Amy Rose was done for the day at school, and she was seeing off the kids to their parents. She saw that the sky was starting to darken as well, and she decided to go over to Sally's classroom to check on her. She saw her squirrel friend seeing off the kids in her class, and as the last of them left, Sally turned to see Amy and she smiled at her.

"Oh, hey, girl!" Sally giggled. "Good to see you."

"How'd your class go?" Amy smiled.

"Ah, great as usual," said Sally. "How about yours? How are things with the ones more difficult to control?"

"Honestly, they spend more time sleeping than I'd expect," Amy said. "I envy them."

Sally smiled. "Yeah, I remember you telling me that that was a problem with your heart condition."

"It can be sometimes," Amy admitted. "Say, I'm free today. Well, I'm going to swing by the hospital and check in on your ex-boyfriend first, but after that, I don't have any plans."

Sally giggled at that. "I'll join you in saying hi. I haven't been able to check up on him in hospital, and because of how dark it's getting outside, we might not get much time to visit anyway."

"Then we'd better get moving," Amy said. "What about after that, though?"

"Well, I was thinking I take you out to a fancy restaurant that serves spicy chicken, then take you to a nice bar and try to get you drunk before having my wicked way with you," Sally said.

"That's is almost exactly how Sonic and I actually met, except with him saving my life," Amy giggled. "But still, that does sound nice. I could use some time with friends today. I just need to relax. The stress of what happened is not good."

"Well, there's also the fact that the man that you love is recovering from a near-death experience," Sally pointed out. "I would say that it's win-win." She paused as she saw Amy's blushing face. "You do love him, right?"

Amy nodded. "I do... we've said it before..."

"Oh, I know that you have," Sally said. "I've been at the bar with you when you said it. Hell, I was there the first time that you both said it... even though you were arguing over something stupid."

Amy smiled. "That was our last argument. What was it even about?"

"I think it was something about Sonic almost leaving to do a mission and you getting frustrated," Sally shrugged. "I think that we were too drunk to remember. Or at least tipsy. Still, it's cute that you're blushing about it."

"I know, I know," Amy said with a sigh. "Did... did you two get that far?"

"I think that we would have if... well, he probably told you that I was trying to move things too quickly. And that is true. Him leaving to go to that police academy didn't help either." Sally sighed. "We couldn't make it work. But hey, at least you two are giving it your best shot. And you're hitting the mark."

Amy hugged Sally, smiling. "I'm so glad that you're not jealous about it."

Sally hugged back. "Why would I be? My hot best friend is in love with my hot ex-boyfriend. I've got nothing to be worried about. Well, except that one of them is doing a dangerous job day in and day out and almost losing their life to evil every day."

"And the other one is Sonic?" Amy giggled.

"Dang right," Sally laughed, the hug breaking. "All right, let's stop wasting time. Let's go check on him, yeah?"

Amy nodded, and the two of them decided to take the pink hedgehog's car, deciding to leave Sally's as it was. Thankfully the brown squirrel's car was locked up, and it had extra security measures as recommended and installed by Anti-Light. If any thieves were to try and steal it, they'd be met with an electrical shock to sun them and back them up. If that failed, there was a tranquilliser ready to go as well.

Sally was thankful to not have to worry about any of that as she slid into the shotgun seat of the car. Thankfully there wasn't a literal shotgun underneath it, but she was certain that she saw the handle of a small gun in Amy's purse as she sat it down. Seems that her friend had her own protection, and it was something that she didn't bring up as they listened to music and headed off to Green Hill Hospital.

They pulled up to the car park, finding a spot to plant the car. They soon did, Amy turning off the car and leaving it with her friend in tow. They walked into the hospital building, going to the front desk to speak to the receptionist, and they sat and waited for a bit. Eventually, they saw the familiar face of Dr. Aston approach them, and he looked back and forth between them.

"Amy I've seen before," he said, looking to Sally. "Who might you be?"

"I'm Sally Acorn, another friend of Sonic's," Sally said. "I'm... Sonic's ex..."

"Oh, wow..." Dr. Aston said. "That... that must be awkward for you two."

"Oh, we broke up like three years ago," Sally said with a dismissive hand, waving it off easily.

