Chapter Ten – Home
Sonic loved his people, he really did. He'd fought and almost died for them, but try as they might, to keep him company, they couldn't defeat his intense longing to be somewhere else. His wife and daughters were happily taking care of themselves, they didn't need him anymore. But leaving wasn't an option. Aquila needed a Guardian and he was going nowhere. Selfishly swimming away, was what got Aquila into trouble in the first place, he wasn't leaving again, no matter what happened, or how he felt, even if the tears ran.
Try as he might, Shadow searched as much of the ocean as he could physically run. He couldn't find them. Not a single hint of a tail or a quill anywhere of a Aquahog. He knew they were out there, somewhere, but where, and he knew they were safe. He smirked. With a Prince like Sonic, they were guaranteed to be safe. He'd look after them, but he just wanted to see them again, to see her again, to ask for forgiveness, as he returned to the shallows of Seaside Island, for want of anywhere else better to go. He wasn't going to back on dry land. He wasn't welcome there anymore. He sniffed, as he shivered in the cold water, looking around. Oh how far he'd fallen, all because of his stupid aggression.
About a month later, as Sonic did his rounds of the city, as Guardian. He was acknowledged but ultimately alone, he noticed something strange going on. All the females seemed to gathering into groups, rapidly talking amongst themselves. Even the males were in on it, obediently doing as they were told. Sonic frowned, trying to follow, swimming through the water, but everyone just suddenly vanished, all of them in on it but him.
Suddenly, he was thwacked on the back the head by a tail, in the now empty main square of the city. He whirled around, to see the a stunningly, beautiful pure white Aquahog, the only Albino in Aquila. His wife, completely fully recovered. He smiled, though very surprised. He hadn't seen her in months. He gulped.
"Bianca." He stammered, then his panicked looking around. "But, where are the girls?" He stuttered, but the female Aquahog just giggled as she swam all around him. She smiled.
"Today, it's Zephyr, and the Princesses are with a fellow matriarch, they'll be fine." she smiled, as Sonic just frowned at her. Then she laughed. "What. Can't I challenge my own husband to a race?" She sniggered. Sonic's frown deepened. He heaved.
"Er. You do realised that's not part of the rules. Your not supposed to leave the citadel." He smirked, raising an eyebrow, but Zephyr just laughed. She giggled.
"Says the Prince who never followed the rules, and still doesn't, ever since he took over. Not that, that's a bad thing." She shrugged. Then she charged at him again, thwacking him on the back of the head for a second time. He growled. She grinned. "Come and get me." She hissed, and she swam off, beating her tail hard, out of the city and down the riverine. Sonic, gritting his teeth, something was going on, but he didn't care what as he immediately swam straight after her, beating his enormous tail behind him.
Shadow was sat back in that dark, dank cave, gently snoozing, utterly miserable. He sighed, wondering when it was all going to end, when suddenly, he caught a glimpse of something red, through the darkness. He gasped, his heart skipping a beat. He gulped.
'No.' He heaved in his thoughts. 'It couldn't be.' He breathed, and then ran out of the cave. He desperately looked around, but after a few minutes, nothing. He deeply sighed, wondering if he imagined it, when, boom, there it was again, beautiful redness, in the darkness. A tail. An Aquahog tail swimming away from him. A tail he knew. He screamed.
"Scarlet!" He roared, desperately running after her. He couldn't believe it, she was alive, and coming back for him, but why wasn't she stopping as she swam left, then right, up, then down, weaving beautifully through the rocks. Then Shadow's eyes widened, as she swam straight for Satan's Spire, and it unbelievably strong currents. He panicked.
"Please stop." He panted, but then she vanished straight out of sight, behind some rocks piled right up to the side of Satan's Spire. Shadow immediately climbed up them, braving the currents as much as he dared. He felt them roaring hard just above his head and screaming all around the tower. It was treacherous. If he left go, it he'd been violently thrown into the tower, seriously injuring him. He screamed, only barely clinging on, as the rapid water threatened to lift him right off the rocks. He heaved. What was Scarlet doing? Suddenly, he spotted a hole in the rocks, a small top-down entrance to a cave, and he dived for it, only just fitting through.
