Act II: DESCENT

Chapter X: Dies Irae, Dies Illa

Central City Square, Monday 12:05 PM

The Ceremonial Arms marched through the streets. The sound of bagpipes in the air fluttered in the wind.

Crowds of people were along the sidewalk, watching the massive parade of Ceremonial Arms, horses, wreaths, and two caskets being carried through the city streets.

The public memorial service for Rotor and Nephthys was a massive event – and everyone in the city had come to see.

Big stood speaking to a camera, microphone in hand as the front line passed him.

Two horses on either side, and notably in the front line of the parading march was Ken Khan, Sonia, and the mayor Shade the Echidna.

"With no word from Shadow, Silver, or any of the vigilantes – even as they mourn Chief Rotor and Judge Nephthys, these cops have to wonder if Eclipse will make good on his threat, in the obituary column of The Central City Times…to kill the mayor."

Shade looked impassive, as if the looming cloud of Eclipse's threat had not dawned on her quite yet.

Quite possible that she didn't believe he would do it – but this was the man who caused this funeral to occur in the first place.

Khan shot a glance at her, trying to read her face as Sonia carried a wreath – woven with roses.

The bagpipes filled the air once more…a familiar, haunting tune.

Unknown Location, Monday 12:04 PM

Shadow watched with Bark, Rouge, and Wave as the results of the fingerprints flowed onto the screen.

Razor stood with Jet, the pair locking weapons around their beltloops.

Shadow nodded, clasping his hands together as he began to walk towards the motorcycle that was positioned on a stage in the warehouse.

"It has four possibles. Cross-reference the addresses, look for something that overlooks the funeral parade."

Bark nodded, squinting as he read the data. Shadow pulled the jacket around his frame, situating on the bike.

"Hey! Got one! Sonar Black, 1502 Rutledge Apartments!" Rouge called back to him, nodding at the Rogues and Razor as they began making their way.

"It says aggravated assault – moved to Angel Island Asylums twice!" Bark added, before scooting away from the desk.

Shadow gave a thumbs up, before kicking the motorcycle on as he hauled down the winding pathway – leading him out of the warehouse, and on his way to the city.

Tapping his wrist, he placed a call to Silver and Blaze – who answered in moments.

"Shadow! What's up?" Silver answered.

"1502 Rutledge Apartments. That is the match of the fingerprints. I'm heading there now. The rest of the group is going to do recon around the parade site. Razor is going to meet me inside the apartment."

"You got it, Shadow. We'll be around there shortly," Blaze said, before the call disconnected.

Shadow continued hauling towards the city, clicking his helmet visor down.

Central City Square, Monday 12:10 PM

The bagpipes and drumline continued beating the pulse of the funeral march, as an army of cops and decorated men in arms followed closely behind.

Sally and Amy found their eyes wandering to the fire escapes, where their friends in the SWAT were positioned.

Antoine grabbed tightly to Bunnie's hand, who then shot reassuring glances to Cosmo as she walked alongside Tails and Sonic.

Sonic sighed, thudding Scourge on the back softly as the green hedgehog winked.

Atop the rooftop, Tangle and Whisper were positioned – sniper rifles at the ready, looking down on the massive parade that cadenced through the city streets.

Across from them was Espio and Charmy, their eyes scanning the streets below.

Mighty and other SWAT officers were scattered across the fire-escapes, as Vector walked in front of the SWAT army on the streets.

Knuckles looked up, three horses walking behind him as his eyes surveyed the defenses that the SWAT team had set up across the apartment buildings.

Knuckles raised the walkie to his mouth, flicking it on. "What do you have up on the roof?"

Espio responded, sighing. "We're tight, but frankly there are a lot of windows up here."

Mighty interjected, "If something comes from one of these windows, I'm not sure how quick our response time could be."

Knuckles walked along, his eyes scanning the flurry of windows that surrounded them. His eyes met Sonic, Tails, and Amy's – the echidna giving them a reassuring nod.

They were getting closer to where the ceremony would be held on the streets, so he only prayed they could get through this with no interruptions.

1502 Rutledge Apartments, Monday 12:20 PM

Shadow parked his motorcycle in an alleyway, nodding at Razor who had grappled down the building.

The pair rushed to the door, looking both ways as they hurried in.

Making it to the fifteenth floor, they would surely be overlooking the parade.

Gaia willing, they could stop whatever Eclipse had planned in this apartment.

And Gaia willing he would be here at all.

Approaching the door reading 1502, Shadow shot a glance towards Razor.

"Ready?"

Razor nodded, fixing his belt.

"Ready."

With a nod, Shadow pushed the door open.

Central City Square, 12:25 PM

Shade stood on the stage, overlooking the ceremonial arms, cops, SWAT, and band that lined the street.

