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

BATTLING THE BURGLARS

[these_balls]

After the PA system clicks over, in each car, a few people stand up. Some of them might be staff, some of them might be passengers, but given the smug expressions on their faces, they're in on what's going on here. Each one's carrying a rather large empty duffel bag, and will be proceeding down the aisle asking people to hand over their Pokeballs and any other valuable items they might have. It's pretty clear that they're not expecting much of a fight from the locals, so maybe someone else will try and put a stop to this horrible heist?

{OOC: For those battling, just tag in refusing to hand your stuff over and we'll go from there!}

FIGHTING THE FIRE

[these_balls]

So at this point, things aren't going too well, and it's pretty clear that the disgruntled Grunts' master plan is rapidly falling apart. So it's time to put the escape plan in motion. So after receiving a signal from his co-conspirators, a Grunt in the engine room locks the door, and with some work, uses some of the train wiring to start an electrical fire. He's of the opinion that should be enough to cover the others' escape attempts, but since he's locked himself in a room with a rapidly growing fire, he's not sticking around to find out. So he'll have his Drowzee teleport out and hope everything works for the best.

{OOC: Fire extinguishers here's your chance to put your plan into action! If you require any additional details or info about the room, let me know and I'll add any additional information you guys need!}

LEAVING THE LOCOMOTIVE

[these_balls]

The fire's been put out and the robbers have been apprehended or escaped, but there's still a major problem. The train's still stuck outside Goldenrod. And not going anywhere. Thanks to the teleporting...train employee, the police in Saffron are aware of the situation, but it's going to take a while for them to get there. In fact, they're probably contacting Goldenrod at the moment to see if they can get anyone out there faster.

So if anyone wants to help fly people from the train to Goldenrod so they get there faster, now would be a pretty good time. Or they could hang out in the train and wait. After all, help's probably on the way. Whatever they decide to do, it'd probably be a good idea to keep an eye on the Rockets. Wouldn't want any of them wandering off while people are busy doing other things.

{OOC: If you'd like to play out evacuating the train, go ahead and do so here! Feel free to handwave NPC passenger interactions if you'd like! They're not going to object to being taken off the train. If you need anything played out though, feel free to let me know!}

[fourwayconnection]

[Surrender? Sorry, I think you mean "suddenly vault up and aim a kick right at a Rocket Grunt's face" in true shounen fashion.]

[Because that's definitely what Kirikou is doing, the tiny Houndour puppy on the seat besides him yapping up a fuss.]]

Are you kidding me?! No way am I giving in to losers like you! This is my team and you aren't laying your hands on any of them!

Re: BATTLING THE BURGLARS

[falseshore]

[Sorry dude, you picked a bad person to attempt to steal from, considering how attached this guy is to his team and how he feels about someone just casually handing it over.

That said, his response is to stand up and confront the would-be thief. Hopefully being tall and relatively muscular is intimidating enough.]

How about you get out of here before I kick your ass?

[His Noctowl hops onto the seat he vacated, but does nothing for the moment.]

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy found himself on the train today on a trip with Joker for business reasons concerning the Circus that would soon be getting underway. Of course it was also the perfect excuse for Jimmy to get to ride on the train and see the sights. Plus, it was fun just getting to travel with Joker in the first place. He had heard about the threat, but of course being Jimmy didn't put that much stock into it...

Until the train actually slowed to a stop, of course.

Most other trainers were on their feet and defending themselves against the Grunts before they could even make their way back to where he and Joker were seated. This marks Jimmy's first true exposure to Team Rocket, and the thought of them thinking they could just muscle in here, steal Pokemon, and threaten everyone like this was a little to much for Jimmy to bear. For a while though he does hang back, his Manectric and Furret standing close by and at the ready.

It's around the time when the scent of smoke starts to make it's way through the cabin that Jimmy abruptly jumps to his feet, taking his Pokemon by surprise as he tries to round the corner around the seat to get to where other trainers are fighting.]

Alright, that's enough! C'mon Leader- who do these guys think they are, trying to steal people's Pokemon?!

[He's reaching at his belt for another pokeball even as he makes his way, intending to let his Houndoom, Lucius, combine forces with Leader to show these guys what for.

...The fact that he's grossly inexperienced for this sort of confrontation hasn't yet crossed his mind. ...Not to mention the fact that the scent of the smoke seems to be getting stronger...]

