Chapter Thirteen-Enter Marik

Mokuba reappeared on Marik's front steps. The young Kaiba was worried Marik would think he was insane. After all, wasn't Marik's yami, and not Marik himself the one who had experienced the Virtual World? He knocked on the door, knowing he had to try anyway. Veronica's safety depended on it.

Marik answered the door a few minutes later. "Mokuba! How are you, my friend?"

"Not too great. May I come in?" Mokuba put the virtual key in his pocket now, for safekeeping.

"Sure!" Marik could see that Mokuba was very distraught. "What has happened?" He led Mokuba into the living room.

Mokuba sighed deeply, not sure where to begin the story. "Well…." He thought about Veronica, and how hard she'd been working to protect Noa. Now it was his turn to protect and save her. He knew if Marik knew his yami was involved in any way, he'd help. He told Marik the whole story, once he figured out the best way to do so.

"Oh my…Your foster father is using my yami to terrorize her?! That's terrible!" The Egyptian boy stared at Mokuba. "He must be stopped!"

"I was hoping you would come back with me to Virtual World. My brothers are there too, and I don't know what their fate will be!"

"I most certainly will!" Marik agreed instantly. "First though, I must leave a note for Rishid and Ishizu."

"Alright. You do that….." Mokuba was wondering if he ought to call Jon and the other Robas. He thought better of it. I'll leave that as a last resort. The Robas are great, but they'd go nuts in a virtual world.

"Are you ready?" Marik asked his young friend. He'd also gone upstairs, to fetch his Millennium Rod. He had a feeling the Item would come in handy.

"Yeah. "Mokuba used the key to make a door in the wall, and looked at Marik. "Not everyone can actually use this Key. Noa only lets me, him and Veronica use it."

"I see…" Marik was more interested in helping Veronica at the moment. "Alright. Let's go."

Mokuba turned, and walked through the door, only certain that it would take them to Virtual World.

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"Well? Make your move!" Yami Marik ordered. He glared at his opponent, who was just gawking at him.

"O-ok ok…" She took her fourth turn. She'd lost most of her life points already, and she was sure she'd probably be losing more, with Yami Marik's face down card. "I play one card face down, and end my turn." She had no monsters on the field, and none in her hand. Her knees were cramped, from sitting on them. "Can't I please stretch? I'm hurting…"

"No!" Yami Marik sneered, and sent Revival Jam after her life points. "You're fighting a losing battle, Girl. Why don't you quit while you're not ahead?"

"Never!" She drew another card. Oh no! Another trap card! None of these cards can defeat him!! Veronica felt something-strange stir within her. A pain. She realized with fear that she was paralyzed.

"Give up, Foolish brat! You knew from the start this duel wasn't in your favor!"

I have to fight him! I can't let this…abomination win! Marik fought him…I must too! One part of her wanted to believe she could still win, but the rest of her was logical. She hung her head. "I surrender."

"Excellent choice." Yami Bakura pulled her to her feet. "Now, I believe we had an agreement. Where's the Virtual Key?"

"It's in the Virtual World, with Seto Kaiba." She replied with a smirk. "I told you I didn't have it."

"Thank you." The thief grabbed her arm tightly. "Marik, you don't need her, do you?"

"She's useless to me. Do as you wish." Yami Marik replied. Then, as an after thought, he sent a shot of Shadow Energy straight into Veronica's body. "That should take the fight out of her."

"Thank you." Yami Bakura dragged Veronica off. "You should've been cooperative." He chided, as he headed to the place where he would keep her for a while.

Veronica could only moan, half out of it. She didn't know what was happening anymore. It was as if she couldn't think for herself. Suddenly, she found herself thrown into a darkened room. "W-where…? Noa?"

"Isn't here. You're mine now, and this is where I choose to keep you." He shoved her farther into the temple where he'd been living. "There's a nice desolate chamber I think you'll just love." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Veronica couldn't comprehend much of what the tomb raider had said. She knew she felt cold, and afraid, but she wasn't sure why. "Home……I've to go home…."

"This is your home now." The thief told her coldly, as he laid her on a stiff mattress. "And if you don't do exactly what I tell you, I'll send you right back to Marik!" The reaction he received was the one he'd expected. The child broke into tears,curling up in a ball. The thief sighed, and left her to cry alone. A moment later, a loud slam was heard. Yami Bakura had sealed the temple.

