Judai and Nightshroud both activate their Duel Disk, ready for action.

Judai 4000

Nightshroud 4000

"Duel!" They both yelled as the duel disks turned on and lava boiled beneath their feet.

"You can go first key keeper," Nightshroud offered.

Turn 1 Judai

Judai raised his eyebrows, but nodded as he drew another card. Nodding his head, he flipped it over to summon the monster.

"I draw Elemental Hero Wildheart and Normal Summon in attack mode." The monster did a flip on the field as it stood in front of Judai. "Finally I will throw down two facedowns while I am at it."

Turn 2 Nightshroud

Nightshroud stood still as a statue as he observed and calculated his own move. Drawing a card, the smirk came back in force. Slapping his card down on the disk, he laughed.

"I draw, I Normal summon Clear Vice Dragon in attack mode".

"Next I activate my Spell Card Polymerization which allows me to fuse Clear Vice Dragon on my field and Clear Phantom on the graveyard to Fusion Summon Clear Phantom Knight Dragon".

Clear Phantom Knight Dragon is a demonic red color monster whic resembles Clear Vice Dragon but is more deadly, and it has 2900 ATK.

Jaden gasped at that.

" I am not done yet." Nightshroud reminded coldly

"I now activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed which allows me to draw two cards from my deck. I draw Clear World and subsequently activities it." Flipping his spell card to face Judai he continued. "Now a negative effect will be imposed on you depending on the attribute of your monsters with the exception of Clear monsters since they are treated as having no attribute while on the field."

"Next I activate my spell card Banish Destruction which allows me to destroy all of my opponents face downs on the field"

A air wave flashes as it destroys Judai's face down.

Judai cringed as the facedown was destroyed. "Oof that was fast."

"Not as fast as your life point meter will go down. Clear Phantom Knight Dragon attack!" Moving his arms in a slashing motion, Nightshroud pointed to the opposing monster. "Strident blast!"

"I end my turn"

The dragon roared and burned Wildheart out of existence. Judai staggered back, His LP dropped to 1100. This guy was beyond good and Judai walked right into that. He could have felt the burn that Wildheart suffered.

Ryo watched as Wildheart gets destroyed.

The lava pit bubbled before another serpent made from the molten rocks burst him from beneath the hot waves. The serpent roared and flew through the air, curving and twisting as it did. It let out another roar as it passed by the prisoner orb.

Chummley and Sho fell over as the Dragon went by, then went back and test the barrier, "Good, the protective barrier's still in one piece", Sho stood up and knocked on the wall a few times before his hand actually went though and almost fell into pit!,

Quickly Sho pulled himself back and retreated to the middle of the orb, "A smaller piece anyway..."

Chummley looked at the hole in the wall, "Its disappearing".

The serpent circles the Duelist a few times before finally crashing down the energy field.

Normally Judai would be geeking out about seeing such a thing, but with the stakes so high here… he was really hoping he drew a card to destroy that thing and fast.

"Either I lose and he stays the same. Or I win and he gets his soul sealed in that card." Jaden rubbed at his head in frustration. Dueling was not supposed to be like this.

The heat from the lava was starting to get to the two keykeepers who are in the field. Nightshroud just stood there impassively with his arms crossed looking at them. He made a hand gesture that was the equivalent of 'your move idiot'.

Turn 3 Judai

Judai drew another card. He smiled, finally the heart of the cards was coming around for him. He looked at Ryo and nodded his head, they would figure this out. They would find a way where all three of them walked out of this alive.

"For round two I am going to rock Polymerization. This will allow me to fuse Elemental Heroes Sparkman and Clayman. Come out Elemental Hero Thunder Giant." A giant lightning strike hit the platform dead center as thunder rolled in the sky. The monster stood tall with electricity coming from his white hands and electric ball on his chest. "And thanks to his special ability, Thunder Giant can destroy any monster whose attack points are weaker than his." Judai pointed a finger at the Phantom Knight Dragon. "So say goodbye to your dragon!"

Lightning hit the dragon and it vaporized into thin air. Nightshroud flinch when his monster was destroyed. Judai cheered and clenched a fist as he directed Thunder Giant to attack Nightshroud directly. The lightning headed straight for him, when it connected, there wasn't any emotion or movement. The only thing that moved was his seaweed green hair and jacket that flapped back from the blast.

"I end my turn with two face down"

"You aren't even going to react? Come on! That should have hurt," Judai complained.

Chuckling darkly Nightshroud raised his face to look Judai's dead in the eyes. "I leave all that to my opponents. They do more than enough flinching."

Ryo stood stupefied, Judai got a good hit on Nightshroud. The dark Duelist lifepoints were now at 1600 and Jaden still had 1100

"That's enough!" Ryo shouted as he turned to Nightshroud. Looking ticker off, "This duel is over!"

The Shadow Duelist looked at him, "Say Who?",

"Say me and this!" Ryo held up his Spirit Key. "I am one of the gatekeepers. Let my brother and comrades go and I will duel you for it, and give my soul either way". He offered.

