A/N: Yeah it's kinda long but it's been a bit, since I was able to upload anything, so enjoy. Oh the story is only about half over (I think) depending on filler (which is what a few chapters were) and also new ideas (sort of) anyway thanks for reading.

Shadow Rider Ch 12

I thought it was over. I thought that was my nightmare was over and I'd be back at work tomorrow, but sadly this sleeping dog wouldn't lie. It all started with a dream.

The dream started out like this, I was standing there in total darkness when two red eyes materialized beneath my feet and an evil voice started speaking to me.

"You think it's over don't you?"

I looked around and was blinded sided. I tumbled to the ground with a jarring halt that would've broken a normal person's body in half.

"We cannot be beaten so easily, we will rise and you will DIE!"

That was Mephiles and if he was alive that meant Andy possibly was also. I swore and tried to stand but I felt like I weighed as much as the Blue Typhoon. I was pinned down, there was no way I could get up like this. I thought back on my battle with Mephiles and realized something, he didn't use Gate Keepers. The next thing I knew the ground gave way and I tumbled to the floor below. I crashed into the ground and noted it was sandy brown stone like the ruins in Soleanna's western desert. I looked around and still couldn't move, the ground was suddenly bleached in a purple liquid-looking solid. I gritted my teeth and tried to will myself to stand but I still felt like I weighed 200,000 tons, which was about how much that starship weighed. Out of the bubbling shadowy ground eight Gate Keepers exploded up and had me surrounded. The ugly bastards were only half a torso, glowing neon blue and dark purple, they had what looked like a series of Raymore stuck to their heads. Their arms pulsed like veins inside a body, on the ends were fists the size of battle tanks. I'd taken them on before, but then, I didn't weigh 200K tons. Their gigantic maws dropped open, and I sensed eight different Chaos Energy sources each from a different direction. I heard Mephiles laughing, I knew it was over; the Gate Keepers wouldn't even need to aim that high.

"NO!" I shouted.

Eight different beams of neon purple light fired at me.

I was awake before I realized it. No one had heard me scream by some miracle, so I got up. It was still dark outside, my body's natural sense of time told me it was roughly three in the morning. I was already sitting up right so I stood up and left the room. I first went into Pluto's garage, in there was his black Challenger that same one he was in when he ran into us at the gas station. The garage door was open for whatever reason and right outside in the driveway was a black and red Mustang GT. I got curious and walked over to it, there was an emblem on the driver-side door, MY emblem. That meant one of two things. One: Pluto is actually a fan of mine that I don't know about, or two: this was MY Mustang. I ran my thumb along the door handle and felt it warm close to the back; a moment later, the lock popped open. This really was my Mustang. I sat in the driver seat after opening the door. It felt strangely familiar; I guess it was because I'd been using my bike for the past year so driving a car was a lot different. I mean sure I drove Sonic's Challenger but that was only about a mile drive and then I simply teleported to the hotel, so that wasn't exactly what I would call a real drive. I started the engine, push button start…you've got to love it. The engine roared to life, and sat there purring like she was brand new. I sunk into my seat and sighed happily.

"Amazing," I whispered under my breath.

I looked at the dashboard and pressed the power button on the radio. The volume was low, which I was thankful for, and I slightly turned it up. I frowned slightly after when I head some shitty rap song. My amplifiers were shaking my car to the core, and myself along with it. I flipped the station. Now I've been listening to XM for the past couple of months while on the road so when I flipped to one of my radio stations on standard FM and found it to be some pop station I growled in annoyance. I then flipped through whatever Pluto had set to the hot keys. Key one: shitty rap station. Key two: shitty pop station. Key three: country station (since when the hell did he like that?). Key four: Jack FM (that was alright). Key five: The Rocket (a classic rock station). Last but not least Key six: TK101 (a modern rock station and by far one of my favorite stations)

