It was late at night, yet Zane Truesdale was as awake. He walked towards his destination: the lighthouse.
This night was particularly silent. One couldn't even hear the nocturnal animals moving or making sounds in the forest. The waters were so still as if even the waters wanted to watch what was about to happen. Zane spotted the man standing where he usually stood. But instead of facing the endless sea, this figure was facing the school. It was hard to see as the man was wearing a full-body cloak. Yet, there he stood as the letter said that he would be.
The 3rd Shadow Rider.
The figure turned to Zane. The Ace of Duel Academy said nothing and pulled out his duel disk and placed in his deck. The figure lifted his arm, and a strange Duel Disk morphed itself from the arm.
Neither of them said any words. It was fitting; neither of them was in the mood for small talk.
3rd Shadow Rider: 4000 LP
Zane: 4000 LP
The 3rd Shadow Rider drew from his deck first, stealing the first turn. However, all he did next was simply set one monster face down.
Turn 2: Zane. Cards: 5.
Zane narrowed his eyes. He didn't expect his opponent to set a monster down. From the way that he received the challenge, Zane expected some over-the-top and bombastic Shadow Rider. But this stoic person somehow unnerved him more than the others.
Zane drew his card. "When my opponent has a monster on his side of the field, and while I have none, I can Special Summon Cyber Dragon!"
Cyber Dragon [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type:Machine/Attribute:LIGHT/Level:5/ATK:2100/DEF:1600]
Zane's familiar monster roared as it appeared. The Kaiser of Duel Academy pointed to the monster. "Cyber Dragon, destroy that face down!"
The machine unleashed a laser beam right down on the monster. Zane expected it to destroy the defense position monster. He did not expect something to still be standing even after his Cyber Dragon's attack.
[Level 3/ATK: 0/ DEF: 2100] Zane looked at his Duel Disk. He wondered why he could only see some of the stats of his opponent. Zane did not like this. He didn't even know the theme of his opponent's deck yet. "I end my turn with one facedown."
Turn 3: 3rd. Cards: 5.
The Shadow Rider drew his next card. The opponent set another monster face down before activating a card in his spell and trap zone. Zane noticed the card was a spell card. But he spotted the symbol on the top right corner.
"A ritual spell?" Zane raised his brow. Then he noticed the monster on the field and a card in his hand turning into energy before heading into the spell card. The Kaiser of Duel Academy braced himself for whatever Ritual Monster that would appear in the next moment.
It was no monster.
Only the word "Abomination" could ever match what he was witnessing.
Unlike most monsters that roared to show off their power, this mistake let off a conclave of pained wails, as if even existing was causing pain to itself! Zane didn't know what it was, but he could see countless other creatures and monsters almost forced together to create this nightmare in front of him. He quickly checked his duel disk for any information.
? Chimera. [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/Level: 5/ ATK: 2300/ DEF: 0]
There was more information this time. But one of the names was obscured. Luckily for Zane, he had a trap card called Cybernetic Overflow. This card allowed him to banish "Cyber Dragon(s)" with different Levels from your hand, face-up field, and/or GY, then destroy an equal number of cards his opponent controlled. Not only that, if it was destroyed by a card effect, Zane could search for another spell or trap card with "Cyber" in its name.
"!?" Zane looked down and noticed a gooey-like substance absorbing his trap card. He had this sinking feeling that his opponent wasn't trying to destroy it. "I activate my face down, Cybernetic Overflow! I can banish a Cyber Dragon from my hand to destroy—"
Zane was interrupted when the amalgamation screamed. The Kaiser noticed a monster card sliding out of the graveyard before vanishing into thin air before The Mistake unleashed a powerful wail that drained all color from Zane's trap card. Zane figured that it was negated, but then the card was pulled into the moving flesh pile. Zane turned to his graveyard, and true enough, his trap card was not in there. It was banished instead. It wasn't over for the Kaiser as the Chimera rushed for Cyber Dragon. Try as it might, the mechanical beast stood no chance against the wave of monstrosities.
3rd Shadow Rider: 4000 LP
Zane: 4000 LP → 3800LP
Zane braced himself for impact. However, he didn't feel any pain. That was odd. He saw the effects on others when they lost their life points in these Shadow Games. They would feel as if their life force was leaving them. However, Zane only felt the intensity of a regular duel: exciting but nothing harmful.
The beast tumbled on its way back to its Duelist. The 3rd Shadow Rider took a card from his hand and set it. He simply stood still, implying he was finished with his turn.
Turn 4: Zane. Cards: 4
Zane drew his next card and decided he needed to destroy that monster fast if it could banish his facedowns. He noticed that it has a price for that effect in that he banishes cards from the graveyard, but he has enough ammo for multiple negates.
"I summon Cyber Dragon Core in attack mode!" As Zane declared this, a smaller but still impressive version of Cyber Dragon appeared into the field.
Cyber Dragon Core [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type:Machine/Attribute:LIGHT/Level:2/ATK:400/DEF:1500]
"But I'm not finished! When I summon a Cyber Dragon monster, I can special summon Cyber Dragon Vier in defense mode!"
Cyber Dragon Vier [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type:Machine/Attribute:LIGHT/Level:4/ATK:1100/DEF:1600]
"Both my monsters have effects when summoned! Vier can increase the attack and defense points of all Cyber dragons by 500!" (ATK: 400 → 900/DEF: 1500 → 2000) (ATK: 1100 → 1600/DEF: 1600 → 2100) "Core allows me to take a Cyber Spell or Trap Card from my deck to my hand! Next, I play the field card, Fusion Gate!" As Zane exclaimed this, the world around them started to twist and turn. "With this field spell up, both players can banish cards on their field to fusion summon! I'm fusing both my monsters to bring out Cyber Twin Dragon!"
Cyber Twin Dragon [Type:Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type:Machine/Attribute:LIGHT/Level:8/ATK:2800/DEF:2100]
"This Monster can attack twice per turn!" Zane pointed towards the abomination. "Cyber Twin Dragon, erase that beast from the face of the earth!"
The mechanical beast roared as it unleashed another powerful laser right for the Chimera. The attack made contact, but the dock was covered by an explosion that unsettled the waters nearby.
However, as the smoke settled, the Kaiser was surprised to see the amalgamation was still there.
3rd Shadow Rider: 4000 LP→ 3500LP
Zane: 3800 LP
Zane found himself looking towards the graveyard of his opponent's duel disk. His suspicions were confirmed as he spotted his opponent removing a spell card from his grave. Alexis and Seika had similar Ritual Cards that protected their ritual monsters. That was something the 3rd Shadow Rider shared with his friends. That also meant the abomination was no longer protected from destruction.
"Attack again, Cyber Twin Dragon!" Zane exclaimed. The machine creature unleashed a powerful laser on the abomination, and this time the eyesore screamed as it burned away.
3rd Shadow Rider: 3500 LP→ 3000LP
Zane: 3800 LP
Zane eyed the facedown on his opponent's side of the field. That facedown was the only thing preventing him from ending this threat here and now. Yet, if he finished off this rider, their opponents would be down to only three Shadow Riders left.
But Zane knew a monster that would help. "I'm not done with my battle phase! I play the card Core gave me: Cyberload Fusion! I can fusion summon from my extra deck by shuffling back monsters on my field... or those banished, like the ones from my Fusion Gate! I shuffle back Core and Vier to fusion summon Chimericatech Rampage Dragon!"
Chimericatech Rampage Dragon[Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Machine/Attribute: LIGHT/Level: 5/ATK:2100/DEF:1600]
A black, octagon-shaped machine dropped into the field out of the fusion circle. Holes opened up, and out appeared cyber dragon heads and tails.
"When this card is fusion summoned, it can destroy trap and spell cards equal to the amount of fusion material used! Not only that, I can send two LIGHT monsters from my deck to my graveyard and gain two extra attacks!" As Zane declared this, he sent monsters from his deck to his grave. "Chimeratech! Destroy his face down!"
The new dragon unleashed a powerful laser right at the face down. Once more, smoke covered the field. However, Zane had no intention of stopping his assault. "Go, Chimeratech, attack him directly multiple times and end this duel!"
The fusion monster started to gather energy in their maws. However, Zane saw explosions coming from inside the torso of his new fusion monster. Something flew outside the torso and landed on the 3rd Shadow Rider's field. The being that landed on the field looked exactly like every infected/zombie movie ever to exist. However, this walking corpse looked like it was glowing.
