Full summary: Atem is a warrior; part of an alien race called the Nip`ita. He is sent to Earth to retrieve two powerful pendants that are needed by his race. What happens when he finds someone he didn't expect... and falls in love? AtemxYami. Yaoi. Rating will eventually be bumped up to M.
A/N: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. Hope you all enjoy chapter one.
Important note: I will update weekly, and if I'm feeling generous, then maybe sometimes twice a week; but only if I get a lot of reviews :)
Warning: This fic is going to be MONARCHSHIPPING, YAOI, AtemxYami. Just so ya'll understand that!
"Hello" - human talkie.
"Hello" - Alien language talkie.
'Hello' - thoughts.
~Chapter One~
Atem was led with a group to a maze-like room. He glanced around hesitantly, and then his eyes rested on the trainer in front of them.
The trainer nodded his head in greeting, "Hello, welcome to your first challenge. You will be sent into the maze in groups of ten. Two of you will be selected from each group depending on who scores the highest – the chosen two will be submitted for advanced training whereas the rest of you will have to redo the course. Your aim is to shoot as many bulls-eye targets as you can that will randomly pop up. Are there any questions?"
Atem glanced slightly around to see everyone looked passive.
"No questions? Then please, do enter."
The group filtered into the room and spread out through the many pathways of the maze. Atem looked down at the laser gun he'd been handed and then glanced around the walls. He could hear the screech of others soldiers' laser guns as they were already going off. He frowned and began running through the maze, so far not finding any targets.
He growled slightly and stopped before hearing a slight ping from behind him; he turned quickly and pulled the trigger, hitting the target that had appeared on the wall. He blinked; then continued searching the maze for more targets.
The time limit of 60 seconds was counting down and Atem was starting to feel as though he was failing, having only hit about twelve targets so far. He was sure, from the whirling sounds from round the corners that other soldiers had hit at least thirty or more. He cursed silently as he found himself at a dead end though did a double-take when three targets appeared at once.
He speedily shot them and more appeared. He smirked, shooting the next round again and again.
A buzzer sounded, signifying the last ten seconds of the training and he found himself struggling to shoot all the targets that appeared in time.
The lights went up when the countdown hit zero and all the soldiers were ordered to exit. Atem found his way out and checked the score board, silently fretting he'd come last. His eyes widened in surprise when he found he'd come second out of the ten that had entered. Cherre had come first; he caught her smirking prideful and she glanced at him momentarily to wink.
The trainer rose to the podium and read out the list of the two highest scoring soldiers in each group and then motioned for them to pass through to the next room.
As they walked, Cherre turned to Atem, "Nice going, Atem. For a moment I thought I wouldn't be seeing you in the next round."
Atem glanced at her, then to his feet, shook his head and replied "For a moment, so did I."
Cherre chuckled.
10 Nip`itarian years later.
Atem dashed back onto the Nip`itarian ship along with one hundred and ninety nine other soldiers. He'd completed yet another mission whilst one of the Peacemakers and done what they had to do. He reached the ship and walked down the hallways which were crowded by many other Nip`itarians.
"Atem!" He heard his name being called; and he recognised the voice instantly as Cherre's. He didn't stop walking, though he slowed momentarily so Cherre could catch up.
"Cherre", he greeted curtly; though he couldn't waste much time. He was in a hurry; he had been contacted by one of the Peacemakers and told to report to the throne room after his latest mission. He was extremely nervous, wondering if he'd done anything wrong. It must be tremendously important if he was to present himself before the King of their race. The King's name was Posvya; and he ruled over the entire population of Nip`itarians.
"What's up, Atem?" She asked informally as she came to his side, following him down the hall.
"I was asked to attend to the throne room", was all Atem said. Cherre must have sensed his anxiousness because she then replied.
"It can't be for anything you've done wrong. You must be the most law-abiding soldier there is... at least in my opinion." Cherre tried to calm his nerves but it simply wasn't working.
Atem nodded slightly to Cherre as they walked their separate ways; he entered the elevator which sent him to one of the upmost levels of the ship. He received dirty looks from many of the higher rank Nip`itarians for simply wandering around. The soldiers only dwelled on the lower levels of the ship and their presents in the higher levels of the ship were made out to be quite unpleasant.
Atem continued his way, noting the signs leading to the throne room. He finally came up to large double-doors that were sharply secured by five highly-ranked guards.
Atem reached the door and was glad to see that the Peacemaker whom had told him to report there earlier was waiting for him. This made things a whole lot easier for Atem and the reassuring smile on the Peacemaker's face definitely did well to calm Atem's senses.
"Glad you made it; you're going to have to drop your weapons here as a precaution though."
Atem did as the Peacemaker told him and stripped himself of all weapons which were taken away by servants. Atem noticed out or the corner of his eye on the Peacemakers tag, his name was Gek. It would be useful to know.
Atem nodded his head to the Peacemaker as he was led through the double-doors. He kept his head bowed; not daring to look up into the Kings eyes for fear of being thrown in the dungeons.
When Atem was no longer led by the Peacemaker, he stopped and bowed low to his superior.
"Stand, soldier", the King's booming voice spoke and Atem did so without hesitance.
"Do you know why you are here, soldier?" The King questioned, though his voice was not demanding.
Atem swallowed and breathed slowly before raising his head slightly; "No, sir. I apologise if I have strayed from the rules and I accept any fate that you place upon me."
There was a soft chuckle throughout the room; even the Peacemakers seemed amused. Atem frowned slightly, glancing at each of them before lowering his head again.
"Relax; soldier, for you have done nothing wrong. In fact, you've done so much right."
Atem looked up in surprise. "Your attitude and behaviour have been closely monitored for a while. Your determination in battle has been noticed. I have called you here to promote you from soldier to 'retriever'."
Atem's eyes were wide – surely he must be dreaming! He bowed again, "I feel honoured to be promoted, your majesty. But please, if I may ask, what is my job as a 'retriever'?" Atem felt hesitant to ask, but otherwise he would be completely clueless.
"A 'retriever' is one of the topmost highest ranks. They are on the same level as Peacemakers and their jobs are just as important. Like I said before, your skills have been noticed. For many years we have travelled the universe, looking for special, valuable object, more commonly known as pendants. In total, there are two hundred in existence – we have collected one hundred and ninety eight. There are two more left to retrieve. And that, Warrior, is your job. We have the location of the remaining two; it is your job to collect them." The King explained patiently; Atem's eyes widened more with each word the King spoke; he couldn't believe this was happening to him; he felt entirely ecstatic.
"T-thank you, my King!" Atem gasped; bowing once more.
The King's eyes narrowed slightly, "You must understand the importance of your position. The pendants are highly important to our ancestors. They were scattered across the universe by our ancient enemies. We must collect them to stop the imminent feud between our last enemies. Now, listen carefully; the pendants have the appearance of a small, golden, triangular prism. They rest in your hands now."
Atem nodded and bowed once more, "I understand, my King, I shall do whatever it takes to retrieve the remaining two pendants."
"Warrior 6850; Retriever, Atem; your mission begins tomorrow; for that is when we shall be landing. If you have any worries or questions, you shall be referred to this Peacemaker; his name is Gek."
"Yes, your majesty, and thank you for this opportunity to prove my eternal loyalty", he bowed once more and was led out.
Gek glanced at him with a smirk, "You handled that well", he spoke.
Atem smiled at him, "I don't think it has sunk in entirely yet..." he couldn't help the small chuckle that passed his lips.
Gek grinned, "We'll get you your new uniform and talk you through tomorrow's mission. Then you may travel back down to the lower levels and bid the soldiers a farewell; collect your belongings and return here."
Atem nodded; he couldn't wait to tell Cherre the good news.
~End of Chapter 1~
A/N: Hope you enjoyed that chapter! Read and review and I should have the next chapter up soon!
