Chapter 6: The sun looks out on a beautiful day


Northern outskirts of Robotropolis

The Truck had been driving through the green hills for maybe half an hour. Alyx had been taking in the life of the landscape. She turned back looking at the city behind them, gray smog occluding the tops of the spiring skyscrapers. She turned forward as the vehicle hit a bump. In the distance she could see the treeline of what looked to be a coniferous forest. Some of the trees were sky scrapers themselves. She had heard stories of mighty redwoods back in the Americas, maybe these were comparable? She let out a sigh, she still felt frazzled from the mornings events.

Tails leaned over, tapping her arm with two knuckles getting her attention. "I wanted to thank you for saving me back there…" He started to look nervous as he averted his gaze. "And I wanted to apologize for freaking out... and all the grabbing and pushing..."

She let out a breath. "It's ok." Her eyes closed as her head leaned back touching the cabs window. "I get it..." Her eyes lidded open a questioning expression on her face. "So that really was your first time in live combat? How many times have you used those grenades?"

He looked sheepish, meeting her eyes. "I usually can get away..." His gaze fell from her face as he looked at the floor." There's never been that many... Robotnik doesn't rally the troops for people who do what I do…"

Whisper knelt down from her position and grasped his shoulder, grabbing his attention. She gently squeezed it as she mouthed. "You're ok!" A gentle smile on her face.

He nodded back, smiling. Sonic walked up using his hand as a shade from the sun. He was looking towards the forest. "Should be home soon guys!"

Tails eyes widened as he remembered his orders. Looking through the cab, he saw the forest approaching. Lowering back down, he started knocking on the window to catch Bunnies attention.

She turned, one of her droopy ears raising in question, opening the window. "Whats wrong sugar?"

"I totally forgot! Sally wants me taking Alyx through the old mines!" He blushed. "She's not to know the route yet." His eyes darted to her for a second. Alyx was looking away, pretending to not listen. He grimaced, embarrassed.

"Oh!" Bunnie got a frazzled look. "Ant!" She turned to the coyote. "You heard that right?"

"Yes Ma'am!" He said as he was already turning right, driving along side the forest.

As Sonic and Whisper were standing, they braced themselves against the roll cage as the car turned. Sonic turned to whisper. "You were wanting to get home early, yea?"

The wolf nodded.

Sonic made his way to the open window, Tails scooched out of the way. "Hey, I think I'm going to take Whisper back since were almost there. send out a flare if there's any trouble. The watch will let me know."

Bunnie nodded. "Sounds good Sugar Hog! Tell my youngins that we'll be home soon!" Antoine started bringing the transport to a stop.

Whisper and Sonic both hopped off, the wolf waving goodbye as Sonic picked her up. A second later, they were gone, A trail of dust in their wake.

Alyx's eyes were wide. "That still doesn't seem real!" She gaped as the truck started moving again.

Tails chuckled. "It's pretty amazing isn't it?"

She shook her head. "I mean like it doesn't seem possible! How would anything move that fast without breaking any laws!"

He frowned. "Laws?"

"Like physics!" Her head snapped looking at him "How do his joints not explode!"

His mouth formed an O. He started lightly clicking his teeth as he thought. "I don't understand the mechanics, and neither does he... But Uncle Chuck said it had to do with time perception." He shrugged. "He inherited some leftover of an experiment Chuck did on his dad."

She looked back to where the blue hedgehog had been standing, her head tapped back against the glass. "Wild!"

The two kept talking as the truck started turning away from the forest. Heading towards a mining compound to the East.


Robotropolis outskirts

Robotnik was shaking, how could he have lost her? How could they have so easily destroyed his bomber! His teeth started grinding, he hit the boiling point. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He raged chucking his coffee cup at the control ship's windshield. It shattered, a spiderweb appearing on the glass. Colin was too out of it to flinch.

Robotnik doubled over clutching his chest. A searing pain lanced where his heart was, his face scrunched. He struggled to breath at the intense sensation.

"WARNING, heart palpitation irregularity! Advise neural bypass." The announcer chirped.

The mad doctor's red eyes opened. Glaring out the transports window he started shakily pressing buttons on his keypad. "Then Initiate the neural bypass already! Its an artificial heart for a reason!" He screamed.

"Administrative privileges required for this task. For your safety, and the safety of others, this device cannot be accessed or automated over the network. Please enter your passphrase!"

His eye twitched. Screaming through his teeth he struggled to put in the code. His expression lightened as his body felt numb, his vitals returning to normal. He hated doing this, the lack of sensation as the computer took over was disconcerting. He would need to find a better solution, maybe some sort of pacemaker protocol for his metal spine. The old man took a deep breath as his eyes fell on his nephew, the boy was still just staring out the window as they approached the command center.

Robotniks teeth audibly strained. "What's wrong with you!" He barked. "Why didn't you help me!"

The little man startled, looking dazed. "What?"

The older man looked exhausted, putting a hand to the bridge of his nose. "You know what. Never mind. I've got a task for you..."

Colin straightened standing at attention. "Yes sir..."

"You are going to head the investigation where that original warp zone event occurred." He condescended. "The remnant trace should be preserved from the equipment I had dropped off."

Colin nodded. "Right away sir!" He hesitated. "How could she know what Black Mesa was? Do they have access to the archive?"

The old man glowered. "Well why don't you tell me? Head of cyber-security!"

Colin's eyes grew wide, quickly scouring his thoughts. "HER SHIRT!" He latched onto that detail. "They wouldn't have gone to all that trouble to silkscreen clothing! Just to taunt you with one minor detail!" He violently shook his head. "Not all that to deliver a message! Also the warp zone signature!" He was starting to shake again.

Robotnik sat back in his chair, blinking as his head felt light from the bypass. "Right..." He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. There was a moment of silence.

Colin fidgeted. "What does prepare for unforeseen consequences mean?"

Robotnik got stiff. He hesitated. "The day of the incident, I overheard the man who brought us to this place say it to Eli. It was right before Gordon inserted the sample into the anti-mass spectrometer..." The memory of that dreaded day was burned into his mind. "It was right after I sent you for coffee…"

Colin stood quietly. "I'm still missing memories from that day..." He pulled out his datapad. "I'll get on the investigation." He moved to a seat and started to read reports.

Robotnik's eyes focused as the transport docked with the control tower. He got up to exit, Colin following behind. "Operator! I want to send a message to those rodents! Send five squads of swatbots with flamethrowers to the forest…"

"Of coarse! Using previous loadout parameters. Plant death squad #437 is on its way!" It cheered. "Would you like to burn a message in the field?"