? Token (ATK: 0/DEF:0)
Zane kept calm, but he could feel his heart rate quicken. "The facedown activated before it was destroyed, didn't it?"
The stranger did not respond. Zane looked down and saw the trap card that activated on his duel disk. He didn't see the name, but he saw the effect. "This trap card allows the user to tribute one monster on the opponent's side of the field and summon a token with the same level." (Level: 5)
Zane did not like this new development. His opponent was better than he expected. "I end my turn!"
Turn 5: 3rd Shadow Rider. Cards: 3.
The stranger drew his next card. As he did, Zane felt his key starting to shake.
This only worsened the alarm bells ringing in Zane's head as it meant his opponent was getting serious. The 3rd Shadow Rider played another spell card; Zane noticed that it was the same as the one before, the one that could be banished from the grave to protect Ritual Monsters from being destroyed once. The Kaiser watched as the token in front of him and the Chimera from the graveyard was absorbed into the spell card.
However, what caught Zane's eyes was that the 3rd Shadow Rider was starting to walk forward. As the Ritual Card gathered energy, the Shadow Rider looked like he was about to walk right into the card!?
In the last second, the Shadow Rider grabbed his cloak and tossed it into the sea as the Ritual Spell card shined with blinding light.
Zane shielded his eyes. When the light died down, he saw what—no, who stood before him. It was a zombie that almost looked like an Elemental Hero, if not for the spider-like/bone-like limbs that extended out from his back and other parts of his limbs. However, the head was on fire, and his eyes burned with a fire that made lava look cold.
His long scarf flew in the sea wind as he tossed his hand outward. "In this dark peregrination, I finally see an end to this bloody madness. Now nothing, even damnation, will stop me. Woe to all who get in the way of... The Revendread Slayer!"
Revendread Slayer [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/ Level: 6/ATK: 2400/ DEF: 0]
"You have shown great strength, Keeper. It is only fair that I meet you with my strength." The 3rd Shadow Rider's words were calm yet determined.
This was it. The 3rd Shadow Rider revealed his identity: a Duel Spirit like Witchcrafter Aruru and the Dark Scorpions. But there was an overwhelming pressure that came from this Shadow Rider the others before had never shown.
The Slayer pointed forward. "I used the token and Vendread Chimera as Tribute, and Chimera has an ability when used as fodder for a Ritual Summon. My opponent's monsters lose 500 attack and defense points."
(ATK: 2800 → 2300/DEF: 2100 → 1600)
The 3rd Shadow Rider ran with inhuman speed. He extended his right outward before a bone-sword exploded from his skin. He ran with his legs and his spider limbs to climb the dragon and jump above him with his sword-arm raised.
"When I battle a monster, by banishing one Zombie monster from my graveyard, I gain 300 attack points!" (ATK: 2400 → 2700) With that, his blade started to shine with the power-up. He cleaved the mighty dragon in one fell swoop. Then he left before he was swallowed by the explosion.
Revendread Slayer: 3000 LP
Zane: 3800 LP → 3400LP
As he slid to a stop, Slayer summoned his card hand and his duel disk. "I play one facedown and end my turn." As he finished his cards and the duel disk disappeared, yet a facedown appeared behind him.
Turn 6: Zane. Cards: 2
Zane drew his next card. "Because you have a monster on the field, I special summon my second Cyber Dragon in defense mode!" Even with one of his favorite monsters, Zane felt little relief staring down at his opponent, but he refused to show weakness.
"I end my turn after placing this facedown."
Turn 7: Slayer. Cards: 1
Once more, his duel disk and cards appeared in his hand before he drew his next card. "I play the continuous spell card, Vendread Nightmare! Then I'll attack your cyber dragon! Once more, I'll banish a zombie monster from my graveyard to gain 300 attack points!" (ATK: 2700 → 3000)
The 3rd Shadow Rider sped off and slid in front of the dragon. With one mighty punch, he shattered the metal dragon as if it was made of cardboard.
"That's not all. Vendread Nightmare allows a Vendread Ritual Monster to gain 1000 attack points after they successfully destroy a monster." (ATK: 3000 → 4000) "I end my turn there."
Zane started to panic as he saw the Shadow Rider get stronger the more he fought. This was a sign he had to move before things got worse. "Not so fast!" Zane yelled out as he pointed his hand downward. "I play Necro Fusion! I banish 6 of my Machine monsters from my graveyard, including my Cyber Dragons, to fusion summon Chimeratech Overdragon!"
