KING OF THE HILL, Part 2: THE THRILL OF THE HUNT
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Ken Penders
Inker: Harvey "Harvo" Mercadoocasio
Colorist: Frank Gagliardo
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

In Haven, all the monitors have gone offline. Locke deduces that the problem has to come from an outside force that has more advanced technology than they do. Locke tells Thunderhawk, who asks Locke if found the source of the problem yet, that someone is trying to keep them from noticing something.

Monk finally notices the gun-toting overlander and starts threatening him. The overlander takes out a small device which he uses to shock Monk and knock Monk out. Knuckles is about to leave, but the overlander points the same device at Knuckles and tells Knuckles that he's been studying Knuckles for awhile. Aryu, the overlander's "manservant," picks up Monk and carries him off and the overlander asks Knuckles to follow.

Archimedes pops into the conference room and tells Locke that he can't find Knuckles. Locke is worried and he and Archimedes go off to find Knuckles.

The overlander called "Hunter" leads Knuckles into his yacht and shows Knuckles around, specifically his trophy collection, which is the heads of many different kinds of species of Mobius (note: it's not shown, but you can guess his "echidna" one is lacking a head). He wants to hunt to Knuckles, who needs to be given a reason, so he shows Knuckles a picture of Julie-Su.

Locke and Archimedes find a device that Locke says tampered with Haven's equipment. The culprit left footprints, which they begin to follow.

Meanwhile, Hunter gives Knuckles and Monk collars to put on and then gives them a head start. Monk decides that this is his time to get out of here, but after getting a little ahead of Knuckles, they both experience extreme pain. Knuckles figures that it's caused by the collars. Monk tries to take it off, but gets a shock. Knuckles tells Monk that they have to work together or they're dead. After a little while, Hunter dons his armor and weaponry and goes after his prey.


THE BEST OF FRIENDS
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Colleen Doran
Inker: Andrew Pepoy
Colorist: Frank Gagliardo
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Valdez says that he's gotten his "armor plating" because during a mission to evacuate Mobotropolis (Sonic #75), his teammates abandoned him in battle (reality: he told them go, while he held off the 'bots). He was found by "a kindly doctor" (Robo-Robotnik) who roboticized him so that he could become his lieutenant for the Floating Island. Robo-Robotnik explained to Valdez that he needs the chaos emerald to stop the "evil King Acorn," but echidnas want the emerald for their "schemes of global domination." Espio basically says the Valdez has everything all wrong, but Valdez disagrees and brings out Liza to convince him. Liza claims that she knew Espio and Valdez were best friends and she hoped that Espio could reason with Valdez. Valdez orders Liza to be roboticized and punches Espio when Espio tries to stop them. Valdez tells Espio that he must tell him everything he knows about Knuckles or else Valdez will have the rest of the chameleons roboticized.

To Be Continued in KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA #32