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Everstone Statue pt 1

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There is a statue of a man on mount coronet. Everstone details forever unbroken. The way it was made, an impossible construction, unknown to all. How did such a thing come to be? And what happens when an eternal stone cracks?

Can also be read here on Ao3!

There's a statue, on mount coronet. Uncannily detailed, and incredibly strange in dress. It's made of an unknown blue-tinted stone.

It resides not far from spear pillar, standing a silent sentinel in a rocky aclove.

Tales claim it's made of everstone, to preserve the details of it. The folds of the pants. The melancholy, stern, frown. The scuffs on the shoes. The tears in the coat. The thin long feather tucked into the cap. So that the statue may never bend, may never chip, may never break.

And indeed, despite it's eternally damaged appearance, and it's many thin, fragile parts, the statue has never taken damage.

The statue was once thought destroyed in a landslide. An item of myth. Only spoken of in the few historical records, surviving after various disasters, from the turning point of Hisui to Sinnoh. Only to be seen in old photographs that survived, passed down through families.

But fifty odd years ago, it was found in an aclove previously blocked by rubble. Miraculously intact.

The same cannot be said for the plaque with it.

The plate set by the statue has been worn by hands, battle, and time in a way the statue never has. Very few words of it remain.

Warden... ...Sacrifice ... remembered... ...ensured... ...never break... ...terminal ... End...

Some of these words may have been purposefully removed. It is theorized. Because of the strikes the plague has endured, so long ago.

Nonetheless, the remaining words lead people to theorize that it is some kind of warning. That the everstone statue should never be broken 'else the end shall come. Or that it may break only when the world ends.

Many who know of the speculation surrounding the statue wonder how the statue might break. Nobody's ever managed to carve an everstone before. Some have even tried to break it themselves, having fanciful ideas such as throwing it down the mountain. But they have never, ever, come to fruition, for the statue cannot be moved either.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Sneasler's Warden is a kind man, if a strange one.

He never smiles, and has no fear of the pokemon that roam the wilds.

He says strange words and can call loud enough, people say, to be heard in the far icelands from Mount Coronet.

And he was not originally from the pearl clan.

In fact, nobody's actually certain where he came from. Including himself. For he unfortunately acquired amnesia in his arrival to Hisui. Remembering not even how old he was, or if he had any family. Only his name: Ingo.

This did not stop him from caring deeply for the people and pokemon around him. Always ready to lend a helping hand. In the absence of his memory, he made new memories. A new home. A new family.

Warden Ingo was with the pearl clan for almost eight years when the galaxy team came to Hisui's shores.

He had been in Hisui for over nine years, when the sky tore open.

It was ten, by the time a child fell from the sky.

The skyfaller landed on a beach with little memory. Only a name. "Rei". And they took to pokemon and pokeballs much like the warden had before. Surveying the lands and documenting the pokemon with joy when they can. Always ready to lend a helping hand. Unaware of the man lurking behind the scenes and fuelling unrest between people- and against them.

Unfortunately, strange lightning struck for the first time only a week after they fell, and their lack of fear of pokemon and neutral stance due to being apart of the galaxy team led to the skyfaller being the one to quell lord kleavor's frenzy, and every subsequent frenzy after that.

It would be only a manner of time before Ingo and the skyfaller met.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei thought Warden Ingo quite intimidating at first. Seeing him across the way in town, speaking to Zisu at the training yard. He was incredibly tall, despite his hunched figure, and his voice was quite loud. He was also frowning, like he was displeased. His clothes were tattered and torn and utterly strange. (Something tingled in the back of their mind that he was familiar, but that wasn't completely a good thing. This feeling would be disregarded and forgotten about.)

Originally, they planned to avoid the man for now. Rather than speak to both him and Zisu. Zisu was, after all, also intimidating. Even if they knew she was friendly.

Unfortunately, Zisu unintentionally ruined these plans by spotting them and waving them over.

"Hey! Rei! How are ya? Come meet Warden Ingo!"

The man was slightly less intimidating when he jumped at Zisu's sudden yelling and retreated into his coat, stammering "Miss Zisu, please, they're likely busy."

"Oh come on, like you come down to town enough to meet them again without waiting a few months, if that."

All he does is sigh and turn to face Rei when they arrive, tucking one arm behind his back and tipping his cap with his free hand. "Pleased to meet you, Rei. I am The Warden Ingo of The Pearl Clan." When he holds out a hand, they shake it politely, almost automatically. He's quick to retract it again though.

Zisu leans on his shoulder. "Warden Ingo's a bit like you! Nobody knows where he came from, but he's a natural with pokemon."

"Oh please, Zisu, it's not that much..." The way Ingo hides behind his hat and his ears go red is rather funny, in Rei's opinion. Such an intimidating person can't take a compliment? "I can't hear you over the stories of you wrestling with an alpha stantler~" She sing-songs.

"Those stories are greatly exaggerated and you have no proof."

Zisu rolls her eyes and pokes Ingo's arm as she focuses back on Rei. "You two should hang out sometime. Ingo knows a whole lot about pokemon! Even if he's a little weird." Ingo seems rather resigned to his fate at the moment.

"Mostly highlands pokemon of course." Zisu clarifies. "Because he spends most of the time up in the mountains with his lady." Her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper and she leans in "he can go on about sneasels for hours if you ask him the right questions. It's funny."

Rei perks up at the possibility. "He can?" The prospect of learning about new pokemon is exciting.

"Yeah! Just ask him sometime when you see him around."

"Can't he hear us right now?"

"Oh no, his hearing's going 'cause he's old."

"Oh."

Ingo, for his part, waits very patiently for them to stop whispering. He seems... Surprised? Maybe? When Rei gives him a sheepish grin and apologizes for whispering when he can't hear it. That was rude.

Rei feels better when he chuckles. "It's alright. I have, admittedly, gotten used to it. My hearing isn't as good as it could be." Somehow, they can just tell his chuckle is not meant to be in any sort of poor sport. Even as they fail to notice the ever-so-faint glimmer of pink dashing across his irises. It's probably his tone, and the words he says afterwards. The good-naturedness of it all.

