Okay chapter 10, Jason goes to Themyscira, this should be interesting with his last encounter with Hippolyta and Aresia. Justice League and the Ghost Rider do not belong to me, as much as I wish they did 'cause I would have made this into an episode or something. Okay, on to the story now.
Three weeks since the possession of the League...
For Jason, things have been going pretty well in the League, or about as well as you can get with a demon inside of you bent on vengeance on any and all criminals. He was actually getting along pretty well with Flash who was sort of like a fun brother who is always ready to joke and have fun. Diana was like a second sister, looking out for him and his family, which he was thankful for since that someone else was also looking out for Michelle. Speaking of Diana, she had recently called up Jason for some help that occurred on Themyscira, her home island. Jason was willing to help in any way he could as he figured that this had to be important if Diana had come to him and asked him to go with her to the island of her sisters and mother.
The two were currently flying to the island in Jason's Javelin, skimming across the clouds as Jason piloted the aircraft to the island.
"So what's the problem that you need me to come to your home?" asked Jason as he looked over at Diana for a second.
"Something has happened to my sister Donna, she has been acting out recently. My mother has been doing her best to help Donna but she has had little success." replied Diana as she looked out the window towards the Mediterranean Sea. The sun was beginning to set, the orange and blue sky making the entire scene breathtaking.
"Sister as in blood relation?"
"Yes, Donna is my younger sister."
"Didn't know you had a younger sister. I mean you have sisters, but they were created by Hippolyta from clay as myth stated." corrected Jason as he knew that his first sentence was not necessarily true.
"Yes, Donna is my younger sister through flesh and blood." clarified Diana as she looked over at Jason. Jason nodded and began to descend a bit closer to the water. Flying through some clouds, he and Diana saw an island coming into view, rising out of the sea. Jason slowed the Javelin down a bit as he neared the landmass. Looking down, he saw several ancient Greek-styled buildings dotting the land. There was a large open area for the Javelin to land in; Jason taking it as a sign to land there and get out to meet Hippolyta and a few amazons.
"And you're sure your mother does not blame me for what happened with Aresia?" asked Jason as he landed the Javelin on the ground. Diana stood up and began to leave for the exit, Jason trailing behind.
"She doesn't know that you are the Ghost Rider." replied Diana as the exit ramp began to lower. Jason's eyes widened slightly.
"How did you not tell her? I'm supposed to use the Rider's powers to help Donna and the way to do that is with the Rider; she might end up attacking me?"
"You'll be fine; trust me."
"You I trust; just not some much the Amazons who have a strong dislike for the male populous." snorted Jason, Diana nodded her head to the side as that may be true. The exit ramp finally lowered so to let the two Leaguers out. On the ground were Hippolyta and two Amazon guards who stood behind her on her left and right. Jason followed Diana as she approached her mother to greet her.
"It is nice to see you mother." greeted Diana as she stopped in front of Hippolyta.
"Even if it is just for a short time; I trust that you brought your friend to help us in this matter?" returned Hippolyta, Diana turned to look at Jason; Hippolyta's eyes narrowed as she recognized him.
"Uh, hello your majesty." Bowed Jason as he tried to keep a strong persona, considering his last encounter, the Ghost Rider had nearly killed Aresia.
"You were the one who saved me when Aresia tried to destroy man's world."
"I was, and I apologize for any harm I may have caused you or to your daughter." apologized Jason as he looked up at Hippolyta, "Now, where is the patient?"
"Donna is in the healing center; I have been doing my best trying to remove whatever demon has possessed her." Informed Hippolyta as she, Diana, the two amazons, and Jason began to walk to the healing center. While walking Jason looked around to see dozens of other amazons glowering at him. He shrugged it off and continued with the four women to the center. The center itself was at the edge of the main city, themed with the common greek construction of the amazons. The amazon guards opened the front doors for Hippolyta and Diana; Jason had to catch the door otherwise he would have been locked out. Inside there were dozens of tables; most of which had some books, scrolls, and other forms of writing on them.
"What were the signs of possession?" asked Jason as he walked over to a table; one which was littered with several books, all containing different forms of excision.
"Donna began with leaving the city in the cover of night, my daughters report her seemingly searching for something, always heading back to the same area and digging up the soil for whatever she is looking for." replied Hippolyta as she stopped walking when she noticed Jason reading some of the scrolls.
"Anything else?"
"Whenever we tried to stop her, she would lash out at us; violently." Jason nodded and walked over to Hippolyta and Diana. Hippolyta then led the two Leaguers to the back of the center towards a door most likely leading to the room that held Donna. Jason walked forward and opened the door. In the room was Donna, sitting on the ground her back to the door. Jason walked into the room, stopping about four paces from Donna. Jason's eyes glowed amber for a second, he looked Donna from top to bottom, then he formed a small portal in the air and pulled out a book.
