Your Humanity Is Of No Consequence To Me

by RyleeSheep

Summary:

A lonely child made a contract with a fae, but when the time came to pay due, the fae realized that the price was too high….
Heavily inspired by Submas FaeU by Bluegamergirl11.

Notes:

• Inspired by Fairytales by Bluegamergirl11

Made for @Bluegamergirl ‘s birthday. I love you Blue!!! You’re the best and I hope you will enjoy!!!!

Chapter 1

Ingo knows that it is dangerous to be alone in the woods, and that his parents are likely currently beside themselves with worry.

 

And yet, here he stood, hands trembling over the empty pokeballs at his waist, having seen neither hide nor hair of a single pokemon since his venture began. Yes, the pokemon here were dangerous, but they were still pokemon , right? And pokemon live as companions to humans, giving their strength and friendship both.

 

…All Ingo wants is a friend.

 

He was alone, here in the woods, but back home, too. One would think a child so obsessed with trains in a village like Anville would find a kindred soul with ease, yet the boy’s excitement was loud, incessant, and odd to the ears of the other children and adults alike. His parents may be kind and understanding, but they could not make up for the hole of loneliness in Ingo’s heart.

 

No, he wanted to befriend the other children- children, most of which having siblings to talk to even at home. Siblings to play with, to, perhaps, share interesting facts with- what a wonderful thing, Ingo thought, it must be to have someone at home who is required to spend time with you.

 

Yes, required; he was not so dense as to think that all these siblings necessarily enjoyed each other’s company…. But they had to be together, and that was worth something, was it not? Surely, just that….

 

Ingo put such thoughts away, it was not as though he could simply find a sibling. Besides, he did have one friend. A friend who he only saw a few weeks out of the year. But… that was not enough. He wanted to find a friend who would be by his side- always. Like… a pokemon. Finding a pokemon would be far more doable than a sibling, he thought.

 

…Or it would be, if the woods were not so eerily silent. And dark.

 

The sound of creatures were absent, and even the trees seemed to sit still above him. He had set out what felt like hours ago, and still, nothing. Darkness was beginning to fall, light no longer filtering through dappled leaves. 

 

Ingo is… alone. Usually, that is cause for sadness, for wishing, longing, but now it was a cause for fear. Perhaps not because he is alone, but why he is alone- and why it was so quiet. What took away the creatures, what took away the sound?

 

Just as the thought came, so too did the sound return, in the form of a low whistle on the breeze.

 

…What manner of force could give the sound back?

 

The whistle rose into a cacophony, the thousands of leaves above Ingo’s head roaring. The little boy bolted, hardly knowing where he ran, desperately searching for something, anything, that would lead him home.

 

And then, he saw a light.

 

It was a small thing, flickering, looking almost blue in the distance, but it had to be a trick of the darkness, Ingo thought. Or something else that he did not think of, could not think of, not while the trees seemed to scream, and the darkness threatened to swallow him whole.

 

He kept running, and running, but the light did not move. It was in the distance, soft, flickering, alive, he had to make it. 

 

Soon, the crunching leaves and snapping twigs beneath his feet disappeared, and it was as if he ran on air. No more could he hear the shrieking of leaves, yet the whistle still remained, and finally, finally, the light was closer. He almost made it!

 

But then, his tunneling vision widened, and he realized that it was not just that he could not hear the leaves- he could not see them, either. No, they were not there at all, replaced by oozing purple and black clouds, and though there was light where it had been night before, this new light was cold and felt even darker.

 

Ingo came to a complete stop, blue flickering flame forgotten. “Where… am I?” He said aloud, and the emptiness seemed to swallow his voice whole. 

 

“You are verrrrry lost,” a sly voice answered. A voice that sounded just like his.

 

Ingo whipped around, and there stood a boy. From the stray string hanging from his shorts to the gray hair peeking out of a child’s conductor hat, it was as if he was staring into his own mirror image. With one exception- 

 

The strange boy smiled. It was a wide, creepy smile, even creepier, given that Ingo never smiles. 

 

“AH!” Ingo screamed, jumping back in shock. “Wh-wh-who-”

 

“I am… nameless. For now.” He tilted his head slightly. “I do have a name. But not for you. It is mine. What is your name?”

 

Ingo stared at him, this reflection, his heart rate picking up. He felt like there was some reason he should not say his name. But why? He could not remember… 

 

You’re ruining everything! 

 

Ingo felt the second voice more than heard it. He turned, and gasped. It was the flickering blue light, but now attached to a little waxy creature that looked quite displeased. Wait… that was a pokemon, wasn’t it? “You… you are the one that led me here?” He asked, summoning all the courage he could into his voice. And yet, still, the cloudy, cold emptiness swallowed it, without the slightest of echoes. 

 

Tch! The pokemon turned away, curling its lip. You! Leave him alone, he’s mine! It pointed angrily at the mirrored child.

 

The smile only grew. “Yours? His soul is his own. He is here, yes. It may not be his for long. But you have not taken it yet. So it is his. And he may still use it.” The boy turned to Ingo, baring sharp teeth. “I have always wanted to meet a human. They are verrry strange.” His eyes glowed silver in the darkness, and he leaned closer to Ingo. “You are alone. Yet you do not cry. Are you not scared?”

 

Ingo looked him in his glowing eyes, considering the question. “Of course I am scared, can you not tell?”

 

The smile did not fall, but it twitched. “I do not know how to tell.” 

