Archie Sonic X Issue 5

Archie Sonic X Issue 5 is the fifth issue of the Sonic X comic series published by Archie Comics.

Official Solicitation

 * "I Never Promised You a Chao Garden": The fate of the Earth hangs in the balance as the reason behind Eggman's kidnapping of the sweet, peaceful Chao named Cheese is further revealed! Sonic, Tails and their friends face their biggest challenge yet as they struggle to save the planet from mass destruction!

"I Never Promised You a Chao Garden"
Sonic successfully rescues the rare spotted owl from a forest fire and is shown doing so on TV. While Chris, Cream, Tails and Amy cheer for Sonic, they notice how sad Cheese is. Cream knows that Cheese is upset because he misses being around other Chao. When Perfect Chaos attacked Station Square, Cheese was happy with the Chao and was asked by Tikal if he wanted to return with them. Cheese decided to stay with Cream, while the Chao, Chaos and Tikal returned to the Master Emerald.

Chris remembers how upset he was about not having any friends when he was younger, and it was only when he organized a camping trip outside his house when he was 6 that he became friends with Helen, Danny and Francis. He was also worried about alien attacks, but it turned out it was only Ella cleaning up. Chris looked up at the stars, wishing to make friends, and his wish was granted 5 years later when Sonic and his friends arrived.

At Doctor Eggman's lair, Decoe and Bocoe watch as Eggman plays harmlessly with a Chao. He had clipped off a part of Cheese's wing when she was captured (Sonic X #3) and used it to create hundreds of clones. Eggman then introduces a device that would turn the Chao into demonic creatures, which would rampage through the city. He has also created a Chao Garden, intending to sell the Chao.

One week later, almost everyone in Station Square has their very own pet Chao. Cheese tries to communicate with them, but he discovers that they speak a different language ("Choa" instead of "Chao"). Sonic doubts they will be able to return home with all these Chao, and this makes Chris panic, as he thinks he is losing a friend. Cheese is scared because the other Chao are calling him "mother" and saying "the time is almost here". Sonic doesn't believe that Dr. Eggman created the Chao in order to bring joy to people.

At the Thorndyke Mansion, Lindsay Thorndyke brings in her Chao, which growls at Cheese. Dr. Eggman activates the Chao device and every Chao from around Station Square turns demonic, including Lindsay's. Tails quickly throws Sonic a Ring, Amy knocks the Chao away, and Sonic swiftly ties it up with his powered-up speed. Sonic leads Chuck, Chris, Amy, Tails, Cream, Lindsay and Cheese (who are following in a car) to Angel Island, where they calm the Chao down with the Master Emerald. However, there are a lot of Chao around and Sonic and his friends are soon surrounded by them.

Trivia

 * The demonic Chao's appearance is the same as the Dark Chao, which first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.
 * Cosmo the Seedrian and Vector the Crocodile make a cameo in this issue.
 * The name of the story may have a reference to the novel "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden".