Prince and Jay find themselves in a large train station. Prince is amazed, while Jay seems tired, and makes his way directly towards the train carriage
Prince:
Woah, this place is massive!
Jay:
Is this your first time taking the train?
Prince:
I've never left my hometown, and then suddenly I'm leaving the state and even the country!
Jay:
Is it alright that we didn't say goodbye to your mom when we went to pick up some stuff for you? I was hoping to explain the situation to her myself…
Prince:
…It's fine. I left her a note, and she isn't normally home at this time anyways. More importantly, which train are we taking?
Jay:
We're going to need to take a couple of trains, since there's no train connecting the east and west coast. But my bosses have paid for our tickets in advance, so we'll be fine…well, unless the trains get delayed, but that shouldn't be a problem. So, just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Prince:
Thanks for paying for the tickets! I can't wait!
Prince's ears perk up, as his attention is drawn by a faint noise he hears in the distance.
Man 1:
Aw man, I can't believe they paired me up with a wimp like you! Are you even eating enough, shrimp? You look like a gust of wind could kill you! You'll never become a big star looking like that!
Man 1 tries to slap the other's back, but Man 2 dodges. Prince watches the strange pair bicker outside the train. One is a large man, with a ginger beard draped on his face, the other is a small, spindly man. His thin features are hidden behind a surgical mask. He has large bags under his eyes, and appears hunched over.
Man 2:
Please don't touch me with your filthy hands. Do you know how many germs are on there? Ugh, why did I agree to go on this assignment with you?
Man 1:
Watch it, shrimp! I could squash you in an instant without breaking a sweat!
Man 2:
I feel the same way about you. Now, let's just get on the train. We're drawing too much attention here. Let's just do what we're told, so we can get this mission over with…
Man 1:
Fine, I can agree to that!
Prince watches in amazement as the bizarre pair get on the train.
Prince:
Wow, there really are all sorts of people in the world, aren't there?
Jay:
What are you talking about? Anyways, now's not the time. Let's board the train already!
Jay leads Prince onto the train, and the two settle down in their seats. Once again, Prince sees the odd pair from before, the two of them are seated on opposite ends of the train. Several hours pass, as Prince watches in amazement as the scenery passes by quickly.
Jay:
Alright, so the plan is we'll get off in Chicago, and transfer over onto a train to Washington. The trip's meant to be around 2 days. Alright?
There's no response, as Jay sees Prince's gaze is still fixed on the scenery outside.
Jay:
*Sigh* (I guess I should just let him enjoy the ride. After all, there's no telling when we'll get a chance to relax once we arrive in Washington. I might as well get a little shut-eye while we're here…)
Slowly, Jay drifts off to sleep. He dreams the same dream he always does. Everywhere he looks, he sees blood, the sound of it dripping slowly…ay..onto the floor fills his ears. No matter how horrible nor how vivid the sight, Jay can never seem to remember the people…ja…in front of him. The ones drenched in blood, the ones responsi–JAY!!!
Jay jolts awake, and looks around him, and finds himself in a strange and bizarre place. There are seats now located on the ceiling, everything feels disorienting, and Jay is unable to make sense of his directions. He looks around, and the different parts of the train have disoriented themselves into strange shapes, and altered the structures all around him. Instead of being confined in the small train car, he now finds himself in a large empty room, with no end in sight. Jay looks around, and sees several other passengers around him, with Prince still standing next to him.
Jay:
Prince, what's the situation?
Prince: I was hoping you would know…One moment, I was looking out the window, the next, the window
disappeared and was replaced by…this!
Prince gestures all around himself, pointing to the strange space they now find themselves in.
Prince:
Is all of this someone's "Manifesto"?
Jay:
Definitely. If we can find the user, we should be able to stop the ability! Most abilities end once the user is unconscious, since they can no longer focus on using their ability! Was there anyone suspicious you saw before the train changed?
Prince:
Now that you mention it, there were two strange men earlier! There was a skinny guy who looked pretty sickly, and then there was a big guy who looked like–
Man 1:
Ladies and gentlemen!
