"Shayla!" exclaimed Mai when she saw the girl sitting. "I have been
looking all over for you!"
"Oh, hi Mai. How are things going?" she asked as she stood up.
"Great!" replied Mai. "Four locator cards. This is just like the Duelist Kingdom."
"In more ways than one....." muttered Shayla, not at all happy about the comparison.
"So, how about you? How many people have you creamed?" asked Mai.
"Um, I only have three locator cards," said Shayla. Secretly she was trying to come up with a way to lose them without losing her Cosmo Queen.
"Come on, Shayla. You can go to the finals, you have the skills," said Mai. "Oh, yeah. I've seen Joe and Yu-Gi around. We are supposed to meet them." She began to escort Shayla deeper into Battle City.
Later.....
Mai, Shayla, Joe, and Yu-Gi had all met outside on of the prominent business of Domino City. Joe was brimming over with excitement. Yu-Gi was calm and collected. He seemed to be focusing on something else. Mai was being calm as well, even though she wanted to brag. Shayla felt really uncomfortable. She just wanted to leave before anything worse happened.
"Look at them! Two locator cards!" beamed Joe.
"Big deal," said Mai as she showed her four.
"No way! You already have four!" gasped Joe. Mai smiled sweetly.
"It's OK, I only have three," said Yu-Gi. "And you, Shayla?"
"Um....three," she said.
"See you all in the finals," said Mai with a wink.
"This can't be happening!" protested Joe. "I need to duel some more! I've got to have six locator cards!"
He turned and raced off, looking for someone to duel.
"What a kid....." muttered Mai.
"Yu-Gi," asked Shayla. "Have you noticed anything.....odd about this tournament? Anything out of place?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Nothing....." she said, not sure how to word what she wanted to say. "It's just that, well since the Duelist Kingdom...... I just don't want to go through that again."
"Don't worry," said Yu-Gi. "I am sure you have nothing to worry about."
"Thanks...." she muttered.
"Well, I've better go and find locator card number five and six," said Mai as she started to walk off.
"Wait for me!" said Shayla as she followed. "Bye, Yu-Gi."
"Bye," said Yu-Gi with a small wave.
Shayla had to hurry to catch up with Mai. She did not want to be alone in Battle City, not with the threat of a repeat of the Duelist Kingdom.
"Now, all I need is to find a decent duelist," said Mai, looking around.
They were in a crowd of people. There was a duel going on nearby, which had attracted several spectators. Others mingled about, curious about the tournament or looking for a challenge, it was hard to say which.
"Hey, you," said a boy as he poked Mai in the shoulder. He had pale green hair and a dirty T-shirt on. His jeans were ragged.
"What?" snapped Mai.
"You're Mai Valentine, the Harpy Lady duelist, right?" he didn't wait for her reply. "I am Corey, the master of the skies. I challenge you to a duel to determine who truly owns the sky."
Mai looked him over for a moment. "You're on!"
"Mai...." muttered Shayla, who had been feeling a strange presence around her. She didn't know that it came from the shadowy figures who watched every duel like a flock of hawks.
"Let's go," said Corey. He stepped away from Mai and activated his duel disk. She did the same. Their life points rose to 4000 and the duel started.
"I start by playing my Takuhee in attack mode," announced Corey. His pale white bird appeared. It had wicked claws and a sinister expression. Its stats were 1450 and 1000.
"Is that all?" asked Mai with a bored sigh. She drew her card, then frowned. "I don't have any monster cards...."
"Don't worry Mai. You can do it," encouraged Shayla when she felt her friend's hesitation. Mai nodded.
"I play one magic card this turn and that's all," she said. Her move was a pure bluff.
"You don't have any monsters!" chuckled Corey.
"Are you so sure about that?" she asked. Corey eyed her and her face down magic card.
"I will tribute my Takuhee and summon Peacock," announced Corey, after thinking his move through. His next monster appeared and it was indeed a peacock, except it was about twice the size of the animal. Its attack was 1700 and its defense was 1500.
"Now, my beauty, attack her directly, Feather Flurry!" he ordered. In one swift motion Mai was sent down to 2300 life points.
"That was too easy!" gloated Corey. "I am going to win this!"
"Don't count on it," said Mai. "I've just drawn my first Harpy Lady, which I am playing in attack mode." Her favorite monster appeared with the stats of 1300 and 1400.
