Act I: AWARE

Chapter XXI: Punisher

Central City Steel Mill [ABANDONED AS OF 2012]: Saturday, 10:56 PM

Knuckles parked the van in the dirt lot – scouting through the windshield for any disturbances.

Sonic was in the front seat, squinting through the darkness. The steel mill had been abandoned for years now, for what reason he didn't remember.

All he knew is that inside, Cosmo had taken Mimic hostage. It was something to do with Petunia, and since Mimic worked for Robotnik under the radar – it was obvious to him that Robotnik was involved in Petunia's death.

That alone made his skin crawl.

Sonic slipped his phone away, checking the results of the mayoral election. Shade was gonna win – and she was going to bring real change to this city.

That made him estatic.

Sonic was done waiting, stepping out of the car as he flicked his flashlight on.

Ahead of him, a figure jumped the fence, rushing over.

Sonic shone his light, blinding Scourge as he covered his face.

"Ah! Dude – watch where you're pointin' that thing!"

Sonic chuckled, pointing it towards the ground. "What you doin' here?"

"I was in the area and saw all the vans comin' over. I wanted to see what was up."

"Scourge," Amy began, walking over. "Just fill out an application for the police force before I do it for you,"

Scourge chuckled, shoving his hands in his pocket. "No thanks – I got my own ways to make money."

Amy nodded, a sly smile on her face as she walked over to Scourge, whispering in his ear.

Sonic watched as Scourge's face dropped, mouth hung open – and he could have sworn he saw dollar-signs in his eyes.

"Wait, wait wait. You make how much a year!?"

Amy snickered, walking over to converse with Sally and Bunnie.

Sonic patted Scourge on the shoulder. "So, why were you in the area?"

Scourge sighed, looking off in the distance. "I uh…I'm kinda stayin' around here right now?"

Sonic cocked an eyebrow, tilting his head. "Wait – what do you mean staying here? There's no way to stay-"

Oh, he doesn't have a home to stay in right now.

"Rent went up. Couldn't pay the bills so I had to kick it. Just started goin' and shacked up around here. It's all good though – just gotta find some money, then I'll be set."

Sonic could sense the uncertainty in Scourge's voice, sighing as he fumbled in his pocket, slamming a couple hundreds into his hand.

"Wait – dude, nah…I can't take this!"

"Scourge – take the money. It's my favor. But…the deal is – you can keep that money if we see an application for the force on our desk by the end of next week."

Scourge looked dumbfounded, staring at the money in his hand.

"But – don't you need to go to school for that?"

Sonic snickered. "Yeah, I guess technically you do. But – we can pull some strings. Some training and I think you're set."

Scourge sighed, shaking his head. "Thanks man. I – I dunno what to say."

Sonic was about to answer, as the headlights of two all black SUVs pulled to a stop. The windows were darkly tinted, and Sonic could only assume that was Shadow and his guys.

"Think of what to say later, we got some company for this one."

"Dude – those look like…mob vans?"

Sonic shrugged with a smile, as Scourge looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

Maybe he did.

The force watched intently, as the doors opened.

Out stepping first were Jet, Wave and Storm, arms crossed tight over their clothes. Jet cocked his head, looking everyone up-and-down.

"So…this a party or what?"

Wave and Storm snickered, as Rouge followed behind with Bark.

"Good to see y'all on a nice evening," the bat stated slyly, hand on her hip.

She looked at Knuckles, winking. "How you doin', Commissioner?"

Knuckles scoffed, shaking his head – though the red on his muzzle was enough.

Behind them, two pairs of feet scuffled onto the ground, Silver and Blaze's gauntlets illuminated as they began walking towards the group.

Their eyes flickered between the two unlikely allies, Silver scoffing a laugh.

"This is so crazy."

Bark turned his glare to Silver, Blaze returning the stare for her husband. "It is good to see you on a non-violent occasion."

"Well – somebody's gettin' violent in there," Storm said, pointing towards the door of the mill.

Sally rolled her eyes, as Shadow began walking towards the middle of the group.

"So, Shadow. Mimic works for Robotnik, right?" Tails asked.

Shadow nodded, turning back to his group.

"One of the lieutenants has Mimic. He was behind her friend's death."

Rouge scoffed, shaking her head. "Then she knew somethin' she wasn't supposed to. Either Robotnik or Nazo pulled the trigger on that."

Wave flicked open a phone, pulling out an antenna as she started scanning the door. Soon, two voices appeared on the phone.

"Wait – what's she doin'?" Bunnie asked.

