Now that Tails has spoken with you about your mission, the state of the world, and the threat you're facing, you're free to settle in to life here. While the warehouse isn't exactly the most thrilling place to set up a base, it's clean and well-maintained (despite the only one here being a kid fox?) and Tails encourages you to make it your own as best you can. You're going to be here for awhile, after all. This world needs to be saved, and you're the ones to do it.
The warehouse is thankfully quite large, so there's plenty of space. Aside from the ground floor containing Tails' workshop, there's a room for Tails, Knuckles, and Sonic, as well as your rooms. There's a large bathroom and several nice showers - this time with actual hot water! Though it may not be fancy, it's certainly acceptable accommodations for your time here. Exploring further through the warehouse reveals that there's an upper floor, with several other rooms that have already been furnished for varying purposes; after all, it seems your friendly neighborhood talking animals have been living here for quite a bit themselves.
But outside the walls of the warehouse are where things get particularly dismal. Though life goes on in the city of Chicago, it's without any sort of passion or thought at all. The humans go about their day-to-day lives in monotony, acting as though nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary. They don't acknowledge you, even if you try to talk to them. They don't recognize you as weird, even if you aren't human (or a talking animal). They simply move about, drone-like, heedless of the robots that patrol the streets.
Eggman's robots are high-tech, white chrome and smooth; these are almost a work of art as they are technology. They all come equipped with laser beams regardless of the shape or size of them, and they all seem to be set on keeping an eye on the people. There are robots watching everywhere. You can't turn a street corner without seeing one or two, and they follow pre-determined surveillance paths as they watch over the humans.
Lingering in the distance, you can see a massive robot that takes up the horizon. That seems to be Eggman's base of operations, at least as far as Tails has been able to determine. Though it poses no threat to you right now, it's a looming reminder of what awaits you.
Welcome to Eggman's utopia.
THE BASE
Though he's apologized for the base not being particularly lively, Tails has promised you the freedom to make the place your own. He's even directed you to a "crafts room" if you'd like to decorate! This art studio is surprisingly robust for something put together in an abandoned, worn-down warehouse on the outskirts of the city. You'll find plenty of markers in every color you can think of, sketchbooks and paper and papercrafts, string and glue and everything you could need for your second grade arts and crafts project. Though it may all be a little kiddy, it's here for you to do with as you wish.
The crafts room isn't the only odd one on the upper floors, you'll also find a gymnasium. It's more of a home gym than anything else, with only a couple of beat-up old treadmills, a few exercise bikes, and some weight lifting stations, as well as plenty of weights. It's not exactly the best room in the base, but it's here if you'd like to make use of it.
Next door is an open room with several soft mats - an open room for sparring and training. This one doesn't really have much in it, but you're welcome to make use of it however you'd like.
And next to that is the requisite first aid room! This one is well-stocked and even has a few cots in case of more serious injuries. You'll find plenty of first aid kits, painkillers, and other various medical supplies, though nothing that will allow you to perform home surgery or anything of the sort. Hopefully you don't need to do that, though?
Finally, the last large room is one that a lot of love and care has been put into - an entertainment room! There's a large screen TV mounted on the wall, with many couches and plush chairs. You'll find that you've access to any and all modern day media you could find on a TV, from streaming services (who is paying for these, anyway?) and knock-off YouTube, to your favorite anime and even Twitch. It seems that our three allies have quite the varied interests, given their search history and "previously watched" shows and movies. There's enough seating in here for everyone, so why not have a movie night?
Oh, and you'll find the kitchen on the ground floor behind Tails' workshop is suitable for all your needs - it's not particularly well-furnished, as your pals here aren't exactly master chefs, but you're always welcome to talk to Tails about obtaining something more for the kitchen or any room in the warehouse.
All of the items you had on you at your canon point can be found in one of the storerooms as well. This includes weapons, though anything magical will unfortunately not work properly. Please ask me about anything gamebreaking!
THE CITY
Chicago itself is exactly what you'd expect of a typical American city. Well, apart from the robots patrolling and the lifeless people going about their days endlessly, that is. Anything you'd want to find in a city, you can find here! But be mindful - those robots can and will notice you, unlike the people. Most robots will engage in combat on sight, as you're someone unfamiliar and could possibly pose a threat, but some will try to flee - you probably don't want them getting away and reporting sightings of an unfamiliar person!
