-Chapter 122-

The Deepest Fear

Station Square

A sunny day in Station Square found Sonic called to Honey Clothing. He went in to find Honey consoling a weeping Undina.

"Shh, shh," she soothed. "It's alright. It's gonna be okay."

"Hey, what's going on?" Sonic asked.

Undina looked up, brightening.

"Sonic! Oh, thank Aurora," she let out. "That Egg Carrier, the one that crashed into the ocean, it's landed near Meropis. It's leaking crude oil into the water, poisoning everything."

"A lot of people are getting sick from the pollution, Big Blue," Honey added. "If something isn't done…"

She didn't have to finish. However, Sonic's desire to help was trumped by his hydrophobia.

"Meropis is an aquatic city, right?" he asked.

"Yep," Undina confirmed.

"At the bottom of the Northern Oceans?"

"Yes."

"...Oh, hell no. I'm outta here."

Just as he turned to go, metal shutters slammed shut in front of the doors, blocking his exit. Sonic turned to see Honey smirking and holding out a pair of blue swim trunks.

"Sorry, Sonic," the cat declared. "Time to earn your sea legs."

"Oh come on…" Sonic whined. "You can ask any of the other Freedom Fighters and they'd be more than willing to help! Why does it have to be me?!"

"Sonic, please…" Undina pleaded.

"Deena, look," Sonic sighed. "It's not that I don't wanna help you, or that I'm keen on your kingdom suffering from the crude and all that. But I hate water. I'm not the guy for this job."

"Either you do this, or I'll tell everyone your full name," Honey threatened. "Middle names included."

Sonic stiffened, turning to her. "You wouldn't dare."

Honey grinned mischievously. "Just try me… Maurice."

"You… are a vile, manipulative cat," Sonic spat.

"I'll take that as an 'I'm in.'" Honey decided.

She held out the trunks, which Sonic reluctantly took.

"Your middle name is Maurice?" Undina asked.

"My name is Sonic, Deena. Period," Sonic said flatly. "Let's just get this over with."

Knothole

"Meropis is being threatened?" Sally asked.

She and the others were gathered around as Undina explained the situation. Sonic was off to the side, wearing the swim trunks and a facial expression that screamed "I really wish I weren't here right now".

"Yes," Undina confirmed. "If something isn't done soon, my entire Kingdom will fall to this pollution. I really need everyone's help, if there's to be any chance of saving my people."

"Deena's right," Mina agreed. "If we don't clean this up, everyone in Meropis will get sick. Or worse."

She shuddered, recalling the mutant Mobini they had seen at the Oil Ocean Refinery during the Phantom Ruby incident.

"The repair efforts of Station Square are still ongoing, so we can't spare a lot of people," Sally said. "Still, this is a matter that cannot be ignored. Sonic, who do you think should come along?"

"Not me," Sonic said flatly. "You all know I hate water, and you're asking me to go down to the bottom of the ocean."

"So you're gonna let all of Meropis be polluted to death because you're too chicken to face your fear of water?" Knuckles questioned. "And I thought you were supposed to be a hero."

"I didn't say that!" Sonic said defensively. "I'm saying I'm not the right person for the job!"

"You know the Egg Carrier better than any of us," Sally pointed out. "You also know Eggman, meaning you're the best fit for the job, water or no."

"I can't escape this, can I?" Sonic asked.

Sally shook her head.

"I have to go through with it, don't I?"

Sally nodded, and Sonic sighed.

"Alright, fine. But I'm not gonna like this one bit."

Sally shrugged. "Reluctant participation is still participation."

"I'll go," Knuckles decided. "I'll help keep Sonic the Chicken from bolting."

"Knuckles, I will kick you in the nuts," Sonic warned.

Sally quickly stepped between them before they could come to blows.

"If he's going, so am I," Kat decided.

"Me as well," Rotor declared. "I'm the closest thing to an aquatic member we have, so it makes sense."

"So... the question is how do we get there?" Sally asked.

"Fortunately, Rotor, Tekno, and I have been working on a submarine on the side for just such an occasion." Tails piped up.

Cream blinked. "You just happened to have one ready?"

"Never know when it might come in handy, and then who's prepared?" Tekno asked rhetorically.

"Can Cheese and I come?" Cream asked. "We can help clean up."

Sally smiled. "Sure."

"Let us put on the finishing touches, then we'll be ready," Tails said. "In the meantime, everyone who's coming get ready. Swimsuits, scuba gear, whatever you need."

"In that case, Sonic, you're with me," Chris said. "I got something that might help you."

"Think my swimsuit's on the island," Kat said. "It's laundry day, if I recall."

"Snag mine too when you head up?" Knuckles requested.

"No prob," Kat replied, already pulling a Warp Ring from her pocket. "Back in a flash!"

She hopped through, the ring closing behind her. Sonic turned to Chris.

"Alright, show me what you got,"

"Considering your... issues with water, I had an idea to help even the odds in the event you might have to swim," Chris led Sonic over to his workbench, revealing yet another Power Sneaker specification, these ones possessing with that appeared to be miniature submarine propellers on the heels. "I took the basic concept of the Rocket Shoes and modified them for underwater travel, creating what I call the Propeller Shoes."

"Could come in handy," Sonic mused.

Chris rubbed the back of his head. "I... haven't really had the time to test them yet."

"Well, no time like the present," Sonic decided, stuffing them into a bag. "At the very least, I can use them to make a speedy getaway."

Angel Island

Up in Echidnaopolis, Kat had searched her entire room top to bottom, but couldn't find her swimsuit.

"Hey Lara!" she called. "You put all my laundry in my room, right?"

"All the laundry that was in your hamper!" Lara called back.

"Did you see my swimsuit? I can't find it!"

"I think Chuckles was playing with it!"

Kat sighed, rubbing her eyes. "And... where is he now?"

"My guess, the Garden!"

"Of course he is,"

Kat headed for Azure Lake, seeing Julie-Su by the shore petting one of the Chao.

"Hey, Julie," she greeted. "Have you seen Chuckles?"

Julie-Su pointed out to the center of the lake. There, Chuckles was frolicking about, wearing a red one-piece swimsuit that Kat immediately recognized as hers.

"Hey!" she shouted. "That's mine!"

She immediately dove into the lake, swimming out to him, only for Chuckles to start swimming away. Kat began swim-chasing the Chao, the rest of the lake's occupants watching in amusement. Julie-Su was giggling where she sat. Before long, Kat was beginning to lose her patience.

"Chuckles, come on! I don't have time for this! I need that for a mission!"

Chuckles eventually ran into Drake. The Chaos Chao looked at him reproachfully, pointing at Kat and chirping as if ordering him to give her the suit. Chuckles pouted, then got out of the suit and held it out. Kat took it, giving Drake a nod.

"Thank you," she said politely. "My friends and I are dealing with a crisis in Meropis, and I barely have enough clothes as is. I do not need to ruin my outfits with salt water."

"And yet lake water is fine!" Julie-Su called from the shore.

"Lake of Rings water, and shut up, Julie!" Kat shot back.

At the mention of Meropis, Drake perked. As Kat paddled back to shore, he followed, landing on her head.

"Huh?" she let out, pulling the Chao Prince off her head. "What are you doing?"

He wriggled out of her grip, flying back up and sitting on her head.

"Is this your not-so-subtle way of asking to come along?"

Drake nodded.

"Well, who am I to argue with a demigod?" Kat decided.

She climbed out of the water, only to feel a familiar grip on her ankle. She lifted her leg, seeing Chuckles clinging to it.

"Let me guess, you wanna come too?"

Chuckles chirped in affirmation. She sighed, then pulled him off her ankle and got him situated on her arm.

"Guess we have two new additions to the mission," she decided.

Great Blue Realm

Some time later, the Freedom Fighters shoved off from Station Square's port in the Sea Fox, a sleek submarine with a blue-and-orange paint job similar to that of the Tornado 2, with Tails' trademark twin-tail logo painted on the side and a drill mounted on the front.

"Behold the Sea Fox!" Tails declared. "The Freedom Fighters' own submarine!"

"Not bad, pal," Sonic mused.

As they headed into the Northern Oceans and submerged, Sonic took a breath, sitting down while trying to keep himself calm. Undina approached, sitting next to him.

