Incompatibly in a Shadow Game - 11

***

Gojo POV

Lame. Really lame. I got a call to come check out this duel between Jaden and Chazz. Because its duel academy vs North Academy. Reluctantly, I dragged myself there because Dark Magician Girl wanted to see it. But truth be told, I slept through the entire match.

~

A few weeks after that, I sensed some magic power emanating from somewhere on the island. Dark Magician Girl felt it too, sensing some ancient magic or sorcery reminiscent of what she had encountered in ancient Egypt. We rushed to the source, but it mysteriously vanished just seconds after we arrived. To our surprise, we found Jaden and the others unconscious. And there, Jaden, around his neck was some crusty, dusty, yellow, icky half of a medallion on him.

That's when I remembered that the medallion is a sign that shadow duelists or rider users will appear soon.

[Ahh fuck… It's happening. I should update the Egyptian gods on some progress. Do you think I should make some more of those energy-charged millennium pedants?] I let out a sigh as I looked at the unconscious useless people on the floor.

[Stop. We already have over a dozen. I don't think we need any more of those.] Dark Magician Girl replied, shivering at the memory of those things.

[If you say so, honey.] I walked towards the group as I raised my hand.

"Yo, wake the fuck up, idiots!" I smacked everyone, all the useless people who were napping amidst the ruins of a historic site, even the cat. Then I teleported myself out because this was a waste of time.

***

Within the enemy territory, tension thick in the air.

The supposed ringleader leaned in and asked, "So, who is going?"

Nightshroud stepped forward, his red eyes glowed in the dark. "I will, Master."

"Ah, Nightshroud. Be wary of the rumored duelist Gojo."

Nightshroud's smile exuded confidence as he continued, "I will not fail. The Academy's prized possession will soon be ours."

***

That same night.

(Gojo POV)

"This is a first. A rainstorm on Duel Academy Island?" I mused, gazing out of the window in my room.

[I know right? Heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning storms. It's like a premonition.] Dark Magician Girl has materialized besides.

[Don't jinx it, honey.] I turned back to continue with what I was doing.

