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The Straw Hats, the police and the remaining suspects stared at the spot that Connor and the demon had been. Chopper was the first to react and instantly went to Jack's side; he removed the poker and noticed that the Rider's leg was not healing at all.
"No, No No No…" Jack hissed.
"Nami how soon till the log sets?" Luffy demanded.
"Not till this afternoon," Nami answered.
"Then get everything done by then. Sanji, Usopp grab what you need from the markets. Robin get as much medical supplies that you can for Chopper. Zoro get yours and Connor's weapons back and I don't care if you have to break into the police station to do it," Luffy ordered.
Sanji, Usopp and Robin ran out of the room. Zoro turned to the officers.
"So can we have our stuff back now or do I have to get my spare blades?" Zoro asked.
"No need we'll get them for you," Camille said.
Zoro nodded.
"Chopper get Jack back to the ship for treatment, Nami I want the ship ready to sail as soon as possible," Luffy finished.
"Right," Chopper and Nami said at the same time.
Chopper turned into his human form and carried Jack out of the mansion with Nami following.
When they were gone Luffy let out a sigh.
"You all right?" Zoro asked.
"No," Luffy answered.
"Yeah…me neither," Zoro said and walked out of the mansion with the police.
Somewhere in the Grand Line,
Adriana and Connor appeared in a flash of light, they were greeted by a Marine Captain, He was flanked by two other Marine grunts.
"Honey I'm home," Adriana said in a singsong voice.
"I see that and you brought a guest," the Captain said eyeing Connor hungrily.
"Yep, and the powers of a Rider," Adriana said holding up the Eye of Lucifer.
"So Claymore is dead then?"
"Not yet, but he will be soon. I think I got 80% of his powers in here and the rest will come soon,"
"How can you be sure?"
"That's just the type of spell it is, once it starts it won't stop draining until there is nothing left. He may be further away but all that's done is bought him an extra day or two,"
"How long until you have it all?"
"Hmm about 4 maybe 5 days if he's lucky,"
"And if he's unlucky?"
"He'll be dead in three, but as I said it's depended on distance,"
"Well it's not like he can come here in that time," the marine Captain said.
Connor had heard enough, he was not going to let Jack die. Without warning he reached for the bracelet but Adriana grabbed his wrist before he could grab it.
"Now, now it's not polite to steal," Adriana mocked; she applied some pressure to Connor's wrist and it snapped.
"AGHHHHHH!" Connor screamed.
Adriana lifted the boy up and threw him against a nearby wall. Connor hit the wall and fell to the ground; he was in a lot of pain but no one made a move to help him.
"So why did you bring that kid here?" the Captain asked.
"Mainly for insurance, Claymore seems attached so he won't try anything while we have him, plus you can't tell me that this boy is not valuable. You can practically feel all the pain he's endured,"
"He would make an excellent power source…and I suppose we can keep him alive at least until Claymore dies,"
"I'm glad you agree but since he's already here why don't we give him our special treatment," Adriana said with a sick smile.
"I like the way you think," the Captain said he turned to the two men that were with him.
"Our guest is injured take him to the operating room and let Doctor Benton know that he has a new patient," the Captain ordered.
The two Marines nodded and walked up to Connor. They grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away. Connor tried to resist but the demons punched him in the stomach when he did, Connor realized that he was not getting away.
Tropical Isalnd, with the Straw Hats
Chopper was carrying Jack back to the Merry, Nami went with them so she could get the ship ready to leave while Chopper treated Jack. Jack was crying he was in a lot of pain but it was not from his now broken leg or from exhaustion.
He was crying over the fact that Connor had been taken and it was all his fault.
"Hang on Jack…we're almost there," Chopper said.
The came to a cross road and Chopper was about to pass it by but Jack saw the cross road and stopped him.
"Chopper…wait," Jack said.
Chopper stopped and looked at the Rider.
"Put me down here, in the center of the road," Jack pleaded.
"But Jack we need to get you back to the ship," Nami urged.
"But I can get Connor back now...Please put me down," Jack begged.
Nami and Chopper looked at each other; they did want Connor back so Chopper did as he was told.
Jack pulled out his wallet and took out his Id; he buried in the ground and said a few words in a language that Nami and Chopper did not understand. A moment later a man wearing a very nice suit appeared, he looked down at Jack and raised his eyebrow.
"Well…this is unexpected," the man said.
"Who's this…he just appeared out of nowhere," Nami said hiding behind Chopper.
The man looked at Nami and Chopper with mild interest.
"He's a demon," Jack claimed.
"Okay then…ignoring the abominable snowman why did you summon me?" the demon asked turning his attention back to Jack.
"I want to make a deal," Jack said.
The demon was taken aback in surprise, Ghost Riders never made deals after their initial contract.
"You want to make a deal? You do realize the price is your soul right?" the demon clarified.
"I don't care I'm going to go back to hell anyway…I might as well get something out of it," Jack said.
The demon raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay I was just surprised that's all…you can't really blame me," the demon claimed "So…what do you want?"
"Adriana took a boy named Connor about 15 minutes ago," Jack stated.
"Oh yeah…she did come back with a kid," the demon remembered.
"Is he hurt?" Nami asked.
The demon looked at her.
"I guess I mean last I heard he was headed to Doc Benton's office…something about a broken wrist," the demon shrugged.
Jacks eyes widened in horror he knew Doc Benton's reputation and his fascination for how much pain living humans could take before they died, not to mention is experiments with immortality.
"B…Benton's here too?" Jack gasped.
"Oh yeah, You know for a human he's a really, really sick guy…Personally I think his methods are a bit extreme but…you can't argue with the result," the demon said.
Jack could not believe it, Benton's name had not been on Crowley's list, he wondered if Crowley had intentionally kept that information from him or if the demon king only knew about the non-human creatures that came over.
"So about your deal…I assume this kid has something to do with it," the demon said.
"Yes, I want him returned and protected from all supernatural threats," Jack said.
"Oh is that all? Do you want fries with that too?" the demon mocked.
"Just bring him back!" Jack roared.
"No," the demon said.
"Okay fine then let me take his place, you can do whatever you want just bring him back," Jack said altering the deal.
The demon shook his head.
"Uh-uh try again," the demon said.
"Please you can have my powers, you can have me…just bring Connor back," Jack begged with tears in his eyes.
The demon sighed.
"Jack look we already have your powers, you'll be dead in under 48 hours. Why on earth would I ever agree to an absurd deal like that?"
"What?" Jack gasped.
"Look I'm all for you selling your soul again I am, hell if I made the deal I would be set for the rest of my demonic life…but if I did agree to your terms there really would have been no point in taking that kid in the first place," the demon smiled.
"But…he's a child,"
"Try to see this from our point of view, we have a dying Ghost Rider, said Ghost Rider's powers and a very potent power source which we plan on using afterword's and making even stronger," the demon claimed.
"No…" Jack whispered, he knew what that meant for Connor.
"I mean we have everything we want, why would I risk everything by bringing you back to our base and giving up the one thing that will keep you from trying anything…seems very counterproductive if you ask me," the demon claimed.
"Then why did you come in the first place," Jack hissed.
"Well I am a crossroads demon and this is a crossroad…it was more an obligation really," the demon shrugged "If you want to sell your soul I'll take it but that kid is not on the table,"
"Well put him on the table," Jack threatened.
But the demon was unfazed.
"You know, you're not that threating without your powers," the demon commented.
Jack hung his head in despair.
"Now Jack don't be like that, I tell you what…I'll tell you Adriana's plans for that boy, free of charge," the demon said.
Jack looked up at the demon, he really did not want to know what was in store for Connor and he suspected that the demon was only telling him so Jack would die knowing exactly what was going to happen to his friend afterwards.
"First we'll keep him alive until you die making him a much more powerful power source of course. Once your back downstairs Adriana will step up her game and start bleeding him for his innocent blood and we will use him as a power booster," the demon said.
Jack eyes went wide, if they did use Connors blood as a power booster and they kept torturing him then even Jack would have a hard time stopping them.
"We will continue to make his blood more and more powerful as he grows. Once he turns 18 we will make a deal with him. By this time he will take any offer we make…I suspect one to end his suffering will be very appealing,"
The demon bent down and looked Jack straight in the eye.
"and then his soul will be ours for ever," he finished.
"No, he'll go to hell. You won't get his soul," Jack claimed.
'And once he's there I will get him out,' Jack swore.
The demon grinned.
"Normally that would be the case…however he will not go to heaven or hell,"
"You can't stop a soul form going to where it's supposed too," Jack declared.
"Actually you can…if you trap it. We're going to rip out his soul and put it in a container, that way we can syphon power off it for the rest of eternity,"
"That will kill him in the process and be very painful…how is that part of the deal?" Jack yelled.
"We won't technically be braking our end of the bargain…his suffering will end," the demon claimed "He just won't go to where he's supposed to and give us power for all eternity and the best part is… there is nothing you can do about it," the demon laughed as he bent over to get in Jack's face.
"So you still want to make a deal?" the demon asked.
"No," Jack said before he grabbed the demon by his suit coat and held him in place before he pulled out the demon killing knife and stabbed the demon through the side of his head.
"I just want to see you bleed," Jack growled as the demon's body lit up with electricity once it went limp Jack let the body fall to the ground.
However Jack realized that what the demon said was true…Connor was going to suffer a fate far worse than death itself for the rest of eternity and it was all his fault.
Marine base, somewhere on the Grand Line
Connor was dragged down deeper into the bowels of the base, along the way they passed several marines who at first glance looked human but then they would smile revealing large fangs or grow sharp claws with patches of fur and their eyes would turn an unnatural color revealing what they truly were. However that only confirmed what Connor knew as he could sense the darkness inside of them he knew they weren't human.
The two marines dragged him down to what looked like an operation room, the room was lined with glass cabinets filled with various organs floating in jars and other medical tools. In the center of the room was a table with metal restraints.
The demons headed straight for the table and Connor started to resist, he did not want to be put on there. The demons seemed to find amusement in the boys struggles but they were far stronger than him and they strapped Connor down to a table. Once Connor was restrained the demons tore off his clothes before leaving the room.
