Inescapable

Third person P.O.V.

After breakfast Sonic had with Tails, as quick as he can, he took off on one of his morning runs because a hero have to stay fit obviously. The breakfast was so awkward because of what happened yesterday and so the blue blur couldn't just sit still. The memory of yesterday was so vivid. How he hope it was just a bad dream. But no. It happened alright.

As he ran along the emerald coast, he saw mobians were fixing up the place because of yesterday's fiasco. Eggman's out of radar yet again, doing god who knows what. And Infinite… well. Gone. Nothing. The masked jackal gone with the phantom ruby.

Sonic also remembered that the phantom ruby was controlling Infinite, feeding off of his negative emotions, turning it into a spiteful power. Or was it really all of the story? Or was it a trap? All the blue blur could do now is just doing what he does best. Run. Let his mind wander of certain things. Let it all unspoken. Run from his problems. Yeah. That is what he always do. Doing things solo.

Truth to be told, he was just afraid. Afraid about what happened in the past will happen again. Where his loved ones were gone. Vanished. Disappeared. All in a blink of an eye.

Finally, his mind wandered to a certain someone. Him. The one who made a promise with him. His old memories came crashing down like a tidal wave, pressing the matter harder. It was a painful past that he would rather would not look upon it again. Ever.

Sonic's feet finally stopped. Coincidentally his unconscious self brought him to a tree. Sonic looked around the peaceful atmosphere and shrugged while looking at the tree as he sat down, his back laid against the tree. Slowly, his consciousness was slipping away by the drowsiness. Then, he finally gave in as memories of the past flooded his mind, reminding him that the past was not likely the one thing he could run away from. Even the fastest thing alive couldn't. Nobody else couldn't.

In Sonic's dream

The little ocean coloured hedgehog was having a good time with his parents in the castle's beautiful garden. He was only five years old. His mother was a purple hedgehog, wearing a golden crown on her head, aged around thirty-two years old. While his father was a very dark blue hedgehog aged thirty-six years old. He and his son were looked almost exactly the same. Except, for their fur colour. An after-effect changed the little hedgie's father fur into a darker shade of blue.They laughed and had a lot of family time together.

They looked so happy. The little boy ran around the castle, leaving only a blue streak in his wake. His parents were sitting under a gazebo with a smile on their faces as two guards who were guarding the royal family looked at them with a smile on their faces as well. This is a moment every family hoping for everytime. Laughing, smiling, spending time together like there's no tomorrow.

Unfortunately, that was about to change.

Out of nowhere, an army of shadowed creatures swarmed into the castle. Screams of terror echoed in the air followed by the sound of structures around them were getting destroyed, forcing the residents that were living around the castle to get out and only to be hunted down by the monsters.

The king and the queen were caught by surprise as the royal guards quickly ushered the family as they made their escape into a hidden passageway under the garden into the outside of the castle wall as far away from the monsters that were lurking in the Kingdom without a warning nor a sign of they were appearing. None at all.

Before they made their way, the queen looked around frantically and started shouting out of fear, realising that her child was not with her, "S-Sonic?! Where are you, dear?!!"

Out of realization, the king looked around as well, searching for even one sign of blue fur. With every time they wasted, the dark creatures kept on coming. Their number were increasing. It was only a matter of time before a sea of darkness swallowed the kingdom.

Still on the lookout and seemingly pointless shouting as there was no sign of a blue hedgehog. One of the guards, the captain said in a demanding tone. "Your excellency! You must get away now! Or else I fear the worst could happen to both of you. The royal bloodline must survive."

The queen, Aleena's face darkened. Her eyes gleamed with pain, gritting her teeth. "But, S-Sonic!? My child! What about him?!"she asked desperately.

The armored head guard didn't answer right away. He was forced to say it. They have to get away regardless. No matter what.

"I am doing my job on keeping the royal bloodline exist, your majesty. I need you two to run as the situation is dire for both of you. As for your child, I will protect him."

The queen seemed to not taking a liking to his answer. Nonchalantly, she said, "You better keep your promise, Brother until we are reunited again."

He nodded. "Of course, sister. I won't let you down." He held out from his waist a glass transparent sword to give to Circe. "Take it, Circe. Protect my sister. I know you didn't want to hold this sword again after what happened. But I need you to fight again."Circe was fearful to take the sword but he knew Chuck was right so he took the sword half-heartedly. "You must hide before she gets to you. You knew this would happen sooner or later. She wanted revenge. Go now!" Circe wanted to oblige but...before Circe could said a word, Chuck said in a forcing and stern tone.

"Move it, Circe!!" Chuck added as he quickly fend off the shadows like creature with sword that blessed with light powers.

The king, Circe nudge Aleena's elbow, signaling that it is time to go as more of them came swarming in. They screeched and growled as they pounded their claws on the royal guards. Some fall victim to them, some held their ground.

She held hands with Circe as she looked behind one more time, praying for her child. 'Oh, lord. Do save my child from harm until I can see him again..' Then, she was keeping up the pace with her husband to the secret and long abandoned passageway behind a waterfall.

