Fourteen years prior…
In the depths of the alternate dimension of the hyperbolic time chamber, well into the massive void, J-Dude and Jason were having a heated sparring match. A few flashes were seen from far away, but closer, it I was much more. The two ran up to each other, and countered with an energy wave that met in midair. Jason had then pushed J-Dude back, and fired a few small energy waves that exploded on contact with the white ground. The Eds and Sarah were watching from a small distance practicing energy control, by sitting and charging an energy orb in their hands. About half a mile away, with a sucking sound a hole opened in midair, another entryway into the time chamber. Out of it, came Max Payne, and a small platoon of lesser soldiers, most of whom were alien descent. They were all muttering to themselves, as a few explosions appeared in front of them. Max stepped in front, looking smug.
Max: "So this is the hyperbolic time chamber? How quaint."
Max seemed tired of the chatter in the background.
Max: "Oh SHUT UP!"
They ceased almost instantly. Jason had risen up, and launched a large energy wave, while J-Dude rotated his arms around each other.
J-Dude: "Annihilation…WAVE!"
The two attacks met in midair, but Jason's was more powerful, having been trained so well this session. J-Dude fought it, pushing against the crushing beam. Finally, he sent it back, with a sort of backwards spin. Jason waited until the last moment, and dashed away with enough speed for it to seem as though he had vanished. The Eds tried to make a run for it.
Edd: "YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Eddy: "Scatter!"
Ed: "Heh heh heh heh. Huh huh huh! Ho!"
It exploded spectacularly; launching The Eds straight up, and right back into the floor, yelling as they went. Sarah was the only one with the sense to dash as Jason had. Ed alone seemed amused.
Ed: "Ho ho! Someone get the number of that bus? Heh heh, heh, heh heh heh heh heh!"
Jason and J-Dude had both stopped their match, having worn themselves out a great deal. They both slumped over to the Eds, satisfied with their advanced training.
Edd: "So, how'd it go?"
J-Dude: "Impressively! Jason's really improved since De'lomaar. I'm pretty sure he's close to making it to the second level!"
Max: "And he'll have plenty of time to reach it, after I've locked you away in eternity."
They turned their heads, starting, as they saw Max and his soldiers between them and the opening to the time chamber.
Max: "Parting is such sweet sorrow. Say goodbye…"
Max blasted in the direction of the portal door, which when collapsed, would close the gateway forever. J-Dude ran after it…
With a flash, a blast deflected the energy beam from its target. Everyone stopped in their tracks. Max's deflected blast descended upon the alien soldiers, annihilating the whole lot. A figure landed in front of the time chamber's entrance.
Figure: "Goodbye…"