Your success in retrieving Knuckles has brought your three colorful allies back together, thus marking it a resounding success. Still, it's highly unlikely Eggman is going to overlook the destruction of his robots at that base or Knuckles going missing... But strangely, it seems as though life goes on as usual in Chicago.
The patrolling robots have had their numbers cut; a sign that you're doing something, at least. Unfortunately, the humans of this world still don't react to your presence at all, and there's no stopping the chroma slowly overtaking the city. More buildings and wildlife have been affected this week, even though Eggman hasn't set foot here. It's not exactly the most encouraging thing even if this weekend was a success.
THE CITY
Now that you're familiar with Chicago and how to find your way back to the base, you're free to explore as you see fit. You want to venture out into the suburbs? You want to take a day trip to wander even further out? Sure thing! Just be sure to let Tails know where you're going so he doesn't have a heart attack if someone goes missing.
While you're out exploring, you'll likely run across Knuckles or Sonic - both of whom will immediately beeline into the nearest robots to smash them with extreme prejudice. Regardless, they'll gladly help you if you need a hand with anything, or will otherwise carry out their tasks for Tails.
Unfortunately, the rest of the city is as lifeless as it was last week. The humans will scarcely pay attention to you, wildlife will go about lifelessly, and Eggman's unique white chrome slowly overtakes more of the city. In fact, some buildings seem to have been entirely renovated from last week - you'll find more and more "Eggman" versions of stores, attractions, and landmarks.
NIGHTMARES
The biggest difference this week has nothing to do with the world around you at large, however. Instead, you'll find your nights are far more difficult - for absolutely no reason that anyone can pinpoint. If you're lucky, you'll have unsettling dreams that leave you feeling a little worried when you wake, but otherwise fairly well rested.
If you're unlucky, you'll have horrific nightmares.
You may dream about an unwinnable battle - is it against hordes of robots? is it against your enemies back home? - where you simply don't have any choice but to fight, even though you know you can't win. The odds are stacked too high against you, no matter what you do. Will you give in? Will you fight?
You may dream about your fears - the things that threaten to seize you in a vicegrip and never let go. Are you scared of failure? Then you will experience your greatest failures in detail. Even the simplest, most mundane fears will be wildly twisted out of control - and you're powerless to wake yourself up, trapped within the dreams until the night is over and you finally, finally wake up.
You may dream about your past - whatever horrible incidents that haunt you or frighten you to think about will return in full force. These are never perfect recreations of the past, instead twisted facsimiles that only make those thoughts worse. Reliving it is one thing, but having the experience changed on you may be even worse.
Regardless of your dreams, you may find that you're not alone. Others here can be pulled into these dreams - trapped with you until either the dream ends and you wake up... or you die in the dream. Those seem to be the only ways out, no matter what you do. Still, having a buddy with you to help fight might help, right?
When you do wake up, you'll see blood red and you'll feel tired no matter how long you slept. Perhaps a nap is in order - but these dreams are just as likely to infect your naps as well.
SHARDS
You should feel fairly comfortable with using your shard power by now. You may also find that the more you use it, the more things you're able to do with it. Starting this week, your shards' powers are more pronounced, allowing you to do more with them than you could before.
As you fight with your allies - particularly those you have a close bond with, positive or negative - you may feel the tug of something in the back of your head; it tells you that you can do more. Together, you can become more powerful. You can use your shards together. Doing so will grant you a new power, or strengthen the one you already have. The more you trust one another, the easier this power will be to use.
It might be good to experiment with these new powers; after all, you never know when you may need them.
TAILS' TASKS
As mentioned to some of you, the rings that Sonic and friends use to hop between worlds have been dwindling in number, given how many were used to visit all of you and bring you in to begin with. Your job - should you choose to accept it - is to track down more rings. Tails will grant you with a tracking device that will allow you to find the exact locations of these rings. All you have to do is figure out how to get them.
Rings, as it turns out, are not quite as easy to collect as one would expect. They can appear anywhere throughout the city or the surrounding areas, but they always appear in some sort of frustrating place. Perhaps one has manifested at the top of a tree, or on top of the bean. Maybe it's hiding behind rows and rows of items in the W*lmart. Maybe you'll have to break into an employees' only room or a restricted area for one. Regardless, no ring is going to be simple to collect, and it's up to you to figure out how to get it. Every single ring counts, after all.
