Chapter Four

Bakura and Marik make their appearance this chapter! w00t!

Okay, sorry for the wierd formatting, but FFN won't let me format as I usually do. [bows] gomen ne, minna-san!

Joey awoke the next morning with the perculiar feeling that someone was watching him. He blinked and looked around the cell for Serenity, but she was still asleep, her long strawberry-brown hair falling and rising with each breath she took. The Boston blonde narrowed his eyes as he glanced away from his sister. Within moments, he jerked his head up at the ceiling to find a small video camera resting quietly in the corner. He grit his teeth and looked towards the front of the cell. Almost automatically, he saw someone withdraw a notebook, scrawling something on the paper all the while. He glared.

"Alright! Who's there?!" he snapped, standing quickly.

The person didn't reply, but instead just continued writing notes in that frustrating fashion. Joey heard the occasional mutters that issued from just outside, and he figured that there were at least two people outside the cell, monitoring himself and his sister.

Joey froze as he heard the rustling of clothing, signaling that he and Serenity weren't the only ones being watched. He growled under his breath, eyeing the spot where the people had just been warily. His breath hitched as he heard footsteps echoing closer and closer to them. Quickly he leaned back against the wall, drew his knees in, folded his arms down over his knees, and inclined his head in mock sleep. Only once he heard the door slam shut, and the voices outside slowly die off, did he scramble over to Serenity. He shook her shoulder lightly.

Serenity yelped as she was shocked into conciousness, but Joey's hand was instantly placed over her mouth to mute the sound. "Shh! Calm down, Serenity, it's me, Joey."

The girl relaxed, and once Joey's hand had removed itself from her mouth, she leaned over and hugged her brother. "What's wrong, Joey? Why'd you wake me up so early?"

Joey held his finger to his lips. "They're watchin' us now. I saw 'em. Jus' now. I woke up and they was watchin' us as we slept -- all'a the others, too -- and takin' notes'a some kind."

"But why? What do they want to know that they can't just ask us?"

The blonde shrugged and sent a glare towards the door as someone walked past. "Damned if I know, Sis. But I gotta distinct feelin' that we have more ta worry about than what's for breakfast."

"You mean... they're going to start the experiments soon?"

"I'm hopin' I'm wrong. But what other reason would they have?"

"They wouldn't," Serenity sighed, "What's going to happen to us now? Pegasus knows about our plans, Joey..."

He frowned. "I know. But we've still gotta try."

Silence filtered into in between the two as Serenity curled up against her brother's side with a melancholy air.

"Hey, Serenity, why do you think he warned us not to use the front door?"

Joey caught up to Yugi the next day after lunch on the way back to the cells. He casually walked alongside the shorter boy until they were out of earshot of Pegasus and his men. "Yugi."

"What's wrong, Joey?" Yugi asked, his wide indigo eyes blinking.

Joey kept his eyes downcast as he dug his hands into his pockets. "I woke up one time las' night," he said seriously.

Yugi couldn't help but let out a light laugh, arching his eyebrow slightly. "And?"

"They're watchin' us, Yugi. One of Pegasus' cronies was watchin' me, my sister, you an' all the rest las' night. Takin' notes. Monitorin' us." He balled up his fists in his pocket.

Yugi's expression went from mildly skeptical to shocked, and even somewhat intimidated. The boy quickly narrowed his eyes in thought. "D'you know why?"

"No," Joey said, "but Serenity an' I think Pegasus wants ta start his experiments soon. Tha's why he's been so nice ta us lately. We've gotta break outta here before he starts his little games, Yug'. We gotta..."

"We'll find a way, Joey. I promise..."

A smile lit the taller's face. Yugi always knew just what to do, just what to say.

A pale fist slammed down against the dining room table as its owner breathed heavily in barely supressed anger. Spiky white hair hung ragged, as did the clothes now hanging off the boy's thin body. The fist raised again to crash into the table when a darker hand caught it mid-air.

"Stop it, Bakura."

The one called Bakura struggled against Marik's much stronger grip for a few moments until he finally gave up. Bakura tried to worm his way out of the Egyptian's arms; he hated being restrained. "Let me go!"

"You're just going to hurt youself." Marik said, loosening his grip that held Bakura's arms across his own chest a little. "Calm down, Bakura."

The white-haired thief growled and squirmed, but once again found Marik's grip far too strong, and let his shoulders fall. "Marik... I have to get to Ryou..."

"I know," Marik said. "But you have to save your strength. Think. Who's the cause of this whole war?"

Sharp cinnamon eyes widened in understanding. "Pegasus J. Crawford."

Marik nodded. "That's right. All we have to do his find that freak show's headquarters, and we've got it made."

