Welcome Yu-Gi-Oh fans, to the final chapter of Momma's Medicine. In the last chapter, Jim Morrison and company destroyed two more Orichalcos stones.
But David's deterioration is continuing because of it. Worse, Sheila Mathers' transforming gang are using David's abilities. Only Alix Lenoir's voodoo priestess powers kept the odds even. The odds turned against Jim and his fellows, when Mathers' crew kidnapped David to use as a shield.
Now, in a desperate attempt to save David, Jim has challenged Sheila Mathers to a duel. The fate of David and Jim's souls hang in the balance, in the forthcoming showdown. But there may be reason for optimism. Alix LeNoir has revealed, they have a hidden ally helping them.
Who is this hidden ally? How can they help Jim and his crew? What will happen when Jim takes on the now transformed Sheila Mathers/The Cobra Queen? Find out, as the final chapter of Momma's Medicine begins now!
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh and all canon characters are the property of Kazuki Takahashi. I'm borrowing them for a while, but will put them away when I'm done. David Cardigan, and all original characters in this saga, are my property.
Coastal winds blew across the grounds of a deserted warehouse in Baton Rouge. The decrepit and unkempt state of things bore no sign of the evil force that threatened the world.
A green portal that appeared in front of the warehouse was the big giveaway. From the portal, four figures emerged. One of them was carrying a backpack, a card holster, and his pistol holder. Jim Morrison, Brett Murdock, Carlton Brannigan, and Alix Lenoir looked around. Alix closed her eyes, and then opened them with a start. She swore in French and snapped, "Dere's no doubt, the last piece of that damned altered Orichalcos stone is here!"
"All right everyone," Jim called out. "So, we're clear, no one does anything stupid when the duel begins. This is the only way to take Mathers, or rather the Cobra Queen, down!"
"I'm still iffy about this boss." Brett commented. "Relying on a simple card game to save the world."
"I do admit old friend, it is kinda' goofy." Carlton added.
"When it comes to da' supernatural, normalcy flies out da' window, I guarantee!" Alix pointed out.
"After everything I've seen, I'll try anything. Dueling brought an end to the over ten-thousand-year-old king of Atlantis. I'm betting it can take down the creature that would be Dartz, and the Great Leviathan's, successor." Jim pointed out.
The four turned towards the warehouse. One of the rusted steel doors flew off its hinges. Several black men and women who were semi-transformed into snake people scampered out. They growled, snarled, and hissed, in anticipation of a kill and defending their queen. And all had tiny Orichalcos stones around their necks. "It's safe to say, the Cobra Queen's expecting us." Brett quipped.
Alix pulled out her pistol, and joined the men in firing on the creatures. One by one, each of the force of twelve snake creatures had their Orichalcos rocks destroyed. All turned into figures of light, and vanished in agonized screams. The four put away their pistols. "Trying to kill me before I can reach you Cobra Queen? Don't tell me you're afraid of one little army ranger." Jim chimed, in mock innocence.
"I'll keep my magical defenses on standby." Alix stated.
"Good idea Alix," Jim said in approval. "Save your strength for if Mathers tries any magical funny stuff."
She nodded. "You're learnin' real fast Sergeant Morrison."
"When you're military," he explained. "You either learn fast, or you die. I'd prefer to live, thank you."
The four walked towards the open warehouse. They walked into a vast and dark chamber. Spotlights in the warehouse lit up. The four put their backs to each other. They noticed the bleachers and viewing platforms all around them. All held male and female snake creatures, hissing, growling, and cheering. It was clear they were anticipating what was coming. Before Jim's group could think of retreating, a field of green energy sealed off any escape. A voice greeted them. "Welcome, servants of the military industrial complex, and meddlesome voodoo priestess. Welcome…to the celebration of mankind's end, and the Earth's new beginning!"
A figure entered, wearing voluminous robes, so none could see their appearance. In a dramatic gesture, the person unbuttoned the robe…and flung back the hood. What stood before the four humans was a nightmarish vision. What was once a woman, now was an altered and hideous creature. Changed by tampering with an Orichalcos stone. She had onyx scaly serpentine skin, and a gigantic maw with two fangs. A hood went down her neck, and her eyes were jaundice yellow and had a reptilian slit to them. The body covered in a blue robe, had very expensive jewelry around her neck. The arms showed signs of the female human she'd once been. Her hands now had long black claws at the ends. The lower half of her body had a snake-like tail that slithered.
A black man accompanied her, dressed in what looked like the clothes of a tribesman from Africa. Yet, he had reptilian slanted eyes and showed a face becoming more snake-like. He walked out to the woman with a duel disk and deck. The man bowed to her, and presented both. The gigantic black cobra woman took the duel disk and put it on.
The four men looked at the gang members and black women in various stages of transformation. "What the hell?" Brett and Carlton yelped in horror.
"Dis' is worse than Grandmere and I thought!" Alix stated in a dark tone. "These poor fools have given themselves over to the power of the Orichalcos stone. Because of it, they're undergoin' da' transformation. Dere's no help for them, or the creature in front of us."
"Bring out the prize!" The Cobra woman commanded in a queen-like tone. While distorted and inhuman, it still bore traces of what had once been Sheila Mathers.
Two more snake men brought out the weakened David Cardigan on a table, his legs and arms tied X-fashion. David, in his current state, let out a weak yet insane laugh. Jim fumed at the sight. "You bitch," he roared. "What have you done to my cousin?!"
The Cobra Queen rolled her eyes in a dismissive fashion. "Besides da' curse, nothin…yet! Once I'm done with ya'll, I'll extract the last bit of information I need from the chancellor's mind. Then I'll perform the ritual that'll make his memories mine forever, right before I eat him alive!"
