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Warning: The story is the continuation of DragonStorm's Danganronpa story and contains spoilers about the said tale. If you wish to read the prequel first, refer to DragonStorm's signature.
Another Warning: This story may or may not contain gruesome descriptions of teens and adults being tormented by their own sanity. If dark plots aren't your thing, you are free to leave the thread.
Another Warning: This story may or may not contain gruesome descriptions of teens and adults being tormented by their own sanity. If dark plots aren't your thing, you are free to leave the thread.
Chapter 1: A ¤ New ¤ Beginning
Chapter 1-1: To ¤ Ward ¤ From ¤ Despair
Chapter 1-2: An ¤ Old ¤ Acquaintance
Just as the effects of the sleeping gas were diminishing, lights suddenly went back on. Everyone's waking up one by one, still distracted by the peculiar happenings. Is it faulty wiring? Unlikely. Is it a prank? Possibly. All they know is that things aren't getting funny anymore.
"Oh for Pete's sake, quit the trolling and actually start the meeting! I expected this to be a proper meeting, considering that we're all adults." Lucifer Yamato said. "Well, too bad goth guy! I'm a teen! T-E-E-N. I'm not yet as edgy as you guys are. Plus, there's two teenagers here." Zyla Kul said, still unaware of everyone's current mood. "Well, everyone take your seats. We'll now formally start our meeting." Jen declared the start of their first meeting.
However, before Jen even got to continue, the large television suddenly turned on.
"No way! Our mascot's a dumb teddy bear? BOOOOOOOORING!" Säbel insulted the screen's appearance. "Pathetic, what makes you think that's our mascot? ..and to think that you're that gal who gets straight As." Penelope wittingly responded. "Cosmic Nicola, is this one of your ploys to joke around?" Yamamoto questioned Cosmic out loud, before the screen started projecting animations.
"Puhuhuhuhu, cancel your dumb meeting this instant, 'ol friend!" The teddy bear on the screen jokingly said to Jen, laughing weirdly at the misfortunes. "Well, what are you waiting for? Sit down. Look at the bright sky at the windows. We'll have my meeting instead!" The teddy bear continued to talk comically. "Who's this freak? How is that imbecile your friend? Answer me, Jen!" Andrew said nervously, as if he doesn't like what's happening. "Oh, you haven't told them yet dearsie?" The teddy bear asked Jen cutely, showing animated blushes at its cheeks.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Monokuma, your friendly and honest bear! Your founder Jen Morgan chose me to be the headmaster for the following school year. Got it memorized?" The teddy bear said, then danced to a silly tune that started to play all of a sudden. "Y-you, my headmaster? Over my dead body, you psychopath!" Jen shouted in fear, shaking violently. "Oh dear, I think she'll palpitate at this rate. Go calm her down." Hannah commanded everyone on the room. "Don't worry m'lady! She's peeerfectly fiiine." Monokuma jokingly said, glaring at Hannah's face.
"How do you still exist, you murdering freak?! I'll find you Kuma Mettaton, and I'll kill you again if I have to!" Jen shouted, as if she's reaching her breaking point. She didn't survive that event, only to experience a similar one. "Killings? I'm going to grab some popcorn." Akitara jokingly said, as she opened the door. Strangely, the door opened. However, she didn't expect what to see when she opened the door.
Death #1 - George Budiman
"Oh, Ultimate Despair Fangirl! Are you forgetting something?" Monokuma (as Mettaton's voice) taunted, as if he's about to lay down an obvious prank. "Me, forget something? Except the popcorn, there's none!" Akitara confidently shouted back, continuing to walk through the hallway. A lot of hallway monitors went on with the same video feed that's seen on the meeting room. On the screen is Monokuma tapping his feet rapidly, getting impatient every second.
"You made me want to do this the hard way. Get back in the room." Monokuma said, snapping his bear hands. After Monokuma snapped his hands, a table levitated then flew straight to Akitara's face, knocking the despair fangirl unconscious. The table then continued to push Akitara back to the meeting room, then the windows suddenly went shut with thick iron bars, completely blocking the sunlight.
"..yet you told us that we can enjoy the sunlight. What a man of his word." Wiverna Neutron said, which angered Monokuma a bit more. "I changed my mind. Perhaps the Ultimate Angel of Death would like the atmosphere even more. Look on the bright side, there's no more unnecessary Vitamin D that will pierce through your skin! Upupupupupupu.." Monokuma responded childishly.
"Your laugh changed!" Jacques said, surprised at the bear's indecisiveness. "Terribly sorry if you find my laughter odd, Ultimate Business Manager! It's just that.." Monokuma said with his vanilla, childish voice. "..I'm a bit rusty." Monokuma said, but this time in George's voice. "Kuma Mettaton, CONFESS. You trapped George in a room and forced him to talk to us like this!" Jen desperately said. Her breakdown's near indescribable, but let's just say that it looks extremely unpleasant.
"Easy there, pathetic madwoman! That Ultimate Solver's dead, so what? It's not like you can stay like that forever! Gyahahaha!" Monokuma said in a familiar voice that only Jen and Gore recognizes. "Is this some foolish thing that this 'Mettaton Kuma' is pulling so that he could plunge us into insanity? That's 'cause I'm not liking it! Quit messing with our minds! Show yourself, coward!" Gore said furiously, acting awry just because he heard a dead friend's voice.
"Quit blabbering! I'll proceed onto the meeting. Everyone good?" Monokuma said in his original voice. "You see, we can totally do team building right now!" Monokuma continued. "What's a great team if you have members who barely know each others?" Monokuma said, chuckling loudly. "So you can be a bit fun, hm?" Zyla complimented Monokuma's odd antics.
"That's the spirit! You remind me of a delightful Despair named Aunos. The first and only activity is simple!" Monokuma continued. "Is it killing each other? DON'T FABRICATE YOUR DEPRAVED INTENTS!" Jen hysterically shouted, becoming a bit more ravaging than before. "Well, bingo! Not exactly bingo, but near-bingo! Not exactly the same one before, but better!" Monokuma said, somehow like an ad or something persuasive.
"It's killing, but better! You can go on a killing spree! You're free to kill during some time provided, with a countdown shown on every monitor. When the timer goes out, you'll be sleeping like babies in no time! Well, one of you doesn't, and they get a one-way ticket to killing! Well, if nobody kills, the game's over! A trust exercise, if you put it in a brighter way!" Monokuma said, shifting voices sometimes. "Better keep it entertaining for everyone, since it's your first fun activity!" Monokuma continued, as he disappears from the monitor.
As expected, timers have been visible on every monitor of the establishment. With fourteen people with little to no intents in killing, things could end up a bit more pacifistic than before.
Chapter 1-3: The ¤ Past ¤ Bites ¤ Back
"Kill each other? We're not war-hungry freaks. All of us will survive. Well, except for poor George." Stephen Roarings said, hoping that everything's a joke. It doesn't look like a joke however, since even Jen's freaking out. There's four hours left on the timer, while others are still confused.
Half an hour of dead air passed, and Akitara finally regained consciousness. Others aren't really doing anything other than sit down and stare at the monitor of the meeting room, so Akitara's sudden scream was easily heard.
"AAAAAHH!" Akitara shouted. She caught the attention of everyone in the room. "Thank goodness you're finally awake. Did you see how that table smacked you?" Säbel worriedly said, shaking Akitara to ensure that the despair fangirl is wide awake. "Don't worry about that table, I just had the best dream!" Akitara enthusiastically responded. "Quit the cliffhanger! Spit it out already." Lucifer said angrily, getting impatient at the terrible 'team building' activity they've been forced to participate at.
"Eureka, eureka! I can finally bypass the mortal life's boundaries!" Akitara shouted, as she went to grab a chair. "It's easy, trust me! I just need blood of a fallen servant of the Almighty!" Akitara said even more, forcing herself to shout at her peak. "..and you know what? We have one here right now!" Akitara continued, glaring despairingly at Lucifer.
"You do know that his Ultimate title may be a metaphor, hm? You may need to understand art more." Stephen said, urging Akitara to back off using his draw tablet; it was ridiculous yet rightful at the current moment. "Knock it off, blind plebeian. I know that the one and only art is everything Japan! May the yōkai devour your pathetic mind! Nyahahahaha!" Akitara shouted maniacally, preparing to knock Lucifer down and take what she needs to be immortal.
"Eugh, is this professionalism for you? You're board members, not whiny kids who believe in dumb s***!" Zyla exclaimed, somehow being more mature than everyone else in the room. "Mind your language, young lad. Let the elites talk." Säbel pridefully said, shunning Zyla completely. "Whatever b****s, I'm on my way to be immortal! Move away or your mortal lives are at stake!" Akitara shouted, as she grabs Stephen's draw tablet and throws it on the ground.
"That's it, you weird scum! I'm making my next artwork with your blood!" Stephen said furiously, maddened about his broken draw tablet. "Stop it. If you two will resort to murder then I have no choice but to prevent you two." Andrew said intimidatingly, which somehow made others grab Akitara and Stephen away from each other. They had no choice but to place them on separate rooms and let the two simmer down. Andrew then suggested that Lucifer would distance himself from Akitara for now, since the delusional despair fangirl's slowly losing her sanity.
"..but what if one of them is the mastermind?" Cosmic said, which created a wall of doubts if leaving each of them alone is beneficial to everyone's survival. "That can't be. You know, it's hard to pull off such thing. Only Jen knows about this Kuma Mettaton guy and we know that she's too preoccupied to perform such thing." Penelope said, looking at every corner. "Oh, speaking about Jen.. why is she acting all strange and awry?" Gore said, hoping that he can squeeze out information about the New Steel incident.
"T-THAT THING? FI-INE, I'll spit it out." Jen said, somehow starting to finally calm down. "It's a long story actually." Jen continued. She then proceeded to make a long summary of everything she knew about the event. The killing game, the victims, the deaths... everything. She cried a lot of times while narrating, but she kept her sanity. Right after the despairing story, Hannah stood up.
"Just as I perceived it to be like. I have suspicions about this Kuma Mettaton, but I can't point it out exactly what I have in mind." Hannah said, with fear on her eyes. She's never like this for at least a decade. It's as if she's finally afraid of something already. "..don't you think he's.." Jacques asked, but he was interrupted by his sister. "It is best to not talk about these matters. We have to find an exit. I don't think we can outsmart the one behind this." Hannah immediately said, as she leaves the room.
"You kept that all as a secret? How could you LIE to everyone!" Gore angrily said. He was extremely emotional. He doesn't show his feelings that much ever since he found that his best friend Shaguru was dead, but he's dead furious about this. His friend, killed by another guy without him having any chance to defend his friend? Definitely not okay. "Calm down. I know that's a huge burden to carry, and Jen is suffering every day just because of that. Cheer up, won't you guys?" Wiverna sympathetically said. "There's a reason to why we're all here. I say we follow Hannah's steps and go investigate." Yamamoto said, trying to remove the air of guilt inside the room.
"Whatever, dorky sureshot." Lucifer said, attempting to bring up his rivalry with Yamamoto. "As I said. Professionalism." Zyla said with a touch of sarcasm in his tone.
Chapter 1-4: A ¤ Fallen ¤ Thought
The Ross siblings knew that the monitors around surely are operated through a PA system. What better place would a PA system be at than the headmaster's office? Surely for Hannah, the headmaster will be able to use the PA system efficiently, as it will be most certainly used for school announcements, or even several less useful things such as the lost and found and even a school radio.
There's only one question for the two; where could the headmaster's office be located? It had to be placed strategically so the students would still be monitored properly. Possibly also easy to reach, which could mean that it's at the ground floor. Quick as a bullet, Hannah and Jacques ran down to the ground floor. As they are onto the first floor, the staircases were barricaded by steel, impenetrable by bare hands. Nothing around would be enough to whittle the barricade to progress further.
"I guess we don't have another way to get down to the source of this." Jacques said. "Don't just give up, we're not known for mediocrity!" Hannah said with burning passion to hunt down the mastermind. "Aren't you overreacting? Clearly, this is just a drill set up by Jen." Jacques said sarcastically. "You think this is a joke? We know who's behind all this. It's neither of us who's the mastermind. An external force is toying with us." Hannah pondered loudly, leaving Jacques half-clueless on where she's going.
Back on the top floor where the meeting room is located, Penelope and Yamamoto are making their own investigations at the staff lounge. Others really just see the two making an excuse to relax. They can't be bothered that much, because things went a bit too tense. "Oh, the staff lounge is terrific! Let me just tweet this." Penelope said while relaxing herself at a massage couch. She opened her mobile phone, only to realize that there's no signal, or even a WiFi connection. "Dagnabbit, it won't let me connect to the interwebs!" Penelope said in distress. "Really? The WiFi router is on, and I doubt that it's malfunctioning. Let me check my mobile phone." Yamamoto responded curiously.
There's no WiFi signal; there's also no other way to communicate to the outside world. "Things must be awry right now, but I'm pretty much sure that the mastermind thought about this perfectly. They could've installed a signal jammer to prevent other outside forces from interfering with his lust for bloodshed." Yamamoto said, partly panicking. "We should lock the door to keep ourselves safe!" Penelope desperately said, while sweating heavily whilst the room being air conditioned. "Have you forgotten already? The room is already locked. Our key cards can open them, so there's no point." Yamamoto argued. "Well, we could barricade the door." Penelope said, somehow trying to keep the both of them at such a cozy place. Greedy yet rightful.
Meanwhile at the men's staff locker room, Lucifer and Stephen are making their own argument whether to take a swim to chill down or not. "Certainly, you're trying to do the opposite of cooling my temper down!" Stephen shouted at Lucifer, slightly disappointed that his chaperone isn't doing what he's supposed to do. "If only you take other's advice, you'll be in euphoria instead of stress hell!" Lucifer maddeningly taunted. "You just want to be lustful, you promiscuous angel-demon whatever!" Stephen shouted more furiously than when his draw tablet was broken. "You idiot, I'm not into men!" Lucifer said, as he pushed Stephen to the bench. The angel of death then left the locker room to enjoy the swimming pool.
The speakers suddenly produced a muffled sound, and the timers on the monitors were replaced with Monokuma again. "Upupupupupu.. some couple's quarreling at such a lovey place!" Monokuma spoke in his childish voice. "Say, don't you think flirting excessively isn't part of this magnificent team building activity?" Monokuma continued, but in Kuma Mettaton's tone. "ARGH, every time I hear that imbecilic conjurer's voice, I want to destroy his face completely! Show yourself coward!" Jen insisted on fighting the mastermind head-on. "Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, I'm going to go for your head!" Jen continued blabbering threats alone at the meeting room.
Surprisingly, Monokuma bothered to reply to Jen's pathetic cries of rage. "My bear-y good face, only to be destroyed by the Ultimate Eagle-Eye? Don't make me laugh, wimp!" Monokuma taunted with his childish voice. "Don't even bother destroying security cameras, dear." Monokuma continued. "You see, but I see more. In fact, I see everything! Gyahahahaha!" Monokuma said, but with Akitara's despairing voice. "Oopsies, I didn't want to ruin the surprise." Monokuma said, back with his own cute voice. "As you may know now, miss Ultimate Despair Fangirl is dead!" Monokuma continued, before performing his infamous laugh once more.
Death #2 - Akitara Sakura
"You sly bear! Why are you attempting to torment me? I thought you had enough of that first mutual killing!" Jen shouted ferociously, as she ran out to the hallway, holding a pocket knife on her hand. Minutes after her going around aimlessly to seek the mastermind's lair, the alarms on the monitors went off, signaling the end of the first free time. Luckily for Lucifer, he swiftly went out of the pool to prevent drowning.
As expected, canisters containing sleeping gas were dispatched onto every room — all but one. Everyone quickly went to sleep, and only Stephen was left conscious.
"Ultimate Artist, it's time to make a new masterpiece." Monokuma said.
Chapter 2: The ¤ Hunt ¤ Continues
Chapter 2-1: Fallen ¤ Angel ¤ Fell ¤ Into ¤ Despair
After the attacker's phase, everyone simultaneously woke up, with little idea of what happened. There was no sign of the game ending, so they already know that someone died while they're forced to sleep. Jacques and Hannah were first to continue their own investigations, while looking for another path to reach the ground floor. First, they attempted to check the rooms on different floors efficiently, looking for odd things that could be lying around. They have heard that Akitara died hours earlier, but they don't know where the crime scene is; they also even don't know how Akitara died. The only information they have is Monokuma's official announcement of her death.
"Seriously, why would you need to know every detail?" An annoyed Jacques said to his sister. Jacques is slightly getting impatient about his sister's antics. "You know that we're dealing with it, hm?" Hannah replied sternly. "We need to find hidden spots around." Hannah continued in a calmer voice. "Sis, isn't finding a hiding place illogical to do? We know its capabilities." Jacques responded in a confused tone, as if there's something different form what he knows from what his sister knows. "No, you silly hog. Do you think a George piñata is possible to create with little time? There certainly are no party materials to pin cuts nearby of colorful foil to his skin." Hannah said, further pointing out that there could be hidden compartments around.
"..and you know that neither of us are part of the school's construction. That leaves us to either the ones who built the school and Jen as the mastermind." Hannah continued. "You know, anyone with enough wits can pull out this stunt, huh? The mastermind can still be unfamiliar with some of the places, yet can still maneuver us to despair." Jacques argued about Hannah's branch of thoughts. As the two were busy conversing, Gore suddenly tapped Jacques' back.
"Whoa, how did you suddenly get here?" Jacques asked with a slight of interest. "Y'know, being out of the spotlight is my thing. Your coherent discussion is what I'm seeking for while on a storm." Gore said, willingly bumping into the siblings' discussion. "Sure, we won't mind. A different perspective could help us solve this crime. So, did you find where Akitara's corpse is lying down?" Hannah said plainly. "Oh, yes. I witnessed the whole crime happening. I heard Andrew and Akitara arguing at the auditorium, so I tried to check what they're fighting about." Gore narrated without even shedding a drop of sweat.
"They were arguing about shallow topics. Andrew became irritated the more Akitara blabbered. At one point when Andrew decided to lock her up alone, Akitara threatened him with his life, saying that a mortal's blood could temporarily work out for her, until she gets her hands on Lucifer. That's when things became aggressive." Gore continued narrating.
"You're a tough shell for such a nerdy lady. Don't make me laugh with your silly threats, that won't work against me." Andrew said, grabbing Akitara at the collar of her blouse. "Me, a comedy freak? No way, José. You're going down." Akitara said in a gloomy tone, as she proceeded to grab a scalpel in her pocket. A short moment of close-range combat initiated. Akitara had the advantage due to her weapon, while Andrew was left to deal with the problem with his own fists. However, Andrew seized the scalpel a minute after. He incapacitated Akitara, dragged her outside the auditorium. Akitara was loudly pleading for a truce, but Andrew seems to ignore the pleads of mercy.
Gore stealthily followed Andrew around, as Andrew went to the biology lab. Andrew then hid Akitara on a cabinet under a sink, and locked the cabinet with a metal rod to prevent the Ultimate Despair Fangirl from escaping. Andrew came back minutes later holding flasks filled with various chemicals. Andrew then released Akitara from the sink. Akitara then desperately grabbed a nearby stool then smacked Andrew with it. Angrily, Andrew grabbed a microscope then bludgeoned the lady multiple times, mostly at the lower extremities.
Akitara cried for help with her last breath, as Andrew poured down the chemicals over her face.
Andrew then looked around for any witnesses, then when the coast was clear, he hid Akitara back on the sink cabinet. After all that, he walked out of the biology lab as if nothing happened.
"That fool! I knew he wasn't one to be trusted!" Jacques shouted sympathetically, showing signs of condolences toward Akitara's death. He didn't care whether Akitara deserved it or not, but he's maddened mainly by Andrew's misconduct. "Don't let pathos get on your nerves. We'll head to the biology lab." Hannah said calmly, despite hearing Akitara's last misfortune. "Gore, take this. Ring us through the handheld transceiver if Andrew's far from the lab. We don't want him to meddle with our investigation." Hannah said, while handing a walkie-talkie to Gore. "I don't think that will work, the signals are jammed." Gore said, but he was quickly interrupted by Hannah. "The jammer doesn't affect the handheld transceivers. It only seems to affect mobile connections." Hannah said, ensuring that her plan will end up foolproof.
Meanwhile, Cosmic and Zyla went to the men's pool. There, they saw the third victim of the killing game.
Death #3 - Lucifer Yamato
Zyla even made a joke about it. "Oh, the irony! The so-called Angel of Death faced his own death." Zyla jokingly said, even bursting out a laugh. "I remember someone who said something about professionalism. I wonder where that guy went." Cosmic sarcastically said. The two chuckled a little, then ran back to the meeting room to report their findings to Jen, Säbel, and Wiverna.
"Can't you see we're in the middle of a session here? We're calming down Miss Jen." Säbel shouted, ruining the serenity of the meeting room. "Lucifer drowned at the men's pool!" Zyla directly said, ensuring that the recipients get the gist of their news quickly. "Oh, the horror. He must've slept himself on the pool." Wiverna said, making more hypotheses in her mind about Jen's current condition. "No, you math geek. Someone could've pushed him to the pool." Säbel said, trying to be the Alpha lady around since Jen's too much of a mess. "Säbel is right. A carved smiley on his forehead proves that it isn't an accident." Cosmic said, somehow praising the Ultimate Fencer. "That's Mistress Säbel to you. Don't think about it promiscuously, I have no intentions to be someone's paramour or worse." Säbel said, still trying to be the most respected female around the place.
