Joy: Here comes chapter 16, everyone. Not much in the action department, but still has those wonderful hints of humor. Review responses!

Dark mage of sea13: Heh. Thanks for the info. It may come in handy during the finals. And thanks for the cookies!

Midnights: You two have had a busy summer! Makes me feel kind of lazy and envious! =D

Sakura: You'll find out in this chappie! And I'm glad you're reposting. =D

Silver Moon Phoenix: Yeah, really weird. I want the monster those three turn into so bad! My bro has it, but he doesn't have the Magnet Warriors. I do }:o) And I won't share since he won't! Anyway, you'll find out the results of Yugi and Joy's contest in this chappie.

Okay, time for the chappie to start! Read on, loyal readers!

"I made it!"

Yami let Yugi take over in time to receive his final star card. Yami, we did it! We're in the finals! He paused. I wonder if everyone else made it, too. The teenage duelist felt like jumping onto Cloud 9 as he stared down at the seven cards in his hand. Then he slowly smiled. I beat Joy! He looked down at his watch, noting the time, then he took out the phone Merina let him borrow and dialed Joy's cell number.

…Elsewhere…

"Oh yeah! I did it! I made it to the finals, Ryou! As if there was ever any doubt. And I beat Yugi in our challenge!" Joy was dancing circles around Ryou, who was simply laughing at her antics. She had looked down at her watch as she was handed the card, so she knew what time she had made it to the finals. She pulled out her cell phone, intending to call her multi-haired friend, but just as she was about to dial, the phone rang. She blinked down at it.

"I guess Yugi made it at the same time," Ryou observed.

"We'll see about that." Joy pushed a button, determined to say it before Yugi.

"I MADE IT!"

They had both said it at the same time.

"Yugi, don't tell me it's a tie. What time did you get the last card?"

"2:45," Yugi said.

"2:45!!" Joy cried out

"Wow…You both got your last card at the same time. That's…weird…" Ryou said, completely amazed.

Joy was frustrated, and she could tell Yugi was disappointed, too. They had both wanted there to be a winner, not have a complete tie. "I can't believe we tied," Yugi said.

"That is SO unfair!" Joy added.

"Gomen nasai, Joy. I guess I'll meet you at the house later, ne?"

"Don't worry, Yugi. I'll see you then."

…Later…

Joy and Ryou made it back to the old mansion about thirty minutes later. They made it in time to see Seto Kiaba calmly coming up the walk with a triumphant smirk upon his face. "Houyouku," he said, greeting her with a nod.

Joy grinned. "Kaiba, I'm gonna be in the finals!" she cried out happily. She was so excited she rushed over and leaped into the CEO's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. For a second he just looked stunned, then he felt his face grow hot as he blushed. Ryou was the only one who noticed and Seto quickly composed himself before Joy released him.

"Sorry, Kaiba. I was just so excited." Seto shrugged.

Just then Merina walked up. "Hey, people! Well, I'm in the finals."

"Kaiba and I are, too. As is Yugi."

"Did you beat Yugi in your race?" Merina asked. Seto raised his eyebrow, waiting for her response.

Joy frowned. "No, we tied. Damn his luck."

"It wasn't luck," Yugi said as he strolled up.

"Well, then it was just good timing," Joy muttered.

Merina laughed. Just then, Moon Shadow and Sakura came up. "Everyone made it to the finals, I presume?" Moon Shadow observed.

"Of course!" Merina assured her cheerfully.

A very excited group sat down to dinner that evening. Everyone was anxious about the tournament; wondering who will duel who and the identity of the other two finalists.

"I have a feeling they are not worthy opponents, perhaps even people we will not enjoy having around," Moon Shadow predicted.

"Of course they will not be worthy or pleasant to be around," Seto countered. Moon Shadow rolled her eyes.

After dinner, the group settled into the library to relax before going off to bed. They also took some time to talk to their darks and amongst themselves.

Yami, you've been awfully quiet…are you okay?

Hai, aibou. I have just been deep in thought.

About what?

Vargon. We have much to do if we are to stop him. We have three of the seven Items in our possession. We need the other four. The Scales, the Necklace, the Rod, and the Key are the items we still need.

Yeah. I just hope we can convince Shadi, Marik and Ishizu to let us borrow their Items.

We will have to, hikari, or Vargon will get to them, and he will not be simply asking for them. He will take them by force. I am sure that when they know the danger, they will allow us to use their Items for a short while. We just need to keep Bakura away from them or all hell will break loose.

Yugi rolled his eyes. Are we going to need the Crossbow? Yugi asked Yami.

I talked to Sorcerer earlier and he said that we will only require the Seven Items, so we should not need the Crossbow, though Vargon may try and seek it again, came Yami's answer.

Which is why we need to hurry, right, Yami?

Exactly. I do not want anyone else to be in danger. As soon as this tournament is over, we contact the other Item holders and speak with them.

Seto was looking through a book when Sorcerer started a conversation.

Kaiba, I want to ask you about your feelings toward Joy Houyouku.

Why? That's a bit of a personal question, Sorcerer, Seto said with a hint of annoyance.

I know, but it is important. You see, long ago, Lady Katilli –

Seto sighed, bringing his hand to his forehead and using it to rub his temple. Sorcerer, I don't know if you realize this, but Katilli and Joy are not the same person. Katilli is Joy's dark, and she used to be alive, that is true, but now she isn't. What does Katilli's past have to do with Joy?

If only you knew…

Bakura, are you going to talk to Katilli later on? Ryou asked, starting a conversation of his own with Bakura.

Perhaps, why do you ask?

Just curious. I think it's kind of sweet that you two go on nightly visits to each other.

Don't think for one minute that I'm weak, host, for you will be sorely mistaken, Bakura said in a threatening tone. Ryou bit his bottom lip.

Katilli, you said to ask you about your relationship to Bakura when everyone was together, Joy began, hoping that Katilli would want to talk about it. She was quite curious as to their relationship.

Yes, I suppose now would be a good time.

If you don't feel up to it…

No, aibou. I think it needs to be explained…to everyone.

Katilli appeared by Joy in spirit form. "Everyone, can you ask your dark sides to come out, please? I want everyone to be present." Yami and the other spirits appeared out of their soul rooms, also in spirit form. "Good. Thank you. Now, listen everyone. I have quite a bit to explain."

Joy: And I am going to stop here. The next chapter will be longer, I am sure of it, especially since it involves flashbacks and lots of explanations. I hope Yami has a stout heart, cuz he's about to find out about Katilli and Bakura. And we will also find out why Katilli is reluctant to use Exodia.

Lots of questions answered in the next chapter, which will be simply called – 'Exodia'. BTW: I will be posting a kind of duel schedule for the finals on my bio page, but it will not come out until after the gang meets the other finalists. Till next time - review!