limiterrings | (no subject)

You have to be sure.

[ that's the thing about leading anyone, insecurities will hold a person back and lead them into more danger. between him and sonic, the airhead runs into trouble unsure of it'll work but is confident in his actions that it should.

shadow will make it work when he chooses to do something.

however, he can't scold this copy of his, he can only add suggestions as he looks to the cave the other chooses. without hesitating, he skates, ducking a bit to slip inside. whatever's wet on the floor as he kneels down, he doesn't go out of his way to figure out what it is.

once again the cave shakes, the crystallized walls cracking then shattering onto the floor. of course, when a threat tries to put him in danger, he can't help but groan in annoyance. ]

[Have to? When he's been wandering aimlessly, not knowing what he wants to do himself, let alone capable of leading anyone. He doesn't say any of that. Not the time or place, but the expectation just feels foreign to him.

He sees his other speed off into the space without question and follows after them. It's a tight fit, but they will both be able to take shelter. Will it hold is another. He's curled up slightly in the space, feeling the other pressed against him. At this point, the underground was shaking continuously. Walls and debris falling around them. Complete collapse imminent.

He couldn't hide how terrified he was by all this, body shaking, nervous breathing. It's unnerving, when he normally fights the problem or avoids them altogether. Now he has to learn to sit through the danger itself. He survived a fall from space though, he should make it through a whole cave-in. That's what he keeps telling himself, but he can't push back that feeling of uncertainty of the unknown. He closes his eyes, hoping it would help. Just, listening and feeling all this destruction around him, still unpleasant. The noise occasionally almost sound like explosions, hits too close to an event he doesn't want to recall again.]

[ the difference where this copy visually shakes, pressed up against him is something that shadow can't ignore. if this is a clone of him, it's pathetic at best, but there's something about his circumstances compared to his own — his experiences are different or his data is corrupted. he doesn't know the biolizard, the connection that he or it should have to it.

it's like he's ... scared, afraid. it has been some time since he could ever remember such a feeling that wasn't anger and hatred, the need for revenge would drive him, his moments of disbelief that turned into malice. it's new, something he's unable to just ignore when this copy carries his face. normally eggman would only make those robots unable to make expressions, only carrying out the need to kill and destroy what's around them, but this one acts so...

...

who are you is what he wants to ask. what could they have created that this of all things becomes terrifying? shadow too hates the noise, it reminds him of a time, but there's no alarms, and there's no gunshots so he does better than the one beside him. as things crumble down, the ground splitting in various areas as the ceiling falls... something sparkles that catches his attention out in the debris that gets knocked against a piece of rock into another. ]

...You stay here.

[ as dangerous as it is to go out there, shadow's body slowly shifts away from the one next to him. ]

[It is rather pathetic, and he hates when others see him vulnerable. But nothing can be done about it. It's a new experience, overwhelming. His mind in constant battle over wanting to get out, or keep staying there. Other thoughts keep flashing in his mind. A fire, the area going bright and then...the ringing in his ears. His ears twitch, picking up something else, the other's voice. Isn't the world still coming down out there?

He curls up more tightly, easier for them to get out, but also to give himself comfort. He's going to be left on his own. He will at least open his eyes again. A look that was trying to understand what the other was doing.] Where...? [He tries to hide that bit of desperation in his voice. Whatever their thoughts are about him, they were still the only thing "familiar" in this unknown place. What will he do if he doesn't see them again? And...last thing he wants is to find a dead body that looks almost like him once this is over.

He glance pass his other, trying to occupy his mind with something else. Maybe he can see what it they're looking at out there. And that's when he notices it. It was quick, but something shines among the falling debris. But is it honestly worth going out there for that?? His other thinks so, but he can't tell from here what it is.]

