"You look as bad as Yuki and Anderson did when they fell down the staircase." Wilona joked as she sat beside Alexis' medical bed.

"Well, excuse me for surviving a literal life-or-death duel!" Alexis huffed.

"You are excused. Perhaps after surviving two, then you wouldn't get so beaten up." Alexis rolled her eyes before she looked across the hall. The jovial nature between the two died as they faced reality.

"Headmaster Fontaine has told you that your brother is stable." Wilona spoke up even though she knew Alexis was still staring.

"But he hasn't woken up, Wilona," The mood fell as the blonde looked over to her light green-haired friend. "I've been looking in practically two worlds for him, but here he is, disguised as one of our supposed enemies. What's going on? And why is Honest staring so much at my brother?" Indeed, besides Alexis, Honest has also never left Atticus' side. It was a little strange, but Wilona allowed him to do whatever he wanted. She assumed he might know something to his lost owner.

But just like Alexis, Wilona had no idea how to answer any of those questions. "... Yuki told me that Chancellor Sheppard called them to another briefing. I asked Princeton to fill us on the details when they returned."

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

"I'm glad all of you could make it. I want to at first apologize for yesterday; I thought I had more time to explain the full situation." Chancellor Sheppard began in a private classroom with the rest of the Key Keepers.

"You seemed distracted and stressed, Chancellor. I don't think anyone here wanted to press you further after your talk about the Sacred Beasts cards," The Student Body President, Seika, responded.

"Still, it was my hesitance that almost doomed one of my students," Chancellor Sheppard sighed deeply. He took a second to steel himself before asking, "Have any of you wondered how I knew all of this? Why do you think I know how much destruction the Sacred Beast cards can cause if they are released into the world?"

It was at that point, many of those in the classroom started to realize something. They didn't ask as many questions as they should have.

"It's because they were released before," Chancellor Sheppard revealed. "The world nearly ended 8 years ago when construction for the school began. I, along with seven others, fought the first wave of Shadow Riders."

Everyone's eyes widened in alarm. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"Wait!" Bastion stood up from his seat. "Are you saying that these are not the first Shadow Riders?!"

"We didn't have a name for them then, but yes. Let me start from the beginning, while this school was being built..."

Chancellor Sheppard explained that their construction and diggers stumbled on to the ruins of the Sacred Beasts in the early days of the island.

One of the workers found the cards, and when he went to touch them, their powers called out to special individuals across time and space. These were the Shadow Riders, and they had answered the call of the Sacred Beasts to have their powers unleashed. It was chaos that day as Sheppard, Foster, Kagemaru, and Five others faced off against these eight outsiders that attacked them and nearby innocents.

Only three of them won.

That's not to say his friends were pushovers. They had found out four of their compatriots were strong enough to cause a draw. However, the last Shadow Rider was a powerful and malevolent being. The former Chancellor, Kagemaru, defeated the last Shadow Rider, but not without losing the use of his legs in the aftermath.

It was then that a mysterious being known as Amnael appeared while we were regrouping. He warned Kagemaru that The Sacred Beasts would continue to call those sensitive to their call of destruction. Using what he described as alchemy, Amnael forged the Spirit Keys and the Spirit Gate from fallen souls of the first war. But he warned us that they Spirit Keys have special properties. Three of the keys were forged with the essence of The Keeper's victories. These three would give their owners a special boost that would grant them victory. Four of the keys are created from stalemates. As such, they are almost normal, and they will neither hinder nor help whoever wields them. However, one Spirit Key holds the essence of the Shadow Rider Victorious. This will put the keeper with this key in a permanent disadvantage as it will grant the Shadow Rider a boon in their battle.

There was another warning; Amnael had no way to explain which keys were. Sheppard was afraid that Alexis had the Cursed Spirit Key. Thankfully, she had one of the three victorious ones.

During the talk, Chazz brought up an interesting point: they could simply switch Alexis' key with anyone else so they could also have a power-up. Then later on, when they figured out which was the Cursed Spirit Key, they would make sure the keeper wouldn't be wearing it when they dueled. Unfortunately for him, Sheppard countered that the Keys bonded the moment they touched their key. And the only way to unbind them would be to duel them in another deadly game. That idea couldn't work at all.

Shepard apologized for not telling them this sooner. He had hoped that he would have more time to call them in afterward, but he wasn't expecting them to be attacked so soon.

...

At the same time, Duel Academy didn't realize that the second Shadow Rider was already en route to Duel Academy.

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

"Vampires?" Syrus started to feel a shiver down his spine as he heard that word. "There are Vampires!?"

"Those are the rumors," Wilona explained while she, the Slifer Reds, Chazz, and Jesse were the only ones in the Slifer Dorm kitchens. "I overheard several of them after visiting Rhodes. And the Music Club members also confirmed some of them. Damon and Belowski have also noticed something amiss with their usual expertise."

"A vampire duelist?! That sounds incredible!" Jesse spoke up with excitement rather than fear.

"I know, right?!" Jaden added along with a smile on his face and all too eager to head into danger.

Wilona put a hand on her head before sighing. She took several cards and handed three of them to Jaden.

"Huh? What's this?" Jaden asked as he took the cards.

Wilona took out more cards and gave both Jesse and Chazz three cards. "Rhodes only won because she had one of the supposed 'lucky' Spirit Keys. On the likely chance that one of you, mymoneyisonYuki, have the unlucky Spirit Key, I thought those three cards could help out your deck." The girl sat down back in her seat while only Chazz caught the quick insult. "They're simple, but they're also powerful."

"These are some sweet cards! Thanks, Wilona!" "Yeah! You ain't as scary as everyone makes you out to be!" Jaden and Jesse looked and compared each other's cards.

Chazz scoffed. "The Chazz doesn't need any help!" However, he held on to the cards. "But thanks anyway, witch."

"If this witch loses her potential slaves, she'll be quite irate. So irate that even losing your soul will be more preferable than what I would do to you." She returned with a mean smile.

Wilona can't possibly have a fate worse than losing a soul! ... Right? Right!?

"No, but doesn't mean I can't have a gander at it, does it? So ya better not lose!" Did she read their minds?