 

“Then I shall explain!” Ingo boomed, or tried to. He held up his hand. “Behold, my fingers, do you see them shaking?” The other boy leaned right up against his hand, his nose practically touching. “And my voice, it is loud, which might be a sign that I am not afraid, but that is enough. It is shaking, too. These are signs of fear.”

 

“I see,” the mirror nodded. “Verrry interesting. So shaking is what fear looks like?”

 

“I think so,” Ingo brought his hand to his chin. “To be perfectly honest, there are probably more ways to tell. But I do not really know what they are, I also have trouble telling how people are feeling.”

 

“But your voice stopped shaking,” The boy added. “And your hands are still. Are you not afraid anymore?” He still smiled, but… it really did not look so scary anymore. He looked just like Ingo. And he did not know how to read emotions like Ingo. And his eyes… They were glowing, literally, but they were unblinking.

 

Voices back home echoed in Ingo’s mind, of how strange his stare was. How calculating, and cold he looked. But… this boy did not look cold. He seemed curious, to Ingo.

 

Enough! I want his soul! The candle pokemon piped up, causing the pair to look at it at once, and it immediately shied away. Er, that is, please?

 

“Absolutely not!” The mirror announced, then spun back to Ingo. “You! I want to make a deal with you!”

 

Ingo froze. A deal. He knew about those. That was why he shouldn’t give his name, right? Because then a fae could make a deal with it, without his input… or something like that, he did not quite remember the details.

 

But… the mirror did not have his name. And he could input. “What is it that you want?” He asked. 

 

Ingo’s mirror jumped, hands bouncing. “You are willing to listen? Verrry good! I want…” He hesitated. “I want years of your life.”

 

Ingo balked. “What!?”

 

The mirror nodded. “I need them to live. You have years. I need them. It is a transaction. But what do you want? We can make an exchange.”

 

“An… exchange?” Ingo hesitated, it was his life, after all. But… This creature, who looked just like him, needed life too… He imagined him, all alone in this purple place, fading away, without ever having the chance to make a friend. He was alone, just like Ingo. “What kind of things can you do?”

 

“Well,” the mirror began. “I could… uh…” He hesitated. “I could do a lot of things. What do you want? It could be anything. What do you like?”

 

“I… I like trains,” Ingo began. 

 

“Trains?” 

 

Ingo’s hands began to bounce. “Yes, trains! They can go to and from cities, taking all kinds of people to see all kinds of things, like stepping into new worlds! They are fascinating, working without the power of pokemon, and run on innovation!” Ingo hesitated, mouth open, waiting for the mirror to stop him, but he did not. “And… they… You have never seen one, correct?”

 

The boy nodded. “Nope!”

 

“That is incredibly unfortunate,” Ingo said. He was all alone in this strange place, with no friends, and no trains, even. It must be so sad… “Look, you see this shirt?” He pulled at his short sleeved shirt beneath his overalls. “These are trains. And this hat that I wear, it is a conductor’s cap. That’s what the person who drives the train is called.”

 

“You can drive trains? They seem verrry powerful. They can go to new worlds. And do not need pokemon. Like me.”

 

“Yes, like you! Wait, you can go to new worlds?”

 

The boy gestured. “This is a new world. Look! It is the spirit world. But…” He put his hand to his chin, just like Ingo did a moment before. “I do not know how to help you with trains. Is there something else you want?”

 

Ingo hesitated. “I…” He thought again, of his home, of the trains, and of the children, and their siblings… 

 

…And he remembered a book he read. About dragons, and how they were black and white, and of twin brothers that befriended them. Twins…

 

“I want you to be my twin!” He blurted. 

 

The boy balked. “What?!”

 

Ingo’s hands began to bounce again. “We could be twin brothers! I have always wanted a sibling and a friend. You are like me, you do not know how to read emotions, and you have the same stare I do, but it is not scary, it is curious. You listened to me talk about trains. You said that they were powerful too. We could be friends, brothers, always together, like a two-car train!” 

 

“You- you want me? To be your brother? But I am a fae. I am not human.” The boy began. “I do not know how to be a brother.”

 

“Your humanity is of no consequence to me!” Ingo announced.

 

What?! You’re insane! The pokemon stared at the pair open mouthed. 

 

“You are a pokemon, yes?” Ingo turned to the little candle. “Perhaps you can come too. I came to the woods looking for a pokemon, and I have found you, and I have found a friend. We could find more pokemon and go on adventures! There is so much to see, and we can go together!”

 

The mirror curled his lip at the pokemon. “There always is a catch. I do not want to travel with a litwick.”

 

Hmph! You just don’t like sharing. 

 

“You are the one who said he was yours! When he was not!” The mirror huffed. “Anyways. This human world sounds verrry interesting. So do the trains. I want to learn more. I do not think I will make a good human, though. So I am uncertain.”

 

Ingo laughed. “Do not worry, I do not think I make a very good human, either. We can figure it out together. I will tell you everything you need to know, and we can read books as well.”

 

“You are verrrry strange,” the boy said. “I am supposed to scare you, by looking the same. But you are not scared. You want me to look like this?”

 

“Oh! If you have another appearance, that is fine,” Ingo began, though he could not ignore the disappointment in his stomach. “I do not want to hold you back-”

 

“Nope! I am not held back. I will look just like you. Do you want me to frown, too?”

 

“No!” Ingo shouted instinctively. “I want you to- To look like yourself. We will be twins, identical, just as we are now, but- I still want you to be you. Different.”

 

“Okay,” The mirror smiled, still, but it seemed softer than before. Maybe. “Then we will make a deal. I only have fifteen more years left. So, we will be twins for fifteen years. And then, I will take your years. Fifteen is a long time, yes?”

