Your defeat of "Eggman" has come at a high cost, namely the Egg Fleet in the skies and the looming threat of Neo Metal Sonic. He gave you a week to prepare; best use it wisely.
THE CITY
The massive robot on the horizon is no more - it looks like Neo Metal Sonic truly did rip the whole thing up. If you head back out there, you'll find that there are still pieces of it, and plenty of scrap left behind, but not nearly as much as one would expect.
More pressingly, there are far more robots present than even before. While you recognize all of them at this point, they're all patrolling in larger groups and will once again drop everything to attack you. Definitely don't head into the city alone for any reason, and always be prepared for an ambush. These robots are absolutely determined to kill you.
It seems that the white chroma that has spread throughout the city has reached a standstill - there isn't any more of is present than there was last week, but it hasn't receded any either. Strangely enough, it seems like the animals in the city are feeling more lively than before, though not quite back to their usual levels of being.
THE BASE
The new base is coming along nicely, and should be more or less furnished as needed by now. Still, with more and more robots coming around, you may find groups of them straying toward the base. You can't let them find it and report back to Neo Metal Sonic, so please take care of them! This is also the perfect time to practice with your shardbond powers...
You may also want to start thinking of the future as well. While it certainly isn't a sure thing, Sonic and friends have made it clear that this should be the final battle, that taking out Neo Metal Sonic should be the end of it and that you all will get to go home soon. Or if not home, then to wherever - and whenever - you'd like! Your future is up to you, though you're certainly welcome to stay here in Chicago, if you have nowhere else you want to go. May as well start thinking about what you'd like to bring back with you, or where you'd like to go.
But maybe don't get too caught up on that, as you still do have a battle to win, after all.
SHARDS
Your shard powers are fully unlocked, and with them comes a mastery of your shardbond powers as well. You really have reached the end with what you can do with these bonds - so now it's time to put them to the test.
Knuckles wants you all to practice forming even larger shardbonds and maintaining them for as long as possible - ideally you'll be able to work up to a seven person bond, as that should grant you the full extent of your power. No one knows what exactly will happen when you can achieve that... So you'd better get to work, as it may be very helpful for the final fight.
Those of you with the same color shards have mostly been able to bolster each others' powers rather than actively forming a bond, but now that you're at the very end, that's changed - shards of the same color can now activate each others' powers as well as their own! So for example, Yeager can shoot water like Dorothy, or Dorothy can draw aggro and take reduced damage like Yeager. You can utilize the others' powers alongside your own just as long as the other shard is in the same vicinity!
TAILS' TASKS
As always, rings are incredibly important, and you should collect them, especially if you'd like to bring some home with you so you can travel back to Chicago at any point, or jump to your friends' worlds. Go forth and find those obnoxiously-placed rings!
There's also Knuckles' daily lessons on shardbonds; he'll be overseeing you all while you practice to make sure that everything's going well, though you don't really need his help at this point. Activating a bond with six other shards is the goal, but every single extra shard you can add to the mix is important.
Finally, Tails is working on a teleporter that will jump you guys right up onto the ships above... but he's still fine-tuning it. Turns out that finding the right ship is a bit easier said than done. If you want to help, you can take the jump to test it! You'll be given a ring so you can get back immediately - but if you get the wrong ship, you can stay to clear out the robots. Doing so will net you experience with your shards and bonds, as well as at minimum ten rings. So really, it's a win/win unless you hate fighting.
ENEMIES
The enemies you face this week are the same as the ones you've faced in previous weeks. There are no new robots to fight, though you'll start finding knock-offs of Mecha Sonic, Robo Knuckles, and Tails Doll hanging around in the city as well. Which yes, means you can (and will) get many more rocks at you. Have fun!
[ imagine after two months around one another that there was still more that they had to confess to wolfwood. imagine. also, imagine the number of weeks he could have been doing this before today if only he hadn't had busted up his arm (and then refused to get it healed) for so many weeks. ]
Sure am.
[ wolfwood answers simply—honestly. whatever they do with that information will matter little to wolfwood as he continues to carefully peel away and chip at the wood as he shapes it into another animal. it's a bit unclear as to what it could be at the moment since its a fresh piece of wood with barely many grooves etched into it. ]
I don't know what everyone else's plans are but ya know mine.
