Authors Notes: Hi all and we're back with Sonic and Ariel, sorry for the delay in updates again its been one hectic few weeks especially with my sister opening her own Yoga studio so its been all hands on deck. But wait no longer heres the next chapter for this story and will update the others soon. Also just seen the trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and I can tell ya it was way way past cool x10000 and well worth the wait!

But anyway lets start gotta go fast!


Chapter IV:

Treasures of the Deep:

In the silence of Dr Eggman's island base, the mad genius and his forces were listening to the proposal that Ursula the sea witch was putting forward to him. "Just hear me out handsome." Ursula said as she was proposing her offer to the mad scientist Dr Eggman.

"You have a problem and I have a problem I believe we can help each other with that." She said swimming towards the platform.

"Really and what makes you think you can help me?" Eggman questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Look around you I command an army of highly advanced robots from this fortress what could some squid possibly have to offer me?"

"Okay first I'm not gonna dignify that squid comment with a response." Ursula said very unamused. "Second, I know what you want and I know you were looking for something from that mermaid namely this." She then held up said purple Chaos Emerald in her hands in full view of the doctor and his robot assistants.

"Hey thats a Chaos Emerald!" Cubot exclaimed only to receive a bang on the head from Eggman telling him to shut up.

"Ah so thats what this jewel is I do like the sound of that name." Ursula mused. "But anyway lets just cut to the chase I understand you want this emerald and the infinite power it contains."

Eggman looked suspicious how did she know that. "Oh don't look so surprised honey, I noticed your gaze fixed on this since I showed it to you. That and I sensed their power from my reflecting pool. So help me and I'll give you your precious rock."

Eggman was silent but then suddenly started breaking out in laughter looking in a demented anime styled way "HEHEHEHEHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!" His laugh echoed over the room.

"Oh you must think I'm very dumb huh?!" He said. "One emerald while it has its uses is essentially useless, there are seven of these precious gems in total and I require all of them to complete my plans!"

The sea witch could see this guy was no fool not surprising considering his IQ of her devilish smirk didn't disappear. She knew exactly how to talk down skeptical people like this after all she had done it many a time before.

"Well then we have something in common after all my dear doctor." Ursula said. "What would you say if I told you there was another power in this world one that would practically guarantee your enemies destruction."

Though Eggman wouldn't show it this did perk his interest a little. "I would say that I might be interested what do you speak of?"

Ursula smirked she'd got his interest she used her magic to conjure a water vision of a certain trident of the kings. "This trident has the power to control the seas and maybe more besides." Ursula explained. "With this and the Chaos Emeralds one would have the power to rule land and sea and more!"

"Huh it doesn't look like much?" Eggman scoffed clearly not impressed.

"Yeah it just looks like a glow toy from the bathroom?" Cubot said.

"Yes but I must admit boss it does look powerful?" Orbot said. "But uh what does it have to do with us?"

"I'll be asking the questions Orbot!" Eggman hissed. "Ahem yes what does this have to do with me?"

"Well there in lies the problem I have." The sea witch then showed him an image of the owner of said Trident. "This is the noble, powerful yet naive King Triton ruler of the seas, and annoyingly my dear brother."

Cubot and Orbot looked at the image of Triton then double take to Ursula again and again. "Heh not much of a family resemblance?" Orbot said.

"Yeah was her mom a squid and her dad a regular mermaid?" Cubot pondered only to be throttled by one of the sea witches tentacles much to the amusement of Flotsam and Jettsom who cackled to themselves.

"Humph a boastful man fish huh he doesn't so impressive." Eggman scoffed.

"Your right about that but with his trident he could destroy anyone who challenged him, he once used the trident to banish my kind long ago and even banished me when he denied me what I deserved! He has the power to control the oceans yet he squanders it to protect his kingdom." Ursula then started ranting. "In the right hands one could rule the seas, the waves would obey their every will and all creatures of the sea would bow to it!"

Eggman grew rather suspicious of the sea witch and realised she had some deep seeded grudge towards the king of the he did see the benefits of possessing this power.

"Hmm you've just got my interest." Eggman smirked. "With that power and the Chaos Emeralds we would have the capability to crush mountains, demolish entire cities!And…" His eyes sparkled when he realised what else he could do.

"Yes you could wipe your enemy off the face of the earth forever!" Ursula smirked. "So heres the bargain, you help me dethrone Triton and claim his trident, I in turn will help you gather the emeralds and…" She paused for dramatic effect. "Is everyone paying attention. I will also help you destroy your enemy ah Sonic was it."

"Hmm an enticing offer, but you seem over confident in your abilities. That has always been my mistake and if you underestimate Sonic thats where you will fail." Eggman said.

"Oh contrare heir commandant." Ursula said all knowingly. "Everyone has a weakness, and no not just his inability to swim."

"How did you?" Eggman asked.

"My pets watched the whole battle with those metal fish of yours." Ursula explained. "But he cares too much especially for those he calls friends. And as it happens." Ursulas water image then changed its shape to show Ariel. Much to Cubots loving gaze.

"Ah its my angel of the sea!" Cubot gushed.

"Oh brother!" Orbot groaned.

"This happens to be the youngest of Tritons daughters, and she's made friends with this blue rodent. This is something we can exploit! Not just to eliminate Sonic but as a pawn to secure the trident from Triton!" Ursula explained.

Eggman was starting to like the way this sea witch was thinking. He knew for a fact that Sonic always had a soft spot for his friends and would go to any lengths to protect them, which makes him act without thinking. One weakness he could exploit. With some consideration he soon reached a decision.

"You've broken into my lair, violated the sanctity of it, and flooded my whole hanger!" Eggman glared while Ursula all but smirked in anticipation. "For this I should incinerate you! However….you also have a most interesting proposition. So lets talk a deal."

Ursula shared her smirk with her two minions looks like she'd hooked this mad man into her deal.


Mobius: Green Hill Zone: Tails workshop:

Tails had not left his workshop in days, he was working overtime on repairing the Dimensional Displacer that blasted his best friend to another dimension. The device itself was still damaged but was beginning to look more functional but there was still some work to be done. It was now hooked to a circular metal device on the floor next to it.

Tails was rewiring the circuits to the main circuit drive. Repairing some wires that were damaged in the explosion.

He then lifted his goggles after fixing the damage. He took a breath to take a break, he didn't realised he'd been working all night. He looked to the hanger door, and saw a basket there.

"Wow Knuckles was right I really gotta keep that door shut." Tails yawned. He approached the basket and saw a pie was inside it and a card with Amy's logo on it. He looked at it and it read.

Don't push yourself Tails we're gonna get him back. Besides even a super genius needs to eat.

-Amy x

The two tailed fox smiled at that knowing his friends cared he had to admit he could use a break. He took the pie to his work bench and activated one of his machines. The robot arm picked up a knife then cut a slice from the pie, used a scoop to pick it up and lay it on a plate. Then serve it to Tails.

"Works a treat!" Tails beamed happily, and began eating the slice of pie. Just as he was enjoying it he looked to a picture frame on a shelf near his ladders. It was of him and Sonic. It was then he had a flashback to a time long ago.


Flashback Sometime ago:

In the high hills of Mystic Ruins another of Eggman's maniacal machines was crashing down into the ground, it was his Egg Beetle beaten and damaged. Standing triumphant on the wreckage was Sonic and Tails.

Flying above in a fit of rage pulling his moustache as he flew away in his Eggmobile. "GRAAAHHH THIS ISN'T OVER SONIC MARK MY WORDS!" The raging mad doctor zoomed away into the sunset sky still yelling in rage. Sonic however maintained his signature smirk before he looked to his friend with a knowing look.

"So how many times has he said that line now?" Sonic asked.

"Ooooh I'd say the 175th time." Tails chuckled.

"Heheheh. Man Eggmans gotta get better defeated material." Sonic chuckled but looked at his friend smiling. "Seriously though thanks T2, that got intense for a minute there."

"Hey no sweat, as long as I'm around you'll always have a wing man." Tails said proudly. "Besides we're a team you and me against Eggman and whatever he throws at us next."

The blue blur placed a knowing hand on his best friends shoulder. "Ya got that right Tails." Sonic winked and the two best friends smiled as they looked into the sunset.


Present Day:

"As long as I'm around you'll always have a wingman." Tails heard his words echo in his mind. He meant it and he would always have his friends back and he intended to keep that promise.

"Don't worry Sonic we're gonna find you and get you home. I promise." Tails smiled.


Another dimension: Erics Kingdom:

On the coastline close to the kingdom a blue flash of light zoomed by across the green hills and the crystal white beaches. It was Sonic on another of his morning jogs, then suddenly his direction turned to the sea and ran right across the surface. He wouldn't admit it but after his time with Ariel he was beginning to see the ocean in a whole new light. But he still felt unsure about going in it again especially in certain circumstances.

Never the less he zoomed across and saw some dolphins leaping over him with some water sprinkling on his face. He laughed in enjoyment. Far ahead Scuttle was on his rock sitting on the crows nest and just as he was looking out a blast of air zoomed by nearly blowing him off his perch.

"Hey Scuttle!" He heard a voice pass by and he knew it was Sonic.

"Morning Sonic!" Scuttle called as he zoomed off into the distance, Scuttle watched him through his telescope but it was the wrong way round. "Wow that kid is fast!"

The blue hedgehogs path soon brought him back on land and soon he sped right onto a cliff that overlooked the kingdom below. "WAHOOOHOOO!" Sonic called as he came to a stop.

"GOOD MORNING COOL KINGDOM!" Sonic called and zoomed down to the kingdom.

A large ship was getting ready to leave, cargo was being loaded and many a brave sailor from the kingdom were getting on board. Grimsby was standing with a sailor on the dock.

"Uh is Prince Eric sure about this voyage. I mean with all the storms and that ship attack recently?" The Sailor asked.

Grimsby could only sigh. "I had those same concerns, but when Eric sets his mind to something he sticks to it. Though I really wish he hadn't turned down that princess like that."

"Indeed I've heard chatter through the kingdom wondering if the prince will ever settle down?" The sailor agreed.

"On that matter, are you loading that little surprise I asked for." Grimsby asked in a whisper.

"Its being loaded as we speak." The sailor explained as they saw a rather large object covered in tarp being loaded onto the ship by the stronger crew men.

"So what is it sir?" The sailor asked out of curiosity.

"Well considering our return voyage coincides with Erics birthday it seemed best to have his gift loaded on with us." Grimsby explained.

"Hmm good point sir." Just then the sailor noticed something or rather someone was missing. "Ah where is the prince anyway this is his ship?"

"Oh knowing him he's with Max having one last game before setting sail." Grimsby realised but then he looked at his watch. "But we'll be casting off soon, oh dear I'd better find him." He then rushed off the dock to go look find him.

On the beach a ball flew into the air, and out of nowhere Max leaped into the air and grabbed it in his mouth. But not before he landed in the shallow water with a splash. He stood up with the ball in his mouth.

