-Chapter 289-

Thicker than Ice


Everyone watched as Rotor and his family embraced, enjoying the heartwarming scene unfold.

"D'aaaaaw, that's sweet," Flip said with a sniffle. "Anybody got a tissue?"

"Use mine."

"Thanks." Flip took the tissue and blew his nose, only to pause when he realized the one who gave it to him hadn't been in the room before.

"Hello, everyone!" Chiffon La Tusque greeted curtly, Chumley resting on her hip. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

"Boss Lady!?" Flip shouted.

"Lady Chiffon!" Guntiver exclaimed before clearing his throat. "Wh-When and how did you get here?"

"The door," Chiffon replied flatly, pointing to the entrance.

"Kat!" Hope snapped. "You were supposed to be keeping watch!"

"Sorry!"

Chiffon turned to the scene before her, her eyes meeting her brother-in-law.

"Sherman…"

"Chiffon…" he replied.

"So, you really are back," the aristocrat said as she got up from her seat. "I…"

"Chiffon?"

Chiffon stopped cold, her eyes turning to the last person she expected to see there.

"G…Georgette?" Chiffon stepped forward at a swift, but careful pace. "Baby sister…is that you!?"

The elder walrus sister leaned closer, reaching out to touch her face to see if she was real.

"I don't believe it…" Chiffon whispered with tears in her eyes. "You're alive…You're alive!" It was then she noticed Georgette's condition. "Oh my Aurora, you look positively dreadful! Who did this to you!? What happened!?"

"She's been in a coma for almost three years. A fate you would have been aware of, had you not closed your door on my foot when I came to tell you."

Chiffon turned to see the monitor phone and immediately scowled.

"You!"

"Hello Chiffon," Robotnik greeted unenthusiastically. "I'd say it's wonderful to see you again, but...it's not."

"You have some nerve showing your face here, Julian!" Chiffon shouted as she stomped toward the monitor.

Robotnik cringed. "I'd rather you call me Eggman than that name. Granted out of your mouth, either would be particularly scathing."

"Don't you interrupt me! First, you and your friends helped steal my baby sister away from her family to elope with that…brute! Then, you send your robots to attack my home! Now I find out you've turned her husband into a murderous killing machine and almost flash-froze the entire planet!"

It was then that Chiffon noticed the other elephant in the room…or orca.

"And what is he doing here!?"

"Hello," Akhlut greeted flatly.

"Psst!" Eggatha whispered. "Who's she?"

"My aunt…" Rotor replied.

"My sister..." Georgette added.

"The abominable snow lady..." Sherman snarked.

"What was that...!?" said snow lady demanded.

"Errr...what an adorable baby!" Sherman hastily corrected pointing to Chumley, only to pause as he realized what he was talking about. "Wait, baby!?"

"Chiffon…" Georgette uttered in disbelief. "Is that…?"

"Oh, yes, of course!" Chiffon said as she held out her infant son. "Georgette, say hello to your new nephew, Chumley! Chumlet, meet Aunt Georgie."

The infant walrus cooed happily as he reached for Georgette, who couldn't help but smile at the sight of the little bundle of joy.

"Oooh, he's adorable!" she squeed. "I'd ask if I could hold him, but…" She held up her shaky hands.

"So…you got married?" Sherman asked, still unable to believe what he was seeing.

Chiffon scoffed. "Of course! What sort of woman do you think I am?"

"Do you really want me to answer that question?"

"Sherman!" Georgette admonished.

"So, uhhh, who's the dad?" Rotor cut in, wanting to change the subject.

"Oh, it hardly matters," Chiffon replied dismissively. "He was a no-good scoundrel looking to weasel his way into getting my family's fortune. I found out and divorced him shortly after Chumley was born." A sly grin crept over her face. "And you can bet I squeezed out every Mobium I could from him."

"As if you needed it," Sherman whispered, earning him a 'shush' from his wife.

"Sooooo…Boss Lady," Flip cut in. "What can we do ya for?"

"Ah yes, of course. I'm here to collect Stratford."

The walruses froze at that, while everyone looked at each other in confusion.

"Stratford?" Chris asked.

"Who dat?" Flip chimed in.

"Me…"

All eyes immediately turned to Skeeter, who looked ready to explode with embarrassment.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa...your name's Stratford ?" Erma asked.

"Yeesh…and I thought I had it bad," Gust added with a sympathetic wince.

"Come now, Augustus," Chiffon chided. "Stratford is a wonderful name. Sophisticated, dignified..."

"Dorky..."

"Stratford, don't mumble, it's rude. Now, come along. It's time for us to return to Bygone Island. Now that the piers are clear, I booked us passage out of here."