I left the radio on The Rocket and listened to 'More than a Feeling' by Boston. I remembered one time this guy came into my pawnshop and he had a replica 1975 Epiphone Les Paul. I asked him if he played at all and this was the song he played. I never bought that guitar, he wanted too much for it. I mean, it was nice and all but even for a guitar like that, ten grand is a bit too much. If it was a 69 Gibson Les Paul then ten grand would've been a steal, but it wasn't so I had to decline. I found myself actually air-guitaring the chorus rift to the song anyway. I'd had some practice under my belt but as far as to say I was good, I'd say I was fairly. When the song ended I waited there as commercials played, that was the one thing I hated about the radio and TV, damned commercials. I flipped over to TK and Chaos behold the song I was thinking about was playing, it had just started to, 'Man in the Box' by Alice in Chains. I started nodded to the beat; the song was great. So that was how I spent the next few minutes, listening to music in my Mustang. At around four, I shut the car off and headed back into the house. I went to the fridge and frowned, inside was a half-gallon of milk a six-pick of Amber bock and a carton of OJ. I poured myself a glass of OJ seeing as I wasn't in the mood for milk or a beer (especially the beer at four in the morning), and went into the backyard for a moment. I felt the morning breeze blowing slightly across the yard. I sipped my drink, the whole time I still couldn't get my mind off of my dream. Was Andy still alive? Was Mephiles also? I growled in annoyance, if there was one thing I couldn't stand it was uncertainty. After simply sitting there for a moment, I decided to head back inside. I'd finished my OJ by now so I set my cup in the sink and sat on the couch seemingly lost in my racing mind's thoughts. There was only one way Andy could've survived Blaze's attack and I wished I hadn't even thought of it. My concentration broke with a question.

"What are you doing up this early?"

I looked up, it was Pluto who'd asked me this. I sighed, "Bad dream; I couldn't sleep, what about you?"

"School," he replied plainly

I sighed that's when I noticed the Marine style haircut and his Air Force ABU, my brow arched, "What's with the…"

"ROTC, PSC just got a program and they asked those of us who have uniforms to where them,"

I nodded.

"So what's with this dream?" he asked

I reluctantly explained to him the dream. Pluto didn't flinch when I told him about fighting Andy and Mephiles at the warehouses.

"Odd, since last night I dreamt of someone wanting to take over GUN from the inside-out," he said in response.

"Well that was what Andy wanted to do, until Sonic Blaze and Silver came along and helped me out," I commented.

"If I've learned anything in my time served it's this: the most dangerous part of a mission is the last few minutes. That's when you let your guard down, but you have to remember that it's not over until you're sitting back in your home or office,"

That much was true, and I'd learned that the hard way during a classified op in the Middle East. I subliminally put a hand to my right bicep, where I'd been shot during a that last few minutes of a ground op. If it hadn't been for that PAVLOW my entire squad probably would've been killed. I then shook that thought out of my head; that op never happened.

"Well I'm out of here; just out of curiosity, where will you go?" Pluto asked

"Probably Warner Robins," I told him, "Orders from the top to return to active duty,"

Pluto notably smirked, "Well good luck Rider,"

Pluto then took his ABU hat and headed out of the door. I heard an engine rev up about five minutes later. It wasn't my Mustang's engine, it was too deep; that was a Challenger's engine. I walked back out to the driveway and found my Mustang still there, but there was a note under one of the windshield wipers. I picked it up and read it:

Rider.

I found this at an auction in New Orleans and got it for a steal. It's insured and the tags last until March of 2172. Since I knew whose it was when I bought it and you decided to show up at my place I figured you'd want it back. Not to say your car sucks, it doesn't, but Mustangs just aren't my style, so I've transferred the car back under yours and your girlfriend's names. You're welcome.

Pluto

PS: Your AI hates fucking me for whatever reason

I smirked, at least my AI still had access to my Mustang. That reminded me of something and I skated off towards the park. When I got to Sonic's Challenger, I opened the back and grabbed my data pad. I went back into Pluto's house. By now it was around five in the morning, I wanted to get moving so I went upstairs and took a shower. As the water ran down my back I sighed in comfort, this was the first time I'd been actually happy to wake up in the morning, minus the dream I had, which was lingering in the back of my mind. A moment after, though, someone knocked on the bathroom door.

"Be out in a minute," I said shutting off the water and grabbing a towel. After that was wrapped around my waist I opened the door and noticed it was Blaze of all people waiting there. I scooted passed her.

"Shower's all yours," I said awkwardly.

