Coronation and Marriage
Late that night, Mystery went to the desert to clear her mind and look at the stars. She kept convincing herself not to feel too sad or broken because she knew she and her friends would continue to be watched over even after his highness would pass into the next world. It actually hurt most just thinking about how Atem would be able to handle the matter. He never met his own mother and the one parent he actually knew would soon be gone from his life. After that, he would inherit the throne and become the new king. As hard as it was becoming, Atem and Mystery promised each other that they would be in it together.
Luna met up with Mystery and learned that King Aknamkanon was about to pass into the next world. With him gone, she would be able to reenter the palace as a free woman and a friend. They were idly conversing, but soon the discussion started to become less friendly.
As the desert wind blew by, Luna stood behind Mystery and asked, "Mystery, do you insist on becoming Atem's wife?"
Keeping her back turned on her friend and fixing her gaze towards the city, she wonders, "Do you intend to stop me, Luna?"
"I will not try to change your mind," she replies. "However, before you go, you must promise me that if anything should happen to you, you will entrust the Millennium Star to me."
Mystery loved and trusted Luna like she did the rest of her friends and everyone else at the palace, but she sensed something different about her over the years. Unbeknownst to Mystery, Luna had given herself to the Dark Lord and bonded with the Cobalt Star. Luna had been protecting it over the years and making sure Mystery wouldn't be able to sense its presence. That worked, but Mystery still sensed darkness within her friend. Finally, she spoke and asked, "And if I refuse, will you kill me, your own friend?"
Luna said nothing. She didn't want the Millennium Star for herself. Rather, she wanted it for Bakura. They agreed to destroy Millennia and her followers by using her powers against her just as Cobalt's powers were used against him to forge the seven Millennium Items. Luna's feelings for Mystery had changed, however. Now she would fight her on Bakura's behalf, but she still didn't have the gall to kill.
Not hearing a response, Mystery wonders, "Do you desire power, Luna? Why do you seek power, my friend?"
Luna keeps silent for another minute, then finally answers, "The path I walk is the way of domination. It is power that will lead me down that path."
"Domination," Mystery silently echoes, tilting her head down and facing the sand. "Do you have someone to protect, Luna?" She had to ask because the powers of the Millennium Star were not meant to be used for violent purposes. To use them to kill and harm would corrupt its pure forces. No, the powers of the Millennium Star were meant to heal and defend.
Luna's eyes widen a little bit. "Protect?" she repeated. It wasn't a difficult question to answer and she knew just as much as Mystery did that she had to speak the truth. "The answer is 'no,'" she finally responded. "I, a woman of darkness, have no need of such."
Seeing that her answer is truthful, Mystery finally looks back at her friend. "Then I have no choice but to deny your request." She unfolds her wings and flies back to the palace. Watching her fly away, the question rings through Luna's head once again. "Do you have someone to protect, Luna?"
Why would I have any need to waste my time worrying about protecting someone? Ridiculous, she wonders to herself as she makes her way back to Kul Elna. Even if Luna had answered differently, Mystery would have known right away that she was lying. The women were friends, but despite their friendship, they had to embrace the fact that neither one was responsible for the other one's safety. It didn't take long for Luna to accept that as she looked at her Crystal Ring. Even after bonding with the Cobalt Star, Luna had never removed the Crystal Ring from her finger. She kept it on to keep Mystery convinced that they were friends.
Like Luna, Mystery never removed her Crystal Ring from her finger either. Unlike her, however, she wore it to symbolize their friendship. Mystery loved Luna and wanted her happiness, but she had to be responsible for her gift. As they say, 'with great power comes great responsibility'. If the sacred powers of the Millennium Star became abused, not only would its powers be corrupted, but the one holding it would end up destroying themselves. Mystery would never forgive herself if she were to lose Luna that way.
