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"Erix you don't understand, they're my friends! We, We have to go back for them-" Ryan was cut off by a sharp, abrupt, maniacal laughter. Erix had one of his hands on his face, and his head was back as he just laughed. Ryan froze. Why was he laughing? They had just started Armageddon, what part of that was funny? Erix's laughter died down and he wiped a tear from his eye.
"Ohohoh that's rich." Erix smiled as he continued. "They never saved us when we needed them, so why should we go back for them?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ryan hissed.
"Don't you get it Ryan? Gosh, I'd thought you'd figure it out by now with how serious, analytical, and tough you are." Erix said dryly. He laughed as he took two steps towards Ryan. Ryan took two steps back. This wasn't right. Erix wanted to help Ryan save his friends! Right? Erix was just a happy goody-two shoes guy who wanted to help Ryan become a more positive person! Right?!?
"Still not following buddy." Ryan gritted his teeth. Erix rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Y'know we're not so different, you and I."
"You and I?"
" We and us. " Erix giggled. Why was he still laughing? It was so unnerving, and it made Ryan feel on edge. "Ryan, I'm you. From the future."
"Yeah yeah sure thing pal, whatever you say." Ryan scoffed. "Look even if you were me from the future, why do we sound so different?"
" Why do we sound so different? " Erix mimicked. Ryan froze, and Erix could finally walk over to him. "It's a mind blower I know! That's why I was so cagey about telling you my backstory!"
"Actually you sang a whole song about it-"
"THERE I WAS! You. In that little battleship, flying through the glassteroid field. I went to save my friends, but I had severally overestimated my abilities. Because of that I crashed and landed in a wonderful little place called Undar." Erix chuckled, and his big toothy grin never wavered. "It was so cold, the winds were ferocious, and it was so bleak. On top of all that I couldn't move, I was paralyzed. I thought I was doomed."
Erix paused. He looked soberly out the window, still smiling to himself.
"I tried what everyone told me to do. To be positive. I just had to be patient and wait for my friends to come save me. So I waited, and waited… and waited… and waitedandwaited andwaited andwaited- But. They. Never. Came." He sharply turned to Ryan. "I got tired of waiting, and I finally got it through my head that I don't need anyone! I don't need those people I called friends, I don't need Lucy! I changed my look, I got a whole new attitude, and I had a plan. I was going to go back in time, and fix everything! No Undar! No friends! No Lucy! Just me, my raptors, and this good old ship the Erixplorer!"
"You're insane! " Ryan shook his head. "No, you're lying. My friends would never leave me behind, and I won't leave them behind. They're my family."
"..." Erix's eyebrows narrowed, and his eye twitched. The smile on his face wavered a little. Ryan attempted to stand tall, and he had a determined look on his face. Erix shook his head. "I'm so disappointed in myself. "
Suddenly two hands were on Ryan's shoulders. He flinched, and he was now face to face with Erix. Erix still smiled, but his eyes were filled with pure hatred.
"Are you seriously still caring about those pieces of plastic?! Those things that will drop you the second you're not useful to them?!?" His face twitched again, but it seemed like he was trying to keep himself from laughing. "They never cared about us! We were just a tool to them, and once they made peace with the Systarians they didn't have a use for us anymore! They threw me out like trash, and you still want to go back for them?! "
"Yes. I do." Ryan said sternly. For the first time since Ryan met Erix, Erix finally stopped smiling. His face scrunched up, and Ryan had never seen someone look so angry. Erix forcefully shoved Ryan into a seat and there were restraints that held down Ryan to the seat. Ryan struggled to get out. "Wait, Erix, what are you doing?!?"
"You forced my hand Ryan. " Erix spat. "Trust me I never wanted to send you to Undar, but you just had to be so stubborn ."
"No, nononononoonono! You don't have to do this! Erix, please, listen to me-"
"Sorry, Ryan, but a couple of years on Undar of the Dryar system should help you realize who's side you should be on." Erix paused, smiled softly and then waved. "Byeeeee!"
Before Ryan could say anything he was launched into space.