Multiverse's Ghost Rider

Though the prince had cursed the witch, his actions stemmed from a heart twisted by love turned to hatred. Deep down, he could never forget that moment in the forest when he first encountered her. Since that day, every memory he held seemed to pale in comparison.

Even in his dreams, he would murmur her name, Antimora.

Belle happened to overhear that name one night, and it stirred a vicious jealousy within her. She yearned to take revenge on the witch. But alas, the corrupted witch was far too powerful now. Belle couldn't even get close to the swamp, let alone confront her.

"But that damned witch got what she deserved," Belle hissed, her face twisted with rage. "She'll be trapped in that swamp forever, tormented by the black stone's curse."

"You mean this?" Jon said, holding up the black stone he had retrieved from the witch.

Belle's face contorted further. "Why do you have that?!" she snapped, then her expression changed suddenly. "Wait... don't tell me... that damned witch is finally dead?!"

Jon replied calmly, "First, I don't think someone like her would go to Hell. Second, she's not dead, I lifted the curse. And frankly, you should be thankful she never cared for your prince in the first place. Otherwise, how would a village girl like you have climbed your way into his castle?"

"You—!" Belle glared daggers at Jon. If looks could kill, he'd be ashes by now.

"Enough."

A deep, gravelly voice echoed from the hallway. Heavy footsteps followed, mixed with animalistic panting. Jon turned toward the source.

A beast emerged, humanoid in shape, lion-like in features, clad in regal garments and a crimson cloak.

"Well, well, the infamous Beast Prince," Jon muttered, taking in the sight.

The Beast growled, "Every intruder who has entered this castle was either locked away to starve or fed to me. You're no different. Lately, with the famine, bread doesn't satisfy me anymore. Only human flesh can calm the hunger. So yes... I will devour you."

But Jon didn't flinch. "Oh, really? You should've said so earlier. Come on then, take a bite. See how I taste."

With an unnerving smile, Jon extended his arm toward the Beast's mouth.

Belle and the Beast were stunned. Was he insane? Did he even know what he was doing?

The Beast hesitated. Logic warned him this was a trap—Jon had stormed in alone, killed his furniture-servants, and now offered himself up freely? Something wasn't right.

But the primal hunger surged, overwhelming reason. The Beast opened his jaws wide and bit down—

CRACK!

The sound was wrong. And the taste... all wrong. Like biting into stone.

He looked down and recoiled. It wasn't flesh—it was white, solid bone.

In a flash, Jon's form melted away, revealing a terrifying skeletal figure engulfed in flames.

The Beast stumbled backward in horror. "What... what are you?!"

"I am... the Ghost Rider," came the low, haunting reply.

The Ghost Rider's bony hand shot forward and seized the Beast by the throat, lifting him and slamming him hard into the floor.

The Beast groaned in pain. Belle rushed forward, throwing herself between them. "Please, don't hurt him! He wasn't always like this—it was that damned witch who cursed him! You should be going after her!"

The Ghost Rider didn't blink. He grabbed Belle by the collar and yanked her up. "Guilt and innocence—I see them clearly. I don't need you to tell me who's damned. And compared to this beast, your sins are far worse."

Before the curse, the prince had already been a tyrant. As a beast, his cruelty only escalated. But Belle? She had lured her fellow villagers here to feed the monster. That treachery was unforgivable.

"Don't worry. I'll send the Beast to Hell right alongside you."

BANG!

A gunshot rang out. Jon felt the impact at his back.

"Let her go!" shouted Gaston, rifle in hand.

Jon released Belle and turned around. The flames receded, revealing his human form.

"Gaston... did you just shoot me?"

Gaston's hands trembled as he held the gun. "I'm sorry, Jon. I can't let you hurt Belle."

Jon chuckled darkly. Then he glanced down at Belle, who was now cradling the Beast in tears—completely ignoring the man who had just saved her.

"So, this is the woman you'd betray your savior for?" Jon said. "You do realize she tricked the villagers into coming here so they could be fed to her monster lover?"

"I know," Gaston said, his voice choked with guilt. "Two weeks ago, I thought she was a prisoner here. I gathered the villagers to rescue her. That's when she told me everything. She said... I was a good man, but she could never be with me."

Jon let out a bitter laugh. "Pathetic. Truly pathetic. I almost pity you."

There was no other word for it—Gaston was a fool to the very end.

Jon turned back toward Belle and the Beast. "But enough talk. Tonight, I'm offering your souls as tribute to the Spirit of Vengeance. No one will stop me."

BANG!

Another shot. This time, Jon didn't even flinch. His body, now enhanced with Compound V, was furtherly immune to such mundane attacks.

He turned again to Gaston. "Oh, one more thing I forgot to tell you. You know why the forest turned into that wasteland? It's because of the witch who saved you. She once protected the forest, and your village. But your beloved prince cursed her, unleashed an evil hex upon her."

"So now do you understand? None of this should've happened. The prince is the cause of it all. And your precious Belle... helped him every step of the way."