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| - "Family Matters" - Part One: In Castle Acorn, Sonic and the Council of Acorn are watching a transmission via NICOLE projecting it as a hologram; Guntiver the Wolf of the Arctic Freedom Fighters is requesting assistance. In the recording, he explains that the brainwashed Walrus Herd has been seen both constructing and protecting what appears to be a giant refueling station, though Guntiver adds that it seems too big for that. He finishes by saying that if anyone is available, they'd appreciate them coming up to the Northern Tundra to help. NICOLE concludes the transmission, earning a stuttered thanks from Councilor Dylan. Sensing something is off, NICOLE asks if everything is okay, and he and Councilor Penelope Platypus hastily assure her that it's fine. NICOLE turns away understanding what they mean. Sonic, meanwhile, says that unless Sally Acorn and Amy Rose have turned up anything in their search of the Eggdome, he's free to go up north and help the Arctic Freedom Fighters. He turns to Councilor Rotor and tells him he just needs to pack some warm clothes, and they can head out soon, but Rotor looks distressed. Councilor Hamlin interjects that Rotor isn't leaving; Sonic flatly replies that he wasn't asking the pig's permission. Hamlin explains that Rotor is a retired Freedom Fighter and that his duty is now to the Council of Acorn, and to the people of the republic; Sonic protests that it's Rotor's family that's in danger, but Rotor tells him it's okay. Sonic is about to protest, but Rotor says that Hamlin is right - his place is with the Council. Sonic asks Rotor if he was sure, and Rotor insists he knows that he can count on Sonic to save his family. Sonic ca't argue with what Rotor said. and announced that he'll get some Power Rings and be on his way; Elias Acorn concludes the meeting is over if there is no other business. As the Councilors leave, Rotor whispers to NICOLE, asking her to meet him at his home later on. NICOLE, although puzzled, agrees to this. Later, Sonic arrives in the Northern Tundra, using the Power Rings to significantly boost his speed. He skids to a stop in front of Guntiver, apologizing for not being able to respond to the message immediately, because he had been busy with something further south. Sonic then asks where the rest of his team is. Guntiver tells Sonic that the're down below and invites him into the Arctic Freedom Fighter base via an igloo door downstairs. Guntiver is sure that Sonic must be freezing from his journey, but Sonic remarks that he was moving so fast with the power rings that he was carrying that the cold couldn't keep up with him. Sonic meets the rest of the team down below and remarks that it's been forever since he saw them. Sealia eagerly hugs him, saying that the last time they had all been together was when they stopped Dr. Ivo Robotnik's Weather Annihilator. Sonic agrees it has been a long time and admits he had thought the team had disbanded. Guntiver explains that originally, they weren't really even Freedom Fighters but more of an activist group. Erma pointedly adds "some of us wanted to be more proactive", resulting in a glare from Guntiver and an uneasy look from Sonic. Guntiver continues on, saying that when the Eggman Empire started tighteening it's grip up there, they had decided to firmly unite against him and protect their home together. Sonic asks what the plan is and Erma remarks that they were just about to go over that. Guntiver tells her to explain the plan to everyone. Erma then goes over what they know about the facility from Flip and Sealia's reconnaissance, which consists of a subaquatic base run by the Legionnaires themselves while mind-controlled Walruses operate the surface base. Combining their own cybernetically boosted sonar abilities with a Psionic Emitter on top of their Totem Base, the Legion is able to completely subjugate the Walrus Herd. Flip then explains that while he, Augustus, and Sealia will be going after the underwater base, Guntiver and Erma need help on the surface to bring both parts of the tower down at once, thus necessitating their distress call. Sonic cracks his knuckles and says that he is ready to go when the others are. Sealia remarks that they are technically ready and questions why Rotor didn't come even though his family was endangered. Sonic informs them about the injuries to his back he suffered during the Destruction of Knothole, leading to his retirement from field work. He can still walk fine, but it has kept him from going on any more missions. Back in New Mobotropolis, NICOLE meets Rotor at his house as requested, where he shows her a blueprint he's been working on and asks her if she could use her nanites to create it for him. NICOLE states that she is able, but worries about abusing her abilities after her enslavement to the Iron Dominion, and worries that there may be others in the city may be uncomfortable around her as well. Rotor assures her that everyone was spooked by the Iron Dominion's invasion and will eventually get over it. He then remarks that this particular project is to be a secret. As NICOLE begins constructing Rotor's design, she questions Rotor's earlier assurance that he would remain in the city, while Rotor asserts that he feels obligated to go to the aid of his family. In response to her worries that he might be discovered, he assures her that his design will enable him to join Sonic and return before anyone will miss him. Rotor also reveals that he feels he has been inactive for too long. While NICOLE finishes the suit and hands it to Rotor to put it on. Rotor remarks that she did perfectly, and NICOLE says that the pleasure is hers. She wishes him good luck, but Rotor remarks that it'll be the Dark Egg Legion that needs help now before taking off for the Northern Tundra, waxing nostalgiac as he remembers the old days of the Freedom Fighters when he used to construct powerful weapons to aid his friends. Unfortunately, after Sonic's disappearance, Rotor attempted to to take his place with an even more dangerous arsenal, only to hurt other Freedom Fighters in the process. Deciding never to construct another weapon again, he became vehemently opposed to the idea of using any kind of weapons, but later acted somewhat hypocritically, such as in the creation of the Metal Sonic Troopers even with Sir Charles supervising him. Rotor then decides that once the Herd is safe again, he will return to his responsiblities on the Council and retire for good, but reminds himself that his self-appointed task isn't done yet. Elsewhere, Sonic and the Arctic Freedom Fighters advance on the tower where the Psionic Emitter is located. Guntiver warns that they are almost to the base and will want to brace themselves. Sonic hopes that the herd will stay rescued this time and remarks so. As he brings up the recurring instances of the Walrus Herd being threatened by Robotnik. Erma then reveals to him that the Walruses are the most prominent species in the region, and that their city is the most influential in the area. Sonic then attempts to joke with Flip about the name of the city being Iceborough and not iceberg, though Flip is quick to point out that his observation is an old one and is not that funny. Guntiver then shouts that they have arrived at their destination. Sonic notices that the weather appears to be growing worse before Erma reminds him to focus or get out. Looking down they see an armed party of brainwashed Walruses guarding the base. Sonic then jokes that this is just a mission that doesn't seem to hard. Elsewhere, Rotor is anticipating seeing his family again, only to be brought down unexpectedly by some force. Spotting a shadowy figure through the blizzard going on around him, he assumes that it must be some kind of Badnik or Legionnaire, and opens fire with weapons on his wrists as a warning shot. The figure stops his attack and throws it back at him, destroying his weapons. Rotor goes for a head on attack, only to be immobilized by his opponent, who is revealed to be Silver the Hedgehog. He then notices that the nanites in his suit are offline, while Silver remarks that his psychokinesis is superior to machinery. Silver then accuses Rotor of not being the real "Boomer Walrus", confusing Rotor before further accusing him of being the traitor to the Freedom Fighters.
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