Hey there everybody! Hope you guys are okay!

FINALLY! It took me a real long time, but THIS is the final part of the Mike's testimony. You guys are gonna maybe say that it's been quite the filler, but it IS supposed to play a major role in the story. I am hoping people will see that soon enough.

Quite honestly, I never felt really satisfied at what I was writing, because I had to always go over and over this story, just to make sure that I've written things that way I want them to be. Problem is: I don't bloody know what I really want! XD

Anyway, I'm not gonna prevent you guys from reading; go ahead and enjoy the final chapter!

Sonic the Hedgehog: the True Power of Music

Chapter Eighteen

"Of all the times, I had never seen such bliss. I was expecting darkness to gulp me into oblivion, but I was instead welcomed by this warm, soothing light. I had no idea where I was, but there was something telling me that I've known this place all my life, yet it was I couldn't define what it was. There was this emotion lingering in the air, unasked for, yet treasured and undeniably longed for. Despite finding myself here, surrounded by nothing more than plain whiteness, this presence of purity gave me a reason to smile. And as moments passed on, I stood there, seeing all of a sudden a minuscule spot that grew into a form. A dull, grey spot, I tell ya, but that nourished from its pure surrounding to become more colorful and alive. It had transformed itself into an area, with a glinting, green lawn and a swing-set in the middle of the terrain. A young kid was swinging there, laughing in the most overwhelming joy, screaming as his father kept pushing his son in the seat with immense pride and happiness. You could feel this great bond between the two people, this love that is offered and appreciated. It reached so deep into your heart and gave it a reason to pound hard, claiming that it is alive!

And as I placed my hand on my heart, feeling that tremendous beat, I recognized the boy. I knew the father. This wasn't a place; it was the memory of my youth, my childhood, way back when I enjoyed being with my father.

It was unfortunate how much had changed since then. Throughout the years, I've had so many fights with my father that I couldn't remember the notion of love. I just couldn't feel it anymore. He didn't give me this feeling of being wanted. And as I felt like undeserved by him, I distanced myself from parents, and eventually the only conversation we had would result in conflict.

While I pondered, glancing absent-mindedly with at the two people enjoying before me, I felt deep inside me anger. No, wait, not anger. Envy. Yes, I wanted this whole thing again. How could I revive the past when our relationship isn't working out? Sure, we had a good talk back when Sonic brought me home, but somehow, it wasn't as joyful as it was in my memories.

All of a sudden, I heard voices sounding off in the area. It took some time, but I recognized those voices to be the conversation I had with the hedgehog on the boulder at the river:

'How in the bloody heck will people respect me?'

'Hoh, definitely not like that. You have to earn it, and I don't mean by getting angry or making people fear you. If you were to deserve respect and admiration, then it would be through treating others with respect and admiration.'

Give and take… Yeah, that was it. That's what this was all about. Sonic left a message behind to correct more than one apparent mistake, and I came to understand it. Just like respect, love works in the same way. How can I feel love if all I ever do is back away from my relatives and get upset instead? And how can I expect to feel love if I never give any in return? By showing his joy and appreciation, my younger self laughing there brought forth the love my father wanted, and it motivated him into returning the love by pushing the swing. Together, they had fun; that is how love works in this kind of relationship.

By watching the memory take place before my very eyes, I could grasp the meaning of this vision, and it was time for me to take action. I had to make amends for the lousy job I've done so far in my relationships; to my parents and to Maylee.

And as that revelation dawned upon me, the whole scenery was sucked into a miniscule hole, pulling everything into it until it finally imploded on itself to let whiteness reclaim the whole space once again. When that image disappeared before me, I sensed regret singeing from my heart, and it rose up to my head, emitting now a headache that grew little by little powerful. And at the same time, this caused a sort of graininess to my vision that radically inverted the color of my surroundings. Before I had time to react, darkness was around me.

It's strange… Of all times, I never thought I would be as frightened as a little child was. I didn't want to stay here. I was immobile, but somehow, I was searching. I can't explain, really; it's like I was in a deep pit, and the only way to find what I was looking for was to look up. And when I looked up, there was a very small, white dot and something indistinguishable in its center. In other words, to find what I was looking for meant I had to focus as hard as I could, and then determine what was in the spot's center. I couldn't tell how long it took me, but when I thought I knew what it was, that spot expanded itself, pouring out the whiteness it contained and seized this whole space once more. But there was something different; it was another type of background, and there was an image fading in. It wasn't a memory.

