Act I: CATACOMBS

Chapter X: Moonchild

"The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining." – Joel 2:10

Surge and Kit dove out of the way of the shot, taking cover behind optimally placed barrels along the roads. The townspeople began to shriek, rushing inside.

Soon, many men came from the church, revolvers in hand. Sonic knew – they were approaching a full-fledged shootout.

And boy was he excited.

Sonic dove for cover behind the well, taking shots at Surge as she peeked, dodging bullets of her own. Shadow focused on Kit, who was sliding behind buildings to avoid the hedgehog's projectiles.

Behind them, Knuckles dove down, a shotgun laying across his lap.

"Happy to have you, mountain man!" Sonic exclaimed.

"I'd hope. You'll need some backup on Nack."

Sonic turned, seeing Nack approach with a shotgun in hand, yet to his surprise Knuckles hopped from behind the well, taking a shot at the weasel. He grazed the weasel's side, causing Nack to leap for cover behind a wheelbarrow.

Sonic and Shadow continued returning fire, seeing Surge evading behind barrels and pillars as she traded shots with the pair. Knuckles changed his aim sporadically, taking shots at whomever he saw.

Taking a glance, he saw Rouge, Whisper and Tangle perched on top of a building, all aiming their own revolvers. Rouge led the fire, popping down at some of the men, hitting some in the sides.

Clutch had begun his approach, fanning the hammer of his revolver as the sound of whizzing bullets flew past their ears. Whisper fired at him, though barely missed as the opossum lost his footing, tumbling across the sand.

"Ooh, Espio's in for a field day!" Sonic hollered.

Rouge glanced to the well, her face paling when she noticed that Mephiles simply sat at the well, watching the shootout with intense eyes. He made no motion to move, allowing himself to sit and watch.

As usual, he only smiled at the display.

"Sonic!"

Sonic whipped his head to the voice, as Tails rolled a small barrel of gunpower towards him. Sonic flashed a cheeky smile, pouring the powder into his revolver.

Tangle ducked on the roof, glancing over to pop rounds at Surge and Kit, waiting patiently as Knuckles returned fire to the pair.

His eyes danced to the top of an adjacent building, seeing Honey and Julie-su perched on top. They also began taking fire, and the shootout only ramped up in pace.

Shadow and Sonic both heaved, catching their breath behind the well as the sounds of bullets thudding into the stones filled their ears. Shadow turned to Sonic, a glare on his face.

"How many more barrels of powder do you have?"

"Enough, why?"

"Just don't run out. There's no telling when this will end."

Nack whipped his gun to Honey and Whisper, blasting a shot into the wood, causing the women to hop back. Julie-su pointed her revolver over the side, taking a shot that flew through Nack's hat, whipping it off his head.

The weasel growled, and in his distraction, a shot from Shadow lodged in his side. He yelped, caving to the ground.

"Nack's down!" Kit exclaimed, earning a grunt from Clutch.

"Worthless."

The opossum fired towards the well, yet the gaze of the Undertaker caught him in a momentary trance, allowing Knuckles to batter the butt of his shotgun into his skull.

Knuckles whipped to the left, blasting a round at the pillar that Surge occupied, causing the tenrec to dive for cover.

Turning to his right, he pointed the gun at Nack. "Stay down."

Shots from the churchmen whizzed past him, ducking for cover as Sonic and Shadow returned the fire. Rouge flew down, twirling a kick into one of them, and firing a round at another man from across the street. He dove out of the way, crashing through a few barrels.

Surge bum-rushed the well, wildly firing at Sonic and Shadow, only for Honey to pelt a rock into her side, causing her to trip. Julie-su chuckled, placing shots around her feet. Surge flopped to the ground, and Whisper hopped down to restrain her.

Suddenly, Knuckles whipped his head to the back, his eyes widening. What he saw shook his core.

The churchmen began pushing barrels of TNT towards them, lining them up.

"Everyone, get back! TNT!"

Sonic sucked in a breath, beginning too slowly back away from the well. Shadow followed, a harsh glare in his eyes. He watched as Tangle, Honey and Julie-su hopped from the back of their building, Rouge taking cover in the alleyway.

The men lined the barrels up, preparing to light the fuse.

However, when three bullets pierced the TNT, their faces dropped…

Before the barrels exploded.

The churchmen were sent flying back, tumbling across the ground. The explosion managed to only burn some of the buildings, with some minimal damage.

The explosion rattled the streets, causing Mephiles' crows to fly away screeching. Mephiles watched with an amused expression as the cloud of flames billowed in the air.

When the dust settled, and the ringing of the ears stopped, Sonic clutched his head. He turned to Shadow, both sharing a confused glance.

There was no way it would go off that early unless someone fired a bullet into it.

So, who did?

Sonic and Shadow slowly hobbled up, eyes meeting Knuckles, who tossed his fur headdress to the ground. They glanced to see the girls peeking from the alleyway, all wearing confused and anxious scowls.

Sonic's eyes focused through the dust, his heart picking up as a silhouette began approaching.

