"The Beast and the Bot"
Back on the beach, fifteen minutes later.
Meanwhile, Sonic was snoring away enjoying his sleep when someone spoke. "Sonic?" the voice said. Sonic just mmm's and turned away. "Sonic wake up!" It turned out to be Sonia as she placed her hands down on him and shook him. "Mmmmm, not now, gimme a few more minutes." He whined in his sleep. Sonia then got peeved of Sonic's reluctance to get up and grunted in annoyance. She then decided to shake him more violently to get his attention. "SONIC MAURICE HEDGEHOG, you get up right this second, we have an emergency!" Sonia shouted shrilly. Sonic then began to stir groggily and unwittingly went to reach for Twilight, unbeknownst to him Twilight wasn't there anymore.
"Hey Twi come on there's something going on that….." But as he reached over and touch the spot he thought his wife was at, he was left touching an empty sleeping bag. Sonic's eyes widen a bit in surprise that she wasn't there. "Twilight?" He asked. Sonic then looked around the tent in a bit of alarm. He called out in case she was already outside though he already was getting an inkling that she wasn't around the area anymore. He then hopped out and spoke. "Wait where's Twilight?" He asked.
Sonia was ready to answer, but the sound of footsteps behind her back drew her attention. She then turned back to see Manic who just entered the tent. Manic didn't look cheered, or enthusiastic as he always looked, and his siblings could swear then he was upset or even depressed.
"Manic?" Sonia asked as she appeared a concerned look on her face.
"Bro?" Sonic spoke with a question, as he gave a questioning look on his face. But Manic was still silent. He then simply gave a golden bracelet to Sonia. Their mom's bracelet. Sonia gasped deeply as her mind filled with horror when she knew what Manic hints at.
"Her too?" Sonia asked with a quiet whisper. Manic then just turned away and held his hands on his head, "Now we missed her again... wonderful… And the worst thing is, that we have three missing" He said with his voice sad and depressed.
Sonic stood up only in a tank top and shorts. "What do you mean three are missing?" He asked as he was worried somehow. He didn't like Manic's hints. But Sonia just motioned him to follow, before he and the others were gathered around the beach.
A few minutes later, when the whole group gathered in the center of the camp and explained the reason, Sonic's eyes filled with horror and fear again.
"WWWWHHHHHAAAAATTTTT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN MOTHER IS GONE?!" He suddenly shouted in fear and shock. Everyone covered their ears for a bit. After the shouting, Celestia spoke. "Sonic please calm down. We are as shocked about this as you are" She said, by trying to sound calm and balanced
"Calm down?" Sonic asked still in shock, and frowned, "I can't calm down. I lost my mother and my wife just in one night…"
"Sonic." Sonia interrupted him as she grabbed his shoulder, "She's my mother too, do not forget. We are worried no less than you…" Sonic then made a deep sigh to calm his nerves, and looked up at her eyes apologetically, "Yeah you're right. Sorry, Sonia." He said quietly, prompting Sonia to smile at him. Sonic then looked at Tia and smiled at her apologetically, as he regretted shouting at her, "I'm sorry for being rude, Princess." He said, but Tia simply looked at him with a wise smile, "That's okay, young man." She said, sounding wisely, "I completely understand your feelings. Though, you'll not help your mother and your wife with these screams."
Sonic nodded at her, "Yes, you're right princess." He said
"And don't forget Sunset is gone too." Tails pointed out to which Knuckles spoke. "Tails good try, but I don't think that's helping." He said sarcastically. But Tails was only about to smirk at him in response, "But I think I know what could help." He said, and then he turned to Rarity, "Rarity, do you know what I mean?", Rarity grinned at him in response, "Of course I do, Miles darling." The two then pressed their back at each other and crossed their arms, "This is work for SRTF team!" She announced proudly, but this caused only a questions from the other's, as they didn't know what they're talking about. Though, Silver and Fluttershy did make the annoyed looks over their beloved, and looked at each other, "Oh, no." They muttered.
AJ was looking down on the sand floor while Sonic spoke from behind. "What does this all means?" He asked with a surprised tone in his voice. Rarity snickered over his question, "That's the name of our detective team. It based on our names." She said happily, "That was my idea."
Sonic then sighed deeply, "That sounds pretty, but It doesn't help really." He said sadly, "We need to get out of here and find mom."
"I know this, but we can not just rush out without figuring out where they went." Luna said. Though Sonic looked like he was about to retaliate, but then AJ spoke in a serious tone. "HEY, Y'ALL! I might have an idea where they went." She said as she looked at some print tracks in the sands. Tails went over and inspected the three trials two of regular pony prints, but the third was different from the other trails. This one had prints that looked like they were made by a boot.
RD watched the trail and then landed at the edge where it goes to the sea where the footprints ended, but the shoe prints went further. Though she gave a confusing look, but Shadow who came out of nowhere behind her spoke. "My best guess is whoever made the shoe prints went ahead into the water, but it looks like the girls took to the sky based on how the prints end all the sudden." He deduced like a detective. Sonic then rushed over to confirm what Shadow said and found it to be likely true, he then decided to take action.
"But how?" He asked in a surprise.
"You remember this legend about mere ponies?" Pinkie asked him. Sonic then sighed and looked back at the group with a concerned look on his face.
"Okay everyone, listen up. It looks like the trail leads into the ocean, and I assume that's where we'll likely find my mom, wife, and Sunset and whoever is behind their disappearance. So…. I'll go in the water and go look for them!" Sonic said though he was met with an abundant amount of objections from his friends. "Sonic you can't go in there, I mean not that I don't admire your determination, but you can't swim and the water isn't exactly your element!?" Tails reminded Sonic about this circumstance. Knuckles then volunteered. "Yeah, let me go, I can at least swim and with my treasure hunting skills and breathing apparatus I have a better chance of finding them." Rarity then came into the conversation to reason with Sonic too. "Oh yes darling, I know Twilight is your wife and all and your mother is out there as well, but don't agonize yourself for them, I'm sure they wouldn't want you to get hurt." Sally then voiced her concerns. "Yes Sonic, maybe for once you should let someone else do this, I know you have a personal stake in this and all, but…"
"But do not forget, that she's our mother, too, Sonic." Manic put it his own words, as he walked closer to his brother, "If you go then let at least me and Sonia to go with you.", But Sonic then raised both arms in the air to signal them to stop. He then continued on to what he was going to say.