"What!?" Skeeter and Rotor shouted in disbelief.

"Do you honestly think I would leave Stratford with the Freedom Fighters after all of this madness?" Chiffon ranted. "I saw the footage on the news! The two of you almost died! I allowed him to play hero with his friends in Artika because they promised to keep him out of more serious danger, but it's time I put my foot down!"

She took a moment to regain her composure and soothe Chumley when he started to cry.

"Stratford will be coming home with me. There's a lovely private school he can attend and the island is a neutral zone, meaning he'll be safe."

Skeeter bit his lower lip, not the least bit thrilled about the prospect.

"Hold on a sec!" Rotor cut in. "You can't just drag Skeet away from his friends like that!"

"Yeah, Boomer's right!" Flip added.

"Rotor…" Chiffon replied testily.

"Lady Chiffon," Gunt cut in, grabbing her attention. "Your concerns are understandable, but - with all due respect - don't you think we should consider Skeeter's feelings…on the…matter…?"

The ability to give cold, flat looks that shut up anyone they were given to must have run Rotor's family because that's exactly what happened when Chiffon turned to Guntiver.

"Flip," Chiffon said, not even looking at the penguin. "Would you hold Chumley for me?"

Flip swallowed nervously. "O-Okay…"

"Thank you."

Chiffon handed her baby over to Flip, then returned her attention to BLIZZARD's leader.

"Uh-oh…" Kat whispered. "I'm getting flashbacks to that CPS woman…"

"Yeah, me too," Hope added, both girls holding hands.

"Guntiver," Chiffon began calmly. "Remind me, who is the one who bankrolls your group?"

"Uhhh…" Guntiver's eyes darted about nervously. "You do."

Chiffon nodded. "That's right. And who, by law, is Stratford's legal guardian since the…initial disappearance of his parents?"

Guntiver's ears folded as he assumed a more submissive stance. "You are."

"Very good." Chiffon nodded once more as she stepped toward Artik wolf, who stepped back as she drew closer. "And as his legal guardian, you have no right to interfere in his affairs or object to me taking him, correct? Otherwise, I'd be forced to take legal action, the consequences including, but not limited to…withholding the funds for said group?"

Guntiver awkwardly cleared his throat. "Well, technically, that's right. B-But…"

"Precisely," Chiffon interrupted. "Which means that when it comes to Stratford's affairs, you should shut up and DO WHAT I SAY! "

Guntiver flinched at Chiffon's sudden shouting. However, before the situation could escalate any further, there was the sound of a throat clearing. The sound originated from Georgette, who was looking at her sister with an expression that was akin to Tundra's murderous scowl.

"There's something you seem to forget, Chiffon. While BLIZZARD may not have any say in what happens to Skeeter, I do. After all, I am his biological mother and I was never legally declared dead. While there is some paperwork I will need to file, I have every intention of reclaiming guardianship of my son. Meaning he will not be going anywhere."

"Mom…" Skeeter whispered.

"What!?" Chiffon exclaimed. "G-Georgie, you can't! You're in no condition to do so! You can barely move!"

"That's hardly an issue. Sherman will be with me and can easily pick up my slack. At least until my medical treatment is complete"

"H-Him!?" Chiffon exclaimed again. "B-But, he's a global pariah! A former Egg Boss! Think of what the people will say!"

"You and I both know that I've never cared about reputations and status. Also, you will find that outside of Artika, no one knows or cares about Sherman Walrus. No offense, darling."

"None taken, I'm enjoying this," Sherman assured her.

"And in regards to his reputation, I actually have no intention of returning to Artika. My condition will not allow it. Thankfully, Sherman's old friends have agreed to set me up with a lovely home in Mobotropolis, right next to this lovely hedgehog couple. Perhaps you've heard of them?"

Team Thorndyke perked at that.

"Sonic's mom and dad?" Chris whispered.

"Definitely Sonic's mom and dad," Keith agreed.

Chiffon stammered and stuttered, trying to come up with a good excuse.

"W-Well, that's…wonderful to hear!" she fumbled. "B-But, at the very least, you should consider enrolling in the school. There's still his education to…"

"Chiffon," Georgette calmly interrupted. "I say this with all the love in my heart. Stop questioning my decisions with my family."

Georgette gave Chiffon the coldest, flattest look she could muster. One so cold, the room grew several degrees colder and frost began forming on the wall.

"Augustus!" Sealia whispered. "Your breath!"

"Sorry!" the polar bear replied, stopping his nervous panting.

Chiffon, on the other hand, was sweating bullets.

"Y-Yes, of course," she replied as she tugged at her dress. "My apologies."

Georgette nodded. "Now then, I do believe you have a boat to catch. Flip, would you return Chumley to my sister, please?"