"Sonic, I really appreciate you doing this for me," she said gently. "I know this must be difficult for you."

"I almost drowned when I was six, Deena," Sonic sighed. "So... yeah, it's a nightmare. Uncle Chuck taught me how to swim, but I've never really been able to kick it."

"You will eventually," Undina assured. "I managed to get over my fear of dry land after all."

"Yeah, but that's land, this is water," Sonic pointed out. "Totally different."

"But we're not. We've had similar experiences, actually."

Sonic looked up at her, his interest peaked as Undina began her tale.

"It all started about two years ago. My parents gave me permission to leave home and study at Spagonia University. I got bored and decided to travel, see Mobius." She rubbed the back of her neck, "I... kinda ran out of money along the way. Got in a tight spot in Northamer near Empire City. Super-hot summer day, and I didn't have any water or protection. You can probably guess what happened to me from there."

"You shriveled up and almost died from heat-stroke?"

"Yep. If Honey hadn't found me, that would've been it. For the longest time, I was afraid to go outside. I spent a good four months just hiding, taking so many showers I'm surprised Honey didn't kick me out for the water bill alone. But, that's when she made me this."

She showed Sonic her umbrella.

"To keep the sun off your head?" Sonic guessed.

"Not just that. Your clothes and shoes are designed to work with your speed, not burn out from air friction and heat." She pressed a button near her umbrella's handle, and it began sprinkling water down on her. "My umbrella keeps my gills and body moist."

"That's great and all, and I'm sure it helps, but I fail to see how that can help me."

"Try this." Undina handed him a stone necklace with a water drop motif, a glowing blue gem in the center.

"And this is?" Sonic asked.

"I wouldn't ask you guys to come down to Meropis without a means to survive. These Air Charms are made in my hometown, custom-made and enchanted for any air-breathers that come down below. As long as you're wearing it, you'll breathe in water like you breathe air. No need to fear drowning."

"Handy," Sonic mused.

As they went along, Sally turned to Undina.

"So Deena, what can you tell us about your home?"

"What do you wanna know?" Undina asked.

"Well, everything. The culture, the history."

Undina smiled, sitting down.

"Meropis' beginnings trace back to when the kingdom of Atlantium rose from the sea and became Flicky Island. As crazy as it sounds, we found sanctuary due to the efforts of a Chao."

"A Chao?" Cream asked. "What Chao?"

"Her name is Aquarius. To this day, she resides in the city's Eusebes Shrine, living as our patron saint."

"She's lived that long?" Knuckles asked.

"Mama told me this once," Cream recalled. "Chao develop and mature quickly, so their lifespans are pretty short. As compensation, at the end of their life cycle, they reincarnate as an egg and are reborn as a new Chao with all the characteristics it had in its past life. Judging by what she told me, Cheese and Chocola are on their fourth or fifth cycle."

"Instant reincarnation," Kat mused. "Nice."

Drake seemed to me listening intently to Undina's story, chirping slightly as he rested on Kat's head.

"Aquarius taught us sacred rites that protect the city from outsiders, and in return, we instate priestesses that care for her and the Eusebes Shrine where she resides. Without her, Meropis as we know it today wouldn't exist."

"She taught you this stuff?" Sonic asked. "How can a Chao have that kinda power? Unless…"

All eyes turned to Drake, the pieces falling into place.

"Hey Drake... is this Aquarius why you're so eager to get to Meropis?" Kat asked.

Drake nodded, chirping in response.

"He says he really wants to meet his older sister," Cream translated.

Everyone blinked at that.

"Ah, I thought Drake looked familiar," Undina remarked. "He's a child of Chaos, as is Aquarius."

"You know about Chaos?" Tails questioned.

"Of course," Undina confirmed. "The Living Wave. The Guardian of Chao. He's as much a part of our culture as his daughter. Though I must admit, the bunny being able to understand him is something I wasn't expecting."

"Well, I'm a priestess chosen by Chaos himself," Cream explained.

"It's true," Sonic confirmed.

"Chosen by Chaos himself?" Undina was completely floored.

"Yeah. Gave her a magic touch and next thing we knew, she was speaking to Chao," Knuckles added.

"Learn something new every day, I suppose," Undina mused.

