Tails was doing a handstand at the top of the Hurst with Sonic watching "Focus on letting go". Tails however couldn't get the fact that they were miles in the air out of his head "I'd rather hold on if you don't mind" "Enough jokes. Focus". Tex and G-merl were also watching from behind Sonic. "Sorry. I am trying" Tails said, "Do or do not. There is no try" Sonic replied. Tails opened his eyes at this "What does that mean? How can I do something if I don't try to do it". Sonic was about to answer and then "Well, see… Actually, that one always confused me, too. But Master Blaze sure used to say it a lot". Tex yawned "I really though this Shinobi stuff would be more interesting. No wonder the old religion died", Sonic rolled his eyes "Your sensitivity is amazing, Tex". Tails glared at them "Why are they here again?" "Because life is full of distractions. You need to learn to focus through them. Let's try something else". Tails got back on his feet and Sonic handed him his lightsaber which made Tails smile "When do I get my own?" "Having a lightsaber doesn't make you a Shinobi".
Sonic stood behind Tails as he ignited the lightsaber "Alright. There's a control on the side that adjusts the length to your height". Tails did so which made Tex laugh "I think it should be a little shorter", Tails ignored him and waked to the front of the ship while Sonic stood in front of him "Let him have it guys". Tex had a crate full of junk, he and G-merl started taking stuff out and started throwing them at Tails. He tried to deflect them but missed and was hit in the face and then the stomach "Be precise. Keep the blade… up" Sonic told him. Tex laughed "That's it, kid. Use your body to slow down the trash". G-merl laughed as he continued to hit Tails, Sonic was getting impatient "Focus. No. You're not focusing". Tails kept getting forced back until slipping off the ship starting to scream "Kid!" Tex yelled. Sonic ran forward and caught Tails with the Force. Tails hovered toward the cargo ramp which then opened to reveal Tex who pulled him in. They closed the ramp and went up to the second level where Sonic was waiting with a disapproving face "I'll leave you two alone" Tex said before going back down. "You weren't focused", Tails looked disappointed "I tried" "Not well enough. You're undisciplined and full of self-doubt". Tails got defensive "And whose fault is that, Master? Maybe if you didn't throw me in the deep end straight away, I might actually learn something".
Sonic was about to say something before sighing "Uh, it's difficult to teach" he walked away in frustration. Tex appeared and turned Tails to him "Give him a break and try actually listening for once". Tex followed Sonic inside the common room. Tails looked angry but then saw Sally standing at the door, he sighed, and Sally led him inside the common room. "Sonic, I-" the room suddenly went dark, and Wave showed them a hologram of a TIE fighter. She smiled "You made the Holonet" she pressed a button and the message started. "The stolen fighter was later used to attack a transport full of innocent workers" "Liar! We set them free" Tex said angrily. The hologram changed to an image of a red echidna wearing a blue outfit and yellow cape "Citizens, this is Senator-in Exile Moritori Rex. I bring more news the Empire doesn't want you to hear" "Who's Moritori Rex?" Tails asked. "The only member of the Imperial Senate with the courage to speak out publicly against the Empire" Sally answered. The hologram then showed a female duck in a prison outfit begin led by two troopers "One of the Republic's greatest peacekeepers, Shinobi Master Elizabeth Quack, is alive". Sally and Sonic stared at each other as the message continued "She has been imprisoned unlawfully somewhere in the Tralius system. As citizens, we demand the Emperor produce Master Elizabeth, and grant her a fair trial before the entire Sen-". It cut off and changed to showing the Imperial symbol "… Marking another successful planetary liberation, utilizing the Base Delta Zero initiative" Wave turned it off. Tails turned to Sonic "This Elizabeth… you know her?". Sonic looked deep in thought "I met her. Once. She was a great Shinobi Master. Brave, compassionate, discipline. In fact, she'd make an excellent teacher for you". Tails looked hurt by this, but Sonic didn't seem to notice "There've always been rumours she survived the Clone Wars, but they never came with a specific location before. We can't pass this up". Sally smiled "I was hoping you'd say that. I'll set course for the Tralius system". Sonic nodded "The rest of you, prep for op". Everyone left the room except for G-merl and Tails, the latter stared down at the ground with a sad look in his face. G-merl beeped "You heard him. He's done with me. He's gonna pawn me off on some stranger" G-merl didn't reply and walked away.
Everyone was now in the cockpit with a hologram of a spire in the middle of them being projected by G-merl. Wave was explaining the details of the prison "This is the only Imperial detainment facility in the Tralius system. It's considered impregnable" "That's never stopped us before" Sonic said. Wave chuckled "Trust me, we have never faced anything like this. It's a real work of art. Blast proof, ray shielded, protected by anti-ship weapons, TIE fighters and short and long ranged scanners". Sally didn't look worried "We can avoid the scanners" "Maybe. But that just leaves the army of troopers and guard posts on all the walls. Even if we get into this beauty, the hard part's getting out". Tails examined the hologram "What about going in low and sneaking onto this landing platform?" "Mmm-mmm. Platform has a heavy trooper presence and reinforced blast doors. Impossible to get in or out that way". Sonic pointed to one of the platforms "This one only has room for a couple of guards. We take them down, make our way to the upper-level isolation cells, free Elizabeth and come back out the way we came in". G-merl beeped and Wave nodded in agreement "Yeah. You'd have to be crazy to try that lousy plan" "Let's hope the Empire thinks so, too". The ship jumped out of hyperspace and headed toward Tralius.
