Disclaimer. Yu-Gi-Oh! does not belong to me. It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi and crew. Some characters will be made up by me. Please ask if you want to use them.

Chapter One

(Six Years Later...)

"Atem? Atem? Pharoah Atem! Respond!"

Atem yelped and fell backwards, crashing onto the floor. The stern face of a middle aged man with a goatee and squinty eyes glared down at him. "What do you have to say for yourself? Are my mathematical teachings so descriptive that they cause you to fall asleep?"

Atem glowered up at him. "More like they're too boring..."

He mumbled.

The teacher wacked him over the head with a stick. "You watch your tone with me young man. You may be the Pharoah but I will have no behavioural problems in my class."

The Pharoah quirked an eyebrow. "A class...we are the only ones in this 'class'."

The teacher wacked him again.

"None of that."

Someone clearing their throat at the door made the teacher turn around. Mahado stood at the door, looking a bit annoyed with the teacher's treatment and attitude towards Atem. Embarrassed, the teacher backed away from Atem, looking a bit nervous. Mahado walked into the room, passing the teacher and reaching out a hand to the Pharoah. Atem accepted it gladly. The magician pulled him up, waiting as Atem brushed himself off.

"We need to talk my Pharoah."

Crimson eyes met worried purple eyes.

The teacher stuttered. "B-but we haven't finished our lesson!"

Mahado turned towards him. "I think Pharoah Atem has had enough lessons today. I will excuse him from your class myself. Unless...you have a problem with that?" Atem stalked out of the classroom, not waiting for an answer. Mahado followed behind.

Mahado started rambling about important lessons and him knowing how the many problems of responsibility weighed Atem down. But he wasn't listening. Atem was deep in thought.

'How many years has it been...six I believe. Father. I miss you. I hope that wherever the gods have taken you that they have welcomed you and treat you well.'

Mahado stopped his lecture when he realized that Atem wasn't walking beside him. He turned around, seeing the troubled Pharoah staring blankly into space. Sighing, he walked towards him.

"You miss him don't you?"

Atem blinked.

"You know me too well.

Yes.

I do.

I pray that he will be happy and loved."

Mahado smiled a thin smile. "Yes..." Atem started walking again, the magician following behind.

A nearby vase clattered, and Mahado was instantly beside Atem's side, glaring at the vase with a glare of thunder.

Atem patted Mahado's shoulder. "Calm down. It was probably just a mouse or something..."

Mahado, however, did not loosen up. Suddenly, a figure leaped out of the vase and practically hugged the Pharaoh. Atem blinked, while Mahado stared, flabbergasted, at what was revealed to be his apprentice, Mana, crushing the Pharoah with a bear hug. He recovered from his shock and tore Mana off the slightly amused Atem.

"Mana! Behave yourself! Is that any way to treat your Pharoah?"

Atem laughed slightly. "It's fine, it's fine. Mana. Do you need anything?"

The bright energetic girl jumped around the two men. "I learned a new spell! I can control water, if just a little bit."

Mahado nodded approvingly. "Well done Mana. Why don't you show Atem and I what you can do." He glanced at Atem for approval. The Pharoah made a noise of agreement. Excited, Mana took ahold of Mahado's sleeve and dragged him along, Atem following behind.

The priest with the millennium eye watched them go. 'Tch. The almighty 'Pharoah' is too carefree and unassuming. One day someone might strike him down. And someone more rightful will claim the throne...hmm.'

His real eye glittered, and the priest turned and shuffled down the corridor, muttering to himself.

A young boy with long hair as white snow as lay across bloodied bricks, eyes partially opened. The scent of death whisked through the air. Voices wailed in the strange stillness of a once bustling village. They whispered of revenge, of torment, of pain.

They screeched in the young boy's ears.

"Help us! Exact revenge with us!"

They screamed.

Whimpering, the boy white long snow white hair curled into a ball, falling asleep just as he heard a menacing laugh echo from a gaping hole in one of the houses.

End Of Chapter One