//------------------------------// // Rider Unbound // Story: EqG: Hell rider 2 Hell Unleashed // by Tunefulsubset72 //------------------------------// “Son of bitch couldn't wait?" Rider muttered to himself as he ran through the school and students screamed in panic. "Let's hope I get there before Grimstone. Who would he be targeting?" "This way people," a familiar voice shouted as Rider ducked behind a corner. "Of course," Rider muttered as hewatched Spitfire directing students towards the exit. “If he's not going after her, and for sure wouldn't go after Grimstone, that would leave.....shit." He saw that Spitfire noticed him with a look of panic. "Where is he?" "Like I'd tell you," Spitfire said menacingly as she slowly moved towards the door. "Let me guess, it was Chrysalis who threw the car?" She pushed on the door only for a flaming chain wrapped around her leg dragging her back. "KILL ME, AND YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE ALIVE!!!!" she shouted as she struggled to break free. "And neither would Blizzard," Rider said as Spitfire glared at him. "I'll let you go, but I need you to tell me where Grimstone is. Now." "Heading towards the cafeteria," Spitfire said as she got up. "He sensed you nearby and thought you were there." "Thanks for the info. Listen, your buddy Ryker was the one who threw the car," Rider said as he hung his chain over his shoulder. "And I might have an idea of who he might be after." "Why are you telling me all this?" Spitfire asked as Rider turned to leave. "Last I checked, you wanted to kill Grimstone." "When I was Zarathos, I had a deep care for humans," Rider said with a tone unclear to Spitfire. "Whenever I'd get told that how Arch watched over them as an angel, I was thrilled." "You still do, don't you?" Spitfire asked, her fear diminishing by the second. "I do, the other doesn't," he said. "If that makes any sense." "So, Zarathos doesn't care for the humans anymore?" Spitfire asked as Rider nodded. "But you do, does that mean you were never his side in the first place?" "I-I'm not sure." Rider said. "But I do know this, he must be stopped." He growled, then snapped his head down the hall as an image flashed in his mind followed by a scream. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but......get the Avengers. Zarathos is on his way." "What will you do?" Spitfire asked as Rider sped down the hall, locker doors flying open and clattering. "He's pissed." ---Meanwhile--- "Come out, come out wherever you are," Ryker chuckled darkly as he threw a table across the room. "I let your friends get away, which leaves you Dashie." "You can just crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out of," Rainbow yelled as Ryker looked around. "Why did you come back?" "To reconnect," Ryker cooed with fake politeness as he smashed a pillar. "Plus, there's a little payback in order." He paused, then heard running. Not taking a chance, he fired a beam at the direction of the sound, followed by a yelp. "Found you," he chuckled. Rainbow winced as she noticed her foot was twisted at a weird angle. "Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,” Ryker continued in that mock-courteous tone as he grabbed her by her neck and lifted her up. "I wonder how fast Grimstone will get here when I kill you." Rainbow struggled, but let out a yelp as her twisted foot collided with Ryker’s torso. "Talk about abs of steel," Rainbow said as Ryker smiled evilly. "Let's get Grimstone, shall we?" Ryker said as he punched Rainbow in the stomach, knocking the air out of her, as she let out a silent scream. --Spitfire-- "Is that everyone?" Principal Celestia asked as teachers counted their students while Grimstone appeared. "You find any other students?" "No, I think everyone got out," Grimstone said as he tried to catch his breath. "Everyone accounted for?" "Pinkie, you’re alright." a boy with brown and yellow hair said as he hugged the pink girl. "What happened?" "I'm fine, Fallout." Pinkie said as she hugged him back. "But, Rainbow is still in there with that monster." "You mean Rider?" Grimstone asked as Pinkie shook her head. "Then, who?" "Some freak named Ryker," Flint said as a paramedic treated him. "This is embarrassing." "Then why is Rider nearby?" Grimstone asked as Spitfire ran over