Joy: Sorry about the delay. Thanksgiving holiday stuff then I got a bit of a bug and couldn't type. (No, not from the food, from the weather.) Hope everyone had a good holiday and is ready for my next chapter! Glad everyone liked Exodia's attitude. I thought that was a nice touch.
A BIG Victory
As the two enormous duel monsters lunged into each other, Slifer the Sky Dragon and his cargo arrived at the Castle of Evil. "We're here, pharaoh."
"Thank you, Slifer." Yami and Dark Magician got down from the dragon's back and into an open window.
"Yes, good to know you are useful for at least the equivalent for an airplane," Dark Magician added. Slifer growled at the magician while Yami gave his favorite monster a look. "Sorry, my lord. I just could not help myself."
"Never mind. Slifer, wait here. I will call if I need you." With that the two started down the surprisingly empty hallway. "It is strange…so quiet."
"You must remember, pharaoh, that all the duel monsters of this castle are involved in the battle at this moment." Yami nodded in agreement. They were still cautious as they made their way along the hallways of the castle, opening every door and looking through every passageway. As he opened one door, Yami spotted something glinting in the darkened room. He went inside, making his way up to the object silently and cautiously. When he was within a few yards of it, he saw what he thought was some sort of shield.
Interesting. Yami called the Dark Magician over. "I need a bit of light, my friend. I think I have found something important and there may be traps." The purple-clad magician nodded and used his staff to bring light to the entire room. There, on a gray pedestal, was indeed a golden shield. It was adorned with elegant and intricate carvings on it. There was also ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics around the front edge. Yami was just starting to read them when there was a sound from the hallway.
"My lord, we must go now!" Dark Magician rushed out with Yami right behind him, holding the shield tightly in his arms. They rand around the corner, narrowly escaping a blast from an enemy monster.
"Quick! Dark Magician, put up some sort of fog to give us cover!" The magician cast the spell quickly and bought them the precious time they needed to get back to the window where Slifer was waiting.
"Slifer, get us out of here!" Yami ordered as he and the Dark Magician jumped onto his back. Slifer let out a mighty roar and they were off. They had just cleared the castle when they were met with Sorcerer and Katilli.
"Yami, are you all right?" Katilli asked.
"Did you find Akujin?" Sorcerer asked.
"I am fine, but we did not find the villain. He was not at the castle as I had believed. He must have fled elsewhere. But what of the battle?"
"Akujin's Exodia went up against Joy's…" Katilli began. Just then there was another roar, and Slifer's eyes narrowed and he let out a growl of his own.
"Well, well…the little god Slifer the Sky Dragon. Humph. I certainly hope that you were not running away from a fight," Exodia said as he stomped over to the group. Katilli sighed, knowing that an argument was eminent between the two colossal monsters.
"I would not talk so arrogantly if I were you. At least there is only one of me. There seems to be little versions of Exodia everywhere. Too made I have never met the real thing," Slifer countered, yawning slightly with his second mouth and sneering with his first.
"Take that back, you pitiful little being!" Exodia raged.
"But it is true, I mean, come on, Exodia. How many of you are floating around the Shadow Realm right now? It is sickening really. You do not see little versions of me floating around, now do you? I at least attempt to keep my dignity by keeping look-a-likes out of the Realm."
"That is enough, you two," Katilli ordered, trying to regain control of the conversation.
"What is that in your hand, pharaoh?" Sorcerer asked motioning to the shield Yami held.
"I believe it is one of the Items of Legend. I found it in the Castle of Evil. But we will have to ask Reila to confirm it. She is the one who knows more about these items than I."
"All right," Katilli agreed, and then turned to Exodia. "Exodia, return with the others to the Castle of Rebirth. We will call if we have need of you."
"Which will not be for a VERY long time," Slifer added with smirk.
"Slifer, just take me to the Castle of Ancients and stop teasing Exodia."
"Yes, my pharaoh."
…Meanwhile…
"So this king tried to get through the path?" Joy asked. Reila nodded.
"But he did not have the blessings of the Gods, so he was banished."
"The 'blessings of the Gods'?"
"Yes. It is written that when one has the blessings of the Gods, then the path will open to one of the keepers of light," Reila explained.
"So only one keeper can pass through the Path of Light?" Joy asked.
"I believe so, but the keeper is able to take one with them that is close to their heart."
"Like a husband…which is why that is a requirement to get in if you aren't a keeper, right?" Joy asked. Reila nodded. "So how about you? Are you a keeper?"
"I am not."
"Then how would you get in? Did you plan to sneak in?"
"I planned on some sort of stealth to get in, I suppose," Reila answered.
"So how would our deaths get the Path opened?"
"I am not sure how that works, Joy. Akujin found that loophole, not I."
"Hmm…" Just then they heard a roar and looked up to see the three darks returning. "All right! They're back!" Joy rushed over and hugged Katilli as she got off the Red-Eyes.
"A warm reception, I see. How are you, hikari?"
"I'm fine! I'm going to go get the others. I'll be right back!" Joy rushed off into the main castle.
"Pharaoh, that shield you are holding…" Reila began, her eyes locking onto the golden object.
"Yes, I found it in the Castle of Evil. I believe it to be –"
"It is the Shield of Chii! One of the Items of Legend!"
…A Few Moments Later…
"It's so beautiful," Joy said. "I wonder which keeper it belongs to…I mean, we know Yugi's supposed to have the sword because of how he helped me, but what about the staff? And what does it do?"
"It is the most powerful shield of all, supposedly. It is supposed to shield from any attack, even from the most powerful weapon," Reila explained.
"Can I hold it?" Joy asked.
"All right, but be careful, Joy," Yami advised as he handed the shield to Joy.
The moment the object was in her hands, both the shield was Joy glowed. Everyone gasped. Just as suddenly as the glow began, it dimmed and vanished. Joy blinked several times, looking quite bewildered.
"Joy, are you all right?" Seto asked. He reached for her, but pulled back when his hand met with an invisible barrier. "What the hell?"
Reila, however, was not as surprised. "The Shield of Chii has been returned to its rightful owner – Joy Houyoku."
"What?" Joy asked.
"As you know, each item has an owner that is destined to use it. You are the destined owner of the Shield of Legend, Joy. The item will now obey your will and most importantly, protect you from all harm. In essence, Joy, you are invincible as long as the shield is in your possession."
"Nothing can hurt me?" Joy asked, still a bit surprised.
"Not even the Gods can harm you."
A slow smile appeared on Joy's face. "Let's test that!"
"I don't know if that is such a good idea, Joy…" Yugi said.
Joy turned to Slifer. "Hey, Slifer!" she yelled up to the God. "Hit me with a blast!"
"Nani!? I don't think so, Houyoku!" Seto cried.
"Relax. If Reila's right, Slifer's blast won't hurt me." Joy turned to Reila. "Right?"
"You are the owner of the item, so Slifer shouldn't be able to hurt you."
"Still…" Seto began.
"Oh, jeez, Seto, relax and let me test this thing. Stop being so damn protective and let me do this."
"I'm just trying to –"
"All right, you two. Go ahead, Joy. Just be careful."
Slifer looked to his masters. "Go ahead, Slifer. Just one blast, though," Yami said. Slifer nodded and reeled back, gathering his fiery blast in his mouth…
Joy: THE EVIL CLIFFHANGER!!! MUAHAHAHA!!! Ahem… anywho, the next chapter is called…A New Spell for Joy. Till next time, review!