Metal Express

Sam

Sam will wait for Dewey's analysis on the current situation.

Sam


Sam will make sure she has a proper distance and she will use Raine Dance.

"I hope this helps you guys also,".

Sam

Sam will make sure she has a proper distance and she will use Raine Dance. "I hope this helps you guys also,"

"Alright, you guys want a fight?" Freya asks. She punts a soccerball at one of the claws. Sam starts dancing and clouds appear near the roof. Raine points her umbrella into the air and water starts pouring on the claws and magma creature.

"Behold, the blade of Kusanagi!" Kiran yells. He draws a sword, then hides it behind his back. It reappears above the weakened claw and drops down on it.

The first claw extends a surprising distance and slaps Sam. The second grabs Raine by the scruff of the neck and hoists her into the air.

"Huh? H-hey! Let me... go...!" She kicks her legs and tries to pull herself free as it coils around her. The magma golem walks forward slowly, waving his arm and splashing all of you with red-hot lava.

Sam: Don't worry I will be careful. Just glad your safe now. Now to free Freya.

Sam will go ahead and aim all of the Raine petals at the claw holding Freya.

Sam attacks the claw holding Freya, leaving it damaged in a few spots. Raine charges with her umbrella, bashing it in the side. "Ow!" Freya yells. "Raine, st- OW!"

"Stop SQUIRMING, Freya!" Raine yells back. "You're not helping!"

"Well you're hitting me more than the claw!"

The golem starts advancing on Raine. Kiran clears his throat and gestures to a flower pinned to his chest. The golem spares it a glance, only for it to spew water out at its face. The stream hisses as it evaporates, and Kiran bursts into laughter. The golem answers by punching him in the face.

As the rain continues to pour, the golem is starting to darken.

"Raine be careful keep an eye on that golem,". "I will get Freya free,". "Kiran needs help with that Golem," Sam says to Raine.

"Freya please remain calm I promise to get you free," Sam says to Freya.

Sam will look for the most damaged part of the claw. Then Sam will go ahead and aim all of the Raine Petals at that area.

Sam blasts the remaining claw. It falls apart. Freya lands much more gracefully than her sister, rolling into an attack, throwing a baseball at the golem's leg.

"Oh, I'm fine... really..." Kiran assures you. "The nine of you don't need to look at me like that..." He fires a blast of magic from his wand, apparently aiming at the wall. "Did that hit? No? Oh, maybe... I'm not quite as fine as I thought..."

"OK, let's try this... Emerald Splash!" Chunks of green-tinted water stab into the golem, as rain continues to fall on it. It slows and discolors more, managing to slap Sam.


Dewey

Tia draws her lance back and prepares to lunge. Dewey begins an analysis:

GOGOGOlem
Element: Fire
Weapon: Fang
Skills: Splash, Burning Grab, KNOCKOUT!, Retribution
Weakness: Ice, Neutral, Plant
Resistance: Metal, Poison, Fire, Wind, Soul, Physical
Drops: ?
Description: A golem freshly forged in the fires of the Metal Express. Defense increases as it cools.

Fox throws his scythe and it slices through both the claws. One claw answers by slapping him, and the other slaps Tia. Katie runs forward and slashes the golem with her claw. "Ow!" she yells, drawing it back in pain. "Owowowow!" The golem grabs Katie by the chest and lifts her up. "OWOWOW! HOT!" Tia finishes her preparation and throws her lance through the golem. The golem drops Katie, who scrambles back. The gaping hole left in the golem's chest quickly fills as molten bits drip into it and fill the wound.

“Water might help, but if it cools too much it’ll be harder to take down.” Rather than casting Mystic Frost just yet, Dewey instead casts Mystic Lance on the golem.

Sam: Oh hell no. You dare lay a hand on Raine. There will be hell to pay. I guess it's time to try this move out.

Sam will say a small chant and will use Raine Petals. She will go ahead and aim all of the petals at the metal arm holding Raine.

"Ah, jeez, that's hot." Kiran says. He thinks for a moment, then takes off his hat and produces a bouquet. He tosses it into the air, and it transforms into several small objects that drop on the golem. "Hm. Not particularly effective." The golem answers by flinging more lava at everyone.

