A New Platform [Intro Post July]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Luckily for everyone the final couple of days of Fiddlesticks are quiet and mostly uneventful. Eventually though they awake to the announcement. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Grasshopper. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will 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 they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. Also a loud pattering sound, which they will discover once the doors open are hailstones. They might want to grab their raincoats.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Ann Takamaki, Drizzt, Geralt, Huehuecóyotl, Ignis Scientia, Ivy Wakefield, Jiang Yanli, Lan Sizhui, Maebhrin Tillinath, May Parker, Nie Huaisang, Osomatsu Matsuno, Raven, Roxas, Shaw, The Iron Bull, Ultimo, Wei Wuxian, Yuki Sohma, Yuffie, Yukito Tsukishiro

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies and waterproofs, 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. The second thing they will notice is it is cold, hailstones rain down around them, though they don’t last long on the platform ground, melting into slush.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles 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 but then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Both left and right the 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 into the cold step a selection 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

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is 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 not be a good thing. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

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. The store rooms have been restocked, it seems carrots have taken over the bacon, though there are plenty of other staples.

Those from blue team who go to investigate will find a box of biscuits. There is enough for the whole team, including new passengers. Join in your team's success!

Those who are not new will quickly discover some changes made to make the train accessible to those who can’t see, including Braille translations of all the signs around the train.

There is of course the new music room to explore. A double carriage, the downstairs has instruments to learn and practice with, as well as a series of music screen points. Those who play around with the screens will soon discover their SCA’s can now store music and can choose their favourites to listen to around the train.

Upstairs is a performance area and holds a piano.

New passengers will find their tickets allow 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 and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds over the noise of the hail stones to encourage any stragglers and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view 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. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[shutupnail]

"I've seen similar before," Piccolo said. He hesitated to say anything more though. He also knew what it had finally taken for the first person he thought of in that situation to finally unlock his power. To say that it had been brutal was an understatement. It had ended well enough but not before the kid had been torn apart emotionally as well as physically.

Piccolo's one weak spot if he had to admit to having one. But that was another story for another time.

"I'll do my best to teach you how to unlock it on your own strength of will."

[nutkrusher]

"And I'll do my best to try to learn," Cassie says. "I've already learned more than I would have thought was possible."

She nods her head, a kind of half-bow of gratitude.

"It'd be nice if I could do that before the world was five minutes from literally becoming Hell on Earth. Cut it a little close that time."

To say nothing of having to watch her father being gnawed on by giant maggots.

[shutupnail]

"Good," he replied. That was enough of a promise for him. He liked the fact that she wanted to continue to push herself and learn. It's what being a martial artist was to him. And having that kind of pupil was enough to make him want to continue teaching.

Piccolo's expression took on a brief sour note. "Oh, so you've been there too, huh. That seems to be par for the course. I suppose there's no better way to unleash one's true potential than by being forced to save the world."

Or watch people you love die first.

[nutkrusher]

"I mean...I'd rather it not get to that point, but if it does it's sure as shit a good time for it."

Her lips narrow into a thin, mirthless smile.

"Mine was a pasty dickweasel of a fallen Elder God named Shinnok. He wasn't the first to try it, but he was the first I was around for. You?"

[shutupnail]

"Depends on which story you'd be most interested in hearing," replied Piccolo with a humorless huff. "Although if I had to pick one it would be Cell the self-proclaimed Perfect Warrior. His push caused Gohan to reach a new level of power to destroy Cell in the end."

[nutkrusher]

A similarly mirthless huff escapes Cassie's nostrils.

"They do love talking themselves up, don't they?"

[shutupnail]

"To be fair, he did have all our genetics and moves in his arsenal. And his bite did end up worse than his bark."

If only he had defeated him before it got to that point... alas.

[nutkrusher]

"Yeah, Shinnok ended up absorbing & corrupting most of Earth's energy, too," Cassie says. "Still, I gotta admit it felt at least as good just shutting him up as it did saving the world."