remember the nickname. “On the other side of this hill, um, is where we usually go… sometimes they explore farther, and they can take care of themselves… but, um, they don’t like to leave me for too long. They’re sweet like that.”

Nimbus nuzzled her face, and she laughed. The Uproar in his chest grew louder.

Maybe that was part of her strategy. To weaken him with… whatever this feeling was. To keep from battling at his best tomorrow.

The mere idea made him sick to his stomach. She wouldn’t do that. That wasn’t following the rules.

She let out Entei and Suicune—and, surprisingly, Latios too. Latio was his nickname, which reminded him of the silly names he had given his teammates when he was younger. There was a reason that most of his and Ingo’s pokémon no longer had nicknames. Eelektross hadn’t put up with being called ‘Tiny’ after he’d evolved.

Emmet supposed his own pokémon could use some fresh air, and released the partners he had on him: Eelektross, Galvantula, Arvee, Nega (his Klinklang, as opposed to Ingo’s Posit), and Archeops. Ingo had taken most of the others for the evening. Being surrounded by his teammates helped ease the nervousness scratching inside his chest.

“Alright, fellow conductors.” He put his hands on his hips. “Can our train keep up with Miss Evelyn’s?”

The pokémon let out various cries of assent. Archeops flapped in excitement; Klinklang’s gears spun rapidly; Eelektross did a somersault in midair.

“J-just Evelyn,” she corrected him.

“Just Evelyn.” He grinned before turning back to his team. “Check safety.”

They lined up in roster order, from Klinklang on the left down to Eelektross on the right. Once he inspected them and determined them all awake and energetic, he pointed down the other side of the hill.

“Everything’s ready! Aim for victory!”

“All aboard!”

He nearly jumped when Evelyn’s voice joined his.

“S-sorry! It just—it sounded fun. I w-wasn’t trying to make fun of you, or anything, honest!”

“It is fun!” He beamed. “The louder you say it, the more fun it is. Ingo is verrrrrry good at that. I can never win against him.”

She giggled. “I c-can imagine. His voice intimidated me at first… but, he was so polite to Nita. He reminded me of Nimbus—more bark than bite.”

Raikou gave a sharp bark at that. Then they crouched down, and Evelyn gave Emmet a helping hand onto their back. Their purple cape felt like a frigid cloud beneath him. As he sunk into it, the static Evelyn had warned him of crackled across his legs. 

It tickled. It reminded him of when the baby Joltiks would rile each other up, stringing electricity from wall to wall of their nursery grotto. He couldn’t help letting out a laugh.

Seeming satisfied with Emmet’s reaction, Nimbus roared and rose to their feet. Eelektross swirled through the air around their head, and Galvantula attached herself to the Raikou’s side. Nimbus either didn’t notice or didn’t mind Galvantula snacking off of their electricity.

Latios helped Evelyn onto Entei’s back next. Emmet had expected her to look even tinier atop the large pokémon. Instead, she commanded the space like a conductor at home at the head of a train.

“C-can we say it again?” Evelyn asked as Rasalas lined up beside Nimbus.

He nodded with a smile, then cleared his throat.

“ALL ABOARD!”

Raikou took off like lightning itself. Emmet’s breath was knocked from his lungs for the second time tonight. His hat went flying; he was too slow to catch it. All he could do was cling to Nimbus’s neck as grass smeared like wet paint on both sides of him, the darkening sky running like ink.

Ah. So this was why Evelyn had been so nervous to ask for his help. Riding Nimbus was like standing on top of a moving train. (Not that Emmet had done that, of course. That would be verrrrrry irresponsible.)

Evelyn might have asked if he was okay, but he couldn’t tell over the roar of the wind. Nimbus gave a chuff that was definitely a laugh. 

Be nice to him, Evelyn had told the Raikou. Emmet should’ve taken that as a warning.

His stomach dropped out from under him when Nimbus leapt across a river. The spray dampened his legs, making Raikou’s static prickle against him more sharply. The combination reminded him of today’s battle. The cold water cleared his racing thoughts, brought the world back into focus.

He was riding one of Evelyn’s pokémon. What better way to learn about their weaknesses?

He decided that Nimbus’s weakness was the same as their strength: their speed. They picked up too much momentum, leading them to carve furrows through the grass when they skidded through an abrupt turn.  Emmet nearly went flying off their back, but somehow managed to hold fast with sheer desperation. 

Well, with Galvantula’s Electroweb, actually. He gave Galvantula a scratch on her head when Raikou finally slowed.

“You are not good at checking safety,” he told Nimbus, who chuffed again. “Let me guess. You are trying to protect your trainer. You know my team won’t lose next time.”

Nimbus’s rump gave a little wiggle. Their head turned back to him—and they licked his knee.

Emmet blinked.

“I am Emmet. I do not know what that means.”

Evelyn and Entei caught up to them just in time for her to translate.

“I think Nimbus is impressed that you held on for so long.” She giggled. “I knew you could do it!”

His skin tingled from her praise—no, from Raikou’s static. 

“It was verrrrrry difficult,” he said. “But, it was also fun! I learned a lot!”

He’d learned that Evelyn must be even stronger than he’d thought, to earn the trust of her companions. How had she done it? None of her online posts told of how she’d met the legendary beasts.

He was about to ask, but Rasalas took off again before he could. They took playful leaps that had Evelyn laughing high and clear as a train whistle. Aurora darted ahead of them, chasing Latios and Archeops with little breaths of Icy Wind. Eelektross had taken to hanging around Latios’s neck like a necklace. 

Emmet hoped his and Evelyn’s pokémon didn’t get along too well. Tomorrow they would face off on opposite sides of the arena. There would be no pulling punches then.

Raikou let out a soft growl.

“I hope you will forgive me, Nimbus.” He patted the pokémon’s neck. “I only wish to give you a serious battle. Anything less would be disrespectful.”

After a pause, they gave a satisfied nod. 

“Thank you for understanding.” He smiled.

Nimbus truly was a magnificent creature. Their battle tomorrow would be more exciting than anything before.

Arvee and Nega approached them now that Raikou was standing still. Emmet was relieved to see that Arvee had picked up his hat, and was now wearing it backwards. 

Emmet couldn’t understand the pokémon’s conversation, but it certainly sounded enthusiastic. Arvee was good-natured enough to get along with anyone—and it probably helped that Raikou hadn’t been the one to KO him in their previous battle.

Entei padded up slowly, footfalls soft in the tall grass.

“This… this is nice,” Evelyn said with a soft smile. Her hair was disheveled from the run, but her eyes looked brighter than ever. “My pokémon don’t often get to play like this. With friends, I mean.”

Emmet’s brow furrowed. “What about your sisters’ teams?”

“A-ah, they… they d-don’t like to come this far.” She looked away. “My sisters are all much busier than me… Morgan takes care of the finances, and Dana scouts for strong challengers, which means she’s gone quite a lot. Besides, u-um, my team is most active in the evening. Nita is the only one who stays up this late… and her aces, they, um… they’re fickle. They like to tease and play rude p-pranks on my friends… it’s n-not very fun for them.”

“Oh. That doesn’t sound nice.” 

Emmet and Ingo’s pokémon loved each other as much as they loved their trainers. Aside from Eelektross’s understandable friction with Emby, any of their teammates could work together. They gave Ingo and Emmet a near-infinite combination of cars and strategies. He knew that the Chatelaine sisters didn’t share their pokémon, but the thought of them not getting along at all was sad.

“I-it’s okay,” Evelyn was quick to reassure him. “My younger teammates get on well enough. Perrla tries to race with Nimbus, no matter how many times she loses. And Luma will play with Aurora when I can make it to the lake.”

He guessed that was something. It still seemed terribly lonely, though.

“I do not know your sisters well. You say your pokémon are not close with theirs. What about you?”

“H-huh?”

“You and your sisters. You do Multi Battles, don’t you? Are you in sync with them?”