Outside the castle wall, after they went through the tunnel, all they saw was a nightmare. A bad dream they would have never thought could happen. Screams of fear and terror in the air made their heart broke even more. Most of their citizens seemed to have been swallowed up by the darkness as most of them didn't have the weapons blessed by light powers since who would have known things like this would happen?

Circe tightened his grip firmly onto Aleena's hand. He led her to somewhere away from the terrors of the night. To hide. But god, he didn't know he would meet her again.

With Little Sonic

Sometime before the appearance of the shadow creatures, the azure one was running, feeling the rush of adrenaline, pumping in his veins. Running was the one thing he loved the most. Whenever he's alone, he would run. Little or not. That made him, him. For some unknown reason, he was gifted with the an unimaginable speed. His parents had always said he is a very special hedgehog and he will always be one when he grew up.

Out of the blue, his little blue ear perked up to a sound. He heard a scream of terror. Not only one but a lot of them. He was standing near the castle wall. He went up on the wall, jumped up about five feet above and landed on the wall almost an inch away from falling flat on his face on the other side.

As he regained his composure, his emerald eyes widened in fear. He saw a shadow like creatures were swallowing up the city. Most of them couldn't get away.

"What is happening?.." Sonic murmured to himself in fear.

One of the shadowed creatures saw him. But only this one in particular was different. It was bigger than him at that. It was a shadowed gigantic Spider. He was beyond terrified as he felt himself turned into a statue, making his speed pointless to use because he couldn't even move an inch. He was so scared.

The creature screeched after his prey, Sonic who's still stunned in his place, tears started to rolled down on his cheeks. It was about to feast onto his little-self when suddenly a bright slash cut the creature in half. It screamed, crumbling and vanishing into ashes until there's no more of it.

The mysterious saviour huffed and puffed. "Pant...I made it… If I was late even a second, she would've killed me." He snickered.

Sonic looked at his mysterious saviour, tears were still falling on his now rosy cheeks. His face brightened a little as he knew that voice from anywhere. "Uncle Chuck!"

He took off the helmet, revealing a sky blue hedgehog with a mustache. He smiled warmly at the young scared hedgie. "There you are, boy. You sure are a handful as always." He chuckled.

Sonic went out of his way, hugging him desperately. "You saved me. I don't know what would've happened if you are not here." He said, tears started to fall again.

Chuck held him tight. "I am here now, aren't I, Sonic?"

Sonic nodded. The hug lasted for quite a bit. But they knew they had to get away. Now.

The older cobalt one held his hand and said, "We need to go now, sonny."

Sonic blinked a few times. "But, what about these people, uncle?"

His eyes darkened as he shook his head. "There's nothing we can do now for them. They are too far gone. Unless we want to be these monsters' next meal, we need to go now. I mean it." He gazed into Sonic's eyes.

"Yes, uncle." The azure little one replied in defeat. " But where do we go?"

Chuck answered as he started to run away from the kingdom, his hands held onto Sonic, dragging his nephew with him. "Anywhere but here. Away from the shadowed creatures."

His statements piqued Sonic's curiousity. "You seemed to know things that is happening than you are letting on, uncle."

Chuck bit his lips sourly. "More or less. Come on, sonny. You are faster than me right?" He quickly changed the topic.

"Yeah?" Sonic answered.

"Show this old man you are not easy work. Unless, growing up had already makes you slow?" He challenged the five years-old child.

Sonic smirked. "Oh? I am going to make you eat those words, uncle and you know it."

"Well then, bring it!" He said enthusiastically as he bolted leaving only a trail of dust as a blue streak went after him, cocky smirk formed on his face.

Somewhere with Circe and Aleena

After the castle was nowhere in sight, they stopped, catching their breath. They seemed to have ran deep into a forest. All they saw was green.

The purple queen huffed in exhaustion between the words. "Has been so long since I ran like this with you during the dark days, hasn't it, Circe?"

The ebony king huffed a little as sadness and regret could be seen in his eyes. "Yeah. The dark days…"

Upon realization what she had just mentioned she said, "I didn't mean to bring back horrible memories, dear." She held Circe's hand in comfort, realised what she had just said.

The ebony hedgehog shook his head in disagreement. "No.No. It's okay, Aleena. It's just, if I hadn't done what I did, the dark days would have lasted until this day, although I have always regretted what I did. I had to do it."

"Had to? In fact you didn't have to!" A third person yelled with voice consumed with venomous hatred.

Circe eyes widened in bewilderment and regrets. "It's you.. Bernadette."

Her figure was that of an indigo hedgehog tainted with darkness. Her veins were blackened by the darkness.

"It's Queen Bernadette of the dark kingdom for you, big brother." Her voice was warped as she venomously spat out 'brother' with sarcasm and spite.

"Why are you doing this?" Circe asked as her anger flared.

"Why? Did you already forget brother?! What YOU DID to me and HIM??!!" Bernadette yelled as wisps of dark energies gotten thicker every time her anger flared up.

Circe winced. "You know why I did it! If I hadn't done what I did, the whole world would be swallowed up by his uncontrollable darkness! Why can't you understand?!"

