A/N: Written unironically at 3am

Sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed through the forest. The Self-Proclaimed Ultimate life Form, Shadow the Hedgehog, was currently destroying highly dangerous robots with extreme efficiency and firepower outside an abandoned Eggman Fortress. He, alongside Rouge and Omega, had been sent by G.U.N to gather any items or information of value and to eliminate any remaining enemies from several bases. After using a Chaos Spear to eliminate the remaining badniks, he began to make his way towards the entrance of the Fortress.

Shadow raised his arm to activate his communicator. "Status Report. I've eliminated any opposition from the base's exterior. I had expected more of a challenge from these robots."

"As expected of Shadow~ Though, unfortunately it seems there was nothing of value here after all… Everything was wiped clean, just like the last two places." Rouge said dejectedly through the communicator.

"Hmph. I'll have to give some credit to the Doctor. He usually isn't this thorough." 'A bit too thorough' he'd thought. His gut was telling him that something about this felt a bit off.

"Though, the question remains, why leave units to guard these bases with nothing to guard?" Rouge questioned. She had found this to be odd as the units of robots would usually be recalled by the hard boiled doctor himself.

"The possibility of Dr.Eggman returning is likely. The man has been in hiding for over three weeks. He may be planning something big." Omega commented over the communicator. Rouge could practically hear Omega begin to ramble on about his plans for revenge so she planned to cut the chatter.

"We'll have to report this to H.Q in the meantime. Be on the lookout for any reinforcements while Omega and I get out of this dump!" The line ended there.

In response, Shadow lowered his arm and used Chaos Control to teleport to the outskirts of the base.

The forest that surrounded the forest was devoid of life, mainly due to the fact that Dr.Eggman had captured most of the animals that had inhabited the forest for his badniks. The sounds of Shadow's own steps felt more audible than ever, which made it harder to be stealthy. Thus, Shadow was alone with his thoughts.

The threat that was Dr.Eggman loomed on Shadow's mind as he began to question the presence of Badniks at this location. Was this a trap? Or was this merely a distraction?

The former was unlikely as Rouge and Omega had not found any evidence of this location being a trap. Shadow trusted his teammates well enough that he did not doubt their abilities.

The latter could be viable, but Shadow would have received a report if he had. If the Doctor was merely going after Sonic, why would he place them here?

Dr.Eggman couldn't have just left them here and then have forgotten about them… right?

Shadow audibly sighed.

'I couldn't have given the Doctor too much credit… I'll have to talk to Rouge and Omega about this later.' he'd thought.

Aa Shadow began to finish checking the perimeter, he sensed another presence. Quickly readying himself for any incoming attacks, he searched the area for Any incoming attacks.

Shadow quickly teleported a foot away in the air after feeling a small sensation on top of his quills, turning to kick the enemy that dared touch his head.

As he turned he saw his opponent, still frozen as Shadow had been using chaos control. He then quickly stopped his kick midair.

It had been a Chao, of all things, that had snuck up on him. He silently laughed at himself for putting up a guard for something as weak as a Chao. He took a closer look at the chao after stopping Chaos Control.

He didn't know much about Chao, but he knew enough to tell that it was a Dark Chao, and one that oddly resembled himself. The only exception was that the Chao's stripes were green instead of red. It also bore a small frown that was an upside down V shape. In all honesty, it was very adorable.

Shadow wondered why a chao would be near here. Most of the wildlife, including the local chao had either left the area, or for worse, had been eliminated or used to power some of the Doctor's badniks. 'Had this Chao been left behind?'

The Chao remained midair, looking at Shadow who had just suddenly moved from one spot to another in an instant. Oddly enough, the chao had said nothing and just floated toward Shadow once more.

Shadow looked back toward the small Chao. "I don't have time to play games. It's dangerous here so suggest you leave."

"Chao…" The Chao said in a barely audible voice.

As Shadow began to leave, the Chao squirmed in place looking at the black hedgehog. After summoning enough courage, the Dark Chao quickly flew toward Shadow as fast as he could and latched onto his quills.

"Chao Chao!" It said in a distressed voice that was louder than before. Gripping onto Shadow's quills harder than before.

Stopping right in his tracks, Shadow contemplated for just for a minute before letting out a small sigh. He reached out and grabbed the Chao and brought it to his face. It looked like it was about to cry.

"You're a persistent one, I'll give you that. Just stay close." The Chao's face perked up considerably, giving a nod as affirmation. The second Shadow had let go of it, the Chao had taken this as an opportunity to lie on top of Shadow's head. Shadow groaned a bit but decided to finally head back.

As Shadow was keeping his eyes and ears peeled for any possible reinforcements, he took note of the now sleeping Chao. In all honesty, it was very adorable.

On his way back, he'd passed by some fruit trees and grabbed a few of some of the low hanging fruit to store them for later. They weren't for him of course, but for his temporary Chao companion. He just didn't want to deal with a hungry and crying Chao when it woke up. Yes, that was definitely it.

On his way back, he had passed by some fruit trees and grabbed a few of some of the low hanging fruit to store them for later. They weren't for him of course, but for his temporary Chao companion. He just didn't want to deal with a hungry and crying Chao when it woke up. Yes, that was definitely it.

He approached the broken remains of what had been the entrance to the Fortress. Rouge and Omega still hadn't returned to the surface, so Shadow crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

Thinking back on the mission, Omega had certainly made an entrance when he had decided to just simply walk through the door. Literally.

Shadow chuckled to himself, 'Sometimes I feel like he takes orders literally on purpose.' he'd thought.

A/N Note: Reviews would be cool. I'll try to respond to some at the end of each chap. Ngh, I realized how bad I am at writing Rouge and Omega, and action, and dialogue, and descriptions (basically everything). I may even go back fix problems I see with this chapter once I release chapter 2.

This is hell to type out on mobile, especially now that I got an IPhone. Damn this small spacebar! Yeah, the world hopping is next chap, sorry to disappoint. Also, yeah, I'm starting on Shadow since starting with Sonic is a bit too... reminiscent of Sonic X.

Don't worry, we'll see blue blur soon.