"Max! Here boy!" He heard Eric call and ran back to him with the ball in mouth. He dropped the ball to his feet panting.

"Heheh good boy." Eric chuckled, then Max shook himself shaking the water out of his thick fur. Eric then picked up the ball and prepared to throw it again.

"Fetch!" Eric threw the ball and on instinct Max ran after it as fast as he could. The prince was enjoying his time with his furry companion.

Just then he felt something glinting in his eye he looked down to the sand near the water, and noticed a glinting light in the sand. Curious he went to take a closer look. He arrived at the shore line and knelt down to the sand and was startled.

For what he found was a shimmering green emerald in the sand. He picked it up out of the sand and looked at it closely. "Huh what's this?"

While he was studying it he couldn't help but admire its beauty, so perfectly crafted. But little did he realise the true significance of this gem. Before he could contemplate further.

"Eric!" He was snapped out of his trance when he saw his advisor hurry onto the beach. "Eric where have you been? We're supposed to be casting off now."

"Oh uh sorry Grim, guess I lost track of time." Eric realised bashfully.

"Well we best get a move on if we want to…" Just then Grimsby noticed the jewel in the princes hand. "What is that?"

"Oh this I found it on the beach, not sure how it got there." Eric said.

"Hmm how odd." Grimsby wondered.

"Ah well I think I'll hold onto it for good luck." Eric smiled. "Come on Grim we're burning daylight lets go so we can catch the tide."

"Ah very well." Grimsby sighed. "Come on Max." He called and so Max followed behind them. Eric placed the emerald in his pocket and headed to the ship.

The ships sails were lowered and it cast out from the harbour as the people on the harbour waved goodbye to their prince and his crew. From afar on the shore Sonic watched the ship sail off on its long voyage. He could see Eric on the helm of the ship.

"Heh looks like sailor boy is off on his voyage." Sonic realised but looking at that ship it did remind him of his little experience in nowhere and a group of pirates. Plus his experience of fighting a robotic pirate in the dimension of a certain fire cat.

This did make him think of his friends. He zoomed away at top speed. As lightning flew off his quills he couldn't help but think of his friends back home he was really missing them, and wondered how they were doing.

"Man, I really hope they're okay." He said as he zoomed off towards the beach. He wasn't the only one zooming around.


Under the sea:

Far in the ocean depths, the sound of laughter could be heard, then zooming past was Ariel who was enjoying a swim in the currents of the oceans twisting and turning around the corals and racing over the rocks below alerting the flowers to hide. She did a loop de loop in the water and stopped to catch her breath.

"Hah hah that was fun!" Airel beamed.

"Ariel!" Called a voice she looked to see Flounder completely exhausted from all the swimming. "hah hah did..did we really have to go that fast!"

"Oh come on Flounder this is our first day off from rehearsals for the musical, we gotta make the most of it." Ariel smiled. "Besides I wanted to see what it was like to go fast."

Ever since meeting Sonic and seeing how much they truly had in common, like their adventurous spirt and a want to explore the world, she wanted to experience what it was like to go fast like him. Though she was no where close to Sonics speed she did see the enjoyment of swimming out in the open ocean and this feeling of freedom.

"But we're not Sonic?" Flounder then said confused.

"I know that but I still want to know what it's like to experience what he does." Ariel said swimming around excitedly, then an idea popped into her head. "Hey let's take him to the shipwrecks see if he can help us find more human treasures."

"Great idea!" Flounder beamed and so the duo swam off to go find their land friend. But little did they realise that they were being watched by one of Eggman's spy drones.


Eggmans Base:

Watching everything from afar were the two masterminds. "Hmm now what is she up to?" Orbot asked Eggman and Ursula.

"So she's going to see Sonic is she well let's just see what she and that rodent are up to." Eggman said.

"You realise I could've sent Flotsam and Jetsam to avoid arousing any suspicion?" Ursula asked.

"Ah as I've said my dear when dealing with that blue spine nuisance there's little room for human or in this case fish error. Hence why I enjoy the company of my machines they do as they're told without error." Eggman said.

However when she looked to Cubot just gushing over the footage of Ariel like a love sick puppy she wasn't so sure. "Riiiight."None the less they kept watching all that unfolded below.


On Land:

Sonic found himself coming back to the old shipwreck on the beach. He was looking for some firewood for tonight, he'd just collected a few old planks and bits of door frames in his hands. Just then he noticed one of the planks from the ships haul. He went over to look at it, he noticed the top looked rather curved possibly eaten away by water corrosion or possibly termites. But to the blue blur he saw this old plank as something else, and when he looked to the ocean he noticed how high the waves were today, and with a fun looking smile on his face he had an idea. Something he'd tried once with Knuckles and Tails at Seaside Hill.

Not too far away Ariel and Flounder had surfaced, and saw they were close to the beach. However before they swam over they heard a distinct call.

"YAHOOOOOOO!" They looked over to see a very large wave approaching them from behind. They gaped in shock, but then when they looked at the wave wall they saw a certain blue hedgehog on a curved plank riding the waves.

Ariel and Flounder quickly ducked beneath the water to avoid the waves, and as it passed they resurfaced again. The princess couldn't help but watch with captivated interest.

Sonic rode the waves with style as he rode in the barrel of the wave then zoomed up to the upper wave, soared into the air and performed a spin with his board. It looked like his X-Treme Gear skills were paying off. After the spin he touched down back on the waves and rode them weaving from side to side and even span round the whole barrel.

Ariel beamed in amazement she'd never seen anyone from the surface do this kind of thing with the waves before. Flounders jaw dropped like an anvil seeing these kinds of moves on the waves. The wave soon subsided and Sonic on his board just glided out onto the water with ease.

"And thats how ya hang ten Hedgehog style!" Sonic smirked with a two fingered salute.

"That was amazing! Sonic!" Sonic looked to see Ariel and Flounder swimming over to him.

"Oh hey guys!" Sonic waved with a smile as he knelt down on his board.

"Sonic how did you do that riding the waves like that I've never seen that before?" Ariel said rather excitedly.

"Yeah but you could watch where your going when you do that?" Flounder pointed out.

"Heh heh sorry little guy not the way it works I go where the wave goes." Sonic said before he turned to Ariel. "Oh and that is what we surface dudes call surfing, at least where I come from."

"Surfing?" Ariel asked. "What's that?"

Seeing Ariel was intrigued by what she saw Sonic decided to share some of his own surface experience. "Surfing is a way cool sport back home basically humans or Mobians in my case take boards, a little better than this old plank, and use them to ride the waves and pull all kinds of rad stunts."

"Like what we saw?" Flounder asked.

"Yep in fact Tails made a jet propelled board once, and he rode it way fast." Sonic said. "But he did end up falling off and riding one of the giant sea turtles that were there. Took me and Knuckles forever to catch him again."

"Giant sea turtles?" Ariel asked. "How big are sea creatures where your from?"

"Well not too small from what you guys got, unless you count the ones at Seaside Hill the turtles there are large enough to carry temples on their backs." Sonic explained.

"Wow!" Ariel breathed in amazement. "I'd really like to see that sometime."

"If ya lucky kid." Sonic winked which did prompt Ariel to wink back smiling. Flounder tried to wink but couldn't really do it the same. "So what brings you guys up here? Can't just to watch my way rad skills."

Ariel giggled at Sonics humour. "Hehehehehe. We have a day off today from rehearsals and we thought maybe you'd like to come with us on a treasure hunt in the shipwreaks."

Sonic was surprised by the request, and while a little hesitant at going down to the ocean again, he now had a means to breathe plus he couldn't help but want to explore more of the world below.

"Count me in!" Sonic gave a thumbs up much to Ariels delight.

Moments later they were back at the beach as Sonic went to get his Air Charm. He found it easily and saw it was fully recharged. From afar Eggman's spy eye was watching everything.

From his base Eggman, Orbot and Cubot couldn't believe what they were seeing. "I…is he doing what I think he's doing?" Cubot stuttered.

They watched as Sonic placed a certain charm around his neck then slowly but nervously walked into the water and joined his friends. They all dived under the surface soon after.

"Sonic's swimming?!" Orbot and Cubot gasped. Eggman was equally surprised why would his enemy venture into the water where he is most vulnerable why risk drowning? But then a devilish smirk formed on his face. Perhaps this could be used to his advantage.


Ariel, holding Sonics hand swam through the ocean depths with Flounder close behind and soon they arrived at a massive graveyard of sunken ships.

"Whoa, thats a whole load of sunken ships." Sonic said rather surprised.

"Oh yes, they end up here when they're sunk to the sea because of the storms." Ariel explained. "Daddy forbids us from coming here, but I like to come here to find any human treasures inside them." She then looks a little annoyed. "Though Daddy manages to find out thats why I sneak here so he doesn't find out."

"Heh you know there's a saying we have back home. better to ask forgiveness later than permission first." Sonic smirked.

"Really?" Ariel asked.

"Yep, besides what ya old man doesn't know can't hurt us." Sonic then said.

"Not unless there's sharks around." Flounder asked nervously.

"Oh don't be such a guppie, there's no sharks around here now." Ariel smiled shaking her head. "Come on." So the trio swim towards the shipwrecks. They come across a rather large looking ship. Ariel looks in through a porthole window and looks from left to right keeping an eye open for trouble. She then swims through, followed by Sonic who climbs through and since it's the inside of a ship he was able to walk on the deck. Flounder tries to go through but in the process he gets himself stuck.

"Nah! Ngh! Guys I'm stuck!" Flounder grumbled.

"Hang on little dude I'll get you out." Sonic walked over and grabbed Flounders fins and tried to pull him through, he pulled and pulled and pulled until finally *POP* Flounder was pulled in and flung into one of the support beams when Sonic hit the ground on his back because of the force of the pull.

"Ow!" Flounder cried as he swam back up again.

"Heh sorry pal." Sonic smiled apologetically. Ariel shook her head smiling as her blue friend got back up on his feet.

"Come on guys lets start exploring." Ariel beamed happily and so they swam/walked around the wreck of the ship.


Atlantica:

In the royal Palace of Atlantica, two mermen guards had brought the metal remnants of some of Eggman's Chomper robots into the palace and presented them to King Triton. The king with Sebastian inspected the metal remnants very closely. After the recent news of attacks by these metal monsters the sea king decided to learn more about the new threat to his kingdom.

"Hmm, this metal work looks like nothing I have ever seen before." Triton studied.

"But what could've made des creatures of metal your majesty?" Sebastian asked.

"If I knew that Sebastian these metal remains wouldn't be before me now would they?" Triton said reminding his aid of that in a somewhat annoyed tone. Sebastian smiled nervously at that.

Just then another merman swam into the palace he has long grey hair, a slightly muscular body and a purple tail greeted the king. "You summoned me your majesty?"

"Ah Archimedes." Triton greeted.