"Because of my love for him! I am so understand you. With you being the knight of light, protecting the world from darkness, I knew you would never understand me and HIM especially." She pointed at him with sheer hatred as tears were falling down. Even the tears was blackened. "You said his darkness is uncontrollable?! How dare you!After him getting to know me, my love is helping him controlling the darkness he was forced to live with. It wasn't his choice to live like that!" She said frantically shouting.

Circe chose to listen. He knew he was wrong but it happened nonetheless. It was five years ago.

"The second you knew about his darkness, you forbid me from seeing him. Ever. His darkness grown uncontrollable because of what YOU did! You threatened me if I ever went to see him, you would have killed him for good. And that is what YOU did! You remember WHY??!"

Circe didn't answer. The guilt have always been eating him alive after that day. He knew what he did. He is at fault. He didn't want to do this to her. But he did it because….

Silent as his answer, Bernadette said, "You," she pointed at him with uncontrollable yet calm fury. "Loathed him. You hated him. Because your wife here was cursed by his darkness. After your wife insisted on coming along with you to search for me which then you caught me and him. Together." She caught her breath to decrease the pain she felt that day.

"You were furious. Your wife was shot down, unconscious, unable to endure the darkness which coincidentally at the time she was pregnant. That sword right there," she pointed at the glass like sword that Chuck gave him earlier. "That's the sword that killed him."her voice was barely a whisper, filled with sorrow and suffering.

Circe felt uncomfortable. "I...I..," he was too consumed with guilt as he unable to mutter a word. Finally… he said, "I am sorry ...Bernie.."

Hearing that word made her blood boiled. She was furious. So-oh-angry….

"Pah! A little tad too late for that don't you think?" Bernadette spat as darkness around swirling like a wildfire. "You promised me you would protect me. You would accept what I do and love me. I have always loved you but.." She said with her voice cracked as black tears fall down as she gritted her teeth.

"After what you've done, I knew the truth. I knew that words are cheap. Promises are meant to be broken. Action prove it all. You didn't love me after all…" her pained tears keep on falling.

Circe could only muttered her name, "Bernie…"

Her expression suddenly changed as tears stopped flowing. "I had enough of you. I have embraced the dark side within me. I scorned you. I despised you. I disgusted with you. I loathed you. I detested you." And the lists of hatred went on as Circe's heart shattered slowly to pieces. And one finally three words breaks it all, "I HATE YOU!"

His heart was shattered. He felt numb as he fell down on his knees. "I know the consequences of I did. As much as I regret what I did, I didn't regret killing him to protect us all. Because of how much ...I care for you sister… even though I broke my promise to you." his eyes as if had lost its life, no longer gleamed with anything. Just ready to accept death.

Bernadette didn't want to hear anymore as she screamed with loathful hatred and a sword made out of darkness formed on her hand, lunging at her dear brother.

"DIE! BROTHER!"

"NO!!!"

Then, the blood splashed as the sword pierced through the skin on the stomach. Instead of Circe's blood, it was Aleena's. Circe's eyes widened in disbelief.

Aleena coughed up blood as Bernadette pulled out the sword and quickly, Circe caught her limp body in his arms. "Tch! Why did you save this pathetic man, Aleena…"

She continued coughed up blood as Circe called out to her. "Why did you took the blow Aleena??! I was ready to face the music! WHY??!" He asked as tears were falling down.

She coughed up and smiled. "I have always knew you are suffering, dear. I saw the guilt ever since that day. You've always did everything on your own. I just wish you trusted me enough to tell me about it though." She chuckled and coughed.

"Shhh...Aleena. Save your strength. I am going to heal you!" Circe said desperately as he started to cast some light magic to heal her wound. Unfortunately, the blow from the sword made out of darkness was too fatal. Plus, she had lost too much blood.

She pushed away his hands, canceling the healing process. "Don't waste your energy dear. You know, I didn't have long." She coughed up. "Circe. I know you did things with a reason. This is a trial we all must make it through even though my time ends here. You must survive. Protect our child, Sonic. Please stop blaming yourself okay dear? I'm sorry I can't be with you anymore..." She smiled as one final tear was shed and the queen was no longer with Circe.

Circe was unable to hold back as he screamed in pain. "NO! ALEENA!"

Bernadette laughed with pure pleasure. "Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! This is much more entertaining to watch you suffer than watching you died. Now you know the pain I felt. How is it feel, brother?" She asked evilly.

Circe clenched his hands in sheer hatred and fury. This is not his sweet little sister, Bernadette. She is an evil incarnate. She is an evil wearing the face of Bernadette. Bernadette is no more. The darkness changed her. Just thinking about something took Bernadette away from him, makes him angrier. This is him. The one he killed five years ago. He took Bernadette away from him. He changed her. All the crap she mentioned about her loving that guy, are lies. He knew of it. Yet he failed to mention it to her sister that thing was nothing more than an evil demon, wanting to corrupt this world. He couldn't tell because he didn't want to break her even more. But then again, he had broken his promise to her years ago.

