(Skullgirls OST: In Rapid Succession)

Heavily guarded, and under strict supervision, Merasmus was set free to go and was allowed to explore basic areas at the Canopy Kingdom, more specifically, the Black Egrets compounds so long as he agrees to the two said conditions.

He still couldn't believe that he was then allowed free to go. But he was relieved at least. And then again... He has to uphold his end of the Bargain - Which is to help the Egrets fight the Skullgirl. Although one thing stuck in Merasmus' mind was Princess Parasoul's mother. The former Queen of Canopy Kingdom that became a Skullgirl Seven years ago. It makes Merasmus wonder, why it causes women that gets into contact with this Skull Heart to turn into a Skullgirl... Which brings back Merasmus to the last conversation and topics he had with Princess Parasoul back when he was still in for interrogation.

"I wish to propose into joining the Black Egrets. The main exchange on my end - Is that I will help you fight the Skullgirl." Merasmus calmly said as he kept eye contact with the Princess before him.

Parasoul raised an eyebrow and she stared at him wordlessly for a brief moment. She then straightened on her seat before clearing her throat as she gave a firm response. "You wish to propose on helping to take down the Skullgirl? Hmm... Tell me... Are you aware of what the Skullgirl is capable of? What the Skull Heart is capable of? And what it can do to the unfortunate souls that gets into contact with it?"

Merasmus gave himself a brief moment to think of the words said to him before giving a reply. "I am not, Princess. But... Where I came from... Perhaps I could say that things around here are just as bizarre to the world me and my companion came from. But that still leaves an element of surprise to myself to see what the Skullgirl is capable of. What this Skull Heart is capable of."

"Yet, it remains unseen. And that depends on the incarnation of the Skullgirl..." Parasoul paused shortly but then added. "But if you do insist on such a bargain to help us against the Skullgirl... What do I have to lose? I want a very specific answer. One that would not turn out to be a ruse in the end." She added. Although seriously in tone as she focused eye contact with him.

Merasmus didn't really have much of a choice but to be honest. He sighed. Defeated, but then gave his confident look with a straight posture and kept eye contact with the Princess. "You see, your Highness, my companion and I were accidentally brought here by accident. A magical accident, involving an ancient spell book of mine's that unfortunately isn't with me and my companion when we were brought here. I do not know what this world has. But now I've known partial bits, this threat that your City and kingdom face at least. I still am not aware of what to do in order for me and my companion to be able to return to our home. Specifically - To our World." Merasmus stared confidently. He was wise enough to do so to sound very convincing by the fact that he was indeed telling the truth.

Parasoul stared at him quietly for a long moment. Skeptically of course. But then, she cocked an eyebrow. "And the fact that I am the Princess of the Canopy Kingdom gives you the idea that I will help you?"

Merasmus nodded. "Yes, Princess. You have authority on behalf of the King of this Kingdom."

There was a long pause. But Parasoul cleared her throat before replying. "My father could usually not be bothered from his responsibilities. So if you were to seek help from this Kingdom, it would directly be from myself. Very well. You uphold your end of the bargain, and I will see to it that our smartest inventor would be able to work on something to help transport you back to your home."

Merasmus gulped shortly. "Um... Princess... My companion and I didn't come from any other country. Specifically... We came from another reality of a world similar to this, but already ahead of time in the year of 1972. And like I mentioned earlier, we do have magic as well, and other bizarre things existing, although limited. Mostly human mortals are the only ones that live on where I came from."

Parasoul's eyebrows furrowed slightly in surprise. "You have been meaning to tell me... That you came from another dimension then..?"

Merasmus nodded. "Indeed I do, Princess. And I am willing to help you take down the Skullgirl, if you can help me and my companion to be able to get back to our own realm of dimension on return. I would not be seeking help to you at all if I only had my spell book with me.. That damn idiot Bombinomicon..."