Three cards were levitating in front of me. As I had called for them.

~~~

The following early morning.

*Ring ring ring.*

"Ah, for fuck sakes." I muttered, using my spatial manipulation ability to tap on the answer call without getting up.

"This had better be a damn good reason." I groaned.

"Please come to my office. It's a summon." the chancellor abruptly stated before hanging up.

Beep.

"Notto dis shit again." I sighed, getting up. Dark Magician Girl awoke with a smile, giving me a peck on the lips before transforming into a pink sphere and merging inside me.

After I cleaned up and got myself ready, I teleported straight to the chancellor's office front door.

~

Everyone who was useless and useful in my book was already inside the room. Oh, and there were newcomers. The professor Crowler and Banner. As everyone stood side by side, I went for the chair.

I casually plopped down in the chancellor's chair because the supposed "important" person just kept standing, gazing out the window. Of course, my actions and attitude left everyone bewildered, but they wisely chose to keep their mouths shut.

'Right, he is not normal. So, it's normal.' Everyone who was standing thought.

Then, the chancellor finally began speaking, but not before giving me an odd look.

"You are all here because of the issue regarding the three sacred beasts." The chancellor spoke with a solemn tone as he looked at everyone while walking around the desk.

"Three sacred beasts?" Jaden chimed in with surprise. "Wait, I feel like I've heard of this before for some reason," he added in a low mutter under his breath.

"Yes, the three sacred beasts, due to their immense power and their colossal might. They were hidden here in duel academy." Chancellor sheppard said.

"Sweet like under someone's mattress? Or someone's cookie jar." Jaden asked, tilting his head in his characteristic fashion.

"Close. It's close. Much closer than you think. Below this island. You see, this academy was built to protect the sacred beasts' cards." Chancellor Sheppard continued.

'it makes you think who the hell created the three sacred beasts' cards, I know it wasn't Pegasus.' I nodded in my thoughts.

"They were buried very deep underground, their power sealed safely away after all, legend says if these cards ever see the light of day, terrible things will happen. Buildings will crumble, light will fade, souls will fall, our world will be no more." The Chancellor explained the damage of what the three sacred beasts can do.

[Yo, I didn't see that happen with the three Egyptian gods. No offense, but I feel like Obelisk would actually do something like that. He comes out from the ground, and punches things.] I questioned Dark Magician Girl telepathically.

[The Egyptian gods are those who protect and can be controlled by ancient Egyptian ancestors. Those three were also revered.] She responded.

[Huh. Do you think if I break the seal and then tear up the three cards myself, I would have basically saved the world? Now that I think about it, we can save so much time.] I suggested an outrageous idea, contemplating the possibility of taking matters into my own hands.

[Right… Please don't do that. I think there will be repercussions for doing so.] She rejected the idea.

"Pause and question. What the hell is Kaiba doing? He definitely is aware of this, I'm sure of that." I asked.

"The seal and lock are stationed on this island, and, well, you know Kaiba, he entrusted me with this mission since he really has more important things to do," The Chancellor explained, avoiding my gaze when I stared at him with suspicion.

I sighed and shook my head, saying, "I see. That crazy madman is at it again, engrossed in another groundbreaking technology, instead of bothering with this." I secretly thought, 'Are they on the Dark side of the dimension arc over there? Damn, I actually want to be there. I needa let Obelisk know.'

Everyone in the room seemed to be thinking, 'The crazy madman is you! In fact, why are you so nonchalant about this?'

I continued, "Well, if Seto fucking Kaiba is so busy that he'd rather leave the protection of these lousy cards in the hands of a bunch of students from an academy, then I can confidently say that these Sacred Beasts are utterly trash compared to the Egyptian God Cards." I stated dismissively.

'What's with that phrasing' Everyone bewildered at how I can call them like that.

"Don't be mistaken; even though they are inferior and weaker than the Egyptian gods, they are currently the most formidable monsters in the world behind the Egyptian gods," the Chancellor emphasized.

I followed up, "Oh, I know that much. But did you guys know? Kaiba and I were witnesses to Yugi Muto personally facing off against someone who wielded all three Egyptian God Cards at once and won. Just know this, I've already developed a countermeasure against Sacred Beasts after watching that." As I started spinning the chair I was sitting on.

The room was left in stunned silence as everyone processed this information. It seemed unbelievable that Gojo Satoru was so casually dropping one bombshell after another.

[Oh, wow. You know about that too?] Dark Magician Girl asked, a hint of surprise in her tone.

[Of course, how else do I know the chant 💀to summon the gods and especially Ra?] I responded.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait! You gotta tell me more about that!" Jaden exclaimed excitedly.

"Hell no, I'm not going to." I smiled as I heard Jaden yell.

Chancellor Sheppard couldn't help but groan and facepalm in response to the awkward mood I had created.

Zane, after some contemplation, finally spoke up in confusion, "Wait, shouldn't you be sharing your countermeasure against the Sacred Beasts?"

"Let's just say that those sacred beasts must be brought out and used in a duel for my countermeasure to work." I responded, offering a vague explanation. 'Like hell I'm going to explain the measure, what if you guys go rogue?'

"Ahem. Anyways, that's why seven of you are here to protect the three cards from the wicked ones." Chancellor Sheppard spoke solemnly.

"Wicked ones?" Zane asked with eyes brow rose.

"Yes, wicked ones, seven duelists known as shadow riders— "

[Oh! So that was what they were called, the shadow riders. That's wack. I could have come up with better names like Shadow Kamen Riders.] I commented telepathically as I tuned out the entire conversation.

[What is Shadow Kamen Rider? That sounds cool.] Dark Magician Girl asked with interest.

~~~

As the conversation seemed to be coming to an end, the Chancellor pulled out a box containing seven keys arranged in a rectangular shape. This caught my attention, and I rejoined the discussion.

"Wait, so we hold the keys won't that make us targets?" Bastion asked, confused.

"Well, what do you think the whole conversation was about?" I responded, still enjoying my chair-spinning antics like a child.

"Right. We were picked for this reason." Bastion answered.

"That's right. With these keys the shadow riders will target you." The chancellor spoke spookily.

"But they can only claim it in a duel." He added.

"That doesn't make any sense." Chazz commented.

"Old magic from the past was involved. Unless the key holder loses a duel, the key will never work. So, if they are stolen, it will not work; they must beat you in a duel. Only then would the key be recognized and function as a functional key for the seal." I explained, finally stopping the chair from spinning.

