—cheers.
roaring resounding cheers echoing all around him.
his monsters stand proudly for all to see.
once again, he accomplished victory.
once again, he saw the wide, brimming smiles of the crowd.
once again, his opponent lies on the ground, bloody, beaten and brutalized.
"Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc! Zarc!"
the crowd chants his name with excited fervor, as if eager to witness an encore.
yet throughout it all, he didn't hear a single word.
instead, he could only think of one thing:
'Not enough… This isn't close to enough. Where? Where are they? Where can I find them? That person? The one who will…'
deep within, a bloodcurdling growl reverberated through his whole being.
A Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V Fanfiction:
"Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V: Pendulum's Fifth Swing"
Scale 16: Supreme King's Wrath
The Akaba Siblings left the hospital as quickly as they could. Nakajima brought the car around to the front. No sooner did they dived into the backseat had the man put the pedal to the metal, driving as fast as he could to the Maiami Aquarium.
"To think they'd act so brazenly," Ray bit her lower lip. "And the amount of damage inflicted to You Show… That was not the cause of arson."
"And yet there are parameters put in place to prevent such catastrophic destruction being possible with the use of Solid Vision." Reiji grimaced, not at all liking the implications. "The only possible solution is that someone is using the same technology that Yuto and Kurosaki are."
Ray became alarmed. "Academia?!"
"No, I don't believe it's them. Even so, we cannot dismiss the possibility that they could be using the Rare Hunters as a sort of proxy. It was only a matter of time before they learned of Pendulum Summoning." Reiji took out his cellphone and began dialing a number. After a few rings, the recipient picked up. "I need eyes inside Maiami Aquarium, now! It's possible the duel is already underway!"
"Understood, President!"
Ray thought of the situation and those involved. Zarc was the first person that came to mind. She remembered that smiling face towards the end of their Tag Duel not long ago. That image found itself replaced by something more horrific. A mockery of him with blood-red eyes and a toothy smile, encroached by shadows reminiscent to that of a dragon, bearing down with cold yellow eyes.
Please, let us make it there in time!
Zarc – LP 1600
Marik Ishtar – LP 100
Supreme King Servant Dragon Dark Rebellion: ATK 3000
Supreme King Servant Dragon Clear Wing: ATK 3000
Supreme King Servant Dragon Starving Venom ATK 3300
The Winged Dragon of Ra: ATK 12800
The air was tense, so thick that a knife could cut through it. All those present watching the duel looked on with fear and anxiety. The shark tank once filled with water and sharks was devoid of a single drop. The sharks themselves were charred and smoking, cooked so thoroughly by the intense heat of Marik's avian monstrosity that they were shark-shaped lumps of charcoal. Zarc could barely stand, still shaken by the blow Marik delivered earlier. The only thing keeping him upright was Shuzo, who looked at him with great concern when he noticed the blood dribbling down the corner of his lips and the hand clenched tightly over his ribs.
While Shuzo tended to Zarc, Joey and Yuzu were looking over a distraught Yuya, who for some reason found it hard to breathe. His chest felt like it was burning. Something inside of him was writhing in blistering fury in response to Marik's monster. None of the students noticed how Yuya's eyes were glowing, or how his Pendulum was faintly starting to swing.
'This is bad…' Zarc thought to himself. 'At the rate things are going…'
His hand balled into a fist. He sucked in a deep breath, ignoring the sharp stabbing pain in his side as he gently pushed himself out of Shuzo's arms.
"O-oi, are you sure you're okay?!"
"I'll be fine. Just…look after Yuya for now, Principal," Zarc told him. He hopped atop the railing and whistled. "Clear Wing!" His dragon roared and flew over to his side, allowing him to hop onto its back. Marik smiled upon seeing Zarc's decision to continue the duel. The smile was cruel as it was twisted. It made him sick. He wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his face. "It's my turn! Draw! I set the Scale 8 Supreme King Servant Dragon Darkdrake and complete the Scales of the Pendulum! With this, I can now summon any monsters between Levels 5 and 7 simultaneously! Swing, Pendulum of Eternity! Back and forth, towards the unseen future! PENDULUM SUMMON! Come, my Monster Servants!"
Appearing from the rift created by the crack pendulum was a familiar black-armored knight wielding a battle-ax. Standing alongside it was another armored soldier, albeit less heavily armed and wearing a black coat with neon-green markings on the back.
"Appear! Supreme King Royal Knight – Clarity and Supreme King Royal Page!"
Supreme King Royal Knight – Clarity / DARK / Level 4 / Scale 3 / Warrior / Tuner / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 1500 / DEF 1200
Supreme King Royal Page / DARK / Level 4 / Scale 2 / Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 800 / DEF 500
"I banish Royal Page to activate its effect, adding a "Supreme King Royal Knight" monster from my deck, Graveyard or Banished Zone once per turn. I then summon Supreme King Royal Knight – Supremacy!" At Zarc's call came the spiky armored knight wielding the flaming zweihandler.
Supreme King Royal Knight – Supremacy / DARK / Level 4 / Scale 5 / Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 1600 / DEF 1200
"Then I activate Supreme King Imperial Knight – Revenge's Pendulum Effect and gain 1000 Life Points for every "Supreme King" monster on my field!" A soothing wave washed over him. The pain in his ribs disappeared.
Zarc – LP 1600 → 5600
"Next, I tune my Level 4 Supreme King Royal Knight – Supremacy with Supreme King Royal Knight – Clarity!" At his command, his monsters leaped into the air; one became four green rings and the other passed through them and revealing four stars that exploded into a pillar of light. "Knights of the Supreme King Dragon! Gather your strength and rise to greater power! SYNCHRO SUMMON!" From the pillar of light came a heavily-armored black clad knight, a tower shield in one hand and a giant serrated blade in the other, the latter resting on its shoulder. Its armor was more sleek and thin compared to the others. "Level 8! Supreme King Imperial Knight – Justice!"
Supreme King Imperial Knight – Justice / DARK / Level 8 / Scale 9 / Warrior / Synchro / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 2400 / DEF 2000
"I activate Darkdrake's Pendulum Effect and set a "Suprem King" card! Then I activate that face-down: The Continuous Magic Supreme King's Justice! When activated, I Special Summon a "Supreme King" Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck! Return at once, Odd-Eyes!" With a triumphant roar, the red dragon appeared and landed atop one of the floating platforms created by Cross Over.
Supreme King Servant Dragon / DARK / Level 8 / Scale 4 / Dragon / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 2500 / DEF 2000
"Next, I activate Starving Venom's effect and target Justice, therefore giving its effect to Starving Venom!" The orbs on Starving Venom lit up as a purple aura formed around the aforementioned monster.
With this, all that's left is to go on the attack, Zarc thought and glared at Marik. I won't hold back against you anymore! I'll pay you back a hundred fold for what you did to Sora and the Principal!
