Act II: DESCENT
Chapter XX: Sign of the Times
Central City General Hospital, Sunday 6:08 PM
It was absolute chaos at the hospital.
The firemen attempted to hose down what was only a massive pile of ash. The once enormous hospital was reduced to rubble and debris.
Knuckles led the force on the ground, watching as paramedics, police medics, firemen and scientists roamed the parking lot grounds. There was nothing left, and Knuckles felt the fury rising in his body.
Tangle approached with one of the police investigators, who began talking Knuckles through. The issue was – 102 people were missing, approximately two buses full.
"You had to have known how many people were inside! You have patient lists, roll calls!" The echidna explained, as the man shook his head.
"Sir – right now it's showing 102 people missing, two buses. All these other buses here are heading off to other hospitals. I guess we missed two of 'em."
"Right – and what's your guess about where Ken Khan is?!" Bunnie asked furiously, cocking her head at the man.
"You need to keep looking for him," Sally commanded to the man, as Knuckles stepped in.
"And keep it to yourself – if anyone asks, we got him out!"
The man nodded hurriedly, darting back towards the rubble. If they lost Khan in the explosion, it was game over for them.
"We have helicopters patrolling overhead. Hopefully they can snuff out anyone we didn't find," Mighty explained, as Whisper tapped on her tablet.
"I can only assume those buses were hijacked. I may be too paranoid – but knowing Eclipse…" Whisper started, earning a curt nod from Cosmo.
"She's right – we're gonna need to put out a search alert for those two buses. Anywhere that looks suspicious," Cosmo said.
The buzzing of the helicopters, paired with the smoke, turned the scene into that of complete terror. Amy sighed, looking out at the destruction as she stood with Sonic and Tails.
"Gaia – I hope Ken got out of there," Amy whispered, earning a sigh from Sonic.
"Something tells me he did – but on his own volition."
Tails titled his head at Sonic. "What do you mean?"
"I just – I have a bad feeling about him. If he had been evacuated by us – we would have known. He was a priority."
"I agree – something is fishy," Amy added.
Knuckles turned to Julie-su, handing her his phone. "Call the mayor's office."
Julie-su nodded, dialing the number as Scourge turned to Knuckles. "What the hell do we do next?"
"We're gonna need the National Guard," Knuckles replied, shaking his head as he watched the smoke continuing to billow from the destroyed hospital.
"National Guard? Are you sure?" Antoine asked, earning a sigh from Knuckles.
"He's not just a serial killer anymore – he's a full-blown terrorist now," The echidna replied.
Antoine grabbed Bunnie's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as the rabbit wiped a straying tear from her muzzle.
Carnival Nights Pub, Sunday 6:15 PM
The bar was packed full. At least 56 people inside watched in complete silence at the television – as the news played.
The cameras showed the footage of the hospital's destruction, a palpable silence as shock and horror ran through the bar.
"There are reportedly still 102 people missing, including our very own Big the Cat. I'm being told we're cutting to a video that CCN received just minutes ago. I will advise that the contents are disturbing."
Collective whispers began, but they were cut short as the transmission began playing.
Big sat in red and black face paint, as he sat in front of a white blanket that read "BREAKING NEWS."
It looked like a terrorist's ransom video – and that was somewhat what it was.
Big swallowed, reading from a paper script that Eclipse had certainly written for him.
"I'm Big the Cat from Central City Tonight. What does it take to make you people want to join in?"
Knuckles and the force surrounded the television underneath a tarped tent at the hospital grounds, harsh glares in their eyes.
Sonic felt his heart skip a beat, as Tails stepped away – receiving a phone call. Amy grabbed onto Sonic's hand, giving it a squeeze.
"You failed to kill the lawyer, the squirrel. I have to get you off the bench and into the game."
Eclipse could be heard in the background, reading along with Big under his breath – as he began to snicker softly.
"Come nightfall – this city is mine. Anyone that stays here plays by my rules."
Tails rushed back, pulling Sonic away slightly as he hung up the phone. "Sonic – security is showing a break-in at our R&D Department."
Sonic gasped slightly, shaking his head as he clutched his quills.
Eclipse was going to raise an army – and with an armory.
"If you don't want to play the game – then get out now."
The citizens inside the bar began to clamor, half of them rushing to leave while the other half remained – eyes fixed onto the television.
"But – the crowd that tries to leave through the bridges and tunnels are sure for a surprise."
