As the nine students finish their duels with Haruko, the inky blackness slowly recedes around them, depositing all nine of them back into the small forest clearing. It was just in time, too, because the geyser of spirits had just began to peter out, coming to a gradual yet unceremonious end as the last of the spirits flew up into the supernatural storm above. Haruko lied unconscious on the grass, doted on by her flock of Scapeghosts. At least at first, things finally seemed to be over.

And then four of the students spoke in eerie unison.

"It seems the worst of it is over."

Cassandra, Pine, Sina, and Valerie all spoke, turning to give their fellow students a grin as the realization of what had happened dawned on their peers.

"We said it was a duel with your lives on the line, didn't we? We meant it."

The four of them all walked to one end of the clearing before turning to the other students and raising their duel disks. "Come. The calamity may resolve itself, but we aren't yet satisfied."

Renho grit her teeth. "You guys go. I barely won my duel. I'll look after Haruko."

The four possessed students laughed. "At least one of you recognizes a fluke. Come. It's been so long since we've been able to duel like this. You kids want to save your friends, don't you? All you have to do is defeat them. Come! Double or nothing!"