Last chapter! I'm so sorry it's been years since I started this fic… Actually, everyone who was reading it in the beginning probably forgot about it or lost interest along the way. I don't blame them for that. To anyone new here who has been reading and reviewing: thanks!

Chapter Thirteen: The Return

Shadow's blood boiled in his ears and he curled his free hand into a fist at seeing the man who stole his family from him. "What do you mean you were expecting me?" he snarled.

"You really didn't think it was that easy to break into my fortress, did you?" asked Eggman with an eyebrow raised in mischief. "No, if I had wanted to keep you out, I would have blasted you and your ship to smithereens from down here."

"Then why didn't you?"

Eggman casually examined his sword as he replied, "You've been so helpful in recovering my map pieces that I wanted to do the honors of killing you myself in a civilized one-on-one duel."

Shadow shared a brief glance with his team. Despite their confident expressions he could sense unease. He looked at Maria and Gerald, both afraid and nervous. Finally, he turned back to Eggman. "All right. Let's duel, on the condition that you let the others go."

Captain Eggman broke out in an annoying chortle. "Oh ho ho! I don't think that's possible! Gerald and Maria are just too useful to my plan that I cannot let them go!" His eyes shifted to Shadow's crew and added, "As for your crew members… yes, they would make fine additions to my army!"

Vector growled, "We'll never join your crew, Egghead!"

Eggman's eyes narrowed and he responded, "You'll have to once I defeat your captain."

"That'll never happen!" retorted Silver. "Shadow has taken down many foes with ease, and you will be no different!"

"No different, eh?" questioned Eggman. "Well, witness how different I can be!" He leaped off the pedestal and pointed his sword toward Shadow.

"Go, now!" he yelled at his friends, who obediently retreated. The hedgehog was quick to block the attack, but the force from the fall knocked him down. Shadow swung his sword above his head to quickly block another strike. He rolled out of the way and jumped to his feet. Wasting no time he lunged at Eggman.

A flurry of clashes ensued. Suddenly the two swords were locked, with both fighters struggling to keep each other from moving.

Shadow strained under the pressure; the other pirate was much taller and much, much heavier. He caught sight of his friends fighting off the robots while they hurried for the exit. It looked like they would make it.

"You're quite skilled, hedgehog," complimented Eggman. "Let's see if you're as good as they say." He spun around, releasing his weight and making Shadow stumble forward, and aimed his sword at Shadow's leg.

The black hedgehog immediately did a backwards block, keeping Eggman's sword just inches from his ankle. He faced the opponent and lunged.

Their swords clashed again, with Eggman's more forceful hits sending Shadow a step back each time until he was up against a pillar. Eggman swung for his head, but Shadow ducked and he scored the pillar instead.

Eggman again swung at Shadow's legs, making Shadow parry and leap towards another pillar. He wall kicked up another pillar, and bounced back and forth, getting higher away from Eggman. However, Eggman jumped on one pillar and used his sword and remaining arm to climb up after Shadow. When Eggman was at the top, he took his sword out of the pillar and leapt at Shadow. Instantly, Shadow jumped and landed on the top of another pillar, while Eggman landed on Shadow's previous one. Shadow and Eggman proceeded with their fight, lunging at each other, swords clashing in midair, and landing expertly on tops of other pillars.

Rouge and the others bashed the remaining robots, and the exit path looked free! Though concerned about Shadow, they were confident that he would not be defeated. They ran down the path, only to be greeted by a shrill cackle. At the other end of the exit stood the small yet ruthless Snively.

"You may have defeated me before, but you won't succeed again!" sneered Snively, brandishing his sword. He pointed it straight toward the group, and suddenly a new team of Eggman's robots descended from the catwalks above. "Attack!"

Seeing no escape, Rouge and the crew fought for their lives.

"I can't keep going much longer…" panted Silver, who just managed to dodge a sword strike.

"Hang in there!" said Vector. He kicked over another robot but was looking pretty worn out himself.

The normally calm Espio said nervously, "There's too many of them!"

Shadow heard their cries and grunts of effort, and he wished he had an opportunity to go over and help them.

