Knuckles the Echidna #11

Knuckles the Echidna #11
Corner Box: No. 11 Apr. $1.75 (no picture)
Cover: Knuckles and Athair float as echidnas float in the background

Book Eleven: The Forgotten Tribe (Part Two of Three)

"Covenant"
Ken Penders - Writer
Manny Galan - Penciler
Andrew Pepoy - Inker
Barry Grossman - Colorist
Vickie Williams - Letterer
J. Freddy Gabrie - Editor
Victor Gorelick - Managing Editor
Richard Goldwater - Editor-In-Chief

(Introduction page)
Long ago, the echidnas were forced to make a choice as comet made its way toward their city. Most of the echidnas chose to stay in the city and raise their island into the sky. However, some echidnas left the city before the comet crashed and searched for their new home. Knuckles is now faced with how to help the descendants that are looking for their home.

A wife clings to a rock with her baby on her back. Her husband hangs on to her legs as the lava rises below. Knuckles says that they will die if they don't do anything. The husband lets go of his wife's legs, hoping that his wife and child will remain safe. Athair appears to meditate as he begins to float. The all of the echidnas begin to float, safe from falling into the lava. One echidna is too low and the lava begins to burn him. Knuckles wonders how Athair is making everyone float as he glides to the echidna. Knuckles lands on the ground and extinguishes the fire. The echidna is surprised to find out that he is not hurt although Knuckles is signed. To his surprise, Knuckles heals before his eyes.

Find Your Name in Print Page! - 1/2 page

As the echidnas float forward, Yanar is amazed at Athair's power and shocked at how Knuckles was able to quickly heal from his injuries.

Remington welcomes the Chaotix, who are soaking wet. He explains that Knuckles has left the island for an important mission, so the Chaotix must take over Knuckles' duties while he is gone. Remington then reluctantly introduces a new partner for the Chaotix: Julie-Su.

Athair tells Yanar that the Day of Fury has just begun and they should appreciate the momentary peace. Athair invites Knuckles to join him, and Knuckles says Athair will regret the suggestion. Yanar is shocked at Knuckles and Athair says that Yanar should be more sympathetic towards Knuckles since they both want knowledge. Knuckles says he only has one question and then asks why Athair abandoned his duties as a guardian. Athair says that the question is perceptive and decides to give his answer.

Athair's father died when he was an infant, so his mother, Janelle-Li, assumed the role as the guardian. As Janelle-Li dealt with matters on the Floating Island, Athair would accompany her. Then came the fateful day when they approached the Forbidden Zone, and she disappeared in a burning wall.

Knuckles is surprised and asks if all guardians have that same experience. Athair replies that most guardians do and returns to his story.

Athair was now in charge and filled with questions. He believed that in time his questions would be answered. His questions appeared in the form of the Ancient Walkers who told him that he was needed elsewhere. Athair appeared on surface of Mobius and was surprised to find echidnas there. The echidnas were paying their respects, and Athair felt the need to step forward. An echidna asked if he was "the other." When Athair said no, the echidna said that he must be the Mitre, the one that will guide the echidnas to their fabled home. Athair knew he was being called to lead the echidnas, but he still wondered who would act as guardian. The Ancient Walkers took Athair to Haven where he found Janelle-Li. Janelle-Li explains that she was called to Haven for a greater purpose.

Athair explains to Knuckles that he now had the gift of perspective, so he understood what was happening. Janelle-Li then left Haven so that she could assume Athair's duties on the Floating Island. She knew that the Ancient Walkers needed Athair more than the Brotherhood. Knuckles says he doesn't understand what is Haven or the Brotherhood. Athair explains that guardians seek to be part of the Brotherhood and Haven is the place of the Brotherhood. He then proceeds to continue with his story.

After assuming his duty as Mitre, Athair began to lead the echidnas to Albion by following the path of their forefathers. Athair soon met Crystal-La and gave into the soultouch. They were married, and after a season passed, a boy named Sabre was born. At this time, the tribe of echidnas had made their home in a valley. However, a drought came, and the echidnas had to move again. Years later, the Ancient Walkers informed Athair that Janelle-Li was dying. Sabre insisted that Athair leave, but Athair explained that he was needed here. Sabre then left with the Ancient Walkers and assumed the role as guardian with help from Archimedes.

Knuckles is surprised that Archimedes was alive back then, and Athair says that fire-ants live about as long as guardians. Athair concludes his story by mentioning that Sabre refuses to speak to him. Knuckles asks if another Mitre could take Athair's place. As he holds the Tomes, Athair explains that he was pre-ordained as the last Mitre and that he could not abandon them now. He thought that he could protect the tribe from everything, but he was wrong. One day, swatbots appeared with the intent of capturing everyone. Although the tribe fought back, many were captured, and Athair ordered everyone to retreat. The ones that were captured were roboticized, including Crystal-La. Since that time, Athair has represented the Ancient Walkers and also helped with the needs of the echidna tribe. Knuckles wants to ask more questions, but he is tired and leaves for the night. Yanar asks if Knuckles was ready to hear everything. Athair responds by asking if anybody is ready for what awaits them. Athair adds that his only regret is that he won't be there when the journey ends.

The next day, Knuckles wakes up and is shocked to find that Athair left with the Ancient Walkers. Yanar tells Knuckles that he will lead everyone. Knuckles protests and says he does not know the way to go. Yanar explains that Athair said to head toward the rising sun and that Knuckles could figure out the rest. Soon Knuckles and the tribe enter the Kingdom of Mercia. Suddenly an echidna appears and asks Knuckles if he has seen her brothers. Knuckles offers to look for them and tells her to stay since she'll be safer there. Furious, the echidna throws Knuckles aside. The echidna says that she can take care of herself and reveals that her name is Mari-An. Knuckles jokes and asks if she is related to Julie-Su. Knuckles orders the tribe to camp and leaves with Mari-An.

Later, a sound approaches the echidna tribe. Yanar leaves to investigate the sound and finds robots looking at him. A robot picks up Yanar and tells him to surrender. Meanwhile, Knuckles and Mari-An decide to split up to search more ground. The robot throws Yanar into a prison where two figures wonder who the other prisoner is. Yanar thinks aloud that Athair never told him anything about this place. Shocked that the echidna knows Athair, the figures introduce themselves as Sonic and Tails. Elsewhere, Knuckles wonders where he is as a hedgehog in a tree aims his arrow at Knuckles.

(To be continued in Sonic the Hedgehog #58 and concluded in Knuckles the Echidna #12.)

Fistful of Letters highlights:
~ Julie-Su is a echidna with cybernetic attachments
~ Other members of the Dark Legion qualify as cyborgs
~ Knuckles is 15 and Julie-Su is about his age
~ Knuckles got his gloves from his father
~ Enerjak is the most dangerous enemy Knuckles has ever fought, and Mammoth Mogul was just as dangerous when he stole Enerjak's power

(Summary by Silver Starr)

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