(A/N: IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!

Hello everyone. I know that I'm already in the middle of writing 3 other stories, but this one has been buzzing in my mind for a while now and I just can't ignore it anymore. As the summary says, this is an Atem/Téa story where Téa goes to the past. I think we need more stories like this one, so here's my attempt at one. But before I begin, I need to tell you something important. As you know Atem and Yami are the same person, yet under the character category on , they are separate characters. So, each time I update this story, I will be switching the characters. For example, this time it will be an Atem/ Téa story, next time it will be a Yami Yugi/Téa story, then Atem/Téa again, etc until the story is finished, during which it will become and remain an Atem/Téa story. Well, ok, technically an Atem/Anzu story, I'm just used to calling her Téa. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.)

SUMMARY: Atem has departed to the after life, but as a reward for defeating Zorc, he is given a chance to live again, and he returns to the past to live the life he lost. Back in the 21st century, a magic tablet accidentally sends Téa back in time 5000 years, where she reunites with Atem. Though both have strong feelings for each other, both know that she must return to the 21st century and search to find a way to send her back. While in Ancient Egypt, Téa makes friends with the people and gets closer to Atem, making her resolve to leave weaken and Atem's decision to send her back weaken as well. As Téa tries to decide where she belongs, she faces Shadow Creatures, jealous women, bandits, war, and a powerful force of darkness that may succeed in destroying Egypt where Zorc had failed.

Romance/Action Adventure/Drama/Fantasy/Friendship/Supernatural/Spiritual.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"LOVE TRANSCENDING TIME"

Prologue

He was surrounded by light. It was a feeling of utter bliss. No pain, no worries, just happiness and peace. He felt his complete identity return to him as he completely separated from his good friend Yugi Motou, separated from the world of the living as he entered the world of the dead.

'I will never be able to thank you for all that you've for me.' thought Atem, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle and ancient pharaoh of Egypt. 'Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Téa, I will never be able to repay you. You've helped me remember who I am and have finally allowed me to rest in peace.'

As the light began to fade, he saw a beautiful world upon the horizon. And there waiting for him were his old friends, dead for 5000 years, waiting for him to join them. It was good to see them all again. Seto, the holder of the Millennium Staff, Shada, the holder of the Millennium Key, Karim, the holder of the Millennium Scale, Isis, the holder of the Millennium Necklace, Shimon, his trusted friend and advisor, Mana, his childhood friend, and Shadi, an ancient spirit that was finally able to rest.

Sadly, his entire court was not present. Mahad, the former holder of the Millennium Ring had merged with the Dark Magician and was sealed away in a stone tablet, waiting to be needed once again. Aknadin, the former holder of the Millennium Eye was lost in the Shadow Realm after he betrayed his allies. Even though the man was a traitor, Atem would still miss his once good friend just as much as he would miss his father, the former king, Aknamkanon, who had relinquished his soul to the Shadow Realm to atone for his sins.

It hurt to think about it, but the blessed light of the spirit world quickly took away his pain. No longer would he have to know pain and suffering. No more Shadow Duels, no more soul stealing, no more mind crushing, just an eternity of peace and happiness.

"Pharaoh, you've finally come!" cried Mana.

Atem smiled at his old friend. "Yes, it took me 5000 years, but I have finally arrived."

"We have been waiting for you, my pharaoh." Said Seto. "We feared the worst when Bakura tried to rewrite history."

Atem nodded to him. "I am sorry for worrying you. But thanks to my friends, I was able to once again conquer Zorc. And this time for good. I am just sorry that I had to leave you afterwards, but I have heard that you were a good king, Seto. I am very proud of you."

Seto bowed. "You honor me, my pharaoh. But it should have been you that had become king, not I. You were the only one truly worthy of ruling Egypt."

Shimon stepped forward. "That is why you are being given a second chance."

Atem's eyes widened. "A second chance? What do you mean?"

