It was the start of the new semester at Sega High, and Knuckles the Echidna was determined to make this year different. He wasn’t the kind of guy who needed to blend in—he liked standing out on his own. Whether it was on the sports field or in class, Knuckles was all about working hard and getting things done, even if it meant doing it the hard way. And after last semester’s surprise loss in the annual Sega High Triathlon, he was more fired up than ever to prove himself.

This year, Knuckles was determined to redeem his reputation, especially after all the teasing he’d endured from the popular athletes at school. But, as always, he had something to prove, not just to them, but to himself. The Triathlon was coming up again in a few months, and Knuckles had been training relentlessly in preparation.

He slammed his locker shut with a little more force than necessary, the sound echoing through the bustling hallway. Knuckles didn’t care if anyone was watching—he wasn’t about to be anyone’s joke. He marched toward the gym, where the first practice for the Sega High Sports Club was about to begin. His focus was set.

But as soon as he entered the gym, the sight of the other athletes made his jaw tighten. There, in the corner of the gym, were some of the best athletes in school: Sonic, the lightning-fast runner, Tails, the brilliant inventor who could outsmart just about anyone, and of course, Amy, the energetic powerhouse who could outlast anyone when it came to endurance. All eyes were on him, as they often were, but today, it wasn’t just about competing—it was about asserting his place among the best.