AFTERLIFE, Part 4
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Art Mawhinney
Inker: Ken Penders
Colorist: Jason Jensen
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Aurora explains that since Knux hit puberty that he was beginning to access his latent powers (clips of Knuckles #14, 16, 24 & 32 are used to drive home the point). When he finally completed "the process" in terms of power (Sonic #90), he turned green but it hurt because he had to get used to the power. Since Knux' powers rivaled the Ancient Walkers, he wants to know how he could die. Aurora explains that he's mortal and therefore is limited in his abilities. Then she announces it's time for him to go and take his place in the cosmos. Knuckles wants to enjoy life (like dating Julie-Su), but Aurora tells him that everyone only gets one chance at life. So the portal opens for Knux to step through. Knux asks if he can be his normal self (translation: no more green Knux as of this issue). Aurora says that he can and that he'll see her from time to time. Knux goes into the portal and as he's out of sight, Athair comes mocking Aurora's comment about everyone only having one life. Athair says that she knew Knuckles was worthy of having a second shot at life and wonders why she didn't tell him outright. Aurora mentions that Athair was a "lost soul" until the Ancient Walkers helped him. She did the same for Knuckles--and she's rather confident that he'll choose his path correctly.


SONIC ADVENTURE 2.5: ALPHA
Writer: Karl Bollers
Pencilers: J. Axer (pgs 1-5) & Steven Butler (pgs 6-19)
Inkers: Conor Tomas (pgs 1-5) & Jim Amash (pgs 6-19)
Colorist: Jason Jensen
Letterer: Jeff Powell
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

Super Shadow is in space and tells us that one ship is approaching, while another is leaving. He's a bit disoriented so he gathers his thoughts which gives us a rundown on Archie's version of SA2. Shadow was bioengineered by Professor Gerald Robotnik for Station Square. He made friends with Maria (Gerald's granddaughter), but he saw her killed. He was locked in stasis until (Robo-)Robotnik freed him. He wanted to destroy the world because of Maria, but Sonic made him see the error of his ways. Shadow sacrificed himself to save Mobius, but just before he would have died, the Bem (aliens from Sonic #118) teleported him onboard their ship and saved him. When the Bem noticed a ship coming, they gave Shadow enough energy to become Super Shadow so that he could fight the oncoming ship while they fled. Super Shadow precedes to fight the ship, but ends up being blasted toward Mobius. Just before he hits the atmosphere, he teleports.

Meanwhile, Sonic is waking up and Tails wants to go on an adventure. Sonic says that he has something else to do today, but they can go tomorrow as well as saying that they have the rest of their lives for adventure. Uncle Chuck asks them to join the family for breakfast (which Tails does), but Bernie says that Sonic has a "royal date." Sonic runs off to the castle. He and Sally share a kiss when they meet and then decide it's time to "pop the question."

Elsewhere, the ship that blasted Super Shadow is now over the mountain where Station Square is located. In Station Square, the President is conversing with Robotnik, who wants an alliance. The President basically says "No way, José!" That's when Robotnik reveals that he has control over the President's limo. Just as Robotnik is about to send the limo over the bridge, Rouge comes and manages to pull the President out via the sun roof & lands him safely on top of a building. Before she can go back to attempt to rescue the driver, the sky-dome (a.k.a. "the fake sky") shatters and both the President and Rouge are shocked by what they see--we don't see it, but it's obviously the unknown ship.

Back at Castle Acorn, Sally announces to her parents that she would like Sonic to be her consort, who'll have her hand in marriage. The response: Yes. Immediately after the royal parents say yes, the ground shakes for a moment. Before Sally can even finish saying "What was that?" Sonic has run off. He's quickly joined by Tails & Bunnie as the trio reach a crater in the ground. As the dust clears, the trio see Shadow, who Sonic comments that he thought was dead. As Sonic goes down to check (as the other FFs arrive), Shadow wakes up and clocks Sonic, who goes flying. As Shadow gets up, Sally tells him to cool it since they don't want any trouble. Shadow is still woozy but gets it together and apologizes for attacking. However, apology is not accepted as far as Sonic is concerned who's ready to throw down. Sally gets in the way, which stops Sonic, as Nicole's emergency beacon flashes. The group is wanted at the castle.

Back at the castle, Robotnik is asking for help. A strange ship came and destroyed Megaopolis (where he's currently set up shop) and "Poor Snively is missing." King Max doesn't believe him, but Shadow does since he recognized the ship. Then a holographic message from Rouge asking for help at Station Square arrives via Nicole. Sonic is wondering who's responsible and gets a rather immediate answer. The Xorda (who are the ones on the ship causing all the damage) send out a telepathic message to everyone on Mobius. The gist of the message: Over 3,000 years ago, they came to Earth offering a peaceful alliance. The humans dissected the Xorda ambassadors, so Xorda attempted to wipe-out all life on the planet. They just found out that they hadn't permanently stopped life on the planet and have returned to correct the oversight. End of message. Robotnik is still on the line to King Max and as Robotnik tries to talk, King Max shuts off the connection on purpose to make Robotnik sweat. Rotor's working on a way to communicate with Xorda as Sonic comments that this is Mobius, not "Urf." The Brotherhood call King Max about the situation--as long as Xorda believes Mobius is Earth, they're all in trouble. Sonic asks for Knuckles and Locke tells him that Knux is dead. The sad surprise/shock on the FFs faces, along with Shadow's total indifference (hey, Shadow never met Knux in Archie), is just displayed well. King Max tells them all that they don't have time to grieve. Sally agrees though she's still shaken and goes off with Nicole to do some research to prove Xorda wrong. Locke says that they'll do the same on Angel Island (the other thing that the gang learn is that the Floating Island is now Angel Island) and cuts the call. Sonic wonders why it took Xorda 3,000 years to find out that they messed up anyway. That's when Hope hesitantly replies that she thinks she knows. When the overlanders were in space, their ships were attacked by Xorda's ship. The overlanders thought they had escaped (Sonic #90-92), but it seems Xorda found them. When Hope is done, she notices the "strange black hedgehog" is staring at her. Shadow is thinking to himself that Hope reminds him of Maria. Just then, Sally returns with "bad news." Mobius and Earth are the same planet.

To Be Continued in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #125