Blaze watched as the egg carriers began to take off "Commander, concentrate your fire on the nearest one!" "Yes Ma'am" the crocodile commander said as he pulled out a communicator "All cannons aim for sector 5-1-5". The cannons all shot lasers at one of the egg carriers causing it to eventually start plummeting back down, its crash caused a huge amount of smoke that covered the battle, this however didn't stop either side from shooting. Shadow and Espio's ship were still in the air to protect Tikal and Razor as it was flying through the smoke. Once they get out the other side Espio spots something "Look over there!" they all turn to see a figure in a speeder being followed by two small fighters, Shadow recognised the figure "It's Dimitri. Shoot him down!". "We're out of rockets, sir" the wolf pilot said, "Follow him then". Tikal didn't look confident "We'll need help" "No there isn't time, Shadow and I can handle him". Suddenly the ships following Dimitri stopped and when the gunship past them they started following it and shot at them. The ship tried to avoid the fire, but one of the wings got hit causing it to shake, Tikal and Razor both fell out "TIKAL!" Shadow yelled as he saw them both hit the ground.
"Put the ship down!" Shadow had a look of panic on his face, Espio stopped him "Belay that! Shadow listen to me. If we catch Dimitri right now than this war is over before its starts" "I don't care. put the ship down!". Espio tried to calm his friend "Shadow you will be expelled from the order!" "I'm not leaving her there!". "Come to your senses! What do you think she would do if she were in your position?" Shadow was silent and looked away "She would do her duty". On the other side of the battle the commander walked up to Blaze "The badnik army is in full retreat" "Well done, Commander. Bring me a ship". Dimitri landed on a platform that went inside a mountain, the gunship landed and the two of them jumped off, ignited there lightsabers and ran after him. The fighters shot down the gunship as it left. They entered a small hanger were Dimitri was waiting "You're gonna pay for the Shinobi you killed today, Dimitri" Shadow said, Dimitri didn't seem worried. Espio thought of a plan "We'll take him together. You go-" "I'm taking you now!" Shadow charged forward on his own "No, Shadow! No! No!" Dimitri extended his hand out and shot a beam of energy at Shadow that caused him to scream in pain as he was launched into a wall.
Espio pointed his lightsaber at Dimitri who looked composed "As you see, my powers are far beyond yours. Now… back down" he extended his hand out again but Espio stopped the beam with his lightsaber "I don't think so". The two began circling each other as Dimitri ignited a red lightsaber, they started to dual and Dimitri effortlessly deflected all his attacks "Master Espio, you disappointed me. Maria held you in such high esteem". They kept fighting and Dimitri grinned "Surly you can do better".
Razor was standing over Tikal with an armadillo clone behind him "Are you alright?" Tikal awoke and stood up. The armadillo stepped forward "You two should get back to the forward command centre". Tikal shook her head and spoke with an assertive voice "No, gather the troops you have. We've got to get to the hanger. Get a transport. Hurry! The armadillo nodded and the three of them ran.
The two were still duelling but Dimitri was able to graze Espio's arm causing him to gasp in pain, Dimitri then immediately hit him in the leg causing the chameleon to fall to the ground. He was about to do the killing blow, but Shadow suddenly jumped in front and stopped him with his lightsaber "Brave of you, boy. I would have thought you'd learn your lesson" Shadow smirked "I'm a slow learner" "Shadow!" Espio threw him his lightsaber, Shadow was now dual wielding. Shadow fought Dimitri but the latter very quickly cut Shadows second lightsaber in half. The two of them continued with their remaining weapons, Shadow tried to grapple him, but Dimitri elbowed him in the chest. Taking advantage of his disorientation, Dimitri sliced Shadow's right hand of causing the young hedgehog to scream, he was then forced pushed across the room to Espio, Shadow fell unconscious from the pain. Dimitri stopped for a second and he had a solemn face, Shinobi compassion infested his heart for a split second. However, he then sensed something, he turned around and saw Blaze standing at the entrance of the hanger. Dimitri looked slightly nostalgic "Hello, Master" Blaze stared blankly at him "Dimitri". The armour-clad echidna used the Force to pull the rocks above Blaze down, but she easily stopped them with her own powers.
"You have become very powerful, my old apprentice. I would be proud, but I sense the dark side in you" "I've become more powerful than any Shinobi. Even you". He extended his hand and shot a beam at Blaze, but she easily absorbed it with her hands "You were saying" Dimitri smirked "I suppose we must settle this another way". He reignited his lightsaber and Blaze pulled out her own which was lilac. The two jumped and began duelling, this time Dimitri was much more on the defensive, Blaze was moving fast "You've fought well. Surrender!". Dimitri for once looked angry "Never" he used his free hand to pull down one of the supports in the hanger and it was about to fall on the injured Shadow and Espio. Dimitri ran for his ship, Blaze, instead of chasing him used the force to save Shadow and Espio. Dimitri's ship took off just as a gunship carrying Tikal, Razor and a group of troops arrived on the platform. They went inside and saw the two on the floor, one of the troopers ran to help Espio while Tikal and Razor helped Shadow up "We got you, buddy" Razor said in a reassuring tone.
Dimitri's ship arrives at Mobotropolis, in an abandoned part of the city his ship lands in a building where Mephiles is waiting. He exits his ship and takes of his helmet "The force is with us, Master". "Welcome home, Lord Enerjak." the two of them began to walk away from the ship "You have done well" Mephiles said "I have good news, my lord. The war has begun". Mephiles would have smiled if had a mouth "Excellent. Everything is going as planned".
In the Shinobi council room Blaze, Espio and Merlin were talking "Do you believe what Dimitri told me about Mephiles controlling the senate". Blaze shook her head "He has joined the dark side. Deceit is his way now" she seemed sad to be saying this about him. Merlin sighed "Nevertheless, we should keep a close eye on the senate. Where is Shadow?" "He's escorting Senator Tikal home. I have to admit that without the clones, it would not have been a victory". Blaze looked devastated at hearing these word "Victory? Master Espio, this was not a victory. The dark side has shrouded us all and the Clone War has begun. Outside Solaris and multiple senators were watching as hundreds of thousands of clones were boarding warships and getting ready to leave the planet. Wynmacher instead of watching looked solemnly at the ground.
On Albion at the safe house where they stayed, Shadow and Tikal were standing in front of each other as a priest was speaking. Razor was standing next to Shadow as his best man, he looked happy for the two of them, he also had a slight "I knew it" look about him. On Tikal side Orbot and Emerl were standing watching. The priest finished and the two of them took each other's hands, Tikal didn't care that one of Shadow's hands was now robotic. The two leaned in and kissed as a now married couple, after they stopped, they looked out at the lake trying to forget what they will now have to face.
Next up- Okay, seriously?