Authors Notes: Hi all and we're back with Sonic and Ariel, sorry for any delays just had a hectic schedule but with the recent downtime I've had time to do some story been seen Sonic the Hedgehog 3 before the new year and I saw it again and it was beyond way past cool! It was Sonic nostalgia at its finest! And now we're onto a very special chapter where Sonic is about to meet another of Ariel's under sea friends. So lets begin.
Knuckles: Hold up!
HC: What's up Knux?
Knuckles: Can I just ask. Sonic what is it with you and redheads?
Sonic: What ya talking about Knuckles.
Knuckles:Oh please, Sally, Elise, even Fiona now this Ariel girl the list goes on.
Sonic: Hey I can't help it if Red heads like this cool blue dude.
Tails (A little hurt) I thought we agreed never to mention Fiona again!
Knuckles: Why?
Sonic: You know why Knux she turned me and Tails against each other trying to ruin our friendship, she really hurt my little bro.
HC: Its true check the Archie comics and you'll see.
Amy: CAN WE JUST GET ON WITH THE STORY ALREADY!
HC: Oh of course lets begin shall we?
Sonic the Hedgehog (c) SEGA
The Little Mermaid (c) Disney
Chapter V
:Hedgehogs and Urchins:
All was quiet around the ever growing shadow of island base, a temporary headquarters in this dimension until he can obtain the Chaos Emeralds to either conquer this world or return home. Oh what am I saying he'll do both. Just then the middle section opened and swarms of white oval shaped drones with one red eye flew from this fortress. Several made their way to the main land while the others dived down under the ocean. On the ocean bed the Egg-Drones scattered and red lights emerged from the drones eyes.
They were combing the ocean floor, like they were looking for something. They were doing the same on land as well.
Back at his fortress the good doctor looked at his main monitor from his control chair. "Hehehahahah! look at my little babies fly." Eggman smirked. "Sonic may have one Emerald but I still have two and thanks to my drones I'll soon have the rest!"
"Way to think big boss!" Cubot said.
"Indeed indeed." Orbot agreed as they hovered over. "Just then they heard a beeping from the screens Eggman taps the right chair arm and it reveals the lower parts of his base namely the presence of a certain sea witch.
It didn't take long for them to reach the lower levels in a lift and when the door opened they were greeted by Ursula in the pool before them. "Hmm not very gentleman like to keep a lady waiting." The sea witch mused.
"Well its not like you can come upstairs every time you wish to visit." Eggman snarked.
"Now now handsome is that anyway to talk to your partner in crime." Ursula smirked.
"My apologies, now have you made any more progress locating the Chaos Emeralds?" Eggman asked.
"Nothing I'm afraid, my poopsies have been scouring the seven seas but so far have found nothing, and as powerful as they are even my magics haven't turned up anything." Ursula said.
"And this is why I prefer machines, more efficient than hocus pocus sea magic and can cover the greatest amount of distance." Dr Eggman said. "But its no surprise for when the Emeralds are scattered no two of them are in the same place, they could either be on the land or in the sea. My drones are scouring both land and sea for the Emeralds."
"And how will they do any better?" Ursula asked.
"Its quite simple my dear, the Chaos Emeralds are attracted to each other like magnets, and with the two emeralds I currently have in my possession I have programmed my robots with radars to locate the others based on their unique energy signatures." Eggman smirked. "It won't take long."
"Hmm confidence I do admire that." Ursula smirked. "And it seems you're metal minions have stirred up trouble for dear old King Triton which is all but good wholesome entertainment for me, it'll make it all the more enticing when I take what's mine!"
"Ahem you mean what's ours?" Eggman corrected her.
"Oh of course my dear doctor ours." Ursula corrected herself.
"Yes, but honestly Triton with his little toy is of no concern to me, I command an army of my robot minions I could just as easily attack this kingdom and take it by force!" Eggman exclaimed.
"Uh boss need I remind you that both Cubot and I saw what that glowing pitchfork did to the other Badniks?" Orbot reminded him, even showing projected a file from his memory banks from his eyes showing Triton using his trident to destroy the Badniks from when they kidnapped his daughter.
"Yeah and I defiantly don't wanna be on the other end of that thing!" Cubot agreed rather nervously.
"Humph your buffoonish minions are actually right good doctor." Ursula agreed. "I have no doubt you could overwhelm my dear brother but there are more subtle ways than simple brute force."
"Oh I can't say I'm familiar with those ways." Eggman questioned.
"Well thats where I come in, in this partnership honey, as far as brains and strategy go you have your fair share but when it comes to cunning and subtlety. Thats where I shine." Ursula said holding her hands out.
"I fail to see how." Dr Eggman questioned.
"Oh you will sweetie, you will." Ursula smirked as she descended down into the depths.
"Ehhh she still creeps me out!" Cubot shivered.
"Tell me about it." Orbot said in wholehearted agreement.
Far below the sea:
Meanwhile down in the ocean depths, inside a small sea cave, lying in a hammock was a young merry, with short blonde hair, blue eyes and a dark olive green coloured tail fin. He was smiling in his sleep lost in the land of dreams.
"Oh don't worry Ariel I'll save you from that oversize Lobster!" He muttered almost like a super hero, but then all of a sudden, a loud horn echoed through the sea and the immense noise instantly woke him up so much he toppled out of his hammock.
"Huh huh wha wha CRABMONSTER!" He awoke quite startled, it was then he heard the horn. "Oh its a call to the Palace!" He said as he swam out from his cave and into the open.
Soon though however he was not alone, he was soon joined by other Mermaids and Mermen of the sea, including all the creatures of the ocean, and it wasn't long before they arrived at the source of the horn sound. Atlantica. All the populace and sea creatures of the sea gathered in the main hall of the palace. Just then grand trumpets were sounded, and swooping in on his seashell pulled by grand sea horses was the king of the seas himself Triton. He stopped on the stage at the applause of his people as he sounded a conch horn, soon joining him on stage were his daughters. The young merboy in the crowd noticed a certain redheaded mermaid among his daughters and gave her a friendly wave. Ariel noticed said merboy in the crowd and gave him a friendly wave back in return.
Just then Triton banged his trident on stage drawing everyone to attention. "Merpeople of the sea! I have called you all here because of a possible threat to our home." Triton addressed his people. "In recent days monsters made of metal and dare to take our image have terrorised the ocean." Triton said pointing his trident to the remains of one of said monsters AKA Eggman's Chopper fish.
The merfolk and sea creatures all gasped in horror seeing one of these fallen monsters. "But fear not, as long as I have my trident I will not allow those creatures anywhere near the palace!" Triton proclaimed holding said trident in the air which glowed bright in gold much to the cheering crowds. "However it is clear these metal monsters are dangerous, no one is allowed to go near them. That is why I must ask if anyone sees anything suspicious or any sign of these monsters returning please report it to the castle immediately." He proclaimed.
"But do not worry, the musical concert will be going ahead as planned as a celebration of the first concert played in Atlantica in so many years!" The merpeople and seafolk brightened up at the mention of that and cheered in applause at that.
Some hours later after the rest of the merfolk left. Triton had called a meeting with his daughters in the throne room. Sebastian was also present while Flounder listened in from the outside.
"Now girls while we will be carrying on the musical as planned, and I take every precaution to ensure your safety at this time. It is encompassed upon you to do the same." Triton told his daughters. "Which is why as of now you are not to stray too far outside the palace grounds. And under no account go anywhere near the surface!"
While the others were content with these new rules one among them didn't like the sound of this, namely Ariel. "But daddy is that really nessecary. I mean you said so yourself those ro…uh metal monsters wouldn't dare come near the palace with your Trident?" She questioned.
"Yes I did say that Ariel but I'm not taking any chances and while I know you like to explore the reefs but until this crisis has abated I cannot take any risks so you are not to venture beyond the confines of the palace." Triton told her trying to be understanding.
"But daddy." Ariel tried.
"My decision is final! Is that clear!" Triton then said rather loudly which did spook her sisters, though Airel did bare a rather upset look causing her father to soften his expression a little.
"I..I am sorry but please try to understand as a king I must do what is right by our people, and as a father I must do what I can to keep you and your sisters safe."
Her fathers sincerity made her soften her expression and thoughts on the situation as well. "I…I know Daddy." Ariel said.
"Now, off you all go rehearsals will take place later this afternoon." Triton said on a more positive note.
"And don't be late mon!" Sebastian pointed out reminding them.
"Yes daddy." The Daughters of Triton said together, and all swam away in their separate directions, while the youngest swam sadly away much to Tritons worry He knew his daughter did have a tendency to ignore rules and get into trouble. He needed to make sure with these Metal Monsters around he had to keep her safe no matter what.
Ariel's thoughts meanwhile were really sad, she knew her father was doing what he felt was needed, but it was still hard, this meant she wouldn't be able to see her fast friend on the above a friend she really wanted to help get back home by finding these emeralds. He was the first ever friend she had that really understood her and she didn't want to lose that.
"Hey Ariel." She looked to see Flounder next to her with a consoling smile. "You okay?"
The little mermaid sighed. "Not really Flounder, I get that Daddy is only doing his job because of the threat Eggman shows to Atlantica but…. I just wish it didn't mean for me to not see Sonic."
