"Okay aaaaaaaand we're online!"

Eboni grinned as she beheld her work, a masterpiece, if she did say so herself.

Obake grinned at the results that came up on screen.

"A private network for our growing team. Nicely done, Eboni."

"Thank you, thank you." She gave a small bow. "Ah, I'm a genius."

"Yes, yes."

"So, this'll be something to link to other people we wind up teaming up with?" Trina asked.

"Yep." Eboni folded her arms behind her head. "Seeing as more heroes of different kinds keep popping up, thought it would be good if we could all stay connected. Including that if our allies meet other heroes, they can hook us up with them. Along with intel as well."

"Sounds like a good system to me." Tadashi grinned. "And it archives everything?"

"Yep. So, if someone needs information about what others are capable of before contacting them, then they'll know. Pretty simple but still awesome if you ask me. And the best part?" Eboni brought her fingers together. "No outsiders to try and stick their noses in. This system is air tight."

"Ahh, you're a genius!" Tadashi laughed.

"I know~!"

"All hail the Queen!" Trina laughed.

Eboni held her head higher before she busted up laughing.

"Now, let's not get overboard!"

Beep beep beep.

"Ah, look at that, a message." Eboni clicked on the alert. "Hey, it's Kuro!"

"Open it!"

She nodded, as a video message opened.

Kuro's smiling face appeared as he waved at the camera.

"Hey guys, just checking in on your brand new system."

He winced, as a loud meowing interrupted him. He turned the camera so it focused on the floor, showing a sphinx kitten, pawing at his pant legs.

"Zelda says hi. She's very opinionated about your network."

"MEEEERRRROOOOOW!"

Tadashi started laughing.

"Yep, sounds about right!"

Kuro turned the camera back to him, smirking.

"Anywhosen, I'm just at home right now, waiting for my shift at Curacion to start."

"MEW!"

"I'll be checking in again soon, just add me to the list. Anytime you need help medical or otherwise, call me up."

The video stopped. Eboni closed the alert, noting the rest of Curacion's EMS team had registered to the network already as contacts.

"Perfect… and hey, even Lancelot added himself!"

"Splendid."

She frowned as a new alert popped up.

"And… Naoki. Bob?"

"Let's see it."

"Obake, I'm at the East Saga theater, on Sakura St.

I'm meeting up with Drake and Coilin in two hours and would appreciate backup."

"Well?"

Obake narrowed his eyes.

"Get me the bot."

Trina perked up.

"Not O-bot-kae."

"That's his name, Dad, get used to it!"

"Want me to go with you?" Tadashi offered.

"Yes. As much as my bot and I can work well on our own it would be nice to have back up."

"Sides, Tadashi, they're practicing medicine illegally technically. I know how much ya hate that!" Eboni chimed in.

He rolled his eyes, shoving her chair aside a little.

"I just wanna help out. So, count me in."

"Let's get ready for tonight then. Eboni, I assume you'll be our eyes in the sky as per usual via the visor?"

"Count on it."

"Let's go then."

"Can I come too?" Trina asked.

"I think I'd prefer you stay with Eboni this time." Obake gave a gentle look. "Nothing personal just… gut feeling. Do you understand?"

I saw how they handled that boy with their demonstration I do NOT want them near my daughter.

Trina frowned.

"But…"

"Please, Little Star. I don't want you around those people."

She nodded, bringing her arms around him.

"Okay. I'll stay here and keep an eye on stuff. I'll tinker or something while I wait."

Obake brought his arms around her, kissing her head.

"Thank you dear. I love you very, very much. You know that, right?"

"I do. I'm still gonna worry though."

"I know. And so do I." Obake pulled back a little, tilting her chin up. "I'll be back home as soon as I can. Depending on how things go, how about a movie when we get home?"

"I get to pick it?"

"Always."

She grinned.

"Sounds like a deal to me! Have fun with your mission!"

"Well, as fun as busting corrupt salesman can be." Obake looked to Tadashi. "Shall we?"

Tadashi nodded.

"Let's bust some hacks."

oooooo

Naoki waited patiently outside the theater, tapping his foot.

He never imagined this particular day would be like this. He thought this day would be a momentous occasion for him. He'd have a cure for his daughter that really worked. He would be happy for both himself and his associates.

Instead, he was on edge, waiting to stop all that was happening.

He was a traitor now… and he was okay with that.

Mostly.

"Obake?" Naoki asked into his headset piece.

"Yes?" Obake answered back.

"How did… you feel when you woke up from your "haze"?" he asked, crossing his arms, looking around to see if he could spot the man.

There was a bit of silence before Obake answered.

