THE FORBIDDEN ZONE, Part 3: THE MANY FACETS OF THE TRUTH
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Manny Galan
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Barry Grossman
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Geoffrey says that whoever is supposed to be trying to help them better move faster as the rope that was keeping Heavy and Bomb from going toward the waterfall snaps. Suddenly, everyone, including Heavy and Bomb, is lifted up into the air toward the nearby plane. Lara-Le tells Locke that she doesn't understand how he can use such powers and make a mess of his marriage at the same time. Locke says that he has wondered about that in Haven.

In Haven, Archimedes tells Knuckles things aren't what they seem, but Knuckles doesn't think he should believe that since Archy hasn't been level with him. Sabre tells Knuckles that Archy was only doing what he was told and introduces everyone, including "Tobor." Knuckles decides to keep quiet about him until he knows what's what, while "Tobor" is thinking about how he's going to get rid of Knuckles. "Tobor" says that Knuckles doesn't look well and that he should check him out. Before Knuckles can protest, Sabre tells Knuckles to go with "Tobor" because they can all talk later. Knuckles walks with "Tobor" to sick bay and Knuckles recognizes Hawking. "Tobor" tells Knuckles, who's checking on Hawking, that Hawking is on life support while he starts preparing a syringe.

In Locke's plane, Elias tells Geoffrey that the echidna who just rescued them is Locke and is a part of the Brotherhood. Locke decides to take it from there since Geoffrey and the SS want to know about the plane that carried Elias 15 years ago. Lara-Le whispers to Locke that he didn't communicate this much when they were married and he whispers back to her to save it for later. Locke tells the SS that the Brotherhood got to the crash site first. Sojourner found Elias alive as Thunderhawk noticed the Overlanders getting ready to land. Sabre, who was in charge of the mission, met with the Overlanders and told them that everyone was killed aboard the plane. Since the Brotherhood has never interfered in the affairs of the Overlanders, they took Sabre at his word and left. As they checked the wreckage some more, Spectre noticed that Queen Alicia was alive, but barely. Spectre and Sojourner took her and Elias to Haven, while Sabre and Thunderhawk cleaned up the crash site. Elias was fine, but the Queen was barely registering brain activity so they put her in the Hyber-Chamber so that she could be preserved until a way to "regenerate her neural network" was found. Since the Brotherhood didn't want to be dragged into the war between the Overlanders and the Mobians, they kept and raised Elias in Haven. When Elias was 10 they let him reside on the Floating Island. Geoffrey wants to know how they didn't notice the Colonel and Locke tells him that was because of an oversight by "Tobor" (note: "Tobor" didn't say anything because he wanted to find out how the Overlanders would react). Locke continues saying that King Acorn's rescue teams found the Colonel first fortunately. Geoffrey wants to question "Tobor" and Locke says that he can as he gets ready to enter Haven. Everyone sees a wall of flame, but Locke assures them it's just a projection that conceals the entrance.

Meanwhile, in Sick Bay, "Tobor" tries to stick Knuckles with the syringe he prepared. However, Knuckles keeps "Tobor" away from him and then kicks "Tobor," which knocks "Tobor" down and the syringe away. Knuckles calls "Tobor" Moritori, who gets angry at that and charges at Knuckles. Knuckles just punches him, which sends Moritori Rex into a pile of boxes. Knuckles tells him "Get up!" Moritori says that Knuckles is "pathetic" for using his fists when he has all that power and then Moritori uses his optic blast to cause the ceiling to come down on Knuckles. However, to Moritori's surprise Knuckles uses his power and says "This isn't over yet!"

At the docking area, the SS is amazed at Haven, while Locke gets another emergency signal. As he and Lara-Le begin to leave, Elias asks Locke what he should say if Sabre inquires about Locke. Locke told Elias to tell Knuckles "I'm sorry." Geoffrey doesn't understand and asks Elias isn't Knuckles a part of all of this. Elias says that Knuckles is sort of, but remembers hearing that Knuckles was different, but he never did find out why.

Meanwhile, Moritori is running through the hallways of Haven, while Knuckles shouts that "It's useless to hide, Moritori!" Moritori responds by firing his optic blasts all over the place since he doesn't know where Knuckles is. Moritori just misses hitting Elias and the SS, just before Knuckles (with Archy on his shoulder) appears next to him and again punches Moritori, who falls to the ground. The area begins to seal off, and Archy tells Knuckles not to think, just jump. Knuckles gets out just before the area is sealed off, and then asks Archy why didn't he just teleport them out. Archy says he wanted to know if Knuckles "still had some team spirit." Sabre, who's responsible for sealing the area, comments that he never expected one of their own to turn against them. Spectre thinks there's probably more to this and says that they should check to make sure harm wasn't done elsewhere.

Elias continues to lead the SS around Haven, when they notice that someone is coming. That someone happens to be Knuckles who comments that everyone is feeling "edgy" today. Elias says that doesn't come close to expressing the feeling. Knuckles agrees with that because the Dark Legion makes him grind his teeth. Sabre, Spectre, and Sojourner overheard that comment and Sabre asks Knuckles if Tobor has turned traitor. Knuckles replies that how is he supposed to know if they aren't friends with the "phony." As Spectre opens the barrier, Sabre tells Knuckles that he's with family now. Knuckles replies "'Scuse me if I don't get too choked up!" Once the barrier is opened, they noticed that Moritori is gone, but a message written in an old echidna dialect is left in his place. It means that they will all make friends with death.

In Locke's plane, Locke tells Lara that her rescuers need rescuing and she asks Locke if he has to always be so "condescending." Locke agrees that the statement was uncalled for and asks her what did she want to talk about. Lara-Le says that Knuckles needs a father and that she's got her hands full being a mother. Locke wants to know what does she want him to do saying that he's already explained "the birds and the bees." Based on Lara-Le's tone, Locke feels a fight is about to start that isn't necessary and leaves to attend to Remington and company. As they all get on the plane, Wyn goes to see Lara-Le in the cockpit. After apologizing for the circumstances, Remington asks Locke if everything went well. Locke says it "depends on your point-of-view" as he glances over his shoulder and sees Lara-Le and Wyn hugging.

In Haven, Thunderhawk is checking Hawking, while Elias shows Geoffrey the chamber that holds his mother, Queen Alicia. Elias says that, despite all their powers and technology at their disposal, the Brotherhood couldn't "ignite the spark of life" in her. Geoffrey says that he's been ordered to take the Queen back to Mobotropolis and asks Elias what is he going to do. Elias decides he wants to get to know his father. Knuckles, who has been watching the whole thing, says to himself "Maybe now I can finally get some answers!"

Next Story is in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #22