ticket-for-four

[ticket-for-four]

*sneezes*

[ticket-for-four]

What do you call a group of Emmets? A cluster? A school? A link of Emmets? Either way, they're having fun hanging out!

Foxfall!Emmet belongs to @aenor-llelo

Mechanical Errors!Emmet belongs to @marchy-emmet

Very big thanks to @ultimate-submas-tournament for putting the tournament together and cursing us with knowledge (affectionate) with more AUs to binge!

[ticket-for-four]

AAAAA CONGRATS MARCHY! May Snugglekins be fashionable and cared for in his new home 🙏

........ Oh no.

For winning this round by a single percentage, robo Emmet the diva gets to steal a Trapinch!

Stolen Trapinch from @ticket-for-four / @agentgladhand, for @ultimate-submas-tournament :))

[ticket-for-four]

ROUND THREE! Emmet Bracket One!

Check out the AUs!

🔥📚Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

vs

🐶Mechanical Errors AU by @marchy-emmet

(Art for Mechanical Errors by @hoofpeet )

[ticket-for-four]

ROUND THREE BRACKETS

Ingo Brackets

Bracket one

🔥📚BotW: Trainmen Edition au by @thesilentgothitelle

Vs

🔥📚Under the City Streets AU (Over the Garden Wall AU) by @coramatus

Bracket two

🐶🔥📚Team Conductors: PMD AU by @teamconductors

Vs

📚Twin Princes AU by @aur0raaura

Bracket three

🐶🔥📚Pokemon Aspects Au by @patriamrealm

Vs

🐶Ghost Worm Au by @blaiddraws

Emmet Brackets

Bracket one

🐶Mechanical Errors AU by @marchy-emmet

Vs

🔥📚Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

Bracket two

🐶🔥📚Misfits AU by @hehe-hoho-ohno

Vs

🐶🔥📚Ultrabeast!Emmet AU by @papier-ciseaux

Bracket three

🔥📚Placeholder AU by @blaiddraws 

Vs

🐶Submas plushies AU by @choochooboss

[ticket-for-four]

Commission for @agent-gladhand; pokemon ocs Samba and Fau!

[ticket-for-four]

ROUND TWO! Emmet Bracket One!

Check out the AUs!

🔥📚Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

vs

🔥📚Foxfall AU by @aenor-llelo

[ticket-for-four]

ROUND TWO BRACKETS

Ingo Brackets

Bracket one

📚Fractured Memories in the Wild AU (Breath of the Wild AU) by @krakengoggles

Vs

🔥📚BotW: Trainmen Edition au by @thesilentgothitelle

Bracket two

🐶📚TW: Table by @raynavan

Vs

📚Twin Princes AU by @aur0raaura

Bracket three

🔥📚Injury Share AU by @waters-turn

Vs

🔥📚DAD INGO au by @a-stone-slab

Vs

 🔥📚Under the City Streets AU (Over the Garden Wall AU) by @coramatus

Bracket four

 🐶🔥📚Pokemon Aspects Au by @patriamrealm

Vs

🔥📚Heroes and Villains AU by @the-digital-pen and @ace-trainguys 

Bracket five

Warden Ingo

Vs

🐶🔥📚Team Conductors: PMD AU by @teamconductors

Bracket six

 📚Cowboy Submas AU by @caramel-caracal

Vs

🐶Ghost Worm Au by @blaiddraws 

Emmet Brackets

Bracket one

🔥📚Foxfall AU by @aenor-llelo

Vs

🔥📚Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

Bracket two

🐶🔥📚Misfits AU by @hehe-hoho-ohno

Vs

🔥📚The Issue With Stealing? You could lose your arm AU by @spacenewzwastaken

Bracket three

🐶Mechanical Errors AU by @marchy-emmet

Vs

🐶🔥📚Veritas Detective AU by @wormhole2anywhere

Bracket four

🐶🔥Submas Animated for Terror AU by @shadowfear-art

Vs

🐶🔥📚Ultrabeast!Emmet AU by @papier-ciseaux

Bracket five

🐶Submas plushies AU by @choochooboss

Vs

Lost in distortion AU by @celebeatz

Bracket six

Manga Emmet

Vs

🔥📚Placeholder AU by @blaiddraws 

Vs

📚The Human Illusion AU by @raisans-art

[ticket-for-four]

Forgive how late I'm posting this, it hath been a doozy of a week. These two deserve a good snack and hangout session, as a treat!

Be sure to check out @kurixta's AU Clean Slate! I wanna try and do fun doodles for each round of the bracket we're in for @ultimate-submas-tournament, but apologies in advanced if I'm a bit late on these! 🙏

[ticket-for-four]

Emmet Bracket Five!

Check out the AUs!

🔥📚Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

and

🔥Clean Slate AU by @kurixta

[ticket-for-four]

AUs in the running!