ENEMIES
This week's enemies are the same as last week's, though lesser in number. Like last week, you shouldn't let them escape, but you're growing stronger: they should be easier to beat than last week.
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.
Badnik Tanks are mini... well, tanks. They stand about the size of a large dog and roll around on treads through the city. They're much rarer than the other robots, but it seems some have been sent to Chicago after the destruction of the base. These tanks are capable of shooting a large laser that deals significant damage to anyone it hits, and they're quite durable. When severely damaged, they start sparking - they'll explode when hit, and you probably don't want to be in melee range!
Early on in the week, Yeager is as upbeat and cheerful as usual, acting as though he has not a single thought in his head or that a damn thing is wrong, despite the nightmares. This lasts for awhile, but eventually...
Well, there's only so long you can take having the same nightmares, right?
You'll be able to find Yeager out and about in the streets of Chicago, having activated his power and drawn quite a few robots to his side. If you're unlucky, you're showing up in the middle of battle - he'll be just fine on his own, but are you really just going to abandon him to these robots?? - but if you're lucky, maybe you'll arrive after the carnage.
With more than a few smashed robots around him, Yeager kneels on the pavement trying to catch his breath. His massive scythe is still in hand so he's not totally defenseless, but his free hand is on his chest like he's in pain, despite the fact that there isn't a single open injury on him. Despite this, his expression is completely blank; he's lost in thought and won't even look over at your approach.
And then there are the nightmares, of course.
Early on in the week, Yeager's nightmare will take you away to a mountainous region, though the area you're in is on flat ground. You can see the mountains rising in the distance, but ahead of you is... well, nothing much. Yeager is here as well, dressed as usual and with his weapon, though his expression is tight and displeased.]
This is... Why am I here?
[Strange inflection on that aside, you'll find yourselves approached by a knightly woman. Her smile is gentle and kind and she glances between the two of you.]
Casey...
[She looks up at Yeager when he speaks her name.]
It's been a long time, hasn't it. I've missed you, ██████.
[That last part was a name, but you won't be able to decipher what it was.]
Hello, are you ██████'s friend? I'm pleased to meet you.
[But things won't always be so nice. ("Nice".) Later on in the week, the dream will start to change...
You find yourself in that same mountainous region. You find yourself facing the same knightly woman. Yeager is still by your side, but this time... This time he looks irritated.]
Really? We're doing this again? How many times am I going to be dragged back here?
You already know the answer to that, ██████. [Her smile is still gentle, despite the hard tone in her words.] Until the guilt crushes you entirely.
You aren't her.
[Yeager's weapon shifts into scythe form, but he doesn't move to brandish it at her just yet. Her eyes drop to it for a brief moment before looking at you.]
How much has he told you? How well do you think you know him?
Enough—
[The scythe comes up, swinging toward her head - but stopping just short. It frames her, blade stopped just short of her neck. She didn't even bother to move and her smile is still in place.]
Even knowing I'm nothing but a fake, you can't bring yourself to kill me. You could stop this, you know.
[Yeager transforms the weapon again, back to briefcase form. He knows. He knows, and yet—]
( Possible content warnings for both versions of the dream: death, grief, mild gore, suicidal ideation. Tales of Vesperia spoilers are a given here. )
[ You barely get used to Chicago, and already this place throws you somewhere different... More is a bit disoriented, and barely done taking in the scenery when the young woman addresses him.
But from the expression on Yeager's face and the strange atmosphere of this place, he can put some things together. Curiouser and curiouser... ]
A passing acquaintance would be a more apt description. My name is More, it is my pleasure.
[ More's been here a day or two now so he and Yeager have presumably exchanged some words, but it was not exactly substantial... which is why More turns to the man himself next. ]
I appear to be inadvertently intruding on a private matter.
[ It's not nasty yet - More is rather enjoying the scenery. But Yeager's words only serve to confirm that this seems to be some kind of mixture between dream and memory, shared between the two of them for reasons unknown. Yeager thus should know best what to expect, and he doesn't look pleased.
