Whisper's Starlight Fics
Series Metadata
Listing Series
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A Thousand Storms by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
14 May 2025
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Summary
He didn't get far, before another strike cut through the air, this time closer. The following rumble was loud, hitting him like a wall, and he flinched. The music playing in his ears was useless now, swallowed by the growl of the storm.
Another crack, sharp and bright.
His hands moved instinctively, pressing over the buds, trying to seal the sound out. The action distorted the music, panic sharpening his senses until even the usual comfort felt tinny and painful. There was no pattern, no rhythm, his thoughts a jumbled mess of fear and anxiety.
Series
- Part 1 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Summary
Slick and Joule decide to pretend to be ill while their respective teams are out, so they can spend the day together, without anyone catching them.
Series
- Part 2 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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How Does My Garden Grow? by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
16 May 2025
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Summary
Hydra and Rusty have a set of twins, who are growing up to be curious about the world around them. Hydra takes time to teach them about the plants in his garden, wanting to tend to their curiosity, and maybe inspire a deeper interest.
Series
- Part 3 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Message In A Bottle by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
23 May 2025
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Summary
Tassita would pretend, at first, that he hadn't been waiting. That he hadn't been watching the clock on the wall. That he hadn't left the shed door just slightly ajar on purpose.
He'd make a show out of rising from his bunk, tucking his earbuds into his case on the nightstand, and open the door.
There, Hydra would be stood with a half-smile and an awkward stiffness as he waited to be invited, usually with his jacket tight around himself.
"You don't mind?" Hydra would always ask when he was halfway through the door.
"You're here already," would be Tassita's gruff reply, as he stepped aside.
Series
- Part 4 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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I've Got You, Brother by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
18 Jun 2025
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Summary
The freight yard was empty today. The usual clamour of shunting trucks and hissing brakes had been replaced by a kind of watchful stillness. The sheds were steeped in amber, afternoon fading into evening, and normally by now, Porter would be sat at the kitchen table with Momma, doing his homework while she cooked dinner.
Instead, he was parked neatly beside a stack of pallets, his arms and chin resting on a crate someone had left there somewhere around midday. Every so often, he fidgeted, but for the most part, he was just still. Waiting and watching the tracks.
Momma was coming home today. And this time, she wouldn't be coming back alone!
She'd been pregnant for forever! Ever since that first morning when she'd rolled up next to him, kissed the top of his head, and told him gently that she had something new in her belly. A baby, she'd said.
Series
- Part 5 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
- Part 1 of Freight Fam Fics
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Summary
Hydra sat on the edge of Pearl's bed, their fingers drumming nervously against the quilt. The late afternoon sun filtered through curtains that had been drawn for a little privacy, painting the room a soft golden light. The atmosphere was warm, safe, scented with the rose of Pearl's perfume. They were usually a lot more at ease here, away from the world.
But today, they felt completely out of their depth as their girlfriend danced around the room, gathering up boxes of makeup and an outfit that had been picked out days ago. She was always so graceful with her motions, and Hydra watched her anxiously as she hummed one of the songs Rusty had written with his band.
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"Okay," Pearl said gently, holding up a hanger. "Are you ready?"
Series
- Part 6 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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The Things We Carry by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
08 Jul 2025
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Summary
Hydra and Slick had argued twice that morning already.
The first was over scheduling. Hydra had been reassigned last minute, to help Rusty on a passenger run with the coaches. Slick had accused him of intentionally switching shifts to avoid them all. It hadn't been an intense fight by all means, but it had set the tone for the day.
The second had been louder. More public. Something about misplaced tools, nobody but Hydra and Slick really understood any of the details, just the sharp edge in Slick's voice and the way Hydra had laughed off her annoyance like it didn't matter, resulting in the two getting into a somewhat explosive yelling match.
It had been happening a lot more lately, and it always ended the same way, with both freights storming off in opposite directions, angry and unsatisfied.
Series
- Part 7 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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You Belong With Me by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
21 Aug 2025
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Summary
Sometimes, Slick cursed being built as a Freight Tanker.
Why couldn't she have been built a coach instead? Or an engine, even. Something respected or adored by others.
Instead, she was just another fuel truck. A generic tanker carrying oil, blending into the background and being ordered around only when someone wanted something from her.
Series
- Part 8 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Dinah liked nights like this. The kind where the air was warm but not heavy, where the sky still held a trace of colour even after the yard lights had flickered on. It was quiet enough to hear the frogs down by the pond, and naturally, she'd decided to gather up the coaches for a little campfire, to relax after a long day of work.
She tugged her jacket tighter around her shoulders as she shifted closer to the fire, the smell of smoke clinging to her.
They'd settled for a smaller fire than the type that the Freights liked to sing around. Nothing extravagant but a decent size, a neat pile of sticks and tree bark. But it was enough for them, giving them an excuse to sit away from the usual bustle of the yard, without needing to worry about races or passengers.
Series
- Part 9 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Starlight's Gift by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
01 Oct 2025
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Summary
Out of every dungeon that had showed up in the region in the past years, Starlight Caverns was the most mysterious. It had shown up out of the blue, a sinkhole at the base of a distant mountain, walls lined with glittering stone.
It seemed that many Pokemon who stepped foot inside that weren't under the protection of a Guild Badge would lose their minds, wandering the ever shifting halls until they were either rescued or ended up on a missing poster.
Out of every dungeon, this was the one she needed to solve the mystery of the most.
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A Starlight Express Pokemon Mystery Dungeon AU.
Series
- Part 1 of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Starlight
- Part 10 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Episode One: A New Team is Born by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon
08 Oct 2025
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Summary
The morning light poured through the high windows of Troubadour Guild, turning the halls into a vibrant amber. The chatter of dozens of Pokemon echoed off the stone walls, as it always did. But today felt different somehow. Teams gathered together, preparing for assignments before the day's departures.
Momma had always told Rusty the guild had a heartbeat of its own. Today, he could finally feel it for himself. He stood near the job board, flame flickering bright across his back, the air around him warmed with a nervous energy he couldn't hide. His pack rested nearly against the wall beside him. It was new, shiny, and filled with supplies he'd gathered himself on practice missions with Dinah and Belle.
And finally, he'd be able to collect his badge from Momma, and officially recruit for his team.
Series
- Part 11 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
- Part 2 of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Starlight
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 3,104
- Chapters:
- 1/?
- Kudos:
- 3
- Hits:
- 44
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Summary
Rusty grew up believing the Starlight Express would always guide him home. Momma taught him to look to the brightest star whenever he felt lost, and for a long time, the legend was enough to keep his hope alive.
But the world has changed. Steam engines are disappearing, the yards grow colder, and faith begins to crack under the weight of reality.
Series
- Part 12 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Summary
The yard was full of the usual excited chatter that always preceded a race. Everyone choosing racers to root for, bets being placed, anyone not in the race setting up around the course in a perfect vantage point to see their favourites coming around a bend.
Porter and Lumber had stood off to the side, clapping and cheering for Rusty and Slick, playing the ever supportive role that the steamer had come to expect from them. That he'd come to expect from Porter most of all.
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Was this plan really worth it?
Series
- Part 13 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Season's Freezings by AHeartsWhisper
Fandoms: Starlight Express - Phillips/Stilgoe/Webber
17 Dec 2025
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Summary
Hydra was learning very quickly that winter at Troubadour had teeth.
They were also learning that when Control said he needed a volunteer, if everyone else refuses, it's a sign that they should refuse too.
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The winter chill drives Hydra indoors, but warmth brings more than just comfort. Caught between Rusty's heat and Porter's steady presence, Hydra discovers that safety, closeness, and something unnamed can be just as overwhelming as the cold.
Series
- Part 14 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Summary
If there was one thing Porter had been learning over this past month, it was the sound of his very stubborn engine, and even more stubborn tanker starting practice at a Starlight-forsaken hour.
He'd heard it enough, ever since race season had begun. Ever since Control had stood up in his tower and announced that Troubadour Yard would be playing host to some new competitors for this year's races.
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Or: Porter realising that racers have zero self preservation instincts.
Series
- Part 15 of Whisper's Starlight Fics
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Summary
Movie night is routine in Rusty's shed. The three of them piled up on Rusty's battered old sofa, a bowl of popcorn to share, and a movie to watch together. There's always a space between Porter and Rusty for Hydra.
But when Hydra doesn't take it, Porter and Rusty start to realise just how wrong the night feels without them there.
Series
- Part 16 of Whisper's Starlight Fics