The other snake people all hissed and roared in approval. "And what about these poor souls here?" Jim asked.
The Cobra Queen let out a derisive laugh, which the other snake creatures joined in. "Poor souls, poor souls? Hardly Sergeant Jim Morrison. I'm freeing them, freeing them from their humanity. I'm making them into the new dominant race that will rule the new paradise world."
"What?" the four humans inquired.
The Cobra Queen sighed. "Very well, a more elaborate explanation!" she quipped in consternation. "It makes no difference, since none of you will leave and tell the world! Once I'm done with you and Cardigan, I will use the Orichalcos stone to reshape the world in my image! All my brothas' and sistas' will become reptilo-sapiens. Together we will turn all Whites, Hispanics, Asians, and anyone who opposes us, into cattle to feed on. And the children of Africa who follow their new Goddess, will rule this world. I will transform it into a tropical paradise!"
Carlton groaned, and slapped his free gloved hand against his face. "As a certain iconic President once said," he retorted in annoyance. "There ya' go again! Child of Africa, are you jokin' girl? You're as much a child of Africa as me. I was born in America, to be exact, Portland, Oregon. My parents were born in this country, as were my grandparents, and my great grandparents! Like it or not, you were born in this country too. So, spare me that child of Africa crap!"
"Shut your mouth, race traitor!" The transformed Mathers hissed. "For too long, the white establishment's world order has oppressed my people! But now, with the power of the Orichalcos, I'll free them. I'll transform my people into the perfect predator to take down humanity, and rule it forever! And I'm gonna' be their Queen, and Goddess, as I'm entitled to be!"
Alix Lenoir shook her head. "Like I said, dere's no use in talkin' to her." She stated. "The dark power of dat' Orichalcos stone has driven her insane! She's drunk with power Sergeant Morrison."
"All right Mathers, Cobra Queen, whatever you're called," Jim snapped. "I got some questions before this duel commences. First off, how'd you get out of prison? David mentioned you got dragged off for child abuse. And you were cursing and swearing in a very unladylike way."
"Funny how it goes," The Cobra Queen responded. "What started out as humiliatin' me, turned into the beginning of my new order! While I was in prison, I met a former servant of Dartz, who knew all his secrets. We broke out of prison, along with several of my new boys and girls. With his help, we went lookin' for the pieces of the Orichalcos stone. He'd managed to smuggle them away from Atlantis, before it sank again. We reactivated the stones, through voodoo rites and ritual sacrifices. We even were able to alter their power. Once completed, I killed the member of Paradias, because I knew he'd become problematic. What better way to get even with da' cracka' who took and brainwashed my son, than for me to put a little curse on him."
"Revenge, is that what this is all about?!" Jim exclaimed.
"Cardigan took the one thing that mattered to me most!' The creature shrieked. "I'm a good mother, I'd have done anything for my baby boy!"
Jim, in spite of the dangerous situation, let out a derisive laugh. When he spoke again, there was nothing but cold icy venom in his words. "You are so full of crap Mathers. You, a good mother, please! My uncle Frank and my aunt are far better parents. Better than a scheming and entitled witch like you could ever hope to be in a thousand years!"
The cobra woman hissed, "You're getting on my nerves human, and that's very dangerous! You wouldn't want anything to happen to your precious cousin, would you?"
"I call your bluff Mathers," He retorted. "You said it yourself, you still need him to collect the last pieces of information you need from his mind. Which means you need him alive and unharmed!"
"Don't ever call me Sheila Mathers again," The Cobra Queen screamed. "I have ascended beyond that! I am the Cobra Queen, the future Goddess of the new Earth!"
Jim readied his duel disk. "Oh please, enough with your delusions of grandeur," he spat. "You may think, in your transformed state, you're almost divinity. But I'm betting that rock behind you is also your weakness."
The snake people and the Cobra Queen turned with a start. They realized the last Orichalcos stone was behind the queen. The Cobra Queen let out an inhuman shriek and called out, "Da' hell is wrong with ya'll! I said I wanted that thang locked up!"
The servant trembled as he squawked, "It was, it…it was!"
Jim thought to himself, It appears our mysterious ally is making his presence known.
Jim flashed a devious smile. "Looks like something's happened you weren't expecting."
Brett and Carlton laughed. The Cobra Queen glared at David's cousin. "Well, it doesn't matter, I'll defeat ya'll here, right now!"
Jim got into a ready stance, as he pulled his deck from his holder. "You'll face me first, are you ready to duel?"
"I'm going to enjoy ripping you to shreds," The Cobra Queen hissed. "My Oricalcos deck will give me more powa' than you could hope to overcome. Once I win this duel, I'll take your duelin' skill, and your military training. My homies will become unstoppable!"
Jim snorted in derision, "You talk a good game, but I've yet to see you back it up!" he responded.
Jim put his cards into his disk. "Duel disk online for unscheduled duel," He commanded. "Passcode, With liberty and Justice for all."
The computer voice from his disk responded. "Voice and code recognized, ready Sergeant Morrison."
Jim thought to himself, this is reminiscent of the gladiatorial games of Rome. But I know this isn't what P.D.L. dueling is like.
Jim understood this was a fight for the future of humanity, and the freedom of his country. So, this was one fight Sergeant Morrison knew where losing wasn't an option.
The Cobra Queen readied her deck. she then activated the black- colored scythe-shaped duel disk. "Let's duel," both yelled, causing the snake creatures to erupt into animal cheers.
A holographic coin appeared, and flipped into the air. "Heads or tails human! What will you choose?" The Cobra Queen taunted.
"Tails," Jim answered.
