Radical City, Resort Island

Afternoon

"...Things have really changed around here since I've been here last."

Sonic remarks on the changes to Radical City; looking rather different from the one he went to a few years ago with the presence of new buildings, new roads and new features littered throughout the revamped urban jungle like the electronic billboards. "Couldn't even recognize it without the old casino areas."

"Apparently it's all because of the new Future Initiative Program; bring Resort Island into the world of tomorrow. Did some reading into it a few days back and it's quite the glow up." Sally says as she walks alongside Sonic with the pair both taking a gander through the bustling streets as part of their hunt for leads relating to the whereabouts of the thieves before they go to meet the Mayor at the city hall. "Especially since it was in a dire state before that."

"Really? What happened?"

"The local economy simply crashed. Some blame it on the old members of the Resort Island Council because of their refusal to move away from the obsolete company town model when World Grand Prix ceased to exist as an organization to provide income, others blame the neighboring islands for taking traffic away from them and a few blames organized crime for the slump. Whatever the cause was, a number of people were out of a job and some even going homeless. Plenty turned to crime to survive."

"Ol' Robuttnik decided EX World Grand Prix is worth more of his investment and left this poor island with the junk he put together to steal the Chaos Emeralds off the contestants." Sonic tutted bitterly. "Even when he's not around, he still manages to ruin lives somehow."

"Fortunately, Resort Island bounced back from a point of total economic collapse."

"So who spearheaded it?"

"Doctor Tarek Mengele. He is the one who kickstarted this new Radical City we're seeing and resolved the crisis along with Mayor Boris Speechley." The tomboy princess explains, eyeing a jumbotron screen showing a Chao Cola advert in the middle of the city square. "Believe he's a scientist from the Great War period or before that."

"Think he knew Nate, Ovi, Ellidy and Uncle from way back then?"

"Possibly. Though I'm doubtful Charles or Ellidy would remember him too well and our good Doctor appears to be a rather reclusive individual since I could barely find much info on him; not even a photo or a date of birth that I could locate in our database." Sally noted. "I could only assume he's of Shamar descent because of the name Tarek or from some part of Eurish because of his surname."

"Or have ancestral ties to both like how both mine and Aleena's bloodlines came from Ancient Mobigypt through a shared ancestor of ours'." Sonic pointed out. "Family trees do get wild like that sometimes."

"Maybe. I never heard of him before this. Can't determine how old he'd be in relation to his peers and the sparse info there is on him makes me think he doesn't exist period."

"Eh. A lot of records were lost between the Great War and First Robotnik War; he could be one of those lucky fellas who took advantage of the anonymity to live off the grid. Not to be bothered by the young nosies wanting to know their secrets."

"I could be reading too much into it but the lack of details is a little suspicious for my liking."

"Leave it to Sally Acorn to uncover secrets no matter the case."

"Oh please, that's a job for the Chaotix to take on." Sally smiled at him. "If he's someone important, we'll know to ask your uncle about it. Maybe this someone can tell us one of your unspoken secrets~"

"As if!" Sonic chuckled before his eyes would glance over to see a paperboy down the sidewalk standing by a street junction and holding up some newspapers to passing pedestrians who either ignored him or sneered at the boy. "Would you look at that Sal; the city even has its own paperboys."

"Sonic. Paperboys fell out of style years ago with home deliveries and the widespread use of the internet. In fact, he's the only one we're seeing around here and those papers aren't the same ones we saw up the street." Sally's eyes narrowed at the paperboy who kept looking around himself like an owl. The anachronistic element of his job alone made him stand out like a sore thumb in the hi-tech futuristic landscape of Radical City

"...If you value the truth, I have it all here!" The paperboy hollered to the passing pedestrians with a few sparing him a glance. "If you put ull in front of B and hit in front of S, you have your Mayor Boris Speechley when he's squawking lies on the mic every day!"

"Excuse me but what newspaper are you selling there?" Sally approached him with Sonic at her side. The paperboy turned to face her and his eyes widened.

"You're Sonic and Sally aren't you?" He asked excitedly.

"Who else are you expecting? The Marxio Brothers?" Sonic replied with a shoulder shrug. Taking a look at one of the newspapers in the boy's hands and catching the title 'Resort Island Evening Post' as the printed header.

"Oh, this is awesome!" The paperboy beamed before answering Sally's question in a lower voice as he handed her a copy of the paper. "I'm not actually selling your highness; only spreading awareness around."

"Awareness of what exactly?" Sally enquired, glancing at the newspaper in her hand.

"Things aren't as they seem around here and the Mayor is involved in some real shady business..." The young boy says to the pair, checking around himself as if looking out for something. "People are going missing every few nights including the homeless and the law isn't doing jack about it. He's trying to make it all seem like nothing's going on. Trying to suppress the truth of what's really going on."

Sally probed him a little for info, tucking the newspaper away inside her vest. "And you know all of this because?"

"Let's say I'm a distributing arm of the one who's got a finger on the pulse and on the uptake. That paper I gave you should explain what's up but don't let them see it or seize it."

Sonic crossed his arms. "Who's 'them' you're—"

The paperboy snaps his gaze behind and sees a set of three helmeted police officers rushing over towards him. "If you guys want to know more, go over to Bothswell's at night. Don't trust Boris or the police. Gotta dash!"

Then the boy brushed past the two visitors, appearing to be shoving them aside and speedily sprinted down the sidewalk away from the faceless policemen chasing after him; quickly disappearing around a turn with two of the officers in pursuit. One of them stopped near Sonic and Sally.

"Yo, why are you guys chasing that messenger officer? Didn't commit any crimes there." Sonic asked the officer. His face showing up in the chrome visor's reflection.

"That suspect is committing the crime of intent to cause public incitement, distributing material of defamation against a public figure, public disturbance and publicly trading goods without a license." The policeman responded through the helmet's electronic filter, masking their voice and identity from the two. "Those are the crimes he has committed publicly."

"Oh, that does sound serious." Sally feigns shock at the statement. "We thought he was just a young street vendor. We didn't know about that. Does this happen around here often sir?"

"Every so often but we come in and crack down on their smear-fuelled rhetoric."

"We thought everyone around here loves Mayor Speechley."

"All except those who are brought into the unsubstantiated claims and lies against the current administration bordering on hate speech."

"How bad are these people if I may ask?"

"At best, they are public nuisances. At worst, they are vandals. At their most extreme, they are terrorists." The policeman monotonously answered her questions and with no contractions as she would notice. "If you see any of these dissenters hawking their propaganda or handing out their inflammatory pamphlets, report them to us immediately."

"We will. Thank you for the heads-up."

Seemingly satisfied, the policeman marched on their way; heading in the direction the other two officers went. When the lawman was gone, Sally turned to Sonic as they got moving again.

"What do you think?"

"Besides the high creep factor? Something's fishy going on here and he just confirmed it."

"Or her but I agree. If there's no smoke without fire, then these 'nuances' aren't going out here risking arrest without a good reason." The auburn team leader nodded, glancing behind her. "He wouldn't tell us that and who to go to if he didn't know who we were."

"People going missing at night… You heard anything about that before we came here?"

"First time I'm hearing it but I wouldn't be surprised if they're keeping it quiet at this time of year." Sally tapped her chin before asking him a question. "Tell me, does something about this city's vibe strike you as… Off per say?"

"Now that you mention it, there's a strange vibe to this joint and it's really bothering me because I can't put a finger on it. Maybe that paper could shed some light on it."

"Let's save it when we get back to the hotel."

Mayor City Hall, Radical City

Afternoon

Following their encounter with a local paperboy rebel and reaching one end of Radical City, Sonic and Sally arrived at the Mayor City Hall. Their arrival was expected with the presence of a welcoming committee giving them a quick tour around the architecture.

A decently sized building that kept its' historical pre-Great War design with the pillars at the front side, old-style window frames, the aged look to the textures of the old exterior concrete and the interior retaining the pre-Great War styling to the decor just with a few modern additions like the inclusion of computers. A city hall from another time and comes with a sizable garden area at the back where outside events are held at.

One of the hallways featured portraits from the first elected mayor at Radical City's initial founding to the most current official in office; Boris Speechley. Meeting at his office where the Overlander would greet them with a slick smile.

"Ah, the Acorn Princess and the Blue Blur here in the flesh. I am most honored to have you here." The suited politician said, acting like a good host to the two and shaking their hands. "I'm pleased that you're able to accept my offer and attend the opening ceremony."

"Let's say things cleared up on our schedule to allow us time to come here." Sally said vaguely with a well-practiced smile to the man. "Apologies about the others not being present at the moment; they wanted to see the sights of your beautiful city."

"They'll love what's on offer."

