Story name: 1st Labyrinth

Written by: Queen Thief

Rating: M (Because of use of shonen-ai and mild swearing)

Warnings: This story contains Shonen-ai and hints of Yaoi.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh or Labyrinth! This stands for all chapters!

This fanfic is dedicated to: Nehti, (who is another author and who actually introduced me to Bakura/Marik without realizing it. So thank you Nehti, I owe you a great deal.)

Hello everyone and welcome to my very first ever fanfic. This story is my own version of the movie: Labyrinth. (with a Yu-Gi-Oh twist.)

This is a Yami Bakura and (not the Yami) Marik romance/adventure story.

Note: This story takes place when Marik is twelve and Bakura is seventeen and there will be a sequel where Marik is sixteen and Bakura is still seventeen. The fact that Bakura and the other people from the Labyrinth do not age in that time will not surprise you once you read this story.

Enjoy the first chapter and NO FLAMES ACCEPTED!

1st Labyrinth…

Chapter 1: Wish…

A little twelve year old boy sat on a bench under a tree in the middle of Domino Park, reading a small red book. He was tanned-as most Egyptians are- and possessed the most beautiful pair of amethyst eyes in the world. His long flaxen blonde hair fell over his shoulders, giving him the appearance of an angel- halo and all.

At least, that’s what the snowy white barn owl sitting on the bench next to him thought.

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“Marik! Marik, Hey, there!” a New Yorker accent called.

Marik looked up from his book to see his best friend Joseph Wheeler running over. Joey was also twelve, with short blonde hair and light brown eyes. Marik glanced over Joeys outfit and sighed, he always felt overdressed around the boy. Unlike Joey (who wore his usual ripped jeans, old sneakers and long white shirt with the blue ‘5’ on it); Marik wore more ‘dress-up’ clothes. For instance, at that moment, over his dark jeans and shoes he wore a brown shirt that reached his ankles with a violet star on one of the long sleeves.

“Hello Joey,” Marik greeted, upon his friends arrival.

“Hey,” Joey moved to sit down, but stopped suddenly “Move it birdie.”

“Don’t talk to him like that Joey,” Marik scolded, patting the owls head.

“Fine then,” Joey sighed, then kneeled down, as if addressing a king, “May I please sit next ta my friend, your royal featheredness?”

The bird seemed to debate this, and then moved closer to Marik, who smirked.

“I think that’s a ‘no’ Joey.”

Joey pouted, “You ask him then. He always listens ta you.”

Marik smiled and turned to the owl, who seemed to give the boy its full and undivided attention.

“Could you please let Joey sit down, my king?” Marik asked, “It would make me happy”

The bird gave the impression of consideration again before taking off, without warning, for a tree branch high above.

Anyone else would have been astounded, but this was nothing new to the two young boys. Ever since the day when that owl had landed on Marik’s shoulder from out of nowhere, and only departed when Marik said something sarcastic, along the lines of “Oh, great and wise ruler of all, please move your feathered butt!” the boys had treated the bird as if it were a king. It was childish, but it provided the two with never-ending entertainment as they kept thinking of an infinite number of ways to address their new friend.

Presently, Joey sat on the now vacated part of the bench.

“Wat’cha readin’?” he asked

“A book,” answered Marik

“‘Bout what?”

“The Labyrinth.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a beautiful place full of goblins, elves, fairies, beasts and knights.”

“What’s the plot?”

“Pardon?”

“Ya know; da story line.”

“Oh! There is none.”

“Wha?” Joey exclaimed,“That’s insane. Ya can’t have a book without a plot!”

“Yes you can,” Marik countered, “Arthur Hawkins wrote this book like a report on the place. It makes the Labyrinth seem more real.”

“Can’t be all that great then.” Joey mused, snatching the little book from his friend and flipping through its pages.

One page stood out like a beacon.

“Goblin King, Goblin King! Wherever you may be! Take this child of mine far away from me!”

This is the chant that is most well known in the Labyrinth because these are the words that call the King of the Labyrinth to your doorstep to take away an unwanted child. The baby will be brought to the Labyrinth to live as the King deems fit. If the youth is lucky, it will be made a fairy to live in the village ruled by the Kings cousin. However, if the infant is unlucky it will be turned into a goblin and live a life of imprisonment in the castle at the center of the Labyrinth with the King himself and all his goblin servants. I caution you reader, to NEVER say these words, for lightning will strike and thunder will roar and your wish will be fulfilled.

“So what do you think Joey?” Marik asked, startling the brown eyed boy from his trance.

“It’s a little scary” Joey admitted, “but it’s interestin’.”

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Marik and Joey had been talking for a long time now, all the while being watched by the mysterious owl. Joey had been in the middle of a good natured rant about the price of ice-cream being too high when he was interrupted by the church clock in the distance striking the hour.

Seven chimes.

