Act II: DESCENT

Chapter IV: Far Cry

Mystic Nights Five-Star Restaurant, Tuesday 9:04 PM

Sonia took her seat, gazing around the gorgeous dining room – hung with chandeliers, tables draped in white cloth, fancy silverware, and priceless golden plates.

She marveled at the sight, Khan taking his seat with a sigh as he fixed his suit jacket.

"Took me forever to get a reservation here."

Sonia chuckled, setting her bag on the ground, patting her red dress down. "Well, either way – it's lovely."

Khan smiled. "Had to tell them I work for the government to get our reservation moved up. New D.A. has its perks. I'm just happy to see it's still doing well after that mess three years ago."

Sonia sighed, twiddling with the silverware. "We're still bouncing back. I'm just happy you're stepping up to get this moving along. It was scary times – I'll tell 'ya that much."

A hand made its way onto Sonia's shoulder, earning a turn of the head as Manic stood – in a nice suit and…a popstar on his arm?

"Oh, Manic! There you ar-…Mina Mongoose?"

"My date tonight is famous popstar Mina Mongoose!" Manic exclaimed, earning an eyeroll from the Mongoose.

"Please – I live here too! I can go out with whoever I want!" Mina chortled, pecking Manic's cheek as she shook Sonia's hand.

"Well – it's a pleasure to meet you, Mina!" Sonia replied, ignoring the now curious stares from the other diners.

Manic turned to Khan, shaking his hand. "Howdy, Ken. Still recovering from that smackdown in court I gave ya?"

Khan rolled his eyes. "Hardly call that a smackdown, but-"

"Now, you guys weren't gonna start eating without me, were ya?"

The four turned their heads, seeing a fancy-suited blue hedgehog, and a dazzling, red-dressed pink hedgehog on his arm.

Sonia snorted. "I was sorta hoping you woulda gotten lost on your way here!"

Sonic chuckled, as Amy elbowed him. "Don't worry – if it wasn't for me, he would have."

"Well, this table surely doesn't look big enough for everyone with our surprise guests! Lookin' at my brother with a famous singer…"

Manic rolled his eyes, fixing his tie.

"So – shall we get some tables put together?" Sonic asked.

Khan looked around, scowling at the waiters who were rushing off to their patrons. "I'm not sure…if they'll let us?"

"Oh, they should! I own the place now." Sonic said, gesturing for the waiters to push some tables together.

Sonia shared a look of uneasiness with Khan, watching as the youngest hedgehog sibling was pulling the strings. Now that he had inherited the fund left over from their parents, he was wealthy elite. Sonia could only hope it wasn't getting in his head.

But how she saw him tonight…she was worried.

20 Minutes Passed…

"I just don't know…" Mina started, "I couldn't imagine raising kids in this city. Of all places, I wouldn't want them growing up here."

"Well, you're also…I dunno – a celebrity! So that surely doesn't help much!" Manic exclaimed, grabbing Mina's hand with a laugh.

"I mean, hey, we were raised here!" Sonic said, looking at Sonia and Manic, "And we turned out alright!"

"Was the Hedgehog Manor in city limits?" Khan asked, sipping from his wine.

"No, but the tower was…" Sonia replied, carefully situating her silverware. Amy shared a look with her, sending her a reassuring smile.

"I mean hey, as the new D.A. – you might wanna find out where your jurisdiction ends," Sonic stated, swirling the red-wine in his glass.

"What he really means is that despite everything, they're doing the right thing," Amy said, shooting Sonic a hard glance.

"I think Central needs heroes like you, Khan." Mina started, before turning her gaze to Sonia, "And you! It needs elected officials. Is it good for the city to be idolizing vigilantes like Silver and Blaze…or even Shadow? Shadow – of all people!"

"Central City is proud to have a citizen standing up for what's right. Silver and Blaze have been helping this city for years. Shadow and his group…that might be where things get dicey." Khan replied.

Sonia had another uneasy look on her face, sharing a glance with Sonic and Amy.

"I think…though they had a stint where they were the issue, we know them well enough to know that they'd also do anything to protect this city." Amy stated.

"I remember Shadow, Rouge, and the birds when they were on the force. Amazing cops! I'd be glad to see them get back into that swing," Manic added in, pouring himself another glass.

"Why should we be relying on citizens who go above the law instead of elected officials?" Mina asked pointedly.

"I mean…who appointed them?" Manic asked, Khan turning his gaze to the green hedgehog.

"We did. Everyone who had let the mob take over our city appointed them. It all came to heads when Mephiles attacked the city, and that's only given more leeway for citizens to stand up and take arms," the monkey stated.

