The seven keys, hanging around Manjoume's neck, begin to glow and rise into the air. He's as startled as anyone when they begin pulling him into the forest, making him run to keep from getting strangled by their cords. "Manjoume!" Judai calls out as he runs past, only to be corrected with a panicked "'Thunder" from Manjoume. Everyone begins to chase Manjoume through the forest. At the center of the ring of obelisks, a perfect circle of earth cracks and collapses. The keys are moving so fast now that they've actually lifted Manjoume off the ground, flying towards the obelisks. The flight is short-lived, though, as Manjoume gets slammed into a tree branch before long. The force of the impact rips the cords off of all seven keys, and Manjoume plummets to the ground. The others run over to help Manjoume, but are stopped short in their tracks by the sight of the keys floating into the obelisks, merging with them.

Our heroes are startled by this, stunned by the idea that the Shichisei Gate could possibly be opening. Manjoume seems more panicked than anyone else, which makes them all give him an odd look. Sameshima and Chronos arrive, running into the clearing and asking just what the heck's going on. The others give a very brief summary -- the Shichisei Gate is opening, and it's all Manjoume's fault. Manjoume treats this as a pleasant revelation, almost -- "Of course! It's all due to the power of my love..." (One gets the feeling that he's desperately trying to find a silver lining.) Asuka is not impressed.

A hole opens up at the center of the ring, and a stone pedestal rises out of it. Doors at the top of the pedestal swing back and down, and a metal platform rises up, with a box held in place by four clamps on top. The clamps release, slots in the box begin to glow golden, and, floating in a sphere of light, the three Legendary Demon Cards appear above it. Judai and Manjoume leap down into the crater around the pedestal, with Misawa and Asuka not far behind, but a voice, cold and calm, with the distortion that comes of talking through speakers, echoes from above. "Those cards are not for the likes of you."

A cargo plane is flying above them -- a plane with the eye symbol of the Millennium Items painted on its side. It opens a rear loading ramp, and a strange mechanism drops out, descending on three parachutes. The others watch as it drifts above them -- then releases the parachutes and crashes to earth on the other side of the pedestal. As the dust clears and the plane flies off, the device extends four crablike legs and rises to its 'feet.' Its most obvious feature is a liquid-filled cylinder on its front... with a man inside. A man hooked up to numerous wires and hoses, along with a breathing mask. A very old man, with a beard reaching his waist and deep wrinkles everywhere. A man with a Shadow Item in the form of a ring on his finger.

Everyone is very taken aback by this, and Sameshima wonders what on earth it could be. This prompts a dry chuckle from the figure in the tank. "Principal Sameshima... have you forgotten my voice so quickly?"

"That voice... Chairman Kagemaru?!"

Everyone is quite surprised by Sameshima's recognition, especially the 'chairman' part.

"The time has come," Kagemaru says. "The ritual of the rebirth of the Legendary Demons will occur here and now."

Judai wonders what the heck he means, and Manjoume angrily asks why he could just open the gate on his own like this.

"This has been planned since the beginning. I was the one who sealed the Legendary Demons away here, and gave the seven keys to Principal Sameshima." His machine begins to walk towards the pedestal. "The keys, and the duels between you and the Seven Stars, were only intended to suffuse this island with the fighting spirit of the duelists." Manjoume sighs in relief that everything wasn't his fault.

Kagemaru explains that he searched the earth for the power of immortality and the power of these Legendary Demon Cards for so many years. However, he learned that the power sleeping in these cards could only be awakened by means of the world connected to this one by a duelist's fighting spirit. Thus, he placed them here, where he could cultivate a crop of duelists strong enough to unleash them. Asuka, Shou and Hayato are angered by this -- the suggestion that they've been acting as Kagemaru's puppets all along. They all have their their own paths, and for him to disregard it... Misawa is about to add to that, but he's interrupted by Ryou. "Therefore, in order to defeat you, I will be your opponent. I, the Kaizer of Obelisk Blue -- Marufuji Ryou!"

