> Rift Energy > Will of Blades > Black Blood (Work in Progress)
And here's a list of fanfics in chronological order:
(Legends Arceus side story bullet points)
Meeting their first pokemon (ficlet)
Elesa & Emmet dealing with loss of Ingo
REUNION
Knife Maintenance
Ingo breakdown
Elesa breakdown
Healing up (ficlet)
(more coming)
Stabbing scene
Misc:
The twins get TWO dads
Maybe don't let Emmet Break
I'll update this itinerary as more stations pop up. Please feel free to stop by @lordtraco-fanfics or @lordtraco for more content. Stay safe, mind the angst, and all aboard!
(heavy angst and bloodless major injury warning, but it all ends ok.)
(huge thanks to @fluffy-rulos for the idea and everyone who reminded me of it!! This vacation leaves little time to write, but I hope this is still angsty enough! :3 )
"Keep going!" Ingo heard his brother through a fog. Their resonance was thin, hampered by an exhaustion beyond the simple effects of Sleep Powder.
A flickering spark jolted through them both, a lancing pain that kept them awake but hurt their ability to connect. It was hard to want to resonate with someone causing you pain.
Ingo tried to cover up the guilt he felt rumble around in his mind like the thunder after a lightning strike. Guilt at having left and hurt his family, his teammates, the only ones that could link souls with him. It was too strong to stop. Too deep to hold back.
All at once a deeper rumble built upon his own, crashing through their quiet soul-song with discordant bass. Emmet had nothing to be guilty of in Ingo's mind, but that didn't stop the onslaught of emotions from whirling up a storm.
.
Elesa kept moving, even as the guilt eroded their connection. She felt Ingo try desperately to reassure his twin through their link, but all their stamina was dwindling. Too much movement in far too long a fight had taken its toll on them all.
The frenzied roserade let out another spew of sleep powder and Elesa was yet again thankful it wasn't poison. She recalled how many of their pokemon fell to that status effect just to ensure that the trainers could survive this fight now. If they could just power through the last dredges of the pokemon's moves, it could calm down.
Another self inflicted zap to the three of them kept her awake. It hurt. Her legs felt sluggish and her lungs were burning and the resonance with Ingo and Emmet was faint as a train horn from miles away. Still, she pushed on, not to win, just to stall for time. It was the best they could do.
"This isn't fun." Emmet said, causing Elesa to pull attention away from the battle to look at the knife in her right hand. The small damaged part of the blade drew her eye. Had it gotten bigger?
The meister saw the chip first a while ago. It hadn't been that concerning. It was just a notch in the blade close to the handle. Nothing to worry about in a blade as durable as Emmet. His resolve was strong enough to strengthen his steel through willpower alone.
Could the same be true in reverse? Elesa never considered it.
She should have.
Reaching the frenzied grass type, Elesa felt the crackling of her electric soul build up charge. Her weapons fueled and channeled it downward into a Thunder Wave attack as she stabbed the ground. They succeeded at paralyzing the pokemon and stopping the assault of pollen.
She felt a bit of relief outside her own as Ingo loudly celebrated. She heard Emmet's soft voice as well but couldn't make out the words.
She should have.
As she pulled the blades out of the packed dirt, a distressing snap left her in sheer horror.
Elesa looked at the black handle, now with barely half an inch of blade past the bolster. The quiet chilled her to the core and she nearly retched upon seeing the rest of the brittle blade wedged in the ground.
The feeling of Emmet's soul was gone. There was no backlash of him no longer resonating. His piece in the equation was just non-existent, like an instrument finishing its part in a song.
"Emmet!" The white handle in her other hand burned hot as Ingo lost control.
Elesa barely flinched, just staring in a blank sea of agony and dissociation at the broken knife in her hand. For a moment she tried to pretend this was a prop. A fake kitchen knife. A prank the twins were playing. She couldn't have done that.
As if to punish her for such hopes, Emmet shifted back, his dominant left arm gouged out along with part of his side. There was no blood, no screams, just a man missing an entire arm and shoulder staring blankly ahead. His smile was gone. The light in his eyes was gone.
His soul was-
It would have been more merciful for his soul to be gone as well. This was worse. Emmet's soul was simply a dull gray orb that looked cracked with a large piece missing.
Elesa felt her ears fill with painful buzzing as Ingo screamed right beside her, shifting to reach his brother. Yet as much as he held Emmet, called his name, pressed his forehead to his, and hugged him close, Emmet might as well have been a doll.
The black of his coat filled her vision. Black, the color that fit with the color of Emmet's handle. Just as Ingo's white form complimented the jacket now held on only by a single arm. She'd never thought to ask if their choice of dress came from their weapon form or vice versa.
She should have.
The handle represented a connection to others. A knife needs a hand to be held by, to link it, guide it, help it reach a goal. The blade, in contrast, represented the purpose, the willpower, the strength to reach said goal.
Emmet now had none of that.
Elesa screamed, but she could not hear it through the ringing in her ears. Everything spiraled as fears piled on top of one another. Digging her nails into the ground and sobbing, she could only plead for it to be a lie.
"-lesa"
This couldn't be happening! She was so careful! What had she missed? How had she let him get so brittle? Why hadn't she noticed? Why-
"Elise!"
\\//
Elesa awoke to the smell of blood and was immediately terrified. She felt her hands, which she'd been so sure were digging into rocky dirt, were actually digging into the flesh of Emmet's arm. His left arm!
Still shaken from the dream, Elesa looked past the little trickles of blood her nails had caused from gouging into his arm, past the pained smile, straight to his eyes. His eyes, so full of life.
"Elise, I am Emmet. I am here." His right hand found her cheek, holding her gently as a pokeball upon handing it over at a pokemon center. His use of that nickname, the one he saved for when she was incognito with a "boyfriend", it felt so tender. It was a name only Emmet called her, as Ingo claimed Elle long ago. Separate nicknames to help her tell them apart back when she'd mix up their voices.
"Shift. Please, I-" Elesa grabbed his wrist tightly with her bloodied hand, a chill piercing through her center. Getting the air to form a full sentence felt near impossible. "-I have to. I have to see."
Emmet looked ready to say something, but folded at her pleading gaze. He shifted into a knife, pristine save for that small notch by the base. Fear enveloped her so bad that her trembling hand dropped him. Flashes of the dream plagued her mind again as the terrible snap played in her ear. But it wasn't real.
"You drop Emmet? You drop Emmet like trash?" Emmet said, the reflection of the blade showing a teasing grin as he quoted one of her favorite memes. "Jail, jail for Elesa for a thousand years!"
Elesa let out a loud laugh despite the trembling hand that came up to hide her following giggles. It was all too much. Relief and laughter only added to the pile of panic her terrors had left her buried in. Even as she laughed, edging on hysteria, nothing was ok.
