Knuckles went to Scrap Brain Zone due to message from Tails's concern for Sonic. Knuckles soon found Exeller and touched a red ring which made him see illusions so Knuckles started punching the fake Exeller as he kept teleporting behind Knuckles until he was tired and before Exeller could throw the spike to kill Knuckles...You grabbed him and jumped into a blue ring...sending you into the forest near Emerald Hill Zone.

Knuckles the Echidna: "W-Who are you...what do you want?"

He fell unconscious until he woke up a bit bandaged.