Chazz scoffed and stood up while all the Slifers and Jesse flinched away from the girl. "Well, we gotta report this to Chancellor Sheppard. See ya losers later." Jesse and Jaden followed after them.

Syrus and Chummely left, mostly because they were always and still afraid of being alone with Wilona. When left alone, the green-haired girl started to clean up after her friends until she noticed her necklace starting to glow faintly.

She had the sudden urge to turn around towards a window. However, she saw nothing but the figure of someone disappearing to the forest. Wilona narrowed her eyes and went outside of the Slifer Dorms. However, she only stayed at the entrance of the doors, looking at the direction she taught she saw a figure.

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

The news came later. The second Shadow Rider, Camula, appeared and defeated Professor Crowler. Everyone watched in horror as Crowler's soul was trapped into a doll after losing his Spirit Key. Yet, even in defeat, Professor Crowler showed an amazing amount of grace, attempting to give everyone a lesson in courage despite his doomed state.

However, for what little it was worth, Crowler's loss revealed that his key must have been one of the four 'mundane' ones.

Seeing the results of losing a Shadow Game caused The Key Keepers and their friends a new resolve. They knew what was at stake beyond the fate of the world. If they lost, a fate worse than death may befall them.

Seika walked after Zane. "It's not like you to rush head." The Student President chased after her VP.

"The sooner we defeat Camula, the sooner we can get Professor Crowler's soul back." Zane eyed the castle of Camula in the distance.

"Still, I get the nasty feeling she held back some of her tricks against Crowler. And we still don't know who has the unlucky Spirit Key." The purple-haired 3rd year picked up her spirit key.

Zane still stayed silent as he picked up his pace.

However, he suddenly stopped when he saw something move in the corner of his eyes.

"Who's there!?"

The two 3rd years tensed before out of the bushes, Wilona came walking out.

"Hey, it's the Music Club prez!" Seika and Zane seemed to relax as they both walked up to the girl. "What are you doing out here this late? Off to do something scandalous with a potential lover?" The Shinobird Duelist teased.

Wilona looked around, almost as if she was searching for something. "Before me, did either of you see anything?" She asked instead of responding to Seika's comment.

Zane noticed her concern. From what little he observed of Alexis' and his brother's friend was that she was usually conniving and ambitious. Her caring side only came up when things were serious. "What did you see?"

"The time before Professor Crowler's Duel, this medallion started to shine. I was with the others, and I had the feeling we were being watched."

"Was it Camula?" Seika narrowed her eyes.

"The timing didn't feel right," The light-green haired girl shook her head. "Why would she spy on Slifer Red before scurrying back towards where she first made her appearance?"

"She rolled out a red carpet for us," Zane put a hand on his chin. "Spying doesn't sound like her MO, and if it was, I doubt she'd be the one to do it personally."

"But here's the thing," Wilona motioned to her Medallion. "I felt something again watching Slifer Red after Yuki and the others left to meet with the rest. I swore I spotted blonde hair this time."

"Blonde hair?" Seika raised her brow as Zane only thought of Alexis. But that couldn't be right, Alexis was still bedridden. Even if she wasn't, she would be stuck with Atticus' side.

"Yeah, it was the tail end of a long and spiky hair," Wilona looked up, "Like... that..."

The Kaiser and The Queen tensed and quickly turned behind them when they saw the girl's voice trail off when she looked behind them.

There was a man that looked to be wearing a mix of both a heavy metal rocker and a court jester clothes. He had long blonde and spiky hair that reached the length of his thigs. That clued everyone he was the one that Wilona spotted. He also wore a face mask that had one side black and one side white.

"You! Who are you!?" Seika and Zane prepared their duel disks against this newcomer.

(Wait, why does he look familiar?) Zane couldn't help but feel a strange sense of déjà vu when he looked at the man.

"Hahaha! Allow me to introduce myself!" The masked man laughed before he bowed. He lifted his head up and, with a tone of ringmaster about to unleash the show of a lifetime, he said, "I am called Paradox."

"Paradox? Isn't that related to time impossibilities?" Wilona took a step back from the stranger even if she was confused.

Seika stepped forward. "You're a Shadow Rider, aren't you!?"

"What gave me away?" Paradox lifted his head, and they could all tell he was smirking behind that mask. "I don't know why I was under the assumption that I would have to explain everything to you."

"So, are you and Camula here to challenge us for our Keys?" Zane continued to narrow his glare at this opponent. However, try as he might, he couldn't get rid of the instinct that made Paradox feel familiar.

Paradox folded his arms. "No, I'm not allowed to challenge any of you. It's still Camula's turn."

"T-Turn? Turn!? As in a bloody game!?" Wilona repeated once in confusion before she stepped forward and shouted the second time with anger. "Are you saying this is some kind of game!? A game!? My best friend nearly dueled to the death against her own missing brother! Your goth-poser friend just turned one of my teachers into a doll! And you bastards have the gall to treat this all as a game!?" The girl shouted with anger the seniors never heard before.

Paradox folded his arms. "You should actually be happy that there is a game, girl." Paradox's tone was still smug until that last word. he folded his arms. "Haven't you wondered why all 8 Shadow Riders haven't simply challenged all 8 Key Keepers at the same time as the first war?"

The academy students had their eyes widen. They learned from Sheppard that was indeed what happened the first time. Their Chancellor briefly described and more than likely skipped the horrors of that first war. Compared to the first war, the second one seemed like a game for toddlers!

"The First Shadow Rider of this war suggested a game: a game that I admit to be quite fun! However, there is a lot of waiting involved," Paradox made a lot of exaggerated movements. "So I decided to do a little fun while waiting for my turn."

"Why would the First Shadow Rider make the others play a game?" Seika asked aloud.

"If you were to ask me," Paradox looked at his fingernails as if they were more interesting to him than the conversation. "I think he's clever. He's playing both allies and enemies, so he alone can hold the power of the Sacred Beasts. But even he has to know the sharper members of our group caught on to his scheme very quickly. So there has to be another reason why he's doing this. It's almost as if he's protecting you Keepers... Bah! Who knows what goes on in that head of his? Never trust a guy wearing a mask, as they say." Said the man wearing a mask. He looked towards Camula's castle. "Hmm, I should have stalled you both long enough."

