A/N: And finally, we have the last chapter of "Ghost Riders: Rage and Vengeance"! This is where the final battle gets a little bit better. Enjoy. And Happy Halloween.
Ghost Riders: Rage and Vengeance
Chapter 9: Showdown in San Venganza
Later, Johnny and Roxanne returned to the graveyard and found Carter getting back up, albeit a bit barely.
"What happened?", Roxanne asked.
"Blackheart and Zigor.", Carter responded.
"They've already gotten to our kids.", Roxanne added in a bit of fright.
"Where's the contract? We can't end this without it.", Johnny asked.
For a moment, there was no answer.
"Fine. If you're not gonna help us, we're just gonna have to dig this whole place up ourselves!", Roxanne spoke a bit angrily, grabbing the shovel.
But then, Carter stopped her.
"It's not there, kid."
Then, Carter took the shovel and broke the head of it off, revealing inside the item that Johnny and Roxanne were sent to get, pulled out afterwards.
"Contract of San Venganza."
"It's been in there this whole time?", Roxanne asked in surprise.
Johnny moved in to get it but Carter softly moved it back.
"Hell on Earth."
Play Eminem Music: "Lose Yourself" (Clean)
Nevertheless, Johnny and Roxanne steeled their resolve.
"Now, you're gonna have to trust me.", Johnny said.
"And why is that?", Carter asked.
"He may have our souls... but he doesn't have our spirit.", Roxanne added.
"Any man who's got the guts to sell his soul for love...", Carter began. "...got the power to change the world. Neither of you did it for greed. You both did it for the right reason. Maybe that puts God on your side. To him, that makes you two dangerous. Makes you unpredictable. That's the best thing you can be right now."
"Thank you.", Roxanne thanked with a fond grin.
"San Venganza's 500 miles from here. We better get moving."
Later, the three riders were now en route to San Venganza by bike and by horse. As they rode, they passed by a lizard, burning it to a crumbling little skeleton. Soon after, the three finally spotted the town up ahead.
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
You can do anything you set your mind to, man
"Well, there it is.", Retribution said.
"San Venganza... Any advice for us?", Ghost Rider asked.
"Stick to the shadows.", Carter advised before tossing his shotgun to Johnny, who caught it.
Then, all three turned back to normal before pressing onward.
End Eminem Music: "Lose Yourself" (Clean)
Meanwhile, Blackheart and Zigor were talking with Maria, Barton, and Matt, as well as Anabella.
"The Riders are coming. Coming to... save you.", Blackheart smirked.
"You think you can stop them?", Barton asked. "Nothing can stop them."
"Except for the fact that they're running out of time, boy.", Zigor added. "And we're going to make sure they do run out. One way, or another."
Just then, Wallow suddenly appeared near the Barton kids, shocking them.
"It's almost dawn. Slow them down.", Blackheart advised.
"What?", Wallow puzzled.
"You heard him. Slow them down. We want to see them suffer.", Zigor urged.
Meanwhile, the trio came across a foggy forest with water concealed by the fog.
"Knowing Blackheart as well as I do, he's probably set a trap for us.", Carter guessed.
"Is there a shortcut?", Johnny asked.
"Last I remember, there's a little shortcut just around the back. Saves us a bit more time, at least.", Carter replied.
"You two go ahead. I'll do something about that trap.", Roxanne suggested.
The two nodded before they then went for the shortcut. With that, Roxanne ventured toward the forest herself to look for Blackheart's potential trap. As she cautiously travelled through the murky water, some slight, sudden movement shook the water as if it were a bubble for a moment before Roxanne stopped and looked around. But the moment she started to press onward, Wallow suddenly emerged and dragged her underwater with him. Then, he proceeded to choke her while underwater and laughing for a moment. But when Roxanne showed no movement, the water demon surely thinking he'd won, Roxanne opened her now flaming blue eyes and transformed into Retribution.
"Surprise."
Taken by surprise, Wallow couldn't do anything to prevent her from boiling the water, much less with lightning hailing down from above as she roared, reducing him into little more than bubbles until he disappeared. Then, Retribution emerged from the water and turned back into Roxanne, finding her bike waiting for her.
"Consider that trap... sprung.", Roxanne panted.
Meanwhile, Johnny and Carter both arrived through a shortcut and saw through its side, Matt, Maria, Anabella, and Barton held hostage by Blackheart and Zigor.
