Knuckles backstory becomes even more tragic when one remembers that he's only 16. He was born by himself on an island all alone (he doesn't seem to have any parents) and he had to guard the master emerald ever since he could walk. He didn't have any friends until he met sonic. If Sonic and eggy hadn't stumbled upon angel island, since he's only 16, he could have ended up spending up to a century completely alone or even longer depending on how Guardian Echidna lifespans work .😭

HEAD IN HANDS. AUUUGGHHHGGHH

HE'S JUST A KID. HE HAD HIS CHILDHOOD TAKEN FROM HIM BEFORE HE WAS EVEN BORN. HE WAS ALONE HIS WHOLE LIFE, FULFILLING THE WILL OF HIS DEAD ANCESTORS, CARRYING THIS GIANT WEIGHT ON HIS SHOULDERS FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER. IT'S ALL HE EVER KNEW UNTIL HE MET SONIC AND A WHOLE NEW WORLD OPENED UP TO HIM. A WORLD THAT WAS JUST OUT OF REACH BECAUSE HE WAS STILL DUTY-BOUND TO THE MASTER EMERALD. AAAUGUGGHHUHGHUHGHHH