"Your report on Amy Rose?"

"I'll have it done by this week."

The Commander nodded in approval as he pulled out a black file from his desk's cabinet.

"There have been some last minutes changes to the Star Festival mission."

Shadow sighed, annoyed but still rolled with it. "Now what is it?"

.

And that's how Shadow ended up with Omega and a new agent called Mia. Rouge, being the smartass that she is, decided to ask for a week off just before the Star Festival.

The Star Festival was an annual festival to celebrate the union between the United Republic and the Acorn Kingdom. The mission was simple, keep an eye on the president and the royals.

He was fine with the president, but taking care of the royal family could be a real hassle.

"If you don't pick up the pace, we will leave you." Shadow looked back at the girl who was walking behind him.

"Yes, Mr. Shadow!" The girl ran in order to keep up. Shadow noticed that she was still keeping her distance, acting shyly.

"Don't call me 'Mr. Shadow." He asked.

"Yes, Mr. Shadow!"

Shadow growled lowly, a bit annoyed. Since Rouge wasn't with them, someone needed to fill in her spot. Therefore, the Commander assigned a temporary member, Mia. She had just graduated from G.U.N's academy at the top of her class. Shadow remembered her name from the lover letter he received a few days ago. Hence her shyness towards him.

"Shadow, I have spotted Princess Sally."

Shadow looked towards the Mobian Omega was pointing with his metallic hand. Indeed, Princess Sally was already on top of her parade cart. An enormous parade cart just like her kingdom. It was beautifully decorated with tulip flowers, which was the kingdom's official flower.

"Good, the parade is about to start. Omega, you lookout for the right. I'll keep a look on the left." Shadow directed his attention to Mia and it took only one look to make her skin shiver. "You look out for the back."

Shadow was actually starting to worry about her. She was becoming too red. The brown-furred female hedgehog nodded, almost making her round glasses fall from her round nose. She pushed them back and bowed quickly at Omega and Shadow, making her two braided tails move back and forth by the moment.

Mia walked all the way back to the parade cart. Omega and Shadow shared a look.

"She likes you," Omega said.

Shadow simply responded, "I know."

With that, they parted ways. The parade cart was so big that Shadow wasn't able to look at his teammates.

He heard the trumps play and the parade began.

It was the usual thing, they were going to walk slowly for a kilometer. Princess Sally, on top of her cart waving to the people of the United Republic. The President was on his black limousine and followed at the very end of the parade line.

Shadow kept looking to his left, giving looks to the girls who waved at him and were screaming for him.

He kept looking at them but in the hopes that Amy was there as well.

Suddenly, he felt the need to look good. He straightened his back and walked with a strong posture, gaining the many sighs of girls in love. However, he wasn't thinking about them. He wanted to look good just in case Amy was looking at him.

He had moved out of the Resistance simply because he didn't want to bother Amy any longer. Shadow would see her less and less now. He missed her but if he was honest ...

He was avoiding her.

Shadow knew he was getting too close to her and although he didn't mind at the beginning ... He was starting to get scared.

The night he danced with Amy was everything to him and he wished he could do it more often but ... what if one day ... she leaves him too?

He knew it was selfish of him but the thought still haunted his mind.

It wasn't only that, but G.U.N. also had its eyes on Amy. It was better to keep his distance for now until that issue is done.

Ever since the Commander told him the news about what happened in Twinkle Star Village in regards to Amy Rose, he just plainly avoided her.

He believed in her, but he just needed more proof.

However, he still felt bad. He came up with the stupidest excuse not to see her. That he wasn't available, too busy, ignore her texts and even ignore her in public.

She did it for two weeks. For the third week, she stopped trying.

A small pain in his chest became apparent the moment he remembered her face.

The people passing by in the streets. A disappointed face as she slowly stopped waving at him.

He turned around and walked away.

He really wished he could see her. Even if it was just for a few minutes.

It was a beautiful day, a blue sky. Children were laughing and waved at people participating in the parade. Shadow wasn't too fond of loud music but seeing most people enjoyed it. Vibrant colors and Shadow looked over at the Princess's parade cart. The tulips were different colors, soft pinks, yellows, and blues. The smell coming off them unique, Shadow had never smelled something like that before. Maybe a smell compared to it could be Amy's natural scent.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

People began to scream and run around. Chaos overtook the parade. Shadow looked around, trying to spot where the shots were coming from.

Then he remembered the mission at hand.

He went to the back of Princess Sally's parade cart. He found Mia, looking lost. Nothing new.

"Agent Mia! Look over the Princess! I will check on the President and Omega will keep an eye on the other royals!" Shadow said as he prepared to run to get to the President.

"But-" she tried to say something but Shadow with his powerful eyes, made her stay quiet.

"No, buts! Do your job!"

.

Shadow arrived at the President's limousine were more than 20 G.U.N. agents were already protecting it.

"Agent Shadow, asking for a report."

The leader agent of the group broke his position in the circle and walked towards Shadow.

"Intelligence Department hasn't been able to locate the Mobian who started the shooting."

"The President?"

"He is alright."

"Agent Shadow, here agent Mia. There's an issue."

