On a hot afternoon in Egypt, a pair of abandoned siblings wandered around the market stands begging people and shoppers for money. But hardly anyone would assist them.
"Beat it!" said one of the market men. "Stupid beggars, always pretending to be homeless just to get free food."
One of the siblings fell to the ground, exhausted by the heat. "I don't know… if I can go on."
Her younger brother then arrived with a cup of water. "Here, take it."
The older sister immediately consumed the liquid. "Thank you so much, Grubber."
"No problem, big sis," said Grubber. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine now," said Tempest. "Thanks to you."
An hour later, the siblings arrived at their shelter.
"I'm so tired, Tempest," said Grubber.
"I know, little bro," said Tempest. "It's been a long day."
Inside, a tall, hairy, slave merchant named Storm was consuming large amounts of food when the siblings presented the few dollars they had collected to him.
"You gotta be kidding me!" yelled Storm. "Out all day and this is all you could get?! Bleh! Well no food for you two, or any of the others!"
The pair then headed to their room, which they shared with five other children. Mani, Diva, Sera, Capper, and Tomo.
"I'm sorry," said Tempest. "It's my fault we're not eating tonight."
"You know that's not true," said Capper. "No matter how much money we bring him, it's never good enough."
"I guess you're right," said Tempest.
"But you're hungry, let's all play a game," said Capper. "It'll keep us distracted from hunger."
"Which game should we play?" asked Grubber.
"How about we look at the clouds?" asked Diva.
So the kids all looked out the window to see what shapes they could make out in the nighttime clouds.
"That one looks like a car," said Sera.
"That one looks like a pot," said Diva.
"A pot of beef stew," said Mani.
"I prefer pie," said Tempest.
"Oh I love pie," said Grubber.
All the kids started laughing.
A few seconds later, Storm came into their room.
"Hey! What's so funny?" asked Storm as he grabbed Tempest by her shirt. "Oh, so now you're not laughing, huh?"
"We're sorry, Storm!" said Grubber. "And we'll do better tomorrow."
"Hey!" said Storm. "What are you all supposed to call me?!"
"King!" said all the kids at once.
"Great!" said Storm. "But you know what? You kids are just too, oh I don't know… CUTE! I don't like cute! I never did-"
Suddenly, a bright light lit up the doorway and a bald man in white Egyptian clothing appeared. "Fear not, children. I come in peace, and I have wonderful news. You… are all free."
Storm clenched his fist. "What are you doing in my house?!" But when he tried to punch the man, he instantly froze. "Why can't I… move?"
"I am Shadi Shin," said the man. "And those with the most wretched lives… deserve the most beautiful." He raised his index finger and it started to glow. "Together, we will create that beauty." He then tabbed Tempest's forehead with his glowing finger and a shining pyramid appeared on it. Tempest then magically disappeared.
"Tempest!" said Grubber.
"Your sister is fine," said Shadi. "As you all will be." Shining pyramids then appeared on the other kid's foreheads as well, causing them to teleport out of the house.
Storm then fell to the ground, still unable to move. "Hey! Those were my brats!"
"People like you, are the reason I am here," said Shadi. "You will never harm anyone ever again."
"Oh yeah?!" yelled Storm as he continued to struggle.
A cube then appeared in Shadi's hand. He then pointed it at Storm and he disintegrated.
After grabbing a staff from the merchant's home, Shadi teleported to the same place as the children.
The children were all transported to the Shrine of the Millennium Stone.
"Where are we?" asked Tempest.
"I don't know," said Grubber.
Shadi then appeared before them. "You are in the Shrine of the Millennium Stone."
"What are you going to do with us?" asked Capper.
"Nothing," said Shadi. "I only came to release you from that prison, and give you all a better life." He then walked over, picked up a basket, and brought it over to the kids. "Now, if any of you are hungry, I have plenty of food. Here."
The kids gasped when they opened the basket. Inside was chicken and lots of fruit.
"Yay!" cheered Tempest, Sera, and Diva.
"Alright!" said Grubber, Capper, Tomo, and Mani. And they all dove right into the food.
A couple of years had gone by Shadi took the seven kids in. He kept them safe, gave them education, fed them, and taught them about the Millennium items and the Shadow Games.
"Master Shadi?" asked Grubber. "Tell us again. Why did you chose us?"
"Because, as children you can understand things that most adults can't," said Shadi.
"I don't get it," said Grubber.
"Yeah," said Tempest. "I mean… how does being children makes us different?"
"You see, Tempest," said Shadi. "A child's judgement has not yet been consumed by fear."
"Is fear bad?" asked Capper.
"That is correct," said Shadi. "Because fear, turns into hate."
"Why does it?" asked Capper.
"Because, fear tricks and clouds your judgement," answered Shadi.
"Oh, I see," said Tempest. "When someone is scared, they forget to do the right thing and lash out."
"And they end up angry at the world," added Diva.
"Very good, young ones," said Shadi. "And they often take out this anger in the form of aggression. Sadly, this has been the cause of the world's failings for millennia."