'Hey, he's coming around!'

Amongst the brightness, there were these fuzzy, gray-blackish figures. My mind took its time to adjust to the whole new image of reality, but as things progressed into clearness, I saw the heads of my father and mother that peered down at me. My mother's face was soaked with tears from her bristling eyes, droplets tucking into the creases of her saddened frown. My father, stern yet concerned, slightly dropped his jaw as his thick brows heightened into a curve.

'Son, can you hear me? Talk to me, my boy.'

His voice reached my ears, but my response was still slow. My throat was so dry that I thought I couldn't speak.

'A bit drowsy, but fine.' I forced myself to say it, but it came out as a dry, airy wheeze.

My mom reached her hand out to caress my hair, finally to draw out a smile from her face. 'Oh, Michael, you had us worried.'

'Don't I always?' I chuckled, pushing my arms against the bed so I could sit up and lean my back against the bed's wall. It occurred to me instantly that I was wrapped with bandages. Not a huge amount, though. There were some around my stomach, my legs, my hands, my arms… Okay, okay, I had practically bandages everywhere, big deal. But they were very thin layers, so I suppose it wasn't all too bad. What made it all annoying was that cold, unbearable stinging cream that was rubbed onto my bruises and shielded by these tissues.

'Son, what were you thinking?' And there began my father's scolding. He was usually loud when trying to prove his point, but I could see how much he had to restrain himself for the housed, ill patients. 'Don't you know how dangerous it is to hang out at the warehouses with those people around there?'

'I had to go there, Dad. I needed to set things straight, and tell them that I don't need them. But… I hadn't thought it completely through. I didn't think that Maylee or I could have ended in a worse state than now.'

'But look at you.' My mother added, 'I can't tell what can be worse than that.'

'At least we don't have to worry about those hoodlums anymore.' he said, 'Your friend was kind enough to have them all tied up before he brought you here to the hospital.'

I etched a smile past all the bruises on my face. 'You mean Sonic? Yeah, he's an incredible guy, isn't he?'

'He's a very polite person.' Mom stated, 'Always so helpful. Just before, he went to get me a cup of coffee since I asked for one.'

'Yes, a fine fellow. An honest, truthful friend…'

My father stated his opinion with an absent stare. It was peculiar at the moment to try and understand what he was thinking. But he walked away from the bed and took his auburn trench coat from a close coat hanger. He swirled the coat around his back and slid his arms in the coat's arms one after the other.

'Off to work?' Mom asked.

'Yeah.' My father said, without turning around. He was too occupied putting on his black gloves. 'These youngsters are waiting for me. They need some questioning before getting to meet the judge.'

The commissioner walked steadily to the door, adjusting his coat in the process. He grabbed the door-handle and pulled it open.

'You were rash, Michael, but I'm very surprised. I don't know anybody who would have the guts to take all that beating so that nothing could happen to their close friend, or that they would even keep on fighting to settle things between men in an already weakened state. But knowing that person is my own blood, my son…'

My father turned around, and gave me one of those flashiest grins that was neglected throughout all these years.

'You make me proud, Michael. Get well.'

And he closed the door gently, leaving both me and my mother silenced by his words. Well, mostly me, since my mother was first to break the silence.

'It took him some time.' Mom said, 'But you know your father. Never good at finding words to express his thoughts. Truth is, your friend Sonic told us what happened. He explained how both of you met, and how you found your way back to who you originally were: a caring person who wouldn't let his pride get in the way of what they believed was right. But as the teenage time came, you grew… apart from us. There so many conflicts that it was difficult to solve all of them. Maylee noticed the change too. She was as worried as we were, and like us, could never get a chance to have a proper talk with you. There was a barrier around that we couldn't muster. And all it took was a blue hedgehog to find yourself again.'

My mom leaned over to me and kissed my forehead. Her glistening tears had dried up, but new ones overflowed the ridge of her eyes. 'It's great to have you back, Michael. You have made us both proud. It wasn't easy, but all that matters is that you're back with us.'

At the moment, I was utterly dumbfounded and mostly overwhelmed of how things had turned out. From making my father proud to actually being able to talk quietly to my mother made me realize at what point I had nearly lost myself. I couldn't find the words to give a response. Well, I guess the apple didn't always fall that far from the tree.