"Battle! As of this moment, the effects of Justice and Starving Venom activate! Neither monster can be destroyed by battle and can make multiple attacks, equal to the number of "Supreme King" monsters on my field! I control five monsters! Revenge also boosts Justice's ATK!"
Supreme King Imperial Knight – Justice / ATK 2400 → 2900
"I attack The Winged Dragon of Ra with Dark Rebellion! I also activate Dark Rebellion's effect, using an Overlay Unit and reducing The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK to zero! Treason Discharge!"
While adding its ATK would have been an incredible boon and would have made this duel easier, Zarc knew that wasn't possible since Marik's ace-in-the-hole didn't have any ATK on its own. At the very least, he could weaken the damn thing.
Dark Rebellion roared as thunder cackled around it, sapping the strength off of The Winged Dragon of Ra.
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 12800 → 0
Rather than appear annoyed, Marik was nonplussed. He soon revealed why. "I activate the effect of Hieroglyph Sunblight! If my opponent controls a monster whose ATK is higher than The Winged Dragon of Ra's, then it gains the combined ATK of all monsters on your field!"
"What did you just say?!" Zarc gasped.
The Winged Dragon of Ra roared a shrill bloodcurdling cry that shook the air. Golden flames poured out from its body, wrapping around it until it was a flaming beast, burning the very air around it. Zarc found himself forced to back off, finding the overwhelming heat radiating from it unbearable. The rails near the Winged Dragon of Ra started to melt.
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 0 → 15200
"That's impossible!" Yuzu cried foul. "There's no way a monster's ATK can be that high!"
Joey cursed. "That Hieroglyph Sunblight thing must be one of 'em illegal cards the other Rare Hunters been using! And what the hell's with this heat?! Even if this is an Action Duel, they ain't using any Solid Vision systems!"
Joey's right, this isn't natural at all! Zarc leveled a wary glare at Marik, who somehow seemed unaffected by the heat even though he was standing right next to his monster. Don't tell me… Is The Winged Dragon of Ra doing this? But how?!
"Tch! I continue the attack! Dark Rebellion! Revolt Lightning Disobey!"
Marik laughed. "Do you have some sort of death wish!" he jeered as their monsters clashed, thrashing thunder meeting a hellish inferno. "Even if your monster isn't destroyed, you'll still take damage!"
"No, I won't! Supreme King's Justice prevents me from taking damage from battles involving my monsters! Justice and Starving Venom also prevent any monsters I control from being destroyed by battle or by card effect once per turn! Furthermore, all monsters you control lose 1000 ATK!"
"Is that your plan? Weaken The Winged Dragon of Ra to a point where you can destroy it?" Marik seemed rather amused by the idea. "Then by all means! Give it your best shot!"
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 15200 → 14200
Zarc growled at his opponent's sheer confidence. "Starving Venom! Justice! Attack The Winged Dragon of Ra! Ravenous Poison Flare! Adjudication Slasher!"
As one, the two monsters roared and launched a series of assaults. Fire purple blasts. Five crescent arcs of energy swung by a sword. Five bursts of immense heat. Each attack clashed against the bursts of flame, seemingly diminishing it little by little.
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 14200 → 13200 → 12200 → 11200 → 10200 → 9200 → 8200 → 7200 → 6200 → 5200 → 4200
"Odd-Eyes! With those dual-colored eyes, lay waste to all you see! Spiral Strike Burst!"
Odd-Eyes stomped on the ground and roared as it fired off a stream of flame that clashed with The Winged Dragon of Ra's own. The repeated attacks of Starving Venom and Justice had withered the flames immensely, almost diminishing them entirely.
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 4200 → 3200
Shuzo cheered. "Yes! That's the way, Zarc! Go 100% HOT-BLOODED!"
"'ey, Yuzu," Joey spoke to the pinkette worriedly. "You seein' what I'm seein'?"
Yuzu nodded grimly. Despite his monster having severely weakened, Marik was still smiling. That alone was bad news.
Marik grunted. "Impressive, to say the least. You actually managed to lower The Winged Dragon of Ra's power to such a level… I must admit, with power like that, you could easily dominate Duel Monsters. And yet you hold back. Why is that? I'm quite curious. Answer me."
"Because I'm not a sadistic monster like you!" Zarc replied angrily. "Dueling isn't just a competitive sport; it's a way to bring people together! To bring smiles to people's hearts! That's why I duel! That's the whole reason I joined You Show!"
He could never forget the day he first dueled Yuya—the day he witnessed Entertainment Dueling for himself. To risk one's self and play the part of a fool, dance alongside their monsters to create a performance capable of bringing out bright emotions from the audience. Zarc was captivated when he saw it. Even through his amnesia, he never yearned for something as much as he did then. He knew then and there when he dueled Yuya Sakaki he wanted to duel that way as well.
Marik stared at Zarc for a moment, then roared with laughter. "I never expected such an answer from you!" he bellowed. "Bring smile to people's hearts? How foolish!" At this, everyone from You Show, minus Yuya, glared at him. "Dueling is a not a means to bring satisfaction. It is a means to an end. A necessary tool to achieve one's objective! I duel for the sake of gaining power! To rebuild my strength for the day I find that damnable Pharaoh and rip him from his throne, and take his power for my own!"
"Also, you claim you duel to bring happiness, but I know the truth, Zarc!" he continued. "I've seen it through your dueling! Despite your attempts to hide it, I can see it! That shadow that looms over your heart! The beast within! What you desire is not smiles! It's bloodshed!"
Zarc's knuckles turned white. "You're wrong!" he roared in defiance. "Clear Wing! Attack The Winged Dragon of Ra! Hell Whirlwind Dive Slash!" He jumped off his dragon's back as it spun around into a miniature tornado to pierce through the avian monster's defenses.
"I activate the Action Magic Power Crystal! I raise The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK by 800!"
When the hell did he—?! Zarc cursed. He must have done it while screwing with my head!
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 3200 → 4000
"I activate Clear Wing's effect!"
Marik developed a frightening smile. "I was hoping you'd do that!" Zarc's eyes widened. "I activate Hieroglyph Sunblight's effect!"
"Oh, what now?!" Joey complained.
"If The Winged Dragon of Ra would be destroyed, I send Hieroglyph Sunblight to the Graveyard and prevent The Winged Dragon of Ra's destruction! You also take damage equal to the Winged Dragon of Ra's current ATK!"
Zarc gasped and immediately braced himself. The Winged Dragon of Ra shielded itself with its wings, even as the flames lapping at its body began to flow inside its body. The grooves outlining its body began to glow red, steam rising off it. Once it repelled Clear Wing, The Winged Dragon of Ra spread its wings out and released a white-hot burst of flame that scorched everything around it. Zarc found himself knocked off the platform he was standing on and back to the stands, lying flat on his back and the front of his clothes partially singed and skin raw red.