He toppled, over and over, down the wall of the cave, and landed with a thump at the bottom. He gasped, struggling for oxygen. The gills in his lungs alone were not strong enough to draw the precious gas from the stagnant water beneath the rapids, of which it could still hear above his head. Suddenly, the gills on his neck activated, and soon he felt much better, though he was extremely confused.
Where was he? He had no idea, but there only one way he could go. Forwards. As he felt through the darkness, the cave was extremely narrow, tapering off in the distance, but weirdly a strange but very dim light at the very end. Another glimpse of red, immediately sent him running again.
The cave-like tunnel seemed to go on and on, until it opened out into a narrow riverine, which seemed to widen in the very far distance. Again the ruthless strong currents screaming above his head, the strange light seemed to be getting stronger but he couldn't see anything yet. He gasped, having absolutely no idea that this was even down here. Absolutely nothing could be seen from above. He gulped, maybe, just maybe this was where... He crept forwards, nervously, his eyes peeled for anything.
Suddenly, there was a striking streak of white and then something extremely fast crashed headlong, straight into him, knocking him off his feet, completely winding him on the floor. Shadow growled, as he scrambled to his feet, his temper flaring, until his offender's extremely large Blue Aquahog tail gave him away. He gasped.
"Sonic?" He gulped, immediately causing the Blue Blur to whirl around. Finally, clocking him, his squealed with pure delight, and ploughed right in for an enormous hug, his huge tail wrapping around him. Shadow smirked, not stopping him at all, allowing the Aquahog in close. All past transgressions seemed to be forgotten. Those were months ago, and both could feel the intense loneliness on the other. Cuddling him close, Sonic swore, unable to believe quite that the Ultimate Lifeform was actually there. He giggled.
"Shadow, wow. What are doing here?" He sniffed, but the Ultimate Lifeform growled, pushing Sonic away to arms length. Not in disrespect but desperation. He heaved.
"I thought I saw Scarlet. I was following her." He stammered. But Sonic frowned.
"But I was chasing Bianca." He growled, letting go of Shadow and looking around. He sighed. "Wait? What are those girls up to?" He puzzled. Suddenly, there was a intensely bright white light direct behind Sonic, that made them both wince. The Albino female hovered upright in the water, carrying in her arms the three most precious things in Aquila, all of whom was were shining brightly with the Magic. Her daughters. All light Blue in colour, with big emerald green eyes, and extremely large circular tails, a dozen prongs each, singling out each of them as royalty. You could immediately see their father in them. The three baby Princess's. Scarlet was just behind them. Sonic smiled, tickling each of his girls, the very first time he'd really had this close a contact with them. Again, he wasn't allowed but he frowned, looking scared.
"But I don't understand, what's going on?" He desperately asked his wife. But female Aquahogs just smiled. Bianca giggled.
"We've been watching both of you, for a long time now, and we all agree. You both desperately crave the other's paradise." She beamed. But Shadow scowled.
"Seaside Island is hardly a paradise." He spat, remembering how badly he'd been treated there, but Sonic gulped, hanging his head low. He sniffed.
"It is for me." He stammered, his eyes filling with tears, causing the Ultimate Lifeform to stare. Suddenly, Bianca let her daughters go, them swimming away. The three tiny baby Aquahogs then began immediately encircling Sonic and Shadow, causing the two powerful males, to move in closer together, back-to-back, desperate not the hurt the youngsters. They both panicked, Sonic gulping hard. He squealed.
"Bianca? What are you doing?" He stammered, absolutely terrified. But Scarlet just giggled from behind her.
"Your swapping places." She grinned. Sonic and Shadow looked each other, downright gobsmacked. They heaved.
