quote:

The day faded into night as the blue sky turned black. We had made a lot of progress today; Thunderbark said we should arrive by morning. Clare’s absence left me with a feeling that there was something missing.

quote:

And I couldn’t bare [sic] it. Along with that I still did not know the most important things about me, this world, and others; information that I seeked [sic] terribly.

We all sat around in an awkward silence at our campfire. Nobody said a single word. It was Static who finally spoke.

“Merrylegs and I could get more wood, we are kind of running low on it.” He said getting up. Merrylegs followed him into the forest, now it was just me and Thunderbark. I looked into the fire, watching its flames lick the air, spitting out sparks. I then glanced at Thunderbark, now would be the time to ask him.

quote:

“Thunderbark?” I said quietly.

“Yes, Railrunner?”

“I want to ask you something - something that Moonhoof brought up.”

“What might that be?” He beamed warmly.

“Moonhoof told me where the residents here come from, but she said I came from a different source. She said you might know.”

Thunderbark looked at me, his light eyes simply stared into mine. His mouth remained in a firm grim line as Thunderbark sat there like a statue.

He then sighed and gave in. Obviously disclosing a subject that he did not feel comfortable speaking about.

quote:

“Most everyone thinks that the red was a science experiment. A super coaster in other words. Alas that is wrong. Others say the red is a god made from the blood of dead coasters. That is wrong, too. Moonhoof is right, only a roller coaster knows where the red comes from.”

“Where?” I asked so quietly that not even the creatures of the night could hear.

quote:

+ + +



Back in the real world, Clare sat in a dark room lit with a single light. She nervously twiddled her thumbs on the table. Clare was at a police interview, and she prepared for Captain Vick; collecting up her loose words and thinking of what to say.

The city had been on high alert for the past two days. Squad teams and even the army patrolled the streets like predators looking for prey.

quote:

She knew that the FBI wanted more. They were going to ask her of Railrunner’s whereabouts, any information they could squeeze out of her.

quote:

Then the door creaked open and the Captain invited himself in.

“Evening Miss Clare.” He said grinning and sitting down. She only looked and didn’t reply. He placed a box of donuts on the table. Clare’s face turned red in vexation.

“Are you going to pull the good cop bad cop card?” she said disgusted.

quote:

The Captain narrowed his eyes. Then he went on with what he was doing.

“Mam, you seem to know the most information about the roller coaster. In fact, last time you didn’t mention some of it. For example - it was your boyfriend!” he finished in an uproar.

quote:

Clare gulped in response.

“Clare, can you explain his motive. Explain why he killed all those people.” He said looking into her eyes.

She hesitated. Clare’s heart rate went up.

“Answer me!” he yelled at her.

“It wasn’t his fault!” She screamed back in his face.

Captain Vick slammed his fist on the table.

“What do you mean it wasn’t his fault!” he said frustrated.

“He had no control!” she winced. Then she repeated her words.

“Why?” he demanded.

“He told me he did not have control until the first full moon. When he is in control, he wouldn’t hurt anyone!”

quote:

The Captain was silent. He then started again with a question that only made Clare’s heart beat faster.

“What else did he tell you?”

“Railrunner didn’t tell me anything else!”

“So - the coaster has a name.” Vick said rubbing his prickly chin.

Clare gasped and put her hand over her mouth.

“I’m not as stupid as I look mam; I thought you would know more.”

Clare simply looked at him in horror.

“Where is he Clare?”

“I don’t know.”

“You know!”

“I don’t!” she cried.

“Tell me!”

“What is the point! No one can reach it!”

“What is it!”

“Another universe!”

“Space?”

“No! It is a world that is only accessible by those who are of its blood!” she screamed.

The captain got in her face and sighed.

“What is this place called Miss Clare?”

She swallowed and wiped away her tears.

“ Railrunner calls it Hell.”

quote:

+ + +


“What is it Thunderbark?” I demanded.

He let out a long tired sigh. His icy eyes went from the mesmerizing flames back to me again.

quote:

“Railrunner, the red is the only ride that is born, not from magic, but of a womb.” He finished. I however continued to stare bluntly at him.

“That has got to be the stupidest poo poo you have said to me since we got here! I mean, how in the hell is that possible!” I laughed.

quote:

Thunderbark snorted in disgust and looked at me then continued.

