Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Yuumei ❯ Rescue? ( Chapter 2 )

Warning: This chapter is a little dark, so if anyone is squeamish about that, I do apologize. I feel bad about tormenting the hikaris so much, but I want the extent of the torment and the depths of Pegasus's evil in this chapter to be clear in this chapter. Just remember: it gets better for them, I promise!

Chapter 2: Rescue?

Red lights bounced off of sterile white walls as high-pitched sirens screeched throughout a nondescript building. Guards thumped their way down the halls, barking instructions to one another; they moved like a well-oiled machine, groups breaking off from the main body to trot down branching hallways without missing a step. As a group ran down the narrow hallway toward the exit, the shadows pressed against the walls seemed to shrink in response. A few minutes passed and the shadows slowly dissolved.

In its place three teens sat crouched together, their eyes frantic but determined. The tallest, a dusky platinum blonde with dark skin covered in sandy scales, rose a little onto his haunches as he cast his lilac eyes back and forth for signs of the guards' return. A scaled tale twitched nervously as he did.

“The coast is clear,” he hissed, motioning for the other two to follow him as he started to shuffle toward the exit. The smallest, in the middle, pressed as close to the blond as he could without tripping him up, small hands clutching at the blonde's baggy white shirt. Tricolored spikes - messy points of purple, blonde, and black - sprouted up from his head. Large amethyst eyes melted into black as their owner called shadows close to the three of them in an attempt for cover on their way out. The last and second tallest of the three, whom was unusually pale, did the same as the former, trying to keep close to them as they moved. Wide and warm brown eyes stared out beneath ice white hair and furry ears of the same color as his mane flattened against his head nervously; a white tail flitted behind him with worry.

The three shuffled faster, freezing whenever they heard a suspicious sound, but no one ever came. They were so close...at the last stretch, they rose as one and started

running, so close to freedom they could taste it.

However, the moment the blonde's hand wrapped around the handle, a harsh, evil laugh rang from behind them. The three froze in fear, recognizing the voice of their life-long tormentor. They turned as one, cowering back to see a man surrounded by bulky guards. He was tall and thin, wearing an unusually flamboyant red suit; his sharp and angular face was contorted in twisted amusement. A lone brown eye peeked out from beneath a shoulder length, rod straight mane of silver hair which had been parted to cover his left eye.

“It's so sad when my favorite little pets try to leave me,” he purred, his voice sickly sweet. He snapped his fingers and a guard moved purposefully forward.

“Malik, run!” the pale boy shouted, and the blonde jerked to action. He yanked the handle down, deliriously happy when it gave way, and pushed. The pale boy pushed the smallest, who had frozen in shock, toward the exit as they left.

Unfortunately, their efforts would be for naught.

The guard snapped an unusually long whip toward the trio and it wrapped itself around the last boy's neck, yanking him off his feet and forcing him to fall flat on his back; his head snapped back against the floor, causing his sharp canines to bite through his lip and drawing blood. The other two looked back at the sound of his body colliding with the unforgiving tile, horror spreading over their faces.

“Ryou!” the smallest cried in a broken wail, going toward his friend. The silver-haired man laughed cruelly.

“Bring the little mutt to me.” The guard answered the command with a wicked smile and snapped his arm back, dragging the boy known as Ryou across the floor; dazed as he was from the fall, Ryou couldn't fight back. When he reached the feet of the guard, the man walked toward him and crouched until he was eye level with him. He reached out and cupped the boy's face, causing him to flinch away. He smirked at him and dropped his hand, rising to turn to the other two.

“Come back in here, or this guard is going to keep squeezing until little Ryou here chokes to death.”

The other two shared a look, clearly hesitant.

“No!” Ryou gasped, clawing at the rope around his neck with his sharp nails, “Malik and Yugi, run!” The man's eyes rolled and he whipped suddenly around, backhanding Ryou so fast that the sting came seconds after the actual hit. Ryou gasped in shock, silenced for the moment.

