This chapter will introduce Sonic's uncle Chuck as some sort of Historian and ''Witch Hunter'' studying people like Annelise, and is currently on the hunt for a Magic Using Serial Killer. It also introduces Zannia the Hedgehog, a Female powder blue Hedgehog who's a detective for the ECPD and is both Chuck's Daughter and Sonic's Cousin.

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Chapter 2: Outgoing investigation.

MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE WOODS...

Dozens of Policemen were examinating the crime scene for clues as to what happened to young Eddie, while closing off this section of the woods to any civilians that might pass through. With Eddie's grieving parents is a female powder blue hedgehog detective, taking their statement while offering her sympathy and reassurance that whoever did this will be found, arrested and thrown in prison for the rest of its life.

After that, she went to see Eddie's corpse, giving it a quick but thorough observation of its condition before having a talk with one of the forensic experts, asking if they've found anything new that could identify the killer. He showed her the pearl that was in Eddie's hand in a plastic bag, the same pearl that was found in 3 other crime scenes, in the hands of corpses that look a whole lot like young Eddie's own.

Forensic Expert: This proves what the department suspected for a while, these murders were committed by the same person, you have a serial killer on your hands the detective, and one with a very messed up mind.

Detective: *hums and nods* Did you find anything else?

Forensic Expert: *Shakes his head* Nothing that can really tell else who did it. *Takes another look at the pearl in the bag* All tho, this and the 3 other pearls we've found look like they might be part of a Necklace or a Bracelet, or any other form of pearl based jewelry, maybe if you have this circulated in Jewelry shops-

Detective: Already done that, none of the jewelers in town carry Necklaces, Bracelets or anything made of ''Spider-Web Jasper'' Pearls, they're not valuable enough to be sold like Salt Water Pearls they say.

Forensic Expert: In that case, there's really nothing else for me to say Detective.

Detective: *Puts her hand on his shoulder with a small smile* It's ok Brett, we'll find some way to get that psycho.

The detective then walked away from the crime scene and hide behind a tree, so she can make an important phone call.

Detective: *She listens to the phone ringing, then it answers* Hey it's me. It's as we feared, another murder... Yeah its the same killer alright, same method and same calling card... No forensics got the pearl before i could swap it, sorry. Dad, we need to find some way to identify and locate that psychotic Beast Mage and fast, this time he went after a 12 year old kid... You heard me, if we don't stop him soon who knows how many families like the Siasms will loose their children... I'll try to swap the pearl before my shift ends, are we still eating over at Sonic and Tails apartment?... Great, dessert's been bought and waiting in the car. *Sees at a distance a familiar blue blur coming this way* Gotta have to go dad, i'll pick you up later, love you.

She hung up and goes to stand in the Blur's with her hand raised up in a ''Stop'' motion.

Detective: Hold it right there, Sonic.

At the last minute, Sonic hit the breaks and stopped just before hitting the Detective. But the force of the break caused him to loose balance and fall backwards and his back, hard.

Sonic: *Groans in pain as he sits up* The heck Zinnia, do you want me to run you over.

Zinnia: *Roles her eyes with a small smile before going to extend a hand at him* I think we both no that's never going to happen cous.

Sonic: Whatever *Stretches his aching back*, and what are you doing here anyway?

Zinnia: Stopping you from speeding through a crime scene and destroying potential evidence.

Sonic: *Surprise* Crime Scene? What Happened?

Zinnia: *Sighs with her arms crossed* The ''Jasper Pearl Killer'' struck again.

Sonic: Jasper Pearl Killer? You mean that maniac that turns his victim's corpses into mummies and leaves those weirdly colored pearls behind?

Zinnia: The same, it's his 4th victim in the last 2 months. What makes it worst this time is that the victim was a 12 year old kid, having a picnic with his parents.

Sonic: *Frowns* A kid!? My god. And you still don't have a suspect?

Zinnia: Not a clue, whoever's doing this knows how to clean himself behind him. *Growls Irritably* And now i'm force to go consult that psychic dad recommended if i want some concrete answers.

Sonic: *Confused* A Psychic? Sense when do you go asking help from gypsy ladies with a crystal ball?

Zinnia: It ain't my idea. Dad met that particular psychic a couple of months ago, did him a free reading saying he'll win 1000$ at the lottery, and she was right. Her name is Moreen The Husky and she offered up her services to help find the Killer for the right price, *Sighs annoyed* and her services don't come cheap.

Sonic: *Smiles sympathetically* She does sound like a pretty expensive councilor. But hey, if she's authentic and can help find the guy, what's a few hundred or thousand dollars. *Smirks* Buuut, if you want some cheaper help...

Zinnia: *Raises her hand* I'm stopping you right there Sonic the Hedgehog. You're a hero in retirement turned civilian delivery boy, even if i wanted your help i can't involve you into police business, so thanks, but no thanks, I'll take my chances with Dad's Psychic? *Has a thought* By the way, shouldn't you be at work right now?

Sonic: I am *Grabs the Meh Burger bag he was carrying from the ground* Another delivery for Meh Burger, though i take a shortcut through the woods.

Zinnia: *Looks incredulous* You, the fastest thing alive, taking shortcuts?

Sonic: It's the 5:00 PM traffic downtown and there's to much people on the sidewalks to run at full speed. I have a 30 minutes are its free record to uphold you know.

Zinnia: *Shrugs* Makes sense, but now i'm going to have to tell you to leave and find another shortcut elsewhere, and quick if you want your record to remain intact.

Sonic: Fiiiiine, i'm going. Were still on for dinner tonight?

Zinnia: Totally, Dad and i will be there around 7:30 PM.

Sonic: *Smiles* Sweet. Then i'll see you later *Speeds off in the opposite direction*

Zinnia waved her hand at her cousin goodbye before returning to the crime scene to help the others pack what little evidence they had for the precinct lockers.

LATER, AT THE PRECINCT

Zinnia: *Walks through the doors with other officers and the Forensics experts* Okay here's how it's going to go *Stops on the stairs and turns to face everyone*, Caitline i want you to do some research on the residential areas near the woods, see if there's anyone who could live close enough from there that could be a potential suspect or a witness.

Caitline: *Nods* On it ma'am *Leaves to do her job*.

Zinnia: *Looks at Brett* Brett, i want your team to conduct a full DNA analyzes on the pearl.

Brett: With all do respect detective Hedgehog, we've done the same with the 3 other pearls and there was nothing.

Zinnia: I know, but we can't take the chance that this time won't be any different. *Smiles* So humor will you.

Brett: *Salutes* Understood detective, lets go boys we have some DNA testing to do *Leaves with his colleagues, while Zinnia and the others resume walking inside*

Zinnia: I'll also need a full report on Edward Siasm's autopsy. Someone go tell Helene at the morgue to deliver it on my desk once its done.

Male Bobcat Officer: I'm on it boss.

Zinnia: Good. Finally, i'll need someone to go fetch the evidence boxes for the last 3 cases of the Jade Pearl Killer and bring them to my desk, i want to compare them with what we've brought back from the woods, any volunteers to go get them?

Female Hawk Officer: I'll go fetch them right away Detective *Runs off to get them*

Everyone else dispersed to return to their desks or do something else. Zinnia was walking to her desk when she noticed a suspicious looking handcuffed Monkey Mobian sitting in front of the desk of Officer Prudence The Brown Hare, who was in front of the computer probably filling out a report on this guy. Noticing that he was being observed, the Monkey guy looked up at Zinnia and gave her a flirty smile with a looked that screamed pervert, followed by an unusual orange glow in his eyes.

Zinnia: *Shudders in disgust and walks away, not noticing the Monkey's confused look at his love spell failing* 'Great, another Beast Mage, and a pervert at that, as if i didn't have enough on my plate with a murderous one on the loose and Dad's Hired Help.*

Another hour later, Zinnia was in her car driving to her father's repair shop to pick him up, with the pearl that she managed to swap from evidence and replaced it with a fake one made by her father.

Chuck: *His daughter's car parks in front of him, he opens the door to get in with a smile.* Hello sweet heart, had a good day at work.

Zinnia: As good as it can get when you're investigating a series of gruesome murders *Takes out the evidence bag with the pearl from inside her jacket and hands it to Chuck* Here.

Chuck: *Takes the pearl* Excellent, now let's drop this off to Moreen's house.

Zinnia: *Sighs Annoyed while driving off* Do we have to?

Chuck: *Sighs* Like i told you before, yes. It takes Beast Mage magic to locate another Beast Mage. I just wish you put your mistrust of Moreen behind, she's an ally.

Zinnia: She's a Beast Mage who's only in it for the money. The moment we can't pay her anymore she'll leave us out to dry. And how do we know she won't take that other Beast Mage's side out of Solidarity for her own people.

Chuck: Much like how Mobians are not born evil, the same goes for Beast Mages. Some chose to evil, others good and others stay neutral, while others are evil out of tragic circonstances and some can be reasoned with.

Zinnia: *Scuffs at that*

Chuck: Scuff and scorn all you want daughter of mine, but Moreen has earned my trust and her pays in the time we've been working together and we she'll keep on trusting her for as long as she proves herself trustworthy, and if she ever does turn again us, we have the means to neutralize her.

Zinnia sighs, but says nothing anymore and she continues driving, while subconsciously grabbing at something that's glowing a soft blue, hidden under her shirt. At some point, they drove passed a certain Albino Cobra supermodel waiting for the pedestrians light to change and let her and other cross. She was watching their car pass through with a sneaky smile, as if she knew who was in said car already. Finally, the light changed and she crossed over. While walking down the street, she took out her cellphone and dialed a number.

Annelise: *Waits for the other caller to pick up*... I spotted are 2 targets, there heading east towards 25th street, where that little Husky lives... Yeah probably... No, they drove off to fast, but sense they use them when hunting are kind they must keep them on them at all times. But are you sure you want them dead now? I mean i know their hunting are kind and should be neutralized for good, but shouldn't we let them catch that rogue beast mage first?... *Shrugs* You're the boss, i'll have the jewels and the 2 hunters eliminated by tonight... Yes, yes, I'll be careful, see you tomorrow then. *Hangs up and continues walking to her apartment*.

To Be Continues...