Rise of the Grandmasters Episode 9 Family Matters Part 2

Trapped in the snowstorm, Rotor has been confronted by Silver the Hedgehog who wants to destroy him and has called him a Traitor of the Freedom Fighters. With Silver's psychokinesis, Rotor isn't able to move, and is at the silver hedgehog's mercy.

Still having a hold on Rotor, Silver says, "I have you now, Boomer. I've shorted out your robot-suit… thing.. And made it useless. Now you will never betray the Freedom Fighters."

"You need to get your facts straight. First, I'd never betray my friends!" Rotor says, angry at Silver's accusation.

He lifts his arm and says, "Second 'Shorting out' the Nanites doesn't destroy them."

"And third…" Then he fires his blasters at the snow in front of Silver "... Nobody calls me 'Boomer' anymore!"

Silver then uses his powers to clear the snow, "No, they call you 'Rotor' now, you imposter!"

However, he notices that Rotor has disappeared.

"You.. aren't there anymore?" Silver questions and looks around.

Just then, Rotor attacks him front behind. He grams him as he carries him away.

Then says to Silver, "I don't have time to mess with you!"

Rotor is able to wrap his arm around Silver's neck and grabs one of his wrists with his other hand.

He then explains, "Look… whatever problem you have with me can wait. My heart… my family… are slaves to Dr. Eggman! They need me! My friends need me!"

Just then, Silver uses his powers to trap Rotor and lifts him in the air.

He turns to Rotor and asks, "Other lives are at risk?"

"Hundreds in my herd. Thousands in the Northern Tundra alone. Please," Rotor says.

Silver thinks about this carefully and Rotor's statement. This goes against his hypothesis about Rotor being a traitor.

Silver decides to lower Rotor back to the ground and says, "I will help rescue your herd."

"Okay, then…" Rotor says, calm and yet, relieved.

Then says, "Sonic's in for a surprise."

"Sonic?!" Silver says, confused.

Meanwhile, back to where the base is, Sonic and the others are seeing what is happening.

"Okay, just what to make sure I've got this straight- the local Dark Egg Legion is using this special wave-thing… to send a brain-washing signal?"

"Right," Guntiver says.

"And that base there is boosting the signal a few bajillion times?" Manic adds.

"Heh. Roughly, yeah," Guntiever adds.

"And there's just as much tower underwater that'll need to be taken out too, right?" Sonic asks.

"You got it, champ," Flips says.

"Okay, cool. Now the army of zombie-walruses makes perfect sense," Sonic says.

Sonic then uses his spin dash to cut a round hole in the ice. Once he's done, he opens it to give them a place to sneak in.

Guntiver turns to Sealea, "This is it, Sealia! You and your team take care of the underwater tower."

"Oui, mon capitaine!" Sealia says, saluting.

Then dives down into the water.

"Careful down there, guys. Your brand of the Dark Egg Legionnaires sounds nasty," Sonic ays.

"Meh. they're just orcas. What's so scary about 'Killer Whales'?" Flip replies.

With that, Flip and Augustus dive down through the hole and swim under the cold water.

"I like their style," Sonic says.

"We've got a good group of folks," Guntiver says.

"If we're done being all snuggly-friendly, can we make our move?" Erma questions, sounding irritated.

"But what about Rotor? He sure is taking a long time," Manic asks.

"You're right. Manic, you look for Rotor, I'll go with the others and start the attack," Sonic says.

"Right," Manic says.

He jumps on his hover board and flies back to find Rotor.

"Now then. Time to do that hero thang!" Sonic calls out and charges for the attack. Guntiver and Erma follow after them.

Sonic first spins dashes the Walruses as he says, "If they let us. Sorry! Badniks I can smash."

"I don't mind knocking a few legion heads together, Sonic says and lands on the ground.

He ducks from one of the walrus' attacks, "But the herd is innocent!"

Guntiver is fighting one of the walruses. Then rolls on his back as he says, "That's why we're trying to take down the tower! To free these poor people one and for all."

"I get that, but it doesn't help things n…" Sonic says, dodging the attacks.

Just then, someone rams into him, knocking Sonic down to the ground. He turns around in shock to see Rotor's family. His mother, Georgette, and his little brother, Skeeter. To make matters worse, they've been brainwashed too.

Sonic grows concerned and panics, "Skeeter! Missus Walrus! Er… Rotor's mom! Lady! It's me… Sonic!"

But the walruses are brainwashed and are about to attack Sonic.

