Two hours. That's how long it took Sonic to reach the centre of Northside Island, the latest fort hiding the bald madman who was once again trying to hold the world to ransom. The scientists' latest scheme had entailed a global toxin, but Sonic simply couldn't wait for Tails and other boffins to work out the antidote. The hedgehog had taken it upon himself to once again wage war on the wannabe world leader.

In the last two hours, Sonic had made his way through several zones, and had heard a lot about how Eggman had managed to take over the island, as well as learning that the finale location was deep underground, underneath a half built theme park. That was typical Eggman, Sonic had thought as he had levelled the entire place.

Eggman had already tried to ambush Sonic several times, failing each time. Now, Sonic was sure this would be the last confrontation. This was his laboratory; where else could the human run to?

"A submarine?" Sonic said aloud, as Eggman made his escape, abandoning the wreckage of his Egg-pod's latest weapon, a weapon that even Sonic knew was a diversion at best.

"What's the matter Sonic?" Eggman taunted over some speakers, "Can't swim?" the scientist mocked as the vessel dived underwater. Sonic couldn't see it, but he was sure Eggman was smirking, with his stupid moustache twitching with laughter.

Still, Sonic hesitated slightly. Water was not Sonic's friend, and Sonic made friends almost too easily. It didn't help that this was the toxic water, the very stuff Eggman was trying to use to blackmail the world with.

Sonic had a vial of the antidote. In theory, it was simple, he could pour it in, and go chase after Eggman, and stop him from escaping. But this was the only vial, and if they wanted to make any more, they needed it. Sonic couldn't go wasting it just to capture Eggman.

Yet still, Sonic had to stop Eggman escaping. Eggman kept doing this, always getting away at the last second, only to re-emerge later and bring another plan. Sure, Sonic enjoyed the fight, and the thrill of chasing after him, but at the back of his mind Sonic knew he had to capture Eggman too.

Sonic looked once more at the water. He had to go for it. He had a reasonable collection of rings; he figured he would take his chances in the toxic water. He had already spent time in it back in Eggman's chemical storage facilities, thanks to some surprise badnik attacks. Sonic knew it hurt, but the rings helped him survive through it.

The hedgehog splashed in and sunk to the bottom almost immediately. The submarine was ahead of him, and Sonic's preferred method of movement, running at the bottom, was not the quickest method of moving, but he could utilise the slipstream the submarine was creating to catch it. All Sonic had to do was move.

"What?" Eggman bellowed as he looked in the periscope, "That foolish hedgehog is actually giving chase? Fire all torpedoes! Drop the mines! Fire, fire, fire!"

With that command the machines onboard the submarine began to throw every available weapon they had at the hedgehog. It was a desperate manoeuvre made by a desperate man. Two hours ago, the pair fought to amuse Eggman, and to test his equipment. An hour ago, the incentive was on preventing Sonic from getting to Eggman's inner base. Half hour ago, the fight was in order to protect the antidote from Sonic's clutches, and just five minutes ago Eggman had fought Sonic for revenge over the loss of most of his forces.

Now, fleeing from the hedgehog, Eggman's only aim was escape. He didn't care if he hurt the hedgehog, he didn't care what got destroyed; what mattered was that Eggman got away, so he could pick up the pieces and try again. He still had some of the toxin onboard, he still had his own health and he still had access to the data he had obtained during his time on Northside Island. He also still had the submarine, which was heavily armed enough to provide a good starting point in any future battles.

Which is exactly why Sonic was after it. The hedgehog had taken a split second look at the Egg Diver, as it had been called, and decided that Eggman still posed a significant threat with such a ship. Sonic had already managed to take down both Eggman's main fort and his Egg Battalion, crashing the air ship into the side of the tallest mountain Northside Island offered. He couldn't let the submarine get away now.

Sonic gave chase, grabbing as many rings as he could on the ocean floor as possible. The toxic water was slowly draining them, acting as a desperately needed life support stopping the toxin from poisoning his body. They weren't stopping his need for air, but Eggman's missiles kept loosening up air pockets.

The blue hedgehog drew close to the submarine. He began searching for a week point. Most of the scientist's machines had one, often the main cockpit, if only because Eggman himself was fragile and couldn't take much more than half a dozen attacks before he wanted out. The larger machines usually had some small oversight, or an area that would explode if struck enough. Sonic didn't ever think why, it was just usually cool to watch a machine explode.

But the poisoned water was proving to be too much. Sonic's ring count was now in mere single figures, and the distance was still too far to effectively attack. As the count drew smaller, time seemed to slow down. Sonic was now realising his predicament. He was underwater, in a series of underground caverns underneath Northside Island, all flooded with a poisonous chemical. Sonic began to regret diving in as the last ring disappeared.

Even Eggman noticed. The submarine slowed down as Eggman watched Sonic's body go limp. The Egg Diver sat there, as Eggman began contemplating how to retrieve the body. Suddenly a bright yellow light emanated from it. Eggman knew immediately what it was. "How? No! Where did he find them?" he asked, seriously confused, "Flee, double speed, Resume firing." He barked, absolutely desperate.

The energy from the Chaos Emeralds overwhelmed Sonic, giving him what he referred to as his Super form. Their energy pulled in about fifty rings from nearby and kept him going. Sonic's super form made him a lot faster, and gave him a greater resistance to pain. Despite this, it was something Sonic resisted using. He never felt comfortable using this power, preferring instead to rely on what skill he had.

Darting forwards now, largely through just willpower alone, Sonic was able to catch the submarine. Its attacks were proving more of a hindrance than an actual obstacle. Still, the thing was sealed tight, built to resist several tons of atmospheric pressure. There wasn't a lot a hedgehog could do, even one with superpowers.

Or was there?