To Set the World on Fire

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Manic heaved the last amp into the back of the van with a grunt and promptly flopped down next to it, legs dangling over the rear bumper.

"Ugh," he stretched his arms over his head and groaned, "When was the last time we took a vacation sibs?"

"That time we went to the beach and then Robotnik tried to steal the Master Emerald." Sonia said without looking up from filing her nails.

"But that was years ago!"

"'ell 'e haven't 'ad 'lot of free 'ime—"

"Gods Sonic that's disgusting! Swallow your food before you talk."

Sonic swallowed and grinned sheepishly, "Sorry Sonia. Anyway we haven't really had a lot of free time between fighting 'buttnik and our gigs and all. "

"You know, I've been thinking about our gigs," Manic rolled over on his stomach and propped his chin on his hands, "Sonic why is it that your amulet can give you an awesome guitar but not an amp? 'Cause those amps are heavy man and somehow I always end up putting them away."

Sonic slouched in his chair and fingered his amulet, looking thoughtful, "I've never really thought about it bro. Kinda weird that a magic guitar needs an amp if ya' think about it. Eh," he shrugged. His thoughtful look fell away and his usual bright expression took its place, "and, ya' know Manic, the only reason you end up loading the van is because you're paranoid that me and Sonia will scratch your precious baby."

"There's a six inch scratch below the passenger side door mirror that says it's not paranoia."

"Oh come on, that was SWATbots."

"SWATbots leave blaster burns, quills leave scratch marks."

"Your accusations hurt me here Manic." Sonic placed a hand over his heart and pulled a pained expression.

"That's just from the chili dogs Sonic." Sonia said dryly.

"Great now both of you are ganging up on me. Not cool. Not cool." He mock pouted but brightened almost instantly as he saw Cyrus approaching. "Cyrus, buddy, you'll back me up, right?"

"Nope." The lion leaned up against the side of the van and played with the sleeves of his jumpsuit. "Great show tonight guys. Was that last song a new one? Don't think I've ever heard it before."

"Yup, we actually just put the finishing touches on it last night. Sounds good right?"

"Yeah, way past cool." Cyrus glanced around conspiratorially and, when he had confirmed that they were alone, leaned forward. "The higher-ups have got a new mission for you guys."

The playful and relaxed air vanished instantly. Sonia looked away from her nails, interest peaked. Sonic rose from his chair and practically bounded to join the rest of them at the back of the van. Manic rolled onto his back so that he stare up at Cyrus.

"What is it?" Sonic asked, voice firm and businesslike.

"We finally found an arms dealer that can supply us with enough guns to take the fight to Robotnik. We still need someone to go negotiate with him though. Since you guys are famous and Sonia was raised by aristocrats we figured you could do it."

"Negotiate with an arms dealer? That sounds like something out of an action movie. Cool, where do we gotta go?"

"There's a town to the far West, at the foot of the mountains that separate us from Robotnik's wastelands, called Kingsfall-."

Sonia snorted, "That's ironic."

"What do you mean?"

"The Magnus Conspiracy."

Manic scratched his head, looking confused, "that's…not really helpful sis."

Sonia rolled her eyes, "well, Kingsfall got its name because years and years ago a group of nobles and aristocrats met there and hatched a plot to try to overthrow the royal family. The assassin managed to kill our great-grandfather, King Daniel, but didn't manage to get the rest of the royal family…" she trailed off and then shrugged.

"Uh…okay, thanks for the fun fact Sonia," Cyrus continued, "Anyways, there's a tavern in Kingsfall called the Sun God. Tell the bartender 'history is in the making' and ask to speak to the owner. Here," he pulled a folded scrap of paper from an inside pocket and pushed in into Sonia's hand, "is the number for the most Mobiums we can spare." He opened his mouth to say more but a beeping from his wrist caused him to stop abruptly. He glanced down at his watch and cursed," Gotta run guys, the new city wide curfew starts in ten minutes. I gotta get back to the safe house. Good luck."


XxX


Kingsfall was a maze of cramped, twisted cobblestone streets resting in the shadow of mountains. Smog from the dumpsites in Robotnik's wasteland had drifted over these mountains and settled down on the town like a blanket so thick that even at high noon it was never any brighter than dusk. Tall and crooked buildings loomed over the streets in an unconscious imitation of the mountains.

Manic liked it.

It was dark, smelly, and cramped just like the sewers he had spent his childhood in.

"This is so gross. Do you have any idea how long it'll take to get this smell out of my hair?"

Sonia didn't.

"Oh come on sis, it's not so bad." Sonic ran a hand down the grimy alley wall, "it's all dark and spooky. It kinda makes me feel artsy." He absently began to hum.

"You're outvoted sis, two-to-one, this place is awesome."

Sonia sniffed, "this place isn't 'awesome' just because you two have no class."

"That hurts Sonia." Manic said in mock seriousness.

"I'm sure." Sonia rolled her eyes, "we should start looking for the Sun God knows how long it'll take to find."

Sonic chuckled, "I doubt it'll take too long. Anyone who can live in a place like this must have to get smashed at least once a day. We'll just follow the people."

"Bro, I don't think that's gonna work." Manic said slowly.

"Trust me sibs, this'll work. It'll take an hour, two tops."