Chimericatech OverDragon[Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Machine/Attribute: DARK/Level: 9/ATK: ?/DEF: ?]
Like Slayer's first ritual monster, Zane summoned his own chimera. But instead of flesh and random animals, Zane's beast was multiple dragon heads clocking with enough power to take down a small city. Many could in no way stare down a metal dragon-hydra. Revendread Slayer was one of those exceptions.
"Chimeractech Overdragon gains 800 extra for every Fusion Material used for his summoning, and I used 6!" (ATK: 0 → 4800/DEF: 0 → 4800)
The Slayer remained stoic in front of a beast stronger than him. "Are you finished?" He waited for Zane to nod his head. "Then it is your turn."
Turn 8: Zane. Cards: 1.
Zane drew his card. Luckily for him, Necro Fusion prevented battling the turn the fusion monster was summoned, which is why he used it before Slayer's turn ended. But the Ace of Duel Academy didn't want to underestimate his opponent. He was stronger than he thought. And the idea of him facing off against the others did not sit well with The Kaiser.
Zane narrowed his eyes before he cried out. " Chimeratech Overdragon can attack equal to amount of fusion material used for its summoning, and I used six!"
The shadow fire on Revendread Slayer's face flared up while Zane's new fusion unleashed screams of metallic power.
Zane pointed his hand up, only to point it back down towards his opponent. "You could survive one attack, yes! But how about six!?And even if you do, your life points won't! Now, Chimeratech Overdragon!"
Multiple familiar dragon heads came out of the 'drums' of the giant fusion. Each head gathered energy and unleashed a stream of unstable energy right at the 3rd Shadow Rider. The light of the attack could be seen even from space.
Zane gripped his fist as he waited for the result of his attack. When the smoke died down, he saw Revendread Slayer weak, battered, torn... but standing.
Revendread Slayer: 3000 LP → 600LP
Zane: 3400 LP
"What?! You survived!?" Zane screamed out.
"I have been through much worse than this, Keeper." Slayer summoned his duel disk and then pointed towards his right. Zane followed the direction until he saw the familiar color of a trap card. "I played the trap card, Vendread Ragnarok. If I have a Ritual Vendread Monster on the field, I can activate this card. My monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect until the end of the Battle Phase. Not only that, all battle and effect damage is halved until the end phase of this turn."
Zane gritted his teeth. "That means..."
"Six attacks," Slayer continued. "All doing only 400 damage per attack for a total of 2400 points instead of 4800 as you wanted."
This was problematic for the Kaiser of Duel Academy. He didn't have a move left.
"Vendread Ragnarok destroys all monsters on my field after the battle phase." Revendread Slayer took a step behind his magic and trap cards. "However, Revendread Slayer has an effect when he's sent to the graveyard. I'm allowed to take a Vendread Ritual Spell card and send one Vendread Monster to the graveyard." The 3rd Shadow Rider did so.
"I end my turn." Zane found those words hard to spit out. He still had Overdragon, but he had a feeling it wasn't going to be enough.
Turn 9: Slayer. Cards: 2.
"You have shown great strength, Keeper. Anyone lesser would have fallen to you." He drew his card. "But I did not come all the way here to be denied! I will set one monster before I play my 3rd and final, Revendread Origin! I can banish material from my field, and my graveyard, to ritual summon this monster!"
The Magic Card appeared in front of Revendread Slayer. Unlike before, this one was cackling with energy more than the last one. Revendread Slayer walked through the card, and his entire body started to transform. "At the end of the world, this form grants ultimate power and ultimate loneliness. To everyone else, it is the end incarnate. Behold, the Revendread Executor."
The transformation completed, and Revendread Slayer changed his form. His spider-like limbs were much thicker, had cracks that oozed with pulsating red energy. But that wasn't the only red thing. His entire color scheme turned to a deep crimson. He also had more of the strange armor around him. Overall, he exuded so much power that space seemed distorted around his silhouette.
Revendread Executor [Type: Ritual/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Zombie/ Attribute: DARK/ Level: 8/ATK: 3000/ DEF: 0]
Then, the new Ritual Monster exploded with red light. Zane forced himself to shield his eyes. But he heard this fusion monster screaming in pain. When he put his hand down, he noticed that his monster was gone! He checked his graveyard, but his fusion monster wasn't there! What kind of ability did this new Ritual monster use?
