Act II: REVELATION

Chapter II: Into the Black

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." – 1 Peter 5:8

Blaze finished dipping the branch of sage into the liquid, letting her breath cleanse any negative droplets of energy from the branch.

The witch's hut had been fixed up and expanded – as she had helped do to the ruins of the church.

How proud she was to build a sacred temple where the townsfolk could go and worship to any deity they chose. Gone were the times of fearmongering, controlling doctrines – now was the time for freedom of worship.

It made Blaze elated.

She stole a look towards Marine and Gold, lighting a few sticks of incense as they opened their books to study. She was so proud of how far they had come in their practices. Soon enough, she could retire from her days of magical works – and pass on her role to her students.

A door opened, and Blaze heard the booted footsteps of her lover approaching, as he pulled a maroon coat over his back, putting out a cigarette.

"Afternoon, princess!" Silver exclaimed, bending down to kiss the gem on her forehead.

She giggled, scratching his chin with her pointer. "Afternoon to you, cowboy."

Silver wore a dorky grin, walking towards the back to give his greetings to Gold. Bending down, he was speaking into her ear, causing her to giggle like a schoolgirl. Blaze smiled – what a beautiful relationship between siblings.

"What's on the agenda for you today, Blaze?" Silver asked, tying the cravat around his neck.

She shrugged, blowing out a candle. "I am finishing up some studies for the day, then who knows? Perhaps I will swing by the temple and ensure everything is running smoothly. I promised Gold and Marine they could have the hut to themselves tonight to work on some rituals – so I do not wish to intrude on them too much longer."

Silver smiled, pushing some hair from her eyes. "Sounds like a fun day! I'll be going to check on Tikal later – I need to get Knuckles out of that room before he loses his mind."

Blaze sighed, biting her lip. "It has been two years since she went to sleep. Nothing I have done works – I'm afraid it might be too late for her."

Silver nodded, taking a seat next to her, grabbing onto her wrist. "Let's keep hope, Blaze. You always told me no matter what happens good can still come – even when I didn't believe you, I tried my hardest to believe it. Then it happened! I know it seems like that won't happen this time, but the deities have been kind when we didn't think they would be. We just have to keep hoping."

Blaze smiled, lighting a candle with a different scent. "I suppose we do. It's wonderful that things continue to look up around here. It's been so long since home has felt like home."

Silver could only agree with that. What a horrid state he had found his home in two years ago. Yet now – everything was how it was.

"Couldn't say it better myself."

Blaze didn't believe in jinxing something, yet in this instance she may have done it. The door to the hut opened, Blaze momentarily shielding her eyes from the natural light pouring in.

In stepped Shadow, followed by Rouge, Bark, and a newcomer – Razor.

"Shadow? Uh – hey! Haven't seen you in a minute…" Silver trailed off. He nodded greetings to Bark and Rouge, before pointing out the shark with them.

"And you are…"

"Razor. They found me at a small ghost-town strip. I came back into town with them."

"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance Razor," Blaze said, having been joined by Gold and Marine as they trotted over. "What can we do for you?"

Shadow removed his hat, wiping some of the dust from it onto the ground. He sighed, before meeting their gaze with hollow, frightened eyes.

"Eclipse is coming."

Sonic whistled jovially, hands in his pocket with Amy's hand locked around his arm. Sonia and Manic trailed behind him, with the green sibling chowing down on some food he had grabbed from a local bakery.

"Well, they sure were right about this place!" Sonia said, "It's quite fun around here."

"Sure is, sis!" Sonic said, "Come in here, someone I want you to meet!"

Sonic pushed the door open, taking off his hat and throwing it on the rack. The sound of clanging metal made him smile – it was always a treat seeing Tails.

The fox looked up from his workbench, sending a smile their way. "Sonic, Amy! Hey!"

"Heya bud! Brought some people I wanted you to meet!"

Sonic stepped to the side, allowing Manic and Sonia to take a look around.

"Nice shop, dude!" Manic exclaimed, shaking a few messy quills from his eyes.

"Thank you! Who are you guys?"

"Tails, these are my siblings! This is Sonia, and this is Manic!"

Tails' jaw dropped for a moment, taking a jog around his workbench. He stuck his hands out to them, offering them a welcoming grin.

"I'm Tails! Sonic didn't tell me he had siblings!"

Sonia chuckled, shaking his hand. "I'm sure he didn't! Haven't seen this fool in years – I hardly told people I had siblings myself!"

