Ghost Of Vengeance

by AceAttonrey5

Chris and Sheva meet an unusual informant.

As if on cue, they'd come running. It was just as Sheva had finished grabbing that Statuette that Chris had first heard them - he beckoned Sheva to come down, and after a bit of fighting, the two found a defensive position inside one of the houses. It wouldn't last forever, and Chris knew it, but with luck, they would back off before they had to run. There could only be so many of them, right? He knew he had to be cautious about such hopes, but there was always a chance. Jill had always helped him remember that.

"Chris?"

Sheva's voice pulled Redfield's attention away from the zombie he'd just shot, glancing to his new partner. She gave him a funny look, lowering her weapon slightly.

"Is it just me, or are they dwindling in number?" she asked skeptically.

Chris tilted his gun down, looking out one of the windows. They were there, alright, but they were dead. Dead as they could be, anyway. In fact, as he peered closer, he spotted one that looked like he'd been set aflame.

He looked back at Sheva. "Keep your gun at the ready. Something's out th-" Chris was cut off by the sound of something crackling. He and Sheva both turned their attentions to the door, which had been set on fire. The flames consumed the wooden barricade like it was nothing, less than a few seconds passing between the initial lighting and the falling of the last ashes. And behind it, stood something like nothing Chris had ever seen before.A man - was it even a man? It looked humanoid, and donned human clothes, but that skull was most certainly not human. Both BSAA Operatives raised their weapons, aiming at the creature before them. Though neither fired, they weren't about to take any chances.

."Innocent. It said looking at Chris. "innocent." It also said looking Sheva, It's voice somehow both load and yet, it was whispering at the same time.

A glance was exchanged, both confused by his words. Innocent? What was that supposed to mean? Well, Chris knew what it meant, but why was he saying it? What weight did it hold?

"Who are you?" Chris inquired, one brow raising, "And what are you talking about?"

This all reminded Chris a little too much of the reports that had been floating around. They'd say in the back of his mind, more of a cautionary tale than anything, but there were similarities. A skull-headed creature with pyrokinesis arriving, slaughtering hordes of zombies, bioterrorists, or what have you, and sparing the innocent. It was all just a little more than coincidental.

"I am the slayer of those who have spelled Innocent Blood." It said wrapping the Chain around him. "Get out. This is no matter for you." It said, walking back to a motorcycle.

Chris winced at the creature's voice - it sent chills through him, something that he hadn't felt in a long time. That wasn't to say that he hadn't felt fear at all, but there was a certain level of it that he didn't have a word for, where even if he'd heard less pleasant noises, he still found himself disturbed. He was intimidated - that was the word he was looking for. He looked at Sheva again, judging her reaction. Her eyes had widened, body freezing up. It had obviously affected her more than him, though he couldn't have said why. Chris reached one hand away from his gun, tapping her in an attempt to pull her attention back to the matter at hand. She looked at him, nodding, as if to say that she was fine.

"No matter for us?" Chris repeated, following the 'slayer of those who have spilled innocent blood'. He knew very well that wasn't a proper answer.

"We're not going anywhere. We have a mission to complete. Thanks for the assist, but we have to keep going," he explained, stopping to glance over the bike, thrown off even further by the vehicle.

"Where are you going, anyways?" Sheva finally spoke up, following Chris out.

"Yeah. And you still haven't actually told us who you are," Redfield added.

Rider stopped and turned to Chris slowly. "To hunt the cause of this. Wessssssssker." His flaming head would turn blue for a second. " He whispered. "You can call me Ghost Rider." Rider said as his flame was now normal.

Chris halted at the name. For a minute, his eyes widened, jaw dropping. There was no way. Even if he was alive, the Rider couldn't have possibly known it. Redfield's expression dropped into a glare, not directed at Rider, even though he was looking at him.

"Wesker?" he asked.

Sheva turned her attention up at Chris, inquisitive.

"Wesker?" she echoed, lacking the aggression that Chris had let slip into his tone.

"Albert Wesker... Let's just say that he and I have history," Chris answered, not taking his eyes off of the Ghost Rider.

