Chapter 6

"The Second Duel: Revenge"

"Huh…jerk," Mai said, coming over to where the young woman was still sitting on the dusty street, head hung. "Who does he think he is, treating a lady like this?"

But Dedi was no longer thinking about her defeat…her energy was totally drained. She'd spent too much time in the physical realm…she was…losing control… There was a small flash of light and where Dedi (a blossoming young Egyptian woman of 20) had once sat, there now sat the true Tsuki Date (an 11 year-old girl with fair skin and short black hair). She looked up at Mai with a bemused look on her face, "Hi! Who're you?"

Mai looked down and her eyes grew wide with surprise and confusion, "HUH?!?" What had just happened?! "Um…I…uh…Who're you??"

"I asked first," the little girl said, standing up.

Mai sighed, "Yes…yes you did. The name's Mai Valentine. And you are…?"

"Tsuki Date, ma'am," the girl said.

'Ma'am?' Mai though, 'Boy, does that make me sound old…'

"Um…kid…do you…uh…always look like this?" Mai asked, thinking how odd she must sound.

"I think so…" Tsuki said, "But sometimes, I can't remember how I end up in places like this…where am I, anyway?"

"As far as I can tell, in the middle of a street in this dusty old Egyptian town, having just been beaten by Weevil Underwood in a duel. He didn't hurt you, did he?" Mai asked, her confusion now being shoved aside for a maternal worry for the child.

"I don't think so…" Tsuki said, feeling herself, checking for injuries. Then her hand fell on her necklace and she cried out, "Oh no!"

"What?" Mai said.

"One of my charms in missing…" Tsuki said sullenly, holding out her necklace, which now only had the Millennium Scale.

"Weevil took it when he won the duel," Mai said, leaning down closer to her, "You really don't remember?"

"Uh-uh," Tsuki said sadly, shaking her head.

Mai couldn't help feel sorry for the kid. She looked at her own necklace, the four items sparking on the chain. She closed her eyes for a moment, not believing what she was about to do. She unhooked the mini Puzzle and held it out to Tsuki, "Here, you can have it."

"Really?" the little girl's silver eyes were shining as Mai dropped the item in her cupped hands. She latched it onto her own chain and then through her arms around Mai's waist, catching her totally off guard, "Thanks so much!"

"Okay, okay," Mai sat, patting the girl's head gently, "Don't get all mushy on me, now."

"Oh! Sorry," Tsuki said, quickly letting go.

"So…can I help you find your way back to…wherever it is you're staying?"

"Could you?" Tsuki said, "It's the Duelist's Main Hotel."

"No problem," Mai nodded, "That's where I'm staying, too. C'mon." She then took the little girl's hand and the two of them headed off.

* * *

"Thanks so much, Miss! Thanks for everything!" Tsuki cheerfully waved good-bye to Mai as she closed the door to her hotel room. Mai sighed and waved back. 'Miss? Ah, well. Sweet kid, but a lousy duelist.' Soon enough Mai was heading out of the hotel. As she was about to walk away from the hotel, a loud voice called out, startling her.

"I FOUND YOU! I knew I'd find you here somewhere!" A steaming Rex Raptor was charging up behind Mai, dressed fully in Egyptian getup, but instead of having a traditional turban like Shadi might wear, he had his same old red winter hat.

Quickly composing herself, Mai turned to face Rex. She didn't even bother to suppress her smirk at his outfit. "Quite an ensemble you've got there, Rex," she said, "What is that? 'Geek of the Desert' motif?"

"Shut up! I'm not here to listen to your insults! I'm here to pay you back for humiliating me at Duelist Kingdom! So, are you ready to get eliminated from this tournament, Mai? You know that you can't beat me without cheating!" Recalling those old memories was quite painful. That wasn't going happen again. Rex was sure that with his dinosaurs that he could wipe Mai from this tournament and finally get him his revenge.

"CHEATING?!?" Mai cried, fuming, "Why you little brat! I could beat you with my hands tied behind my back – and I'll prove it, too! Right here, right now, Raptor!"

"Then let's go, Valentine!" Rex activated his Duel Disk 2, and the holo-projectors discharged, "Ready to lose, cheater?" The dino duelist began to draw his cards…

Mai activated her own Duel Disk 2 and drew her cards. "I don't need to cheat to defeat you, Rex," she said, "Ladies first, right?"

"Whatever. Go ahead," Rex surveyed his opening hand (Blackland Fire Dragon, Little Dinosaur, Meteor Dragon, Gryphon Wing, and Wasteland).

Mai looked down at her own hand (Harpie Lady, Harpie's Brother, Kanan the Swordsmistress, Shadow of Eyes, Monster Reborn, and Rising Air Current). "By the way, Rex, how many items are we wagering?"

