Notes:

In volume 2, chapter 12 of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium World manga, Atem, Shimon, and the priests are gathered on a balcony in the palace. This is directly following the battle with Thief King Bakura, who has defiled the tomb of Atem's father and vowed to steal all seven sacred items. Mahaado, who is responsible for the guards charged with protecting these tombs, kneels and asks Atem to punish him. Atem refuses.

This series is my attempt to describe what might have happened had Mahaado been punished.

In a dark room on the east side of the palace, rank-and-file members of the Pharaoh Atem's security force gathered. In low voices, they traded rumors and suspicions about a white-haired thief, a deadly battle, and the summoning of a god. The guards stiffened and raised their weapons as the door to the chamber slowly creaked open. In a flurry of gold and white, Lord Mahaado stumbled into the room – his headdress missing, his robes disheveled, the lines of his body tense with a palpable exhaustion.

"Lord Mahaado! We've been waiting for you!"

"Captain, tell us – is it true? Has King Akhnamkanen's holy tomb truly been defiled?"

Mahaado leaned against the wall, keeping his eyes squeezed shut, trying to drown out the growing terror in his heart. The assembled guards grew more uneasy at Mahaado's silence, at the sight of him so utterly spent. "Lord Mahaado," a night watchman inquired softly. "Are you alright? Have you been hurt in the battle against the evildoer?"

Mahaado held up a hand to quiet him. He pushed off the wall and straightened himself, gripping his magician's staff for support. "Listen carefully," he began. "A criminal calling himself Thief King Bakura has robbed the late pharaoh's resting place." Gasps of astonishment rose from the crowd. "He made the corpse of Osiris Akhnamkanen crawl. He has vowed to kill the pharaoh and seize all seven sacred items." Mahaado took a shaky breath, trying to steel himself. "Naturally, His Majesty is enraged at the insult done to his late father. He has ordered a millennium trial." Mahaado lowered his eyes, his voice dropping to a pained whisper. "For me."

"For you, captain?"

"The pharaoh seeks to punish you?"

"This can't be! What in the world is going on?"

"As Captain of the Guard," Mahaado interjected, "supervision of the royal tombs is my duty."

"We are your guards. If blame is laid on you, it is ours to bear." A temple guardian vigorously shook his head. "Yes, precisely! We will not stand by and let your honor be questioned. We will take the trial in your place if we have to!"

"No." Mahaado's voice was tight and firm. "As priest and bearer of the ring, the safety of the kingdom rests on my ability to thwart every sinner and crush every evil intention. The life in my body is meant for one purpose and one purpose only – to protect the pharaoh! In this world and in the tomb where he awaits the world beyond."

Surveying the room, Mahaado continued. "Tonight or tomorrow, the pharaoh will order you to bring me before the court. You will obey that order. You will bind me. You will block my heka. And you will toss me at the pharaoh's feet." Mahaado took a deep breath, the hand on his staff twitching. "And, most importantly, each and every one of you – you who represent the finest officials in His Majesty's security apparatus – will swear to me that you will not intervene during the punishment."

A roar of protest erupted from the assembled guards. Mahaado held up his hand. "You will not intervene, even if the punishment is banishment. Even if the punishment is death! Egypt cannot afford to lose both a priest and the whole of palace security." Mahaado's voice took on a steely, hardened edge as he spoke. "And I will not defy His Majesty's will."

The assembled guards were stunned silent. Mahaado grit his teeth in frustration. "I ask you all to swear to me. If I have earned even an ounce of your respect in the years we have served this kingdom together, do this one thing for me."

Maho, the chief of police, stood defiantly. "Lord Mahaado! I would rip my heart out and throw it to the Devourer, if you asked it of me. Ask it of me now. Ask anything else of me now. Anything but this."

"Maho is right! Captain, don't you understand? We would throw down our very lives for you! Please don't ask us to forsake you now. Don't ask us to stand by and watch you be executed for our failures!"

"Lord Mahaado! You are this kingdom's most trusted official! Its most talented wizard! You are fan-bearer on the king's right hand! What value have our lives compared to yours?"

Mahaado ran a hand through his silky tresses, light glinting off the bejeweled fingers. "I will not ask the pharaoh to swallow his sadness. I will leave the priesthood if he decrees it. I will hand over my life if he wants it. And I need all of you to step in and fill the vacuum my absence will create. If I am to go to my death tomorrow, let me go knowing this kingdom – and his majesty – are in better hands than mine turned out to be."

One by one, the assembled guards each laid down their weapons, sinking to their knees and bowing deeply.

"I swear."

"I swear."

"I swear."

The night air rippled with these whispered vows. Mahaado's pulse began to steady, relieved to have finally earned their compliance. He gathered himself and began to dismiss the assembled guards when, behind him, the door slammed open.

"The Pharaoh calls for Mahaado's presence before the holy tribunal. He is to face the judgment tonight."