_Chapter 9 1/2: Unexpected Confessions_

Location: Vanilla's House, Planet Kerwan

At Vanilla's house, Ratchet and Mariah were having a…discussion. Ratchet was the one doing most of the talking though. "Mariah," the Lombax said angrily, pacing. "Why the hell would you do that? I can't believe you!"

Mariah opened her mouth to speak, but cowered as Ratchet shouted, "Don't even say a word!" Then he froze and took a deep breath to calm himself. "Now," he said. He was calmer now, and, therefore, did not shout. "What were you going to say?"

"I had a vision, and I had to make sure it wouldn't happen, so I talked to Sonic as soon as I made you faint, and I asked him to refuse to let you help, so you wouldn't end up getting yourself killed or worse," she said in one quick breath. When she was finished, she took a big gasp and paced a couple times in a small circle, muttering to herself.

Ratchet looked at Vanilla questioningly, but the rabbit just shrugged. Looking back at Mariah, he asked, "You planned this?"

"Yes," Mariah whimpered, ears falling back as she looked down at the ground guiltily.

"Note that she only meant for good," Time Eater said.

"But still," Ratchet said. "You lied to me, Mariah. I'm going to have to do something to teach you better." Mariah looked up at him dubiously, worry, fear, and alarm obvious in her eyes.

"Now, now, none of that!" Vanilla said. "Why don't you two go back to your room? I have a few things to discuss with Time Eater." As they were walking back, Vanilla called, "Oh, and Ratchet!"

"Yes?" He turned to look at her.

"Eat your soup," Vanilla commanded.

Mariah glared back at Ratchet. "You didn't eat it?" Mariah demanded. In response, Ratchet rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

"Hold it!" Time Eater said. Both Lombaxes stopped. "I believe, Vanilla, that our discussion can wait. I find it necessary to evaluate Ratchet's skills."

"An excellent proposal," Vanilla agreed.

"What are you going on about?" Ratchet inquired.

Time Eater was the one to reply in a questioning manner. "I am hoping you will agree to the evaluation, Lombax?"

Ratchet thought about it only a moment before giving his answer. "Depends on what this 'evaluation' is like."

"A simple trial-by-combat will suffice. Are you agreed?" Ratchet glanced first at Vanilla then at Mariah before looking at Time Eater and nodding his consent. "Excellent. I have just the right opponent to test your abilities." With that said, he summoned a portal. A few seconds later, a figure appeared from the wispy purple depths.

"Shadow?" Mariah asked, sounding surprised, for indeed, the figure did have a shape similar to the Ultimate Life Form's. But it was not Shadow the hedgehog. Its color was mainly purple, accented by the occasional black. It seemed that this creature was made of thousands of millions of shards of the dark amethyst.

Then he spoke in a voice that made everyone shiver. Do not compare me to that insolent weakling. The creature's eyes opened revealing a swirling never-ending darkness.

I am not Shadow.

I…am Mephilis the Dark.

Bam! Didn't see that coming did ya?

Actually, nor did I. Wyvern came up with that. I called him insane, but this is important that he get acquainted with the "Master of Darkness" as Zelec likes to call him. I don't know if I spelled his name right; I probably didn't, but I did my best. Now, if you will all excuse me, I have other things to do such as quickly learning how to knit for my roll in our UIL One Act Play production of "The Lottery," and looking at a video of "Be Italian" so I can learn the dance for my recital sometime in June.

I hope to get a few reviews on this.

Thank you, good day.

Foenix Nightshade