“Now do you understand?” He hissed, all manner of playfulness gone, “I am not in the mood for this. Get in here, now, and I will spare your lives. If you do not, I will kill Ryou and hunt you down like the scum you are.” Malik and Yugi gave each other fearful glances, but complied, walking in for the sake of their friend.

“Good. Men, grab them.” Two guards walked forward, each grabbing one of their arms and dragging them toward their boss. As he did, the boss waved his hand for the guard to release Ryou, who gasped as his lungs reveled in being able to expand to their full capacity once more. The guard who had held him captive smirked.

“Let me go!” Malik shouted, squirming. The guard squeezed his arm until it hurt, making him yelp and stop moving to stop the pain. Malik glared up at the taller man defiantly; he refused to submit to the control of the violent, sadistic man. He merely chuckled at his feisty reply.

“You don't understand,” He hissed, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look him in the eye, “You three belong to me...And no one is going to change that.”

“Mr. Pegasus, sir,” The man, now known as Pegasus, turned at the sound of a new man appearing at the end of the hall, saluting.

“What is it?” He snipped.

“There's a man waiting for you.” He sighed in annoyance and pulled back.

“Take them back to their room. I'll be there in a moment.” The guards saluted him and hauled them down the hall, the one holding Malik was forced to wrap his arms completely around him to hold his arms and legs down. Finally they made it to their room, the guards throwing them inside. As the three righted themselves, the door slammed closed.

Malik turned to the other two as they sat up, looking over them fretfully, especially Ryou.

“Malik,” Ryou said warmly, “I'm fine, really; it just stings a little.”

Malik scowled.

“That asshole is not going to get away with this.” He gently ran his face over the cheek that Pegasus had hit.

“And what are you gonna do?” Ryou said back, his voice not angry or accusatory but defeated and weary. “He is right, Malik; as far it seems, he does own us. No one even knows we exist and no one is going to save us.”

“Come on, Ryou!” Yugi but in, his eyes bright with hope, “Never give up hope! It could happen!” Ryou smiled at Yugi gently. Yugi was the most innocent of the three of them and the most optimistic. Despite all the abuse they had lived through, he still believed in the good of people; he believed that everyone was good at heart, even Pegasus, and no one could convince him otherwise. Ryou envied him; he wanted to believe in his friend's childish notion, but his experiences had convinced otherwise. Malik, too, had no faith in the good of others, but on a more extreme scale. Of the three of them, Malik had spent the most time in this place; he had been there two years by himself, enduring Pegasus and the guard's abuse alone before Ryou and Yugi had been created.

Yes, created. The three of them were experiments undergone by Pegasus. The man was a genetic genius and had mastered the ability to port demonic DNA into the human genome. The result was the hybridization of the two samples and resulted in half-demons like the three of them. However, the tests he were doing were not only unethical, but also incredulous; the public had no idea of the existence of their kind, so they couldn't know he was using their DNA and they also couldn't know he was creating creatures with human DNA. Therefore, he was forced to hide his creations in the building their were stuck in; a white building that was distinguished only by the huge wire-link gate surrounding it, the large, white sign on the front that said `Do Not Enter' in blocky red letters, and the clashing, high-tech security system on the exits.

Pegasus had aged them and the other demons rapidly, physically, and mentally until they were all of the minds and bodies of humans in their late teens or early twenties, Yugi, Ryou and Malik all around the age of sixteen. All of them had been tested and tormented since their “births,” to establish the limits of their varying and powerful abilities. He had completely control over them and he never hesitated in enforcing it.

“Maybe, Yugi, but how? Pegasus has hidden this place from the public so well...it's hard to believe that anyone could help us.” Yugi stopped, stumped by his words. Malik kept quiet, loathe to burst Yugi's bubble. It was probably wrong to shelter him like this, but if he could shelter little Yugi from something, anything, he would gladly do so.

