Though it may not have been easy or fun, your time in the Void was ultimately productive; you've become far stronger than you were when you entered, and you may have even made a friend(?) or two. Shadow insists on remaining behind in the Void because he does not want to interfere with this world or potentially cause problems with this world's Shadow (wherever he may be), but Infinite is free to either accompany you or stay behind and fight Shadow, depending on whatever you guys would like. Surprisingly, he'll respect your wishes without complaint (though this may be because he wants to fight Shadow).
You return to the outskirts of Chicago, and it seems that the city has changed some in your time away...
THE CITY
Eggman's chroma has taken over damn near everything. The buildings, the streets, even the wildlife. It seems that the changes have only hit the city itself, as the outskirts (where the base is located) are mostly chroma-free. Still, it's a stark change - you haven't really been gone for all that long, have you? It's kind of hard to tell judging from your time in the Void, but if you check a calendar you'll find that approximately two weeks have passed. All this in two weeks seems a bit much...
The city itself still retains the same landmarks, shops, and people - though the former two are Eggman-ified. The people are back to going about their business as lifelessly as ever, completely heedless of the robots even if they do get in the way... but even the robots are back to patrolling as usual. There are far more of them now, however, and they aren't the same ones you're used to. Sure, you can still fine drones, B33s, and tanks here and there, but they've mostly been replaced by newer, tougher foes.
You're going to have to fight if you enter the city for any reason. The robots will recognize you as a threat and try to kill you on sight, and there are far more of them now than there ever were. But you're stronger now, so you can certainly keep up, if not destroy them easily.
THE BASE
The new base that Sonic and friends have moved you all into is quite different from the last one. This one seems to have been an office building at some point; a simple two story building with plenty of large rooms and smaller offices that have been repurposed as bedrooms. You can room with the same people as before, or you can even claim your own room! There's plenty of space here, after all. Knuckles will even move beds around if you want to rearrange things and can't lift them yourself.
Unfortunately, this base isn't nearly as furnished as the previous one. Sonic Team has managed to get all the bedrooms functional in the span of a few days, but everything else? Well... You're going to have to help with that, aren't you? The kitchen is barebones, there's no rooms for entertainment, training, or anything else, and security is minimal. Tails is still working on getting his surveillance up and running, let alone all the various research he's been working on. In short, you've got your work cut out for you building this place into something you can truly call your own.
But it is located on the outskirts of Chicago and it is is safe. After all, you've got each other to rely on.
SHARDS
Shadow's test may not have immediately had any sort of effects on you, but as you return to Chicago and resume fighting, you'll realize that controlling your shard and its power is innate at this point. You won't be struggling with it anymore - in fact, you've completely unlocked your shard's power. You're capable of a great many more things with it now than you were before. You should be able to use your shard for offensive and defensive purposes - which yes, means our healers can do the equivalent of averaging their HP with the enemy in order to deal damage to them. Fun times all around. You'll find that bonding with another shardbearer is also easier, and you can bond with many more of them now. You're growing stronger; maybe your time away in the Void did some good after all.
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
Returning to the old base is ill-advised, but you can take a ring and hop over there if you've got someone to accompany you. After all, Tails would appreciate more of his old gear back, and you've probably left things behind there too. You'll find that the place is simply swarming with robots - they're on patrol rather than smashing your things, almost as if they were waiting for you all to return. Bring back whatever you need or whatever will prove useful - and be careful about it.
Of course, rings are running low again... so you know what that means. Scour Chicago and the outskirts in search of those pesky rings and make sure to bring them back! As always, they'll be found in increasingly bizarre and frustrating locations, but you'll be able to find them easier now than you could before. You won't even need a radar - your shards will innately draw you toward their location now!
ENEMIES
While you're undoubtedly going to find yourself running into familiar bots from the previous weeks, there are many new ones to contend with - and they are far stronger than the others. Eggman's army has more or less taken over Chicago, meaning that you'll be running into some sort of enemy frequently. The outskirts of the city are practically deserted, with the exception of your old base, that is.
