Act II: DESCENT

Chapter XII: Where Evil Grows

Everhold Prison, Wednesday 3:04 PM

Sonic and Tails sat in anxious anticipation in the back of the SWAT van, driven by Espio as they began approaching the gates of Everhold.

Espio gave credentials to the guard, as the gate opened, and the van continued trekking inside.

"You sure about this, guys?" Mighty asked, turning around with a raised eyebrow.

Tails looked at Sonic, as the hedgehog nodded. "We need any information we can get."

"I sure hope this goes well. Not sure how keen they would be on handing any intel out to us," Whisper said, gnawing on the side of her cheek.

"They might as well tell us what they know. They are rotting in jail after all…" Tails said.

The van stopped at the entrance, the group hopping out of the van as they approached the guards.

After being let in, the prison-guards led the group through the hallway, Sonic eyeing the prisoners that gave him foul looks.

One began banging on the window, an ape shouting, "Turn those vigilantes in! Stop letting those people die out there!"

A guard banged on the window, shouting for him to step back.

Sonic bit his lip, as Mighty shot him a reassuring glance.

As they reached the interrogation room, the guard turned they key.

"We will be out here if you need us. We'll be taking notes," Espio stated, as Sonic nodded in response.

"You got it, Esp. We'll be alright."

Whisper squeezed Sonic's shoulder, as the detectives headed through the door.

Sitting down at the table, a loud buzzer sounded as the window began sliding up.

In the room across from them, separated by glass – were Nazo and Robotnik.

Robotnik looked thinner, his mustache bushier, and his head slimmer.

Nazo's quills were overgrown and frilly, his green eyes as cold and harsh as they were when he was out on the streets.

Sonic clasped his fists together, raising an eyebrow. "Gentleman."

Robotnik scoffed, fixing his glasses as Nazo returned the smirk. "Detectives."

Tails pulled out the file, placing it on the table. "We have some questions abou-"

"Eclipse, I presume."

Sonic rolled his eyes, "Why don't we do the talking and you do the answering, Nazo."

"Gladly."

Tails slid the file through an opening in between the window, allowing Nazo and Robotnik to open it – scrounging through the notes.

"What makes you two think we'd have any idea about this guy?" Robotnik said, a slight growl in his voice.

"I mean – you're the one in a cell. I'd figure you might as well just give us any information you have," Tails said.

Nazo chuckled, "I can assure you I have never seen this man in my life."

"Don't play games, Nazo," Sonic said harshly, earning raised hands from Nazo.

"No games here, playboy. I have never seen this man before."

"You wasted your trip," Robotnik added, scowling at the pair.

"You've heard of him though," Sonic started, "So why don't you tell us what you've heard."

Nazo glanced at Robotnik, smiling before returning his gaze to the detectives. A long, drawn-out sigh escaped his lips.

"We have heard that this man, Eclipse, has caused quite the ruckus in the city. Picking off important people, making threats. I haven't seen a force of nature like him in a very long time."

"Force of nature?" Sonic asked.

"Oh, yes. He is quite…reckless. Unlike Mephiles, it seems he has no real motive, except for watching the city burn."

"He has to have some motive…" Tails said, earning a scoff from Robotnik.

"Have you seen how he operates?! We had motives, Mephiles had motives. This guy? He has no compass! He clearly enjoys causing chaos."

"What's his connection to the mob?" Sonic asked, earning a shrug from Nazo.

"You tell me, Sonic."

"No, you tell us."

Nazo shook his head with a smile. "We are locked in here. As far as I am aware, Starline has taken over the syndicate."

"He has," Tails finished.

"Then maybe Starline would be better suited to your questions," Robotnik said, sitting back with a smirk.

Sonic sighed. They were getting nowhere. It was possible they truly had no information about Eclipse – but the idea that Nazo, of all people, would know absolutely nothing about Eclipse didn't sit right.

Sonic leaned forward, lighting a cigarette in his mouth, taking a quick drag. "Nazo, you know everything about anything here. You really mean to tell me you have zero idea about who Eclipse is?"

Nazo nodded, "I am aware that I have that reputation, but I cannot lie – this man…is the first man who truly intrigues me. He is a complete mystery. I was unable to dig anything up on him. I have indeed tried."

"Do you have any mob contacts in here? Surely you've gotten some news…?" Tails asked.

Robotnik cocked his head, "We heard Eclipse had paid a little visit to the syndicate. Got on the bad side of Thrash. Then we heard Thrash was dead two days later. Everywhere Eclipse goes, death follows."

"And…who was Thrash?" Sonic asked, beginning to scribble down notes.

"Thrash the Tasmanian Devil. He oversaw one sector of the mob syndicate. I heard he had a bounty on Eclipse. That didn't last long – considering he's dead."

Tails was stunned by Nazo's bluntness. "So…he killed Thrash? Guess that means Eclipse isn't working with the mob?"

"I believe he is leading the mob down a dark path. I'd be surprised if the syndicate survives at all once Eclipse is through with them," Robotnik said.

"You think he's ripping them off?" Sonic asked, earning a shrug from Nazo.

"Eclipse does not strike me as the type of person to be hired. He strikes me as the type of person to play an army into his hand, and once he has what he needs – cast them into the fire as well."

Sonic jotted this down, taking another drag from his cigarette. "So…if the mob won't have leads, and you don't – who's supposed to?"

"That's the thing, hedgehog. You have nothing you can do. Except…arrest that petulant Shadow-"

"No, Robotnik. That's not on the table."

"It isn't?" Nazo asked, "And why is that? Rather let some vigilantes run about while more people continue to die?"

Tails shook his head, "How do we actually know that would stop him from killing people anyways?"

"Maybe it is about more then that. Maybe he is attempting to make a statement, but your heads are so far up that you are unwilling to hear," Nazo spat.

"I'd take a chance. It hurts to see Starline ruining all my good work!" Robotnik exclaimed, earning a dry chuckle from Sonic.

"Your syndicate's on its last legs. Thank no one but us!"

Robotnik growled, as Nazo shot him a harsh glare.

"How much more do you truly think this city can take, Detectives? You are all so incompetent on stepping these terrorists in their tracks. Letting innocent people die due to…what? Preconceived loyalty? It's absurd," Nazo said, glaring at the pair of investigators.

Sonic shook his head, snarling. "I didn't come here for a lesson on ethics, Nazo. I came for information on who Eclipse is, and how we can capture him."

"You came to the wrong place. I'm afraid this is on you now!" Robotnik exclaimed, chuckling.

A knock was placed on the window, the pair turning to see Mighty mouthing, "Maybe we should leave."

Sonic sighed, biting his lip as he returned his gaze to Nazo and Robotnik.

"I hope you know when you get out, your mob's funds are bled dry," Sonic growled, taking the file back as he slammed it shut.

"Funds this, funds that. Why do you suppose we care about that? Starline loves the smell of money, as does this egghead over here-"

Robotnik shot Nazo a cold glare.

"Me? The power is what I crave. Maybe, Eclipse and I are alike in that way. I sure hope you make the correct decision, detectives."

Sonic shook his head, looking at Tails with a sigh.

"Guess this was a bust, pal."

The pair nodded, standing up as they began walking to the door.

"Oh, Sonic! If you see Starline, tell him that when I'm out of here? It's his head." Robotnik spat.

Sonic turned around, shooting the former-mob boss a harsh grin.

"Oh, you bet your ass I will."

Angel Island Asylum, Wednesday 6:04 PM

"You know, it took a lot of convincing to even let you in this building, Shadow."

Shadow stared at the floor, trying to ignore the scowl from Amy.

"In a few days, I will be turning myself in. I have unfinished business here, however. I may be able to get you information so that Eclipse can be brought to justice."

Amy sighed, "I understand that. But – this really couldn't have happened at a worse time, Shadow."

Shadow shook his head, the pair staring at the metal border that blocked the window, guarding the individual they were soon to speak too.

"This will stop him. It will allow Knuckles to come out of hiding – it will fix everything. I promise."

Amy shrugged lightly, grabbing onto Shadow's hand.

"We appreciate you, you know that right?"

Shadow nodded, feeling his eyes well up as Amy smiled at him.

"I appreciate you all as well."

Suddenly, the buzzer sounded – as the grate began to slide up.

Amy shook her head, patting his shoulder. "I'll be out there if you need me, and hey. Remember – I'm pulling way too many strings getting you in here."

Shadow nodded, fixing his gaze on the window ahead. "I know."