King Aknamkanon passed on slowly a few days later; leaving his son to become the new pharaoh. Now looking more regal and wearing the crown, Atem stood on the balcony ready to make his announcement to the Egyptian people. He even asked Mystery to stand beside him. The crowd cheered as they welcomed their new leader. Atem raised his hands in the air to silence the crowd. "Citizens of Egypt, I hereby thank every one of you for being here today. Long ago, I was a prince eager to take the throne. Growing up, I had many lessons to attend to so I would learn about responsibility and leadership. It would be wrong of me to boast and claim that I stand where I do today by myself. The real truth is that I had my friends to help me and my superiors to guide me. Now I stand with all that I learned ready to be your leader and to continue my father's legacy. But I won't do it alone. My friends, along with the woman I have chosen to be my wife will stand beside me all the way."
Everyone starts to cheer again. "Say something, Mystery," Atem whispers to her.
She moves closer towards the end of the balcony and clears her throat. "Thank you, my pharaoh," she says, loud and clear for everyone to hear. "Please hear what I say. When I was a child, many of you knew me as the hero of the desert. It was because of our former leader, King Aknamkanon, that I claimed my destiny as heiress of the Great Goddess Millennia. Like him, I too, dreamed that Egypt would become a peaceful and glorious kingdom and every day, I, along with the rest of my friends, have devoted myself to make that dream come true. I am not marrying our new leader for the ways of tradition, but for love. I too, am aware that certain responsibilities must be remembered. Therefore, you all have my word that I will continue to ensure that peace remains in the kingdom I love and that the people I love will continue to live in harmony. But remember that we are all Children of Millennia. And that together, we can preserve our former leader's dream and continue to fulfill the wishes of the Great Goddess Millennia."
The cheering continues for some time. A few minutes later, the entire public and their guardian beasts get down and kneel. Even the great beasts of legend had come to pay their respects. Finally, Atem and Mystery left the balcony to prepare themselves for their wedding.
Just as Atem was feeling nervous about his coronation, Mystery was feeling nervous about getting married and becoming queen. She tried not to because she was finally marrying the man she loved. "Pharaoh," she was whispering, "If you would rather wait until you have become used to your duties and responsibilities as king, I completely understand."
To make her feel at ease, he held her hand and whispered back, "No, it's all right. We can wait a little while longer if you're feeling nervous, but remember, you and I are in this together." As if her nervousness faded away, she smiled and thanked Atem. Then they went their separate ways.
Even the rest of the royals were making themselves look formal and regal for the royal wedding; taking baths and changing clothes. "You know," Joseph was saying as he got his head out of his shirt, "I've been thinking we could have three weddings in the same day. Me and Freya, our king and Mystery, and Seto and Kisara."
Mahad put his headdress on after straightening out his hair. After becoming a member of the royal court, he had cut his hair, making it touch his shoulders and being covered by his headdress. Besides, he didn't want the orphans to continue to mistake him for a girl. "That would have been thrice the excitement and bliss, Joseph, but this is a royal occasion."
"Kisara and Freya are royalty now," said Seto. "As I understand, they are now working with us." He smiles and makes another joke. "You know, Mahad, we actually could have had four weddings; you and Mana could have gotten married as well."
"I'm not going to have this conversation," he groaned. "Besides, as I understand it, Mana, Freya, and Kisara do not seem ready to wed. The king told me so himself."
"I know that," said Joseph. After washing and drying his face off, he began talking about his plans for his future again. "But just wait. When Freya and I get married, I'm going to buy a big house in the city, we'll raise lots of children, and if any follower of Cobalt stands in my way, I'll show him who's master," he says, raising his fist and striking a bold pose.
Seto shakes his head and scoffs. "You just worry about that future of yours, Joseph, and leave Cobalt's minions to me."
"Oh, no, you don't. I'm not letting you have all the fun."
"It is not fun, you fool," Seto retorts, "It is hard work, determination, and devotion."
Hearing them going about with their friendly ways, Mahad smiles and wonders, Some things just never change. Seto and Joseph had been going on like this since they became friends; having pleasant conversations that would turn into friendly arguments. It just helped them to grow on each other. When the fighting would get out of hand, Mahad would get between them and try to stop them. He even took a couple blows to the face and stomach a few times before. Seto and Joseph would often apologize for hurting their friend and make amends with each other. But the three of them also loved racing. Seto finally got to fulfill his dream of becoming a dragon rider after his Bagon reached his final stage of evolution and became Salamence. The same thing happened to Joseph when his Trapinch became a Flygon. Mahad and Mana would also join in the race with their trusty companions Latios and Latias. It was always a friendly competition and dragons and their riders would color and decorate themselves to look outstanding in their performance.
Freya and Kisara had finished looking their best for the wedding. No longer did they have to wear those uncomfortable dresses. Now they would really look like royalty in their clean, silky white dresses. They even had their hair back and out of their eyes so they would have a clear vision. Now the cousins were helping Mystery get ready. "I remember long ago how you imagined what your own wedding would be like; how you and Atem would pretend the whole thing," said Kisara. "And here you are now; finally getting married to the man you love. And before you know it, you'll be starting a family of your own."
Mystery chuckled hearing that. The thought of having children always delighted Mystery, but she was a patient woman and didn't want to selfishly rush into things. "Well, I don't think Atem and I are quite ready to start a family just yet. We already have a lot that we need to be accustomed to. Surely you girls understand."
The two cousins did understand and feel the same way. They had to be accustomed to palace life and learn the ways of royalty before fulfilling their happiness. For now, they would just stand beside their friends and help them any way that they could. They would also take time learning under their superiors. While the men they loved would help them adjust to palace life, Isis, their new friend and also a member of the royal court, would teach them everything they needed to know.
It would still take time for the wedding to start, so while they were waiting, Seto and Joseph left to relax for a while. They were already well-dressed, but there was still time to wait. "To think," Seto was saying. "One day, we're children with wild imaginations. And the next, we've all grown up."
"Yeah, but some things never change," said Joseph. "In a way, we're still the same kids we were before."
Seto grinned. "You are, anyway. Still quite reckless and irresponsible."
"Not as much as I used to be," Joseph argued.
Seto took a small sack and filled it up with wine. "That may be, but, you know, if you weren't so embarrassing, we wouldn't have anything to laugh about and you wouldn't be trying to pick a fight."
Then the thought occurred to Joseph. "Tell me this, Seto. Just tell me something. Why is it whenever you start something, I'm the one who gets into trouble?" He had to ask because it had been like that for a long time. Joseph did often get into trouble for being so accident prone and getting into fights with others when they would laugh at him for his mistakes. Also, Seto would play a few harmless pranks and make sure the blame would get pinned on Joseph.
Rather than answer, Seto dropped his sack of wine from the ledge. It landed on Aknadin and Shimon and got them wet. As it did, Seto ducked to avoid being seen, leaving Joseph only visible. Joseph leaned over the edge to see what happened.
Shimon looked up and told Joseph in a scolding manner, "Joseph, you're in trouble, young man."
"Joseph, get down here," Aknadin ordered. "I think you owe us an apology."
As Joseph heard his elders scolding him, he knew that this was exactly what he was asking Seto about.
"I am so upset," Shimon groaned.
"You'll pay for this," Aknadin promised.
"We're going to tell Pharaoh," Shimon warned.
Seto came before Joseph with a small tub filled with wine. "You might as well."
Joseph grinned and took the tub from Seto, figuring he was right. He turned it over and poured the wine over his elders.
They groaned again. "Ahh, look at me," Shimon groaned. "I'm drenched again."
"My outfit," Aknadin complained.
"Where did I get such a student?" Shimon asked.
"I don't know," Aknadin answered.
As the sound of their complaining faded, Joseph got an idea. "Hey, I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Seto? You care too much."
Seto smiled and scratched Joseph's head like a puppy's. "And your problem is you don't care at all."
Then Joseph knew how to get back at Seto. "Oh, and I suppose you care a lot more than I do that we're..." he paused and said, "late for the royal wedding, for example?"
Seto stopped smiling. He and Joseph raced to rejoin their friends before anyone would notice that they were late. But in fact, they weren't late at all. In fact, they were right on time. Seto glared at Joseph. "Late, are we?" Joseph smiled nervously. Seto wanted to hit Joseph, but that would cause another fight and they didn't want that to happen. To do so would ruin the wedding.