Wait.
He didn't attack yet, did he?
The Shadow rider raised a hand before pointing one finger in Zane's direction. Something flew fast past Zane's face. And then the entire area of trees behind Zane exploded.
Zane turned back before he felt a sting on his face. He checked and saw that his cheek was bleeding. Then he heard the sound of his life points dropping.
Revendread Slayer: 500 LP
Zane: 3400 LP → 400LP
It was then that Zane realized something. He had lost a lot of life points, but other than a light scratch, he's felt no pain this entire duel. Yet his opponent looked more damaged than him.
"That is all I can do this turn." Zane's thoughts were interrupted by Executor's voice.
Turn 10: Zane. Cards: 1.
Zane saw that both he and his opponent were low on life points and cards. He had a feeling that one way or another, this would be his last turn. Zane drew his last card, and his eyes widened when he saw what it was.
"I play Different Dimension Cybernetic Fusion Support! By halving my life points," (400 LP → 200LP) "I can now fusion summon using materials that were banished, and I'm allowed to use one card directly from my deck." He took his last card. "I now play Power Bond! I fuse the two Cyber Dragons from the banish pile and the last one from my deck to fusion summon my great beast, Cyber End Dragon!"
Cyber End Dragon [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type:Machine/Attribute:LIGHT/Level:10/ATK:4000/DEF:2800]
Zane spotted no face downs protecting his opponent this time. There was still that strange ability he had, but luckily for him it might only be an on-summon effect or even activated on his opponent's turn only. "Power Bond doubles the attack of the fusion monster!" (ATK: 4000 → 8000) "Now, attack Revendread Executor!"
This attack needed to connect. Even if Vendread Executor survived, his life points would not this time.
Cyber End Dragon unleashed a torrent of power right down onto the Shadow Rider. However, Zane noticed the Shadow Rider had prepared a force field.
"Cyber End Dragon, give it your all!" The Kaiser demanded of his deck's ace. The Dragon did so, pouring more power into the attack and causing the forcefield to crack.
Then, Zane saw it: how the 3rd Shadow rider's eyes started to glow brighter than before.
"When Vendread Revenants are used for a Ritual Summon, the Ritual Monster gains this quick effect: once per turn, I can now banish a special summoned monster, even one from the Extra Deck!"
"Your monster gained a quick effect!?" Zane yelled out as he realized what had happened the first time Revendread Executor was summoned.
A blinding, red light exploded from the forcefield from the inside out. It repelled away Cyber End Dragon. Revendread Executor knelt before he jumped away with a sonic boom. In the air, he swung his hand back, and then all of his tendrils formed into one giant claw that cackled with red lightning. He slashed the mighty beast as it exploded. Zane braced himself as his monster was destroyed, or technically banished. However, he noticed that he was unharmed even with his ace monster exploding above him. It took the older Truesdale a second before he realized that a familiar forcefield had protected him from the blast.
Revendread Executor landed in front of him. "Power Bond has a drawback, doesn't it?"
"... During the End Phase, I take damage equal to the original attack of the fusion monster."
Zane stared at Revendread Executor. The Shadow Rider stepped forward.
"For what it's worth, you were a strong warrior." Then, Zane felt something hit the back of his neck. He fell forward... but he was caught by the 3rd Shadow Rider.
Revendread Slayer: 500 LP (Winner!)
Zane: 200 LP → 0LP
Revendread Executor transformed back into Slayer. With an image that betrayed the name Shadow Rider, The Slayer placed Zane down gently to the floor and took his Spirit Key.
"One down, six to go." He looked up to the moon. As the 3rd Shadow Rider started to move, he stopped in his tracks. "You can come out, 8th. I know you and others have been watching my duel."
Behind Revendread Slayer, the armored 8th Shadow Rider appeared.
"Is there any reason why you've suddenly taken an interest in me?"
To most, one could only hear the waves starting to push and pull.
"I can hear them, you know: the ones that think they're hidden behind you."
Even less would notice the 8th tensing at that moment.
The 3rd scoffed and walked forward. "I care very little what you are doing. Just stay out of my way, or else..."
The 8th Shadow Rider stared at where the 3rd one vanished before he looked over to Zane's unconscious form.
