Act I: CATACOMBS

Chapter I: Year Zero

"I will cast abominable filth at you, make you vile, and make you a spectacle." – Nahum 3:6

Dark clouds collected overhead, leaving no room for sunlight to peek through. The rain had refused to fall in days – weeks even, and the already dry land was cracking on the surface. The absence of fresh rain caused the land to suffer in a dry, wasteful pain.

The sound of a patient horse clogging made its way through the silence, carefully focused steps that pegged through the still noise.

He had come.

The horse peeked his way near the entrance to the large western town, before the rider stopped it by pulling the reigns. Underneath the horse's crooned head – a dead body of a mongoose lay beneath.

The rider calmly slid off the back of his steed, his black boots landing softly into the sand. He rubbed his thumbs across his pale muzzle, taking careful steps until he situated himself directly in front of the body.

Two broken legs.

A mangled arm.

Neck snapped to the left.

The rider made mental notes of the condition quickly. Looks like he fell. Fine by him. His job was nearly done.

The next town that would buckle and beckon underneath his curse. It was always too simple how he ended up at these places.

Bending down, he fished into his coat pocket. Pulling out a long tape-measure, he stretched it over the body. He chuckled to himself.

Perfect length.

His reptilian green eyes flickered above, before he craned his neck to the sky. A long, overdrawn breath escaped his lips, giving himself a crack at both sides of the neck. He gave his black-and-green quills a quick brush, before his tongue danced across his lips with a wicked grin.

How excited he was for his stay.

ONE MONTH LATER…

A low whistle escaped his mouth, as the rider hopped off his horse. He gave the brown steed a pat on the back, resting his head against the horses as he looked at the sign.

This was the place – he had gotten it right.

"WESTOPOLIS."

This was the legendary town everyone out west had heard about. The biggest, most bustling, most popping town out in the wild, wild land he had become acquainted with.

Gaia, the stories he had heard! Famous duels, amazing dances, and the greatest saloons you could ever know.

And yet – it was absolutely, perfectly quiet.

Not a soul walked around outside, save for the few who passed in and out. Yet as they passed through, they kept their glances steel-focused to their next spot.

The blue hedgehog shook his head in disbelief. Where were the people?! Every story about Westopolis he heard seemed to be falling right in front of his eyes. Not a sound muttered, not an excited glance given.

There wasn't even a single tumbleweed that rolled in the wind. It was completely, and utterly, not right.

If there was ever a Western town – this was it.

But still it suffered in unattractive silence.

Sonic shook his head, tying his horse up to the post as he trekked into town. He found himself looking every which way – yet to his utter disbelief, nothing was said to him. Windows had boards on them, citizens quickly drew their blinds shut.

It was almost like someone had pushed them all inside, the threat of death looming over them.

It wasn't Sunday – so no church. Maybe that was it? Maybe the town had become more of a "church-town" in it's new day.

Still, he couldn't accept that to be fact. There had to be some reason everything was quiet.

To his surprise, and his excitement, a sound did reach his ears. The clanging of metal from a small building with the door propped open. Sonic shrugged, whistling to himself as he approached. He pulled his bandana tighter around his neck, fixing his hat a little lower.

He does have a bounty on his head after all.

He peeked into the door, examining the insides of the room. Full of tools, weapons, and parts it was – yet the only soul was a yellow-orange fox, bent down over a bench as he banged away on the barrel of a revolver.

Sonic kicked his boot against the door, leaning as he squinted his gaze.

"You the only soul still makin' some noise out here?"

The sudden interruption startled the fox, causing him to drop his wrench. He shot his gaze to the door, mouth hanging open as he clutched his arm for reassurance.

"Ah – I – I guess it seems that way…"

Sonic chuckled, walking inside as he began scoping inside. These were some fine guns and equipment.

That's when he saw the sign. "Miles and Co. – Guns and Tools."

"Miles and Co. – Should I assume, you might be that Miles in question?" Sonic asked.

The fox chuckled, brushing his neck. "I am. The people around here just call me Tails though."

"Tails, huh…" Sonic started, "Well – why do they call 'ya that?"

Tails sighed, turning around as two fox tails sprouted from his jeans.

Ah.

