Yu-Gi-Oh!

The Return of a King

Chapter 12:

Advancing plans

After a quick shower the next morning, Atem began the laboriously slow and somewhat painful process of dressing for work, wincing slightly with a soft groan as he slowly guided his injured arm through the sleeve of his shirt, careful not to open the stitches.

Luckily, most stores that contained a pharmacy now sold slings with which he could stabilize his shoulder until it healed properly. Hearing the soft fall of footsteps behind him breaking his thoughts, Atem smiled softly as he felt Ishizu wrap her arms around him for a moment before helping him with the rest of his shirt and suit jacket, as well as his tie.

Turning to press his lips to hers in a gesture of thanks, he picked up the sling Ishizu had purchased and set his arm inside, fastening the strap around his other shoulder. He and Ishizu had decided that, should anyone ask, he would simply tell them that he had injured it in a motorcycle crash.

As they left the apartment and began their walk toward the museum, Atem gently took hold of Ishizu's hand, squeezing lightly. This drew a smile from her as she rested her head on his shoulder, sighing softly as she spoke. "What did I do to deserve you, my warrior king?"

Chuckling softly, Atem shook his head. "To be honest, my love, I could ask the same question of you. But, really, I think it comes down to destiny. Friendship drew us together five millennia ago, and now fate has reunited us in the present. And thank the Gods it did."

As Atem sat in his office, looking over his daily reports, he heard a knock on the door, calling out. "Come in." As he looked up, he smiled as Marik and Odion walked in. "Nice to see you again, my friends. How are the two of you?"

As the two approached, they lowered their heads in respect before stopping at his desk, Marik glancing at Atem's injured arm. "Might I ask what happened, Pharaoh?"

Sighing softly, he supposed that he owed it to Marik and Odion to be truthful with them. And so, gesturing for them to sit as he explained what had happened. As Atem explained, it was all Marik and Odion could do to contain their anger at someone having the audacity to so blatantly attack their sister once, let alone twice.

Cursing softly in Egyptian, Marik sighed before he spoke. "Atem, I have one request." Motioning for Marik to continue, Marik leaned forward. "If something like this were to happen again, contain the situation and call for us. Odion and I will gladly provide any assistance we can."

Nodding lightly at his friend's request, Atem gave the two a grateful smile before standing, telling them he'd only be a moment, as he had something he wanted to show them.

Returning a few minutes later, Atem produced the ring he'd found, explaining that it once belonged to him as Pharaoh. Elaborating that it had been his mother's, she had gifted it to him before her passing, instructing him to give it to the woman he chose as his future Queen. "Now, my friends, with your blessing, of course, I wish to give it to Ishizu."

Smiling broadly, Marik gladly consented. "I would be honored, my brother. There is no doubt that you make Ishizu happy. Happier than I've seen her in years, in fact. And she, no doubt, makes you happy."

Smiling gratefully, Atem sighed. "However, there is one problem. You see, this item is listed as being property of the museum. And I am afraid that I cannot simply take the ring and falsify the report. So, I am currently at a loss for what to do."

Deep in thought for a moment, Marik suddenly grinned. "I think I may have a solution. You see, I work for the museum in Cairo, thanks to Ishizu. If I were to send an email to the Domino museum, specifically to you, claiming that the ring was recently found to be of great historical significance to the Egyptian people, would you be able to return the ring? If so, I could falsify the report on my end to say that the ring was discovered to be an elaborate forgery and that the true ring has yet to be found."

Laughing softly at the ingenious idea, Atem nodded. "That just might work, actually."

Nodding as the two stood, Atem bid the both of them farewell as they left to get started on their plan.

Sure enough, near the end of the day, Atem's office computer chimed to inform him that he'd received an email. Opening it, he could not help the smile that spread across his face as he read the contents.

From the Office of the Secretary General
Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities
Cairo, Egypt

Attn: Atem
Co-curator of Egyptian Antiquities, Domino Museum
Domino City

Dear Atem,

It is with the utmost respect that I write to you today, concerning an item that was recently transferred to your museum. In your reports, you may notice a certain ring among the various artifacts that were sent to you. It has been recently discovered that this ring, in particular, holds great historical and cultural significance not only to Egypt, but to the people of our nation as a whole.