In front of her were pictures of both Rotor and Nephthys, two major Central City defenders, both gone too soon.

Rotor's wife sat next to Ken and Sonia, and in front of them stood a wreath – woven in roses.

"Chief Rotor and Judge Nephthys dedicated their lives to law enforcement, and the protection of their community," Shade began, speaking into the two microphones that amplified her voice across the streets.

"When I took office, during the mess that occurred three years ago, I asked them both if they wanted to stay in office. Rotor had just taken a temporary leave of absence, and then he showed up right when he needed him too."

Knuckles stole glances towards Amy, Sonic, and Sally – before he resumed looking around the roofs of the buildings.

Vector gave him a nod from the street, signaling to Tangle and Whisper to begin checking other possible vantage points.

"They both said they'd keep office, provided I kept my politics out of the offices."

The crowd chuckled slightly at Shade's sentiment, as she smiled.

"I aimed to do just that – it's like I said three years ago. This city would rebuild on hope, and with their help – it has been doing just that."

The crowd applauded, though this still did nothing to ease the crime force's heightened nerves.

1502 Rutledge Apartments, Monday 12:27 PM

Shadow and Razor began down a long hallway, looking around the empty apartment.

"Why is it…so empty?" Razor asked.

Shadow gritted his teeth slightly. "No idea."

Turning the corner, Shadow stopped as he faced another large, empty room.

Except here, in a large pillar in the center of the room, hostages were tied around the pillar – duct tape on their mouths and eyes – wearing nothing but undershirts and boxer shorts.

Their ankles and wrists were tied up, and they were frighteningly still.

Shadow darted forward, as Razor followed – kneeling in front of one of the hostages, a black blindfold around their eyes.

It was a middle-aged skunk, and Shadow could tell by his shaken breathing he was petrified.

Tearing the duct tape from the skunk's mouth, the man gasped a heavy breath.

"W – who's there?"

Shadow stared at the man, setting his helmet down. "What happened?"

The skunk coughed, looking around as the blindfold remained over his eyes. "They took our guns."

Razor cocked an eyebrow, but what the man said next shocked him to his core.

"And our uniforms!"

Razor's mouth dropped. "Uniforms? Who were you guys with?"

"T – the ceremonial arms on the streets. The one firing off the rifles."

Shadow's eyes moved to Razor's. "Y – you mean. The men in the Ceremonial outfits down there-"

"They aren't. Us. They're fake, and they have our guns."

Shadow felt the color drain from his face, before rushing over to the window.

The blind was half-open, a clock ticking on the windowsill as a telescope was positioned at the window.

The funeral continued down below, but now Shadow's heart was thudding from his chest.

"We must remember that vigilance – is the price of safety," Shade finished, before stepping back.

The leader of the honorary guard stepped up, clutching his rifle. "Stand by. Honor guard."

He clicked his heel. "Attentioooon. Port. Arms."

The guard lifted their rifles, their white gloved hands turning them in their grips.

"Ready, aim!"

The guard aimed their rifles towards the sky, Knuckles watching closely.

"Fire!"

The guard fired one round off into the sky, Amy jumping slightly.

"Ready, aim!"

From the window where Shadow and Razor were positioned, the timer dinged, as the window blind sailed up.

"Fire!"

Mighty, seeing the window blind raise – fired his sniper rifle towards the window, the bullets dinging off the telescope as Shadow and Razor jumped back.

Mighty's shot fired along with the guard's rifles, causing Knuckles and Tails to jump from their seats slightly.

Mighty fired towards the window once again.

"Ready, aim!"

And on a dime, Eclipse – dressed in the guard uniform, turned his rifle towards the mayor – and the rest of the guard followed.

Knuckles, in a split decision, seeing all the rifles aimed towards Shade – leapt from his seat, tackling Shade to the ground.

Eclipse and the guards fired, the bullet landing in Knuckles' side.

The crowd began to scream, immediately dispersing as panic soared throughout the streets.

Gunshots rained through the air, as the ceremonial guard took off running, the police force jumping from their seats.

It was full pandemonium, and Eclipse had attempted to make good on his threat.

Sally and Amy ushered Shade, Khan, and Sonia off the stage.

"Get the mayor out of here!" Julie-su cried, turning back to see Sonic and Tails leaning over Knuckles.

Knuckles coughed dryly, patting his stomach as the bullet wound etched into his side.

Sonic shook Knuckles, his eyes in a panic. "Knuckles?! Knuckles, hey! Knuckles, talk to me!"

Knuckles put a finger to his mouth, pointing at the bulletproof vest under his shirt. Knuckles hoisted himself up, clutching onto Sonic's shirt.

