So...1 Shadow Rider Down, 6 to go and all 14 Spirit Gates are still locked...for now. But this next Shadow Rider is no ordinary duelist - she's a vampire and she's not out for blood! SHE WANTS SOULS! ROLL IT!

Night has fallen on Academy Island. As the crescent moon shines brightly in the sky, a wooden boat floats in the waters surrounding the island. Inside the boat, a silver casket opens to reveal a vampiress with green hair. She chuckles menacingly as she makes her way to the island.

Inside the Duel Academy Hospital, Slifer Red star student Jaden Yuki has risen from a very lucid dream with that girl in it. Health and gym teacher Fonda Fontaine comments that he must be feeling better if he's dreaming about girls.

Otto and Reggie Rocket then walk in with Twister, Lars, Sam, Keoni and Clio in tow. "Not me...only girl I dream about is my Clio," Otto says, giving Clio a kiss.

"You would, Rocket Boy," Reggie retorts.

Atticus, on the other hand, hasn't woken up. However, he is in stable condition.

Back in the waters of Academy Island, the vampiress releases her bats...

"GO, MY MINIONS! FIND ME MY PREY SO WE CAN SUCCEED WHERE NIGHTSHROUD HAS FAILED!"

The next day at school, all the talk was about this mysterious vampire woman. 12 of the 14 Key Keepers were then called into Sheppard's office.

"I'm afraid these rumors might not be rumors after all," Sheppard said.

Crowler, as he will do, dismissed these sightings as a practical joke. Bastion knew better, stating that it wasn't a joke that put Jaden in the hospital.

"A vampire?" Twister freaked.

"Could they possibly be a Shadow Rider?" Keoni asked.

"Perhaps. So listen: Be on the lookout for anything weird and be on your guard," Sheppard warned.

The rest of the day was spent by the Key Keepers preparing themselves for the oncoming attack. That night, Chazz thought they were in the clear until...

"AAAAH! VAMPIRE!" Chumley screamed. "She's over by the lake!"

...Chumley found her.

Within minutes, the 12 Key Keepers were by the lake, where they were greeted by a red carpet. But it wasn't just any red.

"Crimson red...how fitting," quipped Zane.

"Now what?" Bastion asked.

"We face her, that's what!" Reggie said.

"So...who's going first?" Otto asked.

Everyone pushed Crowler out to the head of the pack, forcibly volunteering him as the first to take on this mystery vampire.

"We'll be right behind you, Crowler!" Twister cheered.

"Yes...by a good 10 feet," Banner added.

Crowler wasn't having any of it. He suggested drawing straws, but none of his fellow Key Keepers were buying it.

Meanwhile...

Chumley had ran off to the Duel Acadmey Hospital...

"Syrus! Alexis! Jaden! Crowler's about to duel that vampire woman!" he warned.

Syrus thought that since Crowler was dueling, it would be an easy win. However...

"Wrong, Sy! Crowler may talk a big game, but he duels a terrible one!" Alexis said.

"So what's the hold up, Crowler?" Chazz asked.

"If you're in such a hurry, why don't you go, Princeton?" Clio retorted.

"Ladies and Gentlemen...why don't I just come to you?" The vampire woman asked as she walked off her ship and onto the carpet. "And who might you be?"

"Your challenger..." Crowler said nervously.

"You're not worthy," the vampiress said, turning her attention to Zane and angering Crowler.

"I BEG YOUR PARDON! I HAVE A PhD IN DUELING! THAT TAKES 9 YEARS IN DUEL SCHOOL, YA KNOW!"

"Fine. If you're so anxious to lose your key, then you may duel me - Camula, Vampire Mistress of the Shadow Riders!" she introduced as a flock of bats flew over her.

"Your tricks don't scare us!" Lars said as he jumped in and activated his Duel Disk. "Let's make this a 2 on 1!"

"Fine. If my tricks don't scare you, maybe this will...if you lose, I get your soul - rather, these dolls will," Camula explained, holding up a pair of dolls.

"Lars, you can't go through with this, big bro!" Twister pleaded.