The Chancellor nodded at my explanation and looked worried as he said, "So, that's why I called on the seven best to take up this challenge and fight the Shadow Riders."

"For the record, I'm not taking it. You guys can have fun with the Shadow Riders and dueling them. In fact, this will help you open your eyes to what you guys are lacking. They are skilled duelists who can probably beat pros." I comment. (I laughed a little at the last sentence.)

"Of course, if any of you don't think you're up to it and feel like backing out, I won't blame you. After all, these Shadow Riders play for keeps," The Chancellor spoke with a tinge of sadness as he opened the box, revealing the keys.

And then, to everyone's surprise, Jaden immediately snatched one of the keys and put it around his neck.

[Bruh / Huh?!] Both I and Dark Magician responded in disbelief, clearly taken aback by Jaden's swift decision.

After Jaden's impulsive move, it seemed like the rest of the group followed suit and took pieces of the keys as well.

Banner, the last one in the group, reached for the final key and calmly stated, "Well then, I am the last one."

~

I began to walk out of the room after seeing how this concluded.

[You know they could die right?] Dark Magician Girl

[Oh, I definitely know that. That's why I didn't say anything saying regarding how serious this case can be. They wouldn't grab the keys if they knew, and we needed those seven wielders without a doubt. It's the only way to start this entire world-ending disaster, just so we can start saving it.] I responded.

Only then could I leave this world.

[That is sad. They are all going to have to duel in a shadow game.] She responded with a hint of sorrow in her tone.

[Shadow game, huh.] I gazed out of the room and pondered about the sacred law of this world.

***

The following night after today's meeting.

"Ah, for fuck sakes." I muttered, sensing a clash of dark magic and a sinister aura. My gaze was drawn to the volcano through the windows in my room.

I jumped out of bed and activated the Gate of Infinity, quickly suiting up.

[Today? And why the hell at the volcano?] I complained.

[Doesn't matter, come on, husband!] She transformed into a sphere of pink light and entered inside me.

And in an instant, I teleported, arriving at the edge of the volcano.

We peered over the edge, watching the scene below unfold. There, I jumped into the pit, and we just jumped right onto the magical platform in the showdown between Jaden, Alexis, and this masked man.

"You know, couldn't you have waited until tomorrow night? They just got the key today," I quipped.

"And I arrived last night. Names Nightshroud who are you?" Nightshroud asked a bit of interest.

"Gojo?!" Jaden and Alexis exclaimed, their eyes widening in shock. 'Did he just come from above? No, he jumped into this pit. What is this?' Thoughts forming into their mind.

'Gojo, is this the guy I'm supposed to watch out for?' Nightshroud calmly observed before activating his own type of magic in an attempt to trap me.

"You just heard them say my name. By the way, nice costume. And hey, sup useless." I cracked my neck.

"Funny, I don't know how you got here. But it doesn't matter. So, I'm going to need you to stay put," He chuckled as he trapped me in a barrier of blue light.

"And this is?" I questioned him as I lightly tapped the barrier with my curse technique, lapse blue around my hand effortlessly shattering the barrier.

"Oh, fragile." I said, unimpressed.

"So, you're just a little bit special; but that doesn't matter. After all, a smallfry is a small fry." Nightshroud chuckled. Fire-shaped dragon worms lunged at me from the lava, but I stayed still because I had limitless on.

As the fiery dragons roared and engulfed me, Alexis, Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley screamed in horror. "Gojo!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[You think I should try playing dead and then surprise them all?] I thought about it.

[No, that is fucked up. Look at Alexis right now, she is in tears.] Dark Magician Girl argued.

[OOOO good point.]

"Who…are you calling small fry?" I retorted to Nightshroud.

"Huh?!" Nightshroud, Jaden, Alexis, Syrus, and Chumley were surprised to see me intact, with no burns or injuries. "What the heck? How did he survive that?" Chumley exasperated. Syrus sighed with relief. Alexis was already on the verge of tears after seeing that. Jaden was gritting his teeth at seeing how Nightshroud actually tried to kill his friend.

"How did you survive— " Nightshroud asked in shock.

