Chapter seven of the alternate ending. Part 1 of the Epilogue.

Yugi: Part 1?

Yeah, there's so much to explain and write that I put the Epligoue into two parts, and then I have a funny little extra chapter... when you read it, don't blame me! I couldn't resist.

Ryou: Oh boy...

Yugi: Why has the story lengthened, yet again?

Well... people expressed their desire to have the three Dragon Knights Timaeus, Critias and Hermos involved in this somehow, I thought I'd let the three knights have their moments here.

Ryou: Well I guess that makes sense. I'm sure they'll have great moments and shine, if reviewers have been asking about them, they why not?

Exactly my point, I've been looking for an excuse to write about these three and this just happened to get thrust at me from several reviewers... so I sat down, started writing, remembered those reviews and thought "Why the hell not?" and so here we are.

Yugi: *giggle* Reviews, Amme-chan.

Oh yea! Well the first one goes out to...

Kurai-onii
Hey! I'm glad you liked the song I chose, just seemed acceptable for this situation and so it was added (Do not own!). Dartz will be having a nice death scene in this chapter, and it's going to be worse than having a head on a stake! (BTW Who wasn't singing along to that? LOL) Glad you liked it! Please review again!

BabyNinetails
Hey! You've copied and pasted my Inuyasha profile post onto yours! Awsome! *high five!* Moving on! I'm glad you liked the song, get you and your dancing! *joining in* Rex and Weevil will probably be executed, I don't think I've mentioned them explicitly, but you get the idea that they've been severly punished. You may want to read with causion at one point because there is a bit of an implied bloody death scene, excuse my french. Love the drabble mixed in with the review! Keep reviewing!

Ak
Thank you, I'll try my best.

MissKenniGurl672
Whoa! That's one of the longest reviews I've had in a while! Awsome! Yugi is a lovable parent, Atem's like his entire world now, bless them. I'm glad that you think the tendershipping was plausable (OMG I used a big word! O.o) I agree that the two just CLICK and they're a couple. Look out for some Bakura nd Ryou babies later on. Yes! A agree with Yugi forever belonging to Yami, they're just meant to be! Yugi is kick ass, what do you expect? *giggle* I'm glad you liked the song, it was a hard write, I'm not going to lie, trying not to make it too religious just encase I offended someone... it was hard.
Yeah, Yugi and Dartz used to be closer than twins, once upon a time, then something went wrong and BOOM! Disaster in the making. Yugi had to stay in character, and the Yugi we all know and love wouldn't kill his own brother not matter how evil he was. Yami's going to be fine in the afterlife now and, slight mistake, Dartz will wake up and have a trail and Capital Punishment as any other criminal, he won't be trapped in the nightmare realm forever, only when he closes his eyes too long. :) *Evil grin* Thanks for the EPIC-LY long review! It's one of my favs!

InuYoiushi
You can now see what happens next :) Yugi kicked ass, Atem's being cute and now will grow up safely, and finnally... DARTZ is going... going... going... GONE!

SangoMarie
Feel free to torture him whenever the jerk isn't in a scene! Knives, pins, icepicks, flame throwers, bombs, and any type of gun or weapon of pain is allowed! Yugi kicked ass! Now let's see him kill the guy!

Magi Magi Magician Gal
You stayed up how long to read this?! Not sure if I should be flattered or worried about you... Anyway! Yami will get his proper burial now, as a hero and Pharaoh, Dartz will be gone, Atem will grow up, we have some cute Papa-son moments coming up *heart eyes*! Also the Dragon Knight boys will be making a large appearnce in the Epilogue... Just like you inquired. *smug smile*

Phew. That's everyone!

Ryou: Wow, you got some good reivews there Amme-chan.

I know... you guys are so awsome! *throws chocolate kisses at you all* Your amazing!

Yugi: Amme-chan wants you to know that she'll be posting each part of the Epilogue one per day, but she expects everyone to review on each part, or she'll make you wait again. (She's turned sadistic! Beware!)

Yugi! Atem's crying from his room, go take care of him.

Yugi: *Runs to his baby*

Ryou: Amme-chan! That was mean!

... Sorry... Please enjoy and review, don't own etc, etc...


Dartz glared at the dungeon wall opposite him. It had been a few days, he'd been put in a cell, the dirtiest one in his opinion.

He was dirty, sore from the fight with his little brother, even if he was ashamed to admit it; Yugi was stronger than he'd given him credit for, and now he was hurting because of it. Not only that! Yugi, his 'soul-mate' was now being possessed by evil magic, the sword had cursed the green eyed man with nightmares every time he closed his eyes.

Most of the nightmares were to do with Yami Atem and Yugi…

Dartz growled in frustration. It had been a few days and now everything he'd ever worked for was being undone!

