a/n: We go.
Galactic Shackles
04. Execution
"So...this is where you were. Tucked away in China. Cute."
The woman with blue eyes ascended the white stone steps in front of her, a private helicopter waiting in the distance. Far away from the village of Chun-nan, this was the resting place of a fabled blade. Double-edged, with blue tassels attached to the pommel. It was jammed halfway into a slab of black stone.
"It's taken the form of a jian, then. Or was it always this way? I can't remember..."
She reached for it, but was repulsed by a rising barrier of wind.
"Go figure. Protected...I knew it wouldn't be that easy. And you wouldn't let me take it so easily anyways, would you...little one."
Her gaze moved upwards, to the orb of water suspended directly above the blade. It rotated slowly, rippling once in response to the woman's questioning.
"Don't worry. Your master will be here soon enough. I mean, you've been waiting all of this time already, haven't you? And then, you can greet him like I know you want to." She flashed a sinister grin. "I'm sure he won't be expecting you so soon, but that's life. Anyways, it's time for me to go. Hang in there. You will be free soon."
She turned on her heel, white jacket flapping in the wind. The orb of water pulsed once more before going still.
A moment later, the helicopter took off, its mysterious passenger looking through her window with a smile.
"Your Highness?"
"Mm?"
"Our next location."
The young woman blinked, coming out of her daze. "Yes, forgive me. Please take us home."
"As you wish. Charting a course for home."
"China, again. What is it that draws me to this place...?" she mumbled.
"This is a joke, right?"
Rouge set down her bag of chips and stared at the television screen. She moved a moment later, scrambling to find clothes while pinning her phone between her head and shoulder.
"Rouge-"
"Shadow! Turn on the news! Gah!"
"Are you alright?"
Rouge grunted from her position on the floor and pulled on her jeans. "Just do what I said, hon. Please."
"..."
"You see it?"
"Do they think this is a circus act?" he asked tersely.
"I'm going down there to-"
"There's nothing we can do."
"Why the hell not?" she yelled as she pulled a shirt over her head.
"Because our organization is complicit."
"Are you fucking kidding?!"
"We have no recourse, Rouge. I'm sorry."
"Like hell we don't have any! Shit!" She pulled on a random pair of red boots and grabbed her keys. "I gotta make a call, then."
"The Chaotix?"
"If she's watching this...God, I don't want to think about what it'll do to her."
"I'll come with you to check in. And furthermore, it's been too long since she's been outside. I can be the villain that drags her into the light."
Rouge locked her door and hurried down the stairs. "Don't resign yourself to that, hon. Trust me, she needs all the heroes she can get. It's tomorrow at 11 in the morning, right?"
"Yes, it's been confirmed on the television."
"Damn those humans to hell and back," she snarled. "Hon, I'll get back to you."
"Right. I'll keep an eye out for more information."
"You're a gem." She hung up and dialed another number while flying through the air.
"Chaotix Detective Agency, Espio-"
"Hon, it's urgent. Do you have the news on?"
"No," the chameleon replied. "Vector had it on sports earlier and then dashed out suddenly. Is something the matter?"
"Switch it on."
"Alright." There was a long pause. "This is not good."
"When's the last time you checked on Amy?"
"Yesterday."
"I'm on my way to her apartment. Shadow's coming too. Find Vector, grab him, and meet us there."
"Understood."
Rouge hung up and clutched her phone tightly in her hand. She flew as fast as she could safely before reaching the apartment building, ascending the stairs.
"Her place is...there!"
She rounded the corner to see a familiar face already there.
"Tails...kiddo, you okay?"
"Did you...see the news?"
"I...yeah."
"She's not answering..."
Rouge rushed over and pressed her ear to the door. She could hear movement, breathing. But she couldn't make out anything else. "Shit, when you need the walls to be thin, they aren't..."
"Anything?" Shadow said as he arrived. Rouge shook her head.
"You don't think she's..."
"She's in there, breathing. Don't you worry, hon. It's okay," Rouge said with her hands on Tails' shoulders. "It's gonna be okay."
"...is it?"
"..."
"They didn't need to go this far. They didn't. He's already paid enough of a price."
Rouge could feel the younger boy trembling with anger. It didn't show on his face, just in his eyes. She felt scared of what it meant, and how much she could see. How...intense it was.
"Everything alright, folks?"
"We know she's still alive and nothing else," Shadow said to Vector. Espio arrived silently behind him.
"Her chi is still moving...but the colour has changed. The only thing I can say is that she's still incredibly depressed."
"Well, we oughta-"
Vector was interrupted by the lock clicking from the other side of the door. A few more moments passed before it slowly opened.
"Did you come to warn me about the news? Cause it's way too late...you know. I saw all of it."
"Sweetie..." Rouge felt her heart sink as she looked at Amy, standing in the doorway. She was thinner than ever before, her skin paled and thick, dark lines under her eyes. They only barely shone green. Those pink quills had lightened, halfway to white. She looked...absolutely broken.
"Thanks for coming to check on me. Thanks...you know. I mean it. I kept the apartment clean and ate all the food you brought me. You know? It just didn't...didn't stay down much. Sorry."
"You've got nothin' to apologize for, lil' lady," Vector assured her. "We're just...happy you're alive."
"You guys are...so sweet. Way too sweet. I don't deserve it. I'm a broken doll. You know." She rubbed at the sleeve of her shirt. "I gotta get ready for tomorrow. But it's hard to cook. Is it okay-"
"You don't even have to ask," Rouge said. "I'll get you something. What do you want, hon?"
She mumbled incoherently before a manic smile appeared on her face. It then disappeared as quickly as it came.
But everyone saw it. They saw it clearly.
The madness was still in her eyes as she smiled a wearied, yet softer smile. "I want chili dogs today. Is that okay?"
"Whatever you like. How many?"
"I want a hundred, you know? Hehehehe...no. No, I'll have two. Two is okay. It was a joke. Yeah. Like he would make."
"Amy-"
"I turned off the news, Tails. It was pretty annoying. I'm okay. I'm just a little sick. That's all."
"You should go to a hospital."
"I promise. After tomorrow, I will. Right after. Okay? I promise."
"You shouldn't go there, Amy," Tails said.
"I know. But I have to. I have to because...I want to see him. It's the last chance."
"..."
"I have to. I'll get ready. Just knock and leave the food in front of the door, I'll come get it. Don't worry. I won't kill myself. I won't slit my wrists and spill blood onto the floor. I won't put the rope around my neck or drink the bleach. If I do...I'll miss seeing Sonic. I can't...I can't afford that. I can't."
A beat of silence followed. Amy rubbed the back of her head.
"Thanks for coming. I'd invite you in for tea but I crushed my teapot after watching the news. Actually, the kitchen is a real mess. I have to clean it again. I'll do that now. See you later. Tomorrow. 11 am. Central Station Square. Okay. Bye."
She closed the door and clicked in the lock. The group stood in front of the now closed door, feeling all kinds of emotions.
"I'm gonna go home," Tails announced. "I gotta get ready for tomorrow too."
"I beat the spread for a big score today, but it doesn't even feel good," Vector said as Tails left. "I guess we gotta go to this thing, too."
"We have no choice," Espio replied. "I'll finish up any pending cases and set tomorrow as an off day."
"Alright, you go ahead. I'll collect my coin and meet you back at the office."
"Right. Shadow, Rouge."
Shadow and Rouge were now alone. The latter stared at the door.
"Rouge."
"..."
"There's nothing we-"
"Don't say that."
"You have to."
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you if you say it, Shadow."
"..."
"...I..."
"...there's nothing we can do."
She whirled around to hit him, anger in her eyes. Her fist trembled as she held it in the air.
"If it makes you feel better."
She grit her teeth and her fist came down, arms hanging limply at her sides. Her body slumped into his, and she slowly wrapped her arms around him. Too weak, too drained to even cry.
"I'll kill you," she murmured. "Don't say that. Don't say there's nothing...don't say it."
"I know how the boy feels. And now, so do you," he replied.
"..."
They stood in the hallway. They stood quietly, and for a long time. Eventually, Rouge let go of her companion and walked towards the stairs. He took one last glance at the door, Amy's door, and then followed Rouge out.
Good morning. Our top story is today's special event, taking place in the middle of Station Square.
It's been a rollercoaster month for the once great hero of Earth. First, he was convicted by a jury of his peers in the killing of a beloved federal agent. Then, a few days ago, he helped the Guardian Units put a stop to the schemes of the known mad scientist and terrorist, Doctor Eggman. With this final, definitive capture of his long-time foe, Eggman will no longer be a source of fear to the citizens of this planet. This time, he's going away for good.
But that will not be enough for karmic retribution here. As our mayor has already said...noone, not even a hero who has saved the Earth many times, is above the law. Today, in Station Square, with the eyes of the world watching, we will hear the sentence for Sonic the Hedgehog. And more importantly, he will deliver a public apology...both to the woman he made a young widow, and to the little girls that he left fatherless. This will be a small penance considering what has transpired, but it will be something. That is what matters most.
And now, live from Station Square...
The day had come. Planned for weeks and announced the day before, it was an event like no other.
Today was the burial of a hero.
11 am had come and gone. The motorcade was progressing slowly. Protesters, counter-protesters, and counter-counter-protesters to name a few. Pockets of anarchy and destruction. Silent vigils.
People from every corner of Station Square, then the state, then the country, then the world. All were gathered to witness this unfortunate spectacle. Cameras, helicopters, drones. The skies were crowded, but noone was deterred. People on top of each other at different vantage points. Phones out and recording. ISPs struggling to keep their customers' hunger for bandwidth sated as they watched online. Bars and restaurants packed. Televisions in every mall and shop tuned to the news networks. The work day ground to a halt as office workers crowded their televisions and projectors, and construction workers sat around their radios debating.
Everything and everyone was drawn to this singular point on Planet Earth.
The sea of living beings parted at Shadow's command. He slowly walked ahead, leading his group. Rouge walked quietly behind, eyes hidden by a pair of expensive sunglasses. Amy and Tails held hands, looking blankly ahead. Vanilla followed with Cream, whose lips trembled with sadness - there was no lid big enough to keep the news from her, though Vanilla tried to soften the blow. The Chaotix trailed behind, with Omega behind them.
It was quiet as they passed. The murumurs and yells disappeared as the bystanders looked at Amy's pale form. They reached the front, standing together in a line and waiting for the motorcade to finally arrive.
Only silence.
Then the first of the police cars arrived. The siren punched the air in a pattern, and people responded by moving away. The next few arrived, forming a barrier. In the middle was the black cruiser, and it rolled into the middle of the cleared out intersection, emergency lights flashing through the front grille. The back door opened, and a man in black stepped out.
Then there was Sonic.
He stood, chains linking the cuffs on his arms and legs together. The orange jumpsuit with the high collar and prisoner number on the front, a unique touch for him alone. His trademark shoes were polished to an unnatural shine, light from the flashing cameras bouncing away from them.
The video started rolling and reporters started their speeches.
And everything exploded into noise.
GUN soldiers brought up the rear in the armored vehicles and cleared out anyone they thought was too close to the action. Snipers were placed in high positions. Agents were already scattered through the crowd. A defensive perimeter directly around the intersection.
Then, the final piece. A black limousine with heavy police protection drove near and stopped some distance in front of the former hero. Policemen lined up from the limo's back door, one of them opening it to reveal the passengers inside. Sonic stood and watched.
A woman with long legs and short brown hair, wearing a black dress. A teenage girl with long, dark brown hair, wearing a black blouse and matching skirt. A younger girl with light brown hair, tied into a ponytail. Her small, puffy dress was black and she carried a stuffed bear with her. The three walked hand in hand, down the row of policemen until they stopped near the blue hedgehog. At once, the officers changed formation, standing in a line behind the woman and her children. Their fierce gazes were locked onto the orange jumpsuit and the one wearing it.
The crowd quieted down, slowly. Eventually there was silence as Sonic and the grieving family looked at each other. The woman was handed a microphone and she took it with a nod. In the background, the mayor stood, flanked by GUN agents and policemen.
"The mayor...was going to do the first part himself. But he then insisted that I do everything, as it was my right. My name is Aubrey. Aubrey Hamilton. These are my daughters...my oldest, Wendy, and my youngest, Ashley. My husband was a thirteen year veteran...he was beloved by all those he worked with. He played so many different characters and kept track of them all. My Joseph was...he was always my Joseph. He was always a husband, always a father...always a man. And now, he's gone."
"..."
"Sonic the Hedgehog. This punishment might be too light, but it is a punishment I will deliver regardless. You are sentenced to twenty years in the Southern Spring Correctional Facility, also known as the White Base. No chance of parole. It will not bring my husband back...but it will help me to sleep at night, knowing justice will be done."