The coin flipped higher and higher into the air, as the creatures and Jim's group watched. Sheila and Jim's life points shot up to 4000. Finally, the coin began to drop earthward. The coin dropped downwards faster and faster. Then it hit the ground, bounced several times, and rolled to a stop. "It's heads!" The Cobra Queen shrieked. "That's exactly what I'll have, when I'm done draining your knowledge and memories foolish human! And I choose to go first, because a queen should always be first to go!"
The two drew their first five cards. Then the creature that had been Sheila Mathers drew her sixth. "Now Jim Morrison, let's start this off with a real bang. I play one of the cards in my hand. I activate, The Seal of Orichalcos!"
The card appeared on the field, but Jim noticed something odd about it. The color had a darker green tinge. Also, instead of mystic runes on the outer part, there were pictures of cobras. Jim turned his attention back to the Cobra Queen, who hissed out a cackle. "As I said, I was able to alter the Orichalcos. It will now serve as the symbol of liberation for my people from the oppression of humanity!"
David's cousin was afraid, very afraid. But he channeled his fear, and glared at the woman. "So instead of mystic runes, you have snakes? A fine example of you and yours. Backstabbers who are only interested in enriching and empowering themselves, not anyone else!"
The Cobra Queen hissed at Jim. "Your pain and suffering will be the stuff of legends white man!" The creature then calmed down. "For now, I place a monster on the field, and a facedown card, and that will end my turn!"
Jim drew his sixth card. "All right, let's get this duel started. I summon Naturia Cherries to the field in attack mode."
The Naturia Cherries appeared on the field, with their 200 attack and defense points."
The Cobra Queen and her minions laughed in derision. "Fool, you expect a pair of girlish cherry plant creatures to destroy my legion?"
We'll see," he growled. "Naturia Cherries, take down that facedown monster with Cherry Drop Attack!"
It bounced into the air, and dropped towards the facedown monster. "You forget Morrison, I have your cousin's dueling skill! I activate my face down monster now!"
The card turned into a half human/half-snake girl with blond hair. She wore a crown shaped like a cobra. "Reptillianne Naga," Jim yelped in horror.
"Yeah, dat's right," The Cobra Queen chimed. "She may have zero attack and defense, but my level 1 monster girl can't get destroyed by battle. And to insure that, I add 500 attack to her using the Seal of Orichalcos. And, because of her effect, the attack of those overgrown fruits gets drained to zero."
The Orichalcos seal glowed brighter, as Reptillianne Naga screamed with new strength. The Naturia Cherries went a little pale, as their strength drained away. The creature used her tail to swat the Naturia Cherries away from her. "Damn it," Jim swore.
"Now you got anything else chump?" The Cobra Queen mocked.
Jim looked over his hand. "I place a card face down on the field, and end my turn." He stated in resignation.
A card appeared on Jim's side of the field. The Cobra Queen spat, "Pathetic like you, Terminator my ass!" The former human then drew a card and looked over her hand. "First off, I…" she began.
"Stop right there Mathers!" Jim called. "I activate my face down card, Scapegoat!"
The card flipped up, and four sheep tokens appeared on the field in defense mode. The Cobra Queen and her minions blinked, before they again laughed in derision. "You're dreamin' if ya'll think those overgrown balls of wool are gonna' save you, amateur!"
Jim said nothing, but glared at the transformed human. "As I was about to say, I place a monster on the field face down."
Another face down card appeared on Mathers side. "Now I switch Reptillianne Naga into attack mode."
The blonde Naga creature perked up. "And with the added power of the Orichalcos, it'll allow me to take out those Naturia Cherries. Go for it girl, with swiveling tail smack!"
The Naga screamed in rage, as she leapt forward, her eyes blazing red. The Level 1 monster swung her tail at the Naturia Cherries, and caught it. The Cherries screamed as they went flying into the air. The plant creatures exploded into pixels. Jim grimaced as he felt his life points drop from 4000 down to 3700. "Your Naturia Cherries never stood a chance against my Reptillianne Naga!" the Cobra Queen declared.
"True," Jim retorted. "But I've activated their effect. Now I special summon another Naturia Cherries in facedown mode."
Another card appeared on his side of the field. The Cobra Queen fumed. "You're beginning to bore me human! If this is the extent of what you can do, I'll be very disappointed! Meanwhile, I end my turn."
Jim drew a card and looked over his hand. "I activate the card I drew, terraforming! With this card, I can summon a Field Spell card from my deck to my hand, and I choose Necrovalley!"
The picture of a planet with a glowing field of energy around it appeared on the field, and then vanished. Jim disposed of the card in his graveyard. He heard a card get pulled from his deck. A compartment opened revealing Necrovalley. The ranger took it, and put it in his hand. "But Necrovalley won't stay there for long, as I now play said card."
He placed the card in the field spell slot. The old warehouse transformed into a vast and dark looking graveyard. Yet the Cobra Queen and her minions remained unfazed. "How appropriate," she quipped. "You've created the perfect setting for me to take your memories and skill. Then I'll kill you outright, before I deal with your cronies."
"You keep telling yourself that, witch. Meanwhile, I end my turn." Jim retorted.
"About time," The Cobra Queen said with a sigh. "Now, I can get to the business of taking you out."
She drew a card and looked over her hand. "First up, I flip summon the monster I placed face down, Worm Yagan, in attack mode."
A slimy grotesque creature with two eye stalks and a formless mouth appeared on the Cobra Queen's side.
Jim pressed a button on his disk with the library book symbol. A voice from his disk spoke up. "Worm Yagan, a level 4 Reptile/effect monster. Attack points are 1000, defense points are 1800."
He looked at the creature in puzzlement. What are you planning Mathers, he wondered?
"But he won't be here long, as I now tribute him to summon Worm King, in attack mode!"
A gigantic reptilian creature with four human arms appeared. It also had four clawed feet attached to a lower body that looked more like a typical lizard. "What the hell?" Jim squawked as he pressed the library button. "Worm king," it began. "A Reptile/Effect monster from the light domain. Level 8 in rank, it possesses 2700 attack and 1100 defense."
"Oh, but that's not all Jim Morrison! Thanks to the Seal of Orichalcos, I've infused my Worm King with more power!"
The reptilian monster hissed in pleasure as its attack power shot from 2700 up to 3200. "Worm King," she proclaimed. "Your queen and Goddess commands you! Destroy that facedown Naturia Cherries, with Quad Fist Smash!"
The creature turned and bowed to the Cobra Queen, then rushed the facedown monster. It slammed four clawed fists into it. The card transformed into Naturia Cherries, which screamed in pain. The creature exploded into pixels.
"That should take care of dat pesky plant," she taunted.
"I don't think so Mathers. You triggered my Naturia Cherries special ability. It allows me to summon a third, set in facedown mode."
Another card appeared on the field. The serpentine creatures squawked. "That plant is getting on my nerves," the Cobra Queen snapped. "Well, at least I can get rid of one of those annoying tokens! Reptillianne Naga, obey me, and destroy one of those balls of wool!"
Reptillianne Naga curtsied to the Cobra Queen. Then it launched itself at one of the tokens. The Naga wrapped its tail around the leftmost token, and squeezed until it exploded.
"Your defenses are crumbling Ranger. It's only a matter of time before I crush you like the worthless dog you are!"
Jim sighed and drew from his deck. He then looked over his hand, and grimaced before he spoke up. The sound of defeat was in his tone. "I set a card on my side of the field face down, and end my turn."
Another card appeared on Jim's side of the field. The Cobra Queen and her minions bellowed derisive laughter. "And here I heard all dis' big talk about how you were comin' for me! Turns up that championship you won was a fluke! Ya'll are all talk, and no action Morrison. As for me, I'm gonna' show you why I and my transformed brotha's and sistas are the master race, as I draw!"
The Cobra Queen drew a card from her deck. "Next, I set a card face down on my side of the field."
A facedown card appeared. "Now I play a card I placed face down on my last turn, Offering to the Snake Deity!"
"What," Jim yelped.
A card flipped up on Mathers' side of the field. It showed a picture of a snake getting engulfed in flames. "And now for the sacrifice of my Reptillianne Naga!"
The Reptillianne Naga screamed as flames engulfed her, before she vanished. The ranger then pressed a button on his disk. "Hold it, you triggered my trap," he called.
A card on Jim's side of the field flipped up. "Royal Decree!" She yelped.
"That's right Mathers! Because of this card, whatever you were planning to do with Offering to the Snake Deity gets negated."
Jim noted the snake woman's face twist in rage. "Morrison, you're proving to be very irritating!" The creature snapped.
Damn it, Jim thought, I've bought myself a moment. Come on deck, work with me please.
The Cobra Queen took a long breath. "Well, the least I can do, is get rid of that dammed Naturia Cherries! Worm King, your queen commands you to stomp that Naturia Cherries into Cherry juice!"
The Worm King bowed to the queen, and then rushed the facedown monster. The creature lifted its front legs, and then brought them down. The card transformed into Naturia Cherries, screamed in pain, and exploded into pixels. The Cobra Queen sighed in relief. "Finally, I'm rid of that stupid plant! Now go ahead and take your turn. I'm eager to make my boys and girls unstoppable!"
Jim drew a card, and felt his heart sink. Damn it, he thought. I can't do anything with this, how could my deck have abandoned me. Why, why?
The Cobra Queen smirked. "Based on that look, I'd say you ain't got nothin' to play. So that will be your turn's end, and now, it's mine."
The Cobra Queen drew, and let out a laugh of triumph, which her minions echoed. "Now Jim Morrison, it's time for the so-called Terminator to get terminated by his better! First, I offer two of your sheep tokens, to special summon Reptillianne Vaskii, in attack mode!"
"What?!" Jim yelped in horror.
"That's right, I'm using some of your own annoying tokens to summon a powerful reptile monster from my hand!"
Jim's sheep tokens vanished from the field. A gigantic woman appeared. She had a cobra shaped crown on her head, four arms, blue skin, and a lower body like a snake. Jim pressed the library button. "Reptillianne Vaskii," the duel disk began. "A level 8 Reptile/effect monster of the dark variety. Noted for having 2700 attack points and 0 defense points."
"Now Jim Morrison, your oppressor ass is mine!" The Cobra Queen proclaimed. "I use the power of the Orichalcos, to infuse Reptillianne Vaskii with 500 attack points!"
The female snake monster screamed in pleasure as her attack shot from 2700 up to 3200.
"Now Reptillianne Vaskii, your queen commands you, destroy that final pesky wool ball!"
Reptillianne Vaskii swung her tail at the final sheep token, and connected with it. The creature let out a scream, before it exploded into pixels. "Now," Cobra Queen shrieked. "Worm King, obey your queen, and put that Army scum in his place with a direct attack!"
The Worm King began his charge. "And now," The Cobra Queen added. "To make sure this hurts as much as possible! I infuse Worm King with a special power from my altered Orichalcos stone, the agony of the oppressed!"
"Hey you can't do that!" Brett and Carlton shouted.
"Dat's against the rules Mathers!" Alix protested.
"I said don't call me that name again," she screamed. "I am the Cobra Queen, I'll change the rules as I see fit, I have the power to!"
