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.
[ Well, no time like the present to see what happens if they look into these particular points with the telescope, right?
Even with no obvious power source, the telescope is still powered up, apparently. So, what happens if they experimentally use it to look in the direction of the first two points? South and Northeast. Will the constellation look viewable the same way it does on the chart...? ]
[The telescope's display will flash with green as Void Archive peers through the scope, endlessly cascading numbers ticking ever upward. Three-point coordinates, laid out to precision digits that change with their adjustments... and a timer, scaling up the very milliseconds in increments of ten. How good is Void Archive at calculation of time?
They will be able to maneuver the telescope rather easily. The red star is easiest to make out right off the eastern coast of where they stand. But there is no constellation immediately around the celestial point.
If they turn the telescope to the south, they will see the point of a star with the faintest touch of green, off in the direction of lush jungle. To the northeast lies a similar star in shades of blue, along coastlines curving into deep bays peppered with aquatic plantlife and waterfalls.]
[ I regret to inform you that I am bad at calculations but Void Archives is a highly advanced AI from a technologically advanced civilization so they would be probably the best out of everyone here. So, very good.
Is there something that they would be able to note with that? Because they will use it to their advantage if they can.
But, Void Archives will be taking in the position of the red star, where it lies on the eastern coast for great visibility. Then, they take note of the green star is that Capella and where it is positioned. And the blue star that lies northeast with the ocean. Interesting that it's possible that these colors may correlate to certain features of the planet...? It doesn't seem coincidence. ]
[Congrats! This is so much math you have to do now, Void Archive. Enjoy your numbers.
After some observation and rough calculations, Void archive can glean approximations for the two largest strings of numbers actively counting upwards. The smaller is roughly around one thousand years. The larger is nearly one hundred times that amount.
A waymark for features is a good guess! They will not notice much else about the blue or green tinted stars other than their relative direction, and may even notice that said stars seem to fade into normalcy the longer they are observed.
[ Here is where they proceed to congratulate themselves for being an amazing creation, etc.
But, wow! That sure is a long time to be factored into calculations given how many years are involved here. From what they can tell, someone must have been rather dedicated to their work.
Keeping note of these positions and the static element of the red star, they think it may help if they're able to confirm by...examining the other points!
Let's check out the southeast and the northwest, next. What's happening over there via telescope? ]
[Somewhere in this mindscape Vakama is rolling his eyes just for you, buddy.
To the southeast is another more muted point of red, lingering above a charred path of treelife leading directly towards the looming volcano. To the northwest is a star tinted with dark green - whatever this is pointing to cannot be observed with the telescope, but the star is far lower in the sky than the others.
Like their counterparts, they will both fade once observed for too long.]
Edited (Got my locations mixed up smh) 2025-02-17 16:20 (UTC)
[ Just imagining that is absolutely hilarious because they would probably say some of those things outloud...so not impossible Vakama will hear this (unfortunately)
Also weird, but noted! They are curious what is happening on with the northwest but there will probably be a lot of work to figure out once they've got all the places properly observed and whatnot.
Anyway, this leaves for the finale...north and west. What've we got going on there? ]
[Thank you for serenading the local wildlife, Void Archive.
To the north sits a star of bronze. Though whatever location it is pointing to is hard to decipher due to sheer distance, one could swear they had seen dunes of arid desert through the long reach of the telescope. To the west is a point of light blue, overtop sharp mountain peaks coated in snow and ice, just barely visible in the horizon.
Like their counterparts, both stars will fade after being observed for too long.]
[ Thanks, they do try their very best (derogatory)
But, alright! They've got (almost) all sights observed.
...
Now to figure out how it all ties into the charts, here. Let's try a sequence of observations. Is there anything new that they can see when going one direction of the points (UN*DT*DSY) or another (DSY*DT*UN)? If they're quick enough about it, do the stars remain not faded when passed over and returned to?
Also any further observations on that red star to the east with its landmass now that I'm thinking about it? ]
[Outside the red star, the remaining points do not return on a second glance. The telescope can still be manipulated, but does not seem to show anything else for the constellations.
The red star seems both tremendously far and unsettlingly close all at once, but if it can truly be anchored to any one point, it is precisely where Void Archive is standing. The lone sun rising in the distance shows that you are in the east.]
[The same unease and sense of warping will continue, but everything is as they left it, including their own footprints in the sand.
They head down the beach. The air starts to grow thick with the smell of ash and charcoal. Steam and smoke both rise from inland. The treeline slowly dots with black, the sand and rocks morphed into blackened mounds, into obsidian and pumice and crystals - signs of the travelling of fire and magma long since past.
