Doctor Jenkins' Miracle Elixir http://bethanyhunter.deviantart.com/art/Doctor-Jenkins-Miracle-Elixir-65427385 6 Nocturne and Nightshade sped off back to Fortune City as they were in a race against time. After investigating one of Helix's facilities, they discovered that a esteemed scientist known as Alexander Jenkins had been working on a life changing project. After being forced to work against his will, Jenkins managed to escape from the facility along with his life's work. Nocturne needed to find him before Helix could get their grip on the elusive doctor. "Nightshade do we have a lead?" Nocturne said through her communicator as both continuing driving. "Yeah, I sent Heero the data and he is working on it." Nightshade replied. "Heero, why Heero? I thought you were gonna send it to Hawke." Nocturne replied again. "Because he is the best damn hacker we know and he can track anything. Besides, if I'm being honest, I don't trust that Hawke guy that much...." Nightshade shot back. "Why not?" Nocturne asked. "Tell me something, Noct. How much do you know about him?" Nightshade asked. "Well I know that..."Nocturne pondered for a moment. "He is part of some secret organization that we have no idea of what they are." Nightshade spoke in a serious tone. "Last I heard he's no longer working with them..." Nocturne replied. "Exactly and yet I dunno his motivation or his group. Hell, for all I know he could cause more trouble if that group of his...." "That's enough of that. We don't have many allies and for the time being we need to rely on the few we have. We'll have to deal with the cards as they come." Nocturne shot back. "Fine by me. I'm just saying, Noct, be careful with who you trust." Nightshade showed genuine concern. "I know." Nocturne said, "Anyway, did he managed to get something for us?" "He is still working on it, we'll have to give him some time." Nightshade replied. Nocturne and Nightshade continue marching as fast as they could, it wouldn't take long for Helix to recover and follow the doctor's trail. Nocturne was running out of patience, anxiety kicking in. They finally made it to Fortune City and as luck would have it, Heero contacted them. "Heero, please tell me you have something for me." Nocturne said, her tone showed a bit of exasperation. "Don't worry Noct, Heero's here to save the day. Got you a lead." The cocky hacker replied. "Good work, now out with it!" Nocturne demanded. "Geez, you sure are feisty tonight. Anyway, as soon as Nightshade sent me the data, I started checking city cams and whatnot and I saw something interesting. A car with Helix's logo came from the outskirts of town in a hurry, I think it was being chased by those goons. Anyway, the car crashed in an alley near Vogue Lounge, you should head over there as soon as possible." "Thanks Heero, we can always count on you!" Nocturne replied, calming down a bit. "By the way, does doctor Jenkins have any distinguishable physical traits?" "He looks like literally every science cliche from the 80s. Sort of like the dude from Back to the Future or Rick from Rick and Morty." Heero replied jokingly. "Got it. Who knows, after I rescue him maybe you two can go on some space adventures. You could be his Morty!" Nocturne teased. "Ha ha, maybe you should focus on the rescuing the guy and leave the humor to the pro." Heero added. With Heero's help, Nocturne finally had a lead and a plan. The duo made their way downtown and searched the area near Vogue Lounge. It didn't take long for them to spot the car in which Dr. Jenkins had escaped. In what became a combination of good and bad news, the doctor had survived the crash, but he was nowhere near to be found. Nocturne fired up her scanner once more and searched the car for anything she could use to track the doctor. When the doctor crashed, he got a bruised and this proved useful for Nocturne. She noticed a small drop of blood and scanned it, with this she was able to track the doctor. Nocturne and Nightshade tracked the doctor through the dark alleys, the small hint of blood was the only thing they had to follow. As they made their way through the dark alleys, they noticed that another helix car had recently parked nearby. It seemed like it was only a scouting unit rather than a full troop, but nevertheless, time was running out for Nocturne. The blood trace finally led the duo to what looked like a creepy abandoned building, the doctor more than likely sought shelter here. Nocturne and Nightshade entered as silently as they could, so as to not alert any potential Helix units. Nocturne used her grapnel and took vantage point in the ceiling, while