"Twister, while I appreciate the concern, this is something I have to do. Besides, while Crowler may talk a big game being the head of Obelisk Blue, he doesn't play all that well," Lars explained. "He could use some help."

"It doesn't matter what the terms are...you'll both lose your souls and your Keys! So then, Key Keepers...IT'S TIME TO DUEL!"

Camula: 8000

Lars: 8000

Crowler: 8000

Camula was the first to draw. "So, you two don't believe in werewolves? Perhaps this will convince you...I summon ZOMBIE WEREWOLF!"

ATK: 1200

DEF: 1200

"I'll end my turn with a face-down."

"That means it's my turn, you undead creep! DRAW!"

Lars got a good look at his hand and liked what he saw. Then, he went right to work.

"I'll start this duel with Field Spell - NECROVALLEY!"

No sooner than Lars placed the card in his Duel Disk, a holographic replica of Ancient Egypt took over the battlefield.

"Welcome to the Necrovalley. This card gives my Gravekeeper monsters an additional 500 Attack and Defense Points! Further, no cards are allowed to leave the Graveyard by any means!"

"OH NO!"

"And it gets much worse for you! I summon out the GRAVEKEEPER'S ASSAILANT!"

ATK: 1500 - 2000

DEF: 1500 - 2000

"I'll end my turn with 2 cards face-down. You're up, Crowler!"

Dr. Crowler drew his first card. "You take me for some kind of amateur? That face-down card is obviously a Trap and that fleabag of yours is the bait. But I'll bite...because you've clearly bitten off more than you can chew! I activate the Spell Card ANCIENT GEAR CASTLE!"

Just like that, a huge stone castle rose up from the Necrovalley.

"This card gives all my Ancient Gear creatures an extra 300 Attack Points! Next, I summon my ANCIENT GEAR SOLDIER in Attack Mode!"

ATK: 1300 - 1600

DEF: 1300

"Gear Soldier, let's give that mongrel its shots! RAPID FIRE FLURRY!"

Gear Soldier shot off a barrage of lasers, destroying Zombie Werewolf.

Camula: 7600

Crowler celebrated, thinking he should get out of the classroom more often. But the celebration was cut short when...

"You've played right into my hands! When Zombie Werewolf is destroyed, I get to summon another one with 500 more Attack Points!"

Lars slapped his face in a manner to say to himself 'This guy teaches us?'

Crowler tried to reassure his fellow Key Keepers that everything was under control, ending his turn with one face-down card. "I guess it's your turn now."

"Why thank you," Camula said, drawing her card. But that card wouldn't stay in her hand for long!

"HOLD IT! You've activated my Trap Card! Meet DROP-OFF! It sends the card you just drew on a one way trip to the Card Graveyard!" Lars explained.

"No matter. I still have what I need to destroy you! I summon VAMPIRE BAT!"

ATK: 800

DEF: 800

"My new winged friend gives all my Zombie monsters an additional 200 Attack Points!"

Zombie Werewolf ATK: 1900

"Next, I play RAIGEKI! This will destroy all your monsters!"

A lightning bolt appeared out of Camula's Spell Card, destroying Crowler's Soldier and Lars' Assailant.

"Now I activate DOUBLE ATTACK! This lets my monsters attack twice this turn! Monsters, ATTACK THEM DIRECTLY!"

Vampire Bat swarmed in on Lars and Crowler while Zombie Werewolf pounced on the 2 Key Keepers, knocking them back.

Lars: 5100

Crowler: 5100

"I've still got a deck in my hand and a few tricks up my sleeve...like this one! The Trap Card DAMAGE CONDENSER! Now Lars and I can summon a monster from our hand or deck with Attack Points equal to or less than the damage you just inflicted! In other words - the more pain you deal, the more hurt you'll feel! Take it away, Mr. Rodriguez!"

"RIGHT! I summon out the GRAVEKEEPER'S CHIEF!"

ATK: 1900 - 2400

DEF: 1200

"And I'll summon out another ANCIENT GEAR SOLDIER! Lars, you're up!"

