Chapter Text
Two years, one month, and twelve days.
That was how long it had been since Ingo had first woken up in Hisui. That was how long Ingo spent feeling like an outcast, despite living with the Pearl Clan. Sure, Irida had accepted him and he proved himself by becoming Sneasler’s Warden, but that never stopped the whispers. He heard the doubts being whispered when they thought he wasn’t looking. From both the very few in the Pearl Clan and from almost everyone in the Diamond Clan. He couldn’t really blame them though; in a budding culture like the ones in Hisui, anything out of the ordinary was suspicious until it could be explained.
But therein lies the problem: Ingo wasn’t sure he could be explained. He had no memories of where he came from or if he even had family or friends to speak of. And the supposed culprit of his arrival, the space-time rift, was something that no one was close to explaining or figuring out.
As a result, Ingo isolated himself, even more so than the other Wardens. A majority of the Pearl Clan was friendly, sure, but the suspicion and slight unease their gaze held weren’t worth it. He ended up spending more time with Sneasler than anybody else, which wasn’t bad at all. The tall Lady Noble looked scary and cold, but she truly had a kind heart. But even so, he couldn’t help but feel lonely.
But all that changed when Lady Irida came to Ingo with news that a mysterious newcomer had been quelling the frenzied Nobles. They were a new researcher for the Survey Corp and apparently had been a big help to both clans. Their next assignment was to help calm Lord Electrode and would need Sneasler’s help to get there. They made the journey to Jubilife City and a young girl, no older than 15 approached them.
“Hello, Kuri!” Irida greeted.
“Hey Irida,” The girl, Kuri, responded brightly, before looking at Ingo.
“This gentleman is Warden Ingo, who serves Sneasler,” Irida introduced. “He’ll be the one to guide you to her domain. Ingo, this is Kuri.”
Ingo tipped his hat to her, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Kuri,” Ingo greeted.
“You too,” Kuri responded politely with a nod.
“I understand that you need help from my Lady Sneasler to meet Electrode,” Ingo said before pointing. “The Coronet Highlands is a perilous journey, but with me, at the helm, we will have a safe commute to Lord Electrode. All aboard!” He announced, getting the usual weary glance from Irida.
However, instead of looking confused, Kuri just giggled, “I don’t think there are any trains around this area.”
“You…understood my expression?” Ingo asked, lowering his arms. “That’s because Kuri is a lot like you,” Irida answered. Ingo and Kuri looked at her, “What do you mean?” Kuri asked. “Ingo just appeared one day, from who-knows-where; and from what Sneasler told us, he fell from the sky just like you did.”
“Is that true?” Kuri asked, eyes wide.
“It is,” Ingo nodded. “I remembered falling and then passing out in a frozen wasteland; luckily, Sneasler rescued me and brought me to the Pearl Clan.”
“Do you remember how you got here?” Kuri asked.
“Unfortunately, no,” Ingo shook his head, pinching the brim of his cap.
“Ingo woke up with no memories of where he came from or who he was,” Irida explained.
“I see…” Kuri looked at Ingo. “Guess we’re in the same boat.”
“I’m hoping that you two will be able to help each other out,” Irida said. “In any case, I wish you luck on your journey!”
Journeying with the Galaxy Team was definitely different than with the Pearl Clan. The caravan dropped them off at a small base camp at the entrance of the Coronet Highlands, which wasn’t far at all from Wayward Cave.
Once Professor Laventon gave Kuri a talk to prepare her and sent them off, it was just him and Kuri. The young girl almost immediately began to attempt to make conversation, which definitely caught Ingo off guard. No one from the Galaxy Team was this open towards other members of the clans, let alone himself. He honestly had no idea how to respond to her, so much so that Kuri eventually backed off.
“Sorry, am I talking too much? I’m just really excited, you know? Because…I thought I was alone, but now…I’m not, you know?”
The implication of what she meant by not alone made Ingo’s heart swell. It was hard enough for him to be an adult with no memories here, but to be a child? Poor Kuri was probably more scared than he was. “How long have you been here?” Ingo finally spoke.
“About…two months,” Kuri answered. “You?”
“Two years, one month, thirteen days,” Ingo recited.
“Oh…wow,” Kuri’s eyes were wide. “And…you haven’t remembered anything in all that time?”
