parting is such sweet sorrow

Parting is such sweet sorrow

It was a somewhat sun-drenched March day. Right now everyone was either at work or school. Aziza had elected to stay home that day. The house had gotten rather smutty these past two weeks. So someone was needed to uncontaminated it. The task proved to be quite a challenge for the young woman.

She’d spent most of the morning cleaning up the upstairs. It’d taken two hours to do both the bathrooms plus the bedrooms. Afterward it took another hour to unsoil the kitchen. She nearly broke her foot tripping over the vacuum cleaner, so she was a bit agitated.

Approximately at 1:35 she took a well-earned break. She flopped down on the jade green futon. With a huge sigh she snapped her fingers. Magically a small snack materialized on the coffee table awaiting her. Almost immediately she was happily, munching on a Swiss Roll, as well as, guzzling down an orange soda.

“My, oh my how things have changed,” she mused quietly to herself as she ate the second roll. “I used to keep the most precious secrets of mankind, in my beautiful soul. Now I’m just a simple housewife, cleaning up after my family. Well I love them so much. I guess this isn’t so bad,” as she threw the trash away. She then headed to the kitchen to put the tableware away. Afterwards she came back to the squashy couch for a few more minutes of rest.

“This contractual obligation is just as important as my old ones. A little less fabulous, yes, yet it still is important. Hmm I wonder what playing on the radio?” as she flip the switch on the silvery CD player. Her acute hearing, in next to no time was, lost to the song “Girl Next Door”

After the song was over, she got back to work. Grabbing a cerulean rag, she strolled over to the oak and glass case. This is where they kept the family most prized treasures. It had four shelves. Sitting on the top shelve were figurines as well as photos. On the second shelve was, jam-packed of keepsakes plus souvenirs from countless vacations. Third and fourth shelve held awards and prizes.

She felt for a small golden key to unlock it. Finding it on the top right corner, she unlocked the glass door. The she began to polish the prized belongings, while singing “Everyday Love. A small proud smile warmed her lovely features as she scrubbed her daughter new gold medal. She then felt Basest rubbing against her leg. Putting the medal down, she picked up the cat.

“You hungry, Basest? C’mon let’s go get you some food,” she cooed to the cute little creature. The cat began to warmly purr, as its mistress went to fetch her food. She used her magic to pour the food into her navy dish. Then she started to fondle the attractive feline for a few moments.

“How is it my sweet Basest? Scrumptious I expect. Hmm I know its cheating, but I think this go by more rapidly, with a little help. Millennium Magic, Animated!” she cried out loud. Almost immediately the room began to uncontaminated itself.  “That’s much better. I hope Atem and Yugi don’t mind. I was told to clean the house. Doesn’t mean I can’t have a little help,” giggling to herself. At that moment her sensitive ears heard something. Someone was at the door. Or if you wanted to be more specific, someone was approaching the front door. It only took her a minute to recognize the visitor’s heartbeat.

“What does he want?” she inquired in a questioning manner. She quickly ceased her enchantment upon the cleaning supplies. Before the doorbell was even rung she yanked open the door. There stood in the midday sunbeams was Maximillion Pegasus. The child-like man, who formerly been the keeper of the Millennium Eye. Right now the CEO of Industrial Illusions stood with a smile on his face and a bouquet of roses by the smell of things.  He maybe smiling warmly at her, yet she didn’t return it.

“Hello, Pegasus. You can stop grinning like an idiot. I’m not in the mood for games. So state you business or leave,” she informed the silver haired man, in a crabby tone of voice. She wasn’t irritated at him at all. She was merely drained from all the hard work she’d been doing.

“Hello, to you too, little girlfriend. You look positively scummy. What’ve you been up too? Cleaning the tombs?” he joshed her in a friendly manner. He started to laugh like a hyena on laughing gas. Aziza lips tighten into a thin snarl. She didn’t enjoy being laugh at all. She’d been scoff at enough in her life growing up in Atem’s Court. So she didn’t take pleasure in the peculiar gentleman sense of absurdity.