"So, it is still too weak to beat my monster," retorted Corey.
"But you forgot about my magic card, Cyber Shield," announced Mai. "That brings harpy's attack up to 1800. Now she will obliterate your monster! Go, Harpy Lady!" The Harpy Lady flew into the air and sky attacked the Peacock, shredding it with her talons. Corey was down to 3900 life points.
"No biggie," muttered Corey. "I set one monster in defense mode and one magic card."
"That's all?" asked Mai. "Fine. I play Elegant Egotist to multiply my Harpy Lady." Her Harpy Lady split into three. "Then, I will play one magic card also, since I can't attack this turn."
"You shouldn't have done that," replied Corey. "Because I tribute my Kurama to summon the Queen Bird in defense mode." His first monster disappeared and was replaced by a green cross between a chicken and a buzzard. Its attack was only 1200 but its defense was 2000, 200 points stronger than Mai's leading harpy.
"You can still beat him. He has no strategy," said Shayla.
"How dare you!?" yelled Corey. "My strategy is so complex that a common duelist like yourself could not possibly understand it!" He got nothing but blinks in reply.
"Well, if you are done blowing hot air, I am taking my next turn," announced Mai. "And I summon Bird Faith." Her bird appeared in the middle of her harpies. Its attack was equal with its defense at 1600.
"You can't attack, it is my turn," replied Corey. "I play Mavelus in attack mode and equip it with Follow Wind, which means its attack is equal with your Harpy Lady." His bright orange bird appeared besides his Queen Bird. It was beautiful, with a raised attack of 1800.
"But it is still stronger than your Bird Faith, or two of your harpies for that matter," said Corey. "So, Mavelus attack Bird Faith!"
Both birds took to the sky. In a dynamic aerial battle the Bird Faith broke to pieces, leaving Mai with 2700 life points. She smiled.
"When Bird Faith is sent to the graveyard, I get to special summon one Harpy Lady, thank you," she said, casually. Her demeanor made it possible for Shayla in the crowd to relax. The blind girl smiled. A fourth Harpy Lady appeared on the field.
"I'll go easy on you this turn," said Mai when she looked at the card she had just drawn. "I pass."
"You shouldn't do that," said Corey, disdainfully. "You have left three very weak monsters helpless on the field. I play Skull Red Bird, and then I will trim your harpies' wings." His beautiful red bird appeared next to the Mavelus. It had a cool tuff of feathers on its head and an even cooler pattern on its chest. Its attack was 1550.
"Go, Mavelus! Go Skull Red Bird! Take to the skies!" he ordered. "Finish the half bird freaks!"
"How dare you!" exclaimed Mai, her voice coming near shattering glass. "You'll pay. Mirror Wall activate!" Her magic card flipped over.
"What?!" exclaimed Corey.
"It takes any attacking monster and cuts its attack in half," explained Shayla. "Go Mai!"
Above them two harpies, the Mavelus, and the Skull Red Bird were fighting violently. But then Mai's magic card activated. Corey's two monsters looked like they hit an invisible wall. The two Harpy Ladies dove in for the kill. The Mavelus and the Skull Red Bird were knocked out of the skies. The broke into nothing but feathers before they hit the ground. Corey was down to 2775 life points.
"Pity...." muttered Mai as her harpies landed again.
"I play two magic cards to end my turn," said Corey, dejectedly.
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk," said Mai as she shook her finger at him. "No magic cards allowed here. I am activating Harpy's Feather Duster."
"No!" protested Corey. The lead harpy's wings grew longer and longer. She used these to summon a huge whirlwind, which sent his magic cards to the graveyard. All he had left in play was his defense mode Queen Bird. Mai had one Harpy Lady with and attack of 1800, and three with their regular attack of 1300. She also had her Mirror Wall in play. Mai was just lower than him in life points, 2700 to 2775.
"You still can't attack me," said Corey. Mai didn't reply. "That makes it my turn. I tribute my Queen Bird to summon the Crimson Sun Bird!" His Queen Bird disappeared from the field. In its place stood a beautiful fiery red bird with a golden chest and red crown. Its attack was 2300 and its defense was 1800.
"That Mai is gone!" said one of the people in the crowd.
"Goes to show how much you know about Duel Monsters," retorted Shayla.
