~Amenhotep's flashback~

It had been a relaxing day at the Palace, Loretta & Atem were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and everyone was content. It was also coming up to Prince Amenhoteps 18th birthday, the ascension to the throne was available at 16 but due to Atem still being well enough to rule he gave it up for the time being till his time came. Unfortunately today of all days his life was going to change rapidly, standing up from his throne Atem began to speak "Thank you very much to everyone once again for being there for us, in all my years as Pharaoh I've never felt so much love as I do now" he said with a dry cough, standing up from her throne Loretta placed her hand on Atem's back

"Are you ok, Atem...here have a drink, i think you've been talking too much & hurt your throat" she said picking up the chalice off the arm of his throne & passing it to him "Father, what's wrong" said Amenhotep with a look of real concern on his face as he rushed up to be by his Fathers side "I am fine my Son, no need to worry, just a slight tickle is all" not being convinced by his explanation Loretta notion that they go & stand out on the balcony so he could get some fresh air, watching his parents walk out hand in hand Amen' was happy that they were happy but he still had the nagging thought in the back of his mind that his Father wasn't letting on to what was truly wrong.

As the night went on everyone still remained in the throne room socializing & enjoying each others company, it was then that Amen' noticed a fault in his Father, every so often he would wince like he was in pain "Why isn't mother noticing this" he thought as he kept his deep violet eyes on his Father

"As it is getting late, Loretta & I are going to retire for the night, thank you all again so much for...for" he stuttered as he grabbed his chest in pain dropping to his knees which earned a gasp from the people around them "Atem, whats wrong" said Loretta as she looked at Atem who was now covered in sweat "M-my h-heart" he stuttered "here Atem lay down" laying him down Loretta looked worriedly at Isis "Please Isis, can you help him" "I can try my Queen" said Isis with a bow as she kneeled down beside the Pharaoh "My King...please hold on I will try to help you" "hang in there Atem, im here" said Loretta as she picked up his hand giving it a small squeeze as she watched Isis' glowing hands hover over his chest "he seems to be ok now but I believe he just had a heart attack, are you able to get him back to his chambers my Queen?" said Isis looking up at Loretta "Amen' could you help me please" "Yes Mother, is Father going to be ok" "he just needs rest, he should be ok by morning...Atem, can you hear me, stay with us please" said Loretta as she put his arm over her shoulder & hers around his waist, noticing the glazed over look in his eye.

Getting to their room Loretta looked over at Amen' who still had a very worrying look on his face "It will be ok, your Father is a very strong man" "I know mum but I'm still worried, isn't this how GrandFather died" "No, he died from depression from which your Great-Uncle caused, this is a different set of circumstances altogether" "Amen'..." Atem said in a hoarse whisper "I will be fine, I love you, my Son and no matter what I will always be here to help and guide you" "oh Atem, please don't say that..." said Loretta with a whimper "Thank you, Father, your wisdom is much appreciated " "That's enough now Amen', I'm very proud of you too but now your Father needs his rest, you can talk more in the morning" "Goodnight Mother, Father" said Amen with a short bow "Good night Amen'" said both parents in unison "come on Atem I'll help you with your jewellery so you can sleep better tonight" said Loretta as she walked him over to the bed & helped him sit down.

The next morning Loretta awoke to find Atem still asleep, or so she thought "Morning Atem" she said placing a light kiss on his cheek "that's weird, he always up before me...come on Atem, time to wake up now...Atem" she said as she lifted his still arm up to check his pulse "oh no...Atem, can you hear me please wake up...Atem..." she said as tears welled up in her eyes, picking up his now limp & cold body she hugged him tight & started to cry out "Please Atem, please come back to me... I miss you ... I need you".

walking down the hall on the way to see his Father Amen' stopped, hearing the distinct sound of his mothers voice, "this can't be good, why is my Mother crying" rushing towards their room Amenhotep stopped in the doorway to see his Mother sitting up in bed hugging his Father, but something was wrong, his arms weren't around her

"M-Mother...I-is everything ok, is F-Father ok" turning her head to look at her son he noticed the long streams of tears staining her face "No Amen' its not, y-your Father...has...passed away, he must've had another heart attack in the night...I-I'm sorry my son" said Loretta through her sobs as she lay Atem back down "N-no...It cant be true...he can't be d...he told me last night that he was ok" he said as he too began to cry

"I-i don't want to be Pharaoh yet..." "come here Amen' " said Loretta putting her arm out to pull him into an embrace "It is well past time that you should have succeeded your Father, I'm sorry it had to happen this way...I better let the Royal guard know so we can have a meeting" "yes I guess you are right, I should let Shiera & Alex know, I wish Saquera was here her & dad were really close" "Yes...I wish your sister was here too, I miss her so much" said his Mothers words as they repeated in his head ~Flash back end~

