Act I: CATACOMBS
Chapter XXIII: Earthmover
"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split,and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life." – Matthew 21:50-52
The torches lit inside the church flickered. An ominous, red glow cast throughout the church, and the congregation gathered inside.
The townsfolk stared at Robotnik in a zombified state. All of them held pitchforks and torches, yet their faces held no anger.
Their expressions were blank. An utterly empty look filled their eyes as they stared towards their leaders.
The mob was gathered – yet no mob mentality survived.
It was clear they didn't care anymore, they just wanted to survive. Robotnik was right, Robotnik was wrong. Sonic was right, Sonic was wrong.
It didn't matter. If this was the clearest option they had – they'd take it.
Enough was enough.
Robotnik sighed, clutching the sides of his podium. Bark held a large wooden cross, propping it and laying it against his chest.
"Those demons murdered our brothers. Our Lord-fearin' men. Do you see now? Wherever they wander - death and darkness follow. Such is the purpose of Mephiles being here."
The townsfolk looked amongst each other. Not a word was uttered, not a breath was heard.
"For weeks, the Lord has been testing us! We have been tormented because of those sons of perdition!"
Robotnik whipped a pointed finger towards the door, where beyond Shadow sat, waiting patiently for hysteria.
The townsfolk began to murmur quietly – some wearing faces of determination. Where could it all go wrong? This had to be the only option now.
They couldn't die – not like this.
"They refuse to fear the Lord! How long must we suffer from their wicked words?!"
The murmuring grew into louder agreement, the townsfolk itching to save themselves. Robotnik was undoing Sonic and the crew's work little by little, word by word.
Not because they didn't believe them – but because they have been given no other choice.
"The Lord commands us to destroy the bad apple! With thy soul in my hands, the blasphemers shall perish!"
In the back, Surge, Kit, and many of the devoted church gangmen began to shout – their voices bellowing in approval. The townsfolk stood to their feet, clutching their pitchforks and weapons close together.
Even children had weapons in their hands, eager to join their parents in this final crusade to free themselves.
Robotnik grabbed his book, stepping from the altar with a cursed glance in his eye.
"Destroy him!"
The air was tense, thick, and still. Sonic watched from the rooftop, and his gaze moved around the towns square as the crew was posted around.
Shadow sat perched on a rock, and Mephiles sat on the fountain as he typically did.
Shadow stared daggers at the Undertaker, tapping his foot in nervous anticipation.
"Any minute now…" Tails whispered beside Sonic and Amy. On the rooftop behind them, Silver stood with Blaze and the witches, staring at the doors of the church.
"Come on, Robotnik. Get out here," Sonic spat, a devilish look in his eye.
Shadow sighed, taking one more drag from his cigarette. His ear fluttered, picking up a growing commotion inside of the church. He stole a look to Mephiles, who merely stared at the church in glee.
Moving his gaze to Rouge and Knuckles atop a roof, he nodded. They passed the message along wordlessly.
Then, the doors flung open.
Shouts from the townsfolk filled the air, as the sight of the flaming torches cast the dark night in an ominous, fiery glow.
Robotnik and Bark led the charge, with the latter still clutching his massive wooden cross over his shoulders. The townsfolk clamored, all rushing towards Shadow from the church.
Shadow grunted, leaping up from his position and beginning to back closer and closer to the well. He hissed, catching his fading breath as he began to jog away slightly.
Keep it up, Shadow. Keep going.
The clamoring only grew in volume, and Sonic could see the police begin to enter behind Vector.
Shadow began jogging quicker, catching his ankle on a rock as he cursed in pain. The hedgehog began limping slightly, only allowing the mob to gain on him faster and faster.
Sonic could instantly tell this was not the entire town. They had broken many from Robotnik's trance – yet he could see their work was not even close to finished.
Shadow continued limping quickly, turning to see Robotnik and the mob gaining closer.
When Surge rushed forward, her and Kit tackled him, pinning him down onto the stone.
Shadow fought their grips, yet the pair held him down towards the cobblestone grounds. Shadow writhed in pain, yet his fight was quickly leaving. He allowed the pair to keep him pinned to the ground. Shadow cursed, spitting towards Robotnik.
"You're going to kill us all!"
