Jaden was a dueling a Shadow Rider, and the seemed to have the upper hand.
Jaden: My move! Now Wildheart, attack him directly!
Wildheart attacked with his sword, but the attack went right through his opponent, who then changed shape, morphing into an enormous dragon.
Jaden: No way!
The dragon shot a jet of fire at Wildheart, reducing him to ashes.
Jaden: 0 LP
Jaden: I lost.
Syrus: Jaden!
Chumley: Help us!
He turned to the side and saw Syrus and Chumley engulfed in the dragon's flames.
Jaden: Hold on!
He tried to move towards them, but black slime rose form the ground, beginning to pull him down.
Jaden: Guys, I'm sorry! I'm sorr-
Syrus: Jaden, wake up!
Jaden sat up in his bed before turning and seeing Syrus sitting next to him.
Jaden: Syrus! You're okay!
Syrus: I'm fine, but I'm worried about you. You were crying out in your sleep.
Jaden: Bad dream.
The next day, Syrus and Chumley took Jaden to the Duel Academy hot springs to try and relax him. When they arrived, Syrus jumped straight in.
Syrus: This is the life. I mean could it get any better you guys?
Jaden: Sure it could Syrus. Like if you hadn't jumped on with your towel still on.
Syrus: Oh man, and it was dryer fresh.
After a while, Jaden seemed to be relaxing, but Syrus wasn't entirely sure.
Syrus: Hey Jaden, are you over that nightmare?
Jaden realized he had forgotten about his nightmare, and immediately looked downtrodden.
Chumley: Nice going Syrus.
Syrus: Sorry Jaden. But you know I only ask because I care right?
Jaden: Yeah, I know.
He dove under the water.
Syrus: Jaden?
A surprised look flashed across Syrus' face before it turned to one of annoyance.
Chumley: What's wrong Sy?
Jaden surfaced a moment later holding Syrus' towel.
Jaden: Hey guys, look what I found!
Syrus: Give me back my towel Jaden!
Jaden: Yours? No, yours was dryer fresh, this one's a wet mess.
Syrus: You're going to be messing with me in a moment if you don't give it back.
His threat was short lived as someone threw a bucket of water on him.
Chazz: Take a chill pill short stack.
Jaden: Hey what's new, Chazaroo?
Chazz: Real cute.
Jaden: Thanks. Thought of it all by myself. So, you here to hang out?
Chazz: With you? That's a good laugh slacker.
Suddenly, Syrus splashed him in the face.
Syrus: And that's an even better one.
Chazz: You'll pay for that!
Syrus: Don't think so, 'cause that was priceless.
He swam off, causing Chazz to dive in after him.
Chazz: I'm gonna Chazz you up!
Jaden: Uh, want a towel?
Chumley: Nah, I kinda wanna just let them get tired before the Chumster comes in with a game of tackle Marco Polo.
Chumley swam towards Chazz and Syrus, leaving Jaden to his thoughts. He laid on his back in the water, contemplating the battles with Nightshroud and Camula.
Jaden: With everything that's been going on lately, it's no wonder I had that nightmare. I mean, dueling used to just be about having fun, but now it's just about winning. Because if I lose, I'll be losing a lot more than just a game.
Winged Kuriboh saw Jaden and realized he was still down about his dream, so called out to him before going behind one of the rock formations.
Jaden: You want me to follow you?
Syrus and Chumley swam back to where he had been, not having noticed him leave.
Syrus: Jaden? Where'd you go?
Chumley turned to the side and saw Des Koala heading in the same direction Jaden and Winged Kuriboh had. He followed him, prompting Syrus to follow his roommate. Meanwhile, Chazz was wringing out his towel after his encounter with Syrus and Chumley.
Chazz: There should be a kiddie pool for those Slifer slackers. Or better yet just wet 'em down with a hose.
Ojama Yellow: Yeah, I'm with ya there boss.
Chazz got annoyed seeing him and knocked him into the water.
