There was a slight rumbling on Academy Island as one of the Spirit Gates opened.
Sheppard: One of the gates has been unlocked.
Suddenly, his computer flashed on and the silhouette of the leader of the Shadow Riders appeared on video chat.
Boss: You disappoint me. Your excellent duelists only excel in losing. Why don't you give up and surrender the five remaining keys now?
Sheppard: Actually, it's six remaining keys. The first one to duel Camula was holding a fake key.
Boss: It matters not. My vampire is ready to feed again.
In the infirmary, everyone was checking on Jaden.
Lily: Michael, you can't go through with this. I mean look at what happened to Crowler and Zane. What if you're next?
Michael: I have to. Camula challenged me specifically.
Alexis: Do you have any idea why?
Michael: No clue. But I do know this: I'm going to face her alone.
Chazz: Are you nuts?
Bastion: Chazz is right. It would be foolish to go alone.
Michael: Not as foolish as putting all of you in danger. You saw what Camula did to Syrus in the last duel. If she plays Illusion Gate against me, she could take any of your souls to power it. It's safer if I go alone.
Jaden: Still, you can't go alone. Someone should go with you.
Michael: Sorry, but I've made up my mind. Now Chancellor!
He rushed out the doors and they closed behind him, locking everyone in.
Alexis: What's going on? Why won't the door open?
Sheppard: I'm sorry everyone.
They turned and saw Sheppard on the monitor.
Bastion: Chancellor Sheppard, you must open the doors. Michael can't face Camula alone.
Sheppard: I'm sorry, but Michael made me promise to keep you locked inside until his duel with Camula was over.
Ceruli: Michael, you should've told them the truth about why Camula wants to duel you.
Michael: I know, but if they knew, they'd only want to come with me. I can't risk anyone else getting their soul stolen.
Michael continued on and reached Camula's castle. He reached the same room as before and called out for her.
Michael: I'm here Camula. It's time to settle this.
Camula: Indeed it is. Where are your friends?
Michael: They're not coming.
Jaden: Oh yes we are.
Michael turned around and saw everyone running up to him.
Michael: I thought Sheppard locked you all in the infirmary. You need to leave, it's too dangerous to be here.
Alexis: Not anymore it isn't.
Michael: What do you mean?
Lily: It happened after you left.
Flashback
Lily: Chancellor Sheppard, please open the door.
Sheppard: I can't. As long as Camula has the ability to steal souls, you're all at risk.
Atticus: Alexis.
Alexis: Atticus! You're awake!
Atticus: Alexis, I need to tell you about Camula. Her Shadow Charm gives her the power to steal souls, but you can beat it with another charm. Jaden, take my half of the medallion. If you put the two halves together, they should cancel the power of Camula's charm.
End Flashback
Michael: Fine. Just stand back and let me duel. I hope they're right about that Shadow Charm.
Camula: One more thing, your penance for losing will be a bit different than your friends'.
Michael: Meaning?
Camula: Meaning that if you lose, you will serve me forever.
Lily: Michael, don't accept!
Michael: I don't really have a choice. I accept.
Both: Let's duel!
Michael: 4000 LP
Camula: 4000 LP
Michael: I'll take the first move. I play Graceful Charity, so I'll draw 3 cards and then discard 2. Next, I play the spell Gateway to Dark World. By cutting off my summons for the rest of this turn, I can summon a Dark World monster from my graveyard, so rise, Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World!
Level 7/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2500/DEF 1800
Syrus: What a way to start the duel.
Bastion: Michael is looking to end this duel quickly, and with Reign-Beaux out, he just might pull it off.
Lily: Hopefully Michael will be able to win before Camula plays Illusion Gate.
Michael: I'll place one card face-down and end my turn.
Camula: My my, that's an impressive monster you've summoned. I draw. And I play Illusion Gate!
Jaden: Talk about bad luck.
Camula: I'm sure you remember its effects. To start, all your monsters are destroyed, and then I get to summon any monster you've played thus far. And all I need pay to do this is a soul to the Sacred Beasts should I lose this duel. Now who shall be the lucky one? How about you?
Lily: Me?
Michael: Lily!
Black smoke poured out of Illusion Gate and began to pool around Lily's feet.
Michael: No!
Suddenly, the two halves of Jaden's medallion joined together, a bright light pouring out from it and pushing the smoke back.
Lily: Thanks Jaden.
Jaden: Don't thank me, thank Atticus.
Michael: Guess now you can't play Illusion Gate. Give up now and I won't make you suffer for trying to hurt Lily.
Camula: Even though I can't use my charm, I cannot take back Illusion Gate's activation. Illusion Gate, open your doors and accept my soul as a sacrifice! Destroy Reign-Beaux!
A purple cloud of energy enveloped Reign-Beaux, destroying him.
Michael: Reign-Beaux!
Camula: You'll see him again soon. But he'll be fighting for me! Next, I summon Zombie Werewolf in attack mode and activate the Rush Recklessly spell card, giving him 700 more attack points.
Level 4/Dark/Zombie
ATK 1200-1900/DEF 1200
Alexis: If both of their attacks go through, Michael will lose!
Bastion: And worse than that, since he'll have to serve Camula, she could very well force him to duel us in her place.
Camula: Reign-Beaux, attack Michael directly with Dark Staff Slash!
Reign-Beaux rushed Michael before slashing at him with his staff, cutting his arm and causing him to shed a few drops of blood.
Lily: Michael!
Michael: I'm alright.
Michael: 1500 LP
Camula: The scent of his blood, I was right! I'm not through with you yet. Zombie Werewolf, attack!
Chazz: He doesn't have enough life points!
Everyone: Michael!
Michael: I activate a trap!
His card flipped face-up and a bright light came out of it, stopping Zombie Werewolf in its tracks.
Camula: What happened?
Michael: The card I played was the trap card Flashbang. When I take a direct attack, I can play this card in order to force your turn to a close, meaning your Werewolf didn't get to attack.
Camula: So you delay your defeat. It changes nothing.
Michael: We'll see about that, I draw! And I play the Owner's Seal spell card. This card returns control of all monsters on the field to their original owners, which means Reign-Beaux returns to my side. Now Reign-Beaux, attack Zombie Werewolf!
Camula: 2700 LP
Camula: I activate Zombie Werwolf's special ability. When it's destroyed in battle, I can summon another from my deck with 500 more attack points.
Michael: I'll set a monster and two more cards face-down and end my turn.
Camula: It's my turn. Dearest Michael, it's time to settle the score for all those centuries ago.
Lily: What is she talking about?
Alexis: No clue.
Camula: I now sacrifice Zombie Werewolf to summon Vampire Lord!
Level 5/Dark/Vampire
ATK 2000/DEF 1500
Camula: And I shall banish him to summon Vampire Genesis!
Level 8/Dark/Zombie
ATK 3000/DEF 2100
Syrus: Did you see that?
Chumley: Unfortunately.
Chazz: 3000 attack points?
Bastion: And a powerful special ability to boot. Michael has his work cut out for him.
Camula: Now I activate Card of Demise, which will allow me to draw until I have five cards in my hand.
Syrus: Oh man, can things get any worse?
Chumley: Never ask that question Sy.
Camula: Next, I activate the continuous spell Genesis Crisis. Once every turn, I can add a zombie type monster from my deck to my hand, such as my Ryu Kokki. And now I shall discard this monster to activate the special ability of my Vampire Genesis, allowing me to summon another zombie from my graveyard, as long as it has a lower level than Ryu Kokki, so I'll revive Zombie Werewolf.
Bastion: Fortunately, even if Reign-Beaux is destroyed, Michael still has his face-down monster to protect him.
Camula: We shall see about that. I play the Monster Reborn spell card, allowing me to revive my Ryu Kokki!
Level 6/Dark/Zombie
ATK 2400/DEF 2000
Camula: And next, I shall play the spell Giant Trunade, which will return all spells and traps to their owner's hands, meaning your face-down cards are useless.
Syrus: Now there's nothing protecting Michael!
Bastion: I don't understand how Camula has managed to pull off these counters to each of our decks.
Camula: You didn't think my bats were just for decoration, did you? They were spying on you, telling me the weaknesses of each of you. You can't win. But to be sure, I equip Zombie Werewolf with Lucky Iron Axe, giving him 500 more attack points.
Werewolf: 1200-1700 ATK
Camula: Now Vampire Genesis, attack Reign-Beaux with Crimson Storm!
Michael: 1000 LP
Camula: Now, Zombie Werwolf, attack that face-down monster! Howling Slash!
Zombie Werewolf raised its axe and cleaved right through Michael's monster.
Alexis: This is bad. If this next attack lands, Michael will lose the duel!
Bastion: And if that happens, with him working for Camula, we may never win this war.
Camula: Now Ryu Kokki, attack directly and end this duel!
Her monster breathed a jet of flames at Michael, forcing him to cover his face. The attack ended and Michael was still standing.