Zisu straightens up. "That's because you're an old man!" She laughs.

"I'm not that old Miss Zisu." He huffs, voice amused, but his mouth still firmly frowning. Zisu sees the glimmer of humour in his eyes though, and continues to tease.

"Do you even remember how old you are?"

"Well. No-"

"Exactly! Lian called you grandpa once. Accept your old man fate, Warden."

Ingo sighs, shaking his head.

Rei is, admittedly, confused by the exchange. Fortunately, Zisu catches their bewildered look.

"Oh, Warden Ingo has amnesia like you. That's why nobody knows where he came from, or how old he actually is. Definitely an old man though."

Like them...? Is he from the same place?

Ingo raps a knuckle on his head, tone light despite the dismal subject. "Only my name was left in this empty head of mine. Makes me good at learning new things to fill it at least."

"You've... never remembered anything?" They have a few memories. They've remembered some things. They remember a lot actually! Enough to know that they shouldn't tell people they're from the future. And that they should probably give a fake name. But the thought of never remembering anything more... That's terrifying. In fact, he must see the fear on their face, because his eyebrows crease sympathetic. Or worried? Sad? It's really hard to tell.

"Nothing particularly large. Only a few small things. But!" He gently pats their shoulder, quick, yet comforting. "I'm certain you'll recover things in time! Just stay clear of the yellow line and take the necessary safety precautions so that you don't obtain more head trauma, hm?"

The smile he attempts to give them looks so ridiculous that they can't help but laugh at it. "What was that?"

"A smile?" He looks to Zisu. "That was a smile, correct?"

Zisu is also holding back laughter at Ingo's silly smile, but she nods. "Yep! That was a good one, you're getting better at it!"

Her answer seems to content him. Apparently he sucks at smiling?

Conversation continues after that, onto lighter topics, such as what brought Ingo to the village. This promptly causes him to remember that he had errands to run and he waves a hearty goodbye to Rei and Zisu.

'Ingo is nice, if weird.' Rei thinks. Though they doubt whether or not they'll see him again anytime soon.

Little did either of them know, this would be simply the first of many meetings, from coming across Ingo merely while out doing survey work, or because he's aiding others. He had been busy, previously, with his lady's kits. But now that he had more time, they ended up seeing him more. And slowly, slowly, they began to realize his strange words and habits, as well as the few memories he's shared with them, imply he's from the future. Like them.

Rei does not know how to approach the man with this thought though. They have not even told him that they remember more than him. That their name isn't actually Rei. (It's rather easy to tell one is in the past and panic into giving a false name when a signifigant historical figure is staring one in the face. Especially if in that moment one does not actually properly remember their real name.)

It is, however, incredibly funny to watch the feral old man, who they're beginning to see as a good friend, throw something and say "yeet" rather loudly in ancient Sinnoh. It is nice to have someone else who knows memes. Even if he doesn't actually properly remember them. It's also nice to have someone with a vague understanding of phones to help them when they do something and the arc phone starts acting up. Warden Ingo is officially the cool grandpa. Cool uncle? They don't know.

Point is, he's cool.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei really needs to learn to duck with lower things than they're used to. They keep bumping their head on low hanging branches and doorframes.

They swear they weren't this tall before!

<---------------------------------------------------------->

"You use they/them pronouns, correct?"

Rei jumps at the sudden voice behind them, twisting around to see Warden Ingo. "Er... yes?"

"Ah! Good. I was not mistaken then. I wished to be certain so that I am referring to you correctly."

"...O-okay?" Weird man...

Staring at Warden Ingo's retreating form, they realize they... don't actually know his pronouns either. They've just been using he/him for the odd warden.

"Hey! What are your pronouns?" Everyone else always got confused when they asked about pronouns. But maybe...?

Ingo stops, and turns, confused, but mostly surprised. (It hardly shows on his face.) "Ah. I don't actually recall my pronouns. None used have sounded particularly correct to me. People use he/him for me though. Thank you for asking!"

Somehow, they know they made his day just by asking a little thing like that.

Has anyone bothered to ask him before?

<---------------------------------------------------------->

As Rei sees more of Warden Ingo, they learn that he is weird as hell.

They ask Zisu, after they watch Ingo headbutt her and walk off, what that was about.

Apparently, it's a way he shows affection.

"If he headbutts you, it means he likes you! He's a big dork like that."

<---------------------------------------------------------->

In the end, it's Warden Ingo who approaches the topic first. When they needed a new topic of discussion after he discovered they quelled the frenzy of the diamond clan's Lady Lilligant, and apologized to them for being unable to help and not being there to even help dress their wounds. (He had been aiding Warden Gaeric in the icelands at the time. Unaware Lady Lilligant had frenzied.) They had told him it was okay and both of them had fallen into awkward silence.

So, he spoke the thoughts he had in his mind.

"I have been thinking..."

"Huh?" Rei looks up from their sandwich that Ingo made them. (Growing children need their food!) They make sure to swallow their food before asking; "Thinking?"

"Yes. Shocking, I know." He says just to make them laugh.

"What're you thinking about?"

"About the places you and I come from." He hesitates, before expanding on his thoughts. "I believe... that we may come from the same place. Or similar, at least."

They swallow another bite of their sandwich, throat feeling slightly tight. "You think?"

"Indeed! We know many of the same things, and you have less difficulty aligning your tracks to understand my strange words than most, despite our shorter time together. We both know the 'yeet's and the other sorts of jokes we share, the ones no one else does, and I possess familiarity with a device like your arc phone- fortunate given your track record with it."

"Hey! I'm not that bad!"

"No, but it is useful to have someone else who knows a bit about how something works. And the fact I know how it works proves the point- assuming that the device came from the same place as you and I."

Rei considers this, nodding. They knew it was from the same place as them, but they hadn't considered the possibility that it might not be. They need to be careful. "I think it is, yeah. F-from the same place, I mean!"

