After eight long, difficult weeks of fighting, you've finally done it. You've put an end to Neo Metal Sonic's dreams of conquest and with it, you've saved not only this world, but all worlds. Perhaps not everything is wrapped up as neatly as some of you would like, but you've done what you set out to do, and now you can breathe a sigh of relief.
In the hours that follow the immediate aftermath of Neo Metal Sonic's defeat, Tails sets about figuring out how to control the Egg Fleet and recall them to where Neo Metal Sonic had them stationed. Sonic heads out into the city - and then even further beyond - to ensure that the people are starting to regain their senses without anyone to suppress their free will anymore. Knuckles escorts you back to the base, then takes a ring to hop into the Void to let Shadow and Infinite know what's going on.
As for you all? You aren't expected to do any work, because you've done so much today. Take a load off and take the time to rest - you deserve it.
For those of you who can't wait to get home, you're welcome to grab a ring from one of your colorful friends and head straight back, but for those of you willing to take the night off and regroup in the morning, you'll find that said colorful friends have put together a party for you - or, well, they tried their best. The decorations are store-bought (or not) and simple, Sonic seems to have thought confetti is the best way to throw a party and there is so much of it getting showered on all of you the moment you walk into the room, and someone obtained a sheet cake that did not have any sort of message on it, so an awkwardly scrawled message of "THANKS FOR HELP" is written in bright green icing that clashes with the cake's soft pink and red color scheme. An attempt was made.
You're welcome to hang out here - both in the new base and in this world as a whole - for as long as you'd like. Permanently, even, if you don't have any intention of going home. After all, you've more than earned it. Sonic and friends will gladly help you figure out a way to get settled here.
If you do choose to stay for any length of time and head out into the city, you'll find that people are indeed starting to return to their daily lives. They don't really understand - or remember - what happened, but they do recognize you as someone they have some innate fondness for, regardless of how startling your appearance may be to them. The city itself has seen better days thanks to the spread of Eggman's chroma, but thankfully the natural elements are recovering from that just fine. The buildings, streets, and the like will not naturally recover, so it seems Chicago's going to require some pretty intensive rebuilding...
But for the time being, everything is going smoothly, and you've done everything that was asked of you. You're free to return home. If you do, your shard may eventually come loose and simply fall off, ridding you of both the shard and its powers. Or maybe it won't, and you'll have that memory of your time in this world forever, along with the power innate to you and the ones you can activate from your fellow shardbearers whenever you're near each other.
Congratulations, shardbearers. You've done the impossible, and maybe even formed some new bonds along the way.
( Welcome to the final log of Shardbond! With this, you have successfully navigated your way through the Sonic friendship game and no one died! Hooray!!! For this final log, you may do whatever you'd like - if you want to use this to do an immediate aftermath top level, go for it! Party top level? Sure? Post-game top level? Have fun! You want to bring a castmate in and NPC them or have someone else play them? Also cool! Generally speaking, you are now free to do what you will with the setting as a whole - your fuzzy little friends will be hard at work making sure that you all are able to get home and/or get settled just fine, and they'll also be keeping an eye out for one (1) Neo Metal Sonic. And also Infinite, I guess, unless someone wants to take that stray jackal with them but like, no one needs that. )
If you do not know what is of the Makuta, then I guess you are not it.
That is good.
[Step. Step.]
Jaller says I have to be careful of the Makuta. Vakama warns us of his ways. He says the Makuta is everywhere. Waiting for us.
[Step. Step.]
Things you can see. Things you cannot. I know the Makuta is here now. In the burnt trees. In the dead soil. Things that were destroyed, but the Makuta never left them. That is how he becomes strong. That is what the Makuta does. He destroys.
[Step. Step.]
I think the forest still looks very beautiful this way, too. When it burned, you could see the fires perform their Great Takara. All the way to the sea. And it was very beautiful.
[Perhaps not productive, but certainly Fukuda is fascinated by all of it. It sounds similar in some ways to the idea of the Christian devil and in others to Shinto spiritualism. Fascinating. What a polite and informative man this is.]
Aah, I've been enjoying the view myself. This is a beautiful place!
But I'm forgetting my manners. My name is Fukuda, I'm a friend of Turaga Vakama's from a trip he took far away a while ago. You?
Mata Nui is a beautiful place. We named it that way because it was Mata Nui who brought us here. He is asleep now. But Mata Nui protects us. Mata Nui is wise.