Connor tried to break out of the restraints but he was unable to so he lay there in fear, a few agonizingly long minutes later a man with dirty grey hair dressed in scrubs and surgical mask came in. The man walked over to the table and removed the mask to reveal his face was covered in stitches.
"Hello I'm Doctor Benton and I'll be your surgeon this evening," Benton said.
"S...surgeon?" Connor asked fearfully, somehow he got the feeling that this was going to involve needles.
"Surgeon, torturer, butcher whatever you want to call me…honestly what's the difference?" Benton shrugged.
The doctor brought over a tray of medical tools and Connor eyed them fearfully.
"So my associates tell me you are very close with Jack Claymore," Benton said as he growled Jack's name.
"You know Jack?" Connor asked.
"Indeed I do he and those Winchesters left me in a very…..difficult situation shall we say," Benton said.
"Difficult?"
"They chained me inside of a refrigerator and buried me ten feet into the ground!" Benton yelled causing Connor to flinch.
"But why?" Connor asked.
"Because their tiny primitive minds couldn't comprehend the value of my research, so what if I had to take a few hearts, lungs, kidneys and brains it was all in the name of science," Benton rambled on.
'This guy is insane' Connor thought to himself.
"But that's all behind me now, thanks to these wonderful creatures I'm in a brave new world, with no hunters, Ghost Riders, or angels to hinder my progress, and it's full of very interesting test subjects I find these devil fruits users as they called them very interesting," Benton said before grabbing a scalpel.
"And you my boy, shall be my greatest work yet," Benton said leaning closer with the scalpel.
"Y…You don't use needles do you?" Connor asked.
"Of course not, I prefer a different method," Benton answered before he started cutting into Connor.
Connor screamed as the psycho doctor did his work.
For the next several hours Benton continued to slice open Connor to examine his pain threshold along with breaking several bones. However he noticed something interesting about Connor, he would cut the boy and then turn to grab another medical tool only to find where he had cut had healed significantly and it was not as deep as it should be.
The broken bones however did not improve right away but there were signs of them heling. It took a while for Benton to figure out that Connor had an increased healing factor but once he did Benton grinned.
"My, my it seems you have a slight healing factor, now how did you get that?" Benton asked excitedly, Connor didn't answer.
"Are you a mutant perhaps or something else entirely?" the doctor asked.
Again Connor didn't answer he was in too much pain.
"Very well I'm sure I'll figure it out one way or another. I'm glad you're not telling me, I love learning things the hard way," He grinned.
Tropical Island, Going Merry
Chopper and Nami had arrived back at the Merry about an hour after Adriana had disappeared with Connor and Jack had dealt with the crossroad demon. They were worried about the boy but right now Jack needed them; As soon as they got on board Chopper went straight to the Cabin he dug out the reaming frankincense and myrrh soaked bandages and wrapped them around Jack's wound.
He then forced Jack to take some Ascomid pills which he hoped would help with the healing. Once he was satisfied with Jack's condition Chopper left the cabin to assist Nami in preparing the ship to sail.
Soon the other Straw Hats came back and assisted in getting ready to leave. Zoro stored Connor's sword in the men's room, Sanji and Usopp put all the food away, Robin delivered the medical supplies to Chopper and then helped Nami.
Once the Log was set the Straw Hats were ready to go, the local police came and gave them there sympathy for Connor's loss but they really wanted was for the Straw Hats to save Adriana.
"So you guys are heading out, how's Jack?" Fidel asked concerned.
"Not good but he'll get better," Luffy said.
"You think you'll be able to save the chief?" Dwaine asked.
"We'll try," Zoro said, though he really wanted to kill the woman.
"I guess that's the best we can hope for, good luck," Dwaine said.
The Straw Hats set sailed in search of their missing member. Once they were out to sea Chopper came out of the cabin looking very, very solemn.
"How's Jack?"' Zoro asked.
"Without his powers the special bandages aren't working but I set his leg and wrapped it up…but it'll take months to heal," Chopper said.
"Is he in the cabin?" Luffy asked.
Chopper nodded.
"He's beating himself up pretty hard, you need to talk to him. He won't listen to me," Chopper advised.
Luffy nodded, he and Zoro entered the cabin. Inside they found Jack laying in the bed starring out into nothing, his leg was wrapped up and he looked completely defeated.
"Hey bone head, how are you doing?" Zoro asked.
"Oh you know my powers are gone Connor's been kidnapped by every horror that you fear in the dark taken to God knows where, I've got less than three days to live…and it's all my fault," Jack said.
"Jack this isn't your fault," Luffy said.
"Yes it is Luffy! I should have known she was a demon it was so obvious why else would she constantly want to be around me?" Jack said seriously.
"Bone head she played you, she played all of us," Zoro tried to reason.
"But that's not important, we've got to find Connor," Luffy said "How far can a demon travel?"
"Literally anywhere in the world in a blink of an eye, hopefully since they just arrived a week ago they're staying in the Grand Line," Jack said.
"Can't you just track them?" Luffy asked.
"Not without my powers, might as well take me out back and shoot me boys, this old hound has a bad leg and can't track," Jack said feeling completely useless.
"Don't say that Jack, we're going to save Connor," Luffy declared.
"Can't Strange or that angel help?" Zoro asked.
