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.
[...even if Void did seem a little less experienced in this particular regard... he wasn't expecting them to be so...]
... hah, that was more demure than I expected. How cute.
[Jasper cranes himself up a bit so he can give a return kiss. He's gentle enough rather than ravenous just because Void does seem inexperienced, and it IS cute. he doesn't want to rush this too much.
well, he does. but he does have some principles on this front, so he'll be a good(????) boy.]
[ They let out a soft little huff, hearing that, but they do open their eyes, because they see somehow it was not a disaster; the flush hasn't dimmed any, either. Though... ]
...Cute, hm?
[ They repeat it softly, but without any irritability, and watching Jasper lean in and commit the memory of the feel of him pressing his lips gently against theirs. They indeed can't help but savor the moment. The sensation is lightweighted, and they realize just how much they enjoy it, so they turn their head slightly into the kiss, savoring every single little feeling.
Don't mind if they slip their arms properly around Jasper, reopening their eyes once more. Once the kiss is broken, even if slightly, they smile, that lingering excited feeling palpable as if it's somehow been nursed even more. ]
I shall allow only you to get away with speaking such things of me. Please, do feel free to feel a bit privileged when I say such things.
As it is, this is all novel and an experience that I expect that we will continue to enjoy, hm~?
Hah...ah, very well, then. It isn't easy to keep me in line at all, but if anyone can manage it, it would in fact be you~
[ They chuckle at this, eyes creasing with no small amount of affection; they can feel the return of that embrace. ]
Oh? Do keep in mind that even when they are, I am certain that I will continue to enjoy them well - after all, have you really ever been lacking when it comes such aspects? I believe we both know the answer, yes?
Well, of course we do. If anyone would disagree, I would seriously question their taste.
[hehehe.
...but, well. even with this distinctly nice thing that's happened... he does feel a little put out about something or other... ah well.]
In any case, outside of atmosphere, I doubt this particular location will provide us anything else of value. Unless you feel like spending any more time here, I am fine with leaving.
No, it shall not. I had been hoping that I would also convince you to leave such a place behind. I will happily take to heart that I managed that and more.
[ They pull back, but then move a hand to wrap around one of Jasper's. But, Void Archives is unfortunately, quite extra. Their eyes flicker gold, and they use their light manipulation powers to moderate the 'flash' ability so that there's a spark of little falling lights, illuminating the area. However briefly they manage that. ]
Though, I believe there is another important aspect of our departure. If you are fine with leaving, then you must acknowledge that this no longer truly a reality...but, I have assumed you knew that as well.
[ The last step to emerge from the darkness of the past, of the mind, towards the mutable future - hand in hand, they're ready to do so, looking back at the opening they came through. But, the fact is, the only way this mindscape will come to a conclusion is if Jasper himself believes such things in earnest, and they know it. That it is only a dream, among other things surrounding their return. ]
Well, I am observant enough. I did figure it out whenever you arrived instead of... someone else. But that is for the best, I think. I would rather see that individual in the flesh rather than some construction made from my warped perspective on things.
[...]
I suppose it is a bit unseemly to bring that up in this sort of situation.
[because. yeah. he's got the dokis for void. but there's still, well...]
But I am fine with discussing that later. Let us be off.
[ Void Archives gives Jasper something like an amused look - they don't think there is anything inherently wrong with that. He already mentioned that he was expecting someone else - though, with the way Jasper is speaking, they inevitably do read between the lines. Such to the point that he is getting an eyebrow raise to all of this.
Their lips curl up into something like a little cat-like smile. Is it really hard to read whatever they're thinking? Probably. ]
...My, dear Jasper, your timing is quite un-impeccable indeed. Whatever were you thinking~?
[ The teasing tone sets in at full force, even with the cute atmosphere. Yeah, that is what he gets for bringing it up now. ]
But, yes, do tell me later - even as soon as we return. I have come to know you well, yet the fact is that I have much I still have yet to learn about you. And you still have much to learn about myself.
[ There must be a weight on Jasper's heart surrounding this person. Why let him bear it alone? But despite this, their words indicate a serious tone to it. Don't let it fall by the wayside; though, they are truly not eager to linger here in the event something arrives to bring further complications.
