So this is a story I've wanted to do for a while, mainly because it bothers me we get to know so little about the Atlantis characters, especially the Knights. This is based on the flashbacks shown during the Waking the Dragons arc and my own imaginings for how they got there.

I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, then we'd have gotten a true grasp on who the characters from Atlantis were.

Chapter One: Squires of Atlantis

Squire Timaeus wandered the halls of the palace, killing time until he was supposed to attend the banquet. He was glad to finally have made it to the next step of becoming a knight of Atlantis, his ultimate dream. His father, one of the many aristocrats, had been hesitant to allow him to try for knighthood, but he ultimately relented when he saw how determined his son was. Now Timaeus was a squire, and he just had to make four more years with whoever his partners would be. Atlantis valued teamwork and peace above everything else, so squires were grouped into trios, and building the trust between them was crucial.

"Hello, Timaeus," a squire with dark blonde hair greeted him.

Shoot, what was his name? Timaeus had seen the squire around, but hadn't been actually introduced. On the other hand, most people knew Timaeus because his hair always stood out. No other Atlantean had black hair streaked with indigo and turquoise bangs. Even Timaeus didn't know why his hair grew like that. It just did, to his annoyance.

The squire picked up on the gears turning in Timaeus's head. "It's Critias," he said. Right. The son of King Ironheart's most trusted advisor. Timaeus should have known that.

"Sorry, I've never been good with names," Timaeus apologized.

"You might want to get better if you want to make it as a knight," Critias answered. "My father says His Majesty hold the knights to the highest standards."

"I know that," Timaeus resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "It's what I have to improve. I'm sure there's something you need to improve as well."

"Ha, please," Critias scoffed. "I work hard, and I've received perfects scores on every exam given to us. I have no doubt I'll be the leader of my team. Just try to keep up."

"I will," Timaeus diplomatically answered. He sure hoped he wouldn't be partnered with Critias. He didn't want to be led by such a perfectionist. He wanted to be with squires he could trust and hoped would be his friends above all else. "If you'll excuse me," he took his leave of the blond squire.

Deities of Atlantis, please don't let me be on his team. Timaeus prayed as he continued his walk around the palace. As a squire, he would be expected to learn every inch of the place. Where the diplomats lived, the royal family's wing, the servants' areas, and everything in between. Timaeus didn't doubt Critias already knew the entire layout, and his competitive nature made him want to beat the smug blond.

"Oh, hey, Hermos," Timaeus spotted a familiar redheaded squire. He and Hermos had never formally met, but Hermos was about as well-known as he was. Only instead of being known for his hair, he was known as the only common-born squire. Hermos worked his way up from nothing, impressing King Ironheart with his knowledge and adeptness at multiple fighting styles.

"Timaeus, right?" Hermos answered. "I don't think there's another guy with hair like yours."

"Yeah, that's me," Timaeus sighed. "And before you comment, yes, it's natural."

"Wasn't thinking that," Hermos chuckled. "I've heard about you, probably the same way you've heard about me."

"I'm never going to like the chatter of the palace," Timaeus admitted. "All that should matter is whether or not we can do our jobs. Nothing else does."

"I wish more people thought like that," the redhead said. "It'd be easier to deal with the aristocrats then. No offense."

"None taken. Also, what was that move you used to subdue the guards during your demo for His Majesty?"

"Oh that wasn't anything fancy," Hermos grinned. "That was just a trick I used to deal with jerks back home. I can show you if you're interested."

"Sure," Timaeus smirked at his fellow squire. "I'll take you up on that sometime."

"I'll look forward to it. See you around, Timaeus."

"Until next time, Hermos."

The redhead squire turned down the hallway Timaeus came from, and Timaeus went down another corridor. If he remembered correctly, this was where the musicians and scholars lived and studied. A group of girls walked by, and he moved aside to let them pass.

"Oh, sorry," a girl with long, wavy brown hair bumped into him.

"Excuse me," Timaeus said at the same time, meeting her bright blue eyes. He felt a blush creep across his face. He'd never been this close to a girl, and this one was really pretty. Timaeus tried to look away, but he couldn't take his eyes off her.

"No, it's my fault," the girl insisted. Seeing her friends walking off without her, she stepped away, breaking Timaeus's trance. "Anyway, take care." With that, she hurried to catch up with the group.

Timaeus watched her leave. What am I doing? He shook the thoughts of the girl away and resumed his walk around the castle. After circling around and feeling confident enough on his familiarity with the place, he headed to the banquet.

ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ

Timaeus sat with the other squires, waiting for King Ironheart to announce who the teams would be. One-by-one, each trio was called up. "Timaeus!" The tri-color haired warrior walked up to the platform. Moment of truth. Who are my partners?

"Critias!"

The blond strode to join them. "Well, well, Timaeus. Ready to follow my lead?" he smirked.

Timaeus inwardly groaned. I should have known. "I'm willing to work with you if you are."

"And Hermos!"

The redhead completed the trio. "You!" Timaeus's partners glared at each other.

"Why do I have to be on a team with a nobody like you?" Critias snapped.

"Why do I have to be stuck with a stuck-up Noble Boy?" Hermos scowled.

"Guys," Timaeus stepped between them. "Bicker later. Not when we're next to His Majesty."

That shut the other two up. Ironheart either pretended his didn't hear them or simply just didn't take notice. Being officially made a team, the three squires made way for the next group.

The rest of the banquet went by without a hitch with Timaeus keeping himself between his teammates. It was going to be a long four years if he had to play peacemaker all the time. Timaeus looked between the other two. He liked Hermos—the redhead had already proven himself capable, and he was friendly, provided he was treated the same way. Critias was equally capable, but he was arrogant. His arrogance made him look down on others, particularly Hermos, and he dwelled on his aristocratic title.

The banquet over, the three squires made their way to their new living quarters. Away from the others, Critias and Hermos resumed their squabbling. "Enough!" Timaeus snapped, silencing them. "We're supposed to be a team. How are we going to accomplish that if you two keep arguing with each other?"

"That's a very good question, Timaeus."

The three squires turned to see Ironheart standing in their doorway. They knelt, heads bowed in respect. "Rise," the king commanded them. "I am just here to check in on my squires and determine who will lead each team."

"I am sorry you had to hear our disagreement," Timaeus apologized. Critias and Hermos glared at each other.

"I understand you three may not see yourselves as an ideal team at the moment," Ironheart soothed the peacemaker. "But I see you three have the potential to be some of the finest knights Atlantis has ever seen. And you, Timaeus, will lead the way."

"What?" Critias's eyes widened. "But Your Majesty…"

"I know what you're thinking, Critias," the king stopped him. "Yes, you are capable, and you've tested higher than most other squires. But that is not all you need to learn. You need to see the value in others and learn to trust them. The three of you each have a unique skill set, and if you put aside your differences, you will grow more than you could have thought possible." With that, Ironheart left their room.

"See that, Noble Boy?" Hermos smirked. "Your fancy title and high scores aren't everything."

"Shut up, commoner," Critias glared at the redhead. "You're still nothing but third-rate wannabe mutt who can only hope not to make a fool of himself in front of the entire kingdom."

"You want to go, Noble Boy?" Hermos raised his fist, ready to punch his teammate.

"Stop it!" Timaeus yelled at them. "Both of you. Like it or not, we're stuck with each other. His Majesty pretty much said the same thing. And I for one would rather work with you guys instead of bickering all the time. Can you guys do the same?"

The other two nodded, glared at each other, and looked away, marching to opposite rooms of their quarters. Timaeus sighed. It's going to be a long four years.