Happy holidays everyone. I hope you're all having a good time. In any case, my gift to you all is uploading a few chapters at once. Hope you all enjoy and I'll see you later.

It was the night after Camula's duel with Crowler, and everyone was in Jaden's hospital room.

Jaden: I'll play a trap, and then I'll play a spell, and then I'll attack! Well, just as soon as I get better I will. Camula's gonna get it sooner or later. I mean how could she take Crowler's soul?

Syrus: Jaden, you really should be resting.

Bastion: At least we're lucky the spirit key Crowler was holding was a fake, so we still have the advantage.

Jaden: Advantage or no, I'm dueling Camula, tonight!

Chazz: You duel? You can't even win a fight with a sheet. This duel is for the Chazz.

To prove his point, he pushed Jaden back against the bed and tossed the cover over top of him.

Jaden: Hold on, there. See, I won.

Chazz: You did not, it's two out of three.

Syrus: Come on Jaden, you can do it.

Chazz: Look, Jaden's not up to snuff, so one of us is gonna have to duel Camula.

Bastion: And by that, you mean yourself, correct? I'm sorry Chazz, but I'm not entirely convinced you're the man for the job. I should go.

Chazz: You?

Jaden: Almost got it. Jeez, what thread count is this?

Chazz: Shut it.

Jaden: Fine. I could use a break anyway.

Lily: I think Michael should duel. Michael? Hey, are you listening?

Michael: Huh? Sorry, lost in thought.

Lily: What about?

Michael: It's nothing. I need to do something. I'll see you guys later.

He didn't elaborate further and walked out of the room.

Syrus: What could he have to do at a time like this that's so important?

Alexis: I'm sure Michael has a good reason, Syrus.

Meanwhile, Michael was walking back to his dorm, thinking about Camula.

Michael: I know I've heard Camula's name somewhere before, and I think I might know where.

In the infirmary, Zane had just walked out, being spotted by Syrus, who followed after him.

Syrus: Zane, wait up! You're going to challenge Camula, aren't you?

Zane: Yeah.

Little did they know one of Camula's bats was spying on them and had notified her of Zane's approach.

Camula: The one I crave is coming. And I intend to be ready for him.

In Chazz's room, he was working on rebuilding his deck when Ojama Yellow appeared.

Ojama Yellow: Heya boss. How are things?

Chazz: Fine until you showed up. Now beat it, I'm busy.

Ojama Yellow: You rebuilding your deck? I can help.

Chazz swatted him over to his desk, landing on top of the doll of Crowler.

Crowler: Hey! Fragile here.

Ojama Yellow: Boss, this doll is alive!

Chazz picked up the doll, skeptical at first.

Crowler: Would you mind easing up on your grip? You're wrinkling my coat.

Chazz: Yeah, that's Crowler alright.

He heard a flapping sound outside his window. When he pulled back the curtains, he saw Camula's bats.

Chazz: It's starting again.

Everyone noticed and all of them but Michael rushed to Camula's castle, Jaden being carried by Chumley. They arrived at the castle and made their way inside, finding themselves in a dilapidated ballroom.

Camula: Looking for me?

Jaden: You bet we are. We want Crowler back.

Chazz: Got that right. So hand him over.

Bastion: Or else.

Camula: I have no time for little schoolboys.

Bastion: She must mean you.

Chazz: No she means you.

Lily: Right now, I'm pretty sure she means both of you.

Camula: Zane, I want to duel you. Are you ready darling?

Zane: Let's do this.

Camula: Let us review. If you win, you get Crowler's soul back and I'll be on my way, but if I should win, I get your spirit key and your soul.

Both: Duel.

Camula: 4000 LP

Zane: 4000 LP

Camula: I like to lead. I summon Vampire Lady in defense mode.

Level 4/Dark/Zombie

ATK & DEF 1550

Camula: Next, I'll lay one card face-down. That's all for now.

Zane: I think you mean that's all period.

Alexis: Sounds like Zane has something big planned.

