Chronicle VII: Trial match

Aaron Crane was the son of the original Vengeance wielder, the one who measured his forces against Zarathos for being guilty of something he was not. He ended up being defeated and when the truth was revealed, he realized his mistake and fought alongside the Ghost Rider in some occasions.

But, as some say, the father's sins are inherited by his sons, and he was no exception. Stubborn as his father was, Aaron is determined to completely destroy Zarathos regardless of his father's regrets. He made his family suffer , and he had to pay a price for it. Ever since he learned that Vengeance dwelt within him, he strove to bend him and submit him to his will, without having a vote in his actions.

And now, the same Ghost Rider was in front of him, that wandering soul who can reign over the Underworld and Hell itself. The one who has the ability to destroy angels and demons with his power... Without a doubt, a formidable opponent.

It would be a gigantic pleasure and satisfaction to end his life.

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𝘗.𝘖.𝘝 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘭:

The class passed quickly. I was absent all the time talking with Zarathos to see how I could strengthen myself and learn the mastery over my powers, but he assured me that I would not have progress to the level that I wanted without having someone to guide me. I went down and went to the roof.

Nobody goes to that place for two simple reasons: it is forbidden, and it is locked.

But hey, the padlock is not a problem. For now they do not know that I am the one who smashes the door, and I hope they do not.

- Stop right there, Johnson!

Fuck, now who's bothering? Can't I isolate myself from the world quietly?

I turned around and discovered that it was the guys from the karate club who called me.

Since they added extra activities to gym classes and separated them into clubs, there are many students who belong to them and spend a few hours in their clubs before going home.

I tried to join some, but they obviously rejected me. I also tried to explain myself, but they wouldn't let me.

I love society. Anyway...

- What do you want now, Nate?

Nate Foster, the club leader. Also the guy who wants to beat me up and play hero, accompanied by a hell of an ego. He was superb and arrogant like no one, all because his family was well-off in society and previously had teachers in the sport he practiced.

- You know what I want, you fucking bastard! Or you don´t remember what you did to Bruce's group and his friends?

And here we go again... Bruce is the name of the guy who wanted to "terrify" me on my first day. In other words, the school bully. However, only few knew this. As he was the son of the director, he got away with all his acts with impunity, and the innocents he tormented with his group lived a nightmare. His good-boy facade was intact, until I arrived. He was completely guilty, and I don't regret breaking his face.

- Leave me alone, man. I don't want to have a fight here, I'm dealing with my own problems. So, fuck off.

I try to be nice, but the truth is that they bother me two days a week.

- Are you going to try to escape, freak? We all know that you are a freak, a criminal! Be a man and take the damn consequences for the things you do! Surely when you come home you will run with your mother!

At this point, I turned around and started walking. The whispers of the spectators plus the crap that Nate was saying already started to bother me.

Before listening to what that son of a bitch said with an innocent tone.

- Oh wait, I forgot. That bitch is rotting in a grave! Hahaha!

I stopped.

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Aaron Crane, who was watching the event, showed a smile.

- This is going to get good...

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Nate approached Dante with a smile, thinking he had the boy right where he wanted him.

The deathly silence he produced with his words was broken by the sound of his footsteps.

- What's up, freak? Did I touch a sore spot? -He asked haughtily, putting a hand on his shoulder -Now be a man and figh-

A punch hit his face at full speed, breaking his nose and teeth, dislocating his jaw and sending him flying to the ground, where he slid a few seconds before stopping; with blood rushing out of his face.

- WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY, YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH?! - roared Daniel, completely furious.

The scream of a girl awakened the uncertainty of all the spectators, who watched the boy with expressions of terror.

The teachers arrived immediately, defusing the situation as much as they could and grabbing the remaining members of the karate club who wanted to hit Dante by the arms.

For his part, he was blinded by anger. Did that idiot dare to talk about his mother?! Before he could even take a few steps forward, a beautiful golden haired girl stopped him.

- Daniel, stop, that's enough! - she exclaimed, calming him down.

Elizabeth Walker, the best (and only) friend of Daniel Williams. The two have known each other since the day the Johnsons adopted the boy, and they know a lot about each other. However, in recent months their time together decreased a lot, since the girl's family goes through a bad time. Ironically, Elizabeth is a girl of faith, and her family is a faithful believer in God.

- Johnson, to my office, NOW!

The principal arrived just in time to observe the scene, and seeing the boy's expression, he didn't even bother to find out what had really happened and exclaimed that order in less than a second.

- Holy shit he broke his face! - exclaimed a boy.

- Nate, buddy, do you hear me ?! - asked another, lightly tapping the cheeks of the fainted leader.

- Expel him, Director, please!- begged a girl near the man, terrified by what she witnessed.

But for good or bad fortune, the new kid entered the picture.

- Wow wow wow! Please relax people! -he exclaimed with a charismatic smile -Let's take a breath, and calm down...

The appropriate expression and words worked wonders, as the crowd instantly calmed down a bit. With an angelic giggle and keeping his smile on, Aaron Crane spoke:

- First things first, you have to take that boy to a hospital...

After a few minutes, where Nate was transferred to a medical facility, the boy continued his work.

- I know everyone is outraged and angry...

- Angry?! That bastard smashed his face! - interrupted a boy in the crowd.

- I know, I know. But what would you have done in his place if someone insulted your deceased mother in such a way, huh?- He added, to which that guy was silent.

Dante had calmed down too, but unlike them, he was on guard. He was sure that Crane did not intervene to defend him; he would have to be planning something...

- But of course, we can't let him go without giving him a punishment, right? - he added, looking at Daniel maliciously.

The crowd supported the idea, while the principal thought this was a perfect opportunity to expel him once and for all.

Surprisingly, Daniel was the one to speak, gently pushing Elizabeth away from him, and moving closer to Aaron. They were both about the same height, the red haired one being shorter than the brown haired one.

- What do you want, Crane?

-Oh, nothing... I just wanted to see if you are as threatening as they say, "Rider" -the redhead replied, with a challenging tone.

-...- Dante was a bit surprised, but he kept his composure- What do you want, "Vengeance"?- he repeated.

- A little fight, one on one. You shouldn't have a problem participating, right?

Daniel frowned, wondering what he was up to.

- No, I don´t...

Aaron smiled, and without more to say, he waved goodbye, as did the crowd which dissipated. The principal returned to his office, not before giving Dante a warning.

On the part of him, the boy clicked his tongue, annoyed.

- Dan, are you okay? - Elizabeth's question focused her attention on her.

- Yeah, don´t worry.

- Do you know the new guy?

-...- he was silent for a few moments- Kinda.

A hand rested on his cheek, causing his heart to skip a bit; he clearly wasn't expecting it.

- Hey - the girl spoke, with a sweet tone - I know we don't talk much during this time, but you know you can tell me anything, ok?

For a moment, the boy smiled, enjoying the touch that he secretly loved. However, the smile faded bit by bit as his mind remind him about his curse, again. He gently moved her hand, stroked it briefly, and responded.

- I know, Eli. I know.

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After a while, all was settled. The two teenagers were in front of each other, with a crowd around them.

- Well, you're here! I thought you wouldn't show up- Aaron said, wearing sleeveless shirt wich showed all the scars on his arms, which did not go unnoticed by those present. Both were in their fighting stances.

- Don't you think you went too far? Everything to be in control? -Daniel supposed the origin of those scars, so his comment was only understood by the redhead.

- Well, your case and mine is different... I don't get things as gifts... I fight to get them!- he proclaimed, throwing a punch at Daniel's face.

- Gifts? - The boy repeated annoyed, dodging the blow- You don't know shit about it!- he responded, throwing a fist of his own.

The exchange of punches lasted a few minutes, and all that was heard was the verbal support of the crowd for a single individual: obviously Aaron.

That was until Dante caught a punch, flipped Aaron over, and encased his neck with his arm, impeding his mobility.

- You don't know what it feels like to lose control of your own body! You have no idea what price I had to pay!- he spoke into his ear.

Due to the noise from the crowd, both of them could talk without worrying about revealing their secrets.

- You're right - Crane laughed, holding the teenager's arm, trying to free himself- You are justice and the defender of the innocent, while I am the motivation and fear of the guilty!- he added, hitting his nose with his head, getting out of his grip.

Wasting no time, Aaron lands a punch in the jaw of his opponent, knocking him to the ground. Showing a sadistic smile, he continued to hit Dante while he was on the ground, who was trying to defend himself.

- Stop, you're killing him! - Elizabeth cried in vain. Her scream was overshadowed by screams of euphoria from the crowd.

Crane delivered the last blow with full force, but to his surprise he was caught. The excitement of the spectators ceased instantly, seeing the descent of the beating.

Confused, Aaron looked at his opponent's face. His eyes widened uncertainly: Dante's eyes were black, and his irises were completely red.

-𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩, 𝙑𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.-he spoke, with a terribly threatening and dark tone, sending chills to the redhead and the others.

A punch to the face was what it took to send Aaron Crane flying and then to the ground. The boy stood up, dizzy and in shock, only to be greeted by two more forceful blows that left him completely groggy and reeling.

Gripping his shirt firmly, Dante prepared to deliver the final blow, but a scream that did not belong to anyone present stopped him.

-Enough!

Breaking into the crowd on his motorcycle, Johnny Blaze stopped his vehicle between the two teens, while Crane fell to the ground in a sitting position.

- Enough was enough. You already proved your point... You are the strongest.

To those present, it seemed that Blaze was speaking to Daniel, but in reality he was speaking to Zarathos. Then the blonde turned to the redhead.

- And you, you should listen to your father. He learned to live with your friend without any problem.

-Johnny... Blaze...? - Aaron was surprised, not only by the presence of the adult, but because he could feel the same presence as in Daniel: Zarathos.

- Move over, Blaze...- Daniel said, speaking in a normal voice- I'm going to make it clear to him who he's messing with.

The man looked at him calmly; it seemed like he was studying him.

- Get on - he said - We have to talk about that.

The boy was not stupid, he knew what the blonde was talking about. He clicked his tongue and went to pick up his things. Taking her backpack and other things from Elizabeth's hands, he assured her that he would call her later.

Immediately afterwards he got into the vehicle, without further ado, they drove away from the institute, leaving more than one curious and open-mouthed, since Jhonny resumed his stunt career with his motorcycle and became recognized.

As they drove away, the teenager asked, annoyed of course, why he got into his fight.

- It's simple- replied the man- I'm going to teach you how to control your powers.