It's been half a year since the second Underworlder War. All was at peace and everyone was as happy as could be.

Right now, Runa, the five chao, Sara, Junior, Bubbles and Lucy were walking through the hallways of G.U.N. Headquarters. Right after Leo and Lariel's wedding, the G.U.N. Commander, Abraham Tower, offered Runa training in G.U.N.. She accepted. The reason why Sara, Lucy, Bubbles, Junior and the five chao came in was because Abraham had prepared an apartment for them.

The one who's touring them was one of the G.U.N. soldiers.

As Runa, the five chao and the human friends walked through the halls, Lucy spoke up first. "I'm jealous. If only my father was in G.U.N., he would’ve had… well, all of this, and he would’ve been friends with you and the others."

"U.F.P.D. and G.U.N. are allies. There's no need to worry about that. Whether you're a policewoman or a G.U.N. Agent, we'll always be allies," the G.U.N. soldiers said.

"Yeah. You're probably right," Lucy said.

"Okay. Now that we're done with the tour, let's go to the apartment for you to stay in," the G.U.N. soldier said.

Bubbles jumped for joy as her hands formed a "V" position. "Hooray!"

Rosy formed the same body position. "Chao-chao!"

Lucy, Junior — who was now walking — Sara, the five chao and Runa, turned to them with smiles on their faces.

———————————————————————

Later on…
Runa’s Assigned Apartment Room, 5 minutes away from G.U.N. Headquarters

Surprised and amazed shocks appeared on Runa’s and her group's faces. Runa was not as surprised as the rest because she was informed by Abraham.

Bubbles let out a gasp. "Shadow! You're gonna be roommates with us?"

"Chao-chao!" Mystico exclaimed.

Right before them was Shadow the Hedgehog. He had a blank expression. His right fist was on his hip and his other arm laid to his side.

"Yeah. The Commander told me," Shadow said.

Grateful smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

"That's great!" Sara said.

"Chao-chao!" Shania said.

"Chao-chao, chao-chao-chao, chao," Mystico said.

"Chao-chao!" the other four chao chimed in, agreeing with Mystico.

Shadow slightly lowered his head. He closed his eyes and let out a light chuckle.

"Mystico says we're grateful to have you as a roommate, Shadow. In fact, so am I," Runa said, smiling at Shadow. "If there's anything you need, please inform any of us." As she said her last sentence, her eyes closed and she formed a smile on her face.

Shadow's eyes widened. His mouth opened a bit and a tint of blush appeared on his cheeks. Seeing Runa's smile made his heart beat rapidly. Because of that, a new feeling struck through him again.

"I'm looking forward to living with you," Runa continued.

"Me, too," Lucy said.

“Me, three!” Bubbles exclaimed as she jumped joyfully while raising her right fist in the air.

"Same here," Sara said.

"Shaddy!" Junior exclaimed.

"Chao-chao!" the five chao said.

Shadow let out a light chuckle again. "Same with you."

With that, Runa, the five chao and the human friends began to settle down in the apartment.

———————————————————————

A few days passed since then. Runa trained in G.U.N. every morning, leaving Bubbles, Lucy and Sara to take care of the five chao and Junior. Runa would go on assignment missions if necessary. She and the others ate lunch during lunch break, and she did chores every night. One of Runa's chores included helping Shadow iron the bedsheets, and making dinner the way it’s supposed to be.

Shadow had introduced Runa to the interiors of the ARK and what people did there. That’s why she cooked dinner for Shadow like people did in the ARK. Her first few attempts were a struggle, but she managed eventually.

Then, in the middle of one night...

"Sara."

That voice shot Sara's eyes open in bed. She pushed herself up on her sitting position as she let out a word. "Huh?"

Sara turned to her surroundings. On her left, there laid a window. Through the window, she could see a dark sky filled with stars and a full moon. Then, on her right, there laid Lucy and Bubbles asleep on their own beds beside hers. Further ahead were Runa and Shadow sleeping on the same bed, but their backs faced each other, so that their sleeping positions wouldn't look weird.

Between Shadow and Runa's bed, and Bubbles' bed was a basket full of the five chao and a mini bed made for Junior.

They were all fast asleep.

"Sara."

Sara whipped her head back to the window. It's that sound again, she thought.

For some reason, curiosity struck through Sara. She found herself reaching her hand towards the window. A few moments later, Sara realized this and pulled her arm towards herself. Her hand clenched to her chest as her head lowered down in concern. What if they notice I'm gone? What if they get angry at me for leaving without permission? What if...?

"Sara."

Sara turned back to the window.

