Archive of Our Own ^beta

Elesa had seen the whole thing. 

Ingo’s disappearance. 

Emmet’s downward spiral.

The Battle Subway closing. 

She was done. 

She was sick of checking in on Emmet and having to feed him for the first time in days. She was sick of how hard she had to fight beck tears just walking into his apartment. She was sick of being the only one looking still. She was sick of it. All of it. She wanted her friends back, both of them. 

When Ingo had left, Emmet had lost his fire, his spark, the thing that kept him going, it was gone. He was little more than a wet doormat right now, always laying on his couch with a dead expression, not moving or speaking for weeks at a time. 

Elesa was tired of it. 

So she took matters into her own hands. 

She researched and researched and researched. She dug through police reports, new licenses in Unova, odd stories and weird news articles in other Regions. She asked every single person she could think of where he could be. She looked everywhere and then looked again. But she did not find hide nor hair of the darker twin. 

So she got creative. 

She began looking into weirder options. She lived in a world of gods and beings of mythical power. If Ingo wasn’t here , he had to be somewhere.  

Her first target was already in her grasp. She tossed the ball and released the Pokemon inside, fixing her earphones. The massive white dragon emerged, fixing her with unreadable, piercing blue eyes. She stared back, just as aggressively. 

“I need help.”

What truth do you seek? The voice did not seem particularly happy. 

“At least you get to the point. My friend disappeared into thin air. I just need to know where he is. If I know that, I can get him myself. I have looked everywhere. Other regions, textbooks, police files, I have asked everyone I know and people I don’t. He is nowhere. His twin brother is despondent. He lost his drive and refuses to move. I need to find him.” 

The dragon fixed her in its stare. Then it moved closer, bending down to her eye level. It got close enough that she could feel its breath on her forehead. 

I will help you, because it strikes so close to home. Tell me your friend’s name. I will do my best.  

“Ingo. His name is Ingo, and his brother’s name is Emmet. They’re a pair. They shouldn’t have been separated.”

The dragon closed its eyes. It opened them a few seconds later. They flashed a bright blue before fading back to their normal blue tone. 

He is in the past. Ancient Sinnoh. Two-hundred years before the current time. 

Her eyes widened a fraction, but she could feel a smile creeping onto her face. “Thank you, Reshiram. I will release you now. I believe I can find him now.”

Do you have any idea how you will enter the past? The dragon watched her still, straightening back to its full height. 

“I have some thoughts, but I will need to do some research. Why? Do you have ideas?”

It blinked, a thoughtfulness entering its gaze. It looked up at the sky above them, the stars twinkling overhead. Since we are already here, I would be willing to aid you. You have a drive that mirrors my twin’s. You have your truth and your drive. You are worthy. Climb onto my back. I know where to go.

Elesa couldn’t complain. She climbed onto the dragon’s fluffy back as it took to the air, quickly soaring at max speed towards a destination unknown. 

The wind whipped at her hair, but she did not mind. She did not mind the cold pricking at her skin, or the shivers she felt wracking her body. She was going to find Ingo and she was going to bring him home. 

They landed somewhere high up, on a tall mountain. Reshiram roared, directly facing the sky. Elesa climbed off of it and waited. 

Another deity came to answer the call. It was huge and blue, definitely a dragon. It stepped out of a ring in the space in front of them, looking between the two. Reshiram grunted at the newcomer. It growled in response. The two spoke for a moment, before both turned their gazes to her 

I am Dialga. My brother Reshiram has told me of your plight. I know what caused this to happen. There is a man in the past that caused my brother to devolve into a frenzy, opening portals through all of time and space. He must be stopped. If you help me, I will help you find your friend. 

Elesa nodded immediately. “I can stop this guy. If it means I can get Ingo back, I will.”

It did not blink. I can see why Reshiram took a shining to you. I will bring you back to the time he is in, which is where the problem lies. I must warn you though, he is not exactly as you remember. 

What the hell did that mean? “That’s fine. I just need him back, and I will take him in less than one piece if I have to.”

Dialga motioned to her to climb onto it. Elesa, as promised, deactivated and broke the Pokeball that had contained Reshiram. It nodded to her before it took flight. May your ideals and truths lead you to your victory, Elesa. Dialga opened another portal and stepped through. 

It was no longer nighttime. It was the middle of the day and, in fact, very warm. They were at the top of a mountain. It seems that a battle had been going on, as there was ash and soot and dust kicked up all over the ruins of what was probably once a temple of some kind. In fact, it looked exactly like the place they had just been, only during the day. 

There was a young boy, desperately trying to win a losing battle. He was on what had to be his last Pokemon, and it looked very injured. Facing him was a massive Pokemon with dark tendrils emerging from its back and no legs, floating in the air as it attacked the boy again. There was a blonde man directing the huge Pokemon. His clothes were awful. They made Elesa want to puke. On them. And his hair, what the hell was that? It was ugly. Ugly and dumb. 

That is the one. He calls himself Volo. He has ripped holes all over space-time leading back to this exact spot. You friend lives nearby. Stop him, and I will bring you and your friend home. 

Elesa slid off Dialga’s back, flicking her hair back. Oh, thank Arceus she had someone to blame now. The pair had ridden in behind this guy - Volo as Dialga called him. He was laughing. It sounded like a shitty Team Plasma grunt type laugh. It made her lips curl up in a grimace. He was taunting the boy by yelling about how he was going to destroy the world. Elesa lightly strode up behind him and formed a fist, kissing her knuckles. 

“Hey.” The man jumped, whipping around just in time for him to get blasted in the face with her fist. He fell, more out of shock than anything, as Elesa easily hefted him off the ground and put him into a headlock. “You’re causing problems. You took my friend. Even gods had to get involved. Grow up, dude. Stop throwing a temper tantrum.” The man in her hold yelled as he tried to twist her off, but she quickly pressed down hard on his carotid artery. He struggled and fainted, slumping to the ground. The kid’s Pokemon fainted then, so she sent out her Zebstrika immediately. “Zebstrika, use Pursuit.” 

The electric type immediately flashed out of existence for a moment, hiding in a shadow and popping out with a firm headbutt at the monster, cloaked in dark power. It screamed in pain, writhing in the air. “Dodge, then Pursuit again. It seems almost done.” 

A couple more hits took it down. Elesa immediately threw another Ultra Ball she had on her, catching it immediately. She did not need another repeat. Well, now that that was taken care of…

“Hey, kid, you okay?” She strode up to the boy, ignoring his fear. “I was here to beat him. Dialga said he was causing problems across the timeline. I’m looking for a friend, would have dropped here about a year ago. His name’s Ingo. Have you seen him?” 

The boy’s eyes widened and he nodded immediately, pointing down the mountain. Dialga joined them. I will wait here for your return and take you back to your time. Go collect him. Elesa nodded and followed the frantic boy down the mountainside, emerging out of a weird tunnel and along a pathway. He led her up some inclines and down others, weaving his way through and around rocks. They came to a tent. It was pink and made of a thick fabric, and clearly belonged to someone. The child approached the door, knocking three times. 

“One moment!” Elesa’s heart jumped. She would recognize that voice anywhere. The door opened, revealing a man with silver eyes and hair. He had a beard and a ponytail under his cap, which was sunbleached and torn. So was his coat. He regarded the boy with bright eyes. “Ah, Rei, how pleasant! Do you require my assistance with anything?”

The boy began using sign language at Ingo, surprising Elesa. What was more surprising was that she could understand it. 

Woman appeared. Says she knows you. Wants to take you back . 

Ingo’s eyebrows furrowed. “Who-” his eyes landed on Elesa. Something sat in the back of his eyes, but Elesa could not tell what it was quite yet. They were both silent for some time. “I know you.” Elesa’s eyes narrowed. 

“I’m basically your sister. I’ve known you since you and Emmet were five. Of course you know me, you Bidoofus.” 

Ingo blinked. “Ah- I must explain.” He stepped out of the doorway, allowing a large Gliscor to fly out of the entrance and float above him. She stiffened, his body slumped and yet stiff at the same time. His back was arched, his knees bent. He avoided her gaze. He placed one hand behind his back, the other gripping the brim of his cap in such a familiar gesture it made Elesa’s heart ache. “I was found about a year ago in the confines of Hisui with no memories of my previous terminal. I have vague recollections, but nothing concrete. All I remember for certain is my own name. Nothing else. I apologize,” he added, his voice quiet, too quiet for Ingo. 

So this is what Dialga meant. 

Elesa took a deep breath. Let it out. She was not going to get emotional. She had come this far. “What vague notions do you have?” 

Ingo looked up. “I remember a man who looks like me, who used to battle with me, except he wears white and always has the biggest smile on his face. I connect him with the phrase ‘I like winning more than anything else.’ I remember a Pokemon, I feel it was an important partner to me, who wielded flames with mastery. I remember something called a ‘train’ though I cannot remember what it is. It feels important. Looking at you, I remember the man in white more vividly and I remember some things about you. You like electric types and are quite well-versed in them. You like clothing.” 

Elesa nodded, encouraging him. When he said nothing else, she spoke. “My name is Elesa. I have been one of your best friends since you were five years old. There’s a running joke that I’m basically your big sister. The man you mentioned is your identical twin brother. His name is Emmet, and he misses you terribly, Ingo. Your Pokemon partner is Chandelure. She misses you too. Ever since you disappeared, Emmet won’t eat, he can’t sleep. He lost his drive to do everything. He’s despondent. I’m worried he might not make it much longer.” Ingo’s eyes widened. Something in his eyes was floating together, Elesa could practically hear the cogs clicking into place. 