Sheva raised a brow, accepting the response, though still questioning. What history? Who truly was Wesker? She'd heard the name floating around, but she was quite certain that he was dead. That's what all the files Saudi after all. She turned her attention back to the ghostly man before them. He still creeped her out, especially with the change of flames and the whispering as much as she tried to hide it but it seemed that Chris was too lost in his grudge to let it bother him at the moment.

If Wesker was alive, then that opened up a whole slew of questions. Was Jill alive? Where was she? Was she okay? What was he doing here? How long had he been planning this? Chris had to pull himself out of it, focusing again.

"Do you have any proof?" Chris decided to question his scowl fading somewhat to allow for a more interrogative look, "Because if he's involved in this, then we need to move. Fast. Who knows what that rotten bastard is up to..."

"His soul in not in Hell." Rider said. "If you truly wish to come with me, keep up."

Rider then touched his motorcycle as it became a car fit for four people. It still left a trail of fire. "I know where he is. Tell your...Misson Control."

While Chris didn't doubt for a second that Wesker would have ended up in hell, it was still a very odd response. But he wasn't about to turn down the offer. The bad blood between himself and Albert ran deep - Chris couldn't count the hours he'd spent festering in fury and regret. So many people had died to that man, some of them people that Chris had cared strongly for. If Wesker was to fall, Chris wanted to be there for it.

He sighed through his nose, eyes widening slightly at the transformation. It wasn't to say he wasn't shocked, but with all of the recent revelations, it felt more like the weird cherry atop the Surprise Sundae more than anything.

"... Alright. I'll notify them," he agreed.

"Are you sure, Chris?" Sheva asked, attention pulled away from the transformed bike. At first, she'd expected that it was transforming into a monster of it's own, though looking back, that was a bit illogical of her. Then again, you never knew for sure.

"Yeah. I am," he answered, fishing the phone from his pocket. He turned away from the car.

"Chris Redfield to headquarters. We're accepting assistance from an outside source."

"Affirmative, captain. Who's the source?"

"You know the suspected BOW making the rounds, recently? The skeletal, pyrokinetic one. Pretty sure some of the more skeptical boys were calling him "*Hot Wheels*" for a while. I don't know what his file number is."

"... Understood. What assistance?"

"He's offering to bring us to Albert Wesker. He says that he's behind all of this."

"Alright. Logging it in now. Make sure to update us when you get to Wesker's location."

"Will do."

Chris hung up the phone, turning to the car again.

"I've got the green light. Let's go," he informed, walking towards the vehicle.

Ghost rider got into the car and two doors Opened.

Chris entered far less hesitantly than the the other operative, looking about the vehicle as he waited for his partner. Sheva, much more cautious about the whole ordeal, did eventually follow him. She buckled up, something that Chris only did after seeing her.

"So... This thing isn't going to turn back halfway through the trip, right?" Chris spoke up.

"I'd be more concerned about it getting pulled apart by the undead," Alomar replied.

Chris went to respond, but instead found his attention drawn to the Rider once again. Once the pair got into the car Rider then said "Hold on Tight." Before starting the car and pushing the gas petal hard. He narrowed his eyes. Hold on tight? Why?

The car jolted forward, earning a surprised shout from both of the operatives. Chris gritted his teeth, closing his eyes. He felt as though his guts might try to pop out of his back if he moved. Sheva felt about the same, though she made the mistake of looking out the window. The scenery flying by only further disoriented her, adding a sense of nausea to the pile. She braced her head against the back of her seat, closing her eyes as well. And that laughter sure as hell wasn't helping.

As quickly as it'd started, it stopped. Both were thrown forward, Chris significantly more affected than Sheva. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, he guessed. With a groan, he leaned away from the seat he'd hit, holding his forehead. Sheva let out a similar noise, resting her head against the seat for a moment.

"Jesus Christ... That was an experience," Chris mumbled, opening his eyes again.

"That's a word for it," Sheva answered. The world felt like it was spinning.

"We are here." Rider said getting out of the car and the doors opening.

After a moment, Chris swung his legs out of the open door, and attempted to stand. Sheva, eager to get out of the vehicle, followed suit. She leaned against the car for a moment, trying to sort herself out once again.

"Thanks," Chris noted, before looking at the scene around them. They looked like ruins of some kind. He didn't expect that from Wesker - he struck Chris as more of a city guy. Then again, with how high and mighty he'd been when they'd last met, maybe he thought the temple suited him.

