(Skullgirls OST: Forgotten Moments)

Awaiting outside the emergency room, Soldier paid no mind around the people minding their businesses back at Lab 8. To everyone's surprise, Parasoul suddenly made an arrival via Black Egret helicopter, with Soldier, Carol on board. Much quiet discussions and hushed whispers voided the halls and corridors of Lab 8. To see the same Princess responsible for the destruction of Lab 7, within their humble side of the ASG labs, Soldier could see the grudges of some of the other Lab 8 personnel. Staff, doctors and operators alike. But not that she did care, as the only thing that she ever care thinking about was Carol's safety...

Hearing footsteps approaching, Soldier reluctantly looked up with a slightly annoyed look on her face, only to see Parasoul. "I have been given a well summarized history about what happened to Doctor Avian here on Lab 8... Stanley is still manning up further investigation about the culprit, but Nurse Ileum suspects that it's none other than Valentine..."

Soldier just casually raised an eyebrow, but seemingly didn't care about the topic. After all, Doctor Avian, despite being in critical condition was on his way to recovery as stated by Nurse Ileum that his wound was in fact, a concussion. But then again, she didn't care about the culprit, whether it be Valentine or not. "You are not worried? I can see that you're -" Soldier growled, interrupting Parasoul. "THE OLD MAN IS RECOVERING. I KNOW BECAUSE ILUEM TOLD ME THAT DOCTOR AVIAN ONLY GOT A CONCUSSION." Soldier aggressively spat. Parasoul didn't flinched, but instead she sighed. "I can see that you hold such grudge against me, like the people here on Lab 8... I've grown accustomed to such thing ever since I've taken such a responsibility on my shoulders -" "I DON'T GIVE A SINGLE DAMN ABOUT YOU, YOUR ROYALTY, YOUR KINGDOM OF NAZIS OR EVEN THE FACT THAT YOUR FASCIST FATHER PROUDLY STARTED A WAR! THE ONLY TWO DAMN THINGS I GIVE ABOUT IS CAROL, AND GETTING THAT BASTARD BRAIN DRAIN FROM WHAT HE DID TO HER!"

This is the point where Parasoul flinched. She glared at Soldier for the insulting of her father, but regardless, she didn't argued. She was after all being held grudges by the people of Lab 8. The last thing she wanted was to make it worse. Parasoul crossed her arms and looked down as her eyes stared down on the floor. "I can fully agree to what you've said about Brain Drain, and that poor girl..." She spoke almost reluctantly before continuing. "... But at least keep in mind that I didn't came here to cause anyone an issue... I only wanted to repay your for -" "WHY WON'T YOU SHUT UP, MAGGOT? I AM WAITING FOR THE DOCTOR TO GIVE ME A GOOD NEWS, OR A BAD NEWS ABOUT CAROL'S CONDITION, AND YOU'RE HERE MAKING IT WORSE..!" Soldier's response was more than enough for Parasoul to take clue of that the patriotic woman didn't like her at all. She wanted to leave Lab 8 and to help her Egrets on the cleanup around the City, still infested with Skullgirl minions, but at the same time... For some reason... She just couldn't bring herself to make her leave. It almost felt like she too, wanted to hear news about that poor girl that Brain Drain had done wrong... After all... She's seen what damage had been done and that she just so happen to encounter it.

Parasoul sighed. Frowning with a hesitant look on her face as first, she opened her mouth to speak. "May I... Take a seat with you..?" Soldier gave her a wary look. Her blue patriotic eyes clearly showed too much dislike towards the Renoir Princess, but surprisingly enough, she just casually glanced at the seat next to her over to her left without a word. To which Parasoul, in relief, took it as a 'yes' and sat next to her in the waiting area outside the emergency room. "So... I take it you know that poor girl... Carol..?" Parasoul decided to start another conversation. Soldier growled again, but reluctantly replied. "SHE WAS A LIVING WEAPON PROJECT FROM LAB 0, UNAUTHORIZED TO BE CREATED, BUT THAT BASTARD, BRAIN DRAIN DID SO ANYWAY..."