"What?" They squealed together, as Bianca encouraged her daughters. She smiled, her voice extremely soft.
"Go on. Remember, like we talked. Don't worry, they won't hurt you." She beamed, all three girls nodding at her. Suddenly, they swam faster around the two mighty males, and finally, the pure white light of the Magic exploded from them.
Then everything changed.
Sonic and Shadow both began to buckle as both bodies began to morph. Temporarily conjoining at the back, they both felt abilities and ways of life completely swap over. Sonic screamed, as his tail ripped all the way up through the centre, forming two limps, with knees, angles, feet and toes. His smooth skin, became furred, and his chest lurched and clucked as it filled with the inflatable sacks, allowing him to breath on a land, a place he truly and utterly believed he never see again.
Shadow roared, as his Black fur melted away, leaving silky smooth skin as he legs began to bond together. His body lengthened, jet black and sleek, becoming very delicate, long and slender, yet strong and powerful, tapering to a point, a singular red stripe down each side. His legs melded together, his toes elongating, tearing his shoes and socks to shreds. They grew so long, that they were almost a third the length of the rest of his entire body. Then bright red webbing exploded between the toes forming the highly prehensile tail. Circular, with a least a dozen prongs. Shadow's upper torso and ribs, began to violently clunk and shift as his lungs melted away, his jet black back quills elongating giving him a somewhat sinister shark-like appearance. Finally, they break apart, and the Magic dying away. But all was not well, as both Sonic and Shadow were left desperately gasping for oxygen. Bianca immediately grabs her daughters, now very tired, and passes them back to three waiting female Aquahogs who take them straight back to the citadel. Then both Bianca and Scarlet dive for their respective males, and immediately began massaging their necks, to get the gills on their necks, which they both still processed, working again.
But they were struggling, as Sonic passed out, to Bianca's screams of terror. She worked it all out. She'd persuaded her daughters to use their Magic as she wanted Sonic to be happy, but it just wasn't in Aquila. Rumours of Shadow were rampant, but they all remembered what he did for them. But the fact that he'd left everything behind to continuously search for them, was incredible. He did still cared for them, despite his anger and aggression. Despite her fright at the time, Scarlet never forgot Shadow chasing her down that pier. She felt so guilty for swimming away but maybe there was more to the striped Hedgehog then met the eye. He'd saved their lives, and as they all agreed, he deserved a second chance. Bianca had known for a long time that her husband wanted to back to Seaside Island, but the fact he stayed, despite his incredible anguish, was amazing. She knew he'd never leave Aquila unguarded, so she needed someone to cover for him. To be the new Guardian. She smiled. The Ultimate Lifeform. For the swap to work, all the baby princess's had to do was want to two powerful males to be happy, and the Magic would automatically to the rest.
If the Magic was correct, Sonic be able to breath on land and in water, just like Shadow could, but now, he was drowning. It hadn't worked. Shadow too, was struggling to breath, but he just about remained conscious, and seeing his brand new enormous Aquahog tail. He smirked, and promptly used it, kicking it forwards, to hit Sonic, extremely hard, in the back between the shoulder blades. Immediately, air rushed out of his mouth, as huge bubbles, and finally as he lungs filled with water, clunked then settled, the gills on his neck, finally kicking in. He awoke gulping water hard. The reason why Sonic struggled was because not everything got transferred from Shadow. The gills in his lungs, didn't move across. That was because they were completely rejected by the Magic as they were Merhog in origin, and the power was highly defensive again them. They were now gone. No one had them.
Shadow was still struggling to breath, with his lungs completely gone, and now Sonic, feeling extremely weird with legs again, he kicked them hard, swam back to Shadow, and knowing exactly what he needed, promptly elbowed him his the chest. His torso gave one final almighty clunk, and then settling, his gills also kicked in, awaking him, leaving the both of them left gulping water hard on the floor. Both the females swam over and hugged their males deeply, both of whom were unable to quite believe what had just happened. Both Sonic and Shadow felt incredibly strange, but they both knew, in time, they'd get used to it.