Chapter 2-2: Killer! ¤ Killer! ¤ Escape!
"There's no need for a sense of superiority." Wiverna attempted to pull Säbel's ego down. "You're just jealous, nerd." Säbel retaliated. "You two, quit fighting like young lasses. We are women, not war hungry wolves." Jen said, in a surprisingly calm tone. "Woah, never expected you to calm down that quick, considering that you're under this predicament." Zyla said, amused about Jen's sudden change in character. "Oh, I have realized that throwing all my anger towards Monokuma will get me killed in some way soon." Jen responded. "Great, now we need to eat! I'm staaarving. Do you have chips somewhere?" Cosmic jested, trying to subtly bring everyone to further comfort through eating. "Well, thanks to me, we got Jen's cuckoo brain back to normal." Säbel triumphantly said, claiming all the credit. "Whatever, know-it-all. Jen knows that we did it together." Wiverna whispered to herself.
The five people on the meeting room went outside, heading to the staff lounge. By the time they came across the room's door, Säbel wittingly tagged her ID first. The door was unlocked, but it won't move. "Darn this stupid door, it won't open!" Säbel angrily said, kicking the door twice. "You're one smart lady, but you don't think enough." Wiverna taunted. "Since the facilities are fairly new, the only logical thing is if someone barricaded the door from the inside." Wiverna explained her findings. "Who could the ones responsible for doing that, then?" Zyla asked curiously. "There's no other exit, so they should still be inside the room. All we could probably do is to shout and hope they respond." Jen said. "HELLO, IS ANYONE THERE?" Cosmic suddenly screamed. Mild chatter was heard.
Inside the staff lounge, Penelope and Yamamoto are slightly panicking. Well, not because they think they'll be killed, but rather because they'll possibly lose their humongous stash of food. "I have an idea, you keep quiet and I'll talk to them." Penelope whispered to Yamamoto. Yamamoto nodded as a sign of approval, then Penelope went closer to their improvised barricade. "Get out of my new turf. Who are you?" Penelope said loudly, mimicking a good impression of Lucifer's voice. The ones right outside heard it.
"L-Lucifer? No, that can't be." Säbel said back. Before anyone else could even talk, Jen shouted back. "It's me, Jen. Penelope, let us in." Jen shouted, and she guessed right. Penelope is indeed the one mimicking Lucifer's voice. "It's Jen. Let's let her in." Penelope said to Yamamoto. "Isn't she crazed hours ago? If she talked calmly, it could be the mastermind pretending to be her. Heck, we could only be the last two alive! We cannot risk this." Yamamoto said, but before he could even finish his statement, Penelope already unblocked the door.
"Finally! You blockheads, why would you deprive ME from such a luxury of a lounge?" Säbel angrily said. "We made this our hideout to preserve our lives! Isn't it obvious?" Yamamoto responded with paranoia. "Actually, it isn't. You sure that you two aren't doing the lovey dovey?" Säbel teased loudly, suggesting flirty intents towards the two. "Not in front of the kiddos." Penelope blushingly said, slightly embarrased even though they didn't do such act. "I don't care if you two are dating, I'm hungry!" Zyla said, running straight to the dessert bar to grab a serving of vanilla mousse.
"Jen, mind if you tell us how the food here could be restocked?" Wiverna said, since if there's no way to restock the food, they might as well ration it out until the killing game ends. "Oh, that's easy. There are ingredients at the staff kitchen at the back of the dessert bar. It's fully stocked, and could serve enough food for an entire week if we're going buffet, and it could last up to a month or two if we're going to eat singular servings each." Jen responded, while pointing to the kitchen door.
"Sweet! Do you happen to have fresh lobster around? I'm craving for seafood." Cosmic asked nicely, but before Jen could reply, he ran into the kitchen to look. Säbel then gave Penelope a semi-stern look, then chuckled loudly. "What are you laughing at, b****?" Penelope said in an irritated tone. "Oh, it's nothing. I'd insult you back but you already look ridiculous enough. Seriously, you have spaghetti in your hair? How did you even do that?" Säbel mockingly said, before laughing louder.
"I accidentally activated one of our traps while setting it up! Have you not seen the ruined tripwires?" Penelope argued, as she had enough of the brat. "Easy there ladies. We don't want to turn against each other. That's what the mastermind wants us to do!" Yamamoto urged to stop the argument before it goes worse. Suddenly, the timers on the monitors changed into Monokuma's avatar once more. "H-hey, watch your filthy tongue! As I said earlier, this is a team building activity! It's your f-fault that people got enticed into killing!" Monokuma said in his vanilla, childish voice.
"In fact, the head of this group, Jen, is indeed the first one to go barbaric! Clearly, she doesn't want to get along! Upupupupu!" Monokuma taunted, then disappeared from the monitors. A clip of Jen acting cuckoo was then played at the monitors. It was outrageously silly and infantile at the same time. "Darn, I must've overreacted earlier." Jen said shamefully. "Don't be ashamed of yourself. You were a victim of Monokuma's blood thirsty schemes." Wiverna said to Jen, as a clear sign of empathy. "Thanks, Captain Obvious." Säbel insulted Wiverna wittingly.
"You may be gifted with intellect, but your heart is rotten to the core!" Penelope responded back, defending Wiverna. "I'm just brutally honest. Don't you remember her reflection of the past events? Pretty much sure everyone tried to comfort her out of pity." Säbel responded with her head stuck up. "Pity? I'm positive that you tried to cool her down to actually look like a nice gal." Wiverna said, finally stepping out of her comfort zone. "Says who?" Säbel shouted back, obviously showing that she's already irritated to the bone. Yamamoto tried to stop them, but Jen prevented him from doing so.
"Let them settle it themselves. They're women, not children." Jen said. Even though Yamamoto didn't get the gist of what Jen said, he calmly sat down on a couch to watch the drama intensify. "Hey guys, quit fighting and stuff yourselves with food!" Cosmic shouted, while holding a lobster's claw. "Don't worry, Wiverdork and Peneloser are already getting stuffed here like a turkey." Säbel declined the invitation, while continuing to agitate the other two ladies. It's as if she's trying to purposely provoke the two.
"Oh you nasty pigf***! I'll destroy you!" Wiverna shouted, as she slowly turns into a wyvern. "A**hole, you can't destroy the queen of CoolTown when you're already wrecked!" Säbel yelled back, as she ran to grab a baguette. "Too much, Wiverna! Don't let her get into your nerves!" Penelope hopelessly said, trying to calm the heck out of Wiverna. It was no use. Wiverna already turned back into her monstrous self her father created.
"There's no turning back, Säbel." Wiverna said calmly, before rushing straight to Säbel.
Chapter 2-3: Are ¤ You ¤ My ¤ Monokuma?
"Eighteen sacrifices, yet twelve more must be done. Should I succeed, I can manipulate matter itself. I'll be patient, I'll be passive. I'll soon reign supreme of a new diabolical universe. One by one, they shall falter." the Mastermind murmured. He then disappears from plain sight, leaving a thin layer of smoke.
"This killing's rather done unprofessionally. It must be some kind of distraction." Hannah said as she inspects the body of Akitara. The surroundings were silent, though there's no clear sign of Andrew around. She didn't seem to have struggled so strongly, as there weren't much pressure applied to the improvised barricade Andrew have made. "Akitara herself must've accepted death." Hannah said, leaving the body, as Jacques brings it back to the sink closet to prevent Andrew from thinking that someone must've discovered that he killed someone.
As for Wiverna and Säbel's situation, the latter provoked the former knowing that Wiverna will turn into a powerful beast. It has proven her intimidating wits that her plan could easily backfire. Wiverna ran straight to Säbel, as the Ultimate Fencer leaps toward a counter, took a bite from the baguette, then went above Wiverna, like a mystifying matador attempting to jump over an angry bull. Wiverna didn't act in time to change directions, and she bumped her head to the titanium barricade. It hurted her, but the headbutt proved lightly that they can escape the school by breaking the barricades on the windows.
Jen herself does not approve of breaking too much equipment due to budgeting reasons, but it is on her principles that lives matter more than cash. A loud bang was heard upon the crash, loud enough for people outside the room to hear should there be. "Bravo, bravo. I assume that you'll calm down a little, oh monstrous lady." Säbel complimented Wiverna's tough wyvern skull, however not too much. "Your emotional imbalance, more specifically your badly-sewn self esteem helped me break your limits." Säbel chuckled, as she went nearer the still-a-wyvern Wiverna to pat her in the head. "Although the results were unsatisfactory, we can still make improvements now that we have a wall-breaking solution." Säbel continued, as Wiverna slowly turns back to her more fragile human form. Alas, the provocations were none but fuel for the ram.
"The fools finally struck false gold. They'll celebrate as expected, yet before sundown, they'll discover another comrade's life taken away by one of them once again." The mastermind whispered to himself, while observing the feeble achievements of the victims at the staff lounge.
It wasn't really long until the second timer goes off; before they knew it, they were forced to sleep once again. As each remaining participant were put to sleep, the mastermind himself decided to use one of its weapons against the uniting souls of Ultimates. Jen was woken up from the group, and was instructed by the mastermind to murder someone.
"I've been waiting for some time already. A time for us to talk." Jen said, while she's looking at a monitor. "Upupupupu.. A private discussion's what you seek, dearie? Is there something wrong?" Monokuma said using Mettaton's voice. "Our cover will soon be blown, yet our mutual goal has yet to be accomplished. Is there something we can do to deter them?" Jen replied, smirking with fear of losing the game.
"Ultimate Eagle-Eye, there is no need to tremble for. Andrew is already making his own problems alongside our two biggest threats: the Ross siblings." Monokuma replied, somehow hiding something from Jen, as if he's only playing servant. "Very well, I shall perform bloodshed myself." Jen said, as she walked down to the auditorium. There, she saw Stephen asleep. He was still holding a pen he got previously; yet it was covered in blood, and was using blood as its ink. A peculiar yet interesting scene, but she has to continue Stephen's masterpiece herself. She took the bloody pen, then smiled.
"Sorry bud, but you have a few strokes odd from your artwork. Don't worry, I'll fix it for you, free of charge."
Chapter 3: The ¤ Departed
Chapter 3-1: Séance
"Ding Dong! Wake up dearsies, you have a team building activity to finish! Bwahahaha!" Monokuma taunted to the remaining participants, with an odd, off-character laugh. It seems that the robotic bear's new hobby is to look for his new maniacal laugh. Albeit there's no reason to, an indecisive bear has to try.
"Let me do a head count first." Monokuma said childishly, blushing slighly as if he has a different perception of what he meant. "Not with you living buds, the deadsies!" Monokuma continued, before chuckling to death once more. After that, his image disappeared from the monitor. "As a recap, here are the deaths so far. It may be a bi-ig surprise to others who aren't aware of their surroundings!" Monokuma uttered whilst off-screen. An image of George as a piñata was shown as he utters a reckoning of despair.
"First off, we had a blast with a short birthday party with George Budiman! Oh, did you know that the killer stuffed real candy into his esophagus before turning him into a festive material of joy? Gyahahaha!" Monokuma said, while he revealed a fragment of what truly happened to George.
"Next, we have my next-to-first favorite Ultimate, Akitara Sakura! She was vehemently killed by, you knooow it, Poseidon! Darn it, he shoud've stabbed her with a lousy pitchfork instead." Monokuma continued, as he reappeared on the screen. He was holding an image of Akitara's burnt face.
"We only had two casualties before the first bedtime, but someone was happy enough to show Lucifer Yamato 'true' happiness! Voila, he slept himself to drown in ecstasy!" Monokuma continued while holding Stephen's broken draw tablet, subtly revealing him as the killer.
"The second phase wasn't much of an excitement, but after bedtime is the best. We had a plot twist! The killer was supposed to finish our artist over here, but a previous attacker interfered! Looks like they pretended to be sleeping, but woohoo! He got wrecked instead. That's right kiddos, Andrew Stockton's sleeping with the local fauna at the biology lab!" Monokuma said, before bowing on the screen. After that, the monitors went off. It turned back on immediately, which then displayed the timer as usual.
Jen and the others at the staff lounge were all in once piece. Penelope was the "first" one to wake up from the group, but she was unaware that someone in the room isn't who they seem to be. Well, nobody has enough time to eat, as Monokuma came back on the monitors dressed as a pumpkin.
"Feeling the ghostly spirit? You should! As a reward for your efforts to survive, I'll give you a ticket for a three-minute talk with any dead pal in the world! That doesn't count astronauts, for obvious joke reasons. I can't really decide on who to give the reward first, so I'll just spin a wheel on the monitors." Monokuma said, dancing like a backup dancer on a low-budget game show. The wheel, equally divided with all the remaining participants, was spun by Monokuma himself. However, the visuals didn't stick to the roulette fashion. As soon as the wheel was spinning fast, the graphics changed into each of the remaining participants on a slot machine. It then landed on Gore's head shot.
"Ooh, I bet'cha wanna talk to your lov-- cousin! Just say the name and I'll ring the bell!" Monokuma said, while chocolate coins fall right on Gore's place. Gore then had a power to perform a séance. As what Monokuma predicted, Gore called for his cousin. "Awesome! I'll call your cousin's soul right away! You'll see an AI version of them. Don't worry dear, the person you're talking to is still the real deal! They'll only take form of an animation so that you can have a more sensible talk. I mean, who needs a voice chat when you can have a video chat? Gyahahahaha!" Monokuma said, chortled, then disappeared.
The monitors all went dead. Did something go wrong? Did someone already foil the communication system? Did the police bust the mastermind? Nobody really knows. All that's certain is that only the monitors went down. Electricity is still present within the vicinity. After a minute, the monitors went back online. On the nearest monitor to Gore, an image of Shaguru Magala was seen, in a position you do when you're usually taking a formal image for applications or stuff. Gore cannot believe this kind of sorcery. Is this Shaguru in front of him the real soul as Monokuma claimed, or is this just a representation of his cousin formed by his memories related to Shaguru? All he had to do is talk to find out.
"Shag.. is that really you?" Gore asked in a confused manner. It's rather an odd expression to do, but knowing thay Gore was distraught with Shaguru's death, this situation feels awkward yet normal. The others who aren't within Gore's hearing radius doesn't even know what's currently happening. They don't even know that Gore is already talking to Shaguru. All they see is their surroundings, only that the monitors are still offline.
Shaguru's AI nodded, then screamed thriumphantly. "It's really you! I can't believe it! I've been looking for a way to communicate with you cuz! You know, I really missed you. I'd love to relive our old times, if possible." Shaguru uncontrollably yelled happily straight back to Gore. It was hard to believe that he's actually talking to a legit dead person.
"So, tough life, isn't it?" Shaguru empathetically said. Gore had no idea why Shaguru would immediately ask that, as they never talked about life, at least that was their status quo ten years ago. "Oh, it's fine." Gore hesitsntly replied. Shaguru knew what was going on, but he still wanted to see why Gore still stays so calm after all the predicaments he has been suffering from. It isn't just the murderous team activity, Gore was being demolished by his problems. It is only rightful for Shaguru to ask him, since Gore might be near his breaking point; seeing an extremely calm and kind person freak out into the eternal abyss of insanity expresses intimate despair. What Shaguru wanted to happen was to prevent Gore from ever reaching such point, since that's what the mastermind aims for.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Gore said, as he fakes a smile. A small drop of tear went down from his left eye, due to all the hardships he tried to utilize just to escape his haunting predicaments. Shaguru's AI showed clear disappointment on his face, which slightly angered Gore. "I'm tired of seeing things that make me think I'm a disappointment. You know that! You're not the real Shaguru, are you?" Gore shouted. He's getting furious the more the conversation deepens. It's as if Monokuma intended this to happen.
Everything went silent. Shaguru knew Gore is losing hope for himself. All he needs to do is to let him know that he's always at his side. "You still doubt my presence? I know you've been through a lot lately. You didn't reach your own expectations when you graduated. Your first flame dumped you a month ago for a rich businessman. Your father passed away last week. Cheer up, a blessing is more or less coming in your way." Shaguru said kindly. It calmed Gore down slightly, as Shaguru continued to speak. "I know a way to end this. The mastermind isn't who you think they are. The mastermind's not a-" Shaguru said, before he got disconnected from the talk.
"Times up!" Monokuma desperately said. The other monitors came back online, and everyone else wondered what happened. "Another séance's coming later, just you wait! Gore finally accepted Shaguru's death. I'm not really bad, y'see? Upupupupu!" Monokuma hastily said. It wasn't the truth however, it only opened a mended hole in Gore's heart.
Chapter 3-2: Real ¤ Kuma
"It seems that you have contacted Shaguru successfully." Jacques told Gore. "Did you ask your cousin about any information he knows about this establishment? I mean, it's not like this was built before his death, a wandering soul like him must've seen what the mastermind was plotting." Jacques continued, while the siblings still hold up to their assumptions. "I'm afraid the communication between us was interrupted by Monokuma. The bear must've been hiding something from us all." Gore said, sighing in disbelief. It's actually nice that most of the building is still unscratched. At first their barbaric activities may have result to destroying school property, but everything felt either civil or professional. After the short conversation, the three went to the auditorium, where the recent death occured. The visit wasn't to mourn for the loss nor to study the corpse; they were trying to search for Stephen.
Back at the staff lounge, where the others were camping happily due to the buffet, Säbel noticed something different about Jen recently. Before the second attacker phase, Jen looked perfectly decent, and there were no scratches nor holes in her corporate attire. Now, she looks heavily tired. Her blouse had small and linear cuts at the right side of the shoulder's fabric. As this may help solve the mystery of the mastermind, she inevitably shouted to everyone. "Look, look! Jen might've been chosen as the attacker when we were all placed to sleep! She looks awfully tired and all!" Säbel said, while she points at Jen. "Just as I predicted. I have foreseen right before we sleep that one of us in this room won't be put to sleep." Yamamoto said, supporting Säbel's mutiny. "What shall we do? Shall we forcefully intereogate her?" Säbel mockingly asked, but she was immediately stopped by Wiverna. "She might be forced to do the killing, hm? I don't think a victim of the previous mutual killing game would have the guts to slay someone, provided that Jen does not want to relive those moments." Wiverna said, as she went near Jen to protect her.
"Oh, perfect! Jen now has a new pet wyvern. Why not let the old timer defend herself?" Säbel said, glaring at both Wiverna and Jen sternly. "I really don't know what you're talking about." Jen said. She's playing dumb once again. In fact, even Zyla and Cosmic believe her. Säbel angrily looked at Jen, as she drew out rapier. "I can see through your lies, Eagle-Eye. Confess or your head gets a date with my lovely Rufus!" Säbel shouted. She placed her rapier an inch from Jen's neck. Jen calmly reacted to the situation. "Your ego is blocking the truth. Allow reason to penetrate your beliefs." Jen said, looking straight into Säbel's eyes. Säbel was being unreasonable, yet daring at the same time. She's willing to obliterate someone in front of a crowd, somehow playing the role of an executioner executing a criminal.
"Do you have proof that Jen was the killer of Andrew?" Wiverna strikingly said. It produced a sudden jolt of silence inside the room. Zyla and Cosmic stopped ignoring the scene for a sudden instant. Penelope suddenly stopped slurping on her strawberry smoothie. Sort of moment-breaking, but not quite. Säbel was infuriated by the question, and she grasped at her rapier stronger, to the point that her hand is mildly shaking due to the pressure. "Isn't Yamamoto's clairvoyance enough proof? Isn't Jen's weariness enough proof? What kind of ignorance do you seriously have, Wiverna?" Säbel yelled at Wiverna. Yamamoto and Penelope then both came near to the scene and grabbed Säbel away from Jen and Wiverna. "Sheesh, just as when we're all getting pacifistic." Penelope said, disappointed at the current happenings. Säbel pushed the two meddlesome co-workers aside, but she regained her calm demeanor.
"I'll let reasoning judge. Wiverna, do you have proof that Jen is innocent?" Säbel said, as she sat down to a couch. She then placed the rapier back to its thin scabbard; she stared blankly towards Wiverna and Jen, signifying that she is indeed allowing the two to reason themselves out. "That's an easy question, Ultimate Fencer." Wiverna said in a more ambivalent manner, somehow doubting if her reasoning would prove helpful. "Jen had recently wore herself down since she's filled with outrage after the first attacker phase. You and I were both eyewitnesses to this." Wiverna spoke bluntly. Before Wiverna could even continue defending Jen, the infamous Monokuma appeared from the monitors again.
"Surprise, surprise! Did you miss me, suckers? Upupupupupu!" Monokuma taunted wrongly. His sudden entry clearly broke the intense mood inside the staff lounge. Everyone drew their attention to Monokuma immediately, including those outside the staff lounge. "Your prayers were heard, someone besides Gore gets to call someone from the dead! The catch? None at all! It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal!" Monokuma continued, somehow switching personalities on the way. "Let's see the lucky winner for a semi-private séance!" Monokuma said in a high pitched voice, somehow resembling George's voice. The monitors once again showed a slot machine similar to the one earlier, only this time Gore's image was grayed out. It was an indication that Gore is no longer allowed to participate on the séance.
The slots rolled, then revealed the next participant to be Säbel Astrein. Säbel was glad to know she's next in line. She smirked, then began to talk.
"Monokuma-pig, I'd love to speak to what I perceive to be Jen's previous adversary. I'd like to talk to Kuma Mettaton, should they be dead as she claimed to be." Säbel said in a villainous tone, as if she's going to publicly shame Jen by debunking her seemingly-credible statements. "Very well, Ultimate Fencer. You may now speak to the almighty mastermind of the killing game Jen oh-so adored." Monokuma said in Kuma Mettaton's voice.
