Last chapter is here and ready to roll! I feel like I am losing a piece of my soul with this one. Not only is it my first completed fanfiction, but one of the few that will have several sequels. Like I have said before there is much more to this story.

Enjoy the FINAL chapter of The Pharaoh and the Female Thief!

Mana

Mana was now in her room changing. She had a lot to think about and something in the back of her mind was troubling her. She knew that there would be opposition to Atem's decision. She also knew that Muran was at the top of the list of people who now had reason to dispose of her. She could feel his disdain from behind her after Atem had declared her his future queen. It was palpable. Mana had single-handedly swayed the mind of the pharaoh just by being in love with him and ruined any possible chance Muran had at securing an alliance. However, there was also someone else who hated the idea just as much. The young woman with the sapphire eyes.

When their eyes met, Mana knew that the woman was furious. The fury made her jewel eyes dark and menacing. Mana could only assume this was one of the women who had hoped and vied for Atem's attention. Mana observed that she wasn't a harem girl or a dancer. The look of her clothing and the way she carried herself told Mana that she was a royal, a princess, and perhaps the princess Muran had secured an alliance with.

Mana would have to be careful in the future. Sure, she could protect herself once she had control over her second form, but until then she couldn't put Atem in any further danger. Bakura had been bad enough, but this new threat could be even deadlier. If anything happened to Atem because of her…Mana would be devastated.

Mana took a deep breath and focused on getting dressed. Atem was waiting for her in his chambers. She wasn't sure what would take place, but she hoped it wasn't anything too…intimate. Mana was mostly over her past and she wanted to give Atem everything, but Mana was afraid. She knew full well that Atem loved and adored her even after finding out about her past, but nothing could change the fact that she had been, for lack of a better word, breached.

Her innocence was gone and along with it the assurance that she would only be faithful to Atem. Pharaoh's were held to a much higher standard. If they did not produce male heirs than the likelihood of the people standing behind him was slim. The people needed the reassurance that their queen was pure and Mana could not give them that assurance. The people would see her as dirty and unclean in regard to producing heirs. They would assume it had all been a ploy for her take not only the crown, but a place in Atem's heart where she could influence political decisions.

There was nothing to be done, but something like this would hurt Atem's reign if she wasn't careful. She would be closely watched and one false move on her part could very well be the end of them both. The people would turn on her, refuse to accept her, and could cause them to possibly call for her removal from the throne.

Mana had to stop herself. She was causing herself to panic and if it kept up she would never be able to face Atem. He would see her worry and her doubt. Atem would tell her not to fret and that they could handle everything together, but Mana didn't want him to make promises he couldn't keep.

Mana took another deep breath and finished changing. The sheath was the same as the night before, but she still felt self-conscious about it. Atem hadn't expected intercourse from her last night, but tonight was a completely different matter. She had agreed to become his wife. It would only make sense that he would want to solidify their bond.

Flashes of lustful faces and rough hands zoomed through her mind. A shiver ran through her body and she had to keep from panicking. Mana knew that Atem would not be rough with her like Bakura and the others had been. They had wanted her for her body while Atem wanted her for her entire being. She convinced herself that it would be an entirely different experience.

She took a second to imagine how Atem would be intimate with her. She imagined that he would be gentle and patient with her. He would allow her to go at her own pace and ask what things he could and couldn't do. He would kiss her and make sure she was alright. He would ask for her to trust him and she would. There was no doubt in her mind that she would.

Mana smiled at the mental image before she squared her shoulders, made her way out of the room, and down the hall to Atem's rooms. Whatever happened tonight between the two of them Atem would give her a choice. Atem wouldn't force her and with that thought in mind she was able to comfort herself. Mana nodded at the guards and knocked lightly on the door.

Atem

The party had finally ended and Atem was lying in his room looking up at the ceiling. He still couldn't believe what had happened only hours ago. Mana had walked into the room and announced, in front of everyone, that she would marry him. He had been over the moon at the news and could barely believe it, but she had and Atem still couldn't believe it.

Atem was deliriously happy. He felt light, as if nothing could ruin his mood, not even Osiris or Anubis himself. There was nothing that could make this night any better. Mana, his Mana, had made him the happiest man in the world. He couldn't stop smiling and if he wasn't pharaoh he would have been giggling at the opportunity to marry the love of his life.

