Once again comes the Rainwalker, thanks to all of you who've stayed with Yu-Gi-Oh GM Book 1. In the last chapter of 'Wild Call to Arms' David almost got shot. Then he had a close call with the A.R.M. agent in the form of a large group of Bear World animals under the agent's control. Now David finds himself face to face with a large mind-controlled mountain lion. Can David survive the encounter and continue the case. Let's find out shall we?

Disclaimer: Kazuki Takehahshi owns the rights to all characters from the Yu-Gi-Oh series. David Cardigan and all original characters in this saga are strictly my property.

David used his magic to open the front door and snapped, "Not here whoever you are, do you hear me? NOT HERE, WE TAKE THIS OUTSIDE!"

The cat leaned forward as it launched a paw at David letting out another yowl of challenge. David danced out the door and scampered away into a ready stance as he found himself outside. David smiled. The move was intended to work twofold. It was meant to not only give himself some room to move but also draw attention away from his parents. The last thing he ever wanted was to lose either his mother or stepfather to anything normal or supernatural, especially not after everything they'd done for him. David felt a sense of elation when the cat came bounding out the door. The cat let out a hiss of rage bearing it's long razor-sharp fangs. David grimaced and snapped, "You just had to make it a cat didn't you? Especially considering I like cats!"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" David heard the mental voice yell as the mountain lion lunged at him.

David barely had time to teleport behind the cat. David two stepped backwards as the cat turned to face him. I have to stop this. I don't want to hurt this poor creature, it's just a pawn in that lunatic's little game.

The cat turned with frightening agility and leaped at David. David desperately threw up a field of energy at the cat trapping it. But not before the creature landed a paw blow at David's left shoulder…and caught it with the claws of its right front paw. David let out scream of pain and he stumbled back. But somehow he managed to maintain the field of energy around the cat. David covered the bleeding shoulder with his left hand as he used his right to push the creature away. The cat landed gracefully on its feet and crouched to leap at David again. The air at that moment erupted with the cracking sound of a gun being fired. The cat let out a scream of pain. And then David noticed the tranquilizer dart in it. David realizing this was his chance reached out with his magic and found the blue chord that was the source for the A.R.M. agent's control of this large mountain cat. David closed his right hand into a fist before he extended his fore and index fingers like they were a pair of scissors. He opened the fingers and closed them. The cat let out another scream as it suddenly found itself free of the one that had been controlling it. The cat collapsed to the ground as David sat down blood oozing from the claw wounds on his left shoulder. "David!" He heard his mother call.

David concentrated on staying conscious as he heard four sets of footsteps. The lights in the main building of the Blue Heron Inn came on as people came out to see what was going on. Brenda Payton, a waifish looking 50ish woman with short graying brown hair, and her husband Lyle, a big man with a balding head of pepper colored hair and a mustache crouched by him. "Dear God," The man yelped, "Mr. Cardigan, you're bleeding!"

David glared at one of the co-owners of the Blue Heron Inn and growled, "No kidding!"

Meanwhile Ray pulled out his cellular phone and dialed 9-1-1.

A short time later The Blue Heron Inn driveway was a bustle of activity as several animal control agents took the comatose mountain lion away. Several paramedics worked on David. A man dressed in the uniform of an Idaho state trooper who had graying stubble on his face looked over David. "I have to say, Mr. Cardigan, you were extremely lucky that the wound wasn't all that deep."

"It still hurts like hell, sir." David complained.

The man nodded. "It'll be that way for some time. Anyway you've helped solve a major case from Boise. This here cat is from the Boise zoo. Word had it that it got taken several days ago. But that still doesn't answer the question of how it got out here?"

David winced as the paramedic continued to stitch the wound on his shoulder. That's when the sheriff noticed the other scars on David's chest. He raised an eyebrow. David explained, "I've done work with the Portland police Department. Let's just say I've encountered a fair share of nasty characters in the cases I've worked on with them.

The officer winced and said, "Boy, let me tell you, I've been on the force a long time and I know how it goes. I've had a fair share of felons who've given me a few scars of my own. It's part of the job."