No sooner than when he finished his thought did a voice shout, "Hold it!" Everyone briefly paused to look at the newcomer.

Sonic stood at the exit, clothed in a diving suit with Tails and Charmy by his side. "I'm not gonna let you guys have all the fun!" He removed his diving suit and got into a fighting stance with his sword. "Now anyone that doesn't wanna get busted should step aside right now."

Snively growled and commanded, "Robots, destroy that hedgehog!" The robots charged after Sonic, but the hedgehog was too fast. One by one, the robots collapsed after facing the blurry form.

Tails fought off other robots that tried trapping the others. "Hurry!" he yelled as he and Charmy cleared a way for the group.

Eggman glared at the scene before him. "No! There can't be anymore witnesses of my base! They must not escape alive!"

Noting that Eggman wasn't watching him at the moment, Shadow jumped up and kicked Eggman off the pillar. "Give up, Eggman!" he growled at the pirate, who was now hanging on the edge with one hand. "We are much tougher than any of the Governor's soldiers! It's over."

Eggman still smirked. "Not if I have anything to do with it!" He turned his head and yelled, "Snively! The cannons!"

"Yes, Captain!" Snively ran away from the robots and opened and opened a hatch on the floor. He then went inside and pushed out a cannon mounted on a wheeled platform. More robots opened doors and moved out more cannons. "Ready the cannons! Open fire!" shouted Snively, standing arrogantly beside his cannon. The robots took aim at Shadow, who was still standing on top of one of the pillars. Snively lit the fuse on his cannon and gleefully watched the rope sizzle into ignition.

Shadow waited patiently, then leapt out of the way just in time. The cannon ball soared and blasted the part of the pillar that was just beside where Eggman was hanging.

"You idiot! Not at me!" snarled the captain as he steadily shimmied down the column. "Next time, watch where you're aiming those cannons!"

"The cannons..." murmured Shadow as he looked around the room again. Throughout the many pillars in the open space, there were about ten of them that reached to the top of the ceiling. It just might work... "Alright crew! Destroy the columns supporting the roof!"

The other crewmembers looked confused at first. "But, it's too risky!" cried Tails.

"It's the only way to get Eggman to comply!" answered Shadow, looking down at Eggman trying to climb down.

Rouge looked at the pillars and grinned with resolve. "Aye, aye, Captain!" She started kicking one of the pillars with force, and the ceiling started to creak. After seeing Rouge's determination, the other members decided to also attack the columns. The robots that remained tried to fight the crewmembers, but Sonic and the others fought them off.

Snively's eyes darted around in shock at the place on the verge of collapse. "You're going to stop this at once, if it's the last thing I do!" he declared as he pointed his cannon at Vector, who was punching one of the columns. Vector caught sight of Snively and waited until he lit the fuse.

"Snively, what are you doing?!" yelled Eggman, who had just come down from his pillar.

But Snively didn't listen, and he fired his cannon. Vector leapt out of the way, letting the cannonball break through the column. It tipped over right on top of Snively, utterly crushing him.

Eggman seethed through his teeth and growled, "Ugh, Snively, you moron." Suddenly, he saw Shadow charging at him once again. Eggman drew out his sword and clashed with Shadow's. They continued thrusting their swords at each other, with complex guards and parries around the floor. Since most of the pillars, including the ones that only reached partway up, were already collapsed, Eggman had no choice but to keep fighting at floor level.

Sonic demolished the last of the columns, but glanced up and exclaimed in shock, "The ceiling didn't break!"

"How are we supposed to destroy this place now?" wondered Charmy.

Tails suggested, "What if we told Omega to fire cannonballs at it?"

Espio shook his head. "Only an impact of great force and size could break through that ceiling."

Suddenly, Shadow got an idea. It was certainly a last resort, but it was all he had. He yelled over the clanging of swords, "Everyone, get out of here and get to Sonic's ship! I have an idea!"

With all the robots destroyed, his crew and family ran through the exit.

Shadow managed to roll away from Eggman and dashed to hide in another part of the room to give himself more time.

"Running away, are we?" Eggman chortled. "You're just delaying your own demise!"

Shadow whispered into his wrist radio, "Omega, are you there?"

