Act I: AWARE

Chapter XV: Kyrie Eleison

Sonic the Hedgehog: Halloween Morning, 9:55 AM

Halloween was the worst night for the force every year.

Typically – crime rates skyrocketed on this night, and Sonic was always so excited to have a new mountain of case files dropped on his desk.

That was complete and utter sarcasm.

With all of this occurring, Sonic and Tails had to push other cases to the side. He feels bad doing it, but this job had to be done first.

And Sonic only figured this Halloween was going to be no different.

Sitting in the back of the Uber to work, Sonic gazed out the window – until the noise of shouting voices caught his ear.

He felt the car begin to slow, turning his face out of the windshield to see the commotion.

Two major crowds on each side of the street were protesting, all holding signs that had –

"NO MORE LIES."

"DOWN WITH THE CORRUPT."

"DESTROY OUR OPPRESSORS."

And that blasted upside-down cross that had become this killer's symbol.

Sonic's eyes were wide with terror, as members of the police force tried so desperately to keep these crowds under control.

Gaia, this killer was starting an uprising in the city.

Sonic felt utterly hopeless, as if all his hard work had gone to shit.

The funniest thing about it is that it's not even his fault. The people who run this city are corrupt – with mob ties and hands in the criminal underworld.

Could Sonic even fault this killer's mission? Sure – no one deserves to be killed in such brutal fashion, but…

Was his ethos wrong?

The car stopped in front of the police station, where a path was cleared by the police force for people to walk through.

Sonic got out of the car, legs shaking as he began trekking up the steps.

Citizens were screaming at him, berating him for answers – calling him corrupt.

"Why are you in the mob?!"

"Why haven't you found Tikal's killer yet?! Are you involved in this?!"

"We aren't letting you control us anymore!"

Sonic couldn't even look at them. He kept his eyes peeled to the ground, each step giving his leg another shake as his heart-rate quickened.

"Sonic! Dude!" A voice called from the side as Sonic whipped his head, seeing Scourge coming out from the shadows.

"Ah – Scourge, hey…"

"This shit is crazy, right? I mean – look – I wasn't ever the biggest fan of the cops for – well yanno, but…"

"It's alright Scourge, I got it," Sonic responded sullenly, opening the door as Scourge followed.

The station was eerily quiet. People just went about their work. No smiles, no laughter, nothing. Just eerie silence.

The station was reeling from the death of Mordred, but Sonic's mind couldn't help but wonder which of these cops were also involved in mob ties.

Were they scared they might die and get exposed too?

Sonic trudged into Knuckles' office – where he was sitting with Amy.

"You look like you didn't sleep at all last night," Knuckles said, though the bags under his eyes didn't give him much room to talk.

"You can say that again," Sonic responded, sitting down with a thud.

Knuckles chuckled lightly, flipping through papers as he sipped from his coffee. "I did make our replacement for Chief of Police today however."

Sonic looked up, a half-grin on his face. "Really? Who is it?"

Knuckles smiled, eyes pointing at Amy who turned to Sonic with a smirk.

"Ames! Hey! That's awesome! Deserved too!" Sonic exclaimed. Scourge gave her a thumbs up.

"Thank you, thank you," she responded with a nod.

"Well – when's the celebration?!"

"I – didn't really think now would be a good time to make some big announcement about it. There's – still a lot of craziness happening…" Amy said, turning her head to the floor.

The smile dropped from Sonic's face, as a sigh escaped his lips. "Yeah…that makes sense."

Knuckles nodded, before eyes flickering onto Scourge. "Where have you been, pretty boy?"

Scourge's head whipped to the commissioner. "Huh – oh, me? Ah, well just – yanno, hanging out…stuff like that."

"Just…hanging out?" Sonic asked, a smile on his muzzle.

"Well – I mean…I did make a couple stops at one place."

Knuckles raised an eyebrow, as Amy crossed her arms. "Yeah? What place would that be?" Amy asked inquisitively.

Scourge scowled, before sighing. "The uh…the factory."

"The factory? We have that place shut off – how did you get in there?" Knuckles asked, a scowl on his face.

"Well – I just got curious. That and…well, I remembered something after all this killer's statements and stuff," Scourge said, reaching into his backpack.

"Scourge, you cannot go in there. That is police territory now – I should arrest you for that!" Knuckles said, before Sonic put a hand up.