Lars nodded, drawing his card. "I activate CARD DESTRUCTION! This forces us to toss out our entire hand and draw 5 new cards!"

After resolving Card Destruction's effect, Lars looked at his hand one more time and smiled. "Bad news for you, Camula! I'm about to assemble an unstoppable team of Gravekeepers! And to help me do that, I activate my GRAVKEEPER'S STELE Spell Card! Now I can add 2 Gravekeepers from my Graveyard directly to my hand! I'll add my Spear Soldier and my Assailant! Now, I play DOUBLE SUMMON! This gives me an extra summon this turn! Now I summon out GRAVEKEEPER'S SPEAR SOLDIER and GRAVEKEEPER'S ASSAILANT!"

ATK: 1500 - 2000

DEF: 1500 - 2000

"Time for my assault! Assailant, turn that Zombie Werewolf into a trophy! TWIN DAGGER SLASH! Spear Soldier, take out her Bat!"

Spear Soldier and Assailant rushed in to strike Vampire Bat and Zombie Werewolf, destroying both monsters. However, the Werewolf returned, now at 2200 Attack Points.

"So, you got another wolf...big deal! My Chief will still destroy it!

Gravekeeper Chief then drew his sword and struck down the last Zombie Werewolf, destroying it.

Camula: 6300

"Thank you...you've triggered my trap! VAMPIRIC REVERSAL! This brings back all monsters that were destroyed in battle this turn! And this card is immune to your Necrovalley!"

Vampire Bat ATK: 1500

Zombie Werewolf 1 ATK: 2400

Zombie Werewolf 2 ATK: 2900

Lars was frustrated. He had just taken down those monsters and now they're back! "I'll play 2 cards face-down on the field and send it over to Crowler!"

"With pleasure! My draw!"

Crowler drew his next card and knew exactly what to do.

"I sacrifice the Ancient Gear Soldier to summon my own four-legged friend - my ANCIENT GEAR BEAST!"

ATK: 2000 - 2300

DEF: 2000

"And as you can see, he's quite well trained! Gear Beast, take down that Vampire Bat! Oh, and if you think you can save your bat by using its ability, think again! Ancient Gear Beast cancels out the effects of any monster it battles!"

"WHAT?!"

Ancient Gear Beast pounced on Vampire Bat, destroying it again.

Camula: 5500

"A brilliant move!" Reggie raved.

"Perhaps Crowler's lesson plans really do work..." Chazz said.

"Quiet, Chazz. He'll just give us more homework," Otto fired back.

"A good move...shame you won't have many more," Camula taunted as she started her turn. "I activate the CARD OF SANCTITY! This forces us to draw until we have 6 cards in our hand! Now I cast the Field Spell...INFERNALVANIA!"

The Necrovalley was replaced with a replica of Dracula's Castle.

"When Infernalvania is cast, I can discard a Zombie monster to destroy all monsters on your field! So, I discard my Vampire Lord to clear your field!"

Once again, Lars and Crowler were left without a monster.

"Now, I play another DOUBLE ATTACK! Zombie Werewolves, ATTACK THE GOOD PROFESSOR!"

Both Werewolves attempted to pounce on Crowler in an attempt to finish him off. However...

"ACTIVATE TRAP CARD! Go, MAGIC CYLINDER! Your attack's negated and you take 2900 points of damage!"

Camula: 2600

Crowler: 2700

"Ah. But that was just one round from my Wolves. Here comes round 2!"

Both wolves struck Lars...but he was still standing!

Lars: 2200

"How can you still be on your feet?"

"Another one of my Traps - NEGATE ATTACK! Your 2nd wolf's attack is negated and your Battle Phase is over!"

Camula hissed. Her plan to end the duel backfired. "I'll play one card face-down and end my turn."

Action back to Lars now. "My draw! I reveal my Trap Card - RITE OF SPIRIT! This lets me bring back my Spear Soldier! But he won't be out long because I'm sacrificing him to summon GRAVEKEEPER'S VISIONARY! This new monster gains 200 Attack Points for each Gravekeeper in my Graveyard! Since there's 3, that's 600 more points!"