Dr. Aston let out a breath of relief. "That does make this a bit less awkward. But you are all right to come and see him. He just woke up from a rest, so he's likely to be quite talkative."

"Usually it's hard to get him to shut up," Amy giggled. "Thanks for letting us see him."

"No trouble," Dr. Aston said.

"Oh, wait, doc," Sally said. "How did Sonic's physical therapy go today?"

"Ask him yourself," said Dr. Aston. "Not to sound rude, but I have other patients to attend to. So feel free to ask him for yourself."

Amy and Sally both nodded, and the latter followed the former to where Sonic was being treated at the hospital since Amy knew the way there. They saw a nurse checking over Sonic, adding some sort of medication that he was already having which had a name that neither Amy nor Sally could pronounce, and said nurse was speaking to Sonic as well.

"All right, that should be enough for you," the nurse said. "I must admit, the medicinal paste is helping you recover well."

Sonic smiled. "I always did recover quickly. Even death is now match for the great leader of the freelancers," he said with a hammed up heroic tone.

The nurse chuckled. "Shame you're taken. You're quite the charmer. And you work out too."

"And how do you know that?" Amy asked, smirking.

"Well, uh... we sometimes have to help him use the bathroom because his walking is an issue," the nurse admitted. "But I never looked down... there..."

"I respect the personal boundaries and all," Sonic said, "but honestly, it's probably nothing that you haven't seen before."

"I think another doctor might have and gotten a bit jealous," the nurse giggled. "But I shall see you soon to check up on you."

"Appreciate it," Sonic said, waving weakly as the nurse left the room. He saw both Amy and Sally, and he couldn't fight the joke that came to his head. "Amy, I know you want that threesome fantasy, but I didn't think that my ex would get involved. Also, a hospital isn't the most appropriate place to do that. People die here, you know."

"Oh, shut up, you," Amy said. "And besides, you know that the threesome with us would be on the beach."

"Nude one?" asked Sally. "I hear Aqua Lake is good for that."

"I've seen it over there during the warmer seasons," Sonic said, almost wincing at the glare that he got from Amy. "We were chasing an arsonist who hid a secret stash and he ran through there to distract us. I told you about this before."

"I know. I was just testing you to make sure that you remember it right," Amy smiled.

Sonic smiled back. "So, what brings you two over here?"

"Well, I wanted to check on you because I haven't been able to do that lately," said Sally. "Been busy with school and such."

"As have I," Amy said. "I'm just glad that all of our kids are okay after the riots."

"I'm just surprised that the riots came and went quickly," Sonic said. "Could have been that it was just a distraction for Nack to escape. There were no fatalities reported after it happened. Then again... I don't know if I'd be updated or... even able to help..."

Amy, sensing where Sonic's mood was going, cleared her throat. "How did your first session of physical therapy go?"

"Actually, surprisingly well," Sonic said, his voice clearing up a bit, silently thankful for the change in subject. "My first session was pretty good, and I was moving around pretty well. I mean, I'm far from one hundred percent repaired, but I'm just happy that I can move at all after the surgery."

"That's good to hear," Amy smiled.

"Yeah... that's about the only good news that I have to share with you," Sonic sighed. "I got a call from the rest of the guys earlier. They swung by Spring Yard to follow up on that Jem lead, and it turns out that the judge ruling for the implants is moving forward by a couple of days."

"Oh, crap," Sally said. "That's not good..."

"That is an overstatement of the obvious," Sonic said. "But yeah, it's really not good. Because of the breakout at the penitentiary, and following the news of Zayd's death, they're rushing it."

"Well, can't you go and convince them?" Amy asked.

"What? With these legs?" Sonic asked.

"I'm being serious," Amy said, walking over to take his hand.

Sonic sighed. "I couldn't help even if I wanted to. Since freelancers don't work with any singular main force, we don't get a say. We might not even be allowed in the building."

"Where is it being held?" asked Amy.

"Star Light," Sonic said. "One of the safest points for all of the judges to meet and make the decision. Hell, it's the safest city around."

"And not too far from here," Sally noted. "How do you think that it'll go?"

Sonic shrugged. "I can't say that I know. I just know that seven judges will sit in and we need a majority vote to get it to go our way."

