(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: Petite Chou-Fluer)
"WHY THE HELL IS MY CHEST SO BIG - IT MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO BREATH WITH MY UNIFORM ON..!" Soldier complained to herself as she found it herself in disgust that she was even forced to adjust her red attire along with the single strap of grenades, dangling out front of her chest. Making it even complicated for her to fix her attire.
Although the diner wasn't much occupied, the few customers occupying the other tables took glances at her, most notably, men for that matter. Soldier couldn't help but feel like strangling the few men glancing at her but kept her focus on readjusting her red attire.
By the time Soldier finished fixing her attire, she took notice of Merasmus entering the diner, making her frown at the sight of the wizard by the time he noticed her sitting on a table by herself with a finished plate of ordered food and cup of coffee.
"WELL? WHAT DID YOU FIND, WIZARD?" Soldier immediately asked by the time Merasmus took a seat across the table, making it awkwardly for the wizard due to his varied height and weight.
"I haven't checked the newspaper but I sure did bought one, here you go." Merasmus handed Soldier a rolled newspaper, who which took it from him immediately before burying her face on the front pages. Merasmus only frowned with an irritated sigh before noticing the tv on the wall that was on a the news channel - Another plus was that the style is the news feed was pretty much in the style of the 40s aesthetic.
Soldier however paid no attention as her focus was on the headlines in the newspaper. But almost everything on the pages were about this so-called 'Black Egrets' then the next headlines were preparations for defending the city of 'New Meridian' and 'Canopy Kingdom' to which all were unfamiliar to Soldier. "MERASMUS, WHY DOES IT SAY KINGDOM HERE ON THE NEWSPAPER? ARE WE IN ENGLAND? AND THIS NAME 'NEW MERIDIAN' SOUNDS LIKE A NAME YOU'D SEE IN ENGLAND!" Soldier questioned but to her displease - Merasmus was focused watching the tv, and what showed in the tv was CKN, standing for Canopy Kingdom News, shortly before the news feed switches into showing a Kingdom from below with airships above, and the City of New Meridian in the background.
"Good evening everyone, and thanks for tuning in to the 5 o'clock Canopy Kingdom News." The background then fades and changes to the new's anchor reporting the current news with a small flag of the same umbrella in a circle insignia that didn't took Merasmus long to realize was the main flag of Canopy Kingdom.
"I'm Rachel Wong, reporting from our studio in our nation's capitol, Canopolis. Frank has the night off. In our top story today, there have been numerous reports of Skullgirl sightings in New Meridian - Leading the Canopy Military to raise the Skullgirl alert level to 'Mauve'." Merasmus was confused by the mention. Seeing Soldier's attention still on the newspaper, the Wizard frowned shortly before pondering if what got his full attention said on the news - Skullgirl sightings.
"New Meridian citizens are advised to stay indoors, report anything suspicious." This instantly concerns Merasmus. It sounded too serious to be ignored, unlike Soldier, who was passive on what she was hearing while reading the newspaper.
The background then changed into a black and white image of a man with a pointy nose and a goatee beard. "This newest incarnation of the Skullgirl has yet to be identified, but our sources within the NMPD say her victims seem to be connected with the prestigious Medici family - Lorenzo Medici, the most prominent of this powerful clan, has withdrawn from the public spotlight, and has believed to have gone into hiding."
"Medici? Clan? Hmm... I can only think of one thing; Mafia... But that shouldn't surprise me..." Merasmus muttered as he watched the news further, the background changes into a dark silhouette of a woman in front of a destructive view of flames.
"Having just observed the seventh anniversary of the defeat of the previous Skullgirl, our Kingdom's own, Queen Nancy [Trinity bless her soul], the appearance of a new Skullgirl is a chilling development." Merasmus shivered at the part. The Queen of this Kingdom became a 'Skullgirl' an entity or being that Merasmus has never heard of. "Dear god..."
The background then fades and changes back at the new's anchor. "While expected, the core of our nation is once again shaken as normalcy seemed to be returning - But we will not be defeated, and we will stand strong against this new enemy!"
The background then changed into a woman with blonde hair, and a single horn on her right forehead, wearing a black and white striped prisoner outfit. "In related royal news, the eldest daughter of Queen Nancy and King Franz, Princess Parasoul - Has successfully apprehended the Gigan half breed terrorist, Scythana, with the help of her elite military force, the Black Egrets." This surprises Merasmus. The young woman he was talking to earlier, and the soldiers he saw... "As reported earlier. Scythana attacked the Renoir Grand Memorial in Canopolis and has been detained in Alastair Maximum security Prison."
