A/N: And here, we have the 2nd-to-last chapter of the story. And after re-reading a little bit of the story, I actually noticed a character portrayed by Ian McShane named Zigor and realized I haven't used him as much. Rest assured, there will be updates for the story, regarding the character's inclusion up until the last chapter before October ends.

Ghost Riders: Rage and Vengeance

Chapter 8: From Bad to Worse

The next morning, Johnny and Roxanne rode back to the graveyard and met up with Carter Slade just as he was chopping stumps with his axe.

"Things just got worse. They know who we are now.", Roxanne spoke worriedly.

"Who's that?", Carter asked.

"What? Everybody. You don't watch TV? What's the matter with you?", Johnny asked.

But a more important question came up in Roxanne's mind.

"Is this nightmare ever gonna end?", Roxanne asked.

"It'll end if you can catch him.", Carter replied as he picked up some wood and brought them over to a pile.

"What's really going on?", Johnny asked before Carter put the wood down.

Meanwhile, Maria, who was now wearing a cast on her leg since last night, and Matt were at the TV station, looking at several monitors.

"It doesn't make any sense...! I mean, they were telling the truth about what was happening to them this whole time, but... how?! And why?", Maria said in disbelief as Matt held Annabella, who cooed a little.

"I don't know, either. But I do know that sitting here trying to think of something isn't gonna give us any answers here.", Matt responded.

Just then, the two cops that arrested Johnny and Roxanne last night were walking over to the door when someone noticed them and tapped on the window, letting them know that someone was coming. Before long, they turned and saw the two cops entering.

"Anything good on?", the captain asked.

"Excuse me, but I don't remember giving you any permission to search us, captain.", Matt said apprehensively, regarding what happened last night.

"Get out.", the captain spoke to someone working before he then took his leave.

"We're not here to search you two. If anything, we're here for two things. One, we're sorry about your sister, Matt."

"Why don't you tell that to her yourself?", Matt only responded.

"Yeah. I'm right here.", Maria added.

"Okay. First off, you have our condolences for what happened last night. And second, we need to ask something.", the captain explained.

"About what?", Maria asked.

"We brought your old folks in for questioning last night and now, they seem to have disappeared.", the captain explained.

"Have your parents tried to contact you in any way, ma'am?", the cop asked.

"Sorry. But I'd rather not deal with that mess right now. Especially with a wounded leg and all...", Maria only responded.

After a moment, the captain leant toward Maria and Matt.

"Look. I don't pretend to know what the heck those things are, but I do know that your old folks are wrapped up in it. And regardless of whether you even want to or not, the only way you two can save them now is if you help us find them.", the captain said.

"And if we do help you, then what?", Matt asked almost accusingly.

Regardless, the captain lent his card to Maria.

"You two got six hours. After that, we go public with everything we've got.", the captain warned before he and his partner started leaving. "Six hours."

Once they're out of earshot in the room, Matt became puzzled.

"Questioning? For what?", Maria puzzled.

"Now that you mention it, I think it might have something to do with what's been happening to the people I saw dead lately.", Matt said.

"But how? Insane or not, there's no way Mom and Dad could've done any of that. Unless...", Maria began before realizing something.

"Oh, no...!", Maria spoke in worry.

"What is it?", Matt asked.

"I think I might have some clue about what really happened last night.", Maria realized.

Soon after, she and Matt left as the latter held Annabella.

"Where are we going?", Matt asked.

"Where else? My parents' house.", Maria replied as she and Matt left, neither one knowing that Max was watching, disgruntled with dissatisfaction over what he had seen unbeknownst to them.

Meanwhile, Johnny and Roxanne went over to the grave of none other than...

"'Carter Slade.'", Johnny read.

"This is your grave?", Roxanne asked.

"Back in the olden days, I was a Texas Ranger. Man of honor. But I got greedy. Found myself locked up, waiting on the gallows. Stranger came to see me..., offering freedom. I made a deal. Ended up a Ghost Rider.", Carter responded.

"But what do you have to do with this?", Roxanne asked.

