7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Standard Arc)

Chapter 44 Battle Fronts

"Satoshi!" The voice made him spin around. Serena was rushing toward him in the dim, echoing chamber of the Ancient Ruins. For a split second, Satoshi froze—her outfit had him fooled.

"Yuzu—no, wait... Serena, right?" He let out a breath, shaking his head. "Jeez, that outfit almost tricked me."

Serena nodded briskly. "I know. I met Yuzu, and we agreed to swap clothes so she could draw the Obelisk Force away."

"I see." Satoshi glanced around, relaxing a little now that she was safe. "Then let's head back to the Jungle Area. We should regroup with Yuni and the others."

But before they could take a step, a sharp voice rang through the ruins.

"This is the end! I attack Force Strix with Death Toy Scissor Tiger! Send Kurosaki—this Xyz remnant—to his grave!"

The impact shook the temple. From the upper steps, a battered form was flung violently through the air. Kurosaki Shun crashed down, tumbling down the ancient stone until his body struck the ground with a sickening thud. His Duel Disk sparked, numbers dropping to zero. (Shun:2100-0)

"What the...?" Satoshi gasped, eyes wide. He and Serena rushed forward.

From the shadows of the temple, Sora emerged, his expression calm and satisfied. "Looks like I've won this time."

"Shun!" Serena skidded to the fallen duelist's side, trying to help him up. But Shun groaned in agony, clutching his ribs, every breath shallow.

Satoshi grimaced at the sight. "Wow... those injuries are bad."

Then Sora's eyes snapped wider as he finally noticed who was with her. "Satoshi? Is that you? You've come to this Dimension, too?"

Satoshi and Serena looked up, glaring at him in unison.

"Great..." Satoshi muttered under his breath.

Sora's smirk returned. "Out of the way, Yuzu. Satoshi. Kurosaki is the prey I've hunted!"

Serena stepped forward, Duel Disk snapping to life with a sharp hum. The light revealed her face fully, making Sora blink in surprise.

"That Duel Disk... wait, you're not Yuzu." His eyes narrowed. "...You're Serena?"

Serena raised her arm. "I activate the Magic Card—Lunar Eclipse! The field is enveloped in darkness!"

Shadows surged upward, swallowing the temple in an oppressive black cloud.

"What?!" Sora shouted, panic edging his voice. "Satoshi! Serena!" He plunged into the mist after them, teeth gritted, ready to tear through the veil.

The air shimmered with heat as Vivian and Ryu stood over the latest set of defeated Obelisk Force duelists. Vivian wasted no time—her Duel Disk glowed, and the three soldiers were sealed into cards one by one.

"That makes four sets of three we've faced together," Ryu muttered, sweat streaking down his temple.

Vivian exhaled sharply. "These guys are like zombies... when will they ever stop?"

"Who knows? But it's a good thing Yuni and Yuya warned us about this," Ryu said, sliding his Duel Disk into standby mode.

Before Vivian could respond, movement caught their eyes. Serena, Satoshi, and the battered form of Shun came running toward them.

"Yuzu! Are you okay?" Ryu shouted, rushing forward.

Satoshi quickly stepped in front, holding out a hand. "Wait—she isn't Yuzu."

Ryu blinked in confusion. "Huh? Then you must be Serena? But... why are you wearing Yuzu's clothes?"

"It's a long story," Serena said tersely.