Joy: I'm back! And I have Chapter 23 ready for you all! I got SO MANY reviews so far in this story! Almost 60! (jumps up and down happily) Everyone thought that last chapter was a bit depressing. I agree.

Sakura Panther: Heh. Yeah. Seto's not the emotional type, but now he is, yes? =D

Silver Moon Princess: Yeah, it was depressing to write, too. I don't know if things can get worse for our heroes.

Midnights: Reading my story again? Awesome! (pats Midnight on the back) It's okay to be sad. It was a sad thing that happened to Joy. Now. Yami Midnight, if I were to have had Joy kiss Yami instead, what would you have thought? =D

Sapphire: Thanks! Here comes the update!

Dark Kuriboh Empire: Yeah…sad. Read on to see if Joy is gone forever. Don't want to give it away. ;o)

On to Chapter 23! Ready, set, go!

Going Back

Yugi felt consciousness sweep up to him quickly. He was aware that someone was carrying him and that they were moving. "Mmm…"

"Yugi?" came a familiar voice. "Are you awake?"

"Mmm… Y-Yami?"

"Yes." Yugi opened his eyes, blinking several times to clear his vision. "How are you, Yugi?"

Yugi's head finally cleared, and the memories of what had happened in the last few days rushed back. Joy…she's dead… Yugi's heart sank. He looked over and saw Seto, Joy laid lifeless in his arms. It looked as though Seto was in some sort of shock from the realization. He himself could not believe it. Joy had given her life to stop Yukia – to finally kill her for good – and it left her friends feeling empty. If only there was some way of bringing her back. There must be some way to still save her. She's my friend.

"Yugi? Can you ride? We should get back to the castle soon." Yugi looked up at Yami, and then felt something by his head. Something hard and shiny that hung from the Pharaoh's neck.

The Millennium Puzzle…Wait! The Puzzle…Shadow Powers are contained inside the Item! And with it I can… "Pharaoh Yami, I need to use the Millennium Puzzle for a moment."

"Why?" Yami asked, cocking his head a bit.

"I think I can bring her back, but I need to hurry. Please." Seto finally snapped out of his trance for a moment to look at the two.

"Are you serious?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in skepticism. Yugi nodded. Yami helped Yugi stand on his feet, then took of the Puzzle and handed it to him. Yugi pulled out his deck and looked through it quickly as if searching for a card.

There it is! I just hope this works. Yugi motioned Seto closer so he could be right over Joy. He held the card over the girl and said a few words. The girl's still body glowed softly for a few moments, and when the light faded, a soft moan could be heard. Everyone gasped when Joy stirred slightly and they saw her chest slowly rise as she took steady breaths.

"She's alive!" Seto and Yami cried in amazement and relief.

"How did you do it?" Seto asked.

Yugi held up his card. Monster Reborn. "I was hoping it would work, even though Joy isn't a Duel Monster. I used the Puzzle's power to activate the card." Yugi took off the Puzzle and handed it back to Yami. "Now, I don't know about you, but I think I feel a familiar tug and I think it means that we are being pulled back to our own time."

Yami nodded. "I can sense it myself. Your mission is complete, Yugi. You three have done a tremendous job and I thank you for your courage." He took a few steps back to allow the spell room to work.

"Don't mention it. It was almost fun," Yugi said with a laugh.

Seto snorted. "Yeah, right. That stupid spell almost got us all killed. But at least that wench is finally gone for good."

Just then, the area around the trio was engulfed in a bright light…

…Meanwhile…

Yami sat on the bed in Solomon's room, chastising himself for what he believed was his neglect for his light. This is all my fault. If only I had done something. If anything happens to any of those three, I don't know what I'll do.

Solomon had taken a seat on a chair in the corner, also feeling guilty for letting Yugi use his Puzzle on the pillar. Katilli, meanwhile, was busy glaring. First she would glare at the pillar, cursing the blasted thing to hell, then she would glare at Seto, cursing him for casting that Ra damned spell in the first place.

Seto was simply gazing out of the window, trying not to worry about the reincarnations and instead observing all the changes that he saw outside. Egypt has changed so much.

