Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ingo knew the uniform well. In the week coming back to his home, he learned to recognize the crisp green uniforms and hats of the Clan that resided in the large structure that called to him.

Try as he might though, after two unsuccessful trips into the building and being promptly kicked out and then chased away any time one of them spotted him, the bench he sat on was the closest Ingo could get now without any of them noticing.

Until now.

The uniform was similar. Pants and shoes grey in color. The long coat was grey too. He dare not look up due to habit but the shadow made in the few streaks of the morning sun confirmed a hat.

"I apologize. I will move on after today."

This was really the last good spot he could see the building. Perhaps he really should just abandon the call the building gave off and move from the city. No one wanted him here.

"Why apologize? What did you do?"

The man sat down on the opposite end of the bench. Ingo glanced and indeed confirmed a hat. He gave a sharp point toward the building.

"I'm a nuisance. Offensive. I made the ones in the green uniforms angry though I do not know why. They chased me from their home. This is the only spot they have not caught me at. Until you. So I will move on after today. I know you will have to report this."

"How do you know I work there? I don't wear green."

"Similar uniform. I've learned to recognize them. I wish to not obtain any more injuries trying to get near it or enter it. Are you a leader of sorts? I haven't seen any of the others wear your color."

The man chuckles. "Something like that."

Ingo frowns and begins to stand up. "I will take my leave then. I did not mean to disrupt your Clan."

"Wait! You can stay. It's a free bench. Your company is...nice. Appreciated."

The two sat in silence as the man took sips from a tall cup.

"Gear Station. That's what the building is called. A transportation hub for Unova. Are you trying to get home? I can-"

"I am home. I want to get in for other reasons."

"Other reasons?"

Ingo felt the man tense and he frowned. "They are not ill intentions. There simply seems... Something in there is calling to me. Someone. You see I've lost most of my memories when I left here abruptly many years ago. I am slowly regaining them back. I know this city, Nimbasa, is my home. And that building and someone inside are important. But that's all I have to go on."

The man made a low humming sound and Ingo shifted his eyes to the ground. "I don't blame you for not believing my ramblings. Most people are wary of me. I would not believe them myself if I wasn't living it."

"I didn't say I didn't believe you. In fact-"

There had been a tickle in his throat from the talking that finally betrayed him, and Ingo tried to stifle the cough that erupted as he shivered.

A strong earthy scent mixed with nutty undertones made his nostrils flare and Ingo realized the man was holding out the cup he had been drinking out of.

"You can have the rest. Might warm you up."

Ingo accepted the cup and gingerly sipped at the dark liquid inside, soothing his throat. "It's a bit bitter but it's good. Thank you."

The man stood up and pointed to the building, Gear Station.

"I have to go into work now. Will you be here tomorrow? I might have something more your taste."

Ingo nodded. "If I am not chased away, then I will be. I only come in the mornings, before the sun rises. Before anyone sees me."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

------------------

Ingo had only been sitting down for a few minutes before the man appeared and sat down in the same spot as yesterday.

"I brought you your own cup this time."

Ingo accepted the drink and looked at the light brown liquid inside before he took a small sip. "Oh! This is wonderful! Its the perfect blend of sweet and creamy without sacrificing the flavor!"

"Thought you might like it that way. I hope it wasn't too sweet. It's been...a while since I made it any other way except the way I drink mine."

The drink, coffee he suddenly remembered because this certain taste was very familiar, had warmed him up slightly. The morning had been a crisp and cool one and coupled with the way his throat felt scratchy, Ingo wished he had his coat and hat. He had started to leave them off when he went into the city to prevent recognition. Those had angered the men in green and he didn't want to anger the man in grey.

"Do you wanna hear about Gear Station? Maybe learning about it will jog your memory?"

Ingo nodded as he sipped his coffee. "That would be appreciated. You said it was used for transportation. I assume it was with those large metal carts?"

The man started off talking about what Ingo learned was a subway, but began to trail off halfway through and started talking about the predecessors, trains, before finally talking about what he did at work.

There was an ache in his chest as the man talked, getting more excited in his inflections and hand gestures despite staying in the low monotone of his voice.

Something made a noise on the man's wrist and he stood up. Ingo could only look at him halfway, still afraid of making eye contact and angering the man.

"I'll be back tomorrow. Bacon or sausage?"

"What?"

"Do you like bacon or sausage better?"

Ingo furrowed his eyes for a second. "Bacon. Sausage has stuff I don't like the taste of in it."

The man chuckled. "That checks out. I'll see you tomorrow."

-----------

The croissant was delightful as Ingo bit into it, bacon just crispy enough and had a good ration of fat to meat in each piece. He ate half and wrapped up the other half, setting it down next to him.

"So you told me that you lost your memories when you left. What caused you to leave in the first place?"

Ingo sipped at his coffee and tried to clear his throat as best he could. It was still scratchy but a few coughs cleared it up.

"It wasn't by choice I don't believe. I woke up in a place unfamiliar to me, head and side bandaged. I was told I was attacked by a Pokemon and was rescued. I don't know how I even got there in the first place."

Ingo told the man his story of Hisui, of his experiences, and how he finally made his way home.

"And now I believe the final destination of my journey is in that building, whatever it may be. But I do not want to anger the people again. So I keep my distance."

The man shifted and turned to look at Ingo. "I can help. Escort you in. The staff won't bother you if you're with me. I can help you find what you're looking for."

Ingo shook his head. "I don't wish to take more of your time or get you in trouble. It's enough that you sit and listen to my insane ramblings."

"They're not ramblings and it doesn't bother me. And I won't get in trouble. Promise."

Ingo hummed. "Let me think about it. I have learned to be wary of people and places that seem hostile."

"See you tomorrow then?"

Ingo nodded.

-------------

"I looked up Hisui during work yesterday. It's insane how much is still unknown about it. Found an old picture of you with your Lady Sneasler. And those two Sneasels you brought back with you."

"You believe me."

"Of course. I don't think you're the type of person to lie. That coat and hat you wore in that picture...what happened to them?"

Ingo coughed a few times and took a sip of coffee. "I still have them but don't wear them when I'm out. That's one of the reasons the staff was angry. Something about those items made them hostile. While they would help warm me up when I'm out here, I don't wish to be recognized by them."

He took another sip. "About the coat and hat...is there someone in Gear Station that wears something similar? But white in place of the black? That's who I'm looking for. A man who wears white and smiles. He shares my face but I cannot even picture what he looks like despite it being my mirror image."

The man beside him grew still. "No. No one wears white there anymore."

Ingo closed his eyes and nodded, a shiver going through his body. "I see. Then perhaps...I guess there's really nothing there for me in that building. I should move on. Get out of the city and area. Thank you for your offer from yesterday but I must decline now."

"One more day. Give me one more day. Tomorrow. Show up tomorrow. Please?"

Ingo didn't miss the slight panic in the man's words. He coughed into his hand and nodded as he stood up. "One more day. See you tomorrow."

"One more thing. Please wear that coat and hat tomorrow. So you'll be warm. I'm...verrrry concerned about that cough."

-----------
Ingo shivered violently as he coughed into his makeshift pillow, his coat and the two Sneasels doing little to provide warmth to his body. His face felt flush and he alternated between feeling too hot or too cold.

He blearily opened his eyes, noticing the natural light of the sun shining through parts of the old train tunnel he had made into a home for himself. He had missed his morning routine of sitting on the bench. He hoped the man would forgive him for not showing up. He curled up even more and closed his eyes, hoping he could sleep off his sickness.

A hand was on his forehead. A human hand. It soothed the burning somewhat. Ingo tried to open his eyes but the light hurt. The whine he made turned into a violent cough.

He felt arms under him, lifting him up. Pulling him close. Felt movement as they began to move quickly. The person smelled familiar. Very very familiar. Like what the man on the bench smelled like. He opened his eyes, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him. The man wore a grey coat, not white.

More violent coughs ripped out of his throat.

"H-Hold on Ingo! We're almost there!"

Ingo shivered and rasped. "I... I never told you my name. So how-"

The picture. The man had seen his picture when he looked him up. So of course the man knew his name. It was a foolish thought that the man could actually know him.

The hands gripped onto him tighter as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Chapter Text

Emmet didn't know if he had just messed up the coffee or if it was nerves. It tasted extra bitter this morning as he walked his normal route toward Gear Station. He tried not thinking about the letter he got last Monday, prompting the man to cancel the Battle Subway the rest of the day, as well as taking an abrupt week off as well.

It was Monday. He had promised to get his shit together and return that next Monday. Today. The was a lot of paperwork to do to get that line running again in time for Friday.

