AN: Maybe nobody asked for it, but at long last, I've made a sequel to my SR rewrite. Now, this will not be a full 52-episode season. Much shorter than that. But it should still be fairly long. Also, while I hate OCs, I must warn that this story has OCs in it. Why? Because I thought if there was ever a real season 2 of Spider Riders, they would probably introduce new characters. However, they do have purposes (which will be revealed in time) and I promise this will not be a canon x OC story. So, please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Spider Riders.

1- A Short-Lived Peace

On a rather average afternoon, the three female Spider Riders were gathered together in Arachna Castle. They were sitting around a small table, and had been chattering non-stop, to catch up on things.

"I still can't believe you're really getting married," Corona spoke, as she looked to Aqune. "I mean… well, it must be exciting, but do you really want to marry Buguese?"

"Yes," Aqune replied. Of course, she could understand why Corona and any other Spider Rider would be skeptical of it. Yes, it was rather sudden, and the Spider Riders were enemies with the Insectors for a long time.

"Did you get a pretty dress yet?" Sparkle asked.

"Actually, not yet," Aqune replied. "But the other day I was looking, and I did find one that I really liked."

"I can't wait to see!" exclaimed Sparkle. "You too, right, Hotarla?"

"Kyu!" replied the little spider.

"Well… we'll have to see," said Aqune. "Buguese and I haven't worked it all out yet. Of course, he doesn't really want a lot of people around. But, I want you guys to be there."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure Buguese isn't fond of us," Corona pointed out. "Still, you're lucky, Aqune."

"Hm?" Aqune glanced at her, puzzled.

"I don't think I'll ever get married," Corona replied.

"But I thought you and Hunter were dating now," Sparkle mentioned.

"Well, dating doesn't mean you'll get married," Aqune replied. "Even so, I'll be surprised if you don't end up with Hunter."

"I hope so…" said Corona. "But lately, he's been caught up in training. It's like he has no time for me, or maybe he doesn't even notice me anymore."

"Or maybe, it's because now he has someone he needs to protect," answered Aqune. "Hunter isn't very sensitive, but he would do anything for the people he cares about. I pray that conflict never befalls the Inner World again, but if it does, a hero always has to be prepared."

"Thanks, Aqune," said Corona. "You're always so understanding."

Aqune laughed.

"I need to be," she said. "Buguese isn't really the romantic type either, as you've probably noticed." She was faintly blushing. "Well, most of the time."

Magma and Igneous stood outside the room, and had briefly been listening in.

"This is boring," Magma commented. "What is with girls and romance?"

"Uh… yeah," replied Igneous, nervously.

"What's your problem?" Magma asked.

"Nothing to worry about," he answered, attempting to sound serious.

"I know," said Magma, smirking. "You wish there were a bunch of girls talking about you."

"I'm sure that happens all the time," Igneous replied. "I don't need to think of such things."

"How sure?" Magma continued.

"Magma, if you're that bored, why don't we do something practical with our time?" Igneous replied. "Hunter has the right idea, focusing on his training."

"Hmm… I suppose," said Magma. "I don't want to get rusty, even though I'm glad we haven't needed to use our fighting skills since Mantid was taken care of."

"Exactly," Igneous answered. "Only, the prince is taking it too far by sleeping in later and later every day. Someone needs to wake him up, but even I don't have the patience for that."

Hunter slashed at wooden targets outside the castle. Shadow was watching him from a short distance away.

"You're really taking this seriously," the spider commented. "Sometimes, you actually impress me."

"Yeah," Hunter replied, barely looking back at the spider. "A Spider Rider always needs to be prepared!" Another target was shattered by a swift hit with his pike.

"I agree, Hunter," Igneous spoke. He and Magma approached Hunter, fully transformed.

"We thought maybe you could use sparing opponents," Magma suggested. "What do you say?"

"Sure," said Hunter, smiling at the two.

"That would be great," Shadow agreed.

"Alright, who wants to go first?" Hunter asked.

"I will," Igneous declared.

Once they were set up in the arena to fight, the two Riders stared each other down.

"This will be revenge for our last fight," Hunter declared.

