A/N: Part 2 of the story. Patrick and Mashika have carried out Zovaal's last mission only to find the wrong target. But the situation worsens when they realized she is affected by "Lover's Poison". As if things couldn't get any worse, they have been discovered and the alarm goes off. What will happen to our two little heroes?
Chapter 27: A Dying Wish Part II - Poison
All of the guards at the dock station are on the alert. The search towers are lightning up the whole area looking for the invaders. Several of them are gathering at the Warehouse where Mashika and Patrick are trapped in. Patrick as the entrance closed and then use an Ice Dust Crystal to seal the door frozen shut. Mashika has just finished freeing the girl from her bonds, who just falls on the ground flat like a dead body.
Patrick walks back in. "They're surrounding the warehouse. They must know we're here."
"So much for a stealth mission." Mashika says. "But you are right, we need to get out of here." Mashika grabs the girl and holds her up. "I still don't like the idea of giving up on Zovaal's mission."
"We have no other choice, Instructor. Let's just focus on getting the girl out of here. Maybe she knows something about this Marina person." Mashika nods in agreement.
Patrick removes his trench coat and puts it on the girl, even buttoning it up once she's wearing it to cover up her body. Luckily she's a close size to a 17-year-old boy. Meanwhile, the guards outside are banging on the door. One of the guards pushes everyone else out of the way. He loads a Dust Bomb by the door then orders everyone else to stand clear. Once everyone's clear of the blast zone the guard presses the trigger and the frozen gate explodes.
All of the guards rush in with their guards and swords ready. As the smoke begins to clear they look around. There's nothing to be found. One of them even goes into the private room to come out disappointed. "She's gone!"
"I want every guard sending at each exit! Rise the Hard-Light Barriers. Do not let the slut and the invaders escape!" The commander orders.
All the guards leave the warehouse. Patrick, carrying the girl in his arms, is standing on the ceiling with Gravity Dust in his bracers, while Mashika is just kneeling on one knee on one of the support beams. Even after the enemy is long gone they still look at the ground below them.
"The Hard-Light Barriers. This is not going to be easy." Patrick says.
"If it's anything like back in the Agency, we can just get Ronald to pick us up." Mashika says.
"It won't be that simple. They'll probably try to shoot it down or at us when we try to board." Patrick says.
"Hmm...You're right. They would." Mashika and Patrick leave the Warehouse to get a better view of the situation. Patrick has the girl on his back, her hands tied together in front of him to keep her in place. All the watchtowers are having searchlights everywhere, and the edge of the station is surrounded by a 30-foot tall Hard-Light Barrier. "You're the Shadow Hunter, any ideas?"
"If we can get to the control panel at the main pillar, I should be able to deactivate the barrier for a short while," Patrick says.
He climbs on top of a stack of crates until he gets high enough to see the barrier in all directions. Using his Semblance, he gets a close look at the barrier, observing sharply until he sees it. The shimmering. He traces the wave of shimmering in the opposite direction until he finds the one pillar that's unleashing a wave of shimmering in both directions.
Just then, it suddenly got brighter. Patrick ends his Scope Vision and looks to see one of the watchtowers has a searchlight on him. There's gunfire coming from it, Patrick acts fast into leaping off the crates. He's not in a position to block the incoming bullets or dodge properly carrying precious cargo on his back. Patrick takes out his bow and loads it with Fire and Lightning Arrows and fires, destroying the tower in bursting flames and explosive lightning.
"They'll come to the site. Let's move quickly." Mashika says.
Patrick and Mashika, who have her lance out and ready to strike, start running. "I found the main pillar, we just need to get to it." As they run, they come across some guards. They shoot at Patrick and Mashika, Mashika runs ahead and in front of Patrick and deflects the incoming bullets by twirling her spear. When they're in range, Mashika destroys their guns and takes two down while Patrick body-tackles the last one, not much fighting he can do carrying the girl.
Mashika handles most of the fighting whenever they encounter trouble. Once in a while, Patrick shoots down guards attacking from above.
They finally have reached the main pillar. There are no guards in sight, but they know it's not gonna last long.
"Let's hurry, they'll be coming for us." Patrick says. "Plus I'm not sure how much longer she can hold on, even her breathing is driving me nuts."
Patrick approaches the control panel and gets to work. Mashika watches his back for any trouble. And eventually, it comes. A large group of guards comes for them. "They're coming." Mashika warns him.
"I need more time. Hold them off." Patrick says.
Mashika puts down her spear. There is only one way she can hold off an army like this, she can only hope it'll last long enough. The guards come closer until Mashika turns with her hair waving in the air seductively and she looks at them with irresistible beauty.
