( 3rd POV )
The Shadow Border infirmary was quiet, the air sterile with the scent of antiseptic. The soft hum of medical equipment underscored the dim lighting, casting faint shadows across the walls. Robbie Reyes lay in bed with his torso wrapped in bandages.
Johnny sat silently, lost in thought as he tried to find the right words to talk to Robbie about the boy's power. The room was quiet, the kind of silence that seemed to stretch endlessly, as Robbie fidgeted nervously nearby.
The stillness, however, was soon disrupted when Mash entered the room, cradling the sleeping Gabe gently in her arms.
Robbie's anxiety spilled over as he saw his brother's fragile state. His voice broke, trembling as he called out, "Gabe…!"
Hearing Robbie's cry, Mash adjusted her grip on Gabe, offering a reassuring glance, but before she could speak, Johnny intervened. "Relax, kid. Your brother's okay," Johnny said, his words attempting to soothe Robbie's turmoil.
"Um, your brother is just asleep, Mr. Reyes. There is no need to worry," Mash assured Robbie as her violet eyes met his anxious gaze. "Let me settle him down first before I check his condition."
With that, she soon moved with quiet precision, placing Gabe beside his brother bedside and gently tucking him in. She scanned his vitals, her violet eyes softening as she confirmed what she already knew. "His condition is stable," she said. "He's just exhausted. He'll be fine."
A breath Robbie hadn't realized he was holding escaped him. Relief settled over his aching body, tension easing from his muscles. "Sigh, thank goodness," he murmured, voice hoarse. "Thank you for saving my brother."
Mash blushed slightly, before brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I… I just did what I could," she said shyly. "Anyone would have." She glanced between Robbie and Johnny before adding, "You should rest too, Mr. Reyes. You've been through a lot."
Robbie nodded, though his gaze remained on Gabe. "Yeah… I will. Thanks, once again."
Mash hesitated before offering a polite bow. "I'll be outside if you need anything." With that, she left the room, leaving the two Ghost Riders alone.
For a long moment, neither spoke. Robbie's fingers curled around the sheets as he stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in his mind like embers caught in a breeze. Then, voice quiet but firm, he asked, "What am I now?"
Johnny in his seat leaned closer, arms crossed. "You'll have to be more specific, kid."
Robbie clenched his jaw. "Eli's gone now. I don't hear him anymore, don't feel him pulling at me. So what does that make me? Am I still a Ghost Rider? Or just… some sort of satanic evil being?"
After crawling out from the hell that Eli had caused him, Robbie's mind was in a chaotic mess, tangled in doubts about his own existence, the nature of his power, and the purpose that once seemed so clear.
The memories of his transformation into the Ghost Rider played out in his mind like scenes from a distant movie. He remembered the thrill, the rush—it had all been intoxicating.
But as time went on, the darker truths of his power began to surface. Elias had started to lose control. What once felt like a partnership turned into a living nightmare, with Eli's malevolence destroying Robbie's life.
Johnny studied him, his gaze steady but unreadable. "It looks to me that's entirely up to you, Robbie," he finally said.
"What do you mean?" Robbie turned his head, frustration evident in his furrowed brows. "That's not an answer."
Johnny leaned back, his gaze distant and clouded as he began to speak "The situation you're in right now is strikingly similar to where I was a long time ago," he said, his words slow and deliberate. "I was young back then—naïve, inexperienced, and completely powerless over the Rider's power which I paid for with plenty of misery."
The room fell silent for a moment as Johnny's reminiscence took hold. His eyes seemed to glaze over as he revisited the moments that shaped him.
"The thirst for vengeance consumed me," he admitted, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It preyed on my fear and anger, growing stronger with every ounce of despair I fed it. I wish for death, a release from the curse of the Ghost Rider... Until I learned how to control it." Johnny paused, "... And stop it from robbing me from my humanity."
Johnny's words hung heavily in the air as Robbie listened, his expression shifting from frustration to reluctant curiosity. Johnny's tone became more instructive as he continued. "The power inside of us, Robbie, feeds on our anger, our despair. And in return, it grants us tremendous strength," he explained, his solemn gaze locking onto Robbie's. "But that power… it comes at a cost."
