Alright...Here are some thoughts that I have come up with. These do not relate to the original intent of the topic but are some what related to the original title..so here it is. let me know if there is anything I am overlooking that would throw this out the window. Another note...I call Lavos' Pocket Dimension a "Zero Dimension", as a point is supposedly 0-D and it sounds cooler. Hopefully it is somewhat coherent...
Lavos Timeline
Instances where Lavos is “recorded” in time
1st 65m BC
2nd 12000 BC
3rd 600AD
4th 1999 AD
Lavos is attached to Earth’s time stream via a trans-dimensional parasitic link not unlike an umbilical cord. It is in its own zero dimension (0-D), in a space transcendent to time (at least “our” time). Due to the link, however, it does flows through time at the same rate as that experienced by Earth. Lavos can not see all time periods as previously thought, but can see everything as it happens while time flows naturally via the link.
Each instance (listed above) where Lavos is summoned or appears “on” Earth is “recorded” in history as it comes directly into contact with our time stream. Once it goes back to its 0-D, Lavos no longer is a part of the normal stream. This will be noticeably important momentarily.
During any of these initial instances, Lavos could be killed off (changing the future from then on) and solve all of the problems of the ruined future. However, in the Lavos Timeline Lavos goes unchallenged and continues its “mission” to great success. When it erupts from the depths of the Earth in 1999, it forever leaves its 0-D and becomes a part of the Earth’s time flow, “permanently” becoming a part of the time line. So from 1999 and onward, it resides within our actual timeline. Now, we move on to the Keystone 1 Timeline.
Keystone 1 timeline
For the ruined future to exist, it must have happened as it did in the Lavos timeline. Someone or something must have actively altered the past, which is where Trigger picks up. Whomever or whatever created the circumstances for Trigger to occur, did so after experiencing the events of 1999 with the intention of the un-ruin of the future.
As the events unfold in Trigger, we come across the previously mentioned instances where Lavos came into contact with our Time Stream. These recorded events take place as they did when they originally happened. Defeating Lavos in instance 1, 2 or 3 does nothing more than eliminate that particular occurrence from the timeline (with the possibility of some changes afterwards). When the party encounters Lavos in the first three instances they are witnessing an event that has already happened (not the “actual” Lavos). Of course they party can eliminate Lavos at each of those instances, changing only that instance (and the some of the future beyond that point) This is not the “actual” Lavos mind you, who has already come and gone and resides in 1999+. This situation is possible due to the 0-D and its unusual space-time phenomena.
The only way to prevent the ruined future is to meet up with the Lavos instance that caused that future to exist, instance #4. Killing off Lavos at this point in time prevents that future from existing, which of course results in that future being side swiped into the DBT….along with the Lavos Spawn. The strongest of those spawn manage to merge with Schala…enter DD/TD. And Keystone 2.
Some points to clarify (or try to):
1) The “actual” Lavos is never seen, only its “footprints” in time. It is my belief that once perched upon Death Peak, it reproduced asexually; a process that “kills” off the original and the new spawn emerge from the shell/carcass. They carry the DNA of the original (not necessarily the power…yet) and the ability to continue to absorb new DNA and evolve in perpetuity.
2) The 0-D no longer exists at any point in time. Once Lavos comes out of it in 1999 during the Lavos Timeline, Lavos “dissolves” the unneeded domain. Since it was never a part of our time stream and is not just a so called “pocket” dimension as previously thought it ceases to exist anywhere in time or space. This also eliminates the need for using Time-Error for this location, as the 0-D doesn’t function in that manner. (Lavos does not travel time either…
3) This means that during the events of Trigger, there is no pocket dimension/zero dimension and there is no “actual” Lavos. (only the recorded instances, as well as survived by the Spawn)
4) I would take the liberty of assuming that the summoning of Lavos from the Black Omen, the thought to be canon way of arriving to Lavos, would have to occur at 1999, as no new instances of Lavos could occur (based on my theory). This is supported by the fact (???) that after retreating from Lavos after the battle with the Queen…it can only be accessed afterwards via 1999 (Bucket or Epoch).
5) The Lavos paradox from defeating the shell in 1999 then heading back to 12000 to deal with the Zeal segment is eliminated with this theory.
6) The Lavos instance that matters towards changing the ruined future is the one instance that directly caused it (1999). Defeating Lavos during the first 3 instances would not change the ruined future, but maybe preventing the Reptites from dying off, Zeal from being destroyed or Magus’ castle from disappearing. Unknown exactly what would happen as my belief is that Lavos was eliminated in 1999 and that its 0-D causes some unusual occurrences throughout time.