"He's dangerous."
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
"No way!" Jaden gasped after hearing the story. "Zane lost!?"
"He's strong. Unbelievably strong." Everyone in the Music Club was shocked to hear those words from The Kaiser of Duel Academy. "He does not need gimmicks at all."
"Of all the times for you to lose, buddy, you picked a bad time to do so!" Atticus spoke up from one of the seats.
"Yeah, I wanted to be the one to finally beat you." Seika half-joked, but even she seemed nervous that there was someone among the Shadow Riders who could outduel Zane fairly.
"He wasn't just skilled. He was determined. I got the impression from him that he was going to win no matter what."
"This means that we gotta step up to the plate as well!" Jaden clenched his fist.
"If I may?" Bastion spoke up. "The previous Rider, Aruru, warned me that these last four were not to be faced alone. Even she feared them."
"It's not just her." Everyone turned to Chazz. "I tried to get the Dark Scorpions to spill anything they got on the 3rd. Even those idiots are afraid of him."
To the remaining Keepers and their friends, the idea that even Shadow Riders were afraid of their ally did not sit well with them.
"I think," The Ra Yellow Ace went on. "Aruru meant that we need to tag team against the last of the Shadow Riders. We can't defeat them one on one anymore."
"We have to do a tag duel against the 3rd Shadow Rider?" Alexis sounded surprised. "That doesn't sound sporting."
"Come to think of it, Jaden and I tag-dueled Camula!" Jesse spoke up. "What do ya say, J? Want another dream team duel?!"
"You bet! This guy is going down!" Jaden agreed with his doppelganger.
"Jaden and Jesse aren't wrong." Zane was probably speaking more to others than he did in a month, a shame that it was only because the situation was dire. "Tag Duels might be the only way to stop him."
They heard a knock on the Music Room door. The Key Keepers all turned to the noise before they watched Wilona open the door. They were not expecting Madison, The Student Body Secretary, to be there.
"Prez, VP," The girl began politely. "We need both of you for the board meeting in 15."
"Ah right." Seika began as she walked forward. "Come along, Zane. Your keeper duties may be done, but not those!"
Zane looked like he was fighting the urge to sigh. It almost looked like he wanted to duel the 3rd Shadow Rider again than follow Seika. A shame that he didn't seem to have a say in the matter.
"Oh, also!" Madison took something from behind her back. "I found this on your desk."
Seika took what looked to be a letter. However, everyone noticed Zane freeze when he saw the emblem seal.
"Thank you, Maddie. Go ahead. We'll catch up." The Secretary did so, but Seika closed the door behind her.
"I received a duel challenge in the form of a letter from the 3rd Shadow Rider," Zane's words made everyone look back at the letter the Student Body President had.
Seika opened the letter and read aloud the contents. "Keeper, I have heard you were the next strongest among your allies. In one week at midnight, near the northern lake, I will face you there."
"He's aiming for the best duelists first?!" Chazz started to realize.
"I mean, he did challenge Zane first!" Syrus shouted and pointed to his older brother.
"Seika, you can't duel him alone!" Zane looked to his president.
"He challenged only me." Seika folded the paper. "Besides, it might be fun to beat the Duelist that beat you."
"Seika, wait!" Atticus got out of his seat and also looked worried. "I may not remember my time as Nightshroud, but I still feel a strange but overwhelming pressure whenever the 3rd Shadow Rider is mentioned. He's not someone to underestimate!"
"The same goes for me, remember?" Seika was weirdly solemn as she said that. "I didn't claw my way up to Duel Academy's second-best because everyone else vanished." The purple-haired girl glared in Atticus's direction.
The spikey, green-haired Obelisk Blue winced. "I didn't mean to get kidnapped by dark forces!"
Seika sighed. "We'll talk about this more later. He's giving me a week. I think you did more damage to him than you realized, Zane. Come on! I want you to suffer in this next meeting." With that, The Student Body President left the room.
"She's taking it pretty well." Chazz folded his arms.
"But," Alexis spoke up. "If we are going to tag duel, who's going to be her partner?"
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains.]
"Did that really happen?" Alexis asked Wilona as the two were walking down the forest to the Red Dorms.
"Unfortunately, yes. All those monsters Princeton found to duel his brothers are all Spirit Monsters. The first night was torture with them, The Dark Scorpions, and Anderson's spirits having some party."
