Rayne
On the Kalos Railway Rayne the JNR C12 was in the Kalos Railway's works doing odd job and shunting around the shops or she was arranging trains for Abigail, Alolan Line, Duchess Corrinne, Silver Streak, and King Elgar. Normally Gideon would be the one doing this task but he was having routine miniatous at the Kalos Railway's workshops which meant Rayne had to cover for Gideon. Rayne didn't mind shunting duties and odd jobs was were she started her career on the Johto Railway. One evening Rayne was filling Gideon's spot in the sheds as the leaders of the fleet were preparing to discuss what work was done and what to do next about current events.
Rayne: Hello. So what have you lot been up to? Word on the tracks is that you're preparing to take on Lord Arcanon and dispose of Payne Industries' current CEO.
Abigail, Alolan Line, Duchess Corrinne, Silver Streak, and King Elgar were surprised to hear Rayne speak. Usually they'd have a difficult time trying to coax any information out of Rayne. The fac that she was opening her mouth first let them know that this was beginning of some progress being made in her recovery from her dreadful attack at the hands of Lord Arcanon's criminal and terrorist empire.
Silver Streak: We've been working hard as of late but yes we've been preparing to take on Lord Arcanon and dispose of Payne. But why ask this now.
Rayne: Well where I'm from it was always the female tender engines that pulled the arterial, mainline, sub mainline and branchline passenger trains while it was the male tender engines that pulled the freight trains or goods as the term may be around here. no offense to yourself or Elgar but it was luck of the draw in how the enignes were built.
Alolan Line: None taken Rayne considering it was the luck of the draw on the Johto Railway in which engines were built specifically for that line.
Duchess Corrinne: Alolan Line's right. Then again this isn't the first time we've asked for help form them but this is the first time they've asked for our help.
Rayne: I know that. Aiko's told me a lot about you lot.
Silver Streak: We're not surprised. Aiko's been here before considering the help she's given us int eh 1990s. but then again Aiko didn't tell you much about the Kalos Railway did she?
Rayne: Well Aiko doesn't tell me much but she did tell me about the Kalos Railway's Goods locomotives. Namely the LMS Stanier 8F class.
Duchess Corrinne: (Shocked) Micheal, Jake and Coley mentioned they've been abroad and across Europe and Asia but they never mentioned anything about Japan and neither did bret or Gervase.
King Elgar: We really need to ask the 8Fs what they did before they came here and that goes for Galleth and the War department locomotives.
Alolan Line: For once we agree. I mean do we really know the war department locomotives or their pasts? We now have even more questions than answers.
Abigail: Perhaps we should just ask Rayne what her life was like . (To Rayne) So Rayne what is life like on the Johto Railway? How di dyou learn how to arrange coaches and freight cars so well?
Rayne: Well I suppose I can tell you lot considering I've got some time before I have to return to japan. This may take some time so where should I start? The beginning of my life? The arrival of the guests or the end of an era?
Silver Streak: Perhaps you should start at your arrival.
Rayne understood and she began to tell of how life began when she arrived on the Johto Railway.
The year was 1932 and the location was Tokyo Japan. The Johto Railway to be precise. The only standard gauge railway in Japan for it's time. The fleet consisted of one engine of each class of Japanese steam locomotive from the 1928 classification and some from before the classification system. The Johto Railway Controller, Kenzo Shiba could be seen climbing down from the cab of the newest locomotive to join the Johto Railway Fleet and this one was one they never saw until now but they knew about her class.
Kenzo Shiba: This is Rayne. She's a JNR Class C12. She's going to be doing odd jobs around the yard and starting out on maintence and shunting duties. Otis as the oldest of the flet I'm putting you in charge of teaching Rayne until she finds her wheels. She'll be sleeping with the tank engines.
The steam engine in question looked at the new comer before speaking to Kenzo.
Otis: (To Kenzo) Yes sir. I will teach her what I know about the basics but what of passengers? Aiko usually teaches that and she's currently in the shops at the moment due to having fallen ill and needing repairs.
Kenzo: I don't plan to put Rayne on passenger trains just yet. That is what Toshiro is here for to cover the Mixed Traffic duties on the branch line.
The fleet seemed to relax upon hearing that before Kenzo spoke up.
Kenzo: As you all know tomorrow we're going to have a heavy day so I suggest you all introduce yourselves to Rayne. In the meantime I need to go and get the paperwork filed about Raynee so we don't run into any legal issues. Goodnight and get some sleep everyone. And don't worry about Aiko. I've already briefed her about the situation so she's up to speed.