Zane: I play the spell Power Bond! With it, I'll fuse my three Cyber Dragons in my hand to summon Cyber End Dragon!

Level 10/Light/Machine

ATK 4000/DEF 2800

Lily: Looks like Zane is trying to end the duel quickly.

Syrus: Yeah, maybe too quickly. I hope you know what you're doing big bro.

Zane: Due the effect of Power Bond, my Cyber End Dragon has his original attack points doubled.

Cyber End: ATK 4000-8000

Chumley: Totally licious. With 8000 attack points combined with Cyber End Dragon's piercing damage, Zane can end the duel in one shot.

Zane: This is for Dr. Crowler. Attack Vampire Lady with Super Strident Blaze!

Camula: I think not. I play the trap Red Ghost Moon! By discarding a zombie monster, your battle phase is forced to a close, and then I gain life points equal to your Cyber End Dragon's attack points, giving me a total of 12000 points.

Zane: Wrong. I play the spell card De-Fusion, which will split Cyber End Dragon back into three separate Cyber Dragons, cancelling your life gain.

Cyber Dragon x 3

Level 5/Light/Machine

ATK 2100/DEF 1600

Bastion: A good move. Even though his battle phase is still over, since Cyber End Dragon is gone, Camula won't gain any life points.

Syrus: And since Cyber End Dragon isn't on the field anymore, he won't take Power Bond's effect damage.

Jaden: Now that's a move.

Zane: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.

Camula: I'm beginning to see why you're the top ranked duelist at Duel Academy.

Zane: You haven't seen anything yet Camula.

Camula: Well, I hope not. After all my dear Zane, we've only just begun this duel, and I expect to have a lot more fun with you.

Syrus: Oh man, I don't think I'm gonna like her kind of fun.

Camula: Now then, let us continue our duel.

Michael: Guys!

Everyone turned to see Michael running up to them.

Lily: Michael. Where have you been?

Michael: Sorry, I had to look into something. Who's dueling?

Syrus: My brother.

Camula looked down and saw Michael.

Camula: That face. I know I've seen it before. Wait, could he be-

Zane: I'm your opponent right now Camula, so you would be wise to focus on me.

Camula: Very well then. First, I sacrifice Vampire Lady in order to summon Vampire Lord in attack mode.

Level 5/Dark/Zombie

ATK 2000/DEF 1500

Camula: And next I shall banish my Vampire Lord so I may summon Vampire Genesis!

Level 8/Dark/Zombie

ATK 3000/DEF 2100

Chazz: Ugly.

Syrus: More like scary.

Camula: Darling Zane, I promised you some fun, didn't I? Well, now we are going to have it. Are you excited?

The look on Zane's face gave the clear impression he couldn't care less.

Camula: Ugh, you're such a bore. Well, maybe this will rouse you. Vampire Genesis, attack with Crimson Storm!

Zane: As fun as that would be, I'm afraid I'm going to have to interrupt it with my face-down card. I play the trap Attack Reflector Unit! This trap card allows me to sacrifice one of my Cyber Dragons to summon Cyber Barrier Dragon.

Level 6/Light/Machine

ATK 800/DEF 2800

Zane: And now I activate its special ability. Once per turn when it's in attack mode, I can negate one of your monster's attacks, which means your Vampire Genesis' attack is cancelled.

His monster created an energy barrier, repelling Camula's attack.

Camula: I end my turn.

Jaden: Your bro's got game, Sy. No wonder he beat me, although it was close.

Zane: My move. And I play Pot of Greed, so I can draw 2 new cards. Next, I play the spell Photon Generator Unit. By sacrificing my two remaining Cyber Dragons, I can summon Cyber Laser Dragon.

Level 7/Light/Machine

ATK 2400/DEF 1800

Zane: And due to Laser Dragon's special effect, once each turn it can destroy a monster whose attack or defense is greater than or equal to this card's own attack.

Camula: I bet you talk to all the girls like that.

