Even if a locomotive and a metro were both trains, there was definitely a difference between the two when you were on one as a passenger.

The metro of Tokyo was smooth, and you barely felt like you were moving. But were suffocated by all the other people around you.

While the Equestrian Locomotive they were currently on was much louder and shakier, it was a lot less claustrophobic in Akira's opinion.

And he preferred that.

It also had a snack cart, so that was also very nice.

"So a god went and transported and transformed people against their will to this world," Morgana summarized as he and Maria finished giving him a summary of what had happened so far. And he was also currently in his metaverse form stil, as they had agreed that he actually stuck out less in that than as a cat, as Akira didn't know if actual cats were a thing here.

"Yeah, pretty much it, and as you saw, it's a world filled with talking pastel-colored ponies of three varieties and probably other species," Akira added.

"Yeah, I saw, so Joker what is the plan?" Morgana asked.

"Well, that is to learn how to use this World Arcana to take us back home, but the first priority here is to turn Maria back into a human," Akira answered.

"You are still set on doing that?" Maria asked.

"Yep."

"And that done by going to the god isn't it?" Morgana asked.

"Yep," Akira replied.

"Well, that is just like you," Morgana said back. "Hmm."

"What are you thinking about Morgana?" Akira asked.

"Well, you remember what Master Igor said?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I don't know if we can fight this Arceus guy directly, but do you think this Arceus guy has his own Palace?" Morgana asked, and both Akira's and Maria's eyes went wide as they got what Morgana was saying.

Induce a change of heart in the God of Pokemon.

"Would, would that even work?" Maria asked as she somewhat understood how this Change of Heart thing worked after Akira had explained it to her fully, but to do so to a god, and that even a god would have the thing they called a Palace.

"I can check," Akira said as he pulled out his phone; the thing now basically had an endless battery due to how it had been modified by Igor, though not like it could do anything outside of the Nav in this world. "Arceus."

"Target found." Was the response the Nav gave.

"Holy shit." Was all Maria could say.

"I guess gods aren't immune to having distorted hearts," Akira commented.

"No one is Joker," Morgana said. "Every thinking being has their own Shadow; it just a matter of what you deny about yourself has run out of control and manifested into a distortion."

"So you can change his heart?" Maria asked.

"If we find out what the actual distortion is and the location of the Palace, then yes," Akira answered. "But let's put that on hold for now, we need first to secure a safe house once we arrive in Ponyville."

"Right," Morgana said.

With that, the three lulled into silence as they watched the hills and forest roll by, though the most interesting thing of note, in Akira's opinion, was the mountain in the distance, where on it was a city and a massive castle. Getting more and more visible as they approached it, as according to the map. The train actually went through the mountain that the castle city, the capital, Canterlot was located on.

Akira couldn't help but chuckle; this place was filled with so many puns, though were they puns from the ponies' point of view?

Well, Akira didn't really care.

He just wanted to help his new friend and get home.

He closed his eyes and loled off to sleep; there would still be a few hours until they arrived at the station.

Xxx

"Let's try and be the last ones out just to be sure," Akira said, having just woken up a few minutes ago as the train came to a stop.

"Probably a good idea," Morgana agreed.

"I am just going to leave the stealth stuff to you two," Maria said, as she really had no idea how to do stealth despite being a Zoroak, which was kinda ironic.

Not it was just irony.

Flat out.

"Then it's decided," Akira said. "Let's hold out for a little."

And with that, they waited for the train to empty out, all the ponies and the few Pokemon in the train compartment leaving fully after a few minutes.

Though then they were about to exit, the door opened up, and in walked the largest pony that Akira had seen so far, and the same was true for Maria.

The obvious mare looked to be as tall as himself, probably close to the size of a horse from back home.

Though she was obviously not one, the horn, the wings. (The same as the purple pony they had run into in Manehatten) and the flowing rainbow-like hair disproved that she was a horse.

"She bears similarities to the pony that tried to invade your dreams," Arsene informed him.

"Ah, there you are, I was honestly starting to think you might have jumped out during the ride, but I guess you were trying to make a quiet exit," The white mare spoke.

"Can we help you?" Akira asked, and at this moment, he felt really, really stupid as he should have expected those other ponies to have probably contacted some form of authority about him, and it was clear she was some form of authority who had come to intercept them.

"Come with me, you three," The white pony said, and before Akira could react, her horn flared, and his vision was consumed by a white light. And for but a brief second, and a second later, Akira and his friends no longer found themselves on the train but in a room that was a study of some kind.

His power flared as his Phantom Thief attire manifested, ready to throw down at a moment's notice.

"What did you do?" Akira asked as he pointed his gun at her. "And who are you?"

"Calm down, human," The white mare replied. "I am Princess Celestia, one of the two sovereigns that rule over Equestria."

"Says the one who teleported me and my friends against our wills," Akira replied.

"Fair, though I did it to save you as you decided to go to the town that is right next to the forest where a certain god has taken residency who does not particularly like humans," The now named Celestia replied.

"Well, he was our actual goal," Akira replied. "Need him to turn my friend back into a human; she doesn't want to be a Pokemon anymore."

Celestia's eyes went a little bit wide at that. "He is not going to do that; I know some have already asked and been denied."

"Then the issue is just going to be forced," Akira said. "Though that is only option B," Akira added after seeing the look on Celestia's equine face.

"I think we've gotten ahead of ourselves," Celestia said.

"I believe you did, sister," A new voice spoke, and Akira saw another pony enter the study. This one was smaller but still had a horn and wings, her mane and fur making her look like the night sky.

"That is the one Trickster."

"You are the one that tried to enter my dream."

"My apologies, I merely wanted to speak," The blue mare said. "I am Princess Luna. Ruler of the Moon."

"Just don't do it again, please."

"I shall endeavor not to."

"Thank you for coming, sister. Now human from an entirely different world, could you explain who you are and how you got to ours?" Celestia asked. "Please."

"Well, since you asked nicely," Akira began. "My name is Akira, but I also go by Joker, Leader of the Phantom Thieves of Heart." And with that, Akira began the very, very abridged explanation to the two rulers of the country that he had found himself in.

Now, he could cross 'meeting royalty' off his bucket list.

Xxx

A/N: If you like this or any other of my stories, you can donate to my SubscribeStar. Adult /StreamingViking or my Pa Tre on at pa tre on. com (slash)StreamingViking776 and read commissioned stories and chapters before they are released publicly and where you can participate in polls, that determine which story is written next or determine things in them for only 3$ a month or for 10 and up see character at work for the stories. Pa tre on money goes towards more artwork