Nightshade covered the ground area. Using her trusty visor, Nocturne scanned the area and spotted the doctor and the Helix soldiers approaching him. There were six of them with rifles at the ready, the doctor had no way out. "Doctor Alexander Jenkins, we have orders to detain you. But our priority is your research, if you don't cooperate, we are authorized to eliminate you. Hand over your research and submit now!" One of the soldiers shouted. "I won't, you don't understand the importance of this research! I won't let it fall into the wrong hands!" Dr. Jenkins protested. "You have no other options. If you don't hand.....AGHH!" The soldier shouted. Before any of the soldiers could react, the room got engulfed in shadows and Nocturne descended with swift might, kicking one of the soldiers in the back and sending him straight into the ground. The soldier next to him wanted to aim his rifle but Nocturne performed a spinning kick that knocked him to the floor. Nightshade quickly jumped from her hiding place with baton in hand, she swept one of the soldiers and then hit him straight in the forehead, sending him to sleep. Without stop Nightshade moved on to the next soldier and used two well placed baton strikes to knock him out as well. Nocturne disarmed another soldier and attacked him with a combination of punches straight in his face, culminating with a knee smash that incapacitated him. Nightshade wasn't gonna let Nocturne outshine her and so she attacked the remaining soldier with two baton strikes, one to disarm him and one directly to his face, knocking him out as well. In less than a minute the goons had been taken care of, the doctor looked at both heroines with sheer awe. "Who...who are you?" The doctor asked. "We are Nocturne and Nightshade, we mean you no harm doctor, we came here to help you." Nocturne said, as calmly as she could. "Nocturne? Yes! I have heard of you. You are the one that's been giving Helix trouble, yes? Oh my luck is improving!" Jenkins seemed to have cheered up. "Yes, in fact that's precisely why we are here. A couple of hours ago we were investigating the facility and we found out about your escape. Whatever you are holding it's certainly valuable and I want to make sure Helix's doesn't get its hands on it." Nocturne said. "Ah yes, I been planning to escape for months. You don't know the atrocities I have seen in that lab of theirs....it's horrible....inhuman...." Dr. Jenkins shuddered. "We had a glimpse at what they did and we share your sentiment." Nocturne replied. "Speaking of, how did you managed to escape? Were you behind Twinblade X's rampage?" Nightshade asked. "Oh no, not at all. I don't want anything to do with those abominations. I don't know what exactly happened that caused that thing to go crazy, but it gave me the opportunity to get out of there. I still can't believe it, I planned my escape for months and yet I managed to do by sheer luck." Dr Jenkins said. "Monsters aside, Dr. Jenkins I must admit, I'm curious about your work. Improving cellular regeneration could revolutionize human life as we know it." Nocturne said. "Indeed! It has been my life's work, all these years I have worked to find a way to improve the way our body works. We are so close, yet we can't let these bastards take our noble effort and squander it in their grotesque schemes!" Dr. Jenkins began to ramble. "Could somebody give me a quick science lesson. What exactly are we talking about here?" Nightshade interfered in the middle of Jenkins' rambling. "In layman terms, I've been working a way to prevent the eventual decay of cellular regeneration in humans. As you may know, even if you lead a healthy lifestyle as you grow older your body decays. This is due to the fact that your cells no longer regenerate in the same manner as when you were younger, hence your immune system decays, your body tissue decays and all around your body functions are no longer the same. That's where my work comes in, through a feet of bio and chemical engineering, we managed to create this...." Dr. Jenkins pointed at some vials he had and a notebook, "This right here can change life as we know it. With this one time use compound, we can alter the way cells regenerate and boost their efficiency, so much that we can expand the users lifespan by decades and possibly centuries." "What?!?!" Nightshade was at a loss of words. "Yes! With this, you could easily live more than a century. Not only that, but you would do it looking just like you do now." Dr. Jenkins was clearly excited by explaining his grand achievement. "Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't