Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Rewind 1 ❯ Escape from KaibaCorp ( Chapter 3 )

It had been a while since Marik and Ryou Bakura had left. Marik had taken Ryou to a special changing room. Serenity suddenly realized she felt jumpy without Marik by her side. It seems the handsome boy was surrounded by a comforting, reassuring aura. The moment Marik had left, Kaiba had called a meeting between the few scientists. Serenity was very suspicious of her boss, who seemed extremely intent about making arrangements without Marik around. Could it be that Kaiba was worried Marik would alter his decisions again? How was Marik able to make Kaiba do what he wants, anyway? Why was Kaiba submissive in front of Marik? Weird...Kaiba said he wanted to talk about the progress of operation 'Rewind 1' and Ryou Bakura's future. This had intrigued Serenity. 'Is Kaiba still planning to send Ryou to the nuthouse? I thought Marik managed to change his mind...'The scientists were now gathered in a nearby laboratory. Serenity subconsciously marveled at the size of the KaibaCorp facility. It was a complete labyrinth...

Everyone was seated around the conference table. Kaiba was sitting in a huge armchair at the far end of the table and Serenity had the seat next to him. The seat across from her was empty- probably Marik's. 'Damn' she thought 'Where is he? Why are they so late?'She stole a glance at Kaiba who was looking particularly self-satisfied at the moment. He was sipping slowly from a glass of keti (wine of the 25th century-don't ask...)'How vain can a person get?' Serenity thought as she studied her boss's smug face. After Kaiba waited for the scientists to relax and have a refreshment, he started talking. He stood up and sauntered around them casually."As you can see my trusty employees..." he started and Serenity rolled her eyes "Operation 'Rewind 1' was a blatant success! We have found a way to attain Eternal youth and consequently eternal life!"Kaiba stopped walking and turned to ominously gaze at all of them, one by one."Now we all know that only the few of us know this secret..." he started precariously "and we will keep it that way, won't we? Coz we all know that if we don't...Someone will get hurt." he said slowly "And it won't be me." A few gulps were heard from Serenity's colleagues and she herself was feeling trapped and alone at the moment. 'I don't like the sound of this...Where the hell is Marik?!'"This is a huge success..." Kaiba continued "and I intend to keep it this way. The public will not find out about Nectra lest I want it to, is that clear?" he questioned and everyone nodded. All the while Serenity was thinking about the rumors of Kaiba's heartlessness and how true they were."Um..." was heard a murmur. Everyone turned to Dr. Ayano's direction. "When are we going to sell Nectra, sir? When and to whom, if I may ask." Kaiba glared at the poor chubby man."That's for me to know and for you to find out." he said "you already know enough as it is...and I'm entirely pleased about that either"Serenity didn't like the sound of all this. She didn't like it at all. First he tells them they know very much and they mustn't tell anyone and now he says they know TOO much and they will be punished either way! What was this? Some kind of blackmailing sick game? The atmosphere was becoming tenser by the minute. Kaiba's stark voice broke through the silence once again."As for our newest arrival, that schizophrenic ancient freak that was our specimen...' Serenity tensed 'Now what?' she thought."Well...the experiment is over. We will throw away our rubbish like good kids. Ryou Bakura is rubbish, so I suggest we dump him immediately to an institute tomorrow morning. I have already made the appropriate arrangements with the government..."Serenity's temper flared suddenly. Now he had hit a nerve. She spoke up "Wait a minute, sir!"Kaiba seemed startled that someone except Marik had dared to defy him for a change. He glared daggers at Serenity. "What is it?" he barked."I don't think Ryou Bakura is rubbish. He is a person after all! We brought him back so it is now our responsibility to take good care of him! Don't you agree?" she asked while glancing around at her colleagues. Most of them nodded while others gave low whispers of agreement.Serenity turned back to her boss, looking satisfied. Kaiba smirked."And that is exactly what we are going to do, Ms Wheeler. We are going to take good care of him, all right! Don't forget, my friends, that the man is a national threat. He is seriously sick. His schizophrenia caused great trouble in the 21st century. I don't see what would stop him from doing it again! You all saw him talking to himself in the lab! The man is a lunatic for goodness sakes!""Does that mean you have the right to judge him, sir?" a deep masculine voice was heard. Everyone's head whipped around immediately to meet the sight of the exotic boy's figure. Marik had apparently just entered and was holding the door with his left hand. His right hand held a death grip of somebody's elbow. It took a minute for everyone to recognize the figure that stood next to Marik. It was the white-haired, gentle Ryou. He somehow looked different. He was now wearing black pants and a gray turtleneck. Around him was secured a doctors' robe similar to Marik's. It would have seen weird for other employees to see someone as unusual as Ryou walk around the halls of KaibaCorp without a robe.Kaiba's eyes widened as he watched Marik close the door slowly and walk to his seat while dragging Ryou behind him. The atmosphere suddenly felt comforting for everyone and Serenity was immensely relieved. Marik sat down daintily and left Ryou to stand next to him. Ryou suddenly realized he would have to stay there, at the mercy of everyone's stares or -in Kaiba's case- glares.He was feeling very uncomfortable but it never showed on his porcelain face. Serenity understood his discomfort, however, and quickly motioned to a vacant seat at her left. Ryou understood and his eyes flashed a note of gratefulness at her. She smiled a genuine smile for a change- with all that fake sweetness, she felt as though she had lost herself... The boy approached and sat on the chair with small, composed movements. Serenity didn't have time to marvel at his grace because Kaiba's voice boomed around them once more."Marik!" Kaiba started "How dare you just burst in here!? Not only you were late for the meeting, but you suggest we listen to your opinion too?!'Marik seemed truly unperturbed by Kaiba's outburst. "I'm very sorry we were late, sir, but I recall you were the one who told us to 'take our time'. You said you wouldn't start without us and it so happened we stumbled across some inconveniences..." Marik let his voice fade away and he exchanged a meaningful glance with Ryou. Serenity watched as the white-haired boy who was sitting next to her granted Marik a simple smile.She was getting too curious for her own good "What kind of inconveniences?" she asked Ryou in a scarcely audible tone. Ryou absent-mindedly turned to her and smiled his mysterious, innocent smile. Serenity suddenly felt very weak and small. The way this boy made her feel was truly indescribable. She felt as though she was talking to an old man, but a very handsome, tall and sturdy old man..."I'll tell you later, Serena..." Ryou whispered back mysteriously. Serenity's blood boiled at her cheeks at the sound of the intimate name. She smiled at him.No one else had noticed all this, as Kaiba and Marik seemed to have engaged in yet another debate, which Marik was sure to win."You shouldn't have barged in, Ishtar!" Kaiba yelled desperately.Marik's temper was still cold and passive. "Just let it go, Kaiba." he said to his boss. Time seemed to freeze for everyone as they watched Kaiba's facial expressions change from irate to angry to indifferent."Okay." he said. Marik actually gaped at him. So did everyone else. Had Seto Kaiba actually COMPLIED? Why? How? Moreover, Kaiba seemed disgusted with himself as he glared at nothing in particular.'Damn it!' he thought 'why is it that every time I try to oppose Marik, my head feels as though it's going to explode?! Darn! What's wrong? Why must I obey that blondie?!'Dr Ayano, the one who usually broke the ice, did so one more time. "Mr. Ishtar, we were conversing about Ryou Bakura's future before you...um...came in."Serenity watched as Ryou' s perceptive, unwavering gaze slid around the table. 