Act I: CATACOMBS

Chapter VI: Deus in Absentia

"Therefore do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble." – Jeremiah 11:14

The blue hedgehog made his way, sluggishly, to Tails' workshop. His limbs ached, he felt as if his head had one million tons of pressure weighing down on top of it, and he could feel the weakness of his heart's pulse.

He couldn't remember much of his meeting with the witch from last night, except for one key part.

The weapon in the mines.

He was entirely unsure of what that meant. There were mines under the city? Said who?

As the hedgehog poked his way inside, his frazzled demeanor shook the fox from his work, eyes filled with concern.

"Sonic?! Dear goodness! Are you a'right?!"

Sonic chuckled weakly, mock saluting the fox. "Could be better, buddy."

Tails ushered Sonic to sit, immediately fetching water from the kitchens in the back of the shop. He poured it into a wooden mug, passing it over to the hedgehog who began drinking profusely.

"Honestly, I thought you were way far gone by now. Espio still has them all looking for you!" Tails exclaimed.

"It's been…an eventful night to say the least, buddy."

"What happened?" Tails asked, as Cosmo began sauntering in behind him. She examined the hedgehog, offering a faint smile.

Sonic nodded at the seedrian, before going into his explanation.

"Well, let's see. Ran from the town, got stopped by the Undertaker who proceeded to tell me I was the key to saving the town from him. His name is Mephiles, by the way. When I came back to town, got led into a barn with three witches who-"

"Witches? You're talking about Blaze, right?" Cosmo interrupted.

"Y – yeah! Do y'all know them?"

Tails nodded, twiddling his thumbs. "Yeah, she's been close with us, especially Amy. They used to be a bit more public around here, but ever since Silver left they've been shacked away."

"Silver? Is that her lover?" Sonic asked, earning a nod from Cosmo.

"Huh… didn't know famous gunman Silver had a witch for a girl…" Sonic muttered, before shaking his head, getting back on track with his story.

"They told me this…prophecy, I guess? They told me there was a weapon for me in the mines. I'd use that, along with my 'pure heart' or whatever to free the town. After that, she sent me flying out of the barn…and here I am."

Tails shook his head, sharing a somber glance with Cosmo.

"The mines… Ken Khan and Relic watch over those," Tails remarked.

"Who are they?" Sonic asked.

"They're two prospectors. They basically helped build this town. Now, they just watch over the economy mostly," Cosmo stated, sipping from her own mug of water.

"Well, it seems like I gotta get down there," Sonic said, "There's somethin' there I need to grab."

"I dunno 'bout that, Sonic…" Tails began, "They're pretty hesitant on lettin' people down in there-"

"Y'all say something about the mines?"

The voice earned twirls of heads from the trio, seeing Amy leaning in the doorway. Sonic smirked, tipping his hat.

"Looks like this belle comes in at the perfect times."

Amy chuckled, before turning her gaze to Tails. "Relic is a good friend of my family. They go down in the mines often. I'll just tell her we left something down there and they'll let us in. We'd have to go now though, they close 'em up near sundown."

Sonic immediately stood up, removing his hat. "Guess we better get goin' then."

"Uhm – I dunno, Sonic. You're 'kinda on the town's most wanted list at the minute…" Cosmo muttered, earning a sharp nod from Tails.

"She's right, it wouldn't be the greatest idea to let you down there with us."

"Y'all don't get it, Blaze said I had to get somethin' down there! A weapon!" Sonic exclaimed, as Amy thundered towards him.

"Blaze?! You talked to her?!"

Sonic stammered, before sighing. "It's – it's a long story. I'll explain on the way, promise. But – besides the point, only I know what I'm lookin' for. It's gotta be me who goes down there."

Amy turned to Tails and Cosmo, narrowing her eyes slightly. "You and I both know Blaze well enough to know Sonic is tellin' the truth."

Tails sighed, staring at Cosmo for a minute. Hesitance filled their eyes, but Amy's words rang true.

"Alright, then let's get goin'. We're burning sunlight," Tails said, as he pulled his belt tight to his waist.

"Amy! Howdy!" Relic piped up, seeing the pink hedgehog leading the four into the building.

"Hiya, Relic! Ken!"

Monkey Khan turned around, shining off a shovel. "Ah, Miss Rose! Howdy, pleasure to see 'ya today."

"You too! Look – this'll sound odd. My parents left an expensive shovel down in the mines. I know I don't typically ask y'all for favors – but they sent me and a couple of my pals here to go lookin' for it. Is that alright if we scour down there for a bit?"

Khan smirked, turning to see Tails and Cosmo. "Ah! Tails and Cosmo! Pleasure to see you two today as well. You picked some good friends to help out!"

Tails nodded with a smile. "It's hidin' down there somewhere! Besides, I'd never turn down a chance to look in the mines for a bit!"