[ the copy can look out there and see technically nothing but large rocks falling, glass shattering and shooting out into the ground as everything begins to crush what's below. he'll see something hit against a falling rock, a type of dull colored emerald that flashes red when turned at an angle. it's in a familiar shape that he could probably pinpoint anywhere if he recalls what it reminds him off.

this is what shadow wants. even if the energy within the gem has probably faded some, it will still be useful if it's what he thinks it is. if it even means the same thing here where it does back home, but these gems have an odd way of appearing in strange places.

that's why shadow is already crawling his way out, quick to roll onto the ground and dodge a falling rock that's able to cover half of the entrance of where the copy is.

on his hands and knees, shadow attempts to stand up, but one shape rock comes down, which he narrowly avoids by disappearing and appearing on top of the falling object that crashes to the floor and shatters upon impact. it's dangerous, sharp pointed ends fall down like rain that threaten to impale shadow, but he doesn't seem to be afraid. the look in his eyes shows determination, he's calm with every move that he makes, and wary of his surroundings as he tries to catch up to the gem that continues to be knocked against other pieces. ]

[Well, that piece of debris makes it harder for him to see what's happening. He's not too concerned about being trapped just yet. He knows he can break through all this. He'll have to unfurl though so he can shift position to see and make sure his other was still moving.

They're very much, moving. As if they've been through this obstacle course before. It was both amazing and horrifying to watch as they narrowly avoid getting skewered. He doesn't know or realize it himself, but he would react and move just as naturally when put under various situations. Even when he was at the base, there had been instances of him displaying quick reflexes just after being released from the meteor. He could not imagine this is how he looked to others though. The gap of experience between them just seems so far apart.

The emerald finally comes to it's resting place, rolling underneath some debris. A large piece of the ceiling breaks apart and starts to fall over that same area. The emerald would get further buried if his other doesn't get to it, but then, they risk getting crushed. That piece of the ceiling was far larger than anything his other had avoided previously. He feels his body react before his head catches up with him, punching the bit of debris blocking the entrance as he tries to crawl out of the space. Would he make it in time?]

[ it's risky, but his chances grow even more if it's within his possession. at first, the gem around the neck of the host called his attention, it was familiar in energy — it wouldn't surprise him if they were siphoning the power of the emeralds into it. at most, this is a dead emerald with only so much energy left or none at all, and this is what shadow risks his life for.

up onto his feet, using surrounding rocks to jump off of and the occasional spin dash to breaking it in two in order to get through. it seems easily doable until the larger rock comes through, his abilities tested at losing the emerald or being crushed upon retrieval.

he has to keep moving no matter the consequence of his actions, and if he's taken out here and they unearth his body all he can hope for is that it's unusable. death hasn't really been kind to him, his body geared towards survival no matter the circumstances and then there's his dna.

if he's unable to die then he knows what's out there won't let him die either as long as he exists. that's why shadow tries for it, running underneath the piece ready to crush him, and it's with a swift kick against the emerald in the direction of his copy.

maybe he knows, maybe he doesn't. he doesn't have the time to use it correctly because time is not on his side to harness the power, but he mouths the words "chaos control" to the copy. whether they can utilize it or not, even a weak version of it may make a difference here. ]

[He's not going to make it. The ceiling nearly on top of them that he wouldn't be able to speed in and get them out without them both getting crushed. He hears something rolling towards him though, the sound distinctly different from the crumbling of debris. An...emerald? Like the one of the seven Sonic used to power himself, only this one was larger.

He picks it up in both his hands, feeling a faint power coursing through it. Familiar, like how the power from the emeralds back home felt to him. It is made with the same energy coursing through him. He sees his other mouth something to him. Two words. Faintly, he remembers some kind of research the scientists were looking into, but it never got anywhere at the time. Those two words came up then. He has no time to ponder, he needs to act. React to whatever happens next. He lifts the emerald before him, sparks appear from his hand to give it a little more power. The emerald shines just a little more brighter. Once again, this feels natural even without the knowledge of how and why.]

Chaos...Control!