Chazz: You are not with me, got that? Now beat it.
Ojama Yellow: Fine, I gotta get to the spirit festival anyways.
Chazz: Spirit Festival?
Meanwhile, Jaden had wandered into a secluded part of the hot springs to look for Winged Kuriboh, but couldn't find him. Suddenly, he was pulled under the water and into a bright light. When it faded, he was sitting on a cavern floor in his normal clothes.
Jaden: What in the world?
He looked around and saw he was surrounded by numerous duel spirits.
Jaden: Uh, hi there. My name is Jaden. Sorry for dropping in unannounced.
He looked up and saw what he assumed was the way he arrived, but that's not all he saw.
Jaden: Incoming!
He barely had time to move before Syrus, Chumley, Chazz, Ojama Yellow, and Des Koala arrived through the same hole he did.
Chazz: What's going on here?
Chumley: How are we back in our clothes?
Syrus: Oh man, I dropped my glasses. Can someone help me find them?
Des Koala saw Syrus' glasses on the ground and handed them to him.
Syrus: Thanks Chumley.
Chumley: We're in some kind of spirit world.
Syrus: Wait, if you're there, then who's this?
He put on his glasses and nearly fell over in surprise when he was looking at Des Koala.
Chazz: This is weird. It's like a bunch of duel monster cards have come alive.
Ojama Yellow: Cool, huh?
Jaden: Try bizarre.
?: Who are you calling bizarre?
They all turned and saw a duel spirit that looked like Seto Kaiba wearing a helmet in the shape of Blue-Eyes White Dragon's head.
Ojama Yellow: It's Kaibaman!
Jaden: Kaibaman? As in the duel monsters card? Wait, are you the one who brought us all here? Or is this some Shadow Rider scheme?! Did you bring us here to challenge me to a Shadow Game?!
Kaibaman: You ask a lot of questions, but I'm afraid you won't get any answers unless you take me on in a duel right now.
He activated his duel disk, but Jaden hesitated.
Kaibaman: Oh, are you afraid to face me? Do you fear competing in a Shadow Duel? How soft. You should be ashamed! If you say you're aiming for the top, then get through me!
Chumley: Kinda pushy, isn't he?
Syrus: I don't think you should duel him Jaden.
Chazz: Look, if you're scared, I'll duel him.
Kaibaman: Don't disappoint me. After all, this card is telling me it wishes to battle you.
Jaden: The Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
Chazz: That's one powerful monster. On second thought, I think I'll sit this one out.
Syrus: This is bad.
Chumley: Very bad.
Kaibaman: What's wrong? Has the sight of the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon left you quaking in fear?
Jaden: No way. I'll take you on Kaibaman!
Kaibaman: I was hoping you'd say that.
Jaden: Alright Kaibaman, let's give all these monsters a show!
Both: Let's duel!
Jaden: 4000 LP
Kaiba: 4000 LP
Jaden: I'll start! I play Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode!
Level 4/Water/Warrior
ATK 800/DEF 1200
Jaden: Next, I activate his special ability. When Bubbleman is summoned and there are no other cards on my field, I can draw 2 more from my deck. And now I equip Bubbleman with the spell Bubble Blaster! This card will give him 800 more attack points.
Bubbleman: 800-1600 ATK
Jaden: I'll end my turn there.
Chazz: Jaden, how do you plan to take on Blue-Eyes White Dragon?
Jaden: If there's even a chance he's a Shadow Rider, there's no way a can lose this duel. I can't let my dream come true. I have to win this duel.
Kaibaman: Wishing you could back out now? It's far too late for that. I draw. And I summon myself, Kaibaman!
Level 3/Light/Warrior
ATK 200/DEF 700
Syrus: Whoa, I'm seeing double.
Chazz: And trouble.
Kaibaman: And now I'll sacrifice him to bring out the one and the only-
Jaden: It can't be!
