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

[blue_ice]

Not someone we want to mess with.

[ Immediately, his security threat brain is kicking into overdrive. He crouches into a defensive stance. ]

Rule number one: no violence against fellow passengers. Can you abide by it?

>:3

[winterforecast]

[Her smile is sharp as a knife.

Or the claws she suddenly and very conspicuously has out as she crosses her arms.]

Nyo guarantees.

[tokenloveinterest]

Rule number one: Obelisk Blue solves Obelisk Blue's problems!

[Rei activates her Disk.]

I dunno if you're some weird... other-Asuka from another universe, or just possessing my friend, but either way, I'm going to beat you!

[blue_ice]

...I don't think this is a 'duel' problem anymore.

[ He is VERY visibly alarmed, staring at that claw. He waits to see if Alexis pulls out a deck, though. Still on the knife's edge. ]

[winterforecast]

[Alexis stares blankly at Rei for a few moments, processing what, exactly, she's implying.

And then she starts laughing her ass off.]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA-

HA-Oh- Oh my nya-

I really have been away from home for too long, I just... completely forgot that you people are like this, nya!

You know what? Sure.

Problem is I don't have a-

[Her eyes flit over to Kaiba.]

Nya, problem solved.

[That's all the warning he gets before she lashes out with an abrupt leg sweep, pops up with a devasting knee to the chest, tackles him to the ground, rolls, covers him and scratches, and comes out of the extremely brief conflict with his duel disk... arm... thing.]

How do I even... ah, here we go!

[She snaps out her arm and wraps the disk around it, smiling as she examines it.]

Oooh, pretty, nya.

[Alexis snaps Judai's signature "gotcha" salute at Rei, grinning maliciously.]

Now, get your-

[She snorts.]

Get your game-

Pffft. [She laughs, throwing back her head.] I can't even say it with a straight face. Whatever, let's just do this.

Oh, right, since we're getting nostalgic, how about some special rules, nya!

[She snaps her fingers, and walls of ice spring up to block the entrance and exit to the car.]

One, nobody leaves until this is over.

Two, whenever we take damage, one of our bodies gets covered in ice! Whoever loses gets encased for...

...nya, however long I feel like.

Deal?

Just kidding~ Wasn't looking for your input.

Get your nya on!

[tokenloveinterest]

[Ah. This is... distressingly familiar. It wasn't ice last time, but she's seen enough of those games in the monster world, that...

She raises her Disk.]

That's not really fair, but all I have to do is win.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba tried, he really did, but she's freakishly strong. And after getting the drop on him...well. He forces himself to sit up with considerable effort, shaking with rage and wounded pride. ]

I hate you.

[ He glares at Alexis, then turns to Rei. He really, really hates this. ]

If those tricks of yours really are as you say...you will.

[winterforecast]

I'll take the first turn!

[Alexis quickly scans over the cards. It's been a while since she's dueled, but it can't be too hard, right?

Right.

...she spends thirty seconds trying to place the virtual cards on the virtual disk before sighing and looking at the glove with disappointment in her eyes.]

This thing really is a piece of crap, you know?

I wonder if I just... smash it, an actual disk will pop out.

[She pulls her arm back, ready to smash it against the wall.]

[blue_ice]

No, you just---

[ Kaiba groans and gestures. ]

Hold out your hand. Virtual play field. Gesture here to draw. It'll appear in your fingers.

[ He grunts. ]

It expands duel possibilities, and doesn't allow any risk of damage to my real cards.

[winterforecast]

Ah, gotcha. Thanks~

[He can physically feel that tilde.]

Since I have no monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Kaiser Vorse Raider from my hand. [She... just sets it. Like a normal person. No flair or anything. Man, she really has lost her touch, hasn't she?]

Then, I Normal Summon Krystal Dragon, Tributing Kaiser Vorse Raider. [The dragon appears out of a crystal cocoon, screeching.] I set two cards and end my turn.

Your move.

[tokenloveinterest]

[Krystal Dragon..... Rei's never heard of that card. But if it's from Kaiba's deck, it's either a powerhouse, a card to search out Blue-Eyes, or both.

She can't compete with this in power. But she doesn't need to- She's not running a power deck anyway.]

A power deck like this isn't your normal strategy, is it? You're always using your Cyber Angels and relying on Rituals and their effects. Kaiba's trademark brute force deck won't do much for you, will it?

Maiden in Love, attack position!

[She summons her monster- The curly-haired princess in a fancy dress. Of course she does.]

Three cards facedown, and I'll end!

[blue_ice]

Maybe you'd be able to play with passion with your own deck.

[ Point. Point. There's no soul link there, she can't possibly win like that. But Rei had said she needed to be hit twice in order for her ace to take effect. He worries about the ice.

He tries to look encouraging, but he doesn't want to openly discuss things and give the thief hints.]

[winterforecast]

[Card out of the deck, into the hand. No grand, sweeping motions, no loud declaration. She just... does it.]

Battle phase. Krystal Dragon attacks Maiden in Love.

[Even if Alexis almost seems bored by the duel, the dragon certainly isn't, flying forward and screaming with full force as it aims for the little girl on Rei's side of the field.]

[tokenloveinterest]

[Rei turns to Kaiba, and... winks. She knows the risks. But she also knows what she's doing.]

Trap card, open! Magician's Defense! While I control a Spellcaster-type monster, battle damage is halved! And Maiden in Love while in attack position can't be destroyed by battle... And, don't forget her effect!

[The maiden starts making big doe eyes at the dragon... and a big heart marker appears on its chest.]