The old man sighed as he pinched his nose. "No, just send another squad every two days for a month, have recycle crews nearby to pick up the parts."

Colin frowned. "Should we really be spending our resources like that? The warp phenomenon is just going to destroy all threats to the forest!"

He sighed, tired from the day already. "It's about sending a message boy!" He thought for a second. "Operator! change the loadout for our standard squad. Outfit two with flamethrowers in the standard 14."

Colin raised his eyebrow. "Pardon me sir, but sending flame wielding robots into our city may be problematic. The majority of the buildings are flammable, not to mention the stray combustible chemicals all over."

Robotnik grumbled as they entered the control room. "Operator! Make a new protocol. Outskirt patrol squads are to use this new loadout. Inner city squads are to remain with the old loadout!"

"Affirmative! Updating loadouts." The announcer replied.

Robotnik took a deep breath, he began rubbing his temple with his flesh hand. "I'll be in my local quarters, I need to rest." He walked out of the room leaving a glaring Colin.


Black Mesa – New Mexico Desert – Earth 2001

Eli was running, He was so glad that Black Mesa required fitness standards! There was an alien clutching some guys head, it was shambling after him whaling in pain. The victim was audibly begging for death. He glanced back at the thing in terror. In all of his 33 years he never thought this kind of horror show could happen! A resonance cascade of all things! Earth connecting to some dimension full of hostile aliens!

He ran down the steel corridor and up a maintenance stairwell. Glancing back he saw the zombie stumbling on the stairs, falling to its knees. It began crawling up, clawing at him with its distended sharp fingers. He shook his head cringing as he backed away. He turned, darting up the stairwell.

He was almost at the dormitories, Azian should still be there with Alyx. The thought of his wife alone in all this made his gut flip. He slowed as he entered the apartments common halls, readying his scavenged pipe, he started calling for his wife. "Azian! Are you there!"

Aside from the sound of dripping, it was silent. With the light on his key chain, he scanned for more of those hopping parasites and leather skinned aliens. There were those fleshy barnacle things all over the place on the ceiling. Piles of random gore littering the halls. He could feel his heart sinking. Slowly he avoided the barnacle's sticky tongues, making his way to his apartment. "Azian! You there baby!" He gripped his pipe, worry etched his face. "It's ok to come out!"

As he came up to his apartment he braced himself. It was dead silent. Opening the door he stepped in only to be snared by a barnacle. "GAAAAHHHHCCCCKKK!" It wrapped around his neck pulling him towards gnarly fangs. His vision was starting to spot as he swung his pipe up, smashing the creature over and over. It was still pulling, lifting him off the ground. Pulling out a pocket knife he grabbed the tongue sawing at the rope like appendage. He was starting to see black.

*SLAM*

He fell to the floor, smashing his head against the metal door frame. Static filled his vision as he blacked out.

**STATIC**

He came too, on the floor. There was a pool of blood and alien fluids next to him. He looked up. The creature on the ceiling was drooping, looking to have bled out from its severed tongue. His head was fuzzy as he got up. Where was he? He was home... What happened? The light flickered back on as backup power was finally restored. There were barnacles all over the bedroom. There was blood everywhere. Time seemed to slow as he noticed a necklace on the ground...

Avoiding more snares he picked up the small metal box charm, turning it in his hand. He clutched the bloody box shaking. He froze and his head darted to the crib in the corner. Edging around the room, he made his way to his daughters crib. The sound of his heartbeat was deafening. It was empty...

He got up in a rage and started beating the alien lumps with his pipe. One after another died, ripping open as the man wailed. He was covered in blood, his ears were ringing, his head was full of static and his wife and daughter were dead.

**STATIC**

He lurched forward, throwing up as his head felt lite. Did he have a concussion? Catching himself on the corner stand he slowly stood, crying in anguish.

"This is quite the anomaly... You're not suppppposed to beee here..." Eli looked up, there was a gaunt man in a pristine suit standing in the doorway. The strange man seemed to be looking passed him. "Ohh... A diverging path..."

"YOU!" The broken man raged. "YOU KNEW!" He pointed the pipe at the man taking a step forward. "DID YOU CAUSE THIS?!" He broke down. "You told me to prepare for unforeseen consequences... There gone... Both of them are dead..."

"Dr. Vance... You are needed elsewhere. I will Escort you-"

Eli Swung at the man, the pipe phasing through his head. "I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITHOUT THEM!" He stumbled through the swing, passing through the man and smashing into the hallway. His ears were ringing as he lay crumpled on the ground. He noticed a smashed picture frame, he picked up the photo. It was the family portrait they had taken a few months ago. His head felt so light.

**STATIC**

The man on the floor curled into a pitiful ball. The suit stood over him, a frown on his face. He looked up, his eyes darting, seeing passed the world around him. There must be a path to salvage this doomed timeline, the man in front of him needed to live to make a new teleporter. His eyes widened. He saw the path, it was perfect. He looked back down to the mess of a man. "I can't do anything about your wife... But there is another Alyx Vance that just lost both her parents..."

Eli looked up confused, the man's voice was so distant... who was he again? "What?"

**STATIC**

"She is not your Alyx, as you are not her Eli..." He offered a hand. "Both of you are in" He looked to the side. "Need..." The odd man's eyes seemed to pulse with light as he met his gaze again. "If I bring her to you, will you come with me willingly?"

Was this a bad dream? Eli blinked, not entirely sure what he had just heard. "You have Alyx?" He asked.

**STATIC**

They were no longer in the steel hallway. He was being pulled to his feet by the stranger. Was this even real?

**STATIC**

He was now in an open field, his head was pounding and he wanted to go to sleep so bad. The man was next to him, he walked up to another figure. That was funny, It looked like a wolf in a suit... The wolf passed A bundle to the man, then seemed to fade into nothing.

**STATIC**

They were in the void again, why did the world feel like it was spinning? Touching his head, he felt a spot wet and sticky. The man pushed the bundle into his arms. looking down, he saw what looked to be a baby... fox? It had human proportions... with Almond eyes and a tuft of black hair similar to his daughter's. Confused, he shook his head, blinking hard. He was holding his daughter. Olive skin and human features stared back at him. Maybe he had imagined it? His head really hurt.

**STATIC**

He was on the surface, right outside the gates. He felt movement in his arms, looking down he saw his daughter. She squirmed as she began to cry. She wasn't dead! Where had he found her!? He searched his mind, where was Azian... A sinking feeling hit him, he remembered the blood on the floor of his room... He firmly held the bundle as he silently wept, soothing the child. He must have found Alyx in her crib.

