Knuckles would be guarding the master emerald up in Angel island. For some reason, he never got tired. He was pretty serious about this.

Knuckles looks around to see if there was anybody or any danger. He then heard a SNAP! he knew someone was there, so he quickly turned around at the direction of the snap

“Who’s there?! Show yourself!!”

Knuckles made a fist ready for a fight and started being protective of the master emerald

“I’m not afraid of you! Show yourself someone!”