While the city may have undergone some major changes in its population, the infrastructure is about what you'd expect. The people clean and maintain everything just as they always have, leaving it to almost seem as though everything's fine... were it not for the construction. Unlike most construction sites, these are clearly being maintained and built by the robots - there are buildings that have been completely taken over by Eggman's white chrome finish, leaving to odd sights of mish-mashed buildings and structures that are half-advanced technology, half-old school building materials. Though it may look like a normal city at first glance, it would seem that Eggman is quite literally transforming everything into his very image. You'll even find a statue in a local park that has been replaced with an Eggman statue.
Sadly, it seems as though the people are not the only ones trapped under Eggman's thumb. Animals - be they pets or wild ones - also go about their usual business, with absolutely none of their usual livelihood. You won't see many people playing at the dog park, just passing through taking their dog on a needed walk and returning home. Squirrels and birds likewise carry on as if nothing is wrong, even if they're perched on something that is clearly Eggman's technology rather than a proper tree. Which yes, means that even some of the trees are being taken over by Eggman's chroma, transforming the very living world around you as well.
Though businesses are still running as usual, the people aren't exactly in any state of mind to notice if you steal something from them - as long as you're careful about it, anyway. While security cameras and the like may still exist, it doesn't seem like anyone's checking them. In fact, it seems like no one's committing crimes either, as the city is remarkably peaceful at all times of the day or night.
SHARDS
You may feel as though you have more control of your powers this week... or you may not. Regardless, things are still prone to going haywire, which could pose a problem if you get into a fight with a robot. Tails has asked you very nicely not to hurt any of the people, so maybe lead the robots somewhere that won't risk causing injury? Or don't, I'm not your mom.
Starting this week, you may attempt to use your shards together with someone you have a strong relationship with, good or bad. Once this has been used for the first time, a page will be opened to explain the mechanic. Regardless, that's going to take even more work than mastering your own power... so perhaps fighting those robots isn't a bad idea after all.
And you do want to fight those robots - Tails has warned you that the robots are searching for the rebels' base. You don't want to let a robot escape to bring information about you and possibly the base back to Eggman, do you? Should you let a robot escape, let me know.
TAILS' TASKS
For those of you willing to help - or if you're just particularly bored - Tails will offer some tasks for you all to help around the base. He can always use help with organizing and gathering supplies, keeping the base clean and in good condition, or even keeping track of the security cameras and communications networks. He'll gladly teach anyone who would like to learn technology as well!
For more specific tasks, this week he will grant you a small, rectangular box with an antennae on top. It's kind of cutesy, but it has a radar function built in and it is tracking some kind of signature. Tails says that it's tracking the Chaos Emeralds, and that some sort of Chaos Energy was detected not too far from the city about a week ago, when Knuckles vanished.
Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to see if you can find this Chaos Energy reading and determine the direction it's coming from. You are to go in pairs, but you are not to try to track the readings to the source, just determine where they're located and what direction they lead to. Of course, nothing's stopping you from going off on a wild adventure if you really want to...
ENEMIES
This week's enemies are Badniks, Eggman's robots. Specifically, you'll find yourself facing the Badnik Surveillance Unit, the Badnik Drones, and the Badnik Transformer Model B33.
Badnik Surveillance Units are primarily made for reconnaissance. They can be found flying overhead, observing the people go about their lives and following scheduled flight paths and patterns to ensure every inch of the city is being observed. Well, mostly. You can find some back alleys and hidden spots here and there, and these Badniks usually won't go into buildings or out into the woods. They will immediately try to flee upon spotting you. They're easy to take down, though a bit more durable than one would expect, given Eggman's designs. If cornered, they are capable of shooting a simple laser beam that will hurt and possibly leave a burn.
Badnik Drones are the most common combat robot you will find. Small chrome white orbs with red eyes, they are capable of scanning and detecting abnormalities. They are not quite as common as the Badnik Surveillance Units, but you'll still spot several of them floating through the city at any given point in time. Unlike the Badnik Surveillance Units, these come ready for combat. They can fire lasers as well as shoot small homing missiles. The homing missiles thankfully aren't very fast and can be outrun or otherwise blocked, but they pack a punch if they do hit! These robots will stand their ground and fight if they spot you, but they will call for backup - if you aren't fast enough, you'll find yourself facing many of them!
