With your battle complete, and your injuries sort of patched up, you're finally free to catch your breath... at least until the terminal flares to life again. Your brief conversation with the person on the other end may have left you with more questions than answers, but they are true to their world. Next to the terminal, a glowing golden portal suddenly appears - blinding in its light and large enough for only a couple of you to enter at a time. Regardless, it remains open, showcasing a strange, warehouse-looking building on the other side, with a long hallway and several closed doors. It's not entirely clear where this new location will be, but at least it doesn't seem to have spider robots or be out in space.
/// L O A D I N G . . .
I've got everything ready on my end.
I'll explain everything to you once you're here.
No more secrets, I promise.
Please watch your step, and make sure everyone comes along!
Staying behind is not an option. Whether you trust the person on the other end of the terminal or not, it seems this is your only path forward. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and step through the portal.
THE BASE
The light begins to clear as the last of you enter the portal and come out unharmed on the other side. You'll notice immediately that the portal displayed the exact place you've ended up - a fairly run-down warehouse, with you all standing in a hallway that extends in front of you, lined with doors that are shut. Before you go wandering off, you might want to turn around - after all, you can hear the whirring of machinery behind you.
You'll find that there's another set of doors there - one that is closed and another that leads into a larger room that seems to be a makeshift lab and control room all rolled into one. There are monitors carefully (but a bit haphazardly) strewn across the room, the wiring capably done but rather unprofessional. One of the screens shows a diagram of a gemstone, another shows a list of coordinates that don't make any sense, a third seems to be showing security cameras... basically exactly what you'd expect for someone's base of operations.
And that base of operations is staffed by... well, you'll have to look down, as he's not exactly human height.
Standing before you is someone unfamiliar to all of you. He's not very tall, but he stands out from the crowd with his yellow fur, bright blue eyes, and twin tails. He's an anthropomorphic fox and he's looking at you all a bit nervously, waving a hand in greeting.
"Um, hi." He says. "I'm really sorry about the confusion. And the robots. And your missing memories. And your injuries. I really didn't expect things to turn out like this..." He trails off nervously, scratching his cheek before forcing a smile again. "But thank you so much for agreeing to help us. My name is Tails. I'm one of the members of the resistance.
"There are medical supplies here, for you guys to use. I'm sorry, I'm not a medic..." Sure enough, you have access to quite a few medical supplies present in this room! Go right ahead and patch up your friends with the good stuff. You've even got painkillers here!
He clears his throat and continues. "Like I said, no more secrets. I couldn't tell you everything while you were in that other world, because I was afraid of my transmissions being picked up by the Doctor. You guys are the only hope for this world, because the three of us can't beat him alone. So we had to turn to help elsewhere.
"Doctor Robotnik - or Eggman, as we call him - is a genius scientist. He's made a lot of robots and gadgets, but that's not the reason why we need your help. He's got an item of immense power - the Master Emerald. With it, anything he thinks and desires can become reality. He made a giant robot from pieces of cars, trucks, trains, you name it! And that giant robot alone is enough to pose a huge threat to the city, but he didn't stop there.
"The entire world is controlled by him. He even controls the minds of all the people native to this world. They can't fight against him. They act like mindless drones, going about their daily tasks with no way to fight back. And he's created a lot of robots - they might even outnumber the people, at this point! Everything and everyone is under his control."
A brief pause as Tails breathes and steadies himself. "But my friends and I are able to fight back. We have to fight back. And you guys agreed to help us. I'm sorry that you don't remember it, but my friend Sonic spoke with each one of you. He told you about what's going on here and he asked for your help. And all of you said you'd come help us.
"I'll do my best to answer any questions you have. But right now, I'm the only one here. I lost contact with Knuckles at the start of this week, and I've been trying to figure out what happened. Sonic's been trying to find help in other worlds, so communication with him has been spotty. But I'll let him know that you guys are here now, so he should return soon!"
Tails exhales and forces a smile. "Together, we can defeat Eggman."
THE AFTERMATH
Though it's a lot of information to take in, Tails will happily answer any questions you all may have. He tells you that this warehouse is their base of operations, hidden right under the nose of Eggman's forces. Unfortunately, they need to be very careful because robots are always on patrol - and are specifically looking for the three of them. For now, it's best for you all to remain near the warehouse and travel in pairs, if you do go out into the city for any reason.
You'll find that those closed doors lead to rooms that have been set up for all of you. They're a little lacking, with only two beds, two desks and chairs, and two trunks for you to store your belongings in. Though you do have some changes of clothes in the closets, the designs may not be to your liking. They were picked out for you by three animals who only wear shoes and gloves, so...