"Mother..." he said waking up startled "oh, it was only a dream..." wiping the sweat off his face he looked over from his bed out to the balcony that fronted his room, now that he was Pharaoh he had inherited his parents bedroom to which his Mother had taken over his elder sisters chambers. It was never the same after his sister had left, she had left a massive hole in everyone's heart, not knowing still to this day what had happened to his sister still plagued his thoughts every day. Standing up Amenhotep walked over to his balcony resting his hands on the rail & looking up into the dark sapphire blue sky "I miss you so much Father, why did you have to go i need your help, how can i be a great Pharaoh without your guidance" he thought letting out a shaky sigh, closing his eyes

"You can do it Amenhotep" came a ghostly baritone voice "Father!..." "I am here for you my Son..." "I need your help, Father, I can't do this, I wish you were here"

"You can do it...you need to believe in yourself as I do...but I am here I will forever be in your heart & in your mind" "I miss you so much..." "As I you, but you are the Pharaoh now you need to be strong for the people of Egypt and your Mother, they look up to you...I am so proud of you my son...Be strong & remember...you...can...do it" said Atem as he faded out

"Thank you, Father..." whispered Amenhotep "I will carry on your great Legacy and be the best Pharaoh that I can be..." he finished raising his hand to his bare chest & placing it on his heart.

A few days later Amenhotep was awoken by a knock to his door "Enter" he said in his now deepening groggy voice "I'm sorry to wake you Sire but you must come quickly, your presence is wanted immediately by the royal court" "argh...who sent you" said Amenhotep with a gruff tone to his voice "Um...Master Sabek Sire..." "Oh... what seems to be the problem.." he said sitting up & looking interested "He didn't say My Pharaoh..." "please let my cousin know that I will be there as soon as I can" "Yes Sire..." said the young boy with a bow as left the kings chambers.

Reaching the throne room Sabek rushed up to him panting "Oh thank Ra you're awake, an intruder has been spotted on the Palace grounds acting suspiciously" "Why didn't you come & tell me..." said Amenhotep narrowing his eyes at his cousin

"As the head priest I was busy readying the guards in await of your orders, My Pharaoh" he said with a slight respectful yet cheeky bow "Ok Sabek I will forgive you this time since you are my cousin, but please come & tell me, yourself, when you find out these things"

"Ok, I will try to remember to" "So...what did this person look like..." "from what sources have told me, they say he has snow white hair & wears a red cape like tunic" "no way...it can't be...but Mother dealt with him many years ago..." mumbled Amenhotep as his eyes widened in disbelief "Amen' is everything ok...what did you say about Mother..."

"The boy you just described sounds a lot like the Bakura that Mother & Father protected us from as young children" "No way!... You cannot be serious!" exclaimed Sabek "Ssssh Sabek, keep your voice down, i don't want the others hearing our conversation"

Placing his hand over his cousin's mouth "I need to see this boy for myself, i have only see Bakura once but i would know him from a mile away, Father said he has a very distinct scar on the side of his face, under his...Right eye " "Please be careful Amen'...I wouldn't know what to do if something ever happened to you"

"I will be fine, now where was I...oh yes..." he said as he started to walk into the throne room "Ok everyone, settle down please, i know this person has been spotted on the Palace grounds but maybe he is innocent for all we know, even still we must remain on high alert, Ankara...are you able to see anything with your Necklace " "I have tried my Brother but the necklace isn't showing me anything, my visions have been clouded..."

"I'm sorry to speak out of turn my King but my Ring has also been acting strangely" said Heba (Mahad & Manas Son) "I'm sure everything will be ok but we must prepare for the worst, i want you to keep an eye on your Necklace Ankara and let me know when anything comes up, in the meantime, Sabek can you bring the guards up to speed with what is going on & appoint them to their respective places, everyone else please report anything that you see as suspicious behaviour to me...Instantly! I am going to see my Mother letting her know what is happening, any questions...no...good, you are all dismissed" slowly walking up to his elder Brother with a respectful bow

"My Pharaoh, will you permit me to come & see Mother with you" "You don't have to bow to me Alex...we are brothers, yes you can come, I think that Mother would be happy to see you"

Arriving at his Mothers chamber he quietly knocked on the door "Mother..." "Amen' is that you, come in my boy" "Alexander is with me too," he said as he opened the door to see his Mother sitting on the end of her bed "Oh hello Alex, how are you liking your job as a member of the Royal court" "Hello Mother" "said the young boy with a bow

