Chapter 1 The Journey Begins

The dark dense forest was eerily quiet under the full white moon. The trees cast spooky shadows on the ground, scaring all who entered out. The only sound being made was by an owl who occasionally hooted every once in a while.

Those who dared to enter often never returned. And those who were fortunate enough to escape told stories of nightmarish beasts. Others came out in complete shock or had lost all rational ability to think properly. But, the most unfortunate ones died shortly after being found with no medical reason as to why.

That was why two brave souls entered the "Forbidden" forest as many had come to call it. Their reason was kept secret to all but themselves. They had been warned by many of the locals not to venture within, but nothing could or would sway them from their purpose.

Shadow the Hedgehog and his fellow GUN agent, Rouge the Bat, steadily made their way deeper into the "Forbidden" forest. Their mission, find the sources of these stories, problems, and deaths at all cost. Their mission was clearly, but finding the source was proving to be a challenge. Since searching after entering the forest before sunrise and now it being after midnight while not finding anything was frustrating to say the least. Bit the two partners restlessly continued to search for clues.

"Shadow." Rouge called to the black and red hedgehog walking in front of her. A glimpse over his shoulder was the only acknowledgement the albino bat received that she had gained his attention. "What do we do now, hon?"

Shadow was about to state the obvious, that they would continue searching, until he could see the clear exhaustion present in Rouge's aqua green eyes. Her typically perfect posture was now replaced by slightly slumped shoulders and sagging wings. Thanks to being the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow didn't need to sleep. But Rouge was like any mortal, her body needed rest.

After sighing and eternally cursing himself for forgetting about his friend and ally's needs, Shadow replied with his typical frown, "We find a safe place to rest for the night and start searching again in the morning." He could see the pure relief evident in the bat's eyes as her unasked request was answered.

"A GUN satellite map showed an old trapper's cabin not far from our location. We can rest there." Rouge replied with a slight smile.

Though he obviously wanted to continue their search, the hedgehog also knew the best way to complete their mission was to let Rouge rest since there were no threats because that could easily change. Shadow knew that if need be, the bat could keep going for many days. But being that there was nothing pressing at the moment, they could allow a few hours for sleep.

"Which way is it?" The Ultimate Lifeform inquired as he turned to face her.

"About a quarter of a mile to the north. It should be just over that hill." Rouge informed as she pointed out with her finger the very hill for her friend to see.

With a single nod, Shadow took the lead. His destination, the old trapper's cabin.

They made their way up the hill, Rouge was grateful the slope wasn't too steep, making the climb easier on her already worn out legs.

"Rouge, is that it?" Shadow asked after they reached the top. The albino spy followed the hedgehog's line of sight, and just down the hill, not too far into a large clearing, stood the cabin.

"Thank goodness!" Rouge declared as a roll of thunder could be heard above them. "And not a moment too soon." They looked up to see the once clear star filled sky now replaced by thick clouds.

The full bright moon was almost completely covered by a dark thunderstorm. The smell of rain was in the air as the whole clearing was lit up by lighting, then followed by ear deafening thunder.

The storm's electricity made Shadow's fur stand on end, signifying that he was the next target point for an electrifying shock. Rouge opened her mouth to say something but before she could, the crimson striped hedgehog grabbed her around the waist, pulled her into a tight embrace and chaos controlled to the base of the hill they were just standing on.

Rouge stare in shock as lighting struck the top of the hill, disintegrating all the grass and catching a lone dead tree on fire.

"That would have hurt." The bat sarcastically stated. "Thanks, handsome."

"Hmm. Let's go, the cabin isn't much farther." Shadow replied as he released her then started making his way through the now pouring rain.

The cabin was only a little over two hundred yards away, but by the time they got inside, they were soaked to the bone.

It was a modest little place. Old, yes, but it was obviously still being used which was strange.

There were no leaks on the roof which Rouge was internally thankful for, and the glass in the windows had recently been replaced. There was a stack of chopped wood by a large stone fireplace, and canned food on the only cabinet in the kitchen beside the sink. The only furniture was a small wooden table with two matching chairs and a queen size bed made out of logs.