"And how do you plan on getting us inside once we do find it?"

Shrugging, Marik replied, "We'll wing it. Not many are stupid enough to stand up to both of us, let alone just one."

Bakura smirked. "You have a point there. We won't have any problems."

"That's right." Marik finally let go of Bakura. "You'll have Ryou and I'll have Malik in no time." He watched as the other scrambled away quickly. "And Pegasus is going to pay with his life."

"I think that's too kind." Bakura said, grinning wickedly.

A sinister grin appeared on Marik's face, twisting his lips into nastiness. "So do I."

Back at the C.A.R.L. laboratories, Pegasus had gathered all his detainees into the main lobby and was now eteing them all as if he was superior. He smiled nastily at the group, stretching out the tense silence for as long as he could. Pegasus examined each person and their varying degrees of fear and hatred. Malik and Joey could have both won first place for most engraged and spiteful, whereas Ryou and Serenity were tied for most fearful and worried. Yugi's face was expressionless, save for his eyes, which were alive with concern and filled with faintly detectable fury. Duke and Tristan had defiant looks on their faces; Mai had a brave face on. Ishizu's eyes were closed as she kept her hands on the shoulders of the quietly crying Mokuba Kaiba. Téa stood closely behind Mai.

"Dear me! You all look so nervous! May I ask what is causing all of this?" Pegasus drawled, waving his hands around in false concern. "Ah, don't answer, I know why you're all so uneasy."

Malik sneered. Joey growled.

"It's because you all know that today is the day we start the experiments. Yes, that's right, by week's end you will all be Changed."

"Bastard!" Joey exclaimed, stepping forward. Duke and Tristan rushed to his side, should they need to restrain the rambunctious blonde.

Malik hissed at Pegasus, glaring straight into his eyes. "You lousy fuck..."

Pegasus seemed to not hear Malik's insult. "Now, before we take in the first two people, I'll let you all know what animal you will be assigned. Aren't you all so excited?"

"Oh, yeah, I think I'm gonna piss my pants in happiness." Duke rolled his eyes sarcastically.

Pegasus glared at the raven-haired boy, before he continued. "Let's start in reverse alphabetical order, shall we?

Ms. Mai Valentine will be fused with a peacock. I believe my men are right in the fact that you're flashy. You enjoy attention.

Ms. Serenity Wheeler will be fused with a horse. She is motherly and always looking out for her own- her brother.

Mr. Joey Wheeler will be fused with the dog- protective and loyal.

Mr. Tristan Taylor, a wolf. He's a follower, protecting from behind. Viscious but kind.

Mr. Yugi Mutou will gain the attributes of a cat- cautious, sharp minded, and yet, friendly.

Young Mr. Mokuba Kaiba will become like a young kangaroo- now, now, the reason for this is his way of turning to others for protection and comfort.

Mr. Malik Ishtar... ah, yes, a snake. Always ready to attack, and violent when doing so.

Ms. Ishizu Ishtar will be combined with the lovely love bird. Colorful but not loud, and caring.

Ms. Téa Gardener, a rabbit, for her method of relying on others for strength and reaching the top.

And, finally, Mr. Duke Devlin, for his sly and smart-mouthed personality, will become part fox."

Silence followed Pegasus' words as everyone glanced around uneasily. Serenity whimpered and turned into Joey's arms, holding him tightly. The blonde set his hands on her shoulders. "Shh..."

Malik glanced at Ryou, who had paled to the point of almost looking paper-white after his name hadn't been mentioned at all. Silently, he walked over to the slightly shorter boy and squeezed his arms. The boy trembled under his grip. He rested his chin on Ryou's shoulder. "Ryou... It's alright..."

"Malik, what's going to happen to me now? Bakura--"

"--is on his way to save you. Marik too. Bakura loves you, and you love him." Malik hugged Ryou close against his chest. "They're coming."

Ryou turned around in Malik's arms to face him, innocent brown eyes moist with tears. "I'll be a freak, Malik. I-I won't be the person Bakura fell in love with. I don't even know what I'll be."

"You think the way you look has anything to do with how much he loves you? He fell in love with who you are as a person, Ryou, not your body."

"But--"

"There's no buts, Ryou." Malik said desperately. "Bakura loves you. Hell, I love you- Marik loves you. You're special to all of us, no matter what in hell you look like."

Meanwhile, Serenity cried into Joey's shoulder, shaking her head as her body trembled. Joey stroked her hair and rubbed her back, glancing up as Yugi walked over to them. The game master rested his head on Joey's hip. Joey let go of Serenity with one hand. "Yugi."

