I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Only the assailants and, in a later chapter, Amun are mine. This story is rated MA, as I stated in the summary. I ask that no one under eighteen read this.
Chapter One- The Assault
"Mmm, my pharaoh," Mahad moaned softly as Atem ran his fingers through his brown hair. He rolled onto his side and gazed happily into Atem's purple eyes who gazed back with a smile. The two of them had been friends since Atem was a child, but didn't get together until two years ago, before the prince became pharaoh.
Atem moved his fingers down to run them along Mahad's jawline, eliciting another murmur of content from his priest. Even though, Mahad was older, he allowed Atem to take control of the relationship. Atem enjoyed pleasing his boyfriend, but at times he wouldn't mind being pleased in turn; he just hadn't been able to bring himself to say it. He was enjoying himself too much.
"Pharaoh, shouldn't we be heading to the Throne Room?"
"Perhaps."
"Well, then." Mahad rolled onto his other side to get out of bed, but Atem's arms wrapped themselves around his waist and pulled him toward him.
"It can wait a little longer," Atem said as he nuzzled Mahad's neck.
"Of course it can," he agreed as Atem pressed himself against the older man's back. "But there is a diplomat arriving today."
"Not for a few hours." Atem sighed as he put his head on Mahad's shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
Mahad smiled at the weight on his shoulder. He is so young and so attractive. I am blessed to be loved by him. He drifted into a light doze.
Two hours later, Mahad opened the chamber door and stood to one side to allow Atem to exit first. The pharaoh headed for the door and stopped next to Mahad in the doorframe. He exhaled slowly before facing Mahad, seizing the priest's robes, and pulling him down to bring their lips together in a loving, needy kiss.
Whoa, what's up with him today? Mahad wondered. Once they had parted, he said, "My pharaoh, you seem quite affectionate today. It is very attractive, but unusual for you."
"It is the diplomat," Atem admitted. "I'm nervous about meeting him and I want more than verbal support."
Mahad pulled Atem into a hug. "You'll always have more than verbal support from me," he said softly.
Atem tightened the hug slightly. "Thank you. Now," he pulled back and straightened himself. "Let us go to the Throne Room and await our guest."
Atem strode into the Throne Room with Mahad behind him. The rest of the court was already assembled and they bowed as the pharaoh passed them and took his seat. "Allow the diplomat to enter when he arrives," he ordered the guards at the doorway, though he knew they would wait for his say-so before allowing the diplomat in. Once the guards left the room, Atem nodded to Siamun who said, "Let the royal court begin."
One hour later, the guards entered. "Great pharaoh, the diplomat has arrived," the one on the left said.
"Send him in." The guard nodded at the doorway and a moment later, a cloaked and hooded figure appeared and approached the throne. He knelt at the foot of the steps.
"I bring greetings from my kingdom, great pharaoh." He stood and advanced two steps up.
Atem rose and stepped forward, hand outstretched. "I accept your greeting and welcome you." The diplomat extended his arm and suddenly a dart was in his hand and he jabbed it into Atem's abdomen. He gasped at the prick of the needle and fell back into his throne as the guards and his court jumped the man.
"Inexcusable!" Seto roared. "Attacking the pharaoh!"
Atem, breathing hard, removed the dart, and panted, "Take him to the dungeon and interrogate him." His head throbbed and he put a hand to his temple.
"My pharaoh?" Mahad asked, concerned.
"He needs to lie down," Siamun said, taking the dart.
Mahad lifted Atem to his feet and put an arm across his shoulders before escorting the semi-conscious young man out of the room and to his chambers. As he helped Atem into bed, he said, "My pharaoh…Atem, how are you feeling?"
"My abdomen and head…hurt. I feel so…strange and tired."
Mahad removed the crown and rubbed the forehead. "Rest then, my king. Hopefully our prisoner will provide some answers."
Atem's eyes closed and he fell into a pain-filled sleep. Mahad watched him for a moment, fists clenched in anger. I swear to the gods, he will pay for this assault, he vowed. He exited the room to find Siamun in the hall.
"Mahad, I'm calling a meeting in the Throne Room. Come along."
The magician priest followed Siamun and took his place. He waited for the others and once they had arrived, Siamun stood on the steps and took them all in. "Seto," he said at last. "You were in the dungeon. Tell us what you learned."
"Yes, Master Siamun. Our so-called diplomat was actually hired by the pharaoh from where he hails. He did not want to volunteer any information, but after subjecting him to a Millennium Trial, he was a lot more forthcoming.
"His mission was to attack the pharaoh with that dart and hit the abdomen. His accuracy was dead-on. The ruler of his kingdom sees this as sadistic amusement more than trying to destroy or conquer us."
"But, what did the dart do?" Mahad said. "The pharaoh spoke of pain in his abdomen and head as well as feeling strange and tired."
"Yes, well, the needle was coated with a potion that is currently turning the pharaoh female."
There was a collective gasp and Aknadin said angrily, "Outrageous!"
"There is a way to reverse it and it must be done as soon as possible." He paused to see expectant faces. "The pharaoh must become pregnant and produce an heir. That's the only way. I say the sooner conception is achieved, the better. If it is not done in two weeks, the pharaoh will be female forever."
"Seto, producing a child takes months, which means the pharaoh must remain a woman for that period," Siamun pointed out.
"I'm aware of that. I believe it's better to be female for several months than forever."
"Point taken. I think the next question is who is willing to be the, um, father."
"It should be someone with whom the pharaoh would be comfortable," Isis said.
"I can think of only two people who qualify: Myself and Mahad," Siamun said. "And since I'm too old, that leaves Mahad."
"Yes, Master Siamun. For the kingdom, I will help the pharaoh. I shall go immediately and inform the pharaoh of what we learned." Mahad bowed, left the room, and headed for Atem's room. He knocked and entered to find a scared, slightly hysterical teenage girl in the bed. The gender switch had already occurred.
