THE FIRST DATE, Part 2: WHO WROTE THE BOOK OF LOVE ANYWAY?
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Chris Allan
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Frank Gagliardo
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

At first Knuckles wonders why Archy brought them to this restaurant, and Archy tells him that Julie-Su is over there. Knuckles hides behind a plant and says that he can't talk to her in here. Archy thinks that this is a great spot. Julie-Su notices that Raynor is staring at something (Knuckles) and starts to look in that direction. Knuckles tries to get out of sight quickly, but bumps into a waiter carrying trays. The manager comes out and is angry at first, until he recognizes the white ring. He knows that Knuckles is a Guardian and is happy because no one his stature has eaten there in a long time. Julie-Su gets up and decides to head over to where the commotion is. Archy tells Knuckles that Julie-Su is heading their way and Knuckles asks Archy to get them out of there, which he does, just before Julie-Su gets to the spot. Julie-Su thought she heard Knuckles' voice and promises that he's going to get an earful later on.

Knuckles, who's on top of a building in the city, asks Archy why doesn't he have a problem fighting the toughest people around, but he can't talk to one girl. Archy says that unlike fire-ants, echidnas don't have a romantic bone in his body which is why the soultouch was given. Knuckles then spots the Chaotix going into a video arcade.

In Haven, Locke runs into Sabre, Semper, and Deo and asks if they've seen Knuckles since he can't find him. Deo and Semper immediately figure out what happened and Locke figures it out based on their dialogue: Archimedes took Knuckles and is talking to him about handling Julie-Su. Deo says that Archy probably decided to play matchmaker so that Knuckles doesn't end up single like Locke. Sabre says that they can find out exactly what's going on, but Locke prevents Sabre from turning on the cameras. He says to let Knuckles have his privacy on this matter and that he can come to him if there's a problem.

In the video arcade, Vector is bragging again. Espio tells him that he should follow Knuckles example when it comes to girls. Knuckles treats Julie-Su the same way he treats them. Meanwhile, no one notices that Knuckles is approaching them as Vector starts bad mouthing Knuckles and saying that Julie-Su has him wrapped around her finger. Knuckles interrupts the converstaion and Vector acts like he hadn't said a word. However, Knuckles heard it all and he tries to beat up on Vector for trashing Julie-Su for the zillionth time, but Mighty and Espio hold him back. Vector tries to apologize, but Knuckles doesn't want to hear it and storms out. Espio wants to know what's wrong with Knuckles. Archy tells them Knuckles "is one lovesick puppy."

Raynor walks Julie-Su home and gives her a kiss on the cheek. When Julie-Su gets back into her apartment though, she sighs because the guy who likes her isn't the guy she wants.

Knuckles realizes that he lost it at the arcade, but thinks that Vector deserved that because he needs to get off Julie-Su's case. He walks by Lara-Le's apartment thinking that he should get her advice, but then realizes he's just delaying the inevitable and heads for Julie-Su's apartment.

Lara-Le believes that she sees Knuckles walking by, when Wyn walks over to the balcony with her. Lara-Le tells him she's thinking about Knuckles, who hasn't said much about them planning on getting married. Wyn says that a date hasn't been set and he's perfectly happy to wait. Then they kiss in the moonlight.

Julie-Su is watching TV when the bell rings. She answers it to hear Knuckles' voice, who asks her if she'd doing anything this weekend. Julie-Su replies that it depends on what Knuckles has to say. Knuckles then asks her if she would like to out with him on a date on Friday night. Julie-Su says yes. Knuckles walks away thinking to himself "She said YES!" and then realizes that he's got a problem because he doesn't know what he's supposed to do. Julie-Su meanwhile is thinking that nothing matters as long as they're together.


THOSE WERE THE DAYS
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Manny Galan
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Barry Grossman
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Fiona tells Mighty that she isn't dead, but it's not because of him or Sonic. Nic tells them to cool it because they have work to do. As they head for the abandoned complex, Mighty has another flashback. The captured Mobians were being led to where they would work. However, Fiona was grabbed by a robot, who claimed that other plans were in store for her. Mighty, despite the restraints, tackled the robot. Other robots starting attacking Mighty and Ray & Fiona tried to help him. They didn't stand a chance though as the robots dragged Fiona away and locked him and Ray up. As Nic, Fiona, and Mighty walk through the building, Mighty sees robot-replicas of Sonic, Sally, and Tails. Mighty realizes that the Sonic-robot looks similar to the Sonic who helped free him from his cell along with Ray. Flashback ends, as Nic leads Mighty to a vault that only he could possibly open. Nic says that if he opens it, she'll tell him what she knows about Ray.

To Be Continued in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #28