We all applauded Peter, who was turning red with embarrassment, but had a small smile on his face. He got close and I raise is little arm like a winner while everyone was applauding
—Congratulations, Peter. I hope you enjoyed the tournament,— I said with a smile, receiving a nod from Peter.
—Well, Peter, now that you've won, you're entitled to a question. Have you thought about it?—
Peter nods at that, and thinks for a moment, I know that he is really smart and surely manages to ask the right question; and although I don't want to explain it, it's better to prepare them, not all Duel Spirits are kind.
—What are those voices and what do they mean?— Ask curious, after asking that everyone became silent After asking that, there was absolute silence. I just smiled at that.
—You're a very clever boy. You asked the right question. But to explain that, a demonstration is necessary. Let's sit at a table.— Peter was about to move to one of the holographic tables, but I raised my hand. —A normal table.— Everyone was confused, but they helped me and set up the table with two seats. I placed my deck on the table, and Peter did the same.
—To explain that, how about a little duel? Just to have a visual example.— Peter nodded. The boy's curiosity was evident, and several people started recording. —This duel will be special. First of all, it won't be a 'Duel,' but a 'Shadow Game.' The rules are super simple, only one live point for each player. This will explain everything in detail. I'll answer any questions that arise during the explanation, okay?—
Peter thought about it for a moment, but nodded, he was curious and a small affirmative Kuri-Kuri convinced him completely.
—Okay—
—Let the Shadow Game begin—, after I said that the light darkened slightly, and a tiny purple mist appeared. As I said that, we both got ready, but one of the people filming saw the purple mist.
—What the hell?— one of them said, making everyone realize it.
—Relax, nothing bad will happen. This is just to explain everything,— I said to begin. —I'll start, draw; activate 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards, set a card, and summon 'Mystic Tomato.'—
[Mystic Tomato lvl 4 DARK Plant/Effect ATK 1400 DEF 1100]
More fog comes out of the card and from the fog came out a tomato with a human face with fangs, the whole store was in complete shock, and it wasn't because of seeing the monster come out of the card, normally there wouldn't be a problem since they have seen it for almost the entire month; but the problem was that the table was a normal one, not a holographic one, who was the one in more shock was Peter.
—The voices I was hearing were monsters,— I said, drawing everyone's attention. —They're called Duel Monster Spirits, or Duel Spirits.— I began to explain, looking at Peter's Deck. —Come on out,— I said, then shocking everyone as a Kuriboh emerged from Peter's Deck. —You can consider them friends, or guardian angels,— I said with a smile. —My turn is over. I'll explain the rest on my next turn.—
Peter, who was a little scared at first, felt Kuriboh's paw and relaxed. He looked at the spirit in surprise and received what looked like a smile from him.
—My turn, draw.— Peter draws a card to summon a monster. —I summon 'Flying Kamakiri #1.'—
[Flying Kamakiri #1 lvl 4 WIND Insect/Effect ATK 1400 DEF 900]
A green insect with four wings and four arms emerged from the card.
—'Flying Kamakiri #1' attacks 'Mystic Tomato,'— the insect and the tomato exchanged attacks, destroying each other.
—'Flying Kamakiri #1's effect activates,— Peter said.
—Along with 'Mystic Tomato's,'— I continued.
We both summoned other copies, and it attacked again. We did the same with the third copy. Finally, I summoned a 'Witch of the Black Forest,' while Peter summoned a 'Killer Needle.'
[Witch of the Black Forest lvl 4 DARK Spellcaster/Effect ATK 1100 DEF 1200]
[Killer Needle lvl 4 WIND Insect ATK 1200 DEF 1000]
—'Killer Needle' attack the 'Witch of the Black Forest,'— the bee lunged, trying to strike with its stinger, but I flipped over the face-down card.
—I activate the trap, 'Mirror Force,'— a barrier surrounded my monster to destroy Peter's monster.
—Aw, I know a face-down card, my turn ends,— it said, then turned to me.
