Neutral star systems in peril! Scourge
and Fleetway the Hedgehog command
Planet Wisp through the puppet
Prime Minister, Menniker the Echidna, while they
expand their criminal enterprise.
With the Diamond Cutters removed from
power, and the Shinobi unaware of the
villainous plot, nothing stands in
the way of Scourge's vision for
a vast criminal empire.
We now find Duchess Liza imprisoned,
as her few remaining loyal subjects
make a desperate attempt to rescue
her….
Liza was lying in her cell with her back to the door when she heard it open. She didn't turn around "What do you want you traitor?". She heard a blaster fire and then heard a body fall to the ground "I would never betray you, Auntie Liza. I'm here to rescue you". She recognised that voice, then turned around and saw a young male wolf wearing a bule and white shirt "Marcos". She hugged her nephew and then saw Whisper standing outside of the cell wearing her mask, "It's okay. She's on our side now" Marcos told Liza. Whisper removed her mask, Liza glared at her "Why are you helping now?" "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Liza looked slightly nostalgic "There was a time when we weren't enemies. Perhaps that time has come again", Whisper smiled. They three of them got outside the prison where a group of Diamond Cutters and Marcos' friends were waiting with speeders "It's all clear. Come on". "We need to contact the Shinobi Council. Marcos, give me your commlink", Marcos did so "It won't be any good unless we get outside the city. All of the frequencies are jammed". Liza looked to the others and sighed "You are all taking a terrible risk by helping me". Marcos smiled "Nothing we haven't done before. Right, Auntie".
The two of them got on board a speeder and Whisper stood on the back to give them cover "Let's get going". The pilot drove the speeder out while the remaining Diamond Cutters followed. They raced through the city when three of Scourge's Wispons chased them. They now had green masks with two slashes painted on. Whisper and her men turned their wispons crimson "Get the Duchess clear!" before they flew out to deal with them but more appeared and fired on the speeder. It just made it through the tunnel of the dome just before crashing "The transmission is still blocked". Liza and Marcos quickly ran out to the platform to get a signal from the commlink as the others gave them cover. Marcos then stopped to help them while Liza activated the commlink "This is a message for Espio the Chameleon. I've lost Planet Wisp. My people have been massacred. I can't explain everything now". As she continued her message she heard Marco scream, she turned and saw him on the ground with an electric rope around him. She then saw two Wispons running towards her "Espio, I need your help" they surrounded her.
Espio entered the war room of the Shinobi Temple where Blaze and Nate were waiting "You summoned me, Masters?". Nate activated the holo-unit which showed Liza "This is a message for Espio the Chameleon. I've lost Planet Wisp. My people have been massacred. Menniker is now Prime Minister and he has power over the crime families. I can't explain everything now. Espio, I need your help". Espio hid his fear as he saw the Wispons appear in the hologram, "Your thoughts on this, Master Espio?" Blaze asked. "Liza has been at odds with the Diamond Cutters for years. And according to a report from Amy, they're no longer in league with the Separatists. If there was a takeover, it was most likely an independent act caused be the Diamond Cutters alone". Nate looked to Blaze "Without involvement from the Separatists, this is an internal affair for Planet Wisp. I'm afraid we cannot help". Espio turned to him "We cannot just hand Planet Wisp over to these crime families and let Liza become a martyr" "I'm afraid her decision to keep Planet Wisp neutral makes this situation difficult". Blaze sighed "I understand your feelings, Espio. But to take action we would need support from the Republic Senate". "You know what the Senate will decide. They won't send aid to a neutral system" Espio said. Blaze nodded "At this time there's nothing more we can do".
Menniker was in the throne room standing before Scourge "Liza's accomplices managed to escape including the renegade Diamond Cutters. But we will find them. The Duchess appears to have contacted the Shinobi just as anticipated". Scourge grinned "Good. You've done well". "What of the people?" Menniker asked, "You are the legitimate Prime minster. Planet Wisp is a sovereign planet and you will maintain it's neutrality". Menniker nodded "And what of the Shinobi?", Fleetway growled at him but said nothing. Scourge remained calm "The Shinobi will have no jurisdiction here. If Espio comes to rescue his friend, he will have to come alone".
The Terios jumped out of hyperspace and headed to the capital of Planet Wisp. With great struggle Espio managed to land the craft which was slowly falling apart. Once he did it immediately shut down "Ah. Shadow, that's the last time I borrow a ship form you". Espio was now wearing a red hat and gloves. He got out of the ship with great difficulty since the doors kept sticking. He eventually did and saw a group of Destructix soldiers loading cargo onto a ship. An ocelot Diamond Cutter wearing a mask and cloak walked up to him "You better get your ship looked at" "Oh, it's my friend's ship". He leaned on the entrance ramp which then dropped "He told me it was perfectly fine". Another part of the ships just fell off behind him "Terribly sorry about that". The Wispon stared at him "Do you have a landing permit" "Um, I think I left it in the ship. Come with me and I'll get it". He led the Wispon onto the ship. After a short time, the masked Diamond Cutters exited the ship having turned himself into a chameleon and entered the dome. Unbeknownst to him he was being watched from above by Whisper the Wolf.