"If you want to know me all you have to do is ask Jason." stated Donna, her voice mixed in with another. Jason looked up for a second before looking back at the book.
"Sorry but I like to make it a priority not to befriend a being that was spawned out of Hell." retorted Jason as he flipped through the book he held. He stopped on a page, a snort escaped Jason as he shut the book and dropped it back through the portal. "You survived the Penance Stare Blackheart."
This time, Donna stood up, still facing away from Jason; but he knew just how to handle a situation. "What was it like Blackheart? What was it like, having all that power, all the evil in you, then have it all stripped away with one look from the Ghost Rider?" Jason began to walk around Donna, Hippolyta and Diana were standing in the doorway, confused as to what was transpiring.
"Jason, who is this Blackheart?" asked Diana as she looked at Donna.
"Ten years ago, the Rider that preceded me was tasked with taking down a certain demon, one who was searching for a few dangerous source of power; The Contract of San Vanganza," began Jason as he walked around so that he was face to face with Donna, her eyes a deep blood red, "Blackheart tried to use that power to turn the entire world into a New Hell, one which he would rule, but he defeated by the previous Rider. He was supposed to have been sent back to Hell, but in order to escape that fate, I'm willing to bet that ol' Blackheart sacrificed a portion of his souls to escape the burn of the Hellfire."
"Very perceptive Jason, or is it the Rider who knows all this?" stated Donna/Blackheart as she spoke up.
"You know Mephisto would have sent me after you at some point Blackheart, considering you have been a giant pain in his ass for the last decade, but I'm willing to make another guess is that you are here for something else; something just as powerful as the Contract you lost," Donna narrowed her eyes at Jason's last sentence. Jason leaned in so he could say his next words in his/her ear, "You're after the Contract of Sparta, aren't ya?"
"This time I intend to get it, and like last time I brought some help." smirked Donna/Blackheart. The ground began to shake slightly, Jason looked around, a face forming in the wall, blood red eyes began to glow.
"Jason, it has been such a long time." greeted the face. Jason's eyes widened slightly, but his face remained neutral. Diana and Hippolyta jumped slightly in surprise when the wall began talking.
"Not long enough, in my opinion, Argos." growled Jason as his chain slipped out of his sleeve. The face just began to chuckle, then the roof and wall of the center collapsed, Jason moving fast enough to grab Diana and Hippolyta or of the doorway so he could jump outside while Donna jumped out and landed next to the center. The center itself collapsed and a large stone form stood up. The form was covered in dozens of spikes, large horns came from the back, rising high into the air, the arms and hands were covered in spikes, the form also had what appeared skeletal wings, while the head had two large horns (for those who lack an imagination, Argos basically takes the form of Unicron fromTransformers Prime).
"Now I shall finish what was started, SO LONG AGO!" roared Argos as he charged towards Jason. Jason set his chain on fire and swung it at Argos' arm, the chain cracking his stony flesh. The blow did little slow him down and Argos backhanded Jason through a wall. Jason sat up and looked around; out of the corner of his eye, he saw Donna running off in some direction.
"Diana! Follow Donna, make sure she does not find the contract!" yelled Jason to Diana who nodded flying after her. Jason swung his chain at Argos, but he merely jumped over Jason and slammed a fist into his back. Jason yelled in pain as he hit the ground. That's when he felt the burn of the Rider come around; the sun was beginning to set and the Rider was eager to prove Argos wrong. Some amazons had also run up to attack Argos. He merely chuckled darkly as he attacked the women. Jason struggled back to his feet, the Rider's hate beginning to consume him. Hippolyta had run over to make sure he was alright; she may not like men, but right now Jason was her best chance at getting Donna back.
"Go to your daughters, I'll handle this!" growled Jason as his flesh began to turn black. Once he stood up straight, his skull was completely engulfed in flames. The Rider roared at Argos, getting his attention.
"At last; a challenge." sneered Argos as he ran at the Ghost Rider. The Rider merely stood his ground and brought his thumb and middle finger to his mouth. He whistled loudly, Argos was about a foot away when a stream of fire slammed into Argos, sending him into a building. Hippolyta looked at the source; the Helldragon landed on the ground and roared at Argos. The Dragon the charged at Argos, and he charging at the beast. Argos jumped into the air and slammed a fist into the Dragon's head. The Dragon stumbled back and Argos resuming his attack. He uppercuts the Dragon, then slammed his right fist down into the side of the Dragon's head. He then brought both hands together and slammed them down into the beast, knocking it out.
The Rider did not appreciate at this and swung his chain around the waist of Argos, he then swung him around and slammed him into the ground. Argos got back to his feet, only to meet a blast of fire. Argos howled in agony, the Rider charging right at him, he swung a vicious left to Argos' left abdomen, taking a huge chunk out of the stone demon. He then grabbed Argos by the chest and threw him into the air, the chain still wrapped around Argos.
