New Guide, Old Enemy
Junior tumbles and falls for an eternity through his inner-most self. Many scenes from the past, present and future play out. He sees his father's birth under the moonlight, the blessing that gave them Eternities Seal, the great dino battle in which he did not attend. He sees his parents brought back to life at the museum, Speckles saving Humanity Park, meeting Gareth at his home for the last time. He sees Gareth sitting at his desk writing these tales. Then he sees himself destroying his world, then it all shatters around him into a million pieces, again and again and suddenly he arrives at his destination.
This is a place no-one should be. It is dark and dank and consists mainly of rusting iron bars and chains. This is a place built to hold the darkest terror. What could live that is so terrible, so inconceivable, that such a place needs to exist? "Forget Silent Hill, this place is just the worst." Junior thinks to himself.
"I wondered how long it would take?" A voice comes out of nowhere. "He sealed me away forever in this wretched place. He wanted you all to live in everlasting peace and happiness but that is not how it works. Without me it is surely doomed to fail. For what is happiness without sadness, what is light without dark? How can you love something without the fear of losing it? He thought he was oh so clever writing in that rebirth clause, but that too was bound to fail. For here you are before me, looking for answers, seeking the truth."
"I committed a terrible crime, I have been directed to come here to find you. That is all. I know not who you are or what you have done to be here. Will you help or speak in ancient riddles?" Junior fears what he faces, but knows he cannot turn away now. "Please just tell me who you are and what I must do?"
"Do you remember the joys of childhood, only to have them become a faded memory? Do you remember losing your mother and siblings, so very long ago? The elation of getting her back years later? Do you remember the power you were granted, how strong it made you feel? Do you remember being King of the Tarbos for a while, only to be the child again? Do you remember having the ability to annihilate the very asteroids that almost obliterated your race? And lastly, do you remember living for a thousand years, only to still be the son? The rage you unleashed on Humanity Park and your mother?"
"I am the reason you want and love and hate, I am the reason the things you loved most, you threw in the trash later in life. I am the reason you live and die. I am all of this and more. I am none of this and less. Do you understand now Junior?"
"I AM TIME!" It is freaking Time's Arbiter! Not destroyed but imprisoned for all-time by Speckles.
"HOLY CRAP, it's you!" Spoke a terrified Junior. "I heard about you. What you did to my family and Humanity Park was terrible. We thought dad destroyed you, I guess he must have locked you up here instead. But why would he imprison you in my mind?"
"Yes, I committed terrible crimes. But a thousand years later you committed the same crimes. The eternal loop that you all tried so hard to escape, repeated itself anyway. For any who possess the White Dino's power is bound to become Time's Arbiter later in life. Be it at 1000 years or 80 Million years. Even Gods live on a circle didn't you know?"
"I don't pretend to understand what you are talking about. But could you please help me put things right again? An eternity alone on a ruined Earth is no better than being here." Spoke Junior.
"I can help you, but in return, you must help me." Time's Arbiter replied. "Whatever it takes, please help me atone, bring my world back to me, bring my parents back."
"Very well." Spoke Time's Arbiter. "This is where things get complicated…"