Ingo chuckles, "I understand what you mean, Rei."

"Okay." ... "So you really think we're from the same place? You think..." They glance back and forth, before leaning in, lowering their voice but knowing not to whisper. "You think you fell from the sky as well?"

Ingo nods. "I don't remember it, but... it seems possible. There was a bad storm the night I arrived, so nobody would have seen the sky cracking open." He hesitates, doubting. "It's possible I just came through a distortion though. They were happening even before the sky ripped open! But they were far less frequent. It's possible they had been happening for a while before they were even spotted, and that one of those was one I came through. I fear they may continue to happen for years after, even if the rift is closed."

"Really? Professor Laventon acted like they were more recent."

"The Galaxy Team has not been here as long as the clans have." He shrugs. "It's only natural that they do not realize how long it's been happening. Especially when in the grand scheme of things, they haven't been happening for very long at all. If one put me here, it would be the earliest known distortion. "

Rei considers this, before nodding. "That makes sense." ... "You know, I don't actually remember falling from the sky. I only know because everyone else says I did, and some people saw it. So you could have fallen from the sky too."

"Unfortunately, none were around to see it, so we don't have any way to know for certain and confirm..." The warden sighs.

They hesitate, but... "If it helps any, I've been thinking we're from the same place too."

"Really?" Ingo looks at them a bit surprised. "I am not just seeing similarities where there is none?"

"Yeah! Like if I say 'Road Work Ahead', you don't respond with confusion, you respond with-" They pause for the warden's automatic "Uh, yeah, I sure hope it does." In his hilariously deadpan delivery of it, and laugh. "Yeah! Or if I say- 'How much money do you have?'"

"Sixty-Nine Poke."

"Uh! You know what that means!" They continue, just to hear the wettest, soggiest, funniest, "I don't have enough money for chicken nuggets." That causes them both to break down in laughter, Rei's laughter being contagious for Ingo. Even as he gives them an affectionate gentle headbutt. The man truly has a gift for vocal tones, even when he lacks in the facial expression department. He's just so easy to tell what he's feeling, as long as you get him talking.

Unfortunately, in collapsing on eachother in fits of giggles, they fail to notice the figure that overheard their conversation slinking away. Their footsteps hidden by Ingo's booming laughter.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Staring up at the Pokemon before them, Rei only had one thought in their mind:

The stories of Ingo wrestling an alpha stantler were NOT, in fact, exaggerated. Like he insisted.

In fact, they're understating it, if anything.

They are 100% certain that the pokemon looming before him is the biggest Wyrdeer Alpha they have ever seen.

They had seen the old man across the fieldlands, locked in combat with an alpha wyrdeer. Evenly matched, or being overpowered, as he shoved back against it's antlers. Grunting with the effort.

His coat was nowhere to be seen, nor were his pokemon or pokeballs.

Rei had yelled, running in to help, readying a pokeball.

Except when Ingo heard the shout, he had tapped the Wyrdeer's antlers, and it allowed him up. He even patted it!

It's name is Stanley, apparently. And they enjoy wrestling together.

They are friends. Ingo was not being mauled. Wrestling with pokemon is familiar to him from his past, apparently. Which is insane. Who wrestles pokemon? Was he some kind of fighting type trainer? They tend to be insane enough for it...

<---------------------------------------------------------->

It was often that when Rei found Ingo in Jubilife, which Zisu noted was a more often than usual occurence now. ("Usually it takes him months- heck, sometimes half a year- to come back here from that mountain! He must really like you.") That he was also hanging out with Zisu, who enjoyed battling with him and Rei.

Rei asked once, and Zisu admitted she's pretty sure Ingo only really came to Jubilife and dealt with the people there because of her and the professor. Despite being the head of the security corps, she didn't get out in the field as much as she could. Too busy assisting in Jubilife training security corps and survey corps (and their pokemon!) alike to do tasks such as watch camps and things. Apparently, Ingo has tea with Professor Laventon sometimes. Which is kind of weird, because Ingo told them once he, and everyone else, is fairly certain he was at least fifty or sixty upon arriving to Hisui, so he was much older now. Which is a lot older than they think the professor is. Unlike...

Unlike who? Did they know a professor before? That might make sense, with how quickly they found themself trusting Professor Laventon upon him announcing he was a professor to him. Trying to pull up the figure though, only brought to mind a stern but kind figure with a bushy white beard visually.

It also brought up... feelings of familial affection? They think? Like how one would feel about a grandpa. Was their grandpa a professor? That... doesn't sound quite right...

Nevermind that, Warden Ingo is here! Rei stops beside the training grounds to watch the battle, where Ingo (obviously, he brought his alpha basculegion, fish, with him today,) wins. He says the same thing every time, much to Rei and Zisu's amusement. "We have won this time, but your talent is very strong! Your tactics...reading... You have great skills. That's right! We would like to battle you again and again!"

Like usual, Ingo moves to say something more, but stops, the script running out of tracks before it's end. The 'we' he always uses is a little funny too, but it's sweet he refers to himself and his pokemon together in and at the end of battle.

This time, he redirects the script, bowing to Zisu. "Thank you for allowing Fish and I to battle together against you. I know alphas can be intimidating to battle against."

Zisu just laughs and waves him off while she tends to her pokemon. "It's always nice to battle against you, Ingo! Alpha pokemon or not. I wish we could do it more often!"

"Ha! I'm uncertain Commander Kamado would appreciate my coming into the village so often." Ingo's voice is warm despite his words, as he pats the alpha coiled around him and offers her a berry before he tends to the rest of his pokemon. Fish doesn't actually have a pokeball, she just really likes Ingo. And Zisu's permission is enough to allow the partnered alpha into the village.

"A pity." Zisu huffs. "The security corps could really learn something from battling you. And I know you like battling."

"Maybe you could do something like Arezu?" Rei pipes up in offering. "She comes and cuts hair in the village and she's from diamond clan, why can't you set up a station here where you come and battle?"

