The roaring hum of motorcycle engines echoed across the desolate wilderness of Texas, startling the creatures that made their homes there.
Two motorcycles rolled one after another into a lonely graveyard. Carter Slade leaned on his shovel, watching the two unexpected visitors warily."Not often I get guests out here. Who're you looking for?"
He gestured casually toward the rows of tombstones, introducing them as if he really were a gravekeeper. He did look the part.
But neither Zede nor Johnny had any intention of humoring him. Johnny stepped forward and said sincerely,
"My name is Johnny Blaze. I'm asking for your help, Mr. Slade."
"Well then," Carter replied, keeping up the act, "tell me the name, and I'll help you find the grave."
"Mr. Slade!" Johnny blocked his way. "I know you're the Ghost Rider—because I am too. I really need your help, Mr. Slade."
Carter let out a long sigh, knowing there was no hiding it anymore. Straightening his cowboy hat, he asked,
"So what then? What can an old retired man like me possibly do for you?"
"I need the Contract of San Venganza," Johnny said bluntly.
Carter's grip tightened on his shovel, his brow furrowing."Do you even know what you're asking for? Do you have any idea what the Contract of San Venganza truly is?"
Johnny was about to answer, but Zede stopped him. Stepping up to Carter, he asked in return,
"And you think a mere thousand souls in that contract could turn the world into Hell? Don't make me laugh.To Mephisto, a thousand souls are nothing but crumbs—hardly worth his notice."
Carter's eyes flashed in anger. "Who the hell are you? You clearly have no idea how powerful Mephisto truly is!"
"Then ask Johnny what happened last night," Zede said, not wanting to waste words. He sat down casually on a flat tombstone.
Carter was about to snap at him when Johnny spoke up."Last night, he fought Mephisto—to a draw."
"What?!" Carter's face went blank with disbelief. For a moment he wondered if old age had ruined his hearing.
Johnny pressed on, pleading earnestly,"The devil took my girlfriend. I'm going to save her! Please, Mr. Slade, give me the Contract of San Venganza!"
Carter hesitated. He didn't know if he should help the young man. After all, guarding that contract had been his life's final duty.
Zede, who had come prepared with words sharper than blades, saw his chance.
"You're old, Carter. You don't have much time left. You need someone to inherit your fight against Mephisto—someone to take your place. And he's standing right in front of you.
Tell me, which is more precious—a living soul, or a thousand dead ones? Answer me, old Carter."
Carter didn't reply. He only stared up at the sky in silence. After a long, heavy pause, he exhaled deeply, as though letting go of a great burden. Then he looked down at the shovel in his hands.
"There's only one answer then," he said at last. "I choose you, Johnny—to be my successor."
Crack!
The wooden handle of the shovel broke cleanly in two, revealing the Contract of San Venganza hidden inside.
Carter picked it up and handed it to Johnny."Let's bring that girl back. Old Carter wants to do one good deed before he dies."
Clap, clap, clap!
Zede applauded the passing of the torch between the two Ghost Riders. But even as he watched, he didn't forget his own purpose.
"Before we head out, could you two do me a small favor?" he asked, pulling out two blank watch dials.
Johnny took one and examined it carefully."This is what you wanted? Some kind of trick like Mephisto's contract scroll?"
He still remembered how Mephisto's scroll had hidden a needle that pricked his finger, sealing their deal in blood. Johnny couldn't help but suspect this watch was another trap.
"Take a guess," Zede said with a teasing smile.
Johnny chuckled softly and pressed the button. "Hmph. I'll bet it's not!"
Whoosh—
A purple flame burst to life on the watch face, dazzling to behold. When it faded, a dial of crimson and violet gleamed back at them.
"Oni… now that's a treasure," Zede murmured, taking the dial and turning it over lovingly in his hands.
He was now one step closer to his Grand Zi-O form—how could he not be delighted? Besides, as one of the twenty Heisei Rider dials, Oni's collectible value was immeasurable.
Carter looked down at his own blank dial, glancing at Johnny as if to ask whether this man—who had fought Mephisto to a draw—could really be trusted.
Johnny nodded reassuringly. Only then did Carter press the button. In an instant, bright arcs of electricity crackled across the dial's surface.
Zede's eyes lit up. He whispered to himself,"As I thought… a man ready to depart this world. Den-O, Carter."
Holding both dials in his hands, Zede couldn't help feeling it had all been worth it—a main Rider dial and his first electric-type dial, a truly rich haul.
As Zede admired his spoils, Johnny waved a hand in front of him."Enough gawking. Our deal's not done until we rescue Roxanne."
Zede smirked, pocketed both dials, and headed for his bike. Johnny turned to say something to Carter, but the old cowboy spoke first.
"Don't worry about me. I've got my own ride. Look—it's coming."
From the depths of the graveyard, an old horse trotted out and stopped before him. Carter ran a hand through its mane."Old friend, one last ride together."
He swung into the saddle and galloped off first. "Come on, boys—try to keep up."
Zede and Johnny exchanged a look, then revved their engines and sped after the old cowboy. Under the dimming sunset, the horse's gait grew slower and heavier, and Johnny eased back the throttle to stay beside it.
But Zede knew that once the sun fell completely, the old horse would burn with one final burst of light and heat—just like Carter Slade himself.
When night at last blanketed the land, Carter tipped his hat and looked over at the two riders."Sorry to keep you waiting, boys. Our race can begin now."
Silently, Zede pulled out his Ziku Driver and slotted in the Zi-O and Oni Ridewatches. Johnny still didn't realize that the old horse before him was Carter's Spirit of Vengeance steed.
Whoosh—!
Orange fire erupted from the horse, crawling up and consuming Carter's body. A skeletal cowboy atop a flaming steed—the very image of the Wild West's ghostly legend.
Johnny stared in shock, until a searing heat flared behind him. He turned to see Zede clad in new armor, his entire body wreathed in violet flames.
The engines roared to life once more. Zede gave Johnny a sidelong glance. Johnny grinned in return and transformed into the Ghost Rider.
Two orange flames and one violet blazed across the barren earth—leaving behind only three burning trails of fire.
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