The Card Sprite … Chapter One
Rekishi Tsuku Zenbu no Maru … History Comes Full Circle
Over five ages ago, a single soul became trapped within a golden pyramid. In doing so, he so trapped six other forms of power in six other golden objects and thus protected the world from being overshadowed by evil. Monsters that had once been part of a deadly game, fought for power by ancient sorcerers, were locked away in a mysterious realm, and the struggle for the ancient power had all but been forgotten. The tale went from news, to gossip, to rumor, to legend, to myth, to memory.
The items have been recovered and the power unleashed. The evil has once again risen. And spirits that once aided the sorcerers in those age-old games of power will now aid the ones who fight in this present age. They are the toranpu yosei, the card sprites. This is the tale of one of their own, a sprite who must forsake her wandering nature and stay with one individual. For in doing so, she may aid that individual in overthrowing the looming shadow once more…
*****
Kioku heard footsteps in the corridor outside her chamber. At last, he returns, she thought. She smiled wryly to herself at the thought of her master's deep eyes, his tanned, lean build and his ways with the magic. Had he not saved my life back when I had one, I would not still be here, she thought grimly. But as fate would have it, I am bound to him like the rest of my kind.
Upon opening the door, however, she found not her master but a man sprawled on the floor. He wore a red suit and his silver shoulder-length hair was tousled and dirty. He struggled to his feet, and when he finally raised his eyes to hers she found herself staring at a Millennium item.
"Tell me," Pegasus rasped, "where the Guardian of the items is. I must speak with him!"
With that statement, Maximillian Pegasus collapsed at Kioku's feet.
She sighed and with a wave of her hand transported the man back to his own home and bed. Her master was not there, and wherever he was, he could not be bothered.
* * * * *
Pegasus awoke in his own bed and swore. "That woman must have spirited me back here, so I wouldn't find that Egyptian nuisance! Well, if I can't find him and the rest of the items myself, I'll have the items come to me! I'll re-create that game they played all those ages ago, the game of power.And a few years after it's become popular I'll have a tournament for all the best duelists! Oh, the items will come to me, all right- and perhaps even a few duelists after my own heart as well!" He laughed at this new prospect and then he hopped out of bed, feeling completely rejuvenated. I almost feel like I want to paint again, he thought, amazed. Cecilia, I am finally getting closer to holding you in my arms once more!
* * * A Few Years Later * * *
Kioku dressed quickly in a simple homespun cotton gown, with a belt of russet leather and sandals of the same. She plaited her hair into a long braid and then with another wave and some muttered words, transported herself to Japan.
She found it very different from Egypt; the climate was favorable and the language was more poetic. She sat upon a bench and cast her presence about to try and find this boy her master had insisted she observe. At last she found him in a school not far from where she sat.
Kioku stood and instead of waving her hand decided to walk to the school, enjoying the lovely day. If this boy is the holder of the Sennen puzzle, she mused, then he must have some hidden strength or tie to the ancient world one cannot see from without. For the puzzle will only go to one with the same attributes as the Pharaoh himself.
* * * * *
"Yugi- maybe your grandpa could teach me how to beat ya at Duel Monsters! He taught you, and if I know how ta duel like you, then maybe I could figure out yer strategies."
"I don't know, Joey- grandpa is very stern and a hard teacher when it comes to Duel Monsters. But if you really think you're up to it..."
Joey punched the air. "I'm ready! I'll be the greatest Duelist ever!"
Yugi smiled at his friend's elation. "Lemme take a look at your deck, Joey," Yugi said.
"Sure!" Joey handed it over with a flourish. "Whaddaya think?"
Yugi's eyes widened as he flipped through Joey's deck. "But Joey- there's nothing but monster cards in here!"
Joey leaned back proudly. "Yep, you betcha. I loaded it with all the tough monsters I could find!"
Yugi's face crinkled in shock and concern. "But Joey, Duel Monsters isn't just about having strong monsters! You use magic and trap cards to strengthen your monster and to surprise your opponent, keep him on his toes! If your deck is full of nothing but monsters then there's nothing you can do to better the ones you already have."
Joey looked crestfallen. "I guess I really do need your grandpa to teach me, huh, Yug'?
"Yugi Moto!"
Yugi grimaced and then turned to face his English teacher. She bore down on him like a bull upon a matador. He braced himself for impact—
"I'd like to congratulate you on your idioms paper, full marks! I expect you to follow in his example, Wheeler-san!"
Joey had barely stammered out a "Yes, Little-san!" when the teacher turned on her heel and stalked off.
Yugi laughed a small, relieved sound. Joey joined him in the laughter, and then in walking towards the picnic tables where many duelists liked to compete.
Kioku watched them go. She smiled at their differences, and the fact that they were still best friends despite how different they were. Joey was headstrong and had bullied many of the people at the school before he met the other boy. She watched Yugi through narrowed eyes, however. Tomorrow, when she made her entrance, she would see if the boy were indeed worthy to be the vessel of the Pharaoh.
