"Roar!"
A feral scream erupted from Johnny Blaze's mouth.
His first transformation left him unable to control the change.
The Spirit of Vengeance's flames blazed—not Hellfire, but God's wrath, capable of incinerating any sinful soul.
No sin was too small.
The Ghost Rider's Penance Stare would reduce guilty souls to ash, unless the target could overpower the Rider.
Otherwise, death was certain.
The flames could enchant anything they touched, even living beings—like the first Ghost Rider's mammoth mount or the previous Rider's warhorse.
This was God's bestowed power, immensely potent.
The burning skull turned to Kaiser.
In this space, they were alone.
But as it gazed at Kaiser, it saw divinity, killing intent, and the wailing souls of gods.
Its murderous glare softened, tinged with fear.
"Oh?" Kaiser noticed the shift.
"Is it the divinity?"
He mused, considering Zathanos' potential to return to Heaven.
Stepping forward, Kaiser placed a hand on the Ghost Rider.
With a touch, the flames extinguished.
"Cough… cough…"
Losing the Ghost Rider's power after his first transformation, Johnny collapsed, exhausted.
"How do you feel?" Kaiser asked.
"Not great." Johnny rasped.
"It's painful, and I can't control my body."
"It's like a fire inside, burning to destroy all sinners."
He spoke honestly.
"That's normal." Kaiser said.
"The Ghost Rider's power is like that."
"It's both God's gift and a demon's curse."
"From initial disorientation to self-mastery, and finally, the risk of losing control."
"If you can't fully harness it, God's wrath will burn you to ashes."
"But that power—it's unforgettable." Johnny Blaze said, savoring the sensation.
Thanks to Kaiser's presence, he didn't wallow in self-pity as he might have in the original timeline.
Instead, he quickly embraced his power, especially knowing it could be used to strike back at Mephisto.
"A few demons slipped into the real world." Kaiser said.
"One is Mephisto's son, Blackheart, accompanied by three high-ranking demons."
"They're his pawns, after the Contract of San Venganza."
"If Blackheart wants it, let him have it."
"It's not something he can handle."
Johnny, still unclear on what the Contract of San Venganza was, sensed its importance—demons and sorcerers vying for it.
"Where is it?" He asked urgently.
"I don't even know what it is."
"Why do you think Mephisto chose you?" Kaiser replied.
"Only a Ghost Rider can find another Ghost Rider."
"The Contract is with the previous Ghost Rider."
"I know where he is, but now's not the time to meet."
Kaiser wasn't ready to reveal himself.
"When will you act?" Johnny asked, catching his drift.
"When Mephisto realizes his plan's failed." Kaiser said.
"I'll crush all his schemes on Earth at once."
"Otherwise, Hell will always be a problem."
"The Sanctum Sanctorum has too many concerns to focus solely on Hell."
"Due to certain reasons, the real world and Hell can't be fully severed."
"But if my plan succeeds, Mephisto will be quiet for centuries."
Johnny didn't fully grasp the stakes but relished the thought of Mephisto being outmaneuvered.
A week passed.
Johnny barely left home, subjected to Kaiser's grueling training.
Bang!
A collision echoed as flames erupted from the Ghost Rider's skull, his head knocked aside.
Crack…
Johnny realigned his jaw, the flames sparing him fatal harm but not pain.
He was growing accustomed to it.
Boom!
Another fist struck his abdomen, dousing the flames and reverting him to human form.
"Not bad." Kaiser said, nodding at the fallen Johnny.
"You've started to master your power."
"You should handle those high-ranking demons with ease now."
A week without soul judgment, and Johnny had reached this level—impressive.
"Ow…" Johnny groaned, wincing.
"Why does it still hurt when I'm back to normal?"
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
Kaiser smirked.
"It's to teach you that the Ghost Rider isn't invincible."
"If you face someone who can weaken or suppress you, you'll still get hurt—or worse, die."
"Got it." Johnny said, dragging himself up.
"When do we start the plan?"
"I'm itching to go."
He sat on the ground, eager.
"Tomorrow." Kaiser said.
"Control your power. I'll be with you."
Johnny's eyes lit up, excited to unleash after days of punishment.
The next day, Johnny roared off on his Harley as the Midnight Judge.
"Alright, Mephisto, how will you play this move?" Kaiser said, smiling.
Johnny was unique among Ghost Riders.
Most drew power from medallions, but Johnny was Zathanos himself, with the potential to become an angel.
