Chapter Text
Gear Station
Emmet huffed as he put away his phone into his pocket. Ingo was not responding, which was very odd for him indeed. He was always on track while working, though he was not always with it in the mornings that is. But by now, the subway has been open for a few hours, he should be responding to any call, especially Emmet’s…they have to run the double line soon, together of course.
“He’s probably just caught up in a battle somewhere, yup…” Emmet mumbled to himself, an odd tense feeling in his chest rising up. He’s felt…off, all morning, as soon as he walked into the station, with no reason as to why…something had him on edge, though nothing he could see was out of place…
Perhaps he was just overworked. Ingo has often found him asleep in their office after closing, rather than at their home. Ingo would spend the night in the office with him in those cases, before giving him a talking to about safety checks and working himself too hard.
Emmet smiled at the thought. No, nothing was wrong. He must just be overworked, and Ingo probably has a reasonable explanation for why he hasn’t answered his phone…
For…over an hour now…
Emmet sighed, and adjusted his coat and hat. Very well, if Ingo is going to be difficult, Emmet will be persistent. He will find him and set him back onto the proper schedule. They must stay on schedule after all…even while battling is the best thing in the world, it is no excuse to run late when a job must be done.
He turned off the lights to their office, and walked down the hall, greeting a few workers and agents as he passed them on his way. Ingo wasn’t anywhere on this level that he could see, so he must have gone to the main floor. Emmet will start his search there.
He walked into the main terminal, his smile bright on his face. He was pushing down that anxious feeling that has been eating at him all morning.
Nothing was wrong, or amiss. Ingo was just late. It happens.
So why…does Emmet feel a lingering sense of dread…? He paused, looking around the station terminal. He saw no sign of Ingo, and the station was not as busy today, which was good. Less to distract him. He adjusted his coat, the subway feeling colder than usual, and he began walking to the security offices.
The agents there are good at keeping track of things. If Ingo went somewhere, they would know.
But, before he could open the door-
“Hey, Emmet!”
Emmet turned, and his smile widened, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his friend.
“I am Emmet! Good morning, Elesa! You are here early today!” Emmet says lightly, Elesa running up to him happily.
“Yeah, had a shoot this morning. I thought I’d say hi to my boys since the station was on the way back!” She said, adjusting her coat tighter around herself. “Geez, did the heat stop working in this place? I’m glad I dressed warm today…”
“I noticed the temperature as well. I will meet with the mechanics later and see what the issue is. For now, I must find Ingo!” He says with a smile, opening the door to the security offices. Elesa follows casually.
“Heh, did he battle too long again?” She says with a laugh, knowing Ingo tends to lose track of time when he finds a worthy opponent.
“I believe so. Though he is not responding to his phone, I will talk to him about that. Safety first, always!” Emmet says lightly, walking into a side room. “Once we find him, we should have time to grab a warm drink from the cafe before we start the double line!” Emmet says, holding the door for Elesa. “I could use some calm before the day really begins.”
“You? Calm? Who are you and what have you done with Emmet?” Elesa laughs, sitting in a spinning chair nearby as Emmet snickers.
“Yes, yes, I know. I am Emmet. I just believe Ingo is right, I have overworked lately.”
“You do it to yourself~” Elesa says, giving a spin in the chair.
The depot agent sitting at the computer beside her was blushing, his eyes trying to focus on the computer instead of her.
“Indeed I do. So, from now on, safety-”
“Saftey first always, we know!” Elesa says. “Now find your twin and let’s go!”
Emmet nods, walking over to the agent.
“Cloud, have you seen Ingo today?” Emmet asks, standing straight beside the desk, his arms behind his back. Cloud looks away from Elesa, shakes his head, and looks up to Emmet.
“Y-yes sir, he was on his way to your office when there was a small commotion. He went to take care of it first.”
“A commotion?” Emmet asks, tilting his head, his smile not fading.
“Yes, it seems some woobat that were living in the tunnels got spooked quite badly. They were in a frenzy, startling passengers, before flying out of the station entirely. Ingo was just going to walk down into the tunnel to see what could have caused them distress. Has he not returned?” Cloud asks, Emmet glancing to the computer screens, his eyes scanning the cameras inside the tunnels. He saw no movement.