"Oh don't worry he's dealt with Eggman before and after what we've seen we know he'll stop him I mean we did get one of those emerald things right?" Flounder asked.
"I know but he still has to find five more and Eggman has one too." Ariel reminded him. "I know I can help him I've been around these oceans to know them like the back of my tail fin." She said.
"Help who?" She heard a voice from behind her and she turned to see the young Merboy from the crowd floating behind her.
"Urchin!" Ariel exclaimed. "You should know never to sneak up on people like that!"
"Ah sorry, I just couldn't help but overhear the conversation with your father." The merboy called Urchin shrugged. "But who were you talking about now?"
The princess winced she could trust Urchin with anything being such a dear friend but about a friend from the surface she wasn't so sure. "Oh uh..um. No-one just ah a new friend I made recently." She muttered.
"New friend?" Urchin asked curiously.
"Yes I ah saved him in a storm and, he's having a hard time to find his way home." Ariel described without giving away too many details.
"He?" Urchin asked. "Well what's he like?"
"He's confident, amazing and he….well he really understands me." Ariel admitted. "In a way you could say he's like me an adventurer wanting to see more of what's out there beyond the sea."
To say Urchin was surprised was an understatement. "Oh uh sounds like he's a good friend?" Urchin wondered.
"Yes he is, he's one of a kind." Ariel smiled and she was right.
The surface:
Talking of said hedgehog, Sonic zoomed through the greenery of the island he was on, as blades swept from the ground and into the air. The blue blur raced along the pathways and climbed every hill, it had no loop de loops but when in another world he made do.
He bore his signature smirk as he boosted ahead, and jumped across a gorge before him with water streaming below.
"YAHOOOOOO!" He cheered as he reached the other side. He continued his run down towards a costal run that was close to the Princes kingdom.
Just as he was picking up the pace suddenly. "HEDGEHOG ALERT HEDGEHOG ALERT!" He heard a familiar alert and glanced behind him to see about eight of Eggman Eggdrones following him and out of the side were missles locked on one target. Sonic!
"Heh okay you wanna dance lets dance!" He smirked. His legs picked up speed until they were a blurred red figure eight he blasted ahead with the drones close behind him firing their Hedgehog seeking missiles. Sonic knew how to handle this, he noticed a curved rock in the distance and went into a spin dash, zoomed round it in a loop then performed a homing attack on two of the Egg-Drones which exploded on contact.
The blue hedgehog unraveled from his spin and blasted ahead but the remaining drones were hot on his tail. Four of them surrounded the speed demon boxing him in, but even this didn't deter his smirk.
"Heh try and surround me huh?" Sonic smirked, just as the drones turned and targeted their sights on the hedgehog. Their missiles fired into life ready to fire, but just as they did. It seemed like time stopped around them.
"They never learn." Sonic smirked. The world slowed down around him one of the perks of being a speedster. He jumped up and grabbed two of the missiles and hit them like drumsticks in a solo before jumping onto the drone on the right of him and when he landed on it the drone began to explode. He proceeded to leap to the drone opposite and kicked it into the drone behind him which slowly exploded. He then zoomed ahead and time returned to normal, the drones exploded leaving only one left much to its surprise.
Even more to its surprise its target had disappeared, but in actual fact. Something tapped it on the head, its camera looked up to see a grinning Sonic standing on top of it as they were moving. "Kids don't try this at home I'm a trained hedgehog." He said to the fourth wall before he jumped into the air and did a homing attack on the drone blasting it to pieces.
He zoomed ahead on his current course and only two Egg-Drones were left. He saw them firing their missiles towards him and he dashed and dodged every single one of them. He knew he needed to end this now as it wouldn't be long until he reached the kingdom and something told him seeing flying egg shaped objects firing at a blue blur wouldn't be a common sight. Not to mention the potential collateral damage that could result in it.
He looked to his left and saw the open ocean, with his smirk he had an idea. "lets shake things up a bit." He dashed off the coastal path and zoomed across the water with the drones close behind, though the water did slow him down a bit it didn't matter to him. For this time he had a new ace up his sleeve or glove cuff in this case, which was a certain charm.
Out of nowhere he jumped and dived into the water. This made the drones stop in their tracks. They hovered in place scanning for their target.
"TARGET LOST COMMENCING SWEEP FOR HEDGEHOG." The drones computer voices said.
Little did they know their target was right under their metal noses. Floating beneath the surface was Sonic, who held his breath but then put his Air Charm round his neck now allowing him to breathe and move under the water.
"Heh let's do it to it!" Sonic smirked and his legs revved up into life and blasted upwards. Then BAM! out of the water and crashed into one of the drones going right through it taking the other one by surprise.
The drone fired at Sonic who dived back into the sea and blasted away prompting the drone to fly after it, even diving under the sea itself as it was equipped for aquatic environments.
The drone sped after Sonic, who was at top speed it seems Ariel and Sebastians swimming lessons were paying off. He then flipped up over the drone and just as it was turning to fire he began to spin and spin until he was in a blue twister and blasted down straight through it and exploded soon after.
He landed on the seabed just as the other robot parts landed on the ground. Sonic saw them litter the seabed and so he walked over to them, then began zooming round them in a circle and it didn't take long before a small whirlpool was made and it blasted the metal right out of the water and it landed on the rocks nearby, reassembled into a sign. Just as soon as Sonic blasted out of the sea he zoomed past the sign and it span round and round. SONIC BEAT THE EGGDRONES!
"Heh nice try Eggman but you lose!" Sonic smirked shaking his finger, but he then had a serious expression on his face. "Still if he's got his spy eyes snooping around he's stepping up in this emerald hunt. And if some of them are underwater he ain't gonna hesitate in tearing it apart to find them."
"And so far I ain't got no luck finding any on land." Sonic pondered, then his thoughts trailed to his friend in the sea. "Hmm I wonder how Ariel's doing, maybe I outta check on her." However he didn't exactly know where in the sea she lived other than her secret grotto.
Far below:Atlantica:
In the grounds of the palace Ariel and Flounder were still chatting with Urchin. "Wow sounds like this new friend of yours is pretty cool." Urchin said.
Airel giggled. "Yes he is, but its going to be hard to see him now that Daddy says I can't go beyond the palace grounds." She then said a little sad.
"Well hey you've still got me." Urchin said trying to perk her up, but then he suddenly started to blush, not surprising as he's always had a secret crush on the red headed mermaid. "And ah there's also Flounder and uh Sebastian too!" He stuttered nervously.
The princess couldn't help but giggle at that and smiled, to which Urchin and Flounder smiled too. "And hey if your worried about those Metal Monsters just let'em try and attack I'd give'em a whack of my tail fin and a right and a left and send them flying!" He said swinging his tail and throwing his fists around trying to look tough which seemed to definitely cheer Ariel up as she giggled.
"Aww thanks Urchin you've really cheered me up." She smiled.
"Hey thats what friends are for." Urchin smiled back. Just at that moment.
"Oh der you all are." Sebastian swam over looking like he was in a hurry he stopped to catch his breath.
"Hello Sebastian." Airel greeted. "Is everything okay?"
"Ah y…yes." Sebastian said trying to catch his breath. "De king has requested your presence in the throne room."
"Is something wrong?" Ariel asked.
"Oh no it is not about you Ariel." Sebastian said. "For once." He the muttered. "He actually wants to see Urchin." He gestured to said merboy.
"Wait me?" Urchin said very surprised, was the king of the sea requesting him for an audience. "W…what for?" He asked.
"I don't know lad, but he asked to see you, now come on mun tis rude to keep de sea king waiting." Sebastian said gesturing to the palace.
Urchin was rather nervous but when he looked to Ariel she was giving him a thumbs up in support and Flounder just smiled and nodded. So with a confident smile Urchin followed Sebastian into the palace to see the king.
Now they were alone Ariel looked to Flounder. "Okay Flounder, I have a special job for you."
"Oh what's that?" Flounder asked.
"I know I can't see Sonic without going beyond the palace but if there are any Chaos Emeralds either nearby or elsewhere we have to find them." Ariel said to him. "So heres what I want you to do." Flounder listened intently but he was nervous, he had a bad feeling Ariel was about to do something crazy and unwise.
The Throne Room:
In the confines of the palace throne room. Triton sat on his throne with his trident close to him, soon Urchin and Sebastian swam into the room and floated before him.
"Ah you uh wanted to see me King Triton." Urchin said rather nervously.
"Yes I did my boy." Triton greeted him with a warm smile, not surprising since he was quite fond of the young merboy given how close he was with Ariel and her sisters, he was like part of the family. "Now Urchin, you're a good friend to Ariel and I know you do care about her."
"Ah y…yes your majesty I do a lot she's the best ah as a friend you know my best friend." Urchin stuttered while trying to stand to attention. "Ah why is something wrong?"
Tritons expression then changed to a rather unsure one. "I am not sure yet, but with these Metal Monsters on the loose I am concerned about Ariel's ah…ventures outside the Kingdom."
"How so?" Urchin asked.
Triton sighed. "Well, its best you know Urchin. Ariel has…become infatuated with the human world."
Urchin was rather surprised by what the sea king said. "Wait she has?" Urchin asked. "But why, I mean what's so great about the surface?"
