Chapter Text
Emmet must have dozed off at some point- as he awoke to his brother loudly arguing with someone.
The sheet had long been discarded to the side, leaving the two brothers fully exposed to the one way window- something Emmet would have been much more freaked out about if he didn’t have more pressing issues. Mainly the two white clad figures his twin was arguing with.
“This is not an optional event. If you do not comply we will have no choice but to use force.”
“If you think that I will just-”
A quick tug on Ingo’s shirt stopped him from continuing, the elder twin glancing down at Emmet buried in his side.
‘What is happening?’ Emmet signed frantically, peeking over at the white clad men. They both seemed to be wearing armor of some kind, sleek white helmets covering the top of their faces as well as form fitting casing running up and down their arms and legs.
“They wish to display us in a show of some kind.” Ingo hissed, his arms curling tighter around Emmet.
One of the guards sighed.
“Once again, you two have been chosen as the main attraction of Lady Elizabeth’s dinner party tonight. This is a great honor. Please follow us to the powder room to get ready.”
Ingo was growling at that point, his teeth bared and his expression murderous as one of them took a step forward. When they reached to grab him, he let go of Emmet and lunged, sharp teeth skidding uselessly against the white armor.
The other let out a harsh sigh before holding his arm up, tapping the gold band encircling his wrist.
The effect was immediate- Ingo froze before letting out an ear piercing screech, falling to the bed and clawing at his throat, hands locked in a death grip around his golden collar.
“Stop!” Emmet yelled, tears in his eyes as he grabbed his convulsing brother. “We will not fight! Do not hurt him!”
The guards both nodded and Ingo stopped shaking, his breathing heavy as he reached up to clutch Emmet’s hand.
“We thank you for your cooperation.”
One of them walked over to the golden panel and flipped the raincloud switch, opening a portal into a communal marble bathroom. The other reached out and grabbed Emmet’s arm, ignoring Ingo’s warning growl as he hefted the mortal twin to his feet. Emmet was only given enough time to help up his brother before they were both shuffled into the bathroom.
The room was large and echoey, fancy and white with expensive fountains and long marble halls. Emmet didn’t really get the chance to examine the place between their breakneck pace and his partial dissociation, but what little he could make out looked like some kind of rich person hot spring resort.
Finally, they reached some kind of dressing room, where a legion of white clad figures pried the twins apart and began to get to work.
The whole process was a blur from then on, Emmet doing his best not to notice the countless hands all over him as they dressed and powdered him, dolling him up like he was about to star in one of Lesa’s fashion shows.
Eventually, he was guided back over to Ingo- all decked out in the same angelic white subway boss outfit Emmet wore, and looking extremely angry as he pulled his twin back into his embrace.
“Are you okay?” Ingo ‘whispered’ as Emmet buried himself in his side, paying no mind to the makeup covering his face. (It seemed partially magic though, as none of it rubbed off onto his brother’s pure white coat)
Shaking his head, Emmet’s grip tightened on his brother’s clothes, reveling in the feeling of strong arms around him, blocking him from sight.
“We will be out soon. Hang on for just a little bit longer Emmet.”
Another incomprehensible amount of time passed before they were on the move again, being lead through a portal and then some halls and-
And then Emmet’s body was not his own, moving to the whims of some unseen puppet master. He felt himself straightening up, pulling away from his brother until they were standing a reasonable distance apart, arms linked and heads up. With smooth, unnatural synchronization, they stepped out into the sensory nightmare of what appeared to be a faerie dinner party in full swing.
“....and my most recent acquisitions- the world’s only set of Mirror Faerie!”
Emmet’s limbs moved without permission as he marched up onto a mini stage, passively noticing that he was in the ballroom he had seen earlier from the ‘forest’
His brother and him turned in sync to face the crowd of what must have been thousands of faerie folk- chatting, drinking, flying, and dancing all over the place, hundreds of eyes honed in on him and his brother, inspecting him like he was some rare breed of joltik.
He hated it.
“Oh my goodness.” A pink lady with vivillon wings flitted up to Emmet, turning his head to and fro with her ice cold fingers. “Where did you find these things?!”
