While your conversation with Shadow may have shed light on a few things... it's obvious he doesn't think you all are up to the task of saving the universe from Eggman. Which also means that now you're dealing with his test, starting immediately. Some of you may be whisked away with no time to even blink, while others may find themselves wandering the Void aimlessly. Regardless, it seems this week won't be a particularly easy one.
THE VOID
Nothing has changed in the Void. Nothing ever changes in the Void. It's impossible to track the passage of time in here, and your only escape are the rings... though you should be careful with them, as there's far fewer this week. You're free to travel between worlds as you see fit - Shadow won't stop you - but you can be snatched up from wherever you are at any given moment and pulled back into the Void. Maybe don't plan on spending to long anywhere else, because it won't end well for you if you do.
The hexagonal shards will still show you visions of other worlds... but this time they all show the same thing. You'll see worlds - maybe even your own - taken over by robots and Eggman's chroma, reduced to smoldering ashes or being rebuilt in Eggman's image. Your friends, allies, and enemies may even be going about their lives just as listlessly and dutifully, heedless of their surroundings. You may even see alternate versions of yourself among them. Regardless, it seems all these shards have to show you this week are all the possibilities of failure - that other versions of shardbearers in other timelines have already lost.
MINDSCAPES
Shadow's usage of the Phantom Ruby and his own fake Chaos Emerald shard have caused quite the problem for you all - namely, you'll find yourselves traversing each other's innermost thoughts and dreams. Exactly how this mindscape manifests depends on the individual, but one thing will always remain true: you won't be able to find the owner of the mindscape easily.
As a reflection of these inner thoughts, mindscapes can be any sort of place. Perhaps they are a reflection of the owner's inner demons and fear, or perhaps they showcase a bright future they want to work towards. Regardless, this is a dream and one the owner must be awoken from... which means finding them and bringing them back to reality. That's easier said than done when traversing through this dream-like state, where the rules are made up by the owner and you're a foreign being that the dream recognizes as a threat (even if you aren't).
You may encounter familiar places or people within these mindscapes. You may not. You may end up fighting for your life in here... or you may not. Each one is individual, and the experience can vary wildly from person to person. No matter what you face, you must find the owner of the mindscape and bring them back. You must ensure you're strong enough to support them... and protect yourself.
Curiously, you can activate your shared shard power with the owner of the mindscape at any time - or bolster your own power if you share shard colors - even without them being present. Will this make it easier or harder to help bring them back? It depends on the person, your bond, and the mindscape itself...
Waking them up is as simple as convincing them that they're dreaming - that this isn't real and that they still have things to return to - but that may be easier said than done depending on the person... or the mindscape itself. There's no telling what you'll encounter, after all.
SHARDS
You'll find you're capable of more now than you were before. You're really adapting to using your shard powers and fighting with others. Those of you who share shard colors will feel the strength of your shards increasing even more when working together.
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
Given that your allies are being pulled into mindscapes and are unable to break free of their own, your task this week is to help your friends. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are off dealing with their own mindscapes, but whenever they are around, they're adamant about the importance of making sure everyone is freed and prepared for whatever comes next.
ENEMIES
Like last week, you will not encounter any of Eggman's robots. The Void is still free of enemies, though other worlds may possess their own threats. Mindscapes are a bit of a different beast; each one varies, and you may or may not encounter threats of any sort in them. Best be on your guard.
[...hm. Well, you know... if that's the only actual human he's seen, that's probably important? He looks... eh. It's hard to say a child looks like an adult, especially when they're not an anime who literally has the same hairstyle that they do as an adult. Maybe he looks kind of vaguely like Viktor, he guesses. So he'll head on over.]
[Nope! They can head right on in. The switch between one version of the kingdom and the other seems to have settled into more of a steady rhythm than seeming purely random, as well, so it might be possible to determine whether to interact with a shade or avoid them! The shades in the castle will shift into iron maidens and spooky scary skeletons when things get Grim Dark, if he's curious...]
[ They absolutely are! Well, this is proving to be quite a challenge, but nothing is ever truly enjoyable if it's easy, and bruteforcing this place isn't going to net results.
So, first of all, some questions as Void Archives will take close to examine matters far more closely and intently:
Are the shades that are getting spooky/transforming in the castle acting particularly odd? When they are normal, anything different to these ones than the shades outside as well, or no? Such as any shades that appear wandering around in the castle halls in their normal forms as any that might stick out as interactable?
