The Marvel Knights Group presents: Ghost Rider #3

The Offices of Landau, Luckman & Lake

The key was turned. The wooden box opened.

Dan Ketch looked inside at the last contents that his deceased brother, John Blaze, had left him. John’s legacy, whatever it was, was in this box.

The box was made of a dark mahogany, seeming to absorb light rather than reflect it. Inside were three items. An envelope, a ring and a shotgun shell.

Dan reached for the envelope. It was made of parchment with a wax seal that resembled the medallion that had represented the curse of the Ghost Rider. Dan broke the seal and opened it. Inside was a letter, written by John Blaze’s own hand.

Dan,

If you’re reading this, then the worst has happened. I’m dead, which considering all we’ve been through, could be seen as a blessing. I didn’t know you existed for most of my life, and when I did know you I took you for granted. Story of my life.

I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye. We’ve both used the power that was our birthright in different ways, but the aim has always been the same....to do good with something that was meant to serve evil. I beat Zarathos, you beat Mephisto.

I know you think your life concerning Ghost Rider is over, but if I’m dead, I need you to take on another burden for me. The ring in this box is something you need to watch over and protect...and use if necessary. Now that I’m dead, you are my only remaining blood relative still alive. The ring is something you should only use if absolutely necessary, but you will need it. I’ve kept it protected in this warded box because I didn’t want you to become involved in our old world again.

I’ve been searching for my family and I know this was something you thought was insane. Deep down, I knew you were right...but I could feel them out there, calling to me. If you’re reading this, then my search has not ended well. Protect this ring. It’s likely the reason I am dead. Use it well....and if you have a chance to encounter the bastard that killed me, make sure you say hi with this shell.

Your brother,

John

Dan picked up the shell and turned it in his fingers. It seemed to be a normal shotgun shell, but considering their pedigree, he suspected it might not be. In any event, Dan didn’t own a gun and had never used one as Ghost Rider.

Finally, with trepidation, he picked up the ring. It had the same symbol as the wooden box and the very medallion that had symbolized his possession and manipulation by otherworldly forces. He moved to put the ring on....but stopped. He couldn’t say why, but it seemed he felt something powerful about the ring. He had experience with power. He had taken his fill and wanted no more. He put the ring in his pocket along with the shell. He put the letter in the envelope and closed the wooden box.

He left the office and saw his host, Anton Kosar, outside waiting patiently. “Is there anything you require, Mr. Ketch?”

“No, thank you,” said Dan. “I’d just like to go home now.”

Hell’s Kitchen, New York

The body was still warm. He could feel the waning body heat dropping as the seconds ticked by. He could sense the blood spatter on the walls, the texture of the blood differing from that of the brick wall in the alley. The metallic tang of the iron content in the blood tickled his sense of taste. The murder was recent enough that he had a good chance to catch the killer...but he would need to concentrate.

Daredevil focused his senses outward, filtering out the noise of the city. He built a map in his head of the surrounding area and focused on the smell of the woman’s body below, the smell of her...

He had him. He fired his billy club grapnel and headed away. He had a lock on the killer...and he was only blocks away.

He sat in his apartment, feeling his temperature rise. There was death and murder that was calling to him...he didn’t think it was going to be like this, this uncontrollable need to avenge death. He had thought there would be more control with the power to become the Ghost Rider. He was sweating. Finally, he got out of his chair and left his apartment. He headed out into the alley beside the building seconds before the transformation overtook him.

His clothes burned away, his skin melting to show bone beneath. Fire erupted around his body and transformed him into a man with a flaming skull. A bone motorbike appeared out of the flame with wheels of hellfire. On his hip, was a silver and bone embossed shotgun.

The Ghost Rider was back....and vengeance needed to be enacted on the guilty.

He tore away on the bike, leaving a trail of hellfire in his wake.

“Dan!”

Dana Ledingham ran to the door of the apartment as Dan Ketch walked back inside. She put her arms around him and held him close. “I was so worried about you! Are you all right?”

“Not really,” said Dan as he held her. “My brother’s dead.”

“John?” asked Dana. “You said that just before you left with that man...”

“Kosar,” said Dan. “Yeah, he was kind of John’s lawyer....or something.”

“What happened?” asked Dana.

“John...left me something,” said Dan. “I guess it was his last will and testament.”

