In this part Aqua makes some final preparations.

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this

Person 5 Royal Fanmake Gaston Arc Chapter 18

Death & Cleaning

The next day Aqua in her uniform arrives at the front of Citadel Academy ready school but then sees standing out the front of the school was Gaston.

"Good morning. Come on, hurry up and get to class!" Gaston said smiling at the students he then looks at Aqua and said still smiling but less jovial "Good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. LeGume." Aqua said nodding and goes inside.

Gaston then said to her as she was going past but in low voice only for her to hear making her stop "…That admirable behaviour won't do you any good once you're expelled." Aqua looks at Gaston before heading into the school.

We come to the class with Yor there as they were finishing up the current lesson.

"…Well, that wraps up the homeroom period." Yor said to the class. "Oh, and Aqua. A word with you please?"

"Okay then" Aqua said confused and gets up from her desk.

The two walk the halls and stop by a room labelled Guidance and Yor turns to Aqua and said "There's something I'd like to ask you. I promise it won't take long."

Soon out of the counsellor's office emerges the School guidance teacher with Gaston and the spikey brown haired boy from last week.

Gaston seeing them smiles and said "I see you're already getting on top of the problem I'd mentioned this morning, Mrs. Forger! I appreciate the support."

The brown-haired boy looks at Aqua and said smiling "Thank you again."

"Oh, you know this girl, Uchiyama?" Gaston asked the boy revealing his last name.

"Yes, she lent me a helping hand earlier." Uchiyama said smiling.

"I recommend you steer clear of the likes of her if you have any consideration for your future." Gaston said putting on a concerned act. "Remember the discussion we just had? There are a number of students in this school you shouldn't get involved with…This one's at the top of the list."

"Oh, the delinquent transfer student…?" Uchiyama said surprised looking at Aqua. The blue haired girl mentally sighs as Gaston was at it again smearing her name.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to use the guidance office." Yor said to them.

"Oh, pardon me." Gaston said nodding. He smiles at Uchiyama "We should be going too don't want to get in the way of guiding this delinquent and all"

"…Please excuse us" Uchiyama said to Yor and Aqua, bowing as Gaston and the guidance officer leave and he follows them.

"After you." Yor said to Aqua.

Aqua nods and thinks 'Keep a cool head, don't let Gaston get in your head, he will get his' she sits at a table, Yor sitting across from her.

"I'm going to get straight to this point: did something happen between you and Mr. LeGume?" Yor asked Aqua concerned.

"Why do you ask?" Aqua asked her teacher.

"Well, there was that little exchange just now, but that's not all…" Yor explained "He have me a brief lecture this morning, and your name came up. Something about the dangers of a lack of supervision…" She sighs "I don't mean to pry, but…just make sure you don't go causing trouble, okay?"

"I understand Mrs. Forger." Aqua said nodding.

"Oh, and one more thing." Yor said. "That boy outside the office you didn't make a pass at him, did you?"

"No of course not." Aqua said shaking her head.

"All right." Yor said nodding. "Mr. LeGume has a real close eye on you… Apparently, you've been getting involved with Doorman. You seem acquainted with Uchiyama as well….Maybe you're just naturally drawn to athletes?"

Aqua gives a bemused look at her teacher…was that meant to be a joke?

"Sorry, bad joke" Yor said shaking her head pretty much confirming it. "That's all I wanted to discuss. You're free to go."

"Thank you, Mrs. Forger." Aqua said nodding and leaves the office.

Aqua was back in class and she along with Alexis get a message from Uzi who put "So I saw Gaston at the school gate this morning. He was just standing there looking at me with this jerk-eating grin on his face."

"Ugh, that's annoying…He was probably mocking you." Alexis replies

"Honestly, seeing that got me even more fired up about this." Uzi messages "We're definitely gonna pull this off."

Alexis messages saying "Yeah, I'm worried about Hina, but I want to concentrate on our operation too. And I won't let myself get exhausted like last time."

"The board meetings May 2nd, right?" Uzi asked "We just got to take care of him before then.

"I'm ready for this." Aqua messaged

"Same goes for me." Uzi messaged.

"Me too!" Alexis added "I'll do my best. No going in without me, okay?"

"Yeah, you better let us know if you're going into the Palace." Uzi said

Aqua nods and puts the phone away.

