RETURN TO ANGEL ISLAND, Part 2: AVATAR
Writer: Karl Bollers
Penciler: Jon Gray
Inker: Michael Higgins
Colorist: Jason Jensen
Letterer: Michael Higgins
Editor: Mike Pellerito

As Sonic suggests, he, Knuckles, and the Chaotix "scatter" as they take on the Dark Legion that surrounded them in Lava Reef Zone. However, the fighting is interrupted as Lara-Le yells at them to stop fighting since they're "on the same side." Lara-Le hugs Knuckles, while Wyn grovels at Knux' (or should I say "Avatar's") feet. When Knuckles asks why they are with the Legion, Wyn explains to "Avatar" (Knuckles' annoyance at being called "Avatar" was a great source of amusement throughout this story) that the Legion is leading the resistance against Robotnik on Angel Island. Now that they're all "friends," Lara-Le has them all come with her to where it is relatively safe so that they can eat, rest, and shower.

After going through some sort of ring (think of those large rings in the old Genesis/Megadrive Sonic games), the group ends up in the Hidden Palace Zone where there are a zillion echidnas very happy to see the arrival of "Avatar." The first non-chanting echidna the group meets is Dr. Finitevus, a Legionnaire, who explains that the echidnas here have been freed from prison camps by the Dark Legion and that the Hidden Palace Zone is their current safe haven on the island. Dr. Finitevus leads the group to the Palace where they find Lien-Da/Kommisar. Kommisar is as happy to see Knuckles and Julie-Su as they are to see her--and that's not very happy. Lien-Da explains that after Locke was captured, Lara-Le used their communications equipment to bypass Robotnik's blockers to get in contact with Knux. Knuckles half-asks, half-demands to know where the Master Emerald is located and after a staring contest, Lien-Da tells Sonic and Knuckles to follow her while the rest stay. As the duo follow her, they notice a "tapestry" of Super Sonic fighting Robotnik (if you have played Sonic 3 & Knuckles, you've seen the image). She mentions that no one knows how it got there, or why it is there, but the image seems to be "possibly thousands of years old." Before Knuckles can continue to question, the trio arrives at where the Master Emerald is currently residing. Lien informs them that the Brotherhood made sure that Robotnik couldn't get the Master Emerald when he invaded the island, but that no one knows where they are at the moment. "36 hours ago," since the dingoes were going to breach Haven, Lien-Da tells them that Locke gave "my Dark Legion" the Master Emerald to watch while he stayed behind to fight. Knuckles asks about Dimitri, and she says that Dimitri "is no longer...with us" so she is in charge of the Legion now. Before that conversation can continue, Knuckles cries out in pain and Lien-Da mocks the fact that the non-Legionnaire echidnas keep referring to him as "Avatar" since she feels he's not "invincible."

Outside a little later, in response to Sonic asking what happened, Knuckles explains that for some reason the Master Emerald seems to be taking his strength instead of giving him strength like it used to do. He thinks it might be a result of deciding to come back to life. Julie-Su tries to cheer him up, while Mighty wonders why they're still here when they should be going after the dingoes. Dr. Finitevus says that they have to wait for word from their spy before attempting to rescue Locke. At this moment a family approaches "Avatar" with their daughter, who became blind during Robotnik's attack. They believe the Avatar can perform miracles (I think they missed the part where Knuckles was "green" when he could do those miracles). Hearing this, Dr. Finitevus goes on a rant about how they're crazy to believe in the Ancient Walkers' prophecy and that while they bow to Knuckles who hasn't been around for a year, they barely acknowledge the fact that they would be slaves if it weren't for the Legion. After he's done ranting, Sonic tries to lighten the mood. Knuckles tells the family that he can't help them and they walk away. Vector says that they don't know that the prophecy isn't true, but Julie-Su says that it's "bunk." The two get ready to go at it again, but Knuckles tells them to knock it off. Knuckles then lets out his own frustrations about how this mission has been filled with one unpleasant surprise after another and that he doesn't want another one. At that moment, Lara-Le and Wyn show up with someone that they want Knuckles to meet: his baby brother, who introduces himself by smacking Knuckles on the head with a rattle.

To Be Continued in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #140