Sonic The Hedgehog: Dark-Bright

[INTERMISSION ARC] Chapter 58: Strive

So, the sparring started, and both the student and teacher would begin to strike into themselves endlessly, it looked like that old guy still had some skill, it made Sonic flinch off for a bit, and then after a few minutes Sonic would pant, and he kneed down as he held down with his own sword, being exhausted. ''I don't feel.. like I'm still getting used to being in a Soulficated state... gah..'''

Leon would look at the hedgehog spoke, as he looked at him. ''You need.. to sustain your power, it's best for you to not release much energy at once, it's not much the same as how you used to fight, using your own mortal body.''

''Then... I can do as you please...'' Sonic would fight through his agony, and stood up, looking tough and much tainted, but he still had the motivation to fight back, he held his sword and pointed at Leon. ''Let's resume our training, please.''

''As you please, Sir Sonic.'' The Old man then began to accelerate at a blue-glowing bolt speed and was matched against Sonic, and they began to fight each other, and they were both almost flying around the area, it seemed the sparring can go for much longer.

Then Sonic landed, and he began to notice that trail of blue, it looked much apparent, it felt like he had seen at least two people use it, it was used first by Reix, and of course Aeon, and now it's been used by Leon too, it really got something on his head, then he approached to him. ''Is there something wrong, or has it something gone to your mind.''

''Yeah...'' he looked at him. ''I've seen that you used some sort of trick that Aeon used, to rival my speed. What even is that..?''

He would silently stare at him. ''So, you finally notice it, the power that we use, is of course.. an ability, that can be used by any Soul Weapon wielder, a power.. of change.''

''Change..? what kinda trick is that..? although... I've seen Aeon use, it multiple times on me, it felt like he just changed  his way of fighting, in just mere seconds.'' Sonic said although he seemed to have more cursor on this power.

''Ah, guess... I can finally explain to you, sir.  The way how we fight is called, Soul Style. It's an ability, to completely surround our soul, to a completely different capability, such as... Speed, Power, Duality, and Wise.''

''That's.. so.. cool...! you think, I can learn that stuff..?! I couldn't imagine how far I can go with this,  how far can I push this.. for a week..?"' As his curiosity peaked, he was really into this power system, which made Leon shiver a little.

''You see.. for complete mastery over them, can take.. a little time, but.. don't think you can master all of the Style techniques, in such a short time. But.. I think you should only know to use them, just for a fraction, is this fine for you..?''

Though Sonic felt a little overwhelmed by it, he didn't much care about it, as he thinks any training can prove him worthy, so he gave a thumbs up. ''I'm fine, with all..!'''

''Let's get back to our match.'' Leon summoned that SIlver-axe again, and they were ready to clash to themselves again, while they were fighting, abruptly he would explain on the basis of swordsmanship, while also the little fraction of how he can use the ''Style Change'' on his surrounding, cut to the Dijon's perspective, it seemed like he was given to the same lecture as Sonic was given, they finally understood the capability of a Soul Style Change, he nodded and looked at Aeon. ''How.. far.. can we go..?''

Aeon nodded. ''Once.. you've called it a day, then it's over.''

''I'd ain't.. stopping.'' Dijon then pointed with his sword at Aeon, and they seemed to have yet another clash, the two students, and the two teachers would do a similar matchup, but it felt like Sonic and Dijon weren't in their league yet, so they pretty much were much falling down, and getting up, but still felt like they were getting stronger, and better by how much time passes.

Much time passed, it seemed both of the hedgehogs were exhausted, then the masters would approach them and Aeon would speak. ''Leon... how was your lecturing with Sonic The Hedgehog..?''

''I'd say, he is getting at it, I'd say.. he has potential, although... he sometimes... relies on his pure strength, so he pretty much drains up all of his stamina, but he can still improve it from, oh.. and how's Dijon.''

''I'd say... he is somewhat, less.. power pushing, than Sonic... but it still can feel, that there's something wrong with his Soulblade, the power... feels.. empty, since.. this is one of few Soul Weapons, that don't possess, a Soulner guardian.''

Leon would be in a worrying tone. ''You think, Dijon will be safe..?''

Aeon would nod. ''He is fine so far, but he will be a complete danger if he decides to leave the Emerald Town, I think he soon needed a proper Soulblade, but... I still need to think.''

''We can... arrange that conversation later, Aeon.'' 

Then both Sonic and Dijon would chatter, and they would shake their hands, as a goodbye, and they would leave the place for the today, while Knuckles looked at them. ''Sure, they having fun...''

Aeon would look at the echidna. ''They are your friends, after all... it's good, that they feel happy, even... how much is happening to them, maybe I'm glad that we've taken to lecture them, our process is not to make them strong, but also.. being more sociable, and understanding, It's for them to get ready, as in couple years, they'll be adults.''

''Yeah... and what's good of me, I've been doing nothing in this past week, besides.. I've got myself beaten up by everyone, do you think I'm useless..?"' Knuckles would cross his arms, wanting for the response.

Leon would speak up to him. ''I'm sure.. that you feel useful to your friends, echidna. I feel with enough support, you can make your friends, be together with you, and they'll help you out, in even the most terrible situations.''

''It just hurts my pride... sure, I have my friends... but what about my legacy..? I'm the last Echidna after all, I don't want to feel like this generation's disappointment, I want. to...'' Knuckles would look down from them, as he held his arms, almost beginning to tear up.

the two old figures began to react, and they were shocked, but they kept their silence as Knuckles yelled. ''I want... to... PROTECT MY LEGACY...!''

Aeon would tap into his shoulder. ''You want to seek, the same path as them..? ah... why not decide that one of us, will make you undergo into same training, that Sonic and Dijon did go through..?''

''But... isn't two people enough, I can't imagine you two, training three people at once, this is kinda... overwhelming, I might say.''

''We could even train a group of people, no matter the size, we took any respect we see, and do it.'' Leon would cheer him up.

''So.. will you turn, going to accept me..? I do want to not get fall from behind, neither Sonic nor Dijon, I need my arms to protect me from the others, and that's what kind of person I am..'' Knuckles said as he was right on his way.

Aeon would applaud him. ''Then I'm grateful, then I'll be waiting for you, to get to that place again, tomorrow.. although... it won't be that far away from you, mhm.'' 

''I.. thank you a lot, guys.'' Knuckles would give respect to them, both to Aeon and Leon.

''Well.. looks... I'll have to go back to my hut, too... I'll be seeing you  youngling.'' The Old Man would say their farewell, and head back while Knuckles got determined by his next goal, the tomorrow will about to get more interesting.

-chapter end-