There was awkward silence after this. Soldier didn't looked with anything to say, and so she just sat formally, with Parasoul thinking about the words that she said. But little did Soldier know, was the Princess was also studying her full appearance... Confusion masked her usually stoic face before awkwardly glancing down on to floor. "Merasmus... Gave me a very detailed explanation about your identities of you both... As well as... Where you both came from..." Parasoul quietly began. Her tone was the same as usual, but her mind was somewhat... Skeptic... "Is it true..? That you were... A man that somehow turned into a woman, through such an accident involving magic..?" Soldier shot her a look. Her face was bright red, then glancing down at her own physic, Soldier quietly grumbled. "I WAS... WHATEVER THAT MAGGOT WIZARD TOLD YOU, I WILL TAKE IT ALL AS FACTS... NOW I HAVE TO DEAL WITH STRANGLING PERVERTED MEN STARING AT ME..." Soldier muttered, even though her tone didn't even lowered at all. Parasoul awkwardly made a gesture. "I see your point..." Soldier glanced at her before giving a scowling expression, and one that showed a judgemental look. "WELL, IF YOU DO MIND OTHERS STARING AT YOU INTENTLY, WHY WON'T YOU START COVERING YOUR OWN BARE AND EXPOSED LEGS! HOW OLD ARE YOU!?"

Parasoul slightly flinched in her seat, her face bright red before placing a hand on her noticeably round chest. "I am 25... If you are referring about that kind of topic... I was only 18 during the final days of the Grand War..." Soldier raised an eyebrow in surprise. "YOU ARE THAT YOUNG TO BE SHOULDERING RESPONSIBILITIES!? YOU ARE ONLY TWO YEARS OLDER THAN SCOUT..!" Parasoul looked at Soldier confused but after a brief moment, she had a curious look on her face. "Who's that..?" Soldier just casually waved it off with a simple response. "OH, THAT MANCHILD? HE'S THE YOUNGEST MEMBER ON MY TEAM. HE IS 23 AND CAN BARELY READ! HE GREW UP WITH 7 OLDER BROTHERS FROM MASSACHUSETTS AND I EVEN THEORIZE THAT HIS BROTHERS HATE HIM BECAUSE HE WAS A CHILD OF HIS OWN MAMA WITH ANOTHER MAN -" Soldier stopped. Realizing she had just said a mouthful about the youngest merc on her team, she decided to close her mouth, knowing it to be unprofessional to discuss personal information about her teammates. Especially when that teammate was the one she's always looked out for, despite her savage nature toward the other... "Interesting..." Parasoul suddenly interrupted, making Soldier's eyebrows furrow. "OH, NO! DON'T YOU EVEN GET ANY IDEAS! SCOUT IS NOT INTERESTING! HE IS A 23 YEAR OLD MANCHILD THAT DOES NOTHING BUT WHINE ABOUT RANDOM CRAP!" Soldier aggressively responded. Almost sounding as if a parent wasn't allowing their own kid to be dating... Which ultimately goes to the Scout for this random matter...

Parasoul tilted her head to her side in confusion. "I see... After everything that Merasmus told me about you and your... Job description as a mercenary - It is only reasonable for you to keep such information about yourself and your colleagues to yourselves..." The Princess said casually. Soldier felt relived. She wasn't going to like the thought of Parasoul asking her about Scout, or any of her undisciplined colleagues on the Red team. What was she even thinking? Perhaps the princess was only interested to know a bit of insight about her side, apart from knowing Merasmus..?

There was another awkward silence before Parasoul suddenly asked. "I was told about your colleagues. My source would be none other than Merasmus, obviously... And... Does he seriously find it necessary to attack you every Halloween..? Just for that... Feud you both had when you two were... Roommates..? If I remember him mentioning correctly..." Soldier's eyes widened. "OOOOH, THAT MAGGOT EVEN TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT..? OH, I AM GOING TO PULL A RABBIT OUT OF HIS ASS THE NEXT TIME I SEE HIM..." Parasoul looked on edge by Soldier's aggressive statement, and calmly replied. "So it was true then... I don't mean to pry, but you two are on a dire situation... If I may suggest, perhaps disregard the fact that you are both rivals... At least until you are both back to your... Own world..." Soldier crossed her arms at Parasoul's statement.

"WE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE TALKING ABOUT THIS! IN FACT, I SHOULD BE KILLING YOU RIGHT NOW!" Soldier exclaimed a little dramatically, but suddenly, she muttersed. "BUT THEN AGAIN... LAB 8 ISN'T LAB 0, SO I DON'T REALLY HAVE A REASON TO DO THAT..." Parasoul gave him a startled look, but then cautiously replied. "At least don't make this moment any more awkward and complicated than it already is... We are waiting for the results of that poor girl's condition, after all... Do it for her sake, at least..." Soldier looked down on the floor, and the moment went back to how awkward it was for the two of them... "YOU KNOW... IT REMINDS ME... YOU AND SCOUT SOMEHOW RELATE... WHEN YOU TRY AND DO SOMETHING, YOU ALWAYS END UP SCREWING THINGS UP, AND PEOPLE HATE YOU FOR IT..."