He heard a shout. "ELI!" He looked up, a scientist and security guard were running to him. He started walking their direction in a haze, everything sounded so muffled.

The security guard reached him first. "Doc, is that you!? Are you ok!?" His face gaped in horror. "YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH A MEAT GRINDER! WHAT HAPPENED MAN?! ARE YOU OK!?"

Eli Stared at the man, it hit him. "Barney?" Eli croaked as his head swam.

Barney dropped the shotgun to one hand and patted his shoulder. "We need to get out of here doc! The military's been exterminating the science team!"

The other man finally caught up. "Eli! Thank heavens! What happened to you!"

"Isaac? you made it out!" Eli croaked. "Where's Gordon?"

Isaac hesitated. "Gordon's on his way to the Lambda complex... or that's the last I heard anyways. He's with the group still trying to close the portal..." The balding man wilted. "The rest of us who aren't much help are just trying to escape with our lives..." The security guard started leading them back to the vans, Eli started swaying. "Oh dear!" Isaac noticed the bundle. "You found Alyx!?" He moved to scoop the girl into his arms. "Barney, keep him steady and awake. It looks like he may have a concussion."

Barney nodded, leading Eli by the shoulder.

*ZZRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

There was a green flash of light behind them as a bullsquid teleported in. It was like a lion on two legs."SQQQQRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEE!" It's face tentacles writhed.

Barney pulled away from Eli, spinning to fire his shotgun on the creature.

*BANG*

He missed as the creature lunged forward, knocking the man covered in blood and bile over. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Eli screamed as it started to tear into his leg. Barney ran up slamming the stock of the shotgun into the things face over and over again. "GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!" Eli screamed.

Isaac held back clutching the baby girl. He ran to the vehicles, yelling for help. Some of the other scientists started running towards the alien with improvised weapons. Barney made the decision to save the man's life over his leg.

*BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

The security guard fired his spas12 repeatedly into the squids face. The creature gurgled, crumpling as its eyes and tentacles were shredded.

Eli couldn't feel his leg. There were shouts, gunfire and crying. The ringing in his ears was overpowering. He managed to pull his stump from what remained of the creatures mouth. He passed out from the shock.

**STATIC**

He woke with a start. Looking around, he was in the back of a van. He couldn't feel his left leg... He looked down, ohh right... He had a stump bandaged right below the knee. He brought his hands up to his face, where was he? He felt the bandages wrapping his head. Groggily, he looked around. He was in the back of a van, he saw Isaac in the passenger seat holding Alyx.

Isaac noticed him from the corner of his eye and turned. "Thank God your ok!"

Barney looked back from the driver seat. "You bout scared the life out of me doc! I'm surprised you made it all the way to the surface by yourself!" The young man shook his head, gripping the steering wheel. "The military's even getting involved." He scoffed. "They came to clean..." bringing a hand up to give air quotes.

Isaac adjusted his glasses examining his longtime friend. "How on Earth did you make it up?"

Eli looked down thinking. "I... I'm not sure..." His mind was a mess of memories, many of which he wasn't sure were hallucinations.

Isaac noticed how tired his friend looked. "I'm glad you woke up, we need to keep you awake. I'm pretty sure you have a concussion. We should be safe for now, but who knows how far the portal storms will reach..."

Eli Deafly nodded as the exhaustion took over.


City 17 present day 2019

*Click*

Eli opened his eyes at the sound of the break room door shutting. Sitting up from the couch he looked over. Barney was there in scavenged Civil Protection armor, he gave him a mock salute. "Nice rest commander?"

Eli huffed as he sat up, his head dipping as he placed it in his hands. "I had the nightmare again."

Barney walked over to their ration pile, pulling a calorie bar. "There's many nightmares in this day and age." He began eating. "Which one?"

Eli pulled his face from his hands, clasping them, he rested his chin on his knuckles. "Escaping Black Mesa..."

Barney paused his chew. "Yea..." There was a pregnant pause. "You remember anything else?"

Eli sighed shaking his head. "The whole thing's a blur. I was running around with a bad concussion... I'm surprised I woke up at all."

The middle aged man sat across from him. "Sometimes I find it hard to believe any of this is real." He shook his head. "I was what, 24?" He sighed, ripping another piece from the bland ration bar. "It was like a crazy movie or video game! First the resonance cascade linking Earth and the boarder world, then the Combine clawing their way through the portal?" He grabbed for a bottle of water on the table, unscrewing the lid. "Then, seven hours later Earth surrenders? The whole Earth... overwhelmed in seven hours?!" He chugged the bottle then sighed. "Sorry, I've been alone for like 2 months out in the quarantine zone. Not many things out there to talk to except headcrabs and pigeons."

Eli got up. "No, your ok." He rubbed an eye as he started limping over to the door.

Barney stood up, moving to help the older man. "Do you need-"

Eli waved him off. "I may have a pry-bar for a leg, but that doesn't mean I cant get around." He sighed, opening the door. "I'm 51, I'm not that old yet..." He grumbled, looking back over to the lab area. "I got some work to do now, We can catch up later."


The Void of Silence

*CRASH*

Light exploded as his head spun. Coughing, he tried to push himself from his back. Flailing, he tumbled to his side. His mind was foggy with confusion as he groaned. His eyes strained to focus, there were pretty blue shapes floating all around him.

He tried to bring his left hand up to his face, it wasn't working. He blinked in confusion, panic raising. His right hand checked for his left, freezing. He felt a jagged metal stump on his shoulder. Something was wrong! He rolled onto his stomach, pushing himself to his knees.

He sat as the fog slowly left his mind. "What happened?" He put his remaining hand to his head as he regained his vertigo. "Nigel? Did you spike my drink again? What happened to my arm?" His vision was finally coming into focus.

He was kneeling on top of the Prison Pillar of the Void. The memories slowly started trickling back... He glanced over to his arm, A precious gift from his mentor and idol... now just a stump... ruined...

He started shaking with rage as he remembered. How could they do this to him! After everything he did! All his loyalty!

He stood, making for the elevator. He needed to get to the portal! Riding his way down the pillar, his thoughts raced with the returning memories. He remembered the war room presentation to the King, his best friend the Prince had been there too. His chest felt conflicted, a mix of cold sinking despair contrasting hot rage. His new solution for the Echidna War effort, he had improved his Limb Roboticizer. It was supposed to be a moment of victory!

