Dust sprayed into the air behind the motorcycle as it sped across the desert; the engines rumbling intensely. His gloved hand maintained a tight grasp upon the handlebar while flames spewed out of the exhaust pipes and the roaring of the motorcycle echoed into the night, it reverberated off the cliffs and resonated through the moonlit desert, loud enough to be heard as far as the nearest town.
His flaming skull illuminated the darkness, giving off an eerie vibe to those who saw it. The Rider's dark eyes glowed bright red and his chain lay wrapped around his torso until it was needed.
The Ghost Rider was on the move, he always had been since his crusade started years ago. He was hunting, hunting for those who would be punished for their wrong-doings and sent to the Underworld as penance for their actions in life.
The being once known only as Johnny Blaze was laser-focused, his eyes fixed on the horizon as he kept watch for someone to punish, another unfortunate soul waiting to see his Penance Stare or be wrapped up in his great chain that would disintegrate them in a heartbeat once it was wrapped around them and the flaming lead did its part.
Tonight, under the light of the moon, the Ghost Rider could sense that he was about to find his next victim. He couldn't wait; something told him that his latest catch would be a very powerful enemy.
Ghost Rider heard a sound from a mile away, it sounded like teleporting. He looked ahead, spotting a figure standing upon a rock in the distance off on the side of the road. The ominous supernatural bounty hunter grinned, the red gleam in his eyes glowing brighter than ever.
And without even thinking twice, he drove towards his new target, ready for battle and ready to catch his latest prey. Ghost Rider put his foot down on the pedal, driving faster.
He rode towards the newcomer, the outline becoming clearer by the second. As the Ghost Rider came closer, it was clear that it was a black humanoid hedgehog with gold rings on his wrists and ankles, red-white boots, white gloves, red stripes and red eyes. Ghost Rider sneered malevolently, it was him, he had heard many a story about this individual.
Ghost Rider slowed down his bike to a crawl, coming at a stone's throw from the being that was said to be the world's Ultimate Life Form.
Shadow the Hedgehog turned around, coming face-to-face with the leather-clad motorcyclist with the flaming skull approaching him.
The dark hedgehog glared at the Ghost Rider; he'd heard a few stories about the mysterious phantom motorcyclist who punished the unjust. But even then, the Ghost Rider was nothing like The Punisher.
"No being can stand a chance against the Ultimate Life Form..." Shadow said in a cold manner, his eyes narrowing, "You don't even know who you're facing or even know who I am."
"You..." The Ghost Rider said in his ominous voice, "You are Shadow the Hedgehog, the rogue experiment from the Space Colony ARK who calls himself the Ultimate Life Form. Even yet, there is no hiding your crimes. It is decreed that you are guilty of all the crimes you have done. Now, you can no longer evade the consequences for your action for it is time... to confess..."
"No one tells me what to do." Shadow scoffed, "I am Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Life Form. It was Maria's final wish that I protect this damn planet no matter the cost, I will do what I can to keep my promise to her to the end and no one will get in the way of that mission. This is who I am!"
"Shadow the Hedgehog..." Ghost Rider growled, "This is your final warning; you will repent or there will be graver consequences for your transgressions."
"Go ride off into the moonlight and bother someone else!" Shadow snapped, "The Ultimate Life Form will not answer to the likes of you, no matter what I've done while fulfilling Maria's final wish to protect this damn planet and bring hope to humanity. Your powers can't compete with the Ultimate Life Form's power, it's you who should repent for all that you have done and back down, Ghost Rider."
Once those words had been heard, Ghost Rider drew his chain. "And so, you have chosen..." He growled, "Prepare, Ultimate Life Form, you will find that my powers are far beyond those you wield."
His fiery aura glowed intensely, gleaming brighter than the moon itself, hotter than the sun. The Rider stepped off his bike and threw his chain at Shadow, the metal links agleam with fire. Shadow warped out of the way, avoiding the Ghost Rider's attack by inches.
"Just as I said..." The hedgehog remarked, "You underestimate the Ultimate Life Form."
Ghost Rider growled and lunged at the dark hedgehog, only to stumble over when Shadow vanished again. The supernatural bounty hunter rose back to his feet, grasping his chain and his black eyes gleaming bright red again. He heard a sound and turned just in time to see Shadow reappearing, floating off the ground. The hedgehog swung his leg and kicked Ghost Rider in the face.
