The Will of the Heart

Third Person P.O.V.

Time passed by into the darkest hour. The full moon shone brightly with stars flickered in the dark sky. The night was peaceful and quiet. Most are asleep. Some are not. Either they have insomnia or had trouble sleeping. Or...a nightmare woke them up from their slumber.

That is why Shadow was wide awake on the red couch, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't seem to fall back asleep. The nightmare he had was so vivid. He felt himself sweating bullets when he woke up.

As much as he wanted to avoid reliving the past, he needed to know what happened by sleeping. But, his body refused. It seemed his mind unconsciously wanted him to avoid remembering hurtful memories. Just like with Maria.

Brains tend to block things that might drive you insane. You'll never really know because your brains blocked it from you. Plus, your heart denied the truth so... much that you started to hurt yourself without rationally thought of the consequences. Without a brain, you couldn't possibly function at all. Without a heart, as in the virtue of your heart, you couldn't feel empathy towards others. Simply said, without either, you'll be an empty husk of your former-self, devoid of emotions. That is why things function the way it was.

Although, it does hurt to forget things you wanted to remember.

Shadow sighed deeply as he closed his eyes and opened them again, still staring blankly at the ceiling, hands on his stomach. He glanced at the transparent windows, moonlight shone through it, his mind wandered on a certain blue blur.

As if God heard his call, coincidentally a creak on the door echoed in the room, loud enough for him to hear. He looked behind him and there he saw him. With an innocent smile on his face.

"Hey there, Shads. Did I wake ya?" Sonic said lowly.

Shadow just sit up on the couch and narrowed his eyes at Sonic, expecting him to say something.

"Aha-ha..," the azure one laughed nervously while getting a knowing look from Shadow. "Ha...hm..I-I..er..hm.." Sonic stammered as he scratched the back of his ear then closed the door behind him. He gulped. "I-uh..overslept?"

Shadow raised his brow, not surprised by his answer, eyes narrowed even more. "Ahuh.." the only word he let out.

Sonic sweatdropped. "Look, I'm sorry, okay. I didn't mean to. I had a dream. A very 'odd' dream.." he emphasized the 'odd' strongly.

The ebony one's ember eyes blinked twice. Because, oddly enough, he too had just woken up from a dream. As much as he wanted to snap at the blue blur for 'overslept' god who knows where and recklessly left himself open for his enemies to attack, he just couldn't really blame him. He's just worried maybe. Plus, he's safe and sound so that's good.

Shadow stared at his emerald green eyes with concern. " We all were worried if something happened to you...At the very least.. you are okay… "he muttered under his breath.

Sonic felt bad for making Shadow worry about his safety. Heck, he didn't want to make anyone worry about him. And yet, here he was, made Shadow the Hedgehog worried. Tails, his parents and the others must be worried sick. But, what can they do? Sonic is hard to find when he's on the run. Only those gifted with super speed could ever catch up to the speed demon. Even so, just barely. The blue blur is not going to sit at the same spot for a long time after all.

"Sorry.." he lowered his head.

Shadow walked up to Sonic and put a hand on his shoulder. "Just be careful. You can't stray too far for too long. He's still out there somewhere...you can't be too sure.." He warned.

The azure one nodded. "I know.." Shadow put down his hand from his shoulder.

"Sonic?"

Shadow and Sonic looked to their side to where the garage door is. There it was, Tails brushed his eyes, just awakened from his sleep in the garage. Although his mind was groggy, Tails knew for sure that is his brother. And then, he dashed forward to hug him tightly.

"Where were you?! I thought something happened to you...your run lasted a little bit too long than usual.. My mind couldn't help but to think the worst." The kitsune said at his baby blue eyes started to water, still hugging the blue one in relief.

Sonic hugged him back, patting his back. "Hey...I'm here alright, buddy. That's all that matters now.." he reassured the two tailed fox in a low and soft tone.

Tails was relieved to see the blue blur was safe and sound. He didn't want to let go of Sonic. He is after all, his most precious brother. Maybe not by blood and flesh. But, they are connected by the bond they shared. A bond that can't be broken by anyone.

Shadow saw them embraced each other. He couldn't help but feel jealous. Even if just slightly. But still, the feeling is still there. Those two, they aren't even related but they are still close. Closer than the bond Sonic and Shadow shared as brothers. The dream Shadow had earlier didn't help either. Just to show how much time can make a person bonded even if they aren't related.

Shadow mentally slapped himself. 'Stupid feelings. Stupid head. Making me feel jealous even if I am not supposed to.' He sighed while eyeing them with patience.

A few moments of silence passed, the two broke the hug. Sonic ruffled the kitsune's hair. He gave Tails a warm smile. "Come on now, bro. It's what now, one in the morning? You should get some more sleep." He gave a pat on his shoulder.

Tails snickered. "Yeah.." he yawned and then he walked back to the garage to where he was sleeping earlier while saying, "Good night.." The door closed.

A little after that, Sonic muttered, "Good night…" he smiled.

