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.
I'm nothing but a reflection of him, or an inversion where I'm not a reflection. There is nothing about me that does not have him as the reference point.
[ They understand the sentiment and know the challenge in arguing against that mountain, but in this they are adamant. Stubborn to the end. ]
You have your separate likes and dislikes, don't you? Your own personality formed from your experiences which are not entirely dependent on him. On the nature of who he is as a person.
Mirroring his appearance doesn't mean you are a complete reflection of him. Or someone who even in an opposing nature could be summed up as merely a difference that exists because he so happened to have been born, and yourself created.
Those who have no relation to others may also serve as foils, may hold similarities, and appear to be mere 'mirrors', or some such nonsense.
[ They take a pause, trying to figure out words that would be apt...that can reach easier than not. But, they don't have an argument that would cleave through mountains; instead a question or two comes to mind. So, to supplement it, they ask: ]
However, we know that this is not true, yes? It's the same principle. Why should you alone be different in this? You are more than a reference point. And, you can choose many more experiences and aspects to continue to differentiate yourself from him.
[While they talk, Turo sits and stares at his hands. They're slick and dark with blood. He's listening, despite appearances, but he's not entirely sure that he agrees.]
My name is his name. My face is his face. I really do only exist because he was born, how would that even...?
There are people out there who share the same names. Others that were born or created the same face. Those who were created or born for the sake of others or other people.
Though it is true I was not 'born' due to Otto coming into existence, I share a similar face to his, for example.
But, let me tell of a direct example of a situation that parallels yours. There is a child back on Earth cloned in the likeness of another to be something like a replacement, to be used for purposes of his powers; he had the same name, same face, all those others things as the original "being" he was cloned after.
Of course, there was never any intention for him to live as a person of his own. His purpose was to be a tool, nothing more, nothing less. He was never looked at as an individual of his own.
Yet, one day, through uncertain circumstances, he met others who treated him like a person. I too briefly met this child. He was even given a different name - one of his own, and made precious companions.
Sounds like an ideal fairytale story, doesn't it? To be perfectly honest, I don't tell it to merely get your hopes up. I speak it to illustrate that just because you were create in the image of another - made to exist because another was born - it doesn't mean that is all you ever will be. You can be more than what others intend for you to be, or wish for you to be.
[ Their expression turns thoughtful, watching as Turo observes his bloodied hands, and they even move to sit down nearby; it's distinctly unpleasant to seat oneself down in. But...is that not how people show support? By sticking nearby, or something like that? ]
The facts show evidence that this too can be true for you. Is, in fact, true for you. And I know it because you have not been stationary. I know you have made connections with others, and I understand this because I am one of them.
Whether or not this man shall hang over you like a specter, is this not true? Even if it may be hard to see this for yourself, do you understand, that such a reality has never been beyond you? That it has been right in front of you this whole entire time? And all you need to do is grasp it, with your own hands?
[He starts to protest as they lower down into the blood themselves, but they've...already done it, it's too late. Turo rests his hands lightly on his knees.]
That...certainly was not always the case. But now that I can leave the crater - if whatever that is holds - I suppose it's...possible.
[Maybe he could be good enough that someone would give him a new name one day. Not anytime soon, he thinks, considering past performance. But it's possible. Lots of things are, technically, possible.]
[ Yeah, they knew what they were getting themselves into, so it is what it is. They'll even cast something like an amused look at him to indicate they're fine with it...
...though, honestly, if this wasn't a mindscape maybe they'd have been a little more careful about the getting blood all over themselves. Maybe. ]
Oh, I am sure that it was not. Fortunately, events have shown that certainty have given way to mutability, and as you have recognized now - the possibility. Of course, that is simply the first step, in my honest opinion.
Acknowledgement, realization...
In order for that possibility to become more certain, you would need to continue to take action towards it, yes?
[ Not exactly always necessarily a prospect that seems without risk, or with a hundred percent chance of working out completely. But, in their mind, Turo is already practically half-way there. It's just getting him to believe that in the first place, and that more is possible - and not something like a distant kind of potential achievement. ]
Logically, yes. Practically, I do not know what that action would be.
[Beyond the obvious, at least: the situation with Dr. Robotnik. But that seems insurmountable in a rather different manner, at least when he thinks about all the factors involved too closely.]
Well, beyond moving past all of this, isn't that something you should discover for yourself?
You know what is logically the way forward. But implementing those steps should be by your own design.
For example, if you could envision ways to continue setting yourself apart from this man, how would that look like to you? What have you noticed that brings you an independent joy, living life separately as you are now from all of this? Which associations have you made that man would have had no chance in holding any monopoly over?
When you consider moving forward, what do you think would be a way to spitefully resist those initial and permanent expectations that have been set for yourself? And I suppose to continue to keep asking for help when you are stuck, as you are now, hm?
However, some advice on actions from myself would be to treasure what you have gained yourself. Continue to indulge what you have found to have enjoyed; to have liked, to have cherished.
And here is something else you should listen to right now:
Rise to your feet instead of sitting down in what's holding you back. How's that sound for a start? And if the rest sounds too overwhelming...why not tackle each single aspect one at a time?