"That device can pick up voices from inside buildin's. We use it to spy on our targets," Jet responded slyly, as the group gathered out the phone.

"Tell me if it was worth it! Tell me!"

"I'm s-sorry! I was j-just doin' w-what I was t-t-told!"

It was Cosmo and Mimic.

The octopus sounded terrified.

Cosmo sounded enraged.

"We gotta get in there. Who knows what Cosmo's gonna do next!" Silver said, his gauntlet's glowing blue.

"He's right. Let's move in," Knuckles stated.

Silver latched onto the door telekinetically, snapping off the lock as he pushed it open.

The group stepped inside, flinging their flashlights on Cosmo, who was kneeing Mimic in the chin, cries of pain sounding from the octopus.

"Cosmo! Stop!" Tails exclaimed.

Cosmo turned around, her face streaked with rageful tears as she growled. "No – he has to pay!"

"Cosmo – we can talk about this!" Sonic exclaimed.

Mimic spit blood, eyes narrowing at Shadow. "What the hell are they doing here?!"

"Watch it, or the next punch will be from Bark," Shadow said, patting the bear on the back.

Mimic looked towards the floor, shaking his head.

The only other source of light was from the moon pouring through a fan in the ceiling, casting an eerie light onto the seedrian and the octopus.

"Cosmo – just tell us what happened!" Amy exclaimed.

Cosmo stopped for a moment, biting her lip before yanking her phone from her pocket.

She threw it to Sonic – catching it.

"Check the message I got from her number. It's an audio recording."

Sonic nodded, going to it and pressing play.

What he was greeted to was a recording, Mimic had broken into her apartment. Robotnik, Nazo and Zero's voices all popped in.

Nazo was grilling Petunia about her knowledge of the informant.

The Rat.

She stated that Mammoth Mogul, the late mayor with whom she was having an affair, told her.

That was all Nazo and Robotnik needed to know before a gunshot sounded – as the recording ended.

The gunshot caused a collective wince amongst them all, Shadow biting his lip hard.

"You could hear how terrified she was. She wasn't supposed to be involved in this shit! She was just a scared girl!" Cosmo said, fresh tears racing down her cheeks.

She turned to Mimic, slamming a kick into his stomach. "And you are the asshole that brought her there!"

Mimic coughed up another pint of blood, head hung low to the ground.

Sonic charged to Mimic, cocking his head to the side.

"Why did you bring her there? Time to start talking."

Mimic wheezed again, looking up at Sonic.

"She – she knew about the rat. The informant on the Finitevus case. The guy who the politicians of the city paid to protect."

Sonic turned back to Shadow, who grimly nodded.

"Why would Robotnik care about that? Why would Nazo?"

"Don't you get it already, Sonic?! Why are you still playing dumb?! The Finitevus case started all of this. It's why Robotnik and Nazo were in power."

Mimic cocked his head behind Sonic, stealing a look at Shadow.

"Why he was in power too."

Knuckles turned to Shadow. "You said you weren't involved in the Finitevus case."

"I wasn't. I told them I wanted no part of it. We were working together, yes, but I told them I'd be there to ally with them once Finitevus was taken care of. I did not want to know who the informant would be."

"We can all confirm that," Rouge added.

Sonic turned back to Mimic, lips pursed. "Start from the beginning. What is the Finitevus case all about here?"

Mimic coughed, before nodding. "Robotnik and Nazo wanted Finitevus out. They didn't like how powerful he was getting. So, they devised a plan to use an informant to sell him out. Then – we all used the Restoration Plan money to bribe them into protecting the informant. When y'all arrested Finitevus, the Restoration money was given to the Elite of the city for kickbacks. They used that fund, and it put all the city's powerful people on Nazo, Robotnik, and Shadow's payroll."

He coughed again, his eyes now cold.

"You – You think this mayoral election even matters? You think Shade is really going to be in control of this city after she wins tonight? The three of them have been the mayors of this city for the last decade. The mob have been the mayors of this city for the last twenty years. Robotnik, Finitevus, and Gerald."

He coughed again.

"They have always been in control of this city."

Sonic sighed, turning back to the group that was there.

"He – he's right. The mob has always been in control, boys and girls…" Rouge stated dryly.

"Well?!" Cosmo exclaimed, marching up to them. "Are we gonna kill Robotnik and Nazo or what?"

"Cosmo, let's at least try to calm down-" Sally started, Cosmo growling back at her.

"No! I'm done! Petunia was my friend. They're going to pay."

