Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gear Station

Emmet huffed as he put away his phone into his pocket. Ingo was not responding, which was very odd for him indeed. He was always on track while working, though he was not always with it in the mornings that is. But by now, the subway has been open for a few hours, he should be responding to any call, especially Emmet’s…they have to run the double line soon, together of course.

“He’s probably just caught up in a battle somewhere, yup…” Emmet mumbled to himself, an odd tense feeling in his chest rising up. He’s felt…off, all morning, as soon as he walked into the station, with no reason as to why…something had him on edge, though nothing he could see was out of place…

Perhaps he was just overworked. Ingo has often found him asleep in their office after closing, rather than at their home. Ingo would spend the night in the office with him in those cases, before giving him a talking to about safety checks and working himself too hard.

Emmet smiled at the thought. No, nothing was wrong. He must just be overworked, and Ingo probably has a reasonable explanation for why he hasn’t answered his phone…

For…over an hour now…

Emmet sighed, and adjusted his coat and hat. Very well, if Ingo is going to be difficult, Emmet will be persistent. He will find him and set him back onto the proper schedule. They must stay on schedule after all…even while battling is the best thing in the world, it is no excuse to run late when a job must be done. 

He turned off the lights to their office, and walked down the hall, greeting a few workers and agents as he passed them on his way. Ingo wasn’t anywhere on this level that he could see, so he must have gone to the main floor. Emmet will start his search there.

He walked into the main terminal, his smile bright on his face. He was pushing down that anxious feeling that has been eating at him all morning.

Nothing was wrong, or amiss. Ingo was just late. It happens.

So why…does Emmet feel a lingering sense of dread…? He paused, looking around the station terminal. He saw no sign of Ingo, and the station was not as busy today, which was good. Less to distract him. He adjusted his coat, the subway feeling colder than usual, and he began walking to the security offices. 

The agents there are good at keeping track of things. If Ingo went somewhere, they would know.

But, before he could open the door-

“Hey, Emmet!”

Emmet turned, and his smile widened, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his friend.

“I am Emmet! Good morning, Elesa! You are here early today!” Emmet says lightly, Elesa running up to him happily.

“Yeah, had a shoot this morning. I thought I’d say hi to my boys since the station was on the way back!” She said, adjusting her coat tighter around herself. “Geez, did the heat stop working in this place? I’m glad I dressed warm today…”

“I noticed the temperature as well. I will meet with the mechanics later and see what the issue is. For now, I must find Ingo!” He says with a smile, opening the door to the security offices. Elesa follows casually.

“Heh, did he battle too long again?” She says with a laugh, knowing Ingo tends to lose track of time when he finds a worthy opponent. 

“I believe so. Though he is not responding to his phone, I will talk to him about that. Safety first, always!” Emmet says lightly, walking into a side room. “Once we find him, we should have time to grab a warm drink from the cafe before we start the double line!” Emmet says, holding the door for Elesa. “I could use some calm before the day really begins.”

“You? Calm? Who are you and what have you done with Emmet?” Elesa laughs, sitting in a spinning chair nearby as Emmet snickers.

“Yes, yes, I know. I am Emmet. I just believe Ingo is right, I have overworked lately.”

“You do it to yourself~” Elesa says, giving a spin in the chair.

The depot agent sitting at the computer beside her was blushing, his eyes trying to focus on the computer instead of her.

“Indeed I do. So, from now on, safety-”

“Saftey first always, we know!” Elesa says. “Now find your twin and let’s go!”

Emmet nods, walking over to the agent.

“Cloud, have you seen Ingo today?” Emmet asks, standing straight beside the desk, his arms behind his back. Cloud looks away from Elesa, shakes his head, and looks up to Emmet.

“Y-yes sir, he was on his way to your office when there was a small commotion. He went to take care of it first.”

“A commotion?” Emmet asks, tilting his head, his smile not fading. 

“Yes, it seems some woobat that were living in the tunnels got spooked quite badly. They were in a frenzy, startling passengers, before flying out of the station entirely. Ingo was just going to walk down into the tunnel to see what could have caused them distress. Has he not returned?” Cloud asks, Emmet glancing to the computer screens, his eyes scanning the cameras inside the tunnels. He saw no movement.

“No, not yet…when did he depart?”

“Ah, a little over an hour ago…hm, now that you mention it, he has been down there a while if he hasn’t come to you…I thought I just missed him and he went upstairs.” Cloud says in confusion, turning his chair to face Emmet. “I’m afraid I have no idea what could have derailed him…”

“Perhaps just an unexpected stop.” Emmet says flatly, his voice calm.

But Elesa sees his mouth straining to keep its smile. She glances at the cameras in worry. Through the fuzzy static, she saw no movement in the tunnel cameras.

“We shall find him, and return him to his station. What tunnel did he go into?”

“The Eastbound single line, the one under construction.” Cloud said, pulling up a map on the screen, pointing to the line. “It’s why the woobat were hiding in there, though I’ve seen them in functional tunnels, they don’t mind the trains…”

“Is construction active today?” Emmet asks, once again his voice flat.

“No sir, they had today off. There shouldn’t have been any humans in that tunnel, and it has no open emergency exit. I would have seen if someone went in there unauthorized and caused the disruption. I have a camera facing the entrance stairway. 

“But if those woobat aren’t afraid of trains…what could have spooked them in an empty tunnel?” Elesa asks, her peppy voice now quiet.

“I am Emmet. I will find out. And I will find Ingo.” Emmet says, pointing to the door. “Cloud, do me a favor. Rewind the cameras to when Ingo entered the tunnel, and see if there are any functional cameras inside it. See if you can give us a visual from above, and perhaps an answer to all of this from your end.” He says, walking out the door.

“Y-yes sir!” Cloud replies, turning around quickly, typing into the computer. There is a lot of footage to go over, and many many cameras to check…he’ll need time.”

“Emmet, wait!” Elesa yells, running after him. “I’m going with you!”

Emmet, not breaking his stride towards the tunnel entrance, gives her a wave of his finger.

“No, no, safety first. I will not have you getting injured in a construction zone. Besides, you came from a shoot. I know you only carry one Pokemon with you on those days.”

Elesa groans, and powerwalks to keep up with the man in white.

“I don’t care about the construction! I can handle some rough terrain! I care about Ingo! I want to help, and I am whether you like it or not!” She says, standing defensively in front of him, stopping his walking.

Emmet stares at her, his smile still on his face, though his eyes give away his seriousness…and fear. Elesa knows him too well. He’s afraid something bad happened…and will happen again. 

“Very well. Only because it would be rude to send you away after you came off your route to visit us.”

“AND,” Elesa adds, the two walking side by side. “If there IS a problem, I am not letting you get into trouble alone.” She says with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. She can see Emmet is…quite tense.

His shoulders are higher, his smile is forced. He is walking stiff, and his eyes…

His eyes show fear. She can see it. They’re strained.

