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 Sure, you can still fine drones, B33s, and tanks here and there, but they've mostly been replaced by newer, tougher foes.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!
[ From what they know of the Professor, they understand firmly that Turo quite frankly had a point in this - and they are not about to dissuade him from that. ]
Ah, well...I wish you certainly had a far more better reference point. But, that being said, is it because of how matters progressed at the party at certain points?
I did get the sense that there was essentially trouble at times. And, well, I was rather concerned when you left abruptly, even when there seemed to be moments wherein your discussions were on the far more positive line of matters.
[ They didn't exactly snoop wholly on the entirety of said related conversation that they are thinking about - but it is hard to miss when the vibes went from a bit sad to more along the lines of positive by far?
...Though, they so happen to give pause at that, in consideration. ]
In all honesty, I feel that navigating such matters can be quite a difficulty in of itself. Especially when one has little experience in those at all. You're bound to have quite a bit of rough patches. But, it feels to me that already you have come quite far - and, even speaking generally, I never had the feeling you did not care for those you associated with. Which may seem quite basic, and yet, I do have to say it makes all the difference.
Many in relationships of differing kinds are not always able to properly convey that they care about each other. Or support one another.
[ They were there themselves. So, they do have an immense amount of faith in Turo...and honestly, he is one of their closer bonds for a reason even beyond being able to relate. They believe that counts for something, whereas the Professor likely lacked such aspects in caring. ]
[He does care about people. However it may have happened (and he has to imagine it was accidental), it's an ability he knows he possesses. He'd never want those people to think otherwise.]
I feel...bad that I rejected his advances. I did not even mean to do that, exactly, I just...well, I did not even realize he meant it at first. Surely he must realize he has better options?
He confessed to you with all of his heart not because you were an option among many betters. But, because for him you are the best option.
Such an earnest poet is always so honest in his feelings and how he conveys himself. If he wanted someone else in all of his heart, all he needed to do is reach out with the sentiment. Yet, he reached out to you.
Make no mistake - it is you that has touched his heart, first and foremost. And, whatever he thinks or however he feels, he isn't the type of man to reach for others that you or anyone else may feel could be 'better options'.
[ They feel very strongly on this, particularly since this involves two people that they care about! Therefore even here they can convey the matter of such sentiment - they speak not these words harshly, though.
But merely earnestly, in hopes that Turo can at least understand. ]
You say you did not mean to do that, and I do believe so. Fortunately, I believe we both know he isn't the type to easily give up on others, yes? And I do have to say when a man like that feels strongly to confess those kinds of emotions, they don't just fade so swiftly.
...I don't believe it's too late, if you wish to correct course, so to speak.
[ There's a moment of silence as it lapses into some kind of consideration, evaluating the response that Turo has granted to them. ]
Such is the nature of these matters.
For now, what you two certainly have is quite precious. [ They brush a strand of their own hair back, pausing again, talking with that haughty, certain tone of theirs. ] Though I have learnt that there is value in managing to continue to cultivate different relationships in differing manners, wherever that so happens to take you.
[ They already conveyed they don't think he'd be terrible at it...he'd be quite the kind and considerate one. It's an admirable quality, though at the same time, they know his personality enough that he must ultimately come around to it on his own. It's one thing to not be certain if it's because the feelings from someone else are unknown, but it is another entirely to be uncertain on the basis of oneself. ]
[He does seem to have at least a little time for that.]
At least it does not seem to have been as bad as I thought - not having accepted to begin with. I thought he would be more upset, or it would be awkward. [...] Has it been awkward?
[ Consideration is at least a good step in their opinion! Whatever comes of it. They'll frame it as a small, but pivotal win. ]
...I will not mince words. I believe it is highly likely he internalized a lot of his reaction after a certain point, including any obvious and subtle immense disappointment, such to the point that any awkwardness seemed relatively absent after the moment passed.
And that was from an outsider's perspective - it'd be easier to notice when it comes to those sort of matters.
[ ...Granted, Void Archives is kind of at times lacking in social graces, but to them it seemed that the moment of "awkward" passed swiftly after the downer vibes. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
[So he's just trying not to really consult those? Though:]
Though I am not sure I did so well on my own, either.
no subject
Ah, well...I wish you certainly had a far more better reference point. But, that being said, is it because of how matters progressed at the party at certain points?
