-Chapter 276-
Tundra's Might
Station Square
Everyone looked on in terror at the Egg Soldiers, particularly the behemoth of a walrus standing at the podium.
"He's huge!" Tails exclaimed, intimidated by the sight.
"I-I didn't know Mobians could even get that big!" Chris added.
"He's...He's even bigger than Eggman," Hope managed. "He's Kodos big!"
"This is bad…" Kat let out. "Really bad."
"We have come to this city for one purpose and one purpose alone," Tundra declared. "To cleanse it of your filth once and for all! The Southern Realms have descended into rot. Your abundant, carefree lifestyle has made you soft...complacent...and weak. The flesh of the weak is the food of the strong…" Suddenly, several Robotnik Capture Capsules landed around the stadium. "...and it's time for the Einherjar to FEAST."
"Yeah?! Eat this!"
A blue blur jumped in, bouncing off several Egg Soldiers before landing superhero-style before Tundra.
"Ah, the Hedgehog." Tundra greeted. "I was hoping you'd be here."
"What can I say? I love a good contest. 'Specially when there's a chance of Eggheads showing up to crash it."
"Hey!" the polar bear cut in. "Watch your mouth, you overgrown pincushion!"
"You're talking to the supreme ruler of Great North!" the penguin added. "And his elite warriors! You will address us with the respect we de-!"
Tundra whacked the penguin on the head. "Shut up, Frazil."
"How about you hand over the Power Gems you stole from Jewel's museum, turn around and leave, and I won't have to kick your ass too badly?" Sonic suggested. "And by all means, Blubber Guts, please say no."
Tundra calmly walked up to Sonic, allowing the crowd to see just how much he towered over the three-foot-three hedgehog before him.
"Blubber Guts, eh? I'll have you know that only two percent of my body mass is fat," he cracked his knuckles. "Would you like to see what a metric ton of muscle (1) is capable of, boy?"
"Buddy, I've taken down robots over twice your size, and without Chaos Emeralds. I can take on a 'roided out sea lion with an overbite."
Tundra said nothing. Sonic raised an eyebrow.
"Uhhhh… Dude, this is the part where you're supposed to make a comeback."
"How about you show me what you're made of, and I'll see if you're worth the brain cells?" Tundra retorted before standing back, tapping his chest. "While there's absolutely nothing I'd rather do than stand here and listen to your witty banter until Ragnarok, I literally have a million better things to do. So, here's the deal. I want you to hit me as hard as you can."
"Oh, is that right?"
"Now, hold on. You might have misheard me. Not half as hard, not some arbitrary percentage... I want you. To hit me. As hard. As. You. Can."
Sonic looked wary. "And if I refuse?"
"Then I guess Akhlut was right about you."
At that, Sonic jumped back, engaging the Figure-Eight Peel-Out before charging forward. Once he was at close range, Sonic aimed a kick directly at Tundra's torso, which landed solidly and sent a shockwave out that shattered several windows... but the walrus barely even flinched.
"Oooooh..." Tundra let out. "Consider that nerve touched."
Sonic slowly lowered his leg. "...Did that hurt at all?"
"Little bit," Tundra grabbed him by the throat, lifting him like a pillow. "But it's all a part of the job."
With an idle flick of the wrist, he sent Sonic flying several dozen feet, smashing through a brick wall
"By Aurora..." Lara-Le gasped.
"Sonic!" Sally shrieked.
"Oh Fugg…" Kat managed.
"Alright, enough banter!" Tundra stood tall. "Boreas! Glacia! Frazil! Firn! Start sealing the area! Nobody escapes."
"Yes, Master Tundra!"
"Affirmative."
"Finally, some action!"
Tundra turned to the caribou. "And Berg?"
"Yes sir?"
"Remember what we discussed."
Berg sweated. "Yes sir."
"Good."
"Sal, call in backup!" Knuckles ordered.
"On it." Sally nodded. "Nicole!"
"Already on its way."
"BLIZZARD!" Guntiver called out. "Help the Freedom Fighters get the civilians to safety!"
"Right!"
"Einherjar!" Tundra bellowed. "Attack!"
The Egg Soldiers all rush out, weapons drawn and heading for the crowd. As soon as they did, they began grabbing people and shoving them into the capsules; some at gunpoint.
"That's right…" Tundra said. "Round up as many as you can! They will–!"
He perked, then looked over his shoulder, just in time to see Knuckles charge forward and jump on his shoulder before rapidly punching him in the face. The walrus just stood there, bored, as Knuckles' fists hit him around the head and nose.
"Please." Tundra caught his fist mid-punch.
"What the...!?"
"You're supposed to be the strongest? My grandma punches harder than you."
With a loud crunch, Tundra crushed Knuckles' hand, the echidna screaming in agony before being tossed aside.
