[Of course Nine is interested in studying it. Why wouldn't he be? Nine likes power. It isn't anything new and he does know how to wield it. So long as they don't push him into a corner or betray his trust, things will go smoothly. Shadow is sure of it. He nods and looks to Sonic.]
I am fine with you continuing to study my emerald. I will leave the decision of the Master Emerald to Sonic. What do you think? Are those terms you are comfortable with?
...that sounds like its some kind of environmental nightmare. How do you even get normal food in that kind of place? [CONCERNING.]
I mean, yeah, but I meant home experiences. You know, just trying to figure out the differences. Like Big Blue and I are real different and this Shadow is different from mine and like I get some of why it is and why it isn't, but also the fact he's not even two years older than me, but has such a different vibe? Its all interesting, very sci fi. [That is a definite ramble.]
[Of course, then that question is brought up and he frowns. And for how chatty he's been, he's now quiet, looking off to the side. Bouncing his foot, at a rather rapid pace as he thinks it over.]
I....
I don't think I can.
There's a promise between me, Knuckles, and Tails, and I've already tested Knuckles forgiveness for what I thought was the 'only choice' before. Ends justify the means is a dangerous road and I need....
I need more certainty if I'm going to risk their trust.
[He's now tapping at his elbow, another rapid motion, not looking at Nine, eyes flicking about as he's doing a lot of mental math.]
But....
But but but but-
The trick about the Master Emerald is it doesn't work....the same for everyone. Best utilization is...is dependent on how it works with a person and....I can get you a means to study that without....the Emerald. That I can do. That isn't breaking any promise, that doesn't risk the Emerald, and I...
I can take that risk. Yeah, that should be fine. Its fine. Totally fine, Shadow trusts him and he's kind, it should be fine, its okay, its important, you can do this. [He had gotten quieter and that is....that is definitely talking to himself more than them as he's convincing himself.]
[There is also a mist kicking up around his feet.]
[His eyes finally snap to Nine.] Yeah, yeah, I can get you something to study that might tell you about power sources and utilization, I can do that.
[Honestly, it's more impressive that Sonic is being that cautious, even if it's also disappointing.]
Like I said, I'm not forcing an immediate decision. But you should think about it because at the end of the day you're asking me to create a means to secure a power I don't understand.
The power needs to be interacted with to do anything. Its pretty content to just sit around otherwise.
[There is more bouncing of his foot, and he frowns as he sees the mist at his feet. He kicks it away.]
[Takes a deep shuddering breath as he forces himself to just Still.]
[In. Out. In. Out.]
[Its fine. Its. Its fine. He has enough control. Its okay. He needs to secure the Emerald and he's not going to get a better candidate.]
[Iiiiiin. Oooooout.]
[He finally moves, a hand reaching up to behind his head. Hesitates. Then reaches back and with a slight grimace, pulls out three quills.]
[A spark of energy and they light up.]
[Before he holds them out.] Get whatever base readings or whatever you'll need and let me know. Once you do that, I can get them to how they are when I'm infused with the Emerald's power. It should be fine if its just a few seconds, they'll turn gold on their own. Tails confirmed that happened with a quill...someone else had from before I changed.
The Paradox Prism shards are also generally content to simply sit untapped. But there are circumstances that that can change.
[He raises an eyebrow at the glowing quills and pulls out his scanner gun to take a reading.]
Well this is an unexpected factor. I'll take your judgement into account that it can just be stored without worry for the containment being warped, but I'll still need a reading. Ideally your way will just let me removed this energy signature from its.
So, new offer for now. I study your energy instead. That way you're in full control of how much and whether or not you want to be around to see how I test these things. And my services remain the same.
Hmm. It may be a good idea for Nine to study your energy instead. It is similar to the Chaos Emeralds. And you can show Nine how it changes in your Super form. If you both are in agreement to that. And Nine can show you the research results. Help you to better understand your own powers as well.
We carried it around in a cooler for a while, no warping. As long as nothing is trying to interact with the emerald, its fine. As long as nothing is doing stuff in the inside, it'll sit there.
[He shrugs.] Sure. I would like to know more. Tails and I have been doing experiments, so I know stuff, but he does also explain a lot of it in nerd talk that's waaaay above my paygrade, but I think I can recognize if something is sounding different.
