Ciao Poveglia

Rated: T

Shibuya Psychic Research receives a special invitation to a 'psychic summit' being hosted at the infamously haunted Poveglia island. Though crossing half the globe with his team is not ideal, Naru simply cannot pass up the chance to get into the normally locked down location. [Rated T, possibly M for gore later.]

000

Day 57, Hour 03:20

"Can't you do anything about this smoke?" Monk coughed as he pulled another piece of broken rock away from the window he was trying to clear.

"I control fire, not smoke," Ash replied, coughing as well. The usual sharpness to her voice was gone. Now, she just sounded tired. Mai couldn't blame her. If anything, Mai commended Ash for trying to move some of the heavy stones away despite her own injuries.

Mai huffed and puffed, trying to breathe through the smoke gathering in the room, and gave the shard she was holding a particularly strong tug. It barely budged. She tried again. She thought about how they were lucky that part of the ceiling was collapsed. It gave the smoke somewhere else to go, keeping them from being completely overwhelmed with polluted air.

Of course, it would have been better if the ceiling hadn't collapsed and the chunks hadn't been used to block them into their makeshift prison, but…. Simple pleasures, Mai supposed.

She tugged again. This time, the shard became dislodged and she went stumbling backwards, colliding with Masako and sending them both to the ground. Mai dropped the shard and hissed as part of it scraped her leg, cutting open her jeans and a patch of her skin. It wasn't too bad. Not compared to the wounds that Yasuhara and Ash had sustained. Mai clenched her jaw and groaned, but did not complain.

Moments later, the rock pile around her window started to slide apart. The chunk she had dislodged had been holding most of it in place, and by pulling it out, the pile loosened. The first rays of moonlight to be seen from one of the lower windows strayed in, landing upon Mai's face. She could barely contain her tears of joy as she took a second to bask in the pale light.

"Oh, dear god, thank you Mai and your abnormal luck," Ayako cried out and stopped her poor excuse for an attempt on her window. She was the first to run over and continue moving what she could from Mai's spot, sliding some of the smaller, crumbling chunks from the top of the pile. Monk and Lin were there next, joining forces to lift a piece of ceiling/flooring that was almost half of Mai's size.

In under a minute, enough was cleared away for them to climb over to the window and peer out at the dark water below. There had been a small walkway below, at some point in time, but it had long since crumbled into the water. It would be a risk to jump in, not knowing what they could get snagged on, but it was better than waiting for Markus to catch up with them.

Which, as it turned out, wasn't all that much longer.

"You've gotta move, guys," Ash hissed from across the room. She was peering down the hallway they had walked in from. "The fire's spreading. If Markus doesn't get to us, the fire will."

"I'll go first," Lin said immediately. He took Mai by the shoulders and moved her out of the way. "I'll make sure it's safe. If I don't resurface, then you know to find another way out."

"Wait, Lin—" Naru called out to his friend and outstretched his hand, but it was too late. Lin did not hesitate to push off as far as he could from the ledge to put as much distance as he could between him and the building. Mai stuck her head out, but she only heard the splash. She didn't see him go under. And she didn't see him come out.

At least, not right away. Lin did break the surface and took a deep breath as he did. He wiped his hair away from his face, slicking it back. "It is a bit shallower toward the wall, but you should be okay. There's a dock close by—we can climb it!" He called up, his arms moving around his sides to keep him a float. He moved away from the window, but he didn't try to get out of the water. Mai figured he would wait to make sure no one needed help.

"Won't we freeze while waiting for the boat if we're drenched?" Masako asked. Her worries were pretty valid. She only had on layers of cloaks. Unlike everyone else, she wasn't wearing a warm jacket. Not for the first time, Mai internally criticized the other young woman's choice in attire. It was hardly practical for their line of work.

"No," said both Naru and Ayako. Naru glared at Ayako but allowed her continue. She was a doctor, after all. Her experience would prove the most persuasive.

"It's pretty chilly, but the temperatures won't drop below freezing tonight. We'll be uncomfortable and miserable, but damn it, we'll be alive. Now step aside." Ayako wasted no time maneuvering over the rubble and standing in the open window. For once, she was wearing boots. Sure, they were expensive, designer riding boots, but at least they were boots. She had no problem jumping forward and gracefully sinking below the water.

Ayako was always a "jump first, ask questions later," sort of person, Mai gave her that much.

"I can't do this," Masako said quietly, and then repeated it a bit louder. Her breath was becoming heavier and more rapid. Mai thought she was about to have a panic attack.