"Yes, Mrs. W, ma'am!" Flip said with a salute, handing Chiffon back her baby.

"Thank you, Flip," Chiffon said. "Well, we'd best be going. Congratulations on your hard-won victory and best of luck to all of you! Come along, Chumley."

Chiffon made her way to the door…

"Oh, and Chiffon!"

…only to be stopped by Georgette once again.

"If I find you've retaliated against these lovely young men and women in any way. I will remind you of why I managed to marry Sherman 'Tank' Walrus."

Chiffon swallows nervously.

"O-Of course, dearest sister." She took a deep breath. "Well, goodbye!"

And with that, she left, leaving everyone speechless and Georgette satisfied.

"Holy…" Chris uttered.

"Da fugg…" Kat blurted out.

"Mom…" Rotor breathed.

Suddenly, the room filled with loud, raucous laughter. Everyone there turned to see Sherman and Akhlut in stitches.

"Oh man!" Sherman exclaimed as he wiped a tear from his eye. "Georgie, that was amazing! Did you see the look on her face!? It was just like when she tried to crash our wedding!"

"Ivo should've made you the Artikan Egg Boss!" Akhlut commented, earning him an elbow from Eggatha. "Agh! That was a compliment!"

"Too soon!" the young Robotnik snapped.

"Ohh, you sweet-talkers!" Georgette chuckled.

"She took that as a compliment?" Chris questioned.

"Best not to dwell on it," Gunt commented.

"Umm…"

Everyone turned to Skeeter.

"So…everything's alright now?" he asked worriedly. "Dad doesn't have to be locked up anymore and I don't have to go back to Bygone Island?"

Georgette turned to Sherman. "Locked up!?"

Sherman looked ashamed. "Tundra was a monster who ruined so many lives. And… I didn't see any reason to fight against everyone's perceptions. I was willing to surrender to atone for my crimes, and I still am."

Georgette sighed. "Akhlut, could you…?"

"Of course."

The orca walked up to Sherman and smacked him upside the head with enough force to send him stumbling forward.

"Ow! What the hell was that for!?"

"For being ridiculous!" Georgette reprimanded. "You weren't yourself when you did all that! That was Julian's Dark Ring messing with your mind!"

"But Geor…!"

"No buts! And even if you do need to face some kind of justice you'd better make up for it out here helping out the youngbloods. Not locked in a cage to rot like some Mobini."

Georgette took a breath, calming herself down. "Besides, you've been away from your family long enough. We both have."

Sherman processed this, a smile coming over his face. "You always were the smart one."

"So…?" Skeeter asked, still waiting for his response.

"Naw Skeets," Sherman replied. "You're not goin' anywhere."

"Though we will be putting your enrollment in BLIZZARD on hold," Georgette added, to her son and his comrades' dismay. "At least until your father's given some proper training."

Skeeter perked at that. "Training? With Dad!? Really!?"

"It would seem so," Sherman replied, chuckling lightly. "I certainly won't object to showing you a thing or two." His gaze then drifted over to Rotor with a hopeful expression. "The offer extends to you as well, Boomer."

Rotor paused, thinking for a moment. "Yeah, alright! Eggman and his forces are getting stronger. So, I'm gonna need to step up my game."

"That reminds me…" Sherman said, his eyes turning to Robotnik's monitor. "Julian…"

"Y-Yes?" the doctor replied.

"I'm still pissed off for what you did to me." Sherman sighed, his expression softening somewhat. "But, thank you. For bringing me and my family back together." A smile came over his face. "And…I want you to know, despite all of that, you're still one of my closest friends."

Robotnik paused, his expression unreadable. "Sherman…I-I…"

He cleared his throat.

"Yes, very well. I'm…" Robotnik paused.

"That said," Sherman turned to Eggatha. "Missy, I seem to recall you mentioned some sort of barrier around that metal city of yours. One that keeps these kids from just teleporting in."

He gave her a knowing look, which she returned almost immediately.

"Oh, of course, Mr. Walrus…"

Giggling, Eggatha pulled out a tablet and began pressing buttons rapidly.

"Now kids, how exactly do you teleport?"

Kat smirked, pulling a small sack from her belt. She pulled it open, revealing her Warp Rings.

"Take one, picture where you want to go, then throw it."

"Thank you," he said as he took one, throwing it, then stepping through the portal.

"H-Hold on a moment!" Robotnik stammered. "Sherman, Agatha, what are you–!?"

"Boo."

All eyes turned to the monitor, where Robotnik stood, frozen in fear as an ominous shadow loomed over him. A huge, purple hand grabbed him by his shoulders and slowly lifted him up, while another did the same with the camera, revealing Sherman standing in the room with him.