"Wait! Let's just – see what he found first," Sonic said, earning a disgruntled stare from Knuckles.

Scourge fished in his backpack until revealing a file, handing it to Sonic.

"It was the Central City Restoration Plan. I remember it from a while back – and…well, I think a lot of politicians were in on it. Then I got to reading it and – well, maybe that has some importance in this? I mean – it happened right around the time of the Finitevus bust. I dunno, I feel like it may not be like – a coincidence…" Scourge said, twiddling his thumbs.

"Hm. Maybe…but it might be a stretch. Sonic – can I see that file?"

Sonic said nothing – just stared at the file.

His hands were tight on the folder, his mouth set in a hard line.

Amy tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

"Sonic…? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just…"

He looked up, an unreadable expression on his face.

"This was my dad's project."

Unknown Point of View: Halloween Afternoon, 2:45 PM

The sound of the Latin choir filled his ears.

"Kyrie eleison…"

Singing that word over and over like a mantra.

Lord – have mercy.

Through binoculars, the heavy breathing that filled his ears accompanied the voices of the Latin chant – as he investigated the building.

Possible entry point from the roof.

One from the back perhaps.

Inside the window was a young boy – wrestling with his dad.

The mayor.

Playful, playful things…

Ah – here comes his wife.

What a happy, happy family.

A shame – she doesn't know about the girl.

The girl who knew too much – and no one else knows about.

There goes the happy family – and oh! The mayoral re-election is so close.

I bet his family is excited for their future – it sure is a brightone.

I wonder if he will win.

I wonder…

Kyrie eleison.

Robotnik: Halloween Afternoon, 4:56 PM

Nazo sat cross-armed across from Robotnik.

Eggman looked tired, exhausted, humiliated – yet he was grateful Nazo had gotten him out when he did.

Robotnik looked up, scowling at the hedgehog.

"They asked me if I was the rat, Nazo."

Nazo chuckled, cocking an eyebrow.

"Then they clearly do not know what they are looking for."

"This killer – he is exposing all of us. You, and me!" Robotnik bit back.

Nazo clicked his tounge, shooting his eyes towards Robotnik's goons who were all icing bruises and burns.

"Robotnik, please. We have worked together for so long, haven't we? Through the Finitevus bust, through the restoration, and now – we have arrived here. I already warned you about this war with Shadow."

"I have listened to you for long enough! We were on top – and then Shadow came along. I cannot let him get away with that!" Robotnik snapped – smashing his fist down on the table.

Nazo didn't flinch. He simply let one sigh escape, before leaning forward.

"The killer wants to strike a deal with you, Robotnik."

Ivo looked up, this sentence earning confused gazes from Starline and Zero.

"A deal – with me? He is trying to sink us!"

"He is trying to sink Shadow, not you. Besides – he knows Shadow was never supposed to be where he is. His father operated the mafia before he did – and he was simply a cop who was slightly involved. Now – he thinks he is a big shot. The killer does not like his…attitude. Shadow did not have a say in the Finitevus bust – now, he thinks he can be on top? Please. As if we would ever allow that to happen. So? I took the liberty of striking a deal with this man myself so that we would continue our control over this city," Nazo said eloquently.

Robotnik smiled slightly, turning to Starline as the platypus gave him a curt nod.

"It is unnecessary for me to hear of the deal. I accept – knowing that there is not much left for me to do but sit back and allow this man to do as he wishes."

Nazo chuckled, cracking his knuckles.

"That is excellent to hear. You will be intrigued to know who his victim is tonight."

Robotnik cocked his head, as Zero spoke up.

"Who is it?"

Nazo laughed, hoisting himself from the chair as he began to walk out.

"Ah – why should I spoil the fun? You will simply have to wait and see."

Robotnik followed Nazo as he left – a scowl on his face.

Before he stood up, he noticed a file that Nazo had left behind.

"What?" Robotnik muttered, sliding the file into his hand.

His eyes widened when he read the words on the divider tab.

CENTRAL CITY RESTORATION PLAN.

Unknown Point of View: Halloween Night, 10:05 PM

The mayor watched the television closely.

The mayoral debate last night went fine – but not exactly how he planned.

His opponent was an orange echidna, Shade. She hounded him the entire time – grilling him on his "failures" and "allowing Central City to plunge into darkness."

She grilled him on rising crime, the inability to catch the mob.

He simply sipped from his wine – before shutting the television off.