"I honestly don't know my boy, and its a concern how infatuated she's become. I'm also worried the surface dwellers are partially responsible for these metallic monstrosities attacking our home and one day Ariel will get herself caught on one of their hooks." Triton told him. "I already lost her mother to those butchers I won't lose anyone else. Thats why I must ask you to watch out for her and keep an eye on her so no harm comes to her."
Urchin could hear the pure honesty and concern in the kings words, but his friend being interested in the surface world? Why why would she be so interested in them if all they do is harm their oceans. At the same time the thought of seeing Ariel at the mercy of either humans or the metal monsters that have been attacking the ocean of late, that was something he couldn't live with at all. He'd already lost his own parents when he was a mere child, he didn't want to lose the only friend he's ever known too.
"I…I will your majesty I promise I won't let anything happen to Ariel." Urchin said with a serious face.
"Good boy, now off you go." Triton said with a thankful smile as the Merboy swam out of the throne room.
"Ah your majesty is dis a good idea, asking the boy to spy on Ariel?" Sebastian asked.
"I would not call it spying Sebastian, and maybe I am being too strict forbidding her from going beyond the palace. But I am just concerned for her safety as all." Triton said.
"Oh of course ye majesty, I know we must do what we feel is best in dis dangerous crisis." Sebastian said.
"Yes and I tasked you with keeping Ariel out of said danger did I not?" Triton then asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I..I'm sorry ye majesty I…there's only so much I can do!" Sebastian said in a grovelling way.
"Yes well Urchin will keep her out of danger, I hope that he can." Triton said hopefully, though Sebastian was skeptical considering in the past Urchin has gotten into his fair share of Ariel's escapades. However given what he himself was hiding from the sea king about a certain new friend his daughter had made. He was in question about the times he got roped into Ariels escapades, or ones he himself created.
Urchin was swimming out of the palace to try and find Ariel, but little did he know he was being watched, namely by two sinister looking eels who with their glowing eyes relayed their findings to their mistress.
In the confines of her sea grotto, Ursula saw all in her reflecting pool, namely gazing on the young merboy. She gave a devious smirk on her red lips.
"Ah the good doctor may have his ways with causing chaos with force, but I think it's time for a little subtle." She smirked before her reflecting pool switched to see Flounder swimming away from the palace unbeknownst to everyone else.
The surface:
On the beach Sonic was back at his hut, and strangely the sound of guitar music could be heard. In his hut Sonic sat on his makeshift hammock and was playing a guitar he'd found in the shipwreck close by. He was jamming away a tune being the rock and roll hedgehog that he was.
"Aww yeah this Hedgehog still rocks!" Sonic cheered bouncing on his hammock rocking on his new guitar. Just then the sound of splashing could be heard from his hearing. He turned to the beach and could make out something coming towards the shore, something yellow.
The yellow made him bolt from his hammock and zoom to the shore of the beach. "Tails!" He cried but in actual fact the yellow object was actually, Flounder who popped up on the surface.
"Hey Sonic!" Flounder called and though Sonic was disappointed it wasn't his two tailed friend he was happy to see his little fish friend. "Hey Flounds, what brings ya up here." Sonic greeted kneeling down to him, but he noticed that a certain mermaid wasn't with him. "Hey where's Ariel ain't you two inseparable?"
"Uh ah well, King Tritons ordered everyone to not venture too far from the palace, including Ariel." Flounder explained. "Its because of Eggman's metal monsters he's worried they might attack the palace or any other part of the sea."
"Yeah and he'd do it too if it meant getting what he wants." Sonic glared and slammed his fist into his hand before he had a more relaxed attitude. "But still an underwater lock down is a bit much?"
"Yeah Ariel thinks the same too." Flounder said but was a little nervous about what he was going to ask next. "Thats why she ah wanted me to show you how to get to the palace."
Sonic was rather surprised, sure he had thoughts about Ariels home and he'd be lying if he wasn't curious about it. However at the same time he knew that a certain party there wouldn't be too happy especially her father since he saw what his trident did to those Badniks.
"The palace? Wait you mean her home?" Sonic asked.
"Yeah, oh but we won't be going into the palace King Triton would see you and not only would Ariel get in trouble but…"
"He'd fry me with that glowing pitchfork of his." Sonic gulped finishing Flounders sentence. "Not cool."
"Yeah thats why she said to meet her somewhere close by, so she can sneak out and help look for any of those Emerald things." Flounder explained.
"Heh smart girl." Sonic said impressed and so he dashed into his hut and picked up his Air Charm and the blue Chaos Emerald in case there were any emeralds nearby. Then he had an idea, he picked up his guitar and strapped it round his back.
He then zoomed out and jumped into the sea, and once submerged he put on his Air Charm and now could breathe. "Okay Flounds lead the way."
"Follow me." Flounder said and he swam ahead, with Sonic following close behind at with his legs zooming at a moderately fast pace but not at his new found undersea speed.
Atlantica:
The young merboy Urchin continued to look around the palace for Ariel, and just as he rounded a corner, there she was. However it looked like she was leaving with a small bag under her arm. "Huh?" his curiosity was peeked, so he followed but at a distance so she couldn't see him. Ariel soon reached the perimeter of the palace and swam out towards the open ocean, her shadow popped out from behind a coral rock. Urchin was now worried it seemed Ariel was leaving the palace despite her fathers instructions to not leave. It seemed he was right, concerned for his friend Urchin followed her, unaware that they had company following them too.
Not too far away from the palace Ariel arrived at a rocky area of beautiful coral flowers decorating the rocks. She smiled at them, she then proceeded to pick some of them up. Urchin stayed covered behind some rocks and kept watch on her, but everything seemed normal looked like she was just picking up flowers. However just then.
"Ariel!" Called a distant voice and the two looked to see Flounder swimming towards her, and it appeared that someone was with him Urchin couldn't make out who or what it was, was it another merperson or a sea creature?
The princess beamed a smile as she swam over to them very excited. "Flounder! Sonic!" She exclaimed happily.
"Sonic?" Urchin whispered, and mustered the courage to swim closer to a nearby rock to get a closer look at this stranger. Could this be the new friend that Ariel told him about?
"Hey Ariel, how's it swimming." Sonic joked to which Ariel giggled and when he stopped in front of her he landed on the seabed. Urchin gasped this stranger had two legs, he was from the surface! But how how could he be underwater and still breathing?
"I'm just so glad to see you Sonic, sorry if it had to be down here, but Daddy's told me not to venture away from the palace with Eggman's robots being out there."
"Yeah ran into some of Eggbutts tin eggs up top earlier, knowing him he's probably hunting for the Chaos Emeralds." Sonic explained. "But at least now I'm better prepared in case any end up under the water. thanks to you."
Ariel blushed at the praise. "Oh it was nothing, you helped me so now I help you." She said, it was then she noticed the strange object strapped to his back. "Oh what's that?"
"Heh glad you asked red." Sonic smiled and reached for the guitar on his back. However from Urchins perspective it looked like he had a weapon of some kind.
"AH NO!" Urchin gasped and out of nowhere he swam out taking the three friends completely by surprise. "DON'T WORRY ARIEL I'LL SAVE YOU FROM THIS SURFACE THING!" He charged towards Sonic who just stepped to the side causing Urchin to miss him.
The Merboy turned round and saw he'd missed the blue surface creature, while Ariel looked completely surprised. "Urchin? Wha…what are…"
"Don't worry I got him!" Urchin picked up a sponge and charged at the surface dweller, while Sonic just bore a look that said 'really?' Urchin charged closer but the hedgehog was ready and with a glow of his Air charm. Just as Urchin was about to attack, zoom he zipped to the right avoiding him he tries again only to miss, and again and again and again. Eventually he got tired out from all of his failed attempts. Urchin then tried to rush him only for Ariel to swim in the way.
"Urchin stop!" Ariel exclaimed. "Its okay he's friendly!"
"Huh? A...Ariel? H..how is it okay he's from the surface he was about to attack you!" Urchin said.
"No he wasn't." Ariel said. "He's my friend."
"Yeah and I wouldn't attack a friend." Sonic added.
"But what was that club you were holding?" Urchin accused. "Thats a weapon!"
"Uh hello, it's called a guitar and it ain't a weapon, unless ya have a bad taste in music." Sonic corrected showing him said guitar.
"See he wasn't attacking Ariel, you got it all wrong." Flounder added.
"But he's still from the surface, don't they hurt us?" Urchin asked.
"Uh hello this surface dweller has a name you know, its Sonic." He then said.
"He might be from the surface but he's my friend, thats just daddy talking!" Ariel said realising this sounded like her father. "And have you been following me?"
"Well yeah your my friend and I couldn't sit back with these Metal Monsters swimming around?! Then I find you with this surface Sonic thing." Urchin said.
Ariel just sighed before she looked at her merboy friend. "Urchin do you trust me?"
Urchin was taken completely aback. "Wha…I…of course I trust you Ariel."
"Then trust me to know that he's a friend, and he means no harm. His name is Sonic the Hedgehog in fact he's been fighting those Metal Monsters." Ariel said much to Urchins surprise.
