Act I: CATACOMBS

Chapter XVII: Angel of Death

"The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike." – Exodus 12:13

The morning after the rainstorm was utterly silent. People were more terrified then ever, and Sonic could only guess this wouldn't be the end of it.

He sat patiently in Tails' shop, watching as a small group prepared to go into the mines.

Tails placed the amulet into a box, pushing it to the back edge of the worktable as he wrapped a belt around his waist.

"Are we ready?" The fox asked.

"Sure are!" Amy exclaimed, brushing dust from her sleeves. She turned to see Knuckles and Rouge standing together, both bickering to themselves about something.

Sonic whistled, kicking his feet from the desk as he shot Cosmo a smirk. "How 'bout you, plant princess?"

Cosmo snorted, "I'm ready!"

"Let's get goin' then, I wanna make sure we're in and out of the mine," Tails stated, pulling a hat onto his head. The group walked from the workshop, ignoring the blank stares from the few passing townsfolk.

Tumbleweeds danced across the roads, clearing a pathway for them towards the prospector's shop. Sonic felt a shiver run down his spine – the quiet of the town weighing on him like a ton of bricks.

When they had finally made it, Khan and Relic greeted them with exhausted smiles.

"Hey y'all," Relic piped, giving them a wave. Khan nodded to the pair, dusting off some shovels.

"How do y'all do today?" The monkey asked.

"As good as we can be, Ken," Amy muttered, offering him a faint smile.

Knuckles walked towards Relic, nodding at her. "How've you been? Been a while."

Relic snorted. "Sure has, Knucklehead. Did the shenanigans here bring you 'outta hiding?"

"You could say that."

"Well, only thing I can say to that is – sorry. It's a damn mess here," Khan added, removing his hat.

"That's why we're here," Tails said, "I gotta get into the mines to find some amethyst. It's the only way I can fix the amulet and stop the plagues."

Relic whistled. "Amethyst, huh? Well – I hate to tell 'ya, but the last amethyst we saw down there were waaay deep in the tunnels. You'll be there for a while."

Sonic narrowed his eyes. "Guess you don't know how fast I can make it!"

Khan chuckled. "Oh, don't you worry. We've heard. I hope y'all can find it sooner then later. Town's not gonna be able to take another bad omen. I gotta feeling this one's gonna be the worst one yet."

Knuckles chuckled, "So do I."

Sonic tilted his head at the echidna. If Knuckles thought this was going to be the worst omen, then they were truly in for it.

Even more reason to find this crystal and fix the amulet before it's too late.

Relic opened the wooden gates to the mineshafts, brushing some sweat from her eyes. "Alright y'all, all open for 'ya! Take as much time as you need!"

"Thank 'ya, Relic," Rouge stated, slapping some dollars onto the table for their trouble.

The bat led the charge into the mine, winding through the shaft tunnels to get to the good stuff. Tails shined his lantern all around, looking for anything shiny and purple to catch his eye.

For minutes and minutes, they walked, coming up with no results. The prospectors were right – this was going to be a long, long search.

Sonic was starting to grow a tad impatient, huffing a sigh. Shaking his head, he lit a match, opting to begin jogging ahead.

"Sonic?" Amy asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I'll go on ahead of you guys! More people checking more of the mine the better! Don't worry, I'll be fine!"

Tails sighed, "It's a good idea. Alright Sonic, just meet up with us as soon as you can!"

Sonic gave a nod, darting off deeper into the mines. He weaved through the tunnels, keeping his eye out for anything that looked like an amethyst.

The lanterns that the prospectors had put up helped him greatly, illuminating the pathway for him through the tunnel system.

He jogged for what felt like hours, until he reached the first major system in the mines. He huffed a quick breath, before holding his match up.

Time to find an amethyst and save this town from yet another bad omen.

Blaze sat with her head in her hands, tapping her foot to a silent song while Gold and Marine sat around her.

Silver and Shadow conversed in the corner, talking of various things. They were waiting for Blaze to say something, anything.

"Miss – Miss Blaze? What did you see?" Marine asked.

Shadow examined the cat with crimson eyes, seeing the distress on her face.

