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.
[Oh come now, as though Dorothy could do anything he wouldn't like at this point?? That's his Goddess of Victory, thank you very much.]
It took far too long for me to remember what it's like. I'm still quite terrible at it!
[Emotional vulnerability is so hard, Dorothy. How the hell did he do this ten years ago??]
But I wouldn't have come this far without your help, so thank you, Dorothy. Honestly, it's a bit impressive just how far we've both come in so short a time... but I suppose being in an entirely different world does have that effect on some people!
Well, lucky for you that you're in good company, hm? I've certainly no place to judge, so we can continue to mess up in good company. Or find our own meaning in it. Whichever comes naturally, of course.
[Trust her, she gets it. She's basically had to pull teeth to even get to this point, and frankly she still sucks at it!
They're almost out of the cave, though, at least. There seems to be a little ways further to walk, but the mindscape seems to have shifted a bit into something a little more comfortable for their final walk.
The sky is bright and blue, and there are an innumerable amount of white flowers all around the field that they walk. Of course, the exit's right ahead, but at least she can thank him in this way. By letting the walk be comfortable, and more reflective of the things she wants to show him now that she can. How comfortable this is, how comfortable she feels...]
It truly does. I think it's truly amazing, how seeing other worlds can change your perspective. How it can prove to you that perhaps...there is hope out there, for those who seek it. In truth, I never thought I'd feel this way.
But...with you, you make it feel so easy. I truly adore that.
[Just a little further to the door back to the real world, and Dorothy's eyes slide slightly closed as she continues to lean on Yeager's shoulder. The rust is gone by now, and she feels...lighter.]
Precisely, we'll have plenty of time to figure it out as we go~
[It's a bit surreal to think that they never would have had this chance - or even wanted it - when they first arrived in space not so long ago. He never would have imagined being here now with Dorothy.
In fact, he's more focused on her than the surroundings. He scarcely notices the changes.]
I'm glad I can do that for you. Seeing you happy like this is truly wonderful, you know~
[It's only barely teasing, because he absolutely means it.]
[That gets Dorothy to flush, and she has to glance away just a bit at that. It...doesn't feel teasing. No, it feels genuine, and she's--
She's really not used to compliments like that being thrown at her and actually feeling something towards them, and it's likely clear from the startled laughter that it gets from her.]
Only because it's you making me this happy. [...She is down so bad.] ...It really means the world that I can make you happy, too. I never really thought of anything like that before, but it's...
It's very welcome, that I can do something outside of the fighting that I'm used to.
[They're back in the void before they know it, but Dorothy doesn't have eyes for anyone but Yeager right now. It's...a strange, overwhelming feeling, but she laces their fingers together if allowed.]
Of course you make me happy, Dorothy. You've been doing it for quite awhile.
[He wasn't really aware of it - and even when he did become aware of it, he wasn't aware of the extent of it - but there's certainly no denying it now. She's become a very important person to him, after all.
The atmosphere changes around them as they return to the Void, and aside from a brief glance, Yeager doesn't take his eyes off of her.]
As though I would leave you after such a thing? Absolutely not. Allow me to worry over you for just a little longer, ja?
Dorothy genuinely looks delighted for a moment when of all things, he asks to stay this time. He asks her to stay, to be with him this time, and for someone who's been so used to being utterly selfish and taking what she wants, it's...
It means so much to her, to have it offered to her.]
I'd be delighted to allow you to. Really, I don't want to separate at all; I...don't know what you've done to make me feel this way, but I like this. Being with you, caring for you, and...being cared for.
[It's so awkward, being genuine like this, but Dorothy's flushed and a little more than delighted--]
Anyway, it isn't as difficult as he thought it'd be to express this much, which is good! It's easier when she's a little flustered instead of the other way around.]
And? Are you going to tell me I shouldn't? I think you deserve it.
[maybe one day she will BUT TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY,,,
Okay, Dorothy's flushing even deeper at that, her face scrunching a bit but not even slightly displeased. She's just much more prone to being teased okay???]