"Let go of my sister, you- HEY!" Freya tries to rush at one claw, only for the other to scoop her up, flip her upside down, and proceed to hold her in the air. She squirms against the metal claw, spewing several obscenities.

"Hm, looks like it's just the two of us," Kiran says, looking at the twins. "And the golem. Guess the claws can't do much besides keep a hold of them, at least."

Sam answers by throwing many many small blades at the claw holding Raine. "Sam, be careful!" Raine says. The claw is badly damaged by the attack, and the rain falling from the sky seems to short out something inside of it. It goes limp, dropping Raine onto her butt and no longer moving.

"OK! That didn't work, so let's try this!" She transforms into a giant preying mantis, complete with compound eyes and clacking jaws. "E-ew..." she says.

"You look so cute, though!" Fox assures her. He crouches down and readies for his next attack.

Tia thinks for a moment, then pulls out a large hammer with a snake-shaped handle and smashes the golem. The golem answers by bashing her in the side of the head. Tia staggers back, Dizzy. One of the claws slaps Dewey, then the other tries to wrap itself around Katie. She ducks down and avoids it.

Dewey fires another lance through the golem, this one leaving a much larger hole that closes slowly. “Tia!” Dewey steps back from the claw and in front of the staggering Tia, launching another lance into the golem aiming closer to its head.

Fox leaps into the air and turns, slashing the back of the golem's head with his scythe, leaving behind a trail of water. Dewey puts another lance through the creature's head. It doesn't particularly seem to mind missing its head, though it does seem to be slowing down even as it advances and flicks its arm, sending burning-hot specks of lava across everyone.

"STOP DOING THAT!" Katie yells. She slashes one of the claws with her sickle-like arms. The claw proceeds to stab her. "Ow... Why is this train so mean?"

Tia throws her lance into the air. It splits, raining down small pale-blue shards. The claws both snake through the attack without being touched, but the golem is peppered by the attack. The second claw reaches towards Tia, then veers at the last second to hoist Fox into the air instead.

Dewey is about to launch another lance at the golem, but on seeing Fox get grabbed instead uses Mystic Thorns to sprout vines from the walls around the arm, digging into it and attempting to pry it open.

Dewey summons a field of vines on the walkway near the claw, latching onto it. The claw whirs and grinds, stopping when Katie leaps and slashes it. Fox drops free, then turns and slashes the golem across the chest. The golem stutters and lets out a grinding noise, but manages to punch Dewey in the chest and send him sliding back. Tia takes careful aim with her spear, preparing to throw it through the golem, but the claw wraps around her ankle, snaking its way up and hoisting her into the air as it binds around her. "My turn?" she asks. "...This doesn't even hurt..." She almost seems... disappointed? No, that's not quite right. Dewey isn't entirely sure what to make of it.


Sam, Dewey

A loud thud echoes from one of the walls, and a huge shudder runs through the train. Red warning lights on the ceiling begin to flash and spin as an alarm blares. "WARNING. EXTERNAL THREAT DETECTED. WARNING."


Dewey

“Whatever that was must have been big. I’ve got a bad feeling about this...” Since Tia seems relatively unconcerned by the claw, Dewey keeps shooting lances at the golem in the hopes of finishing it off.

Fox leaps forward and slices off the golem's head. Katie slices through its arms, letting them fall to the ground. Flowing lava begins to reform the missing appendages until Dewey puts a lance through its chest. The golem slumps forward and stops moving.

Tia continues to seem entirely content to sit in the claw's grasp as it swings her around.

“Need some help getting down from there, Tia?”

"Hm? Oh. I guess so."

Dewey aims another thorn at the claw. The attack badly damages it, and it responds by dropping Tia on him. And by drop, I mean throw. Hard. While Tia and Dewey deal with that, Fox finishes the claw off with a quick slash of his scythe.


Sam

"Dammit what is it now ". "Let's take out this golem quickly,". "I really don't like the sound of that,". "Try blasting a hole in that thing,". "I have an idea but I need your help," Sam says to everyone.

Sam will wait to see if she can get an opening in the golem. If Sam can get the opening she will aim all of the petals inside the opening. Then she will cause the petals to expand once inside the opening.