Blaze clicked her gauntlets on stealthily, stealing a look at Silver as he did the same.

"Coz, it doezn't have to be like zhis," Antoine added.

Tails walked up to her, frowning. "Cosmo, please. We can handle this – we don't want you to do something you'll regret. If you go there and kill them…then we aren't any different."

Cosmo shook her head, staring at the ground hard. When she looked up, her eyes were plagued with fury.

"Fine, you don't want to help? Then I'll do it myself."

Turning around, she placed a shot into Mimic's stomach with her handgun, causing a distressed yelp from the octopus.

"Cosmo!" Amy exclaimed.

Whipping around, she fired three shots into the ground, dust kicking up from the bullets as she ran to the door.

Knuckles ran over to Mimic, keeping him upright. "We have to get medical here now! Where is Cosmo off to?"

Silver stole a look to the door. "She's most definitely going to the Chemical Lounge!"

Shadow sighed, turning to the gang as they cocked their weapons. "We will be there on standby if you need help."

"Look – we just have to get there first before she puts a bullet in their heads. Shadow, if we arrest them – is your vengeance quenched?" Sonic asked.

Shadow stared for a moment, before nodding.

"Then let's put him away," Tails said.

The group nodded to each other, all scurrying to get into their vans while Sally and Bunnie stayed behind for medical to arrive.

Silver and Blaze shot off overhead, as Sonic, Tails, Amy, Scourge and Knuckles piled into one van.

Knuckles peeled out, flicking his lights on as they roared to the club.

Tapping his radio, he placed a call to Vector.

"Commander Vector, come in!"

"Knuckles, what's going on?!"

"We need you to grab your team and get back down to the club! Cosmo is about to put a bullet in Robotnik and Nazo. We have audio recording of them committing murder. They killed one of Cosmo's friends for knowing about the informant."

"Good Gaia – alright! Say no more, we're on our way!"

With a nod, Knuckles clicked his radio off, slamming on the gas as the blare of the sirens illuminated the dark streets.

The Chemical Lounge, Saturday 11:15 PM

Cosmo had donned Petunia's wig and clothes again, flashing her ID as the guards let her inside the club.

Brilliant.

Cosmo began making her way to the elevator, this time without a thought in mind. She made her way, minded no one, and as the elevator doors closed – Cosmo had one thought in mind.

Revenge.

As she made her way to the top, Cosmo rushed out, quickly subduing the two guards by smashing their faces together, before continuing her trek towards her targets.

Cosmo hopped behind a wall, turning the corner to see Robotnik conversing with Zero, Bean, and Nack, as they surrounded the pool table.

Turning her head, Starline was fixing Metal, and Nazo had the television on – watching the election as results continued to pour in.

Behind them was a massive window that looked onto the city, their shimmering lights shining through the large room.

It was an unbelievably nice room, with shining chandeliers and beautifully made couches. This was where Shadow, Robotnik and the rest of the high-up mobsters hung out?

Well – before Shadow and Robotnik began warring.

As Bean and Nack walked out of the room, Cosmo whipped from behind the pillar, eyes bearing into Robotnik.

The big man was mid-laugh, before his eyes landed on the seedrian. He scowled slightly, tilting his head.

"Who are you? You look weirdly familiar."

Starline turned to look at the newcomer, Nazo stayed glued on the television.

"You know me. You've met me once."

"Well – if I only met you once…then how'd you get clearance to come up here?"

"Who said I had clearance?"

Outside the Chemical Lounge:

The doors were pushed open by Silver, as he telekinetically threw the guards into a side-door, before he and Blaze made their way.

"Alright, you heard what Knux and Vector wanted us to do. Cut the power, find Cosmo and get her out," Silver said.

Blaze nodded, pecking Silver on the muzzle. "I'll get to the breaker room. You find a way into their office without being seen," Blaze stated.

Silver nodded, disappearing into the crowd as Blaze began making her way to the breaker room.

Both were wearing heavy black clothing with hoods up, concealing their identity as normal club-goers.

Sonic and Tails were next, sneaking through as they attempted to make their way to the staircase. This was a stealth mission.

Blaze popped into the breaker room, kicking open a vent as she made her way to the grids.

A guard in there whipped his head towards Blaze. "Hey, you can't be in-"

He was silenced as a whirry of flames was slung towards him, barely grazing his side as he rolled out of the way, Blaze swinging a kick to his neck that took him out of consciousness.

She bent down to the control-grids, igniting her embers as she began to burn through the wires – the lights flickering rapidly.