His guards were going out handing out rations to the people, rebuilding their villages and forts to plan attacks, planning treks home so that this new land would be unguarded and defended and the slaves he'd sold for an excellent price were now being returned by the shipload!

Everything was being ruined!

And it was all because Yugi had been brainwashed… Dartz sighed "I tried to protect you…" he moaned in misery.

The sound of the doors grating open was heard, Dartz looked up with a glare. The guard stood to attention "Pharaoh, Priest, Captain" he greeted with a bow.

Dartz looked up, interested at the title 'Pharaoh', and down the hallway came Yugi, Joey and Seto. Yugi had changed, he was now dressed in finery, jewels glittering on every limb and on his clothes. He still wore the cape of purple and on his head was a silver replica of the golden Pharaoh's crown.

Joey was in full armour, looking rather scary and very battle worthy, he was clean and had such a commanding aura it was odd to think he was submissive to Seto sometimes. Seto was dressed like a priest and his Millennium Rod was back in his hand, he looked sterner as High Priest somehow. Like the colours of blue brought out the ice in his glare more than his other clothes.

Yugi nodded at the guard, in his arms was a swathed bundle. "Please leave, I'll call you to return when I'm about to leave" the guard nodded and went out of the hallway. Seto and Joey stood back as Yugi went up to his brothers cell, standing half a meter away.

Dartz stood up and stood before Yugi, with only the iron bars separating them. Dartz looked Yugi up and down "Enjoying yourself are you, Pharaoh?" he sneered the title, it being a curse in his mind.

Yugi glared a little, his violet eyes steely "I will be, once I've sorted out the mess you've made. Kehmet will one day be as great as Atlantis, I'll make sure of it" Yugi said.

Dartz growled "Stupid lowlife country, it should be proud to be boosting ours"

Yugi snorted "No wonder many thing you're insane, I can't believe I didn't see it sooner" Yugi glanced down at his bundle when a small noise was heard, at once his aura changed to sweet and caring. He smiled warmly at the blanket and rocked his arms slightly "Shh… it's okay" he cooed.

Dartz had no more doubt what the bundle was "Is that… my nephew?" he asked, feeling slightly awed even though he tried hard to sound harsh and hateful, both hands now holding the bars of his cell as he tried to get a look. He shouldn't be feeling that! This baby was Yami's firstborn, Yami Atem's bastard child! A monster! A demon! A curse upon this land!

Yugi looked up at Dartz and hesitantly nodded "My son" he clarified, as if Dartz wasn't worthy enough to be called 'uncle'. Yugi looked down again "I thought you had better see the face of the future ruler, and why I've done what I've done" he moved the blanket so that the little round tanned face of the boy was revealed.

Dartz blinked, Yugi's lovely eye colour were in the boy's face, his nose was like a button as Yugi's had been when he was a babe, his hair was smothered but clearly gravity defying like his parents. Dartz blurted out the first thing he thought of "J-just like you… when you were a baby" Yugi blinked, not expecting that response from Dartz, but it seemed that Atem had the power to wrap anyone around his little fingers, even Dartz wasn't immune… "He's tiny" Dartz spoke again.

Yugi rolled his eyes "He's only one week old" he said.

Dartz raised an eyebrow, the child's size making sense, but the fact that Yugi had been running around only a few days after giving birth was rather questionable. Dartz scoffed, but the child's unnervingly steady gaze seemed to unsettle him, it made him feel… concerned for the infant, it made him sound gentler than normal "Looks just like that Vagabond…" he said disapprovingly, or he tried to, the wobble showed through mask.

Yugi smiled "I hope so. I hope Atem will be like his Father, in every way" he kissed Atem's cheek, the babe closing his eyes and wrinkling his nose in delight at the affectionate gesture.

Dartz blinked "Atem" he tried out. After so long cursing that name and shouting it in anger, it was odd to speak it normally. Dartz crossed his arms "B-brat" he decided, once again with a stutter.

Yugi glared protectively and pulled Atem closer to him, like he was protecting him from simple harsh words. Yugi looked at his son, who was staring back at his Papa with sparkling eyes, he being too young to smile yet. Yugi looked at him seriously "This man killed your Father, Atem" he spoke as if to an older child. Atem blinked and listened, even if he didn't understand he could tell it wasn't normal for his Papa to be speaking to him like this. Yugi turned Atem to face Dartz "He killed your Father, and I'll never forgive him for that, never"

Atem burped and made a cross face. Yugi cradled his son once again. Just as he was about to rejoin Seto and Joey he said "Your trail is in three days. You've been stripped of all title and royal privileges, you'll be judged as if you were a peasant. And you're likely to get death or worse" he said seriously to the man in the cage.

Dartz felt chilled. Yugi looked over his shoulder "Spend the time you have left trying to find some remorse. Because many have no pity for a heartless ruler, and I'm bound by my honour as Pharaoh to deliver the punishment decided, you'll have no help from me"

And he was gone.

Dartz slid down the wall and glared at his feet. Three days… suddenly being dirty wasn't quite as important.


Yugi bowed his head as the umpteenth witness finished their testimony. Valon was speaking from the slave's perspective, describing what happened to him on the exportation. The slaves were sent to the underwater mines and to construction sites, if they didn't do enough work they didn't get any meals, and the mines often blew up or flooded or collapsed around them. Dartz was selling them with the promise of good, cheep labour. Many hadn't come back because of the said accidents.

Yugi sighed, not one person had come forwards with good words, not even Rex and Weevil. Dartz stood proudly, arrogantly, as if he was still the King here. Yugi sat on the throne then raised a hand to ask for the testimonies to stop. "I've heard enough" he said firmly. Feeling sickened that Dartz was smirking at each testimony as if they were amusing jokes.

He stood and looked at the many witnesses "If anyone has a testimony that tells something good of this man, speak now" Not one came forwards. Yugi nodded "I thought as much. I sentence you to death, you will have three days of torture at the hands of Marik, Bakura and anyone else who wishes to have revenge on you without killing you. Then you shall be fed to the Palace Crocodiles"

Many of the court murmured in shock at the harsh punishment, but lots more expected this, Yugi was getting revenge too. Dartz paled but managed to get one more word in before he was dragged away by Joey and Mahad "You're a fool Yugi, Atlantis will rise against you for this!"

Yugi smirked slightly "Don't worry about that, I've already got it covered" he shot back, taking slight pleasure in Dartz's horror struck face.

Once Dartz was gone Yugi left the room with a quick word of thanks towards the witnesses and asked that they return home swiftly so that they wouldn't be out late at night. Seto, Ishizu and Ryou looked at each other before following Yugi to his room.

Yugi sat by Atem's cot, just watching the beautiful child sleep. Ryou knocked gently "Yugi?" he asked softly.

Yugi looked up in surprise, he smiled and left the joining room that Atem slept in to speak with him "Yes Ryou?"

Ryou hesitated before saying "Are you alright? You didn't seem yourself back there" Seto nodded from the doorway and Ishizu fiddled with her hands. The Millennium scales in a leather belt around her hips, they had chosen a new wielder. The Millennium Key had chosen Mokuba, he was estatic and had been put into training at once, Isis, Mahad and Seto all tutoring him and Ishizu to use their new powers. The Eye had yet to find an owner…

Yugi looked down slightly Ryou held his shoulders, Yugi smiled at him slightly "I just wanted him to pay… but nothing I could ever think of seemed to be enough… I'll just feel better when both he and Yami are where they are meant to be"

Yugi had taken Isis to Yami's preserved body and they had at once set about mummifying the body, after Yugi had split the glass with the glowing sword Isis had inspected Yami's body very carefully. After finding nothing decomposing she set about the normal mummifying, saying that, gods willing, his Ka would still be lingering in or near his body waiting for his body to be tended to.

Then he'd be able to rest in the afterlife forever, peacefully, and waiting for Yugi. Yugi had had one last kiss from him before allowing Isis to do what was necessary for Yami's journey to the afterlife. It was still so hard to let him go, if he had his way, he'd have held the man in his arms and never let him go. But that wasn't possible…

Seto and Ishizu nodded in understanding "Mother says it'll only be a few more days then we can place him in the Valley of the Kings" Ishizu informed, smiled slightly, feeling better now that Yami would be honoured forever as a hero.

Yugi sighed "I'm going out to the people tomorrow, there's still some things I need to do… goodnight everyone. Seto? Could I talk to you for a moment?" the tall blue eyed High Priest paused, he moved aside to let Ishizu and Ryou leave the room before facing Yugi again.

"What is it?" he asked, but not unkindly.

Yugi sighed "I have to tell you something…" and he went on to tell Seto about the side effect to the god's sword. Seto was rather passive throughout the explanation. But he made a protest when Yugi told him that it he'd never reach his twenty sixth year.

"What! But what about Atem?" he asked, his baby cousin being very important to him, Atem having added him to his collection of 'protectors' when Seto had first held him.

Yugi made a face, regretful and sad because he'd be leaving his son to fend for himself at such a young age "Well… that's why I need your help, Seto" Yugi sat down on the large bed, all his masks and fancy aura's falling away to reveal a stressed and worried young man who was facing things men twice his age couldn't compare to. Yugi smiled, his lips twitching a little "You and Mokuba will be his only living relatives when my times comes, gods willing. Could you take care of him and rule in my place until Atem's old enough?" he asked.

Seto took a step back, as if he hadn't expected that. It was seldom if ever that someone caught Seto off guard. Yugi laughed a little, finding it amusing. Seto blinked "Me?"