Parasoul didn't said anything about Soldier's statement. She was rather looking down on the floor, feeling awkward... But as awkward as it may be for her, the princess slightly looked up, and quickly glanced at Soldier. "Thank you... For... Saving me..." She quietly whispered but then added. "If you hadn't been there, I would've -" "I WAS THERE STANDING AND WATCHING CAROL BEAT YOUR ASS, MAGGOT. BUT I SAW HOW SHE WASN'T IN FULL CONTROL OF HERSELF, AND I FIGURED IT WOULD BE WRONG IF SHE END UP MURDERING YOU, OR ANYONE AGAINST HER OWN WILL." Soldier immediately cut her off and also added. "... I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS AWKWARD TOPIC NOW. AND I WANT TO WAIT FOR CAROL'S MEDICAL RESULTS." Parasoul awkwardly nodded in full acknowledgement. "Right... Of course..."

(God Eater OST: God and Man)

Finally, the doors of the emergency room opened and a Lab 8 doctor emerged. Soldier and Parasoul both immediately got up from their seats with Soldier eagerly questioning. "WELL? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS, DOC?" The doctor, shortly feeling uneasy at the presence of Parasoul, killed at Soldier and responded. "The results were... I'm afraid to say... Horrifying... I have no good news to give, but a very terrible one, regarding the condition of the patient..." "DAMMIT..!" Soldier clenched her fist. "THAT MAGGOT, BRAIN DRAIN... I'LL MAKE SURE HE PAYS FOR WHAT HE DID..." The doctor sighed and finally continued. "Based on our full diagnosis, the patient was indoctrinated with various lethal drugs. Most notably, modified supplemental drugs... We've also ran a quick analysis on a sample of her blood..." The doctor stared uncomfortably before continuing. "It would seem... And since she was a living weapon from Lab 0; the patient was also indoctrinated with Skullgirl blood..." Soldier's eyes went wide, horrified from the news. "WHAAAAAT!?" The doctor nodded, but then reluctantly turned to Parasoul. "The results of the blood analysis on the patient's blood revealed it to be a replicated clone of the former Skullgirl's blood... The replicated DNA matches former Queen Nancy's... As of now, we have no knowledge how Lab 0, more specifically, Brain Drain, even obtain such a blood sample from the former Queen Skullgirl... But knowing Lab 0, there are plenty of possibilities to openly make theories for that matter."

Parasoul felt disgraced, and moreover, disgusted... Her own mother's Skullgirl blood, replicated, and worse; indoctrinated to an innocent civilian... The questions on how Brain Drain even obtain such a thing like her mother's Skullgirl blood plagued her mind, but seeing Soldier's angered expression, Parasoul decided to pay attention to what the Lab 8 doctor still has to say. "In conclusion; we have every materials we need to treat the patient, but it will take a lot of time during such a treatment like this, considering the amount of drugs that her system has incorporated - And as for the Skullgirl blood... I'm very sorry to say... But the replicated Skullgirl blood of Former Queen Nancy, fully assimilated into the patient's bloodstream... Therefore, the patient now has a part of Queen Nancy's Skullgirl blood, including her DNA... And that is permanently irreversible... It is a very disturbing feat... There is nothing we can do to remove it, and if we even try, we may only make things worse for the patient. So in final conclusion; we will have to leave it at that... But rest assured, we will be preparing a treatment for the patient. We also fear that those drugs her system has incorporated, also has severe effects on her mental health, so we will also have to rehabilitate her apart from giving medical treatment... In the mean time, we will be transferring the patient to the medical ward. She is currently stable for now, but as I've said, we will also prepare a treatment for her."

Seeing that most doctors have already been evacuated, with only a few remaining on Lab 8 at the moment, the doctor then made an immediate excuse to attend to other patients, leaving Soldier taking a seat once again, only this time, her face was buried on her palms. She wasn't crying, but she was furious and frustrated... Parasoul quietly sat down next to her. Apart from feeling disgraced and disgusted with the involvement of her mother's Skullgirl blood, Parasoul felt a remorse for Carol... Thankfully, as she had already seen it, Carol didn't end up becoming a Skullgirl, despite the Skullgirl blood indoctrinated within her... But that doesn't make things any good either, considering who knows what amount of drugs she was even indoctrinated to begin with...

"SHE IS NOT A SKULLGIRL... BUT NOW SHE HAS SKULLGIRL BLOOD..."

