By the time Yuugi managed to beat Weevil, two hours had passed, and everyone had gotten into duels. As our heroes walked towards the sea, they noticed different arenas and duelist in heated battles; everyone competing for the 10 stars and then the multi-dollar check.
Yuugi had once again control over his body, the spirit of his puzzle back where it belonged since there was no need for its help. Raion kept thinking about him though and as they had time to think, her mind also went to Pegasus.
His Millennium eye which bore a connection with her friend's Millennium Puzzle and of course, the mark on the back of her neck. She had been born with that, according to her father, and there was no explanation about it.
Funny thing, it never bothered her until that duel of Yuugi and Kaiba. She had to accept that there was some weird connection and perhaps it had to do with the Millennium items that Pegasus had talked about.
She placed her hand on the symbol, feeling it cold and lifeless. Nothing weird, as if had shown any mysterious shines and feelings. She was snapped by her thoughts when the smell of sea salt and the sound of waves reached her ears.
They had managed to reach the sore and stood close to a small cliff, a slightly rocky and grassy opening which oversaw different arenas below them.
"Okay bring them on! I will duel the very next player we meet!" Joey exclaimed and crackled his knuckles before rushing towards the end of the cliff.
Raion shook her head. "You know, I do not think that Joey understands fully how dangerous his thoughts are"
"Yeah, there are tournament level players here, but don't you think he is smart enough to realize that?" Tristan wondered.
His answer came from the very same teen they had been talking about. "Here I stand! The next Duelist Monster Champion!"
His friends sweatdropped at his words, not surprised by hearing them but couldn't help their reactions. "He needs a reality check" Raion commented, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Tristan gave a nod with his head. "Guess he is as smart as he looks"
They watched, staring at Joey who had a determined and serious look on his face. Raion suspected that he thought about his sister and she wanted to approach and comfort him any way she could.
Joey was her friend and sort of like a brother to her. She didn't like seeing him so hurt and with such weight over his shoulders. Before she could say or do anything, they heard cheering.
She was the first to turn her head towards the source of it. She noticed the many duel arenas that were occupied by duelists. "Hey, you guys look"
Everyone joined her side, watching the spectacle.
"Duel Arenas. They are everywhere" Tristan commented.
"You said it. Lot's of duelists going on" Yuugi said with a smile.
"Right! I am going in!" Joey suddenly exclaimed, causing his friends to look at him with uncertainty.
"You sure about that?" Tristan asked, voicing the question all of them had in their minds. "If you lose, you will end up losing your only star chip"
That seemed to snap Joey out of his 'winning mood' because he collapsed on the floor, his skin 3 shades paler.
Raion shook her head, one hand at her waist. "Joey, panicking won't do anything," she said.
Yuugi gave a nod. "She is right. Don't panic. You got this"
He left out a sigh. "I hope you are right, Yuugi. This will be my first official duel and I cannot afford to get knocked out from the start"
"True, but not everyone here is a pro. I am sure you can find someone on your level" the shorter boy said, looking at the duelists
"Go for someone easy, Joey" Raion started. "You have enough experience to win a simple duel. Just, choose your opponent carefully"
Joey took out his cards. "And I guess, I should think what kind of field my cards are best suited for"
She smiled. "That's right. Now, you work like a pro"
"So, they are mostly monsters and fighter types. I guess that makes this meadow region kind of my turf"
"That's right Joey. See, you know what you are doing" Yuugi commented, making his smile.
Suddenly, the small peaceful moment was disturbed by the voice of a very familiar woman who was not so much favoured by the single girl of the group.
"You lost, crybaby. Now give me your star chips!"
Everyone turned towards its source, Raion pulling a face.
"Great"
On cue, the laughter of the woman reached them, and they focused on the now-empty duel arena. Next to it, Mai was standing next to a kid and was laughing with her victory.
"It's not fair! You cheated somehow!" he younger duelist shouted. "How could you know what your cards were when they were still face down?"
The woman looked at him. "I am psychic…and you are done" she winked and kept laughing as the boy left crying. She stopped once she noticed that our heroes had approached her, all holding different expressions. "Oh, well…what do we have here?"
"Wow, Mai has already won 2 more-star chips" Joey pointed out, no more drooling over her which Raion was thankful for.
Raion narrowed her golden eyes as she noticed the purple ones of Mai glowing for a second before she approached Yuugi, a fake smile on her face.
"Hey, Yuugi…are your duels going well?"
"I make…progress…?" the boy said uncertain and slightly confused.
"So you have 3-star chips already? *she grabbed his duel hand* I may be up for a duel myself" Mai said but in seconds, her hand was slapped away with enough force to make her withdraw.
She released Yuugi and looked at Raion who stood next to her friend, hands in front of her chest and giving Mai a dangerous look. "Keep those hands to yourself woman, if you know what is good for you"
"Oh," she looked between Yuugi and Raion, a mischievous smirk on her face.
Raion turned to Yuugi, getting annoyed. "You know what Yuugi? Maybe you should take her. Win take her stars and let us all watch her being sent off this island for good"
Mai smirked. "Hmm, you know….I am definitely in the mood for a duel right now. So, get ready because I choose to challenge you Joey" she pointed a finger at him.
Joey lost all cool, paling a tone as he looked at Mai shocked. "Whaaa? You challenge me?" he pointed at himself.