None of the Chatelaines had reached the end of the Multi Line in the Battle Subway. He didn’t know if it was for lack of interest, lack of trying, or lack of ability. Emmet and Ingo intended to take the Multi Challenge here the day after tomorrow, once they had each cleared the challenges for their respective specialties. 

“I-I don’t know?” Her brow furrowed. She tangled her hands in Entei’s fur, and the pokémon tried to comfort her with a rumbling purr. “It’s hard to remember after the fact. I get so n-nervous…”

“You don’t seem nervous when we fight. You’re serious. And focused. You conduct your team with confidence.”

“Wh-wha… I don’t r-really think I’m all that good—I’m so much slower than my sisters…”

Raikou moved closer to Entei, allowing Emmet to reach Evelyn’s hand. She looked up, her eyes wide.

“Evelyn. You are strong. You are intelligent. You were able to defeat me! That isn’t easy! Yup!”

She bit her lip, muffling her laugh. 

“I th-think I just got lucky,” she said quietly.

“Nope! I know what luck looks like. In a Double Battle, it is easy to misread one thing, and the whole outcome will be different. But I tried my very hardest, and you still won. Because you and your pokémon are a perfect combination!”

Rasalas and Nimbus both roared at that. Aurora joined the cry before nuzzling into Evelyn’s side. Even Latios hovered near to kiss the top of her head.

“See? Your friends agree with me. They respect you. They love you, Evelyn.”

He closed his mouth before any more words could escape. He wanted her to believe in herself, to realize just how incredible she was. But he couldn’t jump tracks from the admiration of a rival to… anything else.

It was hard to remember that when she looked up at him with her hopeful smile.

“I… y-you’re right,” she finally said, stroking Entei’s neck. “I’m sorry, Rasalas. You and the others have always believed in me, ever since I was a wee girl on my first journey… Sometimes I still feel that small. But I’m not alone, right? I have you, and Aurora, and Nimbus, and Latio…”

And me.

“S-so I’ll keep trying my best. For my friends, and—and for you.”

She smiled up at him, all sparkling eyes and pink gums. It was a smile that made him want to smile even wider, too.

He was still holding her hand. He’d been so distracted, he’d almost forgotten, until—

Until Evelyn tugged him closer, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

“U-um! F-for good luck tomorrow!” She let go of his hand, face as red as Entei’s spikes. “Thank you sorryexcuseme!”

She patted Rasalas’s side, and they dashed back towards Kiloude. 

Emmet’s head spun, his hands barely holding on to Nimbus’s back. Galvantula’s Electroweb saved him again. Without the sparking yellow threads, he was sure he would’ve slipped off. 

Maybe that would have been for the best. Then he could’ve chalked up the last few minutes to a concussion.

“W-wait!” he called once his voice started working. “Your pokémon—!”

She had already disappeared over the hills. Maybe she’d realized how late it had gotten, and had decided she needed to get some rest before tomorrow. But why had she forgotten Nimbus?

The Raikou chuffed, fixing him with one knowing red eye. 

“No one asked you,” Emmet huffed. 

Electricity crackled through the cloud on their back, reminding Emmet who was in charge here.

“Ugh. You would get along with my brother. You even have almost the same face.”

He recalled his own pokémon, not wanting them to get lost. If Nimbus listened to him, they would begin moving verrrrry quickly.

“Nimbus. Please, will you conduct us back to Kiloude?” 

Emmet hadn’t paid enough attention to the tracks on the way here. If Raikou refused to help, it would be up to Archeops to find the city again.

But Nimbus roared, and a second later, they were streaking across the plains.

The exhilaration he felt was only from the wind in his face. Not from the warm ghost of a touch that still lingered, despite the cold wind blasting his skin.

For good luck.

His good luck would be her bad luck. That didn’t seem fair to her. He didn’t want to rely on luck, anyway. 

He wished he could have kissed her cheek in return. Just so they would be even.

Chapter Text

Emmet paced back and forth in front of the Battle Maison. This would have been a safety hazard for anyone trying to enter the front doors. However, it was currently six-thirty in the morning, and the building wouldn’t open for another two and a half hours.

He held Raikou’s pokéball in his left hand, rubbing his thumb over the name engraved on the blue metal. It was a Great Ball, technically, and Emmet was still baffled by how it could’ve caught the legendary beast. 

Maybe Evelyn would tell him. That would require her to get here, though.

He could practically hear Ingo’s laugh in his head. His brother couldn’t be roused before seven at the earliest; even then, he would need a sugared cup of coffee before he would do more than stare blankly. So at least Emmet had made it out of the hotel room without incident. That was half of the reason he’d arrived this early.

The other half was that he couldn’t sleep anyway. Verrrrrry annoying before such an important battle. Being well rested was important. His safety protocols called for at least seven hours of sleep. He had gotten around five. Maybe four-and-a-half. The brisk morning air would have to make up for the lack of rest.

And it was working! The country air was refreshing in a way that Nimbasa’s never was. It reminded him of his family’s trips to Anville when he was child. Kiloude was similar to Anville in a lot of ways, actually. He wondered if Evelyn would like to visit Anville sometime.

He shook his head, his smile stiffening. He was not here to think about Evelyn—he was only here to return Raikou. Which, of course, would mean seeing her—but he didn’t have to follow that train of thought beforehand.

He did not have to think about last night. He did not have to think about relaxing conversations or soft smiles. He did not have to think about wind in his hair or electricity in his skin or her lips on his cheek.

He smacked the top of Raikou’s pokéball against his forehead. If only he could catch those traitorous thoughts in a pokéball, too. Seal them away until…

Until what? Until he defeated her? Until he adjusted to the feather-light feeling in his chest? Until he knew if she felt the same? 

Until was a dangerous word. It implied an eventual arrival.

He spun on his heel, as he did after each line of pacing. 

Unlike the previous lines, he collided with a person.

“Check safety!” he said automatically as the woman stumbled back.

She was not Evelyn. He should not have been so disappointed by that.

“What on earth—” The woman shook her head, and Emmet couldn’t help noting that her ponytail was the same blue shade as Evelyn’s. “Oh. It’s you.”

Her voice was flat. His voice was usually flat too, so he didn’t mind.

“I am Emmet.” He nodded pleasantly. “I am sorry if I injured you.”

“Oh, I’m quite capable of bouncing back, thank you.” She brushed off the front of her black blouse. “Now, is there a reason you are flitting about my facility like an addled Fletchling? We do not open for business early, not even for skilled challengers such as yourself.”

Her facility? But she wasn’t—ah. 

She was a Battle Chatelaine. He could tell from her faint accent. He hadn’t recognized her without her uniform—which apparently included a wig. That made sense. Evelyn’s sisters’ hairstyles would be quite impractical otherwise. Did that mean that Evelyn’s hair was a wig, too? Most likely not, if this woman’s natural hair matched Evelyn’s color. 

The woman was still staring. Oops. He wasn’t sure which sister she was. One of the older two, certainly, but Emmet hadn’t watched many of their matches. 

“I know. I would not expect you to alter your schedule,” he said quickly.

He held Raikou’s pokéball behind his back. What would she think if she saw it? Would she assume that Emmet had stolen it from her sister?

She squinted at him. 

“You wouldn’t be here to challenge me, anyway, hmm?”

He shook his head.

“I am Emmet. I like Double Battles. You specialize in...”

“Rotation battles. I am Morgan, though I don’t suppose you’d recognize me like this. And yes, I am well aware of your reputation for Double Battles. That is the only reason you have shown an interest in our dear Evelyn, I take it?”

He swallowed. Hopefully it was still too dark for Morgan to see his blush.

“I do not understand your question,” he said carefully, if not completely truthfully. 

He hadn’t thought he was that obvious. Ingo catching on didn’t count—it was impossible to hide anything important from his brother.

“Don’t get cheeky with me.” Morgan poked his chest. “If you’re twisting my sister’s feelings to your advantage, I will personally ensure you never win another battle.”

His eyes widened. 

“I am not twisting anything! Using Attract on a fellow trainer would be against the rules.” He felt it was rather rude of her to suggest, considering the state his own feelings had left him in.

