Knuckles was in the sky with Master Emerald. While sitting on a platform, a mocking voice surprised him.

- Nice bling you got there.

Knuckles saw a dark blue echidna, who said:

- Name's Ringo. May I guard this gem-o?

- Is this a joke?

A fight started. Ringo took to the air with a hang-glider. Knux glided and managed to knock his enemy over.

Little did he know there was more rivals to come...

Among Sky Sanctuary's ruins, Knuckles met his next adversary.

- For the glory of Mushard I, Punch, challenge you to a duel!

Knuckles chuckled.

- What taste is your Mushard?

- You'll pay for this, helot!

Punch grabbed "helot's'' legs and started to spin. He threw him at a wall. Knuckles made a boulder out of the cracked wall and tossed it. Punch couldn't avoid it on his weak legs. He lost...

Among the ruins, Knuckles saw the back of a sitting mobian. Without even turning, she said:

- I'm Kensi. You must be Knuckles.

- Huh?

Saying no more, Kensi attacked. She seemed to keep her eyes closed. Knuckles was surprised that she knew the ruins better than him. She must had been there for a while. Kensi was fast, but Knuckles won with his strength. The loser asked if she could touch his face so she could recognise him in the future. That was the moment revealing that Kensi was blind! She was dependent on her smell and echolocation.

Knuckles managed to defend the title, but the three didn't rush home. Ringo noticed that Knux has a sister of his type. Punch felt defeated and his honour didn't let him go back, while Kensi wanted to have nothing in common with her homeland. That's how the trio formed Team Guards. They help Knuckles when it's necessary.