Zarc – LP 5600 → 1600
"Zarc!" Shuzo shouted. "Are you alright!"
"I-I'm fine!" That was a lie. He was not fine. His insides felt like they were on fire. It hurt just to breathe. Struggling to rise to his feet, he had to rely on the railing to support himself.
If Marik had used that effect, when Ra's ATK had been at its highest…!
Zarc grimaced. "I set a card face-down and end my turn. I banish Supreme King Royal Knight – Supremacy from the Extra Deck."
Just as the next turn began, two new faces made themselves known to the spectators. "What in the world?!" Reiji gasped upon seeing the state of the shark tank exhibit, finding it utterly thrashed. His attention was almost immediately captured by The Winged Dragon of Ra. "What in the world is that?!"
Ray recognized it as easily as Zarc did. "It can't be… The Winged Dragon of Ra?! Here?!"
Before Reiji could question how she knew that, Joey spotted the Akaba siblings. "The heck're you guys doin' here?!"
"We came as soon as we heard the Rare Hunters made an assault on You Show," Reiji replied before frowning in concern upon seeing Yuya kneeling on the ground. "What is wrong with Sakaki?"
Yuzu shook her head in distraught. "W-we don't know. He started acting like this when that Marik guy brought out that huge monster! Zarc can barely hold his own against that thing! No matter how close he gets to destroying it, he always manages to find a way to bring it back or protect it while giving it some ludicrous ATK!"
"Not only that, but he's got an illegal card too!" Joey snarled. "How in the hell are they even doin' that anyhow?! Isn't there supposed to be some kinda safety system to keep that from happenin'?!"
"There is, but obviously, they've found a way around that."
Marik paid no heed to the spectators. They were none of his concern, and even if they did wish to challenge him, they would find he possessed more than enough power to crush them.
"It is my turn now!" Marik declared. "I activate the Trap Card Sun God's Providence! This can only activate during my Draw Phase and gives me Life Points equal to The Winged Dragon of Ra's current ATK. Afterwards, I draw two cards, then add a "The Winged Dragon of Ra" from either my deck or Graveyard to my hand! Draw!"
Reiji frowned. "Does he have a second one of those?"
"I don't think so," Shuzo answered the young president. "Earlier, he brought out a deviation of that gold turkey of his. Sphere Mode, I think he called it. I'm going to guess that monster has alternate forms."
Marik Ishtar – LP 100 → 4100
"I then activate the Continuous Magic Millennium Revelation! I send a Divine-Beast Monster in my hand to the Graveyard, then add Monster Reborn from my deck or Graveyard to my hand."
Yuzu's eyes widened. "Monster Reborn?!"
"Sheesh, that's an old card!" Shuzo exclaimed. "I didn't think he had one!"
"I then activate the second effect of Sun God Unification! I tribute The Winged Dragon of Ra and gain Life Points equal to its current ATK!"
Zarc hissed. "Again?!" He watched helplessly as a golden wave washed over Marik, healing any injuries he may have sustained earlier in their duel, created by the Winged Dragon of Ra as its golden luster turned dark and crumbled down into the empty shark tank below.
Marik Ishtar – LP 4100 → 8100
This makes no sense, why would he get rid of his Egyptian God Card just to boost his Life Points even higher? A chilling that passed through Zarc's mind, recalling an earlier move of Marik's. Wait a minute… Earlier, he sent a Divine-Beast monster in his hand to the Graveyard, didn't he? The Winged Dragon of Ra is also a Divine-Beast.
"No, don't tell me…!"
Marik sneered. "It would appear you've figured out what will happen next! Now, behold! And feast your eyes! The flames of Ra are forever eternal! Cast off your mortal coil and reduce this world to mere cinders! Appear before me at once!" The Winged Dragon of Ra's body cracked apart. Slowly, but surely, the cracks spread out from its chest all the way across its body. From within those cracks came bursting forth golden flames, rising high into the air and forming into the shape of a large bird, its wings spanning the length of the exhibit. "The Winged Dragon of Ra – Immortal Phoenix!"
The Winged Dragon of Ra – Immortal Phoenix / DIVINE / Level 12 / Divine-Beast / Effect / ATK 4000 / DEF 4000
"Immortal Phoenix's effect!" Marik bellowed. "By paying 1000 Life Points, I can send a monster on your field to the Graveyard!"
Zarc's eyes widened in horror. "No!"
Shuzo paled. "B-but don't his dragon and knight protect his monsters?!"
"Yeah, from being destroyed!" Joey scowled. "It can't do jack shit against an effect that just outright knocks 'em off the field!"
"I pay 5000 Life Points and send Supreme King Imperial Knight – Justice and your Supreme King Servant Dragons to the Graveyard! Judgment of Anubis!"
Marik Ishtar – LP 8100 → 3100
Marik hissed in pain as flames lapped away at his skin, but as far as he was concerned, the pain was inconsequential. The flaming embodiment of the Winged Dragon of Ra let out a screech as its body began to glow brighter and brighter until a giant burst of flame erupted across its form, spreading across the field. The light became so bright it forced everyone to shield their eyes lest they become blind. Once the light faded, they looked at the field and saw that the whole area was scorched pitch black. The glass was partially melted and the railing was essentially non-existent.
Zarc paled and stared at his field in shock. His hands started to shake. "N-no way… Odd-Eyes…everyone…!"
"Zarc, you gotta move!" Shuzo shouted. "Go find an Action Card! Now!"
"It's time we end this!" Marik pointed a finger at Zarc. "Begone to the Shadow Realm, Zarc! Battle! Immortal Phoenix! Attack him directly! Prominence Sun Divine Burst!"
The Winged Dragon of Ra's immortal vestige screeched as embers peeled off from its wings, almost like feathers, gathering and coalescing into a single point. The flames merged and swelled, steadily increasing in size and forming into a miniature sun that would no doubt reduce Zarc to cinders.
N-no way… This can't be it, can it? Zarc thought. He could hear his heart hammering in his chest. Is this… Am I… Am I going to lose here? In front of everyone? Am I going to fail?!
He glanced over at his friends at You Show. They were screaming at him, but he couldn't hear their words. He may as well be deaf at this moment. All he could imagine was the looks on their faces when the attack connected and the duel ended with Marik's victory. The looks of scathing disappointment and anger, the demands of why he didn't try harder.
He started to gasp. It was suffocating. He couldn't breathe. His body wouldn't stop shaking. His vision turned blurry. He could hardly see a thing.
I'm going to lose…!
The sun reached its apex. It sat in the air like a looming omen. With a shrill cry, the Immortal Phoenix flapped its wings and send the ball of inferno straight toward him.
I'm going to die!
It drew closer.
I…
It was right on top of him.
I…
Zarc shut his eyes, unwilling to meet his end, and screamed.
"I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"
BOOM!
"ZARC!"
Zarc – LP 1600 → 0
Everything turned to black.