[ They stand up right after that, and then look towards him expectantly, and well, Turo's hands are like bloodied, so...that is about all that they for the moment. ]
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no subject
[It sounds bitter.]
I'm nothing but a reflection of him, or an inversion where I'm not a reflection. There is nothing about me that does not have him as the reference point.
no subject
[ They understand the sentiment and know the challenge in arguing against that mountain, but in this they are adamant. Stubborn to the end. ]
You have your separate likes and dislikes, don't you? Your own personality formed from your experiences which are not entirely dependent on him. On the nature of who he is as a person.
Mirroring his appearance doesn't mean you are a complete reflection of him. Or someone who even in an opposing nature could be summed up as merely a difference that exists because he so happened to have been born, and yourself created.
Those who have no relation to others may also serve as foils, may hold similarities, and appear to be mere 'mirrors', or some such nonsense.
[ They take a pause, trying to figure out words that would be apt...that can reach easier than not. But, they don't have an argument that would cleave through mountains; instead a question or two comes to mind. So, to supplement it, they ask: ]
However, we know that this is not true, yes? It's the same principle. Why should you alone be different in this? You are more than a reference point. And, you can choose many more experiences and aspects to continue to differentiate yourself from him.
no subject
My name is his name. My face is his face. I really do only exist because he was born, how would that even...?
no subject
Though it is true I was not 'born' due to Otto coming into existence, I share a similar face to his, for example.
But, let me tell of a direct example of a situation that parallels yours. There is a child back on Earth cloned in the likeness of another to be something like a replacement, to be used for purposes of his powers; he had the same name, same face, all those others things as the original "being" he was cloned after.
Of course, there was never any intention for him to live as a person of his own. His purpose was to be a tool, nothing more, nothing less. He was never looked at as an individual of his own.
Yet, one day, through uncertain circumstances, he met others who treated him like a person. I too briefly met this child. He was even given a different name - one of his own, and made precious companions.
Sounds like an ideal fairytale story, doesn't it? To be perfectly honest, I don't tell it to merely get your hopes up. I speak it to illustrate that just because you were create in the image of another - made to exist because another was born - it doesn't mean that is all you ever will be. You can be more than what others intend for you to be, or wish for you to be.
[ Their expression turns thoughtful, watching as Turo observes his bloodied hands, and they even move to sit down nearby; it's distinctly unpleasant to seat oneself down in. But...is that not how people show support? By sticking nearby, or something like that? ]
The facts show evidence that this too can be true for you. Is, in fact, true for you. And I know it because you have not been stationary. I know you have made connections with others, and I understand this because I am one of them.
Whether or not this man shall hang over you like a specter, is this not true? Even if it may be hard to see this for yourself, do you understand, that such a reality has never been beyond you? That it has been right in front of you this whole entire time? And all you need to do is grasp it, with your own hands?
no subject
[He starts to protest as they lower down into the blood themselves, but they've...already done it, it's too late. Turo rests his hands lightly on his knees.]
That...certainly was not always the case. But now that I can leave the crater - if whatever that is holds - I suppose it's...possible.
[Maybe he could be good enough that someone would give him a new name one day. Not anytime soon, he thinks, considering past performance. But it's possible. Lots of things are, technically, possible.]
no subject
...though, honestly, if this wasn't a mindscape maybe they'd have been a little more careful about the getting blood all over themselves. Maybe. ]
Oh, I am sure that it was not. Fortunately, events have shown that certainty have given way to mutability, and as you have recognized now - the possibility. Of course, that is simply the first step, in my honest opinion.
Acknowledgement, realization...
In order for that possibility to become more certain, you would need to continue to take action towards it, yes?
[ Not exactly always necessarily a prospect that seems without risk, or with a hundred percent chance of working out completely. But, in their mind, Turo is already practically half-way there. It's just getting him to believe that in the first place, and that more is possible - and not something like a distant kind of potential achievement. ]
no subject
[Beyond the obvious, at least: the situation with Dr. Robotnik. But that seems insurmountable in a rather different manner, at least when he thinks about all the factors involved too closely.]
no subject
Well, beyond moving past all of this, isn't that something you should discover for yourself?
You know what is logically the way forward. But implementing those steps should be by your own design.
For example, if you could envision ways to continue setting yourself apart from this man, how would that look like to you? What have you noticed that brings you an independent joy, living life separately as you are now from all of this? Which associations have you made that man would have had no chance in holding any monopoly over?
When you consider moving forward, what do you think would be a way to spitefully resist those initial and permanent expectations that have been set for yourself? And I suppose to continue to keep asking for help when you are stuck, as you are now, hm?
However, some advice on actions from myself would be to treasure what you have gained yourself. Continue to indulge what you have found to have enjoyed; to have liked, to have cherished.
And here is something else you should listen to right now:
Rise to your feet instead of sitting down in what's holding you back. How's that sound for a start? And if the rest sounds too overwhelming...why not tackle each single aspect one at a time?
[ They stand up right after that, and then look towards him expectantly, and well, Turo's hands are like bloodied, so...that is about all that they for the moment. ]
no subject
Very well. I suppose I can do that much, at least.
[And with that, the dreamscape begins to dissolve.]