"Hello, Handsome boys." All the guards suddenly stopped in movement and shouting, and look at her completely in love with her charming beauty.
Patrick can hear all the commotion going on and dry heaves. "That Semblance of hers gives me the creeps."
All of the guards are helpless staring at Mashika, drooling even like hungry animals looking at a large piece of irresistible meat. Mashika also speaks to them in tempting and filtering words that further the effect of her charm upon them. Patrick finds it hard to concentrate on his work from her speeches but under a different, disgusted, reason.
More and more guards come in, each of them falling under Mashika's Semblance. Mashika is having a difficult time keeping it up as more come in. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up." She painfully whispers to Patrick.
"Almost there." Patrick tells her.
Mashika stands strong keeping her Semblance activate. With each passing second, it becomes harder for her to keep it active, even her Aura is starting to flicker. Patrick fastens his type as he stares closely onto the screen. Then presses the final button.
"Done!" One of the walls on the Hard-Light Barrier vanishes. Patrick starts running. "Come on!"
Mashika drops her Semblance and makes a run for it. All of the guards snap out of it and chase after them, but the Hard-Light Barrier comes back up before they can even cross. "Shit! We can't let them escape! Get the barrier down!"
One of the guards is on the control panel but is having no luck. "I'm locked out of the panel."
The commander is frustrated. "Get to the Speeders!"
Patrick and Mashika start climbing up the cliff, the girl's struggling makes it hard for Patrick. Mashika reaches to the top, and when Patrick makes it to the top, Mashika gives him a hand and pulls him up.
"We're not out of the woods yet." Mashika says.
Patrick looks down. He sees something then activates his Scope Vision to get a better look. "You can say that again." Patrick sees nearly a dozen guards riding on speeders. They rush onto a ramp and then fly right over the barrier and start driving on the trail. "They'll catch us at this rate, let's move!"
Mashika and Patrick run through the forest. Mashika turns on her communicator. "Ronald! We need a pick up at Coordinates 19, 33."
"Copy that." Ronald says.
Patrick and Mashika run as fast as they could. At nearly halfway to their destination, they hear the sound of roar engines. Not an airship, but something from behind. They know they're coming. "We won't make it, they'll have us surrounded."
Patrick suddenly comes to a stop, and Mashika does the same. Patrick unties the girl's hands then carries her in his arms and then hands her over to Mashika. "Take her and run, I'll slow them down." Mashika is about to protest but Patrick already figured out what she's about to say and interrupts her. "Now's not the time to argue, just do as I say!"
Mashika nods and while carrying the girl runs as fast as she can. Patrick takes out some Plant Dust Crystals. Be places them lined up at the edges of the path, then holds an Ice Dust Crystal in his hand. "Come and get me, scum." He says in serious mode.
Patrick waits in position for his opponents to come clear. He can hear them on the approach. When he does, he breaks the Dust Crystal in half and uses the dust within to send ice shards right at the Plant Dust Crystals. Large vines come out of the spots where the crystals have been destroyed. Speeders approached within sight only to get caught entangled in the vines.
All of the enemies shout in the struggle, several of them fall out of the speeders. Once they recover, take draw out their weapons and charge after Patrick. The gun wielders kneel on one knee, aim and fire. Patrick takes out a Rock Dust Crystal and slams it to the ground, creating a man sided rock barrier in front of him. Protecting him from the incoming bullets.
Patrick sets his Dust Braces with Ice Dust and, with a single slam from his foot, unleashes a wave of ice that freezes the ground towards his enemies. Those that were still running on the frozen field slipped and falls. With them occupied, Patrick makes a run for it. Some of the speeders and the guards still riding them breaks free from the vines and chase after Patrick.
As he runs, Patrick can hear Speeders on his tail. "Shit." Patrick takes out his Scroll to call Mashika, who answers after a while. "Mashika, tell Roland to take off when you get on board."
"No way, I'm not leaving you behind, Love." Mashika says.
"Trust me, just do it!" Patrick says, then hangs up immediately. Patrick then activates his Dust Bracers with Lightning Dust, and runs at increased speed. The Speeders have Patrick in their sights and begin firing.
Meanwhile, Mashika had it out of the forest to the cliff edge. Mashika stands by the edge looking down at the ocean, the waves washing up against the jagged rocks down below. Mashika looks all around in the sky. "Come on, where are you?"
The airship arrives, it docks on the edge. The door slides open and Mashika jumps in. She moves into the cockpit and seats behind Roland's seat. "Patrick said to take off."
Roland does as ordered. The airship takes off. As it does, Patrick runs with Speeders behind him, shooting at him. He uses his Vision to get a lock on the airship flying away. Once he's at a close distance to the end of the trail, he leaps, commends the Dust Bracers to dual load with the current Lightning Dust and the newly added Gravity Dust. Patrick lands right on the edge of the land, then jumps with incredible height and speed.
