Though the Time Eater's origins remain a mystery as to what it is or where it came from, the original and primordial form of the Time Eater was a supernatural creature/force drifting through the vast regions of space in Sonic's universe. At some point, after his last defeat by Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Eggman discovered this form of the Time Eater, while he, Cubot and Orbot were floating through space. After examining it, Eggman discovered that the Time Eater had the ability to erase time and space. He then came up with the idea of utilizing the Time Eater's powers to prevent his previous defeats by the hands of Sonic, by altering and possibly erasing Sonic's history so that he would be victorious in the present.