If she can't get an opening just bash the thing with all the petals.

"Hole? Oh, yeah, I can make a hole... Lots of them!" A box appears next to the golem, then several swords stabbed into it. "Ha! Did I get him?" The box opens, completely empty. "...Did I?"

"Good job, Kiran." Freya throws the ball again, where it bounces of the thing's head. She tries kicking the soccer ball, which also thuds off.

"Um... H-hey, come... try me?" Raine says, whipping it with a stream of water. The golem stomps towards her, reaching out to grab her when Sam blasts it with a stream of petals. The golem stutters, then latches onto Raine's dress. It lifts her up, then slowly grinds to a stop.

"Is everyone okay,". "Hold on Raine I will help you get day," Sam will use the Blade petals to cut down Raine

Sam fires the petals at the golem's arm. It shatters, sending Raine falling again. This time Freya's there to make sure she doesn't end up on the floor. Kiran shakes his head. "So... we... won? Right? We beat all 20 of them?"


Sam, Dewey

Obtained Rubbery Cap x2
Obtained Metal Plate x3
Obtained Flame Core x1

"I think so,". "But that thud,". "And those alarms,". "I really don't like the sound of that," Sam responds.

"I'm sure it's fine," Kiran says. Come on, let's... oh, wait, we got enough stuff, right? So, what now?"

Dewey looks back over at the wall while combining materials together using his Soul Key.
“We should probably get out of here before we’re forced to deal with whatever’s outside.”
Using 5 metal plates and three rubbery caps, Dewey crafts a Silvershroom Amulet.
A silver amulet of protection in the shape of a mushroom.

"I don't know,". "I guess it's whatever you guys want to do?". "Merenna mentioned something about crafting but do we have enough,". "If you guys want we can continue to explore," Sam says.

Tia nods. "OK. And, um..." She lowers her voice to talk to Dewey "Don't... mention before." She rubs her head. "It's a snake thing..."

“Okay then...”

Raine pulls out her phone. "Hold on a minute..." She taps away at it. "I have... notes in here... um... Hold on..."

"Mom used to..." Tia trails of and shakes her head. "Right, armor..."

"Ah, here it is! Yep, we should have enough," Raine announces.
She looks over at Dewey, already finished. "Ah... Yes."

"Oh okay then I actually could use a new weapon," Sam says.

Sam will use 5 metal plates and 2 razor fangs and 1 flame core

I hope this works

Sam's weapon turns into a steel-colored whip with razors every few inches. The razors have a faint orange glow.

"OH!" Raine yells. "That's so pretty..."

"Thank you I was a little nervous this being my first time," Sam says.

"Freya or Raine did you ladies want to try," Sam asks.

Raine looks over her collected materials, then shakes her head. "No, I think I'm going to wait until tomorrow to see what the beach looks like first..."

"If we're planning to make some badass armor tomorrow, then making a weapon's not a bad idea," Freya says.

Kiran shrugs. "I'll just be here. Existing."

"Wait so you ladies want to go to the Beach tomm,". "Yay I can't wait to go with you ladies ". "Oh I can't wait to see what the Beach is like,".

"What about you Mr. Kiran did you want to make a weapon or armor?". "Wait what are we going to still explore more of this area?" Sam asks.

Katie and Fox hop over. "We want to keep exploring!" they say together.

Tia shakes her head. "We... probably shouldn't stay here when this place is like this." She points at the alarm lights. "They might be waiting to attack us?"

Kiran shrugs. "And how's that different from normal?"

Tia flicks. "True... But more than normal."

"What was that, anyway?" Freya asks.

"Um... If we're going to the beach tomorrow after all, maybe it would be better to pace ourselves..." Raine suggests.


"Alright, let's get out of here," Freya says. "Since we found the entrance, we can come and go as we please, yeah? During the right times."

"Awwwww," Fox and Katie say.

Tia puts a hand on their shoulders. "No snaking - sneaking off on your own."

"Okay then so Freya what do you think about everything?". "Seeing how this was your first time," Sam asks.

Freya shakes her head. "This wasn't my first time. My first time was with Nat..." She stops and shrugs. "I liked the other place better."