“I see. I have been trying to remember for so long, but nothing in Hisui triggers my memories. This singular conversation is the most I have been able to recall in a year.” 

Elesa grinned. It was getting hard to resist the urge. “Ingo, is it okay if I hug you? I’ve missed you, too. So much.” 

He regarded her and nodded. She flew to him, wrapping the man in her arms. She could feel his back crack as she hefted him off the ground. She laughed. He needed to see a chiropractor. Ingo was shouting in surprise. She hugged him tighter and felt his arms slip around her waist, reciprocating the hold awkwardly. If there were any doubt in her mind that this may not have been Ingo, it had just flown out the window now. She pulled away, realizing she had been crying. 

“Sorry, Ingo, I know you don’t love contact. I couldn’t help it.”

“I-it is alright, Elesa.”

“Now.” She patted him on the shoulder, earning his gaze. “Let’s get you back to your brother.”

It took some time, as Ingo wanted to pack some things and say goodbye to some people (and an odd Pokemon) but they returned to Dialga later that day and bid Hisui goodbye. 

“What if I cannot remember. Will Emmet still…” Ingo trailed off. 

“Emmet will be ecstatic to see you. It doesn’t matter if you couldn’t remember your own name. It’s you. He needs his brother.” Ingo looked up at her, addressing her eyes before turning away. As they emerged into early morning in Sinnoh, Elesa was about to call for Skylla when she realized Reshiram was still there. “Reshiram?! I thought you would have left by now.”

I wished to see how far your drive would take you. I also would be happy to return you to Unova. I will be returning there anyway.  

The trio bid Dialga goodbye, thanking him as they rode the white dragon back to Unova. Ingo asked many questions on the ride, about his past, his family, his job. Reshiram listened the whole ride, but did not say anything. 

When they landed, the pair dismounted and thanked Reshiram before it stopped them. 

I see. Your brother lost his ideals. You lost your truth. Only together are you both able to work optimally. It looked up at the sky before lowering its head to Ingo. It placed its nose half an inch away from him. I can fix that. It pressed its snout to his forehead and a flash of blue light came from Ingo’s eyes. He gasped, shuddering. Elesa ran forward and caught him. Ingo’s eyes fluttered open, a new recognition shining in them. Go return to your brother. Return his ideals to him, as I have returned your truth to you.  

Ingo nodded shakily. They left without a word, though Reshiram did not seem to need words. It took off into the sky again, off to another destination they did not know. 

Elesa rushed them back to his apartment. It had only been one night, Emmet couldn’t have done anything stupid in that time, right? She didn’t want to take any chances. Not with Emmet. Not when she was so close with Ingo. 

They made it to the building. Ingo was leading the way now, his eyes flickering around him at all the shops and buildings. He was walking straighter, his head held high. He pushed open the door and was about to knock when Elesa produced a key and opened the lock. She bust the door open. 

Inside was still a mess. Emmet had not cleaned in months. Garbador managed to take care of the smelly stuff, but papers, old dishes, and other things littered the room. She heard Ingo take in a breath behind her. 

“Emmet. Hey, Emmet, get up, I brought someone to see you.” 

Emmet was laying in his usual spot on the couch. He no longer smiled. His eyes were empty and lifeless, his face much of the same. The only way she knew that he registered her at all was because he blinked twice, his gaze slowly sliding to her. “Hey, get up. You’re gonna want to see him.” Nothing. Not a nod, a shake, nothing. He merely laid there like a dead doll. “Come on, seriously, you’re freaking him out. Just sit up.” He still did nothing, so she sighed. She looked up at Ingo. 

He had tears running down his face. He looked around the dark room with the curtains drawn, taking in the dust, the dirt, the grime, the listless body on the couch. Elesa’s heart broke. 

“Did… did I cause this?” 

Emmet’s head whipped up at the voice, his eyes alight. He wobbled. His eyes grew as he took in his brother. Then he was sobbing, his body convulsing on the couch as he covered his face with his hands. Ingo ran to him, wrapping his arms around his brother as Emmet cried. Elesa stood and stepped back. 

Both men cried for a very long time. Emmet was wailing loudly, using his voice for the first time in almost a year. It was raw and breaking from disuse and the sudden volume he acquired. Ingo was crying soft, silent sobs, ones that wracked his entire body and left him shivering. At some point, Ingo managed to get Emmet into a sitting position and tackled him, holding him tightly. Emmet’s entire face was scrunched up as he wailed into his brother’s ear. 

