Blaze was mediating when she suddenly heard the voice of someone she thought died "Shadow! Shadow, stop!". Merlin entered and Blaze gave him a sad expression "What is it?" "Pain, suffering, death. Something terrible has happened. Shadow is in terrible pain".
Espio was back at his ship "The transmitter is working but it won't reach Mobotropolis. We'll have to try something else. Albion is closer, maybe we can contact Shadow. Scylla send out a transmission". Little did Espio know a wasp was watching him from a vantage point. Espio looked at the screen and was now angry "You found him on Sandopolis? What in blazes is he doing there? I told him to stay on Albion". Espio walked in front of Scylla "It's close enough. Start sending the message. Shadow? Shadow do you copy? It's Espio. My long-range communication has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Mobotropolis".
Shadow was almost back at the moisture farm, he was carrying his mother in his arms and she was wrapped in a blanket. Once he stopped Tikal and the others ran towards him, but he walked right past and took Sonia into the house. A little later Shadow was in the garage trying to distract himself by working on his shoes when Tikal entered with food. "I brought you something. Are you hungry?", Shadow kept looking at the shoes he was working on "The rockets are too dangerous; I've turned them off". Shadow put the shoes back on as he said "Everything seems so much simpler when I'm fixing things. I've always been good at it". Shadow finally looked at Tikal "Why did she have to die? Why couldn't I save her? I… I should have saved her" his voice broke. He walked away from her "Shadow, sometimes there are things you can't fix. You're not all powerful" tears began to fall onto Shadows face "Well, I should be! There had to be something I... I could've-!". Tikal saw guilt in his eyes, but she also saw anger which made her realise something "Shadow, what did you do when you found your mother?". Shadow looked away from her again, he didn't want to see her face when he said it "I- I killed them. All of them. They're dead. I cut them down like they were animal's... and it wasn't just-" he covered his eyes with his hands and fell to the floor. Tikal didn't know what to think, the overlanders were monsters, and they took his mother, but did that give him the right. She had a look of shock on her face, however all that disappeared from her mind when she saw him sitting on the floor, all she saw was the boy she met so long ago. She sat next to him "Anger can make us do terrible things" Shadow looked at her "I'm a Shinobi. I should be better than this" he started to cry as Tikal comforted him.
Later they were all standing at her grave, Stripes went forward "I know wherever you are it's become a better place. You were the most loving partner a man could have. Good-bye my darling Sonia. And thank you". Shadow walked forward and kneeled at the grave, he picked a handful of sand off the ground "I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mum. I just wasn't strong enough. But I promise I won't fail again". He stood up and suddenly he heard beeping, they turned around and saw Emerl who beeped again. Orbot looked at them "He says that he has a message from an Espio the Chameleon".
Shadow and Tikal were back on the ship and Emerl projected the message in front them "Shadow, It's Espio. My long-range communication has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Mobotropolis". Tikal pressed a button on the ship "Solaris should be getting it now". "I have tracked the bounty hunter Mimic to the Badnik factories on Waspnosia" in Solaris's office the message was being watched by him, the Shinobi council and multiple senators including Razor. "The Eggman Empire I to take delivery of a badnik army here, and it is clear that Ivo Robotnik is behind the attempts on Senator Tikal's life. Multiple other systems have joined Dimitri and are forming a-. Wait. Wait". Espio was suddenly getting shot at and a Gamma appeared in the hologram. Before Shadow could react a hologram of Merlin appeared "Shadow, we will deal with Dimitri. You must stay where you are. Protect senator Tikal at all costs" "Understood, Master". After the transmission cut off Tikal immediately got on the controls "What're you doing?" Shadow asked. Tikal looked at him as if it was obvious "We're gonna save him. They'll never get there in time. They have to come halfway across the galaxy. For us it's less than a parsec away". Shadow looked conflicted "If he's still alive", Tikal looked surprised at him "So are you just gonna sit here and let him die. He's your friend. He's-". "He's like my father! But I was given strict orders to stay here". Tikal smirked "I believe your orders where to keep me safe. I'm going to help Espio so you're just going to have to come along". She started to take the ship off, Shadow sat down and a smile slowly formed on his face "I guess I'm left no choice, Milady". Orbot was looking anxious and Emerl beeped "I'm not worried. I've just never flown before.
In Solaris's office Wynmacher, a red Echidna was pacing "There preparing for war. There's no doubt about that", one of the other senators spoke up "Is everyone forgetting we have our own army ready to go". Wynmacher looked at him "The senate is still debating for any military action. They will not approve the use of the clones before they attack". Solaris's advisor, a human called Julian spoke up "In a crisis the senate can vote the Chancellor emergency powers. He can then approve the clone army". Solaris didn't look confident "But what senator would propose such an amendment". Razor thought to himself, his friend was in danger and the clones could save him. He knew Tikal was against the army but that was before there was a definite threat, now if they don't have an army the republic will fall "I will do it, Your Excellency"
In a Waspnosian cell Espio was floating in a beam of blue light when Dimitri entered the room, he wasn't wearing his helmet. "Traitor", Dimitri pretended to be shocked "Oh, no, my friend. This is a mistake, a terrible mistake. They have gone too far. This is madness". "I thought you were the leader here, Dimitri", he started circling Espio "This has nothing to do with me I assure you. I will petition for your release immediately" "Well, I hope it doesn't take too long. I have work to do" he said this with obvious contempt in his voice. Dimitri stopped "It's a great pity that our paths have never crossed before, Espio. Maria always spoke very highly of you". His face became very solemn "I wish she were still alive. I could use her help right now". Espio looked offended "Maria Kintobor would never join you". "Don't be so sure my friend. You forget she was once my apprentice, as you were hers. She knew all about the corruption in the Senate. If only she knew the truth as I did". Espio was curious "What truth?" "What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the dark lord of the Raiju". Espio couldn't believe it "That's impossible. The Shinobi would be aware of it" "Their vision has been clouded by the dark side, my friend. The hundreds of senators are now under the influence of a Raiju called Mephiles. Ten years ago, Dr Robotnik was betrayed by him, he came to me for help and told me everything". Dimitri had an almost desperate look on his face "You must join me, Espio. Together we can destroy the Raiju" "I will never join you, Dimitri". Dimitri looked disappointed and headed for the door but before he left, he said "It may be difficult to secure your release".
