Hey guys, sorry it's been awhile-I haven't been able to go on lately because of school.
Anyway, I support your opinion entirely, FMR. That's the problem with me: when I get something in my head, it sticks, and I oftentimes refuse to think of any other possibilities until they're pointed out to me. The Brotherhood never seemed like the overprotective type to me, but I guess we all do it in different ways: some parents don't let their kids stay out after dark, and the Brotherhood kidnap bullies while they're asleep and throw them off of cliffs some 2000 feet above the ocean's surface. By the way, in case it doesn't explain, how did Monk survive that and manage to claw his way back up after so long?
I'm also glad that you agree with my idea of the Ancient Walkers forcing the Brotherhood to break tradition with Knuckles because they need him to be stronger. Tough as the Brotherhood members are, Knuckles is on a whole 'nother level, one that will undoubtedly elevate him above them at some point, if it hasn't already.
As for the Rouge/Julie-Su Enerjak/Knuckles situation, I am fully aware that we're not supposed to talk about relationships. However, let's just look at that hypothetical situation unfolding in a different light. Julie-Su could be seen as just trying to snap a dear friend out of an evil influence, a typical plot in various universes where good characters are possessed/brainwashed/etc. Upon her failure, Rouge would undoubtedly be smug, as the two of them have been rivals since they met-over Knuckles, it's true, but I think that Rouge's rivalry with Knuckles in the games (you know, how they're both competing for the same treasure using similar skills) has sort of transferred into the comics, with Julie-Su taking Knuckles' place in the antagonism.
Of course, the whole situation of Julie-Su trying to snap Knuckles out of being Enerjak is purely conjecture at this point: while Knuckles is a distinct possibility as the new Enerjak, we don't know for sure yet and there are a number of other candidates-can't really think of anyone who's more likely than Knuckles, but I'm sure there's someone if you look at it right.
I don't think it is ever explain how Monk survived; I just figured the fall was completely broken by the water and Monk escaped his bonds and swam ashore. As for how he got back to the island, it appears that Monk had been on Mobius Prime training, etc. and when he finally saw the island floating overhead, he used a long grapping hook and rope to pull himself back onto the island.
Okay...I suppose that there is some chance of him surviving a fall like that, since Mobians have usually proven themselves more capable than humans. Then again, it could just be Monk himself; any guy who could pick on Knuckles at any age had to be pretty tough. It it isn't specific to him, and if humans and Mobians are equal when it comes to surviving, then that brings up the unpleasant idea of Hunter coming back...
Anyway, I know that we're all looking forward to #181. You've all heard my opinion on who the new Enerjak is, so I won't go into it again, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Eggman already stated that the Hunter did'nt survive his fall during the Darkest Storm arc.
Ah, gotcha. That's a relief; the idea of having him come back doesn't appeal to me. Hunter got the mandatory two appearances for a villain before dying-I'm not sure anyone else has noticed the trend, but all villains in the comics seem to attack in two separate instances at least before getting killed, imprisoned, or whatever.
I liked Hunter. 
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any guy who could pick on Knuckles at any age had to be pretty tough.
No, actually, not really, at that age Knuckles hadn't been trained in fighting much, hadn't developed his strength, and hadn't realized nor tapped into his Chaos powers, yet so it was quite easy for anyone to pick on him then especially with how much bigger Monk was then than Knux.
I mean no disrespect, Spiner Storm. Your opinions on Sonic characters are yours to decide-the same right belongs to everyone.
Guess you're right about Knuckles not being too far along, but I wasn't under the impression that Knuckles ever really had to develop his strength-I thought he was just born with it like Sonic had his speed. Sure, he trained himself to use it over the years, but I thought it'd be a natural ability that he could still have used even though he didn't know entirely how, and he might have just lashed out at Monk in desperation at some point.