Then, a certain someone cleared his throat. Loud enough for the blue ears to twitch. Sonic blinked and looked at him.

He smiled sheepishly. Shadow looked at him with annoyance. "You're done yet?" He crossed his arms.

"Yeah, I'm done." Sonic replied.

Then, the ultimate lifeform rolled his eyes and turned to lay back on the couch.

Sonic was kind of surprised. For a moment there, he could've sworn he saw something behind his amber eyes but couldn't quite put a finger to it. But it was there for a split second.

'Hmm..that's weird..I thought I sensed something...maybe I am just in need of more sleep.'

The azure one yawned and shrugged the matter off as he said good night to Shadow and walked into his room upstairs.

"...Good night…" the ebony one muttered softly, loud enough for the blue ear to perk up before closing his eyelids.

Sonic smiled to himself before closing the door of his room.

As Sonic was about to lie down in his bed. He heard a soft knock on his door.

Sonic grumbled, lazy to open the door but he did it anyway. In front of him was his mom and dad. Aleena had tears in her eyes, bent forward, hugged him tightly.

"I'm so glad you are okay…I was so worried I would lose you again, my son..." the amethyst hedgehog sobbed in relief and joy.

Sonic looked down, blue ears bent. "I'm sorry to have worried you mom ..."

The azure one looked up at his dad. Circe sighed in relief.

"Told you he could take care of himself. You two are just overreacting.." Jules smirked with his back against the wall of Sonic's room, eyes closed.

To be honest, Jules was relieved to see his nephew was safe from anything in particular.

Circe glared at his brother's carefree attitude. The midnight hedgehog sighed again. "As long as you are okay, everything is okay."

Sonic nervously chuckled. Aleena let go of the blue blur. Eyes no longer were watering, only the puffy cheeks.

Aleena glanced into her son's eyes. "I see you in the morning my child. Sleep tight." She kissed his forehead, smiled warmly then she got up and started to walk away.

Sonic smiled in response then he looked at his dad and his uncle. They had a relieved smile painted on their faces before they paid him a good night and went their separate ways.

The azure one closed the door behind him silently, smiling to himself. He's so thankful of having a family and friends who care about him. Although sometimes it made him feel uncomfortable having someone who worried about him most of the time. He's so used to care for others first than himself after all..

Suddenly, Sonic felt the temperature dropped. He sensed...something. Something in his room. Something...malicious..evil..

The blue blur's quills stood up in response, getting a very odd chills all of a sudden. That is when he spoke up.

"Long time no see, oh chosen one.." his voice was like flint, filled with malice and distorted.

Sonic knew it. It's him. But why is he here?! Sonic turned around, emerald eyes filled with contempt.

The dark figure, his aura was smothering the atmosphere in his room almost choking Sonic alive in his room upon contact with it. The aura was too strong and ominous.

Sonic put a hand on his door for support. His breathing started to get heavy. It was a wonder he was still conscious right at the moment.

He smirked and snickered maliciously upon seeing the blue hero, fighting and enduring his overwhelming aura. Sonic wipe off the sweat forming on his forehead. His mind wandered, 'Why no one is sensing his malicious aura?' He knew for sure anyone would have noticed his presence right then. At the very least his uncle. But nobody did.

His eyes sealed shut, only then to open again momentarily while murmured, "You vile demon! Mayhem!"

He grinned maniacally. His appearance changed a little. "Glad to see you too."

Sonic gritted his teeth, both of his eyes were fighting to stay awake. But as seconds went by it gets a lot harder than before.

"Hard to stay awake, are we?"

Sonic's fists tightened, eyes gleamed dangerously.

Mayhem smirked. "Hmm...that's a nice look in your eyes." He stared at his emerald eyes with malice. "You must wondered why nobody detected my 'overwhelming' presence while you are the only one, correct?"

Sonic only glared at him as Mayhem walked towards him and put his fingers under Sonic's chin, forcing him to look at him in the eyes.

"The answer is fairly simple. I choose to let only you to feel me. Even though, your uncle should have sensed me from miles away."

The azure one looked at him with disgust. "Oh yeah? Now what in the world you want with me?" He spat venomously.

Mayhem let go of his chin, wagged his finger mockingly.

"Now, now. Don't get feisty with me. You should have known my reason by now. After all, you too heard the whisper lingered at the back of your mind when all you could think of was to cleanse the world." He said as his maniacal grin was getting wider as each sentence came out of his mouth. "Am I wrong?" He added.

Sonic's eyes widened. 'There's no way..'

"H-How did you..?" The cobalt hero muttered, completely caught off guard by his sudden question.

And then, he wagged his finger. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. It's only natural I would know. The essence of darkness lies within your very soul is connected to all of us who are gifted with the ability to manipulate the power of the night." He explained.

Sonic felt the sudden strain on his body worsening. He felt claustrophobic all of sudden as his breathing got really heavily. Being in the same group as the guy was already the worst all because of his complicated heritage.