Assault Drones have more or less replaced the majority of weaker patrolling drones. Unlike those, these are built for combat and they will not hesitate to engage in it. Capable of both shooting lasers, exploding, and sending out a loud siren call for reinforcements, they are not fun to fight. Still, they're the weakest of the new enemies by a long shot... though if you aren't quick enough and they get that loud siren out, they're going to be joined by those stronger enemies.
E-1000s are robots with gun arms that want you dead. They're capable of limited flight, shooting many lasers, and are quite durable... and to make matters worse, some of them even have shards allowing them access to a knockoff copy of one of your powers. The E-1000s usually patrol solo, without any other robots for backup, but they can and will call in reinforcements of the previous weeks' smaller robots when necessary.
Shadow Androids are basically what you'd expect. Shadow androids. They not only look like a certain black and red hedgehog, they also act like him, moving quickly and striking with hard hits and utilizing their fake Chaos Emerald shards for Chaos Control to both warp and temporarily freeze any opponent they face. They usually patrol in pairs - two Shadow Androids or a Shadow Android and any other assortment of weaker robots. Chaos Control is far more useful when someone else can take advantage of it, after all!
[ Void Archives goes on their long spiel of encouragement for being daring, and More feels impossible warm inside. It really feels like they took 'you are great at cheering me up' to heart and now delight in fulfilling that role even more brilliantly - and More loves them for it dearly. Other people might make him feel sorry for being a burden, but Void Archives is always so boisterous that it is hard to feel like he can truly weigh them down.
And speaking of not being weighed down, More is glad to hear they are not planning on returning either. Whatever the 'sky people' actually are, Void Archives will slip out of their grasp forever.
The last comment gets a knowing smile. ]
I understand quite well.
[ He had eyes to see VA and Jasper all over each other at the party!! ]
After all, I had been in such a state of uncertainty for a majority of our time here. Without it resolved, I had not dared to think to the future in more concrete terms at all. Now, I can begin to dream a little.
[ They believe that ultimately it is warranted - that it is well-deserved, and that More should embody such things with a readiness that he may have not experienced before. Though, it helps that Void Archives connected to him well, not having anticipated that anyone would understand the way they did about isolation and confinement.
They also can't pretend that More hasn't become one of the closer people here to them - a list that is still relatively small, considering who they are. Seeing him cheered up only makes them encouraged to never give up on the opportunity. ]
Well, I hope we didn't distract you too much. Though, there was a lot going on...I do hope you also managed to enjoy the party to the end.
[ Because they did wonder for a bit...considering. That being said, they also do happen to throw something like an amused look. ]
I do understand the lingering uncertainty, considering your circumstances before your arrival. But, also, I would have thought you would have said that you were going to dream big? Like so?
[ They spread their hands out needlessly in a large manner as they jest lightly. ]
[ That makes More laugh outright, a sound that he first seeks to stifle almost on instinct and then lets flow instead. Laughing with a friend is such a simple pleasure, and for so long it had felt unthinkable to him. ]
When it comes to casting off humility, I may still have a little to learn from you.
[ But maybe he should. Void Archives is so unabashedly in love with the life and freedom they've been granted, and it's inspiring to watch. ]
My dreams are certainly increasing in size. Despite some... ahem, incredible awkwardness thanks to tipsy carelessness, I did come out of the party with a more concrete plan for the future than before. He and I will go on a journey together.
[ Not naming Turo since he's resolved to not use that false name for him, but he figures it's obvious who he's talking about anyhow. ]
[ There we go - personally, Void Archives believes that laughs were a natural thing that should be. And yes, at times they are causing the opposite of those, but in this case, they'd rather not be. ]
If you wish to take quite a few more tips, then I would happily provide you some~
[ They say with the air of someone who would happily teach someone something important - though, tips for 'casting off humility' maybe ought not to be adopted so readily. ]
As they should be!
