Joy: Hey, guys! I'm back! And I have the first chapter of the next installment of my saga for your reading enjoyment! This story takes place directly after SL (Stolen Light) And you will need to read that story if you want to understand this one. But most of you probably have, so I'll get right into it. BTW: Review responses and news at the end of this chapter.

Quick sum up: Joy still has the Millennium Ring, and the tournament is about to start. Can she keep Bakura under control while in the presence of both Yami and Sorcerer Seto? We'll see! Ready, set, go!

Spiritual Problems

"Joy! Slow down, dear!" obaasan called as her granddaughter, Joy Houyoku, flew into the room, suitcases in hand.

Today was the day the tournament in Tokyo started, and to say that Joy was excited would be an understatement. Joy had only participated in one tournament in America, and she had been finalist in that one. She intended to do even better this time. That tournament had been years ago, and her dueling skills had improved greatly since then.

"Gomen nasai, obaasan, but all the duelists are supposed to arrive by noon, and I still have to get there and meet up with everyone," Joy explained.

"But it's only an hour drive to Tokyo and it's only 9:30! Surely you have some time for breakfast at least. I don't want you dueling on an empty stomach, Joy." Obaasan smiled as her granddaughter gave her a sheepish smile.

"Sure, obaasan. Arigatou." Joy sat down and ate breakfast with her grandmother.

"Oh, I see you're wearing that necklace. Did you ever find out who sent it?"

Joy looked down at her chest at the golden object around her neck. The Millennium Ring. She had discovered from her father a little about how the Ring got to be in her care. Ryou, the ring's true owner, had given it to him so she could protect it. Ryou had since vanished, and Joy had no idea where to find him. So, she had the Ring, for now.

The past forty-eight hours had been too busy for Joy to contact any of her friends. She had tried to reach Katilli again, but she had no success. She missed her dark terribly. It was the longest they had been apart, and she was worried since she knew Katilli was still Vargon's captive. She wished there was something she could do.

Where are you, Katilli? she wondered to herself.

What are you babbling on about? came Bakura's annoyed voice.

I'm worried about Katilli. And Ryou…can you sense him at all?

No. All I know is that he's not in Japan.

"Joy, dear? Are you all right?"

Joy blinked, then looked at obaasan. "Oh, sorry about that. I was just thinking." She glanced over at her watch. "Oh! Look at the time! I gotta go if I'm gonna get there before the start." She got up and went for the door. Obaasan followed her.

"Okay, dear. Call me later, okay? When you get settled into the hotel. Sayonara!"

"Sayonara!" Joy smiled as she grabbed her bags and rushed out the door. Soon she was on her way to Tokyo. She glanced at her watch. 9:50.

I take it the pharaoh and his little light don't know about me yet.

I'm gonna have to tell them when we meet. They'll see the Ring and besides, they may have heard from Ryou.

I doubt it. Bakura said with a snort.

I am so excited about this tournament! I finally get a chance to duel in a tournament in Japan.

Whatever.

Oh, are we a little cranky? Aww…poor baby. Joy asked with a smirk.

Houyoku, has anyone told you what an asshole you are?

I know you are but what am I?

That was so childish.

You're just pissed because you can't think of anything better to say. Joy replied with a smirk. She could feel Bakura's rage through the link. Oh, Bakura, relax. Have you taken your Ritalin today? Joy laughed.

Grrr…

…Later…

Joy navigated the streets of downtown Tokyo looking for a sign that was supposed to point out where everyone was supposed to meet for the opening of the tournament. "Let's see…it's got to be around here somewhere…Ah! There's a sign. Good…Tournament participants are to meet by Tokyo Square. Turn left at next light."

A moment later, Joy pulled into a parking lot. She then got out and made her way to the huge fountain that stood in the middle of the square, all the while looking for any sign of her friends. She wasn't really watching where she was going, of course.

Look out, baka!

"Oomph!" She hit something and fell back onto the ground.

"Gomen – Joy?" a familiar voice said. She looked up.

"Kaiba?"

Seto pulled Joy to her feet. "You okay?"

Joy nodded. "Yeah. Gomen nasai, Kaiba. I wasn't watching where I was going."

That's for sure. Such a klutz.

Quiet, Bakura, Joy ordered.

"It's okay. I'm glad we ran into each other, actually. I was worried about you."

"Y-You were?" Joy asked. She suddenly felt a blush rise onto her cheeks as Seto looked directly into her eyes. She felt her heartbeat quicken and blushed even more.

Oh, my Ra! Are you in love with him?!

What?! No way!"

Well, if you got any redder, Houyoku, you would catch fire.

Shut it, Bakura, Joy said, her anger rising.

Bakura laughed. Gee, does Katilli know?

"Joy?" Joy blinked.

"Oh…sorry. I was just…um…" Joy struggled for something to say as Bakura laughed some more. "Come on, let's find Yugi. We still have a while before they start this thing." They started to walk through the milling crowds.