"It's so nice to hear that someone here has similar motives of mine." Kuma Mettaton said, as the avatar on the screens shift to the eighteen year old guy Jen was familiar with. The conversation wasn't that private as before, however. The Ross siblings, Gore, and Stephen can see and hear Kuma Mettaton from the monitors near them.
"Say, what's your opinion about Jen?" Säbel blurted joyously. Jen shrieked in fear.
Chapter 3-3: Sleep ¤ Dear ¤ Child
"I can't word it out correctly. I'd say pathetic. Too emotional. Head over heels when it comes to valiant anti-despair blabbering. A nuisance even from ten years ago. I should've disposed her when I had the chance." Kuma Mettaton said, while he mimics his impression of Monokuma from his own game. "Shut it, deceiver. You know what I want to know. Tell me all you know about Jen and the Mastermind of this bulls***." Säbel said, as she drew out Rufus once again from the thin scabbard. Säbel threatened Monokuma dumbly, possibly just to signify that she's not wasting her time. Kuma Mettaton laughed, as his face shortly turns into Kurokuma — an all-black version of the infamous Monokuma.
"F*** yeah, I know a bunch of trashy business about that pig you call Jen and the disgusting piece of s*** you consider as the Mastermind. However, what gives? I don't have to respond to a female jockey who pretends to be the smartest s*** in the world, naw!" Kuma Mettaton responded to Säbel in the most disrespectful way since the start of the team building activity. Zyla interfered by tapping Säbel's back, which the latter retaliated with a threatening pose. "Säbel, I think you're wasting your time with Kuma whatever." Zyla frankly told Säbel, but Säbel was obnoxiously stubborn to listen. Instead, Säbel pushed Zyla away.
"Oh, I think you should listen to that little kiddo over there. Y'know, you need to get your s***ty head back down to Earth. A naughty b**** like you doesn't deserve respect." Kuma Mettaton responded, still withholding the arrogant personality. "Nasty imbecile, as much as I'd like to praise your moxie, I have to remind you that I am the one who allowed you to speak. Now, if you wish to have this stupid game up still running, you better respond to what I want you to tell me. Understand?" Säbel shouted, rather infuriated by Kuma Mettaton's stalling antics.
"I wonder what's happening. Perhaps Säbel and Kuma Mettaton are trying to insult each other?" Jacques asked his sister, but his sister only shrugged in response. "It would be best to reunite with the others to know what's happening." Gore softly responded. "Well, now that I'm with you guys, I think I have to agree with our pal Gore." Stephen responded, as he nods. The quartet decided to check back on the meeting room, as the others may be staying in there as a refuge.
Kuma Mettaton's Kurokuma avatar froze. It glitched out slightly, but when the glitching stopped, it changed in appearance. Kuma Mettaton was then using Shirokuma — an all-white version of Monokuma. "What f***ery is this? Did you just transform into a saint-like figure, you naughty devil?" Säbel screamed back in anger, as she overtly shows desperation in getting information. "Chill out, friend. Anger defiles your pure intentions." Kuma Mettaton said calmly, as if he's depicting a sage who has mastered the act of tranquility. "Dear, ask me your question again. Make sure you're calm so you don't misinterpret my responses." Kuma Mettaton continued, as his Shirokuma avatar simply smiles.
"Very well, if this isn't a joke. I want you to tell me everything you know about the relationship of Jen and the mastermind of this outrage." Säbel said in a tired manner. She's hoping that this wouldn't be another bamboozle set up by the nefarious Kuma Mettaton. "Beg it to me. Upupupupupu!" Kuma Mettaton responded in Monokuma's voice, as he treated Jen's humility as if he's only talking to a pitiful laughingstock. "You nasty scumf**k! I'll tear you so hard that you'll wish that you never b***hed me in the first place!" Säbel shouted at the tip of her voice, as she threw her red rapier towards the screen as if she was throwing a javelin. The screen broke, and everyone was surprised at her sudden burst of rage.
"You're next, Jen! Now explain this bulls**t or your face is next!" Säbel threatened Jen, as the fencer ran straight to her rapier to pick it up. Despite the video feed being broken, Kuma Mettaton can still respond to Säbel's pathetic outrage. "Failing to drive away your pride will only leave a path of destruction." Kuma Mettaton said, "This is what despair is. You fail to correct your wrong principles, so you can only despair and point the blame to others." Kuma Mettaton continued, using his regular voice. Säbel pretended to didn't hear Kuma Mettaton. She picked up Rufus, wiped it off with her handkerchief, glared at Jen, then threw the rapier at the lady.
The rapier flew straight, directly aimed at Jen's forehead. Before the rapier pierces through Jen's skull, it was intercepted by Wiverna's wyvern talons. Wiverna immediately returned back to her frail human body, picked up Säbel's rapier, and pointed it back to the owner in a competitive stance. "If you wish to fight, do it now. Attacking a defenseless damsel is no virtue, especially to a wielder of honor like you. You're too unpleasant to live." Wiverna said calmly, with a face of stored anger. Wiverna threw the rapier to Säbel, transformed into a wyvern once more, then began to glide into her opponent.
"My work here is far from done, but I will leave you all to despair. It was to plead or to despair, and you chose greatly." Kuma Mettaton said, before the audio feed was cut off. "Tout suite, sucker!" Säbel taunted, as she cartwheeled into her rapier's direction, effectively dodging Wiverna's attack. Säbel grabbed her rapier, and directly maimed one of Wiverna's wings, greatly handicapping the wyvern. "Quick, before this gets out of hand, get far as possible!" Wiverna screamed in agony, warding others from Säbel's destructive wrath.
"It begins." Monokuma said, as he once again chortled his infamous laughter.
Chapter 3-4: Princess ¤ Versus ¤ Dragon
"Man, that was a really interesting talk. I bet Säbel rejected Kuma Mettaton's order." Gore said, while unknowingly speculated the right outcome of the event. The other group finally met up with Stephen at the auditorium, where they gladly welcomed each other, as opposed to the heat of the battle brought by Säbel. "Upupupupupu! A lovely staging is up on the staff lounge! Mutiny on the backstage of despair!" Monokuma publicly announced on the monitors and speakers. The two heated and bloodthirsty damsels surely had enough of each other's interference with their own matters.
"Staff lounge? Did Monokuma really intend for us to see them?" Stephen asked the others, as surely he isn't buying Monokuma's scheme. "No, I think he just slipped. I for sure know that he prefers everyone to be isolated. The fight was purposely done to break the others apart, since he can easily deceive you if you are alone." Hannah said, further implying that she knows who the mastermind is from the evidence she accumulated before Lucifer was murdered at the pool. "Well, let's just find out what's happening up there." Gore insisted, as he was slowly getting impatient of all the pointless chatter that impedes their ascent.
"Stop it, you two!" Zyla attempted to be the hero by stopping the brawl. It didn't go as he expected it to be, however, as both Säbel and Wiverna ignored Zyla's peacemaking. Säbel feinted at Zyla, much to the child's horror. "Don't you dare threaten the innocent!" Wiverna screamed in anger, as she circled around Säbel, which agitated and confused the fencer. "Oi, oi! The child wasn't threatened. Your life is, pathetic talking wyvern! You have no place in reality for you're bounded by fantasy!" Säbel mocked Wiverna's protective nature and her current physical appearance. "How long am I going to endure your pathetic personality?" Wiverna uttered back, as she keeps her distance from the fencer.
"Attaboy, go teach yourself to mind your own business!" Säbel screamed at the top of her voice, as she stabs Zyla ten times in the torso, forming the constellation Cygnus. It was a horrific scene. If Säbel were to hold her dignity up high, why would she sacrifice an innocent bystander who opposes her bloodthirsty methods of gaining the truth she perceives? Truly, everyone was really confused by her sudden change of attitude. Sure, she was obnoxiously short-tempered and sarcastic in intonation but why would she go as far as murdering a child in style?
Jen unfortunately had enough of this. Wiverna's only trying to stall Säbel so she could leave the room safely but she doesn't like what's happening to Wiverna. She knew Wiverna was trying to redeem herself from her past, but this isn't the right way to do it. She immediately went for the buffet counter to grab some cutlery, then threw it straight to Säbel's position. Jen is indeed the Ultimate Eagle-Eye, but she isn't good at throwing projectiles. She frantically missed her target, instead hitting Wiverna occasionally. "Pathetic scum, your eyes are that of a cat's but your aim is sloppy! I almost pity you, murderous scumf***!" Säbel taunted, not realizing that she used the wrong set of words to differentiate herself from Jen.
"Murderous? Have you not seen who killed Zyla? You are one pretentious freak, you fail to keep your tracks! Tell me, how are you the righteous one when you simply showed how bloodthirsty your deranged principles are!" Jen shouted her, as she proceeds to give Säbel her nasty verdict. "Fight me, and we shall rid of each others' despairs for whoever ends the life of the other." Jen continued. She grabbed a baguette, as she mocked Säbel's weapon choice on her first fight against Wiverna. Of course, Wiverna didn't approve of Jen's heroism at the current moment. Wiverna stoped circling Säbel, flew straight to Jen wearingly, then begged Jen to mount her so that she could deliver her to safety as her only chance of redemption from her wrongdoings from the past.
"Why? I am a fierce woman on my own definition. I fight with those who share the same views as me." Jen said, as she kindly declined Wiverna's final request. Wiverna, mildly annoyed, grabbed Jen on Jen's collar, situated Jen above her, carried Jen away from the room, inevitably ramming and breaking the staff lounge's steel door. Wiverna was badly hurt, but she still managed to hide Jen in time, at the girls' changing room on the same floor. By the time both Wiverna and Jen arrived at their destination, Wiverna was extremely exhausted. She couldn't take the pain anymore. She feels like her very life force is being drained from her, as she transformed back to her normal, human form.
Jen only had enough time to ask one simple question. "How were you able to willingly transform into a wyvern?" Jen asked, as she wanted to know why Wiverna staked her life to protect her. Wiverna, heavily mutilated, looked into Jen's eyes, and teared town in sorrow.
"You're the reason. You helped me realize that I'm not a bad person after all. I'm tired of being myself, and I brought myself out from eternal guilt by sacrificing myself to help someone who cared so much about me. Thank you, Jen. Thank you." Those were her last words. After an enduring encounter with the Ultimate Fencer, the wyvern has fallen, possibly for a better cause.
Of course, the relentless Säbel didn't stop right there. She tried to search for Wiverna and Jen's whereabouts. She left the room, as she kicked Wiverna's dismembered wing away from her path. Just in time, the Ross siblings and the others met with Säbel. Jacques urged to talk to her, but he was stopped by her sister as Hannah senses something wrong. "What's wrong?" Jacques whispered. "Isn't it obvious? She just murdered someone. You can see blood stains in her outfit." Stephen, overhearing the whisper, whispered back. "It is best for us to check the staff lounge, just to be sure. If Säbel was on a killing spree she would've killed us on sight to avoid witnesses and investigators." Jacques whispered back, as they simply walked towards the staff lounge.
Chapter 3-5: Three ¤ Squared
"Now, how about a third lucky séance? Trust me, you guys are just making terrible choices!" Monokuma announced to every speaker and monitor. As usual, the slot machine was rolled. However, everyone inside the staff room couldn't see who's going to get the prize, so they all relied on the speakers Säbel luckily didn't break from the fight earlier. The only ones who could see a clearer prediction would be Jen and Säbel, but both are preoccupied from attempting to confront each other. The sound effects of the slot machine stopped. This could only mean one thing, and that a winner has been chosen. However, who could it be? Everyone but the newcomers was filled with sorrow when an innocent teen was murdered in front of them. They can't imagine Säbel to be the mastermind either, unless the Säbel they knew was a con artist who is working for the real Säbel, if she were to be the real mastermind behind all this.
"Oh, would you look at that!" Monokuma taunted, as he knew that almost everyone cannot see what the end result of the lottery was. "Let's see, looks like Hannah Ross wins this round! Lady Sherlock, which unfortunate soul would you trouble to interrogate with your superhuman deduction skills?" Monokuma said, then he snorted loudly afterwards. "Haha! You're finished, mastermind!" Jacques insulted Monokuma, knowing that his sister would solve this once and for all and prove the mastermind's identity they both deducted from the start of the killings. "Don't be so sure, mini-Hannah. I'll deflate your ego if I have to." Monokuma wittingly responded in a calm yet slightly peculiar manner. "I put my whole trust on her, then." Cosmic said, as he went near Hannah and patted her in the back to show his full support. "I appreciate your help, lad. Now, I call forth Kuma Mettaton to answer to my deductions." Hannah confidently said, as she snapped her fingers in determination.
"Oooh, you wish for that genius fool to be bothered once again? Very well, enjoy his possible wrath!" Monokuma gleefully responded to Hannah's request. "Oh, and for your convenience everyone, it is recommended to visit the auditorium at the floor below the staff lounge. A good show of wits and luck is about to commence." Monokuma said. As the pathetic bear uttered those words, all the other rooms were suddenly locked. Jen was now stuck inside the ladies' locker room with Wiverna's corpse lying near her, and Säbel was unfortunately locked in one of the classrooms on the same floor. "Good luck, dearies! Kuma Mettaton's hologram will meet you there, to make sure that the video feed won't be broken purposely this time." Monokuma jested on Säbel's deed, knowing that Säbel will hear this insult.
"Now, shall we?" Hannah gestured towards the staff lounge's door. Everyone proceeded to leave the room, with Penelope bringing a box filled with cans of soda and Yamamoto bringing a large platter of chips in cases someone needs to rejuvenate. Stephen led the others to the auditorium, with the Ross siblings trailing the group to check if an outsider or some sort is following them from behind. The group safely entered the auditorium, and just as they expected, a life-sized Kuma Mettaton was seen in the middle of the stage. It is masked with a generic Monokuma face, even though the others have already seen his presumed real face earlier during Säbel's contact with him.
"Welcome, wannabe-victims of this puppet show." Kuma Mettaton mentioned. He knew neither Säbel nor Jen could hear him this time, so he was free to blabber about the mutual killing game his listeners and interlocutor are partaking. "Puppet show? What do you mean?" Penelope curiously asked, but she was shunned by Kuma Mettaton, mainly because it was Hannah who wished to contact him. "Say, want a cookie with Monokuma's adoring face on it?" Kuma Mettaton invited Hannah into a good talk. It seemed that he had no intention to deceive Hannah or anyone else, as if he really wanted to contact Hannah in the first place. "Now, what is it that you wish to know?" Kuma Mettaton humbly responded, as his Monokuma mask turned white, similar to the Shirokuma avatar on the monitors earlier.
"It is simple. I only wish for you to verify that the one behind all this is Sepulchral." Hannah said. It was the most straightforward response Kuma Mettaton has ever heard since the start of the mutual killing game he himself devised. "Are you sure you really want to? This is a puppet show, after all." Kuma Mettaton responded with a smile on his face. "Since when did I ask for something I didn't like?" Hannah responded with slight lack of modesty. "Very well. You are trying to shoot in the dark, well equipped with proper sight equipment, yet you still do not know how your target responds to intruders." Kuma Mettaton responded, while the Shirokuma mask turned back to the usual Monokuma mask. "I affirm that this is Sepulchral's doing, yet to act accordingly, you need to break the indelible mark of puppetry." Kuma Mettaton continued. Monokuma's laughter was then heard from every speaker of the auditorium, with each speaker producing a different tone of the laugh.
"Laugh while you can, you cannot last long as a mere accomplice to a being that depraved." Hannah responded to Kuma Mettaton's affirmation in a different way, as if she's losing her ground from all the information she had acquired. "Oh dear, this is bad." Jacques whispered to the others, soft enough for even Hannah not to hear it. "What's so bad about this Sepulchral guy?" Gore responded, as he was as clueless as a blank map of pure nothingness. "Oh, I will. We'll have the last laugh, too." Kuma Mettaton replied. The tone was different. The voice that came out from the hologram had a stronger echo. It gave Hannah a clue that the one she is talking to may not be Kuma Mettaton at all, given the lack of change in personalities like the Kuma Mettaton did from Säbel's séance and Jen's storytelling.
"Now, ponder upon your shorthanded success." Kuma Mettaton continued, back in the regular voice the others are familiar with. Sleeping gas diffused the room quickly, which knocked everyone down. Before they were forced to sleep, the same Monokuma laughter was heard, haunting their minds, and filling it with despair they never experienced before. After an hour, Hannah was the first and only one to wake up. She was in the middle of the stage, right where the Kuma Mettaton hologram was placed an hour earlier. She feels numb and immobile, and predicted that someone tied her for some terrible reason.
"Now, tell me who you want to spare." an odd voice was heard faintly, as two live feeds of Jen and Säbel both in grave danger are shown in two separate monitors in front of Hannah. "I challenge your frail adjudication. Pick who shall suffer." the odd voice continued. Jen was tied tightly using a rope, with her head almost touching the pool water. A small push and Jen was sure to drown. Säbel, on the other hand, is inside the staff lounge, with knives hanging above her restrained body.
"If you don't choose someone to spare, they'll both be spared for the expense of your life, alongside your poor sibling's." The voice eerily uttered, and Hannah's time to choose is running out.
Chapter 4: The ¤ Adjudicators
Chapter 4-1: The ¤ Accused
Chapter 4-2: The ¤ Prosecutor
Chapter 4-3: The ¤ Class ¤ Trial
Chapter 1-1: To ¤ Ward ¤ From ¤ Despair
A new day, another opportunity to seize in order to nurture hope. Well, at least to prevent despair from spreading at all. In order to put a shine on the future everyone will taste, Jen Morgan founded a school to help people, talented or not, grow up to be great role models for the future generations. Her reason?
Oh, it's a long story. You probably would snore to death before even finishing the story anyway. It's partly irrelevant, but the reason's etched indelibly onto her mind. Heck, it's traumatizing enough. Nobody would want that to happen ever again. Ten years ago after the mutual killing game, she fabricated the whole story to her fellow forum users at the Growtopia Forums as a small invitation to a prototype of a Growtopian Convention, and that the others are extremely busy working out the details.
The story was then ignored by the most, as it sunk to the deep abyss of the Everything Else sub-forum. As to cover up to why there isn't a convention yet after months, she just said that most of them lost interest and left the job. People questioned why, but there wasn't any response to the other forum users. She have to hide the fact that the others were murdered helplessly, either by the ferocious mastermind or by other participants on a nefarious mutual killing game. It took her a lot of guts to fake the story, but after a few months, nobody cared anymore.
The school Jen's creating isn't completely finished yet. The theater room isn't completed, and the shipments for screen projectors, recycled plastic desks and chairs, and a plethora of electronics have yet to be delivered. As for the staff, she had it covered already. In fact, they'll have their first official meeting later noon. She recruited several talented individuals who have mutual goals as her's. To Jen, her plans are perfect. All they need is to wait for a year and students will flow out applying for such a magnificent school.
At the time of the first meeting, Jen came on time. In fact, she's the last to enter the meeting room. A seemingly good closer before the meeting starts.
"Woah, is that the real Jen Morgan I see? You look better in person!" Wiverna Neutron exclaimed, shaking hands with Jen Morgan while complimenting her even more. "I bet you're immediately asking for a raise after this meeting." Säbel Astrein laughingly jested. It wasn't funny at the current moment, but it feels a bit offensive yet on-point. "Of course not! Why would you need a raise anyway? The school facilities are luxurious enough for the staff!" Penelope Hammerhead said with her mouth closed.
"I'm immediately suspecting that one of you will pathetically wow at that. Didn't you guys get info about each other?" Lucifer Yamato said, rolling his eyes while sitting on the corner-most seat. "Jeez goth, no need to be captain obvious." Zyla Kul said. He's the youngest in the group. Is he smart? Doubt it. He's just in for self-education. "Can we quit the chitchat and start the meeting?" Gore Magala calmly suggested, before being shunned by a pool of chatter.
"So when do we get to test the spa?" Cosmic Nicola said. "We have a spa?" Jacques Ross confusedly exclaimed, knowing that a spa is not actually needed in a school. "You don't know that? There's literally a room with a large signage that says the word 'SPA'." Andrew Stockton said in a serious tone. "Stephen Roarings, can you really make a quick 3D caricature of us right now? That'll be impressive." Penelope Hammerhead said. "Way ahead of 'ya." Stephen replied, showing his new artwork of everyone rambling in technicolor. "That's really quick for such detail." Hannah Ross skeptically responded.
Several unnecessary chattering later, the lights went out of a sudden.
"Turn the lights on! Can't you see we're gossiping already?" Penelope shouted. People toned down their voices while searching for the light switch. "Found the light switch!" Akitara Sakura said in a dull tone as she pressed the switch. "How despairing. It won't turn on. Let's just go despair ourselves at the luxurious spa. It would make more sense to make this a hotel than a school." Akitara continued, pressing the light switch a dozen more times. "Quit doing that repeatedly, you'll break the circuit!" Wiverna responded, trying to stay rational despite the power problem.
"What do you know, the door's locked!" Cosmic Nicola said, repeatedly twisting the doorknob. "You airhead, you're supposed to push the door!" Zyla Kul sarcastically said, as he failed at opening the door too. "We're stuck here?" Säbel said, slightly panicking.
"It's okay, this won't be like ten years ago..." Jen muttered silently, yearning for a disaster not to cook up right at her face.
"..won't be ten years ago?" Gore Magala whispered behind Jen, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. "It's a long story.." Jen said back, not realizing that she said that loudly.
