Chapter 35

Marik reached the cage in record time, everyone around him too busy and caught up in the chaos to notice two young men race to the captured 'prize'. Bakura kept watch behind him, having rescued one of his knives from the flurry of people but not having the chance to get all four of them back. His eyes darted around to keep an eye on anyone who could be considered a threat and noticed the March Hare had joined them on their mission.

"The King is keeping the guards distraced." His other self told him, "I can't see Cheshire but I have a feeling he's helping out too."

"Good, we need all the distractions we can get." Bakura nodded in approval, going back to his look out duties as they finished the last sprinting yards to the cage.

Marik immediately unsheathed his claws, going to pick the lock with them when he received a tremendous shock the moment they touched the metal. Shit, the cage was rigged to shock just like the croquet game. He cursed and tried again, getting the same treament and causing him to whimper. The two white haired males behind him could only look on worried as they fought off the couple of guards that dared try and interrupt.

The lion couldn't think of anything else to do until he noticed his master was leaning against the cage, untouched by the current that ran through the metal. Which made his mind begin to whirr, something it didn't usually do considering that Bakura was the one to come up with most of the plans. If Akefia could touch the metal without being hurt, did that mean that it only shocked certain people.

"Akefia." Marik called out, trying to get the Ringleader's attention from his submissive state. "Akefia, listen to me! Look at me!" He shouted, almost desperate. Still no answer. The white haired man didn't even look up. Then he had an idea. "I order you to look at me you bastard!"

That did the trick, and Akefia lifted his head, slightly fearful and completely obediant in his actions. "Yes?" He questioned in a soft voice that Marik swore he'd never wwant to hear again.

"Can you get yourself out? Can you undo this lock?" Marik wished he could grab the bars and just wrench them apart but he couldn't, so he had to rely on his master, who was acting like he was the one in charge.

"Yeah, but I was told not to." Akefia replied, once again in that quiet and timid voice that made Marik want to scream at him.

"Well I'm telling you to open it!" The blonde lion yelled at him, "We have to get you out of here!"

"But why?" The Ringleader asked, but shuffled forwards drowsily to the cage door anyway, "Why do I have to come out?"

"Because this isn't you!" Marik snarled, "You're dominant! You rule the ring with whips and chains and psychotic laughter! You're not supposed to be this timid little man who can't even tell me off!"

Akefia seemed to consider these words for a second or two before wordlessly opening the cage door via the switch on the back of the lock. The door swung open and Marik launched himself into his master's arms. They remained that way, the Ringleader in shock and Marik completely relieved and nearly crying, until the March Hare told them to move it because more soldiers were coming.

The Ringleader swayed down the small steps when Marik pulled him with him, so it was clear that he'd been given some sleep-inducing shrooms as well. Bakura joined them, putting one of the Ringleader's arms around his shoulder like Marik did and leading the two away from everything. The March Hare held Bakura's knife, took aim and threw it straight into the eye of an oncoming guard, which earned a big whoop from his mirror image. Then came the race to get out of the palace.

The three tumbled along the path, Akefia not really helping their escape by nearly tripping over every few steps. He couldn't help it though, it was all the poisoning he'd had over the past few days. Marik just kept muttering under his breath about how they needed to go faster and why couldn't Queen Bitch keep his hands to himself and where the fuck was the Cheshire Cat when you needed him?

Their silent prayers for help were answered when the Duchess jogged up next to them, breasts nearly bouncing out of her dress with her movement. "We can't escape the palace, but we can hide in the rose gardens. There's a huge maze that will take ages to search through properly." She told them, not exactly lifting their spirits but helping somewhat.

And so they changed their direction and headed to the rose garden with its giant maze. They twisted and turned around various corners, getting lost amongst the deep green bushes. Each one of them knew it would be hell getting out but for now at least they could rest and think of plans to aid their escape.

Marik suggested they stop at an area which had high hedges looming over head and benches to sit down on. The little area appeared to be somewhere to hide from the sun and relax in the shade, but right then it would shield them from anyone who tried to fly above to attempt to find them. The little group sat down on the marble benches, thankful for the moment's rest. Akefia looked like he was about to fall asleep at any moment, propped up against Marik on the seat furthest in the shade.

Suddenly the Duchess yelped in surprise, and for a second everyone panicked until the Cheshire Cat slowly appeared, grinning like he always did. He was whapped on the head by his 'owner' before slinking over to the March Hare and curling up by his feet. "The King of Spades is on his way here." The cat reported. "He's hiding your tracks that you left behind."

"Shit, I forgot it was a dirt path." The March Hare cursed, but the Cheshire Cat soothed him by nuzzling his legs affectionately. "At least no one else can follow us."

"Be more careful next time." The King of Spades interrupted the moment by showing up with Alice and Lady Isis in tow. "Anyone could've followed you."

"Yeah, well, they didn't, so shush!" Bakura spat at him, looking away from the Ringleader, who was more or less snoozing on Marik's shoulder. "We've got bigger things to worry about right now."

"Yeah, no time to get into a bother." Alice chimed in, walking into the center of the little area to talk to everyone. "Right, the Queen of Hearts no doubt knows who tried to attack him now, so there's a price on every one of our heads. So, we're in this together until the end."

"There were some guards behind us when we came into the maze," Lady Isis informed everyone. "They'll figure out where we are eventually but for now we can make plans."

"Right, so," Bakura looked at everyone, thinking that this was the most mis-matched group of 'criminals' he'd ever been in, and he'd been in a lot, "What do we do?"