[He's bouncing his foot again, looking off to the side.] My quills go dormant after a while, but put a charge through it, and it'll activate again. It'll also activate if I start sparking on my own.
Otherwise it just kind of...
Lasts.
Its been a consistent charge for almost a year now.
And uh, make sure anything you use has a high....power limit? It'll knock out the power if something is too weak.
Also if you get rid of them, you need to freeze them as cold as possible and then incinerate them as instantly as possible or they can...explode when lit on fire or tried to grind down.
You are by far the most anxious Sonic I've met so far. Don't worry, I'll be careful with it, and you'll be setting the pace otherwise.
And I can keep any explanations easy to follow. Starting with, new factors, new risks. Even if you're completely on point, it's better to plan for if things can go bad than to assume they won't.
[Taking one of the quills, he steps back.]
Anyway, I'll need a quick scan of the emerald's energy for blocking its signature. So if you could?
Glad to know that's how I stand out amongst all the Sonics you know. [Well, at least he's still got the Sonic snark.] I already picked up on that.
[He's so much more anxious than Big Blue. So much.]
I know. I know all the contingency plan stuff, that's why I'm doing this. Better to be extra sure that its safe, especially without Knuckles and Tails as back up.
You want me to change them right now? [A pause.] Yeah, I can do that. [He pulls out his phone and will raise it up for his username.] Text me and I'll text you when it should be going. There might be a range factor, we don't know if it changed when I did, or when I got close to it again.
We can look into those details if you decide you can trust me more.
[One of the things Nine can actually do faster than him is locate him on the network. He sends a messages that just says "It's Nine" and adds Sonic to his personal contacts.]
But yeah, if you want me to get this done as soon as possible, I need and an energy reading to shield.
Well, we'll get change if it changes right away or when I start heading back.
Be a minute.
[And then he's out the door. As Sonic's do.]
[It is about five minutes before he texts back. Longer than it took to get to where he has it stashed because he gets Math exists, so gotta throw off the numbers and also just for him to find a place with a bunch of lights so the BEAM TO THE SKY isn't so noticeable. There's casinos, he can make it work.]
Did it turn gold?
[It does seem range is a factor, so it hasn't Yet.]
[It would be easy to get wrapped up in the interesting display of power , but this isn't Nine's first rodeo and he starts scanning as his free hand types out a quick message.]
Come back, they're active.
[Once the scan is complete, he creates a secure bubble of Prism energy around, but not touching, them. Then he walks over to his console and starts inputing the data while waiting for Sonic to get back.]
[The Emerald is safe because its IN HIM, so its SAFE and fine, and okay, quills are at range which is some Interesting Data because they haven't been able to test beyond the city limits of Green Hills, really, so....something to know.]
[Sonic is back faster than he left by far.]
[Quite suddenly, even for Shadow's eyes as he's just...]
[Sitting to the side, in the air, quills a golden hue and looking like glittery flames are around him and there is....some measure of safety.]
[God mode will do that.]
[He breathes in.]
[Breathes out, the gold fading to blue. Control. Don't release them. The energy is still thrumming under his skin, but its not active, like on the Moon when he felt too hollow to even try and fight.]
Yep, so if you're still anxious you can take your quills now. I contained them for safety.
[One of his tails points at the little transparent shield around the tray, the only thing besides Nine that has moved since Sonic left to charge them.]
I can be finished in an hour or two. You can either hang around, or you can find something to entertain yourself until I'm done.
[He nods and hops up to move to the tray, reaching out for his quills.]
[...well, no reason to leave them.]
[Another breathe in, breathe out, and he taps them, letting them disintegrate in a burst of golden glitter.]
[He shakes his hand. Oh, he's never just had the energy just sit here before. Doesn't like letting go, does it? Maybe because he's anxious? He's never used it while anxious. Afraid, angry, but not anxious because there was always a way forward with them.]
Dunno. Might need to go do a quest, its....different. I've only ever sat with this for maybe a minute and that was after going on a whole global fight, so they were kind of settled and also it was being shared so they weren't all there and then we had to fight some more. Oh, you are just full of wanting a purpose, aren't you? Is that why the Echidnas got all twitchy with you?
