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.
The diamonds, too. I doubt he can do it to all seven colors at once, or he would have, but at least two at a time are possible.
[He's likely to try it again, useful as it was.
To the question, Turo nods.]
It has. It would again, if I went back to my world. That's why I was trying to leave it to begin with. I suppose it is possible that the same program would be what activated if he did that to me now.
Small mercies that he is unable to activate seven at once, or we would certainly be in trouble.
Even moreso that it is something that it can be interrupted in the first place. It would be nice if it could be...halted, completely, before he employs it again. But, I suppose that is far too idealistic.
[ Void Archives gives a pause at that as Turo says so - they understand why he could not return to his world, and honestly are glad that he's aiming to not return to it, considering. ]
...Yes, I suppose it would be - particularly if it is something that allows someone full control over your autonomy. Though, I would rather not have you experience it once more...I know that the possibility is highly likely.
[ They take pause in this for a moment. Will it remain that way the next time?
...
Considering everything, it's possible. Still, they do take another moment, looking down at their own hands in their lap. ]
Whatever the case, there is no need to apologize. You clearly hardly faulted myself for what happened today [ Another moment of consideration. ]> and if it does happen in your case, do be aware I should not fault you for the same.
Grateful, hmm? If it should come to that...I will indeed place responsibility upon myself to halt you, and bring you back to your senses.
[ They wonder about the expression of gratitude - they meant what they said. That they hadn't wanted the same to be visited upon him, like it had them. They hadn't taken this well - still haven't. They feel he too would struggle with the aftermath...
Yet, even so, as they're sitting here, they can't quite ignore the fact that they haven't been made left alone to stew in all of it. Even with their haphazard feelings on the matter, almost as if the clock has been turned back, but...they are not surrounded by enemies here. ]
...Speaking of which, if not for you, I would have continued to pursue my course of action in being made to do something I couldn't take back.
Though we have healers who can always remedy what has been done, and perhaps there may be understanding, an act committed can never be so easily erased.
[ They feel as if they are being pulled in a myriad directions - to the point where nothing they say seems anywhere near the usual. This outwardly potential placid appearance feels temporary; after all, it's like they've been knocked down rather hard.
Yet, what makes it worse is that...they are so close to the final confrontation. They have to gather themselves up quickly; they did it before in the nightmares, even when they felt at their breaking point. Surely they can do it again? They nod a bit to what Turo says here, because they do agree - it's one thing to have a hand in something...to be yourself when doing something.
But, it's another to not be in control. To lose the freedom to think as their own person. Yet, maybe that's the problem all along - thinking that they could escape such a fate. That they were anything other than... ]
...I do wonder if it was naive of myself to believe that I was past such a concern.
[ They laugh to themselves a little at the thought, raising a hand to their head, expression shrouded. ]
At the very least, I shall not give everyone else too much cause for concern. I don't plan to suddenly find myself useless because of this...because of what happened.
[Turo shifts hesitantly, then reaches out (equally hesitantly) to put a hand on their shoulder.]
I'm sure everyone would understand if you needed some time. I have been useless over what happened before this for several weeks of our time here, and people have been very nice about it overall.
[ They close their eyes for a moment when he does, actually grateful for the gesture; it's grounding and they do feel some tension leave, even if it remains in their thoughts. Yet, it's a distraction all on its own as well. ]
I do wonder if you are being quite harsh on yourself. [ They don't want to ever call him useless for so long, if at all. ] But...
...It is ironic. I believe I remember saying something like that before. That the people here have soft or considerate hearts, and the like - as a reassurance, though it was one based in truth, rather to convey empty sentiment. As you are saying with no less importance to myself now.
And yet, when it feels like I should understand that, it feels distant when it is myself who enters the equation - at this current time, anyway. It's a little infuriating, quite maddening - to question everything so much.
I think that makes sense. It is far more difficult to lean on such kindness than it is to offer it to another.
[He feels like he's sort of experiencing the truth of this right now. If he were in Void Archives's place, he doesn't imagine he'd be handling anywhere near so well. But on the other side, trying to help them just feels natural.]
...I have always admired the extent to which you have overcome your circumstances, and made a...person, of yourself. And he took it away as quickly as that. Someone like him, too...it feels as though we should at least not do that to one another.
[Void Archives is...sort of not a robot by traditional means, he thinks. They're something far vaster. Still, the creations of humanity here - who could possibly understand what that's like except each other?]
Ah...the troublesome nature of emotions. It's an unenviable position to be in - though, I suppose I do now realize the potential upsides of allowing such things to be shown so freely to others. Even more than before.
