Act I: AWARE

Chapter XII: Cellophane

Central City District Attorney's Office, Monday 12:26 PM

The police cruiser raced down the street – following in an orderly line as Amy's eyes locked ahead on the destination.

Sonic and Tails sat silent in the backseat. Tails fiddled with his notebook – while Sonic gazed passively out the window. His eyes moved to Sally in the front seat, writing down some notes in a file. The tension in the air was palpable – a hacksaw would be needed to cut it.

With a right turn, the car began to slow down – as the scene unfolded in front of them.

"Jesus fucking Christ." Sally muttered; her eyes wide at the spectacle.

Sonic and Tails hoisted themselves forward, looking through the windshield with wide eyes and sweaty palms.

Spike was tied by his neck from the statue in front of the office tower – his head wrapped in cellophane, with three words in red drawn on the wrapping.

"NO MORE LIES."

"Good Gaia…" Tails muttered, before launching his door open as the three followed suit.

Approaching the scene, Knuckles and the SWAT team were deliberating, as the Chief of Police walked towards Knuckles's side, talking to him with worried eyes. His name was Chief Mordred Hood, a snake who you would typically find dressed in his suit and tie – like Knuckles was.

"Do ya understand, Knux? He's after us – whoever this is, he's after all of us!"

"Mordred, you have to relax. There isn't – need for panic yet." Knuckles said, but the shake in his voice suggested anything but zen.

Sonic and Tails walked up the stairs silently – their eyes staring at the body that hung from the statue.

Christ, he was right. Apparently he was in the crosshairs of dangerous people.

Sonic and Tails approached Mighty and Tangle, who were keeping people back from the body. Mighty turned around first, a solemn look in his eyes.

"Sonic, Tails. Good to see you – on a less then good occasion." Mighty said, a half-chuckle leaving his lips, as Tangle turned as well.

"He was dead when we found him. Checked for a pulse, anything. There was nothin'." Tangle said, crossing her arms with a sigh.

Tails nodded, immediately taking notes at what he was seeing – while Sonic merely stared into space.

Behind him, the swooshing sound of two pairs of feet hitting the ground caused him and everyone to turn back, as Silver and Blaze walked up the stairs – all the police and SWAT officers parting a path for them.

"Sonic - you must take a look at this." Blaze said, as Silver beckoned the main core officers over.

Blaze pulled out her phone – showing Sonic several screenshots.

As Sonic and everyone looked – it became quite apparent what the nature of this murder was.

Listed were pulled files of a multitude of Spike's dealings – how he was paid off by Robotnik, Shadow, and others to ignore prosecution of certain cases. Large, scratchy white writing was written on top of it, no doubt written by the assailant.

"THERE WAS A RAT."

"YOUR POLICE ARE DECEIVING YOU."

"THIS CITY IS RUN BY THE MOB."

"THE LIES MUST END NOW."

This killing was political. Whoever is doing this is trying to out the elite as corrupt. He targeted the District Attorney first – but who was next? The mayor? Politicians?

The police?

Them?

Then, a notification for a livestream from the news networks popped up on Blaze's phone.

"Everyone! Gather around!" Vector called – as Knuckles shifted beside him.

Huddling around the phone, they pressed play.

The newscaster's solemn faces began addressing the audience that the video that would soon play was disturbing – before going ahead with it.

Disturbing was an understatement.

They were greeted with a scene – Spike tied to a chair as the sketching of an upside-down cross was positioned behind him.

"What is your name?"

The porcupine shifted uncomfortably, his words stuttered and scared.

"S-Spike."

"What is your occupation?"

"I- am the D-District Attorney."

"Who is paying you off not to prosecute these cases?"

A file of papers was launched at Spike, a small yelp popping from his mouth as he gazed down at the files.

"It- it's e-everyone. It's t-the whole s-system."

Sonic swallowed. He was telling this guy exactly what he wanted to hear. He was selling himself out.

Because something told Sonic that Spike was more afraid of the powerful elite in this city then the murderer who was torturing him.

"Everyone? You mean-"a shriek fit of laughter interrupted the man's question.

"You mean – this entiiiiire city, is one big cesspool of corruption?"

"Y-Yes. It-it's s-so much b-bigger then you could e-ever imagine…"

"How pecuuuliar."

And for the first time, the camera spun around – but the figure was shrouded in darkness.

"I hope you are listening, Central City. You are being controlled by the corruption, too. They do not WANT your best interests – they want you to pay. This is juuuuuust the beginning. The mobs in this city run it all – and now? They are at war with one another. You will be caught in the crossfire if YOOUUUUU. DO NOT RIIIISE UP – AND DESTROY THE MEN WHO WANT TO PROFIT OFF OF YOUR IIIIINOCENNT BLOOD. THE TIME FOR THE LIES TO END IS NOW!"

A barrage of laughter started, as the camera began whipping around violently – Spike's cries heard as the video cut off.

The tension amongst them all was high. No one said anything – no one knew what to say.

Chief Hood omitted a shaky sigh, before stepping away hurriedly – Knuckles and Vector in tow.

Sonic watched this – his brow furrowing.

Why was Mordred Hood afraid too?

Sonic watched as Tails stepped closer to the body – following along with Silver, Blaze and Amy.

Silver clutched Blaze's hand tighter, opting to press a hopeful kiss to the back of her hand.