Marik’s eyes widened.

It was seven o’clock!

He was supposed to have been home an hour ago!

Joey seemed to have a very similar problem since they both jumped up simultaneously, yelled “BYE!” and ran off in different directions.

The white owl’s eyes never left Marik’s form.

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Half an hour later, Marik arrived home, tired and soaking wet. It had started to rain when he about half way home and it hadn’t stopped yet. The boy forced his cursing down as he saw his mother waiting for him on the veranda.

“We’ve all been waiting for you Marik. You’re an hour and a half late!” she scolded as he walked past her and into the house.

“I’m sorry, okay!” He shouted, “I don’t see why I even have to be home, since Isis is the one babysitting Mokuba anyway!”

“Don’t you dare raise you’re voice to me young man!” His mother yelled, “Isis is babysitting youboth-Where are you going?”

Marik was already half way up the stairs by the time his mother realized his absence.

“To my room!” He screamed at her before the sound of a door slamming shut shook the household.

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There was a knock at the door.

“What?” Marik hissed, venom dripping in his voice, to which a melodic tone answered him.

“It’s me brother. May I come in?”

“Sure Isis.”

The door opened and a young girl entered the room. She was fourteen years old and her features consisted of tan skin, only a shade lighter than Marik’s, long raven black hair and ocean blue eyes.

“Our mother and stepfather left a little while ago because they had a dinner reservation,” she explained, “They really did want to see you though.”

“Oh yeah!” Marik bit back sarcastically, “They practically broke down the door to give me a hug!”

There was a long pause before Marik sniffed sadly, “They didn’t even say goodbye.”

“Brother-”

“No!” He cut her off, “Don’t you dare say it again! They constantly overlook me! And every time they do, you always say they didn’t mean to!”

“Brother-” Isis tried again, but once more Marik stopped her words.

“I said NO!” He was in tears by now, “I’ll bet they said goodbye to Mokuba, didn’t they? That little BRAT!”

“Brother please calm down,” she instructed, hugging him. However, he escaped her embrace and went to sit in his desk’s chair.

The next comforting attempt was interrupted by the phone across the hall ringing, and Isis went to answer it, while Marik tried to listen.

“Hello?” He heard his sister greet, “Oh, hi Linda. What? ... When? … Damn! Okay, fine! I’ll be there as soon as I can… Alright, goodbye.” Isis then hung up the phone and ran down the corridor.

“Rishid! Rishid, wake up!” she called, tapping loudly on her adopted brothers door. The boy she was addressing was about eighteen, with bronzed skin, golden eyes and a long black ponytail at the back of his mostly bald head. Her parents had adopted him when they thought they couldn’t have children, however when they did bare some, Rishid willingly took the role of guardian figure.

“Hello, Miss Isis.” Rishid said cheerfully, opening the door, “Is everything well?”

“Actually Rishid, I need your help,” she responded, “One of my friend’s cars ran out of gas and now she’s stuck. It’s her father’s Mercedes too, so calling him or a tow-truck is not optional. So could you drive me to her so I can give her some petrol, please?”

The man smiled, “Of course. I’d be glad to help.”

“I’ll be going too,” stated a voice from behind her. There stood a boy about two years older than her, looking similar to Marik. He had long darkish blonde hair that seemed to stick up of its own accord and his skin and eye color were like Marik’s, only darker shaded.

“Go back to bed Malik,” she dismissed him, causing the boy to narrow his eyes.

“Don’t ignore me Isis,” he warned, “I’m not as kind as little Marik. You will be taking me with you. Otherwise, I’ll tell mother and our stupid moron of a step father that you had to sneak off yet again to help those slutty friends of yours out of another tight spot.”

“Fine Malik, come then!” Isis said hastily “I just don’t have time to argue, because my friend is quite a while away from here and we’ll have to hurry if we want to beat mother and father home, so let’s go!”

“Fine by me,” Malik added arrogantly and all three turned to the direction of the stairs, where Marik stood, with a disappointed look covering his features.

“Don’t I get a say?” he questioned.

“No,” Malik answered bluntly, “Who gives a damn about you anyway?”

“Malik! Be quiet!” Isis scolded, before turning her attention to Marik, “I’m sorry little brother, but you will have to look after Mokuba until I get back, I don’t want him here all alone. I’ll see you when I get back and if mum rings, cover for us, ok?”

Marik wasn’t even given the chance to reply, as all three of them ran past him and down the stairs.

“Marik!” He heard Isis call up to him, “Remember, don’t open the door for anyone! You never know who they might be!”

The sounds audible immediately after that statement were the front door slamming and a key being turned in the lock.

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The final and youngest member of the Ishtar family was a five year old named Mokuba. He was actually quite docile when compared to the rest of the family and he was the only child of the unit to have an olive skin tone instead of the tanned coloring the others possessed. This was due to the fact that he was their half brother, and had therefore generally taken after his father, who was pale also.

