15- Alliance

"That manacle is proof that you were chosen as a Spider Rider."

Richter looked up, at the sound of Siegfried's voice.

"Boy, it's only natural that you should have a spider partner. Take this one." Wave was standing by the man's side.

"Yes," Richter replied.

"Without a second thought, I took you, Wave," Richter thought out loud. "Because even though you may have just been a tool, that was the first time he ever gave me a gift."

"How do we get to the Outer World, Hunter?" Magma asked. The team of six Spider Riders, and their official tag-along Glint, were all on the road to a possibly unreachable destination.

"Actually, I have no idea," Hunter admitted. "But we have to get there, and we have to rescue Aqune. Spider Riders never give up!"

"I love how heroic you sound," Glint commented. "But I wish I was the girl you wanted to rescue."

"I've never heard of someone who wished to be in danger," said Shadow.

"Glint, it's not like Hunter is in love with Aqune," Lumen mentioned. "Hunter is just very passionate about saving people, the way I'm passionate about napping, and cute girls. It really is a shame the eighth Spider Rider turned out to be that Richter guy instead of a girl. I thought it would be a girl for sure."

"Well there's me! Don't forget!" Glint shouted. "Aren't I close enough, since Richter betrayed us anyway?! I'll be the eighth Rider."

"Guys, let's please focus on the actual problem," Corona suggested. "Hey, Hunter. You said you came into the Inner World through a pyramid, right?"

"Yeah," replied Hunter.

"After that, then what happened, exactly?" She had heard the story before, but maybe being refreshed on the details would suddenly give them an idea.

"Well," he began. "The manacle latched itself onto my arm. Then, I saw this beautiful woman, who turned out to be Spirit Oracle. And the next thing I knew, I was in a forest here."

"Shouldn't we go to that forest, then?" Sparkle asked. "Maybe, there's a portal of some kind there, and we can use it to go back."

"I'm not so sure about that," Shadow replied. "I know that forest well, and I've never seen anything of the sort."

"But you never saw an Earthen either until I showed up," stated Hunter. "Therefore, anything's possible, so we have to at least look."

"Very well," replied Shadow.

As planned, the Spider Riders started a thorough search of the forest area. They looked in the treetops, through every patch of grass, and even dug holes in the ground. But in the end, there were no portals to be found.

"Aww..." Hunter sighed. "It seemed like a good idea."

"I told you so," Shadow replied, to which Hunter just glared.

"Now what?" Igneous wondered.

"Hunting for invisible portals? You guys are a riot."

"That voice…" Hunter looked around, and up in a tree stood Richter. The boy then leapt down in front of them.

"You!" Igneous shouted. "How could you show yourself in front of us now?!"

"Oh, so sorry," Richter said. "I thought you wanted to learn how to get to the Outer World. Because as it turns out, I have a way."

"You expect us to believe that?" Igneous questioned, unsheathing his sword. He clutched the hilt tightly, anger building.

"Hmm… maybe you've got me there," Richter said, smirking. "After all, I did betray you."

"And for what? What do you want?!" Igneous charged at him, forcing Richter to back up towards the tree. Then the knight pushed his sword to Richter's neck, drawing a small amount of blood.

"Igneous, wait!" Glint shouted.

"What?" He didn't move his sword away, but he turned his head.

"You're going way too far," she said. "It's not like we have to kill him. I mean, I don't care personally, but..."

"She's right," Hunter said.

In response, Glint winked.

"Despite who he is, if Richter has a way to get to the Outer World, we have to find out what," Hunter continued. "It could be a trap, but right now, we have no other options."

"Alright," Igneous said, putting his sword away.

"A wise choice," replied Richter.

"Either way, you're not off the hook yet," Magma declared. "Why don't you tell us what it is you've been up to? And if you try to run, we'll go after you. Right, Brutus?"

"Right."

"Hold it! I will," Richter said. "This time it's only fair, because I want to make an alliance with you. I need more power than just mine and Wave's alone."

"An alliance?" Corona questioned.

"Mhm. You probably know this by now if you're looking for a portal, but your friends were kidnapped by the man known as Siegfried. He is the monster I've been hoping to defeat. That man is my father."

"Your father?!" Hunter exclaimed. Though, it did make sense. They were both Earthens, and with a physical resemblance to each other.

"That is correct," Richter said. "Siegfried spent his whole life researching the Inner World. He hoped to one day find it, and have it for himself. Though he was my only living family, I was nothing to him. I grew to hate the Inner World, and hoped to destroy it. Would that give me my father back? I somehow doubt it. But at the very least, I could ruin his plans. I could spite him. And that would be good enough for me."

"That… it's sad, but… to destroy the Inner World?" Corona replied, attempting to process the story.

"That's absurd!" Hunter shouted. "That might be more crazy than Mantid's reasons! Don't you know what the role of a Spider Rider is?"

"Yes, I'm well aware," answered Richter. "I've heard the stories many times from my father. They are great heroes, who save the world from evil. At least, that may have described the Spider Riders of the past. I, however, follow my own path. A path that now crosses with yours, doesn't it?"

"You're right," Hunter said. "I can tell you really do want to defeat him. And as for us, we really have to make it to the Outer World. So I accept your offer. Let's form an alliance."

"Hunter…" Corona said, unsure. But no one did object to him.

"Take us there," Hunter continued, reaching out his hand. Richter shook it.

"I appreciate your kindness," Richter answered. Then, he pulled out a black box just like his father's, which surrounded the whole group in light.

Buguese had been sent back to the room he was in earlier, after his defeat. He hadn't heard from Siegfried since, and still knew nothing about Aqune's location. However, one factor was different this time. That is, he still had his sword on him.

The Insector listened around, to see if Siegfried or his spider was nearby. Either they were moving very quietly, or they weren't, he decided.

'Very well,' he thought. 'Now is my chance.'

Firing energy from his sword, the Insector easily blasted a large hole through the door. He climbed out of it, and glanced at the area. Obviously, the act of destroying the door would have made some noise.

Swiftly as he could, he started to run. But of course, Siegfried inevitably appeared.

Buguese held up his weapon, keeping a composure. The grey spider wasn't there, at least, so that was a point in his favor.

"You miscalculated," he said. "Your experiment failed, Siegfried, and now the Spider Riders know what you've done."

"Yes," Seigfried replied. "Now they know. But how do you expect they can make it to this world?"

"They'll find a way," Buguese replied. "Hunter Steele is annoyingly persistent. And whether or not they do, I will still find Aqune." He fired a shot from his sword at Siegfried, which connected with his chest. It wouldn't really do damage, but would at least distract him. Then, using that chance, Buguese started to run.

Siegfried simply brushed at his charred suit in annoyance.

"Go right ahead," he said. "I knew you would anyway. Of course, by the time you find her, there may not be any of her left."

The man started to laugh.