"It... it can't be like that..." Amy said. "After all that you and Tails and Knuckles and Shadow have done for the city, two freak incidents like this are what could bring it all down?"

"It's not just that," Sonic said. "You've got to remember, implants are getting stolen. People are out on the streets messing with them, putting them into poor bastards who probably don't even need them, and most of those guys are out to hurt people. They say it's only been a month or so, but it could have been a lot longer for all that we know."

"But that shouldn't matter!" Amy said, her voice growing higher. "You... you've saved this city so much! You've saved all of the cities tons of times over! You've even killed people before!"

"Yeah, but within the mission," Sonic said. "I try to be nonlethal, but sometimes that can't cut it. I'm... I'm not happy with having to kill. But Shadow's case with Zayd is a grey area. He says that it was an accident with the Fokus injection, and I believe him because... because he's my friend. And if we get fired, lose our freelancing jobs, hell, even our implants, then it'll be for the right reasons."

"That's a huge risk," said Sally. "I'm glad that you're willing to take it."

Sonic shrugged. "My friend needs help. I'm going to be there for him."

"What are you going to do if the vote doesn't go your way?" asked Amy.

"I honestly don't know," Sonic said. "Try and get a normal job?" He shuddered. "Oh, nope, don't like that idea."

"Hey, you'll figure it out, stud," Sally smiled, petting the side of Sonic's head gently. "You focus on resting yourself up."

"With all that's going on, sleep may be a distant memory," Sonic said. "Although the medication really does help..." He yawned. "Okay, yep... it's working... see you girls... later..."

As the blue hedgehog drifted off to sleep, Sally smiled and turned to Amy, some mirth on her face. "Does he still snore?"

"Sometimes," Amy smiled. "He gets surprisingly grabby during sleep too."

"He still grabs?" Sally giggled at Amy's nod. "Man, if he didn't have such nice feeling hands, it would be more of an issue."

"True," Amy smiled. "Hey, is it weird that I want to take a picture with him while he's asleep?"

Sally smiled. "Not at all."

The pink hedgehog smirked, going over to her boyfriend and planting a kiss on his cheek as she got her phone to take a picture of them both. Sally shook her head, and she opened the door to leave the room be, turning back to see Amy hugging Sonic and leaning to his ear.

"I really hope that you get better soon..." said Amy. "I'll see you when I see you..."

Sally smiled gently at that. "That was sweet of you."

"I know," Amy said. "I just hope that it doesn't get me into trouble with the hospital. I'm pretty sure that they have cameras in the rooms." She looked up into the corners of the room, surprised to not see anything. "Well dang, I guess not."

"Hospitals and doctors are usually too good with information and stuff," Sally said. "You rarely need security for places like this."

"Considering that the doctors are technically the security as you're putting your life in their hands, then you're not wrong," Amy shuddered. "Still... I hate hospitals. I still remember my birth, how I was in so much pain because of my heart condition..."

Sally put an arm around her friend's shoulder. "Don't worry about it too much. You've grown since then, your condition has improved... I mean, even when we first started working together at Little Hill, I did have some admiration for you coming to work each day."

"Yep. We're the true heroes," Amy said as they passed down the hall. "To Jade Mountain?"

"To Jade Mountain!" Sally proclaimed.

The two girls shared a laugh at that, leaving the hospital with a word of thanks for Dr. Aston before hopping into Amy's car again. The pink hedgehog started the engine up, and they pulled out of the car park, getting onto the main road and making their way to Jade Mountain with some ease. As the stars started to sparkle in the sky, Amy was closing in on the car park before turning to Sally.

"Want to eat in or get drive-through and take the food to the Midnight Oil?" she asked Sally.

The brown squirrel nodded. "I like that second idea. Let's do that!"

Amy giggled, pulling up to the drive-through window and waiting for the next car to move up. After it did, she passed through, speaking both her and Sally's orders to the person manning the speaker box before driving forward to wait. They soon got their grub, and Sally held onto it as they got back onto the road to head to the Midnight Oil. Much like with Jade Mountain, it didn't take long to get to their local bar or even to find a spot, which was a surprise as nighttime is when it was usually at its fullest. Still, the two girls found a spot, parked, and Amy cut the engine as Sally brought the containers of food with them to the bar.

