You hop through the ring portals, barely escaping Eggman's forces and making it through (mostly) unscathed. On the plus side, you're all here - in fact, you'll find Tails and Vakama nearby, with the fox having brought your pal here too.
But unfortunately, "here" is not exactly the best place to be.
"Back here again...? Sheesh, I really can't catch a break.
"What is this place, Sonic?"
"This is the space between worlds. The void, I guess you could call it."
Everywhere you look there's a whole lot of nothing. Gemstone-like shards litter this reality in all sorts of shapes and sizes, serving as obstacles or platforms; they're sturdy enough to walk and stand on, but this world's rules are a little different from what you're used to. For one, gravity doesn't really work properly - you may find yourself floating or walking upside-down on a shard you didn't mean to end up on, and it's going to take some getting used to.
There's not really much to do or see here either - at least, not for now. You're welcome to explore this strange place, but you won't find anything particularly interesting... with one notable exception as seen in the comment below.
No matter where you go, no matter what you do, you'll feel like you're being watched.
[ Void Archives will turn to acknowledge him properly, and even give him a little nod in his direction. They do notice that his tone is chipper - which, granted, Void Archives is predispositioned towards sounding like that even when annoyed most of the time, so they get it if it's habitual. ]
Of course. I'm only happy to lend a hand~
[ It sounds playful, but it is honest. ]
...It would also be a pity if I were to be considered an unhelpful pest. I suppose it is only reasonable to ask, however, if the aftermath of wielding such conviction has weighed heavily on your mind?
[ Speaking of honesty, he's fighting the urge to tell Void Archives that it's fine and that he doesn't feel anything at all, because he does. He feels very conflicted about the events that transpired. ]
...Kind of.
[ Look at that. Honesty. It's something he doesn't partake in as much as he should, but he's trying. ]
Killing her – even if it wasn't really her – didn't feel good. I thought it would...and then when it happened, I didn't feel any better. And I wanted to kill Infinite, too. Make him pay for everything he did to us.
...But I don't think that would've made me feel any better, either.
[ Honesty indeed! It's not easy in situations like these - or the times, really. But, they don't think lying to oneself never did much good. ]
Well, I'll say this:
That the act of killing her doesn't feel right - or hasn't felt good - is to be expected, since she had the face of someone important to you.
As for killing Infinite...I feel that the impulse to rend him apart is natural as well. That is why if you still hold onto the sentiment while believing it won't make you feel better, I won't judge.
[ They say this lightly, but truthfully. Just because someone wants to kill someone or something doesn't mean it will grant them the relief they seek. Even they know that, and have little to no scruples about killing or trying to kill someone. ]
...Were the two of you friends, by the way? You and her.
[ Somehow, he didn't expect talking to Void Archives to be so oddly comforting? They just say it like it is but aren't really giving him a hard time for any of this, either. Huh.
He gets a little sheepish at their question. ]
She was my girlfriend. We, uh, parted ways a while before I got here, though.
[ Void Archives doesn't know about the dead part, do they? He'll continue to keep that part under wraps unless it comes up again. Nothing personal, it's just not something he really feels like mentioning unprompted, still. ]
...Parted ways. From what I can tell, that is quite the word for it.
[ They look over Percy. Does he happen to still have the head wound from when he lept in, by the way? They wouldn't have initially saw it because they rushed in, but...you know. They did hear a subject regarding his potential death, but they haven't confirmed if it means Percy died or not. ]
Does it still pain you, now that the circumstances had been brought to the surface once more? Or do you believe you can overcome such a dreadful incident?
[ At least, what he thinks is worse. This is probably more painful in actuality, but Percy is coping in the only way he knows how: He's shoving today in the back of his mind and pretending it doesn't exist.
And yes, he does! But the head wound is small. ]
I mean, what choice do we have but to keep going, right? I can't be stuck on it or I'm never gonna do what we came here to do.
Perhaps so. I am still ignorant on the entirety of your experiences. Though, I can't say I'd know either way, as a result.
[ Once again, they think about what they overheard as they rushed over - the expectation the other male was dead. They have no doubts that he seems to have had an exciting life.
That being said...after being satisfied that Percy seems to not be largely injured to the point of his own personal detriment, they continue. ]
Regardless, I suppose I shall have to trust your conviction! Do take care to never lose it.
But, I have something else to offer you as well. A bit of praise from someone like myself - and by that, I mean that you did well in showing that level of determination. Though the illusion held sway over your heart, you persisted. It's little comfort in the disgusting manipulation exerting upon our person, but as it's from myself of all people, let it all go to your head and savor the moment.
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no subject
Yo, Void. Thanks for the assist earlier.
[ He sounds...chipper, for someone who just went through all of that? But it's definitely forced. ]
no subject
Of course. I'm only happy to lend a hand~
[ It sounds playful, but it is honest. ]
...It would also be a pity if I were to be considered an unhelpful pest. I suppose it is only reasonable to ask, however, if the aftermath of wielding such conviction has weighed heavily on your mind?
no subject
...Kind of.
[ Look at that. Honesty. It's something he doesn't partake in as much as he should, but he's trying. ]
Killing her – even if it wasn't really her – didn't feel good. I thought it would...and then when it happened, I didn't feel any better. And I wanted to kill Infinite, too. Make him pay for everything he did to us.
...But I don't think that would've made me feel any better, either.
no subject
Well, I'll say this:
That the act of killing her doesn't feel right - or hasn't felt good - is to be expected, since she had the face of someone important to you.
As for killing Infinite...I feel that the impulse to rend him apart is natural as well. That is why if you still hold onto the sentiment while believing it won't make you feel better, I won't judge.
[ They say this lightly, but truthfully. Just because someone wants to kill someone or something doesn't mean it will grant them the relief they seek. Even they know that, and have little to no scruples about killing or trying to kill someone. ]
...Were the two of you friends, by the way? You and her.
no subject
He gets a little sheepish at their question. ]
She was my girlfriend. We, uh, parted ways a while before I got here, though.
[ Void Archives doesn't know about the dead part, do they? He'll continue to keep that part under wraps unless it comes up again. Nothing personal, it's just not something he really feels like mentioning unprompted, still. ]
no subject
...Parted ways. From what I can tell, that is quite the word for it.
[ They look over Percy. Does he happen to still have the head wound from when he lept in, by the way? They wouldn't have initially saw it because they rushed in, but...you know. They did hear a subject regarding his potential death, but they haven't confirmed if it means Percy died or not. ]
Does it still pain you, now that the circumstances had been brought to the surface once more? Or do you believe you can overcome such a dreadful incident?
no subject
[ At least, what he thinks is worse. This is probably more painful in actuality, but Percy is coping in the only way he knows how: He's shoving today in the back of his mind and pretending it doesn't exist.
And yes, he does! But the head wound is small. ]
I mean, what choice do we have but to keep going, right? I can't be stuck on it or I'm never gonna do what we came here to do.
no subject
[ Once again, they think about what they overheard as they rushed over - the expectation the other male was dead. They have no doubts that he seems to have had an exciting life.
That being said...after being satisfied that Percy seems to not be largely injured to the point of his own personal detriment, they continue. ]
Regardless, I suppose I shall have to trust your conviction! Do take care to never lose it.
But, I have something else to offer you as well. A bit of praise from someone like myself - and by that, I mean that you did well in showing that level of determination. Though the illusion held sway over your heart, you persisted. It's little comfort in the disgusting manipulation exerting upon our person, but as it's from myself of all people, let it all go to your head and savor the moment.