They all got up, but to everyone's surprise, Scarlet immediately grabbed Shadow around the middle and then wrapped her tail around his new one extremely tightly. Then, facing each other, she put his arms around his shoulders, and then promptly licked him on the cheek. Shadow gulped, going very red, holding Scarlet in place, staring deep into her eyes, absolutely stunned. Sonic giggled and leaned into his ear. He whispered.
"Er. Your supposed to accept her proposal and lick her back." He sniggered. Shadow looking somewhat terrified, not believing that this was actually happening again, did as he was asked, but it was incredibly clunky. Bianca giggled.
"I think we need to teach him some Aquahog customs." She sniggered, of which Scarlet promptly agreed.
"Oh, yeah. The Big Boy definitely needs some lessons." She giggled, of which Shadow just rolled his eyes, as Scarlet let go of him. He was staring at his tail. But Sonic's mind was very much elsewhere, looking down the narrowing riverine, back in the direction Shadow had came.
He gulped hard, biting his lip. Bianca hugged him deeply. She heaved.
"You be careful, up there." She smiled, kissing him deeply. But Sonic just sighed.
"Look, I'll be fine." He grinned. "But this isn't permanent. I will be back to visit, now that I can. I give you my word." He giggled, then he turned to Shadow. "Look after the kingdom for me, new Guardian." He beamed, finally catching on the his wife's plan. He approved, very much. He knew what the Aquahogs now meant to Shadow and knew he'd defend them to the death if he had to and be deeply honoured to do it. Perfect for the job. But Shadow frowned.
"Guardian?" He asked, but Sonic giggled, pointing to the female Aquahogs.
"They'll explain." He sniggered, as he stood on his new legs and feet on the ocean floor, finally feeling his incredible Super-Speed kick back in inside them. He felt so weird, breathing through his gills with a pair of lungs completely full of water. They made him quite weighty, keeping him pinned down the ocean floor. But he had no smooth transition point, like Shadow, with the Merhog gills in the lungs, so moving from air to land and back for Sonic was going to be very clunky. But he could do it. He wouldn't drown, but he just had to be brave. With a look back at his wife. He beamed.
"Thank you." He nodded and with that he activated his superpower and with a rush of bubbles, he sped away back towards Satan's Spire and Seaside Island.
Shadow was left heaving, desperately wondering how this almighty and very large Aquahog tail of his, now worked, because as he tried to move forwards, nothing happened. The females giggled, each grabbing a hand either side of him. Scarlet smiled.
"Copy us." She enlightened, as Bianca agreed. They send large sinusoidal waves down their bodies starting with the head, right down to the tail, which made it move forwards, incredibly quickly. Shadow nodded, and tried. He was successful, but it wasn't easy at all. That was when he realised he had a lot to learn. Being born an Aquahog made a massive difference, Sonic made it look so incredibly simple. The girls guided him down the riverine, the light becoming brighter, until he finally got his first sights of new Aquila. What the city should look like, and Shadow immediately fell in love. He explored the city in total awe, amazed that the Blue Blur gave all this up. He smirked. He knew why. The Fox. He was going back for Tails. He nodded, approvingly. The kid deserved it, after what he'd for the Blue Blur.
As the guided tour of the city ended, with the market in full swing, Shadow found himself being pulled aside to somewhere secluded and promptly kissed. Scarlet. He smirked, immediately kissing her back, in fact, he was all over her. She quickly broke off, panting.
"Ok, Big Boy. Your going to be a tough one to nail down." She gasped. But Shadow's smirk just broadened.
"Oh, I'd like to see you try." He hissed. But Scarlet just giggled.
