The Legends of the Big Game: Legends I and Ii

By Suna Flores

The Legends begin before time in an empty universe. Two young spirits, Spirit and Fighter, decide to play a game in which the winner will determine the fate of the universe for good or evil. During the beginning of the game, Spirit drops the special ingredient that is meant to give humans an understanding of right and wrong. This ingredient is secretly made into a small creature called Scraps.

Spirit works to improve the fate of humans who are evil because they have no conscience or any understanding of goodness. Fighter gains strength for evil, and violence erupts in the early world, but Legend II shows promise when Spirit realizes that Scraps do have the understanding of right and wrong and could become a conscience for the evil humans. After near-death experiences, Scraps agree to help humans and themselves with this idea. There is hope for human goodness after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796016970

Suna Flores

Suna Flores has been writing all her life: newspaper articles, plays, short stories and musicals. She is the mother of five, but, thanks to a patient husband, has found time to be a teacher, a counselor for the disabled and sometimes a member of the local community theater company as an actress, director, producer or set designer. (Husband Armand has been a big part of the latter.) Suna and Armand live in a cottage by a lake in Northern California which offers great inspiration for fantasy and storytelling.

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Copyright © 2019 by Written and Illustrated by: Suna Flores.

Library of Congress Control Number:        2019901937

ISBN:                    Hardcover                978-1-7960-1699-4

                             Softcover                   978-1-7960-1698-7

                              eBook                         978-1-7960-1697-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/04/2019

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CONTENTS

LEGEND I

The Drop

The Book of Amos: The Start of The Big Game

Let the Games Begin—with Cavemen!

A Civilized Game?

What about the Small Players in The Big Game?

The Current Game Royalty

Royal Judgment

The Rodent Rally

After Lemonade Dreams

LEGEND II

The Scrap Book

The Scraps

The Fireflies and the Queen

The Great Fire

The Royal Yesmen

After The Great Fire

The Book of Moses: The Conscience Mission

The Book of Moses: The Gift

About The Author

PREGAME

Let me break this down for you. The following legends are about two gamers who pretty much got carried away. The Big Game we are talking about was centuries long, which is obviously a bit much. That’s why it’s divided into four Legends.

The Big Game started before Time. I mean, it started before anything. There was no sun, no moon, no sky, nothing—just two guys floating around in the universe.

Floating? Yes. These dudes were spirits named Fighter and Spirit. But like any young guys, when they had nothing to do, they got bored, so they invented a game.

These two were different. I mean, they were really different, like twins from separate planets. Know what I mean? One was all sweet and nice, the kind your mother would love. The other one was into excitement—fire, explosions, violence, you know, interesting stuff but total chaos.

Which one do you think had the best ideas for the way the universe would or should run in the future? Depends on your point of view, I guess.

But these two spirit guys decided to settle the question with their game. The winner would get to decide what would happen to the whole universe. Awesome!

Whoa! That’s a lot of power. Maybe that was a bad idea. Maybe not. But there was no one there to tell them no. Why? It was their game. Brand-new. No rules.

So what happened was this. These guys started up The Big Game with the fate of the whole universe at stake, and they were making up the rules as they went along. No problem, right?

What you have here are four Legends that tell about that game, Quarter by Quarter. Can you deal with that?

—Suna

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LEGEND I

The Drop

I.  

The Book of Amos: The Start of The Big Game

Transcribed by Amos Mouse as Dictated by Michael Angelo Mouse

First, I should confess something. A mouse actually wrote the first chapter of The Drop. Don’t freak out. I know that brings up some questions right away. What have mice got to do with The Big Game? Why should anyone read something that a mouse wrote? Did you even know mice could write?

The truth is that mice were more important to The Big Game than most people will want to believe. But legends are like that. Sometimes they do not seem logical at first. You just have to keep both feet on the ground and see what truths get offered up.

Time: before the world began

Location: the empty universe

(Don’t get bummed because this chapter looks like poetry. If you’re into rap, you’ll get it.)

