*Valentine is on her knees in front of the Skullgirl. Her teammates corpses scattered around her.*
Valentine:
(I guess I don't have any choice...)
(It's up to her, now... Painwheel will need to finish what I couldn't.)
Marie:
Valentine, there are those that would interfere with my plan.
Infiltrate Lab 8, and see to it they do not.
Valentine:
As you wish, Marie - I'll leave at once.
------------
Valentine:
...What's this? Painwheel?
Painwheel:
YOU! You'll pay for what you did to me, Valentine!
Valentine:
Killing me isn't part of your directive... which means you must be somehow resisting Brain Drain's control.
You'd have to be incredibly strong to overcome his influence.
I wonder...
I think this warrants further study!
------------
Painwheel:
NO...!
Valentine:
Hmph, pathetic! I thought I made you better than this, Painwheel.
You're a failure - you'll never fulfill your purpose and defeat the Skullgirl.
Painwheel:
My purpose!? My purpose is to destroy YOU!
Valentine:
...You are persistent, I'll give you that.
Maybe you just need more time.
Listen, weakling - if you're going to have any hope of exacting your revenge, you're going to have to be a lot stronger than that.
If you ever get the nerve to try again, I'll be waiting for you in the Grand Cathedral.
Painwheel:
AUGH! I WILL kill you.
Valentine:
Good - I'm counting on it.
-----------
*Valentine arrives at the Cathedral to find Painwheel being defeated by Double*
Painwheel:
...NNGH! NO!
Double:
You have failed, creature.
The Trinity is not without mercy, and so I will make your death a quick one.
Valentine:
...Stop, Double!
Double:
So the double-crosser finally drops her ruse. And for what, this... experiment of yours?
Valentine:
That experiment is my insurance policy!
Double:
The Trinity does not look kindly upon traitors!
-----------
Valentine:
You're still not ready, Painwheel... but maybe some day you won't be totally useless.
Painwheel:
Don't patronize me, Valentine! I WILL get stronger and I WILL destroy you!
Valentine:
It's too late for that - I'll have to take care of this myself.
And if I can't, come find me and we'll try again. And again. Until you finally succeed.
Painwheel:
Come back here! This isn't over!
Valentine:
Take care, Painwheel.
*Valentine enters the Catacombs*
Valentine:
Sorry, Marie - I quit!
Marie:
We knew this day would come. It was inevitable... and inconsequential.
Destroying Lab 8 and Project: Peacock was all that was required of you.
Valentine:
Glad there aren't any hard feelings, then.
I know what you really are and why you're here - you're nothing more than a pawn, just like me.
But you let me get too close - even if I die today, my research will aid the labs for generations.
You got that? We're coming for you and your masters, monster - count on it.
Marie:
...Enough.
--------------
Valentine:
There... it's done.
Now, what should I do with the Skull Heart?
I can't bring back The Last Hope - I know how those wishes turn out.
- Choice A: “Become the Skullgirl...”
- Choice B: “Seal away the Skull Heart.”
--------------
Ending A
Valentine:
I'm heading deeper into enemy lines... and I'll be waiting for you, Painwheel.
Skull Heart, I wish to become the Skullgirl!
--------------
Ending B
Valentine:
The cycle must stop.
Destroying the heart will only delay the inevitable and make matters worse - there's no telling where the new heart will emerge.
For years I waited, researching the heart inside you, Marie.
These tags I developed will nullify the heart's theonic energy and allow me to safely seal the Heart away in Lab Zero's vault.
...If director Brain Drain will take me back.
*Valentine returns to Lab 0"
Brain Drain:
...Excellent work.
You have succeeded where countless others have failed, Valentine.
Valentine:
Thank you, director.
Again, I apologize for the deception, but it was the only way to get close to the Skullgirl.
Brain Drain:
Yes... About that...
Brain Drain:
This “deception” of yours cost too many lives. One, in particular.
My dear Christmas died because of your betrayal, and that is not something I will forgive so easily.
Valentine:
No, you don't understand...!
*Brain Drain presumably captures Valentine*
Brain Drain:
Begin implanting the control mechanism.
Assistants:
Yes, doctor.
Administering 50cc's of Roprynzonal.
Brain Drain:
Implantation complete.
Assistant:
No signs of rejection, Doctor.
Skull Heart:
Did you really think it would be that easy?
Such arrogant creatures you humans are!
As long as the Heart beats, your world's end marches ever closer.
Brain Drain:
Transmitting primary imprint... now.
Valentine:
AUUUUUUGGGHHHH!