Robbie lay frozen, absorbing the truth behind Johnny's words. Robbie's gaze dropped to his hands, fingers twitching as memories flashed in his mind—moments of fury, of losing control, of the inferno consuming everything in its path.
"But how I control it? What if I hurt him again?" His eyes flicked to Gabe, still sleeping peacefully. "What if I can't stop it next time?"
Johnny's gaze hardened as he leaned forward slightly, "How you rationed out that anger... The fuel to its fire... Its entirely up to you. If you give in to your despair and let your negative feelings get the best of you, the rider will take over once again, hurting anyone close to you. With or without Morrow in you..."
Robbie swallowed. "But Eli—"
"Eli was pushing you in the wrong direction," Johnny interrupted. "He used you and the rider thirst of vengeance. That's why it felt out of control. But now? It's just you and the Rider."
Robbie was silent, his thoughts tangled in uncertainty. The fear of losing himself, of becoming a danger to those he loved, still loomed over him. "How do I know I won't screw it up?"
Johnny smirked slightly, leaning forward. "You don't. As long as you locked in and you keep fighting. You keep hold onto your humanity and don't let the rage define you." He nodded toward Gabe. "That kid is your anchor. You fight for him, for the people you care about. That's what keeps you from becoming a monster."
Robbie's grip on the sheets loosened slightly. The weight of Johnny's words settled deep, filling in the cracks of his doubt. "And if... If I do lose control?"
Johnny's expression darkened—not with threat, but with understanding. "Then I'll be there to stop you. Just like I expect you to stop me if I ever lost myself."
The unspoken promise settled between them, heavy but resolute. Robbie slowly exhaled, letting go of some of the tension gripping him.
"Alright," he said finally. " Thanks for the pep talk, Johnny. I'll figure it out."
Johnny smirked, standing up. "Heh, that's the spirit."
Robbie turned to his younger brother, watching the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest. He would fight—for Gabe, for himself, for those who still believed in him.
And for the first time in a long while, the fire inside him didn't feel like a curse. It felt like a purpose.
.....
The sun had begun its slow ascent over the ruined stretch of highway, its golden light spilling over the wasteland of ice and scorched asphalt. The aftermath of battle lingered in the air—smoke curling from charred wreckage, patches of frost still clinging stubbornly to shattered pavement.
The smell of burnt rubber, singed flesh, and lingering ozone mixed with the crisp morning air casting an eerie sight. Now, silence stretched over the ruins, broken only by the occasional sizzling of a snow that descend from the sky before it clashed with a remnant of fire around.
Johnny stood near his motorcycle, the sleek metal of his Hellcycle gleaming under the first rays of morning. He adjusted his gloves on his hand before preparing to leave. But as he is about to jump into his bike, Ken approached him.
Without a word, he extended a small, secure device, a metallic communicator no bigger than a palm.
"A parting gift," Ken said. "If you ever need us, just call."
Johnny studied the device for a moment, then gave a slow nod, taking it with a gloved hand. "Didn't take you guys for the sentimental type."
Ken smirked. "Consider it pragmatism. Friends are hard to come by these day."
Johnny let out a quiet chuckle, tucking the communicator into his jacket. "I'll keep that in mind." He turned toward the rest of the Chaldea group, his gaze briefly settling on Mash, Ushiwakamaru, Mordred, and Da Vinci, all standing in the aftermath of their shared struggle. "You all take care of yourselves. So long, Chaldea."
Ushiwakamaru gave a short bow, her usual playfulness subdued. "And you as well, Ghost Rider. May our paths cross again under more favorable circumstances."
Mordred scoffed, arms crossed. "Hmph. Don't get yourself killed before our duel happens."
Da Vinci, ever the genius, simply waved with an amused smile. "We'll be fine, Rider-san. But don't be a stranger the next time we meet."
Johnny gave a final nod before swinging a leg over his bike. The engine roared to life, and with one last glance at the gathered warriors, he revved the throttle and sped off, leaving a trail of embers in his wake.
As his figure faded into the distance, a strange stillness settled over the Chaldea group. For all their battles and interactions, partings never got any easier.
Then, a voice cut through the silence.
"…My car's fixed?"
Everyone turned to see Robbie Reyes standing near his Dodge Charger, eyes wide in disbelief. Thanks to his Ghost Rider healing factor, he can now walk properly without any problem.