Sonic continues to try to get through to them, "I'm Rotor's best friend! Hero of Mobius! Too good-looking to get pummeled! C'mon, snap out of it!"

Before they can attack, something grabs their hands and hardly bonks them together, knocking the two out. Suddenly, appearing out of thin air is Erma the Ermine!"

Impressed, Sonic says, "Wow! You can do that invisible thing, too?"

"I'm an Ermine!" Erma says, irritated.

"Does that make you a ninja?" Sonic asks.

But Erma sternly says, "Focus, hedgehog! Either help or get out of the way!"

Then Erma runs off to continue the fight.

Before leaving, Sonic checks on Rotor's family and says, "I hope the other team is having a better time than us."

Under the water, Sealia, Flip, and Augustus continue to swim under the water to see the lower tower. However, they are already having to fight against the Dark Egg Legionnaires, the Orcas.

Flips swims around the Legionnaire as he says, "Like I was saying… the only threatening thing about you guys is your name!"

"Zat's it! I am so, how you say, prone and defenseless!" Sealia says, having the orca chase after her.

Then dramatically says, "Zuat alors!

Just then, Augustus gives the Killer Whale an uppercut form under it.

"Who let that polar bear loose? Hee hee hee!" Sealia says, and lets out a teasing giggle.

Soon, the group gathered together.

"So far, so good," Flip says.

"Oui" Sealia says.

Then explains the plan, "Augustus. We'll cover you while you get a breath, and zen we weel press ze attack."

"I think no!" Someone says.

Then some sonar or sound wave attack then, making them cover their ears in pain. Coming towards them is a large Orca that has cybernetic fins, a mask, and glowing red eyes. This Orca is planning to attack them.

The orca says, "Do you like that? T is my own patented combination of sonar and psychic energies!"

"It can be used explosively, a you just experienced or focus…Like so!" The orxa says, and flies at Augustus.

The energy fires at Augustus and sends him flying out of the icy water, through the icy floor, and into the air.

"You pathetic Freedom Fighters are wasting your time. The territorial wars between the orca and the walruses is as old as the tide…" The orca says, confidently.

Sealia and Flip then swim towards them preparing to fight back.

"Long have we used our sonar to confuse the walruses. Long have we make them prone to Dr. Eggman's devices. Now, as part of his Dark Egg Legion, there is no turning things back," The orca says, and swats Sealia and Flip.

He then fires his sonar attack at Sealia, "The Northern Tundra belongs to the Eggman Empire. The Northern seas are mine to rule in his stead… and the herd will remain our cleaves…"

Then turns to see Flip swimming towards them, "... For the rest of their lives! Hahahaha!"

Flips quickly stops in his tracks as the orca opens his mouth wide in fright.

Meanwhile, out in the open snow area, Manic is still searching for Rotor.

"Rotor! Where are you?! Rotor!" Manic calls out.

He searches around as he wonders, "Where can he go off to? He should be around here."

Suddenly, he turns to see Rotor along with a familiar silver hedgehog flying towards a large riot.

"Rotor?" Manic says, confused. He rides on his hover board and follows them.

Flying towards the chaos, Rotor shows Silver the situation and the possibility on how to stop it.

Rotor looks over and says, "There! That's got to be it!"

"There's a riot on the ice!" Silver points out.

"That's my herd!" Rotor says.

"Somebody is going to get hurt. Maybe I can hold all of them at once…" Silver says.

"Right idea, but wrong direction," Rotor says.

Then points to a specific direction, "Head up there."

"What good is a building going to do us?" Silver asks.

"It's one of Dr. Eggman's bases," Manic speaks up.

The group two turn to see Manic heading towards them on his hover board.

"It'll be central to all this. If we take it down, I'm sure they'll come back to their senses," Manic says.

"Manic, thank goodness you're here," Rotor says.

"Yeah. When you didn't show up. Sonic sent me to find you," Manic says.

The three fly over the chaos and fly upward to the tower.

He notices Silver and faintly remembers, "Hey, aren't you that guy from the incident with Scourge. Uh, Silver right?"

"Uh yeah," Silver says.

"So what brings you here?" Manic asks.

"It;s a bit hard to explain, but for now, we need to get this situation sorted out," Rotor says.

Then aims his wrist blasters at the wall and fires it, making a big hole in the wall, "Good thing I brought the 'keys.'"

The group flies inside to see a large monitor with the control pad at front. In the middle of the room, is a large metal chair with some kind of headgear hanging on the ceiling with wires and cybernetics.

"What is this place?" Manic asks.

