At night in a dark case, a group of mysterious people are meeting for their plan. Seemingly, the leader declares that the time has come for his people to take the cards of destiny for him by their power. He asks who is gonna attack the first one. Then, a guy with a mask named [Darkness] steps out and volunteers to be the first.

Through the night sky and volcano, Darkness is flying by his hang glider that makes him look like a big bat. Meanwhile, Ryo is talking to Asuka at a pier. He sees that Asuka's expression has become more gentle and softer lately. However, Asuka thinks that she has changed nothing at all. Ryo says that it is actually good for her. Then, it starts raining, so Asuka tells Ryo to go back. While walking back, they notice the shadow of the flying bat spotted by the light of a lighthouse. On the other side, Sameshima Principle is looking through the window in his officer alone. Seeing the big bat flying in the raining sky, he has realized that the group of people have finally come as informed. Darkness landed on the ground and burned his hang glider. His shadow appears that he has another half ancient item that Judai got previously from gravekeeper's leader on his chest. The item starts glowing and leads him to the direction at Osiris Red dorm of Duel Academia.

At Osiris Red dorm, Judai is snoring and sleeping well. He hasn't known that his ancient item is also glowing and responding to the uninvited guest. Sho and Hayato are getting scared by the thunder, so they can't sleep but just cover themselves by their sheets. Sho sees Judai and feels very impressed. Despite this bad climate and scary thunder, Judai can still sleep well happily. Anyway, they don't notice Judai's glowing pendant at all.

On the next shining day at Dual Academia, Daitokuji teacher's class has just been over. Judai gets up for the lunch time after sleeping for the entire class again. Because he put on a smiling weird mask that made him look awake, Sho didn't notice that he was sleeping. Judai takes out the bento (Lunch Box) that Tome-San made for him. It is shrimp tempura (Fried Shrimp) that looks very nice. At this moment, Daitokuji teacher tells him to stop his meal and go with him to see Sameshima Principle. Hayato gets worried, asking whether Judai did something bad. While Judai has no idea, Sho thinks that if the principle calls him, the issue may be about the expelling again. Judai still knows nothing about what he did until he would be kicked off. Manjyome gets up and laughs at him. He says that although it is just a short time, he would like to say good bye to him. However, Manjyome also gets shocked when Daitokuji teacher tells him to go to see the principle, too. Not yet, Daitokuji teacher calls even Asuka and Misawa to go. Judai gets more surprised and wonders what this exactly means.

All people are following Daitokuji teacher to the office of the principle. Judai asks him why they are called out. Daitokuji teacher has no idea either since the principle also calls him. Then, they find Professor Chronos and Kaiser Ryou on their way. Professor Chronos asks whether these people are also called by the principle. Seeing Judai, he notes that there is a person who shouldn't be in this group. Judai misunderstands that Professor Chronos refers to Manjyome, telling him not to be worried by those words. Manjyome tells him that Professor Chronos actually means Judai not himself.

The Three Legendary Demon Monster Card

Ready at the principle office, Judai is getting amazed by the topic about the three legendary demon cards [Sanganma No Card]. (Sangenshin - the three legendary divine gods - Ra/Obelisk/Osiris. Sangenma - the three legendary demon gods). Sameshima principle explains that those cards have actually been sealed on this island for a long time. Judia is wondering how old this school is while Manjyome tells him to shut up his mouth and just listen. Sameshima principle continues the story that this school is built on the top of where those cards are sealed. According to the legend, if they are released to the ground, demons and chaos will destroy and cover the world. People are getting surprised while Judai is getting excited by such potential cards. Sameshima principle further says that some people are now planning to unseal them. They are duelists called the 7 nebulas or [7 stars]. These people plan to take the seven keys to open the seven stone gate sealing those cards underground. Then, he shows a box containing the seven key pendants. He would like each of them to protect these keys from the 7 stars. Manjyome is still wondering how they can protect them. Sameshima principle explains simply that the duel is the answer. There has been the condition for a long time on this island that people must win the duel to take these keys. That also explains why this school tries to gather proficient duelists. He just calls additional two people, Chronos and Daitokuji, to get the exact 7 number. However, Professor Chronos tells Judai that Judai was one of those additional people not the qualified one.