"Its good, Amen' is a very good and fair Pharaoh, just like Fa..." he said as he was cut off by the look on his Mothers face "Alex..." said Amen glaring at his younger brother & clearing his throat "Mother, I need to talk to you..." he continued as he took a seat next to his Mother

"An intruder was spotted today on the Palace grounds, i have set Sabek & Ankara up to keep watch along with the rest of the Palace guard" "Well done Amen', you are definitely following in your Fathers footsteps...I saw the look you gave Alexander, you don't have to worry about me I will be fine, i know your Father is in a better place...Yes i miss him, but he still keeps in contact with me spiritually" Loretta smiled

"How did you know I have been talking to Father" said Amenhotep with a gasp, looking at her son with a smirk Loretta said "I heard you talking to him a few nights ago, the funny thing was he had only just left me when i heard you go out onto your balcony" letting out a heavy sigh she continued " I couldn't help but sit and listen, I'm sorry Amen' I know the conversations you have with your Father are personal but what i miss most about him being gone is hearing the sound of his voice...I know you two don't understand what I'm saying because you aren't married or even have a Fiance' yet but your Father & I almost grew up together, we were married at a young age & as such we formed a very strong bond. I love you two boys so much but looking at you and hearing you speak Amen' reminds me so much of your Father when i hear you talking i almost think that Atem has come back to me but then i see that it's you & i feel a little heartbroken"

"Its ok Mother, we know you miss our Father very much & I'm trying every day to be as brave & as confident as he was...I..." said Amen as he was cut off but Ankara bursting through the door "Amen'!...Forgive me my Brother but the intruder has been spotted & detained, Sabek & Heba have him in front of your Throne awaiting for you to prosecute this no good scoundrel" "No worries Ankara...Thank you, that is excellent news, i will be down shortly"

"Ankara, how are you" "Mother, i didn't see you...I am fine thank you" she said with a slight bow "that's my girl" "Mother, I just remembered, you have had experiences with Bakura, haven't you..." "Yes i have, not long after Sabek was born he kidnapped me & tried to kill me but knowing your Father, him & his Royal court came looking for me & never gave up until i was found, why do you ask?" "well...We have reason to believe that this trespasser maybe the Son of Bakura..." "Now this i have to see, come on Amen' your Royal court is waiting for you, lead the way my Pharaoh," said Loretta standing up & bowing slightly "Mother...please..." said Amenhotep as he blushed.

Reaching the throne room Amenhotep was greeted by Sabek and Horus (Shada and Isis' son) "So...what do we have here" said Amen as he walked past the intruder who had been pushed down onto his knees, glaring at him with his deep violet eyes

"This is the boy who was caught trespassing sire" said Horus walking up to Amen' and bowing before turning side on to face said intruder "Do you not realise exactly how much trouble you are in, trespassing on the Palace grounds of the Pharaoh and then also being caught stealing from the palace guard" said Sabek who also to Loretta sounded just like his Father

"Stealing from the Pharaoh is an inexcusable crime, well...do you have anything to say for yourself," said Rosetta " I've got something to say alright...If it wasn't for your Mother..." the young boy said ferociously pointing at Loretta "My Father would still be alive, but because of your parents, I have no Father so i have to steal to help my Mother" seeing red Ankara stormed up the young boy, picking him up by the throat & smack him across the face

"Don't you dare talk about my Parents like that" she seethed "My Father was a good man & what your Father did to my Mother is unforgivable, he got what he deserved" "Thank you Ankara..." said Loretta with a nod towards her Daughter "And how dare you speak to the Great Queen that way" said Alex stood in front of his sister "What is your name boy" said Amenhotep looking down at him from his throne "my name is Ryou, your highness" he spat in a mock bow "how dare you mock the Pharaoh, to the dungeon with you, you are under arrest for thieft and trepass" said Sabek picking him up by the ropes that bound his hands, in a split second Ryou had his hands lose & had managed to slip the Rod out of Sabek's grip, getting behind Loretta,he held her with the rod to her throat "No body move or the 'Great Queen' get's it "Mother...No!" yelled Amen in fear of his Mothers life.

TBC...

OC Characters:

Amenhotep- Loretta & Atem's Son (Crown Prince & Puzzle holder)

Alexander (Second son & Amen's younger Brother, holder of the )

Ankara (Amen's twin Sister)- Holder of Millenium Necklace

Sabek- Priest Seto & Loretta's Son (holder of the )

Heba- Mana & Mahad's Son (Holder of the )

Rosetta -Rachelle (OC Elder sister)& Haasan (Protector of the Pharaohs) Daughter (holder of the )

Horus- Shada & Isis's Son (Holder of the )