Chapter Ten-Nightmares Do Come True

"Come come now. You're dawdling, Girl." Yami Marik pulled the reluctant Victoria along the pitch dark streets. "It'll be over soon, and then you can go back to miserable existence. In an orphanage of course."

"W-why are you doing this?! What did I ever do to you?" Victoria choked back the sobs in her throat.

"Oh you've done nothing, Victoria. Absolutely nothing. It's my weaker self who's getting the punishment more than you. I just needed to assure my success." He stopped them now, in front of the Ishtars'. "Now, you listen to me very carefully child, otherwise there will be consequences. " The yami spoke the words, but he was pushing them into her mind, taking over control. It was the only way this would all work. "You go in there, and act natural. Get your toy Rod, and you meet me back at the pier. You know already which I refer to, do you not?"

"Yes, Master Marik,I know." Victoria replied, as her eyes went out of focus. It was as if she were five again. She turned up the walk, and went to the front door of the Ishtars' residence, and knocked. The yami smirked wickedly, and vanished. She will never see the light of day again. That's for sure and certain. For when I'm done with Marik, I'll destroy her!

***************************************************************

The sight that met Victoria shocked her. The inside of the house was all askew. She looked around for Marik and his siblings, but didn't find them anywhere. "Marik? Ishizu? Rishid?! Where are you guys?!" Part of her wanted to look for them, but there was a stronger part of her that Marik's yami controlled that told her to forget about it. That part won. She went upstairs to get her toy, and briefly wondered what Yami Marik could possibly want with a plast ic replica of the Millennium Rod. She couldn't remember the times when she was five when he'd used it like a real one. He had that kind of power. She held it close to her, and after patting Ishtar's head to assure him she was fine, she left the house again, never thinking twice about where the Ishtars might be. Nor did she notice the figure in the shadows that watched her with a sad,knowing expression. The figure moved into her path now.

"You must fight him, young one. You must not let the spawn of Marik's former hatred win."

Victoria gasped in recognition. That voice! It can't be.....can it? She looked up at the strangely dressed man, and took a few steps back. "Sh-Shadi...?"

Shadi smiled kindly, and put a hand on her shoulder. "I see you have not forgotten me." He studied her sadly. "You've met with recent tragedy, yet you would kill the ones who are willing to help you put your life back together? "

"I......" Victoria finally broke down, and Shadi held her comfortingly, as she proceeded to explain. "Th-they're holding Johanna's soul for ransom. If I don't do exactly what Yami Marik wants, Yami Bakura won't return her soul to her body."

Shadi's eye narrowed, as he listened. "Marik and his siblings are at the hospital. There was an attack on their house tonight."

"No.....are they all righ t ?" Victoria felt a lump in her throat.

"Yes. However, they are all very concerned for you. Come. I will take you to them."

Victoria was torn. She clutched her toy rod in her hands, and looked in the direction of the pier. "But......"

Shadi nodded in understanding. "You don't want your friend to be hurt. I understand. We will make the visit brief then. Come." He took her hand, and teleported to the hospital roo m where Marik was staying.

******************************************************

"V-victoria......" Marik spoke quietly, his violet eyes displaying relief tha t his young friend wa s still alive and well. They displayed something as well. A troubled expression, seeing how distraught the girl was. "Come here, my friend. Tell me what has you so upset." He held out a hand to her, inviting her to come to his bedside.

"Marik......." Victoria closed her eyes tightly. "I'm supposed to.......he wants....." She couldn't bear to tell him.

Marik eyes narrowed now, as he put a hand on Victoria's shoulder. "What does that foul being want you to do, Victoria?"

"I'm supposed to kill you..." She said softly. "And Rishid and Ishizu." She suddenly held on to Marik tightly, tears of torment flowing freely.

Marik winced as she clung to his wounded body, but didn't move to stop h er. He held her close, trying to offer comfort. "We will not be so easily gotten rid of, as you well know."

"Yes, I know...." She said in between sobs. "Th-there's more. Yami Bakura is helping him again. He's using Johanna's soul as leverage. If I don't kill all three of you, then she'll be killed."

"So devious..." Marik said softly. "There must be some way around it."

"Around what?" Ishizu's quiet voice came from the doorway. Her sprained leg was finally bandaged comfortably. The Egyptian woman limped over to them, using the crutches she'd been given.

"Ishizu, you shouldn't be up." Marik remarked in concern.

"I cannot very well not come check on my dear brothers. What sort of sister do yo u think I am?" Ishizu smiled softly at Marik. "Do not be concerned. From what I understand, there is a much bigger matter to attend to." She turned her attention to Victoria now. "What has happened?"

So Victoria explain for the third time. "I should probably be leaving now, as a matter of fact. He'll think I ditched him or something."

"No. You cannot possibly be considering going back. If he gains full control of you, you won't be able to control your actions." Ishizu warned her.

"I know, but I must. Johanna's depending on me." She smiled sadly at them. "I'll be all right."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that. " Came a nasty voice now. Yami Marik appeared, looking furious.

"You! Just leave the child alone!" Marik almost shouted.

"Oh now...you're not strong enoug h to be giving me orders,Weak One. Victoria, come." He grabbed Victoria by the arm roughly, and held her tightly against his chest , an arm restraining her movement. "I do hope you were able to get your goodbyes in, Girl." He had taken the Rod from her, and was powering it up for the first blast. When that was done, he handed it back to her, whispering in her ear. "This is his fault you know."

Marik's eyes widened. "VICTORIA, NO!"

"Yes! Victoria, do away with him, NOW!" He had regained complete control of the girl.

"Victoria, don't listen to him! Fight!" Ishizu urged, fearfully. For her words didn't seem to have any effect on the young girl at all. "Please!"

"It's too late, Ishizu. He's got her...." Marik said, as he stared at Victoria sadly. "I recognize that blank stare any day."

"What are you waiting for, Victoria! I said blast him!!"

She raised the Rod, blankly, and watched with an emotionless expression,as it hit Marik directly.

"VICTORIA NO!!"

******************************************************

Johanna's voice broke Yami Marik's control just after Marik went limp in his bed. Victoria fell to her knees, limp, and sobbing. "J- johanna ....."

"Tori!" The fourteen-year-old girl ran to help her friend. "Are you all right?!"

"I.....I killed Marik......" She was in shock.

"You didn't..." Johanna consoled. "Yami Marik did, by taking control of y our mind." Johanna held her tightly.

"Marik! My dear brother......" Ishizu was sobbing openly, as she held Marik's limp hand in hers. "Please don't let the yami win...You cannot be gone!" She wished desperately that Rishid was there as well, but the eldest Ishtar was still unconscious.

"Marik...." Victoria stood up shakily,as she walked over to the bed. "Ishizu.....I'm really sorry..." She held on to Marik's other hand. "I'm sorry, Marik......" She fled the room, then and left the hospital, no longer wishing to be in that world. It was no longer a sanctuary for her. It was a nightmare. One that she was sure she'd r elive, over and over.