[ Void Archives is...certainly handling it! In various respects; it does help that more than people approached them in the aftermath of this.
Honestly, if not for that, if not for people supporting them right now? There wouldn't have been anything to stop them from breaking down before the new week. As Turo dares to bring up this integral aspect, though? ]
...Have you? Truthfully, it means quite a bit coming from you - as I found myself relating quite closely to you more than I initially imagined that I would. We had various aspects in common, and I enjoyed spending time with you as well - of course, it shouldn't be a surprise too when I did my best to try to help you too, hm? I didn't want you to be in a horrid situation.
That said, I had wondered, in that instant, after working so hard to even consider that I could call myself something like that, that if it could be taken away so easily...was I wrong? That I was always meant to be nothing more than my original purpose? If, another being similar to 'us' could so easily use me, then is it not evident that I would never be able to reach any form of true personhood?
[ Their voice has a little bit of a tremor in it, caught between something unstable, and sorrowful, at the same time. They may not be a 'robot' indeed, but they counted themselves among the artificial lifeforms with ease; and so even if their existence was quite beyond a certain scope, at times they hardly saw much of a gap at all. ]
[That's exactly how Turo has always thought of it. If he can be forced to do whatever the Professor wanted, even after the man is dead and gone, how can he really claim to be anything more than the man's tool? But as strongly as he's believed it's true for himself, he doesn't like to hear it from Void Archives. They aren't supposed to question themself like this.
It occurs to him for the first time that maybe he's not as well-suited to approach them after such an incident as he thought. Aren't these the exact questions he has never quite overcome? He's never been able to mount much of a defense before. But, Void Archives has done so for him, so he'll try his best to do so in turn.]
Maybe...maybe that's not quite true. It happened to the others just the same, after all. Maybe we are...a little bit easier to override... [It's true, and hard to ignore.] ...but that does not mean we are not people at all.
[They're just...people with extremely large buttons that stop them from being people sometimes? No, he's losing the plot a little.]
[ There's a long moment of silence on Void Archives' part. Then, a crooked, sharp smile makes its way across their face as they chuckle darkly. ]
A little easier to override, hm?
[ Void Archives' little, considering but uneven smile remains. Yes, that is certainly true, isn't it? It hurts their pride to admit to that; to concede to such a thing, but what happened makes it all the more apparent. They seem to consider the other words Turo has said, though, even after the small question leaves them so. ]
Interesting to consider. You are correct that it did happen to the others, and they weren't like us. Not really.
Perhaps, in that sense, it doesn't exactly mean we are so far removed from the others that we are nowhere near being considered something close to a "person". I have no idea what that means for us. After all, I had struggled with such a concept even now...there is no reason to act like I suddenly attained such thoughts with ease.
Yet...it is a step somewhere, hm?
[ They are grasping a hold of it tentatively. Is it because there is logic in this? Or because they are desperate to hold onto something when everything feels like it unraveled? Or because Turo himself can even argue such words...? ]
[ Honestly, they didn't immediately start to even make strides towards it until literally the week before this very battle. If it took them this long...a being who has existed for 50,000 years...
Sill, they don't respond to that at first, letting a silence come over them as they battle their own thoughts. Maybe, it isn't quite as simple as numbers because they lived so long in isolation and spent only a couple free of that so far. In essence...the gap continues to be quite small as a whole - or maybe, they are simply being delusional in imagining it. ]
Do I? You may not know entirely what it means, in one sense. What form those steps are taking. But, I can tell you have started to grasp it. I have watched you well, and it feels you have made strides towards it.
And...I don't believe it is quite fair to yourself to deny that. Not completely.
[ They look at him a bit more, at Turo. They're still picking up the pieces, but in this conversation they realize that the man looked up to them so much. Somehow, it makes them feel less on shaky ground, even if the pain of that indignity remains. Even if it has shaken something so profoundly from their mind. ]
Just as you believe in myself right now, do know that I do believe in you.
[ Void Archives lets out a chuckle, saying this... ]
Hm, that said...I suppose that you are correct that I am lively. To the point where I'd even seem or appear more alive than most individuals. It is one of my best qualities. [ An echo of their usual confidence trickling in. ] Perhaps I should try to grasp the notion of those affirmations of yours quite a bit harder - the last that you are trying to convey to me. After all, you haven't lost the faith despite this display you saw before you.
Do take to heart that your words are appreciated quite a bit, Turo.
[That's all he wanted, really. That's what he was made to do. Turo isn't so sure that he's made any particular strides in any direction, but it is at least nice of them to say so.]
