-23 Minutes Earlier-
Joe Fixit sat tied up in thick steel cables, struggling against his restraints. His gray skin flexed as he tested their strength, but The Flash and Speed Demon had secured him tightly.
Joe Fixit: Let me go, you stupid brat! You have no idea who you're messin' with!
The Flash smirked, pacing in front of him.
Speed Demon: Sooooo, what should we do with him now that we've got him all tied up?
The Flash turned to his partner-in-crime, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
The Flash: Oh, I've got an idea. Something intense. A little alteration to my plans.
He cracked his knuckles, then raised a hand that started vibrating at an unnatural speed. Joe Fixit narrowed his eyes.
Joe Fixit: You little punk, I swear if I get outta this, I'll smash you into the ground!
Speed Demon tilted his head, watching The Flash's vibrating hand with curiosity.
Speed Demon: Uhhh… what's with your hand?
The Flash grinned wider.
The Flash: Ohhh, don't worry. This'll just take a little time. Because right here, right now, I want to see Hulk fight Ghost Rider.
Before Joe Fixit could react, The Flash shoved his vibrating hand straight into Fixit's skull. The gray behemoth's eyes bulged, his veins throbbing as his body twitched uncontrollably. A deep, guttural growl erupted from his throat.
Joe Fixit: GRAAAHHHHH!
His muscles expanded, his gray skin darkening into a deeper, monstrous green. His teeth sharpened, and his eyes flickered with primal rage. The warehouse shook as Savage Hulk emerged.
Speed Demon took a step back, impressed.
Speed Demon: Hoo boy, that's one way to wake the beast!
The Flash stepped back, admiring his work.
The Flash: Now that's more like it.
Speed Demon cracked his knuckles.
Speed Demon: Alright, cool. What about me?
The Flash's red suit flickered under the dim light as he turned toward him.
The Flash: You? Get the damn Rider.
Speed Demon: Which one? You know there's more than one, right?
The Flash rolled his eyes.
The Flash: The one with the guns!
Speed Demon smirked, then took off in a burst of high-speed energy.
Speed Demon: Oh yeah! Be right back!
As he vanished, The Flash turned back to the raging Savage Hulk, who roared and smashed through the restraints like they were paper. The warehouse trembled as Hulk's rage built to an uncontrollable level.
The Flash grinned, watching chaos unfold.
The Flash: Showtime.
-CURRENT-
The Savage Hulk let out an earth-shaking roar, smashing through the side of a building as terrified civilians fled in every direction. His massive green body pulsed with rage, steam rising from his skin as his breathing grew heavier. He was Hulk, the strongest one there is and right now, he wanted destruction.
Then came the roar of an engine.
From the shadows of a burning alley, a motorcycle emerged black as night, its wheels blazing with hellfire.
Riding it was a man clad in a scorched military uniform, complete with a long trench coat and tattered war medals. His face was a grinning skull, his empty sockets glowing with an eerie blue flame.
This was Ghost Rider the WWII version.
The moment the Rider locked eyes with the Hulk, he revved his bike, lifting the front wheel into the air before slamming it down. A barrage of spectral bullets erupted from his Thompson submachine gun, striking Hulk square in the chest.
"RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!"
Each bullet exploded with hellfire, burning through Hulk's skin and making him stumble back. The giant let out a pained growl, shaking his head as smoke curled from his wounds.
Hulk: HULK… SMASH!
Hulk lunged forward, fists raised, but Ghost Rider was faster. He accelerated, weaving between the brute's swings before sliding under his legs and coming to a sharp halt.
Then, with superhuman precision, Ghost Rider launched his flaming motorcycle into the air, spinning it like a wrecking ball.
"BAM!"
The entire weight of the burning steel slammed into Hulk's back, pinning him to the concrete.
The ground shook violently, forming massive cracks as Hulk struggled beneath the infernal bike. His roars of rage echoed across the ruined city, but Ghost Rider didn't flinch.