"Come, child. Come. Come home."

Sara's eyes widened and her eyes sparkled at the last word the voice said. "Home," she muttered.

Temptation took over Sara. And so, she found herself reaching out her hand towards the bottom of the window. She pushed it open and walked through the window. With her pajamas still worn.

———————————————————————

The next day…
Briefing Room, G.U.N. Headquarters

"What?!"

Everyone's shocked faces turned to Abraham in the discussion room. The ones who were involved inside the room were Team Dark, Runa, the five chao and another G.U.N. group called the “Spider Troupe.”

The one who exclaimed that word a few moments ago was Runa. Runa's hands made contact with the table, trying her best not to slam it. She rose from her seat as her face was filled with shock in disbelief. "Sara's gone missing?!"

"I'm afraid so, Runa. One of our soldiers spotted Sara walking out of the apartment in her pajamas. It didn't look like she's sleepwalking. Rather, it looked like she'd been hypnotized. That soldier followed Sara around, but somehow, he lost her. We'll investigate Sara's whereabouts, then when we find her, we'll take her back to G.U.N. immediately," Abraham said.

Abraham turned to Shadow, Rouge and Omega. "Team Dark, you have connections with Sara. You'll be doing a heavy investigation. Please, keep situations calm and under control. I don't want any havoc to be involved."

Shadow nodded. "Of course."

"Right away, Commander," Rouge said with a smile.

"Affirmative," Omega said.

Abraham turned to Spider Troupe. "Spider Troupe, Team Dark might encounter a part of the investigation that's too heavy. Please, provide support like you did in the New Black Comet."

"Yes, sir," Spider Troupe agents replied.

Runa raised her hand, grabbing Abraham's attention. "Excuse me. Commander. What can I do?" she asked.

Abraham turned to Runa. "I want you to stay and guard the apartment."

"What?" Runa asked in confusion.

"I know how much you desire to help Shadow in times of need. I know you're created to help him protect the world and connect him to others, but right now, your state of training is not enough for you to go on a big mission like this. Plus, there are people and chao you have to take care of. If I know you're ready, we'll be calling you. Do you understand, Runa?"

It took a few moments before Runa inhaled deeply. Then, she exhaled in defeat. "Yes, Commander. I understand."

“Good. You’re all dismissed,” Abraham said.

With that, everyone, minus Abraham, exited the discussion room.

———————————————————————

Later on…
Runa and Shadow’s Apartment Room

After Runa informed Bubbles, Lucy, Junior and the five chao about everything Abraham told her and the others, they were all extremely shocked. Runa managed to calm them down, saying that she hoped Team Dark and Spider Troupe would find her.

Right now, Runa and the others did their usual routine. As they did, Runa started feeling... lonely.

For a while, Runa kept her faith in Team Dark and Spider Troupe to find Sara. She also kept her faith in Sara to come back. But somehow, it seemed like she's losing faith.

While Runa was ironing the bedsheet linens in the bedroom, the five chao flew over to her and stroked her gently. Mystico and Shania stroked her right back-arm. Bearace and Juniper stroked her back, and Rosy stroked her right shoulder.

"Choo-choo-choo," Rosy whimpered.

Runa stopped ironing and let out a sigh. "I know, guys. I know."

Runa slipped her hand away from the iron's handle and stretched out her upper back. After that, she continued ironing the bedsheet linens. She let out another sigh. "I really want to help Shadow, too… in some way… but the Commander feels like I'm not ready to go on a mission yet."

“Yeah. I wish we could find a way to help. In our own way, of course,” Lucy said, sitting on her own bed.

“I agree. Helping people is the right thing to do,” Bubbles said, sitting on her own bed.

With that, Runa continued to iron the bedsheet linens. Once she finished, she set them on every bed she and the others have, especially Shadow's.

Later on, they heard a faint explosion.

Everyone turned to the window to see a small explosion located ontop of one of the faraway hills.

"What is that?" Lucy asked.

"Chao-chao-chao-chao, chao-chao, chao!" Bearace asked. Roughly translated, "I was gonna ask the same thing!"

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it can't be good," Runa said.

With that, Runa walked her way to one of the cabinets behind the five chao's bed and Junior's bed. She opened the first drawer and pulled out her earpiece. She put it in her right ear and pressed and held it.

"Rouge. Rouge, can you read me?" Runa asked.

"Ah, Runa. I didn't expect you to call me when you're not on a mission with us," Rouge said.

"Yes. I'm not on a mission with you. I’m staying in the apartment like the Commander said. There's an explosion we saw on one of the faraway hills. Could that be tied to Sara's whereabouts?" Runa asked.

