shellphones | Message 1

Okay, fine, the last time he was actually helpful was when he didn't even remember who he was-- H-hey, hey! Don't turn this around on me! It's not like you were gonna hide from him!

[The point is to stop him??? Hold on, what did he say before that?] Didn't remember?

[Well now it's Sonic's turn to be confused.]

Yeah, right after the war? When he turned up in a village with amnesia where everyone started callin' him Mr. Tinker because he built them things and fixed their stuff. There's no way you don't remember, you literally fought me because I wouldn't let you kill him.

[It can't be seen, but he's looking at his shellphone suspiciously. This is Sonic he's talking to, it sounds like Sonic. Doesn't feel like a piece of memory he had lost either.] ...I don't know what you're talking about. [That tone seems colder than just a moment ago. Sure they bickered, but it wasn't guarded like this.]

[Well this is. Weird. Sonic's also suspiciously eyeing his shellphone. Shadow had been intensely pissed at him about that whole situation, and even more so after Eggman had ended up getting his memory back. How could Shadow not remember that?]

...You don't-- which part? Like all of it? When Eggman had me locked up on the Death Egg for like half a year? The horrible pink overalls?

You, just restored time. [The both of yous. Unless their memories are a mess because of the restoration. Well either way, let's see if that rings any bells for him.]

[It does ring a bell. A distant bell that's far enough back behind a wall of all the other crazy adventures that Sonic's had between then and now that he has to strain to recall it.]

Well apparently I didn't do a very good job, because that was ages ago!

[however the hell time works in their world, it's not like Sonic's ever really aged in 30 something years but I digress]

Not to point out the obvious, but there's something weird going on here.

Edited (Autocorrect my nemesis) 2025-01-09 12:39 (UTC)

[He doesn't like continuing this kind of discussion here. Leaves too many trails and he's not interested in having Eggman privvy to this talk. He checks his shellphone settings for a moment. It may be a minute or two before Sonic gets any sign that Shadow's still there as a video suddenly starts broadcasting. First it shows the familiar grumpy face of the black hedgehog, but then the camera moves to show an area of the island. Where the town meets the forest.] You recognize this location?

[Sonic's picking up what Shadow's putting down. Eggman might just ignore their petty bickering, but seeing as it's just taken a turn for the wacky (and exploitable, knowing Eggman), it's best to take this chat off network.

He squints at the screen, nodding slightly as he looks over the area.]

Vaguely, but yeah. I can be there in a couple minutes tops. ...make it three, I'm still learning my way around.

[Too slow.] Just get over here.

[In the meantime, Shadow is going to be waiting up in a tree, standing on a branch while left with his thoughts. He's very sure they all reappeared at Sonic's birthday party once the Time Eater was destroyed. And that's where he found that strange bottle that threw him here. There was no indication of any memory descrepancy from anyone present at the party, including Sonic. The issue only showed itself once they were here. Hm.]

[roughly fourish minutes pass before Sonic shows up, skidding to a step near the tree and scanning the area for signs of the other hedgehog. Spotting Shadow in the tree, he nods towards it and places his hands on his hips.]

Sorry I'm late, got turned around in town. So are we chatting in the tree, oooor...?

[He just likes the vantage point. But no, he's coming down and moving further into the forest, expecting Sonic to follow.] Further in. [They'll walk until the town is at least out of view.]

Tell me about this war you mentioned first. [When he was in that white space, he did traverse through unknown locations presumebly from his future, or at least that's what Professor Gerald surmised when asked. He didn't think much of it, what with a bigger threat to deal with at the time. Perhaps now, he'll get context of those places and at least somewhat confirm Sonic's claims. Because he's not sure if he can fully believe anything he said yet.]

[He would make a quip about Shadow being bossy, but even Sonic can recognize a potentially serious situation when he sees one. He keeps the smartass comments to himself (for now), and follows Shadow deeper into the forest.]

Straight to the point, huh? Gonna be honest, I don't have a big, elaborate story for you. Like I said, I was trapped on the Death Egg for six months, missed pretty much everything. Eggman finally managed to get the drop on me-- not my finest moment, and as soon as he had me out of the way he just... took over. Dropping Death Egg robots into cities and stuff. Eventually everyone finally realized I wasn't dead and came to bust me out.

[Death Egg robots in the cities. There was one location he went to that was infested with Eggman's robots. An imagery of the same war Sonic is describing? If that's the case...he would have to accept the possibility of Sonic being from the future?

...

He did encounter Sonic's younger self, didn't he? And there was Gerald and Maria...does this world have similar properties as that white space? He crosses his arm, still processing all this. Which to Sonic, he probably has a really grim stare on his face. All right, the war happened, which means he really doesn't understand why Sonic is trying to keep him from Eggman. Knowing himself, he would definitely want him dead on sight after that.] I assume Eggman lost once you returned to the fray, and you found him later as this, "Mr. Tinker"?

[Because Sonic is too much of a goddamn boy scout for his own good. It's a crippling character flaw. Especially since it leads to BIGGER and WORSE EGGCRIMES... but it's fine.]

Oh yeah, he lost bigtime. Up and vanished afterwards. Somehow he turned up in Windmill Village and just started helping people-- maybe the overalls were green? Whatever, not important. The thing is, he seemed genuinely happy to be doing something good for once, and the villagers loved him! I don't know, I just...