"NO!" Lara-Le shrieked.
"KNUCKLES!" Kat jumped in the air, her bat swirling with flames as she prepared to bring it down on Tundra's head. However, the walrus just reached out and caught it.
"Ahhh...there you are. I knew that would draw you out, Winters."
Kat tried to free her bat, but it wouldn't budge. To say she was terrified would have been an understatement.
"You…" she swallowed hard. "You're stronger than me…"
"The strongest in the realm."
"HEY!"
Knuckles charged back, punching Tundra in the back. He reared back with his other hand, which glowed red-hot before he hit Tundra with all his might. The resulting explosion actually staggered Tundra briefly, while Knuckles reeled back, shouting in pain and holding his hand. This revealed that his glove had been burned off by the strike... and the sheer force of it had snapped the spikes on his fist clean off, leaving bloody stumps. The blow allowed Kat to break free from his grip, an opportunity she used to strike him in the head with her bat. Tundra's head swerved to the side as he spat up a wad of saliva and blood, as he let out a pained gurgle, allowing the knuckleheads to kick him away and into the stage.
"Knuckles, are you okay?" Kat asked.
"My spikes..." Knuckles winced. "Haven't done that since I was little. Well, at least they grow back."
"Forget your spikes, that guy crushed your hand! Of all the days to not have a- MOVE!"
She grabbed Knuckles and pulled him out of the way seconds before the oak podium came crashing down, having been thrown by Tundra. The walrus was panting heavily, exhaling icy mist with each breath. His sunglasses were cracked, and there was a tiny cut on his lower lip; but despite that, he was still standing.
"Alright, I actually felt that." He licked his lips, letting out a small chuckle. "It's been a long time since I tasted my own blood."
"He's not even phased…" Knuckles let out, eyes the size of dinner plates.
"Yóu gǔrén…" Kat whispered in horror.
"What's the matter, Winters? You should be proud. Not many can actually make me feel pain, let alone wound me. You will make an amazing Einherjar."
A wicked grin crept over his face, one that gave both of the guardians chills. Kat let out a shuddering breath, then steeled herself, her grip on her bat tightening
"We need to hold this guy off long enough to evacuate," Knuckles said.
"Knux…" Kat cut in. "If Tundra is this strong… just what kind of monsters are his subordinates?"
-X-
Meanwhile, a pile of smashed bricks shifted as Sonic pulled himself out. He let out a pained groan, rubbing his head.
"Awww geez… Anybody get the license number on that GUN truck?"
"Sonic!" Sally ran over to him. "Are you alright?!"
"Sally, I just got my strongest attack no-selled and thrown across the track field like big, blue baseball, so… not really."
"Good, you're making wisecracks. We still got–"
Sonic's spines twitched before he perked. "HEADS UP!"
He tackled Sally out of the way in time to avoid several sharp shards of ice flying at them.
"Shit, that was close."
"Impressive."
The two looked up to see Boreas land before them.
"You've got good instincts, I'd expect nothing less from Longclaw's boy."
Sonic's eyes narrowed as a few beads of sweat trickled down his head. "So you know her, and me. That saves me a few questions." He assumed a combat stance. "So, here's the rest. Who the hell are you?"
"Boreas the Snowy Owl," he replied with a bow. "Sub-Boss to Master Tundra and leader of his elite generals, the Frozen Four; and - as you correctly deduced - the one responsible for the attack on the Spiral Hill Mineral Museum."
"Why did you attack the museum?" Sally demanded.
Boreas sneered. "Because that beetle wouldn't let me bring ale inside, what the hell do you think? I came for the Power Gems. All of them were amazing weapons capable of turning the tide of any battle, and they were just... sitting there, gathering dust." He shook his head. "Shameful. So, I took them so they could be used by people who actually understand their purpose. Not that you need to worry about that. You'll be dead in a few minutes."
Boreas stared directly at Sonic and Sally; his eyes glowing icy blue and his cloak and feathers seeming to move of their own accord. It was like staring down death itself.
"Sonic..."
"Way ahead of ya!"
Sonic grabbed Sally and ran off as Boreas let out a horrific shriek. Ice began sprouting all around him and spreading rapidly.
"Well, that explains all the ice!" Sonic shouted.
"It's too fast!" Sally cried. "We're not gonna make it!"
"Don't count me out yet, Sal!" Sonic broke into a Figure-Eight Peel-Out and darted off, allowing them to outrun the rapidly spreading freezing. "Alright, now I just gotta circle back around and we can get grim and creepy right in the back!"
"Is that right?"
Sonic and Sally froze as they looked to the side to see Boreas looming over them, talons extended and primed to grab them by their faces, and eyes glaring at them with cold contempt.
"I expected better from the Hero of Mobius."