She gave him a funny look. But he was used to that.

“Then it should be no matter for you to leave her alone. You have already muddled her focus enough with your late-night galavanting.”

His breath caught. Of course she knew. There was no reason that Evelyn would have kept last night’s destination secret. Still, Emmet felt strangely like he’d been caught eating Ingo’s leftover pizza again.

“I did not intend that. I want us to have a serious battle today.” 

He stood up straighter. He didn’t need to defend himself. He and Evelyn had enjoyed themselves last night, and they would enjoy their battle today, too.

That would only happen if he could return his pokémon to her, though. He would just have to endure Morgan’s judgment. Even if he knew it was undeserved.

“Please deliver this to Evelyn.” He held out Raikou’s pokéball. “That is why I was here.”

Morgan’s eyes widened. 

“What were you doing with that?” she demanded, plucking the Great Ball from his hand.

“I am Emmet. I am ensuring that Nimbus reaches their home station.” 

He reached up to tip his hat, only to remember that he wasn’t wearing one. He straightened his arm back at his side. 

“How did you—?”

He was speedwalking away before Morgan could finish her sentence.

XXX

Emmet was whisked from room to room, arena to arena, for the Super Doubles Challenge. Not nearly as efficient has having a dedicated train for each type of battle. At least each transfer gave his team a few extra minutes of rest. They weren’t used to so many battles in a row. 

Emmet was still sure to take breaks every seven matches for safety checks, strategy adjustments, and snacks. Arvee and Garbodor were especially fond of the PokéPuffs he’d bought at a baker’s dozen per Battle Point. (Eelektross was more preoccupied with trying to steal Emmet’s soda.)

In the interest of time, Ingo had begun the Super Singles Challenge shortly after Emmet had completed ten Double Battles. Emmet had caught glimpses of him directing Chandelure, Emby, and Posit in between his own matches. 

(Emmet caught no glimpses of Evelyn. He wasn’t sure what he would have done if he had.)

On his break after the forty-ninth match, Emmet caught Ingo in the lobby.

“Ingo!” Emmet smiled and strode towards him. “You are out here early. I hope you did not lose.”

Ingo laughed, turning away from the counter where he’d been inspecting the items for sale. He still wore the yellow felt hat he’d purchased there yesterday. Emmet matched him in blue. Evelyn had already seen it last night, after all. He might as well enjoy the comforting weight it offered.

“I am on track for victory. I appreciate your confidence in me,” Ingo said wryly. “I presume you are in sight of your destination, as well?”

Emmet nodded. The last few matches had come down to the wire, but his item and moveset adjustments had paid off. The intense battles had been a perfect testing ground. His partners were as ready to face Evelyn’s team as they could be. 

He stood at Ingo’s side, peering down into the glass display case.

“Forty-eight BP for a Binding Band? That is a rip-off.”

The receptionist behind the counter stiffened. She wore the same stiff smile that Emmet often gave to unruly subway passengers.

“It’s easier to accrue BP here than at our facility, it seems,” Ingo explained. “Here, we earn points after each individual battle, rather than at the end of a streak of seven wins. The point multiplier in later matches is much higher, as well. Have you noticed? Or has your train of thought been occupied with different tracks?”

He was smirking. Rude.

“I noticed. Item optimization is important,” Emmet countered his implication. 

He had spent forty-eight BP apiece on an Assault Vest and a Choice Band. Unlike Ingo, Emmet went straight for what he wanted without shopping around. 

“Then you may find this particular item intriguing. Have you seen it?” 

Ingo tapped the glass in front of what looked like a large pill. The plaque in front said it cost an exuberant two hundred Battle Points.

“This is an Ability Capsule,” Ingo continued. “I’m told that if a pokémon consumes it, their ability will change.”

“Their ability? That is verrrrrry unbelievable.”

Emmet clasped his hands behind his back, leaning down to squint at the item. He had never heard of anything like it.

“If you do not believe it, then you may move aside, if you please,” the receptionist finally said in a falsely cheery tone. “There are other guests who may wish to make a purchase.”

Emmet straightened and looked over his shoulder. There was no line. The only people behind them were a couple of Ace Trainers he recalled defeating earlier this morning, but they were deep in conversation about type combinations.

“Ah, please excuse my brother.” Ingo nodded politely. 

“You don’t need to apologize for me—”

Emmet’s brow flattened as Ingo pulled him away from the counter.

“Fine. It wasn’t like I wanted to buy anything.”

“You know that these Battle Points can only be spent here, correct?” Ingo asked. “There’s no benefit to being stingy with them. It is unlikely we will be able to return again soon if you choose not to redeem any before our departure.”

Emmet grimaced at the reminder—their vacation would only last for three more days. 

Only three more days to decide what to do about his feelings for Evelyn.

With only three days, did it even matter? She had responsibilities here. He had a commitment to the Battle Subway. Neither of them could easily leave their station. He knew this.

A tight feeling coiled in his throat anyway.

“Emmet?” Ingo squeezed his arm. “Safety check?”

“Fine,” he lied.

“Safety check,” Ingo repeated more insistently.

Emmet sighed.

“I am not eager to leave this destination. That is all.”

“...Ah.” Ingo’s voice was uncharacteristically quiet. He cleared his throat. “We still have time left in our schedule, and… perhaps, we could stand to take more vacations, in the future.”

Emmet looked up sharply.

“We are Subway Bosses. We cannot leave our passengers without their challenge.”

“Yes, but training is an important part of being a Subway Boss, isn’t it?” There was a mischievous gleam in Ingo’s eye. “And what better way is there to train than with other battle facility leaders?”

“You do not have to make excuses for me.” Emmet focused his gaze over the banister, toward the lower floor and the trainers and spectators milling about. 

How many of them would be watching his next battle? He should be preparing his mind for that. Not wallowing over how it would soon be over.

“It’s not an excuse. I’ve seen you battle here. Preparing to challenge Evelyn has brought you to an even higher state! And, more importantly, you enjoy her company!”

“Shh!” Emmet pressed his hand over Ingo’s mouth. He didn’t need his brother’s foghorn voice alerting the entire Battle Maison to his feelings.

“My apologies.” Ingo’s voice was muffled by Emmet’s palm.

“It is okay.” He smiled tightly, arm swinging back to his side. “Let me focus on this final match first. Follow the schedule.”

“Of course. We can only make one stop at a time.” Ingo nodded. “My next stop will be to purchase an Ability Capsule for Emby.”

Emmet’s eyes widened. His smile fell, just for a moment.

“No you won’t. You love her Mold Breaker.” 

Emmet could hardly imagine battling alongside Ingo without the occasional threat of friendly fire. Ingo said he never brought Emby to the Multi Lines on purpose, but he was a bad liar. It was no coincidence that that “mistake” most commonly occured after Emmet ate something of his from the breakroom fridge.

“Haxorus’s hidden ability is Unnerve. That could be useful as well, with the surge in berry use I’ve noticed recently.” Ingo shrugged.

Emmet shook his head.

“We would have to rename her. ‘You-En’ doesn’t have the same ring to it.”

Emby had her place. It wasn’t in the Multi Line, but she worked excellently with Ingo’s Singles strategy. Even ignoring that, it would feel wrong to change something so intrinsic to the Haxorus.

“Use your BP on something else. Buy some more hats. I don’t care. Don’t touch Emby.”

“And here I thought the idea would cheer you up.” Ingo gave a smug little smile. “I will be sure to tell her you said that. In the meantime, don’t let me keep you from your own preparations. I look forward to watching you reach your destination!”

He clasped Emmet on the shoulder, then descended the stairs without so much as a final teasing remark. Emmet frowned. Did he look so nervous that he couldn’t handle any more brotherly ribbing?

No, Ingo was probably just eager to peruse the BP shops on the lower level before Emmet’s last battle started. The Chatelaine matches were on a set schedule, since they all took place in the Battle Maison’s central arena, where the balcony provided the most room for spectators. The Super Doubles finals would be in the late afternoon. Then the Super Singles. Emmet and Ingo wouldn’t miss each others’ matches. 