(Not in bracket order) (Going to be slowly updated over time as I send out more messages and get more responses)

But first! The tagging system!

🐶 Ingo or Emmet are something non human (like a cretur, ghost, pokemon or some other non human thing)

🔥 This AU features intense emotions that may not be suitable for people who are looking for a more easy going experience (sometimes people can’t handle strong angst or horror- and that’s totally okay! This tag is to show that this AU may not be for them)

📚 This AU has a comic or fic you can read! (Purely organizational tag)

Every AU is tagged by the author according to what they think is best. Use these tags as guidelines when looking for new AUs and not as hard and fast rules.

And now… The AUs!

1) 🐶🔥📚Submas FaeU (Faerie AU) by @blueisquitetired 

2) 🔥📚 Submas Conjoined AU by @ingo-ingoing-ingone 

3) TRAIN OF THOUGHT AU by @waywardstation

4) 🐶 Ghost Worm Au by @blaiddraws 

5) 🐶🔥📚Placeholder AU by @blaiddraws 

6)🔥📚Heroes and Villains AU by @the-digital-pen and @ace-trainguys

7) 🔥 📚DAD INGO au by @a-stone-slab

8) 📚The Human Illusion AU by @raisans-art

9) 🔥📚Foxfall AU by @aenor-llelo

10) 🐶🔥📚Zoroark possession AU by @ghostypetrainer

11) 🔥📚 Reincarnation AU by @ghostypetrainer

12) 🐶🔥Magnus archives au by @jester-writing

13) 🐶📚Legendary Hosts AU by @toriistorii

14) 📚Typed Humans AU  by @toriistorii

15) 🔥 Clean Slate AU by @kurixta

16) 🔥📚 Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

17) 🐶🔥📚Misfits AU by @hehe-hoho-ohno

18) 🐶🔥📚Steven Universe Submas au by @squidthesquidd

19) 🐶Liminal Station AU (aka ENA AU) by @liminal-station

20) System!Emmet AU by @fighter-spirits

21) 🐶🔥📚Team Conductors: PMD AU by @teamconductors

22) 📚Fractured Memories in the Wild AU (Breath of the Wild AU) by @krakengoggles

23) 🔥📚Under the City Streets AU (Over the Garden Wall AU) by @coramatus

24) 🔥📚The Issue With Stealing? You could lose your arm AU by @spacenewzwastaken

25) 🐶🔥Gargoyles crossover au by @regular-samdragon

26) Legends: Kyurem AU by @pixelga1axy

27) 🐶📚TMI AU by @drag0n0fbutt3r

28) 🐶🔥📚Risk of Rain 2 crossover AU by @fourphoenixfeathers

29) 🔥📚Ei AU by @fourphoenixfeathers

30) 🐶🔥📚Pokemon Aspects Au by @patriamrealm

31) 🐶🔥📚Emmet's PMD Adventure AU by @fandom-soda-writings

32) 📚Cowboy Submas AU by @caramel-caracal

33) 🔥WELCOME HOME SUBMAS AU by @crowfonder

34) 🐶Mechanical Errors AU by @marchy-emmet

35) 🐶🔥📚Fractured Sky AU by @inkinary

36) 🔥MC Ingo AU by @peacheenie

37) 🐶🔥📚Ultrabeast!Emmet AU by @papier-ciseaux

38) 🐶🔥📚Masking AU by @entity9silvergen

39) 🐶🔥Submas Animated for Terror AU by @shadowfear-art

40) 📚Twin Princes AU by @aur0raaura

41) 🐶📚Transfer Error AU by @rosebloodcat

42) 📚Breakmas Au (Aka Team Break Submas AU) by @choochooboss

43) 🐶Submas plushies AU by @choochooboss

44) 🔥📚BotW: Trainmen Edition au by @thesilentgothitelle

45) 🐶🔥📚Veritas Detective AU by @wormhole2anywhere

46) Lost in distortion AU by @celebeatz

47) 🔥📚Injury Share AU by @waters-turn

48) 🔥📚The Black Coat AU by RyleeSheep

49) 🐶📚TW: Table by @raynavan

[ticket-for-four]

OKAY SO HERE'S THE BRACKETS FOR ROUND ONE

Voting will start next weekish. Stay tuned.

