The following story is a Skullgirls fanfiction, i own nothing but my ocs, Skullgirls is property of Autumn Games and Lab Zero.

"Man, im never going to get used to this training routine." It had been a couple of days since I started training with Akira to defeat the Skullgirl, these last few days have been the same, no exception, because of this I didn't have much time to sleep and I usually ended up all sore from training, but it was paying off, I felt stronger, my body was in better shape than it ever was, but it still took a tool on me as I couldn't get used to the demanding routine.

"Im still sore from yesterday…" I whined as I held my back with both hands, it felt like my spine was going to break at any given moment, not to mention my sore fists from punching the trees…

"C'mon kid, don't be a little whiny brat, remember were doing this to defeat the Skullgirl!" Akira said in an excited tone, I still didn't understand why he was so excited about this. We could possibly die!

"And to save our friends right?"

"your friends you mean" Akira whispered softly.

"What?" I asked not hearing his words quite clear.

"I said, yes sure why not." Akira responded giving an uninterested remark. At least he was excited for this.

I also had my motives to be excited about today, I was finally free from school! I could at last kick back and relax, that was what I would say if I didn't have a genocidal monster to catch… but hey it's better than nothing, I think…

As we made our way to the park I notice somebody standing by the sidewalk, it was Filia, she was staring at the sky, I wonder how long she had been standing there?

As I approached her she turned her head to stare at me.

"Hey-yo! How's it going Filia!"

"You look quite optimistic today, finally had a good night sleep of your own?" She formed a small smile in her face, but her eyes and the rest of her seemed to contradict that smile, almost as she was sad about something.

I wonder if it's about Carol, guess she's just worried, one day she's at school, and suddenly the other one she's completely gone, it was a weird occurrence, it seemed to affect Filia as she didn't seem to be much like herself since then, she didn't seem to be wearing her make up which was quite rare of her, she also didn't seem to be paying attention in class which again was quite rare of her, she had also stopped teasing me every day, matter of fact that had completely stopped, and while yes it was a relieve that I wouldn't have to be subject to her words it also worried me, I was fearing that she was starting to get depressed, I tried to help her cheer up, but that didn't seem to work, I had asked my dad for advice, but all he told me was to let her be, and maybe I should give her space. But I didn't want to show those worries, I wanted to be as positive as I could.

"Actually I slept like an angel. You're the one who looks like you've been without sleep for years."

"He he… I guess we switched roles for one day."

"…Hey…"

"Yes?" I was now looking at Filia straight in her eyes, I could see tear marks near her eyes, she had been devastated with all that has been happening and I may be her last friend… as such I have to at least try to cheer her up, but instead I asked…

"Is everything okay, you've been acting… different since Car..." I shut myself up before I could finish my sentence, but Filia probably already knew what I was going to say. What was I thinking! I looked at the ground for a moment thinking about my stupidity before looking back up to see Filia facing backward.

"Should we just… go?" I said, in an effort to put that embarrassing moment behind and just go on with our lives.

"Yes…" It was all she said, and in a rather mundane tone also, I hope I didn't screw everything up, last thing I would want is to make her feel worse, so maybe we should just talk about something else.

"It's… a nice weather, right?" and I just remembered that I suck at small talk.

"Yes…" It was all that she replied, it was obvious that I wasn't breaking any ice, not even scratching it, I have to think of something good… Wait, I know!

"Hey, so maybe after school you want to hang out? We could go to my house, im sure dad would be thrilled to see you again?" There's no way she could no, she loves coming to my house, even if she doesn't say it, her eyes always illuminate with something when I take her there, like some sort of happiness, my dad also liked her very much, despite her being a Medici he was very open towards her, nothing can go wrong, it's the perfect plan, infallible, completely…

My thoughts were interrupted as she suddenly stopped, I was almost going to crash against her, luckily I didn't, but what was with the sudden stop?

"I…. No thank you."

Wait….What!?

"W…What do you mean?! I thought I loved going there?"

"I do but…" Filia bit her lip, she seemed to be holding something from me, but what?

"Come on it'll be fun, trust me, beside you need to relax more, you're too stressed out."

