//------------------------------// // A Shadowy Interlude! // Story: Playing The Villain // by Northern Desert //------------------------------//         Dark mist filled the room, choking off any natural light that could come from the outside of the room. Pillars of glass stuck up from the ground and into the ceiling, carrying within it lava that came from the volcanic core of the rocky moutain that proudly took the center of the island. Sound itself seemed to die off as the nearly complete void of darkness took its place as master of this place.         Besides the small light that came from the lava that flowed through the pipes, the only other source of light that pierced the veil of shadows that had taken hold of the deprived place where the narrow red eyes of a metallic creature who sat on a throne of a dark steel material. His body stayed motionless as he kept himself accompanied by the shadows and shadows alone, the gears in his head turning as he thought over his decision. The sound of creaking interrupted this patient silence as the floor before his throne sunk into the ground, causing the metal being to snort with frustration as a table of crystal rose up from the ground.         It sparkled in the dark and constantly shifted the projections it played as it ran through the world that he desired to see. As it ran its way across the countless stars and planets to find its target, the dark being got up from his throne and made his way to the table. Servos and gears whirring as his draconic wings flapped effortlessly, for he had remained still for many hours as he plotted and weighed his options.         As he stalked over to the table, the crystal furniture finally displayed the place he desired to observe. It was one that he frequently watched in the dark, analyzing each and every living being that made their actions on this world littered with war. At first it seemed too insignificant to pay much attention to, but as his worked it out through his mechanical head, it became clear that there were benefits to be made if he were to grace his fellow kin with his presence.         He looked to his left as a tear in the reality formed, breaking into a dark portal. Giving a satisfied growl at his feats regarding the breaching of another universe, the Lord of Shadows made his way through the swirling vortex of green and dark mist. “Let us pay this Displacer a visit,” The creature concluded, entering the rift to an unknown location. “this may finally satisfy my need for knowledge on our people.”         As he fully disappeared into the rift, the table continued to show projections of an oddity of creatures, each assuming some form of warlike aggression. The world itself shook as they continued their fray, leaving the thought of who would be victorious up to speculation. And yet this being choose it would be best to take the side of neither party, to observe and watch, calculating their every move and decision.         Makuta Teridax had breached the War of Shadows, and his intentions were as clouded as the darkness that he kept as company. “Well, I don’t care what you think Smexy, I’m having a couple days to myself.” Time Spinner said, before slamming the door. “I hate my life…” The pale Displacer sat in a recliner, sighing deeply. “When did self loathing get everyone anywhere?” A voice asked as the shadows writhed in pain. They shifted and groaned until they became a three dimensional object, which in turn formed into a metallic being of dark green and gray.         His draconic wings nearly reached the ceiling and his head, or mask if you will, contained only two red eyes. His metal shell was somewhat thin, but still held a sigh of great durability. His claws were currently covered with feathers as he held a torn pillow in his hands. He gave Time Spinner a look of amusement as he watched him come in.         “I’m a glass half empty guy… I just want some peace. Who are you anyway, the grim reaper?” Time Spinner asked, summoning a drink of unknown substance. “Sorry to disappoint if you are, but I’ve still got a year.”         “Witty,” The metal being sighed, giving the pale creature a bored look. “If only your scheming could be as effective. I am no reaper, Lord Spinner.”         The dark creature looked around at the decor, coming to the conclusion that such a place was far too comfy for his liking. With his change came the loss of desires such a comfortable beds or soft chairs, but who was he to judge those who had yet to reach his level of evolution.         “I am much more terrifying than that charlatan you call death,” He sighed, running one of his metal claws onto the furniture, causing it to bleed fluff. He really needed to work on watching what his sharp claws touched. “My name is Makuta Teridax. As for my reason being here...well I want to partake in this little show you have going on.”         “Everyone does…” Time said, taking a sip of his drink. “Make yourself at home, I just keep things calm because of my heart. Just don’t stick me with anything.”         “You should be careful with who you let in this theatrical fight,” Teridax warned as he fell down on a nearby couch. “One of the participants might decide that they want to...well you know, kill you for hosting this whole game.”         “Already happening. I don’t care, it’s not like I’ll live forever.” Time said, downing the rest of his drink. “I’ve already got what I want where I want it...”         “Ah yes,” Teridax mused, creating figurines of a sith warlord and a symbiote. “The little pawns are in place, the blood spills, and all the little psychopaths that I have to share the Multiverse with are having fun.”         