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For as long as you could remember, you had been traveling from region to region, exploring as much as the world as you could and meeting a large variety of Pokemon. Many friends had come and gone, but you loved every moment.
Unova had been an interesting place to visit, being full of bustling cities and roads, along with a lengthy underground subway system. You were sure to make a visit, having been intrigued by the interesting battle opportunities, as well as the very eccentric Subway Bosses, a pair of brothers named Emmet and Ingo. You could still recall vividly how well your partner Pokemon battled together.
However, it wasn't something that had been on your mind recently. You were too busy wondering what happened to cause you to end up in ancient Hisui, what you roughly presumed was some form of Sinnoh from the past. Something seemed to have summoned you here— And for what reason? You had no idea yet.
It was an early morning in Jubilife Village as you woke up, but you hadn't slept that well the night before. Commander Kamado had requested you assist the Diamond Clan with their Noble Electrode having found itself acting out like the other Lords and Lady had. Something bothered you, though. He noted that you'd likely find help from the assistance of a warden of the Pearl Clan by the name of Ingo. The name struck you rather suddenly when he said it, making you recall your time in the Subway those years ago. You could still hear Emmet's excited voice in tandem with Ingo's reserved grimace.
And that was when you found him standing there at your door that morning. It had been like looking into a mirror to the past, albeit you could tell that Ingo had changed a lot since he ran the Battle Subway. His once well maintained appearance had now become disheveled, his signature hat and coat torn apart and weathered with age, as well as a patch of facial hair now growing on his chin. While he still wore a frown on his face, you could tell that he looked tired. Very tired.
The sliding of your door made him perk up slightly. Ingo looked to you and raised the brim of his hat. "You must be the Survey Corps recruit that Irida spoke of. Pleased to meet you. Commander Kamado will fill you in on the mission at hand. Irida and I will meet you at the Training Grounds. Be seeing you there."
True to his word, you found the two waiting on your arrival. You were prompt, despite being held up by Adaman challenging you to a sudden fight due to Melli wanting to "test" you. You just had to know more about what was happening, now that you knew you seemed to not be the only trainer lost somewhere deep in the past.
Irida waved you over excitedly. "Hey, over here! I'm happy to see you, I wanted to introduce you to Warden Ingo. You see, he's a little bit like you." You tilted your head inquisitively, to which she continued, "It was the strangest thing. He was discovered in the depths of the Coronet Highlands by the same Sneasler he serves as the warden for."
Nodding, Ingo commented, "Apologies for the impromptu introduction I provided earlier. What Irida says is true, but unfortunately, I have lost most of my memories. I can only vaguely recall where I came from now."
"Yup." With a sigh, Irida continued, "We hoped that possibly by traveling together to the Highlands that you might be able to help Ingo out. I figured that, as someone in a similar situation, that perhaps being together may jog some of his memory!"
You can't help but wonder the same thing, so you swiftly agree to accompany him to Mount Coronet, which seems to spark something briefly in Ingo. His face lights up slightly, and he assumes his familiar pose.
"It's settled then! We'll make a safe journey to Mount Coronet and arrive on time! All aboard!" He called out suddenly.
It truly was the Ingo you recalled from all those years ago.
The two of you waste no time in leaving the village to make your way out to the mountain. You were excited to see what Mount Coronet looked like in the past. You had seen so many intriguing things about the landmarks history in places like Oreburgh's museum. It was certainly still tall and overpowering on the outside, towering over you as you and Ingo crossed the bridge to the entrance of the cave.
However, Ingo paused as you both reached the mouth of the cave. "The Lord of the Hollow— Rather, the Noble Electrode of Mount Coronet's Highlands is quite different from how I recall Electrode looking." You couldn't help but agree with this. "I'd watch yourself, though. The electric discharge is no less effective than that of a standard Electrode. One wrong step could result in an explosion of great proportions."