"I – I need to – be b – brought somewhere s – safe. He w – will come after m – me next."

"Wh – what are you talking about?!" Tails cried.

"I need h – him to think I'm dead. T – then, we can c – catch him!"

Sonic stole a look towards Tails. Knuckles wanted to fake his death so they could catch Eclipse?! What the hell gives?! What kind of plan was this?

Sonic shook Knuckles slightly. "Boss, that's insane! We're not-"

"Sonic! J – just trust m – me. I know w – what I'm doing!"

Amy looked at Sonic worriedly, before nodding. "Get him out of here. If he knows what he's doing, then he knows what he's doing."

Sonic shook his head in disbelief. Knuckles had planned this all, didn't he? He had concocted some elaborate plan to fake his own death in order to draw Eclipse out.

And as absolutely insane as it sounded, it just might work.

Khan hurried Sonia to a police car, before stepping back. "I'll see you later, get going!"

A cop grabbed onto Sonia, who fought slightly against his grip. "Wh- what?! Why are you going back?!"

Khan didn't respond – instead he darted through the crowd, as another gunshot rang through the air – enticing a scream from the crowd.

He hopped into the back of an ambulance van, gesturing for the paramedic to leave as one of Eclipse's men, donning ceremonial guard wear, lay in the back of the van – holding his hand over an open gunshot wound.

Lightning the Lynx stared at Khan, who sat down across from him – his harsh glare bearing into his eyes.

"Tell me what you know about Eclipse."

The lynx began to snicker, a crazed, muffled laughter beginning as a smile etched wide across his face.

His eyes moved down to his jacket, Khan following as he reached forward to read the man's name tag.

"OFFICER SONIA THE HEDGEHOG."

Khan's face went pale, his mouth drying up as he glanced towards the driver's seat – seeing the key in the ignition.

Khan stole a glance from outside the back of the van before he leapt to the driver's seat.

Lightning began shaking his hand, which was cuffed to the bed. He shook violently, attempting to thrash out of his hold as Khan turned the key, beginning to drive the van away from the site.

Unknown Location, Monday 9:33 PM

Knuckles had received medical attention, as much as he needed due to his vest stopping the bullet for the most part. The echidna was sitting on a couch in a safehouse as he drank from his coffee.

The force, and the SWAT commanders stood in front of him – scowls of disapproval on their faces.

"I don't like this," Cosmo spoke up first.

Knuckles sighed, placing his coffee down.

"I agree. This – this is insane. It's stupid!" Tangle cried.

"It'll work. That's what's important," Knuckles responded.

Amy shook her head lowly, scoffing as Vector stepped up.

"What are we supposed to tell everyone, Knucklehead?"

"That I'm dead. Obviously. I died while taking Shade to the ground."

"You expect people to believe that?" Fiona asked.

"They saw me get shot. They'll think the bullet killed me."

"What purpose does this serve anyways?" Bunnie asked, her eyes furious as Knuckles hung his head low.

"He'll come after me next. He missed on the mayor because of me. I'm going to be his next target, no matter what."

"Doesn't help he's commissioner of police either…" Mighty remarked under his breath.

Sally scowled for a moment, before turning to Mighty. "Hey – earlier at the funeral, what were you firing at?"

"I saw a blind on a window shoot up. I saw a silhouette inside. I couldn't…risk anything, so I took the shot."

"So…you think it may have been a distraction or somethin'?" Julie-su piped in, earning a shrug from the armadillo.

"I'm not sure, but it was suspicious. Sure, it could've been something random…but-"

"I get it. We were on high alert. You listened to your instinct. I am sure you weren't wrong to take that shot," Whisper said, smiling at Mighty.

"Look, regardless of everything that occurred today – we are stronger with you, not without you," Espio said.

"Exactly. We need you around, boss!" Antoine exclaimed, before Knuckles waved them off.

"Look – either way? I was his next target. He isn't gonna stop…not until-"

The door to the safehouse opened, stepping in was Shadow's gang, followed by Silver and Blaze.

"Until they're arrested…" Scourge finished, scoffing slightly.

"Then they need to be placed under arrest," Julie-su stated, before Knuckles waved her off.

"No – no. They do not need to be arrested,"

"Why not?" Whisper asked, earning looks from the group.

"Whisp is right. This ends with them, doesn't it?" Cosmo asked.

Shadow shook his head, stealing a glance towards Silver and Blaze.

"And who's the shark anyways?" Mighty asked, glaring at Razor, "Why don't we just…arrest them?"

"Maybe because they're our friends?" Sonic spoke up, for the first time as he started walking towards the group.

"I understand that…but – is it worth all these people that keep dying?" Sally asked, earning a dry chuckle from Sonic.

