A/N: Good morning. So, those who read my other fics or follow me on Tumblr know I've been muttering about this new AU. Which has until now just been called the Captured Barian AU which kinds gives you a clue about what's going on. So, we've got several pairings through the fic. Mainly Durbe/Mizael (right from the start with those two), and V/Kaito (as they get older) and then later on Ryoga/Yuma and Vector/IV. There will be lots of other hint throughout because I like messy complicated pairings, particularly Vector/Ryoga. Also (vaguely spoilers for the Legendary Numbers onwards) in this AU Nasch and Merag are still with the Barians so Ryoga and Rio and going to be Nasch and Merag throughout the story. Wow, that was a long note. So, yeah, enjoy and review, ok?

"Trust the Humans, you said."

Faker frowned, listening to his specimens bickering. Since making contact with the Barian world, he'd earned the trust of the alien creatures. They'd decided they could use him for their own goals. Faker was not so easily manipulated.

"They're weak creatures, you said."

He glanced back. In the Human world they presented as Humans, mainly young Humans- teens. There were six of them, all males of varying heights and builds. He already had the female in an underground containment unit.

"Give them our technology, they won't figure it out, you said."

They had given him technology and secrets to help him achieve their goals. They hadn't imagined he'd be smart enough, to use their technology to trap them. The female had been easiest to capture. She had a soft spot for his son Haruto. He'd been the perfect bait. And she was the perfect bait for them. They were so possessive over the only female among them.

"Shut up, Vector!"

Vector- one of the high ranking Barians- seemed to be the most contentious of the group. He was one of the ones Faker had dealt with most often. One of the leader's two generals, he supposed. In this world they were forced to take Human forms and none of them seemed at all pleased about it either. Vector was one of the shorter ones. Rather thinly built, seemed to look around Christopher's age, thirteen or so. He had sharp purple eyes and strange, gravity defying orange hair that seemed to stick straight up. He argued a lot with the leader from what little he'd seen of the pair together, and what he'd heard from Vector's grumbling when working with him. He seemed almost triumphant over their capture.

The leader- they sometimes even referred to him as King- himself presented as only a little older. This was only the second time Faker had seen him and the first time in his Human form. He was tethered next to Vector and none too happy about it. It was obvious he wasn't used to his Human form either. Nasch- Faker believed that was his name- kept huffing and tossing his head and blowing his long violet hair out of his face, apparently very frustrated with it, and grumbling about how fragile this soft skin was and the anchor was hurting his wrists and his middle felt strange- Faker assumed that was some sort of stomach ache, probably brought on by stress or nerves. Those clear blue eyes were filled with fury and frustration as he tugged up against the anchor again, apparently just wanting some space between himself and Vector.

Faker actually found it rather amusing, but he couldn't afford to be complacent. They were still incredibly powerful creatures. Their Human forms restricted their powers and their strength and the anchors that bound them- created using their own technology- reduced their strength even further, but the situation wasn't risk free. The sooner he got them into containment fields the better.

"Dr Faker?" Christopher said quietly. "We should hurry."

Faker glanced at his young assistant. He looked so much like his father. Poor Byron. Never mind, his sacrifice was necessary. Little Christopher was only thirteen, such a tragically young age to lose his father. Still, as long as he blamed the Barians it would be no trouble, he could use Christopher to continue his father's work and the poor boy would be none the wiser. Kaito and Haruto needed someone to help them, Kaito needed someone to teach him how to be social and Christopher needed someone to look after. It was the perfect combination really.

"We should." Christopher nodded and hurried to the control panel. "Ready?"

"Ready, Dr Faker."

The Barians finally seemed to have noticed they were moving along with something and were twisting against their restraints to watch them. Faker smiled. "Power up the containment fields."

"Powering up."

Faker walked over to another panel behind some glass and a heavy glass shield dropped around Christopher's work stations. Christopher smiled and flicked on the intercom. The youngster was just as dedicated to this as he was. Mainly because he believed the creatures were responsible for his father's death. Faker couldn't tell him the truth. He would make a dangerous enemy and Christopher leaving would tear Kaito and Haruto apart. The lie was better for everyone.

