High Stakes on the High Sea Saga Episode 7: Treasure Hunt for the Pirates Keys
It's been over a day since they travel to Sky Babylon and they return to the Southern Island. As of now, everyone is at Marine's home. Tails is working on a submarine for their next adventure while Sonic, Eve relax on chairs. On the beach, Maria, Jazz, and Cosmo are building a sand castle. Inside of her house, Marine and Blaze are looking over the map of their world to know which way to go to find the pirate's hideout. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake catching everyone. Sonic and Eve sit up in shock as they look around.
"What's happening? Is this an earthquake?" Sonic asks.
"What's going on?" Eve asks.
Maria, Cosmo, and Jazz become surprised and their sand castle falls over.
In the house, Blaze and Marine are shocked to feel the quake.
Marine screams in fright, "Eeeeek! Oy, it's shakin'!"
"Marine! Get under the desk!" Blaze advice.
"I don't reckon, mate! I'm stickin' right 'ere!" Marine says.
Having finished with the next sea vehicle, Tails stops in shock to feel the ground shaking as well and the water moving around. Soon, all of Seagull Village begin to panic to feel the earth shaking. Finally, the earthquake slowly comes to a stop.
Eve sighs in relief, "...whew. I think it's stopped."
Soon, everyone is in Marine's house to see if everyone else is okay. Tails also returns from the workshop to see the others.
"Is everyone all right?" Sonic asks.
"I'm alright," Tails says.
"We're okay," Cosmo says.
"We are," Maria says.
"Chao Chao,"
"I'm fine," Blaze answers.
"Y-y-yeah, she'll be apples…" Marine says, hiding under the desk.
Then says, "But blimey, that was a bit of a rough patch. I'm still shaking and jittering 'ere…"
"Are earthquakes a common thing in these parts?" Tails asks.
"Nah, mate, they're about as rare as hen's teeth," Marine says.
"Really?" Maria asks.
Blaze confirms it, "She's right. Earthquakes are far from a common occurrence."
"If that's the case, then I'm a bit worried," Sonic says.
"So am I. Then something must be wrong or something or someone is causing it.
"There are stories surrounding the Jeweled Scepter, you know…" Blaze says.
Everyone turns to Blaze with a confused expression.
"The Jeweled Scepter is said to hold power over the planet's geological activity, for one," Blaze says.
That makes Tails realize, "So, then, I mean... If the pirates have the scepter, that's causing an increase in volcanic activity?
"It may just be a coincidence. But the scepter cave was very deep underground. In fact, it was quite close to the planet's mantle," Blaze says.
"Right. So we should probably assume a worst-case scenario, then," Sonic says.
"I have to agree. If what Blaze said is true, then the pirates must be using the scepter at this moment," Eve says.
"Chao Chao," Jazz says.
"And if we don't get the scepter back, who knows what'll happen," Blaze says.
"Then we've just got to do something about it, first!" Sonic says.
"Yes, indeed," Blaze answers with a nod.
"Right-o, cobbers! Just leave it to me, yeah?" Marine says, scared.
Blaze kneels under the desk and asks, "How about you start with getting out from under the desk, Marine?"
"Right," Marine nervously says.
Marine leaves the desk and gets out of it.
After the end of the earthquake and gathering up the supplies, following Tails' lead, Sonic and the others arrive at the workshop to see a large blue, light blue, and aqua green submarine and half of it is above the water.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! I finally finished my submarine, the Deep Typhoon!" Tails says, introducing to his new vehicle.
"Aw, strewth! A real honest summerine!" Marine says with joy.
"Submarine," Blaze corrects Marine.
"You did a nice job, Tails!" Sonic says.
"Yeah. This is so cool," Eve says.
"Chao Chao.
"This looks like a heavy bugger though. When it goes down, how's it gonna come back up?" Marine asks.
"Don't worry. It's designed to float, too! It's perfectly safe for underwater travel!" Tails says.
Marine shouts with excitement, "Fair dinkum?! I get to see all the little fishies and the big ol' sharkies and all? I wanna get goin' right away!"
"It will be fun to see the plants and animals underwater," Maria says.
"Chao Chao," Jazz happily says.
"Keep it together. This is not a field trip," Blaze calmly says.
"We've got to find the pirates' hideout!" Sonic says.
"You're right," Maria says.
"I'm sure we'll have fun traveling under the sea once we stop the pirates," Cosmo says.
"Yeah. I'm sure we'll think of something for another under sea travel," Eve says.
Suddenly, Marine says, "Hey now, no need to get all agro on me. Your captain's just being a little joker. Tehehehe...
"All of our information seems to indicate that the pirates are hiding out at the ruins," Blaze says.
"And the entrance to those ruins is on the seafloor," Sonic says.
"Well, then let's set sail. All aboard!" Tails says.
