(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: Red Bread)

Several staff members have sat around a large table inside a large meeting room within the agency building next to the filming studios. Apparently, Jane Doe, the unexpectedly well performed stage performer that played the most recent antagonist in the newest season of Annie of the Stars, had gained the show a lot of views within only twenty four hours after the pilot slash first episode's airing on television, and the chances on getting the show off the rating slump was being shown that the producers can still salvage Annie of the Stars to get it back on it's track. Several discussions and suggestions were exchanged to hire Miss Jane Doe to be Annie's main rival enemy for the newly current season, but several emails were recieved within only a few hours ago. Fans of Annie of the Stars were sending numerous emails in the main website of the Show itself: A huge request from the fans to have The Red Soldier be given a sort of redemption arc within the show to become Annie's new companion on behalf of her sidekick bunny, Saigan.

This leads to such debacle on how the show being focused on Annie would transition to an unfamiliar cast. However, speaking of an unfamiliar cast... Jane Doe, brought by the Show's co-producer, Florence and star Annie herself, had the staff, mostly, the writing staff shaken within their seats after she mentioned to accept the offer to play a role in acting. But in her condition - Jane Doe will not be acting with Annie within her show. And instead suggested, with her very own idea for a new, completely different show instead. Truth to be told, the various staff that worked on Annie of the Stars were regularly changed due to the secret that Annie doesn't age, and had been acting the role of herself based off her real life. Nobody was the wiser, except Florence, the midget director on the filming set, and now Soldier and Peacock. Such a shaky idea of a war for vast amounts of gravel disturbed the staff. Florence stood next to Soldier, giving the deranged patriot an encouraging smile as she 'enthusiastically' shared her suggestion and idea for this show that she wanted to star on.

Indeed, it was disturbing that even Annie, awkwardly sitting next to an overjoyed Peacock stared at Soldier, completely shaken from her ideas. This whole thing was insane. Soldier's life, as a 'War veteran' slash ex military now serving as a highly paid mercenary. A mercenary among other deadly eight mercenaries fighting an over century old war called the Gravel Wars. Florence's smile turned into a grin as she noticed writers were seemingly intrigued and taking notes. Each writer working on Annie's show had shown an interest. "And what would be the title of this show, if our writers make a script for a pilot episode, Miss Jane Doe..?" The midget director asked, still in his usually frowning face. Soldier grinned. "WE WILL CALL IT TEAM FORTRESS! AND LIKE I MENTIONED - IT IS ABOUT A WAR FOR GRAVELS, INHERITED BY TWO BRAIN DEFECTIVE TWINS DURING THE 18TH CENTURY!" Soldier proudly replied. The director seemed unimpressed. But for starters, the writers and some other filming staff were at least. "Well..? Sure, this is more of mature content, but considering that Annie of the Stars is the only show that is mostly being worked on within this filming industry, we can spare the budget to work on a side alternative. I'm sure most of our viewers wouldn't mind to see a different setting apart from Annie's show. Especially, when they will no doubt recognize Miss Doe as the actress who played the antagonist on the new season of the show. Plus, I see a potential if Team Fortress is to be made into a show." Florence said with a smile next to Soldier. The director just remained frowning. "While we do have the budget, Miss Florence, the problem is that I don't think we have the staff to meet the requirements to focus on this, if it were to be a show."

Annie finally stood up and walked over next to Soldier. "We have plenty of staff. In fact, most of them have just become minor stage assistants. At least give them something to do to lift their spirits up. And besides..." Annie's single eye glanced over to Soldier. "Soldier here doesn't seem comfortable enough to work on a kid's show. Her fighting is more than well coordinated for any fight choreography used in television shows. She's more of a... Raging berserk than a simple fighter - Fit for mature content of fighting."

