Rings: 001 [Action, Accidental Video]

[itdoesntmatter]

[So, Luceti. All's quiet this cold afternoon in the village and in the forest, right?

Well, it probably isn't anymore. In the forest, trees can be seen being bent and the leafless branches sway as something blasts by at high speed. Those with sharp eyes can catch a blue streak dashing along the ground, wind wrapping around it at its point, looking almost like a comet. A comet that leaps over every obstruction in its path without hesitation, and even bounces from tree to tree to clear any gaps... until it comes across one of the streams.

The blue blur doesn't hesitate, and instead begins following the river downstream, running along its surface, sending water flying back behind it in a wave... until it finds its way into the village.

Here the streak slows down enough that the wind surrounding it dissipates. Sonic takes his run through the village slower so he doesn't hit anyone, but he does take needlessly roundabout paths, bounding along the roofs of houses, off the sides of community buildings and along the tops of lamp posts until he makes it into the square. Here he finally stops, kicking up a large cloud of dust as he does so.

He pauses and takes a look around the square, his journal under his arm, unaware it started recording. With a casual scratch of his head, he then shakes his head, his blue quills gently swaying as he does so.]

Yup, definitely looks like I'm not in Kansas anymore. [He shrugs, then runs a finger along one of his wings, somewhat annoyed.] Not that I was there to begin with.

[Sonic then turns to anyone else in the square.]

Hey! Can anyone give me directions outta "Now-I-Have-Wings Land?" Can't really say I'm a fan...

Comments

[itdoesntmatter]

[Sonic glances over at Dash, who's keeping pace with him. There's a smirk that crosses his lips. Finally, someone who was half-decent at keeping up with him that didn't need rocket skates.

The smirk fades after a moment as Sonic focuses on his speed, quick-stepping out of the way of incoming trees and obstacles like it's not even a concern.]

[stilldontgotit]

Wouldn't do you much good. Pretty sure the barrier's got it covered.

[And even then, it wouldn't be a way out of the world.]

As for what, you can thank the Malnosso for keeping us locked up in the enclosure. They're a shady organization claiming they're on our side and that their wacky "experiments" are our ticket out of here.

[He shakes his head.]

Thing is, they're just as stuck as we are. It's probably got something to do with this world.

[wannabolt]

[Oh, so he's fast and he knows a few tricks. Not too shabby.

Dash has a similar maneuver, swerving between the trees with ease. She's practiced enough stunts in Luceti to know her way around. While that might be useful, however, she's still up against one tough contender.]

[itdoesntmatter]

Just when you didn't think someone couldn't be crazier than Eggman...

So, the world's the real problem? Did the world decide to bring me here or something?

[stilldontgotit]

Pretty sure people show up at random. Doesn't matter if they're heroes, villains, or someone completely average.

Don't think anyone's worked out the reason, but this world's got its share of problems.

[itdoesntmatter]

[More than a few tricks. Sonic bounds over rocks with his spin jump and air boost, jumping between the trunks of trees to keep his speed when the terrain gets unsuited for straight line running. Despite not having Dash's advantage of flight, it's not slowing him down, and he's actually quite enjoying himself.

It doesn't take long for them to cross into the mountains, either...]

[itdoesntmatter]

Alright, well, can't help solve 'em if I don't know what they are!

[wannabolt]

[Whoa. He can do all that without wings? That's... actually really cool, but she doesn't have time to stop and watch him show off.

Once they reach the mountains, she'll be keeping her eyes peeled for any obstacles, swerving and looping out of the way. At least the terrain provides a pretty intense track compared to the forest trees.]

[stilldontgotit]

Where do I start?

[Heh.]

First there's the experiments they put us through. Sometimes they're annoying, but pretty harmless. They might change someone's age, species, or gender, but nothing painful.

[There's a pause, and his expression turns to something sour.]

Other times they'll mess with our minds. Change our memories, our feelings, and sometimes who we are completely. And that's when they aren't sending us out to fight their battles.

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia smiles and does so. At least Sonic is behaving like she always knew him, even if his memories aren't intact. That's something, at least. She holds the door open for him, then heads straight for the kitchen.]