"No! The only one who can stand up for this duel is -- ichi! Jyu! Hyaku! Sen! Manjoume Thunder!"

"No, for this duel, I, Duel Academia's, um, Blizzard Prince, Tenjouin Fubuki will be your opponent!" Asuka seems less than impressed with her brother's title.

Misawa is about to issue his challenge, when Kagemaru interrupts to turn them all down. (You can tell being ignored is getting to Misawa a little). Anyway, Kagemaru announces that his opponent shall be Yuki Judai. If the duel wasn't against him, the one with the strongest spirit of them all, it would be meaningless. Lightning crackles from the obelisks, and jumps from one to the next, forming a ring around the crater. "If you refuse my challenge," Kagemaru says, "all the island beyond here will sink into the sea." As everyone is shocked by this for a moment, a band around the front of his tube retracts, revealing two robot arms -- one with a Duel Disk attached to it. The other arm reaches forwards and picks up the Legendary Demon Cards in its pincers.

Samechima Principle	What is that robot?
Kagemaru	Sameshima Principle, you have already forgotten my voice, haven't you?
Samechima Principle	That voice is...Kagemaru Chariman!
Chronos	Kagemaru?
Judai	Chairman?
Kagemaru	The time has come. Now and here, the ceremony to revive the three legendary demons will occur.
Judai	The ceremony to revive the three legendary demons?
Manjyome	What do you mean? Why is the 7 star gate open by your own?
Kagemaru	Because it has been set up from the beginning. The one who sealed the three legendary demons here and gave the 7 keys to Samechima was me.
Chronos	What?
Kagemaru	The 7 keys...your battles against the 7 stars, they are no more than the instrument to spread the fighting spirits of the duelists around the island.
Manjyome	That is good. It isn't my fault.
Kagemaru	From now...several years ago, the legendary cards that obtained the power of eternal life and controlling power of the world...the three legendary demons...I got them in hand. However, in order to pull out the power sleeping inside the three legendary demon card, I understood that the fighting spirits of the duelists were neccessary. For that purpose, I built up this school and raised up the duelists to revive the three legendary demons.
Asuka	Don't be joking! In that case, are you saying that we all have been used from the beginning?
Sho	That's right. Don't say something so selfish!
Hayato	Our own roads, we open them by ourselves.
Kaiser	Thus, in order to shatter your ambition, I will become your opponent. Kaiser of Obelisk, Marufuji Ryou!
Manjyome	No! Only this duel, I, 1, 10, 100, 1000, Manjyome Thunder will do it!
Fubuki	No! This duel, I, Duel Academia ~ Blizzard Prince, Tenjoin Fubuki will be your opponent.
Kagemaru	No, my opponent must be you, Yuki Judai.
Judai	I...?
Kagemaru	That's right. If he isn't you who has the strongest power of spirits, it has no meaning.

"Now. Let us fight, Yuki Judai..."

"Hmf." Manjoume turns and walks towards the edge of the crater. "If that's what he wants, I'll leave this up to you, I guess."

"Manjoume..." Judai is surprised by Manjoume giving up so easily.

"'Thunder!"

Manjoume hoists himself over the crater edge, only to get between Shou and Judai just as Shou is tossing Judai his backpack. Oops. Ouch.

"Manjoume! Are you all right?"

"Of course I am," Manjoume says irritably, upside down. "But if you mess this one up, you know I'm never going to forgive you."

"Right. Kagemaru!" Judai opens his bag and begins removing his Duel Disk. "I'm going to bring an end to this whole Three Legendary Demons business!"

As Judai pulls out his disk, the Emerald Tablet falls out of his bag, landing on the dirt in front of him. Looking down at it, Judai realizes the impact has knocked a card out from between its pages. Picking it up, he sees it's a magic card, with a round jewel radiating light of all colors and swirling with blue energies inside. The title of the card is [The Philosopher's Stone -- Sabatier]. "Daitokuji-sensei... Are you telling me to use this card? All right. I'll believe in its power!" He shuffles the card into his deck, then tosses his backpack back to Hayato. Just in time to catch Manjoume in the back of the head with it. Oops again. "Sorry about that, Manjoume!"