"I really don't want to…"

"Pretty please?"

"Pietro…I...I…Don't know if I want to." I was all she said, as she started walking forwards, but I couldn't let her like this, there has to be something I can do, in a moment of desperation I grabbed a hold of her hand…

"Fil…"

…And then she slapped me, there was a moment of silence, I held my cheek and as I looked at Filia, I saw her eyes with tears, she also wore an angry look.

"I DON'T WANT TO OKAY!" She said, her voiced now raised to the limit, it was completely different from how she was talking just a few seconds ago, I stood there frozen, there was something brewing inside if me, a cold feeling, I felt my skin freezing, could this be fear? Was I now afraid of Filia? "EVERYTHING HAS BEEN A LIVING HELL, IT ALREDY WAS BUT NOW IT'S WORSE WITHOUT CAROL, AND YOU CERTAINLY AREN'T HELPING!"

"What?… I was trying to make you feel better…"

"MAKING FEEL BETTER, HERES A TIP, DON'T LIE TO ME! WHAT ABOUT THAT FOR A TIP?!" Lying, but I never have… wait… she couldn't have… I looked back at Akira who also had a shocked look, he too didn't expect this.

"WHAT, THOUGHT I WOULDN'T FIGURE I OUT?! I KNOW THAT'S NO BITE, IT'S A PARASITE, AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAD THE EFFORT TO TELL ANYBODY "So does know. But how the hell did she found out, nobody else knew about it, I think?

Filia, I don't understand I just wanted to protect you all. That's what I wanted to say, but my mouth was frozen incapable of processing my thoughts into words, so I just stood there looking at her. She was now crying, part of me wanted to hug her and tell her it was fine, but I was afraid.

After that she ran past me, I figured she was going home, again I wanted to run after her and explain everything, or just look behind me to see her one last time, but no… I couldn't I was stuck… in fear, I was afraid of my own best friend, could I even call her my friend after this?

No i couldn't, I looked at Akira, hoping at least he had something to say, preferably good things, but not even he had words for what had just happened. So I just walked forwards, I even forgot where I was heading for.

What had happened, why was Filia acting this way, now that I think about it, I haven't even payed attention to what had been happening these last few weeks, I was so concern about this whole Skullgirl situation that I had forgotten about my surroundings, I wanted to protect my friends, but I only ended up ignoring them… Hell of a friend I am…

As I looked forward I saw a man standing in front of me, his face showing no expression, he had pale skin, spiky black hair and red eyes, he kind of creeped me out. I wonder if he saw what happened?

"Do you need help?" I asked the man, but he didn't answer me, instead he just walked slowly towards me, now he was freaking me out, I took a few steps backwards, then I heard…

"RUN PIETRO!" I heard Akira screaming me to run, I stood there frozen by his words, but it didn't take me long for my legs to react, I began running, to where? I didn't know, maybe the forest is a good place.

"Akira what is happening?" I asked him unsure of why I was running in the first place.

"I don't have time to explain, im just going to warn you… be ready for a fight."

"Oh Trinity what have I done" I said to myself as I ran, I screwed everything up, why did I have to scream at Pietro like that, not only that I accused him… I accused him of something im not 100% sure about. Everything went from bad to worse.

I stopped for a while to catch my breath, my hands resting on my knees, tears starting to fall from my face, I wanted to go back home, but at the same time I didn't, I don't know anything anymore…

"You really screwed up know didn't you." Uh? Who was that?

I raise my head and started to look to the sides trying to look from were that voice came from.

"W…who said that?"

"You did. I did."

The voice said, this time I noticed I come from behind, I turned back and what I saw shocked me.

It was me, a darker me, she had the same uniform as me but her was black and dark green, she had a darker skin, much darker, and her hair and eyes were dark green, she had an evil grin, almost if she was mocking me for my incompetence.

"Who are you?" I asked still in shock of who was standing in front of me.

"I already said that didn't i?" She said as she tilt her head slightly " Im you, the real you."

"Th…The real me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sound like, my dear Filia."

"Then you're me, Filia?" The clone started to turn slightly to the left and looked to the sky, that same grin still in her face.

