I don't own Sonic or Sega.

6. On the Hunt

Ryko drove up in his '64 Cobra, his sunglasses slightly below his eyes, as usual. He hopped out of the car and walked towards G.U.N headquarters. The commander had asked for a meeting today, and he had a feeling it had something to do with Ares. The conversation was supposed to be secret. He walked into the building. Sadie was writing something down to his left.

"Ey, Sadie."

"Hi, Ryko. Where ya goin'?"

"To the commander's office." He walked off.

The commander's office? Hmmm… , Thought Sadie. She wondered what they could be talking about. The commander called him 'the best in the force' the other day. She didn't even know what he did here. Curiosity won and she quickly followed him. He walked through the door. She leaned up close and put her ear on the door.

"Hello, Ryko."

"Sup, Commander."

"I need to talk to you about that contract."

"You can say his name, Commander."

"Fine. I'm here to talk about Ares."

Sadie froze in fear. They couldn't possibly be talking about…

"Do you know where Ares is?"

"Does anyone?"

Sadie, like the rest of the world, thought Ares to be dead.

"Well, you need to find him. You're our only assassin."

Sadie went wide-eyed. Ryko was an assassin? No wonder he was so good! But assassins don't need to pickpocket people…

"Don't worry, I'll do it Commander."

"Alright. If you don't find him in the next 72 hours, tell me."

"Yes sir."

Sadie was listening to see if anything else would be said. When nothing was spoken she turned around only to see Ryko standing an inch from her face.

"Curious one, aren't we?"

"How did you-"

"The commander and I record our conversations beforehand. When I walk into his office I go out the back door and come around. I've never caught anybody before… until today."

"So you're an assassin, and your target happens to be Ares the Mesmer, who for 10 years everybody thought was dead."

"Correct."

"And if you don't find any info on the dude's whereabouts in three days you have to tell him of your failure."

"Correct."

"I'm also assuming you were the assassin that killed Ares a few years back."

"Correct."

A long silence took place.

"This is awkward."

"Indeed."

Ryko looked at her. She was sleek white, and she wore her hair naturally, unlike most female hedgehogs who used a headband. She was wearing tactical combat boots and gloves like Ryko's with straps on the sides.

"I won't tell anybody about this… if you let me go on this mission with you."

"Sure."

That surprised Sadie. She was thinking she'd get a no-way-it's-to-dangerous response.

"Just a warning though, you might bump into my friend Hades."

"Who's that?" Ryko smiled.

"You'll see for yourself."

The went outside and Ryko hopped in his cobra.

"Get in."

"Where did you get this?"

"I bought it."

"But these things cost-"

"About 2,000,000 rings? Trust me, I know."

"How did you get enough money?"

"I get paid 4,000,000 rings a year."

"I only get paid 1,000,000!"

"You aren't G.U.N's only assassin. Get in."

Sadie hopped in the back seat. Ryko raised an eye.

"You're sitting in the back?"

"I didn't know if-"

"You get an opportunity to ride in a '64 Cobra and you open the door and get in the back?"

"But-"

"Just hop in the front seat."

She did as told and they drove off. She couldn't help but smile as they sped down the highway.

Central City, 3:00 PM

It didn't take very long before Hades burst through a portal of fire. Sadie shook so hard she jumped. Ryko started laughing.

"Hey, I warned you about him."

Hades studied her closely.

"I'm assuming you're-"

"Your mother was Aelia."

Sadie froze. Ryko looked amused.

"We have more in common than I thought, sweetheart."

"What, you didn't have a mother?"

"Daddy."

Hades was still watching her.

"Your mother was outgoing, tough… and scared of everything she saw."

"Gee, really?" Said Ryko sarcastically.

"I'm assuming you're looking for Ares?"

"Yes, we are. What were you doing?"

"The same. I've managed to locate him."

"Kind enough to share?"

"He's working from an abandoned base of Eggman's."

"Why wouldn't he?" Alright Sadie, let's go."

As they were walking around, a figure jumped from the trees."

"Sup, Ryko."

Ryko looked very annoyed. Standing in front of them was a purple hedgehog, just like Ryko, although she was female and was wearing a headband.

"Finally got a girlfriend, huh?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Your sister?" Asked Sadie. Ryko nodded.

"This is Nikki. She's a freedom fighter."

Nikki nodded, a smile on her face.

"Thought I'd swing by. And who would this be? Another G.U.N agent?"

"Sadie."

"Say Nikki, I've got a friend who hasn't met you yet. Oh Hades!"

The portal appeared and out came Hades. He looked at Nikki.

"You have your Dad's eyes."

Nikki froze.

"How did you know him?"

"He knows everything. Well, now that we have a group, sis, we should get going. Hop in the car, everybody! Well, you don't need to, Hades."

Eggman Base, 5:30 PM

Ares was smiling. Nikki was leading them right into the trap! This was easy. He preferred challenges, but these days it didn't seem like there were many. He shrugged and picked up his cell phone.

"Apollo? They're coming soon. Take up your formation. Nikki's brought us our catch of the day."

Ryko's Car, 5:00 PM

"I have to sit in the back seat?" Asked Nikki.

"Yep. Tough break, sis. Sadie has shotgun."

"So, tell me about yourself Nikki." Nikki shrugged.

"Not much to say. I joined the freedom fighters when I was twelve and for the past five years I've been, well, fighting for freedom."

"How did you and Ryko get that purple color?"

"My dad was red and my mom was blue. You get purple."

"Ah."

"Weren't your parents both white in color?"

"Nah, one was green and one was orange. I'm an albino."

Ryko noted that she had red eyes.

"Well, that's pretty cool"

"So they say."

"Well, we're here."

"This looks like the perfect place for a trap."

Nikki Smiled.