Chapter 44: Superheavy Crimson King


Where We Left Off: The battle against Z-ARC rages on! Having taken over from Shay and Mizar, Jaden and Aster put up a hard fight, but were ultimately defeated by Z-ARC's overwhelming offence, and were defeated. However, word of the battle is spreading, and before the duel could end, Gong Strong and Jack Atlas enter the duel, much to Z-ARC's annoyance. Will they be able to stand up against the Supreme King?

At this point in time, only Z-ARC controls cards, controlling two attack position Supreme King Servant Darkwurms, Supreme King Servant Starving Venom and Himself, Supreme King Z-ARC. He has one card in his hand and one face-down. He has 8300 LP.

Supreme King Servant Darkwurm: Level 4, 1800 ATK (x2)

Supreme King Servant Starving Venom: Level 8, 2800 ATK

Supreme King Z-ARC: Level/Rank 12/LINK-6, 4500 ATK, Up, Left, Right, Down, Bottom-Left, Bottom-Right arrows.

Gong and Jack both control no cards as they have not taken a turn yet and thus have five cards in both their hands. They both have 4000 LP.

Shay, Mizar, Jaden and Aster have been defeated. Cards they controlled upon their defeats have been sent to the GY, but any cards in their hands have not.

It is still considered Z-ARC's turn.


Turn 13: Z-ARC

"Hmm. So more mortals dare challenge Me? I am impressed by the tenacity of you Lancers, but this continued dueling is getting on my nerves! Make your pathetic moves before I smite you Myself!" Z-ARC declared, glaring down at Gong and Jack as his dragons seemed to laugh.

Turn 14: Gong Strong

"Very well then! It's Gong's turn! Gong places Superheavy Samurai Prodigy Wakaushi in the Pendulum Zone and activates its Pendulum Effect! Gong can place Scale 1 Superheavy Samurai Monk Big Benkei in the Pendulum Zone to Special Summon Wakaushi. Next, Gong activates the effect of Superheavy Samurai Trumpeter! Since there are no Spells or Traps in Gong's graveyard, Trumpeter can be Special Summoned! Gong then summons Superheavy Samurai Battleball and Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji, Battleball Normally and Waraji by its effect. Next, Gong tunes Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji and Trumpeter! Gong Synchro Summons! Level 7 Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja! Next, Superheavy Samurai Battleball tunes Stealth Ninja! Gong Synchro Summons! Level 9 Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi!" As the centaur-like monster emerged, Z-ARC laughed,

"Supreme King Servant Darkwurm tunes my other one!" He declared,

"Huh?!" Gong exclaimed, Jack looking slightly concerned, "Gong sees no tuner so how?"

"For this summon, one 'Supreme King' monster can be treated as a tuner. Kin with wings of light, your Lord calls upon your sickening gloom! I Synchro Summon! Level 8, Supreme King Servant Clear Wing!" Yugo's dragon, albeit choked with lines of green energy emerged and sent a glare down upon Gong and his monsters, "When Clear Wing is summoned, all monsters you control have their effects negated and are destroyed. Sickening Rays of Shadow!" Dark purple beams of energy emerged from Clear Wing, heading towards the Superheavy Samurai who watched on steadfastly,

"Gong activates Superheavy Samurai Soul Veil's effect! Soul Veil can be discarded when there are no Spells or Traps in Gong's grave to prevent the activation of one card's effects from affecting 'Superheavy Samurai' monsters this turn!" Z-ARC let out a tut of disapproval as Clear Wing's beams of energy were absorbed by a white, fabric-like monster, "Kyubi then gains 900 defence points for each Special Summoned monster you control!"

Supreme King Servant Clear Wing: Level 8, 2500 ATK

Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi: Level 9, 2500 DEF - 5200 DEF

"What good will such defences do? I can easily get over that!"

"Gong's not done! Gong uses Big Waraji to open the steadfast circuit!"

"Finally! Something actually interesting!" Z-ARC laughed,

"Gong Link Summons! LINK-1 Superheavy Samurai Scarecrow! Scarecrow's effect! Gong discards the card left in hand to summon it! Superheavy Samurai Soulbeads! Soulbeads then equips onto Beast Kyubi! Kyubi can also attack in defence mode using its defence! Attack Z-ARC, Kyubi!"

"You cannot! While I control Starving Venom and Clear Wing they are the only ones you can attack of their respective mechanics!"

"Attack Clear Wing then! Afterburners Overburn!" Brandishing the staff it wielded, Kyubi charged at Clear Wing, readying a decisive strike. Z-ARC knew any attempt to defend was pointless and would only serve to harm him more, so he just scowled.

Z-ARC: 8300 LP - 5600 LP

Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi: 5200 DEF - 4300 DEF

"Gong ends Gong's turn!" Gong declared, Z-ARC baring his fangs.