(God Eater OST: The Last Memories)

"I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow at school, Filia." Carol cheerfully said, and gently patted a stray dog, that disturbingly had a hair parasite named Samson. Apparently, she found the two in the street alleys, as literally homeless beings. Originally, she wanted to keep them, more specifically, the dog, but her parents were a little strict about keeping house pets. Luckily, Carol ran into her best friend, Filia Medici. Who had problems of her own, which involved fellow Medici that holds resentment against her as her family. But despite the latter, accepted to keep the dog in her best friend's favor, and to her delight, the parasite, Samson, offered some 'help' to solve her own personal problems.

"Are you sure you don't need a ride back to Maplecrest, Carol? I mean, it's getting late..." Filia asked, almost as if trying to convince her best friend to change her mind, but Carol, didn't budged and only smiled softly. "No, it's fine. I still need to stop by the book store to pick up some things for our class topics next week. You know how serious Miss Victoria gets when a student misses out on her lessons... And I also have to get some sunflower seeds for the garden, too." Carol said with a smile. Filia gently smiled and replied. "Just call me when you get home, okay?" Carol smiled. "Of course." With a quick hug with her best friend, Carol waved goodbye and parted ways.

The nights were lovely. The flashy lights, and various tunes of jazz coming from all over the City, were always one of the delightful things that Carol always enjoyed when out in New Meridian. But apart from such wonderful things the City can offer, also comes with the downsides which were the Medici Mafia, for the most part. Carol always felt conflicted on what to feel about the name, especially when her best friend is related to the Mafia. But regardless, she never held such a thing for Filia, and never singled her out just for her last name. She pities her best friend, as a matter of fact, as her family had been targeted with multiple harassment and even death threats from their own. But what does she know? She never was the type to get into other people's businesses, but whenever anyone she cares for needs help, Carol would always be there to lend a hand. To which she more than insisted giving the dog to Filia, since Samson offered to help her with her own problems. Carol hoped that hair parasite doesn't end up hurting her best friend, as Filia was one of the only few people she dearly trusts, even more so, see like a sister. And Carol would carry a burden of regret if anything bad happens to her best friend...

After buying some books and some sunflower seeds for the gardening, Carol immediately made her way back home to Maplecrest. Unfortunately for her, on the way back, she heard loud gunfire. Her heart skipped a beat, and adrenaline soon took over, with Carol immediately running over to one of the parked cars as a hiding spot.

Peeking her head, she found a group of armed men, which she easily recognized as Medici goons, firing their Tommy Guns on a large man with a fedora and trench coat, who also strangely looked like large saxophone. Carol watched in fear as the mafia tried gunning down the man, who was unfazed by the bullets and continued to charged toward them. Carol wanted to look for help... But she was afraid. Her eyes suddenly caught sight of two more individuals. Both appeared to be in their teens, one was a boy, and the other was female. But just like the saxophone man, they too looked different... But as Carol reused to observed the scene, noticed the pair of teens, rescuing a bunch of little kids from what looked like a rundown building complex... Then she caught sight of a group of what appeared to be nurses in the other side of the building...

Carol was well aware that the Medici Mafia were known mostly for abduction and slavery... But she had never once imagined to witness closely that words about the mafia were worse as far as the eye could see than the ears could hear... Carol eventually saw an opening... It was a straight road, with a clear, empty street. She closed her eyes for moment, took a deep, and finally made a dash for her chosen exit, wanting to get away from the terrifying scene she had just witnessed. *BANG!*

Carol felt a small, hot material that went through the back of her shoulder as she fell down on the ground. She whimpered in pain. It was one that she has never had before her whole life. She slowly looked around to find the contents she bought for the night spilled all over the side of the road... She gritted her teeth with her eyes closed, and her hand clutching on the severely bleeding wound. She was scared, and that alone, stopped her from trying to crawl her way out... She wanted to scream. She wanted to look for help. She wanted to see her parents. And she wanted to see her best friend... Those were the only things that Carol could ever think of, as she laid on the cold surface, with the ever continuing gunfire and fighting surrounding her... Finally her vision blacked out.

"I've done all I can. This child is beyond saving..." "Valentine, she is still alive, and she can still walk. We will take her back to Lab 8." "But look at her... She has no arms, and her eyes, completely gouged out... Don't you think -" "No. We will take her back to Lab 8. I'm sure Doc Avian will figure something out. The rest of you clear out the building, we're heading back home... Valentine..? What're you..." "Trinity..." "Wait..!"