“Not funny. Good try though. I’ve spent the whole day cleaning my home. The kids have been neglecting their duties recently. They’ve more significant things on their minds.”

“Yes I’ve read in the newspaper, of the recent extraordinary events, that you’ve been blessed with. It’d seem your entire family been especially fortunate recently. I can’t read or turn on the TV, without hearing about the famous Motos. You’ve become the greatest thing since sliced bread. Still what can you expect from the legendary Yugi and Atem Moto? They’re without a doubt incredibly extraordinary souls. But that’s enough about your family, Secret Keeper. If it’s not too much trouble, may I please come in?”

“Sure. I’ll fetch some water for the flowers. They smell most heavenly,” as she invited him into the house. He waited in the squeaky clean kitchen for a few moments. She came back with a beautiful vase in one hand. In the other she carried a plate of cranberry bread and tea.

“Thank you, Aziza. I’ve been rather parch lately,” as she poured him some soothing jasmine tea. He breathed in the enchanting aroma before drinking the soothing liquid. Aziza munched on her bread for a few moments before speaking.

“I expect running a successful company would leave you like that. I’m glad we’ve a smoothie machine in the lounge. It’s so much better then that horrid coffee. I still can’t comprehend how people, can swallow such an appalling brew. Smoothies taste so much better. I’m so delighted with our soothing plus causal atmosphere at work. So how’s your business doing in any case?”

“Quiet well. Duel Monster is as popular as ever. I’m extremely pleased with how well things are going. Things are going so well in fact, I’ve come to an important decision. I’m going to take a sabbatical. So that is why I am here. I believe Aziza, can guess why I’ve chosen, to come here for my holiday,” as he slowly sipped his tea, his amber eye gleaming intensely on the blind beauty.

“Yes I know why you’ve come. But I feel Pegasus I must jog your memory you, of something significant before we proceed. I’m not Allison DuBois. I may perhaps hold some abilities to commune with the dead. But I’m not a miracle worker. Channeling your wife spirit isn’t as simple as dialing, the operator, then asking for a number. On the other hand, Pegasus, we may get lucky today or not. My mother passed her magical gifts to me you know. But even she couldn’t do wonders every time.”

“I just want to hear her voice. If you can do that or anything I’d be grateful. Please I need to hear my darling Cecelia. I just have a gut feeling that something going to happen. I feel it urgent to contact her spirit. So please do me this one favor, Aziza. You’re the only one who can do that.”

Sighing heavily she went to fetch some candles. In next to no time a calming and enthralling scent filled the air. “You seem one to live with the theatrics. So I’ll humor you with some,” using magic to cast a more atmospheric setting. The room went dark and only the glow of the sweet scented candles filled the kitchen.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“You ask me that now? The last time I channeled anyone it was Aunt Samira! My beloved queen forcefully possessed me, so she could commune with her son, after he lost Yugi soul. Then for a second time, after he dueled him in that sacrosanct land. She wasn’t happy at him for betraying her memory like that,” shaking her head in sorrow. It’d been a troubling time for everyone facing Dartz evil. Still it also brought great growth and strengthened the blessed friendship of the group. Still channeling a mother fury wasn’t without consequence. It’s taken a bit of time to recuperate from that. Shaking her head one last time she went on to explain further the depth of her medium powers.

“I never fine-tuned my abilities as my mother Efra did. She did everything from foretelling one destiny at birth, to communing with the sacred spirits. I on the other hand, have had indiscriminate visions. As well as a small number of times of being possessed. Still I believe I can channel Cecelia spirit,” she informed him as she lit the last candle.

“Let’s do it!”

“Can you provide me something of hers? It’d be of great assistance, if I had something that represented her,” Aziza told him as she prepared to channel her spirit. Pegasus slid her card over to her. With a smile she ran her fingers over the exquisite card. She tilted her head backwards and spoke in Millennium Language.

