A/N: Happy Halloween, readers! I will be implementing the very season of the year into this crossover as well, which I plan for both Soldier and Merasmus to spend another Halloween in their own ways - Only this time, in the world of Skullgirls! I've also been thinking about mixing both Scream Fortress and Skullgirls during the current events while Bloody Marie, the Skullgirl, is still on the loose. Also... The biggest obstacle in this story is nearing... Which will determine both Soldier and Merasmus' will, while progressing on their journey in this bizarre world of vintage era and smooth jazz music.
Disclaimer: The plot is the only thing that I am responsible for. Both Team Fortress 2 and Skullgirls belongs to Valve Corporation, and Lab Zero Games.
(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: More Gun -Version 1-)
"I can't believe it! We actually kicked Bad Wulf Man's ass! We made a great duo, Soldier..!" Peacock cheered happily. The same eventful night, just half an hour after the huge event at the MMO arena, the group, or at least consisted of Soldier, Peacock and Florence decided to celebrate the victory of the deranged patriot and the gremlin. Annie, on the other hand, only remained quiet for the duration of their trip to a nearby fast food restaurant.
Sitting on their table while waiting for their orders, Soldier noticed the star child seemingly zoned out of their good mood during this lovely evening. Her only eye, stared through the large window next to them, watching various vintage styled vehicles passing by. Soldier, despite feeling so proud of her victory with Peacock, gently nudged over to Florence, who immediately noticed Annie's zoned out expression. "Annie, is everything alright..?" Florence gently began. Annie only signed before turning her attention to her producer, then to Soldier and Peacock. "I wanna say yes... But... No... Everything is not alright." Annie paused. She shortly frowned but calmed down before continuing. "You did it, Soldier, Peacock. You did knocked some sense into Beowulf, and hopefully... He'll reconsider going after the Skullgirl. That's one less life being risked of being taken away - But that's not the issue... The issue is that the Skullgirl is still out there. We don't know what she could possibly be planning, or how many undead minions she's already hoarded out during her early days after full transformation. We shouldn't be celebrating, especially not right now, when there is still a threat on the loose..."
"Ah, don't worry about it, Annie! Soldier and I are well-trained fighters! We can handle everything on our way! Especially with you on our side..!" Peacock confidently replied with a toothy grin. Soldier, however was too busy hitting it off with Florence. Again... Annie frowned at the two adults. But considering that Peacock responded to her, the star child decided to reply to the gremlin. "You don't get it, kid. Every seven years, means a new Skullgirl. A different Skullgirl unlike the former ones. We can't just take things for granted, especially when not every Skullgirl is the same thing as the previous ones." Annie replied seriously, but Peacock just laughed, clearly thinking of what she said as a joke. "Pfft, I know Marie! If we need to know what we need to know about her, then you got me, I know her weaknesses since we were best friends! Well... Maybe she's not the same Marie that used to be my best friend but still. I know how we can fight her!"
Peacock's rather casual response caused Annie to raised a brow in surprise. Even Soldier and Florence stopped on their flirthing with each other and both looked at Peacock. But Soldier already knows this, so this was only new to both Annie and Florence. Annie's eye blinked for a few times before questioning. "You know the Skullgirl, by name..?" Peacock paused to stare at her idol for a long moment. Her face from being enthusiastic and confident suddenly changed into a blank expression. The gremlin looked at Soldier, who nodded at her to respond. Peacock slowly lowered her head before hesitantly responding. "Like I said... We used to be best friends... To make it short - Marie and I were orphans from the War. Ended up as Medici property, and were about to get sold as slaves to the highest bidder. Y'know how those old, rich elitists men love underage girls, right..? I mean, most kids, boys and girls all around New Meridian all know that. But the thing is... I was the reason that Marie managed to escape along with several other kids. I was caught, maimed and got my eyes gouged out." Peacock took a small pause and continued. "Then just recently way back, I found out that a new Skullgirl is around. First time the news showed captured footage of her, I knew exactly who it was. It was Marie. I wasn't surprised since we both got a beef with those Medici scumbags - But what did surprised me, was that Marie actually took it too far, even making a wish on the Skull Heart just to get back at the Medici. Heck, even I hated the Skull Heart and Skullgirls, and that really got me spooked. To see who used to be my best friend, become a monster. We can't help her get back to normal, Annie. We just gotta put her down, if we wanna help her soul rest somewhere peacefully. I mean, you already know that, since you're actually a real century and over year old in the body of my age."
