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. )
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;]
[Fukuda does NOT have the social skills to interpret that, however he can tell that expression is supposed to mean SOMETHING. Which tells him Vakama probably does recognize him which means he should not give up and run away. As much as his anxiety is telling him he should. And Vakama said to be honest, so...]
Vakama merely exhales, though whether it's a response to Fukuda or to Jaller behind him is hard to tell.]
A creature from the sea, indeed. [Quiet, thinking.]
...
[When next he talks, his voice is once again strict.]
You will go no further.
Captain.
[Jaller stiffens, but dutifully comes to Vakama's side.]
The defensive call can be lowered. Send what remains of the western flank to help with the efforts on the north of the village.
I will handle this from here.
[Jaller's immediate surprise echoes the murmurings among the guard. But Vakama doesn't repeat himself to either part, staff tapping against the rock as he walks alongside Fukuda, a firm thwack from the top of it against Fukuda's shin to turn the man around.]
[Oof. Well of course he'll do as he's told. Though his shoulders slump a little. He's just being sent home... Maybe Vakama doesn't want to be his friend anymore? Now that he's got all these cool village chief type responsibilities...
Well, it's just as well. As much as he's curious about the village and all the other matorans, with the lava it is so unbearably hot here. And they don't seem too keen on him anyway. Alas. He'll follow dutifully after Vakama.]
[It's Jaller that breaks the awkward silence, even as the two start to depart.
Turaga--! Sir, I'm sorry, but I have to object, the guard is not going to just abandon you to something dangerous--]
--They do when their Turaga tells them to do so! [An immediate snap back behind his shoulder. There's a beat as it holds, before he sighs again.]
I gave you your orders. Now go.
[The Matoran hesitate for another long moment, though plenty of them have started gathering their things. Jaller's frown thins. But eventually, he bows, turning away.]
[Vakama will stay silent as he leads them part of the way back through the ashen trees.
As soon as they hit one of the crossroads, he halts. Eyes travel behind him, as though listening.
A beat.
Without any further warning, his free hand take's Fukuda's, even as the mask on his face starts to glow a golden color.]
Shh. Trust me for a moment longer, brother.
[And with that, Vakama vanishes into thin air, staff and all. But Fukuda will still feel the press of his hand, and the tug to follow deeper into the woods, away from the shore.]
[The combo of Vakama holding his hand and calling him brother immediately make Fukuda perk back up. Oh!!! It's all subterfuge!! They are still friends after all!!! Yay! Haha, yay!!!!]
Voice down for now. The little ones are protective.
[His voice still comes just as clearly as if the elder stands next to him, but it's hushed.
Vakama is much quicker on his feet than his form would betray, and their winding path continues for a minute or two before spilling back out onto the sprawling volcanic rock. Over a wooden bridge they go (don't worry, Fukuda, it'll hold you even if it's a little small!) into the touch of greenery and humidity, the starts of that same wild jungle where it kisses the view of the ocean overtop extremely high cliffs.
As they draw to a halt, Vakama lets himself turn visible again, letting Fukuda's hand go to tap at the rock with his staff, glancing over the cliffside with a furrowed brow.]
My friend, do you still have that shard ability from many months ago? It may prove wise for us to take a shortcut.
[He scrapes out an X onto the stone with the bottom of his staff. Here-ish should suffice for a hole.]
[He chuckles at that, gesturing for Fukuda to go down first.
It's not much - a little grotto high above the sea, with a good view of where both the aged volcanic rock and the long stretches of sand meet the water to one side, with the quiet tangled reaching of the jungle to the other. Against the rock walls there's markings, notes, mathematic little equations written in Matoran - signs that this is not the first time a certain someone has been down here.
Vakama hesitates at the lip of the opening, as though seeing the distance and realizing he'd heavily misjudged his ability to perform the drop. But he blows out a shaky breath, dropping his staff in with a clatter ahead of him.]
I'm... ah, not as nimble as I was last we met. If I could ask for your help for a moment...
[He stumbles slightly, but doesn't drop him!!! He does put him down pretty quickly though. He then lets the hole close above them. Take that, any following Matorans.]
Man, that was nerve wracking! I thought Jaller and the others were going to toss me into the lava! They're real protective of you, Vakama. That's good!
He brushes himself off with a hearty pat to Fukuda's side as he bends to fish his staff off the cavern floor.]
They're only doing their duty. Try not to hold it against them too harshly - they know of nothing else beyond this island.
[Ah, good ol' stick, here we go. He leans against the firestaff for a moment, finally taking some time to catch his breath. Like this, he really does look significantly older. But his eyes are still soft and warm, the edges of his mask just pliable enough to show expression and give the illusion of a smile.]
It is very good to see you, Fukuda. I wish our welcome could be warmer for you.
[Fukuda claps his hands together, visibly relaxed now that his yapping rights have been restored. He has SO MUCH to say!!!]
Oh, of course not! Besides, technically the first person I talked to her was Mr Kapura and he was very nice and had interesting things to say! I liked him quite a lot. He also warned me that Mr Jaller wouldn't like me. So I still got to have a nice conversation with a matoran which is very exciting! I also sat on the beach for a while before that! Oh, and I looked at a cool telescope but I didn't touch it because the sign said not to.
