Match 18331 Spirit Iron-Knife vs. Skin-walker

[Boratz]

There are a wide number of legends and myths that dwell throughout the world. While a great many of these tales are simply stories passed down from one generation to another, there are some tales that have been forgotten completely. Every culture, every group of people have a story to tell. Then there are stories that some do not wish to tell. Legends that are not meant to be shared with the world around. For centuries there have been tales that have brought nightmares from one generation to another. Terrifying stories that have become plagues among the nations. From stories of haunted houses to Boogeymen, these myths have continued to thrive with the ages. Some of these stories that were believed to be fables to the outside world, have actually become reality for many people.

There is one such legend that is believed to have come from the Navajo, but has been seen in many cultures in America's southwest. A legend that is said that the Navajo people do not share with outsiders, and seldom discuss amongst themselves. It is said that even mentioning this legend would cause them to be plagued by a terrifying beast of nightmare. It is widely believed that these beasts were once benevolent medicine men who abused their knowledge of magic for evil. These medicine men are given dark magic and transformed into creatures known as skin-walkers. Other legends describe that there are people that practice different forms of witchcraft, and receive a dark power after breaking a cultural taboo. Upon obtaining this dark power, they are said to gain the ability to become a yee naaldlooshii. This is translated to mean which "with it, he goes on all fours," in the Navajo language. Rather than bring healing for people, these beings devote themselves to curse others.

In recent times, there have been more sightings of these fearsome creatures across the United States. There have been several reports of all types of people encountering men that appear to be wearing the skin of animals. They make distorted inhuman sounds and appear as if they can walk on all four limbs. These sightings have come from a variety of sorts that span from campers deep within the woods to cars lost on isolated roads. From nightmarish encounters to horrific attacks, these creatures have plagued the lands longer than history has recorded.

One of these recent encounters' centers around a young family of four. Driving across the country after a family get together in the Midwest. There was not a city in sight and it was the dead of night. The father of this young family continued to rub his eyes as he tried to fight the tiresome drive. His wife volunteered to take over driving but the husband would respond that he would pull over at the next gas station. Their children were fast asleep in the back seat as the car pushed forward into the night. The wife began to worry as she could not get a signal on her phone. With a reassuring laugh, the husband said that they would get back to the interstate soon. 

In the dead of night, the road was desolate as the family's car pushed forward into the night. There was a silence in the night as the family realized that they had not seen another car for hours. There were thick dark forests that surrounded them as they searched for a road that could bring them back to the interstate. The children were fast asleep in the back as the father struggled to keep his eyes open. The mother tried to find ways to keep him alert with different conversations. In a stroke of chance, the calm was shattered by a loud pop from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved as some of the tires on the outside of the car blew out. The father was able to take control and bring the vehicle to a stop on the side of the road. In the back seat, the kids awoke as their heart rates started to ride. "Everything is alright...." The father reassured as he glanced at his wife and then looked back at his children. There was a silence among the family as they tried to catch their composure. Finally, the silence was broken as the father started to chuckle. "I'll put on the spare and we'll get back on track soon." The father said confidently. 

As he got out of the vehicle, the father shined his light on the tires. He saw that both of the tires on the driver's side of the vehicle blew out. "Damn..." he said under his breath as he began to realize that he only has one spare tire. He did not want to panic his family as they were on a back road surrounded by miles and miles of dark forests. He knew that none of them had a signal on their phones and there was not a house for hundreds of miles. Upon further inspection of the tires, the father noticed something strange on the tires. There were sharp objects piercing out of the tires. It was as if someone had deliberately put something sharp in the road to have caused this. The father took the object from the blown-out tires and looked over the object. It was nothing he had ever seen before. Almost as if it was a carved bone fragment with sharpened rock.

In an instant, rain started to fall from the skies above. The father cussed as he looked up at the dark stormy skies above. There were moments of lightning flashing through the sky and thunder shaking the world around. The mother cracked the door open and asked if she could help in any way. The father said that he was okay as he worked to change out the tire as quickly as possible. In a break between the powerful thunder, there was a sound that came from the trees. The father shined his light toward the tree line as he wiped some of the water from his face. "Hello?" He called as he sauntered toward the tree line. He heard the voice again as he tried to listen carefully. It was a voice that called for help but there was something off with the voice. He walked further into the trees as he shined his light in all directions. He then heard a growling sound that seemed distorted in a way as his light shined on something horrific. "What the f..." The father said as he stumbled backed. He was about to run but he tripped over a tree root that was sticking out of the muddy ground below him. Before he could push himself up, he was dragged deep into the woods. The father let out a scream as lightning shot across the sky. 