Ryou sighed and beckoned Yugi to him, and the small boy moved over. Ryou pulled him into a hug, putting his chin on top of his spikes. Malik came from the other side and did the same, this time enveloping them both. Yugi smiled at them.

“Don't worry, you guys, we'll be ok.”

As soon as the words left the shadow demon's mouth, the door suddenly burst open, startling the huddled three out of their embrace. They looked to the entryway with fearful eyes to see a tall man standing in it. Light from the hallway hit him from behind and shrouded his features in shadow. All they could see was that he was as tall as Pegasus but was much larger than him; he also didn't seem to be a guard either.

“Who are you?” Malik spat and stood, standing protectively in front of the other two.

“This man,” Pegasus hissed as he appeared behind him, “Is Rishid Ishtar. He is here to take you three to a facility that is more - what did you call it?” He turned to the other man, “`Better suited to handle,'” he said this with about as much sarcasm and loathing as he could manage, “you three.”

“W-what?” Malik said suspiciously. This was an unusual coincidence; the three of them had just been talking about no one being able to find them and then here was someone telling them that they were going to take them out of this hellhole? It seemed too good to be true.

At his question, Rishid spoke up.

“Mr. Pegasus has been creating demons illegally. You three are some among many who I've confiscated. I am taking you to a facility better suited to the care of you and your fellows.” The enshrouded man's voice was gravelly and emotionless, treating their `confiscation' as he had put it, like it was a business deal and not completely changing their life.

As he finished speaking, the man finally pulled away from the hallway lights. The most noticeable part of him was the fact that he was bald except for a long pony tail centered on the back of his skull and that the left side of his face was tattooed with Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. His clothes were not particularly interesting except for the shape. It was made to specifically hide the form of the person wearing it; in fact, the only thing you could tell about his torso was that it was broad. Malik stepped forward, his stance defiant.

“Who sent you?”

“That is classified information.”

“Are the three of us going to be separated?” He sighed.

“Also classified.”

“Okay, so where are you taking us?” Malik scowled and crossed his arms. “No, wait, let me guess: that's also classified.” The man surprised them with a small smile, the only expression he had made since he had arrived.

“No, it's not, but I will tell you on our way there.” The blonde glanced at Pegasus, realizing that he was probably waiting until they were out of earshot. He backed off with a pout.

“If the three of you would please stand up and follow me.” The three hybrids stood, keeping close together for as long as they could, as they had no idea whether or not they would be together for long. They scurried past Pegasus when they went through the door; the silver-haired man glared down at them. He followed them out and watched them go, scowling to himself, clearly not happy about the man taking the three of him from him so blatantly.

When they entered the hallway, they saw many of the other demons in the building being taken out by more men that were wearing the same type of clothing as Rishid. They all got into different vans with the men behind them; they were thankfully not handcuffed and were being checked for injuries (the trio were not the only ones who had been tested for their abilities and also punished for non compliance or lack of results) by men in white coats.

Rishid walked them to their own van, entering himself and then closing the door. Already inside the van was an attractive, serious woman, also in a white coat. She was as tan as Rishid. She looked up at they entered, serene blue eyes surveying them with a respectful curiosity. She took in their battered clothes and wary expression in stride, not seeming put off in the slightest. She immediately took notice of Ryou's lip injury and moved to approach him. When Ryou backed away from her, she offered a calm, reassuring smile, tucking a strand of her straight, midnight-black hair behind her ear.

“Don't be frightened. My name is Ishizu Ishtar; I'm a doctor,” she coaxed soothingly, “I'm not going to hurt you; I just want to take a look at your cut.” Ryou was hesitant at first, but with a reassuring nod from Malik, he inched towards her. She grasped his chin, turning it from side to side, before fishing in a bag beside her. She pulled out a small tube; she squeezed a small amount of it on her finger. She looked at him, waiting for his permission, before gently rubbing it over it.

