Chapter 217: Chapter 216: Ghost Rider (Conclusion)
Daniel didn't respond to Lance's disbelief; the existence of Hell was a reality, regardless of whether people believed in it. He didn't need to convince anyone; after all, he wasn't a preacher of Hell.
Ignoring Lance, Daniel turned to Colson and said, "My suggestion is to leave him alone. Although Ghost Rider gained his powers by making a deal with a demon, he's not a bad person. On the contrary, he targets those who are guilty."
Daniel explained the Penance Stare, a power of Ghost Rider that punishes the wicked.
"Isn't that just vigilante justice?" Mike interjected.
"Human laws don't govern Hell," Daniel replied calmly, glancing at Mike.
Currently, S.H.I.E.L.D. lacked the authority to enforce the law and was technically classified as outlaws themselves. However, Daniel chose not to mention this.
"I understand. Everyone, back to your stations," Colson said, cutting off Mike before he could respond and directing everyone back to their tasks.
Colson then took Daniel to his office aboard the plane to discuss more details about Ghost Rider. Daniel shared everything he knew.
The Marvel Universe needs S.H.I.E.L.D. Without Colson handling various issues in the shadows, the world would be in chaos. The Avengers aren't omnipotent.
"My advice is to leave Ghost Rider be, but ultimately, the decision is yours," Daniel reiterated.
"I see. Thanks for your help," Colson replied.
"I didn't do much, just provided some information."
Since Daniel was already aboard, he decided to wander around. He noticed Simmons was busy with research while Fitz was upgrading gadgets for S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. With the loss of their main headquarters' resources, they were recycling old equipment, indicating tight finances.
Sky was training alone in the training room, having transformed from a behind-the-scenes hacker to an active S.H.I.E.L.D. field agent. Her transformation was remarkable, especially after awakening her Inhuman powers, making her the most potent member of Colson's team.
Daniel didn't disturb Sky's training and quietly left after observing for a while.
"Fury sure knows how to use his loyalists," Daniel thought. The current situation was dire for S.H.I.E.L.D., and regaining credibility would take time. Yet, Fury had handed over S.H.I.E.L.D.'s legacy to Colson and disappeared.
"I bet Fury is hiding out on vacation somewhere," Daniel mused.
Heading towards the cockpit, Daniel hoped to find Melinda May, but seeing someone else piloting the plane, he realized May was likely on the front lines due to personnel shortages.
"I need to prepare for the next step. Thanos's arrival is approaching, and I must strengthen my powers," Daniel thought.
There was no time to rest or wander aimlessly. Increasing his strength was crucial, especially with the upcoming opportunity to seize Thanos's Infinity Gauntlet.
"Colson, what's up?" Daniel asked as Colson urgently called him over.
Even though Hydra had managed to resurface, it wasn't surprising that S.H.I.E.L.D. still had some influence.
"This report just came in from Texas. The bodies all look like this," Colson said, showing Daniel images of charred corpses from a bar, their appearance suggesting rapid decay.
The report indicated these people had been dead for less than twelve hours, and no signs of struggle were found at the scene.
Texas is known for its tough, rugged culture, especially among frequent bar patrons. The lack of a struggle and the bizarre condition of the bodies justified the local S.H.I.E.L.D. agents reporting it.
"What do you make of this?" Colson asked after Daniel reviewed the pictures and reports.
"I need to visit the site. I can't determine anything from here," Daniel replied.
"Understood. Sky, Hunter, you two go with him," Colson instructed. As the newly appointed head of S.H.I.E.L.D., Colson had too many responsibilities to go in person.
"Yes, sir."
Daniel, Sky, and Hunter boarded a Quinjet from Colson's aircraft and flew to Texas. The S.H.I.E.L.D. 616 plane was large enough to serve as an aerial base, capable of remaining airborne for a week without resupply.
Upon arrival, they bypassed the police blockade surrounding the bar, a reminder of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s reduced status. Previously, flashing an ID would grant them access; now, they had to sneak in.
"This is the scent of Hell. It seems someone else has come from there," Daniel observed after a brief examination, detecting a familiar presence reminiscent of Tobias Ford's.
The scent was faint, but Daniel's keen senses picked it up.
"Is it similar to the Hanna incident?" Sky asked.
"No, this is different. Ford lingered because of his unwillingness to move on, manifesting briefly in the physical world. This time, someone from Hell has come to Earth. We need to find Johnny Blaze quickly," Daniel said, heading outside.
The scene reminded Daniel of certain plots from the Ghost Rider storyline and his long-desired San Venganza Contract.
"It's lucky Colson called me, or we would have missed this." The San Venganza Contract contained only a thousand souls, but its power far exceeded that of ordinary souls. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been left behind.
