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etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
etrayamods) wrote in etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
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TDM 008
content warnings for this TDM include: gambling references, mild horror themes and suggestive content  ⏵ arrival⏴ Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. Newcomers generally find themselves waking up within the hospital, are given a brief overview of their situation, and sent on their way. Now? They wake up immersed in a game within The Gold Saucer. But it doesn't quite feel like a game: whether it's snowy mountains, riding a chocobo as you listened to the wind quickly pass by your ears, or in the middle of a battle with a beast, it feels utterly real. It's only after the game concludes - either by winning or losing - that you find yourself back in the main game area. A bot, dressed as personnel in this lavish playground, approaches each arrival with an earpiece allowing them to communicate with those in their same situation. It also serves to inform them of their goal: collect enough gold saucer points (or GP) by playing the games to acquire a card fashioned to their own likeness from the game counter. Then, they must trade it for someone else's. Seems simple enough, right? Hopefully the cards aren't too expensive...  ⏵ the gold saucer ⏴ The Gold Saucer is an ode to the very idea of fun. It’s huge, labyrinthine, colorful, and lively. Everywhere you look, there’s something to do. At the same time, it’s also impossible to tell what time it is. There are no windows to the outside, there are no clocks. This place is beyond such a thing. There are games everywhere you look, ranging from the pseudo-gambling to sports to pixelated video games in cabinets. Yet no matter which boxing game, pinball machine, or skeeball machine you look at, the same creatures and themes arrive. Cactuars, chocobos, the fiercest Behemoth, the cuddliest Moogle… For those from the realms of Final Fantasy, this will feel natural- homey even. Everyone else will simply understand that there is a fairly strong central theme here about magic, machines, and monsters. It’s hard to tell how long you spend here, and it seems to sit outside of the very concept of time. Still, there are many restaurants, lounges, and vending machines. There are shops and costume rentals. There are even little pharmacies with headache remedies if the partying gets out of hand. And when you grow tired, there is a hotel- though it is made up like a haunted house, you can count on getting some semi-restful sleep.  ⏵ playtime ⏴ At first, stepping through to play any of these games may make participants wonder if they have been teleported somewhere else entirely. But on closer inspection, all the skies above are merely well-constructed interiors with painted ceilings. After all, it always seems to be daytime during these games. Snowboarding - Race to the bottom of the mountain, but avoid obstacles and complete as many tricks as possible! Chocobo Racing- Race on Chocobo-back around a treacherous outdoors race track which can either be taking place in a desert, a swampy forest, or upon an island beach. Work in tandem with your rented bird and against your competition by throwing hazards in their way or utilizing buffs garnered on the track. Different colored birds will yield different advantages. Yellow - Good All Rounder Red - Fast, but hard to steer Blue - Slower, but very easy to steer. Much easier to pick up items from them. Green- Resilient against traps and sabotage Colosseum Battle- Face off against the fiercest beasts around. Pair up with friends or rivals to Collaborate or Compete to do the most damage and deliver the final blow. These battles are synced to the comparative power of the one entering the competition. We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt unnecessarily, after all. And indeed, no one will get seriously, gruesomely, or permanently injured in these battles. Those without fighting capabilities can rent weapons outfitted Materia to assist them in their trial. These will allow anyone to cast spells, though not guarantee any better wielding of weapons. There are a hundred rounds, starting with fairly simple Spriggans, ranging all the way up to blood-thirsty Behemoths to challenge even the most battle-hardened hero. Leap of Faith- Players are presented with an obstacle course that stretches a hundred feet into the air upon floating platforms and islands. Both are held aloft by magical crystals. Powers are entirely nerfed, though falling and hitting the ground is strangely painless. Those who collect the most silver and gold statuettes of cactuars placed at random throughout the course will be awarded proportionate GP; though there is a bonus for those that reach the very top first. Triple Triad- Everywhere you look, people are playing this game on little 3 by 3 boards, or any surface with enough space. You will be given a loaner deck to play with. Are you clever enough to defeat your fellows. Fashion Report- Theobold, familiar to some, stands by himself in a little booth with a dressing room and an incredibly expansive walk-in closet. He is a robot of distinguished fashion and strong opinions on those fashions. Do you dare subject yourself to his scrutiny? Come prepare in his wondrous closets to make the best outfit for the chance to win a prize. Please submit your fashion here! There are Arcade Machines and activities galore. If you can think of it, it’s probably there- Just with that Final Fantasy pastiche on it, of course.  ⏵ the beehive lounge ⏴ There are other places to eat at the Gold Saucer, but the vending machines and cafés all pale in comparison to the dinners at the Beehive. For all the rave reviews, there is a dress code at the Beehive, and this is literal. If you step inside and are not currently wearing a dress, you will be ushered into a sideroom and appropriately made over. However, this is only for those trying to go in through the normal doors. Around the side there happens to be an employee entrance, manned by a bot. He will only allow those in who seem like they intend to work— and therefore must be wearing at least one piece of the Bunnysuit Collection to trick the guard. Once you are made over or have snuck in, you are free to relax inside with drinks, dine on a fine meal, watch the dancers, or participate yourself if you feel brave enough. Why would anyone ever dance here? Well, that’s simple. It pays really well. So if you’re sick of games, or terrible at them— you can always come dance for a shift. Though, don't get any unseemly ideas about freeing yourself of your clothing, this isn't that kind of establishment!  ⏵ haunted house ⏴ When you grow too weary or drunk from a day of games, you may be directed to somewhere a little quieter to sleep. Up the elevator, and through the doors reveals a modest walk through some woods until a quaint, victorian hotel appears. It is always nighttime here, and the stars and moon twinkle above. The receptionist, a bot in a rather bedraggled-looking chocobo mascot costume checks you in and shows you to your room. You can sleep here, especially if you can tolerate the hokey haunted decorations strung up around the place. Though sometimes, late at night, there will come a vigorous thumping on the door to startle sleeping patrons awake- Only for the culprit to vanish and be impossible to locate.  ⏵ ticket counter ⏴ The prize counter is manned by a bot and has a sign posted overhead. Most prizes will be handed over inside an appropriately sized wrapped box, as the contents are a mystery.
This TDM may be treated as a mini-Mission. Time will not pass inside of it in relation to the world outside - meaning, this can be happening at any time between late May into early July! This Gold Saucer is a bit of a mix between that of FF7's and FF14's, but it also has some things that neither have as well. Any inaccuracies are entirely intentional, aimed to make this rest within a space of uncanny valley for those who are familiar. While otherwise being a bit of a chaotic fantastical funhouse for everyone else! If there is something unlisted, chances are it will exist if it is in either of the other versions of the Gold Saucer. Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game! Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment! |
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[He bought them from a peculiar-looking vending machine just outside the Arena area. It had all sorts of strange-looking things Sonic had never seen before-- even a feather for some reason(?). He wasn't gonna risk eating something that looked like medicine (iuck), but this one thing came in a convenient, and familiar, snack shape so.] I am taking it seriously. That’s exactly why I’m willing to admit when my health bar’s not at its best, instead of stubbornly pushing through just to see how far I can go before crashing. [He might not be familiar with this exact world setting, but he has played enough videogames to know you needed to gear up before going through boss fights and stuff.]
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It needs a lot of work. [He has his doubts, considering what he's seen of them. Even Sonic decided to go off on his own without his friends. Twice. They're more of a liability to each other the way he sees it.]
Hmph. You underestimate me. [He doesn't know what he was made to endure. This hasn't been anything intensive for him.] I'll make it to the end without tiring.
[Any chance of him reconsidering that trail mix bar will pass as the gates start to rise again. The sound wings flapping can be heard as a large flying eyeball enters to greet the two hedgehogs this time.]
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I didn’t offer because I think you can't handle it, I offered because I care.
[So, obviously, Shadow didn't want to be a team player. Sonic could get the message loud and clear. And fine. Whatever. Sonic wasn’t exactly unfamiliar with solo acts himself. It still irked him a little. And also, kinda, actually offended him, if he was being completely honest? So, yeah, he was ready to ignore this, whatever thing, and keep doing his own thing too, if it hadn't been for a couple of small voices that started nagging him from the back of his head and made him pause a second.
