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shardmods ([personal profile] shardmods) wrote in [community profile] shardbond2025-02-02 11:59 am

WEEK 4






You were successful in repelling the robots attacking the city, but you've been left with far too many questions. For once, Tails doesn't have any answers for you, and a gloomy uncertainty has fallen over your three allies. It probably doesn't help that everyone had a rough time of it last week. A win is a win, but it doesn't really feel like a win when you're not even sure who this unknown threat is...

Regardless, life goes on. Things are a bit different this week in Chicago, however.


THE CITY


You'll need to be careful now more than ever when heading out into the city. Though Eggman's usual robots are still present, their numbers have been cut drastically. Far fewer drones patrol the streets, with only the occasional tank or B33 to be seen. You can still find and fight them, and they will still call for backup, but it seems like you all really have destroyed a lot of them.

But there are the new additions to Eggman's forces. Unlike the white chrome versions, these are here to cause problems. You can find them patrolling sometimes... but usually you'll find them in the city proper, destroying whatever they can. Whenever they catch sight of you, they will stop at nothing to try to pursue you and destroy you.

The city itself is still undergoing changes, with more of that white chrome spreading throughout, as if infecting the structures themselves. The Badniks will still destroy even that, though; it's more like they're mindless machines than carrying out any precise orders.

But in a stroke of good luck, occasionally you'll find that some of the humans recognize the danger they're in. It's only when confronted with a robot - but you might hear a scream, or see them try to run away, and if you save them, you may even be able to get a few words in before they simply return to their monotonous lives. You won't be able to get any truly valuable information from them, but they will thank you repeatedly for helping. They don't seem to realize that they're being controlled by someone else, even if you ask them about it.

VISIONS


If you thought last week was a lot, get ready for the madness of week 4!

You may still have nightmares. You may still be pulled into each others' nightmares (same as last week, if you'd like to play out more of these). Or maybe you'll finally be able to catch a break and get some z's, but even if you are lucky enough for that, you'll still be dealing with everything else.

You may find yourself randomly teleported into the city. This happens at random, and can happen to multiple people at the same time. One minute you may be waking up, the next you'll find yourself surrounded by robots ready to kill you. And yeah, the robots are a feature, not a bug. No matter how it happens, you will always be facing down robots whenever you're brought into the city. Enjoy!

But maybe your luck holds out and you're unaffected by that. Well, there's still the visions to deal with!

There are two different kinds of visions that may happen.

The first are the more minor ones - where you may see the people closest to you (positive or negative). They will appear for others as well, and they will gladly speak with you - though they aren't exactly behaving in the way they should. They will torment you, reminding you of past failures and imperfections, and speaking as though everything is your fault. They will follow you wherever you go, and will only fade when someone else has helped you come to terms with the horrid things they're saying. These visions are a manifestation of a character's psyche and thus are based on their own perceptions of their friends/enemies and their own faults. They're incapable of interacting with the world or the characters, but they sure can insult you!

The second are much larger in scope. No matter where you were, you may find yourself pulled into friend's memory. These memories are one-for-one versions of what exactly happened, though now you're here! Are you playing the role of someone else, or are you just a bystander in all that's happening?

The character having the vision may or may not be aware of you initially, but once they're made aware of your presence, the vision will still play out as the memory would. The only way to stop it - aside from simply letting it play out in its entirety - is to drastically alter the memory in such a way that it cannot get itself back on track. Considering the trauma some of the people in this game have, it might be a good idea to help break them free of it.

Regardless of which happens to you (the nightmares, the teleportation, or the visions), your vision will turn bright red for a moment afterwards - it vanishes quickly enough, but it leaves you with the eerie feeling that you're being watched.

SHARDS


Your powers are growing, and you'll find you're able to defend yourself with your power in some way, even if yours is a power made for support. All characters are now able to fire off a blast of energy in their shard color to defend themselves - this attack will grow stronger in time, but at least everyone should be able to defend themselves (somewhat) now?

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


Like last week, Sonic Team is still in need of rings. Rings are still annoying to get. You'll probably need help to get them, but they're worth collecting. So make sure to grab some for Tails!