Just for a little back-on-topic deal (I know that I do this too much, but I can't help myself), here's I list I've compiled of Echidnas who are at least somewhat plausible as the new Enerjak-meaning that they aren't too minor, have been around recently, and are not prevented from being the new Enerjak by their current situation:
Knuckles Spoilers (Select To Read): (he was last seen leaving New Mobotropolis for Angel Island, and the summary for this issue actually says that he's vanished)
Dr. Finitevus Spoilers (Select To Read): (I don't really see it, since he and Enerjak both appear on the cover of #182)
Lien-Da (some people have said that the new Enerjak looks feminine; I don't agree, but I suppose it's possible)
Locke Spoilers (Select To Read): (he left Angel Island in search of the Brotherhood, and I doubt he could have come back yet or that Finitevus would choose him as the new Enerjak anyway, but it's possible)
Sojourner Spoilers (Select To Read): (like Locke, doesn't seem too likely a candidate-neither does Lien-Da, for that matter-but given his disappearance it's possible)
Now, there are a number of suggested characters I didn't include: Remington, Julie-Su, and the rest of the Brotherhood. This is for a simple reason: they don't seem plausible to me as the new Enerjak. Remington's already got a big revelation coming up: his old friends are going to find out that he's a Dark Legion Grand Master and the son of the dearly departed Kragok. Julie-Su wasn't anywhere near Angel Island when Dimitri came to New Mobotropolis warning of the new Enerjak, and I just don't see the new Enerjak (if he's anything like the old one) pointlessly disguising his fur color, and the guy definitely isn't black, purple, or brown-furred.
None of the Brotherhood members are exactly young, either, and I figure that Finitevus wanted someone in the prime of their life or younger to take on the role so they could be more easily molded into a new Enerjak. Finitevus himself doesn't strike me as a very likely candidate either-he's the shadowy operator, not the big flashy supervillain-but I guess there's a chance he could have taken on Enerjak's mantle. Lien-Da doesn't seem likely, since she's busy going to war with Remington. You've all heard who I think the new Enerjak is, and so I won't bother to repeat myself-although if you look at the spoilers above and then read this information, you'll pretty much know who I'm thinking of.
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just don't see the new Enerjak (if he's anything like the old one) pointlessly disguising his fur color, and the guy definitely isn't black, purple, or brown-furred.
Unless the change from normal echidna to Enerjak changes their fur colour. It happened with Dimitri (normal Dimitri is a dark red, Enerjak - what we could see of him - was bright red). I don't think we can entirely dismiss characters because of their fur colour, which is why I'm still gunning for Finitevus - if someone is going to go to the effort to recreate Dimitri's body armour, fur colour change isn't a problem.
And as far as age goes, whoever Enerjak is, if they were old, there is little doubt they could reverse aging seeing how as being Enerjak you are ageless, immortal.
... that no one seems to be considering. Isn't it possible that, despite all Finitevus's scheming, the creation of this new Enerjak might not go according to his plan? The introduction of one unknown variable might be enough to skew the equation considerably, whether it be the return of Knuckles, earlier than expected (remember, he left before Dimitri got to him), or of Locke, or something else we've yet to foresee.
This is the possibility that's been nagging at me ever since I learned that (it's pretty well certain that) Finitevus will not himself become the new Enerjak. WHY oh why, as someone else here asked, would Finitevus confer such power on his own enemies? (His only confirmed echidna "friend" being Lien-Da, and I rather doubt that alliance is still in force, given Finitevus's status as her "temporary foil.") HOW could he possibly hope to control the new Enerjak, a being possessed of ultimate power? WHY wouldn't he just simplify matters by transforming himself into Enerjak instead?
The only plausible answer I can come up with is that his best-laid plans will go astray somehow. Chaos energy is tricky business, after all. It would be only too easy for person(s) unknown to interrupt or attempt to foil him in the midst of executing his plan, get blasted with chaos energy instead, and themselves be transformed into Enerjak.
And how deliciously ironic would it be if this new Enerjak was created the same way the first one was, by accident? Oh Ian, you sly fox ... er, potto!
Granted, Finitevus is looking pretty smug on the preview cover to STH 182, not at all like someone who's just had absolute power snatched from his bionic grasp, but then again, it is a preview cover. You can only trust them so far. (Even when they're canon, it's not a good idea to put too much stock by covers though: They exist to grab your attention, nevermind their often tenuous connection to the actual contents of the comic.)
This brings me to my second point: Whether the transformation to Enerjak can change someone's fur color (or said superbeing could change it themself, at will), we also need to consider the possibility that STH 181's preview cover has shown a red-furred echidna just to throw us off the scent of the real Enerjak, who may ultimately have any fur color. (Remember, you can't trust the covers absolutely.) In which case, I suppose it still could be Finitevus, since the only real proof that he won't be the new Enerjak is the aforementioned preview covers.