There was a series of debacle and discussions. But then the director spoke again. This time, in a questioning tone. "If the concept of this idea for a show to be set over a century old war - Where would it be taking place..? This is the final piece of the idea to fill in the components to make this into an actual show. We will need a location set for the filming." Soldier and Florence exchanged looks with Annie, but then Florence gave the answer. "In No Man's Land, Director. It is, without a doubt, the perfect location to film an over century old war about gravel." The director looked uneasy. "The former Skullgirl territory, Miss Florence..? I mean no disrespect to our deceased Renoir Queen, but it's where former Queen Nancy Renoir was located. As a Skullgirl... What are the chances that the recently incarnated Skullgirl could be there as well..?" Soldier was the one who replied. "EVEN BETTER. I AM A WAR VETERAN, AND AN ACTIVE FOR DUTY MERCENARY. I CAN DOMINATE THE SKULLGIRL." The room, except for Peacock, fell into an uneasy silence due to Soldier's response. But then, Florence decided to add a statement of her own. "While that is true, Director, and while there is the possibility - There are still nearby military garrison bases of the traditional Canopy Military. Considering that they've been completely discarded for the Black Egrets and have been stationed far away from New Meridian, they do have the experiences to fight Skullgirl minions, if not a Skullgirl. We can request for military assistance from one of the nearby garrisons of the Canopy Military to act as security if we are to film there in No Man's Land."

Finally... The director gave a nod. "Very well, Miss Florence. We'll have this all arranged. As for the main producer of this show... I can't guarantee you that I can be it's producer, when my hands are already tied to Annie of the Stars. We may have to look for another producer to work on this project-" Soldier immediately raised her hand and confidently replied. "MISS FLORENCE WOULD DO FINELY TO BE THE PRODUCER! TO ANY OF YOU MAGGOTS WANTING TO WORK ON THIS SHOW, WHO WANTS TO VOUCH?" Florence's face turned bright red, but she smiled flattered. There was then a vouch from several staff and writers. The director sighed. Still in his usually frowning face. "All right... It's settled. We can divide our large staff to work on two complete separate projects... This might also be a good challenge, especially for our writers..." Soldier wore a satisfied grin. "THEY'LL HAVE A FIELD DAY FOR THIS. BUT THEY'RE IN LUCK - THIS WILL DEFINITELY KICK THE RATINGS UP ONCE WE GET AN EPISODE OUT..!" At least Soldier's wild, enthusiastic energy gave encouragement to those that will be working on this new show... Team Fortress... A very fitting name indeed for a war of mercenaries over gravel... But other than that, and despite the fully motivated staffs, Annie didn't seemed to look happy, or anywhere pleased at all...

After the meeting was over, Peacock was so full of joy as she bounced happily next to Soldier. "You're gonna have your own show..! I can't believe it..! I mean, I'm still a huge fan of Annie's show but, I can't wait to see yours..!" Peacock cheerfully exclaimed. Annie looked at the gremlin awkwardly, and then she turned her eye to Soldier. "Let's talk." Annie simply said. But her tone was firm and serious, and Peacock along with Florence looked at the star child in surprise. Annie jerked her head to her dressing room, while maintaining eye contact with Soldier. Soldier just casually shrugged before turning to Florence and Peacock. "WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK."

After leading her into the dressing room with the door closed, Annie sighed then spoke with her arms crossed. "What the fudge are you doing..?" The star child asked. Soldier looked at the child confused. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SWEETIE?" Annie sighed again and made a hand gesture while responding. "This whole thing... What are your intentions? I mean, I don't want to be harsh or anything but..." Annie stopped. Clearly she didn't felt comfortable talking about this to Soldier. But Soldier was still confused. "IF IT'S ABOUT THE SHOW I CAME UP WITH, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE-" Annie simply shook her head in reply. "Soldier, it's not about that... Tell you the truth? I'm happy for you. It's not very common for a background stage performer in acting to get an opportunity to star in a show of their own. But that's not the point..." Annie sighed again. "... It's the Skullgirl... When we first met, and when you left, specifically... You mentioned you were after the Skullgirl... Why..? I know you're a mercenary, but... Why..? What are your intentions, or goals? Were you hired to take down the Skullgirl? Did the Renoir family finally lost faith on their service men? Or were you hired by people from the Anti-Skullgirl labs..? And I'm concerned... You're an armed woman seeking a dangerous artifact... A woman... Do you... Plan to..." Annie stopped. She was making too many assumptions, and she needed to hear what Soldier has to say.