[He finally stops his steps to glance up, spear still dragging against the ground idly]
I am Kapura.
[An idle blink.]
Turaga Vakama does not travel often. He is the legend-keeper. He is the Takara-leader. He sees the sacred fires and helps us to know our virtues. He is wise.
[The blink turns into a squint.]
You look like his stories. The warrior with a hole in his skull.
But you are missing your mask. And your name is Fukuda. So it is not you.
Ta-Koro is there. The trees will confuse you. It is easy to get lost in the ash. Mark the bark with an "X" if you cannot find your way. If you find you are where you are not, the forest will spit you up.
[He continues his steps.]
You can tell the guards you are Vakama's friend. The guards may believe you. They may also not believe you. It will not be known until it happens, and then it will be what it is. You will find out.
The forest eventually gives way to darker rock, more oppressive heat, the air slowly tinging red from the thickness of the smoke. Bridges built of stone dot the way around the raising cliffs, before ducking inside where the rock opens up like a giant mouth into an enormous cavern near the volcano.
There is a tall stone gateway nearby, littered with torches and an enormous amount of gearwork. Several Matoran in varieties of reds, blacks, and yellows patrol around it, small rooms carved into either end of the gate where flames flicker.
A horn blows from the top of the gate, echoing across the cavern a moment later. All of the Matoran immediately whip their heads up to attention, a couple of them catching eye of Fukuda.
These spears are not being held idle. Think quickly, Fukuda.]
[If Vakama hadn't warned him previously, he would probably have been too distracted by how cool all of this was to react in a timely fashion. Vakama lives in a lava fortress... Extremely cool.
Instead though, he promptly holds his hands up, hoping that gesture means the same thing here.]
Hello! My name is Fukuda! I'm a friend of Turaga Vakama! I come bearing gifts from a place called Chicago.
[He's not budging, unfortunately, though at least he's not attacking, looking over Fukuda carefully with his gaze lingering at the hole on his skull for a little too long.
...]
Nuhrii. Grab Agni, get your report in to the Turaga and get back to me.
[A Matoran with a black visored mask starts at the request, but salutes from behind the gate and starts running across the set of huge stones stationed across the lava, grabbing another red-masked guard on his way.
Look. I don't know what kind of joke you think you're pulling. But the Turaga woke up here along with the rest of us.
We don't take kindly to people lying in our village. If you're really not a threat, you can just turn around and --
[A distant horn call, far different than the first, echoes across the chasm.
Every Matoran turns back toward it in surprise, including Jaller. The caller on the top of the wall looks down at the Captain, then at Fukuda, perplexed and hesitant.
It takes Jaller a shocked second, glancing back at Fukuda with an alarmed confusion. But eventually, he nods to his subordinate, who returns the signal even as Jaller stabs a pointed finger in Fukuda's direction.]
Don't move.
Got it?
[The two Matoran sent away before are coming back slowly, with a third in their number. Slightly taller than any Matoran Fukuda has seen, but much slower, a mask as orange as the fire below them that completely covers his mouth and a staff to assist his in walking, hunched over with his body cloaked in fabric that hangs over his shoulders and back.
Fukuda still has guards pointing a bajillion pointy sticks at him as Jaller retreats back past the gate to meet the others, saluting to the elder. But his eyes are not on Jaller. Not immediately.
They are on Fukuda.
A gaze that bores, brows furrowed intensely with familiar golden eyes that are far bolder than his frail frame would give away.
It's a moment, only a moment, before he turns his attention back to the Matoran in hushed tones.]
Edited 2025-03-11 07:05 (UTC)
2/2 rest of the tags will come from this account congratulations fukuda :)
[It's a short deliberation, with the tallest of the group approaching Fukuda alone. Those eyes don't leave him, and that strict look across his face does not break.
Jaller moves to accompany him, but the elder holds out a hand for him to stand down, earning a quiet sound of protest.]
[During all the hubbub, Fukuda was just standing stock still. At first it seemed like it would perhaps be a minor issue, but as things went on his old social anxiety started to surface. He was alone and people did not want him here. The urge to flee rises more and more, until finally this old man arrives... Maybe to tell him to get lost? He's about to speak to apologize for bothering them and he'll leave, despite what he said to Kopura about being resolved to find Vakama. He's just that awkward high schooler getting picked on again for acting strangely, and he just wants to sink into the background.
