Act II: REVELATION

Chapter V: Know Your Enemy

"He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." – John 8:44

Sonic hesitantly accepted the drink, taking a sip from the glass. Whatever the hell this guy was drinking, it burned. Sonic's face scrunched up in disgust, struggling to choke down the abomination that Eclipse called alcohol.

The darkling snickered, taking another puff of his cigarette. "Nasty, ain't it?"

"Yeah, that's an understatement," Sonic said, putting the drink down as he recovered his senses. He squinted, removing his hat.

"So, what exactly are these wonderful things you've heard about me? Can't say I'm surprised – but I'm curious."

Eclipse chuckled, pointing a vile finger at the hedgehog. "You are the hero of Westopolis! Got rid of an evil preacher, my good friend Mephiles – you helped bring this town up from the bottom. From the pit to the pinnacle, I'd say."

Sonic shrugged, winking. "All in a day's work?"

Eclipse nodded, reclining back in his chair. He took a drag from his cigarette, allowing his eyes to slide over to Sonic.

"Ask me anything."

Sonic was stunned for a moment, having to blink a few times to register what he had just heard. Eclipse told him to ask him anything? What game was the darkling playing?

"Hm – you sure?"

Eclipse nodded, grinning. "Of course."

Sonic sighed, rubbing his forehead. He should ask a question to try and get him to reveal some more about his purpose here – something that could help them take him down in the long run.

That's the entire purpose of him accepting this offer to sit with him anyways.

Yet he couldn't shake the one question that gnawed at his mind. He could try and ask something different, but he know well enough he wanted one question answered.

"How in the hell is Shadow related to you?"

Eclipse wheezed, pounding the table obnoxiously. This earned the eyes of a few of the patrons, yet they were all allured back into conversing with some of Eclipse's new citizens.

"Ohhh – I figured you'd ask that. Hmph, I don't know if I wanna take away all of Shadow's spotlight with this one, though…"

"Ah, but you told me to ask you anything!"

Eclipse squinted, pursing his lips in a sick grin. "Fair enough."

The darkling sat back, crossing one leg over the other, fumbling with the cigarette that hung lazily from his mouth.

"Shadow, Shadow, Shadow…what is there to say about my fabulous brother. Bah, I can't imagine you'd understand it much. Shadow ain't exactly your normal mortal boy, after all."

"So, he's immortal?"

"'Course not! Shadow can get his brains blown out into next Tuesday just like you can. The bigger point is here is that Shadow's parents aren't exactly your typical parents. I guess I should say our parents aren't your typical parents. Shadow and I were born with different purposes – a brotherly rivalry written in the stars! Though, I ain't sure if rivalry is the right word…he wants me dead and gone!"

"Yeah, nah – it doesn't make sense. How the hell are you two brothers? He's a normal Mobian like me – and you're…"

Eclipse cocked an eyebrow, licking his lips. "I told you wouldn't get it. Shadow and I are different! Like I said, we were born with two different purposes. He was born to save and be pure, I was born…to do the opposite!"

Sonic narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingers on the table. "So…you were created to be evil?"

"My turn!" The darkling hollered, leaning over the table suddenly as his shimmering eyes scanned the hedgehog wildly. Sonic scooted back instinctively, swallowing a lump in his throat.

"What is your purpose, Sonic? Does it ever get tiring being you?"

Sonic shook his head, scoffing at the question. What the hell is his nerve? What does he even mean by this question?

"Well – I'd say my purpose is inspiring hope and freedom! That ain't what it used to be – but those are my ideals now. I'd say they're workin' out."

Eclipse clicked his tongue, tilting his head. "Oh, but I can tell you feel suuuch pressure to always be the hero for these people. Those days of bein' an outlaw with total freedom – now you're shackled to the needs of all of these ungrateful citizens. Tell me, Sonic – do you ever aspire to live for yourself?"

"Live for myself? Whadd'ya mean?"

Eclipse chuckled. "I mean what I say. Do you desire to get rid of all these…expectations that have been placed onto you? You have quite the role here. Not only have these people placed shackles onto you – but so have the gods above! It must be exhausting – how do you even manage? If I were you, I'd say hell with this place and leave. Give into everythin' you want."

Sonic was dumbfounded. He had no idea what to think or say to anything Eclipse just said to him. Was he right? Did Sonic, deep down, desire to shed his new responsibilities and live as he used to?

Give into everything he wants…

What does he want?

Sonic felt shivers crawl over his skin. He stood up, wearing a scowl as he placed his hat back on.