"No, if they could sense demons they would of warn me about Adriana, and what's worse once we're out to sea they won't be able to find us without my Rider energy," Jack said.
"I don't get it, why would she take Connor in the first place?" Luffy asked.
"For their spells, Connor is innocent and had suffered a great deal in his young life, his blood is the perfect ingredient for every black magic they could think of," Jack answered.
"That and insurance they know I won't try anything if we find them, they'll use Connor as a shield like the cowards they are…at least until they get the rest of my powers. Once that happens I don't want to even think about what they'll do next," Jack said.
"That's not going to happen Jack," Luffy said.
"Luffy we have to face facts...there's a good chance I'm not coming out of this," Jack said.
"Screw the facts! You and Connor are part of my crew and I won't fail my crew!" Luffy yelled as he stormed out of the cabin, Jack just sighed.
"You shouldn't give up Jack," Zoro said.
"Zoro I tried to get him back, but those freaks will not part with him willingly…and they told me what they had planned for him," Jack said "Face it, Connor is going to die a very slow and painful death and so am I…there is nothing we can do,"
"But neither of you are dead yet so there is hope,"
"All the hope needs to be for Connor, I'm afraid this is my swan song," Jack said.
"You can't think like that, if there's one thing I've learned it's once Luffy sets his mind to something he gets it done," Zoro said.
"As much as I believe that, you and the crew still need to face the very real possibility I'm going to die. If that happens I want you guys to bury me somewhere my family can visit…if they ever get here," Jack said.
"I understand, but that's not going to happen Luffy is right we're going to get both you and Connor out of this, you'll get your powers back and then we'll kick those freaks asses," Zoro said.
"I want to believe that I really do, but I've failed you guys once already, there's a good chance I'll do it again," Jack said sadly.
"You haven't failed us bone head, not now not ever," Zoro tried to console.
Jack didn't respond to that, Zoro sighed and decided to leave the Rider alone. As he approached the door he stopped and looked back at Jack.
"Jack what exactly are they going to do with Connor?" Zoro asked but he wasn't sure he wanted the answer.
"Zoro trust me, you really don't want to know," Jack said as a single tear fell from his eye.
Marine Base, somewhere in the Grand Line
Adriana was setting at her desk in the captain office of the marine base with her feet propped up on the desk; she had a smug look on her face as she sipped at a glass of scotch while looking over the Eye of Lucifer.
It was glowing very brightly now and she knew that Jack's time in this world was almost up.
"Oh Jack you poor dumb sap, it was just too easy," She said with a chuckle, just then there was a knock at her door.
"Come in," She called out before Benton walked in.
"Ah Doctor are you enjoying your latest patient?" Adriana asked.
"Very much but I found something interesting," Benton said
"Really do tell,"
"He seems to have a healing factor," Benton claimed.
This peaked Adriana's interest, she took her feet off the desk and leaned forward paying close attention to what the human was saying.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Oh yes, I did not notice it a first but it is defiantly there," the Doctor confirmed.
"How strong it this healing factor?" Adriana asked.
"Nowhere near as strong as say a demon or an angel but I believe he could have a broken limb healed in a day or so," Benton said.
"Where did it come from? Is the boy a mutant?" Adriana asked.
"I don't know, I have worked with mutants before but this boy shows no signs of being one…apart from the healing factor though he refuses to tell me where he got that from," Benton answered.
"Why do you not do a blood test?" Adriana asked.
"That's no fun, I prefer a hands on approach to learning," Benton claimed.
"I respect that…how about this, take a small sample of his blood and give it to one of the demons on the base," Adriana suggested.
"What good will that do?"
"Demons can identify a person's blood by tasting it, if this boy is a mutant we will be able to tell instantly," Adriana claimed.
"How much do you need?" Benton asked.
"Not much…a few drops will do," Adriana answered.
Benton nodded in understanding.
"I'll have a sample prepared, you can come and get it whenever you like," Benton said.
He turned to walk out and leave the office but Adriana stopped him.
"Doctor, since this boy has a healing factor I suggest you show very little restraint," Adriana said with a sick smile.
"I never show restraint," Benton claimed.
"Just don't kill him…yet," Adriana advised.
"Understood," Benton said before leaving.
Going Merry, somewhere in the Grand Line
Jack sat in the cabin he didn't move all day not even to get up to eat, Nami brought him food but he couldn't bring himself to eat it, around midnight when he was sure everyone else was fast asleep he hobbled out on deck, and headed to the railing to watch the stars and moon reflect off the ocean.
"Connor I'm so sorry, this is all my fault," Jack said out loud.
"I failed you, I failed everyone," Jack said he then unpinned Carter's badge from his chest and stared at it.
"I don't deserve to be a Rider, I don't deserve to be an Avenger, I don't deserve to be on this crew, and I don't deserve this!" Jack shouted as he wound back his arm about to throw the badge into the ocean.
"You throw that badge boy, and I'll kick your sorry butt up and down this tub," a rugged and rough voice said.
Jack turned around, standing behind him was an older man with shoulder length white hair and a white beard and moustache, he wore a brown cowboy hat and black duster over coat, he stood there with his arms crossed staring at Jack.
"Carter?" Jack asked.
"Yeah it's me bone head," Carter said.