You may also be tasked with tracking Chaos Energy. Like with tracking rings, Tails will give you a device that can pick up on the signature. You should be careful in approaching, especially if the signature is a large one, considering the three enemies you faced last weekend. Still, Chaos Energy may lead you to more of Eggman's fake Chaos Emeralds, which could prove useful...

Tracking the source down will lead you to one of the weekly enemies with a shard somewhere on its body. It will be much harder to kill than the regular versions of that enemy, and capable of some kind of special power (players' choice). Crushing the shard will weaken the enemy and bring it back down to its normal power level, making it fairly easy to defeat, but if you manage to defeat it without breaking the shard, you can bring it back to Tails for examination.


ENEMIES


Though you can still find the enemies from previous weeks in Chicago throughout the city, their numbers have thinned. Mostly, you'll be running into new faces - robots that don't look anything like Eggman's usuals. They are very rarely actually patrolling or idling, instead focused on destroying parts of the city or attacking any people unfortunate enough to get in their way.

Moto Bugs are... rather cute. They roll around on their singular wheel and can slash with their front claws, though primarily they deal damage by ramming into things at fairly high speeds. They're fairly weak, all things considered, especially by now. They're completely powerless when knocked over or onto their backs. Though one Moto Bug is weak, you will never find them alone - instead, you'll usually find at least 3-5 of them in a group.

Crabmeats are robotic crabs. Where does the meat come in? Unclear. Regardless, they're stronger than Moto Bugs and are capable of both bashing with their massive claws and snipping, and either way they are capable of a good deal of damage if you get hit. They're slower though, which means getting out of the way shouldn't be too hard. Like Moto Bugs, these usually are never alone, often working in pairs.

Buzzers are bees. Did you think we were done with bees? We are absolutely not done with bees. These bees function almost identically to the B33 models in that they're capable of firing lasers from their stingers, divebombing to try to sting, and generally be(e)ing a nuisance. Unlike the B33 models, they do not have a glaringly obvious weak point and are a bit harder to hit and destroy as a result. Though you may rarely encounter only one of these bees out in the wild, usually you'll run into groups of them and they will not be(e) happy to see you.



hexcrafter: (but my best enemy is you)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-03 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, that is convenient. It would hve been a shame to let such a nice atmosphere go to waste.

...Would you tell me about them? [Tilting his head slightly to indicte the others.] Your friends, I mean.
ungratefuloz: (🌸 under the mask of pride)

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-04 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah, that's...

Dorothy's expression seems to soften a touch.]


It truly was; in hindsight, I regret ever thinking this was a terrible or...rude idea, I suppose. But it was truly a time when we felt the most alive.

[...]

Who would you like to start with?

[There's six other people here; Liliweiss, the Commander, Rapunzel, Red Hood, Snow White, and Scarlet.]
hexcrafter: (from you i should walk away)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-04 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Eh, you evacuated them. It is not so selfish to take a small reward no one else would miss, I should think.

[Not having anticipated being given an option, Viktor thought for a moment before gesturing towards Rapunzel slightly.]

If I had to choose...the young woman with the braid? She seemed quite kind the last time I was here. [dreamwalking, you know.]
ungratefuloz: (🌸 against despair to thrive)

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-04 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
[listen do you want me to do a giant 1/6 thread, this is just easier because dorothy cannot shut up--

Dorothy smiles fondly when he brings up Rapunzel, though.]


Ah, Rapunzel. She must have immediately gone to tend to you as soon as she saw that you were in trouble, I take it? [There's something almost delighted in her tone when she says that much.] Rapunzel has always been rather good at that. She was someone who oversaw anything to do with medical needs during the war; she was a part of some sort of religion before she was turned into a Nikke, and she carried every bit of her sisterhood into her new life. She always had a warm, kind demeanor about her. She'd gladly listen to your troubles and do everything she could to heal you up properly, all in the name of the lord she believed so fervently in.

She was rather adamant on tending to the needs of the dead and ensuring that they passed on peacefully, as well. She took burial rites very seriously...she always wanted to ensure that Nikke were at peace, when they passed, and that their graves would not be desecrated in death. It did lead her to be rather morose, when Project Ark Guardian began, but...