Turn 14: Jack Atlas

"I think it's time to kick this duel into overdrive, how about you, Z-ARC?" Jack rhetorically asked, starting his turn, "I draw! I summon Red Sprinter, and since I control no other monsters, I can summon Red Resonator! Resonator's effect then allows me to gain life points equal to the attack points of a Synchro monster on the field, and guess what? I chose you, Z-ARC!"

"A minor setback." Z-ARC drawled,

Jack Atlas: 4000 LP - 8500 LP

"Next, I Special Summon Mirror Resonator, as I do not control an Extra Deck monster while you do, and since you control a Synchro Monster, Synkron Resonator joins me! Level 2 Red Resonator now tunes Level 4 Red Sprinter! Born from flames, watch as this dragon rises! I Synchro Summon! Red Rising Dragon! Red Rising Dragon revives Red Resonator, and since it was summoned again, I can gain more life points based on your attack points!"

"WHAT?! And you call My cards unbalanced!" Z-ARC roared as Jack's life points soared,

Jack Atlas: 8500 LP - 13000 LP

"Level 2 Red Resonator tunes Level 6 Red Rising Dragon! Scarred from your fight against the Junk usurper, show them that your power is still rising! I Synchro Summon! Level 8, Scar-Red Dragon Archfiend! Now, Level 1 Mirror Resonator and Level 1 Synkron Resonator tune Level 8 Scar-Red Dragon Archfiend! Go, Double Tuning! Rise and touch the soul of the Crimson Dragon, and seize the throne from this usurper! I Synchro Summon! Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend! And now Scar-Red's effect activates! Since it was used as Synchro Material, I can call forth my very soul, the Red Dragon Archfiend! And now, since I control a 'Red Dragon Archfiend', I can activate Red Dragon's Vase to draw two cards!"

"I destroy them!" Z-ARC hastily declared, a bolt of lightning smiting the cards,

"I now enter my battle phase! Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend attacks Supreme King Servant Starving Venom! Tyrant's Rage!" The plant-like dragon was engulfed in flames and let out a cry but was quickly silenced.

Z-ARC: 5600 LP - 4900 LP

Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend: Level 10, 3500 ATK

Red Dragon Archfiend: Level 8, 3000 ATK

"I set a card and end my turn."

Turn 15: Z-ARC

"It's My turn! I activate Pot of Greed to draw two, and now I reset the Pendulum Scales! Scales 0 and 13, the Beginning and the End! Supreme King Gates Ω Zero and α Infinity! I now activate Zero's Pendulum Effect! I can swap which Pendulum Zone it is in with Infinity, and then I can draw one card for every one thousand life points I have! And Infinity then allows me to send the same number of cards from your fields to the grave! I send each and every monster!"

"I thought you were above such petty moves!" Jack taunted,

"Oh, believe me, you'll wish that that was all! I now Pendulum Summon! Return to Me Darkwurms! Now, let's battle! I attack you and end you, Gong Strong. Let's see how you stand against the unbridled force of a God!"

"Good luck, Jack." Gong nodded as the beam of energy spewed from Z-ARC's mouth engulfed him, the Turbo Duelist also nodding in return.

Gong Strong: 4000 LP - 0 LP

"And now the Darkwurms will attack you!"

"To the first one, I activate the trap card Emperor's Synchro! This is a counter trap, so I don't believe that you'll have any response! I can now banish Tyrant, as well as the tuner monsters Mirror and Synkron Resonators to Synchro Summon! Tyrant, I call upon the Crimson Dragon once more to grant you even more strength! I Double-Tune Synchro Summon. Level 12, Crimson Red Dragon Archfiend! And when Crimson is summoned, the effects of your monsters are permanently negated, also you cannot activate cards nor effects in response to this card's summon, so if that Clear Wing can revive itself, it actually can't." A regal fiend-dragon emerged, its horns now purple, and glowing faintly with power, and its decisive eyes analysed Z-ARC's monsters before sealing away the effects of most of his monsters,

Crimson Red Dragon Archfiend: Level 12, 4500 ATK

"I am unaffected as there are Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, Link and Pendulum monsters banished or in any graveyard." He intoned, "I will end My turn there. Make Me enjoy this."

Turn 16: Jack Atlas

"With pleasure! I draw. Crimson! Attack a Darkwurm with Molten Magma Flare!" The fiend-dragon roared before exhaling a fireball laced with dark energy, which engulfed the smaller dragon.

"I gain any damage I would have taken thanks to the effects of My Pendulum Monsters." Z-ARC informed the Turbo Dueling King.

Z-ARC: 4900 LP - 7600 LP

"I set a card and end my turn."

Turn 17: Z-ARC

"Let's see how low I can get you this turn! I summon back the Darkwurm you destroyed, and I activate Zero and Infinity's Pendulum Effects, drawing seven cards and emptying your field!"

"Unfortunately since you didn't destroy my monster, it can't do anything."