Kenzo then left the fleet alone as Rayne found a place in the sheds.
Rayne: Well as you all know by now I'm Rayne. A Class C12. So who are all of you and who is Aiko?
Otis: As you know by now I'm Otis a JNR Class 9600. This here is Fumi's she's a Class 8620, Tasha's a Class C50, Asami's a Class C54, Chihiru's a Class C10, Tohrio's a Class C11, Espio's a D50 and so is Hanzo, and that's Yamato a Class B10 Shunter. Aiko is a JNR C51 and she's the leader of Johto Railway fleet well the locomotive leading the fleet anyway.
Fumi: Hello Rayne. Welcome to the Johto Railway.
Rayne: It's a pleasure to be here but where exactly is Aiko?
Yamato: She's taken ill and is getting some repairs in the shops. Don't worry you'll meet up with her later.
Rayne: I just hope I do well.
Tasha: All you have to do is keep calm and you'll do well.
Espio: Tasha is correct and remember this. Though the bamboo forest is dense, water flows through it without effort.
Rayne: I understand I think. Either way I'm going to do my best.
The rest of the fleet could see that Rayne had potential to be a solid member of the team and decided to give her a shot.
Once the introductions were completed and Rayne had found a spot in the sheds to reside in the fleet began to get some sleep.
In the present day Raynee continued to tell what life for her was like on the Johto Railway.
Rayne: And that's how I got to the railway.
Duchess Corrinne: Sounds like Aiko and Otis did a good job with you in the art of storytelling. Or at the very least the art of telling historical facts.
King Elgar: Perhas we should let Rayne continue the story.
Rayne: Very well. I'll continue from after the second world war. I'm sure you all know that life on the Johto Railway was getting tougher and with the workloads getting heavier Kenzo Shiba brought in new engines to help out. However World War 2 changed everything and the Johto Railway had to contribute to the War Effort for Japan. Please understand that we were contributing to the nation and we had no hard feelings against you even though I was in Japan and Japan was part of the Axis powers of themselves, Germany, and Italy. After the defeat of Japan the Americans began to occupy the railway and Tokyo was in ruins and Japan's old government was dissolved.
Silver Streak: Something tells me that the war may have ended but the real problems were only just beginning for you and the Johto Railway.
Rayne: I'm afraid so. While the Johto Railway was already a standard gauge railway and somehow managed to avoid much of the bombings the Allied Powers were able to work with that setup and they gave the Johto Railway license to build new Locomotive designs from scratch and expand the tracks. But the problems began cause as Ezekiel and Gervase can attest. We had to deal with a whole new slew of issues.
King Elgar: And what issues did you lot have to deal with?
Rayne: Well we had enough passenger engines to handle the passenger traffic as it was so Aiko and the others were able to pick up the slack and freight demand fell so Otis and the others were able to manage for a time which was good news.
Alolan Line: Alright so where did that leave you?
Rayne: Me and the other C Class Tank Engines were able to manage and Yamato was getting on so he took over the hunting duties for me which allowed me to go and join Yolei, Toshiro, and Chihiro on the commuter duties. But that's where things got worse.
Duchess Corrinne: Aiko told me some of it when she was here but for the rest of us why don't you fill them in.
Rayne: Very well. As you know by the time the Second World War ended the railways had new engines, new employees, new jobs and a whole new set of problems.
King Elgar: We already know this. By the time the 1960s arrived we were on our last wheels and in 1967 the end of steam came out and the diesels began replacing us in the United Kingdom.
Silver Streak: Well in most of the United Kingdom yes but on the North Western Railway that didn't happen. Steam still thrived and will continue to do so as long as the railway is led by a member of the Hatt Family.
Rayne: And it's the same on the Johto Railway. Unfortunately, that in turn earned us the wrath of several new enemies including a lorry company that teamed up with one of Japans deadliest gangs. The Yakuza.
Abigail: Who are they? I'm familiar with the Irish Mob and the USATC locomotives mentioned the Mafia and the Chinese Triads but I never heard about the Yakuza.
Rayne began to explain as the rest of the Orient Five listened.
The year was 1953 and the allied occupation of Japan had come to an end. The fleet had somehow managed to survive intact and they managed to rebuild under the guidance and leadership of Kenzo Shiba the Johto Railway controller. Aiko and Otis had shown their leadership skills during the war as they helped to carry both civilians and supplies to and from the battlefield. They and the rest of the fleet were strong but they were joined by new engines and some of the older locomotives were given upgrades.