"Long story? Are you going to tell us the truth about the New Steel incident?" George Budiman said, somehow interested to see if his theory lines up with Jen's story. He knew there's more to a "convention".
Before Jen could even talk, canisters containing sleeping gas came through everywhere, knocking everyone down to sleep.
Oh, it's a long story. You probably would snore to death before even finishing the story anyway. It's partly irrelevant, but the reason's etched indelibly onto her mind. Heck, it's traumatizing enough. Nobody would want that to happen ever again. Ten years ago after the mutual killing game, she fabricated the whole story to her fellow forum users at the Growtopia Forums as a small invitation to a prototype of a Growtopian Convention, and that the others are extremely busy working out the details.
The story was then ignored by the most, as it sunk to the deep abyss of the Everything Else sub-forum. As to cover up to why there isn't a convention yet after months, she just said that most of them lost interest and left the job. People questioned why, but there wasn't any response to the other forum users. She have to hide the fact that the others were murdered helplessly, either by the ferocious mastermind or by other participants on a nefarious mutual killing game. It took her a lot of guts to fake the story, but after a few months, nobody cared anymore.
The school Jen's creating isn't completely finished yet. The theater room isn't completed, and the shipments for screen projectors, recycled plastic desks and chairs, and a plethora of electronics have yet to be delivered. As for the staff, she had it covered already. In fact, they'll have their first official meeting later noon. She recruited several talented individuals who have mutual goals as her's. To Jen, her plans are perfect. All they need is to wait for a year and students will flow out applying for such a magnificent school.
At the time of the first meeting, Jen came on time. In fact, she's the last to enter the meeting room. A seemingly good closer before the meeting starts.
"Woah, is that the real Jen Morgan I see? You look better in person!" Wiverna Neutron exclaimed, shaking hands with Jen Morgan while complimenting her even more. "I bet you're immediately asking for a raise after this meeting." Säbel Astrein laughingly jested. It wasn't funny at the current moment, but it feels a bit offensive yet on-point. "Of course not! Why would you need a raise anyway? The school facilities are luxurious enough for the staff!" Penelope Hammerhead said with her mouth closed.
"I'm immediately suspecting that one of you will pathetically wow at that. Didn't you guys get info about each other?" Lucifer Yamato said, rolling his eyes while sitting on the corner-most seat. "Jeez goth, no need to be captain obvious." Zyla Kul said. He's the youngest in the group. Is he smart? Doubt it. He's just in for self-education. "Can we quit the chitchat and start the meeting?" Gore Magala calmly suggested, before being shunned by a pool of chatter.
"So when do we get to test the spa?" Cosmic Nicola said. "We have a spa?" Jacques Ross confusedly exclaimed, knowing that a spa is not actually needed in a school. "You don't know that? There's literally a room with a large signage that says the word 'SPA'." Andrew Stockton said in a serious tone. "Stephen Roarings, can you really make a quick 3D caricature of us right now? That'll be impressive." Penelope Hammerhead said. "Way ahead of 'ya." Stephen replied, showing his new artwork of everyone rambling in technicolor. "That's really quick for such detail." Hannah Ross skeptically responded.
Several unnecessary chattering later, the lights went out of a sudden.
"Turn the lights on! Can't you see we're gossiping already?" Penelope shouted. People toned down their voices while searching for the light switch. "Found the light switch!" Akitara Sakura said in a dull tone as she pressed the switch. "How despairing. It won't turn on. Let's just go despair ourselves at the luxurious spa. It would make more sense to make this a hotel than a school." Akitara continued, pressing the light switch a dozen more times. "Quit doing that repeatedly, you'll break the circuit!" Wiverna responded, trying to stay rational despite the power problem.
"What do you know, the door's locked!" Cosmic Nicola said, repeatedly twisting the doorknob. "You airhead, you're supposed to push the door!" Zyla Kul sarcastically said, as he failed at opening the door too. "We're stuck here?" Säbel said, slightly panicking.
"It's okay, this won't be like ten years ago..." Jen muttered silently, yearning for a disaster not to cook up right at her face.
"..won't be ten years ago?" Gore Magala whispered behind Jen, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. "It's a long story.." Jen said back, not realizing that she said that loudly.
"Long story? Are you going to tell us the truth about the New Steel incident?" George Budiman said, somehow interested to see if his theory lines up with Jen's story. He knew there's more to a "convention".
Before Jen could even talk, canisters containing sleeping gas came through everywhere, knocking everyone down to sleep.
Chapter 1-2: An ¤ Old ¤ Acquaintance
Just as the effects of the sleeping gas were diminishing, lights suddenly went back on. Everyone's waking up one by one, still distracted by the peculiar happenings. Is it faulty wiring? Unlikely. Is it a prank? Possibly. All they know is that things aren't getting funny anymore.
"Oh for Pete's sake, quit the trolling and actually start the meeting! I expected this to be a proper meeting, considering that we're all adults." Lucifer Yamato said. "Well, too bad goth guy! I'm a teen! T-E-E-N. I'm not yet as edgy as you guys are. Plus, there's two teenagers here." Zyla Kul said, still unaware of everyone's current mood. "Well, everyone take your seats. We'll now formally start our meeting." Jen declared the start of their first meeting.
However, before Jen even got to continue, the large television suddenly turned on.
"No way! Our mascot's a dumb teddy bear? BOOOOOOOORING!" Säbel insulted the screen's appearance. "Pathetic, what makes you think that's our mascot? ..and to think that you're that gal who gets straight As." Penelope wittingly responded. "Cosmic Nicola, is this one of your ploys to joke around?" Yamamoto questioned Cosmic out loud, before the screen started projecting animations.
"Puhuhuhuhu, cancel your dumb meeting this instant, 'ol friend!" The teddy bear on the screen jokingly said to Jen, laughing weirdly at the misfortunes. "Well, what are you waiting for? Sit down. Look at the bright sky at the windows. We'll have my meeting instead!" The teddy bear continued to talk comically. "Who's this freak? How is that imbecile your friend? Answer me, Jen!" Andrew said nervously, as if he doesn't like what's happening. "Oh, you haven't told them yet dearsie?" The teddy bear asked Jen cutely, showing animated blushes at its cheeks.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Monokuma, your friendly and honest bear! Your founder Jen Morgan chose me to be the headmaster for the following school year. Got it memorized?" The teddy bear said, then danced to a silly tune that started to play all of a sudden. "Y-you, my headmaster? Over my dead body, you psychopath!" Jen shouted in fear, shaking violently. "Oh dear, I think she'll palpitate at this rate. Go calm her down." Hannah commanded everyone on the room. "Don't worry m'lady! She's peeerfectly fiiine." Monokuma jokingly said, glaring at Hannah's face.
"How do you still exist, you murdering freak?! I'll find you Kuma Mettaton, and I'll kill you again if I have to!" Jen shouted, as if she's reaching her breaking point. She didn't survive that event, only to experience a similar one. "Killings? I'm going to grab some popcorn." Akitara jokingly said, as she opened the door. Strangely, the door opened. However, she didn't expect what to see when she opened the door.
Death #1 - George Budiman
Akitara saw George Budiman's lifeless body hung like a piñata, with some spiked bats stuck to his skin at different parts of his body. Blood is slowly oozing out of George's mouth, acting as the "candy" of the piñata. A pin of Monokuma posing with a motivational 'thumbs up' was seen on his left eye.
Interested on how comical the pin looks like, Akitara took the pin out and wore it herself. She's a bit shocked, but she wore the bloody pin anyway.
Interested on how comical the pin looks like, Akitara took the pin out and wore it herself. She's a bit shocked, but she wore the bloody pin anyway.
"Oh, Ultimate Despair Fangirl! Are you forgetting something?" Monokuma (as Mettaton's voice) taunted, as if he's about to lay down an obvious prank. "Me, forget something? Except the popcorn, there's none!" Akitara confidently shouted back, continuing to walk through the hallway. A lot of hallway monitors went on with the same video feed that's seen on the meeting room. On the screen is Monokuma tapping his feet rapidly, getting impatient every second.
"You made me want to do this the hard way. Get back in the room." Monokuma said, snapping his bear hands. After Monokuma snapped his hands, a table levitated then flew straight to Akitara's face, knocking the despair fangirl unconscious. The table then continued to push Akitara back to the meeting room, then the windows suddenly went shut with thick iron bars, completely blocking the sunlight.
"..yet you told us that we can enjoy the sunlight. What a man of his word." Wiverna Neutron said, which angered Monokuma a bit more. "I changed my mind. Perhaps the Ultimate Angel of Death would like the atmosphere even more. Look on the bright side, there's no more unnecessary Vitamin D that will pierce through your skin! Upupupupupupu.." Monokuma responded childishly.
"Your laugh changed!" Jacques said, surprised at the bear's indecisiveness. "Terribly sorry if you find my laughter odd, Ultimate Business Manager! It's just that.." Monokuma said with his vanilla, childish voice. "..I'm a bit rusty." Monokuma said, but this time in George's voice. "Kuma Mettaton, CONFESS. You trapped George in a room and forced him to talk to us like this!" Jen desperately said. Her breakdown's near indescribable, but let's just say that it looks extremely unpleasant.
"Easy there, pathetic madwoman! That Ultimate Solver's dead, so what? It's not like you can stay like that forever! Gyahahaha!" Monokuma said in a familiar voice that only Jen and Gore recognizes. "Is this some foolish thing that this 'Mettaton Kuma' is pulling so that he could plunge us into insanity? That's 'cause I'm not liking it! Quit messing with our minds! Show yourself, coward!" Gore said furiously, acting awry just because he heard a dead friend's voice.
"Quit blabbering! I'll proceed onto the meeting. Everyone good?" Monokuma said in his original voice. "You see, we can totally do team building right now!" Monokuma continued. "What's a great team if you have members who barely know each others?" Monokuma said, chuckling loudly. "So you can be a bit fun, hm?" Zyla complimented Monokuma's odd antics.
"That's the spirit! You remind me of a delightful Despair named Aunos. The first and only activity is simple!" Monokuma continued. "Is it killing each other? DON'T FABRICATE YOUR DEPRAVED INTENTS!" Jen hysterically shouted, becoming a bit more ravaging than before. "Well, bingo! Not exactly bingo, but near-bingo! Not exactly the same one before, but better!" Monokuma said, somehow like an ad or something persuasive.
"It's killing, but better! You can go on a killing spree! You're free to kill during some time provided, with a countdown shown on every monitor. When the timer goes out, you'll be sleeping like babies in no time! Well, one of you doesn't, and they get a one-way ticket to killing! Well, if nobody kills, the game's over! A trust exercise, if you put it in a brighter way!" Monokuma said, shifting voices sometimes. "Better keep it entertaining for everyone, since it's your first fun activity!" Monokuma continued, as he disappears from the monitor.
As expected, timers have been visible on every monitor of the establishment. With fourteen people with little to no intents in killing, things could end up a bit more pacifistic than before.
Chapter 1-3: The ¤ Past ¤ Bites ¤ Back
"Kill each other? We're not war-hungry freaks. All of us will survive. Well, except for poor George." Stephen Roarings said, hoping that everything's a joke. It doesn't look like a joke however, since even Jen's freaking out. There's four hours left on the timer, while others are still confused.
Half an hour of dead air passed, and Akitara finally regained consciousness. Others aren't really doing anything other than sit down and stare at the monitor of the meeting room, so Akitara's sudden scream was easily heard.
"AAAAAHH!" Akitara shouted. She caught the attention of everyone in the room. "Thank goodness you're finally awake. Did you see how that table smacked you?" Säbel worriedly said, shaking Akitara to ensure that the despair fangirl is wide awake. "Don't worry about that table, I just had the best dream!" Akitara enthusiastically responded. "Quit the cliffhanger! Spit it out already." Lucifer said angrily, getting impatient at the terrible 'team building' activity they've been forced to participate at.
"Eureka, eureka! I can finally bypass the mortal life's boundaries!" Akitara shouted, as she went to grab a chair. "It's easy, trust me! I just need blood of a fallen servant of the Almighty!" Akitara said even more, forcing herself to shout at her peak. "..and you know what? We have one here right now!" Akitara continued, glaring despairingly at Lucifer.
"You do know that his Ultimate title may be a metaphor, hm? You may need to understand art more." Stephen said, urging Akitara to back off using his draw tablet; it was ridiculous yet rightful at the current moment. "Knock it off, blind plebeian. I know that the one and only art is everything Japan! May the yōkai devour your pathetic mind! Nyahahahaha!" Akitara shouted maniacally, preparing to knock Lucifer down and take what she needs to be immortal.
"Eugh, is this professionalism for you? You're board members, not whiny kids who believe in dumb s***!" Zyla exclaimed, somehow being more mature than everyone else in the room. "Mind your language, young lad. Let the elites talk." Säbel pridefully said, shunning Zyla completely. "Whatever b****s, I'm on my way to be immortal! Move away or your mortal lives are at stake!" Akitara shouted, as she grabs Stephen's draw tablet and throws it on the ground.
"That's it, you weird scum! I'm making my next artwork with your blood!" Stephen said furiously, maddened about his broken draw tablet. "Stop it. If you two will resort to murder then I have no choice but to prevent you two." Andrew said intimidatingly, which somehow made others grab Akitara and Stephen away from each other. They had no choice but to place them on separate rooms and let the two simmer down. Andrew then suggested that Lucifer would distance himself from Akitara for now, since the delusional despair fangirl's slowly losing her sanity.
"..but what if one of them is the mastermind?" Cosmic said, which created a wall of doubts if leaving each of them alone is beneficial to everyone's survival. "That can't be. You know, it's hard to pull off such thing. Only Jen knows about this Kuma Mettaton guy and we know that she's too preoccupied to perform such thing." Penelope said, looking at every corner. "Oh, speaking about Jen.. why is she acting all strange and awry?" Gore said, hoping that he can squeeze out information about the New Steel incident.
"T-THAT THING? FI-INE, I'll spit it out." Jen said, somehow starting to finally calm down. "It's a long story actually." Jen continued. She then proceeded to make a long summary of everything she knew about the event. The killing game, the victims, the deaths... everything. She cried a lot of times while narrating, but she kept her sanity. Right after the despairing story, Hannah stood up.
"Just as I perceived it to be like. I have suspicions about this Kuma Mettaton, but I can't point it out exactly what I have in mind." Hannah said, with fear on her eyes. She's never like this for at least a decade. It's as if she's finally afraid of something already. "..don't you think he's.." Jacques asked, but he was interrupted by his sister. "It is best to not talk about these matters. We have to find an exit. I don't think we can outsmart the one behind this." Hannah immediately said, as she leaves the room.
"You kept that all as a secret? How could you LIE to everyone!" Gore angrily said. He was extremely emotional. He doesn't show his feelings that much ever since he found that his best friend Shaguru was dead, but he's dead furious about this. His friend, killed by another guy without him having any chance to defend his friend? Definitely not okay. "Calm down. I know that's a huge burden to carry, and Jen is suffering every day just because of that. Cheer up, won't you guys?" Wiverna sympathetically said. "There's a reason to why we're all here. I say we follow Hannah's steps and go investigate." Yamamoto said, trying to remove the air of guilt inside the room.
"Whatever, dorky sureshot." Lucifer said, attempting to bring up his rivalry with Yamamoto. "As I said. Professionalism." Zyla said with a touch of sarcasm in his tone.
Chapter 1-4: A ¤ Fallen ¤ Thought
The Ross siblings knew that the monitors around surely are operated through a PA system. What better place would a PA system be at than the headmaster's office? Surely for Hannah, the headmaster will be able to use the PA system efficiently, as it will be most certainly used for school announcements, or even several less useful things such as the lost and found and even a school radio.
There's only one question for the two; where could the headmaster's office be located? It had to be placed strategically so the students would still be monitored properly. Possibly also easy to reach, which could mean that it's at the ground floor. Quick as a bullet, Hannah and Jacques ran down to the ground floor. As they are onto the first floor, the staircases were barricaded by steel, impenetrable by bare hands. Nothing around would be enough to whittle the barricade to progress further.
"I guess we don't have another way to get down to the source of this." Jacques said. "Don't just give up, we're not known for mediocrity!" Hannah said with burning passion to hunt down the mastermind. "Aren't you overreacting? Clearly, this is just a drill set up by Jen." Jacques said sarcastically. "You think this is a joke? We know who's behind all this. It's neither of us who's the mastermind. An external force is toying with us." Hannah pondered loudly, leaving Jacques half-clueless on where she's going.
Back on the top floor where the meeting room is located, Penelope and Yamamoto are making their own investigations at the staff lounge. Others really just see the two making an excuse to relax. They can't be bothered that much, because things went a bit too tense. "Oh, the staff lounge is terrific! Let me just tweet this." Penelope said while relaxing herself at a massage couch. She opened her mobile phone, only to realize that there's no signal, or even a WiFi connection. "Dagnabbit, it won't let me connect to the interwebs!" Penelope said in distress. "Really? The WiFi router is on, and I doubt that it's malfunctioning. Let me check my mobile phone." Yamamoto responded curiously.
There's no WiFi signal; there's also no other way to communicate to the outside world. "Things must be awry right now, but I'm pretty much sure that the mastermind thought about this perfectly. They could've installed a signal jammer to prevent other outside forces from interfering with his lust for bloodshed." Yamamoto said, partly panicking. "We should lock the door to keep ourselves safe!" Penelope desperately said, while sweating heavily whilst the room being air conditioned. "Have you forgotten already? The room is already locked. Our key cards can open them, so there's no point." Yamamoto argued. "Well, we could barricade the door." Penelope said, somehow trying to keep the both of them at such a cozy place. Greedy yet rightful.
Meanwhile at the men's staff locker room, Lucifer and Stephen are making their own argument whether to take a swim to chill down or not. "Certainly, you're trying to do the opposite of cooling my temper down!" Stephen shouted at Lucifer, slightly disappointed that his chaperone isn't doing what he's supposed to do. "If only you take other's advice, you'll be in euphoria instead of stress hell!" Lucifer maddeningly taunted. "You just want to be lustful, you promiscuous angel-demon whatever!" Stephen shouted more furiously than when his draw tablet was broken. "You idiot, I'm not into men!" Lucifer said, as he pushed Stephen to the bench. The angel of death then left the locker room to enjoy the swimming pool.
The speakers suddenly produced a muffled sound, and the timers on the monitors were replaced with Monokuma again. "Upupupupupu.. some couple's quarreling at such a lovey place!" Monokuma spoke in his childish voice. "Say, don't you think flirting excessively isn't part of this magnificent team building activity?" Monokuma continued, but in Kuma Mettaton's tone. "ARGH, every time I hear that imbecilic conjurer's voice, I want to destroy his face completely! Show yourself coward!" Jen insisted on fighting the mastermind head-on. "Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, I'm going to go for your head!" Jen continued blabbering threats alone at the meeting room.
Surprisingly, Monokuma bothered to reply to Jen's pathetic cries of rage. "My bear-y good face, only to be destroyed by the Ultimate Eagle-Eye? Don't make me laugh, wimp!" Monokuma taunted with his childish voice. "Don't even bother destroying security cameras, dear." Monokuma continued. "You see, but I see more. In fact, I see everything! Gyahahahaha!" Monokuma said, but with Akitara's despairing voice. "Oopsies, I didn't want to ruin the surprise." Monokuma said, back with his own cute voice. "As you may know now, miss Ultimate Despair Fangirl is dead!" Monokuma continued, before performing his infamous laugh once more.
Death #2 - Akitara Sakura
At the biology lab, Akitara was bludgeoned by several microscopes. The murderer didn't stop at bruising the despair fangirl in the knees, the murderer also poured down hydrogen peroxide and silver nitrate, which are found only at the chemistry lab — a floor above the biology lab — to Akitara's face. The Monokuma pin on her corporate dress was then placed near her left chest, possibly referencing her love for despair.
"You sly bear! Why are you attempting to torment me? I thought you had enough of that first mutual killing!" Jen shouted ferociously, as she ran out to the hallway, holding a pocket knife on her hand. Minutes after her going around aimlessly to seek the mastermind's lair, the alarms on the monitors went off, signaling the end of the first free time. Luckily for Lucifer, he swiftly went out of the pool to prevent drowning.
As expected, canisters containing sleeping gas were dispatched onto every room — all but one. Everyone quickly went to sleep, and only Stephen was left conscious.
"Ultimate Artist, it's time to make a new masterpiece." Monokuma said.
Chapter 2: The ¤ Hunt ¤ Continues
Chapter 2-1: Fallen ¤ Angel ¤ Fell ¤ Into ¤ Despair
After the attacker's phase, everyone simultaneously woke up, with little idea of what happened. There was no sign of the game ending, so they already know that someone died while they're forced to sleep. Jacques and Hannah were first to continue their own investigations, while looking for another path to reach the ground floor. First, they attempted to check the rooms on different floors efficiently, looking for odd things that could be lying around. They have heard that Akitara died hours earlier, but they don't know where the crime scene is; they also even don't know how Akitara died. The only information they have is Monokuma's official announcement of her death.
"Seriously, why would you need to know every detail?" An annoyed Jacques said to his sister. Jacques is slightly getting impatient about his sister's antics. "You know that we're dealing with it, hm?" Hannah replied sternly. "We need to find hidden spots around." Hannah continued in a calmer voice. "Sis, isn't finding a hiding place illogical to do? We know its capabilities." Jacques responded in a confused tone, as if there's something different form what he knows from what his sister knows. "No, you silly hog. Do you think a George piñata is possible to create with little time? There certainly are no party materials to pin cuts nearby of colorful foil to his skin." Hannah said, further pointing out that there could be hidden compartments around.