Patrick soars through the soar towards the airship. Patrick reaches his arms out. As he gets closer, he starts to lose increasing altitude. Just as he stops rising in the air, he grabs the airship by the bottom of the open door.
The speeders come to a halt when they reached a dead end. They can only watch as the airship flies away. "Damn it! They got away."
"With the slut, too." The second rider says. "We gotta warn the boss."
Patrick dangles from the airship, he attempts to pull himself up but slips a little. When he tries again, Mashika grabs his hand and helps pull him up. Patrick and Mashika sit in exhaustion. "We made it." Mashika says.
"It was a close call." Patrick looks at the out-cold girl they rescued. "Let's just hope she'll make it too."
An hour has passed, it's still dark with the slightest ray of the sun breaking from the pitch-black sky. Elizabeth paces back and forth in the courtyard while Lumiére stands aside watching her.
"Ma'am, you must relax." Lumiére says.
"I'm trying, Lumiére, but they should have been back by now." Elizabeth says. "Not to mention there are these ingredients and a chemistry set Patrick asked me to prepare for him. Something serious must have happened."
"I suppose, but still. Even Plumette has yet to return with the errands." Lumiére says.
Finally, the airship has arrived. It lands in the center of the courtyard. Patrick and Mashika, who is carrying the girl in her arms, get off the airship and approaches Elizabeth and Lumiére. "You've made it." Elizabeth looks at the girl, confused but concerned upon seeing her condition. "Who is she? Is she alright?"
"Long story to explain, but little time is of the essence. This girl is all we could find and she had Lover's Poison." Patrick says.
"Lover's Poison? What's that?" Elizabeth says.
"It's a drug the Agency uses." Hearing the Agency is Elizabeth alert. "It's used to control their slaves, but at the same time, it serves as a cruel punishment. When injected, it affects the cells in your body with a lustful addiction. If left...'Untreated'." Patrick has a bitter taste in his mouth saying that word knowing what the treatment is. "it causes the cells to erupt, driving you sick and insane, until they burst from lack of subsistence." Patrick looks at the girl.
"Can you help her?" Elizabeth asks.
"That's why I texted you about the ingredients. I can try to recreate the antidote but it's not going to be easy, and she doesn't have much time left." Patrick says.
"Allow me to assist you," Lumiére says. "I was trained to be a doctor before being employed by Miss Akimura."
Everyone hurries on inside. They set the girl, who is now dressed in some pajamas instead of Patrick's coat, in an empty room. Lumiére observes the girl. Patrick stands behind watching him do his work. Just then, Plumette arrives with the errands. Patrick tells her to set it all by the table at the end of the room.
"Even based on what you've said, I hardly understand this Lover's Poison. But her symptoms seem simple enough to treat. I should be able to slow down the effects to give you some time." Lumiére says.
"I'd apprechiate the assist, Lumiére. I have no idea when she began the final stage, so I can't pinpoint when her time is up." Patrick moves to the table to begin his work. "I can only hope I'll figure out the antidote on time."
Patrick takes two vials of chemicals, he carefully tips one of them into the other, allowing a single drop to fall in. It only results causing an explosion in his face. This will defiantly not be an easy process.
Patrick spend the entire morning locked in the room trying to conquer the antidote. Once he makes the first batch, Patrick takes a sample of the girl's blood and uses the antidote-in-process on it. So far, he hasn't come close to figuring it out even comparing it as best as he could from memory. Lumiére does his best to treat the girl's symptoms, so far it's working but the effects are becoming overwhelming as time passes. The girl starts frailing in the best, groaning in agony, her breathing rising rapidly.
"Do hurry, Mister Patrick. I don't know how much longer she'll hold on." Lumiére says.
"Don't pressure me!" Patrick shouts.
As the day goes on, the rest of Team PASM and Team CPER are wondering where Patrick could be. This would be a normal thing to happen but it feels like there's no reason for his disappearance on a holiday trip. Selena asks her mother where he could be, and Elizabeth answers: "I've sent him with Lumiére to take care of a few errands. He might be out for a while."
It's a little after noon and the girls' conditions are worsening. Patrick finishes on another formula for an antidote. He sets a drop of it on the blood and observes it in the microscope, with a close serious look on his face. When the results came, he gasps.
Lumiére watches the girl struggle in concern until Patrick comes with a needle full of the formula. "I've got it. I just hope it works."
Patrick injects the serum into the IV Tube. "You hope? I thought you said the antidote will cure her."
"I'm certain this is the correct formula, but I never used it on someone in a critical condition like hers." Patrick says. "It's best we observe and see what happens."