At that moment, something stirred awake for the first time in years.
A cloud of smoke encompassed the entire section. Silence reigned over the exhibit. It was deafening to the point where Yuzu could not hear Marik's malicious and wicked laughter. She sunk to her knees, tears running down her face, staring at the spot where Zarc once stood. Next to her, Shuzo gaped and stared wide-eyed, unable to comprehend what just happened. Joey was snarling and screaming as he attempted to march over and beat down Marik, only to find himself held back by Reiji.
"Lemme go, Akaba! I'm going to fucking murder that son of a bitch!"
"Enough, Jonouichi!" Reiji struggled to keep him from killing himself. After witnessing the tail-end of the duel for himself, he knew there was no way they would beat Marik. "You'll only get yourself killed!"
"I don't care!"
Ray looked at the cloud of smoke, eyes watery. This wasn't the end, was it? Zarc couldn't have died, could he? There was so much she wanted to talk to him about. She wanted to find out the truth. Who they were, what their dreams meant.
"You can't be dead…" Ray whimpered. "You can't! Get up, Zarc! Please!"
The only one unresponsive to the event was Yuya, who remained motionless. The pendant around his neck was shining, swinging back and forth. His eyes were glowing crimson red.
Marik continued to laugh. "How amazing! How destructive! How glorious! I can think of no better way to announce my return! Oh, if only you allowed yourself to give into that primal side of yourself, Zarc! Perhaps then you would have survived! But it matters not! Even if you had survived, your soul is still bound for the darkness! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
He laughed harder and harder and ha-
"—how annoying."
Marik ceased to laugh. All eyes fell upon the cloud of smoke, which began to think. Within the cloud of smoke and ember was a shadowy figure with mismatched glowing eyes.
Unbeknownst to anyone other than Ray, something within that smoke began to resonate and connect, reaching out across time and space.
Yuya's eyes glazed over and spoke words unheeded by neither Joey nor Yuzu.
"We…"
In the midst of their training, Yuto let out a cry of pain and fell onto a knee, cradling his eyes. "Yuto!" Shun rushed over to his friend in concern. "Hey, Yuto, what's wrong? Hey!"
Shun didn't notice Yuto's eyes glowing purple.
"…will…"
A young teen racing across an empty street skidded to a stop. His head throbbed all of a sudden, though it was no coincidence. Not when his deck started to glow and he heard the cry of his monster.
"W-what the hell?" the teen gritted his teeth. "H-hey, buddy, what's going…" He trailed off as his eyes started to glow.
"…become…"
An effeminate young man wearing a purple uniform with a cape found himself struggling to breathe, forced to lean against the wall for support. He had no idea what caused this sudden bout of illness, but he could feel that something was behind it. He could sense it—somewhere, something was calling out to him. And something within him was answering back, equaling their cries of bloodlust.
The young man brought a hand to his face, unable to contain his smile as his eyes started to glow. Such bloodlust… What euphoria!
"…one."
Marik's jaw hanged open and looked in disbelief. "No… No! That cannot be!"
"You act high and mighty…but insects will always be insects."
(insert Curb Stomp Song here)
Declaration and intent spoken, the cloud of smoke blew away. Inside the smoke was a dragon covered in shadows from head to toe. It was impossible to discern any features from it, save for the glowing green markings etched into the shadow and the mismatched eyes. Next to it was Zarc, standing beside it and looking completely unscathed.
"Zarc!" Yuzu sobbed with relief. She wiped the tears from her eyes. Were it not for the situation, she would have rushed to hug him and never let go. "Oh, thank god you're alright! We thought you-"
"Hiiragi. If you or the others don't wish to die, I suggest you leave."
The students and teacher of You Show, plus the Akaba siblings, stared at Zarc in shock. It was only now that Yuzu noticed something off about her friend. His expression was indifferent and bland—a cold mask that showed nothing but contempt. His eyes were crimson red instead of gold.
"Z…Zarc?"
Joey felt a bead of sweat drip down the side of his face. H-hey, what gives? What's this feeling? Looking at Zarc right now… I feel like…like Marik's the least of our concerns. It feels as though somethin' in me is shouting at me to get the hell out of here.
Reiji's features hardened. He stared at Zarc intently and adjusted his glasses. "Could this be…?"
Ray, meanwhile, stared at her fellow amnesiac in horror. She and she alone understood what stood there at this moment.
"You musn't… Please, you can't do this…!"
"H-hey, Zarc, are you okay?" Shuzo asked out of concern. "Did you-"
"HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!" Marik demanded angrily, a vein throbbing above his eyebrow. "THAT SHOULD HAVE ENDED YOU! EVEN IF YOU SOMEHOW SURVIVED THE IMMORTAL PHOENIX'S ATTACK, YOUR SOUL SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE SHADOW REALM!"
"The Continuous Trap Supreme King's Soul," Zarc explained coldly. "If my opponent reduces my Life Points to zero, I Special Summon a "Odd-Eyes", "Dark Rebellion", "Clear Wing" or "Starving Venom" Dragon Monster from my hand, deck or Extra Deck. I summoned Odd-Eyes Dragon and equipped it with Supreme King's Soul. So long as Supreme King's Soul remains in play, the duel will continue even if my Life Points remain at zero."
Shuzo gasped. "Odd-Eyes Dragon? But, I thought that card vanished when Yuya gained Pendulum Summoning?!"
Marik gaped. Such a card effect existed? But how? And how could have obtained power? And more importantly…
"You… Who do you think you are?!" Marik snarled. If this man thought he could stand in the way of his plans, he was sorely mistaken! "I tribute Millennium Revelation and activate the Magic Card Monster Reborn with its effect! Return at once, The Winged Dragon of Ra!" A radiant blue glow began to seep through the cracks of the empty shell of the Egyptian God. The cracks began to mend and the avian beast regained its golden splendor. Its eyes opened and raised a cry of triumph, joining its other half in the air. "I now activate the Quick-Play Magic Rise of the Sun God! I gain Life Points equal to the combined ATK of all monsters on the field, and then return The Winged Dragon of Ra to my hand!"
Joey swore. "He's still goin' on with the cheap tricks?!"
The Winged Dragon of Ra vanished in a gale of flame, leaving only Marik and his Immortal Phoenix.
Marik Ishtar – LP 3100 → 11500
"I end my turn! Immortal Phoenix returns to the Graveyard, but in its place, I can Special Summon The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode from either the hand, deck or Graveyard!" The Immortal Phoenix wrapped itself with its wings, curling into a ball of flame that solidified into a familiar shape: A golden ball, or more accurately an egg for what would become an avian deity of flame.
The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode / DIVINE / Level 12 / Divine-Beast / Effect / ATK ? DEF ?