There was silence around their table. Soldier, looked at Peacock in sympathy, leaving both Annie and Florence, stunned at the casually sudden revelation that Peacock just said. "Have you told Lab 8..?" Annie finally managed to ask slowly, but Peacock only shook her head in reply. "They'd probably think I'm still traumatized from what happened to me at the Medici. But considering that I've already told you, I think I'm gonna tell the eggheads back on Lab 8 once soldier and I get back home."
There was an uncomfortable silence due to what Peacock firstly said about the Skullgirl being her former best friend... Soldier decided to change the mood and topic as her eyes suddenly landed on a bowl of fortune cookies. "HOW ABOUT WE CRACK SOME OF THESE LITTLE COOKIES AND SEE WHAT MAGIC VOODOO WISDOM IT SAYS!" Peacock ultimately grinned enthusiastically and scooted her chair next to Soldier's to take a look. "C'mon, open it!" The gremlin excitedly said as she took one of her own from the bowl.
Soldier decided to open her fortune cookie and found the small piece of note inside. "What did it say?" Florence asked giggling. Soldier took a brief moment to read what was on the fortune note : "You will find misfortune and a great obstacle in New Meridian." Soldier tried to process what it meant. "I WILL FIND NADIA TONIGHT? WAIT... WOULD SHE BE IN DANGER? DEAR GOD..!" Peacock munched on the half of her firemen cookie and replied. "Oh, you mean Pussbag? Nah, I'm sure she'll be fine. She's got nub lives, and she's a cat, ain't she?" Annie finally decided to join in. "Miss Fortune? The feline you were with on the set? The Fishbone Gang member?" Soldier wasn't sure how to respond. The word wasn't spaced out. It was clearly in one word on a sentence... "Perhaps it meant something else? Let me see..." Annie added and Soldier landed her the fortune note. The star child casually read what was written on it. "It says 'Misfortune' as a word, and not as the alias of Nadia Fortune. This means bad luck instantly. You'll find misfortune in New Meridian." Soldier groaned. Peacock patted her on the back. "Ah, cheer up, Soldier! It's not real! Those are just wisdom's full of nonsense!"
"But sometimes, they do come true, coincidentally." Florence slowly replied as she decided to take a fortune cookie. The producer looked slightly flustered for a moment by the time she read the fortune on her cookie. "What did you got, Florence?" Annie asked curiously. Florence bit her lips slightly before showing the fortune to everyone to see: "Love has already found you." Peacock laughed in amusement. "That's a good one!" Peacock said as she personally read hers aloud for the others. "Mines says: You'll be forced to fight with people you know! I mean, I don't wanna spoil it, but we all know what this means, am I right?" Peacock jokingly said. Annie just casually nodded and watched the others as they all conversed about their fortunes, leaving the star child some time to think about her own issues about the Skullgirl. But on behalf of that, her own show was on the brink of downfall, if it wasn't for Soldier coming in to buy them just enough time to get the show back on the track... The star child mentally frowned. She could always think about the show later on, but her priories are set straightforward, which is to hunt down the Skullgirl. Especially now that she has made an alliance with Soldier and Peacock, plus there's always the ASG lab of Lab 8, always kind enough to work alongside her against Skullgirls...
