-Chapter 279-
Siege of the Bifrost
Artika
If one were to describe Artika, it would likely be the following words: Cold. White. Harsh, but beautiful. And no area embodied that more than the land of Holoska, more specifically the area known as the Cool Edge Zone, a glistening, pristine field of snowdrifts and icebergs… one whose virgin snow was being tarnished with black smoke and innocent blood.
"Run!"
A small village in the heart of the tundra burned to the ground. The latest in a long list of such villages, casualties of the cold-blooded devils that had been plaguing the continent for nearly two years.
"Sound the alarm! Summon the militia! Get everyone to safety! The Einherjar are here!"
Villagers - both man and Mobian - ran about their rapidly burning home. Some ran for the hills with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Others prepared to fight against the invaders, armed with spears, bows, clubs, and even guns.
"Do you see them!?" one of the warriors called out.
"Yeah!"
"How many? Twenty? Thirty?"
The lookout looked through his binoculars again.
"There's…" He was cut off by a bullet through his forehead.
"The hell!?" the warrior managed before getting stabbed in the back by an unseen enemy. His comrades looked on in shock as his body seemed to float on its own, but the blood from his wound revealed the horrifying visage of a particularly savage Mobian.
""Finally… I was wondering where everyone was."
The air rippled as their assailant materialized. He was a Mobian wolverine clad in the Einherjar's signature blue parka and black jumpsuit. His fur was brown and yellow, the fur on his head being a long and shaggy mane worthy of a Viking. He had razor-sharp fangs, the canines being cybernetic, as were his claws. He licked the blood from his lips as he glared at the terrified soldiers, his irises gold and pupils slit.
"Holy…" a warrior managed.
"Listen up, weaklings!" the wolverine declared. "This village is now under the control of Master Tundra's Frozen Empire! You have two choices! Submit to his rule and join the horde, or meet a bloody end at the claws of Sabre the Wolverine!"
"Ahem."
Sabre looked over his shoulder to see a human dressed in a blue overcoat and hat - his face covered by a scarf and goggles - and carrying a pistol.
"Aren't you forgetting someone?"
"...And Chekhov." Sabre sighed.
" Спасибо ." (1) the human replied. "So, what's it going be, everyone? Join or die?"
A blue blur rushed by the two.
"How about neither, comrade ?"
They turned to see Sonic standing on one of the village huts, looking down on him, wearing a thick blue snowsuit and Chris' specialized ice Power Sneaker soles.
" Ежик! " (2) Chekhov exclaimed.
"Sonic…" Sabre growled.
"Here are your options," the hedgehog said. "Hit the trail, or get hit. And by all means, go with Option B. Make my day."
Sabre scoffed. "You think we're scared of you?"
"You stand in the presence of the chosen warriors!" Chekhov gloated.
Sonic waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look, it's cold out here, and between you and me, I've got bigger prey in mind for today. So how 'bout we skip the pleasantries and you tell me where your bases are?"
"The only way you're getting into our bases is in a uniform or a body bag!" Sabre roared.
"I'll take door number three," Sonic tucked into a Spin Dash, shooting off and plowing into Sabre's gut, knocking him back several feet.
"Some chosen warriors," Sonic taunted before tilting to narrowly dodge a bullet, seeing Chekhov aiming at him. "Hey, didn't your mom warn you about those? You'll shoot your eye out!"
Chekhov's response was to shoot again. Sonic dodged the shots, rushing forward and yanking the gun out of his hand.
"My gun!" Chekhov yelled as Sonic rapidly disassembled it, letting the pieces drop to the ground.
"So much for Chekhov's gun."
A bang sounded. Sonic let out a pained yell, his hand going to his shoulder as he turned to see Chekhov's index finger smoking.
"That's Chekhov the Gun, comrade." Chekhov blew his finger.
"Clever, I'll give you that. But I think my guy's a better shot."
