On the queen's cruiser Remington was showing Shadow the flight controls "Those are the forward stabilizers" "And those control the pitch?" Remington was impressed "You catch on pretty quick". The ship entered Albion's atmosphere and landed in a forest far from the capital. The queen was speaking with Maria "I fail to see what you hope to accomplish your Highness" "I plan to take back what's ours. Razor" Razor was surprised she said his name "Yes, your Highness?" "I need your help".
Outside of the ship Maria and Espio where talking "Razor is on his way to Meropis, Master" "Good" she said bluntly to him. Espio leaned his head down "I'm- I'm sorry for my behaviour, Master. It's not my place to disagree about the boy. I am grateful you think I'm ready for the trials". Maria smiled at her apprentice "You've been a good student Espio. You're much wiser than I am. I foresee you becoming a great Shinobi Knight".
They were all waiting at a lake when Razor suddenly swam out of it "There's nobody there. The entire city is deserted" they could tell he was worried about his people. "Mabey they were taken to the camps" Espio said, Maria didn't think so "Razor, is there a place they might have gone if attacked?". Razor smiled excitedly "Yeah, Yeah there's a sacred place. Follow me" Razor led them away.
Somewhere else in the forest the group where being led to King Puff by Ecco "Your honour, the queen of the surface dwellers" she said. Razor walked forward with a brave face "Hello, my King" "Why do you bring these people, Razor?". The queen walked forward "I am the queen of Albion. I come before you in peace". The King scoffed "Peace? Is that what you call those badniks storming their way into our homes?" "That is why we are here. We wish to form an alliance-". Tikal suddenly walked forward interrupting the queen "Your Honour!" King Puff was confused "Who are you?" "I am queen Tikal of Albion" everyone looked at her in surprise. Tikal gestured to the other Echidna "This is my decoy, my loyal bodyguard. I'm sorry for my deception but it was necessary for my protection. Although we do not always agree, King Puff. We have lived in peace". King Puff nodded and Tikal continued "Robotnik threatens to destroy all we have worked so hard to build. I ask… no I beg you, please help us" Tikal kneeled down and bowed her head, the others did so as well. The king seemed taken aback by Tikal words, he was silent for a few seconds but then smiled "Humility is a rare trait in a leader, but it is one to be admired. You have gained allies of us your majesty. Today we shall fight with you and together we take back our planet!" The King held up his spear causing the people of Meropis to cheer.
In the throne room Robotnik was talking to Mephiles while Scourge and Nega were standing on either side of him "We've sent out our patrols, we found their ship. We will find them soon, my lord". Mephiles looked slightly surprised "This in an unexpected move for her. It's too aggressive. Lord Scourge, be mindful, let them make the first move" Scourge nodded "Yes, my master".
Our group were hiding in the forest when they heard speeders approaching, Tikal however didn't look worried "They made it" the speeders stopped just outside the forest and released a small army of Albion soldiers. Meanwhile King Puff was walking with Razor "Razor, your actions in bringing our people together cannot be overstated" "Oh, it was nothing" Razor shrugged. "No no, in fact I am making you general" King Puff continued to walk but Razor suddenly lost feeling in his legs. Tikal, Remington, Espio and Maria were discussing plans "Your Highness those speeders just dropped of all we could find who weren't in camps. In all honesty Your Highness we don't have enough soldiers to win this battle" Remington seemed to have given up hope. Tikal still looked determined "The battle is a distraction, Captain. Ecco will lead her army to draw the egg pawns out of the city. Emerl". Emerl projected a hologram of the city and Tikal continued "We can get in through the secret passages. Once we get near the palace, we will create a diversion. Then we can enter and capture Robotnik. What is your opinion Master Shinobi?". Maria looked troubled "There is a possibility that many of the Meropis army will be killed" she looked to King Puff "We are warriors. We are prepared to do our part". Tikal continued "We do have a plan for the egg pawns. We will send our pilots to knock out the main egg carrier in orbit" they all nodded in agreement.
Mephiles was still talking to Robotnik "She is very foolish" "We are sending all troops to meet this army on the outskirts of the city. They appear to be from the underwater villages". Mephiles looked pleased "Very well, Doctor. Wipe them out. All of them".