"Guys I know I am a pretty big wuss when it comes to water and I know I don't like going anywhere near it, but I don't really have a choice in the matter. My mother, my wife, our friends are down there and for all we know could be in major trouble. I'm not just going to abandon them that's not what I'm about. Besides I'm wearing Twilight's water ring so I'll be protected as long as I keep it with me." He said as he showed the water ring. The others were in a bit of doubt and Sonic then sighed knowing they were gonna push it if he didn't agree to their terms and at the moment he didn't have time to argue. He then came up with an idea. "Ok here… Here's the plan. Let's split up into groups and organize the searching operation around the entire beach…" He then crossed his arms, "Whoever kidnapped them may use the seawater to confuse us, and I may assume that they can be here still." He said. "What do you think?" He asked.
The others looked at him with looks of suspicious on their faces, because they have the idea about Sonic is just trying to get rid of them. However, they were too tired for arguing, and moreover, Rarity got the opportunity of working as a detective again. She then squealed and hugged Tails, Fluttershy and Silver, what prompted the three to open their eyes wide.
"This is going to be fun." She exclaimed with a happy tone in her voice, "I knew that I took these suits for a good reason." She then grabbed Silver's arm and dragged him inside their tent, "Let's go, darlings." She said. Silver, though, became nervous and looked at Tails and Fluttershy with a look of horror on his face.
"Help me." He whispered before Rarity dragged him inside. Tails and Fluttershy looked at this picture with a questioning looks on their faces, but then Tails sighed, "I think we better go." He said as he and his GF approached the camp.
"You know that Sonic is trying to work you off?" Fluttershy asked him in a whisper. Tails sighed as he narrowed his eyes, "Of course I do." He whispered back.
In the meantime, Knuckles gave a disappointed look to Sonic and shook his head in disapproval. The others said nothing to him, and went back to their tents, as they realized that he's trying to talk them off and to continue this work alone. Manic even gave a frown to his brother, before turning away from him and taking Pinkie's hand as they both went to their tent. Pinkie, however, was confused.
"Wait, so we're not going to search for them?" She asked Manic, prompting him to sigh sadly, "No, Pinkie." He said in dismay. Just as the others have gone, only Cadence, Shining, Sonia, and Sonic remained on the shore. After everyone hides back in their tents, Sonia formed an angry look on her face and approached Sonic, before jabbing him on his nose.
"Sonic, what was that for?" She asked him as she was annoyed by his ego, what prompted Sonic to form a questioning look on his face, "We all have reasons for searching them, but you have to follow your ego and to go solo as you always do, right?", Sonic then sighed and formed the apologetic look on his face, "Sonia, you don't understand…"
"What I don't understand?" Sonia interrupted angrily, "You want to prove everyone that you're so awesome and heroic that you don't need any help even when you have a ton of people who might help you without a second thought. Those who got lost tonight are not only your mother and wife, but also mine and Manic's mother, and …"
"And my sister, Sonic." Shining Armor added his argument, as he formed a sad look on his face, "I am worrying about her as well as you worrying about your mother. Please let us help you, we can't just sit here and waiting for your return."
Sonic sighed deeply again and stretched both his arms toward them, before starting his explanation, "Look, guys, I know that you might think that this is because of my "ego", but this is wrong." He spoke as he tried to sound calm and balanced, "We don't yet know who kidnapped them exactly. What if it were a demons, or sea monsters who might be worse than the robots. Guys, I don't want any of you to get hurt if it will be something serious." He then smiled, "If you're here you'll be safe and sound I might get it much faster and calmer. I'll know that you'll be here safe and sound, and not be in worry for your fate. Sounds cool?"
Sonia's face was still blank, while she was looking into her brother's eyes, as if not believing in what he was saying, but then she formed a glare on her face as she became so angry that Sonic's eyes went wide in both, question and fear. Before he could react, Sonia gave him a good slap on his right cheek.
"You damn selfish, Sonic!" Sonia snarled as she looked inside Sonic's shocked eyes, "Do you really think that I am just going to sit here and hoping that my brother, my mother and my sister-in-law will get back alive? You're no longer fifteen, Sonic! It's time to grow up!", Sonic then frowned, "Sonia, listen to me…" He tried to interrupt her, but his sister didn't give him a chance to another justification, and snarled again, "I've heard enough Sonic!" She snapped again, "Wanna go there alone, fine, but next time if you'll get into trouble, don't call us for help. You're such a hero, so escape yourself!" She then turned away from him and approached her tent. Shining was looking at her with his face was sad as well, as he perfectly knew Sonia's feelings. He then formed a disappointed look on his face and looked at Sonic. In his mind, he wanted to punch him in the face, but he managed to keep himself calm, and just shook his head as if disapproving his actions.
Sonic then sighed deeply as he knew that his sister was right somehow and knew that she was scared for their mother no less than he does, and he knew that Shining was scared for his sister no less than Sonic was scared for his wife, but deep inside his mind he was in a debate. On one hand, he really wanted to do it alone because of his habits to do everything alone, but on the other hand, he knew that these days are over and as a practice showed for these several months, every time when he doing something alone, he always get into troubles and someone have to save him. He then sighed and looked over to the sea horizon.
"I hate myself already for saying this, but…" He spoke sadly, "... but I have no choice… I hope you'll understand me…" He then walked over to the water, where the boat was. Shining opened his eyes wide and followed him, "Where are you going?" He asked him in a surprise, "To save my mother, my wife, and my friend." Sonic said as he started to push the boat. Shining, though frowned and stood next to him, "There's no way you'll do it alone, Sonic Maurice Hedgehog." He protested, prompting Sonic to look at him, "Your wife are not just your wife, but also my sister. So I am going with you."
"Shining…"
"Don't Shining-ing me!" Shining said with a slight growl, "I am going with you."
"Shining, honey." Cadence called him out as she walked closer to the two. Sonic and Shining looked at her, to see her concerned look on her face, "Let me do this for you." She asked him, "I know that you worrying for Twilight, but you're not good with flying if you remember."