He started shaking. The king who was like an uncle to him had smiled, placing his hand on his shoulder... He thought he was about to receive a hug... His head dipped as he tried to hold back tears. His adoptive uncle had ripped through his prized control arm with his vibrasabre!

The stone elevator came to a stop, he sighed wiping his face from the collecting tears. Things were going so well... The sadness shifted to wrath.

He started stomping to the gateway. He would show them, He would show all of them! His family practically owned Mobius from the sidelines. Who do they think they were?! His rage turned to depression as he started pulling his hair. All from a lack of understanding! Such wasted potential... He wondered if they were still alive, How many years of his life had been eaten away in this timeless dimension? He sagged his shoulders, what was he thinking? He didn't want the royal family dead... He should just focus on getting out of here, maybe he could fix this... hopefully it wasn't too late...

The cream colored platypus came up to the teleporter, A big obsidian gate with messes of conduit flowing into the surrounding stone and crystals. Speaking of which... he was in the void... unsupervised... maybe he could collect some samples before he left... maybe find another warp topaz...

He noticed a crystal prison in front of the teleporter's controls... It was a dark blue robot... He moved to its front, trying to get a good look at the head in the refraction. A single red visor met his gaze on the things domed head. That reminded him, He brushed the slowly forming crystals off his body. It wouldn't do any good to let himself get trapped again. It was a good thing time didn't pass normally in the Void. You didn't have to eat or sleep, you just had to keep moving.

He scooched around the robot to the controls... Some fool had scrambled the control gems... there was one missing too. He turned looking at the robot. Sure enough, the missing gem was in its grip. He grit his teeth. He didn't have any sort of tool or weapon that could free the object from its prison.

He decided to go sample hunting as he tried to think of a way out. He started walking back to the black tower. Grabbing at stray gemstones in the ground, examining and tossing 90% of them. His mind wandered trying to think of a way out.

He left the path in his search. The landscape was strange in front of him. He had only been on this side a few times. He huffed, they had always been so stingy with what came and left the void. They seemed content to use it as a symbolic prison though…

He grumbled, looking at his shards so far. These fragments were trash, he dropped the pebbles to the ground. Oh to find another one like what was causing the anomalies in the Great Forest... It had taken him years to figure out how that worked. He smiled. So much fun to bend it to his will... It would be nice to return to his forest estate.

There were larger stones in this valley. He sighed, he had all the time in the world. As long as he was here, he was going to take advantage of the situation. No one was going to tell him he couldn't take another warp stone. He perused the valley, looking for the correct color. He may have spent an hour pulling misshapen lumps from the ground.

He was on his knees, wiping dirt from another candidate. this one felt smooth. His heart picked up. digging with his fingers they started to hurt, dirt shoving under his claws. His pointer met a jag, prying under it he yanked. A half moon shaped stone pulled from the ground. He frowned. It wasn't ideal... looks like it had been cracked in half. He pocketed the gem. It was better then anything he had found so far, it was sure to be unstable though. Not really wanting to spend months or years looking for more of these, he stood up, brushing the dust from his labcoat.

Returning to the main path, he thought more on his situation. He froze, remembering an important detail, He didn't have an override code for the teleporter... Only the warden or someone from the royal family had codes to open the gate. Not only did he have to retrieve the final control gem and reprogram the gate... He had to figure out a bypass to Ironlock prison's security on the other side... That may not be possible... Or at least it could take years...

He had to stay focused! One problem at a time! He rubbed his finger under his bill in thought. Maybe one of the other inmates had something that was strong enough to break Prison Crystal. Nodding to himself, he made his way back to the tower, ascending the elevator.

He arrived back on top the monolith. The prison crystals were pulled down, waiting to be perused. He examined the stock as if he were shopping at his favorite book store. Most of them were so called wizards from ancient times. He didn't understand what that even meant, but the fact this place even existed was deterrent enough to mess with any of them. this place was for taboo breakers. His teeth grit. To call what he did a taboo, They didn't understand! Those soldiers were dead, they dedicated their bodies to science. He was within his full right to reforge them!

He scoffed at the strange outfits these different Mobians had. One wizard even had a crab claw for a hand, a unicorn horn poking from it's goblin like head. He sneered. It was almost like it was more then one creature mixed in the same body, now that was a taboo. The last thing he needed was an angry void wielding technomancer after him. He messed with ancient technologies on his own terms and no one else's. There had to be someone here he could work with... He gave a deep sigh. At least he had all the time to choose.

He walked back to the central control console where he'd woken up. His face scrunched. How had he gotten out? Examining the area, he couldn't tell. It's not like there were security cameras here. Most non native matter got swallowed up by crystal if it didn't keep moving.

Going up to the console he paused. There was a Mobian that looked familiar in the case next to where he had woken up. how had that slipped by! Walking up to the frozen Chipmunk he squinted. "Alexander?" His eyes widened, a shocked look on his face. "Noooo, It couldn't be..."

A manic grin crossed his face and he started laughing, this was too perfect! "Ohh Nigel! What have they done to you!" He walked forward pushing the floating prison to the resonator. "HA! If you're here, things must be terrible out there!"

His eyes examined the now older Mobian, he noticed twin vibra-blades at his side. He snickered. "Perfect, It will be lovely to catch up after all these years. So much must of happened after you abandoned me!" He chirped, dramatically bowing forward while pointing up towards the chipmunks frozen face.

He got up spinning the crystal playfully, pushing the fallen strands of hair back in place as he grinned frantically. He held his hand over the main control crystal as the resonator started to chip away the prison. "Believe it or not, I'm really excited to catch up! It looks like its been a long time for you! Believe me, it may not feel like it... but its been a long time for me!" The crystal continued spinning as fragments fell. "Little brother of mine! I was to be your chief Minister of Science!" The flamboyant platypus let go of the control, walking up to the cracking prison. "How did you ever get along without me!" He fainted hurt, a hand on his heart.

He had a flashback. The prince staring at the floor, holding back tears. His adoptive uncle, the king, dragging him by the neck from the court. He hesitated, his manic behavior dropping as he rubbed his still soar neck. "Probably not as well, I'd imagine..." He sighed. "You could have fought for me... I would have fought for you..." The crystal shattered dropping the older man at his feet, he started coughing.

The platypus remembered the injustice, puffing up his vibrato. He moved to grab the sabers. Sheathing one through a belt loop on his coat, he used the other as a cane. He watched the older Mobian writhe on the ground in confusion. "Is that you Nigel! Ohh do get up!" He tapped the sword on the ground. " We have a lot to catch up on!" His grin melted into a blank stare. "Seriously though, get up." He deadpanned.