Have a seat anywhere you like. I'll be right back.

[itdoesntmatter]

[It is intense, and in fact their path takes them through some pretty ugly terrain. But with the agility both of them possess, they no doubt make traversing it look effortless.

That is, until a sheer cliff comes up on the horizon. Dash should have no trouble flying over it by simply ascending, but it looks like Sonic might have more trouble.

...Except he doesn't. The blue hedgehog simply runs right up the cliff face, defying gravity and zooms along without losing speed.]

[itdoesntmatter]

Sounds like one heckuva mess. I'm definitely not cool with them messing with us like that. Has anyone found a way to resist it or anything?

And fighting their battles? Who could guys that can warp minds possibly be fighting that need us to do the dirty work?

[There is a hint of sarcasm in his voice in that last part, but obviously in contempt of the Malnosso for not taking care of their own garbage.]

[itdoesntmatter]

You got it.

[Sonic glances around the room for a decent chair, and then quickly hops into one that's at a table. He turns the chair sideways to keep his legs free, though. Never really liked feeling confined.]

[wannabolt]

[...Dang. He's good. Almost too good, but like Dash needs to worry about running up cliffs. Instead, she rockets up and over, thanks to her wings.

Still, it's a neat trick he pulled off. She'll give him that much.]

[mistlegacy]

[She's rather efficient, taking only a moment to pour some cocoa for him and tea for herself. Upon returning, she offers the mug to him before sitting down.]

You arrived right in the center of Luceti, didn't you? That's fortunate; some people find themselves in the middle of the forest or beyond, and not at all clad for the winter. The Malnosso can be so inconsiderate.

[itdoesntmatter]

Actually, they dumped me out in the woods somewhere. I just ran around until I found the village.

[He chuckles as he takes a sip of cocoa.]

Didn't take long. Hey, this is good, thanks!

[itdoesntmatter]

[They're still neck and neck, though, and the beach is fast approaching. Sonic keeps pushing himself with everything he has, but he's finding his speed severely blunted, even keeping his Filial wings folded against his back.

He can't quite put his finger on why he can't go top speed, but he keeps trying to pour it on as much as he can.

Come on, final stretch, and he wants to win!]

[wannabolt]

[It's frustrating to Rainbow Dash as well. She's pushing herself at full force and is stuck at half her regular speed. If she could manage a Sonic rainboom and a win, then she'd really have bragging rights!

But as is, she just can't get past him. The best she can do is keep up, as they readily approach their destination. Darn it!]

[mistlegacy]

You're welcome!

[She smiles and takes a sip of her tea.]

And I'm sorry to hear that, but at least you found your way here without issue. It sounds as though you're as fast as ever.

[Her smile grows apologetic.]

...sorry. I'm sure it must be weird to have people know you that you don't remember.

[stilldontgotit]

[He shakes his head and sighs.]

Experiments are pretty random. The only way to get around them is to do missions for the Malnosso. Rack up points, and you might get something to help resist them.

[Riku hasn't bothered yet, though.]

As for the battles... they put us up against a group called the Third Party. Their goal is to kill everyone here because they think it'll save them or something.

[It's pretty messed up, to say the least.]

[itdoesntmatter]

So a bunch of scientist wackos and a bunch of crazy murderers. Boy, we really know how to pick winners, don't we?

[stilldontgotit]

Oh, sure. And that's not even counting the psychos and murderers in the village.

[Said with the most deadpan expression.]

[itdoesntmatter]

[He waves a finger a little.]

Nah, it's not that weird. Trust me, there's a lot weirder things out there than someone knowing your name and claim to fame.

But I wouldn't mind knowing when I was actually here, considering there might be others who remember me.

1/2

[itdoesntmatter]

[Almost.... there...

Can he manage to inch ahead before the end? Letting out a grunt he pushes as hard as he can...

But to no avail, as they both crest the sands of the beach, they manage to do so at the same time.]

[itdoesntmatter]

[Just before they hit the watery shoreline, Sonic skids to a halt, kicking up a huge storm of sand that wafts out into the water.]

...Huh. I think we just... tied.