Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 215


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Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 215 is the two-hundred and fifteenth issue in the main Sonic the Hedgehog comic series.

Story One
"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. 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. He turns to Councilor Rotor and tells him 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; Sonic protests that it's Rotor's family that's in danger, but Rotor tells him it's okay, and that Hamlin is right - his place is with the Council. Sonic gives in, and Rotor insists he knows that Sonic can save his family. Sonic announces that he'll get some Power Rings and be on his way; Elias Acorn concludes the meeting is over. As the Councilors leave, Rotor whispers to NICOLE, asking her to meet him at his home later on.

Later, Sonic arrives in the Northern Tundra, using the Power Rings to significantly boost his speed. He skids to a stop before Guntiver, apologizing for not being able to respond to the message immediately because he had been busy with something further south. Guntiver invites Sonic into the Arctic Freedom Fighter base via an igloo door; downstairs, Sonic finds the rest of the team. Sealia eagerly hugs the hedgehog, 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 Robotnik's efforts began to threaten the area, they had decided to firmly unite against him and protect their home.

Erma then goes over what they know about the facility, which consists of a subaquatic base run by the Legionnaires themselves while mind-controlled Walruses operate the surface base. Combining their own enhanced 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, thus necessitating their distress call. Sealia then questions where Rotor is, and Sonic informs them about the injuries he suffered during the Destruction of Knothole, leading to his retirement from field work. 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 to 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 has noticed that others in the city seem uncomfortable around her as well. Rotor assures her that everyone will get over it, and 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. He also reveals that he feels he has been inactive for too long, before donning the battlesuit NICOLE has constructed for him. Bidding her goodbye, he takes 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. 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 Iceborough, the Walrus Herd's city, as Sonic 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 Iceborough, though Flip is quick to point out that his observation is an old one. They then arrive at their destination, and Sonic notices that the weather appears to be growing worse before looking down to see an armed party of brainwashed Walruses guarding the city. 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 a 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 discovers that the nanites in his suit are offline, while Silver remarks that his powers are 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.

Story Two

 * "Future Tense":

In the year 3437 P.X.E., Silver the Hedgehog is studying a book on Onyx Island, in a chamber that has a painting of the Future Freedom Fighters on the wall. He observes that he will have to thank Edmund for the opportunity to do so, as he comes across what he believes to be the identity of the traitor he has been seeking. The book records that the first team of Freedom Fighters consisted of Sonic, Sally, Antoine, and a Walrus named Boomer, rather than Rotor. Assuming that Rotor took Boomer's place at some point, Silver resolves to show "the Master" what he's found, but then decides that he needn't bother. Convinced that he is correct this time around, he summons up one of the Time Stones, confident enough in his use of its power to forego his old Super Warp Ring. However, before departing, he has second thoughts, wondering if it is really necessary to eliminate the supposed traitor for something they haven't even done in their time. He briefly contemplates reasoning with him, but after looking around at the ruined civilization on Onyx Island itself, he reminds himself that the traitor will eventually be responsible for it, and uses Chronos Control to depart from atop a statue resembling Lara-Su.

Off Panel
The strip opens with the hypothetical situation of Rotor having left Knothole a couple of hours later than he did in the story. Rotor is then seen flying, going over the same thoughts he was having when Silver brought him down. He then remarks how the flight has been strangely easy, not noticing the frozen solid form of Silver on the ground below.

Key Events

 * The Arctic Freedom Fighters request backup in saving the Walrus Herd from a chapter of the Dark Egg Legion, and the Council of Acorn dispatches Sonic, though Rotor remains behind.
 * Sonic meets up with the Arctic Freedom Fighters, who organize a two-pronged assault against the Legion and their Walrus slaves.
 * Rotor has NICOLE construct a suit of armor from the nanites, which he uses to depart for the Northern Tundra.
 * While the Arctic Freedom Fighters and Sonic arrive at the city of Iceborough, Rotor is brought down by Silver the Hedgehog.
 * In the future, records on Onyx Island lead Silver to believe that Rotor is the traitor to the Freedom Fighters.

Background Information

 * This is the first issue in which Silver fully appears on the cover, and the second issue in which he appears on the cover at all.
 * Once again, Silver's powers are show lime green instead of cyan.
 * The first story is a reference to Family Matters. The show also had Sonic's voice actor, Jaleel White, from the Sonic the Hedgehog, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Underground shows, which is ironic, as Family Matters aired 215 episodes before cancellation.
 * The first story title is the exact title used in Sonic the Hedgehog #88.
 * The Arctic Freedom Fighters make their first reappearance since StH #125. This issue coincidentally has the same numbers, but in a different order.
 * Silver's assumption that Rotor is the traitor is based on the fact that Rotor's early membership in the Freedom Fighters was apparently recorded under his childhood nickname of Boomer.
 * Rotor is identified in his battlesuit as "Iron Rotor" by the letters at the back of the issue.
 * Onyx Island is a place in the video game Sonic Rivals.