He shivered a bit as he made his way to his usual spot, a bench he sat at that had a clear view of Gear Station. It was routine. Sit at the bench and drink his coffee and wake up before starting the day. It had been a shared routine with Ingo before...

It didn't matter anymore did it? Ingo was gone. And in his place was nothing but-

Someone was in Ingo's spot.

For a brief moment, Emmet's heart stopped beating before resuming as he shook the notion. It was dumb. Impossible.

The man on the bench apologized before Emmet could even say a word.

"Why apologize? What did you do?"

Emmet tried to get a profile of the man as he talked. The clothes didn't matter, after all...he had changed his own. Still recognizable as working for the subway, but gone was the outfit he shared with his twin, shoved in the back of his closet. Retired and never to be worn again.

It had been close to 2 years at this point, after having that breakdown when the 5th year of Ingo's disappearance popped up and the replicas of his hat and coat were being sold in memorandum and worn by just about everyone in Nimbasa. The city meant well, he didn't blame them for wanting to pay their respects, but seeing Ingo in everyone was just too much for his brain and heart to take.

But the hair and especially those silver eyes when he could get a glimpse since the man was adamant about keeping his head bowed...

Emmet inwardly shook his head. It couldn't be. It wasn't. Ingo was only on his mind because of that letter.

"Are you a leader of sorts? I haven't seen any of the others wear your color."

The question brought him back to the present. "Something like that."

The man began to stand up. "I will take my leave then. I did not mean to disrupt your Clan."

Something in those words twisted his guts. While it was soft spoken, Emmet couldn't ignore the familiar inflections.

"Wait! You can stay. It's a free bench. Your company is...nice. Appreciated."

And it was. It had been too long since Emmet had company, someone who was up early enough to occupy the other side of the bench. Even as they sat in silence.

Emmet sipped his coffee, taking in the man's words. His staff apparently kicked the man out, possibly due to not having money for a ticket. He frowned slightly. They had special services for people like that. So why-

IngoThe man had called it a home as well. Did he not recognize it as the station? Could...could he possibly have-

"Gear Station. That's what the building is called. A transportation hub for Unova. Are you trying to get home? I can-"

"I am home. I want to get in for other reasons."

"Other reasons?"

Emmet didn't mean to sound so tense, but threats to the subway and his own person had been common the last few years.

He didn't mean to make the noise, but the man telling him that there was someone important in Gear Station... He hated the fact the man looked down again and seemed to curl in on himself. It looked so verrry familiar...

"I don't blame you for not believing my ramblings. Most people are wary of me. I would not believe them myself if I wasn't living it."

Emmet shook his head, heart clenching. "I didn't say I didn't believe you. In fact-"

The cough startled them both and Emmet winced as he saw the man shiver in his hoodie. Without thinking, he handed the man the rest of his coffee.

"You can have the rest. Might warm you up."

"It's a bit bitter but it's good. Thank you."

Emmet watched as the man held the cup, using it more for warmth than to drink as he stood up and gave a look toward Gear Station. He hadn't set his alarm that morning but from the way the sun was coming up, he needed to go into work.

"I have to go into work now. Will you be here tomorrow? I might have something more your taste."

"If I am not chased away, then I will be. I only come in the mornings, before the sun rises. Before anyone sees me."

Chased away? Oh right. His staff. He made a mental note to ask them later about the incident.

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

------------

Emmet's day consisted of trying not to think about the letter and instead his mind wandered to the man on the bench. Between filling in paperwork and scheduling safety checks to open up the Singles Line by that Friday, he spent the rest looking over incident reports over the last week he had been absent.

While waiting for someone to challenge him, he wrote out a shopping list. Sugar. He needed sugar. There was a bag in the back of the cupboard, but it had been untouched for seven years and probably a brick at this point. Ingo had just bought it only two days before-

Almond milk he had. They had switched ten years before when Emmet found out he was lactose intolerant and Ingo didn't want Emmet to accidentally drink the regular milk and get sick.

He was glad he got up early the next morning as he carefully prepared a drink he hadn't made in seven years.

The man was already there when Emmet arrived. He handed the man the tall paper cup and sat down, eyes fully on the man as he took a sip. He liked it. A lot. Emmet had made it right and he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thought you might like it that way. I hope it wasn't too sweet. It's been...a while since I made it any other way except the way I drink mine."

