Requested by ivystar: I hope this fills your satisfaction. I bent your request a little.

There was a golden figure floating in front of him. It looked like a hedgehog, but it was hard to tell. It wore a mask that was blue in contrast to its glowing yellow, unlike it's clothes, which changed to an orange color. Whatever… 'changed' meant. None of this made any sense. Then the figure called out to him.

"No way that's getting through!"Their voice had a reverb effect; making it impossible to tell the gender or any other defining characteristics. That didn't matter at the moment however. 'What's getting through?' He looked ahead of him and saw a giant moon slowly drifting down? No. No that's the ARK. They've got to stop it from crashing into Earth. They've got to stop it!

A sort of softness filled his head then as a voice from long ago filled his head. 'Shadow...I beg of you…' He gasped aloud. It was Maria! Maria, his dear friend who he loved. Yes, that was it! He swore the masked hedgehog looked at him strangely under the mask, as a spur of confusion floated off from their chaos energy. The heightened power of the super form didn't help.

Yes, he was remembering everything now. It was so bright and happy. Glimpses from before were nothing compared to this.

'Shadow...give them a chance...to be happy!' The other mobian had apparently lost patience. Not they had much time originally.

"Shadow now!" He flew towards the ARK, gaining speed faster and faster. Then suddenly…

"CHAOS CONTROL!" Both mobians performed the move expertly. Almost. Shadow hadn't any rings. He lost control, struggling to hold to the form. He see's the mobian above him reaching down, barely grasping at his wrist. Something slips off. A glove? A braclet? What did it matter?

The flames lick his body as he falls. "Maria...this is what you wanted right? This is the promise I made to you…" Before he loses consciousness he see's the other super form above him life it's mask. He has one thought before everything goes black. 'Green eyes...hm'

Shadow sat up in his bed inhaling a sharp breath. He sat there was several seconds recalling his dream. He glanced at his clock. Four in the morning? He usually got up at six. Dear Chaos... after a dream like that there was no way he was getting back to sleep. Great.

After he had taken a shower, and a cup of coffee he sat down at his computer. He might as well refresh his memory of today's activities. He swiftly opened the GUN database. As he read over his agenda he couldn't help a small smile. He would be seeing Sonic in person again. The royal family was meeting the GUN commander, himself and most interesting the Blue Blur and friends…

He hadn't seen Sonic in person since they had meet at least almost a year ago. Technically nine months ago. Yet they talked religiously through the internet. She was so easy to talk to, and her stories were always interesting.

Suddenly he frowned when another thought became apparent. The Blue Blur? Hm...I swear I...you must have a file. He punched the letters in, quickly finding the file. Name: Unknown, Sex: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown...So what does GUN know about this mysterious figure?

He opened up a recent picture. The mobian in the picture was a distinct blue. They wore a deep blue jacket and pants, both had a line of neon teal running up it. The shoes were red with a white buckle. The most odd feature however was the mask. It was made of a reflective material obstructing any facial view. The tint was slightly lighter than the fur color.

Shadow sat back in his chair. This person of indistinct features was not only mysterious and intriguing...they had been in his dream. Green eyes… The Ultimate Lifeform had a feeling he had all the puzzle pieces, but one. He needed that last piece. So, he went back through older pictures. He was surprised by the fact when he found the oldest ones. It was obvious the hero had started very young, due to the childlike figure.

However they kept their identity a strict secret. The only difference from the younger and present of any distinct interest was the mask. Instead of the slickness of the present it was slightly larger, protruding out a bit. It looked heavy. It was also a dull grey. According to the file the older one could display visuals. Odd. So only "recently" had they started talking, before they displayed text on the mask. Very Odd.

After specifically researching the mask, he found the recent one's inventor was noted as Miles "Tails" Prower, a kid genius. While the older one had no creditor. So...the Blue Blur was discreet about who the original inventor was. It could mean nothing, or everything.

Finding nothing else he went back to his own schedule. He read it over again. The Blue Blur's friends included the Prower kid. Also someone named Knuckles. Which sounded stupid. Slightly hypocritical of himself. He let out a sigh. There was still a good hour before he had to go to work.

Shadow swore he would kill anyone who ever saw him like this. He was nervous. Yet he had this bubbly feeling in his chest.

"I thought you said they would be here soon."

"I said that five minutes ago Shadow. Geez one trip to that kingdom has got you all nervous." Rouge looked up from her phones, a soft look in her eyes.

"You wouldn't understand." He said aggressively. He had to keep alternating crossing his legs; if he kept them still he might start tapping his foot. It was annoying, and undoubtedly he had picked it up from Sonic. He straightened his posture when the commander came in the room. He gave a stern nod. They both stood to attention.

The door opened behind him. "Agent Shadow you've already met them, however I shall introduce to Agent Rouge, Queen Aleena," The respectful woman floated into the room, graceful as always. "Princess Sonia," The girl came in with a frown on her face, but her eyes sparkled when she looked at Rouge; two people with a sense of fashion apparently can just sense each other. "Prince Manic," He came in not with relaxed posture. "And Princess Sonic." There was a sparse quiet. No one came in. The commander cleared his throat.

They waited a little bit...nothing. The queen let out an embarrassed sigh. Suddenly a loud screeching noise broke the air, as Sonic came in. She was wiping off a dribble of water from her chin. "Sorry, Sorry. You guys have nice water fountains- or is it bubblers? That's a regional thing, right? Anyway I was really thirs- Shadow!" The rambling hedgehog broke off, and then proceeded to practically tackle him.

"Slow down." Is all he can manage to mutter.

"Have you been practicing?"

"You know I've been practicing." He says as he finally pries her off. She's about to respond, before breaking off into haggard loud echoing coughs. Shadow raises an eyebrow.

"I'm sick," her voice sounds haggard as well, she coughs again managing to get her voice to sound a little better, "I was just wanted to see you...you can stop by the hotel after the meeting? I don't think I can make it."

Aleena looks slightly distressed,"You were getting better Sonic." She puts a head to her daughter's forehead. "Oh, dear. You have a fever. Get back to the hotel."

"Yeah. Alright." Shadow frowns deeply, and Sonic returns the gesture. They start to all move to the meeting room. However he decides to send a last glance towards Sonic. She winks at him. It only causes the frown to twitch.

Prower and Knuckles were in the conference room already. It was when he stepped in he realized how young the kid was. Weird. They all took their seats at the long table. Then they proceeded to wait. Then wait some more. The fox hadn't batted an eye, continually tapping his fingers across the screen of his tablet like thing.

"Mr. Prower, Mr...Knuckles, where is your companion the Blur Blur?" The Commander gritted out.

"You're so impatient Mr. Tower. That's my job." The reverbing voice echoed about in the room. Everyone turned to see the infamous Blur leaning on the door frame. The only small difference Shadow noted, what that they had their quills in a ponytail. It was almost just another way to throw off any type of identification.

"You're certainly late." Tower spit back. The Blur let out a slight chuckle. Then the mobian strut over not bothering to sit down, leaning against the wall.

"Yo, bro? How are you?"

Prower responded with a smile. "Good." Knuckles gave a slight nod, to be responded in turn with a similar one.

"Now. Tower. Royalty. Agents. We're here to discuss the Robotnik situation? Again? Really?" Their voice cracked on the last word, as if for comedic effect.

"Yes. Bl- Oh this is ridiculous you can't just go on with us calling you 'Blur'" The Blur gave a loud sigh.

"You can call me, Needlemouse." Needlemouse? Really? That sounds ridiculous… The meeting continued, and Shadow feel into troubling thought. Something was not right. It was also horrible that whatever was off, seemed to be blatantly obvious. Why? What was it. His gaze turned again to Needlemouse. Who on earth would have the audacity to do this. Who was this? Why did they seem so familiar? Why? And why couldn't he figure i- Wait.

Shadow stood up suddenly; unable to stop himself at the sudden revelation. "Agent Shadow? Is everything alright?" The commander asked.

He ignored him. "Stop this. I don't know how long you've been doing this but it's time to stop." Needlemouse took a half step back. Everyone else looked like they were about to yell at him. However he gave them a look to silence them. There were a couple moments where he swore that under the mask eye contact was made.

Slowly the Blue Blur reached towards the mask. With shaking hands, slowly the mask came off.

Green eyes...Sonic…

"How did you know?" Shadow was about to open his mouth before a cry of anger struck the air. It had come from Aleena. Before she could say anything Sonic pointed a finger at her.

"Don't you say anything. You're probably thinking, 'You're too young, it's too dangerous, blah blah blah. I know that. Dear Chaos! Don't you think I know that! But you're probably like, 'how did we not notice her going to the mainland?' Well all those special lessons I've had on the other side of Mobotropolis… Guess What? Not actually super great royalty lessons. More like- I dunno, Saving the World!" She paused taking in a deep breath.

"So yeah. And also Shadow?"

"Yes?" His eyes were wide; she was angry. She strode up to him. Then she grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him. Sonic pulled away angrily, and ran out of the room. Everyone was staring at Shadow.

"Wow, you guys really are all oblivious like she said." Their eyes all turned to Knuckles. Who just shrugged.

BearfootTruck: Thanks!