Zane: No, just ones I really don't like. Now Laser Dragon, annihilate Vampire Genesis with Blue Lightning Lash!

Laser Dragon fired a blue energy beam from the end of its tail, striking Vampire Genesis.

Zane: With him gone, you're wide open. Laser Dragon, attack directly with Blue Lightning Blast!

Camula: 1600 LP

Zane: Now Cyber Barrier Dragon, attack directly with Sonic Shriek!

Camula: 800 LP

Syrus: Alright, one more hit like that and Camula is finished!

Zane: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.

Camula: It's my turn. I've been waiting for this card. I play the spell Illusion Gate!

Jaden: I've never heard of that card before. Anyone know what it does?

Bastion: I've never heard of it either.

Chazz: Search me.

Michael: I think we're about to find out.

Camula: First, this spell destroys all monsters on your field.

The gate opened, a bright light coming out of it that destroyed Barrier Dragon and Laser Dragon.

Camula: But that's not all. You see it has twin functions.

Suddenly, a mirror image of Camula stepped out of the gate.

Camula: You see, this card also allows me to summon any monster you've used over the course of this duel, ignoring any summoning conditions.

Zane: What?

Camula: Even though you de-fused him, you did still summon Cyber End Dragon, which means I can now do the same.

Zane: No card is powerful enough to do that. There must be some kind of catch.

Camula: Yes, but just a small one. After using Illusion Gate, should I still lose this duel, I must offer a soul to the Sacred Beasts.

Bastion: That all?

Chazz: Good. It's what you get for taking Crowler's.

Camula: Beg pardon? I said "a soul", not "my soul". You see in the shadows, it's all the same to the Sacred Beasts. Syrus. I'm sure the Sacred Beasts would find your soul to be a tasty treat.

Zane: Syrus, run!

Camula: Oh no you don't.

Her doppelganger swooped down and grabbed him before pulling him back up to her.

Zane: Syrus!

Camula: And now, I summon Cyber End Dragon!

Bastion: This is bad. One attack from Cyber End Dragon will be enough to finish Zane off!

Camula: Whatever will you do? I have your best monster and your little brother. Actually, they're really one and the same at this point. After all, if you manage to defeat Cyber End Dragon, you'll also be doing in little Syrus' soul. So as I said, whatever will you do?

Zane: My face-down card is Magic Cylinder, so if she attacks, I can use it to deal her damage equal to Cyber End Dragon's attack points, winning me the duel. But if I do that, Syrus bites the big one. What am I supposed to do?

Camula: So what will it be? Save the world? Or save your brother's soul, which would also mean losing yours.

Syrus: Go on Zane. Do it. You have to. My soul is a small price to pay to stop Camula. After all, if she wins this duel, she'll get your spirit key, which means the Shadow Riders will be that much closer to freeing the Sacred Beasts.

Zane: Syrus.

Syrus: Besides, if one of us has to go down, it might as well be me. You've always been better at me at pretty much everything. School, making friends, dueling. At least this way I'll be remembered for something other than being your little brother. This way, I'll be the one who saves the day, because I never would've done it by dueling. It's like you said, I never belonged here anyway.

Zane: I did say that Syrus, but since then you've proved me wrong. You do belong here. I love you Syrus, never forget that. I'll miss you little bro, farewell. Do it Camula.

Syrus: What are you doing?!

Camula: Very well. Cyber End Dragon, attack with Super Strident Blaze!

Bastion: Zane, no!

Zane: 0 LP

Winner: Camula

Zane collapsed and his soul was sealed into a doll.

Camula: One down, six to go.

She looked down at the rest of them and focused on Michael.

Camula: You shall be my next opponent. Return tomorrow night and face me!

With those words, she disappeared, and a fog rolled into the room before everyone was transported outside.

Alexis: Syrus, I'm so sorry.

Syrus: I can't believe he's gone.

Lily: But why did Camula challenge Michael?

Michael: I don't know, but I'm going to be ready for her. I know exactly why she wants to face me, but if she wants me, she's going to get me.

To be continued...