Carol's faint vision suddenly went back, only to find herself being treated by a blue haired, one-eyed woman, clad in white, scanty nurse outfit. "Who is this?" Another nurse with red hair and thin glasses questioned as she approached. Like the blue haired woman, this one also wore a similar nurse outfit. "She doesn't look like Medici captive to me." The blue haired nurse replied, and the other giving a weary look. "Probably a civilian... We'll leave her here. Big Band's gotten a word that the authorities are on their way, they'll sort her out -" "Christmas. She is just a kid... We can't leave her here..." "You've already disobeyed orders earlier, just to save a badly mutilated, eyeless child. You're going to disobey orders again?" "Look, I don't care about any disciplinary action. My priorities are to extract refugees. If that mutilated child can barely be saved, I can certainly save this one." "I admire your nobility, Valentine. But let me remind you, that you are on your own with this one as your full responsibility..." "Fine... Of course, Christmas..."

Carol slowly looked up. She felt weak, and her weakening vision would barely make out the nurse that was holding carrying her bridal style. Cradled closely within the arms, Carol could still feel the stinging pain of her wound... And that's when she finally passed out...

...

"I brought her here, to save her! No! I won't allow it!" "Nurse Valentine, need I remind you, that you have brought a civilian, who has nothing to do with the rescue operation? She wasn't even a Medici captive. Therefore, she has no reason to be here." "Brain Drain, I can't just leave her out there to die... She's only -" "A child? Your emotions are one of the things that keeps compromising Last Hope, Nurse Valentine. And let me say this straight, that your emotions are prone to making you disobey orders. You don't think I am aware, that you've disobeyed Nurse Christmas' orders again, just to save a mutilated child, over fulfilling your assigned objective? Or do I have to file a report to the joint chief of staff to have you reprimanded..?" "I... Brain Drain... Anything, or anyone... Just... Not her..." "... Unless you want to face such consequences, Nurse Valentine... But... How about we come to an alternative agreement..? For this child... I am willing to give a sum in exchange... You don't have to let Last Hope know about this. Just between you and me, I will... Pay you... In return, you will leave this child here within my lab, and under my responsibility. How does that sound..?" "You're not suggesting..." "I am. You know me well than most of my colleagues here. After all... The impending uprising of a new Skullgirl is only for a matter of time before we have to face another threat. - And not to mention, the girl's blood is suitably match for Nancy Renoir's Skullgirl blood... The possibilities to use her as a test subject for the replicated blood of the former Skullgirl is an opportunity to create another powerful weapon like Project Filia Medici and Robo Fortune. Think of it... As doing the lives you want to protect a favor. Not only you get to fulfill your beliefs to serve the ASG labs, honor Lab 7, but you will also receive such a handsome raise for your contribution. All I ask... - Is to let me have the child..."

Carol could faintly hear the words. Every word of it. But as she finally opened her eyes... She found herself in a dark, barely lit room. Strapped on a metal table with her mouth tightly sealed with tape. Among the room were two individuals as well. One was male, and one she wasn't familiar with and other... Was the same, one-eyed nurse with blue hair that she met earlier... They locked eyes, and Carol stared at the nurse in fear. She moaned with her sealed mouth, begging to be let go, as her eyes started watering. The nurse only stood there, staring at her. She couldn't tell what the nurse really felt, but the way she moved her head down, facing the floor, Carol watched as the nurse slowly turned away from her. "I'm... Sorry..."

Carol tried to scream, but her mouth, then again, was sealed tight with tape. She watched helplessly as the nurse left without a single word, and without looking back. Then she finally heard footsteps approaching. "Do not worry, child. What you are about to go through, will not hurt. At least not that much... Think of it... As a favor, to help save your loved ones from the wrath of a new Skullgirl..."

(Skullgirls OST: The Lives We Tried To Reclaim)

"NOOOOOO..!" Carol jolted awake only to find herself inside what appears to be a medical ward... She looked around to find the mask stitched into her face on the table. Next to it was an oversized helmet that she doesn't recognize. But other than those two things, there was no one there except for her... She then looked down, and buried her face within her palms, as she slowly began to sob. She knew who to get back to... She wanted to get back at those two people... That man who kept her for who knows how long, with her having to endure such amounts of torture... And lastly... That nurse... The one who brought her in the first place... Valentine... That's her name... Carol felt rage within her as she sobbed... She wanted to kill Valentine and that man... Brain Drain... She wanted them to pay from what they've done to her... But how would her parents even feel, seeing her, or hearing of her, murdering people..? How would Filia even react or feel about that..? The fact that she almost killed two living beings at the rooftops... And one of them just so happened to be Princess Parasoul Renoir... Carol didn't wanted to do that... It was against her will... But what she wanted to do with her own consent, was to kill Brain Drain and Valentine... Not people like Parasoul and who had done nothing wrong to her... Carol kept on sobbing as she remembered both the amount of torture she had to go through, as well as the moment she almost killed the Princess of Canopy Kingdom... "DEAR GOD..." Then Carol remembered a very familiar voice of a woman she had never met before, but had seen a few times... "IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S ALRIGHT... I'M GETTING YOU OUT OF HERE..." "WHAT IS YOUR NAME..?" "I'M SORRY... I WANNA HELP GET YOU OUT BUT... I DON'T THINK NOW'S THE BEST TIME..." "I... I'LL TRY TO FIND A WAY, ALL RIGHT? I'LL TRY TO FIND A WAY GET YOU OUT AND AWAY FROM THIS LAB. I PROMISE... I PROMISE..." "I PROMISE... I'LL GET YOU AWAY FROM HERE... AND I'LL BRING YOU BACK TO YOUR PARENTS... THAT'S A PROMISE..."

