Ghost Rider
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1Johnny joined the Simpsons' touring stunt show, Crash Simpson's Fabulous Motorcycle Stunts. Crash had actually replaced Johnny's father by this time, teaching him how to ride a motorcycle in the hope that the youngster would follow him and become the star of the show. However, this dream crumbled to dust when Johnny was only fifteen years old. Johnny's motorcycle caught fire while performing a dangerous stunt. The boy managed to jump off the motorcycle, but Mona, who tried to help him, was mortally wounded. Before his death, Johnny's foster mother asked him not to do motorcycle stunts, to which he agreed.
Over the next five years, Johnny's relationship with Crash deteriorated as the guy refused to take part in the show. Not understanding John's motives, Crash became more and more upset, even accusing him of cowardice; however, John continued to train at night, honing his skills, until he surpassed his mentor. He had another secret: he and Roxanne became lovers. When Crash found out that he was dying of cancer, he asked Johnny to take part in the show, but he refused, despite Roxanne's disappointment. Distraught, John turned to the occult in search of answers and discovered a spell that could supposedly summon Satan himself. Unbeknownst to him, John actually summoned Mephisto, who had deceived Naomi Cale years before.
Mephisto cured Crash's cancer in exchange for Johnny's promise to become his servant. However, Crash died shortly after, trying to set a new world record by jumping over twenty-two cars. Desperate over the death of his adoptive father, Johnny tried and made the jump himself, thereby honoring Crash's memory. Johnny was still at the mercy of Mephisto, even though he would have lost his soul if not for the heroic intervention of Roxanne, who confessed to John that she loved him and exorcised the demon with the purity of her feelings.
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