“Oh wow,” said Dana. “Did they say how he died?”

“No,” said Dan, “Just that he died in the Himalayas. I didn’t stick around to ask more questions...I just had to get out of there.” Dan pulled out a business card from his pocket. “Anton gave me his card so we could complete any arrangements that needed to be done.”

“I’m so sorry, baby,” said Dana. “What did you get from Mr. Kosar?”

Dan sat down at the living room table and put down the envelope, the ring and the shotgun shell.

“John left you a shotgun shell?” said Dana.

“Dana, you should sit down,” said Dan, “There’s things about me....and my family....that you need to know for any of this to make any kind of sense. “

“I know Ghost Rider,” said Daredevil, “And you’re not him.”

Ghost Rider’s bone skull stretched as it gave a grin to the Man Without Fear. “John Blaze is dead. I’m Ghost Rider now.”

He swung a flaming chain at Daredevil, who effortlessly leaped and dodged it. Daredevil threw his billy club at Ghost Rider’s head, but the Spirit of Vengeance caught it in mid-flight.

“Nice stick.” He snapped it in two, then made one of his own flaming chains straighten into a spear-headed lance. “Mine’s bigger.”

Nearby, a very terrified David Walker was cringing in the corner of the alley where Daredevil had cornered him minutes earlier. He had robbed and stabbed some woman for the contents of her purse, which totalled $38.12 and an expired bus pass. He hadn’t even made it home before the Guardian of Hell’s Kitchen had been onto him. Daredevil had barely gotten his hands onto Walker before the freaking Ghost Rider arrived, determined to kill him. He had heard the stories about Ghost Rider. He hoped to whatever God there was that Daredevil could stop this demonic force.

“If you had anything to do with the death of John Blaze,” said Daredevil, “Then you’ve just made your last ride.” He leaped up and gave a spinkick to Ghost Rider’s head, followed by a roundhouse punch. Daredevil kept up the assault, never giving Ghost Rider a moment to get his bearings.

Daredevil yelled back at Walker. “Run, dammit!”

Walker ran.

Daredevil’s knuckles were bloodied from striking hellfire and bone, but Ghost Rider was beginning to falter, however small that might be. Ghost Rider dropped his chain-spear and swung blindly, making Daredevil leap back and away.

“You just don’t quit, do you?” yelled Ghost Rider. He began to walk toward Daredevil.

Daredevil flipped up the chain-spear with his foot and leapt, kicking Ghost Rider again. This time, Ghost Rider caught Daredevil’s leg and proceeded to slam him against the brick wall. Something stopped him.

Ghost Rider looked down at the chain-spear sticking out of his chest. Daredevil had purposely allowed himself to be caught in order to run Ghost Rider through with his own weapon. Ghost Rider dropped Daredevil’s leg.

“Stay out of Hell’s Kitchen,” said Daredevil as he kicked the spear even further into Ghost Rider’s chest. The Spirit of Vengeance screamed in agony as he threw himself onto his bike and sped away, spear still protruding from his chest.

He could hear Walker’s heartbeat over a block away. He would take care of him...then Daredevil had another stop to make.

“You’re the Ghost Rider?”

“I was,” said Dan. “I used to be, but not anymore. Neither is...was...John. I’m free of this mess...or at least I thought I was, until John left me this.”

“What does that ring do?” asked Dana.

“I don’t know,” said Dan, “But I know I don’t want to wear it. I’m done with everything to do with Ghost Rider, Spirits of Vengeance and everyone that had anything to do with them. Forever.” He looked over at Dana. “I’m sorry I never told you this before.”

“Dan, I’ll admit this is a lot to take in all at once...but I love you. If you say that everything Ghost Rider-related is behind you, especially now that your brother is gone....then I believe you.” She stood up. “I’m going to make us some tea, ok, then we’ll—” She stopped speaking and looked at the living room window, her eyes agape.

“What’s wrong, Dana?” asked Dan as he turned to the window and saw what she did. A man dressed in red, with small horns resembling a devil. His hands were bruised and bloody, and his uniform looked the worse for wear. Dan stepped over to the window and opened it. “Daredevil? What the hell?”

Daredevil entered the apartment. “Dan,” he said, “We need to talk...now.”

Next Issue: Reborn – Part 4