After turning ten and going somewhere with his father, Atem changed a little. No one was quite sure why, but he became more focused on his studies and training. He and Seto, a boy who came around six months after Princess Serenity and Atem were told that they were engaged and who was training to become High Priest while being Atem's good friend, trained together most of the time. Even as the years passed, Seto could never beat Atem while training in martial arts. During her visits in Egypt, Atem and Serenity would be together, getting to know one another more. Eventually the two fell in love, which the Pharaoh and Queen Serenity could see since it was perfectly obvious.
When Atem was sixteen and Serenity was fifteen, the Pharaoh got deathly sick and called for his son and the princess. Princess Serenity went straight to Egypt after hearing the news. Atem was with his father who was telling him what happened to him all those years ago. Tears fell down Atem's face as the Pharaoh finished the story.
"She... died... for me to live?" Atem asked, his father nodded.
"Neither I nor Nyna could bare to see you die, our only child. She was desperate and that was the outcome she found, and she was happy to do it if it meant saving you." Atem looked down. "Do not grieve for her or blame yourself, it was not your fault. It was your mother's choice."
"I know, but I... hardly remember her." He looked up when he felt his father's hand on his shoulder. "I don't think I'm ready to be Pharaoh father..."
"You are, trust me." The Pharaoh smiled at his son. "I am so proud of you." Then Princess Serenity came into the room, walking over. Atem looked up at her as she stood by his side, concern and sadness in her beautiful blue eyes.
"Pharaoh..." She began, but the Pharaoh raised his hand and she closed her mouth.
"Serenity, Atem, is it alright if I see you marry now? It is something I wish to see before I leave this world." He asked, then coughed. Atem looked up at Serenity who gave a reassuring nod and held his hand.
"It is alright with me, it's the least I can do for all your kindness towards me and my kingdom." Serenity said and Atem nodded.
"It's your wish father, we will see it done. Besides, I don't think we need any more encouragement." Atem said and the Pharaoh chuckled a little.
"That I know." He said with a smile. Serenity went back to the moon to get ready while Atem got ready as well. No one knew exactly when their king would die, but they knew he didn't have much time left. Princess Serenity came back ready with her guardians and her mother, who left Sailor Neptune, one of the Out Guardians, in charge for a bit.
The ceremony ended after hours, Queen Serenity and the guardians going back to the moon. Venus sighed softly.
"What are we supposed to do now?" She asked. Mars rolled her eyes.
"Protect the Silver Millennium, like always." She replied, a moon apple in her hand.
"I know that Mars! I mean, can we see THEM again?" Sailor Venus and the other four guardians had found loves of their own, knights on Earth. Mars blushed a little.
"I'm sure we can. Ah! We fell behind!" She gasped and they ran to catch up with Mercury and Jupiter. Serenity watched them leave and sighed. Atem put his hand on her shoulder and smiled a little. She smiled back and nodded a little. They went to check up on the Pharaoh who's time was coming to a close. Atem stayed by his father's side until the end.
"I will see you again father." Atem said in a near whisper as his father died. He and Serenity personally saw that Pharaoh Aknamkanon was properly prepared for the afterlife and placed in his tomb. A day later, Atem was made Pharaoh with Serenity as his queen. They ruled for a good two years, keeping the peace Atem's father started, before he was challenged by the Thief King Akifa in their own palace.
Atem glared at Akifa, the Millennium Puzzle around his neck, the Pharaoh's symbol. High Priest Seto gripped his Millennium Rod in one hand.
"How dare you just burst in here!" Seto glared at Akifa who just smirked.
"I can't say hello to the Pharaoh and Queen Serenity?" He asked, giving a mock bow.
"What do you want?" Atem asked in his usual deep voice, though he was doing his best to remain calm. "It better be good, otherwise I can throw you into prison right here and now!" Akifa 'looked' hurt, but it was obviously fake.
"I'm hurt, but by that attitude, I assume you know who I am."
"Yes, I do Thief King Akifa." The Pharaoh replied, getting a little annoyed. Serenity put her hand on his arm.
"Husband." She looked at Atem and he relaxed.
"I'll ask you again, why are you here?" Atem asked again which earned a smirk from Akifa. And that's when everything went wrong. Akifa summoned the monster made from his darkness, Diabound, a giant being that looked like a humanoid mixed with a snake. The Priests did what they could, but Akifa pulled another trick. He pushed Atem's father's sarcophagus to them and Atem gasped, running over, putting a hand on the sarcophagus.
Serenity stood up with a gasp. She knew how disrespectful is was for Akifa to do something like this. Atem clenched his fists and stood. He saw how strong Diabound was and summoned one of the gods that saved him as a child.
"I call on the God of Obelisk! Obelisk the Tormentor, come forth!" He shouted, reaching his hand into the air. He summon the god and everyone gasped in amazement and a little bit of fear. Akifa escaped and the war began. Atem turned to Serenity and went over to her, kissing her before turning away.
"Mahad, get Serenity back to the moon!" He ordered and went to face Akifa.
I don't want her in the middle of a war, I couldn't bare it if she got hurt. She'll be safe on the moon until this is over. He thought as he chased after Akifa, Slifer flying above him.
"ATEM!" Serenity screamed before Mahad brought her back to the moon as Atem told him to before going to join the fight and protect his Pharaoh and friend.