I saw black, yet I realised my eyes were open. I was laying down on a cold, bare floor instead of the bed. I looked around me, expecting my eyes to adjust to the surroundings, but everything remained dark. I decided to slowly stand up, and pinch my arm. I soon came to the conclusion that I was dreaming.

I found myself tapping my foot repeatedly on the ground. With the way Rouge had described dreams before, I was expecting more from the whole experience. Rouge had told me all about the the, for the lack of a better term, 'wacky' things she had seen in her dreams. I can't say I was expecting something as plain as this when I experienced sleeping for the first time. It almost disappointed me that nothing else was capable of forming from my subconscious mind. Was I really this boring and depressing in life? Maybe Rouge was right, maybe I do need to go out more after all.

Something else that occupied my thoughts was the fact I appeared to be in complete control of my body and mind. Rouge had mentioned this vaguely, something about lucid dreaming. It appeared to me that I was in the midst of such a lucid dream, but it still didn't make this anymore entertaining.

I suddenly saw something purple. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But then I remembered I'm the ultimate lifeform, my eyes never play tricks on me.

Sure enough, more purple flashed before me before disappearing again. It was like some kind of swirling mist. It came back, this time hovering in front of me like a cloud. I just stared at it, I didn't really know what to do. It didn't seem to be causing any problems. It just lingered.

It started to swirl around a bit more vigorously, and my eyes narrowed. Its speed gathered, and eventually started to whip around like some sort of tornado. Wind built up and blew against my face, my quills flailing around behind me. I blinked as I swore I could see some sort of figure beginning to form. It seemed like a Mobian, but the edges were a bit more.. jagged. The mist began to fade, revealing some kind of Mobian made out of a strange purple-black crystal. A shiver crept up my spine when I saw that the creatures quills were a lot like my own. He had some kind of light blue crystal stripe down his forehead not much unlike my red one. His eyes were also angular like mine, but at least they had a significant difference in the fact his eyes were yellow and practically snake like. Where his eyes should have been white they were a glaring red.

I found myself frozen, it was like looking at some kind of demonic version of myself. He stood with a straight posture, his eyes focusing straight into my own

"Shadow," the creature finally decided to speak, instead of worrying about him knowing my name, I was more creeped out by the fact he didn't even have a mouth, "it's been a while."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I could only hope my eyes weren't portraying my fear to whatever was in front of me. I took in a subtle breath. "I don't even know who you are."

The thing moved his fingers in a long motion, making them crack slightly. "Of course, I tend to forget you don't remember."

"Remember what?" My voice sounded surprisingly impatient, yet internally the thought of forgetting a creature like this greatly disturbed me.

"We've met before," His voice was deep, hitting a strange combination between calm and intense, "in another timeline."

"I-"

"That timeline was erased." I was interrupted. "Don't feel bad for not remembering."

"I wasn't planning to. Tell me who you are." I commanded. It always surprised me how naturally my cold and confident exterior would present itself, no matter what I might be feeling on the inside.

"Mephiles the Dark." He responded, his tone even.

"If the timeline was erased, how do you still remember me?" I continued to press on.

He laughed, it was ominous, with a lingering echo. "I practically am time and space."

"What lead to the timeline being erased?" My voice began to develop a growl.

"Why would you expect anything else except the blue hedgehog's interference?"

"I have no time for vague answers. Tell me directly."

"Sonic and Silver began to play in a game where they didn't know the rules. You began to play in a game you didn't understand."

I may of chosen not to acknowledge this comment, but it lurked in the corner of my mind. "You still haven't answered my question directly."

"I don't see what's so difficult to understand. Surely you should have gotten it by now, ultimate lifeform." Those last words were a hint of a sneer.

"Forgive me for not being a mind reader. Gerald was intelligent, but not enough to make a psychic hedgehog." I remarked sarcastically.

"Blaming your creators for your faults now, are you?"

I was taken aback, I would never blame other people for my failures. I was disgusted by his assumptions. "No, that has nothing to do with that!"

"I thought the ultimate lifeform was supposed to be perfect."

"I wasn't aware perfection involved the ability of mind reading." I was speaking through gritted teeth.

"So you didn't attempt to deny that you're supposed to be perfect." Mephiles tilted his head slightly.

"I-UGH! Stop trying to twist whatever I'm saying!" I growled in frustration, close to kicking him in the face.

"Isn't perfection what Gerald sought out to create?"

You're going to be perfect, Shadow. Above all else.

I heard Gerald's words once again. I was told that just days after my creation. Building up a pressure of expectations that has only began to weigh heavier over the years.

"Yes." I slowly replied, dragging myself out of my thoughts.

"Would you say he achieved?"

I was about to open my mouth, but quickly, I shut it again. It was such a trick question, if I answered no, I'd be accused of being weak. If I answered yes, I'd be told I was arrogant.

"Hesitation usually shows doubt you know."

My ears twitched. "Key word there: usually."

Mephiles' eyes narrowed. "I know more than you want me to."

"What do you want, a trophy?"

"You think you're weak."

I scoffed, but my shoulders trembled. "What gave you that idea?"

Mephiles continued to ignore anything I was asking. "You wouldn't be weak if you didn't hold back."

I gulped. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't."

And just like that, Mephiles was gone.

AUTHORS NOTE

I KNOW THIS CHAPTER'S A LITTLE SHORT, BUT I WANTED TO GIVE THIS CONVERSATION A CHAPTER OF ITS OWN

REVIEWS AND CRITIQUES ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED! I'M ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S SHOWN THEIR SUPPORT SO FAR!

HAVE A NICE DAY FOLKS!