Into Darkness

Ame no Mizu

Author's Note: If you haven't already heard, I recently began receiving the awesome help of one of my best editors, Guardian. She's the best, really. I've got the sequel to 'Dying Again' in the making. It'll be called 'Taking Over Me," and will be a full songfic. The whole idea is that ten years after Ryou dies, Bakura heads back to Japan, where the others still live. It's not gonna be as sad as the prequel, but it will be a little angsty. As for this story, I'm in the middle of writing chapter ten, so you should be getting at least one update per week. Hope you enjoy! ~ Mizu-chan.

Chapter five:

Betrayal

The three boys walked down the burning hot sidewalk in silence. Yami was in the Puzzle, just as they had planned. Yugi's hands trembled as he held the Puzzle in them. He was scared. This Hynes man sounded like bad news, and he couldn't help but think that if he were able to capture Bakura, then maybe, just maybe… he would be able to take the Puzzle away from him.

//You shouldn't think like that, hikari. // came Yami's voice from his soul room. Yugi sent him a smile.

/I know, but… I can't help it. /

//I understand. But you shouldn't worry. I won't let anything happen to you, my hikari, you know that. //

/I know. I just can't help being worried/

//That's okay. It's better to feel worry than to feel nothing at all. Just remember that I'm here with you and I'll protect you, watashi no tenshi. //

/I know. /

The link fell silent, and Yugi felt a little better. He smiled at Ryou and the albino gave a shaky smile back. Yugi wished he knew what to say to him to make him feel better, but no words came to him. Malik, on his other side, looked at him as well. They stayed locked in the gaze until Malik turned away.

//Yugi… //

/Yes, Yami? /

//You're probably going to be angry with me for this, but… //

/What? /

//It's Malik… if he touches you or says anything bad to you… I want you to tell me, okay? //

/Yami, he's on our side now. He wouldn't—/

//I know, but… just in case, I want you promise you'll tell me. //

/Okay. I'll tell you. /

//Thank you. It makes me feel better. //

Yami's sudden uneasiness made Yugi himself uneasy. Did Yami really mistrust Malik so much that he didn't even want his own hikari near him? Yugi thought that both Bakura and Malik had changed. Why wouldn't Yami agree with him? Why was he being so mistrustful?

Well, he's got his ways, and he's very set in them, Yugi thought to himself, careful to block Yami, And I suppose he has a point. Malik did some pretty evil things before he turned good. However… he's redeemed himself. Has Yami really forgotten all the times Malik has helped us?

"Yugi," said Ryou suddenly, "Are you okay? You seem ill." Yugi jumped slightly. He'd forgotten for a moment that Ryou was there.

"Oh, I'm fine," he said, putting on a fake smile, "I'm just thinking."

"Nervous?"

"Uh… yeah, that's it."

"It's alright to be," Ryou sighed, "I'm nervous, too. I'm worried about Bakura, you know. I'm scared that he might already be… that Hynes has already… you know…"

"We'll get him back, Ryou, you heard Yami," Yugi comforted, his own troubles temporarily forgotten, "He promised. He'll keep that promise, I know he will."

"Thanks, Yugi," Ryou whispered, tears slipping down his cheeks, "You're a really good friend. I appreciate you coming with us."

"No problem. What're friends for, right?"

"Right."

They fell silent, no more needing to be said.

Ryou looked down at the paper in his hand, written on which was the address of the place they were to meet Hynes. They were getting close. They turned onto the street indicated on the paper, and Ryou began to look at the numbers of the houses.

"We're looking for 522," he whispered to the others, "It should be close."

"Uh… Ryou?" said Yugi.

"Yeah?"

"I think I found it."

Ryou followed Yugi's index finger to a large, seemingly abandoned warehouse at the end of the street, the number 522 peeling off its door, separated from the other houses.

"Wow… that's a big place," muttered Malik, and Ryou nodded.

"Hynes must have broken in."

They walked the fifty or so yards to the building and up to the door. Ryou hesitated, then pushed the neglected door open. It fell off its hinges with a loud bang.

"He also must have used the back door," whispered Malik, and Yugi giggled.

"Very funny," Ryou hissed, "He probably set it up like that in order to tell when we were here."

They walked into a wide, empty room that Ryou guessed was some sort of entrance hall. If that were true, then this wasn't a warehouse at all—it was an office building.

He relayed this information to the others.

"You're right," said Malik, "And if that's true, than this place is probably full of cameras."

Indeed, when they looked closely, they could see small black cameras attached to the walls near the ceiling. A small blinking red light told them it was on.

"Hynes is a very intelligent man," whispered Ryou, "I wouldn't be surprised if he fixed them all in order to use them."

They continued on, very aware of the fact that they were now being closely watched.

"So… they have arrived."

