Act II: DESCENT
Chapter XXI: Paint It Black
Safehouse, Monday 3:03 PM
The streets were empty. Eclipse had taken control of the mob – who took control of the criminal underworld. The darkling had raised an army.
People had shacked up in their homes, while others took to the streets with weapons – joining in on the madness that Eclipse had begun.
It was truly divided – and yet the threat of the bomb going off hung over the city like a shadowy blanket.
The vigilantes had gone off the grid due to recommendation from the police force. They couldn't risk losing any of them – and with Eclipse tormenting the city, they were not safe.
The entire police department of the massive city were trapped underground in the tunnels – as were the SWAT department. The National Guard was doing as much negotiating as they could, but Eclipse's men were refusing to cooperate.
This was one, large-scale social experiment from Eclipse – trying to prove that the soul of Central City is truly lawless, discordant, and oppressed.
"And you still have no idea where Ken Khan is?" Shade asked over face-call, as Knuckles shook his head.
"We haven't found him."
He sat in the safehouse, and behind him was the crime force, and the SWAT commanders.
Shade sighed, pressing her hands to her temple. Her office had been occupied by Eclipse's men – so she had been moved to a secure location in the city. If they found her, they would kill her.
"And where are the vigilantes?"
"They're still off-grid. If they die – we're on our own."
"We're gonna need them sooner or later, Knuckles. There's no telling what's gonna happen here."
"Knowing them – they're planning a retaliation as we speak. Best thing we can do is wait for that."
"And what about the bomb? Do you know where it is? Or who the supposed triggerman is?"
"There are a few trucks we know of that may be carrying it. Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Cosmo are out looking. As for the triggerman, I – I don't know, I think it's a bluff. I highly doubt Eclipse gave control of the bomb to someone else."
"Look – we may be able to get some ferries offshore for a possible evacuation. It may be two at a time, I don't know. We're still trying to negotiate with his men," Shade said.
"If you do, one of those boats needs to be asylum inmates."
Shade shook her head. "Those aren't the people I'm worried about."
"You should be. Whatever Eclipse is planning, I guarantee he'll try and get them involved. Considering that Mephiles, Nazo and Robotnik are there – I want them far away."
Shade pondered for a moment, before sighing. "The federal government is going to try and send Special Forces into the city. They need another day or two to plan their entry-point. The entire world is watching this city right now, Knuckles."
"I know."
Shade was right. National news and media had been talking about the happenings inside Central City nonstop. After everything that happened, it seemed that Central City was designated as the world's hotspot for large-scale criminal attacks.
Terrorism continued to pervade the streets of this once great city.
After Shade hung up, Knuckles sighed – closing the laptop in front of him. He turned around, his dry eyes falling upon his comrades.
"So, we just sit in here?" Fiona asked, earning a nod from Espio.
"Until the situation is controlled, yes. We have no other choice."
"There are thousands upon thousands of cops trapped in the tunnels right now! I don't think we can just sit by?!" Bunnie exclaimed.
"Thousands and thousands of our men too…" Mighty whispered, staring at the ground.
"If we do anything he's going to detonate that bomb. Our hands are tied at the moment," Whisper said.
Vector sat with Vanilla and Cream – having moved them to the safehouse. Cream and Charmy were napping on each other, while Vanilla stared at the ground.
"Priority is figuring out if Eclipse will let anyone off the island," Vector said, earning a head shake from Sally.
"Probably not. That ferry idea – I don't know if it's gonna work."
"Something has to give," Knuckles began, standing up, "If we have to move people onto ferries discreetly – fine. Once we free those cops – we'll have more to swing back at."
"Shade's right," Julie-su began, "We need the vigilantes."
"But we don't need them dead either," Tangle muttered, leaning her head on Whisper's shoulder.
"I arranged for them to be moved out of the city discreetly. If they strike back, then it'll be a strike Eclipse does not see coming. If they're gone, less chance he tries to find them," Knuckles added.
Antoine had been flipping through files, shaking his head. "Boss – you said Nazo, Robotnik and Mephiles were at Angel Island Asylum, right?"
Knuckles cocked his head. "Yeah…they should be?"
"Says here they were moved to Everhold."
"Wait," Whisper said, "Why would they have been moved?
"Did you authorize that?" Julie-su asked.
"I didn't," Knuckles began, before his eyes dawned a realization, "But if Eclipse took control of the mob – that means he took control of any corrupt police…"
"Who would have authorized a move…" Scourge finished.
Knuckles began to panic slightly, sweat beginning to form on his head as he began to hurriedly dial Shade.