Yugi nodded seriously "You're a natural ruler Seto. I trust you and the other Priests to keep things in order for a few years, teach Atem all he needs to know. And you'd be the next in line anyway if Atem wasn't born and-"

Seto smirked "And if Yami hadn't named you his successor" he finished. He nodded then said "I'll do it, but I hope that you outlive that time barrier"

Yugi looked at the sword hand and said evenly. "We'll see"


Dartz slumped against the walls of his prison, he couldn't stand anymore, he could hardly move because of all the wounds. Marik and Bakura, and many others who'd asked permission, had come in and had a turn at torturing him. Bakura and Marik being the last in line, to use the old wounds to cause more pain. Every person had been given five minuets alone with him and each one had added a scar, cut, bruise or burn to his figure.

Dartz's feet had been pierced with arrow tips, his legs had so many bruises that he appeared to have purple-grey skin, his lower back and shoulders had been whipped and burnt, his chest having hieroglyphics carved into it with a hot sword tip. He was now bald, his skin blistered as he'd been put in boiling water at one point, he'd been held over fire and many other things he wished not to remember.

His left hand was the only thing remotely normal, his eyes and face swollen and everything else hardly recognisable. His right hand had four broken fingers, his nose was laying flat on one said, and one toe nail was missing entirely.

But the day had finally come. Dartz raised his head as Marik and Bakura stood outside his cell. Bakura was sneering, his scar looking haunting, Marik was glaring so hard it was like a beam of pure emotion was being fired from his eye sockets, Bakura grunted and then said "Any last requests?"

Dartz lowered his once proud head. "A pair of crutches" he decided "This is one walk I will make myself" he decided, his voice hoarse with all the screaming he's pulled off in the course of three days and nights.

Marik and Bakura exchanged a glance then nodded at the guard. Three minuets later two crutches were thrown beside the pitiful human and he was being hauled to his feet. Marik started complaining "Hurry up! The crocodiles haven't been fed for months and they're starving!"

Bakura smirked "Yes, horrible to keep them waiting isn't it?" he chuckled darkly.

Dartz shook them off and determinedly walked down the corridor and up a flight of stairs, having a break at the top, then down to the execution hall. The witness stands were full, at least four people from every walk of life was there to witness this. Yugi stood on a small stand with the priesthood around him. He looked very angelic, he wore silver in place of gold, he couldn't look grand if he tried.

Yugi saw the damage that the torture had done but didn't feel as sorry as he supposed was right. Joey held the rope and tied it around Dartz's waist. "Any last words?" he asked lowly.

Dartz nodded "Two things; let me do this" he took the rope off of him and hobbled to the edge of the pit.

Joey held his upper arm "Hang on" he warned.

Yugi spoke "For the crimes against Kehmet and it's people, your death will be today, may the gods punish you as they see fit in the afterlife" he nodded and the crocodiles were released, they crawled out slowly and snapped their jaws up at the people watching them.

Dartz sighed and looked up at his little brother with a sad smile, some remorse in his eyes at last "Forgive me Yugi" he sighed before leaning forwards and falling into the ravenous jaws of twelve hungry crocodiles.


Yugi knelt and clapped his hands with a wide smile "Come on, you can do it" he encouraged.

Atem stood on two feet, ten months old, shaking like a leaf with large eyes. Yugi was only a child's step away. Atem had grown healthily, his form still chubby and his cheeks holding lots of baby fat, but he was already showing signs of being just like Yami.

The boy's Amethyst eyes sparkled and his lower lip trembled, he reached out with both hands towards his Papa, clenching and unclenching his fists because he wanted him near, whimpering in slight childish panic when Yugi didn't come and pick him up.

Yugi smiled and stretched out too, Atem only had to take one little step and then he'd be able to scoop him up like he wanted "Come on, take a step, it's alright, I'll catch you" Yugi encouraged again, Ryou and Mokuba giggling in the background at how cute Atem was being.

Ryou had both hands over his slowly swelling stomach, relaxing into a couch with a smile, he was about five months into pregnancy, Bakura was thrilled, naturally. Mokuba was just happily being as helpful to Yugi and Ryou as he could be, but he was also one of Atem's relatives, so he often was around him.

Atem began to cry big fat tears, hiccupping in distress. Yugi hated seeing Atem cry, but he knew that he just needed a little push. "Don't cry, little man. Just one little step, I'm right here" he cooed out again, smiling widely to make Atem feel better.

Atem leaned forwards until he couldn't without losing his balance, then clumsily shifted his foot and took half a step before falling into Yugi's arms. Yugi nearly squealed in delight "You did it!" He praised, scooping up his son and cuddling him while spinning in a giddy circle in delight. "I knew you could!"

Atem just had both arms around Yugi's neck and his legs as around Yugi's torso as they could reach. He looked like a baby koala, not willing to let Yugi go so he could torment him just out of reach again. Atem's hair was standing up and star shaped like Yami's now, but he had Yugi's adorable pout.