Nightshroud stares at him intently, his brow frowning behind his mask, "I know you".

A warm glow came from Ryo's deck holster and he opened it to pull out Honest. The card had a gold glow and was warm to the touch. At times like this Ryo wished he could understand duel spirits that Professor Banner spoke about.

Nightshroud looked toward Ryo really for the first time. Some images flashed through his mind. The demonic entity known as Nightshroud couldn't get full control after that. His host was gaining control and his own willpower was coming back in increments. He needed to finish this duel fast, before he lost control of his host.

Turn 4 Nightshroud

"Not bad, kid. Of course with my field now empty I can just throw out another Clear Vice Dragon." The dragon flying up from the flames and settling behind him. "Or better yet two. I play Monster Reborn and with just one monster in my graveyard, you can guess who is coming back." The second dragon appeared and Jaden took a step back. This wasn't good. "But neither will be here long, in present form. Now my dragons unite and form Clear Twin Phantom Dragon."

A twin headed demonic dragon appeared and looked more menacing than anything Judai had seen. Smirking at his opposition, Nightshroud gleefully revealed Clear Twin Phantom Dragon's special ability. "That saying 'two heads are better than one' really applies to my dragon. He can now attack twice in a round, which means double the trouble for your monster and your lifepoints."

Jaden took a step back, this would not end well then. He only had Thunder Giant on the field and he had 2400 attack points. The Twin Phantom Dragon had 2800 attack points. Getting hit with those blasts would kick his life points to zero and cost him the duel. Judai was about ready to taste defeat for the first time.

"Clear Twin Phantom Dragon, attack Thunder Giant and his lifepoints directly!" Nightshroud yelled. Jaden cringed knowing this was the end.

"I activate my Trap Card Full Stop, when this effect activates it not only negates your attack but also switch your monster Twin Phantom Dragon in defense mode." Judai said.

Nightshroud frowned when his Attack failed.

"I end my turn". Nightshroud declared.

As the Shadow games went on Asuka stood out at the lighthouse dock, gazing out at the sea. A light shaking in her chest made her reach down and take her key into her hands. She looked at it, and then looked out at the island.

"Something's a miss". She thought aloud, eyes moving towards the volcano behind the Academy, hands tightened around the key, "A Shadow Rider...This key is telling me they are here".

Asuka wasn't the only one feeling her let react to the Shadow Rider. Misawa stopped typing on his computer and looked down, startled as he felt his key vibrate his chest.

"It looks like they are finally here".

Chazz who woke up from his sleep, glared at Ojama Yellow who was currently dancing around his face.

"Can you please stop disturbing my beauty sleep!" He snapped

Ojama Yellow pouted and continued to shake his behind, "Sorry Boss. I am just trying to stay in rhythm with that Spirit Key!".

"Actually"...Chazz bolted upright, making Ojama fly off to the side, "What is that trembling?".

He looked down and grabbed the key, staring at it as it continued to vibrate.

Chronos was peacefully sleeping inside his room and didn't seem disturbed by the shaking of his key.

Banner and Pharaoh stared at the volcano in front of them. The Slifer headmaster held the chubby cat in his arms while his own key was wrapped around his hand. He had a feeling what was going on, as did the others, but wasn't quite sure who was in the middle of it.

Back in his office Samejima was worried about the decision of letting 6 students hold and defend the Spirit keys. Chronos and Banner were adults who make tough decision multiple times so there was no need to worry about them.

How can I put a burden on 6 young adolescents they are busy with their studies and still have their life ahead of them and with their lives at stakes. No if you want to protect the school and prevent those Shadow Riders from getting hold of those Sacred Beasts cards then you must win. After all what choice you have?

Judai was feeling exhausted in the middle of a duel and before he began his turn and draw a card he heard Ryo calling out to him .

"Judai". Ryo called and he threw a card to Judai and the Slifer manage to successfully catch it and flip over it and a glance at the glowing card, it was a Honest a Duel Spirit card.

"Judai your opponent is none other than my best friend Yusuke Fujiawara it looks like he is possessed by Nightshroud and Honest is pleading you to save his Master". Before Judai could ask, Ryo explained the Slifer who his opponent is

"What? What are you saying?". Judai asked in a disbelief manner

"He is right". Honest said as he appeared next to Judai in spirit form and Judai turned to look at him and he could see Honest and realize Ryo was right all along.

"Judai please save my Master Yusuke, he was one of the students who went missing last year, and now it looks like he has been controlled by an evil entity called Nightshroud". Honest pleaded the Slifer.

Judai's eyes went wide in horrar as he took a good look at Yusuke. His face is fully covered and only his hair is visible. He then turned to look at Ryo and Honest with a determined look. "You don't worry Honest! Kaiser! I promise you two I will free Fujiwara from Nightshroud and return him back to normal".

"Judai please use me and when you do that I am pretty sure Master might try to break free". Honest begged which made the Slifer nodd.

Turn 5 Judai

"I draw a Polymerization". Judai fillped the card to show it to his opponent.