"My turn," Zarc said evenly. "Draw. I activate Supreme King Servant Dragon Darkdrake's Pendulum Effect and set a "Supreme King" card face-down. I activate the Magic Card Supreme King's Xyz Rebellion. I choose one Dragon Monster on my field and one Xyz Dragon Monster on my field or in my Graveyard. If there is a Xyz Dragon Monster in my Graveyard, I Special Summon it. The Xyz Dragon Monster then gains a Level equal to the first Dragon Monster. I summon Supreme King Servant Dragon Dark Rebellion from the Graveyard."
Reiji narrowed his eyes as Dark Rebellion returned to the field. He took notice of its behavior, no longer violent but subdued. Something had changed about Zarc's behavior. And that was not all.
This set-up… I see now. So, this is him when he's going in full force.
"Dark Rebellion gains Odd-Eyes Dragon Level. I construct the Overlay Network using the Level 7 Odd-Eyes Dragon and Supreme King Servant Dragon Dark Rebellion."
Marik laughed mockingly as a nebula formed in front of Zarc's feet. "Have you forgotten your own effects already?! If you use Odd-Eyes Dragon as Material—!"
"If the monster equipped with Supreme King's Soul is tributed or used as Material, Supreme King's Soul equips itself to the monster using the previously equipped monster as tribute or Material," Zarc rebuked.
At his command, the two dragons dived inside nebula. Shortly afterwards, a massive raging power was released and created a powerful shockwave that nearly threw everyone off their feet. Another resonance echoed across time and space, this time affecting Yuya and Yuto as both boys groaned and whimpered in pain. Ray clamped her hands over her ears as she heard the pitiful, agonized cries of both Dark Rebellion and Odd-Eyes as Zarc's new monster gouged its way onto the field.
"Dragon of dual-colored eyes. Unleash that black scale of wrath, eradicate all opposing enemies! XYZ SUMMON! Descend, Rank 7!" A massive black dragon emerged, wreathed in fire and cackling thunder. At first glance, one could mistake it for Dark Rebellion. Closer inspection revealed it to be a savage mockery, metal plates attached to its body with glowing purple orbs spread throughout. It bore mismatched eyes, not unlike a certain pair of dragons. The moment it appeared, it roared with blasphemous fury and rage. "Dragon with eyes of rage! Supreme King Black Dragon – Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon!"
Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon / DARK / Rank 7 / Scale 4 / Dragon / Xyz / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 3000 / DEF 2500
"Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon…?" Yuzu whispered. "I've never see him with that card before."
Joey gulped. "Whatever it is, it sure don't look happy."
"Supreme King's Xyz Rebellion's effect," Zarc continued. "When I Xyz Summon a Dragon Monster, I banish Xyz Rebelion and Special Summon Supreme King's Offering Tokens to your field."
"To my field?!" Marik questioned. Sure enough, four black statues in the shape of Dark Rebellion appeared on his field.
Supreme King's Offering Tokens / DARK / Level 1 / Dragon / Token / ATK 1000 / DEF 0
"Odd-Eyes Rebellion's effect. When Xyz Summoned using an Xyz Monste as Materialr, it destroys all monsters Level 7 and lower on your field. You take 1000 damage for each monster destroyed by this effect. Overload Howling." With a guttural growl, Odd-Eyes Rebellion unleashed a flurry of thunder upon Marik, who flinched at the oncoming storm of electricity. The tokens were destroyed. Upon their destruction, they created a blast that sent Marik flying off his platform and onto the stands opposite of Zarc.
Marik Ishtar – LP 11500 → 7500
"I activate Odd-Eyes Rebellion's Effect. Using an Overlay Unit, Odd-Eyes Rebellion can make additional attacks, equal to the number of monsters destroyed by its effect. Four monsters were destroyed by Overload Howling." Odd-Eyes Rebellion roared as the electricity around its body went wild. Stray sparks tore apart the exhibit, one bolt nearly hitting Yuzu who cried out in fright. If Zarc gave any indication about the destruction his monster was causing, he didn't show it. "Odd-Eyes Rebellion can attack five times."
"Useless!" Marik countered. "The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode cannot be attacked!"
"I activate the Action Magic Direct Route," Zarc declared to his shock. When did he get his hands on an Action Card?! "For the rest of the turn, only one monster I control can attack. In exchange, it can attack you directly."
"What?!"
"Battle. Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, attack Marik Ishtar directly! Imperial Wrath Revolt – Strike Disobey!"
Before Marik could react, the dragon lunged towards him. With no time to defend, he found himself tackled by an electrified beast that sent him flying straight into a wall, creating a miniature crater upon impact.
Marik Ishtar – LP 7500 → 4500
"Attack again, Odd-Eyes Rebellion," Zarc ordered. "Imperial Wrath Revolt - Strike Disobey!"
Marik's eyes widened when he saw the dragon dash around the air, tearing apart the ceiling in the process before coming straight for him again. He pulled himself out from the wall and jumped out of the way, although he still found himself damaged by the electricity spewing around the monster and hit the ground right on his back, groaning in pain.
Marik Ishtar – LP 4500 → 1500
"H-hey, Zarc, I know I say to duel hot-blooded, but isn't this a bit much?!"
Zarc ignored Shuzo. "I still have three more attacks to go, Marik. Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon—!"
"I activate the Action Magic Zero Penalty!" To his relief, the Rare Hunter leader found an Action Card sitting right by his feet and slapped it on his duel disk as fast as possible before Zarc could end him. "I reduce your Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon's ATK to zero!"
Just as it prepared for another assault, the armored black dragon stopped mid-air as the electricity around it suddenly ceased.
Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon / ATK 3000 → 0
Zarc scoffed. "I end my turn and banish Supreme King Royal Page from the Extra Deck."
"My turn! Draw!" Marik declared before glaring at Zarc. He did not understand what was happening. Before, he had no trouble in countering Zarc's moves, but all of a sudden, it was his back pushed against the wall. He did not know how Zarc was capable of doing this, but what Marik did know was that he was going to make Zarc pay tenfold for this humiliation. He would not be denied his prize! "I release Sphere Mode and resurrect The Winged Dragon of Ra!"
The golden sphere unfurled and formed into the gold avian beast that caused Zarc and company no end of trouble since it was summoned.
"As it was summoned through Sphere Mode's effect, The Winged Dragon of Ra gains 4000 ATK and DEF!"
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 4000 / DEF 4000
"I then summon Ra's Disciple!"
Appearing before Marik were three golden-robed men, all wearing headdresses resembling the head of the Winged Dragon of Ra.
Ra's Disciple / LIGHT / Level 4 / Fairy / Effect / ATK 1100 / DEF 600
"When Ra's Disciple is summoned, I summon two other Ra's Disciples from my hand or deck! I also banish Rise of the Sun God from my Graveyard to activate its effect! I add the Magic Card Blaze Cannon to my hand and raise The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK by 4000!" The flames spouting from the avian beast grew in size.