He stepped forward, lowering his flaming skull close to Hulk's ear.
Ghost Rider (WWII): You gonna sleep in Hell, soldier.
Hulk thrashed, his muscles bulging as he tried to lift himself, but Ghost Rider pressed his boot against Hulk's head, pushing him further into the ground.
For the first time in a long time…
Hulk was losing.
With a mighty roar, Hulk pushed himself off the ground, his muscles bulging as he grabbed the flaming motorcycle with both hands.
"CRACK!"
He flung it aside, sending the infernal bike crashing through three buildings.
Ghost Rider (WWII) stood still, gripping his smoking Thompson, his flaming sockets widening.
Ghost Rider (WWII): What in the wor—
"THOOM!"
Before he could react, Hulk lunged forward, grabbing Ghost Rider by the leg.
With monstrous strength, Hulk lifted the Spirit of Vengeance into the air and RIPPED HIM IN HALF.
"SHRRRIP!"
Ghost Rider's torso and legs tore apart like paper, but there was no blood—only blue hellfire pouring from the wound.
Even as he dangled in two pieces, Ghost Rider grinned.
Ghost Rider (WWII): Heh… Thank God I'm a spirit.
Hulk's rage-filled expression shifted into confusion for a split second before Ghost Rider opened fire.
"RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!"
A barrage of spectral bullets rained down on Hulk's chest, the hellfire-infused rounds burning deep into his flesh. The massive brute roared, staggering back as the flames seared his wounds.
Ghost Rider's severed lower half floated back to his upper body, reconnecting instantly in a blaze of blue flames. He cracked his neck as he fully reformed, spinning his Thompson.
Ghost Rider (WWII): You're strong, but you ain't gonna kill a dead man, pal.
Hulk clenched his fists, his breathing ragged. The burns on his chest began to heal instantly.
Hulk cracked his knuckles, his green muscles bulging with monstrous power. Across from him, Ghost Rider (WWII) twirled his smoking Thompson, embers flickering around him.
Ghost Rider (WWII): Alright, big guy, let's see what you got.
"WHAM!"
Hulk's fist rocketed forward, smashing straight into Ghost Rider's flaming skull. The impact sent a shockwave through the city, shattering nearby windows as the Spirit of Vengeance staggered back, shaking his head.
Ghost Rider (WWII): Oh, okay? Now that's a good start!
He raised his Thompson, hellfire glowing at the barrel as he prepared to unleash a deadly barrage.
But before he could pull the trigger—
Hulk grabbed his arm.
"CRACK!"
With one monstrous yank, Hulk ripped Ghost Rider's arm clean off. The severed limb, still gripping the Thompson, went flying across the battlefield, spinning through the air before crashing into a nearby car.
Ghost Rider looked down at his missing arm.
Ghost Rider (WWII): Oh boy…
"BOOM!"
Before he could react, Hulk's massive fist slammed into his flaming skull, sending him rocketing into the ground like a meteor.
"KA-THOOM!"
The earth cracked beneath him, forming a massive crater. The flames around Ghost Rider flickered violently, his skull buried deep in the rubble.
Hulk snorted, flexing his fingers.
Ghost Rider (WWII) groaned, his skeletal fingers twitching as he attempted to raise himself from the massive crater. His flaming skull flickered, and hellfire surged around his severed arm, beginning the process of regeneration.
But Hulk saw it.
With a monstrous roar, Hulk leapt forward and—
"THOOM!"
He stomped on Ghost Rider's skull, slamming it deeper into the earth.
"THOOM!"
Another stomp. Cracks spread across the ground.
"THOOM!"
Dust and fire shot up from the impact, as Hulk's foot buried Ghost Rider's head into the ground, crushing his attempt to regenerate.
Hulk snarled, baring his teeth.
Hulk: Puny skeleton.
