@veldinstar transmitted: "If I can, I'll save everyone here, including you and I." / to sonic, perhaps an intense ranger mission? | Good vs. Evil (and everything in between) sentence starters
Disembarking on an oceanic planet consisting of research facilities converging at the center and potentially directing them to the seabed was an objective the champion never anticipated - nor was he exhilarated by.
According to the information he received from the Galactic Rangers, the researchers assigned them to neutralize the aquatic creatures pursuing them, alongside rescuing their colleagues confined within the facilities which were submerged and devastated.
The devastation these creatures were capable of was perturbing, progressively sundering the facilities with their gargantuan maws, piercing through as if they were merely flesh to devour. There were crevices extending across metallic walls, seawater oozing through machinery, and the entire location groaned from the pressure outside - there was no uncertainty it could implode from this alone.
And as he and the Rangers traversed through it, endeavoring to locate the remaining researchers, equipped with their weapons and appareled in their uniforms - including him, as to provide him with oxygen if they exited - Sonic was becoming agitated by this probability the further they descended.
He vanquished numerous, insurmountable creatures previously, ones possessing the capability of annihilating his planet entirely or manipulating the space-time continuum or being the personification of his phobia; however, none of them originated from the ocean.
None of them existed within the ocean. The ocean obstructed him from utilizing the majority of his abilities, particularly the velocity he was renowned for. Launching himself at those creatures would be unsuccessful, or harming them with his quills, or combating them with strikes and punts. There was no possible option for him excluding the weapon clenched in his hand, to which he abstained from activating the second it was in his possession.
He despised this. It was mortifying to be perturbed by being underwater. To be in this enclosed space and it was causing his pulse to accelerate. To be absolutely vulnerable in this predicament. To rely on his companions as if he were incapable of protecting himself.
He was Sonic The Hedgehog, the Fastest Thing Alive, presumably an unconquerable being, he does not require the assistance of people. He was alright, he can manage this. He can do this.
What was there to be concerned about?
Apparently, the Captain of the Galactic Rangers, his beloved, believed in otherwise. He was approached by him as he secluded himself in the corner of the room, rhythmically drumming his sole against the floor, concentrating on the window and anticipating a creature to eventually emerge, feigning nonchalance as he normally did.
Upon listening to his declaration, Sonic swiveled towards his direction with an expression of consternation - he recognized the resolution lacing the Lombax's tone instantaneously; the inclination to secure the existence of individuals regardless of endangering oneself. Of probably never returning to those one cherishes.
To be the one assisted, the one reassured, the one protected, the one on the other side of this conversation, observing him proceed into danger, it was harrowing to experience. It was harrowing when all he hoped for was to protect Ratchet as well.
How can he protect him now?
"You can... an' you will." He swallowed, inching closer to Ratchet and intertwining their fingers together. He squeezed them reassuringly. "I know you will, Sunshine. Not a second goes by where I don't believe in that.
"It's... This is... I dunno how we're gunna do this, but we'll solve it. Together."
