Act II: DESCENT
Chapter XI: Hustle Bones
The Chemical Lounge, Tuesday 10:35 PM
The pulsating rave music boomed throughout the club, as Starline sat in an observing-room, counting stacks of money.
The drug shipment had been successful, and all under the police's noses as they were made to focus on Eclipse's shenanigans.
It was perfect. Starline could practically smell all the profit they would be making back, and they would have absolutely nothing to say about it.
Zero sat across from him, twirling a knife as Nack and Bean played a heated game of one-on-one poker in an adjacent room.
"Do you ever think we would be faring better if Ivo was still around?" Zero asked, earning a scoff from Starline.
"Robotnik would do nothing but drag us down. I am elated that he and Nazo are rotting their lives away at Everhold."
"Ever since they were arrested, our funds have been in the target of the police. It was only when Eclipse came around that they stopped looking."
Starline shook his head, throwing a stack of money to Zero as the jackal scrambled to catch it.
"Do you see that? Even with their noses in our business, they still fail to stop us fully. We do not need Robotnik and that hedgehog. We need only who we have now."
"If it wasn't for Ken Khan, we would be in better shape," Zero remarked.
"Zero, would you see what we are doing? Despite Ken Khan, the rumblings of the underworld are overtaking this city anyways! It is giving us the perfect opportunity to continue building. We had to start from relative scratch, and that is no easy dice to roll."
The jackal nodded, focusing on the knife in his hand. "If you say so."
"I do say so," Starline stated, beckoning his hand towards the door. "I want you to meet some people,"
Zero turned his head, as a green tenrec, and a blue fennec walked inside the room.
"MY answer to the vigilante crisis in this city. Zero, meet Surge and Kit. They have graciously volunteered to use their intellect on gadget-building to properly combat the vigilantes that continue to sniff around in our business."
"Pleasure to meet you, Scarface!" Surge exclaimed, snickering as Zero placed his hand over his scarred eye.
Kit remained silent, opting to merely nod towards Zero.
"You think this will work?" Zero asked, earning a chuckle from Starline.
"Of course, I do! They will do so well against those pests!"
"Good, cause you're gonna need them right about now."
"Hm?" The platypus asked, looking down through the window to see Shadow and his gang wailing on the club employees, enticing screams from nearby patrons.
Starline cursed, lifting from his seat as he stared harshly towards the gang.
Turning around, he smirked at the pair, nodding. "Go show them what you're made of."
Surge chuckled, cocking her head to the side as her and Kit made their way down the stairs.
"Bean! Nack! Hold off that game! Move the money to the safe! We have a breach. A vigilante breach," Starline exclaimed.
Nack groaned, shoving his chips to the side as he fumbled up. Bean thudded his fist on the table, sliding over it as he grabbed some of the stacks of money.
"Can never have anything good!" The woodpecker cried, as Nack thudded him on the back.
"Not with that attitude. C'mon."
As Starline turned back around, the window shattered, a grappling hook wrapping around his neck as Razor pulled him from the window, earning a yelp from Starline as his back slammed into the ground.
"Gotcha."
Shadow took out the nearest guard, before Kit ran forward, spraying a harsh liquid in his face.
"Nice one, Kit!" Surge cried, before shooting an electric dart from her gauntlet into Jet's gut, the bird stumbling back.
"Oh boy! Looks like Starline got some upgrades!" Wave cried with a cackle, swinging a bat to Kit's head as the young fennec cried, flopping to the ground.
"Hey! Don't knock him around! Only I can do that, bitch!" Surge exclaimed, backhanding Wave as she placed a kick into Storm's side.
"Goddamn!" Storm yelled, holding his gut as the sound of the music blared into his ears.
Starline tried scurrying to leave, until Rouge placed her heeled boot on his back.
"Ta-ta! Not so fast, platypus!"
Starline growled, slicing a blade across her leg, earning a cry from the bat.
Razor pulled on the hook, dragging the platypus towards him as he kicked his head hard, knocking the mob-boss unconscious.
Kit stumbled up, throwing punches into Jet's side. "Stay away from her!"
Jet chuckled, wiping the blood from his beak. "Someone's got sissy issues!"
The strobe lights returned Shadow from his daze, watching as Surge placed yet another roundhouse kick to Wave, causing the swallow to fly back.
Pressing a button on his belt, a dart shot forward, stunning the tenrec as she lunged towards the ground.
"Gaia! You fuckin' vigilantes are pissing me off!"
"Glad." Shadow remarked, before backhanding Kit hard as the fennec darted towards him.
The pair were thudded on the floor, Jet bending over as he tied a rope around their bodies.
"You're not going to get my money!" Starline cried, before Bark tore him from the floor, holding him by his neck.
"We aren't here for your money."
Outside of the club, Bark dangled Starline from a fire escape, holding him by his neck.
The gang were posted on the fire escape, some standing on the steps while others perched on the surrounding windows.
Shadow watched as Starline wrangled in Bark's grip, Shadow approaching him with a menacing stare.
"I want Eclipse. Now," Shadow commanded.
Starline chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Look, from one professional to another – if you wanna scare somebody? Pick a better spot. A fall from this height wouldn't kill me."
Shadow turned his gaze to Bark, nodding, before returning it to Starline, "Good thing I do not want to kill you."
Bark proceeded to drop Starline, the platypus screaming as his back slammed into the pavement, the platypus heaving as he attempted to lift himself up.
Razor fired a hook, Shadow sliding down the rope as he landed in front of Starline, grabbing him by the jacket collar as he bent over him.
"WHERE IS HE?"
"I don't know where he is. He found us."
Shadow cocked his head to the side, "He must have friends. Got any names for me, old partner?"
Starline wheezed a dry laugh. "Friends? Have you met this guy?"
"Someone knows where he is. I want names, now."
Starline chuckled again, shaking his head. "No one is going to tell you anything, Shadow. They know your act now. You have rules. Eclipse? He has no rules. No one's going to cross him. You want this guy? There's only one way."
Shadow glared at him, as Starline cocked his head with a grin.
"But you already know what way that is. Turn yourself in. Let him come find you."
Shadow growled, slamming Starline into the pavement as Shadow stood up.
Starline heaved, spitting blood onto the street. "Or you can let more people get killed while you make up your mind."
Shadow shook his head, looking towards the fire escape as he beckoned for them to come down.
The hedgehog began walking away into the cold night, cursing as he stared ahead.
He would find Eclipse, and he would make him pay.
No matter what.
C.C.P.D. Main Precinct, Tuesday 10:45 PM
Sonia was sorting files, trying to stay calm amid the chaos.
The crime force was darting around her, sorting files as all of Knuckles' work was now unattended to.
Sonia had no idea of Knuckles' whereabouts or condition. She didn't even know if he was dead, or alive.
She shared a small glance with Amy, the pair sighing.
"Didn't think this was going to get this bad," Sonia said, earning a dry laugh from Amy.
"It's only gonna get crazier from here, Sonia."
Sonia shook her head, watching as Scourge and Fiona were placing calls at a desk. Turning her gaze, she saw the D'Coolette's filing paperwork with Cosmo, as Sally walked in with Julie-su, both talking on the phone.
Sonia sighed, as her phone rang – a sigh of relief escaping as she saw Ken's name on her phone.
"Ken, where are you?!"
"Where are you?"
"I'm where you should be, at the crimes unit! I'm trying to deal with this mess!"
"Sonia-"
"And can I get the fingerprint analysis?" Sonia asked Antoine, who nodded as he handed her a file.
"Sonia! Listen, listen to me, you're not safe there."
"Oh, this is Knuckles' unit! It's fine-"
"And Knuckles is gone, Sonia."
"Ken, he's vouched for these people. They're all friends of mine!"
"And he's gone, Sonia."
Sonia stopped, standing upright as she stared into the distance, a million emotions running on her face.
She watched as Sally beckoned for Bunnie to hand her a file, before passing it off to Amy.
"Eclipse has named you next."
Sonia's face was struck with fear, biting the inside of her cheek as she stared at the floor.
"Gaia, is there anyone in this town we can trust?"
Sonia sighed, "We can trust Shadow."
"No, Sonia – look, I know he's your friend but he's not exactly on the city's good-list at the moment."
Sonia shook her head, "Then we can trust Sonic."
"Who Eclipse will probably kill down the line."
"Ken – Sonic's penthouse is now the safest place in the city."
"Then you go straight there. Don't tell anybody where you're going…I'll find you there."
Unknown Location, Tuesday 10:47 PM
"I love you," Khan stated, before hanging the phone up and putting it in his pocket.
Stepping forward, he tore the duct-tape off Lightning's eyes, the lynx shaking violently as his glare moved to Khan's.
The lynx was tied to a chair in a large building, face-to-face with an enraged Khan.
"Where is Eclipse?"
The lynx chuckled, shaking his head.
"TELL ME WHERE HE IS. NOW."
The lynx merely snickered again, biting his lip in glee.
Khan nodded, fumbling for a pistol as he spun the revolver's wheel. "Fine, you wanna play games?"
Khan fired the revolver in the distance, earning a startled jump from the lynx as his lip trembled.
He pressed the revolver to Lightning's head. "How's that feel?"
"You wouldn't."
"I WOULDN'T?!"
Khan's voice boomed, bouncing off the walls in a terrifying echo.
The lynx stared at him hard, his leg shaking in fearful anticipation.
"You don't think I would?"
"Mm-mm."
"You don't think I would?"
"Mm-mm."
Khan left the barrel placed hard against his forehead, before tearing the gun away. "You're right. I wouldn't."
The lynx smirked slightly; his eyes wide with confident glee.
"That's why I won't leave it up to me."
Fumbling in his jacket pocket, Khan pulled out one dice block – holding it up.
"Odd number? You stay breathing. Even number? Not so lucky."
Khan nodded towards the Lynx, who's fear was beginning to show.
Khan threw the dice in the air, watching it spin as it landed in his hand.
Three. Odd number.
The lynx began to chuckle, sighing in relief.
"Alright. Let's go again."
The lynx shot forward, his voice trembling in fear. "I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. GO-O-OD! I DON'T!"
Khan tilted his head, his stare cold and furious. "You're not playing your odds."
Khan grabbed the dice, spinning it between his fingers. "Let's do it again."
The lynx stared in fearful anticipation, before Khan threw the dice in the air…
And a gloved hand caught it.
"You'd really leave someone's life to luck?" Silver asked, taking the dice and placing it in his suit-pocket.
"I – not exactly…"
Blaze came from around the other side, her hands on her hips as she eyed the lynx.
"His name is Lightning Lynx. Paranoid schizophrenic, former patient at Angel Island Asylum."
Silver shook his head, raising an eyebrow at the lynx. "He's the type of person that Eclipse attracts. You really expect to learn anything from him?"
Silver began walking forward, Blaze following as Khan ran from behind, stopping them.
"Eclipse killed Knuckles. He's gonna kill Sonia next."
Silver sighed, "Khan, you're the symbol of hope that I, Blaze, and Shadow and his gang could never be. You stand against crime is the first actual ray of light on this city in a long time."
Blaze stepped forward towards Khan, glaring at him. "If anyone saw this, or even heard about it, everything you have accomplished would be undone. Any criminal you put away would be released, and Knuckles will have died for nothing."
Khan shook his head, staring at the floor.
"Look – I've already discussed it with Shadow. In a few days, you're going to hold a press conference. No one else is going to die because of us. You're going to tell everyone where to find us – and we're going to turn ourselves in," Silver stated.
Khan shook his head furiously. "N – No. I can't – you can't make me do that!"
"It's the only way now," Blaze stated, grabbing onto Silver's hand as the pair began to walk out of the building.
"No! You can't give in! YOU CAN'T GIVE IN!"
The pair said nothing, opting to continue walking as Khan stared angrily after them.
His fist gripped tight, his arm shaking slightly as his icy glare bore through the floor.
No one could give in.
They couldn't let him win.
Sonic's Penthouse, Tuesday 11:23 PM
Sonia stared out of the window, looking down at the city as Manic sat with Mina on Sonic's sofa.
