Act I: CATACOMBS

Chapter II: Pass the Kerosene

"He reveals deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells within him." – Daniel 2:22

Pushing the door open, the clamor inside stopped.

Sonic had expected that much.

What was shocking was how loud it was – and how busy it was. This was the Westopolis he was expecting.

Sonic looked left and right, his eyes scanning over the gruff faces that stared him down.

He put his hands up, cocking his head to the left. "No trouble! Just passin' through – wanted a drink!"

The crowd murmured, as Sonic sauntered his way to the bar, ignoring the stares and glares as he passed through the tables.

Taking his seat, he sighed, pulling his bandana down slightly. Looking to his left, he saw a white bat behind the bar – who he could imagine was the Rouge that Amy was talking about.

As the bat sullied her way to Sonic, she shot him a glance. "Well – howdy howdy. What can I ge-"

She stopped, examining the hedgehog closely. She leaned over the bar, whispering.

"Well, if it ain't Sonic the Hedgehog. Don't you worry – I won't say a peep 'long as you keep that mouth shut."

Sonic chuckled, gracing his nose against her cheek. "Don't you worry ma'am, no trouble here."

Rouge snickered, backing away. "What can I get 'ya then, Sonic?"

Sonic groaned, pushing his hand on his temple. "Somethin' strong – I'm all wired out."

Rouge chuckled, pouring a drink into a mug before sliding it over to him. "Say – what's the new fastest gun gotta be wired out about?"

Sonic stole a quick glance around him, feeling his eyes sliding lazily back onto Rouge. "This town ain't what I was promised. Feelin' all sorts of confused."

Rouge sighed, "Well – that's what happens when a visit from our old pal the Undertaker comes along. Before that though? Business as usual."

Sonic clicked his tongue. "Ah – so what? We get rid of ol' Black-Coat and the once great Westopolis I heard about comes back into tune?"

Rouge snorted with an eyeroll. "As if any of us know how to get rid a' him. Legend says we can't kill him – only give him what he wants and he's off on his way."

"And what is it he wants?"

"Hell, if I know. People got their theories – I've been around long enough to know they're probably all bullshit. Can't help but wonder, though. Seems to be the only way we're surviving at the moment."

Sonic nodded, taking a quick swig. "You're Rouge, right?"

Rouge shot him a cocked eyebrow. "Yes…how'd ya figure that?"

"Met your friend – Amy. She's a doll."

Rouge smirked. "Ah, ol' Amy. Love her to death that one. Waitin' for her to get her hands on a gun and get dirty. Break bad a bit. Gettin' a bit boring watchin' her all pure and nice."

Behind Rouge, a yellow cat with black hair walked in behind the bar, huffing a sigh. "Afternoon, Rougie-pie."

Rouge smirked. "Afternoon, Honey. This right here is Sonic. The outlaw…."

Sonic rolled his eyes, raising his glass to Honey. Honey leaned against the wall, crossing her arms with a nod.

"How do 'ya do, Honey? You as sweet as your name?"

"Ah – he's got jokes, huh? I'm a little less sweet than that, but I do just fine anyways."

Sonic whistled. "Man – are all the women in this town this good lookin'?"

Rouge rolled her eyes, sliding another drink to Sonic. "Calm your ass down, cowboy. That flattery will only get you in the wrong places."

Sonic whistled, leaning back slightly as he earned some attention from gruff customers. "If 'ya say so, 'Rougie-pie'."

"That name is for Honey and Honey only, sugartits," Rouge muttered, shaking her head with a chuckle.

"Gaia – if that Father Robotnik says one more damn thing about that Undertaker, I might put a bullet in his head," Honey mutters, earning a groan from Rouge.

"What'd the fat man say now?"

Sonic leaned into the bar slightly, eavesdropping on the conversation. He had no idea why this deal with the Undertaker piqued his curiosity so much. Perhaps it was because it was the only way to return the town to normalcy – or maybe it was the supernatural mystery of it all.

