Amy Rose captured! While on the run
to prove her innocence, young Amy
teamed up with the deadly assassin, Lien-Da
to find the rogue Shinobi who
framed Amy for bombing the Temple. The Shinobi
Council sent Shadow the Hedgehog and
Master Rob O' the Hedge to track Amy down
and bring her back to the Temple.
Now captured and imprisoned, Amy
faces punishment for crimes she did
not commit...
The Shinobi Council were listening to a hologram of Finitevus "The Senate requests that Amy Rose be indicted for acts of treason against the Republic". Blaze nodded "Amy Rose will have a fair trial in accordance with Shinobi tradition". Finitevus raised his eyebrow "Ah, yes, Shinobi tradition. I'm afraid, Master Blaze, that the Senate believes that an internal Shinobi trial would seem biased. Therefore, the Senate asks that the Council expel Amy Rose from the Shinobi Order so that she may be put to a Republic Military Tribunal, where she will receive more impartial judgment". The Council looked between one another "And who would represent Amy in this tribunal, Admiral?" Espio asked hiding his distaste for the idea. "That would be up to the Council, General, but I would recommend someone outside the Order" "Of course" Espio said. Merlin leaned forward in his chair "The Council will act as they deem necessary. Thank you, Admiral", Finitevus cut off communications. "Surely, we cannot do what Finitevus suggests. We need to stand together with Amy" Espio said, Nate sighed "There is evidence that she is indeed the mastermind behind the attack on the Temple". Master Mole nodded "She was found in possession of nanobots explosives. This alone is enough to convict her". Merlin looked to Espio "I understand your sentiment, Espio, but if the Council does as you suggest, it could be seen as an act of opposition to the Senate". He sighed "I'm afraid we have little choice". Blaze reluctantly nodded "Summon Shadow and Amy to the Chamber of Judgement and may the Force guide us in our decision". Espio clearly didn't like this.
Amy and Shadow were in a room with five Temple guards who were all wearing white armour, hoods and a mask. Amy was sitting down while Shadow was impatiently pacing, "You're not helping". Shadow groaned "I'm sorry, Snips. I… I just… I just don't know what to do" he sat down next to Amy. "It's okay. I don't either" they then heard a chime, the got up and stood in the middle of the room with two of the guards. The floor rose up and ceiling opened. They entered a cylindrical room, Shadow and the guards stopped on ground level while the spot Amy was on continued to rise. She found herself in front of five podiums with Lara-Le, Espio, Nate, Merlin, Blaze and Rob standing at one. Shadow anxiously watched from below. "Amy Rose, serious charges have been levied against you. How do you plead?" Blaze asked her. "Not guilty, Master. I would never take the lives of innocents. The values of the Shinobi are sacred to me". "There is evidence to the contrary. You were alone with Teri-Lu when she died. Can you explain this?" Nate asked her. Amy thought of the best way to explain "Someone used the Force against her" "Which brings us to Lien-Da. Can you explain your association with her?" Rob said. Amy knew this would be a problem "She was after me for a bounty, but I thought I convinced her to help me" "Did she help you acquire the nanobot weaponry found when you were apprehended, the same devices used in the bombing of the Shinobi Temple?" Merlin said immediately once Amy stopped speaking.
Amy was surprised how that question was worded "No, I was set up and deceived, as you are being deceived now" "The question is, Amy Rose, who is deceiving us? Lien-Da, you or someone else?". Amy was beginning to get worried "I… I'm not deceiving you. I would assume Lien-Da is, but I can't be sure. My sense is clouded". Blaze nodded "They are clouded by the dark side. They are dangerously clouded, but not just surrounding you. It's surrounding many things in these times". Shadow was beginning to realize what was happening "You've already made your decision haven't you? This meeting just a formality!" he yelled up to the Council. He stared directly at Espio who looked away in regret. Blaze sighed "We have reached a decision, though we are not in total agreement". Merlin nodded "It is the Council's opinion that the Shinobi apprentice Amy Rose has committed sedition against the Republic and thus, she will be expelled from the Shinobi Order". Shadow eyes opened wide "No…no. You can't do this!" he angrily walked forward but the two guards got in front of him and ignited their yellow lightsabers. Amy began to be lowered back down "Your Shinobi status will be stripped from you, and you shall forfeit all rank and privileges within the Grand army of the Republic" Nate said. Amy looked down at the ground silently as Nate continued "You will be turned over to the Republic courts to await your trial and whatever punishment they will set for you. Henceforth, you are barred from the Shinobi Order". Amy stared down at the floor in disbelief at what she just heard.
