Temporal: Time, Religion, Brief, and Tense part 2

A light. It was a tear. A tear in the nature of the universe. Something that should not have happened. Much like himself.

But this was not an opportunity he was going to miss. He rushed for this exit, expecting it to close on him just before he made it, leaving him again in nothingness. But he escaped. He could-not feel-but sense the world around him. Many beings were flying around at high speeds, chasing after some… thing. A thing that was keeping the tear in the universe open. Was this for him? Did this thing open the portal for himself?

This was of no concern though. He had other things to worry about. First, he needed a body. He had lost this in nothingness. He did not have any physical form to claim as his own, and all he was, was a consciousness that only just existed. Only just.

Soon, he could sense that the hole had closed, but he was still there. Excellent. Soon, he would have his revenge.

First, he sought the one that had done this to him. This was easy. His power was so great, he was simple to find. But he could do nothing against his enemy. He lacked the power to infiltrate such a mind and corrupt it from the inside.

So all he could do was wait. He followed his enemy always, scheming, plotting, always imagining his cries of pain.

He did not understand time in exact measurements, but it was a great while before he found an opportunity to suit his situation. A -shape- had come from a time yet to happen, and there now were two of it. This new form was weak in temporal stability. It was perfect for him to use.

He went to this shape and watched it. It was lost, he could tell, but it was not confused. He might have noticed this, but he did not care. He was too… happy was not the correct word. Pleased would have been more accurate. This shape had a great deal of power, but there was no heart beat, no consciousness that he could truly feel. He followed this shape, though, and kept an eyeon it, studied its actions as best as he could.

In a short while, the shape came to a being that he barely recognized as someone he knew. But, again, it mattered not to his current state of being. But as he watched over these figures, the shape did things that caused the person to feel admiration, and pride, and most of all… joy. Then, the person gave the shape power. A massive amount of power, but so focused, so small, one could put it in a pocket.

After a long enough time of watching as best as he could, he had decided this shape would make an excellent form to use to exact revenge. He crept into the shape, and found it hollow.

Perfect for taking over.

He tried to grasp the shape. And he realized: he had made a mistake.

It was not an empty shape. This was not an empty mind. It was a vast mind. A mind so large, the universe, even in its infinite form, could fit inside a million times over. It was overpowering how large this mind was. It was overpowering how stable it was. And it overpowered him.

His mind was broken, and was no match against the vast mind as it crept through the cracks of his own. He could -feel- his mind diminishing, breaking away, falling into the vast mind. It was horrible. It was worse than being in nothing. There is no physical way to describe the -pain- the -fear-.

Then, the horror stopped.

The vast mind began to spread, gently this time, over him, not consuming him, but holding him, running through his mind, searching his memories, picking him apart like a master technician would a program on a computer. He became separated from every part of what made him, and he felt an intense -fear-. It searched his feelings, recoiling at the rage and the sadness when it reached it.

He heard a voice.

You poor creature.

In an expanse of time he could not recognize, the vast mind began to put him back together. He was rejoined with his mind, but his feelings were gone.

Speak to me in your own voice. Who are you?

I am… was… Mephiles.

The Dark?

Yes. How did you know?

I found this while searching your mind. You have every right to hate, Mephiles. But would you rather do something else?

What do you mean?

He felt the vast mind begin to -repair- his broken mind. It was… nice.

I will repair you. But I can not repair what is not broken. Your emotions must be changed, and only you can do this. If you can change the way you feel with a repaired mind, a friend of mine can create you a body.

And if I don't?

Then you will stay in the back of my mind until the day I die, in which case, you will die with me.

Not a much of a choice, is it?

I have an intense hate as well. But I have… broken it down. I directed it at separate places, and realized what I truly hate. I realized that a lot of my hate was truly sadness. You can quell it, if you really want to.

Then I will agree to these terms.

Be warned. The first time you are introduced, you will be wild. I will have to seal you away.

Then let the pain begin.

He felt again. His reformed sanity could barely take it

-mend-

I will find a way out.

Yes, I'm sure you will.

Stop talking as like that.

Like what?

Stop talking as if I were a child. I am ageless in cunning and wit.

Your memories show you are only ten years old.

Bite me.

Bite your own self, I'm busy

-mend-

What is this?

It's called music.

What does it do?

What?

What does it do for a person?

Well… you listen to it.

Is that it? Is there no practical purpose?

Uh, musicians call see music in 'tracks' that people can listen to whenever they want.

Do 'people' know what they're getting? I don't see the point. It seems useless.

There is no practical purpose for music, but the best things in life are hardly ever practical.

...

Mephiles?

The words… they suit me.