Worm King roared, as a sickly green light infused it with power. He rushed the U.S. Army ranger. He screamed in agony, as the monster slammed all four fists into him again and again. The last thing Jim saw, as darkness enveloped him, was his life points dropping from 3700 down to 500.
Jim felt himself start to awaken. He looked around, only to realize he was lying on the side of a building, high up in the sky. Jim screamed in horror as he peeled off the building, and toppled downward. Thoughts raced through his mind. I'm sorry David, I wanted to save you. But I can't, I can't, I don't have your kind of power, I'm a weak nobody.
"James, James," a soft voice echoed from all around the young man.
A figure of light descended and caught up with him. "Take my hand, take my hand and know the truth," it whispered.
"Why should I, you're some spirit from Mathers, here to taunt me over the fact I couldn't save David, or them," he moaned.
"You goofball, will you take my hand already?" The whispering spirit snapped.
James' face paled, he knew that voice. Almost on instinct, he took the hand. A blinding white light flashed before him. He felt his feet touch the ground. He looked around, and recognized where he was. This was the playground of his old middle school. There were kids playing tag, and on the toys, others were gossiping. Jim noticed a bench behind him. "Hey there goofball, you've grown a lot."
Jim looked down, to see a 13-year-old girl with blonde hair in two pony tails, one on each side of her head. His words came out as a hoarse whisper. "Jenny, Jenny Long, but how is this possible?"
"Anything's possible here, my dude." Another voice on his right called. Jim turned to see a 13-year-old boy approaching. The boy had midnight black hair, ocean blue eyes, and a permanent smirk on him. "Andy, Andy Michaels," Jim gasped.
"Take a seat dude, like in the old days." Andy chimed.
Jim sat on the bench. "I…I remember this now. This is where we all used to hang out during recess."
"Back in better times for our school." Jenny added.
"Why are you here?" Jim asked feeling his guilt return. "Are you here to tell me how much you hate me?"
"Oh, for crying out loud man!" Andy snapped in exasperation.
"Jim," Jenny snapped. "Look at me!"
Jim turned to the little girl, and saw her grow and mature before his eyes. The pony tails changed into long locks of blonde hair that fell down her back. Jenny's clothing changed, as she showed clear signs of becoming a young woman. "I thought, we'd make this less creepy looking. Andy and I figured we should transform into what we would've been, had we had the chance to grow up."
Jim turned to Andy. He saw the young boy was now a slender but muscular young man dressed in the attire of a soccer player. "This is what I would've been. At least had that Necronomicon book not seduced my brother and parents."
"Jim," Jenny explained. "Listen, you need to stop beating yourself up over what happened."
Jim felt the tears come on with renewed fury. "But…but you don't understand. They…they cut your heads open like they were cans of soda, and there was nothing I could do to stop them."
Jenny took his hands. "James, you couldn't have known what was coming. I knew there was something weird going on at the school. And, like a fool, I chose to ignore it, and walked right into the hands of those teachers. I was a spoiled naïve little girl who didn't know any better."
Jim felt a hand on his right shoulder. He turned to see Andy smile. "None of us blame you for what happened my dude."
Jim then looked around, and saw the kids had stopped playing. As they approached, Jim recognized them. They were classmates who had been victims of the Soulreaper teachers. All transformed into their adult forms, and began to clap. Their clapping grew louder, as they cheered for the ranger. "Jim," Jenny stated in a warm tone. "You have an urgent mission. You have to help stop the Soulreapers, the Necronomicon, and Sheila Mathers! Otherwise, what happened to us, that'll be nothing compared to what those things have in store."
"Then, then you don't blame me for what happened?" he asked clinging to hope.
He looked at Andy who nodded in confirmation. "We don't, and never did. Carlton's already overcome this demon man, now it's your turn."
The ranger turned to Jenny, who nodded. Jim added as he flushed, "Jenny, so you know, I um…I kind of had a crush on you."
To his surprise, Jim saw tears well up in Jenny's eyes. "I know, deep down, I always knew. But I was such a spoiled brat I couldn't see the good guy you would become."
To his surprise, the young woman pecked him on the lips. To this Andy and the others hooted and cheered. "Don't worry, God's got some big plans in motion to fix that. Meanwhile, you're needed elsewhere bub." Jenny told him.
The ramifications of his friends' word sunk in. It…wasn't my fault. They don't blame me, Jim thought.
There was another flash of light. Jim Morison looked round, and found himself in a military hanger. All around him, the Terminator theme started to play, as the garage door lifted. Jim watched as every monster from his deck entered, marching in military precision. Jinzo approached and saluted. "Sergeant James Morrison," it called. "The heart of the cards has come to you!"
Jim stood stunned. "And I thought you had to have magical powers like David, or a magical item like Yugi did."
Jinzo shook his head. "No sir, the heart of the cards comes to more than those who use magic. It comes to those with a fire and belief in themselves. You've had the power all along, but you needed to face your fears to unlock it."
Naturia Cherries bounced out of the crowd. "He's right Jim, it's like your friends said, what happened wasn't your fault. You're needed to help David Cardigan end the Necronomicon. You must also defeat Sheila Mathers, and end her misuse of the terrible power she has."
"James Morrison," A powerful voice boomed. Jim looked on Malefic Cyber End Dragon, who stared down at him. "Understand this, the reason Pegasus gave you that deck, was because we chose you! You are a human warrior of great skill and intelligence. We stand ready to protect and serve your world and country, alongside you."
James smiled as the words of his monsters and dead friends sunk in. "Jenny, I'll wait for this little surprise God has in store," he thought out loud.
"Front and center everyone!" He called in a commanding tone to his monsters.
