Rules of Time

Of the basic five dimensions of the universe, Time is considered the most unstable.

Prior to the revelation of Ouroboros, theoretical scientists debated heavily on the possibility of time travel, of time manipulation, and under what conditions could such things happen. Some, such as Doc Quantum, had a general but somewhat limited idea of the nature of time in the universe. Unfortunately all speculation of time was considered theoretical since there was no actual proof of time travel.

But with the arrival of Ouroboros and the exiled time manipulator Doc Tor, scientists now have a better understanding of the nature of time and in how it operates.

Theories

Fixed vs Fluid

There are two basic theoretical camps in regards to time.

• Fixed: The belief that time is rigid, and that all events, past, present, and future, are all set in stone and are not subject to alteration. It is from this train of thought that support concepts such as destiny and predestiny, where people are meant to do certain events as a foregone conclusion. This train of thought also excludes the possibility of choice, since the randomness of choice makes destiny and predesintation moot. Supporters of fixed time assert that time travel is either impossible or would only be for observation, and that any attempt to change time - including existing in the past - would not be allowed.

• Fluid: The belief that all time is fluid and is subject to changes. This is the prevailing opinion of time manipulators and many time observers.

Keystone

The "Keystone" theory of time is considered to be a merger of the two dominant philosophies.

The "Keystone" theory operates on the belief that certain moments in time are considered so essential to future events that they must occur. These events are referred to as "fixed points", and while circumstances before and after may be altered, this "fixed" point must still occur.

An example of this was described in H.G. Wells' story "The Time Machine", where the protagonist tried repeatedly to prevent the tragic death of his fiancée only to see her die again and again in different ways. He later realized that her death was considered a "fixed" point because it was the moment that led him to create the time machine in the first place.

While "fixed" points are considered static, the circumstances can be altered, although to do so would still potentially be catastrophic, depending on how significant that fixed point is to the course of time in the universe.

Infinite Parallels

The theory of "Infinite Parallels" is the simplistic belief that for each choice made, a new universe is created for each choice not made.

While simplistic in explanation, the result of such idea is staggering. Given the potential number of choices for every entity at any given time, for every entity that exists, for every planet that exists in the universe, the end result of this idea would be an absolutely incalculable number of universes created every second.

"Ball of String" Theory of Time Travel

(See "Ball of String" Theory of Time Travel)

The "Ball of String" theory was suggested as a way to explain how time travel would be possible without continual changes causing havok with the space-time continuum.

The theory postulates that there is no one universal timeline, but rather each lifeforce has its own timeline, and that those lines then interact with other individual lines. Thus when a person goes backward or forwards in time, their own histories are not changed. Rather, time continues and adapts to that person's presence. Thus certain events in time can still happen, albeit under different circumstances.

Rules of Time

The Alpha-Omega Limitation

The Alpha-Omega Limitation is a reference to the absolute limitations to time travel.

"Alpha" is in reference to Event One, otherwise known as the "Big Bang" which was the moment when the universe was created. It has always been considered taboo to view Event One, partially because at that moment all matter is scattered. For a time traveler, arriving at Event One would result in complete obliteration.

"Omega" is in reference to Event Terminal, also known as the "Big Crunch", which is the point in the universe when all matter collapses in complete entropy into nothingness. For a time traveler, arriving at this point would also be a fatal moment because they would be subject to entropy and be reduced to nothingness.

Although theoreticians speculate on the possibility of anything coming before or after these two extreme events, for all practical purposes, these two events in time are the ones to avoid at all costs.

Carbon Law

• (See also Carbon Law)

Carbon Law is the law pertaining to how far in time from their own "period" that one can travel forward and back through the Pillar of Ice and Flame. According to Mender Lazarus, the Pillar's limit for humans on Earth is approximately 5,730 years. Anything beyond that and the person runs the risk of being assimilated into the timestream.

However, Mender Ramiel has recently demonstrated that this is not necessarily the case, as he voyaged beyond the limits of Carbon Law and eventually returned. This puts the absolute limitations of Carbon Law into question, even thought the Menders still regard this as a valid law.

Novikov Rule

• (See also "Novikov Self-Consistency Principle".)

The Novikov Rule is based on the Novikov Self-Consistency Principle, which prohibited time travel where the likihood of a paradox could exist. The theory was created at a time when time travel was still unproven, and therefore was rendered moot when proof of time travel existed.

But Novikov's theory became the basis for another rule regarding time travel and paradoxes, which was summarized as follows:

"The same matter cannot exist in the same space at the same time."

In other words two versions of the same item from different time periods must not come in contact with each other.

Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect is a rule concerning time travel and changes in time.

The traditional belief is that changes in time are instantaneous. In other words, alter something in the past and everything forward changes immediately.

But changes in time are not immediate, as the rest of reality must also adapt to the changes made, and depending on the changes involved it could take weeks, months, or even years before those changes reach Event Terminal.

This period of time is known as the Paradox Wake, when those of the previous time still exist or have not yet been changed. Those that exist during this period, if they are aware of the changes, are able to go back and either fix things or make additional changes to preserve as much of their own history and existence as possible.