This power could make him one of Earth's top warriors, possibly touching Skyfather-level strength if he fully manifested angelic might.
Elsewhere, in a dingy bar, Blackheart and the Water, Earth, and Air Demons hid.
"How much longer?" Air Demon hissed at Blackheart.
"Was your intel wrong?"
Without Blackheart's tempting offer, he wouldn't have risked the real world, where discovery by the Sorcerer Supreme meant soul annihilation—no return to Hell.
"Quiet." Blackheart said, unfazed.
"Listen—the Ghost Rider's roar has begun."
"The future is here."
The demons perked up.
"It's real." Air Demon said.
"A new Ghost Rider."
"Then the Contract of San Venganza is within reach."
Water, Earth, and Air Demons buzzed with excitement.
Thousands of fallen spirits—a prize even Mephisto couldn't claim, sealed in the real world.
Absorbing those souls would skyrocket their power, making them unrivaled in Hell.
Blackheart, especially, stood to gain.
He claimed that with those spirits, he could rival Mephisto, overthrowing him as Hell's lord.
They'd spark a revolution.
Blackheart's eyes gleamed.
He'd stumbled upon Mephisto's scheme and saw his chance to seize it.
"But that power—it's unforgettable." Johnny Blaze said, savoring the sensation.
Thanks to Kaiser's presence, he didn't wallow in self-pity as he might have in the original timeline.
Instead, he quickly embraced his power, especially knowing it could be used to strike back at Mephisto.
"A few demons slipped into the real world." Kaiser said.
"One is Mephisto's son, Blackheart, accompanied by three high-ranking demons."
"They're his pawns, after the Contract of San Venganza."
"If Blackheart wants it, let him have it."
"It's not something he can handle."
Johnny, still unclear on what the Contract of San Venganza was, sensed its importance—demons and sorcerers vying for it.
"Where is it?" He asked urgently.
"I don't even know what it is."
"Why do you think Mephisto chose you?" Kaiser replied.
"Only a Ghost Rider can find another Ghost Rider."
"The Contract is with the previous Ghost Rider."
"I know where he is, but now's not the time to meet."
Kaiser wasn't ready to reveal himself.
"When will you act?" Johnny asked, catching his drift.
"When Mephisto realizes his plan's failed." Kaiser said.
"I'll crush all his schemes on Earth at once."
"Otherwise, Hell will always be a problem."
"The Sanctum Sanctorum has too many concerns to focus solely on Hell."
"Due to certain reasons, the real world and Hell can't be fully severed."
"But if my plan succeeds, Mephisto will be quiet for centuries."
Johnny didn't fully grasp the stakes but relished the thought of Mephisto being outmaneuvered.
A week passed.
Johnny barely left home, subjected to Kaiser's grueling training.
Bang!
A collision echoed as flames erupted from the Ghost Rider's skull, his head knocked aside.
Crack…
Johnny realigned his jaw, the flames sparing him fatal harm but not pain.
He was growing accustomed to it.
Boom!
Another fist struck his abdomen, dousing the flames and reverting him to human form.
"Not bad." Kaiser said, nodding at the fallen Johnny.
"You've started to master your power."
"You should handle those high-ranking demons with ease now."
A week without soul judgment, and Johnny had reached this level—impressive.
"Ow…" Johnny groaned, wincing.
"Why does it still hurt when I'm back to normal?"
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
Kaiser smirked.
"It's to teach you that the Ghost Rider isn't invincible."
"If you face someone who can weaken or suppress you, you'll still get hurt—or worse, die."
"Got it." Johnny said, dragging himself up.
"When do we start the plan?"
"I'm itching to go."
He sat on the ground, eager.
"Tomorrow." Kaiser said.
"Control your power. I'll be with you."
Johnny's eyes lit up, excited to unleash after days of punishment.
The next day, Johnny roared off on his Harley as the Midnight Judge.
"Alright, Mephisto, how will you play this move?" Kaiser said, smiling.
Johnny was unique among Ghost Riders.
Most drew power from medallions, but Johnny was Zathanos himself, with the potential to become an angel.
This power could make him one of Earth's top warriors, possibly touching Skyfather-level strength if he fully manifested angelic might.
Elsewhere, in a dingy bar, Blackheart and the Water, Earth, and Air Demons hid.
"How much longer?" Air Demon hissed at Blackheart.
"Was your intel wrong?"