The group were now in a small detachable shuttle of the ship with Sally in the pilot's chair. The others minus G-merl were sitting in a row of seats. Tex commlink activated and he heard G-merl beeping "Oh, sorry, Gem. We just don't need your damaged logic circuits on this one". The shuttle launched out of the Hurst and headed straight down towards the spire. Tails was getting worried by the shaking and looked to Sonic who had his eyes closed and looked completely calm. Sally turned to them "30 seconds. Be ready". Wave handed Tex and Tails detonators, Sonic looked to the latter "Try to stay focused" "I thought you said there was no try" Tails joked. The back doors of the shuttle opened, and Sonic immediately jumped out and landed on the platform in front of two stormtroopers. Sonic quickly knocked them both out when he suddenly heard screaming. He turned and saw Tai;s falling towards the platform and landing near the door with a bang. He quickly got up and backed away from the door, but nothing happened. Sonic angrily grabbed his shoulder "What just happened? You were supposed to exit with Tex. You're lucky every stormtrooper in the prison doesn't know we're here. Stunts like that put us all in jeopardy". Tails silently looked guilty as Sonic continued "That is exactly why you need Master Elizabeth to teach you discipline" "I'm sorry. I was just following your example" "Yeah. Well, try to stay focused and follow the plan instead". Tex and Wave then jumped down with the latter carrying a wispon on her back. She went over to the door controls "I hate to interrupt, but we need the kid to unlock the door". Tails took a tool out and used it to open the door as Tex stood the unconscious troopers up on the wall. They then ran inside while Sally's shuttle was attached to the side of the spire wall.
Sonic closed his eyes and focused "Elizabeth's here. I sense her presence, but it's clouded". Wave went over to a console "It says she's in detention block CC-01. Isolation cell 0049". This surprised Sonic "They have isolation cells on the lower levels. We must have planned off outdated schematics". Tex crossed his arms "You got a backup plan?" "Figuring one out right now. Wave, Tex, you're coming along". They went towards a lift "Weren't we supposed to hold our escape route here?" Tex asked, "Now the turbo lift is our escape route. Let's go". They entered the lift, and it took them to the lower levels. Wave groaned "His plan gets worse all the time" "Just hope he doesn't change it again" Tex replied, "I'm standing right here" Sonic said deadpanned, "We know".
Sally was waiting onboard the shuttle when her sensors went off "Company". She looked around and saw a winged lizard like creature appeared out of the window "Whoa! Okay, you're not a fighter". The creature bumped into the back of the ship annoying Sally "Hey! Watch it, buddy" more creatures appeared and did the same thing. Sally then realised "Oh, no, no, no. Wave's jammer is operating on the same frequency as these creatures. It's sending out a… mating call". She started the engines "You lovebirds are attracting too much attention. Hope I'm not needed anytime soon" she flew away with the creatures following.
The lift opened on the owe levels, Sonic and Tails left while Wave and Tex stayed to guard the escape route. The two turn a corner and a spotted by two troopers but Sonic quickly throws them to the ground with the Force, knocking them out. Tails watched "Wow, you're really not messing around" "There's a to more at stake than you realize". They went to the cell block and saw two guard, Sonic calmly walked out and waved his hand "Shouldn't you be guarding the Shinobi's cell? It's on the next level. You better get moving" "It's on the next level. We better get moving". The two troopers left, and Tails ran up to Sonic "When do I learn that?" "Elizabeth will teach you, much better than I could". Tails' face dropped as the two of them entered the cell and saw dishevelled looking Elizabeth "Is it her?" Tails asked, "Yes, but… something's wrong. Master?". Elizabeth stood up not acknowledging them and walked over to a small capsule. She walked right through it revealing herself to be a hologram. They looked inside the pod and saw the rotting corpse of the real Elizabeth "Is she….?" Tails asked. The two stared in disbelief when "Yes, she is. Although she still has her uses". They turn and see the inquisitor walked in "I am Zik. The Grand Inquisitor" Zik took out a double bladed lightsaber with a circular handle "Welcome". Sonic got between Tails and Zik and ignited his lightsaber. Zik cackled "Yes, I'm afraid Master Elizabeth died with the Republic. She has brought many other Shinobi to their ends". Tails got on his commlink "Naka-three. It's a trap!" there was static, "There will be no reinforcements". Sonic tried to attack Zik but he was effortlessly pushed back. Zik smirked "Interesting. It seems you trained with Shinobi Master Longclaw", Sonic's eyes opened wide "How… Who are you?" "The Temple records are complete. Fighting techniques. Longclaw's emphasis was always on form three, which you favour to a ridiculous degree". Tails tried firing at Zik but he effortlessly deflected and threw Sonic to the floor "Clearly, you were a poor student". Zik then saw that Tails had placed a detonator on the door which then exploded. They quickly ran out with Zik not far behind.