"That's them.", Johnny said.
"Now, you're gonna have to play it smart. Even if you hold up your end of their deal, they may not hold up theirs.", Carter warned.
So, the two went over to the front of the town and looked around the desolate ruins before stopping near Blackheart and Carter as Anabella saw them and cooed happily.
"So, you've finally come back, eh, Carter?", Zigor smirked as Johnny and Carter got off their respective bike and horse with Johnny putting the shotgun on his back.
"You realize this isn't going to end well for either of you.", Carter warned.
"Not exactly favorable words from an old man. So, where is this... Roxanne? Did we scare her off?", Zigor asked with a chuckle.
"Let's just say she has some business to take care of.", Johnny responded.
"Same as us.", Carter added as he got off his horse before Johnny reached for his chain rope.
"Stop. Either of you change, they die.", Blackheart warned.
"Do it, Dad.", Maria urged.
For a moment, the two had a staredown as did Carter and Zigor. But afterwards, Johnny got out the contract of San Venganza, earning Blackheart's smirk as well as Zigor's.
"Let them go first.", Johnny said.
There seemed to be no response for a moment until, as Roxanne arrived, Zigor and Blackheart released them, though not without tossing them to the wayside, although Matt managed to hold onto Anabella to be sure she doesn't get hurt.
"Maria...!", Roxanne gasped before rushing over to her and Barton.
"Maria, Barton, are you two okay?", Roxanne asked, helping them up.
"Do we look all right...?", Barton grunted as he strained while getting up with Maria.
"Although, all things considered...", Maria added.
With that, Johnny walked toward Blackheart, who eagerly grabbed the contract. He tried to remove it from Johnny, but he wouldn't let go. Instead, Johnny looked up, changed into Ghost Rider, and then struck him twice, causing both to drop the contract, which landed on the ground with Carter placing his foot on the contract before Zigor can try and get it, becoming a Ghost Rider as well.
"So...", Zigor growled. "That is how it's going to be."
Then, he and Blackheart each knocked Johnny and Carter back.
"Ah, finally...!", Zigor began.
But suddenly, Retribution tossed a fireball at Zigor, not only burning him slightly, but also knocking him back before he can pick it up.
"Don't you EVER touch my children again!", Retribution snarled.
"Ah, there you are. And here, I thought you wouldn't show. Let me guess. Wallow kept you?", Zigor smirked before then fashioning a lightning-made chain rope of his own and then wrapping it around Retribution as he tossed it at her faster than she could react.
He grunted as he then tossed her toward Johnny and Carter. Then, Zigor pulled his lightning bolt-made chain rope away and back to him.
"I'm beginning to see why you riders favor this weapon. It comes in handy.", Zigor smirked as he and Blackheart again turned to the contract.
But then, Carter managed to scoop up the flame-coated rocks and toss them toward Zigor, not only singeing him, but also making him reel back. That gave Ghost Rider the idea to do the same to Blackheart as Retribution got back up. But then, both sides noticed the sun starting to rise with both fallen angels chuckling.
"Looks like you're both out of time.", Blackheart smirked.
"And your window of opportunity has officially closed.", Zigor added.
Not paying any heed, Ghost Rider drew a shotgun and chain rope, using the latter to attack only for Blackheart to grab the rope with Zigor making use of his own to trap Carter as well as Retribution with all 3 riders then lifted up and tossed toward the empty fountain, especially with Zigor first lurching them towards the air before jumping and then shocking them with a kick, blasting them toward Johnny. At the same time Matt started getting back up with Anabella, Johnny, Roxanne, and Carter all turned back to normal. When they did, they saw two things: the church and near its front door, Carter's shotgun.
"That's it... Contract or no contract, we have to get them back in the shadows...", Roxanne grunted.
Carter grunted as he started to get back up.
"That's easier said than done...!"
Zigor landed alongside Blackheart, who finally picked up the contract.
"Finally! Oh, yes... The power of the Contract of San Venganza... is ours!", Zigor smirked as Blackheart opened up said contract.
"'This is the contract of San Venganza. All of you... COME TO ME!", Blackheart and Zigor shouted in unison.
In less than no time, all 1,000 evil souls emerged from every imaginable spot in the town with one of them starting to take residence within Blackheart first as another found its home in Zigor and the rest alternated in-between demonic entities.
