A/N: That story doesn't seem much like a Christmas Chapter but it's not over yet. Selena has invited her team and friends over to her home, the very first time she has been able to do this. Selena had some hardships in making things go smoothly as the previous chapter shows but all's well in Elizabeth's point of view. If only she knew what Peter was planning before Earnest thwarted him. He just never learns, does he?

Chapter 25: The Message

"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!"

Mashika drinks down her mug of beer with no problem while Qrow is fighting to drink it down.

It's still the night of Christmas Eve and Mashika is doing as she planned: Going to a drinking bar and participating in a contest. So far, Mashika is dominating the contest, as expected from someone who is a heavy drinker, 'Immune to becoming drunk' as she puts it.

Qrow finishes up and slams his mug on the table as he breaths heavily, his head spinning as the crowd cheers. Mashika looks at her opponent so smugly. "What's the matter? Can't hold your liquor?"

Qrow weakly laughs with a hiccup in the end. "Yous think you so smugz...Hic! ...But I'll showz yous, beautiful."

"Oh, you're so cute when you try, Branwen." Mashika says.

"I'm gonna make yous eat those words...Hic!" Qrow says.

"If you do, I might just accept your invitation to that date." Mashika says with a wink. Mashika turns to the bartender. "Another round!"

The crowd is in suspense. The waitress delivers two more drinks. "Round 11!"

Mashika drinks down her drink. Once she doesn't, she looks at her opponent, who is just staring at his mug sickly. "Come on, Qrow. Do it."

Qrow doesn't do anything, the audience goes on cheering Qrow on to drink. "Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!" Finally, he starts drinking down, only to stop midway and then collapse.

The audience gasps at Qrow's defeat, then they all cheer for Mashika. She wins the contest.

While one of the employees of the bar takes Qrow home, or perhaps to a nearby hospital, the host of the event congratulates Mashika on another year of victory in the Semifinals, and wishes her a Merry Christmas.

Mashika takes a walk in town. It's a cold snowy night. The town is decorated, the colorful lights brighten the city beautifully. Mashika, in her Winter Clothing, sits on the bench. To her right is the town center, where there is a large Christmas Tree. Mashika sees there are people walking the streets, some of them are women with children. Makes her think about Patrick.

Mashika opens her Scroll. No text messages, not even from Patrick. "No surprise. But, I wonder if he's doing all right." Just then, her Scroll rings. Mashika answers it, listening to her caller. "Yes...Really? ...Okay, I'll take a look."

Meanwhile back at the Akimura Mansion, Selena and Marlene are battling each other in a brawl game called Mega Crush Huntsmans. The game ends with Marlene losing, leaving the smart girl speechless. "Game Over! Sherry Farron Wins!"

"No way! You completely obliterated me again!" Marlene says.

"You're just too easy of an opponent to defeat." Selena says.

"I know I'm not a gamer, but how is it you're so good at this? I can't even touch you on a 10-life match." Marlene asks.

"I've been playing this game for years, in all my spare time." Selena says.

Akira just watches the two of them play while Rayla is working on her hair. "In your spare time? But, didn't you have a lot of those?" Akira asks.

Selena doesn't say anything. "You know what...Now that she mentioned it, you once said you couldn't make any friends and your mother was always busy. Didn't you feel lonely, in this big mansion?"

Hearing Marlene say that hit Selena like a hammer to a nail. She looks down in shame. "W-well...Yeah, kind of. But Lumiére and Plumette kept me company. But it wasn't as satisfying knowing they're just doing their jobs."

"I apologize for bringing it up." Akira says.

"No, it's fine." Selena says modestly.

"And...there, finished." Rayla hands Akira a mirror. "What do you think?"

Akira gets a good look at her hair. The way her hair is styled is a loose wavy side braid with bangs and fringes. Akira looks at the sides of her face. "It's nice, Rayla but...I don't know, it doesn't feel like me."

"I think it looks pretty." Marlene says.

