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Subway platforms are crowded.
That is his first thought about the small outdoor platform as he walks up the steps, hand grabbing the handrail to climb them. There are people all over the place, walking around or standing and waiting for the train to arrive or sitting on the few benches around the area. Some are huddled together in groups, loudly talking and laughing with each other while others have headphones in or are ignoring the world around them. It's weird to see so many grown-ups in one place! Even the town center in Anville town isn't nearly as busy as this place seems to be. Though, Ingo has only visited once. Maybe he only saw it when it wasn't busy. Still, the platform has a lot of people on it!
It's a little scary. Ingo isn't used to being around so many adults, especially not without his parents. But today Ingo has to be brave! Today he is on a mission. He has to take the train into the city for his and Emmet's first day in their new school. It's aaaall the way in Nimbasa City, which means they have to take the train to get to it because his mom and dad have to go to work in the mornings. So, it's up to Ingo to get to school safely!
He has made it his mission.
Ingo thinks he's doing a good job right now. He managed to drag himself out of bed and help Emmet get dressed and pack their lunches. He made sure that their bags had everything they need in them and that they even remembered to bring their bags. Then he led his twin out of their house to the platform. Mornings are not Ingo's favorite, so it was super hard to do all of that all by himself, but he did it! And now he's doing the last step; boarding the train. Or waiting to board the train at least. The big screen on the ceiling says that it will be here in a couple minutes. They have to wait until then to get on. Which is okay because it gives them time to prepare themselves!
Ingo and Emmet have never been on a train before. His parents always say they're too big and loud for them, so Ingo has never even seen one in person. He has no idea what's going to happen, so he's a little nervous and he can tell Emmet is too.
His brother is currently clinging to his arm, hand holding Ingo's and head down. He's been refusing to let go of him since they left their house. All of the people around them must be scary for Emmet. Ingo knows that he doesn't like being in crowds, but not knowing what to expect when the train arrives must make him feel worse. Emmet likes his schedules and being off schedule always puts him in a bad mood. He's been in one all morning because of it. So much so he hasn't said a word since he woke up! Well, that's normal though. Emmet doesn't speak very often anyway — he told Ingo once that he doesn't like to do it. So maybe Emmet just doesn't want to talk. Either way, he's being quiet and Ingo is worried. He really doesn't like seeing his twin upset!
He squeezes Emmet's hand lightly, trying his best to comfort him. Then he leans a little closer to talk to Emmet. "It's going to be okay, Emmet. I'm sure it won't be that scary." Ingo tries to smile, but it feels wrong on his face like it always does. His brother glances over at him. Emmet's tense smile pulls into a frown. Then he whines and wraps his other arm around Ingo's and puts his head on Ingo's shoulder. The motion knocks Emmet's cap back a little, so Ingo pulls it back down again. "I know you don't like it, but we'll be okay."
He's not sure if what he's saying is even helping his brother at all, but Emmet does relax a little bit at his side. Ingo will count that as a win, even if it's a small one.
A loud chime makes both Ingo and Emmet jump. He looks up at the big screen to see that the words on it has changed. It says the train is arriving now! Which means it's a couple minutes early than it should be. Ingo isn't sure if that is a good sign or a bad one. Hopefully it's a good one!
He listens to the woman's voice on the speakers telling everyone to stay away from the yellow line while the train is pulling up to the platform. Ingo looks down at the floor in front of him. They're standing a couple feet away from the yellow line, so they should be safe. Though just to be sure, Ingo takes another step back and drags his brother with him. Now they should be extra safe.
Turning towards Emmet, he watches his brother's expression for a moment. Emmet is staring off into the distance, still keeping his head down. Ingo can only frown at him. He still feels bad because his twin is scared, but he can't really do much to fix that even if he wishes he could.
SCREEEEE
Ingo nearly jumps out of his skin as that loud screeching rings out! His head snaps as something big and silver comes racing down the tracks. He can hear the clanking and hissing of metal as the wheels turn on the tracks. The sounds hurt his ears, but… that is the coolest thing he's ever seen! It's like a giant snake Pokémon coiling down the train tracks! And the silver metal shines in the morning sunlight like a beacon! Ingo can only stare at the train as it gets closer and closer to the platform.
At his side, Emmet pulls on his sleeve. He really doesn't want to look away from the train, but he does. Just to make sure his brother is doing alright despite the loud noises. Ingo glances towards Emmet to see his twin's face is…absolutely alight. Emmet's eyes are wide and there's a smile spread across his face as he pulls his hand away from Ingo's arm to frantically point at the approaching train. Oh! Emmet is just as excited as he is! Ingo can feel his own excitement getting stronger.