"Don't worry about me," said Tempest. "Ever since you saved us, I haven't a moment of fear. And as long as I'm with you, I'll never feel fear again."
"Tempest," said Shadi. "That is the very definition of fear."
"It, is…?" asked Tempest.
"My children, listen very closely," said Shadi. "When the seven treasures are inserted in the Pharaoh's stone, the door to the afterlife will open, and the Pharaoh's soul will finally be able to move on. When this happens, the Plana's power will be yours to wield as you see fit. Which is why I teach you these lessons. Because I may not always be here to you guidance. My hope however, is that I will remain in your hearts. And now, young ones. There is one last matter, it is not a lesson, but a warning. One you must never forget. When the Pharaoh leaves this world, the power of the Plana will be granted. But, should he ever return, this power will be recanted, forever."
"Yes master," said Tempest.
At the moment, Mr. Bakura stepped into the Shrine carrying a bag.
"Young ones, stay and do not follow," said Shadi. He then approached the man.
"At last!" said Mr. Bakura. "I've finally found this place! And there it is! The Ancient Stone!" He ran over to the Millennium Stone to see the Millennium Ring and Scales. "It's just as the ancient texts say. The Golden Ring is inside!" He then unzipped his bag and held out four stacks of money to Shadi. "Whatever you want, I'll pay it! Just tell me what your price is! I must have that ring!"
"You are mistaken," said Shadi. "The Millennium Ring is not an object one can possess. It possesses you. It has powers even I do not fully understand. Great and terrible powers."
"So? I do not care!" said Mr. Bakura. "I've been searching for this my whole life! Please sir!"
"It is not my place to interfere with what destiny has in store," said Shadi. "You've been warned. But if you still want the ring, it's yours."
Mr. Bakura's son Ryou, who had secretly tagged along with his dad, stepped for behind a pillar.
"Yes, yes, yes! I want it!" said Mr. Bakura. "What must I do?!"
"Simply take the ring and place it around your neck," said Shadi. "It will decide if you are worthy."
"Yes, yes!" said Mr. Bakura as he put the ring on. "It feels amazing! Like nothing I've ever experienced!" Just then, dark serpent-like monsters shot out of the ring and flung Mr. Bakura across the floor, detaching it from his neck.
"No!" cried Ryou. "Papa! Are you okay?!"
"The… ring," said Mr. Bakura weakly. "Where… is it?"
"I'll get it!" said Ryou as he ran toward the Millennium item. But as Ryou picked up the ring, a purple light emitted from it, and the evil soul of the King of Thieves fused with Ryou's body, then the ring disappeared under his skin.
"Oh no!" cried Shadi as he blocked the children.
The purple light then faded.
"Are you alright, child?" asked Shadi.
Ryou replied with an evil chuckle. "Shadi, your services are no longer required! Now begone old man!" Ryou then fired a beam of darkness from his hand right through Shadi's chest.
"No! Master Shadi!" cried Tempest.
All the kids ran to their master.
"Are you okay?" asked Grubber.
"Say something," said Tempest.
"Remember young ones," said Shadi weakly. "Do not give into your fear, do not give into hate. One day, the seven treasures will become one with the Pharaoh's stone… You must be ready…You must find harmony between the forces or good and evil…"
"Hold on, Master Shadi!" said Tempest. "Please, hold on!"
"Tempest…" said Shadi. "Take this. This is the Quantum Cube, a Millennium Item that was created in secret. Use it to wield the power of the Plana. You must carry it now… for my time in this world… is complete…"
The children all cried as their master died.
"No!" cried Capper.
"Don't leave us!" begged Tempest. "Please come back."
"Don't waste all your tears on him!" said Ryou. "You really ought to save some for each other!" He then fired the same beams of darkness at all the kids, killing Diva, Sera, Mani, and Tomo. Only Tempest, Grubber, and Capper managed to remain conscious, but the Quantum Cube was thrown across the room. "I like this new host body. I think we'll be able to do all kinds of terrible things together." Ryou then walked out of the shrine.
Tempest then crawled across the ground to get the Quantum Cube. A scar now laid across her right eye from Ryou's attack. Just as she was about to reach the cube, a long staff with a gem on the top fell to the floor. The staff's gem then glowed blue and sucked out all the power of the Cube and into the staff.
"What the heck just happened?" asked Tempest.
"Master Shadi said this was called the Staff of Sacanas," said Grubber. "He said he found it in that merchant's house."
"He also said it has the power to drain the magic out items and people," added Capper.
"I think we may need this," said Tempest.
"For what?" asked Grubber.
"To help us stop that evil boy that killed Master Shadi," said Tempest.
Several years later, Tempest entered the city of Canterlot, believing Yugi Muto was there, but was mistaken. Eventually, she came across Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, and the other girls. She then secretly followed them to their school one day. "It seems that these girls all know Yugi from the Battle City tournament. They could be my key to locating him, then we will finally be able to rid this horrid world of all evil!" She then altered the memories of the students and staff off Canterlot High, implanting the notion that she was now a new student at their school, so she could continue to monitor the girls, hoping that soon, they could lead her to Yugi Moto.