His father had always told him that being pharaoh would be a blessing and a curse. He would always be in the public eye and would always have to live for the people. There might never be a time when he could live a life for himself. Atem was about to prove him wrong. He couldn't have the quiet life he wanted, but he could have the woman he loved by his side to rule with him. There would be trials and tribulations for them both to face, but he knew they could overcome any obstacle the gods threw at them. Their love would transcend centuries.

There was a small knock on the door and Atem was roused from his musings. He sat up so that he could address whoever it was. He called to allow them entrance and came face to face with Mana. She had removed her earlier clothing and replaced it with a sheath like the one from the night before. Atem smiled at her and gestured for her to come in.

Mana closed the door behind her as she walked further into the room. Mana stood there for a moment before stepping forward to stand before him. She smiled at him and the small blush on her face made his heart flutter.

"What is on your mind, love?" Atem questioned. Atem pulled her closer and rubbed her arms to keep her warm and soothe her worries.

Mana shook her head, "I'm just amazed I walked into that room and gave you an answer."

Atem chuckled, "I was also very shocked, love. I am very proud of you. You were so much like a queen that I couldn't take my eyes off you. You were mesmerizing."

Mana smiled at him. She leaned forward, placed her hands on his shoulders, and kissed him. It was short and sweet. Atem smiled against her lips and placed his hands on her waist. He pulled her a bit closer so that she was standing between his legs. Mana tensed at the action, but didn't move away.

Atem pulled away and looked up into her eyes. He could see a bit of fear in the depths of her emerald ords. When their eyes met Mana looked away. He realized that she assumed they had to be intimate right away and Atem's eyes widened. She expected him to make love to her.

"Mana," Atem called. Mana looked at him. "We have time. We can go slow. I don't want you to feel pressured into giving me an heir."

"But…"

"No, Mana. I don't care what the others will think about it. I want you to be comfortable before we do anything more intimate. You have been through a lot and need time to adjust."

Atem watched as she relaxed. He pulled her to sit on his legs and she complied. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. Atem cradled her against him and just held her. He was just happy to have her in his arms and in his heart. He didn't need anything else at this very moment.

"I think this is the happiest I have ever been," Mana whispered.

"Oh?"

"You have given me so much and accepted me for who I am. You look past my flaws and really look at me," Mana continued. "I love you for that."

Atem smiled and kissed her forehead. He ran a hand through her hair and just allowed her to be content. He was happy and he loved her. It was enough for now. They would eventually come to the things they couldn't avoid, but for now he could just hold her.

"I love you too," Atem replied.

They sat in the quiet before Atem suggested that it was time for bed. They had a lot to go over tomorrow. They had to arrange for their marriage ceremony and her coronation. Mana agreed and they got into bed. Atem pulled Mana close and held her to his heart. Mana sighed in contentment as her eyes drifted shut.

Atem was the happiest man alive.

5,000 Years Later

"Queen Mana…" a male voice called to her. "Queen Mana…"

Mana groaned because she wasn't ready to wake up. Atem was holding her and keeping her safe from the outside world. She was in the arms of her love and waking up sounded like a terrible option.

"Queen Mana!" a female voice yelled.

Mana opened her eyes and blinked in the dim light. She was no longer in the soft bed of the palace. She was in a dimly lit chamber on a slab of stone and two figures were standing before her. She blinked and began to sit up.

"I do not wish to disturb you, but the time has come. You are needed," the female voice said.

The clear shroud that had been covering her entire body slid to the ground and Mana met the gaze of the woman. The woman looked eerily like Isis, but she knew this wasn't her. Isis was dead. Everyone was dead and she was the only original of her love's previous life left.

"How long?" Mana demanded.

"5,000 years, my queen," a male voice answered.

Mana turned to look at him and saw that he looked a lot like Shada. He was wearing a turban, but he looked the same. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't the only original left.

"Where is my Pharaoh?" Mana asked. Neither answered her directly, but she could see the apprehension in their eyes. "Do not tell me you woke me when he has yet to show himself."

"Of course not, my queen. Pharaoh has been awoken, but he is no longer in Egypt," the Shada look-alike answered.

"Then where will I find him?"

"Japan," the Isis look-alike replied.

Mana raised an eyebrow. She had never heard of such a place. Why would her love be there? Why wouldn't he still be in Egypt where he would be able to find her? Why was he so far away from her?

"I do not understand. Why is he not where he belongs?"

"Much has changed, my queen," her male companion answered. "Pharaohs and their queens are not needed as leaders in certain parts of this world."

"Is Egypt no longer a country to be reckoned with? Have we been invaded by the Hittites?"