"Yes, but to avoid confusion, you can call me Fukua."

"Alright then Fukua… What do you want?" As I asked her, she turned around again now facing me directly, her eyes changed, they were no longer calm, they looked full of insanity, almost as if she was ready to kill me at the spot.

"I want control over you!"

"What? No!"

"Oh really, and why is that? After all you life is already in shambles." I looked back at her, my expression changed back to sadness, how did she knew this?

"How I knew this? Well its simple, Im you Filia, I've seen everything you went through, from your years as a baby, to this very moment." Fukua said, now adopting a mocking tone. "But let's get back to business shall we? Where was I, right… I want control over your body, and listen first, you already did everything wrong, so what else do you have to lose, I mean, your life at home is pathetic, your parents are never around, every single person fears you just because you're a Medici!"

"But I still have friends, I have Pietro and…"

"Carol? Please Carol went missing remember, all because you're a Medici, you may not want to admit it but it's true, Carol is missing and even possibly dead because of your blood." I didn't say anything, I didn't want to believe her, but… but… she was right, it was my fault, I shouldn't had brought Carol into my life, and because of that she… she is… "And Pietro… well aside from the fact that his dad probably hates you know… Pietro will never forgive you for calling him a liar and a host to a parasite. I mean he didn't even look back at you; he must hate your guts." She said as Fukua let a slight chuckle as she said those last words.

"No…you…. y….no…."

"Don't be stubborn… Give up."

"I don't…" I couldn't say anything, I just started to walk backwards as Fukua was starting to approach, was she right? I didn't want to admit it, but yes she was, It was all because I was a Medici, and I knew it, I dragged Pietro and Carol into my life knowing what they would have to tolerate, with me being a Medici, I was shellfish, I should have thought about them first, I was untouchable, but them? I wanted to protect my friends so hard, but I failed to protect them from me. Hell of a friend I was.

I kept going backwards, I felt like I stepped on something, the I heard…

"HAAAAAAAAA!"

I snapped, Fukua was gone, was it all a dream?

I looked down to see some weird thing, I looked hairy.

"Hey kid can't you see were you're walking!?" I heard a voice, it had a deep harsh tone, I looked around to see were the voice came from.

"Down here idiot!"

I looked down to see the black thing, but know it had a face, yellow eyes and sharp teeth, very sharp teeth.

"W...What are you?"

"Oh no, there's no need for an apology or anything, not like you steeped on my EVERYTHING!" The thing said, as it now yelled at me.

"Jeez, fine im sorry, now what are you?"

"Hell of an apology… Well I guess I'll take it, and by the way that's not a very nice question now is it?" Okay now it was starting to piss me off.

"Fine then, who are you?"

"Eh, you're lucky your a cute gall or I would quick your ass were you stand, well to answer your question, the names Samson kid, and im a parasite."

A parasite? Then I wasn't truly wrong, there was a parasite, it just wasn't attached to Pietro, still weird, there aren't a lot of parasites in the world anymore, even less here in Mapplecreast.

"Well, my names Filia Medici, and im a human as you can see, do you plan on taking my body."

"Uh? Hell no, you're cute and all, but you don't look like a fighter."

"Oh, well, what are you doing in a pace like Mapplecreast?"

"Got lost."

"Okay… so what do you plan on doing."

"Hold up kid, this isn't a Q&A, I have places to go." The parasite said as he generated tiny spider legs from his sides and started to walk away.

"Wait, please tell me."

"No"

"Please."

"No"

"Come on I won't bother you anymore."

"FINE TOU WIN" At last I finally convinced the parasite to tell me his motives "This needs to be a secret alrigth?"

"Yes."

"Okay, im after the Skullheart."

"The Skullheart? Is that why you need a strong host?"

"Yep, now I have to go."

"Wait one more thing."

"God damnit, what is it?" Samson was noticeably starting to get annoyed, but he may be my ticket out of this situation.

"Parasites give their hosts special abilities right?"

"Yeesss."

"Well, I know im not the strongest, but maybe I could help you?"

"Really now? … and why do you want to help a parasite, after all you would become public enemy number one." He said, he might be right but I have to do this… "You know that right?"

"Yes, but… I did mistakes, I put one of my friends in danger, with your help I could save her, I help you, and you help me." Samson stare at me with a neutral expression, which was weir because he always looked like he was pissed at someone, she stared at the ground in silence, I heard him say something, a name, but I couldn't hear whose name it was. "Please, I beg you."

Silence dominate the atmosphere for I while, then he finally said…

"Okay then, you'll be my new host."

"Really, thank you, but why?"

"You, remind me of someone i held very dear."

"Oh… I see."

"But…" Samson looked at me again, his face now showing seriousness. "The moment I bon with you, you will lose all your memories."

Wait what?

"W…What do you mean?"

"I can only bond to someone through their cranium, but because of this part of the brain gets damage, more specifically the part where you store memories, this doesn't only lead to amnesia, but also a complete change in personality, you will still be Filia, but different. Now is that a risk you are willing to take?"

I thought to myself, "Is that a risk im willing to take." It was a scary thought, not remembering anyone, but Im doing this to save my friends, to save Carol, so…

"Yes I am willing to take this risk!"

Samson smiled and said…

"Okay then, let's get started."

"Akira, *huff* *huff* who the hell *huff* is that guy. It's about him isn't it." I had made my way to the forest, I appeared to have distanced myself from him.

"Jeez, out of all the parasite to find, it had to be him, he isn't even supposed to be alive" Akira didn't seem to pay attention to my question, it appeared as if he was in total shock.

"AKIRA, WHO WAS THAT GUY!"

"Uh. Oh, Pietro, sorry." That got his attention, "Im not worried about that guy, im more worried about the parasite he has."

"What? He's also a host?" I said in shock, I didn't expect to find another host in Mapplecreast, it was weird.

"Well, he's not really a…"

"So, resorted to hiding did you." We both turned in shock, there he was, the pale man, how did he find us? "You should have known that wouldn't work, parasites can fell parasites, remember."

"Damn Akira he found us."

"The plan was never to hide Pietro, it was to take this fight somewhere else."

"Wait, were actually going to…"

"That's right kid, time to put that training to test." Akira turned himself into a blade for me to use, I know I have been training to fight, but I didn't expect to be put on the rope already!

"So, you do intend to fight me, that's good, im happy." The man said, as he approached me, I didn't waist one minute as I charged at him, I let out a scream and swung Akira at him, unfortunaly while the attack did hit, it didn't seem to do jackshit to him, this was bad, very bad.

"That was all?" The man said as he grabbed a hold of my arm and raised me, my feet incapable of touching the floor. "How utterly disappointing."

He then threw me against a tree, the impact hurt, but I was still able to get back up.

"I had hoped you would have picked a better host for this fight, at last you picked trash." Did he just call me worthless? Oh that's it.

I charged at him again, I swung Akira again, but he blocked again, that's what I wanted as I proceeded to roundhouse kick him in the side, unfortunaly again, the attack didn't affect him, he only looked down on me and gave me a taunting smile.

"Bastard, take this!" I said as I swung a fist at him, but he dodged and gave me a fist of his own, directly onto my stomach, as I kneeled in pain he took advantage and kicked me against another tree, this time I stood sitting near that tree.

"Akira, why are our attack not working."

"It's his abilities, his body can turn into a substance about 10x harder than diamond, not even I can cut through that."

"Why didn't you warn me about that?!"

"I was, but you started to charge against him immediately!"

We had no time to argue as the moment we turned around there was a tree about to collide against us, luckily I was able to jump out of the zone of impact in time.

"Come on, provide a bit of entertainment, or at least a warm up, that would be nice" The man kept on taunting, he was starting to get on my nerves a lot, but I had to keep my mind chill, my attack are basically useless against him, what can I do.

I didn't have much time to think as it was the man's turn to charge against me, I was able to dodge his tackle, but he then delivered a side kick, which I was also able to dodge, he raised both hands in the form of a axehandle and swung them from up, Akira turned himself into a shield in time for me to block the attack, it was a powerful one as it had made a dent in Akira's shield body.

"Gah, shit that hurt!"