"..and you know that neither of us are part of the school's construction. That leaves us to either the ones who built the school and Jen as the mastermind." Hannah continued. "You know, anyone with enough wits can pull out this stunt, huh? The mastermind can still be unfamiliar with some of the places, yet can still maneuver us to despair." Jacques argued about Hannah's branch of thoughts. As the two were busy conversing, Gore suddenly tapped Jacques' back.
"Whoa, how did you suddenly get here?" Jacques asked with a slight of interest. "Y'know, being out of the spotlight is my thing. Your coherent discussion is what I'm seeking for while on a storm." Gore said, willingly bumping into the siblings' discussion. "Sure, we won't mind. A different perspective could help us solve this crime. So, did you find where Akitara's corpse is lying down?" Hannah said plainly. "Oh, yes. I witnessed the whole crime happening. I heard Andrew and Akitara arguing at the auditorium, so I tried to check what they're fighting about." Gore narrated without even shedding a drop of sweat.
"They were arguing about shallow topics. Andrew became irritated the more Akitara blabbered. At one point when Andrew decided to lock her up alone, Akitara threatened him with his life, saying that a mortal's blood could temporarily work out for her, until she gets her hands on Lucifer. That's when things became aggressive." Gore continued narrating.
"You're a tough shell for such a nerdy lady. Don't make me laugh with your silly threats, that won't work against me." Andrew said, grabbing Akitara at the collar of her blouse. "Me, a comedy freak? No way, José. You're going down." Akitara said in a gloomy tone, as she proceeded to grab a scalpel in her pocket. A short moment of close-range combat initiated. Akitara had the advantage due to her weapon, while Andrew was left to deal with the problem with his own fists. However, Andrew seized the scalpel a minute after. He incapacitated Akitara, dragged her outside the auditorium. Akitara was loudly pleading for a truce, but Andrew seems to ignore the pleads of mercy.
Gore stealthily followed Andrew around, as Andrew went to the biology lab. Andrew then hid Akitara on a cabinet under a sink, and locked the cabinet with a metal rod to prevent the Ultimate Despair Fangirl from escaping. Andrew came back minutes later holding flasks filled with various chemicals. Andrew then released Akitara from the sink. Akitara then desperately grabbed a nearby stool then smacked Andrew with it. Angrily, Andrew grabbed a microscope then bludgeoned the lady multiple times, mostly at the lower extremities.
Akitara cried for help with her last breath, as Andrew poured down the chemicals over her face.
Andrew then looked around for any witnesses, then when the coast was clear, he hid Akitara back on the sink cabinet. After all that, he walked out of the biology lab as if nothing happened.
"That fool! I knew he wasn't one to be trusted!" Jacques shouted sympathetically, showing signs of condolences toward Akitara's death. He didn't care whether Akitara deserved it or not, but he's maddened mainly by Andrew's misconduct. "Don't let pathos get on your nerves. We'll head to the biology lab." Hannah said calmly, despite hearing Akitara's last misfortune. "Gore, take this. Ring us through the handheld transceiver if Andrew's far from the lab. We don't want him to meddle with our investigation." Hannah said, while handing a walkie-talkie to Gore. "I don't think that will work, the signals are jammed." Gore said, but he was quickly interrupted by Hannah. "The jammer doesn't affect the handheld transceivers. It only seems to affect mobile connections." Hannah said, ensuring that her plan will end up foolproof.
Meanwhile, Cosmic and Zyla went to the men's pool. There, they saw the third victim of the killing game.
Death #3 - Lucifer Yamato
Lucifer's death wasn't as brutal as the previous two. Lucifer was floating dead on the pool, with a smiley face carved out on his face.
Zyla even made a joke about it. "Oh, the irony! The so-called Angel of Death faced his own death." Zyla jokingly said, even bursting out a laugh. "I remember someone who said something about professionalism. I wonder where that guy went." Cosmic sarcastically said. The two chuckled a little, then ran back to the meeting room to report their findings to Jen, Säbel, and Wiverna.
"Can't you see we're in the middle of a session here? We're calming down Miss Jen." Säbel shouted, ruining the serenity of the meeting room. "Lucifer drowned at the men's pool!" Zyla directly said, ensuring that the recipients get the gist of their news quickly. "Oh, the horror. He must've slept himself on the pool." Wiverna said, making more hypotheses in her mind about Jen's current condition. "No, you math geek. Someone could've pushed him to the pool." Säbel said, trying to be the Alpha lady around since Jen's too much of a mess. "Säbel is right. A carved smiley on his forehead proves that it isn't an accident." Cosmic said, somehow praising the Ultimate Fencer. "That's Mistress Säbel to you. Don't think about it promiscuously, I have no intentions to be someone's paramour or worse." Säbel said, still trying to be the most respected female around the place.
Chapter 2-2: Killer! ¤ Killer! ¤ Escape!
"There's no need for a sense of superiority." Wiverna attempted to pull Säbel's ego down. "You're just jealous, nerd." Säbel retaliated. "You two, quit fighting like young lasses. We are women, not war hungry wolves." Jen said, in a surprisingly calm tone. "Woah, never expected you to calm down that quick, considering that you're under this predicament." Zyla said, amused about Jen's sudden change in character. "Oh, I have realized that throwing all my anger towards Monokuma will get me killed in some way soon." Jen responded. "Great, now we need to eat! I'm staaarving. Do you have chips somewhere?" Cosmic jested, trying to subtly bring everyone to further comfort through eating. "Well, thanks to me, we got Jen's cuckoo brain back to normal." Säbel triumphantly said, claiming all the credit. "Whatever, know-it-all. Jen knows that we did it together." Wiverna whispered to herself.
The five people on the meeting room went outside, heading to the staff lounge. By the time they came across the room's door, Säbel wittingly tagged her ID first. The door was unlocked, but it won't move. "Darn this stupid door, it won't open!" Säbel angrily said, kicking the door twice. "You're one smart lady, but you don't think enough." Wiverna taunted. "Since the facilities are fairly new, the only logical thing is if someone barricaded the door from the inside." Wiverna explained her findings. "Who could the ones responsible for doing that, then?" Zyla asked curiously. "There's no other exit, so they should still be inside the room. All we could probably do is to shout and hope they respond." Jen said. "HELLO, IS ANYONE THERE?" Cosmic suddenly screamed. Mild chatter was heard.
Inside the staff lounge, Penelope and Yamamoto are slightly panicking. Well, not because they think they'll be killed, but rather because they'll possibly lose their humongous stash of food. "I have an idea, you keep quiet and I'll talk to them." Penelope whispered to Yamamoto. Yamamoto nodded as a sign of approval, then Penelope went closer to their improvised barricade. "Get out of my new turf. Who are you?" Penelope said loudly, mimicking a good impression of Lucifer's voice. The ones right outside heard it.
"L-Lucifer? No, that can't be." Säbel said back. Before anyone else could even talk, Jen shouted back. "It's me, Jen. Penelope, let us in." Jen shouted, and she guessed right. Penelope is indeed the one mimicking Lucifer's voice. "It's Jen. Let's let her in." Penelope said to Yamamoto. "Isn't she crazed hours ago? If she talked calmly, it could be the mastermind pretending to be her. Heck, we could only be the last two alive! We cannot risk this." Yamamoto said, but before he could even finish his statement, Penelope already unblocked the door.
"Finally! You blockheads, why would you deprive ME from such a luxury of a lounge?" Säbel angrily said. "We made this our hideout to preserve our lives! Isn't it obvious?" Yamamoto responded with paranoia. "Actually, it isn't. You sure that you two aren't doing the lovey dovey?" Säbel teased loudly, suggesting flirty intents towards the two. "Not in front of the kiddos." Penelope blushingly said, slightly embarrased even though they didn't do such act. "I don't care if you two are dating, I'm hungry!" Zyla said, running straight to the dessert bar to grab a serving of vanilla mousse.
"Jen, mind if you tell us how the food here could be restocked?" Wiverna said, since if there's no way to restock the food, they might as well ration it out until the killing game ends. "Oh, that's easy. There are ingredients at the staff kitchen at the back of the dessert bar. It's fully stocked, and could serve enough food for an entire week if we're going buffet, and it could last up to a month or two if we're going to eat singular servings each." Jen responded, while pointing to the kitchen door.
"Sweet! Do you happen to have fresh lobster around? I'm craving for seafood." Cosmic asked nicely, but before Jen could reply, he ran into the kitchen to look. Säbel then gave Penelope a semi-stern look, then chuckled loudly. "What are you laughing at, b****?" Penelope said in an irritated tone. "Oh, it's nothing. I'd insult you back but you already look ridiculous enough. Seriously, you have spaghetti in your hair? How did you even do that?" Säbel mockingly said, before laughing louder.
"I accidentally activated one of our traps while setting it up! Have you not seen the ruined tripwires?" Penelope argued, as she had enough of the brat. "Easy there ladies. We don't want to turn against each other. That's what the mastermind wants us to do!" Yamamoto urged to stop the argument before it goes worse. Suddenly, the timers on the monitors changed into Monokuma's avatar once more. "H-hey, watch your filthy tongue! As I said earlier, this is a team building activity! It's your f-fault that people got enticed into killing!" Monokuma said in his vanilla, childish voice.
"In fact, the head of this group, Jen, is indeed the first one to go barbaric! Clearly, she doesn't want to get along! Upupupupu!" Monokuma taunted, then disappeared from the monitors. A clip of Jen acting cuckoo was then played at the monitors. It was outrageously silly and infantile at the same time. "Darn, I must've overreacted earlier." Jen said shamefully. "Don't be ashamed of yourself. You were a victim of Monokuma's blood thirsty schemes." Wiverna said to Jen, as a clear sign of empathy. "Thanks, Captain Obvious." Säbel insulted Wiverna wittingly.
"You may be gifted with intellect, but your heart is rotten to the core!" Penelope responded back, defending Wiverna. "I'm just brutally honest. Don't you remember her reflection of the past events? Pretty much sure everyone tried to comfort her out of pity." Säbel responded with her head stuck up. "Pity? I'm positive that you tried to cool her down to actually look like a nice gal." Wiverna said, finally stepping out of her comfort zone. "Says who?" Säbel shouted back, obviously showing that she's already irritated to the bone. Yamamoto tried to stop them, but Jen prevented him from doing so.
"Let them settle it themselves. They're women, not children." Jen said. Even though Yamamoto didn't get the gist of what Jen said, he calmly sat down on a couch to watch the drama intensify. "Hey guys, quit fighting and stuff yourselves with food!" Cosmic shouted, while holding a lobster's claw. "Don't worry, Wiverdork and Peneloser are already getting stuffed here like a turkey." Säbel declined the invitation, while continuing to agitate the other two ladies. It's as if she's trying to purposely provoke the two.
"Oh you nasty pigf***! I'll destroy you!" Wiverna shouted, as she slowly turns into a wyvern. "A**hole, you can't destroy the queen of CoolTown when you're already wrecked!" Säbel yelled back, as she ran to grab a baguette. "Too much, Wiverna! Don't let her get into your nerves!" Penelope hopelessly said, trying to calm the heck out of Wiverna. It was no use. Wiverna already turned back into her monstrous self her father created.
"There's no turning back, Säbel." Wiverna said calmly, before rushing straight to Säbel.
Chapter 2-3: Are ¤ You ¤ My ¤ Monokuma?
"Eighteen sacrifices, yet twelve more must be done. Should I succeed, I can manipulate matter itself. I'll be patient, I'll be passive. I'll soon reign supreme of a new diabolical universe. One by one, they shall falter." the Mastermind murmured. He then disappears from plain sight, leaving a thin layer of smoke.
"This killing's rather done unprofessionally. It must be some kind of distraction." Hannah said as she inspects the body of Akitara. The surroundings were silent, though there's no clear sign of Andrew around. She didn't seem to have struggled so strongly, as there weren't much pressure applied to the improvised barricade Andrew have made. "Akitara herself must've accepted death." Hannah said, leaving the body, as Jacques brings it back to the sink closet to prevent Andrew from thinking that someone must've discovered that he killed someone.
As for Wiverna and Säbel's situation, the latter provoked the former knowing that Wiverna will turn into a powerful beast. It has proven her intimidating wits that her plan could easily backfire. Wiverna ran straight to Säbel, as the Ultimate Fencer leaps toward a counter, took a bite from the baguette, then went above Wiverna, like a mystifying matador attempting to jump over an angry bull. Wiverna didn't act in time to change directions, and she bumped her head to the titanium barricade. It hurted her, but the headbutt proved lightly that they can escape the school by breaking the barricades on the windows.
Jen herself does not approve of breaking too much equipment due to budgeting reasons, but it is on her principles that lives matter more than cash. A loud bang was heard upon the crash, loud enough for people outside the room to hear should there be. "Bravo, bravo. I assume that you'll calm down a little, oh monstrous lady." Säbel complimented Wiverna's tough wyvern skull, however not too much. "Your emotional imbalance, more specifically your badly-sewn self esteem helped me break your limits." Säbel chuckled, as she went nearer the still-a-wyvern Wiverna to pat her in the head. "Although the results were unsatisfactory, we can still make improvements now that we have a wall-breaking solution." Säbel continued, as Wiverna slowly turns back to her more fragile human form. Alas, the provocations were none but fuel for the ram.
"The fools finally struck false gold. They'll celebrate as expected, yet before sundown, they'll discover another comrade's life taken away by one of them once again." The mastermind whispered to himself, while observing the feeble achievements of the victims at the staff lounge.
It wasn't really long until the second timer goes off; before they knew it, they were forced to sleep once again. As each remaining participant were put to sleep, the mastermind himself decided to use one of its weapons against the uniting souls of Ultimates. Jen was woken up from the group, and was instructed by the mastermind to murder someone.
"I've been waiting for some time already. A time for us to talk." Jen said, while she's looking at a monitor. "Upupupupu.. A private discussion's what you seek, dearie? Is there something wrong?" Monokuma said using Mettaton's voice. "Our cover will soon be blown, yet our mutual goal has yet to be accomplished. Is there something we can do to deter them?" Jen replied, smirking with fear of losing the game.
"Ultimate Eagle-Eye, there is no need to tremble for. Andrew is already making his own problems alongside our two biggest threats: the Ross siblings." Monokuma replied, somehow hiding something from Jen, as if he's only playing servant. "Very well, I shall perform bloodshed myself." Jen said, as she walked down to the auditorium. There, she saw Stephen asleep. He was still holding a pen he got previously; yet it was covered in blood, and was using blood as its ink. A peculiar yet interesting scene, but she has to continue Stephen's masterpiece herself. She took the bloody pen, then smiled.
"Sorry bud, but you have a few strokes odd from your artwork. Don't worry, I'll fix it for you, free of charge."
Chapter 3: The ¤ Departed
Chapter 3-1: Séance
"Ding Dong! Wake up dearsies, you have a team building activity to finish! Bwahahaha!" Monokuma taunted to the remaining participants, with an odd, off-character laugh. It seems that the robotic bear's new hobby is to look for his new maniacal laugh. Albeit there's no reason to, an indecisive bear has to try.
"Let me do a head count first." Monokuma said childishly, blushing slighly as if he has a different perception of what he meant. "Not with you living buds, the deadsies!" Monokuma continued, before chuckling to death once more. After that, his image disappeared from the monitor. "As a recap, here are the deaths so far. It may be a bi-ig surprise to others who aren't aware of their surroundings!" Monokuma uttered whilst off-screen. An image of George as a piñata was shown as he utters a reckoning of despair.
"First off, we had a blast with a short birthday party with George Budiman! Oh, did you know that the killer stuffed real candy into his esophagus before turning him into a festive material of joy? Gyahahaha!" Monokuma said, while he revealed a fragment of what truly happened to George.
"Next, we have my next-to-first favorite Ultimate, Akitara Sakura! She was vehemently killed by, you knooow it, Poseidon! Darn it, he shoud've stabbed her with a lousy pitchfork instead." Monokuma continued, as he reappeared on the screen. He was holding an image of Akitara's burnt face.
"We only had two casualties before the first bedtime, but someone was happy enough to show Lucifer Yamato 'true' happiness! Voila, he slept himself to drown in ecstasy!" Monokuma continued while holding Stephen's broken draw tablet, subtly revealing him as the killer.
"The second phase wasn't much of an excitement, but after bedtime is the best. We had a plot twist! The killer was supposed to finish our artist over here, but a previous attacker interfered! Looks like they pretended to be sleeping, but woohoo! He got wrecked instead. That's right kiddos, Andrew Stockton's sleeping with the local fauna at the biology lab!" Monokuma said, before bowing on the screen. After that, the monitors went off. It turned back on immediately, which then displayed the timer as usual.
Jen and the others at the staff lounge were all in once piece. Penelope was the "first" one to wake up from the group, but she was unaware that someone in the room isn't who they seem to be. Well, nobody has enough time to eat, as Monokuma came back on the monitors dressed as a pumpkin.
"Feeling the ghostly spirit? You should! As a reward for your efforts to survive, I'll give you a ticket for a three-minute talk with any dead pal in the world! That doesn't count astronauts, for obvious joke reasons. I can't really decide on who to give the reward first, so I'll just spin a wheel on the monitors." Monokuma said, dancing like a backup dancer on a low-budget game show. The wheel, equally divided with all the remaining participants, was spun by Monokuma himself. However, the visuals didn't stick to the roulette fashion. As soon as the wheel was spinning fast, the graphics changed into each of the remaining participants on a slot machine. It then landed on Gore's head shot.
"Ooh, I bet'cha wanna talk to your lov-- cousin! Just say the name and I'll ring the bell!" Monokuma said, while chocolate coins fall right on Gore's place. Gore then had a power to perform a séance. As what Monokuma predicted, Gore called for his cousin. "Awesome! I'll call your cousin's soul right away! You'll see an AI version of them. Don't worry dear, the person you're talking to is still the real deal! They'll only take form of an animation so that you can have a more sensible talk. I mean, who needs a voice chat when you can have a video chat? Gyahahahaha!" Monokuma said, chortled, then disappeared.
The monitors all went dead. Did something go wrong? Did someone already foil the communication system? Did the police bust the mastermind? Nobody really knows. All that's certain is that only the monitors went down. Electricity is still present within the vicinity. After a minute, the monitors went back online. On the nearest monitor to Gore, an image of Shaguru Magala was seen, in a position you do when you're usually taking a formal image for applications or stuff. Gore cannot believe this kind of sorcery. Is this Shaguru in front of him the real soul as Monokuma claimed, or is this just a representation of his cousin formed by his memories related to Shaguru? All he had to do is talk to find out.
"Shag.. is that really you?" Gore asked in a confused manner. It's rather an odd expression to do, but knowing thay Gore was distraught with Shaguru's death, this situation feels awkward yet normal. The others who aren't within Gore's hearing radius doesn't even know what's currently happening. They don't even know that Gore is already talking to Shaguru. All they see is their surroundings, only that the monitors are still offline.
Shaguru's AI nodded, then screamed thriumphantly. "It's really you! I can't believe it! I've been looking for a way to communicate with you cuz! You know, I really missed you. I'd love to relive our old times, if possible." Shaguru uncontrollably yelled happily straight back to Gore. It was hard to believe that he's actually talking to a legit dead person.
"So, tough life, isn't it?" Shaguru empathetically said. Gore had no idea why Shaguru would immediately ask that, as they never talked about life, at least that was their status quo ten years ago. "Oh, it's fine." Gore hesitsntly replied. Shaguru knew what was going on, but he still wanted to see why Gore still stays so calm after all the predicaments he has been suffering from. It isn't just the murderous team activity, Gore was being demolished by his problems. It is only rightful for Shaguru to ask him, since Gore might be near his breaking point; seeing an extremely calm and kind person freak out into the eternal abyss of insanity expresses intimate despair. What Shaguru wanted to happen was to prevent Gore from ever reaching such point, since that's what the mastermind aims for.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Gore said, as he fakes a smile. A small drop of tear went down from his left eye, due to all the hardships he tried to utilize just to escape his haunting predicaments. Shaguru's AI showed clear disappointment on his face, which slightly angered Gore. "I'm tired of seeing things that make me think I'm a disappointment. You know that! You're not the real Shaguru, are you?" Gore shouted. He's getting furious the more the conversation deepens. It's as if Monokuma intended this to happen.
Everything went silent. Shaguru knew Gore is losing hope for himself. All he needs to do is to let him know that he's always at his side. "You still doubt my presence? I know you've been through a lot lately. You didn't reach your own expectations when you graduated. Your first flame dumped you a month ago for a rich businessman. Your father passed away last week. Cheer up, a blessing is more or less coming in your way." Shaguru said kindly. It calmed Gore down slightly, as Shaguru continued to speak. "I know a way to end this. The mastermind isn't who you think they are. The mastermind's not a-" Shaguru said, before he got disconnected from the talk.
"Times up!" Monokuma desperately said. The other monitors came back online, and everyone else wondered what happened. "Another séance's coming later, just you wait! Gore finally accepted Shaguru's death. I'm not really bad, y'see? Upupupupu!" Monokuma hastily said. It wasn't the truth however, it only opened a mended hole in Gore's heart.