'All this must be very new to him...poor guy...' she thought 'How can he be so relaxed when he can hear them talking about him?' Ryou noticed her gaze on him and smiled at her. She grinned back. Suddenly Ryou reached out and took her hand in his own beneath the big table. Serenity was completely startled. Ryou moved his piercing stare elsewhere, but his hand remained entwined with hers under the table surface, She suddenly felt like she was flying."I know this." Marik's deep voice said "And I want to ask Mr. Kaiba the reason why he believes Ryou must be sent to `an institute' tomorrow morning."Kaiba's eyes flashed with fury. "Why do you think?" he erupted like a volcano. Marik just stared back blankly. "THE MAN IS SCHIZZOPHRENIC!!! Am I the only one who can see this?! He is responsible for the explosion of ten vehicles of the 21st century, for goodness sakes!! This very person, was seen talking and yelling at himself by more than 20 people!! This man has catastrophic mood swings every five seconds!!!"Serenity felt Ryou' s grip around her hand tighten and she gave him a small squeeze for reassurance. His face looked blank and composed, but Serenity could see the inner turmoil this boy was facing. Kaiba continued about Ryou' s illness, and the poor boy could do nothing but stare. "This is no person!! He is and experiment, a guinea pig!! So stop treating him as though he had some sort of value, will ya?" Kaiba shouted the last part of the downpour, which made Serenity more furious than she'd ever thought she'd be. Marik looked the same as his beautiful lavender eyes had constricted to dark slits."Now wait a minute!" Serenity yelled as she slammed her fist on the table and jumped out of her seat. Her hand slipped away from Ryou' s fresh touch and now both her palms were balled into fists. Ad if on cue, Marik stood up and mimicked Serenity's expression."How can you say such things?! Don't you know-" Serenity rambled on angrily, totally forgetting whom she was addressing. Ryou stood up next to her and lay a hand on her tense shoulder. Surprised, she turned around to meet his eyes. He was looking at her expectantly, almost pleadingly. He was telling her to stop."But Ryou, don't you understand? I'm doing this for you..." Serenity said quietly with almost teary eyes."I know...but let it go...relax." he said quietly and she immediately recognized the wise and experienced old man flash within him. She sighed loudly and waved her hands in the air as and act of exasperation. The she dived into her seat indignantly, Ryou daintily following her lead.Marik, however, was not at all placated. His eyebrow twitched menacingly and at once, everyone knew: Kaiba was in for Marik's wrath."You will not send him to the nuthouse, Kaiba, you understand that? I won't allow it! First you will walk over my dead body and then you will lock Ryou in a cell! He is a human being and he must be treated like one! This is the 25th century, for goodness sake! We have medicine that can deal with Ryou' s problems-if there ARE any!! It was YOU who invented these medications, am I right? Have you forgotten already?! What is your problem? Why do you want to send him out so bad, huh? Well I oppose to your strategy Seto Kaiba!" Marik shouted. Such words, spoken by no one but a low-rank scientist must have sounded stupid to the powerful and menacing Kaiba.Either way, they did sound foolhardy to everybody else. Marik had always been somewhat of a daredevil when it had to do with Kaiba. Ryou's jaw was clenching and Serenity watched as a muscle pumped in his cheek. Her own anxiety was growing.Kaiba felt dizzy. He wanted to tell Marik off but as he opened his mouth, the words couldn't come out. The pain was growing to an unbelievable rate and all he could say was "Fine, Marik, have it your way." he couldn't believe his own words and obviously, no one else could either. Marik was staring at his boss in utter disbelief. 'Yeah right, ' Kaiba mused 'He's probably trying to act as if he knows nothing...What is he doing to me?'Marik's mouth opened and closed like that of a fish. He was utterly speechless. He let his somewhat limp body drop on his seat. 'What the hell was that about?' he saw Serenity and Ryou exchange glances of disbelief. He turned to Kaiba and focused on his expression. If Marik didn't know better he would say Kaiba was...in pain..? 'What the...?'Just then, Marik felt a tug at the back of his mind. It was Kaiba's voice. Marik could hear Kaiba's voice loud and clear in his mind's ear. He turned to look at the frustrated CEO and saw Kaiba gazing at the distance.'Marik ruined my plans again, it seems.. .I must not mention anything else in case he forces me into another unwanted decision...Ryou Bakura WILL die no matter what. This brat may ruin my plans...If Marik blocks me from first sending him off and then killing him, that's okay! I'll murder him tonight in the company!It was Kaiba's voice in his mind! Marik's eyes widened considerably. At first he thought he was imagining things but them he saw the malicious smirk on Kaiba's face as he stared into the distance 'Oh my God, it's true... Kaiba is ...thinking about killing Bakura! I can read his thoughts! I can read Kaiba's thoughts! Wha- what is wrong with me? First he obeys my whims and now I can read his thoughts?!'Marik watched, terrified, as Kaiba's evil smirk intensified. He could hear no other thoughts but he knew what his boss was probably imagining. 'I must stop this!' Marik desperately thought 'but I can't let them know I can read his thoughts! They'll think I am somehow controlling him!'Just then, Kaiba's low, hissing voice interrupted the silence. "Well...since our friend Ryou won't be visiting a special place after all, we might as well host him in a KaibaCorp guestroom for tonight. It has been a long day for all of us, after all. Ryou can be let free after tonight." Kaiba seemed very composed and normal, which was fishy from Serenity's and Ryou' s points of view. Marik, however, thought of it as a horrible, sly plan of murder."That is all for today, gentlemen! Lena and Rika, one last request: see to it that our new friend is accompanied to our special, soundproof, guarded glass cells, if you please." Kaiba stated with an air of finality.Marik didn't like the sound of this at all: soundproof, glass-made and guarded room.... It all screamed "murder" to him. He had truly read Kaiba's thoughts after all. Did that mean Kaiba could read his own thoughts? Oh-oh...Lena and Rika stepped eagerly near the angel-like, white-haired boy. Ryou smiled kindly at them and they made soft noises. Serenity felt a huge pang of jealousy at this and she couldn't believe how possessive and over-protective she was being about a man she had just met. Her smiling facade was up, however, and she smiled at everyone in general.Ryou glanced back at her and took her hand in his own. She choked on her breath and at once her fake smile was down. Now it was replaced with an anxious look. "Why didn't you let me help you?" she asked him. He smiled a shining smile, which reached his eyes and lightened her world. "Sometimes, it's better to relax." he said quietly, his gaze locked on hers ever so tightly as he slowly caressed her hand "Besides, you've already helped me more than you can imagine..."An indescribable load of guilt was brought down Serenity's shoulders. Ryou was never told of the way he came back to youth, after all. He apparently still believed that Serenity had magically done it... This whole feeling of guilt was a bit too much for her. She needed to tell him."Ryou, I..." she started but was cut of by his slender fingers against her mouth."Hush..." he said " It doesn't matter...' he said airily as his soft warm gaze washed over her.His expression suddenly turned to an anxious one "I'll see you again, right Serena?" he said, and his unreal, innocent eyes blinked back at her.She brightened up. He cared for her! Someone cared! "Of course you will!" she happily said. His whole essence seemed to smile at her through his unbelievable eyes. He slowly let his hand slide away from her lips and palm and she saw him turn to Lena and Rika who were observing him expectantly.As his feathery aura left the room, Serenity felt like a part of her had gone missing. 'I think I'm falling in love with him...' she desperately thought, and images of the innocent man floated back to her."Earth to Serenity" a deep young voice was heard and Serenity could almost feel Marik's smirk."For your information, I was not daydreaming!" she said indignantly."Whatever..." countered Marik while shaking his head. Serenity noticed that everyone had left without her noticing. Now it was only she and Marik in the room."Okay...maybe a little bit..." she mumbled while blushing.Marik chuckled with a husky laugh and proceeded to open the glass door. (This may have been the age of electronics but lets just say that they had a thing for glass, k?) He waited for the lady to step outside after he stiffly exited."What's wrong, pal?" Serenity asked lightly but she instantly stiffened when she noticed Marik's forlorn expression.Marik abruptly stopped walking and looked around cautiously. When he was certain no one was looking, he grabbed Serenity's arm and dragged her into an empty laboratory."Marik what the heck?" serenity inquired while trying to break free.