Robotnik snickered, allowing a wide smile to snake across his face. His gaze was unpleasant, and his chuckle was devilish and vile.
He allowed himself one more look at the sky, seeing the orange and purple thundering closer and closer.
Robotnik smirked. He had won.
"Shadow, Shadow, Shadow. You still have yet to learn."
Reaching behind his back, he pulled out his book of scripture, holding it towards the hedgehog. He shook his head, allowing a sigh to escape his pointed nose.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Shadow could only scoff at the vile irony of Robotnik's words. He moved his gaze to Surge and Kit, noting the coldness in their eyes.
He chuckled to himself, laying his head to the ground.
"You'll get yours in death, Father."
Robotnik chuckled again. "Well, which one of you patrons of the Lord wishes to deal the killing blow and save our town?!"
The townsfolk looked amongst one another. It was clear some were nervous to step up and take action. They had him – yet who was going to be the one to do it.
Then, Bark stepped forward.
"I will."
Robotnik raised his eyebrows, a look of genuine surprise on his face. But before he could hold onto that surprise, his gaze reverted to that of disgust.
"Oh, Bark. I am so glad you've finally seen the light, young man."
Bark nodded, moving his gaze to Shadow.
Reaching in his belt, he pulled out a revolver.
"What, Bark? Don't wish to smash him with a rock? Why not make him suffer?" Robotnik asked snidely.
Bark shrugged, pinning down the hammer and raising the gun to meet the aim at Shadow's chest.
"Because I want this Undertaker gone. I don't care – I need to save us all."
Robotnik nodded, shrugging slightly at Bark's sentiment. He turned his vile gaze to Shadow, giving him one final smile.
"Well then – count yourself lucky. In your last moments, you will not suffer as we all did."
Shadow sighed, turning his eyes to Bark. With his last bit of strength, he nodded once.
He saw Bark bite his lip, and while he hesitated, while his hand shook…
Bark fired.
The bullet fired into his stomach, though Shadow could feel it strike into the metal around his torso. Shadow feigned a groan, allowing his head to go back.
He bit down on his lip hard, allowing blood to begin dribbling from his mouth. His eyes fluttered shut, and his tense arms went limp.
He lay in the pose of a crucified man.
Bark caught his breath, before bending down to press his fingers to his neck.
Bark waited for a moment, before turning to the townsfolk.
"He's dead."
No one made a sound. No one said a word. It was utter silence.
Bark then turned to face the Undertaker, and the townsfolk followed suit.
He sat.
Unmoving.
Unblinking.
Ever so wildly smiling.
His green eyes glowed in the dark of night, the flames of the torch igniting lights off the crystals on his quills.
"Why isn't he leaving, Mommy?" The voice of a frightened child asked.
The citizens began to murmur towards one another, and Robotnik could feel the panic rise.
Mephiles was not leaving.
He was not moving.
Robotnik's gaze held true panic, watching helplessly as the townsfolk's panic began to rise throughout them slowly, calmly, and quietly.
Sonic smirked, nodding.
"Gotcha, you son of a bitch."
Suddenly, Bark's staring gaze at Robotnik was broken by a single drop of water on his head.
He looked towards the sky, seeing the purple and orange began to turn into an ominous blue.
It hadn't rained in Westopolis in a long time.
Sonic saw it too, and he remembered what was told to him.
"When the rain begins to fall, the eyes of the Undertaker will glow through the dark. You will watch as the water cleanses the true evil from the hearts of men."
The final test.
Sonic had to lead them from this final test.
The townsfolk followed Bark's gaze to the sky, hearing low cracks of thunder – only growing in volume.
"Oh, God no…" Bark muttered.
Then, the rain broke.
It was downpour, the sound of rain pummeling the ground as the cries of children and mothers were drowned out.
Robotnik and Bark locked eyes for a moment.
Robotnik's gaze held panic.
Bark's gaze held anger.
"He isn't leaving!"
"Why isn't he going?!"
"Father, what have you done?!"
Robotnik looked around as the townsfolk began to panic louder and louder.
Sonic felt his breath hitch in his throat. It was working. They'd done it.
Until one man stepped forward, holding his pitchfork up.
"Well – it ain't gonna be me he gets next!"
And with a fateful turn, he plunged his pitchfork into a man's stomach, removing it as his victim fell to the ground.
