Knuckles the Echidna #25 Corner Box: No. 25 June $1.79 (Knuckles icon) Cover: Knuckles and Locke stand face-to-face

Book Twenty-five: Childhood's End

"Childhood's End"
Ken Penders: Writer
Manny Galan: Penciler
Andrew Pepoy: Inker
Mark Bernardo: Colorist
Vickie Williams: Letterer
J.F. Gabrie: Editor/Art Director
Victor Gorelick: Managing Editor
Richard Goldwater: Editor-in-Chief

(Introduction page)
About six years ago, Knuckles saw his father Locke disappear into a wall of flames. Knuckles thought he was the last of his race until recently when he was reunited with his mother Lara-Le.

Knuckles holds the metallic head of Benedict as he talks to Julie-Su. Suddenly he sees a familiar image in the head and turns around. He chases after the figure up some stairs and into the street. Locke turns around, and Knuckles rushes to hug him. Locke says they have a lot to talk about, and has Knuckles follow him. Julie-Su rushes up the stairs only to find that Knuckles is gone.

Locke flies an aircraft as they make their way to Haven. Knuckles asks for Locke to explain about Haven since he was not there for long (see Knuckles the Echidna #21 and #22). Locke begins by saying that the fire-ants designed and built Haven for Steppenwolf as he acts as guardian. As time passed, it became obvious that Steppenwolf would also have to watch the outside world. When Overlanders visited the island for the first time, their intentions were to kill the echidnas. Brutus Kintobor told Steppenwolf that they came in peace. Steppenwolf was ready, and with a bright glow, the Overlanders began to cry in pain as it felt as if their brains were on fire. Steppenwolf promised to end the pain if the Overlanders swore never to come to the Floating Island. Brutus asked how Steppenwolf how he knew their true intention, and Steppenwolf replied that it was his secret. The fire-ants were the ones responsible for knowing about the Overlanders because of their telepathic abilities which is enhanced in groups. Steppenwolf discussed the situation with Christopheles, who had an idea.

Locke lands the aircraft and walks into Haven. Knuckles follows, ready for the rest of the story. Christopheles and Steppenwolf agreed that more than one guardian is needed to protect the island. Steppenwolf brought Moonwatcher to Haven, and the two would exchange duties so that Moonwatcher would be able to visit the world below. The plan worked well, and Moonwatcher's son, Harlan, joined when he was of age. Harlan's son, Rembrandt, would also join. Rembrandt was the one who named the group "The Brotherhood."

The arrangements worked out well until Rembrandt's son, Aaron, encountered Overlanders on Mobius Prime. The Overlanders spoke with a Dark Legionnaire, who commanded them to capture Aaron. Aaron ran for his life and ran into Menniker as he spoke with an Overlander by a missile. The Overlander activated the missile, and Aaron jumped on top of the missile in hopes to disarm it. Menniker ran after Aaron and hopped onto the missile. As the missile flew through the air, Menniker warned Aaron not to touch a switch that would trigger the detonator. Aaron flipped the switch and the missile exploded.

Locke explains that no traces of either Aaron or Menniker were found. Knuckles assumes that Aaron was the first guardian to die. Locke corrects Knuckles by explaining that Edmund was the first to die. The only difference was that Edmund was not a fighter and his enemy was able to take advantage of this fact (as seen in Knuckles: Dark Legion #2). Aaron was young and reckless.

Rembrandt was devastated and the guardians agreed they should take steps to make sure that this would never happen again. Jordan, Aaron's younger brother, later informed his father that he wished to become the guardian that Aaron could never be. Rembrandt began to train Jordan similar to how Locke trained Knuckles. Some of the guardians felt they should help train, but they also believed that Jordan should accept his responsibilities gradually.

Locke explains that he never left Knuckles and Locke was always there for Knuckles. Locke provided the proper environment so that Knuckles could become who he is today. He hesitates and gradually begins to tell Knuckles more about his past. Locke explains that he had a nightmare either induced by the Ancient Walkers or it was a vision of the future (will be explained in a special called "Knuckles: Twenty Years Later" according to the editor). Helpless, Locke watched as Knuckles faced an opponent and then, with a flash of light, everything ended. When the dreams continued, Locke sought Athair, who said that the dream is a vision of the future that may have hope if Locke prepares.

Knuckles asks more about Athair's words, and Locke continued with his story. Locke used technology, such as biological enhancements, on himself so that when Knuckles was conceived he would have more than just his father and mother's genetic structure. Once Knuckles was born, there was another step to take place before he hatched. The egg carrying Knuckles was bathed in radiation in the Chaos Chamber, exposing it to the Chaos Emerald even though the Brotherhood debated whether to continue with the plan. When Knuckles hatched, Locke knew his work was successful.

Knuckles asks how Locke knew that everything worked. Locke takes off one of his gloves and exposes his right hand, showing that he is still an echidna. Knuckles takes off his left glove and looks at his hand. Two large knuckles protrude from his hand, confirming that he is genetically enhanced. Knuckles thought that all of the guardians had Knuckles like his and asks why it was him. Locke recalls how Athair said that he can create a savior. Knuckles asks if Locke ever thought he would be happier to be his son. Locke explains that he went through the same feelings as Knuckles and that the only difference is that he has superior abilities. He then asks Knuckles to put himself in his shoes and ask if it is better to sacrifice the world or bring up a son to save the world. Knuckles agrees and asks what to do. Locke says they should do something just like a father and son. Knuckles and Locke say that they love each other and walk away.

Fistful of Letters highlights:
~ The cover is not silver-inked due to "production complications"
~ This will be Manny Galan's last full issue of Knuckles the Echidna, but he will still do back-up stories in the future

Special Pro Art - 1 page