Ingo Brackets

Bracket 1

📚Fractured Memories in the Wild AU (Breath of the Wild AU) by @krakengoggles

Vs

 🐶🔥Gargoyles crossover au by @regular-samdragon

Bracket 2

🔥 📚DAD INGO au by @a-stone-slab

Vs

🐶🔥📚Masking AU by @entity9silvergen

Bracket 3

📚Typed Humans AU  by @toriistorii

Vs

🔥📚BotW: Trainmen Edition au by @thesilentgothitelle

Bracket 4

🐶📚TMI AU by @drag0n0fbutt3r

Vs

🔥📚Injury Share AU by @waters-turn

Bracket 5

🔥WELCOME HOME SUBMAS AU by @crowfonder

Vs

🐶📚TW: Table by @raynavan

Bracket 6

🔥 📚Heroes and Villains AU by @the-digital-pen and @ace-trainguys 

Vs

🐶🔥📚Fractured Sky AU by @inkinary

Bracket 7

🐶🔥📚Submas FaeU by @blueisquitetired 

Vs

📚Twin Princes AU by @aur0raaura

Bracket 8

🐶🔥📚Team Conductors: PMD AU by @teamconductors

Vs

📚Breakmas Au (Aka Team Break Submas AU) by @choochooboss

Bracket 9

🔥📚Under the City Streets AU (Over the Garden Wall AU) by @coramatus

Vs

🔥MC Ingo AU by @peacheenie

Bracket 10

🔥 📚 Reincarnation AU by @ghostypetrainer

Vs

 📚Cowboy Submas AU by @caramel-caracal

Bracket 11

🐶 🔥 📚Zoroark possession AU by @ghostypetrainer

Vs

🐶🔥📚Pokemon Aspects Au by @patriamrealm

Bracket 12

🐶 Ghost Worm Au by @blaiddraws

vs

🐶📚Transfer Error AU by @rosebloodcat

Bracket 13

Black and White Ingo

Vs

Warden Ingo

Vs

Masters Ingo

Vs

Manga Ingo

Vs

Anime Ingo

Vs

Fanon Ingo

Emmet Brackets

Bracket 1

System!Emmet AU by @fighter-spirits

Vs

🔥📚The Issue With Stealing? You could lose your arm AU by @spacenewzwastaken

Bracket 2

🐶🔥Magnus archives au by @jester-writing

Vs

🐶🔥📚Veritas Detective AU by @wormhole2anywhere

Bracket 3

Legends: Kyurem AU by @pixelga1axy

Vs

Lost in distortion AU by @celebeatz

Bracket 4

🐶🔥📚Misfits AU by @hehe-hoho-ohno

Vs

🐶🔥📚Emmet's PMD Adventure AU by @fandom-soda-writings

Bracket 5

🔥Clean Slate AU by @kurixta

Vs

🔥📚Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

Bracket 6

🐶🔥📚Ultrabeast!Emmet AU by @papier-ciseaux

Vs

🔥📚The Black Coat AU by RyleeSheep

Bracket 7

🐶📚Legendary Hosts AU by @toriistorii

Vs

🐶Mechanical Errors AU by @marchy-emmet

Bracket 8

🔥 📚Foxfall AU by @aenor-llelo

Vs

🐶Liminal Station AU (aka ENA AU) by @liminal-station

Bracket 9

🐶🔥📚Steven Universe Submas au by @squidthesquidd

Vs

🐶Submas plushies AU by @choochooboss

Bracket 10

🐶🔥📚Risk of Rain 2 crossover AU by @fourphoenixfeathers

Vs

🐶🔥Submas Animated for Terror AU by @shadowfear-art

Bracket 11

TRAIN OF THOUGHT AU by @waywardstation

Vs

📚The Human Illusion AU by @raisans-art

Bracket 12

🔥 📚 Submas Conjoined AU by @ingo-ingoing-ingone 

Vs

 🔥 📚Placeholder AU by @blaiddraws 

Bracket 13

Black and White Emmet

Vs

Masters Emmet

Vs

Manga Emmet

Vs

Anime Emmet

Vs

Fanon Emmet

[ticket-for-four]

AUs in the running!

(Not in bracket order) (Going to be slowly updated over time as I send out more messages and get more responses)

But first! The tagging system!

🐶 Ingo or Emmet are something non human (like a cretur, ghost, pokemon or some other non human thing)

🔥 This AU features intense emotions that may not be suitable for people who are looking for a more easy going experience (sometimes people can’t handle strong angst or horror- and that’s totally okay! This tag is to show that this AU may not be for them)

📚 This AU has a comic or fic you can read! (Purely organizational tag)

Every AU is tagged by the author according to what they think is best. Use these tags as guidelines when looking for new AUs and not as hard and fast rules.

And now… The AUs!