They all stood at attention. "It's time to take down an entitled witch, once and for all! All right monsters, let's move out!"
Jim felt a powerful force pulling him back to his body.
X X X
He opened his eyes, in spite of the pain he felt. "I declare myself…" the Cobra Queen was calling.
"Stop right there!" Jim roared.
He grimaced as he climbed to his feet, ignoring the pain he felt. "Da' hell?" The Cobra Queen squawked. "That ass kickin' should've finished you off!"
A beaten and battered Jim glared at the transformed human. "You can cheat and beat me as much as you want, Mathers. But I'll keep coming back from everything you throw. I'm not about to let a lunatic like you beat me, I draw!"
The Cobra Queen and her serpentine servants laughed. "How you gonna' beat me? I got all the powa' with my homies on da' field. You're done Morisson, you hear, you're done!"
"If you understood the stolen memories of my cousin, you'd know this. It's never over, until someone's life points reach zero! And I will defeat you Mathers, Cobra Queen, whatever the name!"
He put his hand on his deck, and concentrated. "As David has his means of calling on the heart of the cards, so I have mine now!"
"What?!" Everyone in the room yelped in surprise.
"Army strong!" Jim shouted, and felt the power of the heart of the cards surge through him as he drew.
He looked at what he drew, and began to laugh. "You're crazy!" The snake woman snorted. "You ain't got nothin' that can touch me!"
"Oh, I do, you entitled little bitch!" Jim responded. "And I'm going to show you how! I discard the monster in my hand, Jinzo. Now I activate another card in my hand, Lightning Vortex!"
A card appeared on the field showing a picture of lightning shooting down from the sky to strike a target.
Lightning shot towards Sheila's monsters. "No, you don't, Orichalcos power, protect!" The Cobra Queen commanded as she smirked.
A shield of sickly green energy appeared over the monsters. It blocked the lightning bursts. "That's cheating!" Jim shouted.
"Fool, I'm a Queen, I don't need to follow no rules. I make the rules, and I change them as I will! You ain't never gonna' defeat me Morrison. I'm better than…"
She never got the chance to finish. The Orichalcos fields cracked as if made of glass, and shattered. The lightning shot downwards and struck Worm King and Reptiliane Veskii. Both screamed in pain, then exploded into pixels. The Cobra Queen and her minions stared in stunned disbelief. "So," Jim snapped. "You thought you could cheat your way to victory huh? Looks like your vaunted power isn't as limitless as you thought, Mathers!"
"This…this can't be happening!" The Cobra Queen sputtered. "I have da' magic, I got all the powa' in the world. I'm a Goddess, I can't get beaten!" Then she got a hold of herself. "Well, you got lucky, so what? It's my turn now, I'll summon a monster and wipe out your last 500…"
Jim smirked. "Who said my turn was over?"
"What?!" The transformed Sheila Mather's screamed.
"Oh, my turn is nowhere near done Mathers. I've got some serious pain in store for you! Because now, I sacrifice one of my Cyber End Dragons in my extra Deck, to summon, Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"
A phantom image of a Cyber End Dragon appeared, then vanished. The silver-black mechanical dragon appeared on the field. It possessed all it's 4000 attack and 2800 defense. The snake men backed away, as the creature's three heads bellowed a roar of challenge. "Now dat' is a big dragon!" Alix commented.
The Cobra Queen laughed. "What's so funny?' Jim asked as his face furrowed.
"Fool, ya'll shot yourselves in the foot! Orichalcos, lend me your power!"
The stone shot a blast of energy at the Cobra Queen, who screamed in elation. "And now I command you, Malefic Cyber End Dragon, by the Seal of Orichalcos! Throw off your shackles of this oppressor, and come serve your Queen and Goddess!" The creature called, as her eyes glowed green, and she extended her hands. Sickly green energy shot forth, and struck the monster. "I told ya'll, I'm a queen! I make the rules, and I can break them as I see fit!"
The Dragon shook its heads. "Serve me Malefic Cyber End Dragon, serve me, and throw off the chains of your slavery! Let me be your voice and advocate for you!"
"Enough!" A powerful voice boomed in everyone's minds.
The Malefic Cyber End Dragon started to glow inferno red. Beams shot from its eyes and knocked the Cobra Queen to the ground. "Fool," The three voices of Malefic Cyber End Dragon shouted. "I am no slave to Jim Morrison; I am his equal! Do not think to presume you speak for any but yourself, amateur!"
Jim smirked. "Thank you, my friend," he called in a warm tone.
He then glared at the Cobra Queen, who pushed herself up. "I don't think Malefic Cyber End Dragon appreciated you trying to control him. Now, for the military! For New Orleans and Baton Rouge! And for my cousin, it's time to pay!"
The Cobra Queen smiled, as she gazed on her opponents. "I don't think so," she hissed. "In fact, it's time for you and your annoying associates to freeze!"
Jim found he couldn't move, he could still think, but it was as if an invisible force had grabbed a hold of his body. Somehow, he knew Brett, Carlton, and Alix couldn't either. The Cobra Queen cackled before she spoke. "Did you think I'd let you oppress me, and take away my win? I played you, I never had any intention of letting you beat me! And now your cousin can watch as his only hope dies! I command ya'll, to kill yourselves!"
Jim watched as he moved to his belt to draw out his knife. He struggled against the powerful mental order. He heard the Cobra Queen getting louder and more agitated by the moment. "Kill yourselves, kill yourselves, kill yourselves!"
Jim looked to see the others struggling as their hands moved towards their knives. In Alix's case, she was pulling out her pistol. Alix's eyes lit a light white blue color, and Jim felt her let out a shout. "David," her voice echoed as if from a long distance.
