You all have every right to be mad for this taking so long, but here is a brief version of why this was so horrendously delayed: writers block, college classes, essays, writers block, deeply personal issues, more classes, and did I mention writer's block yet? Still there are no excuses, and since I am no longer writing full short stories for a class I will be working to update more regularly, but I can go into full detail in at the bottom. You all have waited long enough, so now It's Showtime!

Chapter 11: Let's Have a Battle

"Now Patricia," Ileum cautioned for about the millionth time, "remember your instructions."

"Yeah I know: you two get to have all the fun and then I pick up after your mess." Peacock groaned. She wanted to stand guard alone-well alone with her gang of caricature goons-but instead had to be accompanied by Big Band and Ileum.

"You shouldn't go around underestimating your opponent like that." Big Band warned. "You may just end up biting off more than you can chew."

"Are you ignorin' the fight earlier? I totally mopped the floor with that Fido runt, and probably could have done it with one hand behind my back." Suddenly, static suddenly emitted in the ears of the three, and Dr Avian interrupted.

"I hope we don't have to find out: you two caused enough of a mess without fighting seriously. I shudder to think the sort of trouble the Lab would be in if that happened."

"It wasn't that bad." Peacock muttered.

"Oh really? There's enough collateral damage between the pair of you to have demolished half of New Meridian." An awkward silence filled the air. While Peacock would normally revel in the destruction she caused, something in the singularly sane part of her mind always writhed whenever Dr. Avian was disappointed in her. Realizing what he said, Dr. Avian added, "That said, you are both still young: in time you will discover more about how to use your talents properly. You may even become something greater."

"A toy line?" Peacock asked. This got a chuckle from all present.

"No. A hero." With a breath, Dr Avian continued, "By the way, Leduc, Hive, and Ragnorok will be heading up there for backup. I have his guests with me en route to The Observatory. Best of luck, all of you."

"Same to you, Doctor Avian." Ileum sighed out of what Peacock guessed was relief. It was a bit hard to tell what she was thinking with that mask covering her face. With some static Dr. Avian faded out, leaving the trio alone again.

Ignoring any further thoughts in that direction, Peacock began to ponder. Specifically, she was pondering about the three new guests, none of whom added up. The girl with the talking parasite seemed innocent enough by the look of her, but she was the expert of how deceiving looks could be. The other one-the girl from Lab 0, or The Bad Lab as the younger children called it- seemed broken in a way that felt a little too familiar. Peacock doubted she would be any trouble, but she could be a fun source of mischief and mayhem.

Then there was the punk Ragnorok. He comes in and all of a sudden everyone's giving him warm welcomes and getting all the attention from the Doc. It was enough to make her grind her teeth. Well she'd show him: she'd make him pay for stealing her spotlight. She'd find him in a dark corner of the Lab and-

You know, it's quite rude to plot hurting a person behind their back.

"Huh?" Peacock looked at Ben and Ileum. "One of you two say that?" They both stared at Peacock, like they thought she was crazy-at least more than usual.

Then again, I suppose it can be considered rude that you want to hurt someone in the first place. This time Peacock recognized that growl of a voice.

"Where are you? If you 'wanna complain so much them come out and fight." A light sigh seemed to emanate from all around her.

If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Peacock was a cat the way you two bicker. Now please stop goading each other. I'm trying to have a normal conversation and you two are being incredibly noisy.

"Are you okay, Patricia?" Ileum inquired full of concern. Peacock started to grip the bridge of her nose.

"Yeah, just Dog Breath. He's talking to me in my head." Like most oddities that came with their lifestyle, Ben and Ileum merely gave a simple "oh" before returning to their watch. Leaving Fenrir and Peacock to have more potential arguments, Ragnorok turned back towards his friends.

"Okay, so where were we?"

