universalzones - Tumblr blog

[universalzones]

Yes, Tangle was so close to freedom. Just gotta get up there and start booking it, or that was the plan. The lemur was shocked to look back to see Vanilla easily jump to the height she was now at along with grabbing her too. That wasn't fair, she had gotten away fair and square.

"Noooooooooooo, my hair is fine," Tangle said, attempting to squirm out of Vanilla's grasp, though she was stronger than she looks. "I was gonna get a hair cut tomorrow anyway." A lie, though the lemur was trying to find anyway she could to get out of this. "Who even told you I don't brush my hair. Was it Lanolin?" Who was she kidding, of course it was Lanolin.

@universalzones The stubborn lemur

What? Vanilla was astonished by the lemur's method of escape. When was she able to do that with her tail? Was this new? Wait... No!!! She's running away! She's got to hurry before she loses her!

The rabbit was a tad slow on reaching out for the lemur. Watching her escape to the ceiling, she wasn't going to take this lightly. Before the lemur knew it, Vanilla took action to jump off her feet at an astounding height, catching the lemur and landing on her heels. Lemur hooked underneath her arm like a child, she turned her head to scold the lemur she carried.

"This would be so much easier dear if you just held still."

[universalzones]

"So what side does trusting a completely random stranger fall in?" Nine couldn't resist the urge to point out such a obvious question. Amy may now know him a bit, though one couldn't say he was trust worthy or untrust worthy. The fox just didn't see how people could go against logic like that, though he supposed it wasn't any of his business at the end of the day.

After walking for a bit more they were in a bit of a clearing where the forest opened up besides bushes all over the place. Nine would look up from his scanner and was able to spot the obvious object out of place. It seemed to be some sort of emerald, though it was had to miss the green glow it was giving off.

Nine would then go back to his scanner. "That's the source all right, though it's strange how something so small is giving off so much energy. I'll need to make some more adjustments to my scanner before I get closer so it doesn't fry my tech." The device was already going on the frizz from being this close.

Amy could certainly feel her patience being tested here, especially when the other went as far as to accidentally (apparently, that is.) insult her to her face. As if she hasn't been scorned for her trusting tendencies before, but that wasn't a can of worms she was going to open when they were so close to the objective; it wouldn't do either of them any good to be upset about it now. Eyes roll as hammer poofs back into existence, twirled in her hand while she shook her head.

"There's a difference between trusting people and blindly trusting people, y'know." She rather doubts anyone that's going after a power source like this too is going to be particularly friendly to the two being around and, well, Nine's still her best bet of figuring out how to get back home.

Not that he's particularly giving her too many reasons to believe he'll do that, but there was always the chance of him surprising her. Hopefully. Possibly. All the talk of trusting people being a bad idea really doesn't make him seem the most trustworthy sort, after all.

"Lead the way, Nine."

[universalzones]

Well, the news that the population was split between Mobians and humans was a shock to Rebel, yet she didn't show it in the slightest. This world sounded extremely different from her own, making her consider this was real as normally Doctor Don't kept it simple. It was nice to see good sign's, though she would still be reserved.

Then Rebel heard Amy mention the name Sonic, an annoyed look swiftly coming across her face. "Great, just when I thought I wouldn't have to deal with that hedgehog and all the problems he's caused me." At least the resistance leader could say there was no way the Chaos Council would add him to a simulated world.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he had something to do with me ending up here. Ever since that hedgehog showed up in my world he's flipped everything on it's head." Rebel had gone from thinking Sonic was their worlds last hope, to hating him thinking he bailed on her, and finally to just being annoyed with his constant showing up, starting a fight, and then magically disappearing.

"Is him just rushing into things without thinking a normal thing with him? Because at one point it gets old." Now Rebel was just venting a little bit, though dealing with Sonic was just a bit of a pain by this point, even if he had good intentions.

amy was honestly at a loss when it came to convincing rebel that the island and everything, and every one, on it was real. maybe it was a losing battle, so she decided not to prod at it. it seemed like one of those things the bat would have to learn for herself, and amy could only hope they figured that out soon. if only for their own sake; they were so uptight.

then again the hedgehog knew how getting zapped to a new world could be. especially if you didn't have a concrete way home.