"What the hell," Knuckles muttered from his hiding spot.
"Sonic – Sonic, what did that guy just do?!" Amy exclaimed, shouting through the rain.
Suddenly, the townsfolk raised their weapons in the air.
Robotnik could only watch in horror as the townsfolk began rioting, killing each other with knives, pitchforks, cleavers, stones –
Anything they could get their hands on.
Sonic cursed, turning to the rooftop behind them. He met Silver's gaze, panic on their faces.
"We have to stop this!" Sonic shouted.
Hustling up, he felt his legs almost slip out under him as rainwater raced down the roof. He caught his balance, as Tails and Amy joined his side.
"Sonic, wait! Slide down easy, we're comin' too!" Tails exclaimed.
Sonic nodded, grabbing onto their wrists as they slid from the roof, landing in a pile of hay. The trio fished their way out, meeting the darting forms of the Babylon Rogues.
"Boys, we gotta get our money and get the hell outta here!" Jet exclaimed.
Bean followed behind him, Storm and Wave overtaking his place. Scourge and Fiona darted from inside an office building, looking left and right as they saw townsfolk begin spilling into the streets, murdering each other in brutal fashions.
Sonic watched in utter horror as the rainwater washed blood down the streets.
"No time for standin' around! C'mon!" Tangle shouted, grabbing them by the wrists as they joined with Whisper, Julie-su and Honey.
They raced behind them, dodging townsfolk as they pillaged through the streets, shoving pitchforks and swords into the nearest man or woman they could find.
It was a brutal massacre.
Sonic watched as Silver and Blaze climbed on top of a roof, joined by Knuckles and the Echidnas. Sonic nodded towards them, before rushing with the group towards the square.
Silver and Blaze watched the dark blue sky glow brighter and brighter, cupping their hands over their eyes to gaze into the pouring rain.
Silver looked towards Blaze, nodding at her. He turned to Knuckles, sighing.
"This is work of Chaos! Come on – join us – let's stop this mayhem."
Knuckles nodded, as he, Tikal, and Shade pulled their fur sleeves up, holding their birthmarks to the sky.
They glowed a turquoise color, and Silver and Blaze joined by revealing their own birthmarks.
On the ground, Sonic and the group reached the square. They saw the police attempting to quell the crowd on horseback. Sonic turned – seeing townsfolk corner Vector and Vanilla.
"Shit!"
Sonic lept, rushing forward and bashing his guns into the crowding around him, earning a rush of whispered thank-yous from the couple.
"Sonic, thank you! Thank you so mu-"
"No time to thank me Vector, just get the hell inside! Now!"
Vector nodded rapidly, dragging Vanilla inside as Sonic rushed to join the group again.
That was when he saw townsfolk begin rushing towards them.
"Jesus! We're gonna have to defend ourselves! You guys can do this, I need to find a way towards Mephiles!" Sonic exclaimed.
"Sonic, are you sure that's a good idea?!" Honey cried.
Sonic bit his lip, before nodding fervently. "It's the only way!"
Honey nodded in response, allowing Sonic to rush forward. He saw the whizzing of bullets lodge themselves into the townsfolk.
Good work – keep fighting. Keep fighting, Sonic.
He felt numb. He felt cold. The rain was obscuring his vision, yet he could not mistake the sounds of stabbed flesh, the smell of fresh blood, and the rush of manic citizens.
On the roof, Silver cursed, hiding his eyes from the crackling of thunder that illuminated across the sky.
"Come on – please! Hear our cries! Stop this!" Silver exclaimed.
"Chaos!" Knuckles beckoned towards the sky, "Hear us! Stop this madness at once!"
"Save them!" Tikal joined in.
In the heart of the madness, Bark was drenched in the blood of the surrounding citizens. He kept his stare locked onto Robotnik, who only watched on in terror.
Slowly, Bark raised his finger, pointing at right into the preacher's soul.
"You brought this upon us!"
Robotnik began breathing quickly, feeling his legs begin to give out. That's when Bark began rushing towards him, dragging the wooden cross along the ground.
Robotnik fell to his rear, his mouth hung open as it collected rain across his tongue. He scooted further and further away in sheer terror, watching as Bark made his way – yelling towards the sky.
