I own nothing from Blade, Ghost Rider or anything associated with Marvel.
Onboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Tricarrier, Nick Fury assumed his duties as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Sir, we have a report coming in from Death Valley." Agent Maria Hill said. "Says that they're experiencing unusual events happening outside the local town." Fury started to think. "Time to call them in." He said. Maria nodded, knowing who her boss was talking about.
High in the sky, a truck shaped like a dragon soared through the air. The Monster Truck, piloted by the most creepiest set of characters in the world. Frankenstein's Monster, a monster created by Dr. Victor Frankenstein in the early 18th century. N'Kantu the Living Mummy, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who was cursed by an evil priest 3000 years ago. Man-Thing, a living swamp monster mutated in the Everglades swamp. Jack Russell a.k.a. Werewolf by Night, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent infected with the curse of the werewolf. And Blade, a vampire born with a gift of immunity to sunlight. Together they're known as Nick Fury's Howling Commandos.
Fury called on the Monster Truck's radio phone. "Howling Commandos, we have a mission for you. Strange events are happening in Death Valley. I want you to investigate." He instructed. "Copy that. We're on our way." Blade said as Fury ended the call. "Death Valley? I know that place. If we get involved, who knows what will happen if we come across him." Russell said. "Him? Who him?" Frank asked. "He speaks of the Spirit of Vengeance. The creature who hunts the sinners who are beyond redemption. The Ghost Rider." N'Kantu explained. Frank gulped. "Relax, Commandos. We don't even know if Ghost Rider's even involved in this situation. Besides, we can't stand by and do nothing." Blade said. "Sometimes I hate it when you're right. But only sometimes." Russell said. Blade smirked.
The Monster Truck made it to Death Valley in record time. As soon as they landed near the local town, the Commandos exited the truck and started to look around. The entire town appeared to be deserted. "Not exactly the welcome we're usually accustomed to, but nonetheless I guess." Russell said. "What happen here? Where all the people?" Frank asked. Blade looked around at the buildings. As a vampire, he had the feeling that something was wrong. Just then, he noticed some movement in the window of one of the buildings. "We've got company." He said, drawing his sword. The other Commandos got ready to fight. All remained quiet for a while. "Well, whatever it was you saw, it's gone now." Russell said. "Maybe. But don't be too sure." Blade said.
Just then, something leapt at Frank, knocking him on his back. It was a scary black skeletal demon creature. Frank struggled to fight the demon off as it tried to lower its head down to his. N'Kantu summoned his wrappings, wrapped them around the demon and threw it off Frank. The demon quickly recovered and lunged for another attack. But Man-Thing snatched him with his swampy tendrils and slammed him into the ground so hard, it vanished into wisp. "Thanks." Frank said. "Do not thank us yet, Frank. This is far from over." N'Kantu said. "He's right. Where there's one of these things…" Blade started. Just then, an entire shadow covered the entire town. Something moved in the shadow. "…there's usually a whole army."
More of those demons emerged from the shadow. "Commandos, get ready." Blade said. The Commandos got ready to fight. The demons charged and the fight began. Blade slashed at a few of the demons. "Keep a tight perimeter. We don't know what kind of dangers we're dealing with." He said, slashing another. Russell pounced another demon, slashing it with his claws. "No kidding. These things are even creepier than Dormamu." He said. Frank blasted several of the demons with his gattler. Man-Thing ensnared a few demons with his tendrils and tossed them back at the army. N'Kantu punched another demon. But as the Commandos kept beating them, the demons keep reforming from the wisps when beaten. "There are too many. We cannot keep this up." He said as the demon army continued to push forward. "He's right. They just keep coming." Russell said. "We need miracle." Frank said.
Just then, a motorcycle was being heard approaching. "I think we just got one." Blade said. The Commandos turned to see who was coming. It was him, riding on his flaming chopper. The Ghost Rider. The demons saw his coming and turned their attacks onto him. "Begone, sinful creatures." Ghost Rider roared, whipping his flaming chain at the demons. The demons were blown back by the flames. The rest of the demons retreated into the shadow. And then, the shadow lifted. "They're gone for now, but they'll be back." Ghost Rider said.
