THE DARK LEGION, Part 3: BLOOD IS THICKER
Writers: Ken Penders and Kent Taylor
Penciler: Manny Galán
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Karl Bollers
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Knuckles has Mighty bring down another tree to stop the stampede from running over him and the Chaotix by forcing everyone to go around the tree unless they want to be burned by the fire. Knuckles tells Vector to turn up the sound on his walkman to the max so that the sonic force would put out the fire. The fire is put out, however, some Dark Legionnaires were also knocked out of their boogies and knocked unconscious by the loud sound.

In the past, the echidnas are on the verge of civil war. Steppenwolf enters the Hall of Science, where someone thinks that by killing Steppenwolf, the Dark Legion would leave them all alone and puts a gun on Steppenwolf. However, he doesn't feel that he's worthy and Steppenwolf speaks. Steppenwolf convinces them that they need to build a bridge to each other, and decides to meet the Dark Legion alone.

In the present, Knuckles and the Chaotix confiscate some robes and boogies and follow the Dark Legion to some huge complex that's been raised into the air. Archimedes and Knuckles' father are watching them. Archimedes says that Knuckles' father is being overprotective by not telling Knuckles about the Dark Legion, and that Knuckles could get killed because of his lack of knowledge. Knuckles' father reminds Archimedes that Knuckles thinks he's alone and doesn't know that he will always have help. When Archimedes leaves to help Knuckles, Knuckles' father refers to Knuckles as the "future Guardian" and mentions that the Dark Legion has existed for 15 generations. Meanwhile, Knuckles and the Chaotix have entered the Dark Legion's base of operations. Kragok is giving a speech about how Knuckles is dead and that there's nothing to stop him when a voice tells him to "rethink that concept." Kragok is angered and someone in Dark Legion gear jumps on stage. The person takes off the hood to reveal himself and Kragok shouts, "You!"

In the past, Steppenwolf confronts the leader of the Dark Legion. Steppenwolf takes care of a sniper trying to shoot him and starts fighting the leader. He takes of the leader's mask, and finds out the leader is Menniker. Menniker tells Steppenwolf that he knows Dimitri wanted him to continue Dimitri's dream. Steppenwolf uses the chaotic powers he possesses to open a portal and sends Menniker and the Dark Legion into another dimension. Christopheles appears and comments, "What Dimitri started continued with his son. Who knows where it goes from here?" Steppenwolf replies, "That's a question for another day." In the background, a picture of Kragok and Knuckles about to square off begins to appear.

In the present, Knuckles and Kragok start fighting. Mighty starts ripping the floor to knock Legionnaires off their feet. Charmy stings Legionnaires, while Espio beats them up in his camouflagued form, which confuses them because they think no one's around. Vector uses his walkman to deafen Legionnaires, and once Knuckles clocks Kragok to the ground, Archimedes appears on Knuckles' shoulder. The Dark Legion still has more people than Knuckles and the Chaotix can beat up at once and is about to shoot them. However, Knuckles' father uses the powers of the Chaos Emerald to shut down the power of the blasters and the complex, unknown of course to Knuckles and the Chaotix. However, they notice the guns aren't firing and use it as a chance to get out there. Archimedes and the Chaotix leave, while Knuckles chases after Kragok. Kragok escapes down a chute, but there are three to choose from and Knuckles didn't see which one he went down. Knuckles doesn't get a chance to follow anymore because the place begins to self-destruct. Knuckles meets up with the Chaotix and Archimedes on the Floating Island, however, there isn't a trace of the Dark Legion.

Next Story is in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #4