Who Framed Sonic the Hedgehog

Chapter 4

Claiming to be Framed

"I think you of all people would appreciate that," Shadow mocked as he walked up the stairs to the apartment, he growled, "Well I think you should go to hell! How about that?"

He went around the corner only to be tackled by a little yellow fox. Tails the Fox to be exact. He was one of Sonic's co-star "Please don't arrest Sonic!" the kid begged, eyes full of tears, "He didn't do anything wrong!"

"Wha-?"

"He wouldn't kill Mr. Acme. Acme was a nice human!" Tails wailed, clinging hard onto his jacket, "Please don't arrest him!"

"Hey kid what makes you think-" Shadow began.

"Hey kiddo, give him some space!"

Shadow looked up to see Knuckles leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette, Knuckles smirked, "Go easy on the kid, he's only twelve you know. You're Valiant right?"

Shadow nodded as he attempt to pry loose from Tails, "Yeah what do you want?"

"I want to talk to you about the Acme murder," Knuckles said, he turned to Tails, "Hey kid, why don't you take a few bucks and go check out the soda stand out on the street," he suggested, pulling a few bills out of his wallet.

Tails sniffed, "What about Sonic?"

"I'll clear things up with Valiant," Knuckles said, "Now get going."

Tails nodded and took the money, the he bounded off down the stairs. Shadow let out a huge breath, rubbing his chest. Damn that kid had a grip.

"Look, I'm going to be forward here," Knuckles said taking another puff from his smoke, "The hedgehog didn't kill Acme."

Shadow rolled his eyes, "Sure."

"He didn't!" Knuckles snapped, "It's not like him to do that, I should know I've worked with him since the beginning. This whole setup stinks like yesterday's script. "He reached into his leather jacket, "Here look at this," he pulled out a newspaper, "The paper here says Acme left a will. Every Toon knows Acme had a will, he was going to leave Toon Town to the toons."

Shadow looked over the paper as Knuckles continued to explain, "Why would a toon of any kind kill Acme, Toon Town will eventually belonged to the Toons. He was bumped off by someone else.

Shadow frowned, "Has anyone actually seen this will?"

"No,"

Shadow pushed past towards his door, "Then you are wasting your time."

Knuckles growled, "I was just thinking since you were the one who got my pal into trouble, you would be the one to get him out. I could pay you if you'd like."

Shadow frowned, "I'm done with this." He opened his door, "Goodbye." Then the door slammed shut.

Laying the newspaper down on his desk, Shadow took a drink of scotch, "Not my fault the hedgehog decided to get himself into trouble," he mumbled, inspecting the front page picture. It was one of the photos he had taken, Amy and Acme were sitting on the couch talking, and there was nothing special going on.

He downed his glass, wincing at the strong after taste. Setting it down on top of the picture he rolled his eyes, "All this over some lousy pictures."

He leaned forward to take of his suspenders when he noticed something. The bottom of the glass was magnifying something in Acme's pocket. Reaching into his draw Shadow pulled out a magnifying glass.

He leaned in over the paper but the drink residue from the glass had stained the ink. Growling in frustration Shadow dug through the trashcan till he came across the photos from yesterday. Zooming in once more Shadow inspected the piece of paper sticking out of Acme's pocket.

"Oh my God," he said, "The echidna was right!"

It was Acme's Will and Testament.

He leaned back thinking, could it be possible that Sonic didn't commit the crime? Someone maybe killed Acme for the will? It was possible-

"Ah to hell with it," Shadow growled. He didn't do that sort of thing anymore. He got up, suddenly tired. The two middle rows of file cabinets flipped down to reveal a bed on the inside. He smiled wearily ready to fall on the soft mattress.

"Shadow Valiant?"

Shadow whipped around, and nearly screamed. It was Sonic. He stood there meekly, his clothes were dirty and he looked very tired. But Shadow didn't care; there was a wanted criminal in his home!

"How the hell did you get in here!" he demanded.

Sonic flinched, "I unlocked you're door by using the mail slot."

"How long have you been here? And where were you hiding?"

"I stayed in your closet," Sonic stammered, "I-I've been here a few hours. I thought it best that I stay inside. See has how I'm wanted for murder."

Shadow shook his head, "No kidding! Just talking to you can put me in jail for eight years!" He stiffened, "Anyone know you're here?"

Sonic flinched again. Shadow growled, "Does anyone know your here?"

"I-I didn't know where you lived," Sonic said, "So I asked around."

"Who!"

"Well I asked the paper boy and he didn't know." Sonic asked, "So I asked the butcher the barker, the florist, and they all didn't know." He paused, "But the liquor store owner knew... You don't drink a lot do you?"

Shadow grabbed his arm, "At this rate the whole damn town knows where you are!" he pulled Sonic towards the door, "You have to get out of here!"

Sonic pulled back in resistance, "Wait. Valiant you don't understand!"

"Yes I do, you are wanted for murder! And I don't want to be caught with you!" Shadow snapped, pulling harder.

"I didn't kill anyone I swear," Sonic begged, "This whole thing is a setup! I'm not created to kill people!" Sonic pulled hard, sending them both crashing to the floor. Shadow lost his grip and Sonic scrambled away, climbing up onto the bed.

"Alright I admit it," Sonic said, "I was steamed when Maroon showed me those pictures. So I headed for to the club where Amy worked-"

Shadow lunged for the azure hedgehog but he dodged, jumping upward, causing Shadow to crash onto the floor on the other side of the bed.

"-But she wasn't there!" Sonic explained. "So I left,"

"You left?" Shadow asked.

"Yes, I knew this had to be a misunderstanding," Sonic said, "So I went home to write a letter telling her I needed to leave for awhile. But...The Weasels were there. They were waiting for me...So I ran."

Shadow got up and moved towards his desk, "Evading the law does not help your image."

"I know that," Sonic sighed, "But the Weasels...They're a bad crew Valiant, who knows what they would have done to me. They chased me all night long." He sighed again, "I haven't slept all night."

"Then why come to me," Shadow asked sitting down, "I'm the one who took those pictures remember?"

Sonic nodded, flipping through some newspaper clippings, "That is true, but you were also the man who helped all of these Toons and Animations." He gestured to the headlines, pointing out some of Shadow's greatest cases, " Everyone knows when a Toon is in trouble they come here, to Valiant and Valiant."

Shadow sighed, "Not anymore,"

Sonic ran his finger along the opposite desk, eyes blinking with curiosity as the finger came up covered in dust, "Gee Valiant, looks like this desk needs dusting."

"That's my partner's desk," Shadow hissed.

Sonic inspected her portrait, "She looks like a sensitive...and sober fellow."

Shadow growled, "That's it. I'm calling the cops."

Sonic flinched, but made no other movement, "Alright alright," he sighed, "I knew it was probably too good to be true that you would help me. I'll go to the cops. It was a chance I had to take I suppose." He picked up a pair of hand cuffs, twiddling them between his fingers.

Shadow noticed and lunged for them, "Hey don't touch those!"

Sonic pulled back in surprise and the cuffs flew up into the air, came down and clamped shut, one on each or their wrists. They both stared, Shadow's eye twitching. Sonic let out a weak laugh, "Well that usually only happens in the movies."

"You idiot," Shadow hissed, "I've got no key's for these cuffs!"

"What!"

"I dropped them down the sink last week!"

Suddenly sirens came blaring onto the street, and Sonic whipped his head towards the window. He dashed over to it, dragging Valiant along.

"Ow, hey! What the hell! Quit pulling!" Shadow snapped, grunting as he gutted one of his filing cabinets. He groaned and slid of painfully, joining Sonic at the window. Shadow lifted the blinds and he and Sonic both watched as the Toon Patrol car parked at the opposite side of the street.

Sonic yelped pulling away from the window, "It's the Weasels!"

Shadow was yanked left and right as the wanted actor scrambled around the room, knocking him into everything from the bed frame to the more file cabinets. "Hey will you cut that out!"

Sonic whipped around grabbing Shadow's shoulder's his eyes full of terror, "Please Shadow you can't let them find me!"

"What happened to going with the cops willingly?"

"You and I both know they are not certified cops."

There was banging on the door. "Open up Valiant, in the name of the law." the leader, Smarty, demanded.

"Please Shadow," Sonic begged, "There is no justice for Toons and Animations anymore. If the Weasels get me I- I'm..."