“No,” Ingo shook his head. “I have dreams sometimes…but nothing clear. What about your memories? Lady Irida said you still remembered some things.”
“Oh! Yeah, kinda,” Kuri answered, looking at her feet and swinging her arms back and forth as they walked. “I remember that I’m from the future, and that people and Pokemon live together happily, not like here where everyone is so…afraid of them. That’s the strangest thing to me.”
“I know what you mean,” Ingo nodded. “I may not remember anything about myself, but Pokemon…they aren’t terrifying to me as they are to others.”
“Exactly!” Kuri exclaimed. “Yeah, some of them are pretty mean, but most of them are really sweet once you get to know them! Did you know that until I came along, Professor Laventon had never once petted his own Pokemon? I had to do it first!”
A smile pulled at Ingo’s face, “It seems we come from similar worlds, after all, Miss Kuri.”
“Yeah, maybe! And you can just call me Kuri,” The girl said cheerily.
Their small talk lasted until they reached Wayward Cave, where Warden Melli was waiting for them. Ingo could quickly tell that Kuri was not on good terms with him, as her scowling face and clenched fists spoke volumes. Not that Ingo could really blame her; he wasn’t sure himself how on earth Adaman was able to put up with him. Melli went on about how he believed that the Pokemon’s frenzied states were a gift from Almighty Sinnoh, simply due to the fact that it makes them stronger.
That seemed to really irritate Kuri, “Are you serious?! Do you even care if Electrode or some other innocent Pokemon get hurt?!”
Melli scowled, “Hmph, and what makes you think that’s any of your business? You should do us both a favor and scurry back to that village of yours.” And with that, Melli turned on his heel and entered the cave, leaving a growling, red-faced Kuri behind.
Ingo sighed and shook his head, “Such a selfish outlook; these frenzies are clearly causing the Nobles suffering as well.”
“He just refuses to admit that he’s wrong!” Kuri huffed. “I’m not gonna let him stop me from helping Electrode!”
“Shall we press on, then?” Ingo asked.
“You bet!” Kuri nodded.
They ventured into the cave, being met with pitch-black darkness…wait… “This is odd…” Ingo murmured as Kuri tensed. “The torches that keep this cave lit are gone.” It didn’t take a genius to figure out who was responsible for this; the Pokemon who lived here never once touched the torches. Ingo started forward, “Well, there’s no need for concern; I know my route, and I’ll conduct us to safe-”
Ingo was stopped suddenly as hands suddenly grabbed his arm and he looked down to see Kuri standing close at his side. Ingo raised his eyebrow and Kuri flushed slightly. “I’m uh…not a fan of the dark,” She admitted sheepishly.
“Don’t you sometimes survey Pokemon at night?” Ingo asked.
“Yeah, but that’s outside! There are stars and the moon! In caves it’s all pitch black and cramped and…!” Kuri tightened her grip on his arm, hiding her face with a whine. “Just…can we hurry?” She may be strong enough to quell frenzied Pokemon, but she was still just a child...
Ingo slowly reached over and gave her a pat on the head, hoping to comfort her. “...Very well; take care not to come uncoupled from me.” They began their slow trek, Kuri matching Ingo’s pace easily despite her two-handed grip on his arm. “Is there anything I can do to make this journey more comfortable for you?” Ingo asked after a few moments of silence.
“Just…talk about things,” Kuri mumbled. “I never got to ask about your memories and things, so…”
Ingo nodded in understanding, turning his gaze back to the path ahead. “Well, I know I said that my memories are missing, but that’s not entirely true,” He started. “There are certain things that I remember, but not in full.”
“Like what?” Kuri asked, peeking up at him, her grip becoming a little less tight.
“Well, I recall that I had a partner, a precious one,” Ingo said. “Its name escapes me…but I remember it wielded flames with mastery; if only it were here, it could-” Ingo sensed something and stopped.
“What is it?” Kuri asked.
“Please forgive the unscheduled stop,” Ingo said softly. “I detect an Alpha Crobat to our right.” Kuri tensed. “I propose a track change in the interest of safety; come along.”
Kuri nodded in agreement and Ingo steered them to the left. “So, uh, did you have any other Pokemon besides your partner?” Kuri asked, seeming a bit more relaxed.
