Mysterious deaths! Unknown to the

Shinobi, a new threat has unleashed

on the galaxy: Fleetway the Hedgehog, a

pawn in the dangerous game between

Dimitri the Echidna and his former

assassin, Lien-Da.

The victims of his brutal

massacre on the planet of Devaron

are being returned to the Shinobi

Temple for evaluation. It's up to

the Shinobi Council to find this

mysterious killer, and eradicate

him….

A shuttle arrived at the Shinobi Temple where Espio, Erma and Rob were waiting. A group of commando clones exited the ship, four of them were pushing two floating coffins past the Shinobi while their chipmunk commander talked to them. "There were no survivors on Devron. Not even Master Halsey or his apprentice made it out". Erma placed her hand on one of the coffins "Dark Oak was reported to be on the other side of the galaxy. And Dimitri's assassin is presumed dead. Who could have done this?". Rob pondered "It seems we have a new threat. Perhaps there is a newly appointed Raiju Lord". Espio examined one of the bodies "This is not the work of a Raiju Lord. This attack was reckless, impulsive, animalistic".

Dimitri was in a training room with Fleetway who now had a double bladed lightsaber. The two circled one another until Fleetway tried to strike but DImitri effortlessly dodged them without even raising his lightsaber. Dimitri then tripped Fleetway up "You have no technique". Fleetway growled and again tried to attack but Dimitri hit the lightsaber out of his hand before grabbing him with the Force "Sloppy". He dropped Fleetway who lunged at him but he moved out of the way and elbowed the hedeghog in the back making him fall over. Dimitri then picked up Fleetway's lightsaber and put them both to his throat "With the proper training you could be a powerful warrior. You have a natural ability, but we must hone it. Are you up to the challenge of putting your hate to better use?" "Yes, Master".

Espio entered a training room where Blaze and Merlin were waiting "Master Blaze, you called for me" "Yes, Master Espio. We must show you something". Merlin activated a holo-unit in the centre of the room "We have recovered surveillance footage of the massacre on Devron" it showed surveillance footage of Fleetway killing clones. Espio was stunned "Scourge, alive? It can't be. I killed him myself" "You are correct, Espio. We believe they are from the same planet. Beryl" Blaze answered. "Beryl. The planet of the witches?", Merlin nodded "Yes. You must go to Beryl and find any information on this new warrior".

Dimitri and Fleetway were in the courtyard of the castle with stone pillars surrounding them "You must strengthen your connection with the Force, my apprentice. Feel its power within you". Dimitri raised his hands and effortlessly raised all the pillars before dropping them back down "Now, lift them". Fleetway raised his hands and the pillars began to shake "Concentrate" Dimitri told him calmly. Fleetway's arms began to shake before he fell to his knees "What you ask is impossible". Dimitri raised his eyebrows "Impossible? The task is only impossible because you have deemed it so. You must connect with your hatred!". He shot Fleetway with a beam of light causing him to scream in pain "Focus on your power building. Do not think of anyone or anything else". Dimitri did it again "That's it. Your anger is your strength" "I… hate you!" Fleetway said as he stood back up. "Good" Dimitri again shot the light at him but this time Fleetway stayed on his feet and was able to lift two of the pillars "How does one defend against such power?" Fleetway asked him as he lowered the pillars. "A wise master does not reveal al his secrets at once. In due time, my apprentice".

A Republic shuttle landed near the village on Beryl and released Espio and Shadow the Hedgehog. The two entered the village "Be on your guard. These men are ferocious warriors, and they will show no mercy", Shadow smirked "Don't worry. I won't start anything" "Let me handle negotiations". Suddenly a group of warriors leaped down form the roofs of the houses and surrounded the two of them. "Don't harm them" Espio said, "Don't tell me. Tell them". Shadow looked up and saw the squirrel leader of the village standing on a rooftop. He jumped up and fought the squirrel before igniting his lightsaber and putting it to his neck "Back off!" he ordered the others who backed away form Espio. "We're not here to fight. We're here for information" Shadow said. Espio stepped forward and deactivated his lightsaber "A man from your village murdered two Shinobi. We need to know where he is" he said. The squirrel tried to struggle but it was no use "What makes you think he is one of ours?" "The Shinobi Council knows he's from this village. We have seen him". There was a pause and then "The Enchantress should know of his whereabouts. One of her women took him as a mate". Espio nodded "I apologies for the intrusion, then. Shadow, kindly release him, please". Shadow did so and jumped down to Espio, the two were able to walk out of the village without any trouble. "Who is this Enchantress?" "She's the leader of an ancient order of witches, the Yagyu" Espio answered. Shadow sighed "Great, homicidal warriors, supernatural witches. I'm beginning to love this planet" he said sarcastically.

