A shuttle takes the three of them to the Senate building where a large group of people were waiting. Solaris got out first followed by Shadow who noticed Espio was just standing in the doorway "Aren't you coming, Master?" "Oh, no. I'm not brave enough for politics. Besides someone needs to be the poster boy" he joked. Shadow was surprised "Master, this whole operation was your idea", Espio smiled at his apprentice "I may have done the planning. But you saved me from the slicers, you killed Dimitri and rescued the Chancellor" "Because of your training". Espio chuckled "Well yes, I deserve credit for that. But today you were the hero, and you deserve you day with the politicians" "Alright fine, although that's now tenth time I've saved your life". "Ninth time, that business in the Labyrinth doesn't count. I'll see you at the briefing" he closed the door to the shuttle, and it took off.
After talking to the senators, Solaris was met by Merlin "Chancellor, are you alright?" "Yes, thanks to your two Shinobi knights. Dimitri is dead, but I'm afraid Dark Oak has escaped again". Merlin didn't look worried "He will run and hide as he always does. He's a coward" "Yes but I'm afraid this war will continue as long he is out there plotting". Merlin nodded his head "Then finding him will be our highest priority". They all began to enter the senate building, Razor walked next to Shadow "So, how are you… pal?" he sounded overly cheery and he looked like he was trying to hide his nervousness, Shadow stared at him suspiciously "Why are you talking like that?". Razor gave up immediately and stopped both of them, letting the others walk ahead "It's better you hear it from her" he gestured his head to his right; Shadow looked and saw Tikal waving from behind a pillar. "Good luck" Razor started to catch up with the others as Shadow ran up to Tikal and hugged her "I've missed you" the two kissed. Tikal looked worried "There were whispers that you'd been killed", Shadow reassuringly smiled at her "I'm fine. I'm glad to be back. If this whole thing hadn't happened I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the Outer Zone sieges". They hugged again but Shadow then noticed she was trembling "What's wrong? Razor said you had something to tell me. What's going on". Tikal looked into his eyes "Something wonderful has happened. I'm… I'm pregnant". Multiple emotions hit Shadow at once surprise, fear but finally joy took him over "That's- that's wonderful". Tikal looked worried "What are we gonna do?". Shadow hugged her "Right now, nothing. This is good thing. The best thing. We're gonna be parents".
On a distant planet, a ship flew into a giant sinkhole, around the sides were different structures. The ship landed in one of them and inside were thousands of badniks as well as more Metorex guards. The ship opened and Dark Oak walked out, he went through the hanger into a communications room and a hologram of Mephiles appeared. "What is your command, my lord?" Dark Oak said as he kneeled down, "General, I suggest you move the separatist leaders to Flame core" "It will be done. Master" Dark Oak respectfully bowed his head. Mephiles looked deep in thought "The war is nearly over, my friend". Dark Oak looked up "But the loss of Dimitri?" "His death was an unfortunate loss. But soon I will have a new apprentice, one far younger and more powerful".
In Tikal's apartment, she was standing at the balcony deep in thought while Shadow was watching her from inside "Shadow, I want to have our baby back home on Albion. We can go back to the lake where no one will know. I could go early and make up its room" she looked very excited. "I'd like that" Shadow said grinning, he couldn't help but imagine what his child would be like. He smiled and looked at Tikal "You're so beautiful", Tikal jokingly raised her eyebrows "How long did it take you to think of that line?". Shadow grinned and walked back inside "Well done, you killed the moment" he said jokingly. Tikal laughed and followed him "I didn't kill the moment" "Yeah, you did. You've ruined this whole thing for me" he joked, the two shared a laugh.
Later that night Shadow was dreaming, he saw an image of Tikal lying on a hospital bed, she was crying "Shadow, help me!" she then started screaming as a baby's cries could be heard. Shadow woke up heavily breathing, he looked over and saw that Tikal was still sleeping. He sat up and put his face in his hands trying to calm himself down. He took a deep breath and eventually got up and went to the balcony, as he left Tikal woke up and noticed he wasn't there. She followed him to the balcony and saw him just blankly looking out to the city. She put her hand on his shoulder "What's bothering you?", Shadow turned to her and held one of her wrists. He looked at the blue ring that was around it and smiled "It's nothing. I remember when I gave these to you". Tikal could tell what he was trying to do "Shadow", Shadow paused before sighing, he stared at the floor as he spoke "I had a dream. Like the one I had about my mother right before she died. This one was about you... It was only a dream" he was telling himself more than anything. Tikal looked at him "Tell me", Shadow sighed "You died in childbirth". Her face turned frightened "What about the baby?" "I don't know". He took her hands reassuringly "I won't let it happen. I promise". Tikal hugged him "It was only a dream", Shadow didn't say anything, he couldn't stop thinking about.
Shadow was now sitting in a meditation room with Blaze "Premonitions? What are in these visions your having?" she asked him. Shadow tried to avoid giving away too much information "They're of pain suffering... Death", Blaze looked curious "Are they of yourself, or someone else?". "Someone… Close", Blaze looked concerned "You must be careful when sensing the future, Shadow. Fear of loss is a path to the dark side". Shadow tried to keep his face as emotionless as possible "I don't want these visions to come true, Master". Blaze gave him an understanding smile "Wanting to preserve life is not a bad thing. But there comes a time when death comes for us all and we can't stop it. As Shinobi we don't mourn the dead, we rejoice that they have become one with the Force. We must let go of what we fear to lose". That wasn't what he wanted to hear "Thank you, Master" he stood up, bowed his head, and left the room.
Shadow made his way through the temple and entered the war room where Espio was looking at a hologram of a galaxy wide map "You missed the report on the Outer Zone sieges" "I'm sorry. I was held up. How are they going?". Espio closed the map "In short, very well. You'll also be happy to know that Amy and Fang have successfully taken Planet Wisp. They haven't caught Scourge yet, but Whisper and her forces are helping them search". Shadow smiled "I feel bad for Scourge". Espio suddenly looked very concerned which Shadow noticed "What's wrong" "The Senate is expected to vote on giving more executive powers to the Chancellor today". Shadow was confused by his friends face "Isn't that good? There'd be less deliberating and more action. It'll be easier for us to end the war". Espio looked at him "Be carful of your friend Solaris" he walked past Shadow "Be carful of what?". Espio headed for the exit "He has requested your presence", Shadow followed him "What for?" "He didn't say". Shadow didn't understand "He didn't inform the Council. That's unusual" "All of this is unusual and it's making me feel uneasy".