"And now I activate the spell Ultimate Supreme Power! This allows Me to triple the attack points of one monster I control, being Myself! And now watch as you fall by My hand and BURN!" Z-ARC laughed as he unleased yet another blast, Jack's eyes widening as two more voices rung out in unison;

"Oh no not yet!" they called as worn boots hit the pavement,

"Intrusion detected." The computer announced as the beam hit Jack, who had tried to outrun it in his Phoenix Whirlwind but had failed and had been launched to the ground.

Jack Atlas: 13000 LP - 0 LP

"Why are you bugs so Me-damned insistent on ruining EVERYTHING!" Z-ARC ranted, "Just when I'm about to win, two more show up to ruin My Glorious Day!"

"Well then, if you are so sure, why don't you stop us?" Yuma Tsukamo asked,

"Yes, Z-ARC. Both our worlds suffered because of the Professor, and you are a consequence of that action which we will stop!" Yusei Fudo shouted at the self-proclaimed God.

"Oh, you two think you're so funny, don't you? Why don't you wait and I'll show you a good time!" Z-ARC laughed maniacally.


Next Chapter Preview: Yusei and Yuma stand up to fight Z-ARC this time. What ground will they be able to claim from him?


Custom Cards:

Supreme King Gate Ω Zero

DARK

Level 12

Pendulum Scale: 0

Fiend, Pendulum, Effect

Pendulum Effect: You take no damage while this card is in your Pendulum Zone. Once per turn, if you control a 'Z-ARC' monster: You can swap the Pendulum Zones of a 'Supreme King Gate α Infinity' you control and this card, and if you do, draw one card for every 1000 LP you have.

Monster Effect: If a 'Supreme King Gate Zero' you control leaves the field: You can Special Summon or activate this card (depending on where that card was when it left the field) in the zone that card was in from your hand, deck or extra deck.

0 ATK/0 DEF

Supreme King Gate α Infinity

DARK

Level 1

Pendulum Scale: 13

Fiend, Pendulum, Effect

Pendulum Effect: If you would take damage, but a 'Zero' monster in your Pendulum Zone negates that damage: Gain LP equal to the damage you would have taken. If this card changes Pendulum Zone with a 'Zero' card: You can send one card from your opponent's hand or field to their GY for each 1000 LP you have.

Monster Effect: If a 'Supreme King Gate Infinity' you control leaves the field: You can Special Summon or activate this card (depending on where that card was when it left the field) in the zone that card was in from your hand, deck or extra deck.

0 ATK/0 DEF

Emperor's Synchro

Counter Trap Card

Banish the material listed on a Synchro Monster in your Extra Deck from your GY; Special Summon that monster. (This summon is treated as a Synchro Summon) You can only activate one 'Emperor's Synchro' per duel.

Crimson Red Dragon Archfiend

DARK

Level 12

Dragon, Synchro, Effect

2 Tuners + 1 non-Tuner DARK Dragon Synchro Monster

When this card is Synchro Summoned: Negate the effects of all monsters your opponent controls. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation. If this card destroys a monster by battle: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK. If this card in its owner's possession is destroyed by an opponent's card: You can target 1 Level 8 or lower DARK Dragon Synchro Monster in your GY; Special Summon it.

4500 ATK/3500 DEF

Ultimate Supreme Power

Spell Card

Target one 'Supreme King' monster you control; Triple its ATK. You must control a 'Supreme King Z-ARC' to activate and resolve this effect.


Hey all, thank you so much for reading this chapter! Bit of a shorter one this week, but that's because there's a surprise coming up on Thursday, and as such I need to also write that.

In this chapter we get two of the best Synchro users duking it out against Z-ARC in what is ultimately, a relatively close battle, but a hopeless one nonetheless.

Review Time!

AnZuzu Dragneel: Thank you for reviewing! I have watched most of the shows, although I have only watched ARC-V to completion, having watched parts of Classic, such as the Virtual World, Battle City Finals, Waking the Dragons and Millennium World arcs, some of Season 1 of GX, most of dubbed 5Ds, most of ZEXAL and again, parts of VRAINS, and I've read a few chapters of all the manga. Personally, I watch dubbed, mostly because it allows me to not have my full focus on the episode, and it also allows me to understand the duels better as I don't have to read subtitles constantly.

Also, a very funny coincidence literally just occurred: In the OCG, they have started revealing cards for the new Age of Overlord set, focusing on Z-ARC, and one of the cards in particular caught my attention: Supreme King Dragon Lightwurm. A level 4, LIGHT tuner with 1800 DEF and 1200 ATK. Sound familiar to any readers? Well, if you look back at Chapter 21, originally published in November of 2022, I created a card called Supreme King Dragon Lightwurm, a level 3, LIGHT tuner with 1800 DEF and 1200 ATK. Somehow I managed to (unintentionally) predict a card and most of its statlines lol. Anyways, I'll see you all on Thursday for a surprise! – NightWingBOI

P.S.: Also the purified Z-ARC's name 'Supreme Celestial King Odd-Eyes ARC-RAY Dragon' I find, while overly long, really cool.