Justice Version 1... bonus chapter

The case against Vector was airtight, rock solid. The blood on the towel was confirmed to belong to Tails. A forensic sweep of the house revealed small but damning traces of his blood near the front door, leading up the stairs in a chilling breadcrumb trail that had gone unnoticed at first. In the bathroom, tiny flecks of blood, undetectable to the naked eye, were found and testing positive for Cream's DNA.

The most damning evidence, however, came from within Vector himself. Though no bodies could be recovered, forensic specialists ran tissue analyses on his digestive tract. The results were horrifying. Trace elements of both Tails' and Cream’s DNA were found within the cells of his stomach lining and intestines. Even after weeks had passed, the remnants of his gruesome meals remained. He had eaten them. And now, he would pay for it.

The trial was swift, the evidence overwhelming. Vector was charged with two counts of first-degree **** and multiple counts of obstruction of justice for his deliberate efforts to mislead the investigation in the missing persons' case. The Chaotix, his own team, were **** to testify against him, devastated by the betrayal of their once-trusted friend. Espio sat in stony silence through most of the proceedings, his sharp mind no doubt playing over every moment he had not seen the truth in his own teammate. Charmy openly sobbed when the guilty verdict was read.

Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, and the rest of their circle were all present as well, each carrying their own rage, grief, and horror over what had been done. Tails had been their friend. Cream had been like a little sister to many of them.

And Vanilla… Vanilla had once loved Vector. Had trusted him, had clung to him for support after losing her daughter... never knowing that she was sleeping beside her child’s killer. When the judge delivered the sentence, there was no room for mercy.

**** by electric chair.

The air in the execution chamber was thick with tension. The smell of sterile cleaning chemicals barely masked the scent of sweat and fear. A small, cold audience sat in the viewing room... witnesses to Vector’s final moments. Vanilla was there, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white with how hard she was gripping herself. She had to see this. Had to watch justice be done. But there was no joy in it... just emptiness and sorrow. The Chaotix sat beside her, silent and grim. Sonic was there, arms crossed tightly, his usually cocky demeanor replaced with solemn focus. Amy sat beside him, holding back tears. Knuckles sat rigid in his seat, his jaw tight.

Vector was wheeled in, his muscular body now thinner from his time in prison, shackled to the chair. Electrodes were placed on his body, the restraints tightened. The green crocodile lifted his head, his sharp yellow eyes scanning the faces in the room. And then... his gaze found Vanilla. Even now, in his final moments, his expression was a twisted cocktail of emotions. Regret. Fury. Resignation. but most of all shame... She didn’t look away.

The executioner moved into position. The priest asked if he had any last words. Vector’s voice was hoarse from weeks of solitude, his throat dry. He licked his lips, then shook his head. “No… I think I’ve already said too much.”

Vanilla clenched her fists. The switch was pulled. Electricity surged through Vector’s body. His muscles seized, his back arched against the restraints, and a sharp, strangled sound gurgled in his throat. The air filled with the crackling of voltage, the scent of burning flesh. His body twitched violently, and for a few more moments, the green crocodile fought against the inevitable. And then… he was still.

The light in his eyes dimmed. His head slumped forward. The only sound was the humming of the now-deactivated machine. It was over. A doctor stepped forward, checked for a pulse, and then solemnly announced: “Time of ****: 12:04 AM.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. Somewhere in the audience, Charmy let out a quiet sob. Amy turned away, burying her face in Sonic’s shoulder. Vanilla sat completely still, her expression unreadable. She had gotten what she wanted. What she needed. Justice. But as she stared at Vector’s lifeless form, she wondered… Why did it still feel like she had lost everything?

(The end)