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. )
[...he does kind of study Void for a second before shrugging a bit. He's... well. It's hard for him to ever be totally satisfied. But he'll have to see how it goes.
He probably shouldn't be doing this, still, but...]
...I suppose it is an easier call to make when you encounter someone after they have already begun to reevaluate things. Still... you really do keep reminding me that there are many things about you that I do not know.
[He doesn't sound judgmental, at least. Maybe a bit regretful, though. He feels like he's been a little self-centered in their conversations, but on the other hand, he doesn't really want to pry into Void's business until they're ready to actually talk about it.]
Still... we do have an exit strategy, I suppose. I will make it clear that I am willing to accept exile, at the very least.
[ They do wish they have been able to tell Jasper more of their background...though, they feel that it was not exactly the fault of anyone (they have no problems speaking frankly, but in matters like these. Well. They had been rather soft and probably been too caught up in the moment at times to let things go by the wayside themselves.) ]
...I do wish to tell you much indeed, my dear Jasper.
You haven't the opportunity to run into chances to encounter facets from my own life, or hear tales of my grand exploits, and what a shame it has been! Whatever shall I do with this sad state of affairs?
[ Void Archives' voice enters a sort of teasing tone...or something like that. Though, they certainly don't exactly allow the subject to completely change just yet, not without clarifying something swiftly: ]
Why don't you tell me some things you've always wanted to know? And I will prioritize that, hm? Don't be shy, alright~? After all, if you're truly uncertain where to begin, I could always start from what I am exactly. I'm sure you might have wondered, for example, how I could make guarantees about the subject of 'forever', hm? Or how the Void Archives is quite an hypercompetent individual?
As for the other matter, I believe being ready to make grand concessions always is a good look. Even if it isn't guaranteed to invite easy trust.
It does seem as though circumstances had you wandering into my mind far more often than I wandered into yours... how strange.
[...]
Then again, I am glad for it in that I would prefer you talk about yourself as you are ready to do so--and I imagine you are quite excited to regale me with tales about yourself. Perhaps I have assumed more reticence than is warranted...
Well, you can tell me everything you want about yourself as we walk, hm? I presumed you were something other than human, at the very least, but that is no issue to me.
...Ah, yes, there is certainly that bright side to it.
Consider it indeed not too dissimilar from being handed a wonderful prize from yours truly! In fact, it is something I would term to be exactly that. Does it please you, to be so fortunate?
[ Now, Void Archives can also not in fact have themselves get distracted, either because of something else. Or...well, there is definitely a part of them that exists which might have focused on any subject from the other man that they may have in retrospect also surprisingly forgot to return to any potential hook of their own. But, silly thoughts aside...the blond will be getting them to move a bit so that they're not just standing around, for sure.
If Jasper gets a look of amusement when he speaks about reticent, it his not his imagination. But, they indeed hardly ever talked too much about their inhumanity to him, first of all. ]
...Well, you are correct that I am certainly hardly human. Do you remember, when I mentioned that I called myself the First Divine Key? The Key of Revelation. Yes, that is what I am, yet, at the core of all that, I am known as an information archive of humanity - having existed long enough to contain over 50,000 years of that civilization; and more. A fragment of a higher artificial existence unfathomable to many, having gained sentience as a distinct artificial intelligence separate from that, yet undeniably linked.
[ A small...pause, of some sort. At the least they never thought that their inhumanity would have not been a problem where Jasper is concerned, though considering the topic... ]
At the heart of it, I was truly meant to be that which is programmed for the sake of the preservation of humanity...at all costs. To be put to use for the sake of humanity. [ Nothing less or more than a tool. ] I assume you are following along thus far, yes? Considering what we were discussing just a moment ago, I hope it isn't too much of a surprise.
[Jasper listens intently at first, then... raptly. Because damn, there are so many robots here, what the hell? But beyond just "wow, cool robot..."]
Well, no wonder you have such a high opinion of yourself. Why, I only possess significantly more knowledge than just about everyone around me, much less 50,000 years' worth.
[...he's being a little glib, but he does sound genuinely impressed.]
But yes, I am with you. So is your body some sort of construct, then?
[ ...you know, of the times they have spoken about themselves, seeing Jasper being so rapt in his attention makes their face warm (because of course their gaze will be on him all the while!) Quite frankly, it is a little embarrassing, but, they like it. And the fact that he sounds so impressed too. They weren't exactly accounting for that at all.
Though, part of the reason they end up chuckling is because of how he phrased his words so...and a relief. Not that they had any reason to be nervous or anything! ]
For the most part, yes, since I am the one who granted knowledge to even allow its creation. Indeed, the body you see before you is not my original form, as you clearly have surmised. Which, I could very well show you...
[ Though, there isn't really much to see with a golden cube and they know it whatever their genuine high opinion of themselves. Still, they put it out there. ]
Also, this construct was built from a rare metal, infused with the DNA of my previous...associate, in order to mimic the aspects of a human body while being more - and immensely - sturdier. [ Proud enough not to say "wielder/Master/handler", even if it is in some ways more accurate. Otto has less rights now. ] You see, originally, I granted the knowhow and process to allow said associate to achieve functional immortality - even if it wasn't the only method, mind you - by making many of these "constructs", as it were. The one you see before you was modified to be distinct from the appearance of that associate, however.