'Lead by example'
Ugh.
Look, Sonic wasn't perfect. He’d had his own rough patches when it came to being part of a team. After Tails and Knuckles had moved in and the three of them were trying to figure out how to coexist under the same roof, Sonic might've gotten a tiiiny bit frustrated at them from time to time, and he used to complain loudly to Tom and Maddie. And don't get him wrong, he loved those guys, he loved the company! But he had essentially gone from being the pampered only child one day to the neglected middle sibling the next. And nobody wanted to be the middle kid. (And no, he was not being dramatic)
Tom had taken it upon himself to bring Sonic around and 'patrol' the city one day, to spend one-on-one time together, and he had immediately jumped at the chance. Tom had even let him turn on the siren, speak into the megaphone (which Sonic definitely didn't abuse), and even handle the radio once or twice. It was awesome.
They had mostly dealt with mundane small-town business: a missing pet, pothole complaints, ducks stealing bread again (those ducks were menaces, honestly), the occasional jaywalker. But they had ended up in the middle of a heated argument between two particularly cranky neighbors with a long-standing property line dispute between them. Tom had kept his calm and solved the issue, not falling for the taunts, even when one of them started to personally attack him instead in a way that made Sonic bristle and make him ready to throw hands. Because boy, that lady had been nasty.
Eventually, Tom's cool demeanor had ended up calming both neighbors and allowed them to reach a peaceful agreement right there (at least for the season), which otherwise would have led them to court, had Tom acted differently.
And the lady had even sent, a seriously tasty, apple pie as an apology for her uncalled behavior days after (which Sonic had eaten most himself, leaving only a slice for Tom, because hey, it had been the fruit of his and Tom's hard day at work, and emotional growth was still a work in progress).
Either way, he had realized two things that day: 1 - Tom was a seriously great cop (though, arguably, he already knew this; the experience only reinforced it). 2 - Sometimes butting your heads together was not the answer.
'Make good choices'
Maddie had always made sure to remind them of it, ever so gently (probably also spoken from a place where she didn't want her living room decimated, again; but hey, who could blame her).
Even if you somehow had misstepped along the way, it was never too late to go back to the right path... which yeah, maybe Sonic had found himself on the wrong side of the road more than once, but again not perfect. And making the right choice was not easy. It never was. That's how you knew it was the right one. And it was difficult for him, to just go against his instincts, make a snarky comment and bulldoze off. But he realized he was willing to try and take the first step.
So he took a deep breath, shoved the attitude down a couple of notches, before choosing his next words.]
So, what's the plan? Any bright ideas for this one?
[Thankfully, the new monster in front of them hadn't immediately gone off to start attacking them the second he stepped into the arena. Just stood there (floated?) for a moment just staring into their souls or something -- which, creepy, but yeah.]
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Expecting Sonic to make his usual name calling the monster and then jump right on in, it doesn't happen. He gives him a quick glance when asks what they should do instead.] ... [Eyes return to the monster to assess. It's body being mostly eyeball makes him think that is it's weakpoint, but that seems too straight foward. A creature like this would have defensive measures to keep it's eye safe.]
Split up, it can't watch us both. [They're going to be in for a rude awakening when they discover it has another eyeball on it's back. For now , energy crackles in his left hand Shadow forms a chaos spear that he can hold.]
It's eye might be it's weakpoint, but I don't trust it. Observe and strike where necessary. [Their attacks need to be cleaner and more precise. Who knows how much tougher their foes will get from here on. The eyeball creature let's out a cackle, tired of waiting on them to strike as it's eye glows. Clouds form above as a shower of meteors start to fall onto the arena. Shadow teleports away, reappearing just above the creature and fires his spear at it's eye. With a wave of it's large wing, it deflects it away. Eyes glowing again and now casting fireballs. Attention currently on the black hedgehog.]