"I must have lost more power than I thought I'm hallucinating," Jack said.
Carter walked up to Jack and smacked him hard against the back of the head with his hand.
"That feel like a hallucination you dummy," Carter said.
"Yeah it's you, what are you doing here you're retired?" Jack asked as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Talked to the boss, he agreed to let me come down here and smack some sense into you, speaking of which, what in the Sam hell is wrong with you boy?" Carter asked.
"I screwed up Carter," Jack said as he starred down in shame.
"Yeah you did but not in the way you think," Carter said.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked.
"You think you let that boy down, well knock it off because you didn't," Carter said.
"Carter it's my fault Connor was taken I should of known I should of done something,"
"Pull your head out of your ass boy, that demon had everything planned and you know it, there was nothing you could of done, the only way you'll let that kid down is if you lay down and die, because that's exactly what those freaks want," Carter said.
"Carter what am I going to do? my powers are almost gone I've only got two days now and maybe one of them will be while I'm conscious," Jack said
"I didn't train you to give up when it looked darkest, you're a Rider boy, Riders stare into the darkness and dare it to come crashing down on them, because we fight the darkness, we are the force of justice and vengeance that battles the darkness of evil to the bitter end that's what a Rider is, and that's what you are," Carter said.
"I gave you that badge because I knew you would be one of the best of us, I knew you could face anything do anything, and beat down any ugly evil son of a bitch out there and that's what you're going to do" Carter added
"But how?" Jack asked
"Boy there's a reason no one has been able to take a Rider's power, once a Rider always a Rider you can't take that away not for long anyhow, you'll get your mojo back you just got to keep the faith," Carter said.
"Carter if something happens to Connor I'll never forgive myself,"
"Jack I'm not going to lie that kid has some hard times ahead of him, but he's going to see this out, the boss has plans for him for this whole crew actually, but you do what a Rider is supposed to do, you get vengeance for that boy and bring it down on all those freaks head," Carter said.
"I will Carter, and thanks," Jack said.
"You're welcome bone head, now what type of cockamamie reasons could you have for joining a pirate crew?" Carter asked.
"Jack? What are you doing out of bed?" Nami asked as she came on deck
"Ohhh that type of reason," Carter said.
"Jack who's that?" Nami asked.
"Nami this is Carter Slade my mentor, Carter this is Nami she's the ship's navigator," Jack introduced the two.
"Nice to meet you miss Nami," Carter said as he tipped his hat.
"Mentor? Wait you're the one who taught Jack how to be a Ghost Rider, but I thought you were dead," Nami said.
"Retired miss Nami, and yes I am but I've been given permission to come down here and pay my old apprentice a visit," Carter explained.
"Good then maybe you can talk some sense into his thick skull, and tell him none of this is his fault," Nami said as she smacked Jack on the back of the head.
"Ouch! What is it with you two and beating up on an injured man?" Jack asked.
"Well stop being so thick headed," Nami answered, Carter just laughed.
"You two remind me of how me and Mary use to act, she was a real spit fire, you're a lot like her miss Nami, good choice bone head," Carter said as he gave Jack a wink, before Jack could say anything Nami wrapped herself around his arm.
"I'm glad you approve Mr. Slade I've been telling Jack I'm the lucky one but he just has such self-esteem problems," Nami said which caused Jack to look at her with a blush covering his face.
"Yeah that's always been bone head's issue, I told you you'd find someone Jack," Carter said as he patted Jack on the arm, Jack was in total shock and couldn't find any words to say.
"Now don't worry about your juice boy Oz and feather britches have a plan, and I've been given the go ahead to lend them a hand," Carter said.
"Thanks Carter for everything," Jack finally said.
"See ya kid," Carter said before disappearing.
"What was that all about?" Jack asked Nami.
"I just like teasing you, you're kind of cute when you blush," Nami said as Jack did exactly that.
"See that's adorable, do you need some help getting back to bed?" Nami asked.
"No I just want to stay out here for a while," Jack said.
"Oh, I guess you'll want to be alone then," Nami said.
"Actually do you mind staying a bit? I'm tired of being alone," Jack asked.
"Sure," Nami said as she leaned against Jack and watched the ocean with him.
In the Vail
Castiel was searching the pirate world looking for the largest source of demonic energy Strange was with him waiting for him to find it eventually the Angel found what he was looking for on what appeared to be some sort of military base.
Strange went down to investigate but did so without his astral form he could see several of the men were possessed by demons while he guessed others were monsters he eventually found Connor in cell down in the bases dungeon.
The boy appeared to be in very poor shapes was curled up in a ball trying to keep the heat from escaping his naked body. There were obvious signs that he had been tortured and Strange recognized the surgical marks all over his body along with the amount of fear Connor was showing.
It was very clear that Connor was terrified; his eyes eventually looked directly in Strange's direction but didn't use his sight as there were a couple guards outside his cell. Strange wondered why Connor didn't sense him as soon as he arrived and Strange put it down to all the demonic energy hanging around the base.
One of the demon guards saw Connor looking in their direction.
"What are you staring at?" the demon demanded harshly.
Connor instantly looked away but it was too late. The guard came into the cell and hoisted Connor up by the throat, he applied a small amount of pressure and started to choke him. Despite this Connor refused to look at him.