Robotnik fumbled for his bible, opening it where his eyes lay upon a revolver – situated right inside the bible.
He removed it, fiddling with it before aiming it towards Bark. He began firing wildly, missing all of his shots – yet bullets striking into random citizens.
Bark continued gaining closer and closer to him, yet Robotnik's final shot landed right in Bark's shoulder.
The bear stumbled into the crowd, being dragged through the mayhem. Robotnik caught his breath for a moment, thanking whatever force that was on his side that he was alive.
That was – until his eyes met the Undertaker's.
There was no mistaking the green glow that pierced the rainy night. Mephiles was continuing to sit with a smile, allowing the chaos to do his work.
Robotnik growled, before reaching for his revolver. He began crawling through the crowd, hoping to kill the Undertaker and finish this once and for all.
Sonic attempted to fight his way through the crowd, dodging any random attacks and returning them if necessary. His eyes met Espio, hiding back with the police force, guns drawn.
He approached them, before stopping to see Sally cradling Nicole.
She was holding onto Sally's arm, to which the chipmunk was pleading and pleading.
"Stay awake, Nicole! Come on, just a little longer! Help is coming!"
"What happened to her!?" Sonic exclaimed.
Mighty turned to him, cursing. "She was hit by a stray bullet! We're tryin' everything we can! Bunnie rushed to get medical supplies!"
Sonic sighed, pausing for a moment before removing his bandana. Grabbing Nicole's arm where the wound was, he wrapped it with the bandana, pressing down on it. His eyes met Nicole's, giving her a reassuring nod.
"You're gonna be alright! You can't keep this lovely girl hangin', can 'ya Nicole?! You gotta hold on for us!"
Nicole smiled, as Sally nodded, letting tears fall down her cheeks. "He's right, yanno?! You gotta stay awake!"
Sonic nodded, turning his head towards the well in the distance. That was where the heart of the riot was.
That was where Mephiles was.
Sonic was about to head for it, until the voice of Scourge broke him.
"Hey! You try'na get to the fountain, right?!"
Sonic nodded. "Yeah! How'd you know?!"
"Oh puh-lease! You're the big hero!" Scourge exclaimed, before smashing the nearest window out with a crowbar.
"Go in there and grab what you need! We'll keep holding it down out here!"
Sonic nodded, patting Scourge on the shoulder – before leaping inside through the broken window.
Knuckles cursed, shaking his head. "It's not working! The rain isn't stopping!"
Silver held his hands out, scoffing as rain drenched his face. "It'll work! It'll work – I just know it wil-"
He was cut off as Tikal stepped forward. She shared a look with the pair, nodding.
"What are you doing, Tikal?" Blaze asked.
"I know how to stop the rain. Trust me!"
"Tikal – Tikal, what are you doing?!" Knuckles cried.
Tikal turned to Knuckles, sighing. "What needs to be done!"
Turning back towards the sky, she fell to her knees – holding her hands up to the sky.
"Chaos, hear me! You must quell your rage! I am your vessel! Your Child of the Sea! Your dearest chosen one! You have alleviated the balance between the Earth and the Flame - now enter me! Do not plunge your rain onto them anymore!"
Knuckles shook his head, as Shade rushed forward.
"Knuckles – what is she doing?!"
Tikal lowered her head, before opening her eyes to sky – with her pupils gone and her sclera's white.
"ACCIPIO FIO."
Silver's mouth dropped open.
She was becoming the vessel.
"Tikal, no!" Knuckles exclaimed, rushing forward.
Robotnik continued crawling along the ground, using his arms to move his body forward. He held the gun tightly, coughing and wheezing through the rain.
Mephiles craned his head down – facing Robotnik with glimmering green eyes.
Robotnik scoffed, before raising his gun towards Mephiles. Before he could fire, a foot kicked the gun from his hand.
Robotnik howled in pain, as his gaze met that of a standing Shadow.
The black hedgehog's crimson red eyes bore into the soul of the preacher, heavily breathing as he held his revolver loosely at his side.
Robotnik's mouth hung open. "You – you lived?!"
"You brought this upon us."
Mephiles began to cackle, pointing at Robotnik.
"You brought this upon us!" Mephiles shouted, laughing uncontrollably.
