A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Horsehoe. Points have been updated on the system and new stock is available."

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. The first thing they may notice is that this platform is inside a basic shelter, making it warmer than the last couple at least.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Adora, Alex Hashimoto, Catra, Cloud Strife, Elizabeth Midford, Feanor, Gerome, Gladiolus Amicitia, Glimmer, Ifrit, Isabella D’Oro, Maru, Nari Reno, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Scorpia, Siobahn Chereshei, SXT-2, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tony Stark, Uta, Zidane Tribal

But on the platform itself there are many 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. The second thing they will notice is it is gloomy, even without the steam and fog. They are in a wooden building, open to the tracks on one side. It in a creaky shelter, cobwebs hang from the rafters and there is a peculiar whistle as wind finds its way through the cracks.

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 gloom 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, with… teddy bear shaped luncheon meat being the main ingredient to be found. There are plenty of other staples.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a room full of lockers, designated as the Armoury. Even for passengers without weapons it is somewhere to secure possessions. There are instructions on how to use the lockers and enough for everyone to claim one.

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 braving the snow 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

train

[blue_ice]

Yeah, it's rough. No sugarcoating that. But you'll be let out to stretch your legs and try not to die once a month.

[ He laughs...awkwardly, at his attempt at a joke. In the spirit of presenting a united front, Kaiba has reluctantly donned the orange uniform today, so he doesn't immediately stick out. But he still wears a card-shaped locket, and his voice hasn't really changed in 10 years.

He's trying to surreptitiously study the disk on her arm. It's like one of his, but...different. ]

[tokenloveinterest]

Aren't you President Kaiba?

[But she's doubtful, now.

She's never heard of Kaiba laughing awkwardly. No, when Kaiba laughs, it's always a maniacal laugh that makes him sound evil, right? What the hell is this?]

[blue_ice]

[ The flicker of emotion on his face is strange. It's been so long since anyone has recognized him for his true position. Influence. Power. Wealth. All things that feel so far away now, after only a few months. He nods, curtly. ]

Now that I haven't heard in a while. But Kaiba's fine. I don't have rank to pull around here, except as a councilman...for now, at least.

[ He reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose. ]

I'm going to assume you're from an alternate Domino City, likely in the future?

[tokenloveinterest]

What do you mean alternate? I'm from-

[She squints, looking at him. He... hasn't changed. At all. In ten years, sure. Physically, anyway. But his bearing... He does seem younger than-]

I'm from [ten years after Battle City. What's the IC year? We don't know.]. Is that the future to you? And I haven't been back to Domino in about a year, since I'm a student at Duel Academy.

[blue_ice]

That's 10 years in my future. At least, a possible future. No academy for duelist exists, but that's not a bad idea.

[ It's your idea, dummy. ]

I say 'alternate' because thus far, every arrival from Domino has been from a slightly different reality. Similar enough that we recognized each other as versions of people we knew from our own worlds, but with a few key differences in each timeline.

It's a headache. But we have a document somewhere.

[tokenloveinterest]

Alternate....

[Rei brings her Disk up in front of her, sort of... hugging it to herself. She's not happy with the idea- She seems to be holding the Disk like it can protect her.]

Is this like... the twelve dimensions again?

[blue_ice]

...I haven't heard that one yet, but most likely.

We just try to put it out of our minds and deal with the challenges as they come. It's the back half of the month, so you should be in the clear for a while.

[tokenloveinterest]

... How do we get back?

[She's definitely afraid now- The Twelve Dimensions incident fucked her up a lot more than is obvious at first blush.]

[blue_ice]

Not until the train lets us go...like the large group that left when you woke up. We don't even know if 'home' is where they go.

[ He has things he misses too, but...]

The train's immune to everyone's 'powers', we can't leave at platform until we're 'called', and even dying just gets you sent back here.

[tokenloveinterest]

['dying'.

OKAY, COOL, LET'S JUST. HAVE A SMALL PANIC ATTACK. You can see her turn pale and her eyes shrink down as she just has to process that.]

What- Then- The train is the one doing it, then, right?! So if we beat the train, then-!

[blue_ice]

We've tried to 'beat' it. Physical attacks, psychic attacks...

[ He pinches the bridge of his nose. ]

Try if you want, but the last person who tried a psychic attack got hit with a massive backlash that put her out of commission for a few days.

[tokenloveinterest]

Wha- Psychic?! I thought- If we just duel it, then-

['duel the train'

She's too panicked to realize how that sounds.]

[blue_ice]

[ He laughs, then. A real laugh, somewhat closer to his signature mania. ]

I don't think it has interest in dueling, but I haven't asked. I've really been distracted if I didn't think of that.

We can sometimes get it to respond to a request by repeating it, so if I got the others to join us...

[tokenloveinterest]

You didn't- You didn't think about it? You're the president of Kaiba Corp! You're the guy who launched cards into space!

[She's definitely panicking.]

What others? Who else is here?!

[blue_ice]

I didn't have my deck at first. I was forced to purchase it later, because that's another thing the train does: force you to repurchase your own things. It's running a racket.

And by the time I got it back I became preoccupied with dueling Yugi.

As far as the other duelists, we have Yugi Mutou, Katsuya Jonouchi, Wester Mazaki, and Silvia Leafe. Though Jonouchi is currently retired.

[tokenloveinterest]

We have three legendary duelists here and no one's even tried?!

[This is going poorly. She raises her Disk in front of her.]

Then if no one else will, I'll do it!

[blue_ice]

[ He braces himself for a rough go and nods. ]

...know what? After what we've been through today? I'll go with you. But let's announce ourselves first.

[tokenloveinterest]

... Fine. That will give me time to go over my deck...

[She deactivates her Disk, and pulls out the deck, and then... her eyes go wide.]

Wait, what- Why do I have this deck?!

[blue_ice]

[ Good. He nods and is about to head back to his room to get properly dressed for a duel when he hears that. ]

You got someone else's deck?

[tokenloveinterest]

No, it's mine, but- I haven't used it in over a year!

[blue_ice]

You can purchase your newer deck with points later. I had to do that.

Sometimes the train decides we need sentimental items over what's useful.

[ His hand drifts up to his locket and briefly brushes over it. ]

Can you duel with it?

[tokenloveinterest]

[Can she duel with it?

... Through the fog of darkness in her mind, Judai's words cut through. Remember it- Just one card. One card that fought with her, that joined in all her struggles...]

I can. And I can win with it. A maiden in love is strong.

[She slots the deck back into her Disk.]

[blue_ice]

Alright. I'll get my stuff. Then tap out a warning to the train and approach the wall. We can strategize on the way, it's a long walk.

[ He does just that...and when Rei sees him again, he's dressed in the same exact outfit he'll wear 10 years later, though the disk model strapped to his arm is sleeker and glow-ier. There's also a vaguely Blue-Eyes shaped headset around his temple. ]

I've tolerated the train's whims so far...but it's done enough this time.

[tokenloveinterest]

[Rei nods, and falls into stride beside him.

She doesn't seem to see any problems with herself walking alongside one of the legendary duelists, one of the greatest of all time. It doesn't concern her.]

I've never seen the kind of gear you're using... President's personal use?

[blue_ice]

Alternate timeline, possibly. I've just put this model on the market. If it was for a personal effect, I'd go full dragon wing.

[ He snorts, his stride jauntier as they approach. He's always felt better in his own clothes. ]

So what's your primary deck strategy?