“None that I can remember,” Ingo shook his head. “But…there is another I recall; a man who looked…like me. I think we would battle together and discuss Pokemon.”
“Battle together?” Kuri asked. “Like, as a team?”
“Yes…” Ingo hid a wince. “‘I like winning more than anything else’...those words flashed through my mind just now…” Kuri hummed in thought as they reached a more open area where through the darkness, they could see what looked like a pond.
“We’re nearing the exit,” Ingo said, feeling Kuri deflate in relief when something caught his eye. “Are those…?”
“What?” Kuri followed his gaze to a corner where a bunch of unlit torches were sitting in a group.
“It seems we found where Melli hid the torches,” Ingo remarked, gently freeing himself from Kuri. “I should put these back where they belong; this darkness is too perilous to leave unattended.”
Kuri straightened. “I’ll help.”
Ingo blinked, “Huh?”
“Here, I can at least give you some light; I feel pretty dumb that I didn’t think of this before.” Kuri took out a Pokeball and released a sleepy-looking Typhlosion. “This is my partner, Charcoal,” Kuri said. “He’s a bit on the lazy side, but he gets the job done. Mind lighting up the place a bit for us, Charcoal?” The Typhlosion, Charcoal, blinked tiredly and yawned, but obediently stood up straight and purple flames emerged from his neck. Ingo’s breath caught in his throat as the flames flickered, illuminating the cave.
“Warden Ingo? You okay?” Kuri asked.
“Typhlosion…” Ingo said softly. “Those flames…”
Kuri blinked, “Oh! Yeah, Charcoal is a fire and ghost type, that’s why they’re purple.”
“Fire…and ghost…” Ingo’s head began to throb. A shadow appeared in his head in a strange shape, but emitting those same purple flames. That shape…it wasn’t a person…a Pokemon? Could it be his partner?
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ingo grimaced, trying to push the pain down, “Yes…don’t worry, I just…thought I remembered something…about my partner.”
Kuri’s eyes widened, “That’s right, you said your partner wielded flames! Was it a fire type?”
“Yes, but that’s not all,” Ingo said. “Seeing those flames…my partner had flames of the same color, I’m certain of it.”
“So you had a ghost and fire type too,” Kuri mused, looking thoughtful. “But it couldn’t have been a Typhlosion, because they’re only fire-type where we come from…”
“That’s right…” Ingo felt something in his chest that he hadn’t felt in a long time with another person in this region. Being able to remember something from a different world with another person...Ingo cleared his throat, “Come on, we should get these torches back where they belong.”
“Oh, right,” Kuri nodded, trotting after him. Charcoal followed them as they went, Ingo and Kuri taking the torches one by one and placing them before the Pokémon lit them with an Ember.
As they worked, Kuri spoke softly, going over all the Pokemon she knew of, trying to narrow down who Ingo’s partner could be. “I can’t think of any other Pokemon from my home that had purple flames…I think a different kind of Marowak had different flames, but maybe-”
“Kuri, please,” Ingo stepped in as he picked up another torch. “Don’t strain yourself on my behalf.”
“But I wanna help,” Kuri protested, picking up a torch and hurrying after him. “Don’t you want to get your memories back?”
“Of course I do,” Ingo said. “But we have duties that are more important.”
“Your memories are important!” Kuri exclaimed.
“I’m not saying they aren’t- put that one right down there,” Ingo said while pointing to where Kuri should go. “Remembering one Pokemon out of many is an impossible task when both our memories are incomplete; we should focus on something less complicated.”
That seemed to satisfy her. “Okay…then let's talk about that other thing you kind of remember, the man who had your face.”
“...Very well,” Ingo relented.
Kuri put her torch down and had Charcoal light it. “You said this man looked like you; maybe…he’s a doppelganger or a twin brother.”
“Twin…?” Ingo stopped suddenly and dropped the torch he was holding.
“Warden Ingo?”
The warden grimaced as his head suddenly throbbed. He put a hand on his head and his vision blurred, and he was no longer in the cave. He was in a metal box with metal bars above him. The box was moving at a great speed, and yet he was still keeping his balance. And at the other end of the box, was a figure…the one he had seen in his dreams. The man that shared his face…his…twin…? The man’s face was shadowed by his white cap, but he had a smile on his face. His twin reached towards him.