Get ready, because it looks like you've a lot of work ahead of you.
Well there's no way you're just going out and fighting all the...evil Eggman robots. That sounds way too dangerous, especially after those...things from earlier.
If you're going there, it's got to be with a safe plan, okay? Promise me.
[ She's worried?? Oh, that's....cute, honestly..... He softens a bit and chuckles. ]
A promise, huh?
[ If this were back during the early days on the space station, Percy would feel more inclined to give her a half-hearted response. However, things are a little different. He can't promise complete safety, but a plan? Yeah, that he can do.
He holds up his hand and sticks out his pinky. ]
This is how you know I'm serious. I'm not reckless enough to go out all by myself, so don't worry about that.
Oh, you were headed there? Sorry for interrupting!
[ Honestly, when he took a warm bath, it felt real nice! ... Well, aside from how his forearms are in bandages right now (I forgot but thank you Rio), because he would've loved to feel the warm water fully, but. ]
Go take one! You'll feel so much better afterwards.
[ Ah, that's why, is it? That makes him feel...something. He certainly feels some kind of way about the fact that she wanted to make sure he knew that she was still around – him, little old Percy who is oh so lonely but never wants to make a show of it. And yet, somehow, it's like she's seen right through him without meaning to, because he probably would have felt a little bit of an Ashley-shaped vacancy if she decided to leave. Strange, isn't it? It's only been a week, and somehow...
Percy gives her one of those smiles again, one that's no less happy but it has a gentle edge to it. ]
Thanks. I appreciate it.
[ He'd asked earlier what her plans were for the rest of the night, just out of curiosity. Now, though? Now, he's considering...
...nah. ]
Well, I don't wanna keep you from pampering yourself. I'm...probably gonna start winding down for the night, anyway.
[ But it'd be nice to have more friend time? Or something.
[ Ashley doesn't go on her way just yet, though. Maybe it's what she catches just at the end of that smile. ]
Oh, don't worry, I'm going to take that shower. But, uh, after I...don't think I'm gonna be able to go right to sleep, if you want to... I don't know, look around this place?
[ ... ]
If you're really tired though, I understand, today's been...you know.
[ Oh-! He is pretty tired (and also cried a lot in Raven's direction??) but that won't change his answer. ]
Yeah, sure! I don't mind.
[ Let's go on a tour of the base! ]
Haven't really gotten much of a chance to look around, so that'd be nice. I got a glimpse of some of the rooms, and it seems like there's plenty to look at.
Rooms... I should probably claim one of those before I shower... I don't think there's enough for everyone to have their own, and, well, I wouldn't wanna get stuck with someone...
Anyway, Percy listens to her speak, and she's right. There aren't enough rooms for everyone to have their own, which kind of sucks but there are also, like, 31 of them. He understands her worries, even if he personally doesn't really have a huge preference on who he'd end up rooming with.
That being said, Ashley would unsurprisingly probably be one of his preferred choices, he just...never thought to ask, because she's a girl and he doesn't know how comfortable she would've been with that arrangement. He shared a room with his sister for years, and slept over at his ex's house all the time, so this idea doesn't bother him in particular.
[ On some level, it's a natural response to the idea of rooming with a boy. ...But the bigger, more tangible worry is rooming with anyone—the Washingtons' always had a spare room whenever she slept over, so this is uncharted territory. ]
You'd really not mind? [ He seems pretty chill and relaxed about it... ] Okay. If you're, like, totally sure.
Oh, but, don't just wait outside, that'll get boring, and- I might...be a little while...
[ Time to properly wash away the grime of Blackwood Mountain, without feeling like an icicle! ]
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Huh, but you're not going, are you?
[ He can't hide how much he's smiling. He won't even bother to, honestly. Ashley gets to see what Percy looks like when he's genuinely very happy. ]
So...does that mean we're still on for skateboarding?
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Tails says if I change my mind again, he can still send me home, and right when I left, too. That was kind of a game changer.
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[ Because he's never heard of stuff like this before, at least, not as a man(fox?)made invention. ]
Well, I was gonna run to Walmart or something tomorrow if I could, so I'll try to grab us those boards I promised. Tails is getting one, too!
[ yeager probably should get one too but LOOKS AT REDD BANNING HIM FROM DOING IT. ]
I'm probably gonna have to fight my way just to get there, or be super sneaky... God, I'm getting tired just thinking about it...
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Well there's no way you're just going out and fighting all the...evil Eggman robots. That sounds way too dangerous, especially after those...things from earlier.
If you're going there, it's got to be with a safe plan, okay? Promise me.
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A promise, huh?