Shadow swallowed, and looked nervously at the door where the Weasels were still pounding. "Come on Valiant we just want the hedgehog."

"Oh God," Sonic whimpered, "What are we going to do!"

Shadow bit his lip and looked at the star, before looking at the door once more. He looked back at Sonic, "What's with the 'we' stuff? They just want you."

There was moment of silence before the Weasels shot through the door lock. Smarty slowly pushed the door open and walked inside.

The office was empty on the first glance.

"Looks like they gave us the slip, eh boss?" Wheezy said.

"Nah," Smarty replied, "Valiant's got the hedgehog stashed somewhere. Spread out and search the place. We'll find him."

The Weasels moved out, looking in the closets and the draws. Smarty heard a noise in the kitchen and went to investigate.

"Hold it right there!"

Shadow looked behind him, "Oh hello boys I didn't hear you come in." he said with a smile.

Smarty walked over, "Okay- wise guy." He pointed his gun at Shadow, "Where is the hedgehog."

Shadow shrugged, "I haven't seen him."

Smarty looked down; Shadow was nearly elbow deep in a large sink full of water. He sniffed the air, something smelled fishy. He pointed at the soapy dark water, "What's in there."

Shadow, pulled out a black sock, "My laundry."

Smarty retched, "Jesus Valiant!" He back up for a second, covering his nose. Shadow, still smiling placed the sock back into the water.

Smarty looked at the rest of his crew, "Keep searching boys, leave no stone unturned."

Shadow frowned as the others kept tearing up his home, Smarty returned to pointing the gun at him. "Look Valiant we got a reliable tip that the hedgehog was here, which was approved by several others. You got it? So hand the bitch over."

Shadow growled, "You keeping talking like that and you're going to have to get your mouth washed." He shoved a bar of soap into the weasel's mouth, sending his flying and falling down the small set of stairs into the office complex.

The other Weasels erupted into laughter. Smarty his pride ruined spat the bar out. "Stop that laughing!" He screeched. "You know what happens when you don't stop laughing?" he socked a few of his teammates, interrupting their laughs. He stormed up the stairs towards Valiant, "One of these days you're gonna die laughing.

He looked at Valiant, "As for you Valiant, step out of line and we hang you and your laundry out to dry," He threatened, splashing Shadow lightly with water. Then he gathered his crew and left, slamming the door shut behind them.

Shadow let out a sigh of relief, closing his eyes.

From the depths of his sink Sonic shot out of the water, coughing and sputtering. "That was close," he coughed as he gasped for air. "God your sink is deep!"

Shadow opened one eye, "I'm surprised you could hold your breath that long."

Sonic smirked, "People do funny things," cough, " when they are trying not to die." he paused. "Oh and Valiant?"

"Hmmm?"

"Thank you, for helping me."

"We're not out of this yet," Shadow said, "We're still handcuffed together remember?"

Sonic sighed, "Oh can I forget that?"

Shadow puased, looking out his window as the Weasels drove away in there car. He and Sonic were clear for now, but he couldn't hide the actor here. The Toon Patrol would most certainly be back. Maybe...

"I know someone who might help us, "Shadow said, "Come one let's go."

"Would you hurry up," Shadow hissed, "And keep your head down! People will see you!"

"I'm sorry," Sonic retorted, "It's really hard to walk around with a hat low over your eyes a handcuff on your wrist and not look suspicious."

Shadow rolled his eyes, "Ugh, just come on!" He led Sonic into the Terminal Street Bar. Looking around, "Where is she?"

"Where is who?" Sonic whispered.

"A friend of mine," Shadow said. Then he spotted her, she was across the room serving some guests. "Rouge!" he called. But she didn't seem to hear him. "Rouge! Rouge! Oi! ROUGE!"

She turned and looked at him, glaring for the yelling. Shrugging apologetically he moved towards the bar, Sonic awkwardly in tow. He was trying his best not to attract attention, keeping his eyes low as he walked next to Shadow.

"Hey Shadow," Omega called, making him stiffen, "Looks like you made the headlines."

"They've got a newspaper!" Sonic hissed, "They'll recognize me!"

Shadow just smiled at the newspaper, "Yeah looks like I made some ink didn't I?"