“This is a healing salve, made specifically for demons.” Ryou started at the flippant reference to their nature, but she didn't seem to notice, “It should heal within an hour or two. These bruises, though,” She pointed to his neck, “Will have to heal on their own.” Ryou nodded, still sort of numb with all that was happening. Ishizu nodded when she was done and Ryou scooted back to his friends.

“Wh-where are you taking us?” Yugi spoke up softly. Ishizu looked at him in surprise, then looked over to Rishid. He looked at the pleading three before reluctantly nodding. Ishizu opened her mouth to speak.

“Yuumei Prison,” she said slowly, waiting for their reaction. Yugi and Ryou gasped in shock, while Malik, predictably, decided to put his two cents in.

“Wha? You...you're sending us to prison?!” Malik shouted, springing up from his seat. “How is that any better than us staying here?!”

“First, Malik, sit down.” Ishizu commanded, her voice stern and not brokering any arguments, “Second, calm down. It was a human prison but it has been turned into the best place on the earth for the care of demons. Some of the people there are not the nicest, but it has the best guards - whom are like you, so there will be no race prejudice, - food fit for all diets, and the warden himself is a very nice man. Since it used to be a prison, most of the amenities have only been refurbished, like the showers, the bathrooms, and the rooms, but most of the uncomfortable aspects have been changed to provide comfort. The cells have been widened and can now comfortably sit two to three demons with their own cots comfortably. You'll be well taken care of there, trust me.” Malik stopped, still annoyed, but unable to find a problem with her words. He sat back down, put off, while Yugi and Ryou tried to placate him.

Ishizu watched the way the three of them interacted, still a little in shock. She had kept it in well, but when they entered and she saw how uncanny their features looked like the Pharaoh and his court, she had been startled. It was unusual for Atemu and Akefia to have found one lover that looked like them, but for there to be a third with their likeness - not to mention the fact that there was another demon who also looked like Marik, who was also friends with the lookalikes. It was almost too much of a coincidence. She absently put her hand to her collarbone.

Maybe it was Fate bringing these three into their lives? She could only hope so.

All of them were lost to their own thoughts and not a single sound was made until their van rolled into the driveway. The van stopped and Rishid pushed the door open. He guided the three of them out and politely gave Ishizu a hand to step down onto the concrete. All around them, the other experiments filed out of the vans in groups.

The three half demons turned with the huge crowd to see a gray building littered with windows and surrounded by a rusting barbed wire fence. It looked worse for wear; there were vines crawling the sides and the bricks themselves were crumbling; even the sign that said Yuumei Prison was rusted and bereft of paint. However, there was an electric aura of energy thrumming around it, almost like magic.

“This is the prison?” Malik said skeptically, clearly not impressed with their new home.

“Yes,” Rishid said simply, not looking at them, as he followed the lead of the guards who were already ushering the others toward the front. The trio shared a look, Ryou worried, Yugi hopeful as always, and Malik still uncertain, but neither protested as the man pushed them toward the line that was being formed at the large metal gate, making sure to be close to one another. To their surprise, Rishid came in right behind him. They and the rest of the demons were silent as they passed the threshold, taking in the interior. It was as drab and gray as the outside; the hallway was devoid of decoration with no measures taken to hide the stone walls. The hallway they had entered through led straight toward the epicenter of the jail, which was shaped like a square, set up as if three open squares were stacked on top of each other; each had their own hallway that looked down to the bottom floor, with a staircase flush against each wall that led up the stories to each level. All of them had cells on them, even the bottom floor and there were sounds of activity going on all around them. The huge groups of demons naturally transformed into a blob of bodies, no longer in a clean lines.

“This is where the cells are housed,” Rishid said suddenly from behind them, startling them into looking back. “Down that hallway,” He pointed to a small opening in the opposite wall, “Leads to the mess hall. That hallway,” He pointed to another small opening on the left wall, “Leads to the outdoor courtyard. And finally, this hallway, “He pointed to a last opening opposite the second hallway, “Leads to the showers.”