"*koff, koff* Yes, Runa. *koff, koff, koff* It appears that a black-hooded person has Sara in his hands. He says he has a plan to give her to what she calls 'home,'" Rouge said.

"Home?" Runa asked in confusion.

"Yes, but I got a bad feeling about this. It's best for you to not go, Runa. It could be a trap," Rouge answered.

"Maybe. We'll find out soon. See you around, Rouge."

"Bye, hon."

With that, Rouge and Runa both hung up.

Most of the general public thought Runa would stay and continue guarding the apartment. But in reality...

"What do you mean 'you're going?!' You know that would be against the Commander's words," Lucy said.

"Yeah! If you do this, you'll be grounded and we'll never be able to live here again!" Bubbles exclaimed.

"Chao-chao!" the five chao nodded in agreement.

Right in front of their eyes was Runa, with her backpack hanging on her shoulders at her back. She was seen walking towards the exit door of the apartment while hearing the protests Lucy, Bubbles and the chao were telling her. As soon as she reached for the door knob and opened it, she stopped.

Lucy's, Bubbles' and the five chao's faces were held in concern.

"Runa..." Lucy muttered.

"Chao..." Rosy muttered.

Runa slightly turned her head to them, but her eyes fully did.

“Sara is part of our family. And I’m going to save our family," she said.

With that, Runa exited the apartment and closed the door behind her. This left Lucy, Bubbles and the five chao in concern.

———————————————————————

Soon...

Runa found herself in a secret room nearby G.U.N. She was seen peeking into the room. And in that room was a short man with a bald head and a reddish-brown beard. He was seen wearing a science lab coat. Right before the man was Sara, trapped in a cage. Surrounding the cage were computers. One of the screens had the words "Operation: Conquest" on it. It involved three pictures. One being a satellite, another being a Space Colony ARK and another being the Master Emerald with a red cross on it. Beside it was a picture of DNA.

As soon as she saw this, Runa couldn't help but wonder. What's going on?

Runa listened carefully to the words the man and Sara were saying.

"Why did you bring me here? What business do you have with me?" Sara asked.

"Oh, should I tell you?" the man asked.

"Yes," Sara answered.

"Hmm..." the man began to think. "Ah! You don't know about the special power in your DNA, do you?" 

Sara's eyebrow raised in confusion. "Special power? What are you talking about?"

"A power that's very rare, my friend. You came from the line of humans with special chaotic powers in their DNAs. Perhaps, you grew up with it, but you never seem to realize you have one," the man explained.

"I don't know what's going on in your head, but leave me out of this! I know nothing about that kind of power and humans don't have powers!" Sara said, glaring at the man.

The man let out an evil chuckle. "If you don't understand that, everyone will deem you..." He walked away. "...dangerous."

Concern and insecurity washed over Sara. Her head slightly lowered and her eyes turned to the ground. She stepped back and sat in the cage.

Once the man was out of sight, Runa tiptoed her way to Sara's cage. Swoops from place to place were also seen. Once she got to Sara's cage, she turned to her surroundings to see if someone else was around. Turns out, no one, except herself and Sara, was present.

With that, Runa turned to Sara and let out a whisper. "Psst. Sara."

Sara turned to see Runa. She rose to her standing position and held the ironed bars. "Runa," she whispered.

“I’m getting you out of here,” Runa whispers determinedly.

With that, she attempted to break Sara out of the cage. She could hear Sara whisper-shouting at her, but she focused on breaking her free.

“No, Runa! Don’t! You’ll end up—!”

Sara's warning was cut short when a force suddenly pushed Runa off the cage. Runa landed on her back. Then, she rolled over her body a few times. Then, she stopped. Right now, her right side of the body laid on the ground.

A few moments later, Runa slowly got up. As she did, she heard Sara asking her in a voice only Runa could hear, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Runa answered as her feet finally landed on the ground. Runa pushed herself back onto her standing position and dusted off her dress with her hands.

Just then, a new voice popped in. “Hahahahahaha! It looks like I caught the wrong fish.” 

Sara and Runa turned to see the same man, pointing a gun at Runa. This time, more details of his features were revealed.

The man was short, yet streamlined and lean human. He was at the same height as most of the mobians, though his most distinguishing feature was his long beak-like nose. He had caucasian skin, green eyes, a completely bald head and a long reddish-brown beard that laid up until his collarbone. He was wearing a white G.U.N. lab coat with white gloves, green overalls, black boots and a red eyepiece worn on his left eye.

“No matter. The Fallen Hero will be dead again anyways.”