The G.U.N Commander stood before an assembled crowd of soldiers. Each and everyone one were resolutely staring at their leader awaiting his command. Their uniforms were spotless and intimidating. Their faces were craved like stone to prepare themselves for any trial. Their attitude was simply professional.

He was proud to call this 'his' army.

The commander's bi-colored eyes continued to stare at every man and searched for any hesitation. Considering the mission he was sending them on, the commander hoped they were ready. In retrospect, he didn't want to expend this many soldiers. But from what he learned from the past week, no chances were meant to be taken.

Flashback

"What?"

"Please watch this footage, sir. All your questions will be answered upon seeing this."

The G.U.N commander sat in the main chair along with his top ranked soldiers in G.U.N's main conference room. One field agent stationed in Westopolis reported to their superior that Project S.H.A.D.O.W needed to be recovered immediately. That was something the commander planned to do eventually but the sudden haste for it surprised him.

So he and his men bore witness to the flat screen television that showed the recent car crash in Westopolis. The area looked to be normal with civilians walking about and the traffic at a steady pace. Society in a normal setting.

Then the sounds of screams were heard as the van that was traveling at a high speed was displayed on the screen. What the G.U.N commander and everyone else paid close attention to was the figure on top of the van.

Project S.H.A.D.O.W. It looked like it was trying to reach for someone or tried to keep a steady grip on the fast moving vehicle. Then the 18 wheeler was in sight and the van almost collided with it.

Something strange happened then and there. One second, Project S.H.A.D.O.W was there facing the truck. Then…it looked like…it vanished. One second, the hedgehog was there. The next, it disappeared.

"Any explanation for that?"

"Sir. My men and I went into an investigation about that very scene. We interrogated every individual that was present at the time of collision. However, whenever we asked the civilians about seeing a black hedgehog or a figure on top of the van, they claimed to not have seen anything at all. The few that thought they did figured it was de ja vu because in a blink of an eye, the collision happened."

After the report was finished, all the men attending commenced with discussing what they saw/heard. For the G.U.N commander, he rested his chin on his now intertwined fingers. Quite frankly, something about all this disturbed him. Anyone can claim de ja vu when witnessing an event that didn't last long. No, from what he saw, the disappearance of Project S.H.A.D.O.W wasn't a normal case. Supernatural means were involved.

That must've meant…

His regal voice ended the discussions when it entered the sound waves. "Did your unit conduct any…energy readings?"

"Energy readings, sir?"

"It is a well-known fact that Project S.H.A.D.O.W involved the use of harnessing the energy that resided in the Chaos Emeralds. Or Chaos Energy in other words. It probably used this very energy to somehow defy physics and…teleported from the scene."

"Teleportation?"

"Can any creature or human even do that?"

"Some reports say Sonic the Hedgehog can perform this particular trick but those are vague and can be misleading."

"Commander. Did the files that Robotnik create speak of something like this?"

Now that he thought about it, Gerald may have mentioned something about this in his observations. How tricky it was to incorporate the power of Chaos Emeralds into his test subjects. What did he call it?

"….Chaos Control…"

Everyone turned to the commander. "Sir?"

"Project S.H.A.D.O.W must've induced Chaos Control." He got up from his chair to muse on this. "If the files are correct, Chaos Control is the ability to control/warp time and space to an extent. One can either slow down time or increase its speed. My hypothesis on this matter is that Project S.H.A.D.O.W stopped time just before the van collided into the truck and escaped. When everyone else saw the collision, they didn't see the target. Or thought they had before it."

Several murmurs broke out after hearing that until one lieutenant spoke up. "What does this mean for us, sir? If such a being is out there, society as we know it might be in critical danger."

The G.U.N Commander wholeheartedly knew that. So he focused his bi-colored eyes on the head of his science department. "Are the requested weaponry prepared?"

"Well, there is good and bad news about that sir. The good news is that the main focus of our division is on Project DISTRUBER. Unfortunately, we don't have enough Chaos Energy to conduct proper studies." He looked down at the table. "At best, with the resources at our disposal right now, the DISTRUBER weapons operate at 48% efficiency."

48%. Close to half operational…"That will have to do."