Casey gets a warm smile from More. She looks quite amiable, and he wonders if that is a true to life depiction or if it's Yeager's mind tinting the scene. ]
It appears to be a bittersweet reunion. Should I attempt to give the two of you some space? I don't know what magic has brought us here, but it should hopefully allow me to wander off a little.
That's very kind of you, but I don't think that's necessary.
[As if on cue, the sky begins to darken. What was once bright sunlight is obscured - and instead of it becoming night, it truly seems as though something is blocking the sunlight. Yeager turns his attention skyward and if you follow his gaze, you'll see what's causing it.
Casey's gaze remains soft and even, while Yeager's has slipped into something annoyed. But it's... fine. It's fine. This isn't how the dream usually goes, and he's not going to let his persona slip now.]
I had hoped we'd be spared a repeat performance, but I suppose that isn't the case. Tell me, More, are you a fighter?
[Casey's already getting her bow ready and Yeager transforms his weapon from briefcase to scythe form, slinging the massive thing over his shoulder.]
[ The scenery has betrayed him... It has betrayed him so much...
This looks bad and all More can do is stare up at it in terrified awe for a moment. The fact that his default response is to freeze already might tell you about how much of a fighter he is, even before he responds. ]
In my native world, I am a mage... but this does not apply here.
[ All he's armed with right now is KILLER LOOKS. ]
[Well, that says everything, doesn't it... No, it's fine, not everyone is used to fighting monsters 24/7 and even if they were, this thing is far beyond any sort of regular monster.]
Remind me to help you find a weapon later.
[more with a GUN
Anyway. Pleasantries aside.
That monster is not exactly here for letting Yeager pretend he's totally fine, and fires off a thick, dark tendril - aimed straight at More. You might want to try to dodge that, though Yeager's already attempting to get between you and that thing, he's not going to be fast enough to make it.]
[Raven would joke in his usual flippant manner that the visage of Casey is a sight for sore eyes, but it wouldn't be true. After all, she has been pervading his dreams as much as Yeager's.
He lets out a hollow laugh as he watches this go on.]
Hey, Casey. [He gives a short wave.] Seems like I'm interruptin' a lovers' quarrel.
[As much as Raven has been warming up to Yeager over these last few weeks, there are still some issues that he hasn't quite been able to move on from yet. Yeager was his love rival- an obstacle that he would never overcome. Casey had already picked Yeager over him, and he was never going to get in the way of that. Even so, the hope that Casey would one day look at him in a different way never completely left him, not even as he watched Casey die.
But this Casey... Something's not right about her, and that hurts even more than the jealousy over her and Yeager's relationship. So he doesn't stop Yeager when he moves in with his scythe.]
It's pretty cruel ta take on Casey's form and think ya can goad him into killin' ya. Even I'd have a hard time with that one.
[What a pair the two of us are, huh? Just another nightmare we'll have to wake up from and deal with, same as every other day this week.]
Oh, don't think you're off the hook either, ███████.
[Maybe it's something of a mercy that the name doesn't come across clearly. It's not as though Yeager's forgotten it, after all.]
The two of you really have made quite the mess of things, haven't you? Do you think I'd be proud?
[Yeager sighs at that and lifts his shoulders a bit.]
You're going to have to get better material; I'm afraid I've already heard this exactly one at least three times this week.
[That doesn't stop it from stinging every single time, though. That doesn't stop it from being a far too real reminder of her, of the dream they'd once shared. That doesn't stop it from reminding him that he agreed to come here, to this world, to try to do a good thing for once in his damn life.
She looks at him as though she's aware of all those thoughts; gaze even but firm, before returning her stare to Raven.]
[Yeager glances over at Raven only at the final part - because the rest of it... he doesn't want to know what Raven's face is doing for the rest of it. It's easier to focus on the here and now, after all.]
"Saving the world", right? A wonderful goal, isn't it?
[Casey sighs and tucks a lock of her bangs behind her ear.]
But of all people, why you? Why not the people who actually care? The world would be in much safer hands were Gauche and Droite here, or the Don—
Enough. You're a figment of my mind, so do keep the insults to me, ja?