"Computer, direct all cameras toward Citadel Robotnik. Top floor. Send all footage to Staff Officer Eggatha. Officer Code EB-02: Tundra the Walrus."

"Recognized. Command acknowledged," the computer replied.

"Thanks. And Julie?" Sherman turned to his former commander, giving him a wicked grin worthy of his darker self. "Grit your teeth."

Sherman ran toward the nearest window, still holding Robotnik, with the camera in hot pursuit.

"Sh-Sherman, wait…!" the doctor pleaded. "C-Can't we discuss this over a pint like civilized–!?"

The footage shifted to an exterior shot, showing Sherman leaping through the window with Robotnik, shattering it to pieces and sending the two plummeting toward the ground. As they fell, Sherman flipped Eggman around so he was holding him upside down and repositioned himself so he was sitting.

"Sherman! Stop! No! Pleeeeeease!"

"Glaciaaaal…BOOOOMBERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

Everyone watching winced at the impact, the ground shaking as a deafening crash echoed throughout Robotropolis, along with a massive cloud of dust. As the dust cleared, they saw Sherman standing next to Robotnik, the walrus having driven him into the ground like a fence post, his legs sticking up and twitching.

"Holy…" Chris whispered.

"Stinking…" Keith added.

"Shit…" Kat let out.

"Woo! Way to go, Dad!" Skeeter cheered, the rest of BLIZZARD joining in as Akhlut cackled uproariously.

Sherman then walked over to Robotnik, grabbed him by his legs, and proceeded to pluck him out of the ground like a vegetable. The doctor let out a disoriented groan as he hung limply; his glasses cracked and his mustache askew.

"Alright," Sherman said. " Now I forgive you."

"Hooraaaaaaaaaay…" Robotnik coughed. "Did somebody get the number of that bus? I've never felt anything so painful in my life, it's as if all my bones... are totally crushed. But don't worry about me, no sir, I'm gonna be totally fine. I hope I'm not being rude, but I'm gonna take a little nap now."

He let out a soft 'Bleh!' and passed out.

"AAAAAAnd post!" Eggatha declared.

"Send me that link," Hope requested.

"It's already on Flickee." She held up her tablet, revealing the video posted on her account.

"The Fall of Eggman." Hope snorted. "Oh, that's going to go viral in no time."

Everyone snickered as they pulled up their phones, with Rotor sharing his with his mom.

"Welp! It's been fun, guys!" Eggatha declared as she hopped off her seat. "But, that's our cue to leave. Akhlut, Bokkun…"

"Coming!" the messenger bot called.

Kat handed Eggatha a Warp Ring, which she used to open a portal to Robotropolis.

"Seeya next time, everyone!" she said with a wave as they passed through the portal.


Robotropolis

Sherman looked down at Robotnik's prone form with a mix of satisfaction and pity.

"Poor Julie…" he said with a sigh. "Hopefully one day, we'll be able to set you free too."

A bright flash and a low hum grabbed his attention. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Eggatha and her companions arriving through a Ring Portal.

"Here's your stop!" Eggatha said, gesturing toward the portal.

"Thanks, kiddo," Sherman replied before turning to Robotnik with a wince. "Sorry about your uncle..."

"Oh, don't worry." She gave said uncle a withering glare. "He had it coming."

"Personally, I think he got off easy," Akhlut added.

Sherman shrugged. "Maybe, but that's not up to us."

"So…" Akhlut said. "I guess this is goodbye."

Sherman nodded. 'Be well, old friend."

"Same to you. But, if I ever see you at the meeting table again…"

"Not gonna happen!" Sherman declared, holding his hands up defensively. "Georgette would skin both of us alive!"

The two rivals shared a laugh.

"Well Akhlut, it's been fun. Seeya on the field of glory."

"I look forward to it."

The two clasped hands, each looking the other in the eyes with an eager grin as they imagined the new battles they'd have in the future. Afterward, they released, and Sherman passed through the portal, stopping only to give Julian one last look before it closed behind him.

"Well," Akhlut sighed. "We'd better tell Boreas he's getting a promotion."

"Later…" Eggatha said as she turned to her uncle.

"A hundred bottles of liquid nitrogen on the wall / A hundred bottles of liquid nitrogeeeeen…"

"Akhlut?"

Akhlut nodded, then used his powers to lift Eggman.

"C'mon, Uncle Ivo, let's get you to the med-bay."

And with that, they made their way inside the Citadel to begin plotting their next scheme.


Author's Note:

And with this, the Tundra Arc comes to a heartwarming finish. Hope you all enjoyed the journey and look forward to the next installment.

Please R&R. Until next time!