Editing Mai Valentine (section)

=== Waking the Dragons ===
After the Battle City tournament, Mai Valentine continues her career in Duel Monsters, participating in and winning several minor tournaments. However, she finds herself overshadowed by Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey, and without her friends to guide her, she remains fearful of defeat. Mai is haunted by recurring nightmares of Yami Marik. In the dub, she dreams of being trapped permanently in the Shadow Realm by Yami Marik. In the Japanese version, she dreams of being trapped again, with Marik attempting to kill her while she helplessly calls for her friends to save her, but they never arrive.

Following a tournament win, Mai becomes frustrated when the runner-up and his friends make disparaging remarks about losing to someone like her, stating that she isn't a strong Duelist like Yugi, Seto, or Joey, who are seen as far stronger than her. In her frustration, she shatters the trophy she won.

Mai meets [[Valon]], who recognizes her as a Duelist who desires nothing more than constant victory. In the Japanese version, he wants her to stand by his side, promising to keep winning for her against anyone she desires. In the dub, he encourages her to forget her friends and gain power by joining Dartz's henchmen and wielding "The Seal of Orichalcos."

Under Dartz's influence, Mai is led to believe that Yugi, Joey, and her other friends have abandoned her. She particularly despises Joey, aiming to defeat him for herself. Meanwhile, Valon, who has developed feelings for Mai, believes Joey is the cause of her suffering and wants to take Joey down himself, though Mai does not agree with his plan.

Mai confronts Pegasus on Dartz's orders, ambushing and defeating him, thereby trapping his soul. Later, she saves Joey and his friends from a gang of bikers by throwing cards at them. While the gang doesn't get a clear view of their rescuer, Joey catches a glimpse of one of her "Harpie Lady" cards and a reflection of her in a helmet visor, leading him to suspect that it is Mai.

When Yugi, Joey, and their friends arrive at the Industrial Illusions headquarters to meet Pegasus, they instead find Mai, who locks them in. Mai challenges Joey to a Duel using "The Seal of Orichalcos," which puts both of their souls at stake. Mai initially dominates the Duel, but Joey begins to make a comeback after obtaining his Legendary Dragon. Just as it appears Joey is about to win (though he is actually aiming for a draw to save both of their souls), Valon intervenes, using his fragment of the Orichalcos to break the seal and save Mai. This infuriates Mai, who believes she had the Duel under control.

Valon decides to defeat Joey himself before Mai can Duel him again, hoping to protect her. Joey ultimately wins the Duel, changing Valon's attitude in the process. Mai arrives just in time to witness the conclusion of the Duel. Valon tries to convince Mai that Joey is a good person, but she is again possessed by the powers of the Orichalchos. She challenges Joey to a rematch, and he accepts, realizing that he cannot reach her until she is freed from Dartz's control. Throughout their Duel, Joey tries to make Mai see that Dartz has deceived her.

As the Duel progresses, Joey, exhausted from his previous Duel with Valon, begins to lose strength. Just as Mai is about to win, she has a moment of clarity, seeing through the deception and remembering their shared experiences. She decides not to declare her final attack and rushes over to catch Joey as he collapses. However, the Seal of Orichalchos claims Joey's spirit, as he no longer has the strength to continue, resulting in his loss. Devastated, Mai holds Joey in her arms and tearfully tries to stop the Seal from taking him. Before he loses his soul, Joey pushes Mai away and throws her fragment of the Orichalchos into the air. Joey's selfless act breaks the fragment, freeing Mai from Dartz's influence.

Seeking to repay Joey and Valon, Mai sets out to defeat Dartz and reclaim their souls. However, she is confronted and defeated by Rafael at their headquarters, losing her soul in the process. Rafael later saves her life by pulling her unconscious body from the wreckage of the collapsing headquarters.

After Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey defeat King Dartz, Mai's spirit is released along with Valon's and those of all the others who fell victim to the Orichalchos' ancient evil powers. Reflecting on Joey's kindness and friendship, Mai decides she is not ready to face him yet, feeling that she must "pick up the pieces" of her life but promises to make amends for her actions.