"Hm?" Chekhov spun around in time to leap to the side, dodging a bullet. " Что!? " (3)
"Quick on the draw, partner," Beauregard Rabbot stepped out from behind a large evergreen tree, twirling his pistols in his hands. His new arm was shiny and sleek, his legs were similarly decked out. "But ain't nobody alive who can outshoot me."
"Boss Beauregard…" Chekhov managed.
"That's right. You and the rest of Tundra's goons are outta control. So the doc sent me to help put y'all back in your place."
"You're welcome to try," Chekhov raised his hands, his gloves ripping apart to reveal a literal set of finger pistols.
"Blue, get the civvies outta here," Beau ordered. "Popgun Pete here's mine."
"You got it." Sonic gave a thumbs-up before heading off.
"Your little friend is going to die, you know," Chekhov taunted. "If not by my hand, then by Sabre's."
"Nah. Big Blue's got a lot of savin' left in him. He ain't kickin' it for a long time. And when he does, Vichama himself is gonna hafta come fer 'im. And as fer yer buddy… He's got his own problems."
-X-
Meanwhile, Sabre got up, rubbing his head.
"Little blue bastard…" he cursed. "Those stories of his speed don't do it justice." He grinned. "Finally, a challenge! I'm gonna enjoy jabbing him with his own quills."
"Yeah?" Suddenly, Rotor came down with an elbow drop, flooring Sabre before getting him in a submission hold. "Good luck getting to him!"
"Tundra's runt!" Sabre yelled.
Rotor tightened his grip. "Gunt! Now!"
Guntiver leaped out of the snow, pouncing at Sabre. Rotor released his grip just in time for the wolf to start mauling the wolverine. Rotor cringed.
"Feral instincts…" he shuddered.
"Get off me!" Sabre threw Gunt off, the wolf yelping as he flew off. "Little red bastard…"
He stood up, his face covered in bite and claw marks that were rapidly healing.
"What the…?" Rotor managed.
"Surprised?" Sabre pointed to his healed face. "One of my gifts from the Master. My body can regenerate and heal from any injury, so I can keep on fighting all day and night!"
"Well, this complicates things a bit," Rotor remarked.
"What's wrong, runt? Afraid? You should be. You're facing off against the chosen warriors! The ones destined to restore the true order of the world!"
"That being?"
Sabre grinned. "Might makes right! The strong rule and the weak serve! Knowledge, justice, morality!? Worthless! The only truth in this world is that you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, as long as you have the strength to do it! And nobody is stronger than us! What do you have to say to that, runt?"
"I'd say you talk too much." Rotor immediately punched him in the face. He felt Sabre's nose break as his face contorted in pain, blood shooting from his nose and mouth, along with a tooth. "And for the record, I'm average height for my species!"
He followed up with a punch to the gut. Before Sabre could recover, Rotor grabbed him in an inverted headlock before dropping backward, ramming the wolverine's head into the snowy ground with a classic DDT. He stood up, dusting his hands off.
"Let's see you get up from that."
"Gladly!"
Sabre shot up and grabbed Rotor. Before Rotor could even react, the wolverine slammed him into the ground, then against the wall of a house. He pinned him by the throat, panting as his wounds healed.
"I told you, runt. I can heal...from anything. You. Can't. Hurt...!"
A feral growl echoed through the area as Guntiver pounced Sabre from the back.
"He can't! I can!"
Gunt sank his teeth into Sabre's ear before tearing it clean off, blood and electricity spurting as Sabre roared in pain and rage. Guntiver then dug his claws into Sabre's shoulders and leapt down, slashing through his jacket and flesh. Rotor cringed once more, turning away.
"Rotor! Now!"
Rotor perked. "Oh, right! On it!"
He charged forward, tackling Sabre to the ground and getting him in a headlock. "Game over, Sabre!"
"You think this is gonna stop me?!" Sabre's ear regrew as he went on. "Which part of 'heal from anything' don't you get?!"
"I know," Rotor replied. "Those nanites in your blood, they act like supercharged platelets. As soon as your skin breaks, they get to work patching you up."
"Exactly! So I can…!"