"Go Home!" roared the Rider as he slammed Argos into the ground. A deep sinkhole formed where Argos hit the ground. The Rider approached the side of the hole, seeing Argos fall back to hell. Argos roared in fury as he was defeated by the Ghost Rider. The Rider waved his hand over the hole, stone sealing up the sinkhole. Hippolyta and a few Amazons walked over to where Argos was sent back to hell. The Rider turned around and looked at Hippolyta. "One more demon to fry."
The Rider walked over to his Dragon, which had regained consciousness. He mounted the large animal and prepared to take out.
"Wait!" yelled Hippolyta, the Rider jerked around to glower at Hippolyta. "I'm coming with you. My daughter is my responsiblity." The Rider rolled his nonexistent eyes and allowed her to get on.
"You might want to hang onto the something." The Rider warned while whipping the chains. The Dragon roared as it took off into the air, stalking down the demon that remained.
one hour later...
The Rider and Hippolyta followed the trail to the location of Blackheart. On the ground, they saw Diana fighting against Donna/Blackheart. The Rider landed his Dragon right between the two, jumping off to glare at Donna/Blackheart. Donna/Blackheart merely chuckled as she walked around to face the Rider.
"Took you long enough." sneered Blackheart. The Rider only pointed at the possessed girl.
"Release the girl Blackheart." growled the Rider, bending down to grab a weapon. The location of the four beings was an ancient battleground, one rumored to be the site of a Spartan battle.
"Taking up the Spartan General's sword are we?" scoffed Blackheart as he flipped his sword around. The Rider snorted and shot a fireball at Donna. The flames swept across Donna for a split-second. A black mist shot off of Donna as she fell to the ground, the mist formed a man with pale skin, black hair, black trench coat, black dress pants, and black boots. The Rider walked over to Donna, who was unconscious on the ground and picked her up. He walked her back to Hippolyta and placed her gently on the ground.
"Thank you." thanked Hippolyta, the flames around the Rider's head dimmed slightly as if to show some compassion on his otherwise expressionless skull. The Rider stood up and stalked over to Blackheart, who was knocked onto his back and groaning in pain. The Rider grabbed Blackheart by his jacket and lifted him up into the air. That's when a dark chuckle echoed through the night. The Rider jerked around to see the source, Diana following his gaze; a withered old man with a silver cane came walking out of the darkness.
"Seems you completed your contract boy." congratulated the man. The Rider's flames went out a second later, and Jason regaining his flesh. While the Rider roared in fury as Jason used a trick to turn back to normal, the Rider then saw what Jason had in mind and chuckled darkly in his head.
"Mephisto, I got what you wanted, now I want my soul." demanded Jason as he dropped Blackheart. Mephisto only chuckled again.
"And why would I give up my greatest asset?" Jason smirked as he broke the hilt of the sword, the butt coming off and Jason pulled out a small scroll.
"So that I don't torch this." Jason lifted up the contract to show Mephisto. His face went from relaxed to stern in one second. "The Contract of Sparta, over one-thousand-two-hundred and forty-nine souls." Mephisto seemed agitated at his request.
"You drive a hard bargain kid, he won't bite." scoffed Blackheart smirking as he looked up at Jason, but his smirk disappeared when he saw Jason grin at him.
"You thought as I was gonna give him the contract? No, I'm giving Mephisto you." Blackheart looked up at Jason in horror at his statement. Jason looked back at Mephisto. "Think about it Mephisto, I give you Blackheart, his souls, and the satisfaction of making him suffer for the rest of eternity..."
"And in good faith, I return your soul." added Mephisto; Jason as he was getting it.
"Plus full control over the Rider, his powers, and I can use them during the day." Mephisto began to snicker as he pointed at Jason, Jason also chuckling. Diana and Hippolyta were both surprised to see how well Jason handled the situation. The only one who did not like this setup was Blackheart.
"Can we talk about this?" asked Blackheart vainly, but several chains shot up out of the ground and wrapped around the demon. He screamed as he tried to escape, clawing at the ground as he tried to escape the pull down to hell. Before long, he disappeared beneath the ground. Mephisto walked over to Jason, holding out his hand, a small orb of white light appeared in his hand.
"You do realize that in order for this to work I would have to be an utter self-serving bastard?" asked Mephisto, Jason only shrugged and took his hand. He doubled over for a second, shutting his eyes as he felt his soul return. When he opened them his eyes were now a brilliant sky blue.
"A bit of a stretch I know." replied Jason as he walked over to Diana, Hippolyta, and the now waking up Donna. Diana was mildly happy to see Jason get his life back but also see him remain a hero as well. Donna looked up to see Jason walking over to them, slightly confused as to what happened.
"Uh, what happened? The last thing I remember was I was getting ready for bed."
"Well Donna, it is a long story..." began Jason.
To Be continued...