...ah, so he did it by means of creating extra bodies to which he could transfer his consciousness, I suppose?
[It does seem pretty easy to figure out, theoretically, though it's probably way more complicated than that...]
Well, regardless, now that you say it, I am somewhat curious as to what your true form might look like. Unless you are, perhaps, too impressive for human eyes to behold without melting them.
Exactly so. As I expected, you would be able to deduce that point quite easier than most.
[ Easy to figure out maybe, but for those unfamiliar with the technology it would take a keen mind with great intellect to follow along - qualities Void Archives knows and feels Jasper so happens to possess. Plus, they are always quick to spring compliments on him, sue them.
They do move to tuck a loose strand of hair behind one ear. ]
...Hahaha. The brightness of my sudden appearance may in fact be capable of melting the eyes of a normal human, so perhaps you're not too far off. But, you are unlike any human I have ever met. For you, you may be able to behold my glorious self!
[ Alright, they're getting a little carried away, though Jasper's words are massaging their already grand ego, cheeks still a touch red. But, they do stop walking. Then, they turn completely towards Jasper, after putting away that little bag they were holding and show him in one hand. It's a golden cube, radiant and splendid, etched with upon a closer gaze, lines that run along it to emphasize high tech grid lines of some sort. Their eyes are glowing unsurprisingly as golden as the cube that fits in the palm of that one hand. ]
Though, I doubt you could have had the foresight to predict that this would be my true form.
[ Void Archives just sort of watches Jasper's expression, as well as his evident surprise on his face. They look verily amused at the display, even, eyes creasing as well, caught between something pleasant as well as they realize how much it shocked him. ]
Did you want to touch?
...I'll allow it. Though, do remember to be gentle, alright?
[ Seems like there's no problem with it, despite their teasing tone just now. ]
[ Oho. Void Archives' eyes are going to glint with something - certainly delighted. ]
My, my...how bold to touch me like that - and oh so carefully too.
[ Someone should probably stop them from talking like this, but we know it won't be Jasper. ]
As expected, you've done well in preventing harm to my true self. It does actually kind of tickle. Ah, it's been so long since I've even allowed anyone to get so close to myself like this. [ Their true self, really. ] A privilege for you and you alone, dear Jasper~
[ If Jasper plays his cards right, he certainly can - Void Archives doesn't truly often let anyone touch the cube in its natural state. Even when Otto possessed it, bringing it out, the cube levitated, rather than sat in the palm of his hand. So it's probably quite simple.
They don't even have time to bring a hand to their mouth to stifle some light laughs. ]
—hey! You're doing that on purpose, aren't you? Eager to show your devious side so quickly, hm?
[ That light, airy laughter in between words indicates these words are not spoken with any semblance of severity. ]
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no subject
He probably shouldn't be doing this, still, but...]
...I suppose it is an easier call to make when you encounter someone after they have already begun to reevaluate things. Still... you really do keep reminding me that there are many things about you that I do not know.
[He doesn't sound judgmental, at least. Maybe a bit regretful, though. He feels like he's been a little self-centered in their conversations, but on the other hand, he doesn't really want to pry into Void's business until they're ready to actually talk about it.]
Still... we do have an exit strategy, I suppose. I will make it clear that I am willing to accept exile, at the very least.
no subject
...I do wish to tell you much indeed, my dear Jasper.
You haven't the opportunity to run into chances to encounter facets from my own life, or hear tales of my grand exploits, and what a shame it has been! Whatever shall I do with this sad state of affairs?
[ Void Archives' voice enters a sort of teasing tone...or something like that. Though, they certainly don't exactly allow the subject to completely change just yet, not without clarifying something swiftly: ]
Why don't you tell me some things you've always wanted to know? And I will prioritize that, hm? Don't be shy, alright~? After all, if you're truly uncertain where to begin, I could always start from what I am exactly. I'm sure you might have wondered, for example, how I could make guarantees about the subject of 'forever', hm? Or how the Void Archives is quite an hypercompetent individual?
As for the other matter, I believe being ready to make grand concessions always is a good look. Even if it isn't guaranteed to invite easy trust.
no subject
[...]
Then again, I am glad for it in that I would prefer you talk about yourself as you are ready to do so--and I imagine you are quite excited to regale me with tales about yourself. Perhaps I have assumed more reticence than is warranted...
Well, you can tell me everything you want about yourself as we walk, hm? I presumed you were something other than human, at the very least, but that is no issue to me.
no subject
Consider it indeed not too dissimilar from being handed a wonderful prize from yours truly! In fact, it is something I would term to be exactly that. Does it please you, to be so fortunate?