Redfield found his phone again, dialling in the number to headquarters.

"Chris Redfield to HQ. We've reached the location. It appears to be ruins of some kind... We'll enter as soon as we have clearance."

"Ruins? You're sure?"

"Yeah, that's what I thought too. But they're ruins alright. An old temple, maybe."

"... Alright, just a minute. I'm putting you on hold."

Chris sighed, as the music kicked in. Sheva gave him a knowing look, which he responded to by rolling his eyes. The music held for at least a minute, before clicking off.

"Okay, you're clear. Proceed with caution. We have no idea where Wesker might be, or what he's capable of."

"Affirmative."

Chris hung up, pocketing the phone.

"Okay. Let's go give Wesker a visit," he announced, checking over his pistol.

Chris and Sheva followed the Rider, guns at the ready. Chris spotted the guards, silently motioning for Sheva to duck. She nodded, taking cover, and Chris followed. They both looked up at Rider as he spoke, the captain giving an understanding nod at the order. They'd provide backup, then.

Ri

"*Stay here.*" Rider said as he walked forward. The Gaurds ran forward and one of them shot its Machine gun into Rider's mouth with Riders mouth open. He then threw up Lava along with the bullets burning the mans face. He then used his Chain to cut the other two in half turning them into coal. "*Clear.*"

Both peered over the edges of their cover, keeping an eye on Rider. Chris didn't entirely expect the bullets to do much, given that they were shooting into what he figured was bone, but the lava that came back out at the guard wasn't something he'd pictured coming. Maybe they wouldn't even need to provide cover fire. He shot a look back at Sheva, as if asking if that's really what he just saw. He received an affirming nod, his partner seemingly just as surprised as he was by the attack. His eyes flickered back to the fight, as the chain ripped through the last two guards. That was some strong goddamn metal, or a powerful arm wielding it. Frankly, Chris wasn't sure, and neither was Sheva. But the coal - that was strange. At least the lava could have been explained away as molten metal, the whole bodies being changed in coal was an entirely different story. Chris narrowed his eyes, his face screwing up in confusion.

As the fight ended, Redfield stood up. His eyes stayed locked on the corpses for a minute (or, what was left of them) before he nodded.

"Understood. Let's move," he responded, pushing forward into the ruins. Sheva headed after him, momentarily distracted by the coal corpses. How the hell did he do that? It had to be an effect of the weapon, but what? She didn't know if she wanted to find out.

"Expect more resistance going in. Wesker's not going to be alone here, I'm sure of it," Chris added, raising his gun, as he started for the door. He glanced back momentarily, one brow raising, "Why are you chasing him, anyways?"

He had his own reasons, but he had yet to hear any from Rider. Then again, he had made that comment about hell before. Not that it answered much."He must suffer the pain of every innocent blood spilled because of him." Rider said. "He thinks he's a god. A perfect human. How Pitiful. It's an excuse for his pathetic life."

Chris wasn't sure how to respond. Of course, Rider was right - if there anyone in this world with a god complex, it would be Albert Wesker. Even in STARS, he'd had an inflated ego. But, as much as Chris would have loved to exact vengeance, he didn't exactly know how the Ghost Rider planned to do so. Too many innocents had fallen to his hand, there was no way to make him suffer for each and every one, surely.

"Yeah. He always was an egotistical bastard," Chris responded, stopping just by the door as he spoke, "And now he's an egotistical bastard with a hand in biological warfare."

He kicked the way open, pointing the dangerous end of his handgun into the room. He progressed inside, met with total silence. *Almost.* He heard footsteps, coming from another part of the room towards this one. Two figures stepped out, heading for the door across from them - neither people he recognized. One was a woman in a white dress, the other was what he assumed to be a person, in a dark cloak. It appeared that they were wearing some kind of Plague Doctor's mask, though it was hard to tell from this angle.

"Hey! Who are you two?" Chris called out.

The white-dressed woman turned her head to look at Chris, eyes widening with shock for a split second. She smirked.

"You're early."