[The space around them suddenly comes to a grinding halt. Nothing was moving, or just barely by an inch. Colors have became pale and distorted, like Shadow had gain a new sight of the world around him. He's taken aback, but he can't sit there to process what he had done. Not knowing how long this will last, he understands he needs to take every opportunity given in this moment to act. Somehow he knew he could still move in this space like normal as he rushes to his other, kicking and punching aside the debris. They don't move, but once time returns, they'll have been pushed out of harm's way. He doesn't know if his other can move in this moment as well, so his priority is to make sure they can get out as well.

The surface is now open to them. There will be no glorious city waiting for them though. Just a dingy district of facilities that surround the dome they were just in. Further eventual investigation will reveal this was nothing more than a outpost of such. A space created for the sake of bringing otherworldly travelers in to entertain within the dome. Sure enough, there will be flying armed vehicles waiting for them above, ready to shoot them if they are not quick enough to react. Will time still stop long enough for them to avoid them?]

[ time stops, the world's color grows dull, almost like being underwater — sound fades out into nothing, and this is a world that shadow understands much like breathing air. his eyes glance to the side, then to the other as he can hear rock above him shatter into pieces. he made a good choice then, it seems even this individual is capable of harnessing chaos energy in the same matter as him.

if he didn't then it would have been something of the end for them, but shadow's quick to jump up, catching his footing on pieces of rock that's flat enough for him to use. he uses these to his advantage to quickly follow after where his copy is, the look in his eyes as he meets the others is one that acknowledges that he's done good. as for the emerald, he allows the other to keep it, besides with how much juice is left within it, he knows it won't have much use for himself.

as swiftly as he can, shadow makes it to the top to take in what's waiting for them, and the vehicles do not go unnoticed. rather, he glares at the one that's already shot a sort of missile and net in the direction of where they think one of them would be. jumping towards it, shadow flips upside down, kicking the missile in the other direction, and hop over to grab the edge of the net. there's some sort of sticky substance on it, and he jumps into one of the aircrafts to hook it around the driver.

whatever it does, he'll figure out once the world goes back to normal, but he isn't against turning the wheel on the vehicle to ensure it goes crashing into another. he points two fingers at another one, suggesting that his copy should follow suit with the others, because as soon as time begins and everything crashes into each other — they'll have to run while they're all distracted.

but the question is which way. ]

[The look when their eyes met, he felt some relief that the other didn't seem disappointed. Despite his moments of weakness, he can perform when asked of him, even if he doesn't fully understand the command. He had to be trained and conditioned to perform near flawlessly in his task, or else the base probably wouldn't have been standing for as long as it had been.

He comes up to the surface with his other as they've gone ahead to deal with one of the vehicles. The emerald, disappeared from his hand for the moment. Whether he's aware he did it or not, is uncertain. He's already looking at the other flying vehicle as his other instructs him to do the same. It's like dealing with G.U.N on his tail once again. He knows how to deal with that. He teleports up, appearing on the side of the pilot. He gets a clearer view of the area from up here, noting it quickly as he breaks into the cockpit. The controls were alien to him, but turning a stirring wheel is still universal apparently. He turns, then kicks it to keep it jammed in one direction.

Once completed, he jumps towards the other, looking for his double.] Here! [Soon as he spots them, he reaches for them. Expecting, hoping they grab hold so he can teleport them both out of there. He saw a building that looked abandoned in the distance while he was handling the other pilot. That's where he would take them, successfully getting them inside an old empty room, and putting quite some distance between them and all the action as time returns to normal. The sound of a distant explosion being the indication that the flying vehicles have made contact into each other.

He had landed on his feet in the new area, but after a moment, collapses onto the floor to catch his breath again. Whatever that "chaos control" was, didn't know how much it would drain him until they were finally out of danger, for now. Could be because he had made the choice to give it a little more power, lack of familiarity to properly control that power, or both.]