As the owl's clawed hands drew closer, darkening their field of vision, Sonic remembered Tanaka's words from earlier about Artik Mobians:
They had Blood of Fire and Hearts of Ice.
-X-
As this was going on, Amy, Cream, and Erma were leading the civilians to safety.
"C'mon!" Amy cried. "This way!" She turned to Cream. "Cream, are any of them following us?"
"Uh-uh," Cream replied. "They all seemed to be distracted by the others."
"That's the Einherjar for you," Erma commented. "Always itching for a fight."
"Clearly," Amy remarked. "They're all monsters…"
Erma grimaced. "You don't know the half of it."
Suddenly, there was a loud crash as part of the wall ahead of them exploded. As the dust settled, the group watched in horror as the polar bear and Frazil walked through the hole.
"Goin' somewhere, folks?" the ice bear chuckled darkly.
Amy placed Cream behind her, brandishing her hammer.
"Amy…" Cream said nervously. "That bear's even bigger than Mister Gust."
"Yeah…" Amy swallowed nervously but kept her cool. "I know."
"Alright people, listen up!" the bear shouted. "You got two choices: surrender now and become our slaves…" her grin redoubled. "...or refuse and die where you stand."
"Your fight is with us, you bitch!" Erma snapped. "Leave the civilians out of this!"
"Civilians?" the polar bear scoffed. "I'd expect that kind of talk from a Southerner, but from a Child of the North?" she shook her head in pity, then glared right at the three girls. "Listen closely, little girls. There are two kinds of people in this world: Masters and Slaves. Wolves and Sheep. Warriors and Weaklings."
"And we're starin' down a whole, pathetic flock ready for the dinner plate!" Frazil cut in, then broke out into a squawking laugh…only for Glacia to hit him.
"Ow!"
"Shut up, Frazil!" the bear snapped.
"You so much as look at these people wrong, and you'll be in for a world of hurt!" Amy warned.
The bear smirked. "Oh, with what? That little, toy hammer of yours?"
The pink hedgehog's eyes sprang open. "TOY HAMMER!?"
"You got slush in your ears, brat? I said you're wielding a damn toy."
Amy scowled before throwing the hammer at Glacia, who casually leaned her head to the side.
"Ha! You missed me-" the polar bear was cut off as the Piko Piko Hammer came flying back on the rebound, striking her in the back of the head as it returned to Amy's hand.
"Still think this is a toy?" Amy remarked.
The ice bear's response was to growl and snarl like her Mobini counterpart, her eyes red and bloodshot from sheer rage.
"That's what I thought."
Amy twirled her hammer in her hands, then extended it, much to the surprise of the others.
"The hell!?" the Einherjar shouted.
Just as quickly, Amy brought the hammer down on her, forcing her onto her knees.
"Nice work, Amy!" Cream cheered.
"Now, it's my turn!" Erma declared, rushing right at the Einherjar.
"Erma, wait!" Amy called out, but the ermine didn't listen and leaped at the downed polar bear, delivering a crushing kick to her head. The polar bear roared in pain as blood came out of her nose, staining her white fur.
"Now take this!" Erma began delivering a rapid combo of kicks, forcing her opponent onto the defensive. Though she blocked every blow, the young Freedom Fighter was managing to push the larger warrior back; much to her frustration.
"Dammit…Frazil!"
"WAWRK!?" the penguin squawked in confusion.
"Don't 'WAWRK' at me, you idiot! Make yourself useful and help before I pluck, scourge, and serve you on the dinner plate!"
"WAWRK! Yes ma'am! Right away ma'am!"
Frazil breathed out a cloud of icy mist, which rapidly solidified into a whip made of crystal ice in his hands. He gave it a few practice swings before grinning evilly.
"Have a taste of the lash, pinky!" Frazil swung his whip at Erma, grabbing her by the ankle. "Gotcha!"
Frazil pulled the whip with strength far beyond what his plump, tiny body should've been capable of, dragging Erma towards him and into a dropkick that introduced her face to the pavement.
"Erma!" Amy cried out.
"Damn brat…" the ice bear groused. "I can't believe I let this damn sheep get the drop on me."
"What do you wanna do with her, Glacia?" Frazil asked. "Should we keep her?"
Glacia carefully examined Erma, scratching her chin with her free hand. Erma just glared at her defiantly, teeth grit; refusing to give the Einherjar the satisfaction of seeing her fear.
"Nah," Glacia waved her hand dismissively. "She's got spunk, but that's about it. Besides, the last ermine we had didn't even last a month before he gave out."
Erma's eyes widened in horror, but also…rage.