Derek Hynes smiled to himself as he watched the three teenagers discover the cameras he himself had fixed and reinstalled. He turned in his chair to see the young blonde boy struggle with the ropes binding his wrists to the hardwood chair Derek had found in one of the many offices.

"Don't fret, little one," he called out in English, not sure if the child could actually understand him, "You will be with your friends very shortly."

"Go to hell," the Egyptian hissed, "You won't touch them. Malik would never let you."

"Yes, yes, the yami… trust me, he'll end up just like the albino one over there…"

Behind the blonde lay the white haired yami, totally unconscious.

"It's a shame I'll have to destroy him…" whispered Derek, "He had so much spunk… and he looks so much like my little Ryou…"

He reached over and grabbed the ancient looking book off the ground, opening it and flipping through the pages until he stopped and smiled.

"Ah… here it is," he murmured, then looked up at the child, "Get ready for your undoing, Marik Ishtar."

He stood, walking over to Marik, who had begun to shiver and struggle harder. He lifted the book up to his chest so he could read from it, and placed his hand on Marik's head.

He began to chant the dead words not spoken by anyone in over a century, and the boy suddenly ceased his struggling, gasped, and became encased in a golden light. The light slowly darkened to a dull gold, then to a sickly yellow. Finally, the child was encased in black, head to toe. When Derek had finished chanting, the boy was dressed entirely in black. The eyeliner became more pronounced. His eyes, once violet, were now a deep, evil red. The spell had succeeded.

"Arise, my child of darkness."

He pulled at the ropes, and they snapped. He stood. Derek smiled. So far so good.

"Who are you?"

"I have no name. I live only to serve." The boy said emotionlessly.

Perfect. The spell had worked perfectly.

"Who do you serve?"

"You, and only you… Master."

"Good boy. Now, I want you to go downstairs to the first floor. You need to lead the three boys to this room. Act as though you're their friend, Marik Ishtar, and that you escaped from me. Do not harm any of them unless I tell you otherwise. Do you understand me?"

"I do, Master."

"Good. Now, go."

Derek smiled as the boy left. This was going perfectly.

He looked down at the book again, and read on. The spell was only good for an hour. That was all he needed, anyway. The Ishtar boy would bring them here.

He turned back to the many screens displaying the pictures of each camera. He had one for every room, every hallway, so he was able to keep his eye on them every second they were in the building.

His eyes lingered for a moment on the short boy he had sent Tommi to pick up after he'd dropped of Marik. He knew that Tommi would never succeed in kidnapping the little boy, because of the powerful yami that lingered in his Puzzle, but his plan had worked anyway. The attack had angered the yami, and in that anger, he insisted in following. He was probably hiding in the Puzzle, seeing as Derek had said to bring no one else. Therefore, his reaction would be faster than if he were out of the Item. He would have to change that.

//My child… // he thought, knowing the boy would hear him.

/Yes, Master? /

//When you meet the other boys, I need you to draw out the spirit of the Puzzle, Yami, without drawing suspicion. Can you do that? //

/I can, Master. Consider it done. /

He smiled. It was done. Now all he had to do was wait.

The three boys continued to walk cautiously down the hallway, ready for anything. Malik was tense. He knew his hikari was nearby. His fingers were itching to feel the smooth, tanned skin of the hikari's arms and shoulders and neck… he needed Marik back in his arms.

"So… how long are we suppose to be walking around?" asked Yugi nervously.

"Until we find Hynes… or he finds us, I suppose," answered Ryou.

They continued to walk in silence. Malik remained as tense as ever.

"Wait!" he suddenly barked, "I… I feel something."

"What do you feel?" Yugi gasped.

"Not something I really want to feel right now."

They heard footsteps around the corner ahead. Malik threw out his arms to stop Yugi and Ryou in their tracks.

"What is it?" asked Ryou.

Before Malik could answer, a young, tanned boy walked around the corner, looking quite lost.

"Marik!" Ryou cried, and rushed forward, throwing himself into the other hikari's arms, "You're okay!"

"I had to sneak out when Hynes wasn't looking," Marik said, smiling and hugging Ryou back, "I'm just glad I got out of there before he realized." He turned to Malik, "Malik… I knew you'd come for me, yami." He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his lover's neck.

"Hey, Marik…" said Yugi, "How come you're dressed like that?"

Marik looked down at his attire.

"I'm not sure," he replied, "I woke up like this."

"Did you see Bakura?" asked Ryou.

"Bakura? Oh, yes, I did. He was unconscious, however. If he wasn't so heavy, I would've taken him with me, you know I would, right, Ryou?"

"Of course. But we have to get to him."

"I can show you the way," offered Marik, "I'm pretty sure I can remember."

"Alright," said Ryou. Marik turned to Yugi.

"You may want to call Yami out. Hynes knows he's with you. And with Hynes' men roaming around, we'll need all the protection we can get."