[ the thing is shadow doesn't work with others that well, he likes to work alone and if not that then with the team he knows best. however, how he feels about himself in general is different — he trusts himself to make close calls, he believe in himself to be able to do things that others aren't capable.

even when the hand is extended to him, he would normally ignore it in favor of finding his way out. only because this odd hedgehog who has his face offers that hand and understands the gravity of the situation is why shadow takes it without hesitation. it's in and out, from one place to another, and inside of the building that acts as their cover once the machines come crashing into each other is almost music to shadow's hears.

it's the burst of air that blows inside of the buildings and cracks the glass to bust those and them back more, causing them to roll on the floor, and then he's quick to recover onto his feet. ]

We have to move.

[ that's what shadow knows more than anything, to continue to work on his feet without stopping. it's with this in mind that he walks over to where his double is, tilting his head as he looks at the other.

someone able to use the ability of chaos control surprised him before, but he doesn't seem too surprised... but why, how is he able to do it but not know of that monster? from the look of things, that ability seems to have taken quite a lot out of him that seeing him catch his breath makes shadow wonder a few things.

aside from the visual differences and memories, it's a question he's finally decided to kneel down to look at who has saved his life with a simple question next. ]

Who are you?

I know. [He says breathlessly. He's aware he can't keep laying here, but his damn body doesn't want to move right now. His eyes are closed, his breathing slowly starting to steady. He can hear footsteps of his other approaching. Probably to scold him for still laying here. But no matter what he wants or demands of his body, it refuses.

Who are you?

There was a skip in his breathing. Not the question he was expecting right this moment, but a simple question should have gotten a simple reponse. It only gave Shadow pause. Then a quiet admittance.] ...I don't know. [There are a number of things people had expected him to be, but those aren't his own thoughts and opinions. His entire life was dictated for him up till recently. Never finding the answer about himself. He takes a long deep breath, opening his eyes to stare up at the ceiling, unable to look at his other who carried so much more confidence.]

I was given a name, told I was the Ultimate Lifeform, but... [Brows furrow as he frowns. That feeling of not knowing, just doing without any explanation behind it. A small part that's scared of himself, what he can do that the scientists didn't uncover yet about himself.] It doesn't mean anything when I don't know who or what I am from the start.

Hmph.

[ the only thing he can muster as he gets up from the floor, no longer kneeling down next to his copy with interest. that answer isn't the best one, because shadow can only ponder those words and what they could have meant for him. those days of running desperately for answers of who he was, those foolish days of where he'd "throw away" his past and say "goodbye" to himself.

as the ultimate lifeform there was a responsibility, the creation that was meant to be a cure for all illnesses, to be able to make everyone on earth happy — smile, other little things he wouldn't have believed when he first woke up. yet, he looks down at this "ultimate lifeform" wondering if he even believes himself to be that. ]

Well, Ultimate Lifeform, you've got time to figure it out.

[ he's unable to say that he'll have people to help him figure that out along the way, but shadow doesn't know what the other has.

from the sound of it, it sounds like nothing. asking questions such as who gave him that name would be a start, it's basically an answer in some way that might grow into an even harsher truth. ]

Let's go. [ yet, is it shadow's place to say anything about how he feels. no one would have understood him, unfortunately, he's never been the type to put his feelings into words for another person. instead, he pushed himself to prove that he was what he believed himself to be. ]

[They sounded disappointed. Not surprising. Quite a difference in response when he asked them the same question before. Figure it out. The title ringing hollow to him. He shifts himself to a sitting position, giving himself a moment before finally getting back up. Staggering a bit, he manages to straighten himself up, looking to his other expectantly. Ready. Well, so he keeps telling himself.

Another fight anytime soon might actually bring him down hard. He's not saying that, not wanting to admit to it and be left behind.

This building doesn't seem to have anyone occupying it at least. No sound of anyone obviously hiding or someone equivalent to a soldier that he can hear. But where are they to go? How do they actually leave this place? A thought. A risky one, but-] Should we look into where those flying vehicles came from? [Hijack one and get a better idea of their situation.]

