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.
Visions - Minor [ Lark can be found around the base (and even out in the city) being followed by one of three figures: a blue and cream tortoiseshell cat, a spectral girl (who on second look may just be a tiny lady instead) with a very conspicuous bloodstain on her torso, or an albino girl.
For most of the part, he just seems equal parts exhausted and resigned to their presence, doing his best to continue about his day and only occasionally wincing or otherwise acknowledging their remarks. Unfortunately, even when they can't actually interact with him, none of them seem to have any respect for his personal space, which he is also just resigned to.
Even more unfortunately, sometimes they'll try to talk to you or your visions when they can't get much more out of Lark. Pick your poison. ]
Visions - Major a. Childhood brawl [ You find yourself in a cramp, dim alley, your senses practically assaulted by some unholy combination of unpleasant sensations—uncomfortably warm tropical humidity like someone captured dampness in a hotbox, the distant smell of stale brine, and the stench of cramped, muddy, squalid streets. The surrounding buildings are so tall that they practically blot out the sun, or your view upwards is constantly obscured by something or another otherwise, be it a rope bridge or a laundry line with clothes hanging out to dry.
Right in front of you, on the other hand, are two kids in the midst of a brawl. One of them is Lark, trying to fight back against a slightly taller (but much thinner) girl in a cloak who's got him pinned to the ground. For a fight between two kids who couldn't be older than 12 at most, it might strike you as being rougher than you'd expect. The girl has no compunctions about scratching and hitting Lark as if her life depended on kicking his ass, forcing him to resort to things like pulling at her hair or her cloak to try to get her to stop. She even bites his arm, which earns a very loud yell from Lark as he keeps hitting her back with his free hand. ]
Let go! Stop—ow!
[ Spoilers: she bit him harder.
Not too far away on the ground, there's a basket and a little satchel, apparently forgotten while these two are busy with their little fight. ]
b. Turning 14 (cw: possible references to terminal illness) [ You find yourself in a small bedroom—or rather, a bedroom that's been converted into a makeshift ward, judging by how strong the scent of medicinal herbs is here. Lark is sitting by the bed, where is a woman who looks rather similar to him is sitting. She looks somewhat pale and thin, but nonetheless she's smiling as she holds out a small box to Lark. ]
Ta-daaaah.
[ Immediately, Lark asks: ] How did you even get that?
I had a bit of help.
[ Do you interrupt, or let this play out a little longer? ]
I told you, you don’t have to get me something expensive for my nameday. [ Lark seems somewhat flustered. She's the only person to make such a big deal of the occasion every year, without fail.
His mother somehow manages to sound perfectly serene while putting on her best doe-eyed look to try and cajole her son. It's impressive in its own way, even if Lark has the sort of mildly dead-eyed response of someone who already knows this particular routine. ]
But if I can’t splurge on a gift for you, then what occasion deserves the wages I’ve saved up?
[ Lark pauses. You get the distinct impression he had to stop himself from say the first answer that came to mind, like the fact he'd be saying it to his bedridden mother would only make it harsher in hindsight. Instead, he answers, ] You could get something nice for yourself.
Well, what I want is something nice for you. [ As if to say, "so there you have it". She holds out the little lacquer gift box expectantly, and Lark finally relents to take it.
...When she continues to look at him expectantly, he sighs and opens the box. Inside is a pair of earrings, the light refracted in the gemstones like stars. They're the same as the one earring he wears in the present. ]
These are... [ The look on Lark's face tells that he thinks they're beautiful, but then he immediately derails that train of thought with a different, more pressing concern: ] How much did these cost?
You don't have to worry about it~ [ Instantly, Lark shoots her a look that screams, "I'm gonna worry about it." ]
My ears aren't pierced. [ To say nothing about how wearing jewellery in Wu-Jian can be like playing with fire, but all his mother has to cheerfully say to that is: ]
There’s always time for you to get them pierced. You’re plenty old enough for th—
[ Before she can finish speaking, she’s seized by am intense coughing fit. She covers her mouth with one hand while her other arm wraps across her chest to brace herself, as Lark immediately holds onto her to help her steady herself.]
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[ Lark can be found around the base (and even out in the city) being followed by one of three figures: a blue and cream tortoiseshell cat, a spectral girl (who on second look may just be a tiny lady instead) with a very conspicuous bloodstain on her torso, or an albino girl.
For most of the part, he just seems equal parts exhausted and resigned to their presence, doing his best to continue about his day and only occasionally wincing or otherwise acknowledging their remarks. Unfortunately, even when they can't actually interact with him, none of them seem to have any respect for his personal space, which he is also just resigned to.
Even more unfortunately, sometimes they'll try to talk to you or your visions when they can't get much more out of Lark. Pick your poison. ]
Visions - Major
a. Childhood brawl
[ You find yourself in a cramp, dim alley, your senses practically assaulted by some unholy combination of unpleasant sensations—uncomfortably warm tropical humidity like someone captured dampness in a hotbox, the distant smell of stale brine, and the stench of cramped, muddy, squalid streets. The surrounding buildings are so tall that they practically blot out the sun, or your view upwards is constantly obscured by something or another otherwise, be it a rope bridge or a laundry line with clothes hanging out to dry.
Right in front of you, on the other hand, are two kids in the midst of a brawl. One of them is Lark, trying to fight back against a slightly taller (but much thinner) girl in a cloak who's got him pinned to the ground. For a fight between two kids who couldn't be older than 12 at most, it might strike you as being rougher than you'd expect. The girl has no compunctions about scratching and hitting Lark as if her life depended on kicking his ass, forcing him to resort to things like pulling at her hair or her cloak to try to get her to stop. She even bites his arm, which earns a very loud yell from Lark as he keeps hitting her back with his free hand. ]
Let go! Stop—ow!
[ Spoilers: she bit him harder.
Not too far away on the ground, there's a basket and a little satchel, apparently forgotten while these two are busy with their little fight. ]
b. Turning 14 (cw: possible references to terminal illness)
[ You find yourself in a small bedroom—or rather, a bedroom that's been converted into a makeshift ward, judging by how strong the scent of medicinal herbs is here. Lark is sitting by the bed, where is a woman who looks rather similar to him is sitting. She looks somewhat pale and thin, but nonetheless she's smiling as she holds out a small box to Lark. ]
Ta-daaaah.
[ Immediately, Lark asks: ] How did you even get that?
I had a bit of help.
[ Do you interrupt, or let this play out a little longer? ]
b
something cinches in her chest.
she does nothing. )
no subject
I told you, you don’t have to get me something expensive for my nameday. [ Lark seems somewhat flustered. She's the only person to make such a big deal of the occasion every year, without fail.
His mother somehow manages to sound perfectly serene while putting on her best doe-eyed look to try and cajole her son. It's impressive in its own way, even if Lark has the sort of mildly dead-eyed response of someone who already knows this particular routine. ]
But if I can’t splurge on a gift for you, then what occasion deserves the wages I’ve saved up?
[ Lark pauses. You get the distinct impression he had to stop himself from say the first answer that came to mind, like the fact he'd be saying it to his bedridden mother would only make it harsher in hindsight. Instead, he answers, ] You could get something nice for yourself.
Well, what I want is something nice for you. [ As if to say, "so there you have it". She holds out the little lacquer gift box expectantly, and Lark finally relents to take it.
...When she continues to look at him expectantly, he sighs and opens the box. Inside is a pair of earrings, the light refracted in the gemstones like stars. They're the same as the one earring he wears in the present. ]
These are... [ The look on Lark's face tells that he thinks they're beautiful, but then he immediately derails that train of thought with a different, more pressing concern: ] How much did these cost?
You don't have to worry about it~ [ Instantly, Lark shoots her a look that screams, "I'm gonna worry about it." ]
My ears aren't pierced. [ To say nothing about how wearing jewellery in Wu-Jian can be like playing with fire, but all his mother has to cheerfully say to that is: ]
There’s always time for you to get them pierced. You’re plenty old enough for th—
[ Before she can finish speaking, she’s seized by am intense coughing fit. She covers her mouth with one hand while her other arm wraps across her chest to brace herself, as Lark immediately holds onto her to help her steady herself.]