"Strange, for this forest to be 'Forbidden', this cabin is oddly being well kept up." Shadow voiced both of their thoughts.

"I agree. If everyone is so afraid of this place, then why is someone obviously staying here?" The albino bat asked confused as she walked into the kitchen to look at the canned food. "Whoever is staying here hasn't been gone long, there's no dusk on these cans." Rouge threw a can to her partner, who easily caught it for him to see.

The Ultimate Lifeform's fierce crimson red eyes glared at the can of beans in his hand, hoping it would shed some light as to the answers to all their questions.

"Well, I guess they won't mind if we help ourselves seeing that we can't leave because of this storm." Rouge sarcastically said while it thundered as if to prove her point. "Shadow, could you build a fire while I see if I can find something to open these cans with?"

"No."

"No?" The bat repeated. "And why, may I ask, not?" She asked cockily, placing her hands on her hips.

"Cause someone could see the smoke. We don't need for whoever or whatever in this forest to know we're here." Shadow rolled his eyes, annoyed that she hadn't thought of that. "That is, if you want to get any sleep."

"Yes, well, I suppose you're right... But how are we suppose to dry off? Surely you do not expect us to stay wet like this?" Rouge motioned to her own soaked body. Her white fur and combat outfit was dripping wet, not to mention Shadow's soaked fur and drooping quills that were leaving a puddle on the wooden floor.

"I will look around for something for us to use to dry off with, I'm sure there is something that we can use."

Shadow began his search as Rouge found a handheld can opener. The ebony hedgehog was pleased to find two towels in the cabinet beside the sink. He handed one to the bat just as she set two opened cans of food on the table.

"I'm glad you found something." Rouge replied as a smirk grew on her face. "A grumpy Shadow I can handle, but a wet grumpy Shadow no one can deal with." The spy softly giggled at her joke as the agent glared at her before looking down at the table.

"Rouge, I..."

"Don't even start it, Shadow." The albino bat interrupted. "I know all too well that you're the Ultimate Lifeform and technically don't need to eat, but we are on a mission and you need food. Now, sit down and eat."

If it were anyone other than Rouge, Shadow would have put them in a three week coma. But he wouldn't. For one: she could put up a really good fight, two: a conscious partner was easier to work with than an unconscious one, and three, the hedgehog found himself never wanting to hurt the bat that he considered a close friend.

The Ultimate Lifeform sat down to eat his cold dinner. His eyebrow slightly raised in surprise as he found the can place in front of him was sliced pears, that happened to be his favorite fruit.

"Now don't be shy. I've watched you eat three cans of pears at once." Rouge proclaimed as she saw Shadow hesitating.

"I'm not the only one that needs to eat. So eat." Shadow commanded authoritatively.

"I will, just as soon as you start to. So eat." The spy threw back the command.

Though not wanting to give in, The dark hedgehog reluctantly took a bite of pear while staring heated daggers at the unfazed bat. Pleased at knowing she had won, Rouge sat down in her own chair across from Shadow then began to eat her own can of peaches.

After finishing their own can of fruit, the two GUN partners sat in silence listening to the storm that continued to rage. Even though there was no fire and they were on an important mission, the two agents found the place peaceful.

The hedgehog took his crimson red eyes off the window displaying the raging storm outside and placed them onto the treasure huntress who was slightly shivering even though her clothes and body were now dry. Her eyelids drooping, threatening sleep.

"You take the bed, Rouge. I'll keep watch." Shadow said, refocusing his eyes on the window.

"Thanks, hon." Rouge replied through a yawn while standing the made her way to queen size bed.

She pulled back the thick red plaid quilt. Surprisingly, clean white sheets invited the tired weary spy in. But before laying down, she took the tan blanket folded at the end of the bed to Shadow who nodded his thanks.

"Goodnight, Shadow."

"Night, Rouge." The midnight hedgehog replied as Rouge all but disappeared under the covers, the only part uncovered was her white head and large bat ears.


Hope you liked my first chapter. I have the first 6 chapters already written. I will post the next chapter soon.

For some reason I have been having a hard time updating my chapters as I add to them and adding new chapters. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.