"a bright blue light...?" she could only wonder what that might have been. a portal? some influx of energy? did they even have chaos energy where rebel was from, or was it like this world where it was absent? so many questions...and it seemed the bat had some of her own too. ones amy would try her best to answer.

"well, this world has all sorts of people. humans and those like us, and we're about evenly split as far as population goes. here on the island there's more of us though, and a lot of us are the type that like the warmer weather, obviously," she pointed out, a finger coming to her chin as she pondered her words. she may have been rambling a little.

"i haven't been to them myself but there's a lot of continents on this planet too, with all sorts of differences and cultures. but if you want to know more about those you're better off asking sonic, not me. he's been almost everywhere."

[universalzones]

Surge once more kinda just stared at him once more, seeming to think hard about what he just said to her. The tenrec was dead silent for a moment before speaking. "Alright, then who are you?" She asked, just seeming curious more than anything else. It was weird that the other looked so much like Tails besides the clothes he worn, also a bit skinner too.

"Wait, forget my first question. Have you EVER heard of anyone named Sonic, like, at ALL?" Surge realized that information was more important to her, even if it sucked that she was unsure if it was for herself or Starline's programming.

⸺ Oh, he got the whole picture; he just wasn't phased and didn't care. Nine has gotten good at reading people and their motives - seems like this person was more bark than bite. But he wasn't going to tread those waters further. Not that he couldn't handle himself, just the waste of energy and time wasn't worth it. His life wasn't in danger to go out of his way to purposefully put himself in that position. His cocky smile lessened.

"...Like I said before, I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know who this Sonic person you keep mentioning is. I've never needed anybody and I still don't now."

[universalzones]

"It seems fairly relevant if you ask me given the circumstances." Rebel still had her guard up, though was somewhat less hostile. The resistance leader knew full well how dangerous Rusty is, though as they said, if they wanted to do harm they would've done so by now. Normally the bat wouldn't leave anything to chance, though after everything that's changed since Sonic's arrived, maybe the robot betraying the Chaos Council wasn't completely impossible.

"I also find it hard the Chaos Council would leave you behind. After all, you're the most effective machine they have, even if I doubt they'd ever admit it." Rebel as lost a lot of good soldiers whenever Rusty was deployed. The bat knew the robot was old, though out performed any of the new bots the council throws at them.

"With that said, if you wanna prove you're not with the Chaos Council I do have an idea," Rebel said, turning her attention to the council's base. "Since their currently gone, that means their base is left unguarded and without much power. You think you can get us inside and take over their system." The resistance leader made the mistake of not doing that the last time they left. This time she'd make taking the base a priority. "Though even the slightest hint of you betraying us then my squad will blast you without hesitation."

logically--- simple words like that after the manner rusty has treated the rebels wouldn't work. perhaps in a context more related to battle, where she could show which side she was following, and still, not even that would suffice.

moving her eyes only to examine rebel, she kept a quiet demeanor. she was still being seen as a threat, so if she had to keep her guard up and escape even from the rebels, she would proceed without hesitation.

[ 🩷 ] >>> ❝IF YOU DECIDE TO BELIEVE OR NOT IN MY ARGUMENT, IT'S NOT RELEVANT. NOW IF YOU'RE STILL DECIDED TO USE THOSE WEAPONS AGAINST ME WHEN IT'S THEY WHO SHOULD BE STOPPED, YOU WILL BE WASTING YOUR TIME.❞

[universalzones]

"Keep up with the cocky attitude and we'll see how many brain cells you have left when I run a few thousand volts of electricity through you," Surge said, letting a few sparks show just so the fox gets the entire picture.

"I mean, I'm not really expecting you to fight me. Should I assume some wannabe Sonic look alike is coming to save your skin because you can't actually fight yourself?" The tenrec didn't find the other threatening besides those metal tails, though she was sure overloading them would be easy enough.

⸺ Oooh, he struck a nerve, huh? Usually he would've been bored at talking to someone for even a few moments but this? This was kind of entertaining. He had a cocky smirk on his face, amusement in his tone but still condescending.

"Wow, took you that long to figure it out? You might just have functioning brain cells after all. Though, I don't have a clue on what you're talking about."