"Deena, can your priestesses talk to Chao?" Cream asked.

"Yeah, it's all part and parcel for the whole shrine gig," Undina petted Drake. "I can do it too."

Drake chirped.

"Yes, yes, we had to learn it the hard way," Undina sighed.

"What'd he say?" Rotor asked.

"I got the power to speak and understand Chao directly from Chaos himself," Cream translated. "Deena and the priestesses basically studied and learned it like you would any other language."

"And considering all they can say is 'Chao', you can bet it wasn't an easy language to learn." Undina deadpanned.

Everyone shared a laugh at that. At that moment, Tails perked, seeing a group of aquatic Mobians wearing fancy armor swimming their way.

"We've got company," he reported.

Undina took a look, gasping.

"The Meropis City Guard. This... could be a problem."

"How so?" Sally asked.

Undina twiddled her fingers awkwardly. "You need to go through proper channels and the like in order to bring land-dwellers like you guys into Meropis. I kinda, sorta... didn't do that."

Knuckles facepalmed at that. "So we're trespassing into a land that's already under high alert because of the pollution? Great… just great…"

"What do you want from me, Knuckles?" Undina defended. "My people are dying. I wasn't thinking straight."

"No use worrying about it now," Sonic cut in. "What's the plan?"

"Just let me do the talking," Undina said. "And pray to Chaos and Aurora that the guards on duty are in a listening mood."

Tails led Undina to a panel in the back. He opened it, a hatch in the ground opening up into the open water. Undina dove through, Tails closing the panel behind her as she swam out to talk to the guards. She approached the captain, holding out a hand.

"Captain Striker, stand down," she ordered. "It's me."

The captain in question, a Mobian shrimp with an eyepatch on his right eye and a fancier set of armor, looked surprised to see the Princess.

"Princess Undina, you've returned!" he exclaimed before looking at the Sea Fox. "But… what is this?"

"I brought Sonic the Hedgehog and his Freedom Fighters to help with our pollution problem," Undina explained. "It's being caused by one of Dr. Robotnik's machines, and no one knows them better than Sonic."

"Princess, land-dwellers are forbidden in Meropis, especially now in this time of crisis," Striker pointed out. "They could easily be imprisoned for this, if not executed on sight."

"I feel so welcome," Sonic deadpanned.

"Captain, the crisis is exactly why I brought them here," Undina defended. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Actually go through the proper channels," Striker said bluntly. "Ask your mother and father for permission before you took action."

"There was no time to go through the proper channels, and even if I had, there was a very good chance it would be denied," Undina retorted. "For our people, I had to do this."

"Princess-" Striker began.

"So what if they're land-dwellers?" Undina demanded. "People are getting sicker by the day! Sonic's the only one who can help us now!"

"Princess-"

"We need their help, Striker! It's the only way anyone will survive this!"

"Princess!" Striker shouted.

She finally paused, and Striker pinched the area between his eyes.

"If you feel so strongly about this, then perhaps you should attempt to beseech the King and Queen. They are the only ones who can allow this breach of conduct."

"Then that's what I'll do. Lead the way."

Undina turned back to the sub, motioning for them to follow.

"Why do I get the feeling this is gonna be a repeat of the Felidae incident?" Sonic sighed.

"Which one?" Rotor asked.

"Pick one."

Meropis

As they went along, the Freedom Fighters gaped as they took in the city of Meropis. The buildings were mainly dome-shaped, with the taller ones having towers on top of them which usually were round on the top as well. Some buildings also had features resembling fins. The city was also surrounded by a watery shield, dotted here and there by what appeared to be Power Rings.

"Okay, as much as I hate water, I can't hate this view," Sonic confessed. "This place is amazing."

"Let's hope things go well with Deena's parents," Sally remarked. "That way, we can get a better look around."

Kat took Cream's hand in hers. "Stay close to me, Cream."

They docked within the shield, everyone pleasantly surprised to see they could breathe inside. Striker approached them, backed by a purple dolphin with a green uniform.

"Now, if you'll just follow us to the throne room, the King and Queen will decide your fate," he said calmly.

As he turned, Sonic leaned in to Undina.

"Is Mr. Personality a regular here?" he asked.

