Call On Me

Chapter 6:

Five minutes later, Marik and Malik were back out into the hallway. Oracle T's bathroom was now only an odd nightmare, but they carried the Trails of the Toilet in their hearts and in their minds. They intended to finish the trials before school ended that day… Marik thought it would be no big deal. How hard could it be, anyway?

"Marik…" Malik whispered, wanting no one to hear him using his yami's real name, "I think we're underestimating the powers of the toilet. This can't be too easy, if it was, what would be the point in doing them?"

He groaned, his icy eyes settling on his hikari's, "You think about things too much. Look, we'll simply split them. You do the first. I'll do the second and we can both work on the third. Sound good?"

"Hmm. Yeah, that's- Hey! Wait a minute! Marik, I'm not going to kiss a fool!"

Marik snickered, "Just kiss your hand and get it over with."

Malik considered this but his thoughts were interrupted by Ryou and Bakura's footsteps, "Hallo." Ryou called in his sweet, British voice, "Did you ask your question to Oracle T? What did she say?"

Bakura nodded, "Sable, that witch, kicked us out, so we couldn't eavesdrop like we wanted."

"Well," Malik began, "She said she'd answer our question, but we have to complete the Trials of the Toilet first. Kiss a fool, help a holy man, and save a true enemy."

"Oh my. Sounds like quiet a predicament."

Marik grinned, "You kidding? This is going to be cake for a genius like me. (Malik glared at him) I mean, geniuses like us! Well, we'll set to work right away. You'll see, Kilam, it'll be easy."

He huffed, "So says you."

"You are such a negativity spreader!"

Bakura bit his lip and raised an eyebrow at the two, '… Negativity spreader, huh? Hmm.'

Ryou took Malik's hand, "C'mon, you two. No need to fight, lunchtime is starting. You guys were in there so long, you totally missed Biology."

"Uh…? How'd we do that? We couldn't have been in there for more than ten minutes!"

"Some people say that Oracle T's bathroom has a special effect on people. Time stops in there. It's like a place between heaven and hell. Of course, that is only a myth… But it makes for great locker room rumors!"

"Oh."

They soon were in the Cafeteria. Ryou got their lunches again, partly because he was such a sweetie and partly because Bakura made him. When he was finished, and Malik was sure there were no Clamtatoes on his plate, they sat down along with their other friends.

Otogi grinned as they sat, particularly at Malik, "So, word has it the two new Italians have gone to see Oracle T."

Marik looked at his hikari then at Ryou and Bakura, "What? How'd they know?"

"Everyone knows." Yugi said, "I heard about it from a few seniors during Biology. Oracle T is like the only thing that keeps us busy. Most people laugh and throw stones at her, though they always pass right through."

Yami nodded, "Why were you there anyway?"

"No reason," Marik said, but then noticed Yami and his disappointed expression. Thinking only of his plan of friendship, Marik amended, "I actually wanted to ask her a question about you, Yami… You just seem so mysterious. You spark my interest…"

Yami beamed. Grinning from Yugi then at the other boys to his left, "Did you hear that? Well, Kiram, I am very flattered and let me just say-"

Otogi rolled his eyes at the Pharaoh, "Yami, you fool, anyone could see that he was improvising."

Malik recognized this right away. The first task belonged to him… 'Kiss a fool' He thought about Otogi's statement… Yami, you fool… Malik cringed at the thought but then he puffed out his cheeks, mimicking his yami, 'I'll do it for the sake of the mission!'

He caught everyone's eye as he rushed to the other side of the lunch table and quickly gave a little smack of the lips to Yami. Of course, still grinning from Marik's acknowledgement of him, he did not notice until the deed was done and Malik was back in his seat, his eyes cast down and unmoving.

Ryou and Bakura were in shock and highly confused. Marik looked at his hikari and then to Yami, 'I think he's gone too far with this friendship thing. Or maybe he just doesn't understand the difference between friendship and… Ra, poor Malik, now I've gone and confused him.'

"…!" Yugi's eyes bugged out as he searched for the right words, "K-Kilam… we, um, Yami… I-I..!"

Yami seemed unfazed.

Marik leaned in to Malik's ear, "What was that for? Have you jumped off the deep end, Malik?"

"No!" He whispered back, "I just completed task number one! The second is yours, you big meanie!"

"Task number…? Oh, oh!" Marik sat back and laughed, "Ha ha ha ha ha! T-That's priceless, really. Okay, relax, Yugi, there's nothing to worry about. This was a routine Kilam-stunt. No cause for alarm."

Yugi laughed nervously, "Oh. Eh he he… Heh."

Ryou took this opportunity to, hurriedly, change the subject, "Well, how was everyone's day? Interesting, I hope."