The Commandos approached the Spirit of Vengeance. "I might have known S.H.I.E.L.D. would send their best paranormal experts to aid me. I appreciate the help, but this battle is mine alone." Ghost Rider said. "Even so, we'll stick around and see if we can be of help." Russell said. "Give us the rundown, Ghost Rider. What happened here?" Blade asked. "There has been a breakthrough between the barriers that connect our world and the abyss. Mephisto and Blackheart are using this breakthrough to enslave the townspeople and shroud all of Death Valley into shadow. If they are not stopped, the shadow will continue to spread across the country until the entire world becomes a new Hell." Ghost Rider explained. "So, the demons we fought, they were?" Frank asked. "Yes. They were the people of this village, enslaved by Mephisto and Blackheart." Ghost Rider said. "Spooky." Frank gulped. "They're powers are growing stronger with each passing second. If they are not stopped, then every human in Death Valley and the world will become they're new kingdom." Ghost Rider said. "If it's all the same to you, the Howling Commandos will help either way." Blade said. "Very well. You may join me in this fight. But be warned. There is far worse going on then what you are used to." Ghost Rider said, walking to his bike.
Meanwhile, Mephisto and Blackheart were watching them from the bowls of Hell. "It appears that the Howling Commandos have joined our mortal enemy, Father." Blackheart said. "It matters not. Even with their gifts, the Rider and the Commandos will not be able to stop our plans." Mephisto said. "Then shall I send another squad of our slaves to intercept them?" Blackheart asked. "Yes. Once they're gone, we will shroud this world into shadow, and the universe will be ours." Mephisto said.
The Howling Commandos followed Ghost Rider in the Monster Truck. "Where exactly is Ghost Rider leading us?" Russell asked. "I don't know. He must be on the trail of the next attack." Blade said. "He is. I can sense the darkness of the shadow in the direction we're heading." N'Kantu said, his eyes glowing purple. "But where's it going?" Russell asked. "Frank guessing it's right there." Frank said, pointing out front.
The shadow had reformed and hundreds of demons emerged from it. Ghost Rider dismounted his bike and the Commandos exited the Monster Truck. "Take warning. You've noticed before that when these demons take damage, they can reform from the wisps of air." Ghost Rider said. "So, how do we make it permanent?" Russell asked. "Once Mephisto and Blackheart are stopped, these demons will resort back into the innocent people they once were." Ghost Rider explained. "I see. Is there a plan in there somewhere?" Blade asked. "Do our best to draw out Mephisto and Blackheart. And don't get pulled into the shadow. You'll be corrupted and enslaved like they are." Ghost Rider said. "Not a problem." Russell said. Ghost Rider and the Commandos got into their stance
The demons screeched and charged. "Commandos, attack!" Blade called. The Commandos and Ghost Rider charged and attacked, slashing, bashing, pouncing, blasting and scorching the demons. Frank blasted a few and smashed another with his hammer. Russell was being dogpiled (No pun intended), but then he leaped out of their grasp and lunged for them. Blade and Ghost Rider slashed through several demons with their sword and flaming chain.
Mephisto and Blackheart watched from their lair. "Perhaps now is the time for us to intervene, Father." Blackheart said. "Yes. The time has come for us to put an end to this nonsense." Mephisto said.