It took time for them both to die down. Elesa decided to make herself a glass of water, as well as one for Emmet. When she returned, they were both clearly still crying, but they had calmed some. She nudged Emmet. He looked up blearily. She held the cup out to him. “Drink something now, before you run out of tears.” Ingo gently pulled away and saw Emmet struggling to hold the cup in his shaking hands, nearly splashing water on himself. Ingo took the cup and tilted it for Emmet to drink from. When he was done, he set the cup on the table and kneeled in front of Emmet, taking a good look at him. 

“Emmet…” Emmet nodded, tears still streaming down his face. “I am so sorry .” Emmet shook his head, holding out his arms again. Ingo sat on the couch and scooped him into his lap, rocking him gently. “I should have been here… I should have tried to stay, somehow. I should have remembered everything sooner-”

“Ingo, you didn’t get your memories back until Reshiram itself gave them back. The literal god of truth had to restore your memories. I don’t think its your fault.” Emmet looked up quizzically, still not saying anything. 

Ingo took notice. “I was sent through a rift in space-time into the past, very against my will. When I landed, I struck my head and forgot everything I had experienced before landing there. I spent the last year living in ancient Hisui, or Sinnoh as I understand it is called. I remembered nothing but my own name. I tried everything I could to remember but nothing worked. I just… oh Arceus, I missed you, Emmet. It was Elesa that found me and brought me home. I’m so sorry I left you here.” He was crying again, hugging Emmet tightly as if he would disintegrate and slip through his fingers like sand. 

Emmet shook his head, clinging to Ingo’s hoodie. “I missed you, Ingo,” he croaked. His voice sounded like sandpaper. “Couldn’t… live. Alone. I love you.” Ingo held him tighter, still crying. Emmet was incredibly weak, that much was obvious. 

“I’m here now. We are together again. Because we are a two-car train. Ingo and Emmet.” 

Emmet actually smiled. A true smile. Elesa hadn’t seen that in over a year. Emmet nodded, hiccuping as more tears rolled down his face. “Together.”

“Yes, and I’m not going anywhere. I was told that the reason behind the rifts is now taken care of. I’m back and I’m not leaving. We can reopen the Battle Subway and do battles again. We can get ice cream together again. Go visit Iris and Drayden. Go to your favorite restaurant of Fifth and Seventh, the one I pretend not to like just to get on your nerves. All of it. We can do it all again, okay? Together. Just please. Don’t scare me like this again.” Emmet nodded, his eyes falling in shame. He must now realize just how bad he looked. 

“How about you two start with a shower and a fresh change of clothes? I can get stuff cleaned up out here. Would you mind if I stayed over for a sleepover tonight? I’d like to force feed you both because Ingo is way too light, too.” They both gazed up at her, realizing she was there. Emmet beckoned to her. She approached them and was surprised when Emmet grabbed her hand and pulled her down to them, including her in their hug. They usually did not love touch. 

“Thank you.” Emmet’s voice sounded even worse up close, but Elesa did not comment. She wrapped her arms around the two of them, holding them close. 

“That’s what big sisters do. They make sure their dorky brothers take care of themselves and sometimes step in if they need to.” She heard Emmet chuckle softly. He was laughing! Emmet was laughing again! She straightened up. “But I mean it. You both stink. Go shower, bathe, whatever you have to do, I don’t care. I’ll clean up out here and prep for slumber party night. Also I’m ordering food.” 

She managed to corral them into the bathroom and shut the door one them. She knew Emmet would need help, as he was currently too weak to stand. But they needed some time alone, too. She knew that. 

She flew around the room, quickly cleaning up object, laundry, papers, dishes, and even opening a window to let the stagnant air out. It was midmorning. She turned on the TV, popping in the Polar Express. The twins’ comfort movie. She wondered if Ingo remembered it. She ordered soup from a place down the road. Something easy for their stomachs. She had no idea what Ingo had been eating, but it probably was not heavily processed. She changed out of her clothes, throwing on a set of extras she had in a drawer that was hers in their home. Then she waited until the food got there. 

The shower shut off. She heard them moving around in the bathroom and Ingo’s voice. Food arrived a minute or two before the twins emerged from the bathroom, Ingo letting Emmet lean on him as he led him to the couch. Emmet sat with a flop, his legs wobbling with the effort it had taken. Ingo sat on his other side. Elesa divvied up their food and all three sat to eat as she pressed play. 

Emmet was not able to eat much. It had been months since he had fed himself properly. Ingo ate his entire bowl. 

They were hardly halfway through the movie when Elesa looked over and realized Emmet had drifted off, his head on Ingo’s shoulder. Ingo was dozing as well, his head overlapping Emmet’s as he snored softly. Elesa grabbed Emmet’s hand, smiling to herself. She leaned against him, shutting her eyes and allowing herself to drift, too. 

Her boys were back.