Dimitri was leading Fleetway to a shuttle "You have completed the first stages of your training and I am sending you on an assignment to the Golden Hive colony. Bring be King Bee, alive. Kill all who might interfere". Fleetway kneeled "Yes, my master. It will be done" he entered the shuttle and took off.

Shadow and Espio exited the shuttle that was now just outside of the Yagyu Temple "I don't know much about Enchantress, but I don't expect to be welcomed here". Shadow smirked "You never know, I tend to be popular with the ladies" "Too popular" Espio replied. Espio then stopped "We've got company" sisters suddenly jumped down from the trees and surrounded them holding laser bows. They both put their hands up "This seems to be happening a lot today" Shadow joked. The sisters took their lightsabers "Come with us" one of them said. They were taken into the temple and entered a small room where Enchantress was sitting at a table that had a crystal ball sitting on it. Enchantress smiled as they sat down "Master Espio" "Enchantress. Thank you for your hospitality". She stood up "I believe you have a question for me" "Yes, you're right. We've had reports of a Berylian male on the loose, a hedgehog. He's already killed two Shinobi. Perhaps you know who he is?".

She acted innocent "Master Shinobi, we have no control over the males. Our clan has been in exile for years" "Don't play innocent with me, Enchantress. Everyone in the galaxy knows females are dominant on this planet. I don't believe anything happens here without you knowing about it". She was amused by this "To think the Shinobi collect their facts from mere rumours", Shadow didn't seem to like that "Rumours. You call two dead Shinobi rumours?" he raised form his chair causing the sisters to step closer to him. He stopped and sat back down, Espio looked to Enchantress "This thing… this animal is extremely dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts, you must tell us". Enchantress went to the crystal ball which then showed and image of Fleetway "Fleetway. Fleetway the Hedgehog" she said in a distorted voice before returning to normal "He is heading to the Golden Hive" "Thank you" Espio said before he and Shadow left.

Later Enchantress was speaking to Lien-Da "The time has come, Sister. You must put your plot into effect now" "He isn't ready, Enchantress. He needs more training". "He has to be ready. Together, the two of you will be able to eliminate the echidna. But you must act now. We cannot keep your assassin secret forever". Lien-Da nodded "I will have my revenge" she walked away but then "Sister. Please make sure Fleetway survives" there was almost a plead in her voice. Lien-Da didn't understand the request, perhaps Enchantress wanted to use him in for future endeavours. She however nodded and left the temple.

Fleetway's shuttle arrived at the capital of Golden Hive where three bee guards were waiting. He ignited his lightsaber and killed them effortlessly before running inside. In the throne room multiple guards were waiting at the door trying to protect their king from the intruder. Fleetway charged in and King Bee watched in shock as all his guards were killed. Fleetway stepped on a platform which brought him face to face with King Bee who pulled out a sword "I will not be intimidated.

Shadow and Espio arrived outside and ran into the throne room where they saw Fleetway now carrying an unconscious King Bee. They went to separate platforms and were now all on the same level. Fleetway fought with his free hand but the two Shinobi managed to tackle him to the ground which freed King Bee. He tried to fly away but Fleetway used his free hand to grab his throat with the Force and crush it killing him. Fleetway managed to free himself and threw both the Shinobi off the platform. He threw another platform at them and in the distraction, he grabbed King Bee leg and dragged his body out of the throne room. He made it back to his shuttle with the body but before he left, he used the Force to throw the Shinobi's shuttle off the landing platform destroying it. Shadow and Espio ran out just as Fleetway flew away, they then saw a fire coming from under the platform "I'm guessing that's what's left of our ship" Shadow said, "We'll borrow one from the bees". They entered the cockpit of a bee ship and Espio got on the scanners "I'm picking up an Egg carrier not far from the planet" "That must be where he's going".