He stumbled back, taking the force of the attack. But thanks to his strong abilities, the Ghost Rider was able to shake it off quickly. Shadow's hands crackled with Chaos energy and he raised his right hand, a glowing green spear took form and the hedgehog yelled, "CHAOS SPEAR!"
But just as he threw the energized projectile at his target, the Ghost Rider ducked and tossed his chain again, aiming for the Ultimate Life Form. The links circled Shadow's ankles and tightened around his legs above his rocket boots, catching the dark hedgehog off guard. Ghost Rider pulled back on the chains and Shadow fell over, sliding across the ground towards the chains' wielder.
Shadow's eyes gleamed bright red and he shot back up on his feet before leaping upward, then he curled up his body into a ball and launched himself in a spin attack at the Ghost Rider.
The Rider held up a gloved hand and caught Shadow in mid-air, holding him for a minute. Then he placed both hands around the spinning black ball that was the Ultimate Life Form and threw him down, Shadow tumbled across the ground with a grunt and lay motionless, gritting his teeth in agony.
"Now's your time to repent." Ghost Rider told Shadow fiercely, he slowly approached the fallen hedgehog, spinning his chain like a lasso. The supernatural motorcyclist came closer and closer, a sinister grin molding upon his skeletal face as he took in the satisfying indication that Shadow was defeated and would be facing the consequences for all of his wrongful actions in life.
Shadow's eyes opened and he shot back up onto his feet, teeth gritted and eyes blazing with furious determination. "You're the one on the wrong side of the line..." He told Ghost Rider.
Ghost Rider was almost stunned, he half expected Shadow to already concede. The outcome of this contest was clear to the Ghost Rider, but his opponent was far perseverant than he realized. Perhaps this was truly shaping up to be the greatest battle in the Ghost Rider's entire career.
Without a word, he climbed back onto his motorcycle and started up the engines. The wheels ignited and flames shot from the exhaust pipe, the bike engine's rumbling shook the ground. Ghost Rider pulled back on the handle, the engines revved, and he stared down Shadow. The dark hedgehog clenched his fists, ready to face his challenge, no matter the outcome.
'I defeated The Punisher...' Shadow thought, 'There's no question that I have this guy.'
'Out of everyone I have faced…' Ghost Rider commented silently, 'He is the ultimate challenge.'
Both adversaries stared at each other intensely; the tension building with each minute that passed. Shadow clenched harder, his eyes narrowing. The Ghost Rider revved the engines again; the flames around his bike glowing brighter as well.
High above, the moon and the stars glistened and the night air around the combatants became colder. A breeze swept through the desert, a tumbleweed rolling by. The Ghost Rider's engines became louder and Shadow's body crackled with Chaos Energy, his inhibitor rings aglow. The suspense boiled, passing the tipping point, until it came to a head.
Shadow leaped towards his foe and Ghost Rider slammed his foot on the pedal, the bike in motion. A trail of fire lit the sand as the motorcycle shot across the landscape, Ghost Rider drew his chain and twirled it like a lasso, like a cowboy on his horse ready to round up the cattle.
Ghost Rider let out a demonic howl that sounded across the desert and Shadow dove towards him, his eyes gleaming with power. He raised his hand, a Chaos Spear taking form, rocket shoes blazing.
KSSHHHHNG! The Rider threw his chain and Shadow warped aside, evading the attack with precision. He threw the Chaos Spear, the projectile shooting towards the Ghost Rider. The Rider swerved, the spear of energy missing by inches and landing in the trail of fire where it dissipated into thin air. Shadow warped above Rider's head, snarling with determination.
"No one escapes the power of the Ultimate Life Form!" Shadow declared and kicked the Ghost Rider in the back of the head, taking him by surprise. The being once known as Johnny Blaze fell off his bike and his ride tipped, but then Shadow warped upon it, taking the driver's seat with a smirk.
"Looks like your ghost ride is mine." The Ultimate Life Form mused,
Ghost Rider rose back onto his feet, his eyes ablaze with fury. Shadow glared at him, he tauntingly revved the bike's engines and put his feet on the pedal, riding the bike around its owner.
The leather-clad phantom biker growled with fury, he was not going to be outclassed by some dark hedgehog and let his own bike be stolen by him. No, this would not do. It was time to get very serious, perhaps more serious than ever. No holding back, no playing around; that hedgehog calling himself the Ultimate Life Form had to be defeated, no matter what happened by the end of the battle.