The seniors and Wilona's eyes widened.

"What did you do!?" Seika demanded.

"I wasn't simply spying on The Slifers." Paradox turned his back to them. "I also overheard how The Kaiser and The Queen were moving in to take down Camula before the others could plan a proper attack. And I thought to myself, 'Gee, either they will take out Camula quickly, or Camula is going to pull off her cheap move and steal a win.' Both options were soooooo boring." He brought up his wrist as if he was looking at a watch. "Let's try something more interesting. If I'm correct, a red-jacket fool and his long lost brother will be the first to reach Camula with me distracting you two here."

They all knew who Paradox was describing. "Yuki! Anderson!" Wilona cried before bolting towards the castle.

"Wait, Wilona!" Zane shouted, but the girl either didn't hear or care and continued running for where Camula invited the other Key Keepers. Zane and Seika eyed Paradox before running after the female Slifer.

Paradox watched them leave. He waited for a few seconds before he turned to his right. "Are you enjoying the show, 8th?"

"You... who are you? The name Paradox was already taken." The 8th Shadow Rider's atmosphere was like that of a predator about to pounce.

"I have no idea what you're talking about?" The masked man gave a sing-song tune. "Ahh, well, time to go see Camula's duel. See you there, 8th!"

Paradox vanished, leaving the 8th Shadow Rider to narrow his eyes in the direction the man left.

[Tag Force Heroes and Villains]

Camula's castle put all vampire movies to shame. It was dark enough that you couldn't even trust your own shadow if it hid any danger behind it. The sounds that swept the area could make the bravest shiver and flee. And the cold air could cool even the most passionate of heart.

"NO WAY, J! I'm dueling the blood-sucker!" Jesse attempted to push Jaden out of the way.

"I thought we'd agree that I'd take these Shadow Riders! It's my teacher's soul she took!" Jaden tried grabbing his friend's cheeks and pulling them hard.

Jesse returned the favor. "Ya didn't even know the professor's gender until yesterday! I looked like the side of a recently branded cow's rear cause you told me professor Crowler was a chick! I believed that for weeks! YOUCH!? You bit me!? Alright, that does it!"

Jesse Anderson and Jaden Yuki were idiots. They focused more on the privilege of dueling a vampire than anything else.

Camula felt a horrible migraine as she watched the two Key Keepers fight before the duel even began. Inwardly, she was cursing a storm. She could have sworn her bats told her that Zane was on his way first to the castle. And he was the one he wanted to duel out of all the Key Keepers. Yet the first ones through her doors were two idiot twins demanding that she duel either one of them over the other. How did this happen!? She was sure that The Key Keepers had no ways of disrupting her bats, so how could these two... two...

Two.

Camula's eyes widened. Her face turned twisted, and her veins beneath her skin threatened to pop. "That harlequin!" She spat with venom. She saw the Second Shadow Rider briefly, but even she knew to keep an eye on a wildcard like him. This must have been his mischief!

It doesn't matter! It was still her turn! She has already defeated one of the Key Keepers, so all she needs to do is defeat the rest! Zane will come sooner than later.

"Enough of your prattle!" Camula shouted to stop the two idiots from bitting each other to unconsciousness. "I will duel both of you idiots!"

Jaden let go of the arm he was about to bite, and Jesse similarly let go of Jaden's right leg. The two looked at each other and grinned.

"A tag duel? You and me?!"

"She's asking for it now! Let's oblige, Jay!"

"Oh yeah! Get your game on, you overrated rodent!"

Jaden and Jesse primed their decks and Duel Disks. Camula did the same as a dark aura enveloped her deck and custom duel disk.

"DUEL!"

Camula: 8000 LP

Jesse: 4000 LP

Jaden: 4000 LP

"I'm taking this turn!" Jesse declared as he drew his card. "I play Crystal Beast Emerald Turtle in defense position!"

Crystal Beast Emerald Turtle

[Type: Effect Monster\Sub-Type: Aqua\Attribute: WATER\Level: 3\ATK: 600\DEF: 2000]

"Oooh! Jesse, I don't like it here!" The Spirit started to shiver as he appeared into the field.

"Don't worry, pal! We got back up! I'll end ma turn with a face down!"

Turn 2: Camula. Cards: 5.

"Is that the best you can do!? I think it's about time I show you, boys, how to truly sink teeth!" The vampire drew her card. She smiled at what she saw. "I play the field spell: Vampire Kingdom!" Camula's neck-choker started to glow.

At the same time, when Seika, Zane, and Wilona crossed the red carpet bridge, it rolled after them. This cut them off from the shore of Academy Island. At the same time, the area outside the castle started to shift and turn into an expanse land under a blood moon. The old, ruined castle started to look brand new. The same was said for the inside as candles, tapestries, and other rich, gothic accessories came up and about.

"Oh, no! This is what happened with Nightshroud and Rhodes!" Wilona screamed out.

"That means someone is dueling Camula right now!" Seika shouted before the three of them ran through the castle doors.

Back in the duel, Camula continued her move. "I play one card face down and normal summon Vampire Sorcerer in attack mode!"

Vampire Sorcerer [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500]

"I'll end my turn there," Camula spoke up.

Turn 3: Jaden. Cards: 5.

"Sweet! It's time to take back Crowler's soul!" Jaden drew his card. His eyes widened slightly when he saw it was one of the cards Wilona lent him. "I'm going to start us off by summoning Elemental Hero Ocean in attack mode!"

Elemental HERO Ocean [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1200]

"Next, I give him the equip spell card: Power of the Guardians!" He remembered Wilona used this card against her duel with Sora. "Now, Ocean attacks Sorcerer! Thanks to my equip spell card, it gains one counter that increases Ocean's stats by 500!" (ATK: 1500 → 2000/DEF: 1200 → 1700)

Camula pointed as Ocean rushed for Sorcerer. "My Field Spell activates! It gives my Sorcerer 500 attack points during the damage calculation!" (ATK: 1500 → 2000)

Jesse's eyes widened. "They both have the same attack points!"

Camula smiled. "Oh, pitiful plebian, who said I was done?! When an attack is declared, I can special summon Vampire Fraulein in defense position!" As she placed the card down, a girl in gothic attire, holding an umbrella, appeared.