Sonic stepped forward, prompting Shadow, Knuckles, and Tails to join him, all staring through the cloud of dust.

"Who is that?" Tails asked.

"No idea," Shadow muttered.

The shadow approached closer and closer, until Shadow's face dropped.

Knuckles noticed it too, putting his hands on his head. "Holy shit…"

"What? Who is it?" Sonic asked.

Suddenly, through the clouds, a silver hedgehog with a fluttering white coat and white hat began making his way through the dust.

He was impeccably dressed, wearing clothes that only rich cowboys would ever dare to wear. His undershirt was a beautiful blue with oriental pattering, and a fluffy white cravat wrapped around his neck.

That's when Sonic knew.

It was Silver.

Silver made his way through the dust, removing his hat. Rouge's eyes widened, and he began to slowly approach the Undertaker.

He looked Mephiles up and down, the black hedgehog wore the same grin as always.

Silver nodded, pursing his lips. "Seems you're back after all. Rumors were true."

Mephiles simply grinned.

Silver examined his black-and-gold revolver, before tucking it in his belt. He cracked his neck, eyes meeting Shadow and Knuckles. He nodded.

"Hello."

Shadow nodded a greeting, while Knuckles smirked. "Been awhile, Silver."

"Sure has."

He turned to see Rouge, Honey, Julie-su, Whisper, and Tangle approach. He nodded to them as well, before turning to examine the Undertaker.

"Where've you been all this time?" Tails asked, sweat forming on his brow.

"Everywhere and nowhere, bud."

Sonic felt like a minor fanboy in this moment. The great Silver the Hedgehog, winner of the legendary duel between him and Shadow.

What the duel was over, he had no idea. He assumed he'd find out.

Silver sighed, shaking his head. "So, who are you here for, Mephiles?"

Sonic's heart dropped.

He knew his name.

Mephiles shrugged. "Everyone and anyone, Moonchild."

Moonchild?

Sonic looked around confused, yet this title seemed to make no difference to rest. They all knew something he didn't.

Silver turned, seeing Robotnik seething across the town. Silver nodded, a smirk on his face. Robotnik huffed, turning on his heel and slamming the church doors shut. Clutch began to drag Nack, who was still bleeding from the bullet that had grazed him.

Silver sighed, brushing his coat down. "How do I look, Mephiles?"

"Dusty!"

Silver chuckled, before a screaming voice of a gruff man took the air. Silver turned around with a scowl. One of the churchmen were rushing, revolver pointed.

"He's not gonna get me! That Undertaker won't get me!"

Silver's eyes widened, before Mephiles shot forward. The beaver began firing at the Undertaker, Mephiles allowing the bullets to pierce through him. Sonic's mouth dropped, seeing how the bullets had simply zero effect on him.

He couldn't be killed, only driven away.

The man, a beaver, continued to run, causing everyone to take a step back. Mephiles growled, before pointing his finger at the man.

The man stopped, fear in his eyes as sweat poured down his face. Silver examined him closely, seeing him attempt to move his legs to no avail.

Mephiles pointed at him still, tilting his head.

"What is he doing?" Sonic asked.

Shadow huffed a sigh, shaking his head.

Mephiles' reptilian eyes examined him up and down, a smirk gracing his muzzle.

And suddenly, the beaver dropped.

He convulsed, foaming at the mouth as he shook on the ground. The group approached, carefully watching him shake and shake. Mephiles continued pointing at him, his finger shaking as the man lay in torture. The seizing was violent, and the foam continued billowing down his muzzle as he thrashed and writhed in agony on the dusty streets.

Then, he stopped. A pause filled the air, before his eyes rolled in the back of his head.

Mephiles put his hand down, approaching as he bent down. Fishing in his black trench coat pocket, he fished out a measuring tape. He stretched it across his body, before nodding.

Then, Mephiles once again began to whistle the tune that Sonic had sung. He walked off, not looking anyone in the eye. He sat down on his tricycle, before biking away into the outskirts of town. His whistling continued, the only sound in the entire town being the creaking of the bike, and the jovial whistle of the Undertaker.

They found themselves staring at him and looking back to the dead man that lay. That made three dead from the Undertaker.

Silver sighed, removing his hat. He turned to them, cracking his neck. "Give me a meeting place. I have someone I need to see."

"Back room of the saloon…" Rouge muttered.

Silver nodded, before he walked off. Sonic's eyes followed him, as the townsfolk all began flooding the town square, staring with cold sweat, hushed gasps, and choked sobs at the dead man on the streets. The crowd was huge, and he could see Espio and the police entering the scene on horseback.

Though, Sonic's eyes couldn't leave Silver as he walked further into the back parts of the town.

Blaze watched the sunset from the back of the barn, sighing as she saw the giant orange orb disappearing behind the horizon.

She combed her hair slightly, before fiddling with the red gem on her forehead.

She cracked her neck, stretching as she began to walk back inside the barn. Suddenly, footsteps occupied her ears, stopping her in her tracks.