That kind of makes sense, actually.
Are you going to need supplies, because I can make them. Tech stuff is too complicated, but like metal and basic things are pretty easy and then maybe it'll be less humming in my head and be happy to go back to being a rock.
Oooooh, I'm starting to get why people have gone crazy with you before, I thought Knuckles was just being all 'the ancient texts' about it.
[He is definitely not fully talking to Nine for all that.]
[This is why he studies these things. Because otherwise you get weirdness. Smoldering shoes and running like you're on ice is apparently the minimum of weirdness.]
Constructing a safe to negate the signal is a little pointless if it's created by the same energy. Shadow can do a quest with you to help you burn off some of the excess you're clearly feeling and it'll probably do you some good to.
[It's not really a request for Shadow to go so much as a strong suggestion that he not let Sonic go alone. Take care of your charge, Shadow. Nine can help with what he has no real information on yet.]
I recommend one that covers a lot of ground but not that deals with any of the stronger monsters for the best results.
You think so? I should probably create something and see if that's a thing. Just in case, you know? The only thing I've created from nothing was a few chilidogs, but obviously those got eaten. Didn't feel tingly, but might have been, I was still on godmode before then and the emerald was feeling pretty content because I destroyed a giant robot and had accepted it was all right to think of Tom and Maddie as my parents so like there was action and emotional zen at the time.
[He is starting to bounce in place now.] Hooooowah, yeah, yeah, I get it, you like being part of the collective, makes you feel all brrrrr. [He actually sounds a bit like a vacuum cleaner with the brrr.] Its fine, I'm making friends, look, even working on my trust issues, being a lot more risk taking with my connections, don't gotta worry about me buddy, we're doing that and I learned my lesson about going solo. I got the message, you haaaate it. Can't believe you were fine with revenge quests, but no, that's fine as long as its not lonely.
Haaaa, Shadow, we should go do something because I am going to turn into a pinball at this rate, the Emeralds don't like letting go without doing something first. Learning that right now. They're all moody. I knew they had a personality the first time, but boy, didn't realize it was this loud when you weren't focused on a goal.
[Shadow, for his part, silently observes the changes in Sonic. The increased movement, the talking to himself while somehow talking to them, and needing release. He pushes off the wall and nods to the suggestion of the quest. With this much fuel, something with a lot of work yet not a lot of danger. Good thing there are always quests with a lot of manual labor.]
Building roads is always a request on the board. With the barrier expansion, they are needed more than ever.
Supply runs are also a quest we can do to release your excess energy. Let's go.
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Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-11 09:59 pm (UTC)I am fine with you continuing to study my emerald. I will leave the decision of the Master Emerald to Sonic. What do you think? Are those terms you are comfortable with?
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-11 10:17 pm (UTC)I mean, yeah, but I meant home experiences. You know, just trying to figure out the differences. Like Big Blue and I are real different and this Shadow is different from mine and like I get some of why it is and why it isn't, but also the fact he's not even two years older than me, but has such a different vibe? Its all interesting, very sci fi. [That is a definite ramble.]
[Of course, then that question is brought up and he frowns. And for how chatty he's been, he's now quiet, looking off to the side. Bouncing his foot, at a rather rapid pace as he thinks it over.]
I....
I don't think I can.
There's a promise between me, Knuckles, and Tails, and I've already tested Knuckles forgiveness for what I thought was the 'only choice' before. Ends justify the means is a dangerous road and I need....
I need more certainty if I'm going to risk their trust.
[He's now tapping at his elbow, another rapid motion, not looking at Nine, eyes flicking about as he's doing a lot of mental math.]
But....
But but but but-
The trick about the Master Emerald is it doesn't work....the same for everyone. Best utilization is...is dependent on how it works with a person and....I can get you a means to study that without....the Emerald. That I can do. That isn't breaking any promise, that doesn't risk the Emerald, and I...
I can take that risk. Yeah, that should be fine. Its fine. Totally fine, Shadow trusts him and he's kind, it should be fine, its okay, its important, you can do this. [He had gotten quieter and that is....that is definitely talking to himself more than them as he's convincing himself.]
[There is also a mist kicking up around his feet.]