A hug enveloped her, soul pressing to hers, one not cracked, one still whole, one she hadn't ruined (yet), Emmet, he was still Emmet-
A small zap came through the resonance, bringing her thoughts back around. She felt the panic halve as Emmet helped bear the weight of the emotions. She saw the strain on his smile, a testament to how bad it was. "Stop. Follow safety protocol."
They just took deep breaths together for a while until the dream faded a bit from memory.
"Are you ok?"
"I think so, yeah."
"Good. Help me wake up Ingo."
\\//
Ingo clung to his brother. Emmet felt lifeless despite the beating heart Ingo could feel plainly through the hug. Despite being pressed close, he'd never felt further away from his twin as he did now.
There was no movement, no sound save for even breaths that belied no emotion. Emmet felt empty. Empty and missing an arm. As happy as he was to see that shifting meant that his wound was fully healed, that hurt too.
Emmet's dominant arm was gone. His left arm, the one that Ingo's handle was molded around. He couldn't shift and have Emmet hold him in the futile hope of igniting some spark of personality back inside him. Surely, Ingo knew it wouldn't help if the empty husk wouldn't even return his hugs. But now he couldn't be certain.
Time passed in a blur. Elesa was gone, not even trying to console him after what she'd- what they both allowed to happen. Ingo tried not to blame her. But some level of spite remained, allowing him to not go looking for her.
If Elesa wanted space, she could have Almighty Sinnoh's entire domain. Ingo was staying by Emmet. They would not be uncoupled, even if his twin's train was impossibly derailed. He'd keep hope. He had to.
Every day was a routine of dressing and feeding Emmet. Sometimes he could act as if on autopilot, cleaning up as part of their routine. Each time he did, Ingo had such hope that something would come back. His own memories had recovered in time, why couldn't his brother…
It wasn't the same. His soul was damaged.
"Do you understand?"
"What!?" Ingo turned, no longer seeing the walls of his home, but instead a white expanse filled with black, billowing smoke.
"Heed this warning." The voice spoke somewhere else, but the black obscured everything. "Thou art not invincible. Push not past your 'safety protocols'."
"Who are you!?" Ingo yelled, looking everywhere he could. "Where is Emmet!?!"
"Seek balance. Hear his truth and share thy ideals. A trio is the best combination if run properly." The voice came from everywhere at once. "Be well, Ingo."
Before he could respond, Ingo felt a pull on his very essence. Ah, so it was all a-
\\//
Ingo awoke with a start. He felt a familiar knife in his hand and a warmth in his other. Emmet was in one piece and Elesa was there. He just breathed deep, taking in the truth he could feel.
Joining their worried resonance was second nature. He was sure the emotions would come back to haunt him the moment he was alone to overthink it all. But for the moment, he just let himself be pulled into a hug as tears threatened to fall from his eyes in a mix of grief and gratitude.
.
A little ways away, a retreating dark type glanced back and caught the gaze of the younger twin. The unbridled hatred in his stare sent a shiver through the pokemon's smokey form.
Darkrai still hoped their team would heed its warning. It sure wouldn't be trying that again anywhere near the terrifyingly protective human. There was no hope of him understanding that Darkrai was acting to protect them all. And that's ok.
I was reading the black blood idea and it got me thinking… I know you mentioned that they drew the line at hurting others but, what if? Accidents can happen, there’s always that one moment of oversight that causes a mishap and everything spirals out of control. What if they do end up hurting someone? How would they end up having to cope?
Anon.
Anon I have work I can't-
(tw blood and stabbing and HEAVY angst without much comfort)
Blood, fresh blood. It felt sickening against the blade that was his soul shining forth in the moonlight. Why? Where were their safety checks?
"Elesa. Stop it."
Ingo felt terror blend with the guilt. His blade, which had been on the path toward the annoying, frustrating, terrible pokemon in their way-
"Please!" Emmet sobbed, ripping Ingo out of the anger bleeding through their connection just enough to see that they hadn't hurt their opponent. No, the soul right next to him, the arm he was pierced through-
"EMMET!!" Ingo screamed. The blood and flesh he was covered in was his brother's. The hand that held him finally stopped pressing in, but it was too late. Elesa had broken- no, they BOTH had broken the only vow that mattered. Never draw blood in battle.
"Oh how noble of you. Getting in the way so we can't corrupt your meister any further." A familiar voice practically sang from the sidelines. "But do you really think this is any better?"
Ingo knew that voice. The merchant. The one who Akari said caused all the problems in Hisui.
Volo.
"Elesa, listen. Please." Emmet's soul reached out, but the guilt and pain formed an all but physical wall between them. When that didn't work, he grabbed her arm, the one still piercing his shoulder. "We haven't lost. We can reroute."
"Emmet..." Her voice was ragged from exertion and drained of emotions lost in the turmoil within.
"Trust me." He begged, blinking through the tears. "Like I trust you."
"Do you trust her to make a matching set by stabbing your brother next?" Volo asked, leaning against his frenzied Togekiss with a taunting grin.
"QUIET!!!" Ingo's yell startled everyone as he shifted back, vaulting over his brother to try and reach Volo in a rage. "I'll kill-"
"That's the spirit! Keep that up, won't you?" Just before the blow could land, Volo and his pokemon flew upwards with incredible speed. It was as if they'd never even been there.
Ingo could only crumple to the ground, fixated on the blood that covered his hand and his very soul. He'd never had a desire for murder, but now it sat right alongside the fact that he'd stabbed someone. He could do it again. And that terrified him.
Yet somewhere in his soul, giratina's violent blood granted a counter argument. Just above a whisper. "But Volo deserves it."
All he could do was scream. Scream and wish he had never come ba-
Elesa and the newly bandaged twin sat by him, screaming along in a discordant sort of harmony. It was all they could do, but they'd still do it together.
For your soul eater AU, I rly just wanna see Elesa have a breakdown. She’s trying to stay strong and happy for Emmet and Ingo but having Ingo suddenly leave and then reappear… repressed emotions-
Ace you're brilliant!!! One Elesa breakdown (and some comfort) coming right up!
Elesa prided herself on being resilient. She never compromised on her dreams, no matter how impossible they looked. A full-time model that's also a gym leader? Yes. A meister of not just one, but two weapons? That was her! Doing the impossible!
The thing was, it never felt impossible. It took meticulous planning and a lot of safety nets behind the scenes. It took saying no to things she wanted to do and disappointing those she loved.
Most of all, it took a lot of reassurance when the doubt tried to take hold. When the pressure of it all set in and the idea of not putting out her best work threatened to consume her whole…
It wasn't hard to have two weapons, it was all but necessary! She could go to Ingo for reassurance and puns or she could go to Emmet to get bonked on the head for bad thoughts and lose to him at a game or three. Her brothers were only a piece of her support network, but they were the closest and strongest.
When one was torn away, she couldn't let herself fall. Emmet would have followed. It hurt, but she stayed strong, positive, hopeful. For him. For herself. For Ingo.
