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This issue is continued in Sonic Universe #2

Sonic the Hedgehog Publication Details Issue  198 Date Published  March 2009 Publisher  Archie Comics Production Staff Cover Artist Tracy Yardley Cover Colorist Jason Jensen Writer Ian Flynn Pencils Renae De Liz Inks Jim Amash Letters Teresa Davidson Colors Jason Jensen Michael Watkins Editor Mike Pellerito Managing Editor Mike Pellerito Editor in Chief Victor Gorelick Special Thanks Kristen Parcell, Dyna Lopez and Cindy Chau at Sonic Licensing First Appearances Vehicles Mobo-Cruiser

Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Issue 198 was the one hundred and ninety-eighth issue of the main Sonic the Hedgehog comic series.

Summary

Story One

"Egg Phoenix Down"

The Knothole Freedom Fighters charge into the ruins outside of the Eggdome to clear the area of the Dark Egg Legion soldiers. As they do, Lien-Da watches, noting that the Freedom Fighters stopped advancing. As she expresses confidence, the Chaotix suddenly appear, and as Lien-Da calls for backup, Sonic the Hedgehog spindashes through her pod, knocking her to the ground. She then attacks Sonic with her whip until she is disarmed by Antoine, cutting it in half with his sword. She then retreats with her troops while calling for support. Charmy Bee then relays to Sally Acorn that the entire battalion is in full retreat. She then gets a call from Tails, saying that he is finished ahead of schedule. Sally then tells him to meet up with the groups.

Inside the Eggdome, Dimitri the Echidna confronts Dr. Eggman, telling him his Legion needs support, and the Doctor goes off to fight Sonic. Dimitri, not considering Eggman reliable, then asks Eggman if he has a reserve Badnik army, to which Eggman replies "No, Enerjak saw to that". He then states that he will be the one to finish off Sonic and him alone.

Outside the Eggdome, Lien-Da commands her soldiers to fire upon the two opposing groups. Before they do, Tails activates his Neutralizing Mines around the Legion, disabling their weapons. Sally then calls out for their surrender. At that moment, a ball of fire erupts from the Eggdome, revealing itself to be the Egg Phoenix. It then shoots fire at all the groups, scattering them in different directions (with the Legion in retreat yet again). The Freedom Fighters and Chaotix regroup and try to come up with a new plan, but then the Phoenix comes back to them, scattering them again.

Meanwhile, Snively is watching from the Eggdome, noting that Eggman is actually winning. Dimitri then notes that Eggman almost killed his group as well, to which Snively replied he didn't care. Dimitri then threatened to expose his secret about his love affair to Eggman unless he started caring. Snively then tells Dimitri that they both can benefit from her arrival if he keeps his mouth shut.

Outside, the Freedom Fighters and Chaotix are taking cover from the Egg Phoenix's fire. Sally then comes up with a plan...

Sonic runs out into the open, taunting Eggman into following him. Sonic then runs to Vector the Crocodile, who tosses him into the air. He then goes up to Knuckles the Echidna, who tosses him even higher up, followed by Tails, then Bunnie Rabbot. He then tells Eggman about the pitfall of flying straight up... it causes the aircraft to stall. As the Phoenix drops, Ray, Charmy and Saffron plant Neutralizing Mines on the Phoenix, which then lands toward Tails and Sally. Tails then activates the mines when the Egg Phoenix is in range, disabling the Phoenix and causing it to crash. An enraged Eggman then flies from the Phoenix's remains as Sonic goes toward the wreckage, which then explodes in front of him. The two groups then set up camp for the night.

Eggman enters the Eggdome and orders Snively and Dimitri to assemble the Legion for tomorrow's attack.

Quotes

• Sonic: Hey Eggman! Nice pyrotechnics, but your Egg Sparkler hasn't hit me yet!

Key Events

• The Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix invade the Eggman Empire and force the Dark Egg Legion to retreat.
• The Egg Phoenix attacks the Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix.
• The Egg Phoenix is destroyed.
• Dimitri and Snively form a secret alliance against Dr. Eggman.

Background information

• This is the first Sonic issue drawn by Renae De Liz.
• This is so far the latest issue where colorist Jason Jensen appears in the STH series other than Sonic Universe.
• This issues story continues into SU: #2.
• "Egg Phoenix Down" is a pun for the movie "Black Hawk Down". It also references the Final Fantasy item, Phoenix Down, which revives KO characters.
• Eggman's Egg Phoenix may be a reference to his Egg Hawk from Sonic Heroes.