"Right," replied Yugi, and the Puzzle glowed. A second later, Yami emerged.

"Are you okay, Marik?" he asked.

"I've been better. Thank you for coming."

They turned and began to walk, Marik leading them. Malik felt a strange sensation arise in his stomach. Something wasn't right. Marik never acted this way.

He didn't want to think of why exactly why his hikaris clothes had been changed without his knowledge. And maybe it was just the light hitting the boy's eyes, but they didn't look the same. He tried to check again, but Marik turned his head away.

Malik had the feeling that this wasn't the same hikari he'd lost just over two hours ago.

"Marik?" he called, striding up to the front of the group, "Hikari, I want you close to me." Marik smiled in reply, and wrapped his arms around Malik's waist lovingly. Malik put his arms around the thin shoulders lightly.

He'd have to keep a close watch on his hikari.

Ryou saw Marik cuddle up with his yami and felt his eyes water. He wanted Bakura back so badly. According to Marik, he was unconscious. That spelt bad news. What if he was hurt, or worse? Ryou didn't want to think about Bakura being hurt. He wrapped his arms around himself and tried to stop the tears from coming.

"Ryou?"

A strong, comforting arm wrapped around his shoulders, and Ryou turned his head to see Yami Yugi smiling down at him.

"I promised you, Ryou," he whispered, "And that's a promise I plan to keep."

"I know, but… I can't help but be worried," Ryou whispered back.

"You have a right to be," Yami replied, "But remember—we're here with you. You aren't alone, Ryou." Ryou smiled at him through his tears.

"Thanks, Yami."

Marik continued to lead them through the deserted halls, his arms still locked around his yami's waist.

"Here," he said suddenly, letting Malik go, "This is where he kept me, in this room."

The air suddenly tensed, as if the entire group had sucked in its breath as a whole and held it. Marik reached out to open the door, but Yami leapt forward and caught the hikari's arm, jerking it back.

"We don't know what's in there yet," he said, "You should let me and Malik go first, just in case he's waiting for us."

"Of course."

Yami opened the door and stepped in, followed by Malik.

"YAMI!!!!!!!"

They all whirled towards the scream, and Ryou gasped at what he saw: Yugi was in the arms of a tall man dressed all in black. Ryou cried out as he himself was grabbed from behind, and he struggled, but in vain.

The two yamis leapt forward to save them, but were suddenly thrown back.

"Marik, what are you doing?" Yami screamed as the blonde hikari smirked and advanced into the dark room.

"Following orders," Marik called back in a voice quite unlike his own. Ryou looked over to Malik, but saw that the yami had been knocked out. Yami stood shakily and leaned against the wall for support.

"What do you mean?" he snapped.

"He meant exactly what he said."

Ryou gasped as he recognized the smooth voice. Derek Hynes stepped out, the hikari right behind him.

"Who are you?" snarled Yami.

"Why, Ryou, I'm surprised at you," laughed Hynes, "Have you forgotten your manners?"

"Yami," Ryou murmured, "This is Derek Hynes. Derek, this is Yami." He scowled at Hynes, "You happy now?"

"Quite," the man purred, "I see you've brought me a little present, here…" He lifted his hand and stroked Yugi's cheek softly. The boy whimpered and a tear ran from his eyes.

"Get your hands off him!" Yami roared, and he leapt forward, but was dragged back by two of Hynes' men.

"And Yami…" Hynes said, "I would suggest you calm yourself, or your hikari pays your price… do you understand me, Pharaoh?"

"Don't you dare hurt him," Yami snarled.

"You know, I don't think you're in any kind of position to be making threats," Hynes growled menacingly, "Tyler…"

At Hynes' cue, the man holding Yugi began to squeeze the boy, and Yugi cried out in pain.

"Y-Yami!"

"Stop!" Yami yelled, "I understand, Hynes! Please, just don't hurt him!" He went limp in his captors' arms, and Ryou knew he was crying, "Yugi, I'm sorry…"

"Good," barked Hynes, "Take Ryou and his little friend into the room I told you to. Yami goes in this room here. And someone pick up the other one and let him join his friends. Marik, love, you can follow me…" Hynes purred to the blonde hikari lovingly.

Ryou felt himself being dragged down the hall, away from Yami and Malik, his only protection. His eyes connected with Marik, and the two shared a fleeting look before Marik gave a small smile and disappeared into the room after Hynes.

As he himself was dragged into a room, only one thought ran through Ryou's mind:

What's going on here?

Oooooh, cliffhanger… gotta love 'em, right?

Next time: Ryou and Yugi are locked together in 'the room' and Yami and Malik find Bakura.

Please review! I'm beginning to think people aren't interested in this story, and I need more reviews in order to know if you want me to continue! So, R&R!!!!!!!