"Remember that contract the stranger made with the people of San Venganza? As far as everyone who know about him knows, the story goes that Slade was sent there to collect all the souls. But what I found there was so evil that I took the contract and rode off.", Slade said.

"He stole it.", Johnny realized.

"To keep Mephistopheles from getting his hands on it. Some people say he was buried with it.", Carter replied.

"Was he?", Johnny asked.

"I don't know. What I do know is that Blackheart is coming, and he'll do anything to get it. That's why it's important for you to stay away from friends and family, anybody he can use against you, because he will.", Slade warned.

That's when it hit them.

"Oh, no... Maria!", Roxanne said in worry.

With that, he and Johnny both began to take off.

Meanwhile, later, Maria and Matt returned to Johnny and Roxanne's home.

"Mom?!", Maria called.

"Dad! Hello! Anyone there?!", Matt called next.

Just then, someone reacted in shock.

"GOD!", Mack shouted, startling Maria and Matt before Mack took off his headphones in disgust.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

"You two gave me a start."

"I am very sorry about this.", Maria apologized.

"We both are. It's just that we're looking for Johnny."

"Yeah. You and me both.", Mack replied.

"You mean you haven't heard from him?", Matt asked.

"No. But I heard he got in trouble. He got arrested, yeah? What for?", Mack asked.

"If I were to guess, I'd say the murders that were happening recently. Of course, that's what they think happened. But not me. And not Maria, either.", Matt responded.

"We know better. Or at least we will.", Maria added.

"Yeah, well, if this gets out in the press, his career is over.", Mack said.

"Yeah, trust me, his career's the least of it.", Maria responded.

"You know, you two seem like nice kids, and one of you is pretty and all, but we were riding the gravy train on biscuit wheels and then, you two showed up and everything went to Hell. So, why don't you go back to wherever it is you came from?", Mack asked.

"I CAN'T GO BACK!", Maria snapped, startling Mack, even more so as her eyes suddenly flared an orange glow and with her voice briefly deepening.

Even Matt was spooked by this, cradling Anabella, who became fussy.

Maria took notice of that and was even shocked by how she snapped.

"I... I'm sorry. It's just that... after the way I've treated them..., all the things I've said about them..., I just can't...! Not now...! Not until I've made things right with them...", Maria sniffled.

"Then could you please tell me what the heck's going on?", Mack asked.

"Well, figuring that out is the whole reason we came here in the first place.", Matt replied.

Afterwards, he sighed.

"That said, for what we do know so far..., you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

"Look, Mack. you don't know us, but we love our mom and dad. Even in spite of everything I ever said about them.", Maria added.

"So if there's anything you know that can help, anything... please.", Matt pleaded.

"Okay, well, lately, they've been reading these really weird books and they're messing with their minds.", Mack said.

"Books?", Maria asked.

"They're writing stuff down and staying up late. And they do it over here. You can go through this stuff, and I don't know if it means anything.", Mack explained as he led the way.

Soon, the sun set and Carter Slade was looking at a compass with the inscription on the inside labeled, "For Bravery Beyond Duty". However, he heard a noise nearby and decided to head out to investigate, shovel and all. And who should he find but Wallow and Zigor.

"This is hallowed ground.", Carter said.

Just then, Blackheart appeared from behind him. Instinctively, Carter turned and tried to hit Blackheart, only for him to stop it with his hand and knock him back to the ground, earning Wallow's chuckle.

"Did you think I was like the others? I have all of my father's strengths and none of his weaknesses. The New Hell is in San Venganza.", Blackheart said. "I need the contract. I know it's here."

Then, Blackheart began to morph into a demonic entity with long, dread-lock like quills for hair, completely red eyes, dark skin, and a long tail before he grabbed Carter by the neck and lifted him up.

"Now give it to me.", Blackheart spoke.

Even as he had Carter in his grasp, the caretaker still did not talk. Annoyed, the demon then began tighten his grip with his tail so he can repeatedly beat the answer out of him as to where the exact location of the contract is.

