"Bad guy... want to... obercome da goberment!" Junior exclaimed as he glared at Jiyang-Jiyang.

"I'm just here for a night visit with the mayor, that's all," Jiyang-Jiyang said with a smirk as she came to a stop.

Shadow and Runa glared deadly at Jiyang-Jiyang. As they did, Shadow pointed at Jiyang-Jiyang.

"You're lying!" he said. "I can tell you're smiling when you say something 'innocent.'

"Junior heard you calling last night. You told that person about the plan to overcome the government. You are not alone, so who else is with you?"

Jiyang-Jiyang's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this. A few moments later, she lowered her head and sighed with a smile. "If you insist..."

Silence occurred in the air. After a few seconds, Jiyang-Jiyang raised her head and spoke, "After my husband died, I was distraught. I went so crazy that the government put me in jail."

Jiyang-Jiyang looked down in sadness. "I wept. Day by day. Soon, I came to the point where I planned my revenge against the government."

Jiyang-Jiyang's eyebrows furrowed as her fists clenched and her teeth gritted. "They took my husband from me. They took my husband because of some idiotic law!!! That law where I have to marry an Inhuman instead of a human!!!!! AAAGGHH!!!!!!"

Runa was a bit spooked out by Jiyang-Jiyang's scream, but she managed to maintain her composure.

"Just as I was about to act on it, someone else was thrown in jail," Jiyang-Jiyang explained. "He was a male, but he's special in his own way. He told me he was framed, yet he was blamed for causing trouble in the military training. He also told me he wanted to protect the Inhuman world from its enemies using his powers, but he was rejected. I told him my life story before I was put in jail.

"And so, we became partners-in-crime. We secretly planned our revenge together to overcome the government and rule the Inhumans' world.

"When we were legally released from prison, we made contact with each other through our telephones. The plan was going well this far.

"I had my partner take Dalia to this world. After that... I trained her to 'control her powers,' and use her as a weapon."

As Runa, Shadow and Junior heard the last sentence, their eyes widened in shock. Then, it turned to deadly glares. They let our deadly growls.

"Right now, I'm one step closer to overcoming the government," Jiyang-Jiyang said. Then, she slightly raised her hands and lit her white aura around them. "And once we overcome the government..."

This shocked Shadow, Runa and Junior.

"Is that...?" Shadow asked.

"Jiyang-Jiyang's powers. They're the same as Dalia's," Runa said.

Jiyang-Jiyang's aura — now known as her Chaos Aura — grew bigger, to the point of looking like white flames surrounded by the blue aura. "...I'll rule this world and everyone will be free to marry whoever they want to marry, whether it's a human or an Inhuman!"

Then, Jiyang-Jiyang let out an evil laugh.

Junior puffed his cheeks as he glared deadly at Jiyang-Jiyang. "M..." He paused. "MONSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!"

Shadow and Runa were a bit spooked out by Junior's scream, but they managed to maintain their composures as they continued sending deathly glaring daggers on Jiyang-Jiyang.

Jiyang-Jiyang continued to laugh evilly.

Just then, an idea popped into Shadow’s head. He formed his fighting position and swooped his right arm in front of Runa and Junior.

"Runa, take Junior and run! Go to the others and warn them!" Shadow said to Runa.

"What?! But are you gonna be okay fighting Jiyang-Jiyang alone?!" Runa asked with worry and concern.

Shadow slightly turned his head to Runa, but his eyes were fully on her. "I'll be fine! Go!"

It took a few moments before Runa nodded with determination. "Right."

With that, Runa turned to Junior. "Junior, let's go."

Junior nodded with a hum.

Runa lifted Junior and pulled him close to her. Then, she turned to the city and ran towards it. This left Shadow and Jiyang-Jiyang alone.

"So it's just you and me now?" Jiyang-Jiyang asked with an evil smirk.

"Yes," Shadow said, glaring at Jiyang-Jiyang, as he formed his fighting position. "I'm fighting fire with fire."

Jiyang-Jiyang's smirk widened. "So be it."