"It couldn't have been that bad."
"I thought you would be more considerate. Didn't your past come back to haunt you recently in the form of a gambling bloke?"
"Okay, fine! At least my past was put to rest. So how did you go to sleep?"
Wilona looked away.
Alexis stared at her friend in disbelief as she started to connect the dots. "No! You can't blackmail spirits?!"
"True," Wilona shook her head. "But I was not in my right mind at the time, so I wasn't held accountable for my actions!"
"What?! Wilona, what did you do!?"
At that moment, Honest appeared. "Wilona slammed open the door to the party and spoke with blood-shot eyes that if they continued to make noise, and I quote, 'I will make you beg for eternal darkness back in the well!' while holding scissors. The spirits learned very quickly to manage their parties in more considerate times. Mr. Anderson did as well, but Mr. Princeton was fast asleep with earplugs."
"Earplugs," Wilona slapped her forehead. "Why didn't I notice that sooner!?"
"Wilona," Alexis clicked her tongue. "You do know threatening people is illegal and immoral, right?"
"Oh, Rhodes," Wilona looked at her friend like an adult about to tell a child that Santa wasn't real. "Why do you think I'm trying to be a businesswoman or even a future CEO to a company? It's a necessary skill!"
Alexis wanted to argue against that. However, she decided to not further talk about career skills/morality when she spotted her brother's green hair. It took a second for her brain to realize that he was walking into the forest. "Hey, what's Atticus doing here?"
The two girls looked at each other before they followed after Alexis' brother. It didn't take them long to realize that they were following Atticus to the northern lake, two days before Seika's Duel with the 3rd Shadow Rider.
"You're late." Alexis and Wilona spotted Seika already waiting as Atticus went into the clearing.
"I'm fashionably late for one of the most beautiful girls in school!" Atticus began with flowery language. "One must set their mind to prepare for this heavenly encounter!"
"How is it you've always got something new to say? If only the dark powers could have stolen your chauvinism."
"Chauvinist!? But how can I be one when I love others too much!? Is that my sin!?" Perhaps he didn't think himself superior to others, but the over complimenting was getting old, fast.
Alexis sighed into her hand and silently agreed with Seika. However, the two watchers noticed both of them priming their duel disks.
"Alright, let's get down to business!"
"Let's Duel!"
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
Alexis and Wilona were stunned to say the least. Seika and Atticus wasted no time with each other as they set off combos and defensive plays that neither of them could keep up with. In the end, Seika eeked out a win, but Atticus made her earn it.
"You're getting better, Seika! I still can't win!"
However, the president didn't seem as satisfied. "Not good enough. Let's go again."
And they did. Two more amazing combo-filled duels later, Seika still didn't look satisfied even after winning the last two duels.
Atticus was far past the mood to flirt now. "Seika, we've been at this for days. You should give it a rest." He seemed more concerned than anything else.
"I did rest, Atticus. This is training. You agreed to help." Seika sat down on a nearby rock and drank a water bottle.
"But you're pushing yourself! Last night we went till dawn! And trust me, I would have killed to spend the night with you, but not like that!"
Seika sighed after drinking her water. She titled her head to the side and asked, "What do you two think?"
Wilona and Alexis flinched before they revealed themselves.
"I," Alexis began. "I didn't know you were training."
"Kinda have to. I spent years trying to beat Zane, and someone goes off and does it in one night." She scoffed. "Now I gotta duel him. I have a lot of catching up to do."
"But you're one of the strongest duelists I've ever met!" Alexis cried out.
"So was Zane." The freshman went silent after those three words.
"You won't duel him alone, Seika!" Atticus walked forward. "If you'll allow me, I'll duel alongside with you!"
"It's not up to me; it's up to him." She stood up. "Alright, I've got responsibilities to do. I'll see you guys later."
Alexis and the other two watched as Seika left the area. Atticus sighed. "And she says that I haven't changed. New deck, new personality, but still as stubborn and driven as ever."
"What do you mean?" Alexis turned to her brother.
"Seika is one of the most competitive people I know." Atticus began. "She's different than she was at the beginning of the year. She was a hotshot and had a huge ego. She came from a pretty big family too. But her world came tumbling down when she dueled Zane. She lost, hard." Atticus laughed. "It was around that time we started to become friends." He groaned and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, after I beat her. And as much as I wanted girls to come after me, Seika would not give me a break!"