"ANNIE, WHAT ABOUT YOU? YOU HAVEN'T OPENED A FORTUNE COOKIE YET." Soldier suddenly said, interrupting Annie from her thoughts. "I'll... I'll pass..." Annie replied, and just in time, their orders finally arrived, much to Peacock's relief...
...
(Skullgirls OST: The Crowd Goes Home)
After a wonderful meal in the fast food restaurant, Peacock, having the best day and evening of her life took her chance on taking pictures of herself next Annie. Much to the star child's little protests. Leaving Soldier, awkwardly waiting for Florence to finish speaking on a wireless phone. "SO... YOU UH... HEADING HOME..?" Soldier asked by the time Florence hung up. The producer killed softly and have a nod. "Yes, Miss Doe. But I have some good news for you." Florence said with a grin and continued. "I was talking to one of the writers working on the scripts of Team Fortress and from what I've been told, they're getting all the required props, preparing to scout the location for the filming in No Man's Land, as well as hiring some of our well-known stunt performers for additional roles. The script for a pilot episode, however, isn't going to be as long as Annie's pilot episode on the new season of her show - But the writers want this pilot to be at least twenty five minutes or so on the run time, with at least one commercial break." Soldier grinned widely. And before she, or Florence could say a word, Soldier hugged the producer so tight in joy.
Florence yelped a little but chucked softly before hugging back, both of them completely unaware of both Annie and Peacock staring at them in surprise. Annie being jaw dropped, and Peacock cheering while taking a single picture of them hugging. Soldier finally let go, and rather awkwardly grinned. "THANKS... I'LL BE SURE TO PUT UP THE BEST ACTING I CAN ONCE I'M CALLED UP FOR FILMING." For some reason, Soldier couldn't help but blush. She nearly blushed even more when she realized that she had left her helmet back at Lab 0... Leaving her beautiful, feminine face, flustered in front of Annie's fairly attractive producer... "This has been a wonderful evening, Miss Doe. And I certainly enjoyed seeing you in that ring against Beowulf, and I would certainly look forward to be working with you in your own show." Florence said between short chuckles. But just like Soldier, she too was flustered.
After getting a cab, the producer turned to the star child. "Annie, you coming for a ride home?" She asked, but Annie, however sighed, a little hesitantly before responding. "I won't be heading home for now, Florence. I still have some things to attend to - Regarding the Skullgirl..." Florence immediately knew now to respond to this. After all, she grew up playing Annie's alternative double, while also knowing Annie's confidential secret about her past and her life outside her show. Florence smiled gently and replied. "Just stay safe, okay?" Annie smiled back and nodded. "Of course. Besides, I'll be sticking along with Soldier and Peacock for now. Have to attend some discussion at Lab 8." Peacock gasped loudly and immediately scooted over next to her idol. "Annie's gonna be hangin' out with me as Soldier!? Heck yeah, best day and night ever..!" Annie cringed as she slightly shifted uncomfortably from the gremlin. "Don't take this the wrong way, kid... We're not having a sleep over..." Soldier just shook her head as she turned her attention at Florence. "WELL... I JUST WANT YOU KNOW THAT I HAD A GREAT TIME WITH YOU, AND ANNIE. GOODNIGHT, MISS FLORENCE." Soldier casually said in her usual loud tone. But Florence, seemed to have already gotten used to it, smiled and replied. "Goodnight, Miss Doe. I'll see you around."
With that, Florence got into the cab and was driven on her way home. Leaving Soldier, with an overjoyed Peacock, beaming out of excitement. "Well... Might as well head over to Lab 8 now to discuss what Peacock knows about the current Skullgirl... This information may benefit the doctors and operatives there." Annie finally began. Soldier nodded. "AFFIRMATIVE" "Quick, everyone! To the Bandwagon!" Peacock enthusiastically declared as she led both Soldier and Annie into her cartoon-ish bandwagon, both by hand, and much to Annie's discomfort.