"Give it to me!", Blackheart shouted before Wallow chuckled as Blackheart continued his relentless assault at a moderate level of strength. "GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE IT TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Surprisingly, still, Carter Slade didn't even flinch. Matter of fact, he even chuckled.

"You're gonna fall. Just like your father.", Carter chuckled.

Blackheart only growled and roared right before tossing Carter toward a tree. It wasn't enough to kill him, but it still hurt.

"Do you have any idea how much I've been holding back right now?", Blackheart asked.

Then, something dawned on Zigor as he saw and examined the tracks.

"Where are the Ghost Riders?", Zigor asked.

"Gone!", Carter groaned, doing his level best to get back up, albeit without much success.

This only earned his chuckle.

"You think I'm a fool? I know the riders haven't disappeared; NONE OF THEM!", Zigor retorted. "I heard how they've had a soft spot for a couple of people and a baby amidst the crowd. And they were supposed to be bounty hunters! Those unlike anything the world has ever seen."

"You hurt them, Johnny and Roxanne will be there like lightning before the storm.", Carter warned before Blackheart then turned back to human form.

"I'm counting on it.", Blackheart retorted.

"So, those are their names. Johnny and Roxanne. Finally... worthy opponents! Our battle will be legendary!", Zigor shouted.

Meanwhile, the cameraman was packing up when suddenly, he was startled from seeing Johnny and Roxanne.

"Where're Matt and Maria?", Roxanne asked.

"Dudes. Where've you been, guys? Everybody's out looking...", the cameraman began.

"Where are they?", Johnny asked urgently.

"They're out looking for you.", the cameraman replied.

Meanwhile, Matt and Maria read pages of one of their books and became startled to find out what happened.

"Oh, man...!", Matt spoke.

"So, that's what happened to them...!", Maria gasped.

When they turned to see Mack, however, he was apparently knocked unconscious from behind. When he collapsed, who should be behind him but Max.

"Max?!", Maria said in shock.

"I can't tell you how let down I am. You were supposed to be better than those crazy blaze maniacs that you call a family! And I even arranged for your old folks to be framed as the murderers recently just to see your true colors? Well, well, well. Now, I know where allegiance truly lies.", Max glared.

"Well, I guess I could say the same to you.", Maria retorted before getting out her own recorder, stunting him.

"What...?", Max gasped.

"What, you thought I wouldn't have this on me, you jerk? This is literally part of my job. Also, I had my suspicions of you being like this, so I had to find a good enough reason to do what I wanted. So, now that I found one, we're getting a divorce, I'm going to sue you, and you better believe I'm getting custody of the kids.", Maria spoke boldly.

Now extremely livid, Max held out his gun.

"THAT'S IT! EVERYONE DIES!", Max shouted, about to fire.

But just then, Blackheart showed up from behind him.

"You are so right.", Blackheart agreed before touching him with his hand, earning his gasp. "But not just yet."

Suddenly, much like all the other victims Blackheart claimed, Max had his life drained from his body, now a rotted corpse, but not before his arms went limp and he dropped his gun, much to Maria and Matt's shock, and Anabella's fright as she started to weep just as Johnny and Roxanne were now en route to Maria and Matt.

"So, it was you. You were responsible for all those deaths, not our parents.", Maria realized.

But Blackheart ignored her as Matt set Anabella down on the chair gently.

"You two have his heart.", Blackheart began before then touching Maria by the cheek, causing the part of her that was touched to turn pale with dark blue veins as well.

"Now I'm gonna break it.", Blackheart finished.

"Leave her alone!", Matt shouted, about to hit him.

But Blackheart only caught Matt with the right hand he used to touch Maria's cheek.

"Is that really the smartest idea you could think of?", Blackheart asked with a smirk.

He then proceeded to punch Matt back, sending him flying toward the ground. At the same time, Johnny and Roxanne finally arrived.

"Matt?", Johnny called.

"Maria?!", Roxanne asked in worry.

When they rushed, they not only found a dead Max, but also Mack.

"Mack...", Johnny said in worry.

"Max is dead, too.", Roxanne added.

"No...! Mack's still alive... He's just been knocked out...!", Matt grunted, trying to get up from the punch delivered to him and failing.