For a few moments there was nothing but eerie silence. Then without forewarning a golden explosion of sparks emitted from Aziza. The Eye symbol that adored every one of the Items lit up on her forehead. The candle flared up for a moment then all but died. Removing her dark shades she gazed at him. Her eyes were no longer milky white, but brilliant blue. With a loving smile she spoke in a different voice. A voice that brought tears to the amber eye of the inventor of Duel Monsters.

“Oh Max, my darling. Can you hear me my love?”

“Oh Cecelia I can hear you my love. Please tell me what, is this foreboding feeling that has engulfed my soul? Do you know what it means my darling?” he whispered hoarsely to the medium. He was on the edge of his seat, as he reached over and touched Aziza face. As if hoping he was touching his beloved beautiful face once more.

With a single teardrop descending from the right eye, she smiled affectionately to him. “Oh Max. Do not fear this feeling. It means that soon we’ll be together. After so long we’ll be reunited at last. In a little while, you will hold me, in your warm tender arms once more. I’ve been waiting for so long, to feel your affectionate touch on my fingertips, to feel once more your gentle breath on my lips. You must make haste my love. Rapidly the time of our reunion approaches. You must make your concluding admen to this world.  Please ready yourself for the next life. I will see you soon my only love. Good bye!”

“No! Cecelia, don’t go! Not yet!” he wailed piercingly. But it was too late. The film already was coating Aziza’s eyes once more. The candlelight went out and the sun shone once more in the spotless kitchen. The mark on Aziza’s forehead vanished in the wind.

“So do you’ve any questions?” she inquired to the speechless gentleman. His heart was pounding like the thunder drums. He was in such a shock he couldn’t utter a sound. Little by little she got up and went to him. With a quick hug she then began to massage his shoulders. This broke the mute spell over the childlike man.

“Oh my darling, Cecelia. How I’ve longed to be reunited with her. Yet what did she mean? What is she speaking of when she says, will soon be reunited?” he ponder aloud to himself.

“I think you know the answer to that already. But to clear the air of doubt, I shall translate her message. It means, Pegasus you’ll soon leave this world. In other words Anubis is coming soon to fetch you to take you to the next world. You’re going to; breathe your last breath, in a little while. How I do not know. But I suggest you get your affairs in order and quickly,” recommend the benevolent woman as she continued to work down his back.

“Me? Death? How can this be?” he asked puzzled by the startling revelation. It was clear that like most people, Pegasus feared death. Many couldn’t understand the ultimate fairness and fear what happens once you die. Yet all are equal in death and it wasn’t something to fear. Still it was human nature to fear what we don’t understand.


At the same time as, Pegasus and Aziza contemplate death, the kids ponder life. It was the end of the school day. And everyone was in a good mood, practically Ace. His 18th birthday was the day after tomorrow. He was hoping his parents got him a moped. He was excitingly talking about it with his girlfriend.

“I hope if they did get it, that it’s emerald green. Also I want the license plate to look like my rabbits. I love my pets’ rabbits so much. Little Monica and Big Andrew, my aren’t they pretty?” showing-off a picture of his pet bunnies.

“Yes, they’re, Ace. I love how warm and fluffy they are. It’s good you’ve it so they can’t reproduce. Still if you do get a moped, do I get a ride?” Yani cooed into his left ear. She toyed with his dice earring for a few moments. Just as they’re about to kiss someone cried out Ace’s name.


“Yo! Ace! Can I ask you a question?” his blue-eyed cousin cried from behind him.

Growling for a few moments, he forced a smile on his face. “Sure, my dear cousin, what to you want to know?” he hissed through gritted teeth. His face was a bit stained from the sloppy joes from lunch. Still it was quite obvious he wasn’t happy not getting his kiss.

“Wow, boy! Don’t get into such a tizzy. I just want to know if my boyfriend Terry could perform at your party. He really would like to perform his newest song. I think you like it. It’d be perfect for the party,” Blaze asked as he rubbed his left eyebrow. A brand new gold ring was periced through it.