Bobbing his leg in anticipation – he waited for her face to pop up. Once it did, Shade's brow was formed into a scowl.
"Knuckles – what's up?"
"Shade, I think something might be about to go down at Everhold. Somehow – our office authorized moving Robotnik, Nazo and Mephiles to Everhold Prison."
"You didn't authorize it?"
"No."
Shade stared in silence, biting hard on her lip. The murmur on the television began to pick up before a low gasp sounded from Vector's mouth.
"Knuckles – we might be too late…" Tangle said, causing Knuckles to turn to the television.
What he saw made him squirm in terror.
Outside Everhold Prison, Monday 3:20 PM
A convoy of large vans pulled in front of the massive prison, as men holding assault rifles posted all around the large building opposite to the prison.
Eclipse hopped atop one of the vans, smacking the buttons of the megaphone as it wailed to life.
The news crew stood in front of him, cameras, and microphones at the ready.
Knuckles and the crew watched the live breaking news in absolute terror.
"Behind you is a symbol of oppression! Everhold Prison! Where many men have sat around shackled! To me…that's just soooo – boring," Eclipse began, as the tails of his red trench coat blew in the wind.
"For so long, Central City kept us down with myths of opportunity. See? A world where we shackle our brothers and sisters – where we live by such booooring rules? That's no world at all. What would we all give to indulge our deeeepest desires?"
The darkling licked his lips, cracking his neck.
From behind the building, Sonic peeked over the edge. Tails, Amy and Cosmo ducked behind him, their hands on their holstered guns.
"What the hell is he doing? Giving a free show?" Amy spat, as Cosmo shook her head.
"No – this looks…worse. Much worse."
"There's too many of them. We're not gonna be able to do anything," Tails muttered, as Sonic trained his eyes on the darkling.
"That man killed my sister. He's paying."
"You don't have to pay too," Amy said, grabbing his shoulder. "The minute his men see you, your body is riddled with bullets."
Sonic cursed, shaking his head slightly as the grip on his gun tightened.
"The police want you to live under shiiiining little examples of justice. Locking up all these men – for what? Not too long ago was this city littered with corruption – as our black and green hedgehog friend reminded us! Who's to say it ever went away?!"
Inside the prison, the prisoners began rioting – applauding and cheering as they witnessed the event live on the news.
The guards were dumbfounded, their faces struck with intense panic as the prisoners began growing more and more unruly.
Robotnik chuckled, as Nazo shook his head with a grin.
Mephiles kicked his feet in the air, bobbing up and down in his seat. "My friend…oh – my lovely, lovely friend!"
"If the men they work for are filthy, and corrupt – whos' to say they aren't too? So, I ask you! Do you accept the resignation of the silly, little police?!"
The prisoners roared in applause, banging on their barred doors.
Knuckles and the crew sat in awe, as Shade hung up the phone hastily.
"If you do – then take Central City from the corrupt! It's time we live in a world without rules, without vigilantes sniffing across the streets! IF you want to burn down the same city that's kept you silenced – then do it! This city is yours…do what you want!"
Suddenly, two of Eclipse's men got down on one knee, aiming two rocket launchers towards the backdoors of Everhold prison.
The news crew began to scream, running out of the way as the men fired the rockets – blasting a hole into the door.
Eclipse's men began raiding the prison, rifles in hand as they carried bags full of weapons into the prison.
"But…let's start with something fun! Let's storm Everhold – and free our friends in chains!"
Eclipse's men attacked the prison guards, storming into the prison as they began to free the prisoners.
And in no time, every single prisoner in Everhold walked out of the blasted hole, an assault rifle in hand as they roared and cheered.
Following close behind was Nazo and Robotnik, who gazed up to the sky – breathing the air of release.
The air of freedom.
"Step forward to serve – as this city will have its own army!" Eclipse commanded, "Where we'll rip the elite, and the powerful, from their little nests – and plunge them into the chaos! Just as they deserve!"
In no time, the army that Eclipse had raised began storming the streets of the city. They located the city's elite – the politicians, and any other powerful citizens. Tearing them from their homes, riots began to spread across the street.
From behind the wall, Sonic shook his head – as he remembered what Eclipse said to Shadow on that fateful night.
"I'll show you! When everything falls apart – all these…educated, cultured people? They'll destroyeach other."
"Do with them what you want! Convene courts! Enjoy spoils! Burn everything to the ground, I don't care! No more rules – and no more structure! The fun to be had is yours! All yours!"
Convene courts they did. In the following weeks – the milita began forming kangaroo courts. Their objective? Exile the elite, powerful citizens to death.
