Supreme Chancellor
in peril! After surviving the ordeals
of the Box, Espio the Chameleon- working
undercover as assassin Loot
- is invited to join Dimitri the Echidna's
plot against Chancellor Solaris.
Working with a team of deadly bounty hunters,
Espio travels to the planet of Albion,
where the Chancellor will preside over
the Festival of Light. Now, as the
Shinobi Council and Dimitri finalize
their respective plans, a deadly
confrontation seems inevitable...
The Shinobi Council along with Shadow and Amy were in the war room. Merlin showed them a holographic map "As you can see, we've planned the Chancellor's rout to and from the festival stage. We know where he'll be at every moment from the time we land on Albion" "What security measures are in place?" Rob asked. Merlin showed them the palace "The Albion Royal Guard will have armed sentries at all entry points on the palace. And the stage itself will be sealed off by a ray shield for the duration of the event". Shadow crossed his arms "I see nothing here to worry about". Blaze looked to him "With complacency comes vulnerability. It is what we do not see that concerns me. Dimitri has had a long time to plan this". Merlin nodded "Yes. We thought we'd have an advantage with Espio on the inside, but we've had no communication from him in days" "Espio will do his part. Let's make sure we do ours" Shadow said bluntly before leaving.
A group of mechanics were working in a hanger when a rope suddenly wrapped around one's neck and pulled him up. Another was punched by Hunter as Zor sneaked behind another one and snapped his neck. Segata sneaked up on another and threw him to the ground which somehow caused him to explode. The final mechanic tried to run out but was met with Fleabyte "Well, hello there" he tipped his hat. The mechanic ran the other way but Fleabyte shot a cable around his leg and pulled him back before shooting him in the head "All clear". Loot entered with Dimitri and they all stood around a crate "This is it, my friends, the day of reckoning for the Republic. I have it from a very reliable source that everything will happen exactly as we planned. Execute your roles as you've been instructed, and you will all be immortalized in history, not to mention rewarded with enough rings that you will never have to work again. I will let Fleabyte take it from here". Fleabyte removed a toothpick he had in his mouth "Listen up. I'm only gonna say this once". He throws a handful of a device onto the crate "Each device tells you your position and essential details about your part of the plot. Segata, you're going to breach the shield. Zor, you're the getaway driver. Cassia and Hunter, you two will act as guards protecting the Chancellor. And Loot…". He takes out a case which he hands to Loot "You're the sniper. Once we have the Chancellor, the devices will lead you to the rendezvous point. Any questions?". No one said anything "Now for your disguises. Step back". He threw a disc on the crate which projected four Republic guards in armour "This will get us into the inner circle. Step into the shadow hologram". Segata, Hunter, Loot and Cassia all did, and the holograms changed to their sizes "When you leave here, you'll have no communication with the rest of the team. Alright, then. Get to your positions". Everyone left except for Fleabyte and Dimitri "Well handled. I should have put you in charge long ago. A piece of advice though. Keep and eye on Loot. There's something about him I don't trust" "Don't worry. I'm keeping my eye on all of them.
In the city the Albion queen was with Tikal, Wynmacher and the Albion Governor. They watched as a shuttle landed in front of them. Mobotropolis guards exited followed by Solaris, Kintobor, Merlin, Shadow. The queen was about to bow to Solaris, but he did to her instead "Greeting's Your Majesty". Tikal stepped forward "I'm thankful to the Shinobi for bringing you here safely". Solaris smiled "Yes, Senator. It is good to be back. Although I think the amount of security that has accompanied me is overkill" "With all due respect, Chancellor, where your safety is concerned, there is no such thing as overkill" Merlin told him. Solaris half-heartedly nodded "So you keep insisting, Master Shinobi, but I've grown tired of discussing it". They walked on, Tikal went next to the two hedgehogs "Shadow, Amy, welcome to the festival". Amy looked around "I've never seen the Festival of Light. Sounds like a big event". Shadow nodded "They're expecting a large crowd, which means it'll be difficult for Dimitri to attack during the ceremony. That leaves the palace as the best opportunity for an ambush". Tikal looked concerned "Are you that certain an attack is imminent?" "I'm afraid so. Which is why I'm making Amy your personal bodyguard". Amy nodded to Tikal "At our service, Milady". Shadow glanced back at them "If there's trouble Amy will get you, the queen, and the rest of your staff to safety" "What about you?" Tikal asked. Shadow smirked "Hopefully, I'll be where I always am". Amy rolled her eyes "He means saving the day" "Of course he does".