That being said, it sounds like everything worked out for the better. Do be certain that I am glad to hear it. Making plans for the future is not always so easy - particularly when they involve others.
But, this also does shed further light on what I saw. Fortunately, travel should provide quite the deluge of exciting experiences...
[ ...And yes, it is very obvious, to the point they see no point in questioning the 'who'. Void Archives does so happen to have had eyes at the party as well - they were a little concerned about the vibes for a bit but it did seem to pick up, so...you know. ]
[ There's still some game in there - definitely quite a bit judging by the reactions he got...even considering...all of that... ]
It'll be hard to forget what you said. You must know that as an archive of knowledge, it will be stored within my databanks forever.
You were also so earnest, so do recognize that I don't believe what you said was terrible. I have heard far worse from those under the influence. [ They thought it was thoughtful and everything! ] Though, do understand I have at the least no intentions of repeating such words anywhere or other such nonsense.
After all, while I did have my concerns, it would be quite terrible of me to be that level of careless.
[ It'd be another story entirely if More were a stranger. ]
[ Do realize that this is your lot in life, More. It's kind of extremely ironic that this so happened the way that it has.
Anyway, when he points out their romantic adventures in kind, they clear their throat - is that the telltale sign of a little blush on their face despite the fact that they look somewhere between pleased with themselves or whatever else? No, perish the thoughtβ ]
Well...dear Jasper certainly returned my affections. We are still navigating through what it means for the both of us, and where it will take us. It is admittedly something new for myself - before even coming here, it wasn't something I...had earnestly considered I could be capable of.
Yet, I have no desire to let go at any point.
[ They feel fairly confident, though there is a part that is kind of nervous at the aspect of such new territory. It's a little embarrassing for them to admit to that, though. ]
[ So even the great and infallible Void Archives can get flustered... More is storing this knowledge away in his own mental 'archive', a precious sight to remember.
And More supposes he should not be surprised that Void Archives had likewise never imagined themselves in this position. He often feels very close to his AI friends in terms of personal experiences - closer yet than to many 'humans' here. It's moments like this that remind him they are still something wholly different, finding things that he thinks intuitive to be wholly alien. ]
As you well shouldn't. One may thing love an innate capability, but it is also a desire and above that a choice. Opening your heart and body to another in intimacy is a leap you have to take yourself.
I am overjoyed to hear it has been treating you well.
Their eyes widen briefly when More uses the L word because, well, yes...
Yes...that is what they actually feel, they think. They are learning very well about feeling affection and the like for others. And, they do know or believe that is the burning feeling in question here.
But, they actually begin to look a little embarrassed even further, and they are just going to tuck a lose strand of blond hair behind an ear. ]
Yes...
[ ... ]
...it is embarrassing, when you phrase things like that. Just so you know. So sentimental. I have heard many stories speak of such things, about these affectionate emotions in particular being a "choice", though I hadn't known whether or not, that...
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no subject
And speaking of not being weighed down, More is glad to hear they are not planning on returning either. Whatever the 'sky people' actually are, Void Archives will slip out of their grasp forever.
The last comment gets a knowing smile. ]
I understand quite well.
[ He had eyes to see VA and Jasper all over each other at the party!! ]
After all, I had been in such a state of uncertainty for a majority of our time here. Without it resolved, I had not dared to think to the future in more concrete terms at all. Now, I can begin to dream a little.
no subject
They also can't pretend that More hasn't become one of the closer people here to them - a list that is still relatively small, considering who they are. Seeing him cheered up only makes them encouraged to never give up on the opportunity. ]
Well, I hope we didn't distract you too much. Though, there was a lot going on...I do hope you also managed to enjoy the party to the end.
[ Because they did wonder for a bit...considering. That being said, they also do happen to throw something like an amused look. ]
I do understand the lingering uncertainty, considering your circumstances before your arrival. But, also, I would have thought you would have said that you were going to dream big? Like so?