Almost immediately, he got an answer. "Affirmative, Captain."

"The others are on their way to the surface. Here's what I need you to do…"

Captain Eggman confidently walked among the wreckage of his courtyard, glancing around for his foe. "You may have taken down my crew and most of my secret fortress, but I'm afraid I'm the winner here," he taunted. "As soon as I'm done with you, I'm going to finish off your friends nice and slow…"

At this, Shadow leapt out of his hiding spot and lunged at Eggman. The bigger captain anticipated and blocked.

Shadow continued fighting Eggman, doing everything he could to not let him escape again. The two of them clashed their way down a few steps, on to a lower level and then locked swords. Eggman briefly winced under pressure, but then he grinned and knocked Shadow's sword right out of his hand. He pointed at Shadow, forcing him against a nearby wall. "Thank you for the match. Now please die."

But then Shadow kicked Eggman's sword away and jumped high over him. In one swift motion he picked up his own sword and pinned Eggman to the wall through his jacket. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I've got other plans."

For the first time, Eggman almost looked surprised. He quickly regained composure and smirked cockily. "Go ahead, slay me."

Shadow hesitated. The idea was tempting, but his sword remained where it was. "No. I'm not like you," Shadow resolved firmly. "At first I wanted revenge, but now I realize that justice is more important. In the name of the law, you're under arrest."

Eggman growled, "And if I refuse?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. This place is about to flood, but I can get us both out of here safely if we hurry."

"Forget it! I'm not—"

A thundering crash was heard from above, and Shadow whipped his head up in alarm to see water pour into the courtyard from the giant hole in the ceiling, which was made by the hull of the Black Revenge. He felt a twinge in his heart at seeing his beloved ship falling apart from the impact, but he knew it was necessary. I just hope the dynamite is still lit…

Eggman threw a surprise punch, briefly stunning Shadow. "You'll pay for this, Shadow!" the mustachioed pirate snapped.

The black hedgehog jumped back and sheathed his sword, eyeing the water that was rising quickly. "If you want to live, we have to go now!"

Eggman let out a raspy snicker, which became a maniacal cackle. He grabbed his sword and raised it over his head. "I'm taking you down with me!"

An earsplitting explosion shook the room, knocking both Shadow and Eggman off balance into the water. The ceiling had been obliterated, allowing the seawater and pieces of ship to crash into the courtyard more viciously.

Shadow resurfaced, coughing and spitting. He tried to stay afloat, but the water pushed him around like he was seaweed. He was thrust into one of the pillars and he held onto it tightly. Squinting, he caught sight of Eggman trying to reach higher ground, unaware of debris falling from above. "Look out!" Shadow warned.

But Eggman didn't hear, or wouldn't listen. Before he realized it, he was crushed by the remains of Shadow's ship and the torrent of water that had brought it down.

Shadow winced and looked away, and a wave crashed over his head, ripping him from the pillar. He tumbled around, desperately flailing for the surface, but he couldn't even tell what direction was up anymore. Lungs and limbs burning, Shadow tried to summon the last of his strength, but it wasn't enough.

Accepting his fate, the captain relaxed his muscles and let the current drag him around as the world went dark.

And then it became bright. Shadow coughed, tasting saltwater on his tongue. He blinked slowly, trying to adjust his eyes. He thought he heard voices, and then Rouge was hugging him.

"Shadow! You're alive!" she exclaimed, kissing his face.

Momentarily confused, Shadow glanced around and saw his entire crew, including Maria and Gerald, surrounding him and cheering happily. He smacked the water out of his ears and asked groggily, "What happened?"

"I hate to admit it," began Sonic, "but your crazy plan worked. Eggman and his base are completely trashed. Along with your ship. Sorry."

Omega spoke up, "Ship has been sunk and exploded successfully, Captain."

Chris glared at him. "Yeah, almost with me still on it!"

"But at least we all made it, and so did you," Tails offered quickly to Shadow.

Rouge explained, "Vector and I swam down to find you, and we did." There were tears in her eyes as she added, "At first I was afraid you were gone…"

Shadow held her hand. "Thank you. Thanks everyone. I couldn't have done it without your help."