[She just gives Yeager a pointed, exasperated look like really?]
The Don's a little tied up at the moment, unfortunately.
[Raven scoffs, then turns to Yeager with a mirthless smile and shakes his head to silently say that it's okay. He doesn't say it in the moment, but he won't forget Yeager standing up for him just now.]
No one's denyin' that there are better choices. Hell, me an' Yeager even joked about it ourselves.
But Sonic chose us fer a reason. We might not've been much good fer this world in the moment, but he saw the potential in us.
[He looks the visage of Casey dead in the eye.]
Just like you saw the potential in me all those years ago.
[He catches Raven's gaze and oh, he really wishes he hadn't. It isn't okay, and that's exactly the problem. If it was okay, then Casey wouldn't be here, mentioning things better left in the past. It may have been aimed at Raven, but that doesn't mean that it was targeted solely at him.
In the same moment Yeager's gaze shifts back to Casey and he tries to stifle whatever horrid, ugly emotion that was, Casey's gaze flicks back to Raven.]
I did, yes. There was so much potential in all of you. I was really, truly happy.
[...]
And then you had to go and turn your backs on everything I ever said, everything I ever worked for.
[Are these even Casey's words anymore, he finds himself wondering, or are they his own?]
[Why is Void Archives here... this dream is so surreal already...]
Ja, agreed. I'd greatly prefer to avoid dealing with this in general, let alone with another set of eyes on it.
[Casey laughs softly, shaking her head.]
You don't have to worry, this won't last long.
[It never does, after all.
As if to agree with her, the sky begins to darken. Yeager and Casey's gazes both go skywards - to where a truly massive monster is now visible. Neither of them seem surprised by this development, and both ready their weapons.]
Ah...I am not sure if that is the most comforting thing to hear, either—
[ Then there is a big fucking monster that appears - literally a thing of nightmares. Which is, hm. Certainly something, isn't it?
They have definitely seen a lot and they know when something is way too big to be anywhere near them. ]
I believe I understand why it will not last long.
...Not that I understand what we're looking at here.
[ This coincidentally does remind them of their discussion on monsters last week, which hammers in the irony nicely. Anyway, they suppose they ready themselves too. As much as they can. This probably sucked for Yeager when it happened, and this is gonna suck now. ]
A monster - and one of the strongest I've ever seen. I hope you're ready for a fight!
[And sure enough, that thing sends a tendril of darkness straight at Void Archives - Casey's already drawing her bow to fire back and Yeager moves as if to intercept it, but he's too slow to do so. Hope you can dodge!]
[ They're a stubborn asshole to the end and just for the hell of it, rolled for the general vibe of how well they're going to dodge. Well, game as usual says that they will be doing well on that (15), including now, easily twisting themselves out of the way.
Also, this is a dream so they hope that accessing their original powers isn't going to be a crapshoot. So, they're going to try to mimic/summon Oath of Judah with a bunch of glowing golden chains in an attempt to restrict the monster's movement/attack speed. Ideally, there would be enough chains even for such a large creature...
Leaving it up to you if anything happens/if this works or not. Regardless, they will offer this: ]
You're awfully slow. Can't you move faster than that, Yeager? Let's try to end this with a victory.
[You reach for your powers... but you find that nothing happens.
Yeager spares Void Archives an exasperated look before transforming his weapon to rifle form and firing off a shot. Though both Casey's arrows and Yeager's blast hit it, the monster doesn't seem deterred at all, or even in pain.]
Easier said than done with this one, I'm afraid... But who knows, it's not often I have visitors in my dreams, so try to pull your own weight!
[Two more tendrils this time - Yeager dodges the one aimed at him (16), but look out, Void Archives!]
[Rio's likewise tired and irritable by the time the end of the week arrives; she doesn't even react much when Yeager raises his weapon against the knightly woman.]
It would stop this one, at least. After all, you can't very well stay asleep if the grief threatens to consume you whole.
I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd stop talking; this is between the two of us, after all.
[SHEESH. He offers Rio an apologetic look because like. Damn, girl, you do not need to be dealing with his issues on top of whatever nightmares you've been stuck in.]