With a grunt, Hulk turned away, stepping over the wreckage, his hulking frame illuminated by the fire that burned across the battlefield.
But then—
"FWOOOSH!"
The flames behind him erupted.
Hulk's eyes narrowed as he turned his head.
From the inferno, Ghost Rider (WWII) emerged, completely unscathed.
His arm was fully restored, his flames burning brighter than before.
He cracked his neck, adjusting his now-intact Tommy gun in his hands. His fiery skull tilted slightly as he glared at Hulk.
Ghost Rider (WWII): What the fuck did you just call me?
He took a slow step forward, flames licking up from his boots and pull out a chain out of nowhere.
Ghost Rider (WWII): Puny… Skeleton!?
-Meanwhile in No Name Bar-
The TV above the bar flickered with breaking news, drawing their attention.
News Anchor (on TV): We interrupt your program to bring you breaking news! A violent clash has erupted downtown between none other than the Hulk and Ghost Rider! The two powerhouses are tearing through the city, causing massive destruction!
The footage cut to shaky live coverage Ghost Rider revved his flaming bike, dragging his fiery chain across the pavement, while Hulk, wearing a trench coat over his massive frame, roared and smashed a car aside. Civilians ran in panic as the two titans clashed, shaking the ground.
Jimmy Woo buried his face in his hands.
Jimmy Woo: Oh, great. Now my plan is ruined… no more mob boss Hulk.
Spider-Man let out a low whistle.
Spider-Man: Yeahhh, pretty sure "mob boss" and "raging out in the middle of the city" don't mix, dude.
Jimmy groaned.
Jimmy Woo: I needed him on our side! Now he's throwing hands with a flaming skeleton instead of punching Sinister in the face!
Spider-Man leaned back with a smirk.
Spider-Man: Well, if it makes you feel better, Hulk getting pissed off isn't exactly breaking news. It's kind of his whole thing.
Jimmy shot him a deadpan look.
Jimmy Woo: That doesn't make me feel better at all.
Spider-Man shrugged, then gestured toward Wolverine.
Spider-Man: Well, at least Logan isn't causing?
Before he could finish, Wolverine suddenly flipped the table next to him, growling at a bartender who had apparently given him the wrong drink.
Wolverine: What the hell is this, bub?! I said whiskey, neat! Not this watered-down garbage!
Spider-Man groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Spider-Man: Forget I said anything…
-Back to the Fight-
The battlefield raged with flames and destruction, the air thick with smoke and embers. Hulk gritted his teeth, nostrils flaring as he locked eyes with the WWII-era Ghost Rider.
Ghost Rider (WWII) smirked, flames dancing around his skeletal face.
With a flick of his wrist, he unraveled a chain coated in hellfire, whipping it through the air before lashing it around Hulk's massive torso. The burning metal coiled tight around the green giant, binding his arms as Ghost Rider (WWII) yanked hard, forcing Hulk onto one knee.
Then—
"RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!"!"
A storm of bullets rained down.
Ghost Rider unleashed a barrage from his Tommy gun, the bullets piercing into Hulk's thick skin, each round laced with hellfire.
Ghost Rider (WWII) laughed.
Ghost Rider (WWII): How do you say 'egg' in Chinese, huh!?
Hulk snarled, muscles flexing as he strained against the fiery chains.
Ghost Rider (WWII): Oh wait—
He tilted his head, mockingly.
Ghost Rider (WWII): I forgot! You don't speak Chinese! Just that American bullshit!
Hulk roared, his veins bulging as his fury reached its peak.
With one explosive burst of strength, Hulk ripped the chains apart, the shattered links exploding into burning fragments.
Ghost Rider (WWII) barely had time to react.
"BOOM!"
Hulk clapped his hands together, unleashing a devastating thunderclap.
A shockwave erupted, sending Ghost Rider (WWII) flying backward, his flames momentarily snuffed out as he crashed into a crumbling building. The entire structure collapsed upon impact.