"Same here. You look beautiful." Selena turns to Clawdia. "What do you think, Claws?" Selena takes notice that Clawdia's expression is hardened. She has her eyes closed as if listening for something. "Clawdia?" Everyone looks at her in concern as well. Finally, Clawdia opens her eyes and storms towards the door, then kicks it open startling the rest of the girls. Clawdia looks outside side-to-side. "Clawdia!? What gives?"

Clawdia closes the doors as she walks back into the room. "I A-Paw-ogize. It just feels quiet...too quiet."

"What do you mean?" Marlene asks.

"There isn't an enemy here, is there?" Akira asks.

"No, but something close." Clawdia says. "I just had a feline that Peter would be here to spy on us."

"What!? He does that?" Selena asks, startled.

"Yeah, he always peeps in on us. Can't resist cute girls in Paw-jamas. I can't have slumber parties back at home because of him." Clawdia says. "I'm surprised he hasn't done anything yet."

"Well, I'm sure Masters Patrick and Earnest have him under control." Rayla says.

"Yeah, mew might be right." Clawdia says. "Well, I guess I can relax." Clawdia sits with Marlene and Selena and grabs a controller. "I'm gonna mop the floor with mew, Selena!"

Selena smiles as she starts the game. "Oh, it's on!"

Meanwhile, Patrick is following Plumette down the hallway. He can hardly relax, only he doesn't know what's stressing him more: The actual possibility Elizabeth remembers him or leaving Peter behind while he plans to invade the girl's privacy. Earnest might be able to handle that idiot pervert, but that doesn't put his mind at ease from the creep.

As Patrick walks, memories start flashing back in his head. In those memories, he's seeing Elizabeth in many scenes. Some of them with her alone, with her slave masters, hearing her screams of agony. Then there's one where he sees her receiving a visit from a boy. A boy that shares his face.

'I never wanted any of this. I didn't want to be a part of this evil.' Young Patrick said.

'You don't have to. It is you and you alone who can choose what to do with your life.' Elizabeth said.

Then thinks back to where Selena spoke out against Gaia. 'We are not treasures or pleasurable beings for you to own. We're human beings!'

Patrick and Plumette calm to a halt in front of a large entrance. Plumette pushes the button on the intercom. Nothing but silence for a moment until Elizabeth's voice comes out. "Yes?"

"I have Mister Patrick Aki as requested, Milady." Plumette says.

"Wonderful, send him in." Elizabeth says.

Plumette opens the doors and walks in with Patrick following her. Inside, it's a large room with a luxury bed, looks like it could fit two, with a table beside that carries a lamp and a picture frame. On the walls are paintings, a bookshelf in one corner and at the right of the entrance is a table set.

Patrick and Plumette remain standing in the empty room until the door to the bathroom opens and Elizabeth comes in, wearing nothing but a bathrobe, drying her long blonde hair with a towel. Patrick takes notice of the situation: A beautiful and world-famous celebrity just coming out of the shower is entering the same room he is in. He doesn't really care, but he can only imagine the chaos if every single of her crazed fans finds out about him. They murder him.

"Thank you for bringing him, Plumette." Elizabeth says. Plumette bows in response.

"Dare I ask why it is you want to see me?" Patrick asks.

"I'm sure you already know, sweetie." Elizabeth says. She approaches Patrick, circling around him as she gets a good look at him. "You've really grown into a handsome young man."

"You're not the first, I take it you do remember me." Patrick says.

"How can I forget?" Elizabeth looks past Patrick to Plumette. "Plumette, would you bring us some tea if you please."

"Of course, milady." Plumette leaves the room.

"Please, have a sit." Elizabeth and Patrick take their seats on the table. "I know it's been years since we escaped that place."

"You escaped. I stayed until they fell." Patrick says.

"Yes, of course." Elizabeth says. "But after all this time, I never forgot about you. The scared sweet little boy being trapped in that nightmare. But...Even after they were defeated, I didn't stop seeing you." Elizabeth takes out a scroll and lays it on the table as it projects a holoposter. Patrick takes notice, it's a Wanted Poster of him. 'Wanted: The Shadow Hunter.' "I find it hard to accept this is what you were after escaping the Agency. Is this really what you wanted to choose?"