"Matt!", Johnny said in both relief and worry before he and Roxanne rushed over to him.

"Are you okay, sweetie?", Roxanne asked.

"Barely... But Maria...", Matt replied, gesturing to her as she was now pale and hyperventilating somewhat.

"Oh, Maria...!", Roxanne said worriedly.

Matt noticed someone and became greatly worried.

"Behind you!", Matt shouted.

They looked up in time to see Blackheart in demon form roaring before pinning both riders to the wall. Blackheart then turned back to human form.

"You... YOU DID THIS!", Roxanne shouted before roaring as she and Johnny turned into Retribution and Ghost Rider respectively.

Only the former's roaring shriek was enough to stagger the demon, leaving him open for her and Ghost Rider to attack him senselessly as Maria and Matt recover as best they could up until the two riders pinned Blackheart to the wall.

"You're going to pay for what you've done!", Retribution threatened.

"Look into my eyes.", Ghost Rider added.

It seemed to work for a moment as Blackheart gasped only for those gasps to turn into a chuckle.

"Your Penance Stare doesn't work on me. I have no soul to burn.", Blackheart smirked before trying to grab her only for Retribution to dodge and grab his hand instead.

"I guess the Caretaker forgot to mention that, huh? Surprise!", Blackheart guessed.

Retribution still growled at Blackheart, her guard still up as Blackheart continued.

"He sent you two to bring me back. I'm not going back. I like it here.", Blackheart smirked.

"YOU DON'T BELONG HERE! AND YOU NEVER WILL!", Retribution said angrily right before pressing her hand on Blackheart's face, causing a searing pain on his face that made him yell in pain until he was on the ground, after which Zigor suddenly reappeared and then knocked Retribution back toward the ground, changing her back into Roxanne.

"Mom!", Matt shouted.

This left Ghost Rider open enough for Blackheart to grab him by the neck, slowly putting out the fire on his head.

"He thinks you're better than me? I don't know who's more pathetic, you or him.", Blackheart said before pinning Ghost Rider to the ground, turning him back into Johnny.

Matt and Maria both growled angrily as they got back up, their eyes now sharing the ominous glow that their parents had in rider form. When Zigor turned, he was stunned to see that both Matt and Maria had an ominous glow in their eyes, eerily similar to the two riders', in fact. Not only that, but he also began to get excited.

"Well, well! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, now does it?", Zigor smirked as Blackheart then turned to him.

"I didn't ask for your help, Zigor."

"Really? Well, that scorch mark on your face would say otherwise.", Zigor retorted with a chuckle.

When Blackheart looked in the mirror, he was left with a skeletal hand-shaped scorch mark on his face, much to his annoyance before it healed as if it never happened.

"That was annoying.", Blackheart commented.

"Apparently, these children share the same curse as their parents. After all, what do you expect from a mother and a father bound by a deal with the devil?", Zigor smirked.

"What...?", Maria asked in surprise, the ominous glow fading.

"Sweetie... we tried to tell you before, but...", Roxanne began before Wallow appeared, holding Annabella.

"Ah, Wallow. How kind of you to join us.", Zigor smirked.

"Just stuff it, will you?", Wallow asked.

Blackheart then grabbed both Matt and Maria, though not enough to rot them, and turned to the two downed riders as they got back up.

"Now, listen to me. And try to get it through those thick, flaming skulls of yours. Neither of you work for my father anymore. You both work for me. Get the contract from the Caretaker. Bring it to me in San Venganza and maybe I'll spare your children's lives. And, you two lovebirds... don't make me wait.", Blackheart smirked, not knowing that Mack was recovering in time to see Blackheart and his demons leaving with both Maria, Matt, and Annabella.

When Mack fully came to, he was shocked by what he saw.

"Johnny! Roxanne! There you two are! Are you okay?", Mack asked.

"No, Mack... We're not...!", Roxanne responded.

"Those monsters...! They got to our kids.", Johnny added.

"What are we gonna do?", Mack asked.

"Right now...? We're gonna end it.", Roxanne responded.