"I've known Shadow forever. When I found out he became some big-time mob boss – I couldn't believe it. He was always so hellbent on achieving safety for this city. I think he deserves props for returning to that mission. It suits him, and us, far better!" Sonic added, holding Amy's hand across the table.

Amy nodded in agreement, clicking her tongue. "It does serve us better with him on our side. Silver and Blaze have become symbols for this city, nothing says Shadow can't have that either."

"This is a democracy, though-" Mina started, "Surely we should have a say if vigilantes are running around the city speaking for all of us?"

"As much as I'm not the biggest fan of Shadow – I can't say I'm not at least slightly glad he's changed. I always say, you either die a hero, or you become a villain. On the other side, you die a villain, or become a hero. Look – Shadow, his gang, Silver, and Blaze don't wanna do this for the rest of their lives! They want someone to take the mantle."

Sonic stared hard as Khan, biting his lip. This much was true – none of them could live forever being vigilantes for the city. It begs the question, who would take that mantle up next? Someone in the force?

Sonic?

"Someone like you, Mr. Khan?" Mina asked, smugly grinning. Khan shrugged. "Maybe? If I'm up for it."

Sonia rolled her eyes. "If you start sneaking out every night, I'm gonna notice."

She grabbed Khan's hand, squeezing it tight.

"What do you think about Shadow returning to our side, Sonia?" Amy asked.

Sonia sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Look, regardless? It wasn't gonna work out between us. He was…too tortured. He couldn't give any love to himself, let alone someone else! I'm proud of him – but I just can't hold my breath these days. Especially after everything."

Sonic sat back, sighing as his gaze met Khan's. "Well Kenny – you sold me! I'll throw you a fundraiser."

Manic whistled, raising his glass. "Boy will never go broke again!"

Khan looked at the ground, shuffling his feet. "Ah – thank you, Sonic, but I'm not up for re-election for another three years."

"No, you don't understand. One fundraiser with the friends of the Hedgehog Enterprises? You won't ever need another cent," Sonic said, swirling his glass as he stared ahead at the monkey.

Sonic then stood up, sighing as he raised his glass. "So? Tonight, I say we toast. We toast to getting this city back on its feet – and the teamwork we'll have to get it there. Nothing can stand in our way!"

Amy chuckled, raising her glass as her eyes met Sonia's.

"Cheers, my friends!" Sonic exclaimed, as they all clinked their glasses together, taking a sip of the luscious wine.

Sonic sat down, sharing a smile with Khan. After everything, what Sonic had said to Tails was right. Hope was all they needed.

And they had it. A lot of it.

C.C.P.D. Main Precinct, Wednesday 9:58 PM

Sonic had his feet on his desk, flipping through stations on the pairs wide-screen television.

Tails sat across from him, as Cosmo and Scourge flipped through files on the table in their office.

"Boo – nothing good is happening!" Sonic exclaimed, earning a chuckle from Tails.

"Well – since the mob's getting cracked down on, we don't have many cases to go after. Crime rates are dropping dramatically!" Tails said, drinking from his coffee.

"Guess ol' Mephiles did some good things," Scourge added, eyes staying on the papers in front of him.

Sonic shrugged, lightning a cigarette as it hung from his mouth. "All I'm happy about right now is that the Hedgehog Enterprises are pumping some life back into the infrastructure around here. We're on the right track."

Cosmo turned over her shoulder to Tails, holding up a file. "What about these drug-tracings? There are drops still popping up, even after Ivo and Nazo were hauled off to jail."

Tails sighed, setting his mug down. "We're on the lookout for them. Sally and Bunnie went out on a lookout last night. We're primarily focused on the marked bills. Speaking of those, any update on those?" Tails asked, shooting his gaze to Sonic.

Sonic blew a cloud from his mouth, shaking his head. "Not yet – Knuckles and the rest haven't been around much lately. I'm sure we'll hear something soo-"

As if Sonic had looked into the future somehow, Knuckles opened the door, joined by Amy and Sally. Knuckles wiped his brow, stepping in with a sigh.

"The vaults are empty. The marked bills are gone, and Ken Khan is on the roof right now with Shadow, Silver, and Blaze. Honey is on her way to Westopolis out of our jurisdiction."

Sonic and Tails shot each other a worried look, before the blue hedgehog cursed under his breath.

"Then – let's get up there."

Roof of the C.C.P.D., Wednesday 10:06 PM

Khan stared off the top of the tower, his hands on his hips as he shook his head.