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 4000 → 8000
"I activate the Continuous Magic Shen Ring of Protection! DIVINE Attribute Monsters on my field cannot be destroyed by battle, and I take no damage from battles involving them! If The Winged Dragon of Ra is targeted for an attack or by a card effect, I negate the effects of all cards you control until the end of the turn! I also activate the Quick-Play Magic Blaze Cannon! Blaze Cannon grants The Winged Dragon of Ra numerous effects! As of now, The Winged Dragon of Ra cannot be destroyed by card effects! When you declare an attack against The Winged Dragon of Ra, I tribute monsters that did not declare an attack and increase The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK equal to the combined ATK of all monsters tributed by Blaze Cannon's effect! After Damage Calculation has concluded, if The Winged Dragon of Ra was attacked, all monsters you control are sent to the Graveyard!"
Reiji frowned. "I see now. He realizes Zarc has become a threat now and is doubling down on protecting his monster." He had to admit, against any other opponent, it would indeed be a stalwart defense even he would have trouble breaking through.
Unfortunately for him, his opponent was Zarc, who made it perfectly clear he was going to destroy Marik completely and utterly.
"Battle!" Marik paused for a moment when he noticed there were still some platforms remaining after all the destruction caused by both his monster and Zarc's. He grinned upon noticing that one of those platforms had an Action Card and jumped atop it. His grin grew wider when he saw it. "I activate the Action Magic Action Crush!"
Yuzu gasped. "That stops Zarc from getting any Action Cards! If he finds one, Action Crush immediately destroys it!"
"I attack Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon with The Winged Dragon of Ra! I also activate Blaze Cannon's effect and tribute Ra's Disciples!"
The disciples bowed their heads as the flames subsumed them. The Winged Dragon of Ra's shoulders opened up, revealing gold cannons with bright orange-red flames building up inside the muzzle.
The Winged Dragon of Ra / ATK 8000 → 11300
"Now, Winged Dragon of Ra!" Marik yelled with glee as he was about to finish Zarc off. "Destroy him!"
Zarc would have none of it. "I activate the Quick-Play Magic Rank-Master-Magic Supreme King's Force." Ray shuddered as she felt another bout of oppressive aura sweep through the field. Just as the nebula formed again, she felt a monster beginning to manifest, this one deadlier than the last. "This activates only during the Battle Phase. I Xyz Summon a "Supreme King" monster from my Extra Deck using only one "Supreme King" Xyz Monster on my field as Material."
"What?! An Xyz Summon in the middle of the Battle Phase?!"
The first volley of flames missed and shot past Zarc, who barely even flinched when explosions erupted behind him. Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon had already delved into the nebula to usher its superior. Moments later, a violent gale of thunder poured out from within as the monster emerged.
"From the thunder and ashes of the rebellion, a new tyrant takes the place of the defeated regime! Rule this desolate world with fang and fire, and let no one question the absolute power of the Supreme King! RANK UP XYZ CHANGE!" The gale of thunder and wind dispersed to reveal a scarlet dragon clad in pitch-black armor, its wings mechanical with cackling green thunder and flames making up its wingspan. Familiar green markings marked its body, accompanied by cracks filled with molten lava. It bore piercing mismatched eyes, one crimson and one green. "Crush the hopes of my enemies! Rank 8! Supreme King Tyrant Dragon – Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon!"
Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon / DARK / Rank 8 / Scale 9 / Dragon / Xyz / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 3500 / DEF 3000
"Supreme King's Soul equips to Odd-Eyes Oppression Dragon. I activate Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon's Effect. Using one Overlay Unit, Odd-Eyes Regression Dragon gains the ATK of all monsters on the field."
Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon / ATK 3500 → 14800
Another blast of flame shot out from The Winged Dragon of Ra's shoulder cannons. The bolts of flame found themselves impeded by Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon's wings.
Marik sneered. "Even if your monster has higher ATK, Shen Ring prevents The Winged Dragon of Ra from being destroyed and I take no damage! And have you forgotten about Blaze Cannon's effect?!" He watched expectantly as the flames pushed harder against Zarc's dragon. To his dismay, the dragon effortlessly repelled the attack and snuffed out the flames with ease. "What?! How?!"
"As long as I have one Fusion, one Synchro, one Xyz and one Fusion Monster on my field, in my Graveyard or the Extra Deck, Odd-Eyes Regression Dragon is unaffected by my opponent's card effects," Zarc explained.
Marik's eyes widened. Realization hit them then. "It can't be… You mean, the dragons I sent to your Graveyard with Immortal Phoenix's effect?!"
What irony, Reiji mused. To think the monsters he sent away so he could wipe out Zarc would be the ones to defend him.
Marik grinded his teeth together, twitching madly. Again! Again this bastard defied him! "I end my turn…!" he said reluctantly.
"Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon's ATK returns to normal."
Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon / ATK 14800 → 3500
"My turn. Draw."
Ray's eyes widened when she felt it. The air changed significantly. She looked back up and saw a malignant shadow forming behind Zarc, eyes blood red and green markings etched across its form. It was as tall as the little ones from You Show Duel School, but it was steadily growing in size. Seeing it brought to mind that horrific dream that plagued her nightmares.
"Stop, Zarc!" Reiji looked at his sister in surprise, finding her utterly panicked and afraid. "If you continue this, you'll—!"
The shadow faltered. Zarc's eyes flickered for a moment. "…I activate Darkdrake's Pendulum Effect and set a card from my deck," he continued. "I activate the Magic Card Supreme King's Gift. Once per turn, if I control a "Supreme King" monster, I add a "Supreme King" Magic Card from my Graveyard to my hand. I set one card face-down. Battle. I activate the Magic Card Rank-Master-Magic Supreme King's Force."
Another resonance occurred. Ray heard Odd-Eyes Dragon and Dark Rebellion cry out in dismay as their respective owners whimpered and groaned in discomfort and pain. Odd-Eyes Regression entered the nebula. Moments later, a pillar of flame erupted from within. An inferno began to surround Zarc, rising and forming into a twister of hellfire.
Shuzo pulled his daughter away since she was the closest to Zarc. "W-what in the world's going on?!" Yuzu asked. "This-this can't be because of Solid Vision, can it?!"
"I-I don't know sweetie…"
Joey stared at the flaming twister warily. "It's coming… Something really freakin' dangerous is about to show up!"
"Dragon with dual-colored eyes. Resurrect from the deep darkness. With the flames of rage, incinerate everything on earth! RANK DOWN XYZ CHANGE! Come forth, Rank 7! The blazing dragon called forth by calamity! Supreme King Violent Dragon – Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon!"
The flaming twister dispersed. A dragon clad in red scales floated above Zarc with wings made of fire. Cracks filled with magma ran across its scales. The right side of its face was cracked and bore a blood red eye, while its left green eye glared at Marik with malevolent intent.
Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon / DARK / Rank 7 / Scale 1 / Dragon / Xyz / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 3000 / DEF 2500
"Odd-Eyes…" Shuzo whimpered at the sight of the dragon, feeling intense rage just from looking at it.
Reiji grimaced. "…Raging Dragon, is it?" He noted how it bore a striking resemblance to Yuya Sakaki's Entermate King Odd-Eyes Dragon and wondered if there was a connection there before dismissing it.
"Please, Zarc! You have to stop!" Ray continued to beg. "Look what you're doing to yourself!"
"Odd-Eyes Dragon Dragon's effect," Zarc glared. "Using one Overlay Unit, I destroy all cards on the field."
Marik laughed. "Have you forgotten?! Shen Ring of Protection and Blaze Cannon prevent The Winged Dragon of Ra being destroyed!"
"At this time, the effects of all face-up Trap and Magic Cards are negated."
"What did you just say?!"
Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon spread out its wings, the tips piercing into the exhibit. It proceeded to spin around, dragging its elongated wing points across the room. One of its points nearly hit Joey and Yuya, the former pulling his friend away before they got hit. Not even Zarc's Pendulum monsters were spared, much less his face-down. The Winged Dragon of Ra was sliced apart by Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon's wings easily, much to Marik's shock.
"Hey hey hey, what gives?!" Shuzo yelled angrily at Zarc. "Are you trying to kill us?!"
"Zarc, what's the matter with you?!" Yuzu demanded.
Joey scowled. "I think he must have hit his head or somethin' when Marik's flaming bird hit him. I don't think he knows we're even here!"
Marik's mouth open and closed, gaping like a fish at what just happened. The wing points retracted and returned to their normal size, though the aura of strength radiating around the dragon intensified. "Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon gains 200 ATK for every card destroyed by its effect. Shen Ring of Protection, The Winged Dragon of Ra, my Pendulum Monsters and my face-down card were destroyed. Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon gains 1000 ATK."
Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon / ATK 3000 → 4000
Marik recovered quickly. "I-I summon The Winged Dragon of Ra – Immortal Phoenix from the Graveyard!"
The flaming embodiment of The Winged Dragon of Ra emerged on his field, wings spread and ready to defend him. Yet even with this, Marik feared it would not be enough. He searched the area for an Action Card, uncaring of what effect it may have had so long as it helped him survive. He saw a card on another platform below him. He quickly leaped down and snatched it. As soon as he saw it, he knew victory was assured.
"I activate the Action Magic Rallying Cry! Until the end of the turn, all monsters you control lose 500 ATK!"
For a moment, Marik held victory.
His victory was robbed from him when he saw the first hint of emotion on Zarc's face.
Zarc did not smile—he showed his teeth.
"I activate Supreme King's Repression from the Graveyard. If my opponent activates a Magic Card while I have a "Supreme King" monster on my field, I banish Supreme King's Repression and set that card to your field. The ATK of one "Supreme King" monster I control is raised by 500."
Marik paled as blue flames began to gather around Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon, mixing with its own putrid fires. For a moment, the image of a colossal black dragon with green markings and blood red eyes replaced Zarc, glaring down upon him as though he were an insect in its path. That image was quicky replaced by another, more frightening image as the blue flames began to increase in size.
"It-it can't be!"
Before Marik Ishtar was a dragon wreathed in azure flames, yellow eyes piercing into his very soul and finding him wanting.
"Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon can attack twice per turn," Zarc grinned and sealed his opponent's fate. "Obliterate him. Destruction Burst of Rage!"
"Stop it! ZARC!"
A whisper; a plea to stop. That was what Zarc described the shout that stirred him awake. He blinked as he found himself staring back at a frightened Marik Ishtar, his friends staring at him in fear, Reiji watching impassively and Ray in tears. Next to him was a demonic mirror of Yuya's Ritual Monster, which was—
Realization dawned on him then when he felt the overwhelming power surge through the air. His expression quickly turned to horror.
"No, don't! Stop! Raging Dragon! STOP!"
He moved to stop his monster, but it was too late. With a furious roar, Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon unleashed its power then and there. Zarc's world turned to white as he found himself being flung back.
Marik Ishtar – LP 1500 → 0
WINNER: Zarc
A stream of blue flames tore through the roof of Maiami Aquarium and pierced into the sky, almost like a beacon. Countless people walking about the streets of the city stopped to see the pillar of flames, transfixed and wondering what could have caused it.
One bystander in particular saw the flames and their significance. A man dressed all in white stood atop a building neighboring the Leo Corporation HQ building, clad in a white motorcycle suit with two white capes over his shoulders. He wore white trousers, suspended by two belts crossing each other and held in place by a V-shaped buckle. His hair reached down past his shoulders, his bangs colored blonde while the rest was dark blue, save for yellow streaks in the ends. In one hand he held a briefcase while the other held a phone up to his ear.
"I've found him," he told the person on the other hand, observing the pillar of flame for a moment longer before he turned around and walked over to what looked like an abnormally long silver-white motorcycle with a Duel Disk attached in the center. "It's faint, but I felt it for just a brief moment."
"You're certain?"
"Yes. There's no mistaking it. We've found the Avatar of the Supreme King Dragon."
Card List:
Supreme King Royal Page / DARK / Level 4 / Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 800 / DEF 500 / Scale 2
Pendulum Effect / You can Tribute this card; Place 1 face-up "Supreme King Royal Knight" Card from your Extra Deck in one of your empty Pendulum Zones. You can only use this Pendulum Effect of "Supreme King Royal Page" once per turn.
Monster Effect / You can tribute this card; Add 1 "Supreme King Royal Knight" Card from among the cards in your deck, GY, face-up in the Extra Deck, or banished to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Supreme King Royal Page" once per turn.
Supreme King Imperial Knight – Justice / DARK / Level 8 / Warrior / Synchro / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 2400 / DEF 2000 / Scale 9
Pendulum Effect / Once per turn, if a face-up "Supreme King" monster you control is destroyed and sent to the Extra Deck face-up: You can Special Summon that card from your Extra Deck if you can Pendulum Summon that monster.
Monster Effect / "Supreme King Royal Knight – Clarity" + 1 "Supreme King Royal Knight" non-Tuner
Other "Supreme King" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effect once per turn. At the start of the Battle Phase: You can activate this effect; This card cannot be destroyed by battle a number of times and can attack a number of times equal to the number of "Supreme King" monsters you controlled when this effect was activated. If this card is destroyed: You can Destroy 1 Pendulum Card you control; Place this card in one of your Empty Pendulum Zones.
Supreme King's Justice / Spell / Continuous / Negate this card's effects if you do not control a "Supreme King" monster. When this card is activated: You can Special Summon 1 face-up "Supreme King" Pendulum Monster from your Extra Deck. Each time you would take Battle Damage from a battle involving a "Supreme King" monster you control: You can negate that damage, and if you do, reduce the ATK of all monsters your opponent controls by 1000.