What made that situation awkward was the fact that all I had on was a towel, but Blaze seemed to do what I was doing; putting it aside and moving on with her business. I went downstairs and got dress in my borrowed room. Amy was still asleep and as I pulled on my black under shirt I flopped onto the bed. Amy bounced slightly, looked up at me, half-shut her eyes and rolled over.

"C'mon, Ames, if we don't get going we won't make it back to Lionsville," I said.

"In all honesty Shadow…I don't want to go back to Lionsville," she replied still facing away from me.

"Then where will you go?" I asked

She looked up at me again sat up and stretched, "I was thinking I could go with you?"

My eye ridge arced; the way she said it was like she was asking a question, in truth I didn't know how to respond to that.

"Amy," I finally said, "You know what being with me costs right?"

She nodded, "But I want to be there for you Shadow,"

I was frozen for a moment, "Could you live on if something were to happen to me?"

"I went this long without you Shadow, it's been rough but I think I could,"

"That's all I need to know; as long as you could go on without me I'll be happy,"

"So what's your answer?"

I smiled, "Yes,"

She jumped out of bed and headed out of the room to the downstairs bathroom. I smirked and headed out to the Mustang and connected my data pad to the dashboard after getting into the driver seat.

"Hello Max," I said, "On the holo-port, please,"

Maxwell, my data pad's AI, materialized in front of the cup-holders in his chosen form of an Assassin of Masyf.

"Good morning Captain, it is currently March 13, 2143, at 0542 hours GUN standard; weather is predicted to be fair with mild showers later this afternoon and today's high at 77 degrees with humidity at 60 percent." Max replied

"Dually noted, thank you Max," I replied.

"Will we be having any extra company in the vehicle today, sir?"

"A reminder Max, don't call me 'sir' unless I'm in uniform; as per your question yes, we will, you remember Amy right?"

"Amanda Rose, father Patrick Rose late mother Alice Rose, current age is 24 height four feet weight…"

"That's quiet enough Max, please stop doing that,"

I cut off Max for two reasons, one: if Amy found out that I knew that bit of classified tier-one info; let's just say there wouldn't be much left of me. And two: she was coming out of Pluto's house and heading towards the Mustang!

"I see Max is as in depth as ever," Amy said, she sounded agitated.

"I told him not to," I said clearly conspiring against my own AI

"If I may point out, my master is lying," Max said

"Oh he was, was he?" Amy said giving me a look

"No," I retorted

"Yes; you didn't tell me to stop until Ms. Rose came out of Mr. Mason's house,"

I looked at Amy, "AI's, what are you going to do?"

She slammed a fist into an open hand, "Is it possible to kick the shit out of an AI?"

"I assure you, ma'am, no such thing resides within my programming,"

"I don't think that's what she meant, Max,"

Amy rolled her eyes dismissively and hopped into the passenger seat. I started the engine and smirked, "It's been too long since I drove this car,"

"Shall I put on some…more appealing music, sir?" Max asked

I turned up the volume and found that shitty pop station on again, I rolled my eyes and groaned in annoyance. Amy looked at me then stuck out her tongue at my radio, "It's Ke$ha what do you expect?"

"Access my data pad's hard drive, Max, play 'Blow Me Away' by Breaking Benjamin; the Halo two mix please,"

"A fine choice, sir," Max said

I gave Max a look but he must've ignored me. The song started.

"Didn't I show you this song?" Amy asked

I nodded, "I was with Sonic playing Halo at the time when you came in with this blasting from your iPod,"

"Yeah it started at the same time on your game as it did for me,"

I nodded remember that it started during on of my favorite parts of the game too.

"So how exactly do we get your bike?" She asked

I smirked, "Max is going to pilot it,"

"What?" Max said

"You can pilot my bike can't you?"

"Yes I can but that method is so unconventional,"

"I don't care Max, do you think I use conventional tactics when I'm in combat?"

"I could pull up your CSV and show where you did and didn't if you wish,"

"Damn it, Max, can you or not?"

"Yes but…"

"That's all I need to know,"

I pulled into Tiger Point Park and got out, disconnecting my data pad and ejecting Max. I set him in a data port on my bike's dashboard. I also grabbed my helmet and tossed it in the back of the car.

"Max I want you to follow us to Warner Robins," I said

"Going back to work finally sir?"

