Yu-Gi-Oh! © Kazuki Takahashi. Not me

WARNINGS FOR THIS FIC: angsty moments, torture…READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

'thoughts'

Role Reversal
Prologue

The doors finally closed. After so many years, he's finally where he should be...

"That traitor shall not enter Aaru!"

Atemu whirled around upon hearing that familiar booming voice. His eyes widened upon seeing the muscled form of a former enemy pointing at him. "Anubis!"

"How dare you!" It was Seto who had spoken. He took a step forward and raised a finger at Anubis. "If there's anyone least deserving of Aaru, it is you! You were once a powerful sorcerer* blessed by the Great Imy-ut*. But you chose to use your gifts against the pharaoh, therefore against the sacred Netjer*!"

Just as Anubis was about to counter, the door to the mortal realm vanished. Columns etched with hieroglyphics materialized, forming a corridor within the white room. Marble floor appeared beneath their feet. Walls decorated with hieroglyphs emerged from the light and settled at the sides, forming a hall from where they stood. The appearance of Wesir* and the 42 judges, sitting on majestic high chairs behind an equally majestic table completed the Hall of Two Truths*.

Anubis smirked, turning to the pantheon."You see how that pharaoh has the ability to corrupt minds, to bend and twist the truth!" He took a step towards Atemu but the latter's family and friends shielded him. "Such a coward. Always hiding behind comrades." He added smugly.

Atemu growled and tried to step forward. But his father's hand held him in place. "Do not fall prey to his tauntings, my son" Akhenamkhanen whispered.

"Those are such grave accusations, Sorcerer of death." The Lord of Eternity, Wesir stated. "This pharaoh has saved the world of mankind many times. He has made many sacrifices for the good of all. Why does he not deserve Aaru?"

"Because he is corrupted."

Everyone's attention was turned towards the jackal headed god that appeared amidst dark smoke. Anpu* stood next to his sorcerer, his slanted eyes focused on Atemu. "My servant is merely protecting the Kemet from this pharaoh's darkness."

Everyone fell silent. Atemu's friends and family wanted to say something in Atemu's defense. But they would not dare, especially not in the presence of the Netjer.

"Your servant lies!" Atemu said boldly, ignoring the alarmed looks he got from his friends and family. He stepped forward, his stance ever regal and proud. "I admit. I once had darkness deep in my heart. But it was dispelled by my friends."

"Have you not lost your memories?" Anpu questioned. "How can you say that the darkness has been dispelled when you only hold fragments of your past?"

"Great Imy-ut, nub-tA-djesr*" Mahado stated, getting on his knees and bowing his head. "I and the people behind me have witnessed the beginning and end of Pharaoh Atemu's reign. We have also witnessed his time when he was released from the Millennium Pendant." He glanced at Atemu from the corner of his eye. "He has made mistakes, but his intentions are always pure. He puts the lives of others before his own. The darkness in his heart was never powerful enough to overcome his own light."

Atemu's eyes were wide and fixed on his loyal friend. He knew they were close. He knew their bond was strong. His mind held his memories. But his heart was yet to feel it. After hearing Mahado's words, he felt the spark of their connection being reignited. He was deeply touched by his friend's words. Even after everything he had done, his friend still saw the light within him.

Anpu didn't respond to Mahado's testimony. He gestured to one side of the room where the magnificent Scales was located with Ammit standing right by its base. "We shall let the feather of Mayet* decide your fate." He declared, his eyes gleaming.

…

One side of the Scales tilted...

The side that held the Pharaoh's heart.

"No..." Atemu gasped, breaking the shocked silence that fell upon the Hall of the Two Truths. "It cannot be."

"The Scales speak the truth and only the truth" Anpu said, his eyes narrowed. He turned towards the pantheon. "Now Ammit must devour his heart"

Everyone could only look on as Anpu took Atemu's heart and dropped it to Ammit. Atemu was too shocked to do anything. He simply stood there, watching as his fate was being sealed once more. 'Am I really an evil being?'

Everything seemed to be happening in an agonizingly slow way. He didn't know whether it was just him or this was the way the Netjer tortured doomed souls. 'Even after the sacrifices I have made, it is only my mistakes that matter...' His vision was becoming cloudy as tears formed in his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, the demon caught Atemu's heart in its gator jaws. Atemu clutched at his chest. He could feel Ammit's sharp fangs. He could feel hands supporting him. But the faces were obscured by a blur. He could hear people talking. But the words sounded garbled and unintelligible.

'Ra... Father... Aibou...Anyone..." He mentally moaned as he sank to his knees. 'Please help me...'

And Ammit crushed it with one snap of its jaws...

1) Anubis as a sorcerer – Maybe this is just me, but I definitely didn't see Yu-Gi-Oh! Pyramid of Light's Anubis to fit the title.

2) Netjer - God

3) Anpu - the Egyptian name for Anubis.

4) Imy-ut (He who is in the place of embalming)

5) nub-tA-djesr (lord of the sacred land)

6) Wesir – Osiris

7) Mayet – Maat

8) Hall of Two Truths – After crossing Duat, this is where the heart of the deceased is weighed.