Sally pulled him back. "Sonic, now is not the time for your usual 'deadpan snarker' shtick."

"Okay, serious mode. Duly noted."

"Captain Striker is the commander of the Meropis City Guard," Undina explained. "He's incredibly loyal to the royal family, and has been serving them since I was a guppy."

"And the dolphin?"

"Lieutenant Echo. A good friend of mine, and loyal to the end."

They were led to the throne room and entered one by one, Undina in the lead as Echo stood at attention.

"Presenting their most Royal Majesties, King Puff and Queen Angelica!" she announced.

Seated in their thrones were two Mobian fish, the male an indigo pufferfish with thistle-colored muzzle and belly, and the female a green anglerfish with a white muzzle. It was easy to see Undina took after them both.

"Undina," Puff greeted, calm but cold. "Two years with barely a note. Disappearing without a trace. Now you finally return home... and bring outsiders to our sacred land."

"Yes Father, I have," Undina confirmed. "These outsiders are members of the Freedom Fighters, protectors of Mobius and champions of good. I brought them here to help us in our time of need."

"We do not require the aid of surface dwellers," Angelica spat. "It is because of them and their ceaseless conflicts that our waters are suffering. Their foul machines poison our water and threaten our people because of them."

"Mother, please," Undina pleaded. "This mess was caused by Dr. Robotnik. Sonic is the best suited to deal with it. You're being unreasonable."

"Do not talk to your mother like that," Puff ordered. "You know our laws, Undina. Or has your time on the surface made you forget your place?"

"I did what I thought was right!" Undina defended.

"We set certain rules for our kingdom, and we expect them to be obeyed," Puff went on. "And contrary to what you may think, Undina, being princess does not make you above the law."

"Perhaps you simply require time to reflect on your actions," Angelica mused. "Captain Striker, escort my daughter to her room. The land dwellers are to be sent back to the surface immediately."

"Mother!" Undina cried desperately.

"Your Highness, if I may-" Sally began.

"No, you may not," Angelica snapped.

It was at that point Sonic lost his patience. He stepped forward at that.

"Could you people be any more stubborn and thick-headed?! Deena brought us here to help save you!"

King Puff turned to Sonic, eyes blazing with anger.

"You dare speak to us in this-!"

"Yes, I dare! Undina's our friend, and she came to us so we could help you in your hour of need!"

"We do not require your aid! It is because of you that the infernal device is in our waters! You honestly think we will allow you to cause any more harm?!"

"Eggman's the one who made the damn thing in the first place! We've been cleaning up his messes for over a year! That's why Deena came to us! Would you rather be poisoned to death than accept help when it's offered? How stupid are you?!"

At this point, King Puff was seething with anger, Sonic the same way. Neither showed any signs of backing down.

"You obviously aren't aware of your place, hedgehog," The King sneered.

"Oh, I am," Sonic boasted, jabbing himself in the chest with his thumb. "I'm the hero of Mobius. I do what I think is right, and that includes helping people even if they don't want it. Things like your laws and regulations mean next to nothing to me."

"Enough of this!" Angelica snapped. "I won't stand for this any longer! Guards!"

Before the situation could go any further, Drake zipped off Kat's head, letting out a surprisingly loud chirp. It seemed to rip through the throne room with a wave of power. Everything stopped, all eyes turning to the Chao Prince. He flew right in front of the two royals, chirping and shaking a nub in a condescending way.

"Drake says that you're both being racist and bigoted fools for turning us away," Cream translated. "He's also saying you have no right to yell at Sonic like that, or any of his friends."

"This Chao…" Angelica began. "Could he be...?"

"Yes," Undina confirmed. "A child of Chaos. He's Aquarius' little brother."

"His name's Drake, hatched from an egg Chaos himself left behind," Knuckles added.

Drake chirped again.

"He wants you to apologize for being so rude and to pull your heads out of your butts and accept outside help," Cream added.

He chirped again.

"Or he'll take his sister and leave," Cream tacked on.

Puff and Angelica exchanged looks at that. Puff cleared his throat.

"If you know the Living Wave, I suppose we can bend the rules just this once," he decided.

Drake waved a nub as if to say "go on."