Carol remembered that woman... She didn't know who she was... But as far she could remember... She seemed genuine about everything she said... But then... She also remembered... "CAROL, STOP!" Carol's memory flashed back into that same moment. Shortly before she even kills Parasoul against her will... "CAROL, STOP THIS NOW!" "She's under manipulation of Brain Drain..! You have to take her down..!" Carol clutched in her face as she sobbed... Remembering everything from her own perspective of what happened... Her mind and eyes never deceived her, but her own body and control... She was out of it... She felt like an animal than human... A hideous abomination... "I'M SORRY, CAROL..." Carol continued to sob... She didn't mean to hurt her... She didn't mean to kill Princess Parasoul either... And she didn't even wanted to become like this... She never asked to be like this...

She let out a loud scream... All that pent up anger, moves with guilt and shame... She scream and screamed all at the top of her lungs until a doctor and a nurse finally came rushing in to her aid... The nurse gently comforted her, while the doctor, who strangely enough, was a light blue shark with round glasses was checking on a clip board. "I'M SORRY... I DIDN'T MEAN TO... PLEASE... DON'T HURT ME... PLEASE..." Carol pleaded between sobs. The nurse only held her gently. "It's okay, no one is going to hurt you... You're safe now..." Carol looked at the nurse. She too, wore a mask similar to the one she had. And she even looked frightening with her full appearance, despite her gentle tone. "W-WHERE... AM I..?" Carol slowly, and hesitantly asked. The nurse replied. "You're at lab 8. Don't worry, you are safe here..." The nurse then looked at the doctor and continued. "Doctor Stanley, when is the scheduled time for her medical treatment?" The doctor, Stanley swirly adjusted his glasses and replied while keeping his attention on the clipboard. "Her scheduled treatment will be within the next six hours. She still has plenty of time to rest."

Carol looked at the nurse... She had something to say, but... She was hesitant... "Is there anything you would like to ask?" The Nurse gently asked her. Carol looked down for a moment but then, hey bloodshot eyes focused on the nurse. "WHERE'S..." Carol stopped. She didn't knew the name she was looking for... "THE WOMAN... THE ONE WHO... THE WOMAN, WHO WANTED TO HELP GET ME OUT OF THAT LAB I WAS IN... DO YOU... KNOW WHO SHE IS..?" Stanley looked at her in surprise and smiled gently. "You must be referring to Miss Jane Doe. She was the one that exposed Brain Drain about your captivity within his lab on the Lab 0 side of ASG." Carol looked down for a moment before looking back at the doctor and asking. "WHERE... IS SHE..? I... DIDN'T MEAN TO... HURT HER LIKE THE PRINCESS... IS SHE... SAFE..? IS SHE... OKAY..?" The nurse then replied. "Don't worry, Jane Doe is doing fine. But as of now, she is discussing some things with Princess Parasoul. Would you like to see Miss Doe..?" Carol felt reluctant... But in the end, she gave a slow nod.

(God Eater OST: Tearing Up the Storm)

The news about a huge majority of Lab 0 personnel, mostly handpicked presumably, defecting after ransacking of the Lab 0 technology spread around Lab 8. Soldier was so furious she had to storm herself into Lab 0 only to find that it was barely staffed at all. The remaining Lab 0 staff were clueless and have no knowledge of what even gone wrong. Leading to Soldier assuming Brain Drain making his exit after his own revelations.