If Ingo wasn’t frozen in place by the same spell that kept them both transfixed, Emmet had no doubt she would be missing a few fingers by now.
“Oh you know me, always the rumor monger.” The lady who had taken them laughed, the sound sending ice into Emmet’s veins. “A little chatot told me about these absolutely delightful beasties running around the mortal world and, well, I couldn’t help myself.”
“Fascinating.” A blonde haired man stepped up to the stage for a closer look, his singular gray eye roaming over Emmet with a greedy gaze. “You know I’m quite the scholar Madam Elizabeth, but I can’t say I’ve heard of Mirror Fae before. Did you discover a new species?”
“Yes!” Elizabeth responded cheerily, waltzing over to stand next to the blonde man. “I’m still not sure exactly how they work, but they seem to be a set of some kind! The changeling one actually sought me out, you know? Couldn’t stand being separated from its other half!”
The pink one crooned.
“Awwwwwww! That’s so sweet!”
“You’ve really outdone yourself this time.” The blonde man began poking and prodding Ingo, examining him with a scientific gaze. “The magic signatures suggest typical changeling craftsmanship, yet whatever synthesis occurred between it and this… regular mortal? has left it in a completely altered state. Intriguing! What could be the cause? Is it the substance? Shadows are not a common building material after all…”
“Speak Galarian Volo. Not all of us are science nerds like you.”
‘Volo’ rolled his eyes, but at least he finally released Ingo.
“What I’m saying is that Madam has a unique phenomenon on her hands. I’m curious about whether or not it could be replicated.”
There was a snort from a burgundy colored lady standing nearby- one who took a large swig from her glass before pointing at Volo shakily.
“Riiiiight. For purely ‘scientific’ reasons I’m sure.”
“Now now Margret.” Elizabeth chuckled, her melodic laugh once again grating on Emmet’s ears. “Would Volo be Volo if he wasn’t at least a little megalomaniac?”
Volo’s singular eye rolled, but there was humor in his voice as he quipped back.
“I can’t help it ladies! You’re all so lovely- how could I not aspire to be just like you?!”
The whole group broke into a tizzy of laughter at that, continuing their discussion as if Ingo and Emmet weren’t there. Emmet could feel himself slipping away mentally, doing his best to concentrate on his brother’s hand in his own- squeezing intermittently with the full range of movement Ingo could muster.
They must have stood there for hours, living statues overlooking a party that never ended, hands intertwined but not nearly close enough- when the large doors at the other end of the ballroom burst open with a resounding bang.
A hush fell over the party as the crowd began to part, making way for whoever had just entered. Soon, the clacking of heeled feet could be easily made out, the surprise visitor finally pulling into sight and revealing themselves to be the Shining Beauty herself- Elesa Strika, gym leader model extraordinaire.
“Well now! I see that we have an unexpected guest!” Elizabeth pulled herself away from her gaggle of followers to meet Elesa head on, staring up at the towering yellow figure. “It’s not often we get mortals here- especially not mortals brave enough to show up uninvited.”
Shrugging, Elesa shed her sunglasses, looking around with an unimpressed eye.
“Yes well, I didn’t exactly receive an invitation did I.” Briefly, she made eye contact with Emmet- before looking away again, not showing her hand too soon. “I am terribly sorry for crashing such a lovely party, but this was a matter that simply couldn’t wait.”
“Oh? Do tell.” The curiosity was practically dripping off of Elizabeth by that point, the faerie falling for Elesa’s charm hook, line, and sinker.
Emmet couldn’t help but marvel at Elesa then, done up in her signature yellows and blues, looking every bit like she belonged in such a fantastical place- yet also like she was above it, untouchable and steadfast.
Like the hero of a fairytale.
Elesa sighed, absently playing with her fur collar as she put on her patented ‘it can’t be helped’ face.
“Well you see, I had something quite precious stolen from me recently, and I would like to get it back.” Murmurs spread through the crowd at her admission, Elizabeth’s expression hardening slightly. “I do realize of course, that you meant no harm- I wager you didn’t even know that you were stealing from anyone at all! Unfortunately though, that doesn’t change the truth of the matter.”