I was now cornered against a tree, and the man was now going to tackle me, but there was still one escape, I jumped above the pale man as his body went crashing against the tree, the whole thing had collapsed on top of him.

"Now's our change let's run!"

"It's pointless, he will find us regardless!" Akira said, but I had already started running, but as I ran I tripped I went to see what my foot got caught at only to see a hand, it was the pale man's hand, I was shocked how in the hell did he dig so fast?!

The man raised himself from the ground to reveal his body completely harmless, apart from the dirt all over his body. I was now upside down as my head far from the ground, it showed the insane height disadvantage that I had against this dude.

"You're like a rat you know, your fast and agile, but you're such a pain the ass to deal with." He now looked annoyed at me, it seemed like he was reading something, he raised me into the air, and slammed me with all his strength against the hard ground, he did this various times before he stopped and release me from his grip, the pain was unbearable, even with Akira's abilities, I felt like I had broken bones, no I was sure I had broken bones.

"This was disappointing, I was expecting you to be a bigger threat, considering you were handpicked by Akira." The man turned backward and was now on his merry way out of the forest.

"I'll let you live now, but next time I won't be so merciful…" It was all he said as I watched him exit the forest, I stared at the sky for a while, then I said.

"We got our asses served." Akira replied with.

"Yep."

"By the way, he seemed to know you, who is he?"

Akira let a small sigh, the proceeded to explain.

"Remember how I said I used to be the Prophet of Gehenna?"

"Yes."

"Well, that theon was the Prophet before me, Midas. We Prophets had a single purpose, we were the personal guardians of Queen Lamia, matter of fact Midas was birthed from Queen Lamia herself, which explained his abnormal power."

"So were you also birthed by Queen Lamia?"

"No, normally parasites are born from a tree, the Axis Mundi, the tree has a fruit and in that fruit there's a parasite, but Midas was different, he was an experiment, a successful one by that."

"So then, what happened?"

"Power, that's what happened, Midas was so powerful he thought he should be the ruler of Gehena. Unsurprisingly he was beaten by Queen Lamia and sentenced to death, and I was selected as the next prophet, although my run didn't last long as Sekhmet began her rampage, that's probably how Midas got out alive probably."

"I see, so were what about his host."

"That isn't a host."

"Uh?" I asked surprised, how could he survive then?

"Normal parasites need hosts to keep themselves alive, but because Midas was birthed by the Queen herself, not only can he keep himself alive without the need of a host but he can also adopt a human form to use outside."

"So were dealing with a shapeshifting power hungry parasite?"

"Basically, he's probably also after the Skullheart."

"Damn, that puts a dent in our plans."

"We won't be the only ones after it Pietro. This is Skull that can make a persons most wanted dreams into reality, more people will probably be after the heart."

There was a moment of silence, that was tough, if any of these challengers were to try and claim the Skullheart, it would be a problem, not only do we have the Skullgirl to worry about, but also these people, but…

"Im confident, we have each other, besides they can the any tougher then Midas." …Im not doing this for some wish.

"Ha, you got that right, I say let them come we'll kick their asses."

"That's right, hey by the way can I move now?"

"Go ahead, you should be okay now."

I started to get back up, it took a while but eventually I was standing on both my feet, before I go home I have to go see Filia.

"What do you mean she isn't here."

"Sorry, but Ms Filia has been missing for a while now, we have already contacted authorities about it, so just be patient." The maid said as she closed the door, I was shocked, Filia was missing? Did I have something to do with this, damnit it's my fault.

"Hey Akira?"

"Yes Pietro?"

"Since im helping you, would you mind helping me?" I asked him, he already knew who I was referring to.

"Well, it does seem fair."

We were now home, I entered my house to see my dad lying on the couch reading a newspaper.

"hey Piet… Holy Trinity what happened to you?!" My dad said as he got out of the couch and approached me, concern filling his face, "did you fall off a mountain or something?"

"Oh ummm…" I didn't know what to say to avoid this situation I had forgotten that I was still messed up from my fight with Midas.

My dad had a more serious expression on his face, and he asked what I had feared he would…

"Take off you bandage."