“Here anything can defy logic and explanation.” He grumbled under his breath.

quote:

“How does it happen then?” I asked almost wanting to snicker, even though Thunderbark was probably telling the truth. What the white coaster said was so bizarre that it was hard to believe.

“I [/sic] goes like this, after a red dies; a few years later a female coaster is selected. She is chosen because she is the purest and has the nicest heart towards others. Amusement Park Between summons her to the Temple of The Red. The whole time she is in a trance and doesn’t have a clue what goes on or happens. Some spirit thing occurs, but I [sic] not entirely sure on that one.”

quote:

“Next morning she returns home with amnesia. Then its twelve months of patience, after that the red is born and all hell breaks lose.” Thunderbark finished.

“What happens next?”

“The red is sought after to be killed by the Fallen or an evil sort. That is the reason why I and my troupe had to take you to the real world, so you wouldn’t die.”

“Bizarre, interesting, yet weird as all get out.” I replied. Then another thought crossed my mind. “Thunderbark, who was my mother?”

He sighed again and poked a stick into the fire. He seemed to be thinking, trying to recall who she was.

quote:

“Railrunner, I believe your mother’s name was Angeltrack.” Suddenly Thunderbark’s eyebrows raised in shock he straitened [sic] up and gulped. “My god, now I remember -.”

“What?”

“I remember when I found you; I remember your mother’s death.”

quote:

I looked into the fire and thought deeply to myself. This was something I wanted to know, but yet did not. However, my thoughts pushed me.

quote:

“What happened, Thunderbark?” I said with my tone just above a whisper.

“Well - here it goes. I was hunting alone in the forbidden forest, hence the name;”

quote:

“I was minding my own business when a roller coaster ran past me. As I peered down from the tree, I noticed she had a bundle in her mouth. I decided to watch her every move, because I sensed trouble. She suddenly hid her bundle in the crevice of a large boulder; after that she took off. The next second I found out why she was running.”

“Why?” I asked wanting to know more.

“Freakshow. She was after Angeltrack, chasing her with claws extended and fangs barred. I got down from my perch to assist, but the second I touched the ground; I witnessed the most bloodcurdling screech I had ever heard. From that very moment I knew I was too late, Angeltrack had been murdered in cold blood. I remember Freakshow’s maniacal laughter as she left.”

quote:

“What happened next?” I asked concerned.

“I remembered the bundle she hid in the rock. I went to investigate, and found you. That was when I knew Ironwheel was after the red, and I knew I had to help. So I gathered Merrylegs and Static for assistance. We decided you would be safe in the real world.”

“Ok, but how did I end up alone?”

“Well, we decided you should be with humans, to be raised as a changeling. It was for the better, because we wanted you to know their background and deal with them, learn their lifestyles, and culture.”

quote:

“ That way you would seem normal to society and nothing would look equivocal [sic]. We secretly watched you over the years, but when you were adopted we lost track. Finally we found your whereabouts just in time, when Amusement Park Between was being tortured by Ironwheel.”

quote:

“That’s why you put the ad in the paper.”

“Correct, because we knew you couldn’t resist.”

I chuckled at that one, but I still had another question for Thunderbark.

“Who is Freakshow?”

“Who is she?” he said looking at me sternly.

“Yes.”

“Freakshow is one of the Fallens; in fact she is the general of Ironwheel’s main army. She is sly and stubborn, and has one of the worst reputations in all our land. She was put together out of scrap parts of other roller coasters, some of steel coasters and some parts of wood, just for kicks. Humans tortured her mercilessly; finally they destroyed her. And when she entered Amusement Park Between, she hated them and all of their kind.”

“Hmm, what does she look like?”

“None of her cars match, none of her wheels do, and she has one blue eye and one green.”

“All right. I have one final question, what is Ironwheel’s motive?” I asked, my question only making Thunderbark swallow apprehensively.

“Ironwheel has the deepest hatred for humans, even more than Freakshow’s. He wants to gather his armies and get his revenge on the humans. He wants to rule Amusement Park Between and make every ride and man his slaves!”

I nodded and stood up, Thunderbark watching me eagerly.

