Chapter 12 – Tests Complete... Or Not?

The Sun was high in the sky as Tails & Bedwyr made their way to the Misty Lake. During their rush they (literally) ran into Knuckles, who was finishing the job of defeating the remainder of the Knights of the Underworld that Dark Sonic accidentally summoned.

"Owww is that the thanks I get for beating these punks all night long?" shouted Knuckles as he stood up.

"Sorry!" said Tails, "We're rushing to meet Nimue's deadline to bring back Laevatein."

"Well where is it? It's nearly noon."

After Bedwyr held up the Sacred Sword Laevatein, the three ran to Nimue's home, where she was awaiting the return of them and the reawakening of Sonic & Caliburn.

"I was wondering if you'd show up in time," calmly said Nimue, "Sir Sonic should be awakening at any moment now…" As soon as she finished speaking Sonic instantly jolted up from his bed and stood with Caliburn standing on his own next to him.

"Hey, we're back at the Misty Lake," said Sonic somewhat joyful but confused, "Oh boy, does that mean we fainted again?"

"Yeah," answered Knuckles, "but you're lucky that Nimue's a hell of a healer!"

"You really lost it there," added Tails, "Why didn't you tell us you were having problems with your Dark side?"

"I just didn't want to worry you guys, that's all… Anyways, doesn't that mean we only have one day to get the last Sword AND stop Eggman & Merlina?"

"Actually," said Bedwyr, "Nimue sent me and Tails to retrieve Laevatein. I got to face a dragon like I wanted, but it's thanks to Tails that it was defeated…"

"Wait, TAILS defeated a dragon?" exclaimed Sonic.

"Yeah," said Tails in a low voice, "I just wanted to prove my own strength in the group besides helping with advice and gadgets, so after I epically failed last time I wanted to make it right…"

"You could've been severely hurt… But as long as you're ok, then good job," said Sonic as he gave his signature thumbs-up and smile.

"Thanks Sonic…"

"You should've seen his Ultimate Soul-Surge Sonic!" enthusiastically said Bedwyr.

"How rude to interrupt a tender moment between brothers!" scolded Aquarion, "But yes, Sir Tails' Ultimate Soul-Surge was incredible for a Knight, especially one without a Sacred Sword."

"That'll be nice to look forward to!" responded Sonic, "Anyways, now that I have all the Sacred Swords that means I can have Excalibur's power right Nimue?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Ok! Let's try it Caliburn!"

"Ok Sir Sonic!"

As Sonic & Caliburn started to shine a golden color and levitate in the sky, Arondight, Galatine, and Laevatein rose with the gold aura and encircled Sonic. As the Sacred Swords neared Caliburn and they were enveloped by a shining light… Sonic fell down to the ground with his face and the Sacred Swords slamming into the earth. "Ugh, what happened?"

"Oh Sonic, that face-plant makes it 5…" commented Tails, "I think anyways, again, hard to keep track."

"Very funny Tails, now what happened Nimue?"

"I was trying to tell you that even though you have all the Sacred Swords, you haven't proven yourself worthy to all of them!"

"Is it Laevatein because I didn't get it?"

"No, that one was excused due to the situation at the time."

"Arondight?"

"No, you technically proved your worth but just didn't claim your prize, so Knuckles retrieved it for you."

"But I already proven myself to Galatine, and Caliburn is my Sacred Sword, so who's left?"

"Turn to face your opponent Sir Sonic and you'll see."

As Sonic turned around he saw Bedwyr in Knight-Form with Aquarion drawn and in a fighting position. "Bedwyr?"

"Well he did say Aquarion was made with Nimue's power…" said Tails.

"So I have to defeat Bedwyr in a duel to prove my worth to Aquarion?"

"That's what Nimue said," replied Bedwyr.

*Flashback*

"Sir Bedwyr!" called out Nimue, "There's still one more thing that I have to tell you that pertains to Aquarion and this exception!"

"Oh? What is it?"