"Are you alright, sis?"
Sonia kept her eyes on the window, shrugging. "I'm as good as I could be when I might be killed soon."
Manic shook his head, standing up as he wrapped his sister into a hug. "You're not going to die. We aren't gonna let that happen."
Sonia nodded, burying her face in Manic's shoulder.
Sonic stepped into the large living room, the massive windows allowing the city lights to peer into the room.
"Howdy, siblings!"
Sonia chuckled, brushing her hair as Manic walked over to hug his brother.
"How are you, sis?" Sonic asked, smiling slightly as the magenta hedgehog shrugged.
"Like I said, as good as anyone can be right now."
Sonic shook his head, brushing stray quills from her eyes. "I know this is – scary, but it's going to be alright. We're gonna fix this."
Sonia sighed. "I hope you're right."
"Well, hey – me and Mina have to get going. We'll come by in the morning to check on you," Manic said, as Mina took her place next to her.
"I hope this Eclipse dude gets what's coming to him. I can feel this city's fear of something like what happened three years ago happening again," Mina said, brushing Sonia's arm.
Sonia nodded, leaning her head slightly on Sonic's shoulder.
"It's going to be okay. Just like this doofus over here said," Sonia remarked jokingly, lightly punching Sonic on the arm.
The blue hedgehog chuckled, holding his hands up. "Gonna beat a guy down for trying to lighten the mood?!"
Manic snorted, slapping his brother on the back. "As classy as always. We'll see you both tomorrow,"
"Sure thing, Manic."
The pair made their way towards the door, before letting themselves out as Sonic turned to Sonia. "Make yourself comfy, I'll go fix you a coffee."
Sonia nodded, taking her place at the couch. Sonic returned with the coffee in a few minutes before a knock on the door got his attention.
Sonia immediately went on guard, Sonic grabbing her shoulder gently. "Don't worry – it's no big deal. If they're knocking on the door, then they're on my 'you-can-let-this-person-in list'."
Sonia chuckled, grabbing her forehead. "If you say so."
After waiting a few moments, Sonic stepped into the room, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "Someone's here to see you."
Sonia turned around, her eyes widening as Shadow stood behind Sonic, staring at the ground.
"S – Shadow…?"
Sonic whistled lowly, turning on his heel. "I'll – let you two talk."
Sonia watched as Sonic left, leaving the two hedgehogs alone in the living room.
Shadow walked towards the window, Sonia standing up with her arms crossed. A slight smile grazed her muzzle, tilting her head.
"Ken called. He said Silver, Blaze and all the vigilantes were gonna turn themselves in."
"I have no choice," Shadow said, his eyes staying on the window.
"You honestly think that's gonna keep Eclipse from killing people?"
"Maybe not. But I have enough blood on my hands. All of us do."
Shadow turned to look at her, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "I've seen now what I have to become to stop men like him."
Sonia's eyes glazed over slightly, biting her lip.
"You once told me…that if the day came where I was finished – with the mob stuff, the vigilante stuff…"
Shadow began walking towards Sonia, "That we'd be together."
Sonia shook her head, biting her tongue as she stared at the ground. "Shadow, don't make me your hope for a normal life."
"Did you mean it?"
Sonia bit her lip, staring hard at him as she rolled her eyes slightly. "Yes."
Shadow stared at her for a moment, before wrapping her into a kiss. Sonia threw her arms around his shoulder, allowing herself to lean into the kiss – ignoring her mind telling her to pull away.
Shadow stopped, looking into her eyes as he pulled away. Smiling slightly, he began to walk away, beginning his trek to the front door.
"Shadow…"
The hedgehog stopped, turning around as he saw Sonia's soft smile.
"If you turn yourself in, then we won't be together then either."
Shadow bit his lip, his eyes flickering towards the ground.
Swallowing a lump in his throat, his gaze met hers again.
"Then I will keep holding out for one day."
Turning on his heel, Shadow began walking towards the hallway, Sonia watching with a sigh as the black hedgehog exited, leaving her alone in the large penthouse living room.