Joey shrugged, trying to keep Ryou's apparent efforts alive, "Um. I ate a bug that I found under the table, last period."

"…" Ryou decided to stop.

After lunch, Ryou had to go to a T.A. meeting and that left Marik and his hikari walking alone. Although they didn't mind, this gave them a chance to contemplate their next task. And, as Malik reminded, it was Marik's turn to do the second trial. The first had taken its toll on poor Malik.

"I'll never be the same again…" He moaned, stopped walking and leaned on a wall for support. "It was… it was…"

"It was a crazy thing for you to do, Malik. But… It's a good thing that you did something, for once, without thinking! You're showing the true marks of an evil genius." Marik extended his hand to Malik, "Congrats."

Malik took his hand and shook it, "Uh, thanks, Marik."

"… Now. Since it's my turn, I'll have to figure out where we can find a holy man in this school… Hmm." Marik turned around, only to find Bakura right behind him, smiling, "Gah! Bakura, you idiot, you scared me!"

"Relax, Mario." He leaned against the wall next to Malik, "What are you two doing out of class, anyway? Don't you have an English class to be in?"

Malik shook his head, "We're skipping."

"Well," Bakura grinned, "I think I'll skip as well."

At first, Marik was going to protest, but then he nodded, "Okay, then. If you're going to stay, you can help us out. Do you know where we can find a holy man in this school?"

"… Um, a holy man? Hmm." Bakura thought this over and sighed, "Well. And this is between us, but there happens to be a Bible Study classroom for little kids in the basement. Upperclassmen aren't aloud down there, but…"

Marik and Malik looked at each other. Malik whispered, "This has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever heard of. What's with this school, anyway?"

"Don't question things that fall into your lap, Malik. Enjoy the ride and roll with it." Marik whispered back then turned to Bakura, "Take us to the classroom."

Bakura grinned and made a motion for them to follow him. They did and before they knew it, Bakura was leading them to a stairwell that was going down. It was about five minutes before they reached the bottom of the staircase and then they hopped on an elevator that sent them ten stories under the basement.

When they exited the dusty shaft, a dark hallway lay before them. One room, on the left was the only thing from which light shown through. Bakura pointed, "That's it."

Marik, Malik, and their tag along Buddy, Bakura, pushed their faces up to the window and saw a bunch of little kids sitting in desks. At the front of the room was a man dressed in black, beginning to pass out mini-Bibles to the children.

Bakura nodded, "Well, there's your holy man. Father Ramsey, I'm told his name is. He's a real idiot. Blind as a bat and he never puts on his glasses."

"But, Ma-Kiram…" Malik began, "He doesn't look like he needs help."

"Maybe not right now… but, with a little Egyptian engineering-" Bakura glanced at Marik as he spoke and changed his statement, "I-I mean Italian engineering…"

Marik stood and opened the door, the knob turning with much difficulty. It was rusty and felt as if it was going to fall off. He motioned for Malik to come in with him, and although the Light had much to protest against, he came quietly.

Father Ramsey turned abruptly and squinted at Marik and Malik, "And who might you young ladies be?"

Malik gaped, "Hey-" but was stopped by his yami. Marik suddenly adopted an adorable southern bell accent and regarded the man, "Why, we are here to help you pass out them there Bibles." He said delicately.

"Oh! Thank you so much, miss. The rest are on the desk over there." He pointed at his desk and Marik and Malik both picked up an arm full. As the man continued to hand out the books, Marik whispered to Malik.

"Okay, when he comes around this way, I want you to trip him." He said, keeping his voice low.

"What!"

"Just do it! Look, here he comes…" As the man rounded the corner and came close to them, Malik sighed and slid out his left leg, up to his knee, he was blocking the way. Of course, Father Ramsey did not see this and immediately toppled over. "Ah!" He wailed as he landed on his side.

Marik dropped the books and gave a cheesy grin to Malik as he said aloud, "Oh, look. A holy man in need of help. Let me help you, oh holy man."

He roughly jerked up the Father by his gangly arm and proceeded for the door. Malik following, in awe and in embarrassment and woe. The old man was left in the room with the giggling children, holding his back, screaming, "Oh…! My lumbago!"

When the door shut behind Marik and Malik, Bakura ran up to them, laughing and howling, his face a shade of red they'd never seen.

"Oh my freaking Ra, you are the man!" Bakura held his sides, trying to keep himself under control, "That was a stroke of pure genius!"

Marik grinned and Malik sighed, "We're going straight to Hell, you know that right?"

"Well, Hell's a long way off and we've still got our third trial to complete. But, c'mon, we've got to get to P.E. We can't shrug off our bonding time with Yami and Yugi for some dumb trial."