There are small shadows in the treeline. Wildlife, perhaps, if not for how their eyes glow. But whatever they are, they take one look at Void Archive and immediately freeze.]
Well, this is just a part of nature, really, so they deal with it just fine - humans would have a harder time contending with the smoky atmosphere, but such issues are not a problem for them.
[Enemies of the four-foot-tall sort? In MY weird dreams? It's more likely than you think.
Several of the shadows immediately start to flee inwards, in the direction of the volcano. Formless, faceless, in vague colors of red, orange, yellow and black, with only the eyes of light to pinpoint them.
One stays behind, armed with a simple weapon that is just as formless as the rest. A spear one moment, a crude sword the next, a discus of metal.
It is just as scared as the rest, from how it trembles. But it holds its position.]
[ Unfortunately, Void Archives only knows how to smile unnaturally and sharply at times, or like a villain. There is hardly much in-between. It's not very nice to look at...
So they're entirely unsurprised to see this reaction.
But, they hold up their hands - one gloved, and one bare, but absent of any weapons, naturally. ]
Don't be afraid. I am merely here to help...and I have no interest in sewing nor seeking conflict.
[ Speaking of discus and whatnot, that sort of weapon isn't entirely unfamiliar for them to glimpse, is it...? Well, maybe it is, because it's been awhile since the training episode. Could it be that they're looking at a certain someone? What are the chances? ]
[The disc is absolutely familiar! Though it's likely turned right back into a spear by now as the little one shifts defensively, eyes still locked with Void Archive.]
No. [A vaguely male voice, rather young, ebbing and flowing between sounds.] No tricks. We've had enough of your tricks.
Hmph. Eels are disgusting and slimy. I do take offense to being compared to such a character and a wretched animal.
[ Like, at least compare them to a better fish! Okay, enough pouting... ]
More importantly, I am no "Makuta". I am the Void Archives, the First Divine Key - the Key of Revelation. I am nothing like him.
[ A pity that unfortunately they can assume different bodies due to their original one needing a host body in the first place. So they're just not going to even address that. Around this time they will chance a peek at their hand with the circles at it to see if it's changed or something (assuming this is their bare hand, here...) ]
Whatever the case, I am no enemy of yours. Though, what is your duty, anyway...?
[ Annoying...well, it can't be helped. Void Archives simply isn't good at "encouraging faith" or anything like that - especially to a being who is clearly so afraid and scared. Not to mention, their conflict resolution skills are still very bad - but, what isn't terrible is their ability to listen. ]
Tsk. Don't get me wrong. I have no doubts that it is natural to want to protect people that you consider so dear to you - much the same to your home.
However, have you ever considered that if I were a threat in the first place, I would have ruthlessly attacked you instead? And all those others without a single thought, instead of trying to ask questions of you?
Though, since I introduced myself properly...I am curious as to what you call yourself? You call yourself a guard, but I'm not sure exactly how you're supposed to emulate a Toa of Legend, or whatever that may be, without a moniker?
[A sound leaves the shadow's mouth in answer. Garbled, hundreds of names at once.]
Not all threats wear teeth and claws. We cannot look at the Muaka cat draped in the skin of the Mahi goat and expect it to be tame.
Our Turaga has taught us as much. Courage walks with caution for our responsibilities. Our D U T Y.
[There is a flicker, off to Void Archive's side. A break in the surroundings, like cracking glass. Voices, sounds, memories drift. From their own mind, their own experience, of something back home or even in their current space, something that has weighed on their shoulders.
A moment in need of full inner discipline towards a role, a goal, or something outside one's self.
Well, that's not the point here. It's a euphemism for a dangerous creature and that's what matters, isn't it? ]
Hah, I suppose being cautious does result in a longer lifespan.
[ Anyway, their attention has already been caught up in the strange sound of voices that shadow had been making when answering. The flicker off to their side does catch their eye, and the sudden alteration in their surroundings. When something familiar begins to edge upon the surface of their consciousness, recalling their previous experience about their mind being altered with, their reaction internally is not really much of a good one. They've since had time to recover from what they perceived to be an invasion of true free will, so the sudden urge to lash out without rhyme or reason doesn't quite happen.
And, it does help that it seems different...by such a slight smidgen that it hardly feels noticeable. But whatever the case, they are more or less probably at first being reminded of how themselves being sealed in the name of the safety of civilization. At fears that they would turn against it.