Without Blackheart's tempting offer, he wouldn't have risked the real world, where discovery by the Sorcerer Supreme meant soul annihilation—no return to Hell.
"Quiet." Blackheart said, unfazed.
"Listen—the Ghost Rider's roar has begun."
"The future is here."
The demons perked up.
"It's real." Air Demon said.
"A new Ghost Rider."
"Then the Contract of San Venganza is within reach."
Water, Earth, and Air Demons buzzed with excitement.
Thousands of fallen spirits—a prize even Mephisto couldn't claim, sealed in the real world.
Absorbing those souls would skyrocket their power, making them unrivaled in Hell.
Blackheart, especially, stood to gain.
He claimed that with those spirits, he could rival Mephisto, overthrowing him as Hell's lord.
They'd spark a revolution.
Blackheart's eyes gleamed.
He'd stumbled upon Mephisto's scheme and saw his chance to seize it.
"But that power—it's unforgettable." Johnny Blaze said, savoring the sensation.
Thanks to Kaiser's presence, he didn't wallow in self-pity as he might have in the original timeline.
Instead, he quickly embraced his power, especially knowing it could be used to strike back at Mephisto.
"A few demons slipped into the real world." Kaiser said.
"One is Mephisto's son, Blackheart, accompanied by three high-ranking demons."
"They're his pawns, after the Contract of San Venganza."
"If Blackheart wants it, let him have it."
"It's not something he can handle."
Johnny, still unclear on what the Contract of San Venganza was, sensed its importance—demons and sorcerers vying for it.
"Where is it?" He asked urgently.
"I don't even know what it is."
"Why do you think Mephisto chose you?" Kaiser replied.
"Only a Ghost Rider can find another Ghost Rider."
"The Contract is with the previous Ghost Rider."
"I know where he is, but now's not the time to meet."
Kaiser wasn't ready to reveal himself.
"When will you act?" Johnny asked, catching his drift.
"When Mephisto realizes his plan's failed." Kaiser said.
"I'll crush all his schemes on Earth at once."
"Otherwise, Hell will always be a problem."
"The Sanctum Sanctorum has too many concerns to focus solely on Hell."
"Due to certain reasons, the real world and Hell can't be fully severed."
"But if my plan succeeds, Mephisto will be quiet for centuries."
Johnny didn't fully grasp the stakes but relished the thought of Mephisto being outmaneuvered.
A week passed.
Johnny barely left home, subjected to Kaiser's grueling training.
Bang!
A collision echoed as flames erupted from the Ghost Rider's skull, his head knocked aside.
Crack…
Johnny realigned his jaw, the flames sparing him fatal harm but not pain.
He was growing accustomed to it.
Boom!
Another fist struck his abdomen, dousing the flames and reverting him to human form.
"Not bad." Kaiser said, nodding at the fallen Johnny.
"You've started to master your power."
"You should handle those high-ranking demons with ease now."
A week without soul judgment, and Johnny had reached this level—impressive.
"Ow…" Johnny groaned, wincing.
"Why does it still hurt when I'm back to normal?"
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
Kaiser smirked.
"It's to teach you that the Ghost Rider isn't invincible."
"If you face someone who can weaken or suppress you, you'll still get hurt—or worse, die."
"Got it." Johnny said, dragging himself up.
"When do we start the plan?"
"I'm itching to go."
He sat on the ground, eager.
"Tomorrow." Kaiser said.
"Control your power. I'll be with you."
Johnny's eyes lit up, excited to unleash after days of punishment.
The next day, Johnny roared off on his Harley as the Midnight Judge.
"Alright, Mephisto, how will you play this move?" Kaiser said, smiling.
Johnny was unique among Ghost Riders.
Most drew power from medallions, but Johnny was Zathanos himself, with the potential to become an angel.
This power could make him one of Earth's top warriors, possibly touching Skyfather-level strength if he fully manifested angelic might.
Elsewhere, in a dingy bar, Blackheart and the Water, Earth, and Air Demons hid.
"How much longer?" Air Demon hissed at Blackheart.
"Was your intel wrong?"
Without Blackheart's tempting offer, he wouldn't have risked the real world, where discovery by the Sorcerer Supreme meant soul annihilation—no return to Hell.
"Quiet." Blackheart said, unfazed.
"Listen—the Ghost Rider's roar has begun."
"The future is here."
The demons perked up.
"It's real." Air Demon said.
"A new Ghost Rider."
"Then the Contract of San Venganza is within reach."