 

“I am only ten years old,” Ingo said. “That is… quite a long time. But…”

 

“I will protect your soul during those years. All fifteen of them. We will be twins. Twins that are friends.” He glared at litwick. “Does that sound fair?”

 

Hey! He invited me fair and square! Surely I can have a liiiiittle bit of his soul?

 

Ingo hesitated. Fifteen years? It sounded like a really long time, but… that was not even half a lifetime.

 

But what he would receive in return! A twin brother to love for life, a pokemon… And how long were lives anyways? These fifteen years were sure to be incredible, full of joy and friendship… And he would have someone by his side, the whole time… He would never be alone.

 

Never, ever again.

 

….It was not as though he could simply find a sibling. And yet, there were other ways to get one, right? Just like this… 

 

…And if he didn’t, this mirror image would die anyway, all alone, never having seen a train, or anything else. The thought hurt Ingo’s heart, it was not fair that he had years to live but the other did not. He took a deep breath. “That sounds fair.”

 

“Excellent! I am ■■■■■. ” The mirror continued to speak, but the name was less a name than a magical feeling. It felt raw, powerful, and… vulnerable. “But I will need a new name. As a human. What is your name?”

 

“My name is Ingo. And your name… I have always liked the name Emmet.”

 

“I am Emmet!” He grinned, and Ingo could almost feel the joy radiating from his face. No, not almost, he could feel it, just the same as his own. Mirroring it. “And I am going to be the best twin ever!”

 

These were going to be an incredible fifteen years, of this Ingo was certain.

Chapter 2

Having a twin brother was everything that Ingo dreamed it to be.

 

Emmet even made it so that the village never knew that he had been an only child, even his parents smiled and took Emmet as their own with ease. They were, however, a little bit put off that Ingo chose a litwick to be his first pokemon, but she behaved herself and they said that they did see a bond between the two of them.

 

Ingo had a friend, a brother, a twin, someone to share his books with, to ooo and aaa as the trains passed by, in fact, he did not even feel such a great need to go on an adventure anymore, not when everything he ever wanted was right next to him. 

 

But the visit of a certain little girl almost ruined everything.

 

“What? Emmet? Who’s that?” She was Elesa, the daughter of a family friend, visiting alone that summer. Ingo thanked the dragons that his parents were currently out.

 

While Emmet could change the memories of those far away easily enough, she had already seen him without knowledge of him, and for that it was too late. “You don’t have to believe it, but please, play along when everyone else is around!” Ingo asked her desperately, and she scrunched up her face.

 

“Play along?! Ingo, are you blind?! That’s obviously a fae! He’s going to kidnap you!” She pointed at Emmet accusingly. 

 

“I am Emmet! I would never kidnap Ingo! We have a contract!”

 

Elesa stared at him with horror. “A contract!? That’s even worse! Ingo!” She hissed. “What in the dragons’ names did you even exchange?!”

 

“N-nothing much,” Ingo tried to deflect, hiding his eyes beneath his child’s conductor hat. “Just a little bit of my life.”

 

Elesa screamed. 

 

“No, no, no-” Ingo began, but the front door was already opening. 

 

“Elesa?! What’s wrong?” Ingo’s dad burst through the door. 

 

She pointed accusingly at Emmet. “He’s a-”

 

“-good twin!” Ingo interrupted. “The best twin ever! My best friend and brother, who looks just like me!”

 

Ingo’s dad stared between the two of them with a strange look. Then, to Emmet, “...Were you pranking her, Emmet?” He sighed. “I know it’s not easy for you two to get along with others, but please be kind to her. Apologize.”

 

Elesa shook her head in horror. “You- Emmet-”

 

“I am sorry!” Emmet said. “I do not know what I am sorry for. But I am sorry! I will be a better brother.” Ingo’s dad sighed.

 

Ingo elbowed him. “That’s not the issue-”

 

“It is the issue though-” Elesa began then groaned. She glared up at Ingo’s dad, then grabbed the boys’ arms. “C’mon, I’m not done talking to you.” She dragged the two of them upstairs. “Everything’s fine, Ingo’s dad! Don’t worry about us!”

 

He gave them a perplexed look, then shook his head. “...If you say so. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call.”

 

She pulled the two of them into Ingo’s room, which only recently got another bed for Emmet. “You’re too old to share the same bed,” their mom had told them, “You two are so big, I wonder how you even fit in the one to begin with!” Ingo was impressed with how well Emmet had shifted their memories.

 

“Ingo,” Elesa said, shoving Emmet as she dropped his arm. “He’s not your brother. He’s not even human. Can’t you see that? He’s just a fae that wants your life, it doesn’t matter how much he acts like your brother, because he will never be-”

 

“Enough!” Ingo interrupted her, hands clenched. “His humanity is of no concern to me! And I do not care that he just wants to live, because everyone wants to live. Everyone deserves to live, and he is no different. And now, we get to live together as twins, I do not care that he was not born with me, for our contract is enough.”

 

Elesa shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. “Were you really that lonely? I am your friend, aren’t I? Why wasn’t I enough?”

 

“You’re never here!” Ingo shouted, tears now burning in his eyes as well. “I just- I just wanted someone to be with me, always…”

 

Elesa let out a sad noise, and took his hand. “But you didn’t have to trade your life…”

 

“I do not regret a thing,” Ingo said firmly. “These fifteen years are going to be incredible, and neither I nor Emmet will ever be alone.” 