“When did you get your eyebrow priced?” Yani asked intriguingly as she gazed at the golden hoop.

“Oh, you like it? Terry and I went, to a tattoo and pricing parlor, during the weekend. He got a new set of earring. They look like sapphire stars, really nice actually. I got my eyebrow pierced.”

“I bet Aunt Tea and Uncle Adrian, weren’t happy about that. I bet even Wakanda was screaming,” Ace remarked gazing at the hoop also. He’d had his left ear pierced for a long time. Like since he was a little kid. He admired his cousin nerve, to get something other then his ear pierced.

“Well Mom and Dad took it better then I thought. But as for Wakanda? She made me do a heavy workload for not asking first. She also suspended my powers for the rest of this week. Trying to teach me a lesson in responsibility, I guess. So back to my question, Ace. Can Terry play his saxophone for the party? Please?” he wined with the puppy dog pout face.

“Sure, just quit acting like a darn fool. I’d be honored if your boyfriend would play. Does he take request?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Well let’s skedaddle. You’ve got to get to your computer class in half an hour. Additionally I need to help out at Dad’s shop today. I promise I help him out, while he’s out of town. He’s been at a gamer convention for the past few days. But he’ll be back in time for my party. So let’s vamoosed!” as the trio swiftly dashed to the vibrant bus.

Tuesday flew by rather quickly and soon it was Wednesday. Everyone was having a grand time at Ace’s party. Right now everyone was dancing with the jazzy tunes from Terry. His mother Andi was busy trying to keep the snack table stock. Everyone was enjoying the food as much as the music.

“So how you enjoying yourself, son?” asked his mother as she made more sloppy joes. Ace favorite food was sloppy joes. It went so nice with the snack cakes, and other treats his parent’s had made for his birthday.

“Oh I’m having the time of my life, Mom! Good thing you and Dad finished the remodeling, last week. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so much fun, dancing between nails and ladders.”

“Ha, Ha, Ace. Now take your cake. We’ll eat it and then you can enjoy your gifts,” his mother requested as she took a large four-leaf clover-shaped cake out of the oven. She breathed in the sweet aroma of her handiwork.

“Now take this to the dinning room. I’ll be in shortly to light it. Please be careful. You know how graceless you can be, Ace.” Andi remarked knowingly as she place the cake in her son strong arms.

“Oh, Mom! I was six years old, when I tripped into my own cake! Can’t you just let it go, Mom?”

“I guess not. Just be careful ok?” as she fished for a lighter in the rummage drawer.

“Geez wiz, Mom! Ok cake coming through!” he called loudly as he went through the swinging oak oval-shaped door. The partygoers stop at once dancing to gaze upon the tasty cake. They cleared the way for Ace whom clumsiness was renowned.

“My that sure looks tasty, Ace! What kind of cake is it?” asked his girlfriend as she helped carry it to the table. Ace thanked his girlfriend for her help. He didn’t want to be mortified in front of her.

“It’s heavy that what it is, Yani! Just be careful. I don’t want to ruin it. C’mon everyone. It’s time to stop dancing and chatting. It’s time to start eating. After we’ve our fill of sweets and treats, it will be time for gifts. So gather around!”

Everyone looked like hungry wolves waiting to feast on the fine cake. The sound of them licking their lips, in eager anticipation, got louder by the minute. Ace had to get between them and his cake to stop everything turning into a mess. He wasn’t about to have a klutzy moment on his coming of age celebration. So everyone backed off some and let him breath.

The cake tasted like a slice of heaven. Everyone enjoyed it and having their favorite ice cream too. After a half-hour of chowing down, it was time to open the gifts. Ace had been looking forward to this very much.

The twins gave him a set of emerald rabbit’s feet earrings. Maha and Maverick gave him a book on symbols of luck and good fortune. Uta and Seymour decided to give the teen a whole new wardrobe! Whereas Ruth gave him a poster, of his favorite duel monster, Lucky Lady. Ryo presented him with a book on different games of chances, Joei gave him a stuffed bunny, and Blaze gave him a two moped helmets. Yani gave him a gift certificate to spend at any store in the mall. His favorite gift was from his parents. A brand new bright emerald green personalized license plate moped!