"S-sir?! You do understand the gap between that number and full operational function? Along with the limited number we have, deploying these weapons is very risky!"

But the G.U.N commander fully understood that. He knew the risks. "How many exactly?"

The science head bowed his head for a second then raised it again. "5 DISTRUBERS, sir."

"3 will be fine." Ignoring the look on the science head's face, the G.U.N commander stared at everyone else. "The rest of you prepare yourselves for tomorrow. Project S.H.A.D.O.W will return to its proper owners."

Flashback End

"I want to take a moment to say that all of you are brave for accepting this task. All of you know the risk that is involved in this operation. Yet knowing this, you surge forward with the thought that your country shall prosper further with our assured protection." The G.U.N commander thrust his fist forward. "For our people!"

"FOR OUR NATION!"

"Hi there, Liz. Been a while since I talked to you."

"Baby sis! Thank goodness you're still around."

Eliza raised an eyebrow that her sister couldn't see. "You expected me to kick the bucket or something?"

Elizabeth shook her head. Her sister was as hyperactive as ever. But still…"Can you blame me? With all the things going on in Westopolis, I can't help but worry about you."

"Well, I'm fine! I told you that since I moved into this apartment."

"Are you positive, Eliza?"

"Why?"

"Because I want you to move into Station Square with me."

Eliza widened her eyes at that proclamation. "How come?"

"It's not safe in Westopolis anymore. Gang wars, highway chases. The city even went on lockdown. That's serious business, Eliza. It's one of the reasons why I moved to Station Square."

"Station Square is boring! I've been there before and the only thing that gets the place hyper is when Sonic comes and stops Eggman. Here is Westopolis, action is everywhere!"

"That's a dangerous habit to have, Eliza. Remember, careful what you wish for…"

"Oh whatever. I'm still staying in Westopolis and that's final."

Eliza didn't hear her sister over the line for a short while. For a second, she wondered if she hung up on her but after hearing a sigh, Elizabeth responded. "I'm not happy about this, baby sister. You're the only family I have left and if I lost you…"

"I can take care of myself, Liz. Don't worry about anything."

"Can you at least promise me that you'll come to Station Square to visit me?"

She was about to respond with an easy 'yes' but instead, she responded with a teasing sound in her voice. "Of course. I'll even bring Crimson with me."

"C-Crimson?"

"Yep! That handsome hedgehog you have a crush on!"

"I-I do not!"

Found a chip in that calm armor that was her sister's personality. "Sis, you're not fooling anyone. The first time you brought him over, I saw the looks you gave him. I'm not blind, Liz. Or stupid."

Elizabeth sighed on the other line. "Be as that may, I'm not crossing any lines. He isn't human so it wouldn't work out. Besides, with what I've seen on the news…"

"So what if he causes chaos and a bit furry on the side? I just so happen to like that in a guy."

"I really don't know what to do with you." Eliza laughed over the line. "Listen. I have some errands to run. Be careful and promise me you'll come to my place sometime, ok?"

"I will, Sis. Take care." With that, Eliza hung up the phone and looked out the window of her apartment with her cheek resting in her palm.

The conversation she had with her sister was the usual checking up on family and such. Complete with mother-like tendencies and stories of life in Westopolis. Then she unintentionally spoke about Crimson.

To be honest, even though she spoke of the mercenary in her usual manner, inside she was still in a sort of…conflict with how she thought of him.

When she first saw him appear in her apartment, he immediately screamed 'badass' in her mind. Uncaring look on his face, powers that humans don't possess, and one of the most 'awesome' reputations credited to name…yeah, those kinds of guys are rare.

Yet…it scared her how Crimson didn't care who he worked for.

'Crimson, you can't trust him! He'll just backstab you in the end!'

'Won't be the first time it happened.'

A part of her shouldn't be so affected by it if she thought about what being a mercenary implied. But…

Her thoughts were cut off when she saw a fighter plane with the G.U.N insignia brought wind that tussled her hair as it flew in a certain direction.

"What the-"

A few minutes earlier….

"Once again, you and I secured another priceless jewel." Rouge stared at the Master Emerald in her jet's claw and back at Shadow with a teasing smile. "It's as if you're proposing to me."