Carol, meanwhile, was thoroughly lost in thought. One of her calloused hands was still gripping onto the mask she'd long thought stuck on her face permanently. Instead, Aiden gave a theory that seemed almost impossible to believe. Then again, a few hours ago she thought controlling her own body was impossible. That she was doomed to be a puppet, a thing, a-

"Carol." A firm grip on her other hand and her name brought Carol back to reality. She turned to see Filia, with a concerned look on her face. "Are you okay?" Carol took a deep breath to collect herself before answering.

"Yeah, sorry. Just… some things on my mind." Filia gripped Carol's hand a little tighter, forming a pleasant warmth between them.

"I'm here for you Carol. Never forget that." She assured Carol in a soft tone. It was an immeasurable relief to have her friend back. Filia was always the calm of her storm, and that didn't seem likely to change too much. Her memories had yet to fully return, but both Aiden and Dr. Avian theorized it was her brain trying to combine these old memories with her current ones and would pass with time.

"Oh, somebody gag me."

The hair parasite, on the other hand, would be a permanent factor that would take some getting used to.

"Samson, don't be rude. Carol's my best friend." Filia sighed, used to Samson's petty moments, which happened frequently.

"Give me a break. You two have been acting like this since we got up, and it's piss boring." Samson groaned

"Well then you should have thought of that before you chose to bond with Filia." Dr. Avian chided lightly. Finding no retort, Samson just decided to sulk and stay quiet.

Of all of the new people Carol had met tonight, he was the one that confused her the most. The ASG were never talked about in a good light in spite of their usefulness during wartimes. More often than not the rumors were always of monsters and twisted mad scientists. Having been at Lab Zero for a year, Carol could attest to at least some of that being true, but Dr. Avian was none of that. He just looked like an old scientist and had left the girls to talk between themselves while leading them somewhere safe. And the way he talked to Peacock before seemed far more nurturing than the callous Brain Drain.

They were about to reach a tall door made purely of metal with a number pad to the side. The door itself looked near impenetrable, without a single mark or scratch on it, unlike the other walls which seemed worm by age and other odds and ends the girls were content to figure out later. Instead of reaching for the pad, however, Dr. Avian turned towards them.

"I want you both to know that whatever happens after tonight will be entirely your own choice. You can stay here and know we will do everything in our power to protect all of you, Samson included. However," he declared, "If for even a second either of your allegiances comes into question we will demand answers. Can I trust both of you girls to be honest with me?" Carol and Filia looked at each other. Saying yes would mean allowing all of the strangeness of the ASG to become a full part of their lives, for good or for ill. Carol hesitantly nodded, and Filia followed suit.

"Yeah you can trust us." This caused Dr. Avian to break out into a relieved smile, and he turned to enter a code too fast for either girl to catch.

"In that case it seems fitting that I formally welcome you as the head of ASG Lab 8 to my humble abode." The door slid open seamlessly on a track and revealed a mid-sized room that was anything but humble. Four seats overlooked dozens of small televisions along the walls to either side of them with each one having its own number, and the front wall was covered with two televisions that were currently off. Connecting to them was a console that led to the chairs where another number pad and other buttons laid.

Dr. Avian opted to take the center seat closest to the mess and started pressing buttons. "This is The Observatory, for the time being at least the safest location in Lab 8. These smaller screens are connected to cameras scattered all throughout the Lab, so we can keep a close eye on the action without getting caught up in it." Samson just continued to sulk, giving only a growl of acknowledgement. Choosing to ignore him Dr. Avian continued "Patricia can actually see what each of these smaller screens show individually. As for those with more typical vision that have up to two locations in mind…" with a final keystroke both TV's turned on, both showing a different part of Lab 8. The left showed the area under the bridge Aiden had brought the pair to earlier; with Peacock, Big Band, and Ileum now sitting and waiting with their heads forward. Both girls found themselves awestruck by the three bizarre people she saw until a motion turned them towards the other screen.

The center screen held an area that fell more in line with the old stories the girls heard about the ASG Labs: a giant vat with the number 88 painted onto it with pipes leading to several vats and tanks full of an amber liquid, including one right below it; a mechanical arm that seemed more fitting in a factory than a laboratory just idly swinging around; what looked unmistakably like a giant laser; and another console with statistical data running along each screen too fast to catch.

Sitting in front of this were Hive, Leduc, and Ragnorok having a very intense discussion too quiet for the camera to catch that appeared to be nearing its end. When they finished Ragnorok nodded at Hive and Leduc before walking over to the massive door leading outside. Leduc remained where he was and began talking into his communicator while Hive walked over to the camera. It was only when she covered most of the screen that she waved and spoke into her communicator, which the TV's transmitted in crisp quality.

"Hello. Are you up in The Observatory yet?"

"Yes Hive. We just got in a moment ago. Have you and the others developed a plan?"

"Yeah. Leduc is checking in with the others while Ragnorok keeps his focus on tracking Valentine and the others. If they get anywhere near here he or Peacock will let us know."

"Fantastic." Avian nodded. "What is it you have in mind?"

"Our current plan is to have Ben, Ileum, and Patricia lead whatever arrives into Lab 8 unless they can handle things on their own. Considering the lack of news we've heard it seems likely they are traveling in a small group, so all six of us should be more than enough to handle the situation. In a worst-case scenario you could still escape with Filia and Carol through the back-exit."

Dr. Avian blinked only to start chuckling lightly. "I'm impressed: all that in five minutes. That should be fine as long as the others are okay with it." A cursory look at the screens confirmed this as the others outside nodded in agreement, though Peacock had an annoyed look on her face. Leduc confirmed this to Hive with a nod. The short-lived peace was shattered as Ragnorok looked up, his eyes looking beyond the door and whispered two words quietly enough that even those in the room barely heard him.

"They're here."

"Well well, looks like the Freak Show just arrived." Ben and Ileum began to look around and faintly saw shadows on the other end of the path.

"Nice work Patricia. This everyone?" Peacock nodded.

"Ragnorok is getting the same," Leduc added, "but please remain cautious."

"Don't worry Leduc: we'll keep to the plan." Ileum whispered and then rendered silent as Valentine fully appeared with the three masked subjects in tow.

"Hellllooo Nurse." Peacock hollered, making Ileum blush in spite of herself behind her mask, recognizing the source of that comment. She'd need to be a bit more watchful of what Peacock was watching from now on. Unperturbed, Valentine just stared at her, reactions hidden behind her surgical mask.

"So this is the Subject Peacock I've been hearing so much about. What a precious little doll." The mockery in her tone missed the ears of none.

"Hey, watch it you-" but Big Band stopped her with a stare. Taking the initiative he looked towards Valentine.

"You seem lost Valentine. Lab 0 is a long ways off from here."

"Oh don't you worry about me. I just happen to be here on business." Big Band stared at the odd assortment following her.

"Business, huh? Why the entourage then? You can't be old enough to need aid already." A slight eye-twitch was the only reaction Valentine showed, though a snicker behind her could be heard.

"A subject recently got loose and it is of the upmost importance that we get her back, and according to Brain Drain she's in your Lab. This lot is here for location and restraint."

"His big ol' brain must finally be shot: only AGS Units 'round here are our own."

"Miss Valentine," the neutral mask interrupted, "I'd like to say something." Valentine glared at him for a moment but ultimately nodded. "Thank you. Now I can tolerate listening to many things, but lies are where I draw the line. We know Subject Fenrir is here too. "

Big Band was shocked. "How in the-"

"And normally I'd be more than willing to leave it at that, but you crossed a second line."

Ben! Duck! Fenrir's voiced screamed in Big Band's head.

"Wha-" Big Band stopped as the figure disappeared. He barely had time to look around before a sharp blow to the neck sent him crashing into the ground. All eyes fell on the young man as he flipped through the air and landed with inhuman grace.

"No one mocks Brain Drain in front of-"was all he could get out before a ridiculously large bullet caused his neck and something else to give a great *crack*. Peacock stood in front of him, finger still on the trigger and both the pistol and her body shaking slightly.

"Of course you realize this means war." Peacock growled.

*Clap* Clap*Clap*

"And here I was thinking this performance would require some actual effort. You have my deepest appreciation for making things so easy." Peacock and Ileum turned around to see the masked man and the others leaning on the door. While they were also near the bridge and the young man was clutching at his mask.

"This isn't possible." Ileum whispered. Beside her Big Band rose from the ground and took in the situation.

"That kid must have done a number on me. I'm starting to see double now."

"Introductions before explanations: You already know Valentine, the grinning one is Nott, frownie goes by Nidhogg, and as for me," he declared while pointing to each of his allies in turn before gesturing towards himself, "Call me Phi. As stated before our goal is simply to ensure that Painwheel is brought back home, but since you lot have resisted and the big guy mocked Brain Drain you all are going to brutally slaughtered." All the time he was talking his voice never strayed from a calm and eerily polite tone that sent shivers down everyone's spines.

"You must be taking strategy lessons from that egghead: you think no one is going to notice?" Ben retorted. "If the Egrets come you four will end up having a lot to talk about, and I guarantee people like you belong somewhere isolated with a special jacket."

The young figure responded with a hearty laugh. "Oh but that's the most beautiful part of this trick- even if someone could hear us right now the only audio caught will be from the fakes, who are presently developing a really emotional sob-story. So for all intents and purposes anyone who might look into this incident will believe that you started it and we killed everyone in self-defense."

If he had anything else to say Ileum's tendrils wrapped around his neck quickly silenced him while it continued to immobilize the rest of his body. The others, even Valentine, quickly followed suit. Behind her own mask Ileum's eyes were icy and furious.

"The first person to move will be returned to Lab Zero in pieces." Drill bits appeared near their throats to help emphasize her point. "Here is what will happen next: you are all going to leave here and never come back. If anything happens to Painwheel you will be the ones held responsible, and if you dare threaten our own again I will kill you personally." Very few had ever seen Ileum act this way-Big Band could only think of four times prior she had ever gotten that violent- and because of that all present were left in silence. Except for one.

"Please try to understand this is not personal." Slowly Valentine came into view holding a bone-saw specially made for her, but there was an odd slime on the blade. Before Ileum could think to respond an explosion of pain raced through her arms as the tendrils trapping the others fell away, her gloves landing on the ground behind them. "I'm only doing my job."

"You have my humblest gratitude Valentine." The other Valentine whispered, speaking far too eloquently. Then she began to shake and writhe as her body contorted and began to change its form

"Cut the act Double. Why in Gehenna did you let them capture you?" Slowly the being stopped as it settled on a form that could only be described as inhuman. There was certainly the base of a human woman but there were no legs or arms, a large gaping maw on the side of its body instead of a normal mouth, and a single red eye that surveyed the area. The worst part was the tentacles oozing around her body, constantly altering their forms and in one's case making grotesque faces.

"My deepest apologies." A calm and measured voice echoed from seemingly everywhere, almost as if the words flowed from the monster's entire body. "I was unsure if you would have possessed the skills to do so."

"Excuse me?! Are you really trying to start something now?" Double twisted her head with disturbing flexibility.

"I mean no insult, but I have never seen you and Ileum clash. Given that I had to assume I was the weaker party." And so the two continued bickering and mocking each other.

Filia could not look away from the screen with a horrified expression. "What on earth is that? Is she from that lab too?"

Dr. Avian stared in wonder. "I am still trying to figure out what that thing is. It clearly isn't human or an animal, but somehow it can speak…" Whatever he was about to say was cut off by Carol, who was silent until a moment ago and had her face contorted in agony.

"Can't think. Head feels like it is being stabbed." Soon the pain grew bad enough she dropped the mask and groaned in agony. Filia moved to her friend and wrapped her arms around Carol in an attempt to comfort her.

"Carol? What's wrong?"

That thing outside reeks of Skullgirl blood, and for anyone with that in their veins the result is torture. Right now the only thing you can do is- Ragnorok could not say anything else, and looking at the cameras Filia saw he had fallen to the ground visibly shaking.