“I see.” The tension was gone from Elizabeth’s shoulders as quickly as it had appeared, the fae giving Elesa a small smile. “It’s true I don’t often think of mortals when going out and fetching my prizes, it’s quite easy to miss something so minuscule.”
The jab didn’t phase Elesa in the slightest, her graceful smile not even twitching.
“I can believe it. After all, what is a wurmple in the eyes of a goddess?”
Cacophonous laughter was drawn from the crowd, Elesa’s words stroking the egos of the fae around them. As always, she was good.
“Well then.” Elizabeth called when the laughter died down. “What is it that I took from you? I’m a generous host, maybe we could see about getting it back into your little mortal hands.”
“I thank you for your understanding.” Elesa bowed, her dress fluttering around her, mesmerizing and lovely. Straightening up, she clasped her hands in front of her body, looking serene and composed.
“I’m looking for subway bosses Ingo and Emmet. You have them here, yes?”
Emmet couldn’t see Elizabeth’s face, but he assumed it twisted into a scowl at that, her arms coming up to cross in front of her chest.
“Oh really? My newest, one of a kind catch that I just so happened to be displaying today is the thing that you’re missing?”
“It does appear that way.” Elesa’s tone was still even, practiced and casual in its pitch. “I’ve brought their pokémon with me if you don’t believe my words- or I could prove it in other ways if that is not good enough.”
“It doesn’t matter.” The annoyance was clear in Elizabeth’s tone, her stance more aggressive. “You can’t just come in and demand the main attraction. That just isn’t done.”
“I’m merely taking back what is mine.” Elesa’s eyes seemed to gleam in the light, her height amping up her intimidation factor. “But the way you so easily take back your words concerns me. I thought that you were better than a petty thief, but I’m quickly being proven wrong.”
“How dare-” The crowd began to snicker, enjoying the show. Elizabeth’s ears were turning a bright shade of red, steam almost seeming to pour out of them. She looked two steps away from throwing Elesa out of the hall- or worse.
“However.” Perhaps sensing the fae’s souring mood, Elesa changed course, a troublesome gleam in her eye. “I do understand the frustration of a spoiled party, and would be willing to bargain.”
“Bargain?” The faerie asked, hesitation in her tone.
“Of course! If you cannot return the subway masters to me, something of equal value would do instead.”
What was she doing???
Emmet wanted to scream at Elesa- or just in general. Elesa knew better than to make a deal with the fae- that was the first rule of dealing with faeries!
But…. but the two of them were stuck there, magically frozen as they could do nothing but watch Elesa take a step down the path they all knew was a death wish.
A reassuring squeeze from Ingo was all Emmet had to ground him, watching their sister in horror.
“...and don’t make a bet with a fairy right?” Elesa had asked so long ago, sitting on the hotel floor as they pooled their combined knowledge of faerie law. Ingo had nodded gravely, his grip on Emmet’s hand tighter then he probably intended.
“You can lose so much in a faerie deal without even realizing.” He warned, his face grim. “They will twist your words in ways you do not intend, robbing you of all you hold dear. Never underestimate them, and never gamble something you can’t stand to lose.”
“….Alright.” Elizabeth relented, her voice tight. “I suppose I can do that much. It’s a festive occasion after all, and I am nothing if not generous.”
Elesa was not satisfied.
“You’ll have to pardon me for no longer trusting just your word. After all, you’ve shown that you have no problem taking it back without warning.” Crossing her arms and leaning on one leg, Elesa looked down at the fae, unimpressed. “Swear on your true name that if you will not return the subway masters to me that you will give me something of equal value.”
The madam sighed harshly but agreed anyway, letting out a sour, “Yes yes fine, I swear. ”
And then everything s h i f t e d.
A loud scream was torn from Elizabeth- and Emmet realized she was naked , frantically trying to pull back on the dress that had pooled around her feet. But no matter how she grabbed at it, it remained stubbornly out of grasp, constantly slipping through her fingers.