"And, before I obliterate your harpies, I play one magic card," said Corey. "Go, Crimson Sun Bird, Sunfire Scorcher!" The sun bird flew into the air until it was directly over the harpies. It began to rain fire down.
"You've forgotten about my Mirror Wall!" declared Mai as the Crimson Sun Bird hit the wall.
"No I haven't," said Corey as he flipped his magic card over. "I played Grave Robber. That lets me steal and use one magic card from your graveyard. And I chose your Harpy's Feather Duster!"
"Oh, no!" moaned Mai as a breeze blew away her Mirror Wall and Cyber Shield.
"And your Harpy Lady is vulnerable to my Crimson Sun Bird!" gloated Corey. Mai lost one Harpy Lady and 1000 life points.
"The joke's on you if you think that helped," replied Mai. "It costs 1000 life points to use Grave Robber." It was now Mai with 1700 life points and Corey with 1775.
"Grrr," growled Corey.
"You should chirp, not growl, bird brain," replied Mai. "Now I will summon a high level monster, by tributing two Harpy Lady I summon Harpy's Pet Dragon." Her dragon appeared by her remaining Harpy Lady. Its stats were 2000 and 2500.
"What was the point of that?" asked Corey. "It is still weaker than my bird."
"Check again," said Mai. He did. Harpy's Pet Dragon had an attack of 2500.
"How.....?" he stammered.
"Harpy's Pet Dragon gains 500 attack points for every Harpy Lady in play," explained Mai. "Attack his Crimson Sun Bird!" Her dragon blasted Corey's monster. It was fire versus fire, but Mai won. Corey now had 1575 life points.
"But that is not all, I can still attack you directly," said Mai. "Harpy Lady, attack him directly!" The harpy flew, leaving Corey with 275 life points.
"Way to go Mai!" cheered Shayla.
"This isn't over yet," said Corey with a scowl. "First, I play the magic card Mountain. It turns the entire field into a mountain, giving my birds the advantage."
"Check the fine print," said Mai. "Mountain effects all winged beasts and dragons. My monsters also gain the same advantage."
"I'm not done yet," said Corey through gritted teeth. "I then use Monster Reborn to bring back my Crimson Sun Bird, which now has an attack of 2800...."
"While my Harpy's Pet Dragon had an attack of 3000," interrupted Mai.
"But I'm not aiming for your dragon, I am aiming for your Harpy Lady!" yelled Corey. "Finish it, my beauty!" The Crimson Sun Bird incinerated the remaining Harpy Lady, leaving Mai with 700 life points. "Now your dragon is weak enough for me to destroy my next turn." The Harpy's Pet Dragon was at 2500 attack points.
"But you won't get a next turn," said Mai. "I am finishing it now."
"You're bluffing!" exclaimed Corey.
"Watch and see who is the true mistress of the sky," said Mai, her eyes glittering. "I will also use Monster Reborn to bring back one of my Harpy Ladies." Corey began to sweat. "Then I summon Harpy's Brother to the field. That brings Harpy's Pet Dragon up to 3250. It was kind of cute. The Harpy Lady was petting the dragon on the right. ON the other side the Harpy's Brother had placed his hand on it. It was almost like a family shot.
"Finish him Harpy's Pet Dragon!" ordered Mai. The dragon took to the skies, turning the sun bird ironically into ash. Corey lowered his head as his life points hit 0.
"Thanks for the locator card," said Mai as she walked over. "Now tell me, who is the mistress of the skies?"
"You are," he admitted, sadly as he handed over his two cards. His rare card was a field card called Rising Air Current.
Shayla was going to go over and congratulate her when a few low voices caught her ear. She couldn't place where they were coming from.
"Should we target the girl?" asked one.
"She does have several good rare cards," commented another.
"But Master Marik wants us to focus on the god cards," said a third. Shayla paused, trying to figure out where she heard that name before.
"But we are Rare Hunters, we should be trying to get as many rare cards as possible," argued the first.
Shayla suddenly realized where she had heard this before. These were the same kind of people who had stolen Joe's Red-Eyes Black Dragon. She remembered one of them screaming Marik's name. She felt goose bumps rise on her arms as she thought about what all of this could mean. The only conclusions she could draw were not good. The phrase 'Duel Monster's Cult' was circling in her mind.
"Hey, Mai!" she called.
"The chick left looking for stiffer competition," said someone near her.