"I got your message your highness but…" Archimedes gaze then turned to the metal remnants before him. "Oh my what is this?"

"This is why I summoned you here, given your knowledge of…" Triton felt a sour taste in his mouth when he was about to speak of this word. "The surface world I thought you might be able to provide some insight into these metal monstrosities that were found nearby." He gestured his trident towards the metal fragments and remains.

Archimedes, wasted no time looking at the remains of the Chompers. He looked at its insides namely its gears and its circuit boards. "Hmm well this is unlike anything I have ever seen from the surface before."

"So is it from the surface?" Sebastian asked.

"Well it is hard to say, it looks like it was made from human hands but whoever it is knows metal work of some sort or even a powerful form of alchemy." Archimedes explained.

"So it is from the surface but how could they acquire such power?" Triton realised.

"I am unsure, but whoever made this is clearly skilled in their craft." Archimedes said.

"Why am I not surprised it is from da surface like their boats harming our reefs isn't enough." Sebastian said.

"Do not be so quick to accuse Sebastian." Archimedes said. "We cannot condemn an entire race just for the sins of a few."

"Be that as it may my only concern is protecting my kingdom from any threats from the surface or otherwise." Triton then said. "These metal monsters are dangerous and no-one is to go near them!" He proclaimed with his trident held high.

"Very well your majesty." Archimedes then said. "I shall take my leave." He started to swim away.

"Your help is much appreciated." Triton simply said. "Archimedes." He got his attention. "Please consider returning to Atlantica, your place is with your own kind."

"I am sorry your majesty but I must stand by what I believe in, I truly believe land and sea can live as one. But only if we leave the past behind." Archimedes said before he swam away. Triton shook his head disappointingly.

"Ah, he may have noble intentions but he must understand there's no chance of peace as long as the humans continue to abuse our reefs and homes." Triton said. He then decided to turn to another subject.

"Sebastian, do you know where Ariel has gone? I have not seen her since this morning?" He asked.

"Uh not sure your majesty but I think I saw here heading out and rather fast too." Sebastian explained.

Triton just sighed. "What am I going to do with her. Then go find her and keep an eye on her. If more of these things are around I don't want her anywhere near them."

"Why me?" Sebastian asked indignantly.

"Because I ordered you to and if I remember I also placed you in charge of watching my daughters did I not?" Triton got right in the small crabs face and looked very intimidating.

"Ah yes I…I'll go do dat then." Sebastian shuddered and so he swam away to go look for Ariel.


Shipwrecks:

Ariel, Sonic and Flounder continued their trek inside the remains of old ships. They came to a set of stairs and so Sonic climbed up them and saw they were inside the captains quarters.

"Wow cozy." Sonic said as Ariel and Flounder popped up next to him. The two sea folk swam around the large room while the land hedgehog walked around.

"Hey over here!" Ariel said excitedly. Flounder swam over and Sonic came over as well to see what his new friend had found. She showed them what looked like an old lantern.

"Look at it isn't it amazing?" Ariel said fascinated.

"Ohh cool uh what is it?" Flounder asked. Normally Ariel would show it to Scuttle or Archimedes but now she had a friend from the surface down here with her.

"I'm not sure, Sonic what do you think?" She asked him, and Sonic looked at the lantern.

"Well this is your run of the mill lantern." Sonic explained.

"Oh, what's a lantern?" Ariel asked.

"Humans use these things to light their way in the dark." Sonic explained. "We actually have lanterns back home too, and some we can make out of paper and send them up in the sky at night."

"They can fly?" Ariel asked.

"Well only ones made of paper this kind of lantern ya hang on walls or carry around." Sonic explained.

"Oh okay a lantern." Ariel siad as she placed the small lantern in her bag. They kept looking around for any other human treasures.

As they looked around Sonic couldn't help but notice a large chest in the room. "Hey what's that?" He walked over to the chest and it didn't take long until Ariel and Flounder swam over to take a look.

"What's in it?" Flounder asked. Ariel took a look at the strange chest, looking closely at the lid she tried to move it and it did lift up. She lit up with a smile as she lifted the lid and inside they found. Gold, diamonds and even some pearl necklaces.

"Wow." Everyone breathed.

"I..its so beautiful." Ariel breathed.

"We just found pirate treasure, man Knuckles would kill to find something like this!" Sonic said.

"Really does he like finding treasure too?" Ariel asked.

"Yeah this kinda treasure. But some of the ones he looks for is in old temples and ruins." Sonic chuckled in remembrance. "He even once went to the Great Unknown to…." Suddenly at that moment his gaze was set on a certain jewel in the treasure. One bright red shining jewel.

"Hey isn't that." Sonic reached for it and tried to pick it up. But then.

"What is da meaning of dis!" Sebastian suddenly popped up out of nowhere standing on the treasure causing everyone to scream in surprise.

"Sebastian!" Ariel exclaimed. "Wha..what are you doing here?"

"I'll be asking da questions here young lady! What are you doing here in this place, and." When the crab laid eyes on Sonic he gasped in horror. "A…A surface dweller down here!"

"No no Sebastian it's okay he's a friend!" Ariel tried to explain.

"He's from da surface if your father found out about this he would lose his mind!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Hey take a chill pill crabby!" Sonic said immediately getting the crab advisors attention and it did earn some giggles from Ariel and Flounder. But a stern glare from Sebastian but a stop to that.

"Now listen surface dweller you are not welcome in these seas and I do not know how ya breathing down here but you are trespassing and are not allowed near the princess!" Sebastian said to him while still keeping his claw on the emerald.

"Okay first off this surface dweller has a name its Sonic, and second of all who made you the boss of her?!" Sonic asked.

"Her father de king of the seas!" Sebastian exclaimed. "Dats who! Who by the way forbids anyone from going near these human wrecks! Especially you Ariel!"

Ariel just pouted her lip in frustration, next to her father Sebastian was the second strictest sea creature in the sea. "Sebastian please don't tell daddy about Sonic he just wouldn't understand, Sonics just like me an adventurer!"

Sebastian just sighed. "Ariel you clearly don't understand much of da surface the law is in place in da sea for a reason."

"Hey listen crabby…" Sonic tried.

"Its Sebastian!" Sebastian glared at Sonic.

"Okay Seb whatever." Sonic said infuriating the crab further. "Look she wasn't doing any harm, and I just need to grab that emerald ya holding and we'll be gone. Now fork it over."

Sebastian looked to Sonic then the red emerald he was holding. Flounder and Ariel also looked at the emerald, and they weren't sure why but it looked awfully familiar.

The two glared each other down in a stand off type way, but suddenly the shipwreck began to shake as did the ground around them. "Whoa what the?!" Sonic exclaimed. Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian were taken completely by surprise by the sea quake, then suddenly.

*CRASH!* A giant red robotic crab mech appeared out of nowhere surprising everyone. It was a Crabmeat robot but far beyond its normal size it was gigantic, almost the size of the Eggmech.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!" A familar cackling was heard as a certain Eggmobile hovered down next to the giant crab mech. The cockpits glass canopy was sealed over the top for underwater reasons.

"Well well well, talk about a regular hedgehog out of water!" The evil genius cackled with Orbot and Cubot next to him.

"Eggman!" Sonic glared.

"Aww and look, you've made some underwater friends too." Eggman said in false happiness.

"You!" Ariel exclaimed.

"Ah so you do remember me my dear!" Eggman cackled. "No matter, you've made a huge mistake coming down here Sonic, because its the one place you can't outrun me! So allow me to introduce you to my friend. MEGA CRABMEAT!"

"CRUSH THEM!" Mega Crabmeat then raised its claw ready to slam it into Sonic and his friends.

"MOVE!" Sonic exclaimed and jumped and pushed Ariel out of the way while Flounder swam for it, Sebastian grabbed onto his tail fin. The slam from the Mega Crabmeat caused a shockwave that catapulted them out of the ship and sent crashing onto the ocean floor.

Sonic quickly got up and looked to see Mega Crabmeat emerging from the smoke ready to engage while all Eggman can do is sit back and watch.

"HehehehHAHAHAHAH!" Eggman cackled. "Air charm or not you're doomed to fail!"

The Mega Crabmeat then opened its claws and several compartments on its armour which were all loaded with missiles. "Guys get out of here I'll deal with tin crab!" Sonic called to Ariel and the others.

"Excuse me!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Sebastian!" Ariel cried they looked to see the missiles firing from the metal beast.

"Oh uh on second thought swim for it!" Sebastian suddenly decided and they swam for cover.

"Catch me if you can crab legs!" Sonic smirked and started running as if he was going his signature speed. However when he looked he was barely moving at all despite the air charms ability to help him breath underwater he still couldn't run.

"Oh yeah." He grimaced. The missiles exploded around Sonic catapulting him into a rock arch with a crash much to Ariel and Flounders horror who were hiding in a nearby cave.

"Sonic!" The little mermaid cried. Sonic hit the sandy ground as the Mega Crabmeat hovered above him training its weapons on him.

"Oh boy." Sonic grimaced more missiles were fired from the robot. Sonic quickly dived under a nearby rock narrowly missing the missiles. The blue blur tried again to rev up but he couldn't summon his full power he was underwater his one weakness.

"Come on Sonic get it together!" Sonic muttered and so he lunged out of his hiding place getting the giant robots attention. Sonic jumped and tried to spin in a homing attack, but it failed he was just floating helplessly in the water.

This left him open to the Mega Crabmeat swatting him with his leg and then smashed him into a rock. Eggman couldn't help but laugh and enjoy every moment of his enemies suffering.

"Hohohho this has got to be the best day of my life! I should've done this years ago!" Eggman cackled.

"What's wrong why doesn't Sonic just go fast and beat him!" Flounder asked worried that Sonic was getting his butt kicked.

Ariel was very surprised too she'd seen her surface friend beat this human once before, so why couldn't he now? Thats when it hit her she'd seen him fight this robot on the surface, then remembered when he first came with her under the sea, how he could barely move.

"Because he can't!" Ariel realised. "At least not down here! He can't run underwater like that!" She exclaimed and Flounder looked horrified, while Sebastian looked completely bewildered to what was going on here.

Sonic hit the sandy ground completely beaten up from all of the hits he took. He was really wishing he had a Drill Wisp or air bubble right now as he was in the one part of the world he couldn't be the fastest thing alive.

"HEHEHEHHAHHAHAHAH!" Eggman cackled. "You maybe the fastest on land Sonic but here under this blue sea your a joke!"

"Heh…keep laughing it up Baldy Mc Nosehair I'm just getting started!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Mega Crabmeat finish him!" Eggman exclaimed. The robotic crab raised its front left leg ready to crush the venerable hedgehog. Ariel couldn't stand by and let this happen she had to do something. So without even thinking she swam out of her hiding place.

"ARIEL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Sebastian exclaimed in horror. The machine was ready to deliver a final blow, but before it could, Ariel zoomed in and grabbed Sonic in her arms swimming away from the robot.