"I WAS NEVER HIRED BY ANYONE. FIRSTLY, I DON'T LIKE THAT FASCIST ROYAL FAMILY OF THIS NAZI KINGDOM. SECONDLY, IN A WAY, I AM NOW BECOMING AN ASSET OF THE ANTI-SKULLGIRL LABS. I'VE BEEN COMMENDED FOR LAB 0. AND THIRD, I AM NOT FROM HERE... I AM FROM ANOTHER WORLD AHEAD OF TIME TO THIS. I WAS BORN FROM THE LAND OF THE FREE CALLED AMERICA..!" Soldier stated in reply. Rather proudly... None of this made any sense to Annie, and so she pinched the bridge of her nose and replied. "Okay... One at a time... I will ask... And you will answer, all right..? But please, be honest..." Soldier gave a crisp nod. "AFFIRMATIVE!"

Annie sighed and finally began. "You were never hired to locate and take down the Skullgirl. But you're a mercenary... For who are you doing this for..? A mercenary doesn't do a job on their own, unless being assigned to do one for a payroll." Soldier replied casually. "I WAS ALREADY A MERCENARY. BUT I CAME FROM ANOTHER WORLD LIKE I SAID. A BEAUTIFUL MIRROR REFLECTION OF THIS WORLD THAT HAS NO SKULLGIRLS, AND IT IS IN THE YEAR OF 1972! ALSO... TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION - I AM FORCED WITH NO OTHER OPTIONS TO WORK FOR THE ANTI-SKULLGIRL LABS. IN EXCHANGE, THEY WILL HELP ME GET BACK TO MY WORLD. ISN'T IT WONDERFUL NEWS?" Annie pinched the bridge of her nose again. "You're saying you're from a parallel world... A similar, but different world reflecting our own here..? I mean... I can't say I'm skeptic even though I should be but... Those inventors working under the Renoir's Black Egrets had been publishing on the internet about the possibilities of parallel dimensions and possible travels to another world. Hoax or not is entirely unsure... But I wouldn't be surprised if the ASG labs and their people have made that kind of breakthrough... But hopefully not... It's already concerning about a seven year cycle of Skullgirls, let alone see other people from another world without any knowledge of what capability their world has..." Annie paused, but she then continued. "You also mentioned Lab 0... Of all the remaining ASG labs, it had to be that..? Are you even aware that people in those labs are notorious for abducting and conducting extreme, unthinkable experiments on people? I mean I can understand Lab 8, and part of it is because I am friends with their people, especially to Big Band, but it had to be Lab 0 that you're working for..?"

Soldier gave a sheepish shrug with a goofy smile. "IT WAS A FUNNY STORY. BUT TO GIVE SPECIFIC DETAILS: I WAS COMMENDED BY NURSE VALENTINE TO LAB 0. WE HAD AN ENCOUNTER, AND FOUGHT EACH OTHER OVER MEDICI ABDUCTED REFUGEES. WE THEN WORKED ON AN AGREEMENT AND THEN SHE COMMENDED ME FOR LAB 0, EVEN THOUGH I WANTED TO JOIN LAB 8 - OOF..! BY THE WAY... - IS VALENTINE YOUR MOTHER? IF SO, LEMME TELL YOU I CAN'T FEEL CERTAIN ABOUT TRUSTING HER, SO HOPEFULLY YOU DON'T TAKE ANY OFFENSE..." Annie was taken back by the words. She then looked at Soldier rather awkwardly... "Uhhhh... I know who Valentine is but... We are not related..." Soldier studied the star child or a long moment. Sure enough, Annie has very similar facial structure to Valentine's. And considering that Soldier had secretly removed the surgical mask of an unconscious Valentine to identify her during their first encounter, hell, even Annie's nose was exactly the same between both the star child herself and the Nurse... "ARE YOU SURE..? I KNOW YOUR ACTING SKILLS ARE ADORABLE, BUT C'MON, DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME." Annie felt really uncomfortable at this point. "Ugh... Soldier... She's not my mom - Wait... Why are we even talking about this..? Let's change the subject back to you..!" Annie's face was bright red. Soldier smiled ridiculously at the star child. Oh, how Soldier now enjoys teasing this adorable star child... "Well..? If you're after the Skullgirl... Surely you won't make a wish-" "NEGATORY. GREMLIN ALREADY TOLD ME ABOUT THE SKULLGIRL SIDE EFFECTS BEING IRREVERSIBLE. BUT EVEN SO, I WILL JUST OBLITERATE IT WITH MY AMERICAN ROCKETS JUST LIKE HOW I INTEND TOO..!"

