[Those words again. Unafraid of anything. He remembers saying them, and yet it almost feels like they weren't his words at all. How could he experience fear in the first place, when he doesn't have feelings to begin with? But the power that came with that form, with surpassing his own limits and becoming something stronger, something he was certain could finally succeed in filling his primary goal...
If he could seize it again, he would. In that moment, he was certain he could do anything. There was no hesitation. There was no circular arguing and questioning locked deep within his own mind. He was not shackled by his own views of what he should be, and he was not chained by Eggman's orders or demands - he was truly, truly free.
Could he experience that once again? Is that even possible without taking that form once more? If he can cast off the doubts, the uncertainties, the fear—
He would seize it with his own two hands. Regardless of what it takes.]
Is that why I was brought here? To... give me the opportunity to be... me?
[Not to be Eggman's weapon. Not to be the Metal Overlord. Not to be Sonic's doppelganger. But instead to be simply Neo, an opportunity he otherwise wouldn't have again.
No, he's attributing intention to something the mages already admitted did not have a reason in picking those brought to this world. Still... the thought is almost... comforting, in a way. Warm, like the hand on his shoulder.]
I wanted nothing more than to return home. I thought that if we did that, everything would go back to the way it was supposed to be. That the differences this world has brought to both of us would fall away and that we would go back to being enemies again. I would no longer have to question myself.
[He finally turns just enough that he can look at Sonic, one visible optic trained on the hedgehog.]
...But I was wrong in that assumption. Things would not change simply from returning home.
[Sonic has taken the first few steps, and even given Neo a push or two to get him to walk this path as well. The least he can do is try to meet his opposite halfway.]
I want my freedom. I will not be the Doctor's again. I will remain Neo. And I will kill you, Sonic - no matter how long that may take. Your life is mine to take, and I will not let anyone or anything kill you before I can.
[...jesus christ neo what kind of attempt was that]
no subject
If he could seize it again, he would. In that moment, he was certain he could do anything. There was no hesitation. There was no circular arguing and questioning locked deep within his own mind. He was not shackled by his own views of what he should be, and he was not chained by Eggman's orders or demands - he was truly, truly free.
Could he experience that once again? Is that even possible without taking that form once more? If he can cast off the doubts, the uncertainties, the fear—
He would seize it with his own two hands. Regardless of what it takes.]
Is that why I was brought here? To... give me the opportunity to be... me?
[Not to be Eggman's weapon. Not to be the Metal Overlord. Not to be Sonic's doppelganger. But instead to be simply Neo, an opportunity he otherwise wouldn't have again.
No, he's attributing intention to something the mages already admitted did not have a reason in picking those brought to this world. Still... the thought is almost... comforting, in a way. Warm, like the hand on his shoulder.]
I wanted nothing more than to return home. I thought that if we did that, everything would go back to the way it was supposed to be. That the differences this world has brought to both of us would fall away and that we would go back to being enemies again. I would no longer have to question myself.
[He finally turns just enough that he can look at Sonic, one visible optic trained on the hedgehog.]
...But I was wrong in that assumption. Things would not change simply from returning home.
[Sonic has taken the first few steps, and even given Neo a push or two to get him to walk this path as well. The least he can do is try to meet his opposite halfway.]
I want my freedom. I will not be the Doctor's again. I will remain Neo. And I will kill you, Sonic - no matter how long that may take. Your life is mine to take, and I will not let anyone or anything kill you before I can.
[...jesus christ neo what kind of attempt was that]