Blade slashed another demon, but it reformed itself in the shadow. "Okay, this is getting us nowhere! Every time we take them down, they just reform themselves!" Russell said. "I know. But we don't exactly have any other plan to stop them." Blade said. "And bigger problems are about to be brewed." N'Kantu said. The Commandos looked on at the shadows. A dark portal opened, and out from it, emerged Mephisto and Blackheart. "Hello, Rider. Been a long time." Mephisto said. "And now is the time to exact our revenge." Blackheart said. "Not tonight, creepy. Or any night!" Russell exclaimed, rushing towards the 2. "Jack! No!" Blade called. Too late. As Russell lunged for them, Blackheart grabbed his throat, stopping his assault. "Pitiful. You may be a creature of the night, but I am a master of hellfire and shadow." Blackheart said. Just then, a shadow energy began to surround Russell. "JACK!" Frank shouted. In Russell's place stood a shadow demon, bearing his body shape. "It is no use, Commandos. Soon the whole world will be embraced in the shroud of shadow. And I, Mephisto, high lord of Hell, shall rule over it! With Blackheart as my soul heir, no one will be able to stop us." Mephisto said. "Yes. Anyone who would dare to stand in our way, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the Guardians of the Galaxy, S.H.I.E.L.D., all of them will fall into darkness and become our slaves." Blackheart said.
"MONSTER!" Frank shouted, charging towards the demons. "Wait! Frank! Don't!" Blade called. Too late. Frank readied his chained hammer arm and began to swing at the demons. But then, Blackheart caught the chain and shrouded Frank in shadow, enslaving him as well. "We must go! We can't help them now!" Ghost Rider said. "No! I'm not leaving them!" Blade argued. "This is not the time for arguments! We're way outnumbered!" Ghost Rider pointed out. "Attack!" Mephisto ordered. The demons charged towards the remaining 4. Mephisto, Blackheart, Frank and Russell followed with a slow walk. N'Kantu and Man-Thing stepped in front of Blade and Ghost Rider. "Blade, you and Ghost Rider get out of here. Man-Thing and I will delay them as long as we can." N'Kantu said. "No! I'm not about to lose anymore Commandos." Blade said. "You and Ghost Rider are the best chance of stopping Mephisto and Blackheart. Now go!" N'Kantu ordered. Blade looked at Man-Thing, who nodded. Blade nodded back and turned to Ghost Rider. "Let's go." He said. "Follow me." Ghost Rider said.
The 2 took off as N'Kantu and Man-Thing got ready to fight. The demons charged right on top of them. N'Kantu trapped a few in his wrappings and sent them flying. Man-Thing swatted a few left and right, even bashed a few into the ground with his tendrils. "Interesting. They fight with such grace." Blackheart said. "Of course, they do. The mummy was cursed over 3000 years ago. And the swamp monster is the sworn protector of the swamps in the Everglades." Mephisto said. "And that makes them qualified to be our slaves." Blackheart said. "Exactly." Mephisto said. As N'Kantu and Man-Thing continued to fight off the demons, Blackheart jumped in and grabbed them. Shadows shrouded around them and enslaved them. "4 down, 2 to go." Mephisto said with a smile.
Blade and Ghost Rider stopped to rest. Blade was pacing back and forth. "You must rest, Commando. You need all your strength if we are to stop Mephisto and Blackheart and save your team." Ghost Rider said. "Easy for you to say. You don't even have friends. You have nothing to fight for. You just go around burning criminals who haven't answered for the evil they've caused." Blade said. Ghost Rider lowered his head. "You're wrong. I had something to fight for. Long ago." He said. Blade was confused. So, he sat down to listen. "It all started before I became the Ghost Rider. Back when my name was Johnny Blaze. My father was a stunt motorcycle rider like I was, but he had cancer. Mephisto came to me and offered to cure him in exchange for my soul, thus becoming the Ghost Rider. Unfortunately, I agreed before I knew the consequences. My father was cured, but he died in a stunt accident caused by Mephisto. Because of this, I lost my last living relative, I was forced to abandon my childhood sweetheart, and I became who I am now." Ghost Rider explained.