[ Void Archives does notice he has said nothing on their other words, but the man does seem pleased that he has lent a hand. ]
Not many will necessarily manage as much, so do continue to at least be proud of that.
Among other things, of course.
[ They flash a little knowing smirk, to indicate that their own words were true, though also as further hint that more of that usual part of them has seemingly returned to the surface, but will seem to leave it at that. This is ultimately a moment for them to have obtained some sense of recovery in the midst of what happened - one of which Turo has leant an undeniably pivotal hand in that, which he has taken to heart.
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no subject
[He's likely to try it again, useful as it was.
To the question, Turo nods.]
It has. It would again, if I went back to my world. That's why I was trying to leave it to begin with. I suppose it is possible that the same program would be what activated if he did that to me now.
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Even moreso that it is something that it can be interrupted in the first place. It would be nice if it could be...halted, completely, before he employs it again. But, I suppose that is far too idealistic.
[ Void Archives gives a pause at that as Turo says so - they understand why he could not return to his world, and honestly are glad that he's aiming to not return to it, considering. ]
...Yes, I suppose it would be - particularly if it is something that allows someone full control over your autonomy. Though, I would rather not have you experience it once more...I know that the possibility is highly likely.
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I know. I am sorry, if it does, but at least it does seem fairly easy to disrupt.
[He's actually fairly comforted by the fact that everyone else here could definitely take him down, even if the Protocol did activate again.]
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[ They take pause in this for a moment. Will it remain that way the next time?
...
Considering everything, it's possible. Still, they do take another moment, looking down at their own hands in their lap. ]
Whatever the case, there is no need to apologize. You clearly hardly faulted myself for what happened today [ Another moment of consideration. ]> and if it does happen in your case, do be aware I should not fault you for the same.
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Of course. And I would be grateful if you ended up stopping me.
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[ They wonder about the expression of gratitude - they meant what they said. That they hadn't wanted the same to be visited upon him, like it had them. They hadn't taken this well - still haven't. They feel he too would struggle with the aftermath...
Yet, even so, as they're sitting here, they can't quite ignore the fact that they haven't been made left alone to stew in all of it. Even with their haphazard feelings on the matter, almost as if the clock has been turned back, but...they are not surrounded by enemies here. ]
...Speaking of which, if not for you, I would have continued to pursue my course of action in being made to do something I couldn't take back.
Though we have healers who can always remedy what has been done, and perhaps there may be understanding, an act committed can never be so easily erased.
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...even having attempted it can be...difficult.
[Are they okay, really? He wasn't, when he tried to kill someone due to his programming.]
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Yet, what makes it worse is that...they are so close to the final confrontation. They have to gather themselves up quickly; they did it before in the nightmares, even when they felt at their breaking point. Surely they can do it again? They nod a bit to what Turo says here, because they do agree - it's one thing to have a hand in something...to be yourself when doing something.
But, it's another to not be in control. To lose the freedom to think as their own person. Yet, maybe that's the problem all along - thinking that they could escape such a fate. That they were anything other than... ]
...I do wonder if it was naive of myself to believe that I was past such a concern.
[ They laugh to themselves a little at the thought, raising a hand to their head, expression shrouded. ]
At the very least, I shall not give everyone else too much cause for concern. I don't plan to suddenly find myself useless because of this...because of what happened.
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I'm sure everyone would understand if you needed some time. I have been useless over what happened before this for several weeks of our time here, and people have been very nice about it overall.
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I do wonder if you are being quite harsh on yourself. [ They don't want to ever call him useless for so long, if at all. ] But...
...It is ironic. I believe I remember saying something like that before. That the people here have soft or considerate hearts, and the like - as a reassurance, though it was one based in truth, rather to convey empty sentiment. As you are saying with no less importance to myself now.
And yet, when it feels like I should understand that, it feels distant when it is myself who enters the equation - at this current time, anyway. It's a little infuriating, quite maddening - to question everything so much.
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[He feels like he's sort of experiencing the truth of this right now. If he were in Void Archives's place, he doesn't imagine he'd be handling anywhere near so well. But on the other side, trying to help them just feels natural.]
...I have always admired the extent to which you have overcome your circumstances, and made a...person, of yourself. And he took it away as quickly as that. Someone like him, too...it feels as though we should at least not do that to one another.
[Void Archives is...sort of not a robot by traditional means, he thinks. They're something far vaster. Still, the creations of humanity here - who could possibly understand what that's like except each other?]
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[ Void Archives is...certainly handling it! In various respects; it does help that more than people approached them in the aftermath of this.