Watching Christopher work tugged at Faker's heartstrings. He really did look so much like his father. Sometimes Faker caught himself staring a little too long, almost seeing Byron in his place, sometimes nearly calling him by his father's name. He had that same tight smile when he worked. And although his eyes were blue, not that golden-hazel colour that none of his sons had inherited, they glittered in the same way when he found something new, saw a beautiful new machine or finally cracked a puzzle. Byron's hair didn't have the same bluish tint either, but it was just as long and fine and braided over his shoulder just the same.

"Containment fields at eighty per cent, Dr Faker," Christopher said over the intercom.

"Good," Faker said. "Prepare for transport."

"All systems ready."

"Hey!" Vector yelled from down below. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Containment fields ready, Dr Faker."

"Activating transport."

The floor beneath the Barians moved and they staggered, struggling with the anchors keeping them tied on separate platforms as walls came up around them. This was it. He was the only person in the world to have seven creatures from another world in captivity. Once they were inside these fields, they were be little more than Human teens. Their powers would be severely diminished and using their powers, no matter how weak, would drain them. The floors flipped over completely- there were quite a few startled cries at that- and locked into place as the ceilings to the Barian's habitats. A blue energy field formed over the top and a new floor slid into place.

"Containment fields seem to be holding, Dr Faker," Christopher called over the intercom.

Dr Faker smiled, checking the monitors and readings. "Cameras are all functional, setting feed to the main monitoring station."

"All life signs seem to be registering within normal levels. They're showing signs of stress but nothing out of the ordinary for the situation."

"Good," Dr Faker said, stepping down from the work station and taking a D-Pad with his work programs on it. Christopher followed quickly behind him. "Let's go and visit our guests."

Christopher nodded and followed behind him as they went. As they went, Kaito appeared from around one of the corners. Faker smiled softly. This was all for him and Haruto. If he didn't get the Barians to give him the cure for Haruto, he would lose them both.

"What's going on?" Kaito said quietly.

"Nothing for you to worry about," Faker replied. "Christopher and I are going to inspect some research subjects."

"The Barians?" Faker frowned. He wasn't supposed to know about them. "I heard you and Chris talking earlier. And that girl who came around to see Haruto, she was one of them, wasn't she?"

"Yes," he said, nodding slightly. "Please stay out of this until I'm certain they're safe."

"Do- do you really think Chris should be near it if you're not sure they're safely contained?" Katio said, cheeks going pink.

Faker frowned. He's suspected Kaito had a crush on Christopher but he hadn't realised it was this serious. He'd have to deal with this. The last thing he needed was Christopher finding out what he did to his father and hurting Kaito. Or worse, turning Kaito against him. Christopher smiled and patted Kaito's shoulder.

"I'll be fine, Kaito. Don't worry."

Kaito smiled weakly and nodded, watching as they carried on down to the lowest level of the tower. It was the safest place for them. If they used too much power the bottom floor would collapse, leaving the upper levels unaffected and destroying the creatures before they could do any damage. There were several security doors to pass through before they reached the hall way the Barians had been dropped in. Faker didn't want to take any chances. His sons were in the tower above, he wasn't going to risk these creatures getting free and taking out their revenge on them.

The long hall had seven habitats. Three on each side and one at the end. They were all pretty much identical. The one at the end of the hall was a little larger, but only because for convenience when building was going on. There were small rooms on show, most of the walls made of reinforced glass, and with only a single bunk and chair inside. This was where the six males had been dropped. They were kept in the middle of the rooms while the female was already free in hers. The anchors, still attached to what had been the floor and was now the ceiling, kept their hands above their heads, keeping them from struggling too much, particularly the small ones. Vector, Nasch, a little brown haired one Faker had yet to be introduced to and the one he dealt with most- a silver haired, grey eyed Barian named Durbe who presented as slightly older but still rather short- struggled were practically helpless. Nasch's feet just brushed the floor and if he moved wrong he'd be in a great deal of discomfort, Vector was stretched on his toes to the point where he was obviously in pain and the other two were held clear off the ground.

"You monster!" Merag yelled, slamming her fists against the front of her cell. "Let them go!"

