THE CHOSEN ONE, Part 1: WHEN DESTINY CALLS
Writer: Ken Penders
Penciler: Ron Lim
Inker: Ken Penders
Colorist: Frank Gagliardo
Letterer: Vickie Williams
Editor: Justin Freddy Gabrie

On snowy mountaintop somewhere on Mobius, Knuckles is in pain when Tails, who was taken from the middle of school in Knothole by Athair (Sonic #94), appears. Tails asks Athair what's wrong and is told that Knuckles is "evolving" according to "the plan." Tails doesn't understand why anyone would plan to cause someone pain and tries to get Knux' attention. Luckily for Tails, Athair created a shield around Tails since Knuckles chose that moment to just release another uncontrolled chaos blast. Tails closed his eyes to keep from going blind and when it was over, Knuckles had disappeared again.

Tails wonders where Knux went, and Athair takes him to the Floating Island. Tails asks where's Knuckles, but finds out he didn't need to ask as another chaos blast erupts from underground not too far from where he's standing. Knux is in pain and would like it to stop, when Tails reaches him. Knuckles tells Tails to go away since he can't do anything. Tails tells him that Athair thinks he can help, but Knuckles lashes out at Tails, who ends up buried in the rubble.

Saying that it's finally time for Tails to do his part, Athair takes Tails to Merlin Prower, who gives Tails some potions to heal him. Athair tells Merlin that "The Chosen One is needed" since Merlin is the only one who has the ability to bring about the transformation. Merlin is against it since Tails is only a boy and he isn't supposed to "save the echidnas from themselves." Athair says that he knows that particular destiny belongs to Knuckles, "but unforeseen events" have changed things and Tails is the only thing "that stands between deliverance or annihilation." Merlin asks why the Ancient Walkers can't do it themselves, and Athair tells him that they are dying so they have to act soon or else worlds might fall.

To Be Continued in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #96