Together they set up a station using several bottles, burners, petri dishes and more to separate the lifeblood with the help of alchemy and chemistry combined. Every now and then, Ghost even came down to observe and even peeked through the glass vials and orbs curiously. Once everything was set up perfectly, Igor got the separating agent ready. 

“We only have one chance to do this, so...” Prometheus said as he emptied the lifeblood into glass bottle where everything would start. 

“It will work, Prom.” Igor said as he pulled down his goggles then pulled up his mask while also wearing a cap, thick rubber gloves and an apron. 

Prometheus was dressed in the same way and for Ghost’s own safety, he put her outside though she still peeked in through the window which was left slightly open. 

“Alright, Igor... Now.” Prometheus instructed. 

Igor complied by adding the separating agent and turned on the Bunsen burner. He took a few steps back to observe the reaction alongside the creature-doctor. At first, the lifeblood bubbled as it came to a boil quite quickly. After a few seconds, it changed from one colour to the next until it looked like a mosaic of white, clear, deep red, pinks and one streak of green that was barely visible. After a while, each “colour” seemed to separate into different liquid parts like oil would with water, and they each traveled into their own glass tube and station. 

“It’s working!” Igor cheered as Ghost hooted in awe. 

The first part to become separated into its own substance was the blood which was collected into a large wide beaker. Next came the amniotic fluid. Then the bone, which hardened right away into a small hard white lump once in its beaker. The muscle tissue did a similar thing as it congealed into a medium sized blob of meat. The neuroglia congealed into what looked like a palm sized deformed brain. Finally, the mysterious glowing green agent went into the beaker. Whatever it was, it was the size of a tiny pebble one would find stuck in their shoe. 

Prometheus picked it up with a pair of tweezers and looked at it together with Igor through a large magnifying glass. After, they put it under the microscope, took down all the elements they could recognize in it, took down notes on the chalkboard and looked through several alchemy books to make sense of it. During this time, they let Ghost back inside and she fell asleep on a nice cozy empty space in the tall bookshelf. The two doctors were interrupted when there was a knock at the lab door by Agatha. 

“Good morning?” she said as she peeked inside. 

“Huh?... Oh...” Prometheus realized that it was indeed morning. 

“Were you two here the whole night? What were you doing here anyway? Ugh...” Agatha stepped in and shuddered at the site of the things on the table. 

“Agatha knows what’s going on, Igor. I told her everything last night.” Prometheus explained before turning to her “Do you recall that jar of mysterious liquid, we have named it lifeblood, that Igor and I found in the burnt down lab?” 

“Yes. It’s where you had an encounter with what sounded like the abominable stone-man.” she replied. 

“Well, this is what lifeblood is made of and this is the main ingredient.” he showed her the green pebble. 

“An emerald?” Agatha raised her brow. 

“No. It’s a gem that can only be made in alchemy.” Igor corrected her. 

Agatha’s eyes went wide “You mean that’s a philosopher’s stone?!” 

“No. According to research, it’s what you get when you fail to make a philosopher’s stone. It still has powers and can be used the same way, but it’s flawed and has side effects. It’s the twisted sister: a hedonist’s stone.” Prometheus explained. 

“What is that doing in the ‘lifeblood’ as you christened it and why would anyone put it in there to begin with? Isn't alchemical gem crafting illegal?” Agatha asked. 

“Everything about the lifeblood is illegal.” Igor grumbled as he slumped into the chair. 

“More importantly, we now know how Baron Frankenstein’s body modification works. After a patient undergoes it, they must soak in lifeblood once a week to keep the body from rejecting the replaced body part and it prevents side effects like-” Prometheus was interrupted by a disgusted Agatha putting a finger on his lips. 

“I get the idea, Prometheus. Also, while I’m no doctor, patients turning into monsters is ironically a side effect from that lifeblood, isn’t it?” Agatha deduced. 

“Yes. You see, lifeblood is a living potion. When enough of it gets into your system even through skin absorption, it starts taking over the body like a bio-alchemical parasite.” Igor added while pointing to the monster daisy in the cage chomping at the bars. 