The last time he had seen his car, the car had been a wreck, twisted metal and shattered glass barely holding together after the battle. And yet, now, it sat there in pristine condition, gleaming under the morning sun like it had never been touched.
Mash tilted her head. "Wait, that's impossible. We saw it get destroyed after crashing into Anastasia wall of ice…"
Kadoc narrowed his eyes. "The car have some kind of regenerative ability?"
Ushiwakamaru let out an impressed whistle. "A steed that heals itself? Truly a warrior's companion!"
"Whistle... I'm impressed. Hey, would you like to sell your car to me?" Mordred stare at Robbie's car with greed flash in her eyes.
Ignoring their comment, Robbie ran a hand along the Charger's hood, the familiar hum of supernatural energy thrumming beneath his fingertips. The car had always been connected to him, as a Ghost Rider. It was the same as him—always burning, always coming back.
"Good to see you back again, old friend." He murmured while stroking the Charger's hood.
Lorna who are standing beside Mash, crossed her arms, a smirk playing at her lips. "Oh, you rider are full of surprises, aren't you?"
Domino standing beside Lorna, gave a small chuckle. "Heh, you sure you're not a meta?"
Robbie shook his head, still processing everything when Ken approached him.
"You should come with us, Robbie." Ken said simply.
Robbie blinked. "Huh?" Feeling puzzled by Ken sudden request.
"We're heading to our next destination. And from what I've heard, you don't exactly have a home to go back to. So why don't you join our ride this time?"
At those words, a flicker of pain crossed Robbie's face. Before sending Johnny off, Da Vinci had told him that his house—his home—was gone. The Russian Mafia had taken that from him, burned it to the ground when they kidnapped Gabe , leaving both of them with nothing left.
"This… I can't just leave. Gabe—"
Da Vinci stepped forward, her usual lighthearted tone laced with something more sincere. "We're offering you a place, Robbie. Even a job in Chaldea future company—flexible, high-paying, full benefits. Oh, and we'll even transfer your school to New York. Top-tier education, by the way. Its a way to start over with your brother."
Robbie hesitated. The thought of leaving Los Angeles, of leaving behind the last remnants of his old life, unsettled him.
Thinking about Chaldea's offer, it honestly tempt him. But then his eyes fell on Gabe, still resting inside the Shadow Border, completely unaware of the decision his brother was about to make.
If he was being honest with himself, he didn't trust his own control over the Ghost Rider power. He needed people who could stop him if things ever went south. People like Ken. Like Mash. Like Chaldea.
And he knew.
He had to move forward.
"…Alright," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'll go join you."
A wave of enthusiasm rippled through the group, with Lorna giving him a playful shove on the shoulder. "Welcome to the dysfunctional family, young Rider." Attempting to joke with him.
"I look forward working with you, Mr. Reyes." Mash smiling with quiet relief.
Kadoc snorted. "As long as he can keep up, that is." He shake his head before leaving the group and entering the Shadow Border first.
"Hahaha, I know you will agree! Now, about the car—" Mordred laugh out loud before patting Robbie's back with a strong force, almost sending him off to the ground.
Seeing everyone welcoming Robbie, Ken nodded approvingly. "Alright people, we can have a welcoming party later. Let's move out."
"Aye aye, Master~" Da Vinci teased, feeling amused while Ken merely rolled his eyes after seeing her usual antics.
The team dispersed, boarding the Shadow Border as preparations for departure began. But as Robbie made his way to the driver's side of his Charger, Ken placed a hand on the roof.
"I'll ride with you," Ken said.
Robbie raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Why?" Curious as to why the leader of the group decide to ride with him instead.
As if noticing Robbie gaze on him, Ken shrugged. "I need to brief you about Chaldea. And more importantly if we leave you alone, you couldn't detect or follow the Shadow Border without my help."
That was enough to pique Robbie's curiosity and convince him. With a nod, he unlocked the car, and the two climbed inside.
The Charger's engine rumbled to life, followed by The Shadow Border soon after. Both vehicle hit the road once more, leaving the devastating highway behind.
.....
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A/N: Give me the stones, comments and reviews, I appreciate it. Thanks!