"And you have our sincerest apologies. Meropis is open to you while you work on our pollution situation."

Drake nodded in satisfaction. He then flew back towards the group, dropping back onto Kat's head with a triumphant plop.

"Great!" Undina clapped her hands. "We'll get to work immediately! Echo! Do me a favor and take the rabbit and her companions to the Eusebes Shrine. I imagine Drake will very much enjoy meeting his sister."

"As you command, princess," Echo bowed.

Nearing Meropis at that very moment was a submarine bearing the Robotnik Empire insignia, as well as the usual gray with yellow-and-black stripes decal of the Egg Mobile. Within, Robotnik looked ahead, the 6-S squad by the side as they approached.

"Meropis dead ahead, cap'n!" Cubot declared in his pirate accent.

"Down scope!" Robotnik ordered.

Cubot pressed a button, and the periscope descended a bit too far, hitting Robotnik on the head and pinning him down.

"Not that low, you mega-dolt!"

"Apologies, Cap'n. She be a feisty one."

He hit the button again and it lifted back up, much too high to be of any use.

"Idiot…" Robotnik grumbled.

The third time was the charm. The scope lowered enough for the doctor to actually look through it.

"That's better."

He scanned the city, taking in everything he could... and stopped short at the sight of the docked Sea Fox.

"No…" he let out, realizing what this meant. "Sonic is in Meropis? When did he get a submarine?!"

"The Freedom Fighters seem to have a knack for always being prepared," Orbot noted.

"Hang on…" Grounder piped up. "I thought Sonic hated water. What's he doing at the bottom of the ocean?"

"If our intel is correct, he's friends with Princess Undina," Decoe recalled. "She probably talked him into coming down to help."

"Sonic sure has powerful friends," Bocoe remarked. "That's the second royal he's befriended."

"Doesn't Knuckles count as royalty?" Decoe asked. "Being the son of a tribal chief?"

"Good question," Coconuts mused.

"It doesn't matter," Robotnik cut in. "Sonic's weakness is water, so he's a sitting duck down here. Up scope!"

"Up scope!" Scratch announced.

Robotnik's thumbs were caught in the handles, the scope lifting him up along with it.

"Down!" he shrieked. "Put it down!"

Cubot pressed the button, the periscope zipping down and slamming Robotnik into the ground before retracting. Robotnik groaned in pain before getting up, a dangerous grin on his face and a furious look in his eyes. Scratch laughed nervously

"B-boy... that's what I call a look that could kill."

Robotnik rose to his feet.

"Oh, it's not the look that'll kill you…" He grabbed the 6-S. "IT'S THIS!"

He then proceeded to beat them all senseless in a fit of rage. They hit the ground, Coconuts immediately hugging his legs and trembling.

"It's Kat Winters all over again! Help me, Mommy!"

He fell on his side, sucking his thumb in a fetal position as Robotnik got even angrier.

"Don't you dare mention that brat's name!"

"Doctor, calm down," Orbot urged. "You'll damage the sub and drown yourself."

Robotnik stopped, putting a hand on his face as he took deep breaths.

"Yes, of course," he said calmly. "I'm here to take advantage of Meropis' situation, not fly into a rage and destroy my own equipment."

He looked out at the kingdom. "Who would have thought Sonic taking out the Egg Carrier would actually lead to a golden opportunity?"

"What are you thinking, Doctor?" Decoe asked.

"I'm thinking that this time, Sonic's gonna be all washed up."

He turned to two beings in the back, one humanoid with fins, the other a Badnik with tentacles…

Author's Note:

Well, Sonic's dealing with trouble down under the sea. Will he be able to face his fears and save the day, or find himself sent to Davy Jones' locker?

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Angelica - Tress MacNeille (Dot from Animaniacs, Daisy Duck, Mom from Futurama)

* Puff - Bruce Davison (Zuko in The Legend of Korra, Peter Silberman in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, President Slade Wilson from Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths)

* Striker - Kevin Conroy (Bruce Wayne/Batman in the DC Animated Universe and Batman: Arkham)

* Echo - Elizabeth Maxwell (Sae Niijima from Persona 5, Winter Schnee from RWBY, Caulifla from Dragon Ball Super)

Please R&R. Until next time!