"I hate this." Yugi muttered, bringing a hand up to wipe his eyes. "I wanna get out of here... and I wanna get everyone else out of here."

Joey looked to Serenity, who nodded, pulling away from her brother. The blonde boy bent down and drew Yugi into his arms. "We'll get outta here, Yugi. Don't you worry."

Yugi smiled and hugged Joey back, leaning his head toward's the taller's shoulder. He trusted the other boy with his life; there was no reason why he wouldn't trust his words.

The streetfighter held Yugi closer. "Just want ya ta know, Yugi. No matta' what happens here, we'll still be best friends."

Yugi almost looked sad. "Just friends?"

"More than just friends." Joey muttered, almost hesitantly pressing his lips against the sugar-pink ones of the small boy infront of him. He smiled inwardly. "Yugi..."

"We'll make it through this together, Joey." Yugi said, hugging Joey around the neck.

Joey grinned. "I know, Yugi. I know."

Pegasus stepped inside the cell room early the next morning and strolled infront of Joey and Serenity's cell. He peered inside at the sleeping boy and girl. He stroked his chin, as if considering them, then shook his head. He moved on to Malik and Ryou. A devilish smirk crossed his face. "Yes, he's the one."

-

"Ryou Bakura, please report to the main lobby as soon as possible. Repeat, Ryou Bakura to the main lobby immediately."

An unfamiliar voice boomed throught the cell area. Everyone turned automatically to look in Ryou's direction.

Malik bit his lip and looked to Ryou apologetically. He moved infront of the white haired-boy and hugged him tightly. When he pulled away, Malik gazed into Ryou's fear and sorrow-filled eyes, and his heart broke. "Ryou..." His own soul felt as if it was about to split into two, or maybe even three or four pieces when he saw the pain inside those deep brown eyes. "Ryou... Be strong." He leaned down and gently kissed Ryou's quivering lips.

Tears ran down both sets of cheeks, bronze and cream, as Ryou clung to Malik's frame. "Don't let me go Malik... Don't let them take me away..."

Cupping Ryou's face in his hands, Malik chewed on his lip some more. "Ry, I don't care what happens in there. You'll always be everyone's lucky star. Bakura, Marik, and I love you no matter what."

But his words only made Ryou cry harder.

"I don't wanna go--"

The door near Joey's cell sprang open, and in walked Pegasus, followed by Nigiru and the man who had announced Ryou's name just moments before. "Mr. Ryou Bakura? Your presence is required in the main lobby." Said Croquet, the owner of the unfamiliar voice.

Ryou moved behind Malik, clutching his arm. "Malik..."

Pegasus snapped his fingers; Nigiru and Croquet opened the bars on the cell. Slowly they walked around Ryou and Malik, who instantly went on guard, though he knew in his heart he didn't have the fighting skills necessary to protect Ryou. The men stepped closer to Ryou. Ryou tried to hide in Malik's shadow.

Croquet suddenly grabbed Ryou by the shoulders, yanking him back and away from Malik. The boy yelped and clawed for Malik's arm, even as Croquet pinned his arms to his side with one arm easily, then clamped a big, beefy hand over his mouth. Ryou's terrified brown eyes filled with tears as he saw Nigiru hit Malik across the face, before throwing him violently against the wall.

Ryou bit down on Croquet's hand until he felt the coppery tang of blood enter his mouth. "MALIK! MALIK, HELP ME! I DON'T WANT TO GO!" Ryou shouted, tears flowing freely from his eyes. "MALIK!"

But Croquet have a mighty tug, and Ryou was removed from the cell. Malik stared in horror as Ryou's kicking and flailing legs vanished behind the wall of the cell.

"RYOU!"

The door slammed shut before he could get to his feet. Malik screamed and dashed through the still opened bars, past Joey and Serenity. Banging on the door that was obviously locked from the other side, he cried out again. "RYOU!"

Malik slid to the floor, shaking, and cleaned against the cold metal door, biting back sobs. "I'm sorry... Ryou... I failed... Forgive me..."

Does anyone see the connection there?

You'll see who the second person to go through the first rounds of experiments is next chapter. Damn Pegasus. I hate him.

The official pairings are Bakura/Ryou (slight Malik/Ryou), Marik/Malik, Joey/Yugi, Tristan/Duke, Mai/Téa, and... I haven't decided about Ishizu and Serenity yet. Or Mokuba. Oh well.

Well, anyways, I have to ask- do you guys really want me to continue this story?

YuGiOh is © Kazuki Takahashi and other people. I do not claim to own anything or anyone except the plot. If you have used or have seen a plot like this used before, I apologize. I do not intend to copy other people's ideas. I don't check the YuGiOh section that much anymore so I don't know all of what's in there.