Ryou cheered and Mokuba skipped around Yugi singing "He did it! He did it!" over and over, the Millennium Key bouncing on his chest.

Atem looked up and Yugi and his little round face saw Yugi's large smile and he smiled back, "Gee" he mumbled, Yugi laughed, Atem made little syllable noises and they normally didn't mean anything, you had to listen to his tone. Apparently he was feeling a little confused but happy. Atem's tiny hands touched Yugi's face, patting his eyes and cheeks.

Yugi laughed again "Okay, okay, that's enough" Atem's little fists stayed over his eyes "Atem, I can't see" he complained. Atem just giggled. Yugi reached up with one hand and pulled one fist off his eye and looked at him "What's so funny little man?" Atem just burst into hysterical giggles.

Ryou began laughing too, baby laughter being infectious. Mokuba laughed because they were laughing and Yugi joined in. Atem leaned forwards for a cuddle and kept laughing. Yugi cuddled him and sat down. Seto and Joey peeped through the door "What's so funny?" Joey asked. He only got four sets of renewed laughter as his reply.


Yugi arrived in Atlantis when Atem was one year and two months old, he could walk and was getting rather heavy to carry around, but both Papa and son loved to cuddle so they still made room for that. Atem clung to Yugi's side, he was bundled up a little more than normal, only wearing a child's tunic in Kehmet as it was warmer.

He had black trousers and a light green long sleeved top with tiny fur ruffs at the collar and wrists. He had a little gold circlet around his head, going across his forehead and around to his nape, to show he was royalty, Yugi having his crown of silver (Atlantis's royal metal) as his royal symbol.

All around him, as he walked into the Palace, guards smiled in recognition, they were glad that Yugi had returned happy and healthy. Atem was perched on Yugi's hip, clinging to him like a baby monkey, he turned his head into Yugi's shoulder and chest whenever he was stared at.

Yugi sighed as he looked around the pretty marble-white-gray Palace he'd grown up in, green gardens and plants and blue jewels and patterns marked the walls and floor. All linking to dragons or the sea in some way.

Yugi had come with Ryou, Bakura and Ishizu, everyone else was sorting out Kehmet still, Yugi had returned with all the Atlantian guards, making him instantly popular as he'd freed and returned lots of good men. Ryou nodded at the guards and servants respectfully but mostly kept to himself.

Yugi handed Atem to Ryou, Ryou having to adjust because he was around eight months pregnant now. He'd wanted to be in Atlantis for his child's birth because Atlantis was always going to be a special place to him. Bakura took Atem when Ryou struggled and nodded at Yugi, Atem instantly smiled, albeit evilly but it was still rather adorable, he reached up with cubby hands and began playing with Bakura's hair. Ryou giggled and Ishizu shook her head fondly, Atem pulled two locks up making bunny ears on top of Bakura's head. Bakura glared, but Atem was immune to that look and kept fiddling.

Yugi chuckled before opening the large oak doors. Inside was a large room with a table like a half moon, facing the half moon, on the opposite side, was a throne. It was the counsel and it was in full session. The men all jumped up in shock and stared at Yugi "Prince Yugi!" they exclaimed.

Many bowed but others were too shocked "We thought you were in Kehmet"

Yugi nodded "I was, Dartz is dead. I'm the new King here" he said bluntly. Some of the men gasped.

"Who killed our King?" an old man demanded, slamming his hand on the desk.

Yugi looked far away for a moment "I did" there was deathly silence. Yugi came back to himself "But he had pushed me to that, his madness was too destructive. He killed Yami, Ruined Kehmet and intended to kill my son" Many of the old men shook their heads in denial. Others nodded sadly, knowing all along what had happened.

Yugi moved to the large throne and sat himself on it, he smiled at his friends "Please come over here, I'll need you help" he said to the three outside.

Ryou put Atem down and the boy held onto Ryou's hand tightly while he made his way to his Papa, the councilmen stared at him and Atem felt frightened. He picked up the pace and clumsily ran to Yugi's open arms, burying his head into Yugi's shoulder. Bakura intimidated the corrupted men with his scarred eye and danger handy belt, while Ishizu made them wary, they had herd of the powers of the Millennium scales. Ryou was a face many recognised and a few smiled at, Ryou's large stomach making a few gasp in amazement or delight.

A councilman stood up and pointed at Atem "My Pr- I mean, My King, is that…"

Yugi patted Atem's shoulders as he tried to hide from the pointing finger, Yugi nodded "This is my son. Yami's child" Yugi pressed a kiss to Atem's temple, the child smiling at once at the gesture, then hiding once again as soon as he realized that the strange men were still staring at him.

One young man, a servant of the Palace who was also able to translate hieroglyphics, leaned forwards and chuckled "Man he's cute" he said with a grin. He had green eyes and black hair held back with a reddish headband.

