Part 1

3000 years into the past

"Atem..!" A stern voice called at the young prince who was only six years old and yanked him off the little girl he was on top of.

"Let me go mom…she cheated!" Atem flailed not wanting to be pulled away in the process knocking her bracelet that looked similar to the millennium items in décor only to the ground. His mother peered down at the girl who was scuffed up and had a red mark on her cheek. The little girl lay there crying and clutching her face. "Mahado help!"

Mahado was a little bit taller boy and slightly older than Atem with brown hair and brown eyes. He was currently hiding behind Atem's mother looking ashamed.

Atem's mother let Atem go only for a moment before turning him around to face her. Atem only caught his mother's stern expression for a second before he felt the hard and stinging hit of her hand across his face.

Atem froze feeling the immense sting from his mother's blow dumb founded at why he was struck.

"I-I didn't cheat…" The little girl said as Mahado made his way over to help her up, "I won fair and square…you're just a sore loser Atem!"

"Mahado told me what happened" Atem's mother began as Atem glared and struggled to fight back tears, "He told me that you were playing a tag game again and getting angry at Nefertari for being faster."

"You traitor…" Atem hissed at his friend before his mother grabbed his face again to look at her.

"Don't you dare get upset with him Atem," She scolded, "You cannot behave like this over a silly game!"

"It's not a silly game" Atem crossed his arms and pouted.

"That's enough Atem! You apologize to Nefertari right now!" His mother instructed as he shook his head.

"No!" Atem snapped.

"WHAT did you say to your mother?!" A dark and stern voice said from the distance making Atem nearly jump out of his skin. The commanding force behind his father's voice always made Atem frightened.

"I-I…" Atem started to try and explain but his father's peering eyes caused him to fumble as he made his way up next to Atem's mother.

"You will show respect to your mother," His father began scolding his young son, "AND your friend. This is not how a prince behaves. You respect your parents and your friends alike, or would you rather try and pull that move on me?"

"N-No…father…" Atem trembled before letting tears out of his eyes, "I-I'm sorry dad…and mom…"

"That's better" His father folded his arms across his chest, "Anger clouds our judgment but there can be honor in defeat as much as there is in winning. However, if you don't have the decency to respect the game and its rules, then you shouldn't be playing it."

"Yes father…"Atem cried nodding to his father, "I'm sorry!"

His father's eyes softened as he patted his son on the head causing Atem to stop crying "That's my boy. Learn from your mistakes my son. Why did you lose? What made you lose? Figure that out and do better the next time."

Atem smiled and nodded and looked over to his mother who was now also smiling as she started to clean Nefertari up. Atem turned to his little friend and held out a hand.

"I'm sorry…I feel so ashamed for hurting you…" Atem apologized, "I won't do it again…will you please play with me again?"

"Okay…" Nefertari nodded before shaking Atem's hand "I will!"

The two parents smiled at the children proud of them both. Atem's fathers' eyes went wide when he noticed his mother's bracelet on the ground.

"Ah…let me guess our son knocked this off again?" He looked to his wife who looked shocked not realizing it was off. He bent down, grabbed it and handed it to his wife glaring at his son again.

"S-Sorry…" Atem looked down at his feet.

"This bracelet was given to your mother the day you were born by a precious friend, be more careful" He instructed his son as his son nodded in agreement.

"Atem, why don't you and Mahado go play in the courtyard…I'll take Nefertari back to her father for the evening" Atem's mother instructed. Atem looked like he was pouting.

"But I want to play again…the right way" Atem objected.

"I know, but your father being here means the meeting is over…I'm sure she'll be over another day" His mother smiled.

"Okay…" Atem pointed at Nefertari "Remember! You promised!"

Nefertari smiled and walked off with Atem's mother.

2999 years into the past

"A-Atem…" his mother said weakly holding out a hand to her son as she lay on her bed, "Come closer"

The young prince had tears in his eyes rushing up quickly to his mother's side and holding her hand tightly.

"Mom…please…don't go…" He said desperately, "I can't do this without you…"

"Y-You can…" She smiled wryly to her son, "I know it's hard…because you're my special boy…but you have to be strong for me okay?"

"What good is strength if I can't keep you here?" He said trembling with sadness.