Yes, Elesa managed it well. That was, until Ingo came back. Suddenly she didn't have to be that unbreakable pillar of strength and hope. Suddenly Emmet wasn't putting all his weight on her.
Elesa missed it. Oh Arceus, she curled inwardly, hating, burying that traitorous feeling. But it only kept surfacing ever stronger. A jealousy, she thought that's what it was at first. Jealousy that Ingo was getting attention? No, that wasn't right.
All she knew was that it hurt, and slowly but surely she was crumbling.
It all broke apart when she awoke in a clinic, patched up but alone. Alone. Right, Emmet was hurt again. Alone. Of course Ingo was by his side somewhere else. Alone. Her minor injuries-alone. Alone. Alone.
A sob tore out of her throat as pressure built behind her eyes. Her breaths had to fight past involuntary stutters as her heart cried out in agony. She crumbled alone.
Colors shifted in her blurred vision, a caring yet unfamiliar voice tried to comfort her. She tried to find that strength to pretend again, to pretend she was ok. But it wasn't there. It was broken and she was swept up by the current.
Alone. She hadn't awoken without being able to sense her partners since- since the day Ingo vanished. What if they'd both vanished? What if they both left? What if they tired of her puns? What if they blamed her?
Alone. She was never this alone. She was swarmed every waking moment by calls or friends or obligations. Elesa could barely count the worried nurse before her as company. Where was the crowd? Where were the sounds? Where was the chaos?
"-Emmet-" Elesa turned when she heard the word, not catching anything else. The hand outstretched told her enough, though.
Taking the nurse's hand, Elesa was at least able to quiet the sobs that continued as they walked. It was hard to keep blinking away the endless tears, so she opted to just keep her eyes closed as she followed the nurse.
"Elesa!" The loud sound broke past the fog of her agony, but only made her retreat inwardly. Retracting her hand from the nurse, she felt another grab hers only to be shocked away.
The tip of her fingers stung from the jolt she'd given, so she hugged it close, stepping back until she hit a wall.
"Elesa?"
A familiar warmth and light approached her soul, only to meet the same fate as his hand. Her soul was in full defense mode, crackling with electricity she usually kept in check.
She hurt him. His voice sounded hurt. She'd gotten them both hurt now! Maybe she should just be alone.
A part of her recognized the spiral she was entering. It was as familiar as the one she so often fought to keep Emmet away from. It hurt, but it was stable. It was lonely, but it felt deserved. It was-
She felt another shock lash out as the other soul unsuccessfully tried to resonate with her. No, she couldn't share this with him. She couldn't let Ingo know all this. Couldn't let him feel this.
The shocks continued. Different angles, different tactics, different tones of voice demanding or pleading with her. She couldn't be reached. Elesa was alone. Alone, alone, alone-
When a pillow smacked into her almost painfully, she jolted up in shock, blinking away tears to know where it had come from.
For the first time, she studied the room. Ingo was there a little ways in front of her, seeming as surprised as she was.just beyond him was Emmet, covered in bandages and sitting up painfully. He had no pillow on the bed he was stuck in.
Emmet's eyes burned through her as he scowled. "Stop it."
Distracted, she felt the familiar soul cautiously reach out to her. In moments it was two. She didn't have the energy or desire to fight them off, even if she was afraid what their resonance would uncover.
Gloved hands that smelled like an electrical fire wiped her tears away as a kiss was pressed to her forehead. "It's ok, Elesa, you're not alone."
"And we're not going anywhere!" Emmet called from his bed.
Insecurity, that's the word. It danced along her thoughts as their resonance carefully and wordlessly questioned the state of her soul, finding answers here and there. Crying quietly into Ingo's embrace, she couldn't find any reason to push them away. These arms, this resonance, she was home.
"Lean on us."
"We've got you."
She wasn't certain who had said which line, but she felt Ingo scoop her up and move them both closer to Emmet's bed. In her mind's eye, she saw him as a mess of IV tubes and bandages and wires. The way he had when he'd taken that terrible attack for her. When she thought he'd-
Yet her fears were dispelled upon going closer. He had some bandages, sure, but otherwise looked fairly healthy. He felt healthy, if his soul's strong wavelength were to be believed.
Elesa was set down on the bed so both brothers could hug her tight. They let her crumble once more, fighting back her fears with their undeniable presence. She let herself finally feel the doubts and fears she'd held in so long. The reassurance pushed them off her shoulders one by one, leaving her almost weightless if not grounded by their heavy embraces.
"Seems you really cottonee-ded this. Tell us sooner next time." Emmet whispered. She could feel how embarrassed he was of the pun through the link, and that only made it more heartfelt.
"I'll be meinfool of that."
"You're the worst." Emmet said, his hug tightening around her and his soul flaring out like a calming shadow.
The spotlights were no longer on her. The crowds were back home. She could finally just… rest. Elesa fell asleep to them beginning to bicker with each other good-naturedly. Home. She was home.
Happy April Fools! Here's some fools (affectionate) from my Nimbasa Trio Soul Eater AU!
(What's this? Angst? Fluff? Hurt/Comfort? Yes to all. It's also a Songfic of "Change For You" by Friday Pilot's Club. I'll reblog with a link.)
22 and oh lord I'm seeing red
Emmet glared at the time displayed on his X-tranceiver. 22:00. Work at 06:00. He was running on fumes and it seemed that wasn't about to end anytime soon.
I bought a gun last night
Cause god I'm afraid of death
Shuffling the bag into his other hand to fumble for his house keys, noted the text. Guess that'd have to wait. Elesa needed him. Another frenzy.
The pang of guilt and grief plagued his heart as he retrieved the pokeballs, both his own and Ingo's. Ever since his brother's disappearance three months ago, he and Elesa couldn't resonate. All they could do was use their pokemon. And Ingo's.
Oh and I never say no
Never stay home
Never wanna stop
But I don't wanna go
Emmet hesitated at the doorway. He didn't want to go. She always had such hope that they'd get it this time. And every single time, he screwed it up and caused her to double over in pain.
What was the point? What was the damn point? He pressed his forehead to the door, gripping the handle tightly.
It only lasted a second. He ripped open the doorway and ran. Elesa needed him and he loved battles. That was enough.
…
Sorry if I'm shady, lately
You know I've been changing, crazy
Wasting away
Emmet's hat covered his eyes as he called out pokemon after pokemon. The frenzied one seemed to have endless energy. As serious as this all was, he knew it was a losing battle. Emmet wasn't having fun.
He hid his gaze for Elesa's sake, shutting down her every attempt to reach out. As annoying as it was just stalling and delaying the inevitable with max revives, it was preferable.
Arceus how much had he changed? Where was his drive to win?
Baby, lately you found you can't change me
"We can try, Emmet. Trust me!" She called over the sounds of battle. "Please!"
That same desperation, that same push as she reworked her own soul to match with his. It only fueled his guilt as he remembered all those times his hilt burned electric scars into her hand. They were still there. Still a shining proof of his failure as a weapon shifter. A failure as a brother.