“..go…!”
“...ngo…!”
“Warden Ingo!”
Ingo blinked and sucked in a breath. Kuri was in front of him, Charcoal by her side; he was on the ground, propped up against the cave wall. Kuri probably guided him there when he zoned out.
Speaking of Kuri, her face was drawn with worry. “Warden Ingo? Are you with us?” Charcoal whined, asking the same question.
“Ah…yes…my apologies, Kuri,” Ingo sat up straight and adjusted his cap. “It seems I was…lost in thought.”
“Did you remember something?”
“I’m…not sure,” Ingo admitted. He described his vision to Kuri, whose brows were furrowed as she took in every word.
“That does sound familiar, the metal box thing,” She said. “I think they were used to travel underground, and I remember them being fast too. And the man who looked like you…maybe he really is a twin!”
“It seems Lady Irida was right,” Ingo remarked, making Kuri look at him. “Traveling with you seems to have brought quite a few memories back.”
Kuri smiled, “Always happy to help.” Kuri helped Ingo to his feet and they made their way to the exit once the rest of the torches were lit. Kuri took a deep breath when they stepped out into the sunlight again, but her smile faded at the sight of the rift above them. “...I’ve never seen it this close before,” She commented. “It’s bigger than I thought…and we apparently fell out of that thing.”
“Indeed,” Ingo nodded and they continued their trek onwards. “If I may ask, what happened when you woke up here?”
“I woke up on Prelude Beach; Professor Laventon and his Pokemon found me and took me to Jubilife Village after that.”
“And your memories were intact for the most part?”
“...More like foggy and disjointed,” Kuri clarified. “I remember my name and what the world was like where I came from, but family, friends…I have no idea.”
“I imagine that was very frightening for you,” Ingo said, pinching the brim of his cap. “I don’t know what would have happened to me if Sneasler hadn’t saved me and brought me to the Pearl Clan.”
“Yeah, we both got lucky,” Kuri nodded. “Jubilife Village is great and all, but it feels uneasy every now and then, with people staring at me all the time, always-”
“Always looking suspicious of you,” Ingo finished, looking at her.
“Yeah…” Kuri looked up at him with wide eyes. “Do you feel that way in the Pearl Clan?”
“Unfortunately…”
“But you’re a Warden; if Sneasler trusts you, shouldn’t that be enough?” Kuri asked.
“For Lady Irida and most of the clan, it is,” Ingo said. “But to a small minority and most of the Diamond clan, I’m a disaster waiting to happen.”
Kuri nodded in understanding, “I bring in a lot of Pokemon for survey work,” She said. “Every time I drop them off in the pastures, there’s always someone looking at me, like they’re waiting for me to do something wrong.”
“And if something does go wrong, they always look to you first as the prime suspect,” Ingo continued, hiding his eyes under the shadow of his hat.
“And you know that no matter what you do, you’ll probably never change their minds,” Kuri finished, now looking sadly at the ground.
Silence fell over both of them until Kuri let out a breath, “Wow, I’ve never been able to tell anyone that before.”
“Neither have I,” Ingo concurred, lifting his cap. “I…feel much lighter…”
“Yeah, that felt nice,” Kuri said, before smiling at him. “Guess we had a lot bottled up.”
“I suppose we did.” Ingo couldn’t help but smile back.
Their journey continued without much incident, except for the occasional time Kuri crept a ways away to catch a Pokemon. She certainly was very good at it; Ingo could see why the Survey Corp put so much faith in her. It was thanks to her that they were able to get through the quarry without being attacked by the Bronzong and Bronzor from within. Ingo had suggested using the large stone as a way to sneak through, but Kuri simply said not to worry. She hid, aimed, and with a few well-aimed and timed throws with some Great Balls, all three Pokemon were safely contained, leaving the path clear.
“You certainly have a knack for that,” Ingo commented as they exited the quarry.
“I get a lot of practice,” Kuri shrugged.
They ran into Melli attempting to obstruct them again once they exited, but Kuri was not in the mood for dealing with him. "Get out of our way." A Gardevoir then emerged from her Pokeball, unprompted, and immediately threw Melli and his Skuntank aside with Psychic. Kuri clearly didn’t expect it, but she didn’t complain. “Thanks, Grace,” She said, the Gardevoir nodding to her.
