Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, the Freedom Fighters are given two separate missions from Rei, which involve them splitting up in order to accomplish them. Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Julie are heading towards the underwater city of Meropis in order to find the royal family's missing daughter, while of course keeping relations with Meropis as cordial as they can.

Deep under the ocean, at a large and deep trench covered in brine, two figures stood overlooking the increasing length of the trench. One figure was a purple Mobian fish, wearing what looked to be a royal short dress and a tiara on her head. In her forehead was tear shaped esca. Beside her was another fish Mobian, this one being a shark with gray back scales and white front scales. The fins of the shark resembled hair, which were quite long, one even tied into a ponytail. The shark Mobian also wore a one piece purple bikini with a notable skull pattern on the front and back. The shark Mobian kneels down to feel the brine with her hands before grabbing a bit of it.

Shark: "The brine river is getting unusually calm. Your instincts were on point, Undina… The trench is getting bigger."

Undina: "But what is causing this phenomena?"

Shark: "Not sure. But if it's not fixed, the ocean could be seeing a massive brine flood. And if the brine hits Meropis…"

Undina: "I see…"

Shark: "...Come on. Let's go see if Rotor has anything for the situation. And might as well not leave my crew waiting too long anyway. Lest they worry."

Undina: "Aye aye, Captain Titania."

A little while later, the duo left the trench and began swimming to where Titania's crew waited above the sea. As the captain swam, she turned to Undina, who was lagging behind a bit. She stops and turns to the fish Mobian.

Titania: "Hey, you feeling okay? You're swimming more slowly than usual."

Undina: "Huh? Oh no, I'm fine. I'm just… distracted…"

Titania: "...Well, we got some privacy. Why not tell me what's up before we head back to the ship?"

Undina: "Well… No… I'd rather not right now… But I am just happy to see you after all these years."

Titania: "...Heh. Alright. If you're ever in the mood to talk, you know I'm all ear canals."

Undina: "Thank you, Tani. I will when I am up to it."

Titania offers a hand to Undina, smiling at the girl. Feeling a bit of comfort, and embarrassment, Undina shyly smiles before taking Titania's hand and swimming back to the surface with her.

In the skies over the ocean, Sonic relaxes on the wing while Amy hums a song as the group slowly approach their destination - or just above it. Tails in the meantime looks over the manual of the upgraded Tornado left to him by Uncle Chuck, leaving piloting to the auto-piloting system.

Julie: "So Meropis. Sonic? Do you know anything about it?"

Sonic: "Hm? Yeah, it's not exactly what I call the most inviting. The people are nice, don't get me wrong; a few of them have visited my kingdom before. But King Puff and Queen Angelica aren't exactly the most… popular rulers, let's say."

Amy: "They aren't mean by any means, but they are strict."

Tails: "Like your mom, Sonic?"

Sonic: "Worse. My mom groans but she tolerates my adventurous spirit. From what those two have shown, they don't tolerate it half as much. But they aren't intentionally aggressive; just harsh in their honesty."

Julie: "Yeesh. Sounds like a mixed bag of rulers."

Sonic: "Oooh yeah. They aren't the only ones, but they certainly aren't popular in the roundtable. Still my mom says that it's better to keep relations cordial instead of hostile. For one thing, they do rule over a literal titan of a kingdom. Last thing you want to do is piss them off. Probably doesn't help that, for the Kingdom of Snow, we are a fairly small kingdom in general."

Julie: "Ah, so fighting a kingdom like that would lead to an incredible loss… I think I get it."

Sonic: "That's kind of why I brought Amy with us. She's way better at diplomatic stuff than I am."

Amy: "That's not true, Sonic! If you really tried, I'm sure you could convince just about anyone to your side."

Sonic shrugs, not disagreeing that his charisma does have that kind of power, but not his political power.

Tails: "Alright! I've studied up on the Sea Fox controls. And I see a diving opportunity. Everyone, strap in!"

Sonic broke out in a cold sweat as he held onto the wing for dear life. That is until a claw came from the plane, grabbing him and startling him into screaming and curling up into a ball defensively. As Sonic panics, the Tornado begins to change shape, adding two additional inflatable seats which Sonic and Amy are placed on before a glass lid is lowered to protect the group from drowning. The Tornado's wings fold in as a propeller comes out from behind. As the plane-turned-submarine finishes its transformation, Tails dives it into the ocean, making a large splash that makes everyone bounce.

Amy & Julie: "Owww…"

Tails: "I did say 'Strap in'..."

Amy turns to see Sonic still curled up in a ball and shaking a lot.

Amy: "Um… Sonic? The rough parts over with… You can come out now."

Sonic: "N-Nah! I'm good! I-I think I'll wait until the ride's over!"

Julie just rolls her eyes at this as Amy just sighs in defeat.

Amy: "Our hero, ladies and gentlemen… I wonder if he even bathes."

Sonic uncurls and immediately glares at Amy angrily at that comment.

Sonic: "Hey, I do wash myself! I take showers… just not baths…"

Julie: "...As long as you do. Otherwise, you are so less equipped to even meet with royals."

