2017 Rita Repulsa, after being pimpslapped by the Megazord, has somehow found herself in the universe of Sonic the Hedgehog 1-3 (and Knuckles). She has discovered the Master Emerald, which she decided will serve as a viable substitute for the Zeo Crystal.

However, the Emerald's guardian is in her way, so she creates 1,000 Putties to try to distract him while she attempts to steal the gem.

How many Putties can Knuckles smash, before Rita is successful in stealing the Master Emerald? (If she can't and Knux can smash them all, he can somehow seal/trap her in the Master Emerald, assuming that the Classic Master Emerald is NOT the same one as the one in Sonic Adventure, in which the likes of Chaos and Tikal are already occupying it)