Marik stopped and turned to face her. "I'm sorry, Serena, but I have something very important to tell you.' he said with anxious eyes."What is it? Go on your scaring me!" Serenity egged him on."Fine..." Marik started "Kaiba is planning to murder Ryou tonight."She froze. She blinked a few times in order to adjust to the new, terrorizing information. "pardon?" she finally choked."I can bet my life on it, Serenity! Kaiba is planning to attack Ryou tonight! That's why he asked for Ryou to stay in KaibaCorp, where he can find him!! He wants to kill him!!"Serenity was suddenly shaking and hyperventilating. Under certain circumstances, she would have thought it was a joke, but after seeing Kaiba's determination to wipe out all clues that had to do with "Rewind 1' she was very keen on believing this."H-How can you be so sure...?" she finally inquired."Trust me, Serenity! Please just trust me! I know it! He's going to kill him! Believe me!" Marik pleaded. 'It isn't wise to tell her what happened yet. What is she thinks I'm crazy? I don't want that! If she does, she won't believe me about this.' Marik thought.Serenity looked apprehensive. "Marik, is there something you're not telling me? What's wrong? Are you in trouble? You know you can trust me with any thing, right? That thing with Kaiba obeying at your wishes...that really freaked us out...Do you want to help me out here...?"Marik sighed. He knew they would come to this. "Look, Serena...I'll…l tell you everything as soon as possible but I assure you that I know Kaiba's plans perfectly and right now he is planning on eviscerating Ryou! Trust me, please!"Serenity felt slightly sick. "Why come to me, though, Marik? Maybe YOU can change Kaiba's mind! He always listens to you! He does whatever you tell him!"'I can't do that because then Kaiba will know I can read his thoughts...' Marik urgently thought. "I know what you mean Serenity, but I don't want Kaiba to know I'm onto his plan! I came to you because I know you care about Ryou! You'll help rescue him, right? We have to do something!"Serenity listened to her friend and felt that pang of guilt get to her again. It was the least she could do to help the kind boy. She knew that her bright career in KaibaCorp was slowly being flushed down the drain but she curiously didn't care at all. It seemed her best friend in combination with her crush had that effect on people."Fine!" she said with a genuine smile. "We'll make a plan to save Ryou. You'll help, right?""Of course I will" he said with a sly grin she knew all too well. "Ill do what I do best: distract the guards.'Serenity chuckled and suddenly reveled at the idea of saving the handsome boy and living up to his expectations. 'Joey would be proud!' she thought and a wave of glee flew around her.Marik listened intently as she recited her rescue plan. Nevertheless, his thoughts still wandered to unanswered questions. Why did Kaiba obey at his every command and why could he read the CEO's thoughts? Most importantly, why hadn't this evil 'Yami' character shown up at all while he was alone with Ryou? Maybe that psycho held the key to unlock Marik's questions.The tanned young boy was shaken out of his reverie as his friend shook him roughly by the shoulders. After a while of organizing and deciding when the 'raid' would take place, the two youngsters set out to get prepared. They decided to get the necessary equipment from home and then come back to KaibaCorp at sunset."By the way..." Serenity started as she and her stunning friend strode up the complicated corridors-screams from other laboratories echoing around them,,, "what kept you and Ryou from coming to the conference meeting."Marik grinned impishly and Serenity chuckled at the expression. "Hehe...It's just that all these secretaries and women were 'accidentally' bumping into Ryou and he was forced to tell his name and chat with each and every one of them. "Serenity silently seethed and Marik chuckled at her reaction."Don't worry Serena, Ryou told me he has eyes only for one girl..."Serenity suddenly jumped and started to shake a bit in simultaneous angst and delight. She stared at Marik with innocent puppy dog eyes. "And...Who might that be?" she asked with a charming, innocent smile. Marik just smiled in a knowing way "Funny…he didn't say!"Serenity was flabbergasted and started sulking silently, very much aware of Marik's amused glances.

