Joy: I told you I'd be back. Did you miss me? Well, you know what? I decided to go ahead and post another chapter since you all have been giving me such good reviews. Let's respond first and then get right to the story.

Silver Moon Phoenix: Yep! And here's what happens at the museum! =D

Midnights: Friction? Now sure how this story is going to turn out in that arena, but we'll see what happens! :o) Oh, and Midnight, some day you may not feel so bad about all the mushy stuff. I mean, if it was you and Seto doing all this… ;o) Oh! Do you remember Kaiba's jet at the beginning? I LOVED it! I might use it in my next story! =D

Sakura: Welcome back! As for what Cala and Caru said, I could not bring myself to kill off an OC without the creator's permission. I mean, that would not be fair to you if I did that. I think Sakura is a great character and I think she will guard Yugi's grandpa well.

DMoS13: Yeah, that was bad of her. Yeah, seeing into the future is one of the Necklace's abilities, but that same ability can be misleading because the future can be altered in the present. (Kaiba proved that in his duel with Ishizu during BattleCity.) (sigh) I wish I had an item…

Fallen Mercy: Sorry to hear that you've been sick, but I am glad you are feeling better. :o)

Now, on with chapter 25!

Mayhem at the Museum

Joy parked her car in front of the museum and got out, cautiously scanning the streets for anything out of the ordinary.

Sense anything? she asked her dark side.

Not yet, came Katilli's answer. No sign of Vargon or Jessie.

Joy stepped inside the quiet museum and started looking around. There were a lot of interesting artifacts that caught her eye as she headed through the building, hoping to spot Ishizu. Yugi had told her a while back that Ishizu was a raven-haired woman who Joy would be able to spot because of her Millennium Necklace. Joy paused when she came upon a particular display. Inside the glass case was a beautiful dagger with a golden hilt. On the hilt were hieroglyphics.

Katilli? she prompted.

Hmm…let me see. Yes. I can see them clearly. It seems to be some sort of poem or prophecy.

What does it say?

A night without a day

A day without a night

Will open the way

To the path of light

What does it mean, Katilli? Joy asked.

I do not know, my light. Seems that it is talking about some riddle that opens up a pathway to something. Though I have never seen this dagger or heard of this before.

Joy pulled out a pen and paper from her back pocket and wrote the poem down. We'll figure it out later. After writing down the poem, Joy moved on in her search for Ishizu. As she walked on, she felt Katilli tense up.

Joy – look out! she warned.

Joy turned quickly, but not quick enough to duck a slap to the face. As she was trying to back away, she was punched in the stomach and forced to double over in pain. She didn't see who was attacking her, but she tried to get up, only to be punched again. Katilli was about to take over when Joy was shoved into a display case. That was when she lost consciousness, preventing Katilli from taking over or even being able to reach her hikari.

…………

Joy! Joy, please wake up! Onegai!

Joy moaned softly as she regained consciousness. Pain radiated throughout her entire body.

Katilli…so weak…it hurts…

It's okay, aibou. You're safe now.

Joy heard an unfamiliar female voice, and then she heard Katilli's voice. She slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Katilli's relieved face as she looked back at her. "Thank Ra you are all right," she said. "We were wondering if we should not call an ambulance for you. Ishizu has taken care of your injuries. You had me worried, young lady."

Joy managed a weak smile before she turned serious. "I don't need a hospital, Katilli. I need those people that attacked me so I can get some payback. Who were they?"

"I fear we may not know. They struck quickly and disappeared into thin air it seems. Are you sure you are all right? Perhaps some rest will aid your recovery," Katilli suggested. Joy nodded.

"Where is Ishizu?"

"I am here," the Egyptian girl came into Joy's sight. "It is good to meet you, Miss Houyouku. And I am glad to see your injuries are not too serious, though I feel you should still seek out a doctor."

"I can do that later. Katilli? Where is that communicator thing? It's was on my blouse, but now it's gone."

"I am afraid to say that it was broken during the incident. But you still have your phone. Do you wish for me to call someone?"

"Yeah, could you call Kaiba? He can come and take me back to the manor. Ishizu, would you come with us? You would be safer. Your brother Marik should come, too."

Ishizu nodded. "I will come with you, though I fear my brother is not here. He has disappeared and I do not know where he is. It could be that he is in some sort of danger."

"We have people out looking for him already. Don't worry. We have it covered." Then Joy winced as a wave of pain went through her.

"Joy, why don't you get some sleep? When you wake, I am sure Kaiba will have come," Katilli suggested.

"Good idea. I am awfully tired. Wake me when he gets here, okay?" Joy said, her eyes already starting to close. Katilli assured her she would, and the teen was asleep a moment later.

Katilli picked up Joy's phone, which had been taken from her belt when she was brought to Ishizu's office, and dialed Seto's number.

"Kaiba."

"Kaiba, this is Katilli. You must come to the Domino Museum at once. Joy has been injured and needs to be taken back to the manor."

"NANI!"

…Fifteen minutes later…

A very angry looking Seto Kaiba bursts through the office doors and stepped into the room. He crossed the distance from the doorway to Joy's side in three steps.

"She is still asleep right now. Her injuries have been bandaged, but she needs to rest and the best place is at Kaiba Manor," Katilli explained.

"I'll have my physician take a look at her when we get back to the mansion," Seto stated. He slowly and carefully picked up the sleeping girl. "Let's go."

"Ishizu will be accompanying us to the manor. She holds the Millennium Necklace, one of the Items we are looking for." Seto nodded and led the way out of the museum, mentally cursing whoever was responsible for Joy's state. As they left the room, Katilli retreated back to her soul room so as not to attract attention.

Seto gently placed Joy in the back seat and climbed into the driver's seat. He had gotten the keys from Joy's pocket. Soon they were on their way to Kaiba Manor. As he drove, Seto heard a moan from the backseat. Katilli was out at once to see what was wrong.

"Day…without…night…" Joy mumbled. But her words were not spoken in Japanese, but in English. Seto raised an eyebrow.

"What did she say?" he asked the spirit. She relayed the words. "What do you think she means?"

"Before she was attacked, Joy saw a dagger with a poem on it. I believe those were some of the inscription. She may be becoming delirious. She seems a bit pale and feverish."

"We'll be home soon. I'll call ahead and have a physician waiting for us." Katilli nodded and brushed some hair out of Joy's face.

We will be there soon, aibou. Just try to relax. You shall be okay. I promise that whoever is responsible will be sought out and dealt with. No one touches my hikari. No one.

Joy: That was it for this chapter. Now we seem to be getting deeper into danger, eh? And with Marik and his Millennium Rod missing and Vargon after his Item, anything could happen… Mmm… the plot thickens…

The next chapter is called Mind Control. Will the group find Marik in time? Will Joy be okay? Find out next time! Until then, review!