The graying chipmunks eyes focused, they started frantically darting around as he panted. He rolled over, groaning as he started patting for his swords.

"HEY!" The platypus yelled. His teeth clenching. He brought the saber behind him, tapping the flat against his neck.

The chipmunk froze. His head darted to the voice as he gaped.

"Get up, dear brother." He seethed. "We have a lot to talk about..."

"Starline?" The older Mobian gasped, a look of horror on his face.

"Pff! What?! We aren't on a first name basis anymore?" He rolled his eyes. "I suppose your king now. Shall I refer to you as Your Highness exclusively?" He brought the sword back down tapping it to the stone floor. "If you insist on calling me by my title and not my name... You will call me by the title I earned, not my title of birth. It's Dr. Starline, not just Starline!"

The chipmunk stared at him, looking nervous at the unstable Mobian in front of him.

"What, too much?" He drolled as an eyebrow rose. He gave a half lidded smile, holding the swords hilt to his chest. "You know me!" The grin dropped again. "According to your father, I love causing drama..." The sword's point returned to the ground as the platypus frowned. "Get up off the floor, it's filthy. We have work to do." He turned for the elevator.

Nigel scrambled to his feet. "How did you get out!?"

The platypus glanced over his shoulder, face brightening. "Aha! The first real thing he speaks..." His expression relaxed. "I have no idea and likely never will." He tried to shrug. "Oh well... Were both out." He grinned "You coming or do I have to poke you with a stick?" His eyes glanced to the saber. "Not this, I wasn't..." He huffed. "Never mind."

The older Mobian hesitated, looking at his surroundings. The shock of the situation was leaving, the full realization of his situation hit him. "Victor, wait!" He managed to catch up to his old friend.

"Ohh Sir! I'm so glad our relationship has progressed so quickly!" He gave a mock bow. "I'm so honored you would address me by my first name!"

The Chipmunk got an indignant look. "What's wrong with you!?" They entered the elevator and it started moving.

Victor gave him an offended gape."Ohh, I'm sorry... It looks to have been years for you, but its been hours for ME!" His volume was increasing. "My adoptive Uncle disowned me, he broke a dear gift!" He began waving the stump in his face as he started shouting. "My brother in all but BLOOD stood by, doing NOTHING to intervene!" He got quiet. "I'm assuming you were crowned king." The volume cranked again. "After he was crowned king, he didn't SAVE HIS BROTHER!"

Nigel's face hardened. "You committed taboo, some considered it TREASON!" The chipmunk grabbed at his hair "Desecrating corpses Victor?!" He looked pained. "Necromancy is-"

"IS THAT WHAT THE OFFICIAL CHARGES WERE FOR MY NON EXISTENT TRIAL?!" He shrieked. "LET ME GUESS! YOU STRUCK MY NAME FROM THE RECORDS TOO, DIDN'T YOU!?"

The elevator came to a rest at the bottom of the tower. The king was looking hesitant. "Well I didn't do that, but..."

Starline threw his stump up. "Great! So I've got that going for me too!" He continued walking towards the teleporter. "None of you ever bothered to ask any questions... It was just-" He tried to do air quotes. "This is the final straw! You crossed a line!" He grumbled. "Smash my arm and chain me up!" He brushed the stray locks from his face. "Then throw away the key..." He huffed.

Nigel followed in silence.

Starline sighed, glaring at his old friend. "My Roboticizer doesn't bring the dead back to life..." He sighed, closing his eyes. They lidded open, his head tilting back as he gazed into the distant nebula. "Their spirit is gone..." The fire returned. "But those lived experiences! The memories! The TRAINING!" He was getting even more fired up. "Every soldier could have served their country as much in death as they could in life!" He glared back at Nigel. "If not even more." He huffed. "I thought of every possibility! There's even a fail safe if some poor soul falls into the chamber! The brain is preserved along side the control unit! My roboticizer will never kill a host!"

"Hey! it wasn't my decision to throw you in here!" Nigel snapped. "You don't think I approached my father on this topic? See if there was any way it could be swept under the rug?" He huffed. "All the work to erase your name! Your sister was devastated!"

Victor froze, dropping the sword, horror on his face. How could he forget! His sister! He forgot all about his sister! He started hyperventilating. He was supposed to take care of her! Who knows if she was even alive anymore! She was so devastated after Mom and Dad died, how could he let this happen to her! The realization of the day's events were fully crashing in on him, no more false bravado.

Nigel took advantage of the moment. He lunged for the sword in the doctor's belt loop, yanking it out. He hooked his foot under the one on the ground, flinging it up he caught the grip. The king stepped back, leveling both swords at the emotionally compromised Doctor. "Victor!" The older Mobian flared. The platypus in front of him wasn't even paying attention, his breaths were erratic. He seemed to be having a panic attack, mumbling incoherently. Nigel's grip faltered for a second. "Victor?"

The other Mobian finally noticed him holding the weapons. His eyes widened as he backed up, tripping. "What!" He clutched his stump. He curled up into a ball on the ground. "Wait!" His eyes stung as he was doing all that he could to stop crying. "So much went wrong! I'm sorry! I was trying to end the Great War! I was trying to be better then Gerald!"

The chipmunk lowered his weapon, grimacing at the sad Mobian in front of him. "I never wanted this either..." He muttered. He stood there watching the depressing scene. The memories of the previous day slowly came back to him as he had a moment to think. Victor continued crying at his feet.

Nigel stiffened, remembering the reason he was in this prison to begin with! Julian's Coup! He quashed the building dread, there wasn't time for that. An idea struck him. It was risky... but might be worth it. He hesitated, looking at the platypus begging for his life. Rolling his eyes he gave a deep sigh. "What am I doing?" He whispered. Sheathing the swords he moved to grab the shaking hand of his old friend. "Starline!" He started pulling the Doctor to his feet.

The trembling Mobian stiffened as he was manhandled. "What?"

The king gave him a confident smile. "Taking into account the extra ordinary situation... After freeing me from my crystal prison of the void, I think I can grant you amnesty." Nigel hesitated. his ears drooped. "I... might need your help with something when we get back..." He was avoiding eye contact. "If too much time hasn't passed..."

The trembling Doctor slowly nodded. "Alright..." He started nodding faster. "Yea!" He grabbed the kings hand giving a firm squeeze. "Ok! Maybe things can be like how they were!" He vigorously nodded, squeezing his friends hand.

Nigel got a concerned smile. "A lot has changed, but all we can do is move forward."