But Sonic knew that Eclipse didn't care. No, this wasn't a statement against the elite. It wasn't a revolution.
Eclipse truly just wanted to watch everything burn and crumble. He enjoyed it. It was fun to him, and he got to be the one to light the match.
Eclipse could die happy.
"Shed some blood if you want!"
The militia began storming wealthy homes of the powerful – killing and maiming anyone in their path. As the fires raged on the streets, the death count rose too.
"The cops will survive in the tunnels – I hope! Nothing makes more sense to me than watching their minds crack and crack! That's real justice right there!"
Elsewhere, Eclipse's men opened the back of a semi-truck, loading the bomb inside. The button beeped, as the reactor began burning away. It had been armed.
"This city will survive! Or...not!"
Eclipse busted out laughing, sliding off the top of the van as his eyes landed upon Mephiles, stumbling from the hole in the prison.
The darkling skipped over to him, placing the megaphone in the hedgehog's hand.
"Like I said in the asylum – this city loves a comeback story!"
Mephiles smiled, chuckling as his grip tightened on the megaphone.
"Yessss – it does…"
Sonic watched in horror, feeling his eyes well up. Amy grabbed onto his shoulder, as Tails hung up the phone with Knuckles.
"We need those vigilantes back," Amy muttered.
"If they show their faces – they're as good as dead," Sonic replied, his eyes fixed on Eclipse's convoy as it began to move down the street. Tails approached Sonic, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Sonic – we have to get ahold of the bomb. We can bring it back to the Enterprises and disarm it."
"I know – we just need to find it first."
"Then we better get moving, and fast," Cosmo began, "Central City is a warzone now."
And as always, Cosmo was right.
Eclipse turned Central City into a warzone in two days, and Sonic could tell by the smile on the darkling's face…
He was enjoying every minute of it.
Highway Overpass, Monday 4:03 PM
Underneath the interstate overpass, Zero led Nack and Bean from their hiding place, followed by their boss.
Starline hobbled outside, his eyes full of panic.
"At this rate – that asylum's gonna be full of patients," Bean muttered, as he and Nack nursed their black eyes.
"You got that shit right," The weasel replied.
"Enough," Zero snapped, "Starline – wherever you are going with your boyfriend – you must stay safe. We will stay behind here. I am sure Nazo and Robotnik will be paying us a visit very soon now that they are out of prison."
Starline sighed, his fist tightening on his cane. "You will have to deal with them. Eclipse has taken our entire operation and turned them into revolutionaries. There is nothing for them to come back too."
"Not unless they workin' with Egghead and Nazo…" Bean muttered.
"Where will you and your boy be goin' anyway?" Nack asked, tipping his hat lower over his eyes.
"Somewhere where that deranged lizard freak cannot touch us. I will not be made an example of in his insane little game. Holding the city hostage with a bomb…who does this maniac think he is?"
"Either way – it is imperative you stay safe. When this is all over, we will resume operations," Zero stated.
"Not if Eclipse blows the city to hell. Then we'll have one operation – die!" Bean spat, before chuckling. He earned a shove from Zero, the woodpecker scowling towards the jackal.
A black car began creeping up, earning a relieving sigh from Starline as the car stopped.
What he couldn't see was the gun that was pressed into the back of the driver's head.
Zero led him towards the back door, opening it as Starline hobbled inside.
He shook the jackal's hand quickly, as he closed the door. The car pulled out, and Starline let out an exasperated sigh.
"Don't stop for nothin' driver – take me all the way where I need to go."
The driver said nothing, and Starline's eyes wandered to the figure sitting next to him – before his face paled.
The car sped onto the highway, the driver's hands shaking as he gripped the wheel.
Sitting next to Starline was Ken Khan, fixed in his suit as he rested his revolver against his head.
"Going to join your boyfriend?"
Starline stared in panic, his eyes flickering to the driver who shared the same panic. It dawned on him then that Khan had forced this driver's hand – and now, he was being driven to his death.
Not by Eclipse, but by the man who swore to uphold honor in this city.
This man – who had been broken down and turned to the darkest side of his soul.
Khan turned to him, his scarred face scowling. "Do you love him?"
Starline sighed, "Yes. I do."
"You ever imagine what it would be like to listen to him die?"
"Look – take it up with Eclipse. He killed your woman. He made you…"
Starline stopped, clenching his teeth as he looked Khan up and down.
"Like this…"
Khan chuckled. "Eclipse is just a mad dog – I want whoever let him off the leash."
"Mad dog is a bit of an understatement – considering he's holding the city hostage with a bomb right now and starting a revolution," Starline bit back.