Seeing this, Cream let out a high-pitched whistle. On cue, Cheese flew forward at high speed, tucked into an aerial Spin Dash and coated in a blue aura, before slamming into Frazil's face, knocking him flat on his back; followed by Glacia's, who gripped her already bloodied nose in pain. The blows caused Frazil to drop his whip, which melted into nothing, freeing Erma.
"Amy!" the rabbit screamed.
"On it!" Amy gripped her hammer, causing it to grow huge, leaving Glacia and Frazil stunned.
"WAWRK!?"
"What the...!?"
"Take this!"
Amy swung the hammer down on the penguin and polar bear, leaving behind a large and deep crater where they once stood.
"She did it!" one civilian cheered. "Amy beat them!"
"No," she said. "All that did was incapacitate them. We gotta go!"
"Right!" Cream turned to Erma. "Miss Erma! Come on!"
"Are you kidding!?" Erma objected. "Now's our chance to finish them!"
Amy gaped at the ermine. "Are you nuts!?"
"We need to get everyone to safety!" Cream pleaded.
"Then get them to safety," Erma snapped. "I'm-Hey, let go of my arm!"
With that, Amy and Cream resumed leading the civilians to safety, dragging an irate Erma the entire time. As they did, Glacia and Frazil climbed their way out of the pit they'd been left in.
"Okay…" Glacia grit out. "Now, I'm mad."
"Looks like they ran away, Glacia," Frazil pointed out.
"And they took our fresh meat with them…" the polar bear slammed her fist on the ground so hard, the pavement cracked. "Dammit! Just for that, I'm gonna bring this whole, damn stadium down on them!"
"WAWRK!? Are you crazy!?"
"I'm pissed off, that's what!"
Suddenly, Glacia was hit in the face with an energy blast.
"Glacia!" Frazil panicked.
"Rrrrgh…who dares!?"
"I dare."
The Einherjar turned toward the direction Amy and the others had come from and found themselves staring down Johnny, Porker, Tekno, and Shorty, the latter wearing his Shortfuse Suit, blaster hand still smoking.
"Who the hell are these losers?" Glacia asked.
"Team Fleetway. Knothole Freedom Fighters." Johnny said. "You must be with the new Egg Army."
"Either that or she's a really irate curling fan," Tekno chimed in.
"Uhh Tekno…" Porker began nervously.
"What? Have you seen how crazy Artikans get over it?" the canary asked. "Seriously, I thought the hockey fans were scary."
"Speaking of scary…" the pig pointed at Glacia, whose eyes were glowing icy blue.
"Well Frazil," the polar bear began as she reached for her war hammer. "Looks like we're not gonna go home empty-handed after all."
She raised the hammer above her head and slammed it into the ground, creating a small earthquake that nearly knocked Team Fleetway off their feet.
"Alright, sheep…" Glacia said with a feral grin. "Which one of you's got what it takes to take on Glacia the Polar Bear of the Frozen Four!?"
-X-
Across the Field…
Julie-Su, Tails, and the rest of Team Thorndyke (sans Kat) were defending everyone from the Einherjar.
"Damn!" Julie fired her blaster. "These guys just keep coming!"
"Yeah!" Skeeter said, swinging at one with his bat. "These guys are the strongest in the whole Empire! They don't know when to quit!"
"It's Kage and Akhlut all over again!" Keith hit an attacker with a Nitro Ball, who just shrugged it off and continued their assault.
Tails ducked an attack before lashing out with his tails, smacking one in the face. His head reeled back before he slowly faced the fox again, revealing nothing more than a cut on his chin
"By Aurora, these guys are tough!"
The soldier lunged at Tails, only for his attack to be blocked by Antoine.
"Huh!?"
"I would call you out for attacking a child…" Antoine began, "But right now, I feel like skipping the banter and just cutting you down."
Bunnie flew overhead, firing multiple plasma shots that forced the Einherjar back, giving the group some breathing room. "Sorry we're late!"
"Bunnie! Antoine!" Chris cheered.
"Nice timing, you two!" Julie gave a thumbs-up.
"Indeed." the wolf slowly walked over to them. "You have saved me the trouble of tracking you down later."
"What the..." Bunnie managed.
Antoine raises an eyebrow. The wolf wasn't like any of his soldiers, or anyone in the Egg Army period. Most of the fighters present were bloodthirsty killers; eager to fight, capture, or kill anyone they crossed paths with; but not Firn. His stance and movements were concise and methodical, but stiff. His voice was monotone and devoid of emotion, much like his eyes; which looked more like a pair of fogged windows the more he stared at them. All in all, he made Antoine feel uneasy; but, he had a duty to fulfill and he would not let fear and unease interfere with it.
"You must be the one in charge of these bâtards."
"Affirmative." The wolf nodded. "Firn the Artik Wolf. Einherjar. Frozen Four."
"Antoine D'Coolette. Coyote. Kingdom of Acorn. Freedom Fighters." He raised his blade in salute.