All the while, Maria and Barton caught up to Matt, who held Anabella, who was now getting fussy from seeing the evil souls.
"Matt!", Maria called as she and Barton arrived.
"What is it?", Matt asked.
"It's Mom and Dad...!", Barton responded.
Seeing them and Carter on the ground, Matt became worried.
"Oh, no... Mom! Dad!", Matt called before he followed Maria and Barton to his parents and Carter.
As they caught up, one of the evil souls passed by, knocking the two to the ground, or more accurately, tipping them so that their backs lay on the ground.
"Are you two okay?", Matt asked.
"Matt...", Roxanne panted.
Only Carter got up completely in time to see that all 1,000 souls (500, respectively) were swallowed up by both Blackheart and Zigor, the two of which opened their now demonic red eyes.
"My name is Legion...", Legion began.
"And my name is Army.", Army added.
"...for we are...many!", Legion and Army finished in unison.
"Let's get out of here. They got what they wanted.", Matt urged.
Then, both Johnny and Roxanne noticed how their hands turned into those of their Ghost Rider forms under the shadows and then back again in the sunlight.
"No. You three go and take Anabella with you.", Roxanne urged.
"We have to end this.", Johnny added.
"But why?", Maria added.
"Why does it have to be you two?", Barton added.
"It's been us since the day we made the deal.", Roxanne responded.
"We're the only ones who can walk in both worlds. We're Ghost Riders.", Johnny added.
"Yeah. That... And we have something to tell you when all this is over.", Roxanne added.
Carter then fired a shot at Legion first and then Army, blasting a piece of each off, though those piece regenerate as they turned to see Carter.
"Who's that?",
"That... is Carter Slade. The previous Ghost Rider.", Roxanne replied.
"Now, run!", Johnny urged to the 3 children, who ran.
"Oh, I don't think so.", Army smirked before he lifted his arm.
But then, he suddenly got shot again by Carter. Furious, Army lunged toward Carter with a roar and then shocked Carter with a continuous jolt of lightning as soon as he touched him, the zap also affecting his horse before he then tossed both through the door of the church.
"Carter!", Johnny and Roxanne shouted.
This left them open to be pushed through the doors and into the church by Legion next. As soon as they were in the church, Matt, Maria, and Barton all turned back to see Johnny and Roxanne in pain, trying to reach for the shotgun only for Legion to grab the both of them by their necks as Army walked over to Legion.
"All your world... all of your souls... will be ours now.", Legion sneered.
But then, a voice called out.
"Leave them alone!", Maria urged.
Legion and Army turned to see Matt, Maria, and Barton standing defiant, even as Matt held Anabella.
"Kids...?", Johnny asked in surprise.
"Come now. Do you really think you're in any position to bargain with us?", Army asked as Carter was barely able to get up, much less sit up, before noticing his shotgun.
But they only started stepping closer toward Army and Legion. And what's more, as they stepped into the shadows, Maria and Matt's appearances started to change, too.
"She said...", Barton began. "Leave... them..."
Then, once both Matt and Maria were completely in the shadows, both of their skulls were suddenly visible, much less set on fire with Matt's flames being red and Maria's being a bright white with a shade of blue.
"ALONE!", Matt finished.
Army and Legion gasped from seeing such a transformation. Even Johnny, Roxanne, and Carter alike were surprised by Matt and Maria's transformations as well as Barton and Anabella.
"Well, I'll be...!", Carter gasped.
First, Matt attacked with only an ominous glare, his red eyes instantly setting Army on fire, making him roar in agony and pain. Then, Maria attacked Legion with only a clutch on his shoulder, burning him and forcing him to drop both Johnny and Roxanne to the ground. Seeing an opportunity, Carter grabbed the shot gun and turned to Johnny.
"Johnny! Heads up!", Carter shouted, barely able to throw it to him.
Luckily, Johnny caught it and aimed it at Army and Legion at the shadows, which haunted both his arm and the shotgun into that of a Ghost Rider's. Seeing this, Matt and Maria turned and moved away from the line of fire. With enough space, Johnny fired at both Army and Legion, splattering their black blood all over the wall. Johnny then turned to Carter.
"Thanks."
But then, after a moment, the 1,000 souls began to reconstruct and regenerate both Legion and Army's bodies, erasing any trace of their blood on the walls as if it never happened, either.
"How does it feel to have all that evil inside the both of you? All their power.", Johnny began.