Boris then gestures to a toga-wearing jackal seated on the velvet couch by the coffee table. "All thanks to this brilliant genius over here. This is Doctor Tarek Mengele. The one who has helped bring Resort Island back from the brink and into a new age."

The jackal nodded as he rose from his seat and did a courtesy bow to Sally Acorn before coming over to greet the two visitors with a charming, elegant smile. "Oh please; I am merely a provider of solutions to the island's needs and a cog in the machine of modernisation. I believe the blue hedgehog's esteemed compariot Miles Prower is more deserving of that title than I."

What caught the hedgehog and chipmunk by surprise besides Tarek's silky sophisticated manner of speaking is his stature; towering over Boris by at least a head.

Mobians standing as tall or taller than humans and their related cousins aren't unheard of with wolf mercenary Sleet and Vector the Crocodile immediately coming to mind. The height difference between them make him come off on the intimidating side.

Following Sally's handshake, Sonic went to go give Tarek a handshake and can feel the strength of his calloused hand when he went to shake it. "Heck of a handgrip you got there buddy."

"Quite a compliment given the company you keep and the many you throw hands with. I'd have been disappointed if you came in with a limp handshake." Tarek chuckles in response, eyes meeting Sonic's. "Especially when you have the power to catapult your opponent's yards away with a strike."

"I aim to please and don't you worry, I can hit good at normal speeds." Sonic smirked, hiding his own discomfort at the doctor's vice-like grip. Fortunately, Tarek would let go a moment later.

"Gentlemen…" Boris glanced at Sally as he finished his statement. "And lady. Let's chat some more over a meal together. Shall we?"

"Ah yeah, I'm feeling a bit famished today." Sonic patted his stomach. "Hope your cook's a real good one."

"We'd be pleased to dine with you." Sally replied sweetly. Seeing an opportunity to fish the pair for information under the pretense of being curious about the city. See the truth for herself.

"...Hahahaha!" Boris was laughing heartily at a story Sonic was telling involving him, Blaze, Bean, a shipment of salamis, missing car keys and a tuba player getting blasted away while playing mid-tune. "That's hilarious and just so happens to involve that Princess Blitz one."

"Princess Blaze." Sally politely corrected the politician, having finished her soup at the dining table. "Blaze is her name for future reference if she comes here some day."

"Right. If she comes here, she'll get a big welcome." Boris says offhandedly. Chewing loudly at his end of the table. Another point against him Sonic thinks.

"Earlier, we came across people who were badmouthing you in the streets. The police would chase them off but I was left curious on what's that about." Sally would pop the question to him. "Just so we know we're not being misled."

"They've been at it since this Paine person showed up last month and started making slanders against me where they accuse me of corruption. No matter what good I do, they still come out to smear my good name and I think there's a racially-charged motive behind their campaign because I'm an Overlander like Robotnik is. Enough to be harassed constantly about it."

Boris grimaced with a deep sigh. "Last week, I woke up in the middle of the night and found a burning effigy of me in my backyard with a sign on it reading 'Furless Ape. Get out of the office or this will be you getting cooked.' which is pretty distressing to see at your own house and Paine insists I'm making it up as an excuse to crack down on dissenters who don't agree with me. I just want to please the public but it's never enough with them..."

"But you helped restore the economy, did you not?"

"Tell that to Paine and his lapdogs. They would find a way to spin a negative about me. Accuse me of all sorts without proof. Blame me for things I haven't done." The man grumbled, chewing on his food. "Called me a Diet Robotnik one time."

Sonic suddenly broke out laughing at the Robotnik comment. "Diet Robotnik… I gotta use that one sometime."

Then he saw the unimpressed looks he was getting at the table and smiled sheepishly. "Oh, yeah; it's pretty bad. As you were saying?"

"The Resort Island Evening Post that Paine is using to print the libels has been making a point of badmouthing his name as though he was one of the council members that drove the island to ruin or insinuate that he lives a double life as snuff film producer Mr. Nasty as examples. Where were they when the old council and the local mafia were running amok, hmm?" Doctor Mengele would say, having a plate of pasta. "We both believe in freedom of the press and freedom of expression but not the effort to smear someone's name just because you can. Accuse them of things they haven't done."

Sally arched a brow. "Any idea who this Paine one is?"

"We know they are the pen name of the author behind the yellow journalism they call a newspaper but we don't know if it's a singular writer or multiple behind the typewriter. We can assume the name of Paine is a nod to the historical Thomas Paine from the Era of Man, most notable for his piece 'Common Sense' that ignited a series of events leading to America's independence from Great Britain. They could have also chosen the name as an indicator of what they're doing to the administration." Tarek flexes his knowledge of human history before adding; "Being a pain."

