In Sol, inside a church a choir was singing as Shadow was one of six pallbearers carrying a coffin. Shadow was holding back tears as they placed the coffin at the front on top of a memorial that had flowers and a picture of Tikal. Shadow sat down near the front next to Bark. He held his head down solemnly as an eagle stood in front of the coffin. He gave a lovely speech about all the good Tikal had done in her life and how she was now resting in peace "And now, I would like to invite Shade the Echidna to come up and say a few words". Agent 08 appeared at a pedestal. Bark nudged Shadow who looked up and stared surprised at her. She nodded to them before speaking "Tikal the Echidna was known to most as a founder of G.U.N but is just knew her as Aunt Tikal. She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Tikal was standing next to the President". She smiled nostalgically "As a kid, that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related. I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time where no one trusted an echidna to do either. She said, compromise where you can. But where you can't, don't". Shadow listened to her intently "Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye and say no, you move".
The church was now empty except for Shadow who was staring up at where the coffin was sitting. He heard footsteps and turned to see Rouge walking towards him in a black jacket. Shadow sighed "When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I had know was gone. Then I found out she was alive. I was just lucky to have her". Rouge smiled "She had you back, too. Even after everything happened with G.U.N, during my hiatus, I went back to Megalopolis and tried to find my parents". She frowned and shook her head "Two little gravestones by a chain-link fence. I pulled some weeds and left some flowers. We have what we have when we have it". Shadow paused then "Who's signed?" "Sonic, Mighty, Blaze" "Whisper?". Rouge smirked "Says she's retired" "Silver?" "TBD. I'm off to Spring Valley and there's plenty of room on the jet". Shadow sighs and Rouge steps closer to him "Shadow, just because it's the path of least resistance doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together" "What are we giving up to do it? I'm sorry, Rouge. I can't sign". Rouge sighs and nods "I know" "Then what're you doing here?". Rouge smiles "I didn't want you to be alone" the two friend's hug.
Shadow was now in bar with Bark. The two clinked drinks "Here's to an honourable discharge" "Sure you're okay with this?" "I'm not worried about me. I make great civilian. You could to, you know" Bark told him.
Later Shadow was sitting at a table with Shade "So when you were spying on me from across the hall-" "You mean when I was doing my job". Shadow nodded "Did Tikal know?" "She kept so many secrets. I didn't want her to have one from you".
In the United Nations building in Spring Valley a young purple chameleon with a yellow horn was looking out of a glass window. He turns back and walks over to Rouge "I suppose neither of us is used to the spotlight" "Well, it's not always so flattering". He smiled "You seem to be doing alright so far. Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill, I wouldn't think you'd be particularly comfortable in this company" "Well, I'm not" "And that alone makes me glad you are here, Ms Rouge". Rouge stared at him "Why? You don't approve of all this?" "The Accords, yes. The politics, not really. Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred". Barney approached them "Unless you need to move a piano". The younger chameleon bowed his head "Father". Barney nodded and then turned to Rouge "Ms Rouge" "King Barney. Please, allow me to apologize for what happened in Savannah" "Thank you. Thank you for agreeing to all of this. I'm sad to hear that Mr Shadow will not be joining us today". Rouge nodded "Yes, so am I. But... he had personal matters" "If everyone could please be seated. This assembly is now in session". The younger chameleon sighed "That is the future calling. Such a pleasure". Rouge walked to her seat. Barney smiled at his son "For a man who disapproves of diplomacy you're getting quite good at it". He smiles "I'm happy, Father". Barney cupped his face "Thank you". His son kisses his hand "Thank you".
Barney was now making a speech to the UN "When stolen Masudan chaos emeralds were used to make a terrible weapon we in Masuda were forced to question our legacy. Those men and woman killed in Savannah were part of a goodwill mission from a country too long in the shadows. We will not, however, let misfortune drive us back. We will fight to improve the world we wish to join. I am grateful to the Chaotix for supporting this initiative". Barney's son was standing by a window listening when he noticed a van outside being searched. The people around the van suddenly scattered "Everybody get down!". He ran to his father as the van blew up shattering the windows and throwing him back and destroying the conference hall. The young chameleon crawls through the destroyed room towards his father's body. He grabs his wrist trying to feel for a pulse. He starts to cry, and he lies across his father. He lifts his body and begins rocking him in his arms.
Shadow and Shade entered a hotel lobby "My Mum tried to talk me out of enlisting but, um, not Aunt Tikal. She bought me my first holster" "Very practical". They stopped and a lift and faced each other "CIA has you stationed over here now?" "Twilight. Join Terrorism Task Force". Shadow nodded "Right. Right. Sounds fun". The lift arrived "Thanks for walking me back" "Sure". The two hold their gaze when Bark ran up to them "Shadow. There's something you gotta see". The group ran into the hotel's bar where the TV was on showing the bombing. Shade was on her phone "Who's coordinating?" "More than 70 people have been injured at least 12 are dead, including Masudan King Barny. Officials have released a video of a suspect" the reporter on the TV said. Footage of someone wearing a black hoodie walked past the van. She looked to the camera, and she was a familiar yellow hedgehog "Who they have identified as Maria Kintobor. Otherwise known as Omega, the infamous Black Arms Agent linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinations" "I have to go to work" Shade said.
The young chameleon was sitting in silence outside of the building as Fire and Rescue were working to put out the fire. Rouge sat on a bench next to him "I'm very sorry". He was holding two black metal arm bracers in his hand "In my culture death is not the end. It's more of a stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands and Aurora and Ifrit, they lead you into a beautiful green landscape where you can run free forever" "That sounds very peaceful". He put on the arm brace "My father thought so. I am not my father" "Espio. Task Force will decide who brings in Maria". Espio clenched his fists and stood up "Don't bother, Ms Rouge. I'll kill her myself". He walks away as Rouge's phone rings. She checks it revealing it to be Shadow. She answered "Hello" "You alright?" "Uh, yeah, thank. I got lucky". She looked around "I know how much Maria means to you. I really do. Stay home. You'll only make this worse. For all of us. Please" "Are you saying you'll arrest me?". Rouge shook her head and sighed "No. Someone will. If you interfere. That's how it works now" "If he's this far gone, Rouge, I should be the one to bring him in" "Why?" "Because I'm the one least likely to die trying". He hung up on her "Shit".