Chapter Text
Akari and Ingo were walking through the distortion world on a glowing white road. Every now and then Giratina or Arceus would fly past to check on them, and the latter even brought some snacks from who knew where. Arceus mostly showed up to lengthen the road whenever needed.
“Do you know how long we’ve been walking?” Akari asked.
Ingo shook his head. “There was no given arrival time nor do I know when our departure was. I don’t suppose you recognize what track this line runs on either?”
“No clue. It’s all just rocks.”
The two went back to the silence. Sometimes something interesting would come into view like the spiky blue haired person sitting on a floating rock or the ghostly train that was snaking by in the distance, wretched in blue lights.
“How do you feel?” Ingo asked suddenly. “Are you satisfied with your farewells?”
Akari tightened her grip on her copy of Laventon’s pokedex. “I miss them.”
Ingo nodded and fiddled with his warden bracelet. “What will you do once we arrive?”
“I dunno.” Akari shrugged dejectedly, “My mom’s probably been worried sick, and I’m sure Barry’s gonna fine me enough money to buy a private island.”
Ingo turned to look at her. “Barry?”
“Oh, we’ve been neighbors since we were babies, so we’ve known each other our whole lives. Apparently I’m at least 8 million dollars in debt to him.”
“I don’t believe you ever mentioned him,” Ingo remarked. “Are you not very close?”
“What? No, we’re–” Akari paused. “Wait.”
“Is something amiss?”
Akari stepped in front of Ingo to make him stop and turned to face him. “Do you know who the man in black that shares your face is?”
“I assume you are referring to Emmet. He is my twin, so it is only natural that I know him.” Ingo said simply.
Akari stared at him meaningfully for a moment. After a beat his eyes widened a fraction in realization.
“I know who the man in black is!” Ingo yelled. “I remember Emmet!” He abruptly turned to stare back at Akari. “You recalled someone as well!”
“I did!” Akari exclaimed happily. “Our memories are returning!”
“Perhaps that is the reason for our stalled arrival time.” Ingo said, looking forward at the white road the pair still had to traverse.
Akari’s eyes lit up. “Like a memory lane of some sort? Let’s go then!”
Ingo grabbed Akari’s arm to stop her from running ahead. “Safety checks first! If we accelerate too much there is a chance we may jump the track!”
“I’ve been through the Distortion World before, I’d be fine.” Akari said impatiently.
“You’ve been on these tracks before? Perhaps you could tell me about it to pass the time.” Ingo suggested.
The pair began walking once more, but instead of silence, they swapped stories. Akari told Ingo about how she’d met Barry and Lucas, her league challenge, and her mom’s coordinator shows. In turn, Ingo shared tales of childhood misadventure with his brother and friend Elesa, his own league challenge, and many incidents at Gear Station.
“–On the third rail! We had to halt operations for the entire day until Emmet and Elesa cleared them all out.” Ingo said, waving an arm to demonstrate the sheer scale of the event.
“There were really that many joltiks?” Dawn asked with a grin.
“Indeed! Emmet now has a warning from the local breeders association. If he gets another, his permit will be revoked.” Ingo said, nodding severely.
“I bet you’re excited to see him again. How long were you in Hisui?”
“I am not entirely sure, although I suppose I will find out when we return home.” Ingo pointed forward at the still continuing road. “Although, now that we have recovered our memories, do you perhaps recognize the terrain?”
Dawn shook her head and gestured to the side where an infinite waterfall was currently flowing diagonally onto another island. “The distortion world’s always changing. Anything I saw the first time I was here is somewhere else now, and may not even be the right way ‘round anymore.”
Ingo nodded in understanding and the two kept walking. “I suppose we shall simply have to let this train complete its circuit.”
Some indeterminate amount of time later, Arceus came into view waiting at the end of the road on a nondescript floating island.
“Is this our destination then?” Ingo asked.
Giratina snaked around the bridge from behind the pair to join its counterpart as Dawn and Ingo stepped off the glowing white and onto brown rock. Once their feet were firmly off the road, it disappeared instantly at the same time a dark oval doorway appeared between the two pokemon.
“Guess so.” Dawn responded.
Ingo turned and bowed at Giratina. “Thank you for allowing us to use your tunnels to return home. I am incredibly grateful.”
Giratina dipped its head back while Dawn glared Arceus down, daring it to do something.
“Perhaps I can convince my brother to lift our ban on legendaries for a day. I would love to battle you at the station.” Ingo bid, standing up and nodding with a hand to his hat brim.
He turned to Dawn. “I suggest we exit the station before closing time strikes. Are you ready?”
Dawn instantly broke her staring contest with Arceus and nodded. “I’ve been ready!”
“Very well then! ALL ABOARD!” Ingo hollered.
“I thought we were disembarking, not boarding.” Dawn teased as the two stepped through the doorway together.
- - - -
Irida aggressively poked Adaman to attention from where he was dozing on his feet. A giant purple doorway had appeared, swirling at the center of Spear Pillar.
“They’re a minute early.” Adaman remarked for lack of something else to say.
Irida gave him an incredulous look and made a “But why?” gesture with her paws. Adaman shrugged in response. It was in his nature.
“–Principle of the phrase,” Ingo said as he stepped through, looking just as ragged as when he’d left.
By the time Akari had stepped through after him, Irida was already bounding up to them with an excited bark. She skidded just short of tackling the girl back through the portal and instead stood before the two, practically vibrating with excitement.
“WHat the–!” Akari exclaimed as Ingo quickly held out an arm to shield her.
“About time you showed up!” Adaman yelled from where he stood, arms lazily crossed.
Ingo and Akari turned towards his voice and stared.
“ Adaman ?!” Akari shouted, very nearly reaching Ingo’s yelling volume and making Irida wince.
Adaman grinned and saluted the pair in the same way he’d first greeted them so long ago. “Told ya we’d wait for you, didn’t I?