As Pegasus finished talking, the playoff board descended. The first duel was announced to be Mai Valentine vs. Yugi Moto. As the two duellists took there place on the duelling arena, Yugi was determined to kee the spirit of the puzzle under control just in case it tried to hurt Mai like it almost did to Kaiba. Each duellist was asked to show their playoff card. Mai showed Glory of the King's Hand, while Yugi showed Glory of the King's Opposite Hand. As the duel was about to begin, Joey appeared on the balcony so that he could cheer for Yugi. Both duellists had a lot on their mind. Yugi was afraid that he may not be able to control yami, while Mai is remembering how Yugi said that duelling rivals can also be great friends. She also remembered that Yugi was the reason that she was still in the tournament. Mai was determined to play an honorable duel and not use her tricks.
Mai began the duel by summoning Harpie Lady. Nobody was suprised that she started the duel like that since she always used it. Yugi's friends seemed concerned that Yugi was uneasy. Tea though that Yugi may not be able to win after he lost to Kaiba. Joey was confident that Yugi would win since he had seen Mai duel so many times. Mai then ended her turn by setting a card. Yugi was determined to win without Yami. Yugi summoned Gaia the Fierce Knight and attacked Harpie Lady, but Mai activated Mirror Wall. Mirror Wall cut Gaia's attack in half. Mai then powered up Harpie Lady with Cyber Sheild and destroyed gaia(Yugi's LP:1350). Mai then aunted Yugi, claiming that he is holding back because he fell or her trap card. Yugi then told Mai that he did fall for her trap, but now that Mirror Wall was out of the way, he will destroy Harpie Lady. Yugi set a card and summoned Summoned Skull. Summoned Skull attacked Harpie Lady, but Mirror Wall appeared again and cut Summoned Skull's attack in half. Yugi realised the Mirror Wall was a permanent trap card.
While Joey wondered why Yugi was just attacking instead of using a strategy, Yugi was risiting Yami's help. Mai demanded for Yugi to start playing properly. She told him that her purpose of duelling was to defeat worthy opponents and not cream unworthy players like Yugi.. She told Yugi to forget about his defeat against Kaiba. As Yugi explained that his loss to Kaiba wasn't his problem, but the spirit inside the puzzle, Pegasus gloated to himself that Yugi would never be able to save his grandpa if he isn't willing to harness the power of the puzzle. Mai complained that Yugi was boring her. Joey told Yugi to ignore Mai because she was trying to psyche him out, but Tea knew Mai was trying to help Yugi. Yugi claimed that he was doing everything he could, but Mai was doubtful. Yugi seemed distracted and Mai knew it.
Mai then played Harpie's Feather Duster and destroyed Yugi's Spellbinding Circle. Yugi then decided to alter his strategy. Yugi switched Summoned Skull to defence mode and set Feral Imp. Mai then powered up Harpie Lady with Rose Whip. Unsure whether he can win on his own, Yugi still resists Yami's help, frightened on what he might do to Mai. Harpie Lad then attacked and destroyed yugi's Feral Imp. Joey then warned Yugi that Mai will soo try to multiply her Harpie Lady. Mai then summoned Harpie's Pet Dragon. Harpie's Pet Dragon's attack increased by 300 points for Mai's Harpie Lady being on the field. Harpie's Pet Dragon the easily destroyed Summoned Skull. Mai then told Yugi that he should focus on the duel. She then asked him why he was duelling. He told her that he was duelling for his grandpa, Kaiba, and Mokuba.
Yugi then summoned Dark Magician in defence mode and set a card. Yugi hoped to beat Mai's Mirror wall with his Mirror Force. Mai then activated Shadow of Eyes and forced Yugi's Dark Magician to switch into attack mode and atack her Harpie Lady. Dark Magician attacked, but Mirror Wall appeared and cut his attack in half. Mai then played Harpie's Feather Duster and destroyed Yugi's Mirror Force. Mai then attacked with Harpie's Pet Dragon and destroyed the Dark Magician(Yugi's LP:300). With Mai with all her life points, will Yugi be able to win the duel without Yami?