#STDNW

[subway-boss-jericho]

Queuing posts for most of my AUs! Check out this Masterpost! ᵈᶦˢᶜˡ��ᶦᵐᵉʳ ⁻ ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉᶦʳ ᶦᶜᵒⁿᶦᶜ ᵏⁿᶦᶠᵉ ᵇᵃⁿᵍˢ! ᴵ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᶦˢ ʳᵉᶠᵉʳᵉⁿᶜᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ᵗʰᵉᶦʳ ᶠᵃᶜᵉˢ ᶠᵘˡˡʸ ᵛᶦˢᶦᵇˡᵉ.

Steady Tracks Do Not Waver

-Premise- On the return trip home from Hisui, Ingo does not return the same as he left. By some unknown cause, he has been transformed into a pokemon- 13ft tall, Steel, Ground, and very very out of his depth, he finds himself roaming the eerily familiar yet unfamiliar tunnels of Gear Station. Desperate to find a way to his "home" and remember who he is, that is when he encounters Subway Boss Emmet.

This story is not about Ingo. Or at least, not about his return. Ingo was taken out of the story many years ago, leaving Emmet behind to pick up the pieces of the life they always meant to spend together. The last several years he has walked without Ingo have forced him into an active, unavoidable struggle with grief and loss, until recent, when he finally began to come to terms with his solo-car life moving forward. However, now things are changing again. In the days leading up to their meeting, he hears rumors of a strange, powerful pokemon lurking in the subway. When Emmet finally stops in the right place at the right time to challenge it face to face- the face looking back is far too similar to the one he lost years before. It all bubbles back to the surface again; now, with an uncanny passenger in tow, he must keep moving forward down these uncertain tracks. Battling with grief once again, as he avoids pushing his old pains onto this new, familiar, face.

-Noteworthy Points- IF THIS AU INTERESTS YOU, please consider reading the prologue and chapter one on Ao3! Steady tracks! This is the one you probably know me for, if you know me at all. My poster boys!! My favoritest guys,, I want to include so many notes but I know most of the notes I want to write are all spoilers. Please poke me to keep writing <3 This AU is not even remotely dead I just have chronic burnout and it WILL continue please bother me about it whenever you want <3

This story is (and probably will continue to be) almost exclusively told from Emmet's point of view. It is a post-canon exploration of grief, change, and how to go on after everything you know is lost. THIS MEANS there is a LOT of discussion of death! NO ONE IS DEAD, but Emmet believes Ingo has died, and regularly experiences grief and/or talks about him as if he is dead. If that still bothers you, no problem! This is not going to be the fic for you. However, if it at all eases you to know that everyone is still alive, then have fun and maybe bring tissues because I really like writing people being upset (and also them getting better but, that involves them needing to be upset first.)

Also! New STIngo reference!! I have been working on updating the shape language of his design to look more like a pokemon and this is the most up-to-date version! If you want to draw him, reference this one! I swear I will get that side view done eventually, I fucking promise.

Enjoy <3 <3 I love this AU a lot.

-Links- Official Writing - Steady Tracks Do Not Waver Artwork - Fanart by Nyacat39 Artwork - Fanart by Dontmineit (1) Artwork - Fanart by Dontmineit (2) Discussion - The Luxury Ball Artwork and Trivia - Official Reference (Outdated) Artwork and Trivia - Updated Reference (Also Outdated) Discussion - "Awla Boah" Artwork - Fanart by Maelysgriffonne Artwork - Fanart by Dontmineit (3) Artwork - Big Nap (Durant <3) Artwork - CH1 Concept Sketches Artwork - STIngo Sprite Discussion - Coffee Discussion and Artwork - Sounds Discussion - Antagonists Discussion - Strong/Agile Style Moves

[subway-boss-jericho]

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

STEADY TRACKS WOOT WOOT

written by @subway-boss-jericho

[dontmineit]

@subway-boss-jericho hey boss it wouldnt let me submit multiple pictures at a time and im impatient

[subway-boss-jericho]

for steady tracks- Would Ingo ever be able to teach Emmet string/agile techniques? Or his pokemon?