"Cadence…" Shining tried to protest his wife's words, but she shushed him by placing a finger on his lips, "Please go back to the others and try to cool them down. You're in this aspect much better than me.", Shining wanted to argue with his wife, but soon he realized that she was right somehow and decided not to argue with her. He then nodded to his wife and took her hands tightly. He kissed her on the lips, "Please be careful." He then looked at Sonic, "The same goes for you…", Sonic nodded at him confidently. Shining nodded back and walked back to the camp to cool down the others, while Cadence looked at Sonic with a frown. Sonic just looked back. "Hey I ain't as happy as you are, but you and I both know that this is the only way." He pointed out. Cadence sighed still not liking this, but then nodded agreeing with him.
The two were then out at sea looking around as Cadence was using a detection spell to find anything hiding under the water. Sonic grunted. "Any signs of them?" He asked. Cadence shook her head. "No sorry Sonic. Nothing yet." Sonic then sighed and gave a worried look. "Mom, Twilight, Sunset. Where are you guys?" He asked quietly to himself. As they searched unknown to them something was following them from underneath. Sonic was then about to grunt when Cadence spoke up. "Um, Sonic?" She said. Sonic turned to her. "Yeah Cadence?" Sonic asked as he went over to her. "I'm feeling something big swimming nearby… very close by." She said. Sonic then looked over. "Well if it is I can't see them. Even with all the moonlight, the ocean's too dark for me to see." She said. Sonic then looked over the boat. "Well, then I'm going in." He said as he started to climb over the boat. Cadence turned to him and then grabbed him. "Wait, Sonic." She said. Sonic turned to her. "What Cadence? I can't just stand here if it's them." Sonic looked back at Cadence and blink in an unsure way.
On one hand, if something was hostile down there and he brought the princess of the Crystal empire, he would effectively be putting her life endanger. The kingdom would potentially lose it's ruler and Shining would be without a wife, something he desperately wanted to avoid, which is why he was so dead set on going on alone, something the others didn't quite understand and accused his ego of disregarding the help of others. On the other hand, he empathized with Cadence on not wanting to stand by in apathy while the others possible needed her. That and Cadence was an Alicorn and could handle herself better than the others with her god-like abilities in magic which would not only help in the survival of the others but make her a powerful ally for what might be down there. He then reminded himself that he was at a huge disadvantage at the bottom of the ocean, and it was because of Twilight's water ring charm was he able to survive being underwater and not have the urgency of going for air while down there. But besides that, that was all it did. His mobility was severely compromised while underwater due to his none existent buoyancy, and he would still be a vulnerable target while underwater. Plus he still considered the ring to be a delicate lifeline he couldn't completely depend on if it were removed under any circumstance. And he would need someone to depend on while down there in case of thing went awry.
He then nodded his head in approval to her and said. "Alright, but be careful while you're down there, I don't want to face Shining if something horrible were to happen to you which is why I was so dead set on having the others stay behind, not because I didn't trust in their abilities." He said. Cadence looked at him. "Well, then why leave them on the beach Sonic?" She asked. Sonic sighed, "Because I would hate to loose any of them or the ones they loved and they would have to deal with the devastation of their loss. I just wish they understood that instead of coloring me as an inconsiderate asshole?" Sonic said in a sad wayward tone as he remembered the hurtful looks of his friends and what Sonia said to him when they left.
"Sonic." Cadence said as she then put her hand on Sonic's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "As ugly as that may have seemed, I'm sure your friends and siblings don't hold you in the ill will because of it? There just concerned for your welfare as well as Twilight's, Sunset's, and your mother, despite their frustration towards you I know they don't want anything bad to happen to you?" Cadence said kindly to Sonic. But Sonic responded by saying. "It doesn't seem like that sometimes, despite my selfless, noble, and my good intentions they can't help but coloring me as an asshole who only does things for the glory of showboating on adventures, why can't they see me with more depth than that?" He said sadly. It was a bit quiet for then until Cadence then said as delicately as she could manage, say's. "Uh, Sonic as much as I would like to console you in your time of need? We need to find Twilight and Sunset as soon as possible, otherwise the longer we wait for the more…..?" Cadence said so Sonic would fill in the rest for her. Sonic looked to her a bit perplexed for a second but reconsidered she was right and said. "Yeah you're right, now I am being selfish for just talking about my problems when we….." But Cadence cut him off with an overly exasperated frustrated goofy sigh and a raspberry to further lighten the mood and smiled at him.
Sonic smirked back as no other words were necessary after that, as Sonic got the silent message without uttering a single word. Sonic could be so ridiculously selfless that he even scolded himself for even talking about his own problems while in the pursuit of helping others. In a way, for Sonic he was just trying to follow in his father's shoes, but at the same time be himself. However, before anything else was done the boat then started to shake a bit. Sonic looked at Cadence as she just shrugged thinking maybe it was a wave. Though the boat the rocked again but it was a little harder. Sonic looked over at the waves to see they were nice and calm. "Ok, either the waves are somehow concealing themselves or something else is going on?" Sonic said. Cadence looked around and then noticed something swim by and then gave a stern look. "Um, Sonic… I don't think we're alone." She said.
Sonic went over to her side and saw the same exact thing swimming by. He then grunted. "Ok, I'll go see what it is and-" Cadence though put a hand on his chest. "Um, Sonic I don't think you need to do that." She said. Sonic tilted his head in a perplexed manner and turned to Cadence with an equally perplexed look and said. "Why not?" She then pointed at the thing that was swimming around the boat was starting to come up. Sonic then got in a fighting stance ready to take on the possible hostile threat. That's when the creature popped out of the water. It was a sea creature with three horns. Sonic then looked at it with confusion. "What on Mobius?" He asked while Cadence went a little wide-eyed. "It… It can not be…" She said. Sonic turned to her. "What? What is it Cadence?" He asked. Cadence stepped in front of Sonic to get a better look and confirmed her suspicions. "It's a three-horned bunyip," She said.
Sonic gave a look of confusion and thought of how crazy that name sounded. "A triple what?" Sonic asked. Cadence then turned to him. "A triple bunyip. It's a docile creature that lives in our seas. Though it will get a little out of control at the scent of cucumber sandwiches." She said. Sonic nodded taking a note of that. The bunyip then called out like a whale. Cadence then turned to it. "Why hello to you too." She said to it. Sonic then gave a confused look. The bunyip called again as Cadence listened. "Oh uh, my apologies see we weren't exactly trying to get your attention. We were merely trying to find friends of ours." Sonic then turned to her.
