I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters and plots.
However the following characters (their powers and such) used in this fan fiction ARE mine:
Lady Aurora Phoenix
Lady Natara Fear
Lady Sapphira Star
Blaze
Chaos
Havoc
Now to take a side trip to the mail box...
unshed-tears247: After doing some research and chatting up some well informed friends on my site, I have learned that back in the Pharaoh's time they did not use Spell and Trap tablets. The only thing that used were the monsters' special abilities. So for the purpose of these first duels that is all that will done as well... However when the story jumps to the new duels (like in Duelist Kingdom), Spells and Traps will be used do not worry. Thank you for being such a faithful reader and making me continue to look into facts I had not thought too much about. It is needed when doing something like this.
DDCFreak: Here it is... the Wedding YAY! (jumps for joy- I finally got it written lol)
Not Even Destiny...
The morning found the Egyptian sun shining brightly overhead. The crowds had begun to gather at the gates awaiting word that their Pharaoh was finally married. Atem stood on his balcony, watching the crowd continue to grow and suddenly felt very nervous. Yes, he wanted this more than anything, but he was also very scared for the future. He knew the battles with the Thief King, Bakura would begin again. He worried the outcome of those battles. He wanted only to spend the rest of his days with Lady Phoenix. He wanted to watch the family they were to have, grow up strong and eventually watch his son take the throne. Should he have a son, that is. A daughter could do just the same.
Atem sighed and turned away from the balcony ledge. How was he to know he would truly be a father? Yes, he would love to be. But he knew that he could not really count on anything. The paths of fate twisted in so many ways. He just could never be sure what his destiny truly held. Isis could not see anything because he was the holder of the Millennium puzzle. Lady Phoenix would not say anything for reasons of her own. He knew she knew a few things about the future. He could tell the night he asked her to marry him. He let it go then, but a part of him knew she was lying when she said she did not know who would betray him. He was curious as to why, but felt it better not to press the matter as she was obviously not going to tell him.
"Pharaoh." Atem turned toward his door and found High Priest Set standing there with Mahado. "Are you ready for your wedding?" Mahado asked with a smile. Atem could not help but smile back at his friend.
"Yes, Mahado, that I am. It has taken so long to get to this point, but I am glad the day has finally come." Set nodded his greeting to his cousin and offered up the wedding robe Atem was supposed to wear.
"Then, the time has come, Cousin. Time to meet your bride."
The flutes and harps had begun to play once the Pharaoh and the priests had all taken their places at the front of the main hall. Mana came down the aisle spreading flower petals over the carpeted path. Havoc and Lady Fear came down that path, followed by Chaos and Lady Star. Atem glanced up at Priest Set when he heard his cousin's breath hiss inward. An odd look crossed his face before it vanished from view. Atem merely smiled and silently laughed to himself. He had the feeling that his cousin was going to find himself in a bit of a lover's triangle if he was not careful. When he looked up again, it was his turn for his breath to hiss in. Eyes wide with shock, he stared down the aisle as Lady Phoenix arrived.
She wore a long white gown with a silver corded belt at her waist. A sheer gauze-like cape met at her neck and was fastened by a jeweled clasp. The cape flowed delicately behind her, becoming the train on her dress. Her hair was half pulled up but mostly left loose around her shoulders. A traditional royal necklace adorned her neck. A bouquet of white and blue water lilies with Chamomile flowers was gently being held in her hands. She was truly a sight. He could have sworn she was more beautiful now then he thought she was when he first saw her. He watched as she carefully made her way toward him and they knelt at the table set up before them, as was the custom, to await the ceremony to begin.
"You look beautiful, Aurora," he whispered to her. Lady Phoenix had her eyes lowered to the table before he spoke, and just then she raised her heavy lashes to meet his crimson eyes. Again, he felt taken in by those lapis blue orbs. For a moment the room had vanished around them and he saw himself holding her as they soared through space, the stars their only light. Her smile was small, yet radiant, and it brightened her face.
"Thank you, Atem," she replied just as softly. He had no idea how his words had lifted her own nervousness. She had been scared when she awoke that morning. Her fear was not eased any when Lady Star came in firing question after question at her either. Lady Fear had to get her out of the room long enough to settle her friend down. Chaos had stopped in just after the girls had been dressed and ready and given her another hug as well as a quick kiss on her cheek for luck. Lady Phoenix managed a smile but her stomach had still been twisted into knots.
(Flashback to just before the wedding began)
"I should not be doing this, Natara," Lady Phoenix gasped out once Lady Fear had shoved Lady Star out of the room. "I know his fate. I cannot do this." Lady Fear sighed as she looked at her friend glowing in her royal gown.
"What is it exactly you are fearing, Aurora? You know he loves you. Anyone who is willing to go up against Dorian and Bryant at the same time to ask for your hand would have to. Bryant is not exactly the easiest guy to get along with you know." Lady Phoenix nodded in agreement at that. It was true. How Lady Fear had managed to break through that exterior of his, she would never understand. "So you fear the future," her friend was saying. "Why punish him for that? He has no idea. It is not like you told him. You have not exactly told us everything, so I know it must be bad."
"It is worse than bad, Natara. I do not know if I can handle losing another husband. Losing Reno was hard enough." Lady Fear raised an eyebrow.
"Um... Aurora, you did not exactly have a lot of time to get over him. You lost him, and then you met the Pharaoh. You fought it yes, and you always remembered Reno. However, once he told you it was okay, you moved on."
"But this is different, Natara. He is different. There is something about him. It gives me strength and yet... I do not know how to describe it."