Amy was back in her cell at the Republic prison, she was silently sitting on a bench. Shadow and Tikal then entered, this made Amy smile slightly. "Tikal has agreed to represent you before the Senate", Tikal smiled at her "I will do everything I can to prove your innocence, Amy". Amy nodded "I'm almost certain that Lien-Da is behind this and you know I wasn't working with her. She was at the warehouse, in the room. We fought, but she got away. Didn't any of the clones see anything?". Shadow turned towards the door "No. None of the clones reported seeing Lien-Da at the scene". He then turned back to her "I thought you said Lien-Da left before you went into the warehouse" "That's what I thought too but she attacked me once I got inside. I'd know her lightsabers anywhere". Shadow nodded "Well, if that's our only lead, then I know what I have to do" he went to the door. "Wait, where are you going? You can't leave now" Tikal asked. "Yes, I can. I have to find Lien-Da and get to the bottom of this" he left the cell. Tikal sat down next to Amy "Until we hear from Shadow, let's work on your defence". Amy sighed "Forgive me if I'm not optimistic. I thought I was part of that Order, but everyone, except Shadow, has abandoned me. I'm not holding out much hope the Senate will treat me any better".
Lien-Da was walking through the lower-level streets of the city when she felt a familiar presence. She went down an ally when she heard something land behind her, she smiled "Shadow the Hedgehog". She turned around and saw him wearing his cloak and glaring at her with anger in his eyes "I know your behind all this" "Prove it". She jumped up to a railing and Shadow followed "Leave me alone!" she said but she didn't take out her lightsabers. She was about to attack him, but he pushed her against the wall with the Force. She then started to gasp for air before hovering above the ground. Shadow pulled her toward him and grabbed her throat "Tell me what happened!". Lien-Da tried to speak as best she could "When I heard your little brat…. Was on the run, I thought she might bring a large bounty". Shadow pushed her against the railing and put his lightsaber near her head "Bounty?" "I was going to catch your pet and turn her over to the authorities, collect whatever bounty was due". Shadow calmed down and let her go "What stopped you?", she began to cough "At first I admit I was just interested in the money and a little bit of revenge but then I realized your apprentice and I had a lot in common". Shadow took a step closer to her "How dare you to compare yourself to Amy!". Lien-Da angrily turned to him "It's true!" her face dropped "My master abandoned me, and that's exactly what you did to her. You and your precious Shinobi Order".
Amy was led to the tribunal room by two clone guards, she walked across a walkway to the middle of the room. In front of her was Chancellor Solaris standing behind a podium. On Amy's right were members of the Shinobi Order and on her left were Senators. There were two platforms directly in front of her, one with Tikal and one with Finitevus. Solaris stared down at her "Amy Rose, you have been charged with sedition against the Shinobi Order and the Republic itself. This court will decide your fate. Prosecution, you may begin your arguments" he looked to Finitevus. Amy glared at him as he spoke "Former Commander Rose, I shall prove that you are the mastermind behind the attack on the Shinobi Temple and that once our accomplices carried out your orders, you eliminated them one by one. When you are found guilty, I ask the court that the full extent of the law be brought down upon you, including the penalty of death", Amy gulped.