With that, Jiyang-Jiyang and Shadow let out battle cries and clashed against each other.

—————————————————————

Meanwhile...
City, Inhuman World

Runa continued running through the city, with Junior in her arms. As she ran, multiple breaths escaped her mouth and her eyes scanned for Dalia's House.

Runa knew her running pace was slower than usual. That's because she was carrying Junior.

As Runa continued running, pleading thoughts ran through her head. Come on, come on, come on. Where is it? Her thoughts paused. Shadow might not hold on much longer. Even so, I have faith that he'll pull things off. And to help him pull things off, I have to warn the others... so that his partners and his family will help take down Jiyang-Jiyang and whoever worked with her.

—————————————————————

Back with Shadow...

Punches, kicks and chaos spears were delivered from Shadow to Jiyang-Jiyang. In response, she dodged a few attacks, but she did receive multiple hits.

In return, Jiyang-Jiyang delivered her own punches, kicks and Chaotic Auras to Shadow. Shadow managed to evade her attacks via Chaos Control, but he did get a few hits from Jiyang-Jiyang. But whenever he's down, Shadow would always get up and fight again.

As Shadow glided towards Jiyang-Jiyang, a Chaos Aura was sent towards him. Once he saw that, he exclaimed, "Chaos—"

Then, Shadow disappeared in front of Jiyang-Jiyang.

What? Jiyang-Jiyang's eyebrow raised in confusion. She looked around, but she wasn't ready to let her guard down yet. Where is he?

Before she could find an answer, Shadow reappeared behind her and launched a roundhouse kick on the back of Jiyang-Jiyang's head.

"—Control!"

"Aagh!" Jiyang-Jiyang exclaimed.

Jiyang-Jiyang almost landed on her belly, but she caught herself with two palms on the ground.

Jiyang-Jiyang slightly raised her head as an evil, but slightly impressed smirk appeared on her face. "Heh. You are one experienced fighter, but I have my powers under control."

As she said this, Jiyang-Jiyang pushed herself back on her feet. Jiyang-Jiyang spotted Shadow sending her punches and kicks. She dodged all of them.

A few moments later, Jiyang-Jiyang ignited her Chaos Aura in her hands. Then, it became bigger to the point of forming shapes of her flames.

Jiyang-Jiyang launched fireballs of her Chaos Aura towards Shadow. Fortunately for Shadow, he dodged them.

Then, a few moments later, Jiyang-Jiyang sent another fireball towards Shadow. This time, it successfully hit him.

Shadow was sent flying backwards. He was hit on the floor a couple of times before he finally landed on the right side of his body.

Seeing this, Jiyang-Jiyang let out an evil laugh. It took a few seconds before she stopped, but an evil smirk on her face was still there.

Jiyang-Jiyang decreased the amount of chaos aura in her hands as she walked towards Shadow.

While doing so, Shadow rolled himself over, so that his belly was facing the ground. His palms landed on the ground. Then, he pushed himself up.

After about eight seconds, Shadow laid his right foot on the ground. Then, he pushed himself up even more. After another eight seconds, his left foot finally landed on the ground. It took a few more seconds until got back on his feet.

Shadow let out groans as he did all this.

Shadow formed his fighting position and readied himself to fight Jiyang-Jiyang again.

This sent Jiyang-Jiyang in rage. She let out a battle cry and charged towards Shadow with her Chaos Aura. Shadow did the same to Jiyang-Jiyang. Soon after, they clashed against each other again.

Shadow and Jiyang-Jiyang sent punches, kicks and their chaotic powers against each other. In response, they either dodged each other's attacks or got hit by them.

Soon after, Shadow and Jiyang-Jiyang panted in exhaustion. It took about thirty seconds before they became energized enough to fight each other again.

Just as Shadow was about to launch another attack, a lightning struck him from behind him. Shock rushed through his quills and veins. It took a few seconds before he collapsed.

Shadow was on the verge of blacking out, but he didn't want to back down just yet. Just as he was starting to get up, Jiyang-Jiyang's foot landed on his torso.