Hypothetically yes absolutely! Eventually with enough hard work he would find a way, but unfortunately it would be a liiiiittle harder than people may think. He absolutely can practice them himself though, and you BET he's aching to try out a strong-style Earthquake when he's not underground. Unfortunately he must exercise self restraint, lest he. Accidentally collapse an entire subway tunnel. (On top of himself.)

Emmet has no idea what Ingo is trying to do- mostly just thinks he is training along side his team. Which is cute! Until they're doing shit he's never seen before, and then he's wildly confused and hysterical. Archeops just used the fastest stone edge he's seen in his life and it definitely has something to do with the pokemon doing training with them, but he has no idea what or how.

Despite how many years they've spent apart, Ingo can and will continue to find ways to make Emmet hysterically incredulous over his behavior (he will never be able to replicate the heights of Mold Breaker Earthquake, but he spends every day chasing that high)

Thank you for the ask!!

Steady Tracks Masterpost

[subway-boss-jericho]

Aside from his cries, What kind of sounds does Ingo make now?

Lovely question! 🥺 :D

Steady Tracks Ingo, unfortunately, does not have a proper set of vocal chords to speak most of the sounds needed for English language. While this is still about his cry, his regular sounds that he can achieve just by speaking involve any combination of sounds from his existing cry. A-W-L-A B-O-A-H. This is obviously limiting, but gives him a decent vocal variety to work with. When speaking aloud, most sounds he makes are heavily guided by his instincts, and by extension rarely map to human word forms and sentence structure.

Outside of his cry! He can do other things!!

I am not going to reveal exactly how he can do this because I wanna write about it some time later down the line, but he can make a low, loud wind-instrument sound like a proper train whistle. He does this naturally, but can also do it purposefully as well. It is usually used (when intentional) to express joy or as a warning call. Due to the nature of how loud/harsh it can be on the ears, he tries to be careful when using it in casual settings or when people are particularly close by.

Additionally! Through means I again plan to elaborate on in further chapters, Ingo has abilities that allow him to produce seismic vibrations. Through the same sort of way he can use Earthquake, he can make various buzzing, rattling, and rumbling sounds. This does mean that he can purr and if anyone calls it that he will die On The Spot from sheer, overwhelming embarrassment. I think I meant to post this on its own at some point but I have a drawing I'm gonna put below as an example :> as a treat. Made this last year.

While yes, he does do this to express pleasure, comfort, or ease, it's one of his most versatile forms of verbal/nonverbal/(does it count as verbal if it's not ?? speaking)/auditory communication. He often uses low rumbles to signify nervousness, displeasure, assent, dissent, wariness, frustration, and many other emotions. It's extremely context-based, and is often one of the easiest default replies in response to anything. Higher or faster buzzing is rarer, and I don't have a specific example of intention to offer, but you can imagine it's used in very different contexts. However, I do think he uses higher-pitched buzzes in short bursts as a way to get others' attention or express imploring/goading/approval. Like a phone vibrating. Genuinely I think he's mimicking phone notification sounds, but I don't think he realizes why.

This is not necessarily intentional on his behalf, but when straining his voice he tends to make loud metallic screeching and scraping sounds. This is probably what Boom Burst sounds like, although that move can likely take on the properties of most of his vocal abilities. This is what it would sound like if, for any reason, he tried/needed to scream at the top of his register. Bad for all involved! Including himself!

And just so you all know, he sounds most human when he's laughing. :>

I think that's the majority of his auditory toolkit! Thank you for the super engaging question!

Steady Tracks Masterpost

[subway-boss-jericho]

(I do not have the spoons to write a proper reaction for this but I want everyone to see it!!!! basically i am crying a lot and projecting heart emojis at you)

Yellow 💛

Ok so i was bored and i decided to do some little sketchs and will i was looking on Tumblr for a bit of motivation and inspiration i came across two AU of the Submas and they wouldn't leave my head so i ded them :)

The first sketch with colors his of @subway-boss-jericho pokemon Ingo AU on Ao3 go check the story it's awesome (i re-read it multiple time) it's called Steady Tracks Do Not Waver.

https://archiveofourown.org/work/38182843/chapters/95391586

Here is the sketch :

The second sketchs is of @decaffeinedraccoon Cryptid AU because i really like there design and i couldn't get the idea of Emmet doing the Raptor run or in pokemon the Archeops run (plus a sketch of Ingo being creepy in a blizzard) so here it is :

Anyways that all i hope you like it and Bye-Bye :)

[subway-boss-jericho]

You seem to be someone that likes foreshadowing. Do you look forward to sharing a specific scene in your story? Like snippets that have you crazy?

Complicated question,, Both yes, and no.

Yes, because I love writing in a way that implies something specific or with the intent to imply something specific while also not directly telling you What it is. Any friends can and will confirm the great joy I derive from ✨exploring the implications of things.✨ There is a shit ton of stuff in the first chapter that I put in there very deliberately while also avoiding telling you enough about it to Get It, and I've been dying to peel back the layers and show you my cool ideas.

On the other hand, I don't really have a lot of specific scenes in steady tracks that I want to share. Steady tracks started as the first chapter, with me having this super vivid vision surrounding my pokemon!Ingo design. I made the prologue to help the narrative flow better, and everything else has kind of been me trying to build from there. I don't have a lot of scenes set in stone particularly far in the future because I'm still not exactly sure where I want the plot to go or how I want to Get from point A to point B. There are a few things I am definitely excited for- Mainly getting other characters into the plot because that shit's Fun -but as of right now I don't have a lot of crazy plot twists or mind-shattering reveals in the works. I'm mostly just excited at the prospect of slowly introducing you all to the new normal for Ingo and what, exactly, that means, alongside the other worldbuilding and characters :] A lot of the things I'm excited about have to do with learning more about Ingo

I really like writing haha,, As of now, the future of Steady Tracks is super open so far as major plot beats and such. We're just gonna see where the tracks lead!

Thanks for the ask!

[subway-boss-jericho]

(teeth gritted) the irony of this is not lost on me, that I am on an inspiration and motivation high to work on Steady Tracks, for the first time since before posting Steady Tracks Chapter 1, in the middle of the busiest part of my semester when I literally have an hour or maybe two of free time in a day. Which I must spend instead doing things like "laying down" and "taking care of myself." outlandish. to whom do i file a complaint.

If I had the freedom to pick up my metaphorical pen right now, I think steady tracks chapter 2 would be done before November ends. but no. instead I am in the middle of my senior year. This is turbofucked and I'm lowkey mad about it

Steady tracks. Soon. I swear to god. Good things coming. Soon. I swear. On my life. I am gonna go feral There are Things. On The Way. At some point i fucking swear

[subway-boss-jericho]

Steady Tracks- As a Pokemon, does Ingo still like human food, and if he does, has he tried to sneak his favorites if/when Emmet gets a hold of them? And if Emmet won't let him have them cause Human Food, does Chandelure steal treats for him anyway because ghost type don't give an F?

Absolutely! Yes, he heavily prefers normal food when it's available, even when it isn't the best option for his dietary needs, and Emmet does not withhold any food from him!

Aside from a handful of pokemon specific things, such as type-specific treats, I don't think there's a big distinction between normal (human) food and 'pokemon' food. Poffins and PokePuffs for example, while canonically have been fed to pokemon, I think are just normal local pastries and are "normal" food. Think castelia cones for an example. I think with how diverse pokemon are and how interwoven they are into everyday life, most trainers sort out which foods are best for their pokemon and plan meals accordingly :]

HOWEVER. There is one thing that Emmet will not let him have, and that's Coffee. Ingo and Emmet have a light coffee/tea enjoyer rivalry. Ingo has not gotten to HAVE coffee in a Long time because of the whole. Huisi-ning. So he's got a huge craving for it when he reencounters it again.

It effects him differently as a pokemon than it did as a human, and it is Disastrous For All Involved, which is why Emmet will not let him have coffee. Any team members caught trying to sneak him coffee Will be grounded. Ingo will act like a kicked Lillipup about it, but it is the one thing Emmet Will Not Compromise

(Of all the pokemon, Chandelure is the one most likely to pull a stunt like this. She has enough telekinetic powers to carry items and enough gall to disobey Emmet flagrantly when she can get away with it. Most of the others either 1. Don't have hands 2. Are too responsible 3. Are very loyal to Emmet 4. Can't use the coffee machine. Freight (Chandelure) has a secret 5th thing which is undying loyalty to Ingo regardless of consequence. Joking aside, it's still infrequent, but if Ingo is dying for some coffee then Freight is his greatest ally.)

