Shadow landed his ship on the platform of a refinery on Flame Core and headed inside, Emerl followed until "Emerl, stay with the ship" the gizoid stood where he was for a few seconds in confusion before going back. He entered a war room where the separatist leaders were waiting "Welcome, Lord Eclipse. We've been expecting you" Robotnik said respectfully, Shadow without a word used the Force to close all the doors in the room, confusing the Separatists. He ignited his lightsaber and began killing the closest thing to him, he sliced Vesper in half and saw Nega begging "No wait please I-!" Shadow slashed him across the chest. He made his way to the rest of them mercilessly until standing before a terrified Robotnik "What're you doing? Please, the war is over. Lord Mephiles promised us peace. We only want-!" Shadow slashed him across the stomach causing the Doctor to fall to the floor dead.


Wynmacher entered the senate meeting and sat next to Tikal on one of the platforms "King Puff sends his thanks for returning Razor's body. They held the funeral a few hours ago" he said to her. Tikal looked guilty "I hope they understand why I couldn't go. Albion needs someone here for the meeting". "What have I missed?" Wynmacher asked not sounding hopeful. Tikal glared down at Mephiles "The Chancellor's been elaborating on a plot by the Shinobi to overthrow the Senate". Mephiles was still in his crystalized form "The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed. But rest assured. My resolve has never been stronger. In time the remaining Shinobi traitors will be hunted down and defeated". The senators applauded but Wynmacher rose to his feet "I must speak". The room went silent, Mephiles however politely nodded "Of course. You have the floor, Senators". Tikal stood up "Fellow delegates, Senator Wynmacher had arrived at the Shinobi Temple during the attack" "I witnessed clone troopers gun down a child". The entire Senate was now full of shocked murmurs. Mephiles still was completely calm "And what was this child doing before he was killed, Senator?". Wynmacher hesitated "I don't understand. The child was..." "Killing our troops?" Mephiles asked. The rest of the Senate was again silent and listened "When I ordered the attack on the Temple I gave instructions to spare the Younglings. I hoped it what not be too late to rehabilitate them". Mephiles looked convincingly regretful "But they refused to surrender. Hundreds of clones were killed". The Senate was shocked "The Shinobi trained them at such a young age to be killers. We had no other option. Its disgraceful. Senators, we allowed this under our very nose. First the Separatists and now the Shinobi". Cosmo stood up "What're you saying, Chancellor?" "I am saying that these atrocities have plagued our galaxy for too long. In order to ensure security and stability, the Republic will be reorganised into the FIRST GALACTIC WIDE EMPIRE! For a more safe and secure society". Tikal and Wynmacher watched in shock as the entire senate erupted in applause "So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause" she said with disgust in her voice.


Inside the Shinobi Temple, Blaze and Espio were fighting a skeleton crew of clones left there. They cut through them easily and managed to enter the Temple. They went further in and they found the bodies of the younglings, Espio was shocked "They didn't even spare them". Blaze examined the body of Marine and her voice broke "She wasn't… Ki-killed by the clones. She died from a lightsaber". Espio saw the others had similar wounds "Who could have done this?" he said in shock. Eventually they made their way to the beacon room and Espio sent out a new message "There, I've told any survivors to stay away". Blaze nodded "It should take a while before the clones discover the change". The two went through to the surveillance room ready to leave but Espio stopped. Blaze noticed and turned out face him, Espio sighed "There's something i must now, Master" "I know what you want to do, Espio. It will only bring you pain". Espio walked over to a hologram projector "I'm sorry Master. But I must know" he turned it on, and he saw a projection of Shadow killing Razor and then entering the council chambers where the younglings were. Espio fell to his knees in shock "No, it can't be". He forwarded the footage which showed Shadow fighting Master Quack. He then saw Shadow kneeling in front of Mephiles "Well done, Lord Eclipse. Now go and bring peace to the Empire". He turned it off "I can't watch anymore", Blaze solemnly walked up to him "Espio, we need to destroy the Raiju". Espio looked at her "Send me to kill the Emperor. I won't kill Shadow" "You're not strong enough to fight Mephiles". Espio looked at her pleadingly "He's like my brother. I can't do it" "The boy you trained is gone. Shadow has been twisted by the dark side, consumed by Eclipse". Blaze was about to leave to fulfil her own mission "I don't know where Mephiles has sent him. I don't know where to look" "Search your feelings, Espio and you will fined him". Espio knew only one person Shadow could have told.