Ingo hesitates. "I'm unsure..."

"Yeah! You've told me about some of your ideas for battle challenges!" Zisu agrees. "It'd be great for the security corps to test their skills against things like that path of tenacity idea you have!"

"Path of Tenacity?" Rei asks, and ends up enjoying one of Ingo's rambly explanations that they think are really fun to listen to. Especially since he lets them contribute their thoughts alongside Zisu's interjections! They'd love to see Ingo more often, and since he would theoretically be stationed at the training grounds, they'd have an excuse to speak with Zisu more often as well!

They don't think they used to enjoy battling as much, but competing with Ingo and Zisu, who are just so full of passion, makes friendly battles and getting stronger really fun- not just important for survival in Hisui. And so they're all for it when others come listen to their discussions of battle challenges and tentatively (some more confident with their partners than others, since Rei fell and Ingo started coming to the village more often) offer their agreement and interest in the challenge. Even Captain Cyllene thinks it would be a good idea!

And so, that is how Ingo ends up setting up a battle challenge in Jubilife village, and he only sees Zisu and Rei MORE often. The trio grow to be even closer friends.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei gets to meet Lady Sneasler one day when Ingo runs late going back to the highlands.

They have only a moment to jump back in alarm when they hear the unfamiliar cry of a massive pokemon. (Vaguely, it reminds them of Ingo, and the sounds he sometimes makes.) Before the elongated grey version of a sneasel lands in front of Ingo.

He only jumps a little bit. "Sneasler!"

And then he is being sniffed all over, being checked over if he's alright. Her massive claws, wicked sharp, gently manouver his limbs. Ingo has to push her nose away with his free arm, while he makes a noise reminiscent of a 'Sneaar'. "Sneasler, I'm alright. I apologize for being late, but I can take care of myself! You do not need to worry! I was walking with Rei- I have told you about Rei."

The attention turns to Rei as the noble- for this must be Ingo's noble- turns to them, narrowing her eyes as she stares at them. Claws holding Ingo's shoulder as she looms over the tall man protectively.

They can't help but shrink back from the noble's judgement. She's quite intense.

Ingo clicks his tongue, rumbling at her, and she eases up, chirping at them in a more friendly way. They instantly relax a bit. It sounds like the noise Ingo makes to greet them sometimes, even!

Of course, once they've been judged not a threat, she goes right back to fussing over her warden. Butting her head against him affectionately like Ingo has done to them and Zisu. Actually, she reminds them a lot of the things Ingo does that are kinda weird. Her smile even looks kinda like a wider version of his biggest smile (which isn't that big). Making a memory niggle at the back of their head.

As they watch her groom his cheek like a mother glameow (this seems to happen a lot, as Ingo is resigned to it), it clicks.

When Ingo manages to convince her to leave and that he'd be right along, they turn to him and ask. "Hey Ingo, how long have you known your noble?"

"Oh many years now. She was the one who found me when I first arrived in Hisui actually! I stayed with her in her den at her insistence until the leader of the time came around to see why Sneasler was acting strange." He chuckles at the memory. "It was quite a shock to see a human in her nest to say the least."

"And she's been like that the whole time?"

"She used to be worse, honestly. But her fretting and teachings did ensure I survived, so it is not all bad. I did pick up the occasional odd habit from her though, in learning and relearning things due to my amnesia. I still don't understand why she does it though."

Rei tries to fight the laughter that bubbles up. However, their amusement leaks into their tone. "And how does she treat her kits?" It must, because of the look he gives them. But he dutifully explains anyways, how one is to treat young sneasel.

"Ingo, I think Lady Sneasler's your mom."

"...pardon?"

They fail to hold back the laughter. Wheezing as they try to explain to this man that he is a chansey case. "She-She treats you like one of her- hee hee- kits! And fusses over you if you're late! You- ha ha ha- acted like she was your mom when she showed up! Hee hee hee- You don't even- ha haaa- call her Lady!"

Ingo tries to find an argument, fails, and groans before sinking onto a nearby rock. Hands on his face as he deals with the realization that yes, he does actually consider his noble his mother, and he failed to realize this for literal years. She adopted him! She adopted him and he didn't even realize! Calling her Lady Sneasler never felt right, and the noise he copied from the kits to refer to her that she always perked up at felt better. Though he was her warden so he still called her Sneasler most of the time.

How did he not realize she was his mother?!

Rei calls him a Chansey Case and he can't even argue once they explain it. His mother is a pokemon. He was left alone in the wilds with no memories and she adopted him. She may not be a Chansey, or Blissey, which are the most common pokemon to do these actions, but she is more social than the average sneasler.

He's never going to live this down.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Sneasler- his mom- laughs affectionately at Ingo and nods when he asks. She thought he knew!

It explains why she meets up with Lord Braviary and Lord Kleavor to gossip more often than other nobles though. He knows the lords have adopted their own wardens.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Nobody expected the frenzy of Lord Arcanine- Nobody expected Lord Arcanine in the first place! And Rei ended up caught right in the middle of it. Ingo came as soon as he heard the news, but it was only in time to meet them on Fish while they were coming back from firespit island, once again failing to aid them against the frenzied nobles like he so desired.

At least he can escort them back to the Galaxy Camp safely. Help tend to their pokemon and aid their injuries with his medicinal skills, half known from his past life, half learned from Warden Calaba and the other pearl clan healers.

He is unaware the fact he was unable to be accounted for during the period that Lord Arcanine and showed up immediately afterwards paints him in a suspicious light to the commander of the galaxy team, gossip from a merchant many times previously aiding his altered perception. But the Commander does not act on his thoughts. Merely continuing to observe, for the clans would not take minimal proof for the pearl clan's sky-fallen warden to be the one behind the rift.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Some memes Ingo quotes, Rei doesn't know. They figure it's probably just differences in places they lived and things they encountered. However, he called "Yeet" an old meme once, which is ridiculous. It's been around for maybe a year at most back in the future, they're pretty sure! It's NOT old. That would be stupid. Ingo is just old so time moves faster for him, clearly.

