what goes up must come down

[shardmods]

The ring deposits you all safely outside the base and seals up afterwards. Neo Metal Sonic doesn't chase after you, which is something of a mercy.

What's significantly less of a mercy is the sky - it's gone dark and ominously stormy, though the clouds spark not with lightning, but with that same green Chaos Energy you've been facing this entire fight. Worse still, there are now far, far too many robotic planes filling the sky - the Egg Fleet seems to go on endlessly, as far as you can see. Though perhaps it would be more accurate to call it the Neo Metal Sonic Fleet.

Sonic and friends arrive shortly, looking pretty banged up but otherwise still healthy enough to make it here, though they stare up at the sky with obvious concern.

"O...kay, this is definitely not what any of us were expecting."

"We will have to take the fight to them, it seems."

"Easier said than done, I'm afraid... I'm not sure how to pinpoint their leader's exact location to send you all with a ring..."

A jolt of green lightning flashes across the sky and Neo Metal Sonic's voice rings out.

"I expect to see you onboard my fleet in one week's time. That includes you, my loathsome copy."

It seems you don't really have much of a choice. For now, tend to your wounds and try to regroup; you've earned a break after today.

NAVIGATION

Comments

[hexalding]

Would you believe me if I said I have had worse?

[The fact that he's being sarcastic (...and honest) was probably a good sign.]

Did I hurt you?

[crosswired]

Pff... that is not what I asked, Viktor, please.

[A gentle chiding, but he drops it with an exhausted look of relief.

At the question, Vakama glances towards the violet-tinged burn damages still present in patches around his abdomen, far more closed up than before.]

...Nothing that cannot be fixed. Dorothy and Wolfwood's healing was well timed.

I should be asking you the same. I... have not heard you curse like that in the entire time we've been here.

[hexalding]

You did the right thing. [His voice was beginning to steady itself out, the whir of fans evident in how Viktor was catching his breath.]

Even in this body, my right leg is still a weak point. A little unfair, honestly.

[crosswired]

It felt cruel to try it as such, but...

[He keeps a hand to Viktor's shoulder, the other held out carefully should Viktor want to try and sit himself up.]

I knew you would not want someone hesitating if that nightmare had repeated for you. Besides... I have told you many times before that I would not leave you behind.

It was about time I showed that I truly meant it, yes?

[hexalding]

[His hand twitched as it worked through some kind of malfunction, reaching back for Vakama's as Viktor pulled himself halfway up with a wince and arcane blue sparks.]

No--it is alright. I am grateful, despite my, er...reaction. Better to render me unable to move than the alternative.

[crosswired]

It's true. I'd rather not be on the wrong end of your laser again if I can help it.

[There's a tired attempt at a joke there, though he doesn't really commit. His head still aches and they're all very worn.]

Do you need help making it back inside? Or would you rather stay out here for a little longer?

[hexalding]

I doubt I will be able to walk for a day or two. Not well, at least. If you're in any condition to help, I would not mind it.

[crosswired]

[He nods without hesitation, adjusting his position next to Viktor to scoop an arm behind his back.]

Of course.

Here. Hold still, I've got you.

[Bridal carry? It's more likely than you think. He's cautious about it, and makes sure that they're both steady as he rises to his feet.

Once Viktor's securely in his hands, he gives a nod of his head to let that cane drift up through telekinesis as well.]

I can come back for the machinery once we have you settled. All right?

[hexalding]

Wh-- [Obviously not expecting that, he was too startled to come up with any argument. He'd asked, after all.]

...fine. Gods, poor Blitzcrank is probably in pieces all over the place. I'll have to rebuild him later.

[crosswired]

[He chuckles a little at how huffy Viktor sounds, but just gets them moving rather than commenting further. He is seven feet tall and a lot stronger than he looks, sir, you will not win this non-existent argument anyway.]

Blitzcrank... That would be the robot you'd brought with you, I take it?

[Obedient, functional, offensive capabilities... really, he's surprised Viktor got the programming reworks figured out so quickly.]

We'll see what salvage made it out of the fight. I'm... constantly impressed at how fast you work with our limited resources. Ah, hold on a moment -- [Gently shouldering the base door open and ducking his way through, being tall sure is a pain.] --Was that your first test run of him back there?

[hexalding]

[he already hates needing help, this is not making that any easier! at least he's just sulking instead of getting pissed off about it this time.]