to him. "I thought you were inside?” Spitfire asked. "Some of the teachers needed some assistance getting students to safety," Grimstone said. "I was just about to leave." "Listen, I ran into the Rider," Spitfire said as Grimstone gave her a worried look. "I don't think he's ever been fully on Zarathos's side." "What do you mean?' Grimstone asked, utterly confused. "If he was, wouldn't he trying to kill you right now?" Spitfire asked as Grimstone stroked his chin in thought. "Plus, he asked to bring the Avengers in." "Okay, now that is out of character," Grimstone said with concern. "Where is he now?" "I think he's going after Ryker," Spitfire said as Grimstone turned to leave. "He also told me that Zarathos on his way." "Oh," Grimstone said as he looked at the crowd. "How fast can the Avengers get here?" He asked as a loud roar echoed through the air. "That's not good," he muttered with a scared tone. "You okay?" Green song asked. "Grimstone?' "Since when is the Rider this powerful?" Grimstone asked as he noticed his hand was shaking. "I'm.......afraid?" Meanwhile, back in the hallway, Ryker was beating Rainbow remorselessly. The blue girl could only continue to endure the beating that this monster was giving her. She tried protecting herself, but to no avail, "Still alive?" Ryker cackled as Rainbow struggled to get away. "You’re stronger than I thought." Rainbow rolled onto her side. "Ya know, I just might regret killing you." He put his foot on her side, causing her to scream in pain from the damage. "But then again, this IS payba........FUCK!!!!" Ryker shouted in pain as he was knocked into chairs. "One more step towards her, and die," a voice said as Ryker turned around and saw the Rider glaring at him. "Been lookin' for a reason to kill ya." "Listen I'm kinda busy here," Ryker said as he grabbed Rainbow by the collar of her shirt and brought her face close to his. "Give me a minute?" he said as Rainbow whimpered, which caused the Rider to give a low growl. "No? Very well, then." He threw Rainbow Dash into the lockers, causing to fall to the ground, unconscious. Ryker then turned to face the Rider, an air of smug superiority around him. "Very well, let’s see what you can do?" he mocked as he felt the air get colder. "You soul is stained with the blood of the innocent," the Rider noted disdainfully as Ryker’s smile turned to a look of fear. "FEEL THEIR PAIN." He gave a shrieking roar and tackled Ryker. "YOU. WILL. DIE!!!!!!" He grabbed Ryker by the head and through him into a wall. "I love fighting dirty," Ryker growled as he got up. "My turn." He charged a blue ball of energy and aimed it at Rider. The ball hit Rider and caused him to stagger, but the Rider continued forward." W-what?" "There is only who can actually kill me,” the Rider said as he flung his flaming chain at Ryker. "The one who created me, God Himself." Ryker jumped out of the way of the chain as it hit the wall behind him. "Now that’s just terrifying," Ryker muttered as he stood up and smirked. "You know, us fighting is pointless, Zarathos is on his way, so, let's just stop, and I'll leave." "Do you really think that was going to work?" Rider said as he grabbed Ryker by the neck. "Ya know, you should've listened to Zarathos, be careful on who you attack." "You don’t say," Ryker noted in mock horror as the Rider tightened his grip. "Is. That. All you. Got?" The Rider growled and tightened his grip. "Regret! Regret!" "You know, now that we're enemies, how should I kill you?" the Rider muttered as Ryker gulped. "I know." Ryker began screaming and withering in pain as his body started turning to stone. "Anything you have to say?" Rider asked disdainfully as Ryker remained silent as the last of him turned to stone. "Good," he said as he dropped then statue as it hit the ground and shattered. "RAINBOW DASH!!!!" Grimstone’s voice bellowed through the halls. "WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!" "I'm going to regret this," Rider sighed as he walked over to Rainbow’s unconscious body and picked her up. "SHE'S OVER HERE!!!!!" he shouted back as Grimstone appeared around a corner. "Before you do anything crazy....." "Where's Ryker?" Grimstone asked as Rider looked at the shattered remains. "Couldn't leave me any?" "What do you want?" Rider asked as