"Well, I can understand 'ya there!" Relic began, "You let us know if you find any new metals for your shop, al'right?"

Tails nodded hurriedly. "You got it, Relic!"

Khan narrowed his eyes however, taking a peek at the blue hedgehog standing behind them. A bandana covered his muzzle, and his hat hung low over his eyes.

"And, might I ask who the 'fella behind you is?"

Amy turned around, scanning him up and down quickly, before turning back to the prospectors.

"Ah, this is my pal…Needlemouse! He just rolled into town! He's a friend of the family!"

"Needlemouse, huh…" Relic said, examining him, "Mighty interestin' name. Does he speak?"

"Uh – y – yea! Howdy you two! I'm…Needlemouse," Sonic said, stammering.

Khan nodded, though the glint in his eyes could tell the ruse wasn't sticking. "Well, pleasure to meet 'ya Needlemouse. Hope you enjoy your stay."

Sonic nodded hurriedly, before sinking back behind the group. Relic cleared her throat, unlocking the entrance tunnel in the back of their shop.

"Well, the mine's all yours! Don't be down there too long though! 'Gotta close a lil' early for church today!"

Amy nodded with a charming grin. "Don't you worry Relic, we'll make it quick! I'm pretty sure they remember where they left it anyways!"

Khan poked his thumbs up. "Y'all stay safe in there!"

The four made their goodbyes, hurrying into the mines as Relic closed the door behind them. Turning to Khan, she chuckled.

"That was that blue outlaw, wasn't it?"

Khan blew a cloud from his cigarette, as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, absolutely it was."

Heavy footsteps thudded along the dirt roads.

The townsfolk were all out, heading to church. However, when they spotted the trio, they stopped and stared.

It was as if a ghost, or three ghosts, had sauntered into town.

Knuckles turned over his shoulder, nodding as the Rogues, Scourge, and Fiona scurried down an alleyway, carrying bags of dynamite.

The trio continued walking, their fur hides burning their own fur in the pressuring sunlight. The heat bore down onto them, yet the golden glow illuminated their paths as they walked through Westopolis.

It had been a while since they'd been here, and it certainly wouldn't stay that way. Knuckles immediately saw Rouge, standing with Julie-su and Honey across the way. Rouge's mouth hung agape, Honey's had her paw covering her muzzle, and Julie-su had a devilish smirk on her face.

Knuckles nodded, before turning his gaze across the town square. The sight of the Undertaker sitting solemnly on the wishing well sent shivers across his spine.

Crows flocked around the wishing well, as the green and black hedgehog smiled with bloodshot eyes to the echidnas.

Rouge began slowly sauntering her away over to the trio. She kept her distance from Knuckles, keeping her eyes locked onto the Undertaker.

"Didn't know you were comin' back to town," The bat muttered.

"Neither did I."

The pair kept their eyes locked on the Undertaker. The hedgehog didn't move, didn't blink, and didn't stop smiling. Ever.

Honey and Julie-su joined them soon after, the pink echidna nudging Knuckles' side.

"How you doin', Knucklehead?"

"Fine."

Tikal offered the pair a smile, giving the trio a hug. Shade nodded greetings, and small talk between them ensued.

Knuckles began approaching the Undertaker cautiously. The townsfolk began to crowd around slightly, anxious breaths held as the Mountain Man walked further and further towards the Undertaker.

"Knuckles?! Knux – what are you doin'?!" Rouge called out, yet Shade grabbed her arm.

"Don't worry. He's safe."

Rouge sighed, shaking breaths once Knuckles stopped 5-feet in front of the cloaked hedgehog.

The air was silent and still, ignoring the ringing of church bells to signal that service would begin in ten minutes.

Knuckles stared daggers at the Undertaker, rage coursing through his body, and his fists shook at his sides.

Mephiles merely smiled.

"Who've you come for this time?" Knuckles spat.

Mephiles said nothing, continuing to stare at him.

"You 'gonna dignify me with an answer?!" Huh?!"

Nothing but a stare and a smile.

"Knuckles, let's just come back later. We still gotta-" Tikal began, before he held his hand out, cutting off her sentence. His gaze never left the Undertaker.

"You think you can come here and lay waste to this town?! Again?!"

Mephiles nodded.

The nod caused murmur amongst the large crowd, as Knuckles grumbled to himself.

"Knuckles, come on! The serv – the service is starting; you can't do anythin' right now!" Rouge called out to him, but the Echidna shook his head, taking even more steps closer.

"What do we 'gotta do to get your ass out of here?" Knuckles spat in a cold whisper to the hedgehog.

Mephiles shook his head with a smile before he began to chuckle grimly.

The chuckling continued, causing Knuckles to take a few steps back. The townsfolk were murmuring in fear once again.

Suddenly, the boom of a loud voice shook through the air.