"Wow thats a pretty fast mermaid!" Orbot exclaimed from the Eggmobile.

"Yeah pretty." Cubot said dreamily.

"Oh shut up!" Eggman exclaimed. "Get him!"

Mega Crabmeat fired more missiles towards Airel and Sonic she gasped as she quickly dived into a crevasse to avoid the missiles which exploded all around it, while in the crevasse Ariel held Sonic close while the ground shook around them.

The bombardment finally stopped as the Mega Crabmeat was reloading for another attack. "Don't waste your ammo!" Eggman said. "As much as I would love to end the rodent here and now, I have a more pressing matter to attend to." He turned the Eggmobile to the now broken shipwreck, a red light emerged from the front of the vehicle and it scanned the wreck until finally it flashed green. He pressed a button on the control console and a small grabbing arm emerged from the bottom of the Eggmobile and it sifted through the wreck until it pulled out what it was looking for.

The red Chaos Emerald. "Ah a good days fishing trip." Eggman smirked as the arm returned to the Eggmobile and then the emerald appeared in the cockpit. "So long hedgehog! HAHAHAHAHAH!" Eggman cackled as he and his creation blasted off out of the area and back to the surface.

With the metal monster gone Flounder and Sebastian swam out of their hiding spot to the crevasse. "Ariel! Sonic!" Flounder cried.

Ariel slowly emerged from the crevasse with an unconscious Sonic in her arms covered in bruises. "Oh no!" Flounder breathed.

"We need to get him to the surface." Ariel said.

"Oh no young lady you are not going anywhere near da surface!" Sebastian exclaimed. "That monster came from the surface and…"

"Sebastian hes hurt and we've got to help him you can go if you want but I'm going!" Without another word Airel swam away with Sonic towards the surface and Flounder soon followed from behind her.

Sebastian was honestly speechless his first instinct was to inform his king of what had happened, however at the same time he couldn't let Ariel go up to the surface at least not alone. He was completely conflicted though this wouldn't be the first time this happened.

"Gah! Da things I do for dat girl I must be going soft in da shell!" Sebastian whined and so he followed Ariel to the surface.

It wasn't long until they reached land, Sonic was unconscious and didn't move. Ariel shook him to try and wake him up. "Sonic! Sonic!" She called but no answer.

He was out cold and didn't answer. Sebastian wondered what he could do, then he had an idea. He crawled up to Sonics right hand then out of nowhere pinched his left finger with his claw.

"AAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Sonic screamed in pain blasting into the air like a certain cartoon cat. He landed again and saw Sebastian was hanging from his finger. He didn't hesitate at pulling the crab off him.

"DUDE WHATS YOUR PROBLEM!" Sonic exclaimed with his finger throbbing in pain.

"And your welcome for it!" Sebastian turned away indignant.

"Sonic are you okay?" Ariel asked very worried.

Sonic looked round and saw he was back on dry land on a rock close to the mainland. He also noticed he was covered in bruises sure he was starting to heal but he could still feel the aches.

"Eh just my pride thats beaten but heh us super cool hedgehogs are fast healers. I'll be fine, and uh thanks for the save." Sonic smiled and Ariel had a smile of relief knowing her friend was okay.

"Sonic…what happened to you down there?" Ariel asked.

"Yeah I thought you were the fastest thing alive?" Flonder asked.

"Slowest thing under da sea is more like it." Sebastian snarked much to Ariels annoyance.

Sonic sighed as he sat down on the rock. "Well I am fast but when I'm under water it's a totally different story." He paused for a moment at this next part. "See the thing is…..I can't swim."

Ariel and Flounder were very surprise but Sebastian was hardly. "Wait but some people from the surface know how to swim?"

"Ariel he's not human and I'm honestly not surprised most don't know their dorsal fin from their tail." Sebastian pointed out.

"Okay dude I'm from the surface but the thing is I just prefer being on dry land cause speed and water don't mix especially under it." Sonic explained. "Now Eggman got away with a Chaos Emerald cause of that beating I took from that walking tin crab."

"Chaos what?" Flounder asked.

"Chaos Emerald, its basically a gem that has a special power inside of it, and it was what old crab cakes here was holding before Eggbutt showed up." Sonic gestured to said crab.

"Oh so your saying dis is my fault!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Well you were the one holding it!" Sonic reminded.

"Guys guys please!" Ariel said separating them before she turned to Sebastian. "Sebastian, that human was the one who made that metal monster, Sonic calls it a robot."

"Dat human is behind these metal monsters that have been attacking de sea!" Sebastian exclaimed. "The sea king knew da surface was behind this!"

"Well not this surface." Sonic pointed out, this just got Sebastian all confused.

"What?" He asked.

"Uh the thing is, Sonics from another world the same one that Eggman guy is from." Flounder explained.

Sebastian just groaned in defeat. "Uhhhh now I've heard everything."

"Sebastian think about it no human could make those machines if he wasn't from here." Ariel explained.

"Okay okay say I believe dis crazy story what was so special about that rock." Sebastian asked.

"Like I said it has a special power inside it, one that turns thoughts into reality. Its one of seven, and in Eggman's hands its way bad that guy has a lot of bad thoughts." Sonic explained. "And its partly the reason we ended up here to begin with."

"Seven you mean there's more?" Ariel asked with interest.

"Yep and one of em was in that chest and now Eggman has it." Sonic said. "If I wasn't slowed down I could've gotten to it."

The little mermaid had never seen Sonic so down trodden like this, she'd seen him take on a great giant and small metal fish and from the stories he's told her he's taken on bigger challenges. To see him beaten by that metal crab all because of his inability to swim or move fast under the water, she wondered what she could do to help. Then it hit her.

"Well if you not being able to swim is the problem. Maybe we could teach you how." Ariel said.

"What?" Sonic asked surprised.

"Yeah it's a great idea me and Sebastian can show you how to swim." Ariel suggested to the blue hedgehog.

Sebastian was quite taken aback by that notion. "WHAT!" He exclaimed. "Ariel! King Triton will not like dis!"

"Oh don't worry."Ariel said. "Besides it'll be okay as long as he doesn't find out." She then looks to Sonic. "So what do you say?"

Sonic honestly was speechless Ariel was offering to show him how to swim. However he wouldn't be lying if he didn't say if he wasn't nervous about the prospect of going underwater even with his air charm.

"Well…I…I don't know Ariel I…" Sonic said unsure but then he looked at the little mermaid she was giving him an assuring smile and the look in her water blue eyes were telling him it would be okay.

Sonic was hesitant but he realised if the Chaos Emeralds were here some of them could be under the water and fighting Eggman under the surface could be tricky. Though he was a little scared he realised he had to at least try. Plus he couldn't possibly say no to a friend.

"Well..I…I'll try." Sonic finally agreed much to Ariel and Flounders delight. "That is if Seb here doesn't tattle to your old man?"

That was when everyone turned to said crab on the rock. Sebastian knew this was wrong on so many levels, and his first instinct would've been to tell the king. However this wouldn't be the first time that he was roped into one of Ariels misadventures.

"Huh, I know I'll regret this but…alright lets get started den." Sebastian finally said much to the joy of everyone.


Meanwhile:

"HAHHOHOHOHOHOHO!" Eggman cackled in his base holding the red Chaos Emerald in hand boasting on his recent triumph.

"OH Today has never felt so good I saw Sonic beaten by my greatest creation and I scored another Chaos Emerald! Oh this has put the zippidey in my do da!" Eggman chuckled.

"Yes boss but ah Sonic is still out there." Orbot pointed out.

"Yes I know that Orbot!" Eggman gritted. "Now shut up and let me enjoy the moment!"

"Do you always boast like this?" He turned to see Ursula still in the waterlogged area of his base.

"Only on my best day!" Eggman said. "I will admit this little partnership of ours is off to a good start I now have two emeralds in hand and soon the rest will be mine!"

"You mean ours?" Ursula corrected.

"Oh of course my dear ours." Eggman corrected.

"Well on that matter you mentioned how Tritons daughter was able to acquire one of these emeralds correct?" Ursula asked to which Eggman nodded. "Well if she still has it I know a way that she'll lead us right to it." She looked to her two loyal pets. "Follow the girl and find the emerald."

The two eels nodded and then swam away into the deep. "Heh, I could've sent my drones." Eggman grumbled.

"Your machines as you call them would've given us away this calls for a little hiding in plain sight." Ursula told him as she materialised her reflecting pool showing them what Flotsam and Jetsam were seeing.


Meanwhile:

Ariel, Sonic, Flounder and Sebastian were now floating on the surface of the water. It took all of Sonics self restraint to not panic. "Okay now we's going to take dis slow." Sebastian said to the blue hedgehog. "Lets start with de basics so from what I saw you have trouble moving in de water."

"Uh I thought that was blatantly obvious?" Sonic asked sarcastically.

Though the crab disliked this surface hedgehogs attitude he decided to just get this over with. "Lets just see what we're working with." So he, Ariel and Flounder ducked under the sea, Sonic was surprised but decided to follow suit and under the water his air charm kicked in.

He looked to his undersea friends. "Okay try to swim how you would?" Sebastian said.

So thats what happened, Sonic tried to move his legs and run but he didn't move forwards at all even with the help of the Air Charm. It didn't take the undersea folk long to figure out the problem.

So Sonic stopped running when he saw he was getting nowhere. "Well its clear what de problem is your not swimming at all." Sebastian voiced.

"Saywha?" Sonic said confused.

"Ah I think what Sebastian is saying is you're uh…running is it?" Ariel explained. Sonic nodded to that but still didn't get it. "Your running not swimming."

"Hey I'm moving my legs ain't I?" Sonic shrugged.

"Yes but your not moving." Ariel explained.

"She's right, and your stature is completely wrong your vertical not horizontal." Sebastian explained.

"Huh?" Sonic asked unsure.

Sebastian sighed seeing this was harder than he thought. Then he had an idea. "Ah Ariel, Flounder why don't you show him swim around."

"Right." Ariel said, she and Flounder then began swimming around in the water. They swam in zig zags, then did some loop de loops. At the same time Sebastian swam next to Sonic.

"Do you notice how they swim?" Sebastian said.

"Yeah they're way better than I am." Sonic voiced.

"Yes but look how dey swim." Sebastian then told him moving his face with his claw to help him see. Sonic looked carefully at how Ariel swam, just then some whales appeared next to her and swam with her. She stroked them kindly as they enjoyed their swim.

Sonic could see what Sebastian meant. "They aint vertical."

"Ah so you do have brains." Sebastian snarked much to Sonics annoyed face. "But yes they swim horizontally because it allows us to fly through the currents of de sea." He then explained as Ariel and Flounder waved bye to the Whales who swam away.

"Like reducing drag?" Sonic realised.

"Drag?" Sebastian asked.

"Eh it'll take too long to explain." Sonic waved off as Ariel and Flounder rejoined them.

