Act I: AWARE

Chapter IV: Scar Tissue

C.C.P.D.: Everhold Prison, Wednesday 1:36 PM

The van reared outside the gates to the maximum-security prison.

Everhold was one of Sonic and Tails's least favorite places on Mobius, due to it's reputation of holding some of the more dangerous criminals that ran rampant on Mobius – especially in Central City.

As the van stopped, Sonic, Tails and Scourge hopped outside. They began their trek near the gates, which was surrounded by SWAT vans, squad cars, and barriers that were setup by the SWAT team.

Scourge looked at the level of security in this prison. He swallowed what felt like a million tiny lumps in his throat. The mere sight of this place made him want to give up his life of thieving and turn a new leaf – if it wasn't too late.

Approaching the trio was Knuckles, shaking Sonic and Tail's hands.

"Sorry that we're making such a massive deal out of all of this – just want to make sure nothing funny happens in there."

Sonic could only chuckle, swiping underneath his nose. "Well – we thank you kindly, Knucklehead!"

Knuckles rolled his eyes at that petulant nickname that hadn't seemed to disappear. Amy and Sally stood close-by, both with their arms crossed as the SWAT Commander began making his way over.

"Vector! It's been a minute," Sonic said, excited to catch up with his long-time friend. Vector chortled, shaking his hand as Espio and Mighty made their ways to the side of him.

"Sonic! Good to see you."

Espio nodded, his eyes closed. "Are you sure you will not need any help in there?"

Tails shrugged this off, exchanging looks with Sonic. "I think we'll be alright."

"Well, you've got us for backup," Mighty said, smiling on-top of his usual peaceful nature. "You just call for us if anything happens."

Tails had wandered off to talk to Charmy, who was setting up his tech. Sonic nodded, shaking hands with them.

It was great to be able to see the Chaotix again. Former investigators themselves, turned hard-core SWAT commanders. Interesting enough, this line of work seemed to suit them better.

Sonic's eyes wandered over to the masked wolf – standing alongside a lemur who he had come to be a bit more familiar with overtime.

"Ah – Whisper and Tangle! Didn't know you guys would be here! Now it's a real party!"

Whisper and Tangle only managed to roll their eyes, shaking hands with Sonic as the rest did.

"Of course – detective. We wish you luck in there." Whisper stated blankly, always so enthusiastic was that one.

But – any dead space was quickly taken up by Tangle – who's quick-witted demeanor contrasted Whisper's nicely.

"Ahh – he doesn't need any luck, does he? Gettem' good in there, Sonic."

Vector began barking some orders over the megaphone, the SWAT team lining up as two prison guards began making their way through the gates. Approaching the investigators, introductions were made.

"If you two are ready, we will be taking you to see Nazo now."

Knuckles sent Sally and Amy, as well as Whisper and Tangle behind them. In case anything DOES happen – as many eyes to document it, and even intervene, there were the better.

Sonic, Tails and the girls began following the guards through the prison. The layout was complex – the mere amount of twists and turns would cause anyone's head to start spinning.

The hallway leading to the room where Nazo was positioned was long and dim-lit, surely setting the mood for the person they were about to meet.

Sonic and Tails had never actually seen Nazo in person – they only dealt with any information they received from him – despite also hearing stories about who this person was.

Sonic wouldn't typically take such big leaps of faith like this – but in the instance where a friend's death had sinister backings, he was willing to jump in – even if he hit a wall at the bottom.

The guards swiped the door open, greeting the criminal inside.

"Alright Nazo, you have visitors. Don't be stupid, and don't make me come in here," the head guard said, unlocking his handcuffs.

"Of course, officer. No worries."

Sonic and Tails were led inside, the door closing behind them as the girls stationed outside – watching through a window in the side of the room.

Sonic and Tails took their seats, as the piercing emerald eyes of Nazo bore into the pair.

And they were right – he LOOKED menacing.

Sonic cleared his throat, opening the file on the desk.

"Alrighty – Nazo, my name is-"

"I know who you are, Detectives."

Sonic and Tails stared blankly at Nazo. There wasn't much shock to either of them – this was expected from someone with as much street-cred as Nazo.