"No, the results will be the same as before," Igneous responded, though he wasn't sure if he could believe his own words. Hunter had really improved, and would probably have the advantage even if he didn't use the Oracle Keys.

From one direction, Hunter and Shadow charged. Igneous and Flame waited patiently, their intent on simply dodging the blow, then retaliating. The first part of their plan worked out. However, they didn't expect for Shadow to spin around, giving Hunter the chance to strike while they were in mid-motion. Igneous was knocked off of Flame's back. Still, he quickly stood up.

"Not bad, Hunter," he said.

Hunter ran towards him, intent on striking, but Igneous succeeded in blocking this blow with his sword.

"However, I'm not going to lose."

"Neither am I!" Hunter yelled, as he began to push Igneous back. "I never give up!"

"Ahhhh!"

Hearing a cry, both Hunter and Igneous stopped their fight, and turned around.

"Magma?!" Hunter exclaimed.

They saw Magma was thrown to the ground, though he didn't look like he was seriously hurt.

"What was that?" Igneous asked.

"Look!" Magma answered, as he got to his feet.

A short distance away stood a figure, distinctly shaped like a man atop a spider. But the problem was, this figure was black as a shadow. It was as if it wasn't even a real person.

"Who is that?" Igneous wondered. He hurried closer to the figure. "What do you want?" But once he got a better view, the knight's eyes widened. This shadow of a person… what was it, even?

"Aqune, did you hear that?" Corona questioned.

"Yeah," Aqune replied, looking serious. "I wonder what's going on."

"Let's find out," said Corona. "Sparkle, hopefully it's nothing serious, but you should wait here."

"A-alright…" the girl replied worriedly. "I'll get Lumen."

"Igneous, what are you doing?" Hunter asked, seeing that his comrade was wavering. He and Magma approached the commander. "This is weird…" Hunter continued.

The figure carried a sword, which also looked as if it were made from shadows. He ran towards Igneous, who was closest, swinging the blade fiercely.

Startled as he was, Igneous still had the instinct to block the blow. Despite the appearance of his attacker, the sword still felt the same as a solid one, and crashed loudly with Igneous's own weapon.

"I don't know what you are or what you want," spoke Igneous. "But I will defeat you." Putting enough power into his own strike, he forced the shadow to back away slightly.

"What's going on?!" Corona asked, as she and Aqune arrived on the scene.

Hunter turned his head, a worried look on his face.

"Be careful, you two. Something attacked us."

"Is that a Spider Rider?" Aqune asked.

"I don't know," Hunter said. "It doesn't seem human."

The shadow, seemingly unconcerned by the arrival of two more Riders, dashed toward Hunter. He didn't appear to care about Igneous anymore.

"Hey!" Hunter exclaimed, not expecting it to change targets like that. Though, he supposed it had done the same before, going from Magma to Igneous.

Hunter easily blocked the incoming blow, regardless.

"Whatever you are, you're not going to hurt anyone!" shouted Hunter. "Shadow, let's go!"

"Right!" replied Shadow.

"I don't even need the Oracle Keys to deal with you!" decided Hunter. Taking the offensive, he and Shadow rammed at their opponent. The shadowy man was pushed backward.

"Huh?" Hunter said. He didn't even have the need to go in for another attack. For the shadow began to dissolve before his eyes.

"Where did it go?" Magma asked. Now, not a trace of it remained.

"That was too eerie," Corona spoke, as she looked to her comrades, hoping any of them were less clueless than she was. That hope was in vain.

"Well, at least it's gone," Hunter said. "But, still… it must have attacked us for a reason. Just, what could it be?"

Aqune looked down, troubled.

'Is there a new enemy?' she wondered. 'But, finally everything was going well…'

Then, Lumen and Sparkle finally joined the group.

"Woah, what is going on here? Why do you all look so serious?" Lumen spoke, instantly starting to regret getting out of bed.

"Someone… or something attacked us," Hunter answered.

"Well, where are they now?" Lumen questioned, sighing. Yep, this was clearly a mistake.

"They disappeared," Igneous answered.

"Well, that's sure helpful," Lumen grumbled. "Well then, what do you guys propose we do now?"