The two sat in silence again as they drank their coffee, Emmet trying to keep himself from counting all the times the man shivered. It was getting colder in the morning.

"Do you wanna hear about Gear Station? Maybe learning about it will jog your memory?"

Distraction. It was a distraction mostly. That way he could focus on something other than the man. Why did he have to look so much like Ingo?

The man accepted and Emmet talked. And talked. And talked. He knew several times he had gone off track from talking about the subway. First talking about trains and then the mundane tasks like paperwork. But it felt just...normal. It just felt right. He hadnt been able to go on like this for so long.

His dreaded alarm went off and he inwardly cursed it. He stood up and paused slightly, looking at the man that couldn't even look him in the eyes. It felt just so wrong for Ingo the man to be fearful of him.

"I'll be back tomorrow. Bacon or sausage?"

"What?"

"Do you like bacon or sausage better?"

Emmet knew it was bacon. Ingo couldn't handle anything spicy.

"Bacon. Sausage has stuff I don't like the taste of in it."

Emmet hadn't bought bacon in 7 years but still knew the way Ingo liked it.

"That checks out. I'll see you tomorrow."

------------

Was cooking five packages of bacon obsessive? No. No it wasn't. Because the bacon had to be perfect. It was perfectly okay for their Pokemon to have one cheat day to eat the rejected ones. They had been good for so long. The burn on the palm of his hand wasn't too bad and he covered his hands with gloves so it was protected.

It was worth it. It was worth it as he watched the man practically moan as he ate the croissant he made that morning.

Emmet hadn't found any incident reports of the man from the previous week. Or the week before. Security footage had parts missing. His staff was covering up something from him. Covering up this man. He wanted to know more. The man had said he had amnesia.

"So you told me that you lost your memories when you left. What caused you to leave in the first place?"

And the man talked. And talked. And talked. Much like Emmet had done the previous day. Stories of a land far from here. Far in the past. His hardships. His loss. Ending with repeating that something, someone was calling to him in Gear Station.

While the voice was scratchy due to that concerning cough, that voice was rekindling that spark of hope that had been buried for years.

"I can help. Escort you in. The staff won't bother you if you're with me. I can help you find what you're looking for."

If only Ingo the man would look up. Or say his name. Either of their names. Emmet wanted to believe. He did believe. But others would want more proof. The way Ingo liked his food wasn't concrete enough.

The man declined his offer but would think about it.

As Emmet walked to work, he knew he had research to do.

----------

Warden Ingo.

There was Emmet's proof.

He was glad his office door was locked as he stared at the photo for what seemed like hours.

That was clearly his older twin brother, wearing his signature coat and hat and making his signature pose and standing beside the Sneasels he said he brought with him and the longer evolved form of that variant.

There was so little known about him, but the man's story filled in the holes. Ingo's story.

There was nothing on the man here at Gear Station. He had confronted the ones on duty that past week, all of them dodging his questions. So they kept the truth from him.

They were doing their jobs, Emmet tried to tell his brain. But surely with how obvious this was Ingo the man looked, they should have-

Emmet went home with the clear goal to bring Ingo home tomorrow.

---------

It had started so well that morning. Emmet practiced the speech in his head. All the words he wanted to say to the man. To Ingo.

And he fumbled. He couldn't say them. Even as Ingo talked and gave him so many opportunities. 'Ingo, I'm your brother Emmet. I'm the man you're looking for.'

Nerves. Fear. Scared of not being able to process the reality. That Ingo was here. Finally home. Lost in time but now back. So much had changed between them.

Ingo had given him the opening he needed, asking about him.

"No. No one wears white there anymore."

And he fumbled.

"I see. Then perhaps...I guess there's really nothing there for me in that building. I should move on. Get out of the city and area. Thank you for your offer from yesterday but I must decline now."

Emmet broke out of his thoughts at the words. No. No, Ingo can't- He can't leave. He tried forcing anything out of his mouth.

"One more day. Give me one more day. Tomorrow. Show up tomorrow. Please?"

He could feel his panic in the words. He couldn't lose Ingo. Not again. But he couldn't. Deal. With. That. Problem. Today.

"One more day. See you tomorrow."

The cough sounded worse.

"One more thing. Please wear that coat and hat tomorrow. So you'll be warm. I'm...verrrry concerned about that cough."