Fleetway's shuttle landed in the hanger of the Egg carrier. He entered Dimitri's meditation chamber and threw King Bee's body in front of him. Dimitri who was now wearing his armour and helmet angrily walked up to him "You ignorant beast. I told you I wanted him alive". Fleetway backed away in fear before Dimitri fired beams of light at him. He groaned in pain "Forgive me, my master" he said timidly, "That is not the way of the dark side" he continued to torture him. The doors suddenly opened revealing Lien-Da, Dmitri looked in shock "Lien-Da" "That's no way to treat your apprentice. I should know". Dimitri ignited his lightsaber "Fleetway, you can make amends for your mistake by killing this witch". Lien-Da laughed "I don't think that will be happening, will it, Fleetway?" she touched his forehead causing his eyes to close. "Remember where your true loyalties lie", his eyes opened "With you, Mistress".

The two attacked and where able to push Dimitri back into a wall, Fleetway was about to do the killing blow but Dimitri fired the light at him again throwing him back. He fought Lien-Da, Fleetway tried to re-join the fight but every time he did Dimitri pushed him back with the light. "Get up. We must defeat him. Get up" "I can't. He's too powerful" he said weakly. Lien-Da continued to fight "Your weakness will not be my downfall. Kill him, you fool!". Fleetway suddenly screamed and strangled them both with the Force and throwing them against the wall. He tried to attack both of them, but they managed to push him back with the Force then Dimitri used a trap door to escape which Lien-Da followed. Fleetway growled and was about to chase after them when the door behind him opened, he turned and saw Shadow and Espio "We'll take him together", Fleetway charged at them.

Dimitri landed in an escape pod bay when Lien-Da landed behind him "Leaving so soon, Master?" "You're no match for me without the aid of your monster". She smirked "That remains to be seen" the two continued there dual. They seemed equally matched, but Dimitri was able to hit her with a beam of light which caused her to scream in pain "Time to end this". He was about to kill her, but she used the Force to direct the saber towards a pipe which shot steam in his face causing him to stumble back. Lien-Da knowing he was too strong used the distraction to run into one of the escape pods which then launched out of the Carrier.

In the hanger a small army of badniks were waiting when one of the Egg Pawns received a message "Commander, Fleetway the Hedgehog is a traitor. Kill him on sight" "Roger, roger". Fleetway then entered fighting the two Shinobi, the badniks started firing but Shadow and Espio realised they weren't aiming for them and backed away. "They're not after us. They're attacking that monster" Shadow said as the badniks surrounded Fleetway and continued to fire. He manged to deflect all the blasts with his lightsaber before screaming and pushing everything to the ground with the Force including the two Shinobi. He ran to his shuttle and escaped. Shadow and Espio stood up as a pawn walked up to them "You're not supposed to be here" Shadow then cut it in half "No sense in hanging around here" "My thoughts exactly". They ran to their own ship as the badniks started firing and were able to escape.

Fleetway made it back to Beryl and entered the temple completely exhausted. He entered the meeting room where Enchantress was waiting, she was glad to see he was alive "You have come home to us". He fell to the ground, but Enchantress helped him stand back up "I was betrayed by Lien-Da. The Shinobi are after me. I can't defeat them all" "Calm yourself. You will be". She took him to the crystal ball "I don't understand. Who will teach me?" "You have a brother". This surprised Fleetway "A brother? But all my kin were killed". Enchantress looked regretful "Yes. All but one" the crystal ball showed the face of a green hedgehog. "He lives in the Outer Zones in exile. You will find him. He will teach you everything you need". Fleetway examined the image "How will I find him?", she gave him a talisman "This has been imbued with the power of our clan. It will be your compass. You have an important destiny to fulfil, Fleetway. You and your brother". Fleetway nodded "I will return, Enchantress" he limped away and Enchantress watched the image in the crystal ball "Please do, my son".