Disclaimer: seeing as I'm on FFnet… no, I don't own Yugioh. Sigh.

Author's note: Sometimes I get the distinct feeling that someone doesn't like me… hm. Hello again, vaseshippers and Yugioh fans alike—I've had some great reviews so far! So we ready for another chapter? Then here we go.

After I give my responses/thanks to all reviewers, of course.

First of all to my so far amazingly dedicated reviewer me: you were the first one to review! Huzzah! Here is my response to your wonderful review ^o^ I know there's a ton to write about, and that's why it's going to continue in my The Return of the Pharaoh story, coming right after this one! Seeing as I might have the first three or so chapters already written… hehe! Not to worry, friend, all will be resolved and written on! Stay tuned XD

Thedarkpaladin666: I know, I updating right now hehe! I get super impatient too, so that's why I try and update every day ^_^ huzzah to VASESHIPPING!

Thanks to: Aqua girl 007, who once again has been a faithful reviewer. I'm running out of ways to thank you for following my stories haha.

And finally to Firehow113 for favoriting this story and Boredom Games!

Okay, now here we go!

Court of Kings

It was a lie that Aknamkanon was the last to find out—Amisi was.

She fluttered over her son, asking him why she hadn't been told immediately. Atem couldn't get in a single word, for all the questions she asked him. "Mother!" he finally cried, "I would have told you but it was very, er, last minute."

"Last minute?" she inquired.

Amisi was one of the only people Atem was taller than, but for all the difference it made, her attitude made up for it so she seemed to tower over him. He might as well have been a head shorter.

"Well, yes," he said carefully, "I only decided to ask her, um, maybe two days ago. So I got a ring, asked her father if I could marry her, and then asked her."

"And you expected her to say yes?"

Atem blinked and nodded as if it were obvious. "I fully expected her to say yes. She told me the day I got the ring that she loved me so…"

He got no further. He hadn't expected to. Once he mentioned that, he knew she would be all cloud-like and happy. "She did?" Amisi swooned. "Oh, that's wonderful, Atem! She really is a lovely girl, you know. I'm so happy for the two of you!"

She continued to talk, but Atem was just relieved.

Quickly, Atem kissed his mother's cheek and hurried away, off to the grand dining room, where the Court of Kings was to be held.

He settled into his seat. Already, Mana sat to his right, beside Mahad, who sat beside Isis. On Atem's left were Seto, Shada and Karim. Shimon, as he usually was, stood just behind the Pharaoh.

The room, if it could even be called that, was nearly as large as the grand audience room—hence the term 'grand.' The table was enormous, able to fit every one of the Court of Kings. Huge windows on either side of the room allowed a view into one of the gardens, lighting the room naturally.

With a nod from Atem, the huge doors at the other end opened to admit the Court of Kings.

As appointed, Dartz, Ironheart, Alexander and Tastan sat closest, with the next highest coming after. It wasn't fair, Atem knew, but it was reality.

Each king was seated and after a moment, Atem stood. Looking around the group, he began, "Greetings, rulers of the Spirit world. I have gathered you here today to discuss an important item of business. Several days ago, a strange matter was brought to my attention. I would ask any who know what I speak of to step forward with any knowledge they may have."

With the grave attention of each ruler on him, he continued, "Has anyone here heard of the Soul Collectors? Or the Soul Collectors rebellion? Anything at all?"

For a moment, there was silence. The Guardians hoped and prayed someone had something, anything to go off, and they were rewarded when a towards the center raised a timid hand. Atem nodded for him to speak.

"Well," he said in a timid voice, "I have heard speak of this name in my province. They say there is a group of Soul Collectors who, well, collect souls." With the eyes of everyone on him, he took a deep breath and continued more boldly now: "They hide in secret. They are said to be dark souls who have somehow escaped."

"You have heard all of this?" Seto asked beside Atem.

The man nodded. "I thought it was only rumors, but I had spies sent to out to listen for information just in case. They brought me this information just days ago."

Atem nodded, "Thank you, King Narem. This information is appreciated on your part. If you could continue to keep me posted on any information you hear—it would be very helpful if you kept a record."

Narem bowed his head, "Of course, your majesty."

Another man's hand came up, this time more confidently. "I have heard vague rumors of this as well, my King. As with King Narem, I thought they were just that: rumors. We hear things like this occasionally. Small whispers of made up, even used or old ideas to create some form of interest for the people to gossip about. But this time it seems much more, well, authentic."

Atem sat thoughtfully, his eyes far away. "What is this talk of 'rebellion?'"

