Here's the disclaimer. I do not own Yugioh...only a few characters that I made up in this story. Thank you. ENJOY READING!!!!!!!!!!!
"blah...blah...": someone speaking
//blah...blah...//: someone thinking
~blah...bah...~: Yami speaking to hikari
-blah...blah...-: hikari speaking to Yami
blah...blah...: speaking on Msn
Thinking of youSomewhere there's someone
Who dreams of your smileAnd finds in your presence
That life is worthwhile
So when you're lonely
Remember it's true
That somebody, somewhere is thinking
Of you
Chapter 1: Surprise!Hoshi's fingers danced across the keyboard, making music flow around the room. A metronome kept the rhythm in time, beeping out the beat. The notes melded together until they suddenly clashed. Hearing it made Hoshi wince. Her piano teacher shook his grey head disapprovingly at her clumsiness.
"Not good enough," he said sternly. "You need to practice more."
"Yes Mr. Antonelli," Hoshi replied obediently. Mr. Antonelli scribbled something down in Hoshi's notebook then passed it back to her. She began packing her music books.
"Besides the FEW mistakes you made today, the music was quite good," he said with his tone softening more.
"Yah right," Hoshi thought bitterly. By reading in-between the lines she knew that what her piano teacher meant was that she was good.....at the standard grade four level. She was in grade seven in piano, while she was in grade 11 at school. She NEARLY failed every piano exam so far, just skimming the line over the passing mark. Slinging her music bag over her shoulder, she exited, waving and saying "Goodbye!" to Mr. Antonelli.
Hoshi ran through the quiet streets of her neighbourhood. She lived in Vancouver, a city in the province British Columbia of Canada. Besides the fact that her province's government right now was suffering from a big financial loss and the health and education system were falling apart, Hoshi would've loved to stay in Vancouver for the rest of her life. There were quiet and big streets for you to choose to live on, forests to walk through if you knew where to look and a downtown to go to when you wanted to spend some money on self-satisfying luxuries. Dashing on the sidewalk, feet slapping with a satisfying thud against the cement, Hoshi felt free when running. It made her feel as if she was being pulled on a fast carnival ride yet she was the one in control. Air blasted across her face, freezing the skin and refreshing her. Reaching her back door, she banged through it and let the door swing shut behind her. She stood there, panting, in her kitchen.
"Hi Hoshi! How was piano lesson today?" asked her Japanese mother calmly who was cooking tonight's dinner at the stove.
"Ummm.....ok." Hoshi lied. She peered into the pan where her mom was frying some food.
"What is that?" Hoshi asked breathing in the wonderful smell deeply.
"Tempura," her mom said proudly, "You like it so far?"
"Yeah, it sure smells good," Hoshi encouraged before leaving the room.
Passing by her dad's office she threw a greeting at him. Her Caucasian father grunted a reply, not looking up from the newspaper he held. (Author's note: Hoshi is half Japanese and half Caucasian.) Jumping two stairs at a time Hoshi went upstairs to her bedroom. Her nine year old brother, Danny, was in his room playing video games on his computer as usual. Hoshi left him without saying a greeting, knowing that Danny wouldn't be able to hear her anyway. Entering her room, she closed the door for some privacy and headed straight for the computer, signing on to MSN messenger. (Author's note: For those that don't know, MSN is something that allows you to chat on the Internet with your friends. Kind of like a chatroom except you only speak with friends on your contacts list.) She immediately began typing to her friend.
Hey Em, you there?
hi Em typed back simply.
Hoshi and Em did not go to the same high school yet had been very good friends in elementary school so kept in touch. They were still very good companions as they chatted together nearly everyday on MSN.
Anything up with you?
Not much, I won my first Yugioh card game today though. Em sent back as if it was nothing.
YOU WON YOUR FIRST CARD GAME AND YOU SAY NOT MUCH HAPPENED TODAY!!!! Hoshi screamed out on her computer.
whoa....chill Hoshi! yah...actually I am excited though the excitement's calmed down in me now."
I so PROUD of you still. You, Emily Shu, the first girl I bet to win a Yugioh card game at your school!!! You're practically the only female who plays it there.
*snort* As it seems that 90% of the female population only care about clothes, boys,
makeup and who's hot, who's not....Why don't you try? It's quite easy to learn how to play.
Nah...don't wanna bother. Besides I would rather use the time to read.
You and your books. You're such a bookworm. Hoshi could imagine Em rolling her eyes at Hoshi's addiction to reading.
Yup...I'm just a loner whose sanctuary is the library and just reads reads reads all day.
Well....the Yu-gi-oh show's on, see ya around Hoshi.
Yah, see you around Em. Bye! Hoshi logged off MSN as there was no one else to talk to on her contacts list. She flopped onto her bed and took out a big book she had recently borrowed from her school library. It was a book all about Egyptian mythology. Hoshi had already read a few books by the same author on Russian, Chinese, Roman and Greek mythology. In a few seconds she was underneath the book's spell as she grew captivated by stories on curses, war, magic and lust. On reading a legend about the god Ra, God King of the Egyptian Gods, her eyes grew heavy without warning. Her head dropped up and down, each time getting closer to her book until she finally submitted and rested herself on the bed.
* * * * *
Hoshi's head snapped up. It was dark in her room. Looking at her glow-in-the-dark watch, she read 12:01 a.m.
"Hey! How come mom didn't wake me up for dinner?" she said puzzled. Hoshi rubbed her eyes. Her hand brushed the wall where the light switch would be. Her fingers found nothing.
"What's going on?" she murmured. Stumbling around the dark she managed to find a switch and flicked it. A lamp to her left turned on, giving off light to a restricted area. Hoshi took off the lampshade and raised the lamp higher. She gasped and nearly dropped the lamp.
Hoshi was in a large warehouse with a concrete floor, wooden walls and a high-beamed ceiling. She was on some sort of balcony protruding from a wooden wall. Everything was totally alien to Hoshi, nothing at all was familiar from the home where Hoshi had been born in and raised. She couldn't help her next action. She fainted.
* * * * *
She woke up with a screaming inside her mind.
~YOU STUPID GIRL....AWAKE!!! STOP BEING SUCH A WEAKLING!!!
ARISE!!!!!~
Hoshi's eyes snapped open in alarm as she thought through the clamour, //Am I dreaming this up or is that my under-consciousness speaking?//
~OF COURSE IT'S NOT!!!!~ the loud voice snapped inside Hoshi's brain. Hoshi winced at the harshness and gingerly spoke aloud.
"err.....Who's this?"
~Idiot child!! I'm within your mind, there's no reason to SPEAK ALOUD!!!~ the harsh mind voice replied telepathically.
-Oh...well where am I then?- Hoshi questioned timidly.
~ In Japan of course. ~ the voice replied shortly. Hoshi's eyes widened in shock.
//This has gotta be a dream.// she thought and automatically pinched herself hard to make sure.
"Ouch!" she yelped, more out of pain than surprise. Rubbing the squeezed skin she looked around to find that she was still in the warehouse. As it was morning, she noticed that the balcony had a dresser, bed and a full-length mirror on it. She was currently lying on the bed.
-Would you care to explain how I came to Japan?- Hoshi asked.
The voice replied with a distinct feminine tinge to it. ~ You were sent here. By great powers not even I know of. I am your yami, the darker side of you. ~
-What?! Doesn't that only happen in the Yugioh show?- Hoshi asked in alarm.
~ I know of no Yugioh show. ~ the female voice said haughtily. ~ Although I do know of a pharaoh named Yugioh. ~
-Come again?- Hoshi said dumbly.
~ I KNOW OF A PHAROAH NAMED YUGIOH!!! ~ screamed the voice causing Hoshi to wince in pain and massage her temples.
-All right, all right.- Hoshi muttered. –This just seems all weird to me that's all. One second I was reading about Egyptian mythology in my bedroom then bang! Some voice is telling me that I'm in Japan....-
~ You were reading about Egyptian gods? ~ the voice said suddenly interested.
-Yes. Wait...you aren't going to tell me all of those Egyptian stories are true, right? I mean they're just myths.-
~ They are just as real as you and I. ~ the voice replied in that haughty tone of hers. ~ If you don't believe me then go to that mirror. ~
Hoshi complied and saw herself wearing the clothes she had worn before. Blue jeans and a black T-shirt.
~ Now relax. ~ the voice soothed. Hoshi felt herself being slid into the back of her mind, her body still standing before her, yet her soul being extracted from the body and placed gently aside. Her body's mirror image wavered, as if a heat wave going through it, then suddenly shrugged its shoulder and straightened up to stand more confidently without Hoshi commanding it to do so. Seeing the image now, Hoshi had to gasp.