Merlin was at the palace plaza speaking to Mobotropolis guards and Republic troops "Make sure you have two guards posted. His commlink activated "Excuse me". He walked away form the clone and smirked "Espio, thank goodness your alive" "Well, I've seen better days. I'm in the city. I'm in a tower overlooking the plaza". Merlin turned around and saw a building a distance form the circle "So Dimitri's plan is still on?" "Yes" "How're they planning to attack the Chancellor?". Merlin could hear Espio assembling something "Three of the bounty hunters are disguised as Senate guards. Zor is the getaway driver, and they have a human that can pass through the ray shield. I have a sniper rifle. Don't worry it's loaded with stun blasts. I'm supposed to immobilize the Chancellor, not kill him". Merlin looked around "So the attack is going to take place outside" "Yes. From here, I can be your eye in the sky. I'll be able to tell you everything that's going on. They will try to infiltrate the security area. Make sure you have someone double-check the guards' identities". Merlin sighed "That's gonna take time" "You'll have to do your best, my friend".
Later at the plaza Solaris and the others appeared and the crowd that was waiting now cheered. They all sat down, and Shadow got on his commlink "The stage is set. Activate the ray shield" "Copy that, General". A shield then appeared around the plaza. Solaris then stood up and walked to a podium in the middle "It is an honour to be here for this momentous occasion. The pride I feel for this planet cannot be put into words. 847 years ago, Albion joined the Republic. And tonight, we celebrate that union". The crowd cheered as he continued "Take a moment and look around this glorious city of yours. It wasn't long ago this was all plasma mines. Albion has indeed come along way. But as we chart bold course for the future, let us never forget our past". He pressed a button on the podium and multiple beautiful fireworks launched behind him causing the crowd to applaud. Merlin's commlink activated "Merlin, I've got one. The security guard on the east side stairs" "Shadow, shield generator". Shadow looked and saw Segata reaching through the shield. Shadow ran forward but Segata suddenly jumped back, and the shield generator exploded throwing him back and disabling the shield. Solaris fell to the ground "You two, take him the speeder" Merlin ordered two guards. Amy got in front of Tikal and the queen "This way, Your majesty. Hurry!" they all ran away from the plaza. Shadow got up and ran down the stairs to Segata. He tried to hit him with the lightsaber, but he kept dodging.
Segata punched Shadow causing him to drop is lightsaber. Espio from his tower fired a stun blast at Segata disorientating him and Shadow then upper kicked him in the face knocking him out. Merlin was directing the crowd when "Merlin, Segata's down but I don't see Fleabyte anywhere" "I'll find him!". Without anyone looking the two guards kneeled down at Solaris' body "Make the switch". One of them attached a disc to Solaris' chest causing him to look like a guard. The actual guard then pressed his chest, the hologram glitched revealing it to be Cassia before she then looked like Solaris. Hunter then helped her as if she were injured. A tiger then walked up to the disguised Solaris "You're coming with me, Chancellor" he said in Fleabyte's voice. Merlin and Shadow met up when "The Chancellor. The guard escorting him is a bounty hunter!". They looked and saw Hunter's disguise glitch as he and Cassia boarded the speeder. Shadow and Merlin both jumped on the speeder and pointed their lightsabers at Hunter, he put his hands up. Shadow smirked "Nice to see you again". The disguised Cassia stood up "Chancellor, are you alright?" Shadow asked before Cassia punched him in the face. Shadow quickly cut across her chest disabling the disguise and she fell back "Where is the Chancellor?". They then heard and engine and saw Fleabyte, Zor and the unconscious Solaris on another speeder "So long, Shinobi". They rushed away before Shadow or Merlin could stop them "I'm going after the Chancellor. I'll send you the coordinates and hold Fleabyte as long as I can".
Fleabyte and Zor arrived near the edge of a cliff but there was no one there "This is the rendezvous point. Dimitri said he would meet us there". They got out with Fleabyte carrying the Chancellor "What did I tell you, Fleabyte? My plan worked to perfection". Fleabyte threw Solaris to the ground "It wasn't your plan. It was my execution of your plan" "How dare you disrespect Zor" "Shut up". He pointed his blaster at Solaris forcing him to stand "Where's Dimitri?". A speeder arrived carrying Loot who jumped out, Fleabyte glared at him "Loot, you're not supposed to be here yet" "I don't want to be double-crossed and left behind again". Fleabyte groaned "I think we've all been double-crossed. Dimitri's a no-show". Zor looked surprised "What do we do with the Chancellor now?" "We'll ransom him ourselves. If Dimitri won't pay us, somebody else will". Loot stepped in front of him "I'm afraid the Chancellor's coming with me". He raised his pistol but Zor attacked him from the side and Fleabyte punched him. Fleabyte then activated his rocket boots and flew backward while trying to shoot Loot who jumped up and grabbed his legs. He pulled him down and threw him at Zor knocking them both down before he picked up a blaster at the both of them. Shadow and Merlin then arrived on a speeder and ignited their lightsabers. Zor immediately put his hands up "Please! Do not kill Zor". Merin deactivated his lightsaber "Take him and Fleabyte into custody and make sure the Chancellor's returned to the palace". Shadow restrained Zor as Merlin turned to the green chameleon "You did a good job, Espio". A shock trooper then restrained an angry Fleabyte "Espio! I should have known. Something smelled wrong about you form the start". Espio smirked "Yes. Well, spending much time with you was no reward either". Fleabyte tried to struggle as he was taken away "I'll give you a reward when I plug you full of laser bolts" "Such a pleasant fellow. I hope this was all worth it". Merlin nodded "We saved the Chancellor. That's the important thing".
