Last time on Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic and his Team Fighter group arrive to Meropis in order to find Princess Undina or at least learn what happened to her. There, they met up with Bivalve, a clam Mobian and Rei's Meropis contact, who gave them a tour of the city in order to pass the time. But unknown to them, Princess Undina was in another part of the sea with someone else…

In another part of the sea, a large metal ship was anchored down as the crew up top were lounging around - one was fishing on the side of the ship, a few were laying down to bask in the sun, and one was playing with a set of bongos. The door to below deck opens as a big, top heavy male walrus wearing a yellow cap rushes out, startling the relaxed crew members.

Walrus: "Captain off the port bow! Everyone get into attention! No slacking off, you hear!?"

The crew scrambled to get up and be ready to greet the captain as a large spire of water rose from below the sea. On the spire was Captain Titania and Princess Undina, the latter seemingly being the one in control of the water spire as she motions for it to lower for the duo to step off. Afterwards, the spire vanishes into a brief storm of sea droplets.

Crew: "Welcome back, Captain!"

Titania: "At ease. Mr. Rotor, you're with us."

Rotor: "Righto, Captain."

The walrus, Rotor, joins the captain and Undina as they go to the captain's quarters. The captain's quarters could be considered quaint, resembling the interior of Meropis castle in color, though being made of metal instead of marble. On a dresser was a picture of an older female shark and a younger looking Titania beside her, both looking very happy. Titania grabs a map from said dresser and unrolls it before explaining the situation.

Titania: "It is as Undina told me. The trenches are getting bigger and the brine rivers are overflowing. There is a real danger with the brine if left unchecked."

Rotor: "Because it could flood this side of the ocean and potentially suffocate Meropis and any other underwater place."

Titania: "Exactly. You're my second in command because you're what keeps my ship from sinking. Any ideas on how to prevent the trenches from getting any bigger?"

Rotor thinks for a minute before snapping his claws.

Rotor: "I could whip up a machine that could get rid of the brine. It'd take a bit, but it could do away with one situation while we deal with the other."

Titania: "In other words, we need to find out what might be causing the trenches to get bigger."

Rotor: "Aye, captain."

Titania: "Then leave that part to me. Just get rid of the brine and I'll handle the hard stuff."

Rotor: "Aye aye! I'll not let you down!"

Rotor salutes before walking out of the quarters. Titania then notices Undina staring at the family portrait, looking quite somber.

Undina: "Captain Borea looks quite beautiful in this picture."

Titania: "...Yeah. Hard to believe it's been five years… Me and mom left Meropis when I was just six, then… When I was nine, I was just made captain…"

Titania stared at the portrait, namely at her mother, before wiping away tears. Undina stepped closer to her and comforted her, apologizing for upsetting her.

Back at Meropis, namely at the arcade, Sonic was shredding an arcade machine and getting a high score on it, while his friends were seated nearby getting some food.

Tails: "So he's scared of being underwater, but the moment he sees an arcade machine, he's suddenly not afraid? Yeah, even I don't get him sometimes."

Amy: "Oh trust me, this is a quirk that nobody can understand, not even his moms."

Julie: "'Moms'? No dad?"

Amy: "It's… complicated. Sonic had two moms, but Bernadetta unfortunately passed away when she and Queen Alicia Acorn were off on a mission together… It was a sad day for both our kingdoms…"

Julie: "Oh… My apologies for prying… I only asked because… How did they conceive him?"

The room gets quiet as they stare at Sonic. As the awkwardness started to settle in, Amy clears her throat to clear away the awkwardness.

Amy: "A-Anyway, um… How about asking me a question? You know, since I'm an open book."

Julie: "Why ask you anything? Isn't that being a bit self-centered?"

Amy: "Just to make conversation. You know, for fun."

Tails: "Well, I have been curious about those rings on your wrist, Amy."

Amy: "You mean my weights?"

Amy hops off her seat and stretches. She then removes the rings from her wrists before… dropping them to the floor, causing the floor to break from the impact, causing Julie and Tails' eyes to widen.

Amy: "Tekno made them for me as part of my training regime. I believe she said they weighed at least twenty times the gravity of Mobius' natural gravity."

Amy began to stretch a bit, feeling lighter than usual. And a bit uncomfortable, which causes her to put her rings back before sitting down.

Julie: "...Why… Why haven't you used your full strength sooner?"

Amy: "Well… Part of it is challenge. I don't want things to be too easy for me. I admit, it's a shallow reason, but it is my reason. But… There was an incident a while back. See… About two years ago, when I was training to be an adventurer, I decided to train my hammer swings. But I accidentally hit the castle with my hammer and… um…"

Tails: "It… collapsed…?"

Amy shyly nods, remembering the light scolding Queen Aleena gave her for it after she came out and told her.

Amy: "I made a promise that I wouldn't use my full strength again unless I needed to. With you guys, I don't need to use my full strength. Because you guys are my full strength!"

