Act I: CATACOMBS
Chapter XVIII: Disasterpiece
"There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." – Luke 21:11
Sonic felt the wind picking up as he charged through the streets on horseback. Turning his shoulder, he smirked when he saw the entire crew following him.
For the first time – they were all together. The Rogues, Rouge's Team, Scourge and Fiona, Shadow, the police – everyone.
And Sonic led the charge.
Yet, even as this made him excited – he could not deny the insurmountable pressure that had been placed upon them all. He rode past doors with red crosses, some without. He winced, knowing full well what was in store for the people that hadn't listened to Silver's warning.
This would be a brutal wakeup call for the townsfolk.
He could still hear screams in the distance, and even when riding past some of the homes that were unmarked, he heard screams of agony inside.
He didn't want to know what was happening in there, he refused to even think about.
All he knew was that it wasn't something that would end well whatsoever.
Espio and Nicole drove a stagecoach, as did Rotor and Mighty – carrying many of the crewmates who had no access to horseback. Sonic took a sharp turn, before leading them all from the town. They trudged through the desert, holding lanterns up in the darkness as the moon was obscured from view.
The omen.
"It'll be up ahead!" Julie-su called from behind, as Sonic nodded at the input. He kept riding faster, dust kicking into his eyes as he sped his horse forward.
From the side, the train of horseback riding cowboys and cowgirls looked formidable, the backdrop of the blackened sky casting them in an ominous fashion. What they were doing was heroic – yet incredibly risky.
If anything had happened to the amulet, there was nothing they could do.
As they continued riding through the dark of night, they came upon a desolate, small compound - one that was lit by lone lanterns and empty of any known lifeforms.
"That's it!" Tangle exclaimed, as Sonic skidded his horse to a stop. The hedgehog slid off his horse, pulling his revolver from his belt.
He waited for the crew to catch up, with Espio cupping his mouth to call out ahead. "We'll stand guard – you all go in and find the necklace!"
"Got it!" Amy called back, brandishing her new revolver from her dress pocket. Rouge and Honey snickered.
"Finally!" Honey exclaimed, ruffling Amy on the head.
Shadow took Sonic's side, tipping his hat lower over his eyes. He twirled his revolver, while Knuckles approached with a shotgun from the other side.
"Ready?" Shadow asked.
"Born ready," Sonic replied, flashing a snarky smile.
Shadow allowed Jet to lead the Rogues to the back of the building, dragging bags of dynamite on the ground. Scourge followed with a cigarette in his mouth, giving Sonic and Shadow a mock salute.
Shadow raised his lantern, leading the group through the tiny, desolate town.
"What the hell is this place?" Sonic asked.
"It's mostly a ghost town, so Robotnik and Starline planted some compounds out here," Tikal said, grimacing at the gusts of wind that blew through the town.
"Wait for Jet and them to blow the back of the building, that's when we rush in. There ain't no holdin' back this time," Rouge spat, wiping her revolver off.
Boom.
As if Rouge had blown the dynamite herself, a loud explosion rocked the scene, a brilliant ball of flame bursting from the back.
Shade chuckled, turning to nod at Tangle.
"Alright, that's our cue," Whisper said, and Sonic simply nodded. He removed the revolver from his waist, stomping to the back of the building.
Bark watched from the windows, seeing the gusts of wind that pounded through the town. It was a haunting sight, with strikes of lightning riding through the sky.
He couldn't see Mephiles, but every once in a while, townsfolk roamed through the streets, clutching boils on their fur, with tears of burning water flowing down their muzzles.
There were three corpses on the ground.
Silver was right. Of course he was.
Mephiles was striking whoever didn't have a cross of blood painted on their door.
He could only assume they were all next.
Or maybe Mephiles would spare them. Maybe he would need them.
This may not be the end for them.
Across from him, Robotnik stared in rage through the other window. His fist shook at his side, watching in rage as the plague toiled through the town.
"How dare the Undertaker listen to that white hedgehog. I knew they were working together," Robotnik spat.
Bark rolled his eyes, opting to say nothing. He simply continued staring from the window, watching the carnage take place.
Two more corpses added onto the ground.
"Those hedgehogs will damn us all…" Robotnik muttered angrily, steam practically blowing from his ears.
Bark scoffed, shaking his head. This, of course, earned the unwanted attention from Robotnik, who shot a glare at the polar bear.
"You wish to defend them once more?!"
Bark rolled his eyes. "Who said I was defending them?"
"You're falling out of line, Bark," Robotnik spat, beginning to walk towards him. "You'll end up just like them in the end."
"You don't know what the end of this looks like, Ivo."
"What do you suppose it'll look like then, hm?"
Bark stared blankly at the preacher, thoughts racing around his head. With you dead, the church destroyed, the cross fallen?
It didn't quite matter much to him – as long as his reign of terror could end.