It is with this in mind that we ask for the return of this ring, that it may be displayed in the museum here in Cairo for the people to enjoy for posterity. If these terms are acceptable, please contact me at your earliest convenience so that we may negotiate the safe return of this item.

May God smile upon you and yours.

Respectfully,

Marik Ishtar
Assistant to the Secretary General

Forwarding the email to the director, Atem anxiously awaited his response, which he anticipated to receive in the morning. With an almost permanent smile on his face, Atem walked from his office, locking the door before heading to meet with Ishizu.

As Atem and Ishizu relaxed on the sofa in the apartment, Atem slowly ran his fingers through Ishizu's hair, earning a contented sigh from her. "I got a surprise visit from Marik and Odion this morning."

Smiling against his chest, Ishizu nodded. "I'd heard they were still in Domino doing some catching up with Yugi and the others. I'm sure Marik was curious about your arm." Nodding, Atem pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I felt I owed it to them to at least be truthful. Marik was insistent that, should something like this happen again, which I pray it does not, that I contain the situation and call for him and Odion. He said they'd gladly help any way they can. Though I would be hesitant to call upon them, as even though Marik has banished his darker side, I would not risk it returning."

Nodding in affirmation, Ishizu smiled up at him. "I know you will do whatever it takes to protect me, my King, and I love you for it. Just as I will protect you, as I have in our previous life, and as I will in all our lives to come."

At her words, Atem's hold on her tightened as he spoke. "Thank Ra for you, my beloved. I do not know what I would do without you."

As Atem and Ishizu readied for work the next morning, Atem's personal computer that he'd connected to receive emails from work chimed. Opening the email application, he smiled as he saw an email from the director authorizing the transfer of the ring. Quickly pulling up Marik's email from the previous day, Atem quickly composed a reply.

From the Office of Egyptian Antiquities
Domino Museum
Domino City, Japan

Attn: Marik Ishtar
Assistant to the Secretary General
Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities
Cairo, Egypt

Dear Marik,

I am pleased to inform you that the director of the Domino Museum has graciously agreed to return the ring as requested. The ring will be returned to your museum with all haste. I hope that the people of our nation will be able to enjoy this symbol of their heritage and culture for many years to come.

I will personally oversee the shipment of the item in order to ensure that all due care is taken in the process of the transfer. May the glory of Egypt continue to shine through the ages.

May the Peace and Blessings of God be bountiful upon you, brother.

Respectfully,

Atem
Co-curator of Egyptian Antiquities - Domino Museum
Domino City, Japan

Breaking for lunch with Ishizu, Atem smiled as they sat across from each other. "I have to admit, I've been wondering about something, Ishizu." At her questioning look, Atem elaborated. "With you being Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, how is it that you are able to spend most of your time here in Domino? I would have thought that such a high ranking government position would require you to spend most of your time in Cairo."

To be honest, Ishizu had been wondering when he would bring that up. "Well, Atem, you see, my tenure as Secretary General is nearly up. After you are appointed to the position, you have a strict term limit until a new Secretary General is appointed. That is why I brought Marik on as my assistant. I am hoping to train him to succeed me when my term is up. But, for now, I am lucky that most of my duties can be performed online. Though I will travel back if the need arises."

Nodding in acceptance, Atem smiled. "Well, have you given any thought as to what you will do after your time as Secretary General ends?"

"I have, actually. Now that I have you in my life, my love, I was considering becoming a permanent employee of Domino Museum and live in Domino City full-time. I believe our shared expertise on Egypt could be beneficial to the museum."

Taking Ishizu's hand, the only thought on Atem's mind was how he couldn't wait to have the ring back. He'd waited five thousand years for this and, by the Gods, he didn't know how much longer he could wait.

A/N: I know some of you might be wondering why I made Ishizu Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Well, for those that don't know, that is in fact her official occupation during the Battle City tournament which, I assume, she continued to hold until the end of the original manga.