I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

[these_balls]

Who: Everybody on the Magnet Train + Anyone who wants to help evacuate said train!
Where: The Magnet Train!
When: April 26th!
Summary: Train robberies, Pokemon battles, and electrical fires!
Rating: If it goes higher than PG, I'll edit!
Log:

If it weren't for the heightened security while boarding, the passengers today might not have noticed any real difference between today's trip and any other trip taken by the Magnet Train. Sure the staff seem to be a little on edge, but there's about the same number of passengers as always, and they don't really seem all that concerned with the broadcasted threat. And about five, five and a half hours into the train ride, nothing really seems to have happened. Maybe the thieves were just full of hot air?

Or not since around this time the train starts slowing down before reaching a complete stop. If anybody takes a quick look outside, it'll show that the train's definitely not in Goldenrod yet. If it wasn't clear that something's wrong, a few moments after the train stops, there's a voice over the PA system that's definitely not the conductor's.

“Attention, passengers, this train is under our control now and if you don't want there to be any...accidents, you'll do as we say. In other words, stay seated if you know what's good for you.”

By now some of the NPC passengers are starting to look worried. Not all of them though. Maybe they know something the others don't?

“Now then. In a few minutes, some friends of ours are going to make their way through the cars. They'll be asking for a few things, and it's in your best interests to hand them over.”

With that, the train's speaker system clicks off.


{OOC: While the subthreads for the battles and fire are intended for the people already on the train, the subthread for evacuating the train can be tagged by anyone that would've flown out to help with the stranded train!}

Comments

[pipers_son]

We don't gotta do anythin'.

[On that, he's quite firm. He's glowering now, and Angel with him.]

These are criminals, ya don't know what they'll do! Ya might get yer damn fool self killed!

[It's something he knows quite well, after all. The lengths people will go to- and Joker doesn't want to test how desperate these people are.]

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy opens his mouth to protest, but the look Joker is giving him causes him to hesitate. Leader looks from Jimmy to Joker without moving his head, his gaze somehow pleading for Joker to stop him. Jimmy's a rather talkative child, and Pokemon are intelligent. Very intelligent. Jimmy has rambled to his companions about home before.

While they may not fully understand, somehow they do at least know that where Jimmy's from, risks can be taken that would prove fatal here.

It doesn't take long for Jimmy to prove that, his grip on the Pokeball in his hand tightening just enough to hit the button in the center, causing it to enlarge.]

But..

[His expression twitches into a bit of a crooked smile, enough to show the gap in his teeth.]

No, see- it's ok, really! I'll be fine! Even if these guys tried anything, I can take it! There wouldn't even be a scratch, honest!

1/2

[pipers_son]

Like hell there wouldn't!

[His voice rises high, hits something and strangles itself in his panic and anger. Angel's always mimicked what he's truly felt- it's been a problem since day one even though they've gotten better at it lately. Right now, however, they're both giving in so it's obvious that they're mirroring one another with skin gone pale and eyes gone wide even as they keep glaring. Joker's hand trembles a little bit in Jimmy's shirt, and Angel's shakes holding nothing but still acting like she is.]

I don't know what sorta ridiculous no-sense place you've come from before this, Jims, but everything's right and changed now! And I don't give a damned care if this place will go proper biblical and rise ya back up or whatever sorta nonsense happens here! Yer only human, and when yer human ya hurt and ya bleed out and ya breath yer last!

It don't matter a wit that dyin' ain't permanent here! I know for a fact that somethin' like that can be worse anyhow! Ya can still bleed for a long and painful while, ya can still end up bringin' ruin ta the people that matter most, can still ruin everythin' an' have no one ta blame but yerself-!

[His voice is starting to get louder, accent a bit more thick and maybe hard to push through at times, but he doesn't seem to notice just yet.]

[pipers_son]

[At least, until he realizes that he's let slip a bit more than he'd like to, and his shoulders go tense. He gives another hard tug at Jimmy's collar before he twists around on his heel abruptly as he lets go. Angel does the same, little body shaking.]

...Heroes sound all right and noble, but that sorta thing just leads ya ta ruin, Jims.

Now c'mon. That lot ain't the only thing we gotta worry about.

[justkeptswimming]

[Before the announcement, Asahina had been having a very nice train trip. She'd shared the snacks she'd loaded into her backpack with Donut, who'd spent most of the trip sprawled on her lap. She'd dozed off about an hour in only to be startled awake by the Rocket announcement.

"They'll be asking for a few things, and it's in your best interests to hand them over.”