Steady Tracks Masterpost

[subway-boss-jericho]

OH. HOLY SHIT.

I will preface this with. I am trying very verrry hard to remain as calm as possible.  Firstly. This is absolutely STUNNING. I absolutely love everything about this. I love the scene you picked (and I’m so glad that one is your favorite??? ;^;), I love the way you framed the panels, I LOVE the way you drew Ingo- Absolutely ADORE it, the fact that you went out of your way to do the background pokemon too??? I- Listen. I am melting. I am not even remotely normal about this. I was on a voice chat when a friend sniped me with this and I very literally fell out of my chair and pulled my headphones out of my computer. I am working so hard to give you proper sentences right now instead of actual, full-on screaming.  RESOUNDINGLY,

THANK YOU!

Also. In the end notes of the chapter- I lied. I did in fact immediately make more reference images for him. I will do my best to post them soon. Thank you again so much, I am. Okay. One more reaction image for the road. I cannot help it, this is. Too Much For Words.

and now i shimmy away to my writers desk once more. you have given me. so much motivation from this alone. I will find a way to make use of it for Steady Tracks Purposes. <333333

So I am an avid fanfic reader and this one fic on AO3 called Steady Tracks Do Not Waver by @subway-boss-jericho is a fic I constantly find myself just re reading over and over with all the details! It’s really well written and it has me enthralled entirely!

This is my rendition of my favorite scene! Once again nervous about posting fanart of fanfiction but I hope I did the scene justice and made Poke!Ingo look decent enough in my style! (Also Blank/pro shippers please don’t interact)

[subway-boss-jericho]

arright lads

Steady tracks chapter 2 officially has 4,000 words. I wish it was not this difficult and taking this long but it has been and it is so we are simply going to keep balling. Just wanted to let you all know that, despite college and burnouts best attempts, I am still alive and immensely mentally ill about the train men. I am no content creator but I'll be damned if I don't give it my best shot

[subway-boss-jericho]

Current Stuff in the Works

Steady Tracks chapter 2 is still happening (I have finally gotten a second wind and am making decent progress)

I've been working on a short animatic for Spirit Keeper Ingo (It's mostly done but I haven't had the time to go back to it since the semester started)

Potentially might be starting a second fic in the near-to-far future. I realized one of the things tripping me up with STDNW was not having variety, so i might start another fic to work on when I can't make progress on ST.

I am also still working on that Uquiz. all the quiz parts are done but shockingly it takes longer than you think to write 30+ paragraphs about all the different final answers. oof. That's lower on my priority list but i'll probably get it done over the summer

Oh this is important also, STIngo is getting a redesign. It's not major, just wanna fix some shape language stuff. Make him look more pokemon. That'll happen officially at some point but again god forbid I set a concrete deadline sdjghdh ⭐Other animatics in the future, maybe some comics. Art hard, brain bad, fuck it we ball

Thank you for your time, have some doodles 👍 (these are between a month and a year old, horrors of constantly evolving art style n character designs, yadda yadda)

[subway-boss-jericho]

hehe sprites go brrrrrr

I didn't know I could DO this, (gestures to Sprite Wizardry Onscreen Now) but I am using this for good. Steady tracks art upon ye

Steady Tracks Masterpost

[joyfulness03]

FRIZZLE!!! FRIZZLE MY BEST FRIEND BY BIGGEST BUDDY!!!! ;^; awohoouwhhuh

Behold

Giant ass doodle page! Decided to go a little wild and try to doodle as much as possible on one page so, Here's the result ! Enjoy.

The little depot agent belongs to @joyfulness03 and Aste/half of Asteru belongs to @rudeboimonster

[subway-boss-jericho]

Actually while I'm here, does anyone have any asks/submissions they wanna send in about Steady Tracks? I've been trying to find inspiration/motivation to get myself back into writing and I realized that the most motivating thing is just, talkin about it. Anyone have any questions, prompts or general curiosities? :0c

[subway-boss-jericho]

ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS

It’s been 10,000 years.

I am So Sorry. Have a sleepy man and his ant as a treat. (I think I drew this back in... August? If that puts into perspective 1. how bad I am at posting stuff; 2. How overwhelmed life got me rn. I am alive I swear)enjoy the soft :]

Steady Tracks Masterpost