"You can understand that thing?" He asked. Cadence nodded, but Sonic was still confused. "Ok wait how can you understand it and I can't." He asked. Cadence though points at the constellation surrounding the moon. "Remember what Twilight said about that constellation?" She said as she pointed at the moon. "She said that the constellation would allow us regular ponies to connect with marine life." Sonic then tilted his head in perplexity and said. "Really, I thought all it did was transform regular ponies into Mere ponies? I guess she must of either left out some details or I wasn't listening to the entire thing?" Sonic stated. Cadence then snarkily remarked by saying. "Oh don't worry darling, that obliviousness is just apart of your charm." Cadence said. In which Sonic responded by crossing his arms and smirking by saying. "Oh, hardy har har har har!" He quipped. Cadence just giggled at him as she then turned to the bunyip. "Speaking of our friends have you seen a lavender or orange pony swimming around or maybe even a purple hedgehog?" She asked it. The Bunyip then did another roar in which Sonic turned to Cadence.
"Well? What did it say?" Sonic asked. In which Cadence turned to Sonic and responded by saying. "He claims he hasn't seen anyone that fits that description. However he does know someone who does, but he is curious as to why?" Sonic though closed his eyes to give his mind a bit to think and then spoke. "Tell him we'll explain everything if he takes us to see these friends of his." In which Cadence nodded and relayed what Sonic said back to the Bunyip. But then the Bunyip gave another combination of sounds that sounded like a question to Sonic in which Cadence turned to Sonic to translate what he bunyip said. "He asks how are we going to follow him underwater?" Sonic then responds by grasping his gold wrist ring saying. "It's cool, I"ve got my ways. Come on hold onto to me and it will protect us both." In which Cadence gave another raspberry and swatting the gesture away with her left arm, and said. "Oh don't worry about me dear, in case you forgot….." She jumped into the water in which startles Sonic as he calls out. "Cadence!" And immediately dove in right after her.
As he slowly descended to the bottom, he put his right hand over his temple and under his eyes, surveying where Cadence may have drifted off to. But as he landed on the bottom Cadence just swam over to him as if it were nothing but a leisurely walk around the park. Sonic rebuked by saying. "Cadence are you nuts!? You just can't dive in like that and….." Sonic then began to notice Cadence wasn't showing any duress while being under water and began to ask. "Hey, how are you….?" In which Cadence rolled her eyes and light-heartedly sighed. "Boy, for the fastest thing alive, you're certainly slow on the the concept, not to mention a short memory span, don't you remember the Constellation?" Sonic blinked in surprise on how Cadence was able to speak underwater but quickly replaced by wonder and awe at what happened next.
A strange glow enveloped Cadences being as she was beginning to transform before the very hero's eyes. As Cadences once long beautiful slender legs transformed and began to come together and form into a sparkly pink bi-lateral fin, fish tail. As the glow died down Cadence then effortlessly waved her new appendage and swam near Sonic in a circle like fashion. "See?" She said as she moved around him. "I don't need any assistance, the constellation makes so that I'm perfectly adapted to thrive underwater." She said. In which Sonic put his fist on his hips and smirked by saying. "Yeah, and might I say you make a lovely Mere Mare boot!" He said as did a lateral spin while swimming but blushingly smiled by saying. "Oh why thank you dear, it's not only thrilling to experience this phenomenon first hand, but is great to know I look good while doing it." She said. But she quickly donned a serious frown and said. "But enough that, we need to focus on finding Twilight and Sunset, though I expect the constellation has changed them as it did me, and we don't have to worry about them drowning, still they may still be in danger of other things and we need to make haste." Sonic then too donned a serious frown as he knew Cadence might be right and nodded to her saying. "Right, let's get a move on then, shall we?" He said as he and Cadence then began to follow after the bunyip.
The two continued to walk along the ocean with Cadence looking at Sonic. "You feeling ok?" She asked. Sonic just looked forward. "Like a shining diamond. Why do you ask?" He questioned. Cadence then just looked forward. "Well… I mean… I know how much you hate water so I can imagine it can't be easy just walking through your greatest fear." She said. Sonic then sighed as he wasn't trying to hide anything. "Yeah… I'm not comfortable with this. Not only am I afraid of it, but I have very low mobility even with this thing on." He said as he looked at the water ring. "But… it's the only way to find them… and I would rather travel through the deepest waters than allow harm to come to anyone I care about." He said as he looked forward. Cadence then swam close to him. "You know Sonic… I do have a lot of respect for you… I mean you have been through a lot ever since you first came here… and to be honest… you make life a real adventure you know?" She said trying to be positive. Sonic then gave a smirk. "Heh, thanks, Cadence. I guess I can really see why Twilight enjoyed hanging out with you when she was just a filly." He said. Cadence smirked seeing her goal was accomplished.
As they kept walking (Or in Cadence and the bunyips case swimming) Sonic began to have thoughts and started to develop an angry expression. "Ergh! Dammit, Twilight, why'd you have to leave my side, without at least telling me where you were going? Do I seriously need to consider putting a leash on you?" He thought. He thought kept these thoughts in check as he didn't want Cadence to hear. Even with these thoughts though Sonic still felt like he was being a little harsh. "Sigh… I'm not happy she ran off, but I can't be mad at her forever. Though once I find her we're gonna have a nice long talk" He thought to himself. Cadence turned to him and noticed his frustration. "Hey don't worry Sonic." She said. Sonic turned to look at her as she continued. "You and I both know Twilight is capable of handling herself and she's got Sunset with her. So I'm sure those two are just fine." She said trying to be optimistic. Sonic though turned to the bunyip and spoke. "Maybe you're right Cadence. Anyways can you ask whale boy there have much further we are to his friends?"
