Chapter 3: Infected Angel
-GeneCo Tower, 10:30 pm-
"Malik, what are these?"Pegasus growled, flashing a folder of photographs at his son.
The boy in question yawned, stretching his muscled arms over his head. He was a young man, perhaps 18 years of age. He was tall and lean, but nicely toned with wiry muscle in all the right places. Bleached blond hair hung in tendrils around his face, but was clipped just below his neck. Apathetic amethyst eyes slid half closed, as if to fall asleep.
Pegasus stepped around the couch on which the blond reclined and slammed the folder onto the coffee table, "You disgust me," he snarled before striding over to his desk.
Malik sat up and flipped through the pictures. They were all of him; posing half naked with two men pressing lips and hands all over his chest and neck. He giggled, recalling his little romp two nights ago.
The elder was not the least bit amused. Malik's indecencies were not the only source of his embarrassment. All three of his sons were disreputable in their unique ways.
As if to mock him by coincidence, his other two sons burst into the office. The oldest, Seto, was splattered with crimson and brandishing a knife similarly stained. The younger, Otogi, held aloft a mirror while lovingly running the tips of his fingers over the contours of his newly attached face.
Seto was notoriously known for his…temper. Anyone who inconvenienced him in the slightest usually found themselves gagging in a puddle of their own bodily fluids.
Otogi was not quite so violent, but was by no means docile. His passion lied in beauty. Nothing pleased him more than looking stunning, whether he sported his own face or not. Often, when he happened to see a person with a particularly lovely face, he would simply…take it, and plaster it atop his own.
"Where the fuck is Malik?!" Seto called to his father. Coming around to the center of the office, he pointed an accusing finger at the blond, "Where the hell did you put the files, you little slut?!"
Malik only crossed his legs and batted his eyelashes innocently, "I didn't take anything, brother. Ask Otogi."
Seto tightened his grip on the knife and hissed through gritted teeth, "I know you moved them. They were on my desk this afternoon and now they're gone."
No one spoke for awhile, and then the youngest hopped off the couch, "I'm going out, Dad. Bye Seto," He winked at his infuriated brother.
Once his squabbling offspring finally decided to relieve his nerves and depart, Pegasus settled back into his work.
Though it seemed fate had other ideas, and promptly set things in motion.
The wall-to-wall monitor behind the desk suddenly flickered to life, "Mr. Pegasus, there's been an attempted grave robbing in Kul Elna cemetery," a guard reported through the screen. "We are currently in pursuit of the pair. Should immediate execution be implemented sir?"
The CEO groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "May I see a screening of the perpetrators?" The screen displayed an image of a gloomy graveyard with police weaving between tombs, chasing after two running persons. Zooming in on the targets, their figures were made discernable.
The first target fit the stereotypical grave robber look; seedy wardrobe, disheveled hair and quick on his feet. Pegasus was about to give the order, until the second target took him by surprise.
He was beautiful! Long, snowy white hair and perfect blemish free pale skin. His large doe eyes were wide with fright as he struggled to keep up with the one dragging him along
His attire was clean-cut; Ribbed white tank top with a black over-vest. His jeans were in perfect condition, without a single mud stain or tear. A boy dressed so nicely could not possibly be a graverobber.
Pegasus had found his new plaything.
"Sir? Your orders?" The guardsman called again.
"I have no interest in the corpse leech. Dispatch of him. But, bring me the pale boy for questioning," he answered coolly, barely containing his excitement.
"Yes sir," was the only reply.
-Kul Elna graveyard, 10:45 pm-
Ryou panted heavily, trying to move quickly. His heart palpitated erratically with each cumbersome breath. He wanted to stop, but the death grip Touzokuo had on his hand insistently pulled. "C'mon! This way, kid!" the graverobber shouted, "Hurry up!"Sucking up the pain, he put all his energy into running at full speed.
The pounding of the guard's boots began growing fainter and fainter behind them as they shrank into the distance.