[ there's a person to get back to. a promise to fulfill. ]
[ They will probably confess something to Wolfwood in normal conversation as they usually do; these things tend to happen organically, as it were. Or maybe they won't; whatever happens is up in the hands of God, so to speak.
They suppose him answering honestly is because it's quite obvious three of those look like each of those Sonic children. ]
Yes, I do. Unless you feel like suddenly changing your mind for whatever reason.
...That said, I truly can't believe it's actually all coming to an end. It feels as if we have interacted with one another for at least longer than what has been true.
[ They have mixed feelings on that as well as worries. But, for the moment merely they will pause as they look from him to back at the assortment of wood that Wolfwood's got, then back at whatever animal he's making. ]
When did you pick up wood-carving, anyway? I don't recall having seen you done that at all while we have been here.
Ask yerself, how likely do ya think that it would be that I change my mind? [ it's a rhetorical question that wolfwood hopes that they don't take the time to answer. they should know when wolfwood digs his heels into something then he's pretty much stubbornly there. not to mention: ] With everythin' that I need to say and do, I can't leave him waitin' any longer than he already has been.
[ he still has his reservations and is far from being an optimist about his situation but if it happens then it happens. and if it doesn't then it wouldn't be anything he didn't expect already. there's also a bit of irony in how void archives comments on how long things have felt despite very little time actually passing. not that the feeling is mutual but... funny how something can happen more than once. ]
So, let me say from personal experience, a lot can happen in a short period of time. A few month's time can feel like a few years time. Hell, dependin' on the circumstances, yer whole world view may even change.
[ wolfwood' still in a pretty decent mood as he continues the honesty and simplicity of his answers. ]
And it's somethin' I did for the other kids at the orphanage.
[ Now they're passing him something like an amused look - they almost do feel like answering the question just because they can, but they don't certainly see any point in doing so, either.
Well, whatever the case, they give an answer anyway. ]
Oh, do be aware if you said the opposite of what you had just now I would have to verify that I was speaking to who I thought I was.
[ Though, when Wolfwood starts talking about their entire wordview changing, they let out an amused huff. They are much more familiar with the passage of time not meaning much - in that they are more of an observer and their surroundings being more static than not. Even if before their arrival here they had time to experience other things as well and be an element of some...chaos, and some mixed bag of dubious actions and all that.
But, honestly? None of that feels like it can compare to the way events happened here - to the surroundings and them. ]
Ah, it doesn't quite surprise me that such occurrences are more or less old hat to you. I already know you have had the opportunity to experience much in such a little amount of time, given the complications of your background.
As for my own world view changing...I doubt that the events that occurred here managed that much, at least.
[ ... ]
Is it now? They must have also looked up to you quite a good deal, I presume. Have you already decided on which animal you are crafting for everyone? Or is it something you have come to a decision on as you go?
Now I’m curious—how would ya have gone about doin’ that?
[ less of a rhetorical question because now wolfwood has to know what they would have done; given the kind of weird “friendship” that they’ve developed over the past two months here, there’s no telling of what it could have been. some part of wolfwood is certain that it might involve something embarrassing or saying something that would get a kneejerk reaction out of him, but he couldn’t be certain. there's only so much he can guess about what goes up in their head.
…though wolfwood raises an eyebrow when they say that there hasn’t been anything that would have changed their view of the world. which, honestly fair since he’s the same but— ]
But really? No one changed yer mind about anythin’? No one offered to enlighten ya in a few matters?
[ wolfwood doesn’t want to be so crass as to point it out because it was much more fun to just suggest it and see where things went. he doesn’t fully believe that they would end up being flustered but let’s not ignore how wolfwood was there for the ic hot or not. he might not have played along like everyone else, but he also has eyes that can be used for seeing all sort of things.
and as void archives takes however long it does for them to answer wolfwood, he’ll do his best not to come off as too sentimental when thinking about the orphanage. in lieu of an answer, he’ll just huff with a small smile on his face. ]
…yeah, they did. [ which is all that he’ll say about it. ] And it’s a bit of both. I got an idea for some and less for others, but don’t worry, I know exactly what yer goin’ to be.