I--well, you're--well. If that's what you think, I'm certainly not going to stop you, you know. I'm simply not very used to it...
[d-doki...]
Perhaps you'll simply have to get me used to such things, hm...?
You--! Trapping me with you just to dote on me so, you're absolutely incorrigible...!
[She does not sound even slightly opposed, but it is definitely making her face even more red if she's being honest and she's just. So unused to being teased like this and having it mean a lot--]
But I...you know, I would not mind seeing how you would. Maybe I'll find a way to return the favor.
[...]
Though you're...making it quite tempting, to do something impulsive.
You--! You're terrible, awful, I should shush you where you stand--
[Dorothy looks like a steamed vegetable for a moment with how heated her face looks. Why are you giggling at her! Stop that!! You're a bully!!!
...
Dorothy's gaze briefly averts at the last memory of doing something so deeply impulsive with Yeager, though, and for a brief moment that worry strikes her heart again. That he'll run, that he'll just run off and she doesn't want to ruin it again. Taking chances like this blew back hard on her the first time, but...
She finally manages to look at Yeager at that, her look a little more uncertain.]
But Dorothy calms down and Yeager inclines his head a bit at that. Ah, right. The last time she did something impulsive, he fled and they never talked about it again. Right. Yeah, it makes sense why she's hesitating.]
I mean it, Dorothy. I don't mind. There was... quite a bit I needed to come to terms with on my own, but I've done that.
[It was sort of a struggle to get here, but Casey wouldn't want him to suffer. She wouldn't want him to continue treading the same worn path over and over again without change when he's been given the opportunity to change. He can't ever truly be someone she would approve of anymore, but he can be someone he approves of, and maybe that's a good direction to go.
Just like Dorothy, he can never truly leave the past behind him. But there's no reason for him to be ruled by it either.]
Though if you keep hesitating, you might make me question if we're even on the same page to begin with~
[...and of course he can't resist going straight back to teasing, deal with it.]
I...do truly hope that I didn't make you rush in such a process. You've granted me so much understanding, if I had--
[Dorothy doesn't know every last thing about Yeager, admittedly. She knows about Casey, but only in the context of her being Raven's commander/love interest(?), so she doesn't know absolutely everything. But it...
It means a lot, that he's willing to be honest about this.
...Even if her face scrunches at the teasing again, YEAGER COME ON--]
Ugh, you--now I am simply going to shut you up before you get going again!
[It's a little impulsive, but still careful somehow--nervous, because unsurprisingly? Dorothy has never kissed anyone in her life. She's certainly read her share of romance novels about it, but doing such a thing for real is...
Well. Dorothy does her best to give Yeager a surprisingly chaste little kiss on the lips, hoping maybe it'll get him to stop teasing her a bit. Her face burns and she doesn't quite know what she's doing, but she's trying and it's...
...It really is so much better than she could have thought.]
[Yeager thankfully doesn't tease her any further (or laugh, that was a very real possibility) and instead lets Dorothy kiss him, returning that easily. It wasn't an easy process to get here, but he can't say he has any regrets about it. After all, he's learned a lot about himself in the process, and he's at least a slightly less selfish person at the end of it. That's really the most you could ask for from someone like him, right?
Anyway, one of his hands comes up to her cheek even as they part, and of course Yeager looks far too damn pleased with himself. And because this man is literally incapable of shutting up...]
See? That wasn't so difficult, now was it~?
[you can still punch him, dorothy. you can still make all my dreams come true.]
[Yeager's hand finds her cheek and Dorothy doesn't waste any time leaning into that touch, that warmth--a little greedily, but there's something just...nice about this moment. All of it feels so nice, it makes her chest warm and faintly fuzzy from the contact and she doesn't think she did a good job, but that's okay. She can learn, and she can improve and...
...
YEAGER WHY ARE YOU SO RUDE--]
Yeager! [aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAA???] It was--I haven't done this with anyone before you, you know! I haven't even the slightest bit of experience with this, and you're still so--ugh!!