[ shadow always sounds disappointed.

the ultimate lifeform who hasn't found their purpose yet, he won't pity them as that's something he hates himself. however, he can tell that this one searches for a tender touch that he doesn't have, she... would beg to differ, but who he is now couldn't give this individual what they're looking for. ]

Hm... [ he scoffs, shaking his head. ] I have to finish whatever brought me here.

[ that would put them on someone's radar, and those high-speed car chases is more sonic's style than his. he has to take the sneakier, silent alternative until he can figure out what it is that wanted him or them here. ]

If that interests you, why don't you take it?

[ shadow now looks over to the other, it's not a gentle or scolding look, it's more so... there's no wrong or right answer. ]

You are the Ultimate Lifeform.

[He blinks, eyes lowered as he considers the other's objective. Who did bring them here? How? Why? Why them specifically? Now that it's been put into his mind, he wants to know too. He looks up again, the question directed at him. Them furthering re-enforcing his title. It does the opposite and make him resent it more. It only brought him pain, grief and imprisonment. His eyes doesn't meet the other, shaking his head.]

Just...call me Shadow. Or anything else. [They're both named Shadow, aren't they? That would get confusing very quickly. Either way, he doesn't feel like he's done anything to earn the title of "Ultimate Lifeform". He lifts his head, looking at the doorway.] But I want to find who's responsible for bringing us here.

[ anything else? it's almost like an insult, but he hasn't done anything to prove himself as the ultimate lifeform, but if biolizard only exists as a movie, does that mean that there was no one to make a cure for? these are sensitive questions, some that makes him stare at the copy wondering if he failed there too.

... ]

This is your chance to escape, Seven.

[ because calling him shadow will be confusing, but shadow has always been the ultimate lifeform, and if he isn't ready to carry the weight of that title then there's no need to hold that either. ]

Whoever did this has no connection to you.

[Seven. He looks to his other, wondering why that name in particular? It's inoffensive enough that he isn't bothered by it, but he is curious. Either way, he accepts it, wanting to just move on from that whole Ultimate Lifeform talk. Unlike that subject, he's very sure of what he wants to do next, and it's not to escape anymore. Thinking further, where would he even go afterwards anyway?]

How do you figure it's not? I was brought here against my will. [He didn't ask to come here. There's still no explanation about what's going on between them. How is it the two of them are able to just...exist in the same space? If that even makes sense. And he still had questions about his other. If they are willing to deal with him.] I'm going with you. [In a rare moment, he speaks clearly what he desires.]

[ there's a low groan that filters from shadow's throat as he looks between the doorway across the room and then to seven. he's not really good at having someone that isn't in tune with themselves following him around, especially when they appeared so scared not too long ago. ]

You were.

[ but it feels personal, like someone chose shadow in particular because why no one else? why just himself... or a copy of himself, but there's always a chance that seven isn't who he is. he could be a plant that these aliens are using to watch over him, to keep him close to always know where he is.

why does shadow keep him knowing the danger it may bring? ]

As long as you don't get in my way.

[ he wants to add he can do whatever he wants, but even that seems like a double edged sword. ]

Of course. [He heard that bit of reluctance, but he doesn't let it bother him. He doesn't plan to be a hinderance and will perform when demanded of him. Which...he lifts his hands, holding the emerald that his other had provided to him.]

In that case, could you explain what I did? I...just want better control over it. [He has become awfully aware that he tends to use his chaos powers with little regard of conserving it. If his tired body is any indication. Knowing the possible challenges to come, he has to rethink his approach. And in the long run, it would benefit his other to educate him, so that he is more efficient in his performance.]