"I'll put both of my items on the line. Whoever loses this duel will be out of the tournament. I know they say that you should be nice to girls, but I'll make an exception for you!" Rex sneered at Mia, holding out the mini-puzzle and a mini-necklace. Rex waited for Mai to take out her items and start the duel. Girls took so long to do anything.

"Fine with me, but I won't be getting eliminated, even if I do lose, Rex," she said, holding up her gold chain with its three items, "It seems I'm ahead of you already."

"What?!?! Grrr…" Rex cursed to himself. She was always one step ahead of him! But it didn't matter, not this time. Once she only had one item, it wouldn't be too hard for him to convince Weevil or someone to eliminate her.

"Now, I think it's my move," she said, "So I'll play Harpie Lady (1300/1400) in attack mode, along with the Field Card Rising Air Current, raising my lovely Harpie's attack points to 1800!" The blue-skinned, red-haired winged lady that had appeared on the street was surrounded with a gust of wind that came out of nowhere, and she grinned as her strength increased. "You're turn, Rex," Mai said, smirking.

Rex drew his card (Uraby) and grinned up at Mai, "I summon Uraby (1500/800) in attack mode!" A raptor-type dinosaur appeared on the field, snarling and snapping at the Harpie Lady, which looked down upon the beast with distain, "And I'll destroy your field card with one of my own: The Wasteland field, which raises the ATK and DEF power of all my dinosaurs by 200!" Instantly, the windy field was replaced by a desolate wasteland of blackish rock and toxic pools, "Now your lady is dino chow! Attack Uraby (1500+200/800+200)!" The dinosaur rushed forward and bit down on the Harpie Lady, sending her to the graveyard. Rex smiled cockily as he went 400 points in the lead: Rex: 4000 – Mai: 3600.

Mai clenched her teeth angrily. That was something she hadn't expected, but no matter. She drew her next card (Faith Bird) and said, "You're Wasteland won't save Uraby from this! I summon Harpie's Brother (1800/600), to avenge his fallen sister!" A tall, dark, winged man with wild black hair appeared on the street, looking fearless. "Go! Turn his dinosaur into a fossil!" she cried. Harpie's Brother flew forward and slashed through Uraby, sending him to the graveyard. "Ha ha ha!" Mai laughed, "Watch out, Rex! I'm catching up! You won't be in the lead much longer!" The score was now Rex: 3900, Mai: 3600. "And before I end my turn," she added, "I'll place this card (Shadow of Eyes) facedown for later."

Rex growled, "I'm going to further my lead, not lose it! Just you watch!" He drew his card (Tomozaurus), "I place one card face-down (Gryphon Wing), and I place one monster in DEF mode (Tomozaurus, 500/400)!"

"Well, that activates my trap, Shadow of Eyes!" Mai said, pressing the button on her duel Disk and activating the card. Instantly, Rex's down monster was flipped up into attack mode. She could hear his groan from across the field – it was priceless! "Then I'll play Faith Bird (1500/1100) in attack mode!" she said, laying the card down, "and attack!" The large blue bird that appeared on the field swooped down on Tomozaurus, crushing it. Rex went down 800 life points. Then Harpie's Brother soared in and cuffed Rex over the head, bringing him down by another 1800 life points. The score was now – Rex: 1400, Mai: 3600.

"Ohhhh…… shit!" Rex moaned. It had only been two turns and he was already about to lose. He drew his card (Pot of Greed) and he quickly placed it down on the field, "I play Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two new cards." He drew his two cards (Dragon Treasure and Swords of Revealing Light). He grinned up at Mai, "I'm playing the Sword of Revealing Light card, which stops you from attacking for 3 turns! And I summon Blackland Fire Dragon to the field, with the Dragon Treasure equipped, bringing up his stats to 1800/1100 (1500+300/ 800+300)! And he'll destroy your little birdie!" The dark green dragon, with a prized treasure on his back, roared angrily and shot flames out of its mouth, which engulfed the Faith Bird, and dropped Mai's LP by 300. Rex: 1400 – Mai: 3300.

Mai frowned as the golden Swords of Revealing Light Surrounded her, keeping her from attacking. "Fine, Rex, have it your way," she said, "But you're only prolonging the inevitable!"

At that moment, Joey, Yugi, Tristan, Tea and Bakura all came around the corner. They had been on their way back to the Hotel, but their path was blocked by the duel that was going on.

"Hey guys, check that out!" Yugi cried, pointing towards Rex and Mai.

"Yeah, we see it, Yug," Joey said, "Looks like Rex is finally gettin' the rematch he wanted."

"Sounds interesting," Bakura said, "Let's get a closer look."

