A Train of Thought

Hmm...

It looks like we've somehow arrived at a station we've never been to before.

Look at this island! It's full of promising Trainers, brimming with talent!

Bravo! What an excellent stop for us!

Indeed, Ingo. I like winning battles against strong Trainers.

And even more than that, I like combinations of different Pokémon!

It looks like we can have a lot of fun battling here!

Bravo! Then our destination is set!

All aboard! Next stop...

Hey, I wonder where those tracks lead.

Tracks?

Y'know, those tracks up on the mountain with the cart and everything! How could you NOT be curious about them?

I guess I am a little curious... Wanna check them out and see where they take us?

Tracks, they say...

Emmet! Let's change tracks and embark on a new route!

I have an idea that's sure to make you say "Bravo!"

Scottie and [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="his" F="her" ] friends headed to the top of the mountain to check out the minecart there.

However, they discovered a strange duo who got there first.

Hello, everyone! We've been waiting for you!

Whoa, what's going on?! Are you twins or something?

Oh, wait! Are you the Subway Bosses from Unova?

Subway Bosses? What're those?

They're superstrong Trainers you can battle on the subway!

At least, that's what Hilda told me.

Right you are! We're the Subway Bosses!

We hone our skills and aim for greater heights in the Battle Subway in Unova!

As the subway travels underground, we enjoy Pokémon battles with our passengers inside the subway cars!

Whoa, really? That sounds like so much fun!

If you ever visit Unova, we'd love for you to ride with us! Both Ingo and I will eagerly await your arrival!

Awesome! I'm definitely going to visit, and win!

Actually, why wait? C'mon, let's battle here and now!

Bravo! Excellent! Your enthusiasm has the momentum of a high-speed express train!

However, we'd like to take a slight detour before this battle.

I apologize for eavesdropping, but we happened to overhear your conversation at the Pokémon Center.

And because of that, I came up with an idea!

Ingo wants to use these minecarts to create something like the Battle Subway here on Pasio!

What?!

And of course, the best place for us to battle is right on the tracks!

But we knew it would be impolite to explore the tracks on our own before you could.

Oh, I get it! You were waiting for us so we could all explore together!

Let's do it! I wanna see where these tracks go!

Scottie and [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="his" F="her" ] friends followed the tracks...

Hey, the tracks just stop here!

In that case, we'll just have to clear a path for laying down the rest of the tracks!

Do you think it would be OK for us to do that without asking permission?

Oh, in that case, you should probably ask Lear! He's the owner of this island!

I see! Then let's find him right away!

Thank you for your help!

Yes! Thanks, everyone!

Once you get those tracks up and running, I'm definitely coming back to give them a shot!

Good luck!

All aboard! Next stop: Lear!

Apparently, we can meet Lear if we battle our way through the Battle Villa!

It seems battles on Pasio are fought as three-on-three matches...

But this is our chance to show everyone how strong we Subway Bosses are!

Precisely! Let's demonstrate our combined power as a two-car train like we always do, Emmet!

Or perhaps we'd be a four-car train, if you really think about it.

Oh, you're right! Sync pairs include a Trainer and their partner Pokémon!

We'll have to make sure we're more in sync with our partners than ever before!

Check safety. Everything's ready!

Aim for victory! All aboard!

Bzweeeeep! Hmm... How very interesting...

According to my data-interpreting machine... Yes. Very interesting, indeed. Looks like...

Th...thirty-two percent?!

What does that gadget do?

Oh, don't let it concern you. I'm sure you'll figure it out once we start our battle!

It's time to begin!

Eeek!

S-so strong!

Wow! You Subway Bosses sure are strong!

*sigh* I guess my machine's analysis was accurate after all...

We sure had a lot of fun! Battle us again sometime!

Welcome, Subway Bosses! I've heard about how skilled you two are.

But let me assure you...you won't be shortchanged by facing me.

Excellent! We shall rise to the challenge!

*chuckle* Very well. I see you require no convincing.

Now then! En garde!

What a combination!

Now's your chance, Archeops!

Our Pokémon cannot be faulted in any way, shape, or form.

My hat's off to you.

After battling some tough opponents, Ingo and Emmet finally reached Lear!

I'm impressed that the two of you managed to make it all the way here.

I'm so impressed, I'll overlook the fact that you ignored Pasio's rules about three-on-three battles!

You mentioned some kind of request, didn't you? Let's hear it.

Yes, sir! We'd like your permission to begin construction on the tracks on the mountain! So that we can use the minecarts!

Oh, is that all? I don't mind. Do as you wish.

However! I will not accept any injuries or accidents, understood?

Yes! Thank you!

Awesome, Ingo!

That being said, you're not cleared to begin construction just yet.

There's someone else you need to talk to first.

His name is...

We need to speak to Clay, the Gym Leader of Driftveil City.

Yes! Apparently, he got permission before we did to begin excavating that mountain!

Clay is not just a Gym Leader. He is also a successful businessman.

He might be a tough negotiator!

Lear said we might have to talk to some other people, too. Folks who "like to get their hands dirty." I wonder what he meant by that.

Oh-ho! Well, look what we got here!

So y'all came to Pasio, too, huh?

It's nice to see you, Clay!

It certainly was a surprise to find that our train took us all the way to Pasio...