The only downside to the schedule was that it gave Emmet entirely too long to prepare. His pokémon might be refreshed, but he’d think himself in circles and second-guess his new strategies if he didn’t find a way to distract himself.

“Ingo!” he called, belatedly chasing after his brother.

Maybe Emmet didn’t care for shopping, but nothing would settle his nerves more than spending an afternoon with Ingo.

XXX

Emmet kept his gaze focused on one of the columns behind the arena as Evelyn made her entrance. He didn’t look up at her soft footsteps, muffled by the plush carpet. He stared at a point behind her head, keeping his smile not a degree wider than usual. 

He could be professional. He wouldn’t distract her.

(And he wouldn’t let her distract him, either.)

“U-um… hello, dear—a-ah, Emmet.” She smiled back tentatively, hands clasped tightly in front of her chest. “I, um… I hope you slept well last night… I know you must have gotten up awfully early… A-ah, thank you for getting Nimbus back to my sister! Is what I meant to say…”

Dragons, she sounded more nervous than ever. The contrast felt even more stark after seeing her so relaxed last night. 

He needed to try harder.

“I am Emmet. I was awake anyway. It—”

“O-oh! I’m so sorry!” 

—was no trouble, he had been about to say. 

“I—I didn’t mean to…!” She wrung her hands, wrinkling the fabric of her gloves. He shouldn’t have been staring closely enough to notice. 

He wanted to cross the expanse of the arena. To take her hands, straighten her gloves, let her fingers tangle reassuringly with his own. To tell her that there was nothing to apologize for.

There were too many spectators watching. Morgan, with her spiral hairpiece distinguishing her silhouette. Ingo, silver irises intense as he leaned over the railing. Strangers with cameras flashing, leaving spots in his eyes.

At risk of saying anything more incriminating, he just dipped his head. His blue hat shielded him from a bit of the light. 

(And from her anxious gaze.)

“L-let’s just have the battle!” she finally squeaked. “That’s what you’re here for. I’ll do my best! Honestly, I really will!”

He knew she would. She knew better than to go easy on him.

He pulled out Garbodor and Eelektross’s pokéballs, readying one in each hand. There was no use in saving his ace for the late game. Each attack needed to be cautious, confident, and deliberate. There would be no wiggle room for careless errors.

Anticipation stretched his grin wide.

"Follow the rules. Safe driving! Follow the schedule. Everybody smile! Check safety. Everything's ready! Aim for victory!"

He held off on the all aboard, hoping that Evelyn would call out along with him. 

She didn’t. The words stuck in his throat.

Garbodor and Eelektross burst onto the field, at the same time as Raikou and Entei. Nimbus made eye contact with Emmet and gave a low growl. He nodded back. 

The time for words was over.

Left arm horizontal over his chest. Right bent at the elbow, raised in a fist. Protect and Toxic, respectively. 

To his shock, Evelyn mimicked his signaling method: a circling sweep of her right arm, left pointed straight down. He stared at her, gaping. 

Nimbus charged Garbodor. Emmet barely saw—by the time he blinked, Raikou had flashed back into their pokéball. A Volt Switch. Just like her Pachirisu had tried in their last battle.

Garbodor held on. Latio took Nimbus’s place on the field.

“Good girl,” Emmet said, but not loud enough to be heard over Entei’s roar as they rained Sacred Fire down on Eelektross. 

Eelektross’s Protect held, splitting the blue flames like a rock in a current. Heat blasted Emmet in a thick wave. 

He let out a thrilled laugh. No amount of VS Recorder videos could convey just how intense it felt to face such powerful pokémon.

Garbodor shot Rasalas with rancid globs of Toxic. The heat couldn’t evaporate the poison before it took hold.

Good. Good. His heart pounded, and he couldn’t help catching Evelyn’s eyes. They burned as brightly as Entei’s Sacred Fire, and sparkled like a Discharge when she smiled back.

He looked away. No distractions.

He barely signaled Garbodor to Protect before Entei’s Stone Edge hurled chunks of the arena’s false floor upwards. Emmet kept his footing, then shielded his eyes with his arm when Latios gathered light. Luster Purge. 

Well, that would keep him from staring at Evelyn.

“Eelektross, Knock Off!” he called. 

Latios and Eelektross cried out as their moves collided. A sharp crash, and golden smoke billowed up to replace the blinding light. Emmet breathed in the heady scent of cloves and cedar. 

His head spun a little. Hmm. He hadn’t considered the effects of inhaling unfiltered Lax Incense. At least it was unlikely to affect his pokémon—Eelektross had no nose, and Garbodor’s natural stench should protect her. 

He fanned his hat in front of his nose as he called his next commands. Despite his hopes, Latio and Rasalas weren’t slowed by the heavy smell. They must be used to the incense. 

Garbodor went down in a Sacred Fire, while Latios and Eelektross traded Dragon Pulses, dancing through the smoke as playfully as they had last night. 

“Thank you, Garbodor! Rest!” He called her back into her pokéball and sent out Haxorus—

Excadrill burst from the pokéball. He hadn’t—had he…?

He shook his head. The incense was clearing, but not quickly enough. The shimmering smoke was interfering with his vision, blurring his thoughts.

Through a gap in the gold mist, he caught Evelyn worrying her bottom lip. Why did she look so upset? She’d just landed the first KO. Was the smoke affecting her, too?

“Rasalas, hang in there! Sacred Fire!”

“Eelektross, Discharge!” he called while switching out Excadrill for Arvee—but luckily, Evelyn simultaneously swapped Latio for Nimbus. It was almost funny how in sync they were. What would it be like to fight on the same team as her?

He grit his teeth. That fantasy wasn’t one he could indulge right now. He blamed the pungent smoke.

Haxorus roared as he tanked Rasalas’s blast. Heat and smoke ruled the arena, in direct contrast to yesterday’s thunder and storm. 

That reminded him—Evelyn hadn’t even used Suicune, yet. With Garbodor and her newly-taught Giga Drain down, he had to protect Eelektross. Luckily nibbling on his Leftovers had kept his HP from dropping too low. 

Eelektross swam high into the air for a powerful Discharge. Lightning crackled across the arena, popping Nimbus’s Air Balloon and making Emmet’s hair stand on end. Evelyn’s hair frizzed beneath her hat, too—not that he was paying attention.

“Sorry, Arvee,” Emmet said quietly. 

The Haxorus was resistant to electric-type moves, but it still couldn’t feel nice. Better than letting Excadrill get one hit KO’d by Sacred Fire, though. Evelyn’s ace was nothing to trifle with.

But Entei finally succumbed to poison and Life Orb recoil.

“O-oh! You were brilliant, Rasalas!” Evelyn braved the electrified field to hug her partner before calling them back into their ball. 

Emmet bit his lip. Maybe he was the one who’d gotten too attached to Evelyn’s pokémon. Or maybe it was just hard to feel satisfied with a KO that had relied on so much chip damage.

Either way, he was now facing down two legendaries with nearly full health, while his own partners were wearing down. It would take some careful driving to navigate this track. At least the incense had mostly faded, leaving only a few golden wisps curling up from the center of the arena. He could save his voice again.

Emmet and Evelyn’s hand signals mirrored each other—Protect for both Eelektross and Nimbus. Clockwise sweep for Haxorus’s Earthquake. Evelyn’s overhead signal for Suicune was new, but it was easy to guess which move she’d choose. Blizzard, or possibly Icy Wind. Surf wouldn’t be very effective against Haxorus. 

“Hang in there, Arvee…” 

Should Emmet have had him use Protect, instead? He should’ve anticipated that Nimbus would, with the clear threat of Earthquake on the field.

There was no time for deliberating. The signal was given, and Arvee split the arena with a crashing stomp. 

Aurora fell deep into one of the cracks and was battered by the crumbling floor. With a graceful leap, though, they escaped and retaliated with Blizzard.