"I take it this Paine fellow is an elusive one?"

"Yes." Boris answered. "The whole police department is out looking for him and the source of his publication but they always give us the slip. I suspect he's got support from high places telling him all these things. Might be one of my political rivals looking to ruin me because I did more for the city than them."

"Mister Speechley. We can not determine the identity or reach of this Paine entity other than what we've seen them do." Tarek said to Boris, correcting him. "At worst, they're a mild nuisanc—"

"Nuisance!?" The Mayor was incredulous at that. "They're a nuisance until they start trying to kill me for real and I imagine they will when they realize publicly calling me a tyrant isn't enough!"

"The department is doing the best they can. Please, calm down sir. We do have important guests here with us."

"Fine, fine… Only because you've been on my side and your advice never did me any wrong..." Boris took a deep breath, calming himself down and looked at his guests. "As you can see, Paine has been causing me no end of grief."

"I imagine so if it's causing you this much distress." Sally slowly nods. "And we're nearly at that wonderful time of the year which is more stressful on top. Believe me, I have plenty on my own plate with the ongoing restorations and all the other duties my administration has to sort out."

The four would keep eating more of their meal together until Tarek spoke up again. "So, Sonic…"

The gray anubian jackal's eyes rolled up from his plate, focused on the blue hedgehog seated across from him. "I'm curious about what the world is like through your eyes and the way you view this mortal life we all share."

"Heh. What's there to say?" The hedgehog answered nonchalantly. "I love being free and a guy who loves adventure. I say being in this world is like an adventure; every day is a new experience full of twists and turns. I always look ahead; let not what was get in the way."

"The past determines the future and the present is the bridge between."

"Maybe if you believe the outcome of the future is set in stone but I believe the future is like fate and it is what you make of it. It is your power to determine where it goes from now."

"Most of the time. However, there are times where events shall occur and you have no control over the outcome for you are instead the bystander witness to the moment. Events destined to occur regardless of what action you take."

"I don't believe in the concept of doing nothing and the idea of having no sway over anything great or minor. In my world of worlds, it's all about meeting the risks and compromise does not exist when you're absolute in your own beliefs. You might be of the opinion that we are powerless against the greater cosmic forces but I'm of the opinion that with free will, we have the power to determine our place in the universe and our sense of being."

"Maybe so but with great spirits comes the limits of willpower, limits we cannot measure or determine except what our body, mind and soul can take. There will always come a time where even you cannot overcome the odds."

"I do not and never have believed in the concept of the no-win scenario. There is no such thing as the impossible, just very difficult challenges." Sonic narrowed his gaze as Tarek engaged him philosophically with the others present to witness the metaphorical table tennis match between them. "You can make miracles happen anywhere if you can put your spirit into it."

"Not all miracles are possible and not all challenges can be overcome by one's efforts my dear Sonic." Tarek calmly disagrees. "You never or I should actually say; you had never been in a scenario where even your strength of will cannot make the brick wall quiver, move or crack. A situation where no matter what it is you do, it'll spit your efforts back in your face and beat you down to the ground; mash your face against the rough earth with its' way of all things."

"Hope is the greatest power any could carry."

"And despair is the greatest weapon one can wield."

"Depends on how you look at things. I can gather you're one that believes the universe is a cold and indifferent one."

"The way I view my world is that it is a taker…" The scientist elaborated, sipping his wine. "Be it your time, your love, your dreams, your fortunes or what have you; it always demands you to give but offer nothing in return. It always takes and never gives. For some, it demands more and much, much more. It's like a ravenous beast whose wants are never fully satisfied and would grind your bones to the earth as you work to feed the unending hunger."

"The world and its people are free to make their own decisions as they please."

"Even if it's at the expense of others? At the cost of their lives and fortunes? Even though they may be morally objectionable?" The jackal flips the question back on the blue blur, hands clasped together. "The thing about life is that it is very fickle of what it asks of you. It'll reward bad behavior as much as it'll punish good behavior. It can be rather unfair and unbalanced."

"That's reality for ya pal. You can either taste the lemons all day or choose to make lemonade. It's not always ideal but if you can take the sourness, you can also enjoy the sweet nectar of living."

"And what of the lives ruined by those who desire their nectars more over others? I find it rather interesting you're an opponent to oppression and cruelty yet you never actually put down those committing the deeds and the fact Doctor Eggman continues to live despite everything he has done. How many lives he's destroyed or been scarred by simply living."

