Although Sonic, Knuckles, the Chaotix and the Dark Legion managed to successfully liberate Locke from captivity in Cavem Canus, at the same time Dr. Eggman dispatched Hunter to retrieve the Master Emerald. Locating the Hidden Palace, he proceeded to capture numerous echidnas and teleport them to the Egg Grape Chambers. Although he managed to get close to the Master Emerald, its energies reacted within Knuckles and transformed him into Super Knuckles, at which point he smashed through the roof of the Hidden Palace and hurled Hunter off Angel Island to his death. Although Dr. Eggman had learned of the Hidden Palace's location from Hunter, the Master Emerald was moved to a new safe location. (StH: #140, #141)