Working with scrap metal was how I learned to build machinery in the first place. Utilizing pieces of broken robots makes everything vastly easier for me, eespecially since I was able to retrieve my preferred tools from the laboratory. As for the design itself, it was a scaled down version of a machne I was never quite able to properly build back home.

...As usual, I did not have much time for actual testing. But this was good enough for conclusive results.

[crosswired]

So an adaptation just modified for the technology you had at hand here. I would not call that any less impressive, you know. If you've confirmed enough with a single fight, that just means a rebuild has plenty of room for improvement. A pain, perhaps, but it can still be fixed with some luck.

[And if one had to choose between losing the project and losing Viktor, then, you know, who cares about the robot. He's glad it had a chance to serve a purpose for the sake of the fight and Viktor's testing.]

But that can be dealt with after you have had some time to rest.

...Remind me, which was your room? Everyone keeps moving around so much since we returned, I am starting to lose track... I do not even really know where Dorothy is staying these days.

[hexalding]

Eh, you may be right. So long as we are actually given the week to prepare, I should be able to rebuild it with no issue. We have more than enough spare parts, after all.

Oh, right--two more doors down and on the left.

[crosswired]

[Down we go! How's the room looking - is it obvious which bed is Viktor's, or will he have to ask?]

[hexalding]

[one of two hasn't been slept in and is half covered in spare parts.]


[safe bet, yeah?]

[crosswired]

[Yep, safe bet!

He sighs, keeping Viktor in his arms for a moment as he starts maneuvering his cane to the side of the bed, the parts to the far end or off the bed entirely, all with the efforts of his thoughts. It comes with an ease that he couldn't have imagined trying when they first arrived here, and without the incredible headache besides.]

If we stay here any longer, we really need to get you some better space for your work, Viktor. [Once he has enough space to work with, he'll guide Viktor to brace against him as Vakama lowers him down out of his arms and onto the bed.]

[hexalding]

I know, I know--ow- [Wincing with a metallic hitching sound, Viktor let out a slow breath and pressed a hand to his head.]

Thank you. Truly, I-...am sorry to have caused you trouble.

[crosswired]

[He shakes his head, pulling over one of the desk chairs with his powers and dropping himself down into it a little heavier than normal.]

You know I do not think of you as a burden, Viktor. There is nothing to apologize for.

And if you mean what happened during the fight... [He trails off for a moment, eyes flicking to the floor, before he shakes his head a second time.] I am in no position to argue.

I did not want to see you repeat something that would weight on your heart. Whatever I had to take to make sure that happened... it is worth it, in my eyes, if it made sure you stayed free.

[hexalding]

I...suppose I meant both, honestly. That was-...

[He trailed off uneasily, pressing a hand to his eyes as if warding off a headache.]

...unpleasant.

[crosswired]

[He nods carefully, brow furrowing at the gesture of tension.]

...If you would like to speak of it, I am here to listen.

[hexalding]

[Viktor shook his head, whirring in an exhausted sigh.]

I will not claim myself any better. I have spoken through those I linked to my own mind and even fought with their bodies as the conduit for my voice and will. In that sense, perhaps this is only fair retribution in a larger sense.

I have no right to confess myself to have been frightened. But I can say, whether cruelty or mercy, they no longer had that capacity when I did it.

[crosswired]

Do not give that Neo creation so much credit. [Is he gonna be spiteful for a second? Absolutely.]

He echoes your mistakes but is willingly beyond reversal of them, whatever the reason may be. It was no retribution, it was an attempt to toy with us. To make us feel powerless.

You are allowed to feel fear, Viktor. It does not have to be seperate from what parallels are drawn. Perhaps... it may even be for the better, to know it as such.

[hexalding]

Whether he is beyond reason or not...it is not possible to know that with certainty, not yet. Even if it seems a certainty, that is not an assumption I wish to make right now.

[Maybe that was selfish, projecting, or both. Wishful thinking, at the very least.]

But you may be right. These troubling emotions are...significant.

[crosswired]

[They are definitely significant. But, you know, one thing at a time.]

...Do you wish to break through to him, like someone had managed with you? That the conflict might be resolved without further loss?

[hexalding]

I do not expect as much to be possible. I do not know him, and I do not even know the purpose behind his actions--whether it is seeking perfection or a desire for control.

But...I have to try. I just-...I have to.