Chapter Six – Deceptions

Satan's Spire was much further away from shore then Shadow gave it credit, and it was more then an hour of solid running, did he finally reach the waters edge, the surface literally just above his head. He gulped, nervous, seeing the sunlight and palm trees, just above the water. With the reduction in pressure as he'd come closer to land, his lungs had reinflated again, back to their normal size, but still full of water. They was very uncomfortable, but as he breathed in and out with them, the gills automatically switching over, he was somewhat scared of leaving the ocean. The gills on his neck had shut down, the flaps of skin completely flattening smooth, ready to their next use.

Suddenly, he heard voices, so ran sideways, along the shore, and found the wooden pier. He paused, looking at it, he remembered Tails' story, and starting climbing one of it's wooden pilar. The surface was just above his head, getting closer, until finally, he punched through, into fresh air. Immediately he gaged, throwing up, as he lungs instantly emptied, and he took his first lung-full of air, in what felt like an age. He was panting heavily, but the breathing was surprisingly easy, as his mind and body began to settle being on land again. Suddenly, he heard voices, running along the wooden pier, so Shadow swung around, to tightly hide underneath it. One voice was panting heavily, extremely.

"Tails, what was it?" She stammered. The Fox looked deeply out to sea. He cried.

"I thought I heard something." He sniffed, tears running down his face, completely disheartened to see nothing there. But Amy cuddled him. She smiled.

"He'll come home. I know he will." She stuttered, but Tails just rounded on her, the tears still streaming. He growled.

"Amy, what? No way." He spat. "He's a Aquahog, they have gills and can't breathe air. What do you want? For him to spend the rest of his days trapped in a glass tank, permanently caged for your amusement. I'd rather loose my friend, then for him to loose his freedom." He spat. "Not happening, Amy. He saved my life." He sniffed. Shadow's eyed widened. So the Fox did remember after all. Tails sighed. "I just want to see him again. Just check he's alright. I'd always knew he was different, but couldn't quite remember how. I searched the whole area, even taken a boat as far out to sea, as I dared, to see of I could find him, even to the treacherous waters of Satan Ridge." He heaved. Amy stared. "I know, really stupid. I could have been killed in those extremely strong currents, my boat smashing. I want to find him and say my goodbye's properly. Seeing him flee, so frightened, it's crucified me ever since. I don't want him to be scared of me. I just want him to know I'm here for him, wherever he is." He cried, and but Amy growled, in disagreement.

"But we need him! We are barely holding out against Eggman. Every fight is getting harder then the last. His underwater base was throwing out more robots by the second, far more then we can handle. We can't shut it down." She panicked. But Tails just rounded on her. He snarled.

"Amy, How exactly is Sonic going to help? He's an Aquahog. If he goes on land, he'll drown, and I don't suppose you have some sort of Magic potion to turn him back to a Land Dweller, do you? I have no idea how he turned himself into one in the first place, but I don't think it's happening again. He could help us from the water, but against Eggman, he'll be incredibly vulnerable. Trust me, Amy, for his sake, we are better off without him, as tough as it is right now." He cried, then he huffed. "I'll work something out." He spat and wondered back down the wooden pier, to a somewhat stunned Amy, silently trotting behind him.

All was quiet, but Shadow didn't move. He was gobsmacked, and gulped at Tails' utter willingness to let his friend go. He'd suspected Sonic's friends would be super clingy, desperate for him to be home, and as expected, Amy was, and properly the others to. But not the Fox, of whom Shadow's respect for immediately increased. Willing to do what was best for Sonic, not himself, just like the Blue Blur did for his own people.

Shadow heaved, as he climbed out from beneath the wooden pier, and out onto shore, shaking himself dry. It was so weird being back here. He panted, as he began running along the shore. He smirked.

"He knows you'll be there, kid." He muttered to himself. "As for that underwater base, I'll sort it." He sniggered, seriously in the mood of destroying something, especially belonging to the Human. He hated the Human even more for getting him into this mess, but now felt his loyalties swing the other way. But not at Sonic, or even his friends. But towards the Blue Blur's people, the Aquahogs. He liked them. He really liked them. They were so kind, so gentle, and more importantly, so accepting, especially of him. He'd hated himself so much for frightening them. But he knew that underwater base was now a serious threat to them. He growled.