"I think I'm getting a bit sore about losing my fan club to Ryou, but lots of them addressed me and Ryou as: the hunky duo." Marik continued, purposefully pissing Serenity off "Now I'm sure that both me and RYOU will find a beautiful, hot-""OKAY-okay! I got the concept!" Serenity started with a furious expression on her usually composed features. Marik was rather amused that the mere mentioning of Ryou Bakura could provoke such a change."For goodness sake he is about to be murdered and we are talking about his love life..." Serenity scoffed.That seemed to knock some sense back into Marik. Serenity however, was secretly wondering 'so Ryou has someone he loves after all...it might be someone from his past...or it might be a long lost wife...it could never be me, anyway...' At this Serenity felt her heart pump painfully in her ribcage. 'He'll never love a guilty preppie like me...I'm not worthy of love...' She thought. All this depression sunk inside her as she turned her attention back to Marik. She felt she needed comfort somehow, and she reached to take her friend's hand in her own. Marik obliged with a startling, tropical smile.They were both glad to have a friend at a time like this.

An auburn-haired girl stood impatiently next to the front doors of KaibaCorp. Serenity Wheeler was waiting for her friend. She looked around. It was nighttime, a little after midnight. Even so, lights and holograms of commercials glowed everywhere. It was all accompanied by the outstanding glow of Mercury's Red moon.

Just like the two suns of Mercury had an aquamarine blue shine, the one and only moon of the great planet glowed red. No people lived on the Red Moon because its surface was frozen and stark. Thus, only the scarlet light was the reminder of the cute little planet.

Serenity tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. Were WAS he? They had to go save Ryou before some lunatic attacked him.

Serenity had gone home and changed. Now she was wearing tight, short sorts and a black tank top. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant ponytail. On the sides of her legs were strapped two anesthetic dart guns, a couple of electronic flares and some chips that when thrown they produce red smoke.

Overall, she looked like she was about to go to war. Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps on her left. She made a couple of steps back, afraid that this was a guard. She stopped when she met the sight of none other than Marik, his golden-platinum hair shining and ruffling as hovercrafts flew by.

She noticed what he was wearing. He had black army pants in combination with a black tank top. Around his arms and neck were wrapped black iron jewelry similar to the golden ones he had been wearing before. Attached to his black belt were a dagger, an anesthetic gun, an electronic smoke chip and a torch-chip, which had the use of a torch if thrown on the ground.

Marik looked even more alluring without his doctors' robes, Serenity realized. Now he looked like an independent, majestic ninja, ready to fight his way through anything.

"Marik, why did you wear jewelry?" Serenity inquired quietly "We can't afford you clinging around!"

Marik's lilac eyes glowed with mirth "Not to worry, Serenity, This is my special hologram set. I had it made especially for these cases. Besides…I wouldn't be Marik if I didn't have my jewelry on…"

Serenity just stared. "It-It's a hologram?" she asked, bewildered.