"What in Gaia's name are you three doing here?!"

Knuckles turned around, to see Robotnik as he pushed his way through the crowd. Standing next to him was Bark, Starline and Clutch – all staring at him with cold gazes.

Knuckles bit his lip, showing no fear in his eyes as he stared down the preacher.

Yet the anxious, tense air continued to pervade as the pair engaged in a deadly stare down.

"This place is huge…"

Sonic muttered to himself as dirt covered his hands and his clothes. They'd been down here for twenty minutes, to no luck.

"Just be patient," Amy muttered, wiping sweat from her own brow. "We'll find it."

"You said that ten minutes ago," Sonic replied, sighing.

"Someone wants things to get done fast! Don't worry – we'll find it!" Tails exclaimed.

The trio began making their way down yet another tunnel, trying to find somewhere they hadn't searched yet. The mine was huge, and it was oddly gorgeous. Shimmering crystals poked through the grimy dirt tunnels.

Tails had placed a good number of metals in his bag. They'd come in use in the shop for sure, and he was excited to test them out. Amy had taken a few crystals for his parents, and even some for Blaze.

Sonic, however, was frustrated. The witch had sent him on this impossible treasure hunt. What even was the weapon? A revolver? A dagger? What was he even looking for?

They continued digging around in the dirty tunnels, yet Sonic stood as a statue as he examined the tunnels.

Where would some prophesized weapon be in a mine shaft like this?

He thought for a moment, before heading down a tunnel to his left.

He whistled jovially, poking his head in crevices that lined the tunnels.

Yet his whistling stopped when he saw a faint shimmer in the distance. Picking up his pace, he weaved past poking rocks in his path as he inched further down the tunnels.

And then, his eyes spotted it.

"Hey guys! I think - I think I found it!"

Knuckles and Robotnik stared coldly at one another. The other two echidnas stood behind Knuckles slightly yet returning the harsh glares all the same.

Clutch stuck a cigar in his mouth, puffing a ring of smoke with his golden tooth shimmering in the daylight. "Y'all sure have some guts comin' back 'round these parts."

Knuckles chuckled gruffly. "'Dunno if I'd call it guts."

"You sinners are the reason that blasted Undertaker still resides here! Yet, you come back?! Are you wishing to damn us all even more?!" Robotnik shouted.

Knuckles began approaching him, with shaking fists.

"You still really think we're the reason, huh?! You seriously can't see the glaring reason that's in your goddamn face?"

"You three rejected the Lord, with your silly 'religion' and your Echidna gods! People like you are the reason this wicked spirit invades our home!" Robotnik shouted, earning a slight murmur or agreement from the town.

The echidna scoffed. "You think you can just drive us out, corrupt this town, and get away with it?!"

"It might be time that the three of you crawl back to whatever mountain hole you came from," Starline muttered, smoking his own cigar.

"Not until we get rid of you."

Robotnik chortled, slapping his gut at the Echidna's nerve. "How do you propose you'll get rid of me?!"

Suddenly, the town began to take steps backwards, earning confused glances from Robotnik. Clutch and Starline shared a confused look, until they saw it as well.

Mephiles turned over his shoulder, kicking his feet with a gleeful cackle as he saw the silhouette approaching.

And Robotnik only saw red when his eyes laid upon Shadow, walking towards the town.

Holding it up, Sonic inspected the gorgeous weapon.

A silver revolver, with ancient text scribed into the sides. The barrel was longer than most, and it looked as if it was crafted by the rarest crystals of all.

"I – I can't even tell what this thing is made of…" Tails muttered.

"I'll say…" Cosmo replied, losing herself as she stared at the revolver.

"So…this is definitely the weapon," Amy said, before turning to Sonic, "What are you 'sposed to do with it?"

Sonic shook his head, keeping his eyes locked on the gun in his hands.

"I – I don't know…"

"Are you supposed to…kill someone with it?" Tails asked, scratching his thumbs instinctively by his side.

"I hope not," Sonic muttered.

Amy sighed, rubbing her neck. She turned around, seeing the lights along the mines beginning to flicker out.

"It's getting close to closin' time. We better go."

The trio began to make their leave, yet Sonic found himself lost in the revolver in his hands.

It was beautiful, it was terrifying, it was…odd.

He was holding some ancient, rare, prophesized revolver in his hands, and he was supposed to use it to free the town.

Could he?

Could he really be the savior this town needed?

He supposed he had to be.

If he wanted to call this town home…

It had to be him.

As the four walked down the streets, Sonic had pulled his bandana up onto his muzzle. He stayed out of sight, keeping his distance to not be seen.

Amy and Cosmo were involved in conversation, yet Tails stopped them, an eyebrow raised on his temple.

"Shouldn't the church bells be ringing right about now?"

Amy scowled, looking around as the stores were all emptied. It was time for church, yet there were no sounds of chiming bells.