As the day went on Aqua heard people talking, talking about how she got in trouble the first day, the upcoming expulsion and how people are happy with it. Also talking about Uchiyama and how they got high hopes for him even girls crushing on him. Soon it was after school.

"It's finally time to set the plan in motion" Gatomon said "The others I bet are ready to go, just when you're ready send out the signal"

"Yeah I got some final preps to do I think" Aqua said and leaves the classroom and heads over to the Library also on the third floor.

On the way she sees Carly and approaches her "Hey Carly."

Carly looks at her and said to her "…I have info. Heard you met the new student?"

"Um, which new student exactly?" Aqua asked thinking

"You didn't know?" Carly said surprised "He's all everyone at Citadel Academy is talking about this year. He was admitted as an honor student because he's a gymnastics medal contender. Not only are his gymnastics skills incredible, but he's also polite and handsome."

"So far, he's only gotten positive attention unlike a certain someone" Carly said giving a knowing look at her.

"Well, thanks for the info" Aqua said and heads and enters the library.

"Oh….is this your first time at the library?" A student behind the librarian desk said, she was a blue haired girl with blue eyes. The name plate said Ami Mizuno.

"Oh, yes, it is." Aqua said nodding to her.

"It's my job to explain the rules of the library for first time visitors, so…" Ami said and got the rules out "You're only allowed to borrow one book at a time. Once you finish, please be sure to retur-huh?" She then looks up at Aqua. "That badge…Are you a second year?"

"Ummm…yeah." Aqua said not liking where this is going.

"…Oh, could you be that transfer student I keep hearing about?!" Ami said concerned.

"Yeah, I am…" Aqua said awkwardly.

"I knew it…" Ami said sighing "Uh…I don't mean to be rude, but maybe you shouldn't come here…" She indicates to other students in the room looking nervous with her "See, you're scaring the other students too…"

"So, I am not allowed to use it?" Aqua asked

"Oh…No, I didn't you can't use the library, but…" Ami said conflicted.

"You're not welcomed anywhere you go…I guess there's nothing we can do about it." Gatomon whispered. "The other students are scared of you…? I'm feeling more hostility than anything."

The Cat looks around and said "I see a study corner where you can raise your Knowledge and Guts there…"

"It's alright Ami, I won't be staying long" Aqua said as she looked around and saw J focused on her studies. "I'd like to borrow a book."

"Well always nice to meet a fellow lover of books" Ami said nodding "However you can only borrow one book at a time. Be sure to return it after you've finished reading it." She pulls out a few books "These are all the books available for check out right now."

Aqua sees the books being The Great Thief, Pirate Legend, Zorro, the Outlaw, The Alluring Dancer and Speed Reader through the last one she can't understand it yet.

"I'll take the Pirate Legend please." Aqua said smiling 'The tale of Captain Kidd, least I will understand how Uzi's Persona came to be.

"Be careful with it" Ami said smiling.

She then made her way home, on the way in Vale met a hobo living in the underground walkway who warns her to be careful as anyone can end up like them, she also bought some Bio-Nutriants as she felt like some point getting a plant to brighten up her room someday.

She made it to Metru-Nui and bought some extra few supplies and enters the Clinic. She even saw the sickly-man from the other day looking more healthy after taking something from Solus' clinic.

Aqua enters and goes to the counter where Mordin was working. She figures best to ask about the enhancing drug from the other day.

Mordin looks up at Aqua "Oh, hello. What are you here for today?"

"I was wondering if you had any of that 'special' medicine?" Aqua asked him

"Hm?" Mordin said puzzled and looks at him "Oh, now I remember you. You're the Earth child at Leblanc. I assume by your question that regular medicine isn't doing the trick?"

"I have my reasons…" Aqua said being vague as best she can.

Mordin remains quiet thinking and then said, "Very well…Just head into the examination for now."

Aqua heads into the Exam room and sits on a stool. Mordin enters and stands by the door.

"So, that 'medicine', I see." Mordin said and then looks the door and pulls out what looks to be a pistol "So…which conversation of mine did you eavesdrop on to hear that?"

"W-Wait what…?" Aqua said nervous.

"Please, you don't need my intellect to know that was obvious. You seriously call that hiding." Mordin said to her not pointing the pistol, it seems it was only an intimidation tactic. "Of course, I don't actually care."

"Sorry about the gun, a tactic I used back during my STG days for interrogation. "He sighs and holsters the gun said "I was going to dispose of that medicine anyway. I got carried away with it I'll admit. But tell me, why would a high schooler like you be so interested in that medicine?"