Marik chuckled and nodded. He put his finger on his `necklace' and serenity could see his digit slip right through it. "O-kaaay…" she said while shaking her head.

Suddenly, Marik grew serious. "Did you bring everything?" he inquired cryptically "Don't forget we need your top access card to enter the lower levels. My inferior access card will be no use."

Serenity smiled a sly grin and shoved her hand in her shorts pocket. It came out with a small, green card. Microchip trails were engraved on its sides and the surface had huge words on it. `Level A' it said.

"How could I forget?" Serenity inquired and Marik smiled mysteriously.

He put his hand on the back of his belt. He took out what looked like a little vial and threw it towards Serenity. She caught it in the air and looked at it.

"What is it?" she asked warily.

"It's micro-crystal liquid. Just empty it in one of your eyes and wait twenty seconds. Then you'll feel as if something is moving in your eye. The crystals will create a glass layer on top of your eye. It's a camera, actually. It projects the temperature of the environment and can track body heat.'

"Cool" Serenity said and with that she opened the vial. She looked hesitant for a moment, and then she jerked her head backwards and flipped the vial on her open eye. She whimpered a little a Marik helped her relax. After a while, a glow could be seen coming from her right eye.

Serenity watched, bewildered, as letters and lights flew through her eye. "Local temperature: 25 Celsius degrees. WARNING, WARNING. Human temperature detected. WARNING. WARNING. Human being approaching."

Serenity looked at the `approaching human' called Marik and smiled. "It works! Neat!" she said with a bright smile. "Do you already have one on?" she asked, noticing her friend's glowing eye.

"Yup!" he said, "I always have a backup plan in case something goes wrong! Don't worry, though, it won't!" he smiled slyly and waved towards the door. "Let's go," he said, "We're losing time."

He and Serenity stealthily walked towards the sealed doors. There were no card receptors or locks. It was seemingly impassable.

"First obstacle." Serenity whispered and Marik smirked lightly while searching for something in his pants pocket.

Serenity raised an eyebrow at Marik. "How come you're so good at this?" she inquired.

"I used to work at a hardware shop when I was a kid! I know everything about these gadgets!" Marik whispered as he took out what looked like a brass disk. He pressed it against the door and a small red light flashed repeatedly.

"What is this?" Serenity asked.

"Just watch…" Marik mysteriously answered as he tensely watched the small light. Unexpectedly, the small light turned green and Marik smiled evilly.

"Time to play…" he said and Serenity watched, bewildered as Marik walked stepped towards the door and actually walked through it! Serenity's jaw fell to the floor. She couldn't move and suddenly realized Marik was not with her any more. She almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Marik's head pop through the door.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked "Come on! Walk through the door!"

Serenity, aghast as she was, listened to her friend and advanced towards the door. She didn't feel anything when she walked through the metal. When she stepped on the other side, she saw Marik crawling on the floor and looking around cautiously. He turned towards her and motioned for her to duck. She did and then she crawled next to him, hiding behind the shelter of a metal crate.

"Marik what was that?" she whispered in shock.

Marik gave her a sly grin. "Kaiba may be smart but he is also predictable. That disk was one of my own creations. It absorbs and transforms the molecules of any surface in order to turn it into a hologram."

Serenity just stared. "Have you done this before?" she inquired.

Marik snickered "you don't have to be a robber in order to create this Serenity. You just have to be an engineer."

Serenity shrugged and focused her attention on her eye-camera. The temperature warning was flashing red, indicating that there was someone apart from Marik and herself around there.

Marik read her expressions and answered immediately. "Look carefully at that door."

She creped and stole a glance around the corner of the crate. Marik was right, there stood a guard in front of the huge door. This door had a `level A' card receptor at the left side. Serenity smiled. This was easy. All they had to do was get rid of the guard.

"Marik! I have an idea!" she said, "I'll shoot that guy and you take his clothes. Then it'll be easier to distract the guards without raising suspicion."

Marik nodded and Serenity crouched a bit so she could have a better target.

`Smokey' she thought. She grabbed the anesthetic gun from its holster and aimed at the guard. A swift `click' was heard accompanied by the sound of a body hitting the ground. Serenity turned back and motioned for Marik to come out of his hiding place.

They gave a high-five and rushed towards the door and the fallen guard. Serenity fumbled for her access card while her handsome friend made noises of disgust while trying to undress the security guard. Serenity snickered and waited for Marik to get dressed.

He told her to turn around when he was ready and she chuckled at what she saw. The guard's alfit was much too big for Marik. He swam in the big vest that read "KaibaCorp Security" at the back. He had a gray hat on which had the KaibaCorp sign engraved on it.

Laser guns were added to his belt and his black pants had been replaced with gray ones. The guard had been dressed with his own clothes. How convenient.

He nodded towards Serenity and she placed the card in the reception. She put her finger in a nearby tab and the computer flashed an "Access Granted. Welcome Ms. Wheeler" sign.

Serenity smiled as the door in front of them parted open.

"Step behind me." Marik said cautiously "There may be guards inside."

She rushed to hide behind him but it turned out that no one was inside once the doors opened. With a last disgusted look at the fallen guard's direction, Marik strolled inside. He took a smoke-chip from his belt and threw it forward. In a moment, the great hall was full of smoke and clear laser beams could be seen around.

"Shit" serenity whispered as she came to stand next Marik.

"`Don't worry. That's not our route, anyway." He told her and turned to walk carefully towards the elevator platforms. When he reached the first and -obviously laser-free- elevator he stepped on the platform. Serenity came after him.

"They are keeping Ryou in the lower levels." Marik told her as he asked for her card. He pushed the card in the elevator operator panel and then he asked for Serenity's fingerprints. She obliged and Marik instantly started typing the number of the floor he wanted to go to.

"Why the lower levels?" Serenity asked the preoccupied Marik.

Suddenly, she felt the elevator move and though she could hear no sound, she saw the platform move downwards. Marik turned to look at her.

"They keep all specimens in the lower levels. Ryou is probably kept in a soundproof, guarded room for dangerous specimens." He said begrudgingly. He too didn't like the way Kaiba treated Ryou.

Serenity silently cursed. Marik looked at her questioningly.

"So this is what Kaiba calls `'the guestrooms"? How sick! And then he says that Ryou's crazy!" she said in quiet ire.

"I'll say…" Marik said.

The could both fell the elevator slow their descend. Serenity started to worry if they would meet any guards. She saw Marik roughly take his anesthetic gun out and she mimicked his actions.

When the elevator stopped all was silent. The temperature tracers in their eyes showed no warnings. The red moonlight was long forgotten inside the facility and dark spotlights illuminated all.

Marik stood protectively in front of Serenity. He walked stealthily next to the wall and turned to peek around the corner.

"That's our queue," he told his friend. It's the corridor with the cells! Ryou must be in one of them, so you won't have any problems. I'll distract the guards! Get Ryou out while we're away…I'll meet you in the main entrance." He instructed.

Serenity was feeling very anxious. Her stomach tightened painfully. The prospect of staying alone in that place was not something to look forward to. She nodded, however, and thought of Ryou's innocent face.

He looked at her seriously. "Be careful." He told her and patted her shoulder comfortingly. Then, in a flash, he had turned around the corner. She felt her heart beat savagely as she peeked around to see what was going on.

She could see Marik walking casually towards a couple of guards who were chatting. One of them was holding a laser shotgun while the other was playing with a dagger. How pathetic! They didn't even notice Marik coming.

Suddenly, she saw her friend speed up to an urgent sprint.

"Hey guys!!" he shouted loudly. The two guards turned towards the newcomer and aimed their guns at him automatically. When they noticed Marik's guard suit they lowered their weapons and grinned sheepishly.

"Hey!" one of them said "You scared us there, buddy!" he said.

Marik chuckled in a gruff voice. "You guys better come outside! Some robber has tried to come through the main entrance!" he urgently said. Serenity understood his plan at once. `The robber' was the fallen entrance guard. Marik was trying to lure these guys out!

"Are you serious?" one of them said, completely falling for Marik's trap. The handsome boy's charm was truly irresistible.

"As a heart attack! I've put this guy to sleep temporarily, but you better come and check it out!" Marik said.

"Okay! Oh, wait…we can't leave our guard…"

Marik seemed to sense the doubt in the air and rushed to change their mind. "Guys, you're my only shot! I can't find anybody else! Imagine what Kaiba will say well we show him what we did! Maybe he'll promote us!"

Serenity shook her head. The number of surprises Marik hid was outstanding…

"You're right man! Let's go!" the guard said excitedly. Marik nodded and smiled inwardly. There were two things he liked about guards: their level of gullibility and their level of ambition. He took advantage of them both.

Serenity soon realized they were heading her way. She rushed to hide in a dark alcove and could only hope they wouldn't notice her. Marik ran behind the two guards and stealthily grabbed a smoke-chip from his belt. He threw it forward and it landed at the spot Serenity was hiding. In a moment, the corridor was full of smoke.

"What the heck?!" a guard said.

"Oh shit! " Marik cried in fake exasperation "He must have recovered! Hurry!!"

The two guards listened and they passed next to serenity without even noticing her. Marik followed and winked at her as he passed. She smiled promptly and watched their retreating figures.

When they were gone with the elevator, Serenity turned and walked fearlessly in the previously guarded corridor. All the darkness made her feel uncomfortable and she rushed to light an electronic flare. Everything around her was suddenly illuminated and she could see clearly.

All around her were glass-walled cells. One next to the other, the cells formed a great alignment with progressed endlessly in front of her. There were cells on her left and on her right. `Where to start? How am I supposed to find Ryou?' she desperately thought.

There were no sounds in the corridor due to the soundproof glass walls. In was a bit creepy. Serenity waved her white electronic flare around, inspecting each and every cell. What she saw almost made her scream and gag.

The cells hosted specimens of unfortunate experiments. Most of them were monsters. Like three headed little girls or people merged with robots. It was overall disgusting. She felt pity swell inside her heart. What was this torture? How heartless could a man get? Fortunately, most creatures were resting and didn't see her make grimaces of disgust.

She progressed in the long corridor. What she saw next made her freeze. In the distance, she could see a guard on a chair. Her eye-tracer warned her, it was surely a guard. She readied her anesthetic gun and aimed cautiously at the figure.

As she stealthily approached, she noticed the guard was seated outside a single glass cell. `Oh shit.' She solely thought.

She looked at the figure from a distance and she realized his chest was heaving evenly up and down. How could a guy sleep and SNORE inside a dark corridor full of monsters. So that's why he didn't notice her light. When she thought she was close enough she threw her electronic flare away and approached the snoring guard. By observing his figure, she saw that he was holding a big bottle of alcohol. She shook her head dismissively and cautiously walked towards the cell whose access he was guarding.

It was very dark so she couldn't clearly make out what was inside. She bent her head towards the glass but was careful not to touch it in case an alarm went off. A sudden jerk from the sleeping guard made her jump out of her skin.