On their way back to Lab 8 with Annie along the way, Soldier began noticing Halloween decorations from Pretty much every establishments they passed by. Even the lovely vintage street lights had Halloween decorations. From witches, to skeletons, and fake spiders and spider webs, etc. "FUNNY... MERASMUS AND I JUST FINISHED CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN SEASON WHILE THE GRAVEL WARS WAS PUT ON SHORT, TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE..." Annie, sitting on the back seat of the bandwagon cocked an eye brow at the patriot. "Another proof that you came from an alternate dimension..?" "Yeah..! Best part? Soldier's world got no Skullgirls, or even Skull Hearts..!" Peacock was the one who replied as she drove enthusiastically, even overtaking past several other vehicles ahead...
Soldier just casually nodded. "IT'S TRUE, SWEETIE. HOWEVER... MY HALLOWEEN WITH MERASMUS IS A BIT MORE... OR SHOULD I SAY ALOT MORE DIFFERENT - BUT WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THAT FOR SOME OTHER TIME." There was a pause after, and only the brief silence took place as they drove down the road ahead until...
... Passing through isolated parts of New Meridian, their bandwagon was suddenly interrupted by a small convoy of fancy looking cars, all over speeding into the opposite direction. Peacock managed to slammed down the brake, but unfortunately, their bandwagon blocked access on the road the fancy cars were headed. "IS EVERYONE OKAY!?" Soldier immediately shouted as she began checking on both Peacock and Annie. Annie groaned slightly as she gently rubbed her forearm. "Hit my arm by the door, but I'm fine..." Peacock, however, was shooting over curses at the cars, which all four in total, came unloading it's passengers. Turned out to be Medici Mafia goons. Peacock started growling and posted angrily at the Medici goons. "You sick pieces of -" "ANNIE, GET DOWN!" Soldier immediately shouted at the star child in the backseat, as she tackled down Peacock, just in time before bullets were fired, missing them. "These bozos! Who the hell do they think they are, eh!? Let's teach 'em a lesson!" Ignoring Peacock's furious remarks, Soldier grabbed her shotgun from her magical inventory and duck rolled out of the bandwagon after kicking it's door open. "Soldier, wait..!" Annie shouted, but it was too late as Soldier immediately charged at the armed mafia, who were all armed with Tommy submachine guns. "Oooh, I just got this bandwagon a new paint job... I'm gonna kick these goons assess for that..!" And now, even Peacock, jumped out of the bandwagon, with two of her large cartoon-ish revolvers in both hands. Annie frustratingly sighed. If only she hadn't left Sagan back home...
Wasting no time, Annie immediately jumped out of the bandwagon to help out the two suicidal maniacs, only to find such a sight... Annie's skin went pale to see Soldier, brutally butchering the Medici goons like mere animals... Peacock was obviously going for the kill, but not as brutal as Soldier is... Trinity, forgive this woman... Annie shook her head from her thoughts and joined in to help fight what remained of the mafias. It didn't lasted long though. Soldier did most of the killings, soaking her hands with blood, and even held a sever head before tossing it on the side of the road like it was nothing. "That'll teach you to scram..!" Peacock angrily spat at the bodies, almost all of which were mutilated, all thanks to Soldier...
Ignoring the carcasses, Annie checked each of the fancy cars and each of its trunks only to find sacks of looted money. "Bank heist... These goons just robbed another bank..." Annie began, gaining the attention of both Soldier and Peacock. "LET'S GO AND LEAVE THE MONEY TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DEAL WITH." Soldier casually responded while wiping her bloodstained hands from the clothing on one of the dead bodies. But Annie kept investigating and identified that some of them were women, wearing bunny suits. The playboy bunny suits. "They're Dahlia's... From Black Dahlia's assassin group... Strange though... Why isn't the Assassin herself with her group during a bank heist..?" Annie said thoughtfully as she began to wonder. "Who cares? Let's blow this joint before the feds get here!" Peacock casually replied but just as she finished... She gained sight of a large figured emerging from above, and dropping in the ground with a shockwave. It was Big Band...