After a few moments of this going on, there was a sudden brilliant light that filled the whole room. When the light finally faded, everyone was astonished to see Yugi and Seto. Joy was still unconscious in Seto's arms. The two young men looked at all the wide eyes gaping at them.

"Yugi!" Yami leaped up and rushed to his light.

"Hey, Yami!" Yugi said with a grin.

"Joy! Oh Ra, is she all right?" Katilli looked over at her young charge with concern.

"She's okay," Seto reassured her. "Just out of it. We should let her sleep for a bit." He took her over and laid her on the bed that was now vacant.

"We were so worried," Solomon said. "What happened to you three?"

"It's a long story, but can we tell you over some dinner? I'm starving!" Yugi gave everyone his trademark smile. Solomon went off to call for room service.

Yami looked down at Yugi in relief. Thank Ra he's safe and sound at last. He took off the Puzzle and replaced it around his hikari's neck. I'm so glad you are safe, aibou.

Me too. It's been quite an adventure. It's nice to be back for good and be able to talk to you. But once we get back to Japan, I want you to teach me some Egyptian.

Egyptian? Why?

I'll tell you when I tell the others.

…Later…

It didn't take long for Joy to regain consciousness. She was in an extremely happy mood for two reasons. One, she was back in her own time and two, she was back to being able to speak English and Japanese. The spell from the past had left her, leaving only a few lingering spells and some ability to speak in Egyptian, but she was not confined to that language any longer.

The story took some time to tell because they had all been separated at first, and then had come together. Thus they each had a separate part of the beginning to report. Then they talked about Yukia's revenge, the Book of Origins (Katilli was particularly surprised at the part) and how they had finally defeated the witch once and for all. They also mentioned Joy's temporary death and how Yugi had brought her back.

"So, about this pillar…" Seto said, motioning toward the structure before them.

"I suggest you take it to Cairo Museum, grandpa. That way, it will be safe and besides, I don't think anyone can activate the spell anymore, even if they did have the Puzzle," Yugi told Solomon.

"Not a bad idea, Yugi. I will do that first thing in the morning. I believe it will be well cared for there."

As everyone went to bed last night, Yugi and Yami had a private conversation about Sorcerer Seto and everything that had happened. Yugi knew Yami wasn't happy that the High Priest was loose and even less pleased that Yugi was hiding him in his soul room.

I know you aren't happy about this, Yami. But I think that Sorcerer Seto will be a great help in the fight against Vargon. He's still out there you know. And he also told me about James Smith and his escape from jail. We have both of those villains for worry about now. I just hope that there isn't going to be another kidnapping. The abduction was still very fresh in the boys mind and it still gave his some nightmares and concerns.

Yugi, I will NOT let that happen to you again. I am with you now and forever. I will not allow those two to harm you or our friends.

I know. It's just that it still bothers me. And I believe Sorcerer honestly wants to prove his worth. Please give him a chance.

Very well, Yugi. I shall try, since you seem so eager to befriend him. But if he turns out to be lying, I will seal him away for eternity in the Shadow Realm.

Agreed.

Yugi…I want to apologize. I should have done something to prevent that spell that sent you back in time.

There wasn't anything you could have done, Yami. Don't apologize when you've done nothing to warrant it. Yugi smiled over at his dark side.

Very well, aibou. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow is the last day in Egypt and I'm sure you want to enjoy it.

Yugi smiled and nodded and then slipped under the covers, soon in a deep sleep.

Joy: I think that's a good ending place right there. I hope you all liked that chapter. I mean, a lot happened – Joy got brought back to life, though it might have happened a bit too soon (ponders) and everyone got sent back to the future. But before you start to worry, the story isn't over yet. I still have several chapters to go. I think I will have about four or five more chapters, but I'm not sure. I want to put Vargon and Smith in some more before I end it.

Now, the next chapter is called 'To Be A Protector'. It's got Sorcerer in it, so Sorcerer fans will like it. I won't reveal what it's about, so you gotta wait for the next update! =) Till then, review my readers! Ja ne!