Emmet held his breath as the temperature plunged. Sweat froze to his skin. His tie went stiff in the gale-force wind. And the barrage of snow—

Crashed uselessly against Eelektross’s invisible shield, missing Haxorus entirely.

He released his breath, clutching his hand to his pounding heart. 

He had a chance. He wasn’t out of commission yet.

“Earthquake, again!” he shouted, his breath puffing in the cold. “And Discharge!”

“W-we won’t go out that easy! Nimbus—full speed ahead!” She pointed straight towards Haxorus. 

Full speed ahead, indeed. Arvee never had a chance. The Shadow Ball sent him flying back before he could take a step.

“Gwoghh…” he cried lowly. 

“Arvee!”

Emmet ran to him. If Evelyn was allowed to do it, then she wouldn’t attack while he consoled his pokémon.

He crouched in the snow, offering Arvee a mint Poké Puff. 

“You were excellent, friend.” He smiled as Arvee ate. “Thank you.”

Haxorus headbutted Emmet’s knee gently before he called him back into the pokéball. Then Emmet sprinted back to his corner of the arena. 

He could feel the eyes watching him, suddenly. He made the mistake of looking up, and saw Morgan at the front of the balcony, staring down at him with an unimpressed expression. He grit his teeth—did she think this was some play for sympathy? He was battling his very hardest, and he was still losing!

He was still losing. But he hadn’t lost. He wouldn’t let anyone derail him.

Not even Evelyn, with her watering blue eyes. 

No, that must be a trick of the chandelier light. Why would she be upset? Besides, Nimbus looked pleased with themself, their head raised haughtily.  

“Um, Ice—Icy Wind.”

…Her voice did sound off. Was she upset that she was winning? She’d already beaten him twice before. 

He remembered how guilty she’d sounded about it at the time. At the end of the Super Doubles line, it had taken him at least fifteen minutes to reassure her that he wasn’t disappointed about his loss. He’d been so distracted, they’d missed their stop, and Evelyn hadn’t gotten to see the Liberty Garden with her sisters. He’d ridden back to Nimbasa with her, apologizing and trying to cheer her up by talking about battle strategies.

He shook his head, trying to clear away the memories. The point was, she shouldn’t feel bad about winning. Someone had to win, and someone had to lose. That was real.

That said, he wasn’t going to lose easily.

“Eelektross! Aim for victory!” he called as the wind beat against his pokémon, cutting his already lackluster speed. That was fine. Emmet’s strategy rarely relied on speed, anyway. “Discharge!”

Eelektross let out a sound like a motor revving, then burst with light.

Snow melted to slush around him. Lightning jumped in wide arcs to strike Evelyn’s pokémon. Despite the impressive show, however, neither Raikou nor Suicune went down. 

Emmet’s smile wavered. This was going to be verrrrrry difficult.

He sent out Excadrill. Naturally, Evelyn’s answer was to use her favorite Surf-Protect combo. There was no way for Emmet to avoid it—he needed both Earthquake and Discharge to guarantee a KO on Suicune, who was the greatest threat.

He just had to hope they both endured the coming storm.

“I—I’m sorry about this!” Evelyn still called out before directing her pokémon. 

“Don’t b—” he tried to say.

The edge of an absolutely massive wave of water crashed over him, making it rather difficult to finish.

He sputtered, laughing in spite of himself. What was wrong with him? He needed to make sure his pokémon had survived the hit. Excadrill’s Assault Vest should protect him, but Eelektross—

Was clinging on, washed up against the balcony railing by the wave.

This time, Emmet didn’t feel guilty about laughing. Especially when he noticed that Morgan had been soaked by the spray, too.

“Follow the schedule!” he called out with a grin. Eelektross and Excadrill knew what that was code for.

In perfect sync, Excadrill slammed the floor with his claws, and Eelektross released his last surge of electricity. The arena rumbled. Leftover water sizzled and seeped through the rapidly-spreading cracks. Steam obscured the battlefield, but he heard Suicune’s musical cry as they went down. And then—

Crack-crackcrackcrack-POPPOPPOP

The chandelier’s diamond lights went out like firecrackers. The electric bulbs lining the balcony flared bright before cutting out. No emergency lights flickered on. 

“Emmet!” Evelyn called through the dark. 

He could barely hear her over the rumbling floor. Wasn’t Excadrill finished? Why was there still so much shaking—?

CRACK!

The ground buckled, and he tumbled head-over heels through the rubble.

Chapter Text

This would never happen on a train, Emmet thought as he fell. He was going to have a word with someone about the importance of safety checks.

…Assuming he made it out of this, of course.

Eelektross’s sparking form wrapped around him, protecting him from most of the debris and what would have been a catastrophic impact. It was a stroke of luck that the pokémon had enough strength to hold on after the damage he’d taken earlier.

“Verrrrrry good, Eelektross!” Emmet said, his voice strained by the constriction. 

Evelyn’s shriek cut through the darkness. Emmet looked up, in time to see her tumble through the broken floor on top of him.

“Mmph,” he grunted. 

Eelektross caught her in his other arm. Emmet looked up, expecting Nimbus to come crashing down at this point, but Evelyn was clutching their glowing pokéball to her chest. She must have recalled the Raikou before they could fall. 

Emmet took inventory of who and/or what else had landed with them. Excadrill was perched safely on Eelektross’s head, though Emmet hadn’t been too worried about him. A short fall wouldn’t injure such a small and sturdy steel-type. 

No other passengers appeared to have made the sudden journey with them, thankfully—just his and Evelyn’s hats, and a large heap of mud that Eelektross gently sent them down in.

“Emmet! Safety check!” Ingo shouted. Emmet couldn’t see him up above, though he did see Chandelure’s soft purple glow as she floated over the hole.

“Systems operational,” he craned his neck to call up. His vertebrae popped uncomfortably. 

“Evelyn! Evelyn, are you alright?” 

Chandelure’s light silhouetted Morgan’s massive hat and spiral of hair above the hole. The chatelaine was leaning way too far over the edge, attempting to search for her sister. Eelektross had stopped sparking, though, leaving Emmet and Evelyn in darkness.

“I… I-I…” Evelyn couldn’t seem to couple her words together. 

He squeezed her hand, hoping to give her an anchor in the dark until he could get out his phone flashlight. Her grip was as tight as a vice.

“Monsieur Emmet, I swear, if there is one hair missing on me young sister’s head—! Eek!”

A few floorboards with their supporting dirt crumbled into the pit. A gloved hand yanked Morgan back before she could tumble in with them.

“Please stay behind the yellow line!” Ingo boomed. “Chandelure will assist our siblings!”

Emmet finally fumbled his phone from his pocket, but Chandelure was already floating down beside them. She trilled inquisitively, and Emmet gave her his best smile.

“We are unharmed, Chandelure. Though Evelyn may be in shock. I do not recommend transporting her yet.”

“I… S-sorry…” she let out a shaky breath. 

She looked paler than ever in the violet light. Being soaked to the bone from that last Surf couldn’t have helped.

“No.” Emmet frowned, an uncomfortable expression. “I am sorry. When I said I wanted an exciting battle, I did not mean this.”

A shshsh of a laugh escaped her blue lips. 

“I… you probably wanted… to f-finish the battle.” she shivered. “I’ll… be f-fine…”

“No. The best battles are when both trainers are in perfect condition. Take your time.”

He was vaguely aware of the commotion above them. Spectators were likely debating whether or not to leave. Just one more thing he wouldn’t have to worry about on a train.

That wasn’t his problem. Morgan could handle the crowds. Emmet could handle Evelyn.

(...Could he?)

“Here.” He guided her to sit on Eelektross’s back. The pokémon stretched himself out at seat level, making an effective makeshift bench. “Take deep breaths.”

He was no medic. He could only provide the most obvious advice. At least she didn’t look injured. Just cold, and wet, and startled.

Hmm. It was unfortunate that his only fire type would burn up one’s spirit to provide its warmth.

Eelektross let out a low ouughh, nudging Emmet to sit along his back, too. Emmet glared at his pokémon, whose four teeth clicked in his form of a laugh.

