<><><>MISSIONS<><><> (12)

This is a Knuckles stage with randomly located gate keys and no checkpoints. The stage features several rooms with distinct designs (red, green, blue) and statues above doors that act as clues. Players must navigate hallways, activate hour glass switches, destroy enemies (flying, red with fireballs, large ghost, spiked ball), and use pulleys. Key areas include the Pyramid Core with an ancient shrine and Chao Boxes. Players will need to dig through pictures and walls to progress. Specific objectives involve hitting switches to stop weights, activating hour glass switches in sequence to open timed doors, and using a missile to break cages containing the Golden Beetle (worth 1000 points).

This is a standard ring collection mission. It is recommended to take the route to the blue room from the start, as it contains a Magnetic Field item that aids in ring collection. The stage is noted to be lacking in rings, so players should pick up any they find.

To find the lost Chao, players must first reach the center of the stage, accessible from the beginning via the center door. Once at the center, drop to the bottom floor and locate an ancient shrine and a nearby door. Play the Mystic Melody at the shrine to reveal a water passage. Players will need the Air Necklace to proceed underwater. Inside the water passage, a door is located directly below the entrance, requiring players to hit a switch to access it. Further down, spiked enemies surround the core, but their attached bars are harmless. Locate and remember the position of an hour glass switch and the door below the entrance. Hit the switch and quickly reach the door. After passing through, swim through a passage, avoiding enemies, until reaching a room with two laser-shooting robots. Swim up from the door to find another passage.