Was that why Ingo had left?
And you know you can't change the truth
Emmet felt himself starting down yet another spiral when Eelektross cried out to him. It took the next blow, weathering it with blistering resolution while locking eyes with its trainer.
That's right. He couldn't change the truth that Ingo was gone. He couldn't change how much that hurt. No one could.
But he was Emmet.
But honey, I can change for you
And only Emmet could change how he handled the cards he was dealt.
Reaching out to Elesa, he let his soul match with hers. The longing, lingering pangs of rejection and feelings of inadequacy, they all hurt. But beyond them was a trust and a loyalty so strong and deep that the hope built upon it was unshakable.
For a moment his eyes darkened. The Truth softened its hold on him as he was gripped by someone so much stronger. In Elesa's steady hand, there was little doubt in Emmet's mind that she could accomplish the impossible. She was just that good.
Shifting to a knife, Emmet felt at home. She held him and he let her in. Gratitude and relief sprawled through their bond, unable to truly be told apart. It pulsed outwards, finally pushing back the frenzied opponent.
It felt like home.
Emmet shifted back before the searing agony of regret could cause too harsh a recoil.
Honey, I can change for you
He gave Elesa an apologetic smile before marching forward. The Rift Energy left behind by the quelled frenzy was priority. Her words, not his.
Scooping the floating ghostly orb of yellow towards his heart, Emmet felt his sadness fade ever so slightly. In its place came resolve.
Honey, I can change for you
Elesa watched Emmet's eyes dim from his usual dark silver to a deeper gray. There was meaning there, but she couldn't place it. She could only hope it wasn't anything to worry about.
…
Too late for me to come around
Emmet took the next day off. Sleepless nights weren't doing him any favors and his pokemon needed to recoup.
There was nervous energy that wouldn't let him stay home, so he walked the city. He passed Elesa's gym a couple times, almost considering bugging her (pun not intended), but she always looked busy.
Oh and I'm so fucked up
And everybody's bringing me down
He tried not to let it bother him, but he kept feeling eyes on him. Emmet wished people would stop it. They regarded him with wary eyes or confusion. Because he dared wear black today.
The kindest of them thought he was Ingo. Some stopped him to check. The worst, well…
Oh is it all about me
All the money
All about always wanting more
Emmet made the mistake of looking at the tabloids while in line at a store. He knew better, but he just wanted a snack and they were right next to the candy.
His brother's profile took up a rather big square on most of the covers. In others, the worst of his own creepy smiles looked back at him. Theories, gossip, all twisting around the gaps in the facts to insinuate he had something to do with it.
Look how many more battles he won since the disappearance. Look how he continues to smile. Look how close they used to be.
Always want more, more
Didn't they know he'd gladly lose every match for the rest of his life if he could just see his brother again!?
So what if some people saw him crying over a chocolate bar on the way out of the store. Some small part of him wanted to see how they'd spin it this time.
"Sorry if I'm shady, lately
You know I've been changing, crazy
Wasting away"
Text Sent.
It wasn't long before Elesa burst into his apartment. Worry was painted on her face. Emmet belatedly considered that his text could have been worded a bit less… depressingly.
Elesa approached him cautiously, like he might break at any moment. Or worse, run or lash out. Sitting on the couch, she left a distance that spoke to how much they'd changed. How much the Ingo-shaped hole was wedged between them.
Baby, lately you found you can't change me
And you know you can't change the truth
"You can't change me. And you know you can't change the truth." Emmet said flatly, looking up to face her with a tight smile.
Elesa reached out with both hand and soul, a plea.
But honey, I can change for you
"But I can change for you." His smile grew wide as he pulled out a nerf gun he'd hidden between his leg and the end of the couch. "Let's make new memories to resonate to, here and now!"
Tears glistened in Elesa's bewildered eyes as she took the toy gun. He quickly pulled out another and gave her very little time to recoup before pelting her with a bunch of foam bullets.
"You shoot meister? Shoot her like target!? Oh, oh! Jail for Emmet! Jail for One thousa-"
Emmet reloaded and hit her on the forehead. "No memes!"
Honey, I can change for you
"Puns it is then!" She smiled, unleashing an endless stream of bullets and puns, chasing after him when he tried to escape (he was just getting more ammo, as he'd later defend).
Honey, I can change for you
The laughter that rang through the room as they battled filled their hearts with more joy than they'd expected. The sound mixed with thuds of diving for cover and the patters of running and crawling after more bullets. The little spring noises and subsequent over-the-top faked sounds of pain soon devolved into only panting and giggles as they ran out of energy.
Neither kept score, so it wasn't anything either of them won. But they both were adamant they had. Ironically, that shared self-assuredness was the key to bridging that final hurdle.
They let each other in.
Out of sorts and oh lord
We're turning blue
But we found a strange way
Of saying the same thing
With nothing to lose
"I miss him." Elesa admitted, pressing her side to Emmet's. It was the first time she'd said it aloud to him.
"I do too." Emmet said, pulling what he hoped was the last bullet out of Galvantula's mouth. She really would eat anything.
Turning, he pulled Elesa into a side hug, leaning his head on hers when she rested against his shoulder.
Their souls blended, accepting their shared grief for once. Neither tried to deny or fix it. They sat with it, then let it go when a happy spark of a memory passed between them.
…
A third nerf gun lay unopened in Ingo's room. Hope in its purest form. But the unopened box did not stop them from playing. It wouldn't stop them from living.
..
And one day, a perpetual frown would become a mischievous grin, ready to start an unexpected nerf war.
(here you go! Now you can join me in having way too many emotions over this song :> also there's one swear in it at 1:05 if anyone wants to skip that idk)
(aka me putting metaphors inside of metaphors because I cannot be stopped. Angst free!)
Ingo
His soul is a brilliant white that naturally casts him in shade.
If resonated with, his inner sanctum is a train car with windows that only serve as large lights. You cannot see out of them.
This is slightly unnerving because the train feels like it is headed upwards. Not steeply, but always uphill.
In the many lights, he casts a lot of shadows.
For all the slight weirdness, entering the train car gives the dream-like impression that it's headed somewhere better. That excitement of going on a vacation or a journey.
It's warm. Comfortably warm in both a sense of heat and warm in a welcoming way.
Emmet
His soul is dark but illuminated, like a thunderstorm, like a rainy walk home by a flickering streetlight, like a phone screen in the dead of night.
Resonating with him opens the door to a dark train car that occasionally passes by lamps or lit billboards. The only reliable light comes from the electronics he has on him.
Even with the view of the tunnel outside, it takes a while to notice that the train is always descending ever so slightly.
Entering the train car gives the vague impression of indifference or slight impatience. It can be off-putting.
The car is cold. Not enough to be chilly or shiver, but enough to want something. It's cold in a lonely sense too.