Emmet sighed. He doubted that his meager warmth would do much—especially without his usual coat to lend—but he sat next to Evelyn anyway.

“A-ah…” She scooted over to give him space. “Sorry… I d-didn’t mean to take up so much room…”

Her stiff skirts were bulky, but that was the last thought on Emmet’s mind.

“Eelektross is long. There is plenty of space.” He cleared his throat. “But. Um. I would not mind sitting closer. It would conserve warmth.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Oh—oh! Of course…!”

He felt a little guilty as she scooted back towards him. Her arm pressed against his, her dress’s wide rim practically sitting on top of his knees. Warmth was important, but he also just enjoyed being close to her. It felt like a lie not to tell her that.

“Th-thank you, Emmet…” She shivered, and he tentatively wrapped a damp arm around her shoulders. 

He felt warmer already. He hoped that she did, too.

“I-I promise, I’ll do it right next time.” Her hands wrung together in her lap. “’ll find a way to make this up to you. Honestly, I will.”

“Make what up to me?” His head tilted. 

“Um. B-being so careless? Dropping you in a pit of mud?” She bit her lip. “This used to be a theater house, s-so it had a basement to hold p-props. We never thought to fill it in… I’ve never… Aurora’s Surf has never done this before, b-but I still should have…”

“My pokémon were responsible for the damage, too.” He reached up to scratch Excadrill’s head. The pokémon’s head ducked sheepishly beneath his metal hood. “Unless you were the architect behind the weak arena floor, you did nothing wrong.”

She was correct about the basement, though. Someone really should improve the structural stability if the Chatelaines were going to fight with legendaries regularly. But now wasn’t the time to say that. Tact may not have come easy to him, but he wasn’t stupid.

“Th-that’s… my sister, actually.” Evelyn winced. “Nita… her Landorus uses Earth Power and Bulldoze to patch the arena b-between our, um, messier battles…”

“Oh.” Emmet blushed. 

He hadn’t meant to insult Evelyn’s family. He would have thought that a legendary pokémon would have been able to make a bit sturdier floor, though.

Evelyn didn’t say anything else. Emmet had no idea what else to say. The only sounds that filled the silence were Chandeulre’s soft tinkling, and Morgan shouting orders up above. Something about getting the lights back on, it sounded like.

“I-I’m sure Nita’s Thundurus can take care of that. Um, better than Landorus did the floor,” Evelyn mumbled. “So, um, don’t worry…”

“I am Emmet. I am not worried.”

(Not about the lights, anyway.)

“O-oh. I s-suppose it’s just me, then… as usual…” Her shoulders shook. Her fists clenched, her black gloves stretching tight over her knuckles. “N-not that I want you to be w-worried! I just… ugh, I feel so…!”

“So what?” he asked when she trailed off.

She shook her head, water droplets flinging from the ends of her hair.

“How are you always so confident?” she burst. “You c-could have been hurt, and you’re not even shook up! And—and not just that. You know that you’re a brilliant trainer, and you’re wonderfully kind, and you say what you think, so easily—I d-don’t know if I want to—” 

Her mouth snapped shut so quickly, he heard her teeth click together. The beginning of a scream sounded like a teakettle deep in her throat.

“Evelyn?” He wasn’t sure whether to hold her closer, or give her space. He settled for not moving at all. “Safety check?”

She dropped her head into her hands, her fingers curling against her forehead. 

“I—I don’t know if I want to kiss you, or be you,” she finally said in a whimper. 

Emmet blinked. A slightly hysterical laugh bubbled up from his chest.

She wanted to kiss him! …Or be him. He pictured her in his Subway Boss uniform, and the mental image was so adorable he couldn't help laughing harder.

“I knew it… I must have lost me mind…” she muttered, tugging at her bangs. “F-forget I said anything, please…!”

“No. I will not.” He took her hands, gently prying them away from her face, so that she could see his beaming smile. “Sorry for laughing. I was just surprised. Also, you are wrong.”

“Wh-what—?” She blinked, scattering tears from her lashes.

“I do not say what I think easily. Not all of the time, at least.” His smile turned sheepish. “You said what you were thinking just now. I was not confident enough to do that.”

“I…! That was right silly of me, it doesn’t count!”

“Last night. You kissed my cheek. I was not confident enough for that, either.”

“A-and then I ran away after, like—like a skittish Skiddo…!”

“I do not care. You are still brave, Evelyn.” He grinned brightly again. 

His chest felt like it could burst from excitement. Even the battle earlier hadn’t made him this giddy. 

“N-no! You’ve g-got it all wrong!” She wriggled her hands free to cover her red face.

“Nope. You are verrrrrrry brave. And brilliant. And b-beautiful.” 

His face warmed, too. If nothing else, neither of them were shivering now.

She peeked out at him through her fingers. Though her gaze looked suspicious at first, his red face must have convinced her that he was being honest. A small smile tugged at her lips.

“Th-that’s hardly fair,” she finally said. “I can’t right argue with you after claiming that you say what you think.”

“Ha! I win. Emmet one, Evelyn zero.” He grinned unrepentantly. 

“Why, you…!” She aimed a playful punch at his arm before dissolving into laughter.

He caught her punch and pulled her into a hug, his laugh melting into hers. Dragons, it felt nice to hold her like this—and even nicer to know that she liked it, too.

She liked him. That was the greatest victory of all.

(Though he still wouldn’t complain about beating her in battle, too.)

“S-speaking of scores, though, um…” Evelyn looked back toward the hole up above. “It sounds like they’ve almost—”

Before she could finish, the lights flickered back on. Most of them, anyway—the chandelier still remained dark. All those crystalline bulbs would take longer than a few minutes to replace.

“They have.” Emmet nodded. “Do you want to finish the battle?”

“Y-yes! If you do, I mean!” She smiled brightly. “But don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you said s-such nice things!”

“Good. It would be no fun to defeat you if our battle was not serious.” He grinned back. “Ah. That reminds me. You did not play fair last time.”

Her eyes widened, her mouth forming a tiny o.

“What—?”

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. It would have been nice to spend more time savoring it, but Ingo was already calling for them from above.

“There. Now we will both have good luck. That’s fair.”

“A-ah—! You cheeky little…!” She laughed again, wiping her damp eyes. 

Emmet helped her down from Eelektross’s back, then gathered their mud-stained hats. He presented hers to her with a twirl of his wrist and an exaggerated bow.

“Thank you, Emmet.” She accepted her hat, but didn’t put it back on. Smart choice. He didn’t want to get more mud in his hair either. “Really. For everything.”

“Of course.” He smiled and took hold of one of Chandelure’s arms, extending his free hand to her. “Now. Are you prepared for departure?”

She nodded, taking his hand with a bright “All aboard!”

XXX

The remainder of the battle took place in one of the Maison’s smaller rooms, while Nita took care of repairing the central arena. There was no balcony in this room. That meant that the spectators who wanted to watch the finale were crammed together like Wishiwashi around the raised arena. It also meant Emmet could see Ingo’s satisfied smirk a lot more closely.

Emmet didn’t care. He had more important things to focus on. Like winning, and the excitement in Evelyn’s eyes.

"Follow the rules. Safe driving! Follow the schedule. Everybody smile! Check safety. Everything's ready! Aim for victory!"

“All aboard!” Evelyn called out with him.

They sent out the same pokémon who had been battling before, with the exception of Evelyn replacing the fainted Aurora with Latio. 

Eelektross was still on his last legs. Emmet signaled for him to Protect, deflecting Nimbus’s Shadow Ball. Latios Recovered, leaving Excadrill free to sweep with a Rock Slide. 

Emmet would have worried that the falling rocks might hit the spectators, but an invisible barrier shielded them. Chatelaine Dana’s Articuno and Zapdos roosted high in the rafters, setting up Reflect and Light Screen respectively. Those would deflect anything but a direct blow.

Alright, friend. I’m sorry for this, Emmet thought towards Eelektross. The pokémon couldn’t reliably Protect twice in a row. Emmet directed him to use Discharge instead.

Predictably, Nimbus’s second Shadow Ball took Eelektross down before the electrical attack could be released. 

“Excellent driving, Eelektross.” Emmet stepped over the broken rocks to feed him a Pamtre berry. The variety was difficult to obtain in Unova, but the dry flavor was Eelektross’s favorite. He deserved it after all of his hard work today. “Time to return to station.”

Eelektross gave a satisfied rumble as he swallowed the berry. Emmet gave him one last pat and returned him to his ball.

Evelyn waited for Emmet to return to his corner before giving orders to Latio, though she didn’t really need to. The Latios just used Recover again. The warm white glow couldn’t have injured Emmet—the opposite, actually.

“I am Emmet. I am about to use Earthquake,” he announced. Normally he wouldn’t telegraph his attacks so obviously, but he wouldn’t want to frighten Evelyn by having Excadrill shake the ground without warning. Not after what they had just been through.

She nodded and widened her stance. 

Though Earthquake wouldn’t strike through Latio’s Levitate, Emmet had to guarantee that Nimbus would fall. Excadrill couldn’t take on both the Raikou and Latios alone.

Excadrill slammed his claws against the floor. The arena rumbled, and Nimbus locked eyes with Emmet through the haze of dirt. The Raikou had nowhere to dodge. They let out a respectful growl before kneeling down in defeat.

“Brilliant job, Nimbus.” Evelyn stumbled towards them once the dust cleared. “You were s-so strong out there. You’ve earned a nice long rest.”

Nimbus chuffed and gave her a lick on the forehead. Her blue hair stood on end.

“E-ehh?”

Emmet couldn’t help laughing at the way her hair stuck out in every direction. It resembled the puffed spores of a Whimsicott.

“Oh, you silly…!” Evelyn scratched under Nimbus’s chin before returning them to their pokéball.

It was fascinating, watching her warm demeanor turn serious again, quick as a speeding train. With a sharp snap, she pointed for Latio to attack. 

“Excadrill! X-Scissor!” he called.

The Dragon Pulse grazed the side of Excadrill’s Assault Vest as the smaller pokémon lunged forward. Latio cried out when the bug-type attack struck the red triangle on his chest.

Super effective. But would it do more damage than what Latio could Recover?

Emmet’s pulse quickened as Exadrill struck again. Latio was composed, not showing the damage in his bold expression. 

Come on…

“H-hang in there, Latio!” Evelyn said. Maybe she could see a weakness in her own pokémon that Emmet couldn’t.

“Full speed ahead, Excadrill!”

The pokémon leapt up onto Latio’s back, slashing with buzzing claws. Recover’s warm glow surrounded the Latios, pulsing as it melted away each strike.

Emmet held his breath.

Pulse. Slash. Pulse. Slash.

…Nothing.

Latio’s healing glow finally dulled. He warbled, falling to the ground.

For a brief second, all was silent. Emmet half expected the Latios to be faking, for him to heal and land a retaliating blast on Excadrill.

But Latio’s eyes closed. 

Ingo let out the longest, loudest “BRAVO!” Emmet had ever heard.

Emmet laughed, running to scoop Excadrill into his arms. The crowd cheered. Cameras flashed. The lights and sounds were all so overwhelming, compared to what he was used to. But it was nice, too.

“We won, Excadrill. We won!” He beamed. “I knew you could do it!”

“Hah… hah… see?” Evelyn approached after taking care of Latio. “Confident… just like I said.”

Emmet moved Excadrill to his shoulder so he could shake Evelyn’s hand. 

“I had to be. I would not have won if I showed any doubt in my pokémon. You were a verrrrrry difficult opponent, yup!”

“W-well,” she blushed, “If I was so d-difficult, you didn’t have to, um, give me g-good luck. N-not that I didn’t appreciate it!”

He laughed, squeezing her hand tight. She was so cute. 

His heart still pounded from the exciting battle. Maybe that was what gave him the confidence to pull her closer.

“It was worth it.” He grinned, hugging her around her waist. His lips were close to her ear, so he could speak without being overheard. “Now that I do not have to worry about giving you too much luck. I would not mind kissing you again.”

Evelyn squeaked, her eyes darting to the crowd over his shoulder.

“I-in front of everyone?”

“No,” he said before considering. “Or yes. I don’t care.” 

He was so happy after winning both the battle and her heart, he could have kissed her no matter who was watching. 

“A-ah… In that case…!”

She rose up on her tiptoes, and gave him a soft, sweet kiss on the lips. 

Ingo’s wolf whistle rang out above the exploding crowd. Emmet was pretty sure it was a positive reaction. He wasn’t trying to put on a show, but If it was uncommon for a Chatelaine to be defeated, he guessed it was unheard of for one to kiss their opponent as a victory prize. 

“Th-there.” Evelyn smiled shyly, still cupping his cheek. “No one should give you any trouble now. Morgan can’t be upset if the guests l-love you, right?”

He blushed. This wasn’t his home station. It didn’t matter what anyone here thought about him. 

“You should be looking out for your own image. Not mine,” he said quietly. “I am sorry if I was too eager.”

“I-I’m not. Not sorry.” She took a deep breath, letting it out in a bubble of laughter. “I’m not sorry! I feel—I feel wonderful!”

Her laugh was contagious. He picked her up by the waist and spun her around. 

Normally each battle ended with one party winning, and another losing. But even though he’d won, Evelyn didn’t look like she’d lost. She sparkled brighter than any winning trophy.

He held her tight, and cherished the one victory they could both share.

Chapter Text

“I know it hasn’t been all that long, but… I’m going to miss this,” Evelyn said quietly.

Her head rested against Emmet’s shoulder. Their fingers were entwined in the sliver of grass between them. Emmet stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, and a spark of electricity jolted down his wrist. 

That probably had more to do with Nimbus being his backrest than any electric romance, though.

“I will miss this too,” he said, looking at her rather than the view over Kiloude City.

Her hair was still tousled from their earlier run with Nimbus and Aurora. He brushed a few stray strands behind her ear.

Tomorrow morning, he would be on a train back to Nimbasa. He would be able to call Evelyn often enough, sure, but he wouldn’t be able to just exist alongside her like this.

Nimbus gave a low purr, shifting against Emmet’s back.

“I know, I know. You’ll miss Emmet, too.” Evelyn smiled, reaching back to pet the Raikou’s leg. “We all will. Even Morgan.”

“Really? Emmet’s brow furrowed. “After Ingo and I defeated her today?”

The Super Multi match had been far less challenging than Emmet had expected, considering Nita and Morgan both had been using their legendaries, and Emmet hadn’t studied their teams as thoroughly as he had Evelyn’s. Maybe their pokémon were still adjusting to the lack of hollow ground beneath the newly-refurbished arena. Even though all of Nita’s and one of Morgan’s pokémon could fly.

“Really! She t-told me to ask you, um, to s-stay, actually. Not that I will!” Her face went pink in the starlight. “I know how much you love your Subway, and Unova, and all your family and friends. She just, um, wants s-strong trainers to bring in guests. So I guess you impressed her?”

“Oh. I’m glad she does not hate me, then.” He chuckled awkwardly.

He couldn’t stay. Evelyn couldn’t leave. No matter how much they would miss each other, they both understood that.

“She… also s-said—” Evelyn cut off.

For a moment, Emmet thought she was about to cry. But it turned out that her sniffling snort was the beginning of a laugh.

“She would have a s-special outfit fixed for you. To match us.” She burst out in giggles.

“A special… you mean one of your Chatelaine dresses?” he asked, baffled. “Would she dress me like a teacup?”

“Mm-hmm. She—she had Dana sketch it out and e-everything…!” Evelyn hiccuped, gasping for breath. “I—look, I took a photo of it.”

She fumbled her phone from the pocket of her leggings, still shaking from laughing so hard. 

He couldn’t help laughing too when he saw the wide brown-and-white dress. Would that even cover his thighs? And drawn between it and a flower-shaped hat was a horrendous wig—a white lightning-bolt shaped abomination. 

“You should have shown me this first.” He cackled. “A pretty girlfriend and a pretty dress? You might have convinced me.”

“D-don’t tell me you’re honestly considering!” she wheezed.

“Nope. Not even a little.” He grinned, wiping the tears from his eyes. “But I appreciate the effort. …I think.”

“G-good. That you aren’t. Because if I s-saw you in that, I would…” 

She bit her lip. Her whole face was red, her cheeks puffing out with trapped laughter. It was absolutely adorable.

“You would what?” He grinned and gently wrapped an arm around her waist, shocking them both with static again. Emmet was used to the feeling, but Evelyn jumped a little.

“A-ah! You…!”

She tried to pout, but with her full cheeks, she looked like a Qwilfish. He grinned so wide his cheeks hurt. 

“I am Emmet. I would look dazzling in that dress.”

He made it through the whole sentence before doubling over with laughter. That felt like an even more impressive victory than winning the Super Multi challenge today.

“S-stop!” Evelyn burst out in another fit of laughter. “I’m—I’m going to pee—!”

That was it. The last of Emmet’s restraint broke. He let himself fall on top of her, cackling so loudly that he wouldn’t be surprised if he was heard by the whole city below.

“Emmet—! Honestly!” She made no effort to push him off, though.

She might have regretted that when Nimbus chuffed and rolled on top of both of them.

“Nimbus—!” she wheezed. 

Emmet was impressed she could get a word out, considering he felt like his insides were being Bulldozed. Even Emby didn’t weigh this much. Evelyn’s bones must have been made of steel.

“Nimbus, you’re—I think you’re squashing him,” Evelyn said. 

With a huff, the Raikou rolled back over, tucking their legs under themself innocently. 

Evelyn sat up and brushed herself off. Emmet, meanwhile, still felt flat as a Stunfisk.

“Oh dear. U-um, are you alright…?”

He managed to flash a smile. It probably wasn’t very convincing when followed by a cough.

“I will remember not to squish you from now on,” he promised.

Evelyn giggled. “Nimbus just wanted to join the fun. They didn’t mean it.”

Nimbus snorted.

“I am sure they didn’t,” Emmet deadpanned. 

(He stuck his tongue out at the Raikou when Evelyn wasn’t looking.)

“A-ah… it’s getting rather late, isn’t it…” Evelyn frowned out at the distant horizon, where Lumiose’s lights twinkled. The stars had come out to mirror the sparkling city.

He didn’t get stars like this in Nimbasa. Evelyn had seen them so many times, she hadn’t even considered them remarkable enough to point out.

“Yes,” he admitted reluctantly, sitting up.

“A-and you have an early t-train tomorrow…” she sighed. “I’m sorry for keeping you so long.”

“I’m not.” He took her hand, pressing a kiss to the top of her knuckles. “It’s been wonderful to spend this time with you, Evelyn. I will visit again soon. I promise.”

“I-I’ll try my best to visit, too.” She smiled. “Unova is only a train ride away, right?”

“Right!” He beamed.

“And—I’ll see you off tomorrow. Before you go. I-if that’s alright?” 

“Of course. I will look forward to it!”

A beat passed. Neither of them made a move to get up. 

“Can I—um—since the station will be, um, busy tomorrow…” Evelyn bit her lip. “CanIkissyougoodbyenow?”

He let out a relieved breath.

“I was thinking the same thing.” He gave a sheepish grin. “You are still braver than me.”

She shook her head.

“H-honestly, I don’t know how you could be less brave than me… b-but it isn’t a battle, you know!”

“You have a point. If it was a battle, though, for once I would not mind losing.” 

He scooted closer to her and cupped her face in one hand. Her cheek was warm and soft against his palm, and he tried to commit the texture to memory. 

If this was going to be their last kiss for a while, he was going to make it count. 

XXX

Emmet stood in line for a train ticket. 

Evelyn didn’t come.

Emmet lingered on the platform. 

Evelyn didn’t come.

Emmet boarded the train. 

Evelyn didn’t come.

The train pulled out of the station. 

As far as he could see through the window, Evelyn didn’t come.

Emmet dropped his forehead onto the table between him and Ingo. Had he done something wrong? Had his last kiss been underwhelming, and she’d decided she could find someone better? Had her sisters convinced her that it wasn’t worth dating someone who wouldn’t give up their life to become a Battle Chatelaine?

He checked his phone under the table. No missed calls. Only one text message, from Elesa. She must have been texting Ingo earlier, because she asked Emmet if he was bringing home any Kalosian girls.

He scowled and turned off his phone. Evelyn was actually from Hoenn, he’d learned. Not that that mattered right now.

Ingo flicked a paper football at Emmet’s head. The brim of Emmet’s Battle Maison hat—which was now adorned with two complimentary victory pins—deflected the projectile.

Emmet didn’t bother telling his brother to cut it out. Ingo would just find a way to turn any conversation into talking about Emmet’s feelings. Ingo had already tried to reassure Emmet eleven different times.

And he was probably right. Evelyn had probably just misread a schedule, as Emmet had even been known to do on occasion. 

It didn’t make the departure hurt any less.

Another paper football knocked one of the pins from Emmet’s hat. He heard the enamel clatter against the table.

“How many points should I receive for that?” Ingo asked.

“Zero,” Emmet mumbled.

“Ah. So this game is like miniature golf. I see!”

Emmet snorted. He was trying to be sad, dang it. It was difficult to mope properly while being pelted with folded paper.

“Hmm. I believe this game would be more fun with an opponent,” Ingo tried.

Emmet said nothing.

“Emmet, this trip is going to be verrrrrry boring if you insist on sulking the whole time,” Ingo sighed, even going so far as to mimic Emmet’s vocal stim. Rude.

Ugh. He just wished he knew why Evelyn hadn’t come. Even a painful answer would have been better than not knowing. …Well, probably not. But at least then he wouldn’t be imagining every painful answer simultaneously.

“Emmet—Emmet!” Ingo shouted suddenly, shaking his shoulder. 

Normally Ingo was more conscious of his voice indoors. The other passengers would be irritated with him. Was bothering Emmet really that important?

“Really, look! Out the window!” Ingo insisted.

“I don’t care if there’s more Pyroar,” Emmet snapped. “Can’t you entertain yourself for—”

Ingo picked his head up for him, turning it to look through the window.

And there, riding on Nimbus’s back alongside the tracks, was Evelyn.

Emmet scrambled up so quickly that his hat fell off. He yanked the window open, filling the car with a howling noise louder than any of Ingo’s shouting.

“I’m sorry!” she managed to call over the rushing wind. “I’m so sorry, I slept in!”

“But you came!” Emmet beamed brighter than the rising sun that silhouetted Evelyn’s face. “Why are you riding Nimbus? I thought you couldn’t handle the static?” 

He could see the sparks practically jumping off of her Lotad-print pajamas. She hadn’t even had time to get dressed.

“They’re—they’re my fastest teammate! It isn’t easy to catch up with a train, you know!”

Emmet laughed. “No, I guess it isn’t.”

Nimbus was keeping a steady pace, though. They matched the train’s speed so precisely, it was as if Emmet and Evelyn were staring at each other from across the same room.

But he couldn’t stare forever. It was time to say goodbye.

“Thank you, Evelyn. For coming.” He smiled, hoping it conveyed all of the warmth he felt for her.

“I said that I would! So, I did!”

She had to catch her breath after shouting so much. In the interim, Emmet heard another passenger mutter and move to a different car. He couldn’t bring himself to feel sorry.

“Good—goodbye, Emmet! Have a safe trip!” She took a deep breath. “Love you!”

The electricity that ran through him definitely wasn’t from Nimbus this time. The Raikou started to lag, unable to keep up with the train forever.

Emmet stuck his whole head out the window, letting the wind whip through his hair. Ingo shouted “Check safety!”, but for once Emmet ignored him. He stuck out his arm and waved with all his might.

“Love you too, Evelyn!”