A glint flashed in Tarek's inquisitive eye. "Including all he had done to you. To use someone close to you as a weapon, that takes a particular brand of wickedness to entertain the thought and a special type of depravity to actually go through with it."

Sonic fidgeted a bit under the table which Sally picked up on, subtlety grabbing hold of his hand from their hosts' sight. "It was years ago and I always win against ol' Egghead—"

"If he could turn someone close to you into a psychological weapon without a second thought, what else could he do to get to you emotionally and mentally?" The doctor cuts in, his dictation clinical in affliction. "He not only did that, he also created the Egg Grape Chamber that claimed so many lives, fragmented the planet twice in his lust for power and tried to destroy the world with the sun because he couldn't have it. What this man has done would more than warrant not acts of mercy but the death penalty and you let him keep living in spite of everything. Offered him more chances than any would ever willingly give him."

"Hey Tarek, we're trying to eat here." Boris butted in. "Have a good ti—"

"Boris. I don't often get this opportunity to speak with someone of Sonic the Hedgehog's calibur and I wish to get an understanding of who he is as a person. With my own work schedule, this might be my only chance to speak to him." The scientist responded to his colleague a little firmly as if to tell him to keep his big gobby trap shut, eyes not breaking off from Sonic. "So tell me this Sonic, why does his kind continue to live knowing they'll never change nor contribute positively to the world? No one would begrudge you for letting them bite the dust in a manner of speaking."

"As I already said, people are free to make their own choices. I can convince them of another way and help them out if they need it but it's ultimately up to them to make the decision." Sonic added. "I can't decide or make the decision for them."

"Even though they're evil at their core?"

Sonic narrowed his gaze. "I don't believe in absolute evil. Everyone is capable of being good as much as they're capable of being evil; that's what free will is about. We are all living beings who live by what we're taught or raised by. I am a firm believer of due process."

"As noble and admirable that stance may be, there is also great naivety from you regarding the inherent problems of free will. Four of evil's greatest allies in civilized society are apathy, bureaucracy, complacency and ignorance. How often has society been rocked to its' core because of the actions of a selfish few?" Tarek held his chin. "Robotnik, Kodos, Naugus… Evil blooms when maleficence is present at the upper levels of society and through it, the system is their tool to do as they please. It always starts when the want of wealth or the want of influence fosters in the hearts of the selfish."

"Our system may not be perfect but we try to make it work for the people." Sally interjects to refute his statement. "Make it so those in charge and that includes myself are held accountable for any actions deemed against the public trust."

"You forget that in every society that practices democracy, corruption inevitably forms when vigilance isn't practiced and those few who'll abuse their freedom to enforce their wills onto others. The system that's meant to serve the public instead serves the wealthy few. The wicked know how to game and bribe the legal system to benefit themselves while the odds are severely stacked against the common man. The kind that refuses responsibility. After all, your Council of Acorn were the ones to allow Naugus to seize the throne because some of the members had grievances with you or your family."

"I would never stand for injustice if that is so." Sonic states. "Not when the wrong people are being punished."

"Even if it's being done to the scums of society or are you fine with it being done to them because they're the bad guys?" Tarek retorted pointedly. "The villains who have wrought harm and suffering to so many. People who would happily use your own mercy and beliefs against you. The breed that would live in cushy luxury in their supposed punishment and only getting a slap on the wrist by the very society you fight for. The kind to convince them they are poor victims of circumstances while condemning you as the aggressor."

"Justice is—"

The scientist cuts him off. "Justice is blind and your uncompromising beliefs is the current day Sisyphus myth; an unending vicious cycle where you can never have true peace because you can't kill the problem as judge, jury and executioner outright for it would contradict your stance on freedom, liberty and justice. To do so would make you a hypocrite and technically an accessory to all the crimes they had committed because you chose to keep sparing their lives no matter what as you believe they might just turn over a new leaf. Enough for some to believe you're sparing them because of your own ego. The world is a different place now and your beliefs might be seen as relics from a more romantic age of chivalry. It must be tempting, isn't it?"

"...What do you mean by that?" Sonic asked wearily; finding himself getting cornered by his philosophical opponent the more they kept on talking. Tarek points at him.