"I'm – not going to arrest my friends. Our friends! They're fighting for what we're fighting for. I don't even wanna go down that road!"

"Hey – if arresting us is the right thing to do, then…" Silver began, shuffling closer to Blaze's side.

"It's not! It isn't! We don't win by just giving in to this maniac's demands!" Sonic cried, grabbing his quills tightly.

"Is it…worth it for people to keep dying, though?" Razor asked. This earned inquisitive glances from the group, the shark clearing his throat.

"I know – I haven't met you all yet. My name is Razor, I'm new to this…vigilante thing. I don't know all the ins and outs of this yet…but I'll gladly sit in a cell while you catch Eclipse."

Rouge shook her head. "Nah – Sonic is right. We don't win by giving in." The bat tilted her head at Knuckles, walking forward as she ruffled his head.

"So, what? You're really gonna sit in here and play dead, big guy?"

Knuckles gruffly sighed, shaking his head. "There isn't another way now. This is the best thing to do."

The bat leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the echidna's head. "We'll see, big guy."

The echidna's muzzle flashed red, before sipping from his coffee discretely.

"No, they have to be arrested. I'm sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings, but it needs to end. It all needs to end!" Sally exclaimed, earning agreeing looks from the SWAT force.

"I don't wanna lock up Shadow though! He's too cool!" Charmy cried, earning a slight grin from Shadow.

"Dunno how to tell you this, but we ain't just gonna sit around in a prison cell while you try to clean up this dude's shit-trail. We'll do it if we need too," Jet said, earning nods from the two birds at his side.

"Look, regardless! We stopped Mephiles, we-"

"We didn't stop Mephiles. We arrested him while his bombs went off and plunged the city into a hellhole," Espio stated.

Sonic sighed, shaking his head. "Point is – we cleaned up his mess. We've been able to solve every threat that has faced us! We can do it now, too!"

"We cleaned it up after the fact! Look, I know you and Shadow and all of them have this view on how to solve things, but the fact is that we only solve it once a countless number of people are killed! And now you just want to let this guy keep killing people when we could fix it now?!" Cosmo exclaimed.

"I – know I sound probably like…not great right now – but it isn't worth locking up people who haven't done anything wrong!" Sonic cried, earning a harsh scoff from Bunnie.

"Shadow did lead a mob! Are we forgetting that glaring fact?!" Bunnie cried.

This statement made Shadow wince, Silver grabbing onto his wrist for support.

Sonic shook his head, stealing a glance at Amy. "Help me out with this? Surely you don't wanna arrest them either?! Blaze is like…your best friend!"

Amy shook her head, looking at Blaze. "Amy…you can be honest. You won't hurt my feelings," the cat said, smiling.

Amy sighed. "Look…maybe it doesn't need to be a permanent arrest?"

"Oh, come on! Seriously?!" Sonic shouted. "Is all your faith gone!? We've basically relied on these people for help and now you're all ready to turn your back!"

"What do you think, Tails?!" Cosmo asked Tails, who had remained silent.

"I agree with Sonic," Tails said, before his eyes flickered back onto the floor.

Cosmo sighed, shaking her head as she looked at the ceiling.

"They don't deserve to be arrested! Why are we ready to put our hands in the air on our friends when a maniac decides to kill just because he doesn't like vigilantes! Eclipse made that choice, they didn't!" Sonic shouted.

"And sometimes we have to do things due to the choices they made, Sonic," Tangle said, earning a slight snarl from Sonic.

"And it isn't arresting our friends!"

"ALRIGHT! Enough!" Knuckles commanded, as every head snapped to him.

"You aren't arresting them. I don't care if you agree with me or not. I am your boss, that is my decision."

Sonic sighed, putting his hands on his hips as he looked at the floor.

"I also don't care if you agree with my decision to fake my death. This is also what I have chosen to do. I'm sorry if you dislike that, but it will be over once we have a chance to catch Eclipse."

The room was silent, albeit the nods and slight whispers of aggravation. Knuckles sighed.

"You all need to go home. You have a heavy week ahead. I will be fine here."

"Alright, guys. Let's just go home…" Sally said, ushering everyone out.

Sonic stayed behind with Tails, nodding at Shadow, Silver and Blaze as the vigilantes headed out of the door.

The hedgehog turned back to Knuckles, raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you."

Knuckles waved him off dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I wouldn't have made that decision if I disagreed with you."

"Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Knuckles?" Tails asked, smiling softly.

"It needs to be done. I promise it'll work."

Sonic nodded, patting Tails on the back as the pair made their way to the door.

Knuckles sighed, sipping from his coffee as he stared ahead at the wall longingly.

Time to play dead.