Author's Notes: Halos! It's Chapter Ten already? Wow, this has been quite the journey hasn't it? I just came up with this last night before I went to sleep. (My mind usually jumpstarts and comes alive with ideas then.) I hope it's pretty good. Think of it sort of as…a late Christmas present.

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Finding Truth Within and Without

By CJSpooks

Chapter Ten: Released

After appearing in several different spots, Daniel decided that trying Jonas's lab wouldn't hurt. He called out, "Jonas! Are you here? Jonas?" He looked around the room. It did not seem that Jonas had been here recently. Daniel sighed and was about to leave for another spot when Jonas appeared in front of him unexpectedly. He was clad completely in black "Dr. Jackson, what a pleasant surprise!"

Daniel stiffened. "I know what you did to the Taker. Why, Jonas? It's very unlike you."

Jonas sat down in his chair and smugly smiled. "Hey, I was just making a point."

"What point is that exactly?" Daniel folded his arms across his chest.

"That I am not going to be dominated by higher forces. I'm a whole different being now. I am no longer weak."

"There is definitely something wrong with you, Jonas. I can help you get back into your body. You just-"

"Dr. Jackson, with all due respect, I think I've had enough of your guidance."

"You need to get back to your body soon."

"Or else I'll die in a coma. I've heard this a million times before. Redundancy wastes my time."

"Jonas, listen to me!" Daniel grabbed the younger man by the shoulders and shook him.

"No, you listen!" He shrugged out of Daniel's grasp. "I'm not the same Jonas you knew. Get that through your consciousness! I finally figured out my place in the universe. I have great powers beyond my wildest dreams. I can help people. I can now make them see it my way. It's going to change everything…for the better."

"At first, it sounds really noble of you, but then again…I know it's your greed talking."

"Dr. Jackson, because I was your friend when I was the other Jonas, I won't kill you…right now. If you'll excuse me, I must attend to some other obligations."

Jonas turned to leave but Daniel froze him in place with his powers. "Sorry, I think you should stay right here before you do anymore damage."

Jonas glared at him. "You'll pay for this."

"I know you'll thank me later."

"Not likely."

"It's for your own good, Jonas. Then you'll get better and hopefully we can keep you from your-"

"Destiny."

"Yes."

"Tell me what I'm supposed to do. Why am I so dangerous to everyone? How come no one's ever told me this before?"

"Uh…"

"Tell me!"

"I can't."

"TELL ME!"

Daniel took a step back. "Maybe I'll tell you later, after I've changed you back."

"Don't you dare."

"Oh, I have to…for everyone's sake."

Daniel used his power to wrap Jonas in light energy, a pattern that resembled a ring transport. Jonas groaned and squirmed as it penetrated his being, shifting him back gradually.

After a few minutes, the energy released him. Jonas stood there, shocked. "Oh…I…" Daniel cautiously went over. "How do you feel?"

Jonas realized what happened. He gave a half smile. "Like I've been given my old life back. Thanks, I was beginning to scare myself."

Daniel nodded. "You almost scared me too."

"I felt like I was watching myself…detached in a way, you know? The evil had suppressed me to the background of my own consciousness. It was…indescribable. I know what I did to the Taker and I feel horrible. But that doesn't mean that he didn't deserve it or that I could have or would have done differently, if I had the chance. I was a puppet willingly controlled on a string until in a twist of fate…the tables were turned and I became a monster, like the Taker. I see the truth in a different light now. This odd experience has helped me…grow and learn even more. I don't regret any of it now."

"Nor should you."

Jonas looked down at his attire. "Um…my evil side has quite the fashion statement. It just screams, "villain", doesn't it?"

Daniel laughed. "Don't worry about that. First priority is getting you back into your body."

Jonas frowned. "But I killed the Taker. It was my only way out of here."

Daniel paused for a moment. "Not necessarily."

Jonas looked up. "What're you talking about."

Daniel scratched his head. "I have an idea."

Jonas perked up. "Good. It's a start in the right direction. Hey, can you tell me about my destiny now?"

"Sorry, then I'd be messing with Fate. I can't and will not do that."

"Ugh…come on. How about a hint?"

"If it all goes well, it'll be fine. If not, then we're all going to die…by along the lines of your hand."

"Oh no…"

"Yeah, it's a little overwhelming."

"The Taker was right." Jonas dropped his head.

Daniel looked confused. "In what way?"

"When it decided that killing me was the best way to save the universe."

"No, Jonas. That's not how it works."

"Dr. Jackson, if you can't get me back into my body, promise me that you'll kill me."

"No. I will not promise to do that. Especially not to you, a friend."

"Please, to prevent me from destroying innocent lives."

Daniel pondered this. Jonas wanted to make an ultimate sacrifice. "If it comes to that, where you're ultimately stuck here, I'm not even going to consider taking your vitality away from you. Instead, I'll help you ascend. But only if you're willing, okay?"

Jonas slowly nodded in acceptance. "All right."

"Good, let's go."

"Where?"

"To your body."

To Be continued…

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Please Review…I think the next chapter may pop up soon, in the near future. J