With the time that had passed, the mother grew worried as she looked at the time on her phone. She glanced in the back seat and told her kids to lock the door behind her and not to open it unless it was her or their father. Shining her phone light in all directions, she could not see much with the rain pouring down. "Where the hell is he?" She said under her breath as she started calling for her husband. The rain started to ease just a bit as she circled around the vehicle. "Hello..." She heard a voice from the trees. It was a voice that almost sounded like the man she had married but there was something off with the voice. The voice seemed as if it was distorted in a way. She called out her husband's named as she started walking toward the trees. Then she heard what appeared to be a whimpering sound of a child as she shined her light into the forest. As the light from her phone moved through the thorns and thickets of the trees, the light caught something that was far from human. The mom unleashed a terrifying scream as the creature lunged at her with unnatural speed. She tried to run but slipped on the mud below her. The mother was grabbed by the unholy creature and dragged into the cursed woods. 

The storm started to pick up once again as the children in the car started to panic. They cried for their parents and prayed help would soon arrive. It seemed as if hours had passed since their mom and dad had traveled outside the vehicle. Thunder shook the world as the skies lit up with lightning. The rain pounced against the car as tears ran down the children's cheeks. The kids could hear a faint sound of what almost seemed to be a combination of their mother and father. The windshield cracked as something jumped on top of the vehicle. They cried out as the vehicle shook violently. While the storm raged on, the children watched in horror as the windows began to shatter from the attacks that were unleashed upon it. The storm raged on as the kids too were dragged into the cursed forest...

With a tragic night comes a new dawn...

Two Weeks Later

With another dawn that had come to pass, the early morning sun had shined over the G.I. Joe Headquarters. In the early these early hours, Beach Head had just finished his physical training while the other Joe's began their morning routines. Freedom flew around the G.I. Joe base as Spirit watched on. He watched a car approach the base while young recruits were starting drills with Flint and Lady Jaye. Getting out of the car, Spirit watched the Hawaiian shirt wearing operative known as Chuckles exit the vehicle. The undercover specialist reached into the back seat and removed a case. He looked up and saw Spirit gazing down upon him. Chuckles smiled and waved at skilled tracker. Spirit smiled and waved back at Chuckles as Freedom landed upon Spirit's shoulder. The undercover operative let out a chuckle as he walked into the base. Spirit gazed out at the surrounding area once again as he watched the sun rise over the lands. 

Inside the Joe base, Chuckles made his way through the hallways. He had a meeting with Duke, General Hawke, and General Colton. While these high-ranking G.I. Joe's operatives were meeting, the other Joe's were finishing up their early morning routines. Roadblock was working at getting breakfast ready. There was laughter that filled the mess hall as Gung-Ho started bantering with Roadblock. 

"Ya need to make some grits and bring a little of that coonass cookin' in some of these dishes!" Gung-Ho grumbled with his thick Cajun accent.

"I only make the best!" Roadblock responded with a laugh. 

"Ya don't know the best 'til ya go down in the heart of Cajun country!" Gung-Ho said as Roadblock put some food on his plate.

Spirit came through the line with Freedom still on his shoulder. Roadblock turned his attention to Spirit and glanced up at the eagle that was perched on his shoulder. "I suppose Freedom wouldn't want some grub?" Roadblock asked.

"Freedom has already had breakfast." Spirit muttered as he glanced up at the bald eagle.

"Guess it's true what they say then..." Roadblock said as he put food on Spirit's plate.

"What is that?" Spirit asked.

"The early bird gets the worm." Roadblock responded with a smirk.

Freedom let out a whistling sound as Spirit grinned and started to laugh. Spirit sat down with a group of Joe's and joined them for breakfast. There was much laughter and bantering among the Joe's as they had their breakfast. While most had finished their food, others had waited to see what would come from the meeting that Chuckles had come for. Spirit glanced back and saw Snake-Eyes leaning back against a wall as Scarlett came to greet him. Spirit leaned forward to finish his last bite. He went to throw away his trash and passed by both Shipwreck and Stalker who were addressing some of the new recruits. Duke walked into the mess hall and addressed the Joe's. For many of them, he told them to head to Hawke's meeting room. Duke turned his attention to Spirit and gave him orders to go to General Colton's office along with some of the newer recruits. Duke followed closely behind Spirit as he began conversing with the newer recruits. 

Spirit and three of the newer recruits; Hot Wheels, Groundhog, and Bumper stood at attention in the office. There was a calm silence within the room as Duke walked over toward the highly decorated General. For the new recruits, there was a level excitement within them as they stood awaiting their orders. If the mission was coming from General Colton, it must have been something extremely important. The General nodded at Duke who then broke the silence.