"Um…err…" Aqua said thinking on what excuse would work.

"I do find it baffling and confusing to say the least. You body doesn't appear to be athletic in anyway, so…" Mordin said confused. "What are you up to?"

"I need it for my exams." Aqua told him doing her best to sound convincing.

"Exams…? Oh, are you referring to entrance exams for college?" Mordin said thinking and Aqua nods "So, you're looking to improve your concentration and reduce fatigue? Hm, that isn't exactly the best idea. However, if that what you want to do…" He unlocks the door and steps away from it. "Then good luck with that."

"Wait, what?" Aqua asked

"I have no obligation to help you with that." Mordin explained to her "I suggest you have an energy drink or something."

"But I need that medicine." Aqua told him.

Mordin looks at her and shakes her head "It's rare I meet someone that I find annoying. I should tell you the medicine is really expensive. Also, it's not something a high schooler can get his hands on. It costs almost as much as a car. Do you understand now? If so, go home now."

"But what if I work for it?" Aqua said to him.

"Pardin, do you mean like a part-time help?" Mordin said to her and thinks about it. "…Tell me, do you consider your someone with a good amount of stamina?"

"Uh…I guess so, but why?" Aqua asked confused.

"I admit I have been looking for a young person around about your age to assist me." Mordin explained. "Sadly, I haven't been able to find one, I even put out an ad out on the newspaper…Are you up for the task?"

"Um…What would I be doing?" Aqua asked concerned.

"Do you want to do it or now?" Mordin asked serious

"Y-Yes…I do" Aqua said nodding.

"Alright then." Mordin said "You'll be participating in clinical trials for my medicine." Aqua looks up surprised "Stand by, I'll be right back."

He goes to get something and comes back with a cup of red liquid medicine and hands it to her.

"Here you go." Mordin said to her. He noticied Aqua's worried look "Worried about the side effects I assume, correct? Well, you can relax. Be assured my autopsy is guaranteed to find out exactly which part of it resulted in your death."

"That doesn't reassure me!" Aqua said surprised.

"What, are you not going to take it?" Mordin asked "If not, the exit's right there if you wish to take your leave."

'Damn, if I don't drink this, Mordin won't sell me his medicine…' Aqua thought to herself.

"Well? Go ahead if you are." Mordin told her.

"Oh well…bottoms up." Aqua said and drinks the whole cup down.

"What?" Mordin said in surprise "I am surprised you actually drank it…"

'Well, it's bitter but sour. It's beyond description…but nothing I can't hande…' Aqua thought on the taste.

"Interesting…Still doing alright? Hmmm. Not bad for a high school student." Mordin deduces thinking and looks at Aqua "Um…" Aqua groans and collapses onto the ground. "Well, guess this is game over."

A while later Aqua comes too on the medical bed, Mordin was working on a pad sitting by a desk. Aqua groans and sits up on the med, the Salarian notices.

"Good evening miss." Mordin said to her. "Do you recall anything from the moment you too the medicine until now?"

"Um, what to do you mean?" Aqua asked confused.

"Hm, seems by the look in your eyes, I say you do not." Mordin deduces thinking. "You did briefly wake up from your coma, but you were completely dazed during the entire examination…. You eventually lost consciousness and fell back to sleep."

"I see." Aqua said recovering.

Mordin then looks at Aqua serious and asked "Have you lost your mind human? Only a being with idiotic intelligence would have drank that.

"I am not out of my mind." Aqua aid recovering.

"Alright then." Mordin said looking at his pad "By the way, the reason you lost consciousness was mostly due to the taste. It produces a foul smell when it mixes with the gastric juices, similar to surstromming. Doesn't matter. What does matter is that thanks to you, I was able to get some good data."

"Alright, it's my turn to make good on my part of the deal. That is why I awated until you woke up." Mordin adds nodding and Aqua woke up fully. "I don't want the general public to know about my original medicines. So you're strictly prohibitied from disclosing what happens here to anyone, understood?"

"Of course, I want say a word." Aqua said with a nod.

"Then we have a deal." Mordin said nodding "So long as you come here for it, I'll give you the medicine at a good price whenever you want. I might even add additional slections, in time…I look forward to your continued patronage."

Aqua nods as she made a deal with Mordin Solus…

In the present day Aqua is still in interrogation with Windblade and her Law Troopers Jacob and Jess.