"Someone from Hell has come—Mephisto?" Colson asked via the Quinjet's comms system.
"It would be better if it were him. I'm more concerned about weaker demons," Daniel explained.
"Why? Wouldn't Mephisto be harder to deal with?" Hunter asked, puzzled.
"It's not easy for beings from Hell to come to Earth. The stronger the demon, the more restricted they are here. Mephisto's powers are significantly limited on Earth, which is why he resorts to tempting people into making deals and recruiting subordinates. If he could use his full power, he wouldn't need minions."
Daniel briefly explained Mephisto's limitations, though he left out that Mephisto might simply be bored. Some things are better left unsaid.
"Understood. I'll try to locate Johnny as soon as possible. You wait there," Colson replied.
Johnny Blaze was found not through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s surveillance but because he openly showed himself. A large police contingent was chasing him as he rode a flaming motorcycle over water beneath a bridge.
"He's putting on quite a show, but his powers are impressive," Daniel remarked, watching the scene unfold.
Ghost Rider had the ability to transform any vehicle into a suitable ride, be it an animal like a horse or camel, or a machine like a car, motorcycle, or truck. This reminded Daniel of a character known for turning any item into a powerful tool.
"He can even climb buildings," Daniel noted as he watched Ghost Rider scale a skyscraper, pulling down a helicopter.
In the past, S.H.I.E.L.D. could have cleared the police with a single call, but not anymore. Daniel, Sky, and Hunter could only watch as Ghost Rider evaded capture, riding up a building and pulling down a helicopter.
"What a monster," Hunter remarked, pale-faced, as he saw Ghost Rider shrug off multiple gunshots without a scratch.
After Ghost Rider used flames to trap the police and escape on his motorcycle, Daniel instructed Sky to follow in the Quinjet.
"Follow him."
Tracking Ghost Rider at night was easy; his fiery presence left a clear trail.
"A cemetery, looks like this is the place."
"What now?" Hunter asked, watching as Ghost Rider reverted to human form and entered the cemetery. Sky also looked to Daniel for guidance.
"Let's wait and see."
After a day passed and Johnny Blaze left the cemetery, Hunter was ready to pursue him, but Daniel advised them to hold position while he approached the cemetery caretaker, Carter Slade.
During the day, Daniel had gathered all the information on Carter Slade, who appeared to be an ordinary old man with no family or significant background. If Daniel hadn't known his true identity, he might have been fooled.
"If you're here to visit graves, come during the day," Slade said, gripping his shovel tightly as he saw Daniel approach.
"I'm not here to visit. I'm here to take something," Daniel said, stopping about five meters from Slade.
"There's nothing here for you," Slade replied, brandishing his shovel menacingly.
"There is—the San Venganza Contract. I'm here to take it," Daniel declared.
"Who are you, and how do you know about that?" Slade asked, dropping his pretense after hearing the name of the contract.
"I'm a sorcerer. I'm here to prevent the contract from falling into demonic hands. According to my information, someone from Hell is here to claim it. I intend to destroy the contract," Daniel explained, forming complex magical seals with his hands.
"Ah, so that's where the contract is," a voice interrupted, revealing three figures led by a young man dressed in black, Blackheart.
"Hand over the contract," Blackheart demanded, shifting his gaze from Slade to Daniel. "Abigor, kill him."
At Blackheart's command, a figure with disheveled hair transformed into a gust of wind, rushing towards Daniel.
"A wind demon," Daniel muttered, swiftly conjuring a golden sword from the magical array in front of him, slicing Abigor in two.
A piercing scream echoed as Abigor was cut down, not expecting Daniel's attack to land.
"Foolish," Daniel remarked. Demons like Abigor, who relied on spiritual forms, were vulnerable to sorcery from Kamar-Taj, which specializes in targeting souls.
"Enough," Daniel said, slashing again and extinguishing Abigor's screams, his form disappearing entirely.
"Vellum," Blackheart called out, his eyes narrowing as he watched Abigor fall. Reluctantly, Vellum,
the other demon, transformed into water and seeped into the ground.
"Fiendfyre," Daniel muttered, brandishing a short wand that summoned red flames to ignite the ground, forcing Vellum out in a blaze.
Fiendfyre, effective against souls, could consume even Voldemort's horcruxes. Though not as potent as Hellfire, it bore similar qualities.
"You're asking for it," Blackheart growled, watching his henchmen fall. He prepared to attack, but Daniel countered with a wave of Fiendfyre.
"Impressive resistance to Fiendfyre, but this isn't Hell," Daniel noted, as Blackheart struggled against the flames.
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