The world seemed to shake as a cheer went up. Tails twitched and Amy's head tilted downward.
"Now...please let us, let the world know what you have to say, Sonic the Hedgehog. Take as long as you need."
Aubrey handed Sonic the microphone. He took it slowly and stared at it for a moment.
"Apologize, you goddamn trash!"
"Apologize!"
"Say it!"
"Fucking say it, mutant!"
"This is...just too much," Vector said. The obscenites rained down from every angle.
"Mob mentality. Revealing the true nature of living beings since the dawn of time," Espio replied curtly.
Vanilla held Cream close to her as the yelling and taunts came faster and louder with each moment.
"Mama."
"I know, darling. I know...but I couldn't let you stay away. We...we have to be here for Sonic."
"I know, Mama. It's just so scary..."
"I'm scared too, my love. Scared for everyone...for this world."
"So this...is the true form of civilization. Sonic sacrificed for this."
Vector turned to see Knuckles join the group. "Red..."
"I've got half a mind to bust up this whole party. But...I know this is what he wants. He chose this life. Dammit. If I knew..."
Knuckles pounded his fist into his palm.
"You too see through the veil of humanity, Guardian."
"...you would continue your work for Maria, Shadow?" Knuckles asked.
"She saw this kind of world too. Her dying breaths...asked me to help these helpless souls. I will carry on her will."
"You're strong, then. I'm...done with the surface after this."
"...I do not blame you for feeling that way. Perhaps you should take the boy, as well."
Knuckles looked over to where Tails and Amy stood. "It's not a bad idea."
Sonic cleared his throat and got everyone's attention.
"No."
Aubrey's eyes widened. "You're...you're being broadcast the world-"
"No. I'm not apologizing."
Roars and screams ripped through the air as Sonic dropped the microphone to the ground. Aubrey stared at him, wide-eyed and dumbfounded for a moment. She closed her eyes and knelt to match the hedgehog's level, placing her lips near his ear. Trash and debris rained down around them, from the edges of the crowd, from the rooftops. The mayor was flabbergasted, his mouth moving up and down wordlessly.
She clicked off the microphone and spoke. "To say something like that, for the world to hear...even if it meant they would hate you..."
"..."
"My husband was a crook. He was the furthest thing from an honorable man. This ceremony is a sham, a joke. And the funeral tomorrow will be an extension of that. Sonic. You are...and have always been a true hero. Bless you for your courage."
"Figured you'd get a fat check out of it. Least I could do for you...he was your husband, and I did kill him. Even if..."
"I am sad...but I'm not so distraught as to miss the truth. For you to continue to sacrifice, to the bitter end...why?"
"That's what heroes do. Ya know?"
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek quickly, out of view of the angry crowd and everyone else.
"You won't be gone forever. I know. Thank you...Sonic the Hedgehog. No matter what, you will always be our hero."
Aubrey stood up and set her face, feigning anger. She picked up the microphone and clicked it on.
Hesitated.
Sonic saw her distress, and understood. He nodded.
The warm tears that ran down her face were not for her husband.
"To say that...you are truly a monster, Sonic the Hedgehog."
They were for her hero. The hero of Earth.
"I never want to see your disgusting face again."
She tossed the microphone at him and turned on her heel. The children mouthed their message through the air before following quickly.
"Thank you."
"Anytime," Sonic said with a smile. He felt another gaze on him as Aubrey disappeared into the limousine. He turned to face her, the girl who he knew was hurt the most.
To sever those strings...would hurt. He didn't want to. He hated the thought.
But her life...
"Sorry...Amy."
He hardened his heart. Blocked out everything from his mind. Launched himself into the darkness.
"You can't wait for me."
"I can..."
"You can't."
"No, I can..."
"Amy!"
"I can wait! I can do it! I'll-"
"Don't you get it?!"
"...ah?"
"...there ain't a hero of Earth anymore."
"I...I...aah...aaah!" Amy clutched her head in agony, sliding to her knees.
"...go home, kid. There's no Sonic the Hedgehog. We just buried him. He's dead."
"You...y-you are...!"
"Me?"
He smirked.
"I'm...nobody."
The microphone dropped from his hands as the soldiers pulled him away, shoving him into the police car. His cold, lifeless green eyes were the last thing Amy saw. She clawed at the ground, shaking.
And then, over the noise and chaos, she split the air with an agonized scream.