U.K.

Issue # 3

"In the Spirit of Vengeance, Part Three"

Written by Barry Reese
Part of the Pendragons Universe

Highgate Cemetery

There are almost 167,000 people buried in Highgate Cemetery, one of a group of seven burial grounds built around London when the "old town cemeteries" could no longer cope with the numbers of English dead. Since its inception in 1839, a number of celebrities have called Highgate their final resting place, most notably philosopher Karl Marx.

Highgate has its share of stories, to be sure.

But none quite match the scene taking place there today.

Ghost Rider, the living force of retribution, stands before his motorcycle, a chain wrapped tightly around one fist. Inside him, locked away for now, is Jennifer Kale, a young sorceress who has now adopted the mantle of Ghost Rider's human host.

Opposing him, cloaked in darkness and hate, is the vampire Blackout. He stands crouched over the dead body of Topaz, a young empath who helped bring Ghost Rider and Jennifer Kale together as one.

The Ghost Rider cared not a whit for the history surrounding him. He was living history, a man cruelly condemned to living eternally as a spirit of vengeance. And vengeance was calling to him now. "Your evil will end, Blackout. Though I have spared you in the past, do not be so certain that I will do so again. Topaz was an ally, if not a friend. By injuring her, you have personally offended me. Again."

Blackout grinned. "I'm shaking in my boots, Ghostie. I don't know what gender-bender you're on right now, but I know that inside you right now is one scared little girl. If I rip your skull off and drop it in the Thames, will she die with you? I hope not. I'd love to sink my teeth into her neck and drink her dry!"

Ghost Rider's only response was to lash out with his chain. The metal links dug into Blackout's left wrist, wrapping around so tightly that it drew blood. The spirit of vengeance then yanked on the chain, pulling the startled vampire close enough for him to drive a hard punch into Blackout's face. His nose broke with a satisfying pop and blood spurted wildly, streaming down the vampire's face.

Blackout pulled away, freeing his arm but quickly using it to cover his wound. "My face! You bastard! You ruined my face again*!"

(*At one point, Blackout was horribly mutilated by Ghost Rider. He healed and got all purty again later, though!)

"It is only the beginning of your pain, murderer. Though you are immune to my Penance Stare, I shall nonetheless give you a measure of the suffering your victims have endured!"

The vampire swiped out with his claws, tearing through the leathers that Ghost Rider wore. Though he was no mortal man, Noble still felt the pain. He staggered back while Blackout lunged for him.

The spirit of vengeance dodged the attack, driving a fist hard into the back of Blackout's head as he passed. With inhuman speed, the two old foes began trading blows. There, in the center of Highgate, the undead clashed.

Gasping with exhaustion, a bloodied Blackout backed away and waved a hand, sending forth his darkness once more. Ghost Rider stood stock-still, feeling his way through the fog. Noble Kale could feel Jennifer's mind within his, locked away but still accessible. She was more than a bit repulsed by their current relationship, but her mind was also listing a litany of spells she knew that could combat their foe.

Ghost Rider felt the words tumble from his lips. Though his beloved Magdelena had known witchcraft long ago, Noble himself had never felt an affinity for it. Now, however, the word "Shirak," came forth easily.

Mystic light suddenly surrounded the Spirit of Vengeance. It did not push back much of the darkness, but it was enough. He saw Blackout retreating into the cemetery. "This isn't over, Rider! I made the mistake of thinking I could catch you unawares, but next time I'll plan accordingly. And I'll make sure that your new host will join Daniel in Hell!"

Ghost Rider started to follow, his motorcycle rolling forward of its own accord. He halted, however, feeling the change starting to come upon him. It was unusual in that with Daniel he normally made the conscious decision to revert back to him, but here it was Jennifer who was instigating the switch.

The flames flickered and died, the clothing shifted -- leaving behind only a frightened young woman, shivering in the cold. "I can't believe this. I really can't believe this!" She put her hands over her face, hoping to force herself to wake up from this dream. While Noble had been in control, she'd been shunted off to another place -- the Void. It had been a terrible, lonely place and she felt guilty for having force Noble back into it.

Jennifer knelt beside Topaz. The woman's blood still flowed freely from her neck wound and Jennifer placed a hand tenderly against it. She hoped her meager spellcasting abilities would be enough to heal this woman. She didn't know Topaz very well at all, though upon reflection she did remember Stephen Strange mentioning the Empath. Still, she was someone who might be able to help in the future. The words she mumbled were ancient even in the days of ancient Atlantis, forgotten snippets of prayers to Gods long lost to man. Light glowed around the torn flesh, knitting it back together.

The process was slow and gruelling and, in the end, Jennifer had to admit defeat. She sagged back on her heels, sweat pouring from her skin. "Great. In the past few days, I've been beaten up by Doombots, thrown into limbo, turned into Ghost Rider and I've failed to save this chick. When it rains, it pours."

New York City, the apartment of Jennifer Kale

Howard the Duck padded across the carpet, holding his oversized towel around his waist. He was still wet, having just finished his shower when the phone rang. With his cigar hanging out of the corner of his bill, Howard scrambled up onto the couch to reach the telephone on the nearby table. He hated being trapped in a world of hairless apes, all of whom towered over him. Nothing was the right size for him.

"Hello?"

Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief. She'd been lucky enough to find a good samaritan who would allow her to borrow enough change to call home, but she had been positive she'd just get her answering machine. She tried to ignore the dirt and blood on her hands. Hiding Topaz's body had been a loathsome task. "Howard! I'm so glad to hear your voice!"

Howard blinked. "Who the hell is this?!"

"It's me -- Jennifer. Who do you think it is?"

"And you're glad to hear from me? You've been complaining all month about me leaving feathers all over the apartment!"

"That's not important right now -- I'm in London and I need you to--"

"I thought you were visiting Man-Thing in Florida."

"I was. But I was attacked and--"

"And they kidnapped you?! You tell me who did it and I'll--"

"Howard!" Jennifer fought to keep her temper. She loved Howard as a friend, but sometimes he could be so exasperating.... "I'm going to be staying here for a little while but I need you to get in touch with a few people for me. And I'm going to need you to wire me some cash."

Howard grabbed pencil and a pad of paper. "Okay. Who ya need me to call?"

"First of all, call Wong. He's listed in my address book under Strange, Stephen. Tell him I know where his master is and I'm going to free him and the others. Then, call John Blaze. Tell him I'm in London and I really need his help. Tell him it's about Dan and Ghost Rider."

"Done. You gonna be okay, kid?"

The protective note in Howard's voice made her smile. "I'll be okay. As soon as I find a place to stay, I'll give you a call and let you know."

She hung up before Howard could press her further. The truth was, she didn't have much of a plan. She knew that Topaz had warned Noble of a great darkness approaching - the same feeling of dread that had led Noble himself to England. Somehow she knew it was related to the attacks on the world's sorcerors, as well. No doubt about it, she had to stay in England if she wanted to resolve all of this.

Jennifer's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten in days. With no money, though, she wasn't sure what to do. A wry grin came over her face. Noble didn't need to eat -- or sleep for that matter, though he had to hide during the day. He'd already chosen Highgate as his base of operations, she knew. Their rapport was fairly strong, even this early. "Okay, Noble. Take over for awhile. If you see someplace I could stay, let me out. Okay?"

There was no answer, of course, but she hadn't expected any. Stepping away from the pay phone, she moved into the shadows.

And became vengeance personified.

"Try and hide all you want, Blackout. I shall find you."

Portland, Oregon

Johnny Blaze set the phone down on the receiver and let out a long sigh. The carnival was in the middle of a three-day stopover in Portland, but Blaze had known somehow that he would be gone before the carnival pulled up its stakes. Being attuned to the mystical side of things made him pretty good at sensing the approach of dark times.

Of course, he hadn't expected to receive the news from a talking duck.

Life was funny that way, sometimes.

"Who was that?" Angel's husky voice came to him from the bedroom of their trailer. The kids were outside playing, but their voices came through loud and clear.

"A friend. I have to go to London."

Roxanne crossed her arms and waited for him to face her. Her expression was full of such quiet fury that it made Blaze ache inside. "You promised this was over. My God, the kids and I have been kidnapped how many times in the last three years*? And now you're rushing headlong into the occult again? Leave it alone. Let Dan deal with it."

(*At the end of the last series, we learned that Roxanne's death was not quite truthful -- she'd been revived as Blackheart's female companion, Black Rose. Her return to mortal life was explained last issue.)

"I didn't mention the occult."

Roxanne rolled her eyes. "So what you're telling me is that this isn't something to do with Ghost Rider?"

"I didn't say that, either. Look... Dan's my brother. I won't be gone long."

Blaze moved to embrace her, but she pulled away. "Hug me when you get back, John. But not before."

Blaze watched as she stepped out of the trailer. He didn't have time to nurse his pain, though. Roxanne would deal with this, somehow. For now, he had to make plans for a trip to England.

Though he wouldn't admit to himself, he somehow knew that something awful had happened to Dan... and if Ghost Rider was responsible, then Blaze would see skullface pay.

Ghost Rider's motorcyle came to a stop several blocks away from 10 Downing Street. He'd driven his motorcyle straight up the side of a building and parked on the rooftop. Blackout's scent had been lost, but the mystic trail that had led Noble Kale to England remained -- if anything, it had grown stronger as he'd approached the seat of the Prime Minister's power. What has brought me here, to this strange country? Could it somehow be housed in that building, related somehow to the new government that is now in power. Politics is full of the corrupt... But surely the evil there could not be great enough that I would be drawn here from America. Still, dawn approaches and I shall find no answers this night. Best to rest in Highgate during the day and allow Jennifer to search for a home in the eve.

While the spirit of vengeance made way for his new lair, Clive Winthrop stared at a bloodied Blackout with contempt. "Failure! I should have known. You've never been able to best Ghost Rider. Did you at least find out what he's doing here? It can't be coincidence that he would arrive right when I--" Winthrop paused. "Answer me!"

Blackout grimaced. "Not exactly. There was some witch with him. I killed her, but I think she'd brought him to England to fight the coming evil or something. Mystic double-talk. But Dan Ketch, the old Ghost Rider's host, is dead. He has a new one, now. A blonde girl, real nice. Named Jennifer something."

"Kale."

"That's it. How did you know?"

Winthrop turned away. "I know more about their damned family tree than I care to admit. I know the girl..." Blackout blinked as Winthrop's eyes flashed with power. "...and I know exactly how to destroy her!"

Next Issue : Jennifer Kale continues to adjust to her new status quo, all the while trying to find a way to free the imprisoned mages! Guest-starring Johnny Blaze and the Black Knight!

AUTHOR'S COMMENTS

Well, our little series continues to get stranger, I think. Johnny Blaze, Blackout, Ghost Rider and Howard the Duck -- all in one issue! Just wait until you see the things I have planned in the future. Atlantis, the return of the Living Mummy, an all-new Vengeance and more are on the way!

See all of you next issue,

Barry