Disclaimer : Standard disclaimers apply

Chapter 3 : The Great Escape

"You know him?" they said simultaneously.

"Unfortunately, we do not have time to chit chat idly right now," said Anubis while the sounds of gunfire gradually magnified from the hallways beyond.

"Perhaps we can continue this conversation in my car?"

Ryuu did not ignore the fact that he aimed the question at both of them

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" he roared "and neither is Meg!"

"I really think we should listen to him Ryuu"

Had the world just turned upside down? Could he possibly be dreaming? Or did his friend just ask him to follow his arch nemesis?

Ryuu looked away from the both of them. A burning anger developing inside him. Thankfully, the other two were silent now, each waiting his decision. The sounds from the hallway intensified. He knew he had to do something.

Find Dan-sensei

But that adult was four hallways away. At this point, he did not even know if the others were alright.

"Wait, what's that sound?" asked Meg.

Ryuu looked back at her. Then he heard it too, a barely audible blipping noise that had just become apparent over all the ruckus outside. It came from the unknown gunman's watch.

No.. it cant be..

"Take cover master!" yelled Anubis as he pushed both Ryuu and Meg out of the way.

The explosion that followed blinded his eyes and knocked both of the teenagers off their feet. Ryuu was the first one to recover. The first thing he noticed was the debris falling from the ceiling. Everything looked like it had been turned upside down and it was probably a miracle that he had survived the blast.

"Meg.." he chocked out. The dust was stinging his eyes and he had to hold a sleeve to his mouth to avoid choking.

A small moan came from the corner of the room, under a large cabinet.

As he moved to the room, he noticed the many cuts and scratches that crisscrossed his body. His clothes were also torn in several places. He gritted his teeth and together with Anubis, moved the cabinet off Meg's prone body. He would never forgive himself if she was severely hurt.

This was probably Pluto's doing. Anubis had most likely planned the entire attack and the riot just to lure him back to Pluto. But, if that were the case, what did Meg and her sister have to do with anything? Why was Anubis helping her? Then Ryuu realized the impossible. Was Anubis hurting his friends now?

The man then picked up Meg's unconscious form. He then spoke to Ryuu in a grave voice.

"The situation has just taken a turn for the worse. I'll let you know now that Pluto is not responsible for the riot or this attack," he paused momentarily, as if choosing his next words carefully.

"Whether or not you decide to come with me now, I will be taking your friend with me,"

"What do you think you will gain from Meg? We will come after her just like we did with Dan-sensei. And this time, we'll make sure there'll be no escape helicopters around"

And then Anubis did something Ryuu had never seen before. He frowned. His lips actually turned down in a partial grimace and his brow furrowed. He seemed to be holding back an outburst of anger. Ryuu was not scared of the tall agent. No. He was more concerned for the limp form in its arms.

"Fortunately or unfortunately for you, it is not my choice this time to deal with your adolescent behavior master" he said with a sneer. "My orders to fetch her come directly from your grandfather. And I thought you would just be an added bonus. Now, excuse me."

Anubis pushed past the shocked boy and moved into the hallway. What could the leader of Pluto possibly want with a 15 year old teenage girl? His mind filled with impossible scenarios. He knew there was only one way to get answers. Besides, that man would not bring him back unless he was completely willing.

"Wait!" he yelled at the retreating figure. Anubis turned around and pointed a gun straight at him.

One, two, three shots rang out as he crouched and shielded himself with his arms. Only when he heard several bodies fall soundlessly behind him did he realize what the man was actually doing.

"Hurry up," he adjusted Meg so that she hung over his shoulder. For once, Ryuu was thankful that the girl decided to wear pants.

They reached the elevator in no time at all. Maybe it was the because his friend was in the arms of a member of Pluto, it might just be the fact that so many questions that needed answers were swimming in his head or that Anubis might have preformed some kind of mind control trick when he wasn't looking. Whatever it was, this would definitely be the last time he went anywhere near the organization.

As the elevator doors were closing, a figure in a wheelchair came into view. The sudden weight of the entire situation pressed onto him together with the angry gaze of the aged detective.