[universalzones]

Surge kinda just stares at the fox, seeming to get something was up. The tenrec was extremely annoyed at the comment of having insecurities, though managed to ignore it now. What was it Starline always said? Observe then act? Yeah, something she hated, though something was clearly up.

"I'm willing to admit you ain't the fox boy I know. You some kinda of Eggman mech or somethin? That moron is more obsessed with destroying Sonic and Tails than Starline was."

⸺ "Figuratively speaking, you can't grow a spine. Just saying."

It's getting... a bit exhausting, to say the least: people acting like they're familiar with him. And his thick skin doesn't let things like her obvious provocation get to him whatsoever.

"Sounds more like you have an insecurity you haven't worked on."

[universalzones]

❛ you can yell at me later. just let me help you. ❜ // ( dug from my own memes ) prime!sonic to nine

"I don't need your help, not anymore." Nine said, keeping his distance from Sonic. No way the fox was going to trust him, not now or ever again. "Besides, I know you don't really want to help me. All you care about is helping yourself and your REAL friends. Guess you should've been more careful with your fake one's, huh?"

[universalzones]

"What's this? Looks like the fox boy finally grew a spine," Surge said, almost seeming impressed that he had the courage to say something like that to her. "Though let's be clear. I say what I want, when I want, and to who I want. If you got a problem with that then do somethin about it." Was the tenrec trying to provoke the fox? Yes, yes she was.

⸺ "Do you always speak before thinking? Should probably work on that."

Something's been up lately. The stagnant NPC's are starting to grow a conscience it seems like. Nine isn't sure if he should beware of that for the future or not. Doesn't hurt keeping your guard up, after all.

[universalzones]

"...You going through an edgy phase or somethin fox boy?" Surge asked, wondering what was with the getup Tails was wearing. The tenrec had to admit it was a major improvement if you asked her, though she wouldn't admit that to him.

@itsninex

[universalzones]

Watch out Tangle... Mother Rabbit has a hairbrush, and she's sneaking up behind you! "I'm sorry dear. I must get to this! Your hair is all matted!"

"What?! My hair is fine! You'll never take me alive!" Tangle shouted, swiftly making an escape attempt with the use of her tail, making it stretch to a ceiling beam to try and get away from Vanilla. The lemur seems to have forgotten that the rabbit had a height advantage over her.

[universalzones]

Well, Rebel can say she's never been in a simulated world where someone says it's nice to meet her. Guess the bat could count that as some sort of good sign to a degree. The resistance leader somewhat hated how cautious she had to be, knowing if this was real then coming off way too aggressive would only make enemies. She'd still be playing it safe for now. "Not really, though I can only hope this isn't fake."

Then came a question, which was a normal and reasonable question to ask all things considered. "I'm unsure how I ended up here. I was out on a scouting mission when what I assumed an earthquake happened. All of a sudden there was a blue light and I woke up here. I'm, unsure if I can return home, though I have to find a way." Real or not, Rebel had people counting on her to lead them.

"So, what information can you tell me on this world?" Rebel did have questions of her own, though this would also reveal any cracks should this be fake. This place looked to be peaceful, not to mention nature seemed free to flourish and grow. The bat could even feel herself breathing fresh air, something that was hard to fake.

"then it's nice to meet you, rebel." amy smiled at the greeting, thinking the other's name was pretty cool, and yet that smile faded a little hearing why their initial meeting hadn't been the best. someone like her...who wasn't friendly? that was a weird thought, but the heroine knew that in other places things were just...different.

sometimes they were really different.

the more rebel spoke of her situation and her world, the more amy was sure of that much. wherever they were from, it didn't sound pleasant and amy didn't know how to convince the bat that she was safe here. or that everything around them was very much reality.

"then i guess me just telling you this is all real won't really help, huh?" a rhetorical question and the pink hedgehog paused to think for a moment. she was full of questions, of course, but wanted to pick and choose them so she wasn't being too overwhelming. "first off, i guess the most important thing is how did you get here? and can you get back?"

[universalzones]

"No one fuckin controls me, get that in your head right now. I can choose to dip whenever the fuck I want and couldn't give a shit if it screws you lot over," Surge said, barely able to contain her electricity, only a few sparks showing up. Seemed Lanolin really touched a nerve yet the tenrec managed to keep her cool, if only barely.