Lien-Da has explained most of her story to Shadow "After I left the warehouse, after i left your little apprentice alone, I was walking away, and I thought she came up from behind me to talk more. But I was wrong. Someone came out from nowhere and hit me from behind. Not just anyone can sneak up on me. It had to be another Shinobi". Shadow shook his head "I don't believe you" "Believe it. Whoever you're looking for has my lightsabers. That's how you'll know you've found the criminal". Shadow sighed and leaned against the railing "Well, this leads me to a dead end. You're the only one Amy had talked to". A memory then entered Lien-Da's mind "That's not true" "What do you mean?" "Your apprentice contacted the Temple. She spoke with someone called Clove. She's the one who told her to go to the warehouse in the first place". Shadow threateningly stepped closer to her "If you're lying, you're dead" "Such promises" Lien-Da said amused as Shadow jumped back down to the ground.
Tikal was making her statement "Look at the facts. Teri-Lu called Amy to her cell to reveal the name of the true mastermind behind the bombing on the Shinobi Temple. Teri told Amy she was afraid. She told her the mastermind was a Shinobi, and before she could reveal the Shinobi's name, Teri-Lu was strangled to death by the way of the Force. Why would Amy kill Teri-Lu with a method that would obviously tie the murder to her? A Shinobi may be responsible for murder, but that Shinobi is not Amy Rose. Members of the court, you are prosecuting the wrong Shinobi". Finitevus slowly clapped "Well said, Senator Tikal. However, if she is innocent, then why was she seen conspiring with known Separatist terrorist, Lien-Da?". "Lien-Da set me up. My master will prove that" Amy answered. Finitevus scoffed "And where is your master?" "He's trying to find the real murderer" "Then maybe he should be looking at you".
Shadow was in the Shinobi Temple, he stopped at a door and knocked. "Enter", Shadow opened the door and saw Clove meditating in the middle of her room "Clove, I need to talk to you". Clove stood up and looked surprised "Master Shadow, how can I help you?". Shadow looked around the room as she answered "I was told you spoke with Amy before she was arrested. What did you say to her?" he picked up Clove's lightsaber. "We've been friends for a long time. I was only trying to help her. I hope I'm not in any trouble". Shadow examined her lightsaber "It's no trouble. I just need to know what you told her and if you told anyone else" "No, I thought I had a clue for her, but I really couldn't tell her anything. Who told you I spoke to her?". Shadow turned to her "Lien-Da. She told me" "Lien-Da? Isn't she the one Amy says is really behind all this?". Shadow nodded "That's what Amy says, but I think she's wrong. Lien-Da thinks someone else is involved" "And you believe her? Who else could it be if not her? Surely not Amy" Clove said sounding nervous. "No, I don't think it was Amy either. I think they're both telling the truth, but there's only one way to find out". Shadow ignited Clove's lightsaber and tried to strike her, but she used the Force to pull two red lightsaber out of a vase and stopped him. Shadow pushed her back "Funny. Those belong to Lien-Da. You should've gotten rid of them". Clove sinisterly grinned "I think they suit me" she tried to attack him, but he kicked her out of the room and she quickly ran.
Solaris was speaking "I'm sure many of you look at this former Shinobi and think 'Surely, she cannot be this murderer or saboteur that they speak of'. And yet think of all the times we have been fooled by the Separatists and how they have infiltrated the Republic and ask yourself, is this yet another Separatists scheme. Another way to rip the Shinobi, and subsequently all of us, apart".
Shadow was chasing Clove through the Temple halls, he caught up the two started to fight "Amy trusted you, and you betrayed her" "I've learned that trust is overrated. The only thing the Shinobi Council believes in is violence". Shadow took out his own lightsaber and was now dual wielding. The two fought when two temple guards arrived "Cease hostilities!". Clove ran and saw two more on the others side of the corridor. She quickly jumped out of the window and Shadow followed her. They landed in a courtyard where a group of younglings were training. Shadow continued the fight while a Master got between the younglings and them. Clove saw more guards arriving and tried to quickly strike Shadow, but he managed to knock one of the lightsabers out of her hand. Shadow began to repeatedly hit down on of Clove's lightsabers pushing her back. Clove eventually pushed him back, but Shadow then grabbed her with the Force and threw her into the wall.