Ingo laughs at his twin's face, then looks back to the train. He does just in time to see the front of it race past them. The ground beneath their feet rumbles as it passes by, the wheels clicking and screeching as it starts to slow to a stop. He watches all the cars fly by, only catching glimpses of people and blurs of color through the windows. It's moving so fast! He's shocked that something this big could possibly move as fast as it's going. Ingo is in awe.
His cheeks hurt from smiling, but he can't wipe the smile off of his face as the train finally starts to slow down. Ingo's heart is racing in his chest and he feels like something is buzzing under his skin. And suddenly all of the grown-ups around them don't matter. All that matters is getting on the train. Oh and Ingo is super excited to get on! If it's this cool from the outside, he can only imagine what's on the inside! He can't wait!
Thankfully, he doesn't have to wait long. It only takes a couple more moments for the train to come to a stop, then the doors open and people start moving in and out of the train. Ingo turns to his twin, body trembling. Emmet looks just as eager when their eyes meet. His twin pulls on his hand, then points to one of the cars to their right. It's the last car of the train. Ingo nods. "Bravo, Emmet! We'll go there."
Emmet flaps his free hand, immediately turning and starting to drag Ingo that way. He just laughs a little at his enthusiasm and lets Emmet lead him. This is going to be fun!
Getting on the train ended up being much easier than Ingo thought it would be! Emmet had dragged him all the way to the last car and they just walked in! He thought someone was going to come ask for his ticket, but nobody did. Ingo must have already used his ticket when he tapped the gate thingy with his new Xtrans, just like how his mom showed him. Which was so easy! Ingo could get used to taking the subway to school every day. And it looks like Emmet is happy too, which makes Ingo even more happy.
The car Emmet chose for them ended up being empty other than them when the train pulled out of the station. Which was very nice because it allowed them to be able to wander around the car without bothering anyone else. Feeling the train move under them is super weird, but also very cool! Ingo likes feeling the bumps and the turns and listening to the wheels rolling on the tracks under them. Everything about the train is so fascinating! Ingo can't believe he'd gone so long without trains in his life!
He should convince his parents to take him and Emmet to see more trains! There must be so many different ones… oh, Ingo wants to see all of them! And he sure Emmet will too!
Ingo looks away from where he'd been watching the world pass out the window, glancing over to where Emmet is still wandering around the car. He's been walking around in circles for the past couple minutes now, flapping his hands or mimicking the noise of the train.
Emmet has not been able to sit still for even a moment. Not that Ingo blames him for that! He can tell his twin is just so excited that he can't contain it. It makes him happy to see Emmet like this. He was worried that Emmet would be far more stressed and afraid than he is right now, which would have meant both of them were going to have a bad day at school. But now he doesn't have to worry! He's very grateful for that.
"Do you like the train, Emmet?" Ingo asks after a moment. Neither of them have said much since the train left Anville's platform — not that they really needed too, since they can understand each other just fine without talking. He just wants to hear Emmet tell him about how excited he is. Sometimes it's nice to hear his brother talk about things that he likes. Emmet could talk for hours if he's doing that!
His twin nods so hard it looks almost painful. Then, Emmet stops walking to stomp his foot against the ground. "Trrrrrain! Wooo-woooo!" Emmet rocks side to side, hands flapping in the air again. He looks over at Ingo, smile so wide it nearly splits his face in half. "Iiiingo! Trrrain!"
Ingo laughs, sliding his arms out of the handles of his backpack and standing up from the seats. Moving around on the train while it's moving feels a little dangerous, but it's also exciting too. So, Ingo ignores his worries about the safety of the train. "Yes! Isn't it wonderful, Emmet? Oh, who knew trains were so cool! We should ask mom and dad to take us to see all the trains! I want to see just how many there really are." Ingo knows he's rambling again, but he just can't stop. "There are lots of trains in Unova, you know? I want to visit all of them and then maybe we can go see the trains in other regions! What do you think, Emmet?"
His brother squeals, rushing over from the other side of the car to throw himself at Ingo. Ingo tries to catch Emmet, but he's too heavy for Ingo. The two of them go tumbling to the ground together. Ingo lands with a grunt, the cold metal beneath him hard and probably super dirty… but Ingo doesn't care. He just squeezes Emmet tight as his brother lies on top of him and Emmet hugs him right back.
Emmet buries his face into Ingo's shoulder. "Wwwant trrrains!" He says, voice muffled by Ingo's shirt. Even so, Ingo hears him loud and clear.
"Then we'll have trains, Emmet! We'll see every train in the whole world, mark my words!" It may take them a long time, but Ingo is sure they'll accomplish their goal!
Emmet giggles, nodding a little. "Yyyup!"
And so it's settled. Ingo and Emmet won't rest until they have seen every train in the world!
All aboard!