A last gasp of hope! After the
assassination of her father and the fall
of her kingdom beneath a planetary civil
war, Anthro Princess Undina has gone
into hiding with Commander Amy Rose as
her only protector. With her armies
captured and friends imprisoned, the
situation seems hopeless for the Princess.
Dimitri commands his sinister agent,
Sharka, to use any means necessary
to bring Princess Undina out of hiding,
for he knows that hope does remain as
long as the Princess is alive...
Shadow and the others were being led away with the rest of the Meropis army. Coral was taken with the army and saw Shadow's group going a different way. She whispered something to her pet Chao who started following Shadow's group and used Razor to hide from the Lancers. They were brought into a tall cylindrical room where Sharka and Krakiota were waiting. The Chao used a small opening in the wall to hide as Sharka laughed "A Senator, two Shinobi Knights and a scrawny shark. I would have thought the Princess would be easier capture than the four of you". "It must be part of our plan" Shadow said mockingly. Sharka chuckled "I thought the exact same thing". He grabbed Razor and Tikal by the arms and threw them to two other sharks "Don't touch me!" "Let go of her!" Shadow yelled. Sharka glanced at him and smirked "Haha. Rack 'em up". They were both taken to a large pod where robotic pincers extended out and grabbed their arms. "Sharka, leave them alone!" Shadow yelled, "Do not worry, Shinobi. There's plenty of suffering to go around". Large electric eels then appeared, four tethered together creating two cages. Saline and Shadow were both pushed inside. Sharka started swimming around them "Now, tell me, where is Princess Undina?". Shadow didn't say anything. One of the sharks poked an ell with a stick causing it to move forward and shock Shadow who started screaming. Krakiota looked away.
Undina and Amy were sneaking through the city "We can't hide forever" "The Meropis Army was the last of the Republic's reinforcements. There won't be any more". Undina sighed "The failure is mine, not the Republic's. If my father were here, he could unite with Krakiota and the Nons. We've always had a difficult relationship, but it was respectful until Sharka arrived. Once that Shark got inside Krakiota's head, the alliance fell apart". They kept swimming "I know what I must do. The Anthros and the Nons people must be reunited" "Okay. I like your thinking, but what's the strategy?" "Count all the prisoners: Anthros, Meropis, clones. If we all fought together, we would outnumber our opponent". Amy pondered "If this is going to work, we'll need to let your people know. They'll have to be ready to fight" "We need Captain Striker, and I think I know where to find him".
Sharka and Krakiota entered the council room where a hologram of Dimitri appeared "I have interrogated the Shinobi, my lord. But they will not give up the whereabouts of the Princess. The Shinobi's resistance to pain is impressive". Dimitri wasn't surprised by this "Press the interrogation, Sharka. We cannot allow the Princess to survive. The royal bloodline must be broken". Krakiota moved forward "Dimitri, is this necessary? The battle is won. The Princess has no army to rally. Now's the time for the Nons to take the lead and think of rebuilding". Dimitri acted sympathetic "Rebuild? While the battle has been won, there is still war going on, Senator Krakiota, a war which you pledged your allegiance to Separatist cause" "Of course, Dimitri. We owe you everything" "Do not soon forget it. Sharka, continue as planned?".
Undina and Amy were swimming through a cave and saw and electric wall "It's a prison camp" "How can we be sure Captain Striker's inside?" "There's only one way to find out". They waited for Lancers to appear with a group of prisoners and open the wall. Amy and Undina followed them through before the wall activated and quickly hid. They snuck through until seeing a group of Anthros with Meropis soldiers. Undina swam down and they saw her "Princess? Are you a prisoner here as well?" one of them said. "I am here, but not as a prisoner. I've come with a message", they surrounded her as she spoke "As your future queen, I have not lost hope. The time is coming when you will be free again. I will not fail you". One of the prisoners sighed "We want to believe, but how can this be possible?". Monk then appeared "Commander Rose" "Monk, am I glad to see you" "You both have to come with me now. You'll attract too much attention here. And I think there's someone who'll be happy to see you". They followed him but "Princess, you can't leave us here". Undina swam back to them "Have courage. The next time I appear to you, I will appear as your Queen".