Yet, their most important goal that they would sacrifice lives without remorse for...that would be for the preservation of humanity. So it's probably all centered around that!! ]
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Even with no obvious power source, the telescope is still powered up, apparently. So, what happens if they experimentally use it to look in the direction of the first two points? South and Northeast. Will the constellation look viewable the same way it does on the chart...? ]
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They will be able to maneuver the telescope rather easily. The red star is easiest to make out right off the eastern coast of where they stand. But there is no constellation immediately around the celestial point.
If they turn the telescope to the south, they will see the point of a star with the faintest touch of green, off in the direction of lush jungle. To the northeast lies a similar star in shades of blue, along coastlines curving into deep bays peppered with aquatic plantlife and waterfalls.]
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Is there something that they would be able to note with that? Because they will use it to their advantage if they can.
But, Void Archives will be taking in the position of the red star, where it lies on the eastern coast for great visibility. Then, they take note of the green star
is that Capellaand where it is positioned. And the blue star that lies northeast with the ocean. Interesting that it's possible that these colors may correlate to certain features of the planet...? It doesn't seem coincidence. ]no subject
After some observation and rough calculations, Void archive can glean approximations for the two largest strings of numbers actively counting upwards. The smaller is roughly around one thousand years. The larger is nearly one hundred times that amount.
A waymark for features is a good guess! They will not notice much else about the blue or green tinted stars other than their relative direction, and may even notice that said stars seem to fade into normalcy the longer they are observed.
The red star does not change. Very convenient.]
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But, wow! That sure is a long time to be factored into calculations given how many years are involved here. From what they can tell, someone must have been rather dedicated to their work.
Keeping note of these positions and the static element of the red star, they think it may help if they're able to confirm by...examining the other points!
Let's check out the southeast and the northwest, next. What's happening over there via telescope? ]
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To the southeast is another more muted point of red, lingering above a charred path of treelife leading directly towards the looming volcano. To the northwest is a star tinted with dark green - whatever this is pointing to cannot be observed with the telescope, but the star is far lower in the sky than the others.
Like their counterparts, they will both fade once observed for too long.]
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Also weird, but noted! They are curious what is happening on with the northwest but there will probably be a lot of work to figure out once they've got all the places properly observed and whatnot.
Anyway, this leaves for the finale...north and west. What've we got going on there? ]
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To the north sits a star of bronze. Though whatever location it is pointing to is hard to decipher due to sheer distance, one could swear they had seen dunes of arid desert through the long reach of the telescope. To the west is a point of light blue, overtop sharp mountain peaks coated in snow and ice, just barely visible in the horizon.
Like their counterparts, both stars will fade after being observed for too long.]
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But, alright! They've got (almost) all sights observed.
...
Now to figure out how it all ties into the charts, here. Let's try a sequence of observations. Is there anything new that they can see when going one direction of the points (UN*DT*DSY) or another (DSY*DT*UN)? If they're quick enough about it, do the stars remain not faded when passed over and returned to?
Also any further observations on that red star to the east with its landmass now that I'm thinking about it? ]
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The red star seems both tremendously far and unsettlingly close all at once, but if it can truly be anchored to any one point, it is precisely where Void Archive is standing. The lone sun rising in the distance shows that you are in the east.]
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Anything else of note here in the immediate surroundings besides the telescope and the charts, before they make their next move? ]
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...Next, time to head along the beach to the rocky lowlands? Provided nothing has changed of the elements from before. ]
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They head down the beach. The air starts to grow thick with the smell of ash and charcoal. Steam and smoke both rise from inland. The treeline slowly dots with black, the sand and rocks morphed into blackened mounds, into obsidian and pumice and crystals - signs of the travelling of fire and magma long since past.
There are small shadows in the treeline. Wildlife, perhaps, if not for how their eyes glow. But whatever they are, they take one look at Void Archive and immediately freeze.]
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Well, this is just a part of nature, really, so they deal with it just fine - humans would have a harder time contending with the smoky atmosphere, but such issues are not a problem for them.
But, oh. What are those, exactly...?
They tilt their head at those shadows. ]
Oh? Do I have company?
[ Enemies, perhaps? ]
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Several of the shadows immediately start to flee inwards, in the direction of the volcano. Formless, faceless, in vague colors of red, orange, yellow and black, with only the eyes of light to pinpoint them.
One stays behind, armed with a simple weapon that is just as formless as the rest. A spear one moment, a crude sword the next, a discus of metal.
It is just as scared as the rest, from how it trembles. But it holds its position.]
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So they're entirely unsurprised to see this reaction.