“Does that happen often?” Ingo asked as Kuri recalled the Gardevoir.
“Not really,” Kuri admitted. “Grace can feel what I’m feeling so sometimes she just…does what I’m thinking.”
Ingo glanced at Melli, who was moaning in pain, his Skuntank on top of him. “Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but he had that coming.”
“Oh trust me, I don’t feel bad,” Kuri agreed, glancing at him. “But…we should go before he gets up.”
“Yes; onward.”
They kept traveling until they reached a sheer cliff face. “This…is the only way forward?” Kuri asked, gaping at the height.
“Yes, but with Sneasler it will only take a few moments,” Ingo said. “But…before I call her…may I ask something of you?”
“Sure, what is it?” Kuri asked.
“Ever since we started traveling up this mountain, I feel like I’ve been on the cusp of remembering something important,” Ingo explained. “And I feel like a Pokemon battle with you will help jog these memories lose. So…will you honor me with a battle, Kuri?”
Something akin to determination seemed to light up in Kuri’s eyes, “Alright,” She nodded.
Ingo nodded back and they moved so they were a safe distance away from each other. “Would you mind if we used one Pokemon each?” Ingo asked.
“Fine by me!” Kuri responded.
“Very well, Machoke, prepare for departure!”
“Gale, let’s do this!” A Machoke and a Staraptor appeared before them, and the battle began.
Despite Kuri having a type advantage, that didn’t deter Ingo. He clearly caught Kuri off guard with how agile his Machoke was at dodging most of her flying-type attacks, but the girl was quick to adapt. She and her Staraptor, Gale, were clearly very in sync, the bird Pokemon following Kuri’s orders without hesitation.
He found himself looking at Kuri as she swiped the air with her arm while calling out her next attack. “Fly up and use Aerial Ace, --fesant! ”
Ingo started as his vision began to blur. Kuri and her Staraptor were vanishing, slowly being replaced by…someone else…? Machoke cried out as the Aerial Ace hit, snapping Ingo back to reality. “Machoke, use Double Edge!” Machoke got to his feet and charged.
“Now, Agile Style!” Kuri ordered. “Dodge with Quick Attack!” Gale swooped up and behind Machoke. “Now, Air Slash!” Gale flapped her wings, sending blades of air, hitting Machoke in the back. The Pokemon cried out and fainted.
Ingo returned Machoke with a satisfied smile, “Bravo, excellent!”
“Thanks!” Kuri returned, giving Gale a congratulatory hug around her neck. “We should do that again sometimes! That was fun!” It was…it really was fun. Ingo couldn't remember the last time he had a good battle like that.
“Well, now that you have fulfilled my request, allow me to call Lady Sneasler,” He said, taking out his flute and playing a tune that included two high and loud notes that echoed through the mountain. Moments later, Sneasler appeared.
As expected, Sneasler took to Kuri easily, accepting the sound of her Celestica Flute. “This is my final stop, I’m afraid,” Ingo said. “Proceed up the mountains and soon you will find the arena.”
“Okay,” Kuri nodded and she climbed into Sneasler’s basket. “Thanks for everything, Warden Ingo.”
Ingo tipped his cap to her, “My pleasure.” Kuri closed the basket, and Sneasler began scurrying up the mountain. Ingo nodded and began heading back down the mountain.
Ingo never made all the way down the mountain. He didn’t even make it through Wayward Cave. That battle with Kuri was replaying in his mind over and over again. The way she commanded her Staraptor, the way it suddenly seemed to change in his mind’s eye to a different kind of bird Pokemon…something was trying to come to the forefront of his mind!
Ingo found a quiet corner in the cave and took a deep breath. Coming to dark, quiet places underground always calmed him and helped him focus. He tried to remember the bird Pokemon he saw for a moment.
Staraptor’s plume vanished, its white feathers became brown, its neck extended and its body slowly became skinnier. The name was rattling in the back of his head when he noticed the shadow standing behind it, where Kuri would be standing. This shadow was taller than Kuri, hair tied up in a ponytail and tucked into a hat. The shadow remained a mystery, while the bird Pokemon let out a cry and took flight.
Suddenly, he was back in the metal box, facing the shadow and the bird Pokemon. He was in a battle…yes, that was what he did back home! He battled, constantly, he loved battling. He loved waking up knowing that a string of challengers were coming to see them (them?), numerous Pokemon Trainers of different skills, and…!