My mother then stood straight and swept the tears from her eyes. 'I think Maylee deserves to have a little chat with you, don't you think?'

Though I was perpetually blocked, I still convinced myself to smile. 'Y-Yeah, sure.'

She offered a smile as well and took off, shutting the door as she left me alone in this room. My eyes swept the odd white place; on my night table stood a vase with a bouquet of various flowers that seemed to have been picked from a field, since long grasses served as an extra decoration. One bed was on each side of mine, but both were unused and their sheets were carefully well-folded. Chairs were placed in front of the white wall that could have used some pictures if not to cover the blandness of this room. I stared at the window to my left. Egg-colored curtains covered most of the transparent surface, but one small inch allowed a whole stripe of uncovered window to flood this room with particles of light. It was a wonderful, sunny day that filled my heart with a happiness that I've longed to feel.

'So, you're awake.'

I took my time to tilt my head to the visitor. I shouldn't have acted surprised, since I was expecting her, but I couldn't help it. Her steps were deadly silent, and I didn't even hear the door creak.

'Maylee, I didn't hear you come in.' I uttered.

'I was told to be quiet, but I didn't really think it would surprise you.' She explained as she walked towards me.

On her way, she picked up one of those chairs against the wall and placed it on my right side. She took a seat.

'How're you feeling?' I asked first.

She promptly bounced her head up at me. 'How I am feeling? I should be the one asking how you are feeling! I mean, you're such an idiot! What the heck were you thinking?'

Her outburst had been so unexpected that I was caught off-guard. I had never seen her get so enraged. But then I saw the tears that formed in her eyes, and that rolled down her cheeks.

'Why didn't you defend yourself?' she sobbed as she lowered her gaze, 'I had to helplessly watch you get beat up. Why didn't you fight back?'

'Maylee, I didn't know what would've happened to you if I did.'

'I don't care what would have happened to me!' she shouted back, 'You got seriously hurt… I'm not supposed to prevent you from fighting!'

I watched her cover her face with her hands, choking her sobs as tears rippled along her arm. She trembled quietly, but it was enough to tell me how frightened she had been. It was the first time I saw her like this, and it was overwhelmingly agonizing.

'Maylee… Throughout the years, no one stuck onto me like you did. That's either stupid, or the most faithful act a friend has to offer, and I know that you're way too smart to be stupid. The thing is, I care about you, more than ever, and if I was going to get hurt protecting you, then it might as well be worth it. Can you forgive me for neglecting you all this time?'

She covered her eyes with her left arm. 'I forgive all my friends, you stupid oaf.'

I chuckled and grasped at her free hand. 'Thanks Maylee. The one thing I really regret is that I didn't win the fight against Dave.'

'Sheesh, aren't you gonna let that go?'

After feeling a cool breeze enter the room, we both looked in front of the bed to find the hedgehog standing there. He had his one arm placed on the rail of the bed and the other under his chin, supporting his head. That smug grin seemed to have never left his face.

'You sure know how to make an entry in the most unpredictable moments, don't you, Sonic?' I remarked, returning the grin.

'Well, I love surprising everybody.' He explained, pulling off a sheepish grin until it returned to an eased smile, 'Anyway, I had to drop by to see how you were doing, Mike, and I don't like what I'm hearing from you. I was tough on you already, trying to make things clear about the way you've been lately, and you've learned your lesson. But now I think you're just being too hard on yourself. It's never been about winning the fight.'

I stared at him with a perplexed expression, watching him lean further over the rail while he crossed his legs. 'I don't see where you're getting at…'

'Think about it for a moment, Mike. You were too injured to hopefully win against Dave, and yet you were determined to measure yourself with him. The outcome was long decided before the fight began, but you took everyone by surprise when you persevered. You fought with all your might till the end, weakened Dave of all his resources, and all that not for yourself but for Maylee. Tell me, is it better to win a fight for yourself, to prove that you're strong enough to get respected, or to lose, but knowing that you went over the limit, that you've far surpassed any expectations, all that brawl put to risk for the sake of a friend?'

I was surprised by his blunt, but logical statement. I had thought it over, and it did make sense that I couldn't have won, even though I had put all my bets on it. But it wasn't such a great loss. I actually got more than I ever hoped of winning.