"Two tails. Don't see that everyday!"

"Suppose not," Tails said, leaning back over his bench. "Well – is there anythin' you need? We'll be open until the sun sets tonight. Church in the mornin'."

"I only need one thing," Sonic said, "Which is an explanation as to why it's so damn quiet around here."

"Huh?" Tails asked, taking off his goggles. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm sure you know what everyone says about this town. It's the best! There ain't one better! Yet – I finally get here and it's as still and silent as a dead woodpecker. So? What's the deal?"

Tails sighed, tossing a random barrel into a bucket. "Lots happened around here. We're all on edge, that's all."

"Well – a lotta legends about this place! But that stuff happened ages ago. So, what's so suddenly different? Ain't the streets 'sposed to be filled with people?! That's what I've heard – what we've all heard."

Tails shook his head. "Everyone's still here. Just no desire to take a trip outside anymore."

Sonic scoffed, shaking his head as he removed his hat. He slung it by his side, earning an eyebrow raise from Tails.

"Oh dear – you're Sonic, ain't ya?"

Sonic flashed a cheeky grin. "Ah – so you've heard of me?"

"Everyone has. Newest most wanted outlaw. I could make a mean buck off of you!"

"Will ya turn me in?"

Tails chuckled. "No – that's not how I operate. I just do my own thing. Fix guns, stack up on tools and equipment. Someone's gotta be the town mechanic."

"And that's what you are, huh? Town mechanic?"

Tails smirked. "Guilty as charged!"

"Well Tails, since you're active 'round here – mind telling me what the hell happened? I mean, last I heard this was the place to be. Now? It's dead!"

Tails sighed, sitting at his bench. He pursed his lips, shaking his head slightly. "You probably won't believe it."

Sonic grumbled, shooting a sly smirk to the young fox. "Try me."

Tails blinked a few times, tapping his fingers absentmindedly on his workbench. "You ever hear of The Undertaker?"

Sonic squinted his eyes. The Undertaker? He was certain that was just a myth preachers used to get their citizens all scared.

A good way to get them to turn to Gaia.

"Maybe from a corrupt preacher or two? Sounds like a good way to scare some weak folk! Lemme guess – you got a nutty pastor who thinks the Undertaker is here?"

Tails raised an eyebrow. "That's what some of us thought – until he showed up."

Sonic felt the wind stop. It seemed like a needle had dropped onto the cold ground. He felt heat stirring in his stomach. Sure, it sounded like a bunch of bull – but the way this fox said it…

It had him scared.

"He – showed up? Whaddya mean?"

Tails leaned over, stealing a quick glance outside before turning his attention back to Sonic. "I mean what I said – he showed up! I mean – we've all heard stories where the Undertaker comes to reap his body count and a town goes desolate, but like 'ya said – Westopolis is different! It's the biggest and it's the best – so we never imagined he'd come here. But – one day, the mayor found him sitting at the well, with a dead body at his feet. The fella…he never stopped smiling. Just a permanent smile on his face."

Sonic didn't even realize he had sat down. He felt his legs weaken – like they had turned into jelly in the blink of an eye. He wasn't registering what the fox was saying to him. Maybe he didn't want to register it – but it had to be true, right? It just had to be.

"So…what happened next?"

Tails shook his head. "That's when the preacher got bugged up in the head. He started spouting all this stuff – saying that if we didn't find who the Undertaker was here for, we'd all die. He's tellin' us the one person we gotta get rid of will send The Undertaker on his way. Father Robotnik…he's got this town pissin' its own pants."

"Father Robotnik, huh? Sounds like a real nutcase," Sonic muttered.

"He's got enough loyal supporters to keep his control 'round here. Since the Undertaker showed up, Robotnik rose to the ranks. This town is his now. No one will admit it – but he's usin' this as an opportunity. That's why everyone's stayin' inside all scared. Everyone is afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

Tails pursed his lips again. "Afraid of Robotnik – hell, afraid they'll be The Undertaker's next grab. Two more people have died since he came here. Everyone's on edge – they don't know if they'll be next."

Sonic stared at the ground for a moment. He only returned the gaze when a thought crossed his mind.

"This – Father Robotnik guy says he's here for someone. Do 'ya know who that someone is?"