"And that's why I chose you. Your big, your powerful, and your a monster. Yes, you did frightened me, quite badly, but then I realised that you weren't actually angry at me. I spoke to the other Aquahogs and we just wondered if you could use that horrendous anger and aggression of yours, for us, rather then against us. Despite everything, you've never ever shown us any harm, and I don't think you every will. They believed me, allowing you back." She smiled. But Shadow looked somber, but incredibly grateful for the second chance, but Scarlet just grinned. "I like a monster in my male." She smiled. "Actually, you'll find a lot of females do around here. You see, your far older then you look, I can see it in your eyes, and I also get the impression that you will long outlive me. So, I've been talking to the other girls and we've decided that as soon as I can no longer be your wife, another female with propose. Because we figured you'd appropriate that." She added. But Shadow just raised an eyebrow, that all was indeed true, but he wasn't convinced that was the real reason she came back to him. Suddenly, her cheeks when bright red, the same as her skin colour. She heaved. "Oh alright, you win. Truthfully, I'm was hoping, with your incredible strength and power, that the mating is going to be fantastic because, quite frankly, the males around here are really rather boring. I have been desperately looking for someone with a bit more..." She thought, letting the sentence hang. Shadow hissed, deeply at her, growling under his breath.
"Passion." He leered, as he grabbed her and kissed her again. He smirked. "I give you my word, I won't disappoint." He sniggered.
He didn't.
Scarlet genuinely didn't know what hit her, as Shadow took advantage of what Aquila had to offer, including a room in the citadel. It was Sonic's, but unsurprisingly, he never used it, always sleeping outside. He took his job as Guardian incredibly seriously, once he learned what was involved, but it got Scarlet thinking. She frowned.
"I wonder what type of Guardian you are? She asked. Shadow frowned.
"What do you mean?" He wondered, having no idea. Scarlet shrugged.
"Well, your not a Prince. We're already got one of those. A Warrior?" She paused, shaking her head. "No, too brutal, you have to much honour for that." She heaved. "A Fighter?" She thought. "Yes, but what kind?" She puzzled, struggling to think. Shadow smirked. He knew exactly what kind, and this time, he gave no objections. He earned the title, especially here, and as it turned out, the fancy-boy royal and his politics, were not as bad as he thought. He sniggered.
"A Knight?" He suggested, of which he immediately got squealed at and jumped on. His wife hugging him deeply. She smiled.
"Perfect."
The road back home to Seaside Island was not easy for the Blue Blur, his lightweight frame took an enormous battering from the almighty currents, but he made it through. But even he had to admit, it was significantly better then the Tiger Sharks. He ran across the ocean floor towards Seaside Island and found himself looking up from the base of one of the stiltsof the wooden pier. He gulped, terrified. They last time he was here, he nearly lost his life.
The water around him began to lighten as the sun rose, and finally, after a huge gulp of nerves, he climbed the wooden stilt and with both his eyes close, he poked his head above the water. He automatically heaved, as he lungs emptied themselves of water, and then finally, he took his first breath of the beautiful sweet morning air. It felt incredible, but extremely corse against his wet very lungs. He panted hard, displaying the last of the water as they quickly dried out and he could breath normally. He sniffed, the smells were incredible. He beamed looking around, as he climbed out of the ocean and onto the wooden pier, he was home.
As for the Aquahogs, they'd be fine, especially with Shadow watching over them. He giggled, wondering how the Ultimate Lifeform was handling his enormous tail. It wasn't the easiest of things to maneuver. But as he, very wobbly, made his way along the wooden pier and onto the beach, he noticed his Shack, a short distance away. He didn't run there, he slowly walked, finally getting back his balance on land, he severed every experience his senses had to offer, on this beautiful morning. He wondered up to his Shack, unlocked as always, and wondered in still dripping wet from the ocean. There was a huge quantity of things missing, such as his hammock, small TV set, the coffee table and one of the rugs. He giggled and rolled his eyes.