Chapter 3-2: Real ¤ Kuma
"It seems that you have contacted Shaguru successfully." Jacques told Gore. "Did you ask your cousin about any information he knows about this establishment? I mean, it's not like this was built before his death, a wandering soul like him must've seen what the mastermind was plotting." Jacques continued, while the siblings still hold up to their assumptions. "I'm afraid the communication between us was interrupted by Monokuma. The bear must've been hiding something from us all." Gore said, sighing in disbelief. It's actually nice that most of the building is still unscratched. At first their barbaric activities may have result to destroying school property, but everything felt either civil or professional. After the short conversation, the three went to the auditorium, where the recent death occured. The visit wasn't to mourn for the loss nor to study the corpse; they were trying to search for Stephen.
Back at the staff lounge, where the others were camping happily due to the buffet, Säbel noticed something different about Jen recently. Before the second attacker phase, Jen looked perfectly decent, and there were no scratches nor holes in her corporate attire. Now, she looks heavily tired. Her blouse had small and linear cuts at the right side of the shoulder's fabric. As this may help solve the mystery of the mastermind, she inevitably shouted to everyone. "Look, look! Jen might've been chosen as the attacker when we were all placed to sleep! She looks awfully tired and all!" Säbel said, while she points at Jen. "Just as I predicted. I have foreseen right before we sleep that one of us in this room won't be put to sleep." Yamamoto said, supporting Säbel's mutiny. "What shall we do? Shall we forcefully intereogate her?" Säbel mockingly asked, but she was immediately stopped by Wiverna. "She might be forced to do the killing, hm? I don't think a victim of the previous mutual killing game would have the guts to slay someone, provided that Jen does not want to relive those moments." Wiverna said, as she went near Jen to protect her.
"Oh, perfect! Jen now has a new pet wyvern. Why not let the old timer defend herself?" Säbel said, glaring at both Wiverna and Jen sternly. "I really don't know what you're talking about." Jen said. She's playing dumb once again. In fact, even Zyla and Cosmic believe her. Säbel angrily looked at Jen, as she drew out rapier. "I can see through your lies, Eagle-Eye. Confess or your head gets a date with my lovely Rufus!" Säbel shouted. She placed her rapier an inch from Jen's neck. Jen calmly reacted to the situation. "Your ego is blocking the truth. Allow reason to penetrate your beliefs." Jen said, looking straight into Säbel's eyes. Säbel was being unreasonable, yet daring at the same time. She's willing to obliterate someone in front of a crowd, somehow playing the role of an executioner executing a criminal.
"Do you have proof that Jen was the killer of Andrew?" Wiverna strikingly said. It produced a sudden jolt of silence inside the room. Zyla and Cosmic stopped ignoring the scene for a sudden instant. Penelope suddenly stopped slurping on her strawberry smoothie. Sort of moment-breaking, but not quite. Säbel was infuriated by the question, and she grasped at her rapier stronger, to the point that her hand is mildly shaking due to the pressure. "Isn't Yamamoto's clairvoyance enough proof? Isn't Jen's weariness enough proof? What kind of ignorance do you seriously have, Wiverna?" Säbel yelled at Wiverna. Yamamoto and Penelope then both came near to the scene and grabbed Säbel away from Jen and Wiverna. "Sheesh, just as when we're all getting pacifistic." Penelope said, disappointed at the current happenings. Säbel pushed the two meddlesome co-workers aside, but she regained her calm demeanor.
"I'll let reasoning judge. Wiverna, do you have proof that Jen is innocent?" Säbel said, as she sat down to a couch. She then placed the rapier back to its thin scabbard; she stared blankly towards Wiverna and Jen, signifying that she is indeed allowing the two to reason themselves out. "That's an easy question, Ultimate Fencer." Wiverna said in a more ambivalent manner, somehow doubting if her reasoning would prove helpful. "Jen had recently wore herself down since she's filled with outrage after the first attacker phase. You and I were both eyewitnesses to this." Wiverna spoke bluntly. Before Wiverna could even continue defending Jen, the infamous Monokuma appeared from the monitors again.
"Surprise, surprise! Did you miss me, suckers? Upupupupupu!" Monokuma taunted wrongly. His sudden entry clearly broke the intense mood inside the staff lounge. Everyone drew their attention to Monokuma immediately, including those outside the staff lounge. "Your prayers were heard, someone besides Gore gets to call someone from the dead! The catch? None at all! It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal!" Monokuma continued, somehow switching personalities on the way. "Let's see the lucky winner for a semi-private séance!" Monokuma said in a high pitched voice, somehow resembling George's voice. The monitors once again showed a slot machine similar to the one earlier, only this time Gore's image was grayed out. It was an indication that Gore is no longer allowed to participate on the séance.
The slots rolled, then revealed the next participant to be Säbel Astrein. Säbel was glad to know she's next in line. She smirked, then began to talk.
"Monokuma-pig, I'd love to speak to what I perceive to be Jen's previous adversary. I'd like to talk to Kuma Mettaton, should they be dead as she claimed to be." Säbel said in a villainous tone, as if she's going to publicly shame Jen by debunking her seemingly-credible statements. "Very well, Ultimate Fencer. You may now speak to the almighty mastermind of the killing game Jen oh-so adored." Monokuma said in Kuma Mettaton's voice.
"It's so nice to hear that someone here has similar motives of mine." Kuma Mettaton said, as the avatar on the screens shift to the eighteen year old guy Jen was familiar with. The conversation wasn't that private as before, however. The Ross siblings, Gore, and Stephen can see and hear Kuma Mettaton from the monitors near them.
"Say, what's your opinion about Jen?" Säbel blurted joyously. Jen shrieked in fear.
Chapter 3-3: Sleep ¤ Dear ¤ Child
"I can't word it out correctly. I'd say pathetic. Too emotional. Head over heels when it comes to valiant anti-despair blabbering. A nuisance even from ten years ago. I should've disposed her when I had the chance." Kuma Mettaton said, while he mimics his impression of Monokuma from his own game. "Shut it, deceiver. You know what I want to know. Tell me all you know about Jen and the Mastermind of this bulls***." Säbel said, as she drew out Rufus once again from the thin scabbard. Säbel threatened Monokuma dumbly, possibly just to signify that she's not wasting her time. Kuma Mettaton laughed, as his face shortly turns into Kurokuma — an all-black version of the infamous Monokuma.
"F*** yeah, I know a bunch of trashy business about that pig you call Jen and the disgusting piece of s*** you consider as the Mastermind. However, what gives? I don't have to respond to a female jockey who pretends to be the smartest s*** in the world, naw!" Kuma Mettaton responded to Säbel in the most disrespectful way since the start of the team building activity. Zyla interfered by tapping Säbel's back, which the latter retaliated with a threatening pose. "Säbel, I think you're wasting your time with Kuma whatever." Zyla frankly told Säbel, but Säbel was obnoxiously stubborn to listen. Instead, Säbel pushed Zyla away.
"Oh, I think you should listen to that little kiddo over there. Y'know, you need to get your s***ty head back down to Earth. A naughty b**** like you doesn't deserve respect." Kuma Mettaton responded, still withholding the arrogant personality. "Nasty imbecile, as much as I'd like to praise your moxie, I have to remind you that I am the one who allowed you to speak. Now, if you wish to have this stupid game up still running, you better respond to what I want you to tell me. Understand?" Säbel shouted, rather infuriated by Kuma Mettaton's stalling antics.
"I wonder what's happening. Perhaps Säbel and Kuma Mettaton are trying to insult each other?" Jacques asked his sister, but his sister only shrugged in response. "It would be best to reunite with the others to know what's happening." Gore softly responded. "Well, now that I'm with you guys, I think I have to agree with our pal Gore." Stephen responded, as he nods. The quartet decided to check back on the meeting room, as the others may be staying in there as a refuge.
Kuma Mettaton's Kurokuma avatar froze. It glitched out slightly, but when the glitching stopped, it changed in appearance. Kuma Mettaton was then using Shirokuma — an all-white version of Monokuma. "What f***ery is this? Did you just transform into a saint-like figure, you naughty devil?" Säbel screamed back in anger, as she overtly shows desperation in getting information. "Chill out, friend. Anger defiles your pure intentions." Kuma Mettaton said calmly, as if he's depicting a sage who has mastered the act of tranquility. "Dear, ask me your question again. Make sure you're calm so you don't misinterpret my responses." Kuma Mettaton continued, as his Shirokuma avatar simply smiles.
"Very well, if this isn't a joke. I want you to tell me everything you know about the relationship of Jen and the mastermind of this outrage." Säbel said in a tired manner. She's hoping that this wouldn't be another bamboozle set up by the nefarious Kuma Mettaton. "Beg it to me. Upupupupupu!" Kuma Mettaton responded in Monokuma's voice, as he treated Jen's humility as if he's only talking to a pitiful laughingstock. "You nasty scumf**k! I'll tear you so hard that you'll wish that you never b***hed me in the first place!" Säbel shouted at the tip of her voice, as she threw her red rapier towards the screen as if she was throwing a javelin. The screen broke, and everyone was surprised at her sudden burst of rage.
"You're next, Jen! Now explain this bulls**t or your face is next!" Säbel threatened Jen, as the fencer ran straight to her rapier to pick it up. Despite the video feed being broken, Kuma Mettaton can still respond to Säbel's pathetic outrage. "Failing to drive away your pride will only leave a path of destruction." Kuma Mettaton said, "This is what despair is. You fail to correct your wrong principles, so you can only despair and point the blame to others." Kuma Mettaton continued, using his regular voice. Säbel pretended to didn't hear Kuma Mettaton. She picked up Rufus, wiped it off with her handkerchief, glared at Jen, then threw the rapier at the lady.
The rapier flew straight, directly aimed at Jen's forehead. Before the rapier pierces through Jen's skull, it was intercepted by Wiverna's wyvern talons. Wiverna immediately returned back to her frail human body, picked up Säbel's rapier, and pointed it back to the owner in a competitive stance. "If you wish to fight, do it now. Attacking a defenseless damsel is no virtue, especially to a wielder of honor like you. You're too unpleasant to live." Wiverna said calmly, with a face of stored anger. Wiverna threw the rapier to Säbel, transformed into a wyvern once more, then began to glide into her opponent.
"My work here is far from done, but I will leave you all to despair. It was to plead or to despair, and you chose greatly." Kuma Mettaton said, before the audio feed was cut off. "Tout suite, sucker!" Säbel taunted, as she cartwheeled into her rapier's direction, effectively dodging Wiverna's attack. Säbel grabbed her rapier, and directly maimed one of Wiverna's wings, greatly handicapping the wyvern. "Quick, before this gets out of hand, get far as possible!" Wiverna screamed in agony, warding others from Säbel's destructive wrath.
"It begins." Monokuma said, as he once again chortled his infamous laughter.
Chapter 3-4: Princess ¤ Versus ¤ Dragon
"Man, that was a really interesting talk. I bet Säbel rejected Kuma Mettaton's order." Gore said, while unknowingly speculated the right outcome of the event. The other group finally met up with Stephen at the auditorium, where they gladly welcomed each other, as opposed to the heat of the battle brought by Säbel. "Upupupupupu! A lovely staging is up on the staff lounge! Mutiny on the backstage of despair!" Monokuma publicly announced on the monitors and speakers. The two heated and bloodthirsty damsels surely had enough of each other's interference with their own matters.
"Staff lounge? Did Monokuma really intend for us to see them?" Stephen asked the others, as surely he isn't buying Monokuma's scheme. "No, I think he just slipped. I for sure know that he prefers everyone to be isolated. The fight was purposely done to break the others apart, since he can easily deceive you if you are alone." Hannah said, further implying that she knows who the mastermind is from the evidence she accumulated before Lucifer was murdered at the pool. "Well, let's just find out what's happening up there." Gore insisted, as he was slowly getting impatient of all the pointless chatter that impedes their ascent.
"Stop it, you two!" Zyla attempted to be the hero by stopping the brawl. It didn't go as he expected it to be, however, as both Säbel and Wiverna ignored Zyla's peacemaking. Säbel feinted at Zyla, much to the child's horror. "Don't you dare threaten the innocent!" Wiverna screamed in anger, as she circled around Säbel, which agitated and confused the fencer. "Oi, oi! The child wasn't threatened. Your life is, pathetic talking wyvern! You have no place in reality for you're bounded by fantasy!" Säbel mocked Wiverna's protective nature and her current physical appearance. "How long am I going to endure your pathetic personality?" Wiverna uttered back, as she keeps her distance from the fencer.
"Attaboy, go teach yourself to mind your own business!" Säbel screamed at the top of her voice, as she stabs Zyla ten times in the torso, forming the constellation Cygnus. It was a horrific scene. If Säbel were to hold her dignity up high, why would she sacrifice an innocent bystander who opposes her bloodthirsty methods of gaining the truth she perceives? Truly, everyone was really confused by her sudden change of attitude. Sure, she was obnoxiously short-tempered and sarcastic in intonation but why would she go as far as murdering a child in style?
Jen unfortunately had enough of this. Wiverna's only trying to stall Säbel so she could leave the room safely but she doesn't like what's happening to Wiverna. She knew Wiverna was trying to redeem herself from her past, but this isn't the right way to do it. She immediately went for the buffet counter to grab some cutlery, then threw it straight to Säbel's position. Jen is indeed the Ultimate Eagle-Eye, but she isn't good at throwing projectiles. She frantically missed her target, instead hitting Wiverna occasionally. "Pathetic scum, your eyes are that of a cat's but your aim is sloppy! I almost pity you, murderous scumf***!" Säbel taunted, not realizing that she used the wrong set of words to differentiate herself from Jen.
"Murderous? Have you not seen who killed Zyla? You are one pretentious freak, you fail to keep your tracks! Tell me, how are you the righteous one when you simply showed how bloodthirsty your deranged principles are!" Jen shouted her, as she proceeds to give Säbel her nasty verdict. "Fight me, and we shall rid of each others' despairs for whoever ends the life of the other." Jen continued. She grabbed a baguette, as she mocked Säbel's weapon choice on her first fight against Wiverna. Of course, Wiverna didn't approve of Jen's heroism at the current moment. Wiverna stoped circling Säbel, flew straight to Jen wearingly, then begged Jen to mount her so that she could deliver her to safety as her only chance of redemption from her wrongdoings from the past.
"Why? I am a fierce woman on my own definition. I fight with those who share the same views as me." Jen said, as she kindly declined Wiverna's final request. Wiverna, mildly annoyed, grabbed Jen on Jen's collar, situated Jen above her, carried Jen away from the room, inevitably ramming and breaking the staff lounge's steel door. Wiverna was badly hurt, but she still managed to hide Jen in time, at the girls' changing room on the same floor. By the time both Wiverna and Jen arrived at their destination, Wiverna was extremely exhausted. She couldn't take the pain anymore. She feels like her very life force is being drained from her, as she transformed back to her normal, human form.
Jen only had enough time to ask one simple question. "How were you able to willingly transform into a wyvern?" Jen asked, as she wanted to know why Wiverna staked her life to protect her. Wiverna, heavily mutilated, looked into Jen's eyes, and teared town in sorrow.
"You're the reason. You helped me realize that I'm not a bad person after all. I'm tired of being myself, and I brought myself out from eternal guilt by sacrificing myself to help someone who cared so much about me. Thank you, Jen. Thank you." Those were her last words. After an enduring encounter with the Ultimate Fencer, the wyvern has fallen, possibly for a better cause.
Of course, the relentless Säbel didn't stop right there. She tried to search for Wiverna and Jen's whereabouts. She left the room, as she kicked Wiverna's dismembered wing away from her path. Just in time, the Ross siblings and the others met with Säbel. Jacques urged to talk to her, but he was stopped by her sister as Hannah senses something wrong. "What's wrong?" Jacques whispered. "Isn't it obvious? She just murdered someone. You can see blood stains in her outfit." Stephen, overhearing the whisper, whispered back. "It is best for us to check the staff lounge, just to be sure. If Säbel was on a killing spree she would've killed us on sight to avoid witnesses and investigators." Jacques whispered back, as they simply walked towards the staff lounge.
Chapter 3-5: Three ¤ Squared
"Now, how about a third lucky séance? Trust me, you guys are just making terrible choices!" Monokuma announced to every speaker and monitor. As usual, the slot machine was rolled. However, everyone inside the staff room couldn't see who's going to get the prize, so they all relied on the speakers Säbel luckily didn't break from the fight earlier. The only ones who could see a clearer prediction would be Jen and Säbel, but both are preoccupied from attempting to confront each other. The sound effects of the slot machine stopped. This could only mean one thing, and that a winner has been chosen. However, who could it be? Everyone but the newcomers was filled with sorrow when an innocent teen was murdered in front of them. They can't imagine Säbel to be the mastermind either, unless the Säbel they knew was a con artist who is working for the real Säbel, if she were to be the real mastermind behind all this.
"Oh, would you look at that!" Monokuma taunted, as he knew that almost everyone cannot see what the end result of the lottery was. "Let's see, looks like Hannah Ross wins this round! Lady Sherlock, which unfortunate soul would you trouble to interrogate with your superhuman deduction skills?" Monokuma said, then he snorted loudly afterwards. "Haha! You're finished, mastermind!" Jacques insulted Monokuma, knowing that his sister would solve this once and for all and prove the mastermind's identity they both deducted from the start of the killings. "Don't be so sure, mini-Hannah. I'll deflate your ego if I have to." Monokuma wittingly responded in a calm yet slightly peculiar manner. "I put my whole trust on her, then." Cosmic said, as he went near Hannah and patted her in the back to show his full support. "I appreciate your help, lad. Now, I call forth Kuma Mettaton to answer to my deductions." Hannah confidently said, as she snapped her fingers in determination.
"Oooh, you wish for that genius fool to be bothered once again? Very well, enjoy his possible wrath!" Monokuma gleefully responded to Hannah's request. "Oh, and for your convenience everyone, it is recommended to visit the auditorium at the floor below the staff lounge. A good show of wits and luck is about to commence." Monokuma said. As the pathetic bear uttered those words, all the other rooms were suddenly locked. Jen was now stuck inside the ladies' locker room with Wiverna's corpse lying near her, and Säbel was unfortunately locked in one of the classrooms on the same floor. "Good luck, dearies! Kuma Mettaton's hologram will meet you there, to make sure that the video feed won't be broken purposely this time." Monokuma jested on Säbel's deed, knowing that Säbel will hear this insult.
"Now, shall we?" Hannah gestured towards the staff lounge's door. Everyone proceeded to leave the room, with Penelope bringing a box filled with cans of soda and Yamamoto bringing a large platter of chips in cases someone needs to rejuvenate. Stephen led the others to the auditorium, with the Ross siblings trailing the group to check if an outsider or some sort is following them from behind. The group safely entered the auditorium, and just as they expected, a life-sized Kuma Mettaton was seen in the middle of the stage. It is masked with a generic Monokuma face, even though the others have already seen his presumed real face earlier during Säbel's contact with him.
"Welcome, wannabe-victims of this puppet show." Kuma Mettaton mentioned. He knew neither Säbel nor Jen could hear him this time, so he was free to blabber about the mutual killing game his listeners and interlocutor are partaking. "Puppet show? What do you mean?" Penelope curiously asked, but she was shunned by Kuma Mettaton, mainly because it was Hannah who wished to contact him. "Say, want a cookie with Monokuma's adoring face on it?" Kuma Mettaton invited Hannah into a good talk. It seemed that he had no intention to deceive Hannah or anyone else, as if he really wanted to contact Hannah in the first place. "Now, what is it that you wish to know?" Kuma Mettaton humbly responded, as his Monokuma mask turned white, similar to the Shirokuma avatar on the monitors earlier.
"It is simple. I only wish for you to verify that the one behind all this is Sepulchral." Hannah said. It was the most straightforward response Kuma Mettaton has ever heard since the start of the mutual killing game he himself devised. "Are you sure you really want to? This is a puppet show, after all." Kuma Mettaton responded with a smile on his face. "Since when did I ask for something I didn't like?" Hannah responded with slight lack of modesty. "Very well. You are trying to shoot in the dark, well equipped with proper sight equipment, yet you still do not know how your target responds to intruders." Kuma Mettaton responded, while the Shirokuma mask turned back to the usual Monokuma mask. "I affirm that this is Sepulchral's doing, yet to act accordingly, you need to break the indelible mark of puppetry." Kuma Mettaton continued. Monokuma's laughter was then heard from every speaker of the auditorium, with each speaker producing a different tone of the laugh.
"Laugh while you can, you cannot last long as a mere accomplice to a being that depraved." Hannah responded to Kuma Mettaton's affirmation in a different way, as if she's losing her ground from all the information she had acquired. "Oh dear, this is bad." Jacques whispered to the others, soft enough for even Hannah not to hear it. "What's so bad about this Sepulchral guy?" Gore responded, as he was as clueless as a blank map of pure nothingness. "Oh, I will. We'll have the last laugh, too." Kuma Mettaton replied. The tone was different. The voice that came out from the hologram had a stronger echo. It gave Hannah a clue that the one she is talking to may not be Kuma Mettaton at all, given the lack of change in personalities like the Kuma Mettaton did from Säbel's séance and Jen's storytelling.
"Now, ponder upon your shorthanded success." Kuma Mettaton continued, back in the regular voice the others are familiar with. Sleeping gas diffused the room quickly, which knocked everyone down. Before they were forced to sleep, the same Monokuma laughter was heard, haunting their minds, and filling it with despair they never experienced before. After an hour, Hannah was the first and only one to wake up. She was in the middle of the stage, right where the Kuma Mettaton hologram was placed an hour earlier. She feels numb and immobile, and predicted that someone tied her for some terrible reason.