Prince:
He looked like that!
All of the passengers' attention is drawn towards the source of the noise. There, they see the large man Prince saw outside the train. The man is standing in the exact centre of the space.
Man 1:
My name is Mercutio, and I would like to welcome all of you to today's game show! The rules are simple! I've separated each train car into its own room, and I'll be asking passengers one by one trivia questions about different topics! If you answer correctly, you move on to the next round! If you fail, well, my assistant will help me when that happens…
A Manifesto appears on Mercutio's shoulder. The Manifesto resembles a small monkey, with six limbs, 2 legs and 4 arms. Two of the monkey's arms are covering its eyes, however, the Manifesto's eyes can be seen peeking through the gaps in its fingers. The monkey's limbs are wrapped in something resembling film reels. All of the captives have their attention turned towards Mercutio and his Manifesto
Mercutio:
To all of my wonderful viewers, this is my assistant, Skewer. To give you a preview of what Skewer is capable of…
Mercutio looks beside him, as Skewer uncovers one eye, and a large metal pole seems to appear out of thin air. Skewer takes the pole into its hands, and effortlessly twists it into a large knot, before dropping it and covering its eyes again.
Mercutio:
You think that's impressive? Well, just think what it could do to a human body! So, make sure you answer my questions we~ll! Let's start with…you!
Mercutio makes his way over to a frightened woman, he lifts her face by grabbing onto her chin and forcing her to look at him.
Captive:
Eek!
Mercutio:
Wow miss, you have beautiful eyes. You definitely have the looks for TV, I hope you're able to answer this question correctly so you can put your talents to full use! First question! In what year was America founded? Is it A) 1776, B) 1736) or C) 1789?
The woman starts to cry, as Mercutio starts shushing her.
Mercutio:
Oh no, oh no. My dear, come on, you can't be ruining your pretty face with tears like that. Now, answer the question, and we can move on. I'm sure the viewers in the other cars are getting bored by this!
The woman can't stop herself from crying, Mercutio looks annoyed and lets go of her.
Mercutio:
Hey, I said stop crying. It isn't good for ratings if I make a woman cry!
Captive 1:
I-I'm so sorry! I-I can't helb it!
Mercutio:
Ugh, just shut up!
Without warning, Skewer grabs onto the woman with its two free hands. The woman looks straight at Skewer and tries to free herself.
Captive 1:
W-wait! P-please don't do thissss—!!!
Mercutio looks at the woman, with a blank expression, as Mercutio slowly moves his hand towards her face. A loud scream reels out across the entire space, sending a chill down all the passengers' spines. Prince, Jay, and the rest of the passengers watch helplessly as Mercutio pulls his arm away, drops two small objects he was holding. Mercutio's face is emotionless, as he casually wipes away the blood covering his hand, and Skewer releases the woman's head, and she falls down onto her knees.
Captive 1:
W-what did you do?! What happened!? Why can't I see anymore!?
As the woman begins to sob and thrash on the ground, Prince and Jay recoil. Looking down, they see that the objects that Mercutio dropped was the woman's eyeballs.
Mercutio:
Consider this a warning. TV is more exciting when people get to learn and try again. Just remember, next time…
Mercutio leans in next to the woman's ear, while still making sure he's audible to the other passengers.
Mercutio:
…You won't get off so lightly. Sorry about that folks, but I'm adding a new rule! There's a 15 second time limit! So make sure you get those answers locked in quickly! Now, for our next contestant…
While Mercutio turns his attention to the next captive, Jay gets up from his seat and starts making his way towards Mercutio before he is stopped by Prince grabbing onto his arm.
Jay:
What is it?! Didn't you see what I saw?! He tore that woman's eyes out! We need to stop him before he hurts anyone else!
Prince:
So, what's your plan?
Jay:
I'm gonna charge over there and stop him by force! It doesn't matter how strong his Manifesto is, Fool's Gambit can't be damaged by any physical attacks!