“I appreciate your assistance, my friend. I just…hope Ingo has not found trouble alone.”

“Like you said, he gets distracted at a good battle!” She says as they reach the stairway into the tunnels, both of them stopping before the yellow construction chain blocking it off. “Perhaps some wild pokemon is giving him a challenge, or some vigilante who snuck in was trying to be tough. I’m sure he’s fine! He’s strong!” She says softly with a smile, putting a hand on Emmet’s shoulder. She feels his tension. “He’s fine…”

Emmet takes in a breath, and lets it out, trying once again to push away these nagging anxious thoughts.

“Yes…he is fine. He is capable, and resourceful. I am sure this is something silly we will laugh about soon!” He says lightly, his smile more genuine. Elesa pats his back, pulling him into a side hug.

“There we go! Now come on, I actually wore proper shoes for this today!” She says, stepping over the chain, descending into the darkness below. 

Emmet pauses a moment before following her. He feels a cold draft arise from the stairwell, making him shiver. It’s even colder down there. He pulls his coat tighter, and grabs an emergency lantern sitting nearby, switching it on…and he begins descending the stairs, following Elesa close behind.

Ingo is fine. He must be fine…

He must be…

Chapter Text

Gear Station Underground

Emmet and Elesa walk along the concrete path, the empty railway beside them. Emmet holds the lantern out, the warm glow contrasting against the increasing cold around them.

“I swear it’s getting colder the farther in we go…” Elesa grumbles, rubbing her arms.

“It is..look.” Emmet says, stopping his walking. Elesa turns, and sees his breath in the air, and now hers as well.

“How is it this cold? This isn’t natural!” She says, looking around. “Did an ice Pokemon get down here?”

They look around, but no ice was to be seen. Only the broken up railway and construction equipment. 

“Something is not right.” Emmet whispers, his smile fading a bit. Elesa can see he’s struggling to hold it. “Come on, let’s keep g-AGH!!!” Emmet yells, something fast and squeaky flying past his head out of a drainage pipe nearby on the ground.

Elesa ducks, and sees a distressed woobat flying in circles, looking terrified. It keeps hitting walls, squeaking in terror.

“Go back that way, your friends went out the exit in that direction! Safe driving!” Emmet yells, the woobat squeaking in response before fluttering back the way they came.

And all was quiet again. 

“Woobats are usually so friendly and calm…” Elesa says, standing beside Emmet, holding his arm as they look around in fright. “And if the loud and fast trains don’t scare them down here…what could?”

“I am Emmet, I will find out, one way or another…” Emmet says flatly, walking ahead. “Anyone who disturbs the subway this badly must be punished. This tunnel goes on for a while, so I hope our answers are not far…”

They keep walking, not seeing any more life at all. And despite the cold, they saw no ice or traces of ice Pokemon…

Emmet walks ahead, something making his heart beat faster and faster. He felt…scared. He was scared. Why was he so scared?

His hands were shaking, but not from the cold…

This was just a minor issue! Why did he feel so frightened all day? And why does his fear get stronger the deeper they went into the tunnels…

“I see some cameras, so hopefully Cloud can get something for us…” Elesa says, rubbing her arms to stay warm as she glances at the upper walls, noticing the red light of a camera.

“He must. I will not accept defeat.” Emmet replies, his eyes locked on the darkness ahead of him. Ingo is strong. And capable. What could have possibly derailed him for so long…

“Watch him be in the cafe when we get back.” Elesa says with a small laugh, hoping to ease the tension. “He’s sneaky when he isn’t talking so loud, maybe Cloud just missed him and he’s wondering where we are.”

“A possibility.” Emmet says, adding it to his list of explanations. “Let us at least cover a bit more ground, look for any sign of him nearby.”

“Yeah, I do not wanna come back here till you guys fix the heating…” Elesa huffs, adjusting the headphones over her ears.

‘I do not think this is a heating issue anymore…’ Emmet thinks to himself, not wanting to disrupt Elesa’s optimism. 

Emmet is usually just as optimistic, but…he can’t shake the feeling something is wrong, very wrong…

The cold, the woobats, the feeling of dread…Ingo breaking routine…

It must all be connected somehow. And Emmet will find out how…

He swallows a lump in his throat. He will not become a single car train. Not today, not ever. Ingo and Emmet…Emmet and Ingo.

A two car train.

~

Elesa and Emmet walk in silence for another half hour. Each time they feel they should turn back…Emmet gets a tugging feeling in his chest to go onwards. So, onwards they go…

“How far would Ingo go on his own?” Elesa asks, glancing up at Emmet.

“The protocol for a single person exertion in a tunnel is one mile.”

“How far have we gone?”

“Almost two.” Emmet says, his smile now gone.

Elesa doesn’t like the sight. He only stops smiling if he’s really concerned or upset or-

“Stop!” Emmet yells sharply, making Elesa jump as she’s shaken from her thoughts.

“W-what? Why?” She says, looking ahead…until she sees what Emmet saw.

A teamfull of pokeballs on the ground, discarded.

Before Elesa can speak, Emmet runs ahead, lowering to his knees as he scoops the balls up.

“Th-...they are Ingo’s…” Emmet says, his voice shaky as he turns them over. He looks around, but sees no sign of his brother. "I-INGO?? INGO!!!" Emmet screams, his voice echoing in the dark tunnels. He gets no response. 

Elesa looks around as well, but pales at a new sight.

“H-...he m-must have just-...j-just dropped them! F-for some reason, I-...” Emmet stutters, his throat suddenly very dry as he cradles the abandoned pokeballs against his chest. His brain is trying so hard to keep hope…

“E-...Emmet…” Elesa whispers, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“N-no! There m-must be a logical reason! Maybe he-...h-he…”

“Look…” Elesa says quietly and brokenly, pointing to a spot on the concrete floor nearby.

Emmet pales. at the sight. Blood…a small puddle of blood nearby…

Elesa kneels down, touching it gently with her gloved hand.

“It’s…it’s recent…” She says, eying the stain on her glove. She feels sick all of a sudden…

Emmet can’t speak. He looks between the blood splatter, and the pokeballs a few times…and he sees more blood staining one of them.

“N-...no! I will not accept defeat!” He says with a trembling voice, shoving all the balls but one, the bloody one, into his pocket. “There is still hope! Still an explanation! Chandelure would have been his first choice if there was an incident, she will tell us what happened!” Emmet says, holding the pokeball up with a shaking hand. He feels nauseous.

He presses the button, and with a red light, Chandelure appears before them.

“Chande-” Emmet starts, though both humans gasp as the Pokemon falls to the ground without a sound, her eyes closed.

“O-oh dragons…” Elesa whispers, seeing a large crack along Chandelure’s side, some dim and weak purple flames leaking out of it. “P-put her back!” Elesa says, and Emmet does so, holding the pokeball in trembling hands.

His eyes burn. He feels sick...