"More shit about how he's here cause we're all sinners. We gotta repent to Gaia if we want him to get the hell away. Either that or snuff out the sinners and give 'em to the Undertaker so he'll leave us alone. It's all cult shit if 'ya ask me."

Rouge whistled. "You better not let your boyfriend Mighty hear about you wantin' to put a bullet in Robotnik's head. His pacifist ass won't like that."

Honey rolled her eyes. "Oh, you know Mighty's just a big 'ol softie. He agrees with me. He and the cops ain't like him either. One slip-up and they got his ass – they just know he's doing some shady shit."

"Cops, huh?" Sonic interrupted with a grin. "Think they'll come chasin' after me?"

"If 'ya don't watch your tongue, probably. That Espio – he is as cold as they come. Love him to death – but don't fuck with him if you wanna keep your life," Rouge remarked, leaning against the bar top.

Sonic took another drink, before setting it down with a thud.

"Can't wait to meet 'em."

Suddenly, the door swung open, earning the attention of everyone as their eyes lay upon a panicked rabbit.

"Everyone! It – it-"

"Spit it out!" Rouge began, calling from the bar, "C'mon now!"

The rabbit took another breath, brushing his ears behind his head.

"It's Shadow! He's back!"

The bar began to clamor, as Sonic turned to see Rouge's paled expression. She turned to Honey, who's eyes widened in response.

Sonic was shocked – but mostly, he was in glee. Shadow? The Shadow?! The legendary gunman who got in the legendary duel with Silver?!

It was exciting. It was…terrifying. It was everything and more.

As the bar continued its clamor, the noise immediately ceased as the silhouette of a man in a hat stood in the doorway. The air was tense, as steady footsteps began approaching the bar. No one said a word, only opting to watch him as he walked by.

Once he came into view, Sonic could see him clear as day. The black cowboy hat with the dark clothing. The red bandana that was situated around his neck. The black and red quills with the piercing crimson eyes…

It was Shadow the Hedgehog alright.

Approaching the bar, Shadow stood stoically, his eyes laying upon Rouge.

Rouge bit her tongue, glaring at him. She dropped her voice to a whisper, one mixed with venom and anxiety.

"What the hell are you doing here? Don't you know better? This is not the time for you to be comin' back around."

"I understand the situation well enough, Rouge," Shadow spoke. His voice was gravelly and deep, a hushed tone in his voice.

"You don't, though. Robotnik is gunning for you."

Gunning for him? Was Shadow the one Robotnik wanted dead for the Undertaker?

"You're wrong," Shadow replied, "I'm gunning for him."

Rouge shook her head, glancing back towards Sonic, before returning her gaze.

"We can't talk here."

Shadow glanced over to Sonic, who was unapologetically staring right at him.

"I know you," Shadow remarked.

"And I know you," Sonic replied.

The two stared at each other for a moment, a cold silence locked in the air.

"You have a high bounty on your head," Shadow spat.

"I'm sure you got one too."

Shadow rolled his eyes, moving his glance to Rouge. "Where is Knuckles?"

"Where do you think?" Rouge spat, "In the mountains. They're mountain men after all."

"He needs to get back here. I need his help to settle this score with Robotnik."

Rouge whistled. "We really cannot talk here, Shadow."

"Shall I get rid of the blue hedgehog then?" Shadow spat, as Sonic shot up from his chair.

He held his hand out, a snarky grin on his face.

"Name's Sonic. Pleasure to meet you."

Shadow stared at his hand for a moment, before flickering his gaze back into the hedgehog's eyes.

"You have a fast shot I hear."

"Fastest in the west."

"Hardly true."

"Why not? You quicker?"

"I'd wager."

"Sounds like a challenge. You challengin' me?"

"I might be. What say you?"

"Okay, boys?!" Rouge interrupted, "Not the goddamn time! And – Gaia help me Shadow – I know you're not challenging someone to a duel the moment you walk back in here! Shit is bad around here! Very bad!"

"The Undertaker. I've heard. Seems you don't remember last time he was here."

Sonic shot his gaze to Rouge. "Wait – last time? He's been here before?"

Rouge shook her head. "It's complicated. He was and he wasn't. It was – different."

"Different how?"

Rouge sighed gruffly, shaking her head vehemently at Shadow. "I can't talk about this right now. We gotta go somewhere private, Shadow."

Shadow stared at her for a moment, nodding as he turned to Sonic.

"I expect a response to my challenge, hedgehog."

Sonic whistled. "Oh, you bet."

The pair stared at each other for another moment – the cold air between them stiff.

This was a duel he could get down with.

Rouge had managed to pull Shadow into the back of the saloon. She huffed a sigh, as she sat down at the table.

As Shadow stepped inside, he met the eyes with her team.

Julie-su.

Tangle.

Whisper.

and Honey.

"Well, if it ain't Shadow the goddamn Hedgehog!" Tangle exclaimed, whistling as she took a drag from her cigarette.

Rouge sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Shadow immediately turned to Julie-su.

"Is Knuckles still in the mountains?"

Julie-su nodded. "You bet your ass he is. Can't say when he'll be comin' back down either."

Shadow grimaced, crossing his arms. "I need his help with Robotnik."

"Correction, you need a lot more help than just his. He has the whole town under his fist now. The cops can't do nothin'," Whisper stated dryly, twirling her revolver.

"What exactly have I missed?" Shadow stated, earning a sigh from Honey.

"Let's see. The Babylon Rogues made some stakes here again. I can't say they'll be stoppin' anytime soon. Whisper has moved her team of bounty hunters, the Diamond Cutters, into town – and then Mr. Undertaker came around. Now – everything is fucked up beyond belief."

Shadow leaned against the wall, his black hat tipped low over his eyes. "What does the Undertaker want? Have we figured that out?"

"No sir," Julie-su started, "He comes and goes – but he doesn't stay away. He rides that little tricycle around town sometimes too. Gaia, I can always hear that motherfucker creakin'. Hurts the ears…"

"If we haven't figured it out, then what is Robotnik saying he wants?"

Rouge sighed, as the group fell silent. She turned to him, shaking her head.

"He's saying you. He keeps tellin' everyone you're the biggest sinner of 'em all. That's why this town ain't givin' you a kind reception. Everyone thinks you're the reason he's here."

Shadow grumbled, his hand clutching tight to the revolver on his belt. He bit his lip, threatening to draw blood.

"He's a lyin' snake. I'll see that he's put ten feet in the ground. I'll bet you that's what the Undertaker really wants."

Tangle whistled, throwing an arm around Whisper. "We believe 'ya – but you try sellin' that to everyone. They'll try and kill you dead. You can't let yourself be seen – especially now that Vector and Espio have put the police on high alert."

"What do you suppose I do then?" Shadow started, "I will not live under scrutiny. They have all right to be afraid of me."

"You just gotta be careful," Whisper said, "Nothin' is as it seems here anymore."

Shadow shook his head, taking his hat off. He ran his hand through his flurried quills, throwing his hat off to the side.

"Julie, if you take a trip to the mountains, you tell Knuckles I need them. He'll understand."

Julie-su sighed. "I'll try and pass the message for 'ya Shads."

"And how about that Sonic?" Honey asked with a grin, "You really wanna test his gun out?"

"Sonic?" Tangle asked, "Ain't that the outlaw with the quick shot?"

"That's him alright," Shadow said, "Has a quick mouth. I'll be eager to see him through."

"Really don't think gettin' into duels right now is a bright idea," Rouge said, "You gotta understand that things ain't how they've been."

"When have you ever been quick to turn down a fight, Rouge?" Shadow asked, earning a chuckle from Rouge.

"You got me – but we're all on edge. Shit is going down."

Shadow grumbled, before putting his hat back on.

"Then I'll see that through too."