Honestly, if not for that, if not for people supporting them right now? There wouldn't have been anything to stop them from breaking down before the new week. As Turo dares to bring up this integral aspect, though? ]
...Have you? Truthfully, it means quite a bit coming from you - as I found myself relating quite closely to you more than I initially imagined that I would. We had various aspects in common, and I enjoyed spending time with you as well - of course, it shouldn't be a surprise too when I did my best to try to help you too, hm? I didn't want you to be in a horrid situation.
That said, I had wondered, in that instant, after working so hard to even consider that I could call myself something like that, that if it could be taken away so easily...was I wrong? That I was always meant to be nothing more than my original purpose? If, another being similar to 'us' could so easily use me, then is it not evident that I would never be able to reach any form of true personhood?
[ Their voice has a little bit of a tremor in it, caught between something unstable, and sorrowful, at the same time. They may not be a 'robot' indeed, but they counted themselves among the artificial lifeforms with ease; and so even if their existence was quite beyond a certain scope, at times they hardly saw much of a gap at all. ]
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It occurs to him for the first time that maybe he's not as well-suited to approach them after such an incident as he thought. Aren't these the exact questions he has never quite overcome? He's never been able to mount much of a defense before. But, Void Archives has done so for him, so he'll try his best to do so in turn.]
Maybe...maybe that's not quite true. It happened to the others just the same, after all. Maybe we are...a little bit easier to override... [It's true, and hard to ignore.] ...but that does not mean we are not people at all.
[They're just...people with extremely large buttons that stop them from being people sometimes? No, he's losing the plot a little.]
no subject
A little easier to override, hm?
[ Void Archives' little, considering but uneven smile remains. Yes, that is certainly true, isn't it? It hurts their pride to admit to that; to concede to such a thing, but what happened makes it all the more apparent. They seem to consider the other words Turo has said, though, even after the small question leaves them so. ]
Interesting to consider. You are correct that it did happen to the others, and they weren't like us. Not really.
Perhaps, in that sense, it doesn't exactly mean we are so far removed from the others that we are nowhere near being considered something close to a "person". I have no idea what that means for us. After all, I had struggled with such a concept even now...there is no reason to act like I suddenly attained such thoughts with ease.
Yet...it is a step somewhere, hm?
[ They are grasping a hold of it tentatively. Is it because there is logic in this? Or because they are desperate to hold onto something when everything feels like it unraveled? Or because Turo himself can even argue such words...? ]
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I...well, I don't know what it means either. You know that.
[More is the only person who might know his struggles better than them.]
But you have always seemed so much more alive than I am. I cannot imagine that you are not a person, whatever it means.
no subject
Sill, they don't respond to that at first, letting a silence come over them as they battle their own thoughts. Maybe, it isn't quite as simple as numbers because they lived so long in isolation and spent only a couple free of that so far. In essence...the gap continues to be quite small as a whole - or maybe, they are simply being delusional in imagining it. ]
Do I? You may not know entirely what it means, in one sense. What form those steps are taking. But, I can tell you have started to grasp it. I have watched you well, and it feels you have made strides towards it.
And...I don't believe it is quite fair to yourself to deny that. Not completely.
[ They look at him a bit more, at Turo. They're still picking up the pieces, but in this conversation they realize that the man looked up to them so much. Somehow, it makes them feel less on shaky ground, even if the pain of that indignity remains. Even if it has shaken something so profoundly from their mind. ]
Just as you believe in myself right now, do know that I do believe in you.
[ Void Archives lets out a chuckle, saying this... ]
Hm, that said...I suppose that you are correct that I am lively. To the point where I'd even seem or appear more alive than most individuals. It is one of my best qualities. [ An echo of their usual confidence trickling in. ] Perhaps I should try to grasp the notion of those affirmations of yours quite a bit harder - the last that you are trying to convey to me. After all, you haven't lost the faith despite this display you saw before you.
Do take to heart that your words are appreciated quite a bit, Turo.
no subject
[That's all he wanted, really. That's what he was made to do. Turo isn't so sure that he's made any particular strides in any direction, but it is at least nice of them to say so.]
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Not many will necessarily manage as much, so do continue to at least be proud of that.
Among other things, of course.
[ They flash a little knowing smirk, to indicate that their own words were true, though also as further hint that more of that usual part of them has seemingly returned to the surface, but will seem to leave it at that. This is ultimately a moment for them to have obtained some sense of recovery in the midst of what happened - one of which Turo has leant an undeniably pivotal hand in that, which he has taken to heart.
So, naturally, they'll take that as a victory. ]
no subject
[Turo smiles. He...actually is proud of that much!]