"Do you need us to leave so you can meditate on it?" Gold asked, obvious worry in her voice.

Blaze still didn't answer, opting to stare at the table she sat upon with exhausted eyes. Finally, she looked up, feeling her eyes begin to tear up ever so slightly.

Silver immediately rushed forward, concern on his face. Shadow followed behind carefully, turning to see that Tikal and Shade had arrived as well.

"Blaze, it's okay – it's going to be okay. Just – tell us what you saw and take your time. We're all right here," Silver said.

Blaze sighed, brushing some falling hairs from her eyes. She allowed the scent of the incense to lull her a bit, gaining the mental fortitude to speak up.

"The Passover Omen is coming."

Marine gasped, and Gold turned to wince. Silver immediately turned around, giving Shadow a concerned look. Shadow closed his eyes tightly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"How much time do we have?" Shade asked.

Blaze paused again, readjusting herself.

"None."

Tikal gasped slightly, burying her face in her hands. Shade immediately pulled her closer, consoling her with her eyes locked onto Silver's.

Shadow took his hat off, hanging it low by his side. "What can we do in the little time we have?"

Silver shook his head, disbelief on his face. "We can only warn everyone. Not sure exactly what they'll do – but Gaia willing they'll do what we tell them to."

"Robotnik will fight you on it. Anything to keep power he'll do," Marine said.

"We can only put our faith in the townspeople and hope for the best then," Gold said.

"Or we finally put a bullet in Robotnik's head. Why haven't we shot and killed him yet?" Shade spat, clearly frustrated.

"Robotnik dying doesn't just settle Mephiles' blood lust," Silver began, "There's more he'll be here for. We must get them to see that he's a liar, and that he's always been a liar."

Shade sighed in frustration, holding her face in her hand. Blaze stood from her chair, a newfound fury blazing in her eyes.

"Then that is what you do. Tell the townsfolk, and make sure they understand the consequences. There can be no time wasted. We must act now."

Silver turned to Shadow, who gave him a nod. The pair put on their hats and fastened their coats.

Silver turned to Gold, bending down to her. She looked at him in total worry, barely able to meet his gaze.

"Listen, Goldie. It's gonna be okay. We're gonna get there, okay? We're gonna get there."

"It better be. I can't lose you…" Gold whispered. Silver leaned forward, pressing a kiss onto his sister's head. He stroked her muzzle, giving her a cheeky smile.

"You won't. Nothin's gonna happen to me. Stay here with Blaze, she'll protect you."

Gold nodded, brushing a tear from her eye.

"Are you ready?" Shadow called to Silver, causing the white hedgehog to turn and nod at his gaze. He stood up, looking around the room.

"Shade, Tikal, you comin' with?" He asked to which Shade nodded.

"Absolutely."

Silver nodded, giving Blaze a quick kiss and a caress of the cheek. He turned, leading them from the hut.

He walked towards town square, to the town bell in the middle of the square. He turned to Shadow, who looked onto him emotionless.

Silver sighed, before he rang the bell. He gave it various rings, seeing the townsfolk all begin peeking from their place of hiding.

He rang, and rang, and rang. He needed everyone here. He needed everyone to heed the warning.

Before it was too late.

Sonic had been searching for a few hours now, and he could feel his quills grey at just how unlucky he had been.

The lanterns were no real help, and with no sign of a shining purple crystal, he was beginning to lose hope.

The hedgehog began jogging down some of the tunnels, searching for anything that could catch his eye.

He was frustrated. They were seriously running out of time. With very little left to do, Sonic was helpless, begging internally for anything.

Down one of the tunnels, he was led to another open cave system. He sighed, wiping his brow. Where the hell had he even ended up?

Did he even know how to get back out of here?

He inspected the stone walls around him, rubbing his temples in annoyance. No sign of any amethyst anywhere. There had to be something. There was no way this huge mine system was devoid of this crystal. Maybe if he-

"Boo!"

Sonic jumped back, catching his breath into his throat, though he settled at the sight of a smirking Amy.

"Geez – you sure know how to give a guy a quick jumpstart to the heart."

Amy chuckled. "It was just too easy, bud!"