...
Wow, I'd forgotten how easy it is to talk myself in circles here! I guess there's a reason I don't post very often (or at all, for the last few years now), but I just couldn't help myself this time. This upcoming storyline has actually intrigued me enough to draw me out of hiding. I can't wait to see what Ian has in store for us.
Whoa, if Aurelia is posting, it must be good XD.
Alright, I suppose that Enerjak's rebirth could result in a reversed aging or changing fur color, though it seems kind of lame. I mean, Enerjak isn't a super transformation-he's like a weaker Chaos Knuckles who doesn't turn green. Dimitri's change of color from dark to light red could have simply been the fact that he was so charged with energy-while Enerjak is different, he could share some attributes with the likes of Super Knuckles, who's fur turned a lighter color due to having so much energy in his body.
Personally, I think Finitevus is a type of guy who prefers shadowy manipulation to parading himself. His goal may not be to control the new Enerjak-maybe he just wants a strong ruler to reunify the Legion, crush the Dingoes, and bring Mobius under his dominion. Of course, I imagine that he'd have ulterior motives for making someone else into the new Enerjak: if he's not Enerjak, then there's less chance that the heroes will go after him with all guns blazing. Finitevus seems pretty on the ball, and he's had numerous examples where a villain who achieves awesome power ends up being defeated and weakened because they were the one the heroes went after.
Assuming this theory is correct, here's what I think Finitevus might be up to if he purposely made someone else the new Enerjak: Enerjak helps him to accomplish his goals because he shares those goals, and Finitevus still retains a position of power as the new Enerjak's highest ranking advisor because of his role in bringing the big guy back. Of course, in the event that the whole Enerjak thing goes south, the worst Finitevus really has to worry about is being imprisoned by one of the various factions arrayed against him and his new boss-although, given the fact that his options are basically execution by Lien-Da or Remington, being imprisoned in the Egg Grape Chamber by Robotnik, or joining the Mammoth Mogul crew in New Mobotropolis, it doesn't exactly look like a promising situation. And that's assuming that those are the only three factions that will really be on his case-there's also the possiblity of the Brotherhood, Albion, and the Dingoes.
Of course, Finitevus could still control Enerjak in the role of trusted advisor. It's a classic scenario: a villain worms his way into a leader's trust and begins poisoning him against anyone else, making the ruler feel that only his "advisor" is his friend and can offer him right advice. If my idea that anyone who becomes Enerjak goes insane is correct, Finitevus could also be counting on the instability of the new Enerjak's mind to control him.
The idea of a repeat of the first Enerjak's birth does sound somewhat interesting, but I'd prefer to see something more original. Plus, I'm still convinced that Finitevus is not the new Enerjak-if he wanted that role, he probably would have already donned it and absorbed the Master Emerald's powers. Besides, if he was going to do it himself, why would he bother with Dimitri? He must have had some purpose in keeping the former Enerjak around, but it didn't last long since he didn't care when Dimitri left. The fact that Finitevus didn't just become Enerjak right off the bat-which could be explained as building suspense, but let's forget about that-leads me to believe that he had another candidate in mind, and as we all know, there was one Echidna who just happened to heading to Angel Island right before Dimitri showed up in New Mobotropolis.
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If my idea that anyone who becomes Enerjak goes insane is correct,
You know, that might be the reason Finitevus doesn't want to become Enerjak. If he went insane, he would most likely abandon whatever his current plans are.
Interesting point there, Bean. Of course, as a number of our colleagues on this site have suggested, Enerjak may not BE insane. I think he is, and you might, but not everyone does. Although if he is, I'll say again that you've got a point about Finitevus not wanting to lose his mind-although that grin of his makes you question his sanity as it is.
I forget how many regular emaralds are powering the Master (13? 14? 15?), but I'd be curious to see if it works out that the power of all but one of those is absorbed into New!Enerjak, and the Master Emerald retains its original size and power - in order to align itself more with its game counterpart.
Weren't the regular emeralds all merged into seven?
Hey Spectre I noticed something in your posts and I hope you accept this opinion, How are you so sure that the Grandmaster of the Frost legion is Remington? we havent even seen fully the Grandmaster of the Frost Legion yet
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Weren't the regular emeralds all merged into seven?