[ If this were back during the early days on the space station, Percy would feel more inclined to give her a half-hearted response. However, things are a little different. He can't promise complete safety, but a plan? Yeah, that he can do.
He holds up his hand and sticks out his pinky. ]
This is how you know I'm serious. I'm not reckless enough to go out all by myself, so don't worry about that.
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[ A...pinky swear. The very sight of it catches her a little off-guard.
But, a moment later, she smiles lightly and hooks her pinky around his. ]
I haven't done one of these in a long time, but, I seem to remember them being ironclad.
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[ And she damn well should if he does, tbh!!! Hold this fucker accountable!!!
Anyway, he grins when her pinky loops around his, and he pulls his hand back. He maintains his smile and places his hands on his hips. ]
For now, though, got any plans for the rest of the night?
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Well, considering my "plans" until recently were go home and... [ Haaa- ] ...deal with all that, I really have no idea.
[ A moment. ]
Besides a shower that doesn't feel like an ice plunge.
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[ Honestly, when he took a warm bath, it felt real nice! ... Well, aside from how his forearms are in bandages right now (I forgot but thank you Rio), because he would've loved to feel the warm water fully, but. ]
Go take one! You'll feel so much better afterwards.
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Oh, no no, you're not interrupting anything, I was looking for you before settling into something else.
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Me? Why, what's up?
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Nothing anymore, silly. I just wanted to make sure you knew I chose to stay.
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Percy gives her one of those smiles again, one that's no less happy but it has a gentle edge to it. ]
Thanks. I appreciate it.
[ He'd asked earlier what her plans were for the rest of the night, just out of curiosity. Now, though? Now, he's considering...
...nah. ]
Well, I don't wanna keep you from pampering yourself. I'm...probably gonna start winding down for the night, anyway.
[ But it'd be nice to have more friend time? Or something.
(...Friend time?) ]
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Oh, don't worry, I'm going to take that shower. But, uh, after I...don't think I'm gonna be able to go right to sleep, if you want to... I don't know, look around this place?
[ ... ]
If you're really tired though, I understand, today's been...you know.
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Yeah, sure! I don't mind.
[ Let's go on a tour of the base! ]
Haven't really gotten much of a chance to look around, so that'd be nice. I got a glimpse of some of the rooms, and it seems like there's plenty to look at.
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However, that reminds her- ]
Rooms... I should probably claim one of those before I shower... I don't think there's enough for everyone to have their own, and, well, I wouldn't wanna get stuck with someone...
[ like fukuda 😨 ]
...difficult to room with.
1/2 again...
Anyway, Percy listens to her speak, and she's right. There aren't enough rooms for everyone to have their own, which kind of sucks but there are also, like, 31 of them. He understands her worries, even if he personally doesn't really have a huge preference on who he'd end up rooming with.
That being said, Ashley would unsurprisingly probably be one of his preferred choices, he just...never thought to ask, because she's a girl and he doesn't know how comfortable she would've been with that arrangement. He shared a room with his sister for years, and slept over at his ex's house all the time, so this idea doesn't bother him in particular.
Alas, it is just that: An idea. ]
2/3
there's a guy with a giant hole in his head
some guy who's part-dolphin
and for as much as he is fine with them, void archives exists ]
i lied earlier i am done
[ He pipes up after going through all of this internal monologue. ]
If – if there's no one you're considering, you're always welcome to stay in my room. I won't make it weird, promise. And I'm neat.
[ Still, he is a little bashful about this. ]
1/3
But, Percy makes a suggestion and that throws her metaphorical train right off its metaphorical tracks. ]
What.
2/3
Wait that came out really, really wrong, no, forget that.
3/3
Neat, that is. Not neat. Neatless.
[ she's like. just the worst at this. (this???) ]
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[ Ohhh boy!! Maybe he shouldn't have asked!!! For a second, he feels himself freeze, because ohhhhhh no that might've been bad-
Wait. Her worries are that she's messy? That's what this is about? ]
No, it's fine! Seriously, I'm good with it.
[ That, he can live with. ]
So – I can show you where I'm staying after you shower. I'll hang around outside until you're done.
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You'd really not mind? [ He seems pretty chill and relaxed about it... ] Okay. If you're, like, totally sure.
Oh, but, don't just wait outside, that'll get boring, and- I might...be a little while...
[ Time to properly wash away the grime of Blackwood Mountain, without feeling like an icicle! ]
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[ Both of their memories are still pretty raw, but he's fine mentioning them to Ashley, at least. ]
I'll make myself a snack, then! Come find me where all the food is!
1/2
2/2
ASHLEY.
tehepero
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cw death mentions
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1/2
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cw kind of disordered eating from cannibalism trauma why is my canon this
crying
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