Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, except for imaginary names. Some of the names of the characters are from historical figures.

Chapter 1: The beginning to everything ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was a bright October day, in which the Theban sun shone brilliantly over

Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt. On that fateful day, Hatshepsut discovered an infant,

who was abandoned or lost, lying among the papyrus. With the heart of a mother, her

first instinct was to take the child as her own. She also noticed a charm around the child's

neck that wrote the name Ithelia in hieroglyphics. She immediately knew that the child

was not Egyptian by descent. As a matter of fact, her name suggested that she was born

into the family of Egypt's enemy. How the child or her family ended passing by Thebes,

Hatshepsut never knew, but now she has a child. Excited by her find, she took the baby

back to her husband Tuthmosis, the military commander to the current pharaoh,

Akunamukanon. Tuthmosis was glad that he finally has a daughter, for he had a son

while he desired for a son and a daughter. Now that his wish was granted, he was

concerned of the child's name. And since then, the baby was renamed Edjo.

Akunamukanon had a son named Atem. He was a unique child for he had spiky

and tri-colored hair, very unusual for an Egyptian. As a boy he often played with Seto, a

boy who was about to his age. Since they practically grew up together, they became

inseparable friends. As the years passed, Atem became tired of the palace life. He often

desired for a life outside of this royal prison. He dreamed of a day where he spent his

time with commoner's children. What is the world like outside? He often thought.

Unfortunately, as a prince who would eventually rule Egypt one day, his chances for the

outside world were restricted.

Fifteen years had elapsed since the discovery of Edjo. She is now a rather

fair girl who was known for her wisdom. In fact, she was very capable for her

young age. She was almost as independent as an adult. One of the things that she was

fond of was a certain Shadow Game she constantly hear from her parents. She heard that

it was the pharaoh's favorite pastime game, and she would very much appreciated if she

could learn how to play it, since it was consented by the pharaoh himself.

"Father, could you elaborate on the Shadow Game for me?" Edjo asked her father one

day.

"The Shadow Game? Why ask on such thing? While, I heard that it was created and

played by the priests for power. Over the years, the pharaoh has made it as a game. But it

still serves as a key for power. Monsters carved on tablets were used for attack, while

other tablets were made for magic and trap properties. Back in the days of its origin, the

first person to run out of his ba loses, and is banished." Her father replied, not knowing

why his daughter would ask such thing.

"Such a dark origin, no wonder it's called the Shadow Game." Edjo replied with a look of

disgust, though she was still fantasized it.

"Oh it was dark. As the pharaoh's military commander, I remember the days when it was

used for dark purposed because I had to engage in a duel with these Shadow Monsters."

Tuthmosis said if remembering an old memory.

"You actually played the Shadow Game? Could you please teach me how play then

father, since it is now just a game, while kind of." Edjo replied with enthusiasm.

"While I don't see why not, but after your studies." Her father simply replied.

"Oh my dear father, I already know mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and warfare (her father is a military commander after all). I also know how to read hieroglyphs, hieratic,

and demotic. What more do I need to study?" Edjo asked disdainfully.

"You are a nobleman's daughter. An abundance in knowledge sets you apart from

commoners." Tuthmosis replied.

"Oh very while, but you promise that you will teach me how to play the Shadow Game?"

Edjo asked questionably.

"Of course, I'm your father. I keep promises to my children." At these words, Edjo

returned to her chamber to continue her studies. Tuthmosis remained where he was. He

gave a sigh, remembering how much his adopted daughter had grown in fifteen years.

Soon she would be married, but who should her spouse be? She certainly doesn't deserve

a fool was Tuthmosis's thought.

Notes:

Hatshepsut: one of Egypt's female pharaohs Tuthmosis: Hatshepsut's stepson, and Egypt's greatest military pharaoh (Tuthmosis III) Edjo: Egyptian serpent goddess, protector of Lower Egypt (correct me if I'm wrong),
symbol of wisdom, clear judgment, and preservation Akunamukanon: Atem or Yami's father (based on the manga) hieroglyphs, hieratic, and demotic: three types of writings used by ancient Egyptians.

I know this chapter is kind of slow, but I thought an introduction is needed for our heroine (besides the prologue). I think the chapter is misnamed, but oh while. I couldn't think of anything. I'm thinking of having Edjo meet Atem in the next chapter. Please review and tell me what you think. This is my first fan fiction, so this is my learning stage.