Rotor tightened his grip, cutting his speech off. "But your brain still needs oxygen, and you still need to breathe! So let's see if those nanites help when I cut off the blood flow to your brain!"
Sabre kicked and squirmed, trying to break loose as Rotor squeezed with all his might.
"Don't fight it!" Rotor yelled, Sabre's struggles weakening before he passed out, going limp.
"You should finish him off," Gunt suggested.
"No," Rotor said, standing up. "We're better than this, Gunt. Better than him . I dealt with enough of that mindset in Sand Blast City."
Gunt winced at that. "Sorry… Erma's been getting on my case to be more 'proactive'."
Rotor raised an eyebrow. "The same Erma who thinks that a normal reaction is screaming and throwing things?"
"Easy Rote, she's been through a lot these past few years. Especially after..." Gunt shook his head.
"Especially after what?"
"Sorry, not my story to tell."
"Right, fair enough," Rotor gestured to Sabre. "Come on, we gotta deal with this crazy bastard and meet back up with the others."
He pulled out his multi-tool, setting it on Sabre's body. He pressed a button, zapping him. "There. Thankfully, Eggatha gave me a kill code for those nanites. No more insane healing factor."
Gunt chuckled, smiling. "Have I told you how much I missed you?"
"Let's save it for after this is over."
At that moment, a gunshot sounded, getting their attention.
"That came from where Sonic and Beauregard went!" Gunt realized.
-X-
They quickly raced to where they heard the gunshot.
"Mr. Rabbot, are you okay!?" Rotor exclaimed. "Are-?"
Rotor and Guntiver skidded to a stop, looking on in shock.
"Howdy boys!" Beau tipped his hat from where he was sitting atop an unconscious Chekhov. "How'd it go with that Sabre fella?"
"Well...pretty good," Rotor replied. "You?"
" Ой полным полна моя коробушка / Есть и ситец, и парча. / Пожалей, душа-зазнобушка, Молодецкого плеча… (4)" Chekhov sang, dazed.
Beau brought the butt of his revolver down on Chekhov's head, knocking him out.
"Quiet, you," he ordered before turning to the others. "He got sleepy."
Sonic ran in at that. "Aww man...I missed the action!"
"How's the bullet wound?" Beau asked.
"Already gone," Sonic showed them his shoulder, showing he had healed completely. "Those nanites are no joke."
"Don't get cocky, Sonic," Rotor warned.
Sonic held up his hands. "Hey, I learned my lesson long ago about cockiness."
"Just saying."
"Alright, settle down," Beau cut in. "Remember why we're here."
Sonic nodded. "Right. Beau?"
Beau reached into Chekhov's pocket, pulling out a rainbow stone. "Got it."
Sonic chuckled. "Just according to cake..."
Flashback
A Warp Ring opened up, depositing the Freedom Fighters and BLIZZARD.
"Ahh, home sweet home," Flip sighed.
"Whoa..." Sonic let out as he looked around.
It was a massive cave system carved from stone and fossilized ice. Pipes wove throughout the walls, providing power and heat. The walls had maps, schematics, and large boards covered in papers and red string. There was a wall of bunks, as well as a kitchen area, a rudimentary lab, and a training area.
"Knothole Freedom Fighters, welcome to BLIZZARD Command," Gunt said.
"Or as we call it, the Icehole!" Flip quipped, getting groans from everyone.
"Flip!" Sealia admonished.
"What?" Flip said defensively. "It's a hole carved in the ice. Icehole!"
That got him a bonk on the head from Erma. "Your head has a hole carved in it."
"Wow..." Tails managed. "Look at all this!"
"That's a lotta pipes!" Sticks exclaimed.
"You like?" Flip grinned. "Yeah, Artika's chock full of Power Gems, so we had the whole place tricked out with this big ol' pipeline to channel all that sweet Chaos energy."
"It's amazing…" Kat placed a hand on one of the pipes. "I can feel the energy. It... wants to help you."
"How the heck did you guys build all this!?" Rotor asked.
"We had a little help," Gust replied.