Maria dipped her head with a smile. "We should thank you, Shadow. Your bravery has saved us all and brought justice to our country."

Gerald put his arm around his granddaughter and said, "Now let's all go home."

Sonic was already at the helm of his ship and announced, "Super Sonic Boom away! Full speed ahead to Station Square!"

The newly repaired banquet hall was filled with joy and good conversation. The aroma of savory dishes wafted around the room, and a small orchestra played a medley of classic favourites while some guests danced.

Shadow took a sip of champagne and observed the room. Tails and Charmy seemed to be excitedly describing the adventure to some of the younger guests, who listened with wide eyes. Vector was chatting it up with one of the waitresses, a rabbit named Vanilla. Omega seemed to be content speaking with Gerald, while the professor was examining him in amazement. Espio was conversing with Jet and Wave, and Silver was getting another slice of cake. Sonic laughed along with the group he was with. Shadow hoped he wasn't telling them an embarrassing story, even after having the privilege of being the best man, but at least Amy seemed to think the blue hedgehog was charming. His beautiful bride Rouge talked with her father, the Governor. He was glad they had been able to patch things up before the wedding. Knuckles had even come up to Shadow and told him, "You're the hero Rouge deserves."

When Rouge noticed him watching her, she smiled and winked at him.

Shadow smiled back. It was quite fitting having the reception in the same place his adventure began. Despite how well the evening had gone, however, Shadow couldn't help but feel a tad worried that something would go wrong. He glanced towards the windows and straightened his collar uneasily.

"Stop worrying, Shadow." Maria had come up beside him. He couldn't get over how grown-up she looked in her flower girl dress. "Eggman is gone now. Nothing's going to happen to me, or Gerald, or Rouge. And if anything does happen, I know you'll put a stop to it."

He smiled at her. "Thanks, Maria."

"Pardon me, Shadow," began the Governor, approaching with Rouge by his side. "I just wanted to thank you again for defeating that Eggman scum and bringing my daughter back safely. You have done a great service to our nation, and I am proud to call you my son-in-law."

Shadow bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Governor. That means a lot to me."

"I was thinking, how would you like to become one of my privateers? When you get back from your honeymoon, of course."

Shadow blinked in surprise. He certainly hadn't been expecting that. He looked over at Rouge for her opinion and saw only the most supportive expression on her face. After briefly closing his eyes to think, Shadow responded, "I appreciate the offer, Governor, but I can't accept. Family is the most important thing to me; I need to be here with them."

"It's all right, Shadow," Gerald spoke up, who had walked over. "You can go. Maria and I will be just fine."

"But…"

Maria added, "There are still bad guys out there, other families who need help. This is the reason you were created. I know you can do it."

Rouge took his hand. "And I'll be with you no matter what."

Shadow gazed at each of them, the decision weighing on his shoulders. Finally, he squeezed Rouge's hand and told the Governor, "Thank you. I'm honored to be one of your privateers."

"Splendid!" The Governor hugged the couple with a jolly laugh. "I know you'll do a fine job." He set them down. "Now, you'll be needing a crew and—"

"I'd like to use the crew that's been with me," Shadow interrupted. "That is, if they don't object."

"Are you kidding? We wouldn't pass this up for anything!" shouted Vector.

It was then that Shadow noticed almost everyone in the room had stopped to listen to their conversation.

Charmy flipped in the air and exclaimed, "Woo-hoo! I can't wait to take down more nasty pirates!"

"And with a new ship, too," added Espio.

Omega's machinery whirred. "We will be prepared when you return."

Shadow nodded at them with a little smile and he saluted. "Thanks, guys."

Sonic put an arm around Amy and raised his champagne glass. "Three cheers for Captain Shadow!" he announced.

As they all chanted his name, Shadow's heart raced with confidence. Throughout his journey, he hadn't realized how many people he'd inspired. Now they were encouraging him to go to new places, meet new friends and save more lives. A lifetime of adventure would be waiting for him.

He kissed Rouge on the final chant and everyone applauded before going on to enjoy the rest of the night.

The End

Thanks again for your patience! If you'd be so kind as to leave your last reviews, I'd really appreciate it. :)