"Consider it gone." He vowed to himself, quietly, as he continued along to the shore towards Eggman's Lair. It was located on a small rocky island barren with life and with veins of lava running across it, a short distance from Seaside Island itself, connected by a bridge. In the central location was a white and futuristic fortress-tower on the top of the island's tallest peak. This structure had an antenna in the shape of Eggman's moustache on the top, an outer shell surrounding it, turrets on the front, and the Eggman Industries logo on the side. The layout of Eggman's fortress extends into the foundation of the island. At the foot of the fortress' peak was the lair's main entrance which was surrounded by several pillar-shaped turrets. Underground was the lair's sewer system which was big enough for Team Sonic or in this case, Shadow, to pass through. On the island also lies a small garden.

Ever since his first visit to the lair, it had also been fitted with teleportation guards that prevent individuals like Shadow from simply warping inside. He knew finding the Human was going to relatively easy, especially at this early hour. He was right. Eggman having breakfast still in his rather un-fetching pyjamas. For sleeping or otherwise slouching, Eggman wore a pink pyjamas with feet, which had the Eggman Industries' symbol on the front and a trapdoor on the rear. It was so early, that Human had yet changed. He'd literally just risen. Shadow smirked, perfect to get him off his guard. He knew his lair, and how to get in completely under the radar. His base had no idea he was here. He stood deep in the shadows. He sighed, placing his hands on his neck. The gills were still there, aching slightly with the dryness. They were as flat against his neck as they could go, and prayed that black gills against black fur wouldn't be seen, especially if he didn't draw attention to them. He gritted his teeth as Eggman's lackeys, Orbot and Cubot were serving his breakfast, as he slouched on the sofa, and was about to take a sip of his mug of coffee, when Shadow's slivery, ice cold voice rang out across the lounge. It leered.

"Good morning, Doctor." He hissed, causing the Human to jump a mile, the boiling hot liquid, going all down his lap, causing him to scream. The Ultimate Lifeform smirked, that was beautiful, seeing him in pain. Eggman got to his feet, and wiped himself down. He gulped, absolutely terrified.

"S-s-shadow?" He stammered, unable to believe his eyes, as the Ultimate Lifeform silently moved from his hiding place, and to the centre of the room. He folded his arms, the anger clear on his face. Eggman collapsed back on the sofa. "I thought you were dead." He stuttered. But Shadow just smirked. He suspected everyone would think that, especially if they witnessed what happened to him, outside that underwater base. Being thrown deep out to sea. He should have died, if it wasn't for a certain hero. With both him and the Blue Blur gone, Eggman had obviously ramped up attacks on Seaside Island. He growled. Like he was going to tell the Human the truth. He sniggered. That was the point.

He curled his lip, and gritted his teeth. He had to play his cards right here, to make the Human believe. He leered.

"You underestimate me, Human." He spat, extremely coldly. But then Eggman frowned.

"Then how did you...?" He gulped, only for Shadow his cut across him, very quickly.

"General Zellick sends his regards." He sniggered, causally pacing the room. Eggman growled.

"So the Merhogs rescued you, did they?" He snarled. "Well." He leered. "They are behind on a payment. I don't know what happened to that Blue-pincushion, but he's as good as dead out there anyway." He heaved. Shadow smirked, yet another almighty underestimation. He sniggered, turning around to face the Human.

"Payment?" He hissed. "The General had yet to see your side of bargain, Human." He snapped. But Eggman roared in anger. He growled.

"Bargain?" He spat. "The underwater base is complete." He hissed. But Shadow walked forwards. Time to push some buttons. He smirked.

"Then flood the world." He hissed, coldly. Eggman went white, gulping hard.

"Flood the world?" He stammered. But Shadow leaned right into him. He hissed.

"That was the deal, correct. Payments in treasure, for a planet beneath the waves. It's just that now General Zellick had had enough of waiting. He had proclaimed that you'll get your next payment after the deed is done." He hissed. "That is, assuming you can fulfil such a task." He sniggered. As expected, Eggman absolutely exploded. He roared.

"How dare he? Of course I can. I insisted on payments in advance. This insubordination will not be tolerated. They will pay for this. I will slaughtered them all." He growled, but there was an slight air of nerves in his voice. Shadow's smirk broadened. Eggman was lying through his teeth, but then again, so was he. There was no means whatsoever of flooding the world inside that underwater base. Shadow suspected that not even the drill Sonic suggested was even in there. It was just a facility for the manufacture and distribution of underwater Badniks. It was a bluff, nothing more. Eggman watching his own skin as usual. Regardless, the underwater base was being destroyed. Shadow sniggered.

"Well then, it's a good job, I know where you'll find them." He hissed, evilly, to an equally an sinister smile from Eggman. He turned to Orbot and Cubot. He growled.

"Ready the submarine!"