The platypus gave him a hopeful grin. "Right! Lets see if we can escape this dimension!" He let go, dusting off his coat. Taking his glasses off, he used his sleeve to wipe his eyes. "Sorry, dreadful to see I'm sure." There were still light tremors going through him. He put his glasses back on. "RIGHT!" He shouted pointing up. "I have a teleporter to recalibrate!" His vibrato returning, he moved towards the gateway. The king followed, arms folded behind his back.

They stood by the looming black gate. Nigel got a chill up his spine, he never liked it here. Starline was waving him over to a crystal pillar. He froze, It was one of Julian's so called peace bots.

Starline noticed. "What?" He followed his line of sight to the robot. "You recognize it?" He put a hand to his hip, tapping his foot impatiently. He sized up the droid. "Must have scrambled the controls and just stood there." His hand flicked up, swiping his bangs from his vision. "Idiot, it got swallowed by the crystal." He leaned back on the panel, resting his bill to his knuckles. "Could you bust its hand open with your vibra-saber? It's holding a missing piece of the controls."

Nigel collected himself, his hackles still bristling at the sight of the robot. "Sure." He brought out a sword, activating the ultrasonic generator on the hilt. Swinging the sword against the robots hand, the crystal started to chip, sending shards flying.

A webbed hand shoved some orange glasses at him. "There not the most protective for this kind of work, but somethings better then nothing. I'll look the other way."

Nigel blinked as he met Victor's eyes. He had forgotten the deep burgundy they were, he was always wearing some sort of eye gear. "Right, thanks." He took the safety glasses, sliding them on, they pinched to his nose. He continued chipping at the robot's hand.

Victor turned around starting to work on the console. "What happened to my sister Amanda?"

Nigel paused, glancing over to the working Mobian. No doubt trying to keep his mind busy while asking him. He huffed and continued chipping. "She grew up, married, had some kids." He shook his head. "She stopped coming to the palace, moved out East... She started her own life."

Victor sighed. "I guess... Yes... That's good to hear." He nodded to himself. "I'm glad she found success, however she found it." He continued moving crystals. "Did she take over as new head of the company?"

Nigel absentmindedly shook his head, focusing on his task. "She had no interest in that. She didn't even keep the Starline name."

The platypus froze. "What? What name did she take?!"

"I don't know." He replied flatly. "We stopped talking. She didn't want much to do with me or anyone in the royal family."

*CRACK*

The hand fell, it shattered on the floor. He knelt down picking up the previously encased gemstone. Looking up he saw Starline staring him down.

The scientist looked depressed. "She... didn't keep our great houses name?"

Nigel sighed, his shoulders dropped. "My guess is she was torn up about loosing everyone. She married, took a new name and moved."

"Our name... The great house of Starline... Ended..." He sounded broken.

Nigel patted his shoulder. "Well you've got a second chance now. Lets get out of here." He pressed the control gem into his palm. "That's a good goal for you, resurrect your great house." He glanced down at the array of gemstones. "How can you know how to work this thing?"

Victor sighed, looking down at the controls. "My thesis was on how the ancient warp zones worked." He tucked his fringe getting it out of his eyes again. "I spent many years in college studying pictures of this panel and the many like it." He placed the final crystal and the panel flashed. "Warp zones are fascinating, why do you think I bought the Great Forest?" He sighed wistfully. "It will be so nice to go home." Nigel shifted uncomfortably at his side.

"I may have continued your development in the Great Forest..." The king hesitated. "As a contingency for the ongoing war effort."

Starline rose an eyebrow as he placed his hand on the activator. "Oh? You didn't try and burn it down did you?"

The king looked shocked. "What? no! Why would you think that! I have great memories of us exploring that place after it was safe! I'd never think to burn it down!"

The doctor nodded waving off the concern. "I'm sure you didn't do anything I'd be livid at." He got a soft smile. "More just checking then anything, if you caused any fires in the outer perimeter, even accidental... I'd hate to apologize for the consequences." He stepped away. "Your turn brother." He looked over to the gate, it seemed to shimmer between the arches. "The gate is half way there, we just need you to unlock the other side with your code."

Nigel nodded. "Give me a moment. It's been a while since I've done this." The chipmunk moved the hacked on dial on the top of the stone panel, beginning to punch in characters.

*CRACK*

Both looked at the shimmering portal into the old prison. Starline grinned. "See? Easy!" he straitened his jacket beginning his stride. "We better hurry, no telling how long it will stay open. I don't want to be bisected."

The older mobian nodded. "Right, let's go home."

They both entered the portal.


Starline Compound - East of the Great Forest

They pulled up to a perimeter fence. Alyx hopped out. Turning, she watched Tails climb down from the truckbed. The fur on his back was still matted with dry blood. She undid her jacket that was tied around her waste, holding it to the boy as he turned around. "You want a shirt?"

Tails face got warm. "Is it alright?" He moved, feeling the matted fur clinging to his back. "I don't want to get it dirty with blood..."

She laughed, tossing him the garment. "You can help me wash it later if you want."

Tails caught it, he started putting the jacket on.

Grady hovered by him. "You see? leather jacket, you can't tell me that isn't cool! You sure you don't want matching tattoos?"

Tails shook his head pushing the drone away. "Not happening." He looked back to the girl. "Thanks."

She smiled, watching the drone sputter off about being ignored. "Its no problem."

*CLUNK*

They both turned to see Bunnie and Antoine getting out of the truck to stretch. The coyote finished, swinging his arms down. He looked over, meeting the gaze of the vixen. Walking up to the girl, he cleared his throat. "Miss, we got off on the wrong foot. I want to apologize, It was dishonorable of me to talk to an ally like that. Whatever that weapon was, thank you for saving our skin."

Alyx stepped back, blushing. She wasn't used to praise or attention in general. "I wouldn't get used to it. That thing is about out of ammo..." She shook her head. "I don't think I'll be able to get any more any time soon."

He nodded. "Either way, I wanted to apologize for my rudeness and say thank you."

Bunnie came up, a big grin on her face, slinging her arm over the coyote's shoulder. "See hun? That wasn't too hard."

The coyote looked annoyed. "Yes, I know it wasn't hard, now she knows you were talking to me about apologizing!" He shook his head, a palm to his temple. "I do want to apologize though, there's a reason I'm the driver... and not in the heat of battle."

Alyx shifted. "Apology accepted, I'm sorry for snapping back." Her ears perked. "If we ever do this again, I want one of those belt clips to hold me to the rail."

He nodded, smiling. "Done. Next time you don't have to be flung back and forth." He put out a fist to bump. "My name is Antoine." He grinned as he wrapped an arm around Bunnie's waste, pulling her close. "And this is my beautiful wife, Bunnie!"