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Elsewhere, Mokuba and Marik found themselves in Noa's base. The young Kaiba looked at Marik. "This isn't good. Alcatraz is too far away from here, and the bridge broke."

"We have to get to the Shadow Realm first anyway. With Yami Marik, you never know what he is going to do next."

"You're right." Mokuba seemed worried now . "Do I have to go in there?"

"No. I'll do it." Marik told him. "You try and find your brothers. When I get Veronica out, she should be able to get me to Alcatraz."

"Be careful, Marik." Mokuba called, as he headed down the metal stairs,leading to the bedrooms. He was hoping to find something useful in either Noa's or Veronica's room. I hope Veronica's okay…and Seto too. There's no telling what my foster father will do! Noa too. Oh this is turning into one big mess. I hope Marik finds Veronica alive and well! That poor girl's really been through a lot.

Marik made sure Mokuba was out of harm's way, before allowing a sigh. A new thought had occurred to him. If this was Virtual World, would it be possible to create a false Shadow Realm? Would it be just as deadly? Oh dear….That could be the case indeed! Or it might not be. I'm not sure what to do. Perhaps….perhaps I'll try the real Shadow Realm first…. He nodded slowly, and raised the Rod to send himself there, when suddenly, a door appeared. "Hmm? What's this now?" He went over to the door, and put a cautious hand on the knob. It turned, and the door swung open. The Egyptian boy peered in, and saw nothing but darkness.

"Well well…..so they choose you to come to her rescue, do they?" It was his yami.

"So,it is true then! You have Veronica!" Marik walked into the dark room, glaring at his yami. "Where is she?!"

"Oh, I won't be telling. That's no fun." Yami Marik replied. "I will,however, tell you who knows for sure."

"Answer quickly!" Marik replied, becoming more agitated. "And if anything bad has happened to her, you shall be sorry!"

"The tomb raider has taken her. He dwells north of here." The evil being answered, before disappearing.

"Great…." Marik muttered. "I should have asked Rishid and Ishizu to come with me. Had I known what was going to happen, I would have." With a sigh, Marik left the spot he was in, and went in search of Yami Bakura. He hoped the thief would also know he was looking, and would reveal himself instead.

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After a few minutes of trekking, Marik found himself in rather familiar territory. He was near the plaza of temples. He began searching the plaza, hoping to find some trace of the ancient thief. Alright, Yami Bakura. Where are you?!

"Are you looking for me?" The thief's voice answered Marik's thoughts, and the Egyptian whirled to face him.

"You! Tell me what you have done with Veronica!"

"Oh, I shall tell you…..when I'm ready. But you must give me something in exchange."

"What could you…." Marik looked down at his Rod. "You know I will never surrender my Rod to you! That deal was over years ago!" He stood straighter. "Just you take me to that poor child, now!"

The thief sighed, deciding to relent. "Very well." He led Marik to the temple he'd sealed the child in. "She's this way." He led him into the room he'd placed Veronica.

Marik moved ahead, seeing the terrified girl quaking terror. "Veronica? I'm here to help you. Mokuba sent me."

"Marik….." Veronica spoke softly, taking the Egyptian boy's hand. "Where are Odion and Ishizu?"

"Odion? Oh! You must mean Rishid. They're back at home." He helped her to her feet. "We have to get you back to Noa. I'm sure he misses you."

"You fools won't be going anywhere!" There was maniacal laughter over the sound of a door slamming.

"Oh no!!" Marik held Veronica close. "Don't worry. At least you're not alone now. We'll get out of here, together." He glowered at the door, already trying to determine if he could blast it open with the Millennium Rod. "Here now, why don't you rest?" He wrapped his brother's cloak around her. It doesn't matter how cold I get. I can't let her get sick. They'd never forgive me.

Veronica curled up in the cloak, crying softly. She'd been so close to being rescued. How would she ever be able to help Noa now?!

"Don't cry, Veronica. I shall get us both out of here somehow." Marik tried to console her, but was also trying to convince himself. I have to succeed. There is no room for failure! He laid down next to her, and tried to sleep. He would need it in order to wield the Rod in the morning.