"Oh my son…only seven and you're already so smart…" She stated, "You make me so proud…strength isn't just about keeping those close but also keeping them within your heart…"

She reached down and placed a hand over his chest. "I'll always be here with you…you'll never lose me as long as you keep me there"

"But I forget people all the time…" Atem cried letting the tears flow, "I can't keep my memories…they always just leave and leave me alone…just like you're doing now…"

"Memories are only one part of an experience with someone…" She gently rubbed his cheek to wipe away the tears, "Your heart and your feelings are the other…and those are something you'll never lose."

She slowly let her hand fall from her face and before Atem could object he looked upon his mother who no longer was breathing. The tears poured out of his eyes as he cuddled his mother's hand and cried. His father fell to his knees holding his wife's other hand weeping as well for the loss of his love.

2996 years into the past

Good, everyone was asleep. Atem quickly rounded the corner and out of the palace before the guards could see him. He made his way through the courtyard and out into the moonlit city that his father ruled.

Ever since he was born he was told to stay in the palace and never to leave. As the only heir to the throne of Egypt, he was to be monitored and protected at all times. Though he had many guardians only one person he felt close too and that was his childhood friend, Mahado. Since his mother's death Atem struggled to remember and keep people's memories, a curse he had always been plagued with. This meant many people grew tired of the young prince and drifted apart from him. He knew it was hard for him to connect with people but at the same time, Atem wanted to know his people and know what kind of state Egypt was in. He couldn't learn that within the palace walls and under constant supervision.

He put up his hood to make sure he could not be recognized easily, leaving most of his jewelry in his room back at the palace. He walked through the busy streets and was shocked to see so many people still awake. The town was more alive at night!

Selling food and items, drinking and even singing could be heard throughout the corridors of the city. He listened in on conversations about food supplies and work conditions, and even witnessed a fist fight. Atem's smile never had been bigger before tonight. He was learning so much about his people in just one evening and he knew it'd help him.

It was getting late and Atem began to grow tired. He had studies in the morning and probably shouldn't remain out too late.

"Help…someone help me!"

Atem suddenly heard a scream. He whipped his slender body around to the sound the voice was coming from. He grits his teeth and ran after the voice. All he could think about was one of his people was in trouble and he wasn't going to stand around doing nothing.

He rounded the corner to see three men towering over a slender girl. She was wearing gold earrings and had long brown hair.

"Hey!" He shouted at the three men towering over the girl, "Leave her alone!"

"Go away kid!" The tallest one shewed, "This doesn't concern you!"

"You have something we want missy…" The biggest one grabbed the girl by the throat and lifted her up, "Give me the bracelet…!"

"L-let…me go…" She choked reaching a hand out to the boy she heard earlier, "go…please…don't mess with-"

"I won't tell you again…" Atem hissed, " .now!"

"Or what?" The skinny one slinked over with a scowl on his face, "You'll throw a tantrum?"

Before Atem could react the skinny one grabbed him in the arm and raised a knife up to it. "You should've ran off kid"

"You should've listened to me" Atem interrupted and grabbed his wrist holding the knife. Using his power he bent the wrist back in such force no normal child could do, breaking the man's wrist instantly and getting a hold of the knife.

The biggest one turned around but wasn't quick enough to get a knife through the hand holding the girl deep enough to cause serious harm but not deep enough to hurt the girl. He dropped her.

"What the hell?!" The skinny one shrieked as Atem grabbed his hair and lifted his face up to look at his. Instantly the man knew who he was facing.

"prince…Atem?!" The skinny guy shook causing the other two to lose interest in the girl and face the young prince.

"…scum like you doesn't deserve to be in my father's city, or living in this world…" Atem placed his hand on the skinny man's forehead "Enjoy eternal darkness"

"No wait…prince…please!" The skinny man begged but it was too late. His lifeless body dropped to the ground as Atem let go of it and turned to the other two. Without hesitation they ran as fast as they could away from the prince. Atem sighed, clutching his head from the sudden pain. He had learned of his abilities when he was very young but still had a hard time controlling them.

"T-Thank you…" the girl said not sure what else to say to her prince.

"Are you okay…?" prince Atem asked trying to focus his mind on the girl before him instead of on his pounding headache.

"Yes…" She nodded slowly standing up and bowing to him.

"Not necessary" Atem raised a hand up, "Technically I'm not supposed to be here right now…so let's just pretend I'm a regular kid to avoid awkwardness"

"S-Sure…" She nodded breathing a sigh of relief. "My name is Nefertari"

Atem blinked before smiling at the girl. "That name…"

"W-we used to play together…" she quickly answered, "a-and my father works under yours…"

"You're Benipe's daughter aren't you…?" Atem questioned his eyes going wide, "The general in charge of building the pyramids"

"You…remember me…" She smiled at the young prince, "That makes me happy…"

"Of course I remember you…you cheat at games" Atem crossed his arms and smirked at her causing the girl to blush.

"I do not! You're just lousy at them…" She replied back quickly before gasping at what she had said.

"Ah..! Remember what I said, you're not allowed to do that" Atem shook his head, "Just be yourself"

She smiled at him warmly.

"Why were you out here by yourself?" Atem folded his arms almost pouting, "You could've been hurt"

"You wouldn't understand…" Nefertari stated puffing her cheeks out and turning away. Atem blinked in confusion.

"Why are you making that face?" Atem questioned beginning to grow irritated and letting his commanding tone slip. He noticed something sparkle in her left hand and grabbed her wrist tightly to lift it up and see it.

"O-ow..!" She winced in pain. Atem's eyes went wide when he saw the marking on the bracelet.

"T-this is…" Atem narrowed his eyes in anger, "You stole this from me?!"

"I didn't steal it! The strap broke so I was taking it to get repaired!" Nefertari snatched her hand back away from the prince. His anger consumed him and she shoved her onto the ground wrestling her for the bracelet.

"That was MY MOTHER'S" He snapped, feeling a dark rage come across him.

"S-She gave it to me…" Nefertari struggled managing somehow to shove the bigger boy off her. "Atem!"

He stopped just before hitting her in the face with his fist because she held up the bracelet facing the inside. The inscriptions on the bracelet said "to my son's companion".

He looked at her as she looked away from him trying hard to fight back tears.

"Your mom was happy you made a friend…" Nefertari sniffed unable to hold back the tears "So before she passed away…she gave me this in hopes that I'd stay your friend…but then when I came, you wouldn't play with me anymore…called me a cheater…and…and…a liar when I wasn't. You had forgotten your games…the times we played together…"

"Nefertari…" Atem's eyes went sad.

"And then…you didn't even remember my name…!" Nefertari stood up quickly and threw the bracelet on the ground at his feet, "And now you are calling me a liar again! Well fine! You can have this back…I can't keep your mom's promise anyway…It's too hard!"

Nefertari turned around quickly and began to storm off when she felt warm hands wrap around her preventing her from leaving. She froze unsure of how to feel at that moment, tears still falling from her eyes. She could hear a sniffle behind her.

"I-I'm sorry…I" Atem struggled to say his voice trembling, "I've always had…a hard time keeping my memories…m-mom knew that…and I guess…wanted someone else to keep them for me…"

Nefertari didn't respond.

"I'm different…then everyone else…" Atem clutched his eyes shut tightening his grip, "so…it's hard for anyone to stay or understand me…please…give me another chance…don't leave…"

Nefertari felt her body relax before turning around to look Atem in the eye. The boy she used to play games with when she was very little was trying to hold back tears and looked quite upset. She wasn't sure if it was a trick or not but she promised him years ago and even if he didn't remember it fully, she did.

"okay…" Nefertari finally replied picking up the bracelet as Atem's eyes went wide, "On one condition"

"Name it..!" Atem responded desperately as Nefertari placed the bracelet in his hands, "But you said…"

"You have to give me this!" Nefertari smiled, "I broke your promise already to your mom…so now, you have to make a new promise!"

"I promise I won't forget you! I'll keep you in my heart…even if my memories fail me, my heart won't! Please be my friend!" Atem asked holding the bracelet out to her with a smile on his face.

"It's a promise" She smiled taking the bracelet before hugging the boy. He smiled and hugged her back. "You should get back to the palace before your father notices…"

"Thank you Nefertari…" Atem pulled away and put his hood back up, "Tell your dad to bring you by again! I want to beat you at a game…That's my goal!"

"You can count on it and losing again!" Nefertari said shouting after the prince who ran in the opposite direction. He laughed the whole way.

2984 years into the past

Atem stirred and slowly sat up his bed, clutching his head.

"Why do I recall memories only during a dream now?" Atem questioned rubbing his eyes and sitting up in his bed. He sighed. It had been ten years since the day he first sent someone's mind to eternal darkness, beginning his path to learning and controlling his abilities. Unlike others, Atem possessed powers unique to him. When he was ten years old he used these abilities for the first time to save a friend from being hurt.

Although his head pounded like it normally did when he recalled memories through his subconscious he was smiling. It had been ten years since the day he rescued her, and ten years of solid friendship from Nefertari. He couldn't recall many memories of it, but he could feel it in his heart.

Since his father's death though and inheriting the millennium puzzle he hadn't the time for playing games like he used too. This frustrated him. He noticed it was still night time through the window and decided to leave his room.

He smirked, as always his door guards were sound asleep never able to stay awake the whole night. Most pharaohs would be angry at this as any attacker could get in and harm them. However, Atem hated people protecting him and specifically chose guards to guard his room so he could sneak around at night without being bothered. A habit he hadn't changed, even as an adult.

Just like when he was younger, he exited the palace making sure to put his hood up and take off any jewelry that'd make him instantly recognizable as the pharaoh. The only thing he kept close was the millennium puzzle which he hid under his cloak. He made sure the palace guards weren't looking and darted past them to escape into the city.

The city was the same as it always was; singing, dancing, drinking, fighting and many other activities the people partook in at night. He navigated through the city not stopping to watch or observe the people around him. He had a mission this time.

He leaned just underneath a house's window and heard rustling in the room above his head. He shut his eyes for a moment before popping up in front of the window.

Nefertari was in the midst of making her bed when she heard a noise outside her window. She whipped around clutching a candle stick that was close to her bed only to sigh when she saw what was leaning against her window sill.

"You are lucky I didn't throw this at you…" She sighed, "Why are you sneaking around tonight?"

"Sneaking around?" Atem smirked as he hopped onto the window sill and decided to sit on it, "I'm just a regular villager, enjoying a nice evening walk around the city"

Nefertari narrowed her eyes not looking impressed by Atem's reply. "You shouldn't be wandering around…"

"And if I didn't keep this habit up…you would've been attacked years ago" Atem winked as Nefertari's eyes went wide.

"You remember?" Nefertari said running up to the now pharaoh, "You remember that far back?"

"Not everything…" Atem shook his head, "But that memory came back to me this evening"

"Oh thank Ra…" She sighed in Relief not realizing she had a hand on Atem's knee "You must be happy…"

"Not as happy as you seem" Atem joked looking down at her hand on his knee. Nefertari quickly snatched her hand away blushing.

"Sorry..!" She said quickly, "I'm just…happy. I know how much your memories mean to you…"

"It would be nice if I knew why I couldn't keep them…" Atem looked away.

"Still no answers?" Nefertari asked.

"None." Atem shook his head, "I'm surprised you've stuck around so long"

"What?" Nefertari asked, "I made a promise…"

Atem smiled at her. "Thank you"

"S-Stop…" Nefertari looked away suddenly, "Anyway, thanks for telling me that. You should get back now before someone sees you…"

Atem stood up gently and walked up to Nefertari. "There's one more memory I remembered…"

"What's that?" Nefertari looked at him intently with a smile.

"You're engaged" Atem stated with no emotion.

"Ah…yes…" She sighed, "Not by choice, but it'd make my father happy. I can't dishonor him…"

Suddenly Atem grabbed Nefertari's face and pulled it against his in a kiss. Nefertari was shocked unsure of how to react to the pharaoh's movements. He slipped one hand against the curve of her back and pulled away gently before hugging her.

"You are a precious friend…" Atem spoke softly in her ear, "but I don't want you to marry someone else"

"Atem…" Nefertari said sadly, "I can't dishonor my father… He wants this marriage… and…I'm not royalty… you just don't want to lose a friend and you won't…I'll still be over to play games with you Pharaoh"

"Can't you see it's more than that?" Atem asked pulling her away from his chest only slightly so that she could see his determined expression.

"A-Atem…" She hesitated before gently touching the side of his face.

"I can't keep a hold of my memories…" Atem began, "It's a curse that I have lived with my entire life for having the abilities I do…but…I know what my heart is telling me is true"

Nefertari stared into Atem's eyes, a deep crimson that made most people's skin crawl. Atem could strike fear into the heart of Anubis himself but at the same those eyes can be the gentlest of souls. The sadness of that lonely boy who suffers from constant amnesia hid behind those gentle eyes and she always knew that.