[ Now, Void Archives can also not in fact have themselves get distracted, either because of something else. Or...well, there is definitely a part of them that exists which might have focused on any subject from the other man that they may have in retrospect also surprisingly forgot to return to any potential hook of their own. But, silly thoughts aside...the blond will be getting them to move a bit so that they're not just standing around, for sure.
If Jasper gets a look of amusement when he speaks about reticent, it his not his imagination. But, they indeed hardly ever talked too much about their inhumanity to him, first of all. ]
...Well, you are correct that I am certainly hardly human. Do you remember, when I mentioned that I called myself the First Divine Key? The Key of Revelation. Yes, that is what I am, yet, at the core of all that, I am known as an information archive of humanity - having existed long enough to contain over 50,000 years of that civilization; and more. A fragment of a higher artificial existence unfathomable to many, having gained sentience as a distinct artificial intelligence separate from that, yet undeniably linked.
[ A small...pause, of some sort. At the least they never thought that their inhumanity would have not been a problem where Jasper is concerned, though considering the topic... ]
At the heart of it, I was truly meant to be that which is programmed for the sake of the preservation of humanity...at all costs. To be put to use for the sake of humanity. [ Nothing less or more than a tool. ] I assume you are following along thus far, yes? Considering what we were discussing just a moment ago, I hope it isn't too much of a surprise.
no subject
Well, no wonder you have such a high opinion of yourself. Why, I only possess significantly more knowledge than just about everyone around me, much less 50,000 years' worth.
[...he's being a little glib, but he does sound genuinely impressed.]
But yes, I am with you. So is your body some sort of construct, then?
no subject
Though, part of the reason they end up chuckling is because of how he phrased his words so...and a relief. Not that they had any reason to be nervous or anything! ]
For the most part, yes, since I am the one who granted knowledge to even allow its creation. Indeed, the body you see before you is not my original form, as you clearly have surmised. Which, I could very well show you...
[ Though, there isn't really much to see with a golden cube and they know it whatever their genuine high opinion of themselves. Still, they put it out there. ]
Also, this construct was built from a rare metal, infused with the DNA of my previous...associate, in order to mimic the aspects of a human body while being more - and immensely - sturdier. [ Proud enough not to say "wielder/Master/handler", even if it is in some ways more accurate. Otto has less rights now. ] You see, originally, I granted the knowhow and process to allow said associate to achieve functional immortality - even if it wasn't the only method, mind you - by making many of these "constructs", as it were. The one you see before you was modified to be distinct from the appearance of that associate, however.
no subject
[It does seem pretty easy to figure out, theoretically, though it's probably way more complicated than that...]
Well, regardless, now that you say it, I am somewhat curious as to what your true form might look like. Unless you are, perhaps, too impressive for human eyes to behold without melting them.
no subject
[ Easy to figure out maybe, but for those unfamiliar with the technology it would take a keen mind with great intellect to follow along - qualities Void Archives knows and feels Jasper so happens to possess. Plus, they are always quick to spring compliments on him, sue them.
They do move to tuck a loose strand of hair behind one ear. ]
...Hahaha. The brightness of my sudden appearance may in fact be capable of melting the eyes of a normal human, so perhaps you're not too far off. But, you are unlike any human I have ever met. For you, you may be able to behold my glorious self!
[ Alright, they're getting a little carried away, though Jasper's words are massaging their already grand ego, cheeks still a touch red. But, they do stop walking. Then, they turn completely towards Jasper, after putting away that little bag they were holding and show him in one hand. It's a golden cube, radiant and splendid, etched with upon a closer gaze, lines that run along it to emphasize high tech grid lines of some sort. Their eyes are glowing unsurprisingly as golden as the cube that fits in the palm of that one hand. ]
Though, I doubt you could have had the foresight to predict that this would be my true form.
no subject
You are correct. I am not certain what I expected, but it was not this...
[...he kind of reaches out... to touch the cube...? he doesn't make contact, of course, because he wants to know if it's Okay, but...]
no subject
Did you want to touch?
...I'll allow it. Though, do remember to be gentle, alright?
[ Seems like there's no problem with it, despite their teasing tone just now. ]
no subject
[he WILL touch very gently. in a maybe kind of sensual way.]
no subject
My, my...how bold to touch me like that - and oh so carefully too.
[ Someone should probably stop them from talking like this, but we know it won't be Jasper. ]
As expected, you've done well in preventing harm to my true self. It does actually kind of tickle. Ah, it's been so long since I've even allowed anyone to get so close to myself like this. [ Their true self, really. ] A privilege for you and you alone, dear Jasper~
no subject
[...can he tickle the cube.]
no subject
[ If Jasper plays his cards right, he certainly can - Void Archives doesn't truly often let anyone touch the cube in its natural state. Even when Otto possessed it, bringing it out, the cube levitated, rather than sat in the palm of his hand. So it's probably quite simple.
They don't even have time to bring a hand to their mouth to stifle some light laughs. ]
—hey! You're doing that on purpose, aren't you? Eager to show your devious side so quickly, hm?
[ That light, airy laughter in between words indicates these words are not spoken with any semblance of severity. ]