Being a fan of Electra and their components is just asking yourself the question "Which one am I giving a sad backstory?" And the answer is normally all of them.
Starlight Express Fic (AO3 Crossover) - Components x Electra
Fandom: Starlight Express (2025 London)
Type: Hurt/comfort
Rating: SFW
Triggers: Gender dysphoria
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There was something to be said about how engines had flocked to steam after only one victory on the track. But that didn't mean Electra wasn't going to get ahead while they still had the chance to. There was nothing more appealing than winning to Electra, and they couldn't lose twice in a row, as that would mean that they were perhaps actually not the best, and of course that wasn't true at all.
Electra was the best of all engines and would go through great lengths to prove this completely. They were going to be the most modern, the most upgraded and the most wanted engine in the yard, even if it meant ripping out their brand new electric engine in favour of rebuilding a better hydrogen-based one. That was what the future demanded, and Electra was not going to be outdated or forced into uselessness by people upgrading faster.
Electra would never be useless; they just couldn't be. It was not going to be the case, or Electra would… well, they didn't know what would happen because such things would never happen in the first place.
It was going to be a rather complicated and involved process, all things considered. Wrench had to start work on how this would be done mechanically, creating a good timeline to start fuel changes, installing pipes and trying to accommodate the lack of space in Electra's sleek design. The electric engine was built for smooth speed, not for hydrogen pipes and thick protective walling to stop explosions or overheating. There was going to be a lot that needed changing, and it had Wrench worried if it would be too much at once.
Of course, Electra would be able to handle anything, but when everything was going to be happening in the same week, the mind wouldn't be able to keep up with the changes to the body as quickly. It was a dangerous thing, and if they weren't careful it might create a disconnect between the mind and body of the engine, and who knows what that might lead to down the line.
Volta and Joule had been working overtime these past few nights, making sure that Electra could get used to the sudden temperature changes that a hydrogen-based engine could produce. They had a random schedule each day when they would have to approach Electra and take them in for the temperature treatment. Sometimes this would involve Joule lighting explosives inside of Electra's compartments to try and get them used to the pressure and the pain that could be caused by the transition to steam.
The conversion was getting on everyone's nerves, and of course all the components would have to update their couplers and connections in case a power transfer is needed during races or journeys from place to place. It was just a lot of different things all happening at once, and they had to believe it would be worth it.
After another month, it was done. Electra was officially hydrogen-based. They were steam. The whole thing was revolutionary and something that was making headlines now that they had let the press know what had happened. Electra was out for interviews and newspapers and all kinds of things; everyone wanted to know about the new fancy engine that was going to make everyone seem second-rate.
Especially after Greaseball had given up on the whole thing. Electra thought it was so pathetic to try halfway for only a couple of months and then give up; it was laughable, and Electra made that known. Much to the upset of Dinah – not that Electra ever cared about that silly little dining car. Greaseball didn't matter now that Electra was going to be the next champion, and even Rusty didn't stand a chance with this new and renovated form. It was completely perfect.
Then why did Electra feel strange about it all? This was what they wanted, and the new engine was running perfectly, but it was strange. They couldn't seem to get rid of the urge to sit in a charging station. The desire to just power down when that was no longer an option. And of course there was no more electric hypnosis, which was certainly something they weren't getting used to all that quickly.
But then again, it wasn't like they were unhappy with their body; it was just rather different, and it was going to take a moment for the software to update to the same level as the hardware. "Everything alright, boss?" Killerwatt asked, snapping Electra back to some state of reality. They were sitting in their office chairs and gave a small nod in Killerwatt's direction. "Are you sure? I know this whole hydrogen thing has been a lot at once." He said, trying to peel back that layer of professionalism that Electra insisted they had at all times. He actually cared about them after all, as stupid as it was.
"That's all. You're dismissed for the evening." Electra said firmly, not even giving Killerwatt another glance. Killerwatt went to protest, but Electra raised their hand. That was it. Killerwatt bowed his head and then left the room, the door closing automatically behind him.
Now alone, Electra was just staring at the wall, not certain what to do but knowing there was a lot going on inside their mind. There was so much they could say or do, but there were also so many things they didn't want to do right now. Sitting here in silence seemed like the best option over all of them. But even then Electra didn't really think they were the same engine sitting here as they were a few months ago. Well, they weren't; the old electric engine was gone now, and the new hydrogen engine was in.
