(Skullgirls OST: Forgotten Moments)

Merasmus sat on a chair from what has seemed like half an hour. Looking around, observing his surroundings, it was clearly a secluded room with four walls with one in particular, in front of him, having a large rectangular glass showing his reflection sitting behind a table. Thankfully he wasn't handcuffed by the time he was escorted into the room.

...

"I swear, you could've almost mistaken him for a half Gigan breed individual. I mean, look at his size... He can barely sit on the chair, Commander." An average aged man, wearing similar Black Egret uniform said as she stared through the mirror into the interrogation room. One that was occupied by a tall individual, claiming himself to be a wizard. Of sort.

"How long has he been there?" The person that stood next to him, a young woman with long red hair, tightly fitting black dress kept her focus on the said Wizard in the other side of the large mirror. Unbeknownst to the Wizard's knowledge that he was being watched from the other side of the large mirror before him.

"He's been there for approximately - 32 minutes tops. Sir." The man responded. But shortly, he then added. "I've done what I could to at least gather any information from him, but he keeps saying that he refuses to answer the questions, unless he speaks directly to you - In person, sir."

The younger woman shortly frowned, then sighed before replying. "Very well. Adam. I'll give the request that our 'guest' is requesting." "Are you sure, sir? What if he's trying something? By his request alone to personally speaking to you is very alarming..." The Egret, Adam, said thoughtfully, in a tone of worry. "Nonsense, Adam. Surely, he has a valid reason why for such a request... I wasn't expecting to see him again, on this kind of way after my first meeting with him earlier..."

...

Merasmus sat, rather in awkwardness from the chair that barely fitted his varied size. Twiddling his thumbs as he waited, he was also wondering where Soldier wounded up by now. As much as he still hates Soldier, she was just dragged into this mess, much like he was as well in the first place. He cursed quietly. 'Stubborn woman...' Merasmus mentally said as he frowned. The chances are likely low to be able to get back home, especially when the only means to bring them back home is Bombinomicon, it makes everything seem too hopeless for Merasmus. But the thought of seeking help to this Princess of this Canopy Kingdom, perhaps it's only a good reason to retain a bit of hope that he and Soldier may find their way back home. And then, he and Soldier can pretend that the entirety of this had all been a bad dream, and that they can resume being rivals again...

The door opened. Before him, entered none other but Princess Parasoul alone. Merasmus smiled widely in relief. It was about time.

"Princess Parasoul. I am so delighted to see you again." Merasmus greeted politely. The Princess gave a polite nod, although her expression didn't seem to change, as it had been from their first meeting. She walked over to the table, then sat across Merasmus before placing down a clipboard and a pen on the table. Her expression remained the same, as stoic as Merasmus could remember, as she focused her attention on him with visible eye contact.

"We've met earlier near the bay." Parasoul simply began. To which, Merasmus replied with a nod. "Why yes, Princess. As a matter of fact, I've just learned about the Black Egrets, and what you are preparing on for every seven years. The Skullgirl." Merasmus replied politely, although, Parasoul gave a vague nod, she didn't said anything at she was currently reading the clipboard. "My Lieutenant, Adam, has consulted me about the interrogation on you for the last 32 minutes. He mentioned that you were refusing to answer questions and was requesting to speak to me, directly." Finally, Parasoul said.

"Yes, Princess. As a matter of fact, I am open to answer any questions, or even answer the same questions that your Lieutenant had asked me, though directly, I am only answering them to you. In particular. But I wish for a simple return - I am no criminal just for your information, though." Merasmus slowly said, and as politely as he could possible.

The Princess before him across the table. Parasoul. Cautiously studied his expression for a long moment. Merasmus felt uneasy to see her firmly, yet stoic stare. Almost getting him into thinking that she would most not likely agree to his simple term. "And what exchange might that be..?" Parasoul finally replied though, sounding cautiously.

Merasmus sighed in relief before smiling even more politely. "You see, me and my companion had been brought here, by an accidental trip. Considering that such supernatural things like the Skullgirl exists here on New Meridian - My companion and I came from a place, or better yet, world that also has such supernatural existences, though limited." There was a long silence by the thing Merasmus finished. Parasoul only raised an eyebrow.

"And you expect me to believe all of what you've just said?" Parasoul finally responded. Clearly, Merasmus could see her visible skeptic expression. "Well, I cannot blame you in your case, Princess. But I speak of the truth. But please. Do ask me the questions your Lieutenant had asked me to prove that this is no kind of bogus to trick you. I have a very specific reason as to why I had been requesting to speak with you, and that is I need your help."

There was silence once again. But to Parasoul, who nodded slightly, she gave a simple response before straightening herself on her seat. "We can get there. But first... I will have to take your word for it, by asking you questions that you've been asked earlier on."