Silver looked up at the ceiling as the lights began dimming, and the massive crowd of dancers at the bottom of the pit realized it too, the music beginning to glitch.

He smirked, continuing his trek.

Cosmo

"If you do not have clearance, you shouldn't be in here," Robotnik growled, yet Cosmo remained steely-eyed.

"Remember Petunia?"

Robotnik stopped, and this caught Nazo's attention, turning around with a scowl as he began walking towards Cosmo.

"I am unsure of that name, young lady. Perhaps it is time for you to exit," Nazo stated, his eyes burning into Cosmo's.

"Not until you both get what you deserve."

Cosmo whipped the wig off, raising her gun and firing – but as her finger pressed the trigger, the lights shut off, causing her to miss her shot.

The only light in the room now was the city-lights gleaming through the window, Robotnik and Nazo caving to take cover, as Starline hurried to try and power Metal on – but to no avail. No power, no machine.

Cosmo darted behind a wall, her breathing heavy as Bean and Nack began powering up the stairs.

"Boss! You alright?!" Nack exclaimed.

"All of you get outta here! This is between me, Nazo and that blasted girl!" Robotnik yelled, hobbling up.

Bean, Nack and Zero nodded – breaking to make it out of the dire situation that lay before them.

Cosmo scrambled up, her gun in front of her as she watched for any signs of movement.

Her hands shook furiously, whipping her gun around as her eyes burned with rage.

She stopped, listening closely – until the sound of a thud whammed the back of her head.

Inside the Club:

Sonic and Tails had taken down two guards, winding down a hallway that was close to where they needed to be.

They nodded to Silver, who had subdued the guards at the elevator and began ascending, picking up Blaze on the way.

As Blaze stepped into the elevator, they began to tear off their disguises, their gauntlets activating.

"This might be the most action we've gotten in a while," Silver joked, grinning as the elevator climbed.

Blaze managed to cut the wires for all but the elevator. Smart cat.

"If we can help a friend out of trouble, then I must say we have done our job," Blaze replied.

Silver nodded, as the elevator stopped – a ding sounding as the door slid open.

The guards all looked down the empty hallway, flicking their lights on their guns on as they approached the hallway.

Shrouded in darkness, and no sounds or signs of movement.

Until a blue light shone from the corner, a barrier of energy sent towards them as the guards tumbled back.

In a daze, they all began firing towards the source, a blue barrier pushing their bullets back as Blaze hopped over the barrier, her hands and feet illuminated in flames as she began taking the guards down one by the one, all gunfire being discarded by the telekinetic energy that was subduing it.

Blaze wrapped her flaming ankles around a guard's neck, the embers singing his fur as she lunged him into Silver's telekinetic hold, before he was slammed into a wall.

On a dime, Silver raised his hands, all the guards flying into the air, as Blaze ignited the floors, Silver slamming them down into the flaming floor as they were knocked unconscious.

Silver and Blaze made their way into the room, as Sonic and Tails began thundering up the stairs.

Nazo had Cosmo in a chokehold, Robotnik watching with glee.

"Do you think I want to kill you? I don't wish for you, or anyone to die! I only wish you had not come here with such rage, maybe things could have been different!" The hedgehog exclaimed, Cosmo freeing one hand and slicing his eye.

Nazo yelped, before a blast of fire thudded him in the back, while Silver grabbed Robotnik telekinetically - forcing him upright.

"Let…me…go!" Robotnik choked out, as Sonic and Tails arrived with their guns.

Cosmo scrambled up, eyes wide as she grabbed her gun and pointed it towards them, tears streaking her face.

Tails rushed over, eyes wide as he grabbed onto the gun, trying to wrestle it from her. Her tears thudded into Tails's hands.

"They…have – to pay!"

"You don't have to pay with them, Cosmo!"

Their struggle continued, as Cosmo broke down into tears, sliding onto the ground as Nazo and Robotnik lay there, breathing heavily.

Sonic stared them down, grabbing his handcuffs.

The Chemical Lounge: Aftermath.

The patrons, the guards, and employees were ALL watching, as Sonic and Tails led Robotnik and Nazo from the building.

It was as if everyone in the club finally felt relief.

The two that controlled them all were finally paying.

Robotnik seethed, spitting on the ground. "You think – you think I'm scared! Of you two?! Please!"

Nazo remained steely-eyed. "Shut it, Egghead," Sonic spat, tightening his grip on his arm.

Nazo scuffed his feet, stopping Tails as he bore his eyes into them both.

"Whatever I know, and whatever we have done. It all goes with me to the grave."