Kaibaman: Actually it can, and it is. Meet the beast that will feast on your souls. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
Level 8/Light/Dragon
ATK 3000/DEF 2500
Jaden: On our souls?!
Chazz: This could be a very short duel.
Syrus: How is Jaden supposed to take on a Blue-Eyes White Dragon?
Chumley: Especially since it has 3000 attack points.
Kaibaman: And now watch them all in action! Blue-Eyes, attack Bubbleman with Burst Stream of Destruction!
Jaden: Not so fast Kaibaman, I use Bubble Shot's special ability! By destroying itself, Bubbleman isn't destroyed, and I take no damage!
Syrus: Jaden managed to avoid some major damage.
Chumley: Yeah, but now Bubbleman is totally defenseless, and with Blue-Eyes out, that's not a good position to be in.
Kaibaman: I end my turn. Show me what you've got Jaden.
Jaden: You want it, you'll get it! I play Polymerization! I'll use it to fuse Bubbleman with Clayman to summon Elemental Hero Mudballman in defense mode!
Level 6/Earth/Warrior
ATK 1900/DEF 3000
Jaden: I end my turn. Try getting through that!
Kaibaman: If that's the best you can do, you might as well surrender this duel now. I play Pot of Greed, so I draw 2 more cards. And I shall play one of them. Go, Burst Stream of Destruction!
Jaden: A spell with the same name as Blue-Eyes' attack?
Kaibaman: Yes, and due to this card's effect, since Blue-Eyes is on my field, all of your monsters are destroyed!
Blue-Eyes launched an energy sphere from its mouth, vaporizing Mudballman.
Syrus: Oh man, now there's nothing stopping Blue-Eyes from attacking directly!
Chazz: Read the fine print. Blue-Eyes can't attack the turn Burst Stream of Destruction is used.
Kaibaman: I summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands in attack mode.
Level 4/Light/Fairy
ATK 1400/DEF 1000
Kaibaman: And now he'll give me a hand. You see Jaden, when Manju is normal or flip summoned, I can add either a ritual monster or a ritual spell from my deck to my hand, so I add the spell White Dragon Ritual to my hand and activate it, allowing me to sacrifice Manju to summon Paladin of White Dragon!
Level 4/Light/Dragon
ATK 1900/DEF 1200
Kaibaman: Are you relaxed because I won't be able to attack with Blue-Eyes this turn? How naïve! You're no different from an ordinary duelist if you would revel in such a circumstance, are you? Don't disappoint the Blue-Eyes that wanted to battle you! Paladin of White Dragon, attack directly with Darkout Sacred Spear!
Jaden: 2100 LP
Syrus: Jaden!
Kaibaman: Next, I activate Paladin's special ability. By sacrificing himself, I can summon a monster from my hand or deck.
Jaden: What are you-
Kaibaman: I sacrifice Paladin of White Dragon to summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck!
Jaden: What?!
Syrus: He has two?!
Chazz: Kaibaman's deck, don't tell me that it's-
Kaibaman: It's your move Jaden.
Jaden: I draw! And I play Monster Reincarnation! By discarding one card, I can get a monster back from the graveyard. I discard Elemental Hero Necroshade to add Clayman back to my hand!
Kaibaman: What good will it do you to add such a smallfry monster to your hand?
Jaden: There aren't any smallfries in my deck! Besides, my goal wasn't to get Clayman in my hand, but to get Necroshade in the graveyard. Once while he's in the grave, I can summon a high-level Elemental Hero without a sacrifice, so I summon Elemental Hero Bladedge in attack mode!
Level 7/Earth/Warrior
ATK 2600/DEF 1800
Syrus: But as strong as Bladedge is, he can't take on those Blue-Eyes White Dragons!
Jaden: Yeah, well that's about to change. I play the field spell Skyscraper! On this field, Elemental Heros gain 1000 attack points when they battle monsters stronger than they are!
Bladedge: 2600-3600 ATK
Jaden: Now Bladedge, take down Blue-Eyes with Power Edge Assault!
