As war continues to fracture the galaxy,
planets become pawns in a dangerous
chess game. One planet in peril is Albion,
where suffering and civil unrest threaten
once-friendly relations between the people
on the surface and the underwater dwelling
Meropis people. Rumours that the Meropis plan to
aid the Separatists in an attack on the captial
forcing Senator Tikal home,
accompanied by Shinobi General Shadow the
Hedgehog...
Shadow was piloting a ship across the Albion landscape when he activated his commlink "Razor, do you read? It's Shadow. We need you to meet us on the surface of the lake immediately" "Got it, buddy. It's good that you're here. Something's going on in Meropis" "We know. That's why we need to talk to you". Shadow landed ear the lake and exited the ship with Tikal. They waited at the edge of the lake when a transport rose up from it and Razor stepped out "Hey, we need to hurry. A lot's going on". He drove it to the edge, and they boarded "What's going on, Razor? We're hearing disturbing rumours" "Is King Puff calling for a march on the capital?" Tikal added. "Yes, Milady. He's been giving speeches blaming you for everything. Me and Echo have tried to speak to him but he just won't listen". Once they were inside, he dived the transport back down into the lake.
They entered the throne room of Meropis King Puff was speaking to a group of soldiers "For centuries the surface dwellers have treated us like second-class citizens. Well, no more. We will take what is rightfully ours". Echo was in the group and she turned to Razor. She went over to him "I hope you can do something, Senator". The other soldiers and a female squid left the room. Tikal stepped forward and King Puff looked down at her "Young Senator Tikal, if you're here to talk me out of marching on your capital you're wasting your time". Shadow and Tikal both noticed he was acting strange "With all due respect, your course of action is based on lies. You must make your warriors stand down" Tikal said, "I'm… more enlightened now". Shadow leaned closer to Tikal "He seems possessed if you ask me" "Or under someone's influence". King Puff angrily glared at them "Stop whispering and go!". Shadow saw a necklace around King Puff's neck that he hasn't seen before and noticed it was glowing "The necklace!" he used the Force to pull it off his neck. King Puff held his head "Wha-What's happened? Senator Tikal? Why are you here?" "Why are we... King Puff don't you remember anything?". Shadow held up the necklace "Who gave you this, Your Majesty?", King Puff thought "Minister Abyss the Squid. She gave it to me. She said it was a gift".
Abyss was bowing to a hologram of Dimitri "Events are proceeding as planned, my lord. I was able to persuade the officers to allow the badnik army easy access into Albion". Dimitri nodded "You're doing the right thing for your people, Minister Abyss" "Thank you, My Lord". Abyss then heard someone coming and quickly turned of the hologram. She saw King Puff enter "Your Majesty, what do I owe the pleasure?" "You tricked me, Abyss. You used ancient magic to manipulate my thoughts. I would never attack our brothers on the surface". Abyss calmly stepped closer to him "You're not thinking clearly, my King. Where's the necklace I gave you?" "Destroyed". Abyss sighed "What a shame" Metals suddenly jumped down form the roof. Shadow and Tikal then ran in, Shadow chopped one in half. Another managed to tackle Tikal out of the room but she managed to shoot it in the head. In the distraction Abyss took out a knife and stabbed Abyss in the stomach before running out of the room. Shadow destroyed the last Metal "Check the King" he told Tikal before chasing after Abyss, but she managed to escape from the city on a mini-sub.
Puff was now in the Meropis hospital unconscious with the group standing over him "They managed to stop the bleeding, but he'll be unconscious for a while" Tikal said, "What about the soldiers? King Puff never called off the invasion" Shadow asked. "Echo managed to talk them down for now. Now we just need to find Abyss" Razor said. Shadow tried to think of a solution when he remembered a trick a certain bounty hunter played on him causing him to smirk "Maybe we shouldn't call them off". They both looked at him curiously.
The Meropis army was on the surface standing by the lake with what looked to be King Puff ordering them "This will be a day long remembered in our history. The day we make the surface pay for its crimes!". Shadow and Tikal were watching from a hiding spot "He's really getting into this" Tikal said amused. King Puff raised his trident "Now we shall march on the capital with the full force of the Separatists behind us!", Abyss was watching this from behind a rock, she looked confused. She walked out "King Puff? You agree with my plan?". King Puff turned to her and smirked "Well, not really" he touched his arm causing it to glitch revealing it to be a hologram disguise over Razor. Abyss eyes opened wide in shock "No". She backed away scared of the Meropis army before taking an Extreme Gear board and speeding off into the forest. Shadow got on his own board and chased after her. Echo as about to follow when they saw three Separatists invasion ships landing near them. She gestured for Tikal to get to safety before she stepped over to Razor "You may need to keep that disguise on a bit longer" "These things can't hold a big charge. Whatever we're doing we have to hurry" Razor whispered. A Swatbot left the ship with an army of badniks and walked over to the disguised Razor "Our general wishes to speak with you about the cancelled attack" "Um, yes. Lead the way". He and Echo were taken into the lead ship where Dark Oak was waiting "Come in, King Puff. Let's sit down and have a talk".