-------

Emmet lasted an hour at work before he went home.

He stared at his closet for another before finally opening the door and pulled out the garment bag holding the thing he swore he would never wear again.

It smelled of mothballs and stale coffee and sweat despite the white still looking pristine.

It took another hour of just staring at the coat before he put it on.

Of course it hung loose on him. His pants would also be. But nothing a belt didn't fix.

He laid everything out for the next day.

----------

Emmet,

I'm writing this to you as opposed to asking you for a meeting and this hurts me to write. Its coming on 7 years since Ingo has been gone and I can't ignore the complaints of the citizens any longer. In two weeks time, you must open back up the Singles line.

And you must declare Ingo dead. Per the laws, once 7 years have passed, a person is declared legally dead. I've enclosed the paperwork you need to fill out. And if Ingo is ever found alive, I will make it my top priority to make sure-

Emmet crumpled up the letter he recieved two weeks ago and gave to to Garbador. He had the perfect plan. Meet up with Ingo, have their happy reunion, and march to City Hall with his brother in tow to show the mayor that Ingo was alive.

His nerves came back in full force with each article of clothing he put on. Items he hadn't worn in two years. He sucked in a breath as he slipped the coat on. Closed his eyes as he adjusted his hat.

He stood in front of the mirror for the first time in three years, looking himself over. Time had changed him. Just as it had done with Ingo. But they were still twins. Brothers.

Ingo was looking for the man in white. And Emmet would deliver.

He grabbed Chandelure's Pokeball, feeling her shake inside. She stayed in Ingo's room most the time, Emmet respecting her boundries, but he had asked her to accompany him today.

It was the final certainty. The final bit of proof Ingo was home. Chandelure would know Ingo's soul.

---------

The man wasn't there. Ingo wasn't there.

Emmet tried to keep his heart from beating so fast. He was early. That had to be it. Emmet couldn't sleep so he headed out early. Ingo had always been there before him so he had no idea when Ingo showed up.

He sat down, fiddling with his glove. It was a new pair, ones not broken in yet. It pressed on his burn that wasn't that bad. He had been putting cream on it.

He stood up, looking around. He didn't even know where Ingo had been staying. Why didn't he just-

His XTrans beeped. The sun was rising. Ingo didn't show up.

And dread filled every inch of Emmet.

"Ch-Chandelure."

The Pokemon was out in an instant and immediately wailed as she circled the spot on the bench Ingo sat at before turning to look at Emmet, pain in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I should have... I should have brought you sooner. But I was...scared he wasn't..."

The last part came out as a whisper.

She floated over to him and nuzzled him before growing still, staring straight at the wooded area of Lostlorn Forest.

"You feel him, don't you. Find him. I'll be right behind you!"

She began floating towards the woods, gaining speed as Emmet broke out into a sprint.

Concrete became ground as they entered, Chandelure moving gracefully through the trees as Emmet kept up with her through her trills.

One of the old abandoned train tunnels came into view and Chandelure stopped.

"Of course."

He made his way inside, Chandelure lighting his path as he stepped carefully.

The sound of violent coughing echoed through the tunnel and the two rushed forward.

----------

Ingo was wearing his coat. It did little to warm him up as he shivered, the two Sneasels worriedly chirping at him.

Emmet cautiously approached, making sure he didn't startle them. He nor Ingo needed to be poisoned at the moment. The two locked their eyes on him.

The light purple one softly growled at him before the black one, the shiny, chirped and slowly pulled the other one away, recognition and understanding in its eyes.

Emmet pulled his glove off and pressed the back of his hand to Ingo's forehead. It was on fire. Ingo needed help and quick.

He looked at the Sneasels. "Do you have Pokeballs? Please enter them so I can take you with us. I don't want to leave you two behind."

The shiny nodded and it pointed to the two balls laying in Ingo's hat. Emmet grabbed them and the two entered, Emmet securing them to his belt, along with Ingo's hat.

He put his glove back on and slid his arms underneath his brother, pulling him close to him as he made his way out of the tunnel, breaking out in a sprint.

Emmet faltered slightly as he felt Ingo shift to cough harshly into his chest.

"H-Hold on Ingo! We're almost there!"

"I... I never told you my name. So how-"

Ingo's voice was shredded. It must have been painful to even get a word out.

Emmet ignored the throbbing in his palm as he gripped Ingo tighter, making his way toward the nearest hospital.