"I – no! I did not! There is no way! I did not-"
Shadow kicked Robotnik in the face, sending him hurtling onto the ground, as the preacher held the his surely broken nose, attempting to contain the blood rushing down his face.
"Pl – please! Shadow! We can work – we can work this out! It does not have to be like thi-"
Robotnik was silenced by yet another boot to the face, following by three more slams by the butt of Shadow's revolver.
Robotnik held his face, feeling tears and blood mix together on his cheeks.
"Please!" Robotnik beckoned.
Shadow was about to raise another kick to the face before he heard the bellowing shout from Bark. Lifting his head, he saw the bear running from the crowd, the large wooden cross in hand.
Robotnik turned around, his eyes wide as his broken glasses fell from his face. Shadow stepped back, watching closely with Mephiles as Bark rushed forward.
Robotnik held his hands up, blood washing into his open mouth as he pleaded to whatever god was up there to save him.
Yet Bark was not seeing it. He didn't care.
Bark jumped into the air, swinging the wooden cross above his head.
Robotnik pleaded once more, but as Bark sailed through the air…
He brought the wooden cross down, smashing Robotnik's head to pieces.
Tikal continued to stare towards the sky, her white sclera's taking every raindrop as her hands held out.
Knuckles slipped to his legs, grabbing Tikal and shaking her.
"Tikal, do not do this! There is another way! There is!"
Tikal shook her head, smiling slightly as she allowed the rain to wash over her. Knuckles shook her again, pleading with her to snap from her trance. Shade joined Knuckles at his side, her eyes wide with tears.
"Tikal, please!" Knuckles cried, "Don't do this!"
Tikal smiled again, as her mouth hung open. She whispered one more phrase, ending with an exhale.
"Consummatum est."
Then – the rain stopped.
Silver and Blaze looked as the sky remained blue, yet got even darker and darker. Tikal's frame fell into Knuckles' arms, as he held her close. Rouge hopped onto the roof, her gloved hand flying to her mouth as Knuckles held Tikal to his chest.
She fell to her knees, grabbing Knuckles from behind as he buried his face into Tikal's hair, rocking her back and forth. Rouge stroked Knuckles' quills, biting back the tears that pricked her eyes.
"She did it," Blaze muttered, shaking her head as the rain had truly ceased.
On the ground, Jet stretched his arms, before lighting a Molotov.
"It's time to burn this shit down!" Jet cried, earning hollers from Storm and Bean. Wave tossed them more cocktails, lighting them as she tossed them.
They began chucking the cocktails into the church, watching as the bottles burst into flames. They threw fireworks, lit sticks of dynamite, and lit even more Molotov's if they needed too.
Soon, the townsfolk were rushing towards the church, throwing burning cocktails at the wooden structure. In no time, the church was in flames.
The townsfolk cheered and hollered, holding their blood-stained weapons to the sky as the church burned and burned. Jet whistled, before grabbing the Rogues and breaking for it as the townsfolk rushed the church, killing each other as they ran.
Sonic stood in shock, watching as the church burned and burned, and as citizens began to kill each other more and more.
The rain may have stopped – but it was evident to him now.
They wouldn't stop until none of them were left.
Sonic sighed, meeting the gaze of Tails and Cosmo. Amy came around the other side, grabbing onto his hand.
The four watched in shock as the church continued burning.
It felt like forever until the carnage finally stopped. In front of Sonic – was carnage.
Blood on the streets, corpses along the road, smashed glass, and a burning church.
Sonic sighed, shaking his head. He turned, seeing Bark and Shadow limping towards them.
"Where's Robotnik?" Amy muttered.
Shadow turned to Bark, who gestured to the guts on his cross.
Sonic sighed, squeezing his eyes tight. He was dead.
"When the rain begins to fall, the eyes of the Undertaker will glow through the dark. You will watch as the water cleanses the true evil from the hearts of men."
Sonic repeated the mantra in his head. He shook his head, before walking towards the cross. Grabbing it, he smashed a piece of the cross off with the butt of his revolver.
"With this weapon, you will hold it close to your chest, though your greatest weapon is your heart."
Sonic ran to the fountain, he lifted his gun, firing it into the air repeatedly.
Mephiles stared at him, smirking wildly. Sonic fired it once more, watching as the entire flocked towards him.
Then soon, all of the townsfolk who were hiding came out too.