Something is wrong. Very wrong. Ingo is missing. Chandelure is hurt. Ingo is missing. INGO IS HURT AND MISSING-

“Emmet, can you hear me?!” Elesa says, grabbing his shoulders.

Emmet opens his mouth, but no sound comes out. His smile is long gone, and tears begin running down his cheeks.

“Emmet, listen to me…” Elesa says, taking Chandelure’s pokeball into her own hands. “Something did happen, but we don’t know Ingo is gone…ok?” She says, trying to steady him. 

Emmet glances over at the puddle of Ingo’s blood, his eyes wide and teary. He doesn’t know if he’s breathing. His chest is tight, his heart is beating loudly in his chest. 

“EMMET!!!” Elesa cries, giving him a gentle shake. “We need to get her to a pokecenter, now!” She cries, holding the ball in her hands. “When she is revived and healed, she can help us find out what happened to Ingo, and help us find him!”

Emmet blinks, and looks away again.

He stares at the floor beside Ingo’s blood, and notices…it's smirched black, as if it were burned…

“E-Emmet, are you listening to me?!” Elesa cries, watching Emmet crawl over to the spot. He looks down at Ingo’s blood…and then reaches a slow, trembling hand to the dark spot on the ground.

Emmet gasps, his heart suddenly racing too fast, much too fast! He cries out, feeling overwhelming terror take him over, as well as icy cold. He falls back to the ground.

“Emmet, get away from there!” Elesa yells, dragging Emmet away from the odd mark on the floor.

Emmet is on his back, wheezing, gripping his chest. He can’t move, he can’t feel. All he can think of is how scared and cold he is. He keeps gasping, until there’s a red light…and Emmet feels something soft rub against his cheek.

“That’s just Emolga…she’s here, we’re here…it’s OK…” Elesa says, grabbing Emmet’s hand. “Whatever that is, it can’t hurt you…just breathe…”

Emmet takes deep, shaky breaths…but soon, the cold terror he feels begins to be overshadowed by the soft fluff rubbing against his cheek.

“Emoo…” The Emolga coos, her eyes filled with worry as she nuzzles Emmet.

“Emmet, can you hear me? Just breathe…” 

Emmet keeps breathing, and soon recalls Ingo’s instructions for whenever something like this happens…

‘In for four, out for eight…steady and on track…’ Ingo would say, keeping Emmet grounded. 

Emmet did as he was told. He breathed, slow and steady, a calm rhythm. 

“Good…come on, can you stand? We need to get out of here…” Elesa says, her voice tense as she holds Emmet’s arm, Emolga returning to her ball.

Emmet sits up slowly, gripping his heart.

He glances at the dark spot on the ground…

Not normal, not normal at all…

He nods, and lets Elesa help him stand.

“S-...something has attacked and taken Ingo…he is hurt…our only hope now is the security cameras…” He says, staring at Ingo’s blood as they stagger away.

“What’s with that weird mark…?” Elesa asks, glancing at the black burn-looking mark as they walk towards the exit. 

“I-I do not know…but when I touched it, I-...I felt more scared than I ever have before…” Emmet mumbles, still shaking away the anxious feeling in his chest. Though he notes, it eases the farther away they get from the mark.

“Whatever it is, it must be the reason the woobat were so frightened…” Elesa says, keeping hold of Emmet’s arm. “What could cause such fear?”

“A Pokemon, it has to be…” Emmet says flatly, his eyes locked ahead as his mind’s gears turn. “No human could manipulate emotions like that…and Ingo would have taken any trainer in a fight with ease…”

“What Pokemon do you think it is?” Elesa asks. Emmet looks down, pondering.

“I am not well versed in Pokemon abilities that do not take place in battle…I am afraid I do not know just yet…”

“Well…we’ll find out, ok?” Elesa says, looking up at Emmet. “We’ll heal Chandelure, we’ll get footage of Ingo from Cloud, see what hurt Ingo, and see where he was taken…and we’ll get him back. I know we will…”

Emmet wants to respond, though all he can do is nod…

Ingo has been in danger before, of course…but to go missing without a trace? His strongest Pokemon on the brink of death?

And a feeling of fear so strong it brought Emmet to his knees…

Something more powerful than a simple Pokemon is at work here, Emmet knows that for sure…but that isn’t what scares him anymore.

He can’t lose Ingo…

He will not accept that as an option, not even for a moment.

But, even still…the fear he felt seeing Ingo’s blood…knowing he was overtaken and hurt…swept away somewhere unknown…all alone...

It worries Emmet more than anything ever has before.

Chapter Text

Gear Station

Emmet and Elesa ran up the stairs, and headed for the door of the station. Emmet glanced at the door to the security room. He wanted to see if Cloud found anything…but Chandelure came first. She was hurt, and needed immediate medical attention.

Ingo…Ingo can wait…just a bit longer…

Emmet felt sick having that thought, not even knowing where Ingo is or what state he was in…but injured passengers come first! So, the duo ran to the nearest pokecenter, Emmet struggling to keep his composure. 

His brother was missing. 

~

Emmet sat in a chair in the pokecenter, waiting on Chandelure to be healed…

The nurse said it was injured badly, a super effective attack for sure…but Emmet wasn’t sure what could have done so much damage…Chandelure was strong, very strong…and only weak to dark or ghost types…what could have hurt her so badly? 

Elesa was talking at the desk, letting Emmet have a moment to breathe and think. He recalls the fear he felt in the tunnel, fear not from his own heart…

Ingo is missing, Chandelure is hurt, and something…supernatural happened in the tunnels…and he has a bad feeling about how this all tied together…

He just hopes, wherever he is…that Ingo is alright-

*buzz buzz buzz*

Emmet let out a gasp, nearly dropping his phone as he fumbled it in his hands, a call coming in from the Cloud. He scrambled to hit the answer button, and shakily held the phone up to his ear.

“I-I am Emmet…”

“Boss, I ah…I found something on the cameras…”

Cloud sounded afraid. His voice was shaking. Emmet sat up straighter, Elesa glancing his way as she noticed his movement.

“Is it Ingo?” Emmet asked firmly, trying to keep his voice quiet and calm while in the pokecenter. 

“It is…we know what happened to him, the cameras-”

“WHAT HAPPENED?!” Emmet yelled in apprehension, losing his composure, making the other people in the lobby jump. Elesa started walking over. 

“I-...boss, I can’t even use words to explain it…you won’t believe me unless you see the footage for yourself…can you come back and-”

“I AM ON ROUTE.” Emmet yelled firmly, standing up quickly. He shoves his phone in his pocket, and begins walking to the door.

“Wait, Emmet! What is it?” Elesa yells, grabbing his arm, stopping him from walking.

“They found footage of Ingo. I must depart immediately!” He replies, a forced smile back on his face. He tries to walk again, but Elesa keeps a grip on his arm.