Grimstone looked at him confused. "You haven't kill me yet, so obviously you want something." "Now is not the best time to discuss this," Grimstone said as the Rider growled. "We need to get Rainbow to a medic." "That we can agree on," Rider agreed as Grimstone led him to the exit, but noticed the Rider wasn't following. "Oh right, people will freak if they see you." "You’re not exactly cute and cuddly yourself," Rider pointed out as he handed Rainbow to Grimstone. "But you’re much friendlier-looking then I am. Until the Avengers get here, you need get everyone to safety." "Zarathos, I know," Grimstone grumbled. "Will you need a hand?" "Killing him is your job, I'll just distract him until then," Rider said as he ran off. "Let the fun begin." --Grimstone-- "I NEED A MEDIC!!!!" Grimstone shouted as he ran towards the crowd, carrying Rainbow. "She is badly hurt." "Ryker did this?" Spitfire asked as Grimstone nodded. "Where is he now?" "Rider got to him first," Grimstone reported grimly as two medics brought a stretcher over. "She would've been killed, if he hadn't stepped in." "And where's Rider?" Spitfire asked as something crashed into the ground behind them. "Yes Grimstone," a voice added as an armored figure stood up. "Where is Rider?" "About you showed up, Zarathos," Grimstone remarked as he approached Zarathos. "I like the new look." "You would, wouldn't you," Zarathos said as his mask unfolded to reveal his pale, cracked skin." Due be a Fallen and all." "So all this to just draw me out." Grimstone said through gritted teeth as Zarathos smirked, revealing his metallic sharp teeth. "Need a dentist there, buddy?" "Fuck you," Zarathos said as he drew his sword. "Now then, let finish what we started." "Couldn't agree more," Grimstone said as he summoned his sword. "I've been waiting for this." "Well then," Zarathos noted as his helmet recovered his face. "That makes two of us." He charged forward toward Grimstone. --Spitfire-- "WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER?!?!?" Rainbow's father shouted as he approached Spitfire as people quickly fled the area. "Mr. Blaze, calm down, she’s on her way to the hospital," Spitfire said as Blaze gave her a sad look. "Ryker attacked her." "Wasn't he locked away?" Blaze asked as Spitfire nodded. "Where is he now?" "The Ghost Rider killed him. If you want to be with Rainbow, I suggest you hurry," Spitfire said grimly as she pointed towards an ambulance. "They're about to leave." "Thank you," Blaze said as Grimstone flew over them into a nearby car. "The Angel guy back?" "Yeah, and it doesn't look pretty," Spitfire said as Zarathos cackled. -Grimstone- "How the mighty have fallen," Zarathos smirked as Grimstone got up. "And you call yourself a king?" "Maybe, if there weren't so many people around," Grimstone grumbled as Zarathos smirked. "Listen, we both know how this will turn out," Zarathos said, his eyes full of anticipation. "How about you just drop your weapon and accept?" "I'd rather go down fighting," Grimstone stood up as he raised his sword. "Kinda like you would." "Then die like the dog you are." Zarathos charged at Grimstone, but was slammed into the ground. "Took you long enough," Grimstone said rather snidely as Rider struggled to hold down Zarathos. "What took ya?" "That school is bigger than it looks." Rider shrugged simply as Zarathos threw him off. "Two against one," Zarathos said mockingly. "Whatever shall I do?" He smirked as his sword turned blue. He swung it in a circle, releasing a large blue wave that knocked them back. "That should suffice." "Got a plan to deal with him?" Rider asked with a groan. "I'd say I could take, but we're both the same thing." "Killing him would kill you?" Grimstone asked as Rider shook his head. "Oh, so if you’re both equally as powerful, how do we stop him?" "We have to find a way to cast him back to Hell," Rider said as Zarathos chuckled. "And I don't think he’s going down without a fight." "Well, you’re not wrong." Zarathos said as Grimstone lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. The two fighters clashed their swords. "Just like old times .Only this time, you cannot win." "Let’s just see about that pot spice," Grimstone joked as Zarathos growled and kicked him back. "I've got plenty of more where that came