this also go a long way into curing diseases such as cancer?" Nocturne asked. "Indeed! Not only that, it would significantly improve the immune system. The body is able to combat diseases so fast that in layman terms, they would be to an extent immune to things such as a cold." Dr. Jenkins replied, "While it certainly wouldn't protect you from a gunshot or a blade, most injuries related to muscle and tissue would recover at a faster rate than the average human. In short, humans would be able to live longer and better lives with this." "Wow, that is amazing! That would come in very handy for us!" Nightshade added. "As you may have noticed, should this fall into the wrong hands, it could be used for nefarious purposes. Helix is definitely the wrong hands.....oh if I had known better, I would had never taken their grant. I would much rather have this disappear than fall into their hands." Dr. Jenkins sighed. "Don't worry, doctor, that's where we come in. We won't let Helix get their hands on your work." Nocturne said with confidence. "Thank you, Nocturne. You are a light shining in the darkness." Dr. Jenkins replied. Before they could plan their escape, an entire platoon of Helix soldiers arrived and surrounded the building. Nocturne took a look outside and spotted at leasat sixteen armed soldiers. From among the soldiers, a particular figure stood out, a woman clad in a skintight black and yellow suit and slightly short black hair. She had a scar on her left cheek and a menacing look. "Jenkies if you come out and surrender, I'll go easy on you. It'll be low voltage...." The woman spoke in a gentle yet menacing tone. "Oh no!! They brought Voltress!" Jenkins looked quite scared. "Voltress?" Nocturne asked. "She's one of Helix's generals and a cruel woman. She enjoys torturing people with electricity....she kept us in line...." Jenkins was panicking. "Figured as much, I guess." Nocturne scanned the area, "Well it doesn't look like we are gonna be able to make a run for it. Only one other option....." With no other options, Nocturne and Nightshade faced the storm. Nocturne threw three smoke pellets into the alley, clouding it in smoke. The duo launched at the horde as fast as they could, their goal to disarm every soldier before the smoke cleared. Nocturne tackled one of the soldiers and slammed him against a wall, she then ran with all her might and clotheslined two incoming soldiers, a fourth tried to shoot at her, but Nocturne kicked him in the gut, grabbed his gun and hit him over the head with it. Nightshade make quick work of her enemies with her baton, striking two in the head with immense speed, a third tried to grab her from behind, but she managed to slip away and kick him in the groin, with a finishing strike to the forehead she put him out. The smoke was clearing and the soldiers were starting to regain their composure, but they were no match for the combined strength of the duo. Nocturne dodged all incoming attacks and opened the way for Nightshade to strike them down with her baton. They were in perfect synchronization, landing strikes with unmatched precision, dodging everything with swiftness. When the smoke cleared, every single soldier laid on the ground completely and utterly defeated. All save for Voltress, who had been looking at the whole battle from a distance. Once it was over, the malicious woman moved closer to Nocturne and Nightshade, clapping sarcastically. She looked at both and grinned. "My my, the famous Nocturne in the flesh and she brought along her cheerleader. Perfect! I have been looking forward to personally tame you." Voltress laughed. "Many have tried, all have met the heel of my boot. I will warn you only once, leave or prepare for the fight of your life." Nocturne shot back. "Oooh feisty! I will love breaking you!" Voltress laughed once more, she pulled what looked like an electric baton. Before Voltress could attack Nocturne, Nightshade intercepted with her own baton and the two engaged in a duel. Nightshade fought with all her might, doing her best to overcome Voltress, but the villainess proved to be highly crafty and resilient, matching all her attacks with perfect coordination. Nightshade continued attacking and Voltress countered all her moves. Their batons clashed in a series of blocks and strikes and Voltress began to drive Nightshade backwards. Nightshade swung her baton but Voltress paried and at the same time elbowed Nightshade across the face. In a swift motion Voltress disarmed the heroine and slammed her knee hard into her midriff. Making Nightshade drop to her knees clutching her stomach. Voltress was