'The only thing that kept you fighting was the powerhouse you drew from your will. ' Sonic added, 'If you were in greater shape, I'm sure you would've won the battle. It didn't too take long for Dave to collapse after you did.'

'Wow, I really did have him good…' I noted with surprise.

The hedgehog smiled playfully. 'Well, now that I'm done making my point, I'll be on my way again.'

'Already?' Maylee asked, disappointment painting her face.

'Speed's my game, girl.' Sonic said, 'It's been fun around here, but a hedgehog's got a whole world to discover.'

I knew Maylee was going to say something to make him stay longer, but I intervened. 'Sonic's right. Who's gonna run around the world if not him?'

He looked at me with amused and astonished eyes. 'You're speaking my language. Now that's new.'

I scoffed at his answer. 'Your language isn't that hard to understand.'

The hedgehog laughed, and walked alongside the bed until he stood right beside me. He stretched out his hand to me, and I gratefully took it and shook it. Our hands folded into fist-like shake, one that brothers would give before a long goodbye, and we looked at each other with confident and strong eyes.

'You take care, Mike.'

'You too, buddy. And thanks for the help.'

The blue hedgehog flashed a grin before he turned to Maylee and gave her a warm hug. 'Whenever you're around the corner, be sure to visit us, all right?'

'I will.' He replied, patting on her back, 'And I'm counting on you to make sure that Mike doesn't make any trouble anymore.'

'Knowing him, I can't guarantee that.' She giggled, although her voice broke a short time after and I could see more tears flowing down her cheeks.

The hedgehog broke up the hug, noticing the tears as well. 'Hey, Maylee, don't be sad. This isn't goodbye. You'll see me around soon enough, I promise you that.'

She nodded and returned a gentle smile. The hedgehog, with on last grin and a proud thumbs-up, turned his head to me. 'Get well, Mike, and I'll see you two soon!'

And he blew off like a rocket out of the room through the door, and we had our laughs when we heard screams and shouts of people who wondered where that powerful wind had come from. And unlike anybody else in a hospital, he didn't know how to keep quiet.

A couple of days passed when I left the hospital with Maylee and my parents. The incident of me being involved in a gang fight had become quite the story in town, since it was published in newspapers and all. My father told me that those boys were sentenced to civil duty, such as sweeping the roads, and helping out with many other things. Surprisingly, I had come across them on the street, and when I thought they were going to confront me and beat me up, they actually apologized to me. I didn't expect that at all. I was told by one of them that they had talked with Sonic when I was unconscious. That alone made me understand what happened. Sonic's power to change people appeared to be more supernatural than I had thought. I know you, Christine, of all people, will find it hard to believe it, but in the end, despite everything that happened, the Leatherheads and I became friends. Well, for Maylee, it took some time, but she finally befriended with the lot of them. We all had become very close; some of us had become even closer, but you'll see what I mean when you visit Benjamin at the hospital.

With my parents? Well, things were working out great. We've got to understand each other more, and though we did have fights, they were easily resolved. All that was needed was full cooperation from everyone involved in the conflict. I learned to respect my parents and to appreciate them. They've really done a lot for me, but they each expressed themselves in different ways. Sometimes, to understand them better, it helps to talk to them and to ask questions.

Now, I'm guessing you're wondering how people reacted to Sonic's existence. Well, quite honestly, they didn't know a thing. My parents, Maylee, my new friends and I, we kept his involvement a secret. Don't get me wrong, we would've loved to announce to the world that it has a new adventurer, but back at the time, it wasn't possible. Sonic never really liked to sit around for too long, so the media never knew about him. And anyway, if just told some reporters of him without showing real evidence, do you think anybody would have believed us? They'd think we're crazy!

Despite him being quite the runner, every once in a while, Sonic came several times to visit us. Other than talking with us, he'd spend some time playing with Ben, hide and seek or tag. I don't need to say how good Sonic is. He is a tough player.

Years went by, and I had grown a lot, but I always looked back at the day when Sonic appeared for the first time in my life. He changed me; although he constantly denies it, saying that all he did was making his point, he helped me become the man I am today. He guided me on the right path. Come to think of it, his influence or his involvement had drastically changed the future for me. If he had never appeared in the forest or at the warehouses, I think I'd be either the same arrogant punk with family issues or, in the worst case, I don't think I'd even be amongst the living."

Yay, it's done! Now, onto the MAIN story! Critisism accepted to help me get better in writing! :)