Well, this was awkward. Or would be, if Knuckles had even remotely enough social sense/caring to realize that. Which he didn't. So, when he responded after a moment of thought, it was in the same, overly serious manner as always.

"Though we first met as enemies, you chose to help us at the end, which makes us allies. This Earth is much like the one from which we came, however there are also many strange and different things here. If you have questions about this place, I promise I will do my best to answer."

He did, admittedly, also really want a rematch. But Knuckles was nothing if not absurdly strict about his own personal code of honor, and right now that meant offering assistance to the new guy.

Besides, he could always ask for a fight later.