A promise you are not even supposed to break. But then again sometimes promises are meant to be broken as there was no way to avoid the inevitable.

Circe's gritted his teeth. He had to do it. Again. He hoped he is ready for it. But could he really do it?

He looked at Aleena's lifeless body as anger got a hold of him. He screamed in utter desperation as light particles started to float around him in response as he lunged at Bernadette unconsciously and mutter, "I will end your reign, demon!" He threw punches and light energies towards her.

His once forest green eyes turned bloodshot red and a light wisp came off of his cornea. In between his attacks, he said, "I will set my sister free from your leash on her! I won't let you win!"

Despite being attacked left and right, all she did was laugh. Maniacally and sadistically.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!!!~~~"All the bruises inflicted by Circe were healed instantaneously. As if she was invulnerable with the darkness coated her whole being.

Having no choice, Circe took out the glass like sword as it glowed golden and silver upon his hand came in contact with it. He looked at her with sadness and pain gleamed in his eyes as he bit his lips in utter hopelessness.

"You gave me no choice…"

The black hedgehog breathed in and out. While corrupted Bernadette kept on laughed maniacally and mockingly.

"Hahahahahaha!!!~If you think that sword is enough, then you are dreadfully wrong…"

He heard her, yes. Yet, he stood there calmly, breathed in and out. His power is rising higher and higher. But unfortunately, so she is.

Her dark energy skyrocketed because of what her shadowed creatures did to Circe's kingdom. All the sacrifices she had made were making her stronger. About fifty percent of the kingdom was took over right at the moment. Imagine one hundred percent of the whole kingdom. She'd be absolute unstoppable. What about the whole world coated in darkness like the demon envision? She would be stupidly, absolutely and literally impossible to defeat which is why the demon sought for power and the first step in doing that is removing his obstacles and possessing every advantage he could get. Which in this case, Bernadette is the victim while Circe is the obstacle.

Circe did caught him off guard by killing him five years ago. Unfortunately though, he already had Bernadette wrapped in between his fingers. He used her as a vessel while keeping her rebellious soul very weak with his venomous dark energy because her power element is light mostly.

Simply said, Circe quite screwed. He better defeated her soon or it would be impossible to do much damage as her shadowed creatures slowly destroying his kingdom. And soon- the world.

His sword shone brightly and very sharp. The ebony one took a leap of faith and ran very fast almost as if he was teleporting.

The dark queen looked confused as there was after-image as Circe ran. She didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately, she could still sensed him. She felt him gradually getting closer but his power leaked all over the place. She knew that even if she moved even an inch she could not avoid the inevitable. He would hit her regardless. For now at least.

Circe knew he had no time to waste. He changed his posture slightly to move faster and his final attack would be fatal.

He went for it. He ran with everything he had, slashed her.

"Arghhhhhhh!!!~" he cried in anguish as the sword came in contact with her skin. He slashed her not once, not twice, not thrice but a bunch of times.

Finally, she genuinely cried out in pain. Her instant healing seemed to be trying its best healing her but the wound caused by Circe's light made it even slower. But it was not fatal. His attacks may cut deep into her skin even after coated in darkness and yet it was still not enough like he hoped for.

He attacked her relentlessly but the blade cut too shallow to be fatal. There's not enough the need to kill. Literally…

After being slashed by Circe's blade, Bernadette's fur that tainted by darkness was coated with her blood. The ebony one once crimson red eyes turned back to its forest green. He huffed in exhaustion, completely drain of any power within him.

The dark queen was breathing heavily from the blood she lost. She is still mortal after all. Her wounds slowly healing but still not dead.

Circe could feel his consciousness slipping away. His vision was getting really blurry and fuzzy. He dropped to his knees, still trying to stay awake.

'I couldn't give up just yet. Not when I am this close on saving her!' Circe tried to get up but he kept failing after each tries but he just too tired. While his futile attempts at getting back up, Bernadette's painted with malicious smirk as her wounds almost healed.

She laughed evilly at Circe and his pointless attempts on fighting back. "Ehe~he~ehe… you've failed, knight of light. As you can see, I am perfectly fine. Even at fifty-percent of one hundred percent of my creatures granted me power from your kingdom, you had failed? You were once the strongest in Mobius?" She snorted cockily. "Look at how weak you have become.." she said slowly approaching the ebony king who's consciousness on a very thin line, waiting to be cut off and fall deeply.

Bernadette smirked full of malice never had left her face. She squatted down and whispered to his ear sweetly yet maliciously, "I can grant you more power if you just submit yourself...to me."

Despite completely drained of his energy, his rebellious-self won't back down from this demon's lies as he death-stared at her sharply. "I don't need you, demon. If you think I would surrender my body and soul to demons like you, I would rather die!" Circe spat venomously.

She faked feeling disappointed and muttered, "Aww...That's too bad. I had a feeling you would make an awesome plaything. I guess I wouldn't always get what I want." Circe didn't reply as he continued on death-stared her.

Her malicious smirk suddenly filled with killing intent as her smile spread wider sadistically. "Oh well. I might as well." On her hand, darkness formed a sword that looked exactly the same when she killed Aleena.