(Emmet wants other people around, but tries to deny this. The complicated emotions make his soul tough to resonate with even before the split)
Elesa
Electric-attuned soul thanks to her pokemon
Resonance with Ingo recontextualizes the bright windows as photo lights.
The train car can expand into a catwalk, lights dimming or flickering like cameras.
She'll take Ingo along, having him follow her poses, sharing the limelight with him in a way that doesn't make him feel nervous. Sharing her world with him.
Resonance with Emmet brings the power back on in his train car.
That means light, heat, and music. Whatever song is currently stuck in her head is now his problem too.
Thankfully they have similar taste in music.
Two words: Dance Parties.
When they resonate, they dance. The pace depends on the music and how they're feeling, but it's usually like absolute idiots.
With both:
The train car follows level ground. The sights outside showcase places any of them remember fondly (this includes the subway tunnels)
It feels like home.
She likes twirling them around, dancing, and stopping to pose.
Also trio dances. Choreographed routines. Over the top mushy dances that end in giggles. Internet dances. Acting out music videos.
Just. Fun. Having fun. They blend everything they have and enjoy with an unbreakable trust that carries them ever onward.
Nimbasa Trio Soul Eater AU: Part *vague hand motions* 4 or something
(set after reunion and the routine maintenance. Warning for depressive spirals and self-destructive behavior.)
(This one focuses more on Elesa and Ingo.)
"Emmet!"
Elesa's screech rang out along the subway tunnels as she felt her partner's hands fall away from her ears. He'd shifted to block out the Uproar attack for her, taking it point blank instead.
She felt the panic rise from Ingo's soul and quickly reasserted her self-confidence before she could join him. This was normal. Emmet did this often.
"He never did before." The white blade in her hand spoke up, showcasing Ingo's usual frown in the reflection. The new emotion that flowed through the link shocked her.
Anger.
"Does he want to get hurt?"
Elesa felt like she was on a train that was speeding up dangerously. It brought adrenaline to her veins and an edge of panic to her grip. That wasn't going to help matters, and her attempts to calm them both down wasn't working.
Well. Guess honesty was her only option.
"Yes."
She gripped the knife fiercely and dodged an attack, gritting her teeth as she fought fiercely to keep on resonance with him. It took everything she had just to reach Ingo as he pulled inward, away from her.
For the first time, she was grateful for Emmet's many depressive spirals. She could navigate it, pulse her soul at just the right frequency, cling to their link with everything she had. Just like with Emmet. Two peas in a pod.
\\\
The train car was bright and missing the carved lines she was so accustomed to in Emmet's soul. This one was pristine, yet dusty. It looked unused.
There was no scenery outside, the windows acting as spotlights for the lonely carriage. Ingo sat in one seat, no longer the man she knew so well but the child she remembered meeting years ago. The one that worked with his brother to save her and a whole crowd of people.
Seeing him now, still gangly with arms and legs like noodles, it was hard to envision him as that same hero of hers. He looked small, especially the way he hugged his knees, curling up like he was trying to disappear from the harsh lights.
"Ingo." She heard her voice come out just a bit different. She was young as well, meeting him where he was.
"I did this. I broke my brother."
The train warped, spreading apart so Ingo was no longer a handful of steps away. The distance made him look like a spec on the horizon, yet his words reached just as clearly.
Right, she'd almost forgotten. For every similarity they shared, the twins were opposites in just as many ways. Ingo could use her own resonance against her, while Emmet usually just shut it out.
"Ingo, you didn't-" she had to shield her eyes as the light got brighter.
"He depended on me. I didn't push him to be independent enough."
Elesa took a step forward blindly, then another, letting him speak as she concentrated.
"I'm his older brother. I should have known better. I should have pushed you two to be partners without me from the start, I-"
Elesa reached him, enveloping his small form in a hug made softer with her large yellow jacket. "It's ok."
"I should have done more. Maybe if I'd never been-"
"Stop." Her voice crackled with electricity, dimming the lights back to usual levels so she could fix him with a heavy glare.
Ingo only looked to the floor.
"You're important, he's important, we're all a team. We just have to remind him of that." She held a hand out to Ingo, softening her gaze and giving him a smile. "Are we agreed on our destination?"
Ingo wiped at his tears and took her hand.
///
Flaring to life, their resonating souls expanded to encompass both Elesa and Emmet. With a crackle of electricity, a density surrounded them against the oncoming Air Slash.
"That was quite a strong attack!" She found herself complimenting their opponent as she struck a pose with the blade outstretched. "I can see you're Archen for a fight, so sorry to keep you waiting!"
Taking off towards the pokemon, if only to put distance between it and Emmet, Elesa felt a bubbling gratitude within her. She was glad Ingo was back, thankful he existed in her life.
The gratitude flowed back easily, reverberating off the walls as they looped back and forth. The gratitude for her came like soft unspoken highlights of each aspect of her personality.
People called Ingo the darker twin, and perhaps that was true in some fashion. But Elesa knew him, knew he was the man cast in shadow by the gorgeous spotlights he put upon others. He was the lighting crew, the cameraman, the one channeling the charge both she and Emmet produced into something new.
He was grounding, he was purpose, but all for others. Not in a self-hating way either, but in a proud older brother way. Ingo stood back to let others shine by his light.
She loved him and Ingo loved her. It wasn't a love one saw in movies, more the love one might have for a movie. A love for the emotions and memories and importance such a thing had on one's life. It was love like sentimentality in full bloom. It was love like confidence and trust in oneself expanded outwards to fit another.
Words and thoughts did little to help them express it fully. That's where Emmet's influence settled in. Express it through action when words and tone fail.
A huge pulse of loving gratitude shook through the tunnel. The frenzied pokemon took a step back to shield itself, only to find the yellow light fading out of it. Calm overtook the area finally as the pokemon flew off.
Elesa dropped Ingo, letting him shift and sprint back to Emmet. She just… needed a quick nap.
Her Zebrika came out of its pokeball just in time to catch her and help her sit by the wall. She leaned heavily on her pokemon, letting her eyes slip shut as she heard Ingo describing their location and Emmet's injuries. She'd feel emotions over that later.
Fatigue set in and she passed out a little before help arrived.
(this has devolved into me practically outlining a fic, apologies.)
(using They/them Akari as placeholder for player character Akari or Rei. ALSO SPOILERS FOR PLA ENDING)
Akari is a meister of sorts. They can unknowingly resonate with the help of the Arc Phone
Between their soul pulsing out their good intentions and the balms reminding the Nobles of their wardens, the frenzies can be quelled
Ingo feels a kinship with Akari, but also a drive to protect them. He chalks it up to them being a child. Of course everyone wants to protect a child.
*COUGHexceptKamadothejerkCOUGH*
Ingo doesn't remember being a weapon shifter, but instincts take over when a meister is in danger.
Akari once fell from very high up in the Highlands, only to be caught by Ingo. Neither were certain how the blades in his arms showed up, but said blades dug into the cliff and kept them both from continuing the fall so...