"What?" Chris replied. Excella started moving for the door again, clearly ignoring Redfield. Chris's expression scrunched up with frustration, "Stay there! It's not safe to-"

The woman left through the next door, the Plague Doctor following her, as Sheva entered the room after Chris. She only just caught a glimpse of the white-dressed woman, but- No, it couldn't be her. There was no good reason for her to be here.

"Excella Gionne?" she murmured to herself, confused.

"You know her?"

"I know *of* her. She works for Tricell. What's she doing here..?"

On the other side of the door, Excella stopped to grab her phone. As soon as she'd gotten a hold of it, she started forward again, walking slightly faster than before. As she hurried along, she dialled in her partner's number. "They're here."

"... You're certain?" Wesker's voice came over the other end.

"Clear as day. Your old friend didn't recognize me, though."

"Of course he didn't. Come meet me - Jill and I will distract them while you get to the ship."

"I'll see you then," Gionne bid, hanging up.

At Chris' voice, Jill had begun growing nervous. She knew exactly what was going through his head right now. He was going to kill Wesker, he thought. He couldn't do it. Wesker would mop the floor with him, and he'd probably get her in on the action, just to hurt him. She didn't want to watch Chris die. She didn't know if she could. But, struggle as she might, there was nothing she could do."Guilty. Rider said before running towards the door.

Chris and Sheva both jumped out of the way, as Rider ran forth. They glanced at one another, silently asking who he was talking about, before turning back to the door. Still, maybe they should trust his judgement, Chris figured.

"Come on!" he commanded, taking chase.

"Rodger!" Sheva confirmed, following after him.

Halfway through the next room, Excella heard a crackling behind them. She turned around, eyes narrowing at the burning door. What in hell were those-

"Your soul is stained with the blood of the innocent."

Her eyes widened again, as she looked upon the one who walked through. That was no bioweapon of theirs. It could have been another's, but that alone was worrying. And that voice - she had to lift her hands to her ears, expression curling into a discomforted sort of snarl.

"I have- I have no idea what you're talking about," she insisted, backing away, one eye opening wider than the other as she attempted to look more directly at him.

Chris and Sheva entered behind, looking from Rider, to Excella, to the cloaked woman. It could have been either of them, Chris now realized.

"Stand down, Excella," Chris warned, moving up.

Excella removed her hands from over her ears, and shook her head. Jill didn't need to be told what to do next. She'd already received her orders from Wesker, when she'd been sent off - protect Excella Gionne.

She couldn't do this. She didn't want to hurt Chris - she didn't want to hurt any of them. She hadn't been able to physically react to the skeletal man's words, his voice, or his overall state, but they still rung in her mind. He was here for repentance. He was here to kill someone. The ever-growing hopelessness inside of Jill hoped that he'd been talking to her, even though she knew that Excella was more likely. Death was a kinder fate than this.

Valentine charged forward, Excella started for the exit. Chris opened fire, though only one bullet landed, knocking the mask off of her face. In a series of flips, she managed to evade being hit otherwise, until she slammed into Redfield. The soldier fell backwards, landing with a grunt.

"Chris!" Sheva exclaimed. She turned her gun on Jill, intending to shoot her - but the virus was quicker. She found the weapon kicked out of her hands, and a sharp punch delivered to her missing a beat, Jill proceeded to use Sheva's chest as a platform to vault off of. The soldier stumbled down, just as Chris began to right himself. Valentine landed in front of Rider, ignorant of the flames as she reached out to grab his bottom jaw. It was the Jill inside that would have to deal with the searing pain that burnt her hand. She wanted to let out a cry, but no sound came from her. The virus didn't care. It knew what it was doing, and the wound was apparently worth grabbed the fist.

In an uncharacteristic manner,He gently whispered, "Innocent. None of it is your fault. Hell won't welcome you." The drone didn't flinch except to snarl as her fist was caught. Though, Jill got the feeling that this was odd for the Ghost Rider. She wasn't innocent. Under Wesker's control or not, she'd done things she would never be able to fix. Her expression only changed when she realized that he was going for the injector. She began to struggle harder, the anger in her face mixing with anguish, as the device was pried from her chest. A stifled cry escaped her. The injector finally let go, leaving behind several puncture holes in her torso, and a woman that collapsed to her knees as soon as the virus had run was *exhausted*. It felt like every inch of energy had been ripped from her, like she was already , coming back to his feet, found himself lowering his gun. He glanced at the discarded injector, then back to Rider and the cloaked woman. He couldn't see her face from here, but something just felt... the little strength that she had, Jill found herself looking down at the wound, healing and scarring over. She blinked a few times, trying to digest what had just happened, eventually looking up at Rider again. His voice was different now, though she couldn't tell why.

