Caelus closed his eyes.
For a few moments, he simply stood there in silence.
Thinking.
Reflecting.
Weighing the choices before him.
Nearby, Kouga watched quietly.
He could have looked into the future if he wanted to.
There were plenty of Rider and Sentai powers that would allow him to do exactly that.
But where was the fun in that?
The most exciting part of any journey wasn't knowing the destination.
It was watching someone choose their own path.
And so he waited.
Eventually, Caelus opened his eyes.
The moment he did, Kouga saw it.
The fire in those golden eyes.
It was a look Kouga had seen countless times before.
The look of someone about to begin a grand journey.
A smile appeared on Kouga's face.
Kouga: "Looks like you've found your answer."
Caelus nodded.
He had.
Before he could say anything, however—
Beep.
His phone vibrated.
Caelus pulled it out and checked the message.
Kouga raised an eyebrow.
Kouga: "A friend of yours?"
Caelus nodded.
Caelus: "Yeah. He wants my help with a project."
Kouga chuckled.
Kouga: "I see."
He turned and started walking away.
Kouga: "Meet me at the Astral Express."
Caelus nodded.
Caelus: "Got it."
With that, the two went their separate ways.
A short while later, at Supply Zone. ,Kouga arrived at the platform where the Astral Express was docked.
The moment he saw it, he stopped.
Even for someone who had traveled through countless worlds and dimensions, the sight was impressive.
The Astral Express stood proudly before him.
A massive train unlike any other.
Its design blended the elegance of a 1930s streamlined steam locomotive with advanced spacefaring technology.
The front of the locomotive resembled a gigantic mechanical revolver cylinder.
An iron-sight-like structure sat above it, giving the entire train a uniquely adventurous appearance.
It looked less like a vehicle and more like a legend made real.
Kouga whistled.
Kouga: "Now that's stylish."
He folded his arms.
I wonder how fast it is compared to the DenLiner.
A moment later another thought appeared.
Or the ZeroLiner.
Then another.
Or the Travelion Express.
Kouga spent several seconds seriously comparing interdimensional trains in his head.
Eventually he noticed someone standing nearby.
Himeko.
She appeared to be waiting for someone.
Most likely Caelus.
Kouga walked over and greeted her.
Kouga: "Sup, Himeko."
Himeko smiled politely.
Himeko: "Hello again, Mr. Hayata."
She tilted her head slightly.
Himeko: "What brings you here?"
Kouga gestured toward the Astral Express.
Kouga: "Just taking a look at the train."
His eyes wandered across the locomotive again.
Kouga: "She's a beauty."
Himeko followed his gaze.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Himeko: "I couldn't agree more."
There was a brief silence.
Then Kouga suddenly asked:
Kouga: "Quick question."
Himeko looked curious.
Himeko: "Yes?"
Kouga pointed toward the train.
Kouga: "Is there any requirement for joining the Astral Express?"
Himeko blinked.
That wasn't the question she had expected.
After a moment, she answered.
Himeko: "Not really."
Kouga raised an eyebrow.
Himeko continued.
Himeko: "The Astral Express isn't an organization with strict qualifications."
She looked toward the stars beyond the station.
Her smile softened.
Himeko: "As long as you're willing to walk the Trailblaze path with us, that's enough."
Kouga was silent for a moment.
Then he grinned.
Kouga: "In that case..."
He pointed at himself.
Kouga: "I'd like to join."
Himeko blinked.
Once.
Twice.
For a brief moment she wasn't sure she had heard correctly.
Then she laughed softly.
Himeko: "Well."
Himeko straightened slightly.
A warm smile appeared on her face.
Himeko: "Then allow me to be the first to welcome you aboard."
She extended her hand.
Himeko: "Welcome to the Astral Express, Mr. Hayata."
Kouga looked at the offered hand.
Then shook it firmly.
Kouga grinned.
Kouga: "Looking forward to the journey."
After a few hours, Caelus finally showed himself.
Kouga playfully said to him,
Kouga: "Took you quite some time"
Caelus scratched the back of his head.
Caelus: "Sorry."
Caelus then walked over to Himeko.
Himeko: "So, have you thought things through?"
Caelus gave her his answer.
Caelus: "I want to join the Express."
A smile appeared on Himeko's face.
Himeko: "Then come with me."
Himeko then turned to Kouga.
Himeko: "You too Mr. Hayata."
With that, Kouga and Caelus boarded the Astral Express.
They entered its Parlor Car. Strictly speaking, the name "Parlor Car" was not entirely accurate. After all, many of the Express's cars had windows that allowed passengers to admire the scenery. However, considering this particular car was usually used to receive guests, perhaps the various individuals who boarded the Express were the true "scenery" within it.
Kouga even noticed Welt sitting quietly nearby, his body seemingly lifeless.
Tesla must be mad, Kouga thought, immediately understanding the situation.
Looking around, Kouga spotted Caelus and March 7th standing by a window. As the Astral Express began to move, March enthusiastically waved goodbye through the glass.
As the train traveled through space, Kouga walked over to Caelus.
Kouga: "Well then a new journey began."
Caelus nodded.
Suddenly, they heard a cough trying to get their attention. The two looked around.
???: "I'm over here!"
They looked down and saw a rabbit standing on two legs.
What?
It appeared to be a small rabbit-like creature with large ears. It had dark gray and white fur, blue eyes, and wore a modified hog-head hat along with a large-collared coat that concealed its arms from view. Its attire was primarily red and black with gold embellishments, some resembling gears. A white satchel with gold buckles hung at its right side, and a red, white, and gold band was wrapped around its left ear.