"We have files and notes on the death of Tikal the Echidna." Tails remarked, beginning to place documents, pictures, and notes in front of the blue hedgehog.

"Appeared to be a standard suicide, at first." Tails finished.

Nazo began poking around through the files in front of him. He casted a glance up from the papers towards the investigators, his lips curling slightly.

"Fallen from a building. Interesting. However, you say this appeared to be a suicide at FIRST."

Sonic nodded, rolling the vial across the table. "Well – of course. But, there were things like this left around the scene."

"Can you confirm who this might belong to?" Tails asked.

Nazo gazed at the vial pensively, his eyes crossing over the vial in his hand. He chuckled under his breath, as he placed it back down gently.

"Standard vial of Zypothime. The casing – however, is indictive that it is mafia property, case-and-point Shadow the Hedgehog."

"That's our primary suspect." Sonic said, wincing ever so slightly.

He still was trying to process Shadow's switch to crime, and even processing that on-top of the loss of an old friend was a little too much to handle.

"What is Zypothime anyway?" Tails asked, beginning to examine the vial himself.

"Zypothime is like heroin. The victim becomes attached to it - as it tears them down slowly. I am slightly shocked that the both of you have not heard of this drug before."

Nazo enjoyed that last dig – and it was easy to tell.

Sonic smirked – tapping some fingers on the desk.

"You are our best bet at locating him. Any idea where a good place to scope out would be?"

Nazo lowered his head, leaning back in his chair. He groaned, a slight chuckle escaping his lips. He threw his eyes back to them – more piercing than they were before.

"Why does this all matter? Tikal's death will pass."

Tails scowled – casting his gaze to Sonic, who was still grinning to the information broker.

"Well – if Tikal was murdered, then obviously whoever did it would need to be charged, no?"

Nazo leaned forward – only strengthening the challenge between the two.

"Will you feel accomplished if you put yet another man behind bars. Does that satisfy you, Detective?"

Sonic and Nazo were locked in a deadly stare. If Nazo was going to raise philosophicals to the detective, Sonic could surely join in on the fun.

"That person has innocent blood on their hands. Wouldn't it be wrong of us to allow him to continue on – possibly doing the same things to others?"

"Will you feel accomplished if you bring him in? Will you feel the grace of a higher power if you serve justice? Will you feel good about yourself Detective?"

Sonic kept his stare locked onto Nazo, opting to chuckle as he stepped up, placing one foot on the chair. He lit a cigarette, glancing over at Tails.

"Can I smoke in here?"

Tails only shrugged.

"I'm gonna smoke in here."

As he took a drag from his cigarette, he cast a harsh look to the hedgehog in front of him.

"How would you feel if I pushed someone you loved off of a building, Nazo?"

Nazo smirked. "Funnily enough – I'm not sure if I have ever felt love. So, unfortunately I cannot play to your hypothetical."

"You understand the basis of the question though, yes?"

"Of course, I do – but alas, I cannot say if I have an answer. You want me to say that I would want you to pay dearly for your crime – but one less murderer off the street does what for the thousands that are still out there? Many go undetected for their crimes – yet you are willing to come all this way for one person. That strikes me as a bias, detective. Are detectives supposed to act this desperately off of bias?"

Sonic blew a cloud of tobacco towards Nazo, who kept his stare unmoving from Sonic.

"Well – I'm not the one locked in a maximum security cell. So – I dunno where the satisfaction of keeping your mouth shut is coming from. Do you know of any possible locations for Shadow and his group?"

Tails eyed Nazo, his pen hovering over his notebook.

Nazo leaned back, a sigh escaping his mouth. Might as well play the game a little bit – and surely, what did Nazo care if Shadow was busted for a crime?

"A good mafia doesn't stay in one place. He has multiple locations – and I would not be able to know which one he is at right now. He could be across the planet for all I know. A good Godfather makes sure his movements and positions are as secretive as possible – to avoid the likes of you two, of course."

Sonic swung down into the chair, a thud of metal scraping across the floor.

"Fantastic – what are some locations that you know of?"