“I want revenge and justice. I want to kill Freakshow, because she murdered my mother and probably countless others. Most of all, I want Ironwheel dead! I want to burry [sic] him in his grave! I want to make him pay!”

Iced Cocoa posted:

It will be showed in the book soon enough that each red roller coaster managed to make his/her mark on history, despite their short life span.

JosephWongKS posted:

“… deal with them, learn their lifestyles, and culture... and brutally murder them.”

Also, how did such a blundering group of moronic murder-scumbags muster the resources and skill to forge birth documentation and slip him into a cradle or hospital cot?

And what happened to the original human baby whom they took out to put in Railrunner? This goes onto your litany of crimes, you disgusting baby-killers.


If Railrunner (currently human age 38, according to the character bio written by Miranda Leek) was “adopted”, it must have been at a fairly early age, certainly no earlier than 18. This means that Railrunner’s posse of baby-killers both “watched him over the years” and “lost track” of him for more than 20 years, at the same time.

Dreggon posted:

And it goes on for 40 more chapters?

Iced Cocoa posted:

However I can't really think of much else as ridiculous as what's coming up in the story

Phummus posted:

This sounds like a challenge. So lets all list our top 5 things we think couldn't possibly happen in the story.

Bobbin Threadbare posted:

Oh dear lord, he was raised as a changeling? That means he wasn't "adopted" as such, but instead Ironbark stole a human baby out of his crib and replaced him with Railrunner. I imagine it's too much to ask that the real Rodney was taken to be raised in the Amusement Park Between? Or was he sacrificed to the despot to throw him off the scent? Chalk another one up to Ironbark's tally, I suppose.

Iced Cocoa posted:

I can totally see the changeling angle, and when the parents freaked that they didn't have the same baby I can see Thunderbark murdering them because othervise they would have revealed everything. That's how he's both a changeling and a orphan.

quote:

“That has got to be the stupidest poo poo you have said to me since we got here! I mean, how in the hell is that possible!” I laughed.

Phummus posted:

Top 5 things we think couldn't possibly happen in the story.

quote:

Actually that's not so, because Moonblood, the ninth roller coaster died ten years before Railrunner was born.

attackbunny posted:

Other red coasters were named Aunt Flo, The Red Knight Who Is Requesting Lodging, Communist Invasion, Shark Week and Riding the Red Rollercoaster.

quote:

In Vertigo, Railrunner has to defeat a new and even more powerful enemy, Darkrail, Amusement Park Between's Spirit of Death who returns every blood moon until a red can stop him.

SSNeoman posted:

How did humans "torture" Freakshow?
[...]
WHAT DID IRONWHEEL DO!? WHY IS HE EVIL!?

Oblivion4568238 posted:

...Ironwheel is a Ferris Wheel, right? I don't feel like going back and checking, not after mustering that defense.

Radio! posted:

Hold up a second here. If red coasters are the only ones born, and they're born without a father, what's going on in all those horrible pictures Leek drew of a pregnant coaster and a male coaster?

Please don't tell me Railrunner also gets the magically ability to not have to be dead before reproducing.

Iced Cocoa posted:

Eh, it's not much of a spoiler, but any pictures of pregnant coaster is a picture of Angeltrack, Railrunner's mother.

JosephWongKS posted:

Still doesn't explain the male coaster, though, if the previous Red has to die before the next Red is born.

Phummus posted:

This sounds like a challenge. So lets all list our top 5 things we think couldn't possibly happen in the story.

Phummus posted:

This sounds like a challenge. So lets all list our top 5 things we think couldn't possibly happen in the story.

Phummus posted:

This sounds like a challenge. So lets all list our top 5 things we think couldn't possibly happen in the story.

quote:

1. Detective Black becomes Shadowtrack
2. Mr. Calloway returns
3. The Wizard of Yendor Rodney actually uses the powers he got in previous chapters to defeat Ironwheel
4. Ironwheel is actually just a giant wheel
5. Rodney dies

Iced Cocoa posted:

Because I forgot to, here is the colored illustration from "that" chapter.



And here's the image from one of the future chapters. Just so you can see Freakshow in all her glory. It's worth to note she has only been illustrated twice. Also, it is worth to note that Ironwheel has never been illustrated.