1) 🐶🔥📚Submas FaeU by @blueisquitetired 

2) 🔥📚 Submas Conjoined AU by @ingo-ingoing-ingone 

3) TRAIN OF THOUGHT AU by @waywardstation

4) 🐶 Ghost Worm Au by @blaiddraws 

5) 🐶🔥📚Placeholder AU by @blaiddraws 

6)🔥📚Heroes and Villains AU by @the-digital-pen and @ace-trainguys

7) 🔥 📚DAD INGO au by @a-stone-slab

8) 📚The Human Illusion AU by @raisans-art

9) 🔥📚Foxfall AU by @aenor-llelo

10) 🐶🔥📚Zoroark possession AU by @ghostypetrainer

11) 🔥📚 Reincarnation AU by @ghostypetrainer

12) 🐶🔥Magnus archives au by @jester-writing

13) 🐶📚Legendary Hosts AU by @toriistorii

14) 📚Typed Humans AU  by @toriistorii

15) 🔥 Clean Slate AU by @kurixta

16) 🔥📚 Ticket for Four AU by @ticket-for-four

...and more to be added later!

[ticket-for-four]

1) Ticket for Four

2) Masterpost!

3)

4) Emmet! (The AU has a focus on both brothers and the Sinnoh protags, but Emmet has the more unique circumstances!)

Do you like Submas? Do you like polls? Do you wish there was more polls to vote for train boys on?

Then boy do I have the tournament for you!

Introducing the

ULTIMATE SUBMAS TOURNAMENT

Where all the Ingos compete to find the best Ingo, and all the Emmets compete to find the best Emmet- and then they duke it out!!!!!

Come explore this melting pot of different AU creations from across the website- including your own!

That’s right! You too can compete in this for fun event! Get yourself out there!

Here’s the rules and how to sign up:

1) No bl///shipping AUs or bl///shipping blogs may enter. This is a platonic only submas tourney.

2) No NSFW 18+ AUs or NSFW 18+ blogs may enter. I want this to be welcoming to younger folks to so I’m gonna have to draw a line here.

3) You can only enter your own AU. You can share this post with other submas creators, but you can only personally enter AUs that you have made content for.

4) You can only enter AUs that have content made for it. It doesn’t matter if that content is a fic, a few drawings, or a series of interconnected tumblr asks- as long as there is content you can link me to, it qualifies. 

5) You may enter up to two AUs (one for each brother). This may be lowered to one AU per user if the demand gets too high.

6) While non inc/st ships are not outright banned, AUs must be more than “canon compliant warden Ingo but he’s dating Melli”. Give us something fun to work with.

7) AUs can, and are encouraged to crossover with other content. Cretur AUs are also allowed because turning blorbos into cretur is fun.

8) Only Ingos and Emmets may be entered. We all love Elesa but this ain’t her tourney. (Fusions can be entered, but they will be placed in a fusion only bracket that will not affect the main tourney)

9) Lower your expectations. This is for fun, there is no prize, and statistically you will not win. Please do not whine and complain when you are inevitably knocked out.

10) BE NICE TO THE CONESTENTS. Holy heck don’t make me catch y'all harassing other people for ANY REASON. I will block you. Don’t make me do it.

How to enter:

Reblog this post with 

1) The name of your AU 

2) A link to your fic /tumblr tag /masterpost 

3) An image that you want to represent your AU. (If you have no image, one of my associates or I will draw a simple one- but it won’t be very good and you shouldn’t expect much)

4) The name of the preferred brother you wish to enter (preferred brother may be overruled if the brackets get too uneven)

(If you plan on entering a second AU, you must do these steps again with a second reblog. The first AU you enter will be considered the priority if we get too many entries.)

(Entries may be denied for things like: side bl///shipping accounts, pedo//ilia, harassment or other things in that same vein. They may also be denied for more benign things like, “hey I love you lots but this is just canon Ingo”)

Entries must be submitted by the first of June!! Thank you for participating and ALL ABOARD!

[ticket-for-four]

So sometimes I'm a psychic in the funniest way possible, exhibit A-

[ticket-for-four]

Standalone art for chapter 6, Barry and pal's awful horrible no good very bad day.

[ticket-for-four]

Ticket For Four: Chapter 6 ⨷ Burden of Responsibility

Summary: Cynthia was anticipating a call from Barri after he and the twins were supposed to return from Mt. Coronet. Instead, she was sent a message. This is more than enough cause for worry.

Read on AO3 here.

It wasn't the contents of the Poketch message she'd received that worried Cynthia, rather that one was sent to begin with. Any typical communication with her young cousin usually took the form of voice calls or video chats during the rare few times he stationed himself at a Pokecenter during his travels. It sometimes surprised her how well she could keep up with his wild and hasty chatter, though that did little to negatively affect her enjoyment of their sparse talks. They certainly provided her a pleasant break in recent months between tedious busywork from tying up her past responsibilities as a champion and rigorous historical studies, but it was also a simple comfort hearing what adventures her dear cousin was getting up to. Barry would carry most of the conversation, recollecting his journey of the past few weeks, interesting sights he'd pass by, gyms he'd challenged when he was still taking them on, his occasional training sessions with Crasher Wake, and the once in a while meet up with his friends and rivals.