She always carried a deep sense of warmth about her. She loved just about everyone, and everyone loved her dearly in kind. Rapunzel would always be there to hear you out after a terrible day and bless your path moving forward.

...She was certainly the most loving of us all. She loved so ardently; I imagine she still does now.

[Who's next?]
hexcrafter: (but my best enemy is you)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-04 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
She did, yes. I might have been irritated in most cases, but...I can recognize the difference between sincerity and pity. It does not surprise me that such a thing was a common approach, for her.

[honestly go for it becuse he'll stand here listening, you heard him out talking about his 'research partner' plenty]
ungratefuloz: (🌸 we fight for all)

1/6

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-05 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
She's always been quite genuine like that. The kind of woman who wore her heart on her sleeve, no matter what came.

[She sure has.

Dorothy smiles a bit, though, and one by one, she goes over them--pointing out the girl with white hair, next.]


The girl over there is known as Snow White. She was one of our more recent additions to the team, and she was quite the mousey, shy sort to begin with. She was deeply inspired by our leader, Liliweiss, and aspired to be just like her. In many ways, we considered her something of a little sister to some of us.

But despite her stature, she had an incredible knack for weaponry. Snow White always assisted in maintaining everyone's weapons at the base, and she could quite literally try to make new weapons in the blink of an eye. She was a lot like Tails, truthfully; bright eyed, optimistic, and wanting to see the best in others. Her heart was truly quite pure, and she was completely and utterly adorable.

She...changed much, over the years, but she never really lost that sort of charm to her, even as she became quite hardened to the ways of the world.
ungratefuloz: (🌸 fear rises as a guide)

2/6

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-05 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Next, Dorothy will point to the edgelord with the sword over there.]

That girl over there is known as Scarlet; quite the surly sort, when you first meet her, and...certainly quite the handful afterwards. [Dorothy sounds exasperated, yet fond when she says it.] She's quite devoted to fighting with a blade, and she tends to like to compete with others. Scarlet can be a little...difficult, at times to handle, and she's certainly prone to wanting to pick fights with others for fun.

...But in her own way, it's kind of how you know she likes and respects you. She may present a rather business-like demeanor, but in combat, she came alive in ways one couldn't even imagine. It was as if she was truly home.

Despite all of that, however, she did have an appreciation for the finer things in life; she was quite fond of tea of all things, if you can believe it. Had quite the palate on her to be able to distinguish high quality teas, and she truly had a love for alcohol. Even if most of what she drank was simply deeply watered down, because she couldn't hold her liquor in the slightest.

But she was a good, competitive friend who always sought to keep us on our toes, for better or for worse.
ungratefuloz: (Default)

3/6

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-05 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[Next...the pointing this time seems a little bit awkward, but Dorothy points out the passionate woman in red, next. Who's...spilling wine on herself while she tries to swish it around...]

Ugh, Red Hood... [And yet, despite the slightly disdainful tone, there's still that note of fondness there.] I'm pretty sure she came off of the assembly line a truly mischievous, chaotic woman. But in combat, she was truly one of our fiercest and brightest; always so confident, always pursuing her wants without heed. She...

She really did care for all of us in her own way, though. [There's a note of bitterness in Dorothy's tone, but...maybe deep down, even after all of that...] She certainly could be frustrating and teasing at times, but her thoughts were always with us. Always focused on ways for us all to have fun, to make merry, to enjoy the life that we had and live true to ourselves, for better or for worse. She blazed a path forward, always looking behind her to make sure we followed.

And somehow...we always did.
ungratefuloz: (🌸 fear rises as a guide)

4/6

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-05 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[The next one she points to is the man dancing with the white haired woman.]

That is our Commander; he never gave us his name, but it didn't really matter. Human commanders of a Nikke squad were not as common as they are nowadays, back when he first took command. [There's something fond in her tone, as there always is when speaking about the people she loved.] He was quite the character, but he was always the most realistic of us. He never hesitated to let us know the reality of a situation, and even if he could be a touch rude about it, he always tried to make sure that we wouldn't stay in our heads too long after particularly rough battles. He commanded us with a great sense of authority, and we Goddesses...we were happy to follow him, because he always went out of his way to consider us.