[ that icon really showcases his heart...

is that how he parsed it? to not be in his way, he'll have to learn certain techniques to understand them better? it makes sense, then again, why wouldn't he be interested in a unique skill that could freeze time? at first, shadow is quiet not in a way to keep him away from that knowledge, but only that the skill isn't used to his advantage in the way shadow uses it. ]

Hm... then explain to me, what was it like?

[ an answer.

all he waits for is that. ]

[How was it? He looks down at the emerald in his hands, thinking. He really wasn't given much chance to process it, not knowing how long time would stop, needing to do a bunch of things within that time. It was...certainly not a sensation he's ever experienced, so the words to describe it take time to form.]

...Like I was being pulled and suddenly put underwater. [A sensation he is familiar with, having adjusted between breathing air to liquid and back often, when still in the base. But it wasn't as rough of a transition, just a sudden tug and then he was fully acclimated. Like he's done this before.]

I felt the effected space like it was an extension of myself, and yet not. I could sense certain things in the space, how far it reached. It was...draining. Energy being taken to keep it maintained. [He must have created a large effected area on his first go. Because he didn't know what he was expecting. In that moment, he didn't think about anything, but doing everything he could so they could both escape.]

[ shadow listens, occasionally looking at this version of him... something of him, not fully him, but is capable of utilizing his skills. is it because they're next to each other or are they that closely connected? ]

With that, you can achieve ultimate power.

[ he sounds proud of himself, but why wouldn't he be? only specific individuals can tap into the power that the emeralds hold. before, he wouldn't have been able to believe anyone else could do the same as him, but he is smarter than what he was before.

since seven was able to use it, it means he's open to a wide range of skills, but some come at a heavier price. ]

Space and time, all at your control with a simple command.

[ his words are fact, crimson eyes falling into the ruby red gem in the other's gloved hand. shadow's own hand closes into a fist, the crunch of his glove audible in his ears as he emphasizes the control that belongs to him. ]

It stretches as far as you can will it. You weren't familiar with it once you came into existence?

[ small differences are unique differences. ]

...So they are the same. [Despite the difference in emerald size, he thought this one felt just like the ones back on Earth. So this is what one of them can do, even when it's "power" was already nearly spent. At least he knows he can charge it, but only if he has to.

His other spoke how amazing it was to have such capabilities to use this power, but he isn't as thrilled about it as they were. It was only a moment, where his expression showed he was thinking about the possibilities, only to furrow his brows as he thinks about all the tests. All this power, just to be used for who knows what. The few experiments he was privy to did not...seem pleasant. Like what he used to completely wipe the military base off the map, or to power the Eclipse Cannon. He had to wonder why humans would want all that destructive power for.]

No, but I don't know what my life was before the humans found me. [His first memory was waking up in a tube full of some breathable liquid, with a bunch of humans in labcoats staring at him on the outside. There were soldiers among them, pointing their weapons after the meteor revealed his existence. Just a mildly stressful environment to wake up to.] After...I figured out I could manipulate the space around me. [Time was not a factor until now.]

[ they are different, so vastly different that shadow can tell even in the way they walk — he, confident, and the other, insecure. shadow could never see himself in such a miserable state, desperate, confused and blind with rage, but insecure of his desires and who he is? it's new, such feelings of visible sadness and fright, the way he doesn't understand the limitless power that comes from the emerald.

who are you, and why is he different?

he's quiet, pondering over the specific words used: "before the humans found me". that's not what it was for him, his stern gaze remains looking forward in the dark hall ahead of them where glass, paintings and even the walls are damaged with cracks and covered in dust. ]

Your circumstances sound troubling.

[ not scripted much like his own, but even then he was filled with pain and anger, he grieved in a way that brought destruction to those that hurt her. even if his beliefs were in the wrong place, at times, it felt right despite how wrong it was.

his own confusing beginning led to offering shadow a foundation, if he couldn't depend on anyone, that he had himself. seven, the one beside him, doesn't even seem like he could carry himself for long without breaking down.

metaphorically speaking, that is.]

...