While waiting, Lumiére tells Plumette the update on the situation, and she delivers it to Mashika and Elizabeth. It puts their burden and worries at ease but Mashika figures the situation will be just as Patrick predicts. Mashika delivers Lumiére and Patrick some tea and a meal. When she does, she notices that Patrick is fast asleep on the table. She couldn't help but laugh, Patrick has been out all night and worked all morning without sleep. He's clearly exhausted.
After handing Lumiére his meal, Mashika leaves the room then returns with a blanket to put on Patrick.
Later, the sun is nearly beginning to set, and Patrick awakens. Lumiére is checking on the girl, who is laying more still in bed while still breathing heavily, but normally heavy instead of rapidly. Patrick approaches Lumiére. "What's her status?"
"Her condition has improved, but she's still very ill." Lumiére says. "You know this poison, is this perhaps a good sign?"
"If I recall correctly...Those who suffered from this level never had a calmer condition before dying. I'd say the antidote is working." Patrick takes notice that the bag on the IV Tube is empty. He takes another sample of the girl's blood to observe it. "Hmm..."
"What is it?" Lumiére says.
"It's just as I thought." Patrick says. "The antidote did work, but her condition is very too critical to cure her completely. If she were in stage 2 or less she would be healthy again."
"Is it possible she needs a stronger douse?" Lumiére asks.
"I don't think so, Lumiére. The same formula should still work, she just needs another douse of it." Patrick says. As Patrick works on another antidote serum, Lumiére replaces the IV Bag, then once Patrick is finished, he injects the antidote into the tube. "Let's hope we'll be able to flush it out of her system entirely."
Time has passed. It's already sunset. Lumiére is taking a break while Patrick is just sitting beside the bed, watching the girl. She still looks like she's in pain, but the antidote has further comforted her struggles. Her breathing is beginning to steady, Patrick sees it as a good sign.
The door opens as Mashika walks in. She stands beside Patrick looking down at the girl. "Looks like she's doing better."
"But it's still not enough." Patrick says. "There are no signs of relapses, not even the slightest, but that'll change if we leave the poison in her system without antidote treatment."
"I understand this is serious stuff, but you shouldn't worry too much about it. She's in good hands, thanks to you and Lumiére." Mashika says. Patrick doesn't say anything. "You know, you haven't left this room since we came here with her."
"What's your point?" Patrick asks.
"You should take a break. At least leave this room and spend some time with your friends." Mashika says. Patrick doesn't say anything but brushes the idea off. "Listen, your friends are concerned about your disappearance. Elizabeth had to make an excuse that you were doing errands for her with Lumiére. You should spend some time with them. Unless you'd prefer they find out you've been going on secret missions rebelling against the Agency and found a poisoned woman in the process."
Patrick exhales deeply through the nose. He stands as he speaks. "I hate it when you're right." Patrick leaves the room. "I want immediate update if something comes up."
"Can do, love." Mashika says just as he leaves the room closing the door behind him.
Patrick asks Plumette to take him to Selena and the others, and the young maid escorts the young Shadow Hunter to his destination. Patrick arrives at Selena's room, where everyone is enjoying a video game with Selena and Peter playing and everyone else is watching, Clawdia, Earnest, and Marlene are pretty excited until Selena completely destroyed Peter.
"No way! How did you even do that?" Peter asks.
"No kitten! Nothing can stop this girl!" Clawdia says.
"What can I say? I'm an expert." Selena says. Selena looks past Peter to see a surprised guest. "Patrick! You're back." Everyone turns to look at Patrick. "Are you finished helping Lumiére with errands?"
"Uh, yea. You could say that." Patrick says. "So what are you guys up to?"
"Playing a game of Mega Crush Huntsmans. We're trying to beat Selena but it's impossible." Marlene says.
Hearing this surprises Patrick, he looks at Selena. "You play video games?"
"It's one of the few only things that helps pass time in this home." Selena hangs over a controller. "Wanna play?"
"I don't play." Patrick says.
"What's wrong?" Peter says, in a teasing tone while poking Patrick's cheek. "Is the big bad scary Shadow Hunter scared of getting his butt whooped by a girl?"
Patrick aggressively grabs Peter's finger and crushes it, causing Peter is wince in agony. "You're about to see how big bad and scary I can be, Kazuto!" The girls have no argument for what Patrick's doing, not even Clawdia, given Peter's ill behavior.
"Despite his sexist nature, I'm with Peter. You afraid of losing to a game?" Selena asks.
Patrick lets go of Peter then takes his seat, snagging the controller. "Oh, it's on, Teen Idol."
The match starts, and Selena and Patrick are pounding at the buttons on the controllers as everyone else is cheering them on.