Those words caused everyone to stop, all whispering in panic as Eclipse made his next threat.
Knuckles leaned over to Vector and Espio, "Get any available officer on your division down to the bridges and tunnels. Start search."
"You got it," Espio stated, leading Vector from the scene.
"Ha..ha. Ha..ha." Big read the scripted laughs, before Eclipse began to burst into laughter, turning the camera towards his face – before shutting it off.
Sunday, 6:35 PM
The National Guard arrived – and soon the evacuation of the city began.
Many people decided to stay, and many decided to leave.
The streets were full of cars, all waiting to be evacuated by the National Guard as Eclipse's threat loomed over the city.
The people who decided to stay took up arms quickly, shouting in the streets as they began to "liberate" the city. They wanted chaos – they wanted to destroy everything that stood tall in this city.
The cops below the tunnel were searching for any explosives – though they continued to come up short. The same was true for the cops on the bridges – closed off from the citizens as they attempted to think of other escape routes.
But this would all be in vain.
Suddenly, bombs began to go off in the tunnels – the cops screamed, all attempting to run for safety – but in vain.
As the rubble fell – the police and SWAT below the tunnels became trapped. There was nothing for them to do now but try and call for help.
The bridges followed soon after. As soon as they were given the all clear, bombs shook the city – enticing panicked screams as the bridges all around Central City collapsed into the ocean.
Eclipse had lied. No one would be allowed to leave. Everyone was trapped.
One of the guard helicopters surveying the city from above watched in horror – as explosions boomed across the large metropolis.
In a matter of moments, the city became a desolate wasteland with no way out. The streets looked like it had been through a war – with ashes and dust fluttering in the air.
Sonic watched in horror from his penthouse, as Amy, Tails and Cosmo rushed about behind him – in a state of true panic. Sonic's eyes followed the explosions as they appeared across the city grounds.
"Jesus – every cop in the city is down in those tunnels!" Cosmo exclaimed.
"And the ones on the bridge are gone…" Tails muttered, before Sonic turned around.
"Not every cop. We need to check if the crime unit leaders are around."
"They should be. They went back to the precinct with Knuckles. I'll make rounds and check," Amy replied, hurrying to grab her phone.
"Wait – guys…" Cosmo began, pointing towards the television as they surrounded it.
The cameras were fixated on Eclipse – who stood proudly with his masked army. He held a red megaphone, dancing on the steps of the bank that he had raided in the beginning – where he got his funding.
Behind him – the men were situated around a large device, shaped in an orb.
"Beeeehind me – is a fully primed bomb! One that my funny friends at Hedgehog Enterprises so kindly…lended to us!"
The darkling broke into laughter, before shaking his head wildly.
Sonic and Tails shot a look towards each other, interrupted by a stern glance from Amy.
"He stole a bomb from you!? Why the hell did you have that?!"
"We were selling it to the country's military – they commissioned the R&D Department to construct it," Tails replied, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"And it was just sitting around in the city?!" Cosmo exclaimed, as Sonic sighed.
The hedgehog had no words – as he opted to continue watching Eclipse's speech.
"Now – this 'fella right here, Dr. Chuck the Hedgehog – is the only man given access to defuse the bomb! Isn't that right!?"
Two of Eclipse's men put Chuck onto his knees, the mustached hedgehog spitting on the ground. "Yes. Only me…"
"Well – thanks for your service anyways!"
And in a flash, Eclipse jammed a knife into his neck – earning screams from the citizens watching as he was dragged away.
"So! This bomb is armed – and to make matters much more interesting, there were various detonators for this big boy created. So? I sent it in little gift boxes across the city. Now – multiple unsung heroes have access to detonate this bad boy! All their identities are a mystery – and that should make this so much more fun!"
Eclipse chuckled again, brushing off his coat. "Now – don't be confused! This is the instrument of your freedom, good people! I've decided – why not give the power back to you? Sooooo long you've been controlled, oppressed! The only way to live is without rules. The only way to live is without order!"
Brushing under his chin, he pointed at the bomb. "But – to the first sign of interference from the outside world, or those attempting to flee? There is ooooone individual who will most certainly trigger the bomb! Aaand, to the vigilantes – I haven't forgotten about you! It's time to hang it up – for one interference from you and you're all dead!"
The darkling began to laugh uncontrollably, rearing his head back.
Vector watched with the SWAT commanders, as their men were all trapped beneath the city. The National Guard could now do nothing – as a bomb was primed to cause massive destruction to Central City.
"For now – martial law is instated! Have your fun! These streets are yours! Just wait for the chance to claim what is rightfullyyyy ours! It's coming soooo soon!"
And with that, Eclipse dropped the megaphone on the ground – as his men began aiming their weapons towards the camera crew, before the transmission cut off.
For the first time in years, Central City News was offline.
At the precinct, Knuckles shook his head in utter disbelief. What began playing was a press conference from the President of the Country – who declared that the government would be doing anything to help them.
Which meant they were on their own.
"If Eclipse just declared martial law…what the hell does that mean for us?" Scourge asked.
"And will the federal government and military actually help us whatsoever?" Fiona added.
"If Eclipse is giving the city back to the people – we have to be the ones to lead," Knuckles said, before Julie-su shook her head.
"No – his men will hunt you down the second you show your face. Now that every cop but the ones standing in this room are trapped in the tunnels – we're on our own."
"Now the president is saying we don't 'negotiate with terrorists'", Antoine began, "We need to evacuate ze precincts – they'll come here and find us."
Knuckles sighed, pulling out his GPS. "The safehouse where I stayed – we have to convene there, and now. Call Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cosmo – whoever else we know that isn't down in those tunnels. Get them to go there."
"Those men with Eclipse…a lot of 'em worked for the mob. Why would they be siding with him on whatever anarchist crap he's spewing?" Bunnie asked.
"He probably gave them no other choice," Julie-su stated.
"We have to get in touch with Shadow and them – move them somewhere safe," Sally said, dialing Blaze's number.
Knuckles stared out of the window, shaking his head as rioting had already begun in the streets.
"And we need to call some ferries. That's the only way to get anyone out now."
"If anyone fled, didn't he say he'd detonate that big ass bomb?" Scourge asked, before Knuckles shook his head.
"Nothing is simple with him. There is no way he gave the detonators to random citizens. Call in the ferries – and let's start the evacuation process again."
Carnival Nights Pub, Sunday 8:30 PM
The bar was empty – all except for Drago Wolf.
Outside were riots, explosions, and a desolate warzone of a city. The darkling had caused a complete breakdown of society in Central City.
Yet this wolf sat with a glass of whiskey, ignoring the chaos that rose around him.
He shook his head, mumbling to himself about how it was "his day off" – and thus, nothing would happen to him. It paid well to be on Starline's payroll.
A slam on the bar top startled him, the wolf jumping slightly as his eyes met Ken Khan's – the wolf's face beginning to pale.
His face contorted into shock – looking upon the hideously scarred monkey.
"K – Ken?"
"Hello." The monkey spat, taking his whiskey as he drank from it – his flesh peeking through the burns on his face.
"Jesus – I thought – I thought you were dead!"
"I am. Somewhat."
The monkey set the glass on the table, gesturing outside.
"You seeing all that out there? Insane, isn't it?"
"Well – I guess? Shouldn't you be doin' something about it – you're the city's hero…"
"Not anymore."
The wolf sunk lower in his seat, watching as Khan pulled a revolver – pointing it at the wolf as he rested the gun on the top of the bar.
"Besides – I've had a change of heart. I like watching everything burn. Thankfully, everyone can be distracted."
"But – without you, people will lose hope!"
"THEY SHOULD!"
The sudden shout startled Drago, as he stared down at the bar top.
"I've lost hope too. I'm not gonna save them – not anymore. Now – who picked up Sonia, Drago?"
"I – I don't know what you mean…"
"Well – you sure picked me up and drove me to my death. So? You will know who drove Sonia to hers."
"Well – it – it must have been Starline's men-"
"SHUT UP!"
The wolf jumped, staring in shock as he began to silently beg for his life.
"Are you telling me – that you're seriously going to protect the other traitor in Knuckles' department?"
"I – I don't know! They never told me! I swear! Listen, Khan – I swear – I didn't know what they were gonna do to you!"
Khan chuckled, cocking his head as he fished for his burnt dice block. "That's funny – cause I'm not sure what's gonna happen to you either."
Tossing it in the air, the wolf watched in terror as Khan caught it.
The monkey smirked.
Even number.
With a slight shrug, the monkey raised his gun, before shooting Drago Wolf in the head.