A/N: So, this is an idea I had recently. There was one case where I worked out a key piece of information way earlier than I was supposed to thanks to a seemingly obvious premise: "the images are either true or false." Here's how that (and other examples of Makoto having a brain) could have affected the story. The original idea for this story was "what if Makoto was spoiled about the events in the game", but then I realized a) that was the whole premise for danganronpa IF, and b) Makoto could have worked out a lot of things from information he was given. (I know that I called it a fair few times.)

Also, huge spoilers for the whole Danganronpa series.

I will start at the videos in case 1, as this is where Makoto could have easily changed the plot.

I have read danganronpa IF, and this story has nothing to do with it.

By the way, I'll be counting how many plot conveniences I have. As Makoto has the ultimate luck, I'll give myself 7 plot conveniences to use. The original danganronpa: trigger happy havoc had at least 8. (Leon breaking Maizono's arm with the scabbard; Byakuya not noticing genocider's habits; each motive lining up with exactly ONE person's desires; Hifumi not noticing that there are no accomplices in the killing game (he could have easily double-crossed Celeste); alter ego being able to stop the final execution (but not take over the whole academy); the lack of places for monokumas to fit in, while they can still pop up anywhere; Junko being unable to glance at the CCTV while controlling the monokumas; and the lack of wrenches in toolboxes to unbolt the steel panels.)

As for dialogue: "this is speech", this is thought, and this is a weak point.

Finally, this is "fair use" for copyright purposes. Thus, I'm exempt from copywrong law.

Makoto was in the AV room, in a state of shock after watching a video.

14 other students walked in and saw their videos after Makoto. Their reactions were isntant as fear, anguish and sadness spread across their faces. Mondo was the first to break the silence. "What the fuck?" It was the only reaction anyone could think of at that moment.

However, at that moment, a spark of intellect entered Makoto's mind. This was when the story strayed from the canon. There was one logical premise that could be used to bring down the ultimate dispair: the images are either true or false. There are no other possibilities. Plot convenience 1: Makoto gains intellect up!

"Guys, hang on. I've figured something out!" Makoto couldn't resist the urge to blurt out his findings.

Togami was unimpressed. "What is it? Speak now."

"We may not know about what is going on, but we know one thing. The images are either true or false." Makoto explained, "if the images are false, then that means Monokuma is getting desperate. This, in turn, means that if we retain our order, he'll probably get bored and let us free anyway. Thus, we should not kill to graduate."

"B-but what if the images are true?!" That question filled the room, as everyone re:ACT ed to Makoto's explanation.

"If the images are true, then something terrible has happened to the our families, probably the whole world. Everything we could gain from leaving this school: gone. That would make... Everywhere outside this school... Hell. Not a place we want to go. This would mean that this school is our safest place! We don't want to put ourselves in danger by graduating, do we?" Tears began to well in Makoto's eyes as he realised the possibility he had suggested. The outside world is dead? Wait. Th-that must be wrong!

Chihiro stated the answer to Makoto's puzzle: "So, either way, we shouldn't kill each-other." A round of applause slowly began to build as the students realized that they had just broken Monokuma's motive. The killing game was cut short by the images. At this point, the students began to walk away from their monitors, with hope and despair in their hearts.

Celeste summarised, "In other words, we don't care if the world is ending or not, as it leads to the same conclusion for us: stay here." She was notably smug, as she was the one who first suggested they live in the school forever.

In the headmaster's office, Junko looked at the CCTV footage in disbelief. Her inner thoughts were so crippling, they became visible:

Trigger happy heart

No...

Did he seriously work out the original purpose of the school...

WITH JUST THOSE IMAGES?!

H-how?...

This makes no sense.

I thought that would be their motive to kill each-other.

But it just brought them together?!

Makoto Naegi is the person holding everyone back.

I must be able to stop him keeping peace!

I still have control over the school.

I just wonder how to use it against him...

With no friends, her despair remained unbroken. She had to rethink her plans to say the least!

While the mastermind in shock, the students had a moment of freedom to grab their bearings. They began discussing the nature of the images, and their interpretation.

Byakuya decided to offer some insight. "Hang on. The images were designed to make us kill each-other, and yet they had the opposite effect. If the mastermind was faking those images, they'd more than likely try something that didn't lead to a logical conclusion of we shouldn't kill. Thus, it's likely that the images are true, and the mastermind wanted us to kill after finding out something genuine. From there, I can use Makoto's logic to deduce that this school is the safest place we can be. Thus, we are probably in an evacuation center of some kind."

A/N: this is as far as my own reasoning got me on my first playthrough. However, they could have continued like so...

"No!" Leon objected, "If we're in a shelter, why is monokuma trying to kill us?! Shouldn't he be helping us?"

Kyoko had an answer. "Maybe the place was taken over after we were put here, so the attacker could put an end to the world's hope by killing the only safe people. After all, I have had connections with the school's real headmaster in my past and he isn't the type to kill innocent people. Is that a logical conclusion?"

Sakura didn't think so. "If we're pinned, why aren't they going straight for the throat and killing us all now. Why go through an elaborate killing procedure?"

Hifumi decided to make a joke. "Maybe this is one of those hilarious reality TV shows that make great fanfic material!" Plot convenience 2: lucky guess

Sayaka took it seriously, "that would explain the constant CCTV recording, and the elaborate procedure of forcing us to kill each-other. It's to make the world even more depressed! After all, more elaborate things have been broadcast before..."

"Strangely, there are no reasons to disprove such a notion." Kyoko agreed, "We may be on the right track. Are there any more pieces of information?"

Unfortunately, this was where their predictions ended. No-one could identify the mastermind, figure out how to get out, or find the two years of missing memories. The word "no" echoed through the room. Yet, everyone had their hopes. They had found out what was going on!

After this, they left the room. They spread out, and continued their free time. Everyone was trying to grasp what they just saw. However, no-one was willing to get out of the school. The first murder plot was foiled before it was even hatched.

Makoto spent some of his free time with Kiyotaka. Both were still trying to wrap their heads around the concept of the world ending. This took the majority of their conversation. Taka also mentioned how the now apparent risk of a breakdown of society is a major reason for strict rules, seemingly to impose his viewpoint on Makoto. Makoto feigned agreement, but kept his opinion that everyone deserves hope. They continued to talk about the criminal justice system, with Makoto trying to shift Taka's focus towards rehabilitation, rather than retribution.

After a few hours of pure nothing happening, nighttime came into effect. Everyone entered their respective dorms and went to sleep. (Sayaka didn't swap with Makoto, as she wasn't trying to murder anyone.)

A/N: That's the end of chapter 1. I know, it's very short compared to the other chapters, but I got the premise, which is better than what most authors can manage for the first chapter!