Marine cheers, "Orright, then! Time for Captain Marine's maiden voyage under the sea!"
Everyone walks inside the submarine from the hatch and Tails closes it once everyone is inside. Everyone takes their seat as Tails begins to drive the Deep Typhoon, leaving the southern island. Once the sub is far into sea, the submarine dives into the water.
The Deep Typhoon travels under the sea as everyone else looks around to see the deep ocean blue. Cosmo, Marine, Maria, and Jazz are excited to see so many different sea creatures under the water. The group's submarines continue to travel across the ocean floor until they see a cave ahead. Blaze points to the cave, saying that this could be where the pirates are. Tails then drives the submarine inside the cave, and turns on the headlights. The group travels deep into the cave until they reach a shallow area. Tails raise the submarine up and it stops in front of a stone platform. Everyone walks out of the submarine to see a door that is gold and gray stone.
"We found it! There's the entrance!" Tails says.
"So, this leads to the pirates' hideout then, does it?" Sonic questions.
"It's amazing to think something like this is here under water," Tails says.
"How do we open it?" Maria asks.
"I say we just blast the ol' bugger down, ay?" Marine suggests.
"That might draw the pirates' attention," Cosmo says.
"There must be some kind of switch that opens it up," Sonic says.
"It looks like there's something in the middle…" Blaze says, looking at the door.
Blaze walks to the door to see what that something is.
Suddenly, they hear a familiar laugh going, "D'arrr har har har!"
"I know that laugh...!" Sonic says.
Everyone turns around to see Captain Whiskers and his two robot crew members.
"Captain Whisker!" Everyone answers.
"Oy, it's the fuzzy-faced bloke again!" Marine says.
"D'arr, my name be Whisker, and you full we know it, lass!" Whisker says, glaring at Marine.
Then turns to the hedgehogs, "You done well to get this far! Very impressive, hedgehogs, yes!
"So this is your hideout after all!" Blaze says.
"Indeed! Arr, and ye'll not be gettin' in through this here door, neither, ye troublemakers! It be far too strong to just blow down with any of your crafty little weapons!" Whisker says.
"He's right. If the door can withstand the water pressure at this depth, then…" Tails says.
"There's no way for us to get in," Eve says.
Blaze demands, "Let us in, your fiend!"
"Oy, fuzzy, gimme a fair go at this," Marine says.
"Arr, what is it, then?" Whisker asks.
"How is it that you lot are able to get in 'ere, then?" Marine asks,
Whiskers laughs, "D'arr har har! You take ol' Captain Whisker for a fool, do ye? I'll not be tellin' ye that if ye align the bits in the middle of the door it'll open!"
The group are surprised about Whisker's statement, but smile to see that Marine has given them the opportunity they need.
Mini says, "Boss, you should probably not mention that."
"Hunh?" Whisker says, confused.
Then realizes, "D'arrgh, yer right! I've gone and blabbered too much!"
"So, does that mean you're not going to tell us how to go about setting it?" Blaze asks.
Whisker angrily says, "D'arr, of course not! I'll not tell you about the three markers with the hints on 'em. Nor will I be tellin' you what islands they be on!"
"You're a funny little drongo there, mate, you know that?" Marine comments.
"Boss, you're saying too much!" Mum panics.
Whiskers mutters to himself, "Arr, at this rate, I'll be givin' away all of me secrets!"
Then says to his mates, "It be time trim me whiskers now, mateys! I'll be seein' you around, then!"
"C'mon, boss, just get out of here!" the two robots panic.
Then all three run away.
"Get back here, mate! Keep on with the yammering!" Marine shouts and about to give chase.
But Blaze says, "It's okay, Marine. He's told us enough."
"Yeah. You totally got Whisker to say exactly what we need," Eve says, giggle.
Maria giggled, "That was kind of funny.
"Alright, let's find these markers that he mentioned. Those should give us the hints we need," Sonic says.
"He said there were three markers out there," Tails says.
"And I wouldn't be surprised if there are other islands where Whisker and his crew hid any clues," Eve says.
"We should probably use different crafts," Tails says.
"Just like old-fashioned fossicking! Let's have a go at it, then!" Marine says, excited.
"Then let's head back to the Southern Island and ask around," Sonic says.
With that the gang head back to Southern Island and search around and ask people if there are any islands with ancient ruins. Turns out, There's one island east of the Haunted Ships. They are told by a koala named Diakun that there should be a ruin west of the island he lives at which is close to where Sky Babylon is. The last one is southeast of Blizzard Peaks. After gaining their directions, the gang head off in separate teams of three, to find the relics faster and agree to meet back on Southern Island after gathering all the pieces.
Sonic and Tails have taken the Aqua Blast to the island southeast of Blizzard Peaks. To their surprise, the island southeast of Blizzard Peaks is more tropical than the icy island. They decide to explore the island and soon they find some ancient ruins. They look over to see a strange tablet on a small pillar. It has a strange mark on it.