She lunged to pierce through Circe's heart with her sword of darkness. Unfortunately for her, her sword never reached him. Because the blade of sword of light prevented it from ever reached him.

The blue figure gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword upon seeing his dear sister bathed in her blood, motionless.

Chuck whispered to Circe who was behind him while held Bernadette back from attacking any further. She grunted in anger as her power was not enough to overpowered him. Yet…

"Get up, Circe." Chuck said in a firm tone while clashing his sword with hers.

Circe tried to but it was in vain. "I can't. I am too drained to move. My vision is getting really blurry."he answered in defeat.

"Come on, Circe. Her power is getting stronger and stronger. We got no time to waste."

The ebony king scowled. "I'm trying. I'm not kidding around, Chuck"

The cobalt one frowned. Well, it's true he sensed Circe's power was at the very minimal. Only a matter of time before he knocked unconscious.

The dark queen laughed mockingly as she leaped back. "Ahahaha~~... Trying to avoid the inevitable are we? You can't defeat me. You're too weak. Admit it."

Chuck stood on his ground, sword of light still in his grip while Circe barely conscious, his sword beside him.

"Never. We will end your tyranny, demon." Circe spoke firmly, still on his wits' end.

Bernadette smirked maliciously."Ohh? You two will huh? How I wonder? Do enlighten me."

They didn't answer. Their eyes filled with determination even though with it and their combined power as for now was not going to make the cut.

Out of the blue, they heard, "Mom…" as they reacted quickly, looking at the source of that oddly familiar voice for Circe and Chuck at least. The dark queen also looked as a crooked smile formed upon seeing the little one.

"There you are…" She muttered with malice.

With little Sonic

A few minutes earlier

Sonic P.O.V

I was running with Uncle Chuck to god who knows where. I suddenly felt a very large spike of power in a forest up ahead we stumbled upon. I knew Uncle felt it too. I looked at him and he looked at me. Out of curiousity, we ran through the forest if we could help whoever was in trouble. At the time, we didn't know what fate had been set in stone.

Chuck told me to hide in the bushes as he would check the cause of the energy spike. I insisted on coming with him but I gave up because whatever I say, he won't let me either way. He also told me to stay hidden until he came back. But, I just couldn't. My curiousity got the best of me as the smell in the air reeks with the scent of blood. Plus, I didn't feel so good. At all. My fur spiked up, shivering uncomfortably in response.

I looked through the bushes, still hidden but I could see everything as clear as day. The first thing I saw was my dad on his knees and uncle Chuck was holding back a rather bizarre looking woman with this smoky like aura which made me rather uneasy and uncomfortable.

As my eyes traveled the situation my dad and uncle were in, I saw...it.. I saw a grown female hedgehog the colour of purple and oddly familiar. Her fur bathed in crimson blood, still fresh but she was motionless. I blinked twice, not believing what I am seeing. I forced myself to look again.

My eyes slowly shrunk in fear as I felt myself sinking. Literally, onto my knees. Tears started to drip down from my muzzle, unable to look away from her bloodied limp body.

'There's no way.' I keep telling myself, shaking my head in denial. I wanted it to not be real as I found myself, without putting even thought into doing it; leaped forward, no longer hidden in the bushes, wide open for them to see me and muttered a single word loud enough for they to hear me. Then, I found myself bolted to her side, to touch her, seeing if what I am seeing right then was not an illusion. Boy, do I hope it was just a bad dream..

"Mom.."

Third Person P.O.V.

Circe looked at his little boy. Every second he saw his face, he felt his heart was breaking to thousands of pieces. Seeing his cheery son turned this miserable made him feel more to blame. He must have saw Aleena. He felt himself wide awake but drained to make any drastic movements. He slowly gained his energies back. Too slow compared to his foe.

Chuck winced and scowled. He told his nephew to stay hidden, meaning not to look for him until he came to him. But he did it anyway. Sure, he felt his agony. Heck, he lost his dear sister. Obviously, he felt sad and angry. But, he had to put his emotions way for awhile. Yes, he was calm at the moment. But really, he felt a maelstrom of emotions beneath his steady act, waiting to overwhelm his whole consciousness. Chuck did feel bad for his nephew. He lost his mom at such a young age. And may yet lost his dad and himself. Heck, all of the mobians not just their people may yet be swallowed up by the darkness of a vengeful and powerful demon that threatens to take over and rule the world. Maybe the universe as well if he wanted.

The dark queen crooked smile only grew wider. She chuckled darkly. Sure the whole population of Circe's kingdom was being swallowed up by her minions increased her power, she too fed off negative emotions. Terror. Agony. Anger. Sorrow. And so-oh-much more~... All of that, made her power skyrocketed even...more. She could have finished all three of them, end of story. But, where's the fun in that? She enjoyed toying with her prey before sucked them all dry. It made them even more delicious because all the sorrow and agony they gave off rather than finished them off just like that.