Shadow was not amused. "Will this be all?"

"Yes, yes. I call if I need help again. Bye~" With that, the cockpit closed and Rouge took off. The ivory beauty was pleased in how this turned out. Her 'employer' wanted this emerald for some reason and it was right up her ally to accept this mission. Now to meet up with them and cherish her new prize.

Meanwhile, Shadow skated back to Westopolis. It wasn't far from his drop off point so it was an easy stroll or run back over there. The sun started to set too so looking at the landscape with that background calmed his mood and made him think positive. He actually had a decent fight against the echidna, the mission was completed, and he learned something new.

And he might not see that bat girl again. Huge emphasis on 'might'. Yup. Things were looking up.

"Over there! Target located!"

Maybe he thought too soon. Shadow looked up and saw two Flying Dog robots aim their sights at him and shoot two rockets. Reacting quick, Shadow accelerated to the nearest rocket then jumped off it and angled his body in mid-air to dodge the second one and throw Chaos Spears at the machines which both avoided.

It didn't take long until the Flying Dogs activated their gatling guns and opened fire on Shadow. Said hedgehog responded by jumping back three times and leaping on a nearby branch. Then seeing an opening, Shadow leapt from the branch and landed a solid Homing Attack on one of the Flying Dogs.

"Calling all units! I need backup at these coordinates! Repeat, backup at these coordinates!" That was the last order the pilot gave before his Flying Dog got destroyed by multiple Chaos Spears.

Shadow stared at the remaining machine parts of the Flying Dog. If he remembered correctly, this was the same contraption that he fought at the museum a while back with that batwoman. Did they find his location?

He wasn't able to think of this further because more bullets littered on the ground near him. Shadow jumped away from them and looked in the sky…and cursed.

In the orange hued sky, more Flying Dogs and fighter planes had their sights aimed on him. Why were these guys out here? Did they have some sort of vendetta against him?

Did someone finally trace Crimson Streak's location?

He didn't have time to think before he jumped in the air to avoid rockets and gun fire. Shadow performed a Homing Attack on the nearest Flying Dog and chained it to five more before uncurling himself and throwing Chaos Spears in all directions.

This repeated itself for a while. Shadow continuously pummeling mechas with Homing Attacks, mid-air combos, and Chaos Spears to the engines.

When Shadow finally touched the ground from his aerial warfare, he was breathing heavily from minute wounds that he'd taken. On top of his wounds and bruises from his fight with the echidna, the damage was slowly piling up. But even so, Shadow felt like he could keep going for a bit. If only to figure out why these guys were messing with him.

"Quick! While it's on the ground! Ready the D.I.S.T.R.U.B.E.R missiles!"

After that command was given, two fighter planes that stood out from the rest displayed a green colored missile that had the DISTRUBER mark on it. Both were pointed at Shadow who caught his breath and leapt back into action.

"We get only one shot at this! Keep the target distracted to give us a clear shot!"

Still unaware, Shadow charged into a fighter plane with a Homing Attack then jumped from its remains and focused on a nearby Flying Dog. Said Flying Dog shot its own missiles but Shadow jumped off of each one and once he got close enough, destroyed the mech with a Chaos charged punch. Not wasting time, Shadow avoided more gunfire and fought the next machine.

High above, the two fighter planes kept their sights on Shadow and waited for the right opportunity. The pilots wanted to help their comrades but knew the risks involved in their mission and stayed focused.

Then, Shadow fell to the ground again after taking a hit from a rocket.

"NOW!"

Both DISTURBER missiles were fired at the same time and once they hit the ground, a shockwave filled the air. The G.U.N forces didn't get affect by it…but Shadow did.

Because his entire body felt the effects in full force.

"W-what's happening?" It felt as if his whole body was being electrocuted at the highest frequency. Even worse, he couldn't feel the Chaos Energy in his body! "U-uaaagh!"

Shadow's vision was starting to get blurry once he got on one knee. Through his pain, he didn't notice a capsule surround his space and encase him in it.

Shadow didn't even feel the capsule move when he fell unconscious.

Yeah. On and off with this whole 'fanfic' shindig.

Criticism is gold.