[pipers_son]

[While more than aware of the threat that had been given out earlier, Joker had simply been hoping that would turn out to be nothing more than a threat. Because he really did have to go on a bit of a business trip, and it wasn't something that could wait unfortunately. It had even been looking good for a while... and then the train had started to stop.]

[He'd only said one thing as he'd sunk a bit into his seat, muttered under his breath.]

Aw, bloody hell.

[Fortunately, there had been some real hero types leaping up to defend themselves and everyone else. Joker had been fine with that. More than fine with that. It's only when Angel starts to tug at his empty sleeve does he frown and start to look around....]

[And that's right when Jimmy suddenly decides he wants to join the hero brigade too.]

[In a flash, Joker is on his feet and lunging forward to grab Jimmy by the back of his shirt collar.]

Jims, hold your horses! This ain't for either of us ta get involved in!

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy's sneakers skid on the carpeted aisle a bit when Joker suddenly grabs his shirt, stopping him short before he can release Lucius or barrel right into the thick of the battling. He only turns enough to look over his shoulder, Leader and Cherry both piling into the aisle while Jimmy is stopped.]

W...why not? We have to do something! I wanna help get rid of these guys!

[Even though there are actually people handling this rather well, it doesn't sit quite right with him to just sit back and watch it all happen. Leader sidles up close to the boy's side, anxiously stepping from one paw to the other while watching Joker out of the corner of his eye. He might always look fierce by default, but it's clear he doesn't want Jimmy to be trying to fight these Grunts.

He'll battle if Jimmy tells him to, but he's hoping Joker can talk some sense into him before that happens.]

[cantgofast]

[Sonic thought that doing some more exploring in this new world would do him some good. He finally realized he had money and came to the decision that it was time to relocate after being stuck in one area for so long. It's too bad he picked a day like today... Or was it?]

[He hadn't picked up on the strange tension on the train, as he was lost in his own thoughts, staring out the window he sat next to for the entire ride.]

[However, when the train stopped, his eyebrows furrowed. He expected to see a town when they stopped. Sure as heck wasn't there now. Moving his eyes away from the window, Sonic frowned as he listened to the commotion from other passengers. Their confused conversations confirmed that this was wrong.]

[The PA went off and made it's little threats to everyone on board. There was a mixture of nervousness and anger from other riders. Can't say Sonic wasn't a bit mad too but that didn't stop a cocky smirk from creasing on his face.]

Finally! Some action!

[He thought he'd never kick bad guy butt again! Before the speakers had turned off, Sonic was already out in the aisles, looking for trouble. He wasn't about to let some small fries terrorize the innocent.]

Alright, which one of you wise guys thought it'd be funny to pull this little prank?

[soundmind]

[Whoa--this kid's nuts--oh wait, he's got somebody with him standing up and grabbing a Pokeball from her belt, a growling Houndoom already at her side.]

Kirikou, they've got Pokemon with them, if they're going to try and rob us we'll just knock them and their team out.

[Though if they try to physically grab anything from her, she's going to punch and Kali's going to bite.]

[islandshore]

[Duffel bags? Orders to hand over his Pokémon? There's no doubt about it, then; this is a Rocket operation.

Well, Riku suspected there'd be some action sooner or later. If nothing else, this'll help whip him into shape.

So, smirking, Riku slides out of his seat and shakes his head. His Weavile hops down next to him and flexes his claws.]

You really think that's gonna work? Sorry, but if you're really that desperate, you're gonna have to pry them from both of our hands first.

[The Weavile nods.]

Not a simple task, I assure you.

[Riku's hoping he looks at least slightly imposing for a nineteen year old. If nothing else, he's tall and muscular, but in a world where Pokémon do all the fighting, who's to say it'll even count?]

[ajustcaws]

[Cynthia had been planning for this for a while --- ever since she had heard the announcement, actually. Sure, it was a little traitorous because they were technically her teammates... but hey! She'd never asked to be part of this stupid criminal team anyway, and she couldn't stand for injustice --- not for one second!

So she arrives on the train in full armor (likely drawing some confused looks from the passengers), and when the Rocket Grunt asks her to hand her Pokemon over, she has a one-liner already prepared. She springs from her seat and dramatically points at them, going for a Pokeball attached to her belt.]

The only thing I'll be handing over to you is a defeat! I won't let you carry out your evil scheme, criminal scum!