If 'no' is the answer to any one of these, are there any places of interest that they find from wandering around the castle? Is getting to the throne room, for example, something that is possible? ]
[Startled, he nearly jumped out of his skin and fumbled with the screwdriver in his hands as he tried not to drop it, looking to Jasper wth wide golden eyes. He couldn't have been much older than nine or ten, by the look of him.]
I tire of it as well, but... it is strange. I feel as though despite everything, it has been strangely helpful, at least in terms of coming to terms with things that have happened to me.
[or may have happened. that shit's weird, he doesn't know about the weird time shit, okay.]
...
Still, I am somewhat cynical about what awaits us going forward. Not when it comes to the trio that brought us here, of course--call me sentimental, but I am almost more worried for them than I am for us.
[The shades aren't really doing anything particularly interesting! They just seem to be following what might be a person's everyday routes.
What is interesting is that it seems like different routes may be open to Void Archives depending upon what "mode" the surroundings are in. In the light castle, going up the double staircase and towards the throne room will... lead to a locked pair of throne room doors! But it does seem like there are other paces Void could theoretically go on the second floor.
On the other hand, in the dark castle, the throne room door is very slightly ajar, and the upstairs is blocked off by fallen columns and broken stairs.
Given the branching paths present here, it may not be possible to pursue both, so which one will they choose?]
[You know... Jasper has kind of wanted to hit the club for some time now. He's read a bit about it, and he's been wanting to indulge at least a bit of his party animal side. But, well, with Chicago as it had been, it wasn't like the club was ever gonna be poppin', and this sure feels like the Chicago clubs.
...well. Maybe it's time to leave and see what it's like outside.]
[ It seems like there so happen to be layers here in regards to the castle here, but...
If there's anything that they so happen to be, that's going to be decisive. While the castle's still in the middle of the dark side, coupled with those little other details, they decide to choose to peer into the slightly ajar door.
Then, they will see if they can move said door open a bit more for proper entry, and if there is anything or anyone they can observe within after doing so. ]
[...he'll just kind of crouch down to... act like he cares? he could be worse with kids, he guesses. He is, admittedly, a touch smarmy and intimidating by nature, but he's trying to be chill.]
What are you working on? It does look interesting, by my estimation.
[Hell yeah you get the atmosphere. The once grand throne room is crumbling in places designed to make it look sick as hell, honestly. The back wall is mostly gone, which leaves the throne itself visible in silhouette. Granted, the contrast does make it a bit difficult to tell if someone's sitting there, but there might be...?]
[ Gotta make sure everything's dark and gloomy for the scene - but, you know, a ruined throne room's adds an extra layer of depth...
Curiosity ensures that Void Archives strolls in further, in order to try to get a better look - not only at the throne room proper, but the current state of the throne.
[Unfortunately for Jasper, this is a mindscape. He's not actually in Los Angeles. So the moment he steps outside, he's somewhere else. It's warm here, very warm, and ash rains down from the sky.
The place seems to be an endless maze of corridors and hallways. The doors all seem to be locked from the inside. He'll probably realize, because of how open Lucifer is about who he is and where he comes from, but this is Hell.
There's likely no choice but to find some some sort of way out. Within the ash that has fallen to the ground, clear footprints emerge; someone wearing a men's size dress shoes has walked through here recently.]
[ ... well. Of the three paths before him, the second seems the most familiar? Despite knowing that he's in the unfamiliar mindscape of one of his allies.
Gyles isn't sure what he's looking for yet. But he's keeping his eyes and ears open as best he can for any out of the ordinary sights or sounds (15). ]
[ ... well. The feeling of missing something important isn't entirely unfamiliar. Though he'll have to take stock of his general condition soon enough.
But first - the sign catches his eye. Will he be able to read it if he gets closer? ]
[When he's not finding himself in other people's mindscapes (or getting trapped in his own), Turo is actually sticking closer to the group than he used to do. Maybe wandering the void has grown dull. Maybe some of what's going on is just getting to him. If you encounter him sitting idly in the void, he may ask:]
Why do you suppose the other groups all bonded more quickly?
[From the outside, the initial group had seemed fairly tight to him when he arrived! Turo's not sure he feels that bond himself beyond one or two people, but that too is probably natural. It's just...sort of surprising that all the other groups of random strangers managed to do better than this?