"Sticks." He smiled, to himself. He'd get his stuff back later, but then his eyes fell on the other rug, which was still there, and the very special someone curled up in a ball, fast asleep upon it. Sonic's heart fell, as the building was practically empty, there was nothing left. But Tails must have sleeping here, every night, ever since the day he left. He dreaded to think of the tears the Fox had shed for him here, desperately watching the ocean for him. But that was now all over. He was home, as he knelt next to his best friend, on the rug and began stoking his ears. Tails grumbled, mumbling under his breath, still asleep.
"No thanks, Sticks, I don't want any seaweed today." He murmured, as the beautiful aroma filled his nose. Sonic giggled, but then Tails frowned, his eyes still closed, his mind deep in thought.
'Seaweed?' He wondered, and then suddenly his eyes snapped open, sitting up very quickly, panting hard.
"Seaweed!" He gasped, only to have someone tap him the shoulder behind him. His scent along with the distinctive faint aroma, immediately gave him away, as Tails slowly turned around, unable to believe that the Blue Blur was actually here. They met eye to eye, and dived into the biggest hug of their lives. He looked over his shoulder, seeing his legs and feet, where his almighty Aquahog tail used to be. He gasped, in astonishment, his jaw dropping.
"How?" He breathed. But Sonic just smiled.
"It doesn't matter, I'm home." He grinned, but Tail then looked terrified. Hugging him without his neckerchief on, meant he'd felt the gills on his neck. He pointed at them, gulping.
"Are you sure?" He asked. Sonic sighed, running his hands lovingly over his gills, how aching slightly with the dryness. He heaved.
"Legs or no legs, Tails. I'm still an Aquahog. It was what I was born as, and that is never going to change. It's just that I had the opportunity to come home, and I took it, but that doesn't mean I've leaving the ocean behind. I will go back and visit, especially my people, I did promise. But from now on, I will always come home. Maybe, you might be able to come with me." He smiled. But Tails just squealed in delight, and hugged him again. He beamed.
"Really?" He asked, He'd been desperate to see the Aquahogs ever since this whole thing started. Sonic nodded.
"Potentially yes, but you'll have to ask them. Not my call anymore." He shrugged. But Tails frowned.
"Not your call?" He asked, of which Sonic grabbed him, and after making him swear not to breath a word to anyone. Not Knuckles, Sticks and especially Amy, he told Tails the truth about his royal parentage to the Aquahogs. He didn't mention the Magic. He'd figured Tails would see that when he visited Aquila, and he would go, Sonic was going to make sure of it. Even if none of his other friends did, he owed the Fox at least that. Tails gulped.
"So that's why you didn't come back. You were their Prince." He stammered, but Sonic just heaved.
"I still am, Tails, but at the time, no, I couldn't. My people were in desperate trouble. I had to help them, get them to safety." He smirked. "And with some help, I succeeded." He beamed. But Tails just stared. He gasped.
"Shadow?" He stammered. "Hey. He said the Prince of Aquila gave him his gills. What that you?" He stammered, but Sonic nodded, incredibly proud, of his Knight in shining heaved, frowning. "But how did you...?" He asked, but tailed off the question, realising that Sonic wasn't being very forthcoming, he dropped it. He heaved. Sonic wasn't ready to tell him yet, but a look in the Blue Blur's eyes told him, that in time, he'd find out. He just needed patience. Then, suddenly, Tails squealed in delight. "He found them?" He grinned. Sonic again nodded. He giggled.
"Yes, he did, and will now protect them for all time. He does rather like my people and now they're rather fond of him too." He sniggered, but then suddenly, he cried in pain, holding his neck, as his gills suddenly became far too dry. Tails, stood up, and immediately left, spinning his tails and flew through the window. He grinned.
"Hang on." He called to much confusion. A minute later, he was back, wrapping something brown around the Blue Blur's neck, it dripping in seawater, and tried it at the back. His neckerchief. Sonic sighed with relief. That felt so much better, his gills moist again. Tails smiled.