So she explained everything, how she rescued Sonic from drowning, and how he saved her from the Metal Monsters AKA Eggman's robots, she even explained how he was really from another world and was looking for a way to go home while helping both land and sea. To say Urchin was surprised by all this was an understatement he found it all hard to believe.
"Okay okay let me get this right so this blue thing is from the surface of another world, and he's fighting a surface dweller who's responsible for all these metal monsters attacking all to look for some gems?" Urchin asked.
"Yep got it in one kid." Sonic winked. "So it's Urchin right?"
"Ah yeah thats right." Urchin replied unsure. "I..I'm Ariels friend."
"Well pleasure to meet ya." Sonic greeted. "So how'd you two meet?"
"I first met Urchin a long time ago, back then he was involved with some rather shifty Mobster Lobsters, ones who even kidnapped me to hold me for ransom to my father." Ariel explained. "But he saved me from them when he realised what they were doing was wrong."
"Wait lobster mobsters?" Sonic chuckled."Where do they come up with these names?"
"Yeah I thought it was funny too." Urchin agreed with a chuckle.
"So why'd you hang around a crowd like that? Ain't ya got parents to look after ya?" Sonic then asked.
That put a sad look on Urchins face. "I..I don't really have any parents, its just been me." This put a look of remorse on the blue hedgehogs face he knew what it was like to be alone with no other family, and Tails was an orphan when he found him and saved him from some bullies.
"Oh…I…I'm sorry to hear that." Sonic said comfortingly. "I know what thats like, I didn't really know my parents either I was raised by a friend but she…well she died a long time ago."
"Thanks." Urchin said. "But its okay I look after myself and thanks to Ariel I'm not alone anymore."
"I can see why." Sonic smiled towards the redheaded mermaid who had a modest smile.
"So Sonic what was it you wanted to show me?" Airel then asked.
"Oh yeah." Sonic pulled out the guitar again to show Ariel, Flounder and Urchin. "Well found this in a shipwreck on shore, and its actually got a good tune."
"Oh what is it?" Ariel asked.
"Its called a guitar, and its.." Then he had an idea. "Ya know maybe its best to show you." Sonic then began playing the guitar but not with his usual rock and roll approach but with a simple soft tune.
Ariel, Flounder and Urchin were all completely amazed. "I…is a musical instrument." Ariel breathed. "Just like that harp I found sometime ago."
Sonic continued playing a tune on the guitar until he stopped. "Yep, say what you will but we surface dudes have a way past cool taste in music." He smirked.
Urchin then turned to Ariel. "Ah Ariel…I..I'm sorry if it looked like I was following you." He apologised.
"Its okay." Ariel chuckled.
"But why do you have some interest in Humans, and well their instruments or whatever they are." Urchin asked.
Ariel was rather surprised. "Wait how do you…" Then she realised how and why her friend knew this. "Daddy told you didn't he." She was a little mad.
"Well yeah but he's just worried about you I know I would be, I mean don't humans hunt us or hurt our homes like this human's doing with his metal monsters?" Urchin asked.
"We can't condemn an entire race just because a few are bad, if Daddy wasn't so stuck in his ways he would see that!" Ariel said annoyed but calmed down. "But the truth is I just want to know more about them, I mean maybe they aren't that different from us. I mean they have the same taste in music that we do." She gestured to Sonic playing his guitar while Flounder enjoyed the song.
"Sure they may litter the reefs with their shipwrecks but they have no control over the storms that cause them." Ariel said. "And meeting Sonic, it shows me that some of them are unique and its amazing to meet someone who….well…understands me, and how I see the world differently than my father does."
Urchin listened closely to what she was saying and the way she spoke about her surface friend it sounded like she really liked him. He could see why the way she described how he fought off some of Eggman's machines even saved her several times too. He saw the way she looked towards him, it was a way he hoped she would look at him. It was no secret he saw Ariel as more than a friend.
"Oh I…see." Urchin said a little surprised.
"Urchin listen, don't tell my daddy about this, he wouldn't understand, he never does." Ariel said to him.
"But Ariel, he's your dad and well the king of the sea?" Urchin asked.
"Please Urchin you've got to promise you won't say anything, I don't want to lose my friend." Ariel told him with begging eyes, and while he wanted to keep his friend safe he couldn't stand to see Ariel upset.
"Oh..alright alright I won't say anything I promise." Urchin smiled.
"Thank you!" Ariel beamed and hugged him much to his blushing.
"Maybe we should get back to the palace?" Urchin then said.
"Oh you go on ahead Flounder and I will catch up." Ariel smiled and swam back to Sonic and Flounder who was still playing his guitar, and they were enjoying the song he was playing.
So with that Urchin swam away and while he smiled looking at Ariel he looked away with a saddened look on his face as he swam into the distance. However two peering yellow eyes appeared and followed him.
Sometime later we find Urchin sitting on a rock alone, and he was in his thoughts, namely on recent events. Within his thoughts his mind concocted a fantasy. It showed him swimming along but hears a distant scream he surges forwards and finds Ariel at the mercy of one of the Metal Crab Monsters and was about to be crushed. Urchin gasps and is about to charge in and attack but suddenly a blue blur zooms past and strikes the crab monster in the side destroying it completely. The smoke clears and reveals it was Sonic with a cocky smile.
"Sorry to beat you to it kid!" He smirked.
"My hero!" Ariel said lovingly as she swam up to him and delivered a kiss on his cheek, before she jumped into his arms and they blasted away much to Urchins horror.
"NO WAIT!" Urchin exclaimed. "D…don't leave me." He said sobbing.
"Urchin…" He then heard a voice but it wasn't Ariels "URCHIN!" He snapped out of his fantasy and saw Sebastian next to him.
"Oh uh hey Sebastian." Urchin said a little downhearted.
"Where's Ariel rehearsals will be starting soon, you were supposed to be watching her." Sebastian exclaimed.
"Don't worry she's fine she's with her new best friend." Urchin said to him rather sad.
Sebastian put a claw to his face with exhaustion. "Ughh she's been to see dat blue surface dweller again why am I not surprised! Ohhh de sea kings gonna have my claws if dis musical isn't a success!"
"Wait!" Urchin exclaimed looking at Sebastian. "Y…you know about the surface hedgehog?"
The crabs pupils shrank in horror he'd blurted out the princesses secret and. Wait hold on a moment he then realised. "YOU KNOW!" Sebastian exclaimed. "HOW DID YOU…"
"Me how did you know?!" Urchin exclaimed.
Sebastian was silent for a moment. "JUST ANSWER DE QUESTION HOW DID YOU KNOW!" He yelled very panicked.
"I followed Ariel when she left the palace like the king asked me too, then I saw her meet this blue guy under the water." Urchin explained. "So you know about him too?"
"Ah yes yes." Sebastian said. "Despite me better judgement of keeping dis from de sea king, but he did save her so…" It was then the crab saw the saddened look on Urchins face.
"What is wrong lad?" Sebastian asked.
"Its just….well Ariels my friend and I do care for her, but I just can't get over the fact she's friends with a surface dweller who's also a confident, being who's faced off against giant metal monsters said monsters that have threatened our home. Made by a surface dweller no less." Urchin voiced. "But this blue guy…I mean I think Ariel really likes him, like likes him likes him."
Hearing this Sebastian couldn't help but stifle a laugh before laughing aloud. "BAWHHAHAHAHAHAH." he calmed down. "Urchin dat is impossible he is merely a friend and Ariel knows she can never be wit a human or any other surface dwellers."
"Okay maybe not but what does he have that I don't! I'm just…I just wish I could make Ariel that happy and impress her just as he does." Urchin said.
"Ah Urchin me boy jealousy is very unbecoming and to a surface dweller no less." Sebastian said.
"I'm not jealous!" Urchin exclaimed.
"Okay Okay my mistake, and yes de blue boy is a tough act to follow you'd have to do something major to get her attention." Sebastian said.
"Like what?" Urchin scoffed.
"Oh I dunno You could challenge one of des Metal Monsters to a fight or maybe the one who created them, capture dem and bring em before the sea king!" Sebastian suggested with a chuckle, as Urchin listened closely but he didn't realise he was merely joking. "But anyway I best go get Ariel and bring her to rehearsals dis musical isn't gonna do itself!" Sebastian said and swam away in a hurry.
Urchin was now alone and the cogs in his brain began turning. "Yeah maybe that'll work, but…" He then had second thoughts. "No no I wouldn't even know how to find this guy or these monsters."
"Oh but my dear." A voice said from the dark. "Don't knock yourself down because of doubt instead you must act!" Emerging from the shadows was none other than Ursula.
"Wh…who are you?" Urchin asked.
"Oh me I'm just a humble servant wanting to help poor unfortunate souls like yourself." Ursula said floating over to him with her tentacles. "Such as helping to impress a certain Princess."
That seemed to catch Urchins attention. "Oh ho ho I know she's easily captivated by that surface rodent isn't she but speed has no match for bravery or true passion, such qualities that you have."
"Well I dunno, I mean I did nearly mess things up with that Prince of Olympia because I thought the king was marrying Ariel off to that snobby prince." Urchin said unsure. "Besides I don't even know what I could do."
Ursula chuckled. "Oh sweetie its just as the crab says, capture the creator of these metal monsters and it will more than impress the princess, maybe even the key to sweeping her off her tail fin?" She said temptingly this did seep some thoughts into his mind.