"Well done, partner," Jiyang-Jiyang said to whoever struck Shadow down with lightning.

As soon as Shadow saw what's in front of him, his eyes widened in complete shock.

"You have helped completed stage two," Jiyang-Jiyang concluded.

—————————————————————

About 1 hour ago...
Living Room, Dalia's House

"What?" Rouge asked.

Rouge sat on the brown armchair while Dalia sat on the red armchair. Lucy, Bubbles, Hope, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper, Rosy and Shania were sitting on the sofa.

When Runa told them what she, Shadow and Junior just saw, they turned to her in shock.

"So what Junior warns us about is true?" Rouge asked.

Runa nodded with no hesitation. "Yes. It is. I already warned Omega about it outside. He said it is to be expected."

"Is that serious?" Dalia asked in confusion. She looked at her surroundings, then back at Runa. "How do you know if that's true?"

"Chao-chao!" Juniper said, nodding in agreement.

"Come with me... and you'll find out if it's true," Runa said.

Junior nodded with a hum.

With that, Runa ran back to where she came with Junior still in her arms. She was followed by Rouge, Omega, the five chao, Lucy, Bubbles, Hope and Sara.

Runa, Lucy, Bubbles, Dalia and Hope ran on foot. On the other hand, the five chao and Rouge flew using their wings, and Omega propelled himself using his rocket boosters.

While they headed to where Runa and Junior came, Rouge flew over Runa. "Runa!"

Runa glanced at Rouge.

"Junior is too heavy for you to carry." Rouge reached out her hands to Junior. "I'll help you, so that you can run faster."

Runa fully raised her head and turned to Rouge with a smile. "It's okay. I'm used to running while carrying Junior."

"We won't make it in time if you're carrying him," Rouge said. She reached further. "Here. Give him to me."

Upon hearing this, Junior snuggled closer to Runa's chest. Runa turned to Junior, concerned and quite surprised. Then, she turned to Rouge with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, but I think Junior wants to stay with me."

"Alright. If you say so," Rouge said. She let out a sigh.

With that, Rouge, the five chao, Omega, Dalia, Lucy, Bubbles, Hope, Runa and Junior all headed towards the building ontop of the hill.

—————————————————————

Later on...

Everyone gasped in shock as they saw what was on front of them. Tears filled Junior's eyes as he reached out to what's in front of him.

"Shaddy," Junior said with a croaky tone.

"Oh no," Runa said.

"Are we... too late?" Rouge asked.

Right in front of them was Shadow, laying on the ground. His eyes closed tightly as he felt Jiyang-Jiyang stepping on his torso. Her right hand ignited her Chaos Aura with an evil smirk as she readied herself to give him the final blow.

Beside Jiyang-Jiyang was James Francton. A smirk appeared on his face and his arms crossed as he witnessed Jiyang-Jiyang about to give Shadow the final blow.

As Dalia witnessed the whole scene, shock, betrayal and heartbreak overcame her. Tears filled her eyes as memories of James helping her escape and Jiyang-Jiyang training her to control her powers ran through her head. Her heart beat rapidly and the phlegm went through her throat.

Then, a few moments later, Dalia's fists clenched and her eyebrows furrowed. Her teeth gritted as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her death glaring eyes stared into James' and Jiyang-Jiyang's.

"Why, James? Why, mom? Why did you do this?!" Dalia asked.

Dalia's words caught Shadow's, James' and especially Jiyang-Jiyang's attentions.

Jiyang-Jiyang's Chaos Aura died down. As she laid her hand down, she stepped away from Shadow's body and walked towards Dalia.

"Dalia," she said in a fake innocent tone. "All I've been doing is for your own good."

A pang of offense struck through Dalia's heart. Rage occurred in her as she continued glaring at Jiyang-Jiyang. "My own good? You've taken down Shadow, the Ultimate Lifeform and the one I admire, and you thought it's for my own good?! You and James are planning to overcome the government and you thought it's for my own good?! If you have told me the truth, you would've never done such things."