Ingo sucked in a breath as his head throbbed, forcing him to his knees. Too much information? That was the most he had remembered since…ever!
Ingo held his aching head, taking deep breaths, willing the pain to go away while holding desperately to the memory he had just unlocked. Pokemon Trainers…that term, that title…that held great significance in his world. Always striving to become stronger, working together with their Pokemon who they loved and cared for more than anything…a far cry from how people and Pokemon interacted here. Well…with the exception of Kuri and himself.
Ingo sat himself down against the wall, waiting patiently for the pain to subside. It took longer than he would have liked to admit, but once he was able to stand without seeing stars, he made his way back the way he came. It was still daylight; Kuri was likely going to face Electrode any second now. He needed to see her again, to make sure these memories were real.
By the time the arena came into view, a bright light had erupted from the center. Ingo arrived and spotted Kuri. She was breathing heavily and was covered in dirt, leaves, and twigs, but she was still standing. And Electrode was no longer glowing brightly; she did it.
“Noooo!” Melli dramatically fell to his knees. “I agreed to make those accursed balms! Now Almighty Sinnoh’s blessing is lost forever!”
“If that was a blessing, then Electrode must be a non-believer,” Adaman said smugly and pointed to where a giggling Kuri stood. The large Noble was nuzzling her happily, making her hair stand up a bit from the static electricity he was producing.
Ingo stared at the sight when his head throbbed again. He blinked, and suddenly Kuri and Electrode were gone, replaced with new figures. The same twin from his vision stood in Kuri’s place while Electrode was now a bulky but lanky figure. The creature nuzzled his twin happily, the man with a bright smile on his face. It was so familiar…this man was so much like him and yet…!
Ingo blinked and sucked in a breath, his vision returning to normal, his head only slightly aching this time (thankfully). It happened again…! A nearly perfectly clear memory! And all because he met Kuri…
Kuri looked away from Electrode to give Melli a smug look, causing the Warden to flush bright red and grind his teeth. Ingo coughed into his fist, hiding a laugh, and Electrode finally rolled away from Kuri. He chose that moment to step in. “It seems I’ve arrived, right on schedule.”
“Warden Ingo!” Kuri exclaimed happily.
Melli groaned, “What did you bother coming back for?!”
“Only to say that I recalled some things after Kuri did the honor of traveling with me,” Ingo said easily.
Kuri’s eyes seemed to sparkle and moved closer to him, “You did?! What did you remember? Tell me everything!”
“Alright alright,” Ingo chuckled, nearly missing Adaman’s shocked look, murmuring, “Has he ever laughed before…?”
Ingo recounted his newfound memories and Kuri seemed to brighten with every word. “Yes, I remember that too!” She exclaimed once he was done. “Pokemon Trainers were everywhere! I wanted to be one so badly as a kid, I-” Kuri blinked. “I think…I was about to become one myself, just before I woke up here…maybe.”
“I’d have never thought such a world could exist,” Adaman said fondly. “Wherever you two come from, it must be a wonderful place.”
Kuri accompanied Ingo back down the mountain towards the base camp. Kuri spent a good part of the trip brushing dirt off her and picking twigs out of her hair. “Are you sure you aren’t injured in any way?” Ingo asked.
“I’m sure, I’m just shaken more than anything from all those explosions,” Kuri reassured him. “You don’t have to worry.”
“It’s never wrong to worry,” Ingo said. “Safety first and always.”
“Right,” Kuri giggled. She swung her arms back and forth again as they walked. “So, Pokemon Trainers…was that the biggest thing you remembered?”
“It was,” Ingo nodded. “Seeing you command your Staraptor made me think of a trainer commanding a similar bird-like Pokemon, back in the metal box.”
“The metal box again?” Kuri asked. “That place must be important if you’re always remembering it.”
“Perhaps, though I’m in no hurry to remember anything that significant now; my head still feels as though it had a collision with said metal box.”
Kuri looked worried, “Oh, are you okay?”
“I’m in perfect working condition, don’t worry.”
“Hey, safety first and always,” Kuri responded smoothly, giving him a nudge.