Quickly, Emmet averted his gaze, but others were far less polite, openly laughing at her humiliation.
Her dress wasn’t the only thing she lost, as her jewelry had scattered as well- necklaces and bracelets falling loose and rolling on the floor, with a particularly large bangle coming to a stop at Elesa’s feet.
Bending over, Elesa picked it up, running her fingers over its glittering surface.
“What are you doing! Put that down!” Modesty forgotten, Elizabeth sprang forward, swiping desperately at Elesa in an attempt to reclaim her jewelry. The model simply held it out of reach.
“Oh? What about this specifically has you so worked up?” Elesa asked, watching the desperate struggles of the other with poorly concealed bemusement.
“Isn’t that the one that controls her pets?” The vivillon faerie pointed out, her eyes gleaming with malicious light.
“Oh really? I wonder how it works?” Ignoring Elizabeth’s screams, Elesa held the bangle to the light, examining it closely. She didn’t seem to find anything though, as she simply shrugged before digging through her pockets, tossing out a familiar pokeball.
“Hey there Zinc! You hungry?!” Zinc, Ingo and Emmet’s very own durant, chittered you at Elesa happily- ignoring the shrieks of Elizabeth as he chomped down on the offered bangle, snapping it in half and-
Emmet let out a gasp as the collar slipped off his neck, his knees giving out as Ingo did his best to catch him. (Something that was quite hard to do with his form rapidly destabilizing- the exhaustion of the last 24 hours catching up with his body now that his transformation was no longer being forcefully held up)
“What have you done!!” The ruined fae screeched, her head whipping around to glare at her ‘friends’ who were laughing at her and enjoying her suffering.
“What do you mean?” Elesa asked casually, throwing out a few more of the twin’s pokemon to form a protective circle around the boys.
“You- my clothes! And my pets-!”
“Mine now technically.” The model shrugged, barely sparing the other lady a glance. “I’m fairly certain you still haven’t paid off your debt, but it’s a start I suppose.”
“My debt?” Elezabeth asked weakly, completely blocked from Emmet’s view by a protective garbodor.
“Yes? Something of equal value to Ingo and Emmet? Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten?”
“What does that have to do with anything!?”
Ingo had completely given up on holding human form by that point, his inky body held firmly in Emmet’s arms as they sat surrounded by their pokemon.
“I think you greatly underestimated the value of those two bidoofeses.” Peering around Daisy, Emmet could make out Elesa’s expression, a fire in her eyes as she stared down the other lady. “Those two are my brothers, and nothing in your stupid gaudy mansion could come even close to matching the value of one of them- much less both.”
Bending over, Elesa tipped up Elisabeth’s chin, a cruel smirk on her lips.
“So if you want your stuff back, you better give me back my boys- and promise to never bother us again.”
“I swear I swear!” The faerie screamed, and Elesa nodded before letting go of her chin, making her way up to the twins through the throws of jeering applause.
‘Bravo!’ Ingo called out when she helped Emmet up, one of his arms curling around her own. ‘That was fantastic! I expected nothing less from you!’
“Uh huh” Sending out Racer, she helped Emmet onto the zebstrika before climbing on herself, recalling most of the boys’ pokemon before galloping down the hall. “Try not to get kidnapped again though. I don’t think I can pull something like this off a second time.”
‘Still.’ Ingo insisted, as they bulldozed their way out of the building, passing the wreckage of freed “pets” as they went. ‘Your technique was impeccable and your execution was flawless! Honestly I could go on and on….’
Emmet tuned out his brother’s words as they ran, relief turning his body into jelly as he slumped onto Elesa’s back, passively watching the scenery pass them by.
He was safe now, protected by both his sister and brother as they headed home, nightmare fading behind them.
Because just like all fairytales, his would always end with a happily ever after.
A singular gray eye watched the three gallop off, Volo’s sharp gaze following them until they were long out of sight, his expression dark and contemplative.
“A mortal who became faerie.” He muttered, fingers ghosting over his missing eye. “How fascinating.”
He wouldn’t let an opportunity like this go to waste.