Then, he and Roxanne walked into the shadows and turned into their respective Ghost Rider forms.
"All their souls.", Ghost Rider added before pinning Legion to the wall with Roxanne doing the same to Army.
"Look into my eyes. Your souls are stained by the blood of the innocent."
"No...", Legion only spoke.
"And we will show you nightmares beyond the horrors of Hell!", Retribution added.
"You're bluffing... You're bluffing! We have no soul to burn.", Army spoke nervously.
"Wrong. If memory serves, you both absorbed 500 souls each. You know what that adds up to? A thousand souls to burn.", Retribution corrected.
"What...?", Army asked worriedly.
"Feel their pain.", Ghost Rider added as Retribution took a deep breath.
With that, Retribution began to shriek with demonic rage louder than ever before, not only releasing an endless wave of blue flame to scorch the planet starting with San Venganza as the riders are unaffected by it, especially the children as the blue flames seemed to target the wicked everywhere, turning them to stone one by one, but also even prompting the Blaze children to cover their ears with Barton covering Anabella's beforehand. All the while, with all their misdeeds turned against them, as the blue flames charred them into stone, Legion and Army wailed as they started seeing all the terrible things they've done (or rather, the things the evil souls he and Army had absorbed have done a long while ago) playing back all at once before it then turned into a silhouette of the Ghost Rider's skull face before zooming away to show the black chars, showing that both Legion and Army were now trapped in eternal limbo, doomed to relive every waking moment of the souls' crimes. And what's more, they were turned to stone by the blue flames. After that, Retribution then roared shrilly as she then smashed the two demons into pieces with one swing from her fists, raining down lightning as well. Matt, Maria, Barton, and Anabella then looked back at Ghost Rider and Retribution, who both turned back to their kids. Like before, their flames calmed down a little. After that, Matt and Maria stepped forward as did Barton, holding Anabella.
"So..., about this... condition...", Matt began.
"What happened?", Maria asked.
After a moment, Johnny and Roxanne both turned back to normal.
"When we were younger, after we made a deal with Mephisto, he thought he could make us forget about family..., friends..., and even love. But the trouble for him was... he couldn't.", Johnny replied.
"What made the two of you remember?", Maria asked.
"You two.", Johnny replied.
Then, it went to a flashback of both Matt and Maria when they were born and in Roxanne's arms as the two cooed sweetly.
"They look so beautiful.", Roxanne grinned.
After a moment, the couple turned to each other and, upon gazing at each other, began to feel livelier than they must've been before this very moment, especially as they turned back to the kids.
"We're not just gonna raise 'em, Roxy.", Johnny said.
"I know...", Roxanne agreed. "We'll protect them."
Then, it went back to the present. At that point, the children all began to tear up in joy with all three hugging their parents with Annabella cooing happily as she was a part of the group hug as well.
"Mom...? Dad...?", Maria began.
"Yeah?", Johnny asked.
"We love you so much...", Maria said, sobbing softly in joy.
"We love you, too, Maria. All of you.", Roxanne added.
But then someone spoke up, rudely interrupting the family hug.
"Congratulations, you lovebirds. You two have upheld your end of the bargain.", Mephisto spoke as Johnny and Roxanne noticed that he appeared.
"Is that...?", Maria asked.
"Mephisto...", Johnny replied.
"It's time I take back the power of the Ghost Riders. You both get your lives back. The normal love you've always wanted. You can even lead a normal life of your own for your family. There are more deals to be made. More people willing to give their souls for what they desire. Let someone else carry this curse. You're all free now. After all..., a deal's a deal.", Mephisto offered.
But after a moment, Johnny and Roxanne walked up to him and raised their hands in defiance, their hands both turning skeletal.
"No.", Johnny and Roxanne spoke in unison.
"We're gonna own this curse... and we're gonna use it against you.", Johnny began.
"Whenever innocent blood is spilt..., it'll be our parents' blood... and you'll find us there.", Roxanne added.
"A spirit of vengeance...", Johnny added.
"A spirit of rage...", Roxanne added.
"...fighting fire with fire.", the two concluded in unison.
Mephisto's mouth practically hung open in dumbfoundedness. Carter chuckled weakly from seeing that look on Mephisto's face before standing up slightly.
"You need any help?", Johnny asked.
"No, kid.", Carter began as he just sat up.
"I've been meaning to ask earlier, Mom. Who's that?", Maria asked.