He held his chain, ready for the attack. Shadow drove around the flaming skull-headed fighter in circles, wondering what his move would be. Perhaps he'd succeeded?
Ghost Rider followed Shadow's movements, waiting for the right time to strike. The hedgehog then steered hard and rode towards the Rider at high-speed, red eyes blazing with energy. With impeccable strength and agility, the Ghost Rider jumped, leaping out of Shadow's path as the hedgehog drove beneath his feet before the ominous motorcycle rider threw his chain again...
KCHINK! The chains wrapped around the engine and Ghost Rider landed, maintaining his footing and making sure to be at close range. Shadow felt a jolt as the chains wrapped around the engines, he tried to drive away, only for the bike to stall.
"NO!" Shadow exclaimed, "Damn it!"
"We have another crime for you to repent for, Shadow the Hedgehog!" Ghost Rider hollered, "Only I get to ride that motorcycle and that does not belong to you!"
Shadow pressed on the gas harder, trying to escape the grip of the Ghost Rider. However, the engine began to stall out from the pressure, despite the dark hedgehog's efforts. The Ghost Rider moved in, walking towards Shadow while reeling in his chain, link-by-link. The engine began to splutter from the pressure and Ghost Rider withdrew his chain, then he threw it again...
And, this time, he caught Shadow!
The links of Ghost Rider's fiery chain wrapped around the dark hedgehog, constraining him as the heat of the flames seared his body and the Ultimate Life Form yelled in pain. His inhibitor rings gleamed, Shadow's chaos energy working to defend the dark hedgehog from facing certain oblivion.
He snarled in frustration, shocked and outraged by this. How could this happen to him?
"Shit!" Shadow cursed, 'This damn chain is quite a weapon, a damn lethal weapon at that.'
Ghost Rider strolled towards the struggling black anti-hero, cracking his knuckles while his boots made eerie clicking sounds from each step he took, like jingling spurs in the shoes of a walking cowboy. He gazed into Shadow's furious eyes, tasting what smelled like the scent of victory. The battle was at an end, the dust was settling and it would soon be clear as to who was victorious in this hour.
With his shadow looming over the dark hedgehog, Ghost Rider reached down and picked up his defeated enemy, the chains dropping onto the ground in a burning metal pile. Shadow shook his head, dazed from what he was going through, even as his Chaos Energy continued to burn through him.
The dark hedgehog glared into the rider's skull with determination to continue on with fighting; he was not going to run. Shadow was confident, strong and would fight to the end, no matter what.
Johnny "Ghost Rider" Blaze held Shadow by the scruff of his neck, staring into the grim anti-hero's face, square in the hedgehog's black deep red eyes. Ghost Rider's aura blazed and his dark eyes glowed red; his powers surging. With Shadow defeated, now was the time to call upon his ultimate ability yet and the Ghost Rider was not about to hold back.
"Repent!" He snarled.
His red eyes glowed brighter and Shadow screamed in pain, the Rider's stare piercing his soul. With every ounce of willpower, Shadow struggled to resist and block out his enemy.
A fiercely determined Ultimate Life Form fought to break free from the Ghost Rider's grip, trying to resist his dreaded Penance Stare. It couldn't happen, he was not going down like that. But at this point, even if he survived, this was a lost fight.
This was nothing like Black Doom or The Punisher. Ghost Rider was on a whole other level, for now, he just needed to run. And so, his decision was made: Retreat.
Knowing what he had to do, Shadow fought with every ounce of willpower, his limiters glowing brightly. Ghost Rider, sensing this, fought to maintain his grip. Nut even then, he'd underestimated his foe's power. With a determined scream, Shadow broke the Rider's hold and the phantom motorcyclist stumbled back. An aura of energy swelled around Shadow as he recovered his breath, and then...
"Chaos… CONTROL!" Shadow yelled.
In a blinding flash that illuminated the desert, the Ultimate Life Form vanished, leaving only the Ghost Rider with his motorcycle and his chain as well as traces of glass on the desert ground from where the Rider's flame had burned.
Ghost Rider stood alone, calmness washed over him, his powers subsiding. He was uncertain of what to think in regards to this, but either way, it was clear; He had defeated Shadow. Ghost Rider retrieved his chain, climbed back onto his motorcycle and rode off into the moonlight. While the results weren't what he expected, he had defeated Shadow and that was good enough for him, for now...
'Until next time, dark hedgehog.' Ghost Rider thought.
The End
