Two more days, that was how long it would take for the circus to reach the Kingdom of 5DS. Declan was determined to free his new friends and get them away by then. He was currently holding a secret meeting in his trailer. His good friend moonshadow, one of the acrobats, was keeping an eye on his father and Roget and anyone else who might disrupt their plans. He'd gathered a group together including Sora, Gong, Riley and Shinji. Shinji hadn't actually spoken with Yuya or Zuzu but he'd seen the display in the yard and was appalled that their ringmaster had decided to kidnap two kids and force them to perform.
"Okay." Declan said, getting everyone's attention. "We need to figure out how we're going to free Yuya from Roget's cages and Zuzu from Dennis' trailer and get them away before anyone notices."
"Well first things first we have to make sure your father, Roget and all their lackeys are distracted." Shinji said logically.
"We should do it during the show in the kingdom of 5DS, they'll be dozens of people around and everyone will be rushing to get everything set up." Sora chimed in.
"But by then it may be too late." Riley cried.
"Maybe so," said Gong, "but we probably won't get a better opportunity."
Declan sighed and adjusted his glasses. "As much as I hate to say it they're right. Okay, it's settled, we put things into motion when we get to the kingdom of 5DS."
"Next we need to figure out how we're going to get our hands on the keys to the trailer and the cage." Gong said.
"Moonshadow and myself can probably take care of that." Said Declan, "Father'll be so busy he won't notice they've gone."
"Dennis will be performing first, then me, so I can go rescue Zuzu afterwards." Sora chimed in.
"Good, me, Riley and Moonshadow will rescue Yuya at the same time. The rest of you should focus on your acts so my father doesn't know anything is amiss and if you get the chance keep Roget distracted."
They all nodded.
"We can rendezvous at the entrance stand, it'll be empty by then, and make our next move from there." Sora concluded.
"Sounds like a plan." Said Gong.
"I just hope nothing goes wrong…" Riley muttered, cling to her brother. Everyone in the room shared her thoughts, there would be consequences for all of them, including Yuya and Zuzu, if things didn't work out.
Yuya and Zuzu were unaware of these proceedings. They were both just trying to find some hope in their bleak situations.
Dennis had continued to demonstrate his tricks to Zuzu and she'd reluctantly listened, deciding it was in her best interest to go along with things for the time being. She was actually quite impressed, he was an incredibly talented magician. He taught her a few of his simpler tricks and explained how she'd help with the more complicated ones.
"I'm so glad you're coming around." He told her happily as he shuffled his cards.
"Well, I don't have much of a choice do I?" Zuzu grumbled.
"Mr Akaba can be harsh at times but he does what's best for all of us. I'm sure in time you'll come to appreciate it." Dennis assured her.
"I can assure you I won't."
Zuzu angrily marched to the other side of the room where the window was. She looked out of it, hating how she was so close to the outside world and yet was still trapped in this small wooden trailer.
"Come now, frowning like that's not going to impress a crowd. You need to work on your personality as an entertainer." Dennis told her.
"I'm not an entertainer!" Zuzu yelled. "I'm a street urchin who got tangled up in some plot involving an evil sorcerer, a bunch of hybrid children and the royalty of most kingdoms." She continued to rant her frustrations. "My life was already turning into a circus, now I'm trapped in one." She began to get more and more upset. "My best friend's probably being tortured by that psychopath and I can't even help him." She collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry Yuya." Her words became a mess as she was overcome by harsh choking sobs.
Dennis stood frozen, completely at a loss for what to do. He'd never been around someone while they were crying before, unless you count little kids who were sad because they'd dropped their ice-cream. He didn't really know anything about comforting people. He went over to her and sat down next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder like he'd seen others do for their friends when they were upset.
"Um… Hey… Don't cry." He stuttered feeling very uncomfortable.
"I just wanted to help Yuya…" Zuzu whispered, still crying but much more softly now.
"Uh… Well… Would it make you feel better if I went and saw how he was doing?" Dennis suggested.
"Really?" She asked hopefully. "You'd do that?"
"Sure, if it'd put a beautiful smile on you're face." Dennis said, attempting to be charming but it came out rather awkward.