They walked inside and saw Rosy turn her head to them at the smell of the food, her stomach rumbling. "I don't suppose that you got something for me, did you?" she asked them somewhat hopefully.

Sally giggled a bit, gesturing to the bowl of peanuts. Or at least it used to have peanuts. "You sure you haven't had enough of those?"

"Eh, I'll refill it when I can remember," Rosy shrugged.

"Best bartender in Green Hill, can't even fill a peanut bowl back up," Amy sighed. "Tisk, tisk."

"I asked if you would split the spicy chicken with me, not judge me for my love of bar peanuts," Rosy scoffed. "I could get you thrown out for insensitivity, you know."

"Doesn't that only work on employees?" Sally asked.

"It works for patrons too," Rosy defended.

"Who haven't had a drink and are asking you logical questions?" Sally smirked.

Rosy sighed. "Ugh, you teachers think you're so smart." She shook off the joking facade and had an easy smile. "It's good to see you both. What can I get you?"

"Just two beers, please," Amy said, turning to a booth to see Maria sat there. "Over there, actually."

"Good," Rosy said. "She just got here herself and she hasn't been in a great mood. You'd best go talk to her."

"How much has she had to drink?" Sally asked.

"Nothing," Rosy said. "She hasn't had anything since she got her. No food, no liquid, nothing. Not even any peanuts. And that has nothing to do with the fact that I ate them all."

"Ha! So you admit it!" Amy said, pointing a finger.

Rosy leaned to fake bite the finger. "Go help your friend out over there."

Amy nodded, taking a seat from Maria, Sally sat next to her. "Maria? Is everything okay?"

Maria turned to the two, faking a smile before dropping it and shaking her head. "I'm just... I'm so worried about Shadow and the others..."

"I'm sure that they'll be okay," said Sally. "They could be coming back soon for all that we know."

"Well... Spring Yard is a pretty far off city," Amy said. "Wow, okay, that didn't make anyone feel better."

"No, you're right," Maria said. "And it's not an easy time for anyone. But... well, I did get a call from my bank a while ago as well."

"What happened?" asked Sally.

"Some of the escaped prisoners came back to try and rob from there. There was only a handful, from what I heard, and some police were patrolling around there too. Nothing was stolen and the criminals were taken in, but the recent scare has put a lot of people on edge. So I'll have to work a double shift starting tomorrow."

"That's not that bad, right?" Sally asked. "I've had to do that before."

"Well, I'll have to stay there overnight until the next day as well," Maria said. "It's not that we're short on staff or security, but we'll need all hands on deck to make sure that no money gets stolen."

"And you might not be able to have police forces or freelancers as security either, huh?" Sally said.

Maria cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

Amy sighed. "The ruling over if implants can be used is being pushed forward by a couple of days. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, nor Shadow will have any say in it and they can't attend as they're... well, freelance. And there's a chance that most of the police forces will be going with their respective commanders to the ruling."

"And where will that be?" Maria asked.

"Star Light City," Sally answered. "It's not far away, but we don't know how it will all plan out."

Maria sighed. "So I'll be on my own with the rest of the bank staff and security without any outside help, and I'll be more scared than ever in my life with all that's going on..."

Sally nodded at that, clearing her throat. As Rosy came over to place the drinks down, Sally stood up. "I just need to use the bathroom really quick."

"Go ahead," said Rosy. "Your beer will be waiting. And I'll get your peanuts around too, so don't try to sneak out and give me the slip."

Sally chuckled at Amy's twin's words before heading for the toilets, finding the women's room and heading in. She went over to the cubicles, seeing someone in one of them, so she faked pulling something from her teeth in the mirror before the woman in the cubicle walked out, cleaning herself up, washing her hands, and eventually leaving Sally alone in the bathroom. The squirrel took a breath went to the cubicle, shutting the door and locking it as she pulled out her phone.

"Rouge?" Sally asked.

"Hey, girl," Rouge said. "You sound like you're in a bar toilet or something. I can hear from the echo."

"Good guess. Right on the money, actually," Sally said. "I do need to ask a favour, though."

Rouge nodded. "What's up?"

"Maria has to do a two day shift at the bank because some pricks who escaped from the penitentiary, but because of the judge hearing coming around soon, the security there will be pretty scarce. Also... sorry that I can't be with you out in Spring Yard tonight. I just wanted to help Amy out today."