But in a deeper sense, how could Electra be the same engine as they were a few months ago? With all the things that had happened with Greaseball and Rusty and all those in the yard, their components going off to race with others, helping and hindering them in the races.
There was a lot that had changed in such a short span of time; it was no wonder things felt different: they were different. And the yard was different too. It was a lot of change, and Electra hadn't really been able to assess it all or enjoy the new engine, even if it came with a lot of faults and differences compared to the original electric one. And yet, there was something comforting about this new engine.
It didn't feel out of place, but they hadn't had it long enough to feel at home just yet. It was like a new pet in the home. It belongs there, yes, but it hadn't had the time to settle in yet. Yes, perhaps that was the best way Electra could think of it. After all, that was how it felt truthfully.
Electra had never been one to care about such things as the internals, so long as the external appearance was one of power, sleek modernism and wealth. That was what this new hydrogen engine screamed, and it was a good fit for Electra in theory.
Time would tell if in practice all the care that they had put into getting this engine would pay off. If they would truly get to be the one and only engine of the future. Electra stood up, looking down at their body and placing a hand against their smooth chest. It felt right. Even if in some moments they would still doubt if this was a safe bet to have made. If this was really the best thing to do for the long run.
After a full conversation, it would be very difficult to go back, but Electra had faith they would truly be able to be a better engine after this. This was something they needed, even with the doubt sometimes creeping in. The soft yearning for the better race was going to overwhelm such doubts any day of the year.
Making their way back to their private room, Electra noticed the way their engine was humming. Not in that consistent drone of the electric engine that they had known and loved for so long, but instead the humming was a gentle rock with each push of their wheels against the tracks.
Pumping liquid back and forth in a steady flow that gave a soft reassurance to Electra once more. It was different, and of course, they missed the steady, familiar sound of electric but there was more to be gained from being hydrogen. It was a better noise and a better flow, and it was going to let Electra be a better engine. And perhaps it might even let other things become better within them as well.
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I'll probably rewrite this soon, or at least a different version.
Read below the cut
They were again spending the night in another hotel, a rather fancy one, but still a hotel.
They had a whole floor to themselves, the top floor, crystal chandeliers lighting up the hallways, and the elevator that Electra was currently in was lined wall, ceiling and floor with mirrors.
Something Joule had made a rather gauche joke about when they had first arrived earlier in the day, as she looked down at the flooring, getting a good look at her own behind, Electra also noticed the way Krupp was gazing down to watch Purse, not at all as subtle as the armament truck would have assumed he was being.
The doors slid open after a few moments as he reached their floor, the Components already unpacked and spending time in their individual rooms, Krupp closest to the elevator to make sure not even staff could get access to Electra's room, second was Purse, then Joule, followed by Volta then Wrench.
Electra's room was all the way at the end of the long hallway, around seven doors down from Wrench. It gave him more privacy than he could want, which was the main problem.
Electra had gotten used to having practically no privacy, especially with Krupp never being more than a few feet away at any given moment.
So suddenly being so far away had Electra a little nervous, although he would never admit that.
As he made his way down the hallway he couldn't help but try to listen to the others behind their doors, but the wood was too thick, making him feel even more alone.
Would it be wrong to knock on their doors and ask them to spend time with him? Probably considering he had promised them a few days off of work…which meant a few days away from him, well not literally but it meant they could go out and do their own things and not have to stress about him as much.
Shaking his head he put his keycard against the door to unlock it, pushing the door open, Electra stepped inside and was greeted by the warm light of the room.
The room was huge, almost absurdly so, with dark blue walls and furniture with gold trimmings, and a bed that looked far too inviting.
With a sigh, the Engine threw himself down on the bed face first, not caring that he had landed on some of his hair and it was pulling uncomfortably.
He wasn't sure how long he was lying there, his mind racing, when he heard a knock at his door.
He debated for a moment ignoring it but the thought of one of his Components on the other side wanting him won out, He dragged himself up and glanced out the window, shocked by how dark it had become outside.
Opening the door Electra was met with Joule fully dressed for bed leaning against the door frame, a wry smile tugging at her lips, "Guessing you're alone in here?" She joked looking him up and down.
"What do you want?"
Joule sighed slipping into the room, pushing it closed behind her, "It's- I wanted to check on you, that's all."
Electra noticed the nervous look in her eyes as she changed what she was going to say, but before he could mention It there was a second knock at the door.
"It's Wrench," Joule smirked dropping down onto the bed with a bounce.
She was right, Wrench was on the other side of the door, also in her pyjamas, how Joule knew it was her, Electra wasn't sure, but she did have a rather good habit of doing that, nearly as good as Krupp.
But Krupp could tell based on the knock, maybe Joule was more observant than he had thought.
"Can I come in?" the Repair truck asked, scratching at her scalp.
"Sure,"
Wrench didn't wait for another second, she almost sped into the room to join Joule on the bed.
The door shut with a click, "I wanted to check on you," Wrench smiled, her reasoning seeming more plausible than Joule's.
"I'm fine," the Electric Engine lied, he just wanted to go to sleep.
As if reading his mind Joule climbed up the bed and slid under the duvet with a chuckle, Wrench soon following after her, their bodies barely taking up any space in the large bed.
"What are you doing?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"We're already in our pyjamas, so why not?" Joule giggled.
"It's too quiet," Wrench whispered, "And cold,"
Suddenly the door was knocked again for a third time, but Joule didn't comment who was on the other side, although there was a look in her eyes as if she knew exactly who it was.
"Volta, can I help you?" Electra asked opening the door to the Freezer truck, although she wasn't wearing pyjamas, just her underwear and a hoodie over the top that Electra was 90% sure belonged to Purse.
"Uh…" her eyes locked onto the other two in the bed, "Yes, you can."
It seemed like Electra would end up having to be stuck in the middle with how Volta soon slipped into the bed, spooning Joule.
Electra couldn't help but take a peek into the hallway to see if the final two components would be joining them, but still, silence, perhaps it would just be him and the girls.
"Hurry up and get in here," Joule's voice snapped him back to the bedroom, rather than trying to wait for Krupp and Purse.
And if either of them wanted company they would just go to each other like normal.
That's all it took for Electra to shut the door and climb into the middle of the bed, his body immediately grabbed onto by the girls on either side of him.
Joule shifted next to him, stroking s hand over his chest, “What’s on your mind, Boss? You’ve got that broody look again.”
Electra turned his head to glare at her, “Nothing, Just trying to figure out how giving you a few days off means you spend the first night in my bed "
Wrench laughed softly, “You’ve got no one to blame but yourself. If you didn’t insist on giving us time off, maybe we wouldn’t feel like we need to check in on you.”
Joule leaned closer, her face pressing against his neck, “She’s right, you know. You’re not as sneaky as you think. We know when something’s bothering you.”
Electra groaned, rubbing a hand over his face.
Volta's chuckle softy filled his ears but her laugh was soon cut out by the sound of kissing...great, just what he wanted to deal with tonight.
But before he could tell them to stop the sound of the door opening got his attention.
Everyone turned to face the doorway, Purse and Krupp walking in, hand in hand, and embarrassment clear as day on Krupp's face, but it soon left once he saw the others.
"Oh thank the Starlight" Purse mumbled under his breath, pushing the armaments truck towards the bed.
"Somebody's been on edge as soon as his bedroom door shut" he continued rolling his eyes.
"I can't help it, it's literally in my system to be on guard 24/7" Krupp tutted.
Wrench slipped out of bed to let Krupp slide in against Electra, Purse choosing to go on the edge after Wrench got back in.
"What a great break," Purse laughed, taking ahold of Krupp's hand over Wrench's waist.
Even with six of them in the bed, it still left plenty of room, although thankfully it felt better than if he was sleeping alone Electra thought.
"you gonna be okay now?" Wrench whispered to Krupp, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.
"Yeah, now that we're all together again."
"Better than you curling up on the bottom of my bed like a sad puppy," Purse smirked, Electra went to laugh with the others but the look on Krupp's face made it even funnier, Purse wasn't joking...that's why they came in together, Purse was just trying to calm Krupp down.
It seemed like no one was truly enjoying the idea of a few days off, even if they joked about constantly needing them; that was the one thing that made this job better, the fact they all felt whole together, especially while they slept cuddled up.