[ They spread their hands out needlessly in a large manner as they jest lightly. ]
no subject
When it comes to casting off humility, I may still have a little to learn from you.
[ But maybe he should. Void Archives is so unabashedly in love with the life and freedom they've been granted, and it's inspiring to watch. ]
My dreams are certainly increasing in size. Despite some... ahem, incredible awkwardness thanks to tipsy carelessness, I did come out of the party with a more concrete plan for the future than before. He and I will go on a journey together.
[ Not naming Turo since he's resolved to not use that false name for him, but he figures it's obvious who he's talking about anyhow. ]
no subject
If you wish to take quite a few more tips, then I would happily provide you some~
[ They say with the air of someone who would happily teach someone something important - though, tips for 'casting off humility' maybe ought not to be adopted so readily. ]
As they should be!
That being said, it sounds like everything worked out for the better. Do be certain that I am glad to hear it. Making plans for the future is not always so easy - particularly when they involve others.
But, this also does shed further light on what I saw. Fortunately, travel should provide quite the deluge of exciting experiences...
[ ...And yes, it is very obvious, to the point they see no point in questioning the 'who'. Void Archives does so happen to have had eyes at the party as well - they were a little concerned about the vibes for a bit but it did seem to pick up, so...you know. ]
no subject
Yes, we... I think I would prefer to never think again of some of the things I said when under the influence of my drinks.
[ He used to have game!! What happened to that!!! ]
So if you overheard any of it, I would be much obliged if you could forget it as well.
no subject
It'll be hard to forget what you said. You must know that as an archive of knowledge, it will be stored within my databanks forever.
You were also so earnest, so do recognize that I don't believe what you said was terrible. I have heard far worse from those under the influence. [ They thought it was thoughtful and everything! ] Though, do understand I have at the least no intentions of repeating such words anywhere or other such nonsense.
After all, while I did have my concerns, it would be quite terrible of me to be that level of careless.
[ It'd be another story entirely if More were a stranger. ]
no subject
Then I thank you for your consideration...
[ ANYWAY. Let's MOVE ON. ]
Meanwhile, I believe congratulations are in order as your own romantic adventures appear to have been much more successful?
no subject
[ Do realize that this is your lot in life, More. It's kind of extremely ironic that this so happened the way that it has.
Anyway, when he points out their romantic adventures in kind, they clear their throat - is that the telltale sign of a little blush on their face despite the fact that they look somewhere between pleased with themselves or whatever else? No, perish the thoughtβ ]
Well...dear Jasper certainly returned my affections. We are still navigating through what it means for the both of us, and where it will take us. It is admittedly something new for myself - before even coming here, it wasn't something I...had earnestly considered I could be capable of.
Yet, I have no desire to let go at any point.
[ They feel fairly confident, though there is a part that is kind of nervous at the aspect of such new territory. It's a little embarrassing for them to admit to that, though. ]
no subject
And More supposes he should not be surprised that Void Archives had likewise never imagined themselves in this position. He often feels very close to his AI friends in terms of personal experiences - closer yet than to many 'humans' here. It's moments like this that remind him they are still something wholly different, finding things that he thinks intuitive to be wholly alien. ]
As you well shouldn't. One may thing love an innate capability, but it is also a desire and above that a choice. Opening your heart and body to another in intimacy is a leap you have to take yourself.
I am overjoyed to hear it has been treating you well.
no subject
Their eyes widen briefly when More uses the L word because, well, yes...
Yes...that is what they actually feel, they think. They are learning very well about feeling affection and the like for others. And, they do know or believe that is the burning feeling in question here.
But, they actually begin to look a little embarrassed even further, and they are just going to tuck a lose strand of blond hair behind an ear. ]
Yes...
[ ... ]
...it is embarrassing, when you phrase things like that. Just so you know. So sentimental. I have heard many stories speak of such things, about these affectionate emotions in particular being a "choice", though I hadn't known whether or not, that...
Nevermind. You already know what I mean.