—My turn, I draw,— I take a card, —now, what we are doing is a 'Shadow Game', this is a mystical duel that can be done in any form of competition where participants stake anything. To start a Shadow Game, you need at minimum one of three things: using mystical objects that allows it, being a powerful magic user or through a dueling spirit; that person is the one who says the rules of the game; with the loser giving what was asked for, but there is something important, in case someone cheats they will suffer a punishment, the shadows hate cheaters, causing them to suffer a 'Penalty Games', which is a punishment.—
I stopped talking for a while so everyone could digest everything, but continued playing, —I sacrifice the witch to summon 'Summoned Skull'—. A demonic skeleton with lightning bolts enveloping it, two wings and purple muscles inside the bones.
[Summoned Skull lvl 6 DARK Fiend ATK 2500 DEF 1200]
—With the Witch's effect, I seek out 'Sangan'— I smile, —direct attack—, Summoned Skull walk towards Peter and poke him, making his Life Points go to 0, and then the light returns and the purple smoke disappears, and I keep my smile. —Any questions?— and Peter raised his hand, —yes Peter?—
—Can we all play these 'Shadow Games'? And why are you explaining them to us?
I smiled at that, —Once again, you're asking the right questions. Yes, all of you who have connected or started talking to a dueling spirit can create little Shadow Games. The stronger you are, the more powerful the game can be. And I'll explain why not all spirits are friendly. If you confront a spirit, you can challenge them to a Shadow Game, where the prize could be them becoming part of your deck or reinforcing you with their strength. Please, I ask you not to abuse that,— I said, looking at them all, giving them my trust, receiving nods from everyone, and even thanks; —Your spirits will serve as your help and guidance. If you have any further questions, you can ask them,— I said, giving the prizes to Peter and the others.
—Thank you all. I'll have several new products for everyone this Christmas. Thank you and goodbye.—
What I didn't know, or care, was that the Shadow Game was shown live on social media, in special SHIELD and Tony Stark.
Starks Vila
Tony Stark has seen a lot of strange things, but right now, he doesn't know what the hell to think; —this... this is...—
—Sir, if I may.—
—Do it, JARVIS, because right now I can't believe what I've seen.—
—Apparently, from the livestream, these 'Shadow Games' are a kind of competition with an unbreakable contract, with consequences if you try to break it, and also it was previously mentioned in the journal.—
—That's the simplest and most pleasant way to explain it, ignoring all that magic, stuff, and explaining what the 'Shadow Games are'— he said, taking a deep sip of whiskey.
—Sir, for some reason the original videos have been removed from the internet.—
—What?! JARVIS, do you have a copy?—
—Of course, sir.—
—Good, good,— Tony breathed a sigh of relief. Those videos were important information, and he wouldn't want to lose it.
—Sir, I also think you should listen carefully to this part, 'where the prize could be them becoming part of your deck or reinforcing you with their strength.'—
Tony listened carefully and understood what JARVIS meant, —Wait, if I understand what you're saying, does that mean one can become stronger?—
—If our understanding of the information we have is correct, sir, the answer would be yes.—
Tony sighed as he thought carefully about that.
—Sir, if I may, I have a suggestion.—
—And it is?—
—Why don't you try them yourself? The video has shown the ability to do them with harmless effects, and personally, it's best to suggest it now to prepare before you try it without thinking.—
—You know me too well, JARVIS, set up some simulations to test the idea.—
—Of course, sir.—
SHIELD Central Base New York
—All videos related to the 'Shadow Games' have been deleted, sir,— Hill said.
—Good, keep our copies at Level 10 security. Only I and those I name will have access to them,— the SHIELD director said seriously. This information could be pure gold or the worst nightmare in existence. —Call Romanoff, Coulson, and Barton. You and them will meet in my office and talk about this. We'll figure out what the hell to do with this.—
The five of them met in Fury's office, where he made sure that NOTHING got out. —Okay, I called you guys in because I need some ideas or something to figure out what the hell to do with this,— he said, showing the video to those who hadn't seen it.
Coulson couldn't believe what he was seeing, but he knew his boss wouldn't go so far as to make up such absurd and alarming things.
Natasha is the same, and she's even more urgent about infiltrating the scene to gain more information or something, because this kind of information should have come to him sooner, and it bothers him that he didn't get it.
Barton, Barton knew that when he joined SHIELD he'd see a lot of strange things, and shadow magic wasn't one of them.
—As you can see—, started Fury, ——The individual Gabriel, reported on a method of 'contract' and 'conflict' called 'Shadow Games,'— he said, then became more serious if possible, —something that apparently anyone can learn.— He said nothing more because he knew his subordinates understood what he wanted.