"Oh the heck with it!" she thought `he's already asleep'. She stretched her hand and aimed the gun straight at the man's neck. With a quick pull of the trigger the anesthetic dart was stuck on his skin. He made a sudden movement and then his body went limp. He fell unceremoniously on the ground, taking the chair with him. Serenity let out a breath she never knew she had been holding. She turned her attention back into the cell and observed the blue soft spotlight that fell inside.

A figure was stretched out on a bed, the slow movement of a heaving chest was outlined with the blue glow. Serenity gasped as she realized what she was staring at. Silver-white strands of long hair cascaded down the side of the bed. A long, white skinned arm was stretched towards the floor- his finger ever so slightly touching the glass ground.

It was Ryou. Serenity couldn't move. She felt exactly like she had when she first saw him in the lab. Would she always be damned to watch him through a glass barrier?

She was roughly pulled away from her thoughts when a distant sound was heard. It was men shouting and they were coming her way!

Serenity desperately looked around, trying to think of something to do. Damn! Were was Marik when you needed him! He'd know what to do!

`Okay, girl! Try to relax' Serenity thought to herself `First we wake him up!' she thought. She looked around the glass wall and saw a microchip reception. `That must be the lock!! But where is the microchip key?'

Suddenly a thought hit her. She turned to the immobilized guard and checked him over. Bending down and turning his limp form over, she saw a couple of microchips glinting on his belt. She grabbed all the chips roughly and ran to the lock. Her heart was beating savagely in her chest as she could hear the shouts and voices approaching.

She tried the first and second chip on the lock but there was no response. Desperately, she grabbed the last chip and shoved it forcefully on the reception. It flashed a green light and suddenly the glass wall opened. Ryou seemed to stir in his sleep and Serenity's breath caught in her throat. She quickly stepped in the cell and looked around. There was nothing in there except a bed and the ventilation form which the light came in.

The voices were coming dangerously closer and serenity didn't know what to do. She stepped away from the now open glass wall defensively and it automatically closed after the sensors couldn't sense her.

Serenity turned to look at the sleeping angel and felt frozen to the spot. His silver hair fell lazily down his face and his swan neck was arched delicately in a resting position. Oh how she longed to touch that neck…how she longed to run her hands through that hair…

Her eye-sensor warned her of a nearby human presence. She knew it wasn't Ryou, though. She couldn't hear a thing through the now closed soundproof glass.

Unable to think of a better place to hide and seeing as she had only five seconds to do it, Serenity followed her feral instincts and did the only thing she could think of. She jumped on Ryou's bed. The poor boy was obviously frightened to death.

His chocolate eyes snapped open in frightened innocence. His white mane waved around his face as he whipped his head around the room. Suddenly, he felt a rough tug on his naked torso. Before he knew it, he was pinned on the bed. Something moved beside him and he felt the white bed covers slide over him. He urgently turned around and saw the stranger laying beside him.

Auburn bangs framed a delicate face, which was abstract and blurry in the blue light. He recognized her immediately.

"Sere-" his words were muffled by her hands. She was covering his mouth, her shining eyes wide open and pleading.

"Please don't speak" she whispered desperately "I'm so sorry…this is for your own good." She waited for a reaction and saw him nod slowly. She carefully removed her hands and he spoke

"what happened?" he asked in a bewildered manner.

Serenity's eye-tracer warned her of a human presence up close. "Don't speak! Act like your sleeping!" she ordered urgently as she dove under the covers. She attached herself on his body and wrapped her arms around him protectively.

"Pretend like you're asleep!" she repeated in a whisper and Ryou listened to her. He closed his confused eyes and adopted a casual sleeping position.

Serenity was suddenly very aware of their position. She had a steel grasp on his waist and could feel his whole body relax under her. She could almost feel his toned muscles as his breathing feigned that of a sleeping man.

Her body temperature was slowly getting dangerously hot and she suddenly felt like she needed an ice-bath to relax her pumping hormones. Every fiber of her body screamed for her to touch him but her brain was still left in a state of paralyzation. `Oh sure…what a great time to focus on this…' she thought.

The soundproof cell didn't allow her to hear a thing from the outside world but she knew the other guards were probably checking out on their fallen drunkard friend.

Serenity suddenly heard the sound of the glass wall open and her already erratic heartbeat intensified even more. She could feel Ryou's body stiffen beside her and although she was covered with the sheets, she suddenly felt very exposed.

Unconsciously, her grasp on Ryou's body tightened and her heartbeat throbbed painfully next to him.

Slow, lazy footsteps were heard and Serenity suddenly heard a harsh voice pierce through the room.

"HEY YOU!" the shadow shouted at Ryou.

The boy acted as though he jerked awake from his sleep. He sat up, thus covering Serenity's unseen form.

"Get up!!" the person commanded and Ryou obliged. He slowly slid away from the covers and escaped the girl's death grip. He acted as though he threw the covers back on the bed but he really threw them on serenity, thus making her body look like a pile of sheets.

Ryou stood questioningly in front of the dark stranger. He couldn't see the man's face but he distantly recognized his voice.

"Good…" the man said "I wanted you to be standing when I slaughter you!" the man maliciously spat and Serenity instantly recognized the man `Kaiba' she thought. So Marik was right all along!

Ryou recognized him too, obviously, and voiced serenity's thoughts. "Kaiba?" he said in a bewildered tone "what are you doing here?"

Kaiba laughed maliciously and the hair on the back of serenity's neck stood erect. "Why killing you, of course."

Ryou instantly backed away, his instincts telling him Kaiba was not joking at all. He was worried about serenity too…what was happening?