Christopher glanced at her and Faker didn't miss the flash of pain and fury in his protégé's eyes. Merag was softer than the others. She liked stopping by and tending to Haruto when she could. Apparently she was Nasch's twin sister, although she was certainly more used to her Human form. She was pretty girl, presented around Christopher's age, just like her brother, with flowing blue hair and striking almost pink eyes.

"You're the monsters," Christopher hissed. "You're going to pay for what you did to my father and Kazuma."

"Enough, Christopher," Faker said, shaking his head. He turned his gaze on Nasch. The lead Barian was in the cell at the end of the hall- Durbe and Vector in the cells either side- looking absolutely furious. "At least make an attempt to be civil to our guests."

"You can't keep us here," Durbe said.

"I swear, Faker, when I get out of here I'm going to destroy you," Vector snarled.

"I'm sure you've noticed by now that you're weakened," Faker replied. "You can't fight. You can't escape and the bracelets around your wrists will make sure you cooperate. If you're well behaved guests, we'll treat you with care."

"You're keeping us captive," Nasch hissed. "What makes you think we'll cooperate with you in any way?"

"I want a cure for Haruto."

"Haruto's pain is caused by the Astral world," Durbe said. "That is nothing to do with us."

"But you know how to cure him."

"Perhaps."

"Then tell me."

"We won't be bullied into talking while you're keeping us tied up like this," Nasch said. Faker smiled and kept his gaze on Nasch. Those piercing blue eyes made his nervous, almost like Nasch was looking right through him, into him, as if he could see his mind and soul. "Let us go."

Faker sighed and pressed a button on his D-Pad, releasing them from the anchors. They dropped to the ground. Nasch rubbed his wrists, stalking away towards the back room. There were quieter, darker room behind the front ones. Places for the creatures to have some privacy. There was a desk, a more comfortable chair, a soft bed and a television. He assumed even Barians needed rest and time alone.

"You should have left them stuck there," Christopher muttered. "They deserve to suffer."

Durbe moved over to the front of his cell, gazing over at Christopher. "What have we done to make you hate us so much?"

"You monsters murdered my father," he hissed back.

"Christopher," Dr Faker murmured.

"Why would we waste time on a pathetic Human," snapped the blond in the cell next to Durbe. "I have better creatures to focus my wrath on."

His eyes were locked on Vector as he spoke. Not that Vector seemed to care. He was sneering at Christopher. The blond was an interesting one. Mizael, Durbe's ever present bodyguard. His human form had strange facial markings and his hair had a strange wing like protrusion. He was rather rude, blunt and obviously disliked Vector. And the one time he'd met Kaito- Faker hadn't been at all pleased about that- there had been an uncomfortable tension between them. Kaito wasn't normally that hostile.

And it was likely to be either him or Vector that blurted out the truth.

"I can't imagine why we would ever see fit to kill your father," Durbe said.

"You Humans are weak and to murder one so callously would be dishonourable," Mizael agreed.

"Who told you this nonsense?" Vector snapped.

"Nasch?" Merag said softly. "We didn't, did we?"

"No way," the brown haired boy cried. "Nasch, we didn't."

Nasch moved slowly back to the front of his cell, watching Christopher curiously, apparently ignoring the others. The brown haired boy seemed to be the youngest. He was the same height as Durbe but presented as a lot younger, his eyes were big and green, one hidden behind his bangs, and he seemed loud and excitable. And the one in the cell next to him, the largest most physically intimidating of the bunch, was grumbling about how they wouldn't have done such a thing without Nasch's order. He was a strange one, oddly different from the others. He had green hair and was much more muscle-bound than the others and seemed rather attached to the youngest of the bunch, generally quieter as well.

"Christopher, isn't it?" Nasch said quietly. Christopher frowned but took a step forwards. Nasch's eyes were soft and concerned and apparently that was drawing Christopher in. Nasch offered a small smile. "You think we had something to do with your father's death."

"You did, you creatures murdered him and Kazuma," Christopher hissed.

"Nasch," Durbe said in a hushed low voice. "If we didn't-"

"I know," Nasch snapped, glaring at him for a moment before turning his gaze back to Christopher. "Tell me about him."