"Why you -- that was on purpose, wasn't it?!"

The lightning fades from the obelisks, and Kagemaru moves into position as the pedestal recedes. Both he and Judai ready their duel disks, and Kagemaru says it's time for the Shadow Duel to begin. Judai's ready, and his friends shout encouragement. Duel! Judai gets the first turn. He draws, and then plays Burst Lady in defense mode [E-Hero Burst Lady - 3/1200/800]. He sets one card, and ends his turn. "All right, bring it on, Three Legendary Demons!"

Kagemaru's turn. He draws, using a slot on the back of one of the mechanical arms as his 'hand.' "Now, I set three Trap cards." The pincer deposits them in his card slots one at a time. Manjoume frowns. "This guy... has he really ever dueled before?" Shou wonders why he's asking, and Misawa explains that when you're setting cards face down, you don't have to declare whether they're Magic or Trap cards. "Ah, but to summon one of the Three Legendary Demons, it does make a difference which they are," Kagemaru says. Judai is surprised, and Kagemaru proceeds to sacrifice his three Trap cards (Statue of the Wicked, Penalty Game!, and Mispolymerization). They turn into shards of golden light, which streak towards one of the obelisks. "Behold! The first of the Legendary Demons -- God Flame Emperor Uria!"

God Flame Emperor Uria Monster Card

A tower of flame erupts from the base of the obelisk. Shou wonders if the volcano is erupting, while Chronos says it's a pillar of fire. But Misawa sees something inside... and when the flames clear, and a red winged serpent emerges -- bearing strong similarities to Saint Dragon Osiris, but much more disturbing in appearance. This is [God Flame Emperor Uria ~ Shinenou Uria - 10/0/0: This card can't be normal summoned. Sacrifice 3 Trap cards on your Field in order to Normal Summon this Monster. This Monster's attack strength is 1000 times the number of permanent Trap cards in your Cemetery. By 1 time per turn, Destroy a magic or trap card set up on your opponent's side of the field. This effect can't be negated by any trap or magic card].

"Aniki~~..." Manjoume, hearing this, pulls out his deck and sees Ojama Yellow in his card, eyes brimming with tears. "That guy... that guy is really, really dangerous!" Manjoume, considering that more than a bit obvious, tells Yellow to be quiet. "I activate Uria's special ability -- Trap Destruction!" Uria rears back and shrieks, sending out high-pitched shockwaves of vibration. Judai's face down card is revealed (Dimensional Tunnel Mirror Gate - trap card), and destroyed. Kagemaru proceeds to explain that Uria's strength is determined by the number of trap cards in his graveyard. He has three trap cards in his graveyard, Statue of the Wicked, Penalty Game!, and Mispolymerization, so Uria is at 3000 ATK (1000*3) to begin with. "Uria. Dispose of that weakling. Hyper Blaze!" Uria takes a deep breath, then launches a mighty bolt of fire at Burst Lady, destroying her. Kagemaru ends his turn.

Uria looms over the field, staring intimidatingly down at Judai. Judai is sweating, his heart beating loudly, but reminds himself that he knew from the start this guy was going to use the Legendary Demons. Being able to go up against such a strong card -- it's got his heart pounding and his blood racing. He's really enthused about this. Judai draws, and then plays Bubbleman [E-Hero Bubbleman - 4/800/1200] in attack mode. Using Bubbleman's special ability, he draws two more cards. Fubuki is surprised that Judai would play such a weak monster in attack mode against such a huge enemy. Manjoume chalks it up to Judai's usual overconfidence, but Misawa is worried. If one demon has such power, what happens when two, or even all three are summoned? The others all agree that if he can't destroy this one right away, he's going to be in trouble.

