When Pinkie and Tails jumped into the mirror portal, they came out onto a mossy stone platform overlooking the ruined castle. The towers still stood tall and strong, but large pieces of debris could be seen sticking out of the vast amount of water below. In front of them a small stone bridge allowed them to cross over to the other side, collecting a few rings as they went. Suddenly a couple of wooden boxes blocked their path as a group of Snively's robots teleported in, now with black bars over their optic sensors.

The two jumped out of the way as the robots opened fire on them with machine guns and missile launchers. After they had dodged Pinkie took out her party bazooka and blasted three of the robots while Tails pulled out two dummy rings and tossed them towards the two that were left standing, exploding on impact.

"Never seen these robots before, didn't seem affected by your cuteness either." Tails commented as they made their way down a set or rails next to a long twisting bridge.

"We ran into them at the festival and when I ran through Wave Ocean, made by some guy called Snively, don't know who that is though." Pinkie explained before she launched towards a spring bumper which sent her flying over to the next set of platforms.

"I'm guessing the first time you met them you were able to control them?" Tails asked as he smacked a robot with his tails.

"Yep, they were ok I guess, but they weren't sweet and cuddly like the Egg Pawns."

"The Egg Pawns are not cuddly! They are designed to strike fear and confusion into the hearts of my enemies!" They heard a familiar voice complain from above.

Looking up they saw Eggman flying down in the Egg-O-Matic. "But they're cuddly and round! Just like you cousin!" Pinkie exclaimed with a huge smile, earning a groan from the former evil genius.

"I swear if I didn't love you like a daughter I'd have blasted you to the moon years ago..." Eggman muttered under his breath as he flew alongside them.

"Nah, I'm too cute for you to try and blast me and you know it Eggy~" Pinkie teased as she used a piece of rope that was tied to two separate pillars to jump up and burst through a window into one of the towers where a large group of robots were waiting for them. This time with a large light blue robot that stood hunched with its arms behind it and a large laser cannon on its front, alongside robots similar to the smaller white ones, except golden with two large missile launchers for arms.

Eggman just faceplamed as Tails chuckled at his displeasure. "You two just get to the end of the stage, I have something for Pinkie, my robots will make sure the area around the goal ring is clear." The unimpressed doctor groaned as he flew away, leaving the two to fight the robots.

The golden robots proved more difficult to deal with than the regular enemies, as their armour and weapons were four times stronger. While Tails dealt with the smaller enemies Pinkie dashed around the larger robot to try and get it to spin around out of control, only for it to fire homing beams of purple energy out of its body that only barely missed the pink pony. Realising tricks wouldn't work, she jumped up and struck it optic sensor with a homing attack before placing a party bomb on its top. After a few seconds the blast of confetti and fire destroyed the top of the robot, leaving its feet to slowly fall over.

Tails had used his spin dash to dash from bot to bot, smashing into them before guiding their missiles to hit each other. Once the area was clear the large entrance to the tower opened and they were able to run across the next bridge, making their way to the next section of the stage.

Meanwhile

Silver blinked before answering the pink hedgehogs question. "What am I doing out here? Oh, I'm just looking for someone, it's kind of important."

Amy raised a brow and looked out to the desert. "You really thought you'd find someone out here in the middle of some desert ruins?"

"In my defence this was really my only lead." He chuckled awkwardly before sighing. "Hey, maybe you can help me! Have you seen a black hedgehog around these parts?"

Amy narrowed her eyes slightly and placed a hand on her hammer. "I haven't, why? What do you want with him?"

Silver was about to announce his intentions when he stopped himself. 'No, this hedgehog might be his friend, she'd never take you to him if she knew you wanted to kill him, think of something quick!' After a few seconds he smiled. "I just want to ask him a few questions, it is really important. Please, if you have any information I could really use it!" He almost begged.

Amy knew what he was saying was a lie, but she could hear the urgency in his voice. If he wanted to hurt Shadow, she'd be there alongside Omega and Rouge if things got ruff, if it was for something else she didn't know what she'd do. "Alright, if it's that important, I'll take you to him, he's a personal friend."

Silver sighed in relief. "Thank you! I thought I'd be wandering around aimlessly this entire mission."

Amy jumped down and landed on the edge of the platform with a small smile. "Well, guess it's a good thing you ran into me then isn't it? Oh, and by the way..." She began as she walked passed him. "...if you try to hurt Shadow I will break your legs. Trust me, it's a much better fate than what Pinkie would have in store for you if you hurt her father." She warned before walking on ahead.

'Wait, he's a father? He has a kid?! I can't make someone an orphan! I know that kind of pain! I can't do this, I can't...no, think of the future Silver, what's one orphan to save millions of others from becoming parentless too? You need to be strong...and do what needs to be done.' He debated with himself for a few more moments before putting in a stern expression and taking off after the pink hedgehog.

Author's Notes:

Thanks for reading! If you spotted any mistakes please let me know.

Getting closer to the meeting of Pinkie and Mephiles, it'll be interesting that's for sure.