Tails stopped, before glancing up at the hedgehog. "His name is S-"

"Hiya, Tails!"

A voice interrupted the fox, causing him to look towards the door. Sonic cocked an eyebrow, turning his head to follow when he felt his heart stop.

His eyes lay upon a pink hedgehog, dolled up in a cute blue dress with one quill tied around her head. She allowed her other pink quills to fall down her shoulders. She had big, shining emerald eyes paired with a smile that made the blue hedgehog's mouth drop.

She was…gorgeous.

"Amy! Howdy! How are 'ya today!?" Tails exclaimed, as Amy ruffled his head.

"Ah, just pushin' on through! Got some sweets from Vanilla's – thought you might want a couple."

Tails smiled, taking a few pastries from her basket. "Well – these look mighty fine! Thanks!"

Amy smiled, before her head turned to Sonic. She felt her brow furrow, examining the blue hedgehog perched atop a stool.

"Now – if 'ya don't mind me askin' – but you're some sort of an outlaw, ain't ya?"

Sonic whistled, cocking a shit-eating grin. "Now – where'd ya get that at? Far as I'm concerned, I'm a perfect law-abidin' cowboy."

Amy whistled, taking a few steps closer. "Nah – I know I've seen that face. Sonic the Hedgehog, ain't ya?"

Sonic felt his muzzle redden, before he stood up with an extended hand. "Guilty. 'Ya caught me!"

Amy chuckled, shaking his head. Sonic, in no time, bent forward to place a kiss on the top of her hand.

"It's nice to meet such a pretty maiden 'round here."

Amy snorted. "Ain't you charming."

"Lord, I try! Amy, he said it was?"

Amy nodded, as Sonic shot a wink. "Then what a pleasure it is to meet 'ya, Ames!"

"Ah – already a nickname, huh? Sure, catch on fast, don't ya?"

"Fast? Well, I'm the fastest there is! Never gonna meet someone with a quicker wit nor a quicker fire."

Tails piped in, smiling. "I have heard that! Heard you have a quick shot!"

Sonic smirked, shrugging as his ego inflated inch by inch. "What can I say? I live in the fast lane. Gotta shoot fast if 'ya move fast."

Amy rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "May have to put that to the test. There's a lotta quick guns 'round here. Haven't seen one as fast as two of 'em though…"

Sonic immediately knew who she was talking about.

"Oh, I know. Shadow and Silver the Hedgehog. Gaia, that duel is legendary! Made me rethink everything – and the fact it happened here? That was enough reason to come!"

Amy chuckled. "Funny considerin' the two were friends. Just had a bad run of luck the two did. Not a clue where either of 'em went."

Sonic whistled. "Hopefully they'll find their way 'round here again! Now that this town's got some Undertaker shenanigans, maybe-"

Amy stopped him with a glare, her mouth pursed tightly. "How do you know about that?"

Tails immediately slid over the bench. "I – I told him! Don't worry…"

Amy sighed, feeling her tension resolve. "Well – now that you know, you gotta promise to watch that quick mouth of yours! People are scared enough, we ain't got a clue when he's gonna leave."

Sonic put his hands up, stepping closer to the door. "You got it! All ears on you! Say, I know the town's all quiet and scared – but is there a place to get a drink 'round here still?"

Amy chuckled. "The Saloon. My friend Rouge bartends over there. It should still be busy – the threat of an Undertaker ain't gonna stop some of these people from drinkin'."

Sonic laughed, pulling his bandana over his muzzle. "Well – that's where y'all will find me! A pleasure to meet 'ya both – though I'm certain I'll be seein' y'all real soon!"

Tails smiled. "Come anytime! I'll introduce you to my girlfriend Cosmo when she's around."

Sonic winked, shooting a finger gun. "Sounds like a plan. And Amy…"

Amy peered her eyes at Sonic, a smirk on her muzzle.

"Stay beautiful."

Amy chuckled, nodding. "I'll try my best."

Sonic winked, before stepping backwards from the door. He whistled a jovial tune to himself, skipping across the sand as the view of the Saloon came into his eyesight.

Even if death was gonna loom, he'd rather have some liquor in his stomach when he faces it head on.