voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post February]

On the Train

Three days after the Voidtreckers return to the void after their adventures on the biosphere world, they are awoken by a familiar announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen of the month of Jelly. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for a while will also be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The fog seems thicker than usual and as they step out onto the platform they will find it is cold, very cold. Icy fog sticks to their clothing, makes it hard to see very far; the atmosphere is dark and gloomy.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alexis Rhodes, Elfnein, Itsuki Myoudouin, Ken Ichijouji, MT, Neku Sakuraba, Nike Lemercier, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Rainbow Dash, Rei Saotome, Taichi Yagami, Tsubomi Hanasaki, Yuri Tsukikage and Zechs Merquise all pass through the platform, not looking back before they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam, billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with sixteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out step a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers braving the freezing fog, and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Kairi didn't know why she had gone to the platform. Maybe it was simply because she had some hope that she might get to see her friends again this time. But after some look around and not seeing any of them she had soon accepted the fact that they weren't here.

That was okay it just meant she could train more, improve a lot more and show them when they finally did arrive.

However she soon paused, looking over at the other close by. She did recognize that coat, but the person wearing the coat she couldn't recognise. But because of that, she just had to know. So making her way over she figured to speak.

"Interesting coat you have there."

Kairi might not have recognized him, but he remembered her. She was taller than he remembered, but given it had been a year since the last time he'd had anything directly to do with the Keyblade heroes, that only made sense. Her heart, at least, was still as radiant as he remembered.

When he noticed her approaching, he frowned slightly, but...she didn't seem confrontational, like Xion had. Of course she commented on the coat, and he brushed his shoulder in response, as if smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles.

"Quite useful, as well. Worry not, child, I am no ally of Xehanort's."

The moment he mentioned not being an ally of Xehanort's she paused for only the briefest of moments before she seemed to just accept that as fact. If he had been his reactions might have been very different after all even in a new situation.

She didn't have her guard down fully, but it was mostly gone.

"I'm going to trust you on that."

At least she was being honest about that. "I can't think of a reason why you would say that unless you were telling the truth after all."

He blinked at that, having been expecting a much more suspicious response.

"I can think of a number, and you ought to consider yourself fortunate that it's me you're dealing with, rather than the likes of Marluxia. I suppose I'll have to pay extra attention should any of the more manipulative Nobodies arrive."

He tilted his head and hummed in thought. There was one reason he could think of, for her to be inclined to trust him.

"Or is it simply that you recognize me? I do recall you and your grandmother paying frequent visits to Lord Ansem's library, before our world fell."

"It will be fine, I'm learning to handle myself more." Sure she knows she isn't that great at it right now, but with time she feels confident she could deal with anyone.

She soon seemed confused for a moment. Just what was he on about? She had no clue.

"I don't think that's the case. I mean I don't remember my life before I found myself on Destiny Islands, so... I don't know."

"Hmm...you were young at the time, but not so young as to expect you to have no memory at all."

Then again, she had still been there when the Heartless had started roaming the town, hadn't she? Maybe the trauma had caused her to forget. He sighed and shook his head, deciding it best not to bring up that theory just now.

"No matter. You originally lived in Radiant Garden, prior to the world's transformation into Hollow Bastion. I can't say I knew you very well, but it seems I do still have you at a disadvantage. My original name is Even, although as I am currently a Nobody, most call me Vexen."

Kairi didn't really know or understand why she had no memory of her life before then, but she had gotten to the point of not minding if she ever found out or not. If it were to happen that was fine, but if she never did that was also fine.

"Radiant Garden...I think I've been there since you mentioned Hollow Bastion." Not like she had a lot of memories during that time, but she did recall things from after she finally got her heart back.

"So I have to ask... Which name would you prefer? I know Axel prefers me to call him by that name for example."

"That...is a difficult question. I am not the Nobody who initially bore the name Vexen, and carry no small amount of shame about who I once was. Yet, it would be disingenuous to simply say I am Even. I sacrificed my humanity, my chance at simply returning to my old life, when I left to fight Xehanort in my own way. One might argue that I left my old name behind as well, awaiting the day I shed the fragment of Xehanort within me and resume my responsibilities as Lord Ansem's senior apprentice."

He touched his hand to his chest, where he could still feel the shard of Xehanort's heart trying to exert its influence. He had it well in check, for now, but he couldn't help worrying how long that would last.

"But while I have accomplished significant good under the name Vexen, I am still uncertain how I feel about it. It represents conflicting things, and I have already abandoned my cover within the new Organization, so perhaps it is even less apt than to call myself Even, save for the fact that I retain associations with people I met only because I became Vexen."

He shook his head and shrugged lightly.

"I suppose the simple answer is that I have yet to decide. I've gone and made things quite complicated for myself."

Kairi was at least a patient person and is one who can wait and listen to someone talk. It came about because she asked a question after all.

Once she was sure he had finished she was still quiet. Maybe she was trying to think of her own answer or at least something to say.

"Then maybe a nickname might help? Until you know for sure which one is better?"

"That...should be acceptable, so long as it isn't anything so irreverent as 'Frosty'."

He rolled his eyes, unable to help thinking of all the ridiculous nicknames Xigbar liked to saddle people with.

"I don't think that suits you either, but give me time and I'll think of something." Probably and hopefully not as bad, but she does think it's a case of time and something will click at least.

"But if you have a certain theme about you, I'm sure it would be something related to that."

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

Meet and Greet

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Hope you wanted a novel.

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