Tikal, Remington, and the guards were running through the palace corridors when they were stopped by laser fire. They took cover behind stone pillars that were next to windows "We don't have time for this captain".

The battle on the outskirts was continuing, Razor and Ecco where fighting side by side destroying any egg pawns that entered their army's lines. Ecco started firing her laser spear at more advancing egg pawns, Razor destroyed another with his sword and with his free hand picked up its blaster and did the same.

In space Shadow's fighter was heading towards the battle, he had a look of terror on his face "We're going into that?". He saw a group of Albion fighter made a pass to destroy the egg carriers shield but they were shot down. Shadow started panicking "Emerl, we have to get out of here! Get us off the autopilot!" Emerl beeped and Shadow could suddenly control the ship. Shadow was still terrified, so he started whispering to himself "I'm in a race, just avoid the obstacles and keep moving" he was able to calm himself down. Three badniks started firing at him "I'll try spinning" Emerl beeped disapprovingly "What? It works" Shadow spun the fighter which kept him from getting shot.

Tikal and the others were still in cover, Remington then shot one of the windows "GO!" they all climbed out the window "Use your ascension guns" Tikal told them. When they were on the window ledge, they fired grappling hooks upward and they were pulled towards the higher-level window which they then entered. However, once they got inside, they were surrounded by Gammas "Drop your weapons, they win this round" Tikal ordered.

Scourge was able to kick Espio off the platform and he fell down to a lower one. Maria continued to fight Scourge ad they both started heading towards a corridor full of shield walls. Espio jumped back up to the platform and ran after them. The shield walls deactivated allowing Maria and Scourge to make their way through the corridor but as they were fighting the shields activated separating the two of them as well as cutting off Espio. Maria immediately kneeled down and began to meditate, Espio breathing heavily waiting for the shields to let him pass while Scourge was pacing impatiently.

One of the shield generators got hit and exploded leaving the Meropis army defenceless, seeing this Razor and Ecco whistled causing them to retreat. A tank started charging towards them, Razor knew they wouldn't be able to outrun it, he looked to Ecco and they both nodded. They charge at the tank and jump on its legs to climb up, when they were on the top Razor took out his sword and rammed it into the cannon disabling it. Ecco fired at the legs causing it to start collapsing "JUMP!" she yelled and they both did right before it crashed. Before they could celebrate, they realised that they were now surrounded by egg pawns "Hands up" one of them ordered but the two of them looked ready to fight.

Shadows fighter was hit "Emerl I can't control it were going down" he started to scream as the ship flew right into the egg carrier's hanger. They stopped but the ship shut down, Shadow could barely get word out because of how scared he was "Em-Emerl… see if… get things working" egg pawns advanced on the fighter.

Scourge was still waiting, the shields suddenly shut off, Maria and Scourge immediately went back to duelling as they entered the next room which had a huge hole in the middle. Espio ran to help his master but the shields turned on again before he could pass the last one, all he could do was watch. As they were fighting Scourge hit Maria in the face with the hilt of his lightsaber and taking advantage of her being disoriented, he stabbed her through the chest. "NNNNOOOOOOOO!" was all Espio could yell as he watched her fall to the ground, Scourge turned around to face him with a sadistic grin on his face. Espio looked back at him with hate in his eyes.

Tikal and the other were taken to the throne room where Robotnik and Nega were waiting "Your little insurrection is over, Your Highness. Now you will sign the treaty and end the pointless debate in the senate". "Robotnik!" they all turned to the entrance of the throne room where Tikal's decoy as well as more guards appeared "Your occupation has ended" they fired inside and then retreated. Nega yelled "After her, this one's a decoy" as most of the egg pawns left Tikal ran to the throne and in a hidden compartment in the arm rest, she pulled out to blaster pistols. "Captain" she threw one to Remington who shot the remaining egg pawns, the guards picked up their weapons and sealed the room. Remington aimed at Robotnik and Tikal walked up to him "Now Doctor, we will discuss a new treaty".

Scourge and Espio where both waiting for the shield to turn off, they both activated there lightsabers. The moment the shields did they started fighting, Espio was able to cut Scourges lightsaber in half and kick him back. Scourge got back up and he was just as dangerous with a single blade. When there lightsaber where locked Scourge used the force to push Espio towards the hole, he fell in and dropped his lightsaber, but as he was falling, he grabbed on to part of the wall. Scourge kicked Espio's lightsaber down the hole and then looked down at him.