Omega laughed along with a handful of others, "You made a lot of ink Valiant," he said with a smile, "A whole lot of ink."

Rouge walked up to him, "What do you want Shadow? Have you brought the money?"

"I've got some bigger problems Rouge," Shadow mumbled.

She nodded her head towards Sonic, "Who's your friend back there?"

"That's my problem." Shadow said, "Do you still have the back room available?"

Rouge gave him a look, a long hard look. Before she finally consented and led him to the back of the restaurant.

The "back room" was actually a hidden compartment that ran through the innermost wall in the restaurant. If one were to turn the left wall lamp over, it would unlock a panel in the wall. Inside would be a large storage room, holding tools, lights and other various objects that the restaurant might need. A small button was placed under the counter of the bar, when pressed activated a red light and a small buzzer in the small room, to warn anyone in there of a robber or intruder present in the restaurant. Also installed was a fake electric socket, which flipped open and worked as a peeping whole.

The trio quickly walked inside and Rouge slid the panel shut, "Alright Shadow what's going on."

Shadow just pointed at his handcuffed partner and Sonic meekly pulled off his hat.

Rouge gasped, "Oh my God! What are you doing here with him!" She pointed, "He's wanted for murder Shadow! What the hell are you thinking?"

"Rouge listen," Shadow began, "I need your help-"

"Help!" Rouge snapped, "You know how many years I can get for being caught with him!"

"Rouge we are hand cuffed together!" Shadow cursed, "And I don't have the fuckin key! Where are the tools?"

The female bat paused, her eyes slowly shifting down his arm, Shadow lifted his wrist slightly, and Sonic's following him. He shook his fist, the cuff chain jingling softly. Rouge lifted an eyebrow, her lips twitching.

"Should I even ask?"

Shadow sighed, lifting his free hand to rub the bridge of his nose, "No, no you shouldn't."

Sonic piped up, "I didn't kill Acme, Miss...Um."

"Dolores," Rouge said.

"I didn't kill him Miss. Dolores," Sonic explained, "I've been framed, honest."

Rouge sighed and reached for the tool box on the self, mumbling something about Shadow and jail and a baseball bat to the head. "Why the sudden change of heart Shadow? I thought you were never going to take another Toon case."

"Nothing is changing," Shadow frowned, taking the tool box and walking towards the table, "Someone has made a pansy out of me and I'm going to find out whom." He sat down and pulled out a saw, and began sawing at the first cuff.

"Is that going to work," Sonic asked.

"It will eventually." Shadow said.

"Here let me try something."

Shadow watched as Sonic twisted his wrist around, turning it this way and that, before there was a soft pop. Shadow blinked and Sonic's wrist was outside the cuff. "How the hell did you do that?"

"It's an old Toon trick I learned from Bugs Bunny." Sonic said quietly, sensing Shadow's irritation.

"Why didn't you do that when the Weasels were coming to get you!" Shadow demanded.

"It doesn't work well when I'm stressed," Sonic retorted, "I usually break a wrist!"

Shadow just sighed and went back to cutting at his own cuff. Rouge leaned in, "So what's the case hun?"

"Well," Shadow said pulling out the photo of Amy and Acme, "Pretty sure it has something to do with this."

Sonic picked it up, looking at the circled part of the photo, "Acme's Will?"

"Yeah, I think Maroon set us up somehow. And I don't think they have found the Will. Because they are still looking for it."

Rouge sat down next to him, "Well since I'm caught in on this, is there anything I can do?"

"Yeah, can you go downtown and check the probate?

Sonic waved his hands, "Hold on just a sonic second. You're telling me, that my boss. Killed Acme, by dropping a safe on his head, just so he can get his hands on Toon Town?"

Shadow finally broke the cuff, "Yep, that's my hunch." He stood, grabbing his coat on the way up, "Um Rouge, can Blue over here stay a few days?"

"He's not going to do anything is he?" Rouge asked warily.

Shadow patted her on the shoulder, "He should be fine." He walked towards the door, "I'll be at my office picking up some things."

"For?" Sonic inquired.

"I've got a Will to find."

Shadow is on the case!

It's a race to find the Will!

Let the action begin!

...

See you all later.