Before I start I would like to note a few things I forgot to ever mention before. For one, I in no way, shape, or form own Skullgirls. All I own is a copy of the , with that disclaimer out of the way, I would like to give now notice to my recently obtained cover pic, which can be found here: art/Pain-348046774 (PS, look at this guy's art in general, as it is really good). Finally, before anyone comments about it, yes, the beginning few sentences are for the most part identical to the start of Painwheel's story, and it was intentional as a way to make the characters similar, as well as the fact they all would probably go through a similar process. Well, hope you enjoy.
Chapter 2: The Pieces Begin to Move

PAINWHEEL, IT IS TIME TO AWAKEN. YOU HAVE YOUR NEXT ASSIGNMENT.

Five more minutes could be heard somewhere in the dark recessess of the damaged girl's mind. Though of course, she knows the thought was futile, as her body was always forced to obey whatever demands Brain Drain gave her, regardless of her own personal opinion. So, with little effort, she arose from her cot and removed the IV from her arm, the purpose of which was to ensure she had just enough nutritional value to complete the day. Why go through all the effort of cooking, Brain Drain would say, when we can just feed them through a tube while they sleep. Then again, kindness has never been one of his virtues.

After a bit of walking, she finally arrived to Brain Drain's main office, which was all decorated in a style to emphasize his twisted nature, as well as minorly amplify his already strong mental powers. Naturally, he could have just relay her instructions from her cot, like he did her wake up call, but he posessed a flair for the dramatic, alongside his general sadism and cloning habits.

Once she had arrived there, Brain Drain arose from his desk, wearing his typical uniform that instilled both a sense of authority and fear. This was further emphasized by his actual body, which by this point was more mechanical than organic. The only thing that showed he was at one point at least physically human was his brain, easily identified through a clear dome. When he was right in front of her, he began speaking, only ever talking to people via their minds.

NOW THEN, Brain Drain began, YOUR ASSAIGNMENT IS TO TAKE CARE OF AN OLD ASSOCIATE THAT HAS LONG SINCE GROWN SOFT. YOU ARE ALSO TO TAKE CARE OF ANY AND ALL OF HIS SUBJECTS, WHO ARE JUST AS POINTLESSLY SENTIMENTAL AS HE IS. HIS NAME IS DR. AVIAN, WHO IS THE HEAD OF LAB 8. VALENTINE WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY THERE IN ORDER TO ASSIST IN ANY CLEAN UP. ENSURE THAT SHE HAS NO REASON TO BE THERE, OR THERE WILL BE PUNISHMENT.

"Yes, Master," spoke Painwheel in her usual disturbed voice. While on the outside she was fairly complacent, internally she was adamantly against the whole thing. No, please don't make me kill more do I have to keep staining my body with the blood of others. I beg of you, you have to stop. By this point, Carol was appealing to her body to resist Brain Drain's control. This was futile, of course, as she was a sixteen-year old girl trying to repel the mental attacks of an old psychic whose specialty was mind control. She may as well have been trying to move a mountain. So she inevitably could do nothing but mourn her next victims. With that, she left, ready to make the trek to Lab 8, indiscreetly of course.

Meanwhile, somewhere near Little Innsmouth...

"Hopefully, we will be able to figure out more about the current events from Dr. Avian," spoke Ragnorok, who, after a fairly long morning, has obtained little to no meaningful knowledge about the Skullgirl or Lab Zero, as he had long since forgotten the Lab's actual location. The only bits of worthwhile news they had picked up on was that the local gang, The Medici, were planning something big, and several odd people showing up, however the news there was so inconsistent that any information there was useless as well. With that in mind, Ragnorok opted to go to the one of the few people in New Meridian he trusted, as the kind old scientest had found, protected, and taught him for the first few years after his escape from Lab Zero.

"Are you sure you remember the way to the Lab? Its been ages since we've been there. Granted, I'm not complaining about our current locale. Especially that resteraunt we went to. That fish-girl who was our waitress was hot! Wouldn't mind having a taste of that girl..."

"Okay A. think with your head between your shoulders, not your legs; B. That girl was easily twelve or thirteen, so that would be pedophilia, and C. Even ignoring that, we would then have suffered the same fate of those two guys that tried the same thing. Granted, I am curious how that girl who helped her was able to live and fight without her head, but that's a problem for another day."

"You know, all that aside, I'd still at least try. Also, I originate from your personality. So I guess that means you had some sort of interest in her too" said Fenrir, ever the one to get the last word, as well as saying things that were equal parts crude and true.

"Low blow. And maybe in a few years when she has developed. But who on earth would do something like that to a girl that young. Unlike you, I'm not depraved. Well, for the most part. Anyway, I know where we're going. Avian made sure I could always remember where to go to find his lab. Besides, he loves places like this, plenty of sunshine to allow the younger children to have some sense of happiness. He's always made sure that those under his care were always able to find some sense of hope, no matter their past."

"Yeah, he was always nice, even to me back when I was a bit of an ass."

And you're any different from then and now in what way?"

"Harde har har. Wait a minute", said Fenrir, getting a very odd feeling that prompted him to use his enhanced senses, another byproduct of the Lab's numerous experiments, "you feel that just now?"

"Yeah, it felt like the presence of the Skullgirl, but far weaker, and more internal than external. Almost like how we are. Wonder what it could be," contemplated Ragnorok

"Well its either a weak Skullgirl, someone who has been near her recently, or mayve there is yet another experiment from Lab Zero out and about. Kinda surprised, though, seeing as we didn't turn out so well. You know, for a genius, Brain Drain can be a real idiot sometimes."

"One way or the other," continued Fenrir, "we should go check it out. At worst, its just a false alarm, and we are no different from where we started. At best, though, it could be someone that we could use in order to find Lab Zero. One way or the other, we have nothing to lose."

"Sounds like a plan. Well then, it looks like we finally have a new lead. Let's begin the hunt". And with that, Ragnorok began to run, now with an actual sense of direction, and what could be the start on his path to justice.