^^ My first Yu-Gi-Oh fanfic. Please tell me if it sucks! And also note that this is VERY much a SetoxSerenity fanfic! NOT SerenityxTristin. I LOVE SETO! *HUGGLES!*

I would like to thank my editors Sasuki-chan and Rebecca-sama! Without these great women you'll be dying from my lack of grammar practices right now.

o.o not much for me to say except.enjoy and REVIEW!! PLEASE I WANNA KNOW!

Disclaimer: ..-_-;; there's a REASON why it's called FANfiction.net you know.

Heart of Atlantis

By Fey of Angel Falls

Not many things that are common can be considered priceless. Freedom was one of the very few. It's a funny thing, freedom. Those who've already tasted its sweet fruit cannot savor its bliss; to them it's just as plain and flavorless as the snow. But to those who've never been nourished by its wonder, it is nothing short of a treasure! A wondrous golden dream that they can only dream of.

Chapter one

The Perfect Cage.

"Serenity!" A mellowed voice spoke.

Serenity lay lazily on the satin couch, gliding her hand across its smooth texture. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling, she didn't know why but it seemed that the ceiling was more interesting than the rest of the world right now.

"SERENITY! I know you're in there!"

Ignoring her brother she kept on staring at the marble ceiling, her eyes unmoving.

"SENENITY! COME ON! THIS IS GETTING OLD AND ANNOYING!"

Hearing the word "annoying" brought her eyes to the closed door of her room, and to the voice that lies just on the other side of it. It was the first time Joey's ever called her annoying. She half expected it to hurt her feelings. But her heart remained mutual. In such depressing time she had more to worry about than her brother's comments about her behaviors.

There were a few seconds of silence as if a soundless response, then the voice was back, a less aggressive this time, "Yo sis! Get dressed! Mom's expecting you to be ready for the ceremony!"

"I don't wanna go." She muttered softly, her voice dull and lifeless "You KNOW how I hate ceremonies, Joey!"

"But Serenity! It's your birthday! It's tradition!"

"It's pathetic," Serenity's answered, the dullness in her voice dragged on, "I'm not leaving this room!"

"Come on sis! You're making Tristen wait!" Her brother pleaded, "That's not a way to start off on a engagement party."

"I NEVER WANTED IT!" The dullness in her voice quickly disappeared as anger and rage took its place. "I HATE THE TRADITION AND I HATE THIS PLACE!" Both hands now clawing the sofa she trembled, red rage flowing through her veins. It was common for Serenity to get angry; the fact that she had a temper wasn't exactly yesterday's news. But this were different, she felt hopeless, like a fish without water just waiting to die. How she got into this situation was inevitable, the fact that she didn't do anything about it angered her.

"SERENITY! THAT'S ENOUGH! OUT OF YOUR ROOM NOW!" Joey demanded. The door shook as he rammed his fist into it. There was a tiny "Ow." from him as the laws of matter took its toll and Joey's fist lost to the door.

A sigh escaped Serenity as she rose from her position and dragged herself to the door. Her brother sounded angry, and as much as she hated him for forcing her right now he was still her brother, the klutz that had always loved her. She didn't want to fan his frustration any longer; knowing him, he'd probably bang his fist against the door till it bled. She paused at the silver knob, but gripped it and turned. The first thing she met was Joey's brown orbs, glancing at her with a sense of disappointment.

"Serenity..."

"I KNOW!" her eyes darkened, their lovely dark brown fading into near blackness. " I don't want to hear it.."

Noticing her sister's darkened eyes, Joey's own eyes drooped. Pulling her into his arms he embraced her tightly. One hand rested on her back the other on her back skull, forcing her forehead to his shoulders.

"I know it's not easy to go through this," He comforted her, "but we have no choice sis, you've got to understand that."

Serenity felt weak by her brother's embrace. The steel wall she placed between her heart and the rest of the world in the last past days suddenly shattered like glass, her heart freed from it's protection. She felt vulnerable; emotions that were held back for the past few days were swelling in her throat, throbbing and aching to be freed. She knew if she didn't let them out soon she would burst. Grabbing her brother's silk shirt she sobbed, hot tears dampening the white fabric of the clothing. Her brother said nothing; he closed his eyes and sighed. His mother had always been like that; he too remember the pain he went through when she forced the same fate upon him. His heart tightened as he remembered the past, what grieved him more was the fact that it was Serenity who was suffering.

Her sobs were small and weak due to her lack of food over the last few days. Once in a while small hiccups interrupted her soft cries. "I d..di.dn't even.. have.a chance .t.to discuss this.s." She choked, "How can...m.mo.m.deci.ded ...thi..s without. m...me..."

Joey embraced her closer; his hand pulled her head into the crook of his neck. "Come on sis, maybe it won't be that bad. I mean, its Tristen! I've known him all my life; he's practically a brother to me. He's my best buddy and a good man. I'm sure you'll be happy with him."

"But I don't like him that way Joey!" she protested into his throat, "You know I don't!"

"I know," Joey's other hand rubbed her back in comfort, " But this isn't something we get to decide. Mother's already arranged the marriage. There's nothing we can do."

"WHY?" She cried, tear soaked eyes shimmering in false hope "There must be SOMETHING! I don't want to get married! Getting married means leaving Atlantis! Getting married means leaving you!"

Knowing his sister cared that much for him brought a small smile to his face. Releasing her from his hold, he held her hands to his heart. "I'll never leave you, Serenity! I'll always be in your heart, like you're in mine."

She smiled at her brother's sweetness; it was hard to believe that someone so sweet and caring could be such an ass at times.

"But Joey..."

"Shhhh." he hushed " not finished yet,"

She silenced herself to let him finish.