Iced Cocoa posted:

Iced Cocoa posted:

And here's the image from one of the future chapters. Just so you can see Freakshow in all her glory. It's worth to note she has only been illustrated twice. Also, it is worth to note that Ironwheel has never been illustrated.

Kjoery posted:

2) It turns out the true villain isn't Ironwheel after all. The historians of the Carnival had always wondered: ages ago, their society lived without the technology they take for granted today. No anti-grav (drink) coasters. Then, one day, according to the texts, all the coasters just... Appeared. And no one questioned it; who would, they seemed harmless enough. Little did they know...

horriblePencilist posted:

The only revelation we'll be having is that Static and Merrylegs turn out to be more useless than we already are assuming.

By the way, I've been meaning to say that for a while now, but if the Great Depression in the 1930s caused many rides to be either decommissioned or dismantled, wouldn't that mean the 1930s were more or less the magic equivalent of a babyboom for Amusement Park Between? It might be a bad thing for the rides in the real life, but in Amusement Park, you'd have a shitton of new rides, mostly Fallen Ones.

Also, how can Amusement Park Between have such a rich history and advanced technology when there couldn't have been any rides before the 18th centuries? And if park rides get their own magic world, do other things too? Is there an Automobile Limbo? A Kitchen Utensil Nirvana? A Mobile Phone Void? A Firearm Afterlife?

WeaponGradeSadness posted:

I'm not gonna lie, I'd read a book where the main character was an anthropomorphic Kalashnikov trying to save Gun Heaven from the evil Bullpups or whatever.

Abundant Atrophy posted:

From the DeviantART thread:

quote:

The following morning was peaceful and just.

quote:

The strange birds sang their songs and the vegetation’s dew sparkled in the soft rays of the sun.

quote:

All of us were currently walking along a heavily wooded path that looked as if it had not been used in quite some time. Thunderbark led and Merrylegs followed close behind him. Static and I brought up the rear. “What were you and Thunderbark talking about last night?” He said suddenly. “I could hear you both speaking, but I couldn’t make out any words.”

“Shouldn’t you be minding your own business instead of listening in on others?” I said in reply somewhat angry that he was poking his nose into things he shouldn’t.

quote:

“Sorry,” he replied sounding ashamed.

“Well, he was only talking about information on Amusement Park Between.” I lied.

“Like where things come from? For example, how the regular multicolored animals or stuffed toys won at fairs that nobody wants?”

quote:

“Yeah, stuff like that, Static.”

“Sorry again to bother you.” Static said abashed.

“Your [sic] fine.” I replied. Then I smelled something, it was bland yet sweet.

“You smell that, Railrunner?” Thunderbark called from ahead.

“Yes.” I yelled back to him.

“Its water, we must be getting nearer to the Acterbahnn River. That means we are close.”

quote:

Thunderbark’s words made my heart beat faster. I was about to see something that apparently has been unseen for years. A place that possessed my heritage and history. A place that was mine. A haven that I was to inherit like the others before me.

quote:

The vegetation became less dense as we walked. My anticipation rose higher as we proceeded forward. Then we exited the forest into a beautiful clearing; a glittering river cut through the land like a knife. Thunderbark walked to the edge of the Achterbahnn , and then he looked at the large island in the middle of it.

“Come on,” he said as he began to walk along the bank; His [spelled with a capital H] eyes still on the island that stretched for miles.

“Didn’t Moonhoof say the entrance was under the great yinkan at the river’s edge?” I asked following him.

quote:

“Aye, she did. When you see it, notify me.”

I nodded in reply as I scanned the island with him. I glanced at the murky water, nothing was visible. Suddenly I saw a collection of great limbs stretching above the river.

quote:

“There it is!” Thunderbark announced exultantly.

“The entrance?”

“Yes! Now, everyone stay here, I will dive down and see how far we have to swim.”

“Good idea.” Merrylegs agreed.

I watched Thunderbark breath in and out deeply, concentrating each one. Then he jumped bravely into the water, disappearing underneath the crystal surface.

quote:

Minute by minute ticked by, still there was no sign of his white head bobbing above the water. I prepared to go in after him, but finally he surfaced.

“Yes! Found it! It’s a long way down and out I’ll tell you that! Put it this way, try as hard as you can to hold your breath for over ten minutes.” He said as he climbed onto the bank, breathing hard.