set on striking down Nightshade with her baton, but it was Nocturne's turn to intercept landing a strike that disoriented the cruel woman. Voltress recovered quickly and began to strike at Nocturne, but the heroine proved to be too fast for her, dodging all attacks and landing a few of her own. The swift blows knocked Voltress off balance but as Nocturne moved in the stick wielding villainess suddenly lashed out and connected a thudding kick to Nocturne's side that made her groan in pain. Voltress swung her baton and Nocturne avoided it with a swift sidestep. However as she did Voltress followed up with a punch from her other arm, hitting Nocturne right on the chin. The punch made her head snap backwards and she barely lost her balance. Nocturne was now in trouble but Nightshade recovered and joined in on the action, attacking Voltress with her baton. Voltress began to use circular footwork trying to make the heroines hinder each other so they could not attack her both at once. However Nightshade and Nocturne worked together in perfect unison and were able to corner her. Two against one proved too much for the villainess and both heroines landed punches to her face and sent her to the floor. Voltress was down and out. "Phew that was close. Geez, what a night...." Nightshade was panting. "I'll go check on the doctor." Nocturne said as she headed back to the building..... "AGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Nightshade screamed. Nocturne quickly turned and saw that Voltress was back on her feet and she had just electrocuted Nightshade in the back with her baton. The shock proved too much for the heroine and she fainted. Nocturne was seething with rage now. "Can't believe you two fell for that. Classic divide and conquer!" Voltress laughed. "YOU ARE GONNA REGRET MESSING WITH HER! I WILL BREAK YOU!!" Nocturne shouted. Nocturne launched at Voltress with rage, so fast that the crafty villainess wasn't able to dodge her. Nocturne landed a punch and a swift kick to the stomach, Voltress reeled but managed to hit Nocturne with her baton against her thigh, sending her to her knees. Voltress tried to press the electrified tip of her baton against Nocturne's chest but she was able to roll away and avoid it. The stickfighter moved at Nocturne with swift strikes. Nocturne was able to avoid them but as she tried to land a strike of her own Voltress blocked it and elbowed her across the jaw. Dazed Nocturne grabbed her arm holding the baton with both hands to avoid getting electrocuted. Voltress used her free arm to land two hard punches to Nocturne's midsection. As Nocturne winced in pain Voltress kicked the heroine's legs from underneath her and made her fall to the floor. The heroine tried to get back up but Voltress swung the baton and clubbed her against the side of her head. Nocturne felt the world spin around and collapsed to the floor. Laying dazed on the floor Nocturne took several hard kicks to her ribs and stomach that knocked her wind out and made her gasp for air. "The mighty Nocturne. You do not look very impressive when you are on the floor taking a beating." The Helix general said with a mocking voice. Voltress used her leg to roll Nocturne to her back. "You were never going to beat me Nocturne. I am going to tame you and you will never bother our operations ever again." Voltress sneered while looking down at the groggy heroine. Voltress placed her feet on Nocturne's ample chest to keep her pinned down. "Time to show you what real pain is." Voltress grinned. Slowly she brought the electrified end of her baton to the crotch of the concussed heroine. Shaking her head Nocturne recovered and retaliated with a quick and literal dirty move, as she threw dirt in Voltress's face, momentarily blinding her. The baton missed her womanhood by mere inches and hit the floor. Nocturne took the opportunity to kick her feet up, knocking the villainess backwards. Voltress was able to stay on her feet but the baton slipped out of her hand. Getting back to her feet Nocturne launched a ruthless attack, punching her with no mercy. Voltress was unable to counter and after four direct punches she felt onto the ground once more. Nocturne noticed her baton and grabbed it, she looked at Voltress without a shred of mercy and did the same thing she did to Nightshade. "AGHHHHHHHHHHH PLEASE STOP!!" Voltress screamed. "NOT UNTIL YOU APOLOGIZE!" Nocturne continued. "AGHHHHHHHHHHHH I'M......S..OO....R......R...Y....." Voltress couldn't take it anymore and fainted, humiliated and defeated in the same manner she had tortured her victims. With Voltress finally taken care