The ship arrived at a medical station on a large asteroid. Espio carried Tikal out of the ship as Emerl and Orbot followed, the latter was still carrying the box. Wynmacher and Blaze were waiting for them with the latter now using a cane because of her leg. They were surprised to see Tikal "Senator?" Wynmacher said, Blaze then sensed there was something wrong with her and they took her to an operating room. The medical robots examined her and one of them left the room to talk to the others who were waiting just outside the room. "Medically, she's completely healthy. But for reasons we can't explain, we are losing her", this caught Espio off guard "She's dying?". "We don't know why. It's as if something is draining her. We must act quickly if we are to save the babies". Espio walked into the room and stood by his friend.


The ship took Shadow back to Mobotropolis where he was taken to a lab and placed on an operating table. The medical robots began to replace his missing limbs with robotic versions. Shadow was screaming the whole way through his operation, the medical robots could not explain how he could possibly still be alive. Once the replacement limbs were grafted onto him, a black synthetic suit was then placed on Shadow's body which projected a hologram just above itself to look like skin. A helmet with two glowing red eyes was then started to be lowered onto his face, he looked in fear as it closed around him, the helmet did the same and it projected skin onto itself.


Tikal woke up and started whimpering and sobbing in pain as Espio was holding her hand in support. She kept pushing until she suddenly heard a baby crying which caused a small smile to form on her face. Espio smiled back at her and he was handed the baby by the robot. It was a male silver furred hedgehog who seemed to calm down when Espio held him close to Tikal. She smiled affectionately at her son "Silver" she named him. She lovingly placed her hand on his head "Oh, Silver". Espio placed the baby in one of two cots that were brought in by one of the robots. As Tikal began whimpering again Espio went back over to her, after a short time they again could hear a baby crying. The robot showed the next baby, it was a female pink furred echidna. Tikal cupped her daughters face and thought back to her grandmothers name "Julie. Julie-Su" Julie-Su was placed in the other crib next to her brother. Tikal turned her head "Espio. There's good in him. I know. I know there is" she pointed at Orbot, he came forward and gave Espio the box. Tikal gave one last gasp before resting her head on the bed and she quietly passed. Espio solemnly lowered his head solemnly for the loss of his friend. After a moment of silence he opened the box and see's two pairs of rings, one pair was gold with cyan lining and the other pair looked chrome, Espio guessed it was the same material as Tikal's cruiser. He looks back at Tikal's body and the babies begin to cry. Outside the room Blaze lowers her head in sadness.


The operating table rose to allow Eclipse to stand, he now had no fur, his skin was grey with some parts being red, and he had a white muzzle. His eyes were completely black except for his yellow pupils and his face seemed to be stuck in an emotionless expression. Mephiles examined his creation "Eclipse, can you hear me?". Shadow however barely noticed the room around him. He could feel something through the Force. A presence he could always feel in someway was now gone. What happened slowly sunk in for him. Eclipse stayed silent, but the entire room began to shake, he broke out of the restraints of the table. The robots were crushed, and parts of the walls started flying off. Eclipse face continued to stay in a blank expression, but he fell to his knees and stared down at the floor in complete silence as the room calmed down. Mephiles could feel the anger emanating from him. He stepped back and allowed Eclipse to drown in his hatred.


Wynmacher's ship flies to Albion, he and the two Shinobi were sitting down at a table discussing what was to be done. "The children must be kept a secret and hidden away" Blaze said with Espio agreeing "It must be somewhere were the Raiju cannot sense their presence" "Yes, they should be split up". Wynmacher leaned forward in his chair "My wife and I will take the girl. We've always talked of adopting a baby girl. She will be loved with us". Espio nodded "And what of the boy?", Blaze turned to him "To Sandopolis. Send him to his family", Espio nodded "I will take the child and watch over him". They all stood up "Until the time is right, we will disappear" Blaze said, Wynmacher left but Blaze stopped Espio. "Master Espio, a moment. In your solitude on Sandopolis, I have training for you", Espio was confused "Training?". "An old friend has learned the path to immortality and returned from the nether world of the Force. Your old Master", Espio couldn't contain his surprise "Maria?". Blaze nodded "Yes. I will teach you how to commune with her". Meanwhile Wynmacher was presenting Orbot and Emerl to a male echidna "Captain Kneecaps. I'm placing these robots under your care. Treat them well, clean them up and have the floating one's mind wiped". "What?" Orbot said as Emerl beeped in a chuckling fashion "Oh, no".


In the capital of Albion Tikal's body was being taken through the streets, thousands of mourners followed it. Her family were following right behind, they were completely devastated. Behind them was King Puff who was holding his crown to his chest and behind him was the Albion council as well as Captain Remington who looked extremely guilty. Tikal's body was made to still look pregnant and her clothes were changed to funeral wear apart from the two blue rings on her wrists which she requested be kept if she were to ever die.


On the bridge of a new warship, Mephiles was discussing something with a white echidna in a black cloak when Eclipse walked up to the two of them. He glared at the echidna who promptly walked away. The two Raiju then stared out of the window of the ship and watched the construction of an egg-shaped battle station. Eclipse crosses his arms as he watches.


On the planet Echidnaopolis, Wynmacher arrives home and shows Julie-Suu to his wife. Julie-Suu was wearing the silver rings but instead of one on each wrist she had both of them on the same arm with one on top of the other. As the two looked at their new daughter Wynmacher remembered a picture he had of Tikal, he will show her it when she's old enough. He didn't know if she would be better of not knowing about her father.


On Sandopolis, Espio arrived at the moisture farm, riding a large creature. Bernadette the hedgehog greeted him. Espio smiled at her as he handed her Silver who was wearing the gold rings on a wrist each, he looked up at his aunt. Bernadette smiled and walked away with Silver, she went to Jules who was watching the twin suns of the planet set, he looked at the baby and gave him a warm smile. Bernadette and Jules held him as the three of them watched the sky together. Espio walked back to the creature, he was going to stay in hiding until he was needed, when the children had grown and when a hope could be brought back the galaxy.

The end


Next up- Okay you're messing with me now