Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 26 – And I Alone Will Be The Hand Of God.

Raptor's POV, Afghanistan, later that night.

The night had been dark and cold. But you could still see Afghanistan beyond it. Like a light. Yet even this once great light for the freedom we fought for was dying. G.U.N had the border on complete lock down. The security made Iraq look easy to invade. This however was a war waiting to happen that Commander Linnen had on stand by. The best part is that this isn't even his station. Or at least I think he isn't here.

As we pulled up, I knew this would take time to clear us through. G.U.N as always is just a hassle. I swear as we neared the border and the officer in charge approached; he looked at me sideways.

"What business have you here tonight?" He asked looking to my wife who drove.

"Visiting family sir."

"Id?" He asked next as I passed her our papers.

After handing them to the man, he took them away to confirm.

Something wasn't right. The way he looked at me just gave it away. After some time, he came back with the papers to hand them back and say.

"Your clear to go on through. Enjoy your visit."

Alicia gave him a smile as he then ordered the gate open for us to proceed.

Slowly passing through and now into the old city, I looked around in complete remembrance of all the memories around me. So much happened here in the past. It was weird seeing it in this condition.

As we now headed for the capital, I looked in the mirror to see my son staring at me. Our eyes connected, and without a word said he soon broke the connection and looked out the window.

I still can't believe what he said to me. It was hard to think this was still my boy.

With silence now around us, I refocused on the outside world to see something catch my eye. As my mind registered it, I said to Alicia.

"Can you pull over?"

Looking to me in confusion, she asked.

"Why?"

Feeling my mind sinking, I begged.

"Please."

Looking to where I was staring, Alicia instantly knew what I wanted. I knew how she felt about it and I wasn't surprised when she replied.

"Your not ready baby. It's too soon."

"I know when I'm ready Alicia. Just stop the car and let me out. The capital isn't that far from here. I'll be right behind you."

Letting out a sigh, Alicia pulled over the car to let me out.

"Just say a few words Raptor then leave."

"Yeah." I replied as I got out to shut the door behind me.

Slowly making my way forward, Alicia continued to take the kids to the capital. Leaving me with this.

Taking my ultimate care to pace myself forward. I entered the cemetery to look towards the center.

In it's spot was the burial grave of him.

Stopping before his large tombstone, I read his name.

"Shadow Robotnik. Commander of the rebellion. Savior of the middle east. Loving father and caring friend. Missed by all. The past, present and future shall never forget his existence. His life was given to us. For freedom. Long live Commander Shadow Robotnik. Long live his rebellion."

Running my hand over the words, I thought deeply about the meaning. Nothing could have been said better about him.

With my eyes gently heading behind the tombstone, I now stared at his tomb. For the people of the middle east all chipped in to give him a proper farewell. A single standing tomb. Just for him. His coffin was resting inside. He was inside.

For I knew I shouldn't be here seeing this. Alicia was right. I wasn't ready for this. But I felt I had to at least see him once. I haven't been here since the funeral. Since...?

Flashback, 12 years ago.

This was the darkest day ever to come upon this country. Thousands came. Thousands saw. Thousands paid respect to him. Now it was time for the closed funeral. Only members of the rebellion could be present for it. Everyone I knew was there. Yet I was told I shouldn't come. Doctor after doctor ordered me to stay away. Not to see him this one last time before he was gone from the public eye forever.

But I didn't care.

Stepping out of my car in a full black suit. I looked beyond the cemetery gates to see everyone sitting. Sitting and listening to some preacher say some final words. I couldn't watch no longer.

With Shadow's necklace around my neck, I took my feelings and approached the gate to enter. The guards manning the post were caught completely off guard by my presence and didn't try to stop me as I approached the viewing.

Tens of dozens of men and women I knew were here.

Alicia, Archer, Hannon, Wreak, Marx, Mason, Dom, Carver, even Hecan Moore. President of G.U.N came to see him. Beyond that was the men who fought under him. Some officers and some soldiers of our enemy. Even my men were here. Each with lowered heads as the time passed in muttered words.

Nearing the tomb, I came to see Hannon and Mason were taking notice to me approaching.

Hannon was shocked as Mason approached to whisper.

"Raptor...?"

Gently pushing him away, I got the attention of my wife who immediately widened her eyes along with all my fellow comrades. They each knew I was there when Shadow died. They all knew. Maybe they were surprised I showed because his brains were resting on my skin after his death. Or maybe they just saw someone completely different. Ether way I was being stared at by the crowd.

With a tear running down my cheek as I neared the coffin, I stopped before it's grace.

Silence of this magnitude never had been seen before as I stared at him. His shut eyes and his dressed up corpse. Everything was covered up. Even the hole in his head was hidden with fake quills and skin. Whoever did it was a fucking artisan. You couldn't even tell he killed himself.

Slowly coming to my side was Archer.

"Raptor?" He said softly as I cried to myself.

Placing his hand along my back, Archer urged.

"Come on."

"I just...I just had to see him Archer!" I stated with a broken tone as he nodded and replied.

