second train → ...literally a train (days 2-7)

[infinitefrown]

[So lately there have been a bunch of crazy body changes the poor people of Luceti have had to go through. Ingo is no exception, but even after being turned into a Pokémon yesterday, he definitely wasn't expecting this.

SUDDENLY, SUBWAY SYSTEM.

There's a new set of stairs near the fountain that descend underground. The sign beside it helpfully spells out LUCETI SUBWAY. Elsewhere in the enclosure, similar staircases can be found, or the subway simply emerges from underground at the end of its path (such as the one near the beach).

Going down the stairs near the fountain reveals a rounded room with a number of platforms like this. The maps inside depict where each subway line goes. Most of the subway lines are pretty normal, but there's one that just goes in a circle labled "BATTLE LINE." There's an instruction sign on its platform explaining that it's a Pokémon battling line, and if you board you will be expected to specify your battle type and face 20 hologrammed trainers before reaching the SUBWAY BOSS(a hologrammed Ingo and/or his brother). GOOD LUCK CHALLENGERS.

Yep, other than that and the suspiciously Ingo-sounding intercom, it seems like a totally normal subway!

...Except one more thing.



Why do the trains have sideburns?!]



[Feel free to use the subway as you please! Tag in traveling groups, run into each other on the cars, or strike up a conversation with intercom-Ingo, whatever works. There can be stations wherever, and they can be underground/aboveground, either is fine! YEAH.]

Comments

Day 4

[findafamily]

[De-aged Firo hasn't been in Luceti long (or so he thinks), so he doesn't find anything strange about the appearance of the subway. He is curios, though, so he follows the stairs down to the platform.

He studies the sign, mumbling aloud to himself.]

"Battle line"? What's that..?

[Whatever it is, it sounds really cool. The trains back home definitely didn't have that!]

[infinitefrown]

[Oh, a little boy... and by the looks of it, not a Trainer. Well, that's okay! If he's curious, he's welcome to try!

Speaking to him from this distance might be a little weird, though, so Ingo will wait patiently for the boy to approach the train itself. A least, he can make the subway car's sign spell out BATTLE LINE more obviously.]

[findafamily]

[He turns away from the map and sees the subway train's sign. How convenient! Firo wanders over to the train, standing on his tiptoes to try and see what's inside.]

[infinitefrown]

[Ingo will open the doors for him-- no need to strain to see over the window's edge! The inside of the train isn't much different from other trains, though. Just a little bit sturdier in appearance.]

Welcome. [Oh god. That's not too weird of him, is it?! Please don't be scared off by the talking subway...!]

[findafamily]

[Firo steps into the train, looking around with wide eyes. It's been a while since he's been on something like this, and this train looks a little more modern compared to the ones he's used to.

Then he hears the voice and jumps a mile into the air.]

Wh-who's there!?

[Is he in trouble for not paying?]

[infinitefrown]

[W-whoops... that did not go as planned.]

Don't be alarmed. [He hasn't done anything wrong, promise!!] Ah... I am Ingo. I am the subway's conductor, you could say. [For convenience's sake.

Then, changing the subject to distract him from the weirdness!:] Were you curious about the Battle Line?

[findafamily]

[Well, this is new. Nobody's running over to reprimand him, so Firo calms down.]

Conductor..?

[He turns around in a circle, trying to spot the source of the voice.]

Um, yeah! What is it?

[infinitefrown]

[The voice is coming from speakers in the ceiling; so it's not a totally mysterious voice, thankfully.]

It's a competition, of sorts. Ah... [How to explain this.] Have you heard of creatures called Pokémon?

[findafamily]

Pokémon? Never heard of 'em. They fight here?

[He sounds a little disappointed; he had hoped it'd be for humans. If he's going to be stuck away from home he at least wants to be able to get stronger while he's there.

The mention of those weird creatures also brings up another problem: what if they're on the train with him? What if they try to eat him? Firo glances around the train anxiously.]

[infinitefrown]

Correct. But they need someone to direct them, in battles. Strategies, tactics, reading... [well... if he REALLY wanted to fight the holograms on his own...