Sun God's Providence / Trap / Normal / Activate only during the Draw Phase of your turn if you control a face-up "The Winged Dragon of Ra" monster. Gain LP equal to the ATK 1 of your "The Winged Dragon of Ra" monsters had on the field, Draw 2 cards, and if you do, you can add 1 "The Winged Dragon of Ra" monster from your deck or GY to your hand. You can only activate 1 "Sun God's Providence" per turn.
Supreme King's Soul / Trap / Continuous / If your LP are reduced to 0 by an opponent's attacking monster or an opponent's card effect: You can Special Summon 1 "Odd-Eyes", "Starve Venom", "Clear Wing", or "Dark Rebellion" Dragon Monster from your hand, deck, or face-up from your Extra Deck, and if you do, equip that monster with this card. You cannot Lose the Duel from having your LP at 0. Unaffected by other card effects. If the equipped monster is tributed or used as a Material, equip this card to the monster summoned using that monster as a tribute or material. If the equipped monster is removed from the field other than by being tributed or used as a Material, you Lose the Duel.
Rise of the Sun God / Spell / Quick-Play / Target 1 "The Winged Dragon of Ra" Monster you control: Gain LP equal to the total ATK of all monsters on the field, and if you do, return that target to your hand. You can banish this card from your GY to target 1 "The Winged Dragon of Ra" monster you control; Add 1 "Blaze Cannon" from your deck or GY to your hand, and if you do, increase the ATK of that target by 4000.
Supreme King's Xyz Rebellion / Spell / Normal / Target 1 Dragon Monster you control and 1 Xyz Dragon monster you control or in your GY; Special Summon that Xyz Dragon monster if it is in the GY, also, that Xyz Dragon Monster is treated as having a Level equal to the Level of the other Dragon monster targeted for this effect. If you Xyz Summon a Dragon Monster this turn: You can banish this card from your GY; Special Summon "Supreme King's Offering Tokens" (Dragon/DARK/LV. 1/ATK 1000/DEF 0) in defense position to each of your opponent's empty Main Monster Zones.
Direct Route / Spell / Action / Target 1 monster you control: This turn, other monsters you control cannot attack, also, that target can attack directly this turn.
Shen Ring of Protection / Spell / Continuous / Face-up DIVINE monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle, also, you take no damage from battles involving those monsters. If a face-up DIVINE monster you control is targeted for an attack or by an opponent's card effect: You can negate the effects of all cards your opponent controls until the end of this turn, and if you do, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent for each card whose effect was negated with this effect.
Rank-Master-Magic Supreme King's Force / Spell / Quick-Play / Activate only during the Battle Phase of either player's turn. Target 1 "Supreme King" Xyz Monster you control: Xyz Summon 1 "Supreme King" monster from your Extra Deck with a different name from that target, using that target as the Material.
Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon / DARK / Rank 8 / Dragon / Xyz / Pendulum / Effect / ATK 3500 / DEF 3000 / 2 Level 8 Dragon Monsters
Pendulum Effect / You can destroy all cards in your Pendulum Zones: Destroy all Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and Pendulum Cards on the field. You can only use this Pendulum Effect of "Odd-Eyes Repression Dragon" once per turn.
Monster Effect / If you can Pendulum Summon Level 8, you can Pendulum Summon this face-up card from the Extra Deck. Negate this card's effects unless it was summoned using 1 or more Xyz Monsters as Material. If this card battles: You can detach 1 Material from this card; This card gains ATK equal to the total ATK of all other monsters on the field. While there is at least 1 each of Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and Pendulum monsters among the cards on your field, GY, or face-up in the Extra Deck, this card is unaffected by your opponent's card effects. If this card is destroyed: Place it in your Pendulum Zone.
Supreme King's Gifts / Spell / Normal / If you control a "Supreme King" monster: Target 1 "Supreme King" Spell Card in your GY; Add that target to your hand. You can only activate "Supreme King's Gifts" once per turn.
Rallying Cry / Spell / Action / Until the end of this turn, increase the ATK of all face-up monsters you control by 500 and decrease the ATK of all monsters your opponent controls by 500.
A/N: "Iwae! The Supreme King Dragon who dominates the battlefield, together with his dragons! His name is…Demon Duelist Zarc!"
Sorry. I couldn't help myself. Anyway, so yeah, that happened. See this, my friends? This is what happens when you push Zarc too far or he's in a headspace where he's about to lose. Zarc going "Demon Duelist" Mode is the result of him equaling losing to dying. He has no memories, but that feeling is ingrained into his being. To Zarc, defeat is the same as death. Back in the Original Dimension, he always feared what would happen if he lost a duel, so this is my interpretation of what that feeling would translate into Zarc with amnesia.
Ray's reaction is a mix of the idea that Zarc is about to go postal again and the effect it has on his counterparts. That, and while she did manage to beat Zarc in the Original Dimension, the actual duel itself left her with some traumatic memories that may or may not be hiding around in her head somewhere, waiting to rear their ugly head.
As you can see, the experience the Dragon Boys went through isn't at all pleasant and it does run the risk of Supreme King Dragon Zarc reviving. Thankfully, Resonance Mode isn't nowhere near as effective when, say, Yuya synchronizes with his counterparts and they all enter Berserk Mode and they're all in close proximity. In fact, Resonance Mode is more like Zarc calling out to his fragments and taking their strength for himself, as if forcibly trying to restore himself.
On the plus side, it's easier for Zarc to regain his senses than it is for the Dragon Boys, which requires Yuzu or another Bracelet Girl being near one of them to stop the impending fusion. For example, a very fucking hard punch to the face or Ray can snap him back to normal.
At any rate, this is the end of the Rare Hunters Mini-Arc. The next chapter will be a breather from all the action and focus on Zarc coming to terms with what just happened, as well as a much needed talk between him and Ray. Aside from the Tag Duel, they haven't interacted nearly as much as they should given their history. After that, we're going straight into the Maiami Championship! I'm skipping over the stuff with Yuya qualifying because while he has grown as a duelist and has new tricks up his sleeve I refuse to repeat canon events that were pretty much just filler, minus the parts involving Yuzu's interaction with Shun and Yuto.
However, unfortunately for you guys, you will have to wait a very long time. As of now, I am undergoing radio silence to focus on real life stuff. I'm officially starting classes tomorrow and I'm in the middle of writing a book. In short, this story is ending with a cliffhanger for the forseeable future!
Having said that, I should mention that this chapter is unedited and likely contains numerous mistakes. I'll fix those when Donny finds them, and when I got the time. Speaking of, if I didn't mention it earlier, the Marik vs Zarc duel is the brain child of Donjusticia. Be sure to give him some huge love!
Fresh reminder that Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V: Pendulum's Fifth Swing has a TV Tropes page, so go check it out and maybe add to it!
See you later, Fanfiction. I've got college to fight! TALLY-HOOOOOOOOO!