Hermann reached his hand out, swallowing thickly.

"Trust me on this."

"No. Stop. Don't do this to yourself."

"I know you're in there."

Newton smiled. He just smiled. That's it. His hands were cupped together, and with a tilt of his head, the red hue of his bloodshot eyes were glimpsed. His hair was ruffled, splayed out messily, that if not under these circumstances, Hermann would've advised to make himself presentable, because it was improper to appear in such a poor state.

He gave a small chuckle. A slight one. Then it grew. It turned into a laugh, a maniac laugh that gave off an unsettling creepiness. It was enough to send chills up Hermann's body. He found no pleasure in what he was looking at, especially that it was coming from his lab partner. It was so…inhumane.

"You found me…" Newton crooned, cocking his head to the other side. "Now what?"

Hermann raised his head, his lips pressed tightly together as he tried to think around the situation. If he wanted to get it done his way, he was going to have to be cautious.

"Come with me…" he began, hesitant at first. What was one supposed to do when dealing with someone who was out of their mind?"You'll be better off that way," he insisted.

"I'm not going anywhere…why, it's such a stupid thing to do…" the other scientist said, getting off the counter he had been leaning up against. He locked gazes with Gottlieb, his face inscrutable. "No. No, I came so. Fucking. Far."

Every time he shot him that look, it pained Hermann. A stinging feeling in his chest that reminded him how unnaturally distant he was from his friend. Or was it former friend?

"I'm not going back now. Not after everything I've worked so hard for. I'm not letting some pathetic human race defeat us. We will have our victory."

Hermann blinked a couple of times, clearing his throat and letting out a deep breath through his nose. He shook his head, seeing that his point wasn't getting across.

"You don't understand, Newton. They're coming for you. They're going to kill you. You're not safe, you're not – you're not yourself." If only he knew how much danger he was in, maybe then he'd understand.

Newton gave a light laugh, flashing his sharp toothed grin, the same very one that he would give when he had annoyed him. One he would give after giving a ridiculous statement.

"What are you talking about? I've always been myself," he replied, crossing his arms now. "In fact…" he said, licking his lips. "I feel so alive," he whispered, his green eyes glazing over as he stepped forward, his arms lowering to his sides as he clenched his fists.

"I think…" he whispered, "if I want to bring the Kaiju back…"

Hermann wasn't sure where he was going with this. How was he possibly going to get this man to think straight?

"I'm gonna have to rid of my problems…starting with you."

Newton advanced, closing the gap between them, and in an instant he had his right hand wrapped around his friend's throat.

Hermann choked out as he was forced back, his back slamming against one of the ashy walls in the room. He struggled to breathe, his brows raising as he stared down at the younger man in shock.

Newton glared at him, tightening his grip harshly and leaning his face in, now inches apart from the other scientist's own.

"If it wasn't for you I would've had world domination!" he growled, his eyes narrowing, and Hermann swore he saw his pupils dilate abnormally.

"But no, it's your damn fucking fault it was killed. You had to tell them it was me, tell them I was behind it all," he sneered, his voice lowering dangerously, almost into a delicate whisper. "I thought we were best friends."

It was getting difficult to breathe properly, Hermann's hands drawing up to grip against Newton's own that was pressing him against the wall.

"R-Release—m-me!" he sputtered, pain starting to slither up his injured leg from the sudden weight he was reluctantly putting on it.

"I'm going to make you regret not keeping your mouth shut…" Newton said, tilting his head as he glowered threateningly, pulling his right hand back for a split second before slamming his victim back against the wall again, causing him to grunt in pain. Newton's free hand was drawn back to his side, his palm facing upwards as he flexed his fingers. Hermann breathed in sharply, his gaze flicking to the other man's hand. Despite his wriggling in an attempt to free himself, he paused; something alarming came to his attention as he overlooked the hand itself – that…wasn't…- it was something not even Hermann could come to explain in terms of words. The disbelief was too strong.

But before Newton could slash his face, the sound of bullets firing filled the air, resulting in the immediate release of Hermann. He collapsed down onto the ground, his cane leaving his grasp as it fell sideways away from him. But that wasn't of importance at the moment. His wide eyed gaze shifted upwards as he watched Newton throw himself behind one of the counters for protection, an angered yell of frustration coming from him. The active bullets seemed to bounce off the wall, the thundering force of it causing grey ashes and dust to sprinkle down from the worn ceiling. The atmosphere immediately became clouded with the particles.

The bullets stopped, and movement from the left caught Hermann's attention. Turning his head to look, he saw a team of police officers rush into the large room, guns positioned in their hands as they searched for their disappeared target. Two of the officers aimed at Hermann, whom of which raised his hands up in defense and shook his head.

"No, no, easy!" he called, wincing from the pain that was returning to his leg once again. "Don't shoot him!"

"Where is he? He was just here," one of the officers demanded, switching on his gun's radar detector. It was setting up rather quickly, and once it was to be done, he'd be able to pinpoint their target.

"Prisoner found, I repeat, prisoner found. Sending nearest location check, backup needed," another officer said into his walkie-talkie, slipping it back into his belt.

"Now, there is absolutely no reason to kill him! Allow me to remind you all that he's our only key to finding out how to get to the Kaiju through the breach!" Hermann said. Half of what he was saying was true; well, technically it was true without sentimental feelings. They wouldn't listen to him if he used his reason of 'oh, it isn't actually him'. He doubted they would listen to him either way.

The humming of laughter suddenly made way to their ears, and everyone turned their attention to the counter, guns aimed and ready to take out whatever was the source hiding behind it.

"Dammit, Newton…" Hermann exclaimed quietly, reaching his arm to the side to get ahold of his fallen cane. Argh, it was right there…! If he could…just…reach it…!

"Show yourself! That is an order!" one of the police officers yelled, his gun clicking with a single tug of his finger, indicating its prepared intention.

"Oh, this is so funny…!" a voice came from behind the counter. There was no movement whatsoever. Yet. "Is this a party? It was almost the end of the world, and here I am…hiding. Well, you know what they say!"

Hermann turned to look at the counter, fearing the worst.

"If you want something done yourself…" Newton declared, standing up slowly from where he had been crouched. The police took some steps forward, the scopes on their guns all settling and stilling directly on his head. One bullet and he'd be dead.

He smiled. His green, bloodshot eyes connected with his lab partner's own. Hermann's blood turned cold when the younger scientist spoke again.

"…you gotta do it yourself," Newton growled, his voice intermixed with a demonic presence, one that wasn't his own anymore.

"FIRE!"