Liza was sitting in her cell with her back to the door when she heard it open "Here to do more of your master's bidding?" "I do my own bidding". Liza smiled "Espio". She quickly hugged him which he awkwardly returned. "Are you alone?" "Yes. The Shinobi Council and Galactic Senate will be of no help to us here". They left the cell and waited for a lift to arrive "I trust you have an escape plan then?" Liza asked as Espio put his mask back on "As always, my dear". The doors opened revealing a monkey Wispon already inside. Espio quickly pushed Liza into the lift and went behind the monkey. "There's no record of a prisoner transfer here" the monkey said, "The orders came form upstairs". The monkey nodded and after a pause turned back to him "What's the authorization code?" "Oh, um…" he punched the monkey in the head knocking him out. The lift arrived at the platform and the two chameleons got on an Extreme Gear board. "Hey, you! Stop!" a Diamond Cuter spotted them. They quickly raced away and made it back to the landing platform. They quickly ran onto the Terios as more Wispons arrived. Espio activated the ship's turrets which fired on the Wispons. Espio tried to take off, "We have to contact my sister for help. She'll send reinforcements" Liza told him. Before Espio could say anything, the ship was hit by fireballs, destroying the engines "Brace yourself!" Espio said. They both ran to the entrance ramp and jumped out of the ship just before it crashed. Espio was lying on the landing platform trying to stand back up when he saw more Wispons emerge form the smoke. He then saw Scourge and Fleetway appear "No, not you". He stood up and ignited his lightsaber despite being exhausted. Scourge effortlessly pulled him towards him with the Force and grabbed his throat. He made Espio drop his lightsaber before smirking "It's good to see you, Espio. Welcome to my world". Espio saw Fleetway carry Liza's unconscious body. Scourge threw Espio into the hands of two guards "Take them back to the palace".
Scourge was not sitting on his throne with Fleetway standing next to him. Liza was kneeling on his other side with Menniker standing next to her. Espio was standing before Scourge with two Wispons standing behind him. Scourge grinned "Your noble flaw is a weakness shared by you and your Duchess". He raised his hand and Liza began to hover above the floor as she struggled to breath. Espio stepped forward but the Wispons grabbed him by the shoulder. Scourge stood up "You should have chosen the dark side, Master Shinobi" he said mockingly. Espio stared concerned at Liza which Scourge noticed "Your emotions betray you. I feel your fear and…. Anger. Yes, let it deepen your hatred". "Don't listen to him, Espio" Liza said weakly, "Quiet" Fleetway told her. Espio composed himself "You can kill me, but you will never destroy me. It takes strength to resist the dark side. Only the weak embrace it". "It is more powerful than you know" Scourge said sounding slightly insulted. "And those who oppose it are more powerful than you'll ever be", Scourge turned away from him an began to snarl in anger. "I know where you're from. I've been to your village. I know the decision to join the dark side wasn't yours. The Yagyu made it for you". Scourge angrily turned to him "Silence! You think you know me? I survived for years thinking of nothing but you. Nothing but this moment. And now the perfect tool for my revenge is in front of us. I never planned on killing you. But I will make you share my pain, Espio". The invisible grip on Liza's throat tightened making her cough. Espio tried to run forward but the Wispon behind him hit him to the ground. He lifted his head up and saw Scourge ignite the Darksaber. Espio reached out as Scourge pulled Liza towards him and stabbed her through the stomach. She gasped in pain and stared at Espio who's eyes were wide with shock. Scourge dropped her and Espio crawled over to her body "Liza". Scourge sat back down on his throne. Espio held Liza who cupped his face with her hand "Remember, my dear Espio… I've loved you always. I always will". She passed away in his arms, he closed his eyes and hugged her. Scourge sadistically smiled as Fleetway turned to him "Do we kill him now, brother?" "No. Send him below. Let him drown in his misery. Take him to his cell to rot". The two Wispons grabbed Espio and took him away as he looked back at Liza's body.
On Mobotropolis inside Solaris's office he was looking out his window at the city. He closed his eyes and looked as if he sensed something. Julian then entered "You summoned me, Chancellor?". "Prepare my ship" Solaris told him, and he immediately left.