“No, not yet…when did he depart?”
“Ah, a little over an hour ago…hm, now that you mention it, he has been down there a while if he hasn’t come to you…I thought I just missed him and he went upstairs.” Cloud says in confusion, turning his chair to face Emmet. “I’m afraid I have no idea what could have derailed him…”
“Perhaps just an unexpected stop.” Emmet says flatly, his voice calm.
But Elesa sees his mouth straining to keep its smile. She glances at the cameras in worry. Through the fuzzy static, she saw no movement in the tunnel cameras.
“We shall find him, and return him to his station. What tunnel did he go into?”
“The Eastbound single line, the one under construction.” Cloud said, pulling up a map on the screen, pointing to the line. “It’s why the woobat were hiding in there, though I’ve seen them in functional tunnels, they don’t mind the trains…”
“Is construction active today?” Emmet asks, once again his voice flat.
“No sir, they had today off. There shouldn’t have been any humans in that tunnel, and it has no open emergency exit. I would have seen if someone went in there unauthorized and caused the disruption. I have a camera facing the entrance stairway.
“But if those woobat aren’t afraid of trains…what could have spooked them in an empty tunnel?” Elesa asks, her peppy voice now quiet.
“I am Emmet. I will find out. And I will find Ingo.” Emmet says, pointing to the door. “Cloud, do me a favor. Rewind the cameras to when Ingo entered the tunnel, and see if there are any functional cameras inside it. See if you can give us a visual from above, and perhaps an answer to all of this from your end.” He says, walking out the door.
“Y-yes sir!” Cloud replies, turning around quickly, typing into the computer. There is a lot of footage to go over, and many many cameras to check…he’ll need time.”
“Emmet, wait!” Elesa yells, running after him. “I’m going with you!”
Emmet, not breaking his stride towards the tunnel entrance, gives her a wave of his finger.
“No, no, safety first. I will not have you getting injured in a construction zone. Besides, you came from a shoot. I know you only carry one Pokemon with you on those days.”
Elesa groans, and powerwalks to keep up with the man in white.
“I don’t care about the construction! I can handle some rough terrain! I care about Ingo! I want to help, and I am whether you like it or not!” She says, standing defensively in front of him, stopping his walking.
Emmet stares at her, his smile still on his face, though his eyes give away his seriousness…and fear. Elesa knows him too well. He’s afraid something bad happened…and will happen again.
“Very well. Only because it would be rude to send you away after you came off your route to visit us.”
“AND,” Elesa adds, the two walking side by side. “If there IS a problem, I am not letting you get into trouble alone.” She says with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. She can see Emmet is…quite tense.
His shoulders are higher, his smile is forced. He is walking stiff, and his eyes…
His eyes show fear. She can see it. They’re strained.
“I appreciate your assistance, my friend. I just…hope Ingo has not found trouble alone.”
“Like you said, he gets distracted at a good battle!” She says as they reach the stairway into the tunnels, both of them stopping before the yellow construction chain blocking it off. “Perhaps some wild pokemon is giving him a challenge, or some vigilante who snuck in was trying to be tough. I’m sure he’s fine! He’s strong!” She says softly with a smile, putting a hand on Emmet’s shoulder. She feels his tension. “He’s fine…”
Emmet takes in a breath, and lets it out, trying once again to push away these nagging anxious thoughts.
“Yes…he is fine. He is capable, and resourceful. I am sure this is something silly we will laugh about soon!” He says lightly, his smile more genuine. Elesa pats his back, pulling him into a side hug.
“There we go! Now come on, I actually wore proper shoes for this today!” She says, stepping over the chain, descending into the darkness below.
Emmet pauses a moment before following her. He feels a cold draft arise from the stairwell, making him shiver. It’s even colder down there. He pulls his coat tighter, and grabs an emergency lantern sitting nearby, switching it on…and he begins descending the stairs, following Elesa close behind.
Ingo is fine. He must be fine…
He must be…