The Badnik Transformer Model B33, more affectionately called Buzz Bombers by Tails and friends, is... well, it looks like a bee. A hornet, rather, as that stinger is actually a precision laser that moves fast. These robots typically look like Badnik Drones, but are capable of shifting and uncoiling themselves to become the B33 units. They are fast, they hit hard, and they are relentless, pursuing you nonstop until they've been destroyed. They will not call for backup, which is possibly the only saving grace about fighting them. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell if a Badnik is a Drone or a B33 until you're actually in combat - and by then it may be(e) too late.
[ They would have figured that the balance may have gone in the other way entirely, but Wolfwood makes it clear that isn't the case. Rather, somehow humans are the ones who have turned the tables - though, perhaps that isn't surprising. Such creatures may be weak, though a weakness can become a strength, and a strength, a weakness. They know and understand this.
The implications are clear as everything is now coming together, and they're watching him as he's abut to light a second cig. Quick, and unhealthy; even if expected, given the topic. ]
Ah, I see...those fellow humans in your world became quite enamored with their control over such beings. Then, they usually used such beings for their own ends, until they were to be thrown away. As that man you mentioned had said, yes?
[ The pieces connect right in front of them. They hear the anger lurking in Wolfwood's tone; the man doesn't need to be so sympathetic to those people, does he? But, he is. Evidently, Wolfwood never liked the man either, and they're certain by the way he speaks; is it the injustice of it that concerns him? Or was he close to another one of those people...? ]
No matter where humans are, there are always those who act like this. [ They let out a chuckle of their own. ] Locking or throwing away whatever they no longer need without a singular care; whatever suits them well. Yet, they persist. Such is the nature of them.
...Wolfwood, what makes you still believe humanity is worth fighting for when you see and know such cruelties? Your own humanity? Survival?
Oh, that's a lot of dye! [ ...Hang on. He was there when Ed was doing all the painting during that horrific battle, and "skin painting" clues him in to what this might be about. (Same question as Yeager, apparently!) ] Is this for your ability? That's a lot of colors!
Sounds versatile. I bet somethin' like that would have caught the attention of all sorts.
[ good. bad. questionable...
wolfwood recognizes and acknowledges viktor's restlessness and unease. there's more going on here than what's being said, but while he does press to know more, if viktor ever shuts down and wants to move to another topic then wolfwood will let it go. ]
1 [As soon as there's word of their inventory being back in hand, Vakama practically bolts to the storerooms to take a look. While he's not destructive of anyone else's items, his pace stays hurried in his searching.
A few things are set aside as an afterthought - an enormous launcher with a rather large selection of metal discs scattered amongst the pile; a black stone shard about the length of a human hand with a sheen like obsidian and reflecting in hues of scarlet; a small staff with a warm light from the gem at the center, though Vakama seems to be frustrated at its state. All of it is set aside, until he comes across two specific items.
The second and smaller of the two is immediately put away. But the first keeps his attention, cradled in both hands where he sits against the floor - as though it's too heavy for his hands, as though he's much smaller in this empty space.]
...I'm sorry. Grant me this much.
[Forgive me, one more time.]
2 [Reequipped with what looks to be his normal weapon of choice, Vakama can be found either in the training room or out actively on the field. He's incredibly aware of how conspicuous he is outside. But unlike his telekinesis, his aim with the launcher is impeccable, the metal disks burning red with energy at high enough momentum and erupting with a small blast on impact.
Whether in combat or out, he seems to be actively practicing more with the use of his shard now that he has ready access to projectiles. Disks that aren't spent are launched out only for him to attempt to ricochet them back with an outstretched hand. This, unfortunately, is NOT impeccable in the slightest - his aim is still rather wild, with the disks flinging back into trees or the sides of buildings with the distinctive sound of metal reverberating. Watch your head if you're nearby! If it's in the training room, he's at least keeping his practice to precision in moving a disc from one end of the room to the other, but you'll have to forgive him if it ends up smacking you in the shoulder in the process.
There is one particular morning where, for some reason, anyone out for early training can find Vakama fast asleep in the training room, though it doesn't look to be for any particular reason given that his weapon has been replaced by a notebook and pen instead, resting half-abandoned against his chest as he dozes.]