[ ...Well, there is only one way for Void Archives to have verified. Yes, as a being who functions as a information archive of humanity for 50,000 years and more, there can be only one final, yet logical action for them to have taken in that instance. Surely Wolfwood would have expected this (he won't be blamed if he doesn't, though, considering how Void Archives is indeed.)
They raise their hands and clench them into fists, grinning for a moment. ]
Simple. I would only need to have hit you in the face and observed the result.
[ Though, they grant a pause when Wolfwood points out a flaw in what they've said and now they will be putting their hands on their hips. ]
Really? You had to ask like that?
[ It wasn't that bad, but their thoughts definitely went...somewheres. So not exactly flustered - not quite, though in this case admitting that such a big change for them in regards to their whole worldview changing while Wolfwood acts like a coolcat? It seems unfair. ]
While we're at it, I believe that you weren't as unchanging as a stone. Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if something fundamental changed for you - no, I know it has.
[ ...Though maybe their initial thoughts on that were too soon because of how sentimental the man is in how brief he is about the orphanage. Hopeland? ]
...I see. I notice it has brought up quite the fond memories for you. [ ... ] But, since you already have an idea of my animal, what is it?
[ the absolute deadpan in his voice as he takes in the sight of void archives with their fists clenched and ready to punch him in the face. should have seen this coming given the way he resolved void archives’ whole issue the other week. what comes around goes around… fortunately for him, though, wolfwood is getting the “upper hand” where it matters (to him).
they caught him entirely off-guard last week with their out-of-pocket comment and now it’s wolfwood’s turn at some of that fair play!! sure, their reaction might not be as dramatic as his was but the way that they’re quick to turn things back onto him says enough for wolfwood. the grin on his face growing as he “course corrects” this part of their conversation. ]
And don’t go tryin’ to spin this around to be about me. Sure, things may have changed for me, but between the two of us, yer’s far more groundbreaking. [ wolfwood has the audacity to snicker to himself before he finishes laying it all on them. ] Maybe stirred up somethin’ inside of ya?
[ wolfwood assigned them a bottom, apparently, and now whether they are or are not isn’t important because what happened is between god, jasper, and them. he made the joke and innuendo and that’s as far as he needed to take it. but maybe it’s all worth it??? because wolfwood is still chuckling to himself (positive) as he continues to answer them simply. ]
But, no, they definitely have had this coming. They absolutely deserve this due to their nonsense from last week and Wolfwood is getting back at them as he rightfully deserves. As it is, they do so happen to pick up on the...way he's phrasing this comment here, and they seem to puff up even further. Like, metaphorically speaking, because they can't quite manage that. Not even in their original cube form.
They are not exactly afraid to make admissions about relationships, but Wolfwood saying it like that makes them feel contrary. Or maybe the right word is embarrassed, actually. ]
Oh please. Whatever that has occurred with you must be quite very noteworthy compared to whatever you are suggesting or imagining right now. Which, you should very well do to keep from going on at length.
After all, I see that you're enjoying yourself quite a bit too much right about now.
[ They hear the suggestions there and they may have caught onto it. Though playing somewhat dumb while being somewhat otherwise is not working out. They're just staring him down, looming as he tells them he will carve them out a pheasant... ]
[ well if they want to hit wolfwood in the face then they’re more than welcomed to. wolfwood’s no coward and if it’s a fight that they want to start then who is he to deny them? he has been healed now and it’s been a very long time since he threw them into the river.
as things are presently, wolfwood is still “winning” as far as he’s concerned as he chuckles to himself at their response and continued attempt to deflect onto him. seeing them get even more worked up from what he had said only encourages him to continue being up to no good. ]
No reason to play it coy. All I did was realize somethin’ that was already there; what ya did was find somethin’ with someone new. [ wolfwood takes a moment from whittling to give them a knowing smirk. ] And were down to explorin’ that somethin’ new, too.