Vampire Fraulein [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Level: 5/ATK: 600/DEF: 2000]

"Now behold Fraulein's effect! By giving up 500 life points, I can increase my Sorcerer's points by 500 more points!" (Camula: 8000 → 7500 LP) (ATK: 2000 → 2500/DEF: 1500 → 2000)

"What!?" Jaden cried before the vampire blasted the hero away.

Camula: 7500 LP

Jesse: 4000 LP

Jaden: 4000 LP → 3500 LP

But Jaden braced the pain of the loss and threw his hand forward. "My equip spell has a cool ability of its own! If my monster gets destroyed, I can negate its destruction by removing one counter!" (PotG: 1→0)

"Jaden, you alright!?" Jesse cried out.

"I'm fine," Jaden huffed from the sting. "I really gotta thank Wilona after this duel. But I'll end my turn there!"

Turn 4: Camula. Cards: 2.

Camula was about to draw her next card until the seniors and Wilona ran up to the dueling field.

"Yuki! Anderson!" Wilona screamed as she saw the two.

Jaden looked down. "Wilona! Zane! And Ms. Prez! What took you guys so long? I thought for sure you'd beat us here!"

"That," Everyone looked up at the chandelier where someone sat on one edge. "Is a good question! I wonder if the school seniors were having a passionate tryst before coming to face their final doom?"

"You!" The seniors and Camula all hissed and screamed at Paradox. The man front flipped from the ceiling and landed on the opposite side of the spectators.

"Hey," Jaden stared at Paradox as if he was a trainwreck that one couldn't stop watching. "Have we met?"

"Now that ya mention it," Jesse looked over as well. "I'm getting a serious case of D-Ga-you!"

Jaden looked back at his tag partner. "I thought it was DJ Flu?"

Wilona slapped her forehead. "Why was I worried for these imbeciles?!" She cried out as both of them got déjà vu wrong.

Camula hissed at Paradox. This was all his doing! However, there was nothing she could do about it now. She still had the chance to duel the one she wanted after she took two more keys. She then drew her next card. Her eyes widened as she saw what she drew.

"I reveal my facedown! Vampire Awakening! This will allow me to special summon a Vampire Monster from my deck to the field! The price is that it is destroyed at the end phase! Come forth, Vampire Scarlet Scourge!"

Opposite to Fraulein, a handsome but pale man in gothic clothing appeared.

Vampire Scarlet Scourge [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Level: 6/ATK: 2200/DEF: 2200]

"Next, I sacrifice Sorcerer to bring forth, Vampire Grace!" In the middle of the two vampires was a large and imposing woman with victorian and gothic clothing.

Vampire Grace [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1200]

Paradox tilted his head. "Oh, is that what she's going for?"

Camula pointed to Vampire Grace. "Now, my newest monster has an ability! I can force my opponents to discard one card from their deck to their graveyard! I choose... a trap card!" Vampire Grace's eyes started to glow. Jesse and Jaden searched their decks, and each put a trap card to their graveyard.

"I don't get it," Wilona raised her brow. "Why would Camula force them to send a trap card?"

"It's actually a good move despite it being so small," Zane folded his arms.

"He's right. Jesse and Jaden rely on having monsters in their graveyards. Their spell cards sometimes aim for those cards in the graveyard. But their trap cards are used to defend themselves from their opponents. Even with a single trap gone, it means they have less chance of defending themselves." Seika added along. "But something tells me all this set up isn't for that."

Their speculation was correct as everyone felt the castle beneath them start to move. ""But that's not all! Vampire Kingdom has a secondary effect! When an opponent's card is sent directly from the deck to the graveyard, I can destroy one card! I choose that poor excuse for a fish!" Camula pointed over to Jaden's monster, and the very ground rose up and crushed the aqua hero.

"Oh no! Jaden's field is completely empty!" Zane stepped forward. He gripped his fist and glared towards Paradox. At the rate things were going, Camula would get two more keys!

Paradox only pointed back to Camula. "You all want to see this next part."

Camula smiled as she pointed forward. Her neck-choker glowing with a dark light. The Spirit Keys and Wilona's medallion started to glow in response to Camula's choker.

The vampire gave a wicked smile that went beyond normal human muscles were capable of. "The Sacred Beasts do not simply call on those who listen to its call! They granted us new powers taken from places beyond time and space!" She crossed her arms before pointing to the ceiling.

"I set the Overlay Network!" Something ripped the fabric of reality in the ceiling. Everyone could only stare in horror as a miniature galaxy spun in the sky. However, Camula wasn't done. "I set Grace and Scarlet Scourge!"

The two monsters turned to a crimson light and flew towards the galaxy in the ceiling.

"The line between human and vampire has always been blood. Behold him who has mastered this connection with deadly dandyism!"

"XYZ SUMMON!"

The galaxy exploded with crimson stars that forced everyone to shield themselves.

Camula threw her arm. "Bow to Dhampir Vampire Sheridan!"

Dhampir Vampire Sheridan [Type: XYZ/Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Rank: 6/ATK: 2600/DEF: 1000]

Everyone stared as this new monster appeared in the duel. He looked like a powerful vampire, but what was alarming was the fact there were two orbiting lights around the monster.

"What kinda monster is that!? How'd ya fuse two monsters with a polymerization!?" Jesse cried out.

The way the North Academy Student exclaimed that made the two Slifers remember something during the Christmas season. Jaden and Wilona looked at Camula's duel disk and instantly noticed the black card.

"Is that," Jaden stepped forward. "A Syncro Summon?"

"Oooh!?" Paradox started to coo with elation. "You already witness Syncro Summoning!? This is far too wonderful!" He started to laugh uncontrollably.

Camula glared at the man as he started to huddle and collapse into a fit of mad laughter. When the madman stopped laughing, he stayed there laying on the floor.

"This is called XYZ Summoning. It is a foreign power granted by the Sacred Beasts." She gripped her fist. "Can you believe it? Even sealed away, their power can span beyond the cosmos! Imagine their full power under my hand! I could revive my kind and erase humankind in vengeance!"