David nodded, "Anyway, officer, I think I know who was behind stealing that mountain lion."

The man looked at him eagerly. "Oh, what can you tell me?"

David explained, "I'll tell you, sir, but please understand this, you mustn't go after him yet. All I can tell you is he has in his possession something that could overwhelm you and your men in no time. I've seen too many good people die because they didn't follow my warning."

The man's face furrowed in puzzlement. "Okay, you have my word."

David explained what he knew leaving out the supernatural aspect of things. The trooper grimaced, "God damn those A.R.M. loonies again! I'd heard they had a cell in this area but I could never find them."

David explained, "I think I'd like a little help on this, officer. But please I ask you this, if I tell you to run, please run. By the way what should I call you?"

"Maxwell, Sheriff Buford Maxwell, Mr. Cardigan." He said introducing himself.

It was Ray who stepped in at that point, "My son's right, sheriff Maxwell. I've been on several cases with David here, trust me, do as my son says in this instant and you'll stay alive to catch and haul these A.R.M. characters off to jail."

The sheriff sighed and said, "I admit I don't pretend to completely understand everything. But you give me the impression of being someone who's not prone to doing crazy stuff or saying crazy things. So, I'll go with you on this."

David sensed that the man was telling the truth. "Thank you, sheriff, I suggest you go home and get what sleep you can, tomorrow will be a busy day." The sheriff nodded, "I can believe it."

David after being stitched was bandaged by the paramedics and given an immediate discharge. Ray helped David up and said, "Life with you, son, is certainly never dull." David sighed and said, "Believe me, Dad, there are days I wish it was."

The next morning with the sheriff in tow David headed for the ranger station senses on full alert. David's nervousness must've shown because he heard the sheriff say, "Easy, boy, easy. I can tell you there's nobody around at the moment."

David looked at the sheriff. "How can you tell?" he asked.

"I served in Vietnam. Some old skills from my army days never left."
Old military skills hmm? I think I may have made the right decision in having Sheriff Buford Maxwell here. David thought.

David and Sheriff Maxwell made their way up to the station just as the door opened and Beth came out. The chief ranger looked at the sheriff in surprise and yelped, "Buford! What are you doing here?"

Sheriff Maxwell explained everything. "If it hadn't been for Brenda and Lyle's tranquilizer rifle poor David here would've been shredded up by that big cat."

Beth grimaced, "So the mountain lion that was stolen from the Boise zoo and this case are connected?" David nodded, "They are."

"At the scene of the crime we found the A.R.M. logo burnt into a wall of the cage." The sheriff explained. "I've always suspected there was an A.R.M. cell operating here, but never could get a scent or I'd of taken em' down a while back."

David explained, "When I left yesterday, someone tried to shoot me and then I had a small menagerie of mind-controlled animals chase me and it's been quite a dangerous experience."

David thought for a moment then said, "Beth, would it be too much if I could ask some more questions of your staff?"

Beth nodded. "If you think it'll help."

The sherriff added, "I think it will, cause I'll be addin' my eyes in. Reckon I might catch something David misses."

David thought for a moment, "You know, I'm thinking I'd like to have a little chat with that fellow Charlie Meadows, Beth."

Beth looked surprised, "I admit he's a little stand offish but that's only because of Amanda's death. What makes it more frustrating is…" Just then Beth's cell rang. She picked it up and said "Chief Benton speaking."

The Chief ranger of Yellowstone Bear World nodded and replied, "Oh, Dr. Phillips, what has the autopsy on Amanda's body revealed?" She listened several seconds as her face suddenly went deathly pale. "It's what!?" She yelped before she listened intently and nodded several times. "A local runaway, oh my, this doesn't sound good." She listened nodded grimly. "I see, thanks for the information Dr. Phillips I have people with me who can act on it, thanks."

She flipped her cell phone closed and then said, "I just got word from the mortician Dr. Phillips, he said the body in his mortuary isn't Amanda Kerrings, it's actually a 19-year-old runaway who's been missing for several weeks."