"I can't say. None of us can. We aren't clairvoyants."
"Well – I am confident we will come out unscathed. Our devotion to the Lord will protect us. However, if you fall out of that? No telling if you will be given any mercy."
Robotnik chuckled slightly, as Bark stared ice at him.
Suddenly, Bark fell a wave of darkness fall over him. It suffocated him, causing the furs on the back of his neck to shoot upright. He felt a shiver crawl slowly like a snake down his spine.
He turned slowly to the window, meeting the piercing eyes of Mephiles. This time, however, they were glowing. It was like two, reptilian orbs floating in the darkness.
But it was unmistakable.
He had come for them.
A tremor began under the church, the foundation and building shaking violently. It threw Bark from his feet, crashing into the pew. Robotnik growled, grabbing for support as the church shook and shook.
The tremor was intense, and Bark watched as glass shattered, candles fell, and dangling objects from the ceiling plummeted and smashed onto the floors.
He lifted his head ever so slightly, attempting to meet the gaze of Mephiles. He was staring coldly, though the bear could make out the outline of a smirk on the Undertaker's face.
Suddenly, Bark watched as the ground split in half, the cracks riding up the floors of the church – leaving a tear in the ground. The crack rode up the altar, splitting the large standing cross in half.
The church had been torn in two.
Once the tremor had stopped, Bark whipped his gaze back to the window. He rushed forward, sweat pouring like a waterfall down his face.
His heart dropped when he saw that the space where Mephiles was stood was empty.
Their plague had come and gone.
Robotnik fell to his knees at the altar, and for the first time since he knew him – Bark saw him begin to pray.
The bear was mixed with emotions, fraught with confusion and dread. The sight of Robotnik praying was a brand new one. He always knew his prayers were fake – there was nothing genuine about them whatsoever.
But, this time, Bark could tell it was frighteningly real.
And he didn't know what was next.
He didn't know what was to come.
Sonic rushed through the hole in the back of the building, ignoring the dust and rubble that kicked into his face.
He dove forward, immediately taking cover. He knew he was in for a fight. Amy joined him at his side, as the pair watched Shadow and Whisper storm forward, allowing the crew to take positions.
Immediately, gunfire rained from above down at them, enticing them to jump for cover. Sonic peeked, seeing a line of men firing at them from above.
"Christ," Sonic whispered, immediately peeking, and firing at them from above.
Hit one.
He's down.
But the bullet whizzed past him, striking the wall behind him.
It was a large open-plan post, with desks, tables, bookshelves – he wasn't exactly sure what this place was.
What he did know is that Nack knew they'd come here.
They were very prepared.
Shadow and Julie-su peeked from behind a toppled over table, firing back at the men on the balconies. He saw Whisper and Tangle together, before his eyes moved to see Knuckles protecting the Echidnas, holding a shotgun across his chest.
It was pandemonium in here, and Sonic exhaled a sigh quickly, gaining his composure. Scourge rolled him a bag of powder, allowing Sonic to pour it into his revolver.
If he doesn't put up a fight, he'll miss the chance to get the amulet.
Suddenly, Amy rose behind him, aiming with shaking hands as she fired off a few rounds. Sonic watched two men take the bullets, collapsing to the ground.
"Nice shot, pinky!" Fiona shouted, firing with a wink.
Amy chuckled, before immediately ducking back down.
Sonic nodded in amusement, returning fire to the balconies. He rolled from his place, shuffling through the messy open-plan room.
Knuckles led Tikal to the stairs, calming her down.
"Stay here, I'll be back!"
Knuckles darted from the stairs, aiming the shotgun above and blasting three of the men, as their bodies toppled over the railing.
Bean and Storm were firing manically, and soon there weren't many left.
"Move up top now!" Tangle exclaimed, beginning to lead the charge. Knuckles turned around, exhaling – but his breath caught in his throat when Tikal was nowhere to be found on the stairs.
"Tikal? Tikal?!" Knuckles shouted.
Rouge ran over, her white fur paling even further. "Where is she?!"
Shadow cursed, turning to Honey. The cat cupped her mouth. "Okay, we need to find Tikal!"
Sonic and Amy grimaced, seeing Knuckles thunder upstairs. Rouge followed in tow, her revolver tight in her grasp.
"Surprise, fuckers!"
The group turned around, seeing Surge aiming a shotgun at them. She fired, causing them to jump for cover. The tenrec and Kit began thundering forward, yet Amy lept over the staircase railing, firing at the pair. Surge ducked, yet the bullet grazed Kit's side, causing the fennec to yelp with a slip.
"Kit!" Surge cried, crawling over to him. Amy pointed her gun at them, rage in her eyes.
"You two stay down."
"Jesus…" Sonic muttered, before Shadow thundered past them, giving them a cue to follow upstairs.
They heard Knuckles calling for Tikal, winding down the hallways. The group continued calling for her, until they heard the growl of a familiar weasel.
Knuckles wasted no time, kicking open an ajar door with his shotgun raised – as his blood boiled at the site.
Nack had a pistol at Tikal's head, his snaggletooth protruding, and his eyes full of mischievous fury.
"Y'all stand the hell down and get 'outta here, or she's done for."
Knuckles' grip on the gun shook, angry eyes staring the weasel down. "Put her down now."
"Knu – Knuckles! Just go! Get outta here!" Tikal exclaimed, yet Nack dug the barrel deeper into her head.
"Quiet…" The weasel drawled, though his eyes never left the echidna.
"Put her down, Nack!" Rouge shouted, and Shade stood by the bat with furious eyes.
"Turn around, and I'll let her walk outta here with 'ya! Simple as that!"
Shadow stared daggers at the weasel, his breath hot. He turned to see the rest of the crew sharing the fury, seeing as Nack held this frightened girl at gunpoint.
It was sick.
There were truly no limits to what Robotnik, and his lackeys would do – and it disgusted them all.
There had to be an end.
"Last chance," Nack spat.
Knuckles shook his head, beginning to step forward. "Put her down, this is your last chance."
Nack smirked, looking at the frightened Tikal. "Whaddya say, should I listen to what he wants me to do?"
Tikal gulped, shaking her head furiously at Knuckles.
"Last chance, Nack!"
Nack cocked an eyebrow, digging the barrel deeper into Tikal's head.
With a click of the tongue, he shrugged.
"Sorry Knux, there's just no scenario where this girl liv-"
Suddenly, a shot rang out, startling the group. They darted their gazes left to the right, before Honey gasped at the sight.
Turning to Nack, they saw a bullet hole in his head. The weasel stumbled back, dropping his revolver on the ground. Tikal rushed forward, diving into Knuckles' grasp – holding her tighter than ever before.
They turned, seeing Amy pointing the gun right at the weasel. Her hands were shaking, and an unreadable emotion was on her face.
Sonic couldn't believe what he just saw.
He watched Amy kill Nack with one shot – with an impeccable aim. Rouge shared the sentiment, and Sonic could see the bat almost regretting teaching Amy to shoot.
Sonic watched Nack step back, before losing his balance and crashing through the window. They rushed forward, looking down towards the ground where a loud thud sounded.
They saw the weasel's body, sprawled out on the streets. Sonic choked down some nausea at the sight, seeing the pool of blood that began to form underneath the weasel.
"Wait, look!" Tangle shouted, pointing down at the weasel.
When narrowing his eyes, Sonic grumbled when he saw it.
Around Nack's neck, hanging and stained with his blood, was the amulet.
Wearing the town's only true protection as a trophy.
As hard as it was for Sonic to see someone die, he couldn't deny the atrocities he, as well as Robotnik's crew, had committed.
And he would put an end to it all.
The stagecoach arrived into town, watching the darkness begin to slowly clear away. The sight was horrifying.
It looked like an earthquake had ravaged parts of the city, which was not far from the reality of the situation.
They rode through slowly, watching as citizen's walked through aimlessly. Some held their loved ones close, some wept, and some stared blankly into the distance.
It was mayhem – and it was horrible.
Upon riding past the church, Sonic's mouth hung open when he saw the townsfolk inspecting it.
There was a tear right through the building.
The blue hedgehog shook his head, looking up to see Bark sitting on the bell tower on the top of the church. He stared at the ground, meeting Sonic's gaze for a moment.
They saw Tails and Cosmo waiting by the entrance to the workshop, both of their faces lightning up slightly when they saw the crew and the police arriving back into the city.
Sonic slid from his horse, allowing Sally and Bunnie to exit the stagecoach. Sally pulled the amulet from her pocket, inspecting it for a moment.
"You guys got it?" Tails asked.
"They did," Sally said, "Though they had to get a bit dirty for it."
Tails sighed, taking the amulet from Sally.
"What happened here?" Mighty asked, allowing his eyes to roam the city. Cosmo nodded at Tails, who rushed inside to begin fixing the amulet, before turning to Mighty.
"So much. There was an earthquake here, as you can probably see by the state of the church. It was – scary, to say the least."
"Goodness," Nicole whispered, "Are you alright at least?"
"I am, just happy we can finally fix the amulet," Cosmo said, sighing as she looked at the carnage around her.
Sonic and Shadow found themselves wandering towards the town square, eyes roaming amongst the carnage.
Another collection of corpses sprawled out in the square, and a smirking Mephiles sitting at the well.
"What the hell happened here…?" Sonic muttered, earning a shake of the head from Shadow.
"Death happened here. Now we end it."
Sonic looked at Shadow, who continued staring into Mephiles' eyes. Sonic sighed, looking down at the revolver in his hand.
With your pure heart you set them free.
You must set them free.
You must step forward.