X X X
In the back of the Cobra Queen's mind, the presence felt the mental shout of Alix. This was the moment the David presence had been waiting for. With a mighty blast of powerful mental energy, David's spirit broke the Orichalcos chains on him. The power had made Sheila Mathers strong. But she was still completely inexperienced in the ways of magic. David then sent forth a mental surge. He heard, and felt, the Cobra Queen scream in agony. David noted her followers were also screaming in pain. Another massive error you made Mathers, the David presence thought. You've connected your followers with you. That's putting all your proverbial eggs in one basket, it's not very smart.
The David presence then travelled out of her mind, and appeared before her in a spectral form. The snake people, and even Jim's group gaped, all except Alix. She let out a derisive laugh at Mathers and her followers. A snake-like version of pure horror spread on Mathers' face. David lifted his left foot, and bounced on his right. He gave the creature that had once been Sheila Mathers the raspberry. Then he cackled like Woody Woodpecker. "Cardigan," Mathers yelled in disbelief.
"You were expecting Denzel Washington?" He quipped, smiling in a devilish fashion.
"But…how?" the Cobra Queen squawked, still stunned.
David chuckled before he spoke. "Truth is, I can't take all the credit on this one. Angeliene LeNoir and her granddaughter are very capable priestesses of voodoo magic. They had a good long look at that nasty little curse of yours. All before you banished them from my head, that was rude! We combined our efforts to come up with a little trap spell. You were taking my magic, my memories and some of my soul. Enough so that, when the proper word got spoken, I could coalesce in spirit form, and give you a boat load of Hell!" David's spectral face took on a devious smile, as he added, "And you bought it hook, line, and sinker!"
"What!?" The Cobra Queen said, in stunned disbelief.
"Once I was inside your mind," David explained. "I was able to analyze you and your abilities without you knowing. And I have to say this, after reading your thoughts. Since using that Paradias member, you and yours make the Rare Hunters look like a Boy Scout troupe! But I digress, I saw how you left so many holes in your defenses. You may have resurrected an Orichalcos stone. You may have learned how to use it with voodoo magic and other skills. But you don't have the knowledge, or wisdom, to harness it. In other words, you're a 14-karat charlatan!"
"Huh?" The Cobra Queen asked, dumbfounded.
"In other words," David explained, as he rolled his eyes. "You're a complete and total dumbass in the ways of magic. I figured that taking out those pieces of Orichalcos stone would trigger the curse's effects. I also figured it would transform you. So, I wanted you to activate it!"
The truth of David's words finally sunk in. The Cobra Queen paled as much as she could. "You and the Lenoirs played me all along!"
David's grin turned predatory as he nodded his confirmation. "Yup, you thought you could use this Orichalcos stone to get revenge on me. Silly rabbit, tricks are for kids!"
He turned to his cousin and the others. He waved a hand at them, and the Cobra Queen's spell dissipated. David turned a harsh glare on her. "I'll not have you using my magic to murder one of my family and those with him," he chided.
"The power, I can't summon the power," Sheila Mathers moaned in horror. "This ain't happening, I'm a daughter of Africa, I'm entitled to that magic of African origin!"
David groaned at Mather's sheer stupidity. "Haven't you been paying attention to the memories you stole from me? I also have blood ties to Africa, Egypt as a matter of fact! But I can say you are no daughter of Africa! For that matter, you're nothing special, only a rank amateur, and a thief! One who thinks the world should bow to her every whim. Well, that's not how this country, or the world, works! You're a selfish, arrogant, uneducated fool! One who dabbled in things you had no business getting involved in!"
David stepped to one side and looked around the room. "And you, listen up you filthy gang members/servants of an unholy monster. You've meddled in matters you'd have done well to leave alone. Now you're going to pay the price for your hubris and entitlement."
He turned his glare back on the transformed black woman. "Oh, Sheila Mathers, Cobra Queen or whatever you call yourself. Here's the last bit of information I kept from you. I give it to you now for free. Universal rule of magic number fourteen, as taught to me by Joe "Grinning Bobcat" North. If the caster of a continuous curse spell gets killed or destroyed, the curse ends. In other words, once you're gone, everything will return to my body. And you and your followers will pay for your attempt to bring back the Orichalcos."
David then looked at his cousin and called out, "Do it Jim, take her down!"
Jim prepared to make his final move. "Hey Cobra Queen," Jim taunted. "Message to you from the country I serve, and the God I worship, you've…been…terminated!"
He then looked at his monster. "Now my magnificent friend, let's end this as only the Army can! Malefic Cyber End Dragon, finish this wannabe tyrant off, and that unholy rock too! Apocalypse dark neutron blast!"
"No, you can't," the Cobra Queen screamed.
To no avail, the dragon heads reared back and then shot forward as they opened their mouths. Three bursts of inferno red energy shot forth, and combined into a single powerful blast. It shot at the Cobra Queen and the Orichalcos rock. The Cobra Queen screamed in pain as the blast struck both targets. Her life points dropped from 4000 down to 0. The creatures looked on in horror, as the Orichalcos stone got obliterated. Mathers, and her gang members, let out pain-filled screams. They transformed into figures of light, then exploded into nothingness.
David felt the dark spell on his body vanish. His life, his power and everything called him back to his body. He let the pull return him to his physical form. A small eternity of darkness occurred, as David settled back in. He opened his eyes, as he heard his cousin say, "Brett, Carlton, lend me a hand here."
David saw the U.S. Army rangers untying him. As soon as he was free, they brought him down, and gave him time to regain his balance. David stretched his muscles and groaned in pleasure. "Ah," He sighed in relief. "It's good to be back in my body, and have everything back."
