Shadow and Tikal had made it to the Albion capital and were carrying their bags towards the palace with Emerl carrying more behind them. Tikal smiled at the sight of the palace "When I first started training, I was very homesick, lonely. I always felt better thinking of the palace, it was greater than anything I had ever seen". Tikal then chuckled "I remember your first visit here as well, the pilots had quite a story to tell when they got back" Shadow laughed as well "It was a lot more accidental than it seemed. When did you first see the capital?". Tikal started to look nostalgic "When I was very young, we visited. I saw the waterfalls, I thought they were so beautiful. I never imagined back then I would be living in the palace". "Did you dream of politics when you were younger?" Shadow joked, Tikal sniggered "No, that was the last thing I thought of. Looking back, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready". Shadow looked at her in disbelief "The people thought you did a good job" "Yes, but to be honest I was relieved when my terms were up. So were my parents. They scared themselves half to death during the blockade. They were relieved when it was over". Shadow was wondering something "Can I ask, why did you become a Senator then?". "Well, after my terms I was hoping to start a family, my sister Shade has the most wonderful kids. But the queen asked me to serve as senator, I couldn't refuse". Shadow smiled "She couldn't have picked a better person; you've done a lot for the Republic".
In the palace throne room, Tikal was sitting in a council seat speaking with the queen who was another Echidna and the other members, Shadow was standing next to her. "If the Senate votes to create an army, it could push us into a civil war" Tikal said to the queen with the governor saying "It's unthinkable. There hasn't been a full-scale war since the Republic formed". The Queen looked to Tikal "Is there any hope for negotiations?" "Not if the separatists are threatened. If they are, they will turn to the Eggman Empire for help". The Governor spoke up again "And after four trials Ivo Robotnik is still free to lead them. I fear we are powerless to resolve this crises". The queen looked to both of them "We must have faith" she stood up as did everyone else, she walked next to Tikal as they lead everybody out of the throne room. "The day we stop believing in democracy is the day we lose it" "Let's pray that day never comes" Tikal responded. The governor looked to Shadow "We must also consider the Senator's safety. What is your suggestion, Master Shinobi?" before he could answer Tikal spoke "Oh, Shadow's not a Shinobi yet, he's a learner. However, I was thinking-". Shadow spoke with slight defiance in his voice "Excuse me, Milady. I'm in charge of security here", Tikal was taken aback "That maybe so but this is my home and I know it well. I think you should take advantage of my knowledge in this instance". Shadow smiled in a way that didn't hide his irritation very well "Sorry, Milady".
The two of them as well as Emerl were now walking down a city street towards a house, when they got close enough the door opened, and two very young Echidna girls ran out and hugged Tikal. They talked for a short time before they both noticed Emerl and ran up to him giggling, Emerl beeped happily and started chasing the two of them as Tikal and Shadow entered the house. Inside three Echidnas were setting a table, one of them hugged Tikal. Her fur was a lighter orange, and her dreads were slicked back. Tikal turned to Shadow "Shadow, meet my sister, Shade" the two shook hands "Hello, Shadow" "Hello" he replied nervously. Tikal then walked to the other female echidna, her fur was red "This is my Mother, Mari-An". "Hello, Shadow, you're just in time for dinner, I hope you're hungry" they all sat down "A little", Tikal rolled her eyes "He's being polite, Mum, we're starving". Shadow sat next to a male Echidna who he assumed was Tikal's father, his fur was a reddish-brown and he had a white moustache and beard. The man shook Shadow's hand "Hello, I'm Pachacamac and if you're hungry you've come to the right place".
Mari-An looked very happy "Tikal it's so good your back, we were so worried" "I can't believe it took all this for her to bring a boyfriend home" Shade joked but Tikal looked annoyed "He's not my boyfriend. He's my friend, we've known each other for years. He's here to protect me". Shadow looked hurt by what she said which Shade noticed, but Mari-An was focused on something else "A bodyguard? We weren't told it was that serious", Tikal looked unfazed "It's not, I promise. I'm not in any danger, Mum". Pachacamac looked at Shadow "Is she?", Shadow looked between him and Tikal and nervously said "Yes, I'm afraid she is". Tikal glared at him and Shadow began focusing intently on the plate in front of him.