She then swam up to the bunyip and started and started to commune with the creature. She then turned to Sonic and said. "He say's we're not much further now." She replied. "Good the sooner we can find them the sooner we can leave." He said. As he went back to his private thoughts he couldn't help but hope Sunset was alright too. He wasn't going to lie to himself, that he didn't care about her when in fact he did. He did share something with her during his stint in the Human realm. Plus she had friends back in the human realm and it was bad enough that she might not see them again, but would be even worse if she wasn't alive to alive to ever have that hope again. He couldn't bear to lose either of them. And then there was his mother. We're the two even connected he wondered or was this a separate conspiracy altogether. Sonic continued to ponder the thought more and more trying to get an idea of the situation. Did Twilight see who took his mother and pursued after the assailant hoping to get her back and was in such a rush that she couldn't afford to wake him for fear of losing the assailant? But if that were true, she would have been outside the tent for that to occur because if she had witnessed that while in their tent then she would have woke him, but then what was she doing outside, to begin with late at night. "What Twilight, you decided to take up skinny dipping right then!? Plus how did Sunset get involved in this too?" He put his hand to his chin and began to think. But then an image appeared with both Twilight and Sunset both in the water naked, they're breast's smooshed together as they began to make out with one another in the water with the starry night sky and moon adding atmosphere to the erotic scene in his head. Sonic's eyes began to open wide in shock at this followed by a deep blush as he then began to shake that possible scenario from his head. He then thought. "C-C-Come on Twi's not into that…. as far as I know? I mean, I know Sunset's hot and all but…. uhh I don't know what to think or feel about this?!" Sonic thought as he looked above. The thought, however, was too fresh in his find to just forget as he couldn't help but look at that image in his mind every chance he got.
Sonic tried to shake the thought to get his head straight, but it was difficult for him since the possibility could be true. Cadence turned to him as she saw him freaking out trying to get his head out of the gutter and focused on their goal. "Um, Sonic?" She asked. Sonic then went wide eyed and turned to her. "Are you ok?" She asked. Sonic was standing there for a few moments acting like he got caught by the police. He though shook his head even harder than before and then gave a fake smile. "Y-Yeah I'm just fine Cadence. Hehe. No need to worry about me." He said giving a fake laugh to try and throw her off. Cadence just shrugged and decided to move on. While Sonic just sighed in relief. "Whew… That was close… Ok so if that is the case… what am I gonna do if I find them like that?..." Sonic thought. Though that's when he would imagine them giving him a seductive smile and started to gesture him to join them. Of course, he would refuse to tell them that he doesn't need to, but then the girls then smiled at each other knowing he was gonna say no and decided to use their magic to pull him right to them. They then began to strip him down and grind on him and well…. enough for Sonic become maroon all over his body and try and fail to keep his nose from attracting sharks in the water where they are at. Though Cadence just turned to him again and saw he was in the same state or rather it looked a little deeper than before and this made her concern. She then turned fully to him. "Ok Sonic you're starting to worry me. Are you sure you're ok?"
Sonic didn't snap out of it for a while until Cadence came up to him and slapped his face to wake him up. Cadence then spoke. "SONIC!" She called. Sonic then snapped out of his state and turned to her with a huge blush that made him look like a tomato. "Are you ok? You wouldn't respond." She said. Sonic then shook his head and rubbed the cheek Cadence slapped. He then dropped the ridiculous goofy expression on his face and wiped his nose clean as he then donned a sad concern look on his face. "Yeah, I was just trying to figure out what my wife and Sunset were doing at the time, and what happen to my mother too?" He said as that was the originally true reason of his hiatus from reality. "I mean?!" As he continued on with his gnawing question. "Why didn't Twilight come and get me? I know she knows I don't like the water, but I would rather face it with her then wondering if she fine or not? And what happened to my mother and who took her, and how did Sunset get involved in this too? I mean it's driving me mad trying to figure out what transpired while I was asleep." He said with a tone of annoyance and of sadness. Cadence looked at him concerned and placed a hand under his chin
"We're going to find them ok? Just keep your hopes up." She said. Sonic then looked up at her and started to smile, but then all the sudden out of the blue three mere ponies holding spears appeared and surrounded them. Sonic then got into a fighting stance assuming the worst from these guys. "Cadence get behind me and stay-" Cadence though grunted and when Sonic turned he sees her getting pulled away. He was about to make a move when one of them came out at him and grabbed him. "HEY LET GO OF ME" He snarled as he tried to pull away from the mere ponies grip. However the grip was strong, but then he started to see he was coming loose. However not only was his arm coming loose, but the water ring was coming loose as well, Sonic felt the urgency of it coming loose, and then began to snarl as he brought his legs up and gave the mere colt a strong kick to the chest knocking him away from him but made his water ring fall off. As the effects of the charm begin to leave him leaving him vulnerable to the water around him Sonic made a desperate dive towards the ring. But just as he caught it in his hand two mere colts rushed in and tackled him to a coral reef. The impact made Sonic drop the ring from his hand leaving him at the mercy of the ocean floor. He tried struggling to break free from their grip but that only exhausted his oxygen faster. Cadence saw this and tried to pull away from the mere ponies. "STOP! YOU'RE KILLING HIM!" She shouted at them.
They turned to her and then at Sonic to see he was starting to drown. They then turned to each other and one of them slipped the ring on his wrist to try and get him to breath to which Sonic could, but Sonic then started to pass out. Though he swore that before he faded he saw two blurs swimming to him. One lavender and the other orange. Sonic then blacked out for a bit.
Sonic later started to awaken and found himself under the water but in some type of cage that had coral bars. He then noticed the ring was back on his wrist as he sighed. "Well, at least I'm not literally sleeping with the fishes." He thought to himself. He then looked around to see if there was any way to get out of it. He wasn't seeing anything and then spoke. "Hey, Cadence you see any way out of these?" He asked. It was silent. Sonic then gave a confused look. "Cadence?" He asked as he turned to look at the cell. However, as he looked around he noticed he was the only one in the cell and went wide eyed. "Oh no not her too." He said to himself. He was about to start wigging out when a mere pony guard came up to him. "You need to come with me now." The guard said. Sonic crossed his arms while giving a look of suspicion. Later the guard was escorting Sonic to another building. Sonic then gave a smirk.
"Hey buddy where are you taking me? Are you taking me to the other ride?" He said making a joke, then he was meet with a spear that was almost was near his neck as the guard didn't look like he was fooling around.
"SILENCE YOU CERTAIN!" He yelled out as he went back to what he was doing as Sonic looked almost shocked at the response he got. "Jeez can't you take a joke? If I wasn't in chains I'd kick his butt!" He thought to himself as he kept on walking. As they did so they entered what seemed to be a courtroom as he was then led to a seat, he sits down and then a knocking was heard as he sees the person above was the judge.
