Assassin (Fate/Crossover - Valentine)

**Assassin** (アサシン, *Asashin*) is the servant of ??? in the ??? Holy Grail War.

*"This may sting... [whispering] a bit."* - Valentine

## Profile

### Identity

Assassin's true identity is **Valentine**, the only survivor of the Last Hope, a group of special Anti-Skullgirl Lab operatives. Before meeting their end at the hands of the Skullgirl, the Last Hope worked for the mysterious Lab Zero and performed duties ranging from reconnaissance and sabotage to advanced research.

Now Valentine dutifully serves the Skullgirl, carrying out her will from the shadows. She keeps to herself, so much of her true nature and personality are unknown.

### Personality

As her bio suggests, little is truly known about Valentine apart from her service as a Last Hope operative and servant of the Skullgirl. Her motive to join the Skullgirl was chiefly out of self-preservation, but also in the hopes of researching the powers that control the Skull Heart behind enemy lines. Despite taking orders from higher powers, Valentine's actions are largely influenced by her own personal agenda.

What precious little that is known about Valentine is evidenced in her story mode and combat dialogue. She often comes across as impersonal and condescending, with little emotional fluctuation. She does not hesitate to resort to murder and, aside from feeling slight guilt toward Painwheel, has no real morality.

An interview with Alex Ahad states that despite her demeanor Valentine "acts like a jerk" to conceal her good intent and emotions. It should be noted that in her origin story from Skullgirls Mobile she is very capable of showing genuine concern for those around her such as the Last Hope, the No Man's Land survivors/refugees which included a mutilated Patricia, and Carol before she became Painwheel, going as far as to ask Brain Drain for another, more suitable candidate. During the Last Hope’s mission to rescue a group of child refugees Valentine goes against Chirstmas' orders and puts her mission on hold in favor of applying immediate medical attention to those in need. Christmas even acknowledges Valentine's act of kindness, calling her generous, seemingly overlooking her insubordination in favor of this.

As mentioned prior Valentine had a tendency to go against orders from her superiors to pursue what she feels is right. Patty refers to Valentine as an overachiever with a big ego. Easter, though jokingly, backs this claim up.

Valentine has shown a fondness for medical science and learning, and often refers to her own actions as parts of "experiments" or "research". This is especially apparent when she encounters Ms. Fortune, and becomes intrigued to Ms. Fortune's paradoxical existence to the point of attacking her with the intent of cutting her open.

Combat dialogue between Valentine and Parasoul hint that the two knew each other in the past (though this is never elaborated in any story mode). She hates Brain Drain so much that she became an assasin to kill him.

## Abilities

Valentine fights like a classic ninja, using acrobatics, a variety of hospital-themed weapons, and a few ninjutsu-based techniques. Her fighting style emphasizes air attacks and combos to compensate for the fairly low damage output of her individual strikes.

Valentine's primary weapon is a large bonesaw holstered in the pack on her waist. The large crosses on her legs can be used as throwing stars or enhancements to her kicks, being able to move along her legs and spin rapidly. Another of Valentine's weapons is a large IV pole with sharp points on both ends, which she can use to slash and stab her opponents. She also has a seemingly-unlimited supply of scalpels and syringes to use on her enemies, as well as a number of chemicals that can be delivered through the latter.

### Noble Phantasm

#### **Dead on Arrival**

Same as Mortuary Drop, only Valentine will land them behind a hospital partition and perform bloody surgery on them.

## References

https://skullgirls.fandom.com/wiki/Valentine

https://vsbattles.fandom.com/wiki/Valentine\_(Skullgirls)