 

“Fifteen years?! That’s all you have?!” Elesa got to her feet. “You never should have made that contract. That’s it, I’m telling-”

 

“I am Emmet. That would not be wise,” he interrupted at last. “They will not believe you.”

 

“But-”

 

“Please Elesa, I… I want to still be friends with you,” Ingo pleaded. “Please, can you look past this? We have the whole summer, it’s so much longer than when you usually come… We could find pokemon, the three of us, and-”

 

“Fine!” She shouted, and angrily sat on the ground. “Fine,” she sighed. “I will be your friend, Ingo, because we have always been friends. But you-” she sneered at Emmet. “I will tolerate you. But only for Ingo.”

 

“Fine,” Emmet huffed. “Ingo wanted friendship. You are a friend. That is enough for me.”

Chapter 3

At first, the human realm was amazing! 

 

Ingo was amazing! Ingo knew so many facts! He had so many books! And Emmet learned so much about trains! 

 

Litwick was there too. And Elesa. They were not as amazing. But Ingo wanted friends. And Emmet was going to be the best brother ever. Best brothers do not alienate their brother’s friends. So he tolerated them.

 

But other than them, the human realm was amazing! And soon, it would be time to set out on an adventure! To ride a train! Because that was what Ingo wanted! It was going to be verrrrry fun. 

 

Emmet liked trains. There are so many rules. Expectations. Deadlines. Everything is in order. It was verrry fun. And he had to wait with Ingo for the schedule. But he did not mind. Because Ingo was with him. And Ingo was verrrry fun to be with.

 

Emmet needed a pokemon for a pokemon adventure. So, he found a little leech. It was a pokemon. And he could catch it! Because he was human. Or pretending to be. Tynamo did not mind. 

 

And then, the human realm became even more amazing!! Because! Emmet could battle!!!

 

It turned out, Ingo is smart with many things. In addition to trains. He knows a lot about pokemon! And! They could fight together!

 

Battles were verrry fun. And there were all kinds of combinations of two pokemon. And two people. Ingo used to talk about friendship a lot. And Emmet could see the strength in battle. With the trainers, each other, their pokemon- there were so many factors.

 

And Emmet loved winning. 

 

A year passed, and Tynamo became Eelektric. Lampent was there too, unfortunately. They kept adventuring, and they found more pokemon. Emmet found joltiks! There were verrry many. Emmet loved trying out new moves, and he could with joltiks! And they were fluffy. And electric. Verrry nice.

 

Another year passed. Life was very, verrrry fun. Ingo began to lay out plans. For battle trains!!! Emmet had never heard of a cooler idea. They would have all kinds of challengers. They would be super strong. And super serious.

 

The years continued to pass, and they did it. They built the battle subway. They became subway masters! It was verrrry fun. Ingo’s parents came to the opening. He cried. Emmet cried. Everyone cried.

 

Elesa was still around. She took up modeling, but she was more of a gym leader. She was strong, too. She still did not really like Emmet. But she was verrry nice to Ingo. And Emmet liked to battle her. She never admitted it, but he thought she liked it too. 

 

Years continued to pass. Every time Emmet thought life could not get better, it did. He never knew life could be so good. So happy. So joyful. 

 

But then, fourteen years passed.

 

And a few more months. 

 

And Emmet realized….

 

He loved Ingo. 

 

And he was about to lose him.

 

He remembered that day, fourteen years ago, when a young girl’s shaking voice exclaimed, “You never should have made that deal.” Ingo told him that shaking voices is a sign of fear. She was afraid for him. Because he was going to die.

 

And she was right. Emmet began to panic. Why had he made the deal like that?! Yes, he only had fifteen years left to live, and he would die without the years. But. He could have taken them differently! He could have taken them slowly. Year by year. He could have lived alongside Ingo, much longer. 

 

How long did he even have left? A week? Oh dragons. 

 

This was wrong. No, it was right. It was just like the contract. It was the same. It was as it should be.

 

But Emmet did not want it to be like this.

 

So. Here he stood, alone in the super doubles train. There were some promising challengers today, and were it any other day, he would be thrilled to face them. But they did not know that this may be his last day on the super doubles line. 

 

I don’t like the look on your face. Chandelure’s ‘voice’ chimed into Emmet’s spirit. Oh, right. She was here too.

 

“I am Emmet. You never like the look on my face. This is not new,” He quipped. He wanted to brush her off.

 

Fine then. I mislike the intention in your soul. Or, whatever you fae like to call it. Aren’t you supposed to be raving about the battles to come? Thinking of combinations, being, what was it, serious…? She went ahead and popped herself out of her pokeball. 

 

Emmet always smiled. It was how he was a good brother. But he was thiiiiiis close to a grimace. “There will be no more battles to come.”

 

You still have a week, do you not? Why think of this now? You were the one who made the conditions of the contract. Enjoy it while it lasts, I thought that was what you were doing before. Chandelure seemed to shrug. Her small blue flames flickered in motion.

 

“I am Emmet. I have had a verrry good life. But I do not want it to end! I want to battle forever! I want…” He took a shuddering breath. “I want to battle with Ingo forever…”

 

Chandelure chimed in laughter. But it was bitter. Sad. Maybe you should have thought of that before making such a contract. I have made my peace with the outcome. Why haven’t you?

 

“Made your peace?! How?! I can not! I love Ingo! He is my twin, my brother. We are a two-car train. Without him, I-” Emmet shook his head. “How could you be happy with this?”

 

You think I’m happy about this?! Chandelure scoffed. You think you’re the only one who loves Ingo?! I hate this too! But a contract is a contract! You cannot simply break it. I lived without him before, I shall do so again.