Other than that, he does still duck through the rings once or twice to train more with his Shard, with the aid of the rock-type Pokemon. He also spends time trying to coax Squirrel into slightly more normal squirrel behaviors! Like....tackling things? Turo might not know what squirrels usually do.]
ii. mindscape
[You find yourself in a strange yet beautiful landscape. It seems to be at the bottom of a canyon or crater; rock walls encircle the area, and you can't see the sky above past the strange twinkling fog cover. But the plants down here are healthy and vibrant, fed by the waterfalls cascading down from somewhere high above. The creatures are...not quite what most of you might expect. But for now, they're going about their business, ignoring you.
The path curves downwards, winding along the side of the crater walls. There is a faint Ruby energy in the air, but its owner seems absent.]
[ ...stunning. The circumstances being what they are, is it really appropriate? But right now the man is utterly and completely striking in every single meaning of the word. Even that casual confidence, the way he's draped all over the throne. It is a pity none of it is a sign of anything well, necessarily.
Void Archives lets out a little chuckle, eyes narrowing so slightly as their lips curl up into a sharp smile, verily remembering starkly the reason why they are here. They are here to bring him back despite the inherent danger, and they daringly step even closer, gauging the reaction. Their next words are aimed purposefully, curious to see what kind of response they will receive in kind. ]
Ahh, is it truly so surprising, dear Jasper...? [ How much does the man remember, like this? That can prove to be a troublesome element as well. ] Hm, then again, in retrospect, there is no guarantee I would have come across where you are. But, do not doubt that I would have stopped at nothing to see to you.
Even if I'm certain you must have been enjoying your time here in such a position - in not only in a new form, but as a ruler, I presume? Though, you do realize this place is not truly meant to be forever?
[ As Gyles traverses forward into the dark forest, he will find himself on a road where he can scarcely hear or see anything, but with his keen perception, he doesn't encounter many unfortunate bumps in the road or any such things.
If anything, he can hear again the sounds of children's laughter, and there, to his left, there is a strange glow - a teal light emanating from some white flowers that seem to have sprouted from out of nowhere. There is a small shadow standing near the lilies - the light from the flowers illuminates the image to make clear that it is a blond with long blond hair, but in the form of an apparent child - yet their face and hands are covered in a strange darkness.
The child suddenly rushes off ahead at an abnormal speed, heading further and deeper into the forest.
He will hear the voice of a female call out:
"Where are you? You do realize you need to come back home soon. Your siblings are waiting for you."
[Looking not unlike a small rabbit staring down a large cat, Viktor cautiously set down the half-finished boat where Jasper could see it more clearly. Made of salvaged and rusted metal, it was nonetheless well constructed; incomplete frame exposing intricate clockwork.]
[Viktor himself seemed hesitant to speak, inching the makeshift cane a little closer like he expected to need to make an escape attempt.]
[ More has just gotten somewhat accustomed to the various dreams, memories and other oddities that keep drawing them all in. It feels a little routine now, to take in the environment and see about getting the bottom of the sentiment that caused the distortion to appear, but--
Hey. Why are his arms being sliced to pieces?? Presumably just reaching for his parts with his already severed hands does not work??? ]
[ It really is beautiful. When More comes to, he has to take a moment to just breathe in the scenery. This is the kind of landscape that he could lose himself in for days, awestruck by the scenery and overflowing with creative inspiration from it. He's got half a mind to go and wander even now, but... Looking at the local fauna, and feeling that bond energy in the air... It's not hard to guess who he's meant to find here, and More doesn't really want to keep him waiting.
He'll make his way down the path towards the crater bottom, trying to avoid getting too close to Pokémon wherever he can help it. He'd love to get a good look at all of them, but that'll have to be another time. For now, he can't risk a confrontation. ]
[ Well then. There is no time like the present, right?
Void Archives will dare to venture forth into this strange land, taking in the odd sights and the odd creatures with a curious gaze. Though as much curiosity pervades them at such a glimpse, the blond's trek will be intent, heading down the curved path.
Anything else of note as they're making their way along? ]
[The Pokemon remain generally unaggressive as long as they aren't bothered, allowing More to travel downward in a wide, gently sloping spiral. As he progresses, he'll see Tera crystals growing here as well: only a few creeping up from the grass at first, but it quickly progresses to crystalline growths eating their way into tree trunks, growing into and consuming anything that doesn't move. This includes the few small buildings he passes. There's several, all identical outposts of some kind. Do you want to check those out, or keep going?]
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