"I know man, I know. It's over now. Let's go."

Trying to pull me away with a gentle grip, Archer stared at me deeply as I gave Shadow one last look to say.

"Not in vein! Not...not in vein!"

Forcing my body to turn away, I let Archer slowly lead me away.

Mason and the others followed, as the preacher said.

"He won't be forgotten."

Those words made me stop as Archer was caught off guard.

Looking back to the preacher, I shouted.

"No!"

Everyone looked to me as Archer urged.

"Don't Raptor."

Pushing him away with my shoulder I said.

"He'll be forgotten soon enough. By everyone here."

Hecan Moore was soon caught by my attention as I looked to him to say.

"The world has to move on right?" I asked as he knew I was asking him the question.

With everyone in utter silence, I felt Archer take me by the arm once more to lead me away.

As we now walked away from it all, I knew what was going to become of the middle east in due time. And I knew by the time it happens, things will not be the same as they are today.

End of flashback.

It began to rain.

With my eyes still on the tomb, I said.

"I'll see you again one day Commander. Just you wait. Hehe. I'm sure at this rate I'll be there sooner rather then later."

Pushing myself back, I went to proceed for the exit to only be caught by the graves to my left. The place where it happened. Where he killed himself.

Stopping to look at them, I gulped.

Amy's grave was where I died. Not just Shadow. And next to her was Ghost and Dove, who got to watch it all. I didn't dare approach the site. For that I knew would break me again.

Once again forcing myself to move, I returned to the sidewalk outside the cemetery. Now all that was left was to walk back to the present.

Commander Mason's POV, Capital, ten minutes later.

Alicia had arrived with the kids to inform me her husband was behind. I knew why, she didn't have to say.

As I stood outside in the rain to wait, I saw him approach the gate. It was clear he was deep in thought.

With my men letting him through, he soon approached me near the entrance to the building.

"You okay?" I asked as he nodded slowly.

"I'm fine now. How are you Mason?"

"I'm...?!" As I went to respond, I was caught off guard by him suddenly hugging me.

"Thank you for this Mason." He said over my shoulder as I smiled and hugged back.

"It's not a problem Raptor. I'll do what I can to help you. Let's get inside."

Letting me go, Raptor took the chance to let me guide him through the guarded doors.

As we entered I saw he was recollecting his memories of this place. I had to take his shoulder as he continued to think about all this.

Rebellion soldiers were all around him. In Iraq I know the rebellion is long gone. It must be great seeing this for him. Seeing that we're not completely beaten yet.

In time, I got Raptor to my office to shut the door.

"Alicia is with the kids. I have her set up in the officer's barracks right next to my room."

Nodding, Raptor asked.

"Did you see my boy?"

Nodding I replied.

"I did. He's getting big."

"Yeah he is. Isn't he?" Stated Raptor as I continued to listen to his sigh.

"I may be in trouble in Iraq Mason. My life is in danger now everyday. Yet that kid can hurt me more then any enemy."

"What do you mean? What happened?" I asked in confusion as he took a seat in front of my desk.

After soon getting in my chair, he replied.

"When I told him we were coming here he just went off on me. Said I was the worst father in the world. Said I was only hurting the family. Mason...he told me to go fucking die."

The mood had been set with that statement. I was unaware his son was giving him this much trouble.

"You know he doesn't mean it right?" I wondered as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I want to believe he doesn't mean it Mason, but he looked me in the eyes and said it. His voice held no signs of denial. If he only said that to get to me he's a fucking good actor. But I know he didn't act that. He wouldn't have told midnight she was adopted otherwise."

In disbelief, I questioned.

"He said what?"

Looking back into my eyes Raptor replied.

"He called us out. Told his sister straight up that she wasn't part of our family. Alicia and I had no idea how to react to it Mason. We wanted to wait till she was ready."

With my hand resting along my mouth, I asked.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Nodding, Raptor urged.

"Can you dig something up on her real parents? Maybe give her a better idea then what I could give her about them?"

Nodding quickly I replied.

"Yeah no problem. There's bound to be a lot left dealing with those two. I can find some stuff. Don't worry about it."

"Thanks Mason. You...you were always a good guy. Unlike Hannon. Fuck."

"You said he was no longer in contact with you? What happened?" I asked in confusion as he coughed.

"I told him the same thing I told you. That I was going to stop G.U.N from signing any sort of contract. Even if it meant war again. Well he didn't want any part of it. He told me I would regret what I was doing and he drove off. I haven't seen him for a week or so. For all I know fucking Monroe already knows I'm the one hitting him. Hannon could sell me out along with Wreak, Archer, and Marx."

"Oh their helping you?" I wondered as he nodded.

"They still believe we deserve freedom. Their willing to die along with me if that's what it takes." Stated Raptor as I replied.

"You may be good Raptor, but you know you can't beat Monroe with just the four of you."

Continuing to nod, Raptor replied.

"I know that Mason. I'm recruiting under the table back in Iraq. Wreak is training whoever has the guts to step up and I'm going to be in command along with Archer as my second."