"I then Normal Summons Honest (1100/1900) in Attack mode.".

"Honest attack and destroy Clear Twin Phantom Dragon". Judai declared pointing his finger to his opponent.

This made Yusuke grabbed his head and trying to fight and break free from Nightshroud's control.

Honest flew up and his feathers start to attack the demonic dragon, Nightshroud cried in pain when his LP dropped from 1600 to 500

"Hooray Aniki did it" Sho cheered

"Just one more attack and it's all over". Chummley added

"Now Honest attack the player directly". Judai smirked as he declared Honest to attack his Master.

"Impossible!" The Dark Duelist yelled

"Alright". Ryo sighed in relief

"Yeah". Sho and Chummley cheered.

Nightshroud grabbed his head, screaming as the lava started churning and his LP dropped to 0

The defeated Shadow Rider fell over, and then was engulfed in a ring of flame, screaming as the fire kicked at gim.

"At least they're safe..." Judai whispered before falling down due to fatigue.

"Judai!". Ryo rushed towards his friend as fire erupted from beneath them.

As he reached him, he was surrounded by the searing flames. As their screams filled the night sky, the boys and Yusuke disappeared into flashes of light

Sho slowly sat up, rubbing his head. He looked around, finding himself outside the base of volcano

"We are alive! We are alive!"

Chummley then got up and looked around as well

"I can't believe how close we were to being..."

He was interrupted when Ryo pulled himself up.

"Juda...he did it".. Ryo muttered still in shock over recent events

"Yeah!" Sho said as the guys stood up.

"Where is he anyway?"

Ryo gasped as he saw where he was. Judai was just a short distance away, unconscious with the form of Nightshroud just above him by the few feet.

The boys ran over to check his condition.

"Aniki! Aniki! Aniki! Wakeup. Sho cried worriedly.

Ryo checked the Slifer's pulse and then looked at them over his shoulder, "You don't worry Sho he will be fine, it's just he has some minor bruises and they aren't life threatening".

"I am glad Judai is fine". Chummley sighed in relief.

Ryo then looked towards the card near Judai's hand. He took the card and turned it over to see the image of the card turn from black to that of a Dragon mask in front of chain.

He then remembered Yusuke, looking ahead he walked towards the other unconscious form nearby. The young man was laying on his stomach, his face hidden by his hair and arms. He knelt down as the Shadow Rider began to stir. Grunting he opened one eye and looked straight at him.

"..R-Ryo..."

Ryo gasped, "It is really you!" He stared at the teen, not wanting to believe what he had just heard as he tried to control his tears.

"Judai hold on we are coming!" Misawa's voice echoed.

Sho and Chummley turned to see Misawa, Chazz, and Asuka rushing over. All of them still dressed in their uniforms even though it was the middle of the night.

"What happened here?" Chazz asked impatiently. He and Misawa were helping Judai to his feet.

"The first Shadow Rider kidnapped me and Chummley and challenged Judai to duel". Chummley looked away from Judai.

"So they were here" Misawa muttered.

Chazz looked at the unconscious body, "So did he win?

Sho nodded

Asuka turned to Ryo's direction, glaring at the form he was with, So is that him?" She asked, walking over them.

As she approached, Asuka was surprised to see the stoic and emotionless Ryo hugging the body close to him as if the person is dead to him.

"Ryo?". Asuka stared at him, eyes wide

Ryo sniffed and turned to them both, "Guys...Its him! It really is him! I don't understand how, but it's him! I thought we had lost him, but he's back...He's finally back!" He said in a more emotional voice trying to control his tears

"What are you talking about?" Asuka asked carefully, Who's back?

"Its one of my best friend!" Ryo pleaded, moving away from the body to show them better, "Its Yusuke Fujiwara!"

Asuka's eyes went wide at the tall boy with Seaweed green hair. The same boy who used to be best friends with her brother and Ryo and disappeared in the abandoned dorm with him

Asuka knelt down and grabbed one of Yusuke's wrists to check for a pulse. Everyone held their breath waiting for the verdict.

"Ryo I can feel a pulse. He's alive, if not worse for wear. Let's get them both to the infirmary." She looked at Kaiser. "Give me a hand Ryo, we both are going to need to take an arm."

Ryo nodded his head and help her pull the unconscious Fujiwara to his feet. The sun started to rise behind them over the ocean. The light cast a good look at Yusuke's pale, thin face. It was clear he was weak and needed serious medical attention.

His head slumped on Ryo's shoulder as he and Asuka dragged him along the path to the school infirmary. Sho and Chummley walked backwards, while Chazz and Misawa walked behind them with Judai who just passed out a few min before.

One Shadow Duelist down, and one mystery solved, but at what cost, Ryo couldn't help but wonder.

A short distance away, the figure that arrived with Nightshroud the night before stood, watching the group.

"He failed,". Tragedio muttered to himself. "No matter. We will make up for it". He pulled out a medallion that hung from a string around his neck.

Notes

I hope you enjoy the duel and my friend gave Nightshroud some OC cards.