So, just to get this out in the air...

1.) This is my first attempt at RR Fan Fiction.

2.) If people like it, and seem interested enough, I will write more chapters. Consider this the prologue.

3.) I do not own any of the characters collectively known as the "Road Rovers" and do not claim any challenge to their copyright. This is a fictitious document wherein all information is considered to be purely for the purposes of freely-distributed entertainment. In no way does this constitute a challenge to ownership of the characters, name, concepts, or other portions of the show.

4.) I realize it's not the longest story opener, but I wanted to get a feel for if people liked it enough for me to continue. Yes, it's a Blitz-centric story. Yes, it deviates from the common look at Blitz as a secondary, background style character who most people lack much compassion for. It's an attempt to show things from his perspective a bit... Wish me luck.

So, without further explanations...

Misunderstood...

Prologue

"It's pretty obvious dat dey don't like you. But how could they not? Look at that sculpted physique! It's very impressive. It makes me want to kiss myself... in fact, I think I will."

The Doberman flexed his bicep in the reflection of the mirror, leaning down to kiss it repeatedly. Anyone else who had the chance to be the fly on the wall of this show would probably have chuckled to themselves, that is unless Exile had been the one. He would likely have called Blitz a 'weird boy' and moved on.

"And where does dat Hunter get off telling me what to do, anyway? It's not as if I don't come with as much training as he does. Not to mention vastly superior grooming."

His attention finally turned away from his own reflection in the mirror. He looked down at his own hands, holding them before him. For a moment he just stared at them, a look cresting his face that seemed almost evident of sorrow.

"And the pretty girl dog, Colleen. I'm sure she must take note of how pretty I am, but the moment I try and talk all nice to her, she acts like she doesn't even know who I am. And she does it with such a carefree attitude. Oh, and when I show her my displeasure at the name-calling, she kicks me across the room... of course, I have to let her do it. I mean, I wouldn't hit a girl after all..."

His speech was little more convincing to himself than it might be for anyone else. He knew right well that Colleen was perhaps the most agile and quick of the Rovers, and it wouldn't take much for her to best him in a fight. Sighing again, he began to contemplate what exactly his reason for being a Rover was. Everyone had their place, it seemed.

Hunter was the de facto leader, Colleen was the most fit fighter of the group, Exile was there to help thin out the ranks so the other Rovers could focus on one fight at a time, Shag was there for the dumb luck that one of his misfired shots might bring... and even Muzzle seemed to have a place as the 'last resort' weapon to unleash upon their foes. But Blitz really wasn't uniquely placed. Sure, he could fight, but not as good as Colleen. Sure, he could chase off the bad guys, but that was no match for Exile's freezing gaze. And obviously he enjoyed the tushie biting, but it didn't really seem likely that he was there for the sole purpose to deliver the pain to the 'seat' of crime.

These and other thoughts permeated Blitz's mind. If he wasn't really there for any reason in particular, was he just backup? He knew that he was a capable Rover, perhaps better in some ways than the others. But the truth was, he wasn't nearly as confident in his abilities as he seemed. His front of 'being perfect' and acting as if he felt he was the 'best Rover' was just that, a front... and he wondered sometimes if the others sensed that.

Lifting up his toothbrush, he curled his lips up to show his absolutely vicious row of pearly-white canines. Taking the time to meticulously go over each and every one of his teeth, he brushed them until they were squeaky clean and mint-scented. Setting the toothbrush down, he let the water run in the sink for a moment, leaning down to lap up some of it to swish around within his mouth. A moment passed as he did this, eyeballing himself in the mirror.

"Well, at least you really are pretty..." he thought to himself. Leaning down to spit the water into the sink, he turned the faucet off and stepped back to gaze at himself in the mirror, giving himself a final once-over before the day began. He turned, looking over his shoulder at himself, and then turned back to show off his nigh-upon signature grin.

"Perfect as always." he muttered aloud. With that, he turned and began to walk to the door. The metallic bathroom echoed his steps as the Rover reached the door, opening it to find Exile on the other side. It appeared from his posture that the other Rover was just about to knock on the door as Blitz strolled out and past him.

"Good morning, comrade..." Exile spoke as Blitz walked past him.

"Oh yeah? What's so good about it? If it's anything like the past week we'll be sent out to deal with a group of Parvo's mutant doggy army as they terrorize some tropical location or something. And for what? Praise at the end of the day..."

"It is looking like you are getting up on wrong side of bedski." Exile spoke in his usual semi-jovial tone, though he hadn't really wanted to listen to another diatribe from the Doberman. He had spoken as more of a courtesy, not to engage him in some form of real conversation, which invariably looked like it might not be pleasant at that.

