Act I: CATACOMBS
Chapter IX: Shadow of the Undertaker
"They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." – Matthew 13:42
The hawk was whistling and whistling away, reclining in a wooden chair inside the open-plan room. Bean had lit a few lanterns, casting the room in a soft orange glow. The group was hiding out until Shadow returned.
Scourge groaned, nursing a pounding hangover that seeped across his skull, clasping onto Fiona's limp hand as she dozed off in the chair next to him. Wave simply watched Storm devour an entire portion of rib.
"Well, I am suuuuure beat!" Jet exclaimed, hopping from his chair, "Nothin' like a good few days or robbin' and explodin'!"
"You can say that again. Problem is this hangover that ain't quittin'," Scourge moaned.
"Oh, you'll be fine, Scourge. Just go give it a rest. We're headin' back out to meet Shadow tomorrow," Wave said, putting out her cigarette.
"Tomorrow can't come soon enough then," Scourge muttered, taking a drag from his cigarette.
The relaxed air was interrupted by a pound to the door.
The gang whipped their heads up, sharing confused and nervous looks towards one another. Jet cocked his head, subtly withdrawing the revolver from his belt as he tip-toed to the door.
He sucked down a quick gulp, before opening the door.
His eyes met that of Espio and the police.
"Nope!" Jet exclaimed, before slamming the door shut.
"Who is it!?" Bean yelled from the other room.
Espio pounded again. Jet held his temple, cursing under his breath. How the hell did they know they were here?
"Jet, open the door. You're not under arrest."
Jet stared at the wooden door, pondering his next decision. He sighed, knowing there was simply no way out of whatever this was. Reluctantly, he reached for the knob and opened the door.
Espio stepped in, nodding at Jet. "Have a minute to chat?"
Jet rubbed his neck. "Ah – no? Not really, nah…"
"Great," Espio finished, before turning and walking through the door, leading the brigade behind him. Jet simply stared, dumbstruck.
The gang all began stumbling from their chairs, eyes meeting Espio's cold gaze.
"H – hey Espio! F – fancy seein' you here?" Storm muttered.
"Y'all aren't under arrest, calm down," Mighty said, placing a bag on the table. Scourge leaned forward, cocking an eyebrow.
The armadillo fished inside the bag, before setting a green feather on the table. The gang looked at Jet, as Storm thudded him on the back.
"Nice going, asshole! Now they know we robbed the bank!"
"Shhh!" Wave hissed, shooting Storm a silencing glare.
"R – robbed the bank? Us?! Nah, not our – not our scene…" Bean muttered, attempting to alleviate the already coarse tension in the room.
"Well, we do know you robbed the bank. Feather says it all," Antoine said, crossing his arms.
"Alright, so why the hell ain't we under arrest?" Fiona spat, her voice still tired and half-asleep.
Espio leaned over the table, examining the gang. "Why steal from Robotnik? Did Shadow put you up to it?"
"Well, n – no?" Storm stuttered.
"We know the answer is yes, so might as well just cooperate with us," Sally said, eyebrow raised.
"Fine, yeah! He put us up to it. So?" Jet said.
Espio crossed his arms, removing his hat and setting it carefully on the table. "What is his game plan?"
"Ain't it obvious?" Wave began, "He wants to shut Robotnik out."
"How's he plannin' on doin' that?" Nicole asked.
"Well, first step was to hit him financially. But y'all know Shadow, he won't stop 'till the preacher man is good as dead," Scourge said.
Espio nodded, as Bunnie stepped forward. "So, what's next on the agenda?"
"I dunno – wait, are y'all just gettin' to us to arrest Shadow? The hell's goin' on here?" Jet spat, an eyebrow raised.
Rotor sighed, crossing his arms across his chest. "We're not arrestin' Shadow. Dunno how to say this without sayin' it, but we want in."
Storm choked on his rib, coughing as Wave began to pound his back. Jet and Scourge shared a confused glance.
Bean chuckled nervously, "Wait, y – you want in? Want in how? You wanna rob and kill some people?!"
Espio scoffed, "No. Not in that way. We are not fans of Robotnik just as much as you are not fans of him. We're fully aware he's the reason Westopolis keeps gettin' hit plague after plague."
Scourge shrugged, "You can say that again, Sheriff."
"So, we're gonna grant you secret immunity. Y'all will choose to do as you will, so long as you don't put any innocent people in danger, capice?" Nicole spat.
