Chapter 2

"So let me get this straight, you've never been above the surface of the ocean? Not even a peek?"

Marlina shook her head. "Nope. There's just no need to go up there. Plus, as I said before, it's not easy to breath and it's quite painful to be up there for too long. The light's too bright."

Sonic stopped swimming for a minute, well if you could even call it swimming. He still wasn't used to just using a fin to get around, it was very awkward to him. "Wait, how do know what's gonna happen to you if you never tried?"

The merhog stopped swimming as well, but it wasn't in the manner that Sonic had. It was more like she was remembering something more than shock. She glanced back at him, her voice was quiet and soft. "Because…I know someone that did."

Sonic's eyes widened at that response and he could see it in her eyes that it had to have been a traumatic experience for her to witness. He decided to try and change the subject. "So…how do you work this thing again?" Sonic asked as he gave his tail fin a strange look and gave it a flick to the side.

Marlina couldn't help but laugh. "Up and down behind you to move forward, up and down in front of you to move backward. Once you get that, the rest is easy."

"He he, thanks." Sonic smiled, knowing that his plan to change Marlina's mood worked. He then looked at his fin and took Marlina's advice and, although awkwardly, caught up with her. "Who is this guy we're gonna see again? Naughty-something?"

The female merhog laughed even more than her reaction to the Sonic's previous comment. "His name is Nautilus."

"Yeah, that guy."

"He's a philosopher. He knows all about-" Suddenly, Marlina's ears perked up. "No…swim."

"What? What is it?"

"Swim, just go now!" She grabbed Sonic's arm once again and then dragged him along. Sonic was so surprised by how fast she was. Once he figured out that she was trying to get them out of some dangerous situation that he still couldn't seem to pick up on, he started 'swimming' to help her along.

Suddenly, some strange creatures came in out of nowhere. They were swimming so fast, it was hard to tell what they were because the water was bending around them, making them appear to be nothing more than moving bullets in the ocean. Marlina was trying to find a way around them, dodging and weaving as they became more aggressive.

One of the swift moving creatures found their way in front of Marlina's path. It was then with his fast eyes that Sonic was able to see the creature clearly. It looked similar to a Mobian, in the way a water dwelling Mobian should look, only it was very different from Marlina. It was all black in color and seemed to flash bright white like a strobe light as it appeared in front of them. It didn't have a fin, but six tentacles with large single fins on the sides of two of them, each one on the opposite side of the other. It had two arms that were clawed. It's eyes were sinister and glowed an eerie blood red.

To Sonic's surprise, instead of plowing right into the creature, Marlina stopped and swam backward. It was like she was afraid to touch them. Before they knew it, they were surrounded.

"The Chironex…this isn't good." Marlina managed as she tried regain her composure.

Sonic didn't know what she was so worried about, "Heh, they don't look so tough." He said with a smirk.

"No Sonic, you don't understand…they're toxic." She whispered, hoping that they didn't hear her as well as hoped they didn't pay attention to Sonic's comment…they did.

"Big talk coming from a cornered merhog." One of the Chironex smirked, it's massive sinister grin revealed deadly looking fangs.

Another one of the Chironex reached out it's long arms to grab Marlina, but Sonic pulled her out of the way and planned to block the Chironex with his other hand. The hero quickly found out this wasn't a good idea. The instant the Chironex arm touched Sonic, pain flooded his arm.

"Gah!"

"Sonic!" Marlina yelled.

He tried to pull his arm loose, but the tentacle's grip was too strong and he couldn't break free. As Sonic flicked his tail fin in reaction to the sudden pain, he barely heard what sounded like a blade being unsheathed from a pocket knife. As another reaction to try and get away, Sonic swung his tail at the Chironex's face. To his surprise the edge of his tail fin had cut his attacker's eye.

"GAH! MY EYE!"

I did that? Sonic was shocked, he had no idea his tail could be used as a weapon like that.

The Chironex lashed out in anger. "Why you-!"

Marlina wasn't about to let Sonic get hit again. She suddenly rushed in and swung her tail across the Chironex's face, repeating the same move that Sonic had done.

"GAH!"

Now seeing a way out, Marlina grabbed Sonic with both arms around his chest and then took off at swift speed right past the injured Chironex.

"What the hell are you gawking at? After them!" On his command, the Chironex all took off after Marlina, each one twisting their tentacles together to make a fin to propel themselves forward.

Marlina didn't look back, she didn't dare to for fear of slowing down. "They'll just catch up with us again at this rate. I'm not fast enough."

Sonic was starting feel the pain move into his chest now. He saw something below them for a split second and cringed as he tried to bring it to Marlina's attention. "Mar, ungh…down there!"

The female merhog allowed her eyes to follow Sonic's request and saw what he was talking about. Right below them was a coral reef. It looked almost like a labyrinth, with many different entrances and exits. She could loose them in there.

Without hesitation, the female merhog picked up the pace and dove downward, the Chironex followed right on her tail.

As soon as she was just a few feet from the coral wall, Marlina sharply turned to the left and then swiftly swam into one of the openings in the structure. The Chironex had no time to react and two of them crashed into the side of the coral reef. The other two followed Marlina straight into the reef itself.

The female merhog dodged and weaved effortlessly through each opening, zig-zagging back and forth making it difficult for the Chironex to follow. The Chironex may have been faster than her, but they couldn't turn on dime like she could. It was still proving difficult to evade them, it didn't matter how small the entrance ways in their path were, they still could squeeze through because of their squid-like structure.

Marlina found the exit and sped right through, not even slowing down and continued straight ahead. At least there was only two of them following her now.

Suddenly, another fast moving creature appeared in the distance. A voice yelled as it came closer. "Marlina, dive!"

She swiftly moved out the bright red blur's path as the it swam right by then plowed into one of the Chironex head on. As it stopped to attack the other one, it was now apparent what it was. It was a red merchidna. He was similar to Knuckles only his markings were very different. Reddish brown markings lined his spikes as well as around his eyes. His tail fin was reddish brown as well with white stripes.

Marlina recognized him and was relieved to see him. "Strike!"

"Go, Swim for it!" The merchidna shouted as he slammed his fist into the last Chironex's face and then swiftly swam toward her direction. As Marlina turned and swam away, Strike caught up to her. "Princess, are you alright?"

"Princess? Ugnh!" Sonic grabbed his chest in reaction to the sudden wave of pain.

"Sonic, don't move too much. The toxin will spread." Marlina warned with concern.

"Looks like it's already too late for that." Strike said as he noticed Sonic fading again. "We better get him to Nautilus' place."

"Didn't mention-ugnh-you're a princess."

"Not something I boast about when I'm swimming around in the open ocean by myself." Marlina answered. "Just keep still, we're almost there."

That was the last thing Sonic heard before he passed out and his vision faded into darkness.