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

Chapter 45 Zarc and Zarine

Four sets of duels raged across the battlefield, each like a blazing fire in different corners of the war.

The first pitted Shun, Sawatari, Serena, and Tsukikage against a squad of Obelisk Force, the jungle ruins trembling with every clash.
The second saw Ron, Jean, Katrina, Satoshi, Ryu, and Vivian locked in combat with another unit, their teamwork the only thing keeping them alive.
The third was Yuni, standing alone like a lone warrior, facing six opponents with unshakable resolve.
And the last was Yuya, far below the surface, staring down Sora across a bridge suspended over magma.

The storm of duels had begun.

Sawatari pushed his hair back with a smug grin, raising his Duel Disk with flair. "Let's go! My turn! I set the Scale 1 Abyss Actor – Devil Heel and the Scale 8 Abyss Actor – Funky Comedian on the Pendulum Scale!"

Two shimmering spotlights burst open in the sky, spectral curtains drawing up as the actors took their places. Numbers glowed — 1 and 8 — locking into place like the frame of a stage.

"With this, I can summon monsters from Level 2 to Level 7! Pendulum Summon!" Sawatari slashed his hand dramatically, like a director cueing the climax. "Come forth! Level 7! Abyss Actor – Big Star!" (ATK:2500/DEF:1800/Level 7/Scale:3)

The massive actor dropped onto the battlefield, cape billowing like velvet curtains, eyes glittering under a spotlight only he could see.

"Once per turn, Big Star can add an Underworld Script to my hand," Sawatari continued, his voice swelling with pride. He raised the newly drawn card high. "And the one I choose is Underworld Script – Fantasy Magic! I activate it at once! After reading the script, Big Star must act out his role!"

The actor's outfit shifted, morphing into a wizard's robe. His staff gleamed under the eerie jungle moonlight. Sawatari thrust his arm forward. "Battle! Big Star, strike down Triple-Bite Hound Dog!" (Yellow:2000-1500)

The machine-hound shrieked as the blow sent sparks flying.

But Yellow only sneered through the crackle of feedback. "Weren't you watching, intruder? Destroying our monsters just feeds our combo!"

"I didn't destroy them!" Sawatari retorted, voice sharp. "When I use Fantasy Magic, any monsters destroyed in battle return to the hand. Fusion Monsters don't return to the hand—they return to the Extra Deck!"

The Obelisk Force member smirked and raised his hand. "Then I'll show you despair anyway. I activate the Trap Antique Gear Reverse Fusion! When an Antique Gear monster leaves the field by an opponent's effect, I Special Summon a Fusion Monster that lists it as material! Come forth! Level 9! Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog!" (ATK:2800/DEF:2000/Level 9)

The ground split as a larger, even more grotesque machine-hound clawed its way forward. Three metal jaws gnashed with mechanical hunger, glowing eyes scanning the battlefield.

"When this beast is Fusion Summoned, it halves the LP of all my opponents!" Yellow barked. (Tsukikage:500-250)(Serena:2400-1200)(Sawatari:2000-1000)(Shun:4000-2000)

The group staggered, nearly dropping to their knees under the crushing wave of data backlash.

"Damn it..." Sawatari hissed, his showmanship faltering under the real pain of LP loss.

Shun pressed a hand against his ribs, sweat streaking down his face. "Stay out of this!" he spat, his voice breaking with pain. His body trembled; the duel damage gnawed at his real wounds.

A heavy, resolute voice broke through. "You should take your own advice!" Gongenzaka stomped into the fray, his Duel Disk already sparking to life.

But the penalty struck him immediately, sending a surge through his body. (Gongenzaka:4000-2000)