“But Chandelure-”

“Please, stay with her until she is released. Meet me at the station security room as soon as you are coupled.”

“But-”

“P-please…” Emmet asks, his smile faltering, his eyes shiny. Elesa sighs, and nods.

“I just am worried about you now…but if you’ll be alright for a bit, I’ll meet you once I have her with me.” Elesa says warmly, giving a small smile. Emmet returns one, a genuine one, despite his now tired eyes.

“Thank you my friend…now! Full speed ahead!” Emmet says standing up straight once more, pointing to the door. He powerwalks out, leaving Elesa behind.

She sighs, watching him until he’s out the doors, and out of sight. She knows both boys struggle with anxiety in their own ways…Ingo shuts down, while Emmet…

Emmet can make…impulsive decisions…

And with how rattled he is right now…

She worries even more.

~

Emmet all but kicks open the security door, Cloud jumping a foot in the air. Emmet immediately sees his face is pale, and his eyes are wide and scared. His hands were shaking as well.

“Show me the footage, please.” Emmet says, walking over to the computer Cloud was seated at.

“B-boss, first I think you should know-”

“Hit play.” Emmet says between his teeth, a very forced smile on his face. 

Cloud swallows nervously, not used to the usually peppy and silly Boss Emmet so…frightning…

But he understands why of course.

“Y-yes boss, here…” He says shakily, hitting play before moving out of the way. Emmet stands before the screen, eyes locked on it.

And his eyes widen, his heart skipping, when he sees Ingo appear on the screen, Chandelure by his side as they walk down the same tunnel path from before. 

But…soon the screen starts glitching, Ingo stopping his walking suddenly…

~

That morning…

Ingo walked steadily down the tunnel path, Chandelure by his side, lighting their way through the darkness.

“I must admit, I feel…tension, in my heart…” Ingo says, holding his chest. “Perhaps that is what caused the woobat to frighten…something ahead is causing this I am sure.”

Chandelure chimes in response, her movements also showing she is feeling the same lingering fear in the air. They keep walking, Ingo’s eyes locked ahead of him. 

“Whoever or whatever is causing this disruption must be stopped. This is not safe at all, for anyone. I will not allow the safety of the subway to be compromised!” Ingo says firmly, adjusting his coat. He feels colder all of a sudden…

He stops walking. He lets out a breath, and sees its fog hover in the air. 

“Hm…” He mumbles, looking around the darkness, illuminated purple by Chandelure. “We must be close to whatever is-”

Ingo’s eyes widen, the temperature dropping even more around him as a faint ghostly screeching echoes down the tunnel, bouncing off the walls. He feels a chill run down his spine, but not from the cold.

“Chandelure, be ready…” He says, trying to keep his voice calm. His heart is beating faster. Chandelure chimes, hovering before Ingo, flames glowing brighter in defense.

For a moment, the world was still…

Until Ingo cries out, the ground shifting beneath him, suddenly feeling like sand. He scrambles back onto solid stone, his eyes wide in terror as a black void opens before him on the ground, swirling like a pitch-black oily liquid.

“C-Chandelure, prepare overheat!” Ingo yells, Chandelure hovering above him, chiming.

Though both are frozen with terror as a giant dark form begins to emerge from the darkness before them. Ingo sees two glowing red eyes, encased in the darkness, rising from the void. It rises up, the darkness dripping off of it like a liquid.

Ingo covers his ears, the ghostly screech now coming from the being before him, loud and piercing. He looks up, the shadowy figure appearing to have horns on its head, its red eyes glowing like burning stars in an empty night sky. 

He scrambles back more in fright as large ragged wings appear behind the figure, three glowing red spikes on each wing. More liquid darkness splatters on the ground, and the creature screeches again, Ingo covering his ears as his blood runs cold.

“O-OVERHEAT!!!” Ingo yells, instinct telling him this is not a friendly encounter.

Chandelure chimes loudly, and glows brighter, its purple flames not doing anything to illuminate the creature before them. She moves ahead, about to attack-

The creature opens a solid red mouth, screeching…and a ghostly purple energy attack appears…and it fires it right at Chandelure, encompassing it in the energy of the attack.

“C-CHANDELURE!!!” Ingo yells, watching her be slammed against the wall, before falling to the ground with a clank…he sees a large crack on her side, her eyes closed.

The creature screeches again, and hovers higher, its wings forming into the shape of claws.

Ingo pales, and quickly grabs his pokeballs. He returns Chandelure, and tries to run…but the ground beneath him weakens again like sand, the darkness spreading closer. He feels himself loose footing, and he falls on his face with a cry of pain. He looks down with blurry vision, and sees blood dripping from a wound on his head.

Not thinking about himself anymore, he grabs his pokeballs and tosses them ahead, away from the creature. He turns around for only a second, his face wracked with terror, before covering his face with his arm, the creature all but diving onto him, pulling him down into the darkness.

And that’s all he could see and feel…just darkness.

~

Emmet stared at the footage, his mind dead silent. He sees the pool of black darkness shrink, leaving behind a black burn mark where Ingo had just been seconds prior…

And once the darkness vanished, the glitching on the screen stopped…and the tunnel went still once more. No movement, no life…no Ingo.

The creature had taken him.

“B-boss, I-”

“No.” Was all Emmet could say, tears in his eyes as he rewound the footage. He watched Ingo face the creature, he watched Chandelure get taken out in one shot…

And he once again watched Ingo get taken. Taken into another world.

“Boss, w-what do we do? I-I haven’t seen that thing b-before, I don’t-”

Emmet ignored him, rewinding the footage again. And again. And again.

Cloud hummed in worry, on edge and uneasy…

He jumped again in fright as the door opened, Elesa walking in, a bag in her hands.

“Ok, everyone is healed up, though they told me to let Chandelure rest in the ball a bit before stressing her out with th-uh…” She faded off, seeing Cloud sitting nearby, face pale…and Emmet staring at a computer with his face an inch away from the screen. “E-Emmet…?” She asks softly, walking closer.

“No.” Emmet repeated, rewinding the footage again. Elesa leaned over his shoulder, her eyes widening at what she saw. She covered her mouth with her hands, watching the creature of darkness slam onto Ingo, both vanishing in an instant.

“E-Emmet, what-”

“This is not protocol.” Emmet says, his voice cold and low, a twisted smile on his face as tears run down his cheek. “This cannot be what happened. It must not be.”

“B-boss, the cameras-”

“IT CAN NOT BE WHAT HAPPENED.” Emmet yells, slamming his fist down onto the desk, a cup falling over from the shake. “It is not…”

“Emmet, p-please calm down-”

“I WILL NOT.” Emmet yells, standing up straight, facing the two others in the room. His forced smile is still on his face, tears still falling. “My brother is taken. Gone. And-...and I…I can’t…d-do anything…” He cries, his smile finally fading.

He falls to his knees, arms limp at his side as he cries in silence.