"No worries there," Rouge said. "Actually, things between them and the Babylon Rogues went over pretty well. Nobody got hurt, but Shadow did almost take off one of their heads. It was kinda hot."

"I knew that you were into him," Sally said.

"Well, we were each other's first times, so you could say that I'm a little bit attached, yeah," Rouge smirked. "But I heard about the hearing while I was tailing them. Which means that I already know that Green Hill cops won't be able to help as they'll be providing a convoy and support for Avery, and the freelancers won't be able to help either because they're not allowed to. And they could be out of a job soon depending on how the ruling goes."

"This really isn't a great time for anyone, is it?" Sally said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"It's Nack's fault," said Rouge. "We'll bring that son of a bitch to justice eventually. We just need the right window, and we need to make Green Hill look good in the process."

Sally heard a noise in the bathroom, seeing someone walk in, so she stayed silent as she waited for said person to leave. They did after fixing some makeup in the mirror, and Sally sighed. "Sorry for the silence there."

"No worries," Rouge said. "But I am guessing that you want some of Anti-Light to provide security?"

Sally nodded. "Do we know anybody working undercover at the bank?"

"There's at least one dude. Cody, I think."

"I thought he was on vacation?" Sally asked.

"That ended about a week ago," Rouge said. "I know a couple others in that area that could help, but to not raise any eyebrows, they'll be watching from afar in case something goes down."

"That's a smart plan," Sally said. "All right, thank you. I should get back out there in case anyone thinks that I fell down the toilet."

"Why didn't you fake a smoke break and go outside?" Rouge snickered.

"Because shut the hell up, that's why," Sally smiled. "I'll see you later. Keep an eye on the boys."

"Will do," Rouge said on her end.

Both girls hung up on their phones, and Sally went to join her friends at their bar booth for the rest of her night.

With the freelancers...

Rouge hung up the phone to her good friend and fellow secret agent in Sally, her eyes scanning over Shadow, Tails, and Knuckles as they were making their way back to Spring Yard Police Department, parking their hover-boards up before entering the building proper, seeing Alec drinking a coffee near the front desk as he turned to them.

"Ah, you lads are back," he said with a smile. "How did it go with the Babylon Rogues?"

"It went pretty well," said Knuckles. "Well, mostly. Shadow almost got into a fight with the really big one."

"Ah, yeah," Alec nodded. "That checks out. With the possible exception of me, Storm doesn't do well with people who wear badges."

"Why would he give more of a damn about you than us?" Shadow asked.

"First off, rude," Alec huffed. "Secondly, who do you think introduced him to the Rogues in the first place?"

"Conveniently, they left that part out of our conversation," Tails said. "But Jet did say to say hi."

"Well, that's nice of him," said Alec. "I trust that they fucked off to wherever they're off to next?"

"Scrap Metal, and yes, they did," Tails confirmed with a nod. "You still got Jem for us?"

"I do," said Alec. "What did you find out about him from the Rogues?"

"Not a lot," Shadow admitted. "Storm said that he used to roll with Jem, but that he stopped when the Rogues found him. Or rather, as we recently learned, he stopped when you helped him find the Rogues."

"What can I say? I'm good like that," Alec smirked. "Do you lads need any leverage or anything over Jem?"

Tails smiled, reaching for his phone. "I've got all the leverage that I need right here. Got some articles that could link Jem to all sorts of stuff if he doesn't cooperate."

"Not bad going, that," Alec nodded, impressed.

Knuckles looked over Tails' phone. "That is a good bit of information indeed. Good job on saving it since you couldn't bring your laptop with you."

"That's what I thought too," the yellow fox smirked. "Come on. Let's find this ass-hat."

Alec chuckled at the youngest freelancer's usage of such language and guided the trio down the halls to the holding cells where Jem was held up in an interrogation room. The salamander looked up at the door as he saw some familiar faces on the other side of the window, unable to hide his grin as Shadow, Knuckles, and Tails all walked in, standing across from him as the door shut behind them.

"I don't suppose that any of you have a cigarette that I could bum, do you?" Jem asked. "Or do you not smoke?"

