The Ghost Rider had been locked away in the subconscious of Johnny Blaze for over a week while the unconscious motorcyclist was held captive by the Circus of Crime, as the Clown told him that he needed money to pay for his father's treatment. Fire-Eater was jealous of the Clown becoming the new leader, although he decided to temporarily follow his orders. The Circus of Crime appeared outside of Quentin Carnival and the Clown insisted that he could help them after their insurance policy was canceled. Johnny regained consciousness and the Ghost Rider insisted on being released, so that he could stop the Circus of Crime, although the motorcyclist was able to untie himself, while Quentin refused the Clown's money to bail his carnival out and his performers were attacked, as a result, leading to a fight.