"Thank you." Zuzu muttered tiredly, she suddenly felt very worn out, not surprising considering all she'd been through in the past twenty-four hours. Dennis helped her into his small room at the back of the trailer and let her lay down on the bed.
"You may sleep here for a bit, I will go see about your friend."
Zuzu nodded tiredly and shut her eyes quickly succumbing to her exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Yuya was curled up in the corner of his cage trying to imagine himself being somewhere else. His room in prince Astral's castle, the cave he'd shared with his friends even his tower prison; but not matter how hard he tried he always came back here, to the corner of a small cage. He'd been stripped of all his clothes except his pants, His hair was matted, his cheeks were stained with tears and his skin was marred with cuts and scars. Some old ones from his master and some fresh ones from Roget. He'd been sat in this exact same position for hours now, too hurt and exhausted to move. He only just managed to muster enough strength to turn his head when he heard the telltale jingling of keys as someone entered his confine. He immediately lowered his gaze and began trembling as he recognised the cruel man who was responsible for his current state.
"My beautiful creature, are you feeling any better?" He asked with fake concern. Yuya didn't say anything, he just continued to shake. Roget came over and placed a tray at Yuya's feet. When he looked he saw it was split into two sections, one was filled with water and the other with some kind of unidentifiable meat. "Eat." Roget ordered. "You will need to regain your strength for the show in two days."
Yuya didn't move.
"Did you hear me? I said eat!"
Roget grabbed Yuya's hair and pulled him forward causing him to yelp in pain. He pushed Yuya down next to the food. Yuya took in several shaky breaths and tried desperately to sit up, not wanting to be punished again. Eventually he was able to drag himself to his knees and clasp the food tray in his hands. He shoved whatever the brown mess was into his mouth, fighting the urge to spit it out because it tasted so bad.
"Good, you see, just do as you're told and everything will work out fine." Roget said as he watched Yuya slowly swallow small mouthfuls of disgusting food. Roget stood patiently waiting for Yuya to finish. It wasn't a very big amount of food but Yuya was in so much pain it took him over half an hour to finish the whole thing. He then pressed the edge of the plastic tray to his lips and tipped his head back allowing the cool water to run down his throat. As soon as it was gone the tray was ripped from his fingers, not that they were clutching it all that strongly. "Excellent." Roget praised, stroking Yuya's head as though he were a dog. "Now, let's talk about your routine. We'll bring you on in this cage, then let you out. You'll be on a leash of course, can't risk you trying to escape." Yuya felt his heart fall as he realised there was no way out of this situation. He was going to be paraded in front of complete strangers by this cruel man. "If you could act a bit more feral and jump at the audience a bit that would be wonderful. I can't tell you how excited I am about this…"
"Please…" Yuya rasped, his voice warn down from all the screaming and crying he'd done recently. "I don't want this… Don't make me do this please, please…" Tears slipped from his eyes as he begged. Roget raised his foot and brought it down onto Yuya's neck grinding him into the harsh metal floor.
"Do you really think it matter what you want creature?" Roget asked, coldly. "You're just a freak that needs to learn it's place."
"I know." Yuya rasped. "I know I'm a freak, but still, even freaks don't deserve—" He was cut off as Roget increased the pressure on his neck.
"Yes, you do. This is what unique and beautiful creatures like yourself were created for, to be displayed for the world to marvel at. I have the most incredible collection of rare animals ever amassed and with you as an edition it will never be surpassed."
"Roget." The voice of Leo Akaba cut in. Roget turned to see the ringmaster standing at the door to the cage. "We're about to move off, you can play with your new pet once we've arrived."
Roget looked disappointed but didn't argue. For his part Yuya was greatly relieved. He took in huge gulps of air as Roget's foot lifted from his neck. He watched as the cruel animal tamer walked to the door, closing it behind him and locking it slowly to taunt Yuya. Then suddenly he was alone, the cold night air whipping angrily through the bars of his cage. Yuya was too beaten down and exhausted to move so he curled up on the floor where he lay and proceeded to silently cry himself to sleep.