But now we're here! And we want to make battles even more exciting! So, we came to ask a favor of you!

Ingo and Emmet explained the situation to Clay.

Is that right? Sounds mighty interestin', if ya ask me.

Wonderful! So...

But I can't say yes just yet.

Our group got permission first, and though I wouldn't mind lettin' you boys take over...

There's a proper procedure to gettin' things done, and I'm set on finishin' this job before I pass this site off to anyone else.

I...I see...

In that case, why don't I lend you a hand? I can help you complete your job first!

Emmet? Are you sure?!

Oho! Now there's an idea!

I want to make Ingo's idea a reality! Please, let me do this!

Emmet...

I won't let you do that all by yourself! I'll help you, too, Clay!

Excadrill and I will definitely fit your needs!

Heh. Well, that's a mighty fine Excadrill ya got there.

If y'all insist on helpin', I certainly don't mind...but let's ask the others.

Hey! Could y'all come out here?

What's up, Clay?

Hm? Oh, it's you two!

Wow! The Champion of Hoenn and a Sinnoh Gym Leader!

Ah, so this is what Lear meant by folks who like to get their hands dirty...

These fellers are the ones who're actually leadin' this project. I'm just helpin' 'em out.

This island's an artificial construct, see. Land's made up of dirt, sand, and rocks from all sorts of places.

To them, it's a pile of treasure just waitin' to be dug up!

Steven, Roark... I got a proposition for ya.

How interesting! I love that idea, so I don't mind if you two want to do that kind of construction here!

What about you, Roark?

I agree!

But...if you find any interesting fossils or stones while you're working here, would you mind letting us have them?

Of course! We would be delighted to do so! You have our word!

Well, if the leaders are on board, there's nothin' stoppin' you from startin' yer project! Don't worry about us! Go ahead and start excavatin'!

Thank you very much, everyone!

Next stop, the summit! All aboard!

Excadrill will start drilling through the rocks! And Archeops will help carry the debris!

I just love to see combinations of Pokémon working together!

Yes! I agree, Emmet!

Once this project is complete, we'll be able to see even more wonderful combinations!

I'm looking forward to it!

A few days later...

With the tracks completed, sync pairs flocked in droves to the newly opened battle area!

The sync pairs followed the tracks down into the underground tunnel...

and battled their way deeper into the mountain, while minecarts occasionally brought items for the sync pairs to use.

The Subway Bosses stood ready in the depths of the tunnel, awaiting any challengers who could battle their way to them!

You can do it, Braviary! We won't lose in a battle of speed!

Don't forget, Emmet is not your only opponent!

Check for safety. Everything's ready!

What?!

Prepare yourself, Hilda!

Uh-oh!

Aww... They got us good...

I should've remembered how strong these Subway Bosses are!

Sorry, Hilda! Guess I have to get better, huh...

What are you apologizing for? We're a team, aren't we? We both did our best!

Let's keep on training and give it another try next time!

Bravo! Exactly!

Your battle wasn't bad at all.

However, we seem to have done slightly better than you.

We'd really like to battle with you again!

Please ride with us again!

Bravo! Just as we thought, there are many excellent Trainers here on Pasio!

We don't have any time to rest!

Everyone is battling seriously and having fun! That's why I can't stop!

Ingo, I'm so glad we were able to bring your idea to life!

Oh, look! More passengers have arrived to battle!

Hello, Subway Bosses. It was quite the challenge to get all the way here.

Well, if it isn't Cynthia!

We heard rumors that you visited the Unova region! We've been waiting for you to ride with us ever since!

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to see Nimbasa City while I was in Unova...

But I'm glad I'm here today to make up for it! I'm going to give this battle my all...

with Wally as my teammate!

H-hello, everyone! It's nice to meet you!

I trained in Hoenn to take on the world. Please have a look at my results!

Now then...

I, Cynthia, challenge you! There won't be any letup from me!

Of course! Let's have the greatest battle, better than ever before!

Now, Emmet, if you have something to add, please!

What I do. What I say. Always the same.

Follow the rules. Safe driving!

Follow the schedules. Everyone smile!

Check safety. Everything's ready!

Aim for victory! All aboard!

Scottie! You made it!

I suppose that means you're going to challenge us, aren't you?

Bravo! We've been waiting for you to do just that!

Here, we don't follow the standard Pasio battle rules of three-on-three...

Instead, we will take you on as a two-car train!

Grab a friend and hop on board!

We'll be waiting for you at the end of these tracks!

This time, I'm really serious. Really serious.

Because if a battle isn't serious, it isn't fun.

I'm looking forward to a serious battle with you, Scottie!

Bravo! Really excellent!

The best combination of you and your Pokémon... No, your entire team! It was incredible!

I am Emmet. I lost together with Ingo.

But I feel good. And I think the best team won.

Your combination is the best. Perfect! You'll keep getting stronger!

The strength you have, your trust in your Pokémon and your team, their never-ending support!

You want to win, and I don't want to lose. Those feelings are real.

When we clash in battles, I feel very excited!

Yep! It was so much fun!

Winning against us is a milestone in your life.

You, Scottie, can rack up more and more wins.

When you and someone else combine...

your engine powers something special!

Please move on to an even greater goal!

If we fight again, we won't know what to expect. That's why we're waiting for you to come back!