He pressed one hand to the side of his face. A cold sweat suddenly forming on his forehead. What had he done? He should have called for help the instant Anubis had walked into the room. He should have been a good little detective for god's sake! And here he was, following his enemy!

"Don't be afraid of what the others might think," said Anubis stoically "I do not think your position as a spy is jeopardized in any way. Those goody-goody detectives probably think you are currently under mind comtrol."

He looked at Meg's peaceful face.Its for her, everything I'm doing is to save her. I'll bring her back to DDS when everything is safe He told himself repeatedly.

I'll bring her back..

To Kyuu? Said a small voice inside his head.

What??! Where did that come from?

Are you going to bring her back to DDS so she can run back into the arms of her knight in shining armor? Are you going to stand there and watch her being taken from you again

He had absolutely no idea where this thing had come from. This deformed, slimy, jealous monster that whispered absurdities in his ear. It was impossible, he did not.. could not…

"Master,"

Ryuu snapped back into reality, pushing the monster aside. The elevator doors opened and they hurried through the underground car park towards a black Mercedes Benz. Suddenly, the headlights turned on and the car shot towards them.

Of course. He cursed his on stupidity and shock. He works with a partner. He always has an escape plan.

Anubis deposited Meg in the back seat and Ryuu slid in through the other door. Ryuu did not recognize the dark-skinned driver. The man was obviously a foreigner. His bald head nearly reached the ceiling and several gold rings adorned his thick fingers. The closest thing he could relate the man to was Agent Cobra Bubbles form Lilo and Stitch.

The car shot through the parking lot with impressive speed. Only when they hit the freeway did Ryuu release the breath that he did not realize he had been holding.

Meg let out a soft moan from beside him. She leaned forward and placed a palm on the bruise that had formed on her forehead. Apparently she had not realized she was in a moving vehicle. Or did she know?. Anubis handed him an icepack from the front seat and gave him a slightly bemused look. He was getting the feeling that all of them in the car knew something he did not.

"Hey.. Ryuu.. what are you doing here?" asked Meg groggily

She was awake. And she knew what was going on. Frustration grew inside him. He did not like being left in the dark. Maybe he was still an adolescent as Anubis had said.

He crossed his arms and fixed her with a cold stare.

"You tell me. First, I see you crying your eyes out in the hospital, then you turn out to be some Lady and then you are hauled away by these two members of Pluto in the middle of another –obviously, set up- attack,"

Whoa.. where had that come from? Wasn't he always the calm and collected one?

"Pluto?" said Meg with slight panic in her voice. "Anubis-san, Kingsley-san, you never-"

"Only myself and Ryuu are full fledged members of Pluto, Miss Minami" said Anubis. She turned to Ryuu in alarm.

He did not know how much of this he could take. Anubis-san??. What the hell was going on??

"You're going to be alright," said Kingsley in a deep baritone voice. "Due to sudden inevitable circumstances and coincidental twists of fate, Anubis will be assisting your departure tonight,"

"Do I have to?" she continued in the same small voice he was used to.

"You know as well as I do. It is not safe for you in this country anymore. It is best if, for now, Minami Megumi disappears,"

She remained silent. Then, turning to Ryuu, she gave him a soft smile.

"I didn't know you worked for Pluto.. All this time.. "

"He's our crown prince" said Anubis point blank.

She stared wide-eyed at him for a moment and then turned away.

"That explains a lot" she said softly.

"Well, it does not explain anything for me." he grabbed her hand and forced her to face him. "Who are you?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"Go on." said Kingsley from the front seat. "We have at least an hour before we reach the airport"

She took in a deep breath and said

"I have been Minami Megumi ever since I lived in Japan, but before that…"

To be continued…

I actually think this chapter is better than the previous two. I think it's time for some long overdue explanations. No, Anubis is not dead. Yes, I did make Kyuu unconscious on purpose. This story is going to be a five part series and I'm going to follow up with a sequel which takes place once our heroes are a bit older. BTW, Kingsley Shakclebolt belongs to JK Rowling.

Reviews please!