3 - wildcard [hmu, please take the robot to W*lmart... he's spending most of his time practicing or off in a moment of quiet in his room or off in the storehouses, but in more candid moments can be seen wandering through the entertainment room thumbing through books or comics, watching programs over people's shoulders, or migrating over to the workshop to spy on whatever Tails is working on.]
[ wolfwood simply nods at their first question even if feels like a rhetorical question. they both knew who was wolfwood talking about originally and how he fit into this picture. he'll continue to say nothing as he listens to them, opting to stare into the water and watch the river lap against the edges of the walkway.
it's only when they ask him why wolfwood still cares does he really react. first with a laugh darkly as he digs through his blazer's pocket for a fresh cigarette. why did wolfwood care? why should he care? (he hates how he cares.) ]
Have you ever gotten to know someone whose beliefs are so detached from reality that they have to be insane? So messed up in the head that no matter what anyone says they'll stick to those crazy ideals—even if it'll kill them.
[ it's largely a rhetorical question but he is curious to know if they've ever met anyone like this in their life. ]
There's an idiot that believes in humanity despite seein' the ugliest parts of it and how rotten it can be. He believes that it's worth saving—that people are still good.
[ no matter how often wolfwood will try to tell him otherwise. try to force some sense into that head of his. no matter how many times he'll find himself in any combination of protecting, saving, or doing the ugly work for him just so that he can hold onto those ideals a little bit longer.
it's not until wolfwood lights up again and takes his first drag of his newest smoke does he finish. his body sagging as he leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. ]
We don't see things eye-to-eye on a lot of things but when he says that humanity's worth savin', I'm stupid enough to believe him.
[ when wolfwood told basilio that he had liked noodles and would find them as acceptable "currency" to pay for his "services", he hadn't expected to be paid back—truth be told. more importantly, he hadn't expected to be paid back to such an extent. there might not be a sign explicitly stating that these noodles were for him but wolfwood can read between the lines.
plenty of them have come and gone and made their own food, but there was only one (cat) person who made this level of food so readily for everyone. fortunately(?) wolfwood is also a man who knows how to wait until everyone (or in this case basilio) is present before helping himself to the meal.
...even if every part of him wants to immediately help himself to the food. he must thank the cook first!! this is important!! ]
Are we celebratin' somethin' special or is this what we can start expectin' to see in the kitchen from ya now?
[ Flowers! Interestingly the only missing color is white, but it's pretty random. Thank the fact that we get a little bit of sun here that Yves is capitalizing on though. ]
Kind of! I guess I got carried away when I saw that I could give these guys proper homes here.
[ He's happy it's thought of that way, it might be too much color for some. Or too much flower? That's how people felt about the black lycoris back home. Yes they're poisonous, but it was also an omen to let them just die...
Currently, he's finished checking on a little pot of pansies. ]
[ Pansies are nice and add some much-needed color to the base, that's for sure. ]
Yeah! I'm more of a fan of succulents, personally, but flowers are nice to look at. Just don't entrust them to me! I like looking at them more than I like taking care of them.
[ Please. He is bad at that. ]
But these are probably easy for you to manage, since they're made from your powers, right?
[ he can touch them! VA will find that the tiny critters are solid, but they do feel quite flimsy, almost as if they're touching a piece of paper in terms of fragility. the tiny angel will then proceed to perch on their hand.
sunday seems a little bit entertained by all this. ]
For now? Appearing is all they can do. [ in the background, it tries to chirp out a song but fails. ] They're supposed to be able to attack or to grant some extra energy to my allies, but unfortunately now they've been reduced to...
[ a pause. ] Moral support?
[ anyway, he's quite thankful for that switch in topic. ]
THEY'RE an Aeon. Something like a god, if you will. As THEIR name says, THEY revere Harmony - an amalgamation of thousands of entities across diverse civilisations within the cosmos uniting to foster joy, peace and a harmonious future. [ a shrug. ] There are factions that believe in THEIR vision and have united to form a harmonious Family, and I was fortunate enough to be given a sliver of THEIR power.
[The only material things Viktor could recall having on him were what he had right now; the staff at his side and the deep blue fabric he insistently wore even now. As for the immaterial--he seriously doubted he would find the anomaly present in any shape or form, but checking just to be safe seemed a good idea.]
Vakama?
[Seeing no sign of apocalyptically uncontrollable magic, getting distracted by sudden concern seemed a safe thing.]
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