Those two would also join in on Barry's chats once in a blue moon. It was amusing and reassuring for them to recount their own exploits to her as well. While she was never much interested in the contest scene, watching Dawn regale her routines and strategies was quite entertaining, especially with the occasional practice demonstration from one of her partners. Lucas, though not quite as talkative as his companions, more than made up for it between his humble mentions of victories in battle and his inquiries on Cynthia's research; his interest was especially piqued when it came to the lore and language of the Celestica. It wasn't often she was able to talk with others on the subject, aside from career historians and archeologists. Much to her dismay, most of those talks were often more clinical and homogenous, given that circle of individuals always stayed quite selective. Some might say Sinnoh's history was a dying interest in the public's eye, but she would continue to hold firm that those few who shared the passion, as she and Lucas did, kept the flame quite alive. Hearing a fresh perspective outside of the main academic circle on culture and linked theories, and being so impassioned as well, was always refreshing.

Cynthia, for once, had actually been expecting a call from the three sometime that day. After all, today was the day those children would attempt to make contact with the all-powerful creator deity. It seemed only fair to expect, given her involvement, that she would be the first to hear the results of their actions. She had her status as a former champion and a well-respected member of Sinnoh's historical society to thank when it came to finally getting her hands on the flute for them. It had taken some convincing, but she was granted possession of the relic that was recently unearthed at Oureburg City's main excavation site.

Armed with the knowledge that his predecessor was in possession of the flute, Lucas practically begged to at least be allowed to hold it. The boy nearly died of shock at Cynthia's suggestion of letting him use the flute for its widely theorized and intended purpose. The scenario was perfect, really. He could satiate the curiosity of many historians, including himself, as well as possibly record a plethora of new information to help fill Rowan's pokedex, should the theory have succeeded: two Starly one Stone Edge. At least, that was the idea Cynthia presented to Lucas. He and his sister were more than glad to have a new challenge to conquer, and, of course, one they would rope in their rival into as well. The group of trainers were a tad disappointed that Cynthia had declined the offer to join the trek as well, but thankfully they hadn't pushed further on the matter.

... Though seeing that message, part of her wished they had taken her along.

"Please come to Spear Pillar."

That was it. The message read more like an appointment call than anything to be expected from the boisterous teen. No time was wasted; she was out of the house and soaring on her Togekiss's back within minutes. The harsh autumn breeze stung through her at such an altitude. Its grip sank deeper into her each time she looked down at her wrist and read the message again. Anticipation and concern stuck with her all the way to the peak of Mount Coronet.

Cynthia spotted the large group gathered at the ruined temple's grounds before even touching down there herself. The familiar bulky shapes of some of the children's partners coming into view eased the building tension in her chest, if only slightly. They all seemed to huddle around each other in a grand circle; Staraptor and Dusknior skirted the edges, and her eyes trailed further to the center as she neared them, noting some of the larger figures as Infernape, Togekiss, Floatzel, Empoleon, Vespiquen, and then Snorlax looming over Torterra and-

Oh.

Just as she dismounted her own Togekiss, she took in Barry's distressed state; kneeling with arms clinging and cradling the head of the champion's Torterra. His head was hidden in the crevice of her neck, hands attempting to soothingly rub the wailing turtle's face. Actually, all of the twin's partners appeared just as hurt and mournful in their own ways. Gastrodon glued herself to one of Barry's legs, the other being occupied by Roserade. Weavile clung to the shoulders of the downcast Snorlax, her quiet chittering muffled in the fat of his shoulder. Chimecho and Magnezone seemed to be the only ones to acknowledge the new arrival, turning to Cynthia with hushed hums and chiming.

She gnawed at her inner cheek. She didn't like this scene, not at all. She would have to approach the matter delicately, though that was easier said than done. A few steps forward, and she was at her cousin's side. Torterra's sniffling began to lessen, though not by much. Barry's gentle motions, on closer inspection, were stilted, almost robotic. In all the time she's known the boy, Cynthia had never seen him so... still. Even the way he nodded, listening to the pokemon cry out to him, pleading, the action was muted, barely noticeable. It wasn't right at all, nothing about the situation was. Well, it was up to her to try and remedy that.

"Barry."

The boy turned with a jump and squeak, then the cold silence snatched its hold over him once more just as suddenly. Their eyes met briefly, but it seemed Barry's gaze had a newfound interest in the temple's flooring, currently scattered in the children's discarded bags and empty pokeballs. His hands pulled away from the trembling Torterra, a motion much too slow, reuniting in his lap, laced together with a touch much too soft. Cynthia took to the silence as well, letting the normally quick-witted boy have a moment to gather his thoughts clearly. "Lucas and Dawn are... missing," he breathed out gently, then gestured to the group behind him with the tilt of his head, "They said... They vanished after some big flash of light when they played that flute song."

The song I taught them.