Camula: How can this be? You should have no more life points left.
Michael: Actually Camula, I have plenty of life points left, thanks to my Nutrient Z trap card. This card gave me an extra 4000 life points before I took the damage from your attack.
Camula: But that's impossible! Giant Trunade returned all your spells and traps to your hand!
Michael: That is true, but it's also true that the face-down monster you destroyed was Makyura the Destructor, and due to his effect, on the turn he's sent to the graveyard, I can play trap cards straight from my hand.
Michael: 2600 LP
Lily: Great move Michael!
Camula: You are doing nothing but postponing your defeat. I once again activate Genesis Crisis, and I shall use its effect to add Despair from the Dark to my hand.
Michael: You're not the only one who can add a monster to their hand, Camula. Since Makyura's effect is still active, I can play the Revenge Soul trap card, which will let me take one monster in the graveyard that was destroyed by battle this turn and put it in my hand, and I choose Reign-Beaux.
Camula: Fine. I shall place one card face-down and end my turn.
Alexis: Michael is hanging in there, but not by much.
Bastion: If he can't turn this duel around next turn, he's bound to lose the duel.
Chumley: Maybe we could bargain with her? Put her in touch with a local blood bank or something?
Jaden: I think this is bigger than that Chumley. I mean sure vampires crave blood, but it seems like Camula craves our spirit keys even more.
Camula: Pathetic mortal, you have no idea what I crave. Centuries ago, we vampires lived in harmony with humans, some even having bonds with each other. Until the war began. Many humans began to view us as monsters and attacked us out of fear. The war continued until only I was left. I was forced into hiding, a coffin my only home.
Michael: So how did you join the Shadow Riders?
Camula: One day, a stranger appeared, the power of shadows flowing through his veins. He offered me a choice. Spend eternity in my tomb or accept his Shadow Charm and join his quest for the Sacred Beasts. For each duelist I would defeat in battle, their soul would be mine, which I would use to resurrect my fallen race, and together we would exact our revenge upon humanity!
Lily: But then why target Michael specifically?
Michael: Call it family history.
Jaden: Come again?
Camula: Centuries ago, before the war began, I had a human lover. A knight, strong, wise, kind. He treated me like he would anyone else.
Alexis: What happened?
Camula: He warned me of the war, and told me to prepare my family to leave, and that he would lead us to safety. But he never came, but other knights did. They came to where he told us to meet him, and they destroyed my entire family!
Bastion: But why be mad at Michael?
Michael: Because that knight was my ancestor.
Everyone: What?!
Camula: I began to suspect you were his descendant when I saw your face. And then when I smelled your blood, I knew you had to be related to him! And now I shall make you suffer for his betrayal!
Michael: He didn't betray you!
Camula: Lies!
Michael: If I'm going to tell her the truth, I have to win this duel. Okay, I draw! And I play Pot of Greed, so I draw 2 more! Perfect. I play the spell Dark Corridor! This card lets me add a Dark World monster from my deck to my hand, as long as I discard a card after I get it. I'll add Ceruli to my hand and then discard him, which will activate his special ability, summoning him to your field in defense mode.
Level 1/Dark/Fiend
ATK 100/DEF 300
Michael: And now his special ability activates, forcing me to discard one card.
Camula: Not so fast, I play the trap Cloak and Dagger! When this card is activated, I declare the name of a monster, and if that monster is summoned, both it and this card will be immediately banished! And the monster I choose is Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World!
Alexis: No! Now if Michael summons Reign-Beaux, it'll get banished before he can use its effect.
Camula: You're finished!
Michael: Wrong Camula, because I'm not going to discard Reign-Beaux.
Camula: What? You have to!
Michael: Wrong. I'm holding two other cards, and one of them will help me win this duel.
Camula: You're bluffing!
Michael: Let's find out. I send Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World to the graveyard!
Camula: What?! You've never used that card before! You must've put it in when I wasn't looking!
Michael: I did, but it was in my deck before the duel started.
Camula: Very well. It's not like a single monster changes your situation.
Michael: Actually, I'd say he will Camula. For starters, since Grapha was discarded through an effect, I can destroy any card you control, and I choose Vampire Genesis!
Camula: No!
Michael: Afriad so. Grapha, destroy Vampire Genesis with Graphite Flame!
The gems on Grapha glowed before he fired a stream of grey fire from his mouth at Vampire Lord, destroying it.
Michael: And due to the effect of Genesis Crisis, since Vampire Genesis isn't on your field, it and all your zombie type monsters are destroyed.