They agree it is "a goodie" though.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

"Did you know Growlithe can tell your emotions through smell?" Ingo offers the fact out of hand, as he lets the scout pokemon sniff his hand.

Rei crouches down, examining the way the growlithe sniffs Ingo's hand and seems to relax. "Huh, really? That's cool. How'd you learn that?"

Ingo shrugs. "Palina must have mentioned it to me."

"Do you know any more about Growlithes? When I first saw them I could have sworn they were pure fire types."

"Oh! That is likely due to another form of them being, to my knowledge, pure fire types! Perhaps you have some of those around your previous station?"

They consider his words, before nodding. "I don't think they lived too close by, but they definitely were within the region."

"Bravo! We have figured out another clue to your home then!"

"Did you have them where you lived?" They query. He has to know them somehow after all...

"I do not think so... A different dog pokemon, quite similar, but of the normal type, comes to my mind instead." He thinks long and hard for a moment, before sighing and shaking his head. "Alas, like most pokemon, the name eludes me unless I have seen it."

Rei pats his knee sympathetically. "Maybe the professor has heard of a normal type dog pokemon? We could erm. ask him?"

"An excellent train of thought, young Rei!"

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei climbs up the star ranks of the galaxy expedition team quickly, almost surprisingly so, if you don't consider their natural talent for understanding and catching pokemon as well as their lack of fear of the 'mons. But it is still not quickly enough for them.

They are eager to finally be able to visit Ingo in the highlands, and see all the pokemon and places he's told them about.

Warden Ingo has told them a lot about sneasel- they've even met one of Lady Sneasler's Kits once! When the sneasel insisted on following him to jubilife, they got to see them climb on the warden's coat and explore all around the clearing they visited. It was a wonderful time, and the Sneasel insisted on coming with Ingo to see Rei again once or twice. For some reason, it particularly liked them.

But meeting Sneasel is different from seeing them in their natural habitat climbing around cliffs. They want to observe the pokemon in their natural habitat and meet a bunch of sneasel at once! Or well, maybe not. They are more solitary pokemon.

But Rei wants to meet more! Have a proper conversation with Lady Sneasler! All that!

Unfortunately for Rei, Ingo does not agree with them that they would be fine if he took them to the highlands before their star rank. Ingo is fun, but he's a real rule-follower. So he does not agree to breaking the rules just this once, even if they're almost at the rank where they can go anyways!

He's been trying not to bother the commander as much, recently, they're fairly certain. Though they aren't really sure why. Zisu and Ingo don't try and hide the fact they both know Kamado isn't Ingo's biggest fan, and sometimes people just don't mesh well together, but surely it shouldn't matter so much, right? Maybe it's just because Ingo isn't apart of the galaxy team, so he hasn't had the chance to prove himself like they have?

Hopefully Commander Kamado will see he's really nice eventually, so Ingo can be more comfortable in Jubilife village.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Something is wrong.

Neither Rei nor Zisu has seen or heard from Ingo in over a week.

Now, he lives rather far, up on Mount Coronet, so that's not too odd.

Except that ever since he set up his battle challenges in the training grounds, he's made sure to show up at least once a week, and send some kind of message along if he's too busy to make it to Jubilife even once that week for some reason or another. Let them know he's alright and apologize for the change in tracks.

Ingo has not sent a message at all.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Lightning crashed down in the night. Just as every time the rift lightning struck before, it awakens Ingo from his sleep. Jolting upright in the dead of the night with the horrible shiver it sends down his spine. Like a worse version of the distortions, and the feeling he's come to ignore from the rift.

The proximity of the strike wakes up the pokemon as well, thunder crackling in their ears as Lord Electrode's cry rings out across the mountains.

He throws on his coat and shoes with practiced careful speed, before he hurries off in the direction of the hollow. Sneasler joins him halfway, and Ingo does not even break his stride when she lands heavily beside him. Any fussing is ignored. His only goal is finding out what happened. (Please don't be another frenzy. Please let the lightning have missed. Please don't let another noble suffer.) (He should be grateful it isn't his lady who was struck.)

He has to pull Melli, shocked still, away from the sight of his lord's too-bright yellow glow. Away before his lord spots him, for it is known a frenzied noble cannot differentiate friend from foe.

That a frenzied lord would attack their own warden.

He rests a hand on Melli's shaking shoulder, attempting to reassure the terrified warden.

He watches Melli flinch away from his touch, his words, and Electrode's Warden puts up the facade he hides behind. False bravado hiding how he truly feels. Emotions stamped down so nobody can see the fact he knows he cannot quell his lord's frenzy alone.

And so, Lord Electrode shall suffer a little longer for his warden's pride and false notions.

(A gift from Almighty Sinnoh... Pah. They both know Lord Electrode would never want this.)

(Ingo has to help Melli bandage some electrical burns after he tries to give his noble offerings and fails to fully dodge the attack.)

(Melli still believes this to be some kind of test. One that he has to pass. Despite Warden Ingo's attempts to convince him otherwise. To ask for help.)

He is so caught up dealing with the new frenzy and trying to convince Melli to let him help, that he fails to go to Jubilife on the day he had been planning (just after the frenzy happened) and forgets to send a letter, or any other kind of notification. That he won't be there.

A few days establishes that Lord Electrode is staying in his hollow at least, and that Ingo is fed up enough with Melli to growl at him. (He's got an excellent mimic of a Sneasel's growl.) So Ingo tells Melli that he is reporting the frenzy and getting help. No matter how the other warden feels.

(He feels bad for the way Melli flinches at his harsh tone and scolding words. The younger man has done much for him, and he tries to be respectful of his wishes, as well as just patient with him in general, but Lord Electrode is suffering, and they cannot wait for Melli to get over himself to get help. He will apologize to Melli later.)

(He does not realize some of Melli's insistence on Ingo not helping is fear for the man he (and everyone else, including the man himself, Ingo) believes to be elderly's health.)