"Just send me and I'll have that shit cleared up real quick. Not like any of you lot wanna work with me." Surge was more than aware that the rest of the 'team' had high doubts about working with her. Besides, she worked better alone anyway. "Give Kit some easy shit. He needs a break." Ah, her somewhat soft side showing.

"...Who the fuck is Mighty?" Surge knew of Blaze, though who was this Mighty guy. Can't be all that great if she hasn't heard of him. "Eh, doesn't matter. I bet I could wipe the floor with him in three seconds, two if I don't play around." The tenrec might be over confidant in her abilities given she knew nothing about the person she was talking about.

"Oh, before I forget, I need a different mattress or something. It's too soft compared to what I'm used to and I hate it. Been sleeping on the floor, though I guess that's not a 'normal' thing to do here." Surge didn't care, though Kit was stressing about it and not sleeping because of it.

Lanolin had already figured Surge out on some level. She'd read her file, talked with Sonic and Tails on the matter. It was true that Amy was all for giving her a second chance, but Lanolin was a bit more skeptical even if she kept her trap shut on the matter. But funny as it was she and Tangle were probably not so different. Neither liked to sit put, and neither could stand menial tasks locked in a box! Seeing that moment of discomfort from Surge got a slight smile out of the Sheep. She could be a little twisted when she wanted couldn't she?

" Uh Huh... must be strange knowing your fate is in my hooves..."

She made a couple notes on her data pad

" Possibly, we send in units to scout areas, clear left over Badniks and ensure areas are safe for our recovery teams to move in. Is no guarantee there will be hostiles, but it happens often enough... so we tend to send in our combat ready fighters first to be safe. "

" As for our best? well you probably rank up there considering. Though i don't know how you'd measure up to Miss Blaze or Mr. Mighty... but if reports are accurate--- i'd say you have a shot at that title. Are there any other questions before i give you an assignment? "

[universalzones]

Continued from X @atangledfate

Surge wasn't fazed by the stare Lanolin was giving, nor did she find the wisp of any concern. The tenrec was surprised they let her near this things given what happened with Whisper, though guessed that was more because of that fancy gizmo she stole from Eggman. Could she use wisp energy on her own? Theories to test for later.

"So, what you're saying is I'll most likely be going out to bash bots, right? I mean, with me on your team I gotta be your heaviest and fastest hitter." Surge seems high confident in her fighting ability.

Then Surge was told about the warehouse, something that swiftly made her tense up. "NO!" The tenrec would suddenly shout before realizing just how loud she was. "I mean, uh, I suck at counting and stuff. That's more up Kit's alley. Kids got a good memory and junk. Besides, he doesn't like fighting so just leave all that fighting jobs to me, cool?"

[universalzones]

"That's assuming I actually want to trust someone to that level, which in my world, I don't. Not that there are too many trusting people out there." Nine would forgo mentioning the resistance group as he avoided them all together due to the fact they got a lot of heat from the Chaos Council, something he didn't want to deal with. "Besides, I'm smart enough to figure out people's intentions without getting to know them. That's the only reason we're having this conversation." The fox could tell Amy meant no harm which was only confirmed by her stance on trust.

"I'm sure wherever you're from you get the chance to do that, though I don't, so I'm not going to risk trusting someone that could betray me." Nine didn't care what Amy thought about that. It's what kept him safe and out of danger so he didn't intend to let his guard down anytime soon. With all that said, even the fox realized he was being extremely bleak and maybe a bit rude, yet it was already said.

Suddenly the scanner would go off, prompting Nine to put his focus on that. "We're getting close to the energy source. I recommending keeping your guard up. I'm not detecting anyone else near it, though my scanner is on the fritz with what is outputting the energy I've been tracking." Nine then turned his scanner into a blaster, ready to shot at anything that showed the slightest sign of a threat.

"Unless you wanna be 'trusting' if someone is that." Oops, Nine meant to keep that in his head. "Uh, forget I said that aloud?" Not really an apology, though it as least showed he didn't meant to say it to Amy.

Well, that sure was one way to be standoffish. Amy simply let the other speak for now, continuing along in the forest with the other for some time as she thought over the question returned to her. Nine must've gone through a lot to come out with an outlook like this, she thought, and definitely didn't take it very well, either. Naturally, the hedgehog felt bad the other had to suffer, but that was hardly going to stop her from speaking her own mind.