"I quit a while ago," Shadow said. "If I had one, I'd stub it out in your eye socket."

"Such a violent turn of phrase there," said Jem, holding his hands up. "We can be friendly about this, right? There's no need for violence, bloodshed..." He looked up into Shadow's eyes. "Murder..."

The black and red hedgehog inhaled deeply. "You know, it would take nothing for me to kill you the same way that I killed Zayd," he said, noticing Tails and Knuckles hiding their shocked expressions with surprisingly good poker faces. "Seriously, I'm pretty sure that this place has some Fokus that I could use against you," Shadow continued to Jem. "It would be nothing for me to get a needle, bring it back here, and dangle it in front of you like a steak for a hound. It would mean even less for me to inject that into you and turn you into your own personal electric chair without wasting any of the building's power."

"I'm so flattered that you thought that far ahead," Jem said. "But we all know that that won't happen. After all, if you kill again so soon, that judge ruling won't go the way that you want it to." He smiled at their confused faces. "Ah, yes, I heard about that. It's hard not to when word gets around so quickly. The TV broadcast helped, of course, but Alec yelling about it in an angry and Scottish tone of voice? That doesn't help your case either."

"Well, if it does go our way," said Knuckles, "that means that only people with legal implants will be allowed to keep them. Shit-heads like you who got some street deal power boost for less cash will have them removed. Good luck using your weird combining powers to slip out of that one."

"That is true also," said Jem. "But if it goes wrong for you, then nobody will be allowed implants any more. Including, as you said, shit-heads like me who got it for the cheap."

"I am the pinnacle of eloquence," said Knuckles. "I also hit really hard. Want to see?"

"I saw you do it when you caught me," Jem said. "Very impressive stuff."

"You say that, but... well, we have our doubts," said Tails. He saw Jem's eyebrow raise. "And after you're done with that wrestler impression, I'd like to know... why was it so easy to catch you?"

"You four alone weren't much trouble," said Jem. "Wait... one of you is missing... the blue one. Where is he?"

"That's none of your business," said Shadow. "Continue answering the question, please."

Jem smiled. "You seem awful confident without him around. He seemed like the leader type. Did you take over, edgy?"

"You're not answering the question that we'd like answered," Shadow said. "Please consider doing so, or we will be forced to punch you in the face."

Jem shrugged. "Honestly? Holding cell or city penitentiary, it doesn't matter how long I get caught. I'll find a way back out of there."

"You're not going to try and escape from here?" asked Tails.

Jem held his hands up, showing the cuffs. "These things emit a small electromagnetic pulse every so often. It numbs the effects of my implant. On people without implants, it's more like a relaxing muscle massage thing."

"Speaking of," said Shadow, "why did you get your implant?"

"Well," the salamander began, "it all started about a month ago. I was trying to push some drugs out to some parts of the city."

"An upstanding citizen, like always," Knuckles interrupted.

"You won't get your answers if you keep being so rude," Jem sighed. "Anyway, I was pushing some shit around, but I got into a bit of trouble when some of my guys were cooking some. They got the recipe wrong and damn near burned a house down. I got out, but I was burned up badly. I looked around on the black market for something to help me, and I found a back alley implant dealer. They fitted me in, patched me up, and now I'm on top of my game."

"Burned up?" Tails said. "You look completely fine, though. Usually people who get cheaper implants still have some of the injury to work out."

"Oh, yeah, the people who fixed me had a shit-load of medicinal paste," said Jem. "It was a good deal. And besides, it was a month ago. I'd have healed up quickly either way."

"And it was illegal?" Shadow asked.

"It was," Jem nodded.

"So, you know what would happen if you took Fokus while you have it, right?" asked Shadow.

"What, are you looking to add another accidental victim to your list?" asked Jem. "I know what will happen, now that Zayd is out of the picture. Hell, business might pick up more for me now."

"Not if you stay in Spring Yard Penitentiary like a good boy," said Knuckles.

"Are you kidding?" Jem chuckled. "That place has the worst security detail. Not a patch on the other ones. And I would know, I've been caught in enough of them. You get used to the stink after a while."

"Well, it's true that you'll get transferred over there, and it's probable that you'll escape," said Tails. "But before we leave you be, we have to ask... what do you know about The Black Market?"