They were, with the exception of the Master Emerald. That still has like 14 regular emeralds powering it; however many it was that Enerjak absorbed initially plus the two emeralds that Knuckles had.
I didn't get to sleep until 5am for the last few nights - I think that my memory's playing tricks...
I think it likely that Enerjak will be powered by 13 Chaos Emeralds-there are fourteen in the Master, but the energy of at least one has always been needed to keep Angel Island safely aloft, and I doubt that Finitevus wants to take chances. His plans for reviving Enerjak to reunify the Legion won't mean much if the entire Legion gets killed during a 2000-foot plunge to the ocean below. All the Chaos Emeralds aside from the Master were merged into seven, as has been said: Feist has six of them in the Special Zone, and Sonic got the grey one from him during a trip to recover them. It's a good thing Knuckles didn't take it when Sonic offered it to him back in #178; even if he isn't the new Enerjak, the fact that he goes missing right after the new Enerjak appears would mean that he's been taken captive, and if Finitevus were responsible then the grey Emerald would have fallen into his hands and been used to make Enerjak even more powerful.
I'm willing to conceded that Remington hasn't been officially introduced as the Frost Legion's Grand Master, but that picture of the guy from Locke's last communication with Knuckles-a conversation that upset Knuckles as much for the content as for the price of the screen he smashed to end it, no doubt-looked a lot like Remington. Besides, if Lien-Da knew Remington's identity as Kragok's son, I'd be willing to bet that others in the Legion did as well, and who would the Legion follow if not a Grand Master? In this regard, Dimitri has kind of played into Finitevus' hands-so long as he's nowhere near the Legion, he can't convince any of them that the new Enerjak isn't him, which would destablize their loyalty to him. Sure, we don't know how he might have escaped the Zone of Silence since he got sucked in there, but that's what the whole Enerjak arc is about: explaining most of, if not all, the little details about the Echidnas that have been nagging at fans for so long.
Besides, who else could it be? Moritori's never favored the black cape look, and the Frost Grand Master looked quite a bit younger than he did when last seen. Kragok's death has been confirmed, and the idea of one of the Brotherhood willingly impersonating a Dark Legion Grand Master is almost as ridiculous of the idea of one of them choosing to be Enerjak-I know some people support the idea, but I just don't see it.
Last night I had a dream about the back-up story in this issue where we see Enerjak take off his mask to reveal himself as Finitevus, and then retort "Who were you expecting - Knuckles?"
It made me lol and I've decided it must happen.
That would be a funny moment and a smack in the face to all of us who do think it's Knuckles. If only the comics had outtakes or bloopers and such-that would be a good one for when Enerjak's identity is revealed, unless it turns out that he is Finitevus. Of course, if it were to turn out that Knux isn't Enerjak, then I would be ticked because apparently Sonic is going to be having the big final showdown with him. Not only is that making Sonic too big a hero-screw it if the comic's named after him, I don't care-but it destroys the arch-nemesis bond between Knuckles and Enerjak. Enerjak is the only arch foe Knux has ever really had; every other villain he's fought was more of a rival, and none of them have ever matched Enerjak.
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Knuckles = Enerjak practically confirmed. Hope I'm wrong.
Thats pretty much what I'm thinking.
I had a dream a few nights ago where Enerjak was a freakin' Egg Pawn. Those generic red robots from Sonic Heroes.
He made up for it, though, by crisping everything in a 20-mile range. The main characters were safely out of harm's way 
As I recall, you said the same thing in the #183 topic, lalalei. A robot with Enerjak's power could definitely do some serious damage, but I still think you have a way messed up dream world.
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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #181
"Rising Evil - Enerjak Reborn!": The demolition starts here, with super-powered villain Enerjak wrecking havoc on Angel Island ! Our heroes are readying their defenses while Sonic and Tails race against time to find the still missing Knuckles! Can they find him, or did Enerjak get to him first? PLUS: "Undone": You'll shudder at the shocking origin of this new Enerjak... if your nerves are strong enough to handle it! SCRIPT: Ian Flynn. ART: Tracy Yardley (pencils) & Jim Amash (inks). Earth-shattering cover by Tracy Yardley!