"You have fought the good fight for years and as much of a hero you are, even you have your own limits. You can only do so much before you find yourself asking what it is that keeps you going after all the trials you have endured and if it's still really worth it amongst the futility. How many have changed their ways outpaced by those who continue to be as they are. Doctor Eggman included even after how many times he repaid your kindness with more cruelty onto you and others close to you."

Tarek's own calm words cut like jagged broken glass against the hedgehog's flesh. "The temptation to say enough is enough and stop playing around by striking upon thee with righteous vengeance once your saintly patience hits its' breaking point that has to have crossed your mind every once in a while. It is mobian nature after all."

Since the impromptu debate began, Sonic suddenly had no good counterpoint he could produce to Tarek's argument and the jackal knows it. The lack of a retort tells him as such.

"Like I have said before, the world is a different place now and you either have to adapt to its needs or get left in the dust. There is only so much charity to go around before it is deemed a sign of weakness and proof of unwillingness to act for the greater good. Evil is not always so easy to spot, cloak themselves in good deeds and can manifest even within ourselves."

The gray jackal sips his wine before smiling and chuckling. "However, my opinions are merely subjective and open to questioning as much as yours'. My, this has been quite the enlightening little back and forth we've had going on."

"Yeah…" Sonic was secretly annoyed at himself for throwing the debate like that to a complete stranger. "Never took you to be a philosopher."

"I'm more concerned with the objective sciences than fields of theology and philosophy. Morality and the correlation of good versus evil to it is subjective according to the eye of the beholder. Your evil could be my good and vice versa but that's a topic better suited elsewhere than here." Tarek would take another piece of his food. "What I wouldn't give to dissect you to know what makes you tick as the fastest thing alive."

Sonic is not one to presume the worst in others but those words paired with the distant look to Tarek's gaze made him feel really uneasy and quickly hid his discomfort with a forced laughter. "Well, what you see is what you get. A guy who loves adventure."

Boris Speechley with the attentiveness of a brick started. "Anywho, I'm—"

"Mayor Speechley. The head of Radical City Casino wants to see you now." Boris' secretary popped into the dining room to inform her boss before disappearing back to wherever she came from. Boris sighs as he wipes the food stain off his mouth with a napkin.

"Sorry but I'll have to end it here for today." The politician says to Sonic and Sally, getting up from his chair. "Hope to see you all at the opening ceremony. Excuse me."

"Of course." Sally replied. The Mayor of Radical City took his leave to attend to other matters.

"Shame your friend Amy Rose can't attend or we'd have a perfect World Grand Prix tribute." Tarek remarks as the two visitors start taking their leave, nodding to one of the staff members to escort the pair to the exit. "In any case, have a pleasant day. Both of you."

"You too."

When Sally and Sonic were being escorted out of the City Hall, the staff member leading them wordlessly slipped Sonic a piece of paper. The hedgehog tucked it under one of his gloves.

Once they were out and away from the building, the two Freedom Fighters stopped over at a quiet spot.

Sonic pulls out the paper and unfolds it to read it. "Let's see… Bothswell's, find yellow tie with oranges. Question: Can Pet Hedgehogs Swim? Answer: Yes."

"Must be both a hint on who to look for and an answer to a password." Sally deduces the meaning of the paper. "That man there must be one of Paine's agents or Paine himself."

"We know our local rebels don't have strict dress codes with a tie like that."

"Unconventional fashion sense is technically a form of rebellion and a form of self-expression." Sally turned her head to him with concern. "What he said back there bothered you, didn't it?"

"He has a point in what he said."

"Depends on what part of the argument he's actually right on. You can just as well poke holes in his points if you know where to look."

"I mean he has a point about me being too lenient on some people and half of our problems could be avoided if I learned to get a clue that not everyone can be redeemed." Sonic let out a sigh, running a hand over his quills. "I'm the big reason people like Ivo Robotnik will keep doing what they do because I never take a permanent solution to them and do what's best for everyone. Is it really fair to their victims by allowing them to keep on living to continue their crimes?"

"We're not arbitrators of justice. We act according to the laws and regulations of our society."

"So do people like Mogul and they're using them to benefit themselves at everyone else's expense while taunting us from their palace. Corrupt the system and exploit the legal loopholes... That's how Naugus took your father's throne because he used people with bias against us to get himself there." Sonic said with an air of bitterness to his words. "The same guy who helped instigated the Great War with Kodos no less."

"Nothing's perfect but we strive to do the best we can."