Soon it wasn't long before Shadow was inside the underwater base in question, and yes, it was just a normal base, nothing fantastical about it. He smirked, proud to have completely gotten the Human's trust through his lies. As the submarine was being prepared, he took the opportunity to clock anything of note in the base around him, useful for when he returned to destroy it later. Badnik troupe movements, security systems, and potential layout. His smirk broadened, yes, he had everything he needed to reduce this place to dust.

Thankfully, the submarine was suitable for deep sea diving. Shadow expected nothing less from Eggman, but considering he build the breathing devices the Merhogs wore, he knew they were down there, he just didn't know exactly where. Shadow did, as he very uncomfortably fitted with one. The tubing pressing excruciatingly painfully against the gills on his neck, but despite the discomfort, he had to keep up the act. He could breath down there, it's just Eggman didn't know that. But the Ultimate Lifeform was disappointed that the Human didn't have as many deep sea Badniks as he'd have liked but it was more then enough to give the Merhogs a run for their money. Within the hour, Eggman was ready, and with Shadow clinging to the side on the submarine on the outside they set onto the deep depths of the ocean.

Playing hide and seek with Merhogs was not fun, as Sonic was dodging them, left, right and centre right across Aquila. Up to this point, he hadn't been seen, General Zellick had ordered his troupes across the city in search of the cause of the tremendous sound. Sonic's speed could only do so much in the tight spaces between the city, and suddenly, word got back to General Zellick that the Aquahogs had escaped to Sonic's delight, but it enraged the General, as he ordered everyone to go after them. The Blue Blur panicked, as the city emptied. He had to keep the Merhogs in the city, as long as possible.

Suddenly, he had a idea, remembering what Zephyr had said earlier, and playing the fact that the Merhogs never found the female Aquahogs. Time to play pretend. To be something more valuable to General Zellick then all of his fellow kind put together. Sonic hunched his head down, and lowered his ears. He then curved his shoulders down slightly making himself look smaller then he was, because Sonic was actually quite large for an Aquahog, and then on-purposefully made himself seen.

The Merhogs stared at him, mainly at his tail, before he immediately disappeared back into the darkness of the city. They swam after him, but Sonic easily outpaced them, and then, again, he showed himself to the Merhogs, this time making sure General Zellick himself saw him. Sonic then giggled at him, waving his distinctively large royal tail, with dozen or so many prongs, at him and then vanished into the ruins of the city. The mighty Merhog roared.

"It's the Princess. She's here. Call everyone back to the city. Forget the others, find her, whatever it takes, and I want her alive." He screamed, ordering the Merhogs, and immediately they were really on his tail. Now the chase was really on. If Rusty and Zephyr had mistaken him for a Princess, then so can the Merhogs. Now things were starting to get interesting. Sonic swept left then right, twisting and turning through ruined buildings and broken walls. This uncannily felt like an Eggman chase, with tens of Badniks on his tail, twisting and turning through the jungle of Seaside Island. Except, they were robots, and here, these were Merhogs, and then he had legs but now a tail. The greatest of all Aquahog tail's. All royal-borns had them, both male or female, and now he finally became accustomed to it, and it showed. He growled. Eggman had never caught him with one of those chases, they was no way he was going let the Merhogs either. Now he could properly nail his speed, putting his foot down on the accelerator, and promptly swam rings around the Merhogs. General Zellick roared with anger.

"Give it up, Princess. Your kingdom is gone." He sniggered, but Sonic just rolled his eyes, with the Aquahogs gone and safe, Aquila was done for anyway. It would just survive somewhere else. He heaved. He was putting a huge amount of faith in Shadow, much more then he'd liked. But after seeing him interact with the other Aquahogs, seeing him warm to them, he hoped it was enough for him to help them. All this wasn't about him, it wasn't even about Shadow, it was about the Aquahogs. His innocent people caught up in the brutal plot between Eggman and the Merhogs.

Well, not anymore. Sonic was panting. He growled. Shadow was right. Gills weren't as efficient as lungs, and now he was waning. He was getting desperate, unsure how much longer he could keep this up. He heaved.

"Come on, Shadow." He breathed. "Come on." He stammered to himself, still only just staying out of reach of the Merhogs, where were now charging at him on all directions, out of sheer desperation. Hour after hour, he dodged and turned, in and out and through the city. He even played hide and seek with them in the mine for a while before steering them back to the city. Thankfully, Sonic's stamina was infinite, which was more then could be said for the Merhogs, who were waning badly.