Shadow and Pachacamac were walking in the garden "I do wish I travelled more, but I must say I'm very happy here" the latter said. "Tikal tells me you teach at university" "Yes, before that I was a builder, a damn good one. Before that I was part of a freedom relief movement". He stopped "If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?", Shadow nodded, "How much danger is my daughter in?". Shadow sighed "There have been two attempts on her life, there will most likely be more. My Master is hunting down the perpetrator as we speak. But I give you my word nothing will happen to her".
Inside the others were cleaning the dishes and they could see Shadow out the window. "Why haven't you told us about him?" Shade asked, Tikal kept a blank face "What's there to talk about, he's a friend". Shade smirked "Friends don't look at each other the way he looks at you" "Shade, stop it". She watched Shadow through the window "Shadow and I are friends", Mari-An however noticed that Tikal was staring out the window for quite a while.
A fighter with Espio inside just jumped out of hyperspace, it detached from the ring and flew to the nearest planet. Espio spoke to the gizoid that was also in the ship "There it is, Scylla, right where it should be". The ship entered the atmosphere, the planet seemed to be entirely made of water but Espio spotted what looked to be a city build above it. He landed on a platform; the rain was very heavy when he got out. He went inside, the corridors were completely white and spotless. A human woman walked up to him, she was wearing a white drees, she had pale skin and ginger hair. "Greetings, Master Shinobi, I am Elise. Our King is expecting you", Espio was confused "I am expected?" "Of course. He is anxious to meet you. After all these years, we were beginning to think you weren't coming. Please, this way". She led him through the city and eventually into a room where an elderly man was sitting "Greetings, I am the King of Soleanna", Espio bowed "I am Master Espio the Chameleon". The King gestured to another chair and Espio sat down "You will be delighted to hear that we are on schedule. 200,000 units are ready with a million more on the way. Please tell your Master Chip, that his order will be met on time". Espio was given more questions than answers "I'm sorry. Master Chip was killed almost ten years ago", the King didn't seem fazed by this news "I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure he would be proud of the army we've built for him". Espio was still not following "The army?" "Yes. A clone army, and I must say, one of the finest we've created. It will serve the Republic well". Espio decided to investigate "May I inspect the units?" the King nodded and they both led him away.
Tikal and Shadow where staying at a safe house near a lake. Tikal was looking out at it with a nostalgic face "We used to come here for school retreats. We would swim in that lake every day. Then we'd lie in the sand". Shadow chuckled "I think I've had enough sand in my life" he realized right away that that was a really bad line. "It's still good though, I mean it's very nice" he said in a slight panic trying to save himself. Tikal chuckled and Shadow looks at her amused "What's so funny?". Tikal turned to look at him to and for a few seconds there was silence. Shadow didn't fully know what happened next, he noticed that both their heads where moving forward and all of sudden they were kissing. Shadow didn't really care how it happened all he knew was at this moment he felt happier than he did in a long time. However, it ended as quickly as it started as Tikal backed away "No. I shouldn't have done that" they both turned back to the lake "I'm sorry" Shadow said with both disappointment and guilt in his voice.
The King and Elise were leading Espio across a walkway that took them above different rooms of clone production. The first room had them be grown in test tubes "They have independent thought so you will find them immensely superior to badniks". Espio saw them being grown but noticed that they were all different animals "I'm sorry. I don't understand. How are they clones if-?". "If there all different species. The original template was a shapeshifter. But we have locked each clone to a specific animal. We believed it would be less unsettling than them all having the same face and less of a security risk if they could all shapeshift. They can get a sense when there interacting with other clones". "Very Impressive" Espio said, "Yes, we have all different kinds. Although we try to avoid hedgehogs after an… Incident" the King looked at Elise angrily, Espio didn't want to know what the incident was. The next room looked like a classroom "This batch was created five years ago" all the clones looked very young and they all had a glowing republic symbol tattooed on palm of their right hand. "With the growth acceleration the cadets will be ready in half the time of a normal soldier" the King said.
The next room was a cantina where older clones where eating, they were all wearing gloves to cover the symbol, some of the clones looked up at the trio "They are obedient and fearless" the King said. Espio then wondered something "May I ask who the original host was?" the next room had clones collecting weapons and clothing. "An octopus bounty hunter called Mimic. He stays in the city. Strangely he demanded only one thing as payment. An unaltered clone with no birth acceleration". "I would very much like to meet Mimic", Elise walked forward "I would be happy to arrange that for you". The walkway took them above the final room where Espio saw thousands of clones all standing in formation carrying weapons, the King looked proud "Magnificent, aren't they?".