 

“So you’re just going to find another trainer?” Emmet asked bitterly. He sunk against the wall. It was easier to focus on her anger than his. 

 

Absolutely not. Noone will ever replace him. 

 

“Then why-”

 

Ugh, this is why you’re so annoying! First you stole his ripe soul, then he grew and became far more powerful and beautiful, and you’re going to kill him and feel guilty about it. At least be proud that you get a soul as gorgeous as his! 

 

“No,” Emmet said, his heartbeat picking up. His human heart. He would lose that, too. “No. No, I do not want to. I will break the contract.”

 

WHAT?! Chandelure swiveled to stare at him. Are you mad?! Have you forgotten there are consequences?!

 

Emmet scoffed. “Consequences? What could possibly be worse than a life without Ingo?”

 

She stared at him incredulously. …Are you wanting me to give you examples? I can give you examples.

 

“I am Emmet. I do not care.” He pulled up his Xtrans. “I am Emmet. I am feeling verrrry sick. I need to talk to Ingo. Now.”

 

You really are mad. Chandelure’s flames flared for a moment.

 

“Good,” Emmet replied to the voice on the other end of the Xtrans and shut it off. “Come.”

 

You’re not serious?! Emmet! You could condemn yourself to a fate far worse than death! Emmet did not listen, only returning her to her ball. But she continued to speak. You will condemn HIM to a far worse fate than death! Ingo!

 

“No I won’t!” He declared. “Ingo will be okay! I will take the damage!”

 

That’s not how it works!

 

“You don’t know how it works!” 

 

Neither do you?! EMMET!

 

But Emmet did not listen. He found Ingo. He did not explain, not until they were home. Alone, in their apartment. Mostly alone, the pokemon were there too. 

 

Chandelure made herself known the moment the apartment door shut. Emmet this is madness!

 

“Quiet,” he snapped at her. “Ingo!” 

 

His twin looked at him with concern. “Emmet, what is wrong? You claimed to be sick, and I can tell that you are not feeling well, but you did not confirm it as we left. What has caught your tracks? I-”

 

“Ingo, there is only one week left,” Emmet said directly. 

 

Ingo’s eyes widened. Then, his face fell. “Ah.”

 

Emmet grabbed his brother’s arms. “I am Emmet. I do not want your life anymore. I want you to live.” He said desperately. His voice shook. His hands shook. He was afraid. That’s what that meant, right? He was scared, so, so scared. 

 

“Emmet…” Ingo said. It was the quietest he had ever been. Emmet could barely hear him. “But then you will die.”

 

It’s not that simple! Chandelure interrupted angrily. You made a contract! You cannot go back on it! There’s no telling what horrors will be unleashed if you break it…

 

“I have to-” Emmet coughed, choking on his tears. “I have to try! I am Emmet! I do not want to lose Ingo! I love you, Ingo!”

 

Ingo burst into tears. He opened his mouth to speak. But no words came out. He tried again, but still. Nothing. He pulled Emmet into a hug. There, they stood.

 

They cried. Chandelure pulled her lights closer to them. They were warm. It was strange, she had never been warm before. Not to Emmet. 

 

Eventually, there were no more tears. But there were more words. …I trust you see your folly now?  

 

“I am Emmet,” He began, not looking at her. “But I am ■■■■■ , too.” He said it loudly enough for her to hear. For the pokemon. He could feel motion in his soul, as he spoke. “And I, Emmet, ■■■■■ , release you-”

 

NO! NO, DON’T YOU DARE-

 

“-Ingo, from our contract!”

.

 

It was as if the whole world came to a stand still. 

 

.

 

Time itself did not move. The men were locked, unmoving. 

 

.

 

Then it twisted.

 

.

 

AND EVERYTHING HURT.

 

Emmet was being TORN. Literally. His soul was shattering, and he could feel his form slipping. A vague memory flitted in his mind. Of Ingo, as a child. Telling him, “I want you to- To look like yourself. We will be twins, identical, just as we are now, but- I still want you to be you. Different.”

 

He remembered. He did not have a true appearance. He never did. He could only mirror.

 

But he knew one thing- I AM EMMET- And that was him-

 

His soul barely stood, and he could see. He could see, and he screamed. Because Ingo was in his arms. But Emmet could not feel him. “INGO!” He screamed.

 

Ingo spoke, but he was silent. Emmet tried desperately to grab him, and shouted in pain as his hand hit the floor. It was like trying to grab something from within a screen. 

 

INGO! Chandelure chimed, but not even she could touch him.

 

He was reaching out at first, terror in his eyes. But terror faded. Until, he stared unblinkingly at Emmet. Unrecognizing.

 

Ingo disappeared. 

 

“NO!” Emmet screamed. “No, no, no, not like this-”

 

You IDIOT! Chandelure shrieked. YOU- AAAAAAAUGHHHH! She screamed, piercing Emmet’s ears, shaking his very soul. She fell to the ground with a clank, her flames flickering dangerously.

 

Emmet could not breathe. But he could. He should. He was still human. He broke the contract, he should be fae again, but he was not. He could not breathe, but he still needed to, but his throat was closed-

 

How could you do this…? Chandelure’s chime was barely above a whisper. It cut through the silence.

 

Everything still hurt. But Emmet had to BREATHE.

 

And he did.

 

“Ingo-” he choked out. “Ingo…”

 

But Ingo was gone.

He felt it. With his contract, he could always feel Ingo. He knew where his twin was, always. But now, there was nothing. There was more than nothing- there was absence. Even a dead soul could be felt, but Ingo was not dead. He was GONE.