"NAZIS!" Merasmus jumped on his chair by the time Soldier suddenly yelled.
"Soldier! What in the hell-" Merasmus scowled at Soldier, who pointed at the newspaper with the image of Princess Parasoul, and behind her, were a line of soldiers. The same soldiers that Merasmus saw - The Black Egrets.
"NAZIS! GODDAMN NAZIS POLLUTE THIS NATION!" Merasmus pinched the bridge of his nose before pointing at the tv for the Soldier to see. "Watch the news, you fool."
The background changes to a similar image as shown on the newspaper, but this time, there were a few different people on the image, as well as a large hulking humanoid with a gas mask. Perhaps, even larger than the idiot Russian teammate of the Soldier... "Once again, thanks to Princess Parasoul and the Black Egrets, you can sleep easy at night even as this new threat has emerged. These certain times, it's good to know that we can always rely on the strength and leadership of our Canopy royal family. Good night, and Godspeed."
After the news ended, Soldier looked at Merasmus. "WHAT'S A SKULLGIRL?" The question stuck back at Merasmus. But for some reason, he was too bothered at want the news just said. The Queen, Princess Parasoul's mother turned into a Skullgirl. He didn't knew what a Skullgirl is, but assuming it is some kind of entity, Merasmus could only think of the same thing as this new Skullgirl being reported sightings in New Meridian. This was definitely bothering, and what about getting back home?
"Soldier... I think I know what to do..." Merasmus responded slowly before turning green to the redhead woman.
"SAY NO MORE, MAGGOT! WE'RE JOINING THE FIGHT! - WE'RE GOING TO HUNT DOWN THIS SKULLGIRL! WHATEVER THAT IS!" Soldier yelled triumphantly. This earned every attention on the diner. People, of all kinds stared at them with wide eyes, but then, started cheering.
Merasmus was embarrassed but this. He didn't knew what was fully going on, regarding this Skullgirl, and he didn't know how they could get hack home. But to give a response to the Soldier, as she took pleasure of the cheering around them while holding her Direct Hit, Merasmus pinched the bridge of his nose yet again before speaking. "Close enough, Soldier. But I'm thinking more of... Seeking out help from the Royal family of Canopy Kingdom - Princess Parasoul may be able to help us is we are ever to go back home-"
"THOSE NAZIS!? WE ARE NOT WORKING WITH NAZIS, MAGGOT!" Merasmus argued.
"Soldier. They're not Nazis. They're the Black Egrets - The elite force of Canopy Kingdom. Yes, they use the weaponry of the German Reich of World War II, but they aren't Nazis. If you've caught their military logo... They can help us." Merasmus responded with a frown.
"AND THEN WHAT? WE HAVE TO FIGHT THAT SKULLGIRL AND SAVE THIS KINGDOM OF AMERICA!" Merasmus sighed out of irritation. "No. This is not America, Soldier. If I'm going to guess it - We might even be stuck on an alternative reality... Where everything is still in the 40s era. But... Different..." Soldier didn't said anything. But as she and Merasmus took notice of the cheers against the Skullgirl... Soldier wore a grin, and a confident look on his her face.
"Do I have a choice, or do I at least get a say on this?" Merasmus asked, frowning at the Soldier's expressions. "NEGATIVE, MAGGOT! LET'S GO KICK SOME SKULLGIRL'S ASS! YOU HEAR THAT AMERICA? WE ARE GOING TO KICK SOME SKULLGIRL'S ASS AND SAVE THIS WIERD KINGDOM!" Merasmus cringed at this, but didn't said a word.
After leaving the diner with loud cheers of people cheering at them, and Soldier leaving a hundred dollar bill on their table, they made way, further into the city. Probably to track down this... Skullgirl... But, Merasmus has a better idea. "Soldier. I think I have a better idea."
The deranged woman with a Direct Hit spun around to him. "WHAT IS IT, MAGGOT?"
Merasmus took a deep breath before responding. "We are going to seek help from Princess Parasoul. If there's anyone in this strange reality of the 40s era we can trust. It would be her."
"I AM NOT TRUSTING A NAZI PRINCESS!" Soldier protested, but Merasmus frowned then responded.
"She is NOT a Nazi, you fool. Wait, why am I even arguing with you? Just follow me and we will seek help from her. She knows what we do not know of this world." "HOW ARE YOU SO CONFIDENT THAT THIS PRINCESS WILL HELP US, MAGGOT?"
Merasmus smirked. "Because I've already met her earlier."