"So ya telling me I gotta think like a fish, but I ain't got a tail fin." Sonic said. "Uh no offence."

"None taken." Ariel waved off. "But just try swimming like we do and use your ah legs this time." She then said.

Realising he had nothing to lose, he decided to try. So he leaned forwards and tried to do a breaststroke moving his arms and legs in and out, like he'd seen Cream and Amy do once on a beach day. However he wasn't good at his technique and was moving at a snails pace no speed whatsoever.

Ariel couldn't help but giggle at this while Sebastian just dragged his claws down his face. "Glad to see this is amusing you." Sonic grumbled.

"Lets uh try something different." Ariel then suggested stifling her laughs.

For the rest of the afternoon Ariel and her friends tried to help Sonic swim. First they tried to have him follow the movements of a sea turtle by flapping his arms around but all that did was make him look like a bird. One he wasn't happy about, though Sebastian found it very amusing. Then they tried to make him swim like an eel which involved him waving up and down like a snake which again didn't make him move any faster. This was really getting on the blue hedgehogs nerves. The third time wasn't any better he tried swimming like a jellyfish waving his arms up and down like an upward stroke it did help him swim upwards but nothing helped him go forwards. Suddenly his leg got caught in some seaweed, he tried to pull himself free but ended up getting tangled in more much to his undersea friends entertainment and laughs. He tried to get free but he just got more tangled and ended up sinking further and further down he struggled and struggled and soon struggle turned to panic.

"GAH!" Sonic exclaimed nearly screaming. Suddenly it got worse, his Air Charm was now running low almost empty. The moment he saw an air bubble come out of his mouth, now he was panicking.

Seeing this was no joke Ariel quickly swam to help him. "Come on he can't breathe!" She urged, so Flounder and Sebastian swam to help. Ariel began tearing away the seaweed while Sebastian used his pincers to cut it off his legs. Sonic was now free and Ariel with Flounders help swam him back to the surface.


The blue blur was now laying on his back on the beach trying to catch his breath Ariel was with him laying on the land with Sebastian and Flounder in the water.

"Ah lets face it this hedgehog aint built for water." Sonic breathed.

Ariel could see her friend was starting to give up on the idea of swimming, but the way he nearly panicked made her realise something she wasn't sure she should ask her friend about. But he'd already helped her so she needed to help him.

"Sonic, why are you afraid of the water?" Ariel asked which took him by surprise. "Its just I saw how you panicked it wasn't just because of your air charm running out you were really scared."

Sonic just sighed he knew he couldn't keep this in any longer. "Yeah I am afraid of the water, and its cause…well everything slows down under water." He explained as his friends listened. "You saw what damage Eggman can do? Well he attacks my home nearly every week and I gotta stop him super fast its how I can beat whatever tin can he makes." Sonic continued. "Its why I like running, the freedom I feel with the wind passing by like nothing stops me but when I'm under the surface everything slows down."

"But you can run on water can't you?" Flounder asked.

"Yeah I can but the currents make it hard for me to reach full speed, I can't tell ya the number of times Eggman's forced me on water, and I tell ya I ain't got a lot of good memories." Sonic said remembering his near drowning experience in the Labyrinth Zone or even in No Place with his friends pirate counterparts.

"I know sometimes seeing the unknown can be scary even after what others tell you about it." Ariel then said as she looked at Sebastian briefly before turning back to her friend. "And I know some humans from the surface don't know how to handle life under the ocean but thats what makes it beautiful and it seems like you've been missing out on it."

"I know but I just get nervous every time I see the water, thats why I just don't go near it unless I ain't got a choice." Sonic said. "But if the Chaos Emeralds are here it means some of them are under the water and that means I ain't got no way of getting to them if so facto no ticket home for me."

"Sonic I've seen how you faced impossible odds against Eggman and those metal monsters." Ariel said. "And in all the stories you told me you never let that stop you, but you can't let your fears hold you back. I know what it's like to be scared. Once after I had a falling out with daddy about a human treasure I found I swam away and found a human bracelet but it got stuck and I couldn't go home. I was all alone and scared. But I got over my fears and got it off I've never let fears hold me back."

Sonic listened well to what she was saying but he still wasn't sure. "Eggman took advantage of your fears but I know you can overcome it if you just try, if you don't now it'll haunt you forever."

"I know your right but I haven't really found a need to swim cause I've always had my friends help." Sonic explained. "But with them not here..I…I just feel so alone." He admitted.

A sympathetic hand was then felt on his own and he looked to a smiling Ariel. "I'm here and so's Flounder and you can do it. I know you can." She said.

Sonic couldn't help but smile at this mermaids confidence in him it wasn't hard to see.

"Ah yes dis is all well and good but we got to get back de Sea Kings probably going out of his mind worrying and he'll yell at me for it." Sebastian reminded her and the princess sighed realising he had a point.

"Okay." She sighed. "See you later Sonic." She then headed back into the water, before she gave one last wave to her land friend which he happily returned as they dived beneath the sea.


The group swam back into the deep, unaware that they had company. Flotsam and Jetsam stayed close to the shadows so they wouldn't be seen and followed them.

"Oh de things you drag me into Ariel!" Sebastian grumbled. "Teaching someone from de surface how to swim in our ocean! All because of a human who wants to destroy our home it's my worst nightmare! Next to de one where de king shouts at me!"

Ariel however was too lost in thought to think about Sebastian's scolding. Flounder noticed this too, he knew she was thinking about Sonic and his uncontrollable fear of water. She wondered what she could do to try and help Sonic overcome his fear. Her thoughts then drifted to the red emerald that he had an interest in the one Eggman took after the fight, and after hearing Sonics story on these Chaos Emeralds and his enemies interest in them she began putting the pieces together. It was then she remembered something she found the day she met him.

"Seven emeralds." She breathed before she gasped. "THATS IT!" She exclaimed startling Sebastian and Flounder. Before they could ask she swam away leaving them far behind.

"H-Hey Ariel wait for me!" Flounder exclaimed as he swam after her leaving a very confused and stressed Sebastian in the bubbles.

"Oh how do I get myself into des situations, aww mun!" Sebastian grumbled and started swimming after them. Unaware that they were being followed.


It wasn't long until Ariel had reached her secret grotto she swam inside and was looking visciously through all her human treasures. It seemed like she was looking for a certain something. Flounder soon arrived and saw her looking in a frenzy.

Upon moving a book back a blue glow came out causing Ariel to beam a smile of delight. "Ah here it is!"

"Ariel what is it what's going on?" Flounder asked.

"Flounder this is it!" Ariel turned around and she was holding the blue Chaos Emerald that they had found when they first met the blue blur.

"Ah what?" Flounder asked confused.

"This is why Eggman was after us that day we were attacked." Ariel explained. "I think he was after this, which means this must be one of these Chaos Emeralds Sonic told us about."

"The ones that are meant to have some kind of power?" Flounder asked. "Well I guess that explains why those metal monsters were chasing us."

"Exactly! So maybe if I give this to Sonic it might help him to overcome his fear of water!" Ariel realised. "Come on let's go find him!" She swam out of the grotto without hesitation.

"Hey Ariel wait!" Flounder exclaimed and swam after his friend but just as he exited the grotto.

"Slow d…" He was suddenly met face to face with a Chopper mech fish glaring at him. He yelled in fright and was backed up against Ariel who stood firm. They were surrounded by ten Chopper fish mechs and seven crabmeats followed by three Buzzbombers using their engines as propellors to fly underwater.

"HEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHHA!" A familiar loud cackling was heard and descending down from above was Dr Eggman in his Eggmobile. "Well well look what I've caught in my net a mermaid and a precious Chaos Emerald this must be my lucky day!"

"Your not getting this emerald!" Ariel defied.

"Oh aren't I?" Eggman smirked then suddenly grabbing arms emerged from the Eggmobile and instantly grabbed Ariel by the arms and tail fin causing her to drop the emerald into the claws of a Crabmeat robot.

"FLOUNDER SWIM!" Ariel exclaimed.

"But what about you?!" Flounder exclaimed.

"Just go!" Ariel yelled, but the small fish was hesitant he couldn't abandon his best friend, suddenly the Choppers gaze shifted to him. This prompted Flounder to swim away as fast as he could. The Choppers were about to blast off after him until.

"Stand down!" Eggman called causing them to stop in their tracks. "Let that guppy go, I have the prize I want!" The mechanical arms pulled Ariel closer to the Eggmobile cockpit. "In fact I may have a use for you!" He smirked while Ariel looked very frightened.

Not too far away Sebastian was still swimming to catch up, he looked nearly out of breath when suddenly something fast zoomed past him causing him to spin out of control. "WHAAA Wu what de!"

"Sebastian!" Flounder exclaimed turning round and stopped the small crab from spinning.

"Flounder what de heck is going on!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"I…its that Eggman guy!" Flounder exclaimed. "We we found a Chaos Emerald when we met Sonic and that Egg human ambushed us and he's got Ariel!"

"WHAT!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"What're we gonna do?!" Flounder exclaimed.

"We must tell de Sea King he must know about this!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"But if we do he'll be angry at Ariel, no maybe maybe we should tell Sonic!" Flounder then said.

"No we can't he can't swim down here telling de king is the best option!" Sebastian said.

"But you promised not to tell him! We need to tell Sonic!" Flounder exclaimed.

Sebastian wasn't sure about this but at the same time he'd seen what that humans machines could do. Though impossible could it rival the kings trident? Plus he knew how strict he was to Ariel and if he found out about this he would be in trouble as well. So with a conflicted heart he made a decision.

"Uhhhh me and my soft shell!" Sebastian groaned. "Alright we'd better tell Sonic what's happened."

Flounder beamed and so the two swam away as fast as they could to find Sonic.


The beach:

The aforementioned Hedgehog was on the beach, he was tossing rocks into the water which skipped along the surface. As he gazed out onto the blue waters before him, he was thinking about his uncontrollable fear of water, thinking back to a time long ago.


Flashback:Emerald Coast:

It was a warm summers day at the Emerald Coast Beach Resort. Amy, Cream, and Cheese were having fun in the water in their swimsuits splashing around. Cheese was relaxing in the swimming ring. On the beach Sonic was relaxing in a deck chair under a beach umbrella he had large green sunglasses on his face and had a coconut drink in hand.

"Sonic!" Called a voice he looked to see Tails running towards him with a body board in hand with what looked like a jet engine on the back.

"Hey check this out I finally got the kinks out of my jet propelled body board." Tails explained. "Wanna try it out?"

"Nah not right now thanks." Sonic said.

"Alright I'll go use it myself." Tails said and wasted no time running to the sea. Sonic couldn't help but smile at his little brother, he was always like a little kid with his new inventions.

Tails placed the bodyboard in the water mounted it and the jet engine fired and blasted Tails forwards. The water blast all but drenched the blue hedgehog soaking his fur.