ATK: 2000 - 2600

DEF: 1800

"Visionary, DESTROY ONE OF HER WEREWOLVES NOW!"

A bolt of lightning was launched from Visionary's scepter, destroying one of the Werewolves.

Camula: 2400

"I'll lay this face-down on the field. Your move, Doc!"

Crowler got back to his feet just as Jaden and friends arrived on the scene. Jaden shared his own experience dueling Crowler and pushed him to continue on, even though Crowler and Lars were in dire straits.

"Even though it pains me to admit it, Jaden's right! I can throw down and I will find a way to beat you and I can get my game on! So let's go! It's my move...and I summon the ANCIENT GEAR GOLEM in Attack Mode!"

ATK: 3000

DEF: 3000

"YES! That's Crowler's ace!" Otto cheered.

"But where's the sacrifice, Otto-man?" Twister asked.

"It's on the field, Twister," Sam began. "A very clever maneuver. When summoning an Ancient Gear monster, Ancient Gear Castle counts as however many tributes equal to the number of monsters you've summoned so far."

"Ancient Gear Golem, strike down her last werewolf with MECHONIZED MELEE!"

Camula: 2300

"If my Werewolf's going down, he'll take your Golem with it, thanks to Infernalvania!"

"I'm afraid we'll be getting out of Infernalvania soon. Now watch as I destroy every Spell and Trap on the field! Face the wrath of...HEAVY STORM!"

A major windstorm came out of Crowler's card destroying all other Spells and Traps on the field. Lars smiled as his card was destroyed.

"Thanks, Crowler! You've triggered my RETURN TO NECROVALLEY Trap! When it's destroyed, I get to activate a Necrovalley Spell Card from my hand, deck or Graveyard!"

"In response, I activate ZOMBIE BED! When Zombie Bed is destroyed, I get to summon back my ZOMBIE WEREWOLF! Now it's my turn! I sacrifice my Werewolf to summon VAMPIRE LORD! Then, I remove Vampire Lord from the game to summon VAMPIRE GENESIS!"

ATK: 3000

DEF: 2100

"Now to take care of your Necrovalley with CYCLONE! Next comes Vampire Genesis' special effect! By discarding a Zombie from my hand, I can bring back my Zombie Werewolf! Next up I play SMASHING GROUND and FISSURE! These cards will clear your field again!"

"WRONG! By discarding a Gravekeeper from my hand, I can keep my Visionary on the field!"

"So, you've kept your monster in play, but that won't help Crowler at all! Vampire Genesis, END HIM!"

Vampire Genesis unleashed a ghostly aura from his body at Crowler, strangling him, then releasing him on the ground as his soul entered Camula's first doll.

Crowler: ELIMINATED

"Your move, Key Keeper."

"This duel's done! Visionary, DESTROY ZOMBIE WEREWOLF NOW!"

Camula: 700

"I'll lay 2 cards face-down and end my turn."

"That's your finishing move?" Camula taunted, drawing her card.

"No...THIS IS! Activate RING OF DESTRUCTION! This will destroy your Vampire and we'll both take 3000 points of damage! Strike that, only you'll take the damage...because I play this! RING OF DEFENSE! This negates the damage done to me by Ring of Destruction while you take the hit! I WIN!"

"I think not! I activate SPELL TRANSFER! This transfers the effect of your Ring of Defense to me!"

"NO!"

"LARS!" Everyone called out as the ring exploded, destroying Vampire Genesis.

Lars: 0

Camula: WIN!

"We can't stop her...she won the duel," Jaden said as Lars fell to the ground.

"2 keys down, 12 to go," Camula said, taking the 2nd key as Lars' soul was put into the 2nd doll. Jaden attempted to jump in and duel, but Zane stopped him. "And now I must bid farewell..."

"We'll find you!" Clio called out.

"And duel!" Otto added.

"Children, that's exactly what I'm hoping for..." Camula said as she vanished.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Crowler and Lars have lost their souls and their keys! 2 of the gates have been opened and Camula's not done yet! Can our heroes stop her before any more of the Spirit Gates are opened? FIND OUT NEXT TIME!