[...UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAND AT HER CHEEK IS STAYING HER HAND FROM PUNCHING HIM BUT SHE IS PUFFING HER CHEEKS OUT CUTELY. And. Still stealing all that warmth, leave her alone, she craves it--]
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no subject
It took far too long for me to remember what it's like. I'm still quite terrible at it!
[Emotional vulnerability is so hard, Dorothy. How the hell did he do this ten years ago??]
But I wouldn't have come this far without your help, so thank you, Dorothy. Honestly, it's a bit impressive just how far we've both come in so short a time... but I suppose being in an entirely different world does have that effect on some people!
no subject
Well, lucky for you that you're in good company, hm? I've certainly no place to judge, so we can continue to mess up in good company. Or find our own meaning in it. Whichever comes naturally, of course.
[Trust her, she gets it. She's basically had to pull teeth to even get to this point, and frankly she still sucks at it!
They're almost out of the cave, though, at least. There seems to be a little ways further to walk, but the mindscape seems to have shifted a bit into something a little more comfortable for their final walk.
The sky is bright and blue, and there are an innumerable amount of white flowers all around the field that they walk. Of course, the exit's right ahead, but at least she can thank him in this way. By letting the walk be comfortable, and more reflective of the things she wants to show him now that she can. How comfortable this is, how comfortable she feels...]
It truly does. I think it's truly amazing, how seeing other worlds can change your perspective. How it can prove to you that perhaps...there is hope out there, for those who seek it. In truth, I never thought I'd feel this way.
But...with you, you make it feel so easy. I truly adore that.
[Just a little further to the door back to the real world, and Dorothy's eyes slide slightly closed as she continues to lean on Yeager's shoulder. The rust is gone by now, and she feels...lighter.]
no subject
[It's a bit surreal to think that they never would have had this chance - or even wanted it - when they first arrived in space not so long ago. He never would have imagined being here now with Dorothy.
In fact, he's more focused on her than the surroundings. He scarcely notices the changes.]
I'm glad I can do that for you. Seeing you happy like this is truly wonderful, you know~
[It's only barely teasing, because he absolutely means it.]
no subject
She's really not used to compliments like that being thrown at her and actually feeling something towards them, and it's likely clear from the startled laughter that it gets from her.]
Only because it's you making me this happy. [...She is down so bad.] ...It really means the world that I can make you happy, too. I never really thought of anything like that before, but it's...
It's very welcome, that I can do something outside of the fighting that I'm used to.
[They're back in the void before they know it, but Dorothy doesn't have eyes for anyone but Yeager right now. It's...a strange, overwhelming feeling, but she laces their fingers together if allowed.]
...Stay with me a bit longer, won't you?
no subject
Of course you make me happy, Dorothy. You've been doing it for quite awhile.
[He wasn't really aware of it - and even when he did become aware of it, he wasn't aware of the extent of it - but there's certainly no denying it now. She's become a very important person to him, after all.
The atmosphere changes around them as they return to the Void, and aside from a brief glance, Yeager doesn't take his eyes off of her.]
As though I would leave you after such a thing? Absolutely not. Allow me to worry over you for just a little longer, ja?
[This time let him ask her to stay.]
no subject
Dorothy genuinely looks delighted for a moment when of all things, he asks to stay this time. He asks her to stay, to be with him this time, and for someone who's been so used to being utterly selfish and taking what she wants, it's...
It means so much to her, to have it offered to her.]
I'd be delighted to allow you to. Really, I don't want to separate at all; I...don't know what you've done to make me feel this way, but I like this. Being with you, caring for you, and...being cared for.
[It's so awkward, being genuine like this, but Dorothy's flushed and a little more than delighted--]
You're practically spoiling me, you know.
no subject
Anyway, it isn't as difficult as he thought it'd be to express this much, which is good! It's easier when she's a little flustered instead of the other way around.]
And? Are you going to tell me I shouldn't? I think you deserve it.
no subject
Okay, Dorothy's flushing even deeper at that, her face scrunching a bit but not even slightly displeased. She's just much more prone to being teased okay???]