The 7 starts will definitely come after people holding the keys. Sameshima principle notes that if someone would like to fight against them, he would like him or her to take these keys. People are looking at their faces, feeling uncertain. Nevertheless, Judai takes out the first key without hesitation. As usual, he feels very excited rather than worried. Then, Kaiser, Misawa, Asuka, Manjyome, Professor Chronos, and Daitokuji teacher start taking the keys. Professor Chronos tries make this issue become less scary. He suggests people think that some people are challenging to destroy the dojo (Dojo = Martial Art Gym. It is commonly used in Japan such as Karate Dojo or Kendo Dojo). Thinking in the dojo term, Judai points out the they may start from the strongest person who is himself in this group. Of course, Professor Chronos strongly disagrees and says that Judai misunderstands something. The strong people are actually himself and Sinore Kaiser Ryou. According to his record, Judai was once defeated by Kaiser. Judai looks amazed, and he can't say anything while Kaiser merely smiles. Anyway, Manjyome says back that Professor Chronos has been defeated by Judai as well. Sameshima Principle draws people's attention again. He mentions that the duel is gonna start from now on. He doesn't know when it will be; however, he would like everybody to be prepared and standby for it. Also, he counts on people to take care of the keys well.

Judai	Three Legendary Demon cards?
Sameshima Principle	That's right. They are ancient three cards transferred and sealed on this island.
Judai	Haaa...is this school that old?
Manjyome	Shut up! Just listen and say nothing!
Sameshima Principle	Anyway, this school is on the top of the place where those cards have been sealed. Deeper to underground of the school are those three legendary demon cards sleeping down. According to the legend of this island, when those cards are released to the ground, the world will be wrapped by demons, and the chaos will cover everything. Darkness residing inside people will be released. Eventually, it will totally destroy the world, and there is nothing left. That is how much great power of those cards are.
Misawa	Destruction?
Judai	Although I don't understand at all, those seem to be such powerful cards.
Chronos	Haven't you listened?
Sameshima Principle	That means the challenging people will appear to unseal them.
Kaiser	Who are they?
Sameshima Principle	7 nebulas...they are duelists called the 7 stars. Certainly, their appearances are still unknown. However, one of them has already arrived on this island.
Misawa	What?
Asuka	But...how can they unseal them?
Sameshima Principle	The three legendary demon cards are sealed at the sanctuary deeper beneath the school. The seven stone gate, the seven-angle pillars, is protecting them. The 7 star gate can be opened by the seven keys. These are those 7 keys.
Misawa	Well, if those seven stars can take these keys...
Sameshima Principle	Well, I would like you to protect these seven keys.
Manjyome	Although you said that, how can we do it?
Sameshima Principle	Of course, it is duel!
Misawa	Duel?
Sameshima Principle	To take the key of the seven start gate, people must win the duel. It has been the promise or condition transferred on this island for a long time. Thus, this school gathers prominent duelists.

At night in Osiris Red dorm, Judai tells Hayato and Sho about that he was chosen to protect the key pendant. Sho is very impressed by Judai as Hayato feels very interested in the three legendary demon gods. He would like to see them once, so would Judai. Judai thinks that they must be very powerful cards. Then, he feels asleep and would like to take a rest. Sho thinks that Judai had better wait for his opponent who may come while he is sleeping. Judai feels that Kaiser not he will go for the first turn because Sho's Big Brother seems to be the number one of this school. He thinks that the strongest duelist may go first. Since Judai uses the same word [Aniki - Big Brother] that Sho calls him to call Kaiser, people get confused. Basically, Sho calls his brother [Niisan - Brother]. Then, Judai gets back to sleep to prepare for coming fight, saying good night to his friends.