Chapter 4

It was a cool evening. Bright, neon lights illuminated the streets, and Elesa flipped open her Xtrans. Ingo texted her not long ago that Emmet was feeling sick today, but he had not given her an update. She was beginning to get worried. 

 

But, surely he was just taking care of Emmet? He probably just forgot to text her. She slipped her Xtrans and her thoughts into her pocket, making sure she made it home safely. 

 

Emmet… even if he was a fae, he was a human after all, huh. She could not remember him becoming ill before, at least, not out of nowhere like this. He and Ingo had both been in terrible shape that night they planned out their battle subway, having not slept, ate, or drank for 24 hours. It was a little absurd, and a miracle he had not gotten sick since.

 

…How long was it until Emmet took Ingo’s life?

 

She froze in her tracks at the thought. 

 

No, really, how long? How long ago was it? It was at least ten years- What day was that? And Emmet getting sick out of nowhere?

 

Elesa did a 180, running along the street. She needed to find them, and she needed to find them NOW. 

 

Somehow, the woman made it to the apartment doorstep, fishing out the spare key Ingo had given her. She did not know what she meant to do, but she had to be there. She had to-

 

AAAAAAAUGHHHH!  

 

Elesa stumbled, the breath knocked out of her lungs as a blood curdling, haunting scream pierced the night. It was anything but human. No, she knew that chime.

 

That was Chandelure.

 

She picked herself up, sprinting up the stairs, arriving at Ingo’s door in moments. She forced the key in, and slammed the door open. “Ingo?!” she shouted, desperately hoping he was still there.

 

There in the living room, a twin sat, his face twisted in agony, tears and snot steaming down his face and from his nostrils. Beside him lay Chandelure, her flames flitting between blindingly bright and barely visible. 

 

The twin, though not smiling, was in white.

 

Ingo was nowhere in sight.

 

“Emmet!” Elesa shouted. “Emmet!” She ran to him, grabbing his shoulders. “Where is Ingo!?” She asked desperately, but she knew.

 

The fae looked into her eyes, his face unsmiling for the first time since she met him that summer day. Elesa felt hatred rising from within her. She knew the answer. She knew what he had done, that he had taken Ingo’s life.

 

And he had the gall to look as though his world shattered. 

 

“You killed him!” She shouted. “YOU TOOK HIS LIFE!” She screamed.

 

Elesa- Chandelure chimed.

 

“HE’S GONE!” Emmet shouted, shaking her hands off of him. “He’s gone… He’s…”

 

“HOW DARE YOU-” Elesa’s hands shook. “Ingo is- is-” She burst into tears. “How dare you look like that! How dare you cry, as if it wasn’t you that took him! He’s dead! You’re not! Go, live your damned life!”

 

Emmet only sobbed harder, but Elesa stood. 

 

…It’s not like that, Elesa. Chandelure whispered, her chimes a soft, tragic tune. Emmet broke the contract. It was supposed to last another week… but without Ingo… Emmet will die instead.

 

Elesa froze. “...What?” 

 

“You were right!” Emmet wailed. “I never should have made the contract! Chandelure, you- you too, I-” he choked on his words. “I never should have- now he’s-”

 

“Then- where is Ingo?!” Elesa exclaimed. She turned back, grabbing Emmet’s shoulders again. “Get ahold of yourself, what happened?!”

 

“I-” 

 

“Emmet!” 

 

“I am Emmet!” He declared at last, chest heaving. “I am Emmet, and I broke the contract. But Ingo is gone. He is not even dead. He does not exist. He’s…”

 

“What?! But- but he does exist! I- I still remember him, you still remember him-”

 

“But he is gone!”

 

Hold on… Chandelure murmured. She rose from the floor, her flames burning steadily once more. Elesa is right. She remembers him. I remember him, you remember him. She began to laugh. He still exists! We cannot feel him, but he must be out there! He has not been erased!

 

“So now you know how contract breaking works?!” Emmet shouted angrily. “He’s gone! He’s not coming back!”

 

No, listen to me! You are right, he is not dead. But there are more worlds than the spirit world and this world. There is the distortion world, or even different times. Souls do not simply disappear. If he ceased to exist, then we would not remember him. He is out there, somewhere, I know it.

 

“...Then we have to find him,” Elesa said. “And you- ” she glared at Emmet. “Are going to help.”

 

Emmet laughed sadly. “I would give my life for him. But that is the issue. I have no life left to give. Chandelure said it, I will die next week.”

 

“Not on my watch you won’t,” Elesa grabbed his hand. “ We are going to find Ingo. You can make contracts, can’t you?”

 

“No…” Emmet whispered. “No. I am Emmet. I am never going to make a contract again. But why would you even offer? I thought you hated me.” His eyes widened. “Ohhh. It is spite. I understand.”

 

“It’s not spite,” Elesa snapped. 

 

She looked at him again. Really looked at him.

 

She hated him. She hated that he was going to take Ingo, that Ingo felt that he had to trade his life for a sibling, that it had to be this way-

 

…But Emmet had always fulfilled his promise. The two were happy. And, as much as she hated to admit it, she… kind of liked Emmet, too. He was stupid and annoying, but he was a good friend. He was a joy to battle with, and he was always so loving with Ingo.

 

“...I always thought that it was just an appearance,” Elesa began, sorting her thoughts. “That- that you were just perfect brothers for the contract. That you would just take his life, and- and forget about everything. But-”

 

She burst into tears, looking at him. Emmet was in shambles, she could see it. “You really, truly, loved Ingo, didn’t you?”