"It's not like I had any other choice, after losing my family." Patrick says. "So, you gonna turn me in? Tell me to stay away from your daughter?"

"No." Elizabeth closes the holoposter and takes her scroll. "You may have changed in some bad ways, but deep down I know you were still a good person. Selena has told me a lot about you, how you've kept her secret, looking out for your team. Which reminds me, Thank you for protecting my daughter from the incident."

"I don't deserve a thanks. I could have prevented it from happening but I took too long, all cause of some stupid cautionary." Patrick says.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up about it. You were suspicious but that was it, it doesn't make what you thought right or wrong. You had to make sure firsthand the situation was correct." Elizabeth says. "You may not remember, but Saurfang wasn't the monster he was before I came into his possession."

"Right, your former Slave Master. The Defector." Patrick says.

"Indeed. I'm sure you already know how Selena feels about perverts, but he is the only person among them she actually likes, and she doesn't even know him." Elizabeth looks down in sorrow. "I'm just sorry she won't get the chance to meet him."

"Rufus doesn't take treachery lightly. It is unfortunate of him, but as I recall he doesn't regret his decisions." Patrick says. "But back to the incident at hand, I'm afraid there's disturbing news." Elizabeth doesn't feel pleased to hear that. "He escaped from Prison."

"What?! How?" Elizabeth asks.

"I don't know, Instructor Mashika didn't tell me anything." Patrick says. "But we can bet we'll be seeing him again."

"Gaia..." Elizabeth looks down in sorrow. "Ever since I rejected his feelings, we've always been so distant. I thought he was still hurting. But when he invited me to lunch and then they mobbed me." Elizabeth shook her hand.

"It's not easy to connect the dots. Especially when it comes to a friend who's like a brother to you. Am I right?" Patrick asks. Elizabeth nods. Plumette returns with a tray that has a teapot, bowl of sugar cubes, and two teacups. She sets up the teacups, pours in the tea, and puts two cubes of sugar in Elizabeth's tea as requested.

"Thank you, Plumette. That will be all for tonight." Plumette bows to Elizabeth and then she leaves. The two of them sit in silence drinking tea. "About the Gaia situation. Does that mean they have returned?"

"Trust me, Elizabeth, they've always been back. I've been after the Agency for the past 3 years." Patrick says.

"I was afraid of that. The thought of them taking Selena..." Elizabeth says.

"I don't think you have anything to worry." Patrick says. "Over the years, I discover a pattern to their abductions. One of them I learned is that once they have a target they don't pursue another one until the capture of that target is successful, or a failure maybe. That I'm not sure." Patrick takes out his scroll and shows a holoposter of the targets: Winter and Weiss Schnee. "On a job, I got some information about their next targets: The Schnee Sisters. And during one of my Beacon Missions when we were working with the older sister, Winter, they send one of their spy drones on us." Patrick takes his scroll and pockets it. "Your daughter should be safe as long as they remain their targets. Winter is a soldier of General Ironwood's army and the younger one won't be an easy catch."

"I suppose you're right." Elizabeth takes a sip of her tea before continuing to speak. "If I may ask, Patrick. Selena has told me you've been real secretive about your life. Does that mean that she, as well as the rest of your team, doesn't know about your past life?"

"What do you think the answer to that question is?" Patrick asks.

Elizabeth sighs. "You're a handful, Patrick. I understand you want to keep that life a secret, but you should at least trust your team. I'm sure they'll understand and still accept you for who you are."

Patrick gives Elizabeth a serious glare. "Oh really?" Patrick sets his cup down. "Let me ask you this, Akimura: Does Selena even know the truth? About Hector?" Elizabeth is dead silent but offers an expression of regret that pretty much answers his question. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Selena has told me everything about what happened to you and all that you explained to her, yet I never once heard that kid's name. She didn't bother mentioning Saurfang either but that could have been different. You have your secrets from Selena, and I have mine. So what gives you the right to lecture me into trusting her with my secret?"

Elizabeth doesn't say anything else. On that, Patrick stands up. "If this is your answer, then we are done talking." Patrick walks out of the room, leaving Elizabeth alone with her thoughts.