"... Thank you," she said. Chris' face dropped. *It was her.* He didn't even need to see her face - he knew her voice anywhere.

"Jill?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. Now, he better understood what Rider had said. He was still confused by the change of voice, but in the wake of *this, his attention had been taken away. Sheva, behind him, was still more focused on the sudden softness the Ghost Rider had then gave Jill to Chris. Without really thinking about it, Redfield opened his arms to take Jill. She fell into him, letting out a sigh. A tired smile crossed her face.

"... Chris," she returned, closing her eyes

"Take Care of Jill." He said before running after Excella. The soldier let his eyes move away for a second, to regard Rider. He nodded once, decidedly. Jill, on the other hand, shook her head.

"No... No, you have to go, too... Wesker..." she protested.

"We'll go after him once you're safe," Chris answered, glancing to Alomar, "Sheva, call into headquarters."

Sheva nodded, going for her phone. Chris adjusted himself, looking around the room. Wesker had already hurt Jill enough, and now this... *He wasn't going to get away with it*.

The next room opened into a long hall, one which Excella had sprinted down as quickly as she could. She opened one of the side-doors, leading into an labyrinthine area. She looked around for a moment, trying to figure out which way to go, before picking a path and just *going*.

Wesker was waiting at the end, in the large room that it connected to. Once she got there, all would be well. They'd progress to the ship, and move forward with their plan. Nothing could stop them then.

As the door opened behind her, Excella turned around. Her eyes widened slightly. Had he managed to escape Jill? Was she dead? She opened her mouth to speak, only for him to begin swinging the chain that he'd grabbed.

She backed up, and began running again, only to feel the burning metal wrap around her abdomen. She was yanked to the floor, screaming as the fiery metal seared through to her skin. She writhed, struggling to get away from the chains, only burning herself further as she pulled and pushed at them. It was no use. The flames travelled up and down her torso, until the body rolling about on the floor was less human and more fire. In the overwhelming pain, she didn't even notice that parts of her had begun to numb, as the flesh was replaced with coal. It was only once her arms stopped moving, and there was more coal than fire, that she recognized the change.

"NO, *NO*!" found its way into her protests, though she wasn't sure what she was even fighting against anymore.

Her face froze into an ashen scream, as she went silent once more. The chain pulled back, and she fell into pieces of charcoal and dust.

And then, the air was still. Wesker listened for more shrieking, but heard none. A shame, really. He'd been hoping to see if Uroboros accepted her or not. Not that it really mattered - as long as he was alive and well, the plan would come to there was no Excella to wait for, then he might as well be off. He turned away, beginning up the staircase towards the door. He would get to the ship himself. He was only somewhat concerned about whatever had killed her. She was only human, after all. He, on the other hand, was nearly a god. Nothing in this place could touch him

Chris and the others had also heard the screaming. Sheva winced. She didn't even want to imagine what was happening in there. "I guess we're not questioning her, then," Chris remarked.

"I don't think you would have gotten anything out of her. For however cowardly she seems, Excella is- *was* extremely dedicated," Jill responded. She'd recovered remarkably quickly, though exhaustion still tugged at her bones, and occasionally lulled her eyes shut. She felt more nauseous than anything, nodded. Maybe they wouldn't have. Not that it mattered a whole lot, now. He'd have to add it to the report, ran forward knocking down everything.

"WESKKKKKERRRR! I CAN SMELL YOUR STINKING SOUL!" Rider yelled out. "IF YOU THINK SO HIGHLY OF YOURSRLF, FACE ME!" Rider yelled again as his voice got more echoey as it bounced off the walls.

Wesker paused, listening closely to the semi-distant voice. It sounded almost... Otherworldly. It didn't help that it sounded like the creature was tearing through anything in it's way, as if it didn't care for the integrity of the ruins. Of course, how could it? With the voice that had come from it, it sounded like nothing more than a mindless Tyrant. (And to think, there'd been a time where he thought nothing could surpass their power). He rolled his neck, trying to rid himself of the unease that had settled inside of him, before beginning once more up the stairs.

