The Freedom Fighters elect a new leader!
With their training complete,
Espio and Shadow have left
Amy on Delphius to monitor
and advise the Fighetrs as they
continue to strike Separatist
targets under the command of
Chloe Who. Facing an
escalation of attacks,
the Separatists have sent
reinforcements to strengthen
their hold on the city of Oracle
as the battle for the planet
unfolds...
Cyrus was walking through the city streets wearing a cloak to keep his face hidden. He discreetly placed a small device on top of a crate near a market stand before walking away. Amy did the same thing on another street as a convoy of tanks, transports and badniks travelled across the main street. Harvey was watching the convoy from an alley "Looks like more reinforcements. A small badnik convoy leading a multi-troop transport. Tank bringing up the rear". Chloe was watching the convoy from a roof with a small group of troops. She gave them a signal and they all revealed themselves and fired on the convoy. The Pawns were getting massacred, so the transport released Omegas, but Chloe was still able to hold them off. Harvey ran out and placed bombs on the legs of the tanks causing it to collapse. Chloe then jumped down onto the disabled transport and saw the citizens staring up at her looking scared "Don't be afraid, brothers and sisters. We mean you no harm!". Amy and Cyrus pressed buttons on their wrists. The discs they had placed projected a large hologram of Chloe in other parts of the city "People of Delphius, the time has come to take back our freedom. We have all been deceived. King Max is a traitor who has sold Delphius to the Separatists for the crown. But Delphius is ours. We need your strength to reclaim our planet and restore our sovereignty under our true king. King Dodan Pa". The crowd began muttering to eah other.
Max was on his throne speaking to the Swatbot "The terrorists are no longer a nuisance but a threat to Delphius" "It is only a matter of time before they are all eliminated". Max didn't look confident "How much longer before they plunge us into chaos?". A female black panther in a purple robe spoke "It seems they're only targeting the badnik army. If you allowed the royal Delphius militia to assume control of security, the terrorists may stop and discuss terms". The Swatbot raised his hand "You will assume nothing, General Ebony. With their coordinated attacks and weapons, it is possible they're finding sympathy within your own ranks" "The threat is external. And your reinforcements have done little to stop them". Max took an apple form a bowl next to him "We will not negotiate with terrorists. They fear diplomacy. They embrace mayhem. What do we know about them?". Ebony stepped forward as a gizoid projected a hologram of Chloe "We've identified Chloe Who as the woman in the hologram. Her brother, Harvey, is also part of the group as well as the fugitive criminal Cyrus the Lion" "The late Senator Aleena's son?" Max asked. Ebony nodded "Yes, my Lord". The Swatbot looked to her "Why was I not told about this?" "You just were" she said bluntly. The Swatbot took a step closer to Ebony but Max stood up "Enough! It's clear that Dodan Pa is behind this. We mustn't allow his followers any momentum. Justice must come swiftly, without mercy. Bring him in". Dodan Pa entered with a guard "What now?" "Your supporters have begun to publicly decry my reign. Am I still to believe you are not behind their attacks?". The Swatbot turned to Dodan Pa "You must order them to surrender" "Impossible. I have been isolated and alone without visitors, confined to my prison. Again, the will of the people is theirs, not mine". Max laughed "Well, then we shall see what the will of the people is made of".
Amy and Chloe were directing a group of troops carrying crates "Okay, guys, put it in the back with the rest". A human woman then ran up to them "Chloe! They're executing King Dodan Pa tomorrow in the square" "Where did you hear this?" "Market. The merchants. The Separatists are saying he's behind our attacks". Chloe scoffed "More lies. They're making him an example to humiliate us". They entered the hideout where Harvey was waiting. Amy had an idea "This could work against them. Executing him would only make him a martyr" "We can't let him die. We have to break him out somehow" Harvey said. Chloe shook her head "No, we should wait until he's in public at the execution" "That's where they'll be expecting us" "I know, but this is our moment. We can save him for all of Oracle to witness. We don't have much time". Harvey didn't like this "They're counting on us to show up". He headed for the door, "Where are you going?" "Trust me" "Stop!" Chloe ordered. Harvey turned to her "Let me take care of this" "This isn't about you". Cyrus nodded "We can't afford a reckless move right now". Harvey rolled his eyes "Yeah? Go write a speech about it". Amy glared at him "You have to weigh the risk" "That's why I'm going alone". Chloe turned to the human "Follow him".