[His eyes finally snap to Nine.] Yeah, yeah, I can get you something to study that might tell you about power sources and utilization, I can do that.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-11 10:28 pm (UTC)[Honestly, it's more impressive that Sonic is being that cautious, even if it's also disappointing.]
Like I said, I'm not forcing an immediate decision. But you should think about it because at the end of the day you're asking me to create a means to secure a power I don't understand.
In the meantime though, what's your offer?
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-11 10:59 pm (UTC)Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-11 11:04 pm (UTC)[There is more bouncing of his foot, and he frowns as he sees the mist at his feet. He kicks it away.]
[Takes a deep shuddering breath as he forces himself to just Still.]
[In. Out. In. Out.]
[Its fine. Its. Its fine. He has enough control. Its okay. He needs to secure the Emerald and he's not going to get a better candidate.]
[Iiiiiin. Oooooout.]
[He finally moves, a hand reaching up to behind his head. Hesitates. Then reaches back and with a slight grimace, pulls out three quills.]
[A spark of energy and they light up.]
[Before he holds them out.] Get whatever base readings or whatever you'll need and let me know. Once you do that, I can get them to how they are when I'm infused with the Emerald's power. It should be fine if its just a few seconds, they'll turn gold on their own. Tails confirmed that happened with a quill...someone else had from before I changed.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-11 11:32 pm (UTC)[He raises an eyebrow at the glowing quills and pulls out his scanner gun to take a reading.]
Well this is an unexpected factor. I'll take your judgement into account that it can just be stored without worry for the containment being warped, but I'll still need a reading. Ideally your way will just let me removed this energy signature from its.
So, new offer for now. I study your energy instead. That way you're in full control of how much and whether or not you want to be around to see how I test these things. And my services remain the same.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-12 01:35 am (UTC)Hmm. It may be a good idea for Nine to study your energy instead. It is similar to the Chaos Emeralds. And you can show Nine how it changes in your Super form. If you both are in agreement to that. And Nine can show you the research results. Help you to better understand your own powers as well.
It's a win-win.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-12 03:33 am (UTC)[He shrugs.] Sure. I would like to know more. Tails and I have been doing experiments, so I know stuff, but he does also explain a lot of it in nerd talk that's waaaay above my paygrade, but I think I can recognize if something is sounding different.
[He's bouncing his foot again, looking off to the side.] My quills go dormant after a while, but put a charge through it, and it'll activate again. It'll also activate if I start sparking on my own.
Otherwise it just kind of...
Lasts.
Its been a consistent charge for almost a year now.
And uh, make sure anything you use has a high....power limit? It'll knock out the power if something is too weak.
Also if you get rid of them, you need to freeze them as cold as possible and then incinerate them as instantly as possible or they can...explode when lit on fire or tried to grind down.
You know...
Energy generator battery thing.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-12 05:44 am (UTC)And I can keep any explanations easy to follow. Starting with, new factors, new risks. Even if you're completely on point, it's better to plan for if things can go bad than to assume they won't.
[Taking one of the quills, he steps back.]
Anyway, I'll need a quick scan of the emerald's energy for blocking its signature. So if you could?
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-12 09:52 pm (UTC)[Shadow is going to go ahead and move off to the side to just watch. Let Sonic take the reigns since that is the agreement their striking.]
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-13 12:41 am (UTC)[He's so much more anxious than Big Blue. So much.]
I know. I know all the contingency plan stuff, that's why I'm doing this. Better to be extra sure that its safe, especially without Knuckles and Tails as back up.
You want me to change them right now? [A pause.] Yeah, I can do that. [He pulls out his phone and will raise it up for his username.] Text me and I'll text you when it should be going. There might be a range factor, we don't know if it changed when I did, or when I got close to it again.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-24 09:30 pm (UTC)[One of the things Nine can actually do faster than him is locate him on the network. He sends a messages that just says "It's Nine" and adds Sonic to his personal contacts.]
But yeah, if you want me to get this done as soon as possible, I need and an energy reading to shield.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-24 10:42 pm (UTC)Be a minute.
[And then he's out the door. As Sonic's do.]
[It is about five minutes before he texts back. Longer than it took to get to where he has it stashed because he gets Math exists, so gotta throw off the numbers and also just for him to find a place with a bunch of lights so the BEAM TO THE SKY isn't so noticeable. There's casinos, he can make it work.]
