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.
[ Lucifer who nearly died at the hand of the laser - ah, well. They do remember that; enough that they briefly look up at him to see how he looks. It's absentminded, but instant, before they let their gaze drop. ]
I never thought I would hear someone say such things.
Truth to be told, I wouldn't be surprised if someone said I deserved it.
[There are quite a few people he's soured on from being here, but he can't bring himself to hate any of them, not really. Especially since as a group they've been through so much.]
The thing with being the Devil that most don't understand in my world is that I have nothing to do with who is sent to Hell. It's entirely the individual's choice.
[ They briefly smile wryly at the initial response, saying nothing of it.
But, as Lucifer elaborates, they tilt their head just a bit. ]
The individual's choice? Because of the acts that they've committed?
Rather than I suppose you deciding to take them there for an arbitrary reason?
[ Since, well, going to hell seemed to be based around that, really. One's acts decide whether or not one is permissible into Heaven or Hell. Which does make sense as opposed to the man driving the initial direction there. ]
How dreadful indeed. Or perhaps, fortunate, for those who needed to be essentially locked away in a pit of suffering for eons.
[ Void Archives' expression goes unreadable. They're not exactly in a position to be thinking straight right about now...but, fortunately the other comment serves as adequate distraction. ]
Which is why you were so intent to leave it behind, yes? And become that consultant.
[ They seem to pause a little at this, hearing that. ]
Yes, it does certainly get quite a bit frustrating after all of that...hmmm?
[ They fall a bit silent, for a small while. But their mind is definitely still quite far away from that pondering too hard on that subject. Yet, contradictorily. those words that are grasped thinly have them wonder about something. ]
What do you hope to do against the one before us all, however? If you could do your worst. Humor me and do tell me.
I wouldn't know where to begin. With Eggman, when we believed he was human, it would have been the usual threat of eternal damnation. This world isn't so different from my own that it wouldn't be a fer on some level.
But I don't know if that person would fear such human concepts.
[ Something close to an amused glance since he refused to use the name (which, valid) And, they do so happen to listen closely, tilting his head as the man provides his reasoning. They...do understand that. With Eggman, he seemed like he may have much to lose from such an ending.
Briefly, they mull on when they hypothesized a silly theory that it was the Master Emerald controlling him, at some point. But, it seems he ceased to simply be—it is unlikely the machine would allow him to live, from their perspective. Though, who knows? ]
It is hard to know for certain. Though, beings such as he can very well do so, as even the inhuman can fear human concepts. But, we do know something certain about him, hm? He wishes to be ruler of all the worlds in a myriad universes. Ours and even beyond our own.
I suspect that one of his core fears would be ... "lack of control", as he seeks to be quite indomitable. But, do you believe the potential punishment you mentioned would have sufficed?
[ ...Well, Void Archives seems a little more certain, because if there is something they've learned, it is those like that would certainly be left at a loss if such goals remained not achieved at all.
Therefore... ]
Oh, don't fret too much.
Such a person can be made to have them, if one is not able to achieve that rule, no? The all-encompassing despair at such plans not bearing fruit when they are on the eve of success...the sheer agony of sorrow at the opportunity stolen on the precipice of victory...
[ Their expression grows pleased at the thought. ]
My brother had the terrible idea to bring a recently deceased man back to life, assuming the man would be able to persuade me to return to my duties in Hell. He was corrupt, so his soul went where it belonged. His regrets were entirely selfish in nature. Nothing to do with his family or unfinished business.
[ ...Absolutely incredible. They hadn't anticipated for him to recall an apt situation, but it suits their purposes perfectly, so who are they to complain? ]
There it is. A prime example, and one that you know of, no less!
...But, well, that certainly is a unique method to try to convince someone of something. I can't imagine how bringing back such an individual was supposed to make you decide to retake your duties.
Though, it is not just so-called geniuses or those like our enemy who can be quite short-sighted fools, hm?
It was a stupid decision on my brother's part. No sooner did he revive the man, did that man start murdering teenagers pretending to be bad, thinking I would approve of it.
[It still makes him angry. At least Malcolm is back to being dead.]
But I'll admit the situation isn't a perfect analogy. He was already in Hell. Our adversary might not even know it as a concept.
...Ah, quite the murderous imbecile, I see. Age does not always equate to intelligence, nor holding any common sense.
[ Void Archives sees no reason to mince words, as always. Idiocy really seems like a commonality - not just for this brother of Lucifer's, but this other man. And who would they be if they didn't call it out?
Though, speaking of intelligence or lack thereof... ]
Well, I'm certain that as an artificial being who has been programmed well enough that he understands the concept of ruling over others, and causing as much mayhem as he has that the concept is not quite beyond him. Perhaps not in a sense of knowing the little particulars, but...knowledge of it in its basic form would be enough, yes?
[It comes down to whether or not this "Neo Metal Sonic" possesses a soul. He's seen enough here to believe the machine lifeforms among the group certainly have them.]
I suppose there's only one way to find out, isn't there?
[ ...They let out a chuckle at that, before moving to rise to their feet. They still don't quite feel like themselves; it might not be like that for awhile.
But, Void Archives knows that despite everything, they don't want to lie down and accept what has happened to them. The complexities surrounding the situation do not disperse; much the same as the simplicity of needing to give their enemy hell, so to speak. ]
...Yes, you certainly are right, Lucifer.
[ But, they don't leave it at that. Their grin turns bright and sharp, promising nothing except pain for their mutual enemy. ]
So, let us ensure we tear him down and leave him in such a state of complete and utter defeat that he will know nothing else but suffering, hm~?