"Masako," Mai said, placing her hands of the other woman's shoulders, holding her tightly in place. "Don't worry so much. It will be fine. We'll have you go next to that we can help you, okay? If you don't think you can jump, maybe Monk can help slowly lower you, and Lin can help guide you into the water, yeah?"

Masako licked her lips as she thought about what to say, but then nodded and turned towards the window. Monk didn't hesitate to wave Masako over and help her sit down on the ledge.

"Okay, I know it will be tough, but just try to lower yourself as much as you can first, then I will take your arms and lower you as much as I can. You should only have a few feet to drop then. Lin," Monk called out, "come here and help make sure Masako gets into the water without much incident, okay?"

As Lin swam over to the side, Masako twisted herself and let her lower have inch down the stone wall. Soon, it was just her torso left. She was visibly shaking, probably from the strain, since she didn't have much upper body strength. Monk crouched down and took her by her forearms and lifted her until only the top of her head could be seen. He awkwardly maneuvered Masako so that he had her by the hands, which caused her to drop about a foot with a squeal. Mai heard the splash as Masako went under, and then her shriek as she resurfaced.

"So-so cold!" She cried, causing Monk to chuckled in a callous sort of way.

"Better cold than dead… Alright, Yasuhara, you want to go next?" Monk asked.

Yasu shook his head. "No, you go. I may need help getting to land after. I dunno how my leg will do in the water."

Monk nodded and gave a mock salute before jumping into the window space. "Bonzaiii!" He shouted like a fool as he cannonballed into the water. It probably wasn't the smartest move, but it brought a smile to Mai's face anyhow.

"Mai, you should go next," Naru said, waving her forward. Mai narrowed her eyes.

"Not a chance, Naru. I'm not letting you have the chance to do something stupid. I'll wait," she said and crossed her arms. Naru raised a brow.

"Stupid? I'm never stupid, Mai. I think you're mistaking the two of us."

Mai only rolled her eyes. "John, Yasu, you guys want to go? We really should hurry." She could see Ash pacing about, staring at the other end of the hallway. She also noticed that Ash was swirling her right index finger around, a small flame moving about her hand. Mai had yet to see the woman so visibly on edge. Something was going to happen.

Yasuhara limped over to the window with John's help. He was able to get into the window alright, but when he tried to jump, his injured leg gave way, and he awkwardly flopped into the water. Lin and Monk both hurried to help Yasu resurface. Mai worried when she didn't see him right away, but soon, she saw that all three men were alright—though Yasuhara was cursing up a storm.

"Damn it, that hurt, ohhh that hurt," he said between his slurred swearing.

"I think he's coming," Ash said from behind Mai, Naru, and John. "You have to hurry."

John nodded and looked to Mai, but Mai nodded. No, she wouldn't go. Not yet. John looked down and shook his head, but went ahead regardless. He whispered a prayer as he prepared himself and then jumped as far as he could into the water.

"Ash," Naru said.

"You guys go."

"What?" Mai said, perhaps a bit more angry than she meant, "no, we're going last. Naru won't go unless everyone else is gone, and I won't go without him. It's your turn."

Ash shook her head, not taking her eyes off the hallway. There was an orange glow now. The fire had made its way towards the hallway. Mai's thoughts immediately flashed back to poor Isabella. Her body had likely been consumed by the flames already. What a horrible way for her body to go…

It was just like everyone else who had died of Poveglia.

"He'll be here soon. I'll cover you. I'll come when you're safe, okay?" Ash still wouldn't look at them when she spoke. Mai had the feeling Ash wasn't telling the truth. But she also had the feeling that it wasn't something she should pursue. "Go. Please."

"Mai, come on," Naru said finally, taking Mai's arm and turning her to face the window. Mai didn't turn willingly. He had to practically drag her to the opening as her eyes remained on Ash.

She hated this. God, she hated this so much. Mai took a deep breath and steadied herself. The faster they went, the faster Ash would join them. Okay. Fine. Naru tried to get her into the window by herself, but she took his hand and shook her head. "I'm not going unless you go. We'll go together."

Naru stared up at her, his blue eyes reflecting the moonlight. Mai was thankful that the storm had cleared earlier that night, and they at least had calm waters ahead of them. It was the complete opposite of the fire that was raging behind them. Naru squeezed into the window next to Mai. "On the count of three?"

She nodded.

"One—"

"He's here!" Ash shouted.

"Two—"

There was a scream and a thud as Ash hit the wall next to them.

"Three—"

Mai felt her body lift and move, and not in the direction she had planned to jump. It was like something had grabbed her by the waist and pulled. She flew backwards, back into the room. The only thing keeping her from going more than a few feet was the fact that Naru still had her by the hand.

"Mai!"

"Naru!" Mai cried out in terror, looking up at him, the man she loved with all of her heart, holding onto her for dear life. Both of his hands were clutching her hand and wrist tightly, but she could see the terror in his eyes. She could see the white of the plague doctor mask reflecting off of Naru's irises. And she could feel his grip slipping. "Please don't let go," she said, her word dripping in fear, "please, please, Naru, please—"

There was another jerk as her body was tugged. Naru's hands scrambled to hold onto Mai's, but it wasn't enough. His grip on her wrist slipped first, and then her fingers fell through his. As Mai went soaring backwards into Markus's open arms, Naru fell backwards through the window. Time seemed to slow to a near stop as she watched him topple, his arms flailing to catch himself. But with Mai in his arms, Markus didn't hesistate to send out a wave of psychic energy, one that Mai could feel ripple throughout her body, and direct it at Naru. Mai swore she could see the moment of impact, and the pain in Naru's eyes.

He flew out the window, just like Deittman had flown out of the Bell Tower.

Mai inhaled deeply.

"Naru!"

"He may have broken his neck with that fall," came Markus's voice, muffled by the mask he wore, on Mark's neck, "and if you're not careful, you'll be quick to join him."

Mai struggled against Markus's grip on her, but it was no use. He was much stronger, even without his psychic powers. Her eyes searched for Ash. When she found the other woman, she saw that Ash was lying, unmoving, against one of the walls. "Why are you doing this?" Mai asked, not bothering to suppress her sobs, "we never did anything to you. We don't even know you!"

There was a cold laugh in response. "Most of the people here never did anything to me. Regardless, if you're expecting some sort of villainous monologue, think again Miss Mai Taniyama. Now, if you would like a chance to live a little bit longer, tell me, where are your friends going to go next? I don't have much time left, you see, so I really must finish them off soon."

Mai choked back a sob and continued her struggle. She lifted one of her legs and brought the heel of her booted foot down onto Markus's. He yowled in pain and limped about, trying to maintain his hold on Mai. She thrust her elbow back as hard as she could. It may have been at an awkward angle, but it was enough to cause him to crumple a bit and for her to slip away.

She only managed to get a few feet forward before she felt the psychic pull once more. Mai turned to try to get a look at Markus, but then she fell forward and Markus shouted. When she looked up, she saw a burst of fire circling her.

"Why. Won't. You. Die?!" Markus shouted and backed away as the flames grew larger.

Ash was standing now, though she was hunched over and gritting her teeth. "I've been dying my whole life, bastard, you really think this Fire Spirit will let you take me first?"

Markus raised his hands, presumably to use his telekensis, but he didn't have a chance. Ash was quicker, and soon, the black cloak that Markus was wearing was going up in flames. He screamed and fought to get it off. Ash hobbled over to help Mai up.

"You have to go," Ash breathed. Her voice was raspy and strained. She couldn't even hide her pain from Mai anymore.

"Come with me, we can—"

Ash shook her head. "Mai, I can't swim. Fire and water, you know? I have no strength left. I'll drown before I make it to land. Please, just go. I'll make sure he can't follow." She gave Mai a half smile, and though it was forced through the pain, Mai actually got the impression it was genuine. "I'm glad I met you. All of you. Tell Lin to save me a dance in the afterlife, okay?"

Mai felt tears welling up in her eyes as she looked between Ash, the window, and Markus. He had almost managed to pull the flaming cloak off of him. "I… I can't just leave you! You did so much to help us…. It isn't fair!"

"Life's not fair, Mai. My life has never been fair. But I really am dying. I can feel it. This is the end for me. At the very least, I'm going to go out with a bang. Go, and tell the others to get as far away from the building as they can. If I'm going to go, I'm going to take it all with me." Ash reached out and patted Mai on the shoulder before turning and blocking Mai from Markus's line of sight.

He had his cloak off. Mai could see that he was wearing just his normal clothes underneath—but they were covered in blood. She wondered if it was Isabella's—his own sister's. "Do you really think you can out maneuver me, Natasha?" Markus practically sneered. His condescending tone was most noticeable when he said Ash's full name. "I know your tricks. Or have you forgotten how intimately I know you?"