Annie sighed. "That kid, Peacock, told you that..? Let me guess... She's also an ASG living weapon, then? She looks..." "YEAH, SHE LOOKS HIDEOUS I KNOW, BUT SHE'S JUST BEEN THROUGH ALOT OF TRAUMA FROM THOSE MEDICI BASTARDS. ALSO, SHE'S FROM LAB 8, AND I AM FRIENDS WITH THEM TOO!" Soldier happily replied. Annie felt unsure about Soldier. Part of it is because of her intention to hunt down the Skullgirl... "First, Beowulf... Now... You... Great..." Annie muttered, but Soldier heard it. "THAT DUMB MAGGOT IS ALSO AFTER THE SKULLGIRL..?" Soldier asked, with Annie nodding, looking clearly irritated. "You already know my secret, Soldier... This is what I do when I'm not on set, every seven years when a new Skullgirl emerges... But unfortunately, I'm not always the only one trying to take down Skullgirls. There's the Black Egrets. Pretty much just a bunch of posers of propaganda, and then there's Lab 8. They're really helpful, and I'd say reliable against Skullgirls. They're just unfortunately overshadowed by Lab 0. Then there's that same lab, too... They have potential yes, but they're not to be tolerated due to their extreme methods of abused science... They cause more trouble than good... That old rumour about the Medici assassin, Black Dahlia was their responsibility on Lab 0, if those old rumours were to be true." Annie paused, then she looked at Soldier. "If you're friends with Lab 8... That means, I can trust you, can I..? Because this isn't a joke, Soldier... This whole mess about a Skullgirl involve is serious... Lives are at stake... If I can trust you, much like the limited amount of people I work with against Skullgirls, then..." Amie stopped. She looked hesitant...

Soldier asked to have gotten that she meant. "WE CAN WORK TOGETHER..! YOU CAN TRUST ME, SWEETIE..!" Soldier replied confidently. But Annie was still hesitant. "Even if I tell you that I hunt down Skullgirls vigilantly? Just like the ASG labs... We don't work with those Egrets. They're too strict... Even when their authority barely does anything against the Medici mafia..." "TO HELL WITH THEM. I'VE KILLED A DOZEN OF THEM AND ALMOST KILLED PARASOUL, BUT MY IDIOT COMPANION, MERASMUS SAVED HER -" Annie looked at Soldier in pure shock. "You almost killed the older Princess of Canopy Kingdom!? Soldier... Do you have any idea how much trouble you will get yourself into if you -" Soldier just scoffed. "LIKE I SAID. I PLAN TO KILL THE SKULLGIRL. NO KINGDOM, PRINCESS, OR KING, CAN DO ANYTHING TO STOP ME. IT WILL BE FULL-ON WAR IF THEY DO, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM TRY..!" Annie felt extremely disturbed. But she didn't wanted to imagine what this deranged woman, Soldier, is truly capable of... The thoughts to wonder in her mind was already bothering enough, and she'll just have to see what this deranged woman can do... "But can I trust you..?" Soldier crossed her arms and grinned. "ONLY IF YOU HELP ME WITH SOMETHING." Annie raided an eye brow. "What would that be..?" Soldier frowned shortly but replied. "SINCE YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE FOND OF THOSE EGRET MAGGOTS, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME RESCUE BIG BAND, AND MY COMPANION, MERASMUS. HE IS A SIX THOUSAND YEAR OLD WIZARD FROM MY WORLD, AND HE IS EXTREMELY DUMB AND PARASOUL MANAGED TO MANIPULATE HIM INTO JOINING HER FASCIST EGRETS."