"Chill, Jaden. Remember, I'm the strongest." I cut him off, as I started stretching.

"Right," Jaden nodded and calmed himself. 'Right, what matters is that he is alive.' However, internally Jaden was furious that Nightshroud had actually tried to kill his friend.

~

There were far too many variables to consider, and I preferred not to risk unpleasant surprises by interfering with a shadow game that is considered ongoing. So, killing Nightshroud is a no go.

When I arrived, the duel disks were already out, and 5 cards were in their hands. But no one has made a move. It is still considered a shadow game in progress (considering these shadow riders do shadow games). So, if I wanted to join in, I have to use this move again.

"Domain Expansion, Unlimited Void (Modified)," I gestured, twirling my middle finger to my index finger on my right hand. I intend to leave Syrus and Chumley out.

A barrier enveloping us with an influx of new information hitting everyone in the barrier.

"What?" Nightshroud was shocked by the influx of new information and penalties. "You can override shadow games?" he muttered. He stared at me warily now. As he was rather shocked about the new information than the change in scenery as we are in a void barrier.

"Gojo you are dueling?!" Alexis was shocked at how I did it and then looked around the scenery.

"Well, I am glad you are on my side." Jaden smiled wearily and took his stance beside me.

"Let's Duel" X3

4000 LP x3

"I am starting." I immediately executed my move.

By joining in, this Nightshroud guy has two turns while Jaden and I have one, since we are tag dueling against one person. Given that this was the very first turn and I was going first, I also had to contend with the rule preventing me from attacking on my initial turn. But that is fine.

"You're in for a surprise, clown." I smiled at Nightshroud.

"I activate graceful charity; this allows me to draw three then discard two." I said, immediately shoving two cards into my graveyard and taking the one card I need. One of the cards in the graveyard will be Electromagnetic Turtle and the other one is Clear Kuriboh.

'Again 5 cards in hand. So many deck options. Let's go with something simple for this. How about Timelord?'

[I have never heard of that before.] Dark Magician Girl expressed her curiosity and interest in these unfamiliar cards.

[It would be weird if you did. It's good at being annoying and you will see why.] I replied telepathically.

"I normal summon Michion, the Timelord. Then place one card face down." I declared with a dark, sinister smile, directing my attention squarely at Nightshroud. 'I hope he is going to like this trap card, Ice Dragon's Prison.'

A/N: Information: Michion, the Timelord. LVL 10. 0 Attack. Cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Gojo takes no battle damage involving this card. At the end of the battle phase (if this card battles:halve my opponent's life points. Once per turn during Gojo's standby phase I have to shuffle this card back into the deck.

"Hmm, so what? 0 attack points? And you actually put that in your deck? Big talk coming from trash." Nightshroud seemingly unimpressed.

"Feast your eyes on this Hahahaha! I draw. Hahahaha" He said as he drew his card.

"I summoned Hunter Dragon in attack mode." Immediately playing the monster he drew.

Lvl 4 monster 1700 attack points. Normal monster.

[He's using a Red-Eyes deck. But usually, when you hear someone's using a Red-Eyes deck there would be— Right, wrong world. I won't be seeing a real Red-Eyes deck happening anytime soon in this world.]

[That's because no one owns those cards like you do.] Dark Magician Girl retorted.

"1700 attack points!" Jaden looked worriedly.

"And I will be using it to attack you, Jaden! Ahahahaha." Nightshroud laughed.

"What?" Jaden looked shocked as he was receiving the monster's attack as it was charging towards him.

"No way, Jaden is wide open!" Alexis yelled, her heart sinking at what was happening.

[Is it instinct or what? I wanted him to attack me, but he chose to attack Jaden?] I pondered, confused by his decision.

[You have a facedown card. Obviously, the real opening is Jaden.] Dark Magician Girl pointed out.

[Sorry, I'm just used to watching idiots in the academy attacking regardless of face down. I assumed he was one too. Because the cards in his deck are ass.] I removed one of my monsters from my graveyard.

The monster of Nightshroud stopped before striking Jaden.

"What?" Alexis, Jaden, and Nightshroud were surprised that his monster stopped.

"I activated my monster's quick effect from my graveyard. I can end your battle phase by banishing this monster, Electromagnetic Turtle, from the graveyard that I discarded when I used Grace of Charity," I grumbled, clicking my tongue.