Cosmo had skipped from the back, making greeting as well. She was also surprised to see that Sonic had siblings, yet quickly dragged Amy towards the back to look at some jewelry Tails had welded for her.

"So – what brings you guys into town?" Tails asked, removing his gloves.

"Once we heard that Sonic had managed to stop some crazy preacher, we had to see it for ourselves! Can't blame us really – the Sonic we knew never fought anyone unless they were tryin' to lock him in a cell!" Manic joked, thudding his brother on the back.

"Guilty as charged!" Sonic said, wiping the sweat from his brow, "It's been a long time since I've seen them. 'Lot has changed for me personally. I'm glad y'all can be a part of that! Y'all really should stay here – this place is perfect for settlin' down!"

Sonia whistled, crossing her arms tightly against her chest. "You might be right. Can't say driftin' is too much fun anyways. I'd like a place to finally call home!"

"That's what I said. Had to get rid of some certain individuals first, but now that we have – this place has just been the best!" Sonic exclaimed, lighting a cigarette.

"You know, I think I saw the Undertaker in a town at one point," Manic said, leaning against the wall. "'Course, that also could have been some desert tablets I took. Either way – scary, scary shit."

"I hope for your sake it wasn't really him," Tails said, wiping some sweat from his forehead. "He's no fun at all…"

"Point is – we banded together and got him out. Most cursed town is back to being the best town. And besides – I'd wager he's some fun. Him and Silver played cards once apparently," Sonic remarked.

"Hey little brotha – is there anywhere we can get a drink. I'm dyin' for some scotch right about now?" Sonia said, fixing an earring.

"Sure is! There's a great saloon a few blocks over! C'mon – I'll take ya! I'm sure Amy would love a minute to catch up with Cosmo anyways!"

"Sounds like a plan," Manic whistled, "Hopefully I can pick up a sweetheart there while I'm at it."

"You sure need someone to keep that hair in check," Sonia joked, pulling her coat over her back. She turned to Tails, offering a grin. "It was a pleasure meetin' you, Tails. Hopefully we'll be seein' more of each other soon."

Tails smiled, giving her a thumbs up and a wink. "You too! Don't be strangers!"

Sonic led them from the workshop, taking in the sweet summer sun. How wonderful it was to have family back, and how wonderful it was to have a town standing on its feet again.

Nothing could ever soil that feeling.

"Are you sure that's what happened?"

Shadow nodded at Blaze's question, fidgeting in his seat. He felt his fingers shaking slightly.

How could he be back? Why would he be back?

"What business would Eclipse want here? Wasn't he-"

"He was," Shadow cut off Silver's question, biting hard on his lip. "I don't know how he would've gotten out. But…the pitchfork in that man's chest – that's him. No doubt about it."

"Is he tryin' to send some sort of message? What was the point of killing that person?" Silver asked, clutching onto Blaze's hand over her table.

"What is ever the point with Eclipse," Rouge muttered, holding her temples. "If we ain't careful about this, we're looking at some damage. He's never come to Westopolis – but if he gets his hands on any citizens here – we're lookin' at deception worse than Robotnik."

"We will not let that happen," Shadow spat, yet his eyes told a different story.

Shadow was terrified. Robotnik was bad – no doubt about that. But Eclipse? The darkling was much, much worse. If he rolled into Westopolis, there's no telling what he would do.

This could truly be the end.

Blaze pushed her fingers together, holding them close to her closed eyes. She let out a deep exhale, racking her mind.

"Does Knuckles know? Anyone? Who have you told about this?" Blaze asked.

"The Rouges know – they were there. They do not have any idea about any of this, however. I only just found out about Eclipse now," Bark whispered.

"How about Knuckles? Does your group know, Rouge?" Blaze asked.

"Haven't seem 'em today. Went on this heist with Shadow over here. We'll need to tell all of them soon – we should get a jump on this. Eclipse is being kind by giving us a warning," Rouge stated.

"His warning is moot – regardless of that, he's possibly further along his return then we think," Shadow said.

Gold and Marine listened silently, yet their faces showed no comfort. Razor even pondered these words, before speaking up.

"It seems you all know about this Eclipse. Who is he?" Razor asked, chewing on a strand of wheat.