Annie was surprised. "Big Band was captured..? And I'm assuming this has something to do with that manslaughter back at Little Innsmouth I've heard on the news yesterday...? But I know Ben... He's not the type of killing any authorized person, let alone some local street thug. He'll just knock them out and leave them unconscious as self defense -" Annie stopped. Her eye looked at Soldier... "You did that... You... Slaughtered those Egrets there... Did you..?" She asked, stuttering. Soldier casually nodded with a simply grin. "JUST PART OF MY MERCENARY ROUTINE. EXCEPT I WASN'T PAID. I ALSO INTENDED TO KILL PARASOUL, BUT THEN AGAIN... SHE'S USING MY WIZARD COMPANION MERASMUS..." Soldier frowned. "ALSO, BIG BAND HAD TO STAY BEHIND SO THAT ME AND NADIA, THE CAT WOMAN I WAS WITH, CAN ESCAPE LITTLE INNSMOUTH. THEN WE ENDED UP ON THIS BUILDING, AND I WANDERED OFF THEN ENDED UP ON THE SET OF YOUR SHOW." Annie pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well, I guess that explains pretty much everything about you..."

Soldier sighed and frowned. "BIG BAND IS NO DOUBT UNDER THE CUSTODY OF THOSE EGRET MAGGOTS. HE WOULDN'T BE CAPTURED IF HE HADN'T STAYED BEHIND TO BUY TIME FOR ME AND NADIA TO ESCAPE. YOUR MOTHER WAS THERE TOO, AND SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP US BUT SHE JUST WENT AWOL AND ABANDONED US TO FEND FOR OURSELVES AGAINST THE EGRET MAGGOTS AND PARASOUL." Annie groaned before gently smacking her forehead. "Uuuggghh... I already made it clear - Valentine is not my mom. But speaking of which... Rumour has it that she's been stalking people around... I've heard words from private detectives that they've been seeing a blue haired, one-eyed nurse stalking a homeless girl with a talking hair, then some stuff about stalking someone from Little Innsmouth. I can't say what her motives are, so if I were you, I'd keep an eye out for both Valentine, and a homeless kid with a presumably hair parasite with her... But I find it rather strange... Valentine's not like this, and I've known Valentine especially since I've even help her group, Last Hope, rescue homeless refugees many times recent years back." Soldier looked at the star child. "IS VALENTINE ALWAYS SELFISH?" "To my knowledge, not really. She just seem like it, but her extreme, heartless personality is just her own way of expressing herself of being 'Genuine' to others. She just lacks compassion, and tends to use seduction to break her targets before dismantling them. Mostly on men..." "I'M SURPRISED THAT YOU ARE NOT LIKE YOUR MOTHER. HOPEFULLY YOU WON'T BECOME LIKE HER." Annie blushed and glared at Soldier. "Uuuggghh... Trinity, she's not my mom..! Wait, why are we even talking about - Ugh, can we just drop the topic please..?" Soldier just gave a smug grin. "I'M JUST TEASING, SWEETIE."

Annie rolled her eye. "For the record, I'm way older than you might think. And you already know that..." She paused, then looked at Soldier. "But back to our main topic... Can I trust you? If I help you bust out Big Band... Can I trust that you won't make a wish on the Skull Heart, if we work together hunting down the Skullgirl..?" Soldier smiled gleefully. "AFFIRMATIVE!" Annie felt relieved, at least even for a little. "All right... We have an agreement then. We'll work together, but we have to stay away from the attention of the Egrets. We wouldn't want them to be another obstacle. And please try not to do another manslaughter in authorized personnel, that's the last thing we'd need if we're gonna work together..."