Sonic glared at him, as Tails placed a knee into his back. "Get moving."

As they reached the door, Knuckles and Amy stood there, cross-armed and furious.

Nazo smirked. "Seriously? Don't you two know the police in this city work for us?"

Knuckles scoffed, grabbing him as he kicked the door open.

Nazo and Robotnik were faced before the sight of the entire police-force, and SWAT division.

Sally stood with Bunnie, Antoine and Scourge – their eyes cold and furious.

Vector had an arm around Mighty and Espio, as Charmy buzzed behind them. Whisper and Tangle stood hand-in-hand.

"I guess not all of us work for you," Knuckles said, hoisting them forward.

Nazo met the eyes of Shadow, Rouge, the Rogues and Bark – all staring coldly. Robotnik scoffed.

Knuckles turned to them, his eyes hard. "Nazo the Hedgehog and Ivo Robotnik – you are under arrest for the murder of Petunia the Seedrian. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one – one will be appointed for you."

Nazo scoffed, glaring back. "I'll see you when I walk out, Knuckles."

Robotnik turned his gaze to Shadow, his brow furrowing.

"What – you're helping them now, huh? Just 'cause I stole your plans?"

Shadow marched forward, his cold glare bearing into Robotnik's.

"I know you were part of having my father killed – and Maria."

Robotnik's eyes widened.

"Sh- Shadow. I never meant for Maria to die. You have to believe-"

Shadow silenced him with a hard, nose-breaking punch into Robotnik's face – the crowd gasping and wincing.

"Do not worry. This is only part of my vengeance. What comes next – is worse than you could imagine."

Sonic nodded at Shadow, forcing them forward.

The door slid open behind them, as Zero and Starline stood with Nack and Bean, all eyes on Robotnik.

"I knew this would happen, Robotnik! Your deeds have caught up," Starline mocked.

Robotnik spat. "What – you're some big shot now, Starline? You still work for me."

"False. None of us work for you now," Zero responded, grabbing his Ruby tight.

Bean and Nack nodded in agreement – their eyes meeting Rouge and Jet's briefly.

Nazo chuckled, turning his gaze towards Silver, Blaze and Cosmo.

"You two were the ones that got away. I suppose I never apologized for that. Attempting to kill you two 'superheroes' is much harder than I anticipated, and I am truly sorry your daughter ended up being caught in the crossfire of that."

Silver's eyes blazed with fury. He clenched his fists tight, his jaw hardening as he began storming forward. "Silver, wai-" Blaze called, before Silver grabbed Nazo by the neck, ripping him from Tails's grasp.

"Silver!" Knuckles exclaimed, as Silver dragged Nazo underneath the streetlamp – forcing his back to the pole.

"Do not ever speak about her. Right now? I could kill you – and nothing is stopping me from doing it."

Nazo coughed, his eyes hard and cold. "I said – I was so-"

Before he could finish, a shot rang out, Silver jumping back as a bullet struck Nazo's side, a cry omitting from him as he slumped to the ground.

A collective scream sounded from the group, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy rushing over, as the police all began ducking and contemplating loudly.

"Silver?!" Sonic exclaimed.

Silver stood back, staring at Nazo as he clutched his side on the ground, blood spilling between his hands.

"I – I didn't do that!"

Sonic scowled, as the streetlight flickered, Nazo being the sole body in the lamp's glow.

That is when Sonic realized.

He looked back at the other streetlight, before turning his eyes to the street sign

Upon finding the rat – you will bring him underneath the street sign underneath the left streetlamp at the entrance of The Chemical Lounge. There, he will be disposed of. The one to deliver him will be the ones who hold the most power out of you all.

"Silver – look where you're standing!" Sonic called.

Silver cocked his head, before his eyes followed Sonic's. His eyes widened in realization.

"Gaia – Nazo was the informant! He was the rat!" Tails exclaimed.

"Up there!" Espio called, pointing towards a window. "The shot came from up there!"

Sonic whipped his head around, following Espio's gaze to an apartment window, seeing a silhouette duck away behind a sniper-rifle, positioned on the windowsill.

The killer. He picked off the informant.

There, he will be disposed of.

"It's the killer! He's in that apartment!" Knuckles exclaimed, Amy beckoning her hand for the officers to begin moving out.

As they all began their trek down the street, police-cars raced to the site of the apartment, Sonic and Tails hurrying down the sidewalk together.

They shared one look, and for the first time in a while, a genuine smile crossed their faces.

Time to catch this son of a bitch.