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

Chapter 24 Dinosaur Vs Fossils

Smoke and dust filled the air around the steel gates of the fortress. Broken duel disks and scorched ground marked the aftermath of a fierce clash. Yuya, standing at the front line, lowered his arm as the last of the Academia soldiers collapsed around them.

"So that's all of them," Yuya said, his voice calm but edged with exhaustion.

From the sidelines, Yuzu stood beside Sarah, her duel disk still glowing faintly. She nodded, though her hands trembled. "Yeah... Now we're about to face the boss..."

Her voice quivered, but before the fear could take hold, Yuya turned toward her and gently reached for her hand. The warmth steadied her heartbeat. Yuzu looked up, meeting his reassuring smile, and her shoulders relaxed.

"Don't worry," Yuya said softly. "We'll finish this—together."

After a short breath, the team pushed open the heavy doors of the base.

Inside, the lights flickered over a wide chamber that smelled faintly of rust and earth. At the far end stood a man in a worn cowboy outfit, his coat tattered from countless battles. One of his eyes was covered by a dark patch—and beside him sat a cage holding a crocodile that thrashed weakly against its bars.

Johan froze mid-step, his voice breaking with disbelief. "Jim... Crocodile... Cook?"

The cowboy tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.

"And... Karen?" Johan's gaze shifted to the cage, horror growing in his eyes.

Sarah blinked in confusion. "You know him, Johan?"

Johan nodded slowly. "Yeah... he was a transfer student like me. We tried to escape Academia together..." His hands clenched into fists. "But why... why is he here as a commander?"

Hana's eyes widened as she peered at the cage. "And why is Karen locked up like that?"

Yuya's focus narrowed. A faint glimmer of unnatural light flickered from behind Jim's eyepatch. "The Parasite," Yuya said under his breath. "It's controlling him—just like it did with Manjome."

"Then we have to save him," Vivian said firmly, stepping forward.

But Jim's expression hardened, his voice deep and gravelly. "No one's leaving this base alive." He activated his Duel Disk, its red core flaring to life.

The crocodile in the cage stirred violently, letting out a guttural roar. Karen's eyes fluttered open, pained and hazy, before she screamed—a cry filled with anguish.

Katrina gasped. "You said that was Karen?"

"Yes..." Johan's voice wavered. "From the looks of it, she's not controlled... but she's been beaten badly."

As the group hesitated, a determined voice cut through the tension. "How about you let me handle this duel?"

Everyone turned to see Lisa stepping forward, her eyes sharp and resolute.

Shun frowned. "Lisa... are you sure? This opponent isn't ordinary."

"I'm sure," Lisa said, her tone unwavering. "I might not understand everything that led to this war, but I do know one thing—Heartland has suffered long enough. And if I can protect even one person from that pain, I'll fight."

Yuya met her gaze and nodded. "Then we're counting on you, Lisa."

She gave a small smile. "Don't worry—I've got this."

Lisa raised her arm, her Duel Disk igniting in a bright emerald light. The ground beneath them shimmered as the Action Field materialized—a vast desert plain under a blazing sun.