[blue_ice]

[ A perfect setup. Kaiba nods approvingly...and remains silent. Not giving Alexis any more free help. ]

[winterforecast]

Tch. You still take 1050 damage, nya. [Alexis huffs as the dragon slinks back over to her field. Is... is it blushing? Can dragons blush through those scales? Whatever.]

Due to Krystal Dragon's effect, I can add a Level 8 Dragon Monster from my deck to my hand. I choose Blue-Eyes White Dragon!

...oh, wow, those words feel supremely sexy to say, nya. No wonder you like this deck so much, Kaiba. [She grins wickedly at her hapless victim.

Oh, right!]

Speaking of... before I forget, it's time for you take the penalty. [Alexis thrusts her hand forward... but not towards Rei. Rather, she's pointing at Kaiba.

And indeed, ice rapidly crawls up his body, stopping just past his knees and locking him in place.]

What, I never said which one of you would be put on ice when you get damaged. And anyways, you duelist-types tend to get a bit more flustered when it's somebody else's safety on the line and barely care if you're neck-deep in a dozen deathtraps yourself. You're all really weird like that, nya.

Right, back on track. I activate the effect of Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon from my hand, nya. By revealing Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I can special summon Blue-Eyes Alternative to my field. [The dragon appears, looking like an HD Remaster version of the original Blue-Eyes as it screeches at Rei.]

I set a card and end my turn, nya.

[tokenloveinterest]

Blue-Eyes... Alternative?

[Rei glances back at Kaiba. She is, in fact, flustered. But...]

To your End Phase, I chain Solemn Wishes! I gain 500 life points every time I draw! So take that ice back off of him!

[She draws her card, getting back up to 3450 LP, and glares at Alexis.]

[blue_ice]

Timeline d---difference!

[ He shivers, face twisting in rage and...well, trying to function. He does not do well as a damsel in distress!]

It can act as a standard Blue Eyes on the field or graveyard, but starting next turn it can destroy one of your monsters per turn!

{ Damn. Will her strategy still work? He's looking a little desperate. ]

[tokenloveinterest]

Like I'm gonna let that happen!

[Rei slots in a magic card.]

Equip Spell, Cupid Kiss! When Maiden in Love attacks a monster with a Maiden Counter, and I take damage, I gain control of that monster! And then I summon D.D. Warrior Lady!

[Rei slaps the cards down, and-

Glances back at Kaiba. Is he going to be okay?]

D.D. Warrior Lady attacks Blue-Eyes! And at the end of the Damage Step, both D.D. Warrior Lady and the monster she battled are removed from play! And Magicians' Defense halves my battle damage!

[winterforecast]

Hmph! You know, if you keep self-destructing like this, there's no way you're going to win this duel!

[Said the pot to the kettle.

As the duel wears on, it's becoming increasingly apparent that Alexis is... rusty, at the very least. So sue her, she wasn't exactly looking for excuses to fuddle about with card games on Isla Sonrisa and it's been months since she's had a proper duel, alright?

But...

But.

She seems to be having genuine fun, even as Kaiba continues freezing over. Her gestures start getting more energetic, and her smile, while sharp and more than a little threatening, grows more real as time passes.

Alexis throws back her head and cackles maniacally as Rei destroys one of her monsters, clearly satisfied.] AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU FELL FOR IT!

I activate my trap, CRUSH CARD VIRUS!

Even if destroys all the dragons on my field, once I finally destroy Maiden in Love, you'll be wide open with nothing left to protect you!

[Grey gas begins flooding across the field and towards Rei as Alexis continues to laugh and laugh and laugh. At least one person is having fun?]

[tokenloveinterest]

[The dragons Rei has stolen all vanish. But, Maiden in Love... remains unharmed.

And while she's at it? Her deck glows, as the virus looks for applicable cards to target...

And one, single, lonely card ejects from her deck.]

Ahh... That was my other D.D. Warrior Lady. Sorry to say, but.... D.D. Warrior Lady is the only monster in my deck with 1500 attack points, never mind more. A maiden doesn't need to have big showy muscles to be strong, you know?

not a gagtag

[winterforecast]

Counterpoint: maidens with big showy muscles are hot.

[tokenloveinterest]

Hot, huh? Don't worry. This maiden's about to be hot enough to melt all of that ice, then.

Your virus's effects only work on monsters that were on the field, then in my deck and hand. In other words, if I summon a monster with more attack now, then it won't be affected by the virus. Isn't that right?

[winterforecast]

...you are correct, but I don't think I like where this is going. [Even so, there's a playful smile on Alexis's face that has a slightly lower cruelty content than normal. Progress?]

[tokenloveinterest]

Here we go! Take a look, at the strength of a Maiden in Love!

[Rei slams a card into her Disk.]

Monster Reborn! The monster I revive is the one you sent to the graveyard with Fusion Guard earlier... Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!

[The mighty three-headed dragon roars, rising from the ground, and...]

Equip card, Happy Marriage!

[Bells ring.

The three heads of the Ultimate Dragon lower, investigating this Maiden, who opens her arms, and hugs one of the heads. And another, she strokes the bridge of its face, and the last, she scratches under the chin.

The dragon huffs in acceptance, and lifts her up. Maiden in Love now stands atop the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's back.

ATK: 4900.]

With Ultimate Dragon gone from the graveyard, your Deep-Eyes White Dragon loses the target for its effect, so its attack becomes zero... And that means it's as good as a direct attack! Maiden in Love attacks Deep-Eyes White Dragon!

Ultimate Burst Stream of Love!

[The two side heads of the Ultimate Dragon stretch around, forming a heart shape around Maiden in Love.

The last head charges its attack, firing it off.... and the laser it shoots from its mouth is pink, giving off a heart-shaped aura, using Maiden in Love's power.]