Sharka and Krakiota returned to the interrogation room "I grow tired of waiting, Shinobi. Where is the Princess?". Saline and Shadow despite being shocked said nothing. Sharka rolled his eyes "To be honest, it matters little to me. But Dimitri demands that i capture the Princess". He swam past them and went in front of Tikal and held the air charm she was wearing "And you have information that brine me to her. So I can't afford to take chances1". He bit down on the charm causing it to crack, Tikal tried to back away "Ah! No!". Shadow struggled to try and get to them but the eels shocked him again. Razor was doing the same "Get away from her!". Sharka let go and backed away, the air charm started flashing and Tikal was struggling to breath. "Tikal, calm down! Slowly!" Shadow said desperately. She tried to slow down and only tried to breath when her charm was lit up, but she still wasn't getting enough air. Sharka cackled "Time is of essence now. That charm won't last long. Tell me what I want to know". Shadow watched Tikal, she looked like she was going to pass out.
Monk took them through the camp, everyone from Anthros, clones and Meropis were watching Undina. They were taken to an injured Striker who was being held by Coral. She smiled when she saw them "You're alive. Captain, you were right". He opened his eyes "Princess, I knew you would survive the battle" "Captain, I need your help. I know how we can win this fight". Striker sighed "But the battle I over, young Princess. And it appears that we have lost". Undina shook her head "No. In truth, we now outnumber our enemy. We can overwhelm them" "But we are prisoners. If we revolted, thousands would die" Coral said. "Not if the Nons struck first and aided in our attack". Striker looked disgusted by this idea "How can you say this. The Nons betrayed us. They assassinated your father" "No, Captain. Sharka murdered my father. Of that I'm sure". Amy nodded "The Nons are being used. I've seen it happen before. Dimitri has deceived them". As they continued a Lancer spotted Undina and swam away. Undina continued "We'll find Krakiota. He was my father's friend. I know he will listen" "How can you be certain of this?" "I can't. But it's time for me to lead, and this I feel is my only course of action". Striker hesitantly bowed his head "I will read our people, Princess" "But, Captain, you're injured" Coral said. "I'll be ready to fight with our future king". Monk nodded "I'll marshal the remaining clones and Meropis. What will your signal be?" "When the Nons attack our enemy, that will be your sign". Lancers then appeared and raised their blasters "You are under arrest". Undina saw Amy going for her lightsaber "No, my friend. I am Undina, leader of the Atlanteans, and I demand to speak to your superiors". The Lancers took her and Amy, seizing her lightsaber.
Tikal was getting weak "Your friend's time is running short" Sharka said mockingly. Shadow watched her and then "We don't know. I swear, we don't!" he said desperately. Sharka glared at him "You don't know?" his commlink then activated "We have located the Princess and have her in custody. He has requested an audience with the leadership". Sharka grinned "By all means, bring her to me. I shall meet you in the throne room". Krakiota was surprised by this "The throne room?" "Yes. I want that little one to see me in my rightful place as ruler of this world" "Ruler? That was not our arrangement with Dimitri". Sharka stopped and turned to him "No. It was mine". He headed for the door but "Wait, the prisoner. You have to save her!" Shadow yelled as Tikal looked barely conscious. Sharka smirked "No, I don't. Consider it punishment for wasting my time". He went through the door "Sharka!" Shadow yelled but the eels shocked him again. Razor struggled against his restraints when the Aquarius Chao came out of the wall and spoke to him "What? You can?". The others weren't listening "Shadow, we must create a bubble for her to breathe. Use the Force to push the water away" "I'm on it". They both held up their hands and the water moved away from Tikal. There was a second Shadow thought it was too late, but Tikal then took a huge breath "You mean like that?" Razor asked the Chao as they both watched Tikal. Tikal took another few breathes before smiling, the air charm around her neck suddenly burst and shattered "Just in time". The eels suddenly bit Saline and Shadow's legs shocking them. They couldn't concentrate and the water fell back on Tikal and this time she couldn't breathe at all. Suddenly Aquarius swam over and rested on the top of her head. She started singing in its language and the bubble reappeared around Tikal. Shadow saw her "Tikal, I'm sorry, I couldn't-" "It's okay. What's happening?". Razor had the answer "It's the mystic melody. The underwater Chao on Albion have it as well. Their able to form protective bubbles in the water". Shadow sighed in relief as Aquarius hid inside Tikal's dreadlocks and continued to sing.