A sour note twinged in her chest, but she forced the feeling down to keep her voice steady, "So they truly did summon Arceus then. At least, that seems to be the case. And it must have taken them... Somewhere." Dawn's Togekiss, just as massive and beautiful as her own, cooed a forlorn call towards Cynthia, nudging into her side. Of course, she could feel the warmth radiating from her downy fluff, perfect for regulating her body temperature at these mountainous heights. Though her feathers did little to stop her shivering.

"And why would it take them just for summoning it? Where would it even take them?" Barry lifted his head, fragile eyes begging the ex-champion towering above him for any kind of answer. Being met with that pitiful look from him was almost too much to bear; that twinge pulled itself taut at the sight, seeing the corner of his eyes grow misty. She shut her own, taking a breath more shaken than she would have liked, "I'm not sure on either front. There isn't exactly much information about encounters with Arceus. None that are well documented or intact, at least." That was far from a stretch; most accounts with any mention of intentions to meet with the deity tended to end with just those intentions, nothing more. She shook her head, looking over to the Togekiss and smoothing back the short fluff on her head gently, "Regardless, we should go looking for them, see if they're elsewhere in the area. How long has it been since they've been gone?" Right now, it was imperative that she nudged him towards action; letting their emotions overtake them wouldn't help get the twins back safely any sooner.

Barry sighed, "I don't know. I overslept a couple hours from when we were supposed to meet up in Oreburgh, so... I don't even know if they left on time. Their pokemon don't know either; the only thing they could really see from their pokeballs was that light... Darn it!" An abrupt shout forced Cynthia's gaze back to Barry, fingers digging into his scalp. He nearly threw himself to the ground with how far his body leaned forward. This display simply hurt to watch, how his face twisted into distress and frustration. Another embittered shout ripped out of the boy, "I should have been here with them! Gah! I hate this, I don't know what we're gonna do! Figures, the one time I'm late-"

It was automatic; Cynthia kneeled before Barry, gripping his shoulders to push his body upright once more. Her hands flinched at the sensation of light tremors, despite how eerily still he appeared until that point. Every bit of anxiety, confusion, and dread in his eyes practically screamed to her. She wasn't sure if it was the need to comfort him or the wish to deflect his sorry state that compelled her most when she pulled him into a strong hug. "Enough of that," Cynthia's kept her tone stern yet tender, "I doubt they're in any immediate danger, so let's not lose our heads over this. Remember, all of you are more than capable trainers in your own right. Wherever the two of them ended up, I can guarantee you, even without their pokemon, they'll be okay. And you will be too. If they're having a tough time getting back home, then it's up to us to help them, isn't that right?" Now wasn't the time to panic for either of them. Especially not her. Not for the one with whom the most responsibility lay with.

A beat of silence. Barry took a deep breath in, let it loose, then jumped to his feet with a roar forceful enough to rebound around the hollow mountain top. He stomped in place, as if ready to grind up what remained of the ruined temple with his new-found vigor. "You're right! What am I doing just mopping here?!", Barry stopped his marble grinding to fix Cynthia with a gaze of burning determination, "I'm gonna go check the other paths up here! If they're not there, I'm not gonna give up, I'll just look somewhere else!" Without another breath wasted, he set off towards the caves, his partners following not too far behind.

Cynthia chuckled, glad to see the return of the boy she knew well. She turned to the twin's companions, still clearly in emotional turmoil but with lessened intensity at the sight of Barry's energetic spirit. Torterra shuffled forward, sniffling with Empoleon at its side with a gentle pat of his flipper on her back. Cynthia soothingly scratched at the turtle's head, her smile falling a touch more remorseful. "I take full responsibility for your trainers's displacement, and I deeply apologize for all the grief I've caused," her voice projected, filling the ruined temple for them all to hear, "I won't ask for forgiveness, only that you lend me your aid in bringing them back home."

The clear signal of acceptance from the group came in hopeful cries, Magnezone and Chimecho nuzzled up to Cynthia's sides in an odd-looking but warm hug. Pachirisu took the honor of rolling each of the vacated pokeballs towards Cynthia, squeaking with delight when she took one in hand. She gave a sharp nod and a steely, determined look to all of them, "Thank you all, for trusting in me. I suppose we should get started then."

Finding Barry in the cave networks was simply a matter of following the harsh stomping bouncing off the walls. Each trainer led the charge of a search party: Barry with his partners alongside Lucas's, and Cynthia directing her's and Dawn's. They scoured every inch and crack of the caverns until the light peering in from the outside turned golden, then soon faded to dark. Of course, no sign of either twin's presence made itself known in the caverns. Upon regrouping, Cynthia thanked each of the twin's pokemon and her own, before returning them to their pokeballs.