of, Nocturne ran to Nightshade's aid. Luckily the heroine didn't suffer any serious injuries, though the battle certainly took its toll on her body. Nocturne helped her get back on her feet and the two marched back into the building to check on Jenkins. "That was amazing, Nocturne! I thought I was a goner but you two handled all those goons and even gave Voltress a dose of irony. Fantastic!" Dr. Jenkins was ecstatic. "Well now that we took care of them we need to take you out of Fortune City and get you some shelter. Fortunately, I have a friend who might be able to help us." Nocturne said. "Splendid! What's the idea?" Jenkins asked. "I have a friend in Steel City, she's like me, but she's also a scientist. Her name is Tiffany and if I can contact her, we could send you to Steel City and have you working in a lab. And a lab without disgusting ethics." Nocturne said. "Perfect! I love to continue researching and see if I can improve my work, I would also like to help you in any way I can. Which reminds me, as I saw you fighting it made me realize one thing. I think you two should have my compound." Dr. Jenkins said. "What?!?!" Both heroines said in unison. "You two are the two people in most need of this. It was practically made for you." Dr. Jenkins said "I'll take the Miracle Elixir!" Nightshade jumped in excitement. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to take such a responsibility." Nocturne crossed her arms, deep in thought. "Nocturne, this city needs you. You and Nightshade are the only ones that can protect it from the evil that threatens it. But you are a human just like the rest of us and at most, you have 15 or 20 years left before your age takes its toll on your body. My "Miracle Elixir" can help you stay in top physical condition for as long as you need to." Dr. Jenkins explained. "Sounds good to me, I'll take it!" Nightshade exclaimed. "Nigthshade, you don't understand, we would outlive all our relatives and loved ones. It's certainly a blessing but now without its price." Nocturne said. "With all due respect, Nocturne, you give me the impression of someone meant to die in a glorious battlefield rather than of old age. Even with my "Miracle Elixir", I can't guarantee either of you will get to live a hundred years with that lifestyle." Dr. Jenkins said. "Even so..." Nocturne pondered. "Noct, he is right. Even now, all these battles are taking their toll on us. We need an edge and this is it. This will allow us to continue fighting for as long as we have to, with our bodies being able to withstand it." Nightshade added. ".....Hmmm, you are right. Even now our threats keep getting worse, we even faced supernatural foes. We can't compete with that without an edge. Fine, I'll take it." Nocturne nodded. "Excellent!" Dr. Jenkins smiled. The doctor took two vials and deposited into two syringes, he then injected the two heroines with the compound. The compound quickly spread through their bodies with no side effects, the process was a success. "How are you feeling?" Dr. Jenkins asked. "I'm fine. Thank you for trusting in us, doctor." Nocturne said. "You more than deserve it, you need it. Now remember, you won't notice any immediate effects. This is meant to improve your life on a long term basis." Dr. Jenkins explained again. "Duly noted, doctor. Now let's get you out of here." Nocturne replied. Nocturne got in contact with Tiffany Johnson and the scientist/heroine agreed to give shelter to the doctor. She seemed very interested in working with the famous doctor, one could only imagine what they could achieve with their combined efforts. Nocturne and Nightshade took Dr. Jenkins to Fortune City's airport where he was going to take a plane to Steel City. "Well I suppose this is where our adventure comes to an end. I must say it has been fascinating seeing you in action. I hope you two keep making this city a better place." Dr. Jenkins said as he step out of Nightshade's bike. "Thanks to your efforts, we'll do our best. Please say hi to Tiffany for me." Nocturne said, smiling. "Will do! Oh before I go, here..." Dr. Jenkins handed over another vial of the "Miracle Elixir" to each heroine, "Keep this one for when you both meet someone with whom to spend a lifetime." Jenkins smiled. "Thanks, doc!" Nightshade exclaimed. "Thank you." Nocturne smiled. The heroines bid farewell to the doctor and began their march back home. They had a long and exhausting night, but they managed to not only thwart Helix, but preserve the future of humanity. The Helix Institute was still strong, but the heroines now had all the time in the world to make it crumble.