Espio was on the platform about to enter the prison when the two Wispons leading him where suddenly shot. He looked behind him and saw Whisper with four others land in front of him. She took his lightsaber from one of the guards and passed it to him "Sorry, i don't believe we've met. You are?" he asked, "Whisper. I'm here to rescue you. That's all you need to know". She then handed him a wispon "You ever use one of these before?" "No" "Then I hope you're a fast learner". They all flew away across the city.
On the landing platform outside the dome two Wispons saw a shuttle land. They raised their weapons when they saw Mephiles calmly walk out of the ship. "Halt!" one of them ordered but Mephiles slightly waved his hand and both the Wispons suddenly couldn't breathe and fell to their knees. Mephiles walked past them and boarded a transport. He entered the dome as the two Wispons finally died.
Espio and Whisper's group were being chased by Scourge's when they made it to a dome exit. A fight took place in the tunnel as Espio opened the doors. Once they opened Espio saw a massive battle taking place between the two Wispon factions "Scourge must really want you dead" Whisper said, "You have no idea".
Scourge and Fleetway were in the throne room with a single guard at the entrance. Scourge sat on the throne and looked troubled "Hmm, I sense something... It feels so familiar. I…. Master" fear covered his face. The Wispon guard began to cough before being thrown into the wall. The doors opened and Mephiles calmly walked in. Scourge immediately walked up to him and kneeled much to Fleetway's confusion as the guard fell back to the ground dead. "Master" Scourge said respectfully, Mephiles stood in front of him "I am most impressed to see you have survived your injuries" there was slight pride in his voice. "I used your training, Master. And I have built all this in hope of returning to your side". Mephiles glanced at Fleetway "Hmm. How unfortunate that you are attempting to deceive me". He turned his back to Scourge who looked up nervously "Master?" "You've become a rival!" Mephiles turned around and grabbed them both with the Force. He threw them against the wall and began to laugh sinisterly. Scourge and Fleetway both struggled but to no avail. Mephiles then dropped them, they both quickly got up and ignited their lightsabers. Mephiles continued to laugh as he took out two lightsabers and ignited them. Scourge and Fleetway nodded to each other before attacking Mephiles on both sides but he managed to keep up with them making him laugh even more.
Whisper and Espio were fighting their way across the platform trying to get to a shuttle that was waiting for them. "Go back to you Republic and tell them what's happened" Whisper told him as he got on the ramp of the ship. Espio stopped and blocked the blaster bolt that was about to hit him "That would likely lead to a Republic invasion of Planet Wisp" "Yes, and Scourge will die. But we'll survive. We always survive. Now go" she replied firing back at enemy Wispons. Espio walked into the ship but stopped and turned back "Your Liza's sister, aren't you?". Whisper didn't say anything, "I'm so sorry" Espio said before getting on the ship and flying away.
The Raiju duel made it to a balcony outside, Fleetway charged forward and hit Mephiles off the balcony but he quickly used the Force to drag them both of them off with him. They landed at the steps to the palace and their fight continued. Mephiles then used the Force to throw Scourge up the steps and into a wall, incapacitating him. Fleetway then charged at Mephiles who easily dodged every attack. Scourge managed to get back up and he saw Mephiles kick Fleetway in the face. Taking advantage of the disorientation Mephiles turned to Scourge, backed up to Fleetway and stabbed him with both lightsabers in the chest. "Brother!" Scourge said completely shocked as Mephiles kicked Fleetway's body down the stairs. Scourge ran past his old Master and jumped down to Fleetway's body. They were in front of a wall that had a large mural which mocked the Shinobi as they fought the Wispons. Scourge's eyes opened wide as he held his brother's hand. A green aura began to envelop Fleetway "Brother, I am an unworthy apprentice. I'm not like you. I never was" his body shrank to its original form and the spirals left his eyes. Tears began to form in Scourge's eyes as he watched his brother die. He then heard laughter "Remember, the first and only reality of the Raiju". Scourge began to shake with anger as Mephiles continued "There can only be two. And you are no longer my apprentice". Scourge turned to him with pure rage in his eyes, "You have been replaced" Mephiles jumped down to face him. Scourge ignited the Darksaber, so he was now dual wielding. Scourge charged at him and he managed to hold his own for a short time. Eventually though Mephiles knocked him down and grabbed him with the Force. He smashed Scourge against the ground, then into the wall and finally back to the ground. Scourge tried to crawl away from Mephiles absolutely terrified "Have mercy. Please. Please!" he begged. Mephiles looked down at him coldly "There is no mercy" he fired beams of light at Scourge making him scream in pain. "Do not worry. I'm not going to kill you. I have other uses for you" Mephiles cackled as Scourge's screams became louder.