Chapter 8: A New Life

Once he did, the hedgehog walked down into Tails' lab. He looked around, intrigued. Tails saw him. "Find everything all right?"

"Yes...this is your lab? It's amazing."

Tails smiled. "Thanks. I usually make inventions and I'm a pretty good mechanic also. Sonic also has a plane, the Tornado, but lets me use it."

"You make all these yourself?"

"Yeah, I do." Shadow smiled and nodded. Tails sighed and walked upstairs, followed by Shadow. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Tails asked him.

"I am hungry," Shadow said. "What do you have?"

Tails looked through the fridge. "I have sandwiches, chili dogs...Sonic always liked those...pizza..."

Shadow thought it over as Tails continued listing things. He doubted the fox would have anything he was used to eating. Now that he was no longer a merhog, he would have to eat what land people had. Finally, he decided on the chili-dog. Tails gave it to him and he began to eat. It was spicy, but tasted pretty good.

"This is pretty good," he said.

"Thanks," Tails said. He smiled. After Shadow had finished eating, he put his plate in the dishwasher and looked at Tails.

"Is there anything you want to do?" The fox asked him.

"I should find a job. But I'm not sure where to even start looking."

"I did hear that a few restaurants are looking for waiters," Tails said. "That's where people eat and waiters serve their food. You can find some in the city."

Shadow nodded. "What do I do when I find one?"

"Apply for the job," Tails said. "The employees there will tell you what to do."

Shadow nodded and left the house. Looking around, he wandered the city until he found one he thought looked interesting. With a smile, he walked inside.

"May I help you?" An employee asked as he saw Shadow.

"I'm looking for a job, and I was wondering how I would go about applying."

The employee handed him a form. "Fill this out, and we'll get back to you."

Shadow nodded and did so. After handing it back to the employee, he left and returned to Tails's house.

"How'd it go?" Tails asked when he returned.

"All right. One of the employees had me fill out a form and told me they would get back to me."

Tails nodded. "They usually call within a day or two. Meanwhile, I'd like to get to know you better. How did you meet Sonic? Was it before he became a merhog?"

Shadow looked at the fox, wondering how he should explain himself. Since Tails was the one who had changed Sonic in the first place, surely he would understand. Shadow shook his head.

"It was after."

"Really? Why don't you tell me about it."

"I was being attacked by sharks when we first met. He swam over and saved me."

Tails smiled. "That sounds like Sonic. He's always been saving people."

Shadow smiled. "We just sort of became friends after that."

"Do you know what he's doing now?"

Shadow shook his head. "I had to leave, and now I'm not sure what he's doing."

Tails nodded. "I see. That's pretty cool. Anything else I should know about you?"

Shadow thought about it. "I was a prince."

"A...a...prince?" Tails asked, shocked. "That's amazing!" Then he frowned. "You say 'was'. What happened?"

"I...I became this, and had to live up here on the land."

Now Tails was confused. "What do you mean by that?"

Shadow took a breath. "I was a merhog prince."

Tails' eyes widened. "You are...were...a merhog? That's amazing, Shadow! How did you come to be like this?"

"Someone by the name of Mephiles." The expression Tails had was all he needed to know he had to elaborate. "We were out in the open ocean, and a shark attacked us. I changed into the same kind of shark and attacked it. I don't know what happened to me, bloodlust or something, but I attacked Sonic afterward. I... killed him, and Mephiles told me he could bring Sonic back for me." Shadow shook his head. "I accepted his offer, and saved Sonic. But the price I had to pay for it was turning into this form and living up here. I can't see Sonic again unless certain conditions are met."

"What conditions?"

"I have to fall in love with someone else."

Tails' eyes widened. Then he smiled. "I wish you luck," he said. "You'll get used to living here, I'm sure of it. How long do you have?"

Shadow hesitated and gulped. He looked at Tails. "Eternity..." Shadow's tone was hesitant, unsure of whether or not Tails would believe him.

The fox gasped. "You're immortal?"

The former merhog nodded and looked away. "Mephiles made sure of it."

Tails sighed, then shook his head. "He sounds like an evil person. There's not much I can do for you except help you get used to this place, I guess. Feel free to stay here as long as you want."

"Thanks, Tails."

"You're welcome, Shadow."

Shadow smiled and stood up. He sighed and went upstairs to his room, then closed the door and fell on the bed. As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on with Mephiles and Sonic.

Meanwhile, in a cave deep in the ocean, Mephiles had put Sonic in a bed, waiting for the merhog to wake. The sea dragon chuckled; his plan was working. Soon, the merhog woke, groaning. He looked around and saw Mephiles.

"Who're you? Where am I?" he asked.

"My name is Mephiles," the sea dragon said. "I saved you from a shark; it was attacking you. You are in my home."

Sonic nodded and looked around the room. "Nice home you have," he commented. Mephiles smirked. Sonic hesitated, wondering what had happened to Shadow. "What about Shadow?" he asked. "I remember him being there, and..." Sonic frowned, trying to remember just what had happened.

"Shadow is dead," Mephiles lied. "He fought the sharks, trying to protect you...but failed."

"What?" Sonic sat up as best he could. "He died? Then how am I still alive?"

"As I told you, I saved you," Mephiles said, moving towards Sonic. "You are mine now..."

The merhog hesitated, looking at Mephiles. "What...what do you mean by that? How am I...yours?"

Mephiles grinned. "If not for me, you would be dead right now. It's only proper that you repay me."

"Repay you...how?"

The sea dragon chuckled, lust in his eyes. Sonic pulled back from the sea dragon. He didn't like the look in his eyes. Mephiles looked him over, the lust in his eyes increasing. "You'll stay here with me, and help with anything I desire."

Sonic gulped. "So...I'm your...slave?"

The sea dragon nodded. "You're figuring this out quickly." Mephiles grinned. He grabbed Sonic and began to hit him. Sonic screamed in pain. "You will do anything I say without question," Mephiles growled. "If not...you know what happens. Welcome to your new life, my pet slave."

Sonic whimpered and nodded. The merhog looked at his master, fearful of what Mephiles was going to order him to do. The sea dragon chuckled and told him.

"Clean something for now. I'm sure there's something that needs it."

Sonic hesitated and nodded. He swam around the house, trying to do what his master wanted. Mephiles smirked at what his slave was doing. He saw a whip and cracked it on Sonic's back, telling him to work harder. The merhog screamed in pain. Sonic looked back at Mephiles with a whimper before trying to do what he had wanted. Mephiles chuckled, whipping Sonic again. He laughed maniacally, savoring the sweet screams of his slave. This was going to last a long time...