"How can you know someone if you don't trust them?" She retorted, tilting her head at Nine as she did. "If you never trust someone, you'll never know them, will you? It takes trust, both ways, to get to know just about anyone. If all you do is keep your distance, you'll never learn what someone's really like."

A brief pause, rubbing the back of her neck as she chuckled at herself.

"Sure, you might get hurt in the process. I'll admit I've gotten the short end of the stick a few times, but that's not my fault. I gave someone a chance and they made their choice. I'll keep making mine." A smile returned, of all things, as she couldn't help her chuckle to turn to warm laugh. "So yeah, maybe it seems a little silly, if you just look at it logistically. Though, I'd never have met so many people or seen so many incredible things if I didn't trust anyone, y'know?"

[universalzones]

"Has well as I can be, all things considered." Rebel was still in an unfamiliar place, along with having no clue how she even ended up here, though at least it was safe. "It's... Rebel." The bat was unsure why she hesitated to reveal her name given how Amy clearly wasn't a threat. Most likely due to her habit of being wary around strangers. "I truly am sorry for attacking you earlier. Let's say someone from my world looks a lot like you and isn't friendly." The resistance leader though it best just to leave it at that.

"With that said, I'm wary if this is actually real or just a simulation. Wouldn't be the first time I was imprisoned in one of Doctor Don'ts stupid VR worlds to keep me from breaking out." Rebel could usually sense it out pretty quickly, though so far things seemed normal. "I hope that doesn't come off as too rude." It seemed no matter how had the bat tried she took everything with a grain of salt and was cautious despite her best efforts to come off as friendly.

"I'll still answer questions, though until I'm sure this isn't some sort of trap I might keep certain information close to the chest." Rebel might as well be as honest. "Though I'm guessing one of your first questions my be about my world." That's what the bat would ask.

amy flashed a small smile at the thanks but she could tell the other needed space, and needed it now. true to her word she went to the cluster of trees, not entirely out of sight but still isolated enough that the bat could have a few minutes alone. amy had to pick a few flowers for an arrangement anyway. it was why she was out there in the first place though she would admit the moment had been a little ruined by her unexpected discovery.

but she had nothing else to do, now did she?

the pink hedgehog spent those few minutes carefully picking and choosing the right flowers with the occasional glance at the bat. which might have been the only reason she saw that wave at all. she gave it a few more seconds before walking over, placing her collected flowers carefully in her sarashi.

"i hope you're feeling better..." and she did too, she just didn't know if the bat was a fan of small talk. but amy would still attempt it. "i, um, don't think i caught your name? i'm amy, and in case it wasn't obvious i live here on the island."

[universalzones]

"Not to brag, though to survive in this world you gotta have things figured out." Nine didn't make it this far by not having a plan nor having little clue about the forces fighting. 'Predictable, though I am curious about this job. Only Echidna I know is that crazy muscle head Knux.' The fox thought to himself. Might as well humor the other.

Nine squints his eyes after hearing what the job is and what she needs from him, though to him there's a bit of a problems. "I'm not hearing what I get out of this. Sounds like I'm putting a lot on the line here for no reward, and getting on the Council's bad side for nothing doesn't sound like a good deal." Call the fox whatever you want, though what's the point in taking a job if he doesn't get anything in return. He didn't really care of what secrets she wanted, not that it seemed like she'd willingly share that information.

"You have it all figured out, haven't you?" Of course he did, pondered Lien-da. "It's even better if you are in everyone's good graces; Especially with what I'll need you to do."

Leaning against the train's wall, she looks into the distance. "As you may already know, Ro-Your leaders have been doing a lot of digging lately,giving various excuses on the whys and the hows. No matter for me. What does, however, is that they are uncovering ruins, destroying the history surrounding them and stealing precious artifacts and books from a time far before them. But that's not all; In their usual fashion, they are keeping it to themselve, trying to uncover its secrets. Echidna secrets. I can't tolerate it. I need them back. Of course, I could get them myself but..." The resulting violence would be far from ideal. "I need someone capable of getting close enough without arousing suspicion. That's where you come in." Lien-da had yet to see if she still was a good judge of character.