"Now, tell me who you want to spare." an odd voice was heard faintly, as two live feeds of Jen and Säbel both in grave danger are shown in two separate monitors in front of Hannah. "I challenge your frail adjudication. Pick who shall suffer." the odd voice continued. Jen was tied tightly using a rope, with her head almost touching the pool water. A small push and Jen was sure to drown. Säbel, on the other hand, is inside the staff lounge, with knives hanging above her restrained body.
"If you don't choose someone to spare, they'll both be spared for the expense of your life, alongside your poor sibling's." The voice eerily uttered, and Hannah's time to choose is running out.
Chapter 4: The ¤ Adjudicators
Chapter 4-1: The ¤ Accused
Tick, tock.
After the time for the killing phase was depleted, a strange new bell sound was played out. Everyone woke up strangely sitting on the seats at the auditorium, with a horrific sight ready to push them deeper into the world of despair as they open their candid eyes that still yearn for hope. Jen was the first one to wake up. She was startled when she realized that she was moved to a different place. Panic went into her mind, and she ran as fast as she can to leave the auditorium. She knew there's something else wrong, but she chose to flee from it. Her last hopes were demolished when she slammed on the auditorium doors, only to realize that they were barricaded shut from the outside.
As she knew the school's structure, the went back on-stage, then approached the decapitated siblings, who were brutally killed by the mastermind themselves. A now-calmed Säbel confronted Jen, who was also disgusted at the double murder. "Do you know what you've done? Are you happy now?" Säbel sorrowfully said. The Ultimate Fencer regained their sane personality, and thus, didn't wish to kill Jen at her only chance to do so. "No, you don't understand..." Jen slowly said, in a monotonous manner. "...what do you understand that I do not?" Säbel continued, with her guard on. She had a terrible feeling about the conversation.
"Alright, before you two fight again, care to respect the deceased? I know it doesn't impact you that much because you don't have close ties to the Ross siblings!" Penelope said. "Well, don't you think we'll fall under the same fate, only later?" Gore spoke subtly, as a small commotion formed. "Oh come on, won't you admit your allegiance to Monokuma?" Säbel said, urging Jen to reveal her ulterior motives. She apparently didn't want to fight her anymore. She was looking forward for Jen to admit that she was the one behind this, and that she would repent for her wrongdoings.
"Now, now... you're denser than you really are, aren't you?" Jen said, having her trapped without any real defense in her depleted arsenal. "You see, there is always more than meets the eye." Jen continued, as she walked slowly towards Säbel. Säbel cartwheeled her way away from Jen, in attempt to find a larger space to defend herself. Jen proceeded to walk, ignoring the small crowd, then all the monitors changed from Monokuma's cute and split figure into Jen's face, mimicking Monokuma's appearance.
"Woah, this is some freaky stuff!" Stephen worriedly uttered, as he proceeded to hide behind a seat. It wasn't the brightest idea, but he's pretty much safe considering that Jen was going for Säbel. "Tell me, Ultimate Fencer, tell me now." Jen said, with her voice coming from the speakers around the auditorium. "Will you drop your traumatized act now, you filthy psychopath?" Säbel shouted, as she readies her stance.
"Me, traumatized? I was just attempting to stay off the radar, imbecile. Of course, I think Hannah had a clue about me being the mastermind. Don't you see how cautious she was around me?" Jen said, grabbing a pocket knife on one of her pockets. "She's threatening the Ultimate Fencer with a knife? Unless she has mad skills, she doesn't stand a chance against Säbel, to be honest." Yamamoto spoke to Penelope, while Penelope merely shrugged. "Quick, Säbel. Your time is running out!" Jen shouted maniacally, and copied Säbel's intimidating glare. It wasn't a perfect copy, but it sure did made Säbel feel uneasy.
"Wait! Jen's either being possessed or just being crazy!" Gore shouted, the first time he did so within five years. "I know you weren't there when Hannah explained everything, but she said something about a demon named Sepulchral." Gore continued, being extremely cautious of Jen as she might target him anytime. "Oh please, it's obvious that it's Jen, and not some demon thingamajig!" Säbel dismissed Gore's refutation, without even showing any signs of consideration.
"Sepulchral? Fool, such name does not exist!" Jen denied the allegation, but Gore and the others weren't convinced of her talk, especially with her sudden revelation. "Gore's right. It's possible Jen or even Sepulchral themselves arranged the double murder!" Yamamoto complemented Gore's statement. Säbel was still stubborn, but she's somehow thinking that it's a possibility.
"Demon or not demon, this pathetic s*** needs to sleep with the b****es!" Säbel sternly worded out.
Don't overdo yourself, impudent fool.
Säbel continued to insult Jen, but she shows no intention of attacking the 'mastermind'. However, the monotonous Jen didn't bother responding to the insult at all. Instead, the deranged lady left a soft chuckle. "Mind your words, Ultimate Fencer. If you continue to act barbaric, you'll join them all earlier than I anticipated you to do so." Jen said, as if she had prophesied everything that will happen from the very beginning. She's directly implying that she's the mastermind. "Stop lying Jen, we know you're not the mastermind! Snap out of it!" A concerned Penelope cried out loud, hoping that Jen would drop her act, if it was one in the first place.
"Very well then, since you pleaded. I'm not the mastermind." Jen said, as her voice was echoed by the speakers. The monitors then was rid of Jen's odd image. However, instead of the regular Monokuma face showing as the screensaver, it showed a portrait of Kuma Mettaton mimicking Monokuma's appearance. His right side of his face was his normal appearance during the first killing game. The left side of his face depicted a grayed-out him, showing a reminisce of his death portrait that was used during the class trials. "Hey, you seem to have placed the wrong image." Cosmic said as a sly joke. It wasn't funny at all, but he felt like it would be at that point.
"Jen, I think you need a well-deserved hug. I know you probably submerged to despair because of all these happenings, but I'd like you to know that you won't face these challenges alone!" Penelope fearlessly said, as she walked in Jen's direction. Penelope went nearer imprudently, which caused Yamamoto to excessively worry about her. "Wait, no! She might kill you!" Yamamoto shouted to warn Penelope, but it was too late. Penelope had already approached Jen by the time Yamamoto finished his sentence, but to everyone's surprise, Jen reciprocated the hug, then began to cry.
"There, there. We'll get through this together. Now don't scare us like that, okay?" Penelope said, as she attempted to comfort the Ultimate Eagle Eye.
They don't even have a single clue of what I'm capable of.
After the time for the killing phase was depleted, a strange new bell sound was played out. Everyone woke up strangely sitting on the seats at the auditorium, with a horrific sight ready to push them deeper into the world of despair as they open their candid eyes that still yearn for hope. Jen was the first one to wake up. She was startled when she realized that she was moved to a different place. Panic went into her mind, and she ran as fast as she can to leave the auditorium. She knew there's something else wrong, but she chose to flee from it. Her last hopes were demolished when she slammed on the auditorium doors, only to realize that they were barricaded shut from the outside.
As she knew the school's structure, the went back on-stage, then approached the decapitated siblings, who were brutally killed by the mastermind themselves. A now-calmed Säbel confronted Jen, who was also disgusted at the double murder. "Do you know what you've done? Are you happy now?" Säbel sorrowfully said. The Ultimate Fencer regained their sane personality, and thus, didn't wish to kill Jen at her only chance to do so. "No, you don't understand..." Jen slowly said, in a monotonous manner. "...what do you understand that I do not?" Säbel continued, with her guard on. She had a terrible feeling about the conversation.
"Alright, before you two fight again, care to respect the deceased? I know it doesn't impact you that much because you don't have close ties to the Ross siblings!" Penelope said. "Well, don't you think we'll fall under the same fate, only later?" Gore spoke subtly, as a small commotion formed. "Oh come on, won't you admit your allegiance to Monokuma?" Säbel said, urging Jen to reveal her ulterior motives. She apparently didn't want to fight her anymore. She was looking forward for Jen to admit that she was the one behind this, and that she would repent for her wrongdoings.
"Now, now... you're denser than you really are, aren't you?" Jen said, having her trapped without any real defense in her depleted arsenal. "You see, there is always more than meets the eye." Jen continued, as she walked slowly towards Säbel. Säbel cartwheeled her way away from Jen, in attempt to find a larger space to defend herself. Jen proceeded to walk, ignoring the small crowd, then all the monitors changed from Monokuma's cute and split figure into Jen's face, mimicking Monokuma's appearance.
"Woah, this is some freaky stuff!" Stephen worriedly uttered, as he proceeded to hide behind a seat. It wasn't the brightest idea, but he's pretty much safe considering that Jen was going for Säbel. "Tell me, Ultimate Fencer, tell me now." Jen said, with her voice coming from the speakers around the auditorium. "Will you drop your traumatized act now, you filthy psychopath?" Säbel shouted, as she readies her stance.
"Me, traumatized? I was just attempting to stay off the radar, imbecile. Of course, I think Hannah had a clue about me being the mastermind. Don't you see how cautious she was around me?" Jen said, grabbing a pocket knife on one of her pockets. "She's threatening the Ultimate Fencer with a knife? Unless she has mad skills, she doesn't stand a chance against Säbel, to be honest." Yamamoto spoke to Penelope, while Penelope merely shrugged. "Quick, Säbel. Your time is running out!" Jen shouted maniacally, and copied Säbel's intimidating glare. It wasn't a perfect copy, but it sure did made Säbel feel uneasy.
"Wait! Jen's either being possessed or just being crazy!" Gore shouted, the first time he did so within five years. "I know you weren't there when Hannah explained everything, but she said something about a demon named Sepulchral." Gore continued, being extremely cautious of Jen as she might target him anytime. "Oh please, it's obvious that it's Jen, and not some demon thingamajig!" Säbel dismissed Gore's refutation, without even showing any signs of consideration.
"Sepulchral? Fool, such name does not exist!" Jen denied the allegation, but Gore and the others weren't convinced of her talk, especially with her sudden revelation. "Gore's right. It's possible Jen or even Sepulchral themselves arranged the double murder!" Yamamoto complemented Gore's statement. Säbel was still stubborn, but she's somehow thinking that it's a possibility.
"Demon or not demon, this pathetic s*** needs to sleep with the b****es!" Säbel sternly worded out.
Don't overdo yourself, impudent fool.
Säbel continued to insult Jen, but she shows no intention of attacking the 'mastermind'. However, the monotonous Jen didn't bother responding to the insult at all. Instead, the deranged lady left a soft chuckle. "Mind your words, Ultimate Fencer. If you continue to act barbaric, you'll join them all earlier than I anticipated you to do so." Jen said, as if she had prophesied everything that will happen from the very beginning. She's directly implying that she's the mastermind. "Stop lying Jen, we know you're not the mastermind! Snap out of it!" A concerned Penelope cried out loud, hoping that Jen would drop her act, if it was one in the first place.
"Very well then, since you pleaded. I'm not the mastermind." Jen said, as her voice was echoed by the speakers. The monitors then was rid of Jen's odd image. However, instead of the regular Monokuma face showing as the screensaver, it showed a portrait of Kuma Mettaton mimicking Monokuma's appearance. His right side of his face was his normal appearance during the first killing game. The left side of his face depicted a grayed-out him, showing a reminisce of his death portrait that was used during the class trials. "Hey, you seem to have placed the wrong image." Cosmic said as a sly joke. It wasn't funny at all, but he felt like it would be at that point.
"Jen, I think you need a well-deserved hug. I know you probably submerged to despair because of all these happenings, but I'd like you to know that you won't face these challenges alone!" Penelope fearlessly said, as she walked in Jen's direction. Penelope went nearer imprudently, which caused Yamamoto to excessively worry about her. "Wait, no! She might kill you!" Yamamoto shouted to warn Penelope, but it was too late. Penelope had already approached Jen by the time Yamamoto finished his sentence, but to everyone's surprise, Jen reciprocated the hug, then began to cry.
"There, there. We'll get through this together. Now don't scare us like that, okay?" Penelope said, as she attempted to comfort the Ultimate Eagle Eye.
They don't even have a single clue of what I'm capable of.
Chapter 4-2: The ¤ Prosecutor
Tick, tock.
"Whatever, I'm still not buying your innocence. Don't think that everyone still trusts you completely after your bulls**t." Säbel nonchalantly said. For her, she isn't being bossy or stern, it's just being cautious, especially after all the happenings lately. "I want everything to be fine, but Säbel's darn f***ing right." Stephen commented, as he slowly stood up after attempting to hide. "Fine? You still think everything can still be fine?" Yamamoto questioned Stephen's ideals. "Assuming nobody here kills and that we warded that dips**t Sepulchral away, do you think we'll still be fine after all those killings?" Yamamoto continued. "Well, it's better to be optimistic about it." Cosmic butted in, hoping that he wouldn't be ignored like before.
"Uh, what now, then? Find out what exactly this Sepulchral guy is before the time goes off again?" Penelope asked everyone in the room, as she signaled the others to come closer. "Well, we could always check what exactly killed the siblings." Jen suggested, finally being a bit sane once more. "Already did. It's obvious that they were shot to death." Gore mentioned, showing that he somehow got to examine the corpses of the Ross siblings while Säbel and Jen were making another scene. "Thanks, captain stalk-a-lot." Stephen joked, still living up to his statement that everything would be fine for now.
"Well, how about we review who's gone? Certainly, we could also mourn for their deaths." Cosmic suggested. "Great idea! Let's see, the dead ultimates are those who you don't see inside the auditorium right now, minus the Ross siblings." Säbel sarcastically mentioned, trivializing Cosmic's suggestion down to oblivion. "Well then, what do you think shall we do?" Yamamoto asked Säbel. Of course, Säbel initially thought about an insult to add in, but she didn't find any situation to mock. "Imbecile, of course you know what I want!" Säbel blurted out loud, a bit embarrassed with it, too. "So you still want to get rid of Jen?" Penelope questioned Säbel's response.
"Not exactly, but you get the gist." Säbel uttered defensively. "Well, that's understandable." Jen replied to Säbel's relentlessness. "But then again, we still need to find a way to escape. The supplies won't last forever. Plus, we all wanted to escape in the first place." Stephen said, as he pointed out to the main exit of the auditorium. "You don't get it, don't you? Escape is impossible. I already tried." Jen despairingly mentioned. "B****, you're not doing it strong enough." Säbel mocked Jen. "Very well, you should try at least. Just remember that we don't have Wiverna to transform into a wyvern to try and ram the door like she previously did." Jen replied, challenging Säbel to do better than her.
"You'll see, you pretentious wimp!" Säbel shouted pridefully, and went to an exit at the side of the stage. She tried to push the door at first, but it wouldn't budge. Annoyed, Säbel tried to push it again, making sure that she pushes it harder this time. Still, the door wouldn't budge. "Darn this door, I'm going to break this one if it won't dare to move!" Säbel shouted. Jen laughed slyly, and others just watched. Säbel moved backwards, positioned her left arm horizontally in front of her torso, then ran as fast as she could towards the door. Despite her efforts, the door still wouldn't budge. Cosmic was first to sympathize Säbel, offering the lady help in ramming the door to escape the auditorium.
"Thanks for the initiative, kiddo. However I think that trashy Jen is indeed right." Säbel surrendered herself finally. "I remember you as a relentless lady. Why stop now?" Cosmic curiously asked, as he wasn't satisfied with Säbel finally giving up, despite her willful personality. "No, it's not that I give up. I have only realized that hurting myself by attempting to open the door wouldn't help me save anybody." Säbel said, sighing at her efforts to get out of the auditorium. "Now that it's settled that we cannot leave the auditorium, how the heck are we going to eat?" Penelope whined at Säbel's failure.
"Oh, come on! We're all stuck here and the first thing you want to talk about is food? Pathetic!" Säbel questioned Penelope's thought process. "Why, is it wrong for Penelope to think ahead?" Yamamoto defended Penelope. "It's not exactly wrong, but it's odd for her to suddenly think of those matters when we're in a terrible predicament." Säbel reasoned out. "Enough blabbering, everyone. You're wasting your energy." Gore spoke. "I have an idea to end this before the timer goes off once again." Gore continued. Everyone was interested in hearing Gore's statement. "Well then, speak up! I like your tone here!" Säbel encouraged Gore, which gave the latter a smile in his face.
"You see, we can review who died, and how they died." Gore suggested. "But that won't help us at all. The mastermind of the killing game that I was forced to play faked their own death!" Jen exclaimed. "That's why we're going to review how they died. After all, if we can see their deaths being faked we know they're the mastermind now." Gore continued. "Well, let's see..." Penelope responded with consent.
"First, we all saw George Budiman turned into a piñata."
"Then, Andrew murdered Akitara Sakura by corroding her face."
"Lucifer Yamato was drowned to death, and a happy face was carved on his forehead."
"Andrew Stockton died attempting to protect Stephen from the attacker."
"Säbel stabbed Zyla Kul to death."
"Wiverna died from her wounds caused by Säbel."
"..and? How did the Ross siblings die?" Penelope stopped, as she didn't know how the Ross siblings died.
"They died to save us. Hannah and Jacques sacrificed themselves to protect me and Säbel." Jen filled in the missing piece.
"Wait a second, how did she know their cause of death?" Säbel pondered to herself. Then, an idea sparked. "Eureka. I propose that we have a class trial, one that will prove who the mastermind is!" Säbel shouted with glee.
"Whatever, I'm still not buying your innocence. Don't think that everyone still trusts you completely after your bulls**t." Säbel nonchalantly said. For her, she isn't being bossy or stern, it's just being cautious, especially after all the happenings lately. "I want everything to be fine, but Säbel's darn f***ing right." Stephen commented, as he slowly stood up after attempting to hide. "Fine? You still think everything can still be fine?" Yamamoto questioned Stephen's ideals. "Assuming nobody here kills and that we warded that dips**t Sepulchral away, do you think we'll still be fine after all those killings?" Yamamoto continued. "Well, it's better to be optimistic about it." Cosmic butted in, hoping that he wouldn't be ignored like before.
"Uh, what now, then? Find out what exactly this Sepulchral guy is before the time goes off again?" Penelope asked everyone in the room, as she signaled the others to come closer. "Well, we could always check what exactly killed the siblings." Jen suggested, finally being a bit sane once more. "Already did. It's obvious that they were shot to death." Gore mentioned, showing that he somehow got to examine the corpses of the Ross siblings while Säbel and Jen were making another scene. "Thanks, captain stalk-a-lot." Stephen joked, still living up to his statement that everything would be fine for now.
"Well, how about we review who's gone? Certainly, we could also mourn for their deaths." Cosmic suggested. "Great idea! Let's see, the dead ultimates are those who you don't see inside the auditorium right now, minus the Ross siblings." Säbel sarcastically mentioned, trivializing Cosmic's suggestion down to oblivion. "Well then, what do you think shall we do?" Yamamoto asked Säbel. Of course, Säbel initially thought about an insult to add in, but she didn't find any situation to mock. "Imbecile, of course you know what I want!" Säbel blurted out loud, a bit embarrassed with it, too. "So you still want to get rid of Jen?" Penelope questioned Säbel's response.
"Not exactly, but you get the gist." Säbel uttered defensively. "Well, that's understandable." Jen replied to Säbel's relentlessness. "But then again, we still need to find a way to escape. The supplies won't last forever. Plus, we all wanted to escape in the first place." Stephen said, as he pointed out to the main exit of the auditorium. "You don't get it, don't you? Escape is impossible. I already tried." Jen despairingly mentioned. "B****, you're not doing it strong enough." Säbel mocked Jen. "Very well, you should try at least. Just remember that we don't have Wiverna to transform into a wyvern to try and ram the door like she previously did." Jen replied, challenging Säbel to do better than her.
"You'll see, you pretentious wimp!" Säbel shouted pridefully, and went to an exit at the side of the stage. She tried to push the door at first, but it wouldn't budge. Annoyed, Säbel tried to push it again, making sure that she pushes it harder this time. Still, the door wouldn't budge. "Darn this door, I'm going to break this one if it won't dare to move!" Säbel shouted. Jen laughed slyly, and others just watched. Säbel moved backwards, positioned her left arm horizontally in front of her torso, then ran as fast as she could towards the door. Despite her efforts, the door still wouldn't budge. Cosmic was first to sympathize Säbel, offering the lady help in ramming the door to escape the auditorium.
"Thanks for the initiative, kiddo. However I think that trashy Jen is indeed right." Säbel surrendered herself finally. "I remember you as a relentless lady. Why stop now?" Cosmic curiously asked, as he wasn't satisfied with Säbel finally giving up, despite her willful personality. "No, it's not that I give up. I have only realized that hurting myself by attempting to open the door wouldn't help me save anybody." Säbel said, sighing at her efforts to get out of the auditorium. "Now that it's settled that we cannot leave the auditorium, how the heck are we going to eat?" Penelope whined at Säbel's failure.
"Oh, come on! We're all stuck here and the first thing you want to talk about is food? Pathetic!" Säbel questioned Penelope's thought process. "Why, is it wrong for Penelope to think ahead?" Yamamoto defended Penelope. "It's not exactly wrong, but it's odd for her to suddenly think of those matters when we're in a terrible predicament." Säbel reasoned out. "Enough blabbering, everyone. You're wasting your energy." Gore spoke. "I have an idea to end this before the timer goes off once again." Gore continued. Everyone was interested in hearing Gore's statement. "Well then, speak up! I like your tone here!" Säbel encouraged Gore, which gave the latter a smile in his face.
"You see, we can review who died, and how they died." Gore suggested. "But that won't help us at all. The mastermind of the killing game that I was forced to play faked their own death!" Jen exclaimed. "That's why we're going to review how they died. After all, if we can see their deaths being faked we know they're the mastermind now." Gore continued. "Well, let's see..." Penelope responded with consent.