"Yeah, who is he?", Barton added.
"Well, kids... meet Carter Slade. The legendary Ghost Rider.", Roxanne replied.
The children were in a bit of awe as they saw him.
"Nice to meet you kids for the first time. It's just a shame it's also gonna be my last."
"What do you mean?", Barton asked.
"This is the end of the trail for me. I got nothing left. God knows I've made my share of mistakes. Been trying to make things right ever since. Guess all I can do now is hope he sees fit to give me a second chance. Either way, it's good to see that look on his face before I leave."
Roxanne walked up to Johnny, who, along with her, faced Carter with gratitude.
"Thank you.", the two spoke in solemn gratitude.
"No. Thank you, kids.", Carter thanked.
Then, his body slowly vanished as did his horse as the Blazes can only watch solemnly. Only an infuriated Mephisto broke the momentary silence.
"I will make you both pay for this.", Mephisto threatened calmly.
"You can't live in fear.", Johnny retorted.
Mephisto then angrily raised his cane and stamped it down.
"NO!", Mephisto roared.
With that, he vanished in a smoke of darkness, which, too, had vanished, as did Legion and Army.
Sometime later, the Blazes and Mack were now at a tree where their initials were carved on a tree, especially with the words, "J & R FOREVER".
"This is where you two decided to run off together?", Matt asked.
"Yes...", Roxanne replied a bit sadly.
Maria took notice of said initials on a tree.
"I know you mentioned something about your initials on a tree, but... I didn't know how much it means to you.", Maria said fondly.
"It's okay. You do now.", Roxanne assured.
"So, where will you all go now?", Mack asked.
"Wherever the road takes us, I guess.", Roxanne replied.
"My daddy once said, 'If you don't make a choice, the choice makes you.'", Johnny added.
"And not for nothing for your old man, Johnny, but... why do your choices always make so much trouble for us?", Mack asked.
"Sure wish things could have turned out different.", Johnny said.
"No, Johnny. This is what you are. You and your wife. This is what you two always were meant to be. You got your second chance. Go out there and make the best of it.", Mack offered.
"We will.", Roxanne grinned.
Then, Matt realized something.
"Although..., before we go, there's one last thing I want to do.", Matt responded.
Later, that night, outside the home of Johnny Blaze, Matt was shedding some light on recent events on live TV, accompanied by the rest of his family (AKA, the Blaze Survivors).
"If witnesses are to be believed, there has been the emergence of crucial evidence pointed towards the real killer that has framed Johnny Blaze and his wife for so long, now. And that emergence is made possible by this very eyewitness. Anytime you're ready, Maria.", Matt said.
"Thank you, Matt. While trying to get answers to clear my parents' names, I stumbled onto something else.", Maria responded, getting out her recorder before playing it.
"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 your allegiance truly lies.", Max's voice spoke.
"To tell the truth, I've been meaning to divorce him for some time now, but I never thought he'd sink that low.", Maria added with a bit of shock.
Then, Roxanne and Johnny were up next.
"It was terrible. I never knew how horrible he actually was.", Roxanne added, upset.
"Yeah, me neither. Then, he came for us next. So, we had to act not just on self-defense, but for our family's defense, too. If we hadn't, we'd be the dead ones.", Johnny added.
"We're just glad that nobody else died this time. Well, except maybe Max, but still.", Barton added, holding Annabella.
"And there you have it. The true killer responsible for the murders was none other than my former brother-in-law, Maxwell Alexander Blaze-Smith. And for now, we can only pray that both the victims and families of said victims can know peace once again.", Matt finished.
The next day, the Blazes were out riding on motorcycles, but this time, with a little family joining them along for the ride.
"It's said that the West was built on legends... and that legends are a way of understanding things greater than ourselves. Forces that shape our lives. Events that defy explanation. Individuals whose lives soar to the heavens... or fall to the earth. This is how legends are born.", Carter narrated as Johnny and Roxanne each drove on their motorcycles, this time with Barton in front of Johnny as he held Annabella with a baby carrier and Matt and Maria behind Roxanne as they drove on across the vacant street before the two then turned into their respective rider forms.
A/N: And finally, the story concludes. So, before we go on at this point, I have to respectfully ask that those who were apparently bothering my friend, bconfer368 to talk to me to please leave him alone. If you want a word with me, I'll talk to you soon whenever I possibly can.