Standing behind him was Shadow, Silver and Blaze. Khan turned around, his glare piercing into Shadow's.

"You all are hard people to reach, yanno that?"

Shadow stared at the ground, while Silver and Blaze shared a collective sigh.

"She's out of your jurisdiction now, Ken. I don't know what we should do…" Silver began.

The door swung open, Knuckles stepping out with the crime force. Knuckles stormed to the flood lights, flicking them off angrily.

"Honey is halfway to Westopolis. If you asked, I could've taken her passport," Khan stated harshly.

Tails and Sally walked up to Khan. "How were we supposed to know to do that, Ken?" Sally asked pointedly, hands on her hips.

"Not like she broadcasted her moves!" Amy added.

Knuckles stormed up, one hand in his pocket and the other clenched at his side.

"All that was left in the vault were marked bills! They knew we were coming."

Julie-su stepped up next, holding her pistol on her belt. "As soon as your office got involved, they knew-"

"My office?! You all sit down there with scum and you're talking about my office!" Khan replied.

"What do you mean scum?" Sonic asked.

Khan licked his lip, chuckling dryly. "Oh, right! I had two of your rookies on a racketeering charge. Can't just accept that the corruption that was in your office three years ago is still there, huh?!"

"Don't try and ignore the fact that Starline OBVIOUSLY has people in YOUR office, Khan!" Knuckles spat, a low growl in his voice.

"Look! This isn't solving anything! Honey is gone!" Tails exclaimed, earning a look from Cosmo.

Khan sighed, before he turned to the three vigilantes – standing quietly in line.

"We need Honey back. Westopolis is in the South Islands, and they're not going to give her back under any circumstances. Not when she's one of their own."

Shadow looked at the couple, Blaze looked him up and down, before turning to Khan.

"If we get her to you, can you get her to talk?"

"I'll get her to talk, alright. If that means we finally put the mob out of commission, so be it."

"We're going after their life savings," Cosmo piped in, "It's risky. Especially when you have vigilantes doing it."

"I'm not sure we have any other options, Coz." Sonic stated, stepping to Khan's side.

"Things gonna get ugly…" Julie-su stated, before turning to the trio. "It's up to you three."

Silver nodded, taking Blaze's hand. "You got it. We'll have her back in no time."

Khan and Knuckles shared hard glares, as Shadow nodded and leapt off the building – Silver and Blaze following.

The group said their farewells, heading through the door and down into the elevator.

From the corner, a shark in a black hoodie made his way to the light, fixing for his grappling hook – and firing it onto the nearest edge.

South Ocean, Friday 12:06 PM

Shadow had used some of his old, wealthy contacts to arrange for their departure.

The boat sailed across the seas, waiting for a plane to land in the water beside. Shadow sat, staring ahead with a drink as the Rogues popped open bottles of champagne.

"Boys, girls! Don't party too hard, we gotta loooong flight!" Rouge exclaimed, the bat rolling her eyes at the display.

Silver and Blaze chuckled, resting by the bow of the boat.

"Ahhh, come on! You've never turned down good champagne before, Rouge!" Jet exclaimed.

"'Zactly! Don't go soft now!" Storm added, beating his chest slightly, earning a grunt from Bark.

Shadow was staring across the ocean, though his ears perked up at the sound of a hook slamming into the side of the boat. Whipping his head around, he saw a young shark hoisting himself over the edge. Shadow stood up, staring daggers at him – earning the attention of his group.

"Who are you? How did you get on this boat?"

The shark stopped, staring coldly as he situated his belt. Rouge clicked her tongue.

"Ahhh – this is the shark from the parking garage. Blade, right?"

"No…Razor, ma'am."

"How'd ya find us?" Wave piped up, earning a shrug from Razor.

"I'm a shark. I can swim well."

Jet and Storm chortled loudly at this.

"I wanna join you all on this…job. I need more experience than I have."

Shadow crossed his arms, his eyes moving onto Rouge. The bat put her hands up in protest. "Don't look at me! I didn't invite him!"

Silver and Blaze walked up, smirking at the young shark. "Ah – look at him! I remember those days! New to the vigilante world, just starting out! I think we should take him along for the ride!"

Shadow grunted, flicking his gaze onto Bark. Bark looked the shark up and down, before nodding.

"Well – Bark says he is good. Welcome aboard then, Razor."

Razor nodded, smiling the sound of rotating propellors caught their attention. The grey bi-plane kicked its water-landing gear out, settling down into the ocean.

Shadow turned to the group, grabbing a bag. "We all know the mission. Find Honey, bring her back to Central City. Any means necessary."

