Life of a Shadow III: Crimson Doves
-GamerGirl

Disclaimer: No own, no sue.

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Chapter 3: Two Plans in the Works

The man in uniform paced back and forth behind his desk, chair slid back for room. After a few minutes of pacing, he turned to the man sitting in front of his desk and pounded his fists onto the desktop.

"Damn it Marriner!! How many times have we told you not to involve pedestrians in these matters!!"

"I know sir, but you-"

"And on top of that, trying to complete a mission that no longer needs to be completed! Marriner, we instructed all troops the day of the Biolizard incident that our hunt for Shadow was over!!"

"Yes, sir, I unders-"

"Then WHY did you go after Shadow, Marriner?! WHY?? Putting a gun to a woman's head that wasn't even involved in this in the first place.. Also the use of GUN weapons behind my back!"

David refused to even try to get a word in anymore. He decided to wait until this man was finished to make him see it his way.

"Having an Egg Golem fight Sonic the Hedgehog, hog-tying Amy Rose, and laser blasting Rouge the Bat WITH OUR OWN WEAPONRY!!!! She used to work for us Marriner!!"

He just nodded.

"This isn't going to go away.." The man said as he took a seat, holding his head, "ASSULTING WORLD-RENOUNED HEROES WILL NOT BE IGNORED BY THE PRESS! Can you say "law suit", Marriner?? You are so fired!!"

It was then that he couldn't take anymore without attempting to save his job. He firmly stood up and pounded his palms on to the desk also. "Listen sir, Shadow can still be of use to us! That's why I went after him! His fighting skills have only increased in quality, as well as cunning and evasion techniques, but his heart is getting in the way. We can get him back and save him sir."

"We don't NEED Shadow anymore Marriner! Get it through your thick skull! And we can't hold the press off any longer. You're going to take the heat for this, you were the only one involved. Maybe if you're fired, this won't go on GUN's record.."

"SIR! We can still use Shadow!! What do we do if there's a sudden war? Send in mortal troops only to send in replacements the following day?! Why should we when we can have the ultimate tool!"

"He's a living being too, David."

"Yes, but an immortal living being. Sir, what would you say if I told you I can get Shadow back AND cover up this whole tiff? Maybe cover it up even better than the ARK incident… And no one will be harmed or will know the slightest of the last predicament."

The man just stared off into space, unintentionally intrigued by this man's logic. We could take care of the last incident, and still get our best military weapon back without causing harm… "Okay Marriner. I'm convinced. But this is your last chance. And if the last predicament isn't cleared up by the end of the week, Shadow isn't here within the week, and if anyone is harmed again, you're as good as fired. Got it?"

"Yes sir, thank you sir." He said sternly, then turned to leave the GUN President's office with a devilish smirk on his face. For little did the President know, that his troops were already commanded by Marinner to search the city for clues as to Shadow's current whereabouts.

After three days of going out and hunting down rings, Shadow finally had enough money to purchase what he desired. He ran up to the nearest jewelry store and glanced in the window. In the window was the most beautiful gold ring he'd ever seen. It had a red rose in the center with a diamond in the center of that. And graceful markings were encrusted across the ring's exterior. It was perfect!- But how could he just walk in and ask for a ring? He didn't want people to think he was Mr. Sensitive or anything. So he ran over to Sonic's house. Upon knocking, Sonic answered and asked what Shadow wanted.

"Can you, uhh, buy something for me? It's not for me, it's just something I gotta pick up."

"That depends. What is it?" Shadow whispered "wedding ring" in Sonic's ear. "No way dude, I'm single and I ain't taking the chance of giving anyone the wrong signal."

Shadow mentally slapped his head.

"Fine. Think Tails could-"

"No."

"Well aren't we confident today?"

"Look, if you wanna get it that bad, what's so wrong with buying it yourself?"

Sonic did kinda have a point.

"Nothing, I've just never shopped for a female before."

"Pink."

"What?"

"When your shopping for a girl, and this is most likely Amy Rose we're talking about, all you gotta remember is that they love the color pink." Shadow cocked an eyebrow.

"Duh."

"Hey, you asked."

"Whatever." Shadow walked away and Sonic closed his door; didn't bother wondering what in the world that was even about. But what Sonic said earlier had intrigued him somewhat, "Look, if you wanna get it that bad, what's so wrong with buying it yourself?" It did make sense. Why would he care what anyone else thought?

When Shadow arrived at the shop and walked in, he specifically picked out that ring and had then instructed the jeweler to carve the words "Shadow Amy 4E" on the interior of the ring. At that point, he didn't care what the cost, so he just paid and left with the ring.

Meanwhile, at home, Amy was washing the dishes when she heard the phone ring. Immediately, she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Amy, I've been planning something special for you." Said a mysteriously familiar voice.

"You- you have?"

"Yeah, and it starts today. Just go down to the carnival that's currently being held in Twinkle Park. I've paid admission for you. You now have free rides there the rest of the day."

"But Shadow, aren't you coming with me?"

"Oh, I can't Amy, I'm so sorry. But when you come home tonight, I'll have another surprise for you. But I need enough time to set it up, so don't come back until the park closes, okay?"

"Sure thing Shadow! Love you, bye!"

"Bye."

Amy then hung up the phone, excitedly as she gathered her purse and got ready to leave. David Marriner hung up the phone also as he removed the voice-changer chip from his neck.

And meanwhile, yet again, Tails got ready for Andrea's first visit. He was gonna show her the Tornado. But unfortunately, Sonic decided to help him be cool in front of girls.

"Okay Tails, you gotta be smooth, let her make the decisions, and never- I repeat- NEVER disagree with her unless you know it's a subject that she's wrong in. And even then, try not to anyway."

"Yeah, sure Sonic."

"Don't talk about subjects that you're interested in, only things that involve her and her well-being. Chicks dig guys that care about them."

Tails couldn't respond anymore. Each tip Sonic gave seemed more and more confusing and intricate. After a few more tips about what not to eat, Tails spoke up again.

"Well, I don't wanna be late Sonic. I'll be seeing ya'." He then left out the door.

Thank God I got away from him. I'm just gonna go pick her up and go somewhere else. I can't bring her here with Sonic, he'll be following me around or be constantly hinting me behind her back.. Tails anime sweat-dropped as he imagined that and drooped his head, sighing loudly.