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Sometimes, it felt like Gear Station had always existed in its current state – a convenient method of travel that also hosted the Battle Subway. It was greatly popular with people of all ages, passengers trusting the reliable schedule and guaranteed challenge in pokémon battles. The train cars were meticulously taken care of, comfortable and pristine despite the many battles that had taken place there. There were certain Agents, too, that seemed as though they had always been there. The subway couldn’t be run on eight people alone, so new faces did show up, especially around the holidays. But, most everyone was familiar with six very particular agents.
It went without saying that if Gear Station had always been this way, then of course the Subway Masters had also always been there. That was impossible, naturally – they were just two human men of average age. But to imagine Gear Station as anything other than their masterfully run Battle Subway was difficult for many of the residents of Raimon, and even areas beyond.
What all but the most seasoned of Gear Station visitors forgot was that Nobori and Kudari had once been regular agents, decked out in crisp green suits as passengers came and went. The Subway didn’t have a Master back then, being run indirectly by the Mayor’s office as a solely city funded establishment. Of course, the agents had a boss to report to, and changes to the schedule were handed down from the staff of the Mayor’s office. If there was trouble, such as pokémon delaying a train, the Agents were expected to handle it themselves, and report to the Mayor’s staff it if grew too large to contain.
Despite being only two members of the full staff at the time, Nobori and Kudari had both become well known for challenging notable pokémon trainers that passed through to use the subway. It was harder for others to tell them apart back then, with their uniforms being perfectly identical to each other. As it was their dream job (and coincidentally their first job), they both took it incredibly seriously - Kudari didn’t even show his now iconic smile. However, their challenges were often accepted, people considering it to be another attraction during their visit to Raimon City. Even when people did not accept their challenge, they were still friendly and cheerful, waving to children and adults alike. Some people began to visit the subway solely for them even back then.
Word of their popularity reached the Mayor, with her staff reporting with great concern that visitors to the station were asking for a public posting of schedules so that they could visit when Nobori and Kudari were working. That was quite a breach of privacy, and the Mayor worried that it could discourage the other agents that worked at the station if such favoritism was shown. Additionally, that could potentially cause overcrowding and unsafe conditions in the subway.
The Mayor hadn’t needed to visit the Subway since Nobori and Kudari had joined the ranks – all official ventures had been taken care of those on her staff due to the competence of the Agents overall. But, if these two were causing such a stir, then surely she needed to see them for herself. Despite her staff’s assurance that Nobori and Kudari probably would not recognize her (they’d gone on record as not being familiar with other celebrities who’d visited the subway), she still took care to dress differently than she usually presented for public appearances. This was just a casual visit to see hard working employees of a city run building, after all. Nothing serious!
When she arrived, it took her little time to find where the brothers had been stationed for their shifts. A crowd had gathered, excited because Nobori and Kudari were engaged in a double battle with a few challengers who’d arrived with special teams ready. Peeking through the groups of people, the Mayor watched some of the most spectacular battling she’d seen for as long as she could remember.
Although Nobori and Kudari rather thoroughly beat the challengers, they encouraged their opponents to train more and return to show off their new skills. Rather than being disheartened, the trainers were enthusiastic, swearing to come back stronger than ever! It continued like that for a few more battles, switching between Nobori who battled solo and Kudari who battled with doubles. It was so exciting that the Mayor found herself stepping up to challenge them.
She was also soundly beaten, but it was invigorating! Her partner pokémon, a Dredear she’d befriended when she was on her own poke journey, was trilling with happiness at the most fun fight she’d had in some time. Dredear hummed and fluffed her flowers as they headed home. The day after, the Mayor called Nobori and Kudari to her office for a very special assignment – to take over control of Gear Station and make it a place that everyone would want to visit. Naturally, the accepted her offer, and began creating the Gear Station that all the residents loved.