"There's no way we're letting you get your hand on those cards!" Jaden yelled out as both he and Jesse tensed. Everyone was starting to realize the scope of what would happen if the Sacred Beasts were unleashed to the world, let alone in the hands of crazed people like the Shadow Riders!

"Let's see you try, Keepers! Sheridan, activate your ability on that overgrown lizard!" Everyone watched as the monster took one of its orbiting lights and then fired a blood-colored pulse at the turtle, shattering him to dust. However, to the surprise of everyone, Emerald did not appear in Jesse's spell and trap card zone.

"What!? Emerald is supposed to be in my spell and trap card zone after he's destroyed!" Jesse exclaimed in horror.

"But he wasn't destroyed." Everyone looked at Camula. "Sheridan can send monsters directly to the graveyard. They do not attack nor get destroyed."

Jesse gritted his teeth. He wasn't expecting an ability that circumnavigated this deck's theme!

"If you think I'm finished, you're sorely mistaken! By removing an overlay unit, I can activate Sheridan's second effect!" The XYZ monster absorbed the second light. "When my opponent's monster is destroyed by card effect or battle, I can special summon them to my side of the field!"

Everyone on the Key Keeper's side gasped. They watched in horror as Emerald Turtle appeared on Camula's side. His eyes were glowing blood red.

"Emerald!" Jesse cried out. "Snap out of it!"

Camula gave off a prideful laugh. "Is that the extent of what you're capable of? I think it's time I got my second key! But who among the two of you should I choose?" The vampire mockingly tapped her chin before she pointed to Jesse. "After setting one card, I'll attack you directly with your own monster!"

Emerald started to spin and fired small sonic waves at his owner.

"If those attacks connect, Jesse's out!" Seika cried out. With Camula's field spell and Fraulien, it would be easy for Sheridan to wipe out the rest of Jesse's life points.

Camula: 7500 LP

Jesse: 4000 LP → 3400 LP

Jaden: 3500 LP

"Now, Sheridan, finish him!" Camula pointed.

"Jesse!" "Anderson!"

The North Academy student wasn't out of it yet. "I play ma facedown! Overweight! This Trap card forces my opponent to the End Phase when I've been hit by a direct attack!"

"What!?" Camula screamed as a barrier protected Jesse from Sheridan's attack.

Wilona placed a hand over her chest and sighed in relief.

"Man, Jesse, cutting it close there!" Jaden cried out.

"You're right there, Jay! If she attacked me with Sheridan first, I'd be more gone than the first pie in a pie-eating contest!"

Camula snarled as she heard Paradox snickering in the background. "Make your move!" She threw her hand. "I will not make that same mistake again!"

Turn 5: Jesse. Cards: 4.

Jesse stared at Emerald as he drew his next card. The North Academy student stared at the XYZ monster across from him.

"Wilona," The green-haired girl turned to both Zane and Seika. "What did Jaden and Paradox call it? When he said Synchro Summoning, I saw your eyes widening. Do you know anything about it?"

Wilona sighed before she started to explain what she and the others had been doing behind the seniors' back.

"Hey, Jay," Jesse started. "Did ya notice those glowing orbs around the monster?"

Jaden nodded but kept his eyes on his opponent. "Yeah. That monster can use multiple effects in one turn. But it seems to need ammo of some kind."

"If that's the case, then we better take it out before it can reload!" Jesse took a card from his hand. "I summon Crystal Beast Amethyst in attack mode!"

Crystal Beast Amythest Cat [Type: Effect Monster\Sub-Type: Beast\Attribute: EARTH\Level: 3\ATK: 1200\DEF: 400]

"Next, I give her the equip spell Crystal Release! This gives Amethyst an extra 800 attack points!" (ATK: 1200 → 2000) "Now, Amethyst, let's free Emerald!"

"I'm sorry, friend, but this must be done!" The Feline declared as she pounced for their controlled friend.

"Ooh, too bad! I play the card, Dhampir Persuasion! If I control a monster that did not originally belong to me, I can tribute it. And then it becomes an overlay unit to my XYZ monster!"

Emerald turned into crimson light before Amethyst could free her friend. The crimson light started to circle around Sheridan.

"You fiend! Return my friend!" Amethyst hissed towards Camula.

"Oh? Do not worry, I intend to return your friend," Camula put a hand over her mouth as if to suppress a laugh. "You'll have to wait till my turn to get him back!" It was easy to see that she meant she was going to use Emerald as 'ammo' for Sheridan's ability.

"Vile, cur! Jesse!?" The feline hissed before looking back at her duelist.

"I'm with ya, Amy! Nobody messes with us and gets away with it! I change my attack to a direct attack!" Camula's eyes widened with alarm. "Amy here can attack directly in exchange for halving her attack points! Let it rip!"

"I will enjoy this!" The feline roared as she pounced on Camula. The vampire winced in pain as the crystal beast retreated back to Jesse.

Camula: 7500 LP → 6500 LP

Jesse: 3400 LP

Jaden: 3500 LP

"I will make you pay for that!" Camula exclaimed.

"I'll set two more face downs and end ma turn there!" Jesse cried out.

Turn 6: Camula. Cards: 1.

Camula looked at the card she drew. She looked over towards Jesse and spotted his two face downs. However, her eyes moved towards Jaden. Fraulien had the cap of sacrificing up to 3000 LP to give Sheridan a whopping 3000 extra attack points. Combined with her field spell, it would boost him up to 6100 attack points against Jaden's Empty field. In fact, all she could do was sacrifice 400 of her life points to erase that pitiful boy.

"I place one card facedown!" Camula put her drawn card into the spell and trap zone. "Then, I attack the boy in red this time! With my field card still in play and with Fraulien taking 400 of my life points, that boosts Sheridan to 3500 Attack points!" (6500 LP → 6100 LP)

The monster rushed for Jaden. Unlike Jesse, Jaden didn't even have a facedown!

He was done for!

... At least, he would have been. Jaden quickly grabbed one of the cards in his hand. "When a direct attack is declared, I can special summon Swordsman of Revealing Light in defense mode!"

Swordsman of Revealing Light [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: LIGHT/Level: 8/ATK: 0/DEF: 2400]

Camula cursed under her breath. "You two are like cockroaches! You simply won't die! Fine then! I'll destroy your monster!"