Undina and Amy were brought into the throne room where Sharka and Krakiota was waiting "Greetings, Prince. We meet again. I must admit you were more difficult to capture than I anticipated. You have my respect as hunter to his prey". Undina fearlessly stepped forward "I do not seek, nor do I want your respect. I have come to demand the freedom of my people". Sharka laughed "Your people? You are mistaken, Princess. The Anthros are my people and under my rule" "Your rule is not recognised here, Sharka. And my people are all those who live in these seas, not just the Anthros". Krakiota looked up at this. Sharka laughed "Surely you have not come here seeking the air of Krakiota. I've seen the history between your people. Do you really think he would give away his position for you?". Undina stared sympathetically at him "Krakiota, whatever differences we have in the past surely you must know we can work together to make Atlantis whole. Dimitri and Sharka want to exploit us and leave our cities broken and our resources depleted". Sharka swam up to the serpent "Well, Krakiota? Would you like to join this pitiful little fish and his dead father?". Krakiota said nothing so Sharka smirked "You see, Princess. You seem to be fighting on your own" "If it gives the people of Atlantis hope then I shall". Sharka looked amused "Hmm, hope. We are of the same mind, Princess. That is why I have scheduled your public execution. Take her away!". The sharks started leading them away "Krakiota, please, help us and we'll defend our home".
Shadow was looking around and the eels "Alright, I think I'm getting the hang of this-" and eel shocked him. Saline watched patiently "Less talking helps". Lancers entered and took the four of them, Tikal was having trouble seeing through the bubble "Razor, where are they taking us?". Razor looked up at one of the Lancer "Hey, where are you taking us?" "To the execution of Princess Undina". They were taken to a platform which Undina was in the centre of with three sharks swimming around her. Sharka, the Nons and the prisoners were all watching. Shadow was taken next to Amy "Good job protecting the Princess" "It's all part of the plan, Master". Shadow smirked "I was hoping you were gonna say that. Anything I can do?" "Unfortunately, this time it's out of our hands" "I'm not sure I like this plan after all". Sharka moved forward "For crimes against the Separatist State, I command the execution of former Princess Undina".
Krakiota was behind him and nodded to one of his men, a squid behind the prisoners. The squid moved behind Striker "Captain" he handed Striker his golden claw "Krakiota and the Nons are with you". A manta ray handed Monk a blaster. "Kill her!" Sharka ordered, the sharks surrounding Undina lined up and dashed at her with their jaws open wide. Krakiota suddenly dashed forward and pushed her out of the way "Fight, Nons! Fight for Princess Undina!" a dolphin handed a rifle to Undina. All the prisoners fired on the group. Coral threw Razor his sword which he used to cut through his restraints. He fired at the Lancers behind Amy allowing her to take her lightsaber. They freed Shadow and Saline with the former freeing Tikal and getting her to safety. Sharka was ordering the Lancers into battle while Shark was leading the clones and the Meropis. The two armies clashed in the middle of the city. An assault craft squid suddenly appeared and attack the group. Meropis and Anthros started to swarm the craft and broke through the metal with their weapons causing it to crash into a building.
Sharka was swimming around the battle holding bombs with spikes attached. He was stabbing them into any enemies he could find blowing them up until he saw Undina. The two faced each other "Princess" "Your rule is at an end before it started, Sharka". She dashed forward but Sharka grabbed her and started punching her in the face. Undina grabbed one of the bombs form his belt as Sharka laughed "I killed your father without pity or mercy". "Then I'll return the favour" she stabbed the bomb into his shoulder. He threw her away and tried to pull the bomb out but was unable to. He roared and swam towards Undina who aimed with her rifle. She waited and once he got close enough fired hitting the bomb. It blew up taking Sharka with it. The water around Undina was now red and the biggest piece of Sharka she could see was his severed head falling to the bottom of the ocean. Undina sighed in relief and took a moment to breath when the others appeared around her "The day is won. Long live Princess Undina!" Krakiota yelled. Striker held up Undina's arm as everyone cheered.
Later Undina entered the throne room where everyone was waiting. She went to the middle of the room and Coral swam up to her holding a pillow with a diadem on it "Your father would be so proud". Undina smiled and bowed her head, "May the blessings of the water keep you; the might of your ancestors give you strength". Krakiota stepped forward and picked up the Diadem with his tail and he placed it on Undina's head "As representative of the Nons, I pledge my loyalty to you". Undina raised her head "And as your Queen I pledge my loyalty to all people of Atlantis" she nodded gratefully over to the Shinobi. Coral smiled "I present Queen Undina" the audience applauded.