Finally, arrangements were set, the entire assembly of royals was gathered around, and Atem and Mystery were finally ready for their grand moment. The royal court stood beside the aisle with their heads lowered and Magical Creatures watched from a different part of the palace courtyard. The courtship was made, vows were sealed, and Atem and Mystery were crowned as the new king and queen of Egypt after being given the word. After they kissed, everyone around them cheered and threw flower petals around them, all of the royal beasts pranced around and made their own cries, and a grand celebration occurred as everyone danced and sang to the music around them.
Watching the festivities and keeping undetected, Bakura scoffed and asked, "What's the matter with them, looking so happy?"
Luna sighed in a carefree way. "Can't blame 'em," she smiled. "Happiness is the best thing in the world for some people. For everyone else, they'll only be happy if they think they're happy."
Bakura rolled his eyes. He had been living with this woman for ten years now and he still didn't understand her. He didn't even know how he could stand her half the time. Refocusing his attention on the festivities, he can't help but feel disgusted and bitter. When he was a boy and before he lost everything, there never really was anything to celebrate about. What he was really bitter about was that his rivals had everything and he had nothing. Not that he wanted what Atem and Mystery had, rather he wanted them to lose what he once had. What better way to exact his bitterness by causing them the same pain he was caused? The real question was, how would be able to do it?
Back home in the ruins of Kul Elna, Bakura and Luna decided that it would be a good time to speak with the Dark Lord himself. After bonding with the Cobalt Star, Bakura taught Luna everything she needed to know about his ways. She even learned more about the secret of the Millennium Stone and the monster that was dormant within it. At the same time, she took a new identity. To Mystery and the others, she was still Luna, but to Bakura, she was a mercenary named Max. That made protecting the Cobalt Star a much easier task.
Max released the Cobalt Star from her heart and it revealed the figure of a dark-skinned man with white hair and clothes the color of the starry sky. This was something that she had been doing whenever she and Bakura needed to discuss something with the Dark Lord. She would also release the Cobalt Star on the night of the new moon when it was most dark. Not only would the Cobalt Star gain additional strength, but it would endow an unfortunate individual with a certain curse. Only until the night would end would the entity of darkness descend from the sky and return to the heart it rested in.
"My Lord," Bakura was saying, "it's just as Max predicted. Mystery, the heiress of Millennia, has married the new king of Egypt."
"That is not news to me," the Dark Lord replied. "It is not because I rest in the heart of the woman Queen Mystery believes to be her friend, but because Millennia and I are still connected despite our differences and distance." That was a fact about the two deities. Cobalt and Millennia, even in their current state as Stars, would be able to communicate with each other, unbeknownst to their children. It wouldn't be a bitter rivalry; rather it would be for necessary discussion. Of course, Max and Mystery wouldn't understand in the same way. They would share their deities' powers and wishes, but not the same wisdom.
"Tell me, Bakura," the Dark Lord was saying, "does this change anything for you?"
"It changes everything for me," he answered in a satisfied manner. "It's a double header for all of us. Max and I can exact our revenge against the royals for taking everything from us and at the same time, fulfill your wishes by destroying Mystery and the Millennium Star." As satisfied as Bakura was about the whole thing and now having new ideas about how to manage the matter, he didn't regret not accepting Cobalt's powers. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't make a contract with the Dark Lord. Cobalt wasn't the forgiving type and wouldn't grant Bakura his powers for changing his mind. That would have to be up to Max. Just as Mystery would decide whether or not to entrust the Millennium Star to Luna, Max would decide whether or not to share Cobalt's powers with him even if it was his birthright.
"Your incompetence never surprises me," Cobalt jeered. "You cannot possibly continue to intend to take these matters in your own hands. You need my help more than you realize."
"We know," said Max. "We will do as you say, but we ask you to respect that we have our own ideals to fulfill."
"You may fulfill your ideals however you see fit," Cobalt promised, "Though I warn you, should you do anything I deem traitorous and against my wishes, I will abandon you just as my own true heir pushed me aside for his own selfish desires." After saying that, his shape changes back into his star form. The Dark Lord truly did understand Bakura's reasons and feelings, but he still had to make a clear warning. He really did have something in store for his children and didn't want his plans to be altered. However, those plans had to be kept secret.