Tails: "Come on, girls. Don't tease Sonic on his hygiene. I can at least confirm that he showered."

As Amy, Julie, and Sonic give Tails the thousand year stare - Sonic more so a glare - Tails quickly clears his throat as he turns to his map and finds they are approaching Meropis.

Tails: "Alright. Entering Meropis air barrier in T-minus 40 seconds!"

The trio look ahead and see the lights over a reef hill before the full city is revealed. A large city put into sections surrounded by bubbles and connected by tunnels. The castle itself was in the largest bubble, with its towers overlooking the city. The group looked at the city in awe before an incoming transmission got their attention.

Meropis City Guard: "Halt! You are entering Meropis during an increase in security. Please state your business."

Sonic leans in and waves at the city guard.

Sonic: "Hiya! Prince Sonic of the Kingdom of Snow here. We're here on business in regards of a missing princess? We'd like an audience with the King and Queen please."

The city guard looks at Sonic before recognizing him as the young prince.

Guard: "Very well. You are granted entry. I will relay a message to the royal family, so please be available when we fetch you. Have a pleasant stay."

Communication cuts off as Team Fighter is allowed to land in the Entry Bubble.

As the Sea Fox lands in the Entry Bubble, the water inside the bubble drains, allowing the group to exit. Sonic looks at the water surrounding him and does try his best to remain calm; he hated being underwater and being in Meropis did not help that at all. Meanwhile, the other three looked at the sights with awe, mesmerized. Sonic sees a clam hop up and greet the group. Opening the clam, the Mobian inside - a fairly lean male fish-like… thing greets them.

Clam: "Hey! Are you guys the party sent by Rei?"

Amy: "We are. Are you her informant?"

Clam: "Yep! Name's Bivalve! I'm part of the Forty Fathoms! Despite the name, there aren't forty of us. Come on, let me show you guys around."

The Mobian hops in his clam a bit as the quartet follow, still admiring the city. Multiple tall buildings and billboards greet them as they see a variety of fish related advertisements.

Bivalve: "Welcome to Shell Street! The most happening place in Mobius and where you go to have fun! Or catch a wink. Hotels here are fiiire!"

Sonic: "I was expecting a water pun, not a fire pun."

Bivalve: "Look, man, you need to chill with the water puns. Otherwise, you'd just be drowning in them."

Sonic: "And the water pun quota has been met."

Bivalve takes a moment, then realized he just got duped before glaring at Sonic. He then turns to continue the tour, soon bringing them to the temple that once housed the Chaos Emerald for Meropis.

Julie: "So this was where Meropis' Emerald was held?"

Bivalve: "Yep. Queen Angelica brought the whole guard up to speed, stating that it was Robotnik who stole from our city. It's why you got met by that transmission earlier; we're all just a bit extra jumpy since that guy could come for us at a moment's notice."

Amy: "Don't worry. Sonic, myself, and all of our friends aim to take down Robotnik. It… may not be right away, but it'll happen."

Bivalve: "Well… So long as you got the fight in you, I see nothing wrong betting on you."

As Sonic and his friends were getting a tour of the city, within the castle, sitting in a sapphire colored marble floored and seashell white walled throne room, King Puff and Queen Angelica see two of their best in the Royal Guard approach and bow. One was a male mantis shrimp, the other was a female dolphin.

Mantis Shrimp: "My lieges. A group of guests have arrived, requesting an audience to learn of the princess's disappearance."

King Puff: "Oh so that bounty hunter has finally arrived then? It was about time."

Mantis Shrimp: "No, my king. It isn't the bounty hunter you requested. But rather the prince of the Kingdom of Snow, Sonic the Hedgehog."

King Puff: "What!? That little mischief making rodent!? Why is he here!? To bring ruin to our already delicate city, I imagine… Tell him he is not welcome in the affairs of-"

A trident, held by his wife, is lowered to in front of King Puff as Queen Angelica takes her turn to speak.

Queen Angelica: "We cannot be too picky, my love. Besides, it could be a nice test of his claim of being the fastest in the world. Captain Striker. Lieutenant Echo. Find Sonic and his friends and bring them here at once."

Striker: "With all due respect, madam. Why can't we find Princess Undina instead? This is a Meropis problem, not a problem for outsiders."

Rather than answer, the anglerfish Mobian simply glares at Striker, not liking his tone. Striker takes back his question before nodding and bowing his head before he and Echo leave to find Sonic. King Puff then turns to his wife.

King Puff: "Captain Striker does raise a point though… Why not just send the city guard to find our daughter?"

Queen Angelica: "While it is true that it is a Meropis problem, you know of Undina's unique abilities. She could be anywhere in the nine oceans and trying to spread our forces out to find her is a dangerous gamble."

King Puff: "...Sigh. All for a simple disagreement. That girl needs to learn that her place here is far more important than her feelings otherwise."

The conversation slowly fades as the two royals await Sonic's arrival, showing that there was more to the story than initially told…

To be continued…