Yugi nodded at him with a small smile. "I have some serious matter to talk about with you, for one; was the slave trade and everything else Dartz's idea or did you suggest it?"

All the men instantly denied it. Ishizu was ready, her scales dropped dramatically and the truth ran through her mind "They wanted Dartz to be so distracted with Kehmet that they'd be able to take it over and rule Atlantis themselves" she said, her face disgusted.

Yugi nodded "I thought as much, who's innocent?" he asked.

Several men said so, Ishizu shook her head "There is only one innocent one here" she pointed at the servant with green eyes. "He had no idea what was going on, and when he did he altered the words he was translating to try and keep both kingdoms safe"

The servant looked nervously at the men who were glaring at him. Yugi stood up, Bakura pulled a dagger out and growled to warn them. Yugi smiled at the servant "What's your name?" he asked.

The servant blinked "Duke, your highness" he said promptly.

Yugi gestured for him to stand next to him, Duke did so but slightly nervously, Yugi said quietly "I'll talk with you as soon as I've dealt with things here" Ryou put a hand on Duke's arm when the man tensed up worriedly, Duke saw the friendly smile and relaxed. Yugi glared at the counsel "You've betrayed this country, leave the Palace. Ishizu will question you on spies and other crimes, and if you are still here in three day's time I will have you thrown out" he said before turning to Ryou "Let's go to our rooms"

Ryou nodded and Bakura touched his shoulder before moving to help Ishizu. Duke followed Yugi and Ryou out of the room. Yugi smiled at Duke "You were very brave to do that" he said.

Duke scratched the back of his head nervously. "W-well, I had a friend in Kehmet who died because of Dartz… I wanted to make things as difficult as possible for them all" he admitted.

Yugi sighed and Ryou looked sympathetic "I'm so sorry"

Yugi cheered up a little "But, since I have not counsel now, I'll need to start a new one, would you be interested Duke?"

Duke gasped "Me? Bu- I mean… why me? There's other nobles out there" he gestured to the rest of the Palace.

Yugi rolled his eyes and snorted, Atem also pulling a face, just copying Yugi really but it looked really cute. "That may be true, but they'll all be corrupt just like the others, you know who the counsel works since you've spent so much time in there, you've lived the life of a citizen so I know you'll look out for them more than the nobles and you tried to protect Kehmet and Atlantis from Dartz" Yugi smiled "You seem the stable and ideal type for this"

Duke stuttered a little more then clamed down enough to say "I'd be honoured" with a low bow.


Yugi and Ryou had gone to their old room and as soon as Yugi set Atem down on the floor he wandered off to look at all the new things in this large room. Yugi chuckled at the sight of Atem examining a fireplace, there not being any need for one in Kehmet, and the glass windows was rather cute.

Ryou sat himself down on a sofa and put his feet up, he relaxed and sighed "Gosh, this baby's getting heavy"

Yugi smiled at him and then bit his lip worriedly "You're a lot larger than I was… and your baby seems to hurt you more when it kicks…"

Ryou snorted "It's Bakura's, that's why the little one is so strong" he winced as the baby kicked again. "Ouch… anyway, Yugi, what you getting at?"

Yugi made a face and then just decided to speak his mind "Are you sure it's just the one?"

Ryou blinked in shock, the thought not having crossed his mind before. He glanced at his stomach and rubbed his hands over it anxiously. "I don't know Yugi" he said at last, his eyes were a little scared "You're the only boy who's done this before… what happens if this is a sign that the baby's not healthy" Ryou began to cry silently.

Yugi at once was next to him, remembering from his own pregnancy that every little thing, even if it was just a 'what if', seemed the end of the world. The hormones were one thing that Yugi had been very subjected to. "Don't be silly, it just means that the baby's going to be a good size when it's born, Atem was smaller than average, Isis told me when he was born"

The two looked at Atem who was tapping the glass of the balcony doors with a confused expression and pout. The two parents chuckled, Ryou sniffed "What a sweetie"

Yugi hummed in agreement "Atem!" he called.

Atem looked over his shoulder with wide but sparkling eyes, Papa was talking to him! Yugi knelt down and opened his arms "Come here little man" he called. Atem smiled radiantly and ran, slightly clumsily, into Yugi's waiting arms, Atem's own pair of limbs wrapping around Yugi's neck.

Yugi sat up still hugging his son. Atem waved at Ryou over Yugi's shoulder, Ryou laughed and waved back "Hey there"

Yugi set Atem down and gave him a kiss on his cheek "I guess your going to have to get used to a few new things around here"

Atem wrinkled his nose cutely and Yugi couldn't help but rub it affectionately with his own. Atem smiled and made himself comfortable in Yugi's hold. Yugi smiled at Ryou "If Atem turned out better than perfect" Ryou nodded, agreeing because Atem was one in a million "Then your baby will be too, better than perfect" he repeated, squeezing Ryou's hand.