"All you need is a little special help, the kind of help that Sonic gets, from a very special jewel." Ursula said smirking and even used her magic to show Urchin a projection of said blue emerald. This intrigued the young merboy.
"This emerald is special, and its what those Metal Monsters are after, if you had it you would have the perfect bait." Ursula said, but as they spoke they were being watched, by one of a certain mad doctors spy drones.
Eggmans base:
"Uh boss." Orbot said. "I think your gonna want to see this."
"What is it?" Eggman asked as he looked at the screen namely the live footage from his spy drone of Ursula with a young merboy. "Hmm what is that scheming witch up to?" He turned up the volume on the sound.
"This emerald is special, and its what those Metal Monsters are after, if you had it you would have the perfect bait." Ursula said the sight of an emerald projected from the sea witch caught Eggman's attention, so he listened intently.
"Now listen carefully." Ursula said to the young merboy. "I believe that one of this humans machines will be present in the Plains of Dread not too far from here. Now deary if you can obtain this Emerald without the hedgehog knowing you'll have the means to challenge these monsters and gain the admiration you desire."
Eggman glared at this but looked to the Merboy. In the footage Urchin looked very tempted by these words, he knew something about this was wrong, but at the same time he didn't want to lose his friend he didn't want her to go away forever. So he made a decision.
"Okay I'll do it." Urchin said.
"Excellent my dear now follow blue boy back to his hiding place and when he's unaware get the emerald and head for the Plains of Dread to the west." Ursula said. "One of the metal monsters will be there and most likely their puppet master too."
Urchin nodded confidently and swam away as fast as he could.
"BAHHOHOHOHOHOHO!" Eggman cackled in amusement. "So that little pipsqueak thinks he can take on my machines does he! Ha now thats the funniest thing I've heard in a long time!"
"So why would she encourage the boy to do it?" Orbot asked.
"Yeah its like she's manipulating him?!" Cubot said.
"Indeed, and I think thats the idea, manipulate the boy into getting the Chaos Emerald from Sonic then delivering it right into our laps!" Eggman realised. "Which is exactly what I would do if it was that bozo Knuckles!"
"Like I said." The three jumped in fright as then Ursula appeared on the monitors right in front of the spy drones. "There are more subtle ways boys."
"H..how does she know?!" Orbot said very scared.
"Never mind that now, if our squirt of a Merboy wants a beast to fight I might as well grant his wish." Eggman smirked.
"Take a card any card boss." Cubot said handing him a deck of cards, he takes the cards and on them were many of his deadly robots.
"Hmm so hard to choose." Eggman pondered before he inserted the cards into his machine, then pulled what looked like a lever on a slot machine. The screen turned into a slot machine and after a long brief spin the robot it chose appeared on screen, it looked like a large scerpent like robot with bladed fins on its side and for spiked prongs on each side of its head. It had long thin arms with razer sharp claws. It had red glowing eyes and bright green glowing lines on its side and green energy spikes on its back.
"Ah a perfect choice, an amusing first outing for E-88" Eggman said as he mounted the Eggmobile and descend into the levels below his base, and in the dark a pair of glaring red eyes shone in the dark.
Under the Sea:
Far below, Sonic, Flounder and Ariel were combing the sea bed, and the blue hedgehog had the blue Chaos Emerald in hand, they were looking for any emeralds that could be in the area.
"Hmm not feeling anything yet." Sonic mused.
"So how's holding the emerald like that helping to find the others." Flounder asked in truth Ariel was curious.
"Thats true I don't really understand how the emerald is going to help find the others?" Ariel asked.
"Oh right." Sonic realised. "Well I usually leave the technical stuff to Tails, but long story short the Chaos Emeralds are attracted to each other like magnets, so when this thing gets brighter."
"It means there's another one nearby." Ariel realised.
"Bingo give the mermaid a prize!" Sonic said like a gameshow host and Ariel giggled in amusement. "Eh but so far it ain't getting brighter." He then said.
"Ariel!" They heard a voice and looked to see a very exhausted Sebastian swimming towards them.
"Oh boy heres the fun sponge." Sonic rolled his eyes making Ariel giggle thinking that was funny.
"Ariel so this is where you are wit the bad influence!" Sebastian exclaimed and glared at Sonic.
"Heh nice to see you too Seb." Sonic smirked teasingly.
"Ugh Ariel your late for de rehearsals we still have a musical to do!" Sebastian reminded her.
"Oh thats right I nearly forgot!" Ariel realised she was so caught up with this emerald hunt she forgot about the concert. "Sorry Sonic I gotta go!"
"Hey don't worry red as a fellow music fan I ain't gonna keep a good singing voice down." Sonic smiled understandingly.
"Well dat at least we can agree on, now lets go!" Sebastian exclaimed impatiently.
"Okay bye Sonic see you later!" Ariel called before she left with Flounder and Sebastian. With that Sonic revved up and zoomed away, but he was being followed. Urchin followed his trail of bubbles in the sea back towards the land.
Back on the beach, Sonic jumped out of the water and landed on the beach, he shook off the sea water in his fur and then headed to his hut. From behind a nearby rock Urchin watched closely but stayed low so he wouldn't be spotted.
Sonic then placed the emerald he had on a log bench near his campfire it glowed brightly in blue. Urchin couldn't help but be mesmerised by this strange emerald. However there was no time to be mesmerised by this he had a job to do. He waited till Sonic was inside his hut then he acted.
He dived into the water and grabbed some seaweed from a rock below, it was rather long and this was perfect for his needs. He surfaced again and tied the seaweed into a hoop, then he twirled it like a lasso, and let it fly. It latched onto the Chaos Emerald, and with one pull it landed into his hand. He noticed Sonic coming out and quickly dived back into the sea.
Under the sea Urchin swam into the depths and hid behind a coral rock, he then looked at the Emerald he swiped. He then smirked confidently. "Alright whoever this Eggman guy is he's about to be in for a huge surprise." So he swam away at top speed.
On the seabed Flounder was swimming around, while Ariel was in rehearsals he decided to entertain himself with a few loop de loops. When he was on his second loop, he caught sight of Urchin swimming very fast.
"Huh?" Flounder said curiously. "Hey Urchin!" He called but Urchin couldn't hear him he was too far away, however what caught his eye the most was a certain blue gem in his hand.
"Wait isn't that?" Flounder gasped and so he swam after him.
The Plains of Dread, one of the many sights on the way to the legendary realm of heroes Valhalla. It was a massive undersea volcanic area. The lone merboy arrived in this area preparing for the worst. He found a nearby pointed rock and broke it off to act like a sword.
Flounder arrived soon after and just took cover behind a nearby rock, so as not to be, seen. "Alright come on Metal Monsters I know you're out there."
Almost as if on cue a Chopper Badnik appeared from behind him, taking him completely by surprise. "Whoa!" He said startled. "Heh you don't look so threatening." Urchin smirked but that was short lived as surrounding him were loads of Chopper badniks surrounding him in a circle, and they all sharpened their razer sharp teeth.
Flounder gasped from afar and quickly swam away. "Oh no I better warn, Ariel and Sonic!" He said and swam back to Atlantica as fast as he could.
Urchin found himself surrounded by these metal monsters that have been terrorising his home, and then out of nowhere came a bellowing laugh. "HAHAHAHHOHOHOHOHOHOOOO!" Descending from up on high was in his Eggmobile with an air helmet on his head.
"Well well, look what I've caught in my net a lone merboy far from home!" Eggman smirked.
"I…I uh.." Urchin was admittedly intimidated by the appearance of this surface dweller. But he decided to pluck up courage. "I'm here to put an end to you terrorising my home!" He pointed his stone sword at him.
"Ha! I was hoping for the Hedgehog! Ah well I could use some amusement!" Dr Eggman smirked sinisterly. "ATTACK!" He proclaimed.
The Chopper fish charged forwards, Uchin swung his pointed rock at one of them and it struck him in the eye causing it to crash into another.
However the other Badniks were closing in on him, but Urchin knew what to do. He pulled out his secret weapon, the Chaos Emerald. The minute the robots saw that the Choppers suddenly began to short out all around him. Much to Eggman's horror? The robots descended to the ground. Urchin's confidence then grew and he grabbed the sharp rock, pulled it out of the robot and tossed it straight into Eggman's Eggmobile causing it to short out.
"AHH NO CANNOT MAINTAIN MOTOR CONTROL!" Eggman exclaimed, and his transport crashed into the cracked ground.
Urchin was amazed he actually did it, he managed to beat the robots and defeated their creator. He swam over to the downed Eggmobile, and saw the downed genius.
"Oh you little fool!" Eggman growled.
"Says the one on his butt." Urchin glared.
"So what will you do now?" The evil genius asked rhetorically.
"I bring you before Triton king of the seas where you will answer for your crimes against the seas." Urchin held out some seaweed to tie him up in. "And then all will be okay and Ariel will be safe!"
The mad genius just lay there without a word. "Well nothing to say?" Urchin asked confidently however he was in for a surprise.
*BOING!* Popping out of Eggman was a spring with a cartoon version of his head on it. "MUHAHAHAHAHAHMUUAHHAHHAHAH!" It laughed and it sounded like it was on a speaker.