It didn't last long. Soon they both slipped and-
And Akari was alone, falling again but now had a knife? Something told them to jab it into the cliff
The two had only one goal: protection. Their souls matched wavelengths and intensified until the simple knife scratching at the rock face glowed red.
It partly melted the rocks, allowing for a slowed descent, yet the heat didn't affect Akari at all.
I chose cyndaquil, so I like to think Akari has a fiery soul.
Could do three separate scenes...
Rowlet-choice Akari finds vines growing where the blade touches and is able to grab on
Oshawatt-choice Akari finds the blade darkening and with a single hit at just the right crevice, is able to abruptly stop their fall. (Ceaseless Edge)
No matter how, Akari safely gets down and Ingo transforms back. Despite many questions, he's unable to answer any or repeat the experience
Plus they've gotta beat up an alpha
They both put the mystery aside until the sky breaks and Akari is banished.
Ingo finds Akari and wordlessly becomes a blade once more for them. As a pearl clan warden, he cannot assist. But as a knife he can at least be sure they won't fall again.
It takes a while for Akari to realize the knife is for left-handed use and not just Weird (the knife is a human person, it's already Weird)
"I want to tape you to a roomba." "A what?" "You can talk? As a knife?" "We're derailing here, Akari, what in the world is a roomba?"
Ingo just be chilling through the red chain fetch quest. I'd like to imagine that Azelf gets them both so annoyed that they resonate out of shared frustration.
They're able to lob a gigaton ball as if it were a jet ball thanks to the resonance. It bonks Azelf on the head.
Ingo stays with them even through to the dialga/palkia fight, but deflecting attacks and resonating keeps bringing back wisps of memories and it's distracting them both.
"I must decouple from this train. It was an honor, Akari." Ingo transforms back and shields them from an attack while they ready another balm.
A second of hesitation leads to a quick hug from Ingo. "I'm proud of the heights you've climbed. Set your course to victory on the Singles Train now and we'll battle again."
Akari defeats Dialga/Palkia alone.
Ingo stays at the Training Grounds and refuses to speak on what happened, focused only on facilitating pokemon battles.
(he's remembered just enough for it to really hurt. He misses two people dearly but knows he can't reach them. All he can do is lose himself in pokemon battles)
Akari is crushed but makes a lot of time to battle him anyways. It seems to cheer him up at least a little.
Their training pays off when facing Volo and Giratina.
Finally after catching Arceus, Akari and Ingo are allowed to return home.
Ingo's timing is impeccable because it's just as his brother and Elesa are about to get their butts handed to them
Akari does end up finding Ingo again after returning home. They get to hold Emmet in knife form for all of one second before "Roomba?" "Make me Stabby the Roomba! :)"
Chaos duo Akari and their immediately-adopted uncle Emmet are immune to Parental Glares from Ingo and Elesa.
Aunt Elesa teaching Akari a random assortment of modeling tips, meister stuff, and how to become a gym leader. They listen, never really bringing up that they're already a Champion back home. More fun to be Just a Kid in Unova than the Champion of Sinnoh or the Hero of Hisui.
Thanks to @whatdoesntkill-ya 's idea of platonic weapon care and @manchasama 's talk of resonating a lot after reuniting...
Nimbasa Trio Soul Eater AU, Routine Maintenance
(hurt/comfort but mostly comfort. Previous part here)(continued here)
Elesa took in a breath to prepare herself. "Guys," she started, noticing Emmet already on edge from her tone alone. She failed to elaborate, holding up the honing rod instead.
"No." Emmet said, getting to his feet.
"Just honing, no sharpening." She promised, holding her hands out placatingly.
"I will go first if it puts you at ease." Ingo offered, putting down his book to stand as well.
Emmet began pacing in a straight line, back and forth, thinking it over while working off the anxiety.
When a familiar soul blended with his own, the reassurance that flooded through the link made him sigh in relief. He continued pacing while talking.
"I am Emmet. I will not go last. Honing ONLY." He finished his walk reaching out a hand to Elesa, shifting into a blade in moments.
Ingo followed her to the kitchen, glad to notice the whetstone left forgotten on another counter. He recalled faintly the early days of Emmet and himself caring for each other's weapon forms. Neither of them had been very good at it, and it hurt so much to get it wrong.
Gratitude flooded Ingo when he heard the gentle sound of steel against ceramic. The practiced motions were perfect and he knew Emmet was safer in her hands than his own. It was a wonderful feeling.
Ingo knew that his disappearance had taken a toll on the both of them. Yet the ordeal, much like the unsettling roughness of a whetstone, had left the two sharper. They seemed so refined together, no longer waiting for him to soothe their souls into alignment.
"Bravo, Emmet." Ingo took a step forward, finally blending with the other two that accepted him readily.
"See, not so bad!" Elesa said, setting down the honing rod and taking a look at Emmet's edge. "Much better!"
Ingo didn't expect the sudden flood of emotion when Emmet shifted back and encased their meister in a hug. The tell-tale shuddering breaths told him that Emmet was crying, even as his back was towards Ingo.
"Did it hurt?" Ingo reached forward, stopping when Emmet froze up. For just a second, he felt- not unwelcome, but unexpected.
"No. It did not hurt." Emmet said, closing his soul off from them both as if to save face.
"Emmet," Elesa patted his back gently. She turned to Ingo and continued when the one in her arms gave no reply. "He'd get scared that doing this too often would end in you two not matching anymore."
"That's no reason not to perform routine maintenance!" Ingo yelled a bit too loud.
"You were not here." Emmet let go of Elesa and stomped off. He threw an icy glare over his shoulder at Ingo, warning him that the conversation was over.
Ingo felt a hand slip into his, both stopping him from going to Emmet and reassuring him.
"He'll be alright. I just… used that phrase too much while you were gone, 'routine maintenance'." Elesa said gently. "He neglected himself a lot."
Ingo was reminded of the darkened subway car in their soul space. What "mess" he'd made had remained a mystery.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. But he's a Herdier than before. Simisear to you."
Ingo laughed loudly and almost missed the groan from the other room. "Those were terrible! I've missed your puns!"
"Terrible, huh?" She teased, gripping his hand tightly. "My my, how blunt you've gotten."
Still holding his hand, she walked over to the counter to grab the whetstone.
"Ah. You only promised Emmet no sharpening, I see." He tried to keep the fear out of his voice.
"You're overdue for it. By a lot." Her tone was apologetic, but her grip told him he wasn't getting out of it.
Panic crept in unbidden at the feeling of being trapped. It was made worse by his stern refusal to pull his hand away. She would worry if he did that. Yet the fear mounted the longer he stood transfixed on the hand holding his. It wasn't even tight anymore, he logically knew he could ask her to give space. But he couldn't do that.
He'd already had space, the entire vastness of Hisui to be exact. The guilt over leaving the team, the family, he had here wouldn't go away. Even if he had no choice. He'd had no choice. He'd been trapped and now he was trapped and-
///
"Breathe, brother."