"ORDER IN THE COURT" He yelled out as he kept knocking on the gavel Sonic then realized why was he here in this courtroom. "Wait….am I being accused of something? AGAIN?" He thought to himself as he tried to stand up from his seat.
"Your honor, if I'm being accused of something I want to clarify, I didn't do anything wrong, or for that matter, I've never been here before!" He called out to the judge, though his words fell on deaf ears as he felt a spear come to his neck again as he sat down again as he didn't want to get his neck ripped. "BE SILENT!" The guard who held the spear said.
"Ok ok jeez." Sonic said silently as he didn't want to be hurt. Then another mere pony enters the room as it was Princess Jewels. "Okay now that we are in order Princess Jewels will now speak." The judge spoke as the princess nodded. "Thank you, your honor. As of right now, we are gathered to inspect the crimes of this…..thing." She said making Sonic flabbergasted at this.
"Alright what the hell did I do?" He said catching their attention. "Your crime is that you have kidnapped our queen and her mate Hoofbeard, and we have evidence to support this!" She then had an object in her hand as she projects it as it looked like an image of someone looking like Sonic in the shadows, taking the queen and Hoofbeard then sneaking aboard some ship. Sonic still looked confused as to why these mere ponies were mistaking him for someone else.
"Wait I didn't do it honestly I didn't do it!" He yelled out. "I'm sorry sir but the evidence goes to you since this shadow looks like you. And you need to pay for your crimes!" She called out to him as Sonic looked worried since he literally has evidence to back them up as there was nothing for him to do.
"WAIT!" A voice was heard as he spots two mere ponies who looked like Twilight and Sunset. But he looked closely and saw that they were Twilight and Sunset just with mermaid tails, he kept his surprised to a minimum as of right now. Twilight then came and approached Jewel's. "Jewel listen I know that may look like him, but whatever that thing is isn't Sonic who's done all this." She said trying to defend him. Jewel, however, gave a stern look at her. "Really? Do you know anyone else who could have a shape like that, and the same color of skin?" She asked. Sunset though spoke to try and back Twilight up. "Maybe there's a good reason behind this Jewel." Jewel looked at them both with glares telling them that she still doesn't believe their story.
"I'm sorry Princess, but you might need more proof to have him be innocent." She said as Cadence came towards where Twilight and Sunset were. "We can back her up." Cadence said as she and Sunset nodded. The judge looked at the two princesses and pony pleading to him for Sonic. He sighed as he grabbed the gavel.
"Fine then, since you two are princesses." Which had Sunset yelling out "Hey!" which he ignored as her. "And an individual, we'll let Sonic go, but he'll have until next sunset or else he'll sleep with the fishes and I don't mean in an expression." He said as Sonic had a glad expression from what he said though he was then sat down by one of the guards as he was then strapped on his wrist. "And to make sure you'll do it we placed an artifact on it to make sure you pay the consequences." He said as sternly as he could as Sonic's expression turned to shocked.
"If we can we'll use a little bit of our magic and well. Lets just say you won't be able to feel anything for a few minutes or less." He explained as he sees Jewels comes to him. "I shall accompany you if decide to run away from your mission. As well as those two ponies that we met." She said as she pointed to Twilight and Sunset. The two nodded in agreement to this, but Sonic wasn't he was about to argue, but then Cadence swam up and whispered. "Sonic I know you don't want that, but please just go with it. Don't make things any worse than they already are." She said trying to be reasonable. Later on Sonic was hanging out waiting for Jewel as he turned to Twilight.
"So let me make this clear? You mean to tell me that the whole time you and Sunset were gone having me worried sick… YOU WERE PLAYING WITH FISH FOLK?!" Sonic shouted at Twilight who covered her ears. After she uncovered them she turned to Sonic. "Sonic I wasn't fooling around I was just… talking with them was all." Sonic though saw this as an excuse. "Oh really? Twilight do you and Sunset have any clue how worried I was? How worried we all were when you two took off? We thought something bad happened to you girls!" Sonic exclaimed. "And it turns out you were here fooling with the fish folk? What were you thinking running off on your own?!" Twilight just started to gather an annoyed expression. "Well you were asleep and I figured we figured we could handle it." She said. Sonic just growled. "Yeah well while you were off playing magic fish My Mother went missing, but thanks to this situation I have to find these mere ponies queen before I can go look for her!" He exclaimed. Twilight just looked at him concerned and confused. Sonic just looked at her and then gave a depressed look and then walked away. Cadence turned to Sonic and approached Twilight. "Twilight… while I'm glad your learning to be your own person… you must understand Sonic's concern. Even I must agree with him."
Twilight then turned to her. Cadence sighed. "What I'm saying is he wasn't the only one. I mean how do you think Armor felt when you ran off. Him and all the others… but Sonic took it the most personal… you know how he can be… he was just too scared of losing you and finding out you weren't in danger not only made him mad at you, but mad at himself because he and the others got into an argument when you ran off and… well… let's just say they are all not on great terms with each other." She said. Twilight hearing this went from an annoyed expression to a concerned one after hearing this. She then turned her attention to Sonic who was sitting on a rock looking down at the seafloor. Twilight worried turned to back to Cadence. "Sigh… your right Cadence… I… I should've at least told you guys… I just thought that… maybe me and Sunset could handle this… I didn't realize how worried you all were." She said.
Cadence smiled as she placed a hand underneath Twilight's chin. "It's alright Twilight… Just next time you need to inform us so we aren't so worried you know?" Cadence said. Twilight nodded and spoke. "While were gone what are you gonna do?" She asked. Cadence gave a smile saying. "I'm staying here and see if I can sort out this mess that Sonic seems to have….. wandered into. I assume that you and Sunset will be able to keep him out of trouble?" She asks as Twilight nods to this and Sunset as well, seeing as she was floating a few yards away and heard everything, even Sonic and Twilight's argument in which she winced at as Sonic began yelling.
As soon as everything was in order for the journey. They unchained Sonic and began their trek across the ocean floor. Twilight tried to talk to Sonic during that time, but Sonic just gave her an icy glare and said. "I don't feel like talking to you right now." In which he resumed his march with the Guards hot on his heels with their spears ready in which was getting on his nerves and grated even more when they started to unnecessarily began to poke at his head urging him to keep moving. Though unbeknownst to the lot of them it was still night out with the full moon waxing above the ocean waves, and as they continued on with their abuse Sonic was getting more agitated and his green eyes began to glow and his veins began to protrude from his arms and chest as his rage began to build from the persistent poking.