"As a reward for sealing away Zorc," Karim explained, "the gods have decided to give you another chance to live the life that had been taken from you. You may return to Egypt and pick up where you left off, to rule as you were meant to."

Atem was stunned. This had not been what he had expected. He had accepted that his life was over and he would now reside in the spirit world with everyone else that had passed on. But this, this he hadn't anticipated.

Shada bowed to Atem. "Pharaoh, we know that you have been sealed away for 5000 years and that you are ready to rest in peace, but do not throw away your life when you have a chance to actually live it."

"But how can I?" Atem asked. "History has it that after my spirit was sealed away, Seto took the thrown. If I do get another chance at life, won't that change history? Won't that affect the future? Won't that affect you and the future you lived through?"

Shadi stepped forward. "My pharaoh, it is true that minor changes may take place, but history will mostly write itself the way it has. The gods have seen to this or else they would not have allowed it to happen."

"Please, my pharaoh," said Isis, "go back and truly experience life. Live it to the fullest, and then you may rest in peace. You deserve this, so please, go enjoy life before you embrace death."

Atem felt tears prickle his eyes. "My friends, I am truly grateful for this. And if the gods are willing to allow me another chance at life, then I shall gratefully accept it."

Karim smiled at him. "Then we shall see you soon, although we shall not remember this meeting."

Atem suddenly felt himself falling away from the light. The burden of living hit him once again, but with it came the joys that only life could offer. He was going back in time. He was going to live.

(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)

All of Egypt mourned the loss of their king. After sealing away the dark god, Zorc Necrophades, he left, leaving Seto to be the new pharaoh. His body had been discovered a little while later, a content smile on his face.

As it was done back then, Atem's body was to go through the mummification process. They laid his body on the table, ready to begin the process.

"It's sad that we lost you so soon, pharaoh." Said Isis. "You would have been a great king."

Seto bowed to Atem's corpse. "My pharaoh, though I am not worthy, I shall rule Egypt to the best of my abilities. This I promise you."

The mummifiers looked at the members of Atem's court. Shimon nodded, indicating that they should begin. The mummifiers turned back to Atem's body and prepared to mummify him.

There was a flash of light from the Millennium Necklace, causing Isis to gasp as she saw a vision of the future. "Wait! My Millennium Necklace has shown me a vision. It's the pharaoh!"

They gathered around, looking at Atem's lifeless form. Suddenly his body jumped and his eyes snapped open as he took a deep breath. Everyone jumped back, astounded to see their king back from the dead.

Atem took several deep breaths as he filled his lungs with much needed oxygen. Slowly he sat up and looked at his surroundings. He couldn't believe it. He really was back in Egypt. The gods truly had given him another chance to live.

"Pharaoh?" Mana asked hopefully. "Pharaoh!" She threw her arms around him, cutting off the air supplies he had just replenished himself with. "I don't believe it, you're alive! You're alive! But you were dead. How is this possible?"

"I think we would all like to know that." said Shimon.

"Pharaoh, how is it that you are here with us once more?" Karim asked.

Atem managed to pry Mana off him. "Sealing away Zorc caused my body and my soul to separate. But the gods have given me another chance at life."

Seto stepped forward and bowed." Pharaoh, I am overjoyed to see that you have returned." He took the Millennium Puzzle off his neck and handed it to Atem. "You alone are the one true king of Egypt."

Atem gratefully accepted the Millennium Puzzle, placing it around his neck again. It really was real. He was really back. He now had a chance at life. Now if only his future friends could be hear with him, then everything would be perfect. But they would not even be born for another 5000 years.

(A/N: So Atem gets another chance at life. I thought it kind of sucked that he went through all that just so he could die. Some reward. But I have a good feeling about this story and the ideas I have for it. So I hope you'll all stay tuned for more. And don't forget what I said about the character category changing. Next time I update, it will be under Yami Yugi/Anzu, NOT Atem/Anzu.)