Joy: Gomen nasai! I am so sorry for the long delay. I actually have a good excuse, but I'll explain it at the end in case you don't like reading those things at the beginning of the chappie. This is chapter…21! And I got a lot of reviews! Arigatou!

Dark mage of the sea 13: Whew! Thank goodness! Here comes the update! =D

Midnights: Heh. Joy is gonna spend some more time with Yami in this chapter, too, cuz he's the only one among them that can speak both Japanese AND Egyptian. And I don't take it personally. Yami Midnight seems to really like Yami and she seems like a cool and nice dark side. =D

Sakura Panther: Cool! :oD Ariatou!

BlackCresantMoon: Good guess. Ichizu would make a good seer…maybe I can fit her into this or my next story. I kind of like her. And I like the other characters, too. Marik would have made a good sorcerer, too… Oh well. She will definitely turn up in my series someday. Keep reading! (bows)

Dark Kuriboh Empire: Okay, this may take a minute. First of all, you had some valid questions and I don't think it is bad to pay attention to details in any case. I want to address them now. About Vargon. He is still very much alive and well, but he is in the future, so he will not make an appearance in this part of the story. He will however still be in this story. We still have a long way to go before this story is over, and Vargon will make another appearance. He is gaining power in the Shadow Realm – that will be explained in further detail later - and when he is ready, all hell is gonna break loose. Keep reading! (bows)

Now that the formalities are finished -D On with the story! Ready, set, go!

A Hunting We Will Go

The four companions spent the next two hours planning for the trip. It was going to be a long one. Joy explained that she knew where Yukia was hiding out because the book's spell had given her the ability to sense magical forces. Kind of like Millennium Items are able to sense each other. So the group was going to embark on a trip that was going to end this whole disaster once and for all. They were going to ride camels for this trip, because it would take several days and horses were not suited for such travel through the hot Egyptian desert.

Their destination was a cluster of caves that was located to the southeast. In preparation for the showdown, the young men donned light armor and swords. Pharaoh Yami was to accompany them, as he was the only one Joy trusted that could communicate with her. He was also equipped with a sword and protective body gear.

After packing food and water to last them the entire journey, the four got on their camels and set out on their trip to the mountains and the final showdown (AN: At least we hope it is. ;o) ) with Yukia.

Joy stared out up at the Egyptian sun with contempt. It was so hot. She could feel sweat begin to appear on her forehead. She sighed. This is not fun at all. Not how I wanted to spend my time in Egypt. I am in such a mess. I am stuck in the past and now I can only speak Egyptian! Ra, are you trying to punish me or something? Is it too much to ask that I can spend one day without getting myself into some sort of trouble?!

They had been traveling for days, but Joy knew where they were going. She knew where Yukia was. It might seem odd, but she could sense the evil sorceress and knew that they were getting close. Just a little further, she told herself.

Yugi was engaged in an actually conversation with Seto. That's right, the two rivals were actually talking without argument. Well, Yugi was doing most of the talking, since Seto was not the most talkative person of the group. Of course, Joy spent a lot of the journey so far in silence, seeing as how she couldn't join in on any of her friends' talks. But she did get some relief from her misery in that she could communicate with Pharaoh Yami.

"So, Pharaoh Yami, after we get rid of Yukia once and for all and return to our own time, do you think I'll be back to normal?" Joy asked in a hopeful voice. She couldn't imagine having to go back unable to speak anything but Egyptian. She remembered the conversation back at the palace. Yami had talked to several of his most skilled mages and they had all stated that they could not reverse the effects of the Book of Origins.

"What do you mean you can't reverse it?! I'm not Egyptian, Ra damn it!" Joy said.

"We are so very sorry, milady, but the Book of Origins has much more power than any of us. Perhaps when the spell on you has served it's purpose, it will disappear on it's own," one of the mages stated.

"I am not sure of anything at this point," came Yami's answer. Joy nodded sadly.

"I wish we could find that book."

"Let us perform this task first. Perhaps my mage was correct and the effects will wear off after Yukia's defeat." Joy agreed. "Now, how are you planning on defeating her?"