"I'm sorry we couldn't find them here now," Cynthia supported a hand on Barry's shoulder as they exited the caves, toward Oureburg City, "We'll be able to keep searching tomorrow, maybe spreading out around the mountain base and tunnels. I'll also put out a message to the League Gym Leaders and their local police to keep watch over those areas, just in case." "Sounds like a plan! We should grab a room at the Pokecenter so we don't waste time coming back out here again!" She admired his unwavering enthusiasm, seeing him pump a fist in the air with his hearty shouts.

Lights adorning the late-running mining infrastructure greeted them upon their arrival. Barry began to march out back into town, but the hand on his shoulder suddenly kept him in place, "Ah-ah-ah, hold it, mister." "Huh?", the boy whipped his head back curiously, "Need something?"

Cynthia nodded gently, "Before we start making any more plans, I think you should go home for tonight. Someone needs to tell their mother what's going on, and you should let your mother know as well." Barry grimaced, and she could hardly blame his reluctance. "I... think she'll take the news better hearing it from you. Certainly much better than hearing it from me. So please, Barry?"

The boy crossed his arms, hemmed and hawed, and pulled faces until he finally caved, "Mmmm, okayyy, I'll tell them. But then I'm coming right back!"

◉

Talking to his own mom felt like the easier problem to tackle, so that was his first stop back in his sleepy little town. Though it certainly became less quiet with the panic attack that struck the poor woman. She nearly broke her favorite coffee mug in the process of her son's attempts to ease her nerves. It took some reassurances from Barry to keep her seated on the couch as he explained the situation; he almost had to wrestle his mother away from the door so she couldn't go bust down Johanna's and poorly explain everything herself. Surprisingly (or perhaps not at all, knowing how the twins were like her own children as much as he was), without much convincing, she gave her blessing to Barry's mention of returning to the search party. Now came the hard problem.

Barry couldn't remember the last time he simply walked to the twin's doorstep. Typical mornings at home for him always started with dashing his way over to his companions, coupled with dragging them along on whatever venture of the hour grabbed his interest. The way his body took such hesitant steps toward the quiant little house ate away at his growing anxieties just a hair more. He paused at the door, fist hovering, frozen over the surface.

You can do this, Barry. You've just gotta go in, tell her what happened, and keep her calm. Make sure she doesn't panic, it'll aaall be fine. It'll all be okay, no panicking, just... don't panic. With a shaky deep breath, he willed his fist forward, knocking hard in a flat rhythm. With the opening door came a familiar, welcoming smile, "Oh? It's good to see you, Barry! Are the three of you already back from your little outing?"

Barry, the absolute picture of composed, began babbling, "Er, um, h-hi Auntie Jo! We-I mean, I'm b-b-back? Cynthia sai-uhhh, I've gotta have words-um-talk to you abouttt things!"

Johanna blinked at the boy with a touch of concern on her features. With a tilt of her head, she nudged the front door open some more, "Oh dear, are you feeling alright? Blood sugar a little low, maybe? Come sit down, you look like you could use a snack." Not trusting his voice in the slightest, Barry sealed his mouth shut, nodded, and scurried inside.

It's okay Barry, relax. She's gonna freak out if you do, so you've gotta play it cool. Oh Arceus, I wish Cynthia came here instead, she's way better at this kinda thing!

"Barry?"

He hadn't noticed he'd perched himself on the couch's edge, fists balled up on his knees, until Johanna had leaned over to him with a steaming mug, strong with the scent of aspears. He accepted the mug, appreciating the warmth that tingled through his cold, stiff fingers after his brief stint outside. "Um, thank you.", the way his voice shrank made a concerned look cross Johanna's face as she sat beside him. She placed her plate of homemade lava cookies on the coffee table (and of course Barry darted right for one, always happy to indulge in her baking) and folded her hands together patiently.  As she spoke to Barry, her tone was soft but deliberate, "How are Dawn and Lucas doing? I'm guessing they stopped by Professor Rowan's lab before coming home?"

Barry nearly choked on his cookie. Of course Johanna was there to pat his back until he stopped coughing and was calm enough to wash down the dry crumbs with his tea. "Careful now! It wouldn't be good to go making yourself sick," Johanna giggled as she rubbed in circles.

C'mon, Barry, you can do this! Quit stalling, just rip the bandage off and get it over with!

Barry took a deep breath, his chest puffing up as he sat up straight and stiff. He turned to the perplexed woman beside him, eyes burning with focus towards her, preparing to give a calm and concise explanation. "DAWNANDLUCASAREMISSINGANDCYNTHIASAYSARCEUSPROBABLYTOOKTHEMSOMWHEREBUTIDON'TKNOWWHERETHEYAREPLEASEDON'TBEMAD!"

He practically wheezed air back into his lungs after spewing out his word salad, but he still couldn't take his sights off Johanna even as his torso folded over. A cold, clammy sweat trickled down the back of his neck as he fought to even his breathing once again. Johanna looked on towards the floundering boy, her expression almost blank save for the questioning quirk of her eyebrows, "Dawn and Lucas are... missing? And taken somewhere else by... Arceus, you said?"