"Huh what the!" Urchin exclaimed in surprise but the surprises were still to come. For then the Chopper Badniks surged back into life and surrounded him.
"Hahah! A very interesting dream dear boy, but sometimes, dreams are meant to be…" The fake Eggman spoke, and suddenly blasting from the volcanic ground was the robotic eel E-88 and in the cockpit inside its head was the real Dr Eggman, with Orbot and Cubot next to him.
"BROKEN!" He proclaimed.
"Not so fast!" Urchin then held out the Chaos Emerald again but sadly nothing happened the robots didn't short out or break down. "Huh wha….whats going on?"
"Ohhohoho please did you really think I would offer so little a challenge boy!" Eggman smirked. "Yes the Chaos Emerald is powerful but only to one who knows how to use that power!" He then pressed a button and the robots shut down, he pressed it again and they reactivated. "By shutting down my robots for a brief moment it was a simple matter to create the illusion you had beaten them. It was all part of my plan to obtain the emerald that you so generously brought right to me!"
Urchin gasped he'd been tricked. Suddenly cables blasted out of two Choppers which restrained the young merboy by his hands and tail fin. "Hey…l..let me go!" He struggled and in the struggle dropped the Chaos Emerald which a claw hand grabbed and took straight to Eggman.
"Excellent!" Eggman smirked.
"Ah boss what should we do with the merboy?"Orbot asked.
"Oh I know exactly what we should do with him." Eggman smirked. "Time for a trip…. TO THE ROBOTISIZER!"
The two robots gasped, at that idea and Urchin didn't like the sound of that one little bit but all he could do was hang his head in shame he'd just handed a powerful object to a madman who threatened his home, and those he cares for.
Atlantica:
In the sea kingdom rehearsals for the musical had concluded for the day. The daughters of Triton floated in front of Sebastian. "Okay girls well done for today but we still got a lot of work to do before de big day!"
"Yes Sebastian." The daughters said, and so Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista and Andrina, all swam away very excited for the coming concert. Just as Ariel was about to swim off.
"ARIEL!" She and Sebastian turned to see Flounder swimming into the concert hall looking very panicked.
"Flounder?" Ariel said surprised as Flounder stopped very out of breath. "What's wrong?"
"Hah hah….Ariel….Urchin to plains…. has emerald, monsters….metal…!" Flounder said out of breath.
"Oh catch your breath mun! For goodness sake!" Sebastian groaned in annoyance. So Flounder took a breath and calmed down. "Okay now tell us slowly." Sebastian then said.
"We…we got a problem!" Flounder exclaimed in panic.
On the surface:
On the beach a certain blue hedgehog was zooming up and down the beach like crazy. It seems he had discovered the absence of a certain emerald. He looked around all over. "Grr Eggman he must've…" Sonic thought.
"Sonic!" He heard a voice call and he saw Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian looking greatly worried, they came over to the rocks on the beach and they met up.
"Guys what's going on?" Sonic asked.
"Urchins in danger, and he's somehow got hold of a Chaos Emerald." Ariel explained.
"Yeah and I think I know where from, he must've snagged it from me when I had my back turned." Sonic said.
"What?" Ariel breathed in shock. "But…why would he take it?" It was then that Sebastian realised something.
"Oh no." He breathed, drawing the attention of the crowd around him.
"What is it Sebastian?" Flounder asked.
"I tink he went to fight one of dat Eggman fiends robots or even find him!" Sebastian realised.
"Say wha?" Sonic said surprised.
"No why would Urchin do that? He wouldn't do anything that foolish?" Ariel questioned.
"Ah yes well, he wanted to impress you Ariel. So I told him if he were to fight one of des robots or capture their maker it would impress her or de sea king." The crab advisor said. "But I was only joking."
"Yeah well looks like he didn't get the joke Seb he took it mondo serious." Sonic realised.
"Did he think he could use the emerald the way you did?" Flounder asked.
"Sonic he could be in real danger!" Ariel breathed in horror.
"Yeah he is, especially since the emerald won't work." Sonic explained.
"How so?" Sebastian asked.
"Sure the emeralds powerful and can turn peoples thoughts into power, but only if ya know how to use it." Sonic explained. "Me and some of my other friends have used them before so we have experience but to dudes like Urchin or you guys its whole new territory."
"So it won't work, and it could fall into Eggman's hands!"Ariel exclaims in horror.
"Ohhhh mun what have I done!" Sebastian panicked.
"Yeah which means we gotta find that kid before he gets into even more out of his depth!" Sonic realised. "Ah no offence."
"None taken." Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder said.
The Plains of Dread:
Back on the plains Urchin was restrained by two of Eggman's Egg Pawns all but helpless, while Eggman was at work on a devious scheme. He used his creation E-88 to install the blue Chaos Emerald into what looked like a large drill apparatus.
"Hehahahaha!" Eggman cackled. "Looking for the Emeralds can be such a pain, but this will help in my efforts, once this drill reaches a certain point it will set off a volcanic eruption to this undersea volcano that'll blanket this whole ocean with lava then I'll pluck the Emeralds from the stone remains!" Eggman smirked evilly much to Urchins horror. "Of course several sea creatures will perish along with any life on the surface from the resulting ash but eh when you make an omelet."
"But..y..you can't do that its wrong!" Urchin cried.
"Exactly which is alright by me!" Eggman smirked. "Now, bring out the Portable Roboticising chamber!" At that moment Orbot and Cubot rolled out a large looking cylindrical chamber with machinery up top and below it. Urchin was getting even more scared by this.
"Oh don't worry, its gonna be great being a robot merboy." Cubot said.
"Just make sure you don't have another robot head attached to you." Orbot pointed out recalling how he carried his cohorts head during the incident with the Deadly Six.
"Yeah ya gonna love it!" Bokkun popped up.
"BEAT IT SQUIRT!" Orbot and Cubot yelled.
With that terrifying thought the Egg Pawns began taking him towards the machine which opened at the centre of the cylinder. The merboy was more terrified than ever, and he'd need a miracle to save him now. Luckily thats just what he was going to get.
For suddenly a blue blurred twister zoomed by and crashed into several Chopper Badnik's destroying them completely and that tornado unraveled to reveal it was Sonic with his air charm.
"SONIC!" Eggman exclaimed seeing his rival.
"Sonic!" Urchin cried.
"Hey Egghead, I always knew you were a hot head." Sonic cracked.
"Ha laugh while you can rodent for soon with a little Chaos Emerald power things are really gonna heat up!" Eggman exclaimed as he activated his drill and boarded E-88. The drill revved up ready to start drilling downwards.
"Once this drill is deep enough it'll be raining lava!" Eggman exclaimed. E-88 then lunged towards Sonic like a sea serpent Sonic quickly revved up his swimming legs and zoomed out of the way of its charge. For some reason this robot kinda reminded him of one of the titans from a certain island he and his friends were stranded on once.
E-88 then swooped round for another attack, and Sonic readied himself and charged towards this robotic sea serpent like a bullet , but instead of hitting the robot at the tip Sonic craned upwards then zoomed down its back before he swung round and performed a homing attack on its back. The impact made the robot crash into the volcanic seabed.
Sonic was revving for another attack however Eggman was ready. The machine swung its tail and swatted the blue hedgehog from behind catapulting him across the ocean bed. However thanks to his new found undersea training, Sonic managed to flip and skid across the seabed.
"Man this kinda reminds me of Lava Reef, only well underwater." He said.
"HERE I COME SONIC!" Suddenly E-88 was zooming towards him and the spikes on its side charged with energy before it fired massive energy bolts towards the blue hedgehog.
"WHOA!" Sonic zoomed out of the way of the plasma bolts as the robotic serpent continued its pursuit.
Urchin still held captive by Eggman's machines just watched helplessly from afar. He struggled trying to free himself as the Egg Pawns took him closer to the Portable Robotisizer.
"No!" Urchin cried but before he got in the chamber.
"Hey!" Suddenly an emerald green tail fin swatted one of the Egg Pawns in the face before it swirled and swatted another in the face. Urchin looked to his saviour and it was Ariel.
"Ariel!" Urchin exclaimed in joy.
"My love!" Cubot gushed much to Orbots shaking his head unsurprised. The Eggpawns got up and formed their arms into blasters ready to fire at the merfolk but then Ariel swiftly span her tail and swatted them away and they fell into the lava cracks below melting into hot iron. Suddenly however another Egg Pawn was about to attack Ariel from behind.
"ARIEL!" Urchin exclaimed and dashed forwards and pushed the Egg Pawn hard in the side. It fell off balance and landed in the Roboticiser. The chamber suddenly sealed behind it and activated.
"Uh oh!" Cubot exclaimed in fright. The Robotisicer was making a very strange noise and began to overheat.
"What's happening?!" Ariel exclaimed.
"You can't roboticise a robot! Its going to overload and explode!" Orbot explained.
"In other words hit the deck!" Bokkun exclaimed, and so everyone dived for cover. Airel and Urchin hid behind a rock where Sebastian and Flounder joined them. Orbot, Cubot and Bokkun hid behind another rock just before the Roboticiser overloaded and then exploded in an anime styled bright light explosion. All that was left was robot parts and a smoking crater.