[He trails off, rubbing at the back of his neck. He's not the kind of guy who gets bothered easily, but this is clearly a disappointing subject for him.]

I thought that if he could be that guy once, then it's gotta be something that's still in there somewhere!

[Sometimes that character flaw does prevent a terrible mistake from happening though, when it doesn't involve eggcrimes. Right now, it's an annoyance, though now he knows why he's been acting the way he has been with Eggman.]

...Well it doesn't sound like he wants to be "Mr. Tinker" anytime soon. [It's still the same Eggman as far as he can see. He wasn't there to observe this happiness Sonic is insisting, so he only has his word that he genuinely meant it. And Sonic wears his heart on his sleeves, if he had those. He can see how much this is bothering him.] You've dealt with him longer than I have. When has he ever wanted to change his course, not because of amnesia, but that he wants it himself?

[Sonic raises a hand in a 'hold it right there' gesture, managing not to look too exasperated.]

Save it, you already lectured me on this like twice. I'm not just gonna give up on him, but that doesn't mean that I'm not gonna be careful about it, okay?

Well maybe you need to hear it again. Considering how things turn out when the Doctor isn't immediately dealt with. [Stupid. This is stupid. So what if he decides to be good again. Are all of his past transgressions suddenly forgiven? What if he takes advantage of you by pretending to be Mr. Tinker to get you and everyone off his trail?? He's not saying it to Sonic's face, but his disgruntled expression is telling enough that he really does not agree with this. Relying on a possibility that may never happen. Always with this hedgehog.

"Everyone deserves a chance to be happy."

Why did those words suddenly float in his head? Eggman does not deserve it. He lost that chance already. And yet the possibility rears it's ugly head with the knowledge of Mr. Tinker. Ugh. Deep breath.] ...Maybe consider changing your method. You're not going to force it out of an egotiscal man like him.

[Weird. Sonic had half expected this to devolve into a fist fight by now, but Shadow was being surprisingly... Receptive wasn't the word, but he wasn't just outright trying to shut Sonic's argument down completely, either. It could just be because this time, Shadow doesn't seem to remember the war, which definitely means he wouldn't remember the metal virus... If ever an argument could be made that Eggman needed to be destroyed, it was that.

But that was trauma to unpack later. Sonic arches a brow, clearly surprised by the direction this conversation is going, but he does visibly relax.]

Well, you know me. I'm a big fan of second chances.

[he gestures with a nod of his head in Shadow's direction, a perfect example of second chances in the flesh.]

I'll concede and admit that my methods haven't exactly produced the desired results so far. If you have any suggestions that don't envolve pushing him into a wood chipper, I'm all ears.

I think we've gone passed a second chance with Eggman. [Once. He only tried to destroy the world once. ~~Those other attmepts were in alternate timelimes.~~]

No. Figure that out yourself. [He just let that slip in the moment. No more freebies.] This hasn't change anything. Your claims of what's to come only further proves Eggman needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. If the me in the future had already given you that chance with Mr. Tinker, which ended up in failure, why should I give it to you again? [What will be different now?]

[Shadow is absolutely right, this is at least chance 4. Sonic's not going to admit it, though.]

Look, I know better than anyone how big an ask this is. This isn't like being back home, though. He's starting at zero just like us. He has no choice but to cooperate with people-- to help people, if he wants to make any progress as long as we're here. I know it's a long shot, but maybe it'll be enough to kickstart whatever part of his brain actually wanted to be that guy! I know it probably won't happen, but it's not impossible. I've seen it with my own eyes, Shadow, I wouldn't believe it myself either if I hadn't.

[Starting at zero doesn't mean anything to a resourceful genius like Eggman. Honestly none of what he's saying sounds like it's worth it. He doesn't doubt what Sonic saw, but the potential damage should it fail for just one person, it's pointless.

...But he is here. Their chances of thwarting Eggman generally increases with him and also himself to keep him in check. He shakes his head. Why is he even humoring this at all?? Stupid blue hedgehog.]

The moment he makes even a hint of causing trouble, I'm taking him out. Don't stop me. [Can Sonic at least give him that? He's already practicing a lot of restraint for his stupidly slim possibility. The least Sonic can do is let him do what needs to be done when the time comes. There will be no doubts by then who Eggman wants to be.]

[well, this is a surprise! Obviously Shadow still thinks this is a terrible idea-- and to an extent, so does Sonic, but even one crack at getting Eggman to shape up is a lot more than he'd expected.]

You know I can't promise that I won't at least try. But, this is a big planet, and it's mostly water...

[he can't exactly stop Shadow if there's a big enough body of water between them, do with that what you will.]

Hm. Somehow I think you'll find a way around all that water. And you already know what I'll do should you stand in my way.

[Even now he's wondering if he should have allow this, but it's been said and done. He knows what must be done when the time comes. Let's move on before he takes it all back.]

Now, about our differing memories. I have a feeling this world has similar properties we experienced in that white space. That bottle everyone finds before coming here, no one said it was set in one finite time or space.

[Sonic just replies with a sigh and a nod, more than happy to leave that part of the conversation behind. Yes, he knows exactly what Shadow will do, and yes, he fully expects it. At least they can agree on that much.]

That's kinda where my thoughts are on it, too. Similar, but at the same time it doesn't really feel the same at all, does it?

Message 1

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Voice -> Video | Private

Video | Private

Video -> Action

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Uuugh hit send too early!!!

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