"Great...." muttered Shayla. "Here we go again..... perhaps more that one way."
"Oh, hi Mai. How are things going?" she asked as she stood up.
"Great!" replied Mai. "Four locator cards. This is just like the Duelist Kingdom."
"In more ways than one....." muttered Shayla, not at all happy about the comparison.
"So, how about you? How many people have you creamed?" asked Mai.
"Um, I only have three locator cards," said Shayla. Secretly she was trying to come up with a way to lose them without losing her Cosmo Queen.
"Come on, Shayla. You can go to the finals, you have the skills," said Mai. "Oh, yeah. I've seen Joe and Yu-Gi around. We are supposed to meet them." She began to escort Shayla deeper into Battle City.
Later.....
Mai, Shayla, Joe, and Yu-Gi had all met outside on of the prominent business of Domino City. Joe was brimming over with excitement. Yu-Gi was calm and collected. He seemed to be focusing on something else. Mai was being calm as well, even though she wanted to brag. Shayla felt really uncomfortable. She just wanted to leave before anything worse happened.
"Look at them! Two locator cards!" beamed Joe.
"Big deal," said Mai as she showed her four.
"No way! You already have four!" gasped Joe. Mai smiled sweetly.
"It's OK, I only have three," said Yu-Gi. "And you, Shayla?"
"Um....three," she said.
"See you all in the finals," said Mai with a wink.
"This can't be happening!" protested Joe. "I need to duel some more! I've got to have six locator cards!"
He turned and raced off, looking for someone to duel.
"What a kid....." muttered Mai.
"Yu-Gi," asked Shayla. "Have you noticed anything.....odd about this tournament? Anything out of place?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Nothing....." she said, not sure how to word what she wanted to say. "It's just that, well since the Duelist Kingdom...... I just don't want to go through that again."
"Don't worry," said Yu-Gi. "I am sure you have nothing to worry about."
"Thanks...." she muttered.
"Well, I've better go and find locator card number five and six," said Mai as she started to walk off.
"Wait for me!" said Shayla as she followed. "Bye, Yu-Gi."
"Bye," said Yu-Gi with a small wave.
Shayla had to hurry to catch up with Mai. She did not want to be alone in Battle City, not with the threat of a repeat of the Duelist Kingdom.
"Now, all I need is to find a decent duelist," said Mai, looking around.
They were in a crowd of people. There was a duel going on nearby, which had attracted several spectators. Others mingled about, curious about the tournament or looking for a challenge, it was hard to say which.
"Hey, you," said a boy as he poked Mai in the shoulder. He had pale green hair and a dirty T-shirt on. His jeans were ragged.
"What?" snapped Mai.
"You're Mai Valentine, the Harpy Lady duelist, right?" he didn't wait for her reply. "I am Corey, the master of the skies. I challenge you to a duel to determine who truly owns the sky."
Mai looked him over for a moment. "You're on!"
"Mai...." muttered Shayla, who had been feeling a strange presence around her. She didn't know that it came from the shadowy figures who watched every duel like a flock of hawks.
"Let's go," said Corey. He stepped away from Mai and activated his duel disk. She did the same. Their life points rose to 4000 and the duel started.
"I start by playing my Takuhee in attack mode," announced Corey. His pale white bird appeared. It had wicked claws and a sinister expression. Its stats were 1450 and 1000.
"Is that all?" asked Mai with a bored sigh. She drew her card, then frowned. "I don't have any monster cards...."
"Don't worry Mai. You can do it," encouraged Shayla when she felt her friend's hesitation. Mai nodded.
"I play one magic card this turn and that's all," she said. Her move was a pure bluff.
"You don't have any monsters!" chuckled Corey.
"Are you so sure about that?" she asked. Corey eyed her and her face down magic card.
"I will tribute my Takuhee and summon Peacock," announced Corey, after thinking his move through. His next monster appeared and it was indeed a peacock, except it was about twice the size of the animal. Its attack was 1700 and its defense was 1500.
"Now, my beauty, attack her directly, Feather Flurry!" he ordered. In one swift motion Mai was sent down to 2300 life points.
"That was too easy!" gloated Corey. "I am going to win this!"
"Don't count on it," said Mai. "I've just drawn my first Harpy Lady, which I am playing in attack mode." Her favorite monster appeared with the stats of 1300 and 1400.
"So, it is still too weak to beat my monster," retorted Corey.