The first of the new passenger engines to join the fleet was Noriko a JNR C55 class Pacific who arrived in 1935. She was to help Asami on the Mainline which would allow Aiko to cover the commuter trains and to the surprise of the fleet Aiko didn't mind the work as it allowed her to listen in on the people of Japan and keep an eye on the fleet.
The Second passenger engine to join was Yolei a JNR C56 mogul who came in 1935 to the fleet to help the C class tank engines out with the commuter work which would allow Chihiro, Toshiro, and Rayne to rotate on the shunting duties. Personality wise Yolei was not afraid to speak her mind and chew out those who pissed off the fleet but she was loyal to Aiko and recognized her as the leader of the Johto Railway Passenger Fleet.
The third passenger engine to join the fleet was Erika a JNR C57 pacific who arrived in 1937 to take charge of the passenger trains and she took her first train with Aiko as a doubleheader to learn the line. Erika was the type to bring elegance and grace to her duties on passenger trains and the occasional parcel train run.
The fourth new engine to join the fleet was Courtney a JNR C58 prairie which was built in 1938 to help Otis on the branchlines as a mixed traffic locomotive helping to take a lot of weight off of his boiler. While she may be snide at times she is loyal to her friends and defended them with honor.
The fifth and sixth passenger engines to join the fleet were Anna and Elsa a pair of JNR C59 Pacifics built to handle express trains during the Second World War in the year 1941 but they were repurposed to transporting troops and civilian staff on the Johto Railway and while Anna was imaginative Elsa was older and wiser and she was a more seasoned locomotive looking out to protect her younger sister.
The seventh and eighth locomotives to join the Johto Railway passenger fleet were Akiza and Iris Japanese National Railway Hudson Classes C61 and C62 respectively. Built in 1947 two years after World War 2 they were built to pick up the slack on the sub main lines and arterial main line of the Johto Railway which somehow was able to expand after the Second World War Akiza and Iris quickly proved themselves reliable and effective but while Iris acted like an action girl and was ready yap Akiza considered herself upper class and carried herself with grace and sought to take Aiko's position as leader of the Johto Railway one day or at the very least be considered to be her second in command and to add to it the American Occupation forces had given her a complete set of eleven daylight coaches for her to use and a bell and she treasures them to this day and while some people including the Johto Controller wonder if the Americans made the right choice Akiza had yet to give the Johto Controller a reason to take them from her.
The first and second Goods Engines to join the Johto Railway Fleet's freight division were the D51s named Hiro and Steve respectively in 1937. Hiro had been growing into his role as Master of the Railway on the Johto Railway since he was the strongest and Steve was learning well from Otis knowing that one day he'd be called upon to take over some of Otis' old duties but for now they were growing into wise locomotives.
The Third and Fourth goods engines to Join the Johto Railway's freight division were Davis and Ken and they arrived during the second world war in 1943 to help with the movement of heavy freight and supplies during the war. And while Ken was serious and stoic Davis was fun loving but he had proven himself to be one of the strongest locomotives.
The last of the locomotives to join the fleet was Banko a class B20 designed to handle the shop yard duties around the Johto Railway's in house workshops in Tokyo. And Banko was pretty much a dedicated worker and focused upon being a suitable leader.
Kenzo Shiba had arrived and the fleet were expecting him to give them their job assignments but they saw that Kenzo was carrying a walking stick.
Aiko: Mr. Shiba sir. Good to see you. What's with the walking stick? Did something happen?
Kenzo: I'm alright Aiko but I have some big news. As you all know I have been your controller since the beginning of the Johto Railway and I have seen this railway though it's highs and its lows.
Otis: I remember that well when it was just Aiko and myself covering passengers and fright respectively. The Americans loaned us a tank engine to manage the shunting for us considering you're from a family of samurais.
Kenzo: Yes I am aware of that. However I would've gotten a tank engine to do the shunting duties around the yards anyway. Either way you and Aiko were in China helping with a motive power crisis while the Johto Railway was still being built here in Japan. We were on a probationary period to see if a standard gauge railway could preform well as a Japanese Cape Gauge and thanks to you both we proved ourselves well and the Johto Railway was allowed to stay.
Toshiro: We thank you for the history lesson sir but what does this have to do with the present situation?
Kenzo: As you know the end of World War 2 had arrived and as such the beginning of Post War Japan is already rising. While you have proven yourselves quite effective it has come to my attention that some of you are overdue for some serious overhauls and repairs.
Tasha: What does this mean for the fleet?
Kenzo: It means that we may have to do more than just simply overhaul the fleet. I may have to consider more serious measures. But fear not I have no plans on scrapping any of you and neither will my immediate successor.
