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

Chapter 51 Photon and Boxers

The afternoon sun shone over Heartland City, bathing the half-rebuilt skyline in amber light. Cranes moved lazily against the horizon, lifting steel beams while the sounds of welding echoed through the streets. The scent of dust and paint filled the air, mixing with the faint aroma of flowers from the park's garden beds. Children laughed in the distance, running past half-finished fountains that once stood shattered during the invasion.

Yuya walked quietly with his siblings along the park path, his eyes following a group of workers repairing a collapsed archway. "It's hard to believe how much they've done in just a few weeks," he said softly, hands tucked into his jacket pockets.

Vivian smiled faintly. "Looks like the progress is going well. Every corner feels more alive again."

Yuni nodded in agreement. "Yeah... it's the Heartland we remember. I'm glad it's starting to return to normal." Her voice carried a rare note of relief—one that still trembled with the memory of chaos.

Yuya's expression hardened. "Even so, we can't let our guard down. The Numbers might still be wandering this world."

"I know what you mean," Katrina replied, brushing her hair back as the wind picked up. "Have you found any clue where the next Number Monster might appear?"

Yuya frowned. "Not yet. It's like they're hiding, waiting for something..." His voice trailed off as a figure stepped into view at the end of the path.

The man stood tall beneath the fading light, clad in a dark Photon Lord outfit—metallic white and midnight blue armor gleaming faintly as if charged with starlight. A thin visor covered his eyes, and his presence alone made the air tense, almost humming with energy.

Vivian's voice faltered. "Is that...?"

Before she could finish, the man's voice cut through the breeze—calm, yet cold. "You may have defeated Academia in this dimension, but your journey ends here."

Yuya's eyes narrowed. "You're no ordinary duelist."

Yuni stepped forward slightly, her duel disk flickering. "Are you one of the Number spirits?"

The man gave a slight smirk. "You could say that. But you can call me the Photon Lord. I wield the light that devours all shadows. So... which of you will stand against me?" His hand brushed the side of his duel disk as faint photons danced across his armor.

Yuya stepped ahead without hesitation. "A Photon user, huh? Then I'll take this one."

"Yuya..." Yuni began, but he just shook his head.

"If he's using Photon monsters, then this duel's mine."

He raised his duel disk, slotting in his deck with a swift motion. The familiar hum of energy surrounded him. In that instant, a burst of light enveloped his form—his body shimmering as the Photon Transformation completed. White streaks of energy traced along his limbs, his eyes reflecting a fierce luminescence that matched his opponent's aura.

The ground trembled slightly. Both duel disks projected holographic light rings that merged into a single field of pure radiance. The air crackled with tension, like two stars colliding.

Yuya thrust his arm forward. "Let's go! Duel!"

The Photon Lord mirrored the motion, his voice echoing through the shimmering field. "Duel!" (Yuya:4000)(Photon Lord:4000)

Photon Lord raised his duel disk, his voice cutting through the quiet park. "I'll take the first turn! I activate the Magic Card—Photon Veil! By returning three LIGHT monsters from my hand to the Deck, I can add three different LIGHT monsters to my hand!"