"I can contact Molly... And lend some assistance to track down Brain Drain and the majority of Lab 0..." Parasoul, surprisingly offered, but Soldier wasn't paying attention... She was too furious that she even kicked a nearby computer. "This is not going to help..." Soldier turned to her with a furious look on her face. "THEN WHAT WILL!? YOU JUST DON'T GET IT, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T SAW CAROL'S SITUATION..!" Parasoul calmly stared at Soldier and cautiously replied. "That's not what I meant... But yes. I don't know much about that girl, but at least think about her condition... There's even Doctor Avian to worry about as well..." Soldier growled but didn't argued. As much as she hated to admit, but Parasoul was right. "LET'S JUST GET BACK TO LAB 8... SEE HOW CAROL IS DOING..."

Arriving back to Lab 8's side of ASG, They were eventually met with Peacock, who was finally awake from being unconscious. And the gremlin looked angry. "Hey, I've heard about what happened to Gramps..! Is it true!? Valentine did that!? Even knocked me and Annie out!?" Parasoul's eyes blinked a few times by the mention of Annie... "Annie..? The star child..?" Peacock looked at her, almost as if she never even noticed Parasoul at all until now. "Oh, we got the Princess of the fuzz here, too!? Oh why I outta -" Peacock angrily stomped her way to Parasoul, but Soldier immediately stopped her. "THAT'S ENOUGH, GREMLIN. SHE'S NOT HERE FOR ANY TROUBLE." Peacock looked at her with a whiny expression. "But she has Ben! She better not be torturing him, or I'll -" "I can assure you, that I have done no harm to Ben... And as Jane Doe said it, I'm not here for any trouble. I am, in fact, offering to help track down Brain Drain -" "Listen here 'Princess' I don't give a crap 'bout you or Dome Brain! I only give a crap 'bout Gramps and Ben! Also 'bout Valentine for tryin' to kill Gramps!"

Soldier sighed. "LISTEN, GREMLIN... I DON'T THINK VALENTINE EVEN INTENDED TO DO THAT... NURSE ILEUM TOLD ME THAT DOC AVIAN'S WOUND WASN'T INETENTIONALLY DONE. AND I CAN SAY THE SAME THAT SHE DIDN'T EVEN MEAN TO KNOCK YOU AND ANNIE OUT...SPEAKING OF WHICH... WHERE IS ANNIE..?" Peacock grumbled a little before responding. "We just visited Gramps from one of the rooms in the medical ward. She stayed behind to talk 'bout stuff I know 'bout Marie..." Soldier looked at Parasoul, who has looking confused. "MARIE WAS PEACOCK'S BEST FRIEND... THEY ARE BOTH MEDICI REFUGEES, AND MARIE... IS ALSO THE CURRENT SKULLGIRL... IT'S A LONG STORY..." Parasoul looked at her in surprise, but then she replied. "We will have to further discuss about that to Doctor Avian... Also, about Sienna Contiello..." "You mean that walkin' corpse? She's stinkin' the labs..!" Peacock exclaimed. "GREMLIN!" Soldier scowled.

Eventually, the three stopped by the medical ward, and one of the rooms, came walking out, was Annie. Parasoul tensed at the sight of the star child, confusing both Soldier and Peacock. "About time you're here, Soldier. Stanley told me and Peacock about everything that happened, and I've already just talked to Doctor Avian about Peacock's knowledge of the current Skullgirl -" Annie stopped. Her eye noticed Parasoul, somewhat hiding behind Soldier, feeling tensed. "I didn't expect to see a royal guest here... Hopefully Lab 8 rolled down the red carpet..." Annie deadpanned but she then looked down. Her face, somewhat feeling hurt... Almost as if, being betrayed... "I can't believe she did that... Almost killed Doctor Avian... I get it, it was not intentional, but still..." "Yeah! And I'm seriously pissed 'bout that..!" Peacock agreed. Soldier sighed and replied. "VALENTINE MUST'VE HAD HER OWN REASONS... BUT AT LEAST YOU TWO KIDS AND DOC AVIAN ARE DOING FINE NOW... YOUR MOM IS QUITE A TWO-FACED BITCH, IF YOU ASK ME..." Annie's face turned bright red. "Again with this, Soldier? Valentine is not my mom..! Will you just... Ugh... Let's just drop the topic... I also have to visit Squigly..." Annie said with a frown, but the last part surprised Soldier, Peacock and Parasoul. "You know that smelly walkin' corpse!?" Peacock exclaimed. Annie looked at the gremlin awkwardly. "We've met twice before... When her mom became a Skullgirl and..." Annie's eye suddenly glanced at Parasoul. "Nevermind... If you have other places to be, you can go now. I'll be heading to see Squigly..." "Oh..! I'm coming along, too!" Peacock exclaimed once more, with Annie sighing before turning to Soldier. "Soldier, you..?" Annie asked.

