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.
Viktor, can y- [Before Jayce had even finished the sentence, Viktor had taken a wrench out of his pocket and handed it over without even looking. And as much as that could have been attributed to the inherent surreality of a dream, it also just seemed like second nature for the both of them as the other man quickly set himself to reassembling a machine of silver and bronze metal. Judging by the construction, it looked almost like some kind of air filter prototype.]
Ah...right. Sorry, I suppose we're both nervous. There is rather a lot riding on this year's competition.
No kidding. If we don't make an impression now, it'll be another year before we can secure any real funding for our research.
It was a close call, but we finished it just under the wire--or we will if this thing would just-
You're installing that piece sideways. Calm down. [Turning his attention back to Vakama, Viktor glanced over to the nearby building; a towering academy, the entrance to the school's courtyard draped with a banner reading Distinguished Innovators Competition.]
If we can make an impression, the Council will have to take notice--we can reproduce it and have them installed thrughout Zaun's ventilation system. All we need to do is get through this presentation. [A beat, the color very slowly starting to drain from Viktor's face as he thought that over.] In front of hundreds of students and faculty. And Professor Heimerdinger. And the Council.
Right. It'll need maintenance and adjustment, but as a proof of concept they'll have to accept it. The Undercity's whole future is riding on this presen--V? Your eye's still doing that thing-
[With the final pieces settled into place and the entire device put back in the crate, the reality of the situation seemed to be rapidly settling in as Viktor's previous confidence evaporated.]
If we falter now we'll be the laughingstock of Piltover and Zaun alike. Janna's mercy, you will look like an idiot by association and they will think even less of me than they already do. [Viktor ran a free hand through his hair, the other white-knuckled on his cane as gold eyes darted around in mounting panic.] I-I-I can not possibly go in front of--promiňte chvilku-
[At perhaps the fastest speed Viktor had ever walked in his lifetime, he swiftly staggered over to some convenient out of the way shrubbery and doubled over with the telltale sounds of being immediately, horrendously sick.]
It's so odd, to see Viktor so shaken by his feelings when he normally held them together with such hairpin precision and logic. Flaws, perhaps, to the machine that Viktor had become, but... it minutely fleshes out the man Vakama has already come to know. The desire to good alongside his anchoring point, his ambition actively fighting with the fear of the unknown, emotion creating the same faulty patterns that it did for all.
As the smaller man wretches, Vakama crosses the space quietly (mostly because he isn't sure it Jayce is going to drop everything to intervene here or not).]
Easy, easy there...
You are jumping far too much into a future that isn't certain yet, Viktor. Do not frighten yourself so.
[He sure is, practically jumping out of his skin to be right next to Viktor with a hand on his back.]
Kurva- [Viktor straightened up shakily, swiping the back of his hand over his mouth and trying to recover from obvious embarrassment.] I-I know it is no certainty yet, but...someone like me, in front of all of them, I can not possibly-
Hey. I'll stumble over my own feet getting onstage and make you look better by comparison.
You even think about it and I will actually trip you. We can not afford mistakes, Jayce.
He's right, V. Besides--your design, my metalwork, our calculations--it's going to work. Even if it's not perfect, they're going to see everything that makes it worthwhile.
[A strange look flickered across Viktor's face before whatever thought sparked it was quickly dismissed.]
I...yes. Even if we fail, it will still be known to both cities that people are trying. That is...significant. Merit to imperfections. [He shook his head in an attempt to clear frantic thoughts, huffing out a sharp breath.] You go on ahead with the filter, Jayce. I will meet you behind the stage shortly, I just...need a minute.
Sure thing, V. [He laid a hand briefly on his partner's shoulder with a brilliant smile Viktor could only bring himself to shakily return, before the taller of the two picked the crate of metal up and carried it towards the courtyard.]
[The optimism, the easy and unquestioning faith... it's infectious. No wonder Viktor was so attached. Even if their paths had eventually separated, if this had been their start... Vakama wonders the hole it must have left behind.
He lets Jayce get out of earshot before turning back to Viktor.]
He was a good partner to you. And you to him.
[Was. A gentle push against whatever this reality was sinking Viktor into.
He knows this can't be anything recent, and the lack of Hextech in anything either man was speaking about has him wondering if this was truly how things went or not.]
[He knew, in the back of his mind. Viktor had just wanted so badly to go along with it for just a little longer that he ignored the inistent thought until the moment Vakama's presence and the mention of 'imperfections' started pulling his mind back toward reality.]
How embarrassing. At least I only made a complete idiot of myself before the competition itself.
[Distant and tired, his eyes were a prismatic red-gold.]
It was never an air filter. I wish it had been, that would have actually been of use.
Hah... Nerves do not make one a fool, Viktor. There's no need to be so harsh on yourself.
[He would ALSO be mortified if he'd broken down like this right before his peers for the sake of his work - still does, in fact, every time he found his mind had snapped into a vision and taken his body along with it - so he kind of gets it.
He glances off towards where the banner hangs.]
...Is this where the two of you had first presented Hextech, then?