He was tired of re-watching it – and his mind still rushed from the number of deaths that had occurred in the last few days had him shaken.

He sighed. Nothing was going to happen. He was letting his fear get to him.

He walked towards the living room table – setting his glass down as the living room was plunged into darkness.

He sighed, putting his hands on his hips as he was lost in thought for a moment, before he finally allowed himself to walk to the bedroom.

That bliss was quickly gone – as a shrill cry sounded from behind him as he was slammed in the back of the head by a metal rod.

He fell face first into the ground – his head pounded in by the thick metal that was slamming into his skull.

The last slam caused the rod to clatter across the floor – the mayor now laying lifeless.

The man inhaled deeply, before unwrapping the duct tape, beginning to wrap it around the mayor's head.

Slowly wrapping, slowly wrapping…

Kyrie eleison.

Central City Square: Halloween Night, 10:35 PM

Sonic sat idly in the front seat, as the car was parked outside of the busy city square.

It was Halloween night. Costumes were abound, celebrations and trick-or-treaters clogging up the streets.

Tails typed a text out on his phone in the passenger, as Scourge smoked a cigarette in the back.

"You know Scourge, you might as well just apply for the force – since you hang out with us all the time!" Tails stated, turning over his shoulder.

Scourge shrugged, blowing a cloud from his mouth. "Meh – I don't wanna work for the boys in blue. Just don't hate hangin' around you two is all."

Tails laughed, turning back to watch the square for any issues. "Well – I hope you change your mind! You'd be a great investigator!" Tails exclaimed.

Scourge merely shrugged again, opting to take another drag from his cigarette.

Sonic couldn't focus on the streets in front of him – opting to keep reading through the file.

This was his dad's plan when he ran for mayor. Sonic was 14 when he died. Two weeks after he announced he was running for mayor.

It was still sore to this day.

His mom died too – and to this day he couldn't find out who killed them.

It was the reason he entered into the police force – to try and find people like him.

He sighed, closing the file. He didn't want to deal with the memories anymore.

"You alright?" Tails asked, finally breaking Sonic from his daze.

"Huh? Oh – yeah, bud! I'm good!" Sonic exclaimed, a cheery smile on his muzzle.

A bit too cheery.

He let out another exasperated sigh, tucking the file in the glovebox before his phone rang – as well as Tails's.

Sonic turned to Tails with a confused expression – which the fox returned.

"Call at the same time?" Sonic asked, cocking his head at the side. "Mine's from Knucklehead."

"Mine's from Amy." Tails replied.

Sonic nodded, accepting Knuckle's call.

"Knux, what's happeni-"

"Sonic, are you with Tails?"

"Yeah – he's right here," Sonic said – looking at Tails puzzled.

"You guys need to get down to Mogul's house. He's dead. His son found him."

Sonic and Tails sucked in a gasp, as Scourge launched up in the backseat.

"Waaait – what the hell? Dead? No fucking way dude, no fucking way," Scourge muttered, sitting back with a shocked look.

Sonic was lost for words, only able to nod.

"I – okay, we'll be there right away," Sonic said, hanging up and flipping the siren lights on.

Sonic ripped the car out of its sitting place, as pedestrians parted for them to trudge through the streets.

He felt his heart beating out of his chest, his hands clammy and sweaty, gripping the wheel tighter and tighter as the minutes passed.

Good Gaia – when would it end?

Mammoth Mogul Residency: Halloween Night 11:04 PM

Sonic and Tails trudged up the stairs, allowing Scourge in with some coaxing to the lower-level officers.

Walking up the stairs, Sonic and Tails looked around for anything – but the house was spotless, until they reached the living room.

Inside, cops were poking around, taking blood samples from the floor. It seemed this guy had banged him up pretty bad.

Knuckles looked up from them, eyes heavy.

"Yet another head wrapped in duct-tape."

Sonic walked towards where Mogul's corpse was situated – upright in an armchair.

Yet again, the duct-tape had red lettering.

"NO MORE LIES."

"My Gaia."

That was all Sonic could mutter.

"He was hit in the back of head. Wound looks like it may have been some sort of mallet," Amy said, arms crossed in her new suit blazer.

That's right – new Chief of Police.

Tails shined a flashlight to the back of his head – before a couple cops made some commotion behind them – prompting Sonic to walk to the scene.

They were stepped in front of Silver and Blaze – as Sonic rushed over parting them.