"You know Atlantis is getting weaker, our army is nearly dead. If this goes on the land dwellers will have us wiped out in a matter of months! We need to form alliances! And it's tradition that the royalties be wed." Clutching her hands tighter her brother looked at her with the most seriousness in his eyes " Please Serenity! Forming alliances with Vastormbque is the ONLY way to win! That's why you must wed Tristian!"

Serenity looked at her brother, he was serious about this, she could tell. This was no joke. As the heir to the throne her brother put forth anything and everything for the good of this kingdom. That was why he accepted mother's marriage arrangement for him and Princess Mai Valentine of Harpous. She knew clearly that her brother didn't love Mai. Heck, he has never even seen the woman. He just nodded in agreement when the Queen Delma agreed that Harpous would join in the fight if her daughter were guaranteed a husband. This kingdom was everything to Joey; father's illness would take him soon and Atlantis would be in Joey's hands, losing this priceless heirloom would drive Joey to the break of insanity.

Serenity took in a deep breath.

I must do it! For Joey's sake!

Forcing a painful smile she nodded "Let me get dressed."

* * *

"Blue or white, miss?" The maid asked, holding the two dresses by the hangers.

"I could care less." Serenity dozed, her eyes were back on the ceiling again.

"Well you think about it miss," The maid smiled, " but better get ya noggin workin' quickly, time waits for no woman that's what my ma use to say! Yup! We got ya engagement ceremony to attend! Don't want to be late for ya future love now do ya?"

"Oh, that would be positively horrible!" She rolled her eyes in sarcasm. Twisting her copper hair, she scanned the room, her room, the room that she had been trapped in for 16 years. Everything about it screamed "Spoiled Brat!" From the king-size seashell bed, to the coral stone dressing table, the sand silk covers to the chest full of white pearls. Cold marble tiles covered the floor, ancient urns and other priceless treasures were displayed across its shelves and walls. And the last thing to add, was a finishing touch of light blue lily peddles that lays scattered across the bed, giving it a look of pure elegance. Most girls would be overwhelmed by such a beautiful place to so sleep, but to Serenity it was the worst. She hated this room, she always did. It reminded her of how trapped she was, how she was never allowed out of Atlantis, out of this room. Trapped, trapped in a wondrous dream that she wanted to wake from. Trapped in a paradise that seemed like an everlasting hell. Trapped. in a perfect cage. Atlantis.

"Miss, you'll have to hurry da bid!" The maid reminded her.

Ignoring the servant, Serenity's eyes moved from the room to the window. It was the only feature that she adored about this room. The huge, thin sheet of glass separated her from the vast seas, her freedom. How she wanted to swim in its majesty. How she wished that she could feel its waves caressing her body. How she wished she could frolic with its creatures and bond with Mother Ocean, the giver of life. Even though she was born as a princess of Atlantis, the people of the sea, she has never entered the salty waters before. Joey never allowed her due to the human hunters lurking just above.

"Miss please make up your mind! Master Joseph will be angry if you're late!"

At the mention of her brother's name Serenity brought her attention back to the dresses.

" White." She stated casually.

"Ah! The color of purity! A very wise choice mi-lady!"

She brushed off the compliment without a care. It was common knowledge that servants were required to pamper and compliment their masters. She's gotten so used to it that it stirred her mind, for she can no longer separate the truth from the lies among the servants.

Serenity slipped on the clothing. It wasn't difficult due to the lack of actually fabric on the so-called "dress". It was skimpy and reviled much flesh, a little TOO much for her liking. The top piece only covered her chest and the bottom piece wrapped around her hips and draped down to the floor. Golden rings encircled her wrists and a golden locket rested on her neck. She sucked in her stomach slightly as the servants went over it with fine golden ink, gliding it golden liquid across her pale skin and creating ancient patterns and drawings. She never liked the idea of getting golden tattoos on her midriff, it was tacky and uncomfortable, but like always, it's tradition and culture, two things that she despised the most about this place.

There wasn't much to do after they finished brushing her hair. Serenity refused to put on make up of any kind, and she told the servants not to even bother with her nails, she already found the clothing and the large amount of jewelry over bearing.

"There miss! All done!" The maid smiled and held a mirror for her to see.

Serenity nearly glanced at it before turning away. The maid frowned slightly in disappointment at her master's reaction to her work. Putting the mirror aside she decided to leave her be.

"Miss," The servant opened the door, " come watch the views, it might be the last time you see it before you leave." And with that she left, the jingles of her bracelets fading against Serenity's ears.

Serenity eyed the balcony, a place where she visited often.

Deciding to take her advice Serenity strode to the balcony. Waiting for her was Atlantis's night. It was truly a sight to marvel at. Roman architectures of hundreds of years of age stood proudly. It's romantic designs and elegant looks gave Atlantis a feeling of peace. A small river ran through out the great city, in it's blue waters floated many wooden glandules. The streets were crowded in this time of the day. People in clocks, flocks, and tunics rushed quickly to get to their destinations, barely even grunts when passing neighbors. Shops and stores stood side by side, the owners hollered their wares and pleads for purchases.

Serenity smiled at the city, her city. The one where she watched over everyday but never visited.

Now that she thought of it, she couldn't recalled herself being anywhere besides the castle. Sure there were sometimes when her brother took her out for fresh air, but that was always in the garden, never out of the gates. Taking in this information she thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad to marry, at least she'll get to go outside.

The door opened again as two servants bowed.

"Miss, it's time."

So? How was it? Not to bad if I do say so myself! *STRIKE POSE!*

So should I continue to delete it?

Next chapter: .o.o Serenity's engagment party was cut short due to the fact that Atlantis was being pummeled to the ground. Guess who crashed the party?

REVIEW PLEASE!!!