"Disoriented, at first. It was… odd. I hadn't really thought about everything I had done. Of course, I had a tumor make me not really think too hard about certain aspects of my actions but… it… was quite the experience when I realized just how far I had gone… and what I had lost in the process. Couldn't really think clearly until after Kim fixed me but before that… all I knew was that I was angry because of how much I had been deceived. I wanted vengeance… and I still do. I just don't have a blood lust anymore that I won't deny was biting at the back of my head. That calmed into just wanting to stop Liv and… make sure no one else gets hurt."

"I see… I think I'm about the same way then." Naoki rubbed the back of his neck. "Of course, different course of action for what I want to do but… yeah. Though… I have to ask, do you have any plans after you stop her? I doubt you just want to do hero stuff from now on."

"I actually do have plans for what I want to do when I'm not Grid Ghost. Been working on it on the side. I… want to be a teacher. It's what I always wanted to be when I was a kid. I wanted to teach others, to show them what they could become with the proper focus. I had to let that dream go for a time but now… I can actually have it again. It'll take work but I'm okay with that. It'll be worth it."

Naoki smiled.

"I wish you the best of luck with that then. When she's old enough, maybe you could teach my daughter."

"I'll definitely keep that in mind." Obake sighed. "Alright… look alive. You got company."

Naoki looked to see Coilin and Drake approaching, grins on their faces as they saw him.

"Let's do this." Naoki whispered, making his way towards the brothers. "Coilin, Drake, so good to see you in person."

"Good to see you too." Drake chuckled, shaking hands with Naoki, Coilin doing the same.

"Ready to get a cure for your daughter?" Coilin asked.

"I am." Naoki forced a smile. "And ready to see this specimen of yours in person."

"You'll be amazed, trust me."

Drake went to the doors of the theater, inputting the code for the lock before walking in, signalling for Naoki and Coilin to follow.

Naoki made sure he was last to go in, catching the door before it closed. He closed it gently enough to keep the lock from engaging before following behind Coilin and Drake.

Save Obake and Tadashi some time.

Drake and Coilin lead him down a few hallways before reaching the backstage area.

The walls of the area were lined with crates upon crates filled with glass bottles that contained glowing blue liquid that were waiting to be used.

The centerpiece, was a containment unit that appeared to be made of glass with an iron frame that sat on a set of wheels.

Inside it, knelt the specimen Naoki had only seen in pictures up till now.

Ayakashi.

"Behold, our greatest discovery." Coilin chuckled as he made his way up to the containment unit. "Ayakashi, the urban legend of Downtown Saga."

"Incredible." Naoki breathed, making his way closer to the containment unit.

He looks exhausted… What have they been doing to him?

Ayakashi looked up weakly, eyes widening at the sight of a new visitor.

"Not often you get to see someone new, eh, Ayakashi?" Drake chuckled. "Be polite now."

Ayakashi lowered his head, sighing.

"So… how long have you had him?" Naoki asked. "And how did you get all this water produced?"

"We've had him for about a month now." Coilin grinned. "Feels like it's been longer to be honest with how much acclaim we'd gotten."

"As for the water, it comes from him." Drake picked up one of the bottles, swishing the liquid around. "We're still trying to understand how he does it but our hypothetical is he's able to convert the energy around him and maybe even inside, into this "magic water" as it were. He mainly use it for cleansing areas that had been damaged by some other anomalies we still don't understand ourselves and even healing others at times. We figured it was a waste to cleanse areas and have him focus more on healing others instead. We make sure he eats enough and all to make the water we need. And… give him the proper motivation to make it for us. Right, Ayakashi?"

Ayakashi didn't give a response.

"Exactly." Coilin tapped at the glass. "We believe there might others just like him out there but we're content just to have him as our main source of our product. Capturing others like him will just be something considered for the future."

Ayakashi shuddered at this.

Naoki sneered internally, though he was disgusted.

"I see. Quite the lucrative business endeavor you have… However, how long will that last, hm? You have to hand him over, don't you?"

"We're hoping to sway Liv into seeing our side of things. She would, of course, have the most access to the cure, but there's no need for her to have the specimen." Drake smirked. "She's a good business woman, she'd definitely understand."

She'd definitely understand probably ripping your heads off for it. Naoki thought, biting his lip.

"Right… Good business, eh? How long do you plan to keep him like this though? Doubt he'd survive like this much longer."

"As long as we can muster." Drake threw the bottle up, catching it with ease. "We'll find a way. We always do. Besides… he's got too much to live for."

Ayakashi looked up, glaring at the two of them.

"I see…" Naoki's smile faltered.

"Naoki, anytime now. We're ready." Obake spoke into his communicator. "Just say the word."

"Something wrong?" Coilin asked.

"No, just… thinking about Nozomi.." Naoki shakily sighed, looking down. "I'm just… ready to see her smile again."

"We're moving in now."

Thank you, Obake. Good heavens I associated myself with these… monsters willingly?

… I hope no one tells her about this when she's older.