Her brown hair, cropped short, lengthened slightly to her shoulder, turned a darker shade and became silky. Her misty brown eyes so filled with youthful buoyancy, hardened and had a slyness gleaming in them. Jeans tightened more around the legs and her T-shirt now boasted of womanly curves. Hoshi could only gape at herself, seeing a person with the same face as herself yet with very different features etched into it.
~ Now do you believe me? ~ the female voice answered. Hoshi nodded in her mind.
~ Good. ~ the voice said then rolled her shoulders, in Hoshi's body.
"You know I've been imprisoned inside that object for a millennia and now...to be suddenly free...." the female voice said using Hoshi's voice that now sounded to be15 years or so. The female sighed. "I've never knew it would feel that good to walk again. Mind if I exercise a bit?" she asked Hoshi politely.
-What object?- Hoshi asked without answering the female's question.
The female, deciding that she was permitted, began doing somersaults, cartwheels and other acrobatic tricks around the balcony.
"The object on your upper left arm," she grunted while doing a headstand.
Hoshi, in her mind's eye, turned to her left arm to see an armlet (or bracelet) gleaming there. The bracelet was 1.5 inches long with circling bands at either end. A decorative gold snake with sapphire eyes twined around the bracelet, passing from the top to the bottom bands. The famous golden eye of Ra symbol was situated in-between the circling bands, and for a second, gleamed brightly. It was neither too loose or too tight around the upper arm so fitted snugly.
-You wouldn't mind telling me about yourself now, would you?- Hoshi asked.
"Hmm....let me think for a while. It's been such a long time since I've thought about my past." the female said and performed three back-flips in a row as Hoshi waited patiently.
"Ah yes....I was a priestess in Ancient Egypt. Dedicated to the temple of Isis and Nephthys. My name at that time was Hafertis. One day the goddess Isis and Nephthys came to the temple in their great splendour and commanded that I become a bodyguard for the pharaoh Yugioh. The head priestess of the temple and the pharaoh didn't dare disobey the goddess, but were puzzled as only men were allowed to be bodyguards for the pharaoh."
-The goddess Isis and Nephthys really came to you?- Hoshi asked in disbelief.
The Egyptian woman sighed. "Now why would I lie to you?"
-Oh.- said Hoshi.
"Hmm...where was I? Oh yes, as the head priestess and pharaoh didn't dare disobey, they trained me to be a warrior, fit to be protector of the great pharaoh. When I was ready they smuggled me as a boy into the palace. Others who served the pharaoh saw me as the beardless boy called Amunhur (Champion of the pharaoh with hidden past). No one knew of my true gender, save for the pharaoh Yugioh and the head priestess." Here Hafertis paused to do four somersaults in the air.
-Hey! Watch how you're exercising!- Hoshi said in alarm. –This is MY body you're using and I don't want any broken bones!!!- Hafertis just smirked and continued her story.
"During the ancient times another world existed called the Shadow Games. The
Egyptian royalties summoned monsters from the Shadow Games and duelled against each other with these monsters, as entertainment and to show off prowess. Even the pharaoh participated in these duels and became a legendary champion. Controlling these monsters was not small feat and soon the once entertaining duels went out of control. The pharaoh managed to seal the portal with the help of eight items. In each item he placed a different ability to contribute to the great power of closing the portal."
-I thought there were only seven items.- Hoshi said puzzled.
"There were eight, I was there to see them being used by the pharaoh." Hafertis said in that snobbish tone of hers again. That tone was starting to get on Hoshi's nerves.
-And you were placed inside the eighth one?-
"Yes, I sacrificed myself to be kept for a millennia inside an item." the former bodyguard said proudly. Hoshi was a silent for a moment.
-How come the items are being used now and opening the powers within?-
Hafertis said quietly, "It's because someone is attempting to reopen the Shadow Games."
-And the items and their possessors are of course expected to save the world and stop that someone.- Hoshi responded sarcastically.
"My, you do have a good sense of timing to say the right thing." Hafertis said amused.
Hoshi protested –WHAT?! You're kidding me right?-
"I do not kid," Hafertis answered solemnly. "You were chosen by powers from above to become my hikari.
