(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet)
"Can we just change the topic? We need to talk - It's about you."
Valentine stared at Annie for a moment in confusion. The star child, frowned before speaking once again. "There's been words spreading about you stalking people around New Meridian. One from Little Innsmouth, and another, being a homeless kid with a hair parasite. Another word, this time from Ben, was about you being spotted back and forth between the Grand Cathedral Church and the sanctuary for homeless people. What are your motives this time?" Annie questioned, surprising Valentine. The nurse casually sighed before giving a response. "Just doing some reconnaissance-" "That's mostly Lab 8's job. Ben's, and a few others from Lab 8." Annie cut her off. Valentine frowned before sighing once more. "It's... Classified. After all, you know how keen Lab 0 is on keeping such information. So... That's nothing of your concern, Annabelle." Valentine replied. A little mix of firm, and softness in her tone, making Annie frown. "You probably never had children before, considering you're very well along with it on stalking and abducting homeless people, to a majority of which are kids."
Valentine felt a little insulted, but she didn't flinched by the statement. "Those are just distractions, Annie. Having to look after children, is a mere distraction. An obstacle in the way of scientific research." Annie frowned and crossed her arms. "Of course. Scientific research, like usual... To you, as an employee, it's just about the salary. So you obviously wouldn't care about the lives that you put at stake - All for the sake of your 'Scientific research' excuse." This is when Valentine slightly flinched. Seemingly affected by Annie's words... "Just for your information, I don't do it for the money. It's part of my duty -" "To carry out Lab 0's extreme, sadistic torturing on harmless, homeless people? Valentine, don't mistaken me for an ignorant. I am fully aware of what you and Last Hope have been doing over the passed years for the benefit of Lab 0. The amount of damages that you help Lab 0 cause than do good, is always there to take a list on." Annie interjected. Valentine shifted uncomfortably. "How do you even..? Never mind... Of course you'll know about all this... Lab 8 and their nosy private detective assets..." Valentine then sighed afterwards and gazed her eye away from Annie's, clearly not knowing what to say next. Annie's judging look could easily tell a somewhat of a look of shame on the nurse. "This isn't you. I know you, at least even not on a personal way... You're still practically the same, but what you've been doing all recently, only grow suspicion from people associated with the ASG labs." Annie suddenly said and with a small pause, she continued. Rather softly. "What's really going on with you..? I get it... You lost Last Hope, and so I was told... But that can't be the only thing bothering you, right..?"
Again. Valentine avoided Annie's gaze. But hesitantly looking at the star child, the nurse slowly opened her mouth to say something but only that she didn't. She wore a very reluctant look on her face as she decided to keep her mouth shut before setting her eye down on the floor. "It's nothing... Everything is fine... And I'm just following Brain Drain's demanding orders. Nothing out of the ordinary... " Of course. Annie didn't bought this. But she didn't said anything and only gave a nod, considering that the nurse wasn't looking interested to continue further in the topic. "Wow..! That was one heck of an acting! Kinda touching too! Like mother and daughter..! I didn't knew you can also act, Valentine..!" Both Annie and Valentine were startled by the sudden interruption of Peacock. Of course... Apparently they've clearly forgotten about the gremlin still being there within the recreation area... This resulted into an awkward silence between the star child and the nurse, with Valentine looking reluctant to speak of something she has to say, and Annie, somewhat looking at her in concern...
(Team Fortress 2 Soundtrack: Right Behind You)
After storming in and making death threats toward Brain Drain with demands to let the poor girl, Carol, go. It was a hard time for most Lab 0 guards to escort Soldier out, that it even took Doctor Avian to kindly assure Soldier that he and Stanley will handle the controversial, heated debate. Brain Drain only remained quiet, and seemingly observed the scene as the deranged patriot was finally escorted out...
