"Liv?"
Liv didn't even look from her work, keeping her eyes on the monitors in front of her. She only needed a voice to alert her who was behind her.
Besides, he was the only other person allowed in this room.
"What is it, Chris?"
"We've lost complete contact with Naoki Takeuchi. I tried contacting him a few hours ago and his console is completely dead. It would seem someone caught onto his schemes from what I could see from the cameras. Everything looked trashed."
"Shame… but honestly, I'm glad we're rid of him." Liv narrowed her eyes. "His work would've been useless for the project in the long run. Only use he would have would be as a monster."
"And also… I didn't find this out till today but Erin was apprehended about 3 months ago."
"Ah, that explains why I haven't heard from her in awhile." Liv frowned. "Bird Boy would've been a perfect addition to my collection. Imagine… a real phoenix that could tear Big Hero 6 to shreds."
"It certainly would've been something but… I guess the good news is we're only down to two people we're paying a huge amount of money to."
"Coilin and Drake, yes?"
"Correct. Last I checked, they said they should be able to deliver soon. They just want to speak with you personally before they give you anything."
"Well, I don't really have time for them right now. I don't really have time for anyone as it stands. We got a nuisance to take care of and I need to be sure I fulfill my goal."
Chris nodded.
"I'll notify them right away then."
"Thank you… and one more thing."
"Yes?"
"I need DNA samples from a thing in another town. Deploy Momokase to there to retrieve them. All the info you need will be on your tablet."
"Right away."
"Also… check on Karmi for me. Make sure our little student is behaving."
"Yes, Liv."
Chris left without another word, leaving Liv to her devices.
Liv narrowed her eyes, looking to the work before her. A woman who bore an exact resemblance to her, resting in a stasis chamber.
I'll get rid of those nuisances soon enough.
I will save you.
I promise.
oooooo
"Their names are Coilin and Drake Brooks. The two are brothers and run quite a business for themselves. Mainly in… what is basically snake oil that actually works."
Obake crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at the information being shown to him on the screen by Naoki.
"Explain."
Naoki nodded, pulling up a video.
On screen, were two men, presumably Coilin and Drake, on a stage in a small town like area.
"Come one and come all for the miracle of a lifetime! See the wonders of our cure all product, Vitalis' Water!"
"You there! With your arm in a sling! Let us help you!"
A young child was brought onto the stage. There was bewilderment in their eyes and panic in their mother's.
What are they doing!?
Coilin uncorked a bottle of glowing blue water, pouring it onto the child's arm.
"Now… behold!"
It was a moment before the child attempted to move their arm, their eyes widening.
"It… It doesn't hurt anymore! I-I can actually move it!"
There was a wave of applause and cheers of amazement.
"See? With just a small amount, anything is possible!" Drake grinned.
"Buy some now and get yourself the miracle healing you've been thirsting for-!"
Naoki stopped the video.
"I think you've seen enough."
"I have." Obake pinched the bridge of his nose. "I… How is this even possible?"
"I'm not sure but I do know it has to do with something they captured."
Naoki pulled up a picture.
"Something that's been an urban legend in Downtown Saga."
Obake looked at the picture carefully, an eyebrow raised.
It was a picture of something fighting off blacked out creatures. A warrior, dressed in armor that was various shades of blue and had long light blue hair, weilding a sword… and was controlling water around it.
"Naoki… this better not be a joke."
"It isn't. This picture here is 100% authentic. And apparently… they actually managed to catch this thing. This… as they've heard it be called, Ayakashi."
Obake pinched the bridge of his nose again.
"... You know, with everything I've been through I think I can believe anything at this point." Obake sighed. "Do you know anything else about this Ayakashi?"
"Sadly, no. They were pretty secretive about the thing. Only thing they told me was they promised they could give me some of that Vitalis' Water. For a price, of course."
"And are you still meeting with them?"
"I just have to call them up so I can arrange it. They move a lot so I don't know where they are exactly."
"Then get that arrangement made. They're the last resource of Liv's we need to snuff out before we make our way to her. The sooner we get this taken care of the better."
Naoki nodded.
"Do… you have any idea what she might be planning?"
"Not entirely." Obake narrowed his eyes. "But it's Liv. Whatever she's doing behind the scenes can't be anything but trouble… I should know. I was part of it."
"I see… Well, I'll get the arrangement put together then you and your team can formulate a plan." Naoki smiled a little. "Got yourself quite the line up going. You're practically your own Big Hero 6."
Obake chuckled at this.
"Perhaps. I'm glad Kuro and his team are still willing to help but I think for now they should just focus on their town till we need them again. Tadashi, Trina and I can pull our own for now." Obake eyed Coilin and Drake in the still paused video. "And with what we're going up against, I don't think we'll need too much help."
"To be fair, they're not that much of a threat. Again, snake oil that actually works. To be perfectly honest, I was never that fond of them. I just wanted my daughter to be safe."
"And now you have that and made a turn around."
"And now? I'm making it all right."
Obake chuckled.
"We're in perfect agreement. Now."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Let's get to work."
oooooo
"Ah, so many sales." Drake grinned as he looked at their income. "At this rate we can just ditch the witch entirely!"
"Now, let's not get too ahead of ourselves." Coilin chuckled. "We still need to pay her off regardless. Our little trap couldn't have been made without her funding."
"True, true, but still, we're practically kings now."
"Won't deny that." Coilin leaned back in his chair. "Won't deny that at all."
He eyed the large containment not too far from him.
It was a large rectangular shaped containment unit made of transparent mirrors with an iron frame. Inside, rested a young man, donned in armor that was various shades of blue with long light blue hair.
He looked up weakly at Coilin. While an intimidating looking warrior, he barely had the strength to stand, reduced to kneeling in his containment.
"And it's all thanks to our golden goose."
Beep beep beep!
"Hm?" Coilin looked to Drake. "What's up?"
"Just an incoming call." Drake smiled. "It's Naoki."
"Ah, so I guess he didn't get caught after all like Chris told us. Put him on."
Drake nodded, answering the call on his computer.
"Naoki! Long time no see, old friend. We thought you had gotten caught."
Naoki chuckled.
"No cage can contain me. It was just time for a change of pace… and I found my little girl. A warehouse like what I was working out of prior was no place for a child of course."
"Of course, of course!"
"And I'd like to pick up my order if that's alright? I need 12 pints… and I'll offer a thousand for each pint."
Drake and Coilin grinned at this.
"You got yourself a deal. We're currently stationed in East Saga. We're planning on heading to San Fransokyo in about a day or so to drum up a bigger crowd. How about you stop by tomorrow evening?"
"It's a deal. How about… eight o'clock sharp?"
"Right after our next demonstration, that would be perfect."
"I look forward to seeing it in person."
"And we look forward to seeing you. Stay safe now."
Naoki nodded before hanging up.
Drake and Coilin grinned to each other, looking to their captive.
"We keep this up, we'll be set for the rest of our lives."
"And it's all thanks to you, Ayakashi."