-Hikari is umm...light right?- asked Hoshi, stumbling a bit over the word 'hikari' as her Japanese was scritchy.
"Yes."
-So you're my dark side and I'm your light side?-
"That's our bond between us."
-And which powers from above chose me to become your hikari? 'Cause I've gotta tell you that you're going to be disappointed as I have no skills or special powers to show. And my parents are going to be worried right now when they can't find me. Besides, I want to GO HOME!!!- At the last few words Hoshi yelled.
"SILENCE INSOLENT CHILD!!! THE POWERS HAVE CHOSEN YOU AND THEY DON'T MAKE MISTAKES!!!" thundered Hafertis' voice. It silenced Hoshi.
"I do understand your pain of course being ripped away from your world." Hafertis comforted, her voice softening more. "I too had my future abruptly changed when Isis commanded for me to change from a priestess to a bodyguard."
-Does that mean I must stay here? For eternity?-
"No...when the culprit opening the portal is captured you will go back to your world."
-Hmm...that seems fine with me at the moment. Is this a warehouse we're in?-
"Yes, it was prepared for you by the high powers as your home. You will live here for the amount of time you stay. Shall we explore?" Before Hoshi could say a word Hafertis leaped about 3 feet down from the balcony.
-Will you stop doing that!! You give me heart attacks with all of these stunts you do!! And can I have my body back?-
Hafertis sighed. "If you want." Hoshi's consciousness was shifted and she began feeling more attached to her body. Her face and body moulded back into their normal state. Hoshi looked around her surroundings.
-Well there seems to be only one level for this building that I can see so far.-
Looking up Hoshi saw the balcony on which she was just on, built with wooden planks and seemingly to be out of place with the concrete walls of the warehouse. A ladder was placed against it.
~ That balcony we were just on is the bedroom. ~ contributed Hafertis helpfully.
-hmmm....I wonder why the bedroom couldn't just be on the groundfloor.- mused Hoshi.
One half of the warehouse was the kitchen and living room. There was a refrigerator, a sink with a dishwasher underneath and a stove against the wall. A rug, four chairs and a round table with a computer on it stood in the center of this "room". Several large lights hung over the furniture with a few lamps standing for more lighting. A switchboard was on the wall with complicated looking switches on it. Turning her head, Hoshi saw that the other half was empty.
-Where's the bathroom?- asked Hoshi to her yami.
~ Look back to the kitchen. ~ replied Hafertis.
Hoshi turned back towards to the kitchen and then noticed a small section cut off in the corner. A wooden door was the entrance with a window next to it. Entering, Hoshi saw the main necessities for the bathroom. (Author's note: You know what I'm talking about right?)
~ You do know that you're going to a school. ~ Hafertis said out of the blue.
-A...a...sch.... school?!- Hoshi sputtered. –Sheesh! You would have though that in this world the higher powers would've left that detail out.-
~ Is school that bad? ~ questioned Hafertis curiously. ~ All I learned was how to read and write, simple arithmetic, the duties of a priestess and how to fight. ~
-You have no idea.- Hoshi rolled her eyes. –High school is the worst.-
~ I have no idea what you're talking about. ~ Hafertis said shortly. ~ If you'd like to know your....school...begins today, I believe, at seven o'clock. ~
Hoshi looked at her watch which said 6:40. Hoshi screeched in alarm.
-AND YOU BOTHERED TELLING ME NOW???-
~ Is school that important? ~ said Hafertis. ~ I never realized it was. ~
-Oh man...I've gotta hurry.- mumbled Hoshi. –Is the name Domino High? And where is my school uniform that I have to wear?-
~ I believe so. And the uniform is in the dresser while your school tools are by the front door. ~
-ACK!! How do those oh so great powers expect me to learn in a Japanese school!- complained Hoshi as she hurriedly climbed up to her bedroom and changed.
~ Don't ask me. By the way, I feel tired so I shall be resting in my soul room for the day. ~ Hoshi felt the conversation link break.
-HEY!! Come back here! I need you still!- she protested. No reply met her cries. Swearing, she slid down the ladder and raced out the front doors, grabbing the heavy satchel laying on the floor.
//How am I going to find the school?// wondered Hoshi.
Well, what that good? Please send reviews to me! I need the assurance to know that my works are being read by others. Remember!!! Reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! reviews! The bottom line...SEND ME REVIEWS!!!!!!