Archive Zone is a feature exclusive to Issue 242 of Sonic the Comic Online. Similar to the Ancient Relic Zone, the feature delves into another original script, namely the first draft of Issue 224's Drowned. Some aspects of the story were altered before the final strip, although much of the framework is the same.
The name of the original writer was removed at his request. The creator may have been Ed Reynolds as he was the credited writer of "Drowned". He had also voiced his displeasure of having his scripts featured in the original Ancient Relic Zone.
Plot
The story was due to continue directly after "Point of No Return!", with the Metropolis Zone arriving at Robotnik's Retreat to arrest him. Inside, Grimer is seething with sorrow and frustration, whilst Amy Rose believes that their troubles are not yet over.
In the Emerald Hill Zone, Tekno the Canary attempts to console Knuckles the Echidna over the loss of the Floating Island. His misery is interrupted by Porker Lewis, who reveals he has found his home. Knuckles' events were due to continue in his own series... Still in the village, Porker explains to Tekno that the island is safe and, later, flies out to the ocean with Sonic the Hedgehog, Amy and Ebony. The Floating Island has been protected by a shield Porker previously set up and the Freedom Fighters plunge into the water to find it. However, when the engines malfunction, they are forced to crash-land in an underwater city.
Elsewhere, Grimer returns to the ruins of Citadel Robotnik. After stumbling to a room deep in the wreckage, Grimer opens a door to reveal a mass of backup Badniks.
Back in the underwater world of O'Keanos, the local population are amazed to speak with people not from the ocean. After a meeting with the elders, they discover The Power and Sonic almost turns into Super Sonic. Instead of informing Sonic of what happened, she simply tells him he passed out. Meanwhile, one of the Keanans is suspicious of the outsiders.
Anniversary Zone
The "Archive Zone" was reused as part of the Anniversary Zone feature released in conjunction with Issue 261. Updated weekly, this feature is much closer to the Behind the Scenes section in that it contains behind-the-scenes sketches and character sheets.