"I know I won't lose you if you get married…" Atem stated pulling her into a strong hug, "I know that but…I won't share you, not ever again."

"Atem…in the morning you might not remember this night, or these feelings…" Nefertari tried to fight back tears, "If you claim me now and not remember…"

"That's why…we're getting married before I sleep again" He stated clutching her tightly. "Even if I forget, the feelings in my heart won't…and then everyone will know, everyone will witness it. "

Her eyes snapped open as she pushed away from the pharaoh to look at him in the eyes. "Are you…proposing to me?"

"Yes…" He smiled pulling a ring out of his pocket, "I didn't even remember I had this on me…do you think maybe my subconscious actually had this plan all along?"

"But…my father…will he choose you over the sutor he picked for me?" Nefertari looked down at her feet before Atem lifted her chin back up to look at him.

"I'm the Pharaoh of Egypt, do you really think he'd say no to me?" Atem smirked devilishly, "Like he'd choose a common boy over me"

"Besides…" Atem chuckled, "I already have everything I need, so he wouldn't need to give me anything"

"I'm serious…" Nefertari pouted.

"So am I" Atem stated calmly, smiling at her genuinely.

Nefertari grabbed Atem's face and pulled him into a kiss, tears rolling down her face. After several minutes Atem gently broke away.

"Come on, we have a busy day ahead of us"

"Wait…" Nefertari began to blush before looking back at her bed, "You don't remember but…"

"I do remember" Atem smirked, "I made sure to write that one down"

"That doesn't count as remembering" Nefertari pouted. Before she could react, Atem pushed her down on the bed.

"It's as close as I get" Atem grinned kissing Nefertari passionately.

"My hemet…" he purred into her ear making her blush immensely.

Story end.

AN: So here's a bit of explanation on the story itself and get you up to speed on some Egyptian cultures that I referenced here:
First of all "hemet" in ancient Egypt was a term that men called their "wives" or "female partners" it's still unclear 100% what the translation was, but it was the closest I could find.

Second, the marriage to another thing. In Ancient Egypt the parents and the "soon to be husband" had much more say on a marriage then the woman. So when Nefertari said it was for her father, that'd be accurate given the time period. Also when she is upset unsure if her father will accept Atem over the sutor her father chose for her, Atem acts a bit gloatingly saying he's the Pharaoh why wouldn't he get chosen over some common boy? Which again it'd be the highest form of honor in Egyptian culture to be chosen by the Pharaoh anyway.

Third about the goods, Atem mentions to Nefertari again in a joke but is actually true that then her father wouldn't have to pay him/give him anything since he already had everything. This was another common practice in Ancient Egyptian marriages.

So I had this one shot story in my head for a long time broken up into little bits. The whole premise of Yugioh is about Atem finding his memories and unlocking his full power to beat Zorc for good. What if that was a character build from the start? Atem having problems with keeping his memories because of his great power (kinda like a great weakness to his overall power house of abilities lol). I have always felt that it's a bit over powering for a character to have crazy abilities but no real side effects. Though a minor one, how angry would you be if everything that meant anything to you could be suddenly forgotten about the next day? Amnesia is a horrible illness and as it was already a part of Atem's character in the story, it wasn't hard to imagine that being part of his life too.

As for Nefertari well, you never see Atem with a lover. If you notice, all but one of my Yugioh stories have Atem getting some loving because I feel like that's a big part of life he didn't get to experience or we didn't get to see. That each story I write has a strong premise around the parts of the show we never got to experience, or only got to experience small portions. Kind of "what if" scenarios, they intrigue me the most.

I may turn this into a story one day, who knows. Right now it'll stay the series of one shots, maybe I'll add more future ones too. Nefertari doesn't necessarily have to be a direct oc, she could be an earlier form of another Yugioh character. I'll leave that up to you guys to decide (brown hair was common back then for Egypt in general). Hope you liked it and liked a little bit of my knowledge into Egyptian culture

Egypt and Ancient cultures has always been a great fascination of mine. It's probably why I love shows like Yugioh so much that touch on subjects like ancient Egypt.

Hope you like it anyhow!