Nazo scoffed. It was simply too easy for the blue hedgehog.

"The most prominent one is the tailor shop on 808 Ocasio Street. In the back, there is a basement door. Once you are to enter the basement – everything seems normal, until you open a hatch in the back corner. Down there, is a major base of operations for the Mafia. Shadow seemed to have some ties to the man and woman who owned the shop prior to his buying."

"Do you think that could be where he's at now?" Sonic asked.

Nazo shrugged, a devious smile crawling on his lips. "Look where I am right now."

Tails spoke up, first time in a minute. "You have escaped before. During those escapes – where was Shadow typically at? Are there certain locations he frequents?"

Nazo could only laugh.

"Besides this vial – what other corroborating evidence do you have to suggest Shadow is the one behind the crime."

Sonic scoffed, crossing his arms. "The vial is enough for probable cause. Next step would be to confirm that the vial matches that of his business."

"What if Shadow wasn't there, however? Your sister, Sonia, is a state prosecutor – and even she has admitted in the past that proving a murder is almost futile. Without solid proof that Shadow was there – you are chasing dead ends."

Sonic smirked, closing his eyes as he leaned two feet on top of the table. "Maybe so – but even if he is innocent, these vials can point us to the one who isn't. Shadow would have to talk – at least point us somewhere in the direction."

Sonic knew that the probability of Shadow answering questions would be slim-to-none. But – even if it was for Tikal?

Ah – but, Sonic had to come to terms that Shadow may be INVOLVED with her death.

As shocking as that pill was.

Tails cleared his throat, repeating his question, only to be met with a long, uninterested gaze from Nazo.

"What good does it do me to pay Shadow a visit? He may be well organized, but he does do very shady business. Granted, he is most definitely the smartest criminal on the streets, which is most certainly admirable to the lower criminals. To me, however? He is a shadow of what he used to be."

Sonic and Tails looked at each other.

Above all things that Shadow was or wasn't – even they could not deny how intelligent he was. Always thinking steps ahead – especially when it came to his work on the force.

Apparently, unbeknownst to them – Shadow's mafia had been around much longer than they thought.

And according to Nazo, it used to be better than it was now.

Sonic couldn't contain his curiosity anymore.

"What did he used to be like?"

Nazo could only muster up a sigh. Oh yes – the Golden Days of the Central City Mafia.

"Shadow's mafia thrived.. He had every single drug on the street, every weapon you could dream of. In a very short time, he had an empire. His close team are incredible at what they do - his two bodyguards Jet the Hawk and Storm the Albatross-"

Sonic had to put a hand up.

"Wa – Wait a minute. Jet and Storm? They – they're apart of his gang?"

Nazo cocked his head to the side. "They are – did you know them? Did you know Wave?"

Sonic looked at Tails, an uneasy look filled both of their eyes.

Ah – yes. The three of them are certainly members of his mafia. As is Rouge the Bat, former government spy."

Sonic and Tails were lost for words. He glanced out the window to Amy, who was biting her lip nervously.

Nazo snickered – his fingers tapping on the table. "A shame to know of people who fall to misdeeds."

He cleared his throat, continuing his ramblings.

"Ah – but, Shadow was troubled. He wanted to do business faster, tie up loose ends. That only creates enemies and apathy. While he may be incredibly neutral, any sense of morality had to exit for him to do the things that were necessary of him. He is still just as smart and talented as he was, but after so many desperate clinging to the top of the hill, his allies have dwindled over the years. He gets what he needs, and then that's the end of it. He has the most powerful mafia in the country, but he is much less revered than he once was."

Sonic swallowed a lump. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Old friend gone bad.

He shook away the thoughts, before looking up to Nazo.

"Do you remember when his mafia began?"

"His turn to crime is a mystery, even to me. Though – you must remember the days before, don't you Sonic?"

Sonic felt Tails's eyes stab into him. He could only muster up a sigh.

"He was one of my best friends."

"Of course he was."

Tails could feel the tension in the room. There was spite in Nazo's voice, and there was guilt in Sonic's.

He didn't want this to become an uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

"Do you have any more info on some of his closer team members?" Tails asked.