[neededlassie]

[The only pokemon that Shaun has out with him on the train is his Munna, Bella, who's sitting on his lap with a sleepy expression on her placid face.

A 12-year-old is probably the person that the grunts least expect to put up a fuss, but when they get to his row he shrinks back against the window where he's safer and fixes them with a death glare, holding onto Bella for dear life.]

No way you're getting my pokemon! Or anyone else's! I challenge you to a battle!

[shslasshat]

[...Oh, please. He's faced assassins, murder school, and the aftermath of an apocalypse. You think a little highway robbery is going to scare him?]

How quaint, that you think you'll get anything from me. Shall I prove to you how wrong you are, or is your cowardice as great as your idiocy?

[soundmind]

[Well. She volunteered her Charizard, who was happy to take passengers, but the question that's on her mind is should she volunteer her Alakazam too?

He's powerful, of course, shown by him menacingly waving his spoons at the suspicious robbers that remained (what) but would he be willing or able to help transport people to Goldenrod too?]

...Hey--[Then he throws her the most evil look because he was probably reading her mind and she shuts her mouth immediately. Never mind, telepathic fox creature is too scary to ask for favors.] Hnn, Serafina should be back soon anyway. This is the last time I let Kirikou drag me onto a trip for something stupid he wants to buy.

[Honestly, whatever happened to catalogs???]

[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!

[whos_that]

[Okay, hang on. He's not actually sure what to say here. They weren't expecting anyone to stand up to them, so he's sort of at a loss what to say. Though if he thinks back to his years of Team Rocket Grunt training, he's pretty sure the standard reply is...]

Yeah, you and what army, punk?

[Nailed it.]

Why don't you just sit back down and have over your stuff before somebody gets hurt?

[whos_that]

I'd be less worried about who planned this and more worried about handing over your stuff before something happens to you.

[The Grunt proceeds to...or attempts to menacingly shake the empty bag at Sonic. If it's even possibly to menacingly shake a bag at someone anyway.]

So why don't you be a good little robbery victim and hand your belongings over? Before I have to take them from you.

[whos_that]

If that's how you want to play it, then that's fine with me!

[The Grunt's just going to place the bag on the floor and select a Pokeball from her belt. Looks like she's starting off with a ...Golbat. It's a little cramped in the aisle, but it's doing its best to look intimidating.]

I could use some new Pokemon anyway.

[islandshore]

Ha. Don't start celebrating too early.

[Ah, at times like these, Slash is grateful for being one of his trainer's smaller Pokémon. With the Golbat out and about, both Riku and his Weavile exchange glances, and then Slash leaps straight into the fray.

Sorry, Grunt, but Riku doesn't trust you to play fair. For that reason, Slash dives forward and launches Ice Punch straight away.]

[whos_that]

[Did this girl really just call him criminal scum? He's not offended, he totally is criminal scum, but just...who says things like that? And what's with the armor? Looks like something from King Arthur and the Escavaliers of the Round Table or something.

He's not even sure how to respond at first. After a few moments of silence, he resorts to the standard Rocket strategy for being confronted by a trainer who wants to battle.]

You'll have to get past my Pokemon first if you want to defeat me!

[And the Grunt's first Pokemon is...a Grimer! Which is leaving a really gross trail of muck as it moves down the train aisle.]

[whos_that]

Challenge accepted kid!

[After all, it's not like Team Rocket Grunts, even disgruntled ones, have a problem with battling a kid. Seriously, if they had problems with taking on kids, they'd...well, honestly, they probably wouldn't lose as much. Huh.]

Just don't complain when you lose! Or when I take your Pokemon!

[And the Grunt's first Pokemon is...a level 42 Raticate!]

Scary, huh? Why don't you just give up now before it takes a bite out of that Munna?

[neededlassie]

[Shaun can't tell by looking how strong the Raticate is, and it may be hubris or it may be the 4 level 100s that he can bring out if Bella (level 75) gets overwhelmed, but he's not terribly concerned. Bella squirms until he lets her out of his arms, climbing out of the cramped row to face the grunt in the aisle.]

I'm not scared of a dumb Raticate! Bella, let's show 'em what we're made of! Use Psychic!

[cantgofast]

[Sonic couldn't help but laugh.]

PFF get a load of this guy!

[After yukking it up, Sonic crossed his arms, his grin growing bigger.]

Sorry, small-time. I don't think that's gonna happen.

But I would love to see you try!