[Yeager's gaze remains on Casey, but she turns to fix that soft smile on Rio.]
Of course. Most people would grieve and allow themselves to feel what they've lost. But "Yeager" isn't like most people. Why feel at all, when you could drown it out - when you could throw the past away and become someone else?
[He still doesn't look over at Rio, but there's no surprise or irritation with her words either; his expression is remarkably blank, for once. There's no denying the truth, after all.]
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Early on in the week, Yeager is as upbeat and cheerful as usual, acting as though he has not a single thought in his head or that a damn thing is wrong, despite the nightmares. This lasts for awhile, but eventually...
Well, there's only so long you can take having the same nightmares, right?
You'll be able to find Yeager out and about in the streets of Chicago, having activated his power and drawn quite a few robots to his side. If you're unlucky, you're showing up in the middle of battle - he'll be just fine on his own, but are you really just going to abandon him to these robots?? - but if you're lucky, maybe you'll arrive after the carnage.
With more than a few smashed robots around him, Yeager kneels on the pavement trying to catch his breath. His massive scythe is still in hand so he's not totally defenseless, but his free hand is on his chest like he's in pain, despite the fact that there isn't a single open injury on him. Despite this, his expression is completely blank; he's lost in thought and won't even look over at your approach.
And then there are the nightmares, of course.
Early on in the week, Yeager's nightmare will take you away to a mountainous region, though the area you're in is on flat ground. You can see the mountains rising in the distance, but ahead of you is... well, nothing much. Yeager is here as well, dressed as usual and with his weapon, though his expression is tight and displeased.]
This is... Why am I here?
[Strange inflection on that aside, you'll find yourselves approached by a knightly woman. Her smile is gentle and kind and she glances between the two of you.]
Casey...
[She looks up at Yeager when he speaks her name.]
It's been a long time, hasn't it. I've missed you, ██████.
[That last part was a name, but you won't be able to decipher what it was.]
Hello, are you ██████'s friend? I'm pleased to meet you.
[But things won't always be so nice. ("Nice".) Later on in the week, the dream will start to change...
You find yourself in that same mountainous region. You find yourself facing the same knightly woman. Yeager is still by your side, but this time... This time he looks irritated.]
Really? We're doing this again? How many times am I going to be dragged back here?
You already know the answer to that, ██████. [Her smile is still gentle, despite the hard tone in her words.] Until the guilt crushes you entirely.
You aren't her.
[Yeager's weapon shifts into scythe form, but he doesn't move to brandish it at her just yet. Her eyes drop to it for a brief moment before looking at you.]
How much has he told you? How well do you think you know him?
Enough—
[The scythe comes up, swinging toward her head - but stopping just short. It frames her, blade stopped just short of her neck. She didn't even bother to move and her smile is still in place.]
Even knowing I'm nothing but a fake, you can't bring yourself to kill me. You could stop this, you know.
[Yeager transforms the weapon again, back to briefcase form. He knows. He knows, and yet—]
( Possible content warnings for both versions of the dream: death, grief, mild gore, suicidal ideation. Tales of Vesperia spoilers are a given here. )
Nightmares, Early Week
But from the expression on Yeager's face and the strange atmosphere of this place, he can put some things together. Curiouser and curiouser... ]
A passing acquaintance would be a more apt description. My name is More, it is my pleasure.
[ More's been here a day or two now so he and Yeager have presumably exchanged some words, but it was not exactly substantial... which is why More turns to the man himself next. ]
I appear to be inadvertently intruding on a private matter.
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Anyway, Yeager glances over at that, expression twisting into a wry grin.]
My, quite the nasty introduction you're receiving, ja? I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but I should likely apologize anyway.
[Casey laughs softly at that.]
This is Casey. Someone I... once knew.
[She doesn't correct him, for a mercy. She does raise a hand in greeting, though.]
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Casey gets a warm smile from More. She looks quite amiable, and he wonders if that is a true to life depiction or if it's Yeager's mind tinting the scene. ]
It appears to be a bittersweet reunion. Should I attempt to give the two of you some space? I don't know what magic has brought us here, but it should hopefully allow me to wander off a little.
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[As if on cue, the sky begins to darken. What was once bright sunlight is obscured - and instead of it becoming night, it truly seems as though something is blocking the sunlight. Yeager turns his attention skyward and if you follow his gaze, you'll see what's causing it.
The sky is being blotted out by a truly massive monster.
Casey's gaze remains soft and even, while Yeager's has slipped into something annoyed. But it's... fine. It's fine. This isn't how the dream usually goes, and he's not going to let his persona slip now.]
I had hoped we'd be spared a repeat performance, but I suppose that isn't the case. Tell me, More, are you a fighter?
[Casey's already getting her bow ready and Yeager transforms his weapon from briefcase to scythe form, slinging the massive thing over his shoulder.]
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This looks bad and all More can do is stare up at it in terrified awe for a moment. The fact that his default response is to freeze already might tell you about how much of a fighter he is, even before he responds. ]
In my native world, I am a mage... but this does not apply here.
[ All he's armed with right now is KILLER LOOKS. ]
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Remind me to help you find a weapon later.
[more with a GUN
Anyway. Pleasantries aside.
That monster is not exactly here for letting Yeager pretend he's totally fine, and fires off a thick, dark tendril - aimed straight at More. You might want to try to dodge that, though Yeager's already attempting to get between you and that thing, he's not going to be fast enough to make it.]
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nightmares, later on
He lets out a hollow laugh as he watches this go on.]
Hey, Casey. [He gives a short wave.] Seems like I'm interruptin' a lovers' quarrel.
[As much as Raven has been warming up to Yeager over these last few weeks, there are still some issues that he hasn't quite been able to move on from yet. Yeager was his love rival- an obstacle that he would never overcome. Casey had already picked Yeager over him, and he was never going to get in the way of that. Even so, the hope that Casey would one day look at him in a different way never completely left him, not even as he watched Casey die.
But this Casey... Something's not right about her, and that hurts even more than the jealousy over her and Yeager's relationship. So he doesn't stop Yeager when he moves in with his scythe.]
It's pretty cruel ta take on Casey's form and think ya can goad him into killin' ya. Even I'd have a hard time with that one.
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Oh, don't think you're off the hook either, ███████.
[Maybe it's something of a mercy that the name doesn't come across clearly. It's not as though Yeager's forgotten it, after all.]
The two of you really have made quite the mess of things, haven't you? Do you think I'd be proud?
[Yeager sighs at that and lifts his shoulders a bit.]
You're going to have to get better material; I'm afraid I've already heard this exactly one at least three times this week.
[That doesn't stop it from stinging every single time, though. That doesn't stop it from being a far too real reminder of her, of the dream they'd once shared. That doesn't stop it from reminding him that he agreed to come here, to this world, to try to do a good thing for once in his damn life.
She looks at him as though she's aware of all those thoughts; gaze even but firm, before returning her stare to Raven.]
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Wow, now that's a name I haven't heard in a loooong time. Not since he died.
[And as far as Raven's been concerned, all of that man's hopes and dreams died along with him.
Which is why he's really not interested in hearing what this twisted nightmare version of Casey thinks of him.]
What, do ya want me to admit that I've been wastin' this second shot at life that I never asked for? I've known it fer years.
[His melancholy expression hardens.]
But believe it or not, I was finally startin' ta wake up. That's why I'm here.
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"Saving the world", right? A wonderful goal, isn't it?
[Casey sighs and tucks a lock of her bangs behind her ear.]
But of all people, why you? Why not the people who actually care? The world would be in much safer hands were Gauche and Droite here, or the Don—
Enough. You're a figment of my mind, so do keep the insults to me, ja?
[She just gives Yeager a pointed, exasperated look like really?]
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[Raven scoffs, then turns to Yeager with a mirthless smile and shakes his head to silently say that it's okay. He doesn't say it in the moment, but he won't forget Yeager standing up for him just now.]
No one's denyin' that there are better choices. Hell, me an' Yeager even joked about it ourselves.
But Sonic chose us fer a reason. We might not've been much good fer this world in the moment, but he saw the potential in us.
[He looks the visage of Casey dead in the eye.]
Just like you saw the potential in me all those years ago.