Later that night Chloe was examining something on a data pad when Cyrus walked up to him "Chloe". She didn't say anything, so he put his hand on her shoulder "Harvey's strong. He'll be fine" "He's always been brash. Never thinks. He doesn't realize by leaving, he's hurting us. We need a plan". She showed a hologram of the city "They'd bring King Dodan Pa through the east entrance of the square. Security will be tight and rescuing him…". She then noticed Cyrus staring at her "Will not be easy…. Cyrus, please don't look at me like that". Cyrus looked away "I'm sorry I-", she took his hand "Listen. I just need to be alone right now. Gather everyone to go over the plan" "Of course".
Amy was speaking to a hologram of Shadow and Espio "I sense fear in you, Amy" "They're divided. If they try to rescue the king now, I'm afraid we might lose them". Espio face didn't change "We cannot control their fate" "It's just they're risking their lives to save just one" "Do not underestimate the King's power. He represents hope and is critical to their success". Amy watched one of the Freedom Fighters walk past making her sigh sighed "I feel responsible for them". Shadow smiled "I know you do, Snips, but remember, purpose must come before feelings" "I know, Master". Espio crossed his arms "Step in only if you must, but remember, if this experiment is to become an effective strategy, they must learn to survive on their own" "Yes, Master Espio. I understand".
Harvey has climbed to the roof of the palace using a grappling hook. He sees Dodan Pa walking through the roof's garden with a few Egg Pawns watching him. He jumped down and tears off the head of the one in front of him before going over to Dodan Pa and kneeled "My Lord". Dodan Pa stared down at him curiously "Who are you?" "I'm Harvey Who. I'm here to free you, sire. You're to be executed tomorrow, but I'm getting you out of here. The people of Delphius need your help". Dodan Pa stared down at him coldly "Stand up. Are you one of the meddlers creating disorder, interfering in the affairs of the throne?" "Only to restore your kingship as the rightful ruler". Dodan Pa lowered his head disappointedly "I see. This was all my doing. I opened the door. That's why the Separatists are here. I was faced with a difficult choice, to join the Republic or the Confederacy. Both are corrupt, but I was blinded by the words of Dimitri. I opened the door to the Separatists and now Max is determined to keep it open". Harvey didn't look deterred "Now is the time to take back Delphius. Our movement is gaining momentum. It has the backing of the Shinobi". This surprised Dodan Pa "Shinobi?" "Yes, sire" "I have been waiting a long time for this". Harvey smiled "Come, Sire, Delphius awaits". Suddenly a shield activated above the roof and Omega's appeared around them. On the ground of the palace the human Freedom Fighter saw this and ran back to the hideout.
Chloe had finished speaking to her group "Do any of you have questions?". Cyrus looked troubled "It's a risky plan but it's our best shot. Amy, will you join us?". Amy didn't look any of them in the eyes "I can't. I've already been more involved than the Council wanted. I'm afraid I've been instructed to sit this one out". The human woman then ran in "They have Harvey. He's alive, but I watched them take him away". Cyrus stood up "We have to save him" "Yeah!" the fighters all said, and they started preparing but then "No" Chloe told them. They all stared in surprise, "We have to save King Dodan Pa. We don't have time or the bodies to do both". Cyrus was taken aback by this "He's your brother" "That's what Harvey would want, what he would expect. And I expect the same from everyone in this room". Amy stepped forward "I know it's a hard choice, but I agree. Purpose must come before feelings.".
Harvey was in an interrogation room being suspended in light. He was being shocked by electricity coming from devices on his wrists causing him to scream as Ebony and the Swatbot watched. It finally stopped and Harvey breathed weakly, "Where are the other terrorists?" "Delphius is our system, not yours". He started getting shocked again until "Enough" Ebony ordered. The Pawn stopped and Harvey barley looked conscious "We have to keep him alive. He is a direct link to the terrorists". The Swatbot stared at him "You pity him". Ebony starting walking around Harvey "I pity our ignorance. You can control the people of Delphius, but you won't sustain it against their will. What you're doing guarantees others will take his place" "They, too, will suffer" "Then the war is lost. You have strong tactics but it's unfortunate you cannot calculate a different approach".
Later Harvey was sitting on a chair while leaning his head against a table. Ebony sat on the table next to him, she placed a glass of water in front of him "Here, drink. It'll give you strength". Harvey did so but said nothing, "Badniks have very little compassion or patience for things that stand in their way" "We have a duty to protect what's ours, General, a duty once entrusted to you". Ebony scoffed "I thought you depleted your arrogance with the Swatbot". Harvey chuckled "It replenishes every hour". Ebony sighed and stood up "King Max is the crowned head of Delphius. What's yours is his, and he will do with it as he pleases" "Dodan Pa is the true king". Ebony sat on a chair opposite Harvey "Are you following his orders?" "We take orders from no one" "Aligning yourself with the past does not bode well for your future". Harvey raised his hands showing the restraints "We share the same future. We can sit here as free men or servants of the Separatists". Ebony angrily banged her fist against the table "I am free, while you have chosen to become a terrorist" "I'm not a terrorist. I'm a patriot. And resistance is not terrorism. King Dodan Pa chose his people. When he joined the Separatists and when he tried to leave the people were who he was thinking about. Now the Separatists have taken over because we let them". These words seem to get to Ebony.