“Ten minutes!” Static exclaimed. “I can’t hold my breath that long!”

“Me neither,” Merrylegs hastily pointed out.

quote:

“Good thing I thought ahead when we visited Trenzon. Merrylegs and Static, I picked up you both some air candy.” Thunderbark laughed as he pulled out a regular bag of cotton candy.

“What is that supposed to do?” I asked.

“It can allow anyone to conceal their breath for fifteen minutes.”

quote:

“That’s just ordinary cotton candy isn’t it?”

“Nope, it is our version, Railrunner.” He finished watching Static and Merrylegs consume the desirable treat.

quote:

When they were done, the two climbed onto Thunderbark’s back. He told me to follow him closely, he then took a deep breath and jumped into the river, and I dove after them. I opened my eyes in the water after I was under its roaring surface.

Thunderbark was gaining ground; I sped after him so I wasn’t to be left behind. The Acterbahnn’s current was strong; I fought through it, swimming surprisingly swiftly.

Thunderbark motioned for the bottom of the river; here the current was not as strong. Still however, Merrylegs and Static had their tails wrapped around his lap bar clinging for dear life. As we continued to navigate through the giant rocks at the river’s floor; bizarre multi-colored fish swam out of our wake, even brightly colored dolphins and seals moved aside. But there was no time to gander.

quote:

Thunderbark entered a dark tunnel with me following closely, fearing that the tunnel could suddenly fork and I would lose him.

quote:

The tunnel went on and on, seeming like an eternity. My lugs [sic] started to ache terribly, feeling like they were being compressed together by a ludicrous force. How much further away was the surface! I thought tensely. Then the tunnel got lighter and lighter, a wave of relief fell over me. Finally! With a quick burst of speed, Thunderbark surfaced, seconds later I appeared beside him gasping
for air.

“I take it you didn’t get a good breather before you hit the water.” He chuckled, giving me a sly grin.

“Well, I tried to hurry.” I replied.

“Railrunner,” he sighed. “You must learn to make good decisions! Instead of the many stupid ones - like the carnival.”

quote:

“Point taken, Thunderbark.” I said in a melancholy tone.

“Good, now we just have to walk to the end of this cave and we should enter the temple.”

“Yes,” Merrylegs sighed to herself.

“Had enough?” Static asked her.

“For the moment.” She replied, trying to rid the water from her mane.

We walked along the dusty floor. It was clear that nobody had been here, the temple had, after all, had been undisturbed for several decades.

Water dripped from the old rocks and small cave creatures rustled in the shadows. We then reached the end of the tunnel, there stood a great golden door that had tarnished from time. It looked like a giant coaster wheel, but around the edges was a language that I had not seen since we arrived in Amusement Park Between.

“Any idea what it says, Thunderbark?” I asked the white coaster.

“Not a clue, I’ve never seen that language before.”

“drat.”I replied.

“Railrunner!” he scolded.

“Sorry, geez -.”

quote:

I put my attention back on the door, suddenly the letters seemed more familiar, and then I remembered the key in the back of the Veradagashi. It must be a language that only a red would know. I studied the words more, one by one their meanings popped out at me. Maybe it was a command that could open the door.

“Herbracador vershila merkommen macmarr ransullen.” I hissed. The door let out a loud moan, and then from the left side of the wheel, a miniature gold coaster train rolled out; making a circulatory path around the door. As it passed a spoke in the wheel, the spoke pulled toward the center. Finally the small coaster disappeared where it had started and all the spokes were pulled into the center. Then the door slowly swung open.

quote:

“Nice work.” Thunderbark complemented [sic].

“Thank you.” I replied watching in amazement. Finally, the Temple of the Red…

My eyes began to adjust to the changing light, getting them into focus. I felt my jaw slightly drop at the sight before me. The telltale pair of Bast welcomed all who entered, only that they stood several feet taller then the ones in Trenzon and were solid gold. The temple was illuminated with giant lustrous crystals that grew from both the ceiling and the floor. The temple “dwellings” looked like they were out of Eldarado [sic]; the same tarnished gold as the door. They were large and grander than even the castles back in the real world. It was like a giant palace of gold, something that King Midas would be fanatical for. The landscape was like a rainforest as like Amusement Park Between, but more beautiful. Light pools of blue glistened like diamonds from the light, waterfalls fell continually. Grand statues of roller coasters stood untouched by time.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” Merrylegs commented.