"As if I'll tell you anything," he said. "You monsters took him from us."

"Us?"

"My two younger brothers are stuck in an orphanage because of you! Kazuma's kids don't have a father because of you!"

"I see…" Nasch frowned and glanced at his companions before locking his gaze with Christopher's. "I don't know what happened to your father or his friend, I give you my word, but if one of my people did this, I will find out and if I could I would make them suffer." Faker scowled. Christopher seemed to be softening up His featured softened and he stood in front of the glass, just watching Nasch. "Leave it with me for a day. I'll figure out what I can and get back to you, alright?"

Christopher watched him silently for a moment, the pair just gazing at each other before he sighed and nodded. "Thank you for your honesty."

"Christopher," Faker said, stiffening slightly. Christopher glanced back, eyes low and pained. "Will you make sure the monitors are all working properly for me?"

"Yes, Dr Faker."

Christopher strode away and the moment the door closed, Nasch slammed his fists against the glass. It shook and groaned, but held. Faker smirked. The boy snarled and whipped around, pacing back a few steps before turning and glaring at Faker.

"Mizael!"

The blond narrowed his eyes and took a few steps back firing several pink blasts on energy at the glass. He was the most powerful Barian as far as raw energy went, from what Faker had heard. This was the perfect test of his containment field. Faker watched warily as blue containment field fired up and the energy fizzled away. The Barains were starting to get worked up now. Faker couldn't blame them. Not even a second after the energy fields absorbed the attack, Faker noticed Mizael shaking and panting. The others seemed to notice too and when Mizael's legs gave out and he fell to his hands and knees, there was outright panic and fury.

"Mizael," Durbe called.

His was voice sharp and alarmed as he slammed his hands against the glass wall separating him from his bodyguard, demanding to know what was wrong. Faker took note of how easy his Human face was to read, how he was terrified for his companion. Perhaps there was more between them than a protector and ward relationship. That would certainly be interesting to investigate.

"These bodies are so weak," Mizael panted, struggling back to his feet and leaning against the wall. On the other side, Durbe gazed up at him in concern, the pain of seeing his companion suffering and being so helpless obvious in his eyes. "That shouldn't have drained so much energy."

"You should rest," Durbe murmured.

Mizael smiled weakly in what was obviously a show just to reassure Durbe. "I'm already recovering."

"That's the containment field," Faker said, watching Nasch still. "Any amount of power used will drain you of energy. If I turn up the power the effects will get worse. You can't escape. This is your technology."

"You sacrificed them, didn't you?" Vector hissed. Faker clenched his jaw and Vector cackled. He hadn't wanted them to figure that out so quickly. "Wait until he finds out."

"He won't find out," Nasch said softly.

"Nasch," Durbe said, whipping around and staring at him. "You can't honestly mean that."

"We're not taking the blame for what some Human did," Mizael snapped.

"After what he just did to Mizael?" he continued. "You can not expect us to work with him."

"I wasn't asking for your opinions," Nasch snapped.

"Nasch, I can't go along with this, not after seeing that."

"I thought you trusted me, Durbe. You of all people should trust me." Durbe and Mizael glanced at each other before falling silent and Mizael staggered off to sit on the bunk with Durbe watching worriedly. Nasch glanced back at Faker, who suppressed a shudder at the wicked glint in his eyes. "I assume he'll be watching soon, since I would assume this place is monitored, so I'll make this brief. You have until he comes to talk to me tomorrow to do right by his father and give those brothers of his a home. Understand?"

"You're blackmailing me?" Faker hissed. Vector laughed and Durbe leant against the wall, smiling slightly and apparently appeased. "I will not be blackmailed."

"Then he can find out the truth," Vector sneered.

"He won't believe you."

"Do you want to take that risk?" Durbe murmured.

There was silence for a moment and Nasch smiled, watching smugly. Finally Faker sighed and walked away. What annoyingly resourceful creatures. He couldn't risk Christopher finding out the truth. He supposed he'd have to get those brats out of the orphanage. Honestly, he didn't mind Michael, but Thomas was a troublemaker even at such a young age. There was a reason Christopher was the only one he'd offered a home too. He supposed he had no choice though.