But then the old man speaks and oh, that for sure is Vakama. Which makes him relieved. But then he asks that question, which, surely Vakama didn't forget him???? Help???? He stands there deliberating for a long time. Was he supposed to lie and not say he was a human?? Did Vakama give an instruction like that?? He can't remember. So he just sort of shorts out and instead says;]
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no subject
That is good.
[Step. Step.]
Jaller says I have to be careful of the Makuta. Vakama warns us of his ways. He says the Makuta is everywhere. Waiting for us.
[Step. Step.]
Things you can see. Things you cannot. I know the Makuta is here now. In the burnt trees. In the dead soil. Things that were destroyed, but the Makuta never left them. That is how he becomes strong. That is what the Makuta does. He destroys.
[Step. Step.]
I think the forest still looks very beautiful this way, too. When it burned, you could see the fires perform their Great Takara. All the way to the sea. And it was very beautiful.
[This is a very productive conversation.]
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Aah, I've been enjoying the view myself. This is a beautiful place!
But I'm forgetting my manners. My name is Fukuda, I'm a friend of Turaga Vakama's from a trip he took far away a while ago. You?
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[He finally stops his steps to glance up, spear still dragging against the ground idly]
I am Kapura.
[An idle blink.]
Turaga Vakama does not travel often. He is the legend-keeper. He is the Takara-leader. He sees the sacred fires and helps us to know our virtues. He is wise.
[The blink turns into a squint.]
You look like his stories. The warrior with a hole in his skull.
But you are missing your mask. And your name is Fukuda. So it is not you.
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Man, he should have told me he knew another guy with a hole in his head!!
[He isn't a warrior so surely it isn't him especially if said warrior had a mask and a different name.]
I came to visit him. Can you bring me to where he is, Mr Kapura?
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[He continues his steps.]
Vakama is in Ta-Koro. It is a village of fire. It sits on the lava. You can follow the torches.
[A hum.]
You are tall. You are fluffy. You are like a Rahi of strange colors. But you talk.
The guards of Ta-Koro will not like you. Jaller will be angry.
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In any case he interprets Kapuras task as some sort of Zen meditation and will not question it, surely it makes sense to him.]
Mm, Vakama warned me about that. Do you not want me to mention that I met you? I wouldn't want to get you in trouble.
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Jaller will not be happy if you want to see Vakama. Will you still try to see Vakama? I think you might still try.
[He has no horse in this race, it seems. Follow your dreams, buddy. He is just here to practice.]
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[But ah, that makes sense. Given Vakama sounds like an important guy here.]
You're right, I will. It's not that easy for me to come here so it'd be a waste to just give up now.
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[He looks, briefly, to the west.]
Ta-Koro is there. The trees will confuse you. It is easy to get lost in the ash. Mark the bark with an "X" if you cannot find your way. If you find you are where you are not, the forest will spit you up.
[He continues his steps.]
You can tell the guards you are Vakama's friend. The guards may believe you. They may also not believe you. It will not be known until it happens, and then it will be what it is. You will find out.
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You're very wise, Mr Kapura. That's very true. Good luck with your practice and thank you for the advice!! It was nice to meet you!
[And with that he'll trot off to find Ta-Koro.]
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[some say he is still walking in that same spot to this day
anyway
What remains of the jungle forest is a maze, marks against the trees and thick layers of ash coating the ground. But Fukuda will be able to track his way through with little effort, so long as he does not take any detours.
The forest eventually gives way to darker rock, more oppressive heat, the air slowly tinging red from the thickness of the smoke. Bridges built of stone dot the way around the raising cliffs, before ducking inside where the rock opens up like a giant mouth into an enormous cavern near the volcano.
Fukuda can hear the rush of something flowing and crashing, a louder and deeper roar as the path winds. A "waterfall" of fiery rock, looking out onto a sea of molten lava.
And even though it's still only partially constructed, it's still hard to miss the fortress that sits at the center of the sea.
There is a tall stone gateway nearby, littered with torches and an enormous amount of gearwork. Several Matoran in varieties of reds, blacks, and yellows patrol around it, small rooms carved into either end of the gate where flames flicker.
A horn blows from the top of the gate, echoing across the cavern a moment later. All of the Matoran immediately whip their heads up to attention, a couple of them catching eye of Fukuda.