[ all jokes aside—their relationship(?) with jasper shouldn’t be ignored whether it finds its root in something physical or not. (again, wolfwood does not want to know.) they came here without any sort of that attachment and likely weren’t interested in creating that kind of attachment, yet here they are.
he'll allow enough time for them to process that before he casually answers their question about why he picked a pheasant for them and gets back to work whittling. ]
I read somewhere that pheasants are symbols of good luck and optimism. Not that I think yer bringin’ anyone good luck who knows better.
[ but maybe they could provide someone a bit of optimism—a sentiment that wolfwood avoids saying even accounting for his good mood. though before they think wolfwood is getting “all sentimental” on them, he’ll quickly throw in another dig. he can’t go about giving them too much credit, after all. ]
They also look like the kind of bird who would be fussy and give ya a headache.
Otherwise, you will certainly be finding something 'new' about myself this very moment.
[ They weren't sincerely considering punching him in the face, but it sure is seriously running through their head right about now. Just one more word and they will let them fly. Do not test them, Wolfwood - and they are certain he can handle a beatdown right about now as well, in fact.
Honestly, it's been too long since they've gotten into a physical fight. Maybe they should just throw a punch at him for that very reason alone. Thinking about this logically, it would also prepare him in the worst case scenario. In addition, he is getting side-eyed for a certain phrase in there that they'd rather not hear come out of his mouth right about now. ]
And stop ignoring your achievements in favor of whatever this is you're talking about. Otherwise, I will in fact turn this on you with your strides in recognizing your feelings for Vash. I am not afraid to summarize the difference previous I had observed from earlier on to now in a very highly detailed manner, as well as reignite previous points of contention about the matter. This will include any lingering doubts you still have evidently held on the subject. As well as your own future.
[ But, on the other hand, they seem proud to be praised in some sort of manner, even if indirect. Wolfwood will not escape their acknowledgement of that and the bit of sentimentality. ]
Though, what's this about good luck and optimism? I believe that is the most important aspect, hm? But, if I have given you a headache, then I will not deny that I have certainly been willing to do that on purpose. There is nothing wrong with keeping other people on their toes, no?
[ ...and yeah, Wolfwood is right that Void Archives is the type to be very fussy over people they care about. But they will pretend that word doesn't exist; they don't always want to be seen as so soft or some such nonsense. ]
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whittling;
Then, they looked at him with a very amused expression before walking out without saying a word.
They regularly confess things to Wolfwood on the regular, they don't need a confessional to do that.
More importantly, though, they come around later when he's doing some whittling, curious enough to approach this time. ]
Oh? Are you crafting some gifts for individuals here?
[ They had no idea that Wolfwood had such a creative side! Consider them curious, and as a result, quite nosy. ]
no subject
Sure am.
[ wolfwood answers simply—honestly. whatever they do with that information will matter little to wolfwood as he continues to carefully peel away and chip at the wood as he shapes it into another animal. it's a bit unclear as to what it could be at the moment since its a fresh piece of wood with barely many grooves etched into it. ]
I don't know what everyone else's plans are but ya know mine.
[ there's a person to get back to. a promise to fulfill. ]
no subject
They suppose him answering honestly is because it's quite obvious three of those look like each of those Sonic children. ]
Yes, I do. Unless you feel like suddenly changing your mind for whatever reason.
...That said, I truly can't believe it's actually all coming to an end. It feels as if we have interacted with one another for at least longer than what has been true.
[ They have mixed feelings on that as well as worries. But, for the moment merely they will pause as they look from him to back at the assortment of wood that Wolfwood's got, then back at whatever animal he's making. ]
When did you pick up wood-carving, anyway? I don't recall having seen you done that at all while we have been here.
[ Even before his injured times episode. ]
no subject
[ he still has his reservations and is far from being an optimist about his situation but if it happens then it happens. and if it doesn't then it wouldn't be anything he didn't expect already. there's also a bit of irony in how void archives comments on how long things have felt despite very little time actually passing. not that the feeling is mutual but... funny how something can happen more than once. ]
So, let me say from personal experience, a lot can happen in a short period of time. A few month's time can feel like a few years time. Hell, dependin' on the circumstances, yer whole world view may even change.