Jaden pointed. "Once per turn, I can negate a monster's attack with Swordsman!" The light warrior's swords unleashed a powerful light that repelled the dark monster, forcing it to scurry into the shadows.

"Curse you, boy! I end my turn there!" Camula exclaimed.

Jaden looked down at Wilona. "Man, thanks for the cards, Wilona! I owe you big time for Swordsman!"

Wilona's cheeks started to heat up when all eyes went to her. "Focus on the duel!"

Turn 7: Jaden. Cards: 3.

"Yeesh!" Jaden winced as he stepped back from the harsh shouting. "I was just thanking her."

"Hey, J!" Jaden looked to his tag partner after drawing his card. "Ya trust me, right?"

"Of course I do!"

"Great! We need to get rid of that Z-monster! You gotta attack it!" It seemed Jesse was just as bad at remembering names as Jaden was at times.

Jaden looked to his cards. His current hand didn't give him anything that could get over Camula's obviously boosted monster. But he trusted Jesse. Jaden drew his card and looked at what he could do with it.

"Here we go, I play Polymerization! I fuse Burstinatrix and Avian to bring out Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"

Elemental HERO Flamewingman [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: WIND/Level: 6/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1200]

Jaden's favorite hero appeared on to the field, and he was a sight for sore eyes.

Jaden pointed over to the monster with a black card. "Time to end this cheap horror movie! Wingman, attack that nerdy vampire!"

"Wait, what!? But Camula can increase Sheridan's attack points!" Seika cried out.

"And that is exactly what I'll do!" The vampire screamed. "I sacrifice 2500 Life points to give Sheridan 5100 attack points! Combined that with the field spell, his total is 5600 attack points that will wipe your monster and the rest of your Life Points!" (6100 LP → 3600 LP)

"Come on, you idiots, pull something off. Pull something off!" Wilona whispered as Wingman flew to the height of the ceiling.

Jesse, as if hearing his friend's prayers, shouted, "I knew ya'd do that! I play Reverse Trap! Wilona gave me her copy of this card! And it reverses all subtraction and additions to points!"

Camula's eyes threatened to pop out after hearing those words.

"Reverse points!? That means..."

Jaden finished as he gripped his fist and punched the air. "That means you didn't gain 3000 attack points, you paid 2500 LP to lose that much!" (ATK: 5600 → 0)

"NO!" Camula yelled before her monster was destroyed and exploded. Her life points continued to take a serious dive. (3600 LP → 1500 LP)

The light orbiting around the XYZ monster shattered and went straight to Jesse's graveyard. Emerald Turtle appeared behind Jesse in spirit form.

"Ugh, what happened?"

"Good to see ya back with us, Em!" Jesse smiled before turning back to Camula. "That'll teach ya to steal my friends!"

As the dust settled, Camula looked up at both Jaden and Jesse. However, whatever human-like features she had was now long gone, and her face looked like it was half ripped off.

"You'll pay for that! I will now dedicate the rest of this duel to making sure you two lose!"

Turn 8: Camula. Cards: 1.

Camula drew her new card with fury. Her remaining eye noticed the card she drew, and a wicked grin returned on her burnt visage.

With hesitation but full of fury, Camula took the card and exclaimed, "I play Illusion Gate!"

Paradox's body tensed for a second. "Ah, she's going for her cheap move."

"First, this card destroys all my opponent's monsters!" She exclaimed as the two's monsters all left the field by a powerful pulse.

Jesse braced himself and cried out, "My equip spell has an ability! I can send one of my Crystal Beast monsters from my deck to my spell and trap card zone! So besides Amythest, I put Ruby Carbuncle in there as well!"

"My spell card isn't done! I'm now allowed to choose a monster from all graveyards and summon it to my side of the field! How about this time, I'll summon that Hero Monster of yours, Flame Wingman!" Everyone watched in horror as Flame Wingman appeared over in Camula's side of the field.

"What!? That's totally unfair! Impossible monsters and spells like that without drawbacks!?" Jaden cried out.

"Drawbacks!? Hahaha! This card is also a direct power from the Sacred Beasts itself! The user of this card must offer a soul! By the end of this duel, the soul will go directly to the Sacred Beasts! Even that pathetic doll from my last duel will have a better fate than that!" Everyone was surprised that she revealed that Crowler's fate was better than the fate of someone who used Illusion Gate.

"Why would ya sell your soul like that!?" Jesse asked in shock.

Camula suddenly gave a wild laugh that put Paradox's earlier crazed laugh to shame. "The card needs a soul! Who said it had to be mine?!" She snapped her fingers.

"AAH!?"

"Wilona!?" Seika and Zane screamed when they were pushed aside by the very carpet of the room. It ensnared and brought Wilona up to Camula's side.

"You let her go, right now!" Jaden yelled quickly.

"That's just dirty! Play fair!" Jesse screamed and pointed.

"All is fair in war and hate!" Camula pointed.

However, a bright light started to shine from underneath the red carpet. It grew and grew until it blinded the room. The light caused the magic in the carpet to burn, and it let go of Wilona... while she was a good twenty feet up in the air. The light-green-haired girl screamed as she fell, only to feel herself get caught by someone.

As the light died down, Wilona looked up... and screamed. She was saved by someone wearing black, menacing armor that covered him from head to toe.

"Oh? You stepped in?" Paradox mused.

Everyone saw as this new stranger let Wilona down gently despite how edgy (which was literal as his armor had many spikes) he looked.

"8th!?" Camula cried out to the newcomer. "Did you interfere with my Illusion Gate!?" The others soon realized that this newcomer was another Shadow Rider! There were three of them already!?

However, the 8th Shadow Rider remained silent and merely pointed to the medallion Wilona was wearing. Paradox placed a hand on his chin then shouted, "Aah! To think an artifact from the Gravekeepers is here. How hilarious, Camula! You stole the one hostage whose soul is protected!"

As he exclaimed this, Illusion Gate started to shatter, and Flame Wingman returned to Jaden's graveyard.

Wilona ran back to the seniors, who stepped forward to protect their underclassman.