Jet whistled, leaning back in his chair. "Immunity, huh? Boy, I could get used to that."
"Don't," Espio said, "Once the mess is over, you're back on the shitlist, hawk."
Jet shrugged, placing a cigarette in his beak. Fiona leaned forward with an eyebrow raised.
"So, you wanna help us? I ain't sure how big this operation is, but I'ma guess all of Shadow's pals are in on it one way or the other, including that Sonic 'fella."
"We've been keepin' an eye on him," Mighty started, "He seems to be important in whatever the hell is goin' on."
Scourge cocked his head to the side. "So, anythin' else y'all need?"
Espio chuckled, placing his hat back onto his head. "Just for you to stay out of too much trouble. You tell Shadow to let us know if he needs anythin'."
"Oh, we'll pass on the message alright!" Bean piped up.
"Good, and Jet?" Mighty added, causing the hawk to meet his eye.
"Be more careful about where you drop your feathers."
Sonic sat alone, an old decrepit guitar lying along his lap. The sky was beginning to grey, an obvious stormfront rolling over town.
He strummed a few strings, tuning the guitar impassively as he stared off in the distance. He pushed his hat lower over his eyes, opting to continue staring blankly as he tuned the guitar.
He spit onto the ground, strumming a few chords, ears picking up on the inconsistent tuning frequencies, opting to continue noodling with the knobs. He sighed, alone in the dark thoughts that plagued his mind.
Suddenly, next to him, a squawking crow landed to the right of him, causing him to jump slightly. He felt his muzzle pale, watching the crow's beady eye stare right into his soul. The sound of more squawking picked up in his ears, turning to see a flurry of crows gathering at the well. A signal of arrival for sure.
The townsfolk noticed it too. Suddenly, they all began hushed whispers, though some screeched and hollered as they ran inside the buildings. The blinds shut, doors locked, open signs were flipped.
The blanket of fear had come once again.
He felt the quills on the back of his neck stand up, taking a glance at Amy and Tails, who were peeking from around the corner of one of the buildings. He followed their gaze back to the well, his eyes landing on Mephiles.
The Undertaker's hands were folded on his lap, tapping his foot slightly to a song that wasn't playing. He gazed into the distance, his eyes and face unmoving and unchanging.
Sonic turned to the church in the distance, seeing Robotnik standing and seething at the stairs. He held the door open, and Sonic squinted to see an enraged look on his face. Yet, he could almost see fear behind the lenses of his spectacles – despite the distance.
Sonic thought for a moment, seeing that once again fear that had been instilled by the preacher took over once again.
Your pure heart sets them free.
Sonic stood up, pulling the strap of the guitar around his back. He cracked his neck, strumming a few chords. The song was loud, and he knew the townsfolk could easily here it in the city square.
Perfect.
The hedgehog cleared his throat, humming along as he played. He saw Tails and Amy shoot him confused glares, yet he shrugged them off. He skipped across the streets, strumming away as he began to whistle.
Mephiles simply smiled.
Sonic cleared his throat once again, beginning to sing a tune he had forgotten for so long.
"The shadow of the Undertaker creeps across your floor. Go lock up all your children and paint blood upon your door!"
He continued singing, skipping across the streets in a jovial tune. Robotnik watched from afar, feeling rage begin to rise through his body.
"These hills are filled with whispers of a man all dressed in black!"
Mephiles smiled wider and wider. Tails shook his head in amusement.
Suddenly, blinds began to open, doors were pushed slightly ajar. People from all around began to watch with careful, yet curious glances.
"And the toll of death's now, he climbs from hell to drag some poor soul back!"
Mephiles smiled, tapping his foot in beat. He began to whistle along with Sonic. The hedgehog smiled, skipping towards the well, as the sound of Mephiles' whistles filled the air. Sonic let out a hearty chuckle, and the harmony of the pair caused even more townsfolk to peek from their doors.
Rouge had walked from the saloon with Knuckles and the Echidnas, followed by Honey as she led Whisper and Tangle. They all watched from a distance, shooting confused glances across the street to Amy and Tails.
"That ol' bible tells of angels doing service unto the lord!"
Mephiles whistled louder, lightly clapping his hands in amusement to Sonic's tune. The cobalt hedgehog kicked his foot onto the well, strumming along with an excited Mephiles.
"The Undertaker knows no master, he drinks from any cup poured!"