Finally the group reached the center of the bottom floor and stopped as a man walked from the hallway that Rishid had said led toward the mess hall. He was tall and pale, with unusually light, sea green hair that fell all the way to the backs of his thighs. The bottom of it was pulled together with a hair tie. Bangs that were separated in two parts - each with two strands a piece - sprouted from his scalp, spiked down, and then curved around his face. His face itself was sharp, angular, and aristocratic; a circlet had been woven into his hair, with a pendant of blue gems settled on his forehead. He looked very European; there was no way he was from Japan. He was wearing a expensive looking dark blue suit, which had clearly been tailored to his form. His left eye was a light blue and his right golden, which was unusual. It was clear he was a demon as well; blue scales scattered his skin, dark, scaly, and gleaming like a reptile; the size meant he was probably some form of dragon.

“Gentlemen,” the man said brightly, raising his arms and spreading them wide, “Welcome to Yuumei Prison. My name is Dartz and I am the warden at this fine establishment.” Malik snorted at this statement, to which Ryou gave a disapproving look that shut him up, “I hope you will enjoy your stay here. In just a moment, my guards will be taking you to your new cells; many of you will have one or more cell mate, which was chosen for you based upon the type of demon you are.”

A ripple of murmurs suddenly went through the crowd at the news.

“Rishid,” Malik hissed, “How does he know what types we are? Pegasus hasn't told anyone and we had no idea you guys were coming for us.”

“We have been watching Pegasus's facility for months, gathering the right information to make sure there was no way Pegasus could stop us from getting you out. How we did it is not important.” The blonde gave him a flat look but the man was once again looking back at the warden.

“Now, if you all will follow these fine gentlemen, they will take you to your cells. You have arrived around lunch time, so many of your cell mates will not be there when you settle in, but they should be back soon.” A wicked smile spread over his face, marring his good looks. “I hope you all enjoy your stay here at Yuumei Prison.” He bowed almost mockingly and then spun on his heel, walking out of the room. It was like a vacuum of sound; after he was finished, there was not a single sound made among the crowd, as most of them were stuck in a state of shock. Without further ado, the guards motioned for the demons to follow them; Rishid moved around to the front of them.

“Wait here while I have another guard, Mai, take you to your cell block.” The three of them were then pushed off to the side, out of the sea of people so as not to be trampled.

They watched absently, each thinking their own thoughts, as the other demons were led away. It wasn't until the entire hall had cleared that this Mai appeared.

“Hello, boys,” a sultry voice cooed. They turned to see a tall, busty, purple-eyed blonde standing beside them. She wore a more revealing version of Rishid's uniform; the three buttons were undone, revealing a white shirt that dropped down to the top slopes of her ample breasts. The uniform had been tailored down to mold to her small waist and her shapely thighs. She was beautiful, to say the least, but in a more obvious way than Isis. She smiled sweetly with full lips at them.

“The name's Mai Kujaku; nice to meet you three.”

“N-nice to meet you too, Mai,” Yugi said with a blush, looking away from her. He had never seen a woman in such a revealing outfit before (in fact, he hadn't seen many females at all, really, as there was only one or two that had ever lived in their facility, and they had long been moved to another one before Rishid had taken them out).

“So...does this prison have women living here too?” Malik asked in surprise. That seemed like a bad idea, especially with what he knew of prisons.

“Oh, no, sweetheart; I'm a guard, like Rishid; I'm the only other woman in the prison besides Ishizu, and the only female guard. The warden doesn't want too many women in here because of the men, but I can more than take care of myself.” She winked at them. “Now, let's get you three to your cells, hm?” she nodded to Rishid and waved for them to follow her as she walked to one of the stairs on the left side.

The three of them were reluctant to follow, but did so anyone; they all had no choice but to follow her toward the first day of the rest of their lives.

***

So, as many of you had noticed, this chapter was a LOT longer than the first one. The reason is because I basically wanted to get as much information in about the hikaris as I can, as well as more about the prison itself. I also wanted to introduce some others that will be important later. Hope you enjoyed it in any case!

Review please!