This was a good enough term for Merasmus. And so, he decided to nod in agreement. "Of course, Princess. You may ask away."

Parasoul looked at the questions on the clipboard, apparently, the ones that was asked to Merasmus earlier. "Why were you seen along with the Medici hostages? Basesld on the recent report, it stated that the men dispatched to apprehend the Medici group transporting hostages had found you along with the hostages, a few blocks from the crime scene - Where they've also found a gruesome scene of the crime. Medici mafias, brutally mutilated, some shot presumably point blank, and others eviscerated. Would you care to explain, what's your name?"

"Merasmus, your highness. And yes, that is very much true to claim that my companion and I had to... Apprehend those Medici mafia to rescue the hostages." "Don't you think it's quite more than just a coincidence that you happened to be around the area to apprehend them? And you claim to be seeking my help..?" Parasoul immediately interrupted. Merasmus sighed but gave a short nod. "I would say, it's a sort of luck that we were passing by in a secluded street and we found the group handling the hostages into their van. My companion and I had to do what we thought we necessary to free the hostages, and yes. I take responsibility on behalf of my companion for the killings, most notably, the mafia would've been the first to attack should we only tried to confront then through words."

Parasoul gave a nod before asking again. "Why did you took the hostages with you in the first place, when you could've consulted the local authorities to assess the situation, or better yet, waited for my men to arrive in the crime scene?" Merasmus didn't gave a single thought about the question as he immediately replied. "The thing is, by the time we managed to rescue the hostages - We were met by a woman. A Nurse in particular, scantily clad and was claiming that she was there for the hostages. My companion told her off, but she refused and so on, they ended up fighting. My companion, during their fight, ordered me to get the hostages out of the scene while she held off the Nurse."

This strikes a surprised look on Parasoul. She raised an eyebrow before slowly leaning forward, eyes narrowing. "A Nurse? And she claims to be there for... The hostages, you say?" "Yes, that is very much true, Princess. In fact, I was hoping that your men would've found them and detain the Nurse, and retrieve my companion. I was merely surprised that they weren't even found at the same crime scene where we apprehended the armed group of mafias..."

Parasoul was silent for a long moment. Merasmus was uneasy by this as he patiently waited for her to speak. "Have you heard of a secret, scientific organization? The Anti-Skullgirl labs?" Finally, she asked. Merasmus in response, shook his head. "Not at all, Princess. Why..?"

Another long silence. But looking at Merasmus, Parasoul finally spoke. "Years back, the Canopy Military, the Black Egrets in particular, had been on alliance and had been working alongside a secret organization called the Anti-Skullgirl labs. They are funded by the Canopy Kingdom to conduct researches of various types and ways that can be used to permanently put an end to not just the Skullgirl, but the Skull Heart itself."

Merasmus didn't said anything, and instead, he listened very carefully as Parasoul continued. "They... Conduct experiments on their test subjects. One of them, is Panzerfaust. One of my most loyal soldiers in the Black Egrets. But other than that, the Canopy Kingdom, my father included, had given authorization to the Anti-Skullgirl labs to proceed on their... Extreme scientific researches..."

Merasmus was quietly pondering for a moment by the time Parasoul finished. "All of those... To combat the Skullgirl?" He slowly asked. Parasoul nodded. "Yes. And that Nurse that you claim you have encountered with your companion, is one of their operatives. One of the highly trained assassin unit from Lab 0, within the Anti-Skullgirl labs. However now, we do not tolerate the experimenting that the labs have been doing for the last recent years, especially now during my rank and authority in the Black Egrets. We have decreased joint operations with them, and the Kingdom's funding had lessened. Leaving the Labs on crowd funding themselves to remain operational while also pursuing on their various unapproved researches."

There was a long silence. Merasmus knew Soldier could handle herself, but... This was too far. And Soldier was missing, with a member of this secret organization... Merasmus is a little concerned for her, but still, he retains his hatred for her at the same time... But in this case... He won't be able to simply just work his magic out on this just to find Soldier, not when he's clearly unfamiliar with everything on this strange different world... Leaving the poor Wizard into one conclusion. "Princess Parasoul... I have a proposal to make."

Parasoul looked at him warily at first, but then easing herself, she folded her arms before giving a slow nod for Merasmus to continue. "This is the the main exchange that I was hoping to request and by that, I need your help. But to prove that I have no other intentions, I will be honest to say that I am completely unaware, and unfamiliar with everything on this land. And that I will need whatever help I can get." "And you're saying is..?"

There was a very long silence. Then Merasmus sighed before responding. "I wish to propose into joining the Black Egrets. The main exchange on my end - Is that I will help you fight the Skullgirl."