...If more commanders could emulate the image that he presented, then I think the world would not have as many problems with Nikke being considered a commodity at best. He always strived to treat us all as equals, after all.
ungratefuloz: (🌸 our shoulders bear the ark)

5/6

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-05 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[And finally, to the white haired woman dancing with him...]

And this woman is Liliweiss. While the Commander led us, Liliweiss was truly our leader on the battlefield; one of the first Nikke ever created, in fact. And she certainly had the strength to back that claim up. [There's almost something dreamy in Dorothy's tone, almost hero worship-like.] She was magnificent. Her strength in battle was something to aspire to, and she always kept such a beautiful, level head on her shoulders. She could deal with each and every one of our quirks and find something in them to bring a positive light to.

As fierce as she was, she loved us all with that same ferocity. She knew all of us so well and knew how to keep us all in check and balanced with one another. Liliweiss was the ideal that each of us aspired to reach one day; the pinnacle of strength, beauty, kindness...unity, in a way.

[...]

She kept us united through thick and thin, and I...
ungratefuloz: (🌸 i'll overcome the fear)

6/6

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-05 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
...I wish she was still here.

[Dorothy's gaze casts downward, the dance floor still bright and illuminated, though the spot she stands at feels more dark and lonely than ever now.]

I wish they all were. Red Hood left us when she ended up getting corrupted, wanting to die on her own terms. Even if I did meet her decades later again, it was...a terrible, terrible meeting.

Liliweiss and the Commander disappeared during a particularly difficult battle for us, with Liliweiss being the only one we confirmed; she...died naturally, her body having deteriorated to a point where she couldn't do much of anything anymore. We were at least able to bury her, but we never figured out what happened to our Commander.

...And the rest of them walked away, to protect humanity. Hoping that one day I would let go of the grudge against them that I had, and to...fight for them, again.

[Dorothy's chuckle feels bitter, and she looks out to the beautiful, bright dance floor again.]

...I miss the days when we were all united so badly.
hexcrafter: (but my best enemy is you)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-05 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[Viktor listened in patient silence as she worked through them one by one, committing the sight of each to memory as he did. The silence fell heavy for a moment or two once she had finished, and then he tilted his head slightly as if in consideration.]

It is...proving a difficult idea to grasp, but I do not think grudges and love are a matter of mutual exclusivity. The way you speak, you must have--no, still do care for them deeply despite everything else surrounding your circumstances.

[Then, a little more lightly, said with some familiarity:] You do hide it well, but you care so much that it hurts, don't you?
ungratefuloz: (Default)

cw: very minor talk of suicide

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-07 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
...I love them so much, Viktor.

[The words come out trembling, Dorothy looking out to them shakily and watching each of them, happy as can be out there.]

I never stopped. Even after Liliweiss died and our Commander disappeared, even after Red Hood died and then went and chose to die for someone else--even after we were betrayed and the rest of them chose to fight for humanity...

I never stopped loving them so much. All I've ever wanted is for things to go back to the way they were, back when they made sense.
hexcrafter: (flying low is better than flying solo)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-07 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Everything made sense then.]

[For a second he remembered something far away and years ago, a very different party where he felt just as out of place. But things had been so much simpler then, where Viktor's worst problems had been loose cogs and stage fright rather than battles to the death and the guilt of destroying humanity.]


...I understand. [A thin hand rested cautiously on her shoulder, like it was a gesture he wasn't quite used to expressing.] It is...difficult, to look back and realize nothing can ever be the same.
ungratefuloz: (🌸 i'll overcome the fear)

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-09 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
...I've been chasing it for so long, Viktor. I even tried to prevent Red Hood from finding peace, because I wanted everything back so much it made my joints ache.

[It's why she doesn't want to leave. It's why she can't bring herself to leave, all be told, because if she does...this happy moment will end.]

