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

Chapter 5 Revelations in Fusion

A faint cry of seagulls echoed above the glittering water. The sunlight shimmered across the harbor, painting the waves gold as Yuzu stirred from where she lay slumped against a cracked wall. Her body ached all over. When she tried to move, pain shot through her shoulder.

"Yuzu, are you okay?" The voice made her look up. Standing before her were Ryu and Bruno, while Ruka and Rua hovered anxiously nearby.

Yuzu blinked, still dizzy. "Why am I... Brother, where are we? And where are Yuya and the others?"

Ryu's expression darkened. "That's what we're trying to find out. Some of our comrades are already scouting the area, but it seems like we got separated after that blast."

Ruka folded her arms, frowning in thought. "I remember Roget triggering something—some kind of Dimension Wormhole. Everything turned white, and then... we were just gone."

Rua added quickly, "Yeah, and when we woke up, this was the first place we saw. So I'm guessing we got tossed into a different dimension again."

Bruno's visor flickered faintly as he spoke in his calm, mechanical tone. "I managed to locate a faint signal—Yuni's energy signature. Since she created me, I can trace it. From what I can tell, she's somewhere in Heartland City."

Yuzu pushed herself to her feet, glancing around at the unfamiliar streets. "Then... where are we right now? Is this Miami City?"

Before anyone could answer, a low hiss of steam cut through the air. The group followed the sound past the alley's edge. Beyond the shadows, sunlight burst open onto a vast harbor filled with freighters and passenger ships. The salty wind hit them at once. A vessel was departing, its horn blaring as foamy waves rolled against the docks.

Ruka squinted toward the skyline. "This doesn't look like Miami or New Domino. The architecture's different..."

Ryu's voice lowered. "Wherever this is, it's not home."

Just then, footsteps echoed behind them. A familiar cluster of figures appeared—Yuri, Sona, Sora, Satoshi, Kiryu, Aki, Mark, and Hana. Sona ran up first, visibly pale. "Yuzu! Thank goodness you're awake—but we have to leave now!"

"Wait, what's wrong?" Yuzu asked, alarm rising.

Yuri's tone was grim. "Because we're in the Fusion Dimension."

The words froze everyone. Aki's eyes widened. "So this... this is the place where your enemies come from?"

Sora nodded uneasily. "Yeah. And don't let the peaceful harbor fool you. Even outside Academia, this place isn't safe."

Ryu frowned. "Why not? I thought Academia was the only threat here."

Before Sora could answer, scattered whispers rippled through the nearby crowd.

"Hey, aren't those the ones supposed to be at Academia?" a dockworker muttered.

"Runaways, maybe?" another whispered.

Hana tensed. "Crap. We've been spotted."

Yuzu looked around in confusion. "Wait—what's happening?"

"There they are!" someone shouted. Three uniformed officers pushed through the crowd, whistles blaring as they pointed toward the group.

Sona cursed under her breath. "The Juvenile Officers... they track down anyone who's escaped Academia! We have to run!"

No one hesitated. Yuzu and the others bolted down the boardwalk, weaving between startled civilians. The shouts of pursuit grew louder, boots clanging against the metal grates of the pier.