...Aaaand the kid looks anxious again.] Ah. Also, on this train they are merely programs. [Except his own team, which is real, but... they don't count.] There is no danger.

[findafamily]

[Aw, that doesn't sound very fun. Firo leaves that strategy stuff to smart people.]

Programs? What's that mean?

[He's not entirely sure if he should trust this guy, but it's not like any strange beasts are charging down the aisle right now.]

[infinitefrown]

They are simulations. [...what's a less complicated word for that] an... image, if you will. Relatively intangible.

For example... [He loads one of the fuzziest, least threatening Pokémon this side of Unova into the far side of the train car.



It is so happy-looking! And smaller than Firo, with no claws or fangs. And completely stationary. Surely it can't be that scary!?] It looks quite real, but cannot attack you.

[findafamily]

[Aww, look at that! Even Firo has to admit it's kind of cute. He has no idea what intangible means.]

Really?

[Obviously this must be tested out with a hands on approach. Firo scampers over toward the hologram. When he's about halfway there, he turns back to the speaker.]

Can I try to touch it?

[Mysterious Subway Voice guy actually seems pretty nice, so Firo'll try being nice back.]

[infinitefrown]

You're quite welcome to. Go ahead. [Mysterious Subway Voice guy has a soft spot for small children... so he's happy to let Firo do whatever.

Attempting to touch it will reveal that-- yes, it isn't entirely touchable. Something is there, but it's less "living creature" and more "program"-- so his hand could pass through. It probably feels like slightly thicker air.

The simulation responds to his touch, though, and the Pokémon wags its tail happily, as if it was just petted. Yayyy pettings!]

[findafamily]

[Firo freezes with his hand still outstretched, staring at the hologram with wide eyes.]

Wow! How's it do that?

[Just gonna sneak in some more petting.]

[infinitefrown]

[Okay. How to explain this in small words...]

It... has instructions to react to its surroundings accordingly. Naturally, it's quite pleased to be stroked.

[Meanwhile, the Pokémon flicks its ears and and rubs its head into the petting, obviously happy for the attention.]

[findafamily]

[Firo'll keep petting the little guy.]

Can it move? Like, can it move from this spot?

[Not that he wants to try and play with it or anything, nosiree...]

[infinitefrown]

Absolutely. One moment...

[Suddenly, the Pokémon darts away from him, skittering halfway across the train. Once it skids to a halt, it turns around and chirps at him, wiggling its tail playfully in the air.]

[findafamily]

[Well, what can Firo do but follow it? If it wants to play, then he has to oblige!

Once he's close to the critter, Firo looks back up at the speaker. This is the happiest he's felt in a while.]

That's amazing!

[He reaches out to try and pet the Pokémon again.]

[infinitefrown]

I'm glad you think so. Incidentally, this Pokémon's name is Minccino. It is only one of many types of Pokémon.

[Minccino is happy for more pettings! Here, it'll roll over and he can rub its belly. Yessss.]

[findafamily]

Minccino?

[Just keep petting, just keep petting...

He debates asking if this specific Minccino has its own, personal name, but decides not to. If it does, that'll only make leaving it a more event sad.]

How many Pokémon are there?

[infinitefrown]

There are, ah... [What was the number again?...] Six hundred and forty nine known species, currently. [Minccino purrs, tail swishing.] If you would care to... I could show you another kind.

[findafamily]

That many!?

[Geez, can he even count that high?

He definitely wants to see the different kinds there are, but doesn't want Minccino to go away just yet. Of course, he can't outright say that. That'd be babyish. He stops petting Minccino for a moment and tries to ask casually:]

...Would that make this one go away?

[infinitefrown]

That we know of. There could be yet more. [thousands of pokemans, just waiting to be discovered!!]

No; the program is equipped to display up to three Pokémon at once. [...his attachment to the Minccino is awfully cute...] So Minccino could stay.

[findafamily]

No way!

[He resumes his petting of Minccino. The hint of what might be a smile crosses his face and he looks down at the ground to try and hide it.]

Okay. Can I see another? With Minccino.