General Zellick was still roaring at them, but one by one his subordinates collapsed on the floor. Sonic then growled at the General, having a moments breather. He wanted the mighty Merhog on his tail, and finally Sonic got his wish. But General Zellick was fast, much faster then Sonic then anticipated, and fuelled with pure anger. He desperately wanted him, or more specifically, the 'Princess'. Sonic knew he'd be immediately and very forcibly mated with, regardless of the fact that he was male, if he was caught, which was enough for him to swim at top speed out of pure fear. The look in the General's eyes said it all, and it terrified the Blue Blur.

He swam all over the ruined city, just out of reach of General Zellick, wondering if there was any give in this mighty Merhog. But suddenly, a huge burst of speed from the General, saw him grab the very tip of his tail, and then using his immense weight, he forcibly pulled Sonic backwards, and straight into his grasp, his almighty hand around his throat. Sonic desperately kicked, trying to break free, but failed. He was built for speed on strength, but another Hedgehog was, as out of nowhere, a deep orange streak, of something a deep black and red, plummeted itself deep into the General's side. With his hand be ripped from the Blue Blur's throat, General Zellick was thrown straight into a nearby wall, to then collapsed to the floor.

Shadow was left weirdly hovering mid-water, his balance and coronation completely thrown by the breathing device. Suddenly lasers were being fired everywhere, as Eggman finally arrived, Badniks everywhere and the already tired Merhogs fleeing for their lives. Shadow grabbed Sonic, as they both swam and ran for cover in a nearby collapsed building. The Ultimate Lifeform was desperately gaging, as he squealed through the breathing device. He stammered.

"Get this thing off of me." He ordered, pointing at it. Seeing Shadow's desperate struggle, Sonic immediately obliged, searching the device for the release mechanism. But Shadow was fading fast, the breath device, at these incredible water pressures, was stuck in limbo between air and water, and neither Shadow's gills or lungs were kicking in. He was drowning, but as Sonic searched the device, he roared in anger.

"The device had been rigged to fail, he must have noticed your gills. Dam you, Eggman." He spat, but then gulped. "Hang on, Shadow." He stammered, as he saw the mighty Black Hedgehog pass out. He turned the Hedgehog over, and grabbing a nearby piece of masonry, and began bashing the tiny air tank at the back of the neck. Again and again, he hit the breathing device as Aquila was torn apart all around him, the Merhogs dying by the dozen. But he didn't care. The Ultimate Lifeform was not dying on him today, he done too much.

Finally, the device gave way, and fell apart, the tubes falling away from the tank and Sonic immediately pulls the entire device away from Shadow's mouth. Then the Aquahog forcibly holds Shadow's mouth open as the water rushes, forcing the air bubbles out. Then once full, his lungs gave a massive clunk, Sonic grabs him from behind and squeezes, as the water was rapidly exhaled, as he lungs collapse with the intense water pressure. Finally, stable, he turned Shadow over again in the water, and begins intense massaging under his chin and the front of his neck. Rubbing hard, desperate for a response. He heaved.

"Come on, Shadow." He cried. One-by-one the minutes passed by, until finally, Shadow's gills in the neck kicked in, and he awoke with a start. Sonic, immediately grabbed him, holding him upright in the water. He growled.

"Gulp water." He ordered. Shadow waking up confused as heck, his eyes very blurry, and somewhat angered. But immediately seeing Sonic's very familiar bright green eyes, he nodded, and took in deep mouthfuls of water and swallowed them down hard. They passed over in incredibly painful gills, them sending the desperately needed oxygen into his body. Again and again, he did this. Sonic smiled. "That's it. Shadow. Keep gulping the water." He encouraged, until finally the Ultimate Lifeform was back on his feet.

Sonic was so overjoyed that he completely forgot his manners and threw himself around Shadow for an almighty hug. The Ultimate Lifeform's eyes widened. He was stunned. One, that Sonic had just saved his life for the third time, but then again, he just saved him from the jaws of General Zellick, so they were even and two, never had anybody been so please and so happy to see him again before. This was very new and Shadow just smirked, not immediately throwing the Blue Blur off of him. If there was one thing he'd learned about Aquahogs, they were a very tactile species. They did like their hugs.

Suddenly a laser came incredible close to them and Shadow kicked Sonic off of him, and immediately whirled around to view the battle behind them. Eggman's submarine was all over Aquila, firing lasers at any and all Merhogs he could find. They fell like flies as they were too tired to swim away, their staminas gone. Shadow smirked.

"Nicely done." He sniggered, of which Sonic nodded.

"Same to you." He added, actually impressed that he'd actually got Eggman here. But it wasn't over yet. Shadow growled, his eyes narrowing.

"Now, let's end this."