(Melli does not want to see Warden Ingo hurt, for he's surely not as fast as he used to be.)

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei fast-tracks their way to the next star rank, preparing to set out the next morning if Ingo does not send notice. They hope, they hope Ingo is alright. That he just got busy and forgot. But there's been talk of another lightning strike being seen on mount coronet and well-

They don't like the possibilities their brain offers them.

They of course, didn't expect to wake up to Ingo's knock on their door. Duh, Duh Duh Duh, Dun Dun!

He always does that silly knock.

They shoot up in bed, half-throwing on their tunic and looking like a general mess when they open the door. (Ingo gives them one of his looks of confused concern.) "Ingo!"

Ingo tips his hat to them. "Hello, Rei!"

"You're back! What happened? Are you okay? Did something happen? Do you need my help? Do-" Ingo cuts them off by raising up a hand. "I am fine. Apologies for worrying you. However, a situation did come up. Commander Kamado would like to see you in his office when you are ready." There's another frenzy, he does not say.

Rei hesitates, before asking. "Which noble frenzied? Was it...?" Apparently this was a bit of a surprise to Ingo, but he recovers quickly enough, giving them his version of a reassuring smile. "Sneasler is fine, Rei. If it was her, the whole situation would likely be dealt with already." Because he could battle her. "Unfortunately, it was Lord Electrode who was frenzied. Melli is... not the best at asking for help."

"... I have told you of Melli, yes?"

He had. When they worried about him being alone on the mountain. They're friends, supposedly. "He's stubborn, right? And really particular?"

Ingo nods. "Unfortunately. His heart is in a good place, but he is... rather mistaken, about some things of the frenzies. So due to my being apart of the Pearl Clan, and not the Diamond Clan, I am unable to step in without his permission."

"So you went around him."

"Mmnn... I excersized my duty as Warden to inform my leader of the situation in the highlands and she chose to inform Adaman of what his warden failed to."

Sigh. "Well, this wasn't exactly how I was hoping to see the highlands for the first time..."

"It's best not to keep Kamado waiting." Ingo reminds them.

"Right! I'll be right out!"

<---------------------------------------------------------->

The meeting with Kamado... Well, it goes as expected. Rei is set upon the task of travelling through the highlands and quelling Lord Electrode.

At least they get to hang out with Ingo more, because he's going to guide them through the highlands in absence of Melli!

Kamado doesn't seem entirely content with that, but they don't really care. Ingo is cool! Kamado's just weird to not like him.

They talk about memories on their way up. Unaware of any would-be eavesdroppers. Discussing pokemon living alongside people, a man in white, a pair of teenage best friends who run everywhere they go, a pokemon that wields flames of mastery, and the pokemon Rei is fairly certain they had, once upon a time. (They had a lot of pokemon, at least enough for two teams. Possibly more. But the details escape them for several, much to their dismay.)

Volo is interesting to talk to, as always. He asks them what they're doing in the highlands, and acts surprised when they tell him Lord Electrode is frenzied. He thinks Lord Electrode will be the strongest frenzied noble yet!

They really hope not. But Volo gives them some items and wishes them luck before going on his way.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

The sneasel that comes to visit them sometimes meets up with them in the highlands, stealing a pokeball because it wants to join their team.

Lady Sneasler gives her approval, and they can't help but feel touched.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Lady Sneasler helps them climb, but it's absolutely astounding to watch Ingo scramble up cliffs almost as fast as his lady. He doesn't even have any claws!

They know Warden Calaba exists, and she's fairly nimble, but really? You'd think he was closer to Melli's age!

Rei is SO going to bother him and Lady Sneasler for climbing lessons later. It'd be really useful for catching pokemon.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Lord Electrode is, in fact, the strongest noble yet. It doesn't help how Melli tried to deter them. (Ingo expresses relief, once, that Melli isn't doing anyone more drastic. Instead meddling with them. At least if he's pestering them, he can't be doing something more stupid.)

(Rei doesn't really understand how Ingo is friends with the man, but they suppose when someone's the only other human on the mountain...)

(Yeah, no, they still don't understand it.)

Ingo knew Lord Electrode's favoured foods in order to make the balms, and Melli gave up in deterring them- Even giving advice! Though he insisted that Warden Ingo not help in the actual battle still, due to being Pearl Clan, which annoyed him. He even growled at Melli! That was funny. Based on Ingo's words after that though, he saw right through Melli's... bluff? Apparently Melli doesn't want him fighting because he's old. There was a whole argument about it.

They HAD told Ingo they'd be alright, to end the fight, but they're beginning to doubt that. Voltorbs keep falling from the trees, electric balls keep following them, they CAN'T stop moving and that makes it hard to aim.

They're slammed into a pillar by one of the explosions, electricity crackling through their skin. There's shouting, Ingo's yelling is unmistakible. Melli shouts something at him, they can't really hear from the shockwaves Electrode thuds into the ground, shaking the earth.

What they do hear is the massive hiss that rings out over the thunder. Lady Sneasler?

Ingo's Gliscor, Emma, swoops in to drag them out of the way of the next electric attack, and they catch a glimpse of Ingo joining the battle, taking Electrode's attention away from them.

Somehow, he manages to move about fine despite the immense tremours of the ground. They have no idea how. It's like an earthquake, but worse! What with all the explosions alongside the tremours.

They're incredibly lucky Lord Electrode didn't just straight up explode, aren't they?

They arrive at the destination of victory together swiftly, but not with haste. They twist their ankle on a rock when they throw the last balm needed, falling to the ground with their injuries burning. But they are victorious.

Their prize is being fussed over by Ingo, and getting to hear Melli's whining (despite his words, there's a grateful tinge to his voice).

Melli, unfortunately for them, also joins in on the fussing.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

"My name isn't really Rei." They admit, in a quiet moment, sitting perched upon a short cliff in the highlands with their friend.

"It isn't?"

