Chapter 5: The Return of GUN

Shadow was in the hospital for a whole week. When he arrived, he was in a full-body cast. The next day, he was up and about, except for the wheelchair and a few broken limbs. A few days later, he had made a full recovery, not one burn, scar, or broken bone left in his body. In addition, all his fur had grown back. No one knew how he had recovered so quickly, not even himself. With no where to go after he was released and healed, he once again came to Amy for assistance. Knock, knock.

"Coming!" Cried Amy in her cheerful voice from inside the apartment. When she opened the door, a smile the size of 10 football fields spread across her face. "Shadow! I'm so glad you're all right! And so soon! How did you recover so soon anyway?"

"Hey, I don't call myself the Ultimate Lifeform for nothing." Shadow replied with a chuckle. "Well, the reason I returned is, that, well, I need a place to stay for awhile, and.. if you don't mind... I-"

"Of course! Come on in!" Amy put on those happy anime eyes and waved him into the apartment.

He looked around and said, "Nice place, Amy. Couldn't have done better myself. Clean and home-y."

"Thank you! Would you like something to drink?"

"You got any Chao Soda ?"

"Yup! Sure do!" She then hurried herself into the kitchen to fetch her guest his drink while Shadow just stood there in the middle of her living room. Amy then peeked in and saw this. "Ya' know, Shadow, you can sit down. It's your house too for the time being!"

"Okay." He took a seat on her couch and stayed quiet until Amy came in with his drink and a coaster. "Thank you." Shadow said as he was handed his refreshment. He took a sip or two and set it on the coaster on the endtable.

"So, Shadow," Amy began as she sat herself beside him on the couch, "how's the hospital?"

"Fine."

"And what about you?"

"Fine." Shadow took another sip.

"Why don't I show you where you'll be staying?"

"Okay." Shadow replied dully. Amy got up and walked upstairs, Shadow close behind. They stopped in front of a door and opened it. The room was completely empty save for a bed and a dresser. There was also a few papers in the corner and a window clear across from them.

"This is your bedroom. Not much now, but we can do something with it. Right?"

"Sure."

"You aren't saying much. What's up?"

"It's nothing. I've just been thinking a lot."

"About..?"

"GUN."

"Oh, them.."

"I mean, what if they find out I'm still alive? If they come after me again, I don't want you getting in the middle of it."

"You're starting to sound like Sonic now, always caring about others before yourself.. Anyway, I promise they won't find out. I mean, how could they?"

"I guess your right, for now. I'll have to hide here though, away from prying eyes. More specifically, GUN's. Isolated..." He walked in and sat on the bed staring down, bouncing lightly a few times.

"She followed him in and put a caring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. You're the Ultimate Lifeform, remember? Everything will be fine. And by the way, dinners in ten. We're having chicken!" Then she left and closed the door lightly behind her. It wasn't much longer before the doorbell rang. Amy said, "Coming!" As she postponed her cooking to answer the door. Shadow heard this too and opened his door slightly to peek out at the visitor. It was a GUN agent. "Hello, officer! How may I help-" She noticed the patch on his chest that read "David Marriner, GUN agent" and finished her sentence flatly, "you."

"My agency has received word that the supposed Ultimate Lifeform code named "Project Shadow", and created by Professor Gerald Robotnik, is hiding here. He is commonly referred to as "Shadow"."

"Let me assure you, sir, that there is no "Shadow" living here, let alone hiding out here. What does it look like?"

"He's your height and species and is black. It's male and has red streaks across it's quills. Have you seen him?"

"No, I don't recall seeing-"

"Me and a few more of my troops are going to search your apartment, to make sure you aren't telling any fibs, little missy." He flashed her a Search Warrant then signaled to his troops with a wave. They then burst in, shoving Amy out of their way, and knocking her to the ground with a light thud.

Shadow saw this and his blood began to boil. How dare they hurt a lady! They need to be taught a lesson! He shut his door and waited for a troop member to enter his room. When one did, he backed up.

"Hello!" With that, he hurled a punch right into his face. "Oh. Was that your face? I didn't see it there!" Shadow said sarcastically. Hearing this, all the other troops headed upstairs and ended up being pummeled by the same fist. "There. I think things are all in order here. You can go now." He dragged them all outside through the back door and tossed the unconscious troops into the nearest dumpster.

"Just doing my chores." Shadow said as he dusted himself off. Just as he reentered the apartment, he remembered Amy. Shadow rushed to the front door where he saw Amy get knocked down and saw no one, but a note. He picked it up and read the letter.

To Shadow the Hedgehog;

Nice work. I noticed you from down here. Pummeling my guards must've been a simple task for the Ultimate Lifeform. How did I find out where you were? Easy. You were brought into the local Hospital by this pink moron, were you not? We have connections with every public service in the world. When we got word of you, I came down here to finish what GUN started - capture and eliminate you. Although I was successful in finding you, I still am leaving empty-handed. Let me insure you that the next time we meet, I won't. To insure this, I've borrowed your little friend. If you want her back, just surrender yourself. Easy as that. I'll be waiting at Prison Island. You should know where, one week from today at 7:00pm. Kill- I mean, see you there.

Not Sincerely Yours,

David Marriner

GUN Agent