"Maybe our best isn't good enough Sally." Sonic furrowed his brow. "How can I be a champion for freedom and independence if I let oppressors still keep their lives and continue trampling over innocents as they please? Maybe I am a hypocrite by letting them all run free to hurt, harm and abuse others under the vain hope they might have a change of heart. Some people are simply incapable of changing their ways no matter how many chances you give them and I'm the naive one in believing they can actually change for the better!"

"Sonic. You always try to see the good in other people even when others aren't willing to. Shadow, Silver, Knuckles… Just a few of the people who you saw goodness in."

"The difference between a guy like Shadow and a guy like Julian is that one is misled while the other is cruel to their core. I respect and trust Shadow with my life because I know he can do the right thing but Doctor Julian? He lived as a monster and died as one with his nephew doing us a big solid by ending his loathsome." The hedgehog scoffed harshly. "And then there's Ivo… A guy who time and time again has shown how much he appreciates my charity by making mine and others' lives hell. Perhaps I am Sisyphus and my boulder is me hoping people like him can see the error of their ways. If I learned to stop tolerating it and actually end the problem permanently. I wouldn't get as many good peo—"

"Just stop right there Sonic. It's one thing to self-reflect on your mistakes but it is another story to start doubting yourself like that and let the past affect your current judgment. Go against yourself."

Sally grabs his hands and speaks sternly to her blue hero. "What you're fighting for is not futile and it is not your fault in believing everyone has the capability for good. Some just don't know how good they have it that you're willing to give them a quality of mercy instead of death and you give them the freedom to make the choice because you believe they could do it. Please. Don't start believing you are part of the problem."

"...Then what am I if not that?"

"A guy who showed us how much life has to offer and one has bettered the lives of so many by meeting you. Tails is one of those people." Sally replied kindly with an assuring smile. "You are a good-hearted hedgehog who loves adventure, living in the moment and world-renowned connoisseur of chili-dogs unless you're telling me you prefer eggs to them."

"It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever consider the thought!" Sonic said animatedly at the idea. "Maybe you would but not me!"

Sally let off a hearty and relieved laugh. "Better be nice to me and Tails or else I'll be making it a point of having you be served eggs."

"You wouldn't."

"Wanna bet on that? They do give you a lot of protein~" The chipmunk smirked cheekily. Sonic couldn't help but laugh, forgetting his own gloom.

"Okay, you got me." Sonic smiled like his familiar self. "Still, he got me in the debate."

"He doesn't know the real you like we do and you weren't at your best. He can only speculate based on what he knows of you. The world is a different place but he is wrong in that the world will leave you in the dust because it will always need a hero like you to save it and show them the way to a better tomorrow. That life can be worth living." Sally told him straight up if only to get through to him. "You once told me to never let the past get in the way of your journey to the future."

"I did, huh? Guess it's that adulting thing dad's been telling me about."

"Perspectives change but ideals and values are forever. We all fall at some point and we just have to pick ourselves up. Whenever there is cruelty and oppression, you are committed to putting an end to it. Put the fear of Chaos into the guilty if they're thick enough to press their luck with your patience."

Sally would check her watch. "We should regroup with the others at the hotel. Come on."

"Right-O." Sonic nodded before pausing for a bit. "And uh, thank you for the pep talk."

"You were there for us at our low points and it's only fair the same courtesy is extended to you in return. Know we're all here for you. What happened in the past with Monica, Antoine, me… They're not your fault and thinking the what-could-have-beens just isn't how you roll." The auburn princess replied. It pains her to see him second-guess himself like that because of a tragedy out of his control.

"It's just… Seeing Mecha Sonic is like being reminded of the mistakes I've made in the past." Sonic said seriously when thinking of his metal twin. "How much it… Reminds me of what you went through."

"What happened to me is all in the past like our many bad days and that can't be changed no matter what. He's only just a face attached to the demons you're having now. Mecha Sonic is a ghost from your past as you put it that needs to be laid to rest and only then can you truly move on."

Sonic knew she had a point there as the two heads off. "Yeah. With that said, think it's time for us to get moving. Let's see what the others have found…"

Takeshi City Hotel, Radical City

Evening

When the individual teams regrouped at the hotel, they poured together their findings and discussed the matter over. See what they've all gathered from their respective searches.

Sally's team reports a conspiracy from the administration, Bunnie's team reports suspicious cases surrounding Resort Island including the nightly sightings and Tails' team reports some new info regarding the island's more recent developments. All three reported the appearance of the Resort Island Evening Post folks where they were at and the police's response to them; right down to having the same talking points about the dissent towards Mayor Boris Speechley.