"Well – you know of the ones I mentioned. Jet, Wave, Storm, and of course, Rouge."

Nazo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the metal table.

"But – there is also Bark the Polar Bear. He has always perplexed me."

Tails wrote the name down, as Sonic cocked an eyebrow.

Bark – did he know that name?

"Why has Bark perplexed you?"

"Bark grew up in an undisclosed village – on the outskirts of Knothole. The village was attacked, but Bark managed to escape unscathed. He wandered aimlessly into the city, and was discovered by a fighting ring that was steadily growing underneath the city's nose. Bark became the most revered fighter in there – his strength was unmatched. His father returned to find him, however. Bark was – ecstatic. His dad had survived. But – his excitement was short-lived. The leader of the fighting ring would not allow Bark to leave with his family. So? He killed him. In cold blood."

Sonic and Tails felt their hearts sink.

This poor guy…

"Bark slaved away for him in the ring – doing his every bidding. That was until the doors exploded – and in came Shadow and his mobsters. The leader of the ring was killed by Jet, I believe. As a token for his gratitude, Bark joined the mafia. But – even if his backstory adds up, it's Bark as a personality that I cannot seem to crack, but – neither can Shadow."

Tails had jotted this down, as Sonic just stared at the table blankly.

So much tragedy inside that empire.

"Will they be wherever Shadow is?"Tails asked.

Nazo simply nodded.

Sonic's hand rested on his forehead. His mind was racing a marathon. Could he have done something to prevent this?

Prevent all of it?

Tails snapped him out of his train of thought. "Do we have anything else?"

Sonic looked around, gazing across the walls. "Ah – no. I don't think so."

The pair stood up, Nazo watching the security card falling from Sonic's belt-loops.

Amateur.

His foot stopped it's fall, sliding the card across the ground towards him. He casted a glance to the window, as the guards and officers already began making their way towards the door.

Unseen as always.

Tails turned to him, nodding. "Thank you for your help."

Nazo winked, a grin sliding across his muzzle. "Not a problem at all, Detectives."

C.C.P.D.: Outside Everhold Prison, Wednesday 2:56 PM

Exiting the prison, Knuckles and the SWAT Commanders were conversing.

Sonic, Tails and the girls approached them, a file and notebook in hand.

Knuckles turned to them, an eyebrow raised. "Well? Anything groundbreaking in there?"

Sonic looked to Tails, grinning. "Well – the vial is most likely Shadow's. We got a location for one of his more active bases, as well as some intel on his closest operatives."

Knuckles smiled, as Vector chortled. "Well – guess talking to the lunatic wasn't such a bad idea then!"

Espio nodded, grunting under his breath. "It is a shame Shadow has chosen this path, but we will hopefully serve justice where it is deserved."

Mighty looked to Knuckles and Vector. "Well – safe to say we're done here, then?"

Knuckles nodded, as Vector grumbled. "Agh – came here and no one's ass to kick. Alright then- let's get rollin' out."

As the SWAT Team and the force began their exits, Sonic couldn't help shaking all the thoughts that persisted in his mind.

Gaia – how could he have let Shadow go down this path? Was this truly all his fault? If it wasn't – why did he feel like he was to blame?

He stepped into the van, ready to head back and get to work.

Anything to drown this guilt out was alright for Sonic.

Everhold Prison: Later that night, 11:56 PM

Nazo kept his eyes trained on the guards that passed by.

His block had very few inmates, and he could tell that was by design.

But, Nazo fiddled with the security card that fell from Sonic's belt-loops, and his itching to leave was getting a bit too much to handle.

As the guard left his post, Nazo reached his hand through the cell bars, swiping the gate open.

As the gate began to rise, Nazo slid from under it, swiping the card as it closed back – hoping to avoid as much noise as possible.

Nazo made his way through the shadow's, dipping behind walls and away from any lights that would illuminate his position.

The guards here were lazy – for the many times Nazo has escaped, you would think they would have learned their lesson.

But – no matter, as he hopped the fences, lightly grazing the barbed-wire – he was setting off on foot.

How this was so easy for him remained to be known – but here he was.

Free again, and ready to get back to work.