"But you forgot about my magic card, Cyber Shield," announced Mai. "That brings harpy's attack up to 1800. Now she will obliterate your monster! Go, Harpy Lady!" The Harpy Lady flew into the air and sky attacked the Peacock, shredding it with her talons. Corey was down to 3900 life points.
"No biggie," muttered Corey. "I set one monster in defense mode and one magic card."
"That's all?" asked Mai. "Fine. I play Elegant Egotist to multiply my Harpy Lady." Her Harpy Lady split into three. "Then, I will play one magic card also, since I can't attack this turn."
"You shouldn't have done that," replied Corey. "Because I tribute my Kurama to summon the Queen Bird in defense mode." His first monster disappeared and was replaced by a green cross between a chicken and a buzzard. Its attack was only 1200 but its defense was 2000, 200 points stronger than Mai's leading harpy.
"You can still beat him. He has no strategy," said Shayla.
"How dare you!?" yelled Corey. "My strategy is so complex that a common duelist like yourself could not possibly understand it!" He got nothing but blinks in reply.
"Well, if you are done blowing hot air, I am taking my next turn," announced Mai. "And I summon Bird Faith." Her bird appeared in the middle of her harpies. Its attack was equal with its defense at 1600.
"You can't attack, it is my turn," replied Corey. "I play Mavelus in attack mode and equip it with Follow Wind, which means its attack is equal with your Harpy Lady." His bright orange bird appeared besides his Queen Bird. It was beautiful, with a raised attack of 1800.
"But it is still stronger than your Bird Faith, or two of your harpies for that matter," said Corey. "So, Mavelus attack Bird Faith!"
Both birds took to the sky. In a dynamic aerial battle the Bird Faith broke to pieces, leaving Mai with 2700 life points. She smiled.
"When Bird Faith is sent to the graveyard, I get to special summon one Harpy Lady, thank you," she said, casually. Her demeanor made it possible for Shayla in the crowd to relax. The blind girl smiled. A fourth Harpy Lady appeared on the field.
"I'll go easy on you this turn," said Mai when she looked at the card she had just drawn. "I pass."
"You shouldn't do that," said Corey, disdainfully. "You have left three very weak monsters helpless on the field. I play Skull Red Bird, and then I will trim your harpies' wings." His beautiful red bird appeared next to the Mavelus. It had a cool tuff of feathers on its head and an even cooler pattern on its chest. Its attack was 1550.
"Go, Mavelus! Go Skull Red Bird! Take to the skies!" he ordered. "Finish the half bird freaks!"
"How dare you!" exclaimed Mai, her voice coming near shattering glass. "You'll pay. Mirror Wall activate!" Her magic card flipped over.
"What?!" exclaimed Corey.
"It takes any attacking monster and cuts its attack in half," explained Shayla. "Go Mai!"
Above them two harpies, the Mavelus, and the Skull Red Bird were fighting violently. But then Mai's magic card activated. Corey's two monsters looked like they hit an invisible wall. The two Harpy Ladies dove in for the kill. The Mavelus and the Skull Red Bird were knocked out of the skies. The broke into nothing but feathers before they hit the ground. Corey was down to 2775 life points.
"Pity...." muttered Mai as her harpies landed again.
"I play two magic cards to end my turn," said Corey, dejectedly.
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk," said Mai as she shook her finger at him. "No magic cards allowed here. I am activating Harpy's Feather Duster."
"No!" protested Corey. The lead harpy's wings grew longer and longer. She used these to summon a huge whirlwind, which sent his magic cards to the graveyard. All he had left in play was his defense mode Queen Bird. Mai had one Harpy Lady with and attack of 1800, and three with their regular attack of 1300. She also had her Mirror Wall in play. Mai was just lower than him in life points, 2700 to 2775.
"You still can't attack me," said Corey. Mai didn't reply. "That makes it my turn. I tribute my Queen Bird to summon the Crimson Sun Bird!" His Queen Bird disappeared from the field. In its place stood a beautiful fiery red bird with a golden chest and red crown. Its attack was 2300 and its defense was 1800.
"That Mai is gone!" said one of the people in the crowd.
"Goes to show how much you know about Duel Monsters," retorted Shayla.
"And, before I obliterate your harpies, I play one magic card," said Corey. "Go, Crimson Sun Bird, Sunfire Scorcher!" The sun bird flew into the air until it was directly over the harpies. It began to rain fire down.