"Looks like I've missed tuning into a beat down... Nice work..." Big Band said as he, uncomfortable with the crime scene, approached the group, which both Soldier and Peacock, in huge relief ran to him. "Ben! I was told that you got captured by those damn Egrets! How'd that even happened!?" Peacock began, and Soldier immediately added. "OH, THANK GOD YOU'RE OKAY... WE WERE VERY WORRIED YOU MIGHT'VE BEEN TORTURED FOR INFORMATION, OR WORSE..! BUT HOW'D YOU ESCAPED!?" Big Band sighed and replied. "It's a long, complicated story. To give you the short version: Soldier's wizard friend, Merasmus, managed to convince Parasoul to at least have me working with them as an asset. The Black Egrets will leave Lab 8, and possibly Lab 0 as well alone, in exchange for my help on locating the Skullgirl." Big Band paused then looked at Soldier. "Merasmus is highly confident that he can take on the Skullgirl... But he doesn't know much about this world, so he convinced Parasoul to let me out of custody, have me working as an asset." Soldier's eyes narrowed, and her fists clenched. "WHAAAAAAT..!? THAT FASCIST PRINCESS... I SHOULD'VE KILLED HER BACK ON LITTLE INNSMOUTH..! AND SHE'S COMPLETELY FOOLED MERASMUS..! OOOOH, I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE THE NEXT TIME I SEE HER, SHE'LL END UP IN A BODY BAG..!" This surprised both Peacock and Annie. But speaking of Annie, the star child finally approached and looked at the Lab 8 veteran operative. "Ben. In case you're wondering how Soldier and I met, that's a complicated story I don't have time to tell. But as of right right, Soldier and I agreed to take down the Skullgirl, since she's doing this under the ASG labs' favor in exchange for getting back to her dimension. Soldier also asked me a favor to help her bust you out of Egret custody. Which makes our job a lot easier now that you're here. But are you alright..? Did they hurt you..?"
Big Band shook his head and immediately replied. "No, I'm fine, Annie. But I can't come with you. I have to uphold my end of the bargain with the Egrets, to keep Lab 8 safe." Soldier, again, went into another outburst. "TO HELL WITH THEM! YOU DON'T KNOW THAT, IF THEY'LL EVER UPHOLD THEIR PART ON A BARGAIN! COME WITH US! WE'LL FIGURE A WAY ON HOW TO RESCUE MERASMUS!" Big Band shortly frowned and shook his head firmly. "This is my decision, Soldier. I have to take this risk, to keep Lab 8 safe. Matter of fact, I was after these Medici goons that robbed another bank only southwest from here. The Egrets have a tracking device on me, and right now, a Black Egret response team is probably on the way here. You three, have to go. Let everyone back on Lab 8 know that I'm fine, and I'll make my way back to you once I'm finished with this bargain."
Peacock seems to accept this, but Soldier wasn't. "WE CAN'T LEAVE YOU! I CAN'T LEAVE YOU! NOT THIS TIME AGAIN! I'VE ALREADY LEFT YOU ONCE, BUT IM NOT LEAVING YOU AGAIN!" Big Band only sighed and replied softly. "You're not leaving me behind Soldier. Not even before. I told you to leave for your safety. And I'm telling you to leave now for your safety again. Just keep an eye on everyone on Lab 8 and Patricia for me, will ya? I'll make my way back to y'all once I'm done, I promise." Soldier frowned frustratingly. "We should definitely leave now, Soldier... Let's go... I trust Ben can handle himself even with those Egrets around. Right, Ben?" Annie was the one who spoke, with Big Band nodding. Soldier finally sighed in defeat, with a huge frown on her face. "I STILL CAN'T LEAVE MERASMUS UNDER THAT FASCIST PRINCESS' CONTROL... BUT SINCE YOU'RE WORKING WITH THEM... WILL YOU KEEP AN EYE ON MERASMUS FOR ME?" Big Band nodded. "Of course, Soldier. Now go. I'll handle it from here."