Plus, this is his revenge. To that wretched king wannabe hero. She, or in this case he enjoyed making his life miserable more than ever. Payback for all the time he lost now that he had full control of his dear sister Bernadette weakened from his dark energies she was prone to from when he manipulated her into thinking he 'loved' her and he was just 'unable' to control his power. He fed her with his lies and she believed all of it just because she blindly loved him. How naive the woman was.

Well, that was the thing he truly didn't get about people like her. 'Love made you weaker. Hate made you stronger.' Or so what he believed about love and hate were to him. He knew it first hand. He too once a naive boy, longed for happiness and love. But, he was hated and an eyesore to those around him. People didn't accept him because he was weird. A freak what they called him. A demon. 'To people like him, he believed it was rather to be scared of than to be loved. ' He couldn't help it if that's how it was going to be. Those who had tormented him will pay. Which includes absolute everyone in this world. For him, everyone is to be blame for his misery. Life had decided him to be born this way and feel this way. Now, innocent or not, he didn't care anymore.

The dark queen realised herself was no longer smiling like a freak with malicious intent because of the flashbacks demon inside of her. She frowned in actuality, looking rather sad. Realising this she quickly shook it off as if nothing happened. Malicious smirk covered her actual demeanour.

The five years old blue hedgehog's cheeks were swollen as tears still falling from his glossy emerald eyes gleamed with sorrow and pain. He checked her pulse. Nothing. He tried to see if she's still breathing by putting a hand under her nostrils. Nothing.

"D-Dad..? Why is mom covered in blood? Why is she not moving?" Sonic asked in a shaky voice, looking at him with teary eyes desperately for an answer, his grip on her motionless arm.

Circe was unable to make a word. He's choosing the correct word to say to his child, stopping his son from having a mental breakdown. But, it seemed none of the words in his head as in the now were all correct. He felt the guilt of unable to protect but rather being protected by Aleena made it even harder on him. He shouldn't feel the way he was now, he knew because Aleena said so herself that what happened to her was her choice. Her decision.

A pause for what seemed forever to Sonic, Circe said, gritted his teeth, "Sonic, she's gone...I am sorry.. I was too ...slow.. " his voice was trembling with guilt and sadness.

Chuck frowned, sadness slowly consuming him, his grip tightened.

"Who did this..??" Sonic asked, stuttering as his sadness slowly but surely, turning into rage. Even for a five years old, he sure had an intimidating personality.

The dark queen smirked sadistically as she answered the young hedgehog, "Why, I did."

The young hedgie snarled at her murderously with puffy cheeks and dried tears. He gritted his teeth, fists clenched.

"Why…? Why did you do it??! What have we even have done to you?!"his stuttering voice as if a calm before a storm, holding back his grief and sorrow which slowly turning into seething hatred as it was getting really harder and harder to control. All he could do just gritted his teeth and clenched his fists to stop himself from started doing any irrational things that might get himself killed. Frankly, he was almost didn't want to control himself.

Bernadette's smile spread widely. "Because I wanted your family to suffer. Especially your father over there, my dear sweet nephew…" she answered with sweetly malicious tone, eyes gleamed with pure sadistic pleasure.

Sonic scowled. Yes, he knew who this person was. He didn't want to believe it as he had never seen her in his life ever. But, in his dad's family picture, apparently his dad had a little sister. Plus, the woman looked oddly similar to her. Sonic had asked his dad numerous times of where is she then, as his dad would always smiled sadly without an answer. Which then, this explained why she had gone missing in the first place. Something happened to her. Something bad..

"Aunt Bernadette ..why…?"the azure one frowned sadly, still clenched his hands.

She smirked darkly. "It's revenge, dear."

Sonic was dumbfounded in disbelief. "Wha.." he stammered.

The dark queen snickered mockingly. "You are so little to understand. I'm sorry it had to be this way, child." She scoffed lightly. "Well, not sorry. It had to be this way. Your mother there was the first one to go but don't worry," she cooed. "Your turn will come soon enough… All of you.." she said with a sadistic and malicious grin.

The little blue one's emerald eyes widened, eyes gleamed with impending hatred as his grip on Aleena's lifeless body tightened.

Sonic shut his eyes, scowling. Circe was still on a verge of collapsing, tried his best to stay awake. His anger and hate were what drove him to stay awake after all. He wished he could do something but it hurts his everything. He shook his head profusely. No, he won't let this happen. No, he won't back down. Not until he died or if his body ached like it's about to fall off. No! No matter what.

With that, miraculously, he was able to stand on his feet. He took a stand, his hands on his sword, held tightly. He controlled his breathing, in and out despite his body cried out of pain every second and not giving any signs of pain.

"Hey." The ebony king called out to the darkened Bernadette.

She glanced over with an amused expression. "Oh? What do we have here?"

Circe swiped off the sweat on his forehead, face painted with a solemn look. "Don't think you could get rid of me that easily."

Chuck looked surprised to see Circe was standing on his feet despite the move he pulled off earlier since that particular move left quite the consequence which made him unable to move for awhile. And to see him stood up strongly and being able to talk while masking the pain? That took some will power! His everything must hurts and ached.. badly..