Chapter Text

It really wasn't an uncommon occurrence for Ingo and Emmet to waltz into Nimbasa General Hospital with ailments that they couldn't either treat themselves or have the medical staff from either Gear Station or the Nimbasa Clinic patch up.

Of course the last time both came in together was nearly 7 years ago.

So it was quite a shock to the morning staff when Emmet came rushing in with Ingo in his arms in a panicked state.

"Sick. Verrrrry bad cough. Fix him! Please!"

The charge nurse on duty sprang into action after the initial shock, ordering all available staff to help. Missing for seven years or not, Ingo looked bad. Critically bad.

Emmet reluctantly let the staff transfer Ingo to a bed and wheeled him off, the nurse gripping Emmet's arm as he made the move to follow.

"Not this time Emmet. He's-"

"I know. I know. You need to do your jobs. But I-"

The nurse led him into a side room connected to the nurse's station, something she would never do for other people waiting as their loved ones got treated, but given Emmet's status in Nimbasa as well as the clear panicked state he was in, it was best he didn't sit in the general waiting room.

"I'm just outside. Call me if you need anything. I'll give you updates every thirty minutes if we're not swamped."

---------

Emmet was exhausted once the initial panic wore off. His legs and arms were burning from his grip on Ingo and the sprint to the hospital. Still, it was nothing compared to-

He whimpered as he shook, guilt seeping in his mind. He felt it was Ingo since the first day, knew it had been Ingo by the second, confirmed it on the third. He had the opportunity to bring him home on the fourth but failed. And now on the fifth...

They wouldn't be here if Emmet had revealed who he was yesterday. This wasn't going to be the happy reunion that all those sappy feel good movies made you believe. He still needed to alert his staff, still needed to alert the mayor, call Elesa and Iris and dad and-

Breathe.

Breathe.

Just breathe Emmet.

He wished he had brought Eelektross with him today to wrap around and calm him but he had a clear goal and only needed Chandelure. And she wasn't allowed outside her ball in hospitals.

The was movement at his side and he remembered the two Sneasels. Both were shaking in their balls. It...It would be okay to let them out right? They needed to know he got their Warden help.

Emmet held the balls up, looking at the strange markings carved in the wood and stone before realizing it was Katakana and Kanji. The language lessons Ingo had enrolled them in for their transfer work in Johto came verrry much in handy now.

"Kudari...that one was easy. No...bori?"

The balls twitched and the two Sneasels popped out of the balls.

Kudari was the normal purple Sneasel while Nobori was the black shiny Emmet noted as the two exited. He remembered Ingo saying the shiny was the eldest.

Kudari made a low sound, a mix of a growl and whine, as it looked at Emmet, confusion on its face.

"I am Emmet. I'm your Warden's brother. Twin. Ingo...I got Ingo help. He will be okay now."

Nobori cautiously stared at Emmet as it moved closer, looking more at Emmet's clothes and feeling the fabric once it was in reach. It made a noise and Kudari began to approach and do the same, both looking up at him before chattering to each other.

Emmet's eyes softened, reminding him of what he and Ingo did back when they were younger. He remembered Ingo saying the two were the only ones that survived from Lady Sneasler's last clutch. Already knowing that this variant of Sneasel and Sneasler were now extinct even before he researched tore at his heart.

Emmet began to finally relax and took his hat off, placing it next to Ingo's that he had unclipped from his belt. Gloves were next and he sighed in relief as the tight glove pressing on his healing burn was removed. He rubbed around the edge of the bandage, wincing a bit.

Gold claws were on his wrist, slowly pulling his arm down, as Nobori chattered and narrowed his eyes at the white bandage, now showing some spots of muted red.

"Its fine. Its just a small burn. I've got it-"

That was apparently the wrong answer for the Sneasel as it let go of his wrist and made his way to the door, scratching at it.

"Nobori stop! Do not bother-"

The door opened and the nurse popped her head in. "Everything okay Emmet?"

"I am fine. Nothing I can't-"

"SNEA!"

The loudness of the cry shook both humans and Kudari, as Nobori began to angrily chatter at the nurse while pointing to Emmet.

"I...uh may have a slight burn on my palm. Nothing I can't han-"

Emmet stopped talking as he saw the looks he was getting.

The nurse sighed. "I'll be right back."