"Oh dad it's j…"

"Take it off." He said again a strong feel of fear took me, so I took my bandage and my shirt off to reveal Akira.

"H…Hey, you must be Giovanni DeCapre, I heard such good things about you."

My dad at first looked shocked, but eventually he sat on the couch, what was he going to say?

"Pietro we need to talk."

"W…What is it, dad."

"Im not your real father, you alredy know that rigth?"

"Yes, I do"

"Well, I have hidden this from you far too long, you friend Filia came here a few weeks ago, and what she said opened my eyes, she was right I was afraid of failing, afraid that your past would come back to haunt you again, and that I would have failed to protect you."

"Dad…" I wasn't understanding what he was trying to achieve with this, but it was obvious that it was important as my dad started to tear up, Akira reached for a tissue which he handed to my dad.

"Thank you… Pietro you father, was man, a very important man, and his name was Tomasso Vietri."

Vietri, wait, Akira said something about them, he was looking for a Vietri that's right, but what made them so… wait.

"You mean Vietri as in the stories?"

"Yes, just like the stories, which are all truth and not fiction."

Silence dominated the room, I was a Vietri, just like the stories, both me and my dad remained silent, but Akira seemed thrilled.

"YES, YES, YES I KNEW, I KNEW YOU WERE A VIETRI, I JUTS KNEW IT WITH HAIR LIKE THAT YOU HAD TO BE ONE, OH MAN THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE." I gestured Akira to shut up, a hint which he took.

"Im sorry for not telling you anything, I was selfish for keeping this secret to myself."

"No, you don't need to apologize, matter of fact I should be thanking you for looking after me for all these years, even though I wasn't yours you looked after me, and even with my "curse" you made the sacrifice never the less. Thank you dad."

He didn't say anything as he hugged me with all his force, almost crushing my lungs and what not.

"Dad, your crushing me."

"Oh sorry, im sorry hehe." He released me as he let a laugh out, I saw tears falling from his face. "Son, you probably already know this, but your parasite told you about the Skullgirl right?"

I hesitated for a while, I didn't want to worry my dad, but, I had to do this.

"Yes he did, and yes I do intend to fight her."

My father only smiled at this, and said

"Well then, be careful."

"Uh, you're actually going to let go through with this."

"It's fate, I might not like it, but it is the destiny of a Vietri."

"Thank you, dad." Now it was my turn to hug him, we stayed like this for a while, I can't disappoint him, defeat the Skullgilrl, save Carol and Filia, and come back to my father in one piece, I promise.

It was time, this was the day, I went outside and looked around, it was a beautiful day, but for me it was a decisive one, I looked at myself one last time, I was wearing a white shirt, blue loose jean with a black leather belt and white sneakers. I looked behind to see my dad with a smile on his face, I returned the smile and went to my destination, New Meridian.

I looked at Akira, he gave a look of confidence, i responded with a look of confidence myself.

"Lets do This Akira"

"You be it Pietro"

It was time. Watch out Skullgirl, Pietro Vietri is Coming for you

"Attention all passengers, we have arrived at our last destination, New Meridian."

There were a lot of people in this time of the year visiting the city, either to go to the prestigious River King Casino, check the famous Cirque Des Cartes, try to catch a concert at Basquet's Den, or just try some of Little Insmouths exquisite food, but one man had different ideas.

"So, this is New Meridian, uh? Not bad, not bad at all." His long blonde hair stood out from the crowd of people, he had blue eyes, white skin and was wearing a dark blue two-piece suit and black dress shoes. "Man can't wait to find all the hotties this city has to offer, but first…"

He was know outside of the station, the blue sky looked beautiful in the city, the blimps, the big buildings, the aroma of the city itself and the many different people passing by gave it a look of beauty.

"Watch out Skullgirl, Alexander Nova is coming for you!"

I am so so sorry for such a late chapter, i kinda hit a wall and didn't have much ideas for this chapter, im sorry if this one looks rushed.

This chapter is also the conclusion to the first act, the next few chapter will be from the perspective of our new player Alexander Nova. Ill write his profile next chapter.

Any way hopefully ill see you guys next chapter (if i release it in time that is)