“I can’t do anything…”

Ingo was always there for Emmet. He scared away bullies when they were kids. He bandaged any cuts or scrapes Emmet got. He helped him face fears. He protected him. He was there for him.

And Emmet can’t do anything for Ingo.

“Useless…” Emmet cries, moving his hands to his face.

“Y-yes you can do something! There has to be something we can do!” Elesa says, setting the bag of Ingo’s Pokemon aside. “W-we just…need to think…”

“I-...I have never seen that creature before…” Cloud says, glancing at the paused footage.

“Neither have I…though I’m sure we can-”

“Giratina.”

The two look at Emmet, his hands back to his side, his eyes lost in the distance.

“W-what?” Elesa asks, kneeling before Emmet.

“Giratina…that…that is what took Ingo…”

“H-how do you know that creature?” Cloud asks, Emmet still staring ahead, his eyes lifeless.

“As bosses of the subway we meet people from all over the world…we learn about things. Pokemon…legends…a passenger from Sinnoh came by, and battled us…we talked after, and she told us of the differences in our dieties…their region h-has dragons as well, but…but one is not…it is not right…” He says, glancing down at his hands.

“W-what do you mean? What do you know about it?” Elesa asks, keeping her voice calm.

“W-when Arceus created the world…a shadow was also created…” Emmet says, the story echoing in his mind. “A shadow…since every light casts one…and it was cast beneath our world…that Pokemon, Giratina…it rules over that shadow realm, and all distortions that come with it…”

“W-what would this Giratina want with Ingo?” Cloud asks, still rattled.

Emmet closes his eyes.

“I do not know any more…”

Elesa stands, pacing before Emmet.

“W-well, we can’t just give up! There must be something we can do! Perhaps professor Juniper, she can-”

“W-we will need more than knowledge to solve this…” Emmet says, opening his eyes. He glances to the side, his eyes landing on something under the desk.

“I-I mean sure, but…it can be a start! O-or maybe we can go to Sinnoh, and…maybe, uh…” Elesa sits on a chair, her hope diminishing.

Emmet was right…learning about this creature will only get them so far…they need a way to act…

Emmet stares at a trash bin under the desk, a newspaper sticking out…he reads the headline.

‘Team Plasma Returns’

Emmet blinks, his mind going blank.

“Maybe we can contact Iris, someone with power?” Cloud asks.

“She does know dragons better than anyone…” Elesa says, pondering. “Maybe we can get-Emmet?!”

Elesa cries out in surprise as Emmet suddenly moves, diving for the trash can under the desk. He yanks out the newspaper, slamming it on the ground. He stares at it.

“Emmet…?” Elesa asks, unsure what Emmet is thinking. His face is blank…

Emmet stares at the headline photo, showing those lousy Team Plasma people…he sees their leader, Ghetisis, in the foreground of the picture, some other people behind him.

“Reigon professors or champions won’t be enough…we need something more…” Emmet says, holding the paper in his hands. Elesa looks down at it, and stands up in shock.

“You are NOT going to ask Ghetisis for help! T-that man is insane-”

“You are correct…he is an idiot.” Emmet says, standing as well, still staring at the paper. “But he has people with him…who are not idiots.” He says, a faint twitchy smile appearing on his face. He looks behind Ghetisis, and sees a man he has encountered before…

A man with a blue streak in his hair.

Emmet tosses the paper aside, making Cloud and Elesa look at him in confusion. Emmet claps his hands together, his smile widening.

“Well! I must be off to Team Plasma’s base. Cloud, you are in charge until I return! Farewell!” Emmet says happily, walking to the door. Elesa runs in front of him, holding her arms out.

“HOLD IT, EMMET.”

“I am Emmet!”

“You are NOT just going to stroll into Team Plasma’s base alone!!!”

“I will be sneaky.” He replies with a smile. Elesa stares at him in disbelief. 

“YOU. WILL. BE. KILLED.”

“Not if I kill them first~” Emmet says, grabbing Chandelure’s pokeball from the bag.

“Oh, he’s lost his mind…” Cloud mumbles, hiding his face on the desk.

“Emmet, no killing!” Elesa yells, Emmet tilting his head.

“But-”

“AND NO TEAM PLASMA BASE!!!”

“I know someone who can get Ingo back. You must trust me.”

“I trust you, but I also DON’T WANT YOU THROWING YOURSELF INTO THE PYROAR’S DEN. AND I ALSO DO NOT WANT YOU KILLING ANYONE.” Elesa yells, grabbing Emmet’s shoulders. “T-they will never help you!”

“I can convince them.” Emmet says, still smiling. He backs away from Elesa’s grasp. “I will not lose my brother. Not now, not ever. We are a two-car train. And the only person in the region who can help us is in that base. I am recruiting him, whether he likes it or not.” He says, putting Chandelure’s pokeball into his own pocket.

Elesa groans, and rubs her hands down her face.

“This is a death wish, impulsive, and stupid…”

“Those are the plans that usually turn out best!”

Elesa blinks.

“If. You. Must…then I am going with you-”

“Nope!” Emmet says, walking past Elesa as she sputters.

“W-WHAT?! WHY NOT?!”

“This mission is a death wish, impulsive, and stupid!” He says from the doorway, smiling at the group. “I will not lose you too. I will be fine, have faith! Stay here, I will return with our passenger shortly.” Emmet says, humming as he starts walking down the hall. 

Elesa and Cloud are speechless, Cloud still hiding his face on the desk, Elesa standing in shock before the door.

“That lunatic is going to get himself killed…” She mutters.

“You’re uh…gonna follow him aren’t you?” Cloud asks, sitting up. Elesa nods.

“Obviously. He is not in a good mindset right now.”

“I haven’t seen him this scary since the digglet incident…”

“He’ll be back to normal once Ingo is back…and if this is what it takes to make that happen…I guess we’re going to have to take some risks…” Elesa says, grabbing a piece of paper. “Ingo would do the same for either of us I’m sure, though he does have a bit more self control when it comes to anger…here.” She says, handing the paper to Cloud. “My number. If you see anything of note, any sign of Ingo, anything at all, you call me as soon as possible.” She says firmly, handing the paper to Cloud. Cloud takes it, blushing a bit.

“Y-yes ma’am! Please try to keep him alive! And…keep him from, you know…killing anyone…”

“No one will die if I can help it.” Elesa says, walking to the door. I know where he’s headed, I’ll get my full team, and meet him there. I assume we’ll return with an…unwilling passenger.” She says, rolling her eyes. “Stay vigilant.”

And she walks out, closing the door behind her.

She is not going to lose two friends in one day, and she is not even going to let Ingo stay gone. They’ll fix everything, get Ingo back, and return everything to normal…

As long as Emmet…doesn’t make any dangerous impulsive decisions, that is…

Chapter Text

Team Plasma Headquarters

Emmet stood in a dim hallway, peering around a corner. No sign of any grunts here. He’s close to the lab, he knows it…he stole a map off a guard earlier.