He crushed the pieces in his hand and gave the shards a look of contempt. He then brought up his head so that his mask glared into Time Spinner’s eyes, fear resonating from the metal object.         “Even with all of your power you continue to waste it on such trivial matters,” Teridax sighed, tapping one of his claws on the arm of the couch he sat on. “And yet you roll the die, eagerly waiting to see who will gain Lady Luck’s favor. But I doubt you're in the mood for my lectures, so why don’t you tell me what you exactly hope to get out of this in the end… I have theories, but Void Dwellers are hard to predicate and Displacers even more so.”         “Revenge…” Time stated darkly. “There’s someone in this universe who has torn my innocence to dust. I’m using my pawns to draw her out so I can finish her.” Time’s eye socket grew a new eye, which glowed green.         “Revenge: Driven by emotions such as hatred, sadness, occurs through loss of one’s the avenger holds dear,” The Makuta pondered, the gears in his metal head turning as he scanned the Displacer. “Who have you lost that would drive you to throw away everything and jeopardize the happiness of others. Child, sibling...spouse?”         “Everything… And myself…” Time said, smiling. “My own sister turned me into this, took me away from my friends and family, and is trying to kill them.”         “While I can perfectly see why you harbor such feelings,” Teridax said, his eyes boring into Time Spinners, for eyes were the gateway to the soul. “Emotions cloud one's judgement, it makes you sloppy. Functions in such a state and narrowing one’s perspectives is dangerous, and is beneath you. Why simply die in order to gain revenge when you could achieve so much more after such an accomplishment. You are thinking too small and applying your plans to only linger for a short amount of time.”         “My fate was sealed when I became a Displacer. I only have a year to live if I use my powers wisely. This is my gift to those I care about… Protection. I’m perfectly fine, and I’ve created many contingencies.” Time Spinner said, then yawned. “Already my heart is giving out, and there’s nothing anyone or anything can do about it.”         “My mere existence defies fate, Time Spinner,” Teridax sighed, giving the tired Displacer a look of interest. “I challenge and subvert destiny at my own choosing...but I will not attempt to change the mind of a determined individual. One piece of advice to you, however…”         The room shook and became pitch black as the shadows screamed in agony. The Makuta’s two red eyes illuminating everything around him.         “When you have you foe in your sights, when victory is so close that you can taste it…Do not. Waste. The shot,” Teridax growled, for he knew the mind of those driven to act in rage. They made mistakes, this was why he would never be clouded by such emotions. “No mercy, no monologuing. Just kill them, it will be a glorious finally without such things interfering in your plot.”         “Shouldn’t be hard, I’m not the type for mercy.” Time said, smirking. He created a pink locket and opened it. “Mercy’s a weakness for the foolish…”         “Agreed...although I assume now would be the time for me to ask some question regarding my role in this war,” Teridax said, conjuring a list that he had prepared before hand for such an occasion. “I will remain neutral in this conflict. Although I would be more than happy to trade and sell my wares that I’ve borrowed throughout the Multiverse to those who partake in this battle. Protosteel is one of the strongest metals you will encounter and has been tested on many weapons such as: Plasma guns, Lightsabers, Eldritch Abomination blood...don’t ask about the last part, it is a particularly frustrating tale.”         “Okay… You’re in.” Time said calmly. “Just be nice with the boys, they’re a bit out there.”         “Excellent,” Teridax clapped as he put away the scroll and pulled out another one and handed it over to Time Spinner. “While we are still here, I have decided that you should probably hand you this.”         The Scroll read as such:                                         Will of Makuta Teridax If I am somehow killed in this war, because let us face the fact that with the sheer number of random characters partaking in this that we should assume every possibility, I wish to leave all of my possessions in the hands of the man, animal, or strange creature who kills me. On the bottom of the message were symbols unreadable to Time Spinner, the language completely foreign to many save a few. “Okay… But it might be hard seeing all those who die return home instead of being killed.” Time stated. “Is that it? Anything else?”         “Ah, well keep the will incase something odd happens,” Teridax waved, tilting his head in curiosity. “I guess all I can ask is where do I go now...as for the writing on the will...the man who kills me shall understand what it means.”         “I’ll have Esper Girl contact you. She’ll explain everything you’ll do that day. Now, will that be all, or are you going to kill my room?”         “No, that will be all!” The Makuta said cheerfully, ignoring Time’s last comment. “See you around, try not to die on us before you get to finish what you started.” He then walked over to the door and opened it, giving one last look at the Displacer before closing the door, his wings flapping eagerly as he left.         The door slammed open. “Dad! What’s this about you hurting Smexy’s feelings!?”         Time grumbled. “I can’t wait to get this over with…”