"Based on all the actions you've taken; you must've had someone with medical expertise." Windblade said "Who? And how did you treat your wounds?"

"It will be easy to find out who if we looking into this, you know!" Jess said nodding

We come back to the past as Aqua feels a new bond being made.

"I am thou, thou art I…Thou hast acquired a new vow." The Female voice said "I shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captvitiy. With the birth of the Death Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall to freedom and new power."

Aqua gets her card book and sees the card with Mordin's name on it, depicting a skeleton with a scythe cutting off a king's head. She also feels that the number of items at the clinic was increased. She puts the book away.

"So…when will you be available for the next clinical trial?" Mordin asked her.

"Wait, next one?" Aqua asked him.

"Hm? You don't remember that part, either?" Mordin asked her "Well, I was saying that teenage test subjects are quite valuable in the medical research industry. So, I'll provide you the medicine for your entrance exams, and in exchange you'll be my guinea pig. I need to perfect this medicine."

Mordin then thinks then said "If you're able to move now, you're freed to go home now. Do take care now."

Aqua nods and grabs her stuff, feeling her guts increased thanks to this shady clinical trial. As she was leaving Mordin stops her.

"Also, I'll contact you when I'm done prepping for the next clinical trial." Mordin said to her. "I will also put together some compensation by then, for all your efforts today. But you're not getting that in writing."

The Salarian ponders saying "Based on today's results, I think I can whip up some new medicine for next time. Drop by when you're ready for it."

"Sure, that is fine by me" Aqua said nodding.

"Good to hear." Mordin said with a nod. "You live pretty close, right? You might still feel some dizziness, so take it easy on your way home. I'm not really in any mood to write up an autopsy. So do take care of yourself."

"Right, see you next time." Aqua said and leaves.

She arrives back at LeBlanc safely.

"You better not be up to any trouble." Vito said "You make just one mistake and your life's over. Instead of hanging around, you should be studying or something. If there aren't any cusomers, you can use the shop."

"Thank you, Vito." Aqua said smiling.

"No need to thank me. I'm just telling you to stay out of trouble." Vito explained "If you're going to study, you can use that table" He points to the middle booth "Just don't leave the place covered in eraser crumbs, okay? Also one of my other customers mented the counters pretty comfortable place to read."

"It's your time to spend. Just make sure it's after my customers are gone." Vito finished explaining. He then smiles as he adds "Or hey, if you want to clean the shop, I'm not going to turn you down. The cleaning stuff's in the bathhouse.

Aqua nods and goes to her room but sees a book of crosswords on the table, she then plays one of them and increase her knowledge and then heads upstairs.

"Hey, if you have nothing to do, let's clean up this room." Gatomon suggested after getting out the bag. "Cat's like I mean, I like cleanliness. Plus, there might be some treasure hidden in here, you know?"

"Yeah, I would like to finish the cleaning I started. Let's open up the floor first" Aqua said and cleans the Junk-littered Floor.

As she cleans she finds a potted plant still alive.

"Cool, we can decorate with it." Gatomon said smiling "Every dreary room can be brighten up with a little green foliage…Let's take good care of this plant so it won't dry up and wither away."

"Yeah, and I found that small TV too, it still works too." Aqua said placing it on the small table by the couch.

"The bookshelves over there are looking a bit messy." Gatomon said "Let's clean everything up what we're at it."

Aqua nods and cleans up the books and looks to see which she should keep. Gatomon examines them

"Politics, law, and philosophy…these all sound like some pretty difficult books…" Gatomon said "Take one, at lease. A little bit of effort will go a long way." Aqua nods and takes Social Thoughts "Also take this too, should be an easy read, right?" She takes Yoncha Walker.

"I wonder why this one is mixed in with all of these difficult books…" Gatomon said confused "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. This room feels a little more comfortable now…And just as I had predicted, we found a treasure, but…"

Gatomon looks at the TV Aqua meanted earlier. "It's a CRT TV. We can't watch any broadcasts without a tuner. It'd be a waste to just let it sit here though. Is there a place where we can get home appliances for cheap?"

"Maybe the Second-hand store here in Metru-Nui. Have to have a look" Aqua said thinking. "But this room is a little empty now maybe I can decorate with more."

"Anyway, good work." Gatomon said "Get some sleep while we can."

Aqua nods and heads for bed.

Death confidant acquired and also the room is all tidy.

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