As this was happening Twilight was swimming behind the line with Sunset with her ears folded in with a distraught look on her face. She didn't mean to make Sonic worried or have him in this predicament in the first place. But before she learned what was going on, with Sonic being accused of abducting the crown, the Sentries had spotted Sonic with Cadence as they were looking for her. She and Sunset had arrived just in time unfortunately to see Sonic nearly drown at the hands of the mere soldiers that had rushed him. Ironic that she left him to ensure his safety on their little quest, only to endanger it with the looming possibility of execution for a crime he clearly didn't commit and have him angry with her to boot for this. Twilight looked down in a more melancholy manner at this revelation.
But then Sunset took notice of Twilight's down feelings and swam closer to her side to talk with her. "Hey Twi, what the matter you look more blue than green in the gills?!" She joked to try and lighten the mood which didn't help much. Twilight then looked up at Sunset with a sad smile and said. "Nothing, it's just… I came down here without him in hopes of sparing him of putting his life in jeopardy, only to become so consumed by that, that I didn't put his own feeling into account, and now because of that, not only is his life is endangered but he's now furious with me for all the trouble I put him through." She said as she shed some tears.
"Ya know, him and Sally were once were engaged to each other, until Sally drove him away for trying to save Mobius from Eggman and she couldn't handle losing him. Ironically enough instead of enduring for him, she just turned her back on him in favor of her crown over the people he was trying to protect. I don't want to put him through that heartbreak again, but with all the pressure of keeping the kingdom safe as well as our friends and family, as well as being a constant target for enemies that wish to destabilize the kingdom by taking us out of the picture I don't know how our marriage can last through this. Maybe it was a mistake for marrying too soon and we should of waited more until we were ready or at least a more convenient time when we knew the kingdom wasn't under threat?" She said as she teared some more, but then Sunset comfort her.
"Yeah he told me about that, about him and Sally" Sunset said. "Yeah and… Wait what when did he tell you that!?" Twilight said as if someone scratched the record of her violin sympathy. Which Sunset replied. "Oh back when he was with me in the human realm." Sunset said nonchalantly. "I was feeling down about my past misdeeds when I was plotting to take over Equestria shortly after we first met. But he comforted me by telling me that story and though he regrets the day and sometimes looks back in doubt, he told me that the glamor of royalty isn't everything and it's best to be good then be better off than others." Sunset said as she began to smile with a blush as she recalled the fond warm memories of that day. She then added by saying. "And we grew closer to one another ever since." She said as she began to trail off as if she were floating away to the heavens. Though Sunset was in bliss, Twilight was getting a little peeved at this enlightening development. Twilight then rebuked. "He never told me that, until we ran right into Sally back at Applepalooza. Just how close were you and Sonic?!" Twilight chastised. Sunset then widened her eyes in surprise, knowing she unintentionally let the cat out of the bag at the wrong time. She then looked down embarrassed as she began to fidget by putting her fingers together and flexing them trying to dodge the bullet without Twilight figuring out how close they use to be.
In the meantime we then go to Sonic as he's being poked by the guards on the exact same point each time. Sonic starting to become annoyed as he thought to himself. "Oh this is just perfect. First my mother goes missing, then my wife disappears when the whole time she has been having an undersea Cruise with fish ponies, ow then I decide to leave my friends back on the beach because I was acting like a selfish jerk for not asking them to come help me in my underwater expedition, ow, then I am left to brave the ocean floor wondering where in the hell my wife, mother, and friend went, ow, while having the most strange and stupid fantasy of Twi and Sunset doing… I don't even want to say, ow, then accused of kidnapping and this is like what the 5th time I have been accused of doing wrong?, ow, Then I'm sentenced to helping them track down the stinken queen and this gals son of chaos mate when I could be looking for my mother, ow, and to top it off THESE IDIOTS ARE ABOUT TO GET KNEE DROPPED IF THEY FRICKEN POKE ME ONE! MORE! TIME!" Sonic thought as his anger shot through the roof and one more time he was poked. Right before losing it Twilight was still awaiting for Sunset's answer "Well… I… you see… we-" Before she could even finish they then heard Sonic
"WOULD YOU STOP POKING ME WITH THAT STUPID STICK OF YOURS!" He shouted. Twilight and Sunset turned to see Sonic who had grabbed a spear from one of the guards and gave a look like he was about to lose it and for a small second Twilight swore that his sharp teeth had grown into fangs and she knew that only happens when a certain event happens with him. Sonic though just gave very deep breathes and then stuck the spear in the ground and walked over a little distant from the group so he could think. Twilight was a little shocked by his actions and even though she wanted to go over there to have a good talk with him as she then swam towards Sonic and was right in front of him.
"Could you try and be a little bit more calmer? If you tried doing maybe they wouldn't be poking you so much!" She called out as the guards look in awe at her talk. She received no answer from him as he went on walking without even looking at her, as the Jewels lead her two guards to continue following him. Twilight felt more worried that her actions may have made him a bit more mad. She then swam away as she stopped talking to him as well with Sunset looking at her worried about the situation they're having.
A few more minutes have passed as they kept on the trail as Jewel swam up to Twilight who kept her distance from Sonic. "Twilight I will not lie, but I'm starting to have doubts about him. I will admit I trust your judgement, but I can't bring myself to trusting the fellow especially after what I just saw." She said. Twilight though looked away. "Well Jewel… Sonic can be quite the guy… to be honest he can lose his cool here from time to time, but… he's very different from others. Sonic is a nice and caring guy who's willing to put himself on the line for others and protect them even at the cost of his own life. As well he-" Twilight was then interrupted by Sonic who stopped after hearing her.
"Twilight!" He said. Twilight and Jewels then stopped to look as he turned to look at them. "I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but at this point what your saying is not going to help. As they say *Action speaks louder than words*" He said. Jewels then gave a neutral expression as she swam up to him. "Yes you are right but the question for me to you is. Did you ever try to think first before you ask?" She asked by being angry, before she swam off. She didn't even give him a chance for any responding words, though, soon, Sonic groaned in annoyance and smacked his face, definitely done with their actions, and this desire to lecturing everyone around, but themselves. He was ready to head to where they was walking, but soon he heard Sunset's voice.
