When Harvey transformed into the Ghost Rider, it was an odd experience. He felt a quick flash of pain as his flesh burned away, though it ended as soon as it began. It was the truth when Harvey told Alex and Luke he essentially became one with Zarathos. Their souls effectively melded into one another halfway, giving them access to the flaming form of the Ghost Rider.
But what happens when they're the Ghost Rider? Are they a new, utterly different being? Or perhaps they each had a say in what happens during the transformation.
If Harvey had to describe the feeling, he would say it was like grabbing a car's steering wheel with both hands, and Zarathos held it with one. Ultimately, Harvey had greater control over what they did physically, and Zarathos only interjected here and there when they had to use a more complicated aspect of their power.
Sometimes, Harvey wondered what would happen if he and Zarathos switched places—giving the demon more control over the Ghost Rider. What could they accomplish? What new powers could be accessed? Zarathos did tell him that even with the Ghost Rider transformation, he still couldn't access Zarathos's vast power; only a fraction was available to him.
What exactly could the Ghost Riders' true form be capable of?
•••
WHAM
The Ghost Rider was thrown through several trees, snapping them out of the ground and causing them to explode in showers of splinters and wood.
Rolling through the ground, Ghost Rider dug his fingers into the dirt and stopped his momentum. Growling, the spirit of vengeance stood up and glared at the Abomination. The giant yellowish-green monster laughed as he walked through the path of destruction he caused when he was thrown.
"How pathetic, here I thought I would have a proper warm-up." Abomination mocked as he jumped and landed a couple of feet away.
"You talk too much." Ghost Rider said as he dashed forward and summoned his chains.
The Abomination did nothing but stand in place; he was utterly unconcerned by him. This would prove to be a grave mistake.
Ghost Rider focused his power and summoned a familiar pair of jagged flaming blades. Once he was close enough, the Abomination swung a powerful punch downwards in an attempt to crush him underneath him. His strike was dodged easily as the Ghost Rider jumped over the arm and twisted his body in an arc; using that momentum, he jammed his blades down into the gamma-powered monster's bicep.
"GAH! You bastard!" The Abomination roared as he tried to grab the flaming man's body.
The Ghost Rider pulled out one of his blades and kicked the Abomination's face, causing his head to snap back. Stumbling backward, the Abomination was surprised to feel his legs wrapped up in chains. With a growl, he tried to break them off him but found the task seemingly impossible.
The Rider was caught unprepared as his opponent jumped high into the air and spun them around at fast speeds. All he could do was hold tightly onto his chains as they crashed back down into Strucker's destroyed compound.
Shaking his head, The Ghost Rider growled as he turned around from the ground. He looked up just in time to see the Abominations giant fist slam right over his head. The gamma monster continued to punch down, causing quick trembles reverberating through the field.
"Annoying pest." The Abomination growled as he glared down at him. "I'll be sure to extinguish you."
Growling, Ghost Rider swiped his right arm up and unleashed a fast stream of Hellfire at his opponent's body.
Roaring in surprise at the fact that the flames actually managed to burn him, The Abomination stumbled back as he protected his face. Hearing the sizzling of his skin, the monster growled in rage. He turned around to see a giant hammer made of magma slam into his face.
Seeing the Abomination crash into the ground in an explosion of rock and smoke, the Ghost Rider raised his hammer and slammed it down onto his opponent again. After the third hit, the Abomination grabbed his weapon, ignoring how it was searing his hand.
"Enough games."
Abomination then pulled down on his hammer, causing him to be pulled with it. Using this opportunity, the Abomination swung a powerful uppercut that launched the Ghost Rider into the sky at incredible speeds.
Once the Ghost Rider was at the apex of his launch, his flames dissipated, revealing a knocked-out Harvey. With no more upward momentum, the brown-haired boy started his descent down. His unconscious body flipped and twirled randomly in the air.
'WAKE UP!'
At Zarathos's yell, Harvey's eyes snapped wide open. Looking down, Harvey saw the ground rush up to him; quickly transforming into the Ghost Rider, he crashed into the ground. A large explosion of rocks and dust was kicked up, and the ground shook at the impact.
Once the dust cleared, Harvey laid on the ground. He was unmoving but awake.
"T-That… hurt." Harvey weakly said.
'Get up, partner!' Zarathos raged. 'He's coming!'
"I… can't." Harvey whispered as he gritted his teeth, trying to force his body to stand up. He only managed to shake and cough out a blob of blood out of his mouth. "Get UP!"
RUMBLE
"Heh, It seems this is the best you've got." Abomination exclaimed as he stomped forward and stopped at the edge of the crater he created with his fall. With a small hop, he landed right over him; raising his arms, he smiled evilly.
"Any last words?!"
Harvey glared up as he forced his body up to a sitting position. The Abomination's face grew confused as he looked up at his unmoving arms. They were covered in red swirling energy. Harvey's eyes widened when he realized who stopped his opponent from crushing him.
"H-Harvey! Run!"
Harvey turned to his right and saw Wanda kneeling on one leg, arms raised and covered in her magic. Harvey felt his heart drop as he saw her face covered in sweat. Exhaustion was evident on her face. Wanda would soon run out of energy and be unable to move!
"Wanda!" Harvey felt pain shoot through his body and forced his body to crawl in her direction. "You idiot! Get out of here!"