Finally, the two walked out of the dressing room and found Peacock taking pictures on pretty much everywhere on the filming set. Then there's Florence just finished taking through a phone before seeing Soldier and the star child approaching. The producer sighed first before speaking. "It's about Beowulf..." She said then added. "... Apparently, he's really going for this huge comeback. It's not the issue at hand at all, but the reason why he's doing it for." Soldier then asked. "ANNIE TOLD ME THAT BEOWULF IS ALSO AFTER THE SKULLGIRL. BUT WHY..? IT'S NOT LIKE A MAN CAN MAKE A WISH FROM THE SKULL HEART, CAN THEY..?" Both Annie and Florence sighed. But then Annie replied. "Beowulf wants to prove that he can still be the 'Hero' that people used to idolize him to be. Truth is... He was just a stage performer... He never was an actual hero that fought in the Grand War. He was just a public figure, used by the Renoir family for propaganda. Part of it is the country of Gigans. A nation of giant beings from the southern parts of the globe was also at War with Canopy Kingdom. Propaganda was everywhere and then there was that wrestling match representing a huge fight between Canopy's best and strongest, fighting the best and strongest that the Gigans sent to represent for their country." Annie stopped. She looked down with a heavy sigh. Then Florence had to continue for the star child. "Nobody knows, except for a few and the rumours - The truth that the Gigans' representative was abducted and drugged, by the Royal family's most trusted elite soldiers. Grendel, the representative of the Gigans was drugged... Weakened, on purpose so that it would give Beowulf an edge to win. That match was completely rigged, all for the benefit of the propaganda of Canopy Kingdom, and to also decrease moral of the Gigans back on their nation."

Soldier then asked. "WHAT HAPPENED THEN..?" Annie was then who to reply. "Grendel, being overdosed with such lethal drugs, ended up dying in the middle of the match that day. It wasn't Beowulf that killed him though. It was the drugs that was indoctrinated to him. There were rumors that the Anti-Skullgirl labs were responsible for that. But knowing Lab 8, and the unfortunately destroyed Lab 7, I doubt they'd when have any interest to do such things involving the propaganda during the Grand War. Lab 0 is the only best suspect for drugging Grendel, making the whole wrestling match completely rigged. It was intended to, either way." "SO BEOWULF WAS NO WAR HERO. HE'S JUST A POSER..?" Soldier asked, with Annie crossing her arms and giving a simple nod. "He's been living a lie ever since. He lived and even enjoyed the fame that he got but then, when the war finally ended and Queen Nancy's transformation into the Skullgirl came, Beowulf's popularity was slowly forgotten. All attention were focused on taking the war against Skullgirl Queen Nancy and her legions of undead minions. Then when the Grand War fully ended, Beowulf was simply forgotten. He ended up working with me on my show, playing the role of the 'Bad Wulf Man' and he's the one background stage performer that lasted long, too. Until he quit few years ago. I can't blame him, but still..." Annie paused and sighed. "He doesn't know he's doing. He's gullible, and he still thinks that the life that he used to have was all true."

After a short silence, Soldier decided to finally change the subject. "WHY DON'T WE ALL HAVE LUNCH AND DISCUSS ABOUT THAT MAGGOT BEOWULF. GREMLIN AND I HAVE SIGNED OUR NAMES AS ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS TO FIGHT BEOWULF TONIGHT!" Annie immediately smacked her forehead at this. "No wonder why you and Peacock were even there at the MMO arena..." The Star child muttered, but Florence smiled genuinely. "Perhaps they can be of great use to get some sense into Beowulf, Annie. Think about it." Soldier grinned and cracked her knuckles. "OH, GREMLIN AND I WILL KNOCK SOME SENSE IN HIS STUPID BRAIN ALL RIGHT!" Annie was about to object, but after a quick thought, she decided not to say anything shortly before crossing her arms with a frown. "Fine... Have it your way then... But if you or Peacock get hurt, don't say I didn't warn you."