Shipping Date: October 17th, 2007
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 23rd, 2007
On Sale on Newsstands: November 6th, 2007
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US
Buh-bye dingoes. Hope you like sand. One wonders what Enerjak did to Scourge and Fiona...
Why would he do anything to them? They work for Finitevus. >_>
Also, there goes my theory of Anti-Knuckles being Enerjak. An Irish-speaking Enerjak would have been awesome.
::SHIVER:: I NEED ISSUE NOW!!! COMIC SHOPS WILL FEEL MY WRATH IF THEY DUN HAVE IT BY TOMORROW.. Dun CARE what the shipping date says...I want that issue NOW! >O!!!!! THE RIVERS OF THE NEWER YORK WILL RUN WITH THE BLOOD OF THE NON-READERS!
I need that issue! I need that issue I need that issue I need that issue! Enerjak looks great, and I love how he sticks it to the Dingoes; I never liked those guys-except Harry, he was okay.
Guess we're not going to be seeing a reenactment of #125's gathering of every combatant on Mobius for the Enerjak saga; he's cut off the Downunda Freedom Fighters, Monkey Khan, and everyone else for that matter!
Speaking of Monkey Khan, anyone wondering if we'll hear from the Iron King and Queen ever again?
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Why would he do anything to them? They work for Finitevus. >_>
Well, he could be one of those villians that doesn't care about his minions once he gets what he was after. Maybe using Scourge as a test victim to see that Enerjak's at the full power he should be at.
But I'm just speculating, so they could very well be untouched.
Whoa Im really impresed by those three pages Ian and Tracy have done a impresive work, I cant wait to buy this issue and see the rest of it once it comes out, I like the way how Enerjak punished the Dingoes, stripping them near naked and vannishing to the desert, I just hope its not the last we see of them I would like to see how they try to survive there, I suspect the Dingoes might be rescued later that could be the way to see how they have lived in the desert so far, why do I say this, because I think the Freddom fighters an chaotix wouldnt be so heartless, as much they would be taken to jail for their crimes and now with what Enerjak did to them it will be easy, he he I can imagine them living like in the stone age. Another thing im happy with this Issue is the fact I will get my Enerjak against Frost Legion and Fire Legion war, I dont mind if it will be short but the tought of Enerjak attacking, intimidating the legion to follow him and removing Lien-Da and the Frost legion Grandmaster from leadership its really cool for me.
>O!!!! AAAAAAARGH I'M PISSED!!
THAT PHOTO OF ENERJAK! I ZOOMED IN TO LIKE 500X
I SEE NO KNUCKLES-But only that Stupid Halo crap! Omg if that's my only defense that this guy is not Knux, SpectreHedginacat has TOO much leverage against me >>.
:;Swings fearlessly with a foam-covered bat.::
I'll try to ignore the butchering of my username.
XD Oh see, I never really looked at it. Its just Hat+echidna. ok, I can remember that now xD. Hedge in a cat just sounds funnier.
Not to mention the banishment to the desert type dealio again >>
Hey what if its Dimirti :O LIKE VIA TIME WARP :o.
Shades of Knuckles #1! A nice throwback to the old fans having Enerjak sending his enemies to fry in the desert, though not exactly original.
They're gonna get eaten by sandworms. How fun.
Again, I'll try to ignore the slandering of my name. It's He- as in Hedgehog, -chidn- as in Echidna, and -at as in Bat. It's complicated; go read my Chaos War fics on Netraptor or DeviantARt if you care.
It is interesting to see that Enerjak hasn't changed tactics much; wonder who's going to be molecularly disassembled this time. By the way, I read that General Kage is really ol' and ugly General Stryker, but I've also heard that he's Stryker's butt ugly son (I inserted the insults myself); which is it?
Kage is Stryker's son. That was made clear in the RtAI arc.
It's He- as in Hedgehog, -chidn- as in Echidna, and -at as in Bat..
I see...even though...it could also be..H-as in hedgehog..echidna- as in Echidna and t-as in bat :O. The second time wasn't purposeful slander, and I will take a look at your DA page now 😛
I hope for no disassembaly. I really don't want any "O man I gotta restore x billion molecules into people type scenarios >> that lead Knux to once again hafta find himself.
I also hope that Enerjak doesn't use that attack again; at least teleporting the Dingoes looked cooler than last time. I'm glad you finally get my name, and I look forward to hearing back from you about my stories.
