(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: Archimedes)

"ARE YOU SURE WE DON'T NEED TO ASK PERMISSION TO GO OUT TO THE WRESTLING MATCH?" Soldier asked as she walked alongside Peacock the next day within the halls of Lab 8. "Nah! We're good on our own, so long's we don't get our assess whooped! Which is unlikely, especially with us as a duo!" Peacock replied with a grin. On their way to the cafeteria station, the two went to get a morning breakfast before finding a clear table for themselves.

"WE STILL HAVE A COUPLE MORE HOURS BEFORE EVENING FOR THAT WRESTLING MATCH AT THE MMO ARENA. BUT CONSIDERING WE WOULDN'T WANT TO BE LATE ON SCHEDULE, I WILL HAVE TO SIGN OUR NAMES UP IF WE'RE GOING TO JOIN THE MATCH." Soldier casually said in her usual loud tone, but then she added. "I AM ALSO PLANNING TO SEE THE PRODUCER OF THAT ADORABLE CHILD, ANNIE. SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT THERE'S MORE TO THAT STAR CHILD, THAT ALSO HUNTS SKULLGIRLS..." This automatically gains Peacock's attention as she almost choked on her bowl of cereal. "Oof..! Miss Florence, Annie's producer and the first young child actress to play the role in alternate to Annie gave you a job to work with Annie again!? I wanna go with ya..!" Peacock excitedly said. Soldier didn't thought about it for a second and simply shrugged. "WHY NOT? I COULD USE A TOUR GUIDE AS WELL TO SEE AROUND NEW MERIDIAN." Peacock bounced up and down on her seat in excitement. "Oh, we're gonna have so much fun together today..! The actress who played the first antagonist in the newest season of Annie's show and I hanging out!? This is my lucky day..!" Soldier couldn't help but feel embarrassed as they gained curious, intrigued, and even a some amused glances from the many other Lab 8 personnel on their tables. But she couldn't help as well but to slightly grin in amusement at the gremlin's happy go lucky attitude. "YOU REMIND ME OF PYRO... ACTUALLY - BOTH YOU AND ANNIE, REMIND ME OF PYRO, IN TERMS OF CHILDISH PERSONALITIES. THOUGH, ANNIE DOESN'T ACT LIKE A CHILD, BUT STILL..." Soldier accidentally said.

Peacock looked at her in curiosity. "Who's that? Are they a friend of yours, Soldier?" Soldier hesitated for a moment. Part of this is because she holds a secret grudge against Pyro out of all the mercs on the Red team. For obvious psychotic reasons... "NEGATORY, GREMLIN. PYRO IS JUST MY FELLOW SOLDIER IN THE GRAVEL WARS." Soldier replied casually with a smile. But this gains Peacock's interest more as she decides to ask. "Can I know a bit more about your coworker? What do I remind you of... Him or her?" Again. Soldier hesitated, but considering that she's slowly growing to like the gremlin bit by bit, she then replied. "WELL, PYRO MAY ACT LIKE A GIRL SOMETIMES, BUT MOSTLY, CHILDISH. BUT PYRO IS A MAN. FROM NEW YORK - AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT MEDIC ONCE TOLD MY TEAM, BASED ON THE MEDICAL RECORDS THAT HE HAVE ABOUT PYRO." As much as she doesn't like talking about the most mentally insane of the team, Soldier hesitantly added. "PYRO IS ALSO PSYCHOTIC. AND MEDIC SAYS HE ACTUALLY WAS A FIREFIGHTER, BUT HAD AN ACCIDENT AND ENDED UP IN A MENTAL ASYLUM, BUT WAS RELEASED FOR 'GOOD BEHAVIOR'. I AM NOT FULLY FAMILIAR SO I WON'T GO INTO FULL DETAILS, GREMLIN. BUT HERE'S WHAT I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT PYRO - HE LOVES FIRE. LOVES CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE. LITERALLY. HE'S ALSO FRIENDLY TOWARDS ENGINEERS, AND SOMETIMES, NOT OFTEN BUT RARELY - PYRO HAS THE HOTS FOR FEMALE NURSE PLAYBOY WOMEN ON PLAYBOY MAGAZINES THAT HE WOULD OFTEN END UP SETTING ON FIRE." Peacock began to laugh, clearly amused. "Well, ain't Valentine lucky?" Peacock joked, with Soldier just casually grinning.

But she then changed the subject. "IF VALENTINE AND MEDIC MEET, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THE WORST. COMPETITION IN MEDICINE... BUT CONSIDERING THAT SHE'S MORE AGILE LIKE SCOUT... IF THEY GET INTO A FIGHT - SORRY TO MEDIC, BUT MY MONEY'S ON THE NURSE, EVEN THOUGH I FEEL SUSPICIOUS ABOUT HER..." Soldier said a little quietly, surprisingly enough, her tone actually can sound normal... "And what about this Scout? Sounds like a girl Scout to me... Are they?" Peacock asked looking clearly intrigued. Soldier finally felt comfortable to at least have the subject changed and replied. "SCOUT IS A YOUNG CHILD MAN. HE ACTS LIKE A CHILD LITERALLY. BUT HE'S A SCOUT UNIT ON MY TEAM, SCOUTING ENEMY TERRITORIES AHEAD, AND IS A FAST, AGILE RUNNER. USEFUL FOR CAPTURING ENEMY INTELLIGENCE - ALSO, HE THINKS THAT ONE US ON HIS TEAM, IS HIS FATHER... BUT NEITHER ANY OF THE MEN ON MY TEAM AND MYSELF TELL HIM ABOUT HIS REAL FATHER." Soldier suddenly whispered the last part of her sentence. "Why..?" Peacock asked, clearly interested in the topic. Soldier cringed but replied with a slight grin. "HIS FATHER IS THE SPY ON MY TEAM. BUT I GET THE FEELING THAT HE'S JUST DENYING IT OR HE STILL DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. DEAR GOD... HE EVEN MISTAKEN ME ONE TIME TO BE HIS REAL FATHER JUST BECAUSE I CALL HIM 'SON' MORE OFTEN THEN OUR ENGINEER DOES." Peacock laughed again. But Soldier felt a little awkward about it. There was indeed that one time during their public service on Teufort for their crimes of collateral damages during Smissmass eve, where Scout literally, or perhaps, she hoped to god, accidentally called her Dad...

Flashback...

(Skullgirls OST: Forgotten Moments)

It was a cold, chilly night during Smissmass eve in the town of Teufort. Especially after saving the local mall from a small terrorist attack from 'Ol Nick, the Smissmass equivalent of Merasmus, terrorizing Teufort for their naughty children to bring back into his workshop in the South pole to serve as factory workers for a duration of a year until another Smissmass eve.

Apparently, Soldier and Scout became 'Ol Nick's downfall due to the crazy dynamic of the two offense class mercs of the Red team. But leading to his death was a random adolescent boy that he snatched, secretly holding an ice pick, stabbing him through the neck, killing him almost instantly. Spy then all of a sudden, came back with various news reporters, and just in time for their arrival, the threat at the local mall was already dealt with. Of course... Scout took full satisfactory of enjoyment into being branded as the 'Local Hero' on Teufort, on behalf of Soldier. But Soldier, not really knowing what to do just backed off and stood formally like a military person would. After several interviews with Scout, and several awkward, ridiculous poses that he did for pictures, Soldier then approached the boy and patted him on the back. "YOU'VE DONE ME PROUD, SON. ALSO, MERRY SMISSMASS..! - NORMALLY, I'D GO DRINKING IN THE PUB WITH DEMO BUT CONSIDERING THAT WE ARE STUCK DOING PUBLIC SERVICE, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I CHERISH THESE MOMENTS WITH YOU, AND SPY." Soldier proudly stated with a wide grin on his face. Scout just snickered before crossing his arms. But then, he looked down almost instantly, with a look of embarrassment on his face... "Alright, yeah. Also... Merry Smissmass - Dad..." Soldier's eyes widened and stared at the boy in confusion. "WHAT..?" Soldier stared at Scout blankly, then, he looked extremely confused.

Scout stared back at him. His face completely turned red, then looked down even more. "Sorry... I... I was having a gut feeling, okay..? So, uh... Wait... You're my dad, right? Soldier..?" Scout looked at Soldier intently with expectant wide eyes, expecting for an answer. Almost desperate in his expression to tell that he would rather hear 'Yes' or at least something else that can be reasonable if Soldier was not his father. Unbeknownst to Scout, Spy was watching them from a distance while casually smoking his cigar, but to see the Spy was avoiding them in their awkward situation, Soldier could assume that the Spy was clearly able to hear what he and Scout were even saying... Why can't he just grow a pair of balls to tell that to Scout himself..? Soldier mentally wondered. "Ugh... Nevermind... Must've been a wrong gut feeling... Again... First I thought it was Engie, since he also call me 'Son' and then... There's you... You call me that almost everytime we're stuck together, on a mission, or even in base during ceasefire... But, it's fine. Really..." Scout turned away and was about to walk off but Soldier stopped the young merc by placing a hand on his frail shoulder. "SCOUT... I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU REALLY ENDED UP TO THIS CONCLUSION OTHER THAN YOUR GUT FEELING, BUT LET ME GIVE YOU SOME ADVICE, SON - YOU'RE STRONGER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE, EVEN IF YOU LOOK WEAK WITH THAT FEMININE BODY OF YOURS."

Scout looked offended and crossed his frail arms. "That sounds more like a freakin' insult than an advice, Soldier... Also, I just have a ridiculous metabolism, that's why, okay..!?" Scout arguably replied. Soldier frowned, but sighed and reluctantly pulled the boy into a tight bear hug. Soldier could've sworn Spy rolling his eyes before looking away by the time he pulled Scout into a hug. "I'M NOT INSULTING YOU, MAGGOT! SORRY... WHAT I MEAN IS... YOU DON'T NEED A FATHER, WHEN YOU HAVE ME AND OUR TEAM LOOKING AFTER YOU..." Scout tried to pull away, looking embarrassed, but then he whispered. "Soldier... We're on a public mall... Can you like... Let go of me now... Please..?" Soldier did exactly why Scout requested him to do. Then Scout continued, rather sheepishly... "Thanks, by the way... For that advice of yours, even though it didn't really made sense to me..." Scout folded his arms and looked down, clearly not acknowledging Spy was even there within hearing range. Then he sheepishly looked back at Soldier. "But... What you said after that... You meant what you said... Right..? I mean... Doesn't matter if you didn't... I was just asking... Ugh, nevermind, what was I thinking -" Soldier interrupted Scout with a heavy sigh. Both, wanting to end this awkward moment, and wanting to be genuinely honest to his fellow team member. "I MEANT EVERYTHING THAT I'VE SAID. YOU DON'T NEED A FATHER THAT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THE BALLS TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO HIS OWN SON. SO DON'T CHASE AFTER THAT HUGE WASTE OF TIME. YOU HAVE THE FINE MEMBERS OF THE RED TEAM TO LOOK AFTER YOU. SON..." At this point, Spy finally walked away, and Soldier took notice of it. But he didn't said anything other than seeing Scout's expression. Scout was now was grinning slightly. "Thanks for that, pally... I... I appreciate it - Even though you're the second person on the team I've mistaken to be my dad just because of my stupid gut feeling -" Soldier felt extremely awkward by now. "DAMMIT, BOY..."

...

"Soldier..? Are... You okay..?" Peacock finally asked. Apparently, Soldier stopped eating her meal, almost done but she apparently just stopped talking and eating and only sat idly, face blank, seemingly in deep thought. "JEREMY..." Soldier randomly replied, surprising Peacock. "Who..? Uh... It's me, Peacock, silly!" Peacock replied with a grin. Soldier looked around, only to find herself back in the cafeteria station of Lab 8. Soldier felt embarrassed. "OH... SORRY, GREMLIN..." She looked down for a moment. Not even that long being stuck in this strange, bizarre world, she already misses one of her teammates. Soldier didn't liked to agree with her mental thought, but in reality, she misses Scout now, just by thinking about her sudden flashback... It was kind of depressing for her...

"Aw, cheer up! I'm sure that kid back on Lab 0 will get released! All living weapons from that nasty side of ASG gets released one way or another - So don't get all beat up on yourself a'right? I'll even help ya catch her and we can bring her back here to give her some gelp! That's a promise, now cheer up, Soldier!" Peacock enthusiastically said. Soldier was interrupted from her thoughts and yet again. Carol was shoved back into her mind on behalf of missing Scout... But out of the two - Carol stuck even more close to home within the her mind. And Soldier had to get that poor girl away from Brain Drain...

Looking back at Peacock, who was looking at her in confusion and a bit of concern, Soldier finally decided to set aside Scout within her mind, but kept Carol's to keep reminding her of it as a part of her priorities to deal with apart from taking down the Skullgirl... "DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME, GREMLIN. I'LL BE FINE." Soldier lied. But then she grinned and continued. "NOW, HOW ABOUT WE GO TO NEW MERIDIAN AND SIGN OUR NAMES UP FOR THAT WRESTLING MATCH LATER EVENING?" At this point Peacock began bouncing again on her seat from excitement. "Yeah! Let's go..! And I'm still gonna be looking forward to that meeting you have with Annie's producer! What are the chances that we also see Annie, am I right!?" Soldier just smiled casually. But deep down, she felt depressed because of two thoughts within her mind. One of which, she had to set aside to forget, only to keep the other instead within her head... "YEAH..."

After eating breakfast, and on their way to New Meridian, Peacock suddenly asked as they got into Peacock's cartoon-ish looking Bandwagon car. "Hang on a minute... You said earlier that your girl Scout teammate accidentally called you 'Dad' but you're a woman... Wha..?" Soldier, seated next to Peacock on the driver's seat shifted a little uncomfortably with her face turning bright red "I... WAS ORIGINALLY A MAN, GREMLIN..." Peacock shook her head immediately in surprise. "You mean, you didn't came here with your Wizard friend as a woman!? Wait, how was that even possible!? I mean, Stanley said that you told him and Gramps that you are from another, next world dimension thingy but, they never said that you were actually a man!"

Soldier couldn't help but lazily shrug. "I WASN'T COMFORTABLE TO TELL THE TRUTH. WHO WOULD BELIEVE A WAR VETERAN LIKE ME, IN A WOMANLY BODY SAYING I CAME FROM ANOTHER WORLD AS A MAN? NOT TO MENTION, THE WORLD ME AND THAT MAGGOT, MERASMUS, CAME FROM IS A WORLD COMPETED BY CAPITALISM AND COMMUNISM, I WOULDN'T EXPECT COMMON CIVILIAN MAGGOTS WOULD BELIEVE ME." They then started driving to the large city of New Meridian, but their conversation never came to an end as Peacock abruptly asked another question. "So... You mentioned your crazy Pyro teammate. Then there was your girl Scout teammate. I don't wanna hear about your Medic, though. Folks back in Lab 8 already knew about him and your teammates since I kept hearin' about you telling then so many stories about your teammates. And aside from their interest to give your yrazy Pyro friend medical help, the folks on Lab 8 are more interested to know about your Medic." Soldier frowned shortly. "PYRO IS NOT MY FRIEND, GREMLIN. AND MEDIC, NOT REALLY CLOSE TO HIM EITHER... BUT WAIT... YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT MY TEAM, DO YOU?" Soldier casually looked at Peacock as the gremlin child drove past cars, rather illegally. "Yeah..! But I wanna hear about your teammates personally from ya..!"

Soldier then casually shrugged and started speaking about her teammates. Although she didn't wanted to talk too much about them, she believed it to be both a waste of time discussing off topics, and Soldier also believed it to be a violation of her team's privacy of information. But she still mentioned basic things about the Red team's random shenanigans for Peacock's amusement as they drove their way deeper within New Meridian. Soldier had seen cities during their free trips to other landmarks involved in the Gravel Wars. And she wouldn't deny that New Meridian's vast landscapes were as pretty and smooth as the jazz tunes playing on the Bandwagon radio. In fact, it somehow reminded her of the cities of Midwestern United States, where she was born, and for the most part, the large skyscrapers and the seemingly limitless flashy, colorful lights reminded her of Las Vegas and New York combined... It made this city look like a 1940's utopia...

"We're here..! Haha, were gonna have some fun tonight, and I can't wait..!" Peacock excitedly exclaimed as they pulled over to the large parking lot. On the side of their view was a large stadium arena. "THIS IS NEW MERIDIAN MMO ARENA?" Soldier casually asked as she and Peacock got out of the Bandwagon. "Yeah..! This arena is mostly famous in Canopy Kingdom and New Meridian for hosting several different sport events! Not only for wrestling, silly! - Also... Bad news..? This arena is also the center stage practice location for Medici Mafia..." Soldier immediately jerked her head to Peacock. "THOSE SCUM SUCKING FRUIT BASKETS!?" Peacock gave a nod with a bitter look on her face. "Yeah... It's where they train their Medici Enforcers. Usually, their roles are much more important than your standard Medici mafia goon. They're jobs are to protect the River King Casino, The Medici Tower, and mostly, their main leaders - Lorenzo and his son, Vitale Medici."

Soldier growled shortly with a clenched fist. "NADIA AND THOSE WIERD LOOKING FISH PEOPLE BACK ON LITTLE INNSMOUTH ARE BEING EASY TARGETS FOR THESE MAFIA BASTARDS..." Peacock just gave a small nod in agreement. "Yeah... Sucks doesn't it..? People that are just enjoyin' they're lives get interrupted just for extorting money. Then we got that useless Princess and her pesky Egrets following her around. Ugh... Instead of helping the weak being literally stepped on, abducted, violated and sold as slave property, all they do is police around, showing off with their ridiculous propaganda, like those old stories of how they did with using Beowulf for propaganda. Even replaced the traditional expendables meat bags for war, who actually know how to do their jobs right in exchange for those Egrets. You and I are on the same page, Soldier. Some help they are..." Soldier sighed a little frustratingly before nodding in agreement. "AFFIRMATIVE... ANYWAY... LET'S JUST GET OVER WITH HERE ON THE STADIUM. THEN WE CAN GIVE A PHONE CALL TO ANNIE'S PRODUCER FOR A MEETING." Peacock grinned widely in excitement.

As they walked to the large entrances of the arena, Soldier suddenly decided to ask a random question. "YOU MENTIONED TO ME THAT MEDICI HAVE ENFORCERS, BASICALLY THEIR MOST TRAINED GOONS." Peacock nodded as they walked. "Yeah. But to me, they're just a bunch of lowlife goons like the rest. Nothin' unusual." Soldier took a mental note of it but then asked again. "DO ANY OF THE MEDICI LEADERS TAKE IN CHARGE OF THEIR MAFIA TRAINING HERE?" Peacock slightly jerked her head to the side with a shrug. "Yeah, and no. Yeah, Vitale does come see their enforcer trainees sometimes. At least according to Lab 8's scouting reports. Most of the time, it's Black Dahlia. Vitale's mistress assassin. Mistress of their most elite mafia assassin group of armed playboy women."

Soldier raised an eyebrow. "WHO'S THAT?" "Beats me. But from what Gramps, Stanley and Ben told me... Black Dahlia was a former living weapon, and operative of the ASG. Directly from Lab 0. Then Ben mentioned that she was a defective operative and weapon, she just ran off. Then one day, folks, mainly operatives of Lab 8 and Lab 0 encounter Black Dahlia, now one of the Medici. If whatever records Lab 8 have about Dahlia weren't all bamboozled lies, then Black Dahlia is the oldest, living weapon Lab 0 as ever made, aside from being the first. I dunno." Peacock paused. She sighed slowly before continuing. "According to Gramps, Dahlia and I have very similar abilities. Though, mine's is a parasite, Avery, and I'm in a more cartoon-ish, but really cool way - While Dahlia's just all mechanical, like Ben is. Lot of men also chase after her booty, too. Don't know why go waste time chasing after a mechanical mafia, but I guess in most men's defense, she's got a tight body. Oh, y'know what I mean... But that's a risky gamble for them men, if they wanna end up in body bags, or worse, do they?" Peacock gave a short laugh. Soldier caught up to the short laugh. It was almost as if Peacock was just faking it. They both stopped walking. "IS SOMETHING WRONG GREMLIN..?"

Placing a hand on Peacock's shoulder, Soldier waited for a reply. "Dahlia was mostly involved about me and my best friend, Marie... When we were just Medici prisoners... Ready to be sold as slaves like the many children of any gender... Boys get beatings from their goons and the girls... They get... Touched. You know what I mean, right, Soldier..?" Soldier's eyes widened. And her hearth sank, much like it did seeing Carol back at Lab 0. "Worse part is that, most girls aren't even in the ages of minors. They're mostly just adolescent children. Probably twelve below. Thirteen is rare for Medici to sell since, most, secret rich elitist cults from other nations bid ridiculous amounts of money for them poor kids..." Peacock looked at Soldier in the eyes. "My best friend, Marie, had experienced horrible things from Medici goons. From molesting, it went a little too far. Thank the Trinity I was by her side. They never touched me since was a fighter. But Marie wasn't..." Peacock sighed again. "They eventually got enough of me, though... They gouged my eyes out... Mutilated my arms... No one would wanna buy an eyeless slave, let alone, a limbless one, right..?" Peacock didn't cried, thankfully. But she was looking down as they just stood idly. Soldier got onto her knee, then gently placed her hand on Peacock's shoulder while looking her in her eyeless sockets. "WE'LL GET YOUR FRIEND BACK, GREMLIN... I PROMISE." Peacock smiled weakly, but it faded almost instantly the moment she did. "I wish... But we can't, Soldier..." "WHY CAN'T WE..?"

There was a long pause. Then came a very slow, quiet response. "Marie found the Skull Heart... She's the Skullgirl everybody's freakin' out about..." Soldier stared at her. Shocked. "SHE'S... IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW... WHY THIS SKULLGIRL HAS SOMETHING AGAINST THESE MEDICI BASTARDS... BUT... HOW..?" Soldier looked as Peacock for an answer. "We were separated. Before I got my eyes gouged and my arms mutilated, I manage to steal the key for our holding cell. I helped her and many other kids escape one night. The next day was the day we were all being sold as slaves of any kind, so it was worth the gamble... Better to be homeless in the streets than a slave, right..? Eventually, I got caught with some other kids. Didn't took them long to figure out I was the one responsible for letting Marie and many other kids escape... That's when they did... Well... You know what..." Soldier closed her eyes for moment. Her teeth gritted in anger. "HOW... LONG... HAVE YOU BEEN KEPT AFTER YOUR FRIEND AND MANY OTHERS ESCAPED..?" Peacock hesitantly replied. "I remember for a whole week. Whole week before Ben, and Valentine's group along with Leduc and Hive rescued me and the fellow others that got caught with me... Just a month back too, shortly before Valentine's group were wiped out by Marie... But I didn't knew at that moment that it was her... I've only found out about it when it was firstly announced on television a few weeks ago. It was a news footage of her attacking Maplecrest... Home to several rich, corrupted families tied, and involved to the Medici mafia..." "DOES DOCTOR AVIAN AND THE OTHERS KNOW? WHAT ABOUT BIG BAND..?" Soldier hesitantly asked. "No... I wanted to tell them since it might help them know about Marie, even as a Skullgirl but... They were too worried for my condition... They'd likely think that I was still traumatized from what happened to me, traumatized that it's messing with my brain..." Soldier finally had enough before pulling Peacock into a tight hug. It was the only thing that Soldier could offer to comfort the gremlin. Surprisingly, she didn't cried, but her tone, and her facial expressions were enough to say that she was telling the truth. Peacock hugged her back shortly and whispered. "We can't save Marie, Soldier... There's nothin' we can do other than... Helping her the other way around... Once you've made a wish on the Skull Heart... There's no goin' back... There's no help that can save ya from turning into a Skullgirl..." Soldier sighed in disbelief. "SO IT'S IRREVERSIBLE, THEN..?" Peacock only nodded in reply. This poor gremlin child...

"DON'T WORRY. WE'LL... WE WILL HELP YOUR BEST FRIEND, MARIE... I AM HERE NOW. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY..." Peacock looked at Soldier expectantly. "R-really..? You... You promise... Do you promise, Soldier..?" Soldier didn't gave a single thought about a reply. She already heard enough about this poor gremlin's traumatic experience. So she nodded. "YEAH. AND WE'LL MAKE THOSE MEDICI BASTARDS PAY EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER WE HELP YOUR FRIEND, MARIE. THAT'S AN AMERICAN PROMISE. PATRICIA..." Peacock smiled and hugged Soldier for the last time. Finally, for Soldier's relief she cheered up the gremlin. And somehow, she also felt good comforting and cheering up this gremlin. Much like how she felt offering Nadia to help her with Medici mafia problems... At least she felt something worth appreciating. Unlike how the Red team rarely appreciating her contributions to the many victories on their battles against Blu team... Soldier gently smiled. "C'MON... LET'S GET THIS AUDITIONING OVER WITH." Peacock smiled before grinning.

The auditioning was simple enough. Questions and answers, then signing their names up. Both Soldier and Peacock were also promised consolation prize money for when after they finish the match. Details that both Soldier and Peacock amusingly shared of not being too interested for long, but eventually, they were qualified for the evening march, despite for the reluctant qualification of a child, which was Peacock, to be Soldier's partner for the wrestling match.

"Well, glad that's over it..!" Peacock said as she and Soldier were walking on their way back outside. "YEAH, YOU SAID IT, GREMLIN. ANYWAYS, WE NEED TO STOP BY A PHONE BOOTH TO CALL ANNIE'S PRODUCER, MISS FLORENCE. LET HER KNOW THAT I AM ALSO TAKING A JOB FOR HER." Peacock looked almost instantly excited at this. "You're gonna return to Annie of the Stars!? I wanna see you be a good guy and fight with Annie..!" Soldier just grinned and replied. "ACTUALLY... THAT SHOW JUST ISN'T FOR ME, GREMLIN... ONLY REASON WHY I WAS THERE AT ALL WAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T RECEIVED THE COSTUME FOR THEIR SEASONS' ANTAGONIST. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A PIRATE SQUID FROM THE SEVEN SEAS, BUT THE PRODUCERS SCRAPPED HIM OFF IN REPLACEMENT OF ME: THE TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT. OR SIMPLY WHAT YOU NOW KNOW AS 'THE RED PATRIOT FROM THE SEVEN SEAS'. THE RED SOLDIER." Peacock shook her head and replied enthusiastically. "Doesn't matter, right!? I mean, maybe you weren't the original antagonist for the new season of the show, but you were the best replacement..!"

(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: Seduce Me!)

As they both shared a chuckle, Soldier bumped into a large man. "OHHH, MY BEAUTIFUL HEAD..." Soldier began with a groan. "Oh, sorry about that, Miss... Didn't see you there..." The man replied. He was indeed large. Though he's not that ridiculously large as Big Band, but he was definitely in the size of Heavy, but he's more muscular in build unlike the Heavy of being a fatass. "Holy cow, it's you..!" Peacock excitedly exclaimed. "Beowulf..! The Bad Wulf Man from Annie's show..!"

The man, Beowulf just grinned at the gremlin. "The one and only, kid!" He then turned to Soldier and awkwardly apologized with his large hand scratching the back of his head. "Sorry about that again, Ma'am, I could've sworn I didn't see you and your daughter." Peacock and Soldier looked at him in unexpected surprise before exchanging sheepishly awkward looks. "UHH... PATRICIA AND I ARE GOOD FRIENDS..." Soldier awkwardly replied with Peacock awkwardly nodding. "Oh... Um... Sorry... I mean, I was in a hurry and I really didn't see you so-" Soldier waved it off. "IT'S FINE. BY THE WAY WE'RE CONTESTANTS, READY TO FIGHT YOU LATER EVENING!" Soldier replied casually. "That's true! And Soldier and I are a duo! You ready to get you ass whooped, Wulf Man!?" Peacock confidently added with wide grin on her face. Beowulf was a bit stunned by this, but then he grinned as he crossed his arms. "Well... A lady, and a kid? I mean I've met other contestants earlier that are women too. They're all hyped for tonight's event, too! But uh... Nothing personal, right? We're gonna play along? Y'know... Good wrestling match? I mean, I don't wanna hurt women and children intentionally - So hopefully my old pal and manager, Zane, got scripts all ready for all of us for later evening." Beowulf said casually. Everything he said sounded dumb. But for Soldier and Peacock, they both understood just fine. "NAH, WE'VE HAD WORSE, DON'T WE, GREMLIN?" Soldier playfully nudged at Peacock's side, who grinned. "Yeah..! We'll see ya later in the ring, Bad Wulf Man!" Beowulf looked at Peacock in embarrassment. "I'm... Not working with Annie anymore... Also... Speaking of which... There's that creepy one-eyed kid imitating Annie. She's also been arguing with me about making this huge comeback... Kept arguing that she is the Annie I've worked with..." Beowulf kept looking over to his shoulder from where he just came from, clearly on the lookout.

Soldier was taken too interested about the sudden subject. "IS THIS CHILD WITH A SEXY, LOVELY LADY? BLONDE HAIR, SHOULDER LENGTH LIKE MINE?" Beowulf's eyes widened. "Yeah..! And apparently they've been warning me about something... Something... I dunno... Heck, I forgot what they were trying to warn me about... Something about this comeback that I'm having later evening... I mean, it's just my huge comeback, like what could go wrong-" "Florence, I hear his loud voice from this hall! Come on, this way!" "I'm right behind behind you, Annie, lead on!" Beowulf's eyes widened in shock. "Crud... I gotta bail now... But hey, can you guys do me a little favor..?" Soldier and Peacock just casually nodded. "If they ask about me, can you tell those two that you didn't see me pass by, or tell them you don't know me?" "Yeah, sure, Bad Wulf Man..!" "AFFIRMATIVE!" Beowulf gave them an appreciative grin before making a quick run to the nearest hallway.

But before Soldier or Peacock could say a word to each other, it turns out, Beowulf was just simply too dumb to recognize the two people arguing with him... Emerged from the hallway Beowulf came from, was none other than the adorable one-eyed child, Annie, and her lovely producer, Florence. Peacock tensed at the sight of her idol and immediately hid behind Soldier nervously out of excitement. Both parties were surprised. Mostly, Soldier just by seeing Miss Florence. "UM... HELLO AGAIN..!" Soldier awkwardly greeted with an awkward hand wave. Florence, of course, smiled in excitement to see her then immediately greeted back as she and Annie approached. "Miss Doe! What a coincidence..!"

Eventually, the two separated from Annie and Peacock, then began to initiate their own conversation. Peacock was then left staring at Annie dreamily. "Holy Trinity... You are real..! This isn't actually a dream..! You're not a fan girl cosplaying as Annie..!" Peacock started squeeling. Much to Annie's awkward stare at her before trying to gain any sight of Beowulf. "Um... Hi..?" Annie awkwardly greeted. Peacock immediately began taking something from her pocket and took out a camera. "Can I take a picture with ya!? I am your biggest fan..! You don't know how hard it is for me to sneak past into your stadium just to see you on set..!" Annie, still trying to look around for Beowulf, finally gave up and sighed defeated. "Look, kid, I don't wanna be rude but... My producer and I are looking for a large, dumb guy with a folding chair strapped on his back. He's also wearing a wolf fur. Did you happen to see him..?" Annie tried to ask politely, but Peacock was too busy staring at her in awe. The gremlin was completely motionless while staring dreamily at the adorable one-eyed child. Annie sighed. "Well... Guess we lost him... Florence..?" Annie turned over to her producer and friend, only to see her giggling while exchanging words with Jane Doe, the Soldier... Annie looked at them confused, but seeing both body languages of both adults, she realized the two were more than just conversing. They're literally hitting it off... And they're both... Women... Which is extremely rare, and found uncomfortable by most people across New Meridian... Annie facepalmed.

"Uh... Annie..? Is it alright if we take a picture..? It's for my personal collection display - Oooh..! Lemme tell ya, that I've bought so much merchandises of you and Saigan! Though, I had to save money for some of them but they're all worth the prices..!" Annie heard Peacock's enthusiastic voice. She turned to the gremlin feeling awkward while holding a camera. Annie sighed. "Fine... We can take pictures... Just three pictures is all I can offer, kid. My free time is about to run out, so make the most of them..." Annie tiredly said with a casual shrug at the end of her statement. Peacock was so overjoyed at this. This was the moment she's been dreaming of. But to her joy even more, Annie put up her best smiles on all three pictures, with all three pictures having Annie doing her signature, adorable poses on set. This leaves the gremlin squeeling loudly in joy after finally having taken three pictures of her idol.

And while Annie was awkwardly dealing with Peacock, Soldier literally hit it off with the star child's producer, Florence, who surprisingly hit back on her. But Soldier quickly brought up a new topic. "I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE YOU A CALL, MISS FLORENCE. I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR OFFERING BUT INSTEAD OF WORKING WITH ANNIE... I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER IN MIND..!" Soldier enthusiastically said. Florence was interested indeed as she listened closely. "I HAVE AN IDEA FOR YOUR WRITERS TO MAKE A COMEPLETELY DIFFERENT SHOW. A SHOW FOR ALL AGES, WHERE EVERY HAPPY CAPITALIST WOULD ENJOY..!" Florence thought about it for a moment, and she smiled at the idea Soldier was bringing up. "Considering that most of our writers have never been given such challenges, and are just unfortunately phoning Annie's show, an idea for a new, completely different show in alternate to Annie's might help boast ratings and to also give them a challenge on their job." She chuckled shortly before asking. "What would be the idea for this show you are about to suggest, Miss Doe?" Soldier proudly grinned. "It's based off my life..! My life, as a war veteran, fighting the most gruesome, but glorious battle of the Gravel Wars..!" As crazy as it maybe to suggest a show about Soldier and the Gravel Wars... Florence actually wore an intrigue look and she was indeed interested, especially ever since Soldier mentioned the Gravel Wars to her. "You know, Miss Doe... As crazy as it may sound... That might actually make quite a decent idea... Not for a film... But for a television series... And I would admit... I was indeed interested to know more about you, especially right when you mentioned to me about that war you fought on... Perhaps we can head over to the agency and speak to the writers. Share them your ideas and suggestions, give them the best challenge they can have yet." Soldier grinned. "WELL... DOES THAT MEAN... YOU'RE OPEN TO HIRE ME..?" Soldier replied, rather coyly with a wink. Florence blushed, but smiled flattered. "We can have that arranged, Miss Doe." Florence replied back. Coyly. Surprisingly enough, mostly to Soldier, who blushed in return.

"PERFECT..! AND NOW I EVEN HAVE THE BEST TITLE FOR THIS SHOW I AM SUGGESTING..!" Soldier proudly replied with a wide grin. Florence giggled shortly and asked. "Oh, I am sure the writers will have a field day for this as an alternate to Annie's show. And what would the title be, Miss Doe?" Soldier grinned. "WE'LL CALL IT TEAM FORTRESS STARRING, ME - THE RED SOLDIER..!" Florence was now fully intrigued as she was now openly agreeing to the idea. "The title already sounds like a timeless masterpiece, Miss Doe. I find it beautiful. Now, how about we head over to the agency, and have this wonderful idea submitted to the writers, and if you'd like, Miss Doe, I'd be happy to be the producer once this becomes a full show on television." Florence and Soldier both smiled. And both blushed at the same time.

...

Floating around after causing a green explosion from a large bomb that was accidentally dropped, a large, thick, heavy spell book floated around the city of New Meridian. Ignoring the various all kinds of people looking at it. Curiosity, fear, and some even taking pictures. It was all kinds of stares...

But of course... Who wouldn't be taking pictures of a large, ancient, talking spell book, with a large bomb magically attached to the front of its cover..? This immediately gained sight of Medici mafia patrols nearby. Perhaps, future valuable sentient artifact..? But as the talking spell book floated around, and deeper within the city of New Meridian, it also gained the sight of Black Egret patrols, dispatched after the newly recently reports of a bomb being accidentally dropped near the River King Casino. And out of all the unwanted kinds of attention... - This talking, eldritch, ancient spell book of evil gained the attention of a nun, who's apparently been secretly following the unaware, sentient spell book while seemingly talking to itself, and shouting out two unfamiliar names... "Ah, holy crap..! Guys..? Merasmus..? Soldier..? I'm here now..! C'mon out you two, Halloween is two weeks over..! Let's get you both back home to our world..!"

FAQs:

1. Yes. Soldier is now loved at first sight with Annie's producer, Florence. But how long, and how far would this 'thing' reach, if it were to be explored..?

2. Yes, that is right... Soldier is now suggesting to star in her very own show, based off her life, and her job as a mercenary of Redmond Mann in the Gravel Wars.

3. Sorry. No more Team Fortress 2 characters on the way throughout this story. I wish to center the focus on Soldier and Merasmus, meeting and interacting with characters from Skullgirls, while also on their mission to take down the Skullgirl.

4. The Pyro backstory is just a simple headcannon of mine. Especially the random headcannon of the Pyro having the 'Hots' for female nurses. (But future foreshadowing, perhaps..?)

5. That part of Soldier and Scout on their 'Father and Son' moment was just inspired by the "ARE YA WINNING, SON?" video by Zhain but the officially stated father of the Scout in Team Fortress 2 lore is indeed the Spy, and it is confirmed canon.

6. Another small piece of Team Fortress 2 lore was stated in the Soldier's biography, that the Soldier was born somewhere around the Midwestern United States. Granted, it was not specific on which state of the Midwestern, but this piece of lore about the Soldier is considered canon in the Team Fortress 2 lore.

Thank you for reading!

~Defective Demon 666~