"You all come from very different backgrounds and different branches. I know for you newer guys, you want nothing more than to prove yourselves in the battlefield." Duke said as he stood in front of the newer Joe's. "The G.I. Joe's were established to fight for the safety and peace of the world. Many of us are going on a mission against Cobra across the globe, you are going to stay behind with Spirit. There is a mission here in the states that would be beneficial in your training as Joe's."

"Sir, you mean we are not going with you to take the fight to Cobra?" Hot Wheels asked as he broke off from attention. Hot Wheels immediately shot back to attention when General Colton circled around the newer Joe's. 

"The G.I. Joe's are not just meant to fight but to help those in need!" General Colton barked as he glared upon Hot Wheels. "There is a Senator in Wyoming. I served with his dad for a couple years. His nephew and his nephew's family went missing on a trip back from a family reunion. Their vehicle was found on a back road. They were not."

The General walked back to his desk as Duke went back to addressing the new recruits. "Spirit is one of the best trackers that we have. This will be an excellent opportunity for training as this is a rescue operation."

"Any trace of them found by state police or park rangers?" Spirit asked as he looked over a file that Duke handed him.

General Colton responded, "Their vehicle appeared to be broken into. There were blood stains found but there have been storms that have washed away a great deal."

"We will search for them." Spirit said as he glanced back at the recruits. "We will find them."

The Cursed Mission

As the plane landed, the three new Joe's walked out on the airfield to be greeted by one of the state police and the park ranger that was over the search and rescue. Spirit stepped out of the plane with Freedom perched on his shoulder. He could tell in the faces of the state cop and the park ranger that it seemed a bit out of the ordinary for man to be walking around with a bald eagle by his side. Spirit had seen that same look throughout his life and did not really give much thought about it. The park ranger briefed them about the details surrounding their search attempts and Spirit could sense in his tone that he was not very optimistic. Spirit and the Joe's gathered their equipment and loaded it into the back of the park ranger's jeep. They rode around for almost an hour before stopping at the side of the road. Spirit glanced at his phone and could see that he had no signal. The park rangers informed him that technology did not work well in that area. He proceeded to tell the Joe's that this is where the vehicle was found. 

Spirit stepped out of the vehicle and glanced into the trees. Freedom let out a screech as Spirit let out a sigh. He could feel that there was something very wrong about these woods. He glanced back at the newer Joe's and told them to get their equipment ready. The park ranger asked if there was anything he could do, and Spirit told him to keep posted at the ranger's tower. As the Joe's equipped themselves with their weapons, they started their journey into the thick forest. Freedom flew high over the tree line as Spirit found different unusual paths to follow. He reflected on a conversation that he had with the park ranger, who believed that a mountain lion or bear must have attacked the family. There was something off with that theory as Spirit thought about the photos of the vehicle. The damage did not align with what he had seen from wild animals. Whatever attacked the family was something else entirely. He also knew that the damage did not seem to be from that of a man. The deeper they journeyed into the woods, the more he could feel that something was not right about the woods. 

Several hours passed and there was still no sign of the family. Night was fast approaching and Spirit knew it would be better to stop for camp. They were about to set up camp as Freedom flew down and perched himself on Spirit's shoulder. Freedom let out a screech. Spirit nodded and dropped his head. 

"What is it?" Groundhog asked.

"Dude, it is not like he is some sort of eagle whisperer?" Hot Wheels said as he shook his head. "We should be out with the rest of the team and taking on Cobra. Not this... Not lookin' for some family that got themselves killed by a tiger."

"Not many tigers around these parts..." Bumper said as he started to snicker. "Besides, you'd just find yourself in a whole mess of trouble with Cobra."

"Shut up, Bumper!" Hot Wheels yelled.

"Not every mission is about fighting..." Spirit said as he started a fire.

"What do you think about all this, Spirit?" Hot Wheels asked. "You think that family is still alive?"

Spirit gazed into the fire and there was a silence as the three newer Joe's waited to hear his response. "When I was boy, my parents spoke of a legend. One that was not talked about much. A creature.... The skinw-alker.... It brought a curse of pain and death wherever it went."

"You saying that a skin-walker took the family?" Hot Wheels asked as he started to chuckle.

"Something is off with these woods...", Spirit responded as he glanced up at Freedom. "We will start first thing in the morning."