Shadow walked away as he paid attention to his wrist communicator.

"Whatever it is, fix it yourself," said Shadow. "I am going to go help civilians now."

Shadow turned off his communicator. He began to run again. This time, he kept looking left and right, trying to get any clues he could.

But nothing.

He helped civilians evacuate and children find their mothers.

Three bombs detonated and buildings were falling apart. Shadow was quick to run to the falling buildings and helped whoever needed it.

He picked up a large number of boulders, helping the people who were under them. A cafe, an apartment, and a clothing shop.

"Agent Shadow, this is Agent Omega reporting."

Shadow kept running through the streets just to see if there was anyone else who needed help.

"Shadow here." He responded.

"Mia Reported: Princess Sally was kidnapped."

.

"I hope we don't make it," said Shadow.

"Don't say that, please."

"Believe me, being dead will be better than the punishment we are going to get once we get back to headquarters."

Shadow and Mia were currently in the underground drainage tunnel of the city. They were following Princess Sally's GPS locator which was hidden in her wrist rings.

This could be two things. A trap for them or the one behind all of this was stupid.

Shadow perfectly knew that this was more likely a trap. This person was smart if they were able to trick G.U.N.'s Intelligence department.

"I think anything is better than this place," said Mia.

Shadow came to a sudden stop and he gave the girl an annoying look. "Rookies."

They kept walking. Oh, how he wished he could be with Amy right now. Talking about anything or just hanging out.

His mind wanders off again. He remembers the dance with Amy. Her tiny body in his arms, her intoxicating smell, and her green emerald eyes on him.

And all of a sudden, all of that was gone.

Shadow looked over to the girl. Mia was falling behind again. She walked slowly as she played with her fingers in a front and back motion. She had freckles in her face and even with them, Shadow could tell that she was blushing. Her pale complexion made the pink tint on her cheeks stand out and if Shadow didn't know better, she looked extremely anxious.

"Look, if we want this mission to be successful, I need you at your best," Shadow said he took a moment to fully turn to look at the girl. He knew that right now it wasn't the best moment to talk about the love letter but the girl was acting like a high school girl with a crush. He just couldn't have that in such an important mission. "I read your letter and I accept your feelings."

Shadow saw Mia's eyes light up and he decided to make it clear.

"But that doesn't mean I return them."

Shadow wasn't good at these kinds of things. He wasn't even one to read the letters but at the moment his curiosity had gotten the best of him. Especially because it was the first one he had seen with a name on it.

Now here he was, in a dark drainage tunnel with a brown hedgehog girl, saving a princess and denying the feelings of love.

The girl didn't look anxious anymore, she had stopped playing with her fingers and she looked relaxed even but her face became sadder as she finally dared to look at his face.

"I apologize," Shadow said, hoping that the girl didn't start to cry. "I am just not into dating right now."

Mia took a few moments to respond. "Is it because of the pink girl?"

"Pink ... girl?"

"Yes," Mia doubted for a bit but seeing that Shadow looked calm, she continued. "Everyone at G.U.N says you like her."

Shadow knew only one pink girl and that was Amy, he sighed. Could G.U.N's agents damn their own business?

"We are friends. That's it."

"I don't blame you if you do. I mean she is so pretty. A pink hedgehog! So unique! Not to mention that she was Captain of the Resistance." Mia took a pause.

She thought she was nothing compared to Amy. Mia didn't even know where she got the courage to write her name on that love letter for Shadow. She was just accepted as a G.U.N. agent a few weeks ago and had no ranking. She was very average and compare to the pink one or to anyone she was no one.

Or so she thought.

"You must think ... why is even someone like her confessing to me? She is so ugly and useless and-"

"I didn't say that. I said I accept your feelings. Isn't that enough for you?"

The girl felt a bit intimidated by Shadow's confident response, but once again she admired that about him.

She felt Shadow getting closer and Mia asked, "What do you mean?"

"It means that you can keep showing me your feelings. I don't mind," said Shadow.

"Wait ..." Mia added, "That means I can send you love letters and keep trying to make you ... fall in love with me?"

"Yes. Honestly, I don't want anything right now but if doing that makes you happy, then feel free to do it."

Shadow focused on the girl once again. Her face lightens up and she gives him a warm smile. Mia was content and Shadow was relaxed because finally, they could continue with their mission with that thought interrupting them.

"Now, " Shadow added, "Let's do this mission-"

"Ok, but why? Asked Mia.

"What?"

"Why are you letting me do this? I thought you weren't the type to like those things."

Shadow gave it a thought. He knew the truth but he just didn't want to admit it nor say it. At the back of his mind, he could see it. Mia slightly reminds him of Amy. Well, the old Amy who would chase after Sonic every day.

Even when they weren't friends back then, he hated seeing Amy cry for the blue one when Sonic would run away or deny her love.

Shadow just didn't want to be anything that causes or caused Amy's pain.

He just didn't want to be like the blue faker. Shadow wanted to be clear but also gentle towards the brown-fur girl.

"Honestly," said Shadow, "I don't even know myself."

.

It was very dark now and the two could hear the drip-drop of water droplets dripping from above.