Ryou smiled and squeezed back "Thank you Yugi"


A week later, Yugi's new counsel was set up, Atem was understanding where the glass doors were and how to recognise them, so he wasn't always running into them and Ryou was just about due. Ishizu barely left his side, she was the only person in Atlantis with experience in male childbirth, so that was another reason Yugi asked her to be here. She had to educate the healers here on what to do in this similar but different situation.

Yugi was walking along a corridor near the Palace courtyard, Duke was with him, explaining some problems and possible solutions that had been the main topics of the counsel lately. But they also talked about everyday matters as friends would.

Duke sighed "Many nobles don't like that the slaves have been returned to Kehmet and want to re-establish the trade"

Yugi snorted "That's never going to happen, I'd never sell out my own people"

Duke nodded "That was decided, but I have a suggestion that may work" he began explaining an idea to have servants to hire, because this would help the farmers and the rich. Yugi pointed out that they wouldn't like the idea of paid work and Duke just laughed "They'll get used to it, and it'll give them something to spend their wealth on"

Yugi agreed, a sudden scuffling noise and some preteen shouts made the young King pause and looked around the corner into the sunspot courtyard. Yugi gasped slightly.

Three young boys, no older than thirteen at the most, were loitering in the dusty courtyard. One was dressed in brown trousers and a green top, he was wrestling a boy with navy trousers and a red top, they were shouting playfully as they fought. The third was leaning against a pillar with a half bored half fail expression, as if he was embarrassed for the two mucking about. He had light brown trousers and a dark blue top.

The blue one had a sword in his hand and there was some fake armour next to the three. Two discarded swords the clearly belong to the two wrestling boys were off to one side. But that wasn't what made Yugi gasp in shock. The three had a startling resemblance to Seto, Joey and… Yami.

Yugi quickly went over dates in his head, that Yami look alike looked about fourteen or thirteen years old, Yami had only been dead for one year, so incarnation was out of the window…

Duke looked back and saw Yugi staring at something "Highness?" he asked as he stood beside him.

Yugi glanced up at Duke before pointing to the three barely-teens. "Who are those boys?" he sounded calm, but in truth he was a little shaken.

Duke glanced at them and smiled "Our three rising stars; Hermos, Critias and Timaeus. Knights in training, some old retired knight found them living in ditches about five years ago when they were about nine, the old man raised them and taught them everything he knows about the Knighthood" Duke made a face and sighed through his nose "About three months ago these three turned up on the Palace doorstep with a handwritten letter from the old Knight"

Yugi looked at Duke, interested. Duke continued after a moment of thought "It was a letter asking for the captain to take them in and train them, it described their skills and, even I have to admit, they've given the captain a run for his money a few times" he chuckled.

Yugi looked back at the boys, "Which is which?" he asked.

Duke pointed "The one in a blue shirt is Critias, a very serious and strategic knight, he takes time to study past battles and fighting forms to improve himself" Duke laughed "The one in a red shirt is Hermos, a bit more mouth and luck than skill, but he's very good at improvising and can think on his feet when the moment calls for it" There was only one child left "And the one in the pale green shirt is Timaeus, he's very talented with swords and the bow, a mixture of his friends because he's playful but serious at the same time. He's a very nice kid, has this silly idea that it's the people first and the higher ups later, that's gotten him into trouble in the past" Duke commented thoughtfully.

Yugi chuckled "Souls of honour" he commented.

They weren't exactly like his Kehmetian friends, there were quite a few differences- age for one- but there were lots of similarities in face and personality. Hermos, who looked a bit like Joey, had brown hair and yellow eyes, but had the same goofy grin, temper, laugh and sharp tongue that his older look alike was. Critias, who looked like Seto, had blond hair the colour of barley and eyes like sun-paled lavenders but clearly a similar temper and the same seriousness. Timaeus looked the most similar to his look alike, only he had pale skin, darkish blue-purple eyes, and his hair had turquoise green-blue in place of blond bags and lightning strikes, also the tips of his hair were dark blue very similar to his eyes. He seemed carelessly handsome and nice, but playful and challenging too.

Yugi smiled suddenly and then looked at Duke "Please go on ahead of me, I just want to talk with them" Duke nodded and went off as he was told.

Yugi moved out of the shadowed corridor and began to make his way over to them.

"Hermos! Stop acting like a rabid alley cat and do it properly!" Critias shouted at him, clearly angry. Seto's temper…

Hermos scoffed "Shut it, book-boy! I'm doing it as best I can do, you do realise this is three levels above what we're actually meant to know" the brunette-Joey snapped back, his sword clanging against the floor as he dropped it in frustration.