"Did something happen? Dr. Avian?" The old man gazed at all the chaos with a resigned look on his face.

"I don't know."

"Found them." Phi once again interrupted the ladies. "You two can have your little passive-aggressive spiel later. We have business to attend to."

"You have to make it past us first." Ileum's arms finally finished regenerating and she sent them flying at the young man, spikes ready to tear him to shreds.

"Nidhogg, if you would be so kind." The frowning one finally moved, turning his palm outwards.

"Schranke." Water flowed from his robe before pooling on the ground. Right when the tendrils were inches away the water became a solid wall that deflected them with ease. "I can handle her."

"Well how about us?" Peacock popped out of a hole in the ground one end while Ben charged from the other. Without warning two massive arms shot out of Double's sides and sent the two towards the bridge before the creature latched itself on one of the walls to follow.

"Ben! Patricia!" She attempted to reach out to her allies but Nidhogg once again raised his hand.

"Dichtung." Again the water altered form, this time into a sphere that covered the whole area around them. "Perhaps I was not clear before: you are my opponent."

Atop the bridge Double slithered forward to the sight of Peacock and Ben still collecting their bearings. Had she fingers they would have trembled with excitement, and had she a mouth it would have been in a satisfied grin.

"Your group has been allowed to interfere with my masters' plans for far too long. Prepare to receive your penance in blood."

Ben looked over to his young protégé. "This girl needs to be tuned out. Care for a duet Patricia?"

Patricia smiled at the sound of that. "Sure thing Ben. Let's rock."

With all obstacles removed Nott rushed the door and gave it a kick, leaving behind a sizable dent. "Don't mind little old me. I can let myself in." Again and again she beat the door down, laughing with demented glee. Right when the door looked ready to fall she reared back for one final attack. "Knock knock!" Just then the door opened enough for a waiting Hive with the Beezle Drive covering her arms with beehive protrusions to see outside.

"Swarm Blast." Hive said while thrusting her arms forward, producing two large metal bees that hit the girl in the face and knocked her back a few feet. "Stay out of my home." Unperturbed the young lady rose.

"Aw, that wasn't very nice of-" she stopped as a cracking sound was heard and the mask on her face began to break" You bitch!" Nott screamed and barreled towards Hive again. Unprepared for such a reaction it was Hive's turn to get sent flying, but reflexively the Beezle Drive produced a set of wings to prevent her from crashing into anything.

"Careful Nott: it would be a shame to end our fun too soon." Phi joked to his diminutive ally.

"Screw off! I can easily handle these wimps with one hand. " Keeping to her word she kept one hand on her face at all times and prepared to charge forward until Valentine stopped her.

"No. You two go on ahead and take care of Avian and Painwheel. I can entertain this lot for a little while." and instead she casually walked to an annoyed Leduc literally charged to go and Hive keeping to the air. "Hopefully you two can show me a good time."

A growl from the side turned their heads to the sight of Fenrir desperately stepping forward, fury burning in his eyes. He raised a fist only to begin clawing at his head with a gesture from Phi. "Perhaps I was being too subtle: you will remain here while we do our job. Once that is done I will personally come back and tear your Parasite out."

"Or we stop you right here!" Leduc surprised them and swept his leg out in front of him, causing the subjects to scatter. In a moment Valentine was in the air on a pole-arm fashioned after an IV with a calm air that was shattered when she suddenly started convulsing as Leduc was pouring several thousand watts into her weapon. "Hive, now!" Taking the signal she glided forward with her arms already producing a spear.

Moving on instinct Valentine slid her spear around Leduc's feet to knock him down before spinning it, whacking Hive in the chin and sending her flying. When she touched the ground again Valentine was still shaking but now with an added fury. "You two must really have a death wish." Taking advantage of the chaos Phi and Nott snuck into a hallway unnoticed by all but the young man with a migraine.

Time for you to tag out. With what little focus he had left Fenrir groaned.

