Knuckles the Echidna #18
Corner Box: No. 18 Nov. $1.75
(no picture)
Cover: Knuckles and Kragok fight
Book Eighteen: Deep Cover
Part Two of Two
"Debt of Honor"
Ken Penders: Writer
Manny Galan: Penciler
Andrew Pepoy: Inker
Barry Grossman: Colorist
Vickie Williams: Letterer
Justin Gabrie: Editor
Victor Gorelick: Managing Editor
Richard Goldwater: Editor-In-Chief
(Introduction page)
After learning of Tobor's mistaken identity, Knuckles believes that the
Dark Legion is responsible. He heads off to face Kragok as Tobor is
left with Julie-Su and Lara-Le.
After Lara-Le gives Tobor more tea, she asks him if being a guardian or
husband mattered more to him. Tobor admits he never thought about it
before and then admits he could not realize what sacrifices each role would
place on the other. Meanwhile, Kragok says he will talk to Knuckles
alone. Constable Remington at first refuses to leave the room, but
soon, he locks the door and says that he will be outside the door.
Knuckles demands that he have privacy. Remington agrees to stay away,
and Knuckles begins to confront Kragok.
Locke continues work on repairing the circuit and explains to his father
that an enemy would not know to attack them there. Sabre tells Locke
that he is implying that someone in Haven has betrayed them. Locke assures
his father that he is considering all possibilities and that their problem
is not easy to solve.
Knuckles demands to know everything about Tobor. Kragok acts like
he knows nothing and begins to run some water in the sink and wet his hands.
Knuckles grabs Kragok by the neck, and Kragok turns and uses his mechanical
arm to electrocute Knuckles. Furious, Knuckles begins a full attack.
Suddenly, a large electrical circle surrounds the two echidnas, and they are
transported to a new location, one that Kragok vowed to never return.
Lara-Le is confused that Hawking thought a Dark Legionnaire was his son.
Tobor explains that when the ancient ruins collapsed, he had broken bones
in his arm and hand. Later, when he found a doctor, Tobor learned that
his vision was declining and decades later he had eyes implanted so he could
continue to see. At this time, Tobor realized that Moritori Rex's injuries
must have also been severe, allowing him to trick Tobor's family by acting
as if he lost his memory. Lara-Le asks why Voni-Ca, Tobor's wife, could
not tell that Moritori was the imposter. Tobor sadly admits that he
does not have an answer.
As Knuckles and Kragok continue to fight, Sabre, Sojourner, and Spectre
discuss the situation at hand. Sabre admits that if the Dark Legion
could sense moments of weakness, they would strike now. Meanwhile,
Kragok finally admits to tell Knuckles what he knows since they will not
escape. Kragok starts by asking Knuckles to tell him everything he
knows about Dimitri. Knuckles begins to recall how Dimitri tried to
drain the power of the Chaos Emeralds, opposed by his brother Edmund (from
Sonic the Hedgehog #35
& #36). Edmund
became the first guardian, and Dimitri later changed into Enerjak, although
he was later defeated by Mammoth Mogul (in Sonic #56). Kragok is shocked that
Knuckles knows so little and begins to explain that Dimitri's son, Menniker,
took revenge on Edmund. Edmund's son, Steppenwolf, used chaos energy
to send Menniker and the Dark Legion to the zone Kragok and Knuckles currently
reside. Sometimes the Dark Legion was able to cross over from the zone,
but every time they were defeated by the current guardian. It was clear
that for every generation experienced by the Dark Legion, four generations
would pass for Knuckles. Kragok's father, Moritori Rex, learned that
he could watch others while in the zone. He took advantage of the guardian,
defeated him, and assumed his place. Knuckles realizes that the guardian
was Tobor. Kragok admits that this is true and then points to something
in the distance. After Knuckles turns his head, Kragok punches Knuckles
and heads toward an energy field. Knuckles regains himself and rushes
into the field.
Lara-Le is amazed that she cannot see Voni-Ca and Tobor. Tobor expected
this and begins to explain why. Suddenly he realizes that Knuckles is
in trouble and jumps out the window. Tobor glides toward a nexus, and
Kragok appears. Instantly Tobor begins to fight Kragok as Knuckles appears.
Tobor tells Knuckles to leave as he picks up Kragok and enters the portal.
Lara-Le finishes her speech to Julie-Su, explaining that she cannot get
her hopes up for a relationship between her and Knuckles. Knuckles
appears and the two girls hug him. Meanwhile, at Haven, Locke starts
the monitors. As everyone watches Knuckles, they are shocked that Julie-Su
is there. Moritori Rex is shocked by Julie-Su's behavior and realizes
that he must be ready in case the real Tobor reappears.
Espio - 1 page art
Fistful of Letters highlight:
~ The other guardian with Hawking in Knuckles
#5, page 13 is a young Tobor