...I want to look to the future so badly, even if it's only brought me pain. But I...don't know how to let go.
hexcrafter: (hatred or sweetness)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-09 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm afraid I am the last person to ask about letting go.

[Says the man whose future self developed inter-timeline travel for exactly the purpose of not letting go.]

But, if I were to guess...I wonder if it is as straightforward as only finding a reason to keep going.
ungratefuloz: (🌸 our shoulders bear the ark)

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-10 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
[...]

I've struggled with finding a reason for doing much of anything past this. I've been so focused on revenge for so long, I...never really thought of what might happen after. If anything would happen after. But I...

I know I want to fight for you all. What comes afterward, though...I don't truly know. I'm still too harsh to forgive the humans of my world for their crimes, but...I fear if I go back there now, all it's going to amount to is nothing.

[Dorothy looks out to the dance floor again, watching them all have fun and...she knows she shouldn't. Part of her knows she shouldn't, but...

She looks to Viktor, briefly.]


...I want to protect this precious world, I think.
hexcrafter: (but my best enemy is you)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-10 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
I think...for now, that is not a terrible first step. Large a goal as it may appear at the moment, it is a foundation for whatever may come next. That is to say--if we succeed in this, we may yet find any number of possibilities waiting on the other side of it. Perhaps even a path where we do not have to cause more damage than we rectify.

[He tilted his head slightly in consideration, shifting his weight as if testing his metal-braced leg. Well...it was just a dream, so-]

...Do you know how to dance, Dorothy?
ungratefuloz: (🌸 we fight for all)

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-10 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I do, actually.

[Dorothy looks at Viktor as she takes everything he says to her; she likes the idea of that future, all be told. A future where she doesn't want to hurt everyone. A future where she doesn't get betrayed again, a future where she can actually be happy after a century long-lived. The idea of it is blissful, overwhelming in it's force.

But Dorothy will hold out her hand, and Viktor himself might find himself with more energy and stability than he's used to having for this endeavor; call it something of a wish fulfillment from Dorothy, but--]


...If you're offering to dance with me, I'd be quite happy to enjoy this moment alongside you, my dear friend.
hexcrafter: (the worst of blessings)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-10 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I've never been able to, but I have seen a fair amount in places like this. I think I could take a bit of a risk as a favor to a friend. Besides, I trust you are more thn strong enough to catch me before I trip and make a complete idiot of myself.

[He took her hand with a thin smile, leaning his crutch back against the wall.]

So, to new beginnings and the infinite potential of unknown variables?
ungratefuloz: (🌸 our shoulders bear the ark)

[personal profile] ungratefuloz 2025-02-16 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dorothy can't help but smile a bit at that, her eyes warm.]

To new beginnings, and the infinite potential of unknown variables. To our future.

[Dorothy will gladly and enthusiastically take Viktor out to the dance floor, and it doesn't take long for the dream to begin to fade; it starts with the others on the dance floor fading away slow but sure, noticing the new dancers and even seeming to smile and clap for a moment. Liliweiss, the Commander, Snow White, Scarlet...

Red Hood and Rapunzel are the last to fade, but they both look pleased as hell as the dream fades back in and they're back at the base--Dorothy chuckling a bit as they do, though she'll be quick to support Viktor if he needs it.]


...Thank you. I found that to be quite fun, my friend.
hexcrafter: (think i'll go where it suits me)

[personal profile] hexcrafter 2025-02-16 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Viktor's steps were a little unsteady as he tried to remember how one body moved while he was in the other, following Dorothy's movements with caution and only minimal stumbling. He'd always hated these things--formality, politics, a lot of time wasted not in the laboratory. But this wasn't all that bad. No expectations one way or another, with one of many who barely even blinked at a form wrought of either metal or mortality. Viktor had never been one to make friends easily, and though he didn't quite know how that had changed so abruptly...it was nice.]

[Nice enough that an untroubled if lopsided smile broke out across pale features as the base faded back in, with the kind of earnest sincerity that made one's entire face a little brighter for it.]


That was quite the new experience for me. I should be the one thanking you.
Edited (repeated myself because of the tired sleepy) 2025-02-16 21:55 (UTC)