We must have spent a dozen sleepless nights leading up to this. Fine-tuning every last detail, checking and re-checking every single calculation. It was such a close call that he was still notching the last few gears on the way over. Both of us were terrified of what failure could mean for the whole endeavor.
[Viktor sighed with a thin smile, looking back towards the Academy.]
...It almost fell apart under the strain, but it worked. A scale model of what would eventually become the Hexgates.
The competition is an annual event--the most promising invention gets its creators attention, funding, everything an inventor could want in order to make real change in the world. On top of that, it was a matter of personal pride for both of us.
[They hadn't known, back then. It was impossible to guess just what their work could lead to, and even if it were possible--who would ever have assumed as much?]
This project was just a means to an end--a teleportation system, intended to be constructed as a point of instantaneous transit for shipping or travel. Something for the Council to see as profitable, so we could have the funding to develop things we actually wanted. Inventions to help the Undercity, and resolve the disparity between Zaun and Piltover.
So... you presented something of more neutral merit to gain the attention you needed for the future, rather than risk losing it entirely within the politics between the boroughs right at the start.
[Teleportation sure is a handy enough attempt at that, if not a bold one - Matoran had never been able to get the timing of it right with teleportation discs in Metru Nui, but the chute systems would have been in shambles and the economy of Le-Metru tanking overnight had engineers ever figured it out.]
...It was not a bad dream, Viktor. I do not think you should regret how it started.
Even this long ago, you had a bold heart for wanting to try as much for your people.
I do not regret it in the strictest terms. I wish we had been able to produce something that did more than make Piltover even richer, yes, but...
[It wasn't fully 'regret' so much as it was a thin disappointment. It could not hve been helped; even with the miracle of magic fueling whatever they had presented, it would not have been enough if it didn't look useful to the Council.]
...but I think this day was the happiest I've ever been. Everything was so much simpler, and after winning we truly believed we would save the world together.
[Save the world together... it's bittersweet, knowing the Viktor and Jayce of the future, of the things they would force themselves and one another to do.]
I envy the trust you clearly both have in one another. It's remarkable to watch.
[...
He exhales slowly.]
Viktor... I do not want to take this moment from you, or its importance. And if you need to see it through to its conclusion, I will follow you, no matter how it resolves.
But you and I both know you cannot stay here forever.
I know. [Softly, layered with resignation and the faintest echo of something metallic.] ...I know. Forgive me for troubling you like this yet again. I will not argue the point and I do not intend to linger now.
[He doesn't question it further, especially not when Viktor pinpoints Jayce in particular.]
Alright.
Then, at least for yourself... If you need the moment of quiet, to help settle your heart. A last way you wish to walk, or somewhere you would like to collect yourself.
It is only the two of us. What duty we have can hold for a little longer.
I will be fine. It is only...it has been a lot to bear in a short timeframe.
[He shook his head, starting to walk in steps much less uneven than his usual self in dreamscapes; the benefit of a younger form, more likely than not.]
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Ah...right. Sorry, I suppose we're both nervous. There is rather a lot riding on this year's competition.
No kidding. If we don't make an impression now, it'll be another year before we can secure any real funding for our research.
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...Have courage, my friends. It is a hard hurdle to jump, but not an impossible one.
Remind me -- what exactly was the focus of your research overall, again?
[Was this before Hextech? After?]
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It was a close call, but we finished it just under the wire--or we will if this thing would just-
You're installing that piece sideways. Calm down. [Turning his attention back to Vakama, Viktor glanced over to the nearby building; a towering academy, the entrance to the school's courtyard draped with a banner reading Distinguished Innovators Competition.]
If we can make an impression, the Council will have to take notice--we can reproduce it and have them installed thrughout Zaun's ventilation system. All we need to do is get through this presentation. [A beat, the color very slowly starting to drain from Viktor's face as he thought that over.] In front of hundreds of students and faculty. And Professor Heimerdinger. And the Council.
V, your eye's twitching again-
I'm fine.
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Still not a fan of the crowds, I take it?
[It's amused, gentle, before he looks over at the half-constructed filter system thoughfully.]
...You mean it to be a possible answer for some of the pollution?
cw emetophobia
[With the final pieces settled into place and the entire device put back in the crate, the reality of the situation seemed to be rapidly settling in as Viktor's previous confidence evaporated.]
If we falter now we'll be the laughingstock of Piltover and Zaun alike. Janna's mercy, you will look like an idiot by association and they will think even less of me than they already do. [Viktor ran a free hand through his hair, the other white-knuckled on his cane as gold eyes darted around in mounting panic.] I-I-I can not possibly go in front of--promiňte chvilku-
[At perhaps the fastest speed Viktor had ever walked in his lifetime, he swiftly staggered over to some convenient out of the way shrubbery and doubled over with the telltale sounds of being immediately, horrendously sick.]
Woah, hey, Viktor-?!
L M A O
It's so odd, to see Viktor so shaken by his feelings when he normally held them together with such hairpin precision and logic. Flaws, perhaps, to the machine that Viktor had become, but... it minutely fleshes out the man Vakama has already come to know. The desire to good alongside his anchoring point, his ambition actively fighting with the fear of the unknown, emotion creating the same faulty patterns that it did for all.
