"Agent Shadow, you're needed in Commander Tower's office."

The loudspeaker woke me from a dreamless sleep. It wasn't that long ago since I nodded off, or at least it didn't seem like it. Every day this week there has been a mission; and in every mission, I have not succeeded. As the Ultimate Life Form, failure does not sit well with me. I attribute my exhaustion to my frustration. But I can feel today will be different. Today, G.U.N. will succeed, and I will lead them to that success.

The missions haven't been easy. Mostly gathering lost information about our newest target, Doctor Eggman... Not that he's a new G.U.N. target. His obsession with Sonic seems to be dwindling. His patterns have deviated from the norm significantly–Sonic and his friends have remained undisturbed for almost 3 months. Even the chaos emeralds are safely secured. G.U.N. possesses three of the seven, while the other four are deep within the forrest–probably with either Sonic or that echidna. No; Eggman has been acting strange lately. His desire to see the Eggman Empire has greatly exceeded his fixation on Sonic. G.U.N. spies have reported the Doctor's work has resulted in an army of robots so massive, no power source could possibly support them all. Then again, they underestimate the power of Chaos, and the Doctor's cunning. Our Chaos Emeralds are assumed to be his next objective.

Unfortunately, my failure to retrieve any information has left us with merely that, an assumption. Nothing is sure, especially since the good doctor loses sanity by the second.

I walk into the Commander's quarters. His office is lined with trophies and trinkets from past missions–something I find useless. The only trophies I keep are memories. Or ones of great value, like the emerald in my left hand.

"Shadow, good to see you get here so quickly. I hope you're eager to offset these previous missions. Our rate of success is rather low."

"Yes, Commander," I reply. I will not fail this time.

"Excellent. Anyway, let's get down to business, shall we? As you are well aware, our primary concern is Eggman and his army. The size of his robot population has increased by over twenty percent in the last six weeks. Without a Chaos Emerald, those robots have no chance to charge. Shadow, I need you to infiltrate Eggman's base and find out what he's planning. Can you do that for me, agent?"

"Sir, with all due respect, I don't think I can get past Eggman's security without his knowledge. Ever since Sonic, Rouge, and I destroyed his tower canon, he's been completely on edge with security. His new chaos detector will instantly find any disruption in chaos energy, preventing my ability to warp in using chaos control."

"Well then, Shadow, perhaps you don't need to go in undetected."

"Sorry, Sir?"

"Shadow, I want you to turn in your badge. You're going undercover for this mission. I want you to tell Eggman you have ended your employment with us, and you wish to gain power in the future Eggman Empire. That way, he will reveal his plans to you directly. Meanwhile, take this wrist recorder. I've fashioned it to look just like your inhibitor rings. This device will allow you to live stream any conversation you have with Eggman, so we can record his plans directly into our system. I also planted a location chip within the device so we can keep track of your location. That way, if you get into any danger, we can send out our best people to find you."

He handed me the gold wristband. It was light in my hand. I felt uneasy removing one of my inhibitor rings. Yet, when I placed the band on my wrist, it had a similar effect.

The plan seemed to make sense. It would give me an opportunity to prove myself to the commander. A solo mission. A dangerous one at that. A mission that would put G.U.N.'s name in the history books.

"So Shadow, what do you think?" asked Commander Tower.

"I think you're throwing him to his death."

A voice behind me spoke those words–a woman's voice. One I was very familiar with.

"Commander, sir, Shadow can't possibly do this mission alone. You're underestimating Doctor Eggman as always. If he finds out, if he even suspects Shadow is lying, he will shoot a hole through that gorgeous head."

Rouge walked in, her boots clanking against the marble. Her pink heart motif shined in the florescent lights, reflecting the pale color onto my chest. Rouge and I were partners; almost all our missions were done as a team. Although she seemed selfish at first, she proved to truly care for my protection and well-being. I knew that the day she saved me, when she took me back to her home. Even though my power may threaten the future, she stands by me, no matter what.

Even if all the world turns against you, know that I will always remain by your side. Remember that, Shadow.

I will.

My flashback ends with the Commander's hand slamming down onto his desk. His eyes glow with anger at Rouge.

"Miss Rouge, you know I hate it when you listen to my private conversations! Get back to your work, agent!"

"Commander, that is no way to talk to a lady," she said coyly. "Why don't you send Shadow and I together? I've worked along old Eggy's side too, if you remember."

"Rouge," I say, "I can handle it myself."

"Sure, hon. Always off trying to prove you're the ultimate." She puts her hand on my shoulder and whispers, "You're not going to take all the glory for this mission. Besides, you know I want whatever treasure Eggy's hiding in that base."

Rouge and her damn jewels.

"You'll only get in my way. Or worse, get killed."

"Now Shadow," the Commander interjected, "She has a point. I always like to keep Team Dark together when I can. You two seem to do a good job. Rouge, you're going too. I'll develop a wristband for you as well, and you two will depart first thing tomorrow! That will be all, agents. You are dismissed. Be here tomorrow at 06 hundred hours for departure to the base coordinates."

We walk out of the room. Rouge grabs my arm and intertwines it with hers.

"Well, partner. We haven't been out on a mission together, alone, in who knows how long."

I pull away from her grasp gently and say, "I meant what I said. I don't want you to come. The doctor isn't right, he isn't the same as he used to be. What if something happens to you?"

"Cut the melodrama, Shadow. You know I'm no damsel in distress. I can handle old Eggy-poo and his robot army, too." She smirked at her unintentional rhyme.

I wrap my hand around my false inhibitor ring with nerves.

"Shadow, I'm coming whether you like it or not. So, let's get some rest and I will see you bright and early tomorrow."

"Fine."

I walk back to my room. All desire to sleep has left me.

I will succeed this time, and I won't let anyone get in my way.