~*~Victoria….Little One….Can you hear me?~*~ Marik's soul had been removed, that was true, but it wasn't gone. His soul body hovered over the sleeping child, while he tried desperately to get her attention using telepathy. He had already gotten in touch with Rishid. His poor brother was distraught, with no way of being able to help him. Now it was up to the little girls. He could only do so much without a body. His eyes lit up hopefully when Victoria stirred. He assumed that his message had finally gotten through. ~*~Victoria?~*~
"Mawik?" She broke into tears, not seeing him. She thought she'd been dreaming. Her friend was dead, and she was doomed to serve the evil Marik for an eternity.
~*~Shh….It's alright. I'm not dead as they told you. I'm just not in my body, like I should be. I need your help, Victoria.~*~ Marik hoped she wouldn't wake up the yamis with her crying. ~*~You have to be strong right now. I need you to find a way to restore me. Don't cry, Child. I haven't left you. If you cry, you'll wake up the yamis. They'll hurt you for that.~*~ He watched with a slight smile, as Victoria rubbed her eyes, and her tears dried up. ~*~ That's better. I'm not sure exactly how we're going to do this, but it must be done, if I'm to get you out of here.~*~
The small child whispered softly. "Da Wing. Wakura doed it."
~*~ Yes, I think you're right. Victoria, did Yami Marik take the Rod?~*~
"I fink so…."
"No him gidn't." Johanna was sitting up, the Item in question in her little lap. "I tooked it."
~*~Good girl, Jo. Very good! You must hide it. But keep it close.~*~ Marik smiled, watching Jo stuff it in Victoria's pocket. ~*~ Good. Now you have a weapon against him, Victoria. For some reason, I think you can wield it. But just be careful, because it can render you weak.~*~ The Egyptian looked up suddenly, hearing voices. ~*~ Don't tell them you know I'm around. That would be a bad thing.~*~ He fell silent, as the yami walked into Yami Bakura's room.
"Good. You're both awake. Let's go." Yami Bakura pulled Johanna to her feet. "I hope you slept well. We have a busy day today."
"I gid." Jo looked over at Victoria, who was being yanked up by Yami Marik. "Tan Towia come toos?"
"She cannot. She's going to finish the portal today."
"No……" Victoria started resisting Yami Marik, trembling. "No go, Maser Mawik!" She shrieked. "It bad!"
"You will go!" The yami yanked the screaming child from the sanctuary the four were sharing.
"NO!" Victoria stood stalk still, the Rod in her small hands, stretched out, and aimed at the evil yami.
"Where did you get that?! Give it to me, now!"
She gave it to him, sure enough. A blast of energy sent the yami several inches from her. She trembled from the power of the Item.
"What in name of Ra is going on out here?!" Yami Bakura had heard the commotion, and was out of the sanctuary with Johanna in tow quickly. He saw what Victoria was doing, and made a move to grab for her, but then the child turned the Item on him instead. He stood still, calmly. "Now Victoria….You don't really want to hurt me, do you? Then your friend Johanna won't have anyone."
"No hurts Wakura!" Johanna begged, moving to stand in front of the old thief. "He nice!"
"Him tilled Mawik! Him not nice!!" The Rod glowed vibrantly, ready to strike when she willed it. "Out way,Jo!"
"NO!"Johanna turned, and buried her face in Rakura's shirt. "Hims my friend.
"That's right. And if that Item fires, you'll not only hit me, you'll kill her. You see, Victoria, my item protects me." The thief glowered at the young girl. "Think carefully before you act, Child."
"You tilled my fwiend!!" Victoria accused, angry, terrified tears streaming, as the Rod began to give off heat.
"He deserved to die! Look what he did to me!" Yami Marik had been creeping up on her while the girl screamed at Yami Bakura. Now he attempted to grab the Rod, but it burned him.
Victoria whirled on him, the Rod's built up energy blasted him back into a pillar. The child fell to her knees in pain. The Rod's backlash had hit her hard.
"Towia!!" Johanna tried to run for her friend, but Yami Bakura was dragging her in the opposite direction.
"This is out of our hands, Jo. She chose to fight Master Marik, and she will suffer for it."
Jo looked around, to see if she could see the real Marik anywhere. She couldn't, and began to panic. Would the other Marik leave his charge to die? She let Yami Bakura lead her off, forcefully.
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Marik had been watching the entire struggle between Victoria and his yami. ~*~Victoria! Get up!~*~ He was deeply concerned that the Millennium Rod had been too much for her to handle. He watched, his heart breaking for her, as the child forced herself to her feet. His yami, too, had gotten up.
"Foolish brat! That Item is too powerful for you! Give to me!"
"NO!" Another beam of energy shot the yami down to his knees once more. "It mine!"
"Curse you!!" The yami muttered angrily.
~*~Good job,Vicki!~*~ Marik was proud of her, but worried also. She wasn't looking so good. ~*~Victoria, nod once if you're okay.~*~ He didn't want to be found out yet.
The young girl nodded, aiming the Rod again. "I'll never help yous aden!!"
"Wrong!" Yami Marik advanced on her, pinning her painfully to the ground. He was hurting, badly, and now, he would make her pay. Just as he was about to yank the Rod from her grip, a blast ensued from another direction. He fell back in shock, staring at Yami Bakura. "Was that meant for me, you fool?!"
"It was indeed! But it was not I who fired." He moved aside, to reveal Johanna, who wore the Millennium Ring. "I want nothing more to do with you." The thief continued.
"Excuse me?" Yami Marik stood up, stunned by the thief's declaration. "But we are so close to fulfilling our desire! You would soften now?!"
"We'll get nothing accomplished, if you kill Victoria. Let it alone for now." The yami turned to a figure on the floor, and then looked to Victoria. "Come, Child. I will return your Marik to you." His voice uncharacteristically gentle. Johanna helped the weak Victoria to sit by Marik's still motionless body. She handed the Millennium Ring back to Yami Bakura, and smiled. "You bix hims?"
"Yes." In another minute, there was a flash, and Marik was restored. However, he remained motionless.
"Mawik?" Victoria laid her little head on Marik's chest, crying softly. She hurt so very much from over use of the Rod. She barely felt the sting that came with being returned to the real world, as she fell asleep, clinging to the Egyptian boy.