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," Ash growled. Mai could feel the air around her heating up as the flames started to circle Ash. It was similar to what had happened in the Bell Tower just a few nights ago—and Mai knew that it wouldn't have ended well without Lin to stop Ash.

Maybe Ash really could stop Markus, even if it was at great cost.

The inferno from the rest of the building had reached them but it only seemed to give Ash more power. Mai could hardly see through the flames and the smoke as she made her way to the window and stood in the opening. She could see Monk and Lin in the water. They were shouting to each other and diving beneath the water. The others were swimming to the end of the building.

Mai gave one last look back at the two remaining members of Deittman's investigation team. Markus had pulled off the plague doctor's mask, which was burning up on the floor. He was throwing chunks of stone around the room, but each time any managed to get close to Ash, a burst of flames diverted them. Finally, Ash turned and gave Mai one last nod and a smirk.

Her eyes were yellow.

Mai nodded back and jumped.

The water was cold to begin with but it was only made colder when compared to the hot room Mai had just left. For a moment, it felt like icicles were stabbing into Mai's extremities, and it hurt when she took her first breath above the surface of the water. She pushed all of that aside and swam over to Lin and Monk. "N-Naru," she shivered, "where is he?"

"Get to land, Mai," Lin ordered as Monk went back under.

"You're making this harder. Get to land, now." Lin dove under as well.

Mai stayed in place, moving her arms and legs to stay afloat. It was quiet now. Besides the sound of the fire raging above her, Mai could only hear the sound of water hitting against the side of the building and the nearby dock. She was about to turn and swim towards the others who had pulled themselves from the water, but she felt something at her ankle.

She barely managed a shriek before she was pulled under. Down she went until she thought she would hit the lagoon bottom—a bottom which was likely littered with human remains. And then, the force on her ankle disappeared. Mai could tell she wouldn't be able to hold her breath for much longer, and she stretched out to start swimming back to the surface. When she did, her hand felt the wisps of hair.

Of course, Mai freaked out at first, thinking she had touched a corpse. But then she braved moving her hand farther and realized that she felt a jacket that was similar to Naru's pea coat. Deciding that she would risk the chance that it wasn't Naru, Mai grabbed hold of the figure's forearm and started swimming to the surface. If it weren't for Lin grabbing hold of her to help her break through, Mai wasn't sure if she would have made it.

Lin took Naru's (hopefully) unconscious body and started kicking towards the dock. Monk put an arm around Mai to help keep her head above the water and followed after. The had just reached the dock where there was an explosion of rubble from the building they had left. All of the debris that had been blocking the windows and door flew outwards. It Mai, Monk, and Lin had waited even a moment longer, they probably would have been crushed by the falling rocks.

John and Ayako helped Lin lift Naru's body from the water. As soon as he was flat, Ayako immediately began checking Naru's vitals. Moments later, she was giving him CPR. Mai lifted herself as much as she could, but Monk still had to give her a boost so that she could climb onto the dock.

"Naru," Mai said quietly. His body looked even paler than usual, if that were possible, and his lips were discolored. He looked dead.

Dead in the water, just like Gene.

"Naru!" Her voice was panicked now as she struggled to his side. Ayako tried to push her away, but Mai fought the woman's attempts. "He—he can't be—"

"He has a pulse, but it's weak. Give me space," Ayako demanded, pushing Mai away roughly so that she could return to her 'patient.' Mai slid to the ground, just a foot away, and started sobbing. She had cried so much over the past few days. It was understandable though, wasn't it? No one could blame her for being upset, with everything that had happened, right?

Naru would tell her to stop being such a baby.

But Naru was laying just inches from her, looking like a corpse.

Time seemed to move at a snail's pace until Ayako finally spoke. "He's okay," Ayako said after a sound of retching came from Naru. He rolled onto his side and expelled the water he had swallowed, groaning as he did so.

"Mai—" he said in a croak. "He has Mai—"

Mai pushed herself forward and practically dove onto Naru, earning her an uncomfortable hiss. She didn't care. She wrapped her arm around his torso tightly and buried her head into his wet chest. "You looked dead," she cried, not even bothering to hide her tears from him, "I thought I had lost you, oh god, I thought you were gone for good."

Naru's arms slowly wrapped around her and they lay as a huddle mass on the ground. Mai could feel him shaking, but she didn't know if it was from overwhelming emotion or the cold of the water and the night air.