I did get the sense that there was essentially trouble at times. And, well, I was rather concerned when you left abruptly, even when there seemed to be moments wherein your discussions were on the far more positive line of matters.
[ They didn't exactly snoop wholly on the entirety of said related conversation that they are thinking about - but it is hard to miss when the vibes went from a bit sad to more along the lines of positive by far?
...Though, they so happen to give pause at that, in consideration. ]
In all honesty, I feel that navigating such matters can be quite a difficulty in of itself. Especially when one has little experience in those at all. You're bound to have quite a bit of rough patches. But, it feels to me that already you have come quite far - and, even speaking generally, I never had the feeling you did not care for those you associated with. Which may seem quite basic, and yet, I do have to say it makes all the difference.
Many in relationships of differing kinds are not always able to properly convey that they care about each other. Or support one another.
[ They were there themselves. So, they do have an immense amount of faith in Turo...and honestly, he is one of their closer bonds for a reason even beyond being able to relate. They believe that counts for something, whereas the Professor likely lacked such aspects in caring. ]
no subject
[He does care about people. However it may have happened (and he has to imagine it was accidental), it's an ability he knows he possesses. He'd never want those people to think otherwise.]
I feel...bad that I rejected his advances. I did not even mean to do that, exactly, I just...well, I did not even realize he meant it at first. Surely he must realize he has better options?
no subject
Well, my dear friend, please realize this:
He confessed to you with all of his heart not because you were an option among many betters. But, because for him you are the best option.
Such an earnest poet is always so honest in his feelings and how he conveys himself. If he wanted someone else in all of his heart, all he needed to do is reach out with the sentiment. Yet, he reached out to you.
Make no mistake - it is you that has touched his heart, first and foremost. And, whatever he thinks or however he feels, he isn't the type of man to reach for others that you or anyone else may feel could be 'better options'.
[ They feel very strongly on this, particularly since this involves two people that they care about! Therefore even here they can convey the matter of such sentiment - they speak not these words harshly, though.
But merely earnestly, in hopes that Turo can at least understand. ]
You say you did not mean to do that, and I do believe so. Fortunately, I believe we both know he isn't the type to easily give up on others, yes? And I do have to say when a man like that feels strongly to confess those kinds of emotions, they don't just fade so swiftly.
...I don't believe it's too late, if you wish to correct course, so to speak.
no subject
[What they have right now is good. There's no possible way he'd be a good romantic partner. What if he ruins the entire thing?]
no subject
Such is the nature of these matters.
For now, what you two certainly have is quite precious. [ They brush a strand of their own hair back, pausing again, talking with that haughty, certain tone of theirs. ] Though I have learnt that there is value in managing to continue to cultivate different relationships in differing manners, wherever that so happens to take you.
[ They already conveyed they don't think he'd be terrible at it...he'd be quite the kind and considerate one. It's an admirable quality, though at the same time, they know his personality enough that he must ultimately come around to it on his own. It's one thing to not be certain if it's because the feelings from someone else are unknown, but it is another entirely to be uncertain on the basis of oneself. ]
no subject
[He does seem to have at least a little time for that.]
At least it does not seem to have been as bad as I thought - not having accepted to begin with. I thought he would be more upset, or it would be awkward. [...] Has it been awkward?
[He is maybe not always the best judge of this!]
no subject
[ Consideration is at least a good step in their opinion! Whatever comes of it. They'll frame it as a small, but pivotal win. ]
...I will not mince words. I believe it is highly likely he internalized a lot of his reaction after a certain point, including any obvious and subtle immense disappointment, such to the point that any awkwardness seemed relatively absent after the moment passed.
And that was from an outsider's perspective - it'd be easier to notice when it comes to those sort of matters.
[ ...Granted, Void Archives is kind of at times lacking in social graces, but to them it seemed that the moment of "awkward" passed swiftly after the downer vibes. ]
no subject
[Well. That's...disappointing, but also not incredibly surprising.]
I should think about it faster.
no subject
Navigating these sort of situations tended to be quite difficult. ]
...Yes, I do recommend that you do so.