 

“I am Emmet. I am Ingo’s twin brother. And I love him verrrry much.” 

 

“...Take one of my years,” Elesa said. 

 

Emmet hesitated. “...Are you certain?” Chandelure looked between the two of them silently.

 

“It’s only one year!” she snapped. “Besides…” She pulled him into a hug. “I… I don’t hate you. You’re my friend too, Emmet.”

 

He shook his head in her shoulder. “Friends…” 

Chandelure chimed. …We are going to find him.

Chapter 5

A man fell heavily into branches, undergrowth, and miscellaneous fallen forest matter. He was alone.

 

And yet, Ingo stood, hands trembling over the empty, hand carved pokeballs at his waist. He had left his pokemon behind, before stepping into the future alongside Rei, and he knew the dangers of being alone in a wild place such as this. 

 

“Rei?” He called out. Only leaves whispered in response, brushing against each other in the wind. 

 

It seems the two of them had been separated. And yet… This place… It was familiar. Arceus promised three things: to return the two lost in time home, to give each a god’s favor, and… to repair Ingo’s broken soul, which evidently was the source of his lost memories. Ingo was unsure of what it meant to have a broken soul, but he wanted his memories back. 

 

This destination, these woods… Yes…

 

This was where he was, just before he met Emmet for the first time. 

 

He looked out, though this time, the trees were gentle in their windy song, and the sun shone through their boughs. This time, there would be no litwick at the end of the tunnel. 

 

Emmet… Emmet! 

 

Ingo laughed aloud. “Emmet!” That was his brother’s name! His twin, his other half, the one whose very soul was entwined with his own, to whom he had promised years of his life-

 

Ingo froze. He… he had promised years of his life to Emmet. And yet, he was… how old? Everyone in Hisui thought he was an old man… But that could not be possible, Emmet was supposed to take his years? 

 

What happened? Ingo scrambled into his thoughts. He- He remembered. He remembered those days, alongside Emmet.

 

He remembered going home, to their parents, and them accepting Emmet as their own. Of showing Emmet the library, of the trains, and of battles, and Emmet’s smile and concentrated interest in everything Ingo spoke of. 

 

He remembered Elesa, who was so angry at first, who refused to even be Emmet’s friend… But, even she warmed up to him. And how could she not? Emmet was an absolute delight. 

 

He remembered the day Emmet caught his Tynamo, and the joy in his eyes as he discovered battling for the first time. He remembered as they fought together, they won together, as they grew together.

 

Ingo remembered the night where he planned the battle subway for the first time- Ingo’s favorite thing, trains, plus Emmet’s favorite thing, battles. It would be glorious! They just knew it, that day, though they barely lived to see the next one after forgetting to eat, drink, or sleep. Elesa nearly had a heart attack when she found them, what would they do without her?

 

Ingo remembered the station’s opening, the many tears they shared…

 

And the days…

 

And everything, the life they had built, the joy they had created, those fifteen years were everything that he wanted them to be and more.

 

…Until, he received that call on his Xtrans. Emmet was sick. They had gone home, and…

 

Emmet broke the contract.

 

Ingo sank to his knees in realization. Emmet… is dead. 

 

He has to be. He never took Ingo’s years. He- he broke the contract, that was what Arceus meant by a broken soul, it had to be… And if Arceus repaired Ingo’s soul, then…

 

There was nothing left of Emmet in him.

 

He broke down. Alone, in the woods, as the leaves whispered, and light danced. How cruel was it, that after all that time alone in Hisui, grasping at straws of memories that hurt too much to touch, that he should remember it all only for him to keep none of it? Emmet was supposed to live on, to… to… Well, Ingo was not sure what Emmet would have done once he was gone, but he had always comforted himself with the thought that his twin would live on. 

 

And now, he was alone.

 

Just like he was, that night in the woods, where he followed that cold, blue light.

 

…Wait. 

 

Surely, Chandelure was still alive? And their pokemon-

 

It had been years, but what happened to the battle subway? There were the staff, and the trainers- And Ingo’s parents, were they still in Anville town?

 

From the ground, Ingo looked over the woods he had been to countless times in his youth. He was pretty certain he could find his way home. How would they react, knowing he yet lived? And Elesa…

 

…How had Elesa taken everything?

 

Ingo took a deep breath, finding the strength to stand once more. 

 

Emmet was dead. That much had to be true.

 

But- but he was not alone- he- 

 

Tears began to streak down his face. He- he was alone, right now, but there- there were people waiting for him. His parents, Elesa, his pokemon- Emmet’s pokemon-

 

And then, he saw a small, cold blue light in the distance. 

 

The sun continued to shine, there was no trick, that light was blue. Ingo paused. Was it a hopeful litwick, trying to lead him astray? Or… 

 

He took a step towards the light, and he realized it was actually multiple lights. No, that was no litwick. Ingo felt something, he was unsure of what it was, but- but he knew this feeling- that was Chandelure. He knew it.

 

Her chimes rang through the air as Ingo began to run, tears still running down his face. INGO! Her voice grew closer, she was near, he was, finally, going to reunite with his precious partner, the one who wielded flames with mastery…

 

The two collided into a hug, Chandelure trilling with joy. Her metal spokes bent gently against Ingo, and her flames were warm and kind. Ingo! She sang. Ingo! It really is you!

 

“And you, Chandelure!” Ingo boomed. “How I have missed you!” 