Knuckles turned to look at Tikal and Shade, who watched in amusement. He turned to see Robotnik on the steps of the church, surrounded by his lackeys. Robotnik growled in frustration.
"Just as Banshees wail their warning that someone that same day will die. The Undertaker, he states the same, I'll be goddamned if he tells a lie!"
Mephiles whistled along, the pair's voices locking in harmony. Sonic chuckled slightly, watching as even the crows danced.
Set them free with your pure heart. Show them they don't have to be afraid of him. He's not evil, he just…is. Set your minds free, and there will be no harm.
The townsfolk were beginning to see the message. Soon, many began gathering, though hesitantly, along their porches to watch in awe as Sonic sang with the Undertaker.
"Some falsely say that whippoorwills are the harbingers of death!"
Robotnik angrily gestured to Bark to ring the church bells, yet Bark stood and watched intently. Starline groaned, leaning against the doorframe.
"It's the Undertaker's murder of crows that'll seize your living breath!"
Mephiles clapped happily now, a gleeful grin on his face. He continued to whistle, earning a heart-warming smile from Amy as she watched from across the way.
Suddenly, her heart dropped for a moment when she saw Shadow approaching from behind the well. He walked along the other side, staring at Sonic with a harsh glare.
"Sonic? What the hell are you doing?"
Sonic simply smiled, opting to continue playing. Mephiles whistled jovially, even grinning towards Shadow. The black and red hedgehog stepped back with his arms crossed, watching the pair closely.
"You'll see him riding into town all dressed up like a tomb. When you see him that eve on the outbound street, you know some poor soul met their doom!"
Shadow cracked a small smile, something seemingly shattering across his resolve. He looked towards Rouge, who gave a sly shrug.
Knuckles watched Robotnik carefully as he gestured for a green tenrec and a blue fennec to step from inside the church.
"The Undertaker raises no hand but all fear him just the same. His presence foretells both blood and death, yet he shoulders not the blame!"
Sonic strummed and strummed, as the Undertaker whistled and whistled. Their voices floated in tune, filling the dreadful town with a joyous song. Some smiled, some shook their heads in fear, and some felt their body tapping along against their own will.
The hedgehog turned, seeing three familiar women watching from an alleyway. He narrowed his eyes, seeing Blaze standing with Marine and Gold. The three witches watched in darkness, smiling, and nodding at the hedgehog.
Pure heart sets them free.
Keep singing.
"Like the shadow of the vulture circling blackly overhead…"
Sonic began slowing down the strums, approaching the end of the tune.
"The Undertaker's drawn to death like a knife is drawn to red!"
Sonic strummed the final chord, as Mephiles clapped in glee. He held his final whistle out, smiling at Sonic's song. Sonic hopped from the well, resting the guitar against his body.
"See y'all! You ain't gotta be afraid of him! Don't listen to all this…fear mongering! Live in purity, live in good health, and you'll enjoy life! You don't have to be scared!"
Shadow smiled at Sonic, nodding his head. Sonic looked around, seeing that the witches had retreated from the alleyway. As long as they got to see what he could do.
The townsfolk remained unsure. Fear still remained, though Sonic could tell cracks had been formed. He just had to keep breaking them from their trance.
"You will submit!"
Sonic and Shadow whipped their heads to the voice, seeing Robotnik pointing an accusatory finger towards the pair.
"You will submit to the Lord! That's the only way to rid of that Undertaker!"
Sonic turned to glance at Shadow, the pair sharing a similar feeling of irritation. They saw Mephiles' smile drop, a now cold stare forming on his face.
Great going, Egghead.
Suddenly, two shots were fired towards the ground, sand kicking up as the hedgehogs leapt back. The townspeople screamed, all dashing back inside. As the hedgehogs regained their quickly dazed senses, they saw a pair with revolvers pointed at them.
"You heard the man. Party's over!" The green tenrec said.
"Surge. Kit." Shadow spat.
"Who?"
"Quiet down, y'all. Don't make this harder than it has to be," Kit said, aiming his gun at Sonic.
The blue hedgehog glanced to Shadow, a smug grin forming. "You thinkin' what I'm think'n'?"
Shadow smirked. "Let's put these morons down."
And with a nod from Sonic, Shadow fired.
LYRICS FROM "THE SHADOW OF THE UNDERTAKER" BY SONS OF PERDITION.