David then smelled his left hand, and wrinkled in disgust. "Ugh, and I haven't showered in a while. That spell must've taken quite a toll on my body." He then winced as he felt a familiar pang in his intestines. "And I realized I need to go to the bathroom!"
The three men chuckled as Alix approached them. "I have a portal spell that will get us back to the hummer.'
"I'll fix the damage done." David added. "But can we please find a bathroom, and then I want to get back to my hotel room for a shower and some rest. That continuous use of magic takes it out of me."
X X X
The next day a relieved, showered, and rested David put on some fresh clothes and sighed in relief. It felt good to have that curse removed. David grabbed his suitcases and went to check out. No sooner did he walk out of the hotel lobby, then he heard a horn honk. David watched as a familiar hummer pulled up. Alix, Jim, Brett, and Carlton got out. To David's surprise, Angeliene was with them. David walked up to the ladies and bowed. "I can't thank either of you enough. I couldn't have accomplished this without your help."
Angeliene explained, "A great man such as you doesn't deserve death at the hands of a greedy amateur."
"Dere is one thing you can do, Monsieur Cardigan," Alix added.
"Oh, what's that?" He asked, curious.
Jim explained, "We've been talking about this since we dropped you off last night. When the time comes for your final showdown with the Soulreapers, we want to be there."
"Your Captain Moyers could use all da' magical help he can, if that book da' Necronomicon is comin' back." Alix explained.
David asked, "Are you sure about this?"
Carlton nodded. "I've been sure since you saved Jim and I all those years ago."
"After everything I've seen," Brett added. "If this Necronomicon thing is as bad as I've heard, then I have to be part of this. Besides, Alix wants in on this, and where my Alix goes, I go!"
Alix smiled and pecked Brett on the cheek. "Dis' is why I love havin' you as my man," Alix purred at him.
David sighed and nodded. "Well, you've proven yourselves, so all right, you're in."
David's stomach growled, and he flashed a sheepish smile. "And I realized I haven't had breakfast yet."
Brett smiled in a knowing fashion. "In that case David, I know a place here in New Orleans that serves the best hamhogs and grits you've ever tasted."
David felt his mouth water. "Hamhogs and grits?" He then rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Ooh, I haven't had those in forever!"
Brett opened the passenger door. "Then prepare yourself my friend, to have your desire for a good southern breakfast sated."
"How long before you have to go?" Jim asked.
David climbed in and pulled out his itinerary. "My flight doesn't leave until one o' clock, so we got plenty of time.'
"In that case, let's get some Southern cuisine." Angeliene added.
The Hummer pulled out of the parking lot.
X X X
Figures strolled through the defeated Orichalcos cult's base.
They wore flowing black robes, and onyx-colored jackal head amulets round their necks. The eyes of each amulet glowed infernal red. The group of six reached a dead end. "Do they think they can hide their secrets from me?" The leader snorted; his voice thick with an Arabic accent.
They looked around, and the leader's attention turned to a rusted pipe on his right. "Turn that pipe right there," he commanded.
Another figure did as commanded. The secret door slid open, to reveal a room filled with documentation. The leader picked up a paper and browsed it. "Bah, pathetic," he spat in scorn. "These formulae from Dartz are so simplistic! Still, they'll serve as the basis for the power of the Sacred Text!"
Another figure asked, "What are your orders master?"
"Collect the documentation Mathers and her idiot cult left behind! We have much to plan for, before the great extermination!"
The other figures bowed. "By your will, Great Soulmaster." One stated in reverence.
An inhuman howl resonated from the amulets, as the men set to work with the soulmaster's task.
Yes ladies and gentleman, I, the Rainwalker, am not dead, and neither is this tale. These last few years have been rather trying times for me and some of my friends. But I'm back now, and I hope it will stay that way. David and Jim have won against Sheila Mathers and her cult. But it looks as though other forces are taking advantage of the situation.
The next chapter will take David to Orlando, Florida, to the Kaibaland that's open there. Hijinks, both good and bad, are afoot as David must solve a crime spree involving telepathic twins. He'll also be dealing with a tourney full of some returning old enemies. Poor David, he can't catch a break, can he? I'll also reveal the winner of the poll of who Seto Kaiba should get paired with. Get ready for, Insanity at Kaibaland, coming up.
I'll get the chapters up as soon as I can. But now, a couple of announcements:
First, over on the Alt-Tech free speech platform Minds, I have a channel where I'm known as Animeman73. I'd like to invite you to come there, and check out my original serial, The Willowsbrook Chronicles. Join in the story of Gunther Willowsbrook, a big burly innkeeper with a heart of gold. Enjoy the adventure, the danger, the fun, and the laughter of this epic high-fantasy serial. And if you like it, consider subscribing to me on Minds, Gab, and MeWe. And please consider supporting my original work on Minds, Subscribestar, or . You'll find the links at the end of each chapter. Sales pitch over.
Second, a while back, an acquaintance introduced me to a program called Natural Reader. It's a program that reads back my work to me. This helps me catch any missing words, and improves story flow. This is a God sent for someone with my visual impairment. Also, a reader of the Willowsbrook Chronicles introduced me to an editing program. It's called the Hemingway app. Yeah, as in named after author Ernest Hemingway. I must say, the end results of it have helped streamline my work, and grammar. So much so, that I'm going to be going back through the previous chapters of this story. I'm giving them a full makeover. At least, when I'm not working on the Willowsbrook Chronicles and my original work. I'm doing this because you, gentle readers, deserve a better quality of work! And by God, I mean to deliver that!
Thank you for reading. From the land of rain, this is the Rainwalker, signing out. Until next time, read, review, and God bless you all!