"Except killing. We – don't…kill her." Silver added, earning a sarcastic nod from Blaze.

Rouge chuckled, patting Silver on the shoulder. "As clear as always, Silv…"

Razor, with a nod, jumped into the ocean – beginning his swim to the plane.

"There a seat for him?" Jet asked pointedly.

Shadow threw a bag overboard, stepping onto the edge as he turned to face them.

"We'll figure it out."

Unknown Location, Friday 11:45 PM

Thrash lined the pool-stick up at the cue ball, before slamming a stripe into the corner pocket.

He fixed for a cigarette from his suit jacket, putting it in his mouth as he fumbled for a lighter.

It had been a few days since he put a hit out on Eclipse. After that mess with him and the mob meeting, he was hoping to put him in check.

Stealing from the mob, and then walking all over them? No one had the balls to do that before, and he sure wasn't going to let Eclipse get away with doing it.

"Boss – someone's here for you."

Thrash looked up to the mink and the chameleon, two of his lackeys who fixed their blazers. The chameleon spoke up.

"Say they've killed Eclipse."

Now Thrash was really listening. Standing up and leaning the stick against the table, Thrash chuckled.

"They brought the body," The mink added, before a group of Mobians walked in the room – two bringing forward a body wrapped in a trash bag.

This group looked like normal street-bangers, wearing muggy jackets and jeans. They gazed around the room – seemingly impressed to be in one of the various mob hotspots in the city.

Laying the body on the pool table, Thrash reached forward, tearing the bag that shielded his head.

Eclipse's eyes were shut, his mouth hanging open. No breathing, just a still, cold body.

Thrash smiled, an eyebrow raised as he stepped forward to the men, coming around the table.

"Alright then. Dead, that's 500,000."

Suddenly, Eclipse lept up – jamming a knife into the mink and chameleon, tearing the knife from their guts as the two Mobians fell to the ground.

The men who "killed" Eclipse grabbed Thrash's goons, holding them at gunpoint and forcing them to the ground.

Eclipse grabbed Thrash's head, turning him to face the lizard as he jammed a knife into his mouth.

"How much for alive? Hm? One million, right?"

The shock, disbelief and fear that was scrambled on Thrash's face was impeccable. Eclipse had the large Tasmanian devil at his mercy.

"You wanna know why I look like – like this?" Eclipse asked, using the knife to gesture to his face.

Eclipse nodded at the devil, faux worry all over his face before sticking the knife back into his mouth.

"My daddy was…a bad, bad man. He worked over at the power-plant. Yanno, the one that got shut down?"

Eclipse said, licking his lips.

"He was a drinker, a smoker, an all-around fiend. One night, he looooooses it. Goes off craaaaazier than normal!" Eclipse spat, his composure shaken and deranged.

The men watched in fear as Eclipse spoke to Thrash, holding him by the knife.

"However, this time, I won't let him push my mommy around. Nuh uh…nooooo sir. So? I fight back. He doesn't like that! Not. at. all."

Eclipse licks his lips again, his eyes darting around the room in a craze.

"So? He throws me and mommy in the car…and drives us alllllll the way to the plant. He grabs me by the neck, holding me over a vat of acid. It's sizzling, it's steeeeaming."

Eclipse inches closer to Thrash, his breath hot on the Tasmanian devil's face.

"He asks me 'Why won't you just SMILE? Hm?!'"

Eclipse laughs, wheezing as he begins to inch the blade deeper into his mouth.

"So? He threw me over. Even then, I was left to wonder. Whyyyy didn't I just smile for him!"

Eclipse flickers his gaze to one of the men at gunpoint, his face scrambled with terror.

"Why won't you just smile?"

As the man watched, Eclipse sliced the blade through Thrash's mouth, earning terrified glances from the men, as the Tasmanian devil slumped to the floor.

Eclipse hopped up, tearing the bag from his body as he stretched.

"Alrighty! Now that that's taken care of!"

The lizard brushed his suit down.

"We have a teeeeny tiiiny operation. There's always room…for EXPANSION!" Eclipse stated, opening his arms wide as he grabbed a pool stick.

"We only have one spot open now, however. So…"

Eclipse snapped the stick over his knee, breaking it in half as he threw it to the ground.

"So? One of you men will get to be the lucky guy who joins the team! We're gonna have a tryout! The man who kills the other gets to be a part of it!"

The two men were dropped to the ground, their eyes meeting each other with horrified gazes.

Eclipse hopped onto the pool table, crossing his legs as he shook like an overjoyed child.

"Entertain me."