"Uh great I never learn." He mumbled. Tails rode his jet propelled board all over the sea and he was laughing with enjoyment. Cream and Cheese cheered with excitement.

"Go Tails!" Cream cheered.

"Chao." Cheese chirped.

Sonic just watched and smiled. "Hey Sonic." He looked to see Amy had just dried herself off with a white towel.

"You know it wouldn't hurt if you joined in the fun once and a while?" Amy said to him.

"Hey I am having fun?" Sonic questioned rather surprised. "Nothin says fun like catching up on some sun and doin some tuning." He pulled out his red electric guitar and started playing it.

"Yeah, I mean if you joined us in the water?" Amy then said. "Its actually fun if you give it a chance I could teach you to swim."

Sonic just chuckled. "Heh come on Ames when am I ever gonna want to swim? Besides who needs water when you got super cool speed like mine." He continued playing rifts on his guitar.

Amy just frowned realising how stubborn Sonic could be especially about the water. She knew he was afraid of going in the water, but she and the others often tried to talk him into going in but always results in him zooming off to parts unknown.

"Just be careful Sonic." She said. "You might never know when one day you might have to go in water when we're not around."

"Which by the way ain't gonna happen." Sonic reminded her with his all confident smirk. "We're Team Sonic and we always stick together no matter what Eggman throws at us."


Present day:

Sonic tossed another rock across the surface of the water, and he breathed in frustration. "When am I ever gonna want to swim." He breathed reminding himself.

"Heh you and your big mouth Sonic." he sat down on the beach. He realised the Chaos Emeralds were his only way home but most of them could be at the bottom of the ocean for all he knew. He and his friends could always find a way to find them, but this time he was all alone and felt completely helpless just like when he shattered the Prism and wound up in a world ruled by different versions of his enemy. He was at a loss and wasn't sure what to do. Before he could think further.

"Sonic!" He heard someone calling his name he looked and saw Sebastian and Flounder swimming towards him. Looking closely he could see they were panicking and exhausted.

"Sonic!" Sebastian and Flounder exclaimed and tried to catch their breath.

"Whoa you guys look exhausted what's up?" Sonic asked.

"S…Sonic…Eggman he..he took Ariel!" Flounder exclaimed.

"WHAT!" Sonic exclaimed. Before he could say anything else a high pitched laughter echoed in the air. They all looked up and who should come flying into the fray it was a short humanoid black robot with a round head and stout body, with small arms and legs. On his back was a small jet pack attached by a violet metal belt with a yellow 'M' on it. He had yellow eyes and has large pointed areas at the sides of his head with white gloves and small red boots. He carries a green bag with EGG on it.

"HEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEE Hi." He greeted much to Sonics complete shock.

"Huh! Bokkun! What the heck are you doing here? Since when are you in this story?" Sonic asked surprised.

"Oh thats easy I'm a fan favourite!" Bokkun answered. Flounder and Sebastian both looked completely confused. Never the less, the small robot landed on the ground and pulled out of his bag a large square yellow coloured TV. He handed it to Sonic who held it with two hands.

"Message for you." Bokkun said and pressed the button on the front. "Here you go."

"Ah hello Sonic! I hope you've dried off after your most recent humiliating defeat!" Eggman gloated appearing on the tv screen. "You know I've grown quite fond of the ocean and of course the creatures that dwell within it." He stood aiside and revealed Ariel trapped in a cage with energy bars and had a large yellow button on top of it.

"Sonic!" Ariel cried.

"Ariel!" Sonic breathed in shock before turning to a look of anger. "Eggman if you hurt one hair on her head I'll…"

"Quite a beautiful specimen isn't she, and imagine my surprise to learn she had a Chaos Emerald in her possession but I couldn't find it until now." Eggman said. "But of course knowing you old friend you won't rest until you try and save this mermaid, or drown trying. Come and find me north east of where you are now. If you have the guts!"

The tv screen then turned to static and suddenly Sonic gasped seeing smoke was coming out of the top. Sebastian and Flounder took a closer look, Sonic panicked as the tv glowed bright before it exploded with a *BANG!*

"HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!" Bokkun laughed as he flew away from the scene. The smoke cleared revealing Sonics face was completely covered in soot as was Sebastian and Flounders.

*Cough* Sonic coughed up some soot from his mouth before he growled. "I. Hate. Him!" He grumbled. The three then shook off the soot and even coughing on some of it.

"Does everything dat human make so explosive!" Sebastian exclaims.

"Sonic what're we going to do?!" Flounder exclaimed.

Instinct told Sonic to go save his friend but the ocean stood between him and her. So he reached for his Air Charm and placed it round his neck. He was about to run but the currents of the water stopped him in place.

"Well what are you waiting for run and save her man!" Sebastian yelled but Sonic didn't move he was still unsure about the water.

"Grr come on Sonic go…now!" Sonic tried but still he didn't move. "Ugh come on hedgehog no waters gonna stop me from saving my friend you can do this you can do this!" Sonic yelled as he blasted forwards on the water running on the very surface he looked determined but knew Eggman wasn't hiding on the surface so there was only one choice.

So with one giant leap Sonic jumped into the air and dived into the water. Now under the surface he tried to swim like Ariel showed him but he still couldn't get any momentum. It didn't take long for Sebastian and Flounder to catch up with him, they could see he was struggling to swim. So Sebastian made a decision and swam faster.

Sonic kept trying to do a breaststroke but he was still unable to move even with the help of his air charm.

"Grr come on! Why can't I move!" Sonic exclaimed in frustration. Suddenly something slapped him in the face. He looked to see Sebastian had hit him in the face with his claw. "Dude what the heck are you nuts!"

"Yes I'm nuts especially when I'm stressed man!" Sebastian yelled.

"Hey cool it!" Suddenly Sebastian grabbed him by the face with his claws.

"Are you on de surface?!" Sebastian asked loudly.

"Huh?" Sonic asked.

"Are. You. On. De. Surface?!" Sebastian asked again.

"NO!" Sonic yelled.

"DEN STOP ACTING LIKE YOU ARE!" Sebastian yelled.

This put a look of realisation on Sonics face its true he wasn't on the surface yet he was still acting like he was. If he was going to rescue his friend he had to get over his fear of being powerless in the water.

"You gotta adapt blue boy!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Come on Sonic you can do it! Ariel needs you!" Flounder encouraged. The mention of her name did focus him, and as he looked at himself floating in the ocean depths and his surroundings he thought of his friends words.

"In all the stories you told me you never let that stop you, but you can't let your fears hold you back." Ariels voice said.

"Eggman took advantage of your fears but I know you can overcome it if you just try, if you don't now it'll haunt you forever."

""You might never know when one day you might have to go in water when we're not around." Amy's voice then sounded.

""I'm here and so's Flounder and you can do it. I know you can." Ariels voice then sounded again in his mind.

He knew that his friends were right if he didn't overcome what was holding him back now it would haunt him forever. Especially with lives at stake. "Think like a fish." Sonic said to himself and so he started moving his arms and legs but the water still slowed him down but his determination to help his friends forced him to keep trying.

Sebastian and Flounder watched as Sonic tried again and again to swim, they were so anxious would he be able to do it?

"Come on come on!" Sonic growled not giving up, "I gotta keep trying!" All of a sudden a spark of energy sparked from his spines which caught Sebastian and Flounders attention. Another light was growing from his Air Charm and his whole body sparking with power.

"For Ariel!" Sonics eyes suddenly glowed the brightest blue surging with energy and as if by magic, his legs began moving faster and faster and faster until finally. *BOOM!* He was blasted forwards.

Sebastian and Flounder were completely speechless. For Sonic zoomed through the water like a torpedo, however he was still out of control. "Whoa ah ah!" Sonic couldn't believe it but he had to try and get control. "Ride the currents!" He breathed and so he spread his arms out like he was running while his legs were still kicking spinning like a ball of energy blasting him forwards in the water.

"Huh?" Sonic was breathless he just couldn't believe it. He was actually going fast under water, he was. Swimming.

"Heh YEAH!" He beamed and zoomed around in the ocean currents leaving a trail of blue behind him. Flounder and Sebastian swam closer and saw the trail that he was leaving behind and they couldn't believe it either.

"Yes!" Flounder exclaimed.

"Der we go you've got de rhythm, now!" Sebastian exclaimed.

Sonic laughed with excitement as he zoomed in and out of the water currents around him. He looked to his side and saw an Orca was next to him trying to keep up. The blue blur smiled and waved to the sea creature before he pulled off and blasted up to the surface. He blasted from the surface of the water.

"WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Sonic yelled as he performed a spin mid air, then blasted back down into the water again. He then swooped in the water still spinning his legs. He then stopped and landed on a rock arch below and over looked the environment before him.

"Heh." He breathed. "I…I did it…I did it!" It wasn't long until Flounder and Sebastian joined him.

"Sonic that was incredible!" Flounder beamed. "You swam you were swimming!"

"I will admit for a surface dweller you swam like one of de merfolk." Sebastian admitted rather impressed.

"Heh I have my moments Seb." Sonic smirked though Sebastian hated being called that he was still impressed.

"Now we got a little mermaid to rescue and an Eggman to scramble." Sonic said cracking his knuckles. "Seb you best go tell Ariels dad what's up?"

"But Sonic that'll just get Ariel in trouble with her dad?" Flounder said.

"Its alright Flounder, look just tell him the metal monsters are terrorising the North East ocean but don't mention me or her." Sonic then explained.

"But can't you beat dem all?" Sebastian asked.

"Heh I could wipe all of Eggbutts bots with one Sonic Boom but if I did I'd probably wreck your home I'm sometimes called reckless and they'd probably be right. But if I know Amy she'd pull out her hammer if I did any damage to the ocean." Sonic explained.

The two sea creatures were most surprised someone from the surface was not willing to damage their home just to beat his enemy.

"Okay I'm trusting you Sonic I'll go and tell de sea king. Just don't make me regret dis!" Sebastian ended whining while Sonic responded with a thumbs up before the crab swam away as fast as he could.

"Hey Flounder." Sonic then said getting the small fish's attention. "Ever swam super fast before?" He offered him his hand.

"Uh no?" Flounder asked as he took his fin.

"Well hang on!" Sonic smirked as his legs started spinning and in leaning forwards he blasted off into the distance with Flounder screaming like a girl as he swam full speed ahead.


North East Ocean:

In the farthest depths of the ocean, Eggman had laid himself his forces and his Mega Crabmeat in the rocky caverns below. Ariel sat completely captive in an energy cage, she tried to grab the bars but that just gave her a nasty shock. "Gah!" She exclaimed.

"Oh yeah don't touch the energy bars I wouldn't want you to hurt your pretty hands." Cubot said in a somewhat charming way.

"Um, thank you I guess." Ariel said a little wielded out was this metal thing flirting with her?

"Cubot!" Eggman then appeared in his Eggmobile before the cage. "What have I told you about talking to the prisoner!"