"No... I was really freaked out when I first got here. And my memories were really scrambled. So I gave a fake name. I think it was something? A middle name? Or the name of someone I knew?" Maybe related to pokemon research...? That man with a white beard? "By the time I figured out it was... Y'know. okay. Here. It was too late to tell anyone my actual name. It'd be really suspicious, wouldn't it? To admit I gave a fake name. So I've just been... Rei. Here."

They take a deep breath, turning to properly face Ingo, and stick out their non-bandaged hand. "Hi Ingo, it's nice to meet you. I'm Lucas."

Ingo is, understandably, surprised. They worry for an excruciatingly long moment that he'll hate them, even though they don't think Ingo has a hateful bone in his body. (He can be a little naive sometimes.) But Ingo smiles, smiles! That smile he only gets when something really good happens, like someone beats him in a battle. His silly, delightful, catlike smile. It makes him look even more like a sneasel, honestly.

"It's nice to meet you, Lucas! Thank you for trusting me with this knowledge!"

Rei, no, Lucas, breathes a sigh of relief. "You don't hate me?"

He shakes his head. "No. Why would I?" A pause. "Would you prefer to be called Rei, or Lucas?"

They hesitate, but... "It'd be nice to be called Lucas sometimes again. Rei isn't bad, I'm used to it now. Probably should use it around other people and stuff..." but... "But I miss being called my name."

Ingo wraps an arm around them, tugging them in close to comfort them. Significant, both for the Pearl Clan's traditions, and also just the fact Ingo doesn't particularly like touch all the time.

Every time he gives them a hug, or pats them on the arm. They're reminded of how highly he thinks of them, and them he in turn, all over again.

Heh. It was a dead giveaway that he and Zisu were friends that he let her lean on him like that when they first met him. If only they knew...

Lucas' gut still roils a bit though, feeling bad for lying about their name for so long. They could have told Ingo many times before, but they couldn't bring themself to. Ingo rarely lies, valuing truth. And he sees their discomfort that remains.

"I don't think my name was always mine either, if that helps any. Though I'm not entirely certain where I got it from, it's my name now."

"Really?"

"Yes, I think it may have been from a... historical figure, perhaps? I'm not particularly certain. But it held a meaning to me, so I chose it. I'm not certain if I had a different name before I came to Hisui, but here, I am Warden Ingo of the Pearl Clan. Warden to Lady Sneasler. I have made a home, made friends, made meaning here. I've done important things. Ingo did important things." He leans on them, lanky form allowing him to curl around them, sheltering his friend from the wind of the highlands a bit, and rest his chin on the top of their head. "And I think both Rei and Lucas have done important things too. No matter which name, it's still you."

They must express their doubt somehow, because Ingo hums, and continues.

"Ideally, your tracks would not have led you to lie about your name, yes?"

"Yes...?" Where is he going with this?

"But you did, and you have been called Rei for months now, so you are used to it, you respond to it, you do not feel discomfort from being called it. Correct?"

Lucas sits up a little straighter, attempting to look up at their friend. "Yeah?"

"So wouldn't that mean your Ideal has become truth? That you are as much Rei as you are Lucas? Perhaps Almighty Sinnoh- whichever one might be true- always meant for you to be Rei, eventually."

Right, they still haven't told Ingo about Arceus... They really don't want to explain Arceus.

"Y'know, I think there might be two Sinnohs."

Their words cause him to pull back, surprised. "You do? I thought I was the only one who considered it!" Conversation redirected successfully.

"Yeah! I mean. Time and Space are equally important, right? So why couldn't there be two gods?"

"Which would mean both clans are right!" Ingo exclaims.

"And there's no reason for them to argue!" Rei agrees.

Ingo's delight, however, fades with realization. "Alas, I fear neither would listen without substantial proof."

They slump against him again. "And so our knowledge is useless against their stubborn wills and powerful emotions." That feels like a quote from something.

...They have no idea what though.

But he laughs at their words, so they know they're good ones! Ingo's light chuckle, from when he's trying not to laugh too loudly.

It always looks so funny when he laughs, because his face is frowning, but you can practically feel the joy radiating off him.

The laughter catches, and they end up giggling as well. The pair of close friends laugh together on the cliff, and enjoy their moment of peace together.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Despite Rei's anticipation for disaster, nothing comes of Ingo's interference in quelling Lord Electrode. They both agree not to mention it themselves, and Melli does not seem to bring it up either. (Ingo had talked to him at some point, supposedly.)

It is simply told that Warden Ingo was there witnessing the battle due to guiding Rei up the mountain.

Turns out Ingo is fairly good at small lies to ease his friends' worries, because Kamado doesn't even seem to guess.

It's concerning how easily he hides the injuries that have begun to heal from Kamado though.

(They are unaware of the fourth observer of the battle, one of no clan, who uses the information to spread yet more subtle rumours. Preventing full trust in the skyfaller and the strange warden.)

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Ingo can't come back to Jubilife for a couple weeks after Lord Electrode is quelled. Both of them are healing from their electrical burns, of course, but Ingo also has to deal with the aftermath of the frenzy due to being a Warden of the Highlands. That's okay, they're on rest for their second degree burns.

It's a good chance to study some of the pokemon they've already caught more, instead of going out into the fields, as well as just... spend more time with their team.

They are not allowed to battle while they're resting.

Any worries for their friend are mitigated by the fact they know at least Lady Sneasler will be fussing all over her Warden and making sure he takes care of himself.

Apparently, according to the letter he sent, Melli is fussing too. They know that Ingo and Melli are friends, but still...

Next time they see Ingo, he's back in Jubilife to say hello.

He also has a long feather of a Sneasler tucked into his hat that makes their stomach flip flop with dread. They have no idea why.

Ingo tells them over a plate of Mochi, that apparently Lady Sneasler saw him as a sneasel this whole time.

"Congratz on the promotion, Sneasel-boy."

Rei missed his laughter. They think he might be the best friend they ever had. The boy in orange to their girl in pink.

They wonder, in the back of their mind, what their friends back home would think of the friends they've made here. Of Ingo.