Anyway, they will guide the other blond out of the throne room...and hopefully make another true or final step back towards the world obscured by the veil of a false world intent on making itself more meaningful than reality. ]
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no subject
... hah, that was more demure than I expected. How cute.
[Jasper cranes himself up a bit so he can give a return kiss. He's gentle enough rather than ravenous just because Void does seem inexperienced, and it IS cute. he doesn't want to rush this too much.
well, he does. but he does have some principles on this front, so he'll be a good(????) boy.]
no subject
...Cute, hm?
[ They repeat it softly, but without any irritability, and watching Jasper lean in and commit the memory of the feel of him pressing his lips gently against theirs. They indeed can't help but savor the moment. The sensation is lightweighted, and they realize just how much they enjoy it, so they turn their head slightly into the kiss, savoring every single little feeling.
Don't mind if they slip their arms properly around Jasper, reopening their eyes once more. Once the kiss is broken, even if slightly, they smile, that lingering excited feeling palpable as if it's somehow been nursed even more. ]
I shall allow only you to get away with speaking such things of me. Please, do feel free to feel a bit privileged when I say such things.
As it is, this is all novel and an experience that I expect that we will continue to enjoy, hm~?
no subject
[hehehehehe. okay. he'll allow himself to be hugged and maybe hug back just a little bit.]
...And indeed we will. Though, perhaps unfortunately for you, the aesthetics will be somewhat different.
no subject
[ They chuckle at this, eyes creasing with no small amount of affection; they can feel the return of that embrace. ]
Oh? Do keep in mind that even when they are, I am certain that I will continue to enjoy them well - after all, have you really ever been lacking when it comes such aspects? I believe we both know the answer, yes?
[ Wink. ]
no subject
[hehehe.
...but, well. even with this distinctly nice thing that's happened... he does feel a little put out about something or other... ah well.]
In any case, outside of atmosphere, I doubt this particular location will provide us anything else of value. Unless you feel like spending any more time here, I am fine with leaving.
no subject
[ They pull back, but then move a hand to wrap around one of Jasper's. But, Void Archives is unfortunately, quite extra. Their eyes flicker gold, and they use their light manipulation powers to moderate the 'flash' ability so that there's a spark of little falling lights, illuminating the area. However briefly they manage that. ]
Though, I believe there is another important aspect of our departure. If you are fine with leaving, then you must acknowledge that this no longer truly a reality...but, I have assumed you knew that as well.
[ The last step to emerge from the darkness of the past, of the mind, towards the mutable future - hand in hand, they're ready to do so, looking back at the opening they came through. But, the fact is, the only way this mindscape will come to a conclusion is if Jasper himself believes such things in earnest, and they know it. That it is only a dream, among other things surrounding their return. ]
...So, shall we?
no subject
Well, I am observant enough. I did figure it out whenever you arrived instead of... someone else. But that is for the best, I think. I would rather see that individual in the flesh rather than some construction made from my warped perspective on things.
[...]
I suppose it is a bit unseemly to bring that up in this sort of situation.
[because. yeah. he's got the dokis for void. but there's still, well...]
But I am fine with discussing that later. Let us be off.
no subject
Their lips curl up into something like a little cat-like smile. Is it really hard to read whatever they're thinking? Probably. ]
...My, dear Jasper, your timing is quite un-impeccable indeed. Whatever were you thinking~?
[ The teasing tone sets in at full force, even with the cute atmosphere. Yeah, that is what he gets for bringing it up now. ]
But, yes, do tell me later - even as soon as we return. I have come to know you well, yet the fact is that I have much I still have yet to learn about you. And you still have much to learn about myself.
[ There must be a weight on Jasper's heart surrounding this person. Why let him bear it alone? But despite this, their words indicate a serious tone to it. Don't let it fall by the wayside; though, they are truly not eager to linger here in the event something arrives to bring further complications.
Anyway, they will guide the other blond out of the throne room...and hopefully make another true or final step back towards the world obscured by the veil of a false world intent on making itself more meaningful than reality. ]