“Thank you everyone for such wonderful gifts! I hardly know what to say now that I’m legally old enough to be held accountable for! I hope that you’re enjoying the party because there’s plenty more fun to come. So Terry crank up the volume and let’s party!”

In next to no time it was the weekend. Everyone was at the playground enjoying themselves, on a fine sunny Saturday. The younger kids were tossing about a Frisbee. The older kids had deiced to take a stroll through the flower garden maze. Each of them enjoying its magical enchantment with their lovers. It was the perfect day, as if nothing could go wrong.

All of a sudden an icy zephyr shot through the beautiful spring day. It felt like the cold wind had come from the graveyard. A small number of of the dreamy flowers wilted as it blew past them. It was not a natural wind. For a few moments all the children felt cold and empty inside. Then quite without warning their parents arrived. All of them even Kaibutt had a look of sorrowfulness and grim etched upon their faces. Without saying a thing the kids went home.

By the time the ten clock news came on that night, everyone had received the grave news. On March 26th at 2: 46 pm Maximillion Pegasus had died of a brain aneurysm. His funeral was scheduled for 30th. But his will was to be read the next day. All of the gang had been invited to hear it.

Come Sunday morning everyone was dressed in black. The gang hesitantly entered the public prosecutor agency. Not one of them was sure what to expect by this. Still all took their seats at the long oak table. At ten o’ clock sharp Pegasus’s lawyer Ms. Tess Resses came in. She was dressed in an attractive snow-white dress trimmed with soft pink. It went so well with her long ebony curls and light coco skin tone.   


“Hello one and all. I’m Tess Resses. I represent the late Maximillion Pegasus. I welcome you all to this reading. Please be silent and respectful as this will is read. I’ll answer all your questions after I’m done reading this. So please just be quite and listen,” as she pulled a document from her navy briefcase. Swallowing some cold water she began to read aloud the last will and testament of Maximillion Pegasus.

“Dear magnificent boys and blissful girls. I would like to first say that I’m glad you’re here. I know we all got off on the wrong foot. I admit I wasn’t very pleasant when we first met. I was in fact pitiless and manipulate. For that I’m most apologetic for the grief I delivered to you all those years ago.

“I know being in grief for my darling Cecilia isn’t an excuse. In life you can’t use excuses. But take responsibility, for both the good and bad choice, you make in life. I’ve spent the past twenty-two years trying to atone for my aberrant past. I can only hope God will have mercy on my poor soul now that I am gone. I hope for all the wicked and evil deeds I’ve committed, I’ve also done some good to make up for it.”

“Now to the business of my affaires First off I offer all members of Yugi and Atem Moto’s gang and their children. I give you all the shares of my corporation. Second I request all my money, be used for charity purpose, by both The Heart of the Cards and Timeless Serenity Foundation. Thirdly I want my company to be managed by Seto Kaiba in addition to Atem and Yugi. I leave my island of Duelist Kingdom to the Moto’s family. I would like the rest of, my possessions to be divided equal amongst all the gang members.”

I’m once more remorseful for the heartache I’ve bestowed to all of you. I truly hope that I’ve done some good with my life. In some small way help mankind. I trust you all know to help me continue to make atonement. Furthermore lend a hand to mankind to help us prospers. Thank you for your time and I wish you the best.”

Sincerely Mr. Maximillion Pegasus”


“Any questions?” asked Ms. Resses, as she gazed her warm brown eyes, at the stunned crowd. Everyone was flabbergasted by the will to say the least. They spent several hours going on and on about the will. Deciding and talking about various things of interest. Come the funeral all shared one single hope, as his coffin was lowered into the ground. That wherever Pegasus soul maybe now, that he at least was at rest with the woman he loved.