"I've been looking after it for you. I think you should wear it again. It'll help stop your gills from drying out." He smiled, as Sonic just beamed at his incredible friend, still somewhat dazed by it all. Suddenly, voices could could be heard heading their way, and Tails immediately noticed that Sonic was wearing nothing from the whist downwards and promptly ran around the Shack, finding his things, and got him dressed. Then the Blue Blur stood there, looking absolutely identical to as he did before all of the started, in his neckerchief, gloves, socks and shoes, but Tails knew things now, couldn't be more different.
Sonic was still Sonic, but he was now a lot calmer now. The intense hyperactivity he used to have, caused, as Tails suspected, by the intense fear of the truth being found out, was gone. Certainly around him, and Tails could see he was just so much better for it. He heaved. It wasn't a way to live.
Finally the others arrived, Sticks, Amy and Knuckles, and the desperately hugging the Blue Blur, and month long celebrations began. The entire island joined in, everyone delighted to have him back and Sonic was forced, to tell everyone, about his around the world adventures. He growled at Tails. The Fox gulped.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I had to tell them something. Just make it up." He hissed, under his breath. Sonic giggled, proud that the Fox really had his back. He grinned. Him, make up a good story, yeah, he could do that. It was incredibly wild, but it didn't matter, he was home, and Eggman, no longer a problem.
Tails just giggled. The 'pretend' around the world story may have been hugely far fetched, but as Tails, Sticks, Amy and Knuckles all knew, the truth was far weirder. Though Sonic didn't divulge much of what really happened out there, in the deep ocean. Just that the Aquahogs were safe, and made everyone promise to never go looking for them. Of which they all did. Tails knowing full well, that his visit was going to be on the quiet, and kept entirely to himself. He felt deeply honoured.
It took a long time for the celebrations, to die down, until finally, Sonic was alone in his Shack, again. Everything was back to normal. Sticks had returned everything, and he was looking out of the window and out to the ocean. How so much had changed since the last time he was here. He remembered being so frightened. He heaved. He should have trusted his friends more, especially with the truth. Now, they all knew, and completely with him, the whole way. But if he had told them, thus avoiding the encounter with Shadow, then he'd never have rescued his people, as they, along with himself, would all have died once his mother's Magic finally failed. He shuddered at the thought. Thank goodness for small mercies.
Then his thoughts turned to the Ultimate Lifeform. He saved all their lives, and now he was one of them. Sonic smirked, deeply honoured to have him, to give him a home. Something Sonic suspected Shadow never really had before. Suddenly, he saw splashing in the water, looking a like a shark fin. Not that unusual in the ocean, but then the striking red and black stripes of a very large tail, gave him away. Sonic frowned, running out of the Shack and straight down the wooden pier, desperately hoping nothing was wrong. He looked down in the water, seeing nothing, about to call, when suddenly, the large Black male Aquahog, with red stripes, launched himself on to the pier, only just not sliding off. Then opposite the Blue Blur, he then proceed to spit seawater all over him, completely drenching him. He then to relax, and lounging on the wooden pier, flexing his enormous tail, as if nothing in the world mattered. He smirked at Sonic.
The Blue Blur just gasped in utter astonishment. He stared unable to believe the Aquahog was completely unharmed. He should be dying, drowning in the air. He gulped.
"Shadow?" He stammered. "How?" He gasped, but the Ultimate Lifeform's smirk just broadened, as he chilled in the morning sun. He sniggered.
"My lungs grew back, including the gills within." He shrugged. But Sonic blinked.
"What?" He gasped, now seeing Shadow's chest now significantly broader then it was, when he first got turned into an Aquahog. It was now moving in and out as he breathed. But Shadow just rolled his eyes. He heaved.
"Don't ask. I don't know. Remember, I'm the Ultimate Lifeform. I don't follow the rules." He hissed, but Sonic growled, as he sat next to the Ultimate Lifeform.
"Yeah, I noticed. Aren't you supposed to be guarding my kingdom." He spat, but Shadow hissed.
"'Your' kingdom?" He snarled. But Sonic gritted his teeth.