She returned five minutes later and motioned for Emmet to sit and shook her head as she peeled off the bandage. "What kind of burn?"

"Fried up some bacon. It's been a while since I cooked it so I gripped the handle of the pan without a pot holder."

She nodded as she checked it over and applied cream and a new bandage. "Keep the gloves off. I know they're part of the uniform but this needs air to it. Honestly...if Ingo hadn't been missing so long, this would just be another normal trip for the both of you. Speaking of..."

There was a knock before the blue haired woman entered. "Good morning Emmet."

"Officer Jenny."

The nurse smiled and patted Emmet on the shoulder. "Ingo's immune system is low so what he's got is bordering on pneumonia. They've got him on medicines that will keep him unconscious for a while. There's also a matter of other injuries and where he's been for so long...but those will have to wait until we get him well enough."

The nurse walked out and Emmet gave his full attention to Officer Jenny. "Two things before we start. Please wait until Ingo is better to ask him questions. He's got amnesia for certain. And two...you may need to get the International Police involved. I've got proof he's been in the past all this time."

----------------
Emmet was thankful he had the insight to look up and research Ingo and was able to provide easily obtainable evidence of where Ingo had been. Not that he had ever been labeled a suspect but still...tabloids liked to talk.

Jenny had patted him on the shoulder and said she'd take care of everything and to just look after Ingo for the time being when their investigation was cut short.

Emmet sipped at the Pecha juice the nurse had given him after Kudari had got restless and tried climbing on him during Jenny questioning him, only for Nobori to try and pull him off. The result had Emmet slightly poisoned. As he looked at his bandaged arm, he understood why Ingo's coat was so torn. There definitely needed to be a fabric change for new coats if they were so easily torn.

That is if Ingo...

Emmet still didn't know how Ingo would react to him. Still didn't know just how much, if any, memories could be recovered. If Ingo even would want to return to Gear Station given what he had gone through.

Emmet looked over to the Sneasels, each holding a hat as they tried not to look at him. They had both been silent for far too long for his liking.

"Hey...I'm not mad. Accidents happen. And I got quickly patched up. I'm just not as tough as Ingo...yet."

There were still the logistics of the Sneasels as well. Technically they were from a completely separate region and extinct. There were special licenses to keep and travel with certain regional Pokemon between regions. And even more if it was originally extinct. Archeops had to have his own separate folder full of papers just to travel with him.

So what about Nobori and Kudari? Sinnoh historians and breeders would throw a legal fit if they weren't sent back but Ingo was their rightful trainer and Warden. Certain areas and Pokemon were under protection of the few remaining descendants of the two Clans. Would Ingo still count as part of the Pearl Clan? And with the amnesia and being missing for close to a decade...

There was chattering and Emmet looked over to the two again. This time, they had put Ingo's and his hats on their heads. However...

"You have it wrong. Mine should go on Kudari. Nobori, you should have Ingo's. Ingo is older."

The two looked at him and shook their heads, Nobori pointing at Kudari and Ingo's hat before it pointed at himself and then at Emmet.

"Ingo told me you're the older one so you should get the older brother's hat. Ingo's."

Nobori whined as it began pointing to the rusted badge on Ingo's hat and then at Kudari before pointing at the one on Emmet's hat before pointing at itself and then again to Emmet.

Emmet stared hard at the two, realizing what Nobori was trying to say. "I am not the shiny of us! White is a better color and its cooler in the summer and...ugh. I'm not gonna argue."

The Sneasels chuckled to themselves as Emmet gave them a small smile regardless.

--------------
The beeping was what finally had Ingo abandon trying to go back to sleep despite his body protesting. The room was cool and dark and it had been a while since he had laid in a bed this soft.

His arms felt heavy. The left, he noticed, was attached to tubes and wires. The right...

There was a hand holding his right. And attached to that hand...

He glanced briefly before looking away.

Ingo slowly gripped the hand in his own, prompting a grunt from the man sitting in the chair next to him.

"Ingo?"

He recognized the voice. The man on the bench.

"I apologize for not arriving on time for our scheduled destination. I-"

"You were sick. Verrry sick. I should have done something sooner. I failed you Ingo."

Ingo shook his head. "Do not be sorry. Your duty is not to attend to the needs of a stranger. It was enough that-"

The man beside him made a low whine as he gripped Ingo's hand tighter.

"You're not. You're not a-"

His hand was gripped tighter.