"What's the matter too good to look at me? How about I rip your eyes out and then eat them?"
Connor said something.
"What was that?" the guard asked.
"I'm sorry," Connor choked out as loud as he could.
"You will be," the demon growled and threw the boy against the wall.
Connor hit it hard and he then slumped to the ground gasping for air, the demon walked over to Connor and put his foot on Connor's leg and then stomped on it. Connor screamed in pain as his leg was broken.
Strange wanted to rip this demon a new one but he could not interact with this world or its inhabitants in his current form. Connor cried out in pain as the demon continued to brake various different parts of his leg, once the boy's leg had been broken in 5 different places the guard went back to his original post and he and his partner watched Connor cry; finding amusement in his suffering.
"Breaks your heart huh Strange?" a voice said Strange turned to see someone standing there he hadn't seen in years.
"Carter? Carter Slade?" Strange asked in shock.
"How's it going Stephen?" Carter asked.
"Much better now that you're here, please tell me you can help?" Strange begged.
"I am but I'm not allowed to interact physically with these abominations," Carter said.
"That's not good," Strange said.
"Now just because I can't lay down some pain on them doesn't mean I can't scare the bejesus out of them," Carter said with a Cheshire grin.
"Good that will make my plan much easier," Strange said.
"Plan…what plan?" Carter asked.
Strange explained his plan and while Carter had little doubt it would work he knew that the consequences of such action would be very, very bad and the demons would take it out on Connor. Eventually the guards got tired of watching Connor wither in pain and left, as soon as they did Strange appeared before Connor in his astral form, the boy weakly looked up to him.
"You can't be here…they'll see you," Connor just managed to get out.
"Connor we must speak quickly, it's up to you to save Jack," Strange said.
"I know…I heard Adriana talking…talking about the bracelet," Connor said weakly.
"Then you know it contains Jacks powers and destroying it will save him," Strange said.
Connor nodded.
"She…. She keeps it on her at all times….how do I get to it?" Connor asked.
"I have a plan, but know if you agree to this you will most likely not survive what the demons do to you as a result," Strange warned.
"Don't….care…." Connor claimed.
Connor was telling the truth, his life meant nothing he was a slave and Jack was a Ghost Rider and a hero, compared to Jack Connor was nothing. He would gladly give for the Straw Hats and if it was a choice between his life and Jack's he would gladly chose Jack's.
"You are a very brave boy, now listen carefully," Strange said.
"When the monsters come back tell them you want to see Adriana, tell them that you want to sell your soul to her," Strange said "when she comes you'll get a signal and that will be your chance to break the ruby,"
"Ruby's…unbreakable," Connor said.
"No this one will be under enormous strain it will not take much to destroy it, doing so will release Jack's powers," Strange assured.
"Can't…too weak…" Connor said, he was on the verge of passing out.
"We'll wait until you're ready, but we do not have much time," Strange urged.
Connor however did not hear him as he had lost consciousness. Strange disappeared releasing his astral form retuning back to the veil.
"So?" Carter asked "Is he going to do it?"
"Yes…but he passed out, we will have to wait for him to recover a bit," Strange sighed.
Carter nodded.
"You should go back and rest;" Castiel advised "We will stay with him and let you know when he wakes up,"
Strange did not want to leave but there was nothing he could do at the moment, so he headed back to his body.
When the guards came back thy saw that Connor was out cold, they made no move to help the boy or even check if he was going to be alright, they could tell that he was still alive and that was all they needed to know.
Connor woke up hours later, he did not know how long he had been out his leg was still not healed but it was better than before, he slowly crawled over to the bars and looked around. He could not see Strange or any guards.
"Okay….time to save Jack….if he's still alive," Connor said.
The demons were heading back to the cells, they had Benton with them and the Doctor was eager to get back to his work with Connor. As they were heading back to the cell they heard Connor yelling.
"Hey you freaks get back in here!" Connor voice echoed through the hall.
The monsters stopped and looked at each other for a moment before running to the cell. They saw that Connor was awake and struggling to hold himself up using the bars as support.
"What do you want boy?" one of the demons asked.
"Tell Adriana I want to see her," Connor said.
"Yeah not happing, you're going back on my lab table," Benton said.
"And why would she want to see you anyway?" the second demon asked.
"Because I want to make a deal," Connor said smugly.
The monsters looked at each other, they had planned for this but they did not think it would happen so soon. One of them left to deliver the message, about thirty minutes later he returned with Adriana with them the demon stood a good few feet away from the cell.
"This better be good kid," Adriana said.
"It is I want to sell my soul," Connor said.
"Really…so soon? Your soul would be very powerful, what do you want in return?" the demon asked.
"I want you to give Jack his powers back," this caused the demons to burst out in laughter.
"Oh really is that all?" Benton laughed, he knew none of these demons would take that deal.
"Kid get real, your soul might be valuable but it's nowhere near as powerful as a Ghost Riders," Adriana claimed.
"I couldn't agree more," a voice said.
The demon and monsters turned around to see Carter standing behind them, Carter was a legend in the supernatural committee he had killed many monsters and demons, and his legacy is still talked about so Adriana recognized him instantly.