Khan let out a low growl, "I took care of Drago – but I know you have plenty of men inside the police department. Who's your other man that picked up Sonia?"
"They aren't my men anymore – they're Eclipse's now."
"I don't care," Khan spat back, "Who picked up Sonia? It must have been someone that she trusted, Starline."
Starline sighed, before turning to Khan. "Look – if I tell you, will you let me go?"
Khan cocked his head to the side, "It won't hurt your chances."
Starline leaned closer, his breathing beginning to quicken. "It was Perci. That purple bandicoot."
Khan sighed, shaking his head.
Perci. One of Sonia's friends – someone she trusted.
The rage coursed through his veins – feeling the heat burning over his body. He reached into his jacket pocket, lightly cocking his revolver.
Starline's eyes widened, feeling his face pale and his heart rate speed up. "But you said-"
"I said it won't hurt your chances."
Khan grabbed the dice, flicking it into the air. It landed into his palm, inspecting the number.
Odd number.
The monkey turned to Khan, smirking. "You're a lucky man."
Starline let out a sigh of relief, before Khan twirled the dice into the air once more.
Starline cocked an eyebrow as he watched it fall into the monkey's hand. Khan tilted his head as he looked at the result.
Even.
He turned to Starline, sighing. "But he's not."
"Who?"
Khan grabbed his seatbelt, clicking it as he sat back. "Your driver."
Pointing the revolver forward, the monkey fired – as the car veered off the highway road.
It flipped over the median, crashing through barrels as it slid into a container – smashing as it rested upside down.
Steam billowed from the hood, yet the car remained idle – before Khan kicked his door open, tumbling onto the ground.
Sonic's Point-of-View:
Sonic watched from his window as fires began to rage across the streets.
In no more than an hour – Eclipse had succeeded. He destroyed this city, he broke it's legs out from under, and he had plunged it into chaos.
Like he said – these cultured people would destroy each other.
And here they were doing exactly that.
He didn't understand it – he didn't think he ever would. He let one tear roll down his cheek, before hastily wiping it.
Tails approached behind him, his hands in his jacket pockets. "We're gonna need to get down to the safehouse soon. We can't shack up in here – they'll come for you."
"I know they will."
"You're an elite – and you're a cop. You sort of have a double whammy…" Tails said, earning a low chuckle from Sonic.
"Yeah – I'm sure I'm next on his list."
Tails smiled, shaking his head as he looked out the window. Fighter jets roared overhead as the federal government attempted to get a read on the situation.
An entire city held hostage by a maniac with a bomb.
A maniac with a trigger finger at that.
"One of these days – we're going to fix this place," Tails said.
Sonic shrugged, sighing. "I'm not sure how possible that is anymore."
"Sonic – look at all we've been through. All we've accomplished. You really think this is gonna make us give up?"
"I don't know – I'm starting to lose hope, bud."
"Your parents weren't what you thought you were – and no one is what we think they are. We went through a flooded city, murder sprees, and mass destruction – yet we always came out on top…"
Sonic sighed again, staring out of the window.
"You really think Sonia would tell you to stop fighting?"
That was the rub. That's what made Sonic break.
He was right. Sonia wouldn't let him stop fighting – and furthermore, would he be doing his sister justice if he didn't stop her killer?
If he didn't stop the maniac that destroyed her?
No, who would he be if he let that happen?
The hedgehog turned to Tails, pursing his lips tight.
"It's us against an army and a bomb that we built being used against us. You think we can win? Even when Shadow and them are offline?"
Tails smirked. "I do. I know we can."
The hedgehog nodded, before Amy and Cosmo rushed in.
"Our ride's here. We need to hurry before any of his men find us," Amy said, as Sonic nodded.
He turned to the window once more, letting his eyes scan over the city.
This big, bleak city what was suffering.
"So…what are you ready to do?" Tails asked.
He stared once more, tapping his foot as he smiled.
"Fight. I'm ready to fight, Tails."
The fox smirked.
"Glad to hear it. Then we better get ready to fight."
As the fox turned, Sonic lingered for a moment.
This city suffered.
It hurt, it bled, and it crumbled slowly.
Eclipse had lit the match to burn it to the ground, yet Sonic still smirked in the face of chaos.
He knew he was fully capable to take this threat down, as he did before.
This was not the end, and it was far from it.
They had some long, painful months ahead of them – and one thing was still certain.
Sonic would fight, and he would fight like he always has.
And by Gaia…
For Tikal,
And for Sonia,
He would fucking win.
END OF ACT 2.
THE FIRE RISES IN ACT 3.