As the newer Joe's went to sleep, Spirit kept watch over the camp. He heard noises from within the trees. Disembodied noises that did not appear to be from man nor animal. An uneasy feeling started to fall upon Spirit as he began to realize that they were being watched. Deep in his heart, he knew that they would not find the family alive. He knew that this mission would become a fight for survival. 

Morning came...

Dawn came and the newer Joe's gathered their equipment. They continued the search as the sun started to break through the trees. Freedom starting flying over the forests as Spirit found a trail to follow. Several hours went by until the team came upon what appeared to be a small cave.  Upon traveling inside, they were met with horror. Dismembered body parts and skeletons scattered throughout. "What the f...." Hot Wheels muttered as he crept through the cave. "This isn't some tiger." He spoke as he glanced back at Spirit. 

"What are we supposed to do?" Bumper asked as he looked at the carnage. 

"I've been on a couple tours but I've never seen anything like this." Groundhog muttered.

"We must leave." Spirit commanded as he shook his head.

"We have to kill whatever the hell did this!" Hot Wheels yelled as he pointed at all the bodies. 

"Now is not the time!" Spirit responded as he glared at the young Joe. "You are not ready for this fight."

"Like hell I am not!" Hot Wheels screamed. "I've trained, I've fought like every other Joe before me! This..." He said as he continued to point at the Bodies. "This is evil and it must be stopped."

"And it will, but for now..." Spirit said with a sigh. "For now we must get prepared."

Hot Wheels shook his head as he stumbled backed. From underneath one of the bodies, something slithered out and struck the young Joe on the leg. Hot Wheels let out an agonizing scream as he fell to the ground. A rattlesnake slithered in front of the fallen Joe. The tail of the venomous snake started to rattle as he was about to strike him once again. Groundhog charged over with a combat machete and swiftly cut the head off the snake. Groundhog and Bumper carried Hot Wheels out of the cave as Spirit followed close behind. They ripped open his pant leg and Spirit started to shuffle through his medicine bag.

For Hot Wheels, it almost seemed as if fire was running through his leg as he felt a pain worse than he had ever felt in his life. "What'd you goin' to do?" Hot Wheels asked as he looked up at Spirit. "You goin' to suck out the venom?"

Spirit put his hand on Hot Wheels' shoulder. He looked deep in his eyes and calmly said, "That is dumb... This is not the movies." Hot Wheels let out chuckle as Spirit started rubbing an assortment of things on the wound. "This will slow the venom but you will need antivenom soon."

Spirit stood up as he glanced at the sky. Freedom flew down and landed on his shoulder. The skilled G.I. Joe glanced at Groundhog and Bumper. "Take him to the ranger tower. It is due north and should take half a day's journey. Freedom will lead you there."

"What are you going to do?" Bumper asked as he and Groundhog lifted Hot Wheels off the ground. 

"We are not alone. It is watching us and it will follow us. I will do what I can to give you enough time." Spirit said.

The three young Joe's nodded at Spirit as they began to head off into the woods. Spirit looked down at his weapons. He had his Remington sniper rifle, his M1911 pistol, and his knife. He made sure his weapons were ready for battle. He could feel that he was being watched and could hear sounds that were neither man nor animal. "I will bring an end to your evil!" Spirit yelled. "I will end your curse on these lands!"
 

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Spirit Iron-Knife
Read more about Spirit Iron-Knife at Wikipedia
Official Site: Hasbro Links: Wikipedia Yo Joe! G.I. Joe

Skin-walker
Read more about Skin-walker at Wikipedia
Official Site: Public Domain Links: Wikipedia

[Boratz]

Hope you all enjoy

[leroypowell3]

Nice. And you used Spirit one of my favorite joes! I say he kills the skin walker.

[Boratz]

39 minutes ago, leroypowell3 said:

Nice. And you used Spirit one of my favorite joes! I say he kills the skin walker.

Thanks leroy

[DSkillz]

Great set-up, Boratz. You set up a very nice horror tone for the story, and the Joes are right in character.  This is apparently the first solo CBUB match for either profile, so very nice work on this.

As for the match, I think Spirit's got a good chance of taking out this skin-walker. Even though Spirit isn't Navajo like the creatures are, he's still a very skilled fighter and shaman, so he may have enough familiarity with skin-walkers and overall skill to vanquish the threat once and for all.

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.90 - DSkillz
4.80 - SSJRuss
5.00 - leroypowell3

FPA Calculation:
3 Total Votes cast
14.70 Total Combined Score
14.70 / 3 = 4.90 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Spirit Iron-Knife: 4
Skin-walker: 0

[Mercenaryblade]

Sorry I some how missed this one Boratz. You did an excellent job with the source material and it's good to see the Skinwalker get a fight.