"Oui," said Sealia. "Even after thirty years, Dr. Morgan is still the Father of Chaos Science."
That got everyone's attention.
"Dr. Morgan?" Sonic asked. "As in... Nate Morgan? He's in Artika?"
Gunt nodded. "Indeed, he is."
Sticks raised an eyebrow. "Who dat?"
"Seriously, Sticks!?" Sonic questioned
"What!? I never met this Doc Morgoth guy. He famous or something?"
"Nate Morgan is one of the leading scientists on Chaos Theory," Tails explained.
"He came to the Acorn Archipelago before the Great War," Sally added. "He wanted to learn about Mobian Mo-bilities and our closer ties to Chaos energy, as well as the nature of Power Rings."
"Everything my mom knows, she learned from him," Keith included. "All the stuff that we know Power Rings can do? He's the guy who discovered them. Without him, all our gear would never exist."
"Whoa..." Sticks managed. "That is famous."
"So, what's he doing in Artika?" Rotor asked.
"Dr. Morgan came here sometime after an incident down in Station Square."
"Which one?" Team Thorndyke deadpanned in unison.
Gunt rubbed his forehead. "Right, I walked into that one. It was right around when Robotnik first came onto the scene."
"The ROCC Incident..." Hope realized.
Gunt nodded. "I believe so. Dr. Morgan came here because he needed a place where he could conduct research in peace. His work has been of great help to Artika, so he was given an abandoned castle to serve as his new lab and home. Then a few months later, he had this weird computer thing shipped here."
"And get this!" Flip chimed in. "It sounded just like Eggman!"
Kat blinked. "It what now?"
"The Kintobor Computer!" Sonic realized, getting a look from Kat. "Right, you weren't there. When the ROCC first exploded, somehow it copied Julian's brainwaves and personality onto a Power Ring. Uncle Chuck used it to make an AI copy of Julian as he was before he became Eggman. I wondered what happened to it…"
"Is it here?!" Hope let out eagerly.
"Well...it should be in his castle?" Flip suggested.
"Unfortunately… There's a problem." Gunt began.
Sonic sighed. "Of course there is…
"During your...deep freeze, we tried to get in contact with Dr. Morgan," Gunt went on. "But all we got was dead air. We went to investigate… and his lab looked like a meat locker."
"Meaning he was attacked." Tails realized, getting a nod.
"What would Tundra want with Dr. Morgan?" Rotor asked.
Gust shrugged. "No idea. But since he's a smart guy… they probably have him building some kind of science stuff."
"Speaking of..." Gunt pointed to a dresser in the corner. "You'd best get some of the spare winter gear from the dresser. You'll be needing it once we get out."
The non-Artikans immediately raided the dresser, kitting themselves out.
"Alright, now that everyone's ready… Let's get down to business," Gunt declared. "Miss Nicole?"
"Right." Nicole held out her handheld, displaying holographic copies of everything
"According to Eggatha's files, the Einherjar's operations are divided into four major sectors..." Gunt said. "The Ginnunga Gap caverns, the Draugr Deepwood, Icy Isle, and Tundra's personal fortress: the Egg Valhalla."
"Though given how he's ditched Uncle Ivo, he's probably ditched the 'Egg' part," Eggatha admitted. "Each of the areas is controlled by one of his Sub-Bosses: the Frozen Four. Frazil the Penguin, Firn the Artik Wolf, Glacia the Polar Bear, and Boreas the Snowy Owl."
"We need more information on each," Sonic said. "Specifically on which area is holding our friends."
"Way ahead of ya, Sonic," Eggatha fiddled with the controls, pictures of the captured Freedom Fighters appearing under each area. "Tekno and Porker have been taken to the Draugr Deepwood, where the Einherjar's secret labs are located. Knuckles and Shadow are in Ginnunga Gap, being forced to work in the mines."
"Shadow…" Hope let out.
Kat was silent, but the air around her was noticeably warmer.
"What about the others?" Antoine demanded. "What about Bunnie?"