"First, we all saw George Budiman turned into a piñata."
"Then, Andrew murdered Akitara Sakura by corroding her face."
"Lucifer Yamato was drowned to death, and a happy face was carved on his forehead."
"Andrew Stockton died attempting to protect Stephen from the attacker."
"Säbel stabbed Zyla Kul to death."
"Wiverna died from her wounds caused by Säbel."
"..and? How did the Ross siblings die?" Penelope stopped, as she didn't know how the Ross siblings died.
"They died to save us. Hannah and Jacques sacrificed themselves to protect me and Säbel." Jen filled in the missing piece.
"Wait a second, how did she know their cause of death?" Säbel pondered to herself. Then, an idea sparked. "Eureka. I propose that we have a class trial, one that will prove who the mastermind is!" Säbel shouted with glee.
Chapter 4-3: The ¤ Class ¤ Trial
"Okay, sure. But why do you need a class trial to prove that someone's the mastermind?" Stephen curiously asked. "You answered your own question. It's to prove the mastermind's identity! Prepare for your minds to be blown, we're going to expose the mastermind!" Säbel spoke in a loud and enthusiastic manner. "So this is your Plan B? Bravo, I actually regret doubting you!" Cosmic said, clapping his hands. "After the class trial, what happens?" Penelope asked. "You dimwit, I kill the mastermind! That's what happens!" Säbel shouted back, and she glares at everyone mischievously.
"Well then, let's all gather around a circle. That way, we can easily see who's speaking." Jen suggested. Everyone followed after Jen's words, and they formed a large circle at the stage. Gore and Yamamoto pushed the corpses of Hannah and Jacques aside, so that they'll be able to focus more. "Now, what will we talk about?" Cosmic asked Säbel. "Should I start with an accusation or with my evidence? I'd like to know which method do you scatterbrains prefer." Säbel asked pridefully, chuckling afterwards.
<to be continued>
"Well then, let's all gather around a circle. That way, we can easily see who's speaking." Jen suggested. Everyone followed after Jen's words, and they formed a large circle at the stage. Gore and Yamamoto pushed the corpses of Hannah and Jacques aside, so that they'll be able to focus more. "Now, what will we talk about?" Cosmic asked Säbel. "Should I start with an accusation or with my evidence? I'd like to know which method do you scatterbrains prefer." Säbel asked pridefully, chuckling afterwards.
<to be continued>
List of Characters
Jen Morgan | Ultimate Eagle-Eye
Kuma Mettaton | Former Ultimate Conjurer, Ultimate Nightmare
Wiverna Neutron | Ultimate Mathematician (Died Chapter 3-4)
Gore Magala | Ultimate Shadow
George Budiman | Ultimate Solver (Died Chapter 1-2)
Yamamoto Nikola | Ultimate Sniper
Cosmic Nicola | Ultimate Board Gamer
Säbel Astrein | Ultimate Fencer
Akitara Sakura | Ultimate Despair Fangirl (Died Chapter 1-4)
Zyla Kul | Ultimate Parkour Master (Died Chapter 3-4)
Lucifer Yamato | Ultimate Angel of Death (Died Chapter 2-1)
Stephen Roarings | Ultimate Artist
Andrew "Poseidon" Stockton | Ultimate Mercenary (Died Chapter 3-1)
Penelope Hammerhead | Ultimate Ventriloquist
Jacques Ross | Ultimate Business Manager (Died Chapter 4-1)
Hannah Ross | Ultimate Detective (Died Chapter 4-1)
Jen Morgan | Ultimate Eagle-Eye
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Skills:
- Finding things
- Studying
- Creating conversations
Interests: Games and random stuff
Dislikes: Profanity and dirty stuff
Fear: Death, murder, and betrayal
Additional Information:
She was the lone survivor of the mutual killing game hosted by "New Steel" ten years ago. She's one of Storm Dragonica's childhood friends.
Age: 23
Skills:
- Finding things
- Studying
- Creating conversations
Interests: Games and random stuff
Dislikes: Profanity and dirty stuff
Fear: Death, murder, and betrayal
Additional Information:
She was the lone survivor of the mutual killing game hosted by "New Steel" ten years ago. She's one of Storm Dragonica's childhood friends.
Kuma Mettaton | Former Ultimate Conjurer, Ultimate Nightmare
Gender: Male
Age: ...
Skills:
- Excellent at impersonating others.
- Can easily control human bodies, may it be living or dead.
- Has a strong intuitive ability.
- Verbally manipulative.
- Can obstruct logic of arguments easily.
- Has a hypnotizing presence.
- Can easily learn to do difficult tasks at a short period of time.
- Perform stealthy actions easily.
- Has quick reflexes.
Interests: Influence, power, wealth, despair
Dislikes: Irrationality, hope, charity, untalented people
Additional information:
He likes bears. He will do anything to get what he wants, even resorting to massacres if necessary. He has several personalities, which change in quick succession. He was the one behind the mutual killing game ten years ago. He faked his death at the start of the killing game, only to be killed once again by Jen Morgan.
Age: ...
Skills:
- Excellent at impersonating others.
- Can easily control human bodies, may it be living or dead.
- Has a strong intuitive ability.
- Verbally manipulative.
- Can obstruct logic of arguments easily.
- Has a hypnotizing presence.
- Can easily learn to do difficult tasks at a short period of time.
- Perform stealthy actions easily.
- Has quick reflexes.
Interests: Influence, power, wealth, despair
Dislikes: Irrationality, hope, charity, untalented people
Additional information:
He likes bears. He will do anything to get what he wants, even resorting to massacres if necessary. He has several personalities, which change in quick succession. He was the one behind the mutual killing game ten years ago. He faked his death at the start of the killing game, only to be killed once again by Jen Morgan.
Wiverna Neutron | Ultimate Mathematician (Died Chapter 3-4)
Gender: Female
Age: 21
Skills:
- Math
- More math
- Self-defensive skill
Interests:Science and more MATH
Dislikes: Everyone that have their parents alive, and is optimistic.
Additional Info :
Turned a wyvern hybrid by his father. Prof. Neutron, who makes their debut in the first story, she witnessed her father's downfall of getting killed by ALPHA_DRG, his father's creation.
After that, she left the ruins of the base (she was 15 at that time), and went into civilization to survive, her view of the world changed after that.
She is a genius in math, additionally, throughout her years alone, she developed self-defense skills to protect herself.
Age: 21
Skills:
- Math
- More math
- Self-defensive skill
Interests:Science and more MATH
Dislikes: Everyone that have their parents alive, and is optimistic.
Additional Info :
Turned a wyvern hybrid by his father. Prof. Neutron, who makes their debut in the first story, she witnessed her father's downfall of getting killed by ALPHA_DRG, his father's creation.
After that, she left the ruins of the base (she was 15 at that time), and went into civilization to survive, her view of the world changed after that.
She is a genius in math, additionally, throughout her years alone, she developed self-defense skills to protect herself.
Gore Magala | Ultimate Shadow
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Skills:
- Disappearing
- Staying near the shadows (Basically, imagine a ninja on a much lesser scale)
Interests:
-Knife throwing
-staying by himself
-reading others emotions, behavior, and faces to see what they're thinking.
Dislikes:
-Potakes as they remind him of Shaguru
-unjust death
-hates being reminded of the past
-especially his dead friends and family. He then usually hates whatever he associated with that friend as they remind him too much of them.
Additional information:*
Was Shaguru Saltimas' lifelong friend until he died mysteriously, he hates potatoes, because they remind himself so much of Shaguru. Used to be super positive, but since his best friends death, he has since became a pessimist, preferring to keep to himself, and being untrusting to most people, with a dark/blunt personality. He will occasionally trust someone if he deems them trustworthy.
He will also sometimes appear out of nowhere, usually behind someone talking to cut in on the conversation. He near always keep a calm demeanor, even when people are screaming g and shouting. In fact, he prefers to just disappear within a few seconds. Occasionally, he will become super happy for unknown reasons, either in a random time, or being provoked into it. His happy self will usually go back to the normal self within a few minutes or until he gets reminded of his friend.
Age: 22
Skills:
- Disappearing
- Staying near the shadows (Basically, imagine a ninja on a much lesser scale)
Interests:
-Knife throwing
-staying by himself
-reading others emotions, behavior, and faces to see what they're thinking.
Dislikes:
-Potakes as they remind him of Shaguru
-unjust death
-hates being reminded of the past
-especially his dead friends and family. He then usually hates whatever he associated with that friend as they remind him too much of them.
Additional information:*
Was Shaguru Saltimas' lifelong friend until he died mysteriously, he hates potatoes, because they remind himself so much of Shaguru. Used to be super positive, but since his best friends death, he has since became a pessimist, preferring to keep to himself, and being untrusting to most people, with a dark/blunt personality. He will occasionally trust someone if he deems them trustworthy.
He will also sometimes appear out of nowhere, usually behind someone talking to cut in on the conversation. He near always keep a calm demeanor, even when people are screaming g and shouting. In fact, he prefers to just disappear within a few seconds. Occasionally, he will become super happy for unknown reasons, either in a random time, or being provoked into it. His happy self will usually go back to the normal self within a few minutes or until he gets reminded of his friend.
George Budiman | Ultimate Solver (Died Chapter 1-2)
Gender: Male
Ultimate: Solver
Age: 22
Skills:
-Always think first before doing something, his prediction almost always right.
-Always comes up with many plans and ideas
-Stay aware of everything around him and think what possibilities that can happen.
Interests:
-Female (Hehe.)
-Mysteries
-Complicated things
-Writing diary
Dislikes:
-Unpredictable and sudden things, and surprise.
-Dishonest
-Dilemma
-Lonely
Additional information:
Firstly, he didn't interest with games or contest until some forumers that were signed up to the game went inactive for some days. This caught his interest to solve this mystery. Also, sometimes he hangout with Yuki, Thoriq and another smarties. Yes, he's a selective person. Always choose a friend that is equal to him and stay away from people that below him. Until he met someone that made him change his mindset about friend, and the person that he met suddenly dissapeared along with the inactive forumers. He said it was a coincidence and try to forget it.
Ultimate: Solver
Age: 22
Skills:
-Always think first before doing something, his prediction almost always right.
-Always comes up with many plans and ideas
-Stay aware of everything around him and think what possibilities that can happen.
Interests:
-Female (Hehe.)
-Mysteries
-Complicated things
-Writing diary
Dislikes:
-Unpredictable and sudden things, and surprise.
-Dishonest
-Dilemma
-Lonely
Additional information:
Firstly, he didn't interest with games or contest until some forumers that were signed up to the game went inactive for some days. This caught his interest to solve this mystery. Also, sometimes he hangout with Yuki, Thoriq and another smarties. Yes, he's a selective person. Always choose a friend that is equal to him and stay away from people that below him. Until he met someone that made him change his mindset about friend, and the person that he met suddenly dissapeared along with the inactive forumers. He said it was a coincidence and try to forget it.
Yamamoto Nikola | Ultimate Sniper
Gender: Female
Age: 21
Skills:
-Mirage
-Future prediction (up to 5 minutes ahead)
Interests: Sweet food and drinks
Dislikes: Having to stay alone
Additional information: Can play the Guitar well (go YouTube up Primavera to know that song please)
Age: 21
Skills:
-Mirage
-Future prediction (up to 5 minutes ahead)
Interests: Sweet food and drinks
Dislikes: Having to stay alone
Additional information: Can play the Guitar well (go YouTube up Primavera to know that song please)
Cosmic Nicola | Ultimate Board Gamer
Gender: Male
Age: 19 (Fake age)
Skills:
Playing game
Playing board game
Playing outside
Playing life (lelelel)
Interests: Internet, distraction, ice cream, someone camping
Dislikes: Homework, exam
Additional information: none
Age: 19 (Fake age)
Skills:
Playing game
Playing board game
Playing outside
Playing life (lelelel)
Interests: Internet, distraction, ice cream, someone camping
Dislikes: Homework, exam
Additional information: none
Säbel Astrein | Ultimate Fencer
Gender: Female
Age: 24
Skills:
~Fencing duh
~Polish and upgrade weapons
~Great reflex
~Predict opponents' next move based on their stance
~Convince and sway people, when necessary
Interests: Fencing, theatre, psychology, acupuncture, softball, puns
Dislikes: Sweets, maths, politics, beating around the bush, stupidity
Additional information:
Put Säbel in school, and you'll get your average straight A perfectionist. She is driven, straightforward, brazen, and won't let anyone get in her way. She started to learn fencing when she was 7 and mastered it when she was 15. She has a red rapier named Rufus, which is always on her side (literally). She prefers to be on the winning side. Can be snarky when irritated.
Age: 24
Skills:
~Fencing duh
~Polish and upgrade weapons
~Great reflex
~Predict opponents' next move based on their stance
~Convince and sway people, when necessary
Interests: Fencing, theatre, psychology, acupuncture, softball, puns
Dislikes: Sweets, maths, politics, beating around the bush, stupidity
Additional information:
Put Säbel in school, and you'll get your average straight A perfectionist. She is driven, straightforward, brazen, and won't let anyone get in her way. She started to learn fencing when she was 7 and mastered it when she was 15. She has a red rapier named Rufus, which is always on her side (literally). She prefers to be on the winning side. Can be snarky when irritated.
Akitara Sakura | Ultimate Despair Fangirl (Died Chapter 1-4)
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Skills:
~ Reading on ancient Japanese myths
~ Designing (in free time)
~ Scaring others
~ Extremely bent on becoming immortal
~ Occasionally kills someone to maintain immortality
Interests: fashion enthusiast, plus the killing part
Dislikes: spiders, plus phoenixes
Additional information: has a rare mental disorder though she acts pretty normal
Age: 20
Skills:
~ Reading on ancient Japanese myths
~ Designing (in free time)
~ Scaring others
~ Extremely bent on becoming immortal
~ Occasionally kills someone to maintain immortality
Interests: fashion enthusiast, plus the killing part
Dislikes: spiders, plus phoenixes
Additional information: has a rare mental disorder though she acts pretty normal
Zyla Kul | Ultimate Parkour Master (Died Chapter 3-4)
Gender: Male
Age: (13 above, whatever) mm 16?
Skills:
- Excellent at parkours
- Runs fast
- great at puzzle solving
Interests: chocolate and computers
Dislikes: mushrooms and tomatoes
Additional information: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Age: (13 above, whatever) mm 16?
Skills:
- Excellent at parkours
- Runs fast
- great at puzzle solving
Interests: chocolate and computers
Dislikes: mushrooms and tomatoes
Additional information: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Lucifer Yamato | Ultimate Angel of Death (Died Chapter 2-1)
Name: Lucifer Yamato
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Ultimate Angel of death
Skills:
-Good at alchemy
-Good at gunnery
-Quite good at sword fighting
-Sneaky (as hell)
Likes: Petting other cats, fighting Yamamoto Nikola (you'll know why)
Dislikes: Human hair (those dead hair)
Extra info: Is Yamamoto Nikola's nemesis
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Ultimate Angel of death
Skills:
-Good at alchemy
-Good at gunnery
-Quite good at sword fighting
-Sneaky (as hell)
Likes: Petting other cats, fighting Yamamoto Nikola (you'll know why)
Dislikes: Human hair (those dead hair)
Extra info: Is Yamamoto Nikola's nemesis
Stephen Roarings | Ultimate Artist
Gender:Badminton racke- I mean, Male.
Age:Hmm... 24.
Skills:
-Any type of drawing (Digital, traditional, etc.)
-Paints well
-Good at swimming (throwback to my old Danganronpa character, Larry)
-Flirting (why not?)
-Decent at gaming
-Has a few "mentalist" skills. (e.g. Can detect when someone is lying unless he/she is good at hiding it)
Interests
rawing and whales.
Dislikes:Slime (like the Kid's Choice Awards slime) and really big pigeons.
Additional Information:He was Larry's cousin, and due to his mysterious death, will strive to protect others to prevent more mysterious deaths. In his free time, he draws OR tries to piece together information and evidence of what happened 10 years ago. Also, he (sadly, I guess) does not have a girlfriend.
Age:Hmm... 24.
Skills:
-Any type of drawing (Digital, traditional, etc.)
-Paints well
-Good at swimming (throwback to my old Danganronpa character, Larry)
-Flirting (why not?)
-Decent at gaming
-Has a few "mentalist" skills. (e.g. Can detect when someone is lying unless he/she is good at hiding it)
Interests
rawing and whales.Dislikes:Slime (like the Kid's Choice Awards slime) and really big pigeons.
Additional Information:He was Larry's cousin, and due to his mysterious death, will strive to protect others to prevent more mysterious deaths. In his free time, he draws OR tries to piece together information and evidence of what happened 10 years ago. Also, he (sadly, I guess) does not have a girlfriend.
Andrew "Poseidon" Stockton | Ultimate Mercenary (Died Chapter 3-1)
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Skills:
- Sharp Shooter
- Strong
- Ruthless
- Impossible to Trace
Interests: Action, Shooting Weapons, Making Money
Dislikes: Double Crossers, Scaredy Cats, Buzz Kills
Additional information:
Andrew works for the CIA, he is untraceable so don't even think about it, he is a Crooked Agent who has a side hobby of his own "Team".. If you try to screw him over you will end up killed, but he works for Justice, you must come to him for a good reason, he started being crooked when his son was killed by Viktor Petrolov, who is now dead and probably at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean..
Age: 24
Skills:
- Sharp Shooter
- Strong
- Ruthless
- Impossible to Trace
Interests: Action, Shooting Weapons, Making Money
Dislikes: Double Crossers, Scaredy Cats, Buzz Kills
Additional information:
Andrew works for the CIA, he is untraceable so don't even think about it, he is a Crooked Agent who has a side hobby of his own "Team".. If you try to screw him over you will end up killed, but he works for Justice, you must come to him for a good reason, he started being crooked when his son was killed by Viktor Petrolov, who is now dead and probably at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean..
Penelope Hammerhead | Ultimate Ventriloquist
Gender: Female
Age: 27
Skills:
- Can talk perfectly with her mouth closed.
- Is full of wits, and will take a lot of risk.
- Can create puppets with her bare hands.
- Extremely persuasive
Interests: Puppets, People interested in puppets, Physics, Earning Money
Dislikes: Terrible customers, Fire
Additional information:
She's a part-time performer on-stage, and part-time waitress at Jacques Ross' 5-star restaurant. She's a bit childish but she usually gets the job done. She even sometimes kisses her own puppets whenever she's alone.
Age: 27
Skills:
- Can talk perfectly with her mouth closed.
- Is full of wits, and will take a lot of risk.
- Can create puppets with her bare hands.
- Extremely persuasive
Interests: Puppets, People interested in puppets, Physics, Earning Money
Dislikes: Terrible customers, Fire
Additional information:
She's a part-time performer on-stage, and part-time waitress at Jacques Ross' 5-star restaurant. She's a bit childish but she usually gets the job done. She even sometimes kisses her own puppets whenever she's alone.
Jacques Ross | Ultimate Business Manager (Died Chapter 4-1)
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Skills:
- Expert on sales talks
- Can easily determine the monetary value of any item, including people
- Can force people to work faster without them knowing
- Can create elaborate plans that are usually foolproof
Interests: Money, money, money, billionaires
Dislikes: Poor people, low sales, incompetent workers
Additional information:
He has been friends with Penelope Hammerhead since his early life. He transformed her sister Hannah Ross' lemonade store into a staple drink at the whole neighborhood when he was seven. Top notch CEOs are fighting to have Jacques Ross on their companies in fear of losing the competition, but Jacques Ross prefers to be his own boss. He has the urges to become a musician someday, preferably a violinist.
Age: 22
Skills:
- Expert on sales talks
- Can easily determine the monetary value of any item, including people
- Can force people to work faster without them knowing
- Can create elaborate plans that are usually foolproof
Interests: Money, money, money, billionaires
Dislikes: Poor people, low sales, incompetent workers
Additional information:
He has been friends with Penelope Hammerhead since his early life. He transformed her sister Hannah Ross' lemonade store into a staple drink at the whole neighborhood when he was seven. Top notch CEOs are fighting to have Jacques Ross on their companies in fear of losing the competition, but Jacques Ross prefers to be his own boss. He has the urges to become a musician someday, preferably a violinist.
Hannah Ross | Ultimate Detective (Died Chapter 4-1)
Gender: Female
Age: 30
Skills:
- Can easily solve mysteries with her trusty intuition and observations
- Can easily see if someone is lying
- Has a sharp photographic memory
- Can detect even the slightest change on things.
Interests: Paranormal activities, Crime investigation soap operas, 10000+ piece puzzles
Dislikes: Dense people, Boring people
Additional information:
She's Jacques Ross' sister. She tried to make money with her weekly allowance once with a lemonade stand but failed. That was until his younger brother stepped in and made the whole family a multimillionaire. She was the first one to see the potential within her younger brother. Her quick detective skills made her a famous crime solver.
Age: 30
Skills:
- Can easily solve mysteries with her trusty intuition and observations
- Can easily see if someone is lying
- Has a sharp photographic memory
- Can detect even the slightest change on things.
Interests: Paranormal activities, Crime investigation soap operas, 10000+ piece puzzles
Dislikes: Dense people, Boring people
Additional information:
She's Jacques Ross' sister. She tried to make money with her weekly allowance once with a lemonade stand but failed. That was until his younger brother stepped in and made the whole family a multimillionaire. She was the first one to see the potential within her younger brother. Her quick detective skills made her a famous crime solver.
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