A Senator stood up "The members of the court have reached a decision" he presses a button on a pad. Julien then handed Solaris another pad telling him the results "Amy Rose, by an overwhelming count of-" "Chancellor!". Everyone turned to the entrance and saw Shadow entering with a group of temple guards, "I hope you have a reason for bursting into our proceedings, Master Shadow" Solaris said. "I'm here with evidence and a confession from the responsible for all the crimes Amy has been accused of. Clove the Pronghorn, member of the Shinobi Order and traitor". He stepped aside and a restrained Clove stepped forward, Amy had a look of betrayal on her face "Clove, is that true?". Shadow glared at her "Tell them the truth". Clove stepped forward "I did it because I've come to realize what many people in the Republic have come to realize, that the Shinobi are the ones responsible for this war, that we've lost our way that we have become villains in this conflict, that we are the ones that should be put on trial, all of us! And my attack on the Temple was an attack on what the Shinobi have become, an army fighting for the dark side, fallen from the light that we once held so dear. This Republic is failing! It's only a matter of time". Shadow pulled her back, "Take her away" Solaris ordered, and two guards did so. Shadow smiled to Amy who was staring sadly at the ground.
Later Clove was lying in her prison cell when she suddenly started to convulse. Her eyes opened and were completely white. Her mouth opened and a Waspnosian worm slithered out and through one of the air vents. Clove woke up looking around the cell scared before realising all that she has just been made to do. Millions of miles away Vesper the Wasp stepped out of a ship and walked past multiple Metals. He entered a large cylindrical room with a holo-projector in the middle. He kneeled and a hologram of Mephiles appeared "My Lord, thank you for freeing me" "You have earned it, my friend. Your parasite has done better than I ever hoped. It is a shame that more cannot be found". Vesper bowed his head "I knew the Pronghorn would make the best host, My Lord. I could tell when she last questioned me. Her growing distrust of the Shinobi made her so impressionable" he smirked. Vesper believed that he was being rewarded for striking a blow to the Shinobi but to Mephiles something else has been gained.
The next day after Amy got some proper rest she was in the Council room with them standing in front of her along with Shadow "Amy, I'm so sorry about everything", Amy nodded to him. "You have our most humble apologies, Amy. The Council was wrong to accuse you" Rob said. Master Mole nodded in agreement "You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence" "This is the true sign of a Shinobi Knight" Nate added. Merlin crossed his arms "This was actually your great trial. Now we see that. We understand that the Force works in mysterious ways, and because of this trial, you have become a greater Shinobi than you would have otherwise". Amy stared at him with an unreadable expression. Blaze smiled "You may come back into the Order". Shadow happily stepped forward "They're asking you back, Amy. I'm asking you back" Shadow held out his hand which held her lightsabers. Amy stared at the lightsabers then looked at Shadow who was smiling hopefully. Amy looked as if she reached for the lightsabers but instead closed Shadow's hands on them. She looked up regretfully at Shadow whose eyes opened wide in surprise, "I'm sorry, Master, but I'm not coming back" she said sadly. She turned around and walked out of the Council room. Shadow went after her, Espio was about to follow but Rob put his hand on his shoulder. The rest of the Council watched them leave as Blaze sighed.
Amy was walking toward the main steps of the Shinobi Temple when "Amy, wait!". She kept walking "Amy, I need to talk to you" she finally stopped, and she turned to face Shadow. He sighed "Why are you doing this?" "The Council didn't trust me, so how can I trust myself?". "What about me? I believed in you. I stood by you" Shadow said desperately. Amy looked away guiltily "I know you believe in me, Shadow, and I'm grateful for that. But this isn't about you. I can't stay here any longer, not now" "But the Shinobi Order is your life. You can't just throw it away like this. Amy, you're making a mistake". She sighed "Maybe, but I have to sort this out on my own, without the Council and without you". She turned away to leave, Shadow sighed and looked away "I understand. More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the Order". Amy glanced back at him "I know" tears began to form in her eyes and she walked down the steps as Shadow watched.