In the temple war room, the Council as well as Razor were looking at a map when a hologram of Armand appeared "Master Merlin, may I interrupt? General Espio has made contact with Dark Oak and we have begun our attack". "Thank you, Commander" the hologram cut off and Merlin turned to Shadow "Deliver, this news to the chancellor. His reaction will give us a clue to his intentions" "Yes, Master" Shadow nodded and left. There was a tense silence in the room, the Shinobi looked to each other "Razor, could you please leave us? There are matters we need to discuss in private" the hologram of Blaze said, Razor happily obliged. Merlin looked intently at them "I sense a plot to destroy the Shinobi. I feel the dark side surrounding the chancellor", the hologram of Nate pondered "If he doesn't give up his emergency powers after the destruction of Dark Oak then he should be removed from office". Merlin nodded "The Shinobi Council will have to take control of the Senate in order to secure a peaceful transition". Blaze looked troubled by these words "We must take great care with what shall be done next".
Shadow entered Solaris office "Chancellor, Master Espio has engaged Dark Oak", Mephiles smiled "I can only hope he is up to the task. I do have to wonder why there're not using your talents". Shadow began pacing "I don't think they trust me yet", Solaris stood up "Of course they don't, or they would have made you a master. They know you will be too strong to control". Shadow looked at him "I know there are things about the Force they're not telling me", Solaris chuckled and began leading Shadow to the door "Of course not, the Shinobi have a narrow view on it. My mentor knew to teach me everything about the Force. Especially the powers of dark side". Shadow needed a second to register what he just said "You know the dark side?". Solaris smirked "Shadow, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Shinobi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force". The two began circling each other "Be careful of the Shinobi, Shadow. Only through me can you learn this power and you can save your wife from certain death". Shadow tried to hold back his anger "What did you say?" he ignited his lightsaber and it finally came to him "You're the Raiju lord". Mephiles placed his hands up "Shadow, listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn to the Shinobi… I know you want to kill me" "I would certainly like to". Mephiles closed his eyes "I know you do. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus". Shadow disabled his lightsaber "I'm going to turn you over". Mephiles smiled "As you should. But then how will you save Tikal?".
Espio was continuing his pursuit of Dark Oak, he ran up next to him and jumped onto his vehicle. The two fought as it made its way to a platform holding Dark Oak's ship, they both jumped out the vehicle just before it went straight of the platform. Dark Oak stood up and pulled out a blaster but before he could shoot, Espio kicked it out of his hand, but he then kicked Espio throwing him to the floor. Espio punched Dark Oak in the chest but this just hurt his hand. Dark Oak picked him up, Espio put his hand against the the green centre of Dark Oaks chest and used the Force to make it shatter. He could see a purple plant like body through the new opening. Dark oak angrily roared and threw him over the edge of the platform. Espio was holding on for dear life as Dark Oak advanced on him. Espio quickly used the Force to pull the blaster to his hand and he shot Dark Oak right through the centre of his chest, hitting the organic body. Dark Oak stopped and clutched his chest as fire began to spread. Espio kept shooting causing Dark Oak to scream as his entire body began to explode. What was left of his body fell to the ground dead. Espio climbed back up and walked past Dark Oak, he threw the blaster away "So uncivilized".
Shadow was in the temple hanger where Merlin was speaking with a group of Shinobi "Shadow, Dark Oak has been killed. We're on our way to make sure Solaris return his emergency powers to the Senate". Shadow looked worried "He won't give up his power. Master, I've learned the horrible truth. Chancellor Solaris is a Raiju lord" Merlin stared at him "A Raiju lord?" "I'm absolutely sure. He's the one we've been looking for". Merlin looked deep in thought "We have to move quickly if the Shinobi order is to survive". "Master, take me with you. You'll need my help if your going to arrest him" "No, if this is true, you'll have gained my trust, but for now remain here". Merlin and the others entered a gunship that then took off leaving Shadow alone.
In Tikal's apartment she is staring at the Shinobi temple. In the council room Shadow was deep in thought, if Mephiles was killed then any chance of saving Tikal would be lost. He stood up and looked out the window to her, as a tear left his eye, he made his decision. He left the council room and made his way to a speeder in the hanger.
Merlin and the others entered Mephiles office where he is sitting at his desk "Master Merlin. I take it Dark Oak has been killed" all the Shinobi ignited there lightsabers "In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic you're under arrest, Chancellor". Mephiles face turned very sadistic "Are you threatening me, Master Shinobi?" "The Senate will decide your fate", Mephiles seemed angered by that "I am the senate" "Not yet". Mephiles stood up and ignited a lightsaber "It's treason then" he leaped forward and immediately killed two Shinobi. Merlin and another Shinobi duelled him but Mephiles quickly decapitated the latter. Merlin held his own as the two of them made their way to the window which Mephiles broke with a strike. However, Merlin managed to kick Mephiles lightsaber out of his hand, the Raiju suddenly acted helpless and began to crawl across the edge of the window pathetically. However, they both then noticed Shadow enter the room "Shadow, I told you it would come to this. I was right. The Shinobi are taking over". Merlin held his lightsaber near Mephiles throat "You have lost, my lord" "No, Master Merlin, you lost a long time ago!" he fired beams of energy out of his hand, but Merlin blocked it. Mephiles mouth disappeared and he transformed into his crystalline form. He pretended to be in pain "Shadow, help me!", Shadow thought the dark side energy was scarring him. "I have the power to save the one you love. You must choose", Merlin didn't understand what he was saying but he trusted Shadow wouldn't listen. Mephiles stopped firing the beams and pretended to be drained "I'm too weak. I can't hold it any longer. Shadow, please, don't let him kill me". Shadow looked between them "He won't, you're going to stand trial", Merlin looked at him "Shadow, he has control over the entire Senate. He's too dangerous to be left alive". Shadow looked desperately at him "Master, he must live" he said. Merlin ignored him and raised his lightsaber, Mephiles looked scared "Please don't!" "I need him!" Shadow said practically begging. He was ready to strike but "NO!" Shadow ignited his lightsaber and cut off Merlin's hand.
He screamed in pain as Mephiles grinned, he fired beams at Merlin causing him to scream even more "UNLIMTED POWER!" and he was launched out the window. Shadow fell to his knees in shock "What've I done?". Mephiles stood up staying in his crystal form "You're fulfilling your destiny, Shadow. Become my apprentice. Learn to use the dark side of the Force". Shadow realized there was no going back now, not after what he did "I will do whatever you ask. Please, just help me save Tikal. I can't live without her" he bowed his head. "Yes, we shall discover the secret together" "I pledge myself to your teachings". Mephiles stood in front of him "Good. You will become a powerful Raiju. Henceforth you shall be known as… Eclipse", Shadow stood up "Thank you, my master". Mephiles walked over to his desk "When the Shinobi learn what has transpire here, they will kill us along with the Senators". Shadow nodded in agreement now with a blank expression, "Every single Shinobi, including your friend Espio the Chameleon, is now an enemy of the republic. If they are not all destroyed, we will have civil war" Mephiles sat down. "Go to the temple, catch them off balance. Do what must be done, Eclipse. Do not hesitate, show no mercy" , Shadow turned completely cold after hearing this, if he was going to save Tikal, he must close off his emotions for now. "After you're done with the temple go to Flame Core. Wipe out Robotnik and the other Separatist leaders. Once more the Raiju will rule the galaxy and we shall have peace". Not too long later the sounds of marching were heard all throughout the Shinobi temple.