Before Soldier could even reply, Nurse said Ileum and Stanley came out of Carol's room in the medical ward. "Ah! Miss Doe! You are just in time!" Stanley immediately began with a smile. But Soldier suddenly interrupted by immediately questioning. "HOW IS CAROL, DOC!? IS SHE OKAY? TELL ME, IS SHE GOING TO BE OKAY!?" Stanley gave an assuring nod. "As of now, the patient is stable. We also have a scheduled medical treatment for her within the next six hours, and rest assured, she will get the best medical care we can provide." Then, nurse Ileum added. "She also wishes to see you, Miss Doe." Soldier had a wide smile on her face. "Wait... That kid on Dome Brain's lab is free!? Really!?" Peacock exclaimed in surprise, but Soldier was too busy to pay attention as she immediately made her way to Carol's medical room.

There inside, she saw Carol. Gently holding her lost, forgotten helmet, and finally, they met once again... "CAROL... ARE YOU... ALRIGHT NOW..?" Carol weakly smiled and replied. "I AM... LISTEN I..." Carol paused... She looked at Soldier's helmet before back at Soldier... "I WANTED TO APOLOGIZE FOR..." Soldier could see her inhuman eyes watering. And so, she immediately went over to Carol's side and wrapped her arms around the poor girl, who in return, snuggled in her and gently sobbed... "I DIDN'T MEAN TO..." "SHHH... IT'S ALRIGHT... IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT... IT'S BRAIN DRAIN'S..." Soldier immediately interrupted as she comforted Carol in her arms. "BUT..." "DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT, CAROL... JUST THINK ABOUT GETTING BETTER, SO WE CAN TAKE YOU BACK TO YOUR PARENTS SOON..." Carol looked at her in tears. Then a very faint smile came to her face... "DO YOU..." "PROMISE..? OF COURSE I DO..! I... MADE YOU THAT PROMISE, REMEMBER..? JUST... FOCUS ON GETTING BETTER FOR NOW. CAN YOU DO THAT FOR ME..?" Carol gave the same faint smile, and finally, wrapped her arms around Soldier in comfort...

(Skullgirls OST: In Rapid Succession)

"Uurgggwaaaguwaah..." Hungern suddenly said. Umbrella, holding him as she walked in the streets of New Meridian replied. "You're hungry..? Yeah, me too... But hey, we can look for any garbage bins. Don't you love eating garbage?" "Uurgggwaaaguwaah..!" Umbrella smiled happily. "Great! Don't worry, we'll start looking for any garbage bins around... If only we hadn't left that ice cream store..." "Uurgggwaaaguwaah..?" "Why had to leave? Well, you saw how many of those minions were already getting in, killing people hiding with us... We were really lucky we even managed to get away..." "Uurgggwaaaguwaah..!" Umbrella sighed. "I know... But without Parasoul, or Merasmus, we had to find a safe place to go... Hmm... Where should we go anyway..?" "Uurgggwaaaguwaah?" "What? Of course not! We're not lost..! We're just trying to find some garbage for you to eat, aren't you hungry?" Hungern happily closed his eyes and hungrily opens his mouth with his massive tongue out. "Uurgggwaaaguwaah..!" "See? Now that's what I'd like to hear! Don't worry, we'll find the nearest garbage bin we can find... Once we figure out which way to go next..." As Umbrella finished her statement, she looked over to her vast surroundings of New Meridian. They were definitely lost...

FAQs:

1. Parasoul is a huge fan of Annie and her show Annie: Girl of the Stars and this can be proven by her cameo appearance in Annie's stage, which is the filming set, apart from Peacock and Beowulf appearing, but this only happens if neither players has Parasoul as an active fighter, will Parasoul only be appearing in the background of Annie's stage. But apart from her appearance in Annie's stage level, it is also heavily implied in Umbrella's story mode that she's been watching Annie's show, also confirming Parasoul being a fangirl of Annie.

2. According to Painwheel's lore, she was actually captured by Medici Mafia, and held captive along with other refugees, such as Peacock, in No Man's Land, until Lab 0 sends Last Hope to rescue the refugees, thus competing themselves with Lab 8 operatives like Big Band, Leduc etc. This can also be backed up by Painwheel's origin story in Skullgirls: Mobile. But for the sake this story, I've decided to change things up a bit...

3. Plans for the roles of Fukua and Robo Fortune are now in the making for their introduction in future chapters.

4. Chapter 25: Hair Today Gone Tomorrow! Is in the making, and should be released anytime soon in the future.

Thank you for reading!

~Defective Demon 666~