The SWAT team had begun to lower the body, Espio and Whisper bent down to inspect for wounds, as Charmy buzzed behind them.

"Why did he wrap his head in cellophane?" Amy asked pensively – a finger to her chin.

"He needed some way to write a message. He wants us to see it." Sonic said.

"He wants everyone to see it." Tails added, clutching his notepad close to his chest.

Silver began talking with Espio and Whisper, Blaze approaching behind Amy and grabbing her hand tight.

"There seems to be a war starting." Blaze commented – Sonic nodding as the paramedics began hurrying up the steps.

"A war we have to win." Sonic stated, his lips pursed tight.

But – can they?

Robotnik's Mob: Unknown Location, Monday 5:07 PM

Robotnik had his head buried in his hands – as Starline sorted through paperwork across from him. The shipment had been a bust – and the police finally closed off 808 Ocacia Street.

Because of those two, now returned super vigilantes, there was one piece of property gone – as was the church basement that was owned by Shadow.

They were both 1 for 1.

"Ivo – I could rearrange for another shipment to be made, if you'd like. There is a warehouse by the shipping docks." Starline finally said, sliding a paper over to Robotnik.

Robotnik lifted his head, as Zero the Jackal stirred behind him, fixing bolts in Metal's back.

"A warehouse? Who owns this?"

"It is a Charical outpost. We have a contact in that company who moves product. She works for Shadow – however, I have offered her a higher prize for her assistance for us in this shipment."

Zero lifted his head. "Are you talking about Honey? Boss, we cannot use Honey. She is a loose cannon – and if she is caught, she will sell all of us out."

Starline scoffed, slightly rolling his eyes. "I trust Honey deeply – this will go off without a hitch, I can assure you."

Robotnik stared ahead for a moment. He was unsure what to do about this.

"Honey is a famous fashion designer, and if she is involved in this, that can complicate things. Especially now that there's some deranged serial killer running around picking off important people – if he knows she is involved with us, he will kill her and use that to make a point on us!" Robotnik said, his fists clenching on the table.

There was silence for a moment – Starline and Zero both considering his words.

He was correct, but at this point – what other choice was there? As far as he knew – the minute he walked back into that city he was going to be arrested. Hell, Nazo said so.

"I do understand your fears, Ivo. I will work tirelessly to make sure this shipment is as secure and secretive as possible. The plus side is that when Honey is given the prize I have offered her – she will flip on Shadow and begin moving for us instead. That will put a major dent in Shadow's operations."

That was another good point made – Robotnik considering this carefully. If Honey were to defect on Shadow – that would be ideal. Charical was the biggest shipping company in the city, and their chemical division was renowned. Having that on his side would increase the likelihood of him dissolving Shadow's business.

With a nod to Zero, he turned to Starline.

"Tomorrow night then – I will bring our most trusted individuals, and we will get this show on the road."

C.C.P.D. Main Precinct, Monday 9:35 PM

Sonic had been flipping through the files that the killer had posted for all to see.

He was trying to make sense of all of this. Why was he doing this? Who was next? What does this have to do with Tikal?

Was Tikal someone this person saw as corrupt?

Sonic seemed to have no doubts that whoever this person was had killed Tikal. Perhaps Tikal was the warning shot – maybe she was the first message to everyone else.

A knock was placed on the door – with Knuckles opening it.

"Guys – I want to introduce you to our new co-Police Lieutenant. She will be working alongside Amy."

Knuckles ushered in a seedrian girl, with short green hair and big, shining blue eyes.

"This is Co-

"Cosmo?" Tails asked, standing up.

Cosmo turned to Tails, offering a smile.

"Hi, Tails!" She said, walking over to give him a hug. Sonic cocked his head, a snarky smile on his muzzle.

"Ah – so you two know each other, yeah?" Sonic asked, a slight wink towards Tails.

"We do! We go way back! I was a Lieutenant out in Knothole city – but it was pretty safe there. Crime rates were wayyy on the low, so I made a request to get transferred here!"

That's right – Tails worked in Knothole for a bit, and he always talked to Sonic about this cute seedrian girl he always wanted to ask out, but never did.

Second chances do come around, don't they?

"Since Cosmo is a new face here – we are going to have her infiltrate The Chemical Lounge undercover. That is the prime mob hangout for both Shadow and Robotnik's men." Knuckles said.

"Wait – aren't they enemies?" Tails asked.

"They are – but one thing they have in common is apparently putting a chokehold on this city's biggest citizens. They're merely fighting for more territory, from what I can understand." Knuckles stated, crossing his arms.

Sonic nodded, walking over to Cosmo with a file.

"Well well – cute seedrian girl that Tails never stopped talking about!"

Sonic stole a look at Tails, who's brow furrowing paired with the reds on his muzzle.

"Here's a file on everything we know – this will help you in the infiltration. So yanno what to ask, and whatnot!" Sonic stated cheerfully, Cosmo returning the pep.

"Thank you so much! I'll be studying this all night!" She said, a large smile on her face.

"I'm gonna have her wear these eye-contacts that double as cameras. Sally and Nicole made them, so we'll be watching her from here, giving her tips for things to ask, and people to speak to. They'll also be connected to a database so we can get identifications. We need to see just how many elite people are involved in this – and who this "rat" is." Knuckles stated.

Sonic and Tails gave each other a nod, before the hedgehog turned to Cosmo.

"Well then – let's go bust up some corrupt!"