Blade suddenly felt sorry for the Spirit of Vengeance. "I know how you feel." He said. "How do you know how I feel?" Ghost Rider asked. "My trouble started in 1967, before I was born. My mother was bitten by a vampire when she was ready to give birth to me. That vampire was named Deacon Frost, and he's the reason I am who I am. My mother survived the attack, but she served under Frost. I was forced to kill my own mother to release her from her curse. I even had a lover once. Her name was Nyssa. She betrayed her own father for trying to build a superior race of vampires. Vampires like me. Immune to sunlight. In the end, she was wounded and I fulfilled her wish of dying as a vampire. She disintegrated in my arms as the sunlight touched her." Blade explained. Ghost Rider looked at the Day Walker. "Perhaps we have more in common then we realized. Except I managed to get my girl back. Yours chose to die as who she was." He said. "Indeed. But now it's up to us to prevent this from happening to anyone else." Blade said. "Then we better get to work." Ghost Rider said. The 2 gave a soul-brother handshake.
Meanwhile, Mephisto and Blackheart looked over their army, with the Howling Commandos operating as their generals. "Our army is ready, Father." Blackheart said. "Yes. And now, we shall spread our shadow across the country and then the entire planet!" Mephisto said. "That's not going to happen." A voice called. Mephisto and Blackheart turned and saw Blade and Ghost Rider approaching on Ghost Rider's motorcycle. "Demons, attack!" Mephisto ordered. The demons turned and charged towards Blade and Ghost Rider. Blade and Ghost Rider leaped off the motorcycle and got into a fighting stance. The motorcycle rammed right through half of the demons. "So, what's the plan?" Blade asked. "In order for the shadow over your comrades and the people to be lifted, we half to send Mephisto and Blackheart back to hell." Ghost Rider explained. "Then we'll need to fight our way through the army's defenses if we have a shot at them." Blade said. "Indeed." Ghost Rider said. "Then what're we waiting for?" Blade asked, drawing his sword. Ghost Rider readied his chain. Then, they charged towards the army.
The 2 slashed and whipped through the army with style and grace. The Commandos looked to their leaders. "Go ahead." Mephisto said. The Commandos charged towards their former leader and Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider whipped his chain at several demons and noticed the Commandos coming. "Heads up! Your Commando buddies are coming!" He called. "I deal with them! You get to Mephisto and Blackheart!" Blade said. "You sure you can take on all 4 of them at once?" Ghost Rider asked. "I've trained with these guys for years. I know how they fight like how you know Mephisto and Blackheart. Besides, it'll allow me to provide you with cover." Blade said. "Very well. Good luck." Ghost Rider said.
Blade charged towards his former comrades and prepared to fight. He leapt over Man-Thing as he swatted at him, kicked Russell in the head and blocked Frank's hammer with his blade. "Blade." A voice said. Blade turned and saw N'Kantu staring at him. "You don't need to fight us. Mephisto and Blackheart's plan will help bring peace to other like us. Join us and we can rule together as the monsters we are." N'Kantu said under the influence of the shadow. "As tempting as that sounds, you're nuts if you think I'm gonna say yes." Blade said. "Then we will force you into the shadow's servitude!" N'Kantu said, unleashing his wrappings. Blade managed to move Frank in front to intercept the attack. Then he saw Russell and Man-Thing coming back. "Sorry, guys. But this is for your own good." Blade said, swinging Frank and N'Kantu into Russell and Man-Thing.
"The Day Walker fights with such passion, father." Blackheart said. "Indeed. Even when it is hopeless to continue resisting." Mephisto said. "Then allow me to end this nonsense once and for all." Blackheart said, preparing to walk to Blade. But then, a chain wrapped around his body. "No. Allow me to end your nonsense." Ghost Rider said, whipping his chain and slamming Blackheart to the ground. "You! Still misusing your curse, I see, Rider." Mephisto said. "No. It's just as I said I'd do. I'm taking this curse and using it against you." Ghost Rider said. "Then let us see how you will use it against me." Mephisto said, preparing to fight. Ghost Rider through the first punch, but Mephisto dodged it, socked him in the stomach and kicked him in the back. "If you had let me train you, you could've been a powerful asset like Blackheart." Mephisto said with disappointment. Ghost Rider just stood up, drew his shotgun and shot Mephisto, sending him tumbling to the ground. "Would your asset fight like that?" Ghost Rider said. Just then, Blackheart grabbed the shotgun with his tail and pulled it away. "No. But then again, you don't quite know how we fight." He said.