"Oh right you and Natsumi were on a picnic,". "Did you fight anything with her?". "Or was it just sight seeing?" Sam asks.

Dewey continues staring apprehensively at the wall. “Is there any chance we could continue this conversation back in our own world?”

"Yeah, sure. I don't have much to say about it anyway," Freya says. "I'm not supposed to talk about all that."

You all head towards the entrance portal. Looking around the open rear platform, you notice a few claws have popped up. They observe you, but don't seem to have any intention of attacking.

Tia leans on the railing and looks over. "Something's different?" she says.

Dewey looks at the claws, but once again doesn’t pay them any more mind than they’re paying him.

“What do you mean?” Dewey asks.

"Hmm what do you mean different?" Sam asks at the same time.

"The aether's a little thicker," Tia says.

"Aether?". "What's that?".

"It's the stuff that makes up the stuff," Tia says. "And your soul key compresses it into armor and stuff."

“Could the increase in aesthetic density have anything to do with the change in location? The train’s moving pretty fast, by this time we’ve likely traveled quite a ways.”

Tia shakes her head. "I dunno. Maybe? But everywhere I've been recently has felt pretty close."

"Is it bad if the Aether is thicker then usual?" Sam asks

"Probably... not...?" Tia says. Flick. Flick. "One of the older guardians would probably know better..."

"Well the only guardian I know is Hinoh,". "Do any of you guys know any of the other guardians?" Sam asks.

“There’s Death, but Hinoh might be the better option anyways. Even if he doesn’t know, he might have a few books about Aether I can study. I’ll go see him tomorrow.”

"Wait Death as in the skeleton figure that wears a cloak death?". "Like carries a huge ass sythe,". "Like I can kill you with a touch Death?" Sam asks Dewey

"Him? But Aunt Hinoh's a lady?" Katie says.

"No, he's a guy?" Tia says.

"Huh?" Fox says. "So why didn't he ever correct us...?"

Tia shrugs.

“Yes, Death is the Shadow Guardian.”

"Wait you guys had an encounter with Death?". "Was it scary?". "How did you make it out alive?" Sam seems surprised.

“Actually, she was rather nice.” Dewey smirks a bit, Sam’s reaction helping him realize just how strange it is that he’s gotten used to all this.

"Wait Death was a she?". "How could you tell wasn't she all skeleton like?" Sam asks.

“Less skeletal than you’d expect.”

"Oh but I thought Death was out to harvest souls,". "Or to bring dead people to the other side,". "Death was actually a nice lady,". "The only thing I know about Death is the whole skeleton reaper thing,". "Oh and one of those games where you fight a vampire lord in a creepy castle,". "Death is usually one of the really hard bosses or guardians,". "You have to fight and he's really hard,". "Death has been known to be the right hand man of the Vampire Lord to," Sam said to Dewey. "Wait so is everything I know about Death wrong?" Sam seems really surprised

Kiran snorts. "Pffffft. Game-Death's a wuss."

"Game Death always gave me a hard time,". "Wait is game Death the same as the Death you guys know?". "Is their multiple deaths out there?" Sam seems more flabbergasted then she should be.

"This isn't a useful topic of conversation right now." Raine says. "I'd like to get away from these claws soon, please..."

“Yes, let’s go.”

Move to Vitcity.

Floyd rubs his head gently "I second that ow also wow I thought the Tr- Ma- The Labyrinth was cool Giant train definitely has it beat" He comments still scanning the horizon as he offers Katie his hand

"We should probably have a goal in mind to keep us focused" Floyd says taking out his Soul Key "I know let's meet whoever's driving this train!" He decides as he activates it

Floyd looks around excitedly nodding to himself once he's got the layout of the room "We want to get to the end so we should avoid as many monsters as we can.... though I am tempted to see how fast the wind could get me there" He says to no one in particular before moving on to the next room quietly

FLoyd tilts his head pondering both the question and how best to continue "Ohhh that I mean I guess.... I'll be honest being here just makes me feel dramatic it's not everyday you stumble into another worldly conspiracy after all" He replies stopping for a moment and summoning the horse "I didn't really think about naming him kind of weird naming a part of your soul it's strange thinking all this stuff comes from inside me, like what does this mean" He ponders gesturing to his attire