"Ingo...please look at me?"

It was rude to look people in the eye. Hisui had taught him that lesson. He had unnerved people even with his presence so looking into someone's face was something he had only reserved for his Pokemon and Akari.

But he would oblige the man. After all, the man brought him to the heal- hospital. This was a hospital.

The face he stared back at was his own.

The man who shared his face.

The man who wore white and always had a smile while he normally frowned.

"Emmet."

------------

"Emmet, they were just doing their job. You did ban our outfits."

"But not your face! Our face. We still look...somewhat the same. The goatee has to go. Still, how did they just decide to keep this-"

Ingo put his hand on Emmet's shoulder. "Everything turned out okay."

"You're still in the hospital."

Ingo frowned as he looked down to the bandages on Emmet's hand and arm. "We both would have ended up here regardless."

He watched as Emmet brushed his hand against the one on his arm. "This one happened here actually. Nobori and Kudari got a little restless."

Ingo's eyebrows raised. "You brought them here? And let them out? You know that they're-"

"They're with the charge nurse along with Chandelure. She'll keep them safe and not tell. Officer Jenny will keep it secret too. But we may get a visit from the International Police. I asked if they would wait til you got better to answer questions."

Ingo pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not sure just how much I could tell them. I just now remembered your name. My own twin brother. My own twin brother that repeats his name in his battle speech. The only things that I vaguely remember is what you told me about Gear Station during our talks on the bench and even then it doesn't seem like I even did any of that before I disappeared. That...helped by the way. It lessened the shock of just how much I did."

"Instead of just blurting out you were a huge celebrity and everybody is probably ready for you to come back immediately, regardless of where and when you've been?"

"Yes. That. Also I can't return since I'm banned from Gear Station."

Emmet snorted and shook his head. "When the staff realize they banned their boss... Are you sure I can't just mess with them a little? I mean they did tamper with official reports."

"They were looking out for you and I'm glad they did. They're a good staff."

"Except recognizing their boss."

"Emmet..."

"Okay I'll stop. For now."

Emmet's phone chimed and he frowned as he pulled it out before grunting. "Ugh, of course he'd remind me of that."

"Who's reminding you of what?"

Emmet handed Ingo his phone. "You were missing for seven years so I was supposed to fill out papers two weeks ago legally declaring you dead by today. And get the Singles Line up and running again. The mayor has been verrry lenient with me on this but my time ran out. He's reminding me of getting those papers to him by today."

"You procrastinated."

"Mmmmaybe."

"You never procrastinate on paperwork."

"A lot can change in seven years. I...don't even know how to reply to him on this."

Ingo hummed while he tapped on Emmet's phone before holding it up and taking a picture. A few more taps and Ingo handed it back.

"I'm sure that will be proof enough he doesn't need those papers."

Ingo watched as Emmet's face grew horrified. "You...You called the mayor a bitch. You...USED A MEME to let him know you're alive!?"

Ingo shrugged. "A lot can change in seven years."

"Also...you couldn't remember my name but still verrry clearly know how to work a phone. I see where your priorities lay."

"When you kept having to troubleshoot and reset Akari's phone when she dropped it or damaged it, those memories quickly came back."

---------------

Two men sat on a bench overlooking Gear Station, one dressed in white and the other in black. Between them sat two Sneasels dressed in their own uniforms matching the twin they sat next to.

"Ready for your first day back?"

Ingo smiled softly and nodded as he sipped his coffee. "I'm glad we opted for quietly shuffling in my return with the re-opening of the Singles Line. The trainer who makes it to me first will be in for a shock."

"Safety checks?"

"If I feel overwhelmed, alert staff to take over the ATO and make an announcement. I also will send you a message. If I can't manage that, make a signal to Kudari who will hit the button on his XTrans that alerts Nobori to alert you. You will then alert staff for me."

Emmet smiled and adjusted the hat on Nobori's head. "I'm verrry glad you were able to keep both here in Unova. It would have been verrry cruel to separate the twins."

Ingo raised his eyebrow. "The twins?"

"You basically named them Up and Down. Kind of like ours are In and Out."

Emmet shook his head. "How could you dear brother? Couldn't even remember my name in our own native language."

"I'm sorry... Who are you again?"

"Ingo! How dare!"

Nobori and Kudari chuckled as the other pair of twins bickered as they made their way to the station.