Firn nodded. "Acknowledged. Prepare to die."
Firn immediately charged Antoine at blinding speed; the coyote barely raised his blade in time to parry the strike.
"Ma déesse!" (2)
"Reaction time, strength, and fortitude exceed projected parameters," Firn listed off. "Impressive. Changing mission objective to capture."
Antoine pushed back against Firn, staggering him.
"En garde!" Antoine proceeded to thrust his saber at the wolf, only for him to evade and parry all of his blows with ease.
"Damn, Antoine can't even hit him!" Chris said.
"Guys, something's wrong with this guy," Hope said, her eyes narrowing.
"I know, Hope. This feller is flesh and blood, but he talks and acts like a robot," Bunnie said.
Hope shook her head. "Not just that Bunnie… There's something wrong with his body."
"He's been Cyberized, Hope," Keith pointed out.
"No, not that. I mean–"
"His body temperature is going up!" Julie-Su interrupted.
"Wait, what!?" the boys exclaimed.
"Engaging Fire Mode."
Suddenly, Firn's body flared up, a fiery aura enveloping him.
"What is in the world…!?" Antoine asked, only for the wolf to suddenly vanish. "Quoi!?"
Antoine's ears perked, prompting him to turn around just in time for Firn to slash him with his claws, shredding his coat and carving deep gashes into his chest.
"ANT!" Keith cried out.
"Freedom Fighter defeated," Firn stated as he shook the blood from his claws. "Beginning capture."
He reached for his downed opponent, only to leap back in time to avoid a laser blast. He grimaced, then looked up to see Bunnie aiming her smoking blaster right at him, a look of pure rage in her eyes.
"Get. The hell. Away from him," she warned.
"Request denied," Firn stated. "Antoine D'Coolette will be captured and taken back to Artika with the rest of the prisoners." The wolf took a deep breath as ice formed around his hands, before shattering into a pair of daggers. "Turn back or you will be cut down as well."
Bunnie narrowed her eyes. "Let me respond to that in the following way."
Bunnie charged at Firn, tackling the wolf and pinning him to the ground.
"Go!" she called out to the others. "Get e'eryone else outta here! This varmint's mine!
"Got it!" Keith nodded, then ran off, motioning for the others to follow. "C'mon, this way!"
"What!? What are you guys doing!? We–Hey!" Skeeter protested as Julie-Su grabbed him.
"C'mon Skeeter, we gotta go!"
"Hey, put me down!"
As Keith and the others fled, Chris and Hope grabbed Antoine.
"C'mon Antoine," Hope said. "Don't you die on us."
As the group fled, Firn struggled to break free from Bunnie's grasp, to no avail.
"So, Woofy," Bunnie said. "Any last words 'fore I show ya how to play dead!?"
"Impressive," Firn said, confusing Bunnie. "Your abilities also exceed projected parameters." His eyes began glowing. "You will also be captured."
"Capture this!" Bunnie punched Firn in the face with her cyber-arm, giving him a black eye. She then activated her jet boots and took off, still holding onto him. Once she was high enough, she threw him down and aimed her blaster at him once again.
"So long, Poochy! Seeya in St. Lucci!"
She fired off a huge blast, seemingly blasting the Einherjar into the ground below.
"Whew!" Bunnie wiped the sweat from her brow. "Welp, that takes care of tha–"
She was suddenly cut off by the sound of metal on metal, followed by a loud snapping and sparking sound. She looked down at her cyber-legs and saw that they'd been severed at the knees; the bulk of the prostheses falling to the ground below.
"Wh-What?" was all that Bunnie could utter before she fell to the ground. Thinking quickly, she aimed her blaster at the ground and fired it off at full power.
"Come on, come on…!"
With a loud crash, she hit the ground. Fortunately, the blast slowed down her landing enough to save her life. Unfortunately, from the sickening crack she heard from her ribs and her arm, she'd broken something.
"Agh! Dammit…" she winced, struggling to get up as best she could. Her vision was growing blurry. "An…toine…"
The last thing she saw before she passed out was Firn slowly making his way toward her.
Citadel Robotnik Archives
Eggatha looked on in shock as Beauregard finished sharing his theory.
"I…No way…that's…"
"Yeah…" the rabbit nodded solemnly. "It's pretty messed up."
"I…I know my uncle is evil, I have no delusions about that," she shuddered. "But that…that's just…"
"Agatha!"
Suddenly, Metal Sonic burst into the room, startling everyone.
"Metal!?"
"Turn on the news, now!"
"What!? What are you–!?"
"There's no time, just do it!"
Eggatha did as she was told and accessed a news feed from the computer.
"What the hell!?" she exclaimed, nearly falling out of her seat as an air feed of the Einherjars' attack began.