Asuka walks to Osiris Red dorm at night. She thinks that the enemy should be smart enough to start gathering the keys from the weakest point. In other words, he or she should start from the lowest dorm, Osiris Red. Although Judai is a strong duelist, he is in Osiris Red. Thus, the enemy should first come after him. Of course, she is right. The first duelist of the 7 stars, Darkness, sneaks close to Osiris Red dorm, aiming for Judai. At the same time, Judai falls deeply asleep and snoring loudly as usual. Suddenly, the strange light shines brightly through Judai's room. The spirit of Hane Kuriboh appears from Judai's duel disk. It tries to wake Judai up. Having got up, Judai is surprised by the light that seems to cover him and surrounding area. Thus, he tries to wake Hayato and Sho up. Also, Judai notices his half ancient pendant glowing at the same time when Asuka sees the strange light coming from his room, hurrying to get there. When she enters, they are all moved out and disappeared by the strange light.

The strange light takes Judai and Asuka to the crater on this island. They find themselves on the light plate over magma. Then, the flare in a dragon form emerges from the magma to the other side of the light plate. The flare is burning as a guy walks out from it. Judai is wondering who this guy is. The guy introduces himself Darkness, the first 7 stars. He mentions that Yugi Judai is designated to be his first opponent. Judai thinks that he is really the strongest one, so he is first chosen to duel. Seemingly, Judai misunderstands that he is the greatest regardless of Asuka's view: the enemy should start from the lowest duelist in Osiris Red. In fact, Darkness doesn't understand himself either. He just selected Judai following the guide of his half ancient pendant. However, what he actually wants is the seven-start-gate key on Judai's chest. Darkness declares to take it from Judai by the shadow duel. While Judai and Asuka are getting amazed by the flare moving around the lava, Darkness tells them that the shadow duel has already begun. They look down and see Hayato and Sho trapped in a light ball on a stone above the magma. Darkness explains that they are protected inside the light cage; however, it will disappear following the time. If this duel is taken too long, they will fall into the magma. Judai becomes frightened, trying to claim that his friends have no business with this duel. Darkness tells him to stop his shallow words. Judai must use all of his power in the duel. It is what this battle is for. Furthermore, Darkness takes out a blank card, saying that the loser's soul will be sealed in this card. That means people have to bet by their lives. This is his shadow duel type.

Judai is still amazed by the life condition while Asuka is uncertain whether this is a real situation or just an illusion. Judai doesn't understand hether this is merely the illusion. He doesn't understand either what will actually happen if he loses. However, he is certain that this duel is real. It is the real battle called the shadow duel. Judai gets this confidence because he has had some experiences againt the shadow duel before. He reminds himself of his previous duels against the spirit of Psycho Shocker [episode 14] and Gravekeeper's Leader [episode 27, 28]. Judai only understands that he must not be defeated in this duel. Sho and Hayato merely ask Judai for help, and Judai tells them to wait. Then, Darkness and Judai standby their duel disks and begin the duel quickly.

Troop Dragon Monster Card

First turn comes to Darkness. He draws a card and gets Troop Dragon. Thus, he summons it in a defense position [Troop Dragon ~ Army Dragon - 2/700/800: When this card is destroy as a result of Battle and put into the Cemetery, you may Special Summon a card of the same name from your deck to the Field]. Setting a face-down card, he ends his turn. It is now Judai's turn. Drawing a card, he gets E-Hero Wildman. Judai summons it in an attack mode, declaring its attack against Troop Dragon immediately [E-Hero Wildman - 4/1500/1600: This Monster cannot be effected by Trap cards]. At this moment when Troop Dragon is destroyed, Darkness activates its special effect. When this monster is sent to the cemetery, Darkness can summon another Troop Dragon specially from his deck. Therefore, another Troop Dragon is summoned onto the field in the defense position again. Judai can do nothing else, ending his turn.