The Rabbit laughed. "You really gotta introduce me like that to everyone?" She sighed smiling at the girl. "It's lovely to meet you dear."

Alyx smiled, returning the fist bump. "Its amazing meeting you guys." She felt warm. For everything going on, these people could still find joy. It filled her with hope.

Bunnie sighed, pulling away. She scratched an ear under her cowboy hat. "Well, best we get our toots scootin. We can do a proper meet and greet when y'all get home."

"See ya later Aunt Bunnie!" Tails smiled, waving." The two climbed back into the truck and the three of them watched it drive off back towards the forest.

Alyx sighed. "They seem happy..." She almost sounded whistfull.

Tails nodded, noticing her mood shift. "They really do." He sighed. "Come on, we got a bit more to go."

She glanced over to him. "Right! Where too partner?"

He was pulling a cut portion of the wire fence back. "Partner?"

"Well your supposed to be my guide at this settlement right?" She moved to crawl through.

"Yea, I guess..." He moved to follow as she held the spot open.

She hesitated, her smile dropping. "Is something wrong?"

He climbed back up. "What? oh no." He played it off. "I didn't really want to spend a lot of time in the computer lab is all." He sighed as he began walking, leading the trio deeper into the compound. "But after everything that's happened today... I'm not sure, I may want a break if that's what the front line is like."

Alyx's ears sagged. "Uhh, sorry about all that."

Tails perked. "What are you sorry about?"

She shook her head. "I don't know, the stress of the moment? It didn't seem like you handled it well..."

Now he sagged. "I'm just glad I'm not roboticized..." He looked back up to her. "How on Mobius are you so ok with that kind of stuff?"

She slowed, thinking about it, then looked up to meet his gaze. "I had someone taken from me a while ago, It was terrifying." She shrugged. "I guess it was a sink or swim moment, I guess I swam..."

Tail's looked defeated. "Does that mean I sank?"

She tilted her head. "I wouldn't call choking sinking, you survived. I'd call that a successful dog paddle." She smiled at him.

He sighed giving her a half grin. "Thanks?"

"I'm glad your ok sir." The little robot piped in. "I honestly don't know what I'd do if you were gone, bros for life. Hopefully you recover with little to no mental trauma."

Tail's twitched in irritation. "Thanks Grady. it's nice to know I'm loved."

"You're welcome man!" The drone chirped.

*BRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTT*

The three looked up examining the buildings around them.

Alyx shifted. "What was that?"

The drone shot up. "OHHH ITS AMY! SHE MUST BE PRACTICING HER JAZZ!" He zoomed off.

Tail's laughed. "I'm pretty sure I know who it is. Guess we'll have some company on the cart ride back."

Alyx gave him an odd look. "Yea ok... but what WAS that?"

Tails continued chuckling. His eyes were squinted shut as he itched under his nose. "It's a saxophone, a kind of horn. She must have gotten board waiting for us."

They rounded a corner coming to a hill, there was a mine shaft cutout in the stone. There was a track with a cart situated at the entrance. A pink hedgehog girl that looked to be in her teens was dancing around the track. She was wearing a red skirt with a green blouse. She was indeed playing some sort of horn instrument made of brass. Grady was following, praising her skill.

There was a black and red hedgehog boy sitting in the cart. His arms were crossed and he looked absolutely miserable. He seemed to be in his pre-teens, he was wearing an over sized black bomber jacket with white lining and baggy cargo pants. "It took you long enough!" He screamed.

Tails waved, giving a yodel back. "Hey Shadow! We got a ride, it would have taken longer if not for that." He chuckled. "What are you too doing here?"

The girl stopped, turning to face them. "Hi Tails! Making sure your ok!"

The moody boy scoffed. "It's either walk back through the forest or tunnels... or we wait for you and ride the cart back. Sally's orders to leave it here for you. It's not like a usual load where I just load it and we take off." The preteen quipped. He hopped off, walking up to the older boy. "Here's your blindfold." He deadpanned, tossing a scrap of cloth at Tails face.

Tails yelped, scrambling to catch it. "Ok... thanks Shadow..."

Amy perked up. "Don't be a butt Shadow!"

He gave her a death glare. "I want to go home! I'm tired of listening to you play!"

She stuck her tongue out at him and continued playing.

The small boy grumbled even more, mumbling about acting ones age. He walked back to the cart, sitting down, propping his legs up on the handle bar. "Can we just go already?"

Alyx gave a chuckle. "So this is what kids are like?"

Tails gave her an odd look. "What do you mean?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, Where I'm from... I'm the youngest person I know. There haven't been any new births since the invasion."

He didn't know what to say. "Oh..."

She moved to the cart. "Almost home, right?"

Tails snapped out of his thoughts. "Right." He walked over to the cart.

"I'm not starting it until she's blindfolded!" The young boy growled. He looked to Amy. "Quit it and get in the cart!" He shouted.

The two foxes ignored the bickering and got situated. Alyx sighed. "Alright get it over with, bad enough we are going through a tunnel. There's nothing down there right?"

Tails shook his head as he began tying the blindfold. "There shouldn't be anything down there..." He smiled. "No brain sucking parasites at least."

She huffed as the cloth was pulled taut. "How was I to know?! By your reaction alone, I can tell that kind of thing isn't normal here! She started lightly rocking back and forth, mimicking an older man's voice. "Alyx, Don't go playing in the canals! There's headcrabs and barnacles in there! Alyx don't ever let one climb on you! What do you mean you caught one? No it doesn't look cute! No you can't keep it as a pet! How did you capture a poisonous crab? What do you mean you beat it with a stick! How did it even get out of the quarantine zone!" She shuttered. "When I learned what they do, I never wanted to see one again."

Tails was giving her an odd look. "What a world that must be..." He finished the light knot, waving a hand in front of the girls face to check

Amy climbed in. "Hia!" She stuck out her fist to bump. "My name's Amy, Amy Rose, I'm 13!"

Alyx paused for a second, then realized. "Oh hi! My name's Alyx Vance!" she paused. "I'm 19!" She waved.

"She can't see your fist, idiot." Shadow grumbled as he moved to the controller, starting up the electric cart. They started to putt down the track.

Amy huffed. "Ya know! You don't always have to be a grouch!" She scowled at the boy, shaking her head." She looked at Tails. "Why does she have to wear a blind fold?"

Tails sat back in the seat. "Sally's orders, Alyx is from a different realm. its just standard probation for foreign Mobians."