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Part of him had expected the offer to be brushed off. Which would've stung, not gonna lie, but he also wouldn't have held it against Shadow if he had thought Sonic was joking around still. So when he heard the other hedgehog play along, he couldn't help the way his ears perked up, just a little.]
Roger that!
[He grinned and threw a mock-up salute, darting off as the meteor storm began to rain down. They were easy to dodge, slamming into the ground with explosive force, but they weren't that fast. They also stuck to the ground to serve as big burning rocks that actually looked like could very well double as makeshift barricades if necessary. Huh, he'll definitely keep that knowledge in mind for later.
He wasn't even doing his usual running commentary as he moved to slip behind the flying eyeball while it was busy fighting Shadow. He could be sneaky. He had seen all the Mission: Impossible saga, and while Tom Cruise was no Keanu, the guy hold his own and deliver a great action scene. (He was, maybe, still humming the soundtrack in his mind, though)
It took no time to get in position, and just as he was about to launch and attack, something moved-- shifted, on the monster’s back. A seam split open vertically, like an eyelid peeling sideways, revealing a second eyeball, startling him and making him skid into a halt from how gross it looked.]
What the-- are you kidding me?? It has a backup eyeball?! How is that even---?! That doesn't even make sense!
[The new eyeball snapped its gaze toward him.
Then the ground began to shake.]
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It's then he hears Sonic yelling about something. A backup eyeball? It had a second eye? With a screech the eyeball monster slams it's body into the ground, causing earthly spires to burst out from the ground beneath, spreading out like a shockwave. Shadow is already hovering above the ground to avoid the attack, but he can't see if Sonic has avoid it as well.]
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The ground is unstable. [Why it's still quaking the way it does, he isn't sure.] It doesn't seem to strike with it's body, but cast projectiles instead. We can use them against it. [...Oh yea, good job Sonic.]
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Being caught in the air to fly around was not something he wasn't used to, but he wasn't quite expecting it. Still, not unwelcomed.]
Okay, what if... I run around and make a whirlwind to get all the debris in the air, it'll be easier to hit him with it them. [And also possibly, maybe? reduce the guy's visibility.
... and hey, thanks. You can use your outer voice next time.]
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Didn't I just say the ground is unstable? [The spires in the ground still remain, limiting the amount of flat areas one can run. The eyeball creature spreads it's wings and then with a single flap, conjures ice and snow. Icicles start to fall this time.]
Ugh, do what you need to do! [He's setting Sonic onto one of the spires with a flatten top as he flies off to send as many icicles back at their target. It does seem to have some kind of effect on it, a few causing it to flinch and disrupt it's flight pattern.]
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Either way, the moment he is set down, he bolts. Running on shaky ground is tricky, but doing spin dash helps to gain traction and speed-- it also makes it easier destroying the average sized rocks to clear up a path. Hey, maybe Knux's insane rock-hurling obstacle course actually paid off.
With one eye out of commission, the monster can only focus on one of them at a time. And once he picks up enough momentum it's easy to keep going on foot because hey, he moves faster than the ground's shaking, and he is paying attention of his surroundings to not misstep.
So, after a few seconds pass, the wind's starting to kick in, taking the rocks flying with it.]
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Eyeball monster is already having a hard time just tracking the constantly teleporting hedgehog, now getting smacked by more than just icicles as rocks are pelted in it's direction thanks to the whirlwind Sonic kicks up. Screeching angrily, it's flaps it's massive wings in a wide motion, trying to counter Sonic's whirlwind with it's own wind it creates.
Trying to keep himself steady, Shadow forms another chaos spear in his hands and attempts to have a another shot at getting a direct hit in. With a well aim strike, he dives and pierces a hole into one of it's wings to lessen it's effectiveness.]
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Sonic! [Shadow reappears behind one of the falling meteors, putting it between himself and the creature. Hopefully that's enough of a visual cue to Sonic that he wants to send this meteor into the target.]
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He stopped for a second to figure out what his next move should be, when Shadow called his attention back to where he was. Massive burning rock, right into eyeball guy ugly face-- yeah, he could get the idea.