"Is that him?"

"Sounds like it. I just hope he leaves Wesker alive until- *JESUS!*"Chris jumped out of the way of the motorcycle, just narrowly avoiding it. He stared after the bike, eyes wide with adrenaline. Sheva, who'd been silent until now, let out a sigh of 's eyes stayed locked on the trail of fire left behind, at a loss as to whether the fire was from the bike's speed or the fact that the tires themselves were aflame. Her gaze turned to Chris, questioningly.

"Yeah... I wish I could tell you," he answered her silent inquiry, shaking his head.

At the top of the stairs, Wesker found himself faltered yet again. He'd heard the sound of an engine not long after he'd started upwards, though suddenly, it was much closer than before. He turned away from the exit, peering at the door that led into the labyrinth. As if on cue, out burst a... Fiery, leather-clad skeleton, riding a chopper bike. It sounded like something out of a movie. But regardless of that, this certainly wasn't a Tyrant. "You're not what I expected-" he started, only for the skeleton to respond by whipping a chain out at him. Although one leg managed to avoid the attack, the second didn't. The burning chain wrapped around the limb, jerking him forwards and to the ground. He grunted as he landed, less than a second between the seizing and being wrenched into the air. He was thrown off to one side, slamming into one of the walls. He let out another pained noise, dropping to the floor. A smile crept to his face, and he let out a chuckle.

"Well, then…" he commented, casually sitting up, "You've surprised me. It won't happen again."

Quicker than the eye could see, he grabbed one of the larger pieces of rubble that had fallen when he'd hit the wall, and flung it at Rider. He then jumped up, grabbing the chain (it burnt, but he could grit his teeth and move past it) and pulling it backwards. If it was going to stay attached to him, at least he could use it to his advantage.

Rider grabbed it and smashed it on the floor. "Not Yours." Rider would say before the chain would be on fire. "Your soul is stained with the blood of the innocent. Too long have you lived. Your luck ends today." Rider said as he pulled the chain down leaving Wesker in the floor.

Wesker drew his hands back sharply, hissing at the new pain. It scorched his leg, earning a growl from him, as he ground his teeth. He would not give this creature a moment of satisfaction. He glared at Rider, moving to punch the skeleton, only to be pulled to the ground once more.

He let out a grumbling sigh. Under the sunglasses, he found his eyes flitting around, looking for an exit. He knew full well that, even if he could beat the Ghost Rider, that chain was a problem. He could outrun the motorcycle if he really needed to, and he guessed that if the fiery monster could go faster than the vehicle, then he wouldn't have used it. Albert started for one of his pockets, looking for his remote. He didn't need them to kill him - he just needed a distraction.

"Indeed? You sound quite sure of yourself," he responded. He found the device, pressing the button to call for reinforcements, before focusing his full attention on his opponent again, "If you think I am biased against the innocent, you might want to reconsider. I am biased against the weak. If innocents must die in the process, then they will. That is the price of progress."

The only other door in the room, a doorway to led into the laboratories attached to the ruins, slammed open. Several guards poured out, running to various covers throughout the room, and yelling to one another. Wesker smirked, watching the guards as they arrived. They'd been close by, given that the group hadn't entered the way that Albert had expected - now, that was a very welcome thing.

A silence hung between the group members, as they waited. The evacuation would be here any minute. Chris had so many questions for Jill, but he couldn't ask them now. He had to let her rest first. She'd been through enough. She didn't need an interrogation-

A distant scream interrupted his thoughts. Chris perked up, listening. It appeared that Jill and Sheva heard it as well, as they quickly followed suit.

"Is..." Jill murmured, her expression scrunching up in confusion.

"Yeah, I... I think so," Chris responded, instinctively knowing what she was about to say. That was Wesker, screaming. It was a weird noise, mostly because Chris hadn't expected to hear it.

"What do you think's happening?" Sheva mused.

"Dunno. Whatever it is, he earned it," Chris answered decidedly.