Immediately, Soldier, Peacock and Annie all got on board Peacock's bandwagon. But before the they can speed out of the crime scene, Big Band immediately stepped next to the driver's passenger, where Soldier sat and immediately spoke, in a low, serious tone. "Molly, one of the Egrets' intelligence officers have reported that Valentine was spotted back and forth near the Grand Cathedral Church, and the sanctuary for homeless people just northwest of River King Casino. Even I don't know what Valentine's motives are, whether she's following Lab 0 command or not - I'd advise you to keep a close eye on Valentine." Big Band paused and sighed deeply. "I know how's she's feeling. She's torn right now, just after the loss of her fellow nurses of Last Hope. But that's the thing. We can't tell what Valentine might be thinking, or what her motives are, especially when her spotted locations are also marked as the recent locations of the current Skullgirl sightings - Be careful." Soldier gave a crisp nod. And just about that, they sped off the crime scene, leaving Big Band to deal with the incoming Black Egrets...
The drive back to Lab 8 was in red silence. No one knew what to make of the situation that Big Band is currently in. But what's even more bothering was the part involving Valentine... "Well, at least we know that Ben's doing okay. He's just gotta play his cards right, and he'll get off the loop from Parasoul." Peacock finally broke the silence. Annie sat in the back seat, arms crossed while in deep thought. "You think Valentine's planning something?" The Star child finally asked, looking at Soldier. "I DUNNO. BUT I'LL BE SURE TO KEEP AN EYE ON HER... BUT THAT'LL BE DIFFICULT, CONSIDERING SHE'S ALWAYS OFF THE GRID, AND FROM WHAT I KNOW, SHE ALWAYS DISTANCE HERSELF FROM PEOPLE." There was silence. But to lighten the mood, even for a bit, Soldier smirked and decided to add. "MAYBE YOU CAN ASK HER ABOUT WHAT SHE'S DOING, SWEETIE? MAYBE YOUR MOTHER WILL LISTEN TO YOU." Peacock ultimately chocked in laughter as she drove, with Annie's face turning bright red. "How many times do I have to tell you - Valentine is not my mom! Could you just stop..." Annie's protests only sounded so adorable to both Soldier and Peacock. Soldier just grinned smugly. At least she's lighten the mood for a bit. "I'M JUST TEASING, SWEETIE." Annie rolled her eye. "Ah, cheer up, Annie. Maybe Valentine will be happy to see you once we get back to the labs! She does tend to go to Lab 8 too!" Annie opened her mouth to say something, but stopped and only sat on the backseat with her arms firmly crossed and a huge frown on her face.
(Skullgirls OST: A Return to Normalcy)
Arriving back on Lab 8, the trio immediately made their way to find Doctor Avian. But unfortunately, they were told by the other doctors that Doctor Avian, along with Stanley, had been and are still being on a board meeting discussion with all higher ups of both Lab 8 and Lab 0, regarding an unauthorized living weapon found on Brain Drain's lab. Soldier was struck in realization on what this was. She immediately demanded to be taken to where the board meeting was still taking place, leaving Peacock with her idol. "So... You wanna see my room? I got all sorts of merchandises of you and Sagan..! Oh! Maybe I can give ya a tour around here!?" Annie only dismissed the gremlin's enthusiastic attitude. "We'll wait here until Soldier comes back with Doctor Avian. I have no other businesses here other than discussing to him of your knowledge about the current Skullgirl. Marie, was her name..?" Peacock seemed dissapointed, but nodded. "Yeah... She was my best friend, like I said earlier... Anyway, while we wait, maybe I can at least take ya around, just so you won't get bored while waiting for Soldier and Gramps?" Annie, again, dismisses Peacock's offering and only crossed her arms. "No. I'm fine. I can wait here... But if you have other places to be, or if you're tired, you can head over to your quarters now." Annie casually said as she sat on a nearby chair within the recreation area. Peacock, not wanting to be away from her idol, and despite being extremely bored, decided to stay and sat next to Annie while twiddling her thumbs. The awkward silence didn't lasted long, though. "Oh, what's this..? Lab 8 has a special guest..?" Annie wished it did... The star child sighed as she recognized a very, all too familiar seductive voice of a female... Annie and Peacock both saw Valentine stepping into the recreation area. "Valentine." Annie simply greeted. The nurse, in return removed her surgical mask and simply smiled, rather in a sinister way. But Annie knew Valentine more like the older ASG operatives she's worked with over the passed years against Skullgirls.