Water, Earth, and Air Demons buzzed with excitement.
Thousands of fallen spirits—a prize even Mephisto couldn't claim, sealed in the real world.
Absorbing those souls would skyrocket their power, making them unrivaled in Hell.
Blackheart, especially, stood to gain.
He claimed that with those spirits, he could rival Mephisto, overthrowing him as Hell's lord.
They'd spark a revolution.
Blackheart's eyes gleamed.
He'd stumbled upon Mephisto's scheme and saw his chance to seize it.
Unbeknownst to them, Mephisto watched it all.
"Yes, go, my child." He murmured.
"You'll become the mightiest demon, a vessel linking Hell and the real world."
His eyes brimmed with calculation.
Seeing Blackheart play his part, Mephisto's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
To shatter the Vishanti Array and connect the real world to all dimensions, he'd planned for centuries, preparing even the fallen spirits for this day.
His only surprise was Johnny Blaze.
He should've transformed into the Judgment Rider upon activation, but he'd delayed a week.
No matter—it didn't change the plan.
"Let's go. It's our turn." Blackheart said, grinning confidently.
The Ghost Rider was formidable, but only against lesser demons.
To Blackheart, a soulless being, the Rider was nothing—a rat to be crushed.
Following the roar, Blackheart and his demons found Johnny Blaze judging sinners.
"Greetings, burning skull." Blackheart sneered, his smile grotesque.
"They're here. I sense Mephisto's presence." Kaiser said, concealed in the Mirror Dimension.
Even Mephisto's true form couldn't pierce Kaiser's veil, let alone this mere avatar.
"You! Guilty!" Johnny growled, repulsed by the demons' vile aura.
Crack…
His form flickered, moving like a teleporting blaze, startling Blackheart and the demons.
"Damn it!"
"He just awakened!"
"How is he this strong?"
The Water, Earth, and Air Demons paled, activating their elemental forms to evade God's wrath.
Blackheart, caught off guard, took a direct hit from Johnny's fist, soaring through several walls and collapsing into rubble.
"He's fused this fast?" Mephisto, observing, was stunned.
In just a week, Johnny and Zathanos had merged so well, rivaling Hell's elite and nearing Sub-Skyfather strength.
"Get him!" The three demons roared, unwilling to stand idle with the Contract at stake.
The ground quaked, storms brewed, and their elemental power warped the skies.
Elemental demons were no weaklings—titans in Hell, far from the cannon fodder of the original story.
Their roars shook the air, elemental forces surging like a tidal wave.
"Tear him apart! Offer his soul to Hell!" Water Demon hissed, liquefying into a vast, foul, corrosive green swamp.
The ground and debris sizzled, acrid smoke rising as it tried to trap and dissolve Johnny.
Air Demon vanished, becoming a shrieking hurricane of razor-sharp blades, slicing at Johnny from the side at blinding speed, shredding stone and rubble to dust.
Earth Demon slammed his fists into the ground.
Boom!
The earth writhed, jagged stone spikes—each over a meter thick—erupted around Johnny, aiming to impale and crush his flaming skeleton.
The skies twisted under their power, dark clouds swirling, icy rain lashing, and the ground trembling.
The street became a battlefield of Hell's elements.
Facing the triple assault, the Ghost Rider's skull showed no emotion, only blazing eyes burning fiercer.
A guttural, sulfurous roar erupted.
"You… are guilty!"
His skeletal finger pointed at the demons.
Johnny moved.
He didn't meet Earth Demon's spikes head-on.
At the last second, he flickered like a burning comet, dodging the lethal thrust, leaving only molten rock in his wake.
Charging into Air Demon's windstorm, he whipped his Hellfire chain, alive with screeching metal and purifying flames, striking the storm's core.
Clang!
A piercing metallic clash rang out.
Hellfire met raging wind, sparking blinding energy.
The hurricane faltered, slowing, as Air Demon howled in pain, his winds igniting into a fleeting fire tornado.
Water Demon's acidic swamp crept under Johnny, clinging to his legs with a sizzling burn, trying to melt his bones.
"Got you!" Water Demon's voice sneered from the depths.
More corrosive tendrils rose, ensnaring Johnny's torso.
Then, the rubble exploded.
Blackheart emerged, his ornate clothes torn, skin scorched by Hellfire, but his eyes burned with fury and greed.
"You're dead." He spat, craving Johnny's death but restrained by the Contract's importance.
***
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