As the smaller man wretches, Vakama crosses the space quietly (mostly because he isn't sure it Jayce is going to drop everything to intervene here or not).]
Easy, easy there...
You are jumping far too much into a future that isn't certain yet, Viktor. Do not frighten yourself so.
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Kurva- [Viktor straightened up shakily, swiping the back of his hand over his mouth and trying to recover from obvious embarrassment.] I-I know it is no certainty yet, but...someone like me, in front of all of them, I can not possibly-
Hey. I'll stumble over my own feet getting onstage and make you look better by comparison.
You even think about it and I will actually trip you. We can not afford mistakes, Jayce.
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You've gotten this far, my friend. And your ambition for the betterment of your people is something no one can replace.
Others will always see differently. It does not change that we can still be a voice for those who do not have the chances we have had.
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[A strange look flickered across Viktor's face before whatever thought sparked it was quickly dismissed.]
I...yes. Even if we fail, it will still be known to both cities that people are trying. That is...significant. Merit to imperfections. [He shook his head in an attempt to clear frantic thoughts, huffing out a sharp breath.] You go on ahead with the filter, Jayce. I will meet you behind the stage shortly, I just...need a minute.
Sure thing, V. [He laid a hand briefly on his partner's shoulder with a brilliant smile Viktor could only bring himself to shakily return, before the taller of the two picked the crate of metal up and carried it towards the courtyard.]
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He lets Jayce get out of earshot before turning back to Viktor.]
He was a good partner to you. And you to him.
[Was. A gentle push against whatever this reality was sinking Viktor into.
He knows this can't be anything recent, and the lack of Hextech in anything either man was speaking about has him wondering if this was truly how things went or not.]
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[He knew, in the back of his mind. Viktor had just wanted so badly to go along with it for just a little longer that he ignored the inistent thought until the moment Vakama's presence and the mention of 'imperfections' started pulling his mind back toward reality.]
How embarrassing. At least I only made a complete idiot of myself before the competition itself.
[Distant and tired, his eyes were a prismatic red-gold.]
It was never an air filter. I wish it had been, that would have actually been of use.
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[He would ALSO be mortified if he'd broken down like this right before his peers for the sake of his work - still does, in fact, every time he found his mind had snapped into a vision and taken his body along with it - so he kind of gets it.
He glances off towards where the banner hangs.]
...Is this where the two of you had first presented Hextech, then?
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[Viktor sighed with a thin smile, looking back towards the Academy.]
...It almost fell apart under the strain, but it worked. A scale model of what would eventually become the Hexgates.
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[Though ther term "Hexgates" is a new one...]
What was your original intent with it, this far back?
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[They hadn't known, back then. It was impossible to guess just what their work could lead to, and even if it were possible--who would ever have assumed as much?]
This project was just a means to an end--a teleportation system, intended to be constructed as a point of instantaneous transit for shipping or travel. Something for the Council to see as profitable, so we could have the funding to develop things we actually wanted. Inventions to help the Undercity, and resolve the disparity between Zaun and Piltover.
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[Teleportation sure is a handy enough attempt at that, if not a bold one - Matoran had never been able to get the timing of it right with teleportation discs in Metru Nui, but the chute systems would have been in shambles and the economy of Le-Metru tanking overnight had engineers ever figured it out.]
...It was not a bad dream, Viktor. I do not think you should regret how it started.
Even this long ago, you had a bold heart for wanting to try as much for your people.
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[It wasn't fully 'regret' so much as it was a thin disappointment. It could not hve been helped; even with the miracle of magic fueling whatever they had presented, it would not have been enough if it didn't look useful to the Council.]
...but I think this day was the happiest I've ever been. Everything was so much simpler, and after winning we truly believed we would save the world together.
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I envy the trust you clearly both have in one another. It's remarkable to watch.
[...
He exhales slowly.]
Viktor... I do not want to take this moment from you, or its importance. And if you need to see it through to its conclusion, I will follow you, no matter how it resolves.
But you and I both know you cannot stay here forever.
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I just- [...] I am so tired, Vakama.
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[It's the hints of that voice that sounds far more familiar that has Vakama reaching his hand for Viktor's shoulder.]
Take whatever time you need.
I will be here to help you, when the moment is done and spent. But I will not rob this from you.
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If I see him again, today of all days...I will not have the resolve to leave this behind.
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Alright.
Then, at least for yourself... If you need the moment of quiet, to help settle your heart. A last way you wish to walk, or somewhere you would like to collect yourself.
It is only the two of us. What duty we have can hold for a little longer.
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Come on. The docks are only a short walk from here.
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Sorry, I -- I'm worried about you, Viktor. It aches me, to know you are burdened like this.
I have already made too many mistakes in not listening to the needs of those around me. Pushing them back to their duty no matter what.
I would not forgive myself if I repeated such a mistake with you.
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[He shook his head, starting to walk in steps much less uneven than his usual self in dreamscapes; the benefit of a younger form, more likely than not.]
Overwhelming, I suppose.
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cw: suicidal ideation
cw terminal illness
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cw: suicidal ideation
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