So they all gathered around to watch as Mai drew her next card (Gemini Elf (1900/900). "All right Rex, I'll play the Gemini Elf in attack mode, and end my turn." A pair of beautiful elf girls appeared on the street, arms linked, poised for action.

Raptor drew quickly (Lesser Dragon), "I summon the Lesser Dragon in attack mode (1200/1000), and end my turn," Rex folded his arms across his chest smugly, "And you still can't attack for two more turns!"

"I know the rules, Rex," Mai said irritably, "You don't have to remind me." She didn't need to be reminded of how the Swords of Revealing Light had cost her the duel with Yugi at Duelist Kingdom. She drew her next card (Pot of Greed). "Looks like it's my turn to be greedy," she said, laying it face-up on the duel disk, "Now I'll draw two new cards." She drew Cyber Shield and Rose Whip. 'Perfect,' she thought, 'Now all I need to do is draw a Harpie Lady on my next turn!'' "You're move, Raptor!"

Rex's smirk faded a little. What was she so happy about? He drew his card (Raimei), "I tribute my Lesser Dragon for a monster (Meteor Dragon (1800/2000)) in Defense mode. An' I'll play the Raimei card!" Small thunder clouds grew over Mai's side of the field, and lightning zipped down and struck Mai, decreasing her LP by 300. Rex: 1400 – Mai: 3000, "One more turn, Valentine! Heh heh…"

Mai did a little Team-Rocketish-Electrocution-Spaz as the lightning struck her. Off on the sidelines, a sweat drop formed on Joey's head and he sighed. Mai recovered quickly and glared at Rex, "You think that was funny, Raptor??" she said as he laughed. Still fuming, she drew her next card (Harpie Lady). "Perfect!" she said, "I'll play Harpie Lady in attack mode and equip her with Cyber Shield and Rose Whip, brining her up to 2100/1400 stats!" For the second time, the blue-skinned, red-haired Harpie appeared on the field, clad in the metal armor, and clutching the Rose Whip in one hand. "I'm all ready for what ever big, scary dinosaur you've got waiting for me, Rex!"

Rex drew his card (Tri-Horned Dragon) and the dinosaur expert grinned evilly at Mai, "I tribute both of my monsters for the all-powerful Tri-Horned Dragon (2850/2350)!!!" In a flash of light, a large blue and red dragon appeared on the field. It had spikes on its back, long, pointy claws on its hands and feet, and three razor sharp horns on the back of its head. It roared savagely at the Harpie Lady and her brother, each of whom took a step backward, eyes wide. The Gemini sisters did the same, "Go dragon, attack the Harpie's Brother!!!!" The dragon stomped forward furiously, and slashed twice at the Harpie's Brother, slicing it into hundreds of tiny pieces and significantly changing the score. Rex: 1400 – Mai: 1950. Rex continued to laugh and taunt Mai, now confident of his victory.

Mai frowned and drew her next card – Graceful Charity, and placed it down on the field. "I play Graceful Charity, allowing me to draw three new cards," she said, and drew Elegant Egotist, Swords of Revealing Light, and Spirit of the Books (1400/800). "Ha ha!" she said, "I'll discard two cards, like the rules say (Spirit of the Books and Kanan the Swordsmistress), and play Swords of Revealing Light, turning the tables on you, Raptor!" The swords, which had begun to fade around her, switched positions, to surround Rex instead. "And finally," she said, "I'll play the Elegant Egotist, bringing forward the Harpie Lady Sisters (1950/2100)! How do you like the odds now, Rex? Not looking too good, are they?"

"Don't get cocky, Valentine. You forget that I still have the all-powerful Tri-Horned Dragon on the field!" Rex replied angrily as he drew his card (Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1).

"But it doesn't do you much good with those swords in play, now does it?" A voice broke up Rex's rant from behind. Weevil was leaning against the wall of one of the buildings near the hotel, "If you had taken my advice and put more magic and trap cards in your deck, you wouldn't be in this predicament, Rex!"

Rex went slightly red, "Just stay out of this, Underwood!" Raptor cried, flustered and slightly embarrassed, "I can handle myself! I play one card face down in Def mode (Winged Dragon… (1400/1200)), and end my turn."

"Even your bug-eyed friend is making fun of you, Rex," Mai said, grinning cruelly.

"Aww, if one of 'em isn't bad enough," Joey said, "Now we got both of the dork brothers to deal with."

"DORK BROTHERS!?!?!" both Rex and Weevil cried at the same time.

"Wheeler – when I'm through with her, I'm coming after you!" Rex said angrily.

"What he said!" Weevil added.

"Yeah, what're you gonna do?" Tristan taunted, cracking his knuckles threateningly.