As he left, there was a thud and he glanced back to see Vector had kicked the front pane of glass. When he reached the monitoring station, Kaito was sitting on of the work surfaces, chatting with Christopher as they watched the screens. He was definitely going to put a stop to this. Although he'd wait to see if the Barians would keep their word or not.

Christopher smiled seeing him approaching and switched the screens to focus on the seven Barians. Mizael had moved his chair to the wall separating him and Durbe while Durbe himself was on the bunk against the same wall. The pair was leaning against the wall, eyes closed and hands pressed against the glass palm to palm.

"They're a pair," Christopher murmured, noticing his gaze. Faker nodded. That would explain their behaviour. "It's rather sweet."

"For murderous aliens," Kaito muttered.

Christopher frowned. "The leader said he didn't know anything about it. He said he's going to look into it."

"Do you trust them?" he said, folding his arms. "If they're capable of murder, they're capable of lying."

"Why is Nasch cooperating with them?" Mizael muttered. Faker frowned as the boys turned their attention to monitor, listening to their discussion. Nasch himself was in his back room, lying on the bed with his arms tucked behind his head. "They've accused us of murder, and we wouldn't do it without his order."

"You have to trust him," Durbe replied softly.

"It was his soft heart that got us into this mess."

"You're just as fond of Merag as any of us," the brown haired boy said.

"I wanted to just destroy the lot of them," Vetor grumbled.

"Mizael," Durbe sighed, opening his eyes as Mizael did the same. "I know the situation makes it hard, but I trust Nasch. And I know you trust me, don't you?"

"You know I do," Mizael grumbled. He moved so they were eye to eye, forehead resting together against the glass. "But being held prisoner here hardly fills me with confidence."

"I'm sure he has a plan. Trust us."

"I'd trust you more if Vector wasn't involved."

The Barians fell into bickering, mainly between Vector and Mizael. Christopher and Kaito watched with small smiles and Faker scowled. The little brown haired boy seemed to be called Alit and was certainly one of the most childish. He was yelling and arguing like a young boy, obviously far too excitable. His larger companion, Gilag apparently, was quieter but no less blunt about his dislike of Vector or their situation. Merag had followed her brother's lead and was on her bed, resting silently, while Durbe just sat on his bunk, watching the bickering.

"Christopher," Faker said quietly. Christopher glanced up at him. "I think, now we've got the creatures that killed your father, perhaps it's time you were reunited with your brothers."

"My brothers…"

Christopher blinked slowly and Kaito grasped his hand. "You're not kicking him out, are you, Father?"

"No, of course not," Faker said, shaking his head. "I'd like to bring your brothers here. Now there's no danger from the Barians, I think it's best that the three of you are together. I know I can never replace your father, but boys need someone to look after them."

"Thank you," Christopher breathed, a small, shy smile coming across his lips. "Thank you so much, Dr Faker. I know it's a difficult decision, I'll make sure they understand how lucky they are and make sure they behave. Thank you."

"It's the least I can do," he replied, forcing a smile. He couldn't risk it. The boys might even be of some use. "I'll call up the orphanage, and we'll see if we can pick them up first thing tomorrow."

Christopher nodded quickly, his smile widening and Kaito squeezed his hand, smiling up at him. Thomas was closed to Kaito's age. Perhaps that would distract him from his little crush on Christopher. Perhaps this would be a good thing. Kaito was learning to improve his duelling, Christopher was teaching him, and Thomas was a duelling protégé. Faker remembered Christopher taking a day or two off to go and watch Thomas compete in prestigious tournaments. If he kept ranking highly there could be extra money in it, and someone to help Kaito learn. This could be a very good thing for very little inconvenience. And if it made Kaito and Christopher happier, that was a nice bonus.

"I'll have to tell them about Father," Christopher whispered. Faker frowned. He hadn't told them yet? "I wanted to be sure. I promised them I'd find him. That I'd bring him home. I wanted him to be ok. But I suppose I have tell them the truth now."

In the Next Chapter: Chris has to tell his brothers the truth about their father and confronts the Barains about the truth about his father.