"So what if you can see,

The darkest side of me,

No one will ever change

This an-i-mal I-have-be-come

This song is really overused. But, it does seem to fit most any situation involving people like you. Ooh, this one's a favorite of mine.

What?

I thought you hated him.

Yes… but this song is too darn good.

"I am the Egg-man!

It's what I am…"

-mend-

Mind?

This is what he had called the being he was trapped in.

Yes?

What possessed you to help a being like me?

You tried to possess me. Does that count?

Hardy har, har.

You remind me much of myself. I had lost my mind, though I technically never had one. I know what it's like to be trapped in ever lasting rage.

Perhaps you got over your hate. But I can not get over mine.

Why?

The hate I feel is far more powerful than any other hate out there.

Would you like to feel my rage?

...

Mephiles? Are you alright?

No I'm not alright! That was… was… I can't come up with a good enough word!

Now, I will introduce it again.

No! Don't send it back! I'll do anything!

Calm yourself. I will show you this rage again, but this time, being directed at more beings than one.

...

How were you able to figure this out?

You can see how large my mind is. But a good friend doesn't hurt.

Then… can you help me? Search my memories, point out things, make logical guesses that I could not... Be my friend?

I'm not a psychologist… but yes. I can. If you're willing to listen. If you're willing to accept another's help.

But why so eager all of a sudden? You had hated me for the longest time.

I wish to know if my hate is justifiable. This will prove that either I am right, and I deserve to destroy this hero, or you are right, and I should repent.

How do you know I won't lie to you?

If you were going to lie, you would not have asked.

True.

...

So, with the spikes in time that very much resembles your time shifting powers, and since your time shifting powers are a deviation of Shadow's power, it can be assumed that this spike that happened right before your creation is indeed Shadow himself. Therefore, it was because you sent him to the future and attacked him that he believed you were evil. Because of this, he must have gone back in time to seal you, thus making you angry, thus making you evil, thus tormenting Shadow ten years later, thus creating a paradox in which you would not exist as you are otherwise.

Mephiles?

I… I am confused.

What about? Did I miss something?

No. I just realized. My form. My being. Half of it belongs to someone else. I… I would not exist without him. I hate Shadow. But I owe him my life.

Mind?

We have so much in common, Mephiles. My being depends very much on another. I hate this being. I was programmed to, but I naturally developed a hate for him. If I had not hated… I would not have loved. And then the fact that I was created because he existed is a given.

Programmed? How can you be programmed? Are you some robotic super weapon?

Well… I am robotic. I am a weapon. And I am 'super' by normal standards. But if you mean like Shadow… I am not like that. I am a robot. I always have been.

A robot? You mean this intelligence I have been talking to, that has been repairing me, is a machine? You seem more intelligent. Even more so than the one Shadow was with. How can this be?

I do not know. I believe it is a program my creator used when making me, but I have searched my systems multiple times and found no anomaly that can explain me as a whole. But I have simply stopped caring.

How can you stop caring? Don't you want to know what made you what you are?

Yes, everyday I have tried to come up with a logical response. But I have counted my blessings, and thanked the Gods.

Gods? You, with all your logic, believe in Gods?

Well, I have met one. In fact, I became him. Twice. I still have some off his powers, in fact.

You're bluffing.

Am not. And besides, a way I like to explain it in the sense of a computer game. You make the rules, but you still have to abide by them, even if you can bend them. Gods created this land, and if they didn't obey the rules they set, what example would they set?

Then… by that logic… you should have not met a God.

How good of you to notice. You and I do have a lot in common. The God I happened upon is the God of Destruction, but in a broader sense, the God of Chaos. He has broken many rules, but as the God of Chaos, he pretty much makes all of them anyway.

And the God of Destruction didn't destroy you.

Like I said, he is the God of Chaos as well. He can be… sporadic.

Mind… I was exploring your thoughts a time ago.

Yes, I was tracking you, but you disappeared for a little while. I knew you were there, but it was like you were standing in a place that didn't exist.

I found a… door. It was very secure. Is there something in there?

Tell me more.

It was large, and reinforced, and had barriers that made it almost invisible. But it was cracked and rusty, and there was a banging. Something on the other side wanted to get out, but it couldn't hear me. I passed by, not really thinking about it.

I have to dwell on this. Please leave me for a while. I and Henry have almost completed your new form, but we're having a hard time stabilizing the liquid form while keeping the solid form's memory intact.

One more thing, Mind.

Yes?

Do you have a name?

Metal. My name is Metal. My full name is Metal Sonic, but I don't like to be called that.

Thank you, Metal.

-mend-

What is that?

In the name of everything bright and shiny…

What is it? I can sense a new consciousness. Is it infiltrating your mind? Send me, Metal. I will take out his being.

Mephiles, stop.

I'll show this thing what happens when you mess with my friend.

Mephiles, I really suggest shutting up.

What's going on? There's warmth. What is this?

Oh my Go- I mean, Holy- oh jeez, I'm insulting Him at every turn.

Metal? Who are you? Leave this place. You are causing my friend distress.

Mephiles! Do you have any idea who you're talking too!

Do not blame him. He has done nothing to insult My name.

Who… what…

Mephiles felt a new mind. To say it dwarfed Metal's would be an understatement.

It has been a long time, has it not, My son?

Oh jeez…

Son?

I have many children. In fact, some might say all are My children. But, I would suppose you and Iblis are more closely related to Me than most.

You are my father? I'm a lab experiment gone wrong. I have no relatives in blood. The closet to a father I have is the Duke of Soleanna.

Oh jeez…

Maybe not in blood. But in flame, you and I could almost be clones.

In flame? What's that supposed to mean? Iblis is flame, and I am shadow.

But a flame can not be a flame without a shadow, otherwise it is all light. In pure light, you are blind. Darkness is needed so that Light does not overwhelm, and vice versa. In fact, in flame is not a good enough way to describe. We are Father and son through Law.

I'm now hyperventilating… if I had lungs anyway…

Who are you?

I can understand your lack of faith, your desire to not see me for what I am, for what you are. I had to put you through so much to prepare you for your cruel role in this world.

Stop ignoring my questions.

Oh man… Oh jeez… I'm still alive…

Please stop doing that.

Yes Sir.

And stop shivering. I know it's said you are supposed to fear Me in almost every manuscript about Me, but I don't randomly shoot bolts of lightning at whoever says life is unfair. I made mortals with this ability for a reason, you know.

Okay… I'm cool.

Stop this nonsense. Tell me what's going on now. Answer my question.

I haven't been ordered like that since my second to last son demanded a seat with the higher ups.

I have many names. Creator is common for the 'information' age. Lord is a common one. They don't use Christ as much as they used to, and I don't even hear Zeus anymore.

… Solaris?

If that is what you wish to call Me, My son.

I can see that many questions run through you now, and you can not think straight. First off, you might be this worlds savior, but don't expect people following you and worshiping you every time you take a step. Really, I could send this world salvation on a silver platter, but they would walk on by. I miss The Good Samaritan. There just isn't enough of him in the world anymore.

You're Solaris. And I'm not damned?

There are many ways you could be damned. It is your destiny for you to stop the destruction of time, and to repair the imbalance. Whether or not you fulfill this destiny is up to you.

You're my father? I must have lost my mind.

They always have a hard time at first, but I will give you a chance to redeem yourself from the pain I had to place you in, and make amends for all the pain you have caused. Then I will give you all of your powers, a life in this world, and My blessing.

But… father, what pain is there left for me to fix? It has all been erased from time, hasn't it?

If I may interject, Blaze from that timeline may still exist. A Blaze from an alternate dimension came here, seeking help in a time when this world and that one collided. I had not realized this until I had met Mephiles and pieced it together, but she is very cold for one affiliated with fire. Perhaps Iblis is still sealed within her.

Iblis? Can he be saved as well?

That is for you to decide.

I am afraid. Is this real? You are so warm, but I don't want to be fooled by an illusion, a trick of the light.

You may doubt all you want, but I have said what must be said. Your new form is now complete. Henry has added the finishing touches, and it is time for Mephiles to be reborn. But we are not yet done. Metal.

Uh, yes?

You have a destiny as well, though it has not yet been revealed to you. I need you, and Mephiles if he is willing to assist, to find an imbalance that has been caused by Sonic. But I will not tell you what is wrong. You must figure that out as well.

If I may ask, why?

He's Solaris, be thankful for whatever help he's giving already. It's sure to be invaluable.

Believe me, Hades is going to have a field day about how I play favorites after he finds out how I've helped you so far.

This is getting weird now.

Now then, I shall get you both started on your quest. I'm really just giving you help now, so don't expect any sudden… miracles for a while.

Can we trade the help for the miracles?

No.

Darn.

You remember the Time Stones of long ago, Metal. As you were going around, collecting Emeralds, you were also here, the three of you gathering these Stones.

Wait, the Time Stones? Shouldn't those be on Little Planet?

They should. But a Black Hole caused a large rip the universe, and though the immediate effects were stopped, the tear lingers. You, Mephiles, and Sonic have caused the rip to enlarge, and I sent the Time Stones to this time for you to collect. However, you must bring Sonic a Time Stone so that he will tear the universe, otherwise the universe will collapse on itself for not tearing slightly in this infinite paradox.