Wesker got ready to stand, to run as fast as he could away from the scene - but the chance never came. Rather than letting him go to fight the guards, the Rider simply swung the chain with Wesker still attached. He let out a shout, momentarily panicked, as he flew through the air. Struggling to remove the chains from himself was difficult, when he kept being smashed through pillars and into undead bodies. He failed this task, and within a number of minutes, he laid on the floor, recovering from the event. His sunglasses had been knocked off in the process, revealing the piercing red eyes underneath, something that Wesker was quite unhappy about.

He let out a groan of discomfort, finally re-opening his eyes. It seemed like the torment was over. He propped himself up on his elbows, sighing.

"Done throwing me around like a doll?" he asked, clearly upset. He cleared his throat, grinning once more, in a facade of confidence. "Why don't you let me off this chain, and we can sort our problems out... Let's call it fairly?"

"Fair? FAIR?" Rider Shouted before kicking Wesker in the ribs. "You're the one who thinks hes a god. Dumb idea pal." Rider then stomped on Weskers face. "Tell that to Jill. You could have killed her. That would have been fair. What about all those members of S.T.A.R.S back at the mansion? You didn't give a damn. You even blackmailed Barry Burton. You don't deserve fairness." Rider then stomped on Weskers Dick. "Remember James Marcus? He may have been on your side but you still killed him with William Brikin. You don't have honor. I bet you would call for more men or run away like the coward you are." Rider then grabbed Weskers head and make him look into his eyes. "Feel the pain of everything you have done. "

Wesker groaned, as the kick landed to his ribs. He'd hoped that Rider's who would get the best of him - apparently, not. A boot came down on his face, pushing him back down to the floor below, and cracking his nose. He snarled, lifting a hand to his bloodied face as soon as Ghost Rider had let off. He never claimed to be a caring man. Those people - innocent or not, he had a reason for each of them. Jill had been revenge, for example. S.T.A.R.S was destined to become the massacre that it had, and Barry Burton had been a necessary aid in performing it. Although Wesker had been proud of them at the time (perhaps not of them, but of himself, for bringing together such a skilled team), he had no difficulties in letting them go.

The final strike got a reaction out of him - godlike or not, that hurt. He curled inwards, letting out a shout far louder than any of the others he'd made previously. It descended into a grumble, as he attempted to silence himself. The pain radiated through his stomach and legs, even after the initial wave was over.

Dr. Marcus - how could he forget? He'd been the mentor to himself and Birkin. He'd been killed in order, not that Wesker would have gone back and changed it. There was very little, if anything at all, that he would change about the choices he'd made in life. The only one he could think of at this very moment was waiting here for Chris and company to arrive.

He didn't try to break the Ghost Rider's gaze - he only narrowed his eyes, sneering at him. What was he-

An overwhelming agony enveloped Wesker, tightening every muscle in his body with anguish. Images flashed by his eyes - years of experimentation, of mutation, of progress. Of watching subjects of all kinds be dissected and infected, or even of doing the job himself. James Marcus' half-living body, the life bleeding from him from every hole the bullets had torn open. S.T.A.R.S, each and every one of their deaths, whether at the jaws of a zombie or at the end of his gun. And Raccoon City - of the people who'd fallen to the floor, writhing and shrieking in pain as the virus overtook them. The people who'd survived, but felt the emotional aftermath of the virus. Of the several survivors who felt the virus, but had escaped the city alive. Marvin Branagh, laying half-dead in the RPD, and younger Jill Valentine, as she was infected by the Nemesis, and Brad Vickers, as he struggled against the zombies looking to tear him apart. Years of bioterrorism to follow, as the T Virus mutated and was developed, then used in further outbreak. The Uroboros outbreak, and the thousands of people affected by it. Jill Valentine, every time they'd pulled her out to test something new or he'd zapped her back into submission. The torment that she'd been through, every waking moment spent battling for control with this virus. The utter exhaustion she'd felt, when she was finally released. All of this - he felt no remorse for the actions themselves. But the fact that he was suffering through this was regretful enough to account for all of it.

It all hit him at once, coming in like a train. He howled in pain, attempting to struggle. He couldn't move. He could barely hear his own shrieking over the sound of laughter ringing in his ears. Flames flickered at the edges of the visions, closing in more and more until he found himself completely blinded by them. His eyes began to turn grey and ashen, embers still burning on the inside. He finally fell silent and limp. He continued to breath and blink, as if alive, but lack any and all sense of control. Finally, he knew how it felt to be in Valentine's shoes.

