THE FORGOTTEN TRIBE, Part 1: THE OTHER ROAD TAKEN
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Manny Galan
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Barry Grossman
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Somewhere on Mobius, Athair is meditating when he's approached by Yanar, a red male echidna. Athair tells Yanar that the Day of Fury is coming soon and says "we had best have the Tribe pack up and move on." Athair tells Yanar that he must lead the tribe because Athair's time as leader is at an end and "It is the time of the other!" As Athair watches the Tribe leave, he mentions that he must turn to the one the Walkers have dictated must assume his mantle.

Meanwhile in Echidnaopolis, Lara-Le is praying inside the Aurorium. She leaves to find Knuckles waiting for her outside. As they walk to her apartment, you can see the damage to the city from the recent battles. Lara-Le and Knuckles discuss what Locke did and did not teach Knuckles; meaning he was raised to be a Guardian, but Lara thinks Knuckles should have had the chance to enjoy being a boy, "at least once in a while." As they enter her apartment though, they find someone waiting for them, who Knuckles obviously doesn't want to see.

At the Echidna Security Agency (ESA), Remington is questioning Julie-Su's actions with the Dark Legion. She finds out Knuckles can't clear her name because he doesn't remember everything that happened. Remington leaves and Julie-Su's going to be staying in jail for the time being.

At Lara-Le's apartment, Athair says hi to Lara-Le and when Knux says that he wishes he could say the same, Lara-Le gets upset and makes Knux apologize (it took him a little while though). Athair says that he's come for Knuckles and the Ancient Walkers come and teleport everyone away, except Lara-Le who starts to worry.

Back at ESA, Remington receives some reports and food from Teri-Lu, the receptionist, in his office. When she leaves, Archy pops in and asks Remington if he's seen Knuckles because he can't find him. Remington asks Archy to stay for a while and tell him about Julie-Su.

Athair tells Knuckles that they're on Mobius. Knuckles wants to know how that's possible when he sees all those echidnas walking through a valley. Athair tells Knuckles the story of the Forgotten Tribe. When Kayla-La came up with the plan for the Floating Island (re: Sonic #34), one echidna spoke out against it. His name was Arakkis, and he felt that echidnas should be on the mainland. The High Council agreed with Kayla-La's plan, but allowed all the citizens of Echidnaopolis to make their own decision: Take to the sky or Search for a new home on Mobius. Those that decided to follow Arakkis sought for land, but encountered those with prior claim to the land and those that tried to hurt them. The Ancient Walkers appeared to Arakkis one night and promised to look after the Tribe. The setup is similar to the Guardians, except the leader is called a Mitre and the successor doesn't necessarily have to be a blood descendent.

In a fastfood restaurant, Vector doesn't have any problems with Julie-Su being in jail. Mighty and Espio argue that they wouldn't be around if Julie-Su followed her orders. Charmy flies in and stops the discussion by saying that Remington wants them. The Chaotix head for ESA as fast as they can.

Meanwhile, Athair announces that the Day of Fury, mentioned in the Tomes (the guide to life from the Ancient Walkers), is at hand. Yanar orders the Tribe to take the high ground. A few moments later, the ground begins to split and lava starts rising. One echidna loses his grip, but Knux saves him. Athair tells them that there is no such thing as a safe place because "The Day of Fury is nature's way of adjusting to environmental changes it undergoes over a certain duration." It also happens all over the planet at the same time and Athair says most didn't survive the last time it occured.

To Be Continued in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #11