Chapter 23: Spirit of Vengeance:
Jackie's POV:
I was in a cave that is said to have belonged to Fafnir. It's probably the Dragon Talisman. After this one, there's just one left. Anyway, I was searching for the talisman, and then, guess who shows up?
"Howdy Chan."
It's Tohru Heely and his Four Stooges.
"The Talisman," says Tohru.
"I haven't even found it yet!"
"Then we shall eliminate you before you do," says Nichang.
I then had to fight them off. It wasn't easy because they are a group of five and one of them is a giant. During the fight, I found the talisman. It's in Fafnir's nose. Tohru pins me down, and Montana's about to decapitate me with a laser sword.
"Any last words, Chan," asks Montana.
"Nothing you guys would want to hear," I said.
Then Montana was grabbed by a chain and sent to the wall. I looked and saw a man with a flaming skull for a head. It was the Spirit of Vengeance, The Ghost Rider. I thought he was a rumor.
"Nichang, I have come for you!"
"Oh no. I thought I lost him."
Nichang then started running.
"We have to get the Talisman," says Tohru.
"I'LL TELL THE BIG MAN IT WAS NEVER HERE," Nichang shouts from far away.
The Enforcers surround Ghost Rider.
"Who in tarnation's you," asks Montana.
"I know," says Ox, "he's The Human Torch!"
The Ghost Rider easily beats the Enforcers down. He then approaches Tohru. It's like he was studying him. He then looks at me. "You... innocent."
"Remind me to hire you as my lawyer," I said. I then looked again and saw the talisman was missing.
Hammerhead's POV:
I was talking with Shen Du.
"Nichang ssssayssss the Talissssman wassss never there," says Shen Du, "and your foolssss have more than likely been defeated."
"Use can't blame me if da talisman wasn't dare," I said.
"I can blame you for the incompetencccce of the foolssss you have hired for me."
Awut awv anger, I was about ta 'eadbutt 'is statue body but den some Shadowkhan grabbed me and took me away.
. . .
I was in da 'alls. I am toied awv being a bootlickah far dat piece awv rock.
"Hey 'ammerhead," says Montana, "look what we gawt." Dey 'ad da Dragon Talisman.
"But Nichang said it wasn't dare."
"That yellow belly," says Montana, "she lef' whe-yn she done saw that flamin' skull guy."
I grabbed da talisman. I should give it ta Shen Du, but why should we waste awur time far 'em. I den trew it ta a wall, and it shot awut a foie blast. I den went awvah and picked it up.
"Boys, I tink it's time far some changes."
Jackie's POV:
I told the others what happened.
"You met the Ghost Rider," says Jade, "cool."
"Jade, he is a dangerous... whatever he is," I said, "but he seems to be after Nichang."
"Ghost Rider is the Spirit of Vengeance," says Uncle, "result of a man who sold his soul to a demon. They can be normal men, but when there is evil around, they become Ghost Rider."
"And Nichang is this guy's target," I said.
"So, you going to introduce us to this guy," asks Dil.
"Of course not," I said, "he's a biker with a flaming skull for a head! The only decent thing about this guy is that he took down the enforcers and scared Nichang away!"
Captain Black's POV:
Some of my men and me were about to stop a bank heist. It was Hammerhead and the Enforcers.
"Freeze, Hammerhead," I said.
"Use don't stand a chance," says Hammerhead.
He held up his hand and...
Jackie's POV:
I got a call and rushed to the hospital. Captain Black was out cold.
"What happened," I asked.
"It was Hammerhead," says an agent, "he used some kind of weapon. This guy managed to save him."
"Hey, I'm Robbie Reyes."
"Jackie Chan."
Some flowers came in. An agent read the note.
"Hammerhead."
Out of anger, I hit a table. "I... gotta go!" I ran.
. . .
We were at the antique shop. Uncle was talking.
"... one more thing, how is Captain Black?"
Out of anger, I broke a vase. "I... I can pay for that later." I ran.
. . .
I was alone. At lease I thought I was.
"You're having trouble controlling your Inner Demon," says Reyes.
"I'm sorry?"
"It's a figure of speech. I'm talking about your anger. I have trouble with my demon sometimes. Trust me."
"I'm... going to be fine."
"That's what I tell people."
"I have to go now."
"Okay, but I have a feeling that we're going to meet again."
Weird man.
. . .
I was at Section Thirteen with the kids. The alarm went off.
"Hammerhead's been spotted," says an agent.
"I'll go with you," I said.
"You're not an official agent," says Tommy.
"I'm just going to retrieve a talisman," I said.
. . .
We arrived at Fort Knox. That's where Hammerhead and the Enforcers are. You know, I don't think Hammerhead's doing this for the Big Man. I think he's doing this for himself. Anyway, I managed to sneak in, and then someone had their hand on my shoulder. I was about to punch them, but it was Robbie Reyes.
"Good to see you too," he said.
"What are you doing here," I asked.
"Same as you. There's someone I'm hunting down."
"Hammerhead?"
"An associate of his."
We saw Hammerhead.
"I thought she would be here," says Reyes.
"Anyone remembah when I almost toasted black," asks Hammerhead.
Out of anger, I punched Reyes.
"OW," he shouts, "next time, hit something else!"
"Sorry." I apologized.
"It's Chan... and some guy in a black leathah jacket," says Hammerhead.
. . .
We were then grabbed.
"Chan and... whoevah dis guy is," says Hammerhead, "who should i roast foist?"
"I got news for you," says Reyes, "you play with fire..." He then turns... into the Ghost Rider "...you get burned!"
"It's thuh skull guy," says Montana.
Ghost Rider starts beating them down.
"The blood of the innocence is on Nichang's soul. Where is she?"
"Use tink I'd bring 'er," asks Hammerhead, who then hits Ghost Rider with a Dragon Blast. Uncle and the kids arrive.
"Is that him," asks Jade.
"Yes," I said, "and apparently Nichang needs to wash her soul." Normally, I ask why they're there, but there are more important things going on.
Ghost Rider and Hammerhead had a fire fight.
"The man known as Captain Black is in the hospital because of you," says Ghost Rider, "you shall pay for that!"
"Send me da bill," says Hammerhead.
I tried to kick Hammerhead, but he blasted me away.
Shen Du's POV:
"Where issss Hammerhead?" I ssssummoned my shadowkhan. "Find him." They left, and I then noticccced Nichang looking more shaken than before, and it makessss me... worried.
Jackie's POV:
We were still fighting Hammerhead's goons. One grabbed Uncle. He then steps on that guy's foot. The main threat was Ghost Rider.
"We need a plan," I said.
"Inner Demon," says Ghost Rider.
"Of course," I said. I then ran over to the gold. "Hey Hammerhead, how much would this get you?" I then started throwing the gold into the water.
"I would advise use not ta do dat," says Hammerhead.
I then continued. The Ghost Rider then knocked a whole bunch of gold into the water with his chain.
"Stop dat!" Hammerhead was so angry; he made an explosion.
Hammerhead's POV:
I was neawly drowning when a Shadowkhan came. I thought it was gunnah ta 'elp me, but instead, it took da talisman from me.
Jackie's POV:
Chuckie, the agents, Robbie Reyes, and I were watching as Captain Black was recovering.
"How are you, Uncle Augustus," asks Chuckie.
"Feeling much better," says Captain Black. Who's this guy?"
"I'm Robbie Reyes."
"He's the one who saved you," I said.
"So, what do you think about magic now," asks Chuckie.
"The 'M-Word'," says Captain Black.
"But... Hammerhead used the Dragon Talisman on you," I said.
"My head hurts, so I don't remember much."
. . .
I was outside with Reyes.
"If it helps, Demons usually eat the non-believers first."
"Really?"
"Nah. They eat anything. When it comes to non-believers, some find them amusing, some find them funny, and some just don't care."
"How did you become the Ghost Rider?"
"You can thank Johnny Blaze. The Original Ghost Rider. He knew the Agents of S.M.A.S.H."
"The who?"
"Not an Internet guy, huhh? Here's a hint, it involves The Hulk."
"Well, it was good meeting you," I said.
We shook hands.
"See ya around."
Hammerhead's POV:
"You will be punished, Hammerhead," says Shen Du, "but there issss one thing that botherssss me. Nichang, how issss it that Hammerhead wassss able to usssse a talissssman that wassss not in the cave?"
"UUUUUUUUUhhhhhhhhh... who's Nichang?"
In the next chapter, Jackie and the others will deal with a ghost that can control tech.