[ wolfwood' still in a pretty decent mood as he continues the honesty and simplicity of his answers. ]
And it's somethin' I did for the other kids at the orphanage.
no subject
Well, whatever the case, they give an answer anyway. ]
Oh, do be aware if you said the opposite of what you had just now I would have to verify that I was speaking to who I thought I was.
[ Though, when Wolfwood starts talking about their entire wordview changing, they let out an amused huff. They are much more familiar with the passage of time not meaning much - in that they are more of an observer and their surroundings being more static than not. Even if before their arrival here they had time to experience other things as well and be an element of some...chaos, and some mixed bag of dubious actions and all that.
But, honestly? None of that feels like it can compare to the way events happened here - to the surroundings and them. ]
Ah, it doesn't quite surprise me that such occurrences are more or less old hat to you. I already know you have had the opportunity to experience much in such a little amount of time, given the complications of your background.
As for my own world view changing...I doubt that the events that occurred here managed that much, at least.
[ ... ]
Is it now? They must have also looked up to you quite a good deal, I presume. Have you already decided on which animal you are crafting for everyone? Or is it something you have come to a decision on as you go?
no subject
[ less of a rhetorical question because now wolfwood has to know what they would have done; given the kind of weird “friendship” that they’ve developed over the past two months here, there’s no telling of what it could have been. some part of wolfwood is certain that it might involve something embarrassing or saying something that would get a kneejerk reaction out of him, but he couldn’t be certain. there's only so much he can guess about what goes up in their head.
…though wolfwood raises an eyebrow when they say that there hasn’t been anything that would have changed their view of the world. which, honestly fair since he’s the same but— ]
But really? No one changed yer mind about anythin’? No one offered to enlighten ya in a few matters?
[ wolfwood doesn’t want to be so crass as to point it out because it was much more fun to just suggest it and see where things went. he doesn’t fully believe that they would end up being flustered but let’s not ignore how wolfwood was there for the ic hot or not. he might not have played along like everyone else, but he also has eyes that can be used for seeing all sort of things.
and as void archives takes however long it does for them to answer wolfwood, he’ll do his best not to come off as too sentimental when thinking about the orphanage. in lieu of an answer, he’ll just huff with a small smile on his face. ]
…yeah, they did. [ which is all that he’ll say about it. ] And it’s a bit of both. I got an idea for some and less for others, but don’t worry, I know exactly what yer goin’ to be.
no subject
They raise their hands and clench them into fists, grinning for a moment. ]
Simple. I would only need to have hit you in the face and observed the result.
[ Though, they grant a pause when Wolfwood points out a flaw in what they've said and now they will be putting their hands on their hips. ]
Really? You had to ask like that?
[ It wasn't that bad, but their thoughts definitely went...somewheres. So not exactly flustered - not quite, though in this case admitting that such a big change for them in regards to their whole worldview changing while Wolfwood acts like a coolcat? It seems unfair. ]
While we're at it, I believe that you weren't as unchanging as a stone. Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if something fundamental changed for you - no, I know it has.
[ ...Though maybe their initial thoughts on that were too soon because of how sentimental the man is in how brief he is about the orphanage. Hopeland? ]
...I see. I notice it has brought up quite the fond memories for you. [ ... ] But, since you already have an idea of my animal, what is it?
no subject
[ the absolute deadpan in his voice as he takes in the sight of void archives with their fists clenched and ready to punch him in the face. should have seen this coming given the way he resolved void archives’ whole issue the other week. what comes around goes around… fortunately for him, though, wolfwood is getting the “upper hand” where it matters (to him).
they caught him entirely off-guard last week with their out-of-pocket comment and now it’s wolfwood’s turn at some of that fair play!! sure, their reaction might not be as dramatic as his was but the way that they’re quick to turn things back onto him says enough for wolfwood. the grin on his face growing as he “course corrects” this part of their conversation. ]
And don’t go tryin’ to spin this around to be about me. Sure, things may have changed for me, but between the two of us, yer’s far more groundbreaking. [ wolfwood has the audacity to snicker to himself before he finishes laying it all on them. ] Maybe stirred up somethin’ inside of ya?