"Oh! Mommy's here..! Say hello to your adorable child, Valentine! Ha ha..! " Peacock teasingly mused. Making both Annie and the nurse, uncomfortable. But with Valentine rolling her eye at the gremlin, she took a seat with the two and began to start a conversation. "I can tell why you're here... It's about the Skullgirl." Annie casually shrugged. "It's what I do every seven years. But yeah..." Valentine nodded, acknowledging Annie's response. "So you've met Soldier then? She just stormed into the board meeting, and started making death threats toward Brain Drain about... Project Painwheel..." Peacock immediately reacted this. "At least let the kid out! You got any idea how Soldier's been bothered by that all day!? Shame on you and Dome Brain! Torturing a harmless kid for no good reason..!" Valentine glared at the gremlin and was about to give a bitter remark, but noticing that Annie was there with them... She sighed and tried to calm herself down. "There wasn't anything I can do... My hands were tied, and Brain Drain is my superior. Whether I wanted to do what I did, or not... But you're probably right... Soldier's gonna go even more insane once she does finds out that I was involved... Is she..?" "The hell she will! She'll probably kill ya, too! Hopefully not... Wouldn't want Annie to become an orphan..." Annie finally had enough of the teasing. And with a red face of embarrassment, she finally interrupted. "I'm actually right here, you know?" Annie looked at Valentine. "And since you're already here - We have something to talk about..."
Valentine was surprised, and was caught off guard by Annie's firm statement. The nurse sighed. "Fine... What is it, Annabelle?" Annie frowned and crossed her arms. "Will you stop calling me by name whenever we meet? Valerie?" Peacock's jaw dropped. This is Annie's real name..? And Annie is just an alias..? Valentine just smiled sweetly. For the first time for Peacock to see - The nurse smiled like a loving mother would at her children... Who would've thought, that the nurse has a bit of a soft spot... Now Soldier's teasing can at least be put in a bit of context... "Sweetie, I just love calling you that. After all, we don't usually meet, and we only do so, during Skullgirl threats and classified Medici refugee rescue missions." Annie cringed. How she looked adorable in front of both Peacock and Valentine because of this... "Valentine! Hear your daughter out, I will ya!?" Peacock, seemingly getting too invested into whatever uncomfortable moment this was exclaimed, startling the nurse. But Annie, being too extremely uncomfortable, finally mustered a firm tone as she spoke. "Can we just change the topic? We need to talk. - It's about you."
FAQs:
1. Based on the official lore of Skullgirls, as well as Annie's story mode in the official game, Annie's real name is Annabelle, but her last name was not revealed. Also, speaking of Skullgirls lore, Valentine's real name is Valerie, which, as explained in this story about Valentine, it is also considered canon in the Skullgirls lore that Valentine is just her code name within her group, Last Hope, much like her fellow, fallen members.
2. Yes. Soldier, and even Peacock, from now on will tease Annie, even Valentine included, about one another... Much to Annie and Valentine's discomfort.
3. Chapter 21: Common Ground is in the making. It will focus on Merasmus' side of the story once again.
Thank you for reading!
~Defective Demon 666~