"I see your game here, pal. You're exactly what they warned me about. Tryin' to deceive me and lead me away from everythin' I've worked so hard for. Where the hell do you get off?"

Eclipse threw his head back with a laugh, hopping up from his seat.

"Oh – come on Sonic. You know deep down I'm right. Look around you! People are already beginning to free their minds – and I've only been here for a day."

Eclipse gestured around the saloon, causing Sonic to turn and investigate the crowd. It was true – everyone with the mark on their foreheads were certainly talking the ears off of the normal townsfolk.

He saw laughter, cheeriness, surprise – the townsfolk were warming up to these people nicely.

But…Shadow said they were evil.

Blaze did, Silver did – they all did.

Where was the charisma coming from? Were the townsfolk this easily fooled?

Suddenly, Eclipse hopped onto the table, thunking his glass. "Attention! Attention, everyone!"

Everyone in the saloon was watching him now, all wearing admiration on their faces. Sonic could feel his gut turn and toil.

They liked him.

They liked him a lot.

"I just gotta say – thank y'all so very much for makin' us feel at home here! We've been wanderin' for days, and Westopolis has been everythin' and more! Now – I do wanna announce that we've been chattin' with Khan and them, and we've begun purchasin' up a lot of empty buildings around here! We'll be usin' them for whatever we see fit, so please don't be a stranger – come say hello! We just cannot wait to see how we can change y'all's perspectives here! Cheers for Westopolis!"

The crowd of townsfolk all cheered inside, raising, and clinking their glasses together. Sonic stared at the ground, sweat forming on his temple.

He couldn't wait to see how they change their perspectives.

He sauntered past Sonic, not before leaning and whispering into his ear.

"I know you want to break, Sonic. Do it. Stop holdin' on, pal."

Shadow fired aimlessly, shattering bottles, missing some – he was horrendously off of his game.

He tossed the revolver on the ground in frustration, wiping the forming sweat from his forehead. He sighed, removing his coat and folding it onto the sandy terrain.

From behind him, footsteps picked up, causing his ear to flutter. He turned the shoulder, ready to strike – only to soften as Sonic came into view.

Sonic sighed, pinching his nose. "We've got to do somethin' fast. Eclipse has been here for one day and he's already got the citizens lovin' him."

Shadow grumbled, tossing his hat onto the wooden table where the bottles were lined up. "I told you he would deceive them all. He is charming."

"Didn't think he'd be that charming."

"Why is that?"

"He's related to you, of course!"

Shadow instantly tensed, picking up his revolver and starting to fire it towards the rows of bottles. Sonic backed down a bit, biting his lip in trepidation.

"Look, I'm sorry for bringin' that up. I just gotta know what the hell he is to you."

Shadow tossed the gun in anger, growling to himself. "Nothing. He's nothing to me whatsoever."

"He's your brother, Shadow. That's something."

Shadow sighed, leaning against the wooden post as he lit a match, dousing his cigarette before taking an inhale. Blowing a cloud of smoke, he stared off into the distance.

"Yes, he's my brother. Fine. That don't mean he has any value to me at all. I want his head on a stake for all I care."

"I can tell that," Sonic said, approaching carefully. "So…who are your parents? Where did you come from?"

Shadow grumbled, wiping dust from his eyes. "Black Doom."

Sonic immediately chuckled, shaking his head. "Black Doom – ain't he that one dude who's a step down from Solaris?"

"Mhm. Why do you think I looked so similar to the Undertaker? We're all a part of Solaris."

The realization crossed Sonic's mind, stifling a laugh. He shook his head, attempting to put more pieces in place.

"So…if that's the case – then why ain't you…well, yanno-"

"Evil?"

"Yeah. Evil."

Shadow scoffed, shaking his head. "Because Gaia purified my heart. You ever hear that one legend about Gaia and Solaris? The child who was stolen from Hell?"

"I…can't say I have."

"The legend says that one of Solaris' offspring was sent into the mortal realm on birth. It was supposed to be some accident. The child didn't have any memories of where he came from. As he lived his life, angels spoke to him, purifying his heart and guarding his mind from temptation. That was me – I am the child."

Sonic scowled, trying to understand the best he could.

"So…you're a myth?"

"Well, I'm standin' in front of you, ain't I? No, I'm not a myth. None of it is. You should know that well enough."

"So why can't you tell the townspeople that? If you're the good half of Eclipse, they'll be wary of him! They already trust you!"

"It's not that easy."

"Why not?"

Shadow sighed, staring at the ground. "Because no matter what, Eclipse will deceive the nations. That's his entire job. Deceive the people so that Solaris can firmly enter and dethrone Gaia. That's what their war is, and always has been, about. Gaia needs the mortals of this world to stay pure and strong in their belief. Solaris' job, and by association Eclipse's job, is to lead them astray so they can bring forth the apocalypse."

"Why here? Why is it always in Westopolis?"

Shadow scoffed, shaking his head. "Don't you get it? Westopolis is chosen by them to be the battlefield for the fight of good and evil. Armageddon? Heard of it? It's foretold to be fought right where we're standing."

Sonic fiddled with his bandana. The foretold final battle of good and evil is supposed to take place.

And like last time – Sonic is certainly involved.

He was terrified of what was to come.

"So – what do we do? Shadow, he's your brother. How the hell do we defeat him?"

"We do what we did with Robotnik. Keep tryin' to lead them away from his deception. This time, however, we don't have as much time – and if we fail, Westopolis isn't the only place that gets reduced to ruins. If we manage to drive Eclipse away from Westopolis, Solaris has to retreat."

"Everyone else seems to know him before this. Why's that?"

Shadow rubbed his muzzle passively, searching for the right words to say to Sonic.

"Because they've all run into him before. Not here – he's never been here. We were sure he wouldn't' come – because if he did, the apocalypse was not far behind. Every other time he's been out, it's just to terrorize other towns. We find him, defeat him, and he's gone. Last time was different. Silver and I managed to somehow conjure Gaia to where we were – and send him to a prison in the middle realm – the one where Chaos is. We thought that would be the end of it. That was so long ago…"

"Clearly it wasn't," Sonic muttered, "So – can we send him there again?"

"No. He's here. Solaris is tired of waiting. He's ready to end it all now."

"And can we kill him?"

"We're supposed to be able to, yet the bastard always finds a way to cheat death. Gaia knows if this will be the time where we finally end his mayhem."

Sonic approached Shadow, patting his back. He smiled, letting out a sigh. "Look, I know this is scary. Hell, I'm terrified! But it ain't just you fightin' him now, you have all of us to do it with you. You ain't alone in this fight."

Shadow nodded, pursing his lips. "I know. We have to act fast though. If we're too late, he'll begin the process.

"Process of what?"

Knuckles flung open the door, followed by a panicked Shade and a confused Rouge. Blaze lifted her head quickly, wearing an expression of concern. Gold and Marine looked up from their studies, cocking their heads at the flustered Knuckles.

"Knuckles?" Blaze began, "What-"

"Did you see it too? Did you? Blaze, tell me you saw it!"

"I'm sorry, Blaze," Rouge began, scratching her head, "I ain't know what the hell got into him."

"Just stop! Blaze – tell me you saw it too."

Blaze sighed, shaking her head. She was perplexed, raising an eyebrow as she left her seat. She approached Knuckles cautiously, concern washed in her eyes.

"I cannot say I saw anything. Did something happen with Tikal? What did you see?"

"No, nothing with Tikal – she's still asleep. Look, I was studying the amulet, just passing the time – and the amethyst showed me a vision."

"It did? It never does that…"

"That's what I said. This is bad, Blaze. We're runnin' the clock to its limit now."

"Knuckles, I need you to slow down. I apologize – I wish I could be of help, but I did not see anythi-"

"I did."

The group turned to the door, seeing Silver standing with Razor in the doorway. Razor was confused, yet Silver looked panicked.

"Silver? Where have you been?" Blaze asked, cupping the hedgehog's face in her palms.

"I was showin' Razor around, when the mark started blinking on my wrist rapidly. I went to meditate on it – that's when it showed me."

"What did it show you?" Blaze asked, turning to Knuckles. "I imagine you both saw the same thing."

Silver's eyes moved to Knuckles, pursing his lips. "You tell her, or I?"

Knuckles started laughing, grabbing his face in pure shock. He shook his head about, letting out another dry laugh.

"I didn't wanna believe it. I thought maybe it was a false alarm. Looks like Moonchild over here saw somethin' too, so now I know we're doomed."

"Knuckles," Blaze spat, panic and coldness mixed in her tone, "Tell me what you saw."

Knuckles shut his eyes tight, shaking his head about rapidly. He bit down on his lip so hard that blood began to flood his taste. Opening his eyes, the panic was replaced with an emptiness – one that startled the witch.

"Eclipse just opened The First Seal."