"It looks like it's running on the standard Egg OS System. I can hack this in mere minutes… but to do what" Rotor answers.

Silver looks at the chair and headgear and asks, "Is this important?"

"Let me pull up it's file…" Rotor says, and types on the computer.

In a few minutes, he finds the files and excited to see the results, "Yes! Yes yes yes!"

"... what?" Silver asks.

"It's… a Neural interface for direct mental control!" Rotor says.

"Uh…" Manic says, a little confused.

Then asks, "Meaning?"

"Eggman could use this device to control the herd with his own mind! It's sick, but that means we can reach everyone with one fell swoop! And you're a psychic!" Rotor says, looking at the device.

"Well… yeah. But my powers are mostly telekinetic. I'm not much of a telepath. I mean… I can give somebody a headache, but…" Silver says, not sure about the situation.

But Rotor says, "Eggman has no psychic powers, and it would work for him. Do you want to help everyone or not?"

"Well I do want to help," Silver says.

"Come on Silver, give it a try," Manic says.

Silver decides to sit down and says, "Alright, I'll try. For them.

"Thank you. Now…" Rotor says.

And begins to type on the computers, "I've hacked into the controls turning the signal to maximum…

Manic then helps Silver put the helmet on his head, "There. You're all ready to go."

"So… what do I do?" Silver asks.

"I… I don't know. Think a command? You're a psychic! Rotor answers.

"O-okay…" Silver says, skeptic.

Then says, "... let's see what happens if I do this…"

Silver then uses his psychic powers through the controls and the tower. Soon, that sends a strong signal across the area and the Northern Tundra. Soon, the Walruses are feeling pain, but also begin to snap out of their control. The orcas under the water are having their machines and cybernetic short circuited and have trouble controlling their machinery.

On the icy ground, the walruses are feeling dizzy, but are able to break free of their control.

Sonic asks, "You back with us, buddy? Well, at least you're not trying to y'know… bashed my head in anymore."

"... all I remember is ear-splitting whale songs…" The walrus answers.

Just then, they hear a loud bonding sound and the icy ground begins to crack and shake.

"That must have been… the under-tower! The others did it!" Guntiver cheers.

Erma hugs Guntiver with excitement and tears come down her face.

Sonic looks up and says, "And I think I know who we have to thank for it all," Sonic says, pointing to the sky.

They look up to see Rotor and Manic flying down supporting Silver as they land to the ground.

"Hi everybody," Rotor says.

"Hey Sonic, you remember Silver, right," Manic says.

"Yeah. I remember," Sonic says.

Then asks, "So, what brings you here?"

After saving the Northern Tundra and stopping the Dark Egg Legion of the region, everyone heads to the underwater town where the Walrus are now living. There, the group talked about the events.

"And just as I was thinking we're done for…." Sealia says.

Flip says, "... Then Akhlut totally flips out!"

Then spins his fin in a circle close to his head, "The whole legion chapter swam off. Running into each other the whole time. I don't think they knew way was up."

"If their sonar was linked to that psionic amplifier, then silver's psychic wave must have hit them extra hard," Rotor says.

Georgette hugs Rotor and says, "My brilliant boy, a Freedom Fighter at heart and helping to run Mobotropolis. Your father would be so proud. I know I am."

"Thanks mom," Rotor says.

"Yeah-and-that-robot-suit-was-so-cool-can-I-try-it-on-Boomer?!" Skeeter asks, excited.

Hearing that, Silver ground and asks, "'Boomer' peh."

"Yeah. That was his nickname growing up. We called him that all the time," Sonic says.

"Yeah. We haven't really called him that in a while now," Manic says.

"I know. I get it. His mom explained it repeatedly on the trip here," Silver says, annoyed and embarrassed.

"You're really bent on finding this imaginary traitor among my friends, huh?" Sonic questions.

"My research was… lacking. I'll admit. But I'm trying to save you all. As well as my time, at least this wasn't a total waste of time," Silver says.

"Why's that?" Manic asks.

"When I was hooked into that machine. I could see into the minds of the herd. I didn't just break the Legion's control, but I made it so that these walruses can never be mind-controlled again," Silver says with a grin on his face.

"Okay, that is pretty darn cool," Sonic says.

"Talk about awesome," Manic says.

"Thanks," Silver says.

The three hedgehogs tap their cups together and cheer.

After the mission, the group say goodbye to the Arctic Freedom Fighters, the Walrus Herd, and see Silver depart back to his time period.

Something that crosses Manic's mind and turns to Sonic, "Hey Sonic, do you think Silver will be back, and will find this traitor he's talking about."

"I'm not sure, Manic. I'm having trouble believing that any of the Freedom Fighters of our group would be traitors," Sonic says.

"Me too. And I have a feeling that he'll come back for another theory," Manic says.

"Yeah. I know," Sonic replies.

200 Years Later

In a flash of light, Silver has returned to his time period with the Time Stone.

Feeling defeated, Silver says, "... well. That was embarrassing… I was wrong about the traitor again. In front of his mother, no less…" unaware that someone is walking from behind.

Soon Mobian asks, "Who's that? Who's come to my island?"

Silver turns around and says, "Good afternoon, Guardian Edmund. It's me… Silver."

The being behind him is an elderly echidna with hair eyebrows and a gray beard. He is also wearing glasses. He is wearing a tribal outfit with spikes on his knuckles and holding a cane.

"Silver? Silver… hmm…" The elderly Echidna, Edmund says, thinking.

Then says, "Oh right! The boy with the funny hair out to save all of time. How'd that work out for you." and taps on Silver's stomach with his cane.

Silver admits, "Not so good. Thank you for letting me do my research though."

"I did? Bah. I'm over hundreds years old. I was bound to go senile one of these days," Edmund says.

"It's not that, sir. You don't remember because I've been desynced from time," Silver says.

"Don't patronize me, Suver," Edmund firmly says.

"Silver," Silver clarifies.

Then says, "I mean it, though. Every time I change something in the past, it changes things here. When I come back to this point in time, I'm unaffected by the change. But you've lived through it and don't notice it."

"Uh-huh," Edmund replies, suspiciously.

Then points to what looks like the ARK, and asks, "And was the ARK burning on the horizon like that when you left?"

"Unfortunately, yes. It has been for years," Silver answers.

"And I suppose you remember the Great Krudzu Spore?" Edmund asks.

"No. That's new to me," Silver says.

"Really?" Edmund questions.

Then walks away, "Too bad. You were quite the marvel when you destroyed the root."

"I was?" Silver asks.

He nervously chuckles and says, "What can I say? Time travel."

He then sits down and asks Silver with a serious look, "Are you still…" He huffs and continues asking, "Working for that sad sack of lies?"

"My master taught me how to use my powers. I still have a lot to learn from him," Silver answers.

"I don't like the idea of him teaching you anything. That aside, do you think he noticed you left?" Edmund replies.

"I'm hoping not…" Silver answers in a nervous tone and taps his fingers together.

Suddenly he hears a voice in his mind, "You do not give me enough credit, apprentice. Return to me." That catches Silver by surprise.

Silver turns to Edmund and says, "He noticed. I'll come visit when I can."

"You're always welcome on my island, Sifter…" Edmund says.

Silver then levitates himself in the air with his powers.

Then Edmund says, "... Maybe this failed Guardian can teach you something yet."

Silver then flies in the air and leaves the island to head back to his home. Soon, he and the voice of his master talk to each other through telepathy.

Silver says, "I'm on my way back now, master."

"From another failed mission to the past, warrant. Your training is yet incomplete, as is your knowledge of your past. If you are able to be a knight of Kronos, you cannot jump through time without consideration," The master says.

Silver says, "With all due respect, sir, I did my research before I left."

"And did you find the traitor?" The master asks.

"No, but I did eliminate one of the possibilities. I'm closer to the truth now," Silver answers as he flies towards the city ruins.

"Ah 'The Truth' can we truly ascertain what 'the truth' is? If it is as we perceive it, and if our perceptions are inherently biased, is 'the truth' itself eternally malleable?" The master says.

Confused, Silver says, "You've lost me, sir. Am I still getting yelled at?"

The master says, "I do not yell, child. I merely chastise. You are gifted with immeasurable power, and I wish only to save you from making the same mistakes I made in the past."

Silver flies up to the top of the building, "It's hard to believe someone as wise as you could make mistakes, sir."

"I made many and most of them dire, I am sad to say," The master says.

Silver then flies over the wall of the building and descends through an opening as he says, "I still don't believe it. Can we go back to talking now. I'm no good with telepathy, and I've got a headache…"

"Of course. Of course." The master answers, in somewhat of a familiar tone.

He then lifts a brown fur hand and points towards a specific location, "Prepare us dinner for the evening, and we shall reflect upon your latest adventure."

"Right away…" Silver says.

He turns his head to see his master. The master is a familiar tall mammoth Mobian wearing worn out clothes and a thick brown scarf.

Silver smiles and says, "... Mammoth Mogul."