???: "Hey, you over there looking dumbfounded. Yes, Pom-Pom's talking to both of you."
The rabbit-like creature introduced itself as Pom-Pom.
Pom-Pom: "Himeko told Pom-Pom about your situation. Now listen up, Pom-Pom will only say this once. Pom-Pom's sure there have been lots of people telling you how special you are lately, but this is the Astral Express, and everyone on here has their secrets. Since you chose to board, you can abide by the rules. You're not the only special one here. You'd best remember that."
Caelus looked at Pom-Pom before glancing at Kouga.
Surely not everyone was as special as Kouga, right?
Pom-Pom: "I'm Pom-Pom, the conductor. Just come find me if you have any trouble."
Caelus: "Yes."
Kouga: "Sure."
Deciding to familiarize himself with the Astral Express, Caelus headed off to explore the train.
Meanwhile, Kouga made his way over to Welt.
Kouga: "You holding up alright, Welt?"
Welt let out a weary sigh before answering.
Welt: "Let's just say... Tesla wasn't pleased."
Kouga couldn't help but chuckle.
Kouga: "Yeah, I figured as much. She's probably already chasing after my main body to give him an earful."
That earned a small laugh from Welt.
Welt: "Knowing Tesla, that's exactly what's happening."
The two shared a brief laugh, bonded by their mutual understanding of just how terrifying Tesla could be when she was angry.
Suddenly, Pom-Pom's voice echoed through the loudspeakers.
Pom-Pom: "Ahem, hi, hello~ Attention all passengers. Attention all passengers. The Express is about to conduct a warp jump. All passengers, please gather at the main hall."
With that announcement, everyone made their way to the Parlor Car.
March 7th, Himeko, Welt, and Kouga were already there. The only ones missing were Caelus and Dan Heng.
A short while later, Caelus finally arrived.
Kouga: "How's the place?"
Caelus: "It's nice actually."
Kouga nodded in approval.
Just then, Pom-Pom walked up to them.
Pom-Pom: "You took long enough! But at least everyone's here now."
Caelus glanced around.
Caelus: "Where is Dan Heng?"
Pom-Pom: "He won't be here, so just leave him be."
Pom-Pom then pulled out what appeared to be a pair of ticket badges.
Pom-Pom: "Oh yeah, take these."
Pom-Pom handed one to Kouga and another to Caelus. Kouga examined his curiously.
Caelus: "What's this?"
Pom-Pom: "Just a little gift from the conductor to the passenger. Think of it as an investment in your future growth."
Kouga and Caelus nodded before pinning the badges onto their clothes.
Pom-Pom: "Okay everyone, hurry up and find a place to sit down. Try not to be like March, always running around the Express like a headless chicken."
March immediately puffed out her cheeks in protest.
Pom-Pom: "Pom-Pom's going to start the final preparations for the jump."
With that, Kouga and Caelus headed over to one of the sofas and took their seats.
As everyone settled in, Caelus found himself reflecting on everything that had happened.
The universe... The Astral Express... Aeons... Mr. Hayata... Did I get dragged into a science fiction movie or something?
He stared at his hand before slowly reaching it toward the ceiling.
This "Stellaron" thing... This "power" from Mr. Hayata... It's inside my body...
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when March 7th leaned into his field of view.
March 7th: "Are you trying to catch the stars? Hee-hee, I've done stuff like that before."
She sat down beside him and continued.
March 7th: "But, it wasn't stars for me though... it was lights."
Caelus found himself interested and listened attentively.
March 7th: "When I first woke up after being rescued from the ice, I could see clusters of stars in front of me. I reached out for them automatically, but they turned out to be the carriage ceiling lights. The whole crew was watching me — it was pretty embarrassing..."
Caelus: "The whole crew was watching you?"
March 7th: "Uh-huh! Like I was some kind of weird alien! I don't really blame them for being curious though — they had no idea where I came from."
March 7th: "You might not believe it, but before all this, I was stuck in a huge block of ice drifting through space."
March 7th: "Himeko and Mr. Yang and... who was it again? Anyway, they figured out a way to melt the ice and saved me."
Caelus: "Do you remember what happened before you were frozen?"
March's cheerful expression softened slightly.
March 7th: "I don't remember a thing. Who I am, where I'm from, my name... It's like everything was erased from my mind."
March 7th: "March 7th was the day they found me, so it stuck. Ever since then, I've been hanging out on this train and following it to whatever destination it decides to stop at."
March 7th: "I'm hoping that one day, I can find my past..."
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
Then March suddenly shook her head.
March 7th: "Ugh, what am I talking about this for? Way to get everyone down, huh."
Caelus: "Sorry."
March 7th: "It's fine. I was the one who brought it up."
A smile quickly returned to her face.
March 7th: "Cheer up, Caelus! It's not every day someone gets to ride on the Astral Express..."
Then she noticed Pom-Pom approaching them.
March 7th: "Ah, here comes the conductor!"
Pom-Pom stopped in front of them and crossed their arms.
Pom-Pom: "The Express has reached a safe distance from the space station. We'll be jumping in about ten minutes. Return to your seats please, both of you. Things could get bumpy!"
March laughed awkwardly.
March 7th: "Uh... thanks, Pom-Pom. But did you really have to come and remind me? I'm not a newbie, you know~"
Pom-Pom simply gave her a flat look.
Pom-Pom: "Well, it wouldn't be necessary, but Miss March 7th likes to challenge herself... and falls over every time."
March responded with a bright grin.
March 7th: "That's just called never giving up! Hehe~"