"Well, I am still Prince, even if you do have my tail." He smirked. But Shadow just heaved, flexing the enormous tail. He was used to it now, and enjoyed the huge immense power that lay behind it. He growled.
"Keep your fur on, Hedgehog, nothing's wrong. I have been send here on a errand. A certain Albino is asking after you." He sniggered. Sonic gulped.
"Bianca." He stuttered. But Shadow just smirked.
"Have you told any of your friends, especially that Pink-Thing, that you have a wife and three daughters." He leered. But Sonic growled.
"No, and I have no intension to either." He spat. "I will never hear the end of it from her, if I did. There can never be anything between me and Amy. We're not compatible. I'm still an Aquahog, even if I've got my legs back." He heaved. But Shadow growled.
"'My' legs." He growled, but Sonic just giggled.
"Shut it, Shadow." He smiled. "Or should say 'Guardian Knight'." He added. Shadow's eyes widened.
"Hey, how do you know?" He frowned. But Sonic just smiled.
"Down the Magic line. One of my girls told me. They reached out to me, not long after I came back here, deeply curious about the surface. I can't create or wield the Magic but I can feel it, down the bloodline and I can speak to them. Nowadays, they cast and call for me every night, for a story, before bed. I don't think Bianca knows, but it doesn't matter. I don't have to be in Aquila, to be there for my daughters. If they want me, I'll run straight back." He heaved. Shadow nodded.
"Oh, I don't doubt that, they are beautiful." He smirked. "Worthy Princess's of Aquila." He added. But Sonic frowned.
"Have they decided about what they are going to do? Are the girls going to rule Aquila together or are some of them going to go off and found new kingdoms, while they have the chance." He shrugged. "Expand the Aquahog nation." He heaved. Shadow thought, and sighed.
"I have no idea, but, you are correct, it is indeed possible." He heaved. "But I will protect them, regardless." He added, but Sonic just giggled, intensely. Shadow frowned.
"What?" He spat. But the Blue Blur just grinned inanely.
"You and I were the worse of enemies, before all this started, and it took you drowning me, to change everything." He smirked. But Shadow winced. That was one memory he no longer enjoyed recalling. "And yet, here we are, you now guarding my family." He beamed. "Friends?" He asked, as he held his hand out for the mighty Ultimate Lifeform. He got a deep look from Shadow. He heaved. They had been through to much together, and they'd both changed, far beyond anything they could have imagined.
Shadow smirked as he took the hand, deeply honoured to, especially with the royal Prince of Aquila. He may have made a mistake in the past, but he'd rose up, and fought for his people as exactly right time he was needed. He'd been forgiven and now he was forgiving Shadow for his mistakes. But the Ultimate Lifeform grabbed the hand and yanked the Blue Blur sharply towards him, to whisper in his ear. He hissed.
"But breath a word of this to anyone, and I'll..." He leered, rather coldly, but Sonic cut across him, giggling.
"Slice and dice me." He smiled. "You have my word." He nodded. "And please give my regards to Bianca. I am alright." He heaved. Shadow letting go of the hand, nodded, satisfied in seeing that for himself. It was obvious that the Aquahogs were deeply worried about the repercussions of Sonic's return to Seaside Island, but thankfully, there weren't any. Still only the two of them, plus his four friends, and Eggman, who just wasn't interested anymore, on the island only knew of their existence.
With one finally nod, Shadow slid of the wooden pier, with an enormous splash. Then the mighty Black Aquahog then used his almighty tail to, on-purposefully, get Sonic as wet as possible. The Blue Blur swore, absolutely dripping, but then smirked, rolling his eyes, as he watched Shadow's stunning striped tail fluke as he dived back down into the ocean depths and home.
He sighed. Time to move on, and go home himself, back to his Shack, and his friends and incredible life here on Seaside Island. Finally, the both of them happy.
And did Tails get to see Aquila for himself?
Yes, he did.