"Hey, this is it!" Tails says.
Sonic looks at it and says, "And this'll give us a hint on how to open that door, huh?"
"Well, I guess it'll make sense once we bring it back," Sonic says.
"Right. Let's go," Tails says.
Sonic chuckles, "Knowing Marine, it will be like we're on a treasure hunt."
Meanwhile, Blaze, Marine, and Cosmo have taken the Aqua Blast to the island close to where the Haunted Ship is. The place seems to have a similar structure to the Coral Cave. They explore the cave as they collect other materials they need for any emergencies. Soon, they come across some ancient ruins and see a pillar with a tablet on it.
Cosmo smiles and says, "That must be it!" Cosmo happily says.
"And this'll give us a hint on how to open that door, huh?" Marine replies.
Blaze takes the marker off of the pillar, "Indeed. We should head back to the island and connect our clues together.
"Orright! On to Southern Island," Marine says, excited.
After getting the stone, Blaze and Marine head back to the Southern Island.
At a different island, Eve, Maria, and Eve are on the last one past the koala's home island and near to where the Sky Babylon. They explore the grassy island and soon find the ancient ruins they are looking for. Soon, they found another tablet.
"Look Eve, there's a marker taken," Maria says.
"Chao chao," Jazz happily says, and flies over.
Jazz picks up the tablet and flies over to Eve and Maria. Although, the tablet is kind of heavy for Jazz to carry.
Eve takes it and says, "Now we just need to get back to the island and see if anyone has found one."
"Right." Maria says.
After long trips from the island, they return to the Southern Island and meet at the docks. They all return to see that all the clues have been found from the different islands.
"Looks like we've found all of the clues, then," Sonic says.
"Oy, now I'm all knackered…" Marine says.
": We should be able to get the door to pirates' hideout open now," Tails says.
"That was some real hard yakka, though, eh? I wonder why all the need for a walkabout," Marine says.
"Well, they are ancient ruins, after all," Blaze says.
"What do you mean?" Cosmo asks.
Blaze explains, "After the floating continent fell to earth, the people had to live down here among us. But they longed one day to return to the sky, so they left keys to point the way. So that, one day, their descendants might regain what they had lost."
"And those keys were the stone markers, then," Sonic comments.
"So does that mean that the pirates found those keys and solved the riddle, too?" Tails suspects.
"Maybe," Blaze says.
Eve then begins to wonder something and thinks, "Hmmm… something doesn't seem right about this."
Suddenly, Marine happily says, "Ancient ruins! That's beaut! What'll they be like, d'ya reckon? Oy, I can't wait!"
"Okay. Then let's head to the Deep Typhoon and hit the road," Sonic says.
Everyone begins to head off, but Eve still senses something off about all this. Something doesn't seem right about what Captain Whisker and his crew are doing.
"Okay, we're all set," Tails says.
"Then let's head back to the pirates' hideout," Sonic says.
"There's no room for failure here," Blaze says.
"Aw, she'll be apples, Blaze! Ol' fuzzy-face won't know what hit 'im! Not once Captain Marine here conks him good!" Marine happily says.
"Right...listen Marine, there's something we need to talk to you about. Not just, you both Cosmo, Maria, and Jazz," Eve says.
"What is it?" Cosmo asks.
"Things are only going to get more dangerous from here on out," Tails says.
"Yeah. We'll be heading to the pirate's lair after all.
"We've decided that it would be best if all four of you should stay here," Blaze says.
"Eve, Tails, and Blaze are going to be coming with me from here on out," Sonic says.
Marine still hasn't said a word.
"And there will be fighting against a lot more pirates than just Whisker and his two little robots and that other robot Johnny. It will be too dangerous for you four to be around," Eve says.
Cosmo, Maria, and Jazz nod their heads in reply.
"I mean, that'd be the best thing for everyone, right?" Tails says.
Blaze walks to Marine and calmly says, "Marine, do you remember the promise you made? You said that you'd agree to the group's decisions, right?"
After a moment of silence, Marine who isn't happy says, "Whoa, hey, where's all this coming from, then? You're just yanking my chain, right? I'm still game! I'm ridgy-didge!"
"Yeah, but Marine…" Tails says.
"You said we were ready to go, mate, so let's go! There's no way I'm packing up and quitting this 'ere adventure!" Marine says.
"Calm down Marine," Cosmo says.
"She's right. It will be best for us to stay here. It might be too dangerous for us to go," Maria says.
"Chao Chao," Jazz says.
Suddenly, Blaze angrily shouts, "Marine! Listen!"
That startles everyone in the room.
"Crikey, what's with the shouting all of a sudden?" Marine asks, surprised.
"Since you don't seem to understand what we're getting at, I'll just say it. You're a nuisance!" Blaze angrily says.