He then found his thoughts interrupted by the sudden presence of Melli, who was more than prepared to taunt you both, no doubt. "So you've both finally made it, I see. Took you long enough." With a sneer on his face, he muttered, "It's already a pain to put up with one of the Pearl Clan's wardens, but now this Team Galaxy Grunt too? How insufferable. There's nothing wrong with the Lord of the Hollow." Clicking his tongue, he grunted, "You should both be on your way and simply leave it be."
Turning away, Melli gave a rather haughty toss of his head as he retreated inside the cave.
Ingo gave a sigh and glanced at you. "What a selfish individual. It's best we ignore him and continue to press on so that we may be on schedule. There will certainly be dangers that await us in the depths, but so long as we heed the track, we will make it to Noble Electrode's domain on time, as well as meet up with Sneasler." He tilted his hat back again and nodded in confidence. "Be sure to watch your step, however, as the tracks may be quite dark."
Indeed, they were. The small amount of sunlight you both had was quickly swallowed whole by the cave, and you could barely see a thing. The only thing you could make out in confidence was Ingo's shadowy form.
"Normally torches light the path here, but it seems that Warden Melli has misplaced them. We'll be just fine, though. I know my route well enough to make it even in the darkness. Be sure to keep up with me, and I will escort us safely to our destination in no time."
The two of you began to journey forth into the depths, which is when Ingo seemed to get lost in his thoughts, starting to reminisce about the past.
"I can remember a Pokémon in the depths of my memory. My partner whom was most precious to me. I can still recall its ghostly purple flames. Perhaps they'd be of great use to us now."
His voice was quiet and uncertain, speaking on his memories as if he wasn't sure if they were real or not. But you knew they were as you listened to him speak fondly of his beloved Chandelure. Then, he stopped. You could head the sound of wings flapping in the darkness before you suddenly spotted the pair of large, glowing red eyes of an alpha Crobat.
"It seems we should change our course rather slightly, but no matter. To ensure our safety on this trip, I will lead us through a new route. Let us proceed to the alternative track."
It didn't take long for him to continue his recollections of thoughts as he began to speak again.
"Along with my partner, there was also another man that I can remember, one much like me. He battled with confidence, loving to be victorious. Sometimes I wonder just who he was."
Your own mind began to wander. You realized that Ingo being here likely meant that Emmet was still in Unova, likely alone and wondering where his twin brother had gone. For as much as Emmet seemed to glow with excitement in everything he did, you recall a conversation he had with you. Emmet had admitted how much he admired Ingo, looking up to his elder twin with bright eyes, wanting to fight with the same strength he displayed with each heated battle within the Subway. You came to the realization that Emmet must be devastated.
Pulling you free from your wandering thoughts, Ingo finally stated, "We've finally approached the exit of Wayward Cave and will soon be arriving at our destination. Although—" He peered into the darkness ahead, squinting his eyes to spot the torches that once lit up the cave's path resting against the wall. "Hm, as suspected. I shall re-affix the torches at once so that the next passenger— rather, traveler may make the journey safely. Safety is a top priority on the tracks. Now then, without further delay, I shall wait for you at the exit—"
"Wait."
You finally spoke, and Ingo was startled for a moment. He looked back at you, and you both held a silent eye contact as you collected your next words.
"Ingo, I think that I know you. I doubt you'd likely recall me, but I'm sure now more than ever that I know who you are. And, who you were before you arrived here in Hisui."
His posture stiffened slightly. He looked uncertain as he asked, "You're sure of it?"
With a single nod, you began to explain. "There's a region from modern day named Unova, where I believe that you're from." As you talked, Ingo slowly sat down, seemingly to brace himself. You sat with him and looked at him gently. "In Unova, there are these underground Battle Subways that you ran with Emmet. And Emmet is your twin brother. He had a Gavantula and you had a Chandelure. I know this, because I used to travel a lot, and I used to do some battles on the Subway here and there while I was in Unova."
The silence was deafening. You met eyes with Ingo, and he shuttered. His body quaked with confusion as it all seemed to come back to him, piece by piece while you spoke. Then, he opened his mouth, and whispered two simple words.
"I remember."
You were sure you had to find a way home now. Not just for yourself, but for Ingo as well.