I--well, you're--well. If that's what you think, I'm certainly not going to stop you, you know. I'm simply not very used to it...
[d-doki...]
Perhaps you'll simply have to get me used to such things, hm...?
no subject
[teehee ☆]
no subject
You--! Trapping me with you just to dote on me so, you're absolutely incorrigible...!
[She does not sound even slightly opposed, but it is definitely making her face even more red if she's being honest and she's just. So unused to being teased like this and having it mean a lot--]
But I...you know, I would not mind seeing how you would. Maybe I'll find a way to return the favor.
[...]
Though you're...making it quite tempting, to do something impulsive.
no subject
[But of course he's noticed that pause and at the words, he grins.]
Why, miss Dorothy, whatever could you mean~?
[teehee x2 ☆]
no subject
[Dorothy looks like a steamed vegetable for a moment with how heated her face looks. Why are you giggling at her! Stop that!! You're a bully!!!
...
Dorothy's gaze briefly averts at the last memory of doing something so deeply impulsive with Yeager, though, and for a brief moment that worry strikes her heart again. That he'll run, that he'll just run off and she doesn't want to ruin it again. Taking chances like this blew back hard on her the first time, but...
She finally manages to look at Yeager at that, her look a little more uncertain.]
...Are you certain you wouldn't mind?
no subject
But Dorothy calms down and Yeager inclines his head a bit at that. Ah, right. The last time she did something impulsive, he fled and they never talked about it again. Right. Yeah, it makes sense why she's hesitating.]
I mean it, Dorothy. I don't mind. There was... quite a bit I needed to come to terms with on my own, but I've done that.
[It was sort of a struggle to get here, but Casey wouldn't want him to suffer. She wouldn't want him to continue treading the same worn path over and over again without change when he's been given the opportunity to change. He can't ever truly be someone she would approve of anymore, but he can be someone he approves of, and maybe that's a good direction to go.
Just like Dorothy, he can never truly leave the past behind him. But there's no reason for him to be ruled by it either.]
Though if you keep hesitating, you might make me question if we're even on the same page to begin with~
[...and of course he can't resist going straight back to teasing, deal with it.]
no subject
[Dorothy doesn't know every last thing about Yeager, admittedly. She knows about Casey, but only in the context of her being Raven's commander/love interest(?), so she doesn't know absolutely everything. But it...
It means a lot, that he's willing to be honest about this.
...Even if her face scrunches at the teasing again, YEAGER COME ON--]
Ugh, you--now I am simply going to shut you up before you get going again!
[It's a little impulsive, but still careful somehow--nervous, because unsurprisingly? Dorothy has never kissed anyone in her life. She's certainly read her share of romance novels about it, but doing such a thing for real is...
Well. Dorothy does her best to give Yeager a surprisingly chaste little kiss on the lips, hoping maybe it'll get him to stop teasing her a bit. Her face burns and she doesn't quite know what she's doing, but she's trying and it's...
...It really is so much better than she could have thought.]
no subject
Anyway, one of his hands comes up to her cheek even as they part, and of course Yeager looks far too damn pleased with himself. And because this man is literally incapable of shutting up...]
See? That wasn't so difficult, now was it~?
[you can still punch him, dorothy. you can still make all my dreams come true.]
no subject
...
YEAGER WHY ARE YOU SO RUDE--]
Yeager! [aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAA???] It was--I haven't done this with anyone before you, you know! I haven't even the slightest bit of experience with this, and you're still so--ugh!!
[...UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAND AT HER CHEEK IS STAYING HER HAND FROM PUNCHING HIM BUT SHE IS PUFFING HER CHEEKS OUT CUTELY. And. Still stealing all that warmth, leave her alone, she craves it--]
no subject
Oh don't worry, I'm sure you'll learn fast. You'll have plenty of practice~
[Is that a threat??? Hmm.]
You're just so cute when you're embarrassed, I simply can't help myself!
[But don't worry, he's not moving that hand from her cheek; she is really cute, after all.]