She groaned, preparing to cast yet another radical away from her barn. She whipped around, beginning to stomp towards the direction until she stopped violently in her tracks.

Her eyes adjusted to the shadow approaching her, knowing the familiarity of that silhouette, before her hand flew over her mouth.

Through the dust, Silver approached, removing his hat as he cast a somber glance at Blaze.

"Hello, lov-"

He was interrupted as Blaze threw herself at him, wrapping her body around his in a tight hug. She allowed fresh tears to spill, earning a soft smile from Silver as he wrapped her in the hug.

He caressed her hair, placing lingering kisses along her scalp.

Blaze pulled away, sniffling. "Where have you been?! Why have you returned?!"

"I felt you were all in trouble. I had to come."

Blaze huffed a sigh, wiping straying tears from her muzzle. "You are correct, yes…"

Silver frowned. "I'm sorry I left. I – felt that I had too. I felt that I…I couldn't stay here anymore."

Blaze shook her head violently, wrapping her arms around his neck. "No…no. Do not apologize. I know you had to leave. I was never angry with you."

"I hoped you weren't…"

Blaze smiled, burying her head into his chest. Silver held her close, stroking her back absentmindedly.

"How's Gold?" Silver asked, earning a shrug from Blaze.

"She is good. She misses her brother."

Silver smiled, kissing her head. "Well, I'm here now…aren't I?"

Blaze chuckled, pulling away. "You've…come at a frightening time."

Silver nodded. "Yes – Mephiles is back. He caused someone to drop dead in town."

"Did he?"

Silver nodded again.

Blaze sighed, shaking her head. "Who?"

"One of Robotnik's close church associates. He started shooting at him. He seemed manic. Mephiles didn't take kindly to that, obviously."

"Have you met Sonic?" Blaze asked, causing Silver to rub his neck.

"Ah…is he the blue one?"

Blaze nodded. "He is the key to saving this town. I believe that Shadow is as well. I am close to figuring out in what way, however."

Silver stretched his forearms. "The prophecy of threes seem to be coming true."

Blaze nodded. Right, The Tres Prophecy.

Maybe this was coming true.

"So, what is next?" Blaze asked, earning a sigh from Silver.

"I'm going to meet with the group tonight. I'd say you are welcome to come, though I'm not sure if you quite want to show your face."

Blaze snickered. "The time isn't quite right for that yet."

Silver nodded, "I understand."

"Blaze? You comin' inside?" A voice called from the barn, as the golden tenrec began to step forward.

Blaze turned around, stepping to the side as she watched Gold's face drop. Her eyes met with Silver.

"Hey, sis."

Gold let out a strangled sob, before rushing towards her brother. She let her tears billow from her cheeks, throwing herself at Silver.

The hedgehog held her close, rocking her back and forth as she sobbed into his nice coat. Silver laughed, pecking her head. Gold pulled back, wiping her tears.

"Where – where the heck have you been?!"

"Everywhere, I guess! I'm back now though, and I ain't leavin' again."

"You better not be. I don't want you gone again."

"I won't be. Promise."

He held out his pinky, to which Gold chuckled, wrapping her pinky around his.

"Can't break a pinky promise," Gold muttered.

"That's the entire point, sis."

She hugged him tight again, and Silver shared a loving look with Blaze. He turned to the horizon, seeing that the sun had disappeared from the sky. He looked to the other side of the sky, seeing the moon beginning to shine into view.

Moonchild.

He pulled away, pushing his hat back onto his head. "I must go for now to meet with them. I'll be back tonight, don't worry."

Gold nodded, allowing Blaze to step forward as she grabbed his face, placing a kiss on his lips. They held each other for what seemed like years, embers of sparks fluttering through their chests.

Gold wiped another stray tear, watching as they pulled away from each other. Silver nodded to them, as he began to head back into town.

The women watched, and Gold put her head on Blaze's shoulder.

"Thank Gaia he's home…" The tenrec muttered.

Blaze sighed, the first genuine smile on her face in so long.

"I am too."

The sound of a ticking clock was the only sense filling the room. The back room of the saloon was quiet, filled with the tense air – chilling them to the bone.

Sonic sat with Amy and Tails, tapping his foot anxiously as he watched the hands tick down.

Amy leaned her head on his shoulder instinctively, causing Sonic to smile slightly. He shared a nod with Tails, who held onto Cosmo's hand tight.

Knuckles leaned against the wall, allowing Shade and Tikal to rest their heads on his shoulders. He turned to see Shadow, standing lonesome in the corner of the room.

Rouge bit her nails slightly, and Whisper and Tangle gazed around the room together.

Honey stared at the clock, and Julie-su's eyes wandered tiredly.

Sonic continued to feel his foot tap hurriedly, cracking his neck. He sighed, before his ear flickered at the sound of a door opening.

Everyone turned to face the door, watching as a royally dressed Silver stepped inside, removing his hat.

He sighed, looking around the room.

"Alright, fill me in."