Serenity was desperate and felt her whole world swirl around her. She watched, despondent, as Kaiba's shadow raised a dagger in the air. This was it! It was the end! With one movement, Ryou was going to die!!

"Goodbye, forever!" Kaiba cruelly shrieked and brought the knife down. Ryou managed to escaped the blade just in time. He made a somersault to the left and out of his cell. Kaiba yelled a battle cry, enraged and lunged after Ryou.

"Oh my God!!" Serenity thought as she realized she had run out of anesthetics. They were lost, doomed!! Kaiba grabbed Ryou's throat and started choking him slowly.

"NOT SO FAST, KAIBA!!" a yell was heard echoing through the long corridor.

Serenity felt a huge feeling of hope run through her. Marik! He had come finally!!

"Marik?" Kaiba dumbly inquired, squinting his eyes to get a better look at the mysterious shadow.

"LET HIM GO KAIBA! LET HIM GO NOW!" Marik yelled furiously. Kaiba got a dazed and pained expression on his face. He seemed to be struggling. Then, curiously, he set Ryou on the ground, obeying Marik yet again! The young boy panted and clutched at his bruised neck.

Kaiba seemed furious! "Why can't I deny you?!" he screamed at Marik. It looked as though Kaiba was about to say more but the swish of a dart ran through the air and he was unconscious in a matter of seconds. Ryou stared, overwhelmed first at Kaiba's limp form and then at the guard's body.

Marik rushed to the frail boy's side and serenity untangled herself from beneath the covers.

"Are you alright?" Marik urgently asked Ryou as he steadied the other boy's form to a standing position. Ryou seemed taken back for a moment.

"Yes…Thank you" he finally said "I'm fine…Serenity!"

Serenity was standing next to her friends, Glaring at Kaiba's unconscious form. She turned to Ryou when he addressed her, his innocent orbs capturing her own.

"Are you okay?" Ryou and Serenity asked each other at the same time. Marik seemed at a loss for words, so he settled on tugging at both his friends' hands.

"C'mon! Lets go!"

The companions nodded and followed Marik's sprint to the end of the corridor.

"Marik! What happened?" Serenity asked loudly as they were running.

They turned swiftly at the corner and rushed onto the elevator platform. Marik wordlessly indicated for Serenity to place her card and fingerprints on the panel. Ryou was staring, confused and panting.

When Serenity was done, Marik immediately started typing in the control panel. He finally stopped and all three youngsters felt the platform move slightly. They watched as the elevator started going upwards and Marik turned to his friends.

"I was showing `the robber' to the other guards when Kaiba showed up from no where. I had the time to hide but the other guards didn't…he shot them. And it wasn't anesthetic darts if you know what I mean…'

Serenity gulped. "Anyway, more guards came after him as he rushed to this elevator. He probably got rid of them in that freaky corridor…" Marik continued.

"So these were the voices…" Serenity mused. Marik chose to ignore her mumbling.

"I tried to come after him as fast as I could, without getting shot! Thank God I wasn't too late…' Marik said while gazing thoughtfully at Ryou.

The white-haired boy looked ever so grateful. He was about to speak when the sudden pause of the elevator stopped him.

"Let's go, hurry!" Marik instructed as all three of them ran to the entrance doors. They passed the corpses of the shot guards and serenity whimpered in spite herself. Ryou comfortingly took her hand in his as they ran, and she immediately felt better.

The three youngsters continued their sprint to the outside doors. Marik ran through them and Ryou stared, bewildered and slightly afraid. Serenity nudged him slightly and pulled at his hand. Soon they had walked through the door and the ancient boy looked a bit faint.

Marik rushed outside, at the bridge-roads of Mercury. Hovercrafts floated around them and serenity watched in silent amusement as Ryou's eyes widened to the size of saucers. Marik suddenly took a controller from his belt and pressed a button. Instantly, a black hover-car flew next to them.

"Get on!! Quick!" Marik yelled as he dove in the drivers' seat. Serenity dragged Ryou along. "Um…" the composed boy started, looking a bit hesitant "I don't think…"

"Ryou get on!!!" Serenity pleaded and Ryou's innocent eyes widened in exasperation. He surely couldn't deny her. He let Serenity push him in the floating vehicle. She slipped beside him at the back seat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts because we are going for a riiiide…" Marik said in a funny voice. Serenity chuckled, suddenly feeling light-hearted: she was out of that freaky place, after all! With Ryou by her side, what could possibly go wrong?

She turned her gaze on the confused and innocent young boy. She suddenly felt the urge to jump in his strong arms and assure him everything was fine, but she fought it.

She settled on saying "don't worry, Ryou, the answers are coming." And smiling reassuringly.

Ryou smiled back with an unexpected brightness. Marik's voice broke through the air, suddenly. "It will take time for Kaiba to recover from that dart. Besides, he'll have to take care of all those bodies and justify their deaths…Then he'll be coming back after Ryou." Marik's exotic eyes turned towards the white-haired boy through the mirror. Serenity gasped.

"Why is he doing this, anyway?" she asked thoughtfully.

"I don't know, my friend…" Marik mused "but I do know one thing! You're the only one he didn't see, Serenity! He doesn't know you were with us, so he won't come looking for us in your house!"

Serenity's eyes widened in understanding. "Let's go to my place, then! Ryou will be safe for a while there!" she exclaimed.

Marik nodded and suddenly his serious expression transformed to a sly grin. "Besides…I believe our friend needs something proper to wear, again!" he said.

Ryou blushed crimson, suddenly remembering he was only wearing a pair of silk blue boxers. Serenity blushed too as she noticed this. Marik simply snickered.

"Next stop: Serenity's home!" he shouted.