And then, they heard it.

The shouting, commandeering voice of Robotnik.

He sounded enraged.

"Come on," Tails muttered, pulling the girls' forearms as they began rushing to the town center.

Sonic followed behind, keeping his footsteps light as they ducked behind a barrel.

Cosmo gasped. "Gaia, that's-"

"Knuckles…and Shadow," Amy finished, her eyes wide with fear.

"Who?" Sonic asked, scowling.

"Knuckles was a major player here, but he, Tikal and Shade went to the mountains to practice their religion in solitude. Robotnik drove them out," Tails replied, yet his gaze stayed.

Shadow had a revolver pointed at Robotnik, his hand shaking, and his eyes filled with rage. Sonic could see Rouge trying to yank him away, yet the pair were locked in a deadly match.

"What the hell do we do?!" Amy exclaimed, feeling her throat hoarsen up.

Sonic grimaced, yet he felt the new weapon sitting nicely in his holster. He removed it, examining it closely.

Save the town. You save the town.

Suddenly, without warning, Sonic hopped over the barrel beginning to rush towards the commotion.

"Sonic?! What are you-" Tails started in protest, yet it fell on deaf ears.

Sonic thundered towards the action; the revolver clutched at his side.

"Alright you two! Care for an outsider's perspective?!" Sonic exclaimed, his trademark grin on his face.

Shadow whipped his head to the sound, yet his features softened and hardened at Sonic's interruption.

"What are you doing here, hedgehog?" Shadow spat.

"Who the hell are you?" Knuckles added, as Rouge began signaling for Sonic to leave.

Sonic whistled, twirling the revolver. "What you see is what you get! Say, 'lotta hostility here. What gives?"

"Nothin' that concerns you, Sonic," Shadow spat, keeping the revolver trained on Robotnik.

He could see Clutch standing with a purple weasel, who was pointing a shotgun at Shadow.

Sonic felt his gaze slide over to the Undertaker, who was watching the situation with glee. Mephiles nodded at him.

"I – I think everyone's mistaken! Why so much violence, huh?! Aren't you supposed to be some man of God, preacher?!" Sonic exclaimed.

Robotnik scowled. "Who are you to tell me anything, outlaw? You know nothing!"

"Thou shalt not kill, right?" Sonic said, stepping between the two. The crowd murmured as Sonic held his hands out.

Turning to Shadow, he licked his lips. "Now, surely you understand that, right? Thou shalt not kill? This ain't no way to deal with somethin' like this!"

"Move so I can splatter his brain on the streets, Sonic."

"You don't – you don't want to do that, Shadow!"

"You have no semblance of an idea what I want, Sonic."

"He wants to corrupt this town is what he wants!" Robotnik interrupted, holding his hands out in a speech-like manner, "He brought this Undertaker here, and now he will pay for it! It's Shadow the Undertaker wants!"

"No, no! That's – that's not true at all!" Sonic exclaimed.

"How would you know?" Starline piped in, staring daggers at Sonic.

"Because – because look at you all! You're all divided over this Undertaker thing! Has it ever occurred maybe that's why he's here?!"

"Oh, shut the hell up!" Clutch interrupted, "You're a drifter here, you ain't know shit."

The crowd began to clamor, as Sonic shook his head. He locked eyes with Knuckles, and a certain understanding fostered between the two of them.

He turned his gaze to Rouge, who was standing in fear with Tikal, Shade, Honey and Julie-su.

Shadow kept his revolver, and his gaze, locked on Robotnik.

"I know that – I know that y'all being turned against each other is exactly what someone like the Undertaker would want! Soon, you'll all be killin' each other and then his job is done!" Sonic exclaimed.

Suddenly, Shadow shot forward. "You have five seconds to get the hell outta my way so I can spray paint his blood on the sand."

The crowd murmured, but Sonic held his ground. He stared at Shadow, coldness in his eyes.

"Or what?"

Shadow scoffed.

"Or you'll be killed first."

Suddenly, Sonic whipped out his revolver, pointing it right back. The crowd gasped.

"I 'dunno about all that."

"Are you challenging me, Sonic?"

Rouge shook her head rapidly, but Sonic cocked his head to the side with a smirk.

"Maybe I am. Maybe that'll get you to open your eyes a bit."

Knuckles looked between them, sharing a quick glance with Shadow.

"Shadow, we have to stay focused…" The echidna muttered, but Shadow shrugged him off.

"I think Sonic here has a deathwish."

"'Dunno if I'd call it that."

"What would you call it then, hm?"

"An awakening for you, maybe."

Shadow and Sonic stared each other in the eyes. There was a cold sense of respect, yet a mutual desire to win at all costs.

"Fine. You got a duel then."

And with a snicker and a grin, Sonic shrugged.

"Let's do it."