Patrick returns to his room and turns in for the night. He's surprised to see Peter is still here but then realizes he's trapped inside of Earnest's Invisible Prison. Even after his return, Peter is still kept within his prison.

Christmas Morning comes. Patrick and Selena aren't the only ones who wake up early. All of Teams' PASM and CPER are up and early. Even the servants predicted this and have a breakfast feast prepared. Patrick feels on edge. He hasn't seen Elizabeth since that night. He almost thought he'd see her this morning.

Once breakfast is done, everyone goes to the parlor room. The fireplace is lit as everyone breaks into their presents. Gifts that everyone gave to each other. All except for Patrick. Nobody finds it surprising he didn't get anything for anyone here but they don't blame him. Except for Rayla, she sees it as ill-mannered. But the joke's on the poor hunter, nobody got him anything. Not that he really cares.

Akira opens her gift to see it's a sharpening kit. She's a bit confused to see this. "You've always been fond of your swordsmanship, so I thought you would use a tool kit to keep your blade freshly sharpened." Marlene tells her.

"I must admit it does acquire to me that blade feels dull in its daily uses over time, it never crossed my mind to have it sharpened." Akira smiles then bows. "Thank you, Marlene."

Selena leans over to Clawdia still having her eyes set on Akira. "Feels weird giving that to a person for Christmas."

"Same, but this is Akira we're talking about." Clawdia says.

"All right, I'm next." Peter opens his gift from Clawdia. He looks inside in disappointment and takes out a lump of coal. Clawdia tries hard to contain her laughter. "Very funny, Claws. Another Lump of Coal for the Naughty Pervert."

Clawdia snickers trying to fight the laughter as she speaks. "It's...It's paw...Paw-pier-mâché this year. Mew...Break it open." Peter breaks the coal in half and looks inside. He puts his hand in and takes out a necklace. On it are the words: 'URPawsome!' "Mew are a lot of things, Peter. But in the end: Mew are Paw-some in my book!"

Peter smiles. "Thanks, Claws."

Patrick rolls his eyes. "If only she knew what he tried to do last night." he says under his breath.

Everyone goes through their gifts, but there is one that was unexpected. Selena shows a gift, an envelope from her mother, and it's addressed to everyone. Selena opens the envelope and takes out what is inside, and Marlene screams in shock startling everyone, else even Patrick.

"N-n-n-NO WAY! EIGHT FRONT ROW TICKETS TO THE NEW YEARS COUNTDOWN CONCERT!?" Marlene is standing frozen in shock, her voice gasping to escape from her mouth.

"Concert tickets? What's the big deal?" Patrick asks.

"Are you kidding me!? The New Years Countdown Concert is the most popular concert in all of Remnant! They come out six months early and are sold out in an instant. These are impossible to get!" Marlene says.

"Y-yeah. Well, my mother is singing on stage and the performers get free tickets to invite family and friends." Selena says.

"And she's gonna hand us the tickets like that?" Peter asks. "I mean, Selena and her team I get, but the four of us?"

"I don't see why not. After all, we are all friends of Mistress Selena." Rayla says.

"Rayla's right. This is a paw-some opportunity we're given." Clawdia says.

Patrick assumes it is one that he would have no choice of turning down, Mashika is one thing but he'll know Marlene will chew him out for it. All the gifts are finished, Patrick is about to make this leave until.

"Patrick wait." Patrick turns to see Selena is approaching him, with a gift at hand. "There's one more gift, and it's for you."

This astonishes Patrick. After all day he's the only one who didn't get a gift. He didn't expect to get one. He looks to see the gift is from 'Team PASM', he unwraps it. The gift is a Silver Sniper Bow on a wooden display board.

"It's a display Snipe Bow. It said it once belonged to the Gale Nightwind." Selena says.

"The Gale 'Hawkeye' Nightwind?" Peter says, shocked. "He was a Legendary Huntsman. He can snipe a Grimm over 800 ft...without a scope."

"The artifact sounds like a scam to me." Rayla says.

"Believe us, we were skeptical when the Pawn Shop owner showed it." Akira says.

"But I was able to appraise it, luckily it's something my mother taught me before she left. It's legit." Marlene says.