Smoke and rubble filled the air.
Hulk cracked his knuckles, stepping forward through the dust, eyes glowing with unrelenting rage.
Hulk: Hulk Enough games!
Hulk loomed over Ghost Rider (WWII), his massive fists clenched, green skin scorched but unyielding.
Ghost Rider (WWII) raised his Tommy gun, its barrel glowing red-hot from the relentless gunfire. Flames reignited around his skeletal frame, flickering wildly as he steadied his aim.
Ghost Rider (WWII): You think you can snuff me out, big guy? Let's see you handle this!
"RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!"
A barrage of hellfire bullets tore through the air—
But before they could even reach their target—
"BOOM!"
Hulk clapped his hands together once more, sending a shockwave of raw force rippling through the battlefield.
The bullets stopped mid-air, caught in the concussive blast before disintegrating into dust.
Ghost Rider (WWII) staggered back, his flames sputtering—
His skeletal body flickered, his hellfire weakening.
Hulk's eyes narrowed.
Hulk: Hulk not enough?
He raised his arms high—
And slammed his hands together with a final, earth-shaking THUNDERCLAP!
The impact shattered the ground beneath them.
A massive shockwave engulfed Ghost Rider (WWII), the sheer force blasting away the last remnants of his hellfire.
His flaming skull dimmed, the orange glow in his sockets fading until his entire body crumbled into dust, swept away by the winds of Hulk's fury.
Silence...
Hulk exhaled heavily, his chest rising and falling as he surveyed the battlefield. The only thing left of his opponent was a pile of smoldering ashes.
He snorted, turning away.
Hulk: Puny skeleton.
The Flash and Speed Demon stood atop a skyscraper, watching the battlefield below. The city lights flickered around them, the smoke from the destruction rising into the night sky.
The Flash shook his head, exhaling in relief.
The Flash: Thank God you sent that military WWII Ghost Rider.
Speed Demon smirked, crossing his arms.
Speed Demon: I know, right? Took me forever to track him down in Kansas.
The Flash chuckled, but then—
His expression shifted. His eyes narrowed, locked onto something below.
The Flash: No way…
Speed Demon frowned, following his gaze.
Speed Demon: What is it?
Then he saw it.
His smirk vanished. His stomach dropped.
Speed Demon: Oh shit…
Hulk stood among the wreckage, his massive chest rising and falling with each breath. The fire in his eyes was still burning.
Then footsteps. Slow, deliberate.
Hulk turned.
Standing a few feet away was Johnny Blaze. Dressed in his signature leather jacket, a chain wrapped loosely around his torso, he looked calm but firm. His eyes, however, held a warning.
Johnny Blaze: You really took it too far, Hulk…
Hulk narrowed his gaze, his massive fists clenching.
Hulk: Hulk had no choice!
Johnny exhaled, shaking his head.
Johnny Blaze: Listen to me. Jimmy Woo sent me here?
Hulk growled.
Hulk: Hulk don't follow orders!
Johnny stepped forward, voice more urgent now.
Johnny Blaze: Hulk or Bruce can you please need listen to me!?
At the mention of Bruce, Hulk's entire body stiffened. His teeth gritted together, his breath came out in deep, ragged growls. His eyes darkened with fury.
Hulk: "HULK IS HULK! NOT BRUCE BANNER!"
And then he charged.
The ground shook beneath each thunderous step as Hulk rushed at Johnny Blaze like an unstoppable force.
Johnny's eyes widened.
Johnny Blaze: Lord have mercy…
In an instant, his body was engulfed in hellfire. His flesh burned away, revealing the flaming skull beneath. His jacket ignited, his chains rattled, and in the blink of an eye—
Ghost Rider had taken his place.
The Spirit of Vengeance raised his hands, flames roaring as he prepared to meet Hulk head-on.
The two forces collided.
"Hellfire met raw power...."