Sonic sighed with a smile, though it immediately fell when he took another look at the cave around him. Back to an unwelcome reality.

"Any luck?" Amy asked, to which Sonic groaned.

"Not even a little. You?"

"Same. Guess I just happened to wander upon 'ya."

"At least I ain't gotta be annoyed alone anymore," Sonic muttered sarcastically.

"Annoyed huh? Relic did say this wasn't gonna be an easy search," Amy said, shining her lantern on the walls around her.

Sonic sighed, following the light of her lantern. "I know, still don't mean I'm patient."

Amy snickered, giving Sonic a sarcastic glance. "I gathered that."

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck with a smirk. "I wear it on my sleeve after all!"

Amy laughed again, before heading down another tunnel. Sonic had no other option but to tag behind, keeping a look out around her. Amy lifted her lantern all around the crevices of the tunnel, watching as it led her down another path.

She led the pair out to another open system, but this time her eyes widened.

"Oh, there's gotta be some here!"

Sonic couldn't help but agree. This part was full of different crystals – all different shapes and sizes. Amy reached in her belt loop, pulling out the pickaxe Tails gave her. She began searching once more.

The pair looked amongst the crystals, until Sonic spotted it.

"Right there!"

Amy turned around, rushing over to his side. She inspected where he was pointing, before her eyes widened.

"That's it! That's amethyst!"

The two cheered, as the pink hedgehog jumped into his arms. He spun her around, chuckling, and for a moment – it seemed that something clicked for a second.

Sonic put her down, looking at Amy with a flushed expression. Amy giggled, stepping back as she twirled the pickaxe.

"Well, guess we better get this thing out of the ground!"

She began to slam the pickaxe into the crystal, digging it over and over into the sharp edges.

Sonic watched with careful eyes as she mined the crystal before it popped fully from the ground. She grabbed onto it, holding it close as she turned to Sonic with a smirk.

"Whaddya say we get the hell outta here so Tails can save this town?"

Sonic chuckled.

"Let's get to it, then!"

Sonic led Amy from the tunnels, the pair jogging excitedly throughout the systems. They jogged for a while, dodging, and weaving where the arrows pointed them to go. It wasn't long until they found Tails and the rest.

"We got it!" Amy exclaimed, digging into her pocketloop and holding up the gem.

Tails chuckled in disbelief, taking it excitedly. Rouge whistled, "Well, looks like someone's out to get Knucklehead and I's treasure hunting title!"

Amy snickered, not minding the red on her muzzle. "Just doin' my best is all!"

"Guess we better get outta here! We have a necklace to fix!" Cosmo exclaimed, earning a satisfied from Knuckles.

The echidna began walking, "Let's get going. We're burning daylight now."

Silver stood by the bell, watching as the entire city gathered. All awaited his words with anxious trepidation, yet Silver tried to remain as calm as possible.

"Where are Knuckles and the rest?" Tikal whispered to Shade, who kept her eyes focused on the crowd in front of them.

"I'm not sure."

"Everyone! I come with bad news," Silver exclaimed, "Quite possibly tonight, an omen is going to return – one that will absolutely have grave consequences on us all!"

The townsfolk began to murmur in panic, yet Silver rang the bell once again.

"However, there is a way to survive! You must act quickly, however! You will need to paint blood upon your doors! You can do this by slicing your palm, using the blood of one of the livestock – anything that you can get your hands on! You need to act fast, because if you fail to do this, the Undertaker will strike your house with plague!"

The townsfolk began to clamor once more amongst themselves. Silver inspected the crowd carefully.

Some seemed to be absolutely decided on painting blood upon their doors, some seemed panicked enough to do it, yet others seemed to remain skeptical at his words.

Robotnik had fostered division in this town – where even attempting to protect yourself was deemed unholy.

That's when Silver noticed the preacher thundering towards the crowd, with Bark and Clutch in tow.

"Shit, he's coming this way," Shade whispered.

"I know," Silver said. He continued to watch Robotnik and the pair trudge through the crowd, earning annoyance from the white hedgehog.

Shadow, however, saw Nack leading Surge and Kit elsewhere, down the road heading to Tails' workshop. He quietly slipped off the tower, heading down the alleys to see where they were off too.