The dark queen snickered. "I didn't have to earlier and you had already fallen. What a foolish move from a fool."

Circe, despite being insulted upon, didn't affected by her remark. Instead, he turned her insults into his strength.

"Yeah? This time I won't repeat the same mistake. Before you proceed with your wicked plans, I will end your tyranny. Even if it costs my life, I will drag you to hell with me." He proclaimed solemnly.

Bernadette no longer had a malicious grin on her face. She knew he wasn't all talk when it came down to protect anyone else before himself. After all, that's how he got his title and loved by his people because of his pure golden heart. Not only his people, absolute anyone who crossed paths with him was inspired by him. Unless that person was an idiot who wished for world domination then he had no choice but to stop them even if they had to come to a pitiful end.

Out of nowhere, she disappeared. Only to be found with a crystalised dark sword lunged at Circe. Circe quickly countered with his sword. Their sword collided. They slashed each other, side by side only the sword collided could be heard and really quick swordplay. It was a miracle Circe was able to keep up. He sure had an incredible will power.

In between her and his attacks, Bernadette said while dodging and attacking, "Should have end you when I had the chance huh?" She puffed lightly, still holding up alright.

"The same ol' mistake villain made. I'm not surprised." Circe replied.

She chuckled darkly. "Hnn.. I wonder how long you could hold up.. I guess not for long." She went ahead with a strong blow, causing Circe to slightly lose his stance.

Out of the blue, a seemingly electric pulse shocked through his body, causing Circe to groan lightly in pain as his fighting stance slightly off but could still dulled her attacks towards him but he's starting to feel pain. But he had to keep going. He had to.

But every single time he moves his hand to defend himself or attacking every opening she had but never made it in time, it hurts bad. He felt as though he was about to go limb each blow he did. Whatever strength he had earlier was draining. Fast. Luckily he wasn't alone.

Another light sword slashed toward Bernadette and only to be stopped by her another inky dark sword. She chuckled darkly while Chuck tried his hardest to pierce through but to no avail. She was strong. Stronger than him.

"Oh? Two against one? Poor me.."the darkened Bernadette snickered mockingly while easily fended off the Chuck and Circe.

Their swords was at a standstill. Two light swords but different in prosperity and power. Frankly, Circe's sword named sword of chaos was the strongest sword ever forged and passed down through the royal family bloodline. It was called sword of chaos because it's power mostly depend on the user. The stronger the wielder are, the stronger chaos and power it could create. While Circe's power for now was at minimal but the power the sword unleashed still was strong. He could have single-handedly slice Bernadette's biggest minion into two. But, it was still not enough against her.

There's also another reason why the sword was called what it was then. The wielder had to keep themselves under control with their emotions when wielding it. Say, you had this intense hatred toward this one guy and you had this particular sword as your weapon. Then, it would influence you to do something you don't normally do. Simply said, this sword was the push defied all logic and reason you had left. It purely acted on your instinct. You would know what you do but you simply didn't care what would consequences after what you have done. Until the deeds were done, only then you would feel remorse. Such power a sword had came with its big responsibility.

"We're taking no chances." Circe huffed lowly.

Bernadette smirked maliciously. "Sure you are. And yet you are taking your sweet~ time. Colour me unimpressed, 'big brother'. You could do better than this, couldn't you?"

Circe scowled darkly. His grip on his sword tighten, a glint of black on his sword formed. He pushed toward her with his sword harder. She step-backed a little but still unfazed with a sadistic smirk.

"Don't push your luck, demon. You don't even know what I am truly capable of." He spat venomously, still pushing her sword hard.

Chuck glanced to his side, eyes gleamed with uneasiness. He could feel a cold shiver down his spine. He felt Circe's energy became more unstable even though his energy at bare minimal. His eyes gave off feelings of vengeance and bloodlust. His expression seemed devoid of emotions and yet it held a lot of emotions. Hatred, sadness, betrayal and the lists went on.

He did noticed his sword slowly being tainted. It would made sense he was feeling whatever he was feeling then. His wife was murdered in cold blood for god's sake! Normal mobian would lose themselves when the love of their life was murdered. And yet, he didn't. But did that made any difference? No. Plus, his people, his world was crumbling, on a verge of dying and destruction. Everything he cared for had died or was dying. Did he lose control? No. But he soon would be. He tried so hard. Yes, he was foolish to do the move earlier, thinking it would finish her off painlessly which left him almost died himself. Which then, unfortunately, didn't happened like he had planned.

The truth was, he couldn't. He was fighting his little sister! Literally his blood and flesh. He didn't have the heart to do it. How much more he could take..? The answer is, no more. No, he wasn't giving up. He's going to end it. Or so he thought.

"Stay back, Chuck." He said, barely a whisper.

The once purely white sword was now greyish not black nor white. The blade was coated with grey like silver aura. His iris had turned silver.

Chuck was bewildered. And so did the dark queen. Not only he turned his hate and agony into power, he was able to avoid the worst case possible which was losing his control with his seemingly a single string which held onto his sanity together from snapping. He was able to find balance and didn't turn into a monster for his unsatiate vengeance.