Prince:
…Alright. Try it.
Prince stares coldly at Jay, his gaze firm, and calculating. Jay appears disgusted with Prince.
Jay:
I'm disappointed in you Prince. I thought you were better than this. I refuse to stand by while watching innocent people be put in danger. I thought you were the same–
Mercutio:
Ooh, I'm sorry, that answer was incorrect. Skewer!
Jay quickly turns and rushes towards Mercutio and the captive, however, as he leaps at Mercutio, he goes straight through him, and lands on his face instead. Jay looks up confused, before watching in horror as he sees Mercutio remove the second captive's eyes. Mercutio smiles towards Jay, almost as if mocking him.
Mercutio:
Well that was another dud. Don't worry viewers, I'm sure the next contestant will be better! Oh, and for all of you watching in the other cars, don't get too antsy…
Mercutio crouches down and stares directly into Jay's eyes
Mercutio:
…you'll get your turn soon enough. Now, onto contestant number 3!
Prince walks over to the horrified Jay, and kneels down beside him
Prince:
Do you see why I told you to wait? He wasn't in this area to begin with.
Jay:
I couldn't stop him…
Prince:
Now, he wasn't alone when he got on the train. He had a partner with him, but I haven't seen the other one since the room changed into this–
Jay:
Two people were just mauled, and you don't even care!? How could you stomach that!? How could you not even lift a finger to try and help!?
Prince:
I AM trying to help, but you can't help anyone if you can't think things through!
Jay looks at Prince's hand, and sees that his hand was clenched so hard into a fist that he started bleeding.
Jay:
You…you were coming up with a plan?
Prince:
Of course. Mercutio looks like a monster, and we need to stop him, but to do that, I need your help. Can we work together on this?
Prince extends his hand to Jay, who looks up at Prince with a hint of admiration. For a moment, Jay almost sees a familiar face reflected in Prince's determined eyes. Jay nods his head before taking Prince's hand and getting back onto his feet.
Jay:
I'm sorry, that wasn't like me. Of course I'll work with you, we're going to be partners on our mission in Washington anyways, so it's a good idea that we get used to working with each other now!
Prince:
Sounds good to me. First, we need a solid plan of attack. We can't just go in blind, if I'm right, this whole murder spree is just a cover for something even more dangerous…
Jay:
What does that mean?! What could be worse than killing all the passengers of this train?!
Prince:
I overheard this guy and, what I'm guessing is his partner, earlier. I think this guy is trying to keep people like us occupied while his partner does their real job!
Jay:
Wait, you heard them? I didn't hear anything like this.
Prince:
I've always had great hearing, and remember what Giuoco Piano does? It controls sounds. Together, those abilities let me pick up on even the faintest sound. It's also what clued me in that something was wrong with this place.
Jay:
What do you mean?
Prince:
The way he speaks, the sound of the pipe hitting the ground, it all just sounded…off. The sound wasn't being generated from in front of us, it sounded like there was interference, like when switching radio stations. Then, it occurred to me, why was that woman looking at his Manifesto before she was attacked? I know from experience that almost no one can see these things, the only person who has been able to is you. But even if she had a Manifesto, that didn't explain why everyone else also seems to be able to see his Skewer. I've only ever met a single person who had a Manifesto, and I doubt everyone in this train had a Manifesto. This made me think that Mercutio is able to control people's vision. Are you following me so far? It doesn't sound like he's in front of me, but it looks like he is, everyone can see his Manifesto, and he could see you try to tackle him. He also keeps talking about "viewers" and "broadcasting."
Jay:
That might explain his seeming obsession with TV…and that's why he went after the captives' vision! He must have orders to not hurt civilians, so he must have used his power to stop them from being able to see, and use his ability to make us see the eyeballs! But, we still don't know where his partner is…
Prince:
Right, we need to make sure we find both of them…but don't worry, I think I have the perfect plan for catching them!
Jay takes a deep breath to reassure himself, before nodding, as Prince's grin begins to widen.