But, they hold up their hands - one gloved, and one bare, but absent of any weapons, naturally. ]
Don't be afraid. I am merely here to help...and I have no interest in sewing nor seeking conflict.
[ Speaking of discus and whatnot, that sort of weapon isn't entirely unfamiliar for them to glimpse, is it...? Well, maybe it is, because it's been awhile since the training episode. Could it be that they're looking at a certain someone? What are the chances? ]
Do you understand?
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No. [A vaguely male voice, rather young, ebbing and flowing between sounds.] No tricks. We've had enough of your tricks.
I'm not afraid.
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...Let's see if they can utilize their
abysmalconflict resolution skills. ]Hahaha...ah, I do promise, I have no tricks up my sleeve. In fact, I hardly know what it is you're referring to by myself utilizing any in particular.
[ They allow their hands to drop back down to their sides. 'Not afraid' the male says, and they're tempted to laugh, to call it out. ]
Are you simply on edge, then? Ready to act? Because you believe I would use some sort of trick against you?
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[Like repetition of a child from the words of a parent. A well-worn warning.
The little one's grip tightens on its weapon.]
I... I will not let you go further than this.
I have my D U T Y.
[One of the circles at Void Archive's hand starts to ache.]
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[ Like, at least compare them to a better fish! Okay, enough pouting... ]
More importantly, I am no "Makuta". I am the Void Archives, the First Divine Key - the Key of Revelation. I am nothing like him.
[ A pity that unfortunately they can assume different bodies due to their original one needing a host body in the first place. So they're just not going to even address that. Around this time they will chance a peek at their hand with the circles at it to see if it's changed or something (assuming this is their bare hand, here...) ]
Whatever the case, I am no enemy of yours. Though, what is your duty, anyway...?
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Void Archive's description does not seem to be encouraging faith in the little shadow, given that it does not budge.]
To protect my people. My village. t̸̫́̀͒̌̑̌̎̈́̅̿â̷͓̼̯͕̪͇̰̙͉͙̑̒͐͊̉̀̍͘ͅͅĶ̶͔̭͚̯̲͔̬̫͑̄̒͋͐̑̉̂͛̈́̐̏͝͝
[The name drowns out in garbled static.]
We guards will have the courage of the Toa of legends.
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Tsk. Don't get me wrong. I have no doubts that it is natural to want to protect people that you consider so dear to you - much the same to your home.
However, have you ever considered that if I were a threat in the first place, I would have ruthlessly attacked you instead? And all those others without a single thought, instead of trying to ask questions of you?
Though, since I introduced myself properly...I am curious as to what you call yourself? You call yourself a guard, but I'm not sure exactly how you're supposed to emulate a Toa of Legend, or whatever that may be, without a moniker?
[ Not that they believe it's necessary. ]
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Not all threats wear teeth and claws. We cannot look at the Muaka cat draped in the skin of the Mahi goat and expect it to be tame.
Our Turaga has taught us as much. Courage walks with caution for our responsibilities. Our D U T Y.
[There is a flicker, off to Void Archive's side. A break in the surroundings, like cracking glass. Voices, sounds, memories drift. From their own mind, their own experience, of something back home or even in their current space, something that has weighed on their shoulders.
A moment in need of full inner discipline towards a role, a goal, or something outside one's self.
What does Void Archive hear?]
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Well, that's not the point here. It's a euphemism for a dangerous creature and that's what matters, isn't it? ]
Hah, I suppose being cautious does result in a longer lifespan.
[ Anyway, their attention has already been caught up in the strange sound of voices that shadow had been making when answering. The flicker off to their side does catch their eye, and the sudden alteration in their surroundings. When something familiar begins to edge upon the surface of their consciousness, recalling their previous experience about their mind being altered with, their reaction internally is not really much of a good one. They've since had time to recover from what they perceived to be an invasion of true free will, so the sudden urge to lash out without rhyme or reason doesn't quite happen.
And, it does help that it seems different...by such a slight smidgen that it hardly feels noticeable. But whatever the case, they are more or less probably at first being reminded of how themselves being sealed in the name of the safety of civilization. At fears that they would turn against it.
Yet, their most important goal that they would sacrifice lives without remorse for...that would be for the preservation of humanity. So it's probably all centered around that!! ]
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2/2 we will use game combat mechanics, roll only to dodge please!
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1/2 you know it's time for a slight scene switch when i gotta go find more music
2/2 i recommend setting this track to loop
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same as before, roll only to dodge!
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1/2 cw: drowning
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is nik going to give you more music, absolutely, who do you think i am
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2/2 music track once more hooray
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