Judai looks at his hand. The two cards he's just drawn are Polymerization and Skyscraper, while in his hand we see Featherman, Sparkman, Bubble Shot, and Wing of Evolution. Judai plays Polymerization to fuse Bubbleman on the field with Featherman and Sparkman on hand, summoning Elemental Hero Tempester! Kagemaru points out that with 2800 ATK, it would be impossible for that monster to destroy Uria. "Yeah, this isn't exactly the right place for a hero to be fighting. Good thing I've got a great stage for him on hand. I play the field magic Skyscraper!" The towering skyscrapers shoot up out of the ground, surrounding the duelists. Uria is visible, towering above the buildings in the background. Judai explains Skyscraper's effects, and Tempester's attack increases to 3800 (2800+1000) as it attacks with Chaos Tempest. A mighty blast of energy engulfs Uria, and when the smoke clears, the Divine Flame Emperor has vanished in an explosion. Kagemaru's life drops to 3200 (4000+3000-3200).

"Of course. This is the power of fusion that let you defeat Daitokuji, the ultimate alchemist. How interesting. But it won't save you from defeat."

Judai sets one card face down, then ends his turn. Kagemaru says that in the face of the power of the Legendary Demons, despair is the only option. He draws, then activates another of Uria's special abilities. When Uria is in his graveyard, he can discard one trap card (in this case, Chain Burst) to special summon Uria once again... A jet of fire shoots up from behind the skyscrapers, and Uria roars as it is revived. And now that there's a fourth trap card in his graveyard - Statue of the Wicked, Penalty Game!, Mispolymerization, and Chain Burst - its attack has risen to 4000 (1000*4). It attacks Tempester with Hyper Blaze, and Judai's life drops to 3800 (4000+3800-4000). Judai activates Tempester's special ability, sacrificing his face-down magic card (Wing of Evolution - Magic) to keep Tempester in play.

Judai's turn. He draws, then plays Pot of Greed to draw two more cards. Next, he plays Heat Heart to increase Tempester's attack points by 500 [H.Heat Hear - Magic: Increase the ATK of 1 Monster on your side of the Field by 500 points. If the ATK of the Monster whose ATK is increased by this card's effect attacks with an ATK that is higher than the DEF of your opponent's Defense Mode Monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points]. Coupled with Skyscraper's effect, this makes his next Chaos Tempest attack worth 4300 ATK (3800+500), enough to destroy Uria once again. Kagemaru's life points drop to 2900 (3200+4000-4300).

The Lost Paradise Magic Card

"No matter how many times you destroy it, this is futile!" Kagemaru says, and draws. He discards the trap Jar of Greed to revive Uria with 5000 attack points (1000*5). Next, he plays Pot of Greed to draw two more cards. He then plays a field card [The Lost Paradise ~ Shitsurakuen - Field Magic: Add two cards from the top of your deck into your hand]. (Well, actually, I can't make out what he was saying any more than Horoko could, so I'm going with his guess for now.) A white glow sweeps up the skyscrapers, and then fades, leaving a blasted wasteland all around them. Kagemaru explains that, by the effect of Parched Land, he can draw two cards once per turn. He then sets three Magic cards face down.

Descending Thunder Emperor Hamon Monster Card

Shou comments that once again, he's announcing his cards when he doesn't need to, and Judai gasps. "It can't be... It's coming!". Kagemaru sacrifices the three Magic cards (Monster Reincarnation, Premature Burial, and Designator of the Abyss). Ice forms over the images of the cards, and they crack apart into shards, which are swept up towards the sky on a rush of wind. The three streams of ice impact on the ground nearby. "Behold! Descending Thunder Emperor Hamon!" Shards of ice rise up from the ground, and then shatter as Hamon rises from them. It, too, resembles one of the Egyptian Gods -- a skeletal, spiny version of the Winged Dragon of Ra. And its attack points are 4000 [Descending Thunder Emperor Hamon ~ Kouraiou Hamon - 10/4000/4000: This card can't be normal summoned. Sacrifice 3 permanent Magic cards on your Field in order to Normal Summon this Monster. When this Monster destroys a Monster as a result of battle, do 1000 damage to your opponent's Life Points. When this card is in the defense position, the opponent can't select other monster as an attack target].