The next morning Solaris and the Shinobi were at an airstrip and met with Tikal, Amy, and the other politicians. Tikal smiled "Once again, you have all distinguished yourselves in the eyes of the Republic, and the people of Albion are in your debt". Shadow nodded "It's all part of the job Milady". They all walked together with Merlin next to Solaris "I'm not sure I agree with you orders to send the security detail back to Mobotropolis" "Now that the threat has passed, I think Shadow is all the security I need". Behind them Shadow glanced at Espio "You look terrible" "Being a criminal is not easy work" "Wasn't easy for me either. My jaw still hurts from you punching me". Espio smirked "Sorry about that", Shadow however wasn't trying to joke "If I'd know what was going on, I could have helped you. Too bad the Council didn't trust me". Espio stopped and sighed "Shadow, it was my decision to keep the truth from you". Shadow stopped but said nothing making Espio look guilty "I knew if you were convinced, I was dead, then so would everyone else". Shadow turned to him looking very angry "Your decision?" "Look, I know I did some questionable things, but I did what I had to do. I hope you can understand that". Shadow took a step back "You to lied to me. How many other lies have I been told by the Council!? And how do you even know you have the whole truth?". He stormed off towards the others leaving Espio alone.
Espio was now in one of the shuttle cockpits examining a map of the city when Merlin entered "We should get you into the transformation chamber. Everyone's a little tired of looking at that ugly face of yours". Espio smirked "This is the face that saved the Republic. But I think you're right. It's time to go back to being Espio". Merlin stared at him "I can sense something bothering you". Espio began to ponder "Yes. Something Shadow said had me worried. Do we know the whole truth? I think I'll stay. I need to check one last thing".
Espio was back at the balcony where he acted as a sniper. He was examining the case Fleabyte gave him. He used two of his fingers to follow the edges of the inside of the case and found a small hidden slot with something inside. He took it out and was surprised to find an active commlink "Dimitri was listening. He knew all along".
Shadow and Solaris were walking though the palace halls "We will leave as soon as soon as the banquet is over. I also want to say goodbye to Senator Tikal. She has been a very gracious host". Shadow glanced at him confused "Tikal didn't mention a banquet to me" "Perhaps she meant it as a surprise". Solaris then chuckled "I must say the lengths the Shinobi will go to is nothing short of incredible. I assume the brilliant plan to disguise Espio the Chameleon was yours". Shadow remained calm "No… It wasn't, sir. I was in the dark as much as you were" "Really? Interesting. I was under the impression the Shinobi always worked as a team". They entered the dining hall but then saw Dimitri, fully armoured and sitting at the end of the table "Welcome". Two Metorex guards then appeared on either side of them "My gracious, it's a trap!" "Chancellor, stay back" Shadow said. He pushed Solaris behind him before glaring at the echidna "You should have quite while you were still alive, Dimitri". Dimitri grinned "Fighting off the entire Shinobi security force would have been difficult, but now that they are gone defeating you alone will be an easy task". He stood up and ignited his lightsaber. The two Metorex tried to attack Shadow, but he quickly destroyed them both "Chancellor! Get out of here" "Good idea". Solaris ran to the door but when it opened there was another Metorex who grabbed him "Unhand me!".
Shadow and Dimitri fought with he latter using the Force to throw plates, cutlery, and chairs at Shadow. He cut through them, but a knife pierced his right hand which he then angrily pulled out. He then tried to strike Dimitri who just managed to block it and was struggling to keep it away from his face. This caused Mephiles to grin before Dimitri pushed Shadow back. The fight made its way outside with Solaris being led away behind Dimitri. Once they reached the steps Shadow knocked Dimitri down and tried to kill him, but he was blocked. Shadow however used the opportunity to grab Dimitri's throat which again seemed to please Mephiles. Dimitri then used the light from his hands to throw Shadow back into the wall before running up the stairs with Solaris and the Metorex. Espio then arrived and helped Shadow up "Are you alright?" "I'm fine. Come on!" the chased after the Raiju. They ran outside to a small platform where Dimitri and Solaris were boarding a shuttle. As it took off Shadow and Espio jumped on and fought Dimitri. Shadow managed to hold him back allowing Espio to move forward, take out the Metorex and grab Solaris. He jumped off the platform with him just before Dimitri pushed Shadow off. Dimitri glared down at them both "Well done, Master Espio. You are a worthy adversary. I cannot say the same about your young apprentice". The ship closed and quickly flew away. Tikal arrived with guards "Chancellor! Are you alright?". Shadow helped him up "Yes. Thanks again to the heroics of the Shinobi. That's a second time today". Espio smirked "We specialize in heroics, Chancellor". Shadow nodded "As long as I live, no harm will come to you, Your Excellency". Solaris smiled "Well, here's to your long and prosperous life, Shadow. One shudders to think where the galaxy would be without the Shinobi".