The familiar train, it was dark again, trembling along some unseen track.
"Ingo. You have to breathe."
Finally taking the words to heart, Ingo felt blessed oxygen return to his lungs. It burned, but he continued.
The train around him slowly brightened as the outside windows stopped showing empty subway walls and opened up to a vast land in the midst of a vibrant sunrise. It looked like Hisui, but the buildings in the distance were the distinct outline of Nimbasa. It was a blend of both places he'd considered home.
Warmed and calmed, Ingo looked inside the now-illuminated train. He regretted it instantly. Deep cuts were gouged into every surface, be it the walls, the handrails, the seat cushions, or the floor.
"Emmet, what-"
"I counted." The shape beside him said blankly. "Every single day."
Ingo couldn't respond, but when a pang of guilt tried to surface, his brother put a hand up to stop it. He didn't look at Ingo, instead walking to the nearby windows.
Emmet knelt on one of the torn cushions, admiring the view outside. "You were somewhere verrry pretty. I like it. Hisui, right?"
"Yes. Ingo mirrored his brother, letting the scene outside shift to the various lands he'd seen. Nimbasa always stood out on the horizon, juxtaposed against the serene landscapes like a lighthouse's torch amidst crashing waves.
Emmet leaned against his brother, basking in the fact he was home. He'd never have to find room for another tally mark.
\\\
Ingo awoke in his knife form, safely cradled in a hug against his brother's chest. He would have voiced some concerns, but Elesa broke his attention away.
"Is he alright?"
"Yes. Ingo is fine now."
They let her in, enjoying the slight feeling of static as her soul matched their wavelength and a reassuring trust bounced around the three of them.
"My apologies for derailing. I should be ok now for sharpening."
"Only if you're sure."
"I'm not Sure, I'm Ingo."
Emmet stood suddenly, opening the dishwasher. "One more pun! One. More. Pun!" He stared daggers at Ingo before putting him into the utensil rack.
"Emmet no!"
"I'll break it and you'll do all the dishes by hand." Ingo warned.
"Ingo don't you dare!" Elesa pushed Emmet out of the way and picked up his twin, whispering softly. "I'll axew nicely this time."
"That's it. I'm throwing you both in." Emmet swept Elesa up into a bridal carry and began trying to put her into the open appliance. The resulting chaos had them all laughing so hard that they couldn't really be upset when the dishwasher door broke at the hinges.
*flips two tables* Back by popular demand! Nimbasa Trio Soul Eater AU Reunion Scene!
(No pokemon are hurt beyond status effects. Knife boys are knice boys.) (Continued here)
...
"I like a good challenge! But this is ridiculous!"
"We do seem pretty eevee-nly matched." Elesa agreed, smiling at the mild annoyance she felt through their connection. The puns helped keep her just a bit cocky to match Emmet. Or was it him who raised his confidence to match hers? When they resonated like this it was hard to tell.
Emmet's smile was visible in the glint of the blade she held. Her other hand clenched around-
Nothing.
The sudden pang of grief had them both recoiling at the worst possible moment.
"Dodge!" Emmet's voice cried out as a fireball came at them. She couldn't move fast enough, so she braced herself for the burn.
It never came. The knife in her hand shifted in time to protect her. Emmet's pained grimace broke as he swore harshly. Elesa couldn't see how badly he was hurt with him facing her.
"Emmet!" She held out her arm.
"Verrrry bad timing, Elesa. Get serious!" He clapped a hand to hers, flashing a reassuring grin.
Moving her arm to her side as he shifted, she stared down their opponent with renewed vigor. Static crackled around her and she felt a smile creep onto her lips.
It was different, beautifully so, to only resonate with Emmet. She refused to think on what they'd lost. On who they'd lost. Instead they focused on gratitude.
That was the symphony they played as they moved, slicing through the frenzied Hydreigon's fireballs before they could hit. Occasionally their collected friction allowed them to unleash their own sort of Thunder Wave.
Which would have been great if only the pokemon would stop FLYING!
"Throw me!"
"No!"
"We're getting nowhere! You're tired!"
"It's calmed down some! Weavile be ok!"
"You are the worst!" Ah, he was laughing at that one. It wasn't exactly a joyful one, moreso an incredulous reaction to her joking at a time like this. But Elesa counted it as a win.
And Emmet loved the feeling of winning.
"You're right, though. We have to get closer and finish this fast!" Elesa changed course from dodging in a circle around the dragon type to running straight at it.
"All Aboard!" They yelled in unison, jumping high into the air and latching onto the pokemon as it tried to take flight. The static electricity finally hit, paralyzing the huge Hydreigon.
Except it failed to use fly. And they were right under its massive size as it began to fall.
Emmet felt the idea before it happened and tried to voice his opposition, but couldn't. He hated the irony of her only NOW listening to him.
Before the pokemon could complete its inadvertent body slam onto them, Elesa threw Emmet to safety.
"ELESA!" He screamed out as his soul felt the connection snap. He shifted to human form and cut his hands and shoes on the concrete fighting the momentum of her throw.
His burnt back screamed in agony and he felt so deathly alone. She was only knocked out, but in his panic he couldn't sense her soul. Not again. Not again!!
As he crawled forward, the huge Hydreigon twitched and opened its fiery eyes again. Despite the crackling electricity around it, the pokemon opened its maw and readied an attack at him.
Emmet refused to blink as the bright light and heat got closer and closer. He refused to go out weakly.
But then he was yanked out of the way. Everything looked so dark after staring straight into a flamethrower attack. He thought he was seeing things.
But his soul knew. He grabbed his twin's hand, the one his weapon form was built for. Without words, they conveyed the situation.
Ingo shot a hand out, tipping his hat with the other. The knife in his hand pointed straight at the frenzied dragon.
"Bravo! You have made it very far! However, this is your stop!" Ingo yelled before running toward the opponent at an angle, drawing its attention away from Elesa.
His quick jumps and speedy turns kept him from the worst of the burns as they tried to wear out the pokemon's stamina.
///
Inside, Ingo tread carefully into the familiar soul space. It was a train car, speeding along some vast darkness. He could vaguely remember it being brighter.
A shape in the darkness shifted, backing away from him.
"Emmet."
"You won't like it." The shape said in that empty tone he recognized so well.
"What?"
"I've made a mess." Ingo wished he could see his brother's face. He expressed through body language where words failed, and words were certainly failing.
\\\
Ingo gave up on trying to resonate, deciding the best course was to steam ahead until the frenzy wore off. He had a lot of endurance thanks to his time in Hisui.
His time in Hisui told him that time wasn't going to quell the frenzy, but he ignored that.
"Ingo, Emmet!"
Ingo dodged a fireball, changing tracks. He felt both his and Emmet's souls leap in relief as they ran to their meister, their friend, their sister!