"Stop this nonsense at once!" Robotnik commanded. "You wish to plunge us further into the hole, don't you, Silver! Do not listen to this nonsense, it is only to terrify you into submitting to the Undertaker so he can eradicate you, and all of us!"

"That is not true!" Silver shouted, rage coating his voice. "You have to trust me, please! I – I know the Undertaker well, and I know what he is capable of. You must save yourselves!"

"How do you know him, huh?!" Clutch shouted back, earning a small clamor from the crowd.

"I'll tell you how!" Robotnik said, turning to address the crowd, while pointing a beckoning finger back towards Silver, "He is a lackey of his! Tasked to bring you all into the pit with him! We must not listen – we must not fall for the Undertaker's schemes!"

Silver scoffed. "Please, just listen to me! It's not like that at all! The only way to survive this night is to paint the blood on your doors! He'll skip over you, I promise! Please, save yourselves!"

Robotnik growled in response. "Do not fall for his tricks, children! Do not let this blasphemer drag you dow-"

Suddenly, Robotnik's yell was cut off by the sound of ringing bells. Robotnik scowled, turning over his shoulder. The sound of jingling tricycle bells caused everyone to turn behind the tower.

Silver's face fell, and he knew that it would begin very, very soon.

Mephiles rode into town, ringing the bells of his tricycle as he wheeled through town. He sent the townsfolk a smile, while turning to give Silver a wink.

Silver shook his head, before calling out to the townsfolk again. "Listen – there's no more time! Go now! Save yourselves, please!"

The townsfolk clamored loudly, all screaming and rushing towards their respective homes. Silver watched them pile away from the town square like a herd of buffalos. He watched Mephiles ride further into town, until meeting the enraged gaze of Robotnik.

And Silver stared furiously back at him.

The crew rushed back towards the workshop, seeing the day begin to slip further and further away.

If they didn't fix the amulet now, there'd be no time.

Once they turned the corner however, they saw Espio and the police surrounding the door, watching Nicole paint a bloody cross on the workshop door.

"Guys?! What happened?!" Tails exclaimed, worry in his voice.

Espio sighed, leading them inside. "Come in and look."

The crew followed the police, while Sally and Bunnie led them to the back. When arriving, their faces fell.

The window was smashed, and the amulet was nowhere to be found.

"No, Christ, No!" Tails exclaimed, ruffling through the workbench.

"We heard a smash and came to investigate. When we came to look, the necklace was gone," Sally said.

"Do you know who stole it?" Knuckles asked angrily, to which Rotor shook his head. "We don't, we're keeping an eye out."

"I'm guessin' it was one of Robotnik's fuckheads. We have to catch them, we finally have what we need to fix the amulet," Rouge said.

"If your money's on Clutch or Nack, we haven't seen either of them today," Mighty said.

"Wait – what was up with the blood on the door?" Sonic asked, watching as the cops eyed each other nervously.

"Today in the square, Silver warned the town of an impending plague. If you don't paint blood on the door, Mephiles will put plagues onto your home…" Ray said.

"And we're not sure plagues of what kind," Antoine finished.

Sonic felt his breath catch in his throat.

They were too late.

They took the amulet.

Fuck, they were too late.

"It was Nack, Surge and Kit."

The group turned around, seeing Shadow standing in the doorway.

"I watched them head this way, but by the time I arrived they were gone, as was the amulet. I know where they're heading though. We have to move now and catch them. I already informed Scourge, Fiona, and the Rogues."

Sonic sighed, turning to the group. They all wore faces of worry and exhaustion, yet this silence was interrupted by the crackling of thunder.

The lanterns all went dark, plunging the workshop into obscure shadows. Shadow turned his shoulder, looking outside. The sky had been plunged into darkness, but not one that was normal – no, it was much more sinister.

They heard the tricycle bells echo throughout the town from the distance. It curdled their blood to the core.

Shadow cursed. "It's beginning. We must move now. The door's painted – we'll be safe from Mephiles."

Sonic sighed, grabbing his revolver.

He turned to the group, with a face as hard as steel.

"Let's save this goddamn town."