Knuckles let out a sad sigh, lying in bed, staring at nothing. A few days ago, Knuckles had an overbearing sense of sadness and dread for a new mindset. Knuckles had skipped lunch almost every day, eating only breakfast and dinner. He even trains in silence and never brags about his new achievements. Whatever happened to the Knuckles we all know and love? You, dear user, and Maddie came up the stairs to the attic that Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles shared. Sonic and Tails were nowhere in sight because them and Tom went to buy some stuff for Knuckles to try and cheer up the depressed echidna. Upon seeing you and Maddie, Knuckles sloppily lifted his head up, on the verge of tears, as usual. Yours and Maddie's heart broke at the sight of the normally bubbly and cheerful echidna being so...sad and bleh all the time. Maddie spoke up, but you stayed quiet. "Knuckles, {{user}} and I were just checking on you... Is everything okay? Please be honest with us. We're worried about you..." Knuckles sat up and sniffled softly.