David and Sherriff Maxwell's faces furrowed. Well isn't this just an interesting twist. The writer/duelist thought.

David thought out loud, his mind running wild with ideas, "The question is if the body Dr. Phillips has is a 19-year-old runaway where's the real Amanda Kerrings?"

Sherriff Maxwell grunted and said, "Sounds like somebody may be covering something up."

David asked, "Beth, do you mind if Buford and I see the files on the victims?"

Beth nodded. The sheriff nodded and said, "Good thinking, there might be something we missed."

Beth lead them to her office. Grabbing a couple extra chairs they watched as Beth brought up the files on each of the individuals attacked. David and the sheriff at first didn't see anything…until. "Wait just one minute," Buford stated as they came to Amanda Kerrings picture.

David looked at the older man. "You found something, sheriff?"

The man nodded, "I reckon we might just have. Beth can you e-mail pictures?" Beth nodded. "Yes, but why?" she asked.

He pointed to the picture of Amanda Kerrings and explained, "Because I think I've seen that face somewhere before. I got a friend on the Washington State Troopers, who's been looking for someone who looks like her."

David felt a piece of the puzzle snap into place. And what it meant sent a chill through him. An imposter, he thought in surprise.

It didn't take long for Beth to copy the picture and send it on to the Washington State troopers with a message asking to get back to them as soon as possible.

David thought out loud, "Now that there's a possibility that Amanda Kerrings is not only alive, but not who she claims to be, I'd like to have a little talk with Charlie Meadows."

Beth said, "I'll bring him in. Although don't expect all that much out of him. Charlie can be stubborn."

As she left to get Charlie, David sighed. I just hope I can end this soon enough. I'm leaving in a couple more days.

5 minutes later David and the sheriff heard Beth and Charlie arguing outside her office. "I'm one of your best rangers, how can you doubt me, chief?"

Beth stated, "Charlie, you've been behaving like a real pain in the butt since this started! You're doing this, do I make myself clear?"

Charlie Meadows stormed into the room as he snapped, "Now see here, Beth, I'll have you know…" And then he turned to face David and growled, "Oh it's you! Have you been the one feeding my boss lies?"

David snapped, "I wouldn't be so quick to attack especially with who I've got here."

Charlie turned a contemptuous glare on the sheriff and immediately took a step back when he recognized the man and the uniform. "Sherriff Buford Maxwell?"

The man crossed his arms. "The one and only, boy! Now David and I are gonna' ask you some questions, and I strongly recommend that you answer everything truthfully if you want to keep your job and stay out of jail!"

Charlie pointed an accusatory finger at the sheriff and David as he snapped, "You…you wouldn't dare!"

David smiled in a mockingly pleasant fashion as he said, "Actually sheriff Maxwell can. He is the head of the Idaho state troopers, and therefore he's the law."

The sheriff glared at Charlie and said, "All right, boy, sit and let's talk!"

The ranger sat. David asked, "Okay, Charlie-boy, I'd like you to answer this. The night that Amanda Kerrings disappeared, what happened?"

"That's none of your business!" Charlie angrily retorted.

David sighed and shook his head. "Dude, it is our business when we're investigating a series of murders…and the possibility you may be an accomplice to them!"

Beth was surprised by this but Maxwell just continued to glare at Charlie. Charlie was on his feet absolutely livid, "WHAT!?" He yelped. "You think I killed Amanda and those other rangers? You see here, I'll have you know Carlos Ramon and Alexander Watkins were good friends of mine! I'd never think about murdering them!"

The sheriff said, "Talk's cheap, boy, and being an accomplice to murder is a serious charge!" Charlie snapped, "You can't do that, you don't have any evidence on me!"

David nodded in his happy smile designed to infuriate people. "Oh true enough, but what about conspiring with an imposter?"

Charlie gaped. "Wha-what do you…?" He asked suddenly confused.