"It's complete chaos at Station Square Middle School," Scarlet Garcia began. "The temperature has plummeted to negative twelve degrees Fahrenheit and what can only be described as a rainbow portal has opened up, bringing with it what eyewitnesses report as the latest addition to Dr. Robotnik's new and improved Egg Army. The soldiers have already abducted several people and taken them to an unknown location; any casualties and injuries remain unknown. Fortunately, the Freedom Fighters are already on the job and have begun making efforts to push them back. More details as the incident unfolds."
"Hell's bells…" Beauregard let out. "It's an Aurora-damned war out there!"
"Just what the hell is Dr. Robotnik having them do down there, Agatha!?" Metal demanded, only to find her intently studying the footage.
"Agatha?"
"Ya alright there, Aggie?"
"He's not there," she replied, earning her puzzled looks from the others.
"Who isn't there?" Beau asked.
"Akhlut." the young Robotnik grimaced. "He asked Uncle Ivo let him go on the mission to make sure Tundra and his cronies don't pull a Kage. But he's not in the footage and they didn't even mention him!"
"Maybe they're lying to keep folks from panicking?" Cubot suggested.
"Don't be stupid, Cubot," Eggatha snapped. "Akhlut's the guy who beat Sonic. If anything, they'd think he was the one leading the attack."
Cubot's eyes lit up in realization (literally). "Hey, you're right!"
"But if Akhlut's not helping with the attack…" Orbot began. "Where is he?"
Meanwhile…
Rotor had donned his Iron Rotor suit and was fighting his way through waves of Einherjar, searching for Tangle and Shadow.
"Damn, where are they?"
"Boomer!" he looked to the side to see Flip running alongside him.
"Flip!"
"Your black hedgehog buddy and the raccoon chick are over there! Some crazy reindeer and his goons are trying to snatch'em!"
"What!?" Rotor exclaimed.
"Follow me!"
Elsewhere, Berg and a squad of Einherjar were loading Shadow and Tangle's frozen bodies toward a pair of Robotnik's capsules. Tangle had already been loaded on, while Shadow was in the middle of being carried off.
"Be careful with the Ultimate Lifeform!" Berg ordered. "He's a creation of Dr. Robotnik's grandfather and he will not be happy if he's harmed in–"
Berg suddenly turned around and fired a shot from a rifle-like cryo-blaster he was carrying; a blast Flip and Rotor barely managed to dodge.
"Get the hell away from them!" Rotor shouted.
"You do and we'll beat you half to death," Flip added, assuming a kung-fu stance.
"Rotor Walrus…" Berg said. "I was hoping you would be here."
Rotor paused. "You…know who I am?"
"Yes." The Einherjar nodded. "I doubt there's a soul in Iceborough who doesn't know Sherman Walrus' sons."
"Of course." Rotor narrowed his eyes, then perked. "Wait, you're from Iceborough!?"
The Egg Soldier nodded. "I am. Berg the Caribou. I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but I doubt you reciprocate."
"You and your buddies are trying to kill my friends and hurt innocent people, Berg. Of course, I don't. Now, step aside and let me thaw out Tangle and Shadow. If you don't…" he assumed a combat stance, his gloves glowing with energy. "I'll make you."
Berg sighed. "A pity…" he pumped his blaster; the weapon letting out a sound as it began to glow. "Now I have to hurt you."
Berg aimed Flip and Rotor prepared to rush him…
"Stand down, Berg."
Only for the group to pause as the sound of wingbeats echoed through the stadium. The assembled Freedom Fighters and Egg Soldiers looked up to see Boreas descending, a chunk of ice in his talons.
"Boreas…" Rotor said; his voice and stance growing tense and nervous.
"Rotor," the owl greeted. "Long time no see, my boy. You appear to be doing well for yourself. Last we met, you looked positively miserable."
"Boomer?" Flip asked worriedly.
"Not now, Flip," the walrus snapped before taking a deep breath. "Not now…"
"Master Boreas!" Berg saluted. "We have everything under control! I–"
"I know, Berg," the owl soothed. "I'm just here to make a quick drop off."
Rotor and Flip gaped in horror as the owl set the hunk of ice on the ground, revealing the frozen, terrified forms inside.
"Sonic! Sally!" Rotor cried out.
"Both the Freedom Fighters' Leaders at once!?" Berg exclaimed. "Amazing work, Master Boreas! Boss Tundra will be most pleased!"
"Yes, I'm sure he will," Boreas said, his voice almost sad before shaking it off. "Have your men load them into the transporter and get them back to the ship. We've more than enough prisoners."
"Yes sir!"
"NO!"
Before Berg and his goons could make to grab Sonic and Sally, Rotor let out a mighty bellow and charged forward, tackling the caribou with all his might, getting him in a grapple.
