#dive2themellow

Tails's Blast Cannon has upgraded once more! In addition to the standard Copy Abilities that can be acquired from battles, smaller side-grades that act as video game passives can also be achieved from interactions outside of combat! From the data retrieved from an Adaptability Chip full-to-bursting, here are the new side-abilities Tails currently has to his name!

[PASSIVE ACTIVE: HEROINE'S ENDURANCE] Derived from Mari of @rathalascendant

Upon activation, a defensive boost will be applied to Tails. The fighting force and indomitable nature of Mari the Beast Rider shall brace the fox for a short stint of time, granting him what it takes to see the job to journey's end! This world is no joke, but we're no slouches, either!

[PASSIVE ACTIVE: DEVIL'S TONGUE] Derived from Mephiles of @shadowsceptered

Upon activation, a liar's beguiling wit will overcome Tails. By nature, the fox is not so adept at lying, but a trickster's spirit will embolden him to coat truth in murky subterfuge. ...Though, this does not make the kit amazing at lying. It merely makes him better than horrible.

[PASSIVE ACTIVE: JESTER'S STRENGTH] Derived from Pomni of @pomniegranate

Upon activation, a light in the dark of madness will maintain the mind, allowing it to recognize the truth of self even beyond a hazy miasma of psychic torment. His brain is his greatest asset, and those who attempt to bewilder, bewitch, or break it down shall find it harder to find their mark. He knows who he is, and none will take this from him.

[PASSIVE ACTIVE: SPIRIT'S TERROR] Derived from Sadako of @brinefrolick

Upon activation, physical strength will rise as the choice of fight or flight becomes crystal clear. Fear, it is a natural reaction packaged in our bodies at large. In the correct amounts, it can be a boon instead of a hindrance. The fear of the unnatural and unexplainable will surge through the fox, forcing on-the-spot calls and decision-making. No delineating, no room for panic. Fight for the life you still have.

[PASSIVE ACTIVE: DOCTOR'S GENIUS] Derived from Eggman of @robotnikium

Upon activation, receive a boost from the other side of intelligence. Something more unrestricted and free-form. The fox, he is not left wanting for smarts. Anyone who has met him could tell you he radiates raw knowledge. Though, he does not know all, and there is always room for improvement. The judgment of those unlike yourself can prove useful, elevating a concept from outstanding to amazing with a little outside-the-box thinking. Just try not to get carried away.

[PASSIVE ACTIVE: FAMILY'S FREEDOM] Derived from Sonic, Amy, and Knuckles of @lightdash , @badnikbreaker , and @fastfists / @dive2themellow

Shard doesn't like being out in public while he's in the past. So, instead he takes his time blasting circles around familiar spots at top speeds no one would be able to get a clear look at him with.

Right now, he's doing the loops in Green Hill repeatedly, enjoying the rush of it all. All of the loops where he's from are snowed over, so he can't do them as cleanly as he's able to here. He's even got an internal timer going, seeing if he can't beat his times from one end of the track to the other.

Though in the middle of one of his runs, something just as fast as he is seems to come out of nowhere, down the opposite side of the track. They crash into each other with a loud BANG!

Shard gets sent back a few feet, before jumping to his feet and angrily shouting at whoever was standing in the way of his time trial.

"Hey! Watch where you're-!"

Over. Over? Exactly what is over?

> Negative. The objective < kill Sonic the Hedgehog > has not been fulfilled, so nothing is over.

>> Negative. Why should Sonic the Hedgehog get to decide when things are over?

Metal Sonic doesn't need to argue with Sonic. He isn't interested in it. Right now, he only wants to kick him so hard in the head that the thing spins around like a Badnik's can--And kills him. Metal Sonic stands from where he landed only moments ago, dust and other metal debris left behind from destroyed Eggtech, and flexes his razor sharp fingers, wrists spinning as he acclimates to the damage done to him by his enemies. Over.

@dive2themellow asked: "Shad--?" The name becomes a question when the hedgehog turns around wearing an expression Knuckles knows for a fact that Shadow would indeed never wear. A gloved hand comes to push up his cowboy hat, then grab his sunglasses and lower it a bit. Ah. Like this, without his vision being tinted darker grey, he can see clearly that this hedgehog is in fact orange, not red. Another Shadow Android? "Shadow's gonna be so pissed off," Knuckles says aloud, mostly to himself. Then he gestures at Sanctum. "What's your story, guy? Cool armor." - from knux

ㅤ      A  slow  head  turn  with  an  annoyed  growl  follows  &  Sanctum  stares  at  the  echidna  standing  before  him.  Surely  the  heavy  armor  on  him  was  such  a  dead  giveaway  yet  he  keeps  getting  mistaken  for  his  old  namesake.  Both  hands  ball  into  fists  but  he  lets  out  an  exasperated  sigh.  He'll  let  it  slide  once  but  the  next  time  it  happens  .  .  .   Knuckles  better  be  prepared  for  an  icy  response.

