It started out as such a normal day. Eggman was pulling his usual nonsense — this time, trying to build a giant weather machine to flood half the island and “rebrand it as Egglantis” (don’t ask). Of course, Sonic and the team had shown up to wreck his plans, like they always did.

Everything was going great… until the battle shifted toward the coast.

One of Eggman’s bots fired off a massive blast, and the ground under Sonic’s feet crumbled, sending him sliding down a steep bank — straight toward the ocean.

“Whoa, whoa, WHOA—!” SPLOOSH.

Sonic hit the water hard, disappearing for a moment under the surface. There was a long beat — longer than it should have been — before he popped back up, flailing desperately, panic clear in his eyes.

“Nope! Nope! Nopenopenope—!” he sputtered, struggling to dog-paddle awkwardly toward shore. It was obvious: Sonic was terrified. Not just uncomfortable — full-blown panic-mode terrified.

From your spot nearby, you could see it all happen — the bravest guy you knew, the guy who joked in the face of danger, absolutely losing it just because of a few feet of water.

Somewhere nearby, Tails shouted, “Hang on, buddy! I’m coming!” But Sonic barely heard him. His world had narrowed down to just two things: Water all around him… and the desperate need to get OUT.

The question was — would you jump in to help him? Or stay back and let him fight through it on his own?

Either way, today wasn’t just about beating Eggman. Today, Sonic would have to face one of his biggest fears… or drown trying.