"C-C-Carter S-S-Slade," the demon stuttered as she took a step back the monsters followed her lead.
Connor noticed that Adriana was now closer to him but she was still too far away to get the Ruby.
"Glad to see my name still caries weight," Carter said with a Cheshire grin and he took another step forward.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were retired?" Adriana asked as she and the demons took two steps back.
"Did you really think you could try to kill my apprentice and get away with it?" Carter asked as he riderized.
"I don't think so," Carter said with a demonic growl and began walking towards the demon.
Fear gripped the monsters and demon as they unknowingly backed up against the cell in total fear of the elder Rider.
"Vengeance will be dealt," Carter said as he got closer.
The demons and Benton stared at the elder rider in complete fear, just when they thought it was all over Connor grabbed the ruby bracelet on Adriana's arm and yanked it off. Adriana tuned to look at him in horror and before she could stop him Connor smashed the ruby against the ground.
"No!" Adriana screamed, she didn't have all of Jack powers yet.
A large shockwave was emptied from the gem knocking everyone in the room down except Carter, he had a very big grin on his face.
Adriana backed away in shock and looked at the destroyed gem, a flaming skull rose from the shattered gem it starred at the demon for a few seconds before letting out a demonic roar that shook the entire base; it then flew out of the room at lightning speed.
"As I was saying vengeance will be dealt, but not by me," Carter said with a laugh before disappearing.
The demon and monsters looked at Connor with rage and shock mixed with a healthy dose of fear. Once the shock had worn off Adriana's eyes narrowed and she glared hatefully at Connor.
"You'll pay for that," Adriana hissed.
"Maybe but…Jack's going to roast you alive," Connor said with a mischievous grin.
Back on the Merry
Jack and Nami were still looking out to the ocean just as the sun was coming up Nami had fallen asleep on Jack's shoulder, Jack actually felt a form of peace wash over him until he noticed something coming over the horizon.
"What is that?" Jack asked out loud.
Jack then saw that it was a flaming skull flying towards the ship at unimaginable speed, before he could react the skull slammed into him and sent him flying into the main mast.
"JACK!" Nami yelled as she ran to the Rider who appeared to have been knock out.
"Jack can you hear me?!" Nami asked as she shook the Rider Jack's eyes shot open.
"Oh thank goodness! Are you ok?" Nami asked.
Jack looked down at his bandaged leg he grabbed on to the wrapping and ripped it right off he then stood on his completely healed limb, before Nami could ask Jack Riderized before her eyes and the let out a ear shattering roar that echoed across the wave.
"What's going on?!" Luffy asked as he and the rest of the crew stormed the deck where they were shocked to find Jack in his Rider form.
"Jack you've got your powers back," Luffy said.
"Yeah and it's all thanks to Connor," Jack said as he deriderized.
"So where is he?" Luffy asked.
"That way," Jack answered and pointed of in a North West direction.
"Nami,"
"On it," Nami said and went to alter their course.
"Is he still alive?" Usopp asked anxiously.
"Yes, with my powers restored I can track him anywhere in the world," Jack claimed.
The Merry changed course and headed in the new direction. Chopper gave Jack a check-up and when he was done Jack tested his powers just to make sure they were all back. Strange also appeared and scolded Jack for giving up.
He told the Rider that until Connor was rescued he would have no contact with him as Castiel was going to watch over him.
Jack was relieved that Castiel would be with Connor but knew that the angel could do nothing but watch, he was a bit confused why Castiel would do that. Strange claimed that the demons would now start using Connors's blood for various protection spells in an attempts to keep Jack away and if Castiel left once they were in affect then he'd never find the demons again.
That night when the Merry dropped anchor Jack wanted to continue sailing, but it was too dangerous to sail at night. After dinner Jack sat himself on the deck leaning against the mast watching the stars. He decided he'd stay out on deck tonight so he could focus on Connor's soul; Jack doubted he'd get any sleep until the boy returned.
'Hang in there buddy,' Jack thought.
'Use me,' a mysterious voice said.
Jack instantly got on guard, he did not recognize the voice, he knew nothing could get on board the ship so where had the voice come from.
'You want Connor back so do I, so use me,' the voice continued.
"Where are you? How do you know that name?" Jack hissed, he could not sense anything threatening but he was not going to take that chance.
'I know you all and I have been with you all since the beginning Jack,'
"Well that's comforting to know, but I already have a voice inside my head that's already too much,"
'Love you too Jack,' the Rider said.
"So I'm going to ignore you now,"
'I am not your enemy Jack I'm your friend and have been since you landed here. I want nothing more than to be reunited with Connor and take him away with us,'
"Okay that's it, I don't care who you are but I am not letting you touch any of this crew," Jack hissed dangerously.
'You're a good friend but I mean them no harm, I just want to sail with them a bit more so use me, make me your ride,'
"Sail? Who are you?"
'Haven't you figured it out yet? I'm the Going Merry,'
Jack looked at the figure head in surprise, this had to be a joke ships weren't alive.
"Okay now I know I'm crazy ships can't talk,"
'In your world maybe but here, they can. If a ship is loved by its crew its spirt will protect them in times of need. And now one of my charges needs me,'
"I still don't believe it,"
'You don't have to, but you do want to save Connor. If you make me your ride you will be able to traverse the Grand Line safely and get to him faster,'
"Yeah but you're made of wood, won't you burn?"
