Shadow was rubbing his temples irritably, waiting for a spark of intellect to hit his barren brain. He was supposed to write a book, but he had no damn idea what to write about! It was a severe case of writer's block. "Fu-" Shadow said, interrupted rudely by a loud knock on the door. " What sorry loser could it be? Faker?" Shadow opened the door only to be greeted by Espio, a purple quiet chameleon who had the habit of stalking innocent bystanders. "......" The chameleon said, only staring at Shadow with golden eyes that could pierce through a person's soul. "What the hell do you want? Can't you see I'm trying to do some work here?" Snapped Shadow. Espio remained his calm demeanor and spoke softly," I have a message from Rouge and Omega. Care to listen or just stand their and babble like a complete idiot?" Shadow was angered by Espio's comment, but wanted to get this thing over with. "I'll go...." He grumbled," If it means you'll shut up."

Espio took Shadow to an abandoned building south of Mobotropolis. Shadow looked up to see a smoggy, grey sky with smoke etching out of the nearby factories. "Here is the destination." Said Espio nonchalantly. Shadow heard yelling and strange conversations going on in the building next door. He walked closer, increasing his hearing to try and make out the conversation. Only parts of the talk was audible.

"I said leave that man."

"Why boss? Scared off his mean trash talk or because he beat you up in the corridor?"

" Shut your trap before I put you in a godforsaken casket."

"Yessir boss."

What man? Shadow was confused. He felt curiosity tug to his shoulder, "Go figure out what happened. Let's find out." He was about to open the door until he felt Espio grab his shoulder. "Don't be nosy, Shadow. I advise that you do not venture into the thoughts of the unknown. Come, they are waiting." That piece of curiosity tucked itself back into Shadow's brain and hid. Shadow was directed into the rundown shack. He saw the two figures. Rouge the bat looked as beautiful as ever. Her heart shaped boots tapped on the wooden concrete floor while Omega was interpreting some information sprawled out in the table. The bat lady looked up and blinked her eyes twice. "Shad. Nice surprise." Rouge didn't look surprised at all, in fact she looked very annoyed. "Greetings Shadow the Hedgehog. Your encounter with me is successfully stored in my data banks." Said Omega, no emotion emitting from his face. Espio sat in a wooden stool in the corner, meditating." Now let's talk." Said Rouge, smiling slightly.

"Rouge, I have no time for games right now. I have to write some book stuff due on Friday. Number two: what the godforsaken hell am I gonna do with a stupid quill pen once I find it?" Said Shadow, a scowl forming on his face. "Well," said Rouge, staring at the documents on the table." Just find it I guess. Use it to help write your novels or something. Me and Omega just investigated this for your sake." Shadow smirked. Rogue didn't give a damn about Shadow's personal life. He knew there was going to be sone kind of trick after he found the stupid pen. Rogue sighed, " Well if you don't wanna help, then I got a secretary to replace ya. Stephanie!"

A short, brown squirrel with beady green eyes appear in the doorway. "Yes ma'am?" She said with a British accent. Shadow and Espio smirked at her way of speaking. Rouge narrowed her eyes at them and said," Steph, you'll be working with HIM."
She gestured to Shadow." To find the Blood Red Quillpen."