It was seventh period again, and the last class of the day. They had all dressed out and Coach Lugs took them into the gym this time because it looked dreary outside and the clouds seemed to indicate rain. It was nice in the gym. The AC was on and the bright red and blue walls made everything seem homey and… together.

Malik and Marik were sitting over with their Buddies and Yami and Yugi. Trying to talk them into divulging secrets that would help them obtain the millennium puzzle. They were getting nowhere fast.

"… And so, this bedwetting does not drain your strength?" Marik asked Yugi, "I should think something that strenuous would leave a person totally helpless."

"No, it doesn't." Yugi said, quirking an eyebrow, "I usually don't even notice until the next morning."

Before any more questions could be asked, a piercing whistle sounded off and zipped through the ears of the young boys. Coach Lugs walked in and smirked, "Okay, girl scouts, today we'll be testing your reflexes. With a good old American favorite. Dodge ball." His whistle sounded off again and, before they knew it, they were divided into teams.

Malik, Marik, Yugi and Ryou were on one team. And the other boys were on the apposing team. Of course the others in their class join both sides as well. The balls were set in the middle of the gym and when the whistle blew, everyone ran for them.

Everyone… except Marik and Malik.

"So, Malik." Marik almost had to shout over all the noise, "How do you want to go about saving our true enemy?"

"I don't know." He shouted back, "But it's gonna have to be either Yami or Yugi right? They're the only ones here. But what can we save them from?"

"Maybe we'll get lucky and an alligator will come in and eat people."

"We can only hope."

"Hey, you guys!" Yugi popped up behind them, all smiles, "You guys aren't playing? What's wrong?"

"Egad!" Both hikari and yami shrieked, totally unaware of the spiky-haired boy, right behind them the whole time. "H-How long have you been there?"

"Well, I-"

"ITALY, HEADS!" Someone shouted. It happened to catch Marik and Malik's attention and they turned around only to meet two basketballs right in the face. They were knocked about ten feet back from where they stood and hit the wall with the back of their heads, leaving two holes in the concrete. Noise suddenly stopped and a crowd of boys huddled around the two.

"Kiram! Kilam, are you okay!" Yugi shrieked as he shook their shoulders, "Answer me! Answer me!"

Ryou came rushing over and pushed his way through, "What's wrong with them?"

Yugi looked teary-eyed, "They saved me from getting hit with those balls! They're such heroes!"

Marik was dizzy as he looked at his hikari, who looked like he was high, "Y-You hear that? We just finished trial number…three…"

They both blacked out.

It was less than fifteen minutes later when Marik and Malik woke up in separate beds in the Clinic. The Nurse's head was turned the other way as she dealt with a boy who had scraped knees. Malik was the first to come to. He looked over and shook his yami, "Marik. Yoo-hoo… Marik!"

"Ugh…" Marik opened his eyes and felt his forehead. It rubbed awkwardly, and that's because they both had identical red marks on their foreheads, covering almost all of their faces. "What time is it?"

Malik was up now and dragging him out of bed, "C'mon, school ends in thirty minutes and don't you want to see Oracle T? Our trials are complete."

"Ah… that's right!" Marik hopped out of the bad and ran down the hall, his hikari following, "C'mon, Malik, I can't wait!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

About ten minutes later, they arrived as the fifteenth floor, or the third floor. Sable wasn't there and they took that opportunity to sneak into the bathroom. It was deserted and the water was still knee-high. They went into the middle stall and Marik proceeded to call upon Tea.

"Oracle T, I summon thee! Rise by my mighty fist and bestow upon me the future!"

The water stirred and rose into the form that belonged to the deceased Tea. She looked mildly surprised to see the two, though she greeted them with the sacred toilet-mistress greeting, "Like hi. What do you want?"

"We've done your three trials!" Marik said and pointed to his and Malik's face, "And they sucked! Malik suffered from kissing Yami, we're going to Hell, and we almost killed ourselves with dodge balls!"

She blinked, "They're not supposed to be easy."

"Whatever." He sighed, "Can we ask our question, now?"

"Sure thing! You have proven yourselves worthy… What does your heart desire?"

Malik stepped foreword, "We have a reason to be suddenly interested in Yami and Yugi. We need their friendship and trust to complete a dream of ours. Our question is… Will they ever truly trust us?"

Oracle T took in a deep breath. The toilet water on the bathroom floor and inside her toilet was swirling round and round, forming cyclones around the room. A chant was heard from deep inside Tea's mind as she settled back into water form and plopped into the porcelain bowl. The words rang out… Look into my toilet.

They both cautiously peeked into the white bowl and saw the words made out into the water… I don't know.