Mari the Doll Master

Disclaimer: I don't own Shaman King or any of its characters (as if it's even possible)

Chapter summary

This chapter describes Mari a bit and her three dolls. Yes, I know that in the anime she only has one, Chuck but this is a fanfiction and so I thought it would be cute to give her more. Anyway this chapter only gives you a bit of an idea of Mari's life, character and relationship with her dolls and I suppose isn't essential to the rest of the story.

Chapter 1 - The Doll Master

Mari sighed. "Mari hates that dream," she whispered to the dolls "... and Mari wishes it had only been a dream ..."

Closing her eyes slightly as she concentrated, Mari sent some furyoku (shaman energy for those who don't know) into each of the three dolls and smiled brightly as the pink energy caused the dolls to leap to life.

"Mari's glad she has you, Chuck," she whispered hugging a demented Manta doll with button eyes (one hanging by a thread), messy threads of hair and a coal black gun tucked in his back pocket.

"And you Danny," she smiled at the second doll; a sort of cowboy styled doll, with a red bandanna tied around his neck, a second black bandanna around his head, ripped jeans, a black top, one missing hand and oddly enough a small sword tucked in a sheath by his side.

(Authors note: If that description wasn't enough saying that he looked a lot like Horo Horo will help).

"And especially you Tillie," she added to the final doll. Unlike the first two, this doll was in perfect condition and looked like a pixie or fairy with white wings. A golden staff was clutched in her hands and a ruby red plastic rose peered shyly from behind a pointed ear. She wore a bright blue dress and had yellow threads of hair reaching past her ankles.

Mari gazed intently at the dolls for a moment before standing up to observe her surroundings. Where was she ... she couldn't remember ... oh, yeah! That was it. She was on her way to the shaman tournament and had stopped to rest in the green everglade of a forest. Sunlight came streaming through the leafy canopy above her and she stood calmly under the largest gap of the branches enjoying the warmth of the sun on her shoulders.

Mari knelt down to tidy herself up as her dolls frolicked around her, chasing each other through the undergrowth and bushes and weaving around tree trunks. She glanced at her black dress, "acceptable", and then began to pull up her long grey socks that reached past her knees and put on her brilliantly shiny black shoes. Using two black hairbands, she tied her golden blond hair into two pigtails and then the search began for her black and white ribbons. She found one and tied it round a pigtail letting it dangle elegantly by her ear but got annoyed when she couldn't find the second.

"Mari will be angry if she can't find her ribbon," she muttered pushing her hands into some undergrowth, searching. Mari felt a small tap on her shoulder and turning saw Tillie fluttering beside her, smiling.

"What is it Tillie?" Mari asked curiously as Tillie giggled happily (authors note: think Chloe/ Morphine or possibly Kororo, cute right!)

Mari's eyes were filled with confusion until Tillie brought out the black ribbon from behind her back.

"Thanks Tillie, Mari's happy now!" smiled Mari as Tillie giggled again, "but Mari also thinks we should go soon," she added sadly. The pixie nodded, her smile faltering and quickly fluttered after the two dolls, Chuck and Danny, determined to bring them over to Mari.

Mari sighed slightly as she followed Tillie with her eyes. This was one of the few places that she felt like she belonged. Ever since her encounter with the cloaked figure at the age of six ( eight years ago, nearly nine) she had felt alone and unwanted, except of course when she was with Chuck, Danny and Tillie, but even then she felt odd. Even though they were her best friends, they were dolls and she, sadly, was a human, a shaman yes, but still a human.

Mari had, over the years staying with the figure, learned how to use her shaman powers. The figure was a harsh teacher and because of this she had learned quickly not to answer back, becoming quiet and sullen unless with her dolls. Mari had learned quickly and now at the age of fourteen she had been sent to participate in the shaman tournament. Although still unsure what the shaman tournament was, Mari was ready to do anything to get away from that cloaked figure and its punishments.

"Wha-"

Mari snapped out of her thoughts to glance down. The three dolls were gazing up at her intently and so she stood up ready to go.

"Chuck, Danny, Tillie," she ordered, "let's go!"

The dolls nodded and toddled after her, teddy bear fashion as she made her way through the forest of ancient trees and wild noises. She smiled inwardly to herself as she heard the birds sweetly singing.

"Mari's journey is only beginning."

To be continued...

Well was that ok? Yeah, I know it wasn't that interesting but it had to be written for some background info. Anyway, for anyone kind enough to read, the next chapter is called "Encounters" and the rest of the shaman king team are finally making their appearances, hope you like it.