Shadow sighed, fixing his coat. "He is someone I'm very acquainted with – though I wish I wasn't. He's incredibly dangerous – though I won't explain just how far he can reach. There is a lot to know about this place before I tell you that. Regardless, he's a murderous, scheming, vile being. If Robotnik was a demon, Eclipse is the devil himself."

Razor's eyes widened slightly, swallowing a lump in his throat.

"We cannot hold on to this news. We must inform everyone now. There is very little time," Blaze said, standing up from her seat.

Silver nodded, swallowing his own lump through his throat. "I'll find Knuckles. Let's get everyone to the back of the saloon – we're burning time here."

As the crew began rushing their way from the hut, Rouge pulled Shadow back, giving him an inquisitive look.

"Just in case you didn't know – you're not the man you were when Eclipse was around you. He's not going to drag you back down. You need to keep that head on tight, a'ight?"

Shadow nodded, placing his hat back on his head.

"He won't do anything to me. Promise."

"Can you believe Manic has already sweetened someone up?" Sonia joked, resting her arm on the bartop as she gestured across to Manic.

Sonic chuckled, watching Manic sweet-talking a purple-haired mongoose.

"Mina's a good pick for him!"

"Who is she anyways?"

Sonic whistled. "A complete doll. Gorgeous voice, wonderful personality. She sings at the saloons every weekend. Another classic town belle. She's usually hard to get – but it seems that ain't deterrin' Manic."

"As if anythin' could deter him," Sonia joked, turning back to the bar.

Honey was leaning against the bar, chatting with Julie-su. Sonia narrowed her eyes, leaning closer to Sonic.

"And the pink Echidna that won't look me in the eye – even when you introduced us, she ain't look at me!" Sonia whispered.

Sonic chuckled, nuzzling his arm into his sister's side. "Come on – don't tell me you didn't see how red she got when she met you. She's nervous – which…now that I say that is sort of a weird reaction for Julie-su. Girl ain't afraid of anythin'."

"Guess she's afraid of somethin' – talkin' to a pretty girl."

Sonic chuckled. "Guess she is."

"Another round for you two hooligans?" Honey joked, leaning over the bartop.

Sonic whistled, rubbing his temple. "Yeesh – I dunno. I might be tuckered out!"

Sonia leaned over to Honey, whispering something in her ear. Honey giggled, nodding mischievously at Sonia.

Sliding back over to Julie-su, she grabbed her shoulders, pulling her over. "Sonic's lovely sister over here wants another round!"

Julie-su shot Honey a glare, before her muzzle yet again became covered in red.

She turned to Sonia, whistling lowly. "Ah – another round, hun? What'll it be?"

Sonia snickered, resting her chin on her fist. "Oh, yanno – same thing he's havin'. By the way, where 'you from? I never heard the part of the legends of Westopolis that it brought cute pink echidnas around too."

Julie-su practically had steam blowing out of her ears – but the flirting softened her exterior. Julie-su leaned over, finally wearing a smirk.

"And I never heard that Westopolis could introduce me to sweet unknown siblings, either. I'm from here, sugar – and I think you should stay awhile."

Sonia snickered, rubbing a finger across her arm. "That's the plan, sweets."

Julie-su winked, before she went to pour another glass for Sonia. Sonic turned to his sister, cocking an eyebrow.

"Where'd you get all that game from?"

"I get my way around, lil' bro. Keep up – learn some things from me, ay?"

Sonic raised a glass, clinking it with hers. "I sure will."

That's when the saloon door whipped open. Shadow stormed inside, followed by Rouge, Bark, Blaze and the witches – as well as a face he hadn't met yet.

"Who's brooding?" Sonia asked.

"It's Shadow!" He cupped his mouth, "Hey, Shadow! Fancy seein' you her-"

Shadow grabbed his hand, sending a death glare to the hedgehog.

"Not the time right now."

Sonic backed off, wearing a new face of concern. Tangle and Whisper had popped up front, giving Rouge a confused expression.

"Rouge? You aint' look so happy…" Tangle trailed off.

"And Blaze is here…" Whisper added, leaning against the lemur.

"This is quite a surprise I must say," Sonic started, hopping up from his seat. "But, the witches would never show up in the saloon, so…what's happening?"

Manic had left his seat to investigate the commotion, and Shadow could feel the eyes of the saloon on him. He gestured for everyone to get closer, forming a small circle around Sonic and Sonia.

Shadow looked at Rouge, the two nodding. He turned to the group, letting out one more fateful sigh.

"Eclipse is coming. We all need to talk right now."