As night descended over Deling City all of the street lights came on at once. Between these lights and the full moon shining overhead there was a cascade of brilliance illuminating most of the street. Passerby stopped and stared upwards towards the heaven's enjoying the view for it was also a cloudless night as well. Shops, bakeries and bars down the strip were either opening or closing for the night as a rush of people entered and exited. On one side of the street stands a luxurious hotel that is well known for it used to be the home of a famous songstress long ago. The restaurant and bar are still open but this songstress has long gone. Every night there are acts that try to equal or surpass her grace and beauty, but none have come close. Tonight's act happened to be a traveling violinist and pianist duo who were rumored to be married. Exquisite music swam over the dining room and many reveled at the duo's magnificent tune. That is, all except for one table in particular. The fellow at this table did indeed enjoy the music. It was just unfortunate that his mind was preoccupied elsewhere. He was waiting for someone to sit down across from him. Not knowing who the individual was that requested this meeting didn't exactly sit well with the young man either. I say young because for all intents and purposes this man looks to be nearly in his mid twenties. The truth was that this man was a decade older than he looked, with all the experience this entitled to him. He wasn't a normal looking individual to boot. His pale skin was unnatural in this part of the world and shone even brighter under the high powered lights near the stage where he was seated. The large scar above his right eye however was no where near remarked upon as his clothes were. No one in Deling City, let alone Galbadia had seen a genuine ninja's outfit. Not even a uniquely black one. The sword at the man's belt was also a rarity for wakizashi's weren't even heard of in this part of the world. No, this fair man was definetly a foreigner in everyone's eyes in the hotel as well as the city itself.

Arc Masters was the man's name, or The Shadow as he was usually called. He was a bounty hunter when the age of bounty hunting was starting to become obsolete. Who needed bounty hunters when there were schools that trained soldiers called SeeD's for much cheaper to hire? Instead of questioning why he was being hired, Arc preferred to reflect on the nature of his contractor. He literally knew nothing about the man from the note that he received telling him to go to this particular hotel in this particular city to wait on a representative. The letter wasn't even signed, apart from a single S at the bottom. Suspiciousness was one of the few things that kept Arc alive in this monster infested hell hole called a world, and his suspicious feeling was calibrated at a high ten at this point in time. As he reflected deeply in thought he noticed that the seat had been occupied across from him finally. He had blunk for a second and while it had been empty right before suddenly there was a black hooded figure sitting down afterword. "Are you The Shadow?" a cold voice hissed out from underneath a cowl pulled down low over the face to conceal it. Although the voice appeared very male and human it still sent a shiver down Arc's spine. "Yeah... And who are you?" The man gave no mention as to his name. He just nodded, pulled out an envelope from his robe and dropped it on the table. In another split second he was gone just as quickly as he had arrived. Blinking a few times to make sure he wasn't being played a trick on and that the man was indeed gone Arc finally let his gaze fall on the envelope. He gently picked it up and was surprised to find that it didn't feel as cold to the touch as it's former carrier seemed to be. Opening the envelope he was shocked to see that only another note was contained inside. He unfolded it and began to read.

Dear Mr. Masters,
I have a contract I would like you to fulfill if you're interested. You are aware of the strange phenomenon happening involving the lights I assume? The task is quite simple really. I need you to investigate them for me and report back when you have found enough information on them that I deem worthy. Upon your completion of this mission you will be awarded 1,000,000G! To accept all you need to do is stay the night in a prepaid for room. The clerk at the desk is in my employ.
Signed, S

Arc's mouth almost hung open at the amount mentioned in the note and he almost dropped it outright, but at the last second he managed to keep his cool. Yes this was a lot of money for such a simple job, but the question of who this mysterious S was still rocked around in the back of his mind. If the man who dropped the envelope was anything to judge by the actual contractor could be quite scummy. Arc was honest and straightforward and hated to work for someone that didn't share those qualities. Sighing Arc stood up and walked over to the bar and sat down. Hiding the note in a side pouch he ordered the strongest whiskey the bartender had and waited for it. He was weighing the pros and cons of taking the job when the drink was set down in front of him. He downed it in one gulp and ordered another. Four shots later he had made up his mind. He paid off his tab and headed for the lobby. It was clear this late at night so he had no trouble getting to the counter. "I believe there is a prepaid room for me?" he asked simply. Smiling the clerk handed him a key and motioned up the steps behind the desk. Heading up the stairs Arc glanced down at the key in his hands. A big 101 was in display in the middle. Finding the corresponding door he unlocked it and headed inside. After closing the door and relocking it behind him Arc chose now to turn on the lights. There wasn't a mysterious figure in the room like he had expected.

As a matter of fact, there wasn't much in the room period. A single bed with a nightstand and a chair by the window seemed to be all the decoration on display. Heading to the window Arc opened the blinds. Nothing strange outside the window either. He closed the blinds again and turned around back towards the bed. An item was sitting on it that his gaze had missed before. It was a small, black oriental lantern. Attached to it was another piece of paper. Picking the paper up Arc glanced through it.

I'm glad you chose to accept the job after all! This lantern is a mysterious artifact that summons the Guardian Force, Tonberry King. I know you don't use GF's but it may come in handy. Who knows for sure? Anyway, to start you should probably head to Balamb in the morning and have a talk with Headmaster Squall Leonhart. I hear he's putting together a task force to look into the phenomenon as well. I want that info before he gets it btw! Signed, S.

Balamb? Squall Leonhart? Damn... I'm in a mess I'd say! These thoughts passed through his mind as he passed out on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.