[ wolfwood assigned them a bottom, apparently, and now whether they are or are not isn’t important because what happened is between god, jasper, and them. he made the joke and innuendo and that’s as far as he needed to take it. but maybe it’s all worth it??? because wolfwood is still chuckling to himself (positive) as he continues to answer them simply. ]
As for yer animal, it’s gonna be a pheasant.
no subject
Particularly even now, in fact.
[ Their fists are still CLENCHED, Wolfwood.
...
But, no, they definitely have had this coming. They absolutely deserve this due to their nonsense from last week and Wolfwood is getting back at them as he rightfully deserves. As it is, they do so happen to pick up on the...way he's phrasing this comment here, and they seem to puff up even further. Like, metaphorically speaking, because they can't quite manage that. Not even in their original cube form.
They are not exactly afraid to make admissions about relationships, but Wolfwood saying it like that makes them feel contrary. Or maybe the right word is embarrassed, actually. ]
Oh please. Whatever that has occurred with you must be quite very noteworthy compared to whatever you are suggesting or imagining right now. Which, you should very well do to keep from going on at length.
After all, I see that you're enjoying yourself quite a bit too much right about now.
[ They hear the suggestions there and they may have caught onto it. Though playing somewhat dumb while being somewhat otherwise is not working out. They're just staring him down, looming as he tells them he will carve them out a pheasant... ]
...What made you choose that, by the way?
no subject
as things are presently, wolfwood is still “winning” as far as he’s concerned as he chuckles to himself at their response and continued attempt to deflect onto him. seeing them get even more worked up from what he had said only encourages him to continue being up to no good. ]
No reason to play it coy. All I did was realize somethin’ that was already there; what ya did was find somethin’ with someone new. [ wolfwood takes a moment from whittling to give them a knowing smirk. ] And were down to explorin’ that somethin’ new, too.
[ all jokes aside—their relationship(?) with jasper shouldn’t be ignored whether it finds its root in something physical or not. (again, wolfwood does not want to know.) they came here without any sort of that attachment and likely weren’t interested in creating that kind of attachment, yet here they are.
he'll allow enough time for them to process that before he casually answers their question about why he picked a pheasant for them and gets back to work whittling. ]
I read somewhere that pheasants are symbols of good luck and optimism. Not that I think yer bringin’ anyone good luck who knows better.
[ but maybe they could provide someone a bit of optimism—a sentiment that wolfwood avoids saying even accounting for his good mood. though before they think wolfwood is getting “all sentimental” on them, he’ll quickly throw in another dig. he can’t go about giving them too much credit, after all. ]
They also look like the kind of bird who would be fussy and give ya a headache.
no subject
Otherwise, you will certainly be finding something 'new' about myself this very moment.
[ They weren't sincerely considering punching him in the face, but it sure is seriously running through their head right about now. Just one more word and they will let them fly. Do not test them, Wolfwood - and they are certain he can handle a beatdown right about now as well, in fact.
Honestly, it's been too long since they've gotten into a physical fight. Maybe they should just throw a punch at him for that very reason alone. Thinking about this logically, it would also prepare him in the worst case scenario. In addition, he is getting side-eyed for a certain phrase in there that they'd rather not hear come out of his mouth right about now. ]
And stop ignoring your achievements in favor of whatever this is you're talking about. Otherwise, I will in fact turn this on you with your strides in recognizing your feelings for Vash. I am not afraid to summarize the difference previous I had observed from earlier on to now in a very highly detailed manner, as well as reignite previous points of contention about the matter. This will include any lingering doubts you still have evidently held on the subject. As well as your own future.
[ But, on the other hand, they seem proud to be praised in some sort of manner, even if indirect. Wolfwood will not escape their acknowledgement of that and the bit of sentimentality. ]
Though, what's this about good luck and optimism? I believe that is the most important aspect, hm? But, if I have given you a headache, then I will not deny that I have certainly been willing to do that on purpose. There is nothing wrong with keeping other people on their toes, no?
[ ...and yeah, Wolfwood is right that Void Archives is the type to be very fussy over people they care about. But they will pretend that word doesn't exist; they don't always want to be seen as so soft or some such nonsense. ]