"Uh... I do a lot of deals through it," said Jem, confused. "Drugs mostly, sometimes guns."

"No, not that," said Knuckles. "Capital letters for each word. The Black Market."

Jem sat back a bit. "This is the first I'm hearing of them."

"Cut the crap," Shadow said, stepping forward. "Implants have been missing left, right, and centre, and they're being reworked and attached to pricks like you. The Black Market are likely the people who did it, so if you're going to tell me that you didn't have any involvement at all with it, then I'm sorry, but I just have a really hard time believing that."

"I'm sorry, but I've got nothing to do with them," Jem said, throwing his hands up.

Tails pulled out his phone again, showing a picture to Jem. "Do you recognise these two?"

Jem looked closely at it, nodding. "Oh, yeah. Those look like Nack's meat shields. It's hard to tell from the fact that you can't see their faces, though."

"So you know about them?" Shadow asked. "Do you think that they might be involved with The Black Market?"

"I don't even know what the fuck The Black Market is, lug-head," Jem said pointedly at Knuckles. "Look, I can't help. It's not that I don't want to, although I'd be lying if I said that that didn't play a factor. I don't know who The Black Market are, I just got my implant from where others would get it. I use a network known as a black market to sell stuff sometimes, but whoever you guys are talking about is something different that I know nothing about and that you're not ready for."

Shadow grunted, shaking his head. "You seriously don't know?"

Jem raised his arms. "I've got nothing that could help you. I don't even know how I got my implant. I paid for it, went to some back alley to get it, got knocked out by something, and woke up hazily. I touched a pole next to a garbage can sure that I was going to throw up, and my hand turned to metal. That's all that I know."

Shadow turned to the others, nodding before turning back to Jem. "No further questions. Thank you for your cooperation."

"You're welcome," said Jem. "Now, get the hell out of here."

Shadow, Knuckles, and Tails all turned to leave, making their way past the other holding cells as they heard the sound of another prisoner yelling in a different interrogation room. They got to the other end, seeing Alec waiting near the front desk for them, finishing a swig of his coffee before turning to face them.

"How'd it go, lads?" he asked.

"It was a total bust," said Shadow. "Jem said the same stuff as anyone else with a fake implant. He's never heard of The Black Market before, he's not associated with them... and as much as I dislike him, I don't think that he's lying."

"He did hear about the Zayd incident, though," said Tails.

"It was pretty widespread news when Shadow announced about it," Alec said. "It didn't take long to each here. If an authority figure does something like that, even on purpose, it gives the people that they put away more reasons to hate them." He turned to Shadow. "You're sure that you trust him?"

"Trust him?" Shadow scoffed. "No, not at all. But I do believe him. And the only way to get a true confession would be to risk injecting him with Fokus, but... well, there's a lot of reasons why I shouldn't do that."

"The important thing is," Alec said, "you lads caught the bastard, you got here and got what you could out of him, and you're all safe."

"Have fun moving him around in a couple of days," said Knuckles.

"Mate, I'll have to attend that judge meeting in Star Light," Alec said. "I'll have one of my lieutenants handle it. it'll be all right. And for what it's worth, I'll vouch for you boys as best as I can, but I can't guarantee a win."

Knuckles shook hands with the tiger, nodding. "Honestly, it's just good to have someone in our corner. But you don't have to try and swing the vote for us because you like us."

"I'm not just doing it because I like you boys," said Alec. "I'm doing it because it's the right thing. Because that's all that you boys try to do, even if it may not always seem obvious."

"We appreciate it," Tails smiled. "We'll see you around the bend."

Everyone else shook hands with Alec to say goodbye before hopping onto their boards, getting ready to leave. As they started to peel out of the parking slots, Shadow looked up as he heard a sound overhead. He held his gaze up there for a brief while before starting to move with his friends, all three gliding on their hover-boards. On the roof of the police building was Rouge, watching them as they zoomed off on their boards, her eyes focused on Shadow specifically with a worried look on her face before she turned and walked away, missing Shadow give another fleeting glance up to the building.

And that's another one in the books! Man, I'm happy and also slightly sad that this will end soon. Still more of this to come until I finish it, and I hope that it turns out well. I'll see you for whenever the next one drops. Until then, take care, and stay tuned.