Timaeus nodded "Don't you think we're pushing this too much, Critias, this is very advanced. I'm not sure that we're ready, and your taking all the fun out of this" Timaeus pointed out, sounding a little whiny but mostly friendly, leaning on his sword as if it was a ledge, the tip in the ground.

Critias glared at him "Well I, for one, want to get ahead so we'll be knighted. If we already know this complicated stuff we'll have to be chosen" he reasoned, longing lanced into every word.

Hermos sat up "That's true, but this is going too far, I'm so full of before dawn practice sessions that I'm not getting breakfast" he clutched his stomach and made a face of horror.

Timaeus chuckled "We can't wake up the cooking staff just because we're up early and expect a six course breakfast" he noogied Hermos's hair with one fist "It's not exactly fair on them" he reasoned.

Yugi chuckled, the three boys jumped and finally realised that someone was approaching "They did tell me you thought of others first" Yugi said.

The three gasped and bowed on one knee "King Yugi" they coursed.

Yugi smiled "Raise my young knights, I just want to talk" he smiled warmly all the while to try and make them relax. They stood up but you could tell that they were nervous, they only made glancing eye contact. Yugi smiled at them "I've been hearing lots of good things about you three, you sounded so nice and talented that I had to meet you" Yugi lied slightly, but they seemed happier now.

Hermos smiled "Good things? Half the time we're getting scolded by someone"

Timaeus rubbed the back of his head "Yeah… most of the time that's my fault… stupid nobles, ah! No offence your Highness" he added, slightly scared that he'd get punished.

Yugi just laughed "They are rather stupid, I'll agree with you on that one, but count yourself lucky you don't have to put up with them day after day, all they want is for things to go back to how they were when Dartz was around" The three nodded solemnly. Yugi waved a hand dismissively and smiled again "How long have you been training for the Knighthood?"

Their eyes all lit up, it was their dream that was for sure. They all babbled at once then shut up to let the other have a turn, then started it again. Yugi laughed and they all joined in, happy carefree laughter, it was nice. Timaeus smiled at last "We're aiming for the Dragon Knighthood"

Yugi blinked "Dragon?" he'd grown up with the legends, Dragons were known as the mystical guardians of Atlantis, and as they were so highly valued this 'Dragon' level of knighthood was the highest you could get. There had only been about eleven people in all of Atlantian history that had achieved that, all of them had been doing a great deed like saving the entire country from disaster, or saving the royal family.

Hermos nodded "Those knights sound so awesome!" he jumped around in a circle, Timaeus smiling brightly at his attitude while Critias looked at him flatly, Hermos grinned at Yugi "We're going to get to that level! I can feel it!"

Yugi nodded and messed his brown hair a little "I wish you luck" he said.

Timaeus threw his head back and laughed "Hermos is the luckiest of all of us, he doesn't need to be wished anymore, Highness" Timaeus trailed off when he saw Yugi staring at him with an almost pained expression. Timaeus looked over his shoulder, confused. "Highness?" he asked.

Yugi blinked and woke up, he shook his head and smiled again, only it was a little sadder. "Forgive me" he said as he reached out and gently touched Timaeus' temple "You… you remind me of someone I used to know" he explained softly.

Before the three boys could ask Duke came running back into the courtyard "My King!" he shouted, Yugi turned, his right hand clenched to brig out the sword if it was bad. Duke leaned on his knees and panted "My King… the… Lord Ryou… has gone into… childbirth" he gasped out.

Yugi jumped "Ah! Where is he?"

Duke gestured behind him "On his way to the healers rooms"

Yugi nodded, he turned and smiled at the boys "I'm sorry I have to run off, I hope that I'll see you soon" he said and hurried off to find his friend. The three young knights exchanged smiles.

"He's rather nice" Hermos said, brushing his hair back into place absentmindedly.

Critias nodded "He is, he's not like those other nobles"

Timaeus smiled "Of course he wouldn't be! He's a hero! Just like the Pharaoh Yami Atem, we've got to be as great as they are one day" Critias and Hermos nodded and they made a small pact to one day be as brave as their idols.


I know I'm being mean by cutting it off there, but I have no choice, or this chapter would have been about thrity pages long! Part 1 complete! PArt 2 will include; more Yugi-Atem-Papa-Son cuteness, Ryou and Bakura's babies, Yugi being awsome, Atem and Timaeus becoming brothers, Knight boys being EPIC, Yami's ghost and, unfortunately, Yugi's passing.

Yugi: Yami's ghost?

Spoilers! I'm not saying one thing more!

Ryou: I'm going to be a parent!

:) *hugs him* yup! And you're going to be sooooo proud! Please review, nice long ones because this is a long chapter, I'll update the second part within 48 hours or less depending on NUMBER of Reviews and LENGTH of reviews.

Meaning; the more and longer they are, the more likely I'll update faster. Please give them to me! This was epic!