Soldier just scoffed and replied while turning her head to Florence with a copy grin. "AS LONG AS YOU TWO WILL BE THERE TONIGHT TO SEE ME AND GREMLIN IN THE RING, I'D LOVE FOR YOU BOTH TO SEE ME AND GREMLIN KNOCK SOME REAL SENSE ON A MUTT!" Annie felt uncomfortable just by seeing Soldier's coy grin directly at her producer, Florence, who in return was giggling with a slightly flustered face. "You know what... Let's just grab lunch..." The Star child finally interrupted the two adults. Peacock, finally done taking pictures on pretty much everywhere scooted in. "I heard lunch! Soldier, we gonna chow!? My stomach is killing me..!" Annie groaned uncomfortably... These two, especially Soldier are quite the individuals...

(Skullgirls OST: An Uncertain Fate)

"Zane, you were calling for me?" Beowulf entered the office of his old friend and former manager. It was a slim man, standing idly, and looking through a window while his back was on Beowulf. The man turned around with a simple grin on his face. "Ah, Beowulf... How's that excitement going, huh? Ready to get back into that ring later tonight to show those contestants who's the wildest there is..?" Beowulf just grinned and crossed his arms. "Heh, you know it, pal. It's like I said. I'm the wildest there is, was and ever will be." He paused, then out of curiosity asked his manager. "Say... Where have you even been, man? I've been looking almost every corner around the arena for you to ask if you already have scripted lines for me and the contestants - One of them is apparently in a duo with a kid. I mean, I don't wanna be hurting anybody, or even a kid on purpose -" Zane just laughed as he walked over to his desk. "Ah, Beowulf... Always asking about things, you never change... Don't worry about the scripts. The contestants will recieve them through their emails and each specific script is different, depending on the contestant you'll be fighting later tonight." Zane paused, almost as if smirking with a snicker.

"Wouldn't wanna spoil it, would I..? Here's the thing; They'll take care of their part, and I'm sure they're all receiving their scripts for the show tonight. Now as for you - I have a special side match for you to fight on." Beowulf was immediately drawn with interest by this seemingly out of context statement. "Really!? If it's fighting lemme hear it, man!" Zane just grinned at Beowulf's response. Then he took out a single folder, placing it on his desk fully opened. Beowulf saw a few pictures of an odd looking book. Or at least what looks like a book glowing green, with a magically attached bomb on the front of it's cover. "What's that..?" Beowulf asked, a struggling look was on his face trying to even process what were on the pictures. Zane just chuckled shortly before simply responding. "It's a contestant who wants to have a personal duel with you outside the ring. He thinks you're just a poser, so he wants to see how you really do in fighting. That's what he said." Zane simply stated with a lazy shrug. But a small, grin was on his face as he did so.

"He said what!? Who is this guy!? Also, what is this guy..?" Beowulf replied, to which Zane responded. "Doesn't matter, Beowulf. He's out there in the streets of New Meridian, looking for you. Also, we have undercover camera crews already scattered around for the areas this contestant is currently in - All that's needed is the main champ of the ring. What do you say? Can you dig it..?" Zane asked, this time, with a mischievous grin on his face. "The hell I can..! Give me the place of this match and be sure those camera crews got the best filming equipment for this match - 'Cause Beowulf says so..!" As Beowulf briefly turned around while continuing in his dumb monologues, Zane's grin grew wide. And unbeknownst to the idiot, Beowulf, Zane's eyes dimly glowed red...

This poor idiot doesn't know what he's getting himself into...

FAQs:

1. Soldier from now on would be teasing Annie about Valentine.

2. Chapter 19 is in the works, and it's going to be Soldier and Peacock Vs Beowulf.

3. Chapter 19 will mostly be focused through Merasmus' perspective, just to balance things between Soldier and Merasmus.

4. Bombinomicon can, and will be able to fight independently on his own, so there's simply no chance he can be captured by any parties chasing after him.

Thank you for reading!

~Defective Demon 666~