"Hey, cool it," Yugi said, "Come on guys, knock it off and let them get on with the duel!"

"Make you're move, Valentine," Rex growled.

"With pleasure," Mai said, and drew Premature Burial, "I'll play this card, paying 800 life points to bring back the first Harpie Lady you destroyed. And that ends my turn." The first Harpie reappeared on the field, bringing the total of Harpies up to five.

Rex snorted, then drew his card (Mesmeric Control), "I play another card in Def Mode (Little D.) and end my turn. Just one more turn and I'll destroy your pathetic Harpies, Mai!"

"We'll see about that!" Mai said, drawing her next card (Wall of Illusions, 1000/1850), and frowned. This wasn't what she'd needed. "I'll play this card in defense mode, and end my turn," she said, pouting.

Rex grinned arrogantly and drew his card (Crawling Dragon), "I play the Mesmeric Control card!" A large hand with a pendulum came out into the middle of the field and started to swing, "None of your monsters will be able to switch position during your next turn, so my Tri-Horned Dragon will be able to destroy your life points! And I'll tribute one monster (Little D.) for another in Defense mode (Crawling Dragon (1600/1400)). And now, your Swords are gone!" Rex began to laugh. Revenge would finally be his! The score was now Rex: 1400, Mai: 1150.

Mai was starting to worry. This next card would make or break the duel for her. Rex's abilities had improved, as well as his deck. Once filled with nothing but monsters, he'd learned how to use magic and trap cards. Holding her breath, she drew her card. Her face broke into an almost evil grin. It was Harpies' Pet Dragon!! "Ha ha ha!!" she laughed, "It's all over for you, Rex! I tribute Wall of Illusions and Gemini Elf for Harpies' oh-so-cuddly Pet Dragon!!"

She made the switch and on the street appeared the large red-and-black dragon, the chain around its neck being held by the original Harpie Lady. "And with all my Harpies on the field, that brings my Dragon's stats up to 2900/3400!! Strong enough to blow away your silly, little Tri-Horned Dragon, now isn't it!! Attack!" The dragon roared and a blast of holographic fire destroyed the Tri-Horned Dragon! Rex:1350 – Mai: 1150

"Next, go Harpie Ladies! Attack his face down cards!" she ordered. And the two red-headed Harpies swooped down and eliminated his Crawling Dragon and Winged Dragon Guardian of the Fortress. "And finally…" Mai said, "Harpie Lady Sisters, attack Rex directly!!"

The three fierce sisters swooped in and wrapped their arms around Rex's neck, which snapped him out of his defeated daze. He gulped nervously; what were they going to do him? Simultaneously, the sisters leaned in and kissed the dino duelist: one on the left cheek, one on the right, and one on the forehead.

Joey felt a sweat ball form on his head, and he covered Yugi's eyes ("Hey, what's going on? I can't see! What's happening Joey?"). Tristan smacked himself on the forehead, and a small "Oh my," was heard from Bakura. Tea muttered something about how Mai's monsters were just as low as she was.

Not quite what Mai had been expecting, but no less effective. Rex was going red, and Weevil was making a disgusted face. Then, surprisingly, the three sisters made eye contact for a brief second and concurrently kneed the unsuspecting Rex in the stomach, sending the teen to his knees, clutching his midriff. His life points dropped to 0, and the monsters disappeared, the duel over. Mai had won.

Mai laughed triumphantly, "Who's the top duelist now, Rex, huh?" she said, crossing the dusty street, "I won. Now hand over both your items."

Rex looked up at her, his eyes large and puppy-like.

"Don't you give me that look, Raptor," she said, "It's not going to work on me. Now give."

Rex turned his eyes to the ground and held out his chain, "Take them," he whimpered.

"I will, thank you," she said, snatching them up, "That's five down, two to go!" she said as she hooked the new items to her chain.

"Way to go, Mai!" Joey said, as he and Yugi rushed over to her.

"Thanks," she said, giving Joey a wink, "How're you two faring?"

"I haven't found anyone to duel yet," Yugi moaned, "It's so hard to tell who's competing and who isn't, what with everyone wearing these big clothes," he said, tugging at his white cloak.

"True," Mai said, "And they're so unflattering for my figure…" She smoothed out her own cloak, which was a crème color. "A girl with a body like mine should not have to drown it in all this fabric, you know?"

"Um…" Yugi went very red, and Joey started drooling.

Off on the side of the street, Tea muttered, "Slut."

In the background, Rex was wringing Weevil's neck.

* * *

Meanwhile, roaming the streets on the other side of the town, a man with a symbol like a shield on his cloak was searching for a boy. His master had ordered him to test the boy with the Puzzle, and he wouldn't fail him…