"A…Ariel." Urchin said and Ariel saw he had a look of regret on his face. "I…I'm so sorry I didn't mean for this to happen I…"
"Hey forget about it for now we have to stop Eggman!" Ariel told him.
"Yeah your right." Urchin said. "He's using that strange thingamajig to drill down to flood the whole sea with lava!" He explained.
"That'll harm land and sea we gotta stop this!" Ariel realised.
"But how dis is complex surface dweller magic!" Sebastian exclaimed.
The group swam out from their hiding place and went over to the drill. It was very large and its drill head was still making its way down to the impact point. They all saw a gauge on the drill and it showed how far the drill was, and it was getting close to the yellow part of the gage.
"Oh dis is bad mun!" Sebastian panicked.
"I have a bad feeling if that pointy thing hits red, bad things will happen." Ariel pointed out.
"Yeah very very bad!" Flounder said. "How do we stop it!"
Urchin tried to think what could be done, but then he remembered something he'd seen earlier. "Wait that fat human! He plugged that emerald thing into this drill making it go faster!"
"Then we have to pull it out!" Ariel realised as they looked over the machine. "But where is it?" She wondered but before they could think any further.
*BANG!* Something hit the volcanic seabed with a bang. The smoke cleared to reveal Sonic had landed but diving down from above was Eggman and E-88. Sonic dived to the right before it crashed into the ground, he landed not too far away from Ariel, her friends and the drill.
"Guys I'm gonna try and lead Eggman away from here you get the Emerald and get going!" Sonic called to them.
"Sonic the emeralds in the drill but we don't know where?!" Flounder called.
"Heh knowing old Baldy McNosehair he probably put it in the most obvious place, like behind his ugly logo." Sonic smirked pointing out the Eggman Empire logo on the centre of the drill.
Suddenly the ground shook beneath their feet, and they looked to see E-88 emerging from the smoke with lava dripping off the front of its face. In the cockpit Eggman growled with fury.
"I'm not through with you or your fishy friends yet Sonic!" Eggman exclaimed.
Sonic however maintained his confident smirk. "Heh. Gotta go fast!"
"Don't tell me thats a catchphrase or something?" Urchin asked with a knowing amazed smile.
"Thats right kid, and everyone loves it." Sonic smirked back in response, and without another word the Air Charm shone into life and Sonic revved up his legs and blasted into battle. E-88 followed that by firing lasers from the spikes on the side of its head but the blue blur of the sea skillfully dodged the blasts before he went into a Sonic Twister and crashed right into its head before bouncing off it. Eggman looked up and glared.
"Catch me if ya can Eggman!" Sonic smirked and zoomed away.
"Grr you wont get away that easily!" Eggman turned his robot round and blasted after his arch enemy.
Back on the drill, Ariel, Flounder, Urchin and Sebastian swam up to the Eggman logo on the drill. They saw a button next to it so curiously Ariel pressed it and it opened to reveal the Blue Chaos Emerald, inserted in the core.
"Wow it is in the most obvious place?" Flounder said bemused.
"Humph some genius?" Sebastian scoffed unimpressed.
"We gotta get it out of there!" Ariel said she then proceeded to try and pull the emerald out of the drill, but it gave her a very nasty electric shock. "Gah!" Ariel cried.
"Ariel!" Urchin said grabbing her hand to see if she was hurt, luckily there was no burns or anything.
"I'm fine but we have to try and get that emerald!" Ariel said more determined, and Urchin nodded in agreement, so they tried again, they grabbed the emerald and tried to pull it free from the core. Only to be shocked with energy when they tried. Sebastian looked in horror as did Flounder and wondered what they could do.
Back in the main battle E-88 kept firing its laser blasts towards the fast swimming hedgehog, Sonic dodged and dashed between every blast Eggman fired, but they were far away from the Plains but Sonic knew he couldn't get too reckless with damaging the seabed. So he decided to take this fight up top. He blasted upwards with the robotic sea serpent close behind.
Sonic blasted out of the water like a missile and from up on high he saw the robot serpent emerge from the depths. "Heh heh heh I have you in my sights now HEDGEHOG!" Eggman yelled and slammed on a button in the console.
The spikes on its back energised and fired upwards as energy blades that zoomed towards Sonic. The hedgehog went into a spin and blasted forwards, performing homing attacks on one blade to another destroying each of them. He unravelled and ran along one of the blades before he kicked it into another destroying it completely. Sonic then dived down into a spin and blasted straight through seven more blades.
Eggman growled in anger and fired laser blasts towards the hedgehog. Sonic twirled and zoomed across the water though he wasn't at top speed it was enough he zoomed round the robot in a circle. E-88 tried to spin round and fire its lasers but as Sonic was going so fast it couldn't get a clear shot so every shot missed irritating the mad doctor even more.
Sonic pressed his advantage and jumped from the water and ran up the robots back then leaped and landed right on its head, getting Eggman attention. Sonic pulled a face with his tongue out making the doctor madder than ever.
"WHY YOU LITTLE!" Eggman growled as he shifted one of the robots clawed hands to swat the Hedgehog away but when he did, Sonic leaped out of the way and the robot hit itself in the head.
"See ya!" Sonic smirked as he dived back into the sea.
"GRRRRR!" Eggman growled and dived down after him.
Ariel and Urchin struggled to pry the emerald free from the drill core while screeching in pain from the electric shocks. Slowly though the Emerald was starting to move, but Sebastian couldn't sit by and let this happen, he was charged to watch over Tritons daughters and it was a vow he intend to uphold. So he swam over to them and got close to the emerald. Using his pincer claws the crab advisor dug in deep and slowly but surely, he began to free it from the core and with one last effort.
They pulled the emerald free from the drill. They all breathed with relief. "Whew thanks Sebastian." Ariel breathed.
"Well I do have my moments child." Sebastian said.
"Uh guys." Flounder said drawing their attention to the drill which was still going down.
"I..its still going!" Urchin exclaimed. "But why we pulled out the emerald? It just isn't fair!"
"HAHAHAHA!" They all looked to a laughing Bokkun. "Oh yeah guess we forgot to mention the drill has enough of the Chaos Emeralds power to keep going clocks ticking!"
They all looked at each other in fright very soon the drill would reach the point where the lava would erupt and flood the whole seabed. Before they could figure out what to do next they hear a nearby splash, and saw Sonic and E-88 coming towards them at full speed.
Then a spark of brilliance sprang into Ariels head. "Sonic! Draw him this way!" She called to her friend.
Sonic heard her and saw the drill was still running and he didn't need to be Tails to figure out what she wanted him to do. So he zoomed forwards faster than ever. "You guys better move!" He called.
With that the group dashed out of the way, and the blue blur went into a twister and in one strike. He smashed the drill to pieces stopping it in its tracks. Sonic skidded to a halt and looked up to see Eggman's robotic sea serpent coming towards them.
"Lets end this Hedgehog!" Eggman growled throttling his mech faster.
"Sonic!" He looked to his friends and Urchin proceeded to toss the blue Chaos Emerald towards him which he caught in his hand.
"Thanks!" Sonic smiled in gratitude. His enemy was drawing ever closer, and it was time to act. Holding the emerald tight it glowed bright and surged with energy aided by Sonics own power as his quills surged with power. With one blast he zoomed forwards in the water. The two enemies were on a collision course but before they met, Sonic blasted upwards and the robotic serpent zoomed up after him. Ariel, Urchin, Sebastian and Flounder all watched in suspense.
The two blasted out of the surface but Sonic just kept smirking he had Eggman right where he wanted him he turned round to face his enemy while Eggman smirked as well.
"HEHEHEHEHHA!" Eggman smirked. "I have you now hedgehog!" He pressed a red button on his control console and out of the sides of the robot serpent were millions of missile launchers.
Plumes of missiles were launched and they were all homing in on their target, Sonic. In an instance they struck their target all at once and exploded in a massive blast. It seemed the doctor had won.
"HAHAHAHAH! YESS I GOT HIM!" He yelled. Or so he thought.
A glint of blue light illuminated the smoke and blasting down was Sonic in a spin ball, and from the power of the Chaos Emerald hundreds of copies of Sonic appeared in a spin ball too.
"HEHEHEHEHEHEH!" Sonic chuckled in his spin ball, the copies and prime struck E-88 performing homing attacks and spin dashes all over its body delivering some major damage. Eggman couldn't believe his eyes. "OH NO! NOT AGAIN!" He yelled but before he could act.
He looked up to see the prime Sonic zooming down and blasted right through the robot serpents head all the way down to its rear and blasted out the other end, back into the sea. The mech overloaded with surges of electricity coming from all over it because of the damage. With no choice Eggman detached his Eggmobile from the mech and retreated quickly before beams of light shone from it and exploded soon after in a blast of smoke catapulting Eggman away into the distance screaming.
In the water Orbot, Cubot and Bokkun blasted onto the surface in life preserver rings. They looked up to see their creator being catapulted away. "WAIT FOR US BOSS!" They cried and started swimming after him in retreat.
Far below in the ocean the smirking blue hedgehog looked up the the explosion in triumph. "Heh you were close Egghead but close only counts in horseshoes."
"Yeah." Ariel said as she and her friends swam over. "Hope you have a dreadful day." They all looked happy the crisis was over.