“If lifeblood contained philosopher’s stones, there would be no side effects. Hedonist’s stones are unstable and don’t have long lifespans which is why the victims who mutate hunger for meat. It’s the hedonist stone inside of them demanding protein as an attempt to become stable. There are no legal or public records of how to create a philosopher’s stone. I’m guess Baron Frankenstein is secretly trying to find out how to make one.” Prometheus concluded. 

“You must tell this to the police! You have proof now!” Agatha told them, but then a horrible stench overwhelmed the room “Ew, what is that?” 

The smell was so pungent that it woke up Ghost who hooted in frustration and shook her head around in discomfort. Prometheus hurriedly opened the windows and looked back to discover the origin of the smell. 

“Oh no! The hedonist’s stone!” Prometheus cried as he watched it smoke and disintegrate slowly into the air until no trace of it was left behind. 

It turns out that in its purest form, a hedonist stone’s lifespan is only a couple of hours. The creature-doctor stomped his foot letting out a ‘damn’ causing the entire lab to shake to which Igor and Agatha calmed him down. 

“Hey, hey, it’s ok, Prom. We know how to get proof now.” Igor encouraged. 

“That’s right and if lifeblood is what people are bathing in, then there’s more for you to take and present as proof.” Agatha smiled while patting his shoulder. 

“How do we get more though? We’re not patients.” Prometheus lamented while rubbing his face. 

“No... but William Frankenstein is OUR patient and we ‘lost’ the check we are owed, so we need to pay him another visit. Considering William’s situation, maybe we can convince him to help us. We can't just leave that poor kid to be abused anyway.” Igor exclaimed. 

“He... He does need my help... and he did try to save Mark...” Prometheus muttered tiredly. 

Agatha put a hand on his shoulder “Maybe you should get some rest, clean up and eat something. You both look exhausted.” 

“Heh. I don’t know about eating, but I think I hear my bed calling me.” Igor chuckled as he realized his own tiredness. 

“The rest of the staff will take care of the clinic for today. You two men go home.” Agatha firmly instructed as she guided the two tired doctors out. 

“Just... promise me everyone will go home in pairs at least including you, Agatha. Please.” Prometheus requested. 

As they were about to leave, Ghost noticed a hawk looking at them from a tree through the window. When the hawk saw her looking back, he flew away. Prometheus called for her and she took one more look with a suspicious expression before coming to her caretaker. 

Outside, the hawk soared through the sky for a while until he was right above the Frankenstein estate. From a balcony, Mr. Falchion was standing with his arm held out and the hawk perched on it. He held the bird close to his ear allowing him to “whisper” into it. The man twitched his head around in surprise. 

“Report, Mr. Falchion?” Frankenstein asked while he was getting a shave from one beautiful maid, a manicure from another and a foot massage from yet another all at once. 

Elizabeth was seated far off on the sofa away from them with an expression that looked both disgusted and depressed at the same time. 

“They learned the secret of the baths and they intend to convince William to help them, Master Frankenstein.” Falchion informed him while bowing. 

“I see. Well, that means I’m going to have to make sure William remains seen, but not heard. Ever again.” Victor snickered sinisterly as he took the razor, eying it delightfully. 

“You leave him alone! We had a deal!” Elizabeth shot up. 

“I’m afraid the deal has changed, beloved. After all, I must protect the good name of Frankenstein.” he retorted nonchalantly. 

“Big words coming from the man who brought nothing, but shame to it.” Elizabeth sharply told him. 

“Bigger words coming from the woman who married me.” Frankenstein mocked. 

She cringed “I only married you because you promised that if I did, you would not hurt William, yet you still do! If you really cross the line though, I’ll-” 

“You’ll what, Elizabeth?” Frankenstein stood up towering over her into silence “If I decide that our promise is of no use to me anymore, there is nothing you can do and you know it. You just deny it.” 

Elizabeth just glared while frowning. 

“I don't know why you pity that little whelp so much considering he killed mother!” Frankenstein clenched his fist as his green eyes glowed “Though if the little shit means that much to you, perhaps you could... persuade me tonight, Elizabeth dear.” 

“I hate you.” she growled as the maid mockingly laughed at her while gathered around Frankenstein who had a wicked smile.