"Max…"

"Right then, coordinates plotted, our ETA if we leave now accounting for all possible traffic delays is in five hours,"

I hopped back into the car and off we went.

I think it was around two hours after we'd been on the interstate that trouble showed up. Amy was asleep, no surprise, long drives always seemed to do that to her. I was listening to more music from my data pad, not blasting it but not exactly keeping it down either. 'Low life' by Theory of a Deadman was playing. Though I wouldn't describe anyone I knew as such it was still a good song. Trouble showed up when out of nowhere something came flying towards us. I swerved to avoid it. The asphalt behind us exploded into a plume of smoke. Amy jumped, now fully awake; I looked ahead and saw on a bridge was Andy. He flicked his wrist and another blast flew at my Mustang. I jerked the wheel left and avoided it as more of I-10 exploded into dust. I then undid my seatbelt and motioned Amy to do the same.

"Take the wheel!" I said rolling down the window, "Keep going to Warner Robins and tell the boarder guards I sent you, I'm sure Tange will have told them everything,"

She didn't hesitate, but rather she quickly kissed me, "Kick his ass for me too,"

"Will do,"

With that I jumped out of the window and rolled to a stop. Andy fired again, this time it was directed at me. I flung a series of Chaos Spears at whatever it was he'd been shooting at me. One connected, and the other two flew off towards Andy. He waved his hand and they vanished. After a few seconds of standing there he leapt down and landed atop my Mustang. I cursed; he was after Amy. I double-timed it along the interstate. I eventually caught up to them and there he was surfing on my car with his arms crossed.

"Well, I guess putting your girlfriend in jeopardy really gets to you Rider," he said

I was still running alongside the car while he was speaking.

"You thought that pathetic attempt at the Supernova would be enough to kill me?"

I kept going when he leapt off of the car and kicked me into the median barrier. Needless to say I broke through it and got clipped by an oncoming semi-truck. As I flew through the air for a few feet I could only curse as my Mustang vanished from the road. I picked myself up off of the road; blood was running down my head over right eye giving me a bloody haze. The next thing I knew I was turning around sensing a Chaos energy signature, when my Mustang materialized not 100 feet from me. I braced.

The next few seconds were blurry. I remember stopping the car with whatever strength I had, and also hearing one of my bones breaking. The car pushed me a full mile before stopping on the shoulder. I had my hands on the hood bracing me upright.

"SHADOW!" Amy shouted getting out of the car.

I barely registered her screaming at the time. I lifted my hands; all I remembered seeing next were two dents that outlined my hands perfectly. I collapsed breathing was hard, and I was vaguely aware that my shin had fractured. I blinked and the next thing I saw was Silver, the boy was running his hand over me. Now if Silver heals you…lets just say it isn't exactly the greatest feeling in the world. If you've ever felt wounds healing themselves then you know what I mean. I felt my knees snap backwards and jam itself back into place. My ACL pinpricked inside my leg as it stitched itself back together. Silver stopped healing me and I stood up, I could see a puddle of blood where I was previously lying down. I hadn't noticed Sonic and Blaze were right there until Sonic started talking.

"Holy shit Shadow, what the hell were you thinking?" Sonic said

"I…what happened?" I wound up stuttering

"You got hit by a clipped by a semi, then hit head-on by your own car. Are you trying to kill yourself!"

"No…it was Andy, he's alive!" I told them.

"I told you it wasn't over," Silver said

"I don't think this a time to be proud to be right," Blaze said seemingly shooting the boy out of the sky.

"Did you see where Andy went?" I asked

"He took Amy and the car and disappeared in a flash of light,"

I noticed my bike also sitting there; I went to it and loaded Max up on the holo-port attached to my dashboard, "Max, can you track where my car went?"

"Already on it. The Mustang is approximately five minutes outside of Metropolis, they appear to be heading towards the GUN HQ,"

I looked at the others, "Then that's where we go,"

"I'd estimate they will reach GUN HQ within the hour," Max said

"Then we're going to cut them off at Westopolis; that's where this Interstate enters Metro at,"

"Even at maximum speed on all of our vehicles, I'm sorry to say but we would never make it,"

"Who said anything about driving?"

I looked at Blaze Sonic and Silver, Sally must've been still driving or something, she wasn't with us. The four of us joined hand.

"Chaos…CONTROL!"