Wanda smiled at him as her arms began to shake. "I won't let you fight alone, you moron!"
"How precious." The Abomination said. "You have a friend."
The yellowish-green monster lifted his leg and slammed it down. This caused a wave of destruction to tear toward Wanda, launching her up in the air and landing harshly on the ground.
"AH!" Wanda yelled in pain.
"Wanda!" Harvey yelled. "God damn it! COME ON!"
Harvey roared as he tried to shift back to the Ghost Rider. His body was wracked with pain, making it hard to focus. Frankly, it was a miracle he was even still awake.
"Zarathos! Help!"
'I'm forcing the healing process to go faster! You should be able to change back in ten seconds!' Zarathos informed him.
"Watch, little candle. As I crush your little friend into paste." The Abomination said with a vile smile as he walked over to Wanda.
Harvey looked on in panic as he saw her try and move. Wanda grimaced as she couldn't find the energy to move her body, too exhausted from overusing her power. She turned to look at him with a scared expression. She then smiled and mouthed one word. Run. The Abomination raised his giant leg, ready to crush the auburn-haired girl.
"…do it." Harvey whispered.
An explosion of white fire exploded out from Harvey's body. Harvey felt the worst pain imaginable. It felt like his entire being was being burned away slowly.
'…very well.'
•••
"You can still move?"
Wanda heard the monster say as he lowered his leg away from her. She turned and looked over to Harvey. He slowly stood up from the crater he was in. What shocked Wanda was that his entire body was now covered in flames instead of his head.
Harvey's usual naked white skull was now darker, as if his fire was burning it; two large horns were slowly growing out from the crown of his head. Harvey's teeth became sharp and jagged. Wanda saw his exposed skeleton; all his clothes but his pants were burned away. A thick, dark skeleton was exposed.
"Away from the girl." Harvey said, but his voice was different from usual.
Wanda's eyes grew in shock; she recognized that voice! It was the demon inside of Harvey, Zarathos! What was going on?!
"Hah! You think just because your body is covered in fire, you can now you can order me-"
Wanda's eyes widened as she saw Zarathos MOVE.
The Abomination crashed through several trees as the embodiment of vengeance kicked him forward. The Ghost Rider looked down at her. She felt a sliver of fear crawl down her back.
"Stay here, witch. I will end this." Zarathos said as he walked forward.
Wanda turned to him and was surprised to see a giant black broadsword rise from the ground. It was long and massive, almost impossible for any ordinary man to wield due to its size and weight. Zarathos pulled the sword up with a tug and rested it on his shoulder.
"…what are you?" Wanda asked in awe.
The Ghost Rider turned his head to look at her. "The spirit of vengeance."
•••
The Ghost Rider jumped forward, slashing his massive blade into the yellow-green monster. The Abomination's eyes grew in shock, and he dodged to the side. Unfortunately, he did it too late.
"RAGH!" The gamma monster screamed in agony as he turned to see his right arm cut off at the bicep. "You'll pay for this!"
The Abomination ran forward and tried to punch the spirit of vengeance with his one arm. But he kept failing due to the Ghost Rider's speed and agility; he was able to evade and dodge every attack thrown.
"You can have this then." Ghost Rider stated as he twisted and stabbed his broadsword down through the Abomination's hip and deep into the ground. Nailing him into his spot.
"AAAGGHH!"
Jumping high, The Ghost Rider wrapped his chains around the Abomination's body and neck. Landing on the monster's back, Ghost Rider pulled up and tightened his chains around his opponent's body.
Slowly, the chains began to crush and burn the gamma-powered monster. The Abomination tried to fight back but found himself unable to move due to the sword pinning him down. His powerful strength was nothing in the face of the flaming spirit of vengeance.
Feeling his neck tighten to the point he could no longer breathe, the Abomination began to choke. Shaking his head back and forth, he tried to shake off the Ghost Rider from on top of him but failed. Slowly, he started feeling himself lose consciousness.
"Burn away into nothing."
The Ghost Rider focused his fire and enveloped the large mass of muscles in hot Hellfire. The Abomination began to yell in pain as he felt his body burn away; slowly, he was reduced to just his giant charred skeleton. With a yank, the Ghost Rider pulled his chain and shattered the large bones into dust and ash.
Looking down at his defeated enemy, the Ghost Rider dismissed his weapons and looked back at the girl on the ground. With a step, he made his way to her.
As he walked, The horns on his head shrunk back into his skull, and his teeth returned to normal. Finally, his dark, charred skull and skeleton faded back into white.
Stopping in front of Wanda, the Ghost Rider knelt before her and dismissed his Hellfire.
Harvey leaned down and cradled Wanda up to his bare chest and held her close. "…You could have gotten yourself killed."
"I know… but my friend needed my help." Wanda spoke in a tired voice. It seemed like she was about to fall asleep.
"You're my hero, Wanda." Harvey chuckled as he stood up with her in his arms. "It's okay… You can rest now."
Wanda nodded and closed her eyes; she leaned into his chest and fell asleep.
Harvey smiled down at her and looked at all the destruction his battle with the now-dead Abomination had created. It gave off the impression of a natural disaster that struck the area, leaving it in ruin. Hearing a roar from an engine, Harvey turned to look up at the flying quinjet; the back door slowly opened as it landed on the ground. Pietro jumped out and started limping in their direction with a worried look. Harvey smiled and began walking towards the silver-haired speedster.