Turn is back to Darkness. He draws a card and activates his face-down trap card, Call of the Haunted, to resummon Troop Dragon from his graveyard onto the field in an attack mode [Call of the Haunted ~ Living Dead No Yobi Koe - Continuous Trap: Select 1 monster from your Graveyard and Special Summon it in face-up Attack Position. When this card is destroyed or removed from the field, the summoned monster is destroyed. If the summoned monster is destroyed, this card is also destroyed]. Then, he sacrifices two Troop Dragons to summon Red Eyes Black Dragon in an attack position [Red Eyes Black Dragon - 7/2400/2000]. The flare emerges from the magma into the sky and passes through Hayato and Sho. Hayato is wondering whether this light wall is working well to protect them. He knocks to test it until he almost falls into the magma. They have realized the light wall gradually falls down.

The magma fire forms itself to Red Eyes Black Dragon. Darkness declares its attack, Dark Mega Flare, against E-Hero Wildman at once. Judai gets such a strong hit until he is pushed back. Because this is the shadow game, the pain is real. His LP decreases to 3100 (4000+1500-2400). Darkness asks whether he feels painful by the battle bound by life and soul. Anyway, he is going to get Judai's life soon. This is what exactly the shadow duel is. Sho and Hayato can only tell Judai to keep it up. Judai notes that he isn't good at only the duel but also his own psysical strength.

Come to Judai's turn. He draws a card and gets Polymerization. Thus, he uses it to fuse E-Hero Clayman and E-Hero Burst Lady on his hand to summon E-Hero Rampart Gunner in a defense position [E-Hero Rampart Gunner - 6/2000/2500: If this Monster is in defense mode, you can attack your opponent directly. Battle Damage done by this effect is halved. ]. When this monster is set up in a defense mode, it can make the direct attack to the opponent by its half attack points. Thus, E-Hero Rampart Gunner makes the direct hit, Rampart Shot, against Darkness directly. Darkness' LP reduces to 3000 (4000-2000/2). He also gets hurt by this shadow duel.

Inferno Fire Blast Magic Card

It is now Darkness' move. Drawing a card, he plays the magic card Inferno Fire Blast [Inferno Fire Blast ~ Kokuendan - Magic: Choose 1 face-up Red Eyes Black Dragon on your Field and activate. Do damage to your opponent equal to the base attack strength of the chosen Red Eyes Black Dragon. During the turn that this card is activated, Red Eyes Black Dragon can't attack]. Then, the big flare is launched straight to Judai and burn him directly. Judai screams with pain. Darkness explains that this card can deal damage equal to the attack points of Red Eyes Black Dragon directly to the opponent. Thus, Judai's LP significantly decreases to 700 (3100-2400). Darkness hasn't finished up his turn yet. Remaining in his standby phase, he summons Attachment Dragon in an attack position [Attachment Dragon - 1/100/300: This card becomes an Equip card on 1 of your opponent's Monsters on the Field. As long as this Monster stays Equipped to the Equipped Monster, that Monster's mode changes and can't be switched as long as its face-up on the Field]. This card can be equipped with a monster of Judai. That equipped monster is forced to change its current mode and can't change back. In other words, Attachment Dragon is equipped with E-Hero Rampart Gunner and forces it to change its mode to an attack position. Darkness claims that because E-Hero Rampart Gunner is no longer in a defense mode, it can't deal any direct damage to him. He then ends his turn.

Judai becomes more depressed by the situation. Sho and Hayato call his name and try to move out off the light ball until they almost fall down. They also notice the light ball start disappearing while some magma flare is moving around them. Sho feels hotter. Hayato thinks that if this situation is continued, they may be gone soon. Asuka looks at Judai and feels very worried by his life condition. Judai feels very tired by the strong attack. However, he keeps on his fighting spirit and carries on his turn. No matter what, he thinks that he must not lose, drawing a card with serious face and confidence.

to be continued...

[ Judai's deck list]

[ Darkness' deck list]
New cards played | Red Eyes Darkness Dragon (M), Mirage Dragon (M), Dark Dragon Hatchling (M), Spear Dragon (M), Mystical Space Typhoon (S)

M=monster, S=Spell, T=Trap