Earnest speaks. And Clawdia attempts to translate. "'But still, it must have cost a purr-niture.'" Earnest and Rayla looks at Clawdia annoyed while everyone else is confused, except for Patrick who corrects the sentence with 'Fortune' They all know the word she said was 'Furniture'. "I'm trying, okay!?"

"It did cost a lot, even after the deal we made." Akira says.

"Deal?" Clawdia asks.

Selena sighs depressively. "'Sherry Farron' told him that she happens to know 'Selena Akmura' and so the Owner asked me to set his grandson on a date with Selena."

"So after we agreed to the terms, he decide to give us a discount." Marlene says.

Patrick doesn't say anything. He just stares at his gift speechless. Until he finally speaks. "This is...overwhelming. I don't even have a gift for any of you."

"No, no. It's fine." Marlene says. "You helped us out with situations we were in. Abducted by a Shadowcrawler."

"Kasheer and the Kendo Club." Akira says.

"The Gaia Incident." Selena says. "Consider this as repaying our debt to you."

Patrick doesn't say anything, not even a thank you but Selena, Marlene, and Akira know him well enough that he does show appreciation to them. As the day goes on, even spends it hanging out together, Selena even shows Peter and Earnest her game that she demolished Marlene and challenged Clawdia. Patrick kept himself distant from everyone else.

He keeps staring at the gift his team has given him. He feels something warm inside of him, not even the bitter cold of winter can chill him to the bone. Patrick then shakes his head. "Damn you, Mashika. All your 'spending time with my team' has softened me!"

Meanwhile, Mashika sneezes as she is driving on the road. "Huh...That's weird. I get this feeling someone's talking about me again."

Mashika is driving on the road until she arrives at a cabin in the woods. She parks her vehicle in front. "This must be the place." Mashika steps out and approaches the front door. She tries to open it but it's locked. Mashika thinks, she could break in but figured there must be another way. She looks until she notices there's a dot below the doorknob. And below it is another dot, and another until she catches on what it could mean.

Mashika traces the dots to the bottom of the door, onto the floor until it stops on the corner of the porch. Mashika feels around that corner until she finds a loose board and pulls it off. She finds a key underneath and picks it up. "This feels too well planned...Did he predict his own death?"

Mashika unlocks the door and opens it. It's dark inside. Mashika turns the light on in her scroll and takes a look. The place is trashed. Countless empty bottles of liquor on the floor. Mashika picks up one of the bottles. "Wow, Zovaal. I never knew you were such a heavy drinker. And a messy one to add."

Mashika takes a look around the house. There's not much to see other than the countless empty bottles and cans. There are also pictures on the tables, mostly pictures of Zovaal in his younger years and a woman with him. Mashika looks at the picture suspiciously. "Who is this woman?" Mashika looks at more pictures to find more of Zovaal and the woman until he finds one photo of their wedding.

Mashika continues looking around. She finds a computer in the corner of the room. Mashika sits down and turns it on, only to be stopped by a locked screen asking for a password. Mashika feels frustrated, she has no idea what the password could be...until it hits her.

Mashika puts in 'Marina' for the password and enters, and it accepts it.

Mashika browses around the computer files. As she does, she wonders what it is she is looking for. Zovaal's message was 'Marina' which was the password to his computer. He wants her to find something, but what?

Finally, Mashika comes to a halt when she finds a folder, labeled: 'Dying Wish' A bit odd, but she feels like it's proving her theory that he did predict his own death. She opens the folder, but there are only two video files in them.

'For the Messager.'
'My Shining Star.'

"Okay, Zovaal. What are you trying to tell me?" Mashika clicks on the video, a window opens and it plays.

The video shows Zovaal filming a record.

"Hello there, bearer of the message. As you may have known, I am Zovaal Sapphire. You have also known me as 'The Dragon Beast' At least I was." Zovaal coughs before he further speaks. "If you are watching this, then that means you've figured out my death message. I'm hoping a professional Huntsman or Huntress is watching this, but there is something I must ask of you to do for me. Something important."

Mashika looks sternly at the video as she listens closely to his message.