"Well…" Eggatha looked uneasy. "Oh jeez… She, Johnny, Shorty, and Tangle have been taken to Icy Isle… The location of Helheim."
BLIZZARD froze in horror.
"Oh… fugg," Flip let out.
"Helheim…" Tails said. "Wasn't that Norse hell?"
"Sorta," Gust replied. "It's the final resting place of the 'unworthy' dead. Where those who didn't die in battle go."
The Knothole group was immediately horrified, none more so than Beau and Antoine.
"So she's…" Antoine managed, distraught. "They're already…"
"No, Antoine," Beau remarked, the dread clear in his voice. "They're still kickin'. But that might not be a good thing."
"Tell it to us straight," Sonic ordered. "What exactly is Helheim?"
"The Einherjar's training grounds," Erma answered. "Where they weed out the fittest and most ruthless recruits and indoctrinate them into their ranks."
"Though, some would call their training torture," Gunt added. "They march or they drown. Dig or suffocate. Fight for scraps or starve. Tundra's goons beat them until they can't stand. When night falls, they make their way home alone or are food for Polar Beckies. That , Sonic, is how Einherjar are made."
"And those salauds (5) have our friends in that hellhole?!" Antoine drew his sword.
"Whoa, settle down!" Gunt exclaimed.
"Do not tell me to settle down, Guntiver! My beloved is among those trapped there! If Tundra's men harm a single hair on their head, I will personally slice them to ribbons!"
"Antoine!" Beau cut in. "I 'preciate yer enthusiasm, but cool it. We ain't gonna save 'em if we don't keep a clear head, son. You go chargin' in there guns blazin'... You'll either end up dead, crazy, or one of them."
"But-" Antoine began.
"Listen to them, Ant," Kat told him, visibly seething but also keeping herself calm. "Trust me, if anyone understands wanting to barrel in, it's me. But brute force isn't gonna win this. We need to be smarter."
Antoine composed himself, sheathing his sword. "Yes, of course. I apologize."
Keith blinked. "Kat being the voice of reason?
Chris shrugged. "She was given her biggest beatdown ever."
"What about the other places?" Sally asked.
"Ginnunga Gap is a vast network of caverns," Eggatha replied. "It gets its name from a fissure in the cosmos. Where the fires of Muspelheim and the ice of Niflheim - two of the Nine Realms - met and first formed the world. It's named such because it's where they mine their secret weapon."
"Secret weapon?" Rotor questioned.
Eggatha nodded. "During the battle, did any of the Einherjar's bodies glow icy blue or fiery red?"
Sonic crossed his arms in thought. "Now that you mention it, yeah. Tails said their body temperatures were shifting between super-hot or super-cold."
"That's their secret weapon," Eggatha replied. "The super material that powers their implants: Ragnium."
Rotor gasped in horror before grabbing Eggatha by the shoulders and shaking her.
"Ragnium?!" he screamed. "You powered their implants with RAGNIUM?! Are you crazy, Aggie?! That stuff is dangerous! And unstable! Tell me you were not stupid enough to go messing with it!"
Eggatha pulled away from him.
"You're right," she snapped before composing herself. " I'm not… but Uncle Ivo is."
"Um…" Sonic raised his hand, "For those of us not in the know?"
"Ragnium is one of the most powerful and volatile minerals in all of Mobius," Rotor explained. "It's formed in areas where Chaos energy is at its strongest. In particular, areas where extreme heat and cold meet."
"Well, we got the extreme cold," Sticks said. "Where's the heat?"
"There are lava flows in parts of the caves," Gunt explained. "It's where they get the stuff."
"What makes this Ragnium stuff so dangerous?" Sonic questioned.
"It's more the act of mining it and dealing with the byproducts," Rotor answered. "The energy it gives off is ridiculous. It's basically the Chaos equivalent of a rod of plutonium."
"That's not an exaggeration," Sealia added. "Raw Ragnium can contaminate the environment for decades if left unchecked. At worst, it can turn an entire Zone into a frozen wasteland or a scorching hellscape."
"That why this place is so cold?" Sticks asked.