"To not too." Cubot answered.

"Exactly!" Eggman said and the small robot floated away. Eggman then proceeded to address the mermaid. "Ah its tough being the boss at times but I do hope you find your new accommodations comfortable."

"Sonic will come for me!" Ariel defied.

"Oh by all means let him come if he's stupid enough to try. But all he will accomplish is becoming the first drowned hedgehog!" Eggman cackled much to Ariels horror.

However a distance away Sonic and Flounder had arrived. They were hiding behind some of the coral reefs that were close to the rocky landscape. They looked and saw the number of Crabmeats, Choppers and BuzzBombers that Eggman had including the Mega Crabmeat.

They looked and saw Eggman was bragging in front of Ariel. "Ariel!" Flounder breathed.

"Easy Flounds." Sonic told him as he looked around. "Okay look you get Ariel out of here I'll keep Eggman busy."

"But how?" Flounder asked.

"Okay see that big yellow button?" Sonic pointed to Ariel's energy cage and to said yellow button. "Just push it down and your home free."

"Really?" Flounder asked.

"Yeah uses it for years and Eggman still doesn't get rid of it." Sonic said, Flounder then swam through the corals to avoid being spotted. Sonic still maintains his signature smirk as he takes the more direct approach.

"Why do you want to attack us!" Ariel demanded. "We merfolk have done nothing to you!"

"Oh its quite simple really my dear, I'm a visionary who sees the world much more clearly than others." Eggman smirked. "Someone of my intellect can create a world but only one in my vision guided by technology and science and by machines guided by one intelligence one vision. Mine!"

"I know all about your vision turning people into those metal monsters! What kind of world is there without free will!" Ariel exclaimed.

"Simple, I'm a bad man." Eggman smirked. "And now only Sonic stands in the way of that vision but once he's eliminated I will use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to conquer this world and my own!"

"Blah blah blah!" Said a voice from the distance Eggman turned in anger to see what's behind him while Ariel looked with a smile on her face.

"Like I haven't heard that one, like the last three thousand times." Sonic stood on the ledge of the reef smirking like always.

"Sonic!" Eggman and Ariel exclaimed.

"Oh I've been waiting for this!" Eggman yelled. "ATTACK!"

The Badniks charged forwards towards Sonic, the Buzzbombers attacked first zooming at him and fired their tail lasers. However Sonic didn't move an inch.

"Sonic run!" Ariel exclaimed but the lasers blasted that upper ledge destroying it completely much to her horror. "NO!"

"Heh didn't even put up a fight." Eggman smiled evilly. "Thats what happens when your out of your element." However his victory was short lived for suddenly a blue light emerged from the smoke sparking with energy.

"Uh boss!" Orbot exclaimed, Eggman looked and saw the light in the smoke.

"Huh!" Eggman exclaimed, when suddenly a blast of blue zoomed out of the smoke and dashed right through the Buzz Bombers and in a split second they all exploded. Eggman was completely startled.

"WHAT!" He yelled.

The smoke soon cleared and revealed Sonic just floating in place smirking, his legs were still spinning in blue energy as his Air Charm glows bright. The Badniks had their weapons charged and aimed at him while Eggman, Orbot and Cubot all looked in complete disbelief.

Ariel was shocked but then shock turned to a beaming smile of amazement she just couldn't believe it.

"I…I…i…is Sonic…" Orbot stuttered.

"He…he…he…he..hes." Cubot stuttered as well.

"I…this its impossible!" Eggman exclaimed.

"Heh guess what Eggman!" Sonic smirked. "I've just learned how to swim! Hedgehog style!"

"GRRRRR FIRE!" Eggman yelled and so Mega Crabmeat unleashed a plume of missiles towards the swimming Hedgehog who zoomed through the currents avoiding the missiles before he latched onto one and kicked the side of it redirecting it towards the Badnik.

"Return to sender!" Sonic jumped off the missile and it struck the Mega Crabmeat right in the arm severing it off completely. It crashed to the ground. The blue blur revved up his legs and zoomed forwards, before he performed a spin crashing right into the Buzzbombers which exploded in seconds.

Eggman growled in pure rage before yelling. "GET. THAT. HEDGEHOG!" All the Badniks charged towards Sonic.

Music Starts playing (Eye of the Tiger -Turbo version-)

Sonic smirked and zoomed towards them. The Crabmeats opened their claws and fired missiles towards their target, but Sonic flipped and swam around them with his new found speed even flipped and kicked two missiles away which destroyed the robot that fired them. Sonic pressed his advantage and blasted down and zoomed round in circles around four Crabmeats and Buzzbombers creating a small whirlpool which picked them all up in the air, this was followed by the hedgehog zooming into the whirlpool and performed several homing attacks on them. His Air Charm was aiding his mobility now he learned how to swim. Once out of the whirlpool, the robots exploded.

Ariel beamed with excitement seeing her friend was winning against these machines. Eggman was growing more and more angered with every robot his enemy was destroying. This wasn't right Sonic is supposed to be venerable under the water yet somehow he wasn't hindered.

The blue hedgehog then zoomed forwards like a missile approaching five Buzzbombers who used their wing engines to fly under the water. Using their tail blasters they fired at Sonic who zoomed from side to side to avoid them before he skidded on the sand ducking limbo style under a laser shot before he blasted forwards ascended and blasted past them in a flash of light. The Buzzbombers exploded upon contact all that remained was the now one armed Mega Crabmeat.

"GET HIM!" Eggman yelled. While he was busy trying to fight his enemy Flounder swam through some of the coral so he wouldn't be seen by the robots or Eggman. He swam closer to Ariels cage.

(Music Ends)

"Ariel!" Flounder whispered getting her attention.

"Flounder!" Ariel breathed.

"Don't worry I'll get you out." Flounder said and he swam to the top of the cage and saw the large yellow button. He tried using his fins to press the button down but it wouldn't move. "Grr come on come on!" He growled trying to press down.

Suddenly Ariel saw something. "Flounder behind you!" She exclaimed.

Flounder turned around and saw Orbot and Cubot with air bubbles on their heads and had nets in their hands.

"Hold it right there!" Orbot said.

"Ye not getting away ya scurvy dog!" Cubot said in a pirate voice.

"Oh my your voice box is acting up again." Orbot then hit his partner on the back.

"Ah thanks buddy!" Cubot said in his normal voice. "Now lets catch this fish!" The two then leaped with their nets causing Flounder to swim away in fright. The two blasted after him they were swinging their nets trying to catch Flounder. They moved through one coral into another, it was like a scene out of a cartoon.

Cubot swung his net at the small fish but he swam down and all he caught was a jellyfish, one that gave him a very nasty electric sting shocking him. The shock stopped and he was sizzling.

Orbot picked up the chase and swung his net after Flounder while Ariel watches from her cage helplessly, just then she had an idea.

"Flounder draw them over here!" She called from her cage. Flounder heard her and when he saw the yellow button he got the idea, he swam forwards and then hovered over the button. Cubot soon caught up with Orbot and the two blasted straight to the small fish, raised their nets and with one swing.

"GOTYA!" They yelled swinging their nets down. "Hey we got him!" Cubot yelled.

"Hey guys." Their optics shrunk when they turned to see Flounder was floating at the side and spat his tongue out at them. The two robots looked and saw their nets had hit a certain large yellow button and in an instant the cage bars deactivated and Ariel swam out to freedom.

"Oh scrap!" Orbot grimaced only to be met by a whack from Ariels tail which sent them flying into a nearby rock. Suddenly a compartment on Cubots chest opened revealing her bag was inside. Ariel swam over and pulled her bag out of the cubed robot.

"Thats mine I think!" Ariel spat angrily before swimming away.

"OOOOO I think she likes me!" Cubot said with spinning stars above his head before he passed out.

The Mega Crabmeat meanwhile unleashes a plume of missiles towards Sonic. This time however he was ready so he zoomed to one missile and kicked it with his leg which sent it flying into another, he then zoomed up and went into a spin and the energy he generated sliced another missile in half. All of a sudden the world went into slow motion while Sonic just moved freely. He leaped on one missile and it slowly exploded and then pushed one missile to crash into the other. He then had an idea he leaped to two more misses and turned them round back to the Mega Crabmeat. He smirked as he swam away as the world returned to regular time.

A majority of the missiles exploded and the other two struck the Mega Crabmeat in the chest. The shockwave of the blast nearly sent Ariel flying, then she spotted something. A sparkling light was flung from the giant machine.

Suddenly the Mega Crabmeat's remaining claw grabbed Sonic in its grasp bringing it up to its face. "Ha! Got you now Sonic!" Eggman yelled in triumph.

"Grr I've gotten out of tighter squeezes!" Sonic struggled to break free.

"True you have in the past but this time I have the upper hand, for you see Mega Crabmeat has a secret one that will tear you apart!" Eggman gloated.

"TWO CHAOS EMERALDS!" Eggman exclaimed, showing the red emerald inside it.

"So thats it!" Sonic growled.

"You may have learned how to swim rodent but now your trapped like a rat in a trap!" Eggman taunted as the Mega Crabmeat tightened its grip on the blue hedgehog. Sonic tried to break free but to no avail.

"Sonic!" he heard a voice they all looked to see Ariel and to Eggman's surprise she was holding the blue Chaos Emerald in her hand.

"What! Where'd you get that!" Eggman yelled, but suddenly realised, that missile that hit the Mega Crabmeat it blasted the emerald out of the robot. Ariel must've grabbed it when he was distracted.

Acting quickly she swam over and tossed the emerald towards Sonic. Acting quickly Sonic summoned every ounce of energy he had and blasted upwards freeing himself from its claw and grabbed the emerald.

"NO BRING THAT BACK!" Eggman exclaimed. Sonic touched down on the ocean bed.

"Thanks Ariel!" Sonic called. "Now the fun begins!" He smirked as the blue emerald in his hand started to glow.

"CRUSH HIM NOW MEGA CRABMEAT!" Eggman yelled.

"Which one Baldy Mc Nosehair?!" Sonic smirked as a flash of blue light from the emerald generated what looked like duplicates of Sonic glowing blue.

"Whoa!" Flounder breathed.

"Amazing!" Ariel beamed in amazement.

MegaCrabmeat wasted no time as lasers fired from its claws and body. The Sonics revved themselves and swam forwards but scattered in different directions, the lasers hit three of the clones that disappeared upon contact while the remaining few span into balls and struck the Mega Crabmeat all over its shelled body again and again and again. The Badnik's shell suddenly lifted and inside loads of red lights emerged and fired lasers at the Sonic clones destroying them one by one. Ariel and Flounder were shocked did this thing destroy their friend, however looking at the battlefield they realised the real Sonic was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey crab for brains!" Mega Crabmeat looked up to see the real Sonic was hovering above him and then he started to spin round and around with his foot pointing down and instead of doing a spin dash he was in a Sonic Spin Twister blasting down and crashed right through the Mega Crabmeats shell taking Eggman completely by surprise. At that moment a chain reaction was taking place the robot sparked and sizzled until finally.