Tails: "Aw, thanks Amy."

As Amy was building up morale, a dolphin dressed in the same thing as the city guard, though her helmet was decorated with seashells to presumably show rank, entered the arcade, finding Team Fighters.

Echo: "Excuse me!"

Amy and the rest looked over to see the dolphin in uniform, getting out of their seats to properly greet her. Julie looks at Sonic, still playing his game, before abruptly pulling him out of his game.

Sonic: "Huh!? Aw come on! I was so close to reaching the max score…"

Echo: "Ahem. I am here to request those associated with miss Rei to follow me to the castle. The King and Queen wish to have an audience with you."

Sonic: "...Oh. Right… Forgot that's why we came here…"

Amy: "Ugh… Ignore him… We would be delighted if you could escort us, miss…"

Echo: "Echo the Dolphin. Lieutenant of the Royal Guard. And I would be happy to escort you."

Echo sends a soldier to alert Captain Striker, who was looking in another part of the city for the Freedom Fighters, that she found them before taking them out of the arcade and towards the castle.

The approach to the castle was certainly daunting to Sonic and Amy, seeing as their castle was much smaller in comparison to the titan that was Meropis' castle. Sally's own castle was quite big too, but still paled in comparison. A well decorated, stone palace with the tops being repurposed hermit crab shells, banners that carry the Meropis emblem, and seashells on string in place of traditional flags. The interior was quite a sight as well; much like the throne room, the halls were decorated with marble flooring, giving a nice reflection to the heroes as they walked by. Various rooms they passed by showed just how many people lived and worked in the castle alone. The group soon reached the throne room, with Echo standing at the side of the door.

Echo: "I will be outside to escort you out as well. Please mind your manners in the presence of his and her majesties."

Sonic: "Will do."

The doors open and the group are invited in. Walking into the throne room, the group are greeted by the presence of the King and Queen themselves. Sonic, remembering his manners taught by his mother, bows to a knee, with Amy and shortly Tails and Julie following suit.

Queen Angelica: "Prince Sonic. What a surprise to see you in our humble city. My captain tells us you are here in place of the bounty hunter, Rei, whom we requested for the task at hand."

Sonic: "Rei thought it better to let us handle it in her stead as part of a test on our teamwork. In response to the recent events involving Ivo Robotnik, or as we call him now "Eggman", Princess Sally Acorn decided to have us band together as a team called "the Freedom Fighters"."

Queen Angelica: "I see. Very… dutiful of you. Perhaps you have grown up a bit, Hedgehog."

King Puff: "But not enough to be able to handle this task, I say! What if our dear daughter gets harmed because of you!? Why if it came down to that I would-"

Queen Angelica: "Hush, my love. Let us not make any hasty decisions. Our alliance shows we must at least trust the Kingdom of Snow. Prince Sonic, while a rather deluded boy for thinking he can live the life he feels he deserves, is still a competent person in his own right."

Sonic's politeness wavered a bit at that comment, but he bit his tongue and hoped he could leave before any more insults could be thrown his way.

Amy: "Um… If I may speak, as noblewoman of the House of Rose. We would like to know the details of Princess Undina's disappearance."

Queen Angelica: "Ah, yes. Very well… The details are… vague at best sadly. She simply disappeared in thin air. We suspect kidnapping as my soldiers report seeing a vessel on the surface belonging to pirates."

Sonic: "Pirates? Well, it makes sense, given the whole thing for gold and stuff."

Queen Angelica: "Indeed. Which is why we wish for you to dispose of these pirates who plague our oceans and find our daughter. Do so, and you will be handsomely rewarded."

Sonic: "Eh, keep the reward. We're just here for the adventure, your majesty. So which way are the pirates?"

Queen Angelica: "Due north to northeast. The vessel we found is made of metal. You cannot miss it."

Sonic: "Thanks. Alright, Team Fighter. Let's move!"

Sonic and his team stand back up before walking out of the throne room. After the team is escorted out of the vicinity by Echo, Queen Angelica requests Captain Striker's presence, who appears with a kneel.

Striker: "My liege."

Queen Angelica: "Should Sonic and his band be unable to dispose of the pirates, you are to detain the pirates yourself. And should they resist, you are to execute them… on the spot. I will not tolerate this insult into our family name."

Striker: "Yes, my queen."

Striker leaves the throne room to assemble a squad to follow him and help detain the pirates, with King Puff a bit concerned over Angelica's decision.

King Puff: "Angelica, my love. Are you certain that's wise? You did say that Sonic was a competent person."

Queen Angelica: "Yes. He is competent. But he's also very soft hearted. He will not dispose of those pirates like I ask."

King Puff did not comment before he slumped into his throne, hoping to see his daughter back soon, while Queen Angelica simply waited for a report on how everything went.

Unbeknownst to anyone though, the trenches continued to grow. But almost like it had a mind of its own, the trenches suddenly turned and slowly made its way… towards Meropis…

To be continued…