The silent 8th Shadow Rider only turned away from everyone walking into the castle's shadow and disappearing into it.

"Huh, that was weird." Jesse spoke up.

"At least he saved Wilona." Jaden had this strange... feeling... when he saw the 8th Shadow Rider. It felt like DJ-Flu, but at the same time, not? Jaden shook his head to avoid thinking of complex stuff. He looked up towards Camula. "Looks like your own card blew up on your face!"

If Camula was ticked off before, now she looked like a volcano erupted. She practically ripped one of the other four cards in her hand and pointed. "Dhampir Persuasion has a secondary effect! I can change the level of one Vampire Monster on the field and then special summon a monster with a similar level of the changed monster while ignoring summoning conditions! However, the special summoned monster will have its effect negated and is destroyed by the end phase!"

"I special summon Vampire Genesis!" As Camula exclaimed this, the ceiling started to crack around the room. It was lifted and torn off by the same giant creature that defeated Professor Crowler!

Vampire Genesis [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2100]

"With two level-8 monsters, I set the Overlay network!" Her choker started to glow once more but an even bigger galaxy appeared overhead in the bloody sky.

Fraulein and Genesis turned to lights and mixed into the red galaxy.

"Boil! The primal feeling of vengeance shall boil blood to the point that dwarfs magma! Appear!"

A creature that was twice as big as Genesis circled around the top of the castle. It looked to be a combination of a dinosaur and a dragon with red scales that reflected off the bloody moon. It opened five eyes and unleashed two maws that gave off an unearthly scream.

"Primordial: Blood King!"

[Type: XYZ/Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Zombie/Attribute: DARK/Rank: 8/ATK: 3500/DEF: 500]

Camula pointed to Jaden and Jesse. "I tribute one overlay unit! This will allow Blood King to attack 2 more times this turn!

Both Jesse and Jaden paled at the mention of that. They still had an empty field!

"Thanks to my field spell, Blood King still gets an extra 500 attack points in the damage step! Now, wipe those two away from my sight! They have been mocking me for far too long!"

The mighty creature roared as all five eyes gathered light. It unleashed a powerful laser large enough to engulf both duelists.

"Jaden! Jesse!" Zane cried out in panic.

"We're not out yet, Mr. Kaiser! Back when that Queen forced us to discard trap cards, the trap card I choose was one of Wilona's gifts! And it's perfect for this event! Go, Miracle Shield! This trap card only has a graveyard effect! By removing this card from play, I can turn all effect and battle damage to zero!"

A golden but broken shield appeared between Jesse and Jaden. It shined with golden light and created a dome that braced the impact of the attack. However, everyone still needed to brace themselves as they felt the tremors of the powerful attack.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!" Camula shrieked as everyone could see veins popping underneath the skin that wasn't burned by Flame Wingman's attack. "I will make you both suffer! You cannot escape from me!"

Turn 9: Jesse. Cards: 0

"We ain't trying to run from ya," The North Academy student drew his card. After looking at it, he looked up with a more determined face. "We're gonna end you once and for all! I play my facedown continuous spell card: Symbol of Generosity! This spell card lets me send two Crystal Beast monsters from my spell and trap card zone to the grave, and I can special summon two different Crystal Beast monsters! I'm bringing out Silver Wolf and Pearl Reindeer!"

Crystal Beast Pearl Reindeer [Type: Effect Monster\Sub-Type: Fairy\Attribute: LIGHT\Level: 8\ATK: 2500\DEF: 2000]

Crystal Beast Silver Wolf [Type: Effect Monster\Sub-Type: Beast\Attribute: DARK\Level: 7\ATK: 2800\DEF: 800]

Jesse's powerhouse cards stepped into the field and stared down Blood King as he unleashed another echoing roar.

Jesse pointed. "Pearl's special ability activates! She can gain 150 attack points for each crystal beast in my graveyard and field! There's a total of three in my grave, and Silver Wolf is right next to her! That's 600 extra attack points! (ATK: 2500 → 3100)

"Next, I play my final face down, Blustering winds! This spell card gives one monster an extra 1000 attack and defense points, and I'm giving it all to Pearl! (ATK: 3100 → 4100/DEF: 2000 → 3000)

Jesse thought to himself. (Even with that field spell, Pearl barely beats that giant ketchup stain! I can attack with Pearl and finish of Camula with Silver!)

"I activate Blood King's other effect!" Camula suddenly shouted as the giant creature snapped and devoured his second orbiting light. "For the rest of this turn, Blood King cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects!"

"What!?" Jesse cried out. Blood King started to glow, and a barrier surrounded the powerful creature.

(No! I wasted my attack boost for nothing! If she takes down Pearl and Silver, I'll be more vulnerable than the only duck during the hunting season!)

"Jesse," The blue-haired duelist turned to Jaden as he gripped his fist. "It's your turn to trust me! Attack with Silver Wolf, but don't change his battle position!"

Everyone was horrified to hear that! Jaden was asking Jesse to sacrifice one of his best monsters! However, as Jesse looked into Jaden's eyes, he knew that Jaden was serious about winning this. "Alright, Jay! Ya heard him, Silver! Attack Blood King!"

The wolf jumped towards the roof and climbed its way towards the top where the XYZ monster remained.

"Fool!" Camula cried out. "If you seek eternal torment, I will gladly give it to you! With my field spell, Blood King's attack points rises to 4000!"

The powerful beast fired its eye beams right for Silver Wolf. As the crystal formed in Jesse's spell and trap card zone, the Crystal Beast Duelist fell to his knees in pain.

Camula: 1500 LP

Jesse: 3400 LP → 2200 LP

Jaden: 3500 LP

"Jaden, you better have not sabotaged your partner!" Seika sharply screamed at the Slifer Red.

"Come on, School Prez, I don't, and I won't ever let down my friends! I also play a graveyard trap card, thanks to your Queen's ability! This card is called, Swift Ghostly Vengence! If a monster attacks and is destroyed by my opponent's monster with higher attack points, I can remove from play this card, and you take the destroyed monster's attack points as damage to your life points!"

Camula's eyes widened. "No! You lie!"

Jaden gave a leer towards Camula, still not forgiving her for endangering his friends. "This is for Professor Crowler, and for almost sacrificing my friend's soul!"