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In the same moment Yeager's gaze shifts back to Casey and he tries to stifle whatever horrid, ugly emotion that was, Casey's gaze flicks back to Raven.]
I did, yes. There was so much potential in all of you. I was really, truly happy.
[...]
And then you had to go and turn your backs on everything I ever said, everything I ever worked for.
[Are these even Casey's words anymore, he finds himself wondering, or are they his own?]
cw suicidal ideation
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Early on;
They're not exactly sure who that is, but the name difficulties are taken away with ease thanks to Yeager calling hers out.
How curious it is indeed, though. Knowing how fickle nightmares can be, they choose their words carefully; no need to make this anymore difficult. ]
...Hmm? I believe just "ally" will do for now. But, I suppose it's 'good' to meet you.
[ They turn to look at Yeager, who evidently has mixed feelings about this. ]
Quite the pity one can't immediately wake up from something like this, hm?
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Ja, agreed. I'd greatly prefer to avoid dealing with this in general, let alone with another set of eyes on it.
[Casey laughs softly, shaking her head.]
You don't have to worry, this won't last long.
[It never does, after all.
As if to agree with her, the sky begins to darken. Yeager and Casey's gazes both go skywards - to where a truly massive monster is now visible. Neither of them seem surprised by this development, and both ready their weapons.]
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Ah...I am not sure if that is the most comforting thing to hear, either—
[ Then there is a big fucking monster that appears - literally a thing of nightmares. Which is, hm. Certainly something, isn't it?
They have definitely seen a lot and they know when something is way too big to be anywhere near them. ]
I believe I understand why it will not last long.
...Not that I understand what we're looking at here.
[ This coincidentally does remind them of their discussion on monsters last week, which hammers in the irony nicely. Anyway, they suppose they ready themselves too. As much as they can. This probably sucked for Yeager when it happened, and this is gonna suck now. ]
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A monster - and one of the strongest I've ever seen. I hope you're ready for a fight!
[And sure enough, that thing sends a tendril of darkness straight at Void Archives - Casey's already drawing her bow to fire back and Yeager moves as if to intercept it, but he's too slow to do so. Hope you can dodge!]
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Even in a dream I won't give in so easily.
[ They're a stubborn asshole to the end and just for the hell of it, rolled for the general vibe of how well they're going to dodge. Well, game as usual says that they will be doing well on that (15), including now, easily twisting themselves out of the way.
Also, this is a dream so they hope that accessing their original powers isn't going to be a crapshoot. So, they're going to try to mimic/summon Oath of Judah with a bunch of glowing golden chains in an attempt to restrict the monster's movement/attack speed. Ideally, there would be enough chains even for such a large creature...
Leaving it up to you if anything happens/if this works or not. Regardless, they will offer this: ]
You're awfully slow. Can't you move faster than that, Yeager? Let's try to end this with a victory.
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Yeager spares Void Archives an exasperated look before transforming his weapon to rifle form and firing off a shot. Though both Casey's arrows and Yeager's blast hit it, the monster doesn't seem deterred at all, or even in pain.]
Easier said than done with this one, I'm afraid... But who knows, it's not often I have visitors in my dreams, so try to pull your own weight!
[Two more tendrils this time - Yeager dodges the one aimed at him (16), but look out, Void Archives!]
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Nightmares, Late Week
...
Would it really stop them?
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I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd stop talking; this is between the two of us, after all.
[SHEESH. He offers Rio an apologetic look because like. Damn, girl, you do not need to be dealing with his issues on top of whatever nightmares you've been stuck in.]
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It doesn't seem like the grief would stop even then, though.
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It must sting to be that obvious.
[Yeager just gives her a Look, but her expression doesn't change from a soft smile as she continues.]
It's been ten years and he hasn't let go of me.
"Let go"—
[He doesn't like the wording, but he doesn't really have an argument against what she said. It is true, after all.]
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Of course. Most people would grieve and allow themselves to feel what they've lost. But "Yeager" isn't like most people. Why feel at all, when you could drown it out - when you could throw the past away and become someone else?
[He still doesn't look over at Rio, but there's no surprise or irritation with her words either; his expression is remarkably blank, for once. There's no denying the truth, after all.]
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