The next morning a large crowd were in front of the palace where a group of Pawns and Metorex were standing. Max and the Swatbot then walked down the palace steps with a restrained Dodan Pa and Harvey. Max stood in front of a device that projected a red shield "As your king, I present to you Dodan Pa, not as a former king but as a criminal sponsoring terrorist acts against the people of Delphius. But fear not, good citizens. As your leader and protector, I will see you safe from such villainy. He has betrayed you, and today he will pay for those treasonous deeds with his life". The Metorex made Dodan Pa kneel in front of the device. Max then threw an apple into the shield which was suspended with the shield going right down the middle. The Metorex on either side activated their staffs and touched the device, powering up the shield and splitting right through the apple burning it in half. A Metorex then pushed Dodan Pa's head through the shield until it was at his neck. Max then raised his arm to gesture the Metorex to hit the device "Ready. Weapons". Suddenly Chloe ran out from the crowd and shot both the Metorex in the head. Cyrus then threw smoke grenades up at the stairs "Go! Go!". Multiple Fighters ran out of the crowd and fired at the badniks. Chloe and Cyrus ran up the steps and knocked Max to the ground before freeing Dodan Pa and Harvey "Come with us!". They ran back up but the human Freedom Fighter was shot in the head by an Omega who walked out of the crowd and more began to surround the group. The Swatbot stared at them "Surrender now or die". The others stood their ground "It's over. Do as they say" Dodan Pa said.
The group all lowered their weapons and put their hands up. The crowd starting yelling, "Calm yourselves. The threat is over. See for yourselves as these traitors all endure the same punishment". They were restrained and Chloe stood next to Harvey "Good try, sis". Dodan Pa was put back on the device "They're innocent!" "Let them go!" civilians yelled. In the crowd a disguised Amy saw the Metorex activate the staffs and she started heading towards the palace but suddenly "Stop!". At the palace entrance Ebony ran out with a group of guards. Amy stopped and put her lightsaber away. The guards all surrounded the badniks and Ebony raised her weapon to an angry Max "Traitor" "I was. Not anymore" she nodded to Harvey. She took Max hostage as Cyrus helped Dodan Pa up. Max watched the crowd cheer "What're you doing, General?". Ebony ignored him and looked to Chloe "Go". The guards and Freedom Fighters all ran except for Ebony. One of the guards noticed "Ma'am?" "Go!" she ordered. The guard reluctantly did so and the crowd gladly let them all pass. All the badniks raised their weapons to Ebony making Max chuckle "What now, General? As soon as you release me, you'll be shot dead" Gammas then appeared. Ebony seemed to agree but suddenly Amy jumped out of the crowd and landed in front of Ebony with her lightsabers ignited. She then pushed all the badniks back with the Force "Shinobi?" Max said in surprise. Amy turned to Ebony "General, follow me". Ebony pushes Max to the ground before running into the crowd with Amy. Max stood up "After them. Kill them!" but the crowd suddenly started advancing on them "Dodan Pa is the real king!" "We want the Separatists gone!". The Omega stepped in front of Max and held the crowd back.
Dodan Pa sat down in the hideout then Amy and Ebony entered. Dodan Pa looked up to the General "Why now?" "It was time for a new approach, my lord" "Do I have your loyalty?". Ebony nodded "And that of the army" "You also have ours. With your rule, our numbers will grow" Chloe said. Dodan Pa smiled warmly "Thank you, child". He then looked to Cyrus "Your mother would be proud" "Thank you, my lord" "We must first win the will of the people. That is the only way". He stood up "The Separatists will assemble their forces. Dimitri will want me dead more than ever". Harvey smirked "Then we'll have to teach them another lesson. Together". The crowd cheered a Cyrus moved over to Amy "I knew you couldn't resist a good fight" "Am I becoming that predictable?" "Only to me".
Amy was back talking to the holograms of Shadow and Espio "The Separatists definitely know we're backing the Freedom Fighters" "Then prepare yourself. The real fight is about to begin" "Will you be able to send some help?" Shadow glanced away for a second "That's up to the Council, Amy".