From both Jesse and Jaden's graveyard, all their monsters appeared as specters and rushed straight for Camula.

"No. No! NO! NONONONONONONO!" Camula screamed as the monster ghost attacked her.

Camula: 1500 LP → 0 LP

Jesse: 2200 LP (Win!)

Jaden: 3500 LP (Win!)

As the smoke died, there was a pile of dust where Camula once was. The only thing that remained of her was her choker that slowly cracked and shattered to pieces. The sky above seemed to turn back to a normal moonlit night.

... However,

Blood King roared in madness, and the ruins shook at the course of his power.

"Hey, we won! How come that monster is still there?!" Jesse cried out.

"Ah?" They all turned to Paradox. "It seems Camula is a sore loser. She must have sent what little power remained in her choker to keep Blood King active. He'll vanish soon, but no sooner than him bringing down the entire castle."

As Paradox said this, Blood king ripped off the top of the castle and started throwing it down on the key keepers. Pearl moved forward and blasted the rock in such a way that it was able to scatter into many harmless pieces.

"And that's my cue to leave! Good luck, Keepers!" Paradox turned around and vanished in a blink of light.

Blood King roared once more, his eyes looking down on those that remained.

Jesse searched his deck. "Alright, guys, we need to leave!" He brought out four cards, "Come on, out! Sapphire, Topaz, Silver, and Cobalt!"

Jesse's spirits quickly moved: Pearl Reindeer picked up Seika, Topaz Tiger allowed Zane to ride him, Wilona climbed up Sapphire Pegasus, Jaden was helped up by Silver Wolf, and Jesse held on to Cobalt's leg.

"Alright, everyone, move!" Jesse shouted as Blood King's five eyes started to gather energy.

The Crystal Beasts raced off, and Blood King Fired at them. The Monster broke through walls as if they were plastic models. At times, it would try to eat whole the ones lagging behind the escape.

"Where are we even going!?" Seika shouted.

"Over there! I see a portal back home!" Jaden shouted as he pointed ahead. It was at the entrance they came through in the first place.

"That blasted monster is catching up!" Wilona looked back as Blood King started a new tactic: he tailed after them and started to charge his eye lasers.

Zane grunted but felt a strange feeling coming from his deck. He quickly drew from his deck and instantly knew what he needed to do. "I play Polymerization to summon Cyber End Dragon!"

All four Spirit Keys and Wilona's Shadow Medallion shot a light into the sky. The light quickly formed Zane's most trusted monster that appeared with a mechanical roar.

Zane didn't understand what was going on but wasted no time. He turned and pointed towards Blood King. "Cyber End Dragon, fend him off!"

The Fusion Dragon did so and unleashed powerful breath beams at Blood King. This forced the XYZ monster to turn his attack towards Cyber End Dragon. The attacks clashed, but that caused even more of the castle to fall. Pillars and walls soon started falling in the path of the Crystal Beasts, and each monster did their own impressive moments to get each rider to safety.

One by one, The Crystal Beasts raced through the portal. Topaz slid to a stop for Zane to call back Cyber End Dragon. With that, Topaz jumped through the portal before a giant boulder crushed them where they stood.

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

Everyone found themselves back in the area where Crowler first dueled Camula.

"Is everyone accounted for?" Seika asked as she looked at everyone slowly standing back up. "Well, looks like we are! That was fun, but let's not do that a second time, alright?"

Jaden groaned as he moved his arm. "Man, even though I didn't lose that many life points, it still stung!"

"You're telling me!" Jesse moved slowly. "These ... uh... Shadow... games? That sounds right: these Shadow Games don't play around!"

The Slifer Ace turned to Wilona. "By the way, those cards you gave really turned the tide when Camula busted out those sick monsters! Thanks, Wilona!"

The green-haired girl fixed her cap before sighing. "I should also be thanking you for this Medallion. I did not come to this school to have my soul eternally damned."

It seems like everyone helped out each other in that duel.

Seika looked to Zane. "Do you think Professor Crowler's back to normal?"

"He should be, but I want to return back to a certain topic." Zane turned towards Wilona. "You were telling us about your adventures... in the Spirit World?"

The female Slifer sighed. "Right, at this point, we should gather everyone and compare notes. I'll tell everything I know then."

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

Paradox watched from above a cliff as the Key Keepers left the area. "Perfect! Zane Truesdale is still a player in this war! A duelist of his caliber deserves a worthy opponent, not a cheap shot! That... and I'm a biiiitttt biased towards wanting the best among the Key Keepers to face him, The 3rd Shadow Rider. I can't wait to see that duel. I'll make sure it happens... when the time comes."

With that, Paradox vanished.

[Author Notes]

And there we go! I gave the Shadow Riders access to both XYZ(Exceed as I kept hearing it during subbed versions. Thought it would be fun to put since saying XYZ feels a bit awkward. But hey, to each his own poison.) monsters and Synchro monsters! This is going to be fun having the GX cast be technically behind in trying to fight monster cards that don exist (yet) in their timeline!

As you all can see, Zane did not duel Camula, so he's still in this war. I have a much better idea for him down the line instead of that hostage situation from before.

Not to mention, Paradox appears in this story! Some might recognize him as the antagonist of the Bonds Beyond Time movie, and technically one of Yusei's main antagonists. What's he doing in the GX Era? Is it really him? There's also the mysterious 8th Shadow Rider.

As fun as this story is, writing it is very hard. Luckily, I think there's some time off before the next Shadow Rider attack. Plus, if you've noticed by now, some Shadow Riders have been changed up completely. I hope you enjoy my take on it!

See ya guys soon! Thank you for reading!

[Made Up Cards/Altered Cards]

Overweight.

Dhampir Persuasion. This card was created to give more XYZ support for Camula. And it was given another ability to allow her to summon another XYZ monster.

Swordsman of Revealing Light. This card is real, but I combined both Anime and TCG effects.

Primordial: Blood King. I kinda wanted a bigger XYZ monster for the vampire deck, and I made this one.

Miracle Shield. Just another graveyard card.

Symbol of Generosity. I wanted both Pearl and Silver Wolf on the field, and this card let me do that.