The wind around him was picking up the pace. Like in the middle of a storm. Daring to go near, it would blow you away.

Chuck held up an arm to cover his eyes as he stuck his sword into the ground so that he didn't get blown away by the wind. Bernadette's inky blackness grabbed onto the ground.

Circe didn't speak a thing. He let his sword do the talking instead. He leaped towards her, clashing to her with a very incredible reflexes and speed as if his body didn't hurt anymore. He attacked rapidly, not giving her any chance to catch up. It was effective! Her inky sharp tentacles were being cut down by his sword and vanished.

She started to get flustered as she quickly defended herself, bending her darkness into absolutely anything just to stop the maniac from reaching her. But, Circe was at the moment, a force that could not be stopped. Not until the deed was done. Nothing could stop him.

'What the heck.. how did he cornered me even with his barely none energy??!! And his power keeps on rising?! That's preposterous! Where is he getting this power from?!' She thought to herself while dodging his rapid attacks.

And then, an opening on her behalf, unable to keep up to his relentless attacks, Circe struck with all of his might. His glass like sword pierced through her chest to stomach, barely missing her heart.

She stopped. Black blood oozed out once Circe took out the sword. He waved his sword to get rid of the disgusting inky blood. He's expression held no remorse despite he had just stabbed his little sister.

The dark queen breathed heavily, blood gushed out. It seemed the sword of chaos had a negative effect on slowing her healing factor. Her wounds as if barely or probably none had healed at all.

She winced as she touched her wound, deciding if it was real that SHE was bleeding from the simple blow her dear brother had just did. She held up her bloody hands in disbelief. She smirked darkly as she glanced at Circe.

"Huh..would you look at that. You do have the gut." She snickered as she coughed up blood.

Circe scowled darkly. "It's over. You have lost."

Bernadette chuckled. "Oh yeah… it is over," she paused for a second just to catch him out of his guard. "For you!" She yelled right after.

Suddenly, Circe felt something sharp inside his stomach. He coughed up blood. Finally, he noticed it. A sharp black blade was pierced through him by her inky tentacles made of pure darkness. He didn't notice it at all. Her sneaky, dirty trick. She applied enough power to pierce him. What's more, he felt as if his insides were dying.

The darkened one laughed hysterically despite having a wound which slowly killing her very life.

"Getting very hard to breathe, are we now?" She laughed. "Now, if I died, you are coming with me, my dear brother. That is if I died." She said venomously as a wicked grin formed on her face.

Circe coughed as he dropped to one of his knees, holding onto his dear life. However, his body started to ache. It seemed like what he did earlier had started to show its consequences. Only he knew what the pain felt like.

His consciousness was slipping away. His vision had started to get drowsy. But he knew if he collapsed now, he won't wake up to see the light ever again. Sure he felt like giving up. BUT! He couldn't. Not until she's gone for good.

He breathed in and out, holding onto his consciousness, on whatever was left. She smirked with pleasure.

"You just won't die, do you?" She asked as her wound were very slowly healing. "Too bad for you. I won't be dying anytime soon." She sneered.

"No. I don't think so." Circe answered solemnly. He closed his eyes, concentrating on something. Out of the blue around them, seven miraculous gems shone mightily and brightly, came out of the ground, circling Circe. Bernadette's eyes widened in bewilderment.

"No. No! You won't!" She yelled angrily as she lunged forward to prevent Circe from doing whatever he's going to be doing.

Circe smiled sadly. "If I can't kill you to avenge Aleena, I will end your tyranny. Even if it means to seal you away for good. No matter how much it kills me to seal my dear sister until the ends of time." The seven gems shone brightly in response as seven light pillars formed around the dark queen, keeping her within its wall, unable to reach Circe even though she was an inch away from him.

She wailed in anguish, trying to get out. She screamed. Before the pillars completely sealed her away she said, "No! You will pay for this! I WILL get out of this cage. When I do, you are so dead! Every. One. Of. You!" She said while looking at Circe with rage in between the closing pillars.

Circe's eyes gleamed with sadness as tears started forming in his eyes. "I love you, Bernie…"

"Arghhhhhhh!!! I won't forget this, Circe!" She screamed in spite as the pillars closed off, sealing her away forever.

Circe dropped on his knees, unable to hold back his emotions anymore as tears fall onto his cheeks endlessly as the seven mystical gems fall on the ground with its colour slightly dulled. He sobbed as then a pair of little blue arms wrapped around his shoulder from behind him.

"I am sorry, dad.." Little Sonic cried while hugging the older one to comfort him.

Circe looked back his child in his darkened emerald eyes. He turned around and hugged him tightly, knees on the ground.

"No, son. It's okay. Everything is going to be alright.." he said in soothing voice.

A/nI'm not telling anything XD but, I say this one thing, we all born in this world not suddenly evil. We all like a white cloth. Experiences in our life shaped us to act like how we are today, painted our white cloth with a lot of colours. It was always the matter of how you choose to walk through your life no matter how bad it looks. Thanks for reading! And the lovely reviews! :)