Tasha: And that bring me to my next question sir. What do you mean by successor?
Kenzo: After managing the Johto Railway through the Second World War and guiding you through the great depression that hit the United States of America. I'm starting to feel my age. Which means the time has come for me to step down as acting controller of the Johto Railway. Fear not though I won't be stepping down just yet. I still have something I need to do. I don't want to burden my successor with any business that I left unfinished.
Elsa: What do you mean by unfinished business?
Kenzo: What I mean is that before I retire I plan to get some of you lot overhauled and rebuilt.
Ken: That makes sense considering some of us were built during the war and under war time conditions. We are overdue for new parts.
Kenzo: Agreed which is why I'm having Davis overhauled first. He's the one who need the repairs. Then after Davis' repairs are complete I'll start in on Ken and follow with Hanzo and finally Elsa. In the mean time it's time to hand out the job list.
Kenzo handed the fleet the job duties before he went to his office but as he did he had a bit of thinking to do.
Kenzo: (thinking) At this point I do hope whoever my successor is will prove themselves competent. World War 2 was tough but with Tokyo in Ruins and Japan's old government dissolved I fear that there are those who will almost certainly take advantage of this. Fortunately some of the American staff stayed behind on the Johto Railway to help out and they even provided us with the shops.
The fleet went about their duties and all the same they couldn't help but worry about Kenzo Shiba and their future. While they knew that Kenzo was a good leader they also knew that he was only human and that he couldn't keep running the Johto Railway forever and it would not be good for him to attempt to do so. They also hoped that whoever was selected to become the new Johto Controller they would do a good job.
In the present day Rayne finished up her story to the Orient Express Locomotives.
Rayne: And that's the rest of the story. As you all know by now Davis, Ken, Hanzo, and Elsa were given overhauls and Ken, Hanzo, and Elsa were upgraded to from their former classes to their present classes. In the form of a D62, D60, and C60 respectively. Steve followed after in 1959 after becoming a D61 Berkshire but I think it might be better if he himself told it.
Abigail: Indeed it would be. But for now Rayne it would be best if you and the Johto fleet watch yourselves. The Shiba Clan is gonna be a lot more cautious after what happened.
Rayne understood as the Kalos fleet discussed their next move once she left.
Elgar: Arcanon's reach is spreading all across Europe, crossing to America, and going onwards to Asia.
Silver: We will have to prepare like never before. This means we had best watch what we say and when we say it. Forgive me for sounding paranoid but Arcanon's minions are watching and we need to have a plan.
Corrinne: You forget Silver we too have an advantage. We have the Gold Dragons watching. This is the main reason why the Gold Dragons were formed by my namesake's mother. They were created to counter any criminal activity that could threaten the balance and they will have to eliminate dangerous enemies.
Alolan Line: Unfortunately they were unable to eliminate Arcanon and his organization and why haven't they been able to eliminate Coi?
Abigail: Edward is to blame for that Alolan Line. If I had been there I would've told him and the Fat Controller straight up that Coi should've been eliminated on the spot. Then we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now. Which means that now his son has inherited his burden and so has the rest of Sodor.
Duchess Corrinne: Which means that the five of us are gonna have to step up our game and I'm gonna have to step up my game as overall leader of the Kalos Railway fleet.
Silver: Who made you overall leader of the Kalos Railway fleet?
Elgar: The Kalos Controller did. Don't you remember? Duchess Corrinne was clearly the most competent of the lot even though I was the first Great Western Locomotive to join the Kalos Railway.
Alolan Line: And after that we all taught Abigail and the BR Standards much of what we knew and we used to borrow them at will to pick up the slack.
Duchess Corrinne: Even so I get the feeling that our problems are just going to get worse but we must not give up.
Silver: Corrinne's right if there's one thing the Second World War taught us it's this. Even in the Darkest of Times there is always hope. But sometimes fear clouds our vision, sometimes our strength gives out. And yet when sometimes all seems lost a light, shines through the darkness and we are reminded that even the smallest amount of courage can turn the tides of war.
Elgar: And it is that courage that will save this country from Arcanon's crew and reclaim this land for the decent honest hard working citizens of this country.
Abigail: Hopefully after Arcanon and his crew are defeated we can finally rest but somehow I get the feeling that somebody new may fill the void. But then again the cycle is endless and neither is the struggle. That is what law enforcement is for but they can't do it alone. We have to support them.
The rest of the Orient Express engines agreed as they went to get some sleep in anticipation for the hard work tomorrow and the battles to come.