On the grassy outskirt of the city the Meropis army marched, they we're all armour clad with shields and spears. Two machines where being dragged along with them, Ecco and Razor where at the front "HALT!" Razor yelled causing the army to stop. "START UP THE SHIELD!" Ecco yelled and the two machines were activated causing a massive shield to form around the army. Over the hills, Beatle tanks began to appear and immediately started firing at them, but the shield was able to stop them.
Inside the city our group was sneaking past the remaining egg pawns, they stopped, and Maria knelt down in front of Shadow "Once we get inside you find a safe place to hide and stay there". Tikal used a torch to send a signal to a guard on the other side of the street, next to him a group of others appeared as well as a speeder with a cannon attached. It started firing on the egg pawns causing them to be distracted, while they were dealing with them our group made their way to the hanger with the pilots. They entered the hanger and a firefight ensued between the egg pawns inside "Shadow, hide!" Maria yelled as she was deflecting blasts. "Get to your ships!" Tikal yelled to the pilots who ran for the fighters. Tikal, Remington, and the other guards destroyed the remaining robots. Emerl in an attempt to avoid the laser fire when under a fighter and was pulled up into the maintenance slot, Shadow the got into the cockpit of the same fighter for cover. The other fighters took off and flew out into space towards the egg
The tanks were still firing on the Meropis shield, but they then suddenly stopped "What're they up to?" Ecco asked. The tanks under belly's all opened up and dropped thousands of red metal eggs, suddenly a head, arms and legs all extended out of each one revealing egg pawns all armed with blasters, Razor looked at Ecco "You had to ask". The egg pawns started marching towards them "SHIELDS UP!" Ecco yelled, the front row of their army kneeled down and held out their shields "SPEARS OUT!" the second row as well as Ecco herself all pointed their spears in between the shields. "CANNONS READY!" the cannons at the very back all aimed upwards over the Meropis army towards the egg pawns. As the army got close to the shield Razor took out his sword and raised his left hand, the moment the first row of egg pawns walked through the shield Razor dropped his hand forward. The spears started firing laser beams out their tips destroying any of the robots they hit, "CANNONS FIRE!" Ecco yelled and the cannons did so, the blast of energy went through the shield and started hitting the beetle tanks.
Back in the hanger the others regrouped around Tikal "My guess is the Doctor will be in the throne room" "Everybody this way!" Remington said as he led the group to a door at the end of the hanger. They walked past Shadow who was still in the fighter "What about me?" Maria looked at him "Stay where you are Shadow. You'll be safe there" "But I-" Maria gave him a stern look "Stay in the cockpit". As the group got to the door it opened revealing Scourge who looked very pleased. Everyone stopped except for Maria and Espio "We'll handle this" the former said. Tikal and the others walked to the side "We'll take the long way", the three force wielders removed their cloaks. Gammas appeared and started firing on Tikal's group forcing them to take cover, there armour was too strong for blasters. Shadow watched "We gotta do something, Emerl". Scourge ignited his double bladed lightsaber prompting Maria and Espio to ignite there's, Espio ran and jumped over Scourge causing the Raiju to be attacked from both sides but he was able to still keep up with their hits.
Shadow started pushing buttons on the ship in a panic, one of them caused the cockpit lid to close and make the ship hover forward. "Wrong one. Where's the trigger?" Shadow said in a panic, he then pulled out a joystick and the button on it started firing laser blasts. "Okay, I'm guessing that one" Shadow aimed the ship at the Gammas and started firing, destroying them, and allowing Tikal's group to keep moving. Shadow then realised the fighter was heading outside "Emerl, turn off the auto pilot now!" he said in a panic, but the ship flew out and headed for the battle. The lightsaber fight was making its way through the hanger. Scourge backed towards a door and used the force to throw an object at the switch opening it, the three continued to fight as they entered a huge room with a large drop and platforms at different levels. Scourge was at the edge of the platform, Espio rushed forward but quickly backed up causing Scourge to drop his guard on Maria who tried to hit him. Scourge jumped to a higher platform behind him to which Espio and Maria followed, and the fight continued.