Walking softly, he peers into various doorway windows, all showing rooms of technology, papers, maps, tubes, electric holding containers, among other concerning things. But he pays them no mind. Not what he is here for. Emmet stops at another corner, and smiles.

He sees a large door at the end of the hall.

The lab.

He walks closer, smiling wider. He grabs a pokeball, and releases Eelektross.

“Eelektross, the door if you kindly would~” Emmet says lightly, pointing to the large electronic door. Eelektross nods, glowing with sparks of electricity.

It zaps the door with a powerful bolt, and Emmet then grabs the handle, yanking it open. He and Eelektross slide in, and he closes the door once more. 

“How did you get in here?!”

Emmet turns around with a smile, and sees exactly who he was looking for. 

“I was sneaky.”

Colress, the head Team Plasma scientist, stood before him, a look of disbelief on his face. He was someone who specialized in…unique physics. He was standing behind a lab table, various machines and vials of liquid before him. The room was dim, with the walls being lined with machines that went up to the ceiling. Faint beeping could be heard coming from the various tech lining the room.

“You foolish little-” Colress starts, reaching for a communicator. He yells out as a bolt of lightning hits his hand, the phone exploding, falling to the ground in pieces. 

“Ah ah ah! I wish to speak to you alone, yup!” Emmet says with a smile, patting Eelektross’ head. “And do not bring out any Pokemon either. I know you specialize in steel types…I have a fire type with me, a strong one indeed! Do not test me.” Emmet says coldly despite his smile. He walks closer to Colress, the dim lighting making his eyes seem to almost glow in the darkness. 

Colress glances around, but then sighs.

“Fine. You have me cornered. Why are you here bothering me while I’m working, subway master? Because if you’re here for Ghetisis, he’s on the other side of the building, and-”

“I am not here for him.” Emmet says peppily, his smile widening. “I am here for you and you alone. I need your assistance.”

Colress gives a smirk.

“You want my help? My my, how ironic this is. I am not helping you stop Ghetisis, I have a goal for my research, and-”

“I am not here for your team’s stupid plan either.” Emmet says firmly, making Colress raise an eyebrow.

“Hm. Well, you also seem to now have my interest. Since you insist on bothering me anyway and I can’t get out of it…what do you want, subway master?” Colress says casually, sitting back in a chair on the other side of the lab table. 

Emmet stands on the other side of the table, and stands tall.

“Giratina. The Pokemon of old Sinnoh legend. What do you know about it?”

Colress gives an amused smile.

“An odd request, not the dragon Pokemon I thought you’d have in mind. Well, I know it was created by Arceus, and it rules the dimension mirroring ours, a shadow of it if you will.”

“I am aware of that part…tell me, is it possible to enter this dimension?” Emmet asks, getting a laugh from Colress.

“You want to enter the distortion realm? What could possibly be within those shadows that appeal to a man like you?” He asks with a sly grin. “You spend your time battling people on trains for a living, for Arceus’ sake, this is not something you want to mess with.”

“You did not answer my question.” Emmet says flatly, a cold smile still on his face. Colress rolls his eyes.

“Very well. I suppose with the right technology tied to dimensional travel, it would be possible to open a doorway through. The realm is quite close after all, on a cosmic scale. Now, you answer me something, why do you ask me these questions?” Colress asks, leaning on the table, his eyes full of curiosity. “Why does the humble subway master wish to cross dimensions, and be desperate enough to ask a Team Plasma member for help, hm?”

Emmet’s eye twitches, his smile becoming strained.

Colress smiles slyly.

“You came here alone…you have a brother.” 

Emmet’s fist clenches.

“He is not with you…I assume your desperation is a result of him having some tie to Giratina, no? Is that why he isn’t here?” Colress asks, his voice slightly teasing.

Emmet swallows through a dry throat.

“He was taken by Giratina. I am going to get him back-”

Emmet stops as Colress begins laughing, making Emmet grind his teeth.

“Are you serious, subway master? Your twin was taken by Giratina?”

Before Emmet can respond, Colress laughs more.

“What on Earth could your stone-faced brother have done to anger the god of banishment-”

“Thunderbolt.”

Colress screams, and jolts in his chair as he’s struck with a bolt of electricity. Once it fades, he leans against the table for support, breathing heavy. Eelektross huffs, his eyes sharp. Emmet leans down closer to Colress’ face.

“Say another negative thing about Ingo, and I will have Eelektross stop your heart with his next attack.” Emmet says coldly, his smile not faltering.

Colress glares at him, scoffing.

“You think death scares me?”

“I will then have Ingo’s Chandelure burn any research you have done, and have Eelektross fry your computers, yup yup! Any trace of your work will vanish from history, along with your name.”

Colress and Emmet stare at each other a moment in silence, both their eyes sharp as steel. Colress then sighs, relaxing. He leans back in his chair, folding his arms.

“Well, there’s no need to be brash. How can I be of assistance?” He says, eyes meeting Emmet’s.

Emmet smiles wider.

“First, you will-”

*bang*

Both men jump as the door slams open, Elesa stomping in, anger in her eyes.

“Emmet, this place is terrible, and I am not happy you went here alone, so this nerd BETTER be worth the effort…” She hisses, making Colress lean back in confusion.

“The gym leader…how did YOU get in here?!” Colress yells. Elesa scoffs, folding her arms.

“Your security system is a joke, easily fried by my Pokemon, and your grunts are morons. I told them I was asked by Ghetisis to do a shoot promoting his ideals, and they believed me.”

Colress stares at her, his face exasperated. 

“Typical…”

“Elesa.” Emmet says, his smile still on his face, though his eyes show anger. “I asked you to remain at the station…”

“And I didn’t listen. You know the feeling, don’t you, Emmet?” She says lightly, patting his arm. “No way I was gonna let you get yourself kidnapped or worse. So I’m here now, we’re a team, no budging.”

Emmet’s eye twitches, then he sighs a tense sigh.

“Very well…I appreciate your concern for me, though please be careful here…”

“I will, don’t worry. These idiots are a breeze.” Elesa says with a laugh, stretching her arms as she sits on the table. “So…this is the man you’re recruiting?”

“Unwillingly.” Colress says with a huff. “I do not appreciate the distraction, but it seems I am stuck. So, back to where we were…what do you want from me?”

“A way to the distortion world and back…” Emmet says, looking a bit calmer now that Elesa was nearby. “My brother was taken for unknown reasons. We are getting him back. You will open the portal, accompany us there, retrieve him, and return.”

“And after?” Colress asks, leaning forward.

“You go free.”

“WHAT?!” Elesa yells, facing Emmet. "You have the head scientist for TEAM PLASMA as a hostage-”

“Unwilling ally, I prefer.” Colress mumbles.

“-AND YOU ARE JUST GONNA…LET HIM GO AFTER?!”

Emmet nods, closing his eyes.