"You've forgotten about my Mirror Wall!" declared Mai as the Crimson Sun Bird hit the wall.
"No I haven't," said Corey as he flipped his magic card over. "I played Grave Robber. That lets me steal and use one magic card from your graveyard. And I chose your Harpy's Feather Duster!"
"Oh, no!" moaned Mai as a breeze blew away her Mirror Wall and Cyber Shield.
"And your Harpy Lady is vulnerable to my Crimson Sun Bird!" gloated Corey. Mai lost one Harpy Lady and 1000 life points.
"The joke's on you if you think that helped," replied Mai. "It costs 1000 life points to use Grave Robber." It was now Mai with 1700 life points and Corey with 1775.
"Grrr," growled Corey.
"You should chirp, not growl, bird brain," replied Mai. "Now I will summon a high level monster, by tributing two Harpy Lady I summon Harpy's Pet Dragon." Her dragon appeared by her remaining Harpy Lady. Its stats were 2000 and 2500.
"What was the point of that?" asked Corey. "It is still weaker than my bird."
"Check again," said Mai. He did. Harpy's Pet Dragon had an attack of 2500.
"How.....?" he stammered.
"Harpy's Pet Dragon gains 500 attack points for every Harpy Lady in play," explained Mai. "Attack his Crimson Sun Bird!" Her dragon blasted Corey's monster. It was fire versus fire, but Mai won. Corey now had 1575 life points.
"But that is not all, I can still attack you directly," said Mai. "Harpy Lady, attack him directly!" The harpy flew, leaving Corey with 275 life points.
"Way to go Mai!" cheered Shayla.
"This isn't over yet," said Corey with a scowl. "First, I play the magic card Mountain. It turns the entire field into a mountain, giving my birds the advantage."
"Check the fine print," said Mai. "Mountain effects all winged beasts and dragons. My monsters also gain the same advantage."
"I'm not done yet," said Corey through gritted teeth. "I then use Monster Reborn to bring back my Crimson Sun Bird, which now has an attack of 2800...."
"While my Harpy's Pet Dragon had an attack of 3000," interrupted Mai.
"But I'm not aiming for your dragon, I am aiming for your Harpy Lady!" yelled Corey. "Finish it, my beauty!" The Crimson Sun Bird incinerated the remaining Harpy Lady, leaving Mai with 700 life points. "Now your dragon is weak enough for me to destroy my next turn." The Harpy's Pet Dragon was at 2500 attack points.
"But you won't get a next turn," said Mai. "I am finishing it now."
"You're bluffing!" exclaimed Corey.
"Watch and see who is the true mistress of the sky," said Mai, her eyes glittering. "I will also use Monster Reborn to bring back one of my Harpy Ladies." Corey began to sweat. "Then I summon Harpy's Brother to the field. That brings Harpy's Pet Dragon up to 3250. It was kind of cute. The Harpy Lady was petting the dragon on the right. ON the other side the Harpy's Brother had placed his hand on it. It was almost like a family shot.
"Finish him Harpy's Pet Dragon!" ordered Mai. The dragon took to the skies, turning the sun bird ironically into ash. Corey lowered his head as his life points hit 0.
"Thanks for the locator card," said Mai as she walked over. "Now tell me, who is the mistress of the skies?"
"You are," he admitted, sadly as he handed over his two cards. His rare card was a field card called Rising Air Current.
Shayla was going to go over and congratulate her when a few low voices caught her ear. She couldn't place where they were coming from.
"Should we target the girl?" asked one.
"She does have several good rare cards," commented another.
"But Master Marik wants us to focus on the god cards," said a third. Shayla paused, trying to figure out where she heard that name before.
"But we are Rare Hunters, we should be trying to get as many rare cards as possible," argued the first.
Shayla suddenly realized where she had heard this before. These were the same kind of people who had stolen Joe's Red-Eyes Black Dragon. She remembered one of them screaming Marik's name. She felt goose bumps rise on her arms as she thought about what all of this could mean. The only conclusions she could draw were not good. The phrase 'Duel Monster's Cult' was circling in her mind.
"Hey, Mai!" she called.
"The chick left looking for stiffer competition," said someone near her.
"Great...." muttered Shayla. "Here we go again..... perhaps more that one way."