"And if you did had your spell book... You wouldn't be needing my help then..?" Merasmus heard Parasoul suddenly said, clearly repeating what he just said with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh - No, I did not mean any offense, Princess..." Merasmus immediately replied. Rather sheepishly. Parasoul only folded her arms and then replied. "That is, understandable. After all... Not many would be willing to take part on such a responsibility on stopping Skullgirls every seven years... But do not worry. We are willing to cooperate to uphold our end of this bargain. All I would ask in return are two things: Your cooperation, and mostly, your loyalty. Loyalty means more than you may think of it."

Merasmus only smiled as he replied, rather metaphorically. "As loyal as a shepard herding sheep, your highness. You will not have such issue of adding me into your flock."

"Then I do believe we are on a start, then." Parasoul said but then added. "Doctor Isaac, one of our Kingdom's best inventors may be the only hope for you to return to your home. If I remember correctly, he was working on a prototype that opens portals to such realms of different time and space continuum..." She frowned shortly and muttered. "I am still reconsidering of authorizing it..."

Merasmus sighed in relief. There is hope for him and Soldier to be able to return home. But seeing that there was still enough time to speak with the Princess, Merasmus took the remaining opportunity to continue further in the hopes of getting to know more. "May I ask... You mentioned this organization that researches various ways to defeat the Skullgirl?"

Parasoul gave a small nod. "The Anti-Skullgirl labs. The Kingdom's Military was once allied to them. Even fought alongside their operatives during the Grand War. But that was years back."

"The Grand War? You were there, Princess?" Merasmus asked curiously. Parasoul shorty frowned before replying. "Not entirely. I was merely at the age of 18. The reason to the Grand War was the Canopy Kingdom at that time, was on a multi-scaled war with other kingdoms." Parasoul paused. Hesitance clearly masked her face, before continuing. "That very moment, during the Grand War, was the moment my mother was pregnant with my youngest sister, Umbrella. And the same moment, that she made a wish on the Skull Heart. In short: My mother became the Skullgirl. Her only wish, was out of her hopes to do the good of ending the war. The Grand War ended, but in return, all kingdoms faced her wrath. Countless lives of soldiers from former kingdoms at war perished. Those that survived, banded together, under the leadership of my father, and the other rulers of other kingdoms. The help of the Anti-Skullgirl labs later on proved to be a huge benefit and by the time my mother was defeated -killed- my father gave the head directors of the labs the proposition that they would certainly accept."

"And by that, your alliance strengthened." Merasmus guessed, and Parasoul nodded. "For the years that came further, yes. But as those years passed on, eventually forgetting about the Grand War, they have transitioned their researches into producing mass weaponry. Such weapons too far and extreme to even exist and were beyond authorized by my father. My father, unfortunately, was too naive. He puts too much faith within the ASG labs, regardless of what they were truly doing." Parasoul stated seriously but then added. "I had to step in, and at the age of 22, I finally managed to get my father to at least see the reality of what needs to be done."

Merasmus picked up on her cue, and certainly, he didn't needed a hint to garnish, as he himself, knew the ander. "The Black Egrets was formed... And you have ultimately disregarded the Anti-Skullgirl labs by ceasing your alliance with them... Correct?"

"Very." Was Parasoul's only response. She then cleaned her throat booster speaking once again. "Understand that such authority is a must. Our Kingdom face not only the struggle of a seven year cycle of fear. But the struggle of multiple crimes being committed on a daily basis. Robbery, slavery, human trafficking, extortion etc. You will come to realise that all of this what we are trying to do, is for the greater good of the innocent lives."

"But why does the Black Egrets, and mainly you, in particular, have to do everything? Aren't your law enforcement forces reliable enough, Princess?" Merasmus asked, to which Parasoul frowned again. "Barely a handful of the NMPD can be trusted. Almost everyone who serves in the force are corrupted by the Medici Mafia. It is our biggest struggle during the years of awaiting for another Skullgirl threat. But we cannot just barge right at their doorsteps, considering that Lorenzo Medici has connections. Connections, and even resources that may prove useful against not only to the Black Egrets, but to my Kingdom." Parasoul replied seriously.

