voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yeah, yeah. You notice I'm not even trying?" At least the bug had a proper understanding of villainy. That was a pleasant change of affairs.

"Then....we can go?"

For all of Wormmon's grasp of villainy, his grasp of tact is - not that. He was going to leave whether this book wanted them to or not.

But if he doesn't have to fight a book, that works out better for all involved. This is a crowded platform, and if anybody uninvolved in the conflict gets hurt anyway, that will make Ken-chan sad!

Wormmon must not make Ken-chan sad.

"Go where? You're stuck here. Or on the train, when it leaves." Go away from his reach? Impossible! All things are within the reach of the almighty Overlord!

"That doesn't matter. You're not going to hurt Ken-chan any more!"

"...I'm not hurt, Wormmon."

How could he. Confronted with something he didn't know how to handle, Ken had made Wormmon worry on his behalf.

So he'll pick up his partner and then tell Zetta, solemnly, because all villains are threats to be taken with equal gravity:

"We won't let you harm anyone."

"You couldn't stop me if I wanted to. But I don't want to, so quit worrying about it. Sheesh, heroes like you are the biggest thing stopping us from getting home, you know." The book let out a long, low breath, more frustrated than amused now.

"Stopping us from getting home?"

That's just about the only thing Zetta could have said that makes less sense than a villain who doesn't want to harm anyone!

"Hey, Ken-chan, let's just goooo..."

"Right, exactly." Zetta chose to ignore Weedlemon, having dismissed the bug as a whiner. "If I just conquered a world, we'd have this all wrapped up. But it's always the heroes who are all, 'you shouldn't conquer worlds!' Like they have a plan!"

"But that can't solve---"

"Ken-chaaaaaaaaaan...."

"Weedlemon" is a whiner.

But "Weedlemon" also will not be ignored. He begins crawling up Ken's front. Talking to a villain can only end badly. If he has to keep climbing till his antennae are popping up into Ken's field of vision instead of the big bad book (or, well, big by book standards), then that is what he is going to do!

After all, the other source of physical comedy exploded itself.

"It absolutely can. I get a Netherworld, I get a body. I get my body back, I can fix all of this."

Zetta was honestly pretty curious about just how far Weedlemon was going to go, and how far Ken here was gonna let him.

The answer to both questions is: pretty far!!

"That doesn't satisfy me!" Ken insists; he's not sure how what Zetta just described would work, but he does know an "easy" solution usually comes with costs he's not willing to pay. That doesn't make the heroes the ones in the way, does it?

Does i---

---Speaking of in the way.

"Ken-chan."

Why is Wormmon on his face.

"I'm cold, and you're scared. Let's go on the train."

Zetta tilted slightly in midair.

"...kid, this may come as a shock to you, but your bug is making it really hard to have a proper conversation."

"He doesn't have to talk to you!"

This would perhaps be more insulting if it were not coming from someone who maybe weighs like. Five pounds tops.

"Let's goooooo."

.....

He's made Wormmon this worried?

"....Right." Ken engages in careful worm face-sit extraction. He turns to Zetta. Part of him wants to say "this isn't over", but - it also really didn't begin, did it? And if they talk any longer, he'll make Wormmon fret even more.

So he simply announces: "I have to go."

And turns to leave.

Yeah, Zetta, you should be real concerned about heroes like this. They've really got their stuff. Together.

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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