Chapter 1:

I glared at the floor and my shoes, like they became the most interesting thing around me. I could hear the sound of the chuckles and a feel a few pats on my shoulder from my GUN partner Rouge. Last night was not my most successful run…and I am paying the price.

"Common Shadow, it's not the end of the world. So what if you didn't complete the mission? You know the Chief doesn't second question you for anything." She said while trying to encourage me. It was NOT working. "You're the best out of all of us and everyone knows it, lighten up!"

"Yeah, he is the best at screwing up, that's for sure." A member chuckled while lighting his friend's cigar. "I heard from the boss himself that you are being ranked down, talk about a bad day."

I felt my blood rising.

"And to think, you call yourself the Ultimate Life form?" he continued.

I turned my head to him and stared into his eyes, wishing that he would burn and feel every inch of himself under my wrath.

"Pathetic. I bet Sonic the Hedgehog could take them out without our assistance anyway."

That was enough.

"Shadow! Let him go!" Rouge gasped pulling on my arm. All my attention was on the middle aged man as I had my hand wringed around his neck. I glared up at him while the color began to drain from his face.

"Shadow, common knock it off!" one of the other members mumbled, getting more and more concerned about the situation.

I ignored their words and pulled the man in my grasp inches away from my face. "You want to try saying that again, Mark?" My voice dripped with venom. I may be a member of the human association on this planet, but I will not tolerate such behavior.

He began shaking his head, trying to free himself from my grip. Releasing him, he fell to the floor coughing numerous times. I bent down putting my hands on my knees, making his face meet mine.

"You'd be wise not to compare me to that Faker…and if you wish to even be able to speak again, I recommend you keep your mouth shut. Am I understood?" he quickly nodded and backed away as I stood.

I watched him cower away and smirked at his retreat. "To think you even would dare to attack me when I hit a low point, just to encourage your own pitiful attempts of being a hero…that itself is pathetic." I growled in his direction.

Rouge was looking at me with a disappointed expression, but in all honesty, I don't care at this point.

Taking my place up against the wall, I crossed my arms and sent death glares to those around me. Of course they avoided my gaze and or moved away…as long as they stay out of my way, I'll be fine.

"Attention everyone, the Chief has an announcement to make!"

I immediately looked up to see our General Advisor standing a few feet away from our group. We all stood in stillness, and responded to his salute in time.

"At ease." He stated while placing his hands behind his back. We all relaxed and turned to his gaze. His creases across his forehead and bags under his eyes showed years of tough love and experience. He was one of the very few people I actually held respect for.

"Now as far as you all know, we have had the honor of working alongside our general forces for many years. At times we have trifled with compromises, but in the end it has been proficient. I just recently was notified of an important mission that needs tender, loving care." He sarcastically said while cracking his knuckles, causing a few of us to smirk and laugh.

We all quietly waited as he normally would pull out a form, read it off with the details of the mission, and then proceed to find volunteers or assign them himself…but he wasn't following that order. I watched as he walked slowly around eyeing all of us, including me, and then returning to the front.

"This mission in particular holds a very sensitive case, and it is intended to be followed through without fail. I have been told we have the best officers and members of the association by many, but I am wondering just how great you all are." He said with a smile…a dark one to say the least.

"So, instead of letting you pups get a nose on in of what the mission entails, I am going to let you all volunteer without the whereabouts of the assignment. It could be a fairly easy mission, which could take five minutes…or it could be your last. The choice is entirely yours." He said while clasping his hands together looking around with a smirk.

No one moved and we all were silent. He crossed his arms and raised his brow, waiting for someone to ring out there name.

Turning towards a few of us expectantly, the crowd was silent and no one was opting to jump on a suicide mission if that was the case. At I wasn't that is.

"I will take the mission." I stated clearly. I could see the commanders light flick on in his eyes and he smirked to himself.

"State your name and position." He replied as the crowd let me have a clear path to him.

"Shadow the Hedgehog, member in Rank 1." I clearly responded without hesitation.

The commander nodded in approval and took me firmly by the shoulder. "You see everyone, this is the kind of attitude I am looking for. Someone who is willing to take the risks, unfortunately for those of you who didn't even bother to entitle your name as a possible tribute, I am seeing your pride and rank whither quite quickly. Pity." He mumbled.

"Shadow, here is your assignment. You know the drill. Sign out by 0600. Am I clear?" he asked while handing me the documentation in a sealed envelope.

"Yes sir." I saluted with a confirmation.

The commander dismissed us and himself, and we were once again left alone. "So Shadow, what is it?" Rouge whispered peering over my shoulder.

Taking the flap of the envelope, I effortlessly slit the paper open and pulled out the documentation. I carefully took note of the location, the entitlement, and the background check.

"Have I signed up to be a babysitter?" I whispered in horror.

To Whom It May Concern:

Princess Scarlett Theamore Neivloe of Vermilea will be in protected custody by your attendance for the time duration of (N/A). Your job will be to protect the royal blood of any harmful outside and inside forces. Intention for this affair (N/A). You will be asked to follow through with the following details to ensure the royal blood of fortification. Location of premises of this business will be (Home of Shadow the Hedgehog-Ordered by the GUN).

"What in the hell is this?! Why is half of the information not listed? How long am I going to be watching this Primpy Scarlett Thea-who ever she is?" I growled not even completely finishing the paper.

Rouge looked at me surprised and lowered her gaze to the document. "I suppose the duration of the time will depend on the outside factors…its strange that they don't say the reason why though."

"And at my house? MY house?" I growled thinking of shoving everything I practically owned into a safe and locking it away from anyone's access.

"Your home is the safest place anywhere Shadow, the GUN wants who ever this girl is secretly secluded. It makes since." She added thinking to herself. "But that also means you will have to put anything that could be a partial threat to her out of her reach. That means no firearms, no grenades, you'll have to remove the security features for her sake, also the sedation missiles, the trap doors-"

"Okay I get it! Just-just be quiet let me think." I growl running a hand through my quills nervously, just the thought of having someone else in my home is enough to makes me want to hurl.

"Wow, the Ultimate Life form gets the number one ranked job, huh? I bet your just jumping for joy." I turn back around to see Mark with his arms folded across his chest looking at me with a smirk.

"Do you have a death wish?" Rouge gaped at him practically flying up ready to pull us apart. The man though shook his head and pulled out a small sheet of paper.

"Common now, you don't think I am stupid do you?" he said rolling his eyes.

I didn't bother to respond and began walking away.

"Wait, Shadow! I actually have something important!" Mark responded seeing me leave. I stopped and turned to see he was holding the piece of paper out to me.

"What?"

"Take it."

"…." I reached out and opened the piece of paper to see it had a few important details that wasn't on the original document.

"Look I know you weren't too happy the whole thing…but before they edited the form, I managed to see what it was actually about. I just you know thought you might find it useful."

I looked over the paper and then turned my gaze back to him. "You know, besides being a jerk, short tempered, annoying, well known, and a bit of a show off…you're not all that bad." I chuckled with a smirk.

His face was quite surprised. I honestly don't know if he wanted to feel offended or appreciated. Rouge though began laughing, and I took my leave.

Looking down at the paper, I let out a sigh. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Shadow: What did you get me into?! *frantically digs through story files*

Me: It's a surprise!

Rouge: Wow Shadow, I never thought of you being the maternal type…

Shadow: That's because I'm not!

Me: Well either way you're stuck with it whether you like it or not.

Mark: Please leave a like and comment!

Shadow: Shut up Mark.

Me: *nervous laugh* Thanks everyone!