The girl nodded vigorously. "That's so cool! Another world! That's rare! Vanilla read the other kids a story about that the other day!"

"Why don't you act your age..." Shadow groaned.

The girl got fired up. "Why don't you act your age!" She put up air quotes. "Mr. I may be 15 but I look like I'm 10."

The Boy got livid. "I DON'T KNOW WHY I HAVEN'T HIT A GROWTH SPURT! STOP MOCKING ME!"

"GUYS!" Tails cut them off." Holding out his hands. "Please!"

Amy shifted in her seat. "Sorry." She nodded. She looked to Shadow. "Sorry."

Tails waited for a solid ten seconds, then poked the boy. "You've been rather rude today too."

The boy gave him a glare. "And?"

Tails frowned. "Do I need to let Vanilla know how you've been talking to Amy?"

The boy deflated. "No..." He looked back to the controls, watching for the turns coming up. "I just want to go to bed."

Amy perked up. "You have been sleeping a lot. you feeling ok?"

Shadow sighed. "I'm just tired..." He looked at Tails. "Please don't tell Vanilla."

Tails gestured him to Amy. "You can make a choice here."

Shadow glanced to Amy. "I'm sorry for yelling at you about the music. It just gets so grating sometimes." He made a turn on the cart.

Amy smiled. "Sorry I called you a butt. I'll try to keep my playing away when its really bothering you that much."

Tails perked up. "As Sally would say, Good choice!"

Alyx blindly turned to him. "So this is what kids are like?"

Tails got a sheepish grin. "Sometimes, it's not that bad, we got some good role models."

"Huh." she leaned back. they rode in silence for a bit. Alyx had a thought. "So this is a mine right? What did they dig for?"

"No idea." Tails replied. "This is an old mine, Sally said it's a part of the Starline estate. A powerful family, or used to be I guess."

"So did you guys dig into the tunnels from the forest?" She asked.

Shadow squinted, looking at her with suspicion. "Whats it to you?"

Tails shook his head. "Shadow, this kind of information's ok. She already knows about the underground tunnels, knowing how they were made makes no difference." He chuckled. "The precaution is so that she doesn't just run off and show Robotnik. If she leaves the forest before she's trusted, she wont be able to get back in."

Alyx tilted her head. "I'm curious here. How is this forest so protected?"

"Warp zones!" Amy piped in. "Natural worm holes! They spring up and protect us from the badniks and fires!"

"Warp zones?" Alyx questioned.

"I told you teleportation wasn't out of the ordinary here." Tails responded. "Even down here, were covered."

Alyx thought for a second. "I'm still not sure I fully understand. A portal protects you?"

Tails chewed his lip. "How do I explain it..."

Shadow huffed. "You don't have to get THAT technical, Tails..." The boy looked over to the blindfolded girl. "When Robotnik sends swatbots to destroy the forest and burn it down, warp zones open up swallowing the bots and pouring water on the fires. The portals don't even tolerate swat bots anymore. Any fighting in the transition zone opens a portal that dumps you outside the forest."

Amy got a big grin, lifting a fist, pointing it at shadow. "Wana go for a ride with me?"

"Don't you DARE!" Shadow growled as he continued making turns.

"Don't joke about that Amy." Tails placated.

She lowered her fist. "Fine."

There was a moment of silence. "I thought it was a funny joke." Grady cut in.

Amy gestured to the turquoise bot. "See! He thought it was funny!"

Alyx continued thinking. "What if he tries to fly in?"

"The craft gets cut apart mid air and dumped outside the forest." Shadow continued.

"How many portals can appear?" She asked. This forest seemed too good to be true.

"We don't know." Tails answered. "But so far, everything Robotnik's thrown at the forest gets mangled, missiles and lasers included."

"What about gas?" Alyx asked.

"I'd imagine the toxic cloud would just be swallowed, I'm not sure if he's tried that." Tails responded. "Should ask Sally about that one." He shrugged. "He doesn't attack the forest anymore unless he's really mad."

"It sounds like you guys got a great setup!" She put her finger to her chin. "I'm guessing you grow your food?"

"We grow what we can, scavenge and forage for the rest." Tails replied.

"Were almost there." Shadow cut in.

"WHHOOO HUUU!" Amy put her arms up. "Home sweet home!"

Alyx leaned back in her seat. It would be nice to take a break.

The cart continued to zip through the tunnels as it made its way to their destination.


Chapter 6 end


authors notes:It may be evident from the entire concept itself but I'm a fan of crack fictions taken seriously. I also got a review that made me think a bit more on how I'm presenting information. It is difficult keeping track of what I know (as I'm coming up with the story, concrete head cannon details), what the characters know (No metagaming), character emotional states and realistic transitions, and what the audience knows / should know. This is getting way more complicated then I would have thought! Its great! I'm trying to balance realistic conversations and relaying info the audience should know. I'm trying to come up with flaws that make the characters interesting. Alyx is difficult… in the games she is portrayed as hacker girl with a auto pistol. The main flaws the games portray is her different fears, either fear of loss or things like the dark. I'm trying to think of any other things to make her character more interesting but right now its more she has a goal and is trying to figure out whats going on. She is also basically out of useful gear at this point. There's going to be some slower chapters probably coming up, lot more world building and maybe some post apocalyptic slice of life. People traveling takes time and I don't want to magic people around the map. Conversations are a great tool for learning about characters and events though. Eli's and Starline's sub chapters were interesting to write and I really hope they are decent and similar enough to the characters. Starline is really fun to write. I want to explore a question with Starline, also Victor is not Starline's first name in cannon… I couldn't find one… It doesn't look like one exists… I needed a first name for interpersonal relationships… Victor is a reference that should be obvious to another mad scientist. The main question I want to explore with Starline is what if he idolized a different doctor... I can also see him being a young head of a royal house if he was raised better… but I can also see him pushing boundaries...

authors notes 2: I've been making edits to previous chapters to fix mainly run on sentences. 30K words of practice is really improving my writing. Still looking for things to improve. Right now its better then I'd have hoped. Chapters are probably going to be longer and come out less frequent… quality over quantity. I also like having them feel satisfying if that makes any sense. All the relevant parties might need a little time to at least update. There's a lot of characters so I want to keep it relevant, otherwise I'd have a different story for every character pair and directions, now catch up to x on these other stories! Trying for one big cohesive piece. May break some of it up into side stories but for now… nah.

authors notes 3:Its later then I thought it was going to be. Was planning on working on it on my other day off but got tired from a medical thing. Hope someone enjoys this, it was fun to write!

Traveler out!