It was a strange feeling, one he hadn't experienced once in Hisui. But it was so familiar and instinctive, it felt like home. A small smile shone in the knife in Elesa's left hand while a brilliant smile shone mirrored to the right.
\\\
Elesa danced into the soul train, lights shining on her like spotlights. As she reached out a hand, Emmet stood and joined her.
Ingo saw his brother was in a wrinkled suit. His cheeks had heavy tear stains and he looked tired beyond words, but he still glided along in a silent dance with her.
As she held out the other hand, Ingo held her hand and twirled beneath it, striking a pose beside her. He mirrored his brother's stance perfectly.
///
Relief. Relief, belonging, love beyond measure, a sense of home, a sense of safety, and a warm hope for the future all blossomed forth from their trio of souls. It spread like an unseen wave of goodwill, crashing into the frenzied pokemon and far, far beyond.
The glow around the pokemon shattered in a burst of yellow, briefly lighting up the night sky like stars.
The quelled pokemon nodded its thanks and curled up to take a nap.
"Haha! We won!" Emmet was the first to break the silence. It eased the worries for about three seconds before he passed out from his injuries, caught by both Elesa and his brother.
As they eased him down against a nearby wall, Ingo noted Elesa also making pained noises. Despite her best efforts to suppress them, they were obvious.
Careful not to agitate either of their injuries, Ingo sat between the both of them, allowing them both to lean against him.
"Bravo, Elesa. Bravo, Emmet." He gave them little side hugs after saying each of their names. "You're both so very strong."
"Don't think you're getting out of an explanation." Elesa warned, though it wasn't very forceful with the exhaustion finally hitting her all at once.
"I wouldn't even klink about it."
"I hate you both." Emmet groaned out softly, but his gentle smile as his breathing evened out again told the opposite.
Nimbasa Trio Soul Eater AU worldbuilding bullet points:
(it got long... I'm not a concise person.)
Tell me if you want a drabble on any point made below or have any questions. It's all my brain can focus on right now, apparently.
Basics:
Gym Leaders play the role of local defenders as per usual. They typically attune to one type of pokemon, allowing their soul to take on small aspects of them over time.
Weapon Shifters are a bit of an enigma. Some claim it comes from attuning with steel types, but that's a guess. Whatever the case, they have the rare ability to resonate with a powerful soul when held. They come in endless forms.
Frenzied pokemon can pop up anywhere, but they can be dealt with either by tiring them out or having a meister-weapon pair* resonate with enough positive emotions to quell it. It is a duty shared by anyone with pokemon or shifting ability to deal with the issues and keep things safe.
*or trio
Elesa
Grew up just wanting to be a model alongside cute pokemon
Was part of a crowd that a frenzied pokemon attacked while in her teens. As the only one with a pokemon, she pushed to the front to try and protect everyone.
It didn't do much, but she did stall long enough for two twins to burst onto the scene
The way they swapped forms in complete sync in order to dodge the attacks felt like a work of art. It inspired a new dream in her, to showcase both beauty and power.
She didn't see the end of the fight as the crowd was rushed to safety.
Worked towards becoming an electric-type gym leader.
As her soul attuned to electricity, she found herself able to control hair frizz not only in herself but others as well. Bad hair day? Go see Elesa.
Later met the twins after one of her first modeling events and shocked everyone around by asking for THEIR autographs
Became fast friends with the twins, but the idea of them needing a meister never crossed any of their minds.
Tried her hand at being a meister with another weapon shifter, but couldn't resonate well despite their best efforts.
During one difficult frenzy that involved many people, she found herself synchronized with her friends and before she knew it, they were resonating!
Keeps very busy with her multiple jobs but loves every moment of it.
Resonance with both twins: can use a move similar to Volt Switch, completely changing course mid-stride. Very fast and balanced emotionally.
Resonance with just Emmet: Can collect friction while running to unleash a static shock similar to Thunderwave. Smug, wild grinned pun master who is much more reckless and self-sacrificial.
Resonance with just Ingo: can momentarily make their resonating souls solid, acting as the move Protect. Somewhat more reserved and patient, yet will loudly compliment friend and foe alike.
Emmet & Ingo
Utility (Kitchen) Knife Weapon Shifters. Ingo's hilt is white and Emmet's is black. (Compliments the outfit of the other)
While they are liable to threaten, their blades have never drawn blood. (Careless nicks while cutting veggies don't count.)
Yes they've put themselves into the dishwasher before. Ingo has sworn Emmet to silence on the exact number of times.
Could shift since birth, grew up thinking it was normal.
Fell in love with trains and pokemon battling from a young age.
Pretended to be bisharps a lot.
Only considered using their shifting abilities when they saw a frenzied pokemon nearly derail a train.
Learned to resonate with one another at a young age. Not strong enough to quell a frenzy, but enough to run dizzying circles around any enemy.
Didn't really recall that one girl they saved during that one frenzy attack, so having a MODEL ask for THEIR autograph years later? Ingo nearly fainted.
Ingo had such a big squish on Elesa he had to Contemplate things. (It turns out he just knew she was a perfect soul to resonate with)
Emmet got a little obsessed with battling her. To the point he'd get a little sad on days they couldn't battle. (Their combined excitement during pokemon battles kept aaaalmost making them resonate and it was an addictive feeling)
Common knowledge said meisters could only handle one weapon, so it went without saying that neither could be her weapon.
At least until one difficult fight. They worked together as a team and when they realized "wait. The three of us are resonating!" the resulting relief and joy that exploded out quelled the frenzied pokemon.
They work as Subway Masters, and this sometimes means one will arrive late when Elesa needs them. They trust that her team is strong enough to delay until they can both arrive.
Both are very protective of Elesa, but trust her immensely. If she doesn't say to take the blow for her, they don't.
(This changes after Ingo disappears. Emmet refuses to lose her as well.)
Ingo and Emmet can shift into identical looking knives.
On inspection, Ingo's hilt has indents for left-handed use, and vice versa for Emmet.
This is useful when wielding each other, as Emmet is left-handed and Ingo is right-handed.
Elesa is their meister/technician. As a gym leader she utilizes soul resonance with the twins to calm down frenzied pokemon.
(I don't wanna world build but idk the frenzies are caused by bad soul wisps something something spiritomb?)
It's usually peaceful though so the most they typically shift is when Ingo uses Emmet as a cooking knife.
Emmet jokes that he has a blunt personality because of Ingo.
...
During PLA, Ingo forgets he can shift.
Emmet spends an unhealthy amount of time in knife form. (I headcanon weapons can go without food when they're not human)
It takes a LONG time for Elesa to resonate with Emmet alone, and while they both get hurt a lot in the process, they're both determined.
(Dunno if they get strong enough to time travel or if Ingo just gets back but...)
Either way, reunion occurs in front of a frenzied pokemon and Ingo immediately shifts to be wielded by Emmet so the two can protect people from an attack.
Elesa then resonates with both of them and the calming pulses flood the whole area with a lasting sense of familial love and incredible relief.