"Sonic."
Her voice was enough to Sonic ugh'd in irritation. He then frowned and looked at the orange unicorn girl by crossing his arms in the chest area, "Yes?" He asked. Sunset swam over to him as she was frowning deeply, "Think what you want, but even if you're right, and your actions does speak louder than words, then your actions are not prove the hero you are." She said slightly arrogantly, what prompted Sonic to sigh in irritation, and rolling his eyes up.
"I hate my life." He thought to himself, "If I ask these guys to kill me will they… ugh… Bad thoughts Sonic… Bad thoughts…" He then frowned again, and returned his eyes to Sunset, who continued to lecture him.
"Sonic…" She spoke, "I know how angry you are, but if you let your anger to take a control over you, you might not like the results.", One might think, that these words were right, but only not Sonic, who's anger only grew stronger, as he bared his teeth, "Oh yeah?" He asked, annoyed tone in his voice, what prompted Sunset's eyes to grew wide, "Being obvious as always, Sunset." He then poked a finger on her nose, "Let me remind you about one thing, that you don't understand and no one of you don't understand. Not you, not Twilight, not this mere pony princess, or whatever… No one! My mother is in the hands of the metal monster. She is in a danger, and nobody knows if she's alive, or not… I am saying that… my only parent, the woman who gave me a birth, and who I missed for all of my childhood, and teenage years, is missing now... *glares*... and you dare to tell me about how to control on my anger!" He then signed, by trying to keep his emotions inside, though a single tear rolled down from his eye, "Do you even know what it's like to lose your parents?" He asked with a tremble in his voice, what was obvious even for Jewel, Twilight and the guards who stood beside. Though, Sunset became sad, when he asked her this question.
"Sonic… I…" She tried to squeeze out at least one single word, but she failed with this, "I… listen… I…"
"Just yes, or no." Sonic clarified his question, on what Sunset simply sighed and lowered her head, "Sonic… I… never even knew my parents and... *sigh*... no…" She said quietly and sadly, though, Sonic didn't change his emotion, and continued to glaring at her. He then made a deep sigh to cool down a bit, before he spoke again, "Now listen to me very clearly, I am speaking once, and will never repeat this again. I already lost my father, and I'm not planning on losing my mother. I will never let anyone to take her away from me! Not ever again, not now, Never!" He said. Sunset just looked at him to see how serious he was as he turned away and walked behind Jewel. As they followed Sunset couldn't help but feel guilty for getting on Sonic's back.
The group continued on its trek until they reached a cavernous area that earlier reports from Sentries confirm the last known whereabouts of the Queen and King, and decided to search there at the beginning of this quest.
The cavern had an ominous feel around it and Sonic had a wary feeling about this place. It seemed to easy and convenient of a place to get too. It's almost like that whoever was behind this wanted them to find this place. And if experience taught Sonic anything about things not as easy as they appear then he was right. He held his hand out as they were at the entrance of the cavern. Though most of the gang would heed his warning, Dakkar saw no reason to heed this hedgehogs warning as he arrogantly swam his way through the cave but he didn't get far as tunnel inside the cave began to quake and pebbles of debris began to rain down on him. The others looked around as Twilight spoke. "What was that?"
There then was another rumble but it sounded louder. Dakar then turned to Jewel's. Jewel's gave a stern look and then turned to him and spoke. "Come on we nee to leave now." She said. Dakar and the other guard proceed forward with the girls following, but Sonic stopped to listen. He then looked at the ceiling and gave the look like he knew something was up. That's when another rumble hit and it looked like the ceiling was about to give way. He then went wide eyed as he then though quick and went for a spin dash. Jewel's turned and noticed as Sonic launched at them. She then had the idea Sonic was about to attack and was awaiting it, but Sonic then came out of spindash and at last second grabbed the girls to get them out of the way as they dodged whatever came at them from above.
After getting on his feet Jewel's turned to him. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? WHY DID YOU JUST TACKLE US LIKE THAT?!" She exclaimed. Sonic kept a neutral look as he pointed at a dust cloud which they could then see a silhouette that looked like him. However as the dust settled everyone saw what looked like a Sonic, but was made of metal. It was gray with orange at the tip of what was suppose to be it's shoes and an orange eye looking at them. The girls turned to him as Twilight spoke. "S-Sonic what is that thing?" Before an answer the bot came at Sonic and gave him a nice good punch. Though underwater the punch was still a good hit as sonic was sent flying or in this case floating across the underwater cavern due to the lack of gravity in the ocean. But metal wasn't done yet as sonic was being thrown through the water he activated his thrusters and boosted after him in mid flight and grabbed him by the throat and threw him into the cave wall. The robot then turned to the mere ponies and scanned them. In the machine's head you could see it looking for something and once it saw Jewel a word flashed saying objective. The robot then walked over slowly to them. The guards though readied themselves for whatever it was the machine was about to pull, but then there was a shout
"HEY METALHEAD!" The robot turned to see Sonic smirking. "WHY NOT PICK ON SOMEONE WHO'S TOUGH ENOUGH FOR YA OR ARE YOUR PROCESSORS TO SLOW YOU CAN'T THINK ABOUT IT?" He exclaimed as he taunted the machine. The machine then just turned and boosted at him. He dodged out of the way and went into a separate cavern away from the others.
Sonic was rebounding off the cavern tunnels, not the most graceful way he had ever used his speed but due to the fact he was under water his options were severely limited. So he had to use the spin Dash to repel him through the water like a rotor through the water. As he finally came to a stop as he unfurled himself to see he was in a dark yet spacious underwater cavern. As he surveyed his surroundings he thought. "Okay now that the others are safe and..., I have enough room to move around in here though I'm still underwater and can't use my speed to it's fullest while down here, it's still just a lone older obsolete model of metal sonic? This shouldn't be too hard." he said as he rubbed his nose with his index finger with a smirk. But just then the cave was filled with two more ominous rumble into as two more versions of metal sonic came breaking through the cave ceiling. Sonic then quickly turned his head left and right in a shocked manner then said to himself as the two metal sonic as well as the one from outside the cave came closing in on him. "Uhhhhh, me and my big mouth!" He said as he donned a nervous smirk.