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Knuckles the Echidna Publication Details Issue  29 Date Published  August 1999 Publisher  Archie Comics Production Staff Cover Artist Manny Galan Ken Penders Writer Ken Penders Pencils Art Mawhinney Inks Rich Koslowski Letters Vickie Williams Colors Frank Gagliardo Editor J. Freddy Gabrie Managing Editor Victor Gorelick Editor in Chief Richard Goldwater First Appearances Characters Catweazle

Archie Knuckles the Echidna Issue 29 was the twenty-ninth issue of the spin-off Knuckles the Echidna comic series.

Summary

Story One

"My Special Friend" Guest Starring... Princess Sally

The story begins with Sally yelling at Antoine for not telling her about him going on the mission to find Elias and doesn't believe that she can trust him. She storms to her father and demands that they talk. She tells him that he has treated her like a stranger, issued harsh orders, demanded that she marry Antoine and keeping the secret of her brother from her. He argues that he's still a caring father and he was trying to protect her, but failed. He believes that the source of hope their kingdom can be found on the Floating Island and sends her on a mission to the location. 

Meanwhile, on the Floating Island, Catweazle flies to Knuckles talking about how he hasn't seen him much lately. Knuckles realizes that he has been in Echidnaopolis more than he should. Catweazle jokes with him that with the dingoes and the Overlanders fighting against them should mean that this is paradise. They begin talking about family problems, with Catweazle bluntly saying that Knuckles could be getting a sibling with Lara-Le remarrying. Knuckles manages to get useful information from him that Overlanders have been sighted nearby and points at a ship heading towards them. Unknown to them, Sally is actually flying the ship with NICOLE. They begin discussing the king's drastic changes when she activates the beacon on her ship. In Haven, Sabre and Thunderhawk notice the royal signal and that it could mean it's either the king or his emissary. They send a response back to the craft as Sally lands. 

Knuckles and Catweazle approach the ship and Sally steps out and meets Knuckles. She yells at him at first and brings up the topic about her falling into a chemical vat while on a mission, turning her orange with yellow fur. She didn't complain about her new appearance, but spent many baths rubbing the toxins out, changing colors over time until she was back to normal. She blames Knuckles about keeping secrets from her, concerning Alicia frozen on the island. Knuckles honestly tells her that he didn't know and she would have told him if he knew. She tells him her mission to see the Brotherhood of Guardians to enlist them to help against Robo-Robotnik. Knuckles is surprised that she knew about Haven and was told this by her father. Knuckles decides to help her when Spectre and Deo Volente appear and escort them to Haven.  

They teleport to Haven and Spectre introduces the Brotherhood to Sally; Sojourner, Thunderhawk, Sabre and Locke. Sally tells them about her motives for coming here and they take her into the conference room. Knuckles, meanwhile, tells Locke about his belief that everyone has been keeping secrets from him and it's affecting his friends. Locke explains to him about Sally, and that they were never to meet because of her people. Later, Sally fully explains her situation and asks them to assist them, as well as helping her with Alicia's condition. Spectre states that they can't do anything else with her mother. He further asks if her people are willing to engage with Robo-Robotnik using everything available, including using munitions technology. Sally is unable to agree to that and she finds that her plea has been refused.  

At the Royal Compound, Knuckles arrives to be greeted by Colonel Sommersby and asks to speak with Sally. He finds her watching over the sunset and wants to talk to her. With her refusal to speak, he asks her if her father told her everything while she was growing up, and she sadly replies no. Knuckles tells her that even when things are complicated, he's still her friend. They remember the times they spent when they were young, while Locke and King Acorn would talk and how much fun they had. He agrees with her that the Brotherhood should join the fight against Robo-Robotnik, but he can't convince them otherwise with their history. Sally begins doubting Knuckles and heads back to her craft, while being watched by the Colonel and Martha. Knuckles follows trying to convince her that he's still the same he has been, but is unable to after he didn't join them when she asked before. She leaves with Knuckles watching her depart, thinking about how can he choose between his special friend or his family, and where does it leave him.

Quotes

Key Events

• Sally confronts her father over recent events and is sent to Angel Island on a mission
• Sally attempts to sway the Brotherhood into joining the war without success
• Sally and Knuckles discuss their past and the difficulties their friendship faces due to tradition and duty

Background Information

• Princess Sally, who is featured in the mainstream Sonic the Hedgehog series, appears in this issue of Knuckles the Echidna comic series for the first time.
• This issue explains Sally's old designs (orange with yellow hair & pink with black hair) were the cause of her falling into a chemical vat. This is included with an editor's note that they have "set the record straight" that they didn't color her the wrong shades.