Merasmus feels terrible for this young woman. A young Princess, shouldering such huge responsibilities that she's not even supposed to be handling... Merasmus cleared his throat before speaking. "If I may... Be able to help... I am a wizard." He paused, rethinking about his current statement before continuing. "I've terrorized mercenaries at war for gravel, once and every year during Halloween seasons. And to my experiences, I may just be able to lend you and your people a hand to solve this... Mafia issue..." Merasmus frowned shortly. But continued. "I've once had a mistake recently by working with Mafias. Basically, having a debt to them is a grave mistake."

Parasoul raised an eyebrow. "You've had a debt to mafias before?" Merasmus vaguely nodded. "Yes. And from your perspective alone, I can understand your situation. But if we will do it based off my experience with mafias... We can... Slaughter them all right on the spot. No reasons and no questions asked. It is exactly as how I solved my mafia problem." Merasmus replied with a smile. Parasoul's eyes blinked for a few times before showing a look of disgust. Clearly disagreeing to such an idea.

"We are not barbarians. We enforce law, however we can possible, but we do not abuse our authority." Parasoul firmly said. Merasmus only smiled as he gently replied. "That was merely a suggestion only, your Highness."

Parasoul frowned as she lowered her head, clearly giving it a second thought. "We can... Discuss about the Medici Mafia and how you may... Help..." She stopped, then looked right back up to Merasmus. "But first things first. We proceed to our bargain. You fulfill yours, and we fulfill ours at the same time. Understood?"

Merasmus smiled. "Crystal. Your Highness."

As the memory of the recent long discussion he had with Princess Parasoul, Merasmus immediately noticed the Lieutenant, Adam, approaching him immediately. "Lieutenant Adam. Is there something I can help you with?" Merasmus greeted with a polite nod.

"Wizard Merasmus. Commander Parasoul wants you to attend the mission briefing. Considering that you've fully joined the Egrets, she wishes to have your acquaintance and aid on this small mission." Adam informed and then gestured a hand before him. "Right this way please."

Merasmus gave a vague nod before following the Lieutenant through the long hallways and pass some corridors.

Arriving into a larger room, Merasmus saw Parasoul already debriefing the present Egret soldiers. About a total of fourteen, enough for a fireteam ready for dispatch. Adam motioned for Merasmus to enter first, gaining him attention as his varied height towered above all else within the briefing room.

"I'm glad you could make it. Merasmus." Parasoul quickly greeted but then continued. "You're here to assist our team to be dispatched in Little Innsmouth. We don't have much time, but to make this quick and simple, our intelligence reports concerning the Fishbone Gang at Little Innsmouth is said to be making a deal of sorts. Our Intel gatherers strongly believes that this deal involves the Medici Mafia. We are to initiate a raid, and rest assured, put both sides under arrest. Do you have any questions?"

Merasmus hesitated and began shaking his head in response. Parasoul gave a small satisfied expression before dismissing everyone else to proceed gearing up in the armory. She then walked over to Merasmus and spoke. "I am hoping that you would not pull such a violent trick on the Medici once we head out. Remember. We are there to arrest them." Parasoul said firmly.

"Of course, Princess. Unless they retaliate in force..." Merasmus trailed off. Parasoul frowned at him shortly before in response, changed the subject. "I've already sent a team earlier to search for your companion. Your given description about her is rather... Unusual... For a woman..." Merasmus cringed. But he decided to spare the Princess of the truth. Maybe for now, while she still process the fact of where he and Soldier came from.

Merasmus cleared his throat and hesitantly replied. "She is clearly insane, your Highness. And I am not bluffing. But she does listen... At least.. Let's just hope that things would turn out pretty well once she is found..."