Shadow let out a gasp of surprise as his eyes glanced at Dalia. It's not just because he heard the word "admire," but also because of Dalia's courage. This left him speechless... and impressed. He started processing on why Dalia admired him in the first place.

Jiyang-Jiyang was caught off-guard when Dalia said her last words, but she managed to cover her feelings with a smile on her face. "We did. During our training."

"Yes. But I've been away from you for a long time," Dalia said. "I've liked many things and I've disliked some of them. I've had many experiences in life, even when I'm not beside you. I'm grateful for your training. I know it's for the sake of controlling my Chaos Aura, but we've never gotten the time to get to know each other. You didn't even know I admire Shadow and the reason why I do in the first place."

Jiyang-Jiyang spread out her arms as her lips curled up to a fake loving smile. "But you're with me now, Dalia. My daughter. We can be family again."

Upon hearing this, worry occurred in Shadow. A memory of his experience with Black Doom, the Black Arms and their species in the New Black Comet ran through his head. He had been deceived before. He had resisted temptation. He cannot let Dalia — the one he called "family" — give in to temptation like he was. And so, he let out a slight, hoarse tone.

"Don't..." Shadow slowly rolled over to land himself on his belly. "...listen to her... Dalia."

Dalia turned to Shadow and nodded with no hesitation. "Yes. Of course, Shadow."

Hearing this shocked James and especially Jiyang-Jiyang. She lowered her head. Then, her eyebrows furrowed as her Chaos Aura ignited in her hands. She let out an angry growl as rage rushed through her veins.

After a few moments, Jiyang-Jiyang's Chaos Aura enlarged — to the point of making large shapes of flames — as she raised her head and glared deadly at Dalia. "You! You believe Shadow more than me?!"

"Yes," Dalia said as she turned back to Jiyang-Jiyang with a serious expression. "Until now, I thought you'd be the best mother I've ever seen..." She lowered her head as she closed her eyes tightly. "...but then, I realized you have no heart of a real mother." Her head raised as she opened her eyes and glared at Jiyang-Jiyang. "Real parents are the ones who are there for their children. They know what's best for them and they can discipline them if needed."

As Dalia said those words, Shadow placed his hands on the ground and attempted to push himself, but he was stopped by James, clenching his head with his right hand.

"We may not be blood-related, but today, Runa, Shadow, Lucy, Bubbles, Junior, Rosy, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper and Shania are my family," Dalia said. "Lucy, Bubbles, Junior, Rosy, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper, and Shania are my brothers and sisters."

Lucy, Bubbles, Junior, Rosy, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper and Shania were surprised to hear this from Dalia. Regardless, Bubbles, Rosy, Mystico, Bearace Juniper and Shania jumped for joy.

"Yes!" Bubbles exclaimed.

"Runa is my mother," Dalia said.

Runa was taken by surprise. Her eyes widened as her head jolted to Dalia. What? Dalia called me "mother?" she thought.

"And Shadow is my father," Dalia said.

Shadow gasped in surprise and his eyes widened. Did Dalia... call me "father?" he thought. Then, he turned to Runa. Does that mean...?

Could it be that...? Runa thought as she turned to Shadow.

Slight blushes appeared on Runa's and Shadow's cheeks as they stared at each other. ...we... are... Dalia's chosen parents? Runa and Shadow thought in unison.

Silence occurred in the air. Then, a few moments later, Dalia formed her fighting position. Then, her white aura surrounded her hands. "So step aside or you'll face the consequences."

Jiyang-Jiyang's flames died down. Then, she laid her hands on her hips. Her head lowered as she closed her eyes and smirked evilly. "I see. After all, James and I completed stage two."

Confusion appeared on everyone else's faces, except James'. Stage two? they — except Junior — thought.

"This stage is the last one, but we're not done yet," Jiyang-Jiyang said.

With that, Jiyang-Jiyang also formed her fighting position. Her flames ignited in her hands as she said to Dalia, "Come on. Fight me. Winner gets what she wants."

Dalia smirked in return. "Bring it on... Jiyang-Jiyang."