He had never asked for this life and yet here he was. Born in between light and darkness. The ability to control and harness energies. Granted with super speed since he was born. Such power was shoved onto one simple blue hedgehog. A Destiny he was destined to follow. Choosing the right path not only for him, but for the universe too. Should he use his power for the sake of others or for himself, that is what he has to decide on his own when the time has come for an answer. Although, it should be obvious what he would do.

Sonic glared at the dark demon, stabilizing his breathing.

"Y-You-! What do you know?!" The azure one snarled.

Mayhem chuckled darkly. "Oh? I don't know much. All I am saying is, we are bounded." He stated only to receive a sharp glare by the blue one. "We are connected by a fate that has been set in stone eons ago. You can't run away. It's unavoidable. You could only stall for so long. You of all people should know that by now. Prophecy was created with reason. A reason leading up to a purpose. That is Destiny. Your Destiny." He smirked.

Sonic stared at him as he bit his lips. His mind was slowly realising what the demon was saying. But instead of he answered Mayhem, he spoke first.

"Every event that had happened to you was the reason you are still alive even now. Even when you had actually died in my hands, you miraculously brought back to life. Like I said, things happened for a reason. Our last encounter at Soleanna although it didn't happen in this timeline, we are still destined to meet again."

Sonic's eyes slowly widened in fear while Mayhem twisted smile formed on his face.

"Now, you see why I said we are connected. You and I," he pointed his index finger to him and himself. "Our encounter was no mere coincidence. We are destined to fight. To decide the whole universe's fate. Should you fail, I will conquer the universe as I see fit." He stated.

Sonic's mind was progressing the information he had just learned from Mayhem. He felt light-headed all of a sudden, his heart throbbed. The responsibility he felt on his shoulder was humongous. His mind began to cloud. He felt so lost. As if there wasn't a single shred of light at the end of the tunnel.

"I am feeling rather generous at the moment as your power as right this moment wasn't at its full potential. I will give you plenty of time to grow, oh-my-chosen-one." He said evilly.

As right then, the door swung opened with Jules glared at Mayhem with contempt while Mayhem responded with a wicked grin.

Jules wanted to lash out at the dark demon but he knew to control himself from doing things irrationally as Mayhem continued and looked back at Sonic, still grinning with glee.

"When the time comes, you must make your decision. Don't disappoint me, boy. I expect huge progress from you when we meet again. So long, my chosen." With a gust of wind and his deranged laughter, his spiritual pressure, his presence vanished to thin air.

Right at that moment, Sonic fell down on his knees. No longer feeling the energy in the room, he finally let out a relieved sigh, wiping off the sweat on his temple.

His uncle went up to his side, helping him stand up. He shouldered his nephew to the bed. Sonic sat there quietly.

Moments passed as Jules broke the silence. "What did he tell you?"he asked.

Sonic didn't look at his uncle. Instead, he looked down, eyes gleamed with uncertainty realization. "He said, everything that has ever happened to me, was so that I could grow and become much stronger when the time finally came for me to fight him. For all of us. In order to maintain order." He spoke in a low voice. "I know that. Yes, the fact has been clarified so many times. But as time passes, that fact has become more and more dire." The azure one gritted his teeth, eyes flickered with pain.

Jules sat his nephew's side, didn't pay a glance at him in the eyes said, "Sometimes, things happened to help us grow. Some decisions wasn't always made to our comfort. We had to overcome fear in order to grow. If you didn't, you'll forever be in the dark of your comfort zone, unable to grow because you scared of the apprehension of your mistakes might have altered the future in the worst way possible knowing you are the reason the future will be the way it is."

Sonic turned his head to look at his uncle, his emerald eyes desperately looking for answers. He frowned. "If you know that much to how I feel, then, what should I do? There's a lot at stake should I failed. I don't want to fail! I want to win!" He stated.

Jules gave him a small smile as he gave a pat on his back. "Then, fight, Sonic!" He replied.

Sonic looked at him in confusion, brows raised. Jules said, "Pour your heart out. Look up ahead, don't waver from the fear. You will die, all of us will die if you do things half-heartedly. Let your instincts become the drive you need to win." Sonic's eyes slowly widened in bewilderment.

"You are not alone. I,your parents, your friends, all of us are here for you." Jules added in a soft tone.

Sonic's expression morphed into a thankful smile.

"Thank you...uncle. I will..win. I won't let him do as he pleases. Not anymore." Jules smiled back as he held out his balled up fist to the azure one.

"Prove it to me, to all of us that you will win, Sonic." The cobalt one smirked and fist-bumped with Jules.

A/n

Hello there you all! :) How are ya? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry it's short ;( I was busy with school you know XD Plus, i am on grind with art and youtube :) I am thinking of starting new story with fresh plots and alot of references. Yes I know I am the worst. I had two story to finish for god sake's!XD But I feel like I need to write this story you know. :)

Thanks so much for the review, follow and favourite. Have a wonderful day everyone!,