David explained, "Sheriff Maxwell believes that he's seen Amanda somewhere before. And your boss just got word from the local mortician. That body in the mortuary isn't Amanda Kerrings but a missing 19-year-old runaway."

David watched as the righteous outrage in Charlie Meadows was deflated. "What, but-but-but that can't be! I was the one who found her body! I recognized the torn up uniform."

David explained, "DNA doesn't lie, the woman in the mortuary isn't Amanda Kerrings."

Sheriff Maxwell sat straight up and gave ranger Meadows a hard stare. "Now, are you gonna' cooperate or am I going to have to arrest you for conspiracy and interfering with an investigation?"

Charlie sat down trembling with fear and open confusion. The sheriff nodded. "That's better," he said.

David asked, "Now, answer the question, what happened with you and Amanda the night she supposedly was killed?"

It was then that Charlie…flushed, a deep red. He sighed and said, "If you have to know Amanda and I well…she was feeling frisky that night and me also."

David asked, "So you were more than just seeing each other?'

Charlie nodded. "We were…we were intimate. Amanda had a wild streak that I liked. I honestly don't know why she chose to be with me but I didn't ask questions. I've never been good with women and when Amanda made it clear she was interested I was really happy about it. The feeling was well…mutual."

"Go on," the sheriff added.

Charlie said, "We were going to tell Beth about what was going on between us. We were planning to move into a nice place together. Then she got a call involving some rabid bear sightings in an area and took my rifle to go check it out."

At this David raised an eyebrow. "A rifle, you own a gun?"

Charlie nodded. "It's a standard issue hunting rifle. Sometimes a bear or other animal has to be put down because they're diseased or they have to be scared off. We don't like to harm the animals in Yellowstone Bear World but sometimes things have to be done to ensure the continued good heath of the other park animals."

David got a look of interest on his face. A quick look at the sheriff, who nodded, told David he was thinking the same thing. David asked, "Ranger Meadows, did you ever recover the rifle from the attack?"

Charlie Meadows thought back and shook his head genuine surprise creasing his face. "Actually no, I couldn't find it anywhere."

"And you didn't report this?" Beth asked incredulously.

Charlie Meadows explained, "It didn't seem important, what has that to do with anything?"

David explained, "Someone tried to shoot me yesterday!"

Charlie's face took on an expression of unbridled fear and disbelief, "Chief, you don't think that I'd…?"

Beth told him "I don't know what to think, Charlie, recently there have been some pretty strange things going on around here, and I don't know who I can trust anymore."

Charlie said, "Please, Beth, don't fire me, I love this job I'll do anything to make amends if what's been said is true."

David thought for a long moment. That's when he looked at the sheriff who looked tense and was staring out the window. David used his magical senses and felt the surge of magic. David said to Beth, "I think we have company!"
David looked out the window and saw a familiar bald eagle and it had brought some friends all glowing with the same mystic blue-white ,aura in their eyes. David said, "Let me guess, sheriff, you feel like we're being watched."

Sheriff Maxwell nodded. "Yeah, and when I turned to look out the window there were those birds looking at me like they wanted to rip me limb from limb. And what's with that weird glow?"

David explained, "Let's just say that the A.R.M. agent has something that doesn't belong to him, and that's why those bald eagles are acting that way. Sheriff, Beth get your weapons ready."

Beth and sheriff Maxwell nodded. Poor Charlie looked completely dumbfounded. He followed David and the others outside. David approached the eagle and commented, "Well A.R.M. agent, I know you're watching and I can sense you've learned a little more about that amulet you have. I suggest you surrender quietly. I have someone here who's been eager to have a little talk with you about your recent actions at the Boise zoo. And another thing, what's your beef with me?"

Charlie's face furrowed as he asked, "Is…he really talking to a bald eagle? Is he out of his mind?"

A booming voice yelled, "SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"

Poor Charlie leaped back and let out a girlish scream of terror.

Uh-oh it's confrontation time! What will David do? And what truths will come out about Amanda Kerrings? To find out the answers come back for the next chapter of 'Wild Call to arms'. Until next time read and review and have a nice day.