Barry slowly straightened his back, mirroring her look. This was a much... Calmer reaction than he expected. Especially from the woman he'd know would bring down the heavens and stars above if any of her children had so much as a hair out of place. "Um... y-yes...?" Hand to her chin, she merely hummed, "I see. And you mentioned Cynthia? Is she setting up a search party?" "Well, yeah... She's gonna call the league, and... um...," Barry fidgeted with the tail of his scarf, gaining a more confused pitch to his voice, "You don't seem... super worried?"

Her eyes widened at his concern, then she shook her head lightly, "Oh no, of course I'm worried about them, but there's no good that will come to them from panicking."

Huh... okay, she made a good point. An incredibly good and thoughtful point, actually. Just as Cynthia had. Barry's face flushed with a bitter pang of embarrassment. How long had he just sat there wailing Mt. Coronet's peak? His sense of time blurred with the tears he'd shed into his Floatzel's coat after connecting the dots between the abandoned pokeballs and their distraught owners struggling to tell him what happened. He'd selfishly cried himself out entirely before he could even begin hearing out the twin's partners and comfort them. He'd been inconsiderate, like always, and wasted precious time. Well, no more of that.

"I should head back to the Pokecenter in Oureburg with Cynthia," Barry stood, giving Johanna a reserved but more confident nod, "Thanks, Auntie Jo, for... being understanding, I guess. From the bottom of my heart, I promise I'll bring 'em both back home safe and sound! Just count on me!"

He attempted to march off to the exit, but he was reeled back in by another's hand for the second time that day. He glanced back with a simple, "Auntie Jo?"

She offered one of her warm and caring smiles, "Now, don't be so hasty, young man! I'll need some help packing my bag if we'll be out on a search party!"

---

***Going forward, I'll be making some more headcannon notes at the end of chapters, for the sake of having them out there and making some points of the narrative a bit more clear. I may go back to previous chapters to add notes for them, but I'll be sure to mention that on the next chapter update if/when that happens.***

Headcannons:

*Cynthia is a respected authority in the Sinnoh academic historical society, with several certifications related to the subject of the Celestica and old tribes of the region that go beyond even some of the oldest and well learned individuals in the field.

*Cynthia is related to Barri via Palmer's side of the family. She's been a constant presense in his life since he was young, and they get along extremely well. Lucas and Dawn have also been very friendly with Cynthia since they were young children as well, having been partially inspired to start their pokemon journey to see Cynthia at the Pokemon League one day.

*Barri is one of very few people in the world with a natural ability to communicate with pokemon practically fluently due to spending time with a large number of pokemon from an early age. Very much reminiscent of how N speaks to pokemon, and in Barri's case it came about because he would secretly sneak out of the house to play with the local wild Bidoof around Twinleaf Town. This is also why I like to think that, due to this and her son's general nature, Barry's mother is quite the worrywart when it comes to him, and tangentially Johanna's twins.

*Johanna is originally from Hoenn, having moved to Sinnoh when the twins were very young, having been offered massive sponsorships for contest performances. Even while primarily living in Sinnoh, she would still travel to contests in Hoenn and Unova when invited to them, always bringning the children along with her. Due to being very responsible financially and the sheer amount she was able to accrue off these sponserships, Johanna was able to comfortably retire from contests to spend more time with her children and raise them. She does still make appearances for special events, and after her children start on their pokemon journey, actually starts to perform in contests again for the fun of it, even going up against Dawn a few times and still skilled enough to win every time.

*To note some more language related headcanons:

-Lucas is fluent in Sinnohen and GSL, as seen in the second chapter. As a child and still somewhat in his teen years, Lucas has been subject to some bouts of mutism, typically caused by general and/or social anxiety, calling for the need of GSL. Unlike Dawn, he's only partially fluent in Kantonian, having drifted of from learning what's technically his mother tongue. Due to his interests, Lucas also knows some Celestica, most of which he'd learned from Cynthia, but is still working to become fluent.

-Dawn is fluent in Sinnohen, GSL, and Kantonian. She'll often have full on conversations with her mother in Kantonian unintentionally, switching between it and Sinnohen and often confusing others around them if not involved in the conversation or not understanding Kantonian. She's also interested to pick up Galarian, having an interest in one day performing in Unovan shows, like her mother had done.

-Johanna is fluent in Kantonian, GSL, Sinnohen, and Galarian.

-Barri is fluent in Sinnohen, and fluent enough in GSL to understand Lucas when the occasional need for it rises.

*Barry doesn't always have a good sense of self awareness, but when he's sometimes made more attentive of his actions, he can be a bit hard on judging himself.