"There is a spell that I learned from the Book of Origins that drains the magic from one mage to the spell caster, then turns the victim mortal if they are immortal. And if Yukia is immortal, she will be affected by that as well as the drain. After I drain her of her powers she will be defenseless and Yugi and Kaiba can take her down with regular weapons. Simple as that."

"Mmm…I see. I will put my faith in your plan. However, if regular weapons are of no use, how will you stop her?"

"I will have her powers within me. If Yugi and Kaiba are unsuccessful in killing her, I will use those powers. Either way, this ends today." Yami nodded. "Here we are."

The four of them stood in front of a mountainside cave entrance. "She's in there?" Seto asked.

"Yes. Joy says she can drain her powers. Once she does, you two will move in for the kill. I will be there to back you up." Seto and Yugi nodded in agreement. Inwardly, Seto was ecstatic at the opportunity to be the one to deal the final blow.

This ends now, bitch. Seto smirked as the four of them got off their horses. Yami and Joy led the way through the cave with Yami using his Puzzle to light their way. They walked a ways before coming to an enormous and brightly lit room.

"Ah, I see you've finally found me. I must congratulate you."

"Joy, do it now!" Yami hissed at the teenager. She began to chant:

"The powers within you shall now be within me.

The immortality you possess shall no longer be."

She repeated these words continuously. Yukia knew what she was saying. She drew a dagger from her belt and with a angry cry hurled herself towards the girl. At the last moment Seto tackled the evil witch to the ground, in the process he received a deep cut on his side. Yukia picked up a torch that was not lit and hit Kaiba over the head with it, knocking him unconscious. She returned her attention to the chanting girl, but it was too late.

A bright beam of white light shot from Yukia to Joy as the transfer began. They both let out a scream of pain. When the beam died, both Yukia and Joy fell to their knees, gasping for breath.

Yugi and Yami stared transfixed at the scene, but when the two females had sunk down, Yami turned to Yugi. "We have to stop her now, Yugi." Yugi nodded, his expression determined. They took out their swords and advanced on the witch. Before they could reach her, however, she had grabbed Kaiba's sword and rushed at Joy, who was just now getting to her feet shakily. Before anyone could stop it, Yukia had plunged the sword through Joy's stomach.

Time seemed to stand still. Yami and Yugi looked on the scene in total shock. Finally Yugi screamed. "JOY!! NOOO!!!" Yukia smirked as she pulled the sword out of Joy and she slid to the ground. Yugi rushed over to his fallen friend. For Yami it was almost like watching his sister die all over again. His anger knew now bounds as he launched himself at the evil sorceress, his sword clashing with hers.

Yugi reached his friend. She was still alive, though it was clear that she was not going to last much longer. "Joy…it's going to be okay," Yugi tried to reassure her, though his face and voice betrayed his words. "Don't die…onegai…onegai…" Tears began to flow, though he tried to blink them away.

Joy: I'm stopping there because I'm evil and wanted a cliffy at the end of this chapter! :o) (laughs maniacally) Ahem…anyway. A few things before I close.

The next chapter is gonna be kind of sad, but kind of strange in a way. It is called: The Kiss. Actually, I got the idea from a movie. A good movie, I assure you. =D It will leave you in shock, I tell you.

My excuse: I got delayed for three reasons. The Ra damned WRITER' BLOCK returned. (glares at retreating block) And there is another reason. I got sidetracked a tiny bit due to the block. I wanted to work on this story, but then I got another story idea. It is a story I've been pondering about but now I got kind of into writing it. Go to my bio for more information. I am gonna stop working on it for now because the EVIL writer's block is FINALLY gone and I can move on with this one. I hope I didn't lose reviewers with my delay. I won't go back to that one till Stolen Light is finished. I like to finish what I start before moving on to another story. My third reason is much better – I got sick a few days ago and am recovering still. Bronchitis. I hate it. Been coughing for awhile…so…yeah.

Whew. Long explanation. BTW - Onegai means 'Please' in case you were wondering. Anyway, I will post 'The Kiss' - Chapter 22 – after I get some reviews. So….review! And I shall see ya later!