A chuckle escaped Ingo; he couldn’t remember the last time he had such a pleasant conversation with someone. “Well played.” Kuri smiled brightly, and Ingo felt a pulse in his head; already? He barely hid a grimace and touched his head.
“Another one?” Kuri asked.
Ingo nodded, “It’s small…I’m alright.” Kuri nodded and left it at that; the pain quickly subsided.
“You know…I get memory flashes like that too, sometimes,” Kuri said.
“I’m almost envious of you,” Ingo replied. “I’ve been here far longer and only now they have started to resurface.”
“Could I visit you?” Kuri suddenly blurted out, making them both stop and Ingo looked at her in confusion. “I mean, I know you have Warden duties and I have survey work but…would it be alright if I, you know…came to see you? Maybe every now and then?” Kuri suddenly looked shy. “It’s just…hanging around you, it…it makes me feel…safe.” Ingo’s eyes widened. “Rei and the Professor are great and all, but I can’t really talk to them about these things or these dreams I have or my memories, but you…you’re the first person I’ve felt comfortable around right away, so…”
“Kuri…”
“So, would it be alright? I could…help you decipher more memories, if you want,” Kuri wrung her hands. “We could help each other.”
A smile pulled at Ingo’s face, “...I would like that very much; thank you Kuri.” The girl beamed.
Ingo couldn’t help but remember another smile in the back of his head.
After that day, Kuri seemed drawn to Ingo. When she had the time, she would always seek him out, whether it was in Jubilife Village or the Coronet Highlands. Not that he could blame her; finally finding someone that shared their situation would be cause for excitement for anybody.
Kuri was always so lively, despite spending days and days wandering Hisui and studying Pokemon. Whenever she visited, she would start up a conversation without fail, talking about new Pokemon she caught, training, battling, anything she could think of. Ingo would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy her company; in fact, he enjoyed it immensely to the point where it was the highlight of his week.
Sometimes they would discuss their memories too. Every now and then, one of them would have a dream or faintly recall something in the back of their minds and talk about it down to the last detail. Kuri had even started keeping a small journal, documenting both her and Ingo’s memories and any visions they had. Things Kuri remembered, things Ingo remembered, things they both remembered that overlapped, all of it was hastily scribbled into the tiny book.
Even though they didn’t seem to get them anywhere in terms of remembering things fully, Kuri remained optimistic. She also seemed fully bent on figuring out who Ingo’s partner Pokemon was. “I bet once I get more info in my Pokedex we’ll be able to figure it out!” She had said.
Seeing Kuri so happy and determined made Ingo happy; it also made one particular memory flash much more consistent. The shadow of his twin. The smile he always wore when he appeared in Ingo’s dreams was identical to Kuri’s, and it wasn’t hard to put together that the personality likely also matched. And yet, he still couldn’t remember anything beyond that. It was definitely frustrating, but Kuri seemed to have the cure for that too: training.
Kuri adored training with Ingo, and Ingo adored battling; it was definitely a win-win for both of them. Everyone in the Pearl Clan agreed, when Ingo battled, he was in his element. It was like he became a completely different person, and when battling with Kuri, that was amplified.
When they were practicing at the Training Ground under Zisu’s supervision, they almost always drew a crowd. And every time, the metal box always appeared, but it didn’t hinder his battling. It almost felt natural; he could almost feel the metal box’s movements and speed, even though in reality, they were on solid ground. Slowly but surely, the image was getting clearer; if only he could remember what this box was called…
That question remained on his mind as their latest battle finished, Zisu telling them to call it a day.
“Did you see the metal box again?” Kuri asked as he healed up Gale with a Hyper Potion.
“Was it that obvious?” Ingo asked, giving his Gliscor a berry.
“You get this kind of distant look in your eyes when you remember something,” Kuri said. “So, did anything change? Did you remember anything about your twin?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Ingo said, straightening up as he stood. “Perhaps my mind is trying to remember things little by little; it could take a while.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Kuri said, returning the Staraptor to her Pokeball. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out soon, Warden Ingo.”
“I certainly hope so,” Ingo said. “And please, just call me Ingo.”
Kuri beamed in her usual fashion. “Okay…see you next time, Ingo!” She waved and ran off towards her home. Ingo waved after her, feeling warmth in his heart.
For the first time since waking up in Hisui…Ingo felt wanted.