—Sir, are you suggesting we learn how to perform Shadow Games?— Coulson asked, receiving a simple nod.
—It would be best to test it first and see its usefulness and potency. Besides, in the video he mentions 'gaining his strength,' so there's also an extra strength boost, not just what was wagered.— Fury said seriously, —Natasha, you will be given access to all possible information. We need direct contact, at the very least, to have more information. Barton, Coulson, continue with your missions but keep your ears open.— Everyone understood the farewell and left.
With the MC
Now that the tournament is over I am just going to write in the journal and finally see what my reward is for writing for a whole month.
—Better start now, because I need to make something similar to the Shadow Charms so my customers can protect themselves—
Starks Vila
—Sir, the journal is updating— say JARVIS and Tony, who as soon as he heard that quickly prepared to see the new part of the journal.
The tournament went better than I thought. I was surprised that Peter was the winner, but remembering that even Tony recognized his intelligence, I wasn't entirely surprised.
Tony blinked at that, he recognized the intelligence of someone else? He doesn't exactly have a low standard, so this Peter must be very smart, not recognizing someone like that just because.
I also had to explain about dueling spirits and shadow games; surely if someone from my world realized that they would think I was crazy for teaching something so dangerous, the problem is that not all spirits are kind and more than one possibly wants human souls or more power, not to mention that I don't know if there are shadow duelists or things like that.
—Even he knows it wasn't a good idea to explain that,— Tony said with a sigh of relief. For a moment, he thought Gabriel was someone just looking to stir up trouble. Something like Shadow Games isn't something you teach just anyone.
—Sir, seeing this explanation, Gabriel informed them that in case some of the spirits decide to have nefarious thoughts toward humans, they can defend themselves with Shadow Games.—
—That makes sense, but that 'shadow duelists' thing.—
—The term 'duelist' is used by those who play monster duels, sir.—
—So these 'shadow duelists' are the ones who abuse Shadow Games.—
I also think I know which Marvel universe I'm in, in the MCU, Earth-19999, if my memory of the classifications serves me right. Since Tony Stark is identical to Robert Downey Jr., making it possible to establish a good timeline of events and thus be prepared; it's approaching December and it's almost 2008, it's hard to believe that with just Tony saying 'I am Iron Man', he would cause the beginning of the age of heroes.
—Iron Man? I became a superhero?— Tony was in shock, and not only that the information of the multiverse was expanded, but now there's a way to classify them, and there was also that 'Robert Downey Jr.' thing.
—This last detail has answered the questions about whether or not it's true that he's from another universe; apparently it is,— he said, collapsing on his couch. —That raises a lot of questions regarding the multiverse and more.—
—Sir, we also have to take into account the classification that 'Earth-19999' gave us, implying the existence of multiple multiverses, an assignment that matches the name 'Robert Downey Jr.' being his 'representative' of yourself, so to speak.—
—Well, I hope that 'Robert Downey Jr.' knows what he's doing. Being me must be almost impossible. It's very difficult to showcase all my talents.— Tony said, showing an arrogant smile, then frowning.
—But that 'Iron Man' thing? It's been stated that I'll become a superhero, but what abilities will I have? The power to control metals? Originally, it was said that I'll end up kidnapped. Will the kidnapping give me powers? — he wonders to himself, not quite believing it.
—Sir, gaining powers after an event like a kidnapping or a harmful experiment is something typical of fictional comics and their variants.— Said JARVIS after looking at a lot of things on the internet.
—Yea, and it says I start the age of heroes, but I don't think getting freaking kidnapped is worth that.— Said Tony while drinking a whiskey. He doesn't like the idea of being kidnapped at all, and for now he doesn't see the advantage of the 'age of heroes' so it doesn't attract much attention. —JARVIS keep looking at that, better stay informed.—
With the MC
Closing the journal I look at the screen of the system, now it's updating with the latest entry, checking that it meets its specifications.
[Congratulations, host! You've completed a full month using the Journal system, granting rewards.]
—Before that, I have a question: how is it possible that even without my memories, I can have a complete personality?—
[Good question, host. Even erasing memories to avoid problems still maintains the unconscious effects that created the host's personality.]