He and a very nervous Razor sat opposite one another at a table "Um, I'm afraid I've had to call my army off. We cannot aid you" Razor said having a lot more trouble staying in character now that their were badniks everywhere. He couldn't tell what Dark Oak was thinking "It was a great effort and cost for me to bring my armies here. If you won't attack the capital, I will" he said calmly. Razor cleared his throat "Well, I'm not one to pick a losing side then. General Echo" "Yes, Your Majesty?" "Get the soldiers ready", Echo smirked "Understood, Your Majesty" she left the ship. Once outside she activated a holo-disc "Senator, I have a urgent message. Dark Oak is here". This surprised Tikal "Dark Oak is here? Where's Shadow?" "He's chasing Abyss through the swamp" "General Echo, listen to me. You must capture Dark Oak". Echo didn't look to confident about this "How, Senator? He has an army of badniks with him" "The Badnik commander still believes you're on the same side. Have them shut down and then attack. Dark Oak is strong but he can't fight an army on his own". Echo nodded "I've always believed in the friendship between our people, Senator. It shall be done" "Thank you, General". Razor was still speaking to Dark Oak "We shall aid in your attack. We will need time to plan". Dark Oak silently stared at him before standing up and growling. Razor looked down and realized his disguise had ran out of charge "Um-" "You are not King Puff!". Razor quickly got up and ran out of the ship with Dark Oak chasing him.
Once outside Dark Oak saw Echo stand in between two badniks "Your army is shut down, General" she knocked both the badniks down and the rest of the army did the same. The Meropis army surrounded him and Tikal revealed herself "Might I suggest you surrender, General". Dark Oak cackled "You can't be serious" he took out to lightsabers and deflected in shots fired at him. A few soldiers charged at him, but Dark Oak was able to throw them back. Echo ran forward and was able to shoot one of the lightsabers out of his hand. Dark Oak tried to strike her, but she managed to dodge them. She suddenly stopped and Dark Oak punched through her stomach. Razor and Tikal gasped in shock as Dark Oak chuckled "How does it feel to die?". Echo weakly looked up to him "Not die… Sacrifice" she pointed her bident at the right side of his stomach and fired destroying part of it "Now!" she yelled. Four soldiers ran forward and used electric spears to disable the wounded Metorex and drag him away as he screamed furiously. Tikal and Razor ran over to Echo and turned her body over, but it was too late, she was gone. Razor and the Meropis formed a circle around her and raised their weapons in respect.
In an abandoned temple far form the capital Dimitri was sitting at a table speaking to a hologram of Mephiles "This turn of events is unfortunate. Dark Oak is a critical part of my plan for the Clone Wars. He must not remain captive". Dimitri nodded in agreement "What is to be done, My Lord?" "You must lure Shadow into a trap, then negotiate a prisoner exchange". Dimitri looked at him curiously "How can you be certain the Republic will trade Dark Oak for the hedgehog". Even though he didn't have a mouth Mephiles gave the impression of smiling "I have no doubt Senator Tikal will gladly agree to your terms" "As you wish, my lord". Dimitri activated the holo-unit in front of him showing Abyss "Abyss. I am at your secret laboratory. Meet me here and leave enough of a trail for the hedgehog to follow you. I have s surprise waiting for him".
Shadow followed Abyss towards the temple and chased her inside. They entered the room where Dimitri was waiting, Abyss ran behind him for safety. "Young Shadow. You are quite relentless. As for you Abyss, you're a fool" he stabbed her through the chest killing her before turning back to Shadow. Shadow ignited his lightsaber "Why bring the war to Albion?" "How quickly you forget. After all, the war started here years ago". Shadow was surprised by this "You were part of that battle". Dimitri was amused by his short sightedness "The Raiju control everything. You just don't know it". The two fought and seemed equally matched. Dimitri backed away and four Metorex entered the room and attacked Shadow, he tried to deflect their attacks but was overwhelmed especially with Dimitri also attacking. He was shocked by multiple staffs at once and he fell to the ground. He used the Force to throw all the Metorex before Dimitri hit him with a beam of light knocking him out.
Razor and Tikal were waiting in the hospital when the latter's holo-disc activated "Shadow" she said happily "Senator Tikal, how nice to see you again" it was Dimitri. "I must regretfully inform you that young Shadow has been detained" "What have you done with Shadow?" she said with anger in her voice. "Nothing yet. I could be persuaded to return the hedgehog to you in exchange for Dark Oak". Tikal looked conflicted "I... I can't do that. I'm sorry" "You soon will be". Dimitri made a gesture with his hand and Tikal heard Shadow screaming "Stop!" she said desperately "You cannot torture a prisoner!". "Torture? I don't know what you mean. I'll give you an hour to consider my proposition. I'm sure you will make the right choice" he then cut off communication. Tikal was silent, "What're we going to do?" Razor asked her, she sighed "We can't do anything. With Dark Oak captured, we could win the war. I can't just-". "But, Tikal, he's our friend", King Puff then entered "And responsible for saving my life from Abyss. Razor is right, Senator. We can't leave him to the Separatists".
On the outskirts of the capital Tikal, King Puff, Razor, the Albion queen were waiting with the Meropis army behind them. A shuttle arrived and a Swatbot exited with two Metorex dragging Shadow "Release the General". A restrained Dark Oak stepped out from the army and walked forward however he stopped and glared at Razor "I suppose your friend died for nothing then, didn't she?". Tikal had to stop him reaching for his sword as one of the Meropis guard hit Dark Oak with an electric spear forcing him to keep walking as the Metorex brought Shadow towards them. They threw him in front of Tikal who kneeled down to check if he was okay "Tikal, I'm…sorry" he said weakly, "Shh. It's alright, Shadow" she helped him up. Dark Oak's boarded the shuttle before it took off. The Albion queen and King Puff went to Razor "Razor, this is the second time your actions have prevent war between us and Albion". The queen nodded "We are grateful, Representative Razor. King Puff has also told me of General Echo's sacrifice. She will be honoured for her service not just to just to Albion but the war". Razor smiled and bowed "Thank you, Your Majesty".