The graveyard had shifted to a large city. The elder ducked into an alley way, jerking the boy in after him.
"Blood pressure warning…Blood pressure warning…"
The heart monitor on his wrist began to sound off. The pale teen staggered, clutching his chest in pain, "Gahh! Ah…haaa"
Touzokuo turned back to him, "Hey kid, you ok?"
Ryou released his death grip on the front of his shirt, instead latching onto the thief's arm, "I-I'm sorry…I need…my shot…" his form began to slump.
The graverobber stooped, trying to support the teen, "H-hey, calm down…just hang in there, ok?"
"Medicate immediately…medicate immediately…"
Ryou's head dropped onto Touzokuo's chest, unconscious.
Trying to stay calm, the man shifted Ryou's weight and scooped him up into his arms. 'He had said something about a shot…But I can't take him home yet, too many cops…'
He tried shaking him, but the child's head merely flopped from side to side without reaction.
After several minutes of debate, he stood, carrying Rou vertically in his arms, "Ok, don't worry, I'll have you fixed up."
-Sanitarium Square, 11:12 pm-
"No wait! Please, I promise, I'll pay later!" a woman begged fearfully as the shrouded figure approached.
He moved with precision, closing in on the terrified girl.
"I'm sorry! Please, I-" A gloved hand clasped her throat, throwing her to the ground. Scalpel in hand, he shredded the fabric of her shirt.
Her screams of terror turned to wails of agony; his surgical knife separated her chest cavity. With professional grace, the muscles and tissue were stripped away.
The sought after heart was given a popping twist, and severed from the arteries.
Silence settled.
The Repo Man cradled the heart in his left palm, while the right opened his storage container. The organ was wrapped in plastic, and carefully laid inside.
The woman's blood coated the metallic, synthetic material of the trench coat he wore. A surgeon's mask made of similar material had been fashioned to cover his head, with a visor over his eyes. Along the interior of the visor was a blue lighting, accentuating the morbid, feral reds present in his irises.
Nudging the limp body aside with his boot, he rose to his full height. He stood at 6'6'', head and shoulders, his figure was tall and imposing; not hulking and bulging, but exuded a sense of power that left you shrinking into yourself.
'Bakura Akeifa, you have a new assignment,' His wrist communicator glowed, relaying the message. A holographic image emerged from the display screen. It was a head shot of man, possibly early 20's. His erratic hairstyle reminded Bakura of himself. Judging by the scar and all-around messy look, he assumed this man was a criminal of some sort.
'This graverobber was caught in the act in Kul Elna cemetery. He managed to elude the guard, and headed straight for Sanitarium. We would rather not dispatch the entire squad to avoid causing panic. Eradicate him, but be sure to apprehend the teenage boy he has with him. Mr. Pegasus wishes to interrogate him.' The hologram faded, and his device switched off automatically.
The Repo Man pulled on his rubber gloves, sheathed his scalpel in the niche of his belt, and swept silently into the street, expertly slipping into shadows.
-Sanitarium Square, SurGen's Strip, 'Boost a Sexier X-Ray!' boutique, 11:20 pm-
Touzokuo gave three frantic 'dings' to the service bell on the front counter. Ryou hung limply off his shoulder.
"Welcome to 'Boost a Sexier X-Ray'" an enthusiastic voice rang from behind the wall, "Be with you in a moment."
The graverobber moved over to the empty waiting area, setting his burden in a chair.
A tall man clothed in a white operating jacket appeared behind the counter. Long golden tufts of hair erupted from his scalp in pointed spikes. His skin matched the shade of bronze of Touzokuo's, as well as the ghostly grey eyes.
"Touzo! So good to see you!" The SurGen cried in a lilting yet pitch-heavy voice, "Did you decide to take up my offer on the new Digital Corneas?"
"No, I actually brought you a patient," he replied smoothly, gesturing to the sleeping albino in the chair.