As Blade fought his team, he turned and saw Ghost Rider in trouble. As the Commandos converged on him, he pulled out a flashbang and blinded them long enough to escape.
Blackheart slammed Ghost Rider to the ground then tossed him to Mephisto, clotheslining him with a huge kick. "Look at him. This is the Spirit of Vengeance we've come to fear? How pathetic." Blackheart said. "Yes. Perhaps I made another mistake with who to choose to become the Rider." Mephisto said. "Then let us correct that mistake." Blackheart said, grasping Ghost Rider's neck with his tail and choking him. Just then, Blade came in and slashed Blackheart's tail off, freeing Ghost Rider. "Sorry, but may I cut in?" Blade asked. Blackheart groaned in pain, holding what's left of his tail. "You will pay for your interference, Day Walker!" Mephisto exclaimed. He summoned his pitchfork as Ghost Rider recovered and joined Blade. The 3 then started to fight. Mephisto swung his fork, but Blade blocked it with his sword, allowing Ghost Rider to sweep his leg. But Mephisto avoided the kick and hit Ghost Rider's skull with the stick of his fork. Blade came up and slashed at the demon lord. Mephisto retaliated, swiping at the Day Walker with his fork, but Blade blocked every swipe with his sword. Just then, Ghost Rider wrapped his chain around the fork, struggling to pull it away, but Mephisto really put up a fight. Seeing his chance, Blade stomped on Mephisto's leg, knocking him off balance. Ghost Rider finally pulled the fork away, went in and punched Mephisto, knocking him to the ground. Blackheart tried to move to help, but Blade held his blade at his throat. "Don't try it." Blade said.
"We must send them back to Hell where they belong." Ghost Rider said. "The honor's all yours." Blade said. Ghost Rider readied his chain and wrapped it around Mephisto and Blackheart. He then raised them into the air and sent them screaming into the ground. The 2 plummeted through the earth's crust, back into the pits of Hell. The shadow began to lift, and the demons returned to normal humans. The Commandos returned to normal too. "What happened? Frank feel strange." Frank said, not remembering what happened. "I have no idea, but I'm sore in so many places." Russell said.
Afterwards, the Howling Commandos prepared the Monster Truck to leave. "I thank you for your assistance. If you hadn't shown up, Mephisto and Blackheart would have enslaved the entire planet." Ghost Rider said. "Hey, it's what we do." Russell said. "The barrier between our world and Hell has been restored. It will take Mephisto and Blackheart decades to try and resurface." Ghost Rider said.
"You know, we could use someone with your talents in the Howling Commandos." Blade said. Ghost Rider looked surprised at what the Day Walker said. "He's right. From what he told us, you 2 made quite a team together." Russell said. "Frank may not remember much, but Ghost Rider would make a great Howling Commando." Frank said. Ghost Rider started to think about this offer. "It is your decision to make, Rider. We will not force you should you refuse." N'Kantu said. Ghost Rider raised his head and looked at the Commandos. "If there is more evil that must be repented in the world, then I have already made my choice. I will join you." Ghost Rider said. "Then we bid you welcome to the Howling Commandos." Blade said, holding out his hand. Ghost Rider accepted it. "We'd best head back for the Tricarrier. We'll need to give our report to Fury." Russell said. "Uh! Frank hate doing paperwork!" Frank groaned. "I know. But it's one of the perks of joining S.H.I.E.L.D." Russell said as the others entered the Monster Truck.
Blade looked to Ghost Rider. "Well, we best get going. Time to meet your new boss." He said. Ghost Rider nodded and they both entered the Monster Truck. The Monster Truck then started up and took off into the sky.
Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this. I know I did. Leave a review if you want. Happy Halloween, everyone!