Camula: Fine, but I still have the Ceruli you gave me to defend me.
Michael: But Grapha's effect isn't over yet. Since he was discarded by your effect, I can pick a random card in your hand, and if the card I choose is a monster, it's summoned to my side of the field.
Camula: What?!
Michael: You're only holding one card, which means Despair from the Dark becomes my servant.
Level 8/Dark/Zombie
ATK 2800/DEF 3000
Lily: Way to go Michael!
Camula: Celebrate while you can. Even if you defeat Ceruli, since it is in defense mode, I'll take no damage.
Michael: I'm not finished yet Camula. I summon Renge, Gatekeeper of Dark World in attack mode!
Level 4/Dark/Fiend
ATK 100/DEF 2100
Chazz: Why in attack mode? With only 100 attack points, he'd lose if you sneezed on him.
Michael: Except Renge isn't sticking around for long. Due to Grapha's special ability, he can be summoned back from the graveyard by returning a Dark World monster on my field to the hand.
Camula: Impossible!
Michael: I return Renge to my hand, so be revived, Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World!
Level 8/Dark/Fiend
ATK 2700/DEF 1800
Michael: Now Despair from the Dark, attack Ceruli with Midnight Slash!
Despair raked its claws against Ceruli, destroying him.
Lily: Now Camula is wide open!
Camula: Please don't!
Michael: Sorry Camula. Grapha, attack directly!
Camula: 0 LP
Winner: Michael
Suddenly, Illusion Gate appeared behind Camula, its doors opening. A ghostly hand came out of it and grabbed her ankle, beginning to pull her inside.
Camula: Please, help me!
Michael rushed over and grabbed her arm, but could barely stop it from dragging her in.
Lily: Michael, let go or it'll drag you in with her!
Michael: I won't turn my back on her!
Camula: Why? After what I did to your friends, and tried to do to you, you would still save me?
Michael: Everyone deserves a second chance.
?: Agreed.
Suddenly, numerous spirits appeared and shut the gates, saving Camula and Michael.
Michael: What in the world?
?: It's a pleasure to finally meet you Michael.
One of the spirits walked up to them, bearing a striking resemblance to Michael.
Camula: Trevor?
Trevor: Indeed. I have missed you so much Camula.
Jaden: I don't get it. Who are those people?
Lily: That must be Michael's ancestor, but who are the rest of them?
Camula: My family. Is it really you?
Trevor: It is us.
Camula: How could you?! I trusted you, I loved you, and you betrayed me!
She dropped to her knees and began to cry.
Trevor: I could never betray you. I love you far too much.
Camula: Then why did I never see you again?
Trevor: It happened before the war. I had learned my fellow knights were planning an attack against the vampires, and I tried to convince them to abandon their plans, but they wouldn't listen. I tried to warn you, but I didn't know that they had followed me to you. When I had returned, they had imprisoned me, believing that I had been turned.
Camula: I would never have done that without your consent.
Trevor: I know. I managed to get word to the rest of my family to stay out of the war, but they weren't able to reach you to warn you until it was too late. At that point, they had assumed you had been lost in the war.
Camula: I've missed you all so much.
Trevor: I know. Come with us.
Camula: I can't. You can't hold Illusion Gate closed forever, and once it opens, my soul will be sacrificed to the Sacred Beasts.
?: Not if someone takes your place.
The spirit of a knight wearing black armor and an eyepatch walked up to them.
Michael: Who are you?
Spirit: My name is Methias, and I am responsible for the war. My wife left me after being turned by a vampire, and I had grown bitter against them. But I see I was wrong. Perhaps this will serve as atonement for the suffering I have caused you and your people.
Camula's family let the gate open and Methias walked inside, the gate closing behind him.
Trevor: Come my dear, we have much to catch up on.
Camula: There is something I must do first.
She set Zane's doll on the ground and chanted a few words. When she finished, Zane and Crowler had been restored. She then removed her Shadow Charm and gave it to Michael.
Camula: Here Michael, take this. May it serve you well in the future.
Michael: Thank you.
Trevor: It was truly an honor to meet you, Michael. I am proud to call you my descendant.
Michael: Thank you.
Trevor: Are you ready to depart my dear?
Camula: Yes. Thank you Michael.
They began to fade away, waving to everyone as they left. Everyone left the castle as the sun began to rise.
Lily: I guess Camula wasn't so bad after all.
Michael: Loneliness can do terrible things to people. I'm just glad she was finally reunited with her family. In any case, now there are only five Shadow Riders left.
Jaden: And when the next one comes, we'll be ready.