"So, were you talking to Katilli? Did you finally get a hold of her?"

Kaiba…she…look at what's around her –

"Joy! Hey!" Joy and Seto turned just as Yugi ran up to them.

"Hey, Yugi! We were just looking for you."

"Boy, am I glad to see you. We were worried."

"Why?" Joy asked, confused.

Yugi was about to answer when Yami stopped him.

Yugi, look at that! Around her neck!

Yugi looked down and his eyes grew wide. The Millennium Ring! How did she get it? Was that the item you've been sensing?

Yes. Somehow Joy has gotten a hold of it…

But where is Ryou? And…oh man! Bakura!

I know. The tomb robber…I wonder if Joy and Bakura have met…when did she get the ring?

Meanwhile, Joy was getting teased again by Bakura.

They worry because you're a klutz.

I AM NOT A KLUTZ!

"Um…Joy…" Yugi began, trying to think of a way to ask about the Ring.

Aww…he's trying to break it to you gently. Such sentiment makes me ill.

"Yugi, I need to go over and get me a drink. I'll be right back." Joy turned and walked off without saying another word.

Hey, you forgot to kiss Kaiba goodbye. Joy could almost see Bakura's smirk in her mind. She came to a stop at the fountain and stood there with an angry look on her face.

Bakura, you filthy piece of human slime! You are such a bastard!

Watch how you insult me, girl. I am not a human. That's when Joy broke out in her own smirk.

You used to be. I bet that thought pisses you off, doesn't it? To be even remotely connected to mortals has to just eat away at you.

Grrr…

Suddenly the Ring glowed slightly. Joy gasped. Bakura, what the hell…! If anyone sees this…

They will be dealt with. I sense a familiar presence.

Ryou? Joy asked hopefully.

Perhaps.

"Joy?" a familiar deep voice called. Joy whirled around and came face to face with…

The Pharaoh. Get rid of him.

"How did you come to possess the Millennium Ring?"

"Um…it's a long story…"

That you do not have time for. The Ring glowed.

Huh?

Bakura looked at the pharaoh with Joy's eyes, narrowing them dangerously. "I do not have time for you, pharaoh. Ryou is near."

"Tomb Robber. I knew it would be a matter of time before you came out. And Ryou? Why does he not have the Ring? And how did Joy come to acquire it? Where is Ryou?"

"That is none of your business, pharaoh."

"It is my business when you possess the body of my friend." The pharaoh gave the tomb robber a death glare, which he readily returned. Then the Ring glowed again, ever so softly.

"What the hell is going on here? Joy? Yugi?" Seto came up to them. "Yami…what's going on? Why did you leave like that, Joy?"

"That is not Joy. The spirit of the Millennium Ring has taken over her body."

Mmm…an interesting turn of events. Let me take over, Kaiba. I've dealt with this one before.

Fine. But if anything happens to her…

It won't.

An instant later, Sorcerer was in Seto's body, looking at Bakura with a smirk. "Good to see you again, tomb robber."

"Ah, if it isn't the High Priest Seto. It's been ages. I would love to stay and chat all day with you two pathetic beings, but I must run off. Ryou is nearby and I will not be denied this opportunity."

"Where is Katilli?" Yami asked.

"Why should I tell you?" Bakura asked with a sneer. "Since when do I volunteer information?"

"Bakura…" Yami growled.

"Houyoku was able to contact her a few days ago by telepathy. Apparently she is a captive of some baka named Vargon."

Yami grew pale. Sorcerer closed his eyes with a sigh. "Has there been any further communication?" the priest asked.

"No." With that, Bakura left hastily in search of Ryou.

"Pharaoh Yami, we must follow him. We need answers, and Joy and your friend Ryou are the most likely to provide them for us." Yami nodded and they rushed after Bakura.

Joy: There you have it. The beginning of the story Total Eclipse (TE). Will Yami and Sorcerer finally find out what is going on? Just have to wait till next time. Oh, and I have review responses from the last chappie of SL to do.

Sapphire: Mugen sounds cool. Let me know what her favorite card is and she's set to go! I've already thought up an outfit.

Sakura: Thanks for the info on your character. I'll be more than glad to add her. She sounds neat! Emailed you a question.

Silver Moon Phoenix: Four choices… =D Cool! I'll pick one and let you know.

Dark mage of sea 13: Cool! Another American duelist! Love the cards, wish they were real, but I'll still add them. Merina Lopez sounds great!

It seems everyone has the most awesome OCs and so I have decided to try to add them all, if possible. But it will be a few chapters from now before they will duel, since I gotta think up decks for them and such. But in the meantime, I can introduce them all and get them into the storyline. For those that haven't gotten a chance, I am allowing a few more OCs into the mix. To be honest, there is another reason for the OCs. They may be excellent duelists, but they might also get to help out our heroes from time to time. You'll find out more later on.

Till next time, review and ja ne!