Fools; impulsive mortals that don’t know what they’re dealing with, hanging on the whim of their friends peer pressuring them into an abrupt demise. Or at least, that’s how Mephiles feels when it’s happened seventeen times in the three days he travels this time period. Any other, he’d take glee in making them realize his presence is a little more impactful than chanting a name in the mirror three times (unsurprisingly, that also sets off his radar). He thrives on that fear. But not today, today he’s bored. There’s nothing happening, nothing interesting, and he has a feeling that’s about to continue when he manifests at… huh?

Isn’t this… a Gaia temple? He blinks in confusion, rising from the mist of shadows as he glances left and right. When he sees nothing, he turns around. And… HUH?

@dive2themellow said: ❛ you’re never gonna find peace, you know that? ❜ (dive2themellow ; sonic for shadow but HE MEANS THIS IN A WAY LIKE U GOTTA ROLL W THE PUNCHES...but he's sonic so he's bad at being normal heart)

The wolf's head lifts a bit, ears flicking, when Sonic says her name — but she doesn't make any other indication that she's heard him. Blue eyes remain fixated on the waves below. Her mask is in her hands in her lap, and those hands twitch like she might hide from Sonic with it, but ultimately she lets her face stay free.

When she'd first joined the Diamond Cutters, she was still a child; Smithy had found her, and when he'd learned that she hadn't seen much of the world, he'd taken it upon himself to fix that. He showed her all sorts of sights and taught her how to see and appreciate them. After he and the others died, she'd stopped. She's trying to learn again.

Finally, she turns her shoulders to see him. Even smiles. Softly, she answers, "A little of both."

     ...It was peaceful.

     Angel Island truly felt like it couldn't exist. It sounded ripped straight out of a lore and mythos book. Or the setting to a fantasy novel that would see the main character face trial and tribulation to reach, all for a long-forgotten folk hero who had made this mystic place their vacation home to begrudgingly take our point-of-view character under their wing, all so they can save their lover from a big, bad evil guy.

     In so many words? It was larger than life. And Tails counted his lucky stars that he knew the guy who guarded such a sanctum. If he so much as thought about coming up here otherwise, it would probably be a fist to the face and an impromptu skydiving session back to the planet's surface.

     Instead...? The kit could simply breathe. The air was so fresh up here, and the animals were so lively and plentiful! Unlike the terrain down below, animals have not learned to fear man. They are not so quick to scurry away into brush or bush when you approach with a hand outstretched. The guardian did his job well, and what a good job it was, indeed.

     For the grand majority of time, it was Tails to his work, and Knuckles to his post. The Master Emerald resided behind them both, attention only requested when the fox had found a funny image on his phone and wanted to show his brother to see if it would be rewarded with a reaction.

     That is, at least, until the real reason Tails had paid a visit arrived from its survey.

     《 "Arf-arf!" 》 With an artificial bark loosened, dual-fanned rotor blades giving him all of the propulsion he could possibly need, T-Pup would soar into sight, paws of polished silver clacking on the stone of the Master Emerald's altar, pausing for some pets at Tails's shoe.

     "Hey, Knuckles! T-Pup's back! So, what'cha learn out there, boy? Get some good data for me?" And with the zeal of a boy and his dog, arms would scoop the good pup up, an internal heater blazing to show the warmth and joy of flesh and bone through but a metallic chassis.

     After a few pats as payment for a job well done, a cord would emerge from the back of the faux dog, where rotors now tuck themselves in, hidden away for another day. Said cord is extended and plugged into a nearby laptop, kit sitting back upon the floor as body and mind get to work.

     "Hm... seems like the structures above-ground are all holding up well, Knuckles! Marble Garden Zone is probably the most banged up from the elements, but that place has always been pretty ancient, right?

     "Same with the pyramids in Sandopolis, though those could use some fixing up. T-Pup noticed some particular places of support nearing thirty percent structural integrity. A few notable pillars, ceilings, and walls in there could use a new coat of sandstone."

     That's why Tails was here. Upkeep. Generalized island-wide overview. Made overwhelmingly easier with the help of a friend. Angel Island was... well, it was old, there's no sugarcoating that one. And after the constant meddling of unwanted outsiders, the island could sometimes use a helping hand in its preservation. Luckily for it, Tails loved to help.

     "Underground facilities are faring a little less well, I'm afraid. There are a lot of underwater leaks in Hydrocity Zone from overpressurized water, which is why I'd guess Marble Garden Zone has been showing some heightened degradation recently. And, uh... Hidden Palace Zone. Yikes. That place needs some 'T.L.C,' and stat, my friend. It's not in danger of a full collapse, but... it's not far off.