To accompany his olive skin, was a wild mane of black hair and a pair of dark violet eyes, which were currently peaking around Marik’s bedroom door.

On the bed lay Marik, reading his book from earlier. Ah yes, that infamous miniature burgundy colored novel; the one with its name on the front, written in shining gold embroidery for everyone to see.

Labyrinth...

Mokuba wondered then, why was Marik so fond of that text anyway? Why he was at all times seen flipping though those shaded cream pages, with that wistful look on his face. Surely there were other novels around the house or at the local library even that could be considered more interesting than what was contained between the covers of that tiny tome.

“What do you want Mokuba?” Marik asked, not bothering to lift his eyes from the page, “I’m reading right now. Go back to bed.”

But the youngest of the family refused to go. He instead walked into the room went over to and sat on Marik’s bed, all the wile looking at the book in Marik’s hands.

“I can’t sleep. I want a story.” He declared and Marik rolled his eyes.

“About what?”

“What’s in that book you read all the time?”

Marik grinned and without warning started his tale.

“Well, you know, there’s another world other than ours. It’s called the Labyrinth and fantastic creatures live there. It’s also ruled by a king who…” The tanned boy stopped suddenly, thinking. Then he began again, “Who fell in love with a young boy.”

Mokuba nodded for his brother to continue.

“This young boy,” Marik went on “was forever being overlooked by not only his mother and step father, but his older brothers and sister too. Also, his younger brother was treated better than he was. Even though the boy was sad about this, he endured it. Day-in and day-out until-”

“Until what?”

“Until one day, when he was tired and hurt, and he had been deserted by his entire family and forced to stay and watch over his little brother and he could no longer stand it.”

Marik suddenly jumped off the bed and lifted Mokuba up in his arms, frightening the poor lad. The former then proceeded in his tale, now acting the part, “The young boy then cried out to the King of the Labyrinth; ‘I can bear it no longer! Goblin King, Goblin King, wherever you may be, take this child of mine far away from me!’”

“Ahhh!” Mokuba shrieked in terror, covering his face with both hands in fright, “Marik please, don’t let him get me!”

The older boy laughed and set his little brother down.

“It’s not real Mokuba,” he assured the boy, “It’s only in the book I read. No goblins are going to pop out and steal you away.”

“Promise?” the five year old asked

“Promise.” Marik answered with certainty. He felt a little happier now that he had someone paying attention to him and actually wanting his company for once. Of course, that didn’t change the fact Marik was still slightly angered that Mokuba received more attention in one day than he did in-oh, who knew how long!

The sound of the front door downstairs being bashed open, and then hitting the wall adjacent startled both brothers momentarily.

“It must be Isis, Malik and Rishid back from their drive.” Mokuba announced cheerfully “Let’s go see them.”

“Okay,” Marik agreed, yet he couldn’t help but think, ‘They returned a lot sooner than I expected…’

The two children headed out the bedroom door and down the hallway. They stopped at the foot of the stairs though when they heard strange voices coming from below.

“Alright boys, we’re in. First things first, you two go search around for any unwanted problems,” a low ominous voice said. It obviously belonged to a man.

“Unwanted problems?” someone –another male –asked, “Like bad lighting?”

“No, you stupid dolt,” the third and final guy barked, “He means we check for any people.”

Footsteps were audible after that, making a path toward the stairs. Mokuba just stared at his older brother stiffly, terror written all over his features, until Marik broke from his shocked daze and whispered apprehensively “Go!”

Both youngsters ran as fast and quietly as they could back up the corridor and into their parent’s room. Mokuba immediately dived under the bed, while Marik ran for the phone on the bedside table. The younger directed his attention to Marik as the fair haired boy cursed, “The phone line is dead. Must be because of the storm.”

“I’m scared brother!” Mokuba whimpered “Where’s Rishid?”

“Leave me alone for a second Mokuba. I have to think,” he whispered, ‘Okay, we have to hide-but under the bed is too obvious and so is the closet! There’s nowhere left!’

The sound of rain hitting the balcony doors made Marik swear. On top of everything tonight, he also had think about Rishid driving home slower because of the slippery roads. Mokuba and Marik could be dead and the house could be completely devoid of valuables before his siblings’ car even turned into the street!

Hold the phone.

The balcony!

Mokuba was listening to the clatter of objects falling and being moved downstairs and the closer crash of the doors on their level as they were punched in. Those two goons from earlier no doubt, the poor boy could picture it clearly. Some huge monster of a man punching the doors in one by one, ransacking all rooms in the process, growing nearer and nearer to the two boy’s temporary sanctuary by the moment.

“Mokuba, get over here!” Marik hissed, knocking the raven boy out of his contemplations, “I’ve got an idea, hurry.”