"Egypt is not as it once was, Queen Mana. The temples you worshipped at and the palaces you lived in are now places for people to visit and to learn about in history books," Isis answered. "Nothing you remember will look as it did. Gods are myth and the old knowledge is lost to many. You, Queen Mana, are living history."

"The gods are no longer honored? How is it that the world still functions?"

Mana was even more worried. The Egyptian Gods had always been a force to be reckoned with and since she had a direct connection to Sekhmet this news saddened her. If everything was as Isis said than what had truly happened in the time she had been gone? She knew that everyone she loved would either be long dead or stuck in an endless limbo, but she never thought the world would become so unrecognizable.

"What happened while I slept?" Mana inquired.

Isis and Shada shared a look. Isis sighed and looked back at her. She didn't seem too interested in explaining anymore, but Shada must have felt that Mana would be more receptive to the information if it was a woman talking to her.

"After the Pharaoh locked away the Millennium Items peace reigned under the care of Pharaoh Set, but the peace has ended," Isis began. "The Shadow Games have again entered this world and the Millennium Items have been scattered. Many of the Items have fallen into the hands of those who are destined to have them and others have been stolen. The Millennium Puzzle has ended up in the hands of a young boy in Japan."

Mana felt the blood boil in her veins. Her husband had given his life to secure peace and now the peace he had died for was at risk. She knew humanity would always have a selfish need for power, but this was unacceptable to Mana at least. The Shadow Games were dangerous and deadly and if lost not only would one lose a duel, but their very soul.

"How did this happen? My Pharaoh locked the Items away so that nothing like this could happen again!" Mana yelled.

"Fate is cruel, my queen. The Pharaoh is safe in the hands of the boy for now, but there are those that wish to take it from him," Shada interjected. "Yugi Muto is the reincarnation of the Pharaoh and together they will save the world."

Mana took a deep breath and focused on not tearing the messengers apart. If Atem was in the hands of his reincarnation than there was nothing to do, but accept that. Atem was still, essentially, alive but without a physical body and it was her duty to protect him. She needed to find him and help him achieve his destiny just like she had done 5,000 years ago.

"I will do what is necessary to get him back," Mana affirmed. "I will not allow him to fall or falter in his mission. By the Eye of Ra, Sekhmet, I so swear."

Shada nodded and looked at the Isis look-alike. They shared a silent conversation before Shada introduced the other woman as Ishizu Ishtar. The woman leaned forward in a silent bow and it was only then that Mana noticed the Millennium Necklace around her neck, just like her previous self. Mana hoped she would be able to trust her just as much as she had Isis.

"What is it that we do now?"

"We will get you changed and help you with anything you need before we make plans to send you to Domino City," Ishizu answered. "You seem to understand Egyptian and English just fine so we will just have to make sure you can understand Japanese."

"We are assuming it is because of your connection with the Goddess Sekhmet that you are able to understand different languages as easily as you do, my queen," Shada clarified.

Mana nodded in agreement. It was possible and plausible that Sekhmet would find a way to make her transition easier. She sent up a silent prayer to the Goddess she was dedicated to and felt a feeling of warmth flood her. Sekhmet had heard her and that made Mana more confident in her new mission.

"Then let us get to work," Mana stated.

Mana swung her legs to the side of the stone slab and set her sandaled shoes on the stone floor. She took a second to get her bearings before standing up. Her legs didn't seem weak and she hoped that was due to her condition. Mana had been in a state of eternal immortal sleep for the last 5,000 years waiting for the time she would be reunited with her love.

Mana straightened her back and met the awed gazes of Ishizu and Shada. She nodded at them both and gestured for them to lead the way into her new adventure. They both smiled at her and Shada, now introduced to her as Shadi, offered her his arm so that she could use him as a crutch if necessary. Mana was silently thankful for the hand and smiled at the man who could only be the same man from her and Atem's past.

Ishizu moved past them and through a doorway. Shadi urged her forward and Mana allowed them to lead her out of the room. Her final thought as she left her husband's tomb was one of firm affirmation to not only herself, but to the man who was so far away from her.

'Don't worry, Atem. You won't be alone in the darkness for much longer. I am coming.'

Done! This chapter of Atem and Mana's story is closed! More is to come lovelies! Patience and dedication. That is what I am going to tell myself anyway. Keep a look out for the next installment: The Queen and The King of Games.

Thank you all for following me on this journey! I hope you stick around for more of our precious Atem and Mana! Please review!