[Now granting rewards. Sorcerer Jafar's Magic]
I felt a sensation in my body and mind, reminiscent of Jafar, one of Disney's villains and my personal favorite, —System, how come I NOW remember Jafar?—
[To avoid accidents caused by the host's possible stupidity, it was decided to grant all information related to the character/power/object being given, whether it existed previously in the host's previous life or if it was necessary to grant it]
—The stupid comment wasn't necessary, but oh well.—
I started using Jafar's magic and realized something: right now I'm in the top 3 in power in the MCU, or at least on Earth. Basically, this magic is like Scarlet Witch's, but less powerful and without a primordial god or something like that waiting to control me like a puppet.
—Cool—, I get up and create a mannequin, since evil Spirits have the possibility to appear I better get prepared, I get up and create a mannequin and start thinking about a costume, although when I see the color of my magic I think about changing it, —what about a purple with black details?— I use a little magic and now it looks like this instead of the fire colors I had, it still has the 'style' but the colors change; —okay, let's start—, I close my eyes and extend my magic to the mannequin, I keep it clear, only with my instincts, I originally thought like Jafar's, but since it resembled Marik's Ghouls, I decided to choose something more elegant. After opening my eyes I see my suit: a dark, gothic-inspired outfit consisting of a long purple coat with silver bat-wing–like lining and sharp shoulders, a strapped and buckled chest piece over a black undershirt, fitted dark pants tucked into tall gray-topped boots with purple accents, black gloves and a black mask that conceals the upper face, leaving only intense purple eyes visible.
—Perfect… and also I need a name…— looking at the outfit, one name comes to my mind, —Spectra, Spectra Phantom…— I don't know why but seeing this automatically that name comes to mind.
—Now, I should also try to make Shadow Charms but I don't know how,— I search for some cards and take out the head of Exodia, —Summoned Skull, is there an Exodia Spirit on the card?— I asked the air para luego escuchar una voz grave.
—Yes master, but is a very stubborn and prideful one, so I don't know if he will even listen to you.—
—Unless you know how to create objects like Shadow Charms— I said to him.
—My apologies master, but that type of magic is outside my expertise— the Archfiend apologized.
—Don't worry— I said while looking at the card directly, —Exodia the forbidden one, I require your assistance—, there was a big silence in the room, no one made a sound, until.
—Why would I do that?— said a very powerful voice while a big face, almost as big as the room, was looking at me.
—Because even you know that Shadow duelist on the loose, and I'm willing to make a deal, even duel you if I may—, I said seriously, I'm not going to waste time on nonsense, facing Exodia would be foolish but I couldn't keep wasting time.
Exodia stared at me for what seemed like five minutes, but didn't even last a minute. —Here's the deal. The rarest version of my head will be given to a duelist named James Morrison,— I raised my eyebrow in confusion. —That was the only one who dared to use an Exodia Deck in your tournament. He almost made it into the top 10. Some of my pieces gave him luck, giving him almost the best Deck I could.—
—I'm surprised you're looking for a partner yourself.—
—Don't think I have infinite patience with your serpent-tongued sorcerer; I also want you to create a personal Shadow Charm for him, not just for young Parker.— I nod at that. —In return, I'll explain the ritual to create both the Millennium Items and those cheap knockoffs of the Shadow Charm.—
—In defence of those 'knockoffs', there aren't many places where you can go and kill 100 people without problems.— I said with a deadpan expression.
Exodia scoffed at that, but said nothing else, and began to give me the information I need and damn it all, both the Millennium Items and the Shadow Charms require human sacrifices; Knowing that I will need to take notes, I created a book and recorded all the information that Exodia gave me, also a less bloody option, but getting stronger with that is more complicated and that the power you display is the lowest, many conflicts would be necessary or few with very powerful beings for it to count, but at least it's something.
—Thank you Exodia, now is time to take you to your new partner—, I say while with a flick of my wrist, the mannequin's outfit appears on my body and prepares myself. Placing the letter in a special box, I teleport to where James Morrison lives and leave the box in a moment, along with a letter and a coupon for him to receive the Shadow Charm.
—Time to hunt.— I said to start moving through the shadows, searching for at least two criminals that no one will miss, and like the world seems to want to help me, because I found 2 criminals trying to take advantage of a woman, they can't be more cliche if they wanted to.
—Well, well, well guys— I said coming out of the shadows, —Didn't your mother tell you not to go out at night?~—