With a brisk nod, Amy left – leaving Shadow to stare as the familiar face made his way into Shadow's gaze.

There sat Mephiles, staring at Shadow with a smug smile as he waved – the handcuff chains rattling around his wrists.

Shadow carefully stepped forward, his mind on high alert – his eyes full of unspilled tears, seeing his brother locked in an asylum.

"I am shocked to see you, brother."

Shadow winced, sitting down carefully.

"I did not think we'd need to communicate – but options are running out."

Mephiles whistled lowly, shaking his head. "Options, options, options. You have had many choices in your life, haven't you, Shaaaaadow…"

"I don't need reminders, just information."

"Information? From me? I could not imagine what for."

Shadow sighed, holding up a picture of Eclipse. Mephiles gaped slightly, his reptilian eyes scanning wildly.

"Ah…my friend!"

"Your friend?"

"Oh…yes. He became my friend inside these desolate walls. He said we were alike!"

Shadow raised an eyebrow. He supposed that was true. He could see the similarities.

"So he was in here at one point?"

"He waaas. But he left so soon!"

"Did he escape?"

Mephiles shrugged, itching his muzzle.

Shadow sighed, putting his face in his hands.

"You know, Shadow…you're the reason for this. For alllll of this."

"I'm aware, Mephiles. I'm turning myself in soon."

Mephiles clicked his tongue, tutting at Shadow as he shook his head. "Eclipse is…so brave. Doing what I wish I could have done."

"You destroyed this city, Mephiles."

"Wrong. This city…destroooyed itself."

Shadow growled. "You had no right to take your anger out on innocent people."

"INNOCENT?!"

The sudden change of volume startled Shadow, jumping slightly as he bit down on his lip.

"No, no. No no no no no. Not innocent, no. In pain, in rage? Yes."

"You don't get to make that call for them, Mephiles."

"I inspired true change. Look what I have done! The city is soooo much less corrupt. I cleansed them in the waters. Their wounds are healed. I'm…a hero."

Shadow scoffed in disbelief. His brother was gone. His psyche shattered, his resolve crumbled. He was staring at a hollow shell of what his brother once was.

"What happened to you? This is not who you used to be, Mephiles!"

Mephiles scoffed, his eyes wide and frenzied. "You happened."

Shadow was taken aback, biting hard on his lip.

"When Gerald threw me to the streets, you didn't bat an eyeeeee, Shadow. You left your brother to grow cold. This city treated me and sooo many others as scum. You did nothing for me, brother."

"I'm sorry-"

"No."

Shadow looked down towards the floor, his foot shaking in anxiety.

"No apology necessary. I am renewed, Shadow. May I stay in these cells forever, I am still renewed."

Shadow didn't respond – opting to keep his gaze locked towards the floor. Mephiles began to clap his hands lightly.

"In a fewwww days, my brother turns himself in. The madness stops! Everything goes back to normal."

Shadow returned his gaze, as his brother began leaning forward.

"Or does it? No…I don't think so. You see, men like us – like me and Eclipse? We know how to fix this city. We know what it takes. We will see it through."

Mephiles shook his head, "I'm not finished yet. Eclipse is not finished yet. There are more disasters to come, Shaaadow…"

Shadow winced again.

"Do you see? Your ruuuules…they do not save you. You don't wish to kill your enemies? They will be your undoooing, brother."

Shadow shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mephiles."

Mephiles shrugged, smiling wildly at Shadow. "I have never felt better, Shadow."

Shadow stood up, opting to turn to leave.

He stopped for a moment, biting his tongue as he turned back.

"For what it is worth. When you left – I never stopped searching for you. I wanted you to know I was out there."

Mephiles' face was unreadable, and Shadow bid him a nod – before leaving.

Amy turned to face him, putting her hands on her hips.

"So? Anything?"

"He knew Eclipse in here. He said they were…friends. He must have escaped or something. I'm unsure – he didn't seem to know much about him further then what they would discuss together."

Amy sighed, nodding slightly. She grabbed his arm, cocking her head to the side. "Let's get you outta here before I lose my job."

As she led Shadow from the building, his gaze locked on the floor. Every word Mephiles said echoed through his head.

Turning away from Amy, Shadow continued walking – but allowing one teardrop to roll off his face and fall to the ground.