from." "All the more reason to kill you," Zarathos retorted as he jumped back and swung at Grimstone. "I remember when I used to call you friend, but then you foolishly followed Lucifer’s plans." "So you finally figured it out," Grimstone chuckled darkly as he wiped blood from his mouth. "Answer this, how are you and Rider so powerful? How can you tell who's innocent and who's not?" "Well you see, before you dragged me to Hell, I was a unique angel," Zarathos began as he looked towards the sky, which was now full of storm clouds. "No, not an arch-angel, I was created differently." "How so?" Grimstone asked as he lowered his weapon. "Tell me, who created the Ghost Rider in the first place?" Zarathos asked as his eyes glowed blue beneath the mask. "It was the dragon, right?" Grimstone asked as Zarathos started laughing. "No,” Zarathos said as Grimstone’s eyes then widened in fear. "The maker created the Ghost Rider, and Angel of both demon and angel blood." "So, you probably still have a weakness somewhere," Grimstone said as thunder rolled and rain started to fall. "Just gotta hit you enough." "You can't, the only one who can truly destroy me," Zarathos said as Grimstone swung at him, only for Zarathos to catch his sword, “is the one that created me." "I guess, we're both going be at this for awhile then," Grimstone said as Zarathos grabbed him and threw him across the parking lot of the school as it began to rain harder. "Remember what you think old me all those centuries ago?" Zarathos asked as he unfolded his helmet. "When I was your exact position?" His voice started to fill with rage. "That I would die, no one to help, all alone." He approached Grimstone with his sword in hand. "Now, you’ll feel my pain." He said as a chain wrapped around and pulled him back. "You have a say in this matter?" "You’re gonna have to go through me to kill him," Rider said through gritted teeth as Zarathos struggled to break the chains." Any last words?" "Should've banished you when I had the chance," Zarathos growled as Rider dragged him close and threw him the air. Time seem to slow down around Zarathos as he froze in the air. "Back to......HELL!!!!" Rider shout as he slammed Zarathos through the ground, forming a giant hole around Zarathos, his screams echoing as he was cast back into Hell. "And stay there." "Glad that's over," Grimstone said as he stood next to Rider. "Yep." "So.....Any idea where Blizzard and Crimson are?" Grimstone asked as Rider shrugged. "Well.....shit." ---Blizzard--- "I wonder how everyone's doing back home," I muttered as we trudged through the snow. "Hopefully, they’re doing okay." Crimson said as the wind picked up. "That castle looked a lot closer." "No kidding," I added as we looked at the castle. "At this rate, who knows how long it will take for us to get there?" "It would be better if we kept walking, better chance of running into someone," Crimson said as a giggle filled the air. Crimson froze. "You hear that?" "Hear what?" I asked as Crimson looked around. " I think the cold is gettin' to you, man." Another giggle filled the air. "Then again, maybe not." "At least I'm not going crazy." Crimson muttered as a snowball hit him in the back of her head followed by laughter. "Whoever wants to play, I guess?" "It's a little unfair that they can see us." I said with a smirk as snow whizzed past my head. "Come on out, if you want a snowball fight, we'll give you one." "Gotta find me first," a young cheerful voice called as another snowball was thrown at us. "Whatever you are?" "We're humans, like....you?" Crimson asked uncertainly. "You are human, right?" "What’s a human?" the voice asked as Crimson and I looked at each other in surprise. "Is that what you two are?" "Ooookay, this is getting freaky." I said as we heard footsteps crunching the snow. "If you’re not human, then what are you?" "I'm a pony," the voice said a pony poked its head form behind a snow pile. "Well, only half-pony, anyways; the other part is changeling." Her skin was white , and her eyes were yellow, and here mane and tail was green. "My name’s Green Song, what's yours?" "Where are we?" Crimson asked as Green Song giggled. "You’re in Equestria, silly," Green Song said as Crimson’s pupils shrunk. My jaw dropped. "What? Is there something on my muzzle?"