Act I: Crazy Train

Alexander approached Harold's designated meeting place, Platform Two. A bit of nervous tension shot through him, but he managed to ignore it. This was about getting paid, and nothing got in the way of Alexander Midas and his money. He spotted Harold sitting on a bench, looking angry. Alexander grinned. Angry enemies made mistakes. He sat down next to Harold.

"Good morning, my friend. An excellent day for a paycheck, don't you think?"

X sat huddled against a pillar in the train station opposite the building from where Harold Commons sat on his bench. The crowds were as sparse as the rays of morning peaking through the station windows, but the few people walking around the open space of the platform took little to no notice of X. During the course of his life X had become used to this, and right now he was even counting on it. With no crowds, it was easy to keep track of Commons as he waited impatiently. X didn't even need to look at him, watching peripherally instead.

The situation was strange to X. He had dreamed for years of the day he may face this man. To be doing so this way seemed almost uncomfortably unceremonious. He had always envisioned glory and recognition while facing him across a stadium, not slumming behind him unnoticed. But things rarely turn out as expected and this was no exception. Reality is often surreal.

Midas approached Commons and sat down at the bench next to him. As he did, X saw Olivia's figure pass on the other side of the old man and board the train. Everything was in motion. His pocket began to vibrate and he retrieved the phone that Olivia had given him, turning towards the pillar and resting his head on the tile over it and his hand. "They're still outside the train." He spoke in a murmur hardly audible a few feet from him, let alone across the platform. "I'll board after they do and update you then."

X hung up, but kept the phone hidden where it was, hoping to appear as if he were resting his head until Commons looked away and he could safely return it to his pocket without suspicion. Until then, he continued to watch the bench out of the corner of his eye.

Alexander stood, pocketing the money. With a smile, he walked toward the train alongside the Elite Four Member. 

"I'd be more than happy to help, Harold, though I must insist on a minor condition."

The two men boarded the train and took seats facing each other.

"I want 5000 up front. Anything that requires you and your friends' expertise as well as my own is obviously going to contain a large element of risk. I'd feel more comfortable if I had something up front in case things go south.

Midas and Commons stood and boarded the train together. X was surprised at this, as he had honestly expected Midas to leave with the money. It seemed as if he had been guided, though, and X wondered if he should be suspicious. If Commons suspected something, they could be walking into an unknown. Then again, X could just be overly wary as usual. It was how he had survived this long and it was a practice he had no intention of discarding. He laid his thoughts to rest by telling himself that worrying about it wouldn't make a difference. They were still trying to take down one of the elite four.

X rose, pocketed the phone and strode towards the nearest part of the train to him, making it through the doors of the rear car just before they slid shut.

"Hey! Get out of here! No free rides today!" The conductor had been standing in the back of the train to start his ticket check. X was sure the man had seen countless other transients and street rats try to slip in at the last moment.
"Would you believe I'm here to deal with an emergency and you're all in terrible danger?" X smiled. The conductor, who had moved to block X in the doorway, didn't change expression. "Alright. I've got a ticket. Damn." He conceded as he fished in his pocket. The conductor looked the ticket over for what X was certain had been enough time to check at least 3 others before he grimaced and handed it back.
"You better not have stolen that."
"How do you know I didn't?"

He blinked at X, looked him over once, and then turned away as he rolled his eyes. The door to the next car slid shut behind him as he proceeded to check the rest of the train. "Don't say I didn't try to warn you." X shrugged and took a seat. Looking around, he noticed he was alone in the car. He took the phone out of his pocket and texted Olivia, "In back car. They're on board." then sat back and waited. Soon enough, the train lurched forward and they were on their way.

Alexander pocketed the money, satisfied. He had already received more money than he had expected and, if he played his cards right, he might be able to get the rest of whatever Harold had on him.

"It's always a pleasure doing business with you, Harold."

No matter Olivia did now, Alexander would be leaving happier and wealthier.

X was relaxed in his seat. The train had been moving for a few minutes now. There was no word from Olivia.

He wasn't sure how long he should wait, but he finally figured that he probably wouldn't blow it if he showed up early and he probably would if he showed up too late. He rose and walked through the sliding door of the train car, moving to the next. He walked casually down the car, carefully scanning the seats ahead of him. He didn't want to go tripping into the situation unaware.

He made his way through several more cars until he saw Midas in the car ahead. Perfect. He even had the Elite Four member with his back turned to Olivia.

X continued ahead, his left hand searching for the desired pokemon on the back of his belt. As soon as he entered the car with Midas and Commons, they were a go.

Alexander remained seated, albeit ducking under the table in front of his to avoid the seeds everywhere. Gengar's eyes glowed at him from under the table, and Alexander rolled his eyes. He didn't want to help Olivia and X pacify Harold, so he'd wait here until they were done. Unless Harold did something stupid like try to get on the roof.