Imagine a universe, time before time—

no beginning or ending,

no rhythm or rhyme …

All that exists is space upon space—

no up and no down, no location, no place …

In this nowhere and nothing, two spirits existed.

Through the nowhere and nothing, they floated and twisted.

Nothing was happening. Nothing at all.

Both spirits would rise, then both spirits would fall.

An idea showed up!

"We should really do something. We’re just wasting time

even though the air’s clean and the view is just fine,"

said one spirit, afloat with a smile on his face.

We could sprinkle some stars. That would spruce up this place.

"That’s stupid, you moron. Who’s here to see?

We should just blow things up. That’s the way space should be!"

It was very plain that these spirits, indeed,

were not much alike, but for sure, they did need

a hobby or TV or something that’s new.

Their lives were just boring. There was nothing to do.

Another idea!

I know! Why don’t we two start up a game?

We could take different sides ’cause we’re sure not the same.

What’s ‘a game’? asked the second from his cosmic run.

"I’m not sure, but I think it’s supposed to be fun.

I’ve heard games are contests where we each take a side.

We could both fight for something we want to be tried

sometime in the future. A cool prize would be best."

"I’ll blow everything up so I’ll win the contest.

Great fires and Chaos will cap off my test!"

That sounds like you, the first answered. "That is just the style

of a spirit like you who don’t know how to smile.

I’ll be looking for cool stuff and things that are Good."

That’s so lame, said the other. "I knew that you would.

But we’ll see who has more fun. Who’s better? Who’s worse?

And we’ll fight for the Future of the whole universe!"

That’s a pretty big trophy. Should we, maybe, think through it?

No, unless you’re a chicken. Come on, let’s just do it!

So they both decided to start up this game,

not for honor or glory or money or fame

but, instead, to decide what the best way to go

would be, in a Future that no one could know.

One spirit liked peace, the best future he knew.

The other liked violence or war to break through.

One spirit loved starlight and sunshine in space.

The other loved Chaos. He loved to erase

all signs of Good with sarcastic laughter.

Misery and gloom were the goals he was after.

So …

Comets streaked by, leaving trails hot and bright.

Some stars glowed with joy, spreading soft rays of light.

Both spirits battled, not giving in.

Each fought for position. Each thought he should win.

These sides had no fan clubs, no cool mascot’s face,

no titles to fight for, no hometown or place.

In the black, endless nothing, both sides rose and fell.

What kind of game was it? Who could say? Who could tell?

But this was its start, so we’ll give it a name.

To just keep it simple, it is called The Big Game.

The Fate of the Future was the prize for the win:

love, peace, and good versus hate, war, and sin.

These spirits were different-one good and one mean.

No actual reason has ever been seen.

But each one was a gamer. Each thought he knew best.

If their prize was the Future, this game was their test.

These spirits would fight with the Future at stake,

and the winner would choose which direction to take!

Very cool.

*****

There were no snacks or bleachers, no cheerleaders there,

no scores on a scoreboard, no one there to care.

There wasn’t an umpire. There was no one to say

who was cheating or being fair in this first field of play.

In this space of Wherever and Nowhere at all,

these gamers played on with no winner to call.

(Author’s Note

Only spirits were there then, so nobody knows

how it really went down when these guys came to blows.

But the spirits both vouch for this story I tell.

Both spirits were there, so they know the truth well.

I’ve spoken with the Fireflies. You all realize

the trustworthy nature of all Fireflies.¹

Who were these gamers? That’s hard to declare.

There isn’t a name you can give to thin air.

But names should be given since two sides were there.

The First one will be Spirit of Good, a very positive name;

The Second, Fighter for Chaos without implying blame.

[Shorter names work better when reporting on the Game,

How about Spirit and Fighter? The story stays the same.]

A gamer who’s named Spirit may not be too smart,

but names like Spirit and Fighter sound right from the start.

*****

The score was always even. For ages, that was sure.

The cosmos showed no preference and continued to endure.

But suddenly, the balance changed. The balance grew less pure.

Fighter’s game got stronger, starting to grow and extend

toward much wilder universal fire than Spirit could defend.

