The Festival of the Century
Hyrule Castle Town was crowded with festival-goers. There were performers dressed in costumes and stalls selling different kinds of snacks and merchandise. The townspeople looked on with glee as they saw Princess Zelda. They also recognized Link because it was common to see the two of them together. Link was used to being teased about him and Zelda being sweethearts because they were always together, but it wasn't like that at all. Link and Zelda were close because they grew up together.
The townspeople took notice of Yugi and the others as well, but passed them off as festival performers dressing up as the famous warriors of the Great Goddess and the Dark Lord.
Princess Zelda stopped at a stall that was hosting a lottery. Much to everyone's amazement, the Hylian princess won first prize. There were different prizes to choose from such as fine stones and jewels, but Zelda decided to choose the small bronze shield. She decided to give it to Link as a present. Link was touched that she would choose this out of all the prizes just to give it to him. This made him feel a little happier. Link placed the shield over his arm and struck a pose like he was ready to battle. This caused all of his friends to smile.
After wandering around the streets long enough, the group headed to the castle to watch the martial arts tournament. The fighters were really skilled. As Link watched, he scoffed, bragging that he could easily take those guys down if given the chance.
As the heroes continued watching, Kaiba said to Zelda, "Hey, Princess, in light of enjoying the festivities, I realized I never got to ask what this festival was about."
"It's the Picori Festival," she explained. "I don't suppose you've heard of the Picori?"
Emily took a guess. "They're little creatures smaller than a mouse and they love to help others." She also wondered if the Picori were around during the age of the Shadow Games.
Princess Zelda nodded and began telling the story. "Legend has it that long after the age of the Shadow Games, the land that would soon become Hyrule was on the brink of ruin as evil spirits appeared and attacked the land. The Picori arrived, bestowing a magical sword to a great hero. Using the sword, the hero defeated the evil spirits and restored peace to the land."
"That's the same story my grandfather told me," said Link.
"And that's why we hold this festival," continued Zelda, "to thank the Picori for coming to our time of need."
Max spoke up and asked, "But don't the Picori usually appear once every hundred years?"
"Yes," Zelda answered. "And it just so happens that this is the hundredth year!"
Joey thought that he and his friends were lucky to be here at the time when the Picori would appear and he hoped that he would get the chance to see them. But he was quickly dismayed as Max reminded him that only children could see the Picori.
As the final match of the competition was about to get underway, both Max and Emily felt a sharp tingle in their heads. They were sensing a Cobalt Star shard.
In the center of the arena was a young man with ghostly pale skin with light purple hair and red eyes. He was also dressed in a dark purple robe and matching purple hat. He was a mage named Vaati. With one attack with his magic, Vaati defeated his opponent with ease and was declared the champion.
Castle guards came to the arena carrying a chest with a sword embedded in it. According to the legend, evil spirits were sealed in the chest and the sword was keeping the seal intact. Without waiting to receive any congratulations from the king of Hyrule, Vaati used his magic to break the seal, releasing the evil spirits and destroying the sword in the process.
Everyone in the audience began to panic, but Princess Zelda decided to take action and confront Vaati. "Who are you?" she demanded. "Why have you done this?" An evil spirit was about to attack her, but she used her own magic to repel it.
Vaati grinned at Zelda. "The princess of Hyrule," he sneered. "If I don't take care of you now, you'll cause me no end of grief later!" And he began conjuring another spell. Link tried to protect Zelda, but was pushed back by Vaati's spell, which also turned the Hyrulean princess into stone.
Vaati laughed triumphantly. "Behold the curse of a mage!"
"Stop!" Yugi cried, and he and his friends approached Vaati.
Joey took an arrow from his quiver and drew his bow. "Okay, pal, I don't know who you are, but whatever you did to Zelda, you'd better undo!"
Vaati stopped smiling. "The Heroes of Millennia and a warrior of the Dark Lord," he growled. He stepped back and looked inside the chest. It's empty, he thought to himself. It really wasn't sealing anything but spirits? He looked back at the heroes and growled. He didn't want to take his chances against them, so he decided to retreat for now.