Despite a bit of grogginess still clouding her brain, Asahina is on her feet in an instant. Like hell she's going to hand over anything to these...these bullies. She survived murder school and the damn despair apocalypse. She's not afraid to go up against these guys and their Pokemon.

She's reaching for Sakura's Pokeball when she smells it. It's faint but it still strong enough to make her nose burn- smoke. Something's on fire and she's pretty sure it's not a Pokemon. Oh geez, something on the train is on fire what do? She doesn't have the time to let her panic rise before she hears yelling and a voice she recognizes. Asahina jerks in Joker and Jimmy's direction and hustles into the aisle.]

Jimmy, Joker! I think something's on fire!

[awesmazings]

[Joker's words hit Jimmy suddenly, like a shock of panic. It takes only a moment before his grin to completely fade away when he sees that wild look of desperation in Joker's eyes as he tries to reign himself in without totally going off on the boy. Jimmy hadn't intended to hit a nerve. His breath quickens and his gaze darts from Joker to Asahina and back when he sees her come running up to them.

The ultra ball in his hand does grow smaller, though, and finds it's place once again clipped on his belt alongside the other pokeballs there. Probably for the first time since he got here, Jimmy's expression isn't exultant and eager to help like it was moments before. It's subdued, confused. Most of all, concerned.

Cherry bumps her head against Jimmy's leg as she sweeps past him, turning her head this way and that as she nervously sniffs the air. The smoke is starting to grow stronger, coming from somewhere farther down the train.]

I- ...I'm sorry. ..You're right.

[Then Jimmy turns his attention to Asahina, gritting his teeth.]

Where do you think it's coming from?

[pipers_son]

[It's a good thing Asahina comes running up when she does, because it gives Joker... Well, he can't exactly slip right back into his usual smiling persona, but he does force himself to relax and heave out a sigh.]

Figured I recognized that smell... Blimey charlie.

[He taps out his own Pokeball, Rogue the Furret practically twirling about.]

Hunt it down for us like a good lad, eh?

[Giant furry noodle doesn't need to be told twice. Already Rogue starts to rush down the aisle.]

[justkeptswimming]

[Curious as she is about what exactly he was yelling about, Asahina decides not to question them about it right this second. There are way more important things to deal with, namely finding the source of the smoke before things get nasty.]

Donut, come on. It looks like everyone else has these jerks handled. [She doesn't wait for the Slowpoke to roll himself off the seat before she's scooping him up in her arms and hurrying after the furry noodle.]

[awesmazings]

[Cherry takes off after Rogue like a shot, leaving Jimmy standing back with Leader still at his side. Oddly, Jimmy doesn't move for a moment, at least not until Leader nudges him forwards a bit with a short push of his head and a low growl. There would be plenty of time for talking later. Right now, something was on fire, and you don't want things to be on fire when the train is still packed with innocent people.

Jimmy runs after Asahina at a jog, pulling a different pokeball from his belt as he goes. Lucky appears in a flash of white, hitting the ground running between Jimmy and Leader.]

Lucky, please listen, ok? Something might on fire and we might need help putting it out...but please, please don't do anything until I tell you to!

[The Buizel usually would have scoffed, but something about Jimmy's tone of voice keeps him from doing so. He snorts and just runs ahead slightly, following Asahina as she follows Joker and the two Furrets rushing down the aisles.]

[pipers_son]

[Rogue reaches the engineering room door.... by which I mean slams himself headfirst into the metal obstacle and bounces off. Joker gives a sympathetic wince.]

Rogue, ya alright? Tell me ya ain't dead...

[Nope, not dead, as proven when Rogue hops up onto his itty bitty furry feat with a bewildered shake of his head. While the Furret wobbles in place for a moment, Joker goes to try the door and gives a scoff under his breath.]

It's locked.

[justkeptswimming]

Locked? [Asahina stays curiously far away from the door, holding Donut a little tighter against her chest. Now isn't the time to get clamy palms and a sinking pit in her stomach over something like a locked door. Not when there's a train full of people who could get seriously hurt.

She sets down the Slowpoke and reaches for two pokeballs attached to her belt.]

Should we break it down?

[awesmazings]

[Cherry runs up just a second before Jimmy, both panting slightly but not quite yet out of breath. For a kid his age, Jimmy's got an unusual amount of stamina. Then again, shots of adrenaline could keep you going for days if you let it.

He looks over at the door, Cherry standing next to Rogue now, bumping him gently with her head to see if he's ok.]

..I dunno. Either that or we need to figure out if we can find a key or something, which I guess...the conductor would'a had it, right? That means a Rocket has it now.

[He looks over to Joker with his hand hovering over his own pokeballs, definitely waiting for him to be the one to make the decision.]