The tall blond squealed excitedly and dashed out behind the counter, lifting Ryou's head in his latex covered finger, "Oh, Touzo! He's gorgeous! What does he want? I hope it's internal, I'll bet his kidneys are glorious!"
His hands began poking and prodding Ryou's stomach, sternum and abdomen.
"Tsk, tsk, Touzo, did you drug the poor little thing? He out like a light."
"He just fainted right on the spot. I think he's anemic or something. Can you help him, Marik?"
Marik blew his feathery bangs from his eyes, "Damn it, Touzo, I'm a plastic surgeon, not a doctor. You need to take him to the hospital."
The graverobber began biting his nails, "Yeaaa…umm, I kinda had a little accident. I got caught robbing, and he got involved, so now the police are looking for us.
The blond slapped his forehead, "Great Touzo, just great. Don't you know I could get fired just for talking to you?" standing up, he grabbed the teen's shoulders, "Hold his legs, I'll see what I can do…"
Upon entering the operating room, Ryou was placed gently on the table. "Ok…take his shirt off, please." Marik pulled a heart monitor from the corner. He attached the little valves from the machine to his pale skin. "His pulse is going too fast, probably blood pressure is too high."
He exited the room, and returned with a small syringe, "This should regulate his blood flow." He injected the serum into Ryou's ribcage.
Touzokuo let out a sigh of relief when the boy's heart rate began to slow, "Why do you have stuff like that around?"
Marik shrugged, "Sometimes patients have an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. We use that to soothe the symptoms." He removed the heart monitor, "He's a lucky kid. His veins might have exploded if his blood pressure had kept building."
Gradually, the shivering mass of a boy began to awaken. He took a few shaky breathes. Sitting up on his elbows, he rubbed his head groggily.
"Feel better?" Touzokuo smoothed a few stray hairs on Ryou's head.
"Oooh! Look at those eyes!" Marik chimed, suddenly pressing fingers under his eyelids, "Just lovely! Do you want any surgery, precious? I must take a look at your kidneys! Is your heart giving you any trouble? I could take a look for you, if you'd like!" Marik continued to prattle while admiring the angles of Ryou's face, looking like he was about to pee his pants with excitement.
Ryou brushed the prying hands away, "No, sorry, no surgery for me thanks."
The SurGen's face fell in disappointment, "Awww damn it…" he backed off reluctantly.
Ryou hopped off the operating table, "Sorry for the inconvenience, Touzokuo," he pulled his shirt on, and buttoned his vest, "But thanks for saving me…I have a blood disease, and it's normally not safe for me to be outside. Could you take me home now, please?"
Touzokuo cocked his head, 'Not allowed to be outside? I wonder if he gets much company, maybe THAT'S why he seems so innocent…and pretty…Oops, bad thoughts, he's too young for that sort of thing…'
"Sure thing, kiddo," he winked with his good eye.
-Malik Sweet-
Damn, it's raining again.
All this damn rain is gonna ruin my complexion, I swear. God knows I can't let that happen, not with 'The Genetic Exhibition' opening in just two days.
Oh yes, I can just see it, 'Malik Sweet: Stunning New Vocalist!' written all across the headlines. Hehe, probably it'll be the first bit of "wholesome" publicity I've ever had. Not that I'm ashamed of my little "sexcapades", but it's getting boring, and I need a bit of a switchup.
But, what I'm looking forward to most of all is finally getting the spotlight off of fucking Atem for a change. I can't believe that no one's gotten tired of his stupid fucking poetry yet…it's just poetry! What the hell is so great about that?
People are full of so much bullshit.
Oh shit, the new corneas are oozing again. Oh fuck, that HURTS!
Ugh, damn SurGen didn't install them right. Well, she's going to have to fucking fix, or I'll be sure she has a date with Seto's knife.
Owww, Owww…crap.
I gotta find some Z. Where the hell is that graverobber?