This time travel stuff is a lot harder when you don't want everything to implode. But, if my time traveling powers are limited, how will we know what we need to do at a specific time?

I can make logical guesses dependant on what I saw myself do. If my hunch is right, collecting the Time Stones in a linear fashion will take us to Blaze, Soleanna, and the end of this loop.

What about Silver?

What about- oh, right.

The Time Stones can repair all damage. Silver may remain here. This is a very kind thing for you to offer.

With the Time Stones, you will both be able to stabilize the universe, and yourselves. Then, you must repair the imbalance that Sonic has caused.

Does this imbalance have anything to do with me becoming a real living, breathing creature, perchance?

Yes. You must still seek the emeralds to become what you wish. But be warned: When you at last have touched all the Emeralds, you will learn of something that will change your being in many ways. You may no longer find yourself in a position to show mercy. But to whom? You will find out.

I don't understand.

They hardly ever do.

Now, it is time. Awaken my son. Be reborn. Breath life once more. We will be in contact.

-fixed-

Mephiles felt the pull of gravity on him for the first time in a long while. Sight returned to him, but all was blurry at first. He limped forward and groaned, his mind slowly adjusting to being in a body again.

"In the name of God, he's moving," Mephiles heard the voice of an old man. The old man dropped his cane and stepped back while having a coughing fit.

"Had you any reason to doubt me?" came a voice Mephiles recognized. But now, there was an electronic interference.

"I… I didn't actually believe ya… but…" The old man laughed. "It's true. It's true. Everythin' ya told me is true. I might have a chance at resting in peace yet.

Mephiles' vision cleared, and he saw the floor. It was wooden, and there were chunks of amethyst littering the ground. Mephiles looked up. Before him was an old hedgehog, brown in color, dressed in stereotypical old man clothing, complete with tiny glasses. The other figure wore a cloak, hiding most of his form, but not his head. It was a shining cranium, with glowing red eyes, a Silver muzzle, and a spike for a nose.

Mephiles looked at his hands. They were claws. But they were not vicious. They were so well cut, so well smoothed it was hardly believable. He looked back at the two figures, his eyes wondering to the cloaked one.

"Metal?" asked Mephiles in a raspy voice. "Is that you?"

"That depends," asked the cloaked one, his gaze unmoving, his form un-shifting. "Is that you?"

There was a moment of silence.

"Bite me."

"Bite your own self I'm busy."

Mephiles was saddened by this. True, he now knew it was the mind he had spent so much time with, and true, he still felt safe. But now he could not feel the joy coming from him, and he could not share his with him. They had been separated, and Mephiles knew that neither of their faces could show how they felt.

Metal held out a steel hand to help Mephiles up. Mephiles took it, noticing how neither of them felt the others touch.

"Wish I may, wish I might,

Be someone else tonight,

Sometimes I wish I was never born at all.

And though I'll try to save the world,

And sing the end I know,

I'm the chosen one."

Music came from very near them, couldn't have been more than a few houses away.

The old man smiled. "Brings back memories."

"So, Mephiles, are you ready to save the world?"

"… Yes, Metal. We are the chosen ones."

-Author's Note(s)-

I lied, it's been a few hours. Oh well! Read the original note why don'tcha?

Man, this was a long one, yet it just spilled right out of my brain. I had originally wanted this and the last chaper's general points to be in the same file, but there was no way I could do it, so I had to seperate. But, at least I got it out fast.

Yes people, that thick lettering was the voice of Solaris. I almost didn't want to do it, but a reassuring warmth in me said it was fine. I hope I don't affend anyone or their religion with this, but considering the fact that Sonic games do tend to get biblical on us, I don't think anybody would be here if their religion was insulted.

Now, to clarify some things, Mephiles was in the back of Metal's mind, but Metal was still doing stuff. He's a great multi-tasker. This is meant to take place after Metal goes back in time, and before Metal is off on the boat, if that time travel paradox stuff makes sense. We will also not be covering what happens during Metal's exploits as the cloaked one in this style of writng. If I do tell, it will be through the other characters that he met along the way, later. So next chapter, we will return to Mephiles, who told this story to Shadow, Vector and Tails. But what happens next? I'll never tell... early.

You know, I'm surprised there isn't any fan art out there featuring both Mephiles and Metal, because they have so much in common. First off, they were both made from science, then they're both copies of someone else. Then they both harbor an intense hate for the person they are a copy of. Then they both hardly have any facial features to express emotion with, making it hard to know their inner thoughts. You get the gist, they have so much in common, yet it seems as if I'm the only one who notices. Ah well.