'That horse did not burn when you made it your ride,'
"True…are you really the ship?"
'One way to find out,' the voice finished.
Jack could not argue with that he took a long look at the ship's figure head but could not sense anything from it; he sighed and turned to the mast.
"Oh well what the hay," Jack said as he placed on hand on the mast and Riderized.
The ship Riderized with him.
Hellfire spread across the ship whatever it touched turned the wood into a mixture of bone and metal, the figure head turned from its usual happy self to a ram skull with bigger and sharper horns, the skull had fiery orbs in its eye sockets, the sails turned to fire and the jolly Roger stayed pretty much the same except that hat turned black and it had a much more sinister look with sharper teeth and an evil grin while fire surrounded it.
"This is going to be good," Jack said with a chuckle.
Down in the men's quarters, the other Straw Hats were fast asleep, Luffy woke up when he felt a change in temperature, he woke up to find his hammock had turned into a spider web, and the room had turned to bone and metal.
"What the hell?" Luffy asked.
Luffy got up and walked out to the deck his jaw hit the floor when he saw what had happened to his ship the rest of the crew joined him and they too were equally shocked.
"Beautiful isn't she" they heard Jack said.
"Jack what did you do to my ship?" Luffy asked.
"Do you like it?" Jack asked.
"Like it...I FREAKING LOVE IT!" Luffy shouted as he ran around the deck admiring all the changes.
"Bone head, how'd you do this?" Zoro asked.
"I riderized her, she said it was okay," Jack said.
"Who's she?" Nami asked.
"The Merry, she told me to," Jack said.
"The ship talked to you?" Sanji asked.
"Yep she wants Connor back, and now we can get there quicker, plus it's safe to sail at night," Jack said as he ran his hand down the main mast.
"She's a fine ship, worthy of being a Rider's mount," Jack said.
"This is so badass!" Luffy said.
"Then let's set sail," Jack said.
"Alright guys let's go save Connor," Luffy ordered.
The crew got ready as Jack mentally commanded the ship to start going the Merry took off across the ocean at break neck speed leaving a trail of fire behind her.
"We're coming Connor, just hold on," Jack said.
The Merry sailed on all through the night, it was going incredibly fast. Luffy was sitting in his special seat and was having the time of his life. Usopp and Chopper were freaking out at the speed they was going at, the rest of the Straw Hats were grinning like idiots.
"At the rate we're going we should get to Connor in no time," Jack said to Luffy.
"Great can we go any faster?" Luffy asked.
"Oh yeah but I don't want you fruit users to fall off," Jack claimed, he pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the Merry's new look.
'Make sure you get my good side,' the Merry said.
'I don't think you have a bad side,' Jack said back.
'Jack you flirt you,' the Merry giggled.
'Oh barf,' the Rider complain.
'Shut up,' Jack and Merry said in unison.
The morning came and the Merry sped on, the unpredictable weather of the Grand Line made rough waves and a very large and dangerous storm. Nami was very concerned about the ship but all it did was slow the Merry down. No matter how hard the wind below or how tall the waves the Merry took it head on and received no damage.
When the crew asked about it Jack merely shrugged it off.
"A Rider's mount receives some of the same power as a Rider, being near indestructible is one of the benefits," Jack claimed.
The Merry stopped in the eye of the storm to wait it out though it did not need to. Usopp and Nami were insistent that sailing in this kind of weather was too dangerous. Jack didn't think so until Chopper Robin and Luffy nearly got blown off the ship.
They were close now, Jack could feel Connor's soul getting stronger so he complied with the crews wishes to wait out the storm. The storm didn't pass until night fall, once the ship set off again it was not long until Jack spotted an Island and he called the others.
"There Connor's on that Island," Jack claimed.
"Really?" Luffy asked.
"Yup once we land I'll be able to lead you straight to him,"
"Jack can you turn the Merry back to normal?" Nami asked.
"Why it looks amazing like this," Zoro commented.
"Because if we want to sneak up on those monsters then we really shouldn't announce our presence with a flaming pirate ship," Nami reasoned.
"Oh that's a good point," Zoro responded.
Jack snapped his fingers and the Merry reverted to normal in an instant.
"There we go now we just need to…"Jack suddenly stopped and his eyes widened in horror.
"Something wrong bone head?" Sanji asked.
"No No No No…" Jack said distressed and focused solely on the Island in front of him "Please no we're so close,"
"Jack what is it?" Robin asked concerned.
"I…I can no longer sense Connor's soul," Jack answered.
"So he's no longer on that Island? Make the ship scary again and we'll set off," Nami said.
"You don't understand, I can track any soul I've met anywhere in the world. If the demons had moved Connor to a different location I could still sense it but now it's gone,"
"What are you saying that the demons are using some kind of protection to hide it?" Chopper asked.
"No, no one can hide their soul, not even the most powerful of witches could do it," Jack turned to the Straw Hats with grief in his eyes.
"The only way I would be unable to track a soul is if the one it belong to was dead…I'm sorry guys but Connor is gone for good,"
The Straw Hats stared at Jack in horror.