Spirit’s Peace was failing, a very frightening trend.

Spirit needed a new plan or his goal of Good would end.

I need an awesome strategy to turn this game around,

Spirit spoke secretly to himself, without a single sound.

"Fighter will choose more violence. That, I know, is true.

I should counter with a creative move. Right! That’s just what I’ll do.

I’ll make my Good stuff happen with a Game Plan that is new!

This plan will show Fighter what Spirit of Good can do!"

Spirit flew onto the churning field between the light and dark.

Whirling beyond the universe, he harnessed a passing spark

and formed it with greater focus than he had used before.

He made a special game ball that was sure to raise his score.

He fastened it in the cosmos to make sure it wouldn’t fall

and waited for Fighter to notice a totally earthlike ball.

There, said Spirit to himself. "This ball is completely cool.

Let’s see what Fighter thinks of this. It’s gonna make him drool.

I know this play has won the game. That’s what this ball is worth.

I think I’ll give my ball a name. I’ll just call it earth."

Around the new but empty globe, Fighter for Chaos spun!

"This ball is a piece of garbage. It isn’t even fun.

It clutters up the universe. Space junk isn’t cool.

If Spirit thinks this will win our game, he’s just a rookie fool.

It’ll probably blow up in a minute while he’s sailing around all proud.

I know that I can beat him. He makes me laugh out loud."

Fighter had built planets before on his own,

but his globes had exploded and fizzled and blown.

They were a disaster, each one ill-fated

to flame out and die when it was created.

But this planet floated. It hung in the air

with a soft glow of promise and Goodness to share.

So Fighter got ticked off! With these memories, he waited

and stalked the new ball that Spirit created.

He crept up on Spirit. His game rose and fell

on crafty deception. He hid himself well

and lurked close to Spirit. He was desperate to see

just what the fate of this game ball would be.

Fighter scouted and scanned for the smallest detail

to find any flaw that would make this ball fail!

But as Fighter watched, he grew grimly alarmed.

Drifting there in the mist, Spirit’s perfect earth warmed.

What Spirit had made seemed quite different and rare!

It was not blowing up! It was still shining there!

Could this stupid new ball change the balance of power?

Fighter got jealous, more so by the hour!

*****

Spirit next made a sun and a moon,

and then he made seas, plants, and sky, and quite soon,

he got jazzed! These creations had made him feel good,

and they looked cool together the way that they should!

The sun, moon, and earth glowed from morning through night,

lighting the skies with a game-winning light!

"This is just what I wanted! I can totally see

a place where real Goodness can live and be free!

With this move, I’ve won." Spirit laughed right out loud.

"This earth stands for Goodness. It’s righteous! I’m proud!

And there is no Chaos there at all. Fighter can’t even try

to replace what’s Good with Badness. That ain’t gonna fly.

I’m guarding the Good of this ball that I’ve successfully made.

My great earth will win it all in this game that we’ve played!"

3.jpg

As The Big Game’s first winner, Spirit thought that he should

shake hands with the loser. Sportsmanship might be Good.

Besides, there was no one with whom he could share

his awesome creation. There was no one else there.

"Come over here, dude! Let’s hang out together!

Just dump all your violence. Help me decide whether

or not we should party! We can be friends.

Come and shake, Fighter! That’s how good games should end!"

The ball was a beauty. Spirit was proud,

but he also felt lonely, so he said out loud,

"Check this out, dude. There was really no need to create this

earth when nobody’s here to appreciate this.

Goodness is great. That’s what I’ve always known,

but Goodness is not good enough all alone.

Why don’t you join me? We can catch us some sun.

I need a bro who can share what I’ve done.

All alone, I’m not happy with what I have won."

Fighter couldn’t believe it! What Spirit just said

was that he wasn’t happy! He was lonely instead!

Fighter laughed in the darkness and growled with a sneer.

"Poor Spirit is lonely. Let’s all shed a tear.

You are such a loser! Don’t feed me your line.

This game is still on, dude! The real prize will be mine.