"You are worried about things yet to come instead of worried about now. You always got that way. You would try to prevent things till you realized you just could not do it anymore. This is another one of those times. You cannot stop his destiny. But you can make him happy while he still lives. Do not deny him that. Especially if he will be needed at another time. He may go when his destiny calls, but he has a part of Reno in him. The Powers of the Flaming Wrath. If our war is not over, then the Pharaoh cannot truly die in this turn. Unless..." Lady Fear looked hard at her friend. "Is he killed in this last battle you have see him in?" Lady Phoenix thought a moment, remembering her visions.
"The visions were not exactly clear, but I do not believe he was... killed really. Merely trapped. His spirit was pulled from his body and trapped."
"Then have no fear, Aurora. If he is not killed, he will not go away. Not while our powers surge within him. When he has fulfilled what ever task he must do at this later period of time, all that will be needed is for his spirit to reconnect with his body and he can return to us. To you." Lady Phoenix looked up at her friend. Lady Fear's words repeating themselves in her mind. Her eyes widened as she realized the truth in those words.
"It is true. If he is not killed, he will live. But will he want to?" She frowned again and Lady Fear lightly, but seriously, smacked her arm.
"Quit it! That is too far away to worry about right now. You have a Pharaoh waiting for you in the main hall, my friend. Let us put a smile on his face. Show him the beauty that is you. Show him the love in your heart. You do love him. Or else you would not be so worried about events yet to happen. So tell him. Tell him how you really feel by taking his hand and being his wife. That is what you must do now. That is all you must worry about now." A knock at the door ended the conversation and Chaos entered. He stopped momentarily and stared at Lady Phoenix in her gown.
"He will be very much under your spell today, Aurora. Any man would kill to have a bride such as you by their side," he told her softly as her hugged her and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Thanks, I think," she smiled at her friend before taking the bouquet Lady Star had returned to the room with. "Well, it is time." Lady Phoenix swallowed hard as they all made their way to the main hall where the music had begun to play for her. "No turning back now. Only forward toward the destiny I must lead," she added to herself
(End flashback)
She smiled back at Atem and she slowly felt her nerves ease. She had actually begun to question just what she had been so fearful of. He would be good to her while he was still here. He loved her with a love no one could rival. That was all that truly mattered to her just now. It was the only thing that truly counted. She only had to wait till the ceremony was over now before she could show him how deeply his feelings were returned.
The ceremony had finished and the newlywed couple stood. Atem stared into Lady Phoenix's eyes. He gave her a gentle kiss as a symbol of their union before they made their way to the balcony upon which all announcements were made to the people. High Priest Set met them there. He stretched out his arm showing his Millennium Rod. The crowd instantly fell silent.
"People of Egypt!" he called out. "I bring you, the Pharaoh and his Queen, Lady Aurora Phoenix!" The crowd erupted with cheers as they made their way into view. Atem waved to everyone. Lady Phoenix nodded at first before hesitantly raising her hand to wave as well.
"Relax," Atem whispered to her with a smile. "They will respect you as they do me. As long as you are with me, no harm shall come to you. And these people will know that," he vowed. She glanced up at him and smiled.
The celebration had been well under way. Music and dancing, as well as feasting commenced after the announcement. Lady Phoenix took her seat next to Atem at the table and watched as everyone chatted merrily around her. The day had already seemed long to her. The rest she had taken the night before had obviously not been enough. She stifled a yawn as Atem glanced over at her.
"Are you all right?" he asked her softly. "You have been quiet throughout the day." She managed a smile as she returned his gaze.
"I am still a little worn," she admitted. "But I should be all right to manage through the festivities today." Atem narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"No, you need your rest. Come," Atem held a hand out to her as he rose from his seat. The room immediately went silent. Atem looked around at the crowded hall. "Please everyone, continue your fun. My lady and I shall retire for the evening, but that does not mean your celebration cannot continue. I bid you all good eve," he told them as he and Lady Phoenix left the room. They made their way down the hall toward the Pharaoh's room. Just before reaching it, he lifted her into his arms and gave her a tender smile. A guard opened the door to Atem's room so he could take her over the threshold and toward the bed. She glanced around and noticed her things had all ready been transferred from her old room to his. It had really happened. She had finally moved on completely. There was only one thing left she had to do.
Looking up into Atem's eyes, she saw the flames of his passion burning there. The very passion that had been held back for so long. Just waiting, now, to be released. She could feel her lips tremble as he placed her on her feet again and turned her to face him. His hands were so gentle, so light, her body shivered at the touch. She closed her eyes and was amazed that she saw nothing. No visions. Just an image of his face as he leaned in to claim her lips. He released the part of her hair that had been done up for the wedding and let it cascade around her shoulders to join the rest of her hair. His breathe warmed her ear as he lightly brushed kisses on her neck and unclasped the jeweled latch that kept her cape in place. Soon it and her gown lay in a pool around her feet as he eased her back onto their bed.
"Now I can truly show you how much I love you," he whispered, his voice deep and husky with the weight of his passion. She moaned as his lips took hers again. The rest of Egypt partied in the streets and within the palace walls. But Atem remained true to his promise to show her how deep his love ran. All night long till all they could do was lie there in each other's arms. He held her peacefully, sleeping form against his body and lightly brushed a few strands of her red-gold hair away from her eyes.
"No matter what happens in the days to come, Aurora; should something happen to me, I will do everything I can to come back to you. I love you, my Queen," he vowed, his voice barely above a whisper so as not to wake her. "Not even Destiny will keep us apart."
Ok, yes I know a little mushy, but it is a love story after all here (grins)... Only one more little part to his family needs to be written and then I can continue to the modern era where is he the spirit. I won't make this story much longer... At least I hope not too- unless you guys really don't mind (smiles again) anyway... I am off to start the next chapter so I can get this moving on...