"Thank God, there you guys are. We've been waiting for you."

The contact nodded, eyes flitting to Jill, who still sat silently, then back to Chris.

"I'm glad we made it in time. Where's your 'outside source' that HQ mentioned?" he asked.

Chris jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "He headed deeper into the ruins. Sheva and I will be heading-"

A scream hit the air, earning the attention of all four. Wesker? Chris and Sheva looked to one another, and Alomar nodded. Chris turned to Jill, setting both hands on her shoulders.

"Alright, you're gonna head to base with this guy. They're going to keep you safe."

"I'm not worried about myself, Chris. You just make sure that you come back in one piece."

"I always do."

Jill shook her head, barely amused.

"You keep saying that, but one day, you won't."

"I will," Chris forced a smile. "Promise."

Without letting Valentine protest any further, he got up, and ran off in the direction that Rider had. Sheva took chase, having checked her gun over in the meantime. Jill watched them go, letting out a sigh. The screaming ended.

"Please be careful, Chris."

Chris and Sheva stopped at the exit into the main room, looking out on the scene. Suddenly, all of that noise that had been caused made sense. Chris walked ahead of Sheva, gun drawn and aimed down at Wesker.

"What the..?" he mumbled, staring down at the ex-captain. Even from afar, he could add that something had happened to his eyes. They looked like coal.

He looked up at Rider. Sheva had been watching and listening to him the entire time - and none of what he said seemed possible. She and Chris glanced at each other, clearly lost, then back to Ghost Rider. He sure as hell didn't look alive. But if it was true, then he deserved that fate more than anyone, as far as Chris was concerned. He couldn't deny that he was just a little pissed that he hadn't gotten to fight him at all, but at least punishment had been delivered by someone.

"Hey, you can't just take him! If he's still alive then we have to-" Sheva found herself interrupted by the motorcycle's revving, as the vehicle blazed away. She sighed. "Guess we're not locking anyone up today."

"Maybe not. But I think Wesker got the point, anyways," Chris answered, lowering his gun. He kind of wished he'd gotten a chance to thank him. No doubt Jill was going to feel similarly. Of course, she had gotten the chance, but... Knowing her, just one thank you wouldn't cut it. She'd want to help in some way, something that she wouldn't get a chance to do.

"Do you think we'll see him again?" Sheva questioned.

"Doubt it. But I guess that we'll find out," Chris answered, turning away, "Besides, if Tricell is in on this, then we have to hunt down the rest of the higher-ups too. That, and digging up whatever Wesker was about to do."

Sheva nodded. Chris was right. They had to get going. As Redfield exited, Alomar followed.

[12:07 PM]

"Captain, with all due respect, I really don't believe that guy exists."

Chris let out an amused huff at Piers' reaction. The sniper gave him a questioning look in response.

"I don't know. It sounds possible to me. All kinds of crazy stuff happens in this world - sure, a demonic bike-rider justice-bringer is a little out there, but who knows? Even if that's not actually the case, something like it could have happened," Finn reasoned, leaning back a bit in his seat.

"Exactly. Thank you, Finn," Chris replied, gesturing to the agent with one hand. Finn smiled, and nodded.

"Maybe. I don't know, I just feel like more people would know about it if it was actually that strong," Nivans shrugged.

"It could be hiding itself. I mean, if everyone knew about it, then that would include the bioterror corporations. It's safer or everyone if it stays in the shadows until it's needed," Finn replied.

"See, now you're just describing a superhero plot."

"You can't deny the similarities."

"I can't, and that's exactly why I don't believe it."

Chris chuckled at the two's bickering, looking out the window.

"Either way, Wesker's dead. Who killed him doesn't matter, even if I wish it was me that did it. Now, we got to focus on the next big bad to topple," he commented.

"That's right, captain," Piers agreed.

"Sometimes it feels like there will always be another one," Finn admitted.

"Maybe there will be. But that's what we're here for," Chris decided. The two nodded. A grin made its way onto Chris' face. Maybe now he better understood the Rider's motivations. There would alway be another - and someone needed to deal with them.