TTGL: Brothers to the End.

Chapter Four: It is time to destroy the universe.

The light was blinding, confusing the senses and seared into the eyes and brain. A loud humming like a hive of wasps filled the room, messing up the remaining senses. Even with closed eyes, the world retained its dazzling whiteness.

Simon had awoken to this, unable to move even a muscle and feeling like he hadn't slept in weeks. A numbness coated his skin, punctured by the occasional tingle or lance of pain. His memories were groggy and struggled to fit itself together, leaving a muddle of thoughts and experiences drifting through his head.

There was a sound of a door opening then the gentle thuds of footsteps. Simon glared at the vague figure that entered into his view. The person looked indistinct, a swirl of bubbling red energy that burned across its body like a flame. As it stepped closer, its features cleared and came into focus, revealing a young man beneath the chaotic energy.

The man stood opposite Simon with a large smile on his face. "Ah, Simon. Glad to see that you're finally awake."

"Where am I?" growled Simon, trying hard to sound defiant through his slurred words.

"You mean you don't remember?" laughed the man mockingly. "Well, after we kicked your ass, you were brought back to our base. That was about a week ago now. Since then you've been helping us to change the world."

"Helping you! What do you… I would never help you!" Simon roared, straining to smack the man with all of his might. It was no use though.

"Ha ha! Yep, you've been a real help. You see, we've had you hooked up to this machine the entire time that you've been here." the Meta-Spiral explained, tapping a metal case that surrounded Simon's body like a massive coffin. "Even while you're unconscious, your body has been leaking Spiral energy. We've been collecting that energy, storing in and distributing it across the galaxy to ready life for the Spiral Nemesis."

"Bastard!" howled Simon. He roared as he mustered all of his power to break free of the machine. Green energy pulsed around him.

"Beautiful." chuckled the Meta-Spiral. "And here I was, thinking that it would be so much harder to get you to comply with our wishes. You are here because out of all the beings in the universe, you are the most powerful, even if that power has grown rusty in your years of inactivity. We will harness that power to create the Spiral Blessing."

Simon calmed himself, dropping his power levels as low as he could manage. "Spiral Blessing?"

"It is our name for the so called Spiral Nemesis. Far more fitting a name for something so glorious, don't you think?"

Simon spoke in a whisper that promised death. "You will never succeed. I won't let it happen."

The Meta-Spiral ignored him. "There is a problem though. We cannot create the Blessing even with your power. You need to be stronger, but we cannot make you stronger from here. We need you to fight once again."

"Forget it. I gave up fighting before you was even born." sneered Simon.

The Meta-Spiral cackled, his voice echoing around the room, making it sound like an army laughed manically at the words of defiance. "You will have no choice in the matter. You are already halfway there."

Simon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

A sharp sound pierced the air as the Meta-Spiral clicked his fingers. The door once again slid open and another Meta walked in. This one was a young woman with long flowing green hair. She was surrounded by a harsh yellow light that stung the eyes when looked at. In her arms was a wrapped up object.

She approached Simon at a brisk walk then flung off the sheet that hid whatever it was that she carried. As the cloth hit the ground, Simon caught a reflection of himself. In the girl's hands was a large mirror that glimmered in the white lights.

A strangled choke escaped Simon's lips. Through wide eyes he stared in startled horror at the reflection that opposed him. An all too familiar yet almost forgotten face stared deep into his eyes. The implications rapidly dawned on him. Looking back at him was a twenty five year old Simon.

"W-How…what have you done?"

Both Meta-Spirals offered a lopsided grin. "Do you like what we've done?" asked the male. "By looping your Spiral energy back into your body we were able to regenerate the ravages of old age. Considering that you could have kept your body young yourself, we knew that it could be done."

"Yeah. Spiral King Lordgenome had lived for a thousand years and still retained the body of a middle aged man." chipped in the woman. "You really let yourself go."

Simon was speechless. His entire world was falling apart beneath his feet. He ran his tongue across his lips and could feel no wrinkles. It was all real. He had been made young again.

"With that youthful body, you will be at you prime for a universal campaign. None will be able to stand against you. Now, the only remaining step is to convert you mind to our cause."

"You bastards! Who the hell do you think I am! I am Simon the Digger and you will never choose my path for me! I will burn you all to ashes!" howled Simon. Despite his anger he took care not to release any power.

"We will enjoy putting that to the test." laughed the male Meta. He clicked his fingers again and two more Meta-Spirals entered, carrying between them some kind of bulky helmet.

The two men lifted the helmet above Simon's head. The leading Meta leaned in close and whispered into his ear. "This might sting a little bit. Try thinking along the lines of sledgehammer to the groin, taser to the tongue and bamboo to the fingernails. Enjoy."

The woman slid close to the machine that encased Simon and caressed it. Softly she breathed, "Compliance is far better. After all, we have your pigmole friend. You wouldn't want him to get hurt now would you? Keep that in mind."

"What have you done with Boota! If you hurt him I will kill you all!" Simon raged. Nearly everyone he had ever loved had been taken away from him already. Boota had been with him from the start.

Simon roared and fought, energy blazing from him with power to shred metal. Bolts in the machine around him began to rattle and the metal plates bulged. The leading Meta signalled for the helmet to be lowered and the two men complied, placing it over Simon's head. The female Meta flicked a lever and Simon's roars changed into screams of agony. His entire body convulsed repeatedly then became limp.

"It is time to destroy the universe, Simon." goaded the woman.

As one, the Meta-Spirals turned their backs on Simon and left the room. The leader glanced back before exiting. "Soon. Our plan is nearly in fruition. Simon will set the universe alight, then, from the flames of war a new universe will rise from the ashes. We are so close. Soon, nobody will be able to stop us.

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A/N: I'm quiet enjoying these Simon chapters, it makes a nice change of pace in my writing. Hope you all enjoy them too as they'll be quite a few before the end.

This weeks omake winner is… 'Shade the Bat'. You know the drill - ha ha ha, I made a drill joke…

Please Review the chapter, it really helps motivate me and can help me improve. Come on people, it's a minute of your time for a week of mine, not a bad trade off. Either way, hope you've enjoyed and I'll see you all next chapter.

-FWF