"I see," NightShroud narrowed his eyes on me.

"Whew." Jaden wiped his sweat.

"I placed 2 cards face down and end my turn." NightShroud declared.

"Oh yeah! My turn. I draw!" Jaden looked at his card for a moment before making his move.

"I will throw 5 faces down! And then summon Elemental Hero Wildheart in defense mode!" Jaden declared.

[What? Did he brick?] I was surprised by his hand and play.

[Just trust him. Probably.] She commented.

'No, no, no. Those face-downs are definitely Negate Attack, Negate Attack 2.0, Negate Attack 3.0, and maybe one Mirror Force. Well, that's not good, because I need Nightshroud to attack my monster, damn it. Jaden is going to stop him from attacking me, isn't he? I can't say anything because Nightshroud know I'm cooking something.'

"Thanks for the help before Gojo! I got your back now," Jaden gives me a thumbs up.

[Ah.] Dark Magician Girl realized that my monster abilities revolve on battling my opponent.

"Useless, right back at ya." I replied back to him with a monotone. 'Seriously, I have to carry with this?'

"Well then, I draw. And you'd be surprised by what I've drawn, because I've summoned Red-Eyes Black Chick," Nightshroud laughed loudly as he explained.

[Oh god, this is a monologue.] I cringed.

"But wait, it won't be here for long, because I will be tributing it to summon the almighty Red-Eyes Black Dragon in attack mode."

"Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" Alexis and Jaden both turned to look at me as if I were supposed to feel something about this. I rolled my eyes as I noticed how concerned they were looking at me.

"What? It's useless, it's not even a fusion variant. Just a normal monster." I sighed, answering their curiosity. Just before I activate my trap card.

"Hoh, not as normal as what's about to happen. Because this spell card, Inferno Fire Blast. Red-Eyes Black Dragon is going to inflict 2400 damage to each of you," he chuckled.

"Ah," I was not surprised by his ability to make some small plays with that weird deck of his. No, I was surprised because he had used the spell card before the summoning animation of red eyes finished. Damn it, I was going to use my trap card after it finished its animation. But he used the spell card right before it finished. Whatever, I can still use my trap card.

This ain't like Master Duel, where your opponent's turn gets paused just because you can make a counter during their turn when available. Nope, not in this world. So, what happened is that Nightshroud's spell card went first, and he caught me lacking when I was talking to Alexis and Jaden. I didn't activate my trap card in time to banish his dragon before he could cast that spell.

"Oh no, you guys!" Alexis's eyes widened in horror as the Red-Eyes Black Dragon proceeded to open his mouth and blast the attack at both me and Jaden.

"Reveal face down card! Ice dragon prison. What this card does is let me summon your Red-Eyes Black Chick from your graveyard to my side of the field—" I quickly moved in front of Jaden.

"Gojo?!" Alexis and Jaden yelled.

The Red-Eyes Black Dragon's inferno blast hit us, well, no it hit infinity. But I managed to shield Jaden from the attack.

Jaden and my life points dropped to 1600 LP. While I was fine and still standing, Jaden crouched down like he had taken some damage still. "Hey… That hurt," he said, gasping heavily.

"JADEN!" Alexis worriedly yelled.

'Huh, so when the life points drop, I thought the damage was just one of the two, physical or soul in the Shadow Game? Isn't this guy experiencing both?' I pondered.

[Both can happen...] The Dark Magician Girl glanced anxiously at Jaden.

Gotta continue. As soon as Red-Eyes Black Chick appeared on my side of the field.

"Now, I banish this Red-Eyes Black Chick and your Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" I declared, continuing my trap card effect.

"What?! No way!" Nightshroud shockingly wants to deny this.

"Yes way! Now, get the hell out!" We watched as the Red-Eyes Black Dragon got frozen and struggled to break free from the ice, only to be banished as the icy prison shattered the black dragon.

"I end my turn," Nightshroud muttered, clearly annoyed with the current situation.

'Whoa, Gojo just permanently got rid of that monster.' Jaden struggled to get up.

'He just got rid of his ace! We can win this!' Alexis thought with growing hope.

'I'm going to change deck.' I facepalmed.

The three had different thoughts.

***