[ No ifs, simply they'll do whatever they can in that 'finding out' - except Neo Metal Sonic will be the one in the finding out stage. ]
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no subject
I never thought I would hear someone say such things.
Truth to be told, I wouldn't be surprised if someone said I deserved it.
no subject
[There are quite a few people he's soured on from being here, but he can't bring himself to hate any of them, not really. Especially since as a group they've been through so much.]
The thing with being the Devil that most don't understand in my world is that I have nothing to do with who is sent to Hell. It's entirely the individual's choice.
no subject
But, as Lucifer elaborates, they tilt their head just a bit. ]
The individual's choice? Because of the acts that they've committed?
Rather than I suppose you deciding to take them there for an arbitrary reason?
[ Since, well, going to hell seemed to be based around that, really. One's acts decide whether or not one is permissible into Heaven or Hell. Which does make sense as opposed to the man driving the initial direction there. ]
no subject
[Nevertheless, he nods at the second question.]
I never wanted to rule Hell, truthfully. It was a job forced on me.
no subject
How dreadful indeed. Or perhaps, fortunate, for those who needed to be essentially locked away in a pit of suffering for eons.
[ Void Archives' expression goes unreadable. They're not exactly in a position to be thinking straight right about now...but, fortunately the other comment serves as adequate distraction. ]
Which is why you were so intent to leave it behind, yes? And become that consultant.
no subject
[Though he hasn't changed that much, even if he can't really see it that way. He became a consultant to punish evil while people were still alive.]
I grew bored of it, of being humanity's villain. So I left.
no subject
[ They seem to pause a little at this, hearing that. ]
Yes, it does certainly get quite a bit frustrating after all of that...hmmm?
[ They fall a bit silent, for a small while. But their mind is definitely still quite far away from that pondering too hard on that subject. Yet, contradictorily. those words that are grasped thinly have them wonder about something. ]
What do you hope to do against the one before us all, however? If you could do your worst. Humor me and do tell me.
no subject
[He refuses to say the name "Neo Metal Sonic".]
I wouldn't know where to begin. With Eggman, when we believed he was human, it would have been the usual threat of eternal damnation. This world isn't so different from my own that it wouldn't be a fer on some level.
But I don't know if that person would fear such human concepts.
no subject
[ Something close to an amused glance since he refused to use the name (which, valid) And, they do so happen to listen closely, tilting his head as the man provides his reasoning. They...do understand that. With Eggman, he seemed like he may have much to lose from such an ending.
Briefly, they mull on when they hypothesized a silly theory that it was the Master Emerald controlling him, at some point. But, it seems he ceased to simply be—it is unlikely the machine would allow him to live, from their perspective. Though, who knows? ]
It is hard to know for certain. Though, beings such as he can very well do so, as even the inhuman can fear human concepts. But, we do know something certain about him, hm? He wishes to be ruler of all the worlds in a myriad universes. Ours and even beyond our own.
I suspect that one of his core fears would be ... "lack of control", as he seeks to be quite indomitable. But, do you believe the potential punishment you mentioned would have sufficed?
no subject
[It frustrates him, not knowing. He wouldn't know with aliens, either.]
Does someone who wants to rule over the multiverse have regrets?
no subject
Therefore... ]
Oh, don't fret too much.
Such a person can be made to have them, if one is not able to achieve that rule, no? The all-encompassing despair at such plans not bearing fruit when they are on the eve of success...the sheer agony of sorrow at the opportunity stolen on the precipice of victory...
[ Their expression grows pleased at the thought. ]
no subject
[He frowns thoughtfully.]
My brother had the terrible idea to bring a recently deceased man back to life, assuming the man would be able to persuade me to return to my duties in Hell. He was corrupt, so his soul went where it belonged. His regrets were entirely selfish in nature. Nothing to do with his family or unfinished business.
no subject
There it is. A prime example, and one that you know of, no less!
...But, well, that certainly is a unique method to try to convince someone of something. I can't imagine how bringing back such an individual was supposed to make you decide to retake your duties.
Though, it is not just so-called geniuses or those like our enemy who can be quite short-sighted fools, hm?
no subject
[It still makes him angry. At least Malcolm is back to being dead.]
But I'll admit the situation isn't a perfect analogy. He was already in Hell. Our adversary might not even know it as a concept.
no subject
[ Void Archives sees no reason to mince words, as always. Idiocy really seems like a commonality - not just for this brother of Lucifer's, but this other man. And who would they be if they didn't call it out?
Though, speaking of intelligence or lack thereof... ]
Well, I'm certain that as an artificial being who has been programmed well enough that he understands the concept of ruling over others, and causing as much mayhem as he has that the concept is not quite beyond him. Perhaps not in a sense of knowing the little particulars, but...knowledge of it in its basic form would be enough, yes?
no subject
[It comes down to whether or not this "Neo Metal Sonic" possesses a soul. He's seen enough here to believe the machine lifeforms among the group certainly have them.]
I suppose there's only one way to find out, isn't there?
[They fight back, and see what happens.]
no subject
But, Void Archives knows that despite everything, they don't want to lie down and accept what has happened to them. The complexities surrounding the situation do not disperse; much the same as the simplicity of needing to give their enemy hell, so to speak. ]
...Yes, you certainly are right, Lucifer.
[ But, they don't leave it at that. Their grin turns bright and sharp, promising nothing except pain for their mutual enemy. ]
So, let us ensure we tear him down and leave him in such a state of complete and utter defeat that he will know nothing else but suffering, hm~?
[ No ifs, simply they'll do whatever they can in that 'finding out' - except Neo Metal Sonic will be the one in the finding out stage. ]