You think that you’re so cool now that your game ball’s done,

but you’re all sad and boohoo. That’s not Goodness, son.

Your earth’s not good enough yet, so you haven’t won."

Fighter sailed through the dark orbit, a fresh Game Plan brewing.

What did that stupid Spirit now think that he was doing?

"Spirit was just showing off. Why did he think that I

gave a crap for his stupid earth?" Fighter swore at the sky

and began new preparations. He would not give in!

"That’s the reason I’m called Fighter! That’s why I will win!"

*****

Spirit sat down on his game ball and waited there alone.

The game ball had a beauty. He was proud of what he’d done.

He hoped that Fighter would join him. He still felt he had won.

Fighter went off to check his options so that Spirit wouldn’t know

how he was still planning to win the Game. He wouldn’t let it show.

The ball became his target. This was more than just a game.

Fighter paced the cosmos. He must redeem his name!

He drew up plans for Chaos, for Chaos was built on Hate.

Leaving this stupid game ball was not in the debate!

The game he had been playing was now a full-out war!

Fighter felt more evil now than he’d ever felt before!

Spirit is naive, he smirked. "He will know the shame,

the shame that he tried to give me when he claimed he won the game.

Ha! One way or another, Spirit will realize

that Bad will always conquer Good and his earth will be my prize.

Spirit can’t fix his problem. He hasn’t got a clue

about why he’s not a winner yet or what else he should do.

I will snatch victory from the clutches of defeat.

My way is very simple. I’ll use force and cheat."

*****

Spirit waited a little more for Fighter to change his mind.

There weren’t others in the cosmos that Spirit of Good could find

to enjoy his new world with him, to celebrate his joy,

but he knew that this earth was special, not a trophy or a toy.

Spirit walked around on his earth with beauty on every side,

but he didn’t feel Good enough. That couldn’t be denied.

Instead, he felt a loneliness he couldn’t seem to hide.

Spirit knew he couldn’t win yet when he was dissatisfied.

So he went to a river on his earth and sat on the river’s bank.

He was bummed, he wasn’t happy, and his mind was pretty blank.

I don’t get it! he griped. "I don’t understand.

The success of my earth ball is just like I planned.

Everything that I’ve made has for sure gone my way.

Why is there more of this Game yet to play?

Earth’s plants are all thriving. Earth’s warm air is sweet.

Why is earth’s Goodness not yet complete?"

(Author’s Note

The Fireflies, with due respect, have related

that here the young Spirit hesitated.

With this new earth, he was still perplexed,

not planning the actions he should take next.

And the Fireflies will tell you, even up to this day,

that Spirit, not thinking, picked up some clay

and, without thought or focus, just started to play,

turning and forming it, very unplanned,

till a creature was there in the palm of his hand!)

This creature that was first created,

though tiny, thin, and understated,

at once became a trial run.

Spirit saw with joy how life forms could be done!

Then Spirit gathered up his breath and blew it

into his hand, and before he knew it,

a living creature began to kick!

It had come alive! It was just that quick!

Spirit shouted in jubilation!

"A mouse! My very first live creation!"

Yes, it is true that a mouse was first

and was placed near the water to quench his thirst.

Spirit watched him drinking there

and knew (who knows why?) that it wasn’t fair

to leave just one mouse there all alone,

a tiny bit of fur and bone.

There should be at least two. There really ought

to be two of them, Spirit thought.

A lady mouse for company

will help this mouse live happily.

The Fireflies sing both loud and clear

that he made a girl mouse and placed her near.

Spirit watched as the mice were united

for the first time, and he was delighted.

The mice came together, side by side,

and before long, the pair had multiplied!

The multiplying, which then began,

became part of Spirit’s new Game Plan.

"At last, I see what has been the need

to make my awesome earth ball succeed!

Worlds need life! This fact seems true!

What a wonderful thing to find out! Who knew?

Everything’s different! I see now that I can

create enough creatures to fulfill my Plan.

Goodness and Happiness now begin!

More life is the play that will make Good win!"

So Spirit made two fishes to swim,

a girl fish