“It’s like a world within another,” Static said in awe.

quote:

“This is Amusement Park Between’s most sacred spot, of coarse [sic] it is amazing.” Thunderbark corrected them.

He then walked up beside me smiling. “What do you think?” he asked me.

“Holy poo poo, it’s cool.”

“Railrunner, what did I tell you about cursing?”

“Give me a break; I’ve been living in the real world for thirty-six years.” I laughed.

Merrylegs and Static ventured forward into the temples lush landscape.

Thunderbark and I decided to tour the inside of the temple. We walked up about thirty stairs or so into the temple’s actual entrance. It was dark and I couldn’t see but three feet in front of my nose.

quote:

Thunderbark felt the side of the wall, and then out of a dark crevice he pulled out a torch. He then held out his “hand” and pulled his wheels apart. A small flame aroused [sic] from his fist and traveled to the top of the lantern, lighting both it and the hallway. He looked at me and smiled.

quote:

“How did –.”

“I’ll teach you later.” Thunderbark spoke as he led the way.

We continued to walk through the temples halls, artifacts were everywhere and large rooms like an England palace presented themselves to us. The whole time Thunderbark behaved different, he would glance at me every so often with a grim look. Could he be jealous for some reason? But I suddenly sensed it wasn’t jealousy, but worry, why?

Then we came to a large door at the end of a corridor. It was even more astounding than the temple’s entry standing nearly as tall as the Bast outside. The door had an image of the red on it along with the letters that I only knew.

“Master suite?” I laughed.

“Could be,” Thunderbark said looking at the giant door. “I guess you should open it.” He continued as he peered at me from the corner of his eye.

“Guess I should.” I replied examining the letters. After about a minute I had the whole thing translated.

“Megoria farnger sheip trorgan horserp naria.” I hissed. The door opened, slightly faster than the one before. It revealed the most amazing room in the whole temple. It was a “master suite”, stunning in fact.

The bed was at the far end of the wall along with heavy iron and gold furniture; it had everything that a real world bedroom would have plus some.

quote:

“I think this is my room.” I said in a slight daze as I walked further into it. I paused at the bed and glanced around. Thunderbark walked up to my side. He stared at me vigorously.

quote:

“Where did you learn the language to open the doors?” he asked with his eyes bearing into mine.

“Well, a book.” I replied nervously, slightly worried what Thunderbark was getting at.

“What is it called, Railrunner?” he demanded.

“Veradagashi, Moonhoof gave it to me.” I uttered.

“The book of the red, no wonder-.”

I raised an eyebrow. “There something wrong, Thunderbark?” I asked confused.

“Railrunner, there is a rumor about that book.” He said austerely, the white coaster’s eyes bearing into mine.

“What?”

“Can you pull it out and turn to the back of it?” Thunderbark said as he pointed to my messenger bag.

“I guess.” I said prying it out of my cramped bag. I opened it and turned it to the back, but there were several pages missing, making Thunderbark’s eyes widen.

“Just as I thought. I’m going to tell you something that you will have to know for your sake and everyone else’s.”

“What is it?” I said as I sat on the colossal bed.

“The previous red, a coaster named Moonblood who was probably the most well known red at the time, was looking through the book one night. He came across the pages that have now been ripped out.”

quote:

“Thunderbark, what was on those pages?” I asked.

“On the ten pages were various maps on where each portal to the real world was located. He knew if Ironwheel were to get a hold of them, it would be disaster for everyone in this world as well as the real one. So he ripped them out and hid them someplace and the pages haven’t been found since.”

quote:

“Smart, Thunderbark what exactly happened to Moonblood?” I said looking at him. The coaster then sighed in defeat.

quote:

“His destiny was to kill Ironwheel as it is yours. In combat Moonblood was savagely murdered by the evil bastard that Ironwheel is.”

This made me gulp in uncertainty. Thunderbark then smiled and sat next to me.

“Don’t worry Railrunner; you are the most powerful red roller coaster that I have ever beheld! More powerful than Moonblood for sure. Plus you have something that he did not.” He grinned to himself.

“What might that be?” I asked.

He laughed as he exited the room. “A trainer.”