The younger quickly scurried out from under the bed, and joined his brother at the closed balcony door, “What is it?”

“We’re going to climb down the big tree near the balcony, okay?”

“Won’t they hear if we open the balcony doors, since its raining?”

“Yes, that’s why we need to do this fast.”

“Hey Sid!” A muffled voice said from the corridor,” I’m gonna check in here first.”

“Fine, fine,” another answered passively.

Inside the room, Marik gripped the handle of the balcony door, “Ready Mokuba?”

“Ready, big brother,” the child gave a determined nod and Marik threw open the door.

Rain poured into Marik’s parents’ room, while said boy pulled his baby brother out onto the windy balcony. Also, the front door to the now soaked room flew open to reveal a very angry looking man about six feet in height with large shoulders. He ran across the room quickly and caught Marik, just as the boy managed to propel Mokuba the meters distance between the balcony and the previously mentioned large tree’s thick branches.

“Marik!” Mokuba cried as he watched his brother fight the mammoth man who held him. He stretched his hand for the other, “C’mon brother!”

“OW! You little fuck!” bellowed the man suddenly, releasing Marik as he did.

The Egyptian boy immediately saw his chance, and he ran for the balcony’s edge and catapulted off it and onto the limb beside Mokuba.

“Go kid!” Marik urged the latter and they then began move along the branch to the trunk of the tree.

“Zygor, what the hell happened?!” called the other voice from earlier –Sid; a tall, scrawny looking thing with flame red hair and enormous oval shaped glasses.

The mammoth man –Zygor –shot a murderous look at Marik’s retreating form.

“That little rat bit me on the hand!” he announced, before jumping off the balcony and on to the same thick branch the two Ishtar brothers had used prior “But I’ll get him!” The whole tree seemed to creek with Zygor’s added weight as he climbed after the two brothers. Sid watched his friend grab the blonde haired child’s ankle and yank him back with enough force to tear the poor kid’s leg off. Unfortunately for Zygor, he didn’t manage to accomplish that desired scenario. Instead, the flimsy branch holding the two siblings broke off because of the added weight and pressure and both children fell a short ways down through the some lower tree limbs.

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Marik’s face and body was cut and bleeding, his usually bright amethyst eyes dark and wet with tears while he gripped a thin branch in his left hand and a terrified bawling Mokuba in his right. That branch was currently the only thing keeping him and his half brother from plummeting to the ground about seven meters below. If Marik weren’t currently preoccupied with the fact that he was hanging on for his life with a huge man grinning evilly down at him, he would have taken time out to curse living in such an elevated house.

The situation hit him like a ton of bricks.

This was it.

He only had two options at this point, one of which was to not let go and be captured by that Zygor guy. That wasn’t much good of a selection. Alternatively though, Marik could choose to release his grip on the branch and fall to the ground where he and Mokuba could either die on impact or just get a few things broken and twisted depending on how they fell. But Zygor would jump down after them, wouldn’t he? And with no energy left and as worn as both the boys were, they wouldn’t be able to outrun the beast man. So it really didn’t matter what the final decision was, did it? In the end the outcome was the same –both Marik and Mokuba ending up in the hands of Zygor, Sid and their boss, where they would –ultimately –be killed.

Marik glanced downward at Mokuba, whose face was in no better shape than his and who currently had his eyes sealed tight in panic as rivers of hot tears cascaded down his cheeks. Then the blonde boy glanced up to meet Zygor’s ugly mug, his wide mouth stretched in a sardonic grin and his black eyes sharp as twin knives. Marik averted his gaze and spoke, “I’m sorry Mokuba. You shouldn’t be here; you should be with Rishid and Isis –safe.”

“It-It’s not your f-fault big brother,” Mokuba stuttered.

Marik clenched his eyes tightly to hide his tears. Yes, it was his fault, and everyone in the family was going to always see it that way; ‘Mokuba died because Marik wasn’t competent enough to protect him!’

Then Marik thought of the Labyrinth –that incredibly wonderful, magical and beautiful place that he would always fanaticize about, whether or not he was even reading the book. Why couldn’t it be real? He had proven it as fake when he spoke those words earlier. If it were real then Mokuba would have disappeared when Marik wished him away. At least if that had happened, Marik could’ve been able to die without Mokuba suffering too. But no, Marik was going to die knowing he let his little brother down.

‘I wish Mokuba wasn’t here right now,’ Marik thought dejectedly ‘I wish– I wish–,’

The boy let out a defeated sigh and opened his eyes to look down at Mokuba.

“I wish the goblins really would come and take you away… right now.”

Well, that’s it for now. Oooh, cliffy!

Next time: We’re off to the Labyrinth! I hope you all liked this so far, I promise it’ll get better.

PLEASE REVIEW! It helps me update faster! Also I’m open for any suggestions for the story. Bye for now!