The blond smirked. "Do you have the guts to accept my challenge?"
Raion looked uncertain, looking between Mai and Joey. This is not good…Mai is definitely not an amateur and based on what the kid shouted, she must have some trick up her sleeve. Worst is the fact that Joey only has one star.
Joey tried to look cool. "Ha. I guess you must have heard of my skills"
However, the woman had none of it. "Do not flatter yourself. I overheard you and Yuugi talking on the boat and I know that he gave you the only star chip that you had. My motto is, 'Take out the weakest players first' And considering that you wouldn't even be here if Yuugi hadn't given you his star chip, you have got to be the weakest duelist of the island"
Raion blinked before she felt her temper rising. Mai might have a point and might be right but that didn't mean she could go around and say it right to his face. The girl wished this was not a duel competition so she could show the arrogant blond what was the result of hurting her friends.
Yet again, Joey had to stand up to himself and fight for his honour and name. She couldn't and shouldn't be defending him constantly. The same thing with Yuugi but at that moment, her instincts took over when Mai grabbed his hand.
"Hey, do you have to be so insulting?" Joey asked.
Tristan immediately joined. "Don't you get it? If you lose this contest, you are out of good"
Raion took a step forward. "No Tristan. Joey has to stand up for himself and put that banshee to her place"
Mai looked insulted by the choice of words the redhead used to describe her but didn't speak, instead watched.
Joey smirked. "Raion is right *smiles at his friend* She thinks I am a pushover, but she will see"
"You can't be serious Joey" Tristan argued again.
Joey, though, looked calm and cool. "I have never been more serious in my life. Don't you see, this is my chance to prove myself…to show everybody. Don't forget, Gramps trained me. *looks at the sky* I mean, sure, Gramps didn't get a chance to finish my training…and granted I wish I had the chance to practice more before getting thrown into a tournament this huge with so many heavy hitters but honest, I can take her"
Raion sweatdropped at the long and truthful speech Joey just gave, suddenly feeling very uncertain at the idea of him duelling Mai.
"Oh man" Tristan exclaimed, feeling the same way as everyone else. "You better be right…for your sister's sake"
Joey then turned to Mai, serious as ever. "I accept. Let's duel"
Mai smirked. "Get ready to loose"
The company stood at the side as Joey went to the blue side and Mai on the red. They were lifted up, standing in front of the console where their cards would be pleased. Raion looked at Joey, taking a deep breath.
She had the utmost faith in him and his skills and the heart of the cards but there were many logical factors, which he mentioned, that didn't sit well with this. Yet, she hoped she wouldn't be wrong for pushing Joey to stand up to himself like that.
As Tristan said, there were too many things at stake due to Joey only having one single star chip.
"Go Joey," she said, her voice loud but not shouting, deciding to support her friend despite her sudden found doubts.
"Go kick her butt!" Tristan joined, as the dup stood at each side of Yuugi.
"Yeah!" their friend said, posing.
Yuugi kept looking at Joey, his purple eyes wide as he held tightly on the straps of his backpack. "He will do fine"
"Since you only have one measly star chip, I only have to bet one of mine against you," Mai said, taking one-star chip off and holding it for him to see.
At least this region will give me a field advantage, Joey thought as he took one star chip off but then noticed his terrain. "What are all those mountains doing on my field?!"
"The field we will battle on is 40% mountain, 40% forest and the last 20% is meadow. So deal with it or surrender" Mai explained.
Raion held the need to facepalm, realizing that Mai must have thought of that all along or Joey's luck was way worse than she could ever imagine.
"Calm down Joey. You will be okay. Your monsters will still get a field power bonus on the meadow part of the field" Yuugi explained, calming him down.
"Oh, yeah" the duelist exclaimed. "Listen, Mai, not for nothing but I got to ask you one question before we duel"
Mai was taken aback. "Hmm? What?"
"Why did you decide to take part in this tournament? Tell me, Mai, why is it you duel?"
"Why do I duel?" Mai repeated seriously before start fangirling. "For all the comforts I crave... Designer clothes, travel perks, anything to avoid real work…"
As she kept listing luxuries, Raion rolled her eyes and folded her hands in front of her chest. "Why am I not surprised? Only someone so shallow would think this way" she commented, causing her to stop.
"I heard that you little brat!" she pointed a finger at her.
"Good. At least your age hasn't affected your hearing yet"
Mai was furious, steam coming from her ears as she shook her fist left and right. "Don't make me come down there!"
She barely paid the blond attention, feeling even more hate for her. She knew the values of work and how it provided people with a living. She could accept someone wanting the money to help themselves sustainably or get finally a ticket away from their boring and stressful job but Mai was talking as if she had never worked before in her life.
Which Raion started to believe was the case by her attitude and her perspective of life. Yet, her thoughts stayed inside her mind and were never voiced.
Mai stopped threatening and glaring at the teenager once Joey smirked and spoke, drawing her attention.
"Huh! So that why you want the prize money? How selfish"
Now her anger was redirected to him. "How dare you try and judge me! Who do you think you are you pathetic little snot?!"
Joey stayed calm. "Hey, you are only duelling for things. But for your information, some of us fight for the people we love *Raion smiled*"
"You show her Joey. Show her what it's like to duel from the heart" Yuugi said.
"DUEL!" the duo said together, grabbing their cards and getting ready to see who would win this time and who would lose a single star chip.