He could see they were terrified of what just happened to their fellow citizens. He knew that. They've been scared all along.
But all of the townsfolk that came out to the square – he could see they believed them the entire time.
Sonic fired and fired the gun until the entire town had arrived. Everyone who wasn't caught, and killed, by Robotnik's web of terror.
Mephiles turned to the town, hopping onto the fountain. He bowed, smiling towards the citizens.
"They have done it. Your town is free."
Sonic sighed, hanging his head low. Scourge approached, tossing Sonic a lighter.
"Get us the hell outta here."
Sonic smiled, nodding at the green hedgehog. Holding the lighter at the end of the piece of wood, he lit it ablaze.
Sonic held it up, hopping from the fountain. He sighed, yet the determination in his eyes never left.
"Follow me! We did it – and now our friend the Undertaker must clean up the mess!"
The townsfolk looked amongst one another, fear in their eyes. Yet Vector stepped forward, holding his arms out.
"You heard him! Let him take us somewhere else for the night!"
Sonic nodded, before turning on his shoulder and walking from the square.
Soon, everyone in Westopolis followed behind him.
Sonic turned to see the crowd following behind, and he felt a smile creep on his muzzle.
Families were hurt, but they were coming back together – following him from the grave.
Mothers clung onto their child, but they were hopeful – following him from the grave.
Friends were scarred, but they held on – following him from the grave.
Love was challenged, but it was healing – following him from the grave.
And Sonic looked at the sky, seeing the colors fade. He watched the deities surrender away, leaving Westopolis to heal.
His heart was the weapon – and it was leading them from the grave.
Consummatum est.
As the sun broke, a rainbow streaked across the sky.
Mephiles sighed, cracking his neck. He rested his chin on his knee, licking his lips passively.
In front of him, were piles and piles of bodies, all lined up neatly. He had been working hard this morning.
He stood up from his seat, stretching his arms. He walked forward, fiddling for the tape measure in his coat pocket.
He approached the corpse of Robotnik.
Missing head.
Bullet wounds.
Messy, messy condition.
He couldn't help but giggle.
Bending down, Mephiles pulled the tape measure across his body.
Great length.
Solaris will love him.
Folding the tape together, Mephiles sighed.
His work here was done.
As he approached his donkey, he craned his head – giving Westopolis one more look.
Brilliant work, Angel of Death.
Hoisting onto his donkey, he felt his ear flicker. He turned to the distance, seeing the silhouette of a large group heading back towards Westopolis. He sighed, lightly shaking the ropes on his donkey as it began to prod forward.
Mephiles' eyes met that of Sonic, Shadow, and Silver – leading the group back to town. As their shadows began to break into view, Mephiles chuckled. His smile was wider then it had ever been – but much more genuine this time.
The trio stopped, and the entire remaining population of Westopolis stopped behind them.
There was much distance between them, and Mephiles only stared at them.
He lifted his hand, giving a wave.
Sonic waved back with a smile on his face.
"You have all done well. Your town is free. Goodbye!"
Mephiles strode his donkey forward, letting out a sigh. Sonic parted to the left, beckoning for the crowd to do the same.
The entire crowd parted in two, allowing Mephiles to walk towards them.
The citizens, for the first time, did not look at him in fear, anguish, or dread.
They just accepted him for what he was.
That's all Sonic ever wanted them to do.
As they watched him stride and stride, soon – Mephiles was only a shadow in the far distance.
Goodbye, Undertaker.
May you haunt another town elsewhere.
Sonic turned, letting out a sigh. Walking back towards town, he imagined to see it infested with heaps and heaps of corpses.
However, he was surprised to see the town free of corpses. He heard the townsfolk murmur – clearly sharing in the surprise.
He turned to see Nicole's arm slung around Sally's shoulder, smirking at the site. He turned to see Shadow and Silver standing with Blaze.
Then Amy and Tails snaked to his side, giving him a smile.
The town was still an utter mess. There was much work to be done.
But Mephiles had started the process for them.
And Sonic turned to the sky, looking fondly at the rainbow that streaked across the sky.
He wasn't sure if it was a promise that Westopolis would be untouched, but he did know one thing.
It was indeed a promise that no matter what happened – they'd set it right.
What else could you possibly do but that?