"No, that would be continental drift and global warming," Keith replied.
"But that mine will make things worse, so we need to shut it down," Nicole pointed out.
"What about the last place?" Tails asked. "The Draugr Deepwood?"
"Sorry, I can't tell you much about that," Eggatha replied. "All I have is that it's the location of the research labs, and they're extremely secretive."
"Guess we'll have to deal with that later," Tails decided. "At least until we know more."
"Maybe not," Chris piped up. "The labs make all their gear and weapons, right? That means they need to get shipments for supplies, resources, and other stuff."
Sonic got it. "So track the shipments, we can find that lab. That just leaves their base…"
"Sonic…" Rotor cut in. "I want to lead that charge."
"Rotor?" Sonic turned to him.
"Tundra's my father. This is my responsibility," Rotor insisted. "This all started when I ran away from my problems. It's because of me Dad got turned into Tundra." He clenched his fists. "I'm done running."
"I'm coming too!" Skeeter declared.
"What?!" Rotor let out. "Skeeter, no! You saw what Tundra and his men are capable of back in Station Square! It's too dangerous!"
"But he's my dad too!"
"But nothing! You're not going and that's final!"
"But-!"
"Skeet," Gust cut in. "You gotta stay behind."
Skeeter turned to him. "Gust?"
"This is your brother's fight. He's the one who needs to make things right again."
Rotor knelt down to Skeeter. "I screwed up, Skeet. I abandoned you all, and this is the result. So please, just stay safe and let me fix this mess."
Skeeter looked at Rotor, taking it all in. He hesitated before calming down. "You better not die, you big idiot."
Rotor smiled. "Not a chance."
"Well, if you're going to tackle Valhalla, I'm going with you." Guntiver declared.
"Ditto," Beau agreed. "Tank's my buddy. I'll do what I can to help you fix him."
"Thank you…" Rotor said gratefully. "All of you."
"Well, that's all well and good, but how are you guys gonna get there?" Sticks questioned. "It's probably hidden away and even more tightly locked than Archie Eagle's ass."
"She's right," Eggatha confirmed. "There's no way to get inside unless you're a member."
Sonic held up a finger. "Actually, I have an idea."
Flashback Over
Sonic, Gunt, Rotor, and Beau looked over the rainbow stone.
"Wow…" Sonic remarked. "That's one pretty rock."
"It's a Bifrost Stone," Gunt explained. "It connects the Einherjar to their special Bifrost Network. Their personal communication and transport system."
"Which means we can use this to get to Valhalla," Sonic deduced. "And the rest of their outposts."
"Not exactly," Rotor cut in. "These things are biometrically locked. Not even my Multi-Tool can crack it. Heck, I don't think Nicole's Cyberdive can crack it."
"So what're we gonna do?" Sonic cringed before going on. "And I really hope nobody's gonna suggest something like cutting off a finger of the Einherjar to bypass the lock."
"Nothing that gruesome," Beau walked over to Chekhov. "Chekhov...Chekhooooooov!"
"In Soviet Ruskia, guns fire you..." Chekhov muttered in a daze before shaking his head to clear it. "Hey buddy," Beau greeted. "Got a few questions for ya. Could you give us the coordinates to yer lil' bases? Please?"
"Why should I?" Chekhov demanded.
"Cuz if you don't, I'm gonna drag them outta you kickin' and screamin'."
Chekhov scoffed. "Please, I have endured tortures the likes of which you couldn't even dream of. You will never get me to talk."
"Oh, yes I will," Beau insisted.
"Oh, no you won't."
"Oh, yes I will."
"Oh, no you won't."
This went back and forth for a bit before Beau changed tactics. "Oh no I won't."
"Oh, yes you will."
"Oh, no I won't!"
"Oh, yes you will!"
Once again, this went back and forth for a minute or two before Chekhov lost his cool. "Now you listen here, you dumb bunny! You either take the coordinates, or I shove them down your throat! Take your pick!"
Beau held up his hands.
