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

Chapter 30 The First Missing Friend

The next day after the intense duel with O'Brien, The Duel Lodge was filled with an unfamiliar sense of warmth. The once-divided duelists of Academia stood together, offering nods and handshakes to the newest member of their ranks.

O'Brien accepted their greetings in silence, his usual stoic expression softening ever so slightly. To fight beside them instead of against them... feels strange, he thought. Yet, deep within his heart, the flames that once symbolized revenge now burned with quiet resolve.

Across the city, the members of the Resistance gathered under the same sunlight that fell over Academia. Even after everything that had happened—the losses, the betrayals—they faced the man who once fought against them. No hostility lingered now, only cautious understanding.

They chose to forgive him.

For the first time in years, the Resistance and Academia stood on the same ground—bound not by fear, but by shared purpose.

Meanwhile, in the Fusion Dimension's You Show Duel School, laughter and chatter filled the freshly repaired halls. The sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling illuminated six familiar figures gathered around a table: Yuni, Yuya, Yuzu, Reisho, Mark, and Hana.

Mark leaned back in his chair with an easy grin. "So, guys... what's up?"

Yuni folded her arms thoughtfully. "You see, we were originally from the Original Dimension—or at least part of it. But I've been wondering about the others... about the ones we haven't seen yet."

Hana tilted her head. "What do you mean by that?"

Before Yuni could answer, Yuzu spoke up, her tone contemplative. "Ever since I fought Fubuki and Dennis alongside Mom, something strange's been happening. Ray... she's been thinking about a person named Victoria."

The name struck like a spark. Everyone's expressions shifted from curiosity to shock.

"Victoria?" Mark repeated, sitting up straight. "Of course, we remember her! She was our friend... one of the best duelists we knew." His voice lowered. "But she disappeared years ago. We don't even know if she's still alive."

Yuya frowned. "Then why would Ray remember her now? Why would Victoria come to her mind?"

Reisho's gaze darkened as he crossed his arms. "Because Victoria used the Clear Deck. It's a style passed down through her family."

Both Yuya and Yuni froze. Their eyes widened as the weight of that revelation hit them.

"The Clear Deck..." Yuya muttered. "That was Fujiwara Yusuke's deck—the one connected to Darkness."

The group fell silent. Even the air in the room seemed to grow heavier at the mention of that name.

Finally, Yuni broke the silence, her eyes burning with determination. "So, if we can find this Victoria, we might uncover the truth behind everything—Darkness, Ray's visions... maybe even what connects our dimensions."

Hana hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, "I... I think I might know where she is."

Everyone turned to her. "Where?" Mark asked.

"The Abandoned Dorm," Hana replied. Her tone was steady, but the unease in her eyes gave away her fear. "It's part of Academia's territory. That's why no one's dared to check it."

Reisho frowned. "That place... still exists?"

Hana nodded. "Barely. It's been sealed off since the early days of Academia's experiments. If she's alive, that might be where she's hiding."