After being escorted out of the still ongoing board meeting discussion, Soldier decided to sneak into Brain Drain's lab. Luckily for her, the metal doors of the room containing Carol weren't locked, which Soldier took the chance to break in. Finding the poor girl still inside. But this time, she had a mask, visibly stitched across her face, and her eyes, hollowed black with bloodshot pupils staring at her upon her entry. She was awake... Soldier didn't knew what to say as she only stood a few feet away from the girl... She felt numb, and speechless. Horrified for the most part. Carol, is now a living weapon of Lab 0, caged inside a large unbreakable glass box with oxygen tanks attached to it. Soldier sighed and finally approached the girl. "I'M SORRY... I WANNA HELP GET YOU OUT BUT... I DON'T THINK NOW'S THE BEST TIME..." Soldier chocked on her words. God, how could she say this..? Carol didn't said a word but placed her hand on the glass, while staring at Soldier in the eyes. Soldier placed, in return, her hand on her side of the glass in the same level to Carol's and spoke again. "I... I'LL TRY TO FIND A WAY, ALL RIGHT? I'LL TRY TO FIND A WAY TO GET YOU OUT AND AWAY FROM THIS LAB. I PROMISE... I PROMISE..." Soldier sighed, rather frustratingly. " I'M SORRY... I'M SORRY..." Soldier repeated as she stared at the girl. Her skin was so pale. Almost as if she had endured such amount of blood loss. And her limbs, from arms to legs, showed her veins. And that large bladed wheel on her back, only made Soldier felt shattered to pieces just by seeing it along with some spikes on some areas on her body... Soldier could only imagine how anyone on the Red team would end up looking, if they happen to be on this situation of Carol's. At least she knows how to feel, if any of them end up on this specific situation. - She wouldn't really care at all for them, if that's the case - Unless if it happen to be Scout, mentally and physically tortured and disfigured like this, she wouldn't really feel bad neither feel any sympathy for the rest of her own team. She honestly didn't care for Heavy, Pyro, Medic, Sniper, Spy and Engineer. Maybe for Demoman and Scout... But just for a thought... Why was she thinking about them? They don't matter at all in this situation... All that matters was to kill the Skullgirl, destroy the Skull Heart and get back home... And now... Carol is among those that mattered to Soldier's mind... She has to get this poor girl away from here... And to bring her back to to her parents... She has to do something, right? If she won't, then who will..?
Carol took her hand from the glass and suddenly turned away. Crawling into the corner of her glass cage, Soldier watched as the girl only crouched, clutching her head, growling, like a wild predator... "CAROL -" "GO AWAY..!" Carol shouted with a growl... Soldier took a step back in surprise. She let out a small groan, but kept her hand on the glass. "I PROMISE... I'LL GET YOU AWAY FROM HERE... AND I'LL BRING YOU BACK TO YOUR PARENTS... THAT'S A PROMISE..." Carol only growled. Soldier took one last look on the poor girl before turning away to exit the lab in shame. But as she did so, she wished she didn't had to hear Carol's familiar screams from constant pain while caged inside a large glass...
Probably for the first time in her life... Soldier felt something that she hasn't felt before outside the battlefield... - She felt like a human being...
(Skullgirls OST: Royal Canopy Waltz)
Upon seeing Parasoul walking out of the room in the hospital infirmary, Merasmus finally composed himself and began. "How are the injured, Princess?" Merasmus asked, referring to several wounded Black Egret soldiers. All of which were the very few wounded from the massacre at Little Innsmouth, and the wounded from the encounter with Medici Mafia and resurrected undead minions combined.
Parasoul let out a small sigh with a frown. "Most of them are in critical condition. As for the ones that survived our encounter with Jane Doe back at Little Innsmouth - Four of them just passed away earlier from severe internal bleeding, fatal injuries and even brain damage... We'll have their families informed about the loss of our servicemen. Juju, not only miraculously survived Jane Doe's propelled missile, still won't be discharged any time soon, but thankfully, she is slowly recovering now."
Merasmus uncomfortably sighed. "I will have to apologize for Soldier's -" Parasoul only cut him off by slowly shaking her head. "What's done is done, Merasmus. It isn't necessary to apologize for something that you didn't committed, but then again, what's done is done. We'll just have to move on. Which leads me to ask... Has Ben returned yet..?" There was a brief pause on Merasmus' end before shaking his head. "He hasn't gotten back, Princess. Last I checked in with Molly, Ben Birdland is still clearing the area along with the dispatched Black Egret response unit." Merasmus paused for a moment, placing his hand in his chin to think. "Is there something wrong, Merasmus?" Parasoul slowly asked. "I am not sure, Princess... From what I recall back at Little Innsmouth, Ben Birdland didn't killed any Black Egret with us... By my memory of that event, Soldier was the one that mostly did all of the killings. I cannot say the same for Nadia Fortune, the feline woman, however... The response unit with Ben Birdland has sent a report through the radio that the intercepted Medici Mafia from a bank heist were all found... Brutally butchered. Ben Birdland was the first to reach and intercept the group of Medici, but knowing how he fought at Little Innsmouth - It just seemed so unlikely that he would do such a thing."