As Bedwyr neared to talk to Nimue privately she said, "Even though you're taking over Sir Sonic's quest for Laevatein, Sonic will still need to prove his worthiness to one more Sacred Sword…"

"Huh? … Oh, its Aquarion isn't it? But hasn't he already done so by us seeing him in action at the Deep Woods and Great Megalith?"

"He needs to still prove himself directly to Aquarion, and he's still lacking the full potential of what he has by being the true King Arthur. Hopefully a duel between you two should bring out both of your full power. Your travels as well as the quest for Laevatein should strengthen you to give a strong battle, but you mustn't hold back or else the duel won't be valid. This duel should also strengthen you for the future of being a King, so good luck Sir Bedwyr…"

"Ok then!" exclaimed Sonic as he grabbed Caliburn and got into his own fighting stance, "You'd better not hold back!"

"I won't; you'd better do the same Knight of the Wind!"

Sonic quickly rushed forward to strike as Bedwyr held up his shield and deflected the blow. Bedwyr followed with a side-swipe to Sonic's side, but he quickly did a side-step to avoid the slash. As Sonic was about to turn around to launch an attack, Bedwyr switched into Cavalier-Form and landed a minor scrape on Sonic's arm, but Sonic defended before any further damage could be done. "Huh," said Sonic, "not half bad. Time to step it up! Soul-Surge!" As Sonic's sword glowed as he rushed forward and landed two blows, Bedwyr got into Paladin-Form and defended the remaining attacks.

"Ugh, Sonic is certainly fast… Aquarion, Aqua-Cannon!" Bedwyr sent out a high-pressured Aqua-Cannon but alas Sonic's speed allowed him to easily dodge it. Sonic then landed a clean blow on Bedwyr's chest that sent him flying into the water of the Misty Lake.

"Whoa, is he ok in there?" asked Sonic after a minute.

"Better than ok, I'm in my element!" shouted Bedwyr as he rose in Cavalier-Form and shot out a super powered Aqua-Cannon, landing a heavy blow as Sonic was launched into a tree. Bedwyr quickly followed with an onslaught of slashes, leaving Sonic covered in scuff marks and wounds.

"Ugh, you got lucky… I guess this means I can truly show you what I'm made of!" At this statement, Sonic Boosted towards Bedwyr, who was entering Paladin-Form once more. After Sonic finished a second later, Bedwyr was left with a noticeable wound on his side.

"Owww… Even in Paladin-Form he injured me… Aquarion, time to show them the true power of the Misty Lake as well as our own! Ultimate Soul-Surge: Misty… Tsunami!" At Bedwyr's command a similar Cyan Wave to Misty Torrent, but highly amplified due to the Misty Lake's water, appeared and engulfed the entire area with strong currents. As the water turned into mist and disappeared, Sonic was found lying on the ground, struggling to stand. "So that's the full power that Nimue said I have as being the next heir…"

"So that's the Misty Lake's special power right? Nice, but I still have my full potential too! Ultimate Soul-Surge: SUPERSONIC AIRSTREAM!" From Caliburn's blade erupted the wind tunnel of Sonic's most powerful strike, striking Bedwyr head on without further warning. When the wind disappeared, Bedwyr was barely standing with wounds, scratches, and scuff marks covering him. When the final Sonic Boom sounded, Bedwyr collapsed, followed by Sonic kneeling down, fighting off the sensation to pass out a third time. "Heh, looks like we won, right Caliburn?"

"Yes Sir Sonic, but that was extremely exhausting…"

"How is that exhausting to a sword? All I'm doing is swinging you right?"

"Still awake for your banter? I suppose that's a good sign; anyways I use a lot of energy to perform Soul-Surges. Besides, maybe it's just because I've recently awakened after hundreds of years, but all that swinging and moving around can make me quite dizzy… Anyways, let's take a quick break while planning about what to do next."

Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter's twist of events, but now the only thing that appears to be left is returning to the rest of Mobius and stopping Eggman & Merlina. Keep reading to find out how that turns out; until then, offer your appreciated input!