Did it turn gold?
[It does seem range is a factor, so it hasn't Yet.]
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-24 11:32 pm (UTC)Nope.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-02-24 11:45 pm (UTC)[Give it about thirty seconds before the gold starts filling out.]
[Really is best to not complete that circuit.]
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-11-26 12:00 pm (UTC)Come back, they're active.
[Once the scan is complete, he creates a secure bubble of Prism energy around, but not touching, them. Then he walks over to his console and starts inputing the data while waiting for Sonic to get back.]
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-12-27 03:10 pm (UTC)[Okay, okay, okay. Its fine. Its Fine.]
[The Emerald is safe because its IN HIM, so its SAFE and fine, and okay, quills are at range which is some Interesting Data because they haven't been able to test beyond the city limits of Green Hills, really, so....something to know.]
[Sonic is back faster than he left by far.]
[Quite suddenly, even for Shadow's eyes as he's just...]
[Sitting to the side, in the air, quills a golden hue and looking like glittery flames are around him and there is....some measure of safety.]
[God mode will do that.]
[He breathes in.]
[Breathes out, the gold fading to blue. Control. Don't release them. The energy is still thrumming under his skin, but its not active, like on the Moon when he felt too hollow to even try and fight.]
Did you get the scans you need?
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-12-27 11:31 pm (UTC)[One of his tails points at the little transparent shield around the tray, the only thing besides Nine that has moved since Sonic left to charge them.]
I can be finished in an hour or two. You can either hang around, or you can find something to entertain yourself until I'm done.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-12-28 07:03 am (UTC)[...well, no reason to leave them.]
[Another breathe in, breathe out, and he taps them, letting them disintegrate in a burst of golden glitter.]
[He shakes his hand. Oh, he's never just had the energy just sit here before. Doesn't like letting go, does it? Maybe because he's anxious? He's never used it while anxious. Afraid, angry, but not anxious because there was always a way forward with them.]
Dunno. Might need to go do a quest, its....different. I've only ever sat with this for maybe a minute and that was after going on a whole global fight, so they were kind of settled and also it was being shared so they weren't all there and then we had to fight some more. Oh, you are just full of wanting a purpose, aren't you? Is that why the Echidnas got all twitchy with you?
That kind of makes sense, actually.
Are you going to need supplies, because I can make them. Tech stuff is too complicated, but like metal and basic things are pretty easy and then maybe it'll be less humming in my head and be happy to go back to being a rock.
Oooooh, I'm starting to get why people have gone crazy with you before, I thought Knuckles was just being all 'the ancient texts' about it.
[He is definitely not fully talking to Nine for all that.]
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-12-28 07:22 am (UTC)Constructing a safe to negate the signal is a little pointless if it's created by the same energy. Shadow can do a quest with you to help you burn off some of the excess you're clearly feeling and it'll probably do you some good to.
[It's not really a request for Shadow to go so much as a strong suggestion that he not let Sonic go alone. Take care of your charge, Shadow. Nine can help with what he has no real information on yet.]
I recommend one that covers a lot of ground but not that deals with any of the stronger monsters for the best results.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-12-28 07:43 am (UTC)[He is starting to bounce in place now.] Hooooowah, yeah, yeah, I get it, you like being part of the collective, makes you feel all brrrrr. [He actually sounds a bit like a vacuum cleaner with the brrr.] Its fine, I'm making friends, look, even working on my trust issues, being a lot more risk taking with my connections, don't gotta worry about me buddy, we're doing that and I learned my lesson about going solo. I got the message, you haaaate it. Can't believe you were fine with revenge quests, but no, that's fine as long as its not lonely.
Haaaa, Shadow, we should go do something because I am going to turn into a pinball at this rate, the Emeralds don't like letting go without doing something first. Learning that right now. They're all moody. I knew they had a personality the first time, but boy, didn't realize it was this loud when you weren't focused on a goal.
Re: Action Shadow > Sonic > Nine good?
Date: 2025-12-28 06:02 pm (UTC)Building roads is always a request on the board. With the barrier expansion, they are needed more than ever.
Supply runs are also a quest we can do to release your excess energy. Let's go.