"Alright, alright. I'll take the coordinates if yer gonna be so insistent." He held out the Bifrost Stone. "Just unlock this here rock."
Chekhov placed a hand on the rock, which glowed upon contact.
"There. Now take this thing and… and..." he perked. "Wait a minute-!"
Before he could say any more, Beau cracked him in the jaw with his revolver, knocking him out cold once again.
"Thank ye kindly," he said.
"That Rabbit persuasion Mo-Bility is terrifying," Sonic remarked, shuddering a bit.
"Yeah…" Beau agreed. "Sometimes it even scares me, kid." He shook his head. "But enuff 'bout that. We got work to do. Boomer…"
"On it," Rotor placed his Multi-Tool on the Bifrost Stone. "Coordinates downloaded. Sending now."
"Excellent!" Gunt declared.
"Alright!" Sonic cheered. "Now, what say we take this rock all the way to Asgard?"
"Care to do the honors, Rote?" Gunt offered.
Rotor smiled. "It would be my pleasure."
He took the rock in his hand, closing his eyes. "I'm coming, Dad. Just hold on."
The stone fired a beam of light, causing a rainbow rift to appear in the sky. A torrent of light poured from the rift, enveloping Rotor and the others. When it dissipated, they were gone.
Egg Valhalla
Deep in the heart of his fortress, Tundra sat on a golden throne in his personal chamber.
"Soon…" he declared. "It will be over soon."
"Master Tundra?"
Tundra looked up to see Boreas enter.
"I asked not to be disturbed, Boreas."
"It's Sabre and Chekhov, sir. We've lost contact with them."
"Weren't they supposed to be raiding Holoska?"
"Yes. I believe they were defeated."
Tundra scoffed. "Pathetic weaklings. I should've let Glacia drown them. So, who did it?"
"The Freedom Fighters, sir.."
Tundra perked. "Here? Already?"
"Indeed. It was the hedgehog, Narfi, and - strangely enough - Boss Beauregard."
"So, Ivo sent his pet rabbit to deal with me?"
"That's not all. Your son was among them as well."
Tundra's eyes widened. "What?!"
"They somehow got into Chekhov's Bifrost Stone. They have the coordinates to our bases, and they're coming here, as we speak."
Tundra paused, his furious gaze briefly going vacant.
"Sir?"
Tundra shook his head, clearing it. "Send word out to the rest of the Four. Tell them to ready their defenses."
Boreas bowed. "Right away, sir."
With that, he headed out. Before he left, he looked over his shoulder at Tundra, his expression unreadable.
"Well, what are you waiting for?!" Tundra snapped.
Boreas nodded before leaving. As soon as he did, Tundra let out an agonized scream, clutching his head and falling to the ground. Dark waves seemed to roll off of him as he shook violently, growling.
"Out... Get out of my mind, Sherman!" he let out. "Get back in your cage!"
Tundra let out a roar, the dark waves retreating into his body as he panted.
"This is my body. My mind. Sherman Walrus doesn't exist anymore. There is only… Tundra ."
Author's Note:
(1): Thank you.
(2): The hedgehog!
(3): What?!
(4): Chekhov is singing the first stanza of the Russian folk song Korobeiniki [The Peddlers], more commonly known as Theme A from Tetris.
(5): Bastards
Getting straight into the heat of battle right off the bat. The Freedom Fighters have one hell of a battle ahead of them if they want to save their friends. Do they have what it takes to stop Tundra and his Einherjar? And can Rotor free his father? Stay tuned to find out.
Vichama is from Sonic the Comic Online. There, he was the Mobian god of death. Here, he's the Mobian Grim Reaper. Those who played Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will recognize Ragnium.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Sabre - Peter Lurie (Leatherhead from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012, Sobei Sumidaya from Rurouni Kenshin, Sabretooth from X-Men Legends and Marvel's Midnight Suns, Vulcan Raven from Metal Gear Solid, Paxton Fettel from F.E.A.R.)
* Chekhov - Stefan Kapičić (Colossus from the live action Deadpool movies)
Please R&R. Until next time!