The engines of Shadows fighter started to hum "Alright Emerl get the shields up!" Shadow started firing on the egg pawns and he accidently launched two torpedoes that went across the hanger that hit the main reactor. As huge explosion started "Emerl, engines at full power!" Shadow turned the fighter around and we went through the hanger at top speed. He flies out of the hanger and he turns his head to see the egg carrier blow up. Shadow's fear turned to indescribable joy as he started screaming at the top of his lungs as he and the other fighter all made their way back to the capital.

Razor and Ecco where about to fight the egg pawns when they suddenly shut down "What's going on?" Razor asked. Ecco walked up to one of the robots and knocked it over effortlessly "They must have destroyed the control ship" she smiled as all the Meropis warriors began to cheer.

Espio was holding on for dear life as Scourge was slicing at the edge of the hole creating sparks. Espio closed his eyes and concentrated, he thought of Maria's lightsaber lying on the ground next to her body. He quickly launched himself upward over Scourge and used the force to pull the lightsaber towards him. Before Scourge could react Espio activated the lightsaber and sliced Scourge in half. Scourge gave a pained gulp before he fell into the hole, the lower section of his body separated as he did. Espio ran over to Maria, she was still breathing. He lifted her head "It's alright Master I'll-" "No, it's too late" Espio was close to crying "No I can-" "Espio, promise me you will train the boy. He is the chosen one". Espio didn't know if he could do what she was asking but he will regardless "Yes Master, I… I promise" "Thank you, my apprentice" Maria said warmly as her eyes closed, Espio tried to contain his emotions as he held her body.

Sometime later a ship from Mobotropolis landed in the middle of the city. Tikal was speaking to Robotnik "Now Doctor, I think you're going to have to explain all this to the senate". Robotnik and Nega both looked angrily at her before entering the ship. As they entered Senator Solaris and a group of guards exited, Espio and Shadow walked towards him and bowed. "We are indebted to you Espio the Chameleon and you Shadow the Hedgehog. We will watch your carrier with great interest" Solaris smiled at the both of them before moving on to Tikal. He bowed but Tikal smiled "Congratulations on your election, Chancellor. I believe I should be bowing to you now". Solaris smiled "Your boldness saved our people, Your Majesty. You shouldn't bow to me. Together we shall bring peace and prosperity back to the Republic".

In an empty chamber of the palace Espio was speaking to Blaze "The council has agreed to grant you the rank of Shinobi knight. However, I do not agree with you taking the boy as your pupil". Espio was not fazed by her words "Maria believed in him" Blaze sighed "The boy may be the chosen one but nevertheless, I sense grave danger if he is trained". "I gave Maria my word, Master. I will train Shadow. With or without the approval of the council". Blaze looked deep in thought "You have your master's defiance... We will allow it. Shadow will be your apprentice".

That night in a small circular building, everyone was standing around Maria's body as it was being burned, they were all solemn. Emerl gave small sad beeps, Razor had his head down and Ecco was holding her helmet to her chest. Shadow was standing next to Espio, he looked sad. Espio kneeled down "What will happen to me now?" Shadow asked him as he wiped away his tears. "The council have granted me permission to train you. You will be a Shinobi, I promise". Blaze and Merlin were standing next to each other "There was no doubt the mysterious warrior was a Raiju" the latter said. Blaze nodded "There are always two. A master and an apprentice" Merlin looked back at the fire "But who was killed? The master or the apprentice?". Little did any of them know, a certain grey hedgehog was all too happy to watch a Shinobi's body burn.

The next day a parade of people from Meropis where walking through the streets playing instruments in celebration. Razor and Ecco where in the parade waving to the crowd of people that were celebrating along with them, King Puff was also in the parade he was making his way to the palace steps. At the top of the steps waited Tikal, Espio, Shadow and the council members of Albion and the Shinobi. Emerl was standing next to Shadow beeping happily. King Puff followed by Razor and Ecco walked up the steps, he stood in front of Tikal who was holding a green emerald. She handed it to King Puff, the two happily bowed to each other and the king then held up the emerald "PEACE!" he yelled causing the entire city to cheer. Tikal looked behind her and saw Shadow looking at her, she brought her wrists up to show the blue rings he had given her, and she mouthed "They work". The two smiled at each other before Tikal turned back to the crowd.

The end

Next up- Do you really need me to tell you.