"You think it will be enough?" I asked as he shook his head to reply.

"I don't know. But this deep? Who cares?"

"Well I do for one Raptor. You have a family to watch out for in the end."

Slowly Raptor looked back into my eyes to state.

"I'm going to be honest with you for a second Mason. What I'm about to say does not get repeated. Do you understand?" He asked in a serious tone as I nodded and replied.

"I do Raptor. What is it?"

Getting straight in his seat, he said.

"My son was right about what he said. Things were better while I was gone for them. I could see it the second I left and came back."

Gently getting up from his seat Raptor continued.

"Years ago, when I lost my first family. When I made my choice about what was more important to me...I lost everything. Not just my wife and daughter."

I remained seated and continued to listen as Raptor took his time to come up with the next sentence.

"They died because of me Mason. Hell after all the time has past I've come to terms with who was to blame for it all."

Approaching my desk, Raptor reached for his shirt to pull it up and point at his heart. Under his gray quills was a thick scar. Looking to me strong he said.

"I punished myself. I did everything to repay them for the pain I caused them. Thinking it would bring them back in the end. I stabbed myself. Shot myself. I even threw myself off a building after I was awarded the position to command Pakistan's rebellion. I did everything I could to kill myself. Yet...I kept living. I didn't know why Mason. Something kept my heart beating and that's why I then took a gun to it. I shot myself right in the heart and still...I couldn't just die."

"Raptor?" I muttered in sadness as he shook his head to urge.

"Don't. I heard it all in my life Mason. There isn't any more words left to say to me to make me go back on what I did. The only person who can stop me is myself. Not my kids. Not Alicia. Not even Shadow, god rest his soul."

Lowering his shirt, Raptor reached behind his back to pull out a gun I thought I would never see again. Commander Robotnik's M1911.

Placing it on the table in front of me, he pulled out the clip to begin taking out the bullets. I watched in confusion as he set up three rounds in front of me to say.

"That's my family."

Looking to him as he then placed one by his side, he said.

"And this is me."

Taking the remaining rounds, he put them all around his bullet to say.

"And this is G.U.N."

Keeping his eyes on me he began to knock each one representing G.U.N over.

"To protect my family I can no longer be in contact with them Mason. For every enemy is my own. For every bullet is mine to take. Along with all the words to follow after each battle. For if my life is lost they will not be taken from this earth."

His words were powerful. He sounded like Shadow he was so serious and concerned with himself.

Pointing to the bullets in front of me he said.

"I'm leaving them with you Mason. Not to hurt them, but to protect them. It may be mistaken for a while, but in the end Alicia and I agreed it was the right thing to do. You take care of my kids Mason."

"Consider it done Major...? I mean...Commander." Raptor's eyes didn't budge from the statement as he looked to his gun's clip to see one bullet left.

"Fitting." He stated as he loaded the clip to lower the gun back to his side.

"After I'm done in Iraq I'll be back here. I don't want you to do anything Mason. I just want to know you have my back for this."

Standing up I offered him my hand. Slowly taking it I said.

"I'll always have your back Raptor. Everyone in the middle east does. You're never going to be alone in this."

Giving me a nod, he went to let go and turn. Pulling on my grip to yank him close, our eyes stared into one another.

"After you're done with Monroe you have my word I'll help you with Linnen. He may have an army now, but in time we'll do what Shadow did Raptor. We'll retake our freedom."

Coming in for one last hug, Raptor replied.

"Thank you again for this Mason. I'll make sure your one day paid back."

"Don't worry about it Raptor. Just get going before anything else happens." I urged him as he nodded and released me to head for the door to my office.

Raptor's POV.

Opening Mason's door, I stopped to stare right into Alicia's eyes as she waited behind the door with Midnight and my son.

With her crying, Alicia came in for one last hug to whisper into my ear.

"You make sure you come back to us Raptor. You hear me?" She asked as I pulled her away to reply.

"I always hear you."

Gently chuckling, I got down to see Midnight tugging on my side.

"Be careful daddy."

"I will baby. You be good for uncle Mason."

"I will. I love you." She replied as I stared at her blankly.

"I love you too."

After a tight hug, I let her go to look at Ghost who wouldn't even look back.

Letting out a sigh, I ordered him.

"You protect this family Ghost. You understand me?"

No response was given as he continued to ignore me.

Grabbing my emotions I said to him.

"You enjoy your time without me in you're life. I hope when I come back, that I'll be able to call you my son again."

The statement made him widen his eyes as Alicia could only mutter in sadness.

"Raptor...please...?"

Making my way by her, I made haste for the car. With rebellion soldiers looking on to me in hope for a future, I took my chance to leave. God knows when I'll be back.

God knows if I'll still be me.

Emotional chapter for Raptor and his family. If anyone remembers Raptor was suppose to be the rebellion Commander before Shadow won the war in Afghanistan. Let me know what you think. And while your at it answer this question. Or next choice in this case.

Should Raptor go right to the rebellion HQ back in Iraq? Or to Dr. Clamer?

Answer in review.

mT Shadow.