Drake went to go get one of the crates while Coilin stayed by Ayakashi's cell. Naoki eyed the figures he could see moving about the catwalk above them. He could see the faint glow of Obake and his robot's armor and the slight glint of Tadashi's reflectors.

Tadashi moved himself to the top of the containment unit, signaling for Naoki to keep Coilin distracted.

"Coilin… one question? For both of you, actually."

"Hm?"

"Have you considered… what to do in case someone finds out what exactly you're doing to make your product?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Coilin raised an eyebrow.

Naoki gave him a cold look.

"What if, someone thought this practice was cruel and unethical? What if someone decided they didn't support it?"

Colin narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms.

"Like your androids?"

Naoki wasn't fazed, raising an eyebrow.

"That's entirely different."

Drake gave a cold look of his own.

"Sure, creating murderous robots is totally ethical."

"They were only designed to amputate and collect samples!"

"And set fires." Coilin added. "Honestly, who died and made you the morality police?"

Naoki's look went completely dark.

"I did… and I'm not the morality police." Naoki looked to Tadashi. "My new friends are."

Before Coilin could react he was hit in the back of the neck by Tadashi, sending him right to the floor, unconscious.

"Coilin- ACK!"

Drake followed after, Obake's robot pinning him to the floor.

"Well, that was nice and clean." Obake chuckled, making himself visible. "Pushovers compared to what else we've had to deal with."

Drake growled, glaring at the two before glaring at Naoki.

"Naoki, what are you doing!? Help us!"

Naoki gave a wicked sneer, throwing his head back laughing.

"God strike me down if I do!" He snapped back. "I'm making a good choice for ONCE in my life since this nightmare began! And taking you two out is part of it!"

"You… You traitor! Liv is going to-"

"Not hear about this, right?" Naoki looked to Obake.

Obake chuckled.

"Liv hates loose ends." He made his way over to Drake, kneeling down to his level. "And if she finds out, which I'll be happy to inform her about all this, you'll be nothing more to her than her next monster masterpiece. So… be a good boy and just turn yourself over quietly."

"Shut up! Everything was going perfect!"

"And it wouldn't once you outlived your use." Obake narrowed his eyes. "Do you think she's that merciful? Even those who fall perfectly in line get tortured… I'm living proof of that."

"You… YOU-!"

WACK!

Drake fell to the floor unconscious.

"I think that's enough out of you." Obake sneered.

He stood up straight, looking to Naoki.

"Nicely done, Naoki."

Naoki grinned.

"Thank you kindly." He narrowed his eyes. "Now, let's help our new friend outta there hm? We could melt it I'm sure with Tadashi's fire but… that'd be messy hm?"

"I believe that idea can work, just one more practical way." Obake looked to Tadashi. "Tadashi, cut through the glass with a concentrated flame"

Tadashi nodded, facing the containment unit.

Ayakashi looked at him in bewilderment, pressing his hands against the glass.

"Who… are you?" He finally said.

Tadashi gave a gentle smile.

"A friend. Now… stand back."

Ayakashi did as told.

Tadashi brought a flame to his hand, concentrating to make it as hot as possible, turning it a blue color. He worked quickly to burn a circular shape into the glass, big enough for Ayakashi to get out. Within moments, a circle was made, and the piece fell out, shattering into pieces.

Ayakashi quickly got out, stumbling as he made contact with the floor. Obake and Naoki rushed over to help stand.

"It's okay now, you're going to be alright." Obake reassured. "I'm not exactly sure what someone like you needs for medical tratment but we'll do our best."

"Just… get me to… a hospital… Please." Ayakashi closed his eyes. "And contact… my family."

A glow came around Ayakashi that blinded everyone for a second before it faded.

When all could see again, Ayakashi was gone… in his place… was a young boy with dark black hair and tan skin.

Tadashi's jaw dropped open.

"Oh my gosh."

Obake narrowed his eyes, keeping him steady.

"Call Kuro now, we need a pickup immediately."

"On it!" Tadashi shook his head, dialing up Kuro on his communicator. "A kid… He's a freaking KID!"

"Do you think…. they knew?" Naoki asked.

"No. I don't think they did." Obake lifted the young boy into his arms. "If they did… then I think they would be questioning their morality a bit."

"I know I would." Naoki frowned. "He's… going to be alright ,won't he?"

"We'll find out. What's the ETA on that pick up?"

"Five minutes and to meet them outside." Tadashi replied, looking at the boy with a concerned look. "Sorry just… goodness, this is bad."

"It is but we'll deal." Obake headed for the entrance. "Let's get a move on and leave the two fools to themselves."

Everyone nodded in agreement, heading out of the theater.

Obake looked at the child in his arms.

For a moment… while he knew the child in his arms wasn't the teen he was seeing… he couldn't help but see the boy as Hiro in his arms.

He's probably not even that much older…

Obake brought him closer, making sure he was comfortable.

Don't worry… You'll be okay.

I promise.