Parasoul was then left in thought about this. But before either could make any assumptions... "Parasoul! There you are..! I've been looking all over for you..!" A voice of a child suddenly interrupted along with hurried steps. Both Merasmus and Parasoul, interrupted from their topic turned their attentions to a little girl with short pink hair, and wearing a raincoat, boots and rain hat, all in yellow, while also holding an umbrella similar to Krieg, but was light purple and had a mouth and teeth... "Umbrella, what are you doing here?" Parasoul finally questioned the girl. To Merasmus' knowledge, this is Princess Umbrella. Parasoul's little sister, and this is the first time that he's ever meet the younger princess in person, too. "I was bored..! Also I ran out of crayons for my drawings, so I decided to try and find some ice cream..!" Umbrella responded, rather in a demanding tone, causing Parasoul to frown and sigh. "Didn't I tell you to stay with Panzerfaust and Roxy? Speaking of which, where is Panzerfaust? And where's Roxy?" Umbrella only rolled her eyes at her sister's firm tone and crossed her arms. "Panzerfaust had to leave with some of your Egrets because of another emergency involving undead minions down town of New Meridian. Also... Roxy couldn't give me ice cream, so I snuck away from her." Parasoul sighed as she gently smacked her forehead.
Merasmus, feeling awkward by this situation between the siblings, decided to sneak his way out, but unfortunately, due to his varied height, he was easily noticed. "Oh, hey! Who's he, Parasoul? Why is he so tall? Oh! Is he also a Gigan!? Is he helping you and your Egrets fight the Skullgirl's minions!?" Startled by Umbrella's sudden enthusiastic tone, Merasmus nearly cringed himself but managed to stay composed. "He's... Yes, Umbrella. He is helping us fight the Skullgirl and her minions. He is Merasmus, a six thousand year old wizard." Umbrella stared up at Merasmus in curiosity before quickly asking. "Can you make ice cream!? Since Parasoul says you're a wizard that means you can do magic, right?" Parasoul felt embarrassed by her sister's behavior and looked at Merasmus with an apologetic look on her face. Merasmus felt extremely awkward but thankfully, by keeping himself composed, he just gave a slight shrug at the older princess before turning his attention to Umbrella to respond. "I can make such things using magic, unfortunately though - I do not have my spell book with me. Bombinomicon. So I'm sorry to say, I cannot make ice cream for you, little one." Umbrella groaned loudly. "Aww, no fair..! Why can't anyone give me ice cream!? Even a wizard can't!? It's not fair..." Umbrella whined with a huff as she frowned. Parasoul sighed and finally spoke. "Fine... We can take a spare time and set aside New Meridian's safety for your ice cream... I've spoiled you rotten..." Umbrella had a huge beaming smile in her face and started to bounce happily. Even her purple umbrella opened it's mouth widely with its large tongue hungrily exposed.
"Well... I suppose I will be on way to check in with Molly to see if Ben Birdland has returned." Merasmus, in relief finally said, but Umbrella stops him by grabbing onto his robe and loudly speaking. "You should come with us to buy some ice cream! C'mon, it'll be fun!" Merasmus started feeling awkward once again as he looked at Parasoul with a clearly uncomfortable look on his face. Parasoul clearly saw it and wanted to let him go but considering that Umbrella wasn't letting go of his robe... "Well... I suppose I could spare some time... If you two are heading out on your own to buy some ice cream, you could use some extra protection... I guess..?" "Yeah..! We'll go out and buy some ice cream..!" The younger Renoir Princess really made Merasmus cringe. But he didn't t let that falter him as he only stood politely.
...
"C'mon, c'mon! What's taking you guys so long!?" Umbrella immediately jumped into the back seat on one of the vintage looking cars. Parasoul sighed with a small frown as she, with Merasmus in tow, followed along. "I apologize for this. About Umbrella's spoiled attitude, I mean..." Parasoul suddenly began quietly, but Merasmus politely nodded. "It's no bother at all, your highness... Let's just get her some ice cream and be on our way back." Merasmus replied as the two of them got on front.
The drive was pretty much an average drive of a family with a child on the backseat. Merasmus, wasn't so used to this, unfortunately. Hell, he was never used to being accompanied by people, let alone, strangers he's entangled with... But Parasoul... She isn't a stranger to him at least. A friend so to speak, but still... It didn't made Merasmus feel any comfortable about sitting in a car like some ordinary relative, along a casual ride to buy some ice cream...
But as Umbrella just remained talking to her older sister about family related topic, Merasmus zoned himself from it and decided to gaze at the city of New Meridian during the night. He would admit, he found the city quite admiring. Flashy lights, various pedestrians minding their businesses, even the Halloween decor he began noticing... He and Soldier never really gotten along, even before as roommates... But Halloween was the closest thing to what kept them in contact, even at least just for once a year. - It kind of kept Soldier and himself, connected... But who is to say that Halloween on this alternate world in a dystopian 1940s would be the same to what he and Soldier are usually accustomed into, back on their world, at 1972..? And for just how long, would they have been gone and missing, while they're both in this strange dimension? Are people even looking for them? Would they still even make it back, though? Questions, then thoughts... All stuck within Merasmus' mind... Perhaps this is just fate, or perhaps it is just God's way of punishing him and Soldier. And Merasmus knew he was never a good individual anyway, and so is Soldier... But either way, would they even make it back home, though?