“He gets Ingo back safe and sound, he goes free. Seems a fair deal.”

“I would disagree-”

“Shut up, you’re not involved in this!” Elesa yells, making Colress lean back, rolling his eyes. “Emmet, think about the consequences-”

“Ingo comes before any consequences.” He replies, his eyes softening as he looks at Elesa. “We have a way to get him back, but this will require trust…” He says, his eyes moving to Colress. “He helps us get Ingo back…he goes free, no word to the authorities. It was like nothing ever happened.”

Elesa looks between the two of them, glaring at Colress.

“You expect me to trust him?”

“I don’t exactly think fondly of you lot either.” Colress adds.

“What if he tries to kill us?” Elesa asks.

“Oh please, if I wanted to I would have done so already. I don’t need Pokemon for that.” He says casually, twirling a pen in his hands as the duo looks at him tiredly. “Pokemon are actually quite inefficient in that regard. Now, the phaser I invented, that would have ended you both in seconds-”

“STOP. Enough…” Elesa yells, putting a hand up to Colress, who shrugs with a smirk. 

“It’s just the truth.”

“This is a rescue mission. No morals, ideals, politics, or backgrounds should get in the way.” Emmet says firmly, his face looking more relaxed and natural. “We must trust him if he is to trust us…” Emmet looks to Colress, his eyes showing his desperation.

Colress sighs.

“I assume if I don’t help, I will either be killed or erased from history, or arrested…not sure which is worse. I will help, on the condition no word of this gets out to anyone of any side.”

“It’s a deal.” Emmet says, reaching his hand out to Colress. Colress takes it, shaking it with a small nod.

“I suppose a dimensional trip could benefit me as well. I have been meaning to get more data about these worlds, and having you two as distractions for any danger is an ideal situation for me.”

“Lovely.” Elesa grumbles, looking away.

“Well then! Let us begin!” Emmet says happily, clapping his hands together. “What must we do first?”

“Let me get my tools together. Then, we will need to go to the site your brother was taken from. The dimensions will be weakest there.” He says, typing something on a watch on his wrist. “Next, I will open the portal, we go in, grab your brother without disturbing the resident god of banishment and darkness, I get my data, and we go home.”

“Easy as that…?” Elesa asks, skeptically. Colress nods.

“As long as no outside variables affect our plan. And as long as we are quick.”

“That will be no problem. Hopefully Ingo will be close.” Emmet says, glancing to the side, hoping to manifest that reality. 

“He better be. I have work to do, and I do not have time for an extended field trip.” Colress says, standing. He moves around the room, grabbing various tools and machines. He glances at Emmet, who was watching him with glaring sharp eyes. “You know, the media often makes you out to be the happy, kind, and silly one between you and your twin…” 

Emmet shrugs, keeping the smile on his face.

“The media often lies.”

“He is kind, his brother is just missing!” Elesa snaps. Colress smirks.

“Uncontrolled emotions, unfavorable.”

“Don’t you have any family? Anyone who cares about you?” Emmet asks, watching Colress gather his things. “Anyone…you care about?”

“It is hard to care for people when you were never cared about. Care is a setback, and a weakness.” Colress says firmly, shoving tools and tech into a bag. “It can lead you to pain, such as this, or betrayal. It is just a distraction in the grand scheme of things. I have more important things to focus on.”

“Like yourself…” Elesa mumbles. Colress smiles, facing her.

“Precisely! Now, let us depart. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get back to my research.”

Emmet nods, and turns towards the door.

“I had Eelektross dismantle the security cameras. No one saw anything.”

“I should hope not. This is quite demeaning.” Colress grumbles, walking behind Emmet.

Elesa walks in the back, glaring at the scientist. She doesn’t trust him, not one bit…but if he’s their only chance to save Ingo from this other world…

She has no choice but to trust him…

Though, the moment he shows any sign of hurting Emmet…she’ll end him in an instant, no hesitation.

Chapter Text

Gear Station Underground

The group walked down the dark subway tunnel, single file through the narrow path beside the track.

“The temperature seems to be dropping…” Colress says to himself, typing things on his wrist screen. “And an aura of dread grows as we get closer…”

“Caused by Giratina, yeah?” Elesa asks, and Colress nods.

“His dimension is one of unnatural proportions and physics. Its entire existence is basically created to be like that uneasy feeling you get when you look in a mirror, and swear you see something out of the corner of your eye…he also, is a ghost type, which explains the cold.” He says, not looking up from his screen. “Facianting, the readings are strong…he was taken this morning, yes?”

“Yeah…” Emmet says, leading the group with a lantern. He doesn’t feel like talking much at the moment…

The dread feeling is back, making his anxious thoughts worse. What if Ingo is lost forever, what if he thinks Emmet abandoned him, what if he’s scared and alone, what if he’s dying, what if he’s dead-

“Emmet, focus on us…” Elesa says, putting a hand on his shoulder. “This place is just…making your bad thoughts louder…” 

“Again, a weakness of the emotional human spirit…” Colress says flatly, making Elesa roll her eyes. 

Emmet nods, taking in a calming breath…

He has to keep hope…for Ingo…

He has to keep hope, no matter what…

Ingo would do the same for him after all.

~

“We’re here…” Emmet says, keeping his breathing steady as they stop walking. They see the black mark on the ground, where Giratina entered from…

And…Ingo’s blood-

Emmet shakes his head…no, he has to keep hope…keep hope…

He closes his eyes, and thinks of happy memories of him and Ingo…he feels calmer at the thoughts. Them battling together, growing up together, riding trains back and forth all day, finding their starter Pokemon together…getting into and out of trouble together…

Emmet feels himself genuinely smile a bit.

“Alright, give me a few minutes.” Colress says, walking ahead without issue. “This shouldn’t take long.”

“How did you even figure this out, anyway?” Elesa asks, folding her arms.

“I travel often for my research. Sinnoh has quite a weak reality about it, and I took a short trip to Alola, another place with an oddly high amount of dimensional disturbances…I will be returning there soon for more research.” He says, putting various machines around the spot, hooking up wires between them.

“So…we go in, hope Giratina is elsewhere…and track down Ingo…” Emmet says, more for reassurance to himself than anything else.

“Colress…does Giratina hate humans?” Elesa asks, watching him work. Colress shakes his head.

“There is no record of it. All that is known, is he is very protective of his domain, and the balance it has with our world. If anything, he wants humans as far away from his world as possible, which is why I was intrigued when you said your brother was taken.”

“You said he’s evil…” Emmet mumbles, though Colress snickers.

“Evil, no. He is simply a shadow, a foil to Arceus’ light…” He says calmly. “He wants balance like all the rest of us…though if he had any issues, it would be with the Pokemon who banished him to the distortion world in the first place. Humans mean nothing to him. As they mean nothing to me.”

“Seems you found a potential friend.” Elesa mocks, leaning against the wall. Colress scoffs.