"You're not taking them anywhere!" Rotor roared, fist raised in preparation to smash Berg's face in, only for the caribou's antlers to glow, energy gathering between them.
"Freyrhorn, fire!"
Rotor's eyes widened as a beam of blue light shot from Berg's antlers, launching him several feet in the air and away from him and onto the ground.
"Boomer!" Flip cried out. He ran to save him, but Boreas grabbed him with his talons and pinned him to the ground.
"Flip!" Rotor attempted to get up and save his friend, only for Berg to step on his chest and aim his blaster at him.
"Your loyalty to your friends is impressive, but you never stood a chance." the blaster hummed to life. "Fear not though, you will join your ancestors in Valhalla."
Completely helpless, Rotor could only close his eyes and wait for the inevitable. But before he could, a howling wind surged through the area, knocking Berg and his comrades off their feet.
"By the Aesir!" Boreas exclaimed, the owl being the only one left standing. He perked, then raised a wing, which sparked and let out a loud clanking noise.
"Impressionnant comme toujours, M. Boreas. (3)" The owl looked over his wing to see Gust standing several feet away from him, with Sealia slumped over his shoulder, holding a cryo-blaster of her own. "A pity we have to have you as an enemy."
"Sealia! Gust!" Rotor called out.
"Whoop! The cavalry has arrived!" Flip cheered.
"Augustus, again!" Sealis ordered.
"Got it, sis!" the polar bear took a deep breath, the inside of his mouth glowing icy blue.
"You're wide open!" Boreas shouted as he raised his wing, his talon also glowing. But before he could attack, something sparkling caught his eye. He looked down and saw a pair of frosted marbles stuck to his wing; marbles which were rapidly twinkling the same icy blue as his talons.
"Oh blast it all…"
Suddenly, plumes of ice erupted from the marbles completely encasing Boreas' wing and causing him to topple over.
"Now!" Sealia shouted, prompting Gust to let out a roar and a massive gust of frigid wind, launching the owl and the remaining Einherjar away, while Flip clung to the ground as best he could. After a few seconds, Augustus stopped.
"Whew!" the polar bear shouted, taking a moment to catch his breath. "That was…wow…"
"You did good, petit frère," Sealis praised, patting Gust's head before turning to the others. "Are you two alright?"
"Uuugh…yeah," Rotor said as he struggled to get up. "Thanks for the save."
"We were trying to save Flip," Gust said, giving Rotor a heated glare. "You're just an unpleasant bonus, Tusker."
"Augustus!" Sealia snapped, slapping her brother upside the head.
"Ow! What was that for!?"
"For being an asshole!"
"Oh come on, sis! After everything he did!?"
"That's no excuse to leave him at the mercy of the Einherjar!" Sealia shook her head. "BLIZZARD exists to protect everyone from monsters like them; regardless of our personal feelings."
"Seriously, uncool Gust," Flip said, as he dusted himself off.
Gust winced as he turned to Rotor; his glare softening a little. He let out a sigh.
"Yeah…sorry, I–"
Suddenly, the sound of a rocket launching echoed through the stadium. The group turned toward where the noise was coming from and watched in horror as the two capsules took off, along with several others that had been scattered about the stadium.
"No!" Rotor cried out. "Sonic! Guys!"
A loud crash sounded as something came flying in behind him.
"Dammit…" Kat said as she slowly sat up.
Rotor turned to see a badly wounded Kat lying in a crater in the bleachers.
"Kat!"
"Help her!" Flip shouted. "We'll save the others!"
"What!?"
"No time to explain! Just gimme one of those Warp Rings Sally told Gunt about!"
Without a second thought, Rotor pulled a Warp Ring from his suit pockets and handed it to Flip. Afterward, the penguin turned to Augustus.
"Gust, gimme a boost!" he called out.
"On it!"
Flip ran over and hopped into the polar bear's hands. As soon as he did, he laid down on his stomach; his arms to his side and his legs straight. Gust held him like a football and aimed at the two capsules.
"Ready…aim…THROW!"
With one mighty swing of his arm, Gust hurled Flip into the air right toward the capsules. The penguin flew like a torpedo, gritting his teeth as he rose into the air.
"Almost there…just a little more…!"
After about fifteen seconds, Flip passed by the capsules and was positioned right above them. Unfortunately, they were rapidly gaining on him.
"Damn…" he cursed. "I'll only be able to stop one." He sighed. "Don't worry, we'll be back for you."
Without a second thought, he dived at the capsule closest to him and slammed his flippers onto the button, causing it to burst open, revealing Sonic and Sally. He then dived toward the frozen chunk.
"Alright, I got'em!" He pulled out the Warp Ring. "Hope we're not going too fast."
He threw the ring downward, opening up a portal, which both he and the ice chunk fell through.