Kaibaman: 3400 LP
Chazz: He actually beat a Blue-Eyes?
Jaden: I set a card face-down and end my turn. This is the Elemental Heroes' power of unity!
Kaibaman: My heart's racing…
Jaden: Same here. I'm totally psyched! It's been a while since I felt like this! You're something else!
Kaibaman: Have you broken through your doubts, Jaden?
Jaden: What?
Kaibaman: A road of dueling like the one you've come to walk on is still a gateway! There are still unknown duels in the world! You should be able to see it… The road of battle, going on for eternity… But even so, are you going to be stopped here?!
Jaden: Do you think I'll get stopped here?!
Kaibaman: That's it. One presses on by believing in their dueling and in their deck! That beaten-down road… That will become your future!
Jaden: Kaibaman…
Kaibaman: I'll give you credit for having the courage to face Blue-Eyes head-on. But, this is as far as you'll get, Jaden. I draw! And from my hand, I activate the spell Silent Doom! Be reborn, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Now, I activate the spell Polymerization!
Jaden: Say what?!
Chazz: So he had one more, after all…
Syrus: What do you mean "after all"?
Chazz: That Kaibaman's deck is the same as Seto Kaiba's.
Jaden: Which means that-
Kaibaman: I fuse my three Blue-Eyes White Dragons to summon the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!
Level 12/Light/Dragon
ATK 4500/DEF 3800
Kaibaman: This is the ultimate dragon, supreme in strength.
Jaden: To believe that I got to see Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with my own eyes!
Kaibaman: Blue-Eyes, destroy Bladedge with Ultimate Burst!
Jaden: I activate the trap Edge Hammer! I can activate it by sacrificing Bladedge, and then one of your monsters will be destroyed, and you'll take damage equal to its attack points, and I choose your Ultimate Dragon!
Blue-Eyes launched an energy blast, but Bladedge intercepted it, setting off an explosion.
Chazz: Did he do it?
Kaibaman: A good try for sure, but futile because I have this card.
Jaden: That's De-Fusion!
Kaibaman: Yes, and it allowed me to split apart Ultimate into three separate Blue-Eyes, which means your Edge Hammer swung and missed. Now my Blue-Eyes, attack Jaden directly with Triple Burst Stream of Destruction!
Jaden: 0 LP
Jaden picked himself up off the ground and immediately looked around to make sure his friends were okay. He turned to the side and saw them sitting with the duel spirits.
Kaibaman: Jaden, the path of the duelist is a long and sometimes dangerous one, but you must have the courage to walk it. Even if you stumble and fall, what's important is having the strength to get back up.
Jaden: Wait, are you telling me this entire duel was to teach me that?
Kaibaman: Tell me, are you afraid now?
Jaden: Actually, no.
Kaibaman: And do you know why? Because you faced your fear. You've lost, and you're okay, and so are your friends.
Syrus: Jaden!
Jaden: Hey guys. I think I'm finally over my bad dream.
Chazz: Yeah, well I'm over this place. Can we please get out of this weird spirit cave? It's low rent.
Jaden: Uh, Kaibaman, think you could help us out here?
Kaibaman: If you're looking for help, ask your friend Kuriboh. After all, he's the one who brought you here. Farewell Jaden.
Kuriboh appeared by Jaden and spoke to him.
Jaden: Really Kuriboh? Just close our eyes and wish for it? Okay.
They all did that, and a column of water came up from under their feet, sending them back to the hot springs. Having had enough excitement for the day, they left and returned to their dorm.
Syrus: This is the first time I've left the hot springs more wound up than when I got there. I'm glad we're back in a world where Des Koala and Winged Kuriboh are just cards, you know what I'm saying?
Jaden: Tell ya what I know Sy: who I owe a big fat thank you to. Thanks Kuriboh. You're always there for me. By the way Sy, I still have your towel.
Syrus: What? Let me have it.
Jaden: If you say so.
*SNAP*
Syrus: Ow!