Unbeknownst to the dead silent wizard, Umbrella had already stopped talking. Both Umbrella, and mostly, Parasoul exchanged seemingly worried glances by the sight of Merasmus' sudden behavior. His face clearly said it all about his sudden silence. "You must be having a bad day... What is your favorite ice cream?" Umbrella suddenly asked innocently. Slightly startling Merasmus, he turned his head to the child and responded. "I... Am not quite a fan of ice cream... Why'd you ask, princess Umbrella..?" Umbrella smiled softly and replied. "I always eat ice cream when I'm having a bad day." The response brought a faint smile on Merasmus' face. "Umbrella, you always eat ice cream everyday." Parasoul suddenly interrupted, with a clear reminding tone. Umbrella stated to argue a little, but then she stopped looking over to Merasmus with a faint smile at her and Parasoul. "I do believe everyone has their own preferences to do, or have, when having a terrible day. But I assure you both, I am fine." Merasmus replied politely. At least Umbrella was convinced with a smile. Parasoul, still glancing at him with a hint of concern, wasn't.
After parking outside an ice cream store, Umbrella quickly rushed inside with a huge grin on her face. Parasoul, following after her sister, looked at Merasmus, to see the wizard just standing next to the car, looking at his surroundings. "You coming, Merasmus?" She asked slowly. But with Merasmus turning to her and just shaking his head with a faint smile, the wizard replied. "I think I'll wait here, Princess. But please. Do take your time with Umbrella, I can wait." This did not seem to convince Parasoul, but she didn't wanted to press on whatever matter Merasmus is thinking right now. She knew that's none of her business, and so, Parasoul slowly nodded and replied. "We'll be quick. But would you like me to get you anything?" Merasmus just smiled and politely shook his head. "I am fine, Princess." With one last nod, Parasoul entered the store after Umbrella to buy some ice cream.
Merasmus, stuck with thoughts plaguing his mind, decided to venture for a bit. Hoping to at least get some distractions to keep his mind away from his thoughts... At least, what he thinks the admiring surroundings of New Meridian at night might help - Merasmus was suddenly startled by the sounds of police and ambulance sirens. Several of them...
Merasmus hesitantly wanted to follow the parade of sirens cruising down the open roads, past curious pedestrians. But he can't just leave Parasoul and Umbrella... Then he heard loud gunfire coming from a faint distance... Merasmus muttered a curse before pursuing after the gunfire...
(Skullgirls OST: Destiny In Her Hands)
In the midst of all the chaos... Dozens of people were being terrorized by sudden resurrections of undead minions. It is unknown where these restless bodies came from aside from the various cemeteries. But one could assume that this is the work of the Skullgirl, still currently on the loose... For some reason though, they didn't looked like the recent resurrected undead with green glowing flames... The flames on the skeletal bodies of these undead were light blue... Signifying the Skullgirl's doing... As horde after horde of mindless undead rose from their graves, terrorizing and even cannibalizing civilian and authority alike... The shallow graves from another neighboring cemetery came pouring out its restless deceased... All forced to be mindless slaves, serving the Skullgirl...
Among these buried deceased came emerging a young, pale skinned girl with a single eye. Wearing old and worn out yellow dress, with a snake-like parasite infused on her head. The young girl, or so to speak - Undead girl - sat on the ground with her knees. Hands, resting on the ground for support, trying to gain whatever strength she may have to get up. While her parasite, solemnly observed the dozens of restless, mindless bodies, being summoned by the Skullgirl... "It appears a new Skullgirl has emerged to the public, Miss Sienna..." The parasite spoke, in such a well mannered tone of a male while looking at his infused host. The girl avoided the gazes of the undead among them... Unlike them, these undead are hallowed out, empty vessels of decomposing bodies, denied of their peaceful rest... May Trinity bless the souls of these bodies, wherever they ended up... But looking at the bodies, even for the third time, from Selene Contiello, to Queen Nancy Renoir's undead legions... They are all practically the same. - Empty. Mindless. Lifeless... But what does that make this young girl, and her infused parasite..? The girl, Sienna, finally stood up, and began dusting her dress off of dirt. "It would seem so... But we would have to help the people that had been fighting Skullgirls yet again, Leviathan... But please. Just like I once told you - Call me Squigly."
The snake looking parasite Leviathan, politely nodded. But as they both gazed at the horde of undead during this presumably long dawn of night, the girl, Squigly, turned to her parasite, Leviathan. "Ready..?" Leviathan gently smiled. "Tally ho..."