Though I'm a little confused by some of the things they said, more than that I'm just relieved you didn't forget me! I'm glad to see you too, even though I don't understand why you're small again and apparently not a toa.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
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!
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
Flatly:]
With the Turaga.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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
I've no time for foolery. If you've come so far to play tricks on our people just to see me, then you can pull some honesty from that chest of yours.
Answer my question.
[A beat, and his eyes flick very subtly to their joint company, just for Fukuda to see.
Play along, please.]
no subject
Um... I'm a human? From Chicago.
no subject
Vakama merely exhales, though whether it's a response to Fukuda or to Jaller behind him is hard to tell.]
A creature from the sea, indeed. [Quiet, thinking.]
...
[When next he talks, his voice is once again strict.]
You will go no further.
Captain.
[Jaller stiffens, but dutifully comes to Vakama's side.]
The defensive call can be lowered. Send what remains of the western flank to help with the efforts on the north of the village.
I will handle this from here.
[Jaller's immediate surprise echoes the murmurings among the guard. But Vakama doesn't repeat himself to either part, staff tapping against the rock as he walks alongside Fukuda, a firm thwack from the top of it against Fukuda's shin to turn the man around.]
Come. I will see you sent home.
no subject
Well, it's just as well. As much as he's curious about the village and all the other matorans, with the lava it is so unbearably hot here. And they don't seem too keen on him anyway. Alas. He'll follow dutifully after Vakama.]
Aah, alright...
1/2
Turaga--! Sir, I'm sorry, but I have to object, the guard is not going to just abandon you to something dangerous--]
--They do when their Turaga tells them to do so! [An immediate snap back behind his shoulder. There's a beat as it holds, before he sighs again.]
I gave you your orders. Now go.
[The Matoran hesitate for another long moment, though plenty of them have started gathering their things. Jaller's frown thins. But eventually, he bows, turning away.]
2/2
As soon as they hit one of the crossroads, he halts. Eyes travel behind him, as though listening.
A beat.
Without any further warning, his free hand take's Fukuda's, even as the mask on his face starts to glow a golden color.]
Shh. Trust me for a moment longer, brother.
[And with that, Vakama vanishes into thin air, staff and all. But Fukuda will still feel the press of his hand, and the tug to follow deeper into the woods, away from the shore.]
no subject
Of course! Whatever you need me to do, brother!!
[He will be easily led into the woods.]
no subject
[His voice still comes just as clearly as if the elder stands next to him, but it's hushed.
Vakama is much quicker on his feet than his form would betray, and their winding path continues for a minute or two before spilling back out onto the sprawling volcanic rock. Over a wooden bridge they go (don't worry, Fukuda, it'll hold you even if it's a little small!) into the touch of greenery and humidity, the starts of that same wild jungle where it kisses the view of the ocean overtop extremely high cliffs.
As they draw to a halt, Vakama lets himself turn visible again, letting Fukuda's hand go to tap at the rock with his staff, glancing over the cliffside with a furrowed brow.]
My friend, do you still have that shard ability from many months ago? It may prove wise for us to take a shortcut.
[He scrapes out an X onto the stone with the bottom of his staff. Here-ish should suffice for a hole.]
no subject
no subject
It's not much - a little grotto high above the sea, with a good view of where both the aged volcanic rock and the long stretches of sand meet the water to one side, with the quiet tangled reaching of the jungle to the other. Against the rock walls there's markings, notes, mathematic little equations written in Matoran - signs that this is not the first time a certain someone has been down here.
Vakama hesitates at the lip of the opening, as though seeing the distance and realizing he'd heavily misjudged his ability to perform the drop. But he blows out a shaky breath, dropping his staff in with a clatter ahead of him.]
I'm... ah, not as nimble as I was last we met. If I could ask for your help for a moment...
[Catch him please :(]
no subject
Of course! Hopefully you're not as heavy as you look since I've only gotten a little bit stronger in the last couple months...
[But he will try his best either way.]
no subject
[H'okay.... okay okay okay okay time to jump--
He is like the weight of a middle schooler, Fukuda, are you dropping him y/n.]
no subject
Man, that was nerve wracking! I thought Jaller and the others were going to toss me into the lava! They're real protective of you, Vakama. That's good!
[He'd be protective too, given how you shrunk...]
no subject
He brushes himself off with a hearty pat to Fukuda's side as he bends to fish his staff off the cavern floor.]
They're only doing their duty. Try not to hold it against them too harshly - they know of nothing else beyond this island.
[Ah, good ol' stick, here we go. He leans against the firestaff for a moment, finally taking some time to catch his breath. Like this, he really does look significantly older. But his eyes are still soft and warm, the edges of his mask just pliable enough to show expression and give the illusion of a smile.]
It is very good to see you, Fukuda. I wish our welcome could be warmer for you.
no subject
Oh, of course not! Besides, technically the first person I talked to her was Mr Kapura and he was very nice and had interesting things to say! I liked him quite a lot. He also warned me that Mr Jaller wouldn't like me. So I still got to have a nice conversation with a matoran which is very exciting! I also sat on the beach for a while before that! Oh, and I looked at a cool telescope but I didn't touch it because the sign said not to.
Though I'm a little confused by some of the things they said, more than that I'm just relieved you didn't forget me! I'm glad to see you too, even though I don't understand why you're small again and apparently not a toa.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)