"...Looks like it's been going on for a while now. Long enough for it to become something of an open secret around town." Miraju was at a table in the apartment suite reading the newspaper that Sally had brought back, examining the contents for anything that might stand out. "Whoever this writer Paine is, they know a good bit about all of this and I'm guessing they probably know a thing or two about our culprits. I reckon they're aware of that fact because they have their people tell us where to head to tonight."

"If they got somethin' vital to share with us, then headin' to Bothswell's would be the next best thing to findin' where our pesky vermins are hidin' at." Bunnie turned her head to Sally, leaning against a wall by the TV set. "I volunteer to head down to it."

"Count me in." Manic adds, chilling on the couch with Gadget and Sonic. "I know a thing or two about these secret handshake meets."

"Then both of you will come with me to see our informant." Sally nodded to the two volunteers before turning to the others. "For the rest of you, keep looking and stay alert. If what we've found is to be believed, these unidentified snatchers are sneaky and quick."

"But I'm quicker. They have no hope of catching this hedgehog." Sonic points a thumb at himself, flashing Gadget a grin. "One, two and they're getting the smack down treatment."

"Geez Sonic, you are being real bravado as of late with everything that has been going on. Nothing really fazes you much these days." Shortfuse sarcastically remarks, the squirrel polishing the helmet belonging to his Cybernik armor suit that is residing inside a traveling case.

Sonic shrugs his shoulders rather than reply to him; knowing better than to get into a back and forth with someone who earned the nickname for a good reason.

"Seems like Boris Speechley is involved in some shady business and the policemen we met don't seem to behave like normal people. They're very hard on Paine's negative words against him. We know our tracker stops here on this before we lost the signal." Tails commented. "Say, what of Doctor Tarek Mengele?"

"Paine's piece doesn't mention him much outside of being the mastermind behind the restoration of Resort Island with his work and someone that Boris used to get himself to office. The restored Reactive Factory was his idea." Miraju answered, setting down the underground newspaper and looking at Sally. "You met him. What's he like?"

"Tall, intelligent, calm and polite. Seems affable and well-mannered compared to his boss but so is Grimer." Sally answered, glancing over to Sonic. "He was particularly interested in Sonic at the table and through their exchange reveals he has a cynical outlook on the world; seeing it as a taker and no-giver from what I could gather."

"There's something about him that doesn't sit well with me. I don't know what it is but that's the vibe I got off him. A lot like this city actually." Sonic adds, remembering the look in Tarek's eyes. "Don't know if you picked up on it too."

"We shouldn't presume until we have the proper facts. He could simply be an eccentric who has no involvement in what's going on and is unaware of what Boris is up to."

"Or a deranged psychopath pretending to appear like a normal person while Boris is a clueless clown who doesn't know what he does behind closed doors and doesn't know he might be set up for failure." Miraju finished Sally's statement with everyone looking at him. "Just a thought. The thieves did come here and we know they should still be about."

"The stolen project and the culprits responsible is our priority. If the administration here has any part in this and the evidence to support it, then we have grounds to charge them for conspiracy, theft, homicide and knowingly harboring fugitives from us." Sally said to her group. "They might suspect we're onto them and will be trying to cover their tracks whenever possible. I suggest all of you keep your wits about you when you're out in the streets. After what happened last night, I doubt any of you are taking any chances…"

Author's Notes: If you asked me what voice Gadget would have, I would say Mark Baker's Raggedy Andy from Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure (1977). Just with a light Japanese accent over it.

The question of why Sonic doesn't ever just kill Eggman despite the many crimes he's committed is a long time question for many looking in from the outside and this chapter touches on that a bit with that dining room scene. Sonic's optimism versus Tarek's cynicism. Both making valid points but also faulty in their arguments as well.

Have his beliefs in freedom be verbally challenged a bit albeit at a disadvantage and show more of the problem regarding his current state of mind through his arguments with how easily Tarek is able to verbally corner him. In a way, you could also take this as a criticism of IDW Sonic and Sonic Prime Sonic to an extent in the way their ideals are handled in the writing.

If this was pre-Phantom Ruby War Sonic, it'd end in a stalemate or be a hard fought victory in the debate between them. Though that would make the scene run a lot longer if that were the case and you wouldn't have the following touching character scene either.

Not much else to say other than that here we have some character moments, exchanges made and character-building being done. The plot thickens on what's going on.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the reviews. On that note, I'll see you dear readers another time.