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.
[ A sparkle here or there, eh? Void Archives will trek further and further - might as well see what is to be found, right? Though, the idea of scoping out research outposts is something that they will find themselves pondering the merits on.
However, what if they continue onwards a little more? Just to see if there's anything else of note - if not, they can always circle back around.
[There's nothing preventing them from moving about as they please! If they walk far enough, they can reach the bottom of the crater. There's a large cavern mouth here, with larger crystal formations visible inside.]
It...must be someone who merely bears his appearance, but they are not one to presume that it means it must be him. Yet, at the same time, could it not be the same?
Well, there isn't much time to ponder too deeply on the matter. ]
Ah. I should introduce myself properly, yes?
I am the Void Archives. Perhaps you have never heard of myself? I am no human, but something of an advanced creation...though, before I get too into that...
I have been searching for someone. You must be Turo, aren't you?
[ Well, at least the minor reaction proves that even the unfortunate effect of a mindscape can't truly hide someone's emotion. Though, they also give pause to consider this in particular. ]
A learning machine...
And here I thought you'd be in a hurry to introduce your name? Unless, you think one such as yourself doesn't need such things.
[he flaps a hand carelessly over his shoulder as he continues down the dark path. They're heading down towards a large structure absolutely covered in crystals, clearly visible over the railings. Where there are railings, anyway - probably best not to fall into the abyss below.]
[ Then, Void Archives takes a leisurely stride due to the inherent danger. Best not to lose footing and fall - anything else of interest besides the crystals on this large structure as they head deeper into this place? ]
[ Now that's a reaction that they didn't anticipate at all. They look fairly amused. ]
Well, well...aren't you getting quite a bit touchy on the subject?
I suppose it holds sentimental value to you, then? Whether painful or not. After all, it isn't uncommon for individuals to have feelings about certain places; particularly if they contain an important element of history to them.
[The door opens! You're hit with the stench of fresh blood!
The room seems somehow smaller and more cramped than makes sense for the building. It's dark, and there's smashed furniture and crumbling stone pillars strewn everywhere. The only source of light is Turo's eyes, glowing blue and flashing, as he kneels over a mutilated Turo, hands spread over his abdomen as if trying to keep everything inside.]
[ ...honestly, if Void Archives did not have one last round of 'suffering the consequences of their actions' for something, it would not be on brand. But, here we are!
Anyway, they are just going to have to deal with this now, apparently. ]
I'm not sure what I can even do here in the first place...
[ Is now the right time to say that it isn't real?? Hmm, they don't think they could manage that convincing amount right now...anyway, before they ever assert anything, is it just the abdomen that's mutilated, or... ]
Once a human has lost so much, there is no coming back. You should make your peace with his death, as unfortunate as it is? And then - well, I would argue be ready to return to reality. What even caused this?
[ They are trying not to cringe at their own words, but dear lord. ]
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However, what if they continue onwards a little more? Just to see if there's anything else of note - if not, they can always circle back around.
Right? ]
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Anything odd sticking out besides the crystal formations upon a first glance? ]
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Who are you?
[Well, maybe not exactly Turo?]
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It...must be someone who merely bears his appearance, but they are not one to presume that it means it must be him. Yet, at the same time, could it not be the same?
Well, there isn't much time to ponder too deeply on the matter. ]
Ah. I should introduce myself properly, yes?
I am the Void Archives. Perhaps you have never heard of myself? I am no human, but something of an advanced creation...though, before I get too into that...
I have been searching for someone. You must be Turo, aren't you?
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[We're just blowing right past their thing, apparently!]
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I do, yes.
Not that many people would be able to comprehend the depth and magnitude of such information that I contain in the first place.
Why do you ask? Trying to solve a complex problem~?
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[He bristles at the apparent dig.]
Well, this is a learning machine. Any information it can gather is worth having.
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[ Well, at least the minor reaction proves that even the unfortunate effect of a mindscape can't truly hide someone's emotion. Though, they also give pause to consider this in particular. ]
A learning machine...
And here I thought you'd be in a hurry to introduce your name? Unless, you think one such as yourself doesn't need such things.
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Computer programs don't have names.
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[ They point this out immediately, because of course they do. ]
And even if it were, haven't you ever wanted a better way to refer to yourself? Even not just for convenience's sake?
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[he flaps a hand carelessly over his shoulder as he continues down the dark path. They're heading down towards a large structure absolutely covered in crystals, clearly visible over the railings. Where there are railings, anyway - probably best not to fall into the abyss below.]
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Very well, then, Professor Turo~
[ Then, Void Archives takes a leisurely stride due to the inherent danger. Best not to lose footing and fall - anything else of interest besides the crystals on this large structure as they head deeper into this place? ]
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Oh, what's this?
[ Is there anything notable about it beyond its terrible condition? ]
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Hmm? What's wrong?
Is there something about that place not worth your interest, or...?
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I'm not going in there.
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Is there something more to this than they initially presumed...? ]
Why not? What about it makes you wish to not enter it?
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That's none of your business.
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Well, well...aren't you getting quite a bit touchy on the subject?
I suppose it holds sentimental value to you, then? Whether painful or not. After all, it isn't uncommon for individuals to have feelings about certain places; particularly if they contain an important element of history to them.
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If you don't want to check it out, can you blame me for being curious? Do give me a second, why don't you?
[ Curiosity strikes them enough that it can't hurt to take at least a peek, right? ...Is the door even able to be opened? ]
cw: gore
The room seems somehow smaller and more cramped than makes sense for the building. It's dark, and there's smashed furniture and crumbling stone pillars strewn everywhere. The only source of light is Turo's eyes, glowing blue and flashing, as he kneels over a mutilated Turo, hands spread over his abdomen as if trying to keep everything inside.]
Help - help, he needs help!
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Anyway, they are just going to have to deal with this now, apparently. ]
I'm not sure what I can even do here in the first place...
[ Is now the right time to say that it isn't real?? Hmm, they don't think they could manage that convincing amount right now...anyway, before they ever assert anything, is it just the abdomen that's mutilated, or... ]
Once a human has lost so much, there is no coming back. You should make your peace with his death, as unfortunate as it is? And then - well, I would argue be ready to return to reality. What even caused this?
[ They are trying not to cringe at their own words, but dear lord. ]
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