-X-
Back on the ground, Kat wasn't doing so well. She was bleeding from a head wound and her clothes were scuffed. Her athletic sleeve was completely ripped off, and she was missing a shoe. It was only a miracle that let her keep a hold of her bat. Knuckles wasn't doing much better, his gloves red with blood as more dripped from between his teeth. He looked like he was struggling to stand. Even so, both of them were still getting into fighting stances, refusing to back down
"Impressive." came Tundra's voice. "Even after all this, you continue fighting. Unbowed and unbroken."
"Please…" Knuckles heaved. "This is…nothing."
"I could…Hoo…do this…all day…" Kat wheezed.
"Good." Tundra grinned. "And once you join the ranks of the Einherjar, you will be doing just that, and for a worthier cause than protecting this weak, pathetic world."
Both of them charged at Tundra, yelling as they did. They struck him head-on, but the walrus didn't even budge. He grabbed Knuckles by the face, holding him aloft before throwing him all the way across the athletics field. The echidna skidded several feet, plowing a deep trench in the icy ground before stopping. He didn't get back up.
"KNUCKLES!" Kat shrieked in horror. But before she could do anything, Tundra grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground. She gasped and choked, clawing at his hand to try and relieve the pressure; her legs kicking, but unable to reach him, and her nails lacking the strength to pierce his skin. Tundra smirked at her efforts and the fire that remained in her eyes.
"Yes..." he whispered in reverence. "Stunning. Absolutely stunning! This is the fire that defeated a dragon! And with that fire, we will purge this world of the filth and parasites that poison it! Just as soon as you stop being stubborn and SUBMIT!"
Suddenly, a blur of red leaped at Tundra from behind and started biting and clawing at him, causing to drop Kat. Coughing and wheezing, the girl looked up to see Guntiver pouncing on top of Tundra; the wolf clawing and biting at the walrus as he tried to pull him off.
"You're not taking anybody else, you bastard!" Guntiver shouted.
"Get off me!" Tundra reached behind and grabbed Guntiver; the lupine leader of BLIZZARD let out a yelp as the walrus ripped him off and slammed him into the ground. Kat could only watch in horror as the wolf let out a whine before he lost consciousness, unable to call out his name.
"Miserable cur…" Tundra growled as he raised his boot over his downed opponent. "Let me show you what we do to dogs who don't obey their masters!"
"Get away from them!"
"Hm!?"
Suddenly, Rotor charges into Tundra and slugged him. The larger walrus moved back a single step, looking more surprised at first, but it was clear from the tiny amount of blood he spat up that Rotor had managed to wound him…and piss him off even more.
"Rrrrgh…who dares!?" His eyes fell on Rotor and suddenly, it was as if the world truly froze.
"You…" Tundra whispered, his rage vanished entirely. "You're…"
Rotor capitalized on Tundra's stupor with another punch to the face, followed by a double energy blast from both his hands, blasting the Egg Boss back into the bleachers.
"Gotcha…" Rotor whispered before turning to Kat. "Kat! Can you hear me?"
She looked up at Rotor and nodded; the walrus winced at her bruised throat.
"Alright. That blast didn't take him down, so listen close. You need to grab Guntiver and as many Freedom Fighters as you can and get out of here. Sonic and Sally are down for the count, and they managed to capture Tangle and Shadow. I'll buy you as much as I can, but you need to move, NOW!"
Kat attempted to protest, but then she turned to Guntiver's badly battered body and the trail of destruction left from Knuckles' impromptu flight. Realizing the odds were not in their favor, she nodded and did as she was told, throwing Guntiver over her shoulder and booking it.
"Good girl," Rotor whispered as the sound of creaking wood and deep breathing greeted his ears. "And not a moment too soon."
He grimaced as the pile of ruined bleachers cracked and shifted, then exploded as Tundra burst out of the wreckage, roaring loud enough to wake the dead. The larger walrus panted loudly, his hands trembling with rage as his fingers tensed and flexed as if he were squeezing something - no, strangling someone. His cracked sunglasses were completely broken, revealing a pair of green eyes, red and bloodshot from pure, unadulterated rage.
"You…" he gritted out, stepping out of the wreckage. "Finally…after all these years, I've finally found you!"
He slowly removed his hood, revealing his face…
"Son."
"Hey Dad," Rotor greeted mirthlessly, locking eyes with none other than Sherman Walrus. "Long time no see."
Author's Note:
(1): Based on information I found. The average adult walrus weighs somewhere between 1750 pounds and 3750 pounds.
(2): French for "My Goddess!"
(3): French for "Impressive as always, Mister Boreas."
Yep! Tundra was Sherman Walrus the whole time! Can Rotor stand against the might of his own father?
Please R&R. Until next time!