 

I could feel your spirit return, but I hardly dared to believe it. We have been searching for you for so long…

 

“‘We?’” Ingo asked. He looked around, but she was alone. “Who have you been searching with? My parents…?” Why else would she be in the woods surrounding Anville town?

 

She laughed. No, no! But then, she pulled away, looking out into the woods. They will catch up soon enough. As she said, Ingo heard the drumming of hooves becoming increasingly louder.

 

“Chandelure! You can’t just run off like-” Elesa appeared through the trees, riding atop her Zebstrika, coming to a sudden stop at the sight of him. “INGO?!”

 

She dismounted in a moment, and Ingo ran to her, colliding into yet another hug. “Elesa!” He gasped, almost immediately pulling apart in disbelief. “You- you were looking for me?”

 

Elesa hugged him a little longer, before finally pulling apart to look at him. “Of course! I’m your friend! Dragons, I-” She rubbed her nose, just the same as she did when she was little. “I’m so happy to see you again… We’ve been looking for so long…”

 

Ingo wanted to cry. “I… I hardly know what to say… That you should dedicate so much time to looking for me… I am so, so lucky to have friends such as you both…” 

 

We will always be here for you, Ingo. Chandelure chimed, the softest, sweetest bell he had ever heard from her.

 

He took a shuddering breath. “Thank you. Thank you both so much.” And yet, through the gratitude rose a wave of grief. Someone was missing. “Emmet…” He whispered. “If only he could be here…”

 

“INGO!” Something rushed out of the undergrowth at Ingo. Instinctively, he took a battle stance, and flipped the assailant onto the ground. “GAH!” 

 

Wait. 

 

His voice, and that hat-

 

“I am Emmet. That was verrrry painful.” The prone body mumbled, face in the dirt.

 

“EMMET?!” Ingo boomed. He rushed to the ground, pulling the man right side up into his arms. His face was covered with dirt, but he still smiled. A wincing, pained smile, but a smile nonetheless. “Emmet, is that- is that truly you?”

 

“I am Emmet.” The man confirmed. And burst into tears.

 

Ingo immediately followed suit. “How!?” He choked the word out, pulling his twin into a hug. “How?” He asked again, feeling as Emmet wrapped his arms around his back. “How…?”

 

They held each other wordlessly, bodies heaving in sobs. It had been so, so long since Ingo had held his brother and he truly believed that it was never going to happen again. And yet, here he was, his wonderful, incredible, amazing twin in his arms.

 

Eventually, they drew apart, and Emmet smiled a brilliant smile that put the sun to shame. “I am Emmet. You are Ingo. You are alive. This is verrrry good.”

 

“But how?” Ingo asked one more time. “How are you alive? You- you did not take my years…”

 

Elesa gave him a few. Once a year, until you returned. Chandelure chimed in.

 

Ingo looked up at her. “Truly…?”

 

She looked away, embarrassed. “I- well-”

 

“Elesa is a verrrry good friend,” Emmet said. “And I am grateful.”

 

Ingo looked between the people he loved again. Emmet, Elesa, and Chandelure. They… they barely tolerated each other, so long ago. And now… 

 

“BRAVO!” Ingo bellowed, his voice cracked yet powerful, echoing against the trees. “BRAVO!” He shouted again, his hope, though shattered mere moments before, now barreling across the tracks of his mind. “That you should be alive, my dear Emmet- that you all should expend such effort to return me to my home station, that-” He took a shuddering breath, emotions swirling so powerfully they closed his throat. 

 

How is it that you returned to us? Chandelure asked. And where were you? I see that your soul is completely healed, how can this be?

 

“Ah,” Ingo turned to her. “I do not know exactly how it happened, but Arceus had brought a champion from this time to the past in order to resolve a time error. When Emmet broke the contract, I must have been pulled in, as the time distortion was already so great…” 

 

“You were in the past?” Elesa asked. 

 

Ingo nodded. “Rei worked to save Hisui, and I did what I could to assist him. In the end, Arceus promised three things: to return us to our home station, to repair my broken soul, and one favor we may call upon in our remaining mortal years.”

 

YOU HAVE A FAVOR FROM ARCEUS?! Chandelure shrieked in shock. 

 

“That is verrrry impressive,” Emmet added. “Were there any limits? You could do a lot with a favor like that…”

 

Ingo shook his head. “What would I even ask for? I already have everything I could ever desire and more. I have three incredible friends, my wonderful twin who I love more than anything in the world… who…” He trailed off, realization striking. 

 

Through the trees, Ingo failed to notice that sunset had begun, and already darkness was taking the place of light. Chandelure’s blue flames shimmered in the growing night, and a sudden rush of wind allowed him to hear the song of leaves crashing against each other. 

 

That day, so long ago, he came to the woods in search of a friend. 

 

And today, he was back, and Emmet only had what remained of the most recent year Elesa had given him. 

 

“Arceus!” Ingo announced. “I am ready to call upon your favor!” 

 

Perhaps there was more that could be done with a god’s favor, but Ingo had never been in the habit of testing the limits of a contract. And, neither had he regretted such contracts. With each milestone he passed with Emmet by his side, Ingo had only been more certain of the tracks his life’s journey took him down. 

 

Ingo always knew he was going to spend the rest of his life with Emmet. But, with his wish, Emmet may be granted full humanity, and the whole lifespan that comes with it. And perhaps, Elesa’s years would be returned to her, as well.

 

Those fifteen years they spent together were everything Ingo ever dreamed of. They were filled with life, joy, and love.

 

So too would the rest of their years be filled, as Ingo and Emmet grew old together.