Shocked, Marine asks, "A... a nuisance...? Wh... what do you mean?"
"Just what I said," Blaze says.
Stunned, Marine says, "I... I'm not a nuisance! I... I mean... I was your captain, right? I... I was always looking out for you lot! Right? Right guys?"
So far no one is saying anything, in fact, some of them are too stunned because of what Blaze has just said.
"You... you all DO think I'm a nuisance, don't you?" Marine says, upset.
And soon, she begins to cry, "You... you're aall a bunch of drongos!"
In tears, Marine runs away from the docks.
Eve calls out, "Marine!"
But Marine is already gone.
Tails turns to Blaze, "That was harsh, Blaze. I mean, I know we can't take her with us, but you didn't have to…"
"If I hadn't been harsh, she would've kept insisting that she come along," Blaze says.
Reluctant, Tails says, "I... guess you've got a point, there."
"It'll be okay. Someday she'll understand that this was for her own good," Sonic says.
"I hope you're about it, Sonic," Eve says.
Then turns to Blaze, "But Blaze, I know you meant well, but what you said to her is really not okay. You may want to do this for her own good, but there's a better way to explain to her without being so harsh on her. She was really trying her best out there.
"I know, but still. I felt that she was kind of getting in the way. She wanders off, always jumping in without thinking, and always gets herself into trouble. She's been acting like a child while we're focusing on an important mission to get the Jewel Scepter and the Chaos Emerald back," Blaze says.
"She is a child, and so are Cosmo and Maria, but they went with us anyway. Besides, there are some of the things Marine have done that also helped us get this far. Even if they were by accident," Eve says.
"She is right to be honest. If it wasn't for Marine, we wouldn't have found Sky Babylon," Sonic says.
"And we wouldn't be able to figure out what happened to the vikings," Tails says.
"And we wouldn't have known the Chaos Emerald was here if she didn't find it," Eve says.
Blaze deeply sighs and says, "I guess what I said wasn't very nice was it. And you're right, we wouldn't have made it this far without Marine. I guess I also owe her an apology."
"I'm sure Marine will understand if we explain it to her. For now, I think she just needs some time alone," Eve says.
Then turns to Maria and Eve, "Girls, can you find Marine and make sure she's alright?"
"Of course, Eve," Cosmo says.
"We can cheer her up and have fun until you get back," Maria says.
"Chao Chao," Jazz says.
"Thank you. You both are good now. Make sure you all stay at the village and we'll try to get back as soon as we can," Eve says.
Maria nods her head, "Okay."
"Chao Chao," Jazz says.
"And don't forget to have fun," Eve says.
Blaze turns to the others, "Come on, let's get going to the pirates' hideout!"
With that, the group separates from each other. Sonic, Eve, Tails, and Blaze head off to get to the pirates lair while Maria, Cosmo, and Jazz decide to go find Marine and hope she's okay. Unknown to anyone, Marine is already in the Deep Typhoon and she has been crying in there for a short amount of time.
She is able to stop crying to give off a few sniffs and says to herself, "I... I can't just give up 'ere... I've gotta prove my worth as a captain, yeah? I gotta go and stop that ol' fuzzy-face."
Marine then decides to remain quiet as she hears Sonic, Eve, and the others head inside the Blue Typhoon. Sonic, Eve, Tails, and Blaze travel by the Deep Typhoon with the pieces and have no clue the Marine is even inside. Soon enough, they arrive at the hideout's door once more and this time, they have the means to open it and get inside.
"Well, I guess it's time to break into the hideout," Eve says.
"We should have all the clues we need," Sonic says.
"And we'll be able to beat these pirates once and for all," Eve says.
Blaze then turns her head away and feels a bit glum.
"Blaze, don't worry. Marine and the girls are going to be fine," Tails says.
Realizing her deep though, Blaze quickly says, "Huh? N-no, I... I wasn't…"
"She'll probably stay at home pouting for a bit, but she'll get over it," Sonic says.
Tails comments, "Heheh. Yeah, probably!"
"It's okay Blaze, I'm sure Marine will understand, and Cosmo, Maria, and Jazz will be there for her," Eve says.
"Hm. I suppose you're right," Blaze says, feeling a little better.
Sonic says, "OK! Let's get this door open!"
Eve gives Blaze the tablets and puts them into the slots. Then she moves the tablet around until they click and are unable to move anymore. When all of them are set in their proper spots and positions, the marking glows a light blue color.
"All right, it opened!" Tails says.
"At last, the pirates' hideout!" Sonic says.
"Who knows what we'll run into from here on out. You be careful, you three!" Blaze says.
Sonic, Eve, and Tails say, "Don't worry. We will!"
"Right, then. Let's go!" Blaze says.
With that, the door soon begins to open. The four are ready to go in there and stop the pirates once and for all.