*BANG!* The robot exploded, the shockwave sent Eggman flying in his Eggmobile out of control and crashed into one of the coral rocks. Eggman himself crashed through the cockpits window smashing it and now he was in the water. Realising this he quickly pressed one of his gold buttons and an air helmet formed on his head.

"Grr curse that Hedgehog!" Eggman exclaimed, but sadly for him things soon got worse. For suddenly in the dark a yellow eye suddenly opened and a loud growling sound echoed in the cave.

Eggman suddenly froze and slowly turned around and saw standing behind him was a large and very angry red octopus. However it didn't ensnare Eggman but rather it revealed its underside, the doctor shuddered in fear he knew what was about to happen.

"Oh…no!" Eggman stuttered in fear. "Not…that!"

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

His scream echoed in the cave, just as a large plume of black smoke/ink emerged from the cave hole blasting the Eggmobile clean out of the hole.


Back at the battle site Sonic emerged from the smoke and his pupils were spinning cartoon style after that super spin he did. "Uhhhhhh..Man Sonia makes this look easy." Sonic snapped out of his dizzy state and then looked to the blue emerald in hand. "Heh thats one for me Eggman!" He smirked.

"Sonic!" Suddenly he found himself being hugged by Ariel who span around swimming as she hugged him.

"That was amazing!" She beamed. "And..y…you did it you were swimming!"

"Heh yeah I did, weird right?" Sonic smiled with a bit of a blush.

"Uh guys!" Flounder said very scared as they looked to see some of the Crabmeats and Buzz Bombers were still standing.

Sonic was getting ready to attack but suddenly a large blast of energy struck each of the robots causing them to short out and explode.

Ariel looked up and saw just a distance away was her father Triton with his Trident surging with power. "Its daddy!" Ariel beamed but then her joy turned to fear. "Oh no we can't let him see you Sonic!"

"Then lets not let him see us!" Sonic said and so the two swam away, and took cover behind some tall rocks nearby. Not too far away Orbot and Cubot peaked out of the crevasse and saw the Badniks exploding by this energy and saw the king of the sea swim down to meet them.

"Whoa!" The two robots said surprised and stayed hidden.

"I don't think I wanna be on the other end of that pitchfork!" Cubot said which resulted in Orbot shoving his head down to hide.

The energy from the trident halted and Triton inspected the remains of these metal monsters, just as Sebastian swam to his side. "See your majesty I told you there were more of des metal monsters here!"

"Yes you were quite right Sebastian." Triton said and he looked at the remnants. "These monstrosities dare take the form of creatures of the seas to terrorise my people and destroy my home!" He looked around and while the remains of some of the robots decorated the ocean floor he saw that some of the reefs were undamaged. However his gaze then turned to the remains of the Mega Crabmeat, he was completely startled by the shire size of it.

"Oh my." Sebastian breathed in horror.

"These metal creatures are clearly more dangerous than we realised." Triton said in some horror. "At least they are vanquished for now, as long as I have my trident these creatures will never terrorise my kingdom!" He held the Trident as it glowed with power.

"Of course not ye majesty." Sebastian bowed.

Hiding behind the rocks Ariel, Flounder and Sonic listened in to what was said. "Man melodramatic much?" He whispered and Ariel just responded with a stifled giggle.

They listened to what Triton was saying. "I must return to the palace, please find Ariel and my daughters and make sure they are safe at home."

"Yes sire." Sebastian bowed as Triton swam away. With the coast clear, Ariel, Sonic and Flounder swam out of their hiding place to meet with Sebastian.

"Ah Ariel thank heavens your safe!" Sebastian said relieved.

"Don't worry Sebastian I'm fine, thanks to Sonic." Ariel said gesturing to Sonic.

"Yes but what about all des metal monsters and de human who created dem!" Sebastian then asked gesturing to all the robot remains.

"Heh sorry Seb but Eggman got away." Sonic said. "But look I wouldn't worry so much about the Badnik scraps. Besides they'll help the ocean grow in a way."

"Eh?" Sebastian asked.

"What do you mean Sonic?" Flounder asked.

"Well let me tell ya something that Amy told me once." Sonic explained.


Flashback: Seaside Hill:

The battle damaged remains of Eggmans Egg-Dragoon lay broken and defeated on the ocean water as it sank to the bottom of the sea. From afar Sonic and Amy watched it sink down.

"Man Eggmans making this way too easy." Sonic smirked but then looked a little sorry knowing Amy's passion for nature. "Eh sorry about the ocean Ames guess I got a little carried away."

"Yeah thats the truth Sonic, but don't worry in its own way it'll help the ocean." Amy explained.

"Saywa?" Sonic asked confused.

"I mean sure some of the corals are struggling but the metal on the robots will over time encourage the coral to return." Amy explained. "Like how we sometimes see shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea we see coral growing around them so overtime they will become new coral reefs."

"So in a way we kinda helped the reefs?" Sonic asked.

"Exactly." Amy said smiling. "Its all part of the circle of life."


Present Day:

"So ya see in some strange way Eggheads tin crabs are gonna give back what was destroyed." Sonic finished.

"Wow, I never knew that. So even though the humans ships hurt our reefs they also help it grow back in a way." Ariel said quite amazed at this.

"Okay maybe so but its something dat doesn't happen over night." Sebastian somewhat admitted.

"Maybe not but eh thats nature for ya." Sonic said but didn't notice Orbot and Cubot sneaking along the ocean floor and picked up the red Chaos Emerald and then swam away quickly.


Later that Evening:

The evening drew in and all was at peace in the ocean once more. But sadly the silence was then shattered by the cry of a very excited animal.

"YAHOOOO!" Sonic zoomed by swimming with his new found skills, riding the currents but slowed down slightly and Ariel soon caught up with him, with Flounder and Sebastian close behind him. They enjoyed a long swim and the blue blur had to admit he was really getting the hang of this.

Just then Sonic saw air bubbles coming out of his mouth and saw his Air Charm was running low, so he signalled to Ariel that he had to return to the surface by pointing his finger up and she got the message.

It wasn't long until they were back on the surface at the beach. Sonic for the first time sat close to the water with Ariel lying next to him while Flounder and Sebastian stayed close to some of the rocks near the shore. They watched as the sun was going down, and admired its shimmering beauty on the waters surface.

"Man I never thought I'd say this but I'm kinda excited about going back in the water." Sonic admitted. "If my friends could see what I did they wouldn't believe it."

Ariel chuckled at that. "Yeah well don't get too full of yourself mon!" Sebastian then said. "You might have the basics but ya still got a long way to go."

"Yeah sure Seb." Sonic chuckled. "No going in the water without mermaid supervision got it."

"So does this mean you're keeping Sonic a secret from Daddy?" Ariel asked hopefully.

Sebastian just sighed. "I don't like dis, but I suppose he did save you, but I hope you realise de lengths I'm going to young lady and that you put more effort into rehearsals!"

"Absolutely." Ariel smiled happily. "Oh and Sonic." She then turned to the blue blur. "Thank you for saving my I'm so happy you overcame your fear of water."

"No big red." Sonic smiled. "And I guess I finally had a reason to try and swim, helping my friend.I guess if you hadn't gotten captured I wouldn't have gotten over my fear of getting in the water. It still affects me at times but for some reason it doesn't really get to me as much any more." Ariel smiled warmly at that glad to see her land friend was slowly conquering his fear of water and noticed the blue Chaos Emerald in Sonics hand.

"By the way how'd Eggman end up catching you and this emerald?" Sonic asked.

Ariel smiled sheepishly. "Uh I think its because it was the cause of all my troubles when we first met. I found this emerald in the sand and those metal monsters came after me and Flounder."

"So dis is one of des emeralds you talked about?" Sebastian asked.

"So thats why Eggman was after us!" Flounder realised.

"Yeah it is, now Eggman has one and I've got one so that just leaves five more to go." Sonic said. "And if I know him he's not gonna rest until he finds them all and he won't let anybody land or sea stand in his way."

"Then we've got to find them first." Ariel suggested.

"Thats the spirit Ariel!" Sonic smiled. Then he had an idea in his head. "And to celebrate the start of this emerald hunt what say I give ya a once in a lifetime land experience."

This had immediately gotten Ariels attention while Flounder was curious and Sebastian was dreading what he was considering. "Really what?" Ariel asked then out of nowhere Sonic picked her up bridal style as her whole tail fin glistened in the sun.

"You ever go at sonic speed before?" Sonic asked smirking.

"Ah…no?" Ariel asked.

"Well…hang on! We're gonna go fast!" Sonic's eyes surged with blue energy and then *BOOM!* Sonic zoomed away at top speed with Ariel screaming as they zoomed on the sand with lighting chasing them. They then raced along the surface of the water and Ariel soon laughed in excitement and joy she was really enjoying this.

From a distance Sebastian and Flounder watched the two friends. "Oh de things dat I do for dat girl!" he groaned feeling like he was going to be at his wits end by the end of all this.

But for now all was at calm, as Sonic held onto Ariel as she enjoyed herself as they zoomed across the water into the sunset. Something told these two that their adventure was just beginning.


Meanwhile:

The waters were calm, but then suddenly a very large round object emerged. It was Eggman and his whole suit was inflated and he bobbled along on the surface. However his entire front was covered in black ink. Just then a wiper on the inside of the air helmet cleaned his visor and he looked very dismayed.

"Ughhhh….this. Is officially the most. Humiliating defeat of my entire career!" He groaned. Seconds later the Eggmobile popped up out of the water and inside was Orbot and Cubot.

"Boss ahoy Cubot!" Orbot called while Cubot was busy bailing in the cockpit dumping out all the water.


Ursulas Grotto:

This whole sorry scene was being watched by Ursula's reflecting pool said sea witch and her pets were watching. The eels swam close while Ursula rubbed the temples of her forehead.

"Ughhh this isn't gonna be easy boys." She grumbled.


Authors Notes: A...nd scene! Well that was one heck of a chapter, now Sebastian knows about Sonic, and by some miracle and the true power of the Air Charm Sonic's starting to learn how to swim and scored a Chaos Emerald! Now as for how Sonic is swimming it comes from the cartoon Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog it did show how Sonic used his legs like a propellor in the water in the episode The Little Merhog. Also now Eggman is working with Ursula to overthrow Triton, get the emeralds and of course destroy their enemies. And even Eric has stumbled upon a Chaos Emerald which might bring him some trouble later down the line.

I've also introduced Archimedes from The Little Mermaid the series and you'll be seeing a bit more of him in later chapters. And Bokkun is here he was one of my favourite characters from Sonic X and I couldn't resist adding him. And no no other Sonic X characters will be added to this story.

And now onto the next chapter. Until next time GOTTA GO FAST!