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!
cw: death, mild gore[You are retreating on horseback from an unwinnable battle, carrying the keepsakes of your fallen comrades. In front of you sits Casey, head bowed from the despair of having to leave the rest of her platoon behind. But if the two of you hadn't fled, then there would be no hope of rebuilding the platoon someday.
As you race through the desolate desert, you finally catch sight of the ocean's shore where the naval base is. You've done it. You've beaten the odds and made it to safety. All you have to do is make it on a ship and you'll be able to make it back to the Capitol.
But as the base comes into view, you make a horrifying realization.
It's been reduced to rubble. The monsters beat you here. Your last hope has gone up in literal smoke.]
Was it already like this...when we left the hold?
[You murmur aloud as tears well up in your eyes. Was there never any hope to begin with?
You don't have an opportunity to surrender yourself to despair, because a horrifying noise rings out behind you. The pitch black monster that claimed the lives of the rest of your platoon has caught up with you, and it immediately launches an attack. Though you manage to dismount and pull Casey to safety, your horse is pierced by dozens of black tendrils. There's truly no escape now.]
We're the only ones left now.
[Casey says as she rises to her feet with a look of newfound determination on her face. You can't help but smile at her despite the circumstances.]
But you don't plan on going down without a fight, do you?
[Of course she doesn't. She's Casey, lieutenant of the Imperial Knights. The strongest person you've ever known. She smiles at you one last time, beautiful and radiant.]
Thank you for being with me until the end. I love that about you.
...I love you too, Casey.
[You can't help but finally speak your true feelings at the end, even knowing that she'll never be able to love you the same way in return. Just this once, you'll take that expression of love at face value.
After a brief clash with the black monster, it manages to get the better of you and you find yourself injured and immobilized. But before it can finish you off, Casey stands in its way.]
CAS-- ugh!!
[You try to get up to stop her, but your injuries are too severe. She readies her bow to perform her strongest arte. She's going to go out protecting you, and it fills you with agony. It's not supposed to be like this. You're supposed to be the one going out protecting her.
Internally, you plead for Casey to run away. If even for a second, she has to live longer than you.]
Diamond Lightning!
[She launches the arte and a white light blinds you.
When the light fades, the black monster remains but the same cannot be said for the smoking blot on the ground that was once Casey.
Your heart seizes in your chest. Your senses dull.
You see red.
Adrenaline pushes you to your feet and you lash out at the creature that took Casey away from you. But it's in vain. It was always in vain.
[ ...Seeing the events unfold before their very eyes, Void Archives can't help but feel startled - on more than one occasion.
First, the accursed monster...
They had witnessed (experienced) a certain nightmare with Yeager, and Casey had shown up there as well. They doubt it was a coincidence that she appeared twice, and clearly the individual involved here wasn't Yeager - the voices were too distinct, too different.
Where the final blow was struck...and the figure in the distance...? They can piece together a potential profile - there's only one person they've glimpsed so far with that description, after all.
Was he in a position to watch who died in this wretched nightmare? They hadn't been too certain of the individual this nightmare involved primarily - but they can only guess that this person might have some connection to it.
Or, perhaps...well, they can't quite find the words just yet. It's all something to consider, next time they cross paths with Raven. ]
[ Oh. They really did nearly cause quite an incident with the coffee at hand...which is truly entirely valid. ]
That would be quite ideal, wouldn't it? I certainly had no intentions of startling you so...but, I do see the lead-in was quite terribly abrupt.
[ They're still plenty terrible at navigating these things, though they tilt their head, and are prepared to follow Raven straight to his room whenever he gets moving, a considering expression (for them) on their face. ]
[But he's not going to hold it against them since they're complying. After a short trek, they make it to his and Yeager's room. Since his roomie is out and about, it's a perfectly private place to talk.
Once they're in, he closes the door behind them and flops down on his bed with the coffee.]
'kay, so first off, I'm sorry ya had ta see all that. Believe me, I didn't wantcha ta see it any more than I'm sure ya wanted ta experience it.
[And he doesn't really want to talk about it either, but it's kind of hard to avoid at this point.]
[ They give him something resembling an innocent look - or a terrible attempt at it - when he says that. But, hey, now they're here!
They don't mind heading into the room proper as Raven flops down.
The blond does so happen to take a pause to consider those words. Well, first time's someone said sorry to them for anything, so that's a surprise. As a result, they believe they can try to respond accordingly. ]
It is rare for myself to say such things, but...in this case, I'll have to say that it:
My viewing of such events was hardly your fault. It was quite a pity to watch all of what happened then, as it seemed like there was a good deal of misfortune stacked up against you and all involved. That being said, I wonder how it was you were thrown into such a situation in the first place. Due to you being a soldier, is it...?
[Raven knows that Void Archives doesn't have the highest approval ratings among the group, but they were subjected to his very real final moments. He wouldn't wish that on anyone else.]
...yeah. We were at war with monsters like the one ya saw. My platoon's original mission was ta guard the Empire's research facility up in the mountains, but it didn't go as planned. That black creature showed up...and it was more than any of us could hope ta deal with, so we had to abandon that mission and retreat with what materials we could hold.
[He shakes his head with a pained expression.]
Well, that didn't work in our favor either. It wiped us all out.
[ It wasn't exactly...pleasant - though, they did have to wonder how it is the man is before them today. While they ponder on these particulars, they listen to the explanation, and wonder also if the world is still standing.
It seemed like an incredible pain when they fought it, after all. ]
I see. It wiped you all out...and yet, you are still here.
[ They see the expression and are not wholly surprised - it must have been a wretched memory for him. ]
Is it that someone managed to save you from the strange creature somehow? I also don't suppose you know how it came to be, either?
I can't tell ya much about how Entelexeia work- that's what that creature was called, fer the record. Just that they're super old, super powerful and had a bone ta pick with humans.
[Raven is unfortunately not the best historian.]
As fer me, well...I sure wasn't expectin' ta wake up after that. That was worse than dyin'. [He brings a hand up to his chest with his free hand- the exact area that Void Archives experienced the creature's tendril puncture all the way through.] I was brought back thanks ta some technology the Commandant of the Imperial Knights was workin' on. My boss's boss, I guess you could say. I was the only one he could save.
[That isn't quite true, but Yeager's story isn't his to tell.]
[ Raven is ... trying his best. Void Archives can follow the explanation with relative ease - and in their mind already happen to make comparisons. It may be these Entelexeia are not dissimilar to Honkai Beasts if they were as formidable as the one that showed up. ]
I do wonder what exactly made them decide to go against humans. Territory disputes? A higher being asking for the condemnation of the human race?
[ There was a pause on their end as they consider the other matter, eyes flickering to where Raven rested the hand. They recall it clearly, especially since they experienced it twice. Is this Commandant as terrible as a certain someone, though? ]
...Either way, experiencing death is never pleasant, and returning to the living can be more than a matter of restoring one's physical body to breathe life once more. This Commandant didn't try to send you back out to fight the Entelexeia again after revival, did he?
[ They can't imagine that being easy. The war sounds like it had devastating losses that they probably can't quite fathom due to simply not knowing, even if they can imagine. Still not quite the same, though. ]
Well, I suppose that there isn't much else I had in mind to ask.
Since I did happen to see something so intense, and I doubt you've been happy about that [ They've gotten used to the idea of dying in these so they like to think they're able to brush past that. ] so if there's a favor you wish to ask at some point, or if you need help with a difficult task, I can offer my services without complaint. Even for perhaps distractions - after all, nightmares do tend to wear on the subconscious, no?
Or if there is something you ever feel curious in asking me in return, I will answer with all of the honesty that I have~
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nightmares ---> (1) retreat from horseback;
What will be shown to them in this nightmarish hell?
(In other words, we're going with the first nightmare!) ]
no subject
cw: death, mild gore
[You are retreating on horseback from an unwinnable battle, carrying the keepsakes of your fallen comrades. In front of you sits Casey, head bowed from the despair of having to leave the rest of her platoon behind. But if the two of you hadn't fled, then there would be no hope of rebuilding the platoon someday.As you race through the desolate desert, you finally catch sight of the ocean's shore where the naval base is. You've done it. You've beaten the odds and made it to safety. All you have to do is make it on a ship and you'll be able to make it back to the Capitol.
But as the base comes into view, you make a horrifying realization.
It's been reduced to rubble. The monsters beat you here. Your last hope has gone up in literal smoke.]
Was it already like this...when we left the hold?
[You murmur aloud as tears well up in your eyes. Was there never any hope to begin with?
You don't have an opportunity to surrender yourself to despair, because a horrifying noise rings out behind you. The pitch black monster that claimed the lives of the rest of your platoon has caught up with you, and it immediately launches an attack. Though you manage to dismount and pull Casey to safety, your horse is pierced by dozens of black tendrils. There's truly no escape now.]
We're the only ones left now.
[Casey says as she rises to her feet with a look of newfound determination on her face. You can't help but smile at her despite the circumstances.]
But you don't plan on going down without a fight, do you?
[Of course she doesn't. She's Casey, lieutenant of the Imperial Knights. The strongest person you've ever known. She smiles at you one last time, beautiful and radiant.]
Thank you for being with me until the end. I love that about you.
...I love you too, Casey.
[You can't help but finally speak your true feelings at the end, even knowing that she'll never be able to love you the same way in return. Just this once, you'll take that expression of love at face value.
After a brief clash with the black monster, it manages to get the better of you and you find yourself injured and immobilized. But before it can finish you off, Casey stands in its way.]
CAS-- ugh!!
[You try to get up to stop her, but your injuries are too severe. She readies her bow to perform her strongest arte. She's going to go out protecting you, and it fills you with agony. It's not supposed to be like this. You're supposed to be the one going out protecting her.
Internally, you plead for Casey to run away. If even for a second, she has to live longer than you.]
Diamond Lightning!
[She launches the arte and a white light blinds you.
When the light fades, the black monster remains but the same cannot be said for the smoking blot on the ground that was once Casey.
Your heart seizes in your chest. Your senses dull.
You see red.
Adrenaline pushes you to your feet and you lash out at the creature that took Casey away from you. But it's in vain. It was always in vain.
You feel something pierce your chest, and white hot pain erupts from where your heart once was.
As your vision blurs, you see a familiar visage standing in the distance. Scruffy black hair and a purple jacket are the features you can pick up on.
The world goes black before you hit the ground.]
no subject
First, the accursed monster...
They had witnessed (experienced) a certain nightmare with Yeager, and Casey had shown up there as well. They doubt it was a coincidence that she appeared twice, and clearly the individual involved here wasn't Yeager - the voices were too distinct, too different.
Where the final blow was struck...and the figure in the distance...? They can piece together a potential profile - there's only one person they've glimpsed so far with that description, after all.
Was he in a position to watch who died in this wretched nightmare? They hadn't been too certain of the individual this nightmare involved primarily - but they can only guess that this person might have some connection to it.
Or, perhaps...well, they can't quite find the words just yet. It's all something to consider, next time they cross paths with Raven. ]
no subject
He’s carrying a nice big mug full of coffee through the halls and offers Void Archives a casual wave as he sees them coming from the other direction.
As if everything is perfectly fine.]
no subject
...They are not entirely certain how to put it, without it being blunt, but— ]
Ah, Raven was it? I do believe we should talk...
I suspect that I witnessed a terrible dream that involved a memory of yours? With this Casey, and the failed escape.
[ There's only one way to confirm it, therefore they are just going to have to come out and say it. ]
no subject
H-How's about we talk about it in private, pal?
[He is absolutely not discussing that nightmare in the middle of the hallway, thanks.]
C'mon, my room's not too far off.
no subject
That would be quite ideal, wouldn't it? I certainly had no intentions of startling you so...but, I do see the lead-in was quite terribly abrupt.
[ They're still plenty terrible at navigating these things, though they tilt their head, and are prepared to follow Raven straight to his room whenever he gets moving, a considering expression (for them) on their face. ]
As such, I shall be more than glad to follow.
no subject
[But he's not going to hold it against them since they're complying. After a short trek, they make it to his and Yeager's room. Since his roomie is out and about, it's a perfectly private place to talk.
Once they're in, he closes the door behind them and flops down on his bed with the coffee.]
'kay, so first off, I'm sorry ya had ta see all that. Believe me, I didn't wantcha ta see it any more than I'm sure ya wanted ta experience it.
[And he doesn't really want to talk about it either, but it's kind of hard to avoid at this point.]
no subject
They don't mind heading into the room proper as Raven flops down.
The blond does so happen to take a pause to consider those words. Well, first time's someone said sorry to them for anything, so that's a surprise. As a result, they believe they can try to respond accordingly. ]
It is rare for myself to say such things, but...in this case, I'll have to say that it:
My viewing of such events was hardly your fault. It was quite a pity to watch all of what happened then, as it seemed like there was a good deal of misfortune stacked up against you and all involved. That being said, I wonder how it was you were thrown into such a situation in the first place. Due to you being a soldier, is it...?
no subject
...yeah. We were at war with monsters like the one ya saw. My platoon's original mission was ta guard the Empire's research facility up in the mountains, but it didn't go as planned. That black creature showed up...and it was more than any of us could hope ta deal with, so we had to abandon that mission and retreat with what materials we could hold.
[He shakes his head with a pained expression.]
Well, that didn't work in our favor either. It wiped us all out.
no subject
It seemed like an incredible pain when they fought it, after all. ]
I see. It wiped you all out...and yet, you are still here.
[ They see the expression and are not wholly surprised - it must have been a wretched memory for him. ]
Is it that someone managed to save you from the strange creature somehow? I also don't suppose you know how it came to be, either?
no subject
[Raven is unfortunately not the best historian.]
As fer me, well...I sure wasn't expectin' ta wake up after that. That was worse than dyin'. [He brings a hand up to his chest with his free hand- the exact area that Void Archives experienced the creature's tendril puncture all the way through.] I was brought back thanks ta some technology the Commandant of the Imperial Knights was workin' on. My boss's boss, I guess you could say. I was the only one he could save.
[That isn't quite true, but Yeager's story isn't his to tell.]
no subject
I do wonder what exactly made them decide to go against humans. Territory disputes? A higher being asking for the condemnation of the human race?
[ There was a pause on their end as they consider the other matter, eyes flickering to where Raven rested the hand. They recall it clearly, especially since they experienced it twice. Is this Commandant as terrible as a certain someone, though? ]
...Either way, experiencing death is never pleasant, and returning to the living can be more than a matter of restoring one's physical body to breathe life once more. This Commandant didn't try to send you back out to fight the Entelexeia again after revival, did he?
no subject
All I know is we ended up winnin' the war and the surviving Entelexeia went into hiding.
[As for what he did for the rest of it...]
Nah, he didn't. He needed me ta start rebuildin' the platoon after I recovered. It took...a lot of gettin' used to. I had big shoes ta fill.
[And he feels like he's never truly made a good replacement for Casey. How could he, as broken as he is?]
no subject
Well, I suppose that there isn't much else I had in mind to ask.
Since I did happen to see something so intense, and I doubt you've been happy about that [ They've gotten used to the idea of dying in these so they like to think they're able to brush past that. ] so if there's a favor you wish to ask at some point, or if you need help with a difficult task, I can offer my services without complaint. Even for perhaps distractions - after all, nightmares do tend to wear on the subconscious, no?
Or if there is something you ever feel curious in asking me in return, I will answer with all of the honesty that I have~