"Boys – come on now. It was in fashion to be against them two like five years ago. Let 'em through. They ain't just your normal vigilantes anymore, for pete's sake."

The cops nodded, as Silver and Blaze stepped through.

Blaze had her hand over her mouth, Silver looked grim and sickly.

"My gosh – this poor family…" Blaze muttered, eyes darting around the scene.

"Some of the guys are talking to the son now," Sally stated, as Cosmo walked up to her side.

"We got his wife handled – she's with some of the women cops at the moment."

Sonic nodded at Cosmo, still unable to fully process words.

"He left this for you two," Antoine spoke up, handing a card to Sonic.

"TO THE DETECTIVES."

Sonic looked at Tails, the pair sharing an exhausted look, before Sonic opened it.

One side of the card was filled with scribbled codes – which made no coherent sense to him.

The other side said:

"THE NEW LIEUTENANT HAD A FRIEND. THIS FRIEND WAS MR. MOGUL'S FRIEND TOO. SHE KNEW TOO MUCH. HE DID TOO MUCH. THE STORM RAGES ON. RESTORATION IS A LIE. A MAYOR'S SON WOULD UNDERSTAND, WOULDN'T HE?"

Sonic scowled, hands shaking violently.

He was calling him out.

What did his dad have to do with this? His mom?

Tails squeezed his eyes shut, huffing a sigh from his mouth.

"Why – is he talking about your dad?" Silver asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"The Restoration Plan. I dunno what it has to do with this – but I guess something," Sonic said – putting the card into Knuckles' hand.

Tails whipped his head up. "He said something about the new lieutenant having a friend."

Sonic considered this – before turning to Cosmo. "Did you?"

Cosmo sighed, biting her lip.

"Petunia. I chose her disguise because I still had some of the clothes that she gave me. She was my friend."

"Was?" Amy asked.

Cosmo sighed again. "I didn't just ask to be transferred here because crime-rates were low in Knothole. I asked because she went missing and – and it didn't sit right with me."

Knuckles raised an eyebrow. "I don't – think we had any file on her?"

"We didn't, and that makes not much sense to me at all. No one would have filed a missing persons report for her?" Tails said.

"Would someone have expunged it?" Sally asked.

Sonic pondered the possibilities.

"If he's mentioning Petunia – and she was friends with Mogul…"

He turned to walk near a spot of blood on the wall.

"And Mogul's death is clearly related to whatever scheme this guy is trying to unravel – then so was she. Now that we know there's even corruption with some of the police…could she have been involved in something, maybe knew too much? He did say she knew too much in the card. She could have been…killed, for knowing too much."

Cosmo shook her head rapidly, turning away. Tails walked over to comfort her.

Knuckles hung his head low. "Who – who would have taken her out?"

"Well – we're gonna find out tonight how he was involved, I imagine," Silver said, grip on Blaze's hand still tight.

"And when we find that out – we can make some guesses," Sonic said.

"Wait – y'all! Look at this!" Bunnie hollered, pulling out a thumb drive that was in the side-table drawer.

It was connected to one of his tusks.

Jesus, this guy had cut Mogul's tusks off.

Knuckles and Amy inspected it closely, eyebrows raising.

"Well – I imagine it's time we see what's on this."

Bunnie grabbed a laptop, opening it as she began setting it up. She grabbed the thumb drive, inserting it into the port.

Images flooded across the screen – with Mogul and Petunia at the Chemical Lounge.

"Jesus – is that her, Cosmo?" Sally asked.

Cosmo only nodded, trying to contain any unspilled tears.

Before they could get a look, a flurry of Email notifications appeared – as the computer sent the image to every major news source.

"Damn! It just sent from this computer to every news-station!" Bunnie hollered.

Knuckles sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We're gonna have to deal with that later. We need to look at who's in the photos."

Bunnie nodded, closing the notifications as the photos returned to focus.

"Look who's in the background," Silver pointed out.

Robotnik, Zero, Starline-

"Nazo is there too," Blaze said, grabbing onto Silver's shoulder as it tensed.

"Wait. Right there," Amy pointed out again.

It was Gerald – an old white hedgehog. He was the former mafia leader, and Shadow's adoptive father.

Standing next to him, was a slightly younger Shadow. Next to Shadow, was a slightly younger golden hedgehog, holding onto his arm.

Sonic felt his heart stop.

Maria.