Shadow tried really hard not to breathe. Mostly because his nose was very sensitive but a mission was a mission.

Finally, they found the place. Shadow's wrist communicator had many functions and one of them was serving as a locator. He looked at the small screen of the communicator where it showed a green and red dot. The green one was the princess and he was the red one.

She was above them.

Too easy.

Shadow looked around and nearby was a metallic door.

Alright, this definitely was a trap. No guards? No percussion? No fight?

"Alright, change of plans," Shadow said as he turned to look at Mia. "I am going alone. You go back to the surface and be prepared to call for back up in case I need it."

"But, this was my fault. If I had taken better care of the Princess, this wouldn't have happened."

"No, look, this is different ... All of this is strange. It's better if I go by myself."

"But-"

"That's an order. Go back, now."

Shadow raised his voice and the girl was shaken a little by his change of attitude. She nodded, turned around and ran away.

Shadow made sure she was out of his sight to focus back on the metallic door.

He walked towards it, a green light above it. Shadow closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Inhale and exhale.

BOOM!

Shadow kicked open the door. The door flew across the room and landed next to Princess Sally's cell.

"About damn time." Princess Sally said.

It was a security room, TV's covered the room except for Sally's cell.

"You have such a nice vocabulary princess. I'll take you out in a moment," Shadow said as he approached her cell. It was made out of iron, easy to break for him.

"But first," Shadow placed his face in front of the bars, looking at the tired-looking princess. "Did you see anyone?"

"Everyone was wearing masks."

"Of course." Shadow was fast to bend the cell's bars, creating a big opening for Sally to come out. "How many of them?"

"I don't know, no one was here when I woke up." Sally came out of the cell and added, "But, it was around three when they kidnaped me at my parade cart."

"Three uh?"

"Voice fully recognized: Start-Process Now."

Shadow and Sally looked around the room as the TV screens began to show a particular image. Some TV's had a count down of 3:00 minutes.

And the others ...

Shadow knew perfectly what was going on.

"Princess, get out of here now! Exit the room and keep going straight, don't turn back!"

Sally doubted for a second but trusted Shadow's abilities and judgment. It was a bit hard to run with her dress but she managed.

Shadow, on the other hand, was looking like crazy for the bomb. He didn't know if it was a bomb or a detonator.

Or something else.

He looked everywhere. In Sally's cell, on the walls, and he even broke some TVs he thought had a bomb inside.

"Where can it be?"

His thoughts were interrupted as he paid attention to the images that were presented on the TV. Usually, Shadow will be really calm.

But the tape on the TV made him shiver on the inside.

"I'll do you a favor. Carry me back to Tails and after this mission is done, you will never have to see me again. I promise."

"Deal."

It was a videotape of him and Amy on the day that they were at the cliff in Twinkle Star village. Right after they got the flowers that saved Tails' life.

Someone was watching them, all along.

Without noticing, Shadow had one minute left.

He began to think of the worst. Was Amy ok? Where was she? What was she doing?

What was going on?

30 seconds left.

"Mr. Shadow! Are you here?"

It was Mia. Damn it, Shadow had no time now.

15 seconds left.

Shadow picked up Mia and carried her in his shoulder. He ran as fast as he could. The tunnel was dark but Shadow had a good vision. He exited the tunnel with Mia in his shoulders. Other G.U.N. agents were already on the outside. Trucks, guns, G.U.N agents from side to side. Shadow looked to his side and he found Princess Sally being protected by her royal guards.

Shadow was quick to throw Mia on the ground. An angry look on his face. Mia, as she stood up was quick to ask.

"Are you ... angry at me?"

Shadow didn't want to pay attention. If there was a bomb, it should have detonated by now.

But nothing happened.

"Please ... tell me! I know I went against your order but-"

"Who is this person? No, detonations ... nothing. That video of me and Amy ... is she in danger? Did something happen to her? I will never forgive myself if-"

"Please, Shadow talk to me!" Mia then was fast to grab Shadow by his arm.

Shadow turned around as her touch triggered something on him.

"Didn't I tell you to stay?" Shadow began to raise his voice, "Didn't I fucking tell you to stay?!"

All eyes were on them now. Shadow wasn't thinking clearly. He didn't understand anything. He didn't know what was going on and the things he thought he could control turns out he couldn't.

The air became heavy and a few seconds passed, the agents went back to their work.

Mia was still holding back the tears. She was afraid that the small chance she had with Shadow was gone. The last thing she wanted was to disappoint him, but it seemed like she had done so already.

Mia stood quiet and she whispered, "I am sorry ... I was just worried about you-"

"An 'I am sorry' won't cut it! What if there was a bomb? I could have made it but you?" Shadow added, "You could have died! Do you think I can live without you, Amy?!"

Shadow was still way more than worried. His mind could only envision Amy. He wanted to leave and check on her, just to make sure she was fine. Even so, he couldn't.

Because as far as he knew, Amy was G.U.N's number one suspect at the moment.

Shadow still blinded with his feelings, looked at Mia in the eyes and said,

"Because I can't"

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A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Soon we will be seeing Amy's day. Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.