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

Chapter 2 Mermaids and Dragons

The night wind swept across the balcony, carrying the neon glow of the city lights. Two Duel Disks activated with a metallic hum, their blades sparking to life in crimson and aqua.

Yuzu glanced nervously at the skyline, then back at her opponent. "Are you sure it's fine for us to duel here? What if the other Tops—or Security—find out?"

Risu smirked, her green-and-yellow hair shifting in the breeze. "As long as we've got permission, we don't need to worry about what they think. Now—let's enjoy ourselves and duel."

Yuzu drew her opening hand, nodding with determination. "Alright then." Both shouted in unison: "Duel!" (Yuzu:4000)(Risu:4000)

Risu grinned. "If you don't mind, I'll take the first turn."

"Sure," Yuzu replied, adjusting her stance.

Rin's voice echoed faintly within her, a warning tone. Be careful, Yuzu. You'd better be prepared for getting wet.

"Getting... wet?" Yuzu blinked in confusion, but the answer came swiftly.

Risu slapped a card onto her Duel Disk. "I Normal Summon Aqua Mermaid: The Shark from my hand!" (ATK:1500/DEF:300/Level 1)

A girl with sleek blue hair and a shark's dorsal fin extending from her back leapt onto the field, circling like a predator.

"But that's not all," Risu continued, flipping another card. "Since I control a WATER monster, I can Special Summon Aqua Mermaid: The Octopus from my hand!" (ATK:1200/DEF:200/Level 1)

A second monster appeared—this one a yellow-haired girl, her legs replaced by twisting crimson tentacles that flexed against the balcony floor.

"Now—let's dive straight in!" Risu shouted, thrusting her hand forward. "I tune my Level 1 Shark with my Level 1 Octopus!"

The octopus dissolved into a single glowing ring, encircling the shark as their bodies transformed into streams of light.

"The beast of the deep rises from the abyss—burst forth and strike like a geyser!" Risu cried. "Synchro Summon! Come forth—Aqua Mermaid: The Whale!"
(ATK:2000/DEF:1000/Level 2)

With a powerful splash, a black-haired girl descended, her lower body a massive whale tail that glistened with seawater. She let out a low, haunting cry that made Yuzu's eyes widen.

"S–so this is her Synchro Summon..." Yuzu whispered, her heart racing.

Risu smirked. "And now, Whale's effect! By banishing one monster in my Graveyard, you take 500 damage. I banish Aqua Mermaid: The Octopus!"

The whale girl's tail slammed down, a surge of water erupting behind her and crashing into Yuzu like a sudden wave. Yuzu yelped as she was drenched, her life points dipping. (Yuzu:4000–3500)

"G-great..." Yuzu sputtered, wringing water from her sleeves. "I'm all wet..."

"I know." Rin's voice teased from within. That water attack is always unpleasant.

Risu laughed lightly, then placed a card into her back row. "I set one card face-down, and end my turn."

Yugo smirked, crossing his arms. "Always soaking your opponent on the first turn, huh?"

Risu chuckled. "If Rin were here too, she'd have added ice into that water. You'd be freezing solid by now."

Yuzu steadied herself and drew, determination flashing in her eyes. "My turn!" She glanced at her hand—then widened her eyes. "Wind Witch...? Rin, these are your monsters. Are you... lending me your cards?"