Knuckles was swept away with the rest of the flotsam and jetsam of Aquaticus' final attack. A tree slammed into him and smashed his bubble shield open. He tried reaching for the scuba mouthpiece strapped to his side but everything was so turbulent there was no way he'd be able to figure it out in time.

He struggled against the current, holding his breath and heading in the direction he thought was up based on the amount of visible light. There was a teeny little bright dot up there... if he swam for that...

He finally broke the surface near Riwane's tail. Zero had asked him to help the fire lizards if he could and this one seemed to be totally out cold. He swam over, placing an arm around her shoulders and started swimming for shore.

I'll do like you wanted me to, Zero. Show that big blue bully we mean business while I'm taking care of things up here.