Blitz stopped, shaking his head and placing his hand on his forehead, brushing it back over his head and giving a scratch to the neck region.

"I am sorry. It has just been too many days since our last return home."

The Siberian Husky nodded his head a little bit, as if forgiving his fellow Rover for his outburst. "Is dokie okie. I am to be taking of shower now. Better hurry to dining area though. Shag finish making breakfast about half-hour ago. There won't be much left by now."

"Oh not again. Dey never wait for me." Blitz scowled as he turned, waving back at Exile before hastily setting out on his short trek toward the dining area. His eyes were evident of a displeasure at the fact that he would once again likely have to eat the scraps that were left on the table... which in and of itself didn't bother him, but usually by the time he got there even the pickings of such things were pretty little.

Pushing the door open, he walked into the big dining area. The table that was used as the serving station was pretty much empty, and Shag was standing behind it. A red bowl with the Doberman's name was sitting empty on the serving bar when he approached it. Picking it up and holding it out toward Shag, the Doberman spoke.

"I'll take anything you got left." Blitz spoke with an almost forlorn sound to his otherwise irritated voice.

Shag seemed to ponder his statement for a moment, making a rather unintelligible series of mumbling exclamations before holding up a finger as if he had an idea. He opened up a pot that was sitting there and scooped out what appeared to be the remnants of the meal that he'd served up, within which were the broken ends of dog treats, some gravy-like substance and some rice. Over the top of this shag dripped a few drops of a dark liquid; a mixture of soy sauce and toilet water... one of his secret sauces.

"Thanks." Blitz spoke, seemingly surprised by the fact that there was actually enough left for him this time. "Maybe..." he thought, "...the day won't be a total loss, after all."

Just as he brought the bowl over to a table and sat down at one of the dining chairs, Colleen walked into the room. She seemed rather irritated for whatever reason, and she had a leash slung up over her shoulder.

"What is wrong, pretty girl dog?" Blitz inquired of his fellow Rover.

"What's that? 'ave we met?" She tried to force out this question, a rouse she usually used when trying to earn his agitation or otherwise bring him to ire. But she had just barely spoken those words when she shook her head, lowering it some. "Never mind that. I just don't feel in the mood for playful banter."

"Banter? I was just wondering what has you so long in your face?"

"Long in me face? That would be me muzzle..." She offered her phrase with an obviously fake grin and a tone to her voice that lacked any real humorous sound.

A moment of awkward silence passed as Blitz didn't know whether to laugh or remain silent. He didn't want to earn her ire, as he wasn't really feeling up to being kicked into a wall or anything this early in the morning, but at the same point he felt like he wanted to make her feel better. If nothing else, it might assure him a better chance at avoiding some name changing later.

"Now dere's your comedy..." The words he spoke were a mocking of what was often-times a catch phrase of Colleen's, and at that she chuckled softly.

"But, no... really? What is da matter? You look upset. Whatever it was, I didn't do it." He was really trying to get her to open up and talk about whatever issue was perturbing her. It wasn't like her to be in such a bad mood.

Colleen kind of smirked at that remark. "No, this time you actually didn't. It's just... well, I don't think Hunter really pays much attention to the meaning of what I'm saying when I talk to him. I mean, I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk today. So what 'appens?"

Blitz was eating the food from his bowl when he noticed her talking cease. With a mouth full of food, he caught that she was staring at him as if it was his turn to respond or say something. With almost the deer in the headlights look, he decided to simply respond with a muffled "I don't know, you tell me."

She blinked at the Doberman, just staring for another second later before finally continuing. "Well, I'll tell you alright. 'unter thinks I was asking him if he wanted me to take him out for walkies! Not what I had in mind, that's for sure."

Having finally swallowed the food he had been working on, Blitz cocked his head while looking at the Collie, and with a thoughtful look on his face, he spoke. "Well, what did you have in mind?"

Her brows furrowed as she thumped her hands down on the table where he sat. "Ugh! You males are all oblivious!" With that she stood, turning to stalk out of the room in what appeared to be a much worse mood than when she had entered.

To Blitz's credit, he had only been trying to get her to talk so that she'd feel better after airing out her grievances. But it appeared that he'd taken the wrong approach, and was certain that his name for the next week or so would likely be forgotton, or otherwise changed so that the last syllable of his last name ended in "pants" or something similar. Pity that, it seemed, for he really was just trying to help.

Suddenly the Master's voice came echoing through the dining area, and by the sounds of it, probably through the rest of the place as well. "Rovers, you are needed. Come into the commons room. There's a mission of vital importance..."

With that, Blitz tuned out the rest of the message as a grumpy look returned to the Doberman's face. "Oh good. Looks like I was right... great day..."