“Friends, like emotions, hold you back from your full potential. Allies and tools, however…” He says, the light from the lantern making his glasses shimmer a bit. “Those are invaluable to progress, as long as you know where the line of connection should be drawn.”

“Sounds lonely.” Emmet mumbles, thinking of Ingo. They did everything together, they made each other happy…

He’s miserable without him…

“Loney, progressive, call it what you want. I am not here to be challenged by your sappy ideals.” He says, waving his hand as he works.

“You are such a storm cloud…” Elesa hisses, and Colress gives a smile.

“Too unpredictable and wild. Can you think of something else that’s more fitting for me?” He taunts, making Elesa grumble.

Emmet looks away in thought, tuning out Elesa and Colress’ arguing. His mind  is still on Ingo. If Giratina wasn’t evil, and didn’t bother with humans…why did it attack Ingo…Emmet sighs, sitting on the platform ledge, staring down at the tracks. This plan better work…he’ll never forgive himself if something happens to Ingo…

He kicks his feet, thinking back to when he and Ingo would sit on the bench beside the train as kids, watching them go by for hours. They would write down what they saw, draw what they could…it was calm, peaceful, and happy…

Emmet would give anything to have that feeling back right now…

But he won’t, not without his brother…

“There. Once I activate this, it will trigger a chain reaction that will open the portal Giratina used. You’re lucky you are doing this before the dimensional wall has time to heal itself.” Colress says, standing up. He grabs his bag, and Elesa and Emmet walk over, standing around the spot.

“So…it’s on the floor…” Elesa says, motioning to it.

“You are quite perceptive.”

“NO, you pompous nerd, I mean, won’t we fall? Hurt ourselves? What if we end up falling from up high?” Elesa yells, hands on her hips. Colress rolls his eyes.

“You two really must do your research. The distortion world has abnormal gravity. Even if we enter high up, any landing should be safe.”

“Should…” Elesa mumbles, rolling her eyes. “Fine, fine, but you’re going in first.”

“It would be my pleasure.” Colress says, smiling smugly. “Now, stand back in case this explodes.”

“Wait what-” Elesa stutters, though her and Emmet stagger back as Colress hits a button on his wrist, and the machines start glowing, the wires connecting them glowing with a bright blue light.

And with a gradually loud increasing hum, the lights blinking, and the sounds of electricity sparking…there’s a bright flash, and the three end up standing around a swirling purple portal on the ground, black shadows mixing in the purple like smoke.

“Easy.” Colress says with a smug smile, typing something on his wrist. “Let me connect this so we can get back, and we can go in.”

Emmet stands on the edge, staring into the swirling portal on the ground before him. Ingo is in there somewhere…he has to be…

He takes in and releases a breath. Time to be strong. Show no fear to whatever faces them on the other side. 

“Alright. Follow my lead if you want to survive this trip.” Colress says, sitting on the edge, his legs hanging inside the portal. “Be ready to land on solid ground, in any direction.”

“W-what does that mean?!” Elesa yells, though Colress smirks, and slides into the portal, vanishing from sight. Elesa grumbles in frustration. “I hate that man and his stupid hair…” She hisses, sitting on the edge of the portal as Colress did. “I’ll go next, try not to land on me.” She says with a teasing smile, making Emmet feel better.

“Do not stand where I will be falling.” He says with a similar teasing smile. Elesa laughs, and looks down.

“Alright…Ingo better be close by, or I’m dying his coat pink…” 

And Emmet watches her slide into the portal, also vanishing from sight. He sits on the edge, glancing at the small puddle of Ingo’s blood.

“I am Emmet…I am coming for you, brother…” Emmet whispers, putting on a brave smile.

And, closing his eyes…he lets himself fall into the portal.

~

The Distortion World

Elesa yelps as she feels herself falling…and then yanked to the side…and then she hits the ground.

“Ugh…” She hisses, looking around. Her eyes widen, and she squeaks when she sees the distorted world around her.

Chunks of land were floating all over, some sideways, some upside down. She sees the portal beside her, ahead a bit…she blinks, confused.

“D-didn’t we fall down-”

“It’s as I said, gravity distorts here.” Colress says from behind her. “We entered going down, but gravity pulled us to the side. Simple physics.”

Elesa looks around, both scared…and in awe.

There was no sky or solid ground. On all sides was endless purple-ish swirling space, with the distorted landscape going in all directions. She saw waterfalls coming from several chunks of land, though the water fell in different directions depending on how the land was oriented…and the water seemed to flow for eternity, out of her view. Odd plants that resembled overgrown sunflowers grew from the dusty ground, rising up several meters high. There was the occasional building, human in origin…but it would bend in an unnatural way, curving along with the bent space around it.

The world was…almost beautiful-

“You may want to step to your left.”

“H-huh?” Elesa says, though she jolts as she hears Emmet yell.

She steps aside quickly, watching him fall horizontally from the portal…only to be yanked to the side, slammed facefirst into the ground they were standing on.

“S-saftey c-checks…” Emmet mumbled, not moving from his position.

“Emmet, come on…” Elesa says with an amused smile, helping Emmet stand. He wobbles a moment, then adjusts his hat, looking around him.

“Ah…I see…” Is all he can say, his eyes wide as he scans the unnatural, alien world around them. It was also quiet…a gentle quiet…

“You can gawk later, let’s get that twin of yours, and then, once we know we are in a secure spot, we can relax.” Colress says, typing something in on his wrist screen.

“H-how do we find Ingo in…in this?!” Elesa yells, overwhelmed by the infinite void above and below them.

“As usual, I am prepared, while you are not.” Colress says with a smirk, making Elesa grumble. “I have a scanner that can detect any human in a radius of ten miles in all directions…if your brother is any farther than that, there is no chance of finding him in this place.” He says flatly, making Emmet pale.

“Shut it, we’ll save the pessimism for after you scan…” Elesa hisses, her eyes sharp as she grabs Emmet’s arm. She feels him shaking a bit…

Emmet just stares at the ground, his heart now racing. It comes down to this…if he isn’t nearby…

Then h-he’s…Ingo will be…l-lost for good…

He feels his eyes burn, and he closes them, his heart beating in his chest like a thundering drum…and he waits…each beep of Colress’ machine making him feel worse, until-

“And there you have it. One human lifeform, only a few kilometers ah…directly East and up-ish…” Colress says with a smile, motioning upwards and to his side. 

Emmet releases his breath he didn’t know he was holding…

He feels himself go numb, a cool sense of relief taking him over.

Ingo was here!

“Let us get going before the god of this world notices us.” Colress says, starting his walking. Elesa follows him next.

“Why do you even have a device like that?!”

Colress just smirks.

“That is Team Plasma information, it is of no concern to you.” He says, making Elesa glare. 

Emmet walks behind him, a small, genuine smile on his face as he holds his racing heart…

Ingo is here…and soon, they could go home together…

Everything will be back to normal…