No. Valentine comes first.

Another time maybe, but those two cannot be allowed to reach Avian and the girls. Ragnorok answered as tactfully as possible

We may not get another chance. Fenrir snapped back.

Neither will Carol if she gets captured, or anyone else if Avian gets killed. Fenrir was getting annoyed but knew the truth in his partner's words.

Try not to die. The young warrior took a few deep breaths to regain his concentration before directing his thoughts to Hive and Leduc.

I'm going after the others. Think you two could give me an opening?

Sure. Hive began firing small stinger-shaped knives towards the ground, keeping Valentine moving more and more away from the door. Taking a chance Randolph darted for the door as quickly as possible while Valentine was busy dodging. When he passed by Valentine tried to reach out but was stopped by an uppercut from Leduc that she barely dodged.

Now free to roam Ragnorok extended his mind towards the others. The old plan failed badly. Do you think you could hold your own in a fight if things went further south Filia? Given the situation we can probably hold off one. Filia wasn't terribly sure but Samson took only needed a moment to think.

Tough call. We're both still hurting from that last fight but push comes to shove we could at least keep them away from the door. Carol was shocked at this statement, and Filia even more: Samson had never said something so selfless before.

In that case I have an idea that will either save or get us killed. He detailed it out, accepted the multiple times he called them crazy, and right when they accepted he finally caught up to Phi and Nott.

Ragnorok took a deep breath "Brain Drain must be a total wuss now, sending minions to clean up his messes." he howled. Both stopped in their tracks, frozen by some unseen force. Then Phi turned around, practically oozing hatred.

"Are you really that suicidal?" He turned towards Nott. "Keep going. I need to take care of this." Once she turned the next corner Phi returned his attention to Ragnorok. "While I am deeply curious as to how you escaped my mental attack I am also on a tight schedule, so please stay down." In an instant he was right by Ragnorok and delivered a kick to the kick to his neck with a loud crash. Phi's was satisfied until his foot refused to fall and was beginning to feel tight.

"To answer how is simply that I'm not weak like the other guy. I just prefer letting him handle the messy work." Taking a good look Phi saw that somehow Ragnorok had reacted fast enough to not only block the attack but lock his whole foot in a firm grip. The pain only intensified as they began to fall forward. "Stork Crash!" and the two collided on the ground, Ragnorok on top of Phi. While the young man rose and began heading down the hall Phi remained on the ground with his leg bent at a terrible angle.

"That worked out better than I dare hoped. Now for the other-" A fierce jolt to the back of his head nearly forced Ragnorok down on his knees. Looking back Phi had gotten up with his bad leg now snapped back in place.

"You know what? Nott can handle whatever little plans you contrived-I really want to savor this kill." He kicked forward. Ragnorok grabbed his leg again and motioned to throw it back, only for Phi to elbow him in the face and flip a fair distance away with Ragnorok still recovering. "Let's see how long you can keep up with perfection."

It only took 7 months but here we are. I really am sorry about how long this took but I have plans to improve. For a start my beta-reader KingChaotixX7 and I have been figuring out exactly how my story will go and how long it will take along with a fun little surprise I will address once we get to it. Currently I plan on releasing a new chapter every 5-8 weeks with the sole exception of the next chapter because Finals Week is coming up which means a lot of busy work on my end. I also feel like I owe my loyal readers something for waiting so long so I came up with an idea: in my bio there will be a new poll of a series of one-shot ideas I have been mulling over for a while along with fan suggestions. Vote for your favorite and after the release of my next chapter I will pick the most popular and post that alongside the following one.

Talking more technical the Skullgirls game released its final version and included voice acting which… I overall really liked. For those that know both for the most part my characters sound the same with two exceptions: Hive because in this story she lacks the buzzing sound in her voice and Stanley because the video "Stanley's Lecture" exists and I feel the guy in that video perfectly captures the version I want to write. Nothing much else to say beyond have a lovely day and hope you all enjoyed this latest adventure.