He gathered all his energy in his legs to make the impossible jump and hit the rock with explosive force. Hopefully, timing it perfectly to match Shadow-- if that was what his plan had been.]
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It's image flickers as the creature starts to digitize. The remaining meteors start to dissipate with the rest of the debris as well, gradually returning the arena to it's original state.]
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Hah! And that's how it's done. Up top, Shads! [C'mon Shadow, it is time for a High Five. Don't leave him hanging!]
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He looks to his own hand for a moment. A memory of a time spent with a girl, her laughter flooding his sensory as they celebrate a skate around the base, or beating a game together. His ears fall back slightly, expression turning somber for a moment before focusing back up]
We're not done yet. [It's too soon to celebrate. The gate will slowly start to open again.]
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You are allowed to celebrate small victories, you know. [It's not a reproach, just said matter-of-factly. It's all about the little things, Shadow. And it boosts morale!]
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...It was better. [He has contributed to the celebrating. And they will at least keep a steady momentum while they continue to climb through the rounds. He could feel their coordination improve even as the fights get harder. Sonic might even get lucky and get something witty out of Shadow during one of the later rounds. Miss it and he'll pretend he didn't say anything.
Eventually, enemy number ninety-nine will also go down, leaving them with only one remaining boss. Rain was pouring down the arena, a remnant from their fallen foe. It lingers even after the arena resets. The gate doesn't open right away once. Instead the ground will shake as pillers start to rise around the arena. Additional platforms in preparation for their final match.
...Yea, that's not a little omnimous with the rain and everything. Shadow is still holding up all right for the most part. Breathing heavily, but what little rest they have should be enough to finish this. There's still fuel in the tank as the saying goes, but he didn't get out of those fights completely unscathe.
He suffered a few cuts and bruises here and there that are very much real injuries. Nothing he can't heal from on his own. Good thing his fur is so dark that they can't really be seen, but he can definitely feel them. He grips his arm, flexing his hand for a moment.] Think you can handle one more?
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He has to admit there was a thrill to it. The fights, the way they started falling into sync with one another, slowly but much better than the rough start. It reminded him when they were both fighting side by side, powered up by the Emerald. Of course, there were still a few kinks to smooth out, but getting Shadow to say something back after the endless quips Sonic had been making, felt like a small victory on itself. He's definitely banged up as well, although probably less than you since you kept covering for him, even if less than before. He still noticed. It makes him feel a little frustrated, not gonna lie. Not that you helped-- just that he needed it. But he had been focusing more on the fights to compensate. Still, the monsters they had been facing after they hit the fiftieth level hadn't been exactly easy, so the bruises had started to ache more than you could normally ignore. The kind that stay with you even after the adrenaline fades a bit.]
C'mon, we already got this far. It'll be dumb to quit right now, when there's only one more left!
[Still, in the long moment it takes for the terrain to shift and rearranges for the final round, he opens the only other trail mix bar he had been carrying and, without a word, he snaps it cleanly in half and holds one piece out to you..]
Here, take it. [He's not asking this time, he's giving it to you.]
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He turns his head from the gates, seeing Sonic practically handing him a piece of his trail mix now.]
...Just how many of those things did you bring? [He will take it this time though. After a sniff, he'll start to eat it. A little soaked from the rain, but still edible all the same. Not exactly like the rice crispies Maria would bring for him. He stares at the ground, the water actually raising slightly above the surface. Just up to their ankles for now.]
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As the balm-like effect began to settle in-- not quite as good as eating a whole bar, but enough to feel better-- he looked down at the rising water with a frown. Technically still a puddle, but...] .... So, do you reckon we should probably get on one of those platforms, or...?
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I think that's a yes! [If Sonic needs it, Shadow will come to him and teleport him up onto one of the pillars. Otherwise, if Sonic plans to run up, he'll meet him above.
Light flashes throughout the arena, and as it passes over the rushing body of water coming in, a silhouette of a large serpentine-like creature can be seen, hiding amongst the flood of water.]
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The water rushes in fast, barely just missing him by a hair as he scrambles onto the platform.] That was way too close for comfort.
[Water, why did it have to be water?]
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