Sonic's plan worked…eventually. It took four hours longer than the Blue Blur had promised though. By the time they found the tavern night had fallen and the city had gotten even darker. The gas lamps, which looked like they had seen better days, flickered on, struggling (and for the most part failing) to illuminate the streets. The Sun God was a derelict building, more coated in dirt and grime than any building they had seen so far. The walls and door were black with it and the windows were opaque.

Sonia physically cringed when she pushed open the heavy door.

The inside of the bar was cleaner than the outside, but not by much. The air smelled like sweat, alcohol, and smoke. Rough-looking Mobians sat clustered around small circular tables. An oil lamp sat in the middle of each table, casting small circles of yellow light. There was a bar along the far wall and, behind it; a purple furred weasel was serving drinks. The weasel cocked his hat back on his head and fixed the triplets with a glare as they approached.

"Whaddaya want?" he grunted.

"Don't suppose this place serves chili dogs," Sonic muttered.

The bartender scowled. "This is a bar, not a damn kiddy restaurant. Buy a drink or piss off."

"Uh," Manic stepped forward, "History is in the making?" he shifted uncomfortably when the bartender didn't react. "Ringing any bells dude?"

After another silent moment the bartender spoke up, voice suddenly crisp and businesslike. "There's a trap door beneath the whisky barrel in the storeroom. Go down the trap door and tell the doorman 'sic simper tyrannis'. Be sure ya' don't get it wrong or he'll take ya' head off."

"Sic simper wha-?"

A loud crash and the sound of breaking glass cut Manic off mid-question. They whipped around, looking for the source of the disturbance. A small green duck, who had apparently been waiting tables, had dropped a tray of glasses and was now frantically trying to pick up the fragments. Several Mobians began to laugh; one threw an empty tumbler at the duck. It missed his head by inches and shattered against the grimy floor.

The bartender slammed his hands down on the countertop. "I told you to be careful dammit!" he yelled, "Another slip like that and I'll take it from your god-damned hide!".

"Uh dude?" Manic took a tentative step forward and tried to recapture the weasel's attention, "Can you tell me that password again?"

The bartender continued to yell at the duck. Manic took another step forward and Sonia grabbed his wrist.

"I remember it Manic." She said softly, "Let's go. I want to get out of here as soon as possible."

She tried to pull him away. Manic was tempted to stay and take the bartender's attentions away from the duck but, after an uncomfortably persuasive tug, he relented.

"So what's with that password sis?" Sonic asked as they headed back to the storeroom, "What did it mean?"

"It's an old language that the aristocrats used to use. Sic Semper Tyrannis, it means 'thus, always, to tyrants'. It's what the assassin said after he stabbed King Daniel in the heart."

Manic whistled, impressed, "Jeez sis, where do you learn this stuff?"

"Lady Windermere was very fond of history."

The whisky barrel over the trap door was incredibly heavy and it took all three of the hedgehogs to move it. Manic suspected that it had been filled with something other than booze, concrete or iron most likely.

The trapdoor was a clean brown square on the black floor with an iron ring for a handle. It pulled up easily enough to reveal stone stairs that led down into a passage of packed dirt. There was a heavy iron door at the far end of the passage. It was guarded by a incredibly large polar bear. Manic suddenly understood what the bartender meant when he said that the door guard would take his head off.

'Take my head off with his bare hands, I bet.' Manic shivered slightly. It seemed to be ten degrees colder down here. Maybe it was just him.

The door guard tensed as they drew closer, subtly dropping into a ready stance.

"Sic simper tyrannis." Sonia said firmly.

The guard relaxed marginally, and knocked three times on the door. It opened with the scream of un-oiled hinges. The hedgehog triplets entered slowly, ready for anything. A duck with an eye patch, who looked like an older version of the boy from upstairs, closed the door behind them and then took up a place in the far corner of the room, one hand resting lightly on the blaster hanging from his waist.

A plain metal table sat in the middle of the otherwise bare room. There were four chairs around it, three on side closest to them and one on the far side. This far chair was occupied by an incredibly pale hedgehog with luminous silver eyes. He rose as the hedgehogs entered, adjusted the collar of his dress shirt, straightened his black vest and matching tie, and then held out his arms in welcome.

"Greetings," his voice was cold and smooth, like ice, "it is always a pleasure to entertain new customers." He gestured to the chairs, "May I ask your names? I find negotiations go better when they are more…personable."

"It is polite to introduce yourself first," Sonia said carefully. The pale hedgehog chuckled and gestured again for them to sit.

They did so reluctantly.

"Of course you're right my dear." He took a seat, still chuckling pleasantly, and removed an elegant cigarette case from an inner pocket. He removed an expertly rolled handmade cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it. "I am the last of my family, the last of my blood as it were, so I suppose you may call me by my surname of Albens,"

Sonia's eyes narrowed, "The Albens were traitors to the crown and members of the Magnus Conspiracy's inner circle. I don't trust that name."

Something Manic didn't like flickered in Albens' eyes. It was gone before he could identify it.

"Ah, someone who knows their history," Albens blew a jet of smoke out his nose and frowned slightly. "A loyalist no less. How quaint. Very well, if you do not trust my family name then, in the interest of our mutual benefit, you may use my given one. I am Nazo. So far I cannot say that it's a pleasure to meet you."


A/N: BOOM! Chapter Two!

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trancepanda