Tikal was in her apartment when she saw a fighter land on the platform just outside, she ran forward wandering who it could be when she saw Espio exit the craft. She didn't know who she could trust, she backed away and was ready to go for her pistol "What're you doing here?", Espio stayed where he was "Tikal, please I need your help" he said almost pleading. She looked at her old friend, the one who helped free her planet so long ago, she slightly nodded and Espio walked inside. "Tikal, I need... I need to know where Shadow is. When was the last time you saw him?". Tikal looked at him curiously "Yesterday" "Do you know where he is now?" "No" she answered quickly. Espio went silent, "Does this have something to do with what's happened with the Senate?" Tikal asked. Espio paused and nodded "I've discovered that Solaris is a Raiju Lord called Mephiles. That's why he lied about the Shinobi. He's the whole reason the war started in the first place". After everything she heard at the Senate meeting this wasn't hard to believe, Espio continued "That's why I need to find Shadow. He's in danger". Tikal looked at him "From Solaris. I knew there was something wrong, he wasn't acting himself, he-" "No, Tikal. He's in danger from himself. He's become Mephiles' new apprentice, he's turned to the dark side" saying it out loud made it hurt more. Tikal was shocked by these words "No! How can you even say that!", Espio didn't look at her "I saw on the security footage in the Temple. He killed Razor and then he killed… the younglings" he lowered his head sadly. Tikal sat down; she could barely process this "I don't believe you. He couldn't". Espio sat next to her "Tikal, I have to find him", she slowly turned her head to him "You're going to kill him, aren't you?". Espio looked incredibly guilty "He's done so much damage already". Tikal didn't say anything, she just looked out in front of her with a devastated look on her face. Espio knowing she wouldn't say anything walked back to his fighter, but he then turned around "Shadow is the father, isn't he?". Tikal turned to him with a look that told Espio all he needed to know "I'm so sorry" Espio got in his fighter an took off. Tikal shed a tear and little did she know that on Flame Core as Shadow was looking out into the volcanic wasteland thinking about all he has done, he shed a tear as well.


Sometime later, Tikal was on a landing platform walking to her ship, Orbot was following her holding the box that she showed Shadow earlier. Remington was behind them "Milady, let me come with you" "Captain, I'm not in danger, the fighting's over. This is something I have to do myself" she entered her ship. "As you wish. Please careful, Milady" "Thank you, Captain" Remington reluctantly turned around and walked away. Tikal and Orbot entered the ship but neither of them noticed that as the doors began to close behind them Espio got on as well.


On Flame Core Shadow was speaking to a hologram of Mephiles "The separatists have been dealt with, my Master". Mephiles smirked "Excellent, you have restored peace and justice to the galaxy. Send a message to all Federation ships. All badniks must shut down immediately". Shadow bowed "Very good, my lord" as the transmission cut off Shadow saw a warning on on of the screens of a ship was approaching.

Tikal landed her ship on the same platform Shadow's fighter was on, she held her head in her hand, she was terrified to find out if this was all true, however she then saw Shadow running towards the ship. She ran out of the ship and hugged him "What're you doing out here?" he asked her. Tikal tried to hold back her tears "I was worried. Espio told me horrible things", Shadow looked troubled by this "What things?". "He said you've turned to the dark side. That you killed Razor and that you… You killed younglings". Shadow shook his head "He's trying to turn you against me", Tikal didn't hear any denial in his tone "Shadow, you didn't?". She was then shocked to see him smirk "I did it for you. So, I can save you". Tikal stared at him in disbelief "Shadow, please don't do this. Come with me, help me raise our children and we can leave this behind". Shadow looked confused "We don't have to run away. I'm more powerful than Mephiles and once I've overthrown him, we can rule the galaxy. Make it better". Tikal backed away from him "I can't believe what you're saying. Espio was right", Shadow started to look angry "I don't want to hear about Espio. Everyone else has turned on me. Don't you". Tikal began to cry "I don't know you anymore. Shadow, please stop. You're going down a path I can't follow". Shadow saw something Tikal couldn't "Because of Espio?" "Because of what you've done. Stop now. Please come back. I love you". "LIAR!" he yelled at her, she turned around and saw Espio standing at the door of the ship.