Dartz seemed to have something to say, and Atem pointed it out. "King Dartz," he said, drawing his attention, "I sense that you know something."

Dartz' piercing, gentle light brown-tan eyes were very clear, pondering something. "I did not want to alarm you, Pharaoh. I wanted to make sure it was true before I said anything." Atem nodded for him to speak, and Dartz did so: "My people are very sensitive to the darks and lights of souls, and they have seemed nearly restless as of late."

"Restless how?" wondered Atem.

"They have told me that they sense a strange darkness," he said, eyes tight, "That there are some in the Afterlife that wish to do harm." He stopped for a moment, "I have collected information that I wanted to share with you in private, but…"

"Tell us what you know, Dartz," Atem urged, abandoning formalities.

Dartz' eyes were dark. "A man in my home, a servant, has a talent for seeing things that are dark and unusual. He has seen a group of dark souls who wish to capture the rarest and most highly valued souls, so that they may take over the entire Spirit World."

"That's not all," Ironheart broke in, "There is something else they want, but it is very unclear."

Atem sat back in his chair. "This is very heavy news," he said, "When did you find this out?"

"Only about three days ago, Pharaoh," Dartz said, his eyes watching him anxiously. "As I said, I wanted to speak to you in private about the matter, but it seems our suspicions have been confirmed, as you have just asked. What alerted you?"

"A man, a drunk by the looks of it," Mahad said for him, seeing the pondering expression on his king's face and knowing he was deep in thought, far too gone to answer the question. "He came to the gate and challenged the Pharaoh, calling him a coward. When the Pharaoh summoned an Egyptian God, the man trembled and confessed that the Soul Collectors had released him. When asked what the Soul Collectors rebellion was, he disintegrated on the spot by some unseen force."

"We assumed it was something bad," Seto continued, "But we did not expect something of this magnitude."

Seto and Mahad glanced at the Pharaoh worriedly. Mana's eyes never strayed from his far off amethyst ones, knowing that he was off somewhere in his head—in pharaoh-mode. She wished he would say something.

Isis, for her part, wished she could see as well as she used to. Without the Millennium Necklace, she wasn't able to see barely anything these days.

Atem closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "If anyone hears even a whisper of these 'Soul Collectors,' they must report to me immediately. I want security tripled everywhere. If you hear any rumors about the group, send spies to find any information. Keep me informed."

There were several nods. Looking up, Atem fixed his eyes on his four chief kings: Dartz, Ironheart, Alexander and Tastan. Alexander's blue eyes were pondering and determined. He nodded in Atem's direction as a confirmation of his loyalty.

Finally, the Pharaoh sighed, standing again. "Any news reaches you, send word to me," he repeated, "Thank you for coming here today. You are dismissed."

The rulers stood, filing from the room with muted voices, talking quietly or not talking at all. The guards escorted them out, leaving the Pharaoh and his Guardians sitting silently by themselves.

"What do you want done, Pharaoh?" Mahad asked softly, and every Guardian reinforced his inquiry, pleading quietly.

Atem looked up, his amethyst eyes tight with apprehension. His gaze traveled around his Guardians and he felt a surge of warmth for them, smiling faintly. "I want what I said before," he said, "Security reinforced and spies sent to find information."

"Yes, Pharaoh," they all agreed quietly.

They took that as their dismissal, standing. Isis left with a strong determination to see something, anything to help the situation. Mahad, to Atem's surprise, set a hand on his shoulder and nodded reassuringly. Atem remembered Mahad's vow: that he would always be there to protect him.

Mahad truly was his most loyal and devoted friend.

Atem smiled a bit more confidently now, knowing that he was in good hands. Shimon told him exactly what he was thinking, "Do not worry, Pharaoh. You and this kingdom are in good hands. These Guardians of yours are some of the most loyal and stubborn I have every known."

And with that Atem had to be content.

Mana scooted her chair closer to him and took his hand. For once, her aquamarine-green eyes were intense. They were the only two left in the room. The meeting had left the brightly lit room feeling surprisingly gloomy.

Mana scooted closer again, leaning her head on Atem's shoulder. "Don't worry," she said quietly, "We're in this together, right?"

"Right," Atem smiled, more genuine this time.

A new and terrible weight hung around Atem's neck now, and one he was familiar with. It was the weight of the world on his shoulders.

The plot thickens.

Like, dislike, hate, love, you know what to do. Review, read, favorite, don't do anything at all—whatever you like, but honestly, it's not that hard to review. Hey, look! The review button is right there! At the bottom of the page! Amazing.

Go eat some chocolate powdered sugar covered cookies—they're my favorite.

-Anevay