Mmm…Touzokuo. Ya know, he is sooo hot, but I haven't screwed him! Guess it's just because he hasn't made any offers.
Hey…isn't that him? Coming out of…a surgery boutique? Ha! Well, I see he can't point the finger at me for being a scalpel slut. Not too often he's here in Sanitarium…wonder what the call was? And who's that skinny kid with him?
-Sanitarium Square, 11:40 pm-
"Hey graverobber!" Malik's shrill voice pierced the air.
Touzokuo cringed and threw a 'shhh!' back at the boy over his shoulder as he jogged to catch up with him.
"What's up?" he purred, brushing his fingers against his arm.
Giving a paranoid scan around the premises, he grabbed Malik's, pulling him into an alley way, Ryou also in tow. "Listen plastic cheeks, your dad's cops are looking everywhere for me right now, so I'd appreciate it if you would please keep your damn mouth shut about this?" he whispered fervently.
Malik only heckled snarkily and pulled him arm away, "Ohh and who's your cutie friend?" he turned his attention to Ryou, who smiled back in recognition.
"You're Malik Sweet! I've seen you on the TV!"
The blond beamed, "Have you? Well, you must think I'm quite the little skank then, which I am." He bent in a seductive pose with his hands on his hips, "Care to try out my new parts?"
Ryou withdrew nervously, "No, that's ok."
At this he huffed, mildly insulted, "Whatever. Hey graverobber, you got any Glow?"
Grumbling in frustration, he rummaged through the deep pockets of his cloak. He produced the green vile. "That'll be 60 bucks, thanks."
"Oh really? Aw, I'm a little short. But I'm sure those nice policemen over across the street would be happy to lend me a little…" he trailed off.
Touzokuo growled, clearly detesting the playful banter, "Fine, half off. Just keep your mouth shut, got it?"
Malik smiled sweetly and grabbed the vile. He thrust 30 dollars back into the outstretched hand, "Much obliged!" He turned and walked away, with a bit of an extra swing in his hips.
The grey haired man rolled his eyes, "What a freakin' whore," he grumbled.
Ryou blinked, still staring after the lavender-eyed boy, "He didn't seem so bad…"
Touzokuo snorted, "You're only sayin' that 'cause he's hot. He certainly likes to play the part of the innocent millionaire's son, but he's such a little bitch, trust me." He lowered his voice, "You know, Marik has a major bone for him?"
Ryou turned, "Marik likes him?"
"Yea, apparently he did a bone-carving for him once, and he's been obsessed with him since. Sadly, Malik usually goes to really upscale boutiques, Marik hasn't seen him."
The pale youth sighed, "That's too bad."
Touzokuo shrugged, "We better get going. Which way did you say your house was?"
"Umm, 801 Cheapside?"
He paused, trying to make a map of the city in his head. "Sure, I know where that is. Not too far from Kul Elna. Let's go."
Before he could react, Ryou's hand was grabbed and was once again being pulled at a brisk pace.
Down the street, Malik was busy turning his pretty glass tube over and over in his palm. He glanced back to see if Touzokuo was still standing there.
All he saw was Touzokuo's cloak hem whisk around the corner. However, a very different man stood in his place. A GeneCo insignia gleamed upon the chest of his trench coat. His helmet's visor sparked an electric blue lighting. Insane crimson eyes flashed to Malik's before turning away, and gliding after the graverobber with murderous intent.
"Somebody's in trouble," Malik murmured in a sing-song voice, with a twisted little smile on his face,
He walked the other way.
A/N: Phew! Sorry about the wait guys. So, what do you think? Otogi and Seto won't be in this too much, but I just wanted to establish that they would be present. Did anyone catch Malik's little mentioning of Atem? He's going to have a VERY big role, as well as a few others.
With my writing I like to use a lot of cryptic messages, subliminal messages and subtle plot points, so really pay attention while you're reading. Review? Please?