"You speak very fondly of it," Wilona noted.
"Back then, things were simpler." Atticus sighed. However, his smile returned as he turned towards his sister. "Hey, sissy! Now about that Sister/Brother duo?"
"Atticus, no!" Alexis vehemently spoke up, much to the confusion of her Slifer Best friend.
"Come on! You're already in a music club!"
"Because all my friends were in it except me!" Alexis grunted before turning on her heel and storming off. "Wilona, we're leaving!"
"Wait, come back!" Atticus started to run after his sister. However, he happened to run past Honest when he did so. The green-haired brother turned back to Honest's direction.
Wilona looked on with curiosity. "Can you see Duel Spirits?"
"Duel Spirits?" Atticus turned to Wilona with an almost dazed expression. He then shook his head. "Never heard of that! Wait up, Alexis!"
Wilona watched the older teen leave. "Odd, you'd think exposure to the Spirit World would make one see Duel Spirits. I thought for sure Atticus would have been affected by it, even by the darker aspects of it." When the light-green-haired girl turned, she wasn't expecting Honest to stare in the direction that Atticus left. "Honest?"
The Angel Duel Spirit winced as he put a hand on his head.
"Honest!?"
"I," The headache was alleviating. "I am fine, Ms. Wilona."
"I've never seen you get a headache before. Are you sure you're alright?"
Honest looked back to where Atticus left. "I do not know."
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
It was midnight near the northern lake. All of the Keepers, along with Chumley, Syrus, Atticus, Crowler, and Wilona, waited for the 3rd Shadow Rider.
Across from Seika, a cloaked figure appeared out of thin air. He silently raised his hand, and his bones started to transform into a duel disk.
"Wait." Everyone turned to see Atticus stepping forward. "What about making this a tag duel? Me and my friend here against you?"
Everyone watched as the Revendread Slayer stared down the older Rhodes sibling. Finally, he broke eye contact and turned to Seika. "I have no interest in dueling you, Nightshroud."
"I'm not Nightshroud!" Atticus cried out. The sharper members of the group noticed Seika flinching slightly.
The 3rd Shadow Rider showed no sign of even caring at the complaint. "If you were another Key Keeper, I would consider it then. Otherwise, let us begin—"
"I'll be her partner!" Everyone saw Alexis step forward as she primed her duel disk. "I have a Key, Shadow Rider! Duel Seika and me for two keys instead of one!"
"Alexis!?" "Sis!?" "Rhodes, why?"
The Shadow Rider spoke up, silencing whatever dissent the students had. "I will accept under several conditions: I will allow you two to use separate fields, and I will have 8000 Life Points."
"Those conditions aren't bad. I accept." Alexis walked near Seika.
"Little sister, I hope you know what you're doing." The Student Body President did not take her view away from the Shadow Rider.
"I'm giving you backup. You are strong enough to beat this guy yourself, but think of me as support."
The two Obelisk Blue girls primed their duel disks.
"LET'S DUEL!"
[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]
[Author Notes]
Ahaha! Finally!~ I've been waiting to write about this Shadow Rider for a long time! Everyone, meet Revendread Slayer! My favorite Yugioh Archetype to date! I'm biased as heck towards this archetype, so expect some crazier duels with this guy! Isn't it funny that we've just reached the halfway point with the Shadow Riders? But trust me: I still have a lot of fun ideas before the school year is even over!
Thanks for sticking and supporting this story. I'm humbled that an OC story is technically doing this well! Stay safe out there!
[Altered/Made Up Cards]
Chimeratech Cyber Dragon: This is real, but its effects don't happen at the same time. Normally, it would try to destroy a card first before it activates its extra attacks, but I wanted a combo.
(Chimeratech Fortress Dragon): Okay, so I removed this dragon and used Overdragon instead because it was probably easier to make the duel more TCG true. I thought it was okay to use Necro Fusion on it since it wasn't Polymerization, but I found out when it says that, it means it can't be fusion summoned.
(Cyber Fusion Unstable Upgrades): I deleted this card because there was no need for it.
Vendread Ragnarok:
Different Dimension Cybernetic Fusion Support: This was just an altered version of Cybernetic Fusion Support.