Kagemaru orders it to attack, and it rears back and breathes a jet of lightning into the air. It vanishes into the dark clouds above, which then rain down lightning all across the field. Tempester is destroyed, and Judai's life drops to 2600 (3800+2800-4000). Kagemaru then activates Hamon's special ability -- when it destroys a monster, it does 1000 damage to the controller's life points. Judai is down to 1600 (2600-1000) as a bolt of lightning hits him directly. He drops to his hands and knees.

"Nngh... Aniki..." Manjoume looks at his cards again. Ojama Yellow is wasting away -- his cheeks are gaunt, and his ribs are visible through his chest. "Aniki... help me..." The others look through their decks, and are shocked to see the same thing is happening to all their monsters. Shou wonders just what's going on. "Haven't you realized yet?" Kagemaru asks. In this shadow duel, ever since the Legendary Demons were summoned to the field, they've been feeding off the energy of any duel monsters besides Judai's. Sparks of light drift up from the cards, funneling towards the two Demons. Hayato looks helplessly at Des Koala, and Shou says that Patroid's turned into scrap.

"But the power to control my Legendary Demons is incomplete. Outside this barrier, controlling them would be impossible. To fully dominate all three of them, I will need the fighting spirit housed within all of you, as well..." If he wins this duel, he'll have the strength to release the Demons past the barrier, and take the energy of all the duel monsters for their own. Uria and Hamon glow red and yellow, respectively, and channel their energy into Kagemaru's cylinder. "Then they will grant me eternal life -- and give me the power to become god of this world!" Kagemaru's ring glows as his body undergoes a transformation. His wrinkles vanish. His long hair turns black, and his beard fades. His muscles grow. With a roar, he shatters the tank and reaches out to claim his Duel Disk from the robot arm. He emerges, now a muscular, handsome man wearing only a sort of bandage-wrap around his waist.

Ojama Yellow	Big Brother, Big Brother, please help me~
Manjyome	Ojama Yellow!
Asuka	Monsters in the decks...
Hayato	What is this?
Misawa	My monsters also...
Sho	What's wrong?
Kagemaru	You have just realized, haven't you? Besides Judai dueling in the shadow duel, since the legendary demons appeared on the field, the spirits of you monsters have been being absorded.
Kaiser	I see. The legendary demons take the spirits of other monsters...they are the monsters showing such the power.
Chronos	Mum ma mia~
Hayato	Des Koala ~
Sho	Patroid becomes scrap~
Misawa	That's why they are the sealed cards.
Kagemaru	However, the power of my three legendary demons haven't been complete yet. Without this boundary, it is impossible to exercise the three legendary demons. In order to make them work, the power of spirits residing in you are neccessary.
Judai	The power exercising the spirits?
	If I can get the victory from this shadow duel, absord your power, release the thee legendary demons from the boundary, I will take the energy from the spirits residing in duel monsters all over the world.
Judai	The three legendary demons will take the spirits in the cards...?
Kagemaru	Then, the three legendary demons can give the eternal life to me and I could become the god of the earth. Oh! It's full, it's full already...the power!
Samechima Principle	Chairman~
Judai	You...are Kagemaru?
Kagemaru	This kind of thing is no longer needed. I have finally got in hand..this youth and this body. Come on, Judai! Your spirits, I will take them into my body!

He turns to his machine. "I won't need this sort of thing any more!" With a mighty straining of muscles, he lifts the whole thing over his head and hurls it into the air, letting it land far away. He exults in his new youth and new body, as Judai looks on warily.

to be continued...

[ Judai's deck list]
New cards played N/A

[ Kagemaru's deck list]
New cards played | Descending Thunder Emperor Hamon (M), God Flame Emperor Uria (M), Chain Burst (T), Mispolymerization (T), Penalty Game! (T), Statue of the Wicked (T), Jar of Greed (T), Abyssal Designator (S), Monster Reincarnation (S), Premature Burial (S)

M=monster, S=Spell, T=Trap