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

Chapter 49 Academia Conclusion

With Condor's defeat, the curse binding the dimensions finally lifted. Citizens from every realm—Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and Standard—returned from the world, confusion spreading across their faces as reality returned. Yet peace was fleeting. The invasion from Academia resumed almost immediately, their troops flooding the streets as terrified Synchro citizens screamed and scattered. Explosions echoed through the city, and Duel Runners lay toppled amidst the chaos.

From the upper floors of a damaged government tower, Captain Barrett stood watching the assault unfold. His expression was hard, but a flicker of unease crossed his eyes as he surveyed the devastation. Then his communicator buzzed.

"Captain, we have some bad news!" a soldier reported urgently through the receiver. "Several Academia students—the ones rumored to have vanished from the abandoned dorm—have resurfaced."

"What about them?" Barrett asked sharply.

"They've turned on us, sir!" another voice cut in. "Those missing students are fighting against our troops!"

Barrett's eyes narrowed. "From the abandoned dorm... so the rumors were true." His tone darkened as memories surfaced. Before the operation began, there were whispers of disappearances... and now those very ghosts rise to oppose us.

"How many?" he demanded.

"Not many, Captain—but they're fierce. They fight like they've already lost everything."

Barrett clenched his fist. "Rebels or not, if they resist—card them." He ended the transmission and turned toward the shattered window.

Wind rushed through the broken glass as he muttered, "So, the abandoned dorm harbors traitors after all." Drawing his Duel Disk into ready position, he stepped forward, boots striking against the cracked floor.

"It's time," Barrett said quietly, his voice cold as steel. "Time to put an end to their rebellion."

He left the building, the echo of his steps fading into the chaos below.

"Battle! Rise Falcon—Brave Claw Revolution!" Shun roared, his Duel Disk flaring as Raidraptor – Rise Falcon slashed through an Academia soldier's monster, shattering it into shards of light. The opposing duelist was thrown backward, his Duel Disk sparking before the projection faded.

"Go! Infernity Doom Dragon!" Kiryu shouted, his voice fierce and unrelenting. The spectral black dragon roared, unleashing a torrent of violet fire that consumed another enemy. The Academia duelist's scream was cut short as his Life Points dropped to zero, and his card vanished into smoke.

Around them, the battlefield in the Synchro Dimension burned with chaos—flashes of Duel Energy illuminating the night sky.

"To think they'd attack now..." Yuya muttered, scanning the destruction. His fists tightened, eyes darkened with anger and disbelief.

"At first, I thought you were joking," Crow admitted grimly, loading his Duel Disk once more. "But now... I believe every word you said about this invasion."

Mark looked toward Yuzu and Ruri, both sheltered behind Vivian, Condor, and Aera, who stood ready to defend them. "Still," he said firmly, "we have to protect them—no matter what."

Elsewhere, Yuni, Hana, Ron, and Aki were locked in battle, parrying wave after wave of Academia duelists. The ground trembled as an enormous mechanical titan loomed before them—Antique Gear Chaos Giant. Its cannons glowed crimson as it aimed directly at their position.