Wave and Tex were in the lift with the former trying the commlink "Naka-five to Naka-one". There was no answer "Thought so. They're jamming our signal. They know we're here" "Here in this lift or-" "Here period! They lured us in upstairs at the prison's weak point. You can bet they'll be stormtroopers waiting for us. We'd never make it out of the lift". Tex crossed his arms "So what do we do?". Wave took out a detonator "Time for a miracle".
Sonic was fighting Zik while Tails watched, Zik sadistically smiled "Are you paying attention, boy? The Shinobi are dead, but there is another path, the dark side". Tails aimed his wrist slingshot "Never heard of it!" he fired and hit Zik this time, but it had no effect. Zik threw him back with the Force "Have you taught him nothing".
Stormtroopers waited at the lift and once it opened, they realised it only had three unconscious troopers. They looked inside and saw a detonator on the roof "Look ou-!" the bomb blew up taking the troopers with it. Wave and Tex heard this from a different part of the base "That's one lift offline" "I've disabled the other two. We'll have some time before they get down here".
Zik pushed Sonic back "Do you really think you can save the boy. For his sake, surrender". Sonic glanced at Tails before stoically turning back to Zik "I'm not making deals with you" "Hmm. Then we'll let him make one, shall we?". Zik threw Sonic back before turning to a scared Tails "Your master cannot save you, boy. He is unfocused and undisciplined" "Then perfect for each other" Tails tried to joke. Zik laughed "I do admire your persistence. Ready to die?" he charged at Tails who closed his eyes thinking he was done for when "No!". Zik suddenly froze in place and Tails turned to see Sonic holding up his hands. Sonic then threw Zik up to the roof "Run!", Tails gladly did so. Zik fell back down to the floor and his lightsaber began to spin, "Let's go!" Sonic yelled. They ran down the hall and met up with Wave and Tex I've got a new exit. Landing platform" "I thought you said it was impossible to get out that way" "Well, let's hope the Empire thinks so, too". They saw Zik chasing them, Wave took out her Wispon and fired a cyan laser which he deflected.
The blast doors began to close, Tex ran ahead and held it open letting the others through. Tex then went through leaving Zik on the other side, Tex laughed but then the lightsaber went through so he quickly ran. The four of them made it to the doors of the hanger, Tails went to the control panel and used a tool which just electrocuted him. Sonic helped him up "Tails. Together". He led him to the front of the door "Sonic, I don't think I-" "You can. Picture the locking mechanism in your mind". The two raised their hands and closed their eyes. Tails could hear Zik cutting through the door, but he tried to drown it out as best he could. He then heard the door open; he smiled and opened his eyes only see the landing platform filled with stormtroopers. Tex threw a detonator killing a few troopers giving the group a chance to take cover. Wave got on her commlink "Naka-five to Hurst. We're on the landing, ready for pickup" "One my way, Naka-five. And I'm bringing the fleet" "We have a fleet" Tex asked. They then saw Sally's shuttle with the lizard creatures "We do now". Sally fired on the troopers while the creature was flying around drawing fire. The shuttle landed and the group ran towards it. Zik broke through the door and threw his spinning lightsaber towards them but Sonic managed to hit it away "Does your do that?" Tex asked as they entered the shuttle. They flew away as Zik angrily watched. Sally turned to Sonic "Master Elizabeth?" "Gone. We'll have to find a way to spread the word. I guess Tails' is stuck with me for now" he sighed.
The ship was back on Emerald Hill, Tails was sitting on the cargo ramp looking upset when Sonic walked up next to him. "Look you don't have to say anything. I'm letting you off the hook", Sonic was confused "What're you taking about?". Tails sighed "I know you wanted to dump me on Elizabeth. Just cause she's gone doesn't mean you're stuck with me". Sonic looked guilty and sat down next to Tails "I don't want to dump you. I just… I just wanted out to have the best teacher" "Well I don't want the best teacher. I want you… not that you're not the best teacher. I-". Sonic turned to him "Tails. I know I've been pushing you too hard. I shouldn't expect you to master everything at one. Besides…". Sonic glanced behind him into the ship and saw Sally heading to the common room. Sonic smiled "I can't say I've followed every rule. I will teach you. I may fail. You may fail but there is no try". Tails smiled "I understand, Master" "Let's see if you do" Sonic handed Tails his lightsaber and the two got up and stood in front of the ship. Tails ignited the lightsaber and Sonic started throwing rock on at a time at him which he managed to cut in half.