Later they were on the outskirts of the Plains, and a very remorseful Urchin came clean about what happened. "I'm so sorry guys, I feel so stupid I put the ocean in danger and I almost handed over a powerful object to some mad human."
"Eh don't worry kid I'm a forgiving guy I ain't gonna hold it against ya." Sonic smiled.
"And Ariel." Urchin looked to his friend. "I'm sorry, I guess I was a little jealous I was just afraid you would go away forever or end up being captured by humans on the surface."
"Oh Urchin, we've been over this no matter what happens we'll always be friends."Ariel said to him with an understanding smile. "I know how most merfolk feel about humans and I know my father doesn't trust them, and sure there maybe bad ones like Eggman."
"Or those humans dat caught me and Spot in der crazy circus!" Sebastian pointed out much to Ariel's frowning.
"The point being sure there maybe some bad humans or surface creatures, but they aren't as bad as Daddy says." Ariel said. "Sonic is proof of that." She gestured to her blue friend.
"Yeah I guess your right." Urchin admitted. "And don't worry I won't say anything to your dad about Sonic or this surface stuff. Your my friend Ariel and I trust you."
"Thank you." Ariel smiled as the two embraced each other in a hug, and warm smiles were shared by all. Sonic smiled the most seeing those two it made him think of his own friends back home. He had to admit Urchin did remind him a little bit of Tails.
"I will admit." Urchin said as they broke their hug. "Sonic isn't so bad after all."
"Yeah kid I do have that affect on people." Sonic smiled. "And you ain't so bad yourself you really handled Egg heads drill well. You remind me a lot of a friend of mine back on my world, and let's just say he's gotten into his fair share of scrapes too."
"Thanks Sonic." Urchin smiled.
Later: Atlantica:
With the crisis over Ariel and her friends headed back to the palace and naturally they were found out by Triton who immediately summoned them back to the throne room.
"What were you all thinking going near the Plains of Dread like that especially with this current crisis!" Triton said harshly on his throne as Ariel, Urchin and Flounder stood before him while Sebastian was at the kings side.
"Ariel you deliberately disobeyed me!" Triton exclaimed.
"I'm sorry Daddy I just wanted to find some coral flowers for the concert but I guess I got lost on the way back." Ariel said.
"Ah I understand you had good intentions Ariel but with these Metal Monsters around we cannot afford to be reckless. And I know your pension for adventure but there comes a time when we have to be responsible for our own mistakes." Triton sighed a bit more calmly.
"I know." Ariel sighed.
"Your majesty please, its really my fault Ariel asked me to come along but there was no need for worry there weren't any signs of the Metal Monsters anywhere near the plains, the heat would've melted them." Urchin said.
"Thats right and we even saw one go in and it melted in the undersea volcanos that was there." Ariel then admitted much to Tritons surprise. "But Urchin made the right call to turn back when we did, I'm just sad that I lost the coral flowers."
"Ye…yeah thats right I was ready to take on anything that came near Ariel, even the Sharkainians if they came a knocking."
Triton looked skeptical but none the less he smiled. "Well I do admire your determination my boy, and I'm glad you and my daughter chose to stay clear of any of these creatures." He then turned serious. "However I must reinstate the importance of acting responsibly at this time."
"We understand Daddy." Ariel smiled.
"Very good now off you go now, its getting late." Triton said. Ariel then swam up and gave her father a peck on the cheek and smiled.
"Good night daddy." Ariel said as the three friends then swam out of the throne room.
"Good night your majesty." Sebastian bowed.
"Good night Sebastian." Triton bid a farewell to his advisor, but before the Sea King retired for the night.
"Your majesty." He looked to see one of the palace guards arrive.
"What do you have to report?" Triton asked.
"Most recently our scouts reported seeing what looked like a metal serpent attacking the sea, close to the Plains of Dread." The guard reported which immediately took Tritons interest.
"Was my daughter or Urchin anywhere near?" Triton asked.
"No sire we so no sign of your daughter or the young boy." The guard reported.
"Ah good that means they must've left before this happened." The sea king realised. "Continue." He gestured.
"Well there is more sire, we are unsure but we saw some kind of speeding blue light battling this metal serpent but we've never seen anything like it." The guard reported.
"What did it look like?" Triton asked.
"We are unsure sire, when we got to the plains we saw remains of some of these metal creatures melted in the lava." The guard continued. "But before we left we found this."
The guard proceeded to pull out from behind him, a shining yellow coloured emerald. But the way it shimmered and glowed was unnatural, for this was no ordinary emerald it was a yellow Chaos Emerald.
Triton was captivated by its shimmering beauty. "We found it near one of the cracks in the volcanic landscape." The guard handed the jewel to the sea king who looked at it with great interest.
"Now what would a jewel like this be doing in the Plains of all places?" He wondered but he didn't even notice how his trident was glowing in the presence of the Emerald. "Hmm how unusual, well better put it in the palace vault all the same." He handed the jewel to the palace guard.
"Yes sire." The palace guard bowed and proceeded to take the Emerald to the treasure vault.
Meanwhile: Eggmans base:
"Well that was a complete disaster!" Eggman exclaimed. "So much for your subtle methods!" He was in the bowls of the base speaking to Ursula.
"Oh contrar heir comandant." Ursula said slyly. "What I put into that boys head was just a freebie."
"A freebie?" Eggman questioned.
"Yes like I said my gifts are more subtle, I like to help those in desperate need and give them what their hearts desire. For the right price of course." Ursula smirked evilly rubbing her fingers.
"So what you want gold, jewels or whatever you sea folk consider currency?" Eggman pondered. "Or is it just a simple long running con just to get what you want!"
"Oh ho ho your good my dear, but yes there are times when they can't pay up they pay the price, and that price would be forever a part of my garden." Ursula said evilly. "Never to return to their rightful form."
"Oh my." Eggman said quite taken aback. "That is so cruel, and ruthless with a sheer disregard for the lives of those you make a deal with." Eggman's shock then turned to twisted pleasure as he broke out in laughter. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH I LOVE IT!"
"Indeed I had a feeling you would. And both our methods will come in very useful to seize what is ours!" Ursula encouraged.
"Yes Sonic got lucky today, but the Chaos Emeralds will soon be ours and we will dominate all. I will control the land and you shall control the sea and its kingdom!" Eggman proclaimed. "Then we shall conquer my own world and none shall oppose us!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHOHHOHOHOHOHOH HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The two villains broke out into laughter that echoed all over the base as it stood in the silence of the approaching night.
Under the sea, a rather strange noise was coming from Urchins grotto, and inside the source of that noise was him playing what looked like a guitar made from a large sea shell, a plank of wood and some strings. It looked like he was learning how to play it, and he had to admit he was beginning to like it.
"Heh I gotta hand it to him, that hedgehog has a good taste in music." Urchin smiled.
Elsewhere:
Meanwhile on the surface far away, on a lone rock island about five miles away from the mainland all seemed quiet. But all of a sudden, a large portal opened on this island , and two shadowy figures emerged from it, and as the portal closed its revealed to be a certain two tailed fox and a pink hedgehog.
Tails had a small backpack on his back before he pulled out a yellow scanning device. Amy looked at her environment seeing it was miles and miles of ocean, this did put a worried look on her face.
"So this is where he ended up." Amy said. "But its miles of water, you don't think he…"
"Don't think that way Amy, he's still alive I know it." Tails said determined before he looked at his scanner. "Besides if these readings are accurate he's defiantly here, and if he's here so is Eggman."
"Lets just hope we're not too late." Amy nodded.
"Alright then let's go find him!" Tails said determined as they look out to see the main land, though far away it was there.
"Right." Amy said equally determined. So Tails revved up his namesakes and hovered in the air. He offered his hand to Amy which she accepted and together they flew from the island rock and into the distance. The two tailed fox then pressed a button on his backpack and it activated two jet wings on the side of his backpack and the jets blasted them forwards helping him maintain height and handle the distance. They headed off in search of their friend.
Authors Notes: A...nd scene whew, boy this has been an awesome one, and now Sonic has met Ariels friend Urchin who nearly faced peril at the hands of Eggmans robots. Now for this chapter I had the idea to introduce Urchin from the Little Mermaid series as I thought it would be interesting to see how he would react to Sonic or Ariel having an interest in the surface. Now it wasn't made clear if Urchin knew Ariel had an infatuation with the surface in the series so I decided to make that known in this story, and with a little inspiring help from Sonic Satam and Sonic X this new chapter was born. And no no Chaos Emeralds this time but it looks like Tritons guards have found an Emerald in the aftermath of that fight, which will come into play sometime later.
Now I wanted Ursula to show her manipulative ways to Eggman by manipulating Urchin to snag the Chaos Emerald Sonic had and try to take on Eggmans robots which ended in disaster as this is a quality Eggman admires and uses himself especially regarding a certain Knuckle head.
Knuckles: HEY!
Sonic: What he's not wrong.
But now a little surprise left at the end of this chapter in the form of Amy Rose and Tails coming to help, now how they ended up here will be covered in the next chapter where the emerald hunt is back on, and lets just say this next emerald will be a tough one to snag especially if a certain Scuttle is involved.
Until next time GOTTA GO FAST!