These spears are not being held idle. Think quickly, Fukuda.]
no subject
Instead though, he promptly holds his hands up, hoping that gesture means the same thing here.]
Hello! My name is Fukuda! I'm a friend of Turaga Vakama! I come bearing gifts from a place called Chicago.
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I already pulled this clip for the server so i'm gonna be fucking lazy but it's the second voice here, get used to the Matoran sounding literally anywhere on the range on the young adult spectrum.
He grabs for a spear as he breaks the distance between the guards and Fukuda but still keeps at a defensive position, his posture bold.]
Ta-Koro doesn't fall for tricks.
What are you? How did you get here?
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Hm, well, surely using the understanding that the only other matoran he's met makes the most sense???]
Ah, I'm human. I cam from the sea?
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[He's not budging, unfortunately, though at least he's not attacking, looking over Fukuda carefully with his gaze lingering at the hole on his skull for a little too long.
...]
Nuhrii. Grab Agni, get your report in to the Turaga and get back to me.
[A Matoran with a black visored mask starts at the request, but salutes from behind the gate and starts running across the set of huge stones stationed across the lava, grabbing another red-masked guard on his way.
The captain's frown thins.]
What do you want with Vakama?
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Oh, just to visit! And leave some gifts. I haven't seen him in a while, is all.
You don't have to worry, I'm probably way weaker than all of you, so I'm really not a threat!
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Jaller still doesn't budge.]
I'll believe it when I see it. Don't move.
What do you mean, "you haven't seen him in a while"? Vakama's always been here. No one has left the island of Mata Nui.
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But huh, this is strange. He doesn't remember any suggestion that time wasn't passing why they were here... What does he say....]
... That's because it was a very secret mission.
[Nailed it.]
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Flatly:]
With the Turaga.
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[For what I hope will enhance Nik's comedy needs, he adds;]
Though I remember him having a different title? Toa, if I remember correctly.
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The entire gate's worth of Matoran, outside of Jaller, immediately burst into joint, disbelieving laughter.
Jaller doesn't look amused. Moreso, any believability that Fukuda might have been clinging to seems to have gone straight out the window.]
Nice try.
Toa don't exist. Everyone knows that.
no subject
[Frowning. Did he misremember after all? But then all these Matoran are clearly different and all.]
1/2 now that i finished my icons finally
We don't take kindly to people lying in our village. If you're really not a threat, you can just turn around and --
[A distant horn call, far different than the first, echoes across the chasm.
Every Matoran turns back toward it in surprise, including Jaller. The caller on the top of the wall looks down at the Captain, then at Fukuda, perplexed and hesitant.
It takes Jaller a shocked second, glancing back at Fukuda with an alarmed confusion. But eventually, he nods to his subordinate, who returns the signal even as Jaller stabs a pointed finger in Fukuda's direction.]
Don't move.
Got it?
[The two Matoran sent away before are coming back slowly, with a third in their number. Slightly taller than any Matoran Fukuda has seen, but much slower, a mask as orange as the fire below them that completely covers his mouth and a staff to assist his in walking, hunched over with his body cloaked in fabric that hangs over his shoulders and back.
Fukuda still has guards pointing a bajillion pointy sticks at him as Jaller retreats back past the gate to meet the others, saluting to the elder. But his eyes are not on Jaller. Not immediately.
They are on Fukuda.
A gaze that bores, brows furrowed intensely with familiar golden eyes that are far bolder than his frail frame would give away.
It's a moment, only a moment, before he turns his attention back to the Matoran in hushed tones.]
2/2 rest of the tags will come from this account congratulations fukuda :)
Jaller moves to accompany him, but the elder holds out a hand for him to stand down, earning a quiet sound of protest.]
...
I will ask for you to repeat yourself.
What are you?
[The accent and cadence, though incredibly roughened and worn as though with age, will immediately pin the elder as Vakama, the voice slightly filtered with a flickering of light behind the vent where his mouth would otherwise be, shaping with the words.]
yay he did it! he found vakama!!!
But then the old man speaks and oh, that for sure is Vakama. Which makes him relieved. But then he asks that question, which, surely Vakama didn't forget him???? Help???? He stands there deliberating for a long time. Was he supposed to lie and not say he was a human?? Did Vakama give an instruction like that?? He can't remember. So he just sort of shorts out and instead says;]
Why did you get short again?
final fantasy victory noises
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