"I thought I'd lost you, too," Naru said quietly, once Ayako had stepped away and sought her own comfort in Monk.

Mai didn't say anything. She only shook her head and sniffed.

"But never again," he said and gave her a squeeze. "I refuse to feel like that ever again."

They stayed like that for a little while, until Naru insisted that he needed to move. They were laying on a hard, brick surface after all, and it was hardly comfortable, especially for his injured back. Mai pulled herself away and helped him to stand before he hobbled over to a grassy area near John, Yasuhara, and Masako. Mai was about to follow when she noticed that Lin was standing away from them, closer to the burning building.

Mai walked over to him, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. It didn't help. She was too soaked. She could hear sirens in the distance. It seemed that help was finally on its way. "Are you… okay?" She asked.

Lin didn't look at her. When she looked up at him, she could see the light of the fire reflecting in his eyes. "Ash didn't make it out."

Mai looked away and shook her head. She knew he could see her from the corner of his eye. "She… she wouldn't come. She made sure that Markus couldn't follow us. I think I'd be dead if it weren't for her."

"We'd all be dead," Lin replied, much to Mai's surprise. "We'd all be dead, if it weren't for her warning when we arrived." Mai didn't answer, but she very much agreed. She stood for a while longer before turning and leaving Lin's side.

Mai looked at her friends, who sat in the moonlight, looking like that had survived a war. Maybe in some ways they did. Naru stared at the black water, which was peaceful in an equally peaceful night that had been oblivious to the chaos they had endured. Maybe he was thinking about his fate was almost to end up dying at the bottom of a body of water, just like his twin brother. Mai didn't know if she would ever tell Naru about the phantom force that pulled her down to his level so that she could save him.

There were now lights to go with the sounding sirens. Mai was thrilled to see the red and blue approaching them in the distance. She couldn't imagine what they would have to say to the cops, most of them in broken English, but she knew it would be a long process to go home.

But at least they got to go home.

Unlike Desdemona and the Americans. Unlike Deittman and Isabella. Unlike Ash.

And hopefully unlike Markus.

Mai usually would never wish ill on someone, but when it came to the lives of her and her friends verses a psychotic, telekinetic serial killer… Well, the choice wasn't difficult, now that she'd received a taste of real fear.

Mai took one last look around her. It seemed like the spirits were all stirred up. She was no Masako, but even Mai could tell that there was activity. Maybe they were rejoicing. Maybe they were glad that a place that had caused them so much pain was burning.

There were so many 'maybes'.

She sighed and walked off to join her friends, taking her spot next to Naru.

Well, at least she knew there was one thing that wasn't a 'maybe.'

000

Author's Notes: well that's it! That's the ending to Ciao Poveglia, well, besides the epilogue which may explain some things. Maybe not. Who knows? I want to try to answer all of your questions, but I won't know what all of them are unless you tell me! I do want to hear your thoughts. I hope no one was disappointed with the ending. Ash never had chance, not really. I'm renowned for my ability to kill off characters. Unfortunately, Ash was one of them. The more I like a character, the higher the likelihood they will die, especially in a fanfic because I don't want them to take away from the canon characters! It's too bad because she did actually like Lin… But, Lin, ultimately, has to go back to Madoka.

I want to thank a few people here: Sesshy's Rose, Puff the Evil Dragon SterlingClear, Tsuntsun neko, and Ghost loves Japan 77, as well as a guest reviewer for your reviews on the last chapter. Also thank you to Kikifan21, MissKiku, Oxybry, Ghost Loves Japan 77 (again!), Vella, DragonSlayer2187, and MistressSleepwell66 for all of your consistent reviewing! You guys really deserve some major credit for your dedication! Thank you!

Seriously thought, thank you to everyone who read Ciao Poveglia! A special thank you to those of you who reviewed to make sure I continued! I couldn't have done it without you all! Now, I have to ask… if you are reading this (maybe just after I posted it, maybe sometime later…) Please consider dropping a review. The reason I say that is because sometimes, after a story has been completed, it fades away to the back pages of the archive and people no longer find it. The more reviews Ciao Poveglia has, the higher the chance someone will come across it if they sort 'by review', which I know many, many people do! So… if you think someone else should find the story… consider reviewing with your thoughts! I promise I read them all! I will continue to respond to registered users through PMs if I can!

I will post the Epilogue within the next week, hopefully. From there on out, I will add some info to the tumblr page, Ciao Poveglia, to give some extra insight into the story!

Thank you all!

Ever Your Servant,