Lucas thinks that they'd like him.

(And so the roil of dread and vague familiarity is once again lost and forgotten about.)

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Ingo laughs along with Rei, feather shaking as he laughs, and thinks the only way that this would be better would be if the man in white was here to laugh too.

What would he think of Rei? Ingo wonders. He hopes that his best friend and... family? sibling? He's fairly certain they're related somehow, to look alike. They ruled out a son based on vibes, despite his age, but most other things are fair game. He hasn't managed to pin down any specific memories, unfortunately.

He likes to think that they'd get along though. As they make jokes and share good food and promise to battle again once they're both well enough to do so safely.

(The feeling of needing to be prepared for the next frenzy goes unmentioned.)

<---------------------------------------------------------->

There are odd tunnels in the highlands. All over. They have oddly straight paths and traverse between various points.

Nobody Rei has mentioned them to has any idea what they are.

Admittedly, they haven't asked Ingo, it keeps slipping their mind, but Melli grumbled about them being steelix tunnels making a mess of the highlands when asked.

They don't think the tunnels are Steelix tunnels. They're too straight. Sometimes, there's beams holding more unstable portions of the tunnels up. It reminds them vaguely of something, something from where they came from, but the memory seems just out of reach.

What on earth would lead any creature to make tunnels such as these? Especially with how they hook up to various caves. Ones quite expansive.

Despite not knowing their purpose, Rei finds them useful for darting into to hide from alphas, and more direct routes to some places.

There's even some pokemon they've witnessed using them!

One time, they managed to get all the way to the fieldlands from the coastlands without coming above-ground. Though admittedly, the air was fairly stale. Whatever pokemon made these didn't think to add more common vents of air.

Pokemon, because no human could have made these, surely? They're too big.

But they're also too regular. There's determined paths. Sometimes, they think they even see a torch in there.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Ingo and Melli walk throught the mirelands together. Chattering on about this and that. Melli is headed to the Diamond Clan Settlement, while Ingo has some herbs to give Calaba. He could have asked Melli to do it, certainly, but he enjoys the fresh air, and both wardens enjoy an excuse to spend more time together. Chattering along as they walk. Safety in numbers provides it's aid. (Or perhaps it's Ingo's booming presence, and the fact he has wrestled with and befriended numerous wild pokemon- including a few alphas.) Plus, he can stop by the training grounds after!

Melli does comment that Ingo's feather is nice, if a bit tacky, but somehow the conversation turns to the possibility of retirement.

They both know Warden Calaba will likely be a warden 'til the day she dies, but them?

Melli worries, though he hides it, that Ingo might retire someday, due to his old age, which would leave him all alone in the highlands- or worse, with someone who doesn't like him. That can't stand him.

He doesn't want to see Ingo retire and see him only occasionally.

He doesn't want to lose his friend.

Fortunately, Ingo does not plan on retiring anytime soon.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Warden Calaba overheard them. (She brushes off Ingo's apologies for gossiping about her.) Apparently she does not believe him to be as old as he, and everyone else thinks him. You don't need to be fifty to have grey hair. And he's always stooped due to how tall he is, not any weakness in the bones. His space-out sessions are not a failing mind, but most likely his nature, or the brain damage. He DID lose his memories after all.

She would probably place him at around gaeric's age now when he arrived. Though he's aged awfully gracefully- practically not changed at all, really, since he came to the Pearl Clan. So theoretically he could be older, if he ages so gracefully.

This is both reassuring, for it means it's far less likely he will die of old age and leave his friends and adoptive family grieving him.

And greatly disconcerting. The idea he hasn't been as old as he thought this whole time is incredibly disoriented. Calaba didn't mean it, but she really pulled the rug out from under him. Why did she never say anything?!

Nobody ever asked.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei runs into Volo investigating one of the tunnels. He also has no idea what they are. But he's apparently been running around them too!

They compare notes, expanding eachother's maps, and Volo shows them a little base he's made in a small cave.

Snacks are shared, and Rei befuddles him slightly when they ask if he's going to decorate his base.

Somehow, that seems the reasonable thing to do in the underground.

It is safe to say Volo laughed at them.

But he took their suggestion! They made him a flag he put up in it and everything!

Maybe they should make a base too.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Ingo does not tell anyone that he may be younger than he thought. At least after Zisu.

"What's wrong?"

"Hm?"

"You've been distracted all day today, even spacier than usual." Heh. Space. "What's eating at ya?"

"Ah... I fear we may have all guessed my age wrong this whole time."

Rei asks what she's laughing at when he comes over and sees Ingo looking like a wet glameow.

They also end up laughing.

Ingo does not end up telling anyone else he failed to realize his age for Ten years. He is seventy in his heart.

<---------------------------------------------------------->

Rei holds up the pink pokemon they had procured to their friend. The wormadam staring up at the menacing figure of Warden Ingo unblinkingly.

It was, as the warden would say, No thoughts, head empty.

"What type is this?"

They watch a flicker of... something. In Ingo's eyes, before he answers. "Bug and Steel type. An excellent typing despite it's four times weakness to fire, due to it being the typing's only weakness." The reply is almost automatic, though he usually doesn't add quite so much to the simple question. "Why do you ask?"

"You said you've never actually seen a wormadam up close! I thought I could stump you with the trash cloak." They laugh. "I guess not though, huh? You're like a walking Pokedex yourself!"

Ingo just shrugs. "I've always had a fondness for pokemon. I assume this knowledge is from my past." He fails to mention that he even knows things about pokemon he's certain he's never seen before. Like Hisuian voltorb, once upon a time. "Perhaps I was a researcher of some kind, like the professor, or a guard of town, to explain my knowledge of pokemon." ... "I do hope, if I was a guard, that wherever I left is still safe."

"I thought the running theory was that you were a guide of some sort?"

"I could have been more than one thing."

<---------------------------------------------------------->

This fic is LONG so uh. tune in for part 2 later, or read the whole thing on Ao3!

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