UPDATE

Yeesh...finally I can make some head-way...helps when you just get a moment or two to draft out everything and stick it on a keyboard...

The story's just beginning so don't expect a whole ton of exposition just YET! Almost all Danganronpas start out a tad tedious (we'll get to the interesting portions in time, for now, let's just traverse and gather the ultimates, alright?)

Cheers all,

- Natsuna

I must have lingered in a lucid dream for what seemed to be hours; it was brimming with comfort as I sat with my maternal figures, tightly packed on the couch as the dim lights ushered in an ambiance that soothed every fear I had away. Did I long for them now? Was I regressing to a child-like dependance for their warm embrace? Or…was what I experienced prior to this comfort just a malignant construct of my own brain, and I truly was safe from any harm? Questions began rising faster than I could derive any conclusions, but the feeling of familiarity in my own home almost served to release me of my cares; so perhaps there was no reason for me to press on the enticing thoughts my brain gave.

It would have been so nice for it to be that way…to truly feel…safe.

Safe…

Safe?

The word began looping around me in a never-ending cycle, almost transfiguring to torment me with doubt, my chest tightened with significant dread as I began to panic. My fantasy turned black, the lights, the room, the presence of my family melted away like a painting's colors when thrown into the sea. Collapsing in the dark void, I looked up and finally opened my lips, what emitted, was a much younger voice than my own,

"Mom?"

My body violently shook awake, the numbness my arms experienced from supporting my head tingled in after-effects.

Noticing a sudden sense of unfamiliarity with my surroundings, I shot my head straight up in alertness,

"Where…am I?"

I found myself seated in a desk within a dauntingly dilated classroom; completely empty despite the rows upon rows of desks. This classroom was different than what I was used to, it was hardwood paneling that spanned the entire circumference with decay seen in every other couple sections. I looked at my own desk from where I awoke and saw the surface was quite withered, judging from the splintering sides, this hadn't been used for quite some time prior to my arrival. I scooted my chair back with a hair-raising screech against the tiled floor to announce my movement; though I winced from the sudden escalation, I pushed it aside as I raised my body to investigate the room.

"A window…there has to be one," I spoke to myself, searching around the perimeter of the room. Surely enough to prod my curiosity, there was a series of small windows shedding dim light into the classroom, offering a view of the exterior world to any that would be stuck in this dilapidated setting. As I ran to it and gazed outside, I was met with a sight that was somewhat odd; though it was outside, I could see nothing in the distance, it was purely a concoction of gray matter.

"Is…it just foggy today?" I asked aloud, trying to make sense of such an odd circumstance. Taking note of what was being presented, my realization also registered yet another dismal fact: the outside perimeter of the window's frame was gated with a thick grate, demotivating all who would try to use it as an escape from their confinement. I gave out a sigh of exasperation, trying to make sense of my new environment was exhausting enough, but to know I had no escape out of wherever I was now, 'imprisoned' so to speak, was almost defeating for me.

"Great…" I murmured, sitting down once again at my desk of origin, "What now? Should I…wait for someone?"

A loud chime signaled throughout the empty room, the echo ricocheting violently and hitting me with significant force; through a loudspeaker, I could hear a voice respond to my mumbling,

"Good morning Eiichi! Welcome to the Cathedral for Aspiring Hope! I apologize for the inconveniences put upon you as your flight came to a most…abrupt end, but I assure you that tricks and underhanded tactics on my part are now officially over!"

The voice speaking to me was unfamiliar, though it was somewhat high-pitched and eccentric, I could tell he was being sincere by the fluency of his dialect. However, what was it he said again? A flight? I searched my memory as thoroughly as I could, but I never recalled getting on a plane of any sort. In fact, the last thing I ever recalled doing was sitting at my desk, reading through the introductory manual given to me by Hope's Peak on the day of my acceptance letter. My eyebrows raised in piqued curiosity by the mysterious voice.

"Now then, I want to be able to meet you face-to-face, that much is certain," he continued, "However, it's only fair that I allow you some time to meet with your other classmates before an official meeting is held; after all, I wish to speak to you as a 'class' than individually, saves me from catering the yap to each one of you 'special' kids."

Classmates? I wasn't alone? The idea of others being in a mutual circumstance promoted a sense of faint relief in my chest, perhaps I could confide in them to at least help me make sense of what this foreign place was.

"Well, chop-chop Mr. Karitomo! I'll give you time, but don't take my generosity for granted…believe me, it'll be one of the very few times you'll get it."

That ending statement sounded threatening by the sudden stoop of his tone, though I was a little shaken by it, I tried to shove it aside and stood up from my desk again.

"Ta-ta for now!" With the voice's dismissal, the overhead static was suddenly cut off, leaving me once again alone in this barren wasteland of a classroom.

I peered over to the far end of the classroom's front and found my exit, making my way over to it, I turned the knob with a little more force than I thought necessary for such a simple structure.

Coming into the opening presented before me, I found myself in the middle of a circular room that nine doors surrounded the circumference; it was divided by a set of stairs that led to an upper level with an equal number of doors. Gazing around, I saw each of the rooms had a light right above the frame that showed either a red and green lamp; the only door that didn't have this was from the room I just exited. Though the formation of the central room was almost a complete cylindrical space, there was a narrow hall that showed an opening that went deeper into whatever structure I found myself in.

"This…kind of reminds me of a neighborhood cul-de-sac," I thought to myself as I tried to ascertain some familiar construct to organize this seemingly alien world I was now enveloped within. One of the lamps on the far right has suddenly flipped its color, turning from a neon green to a blazing red, a chime rang as the door swung open and a student emerged from the dim room.

The stranger seemed average enough, even if a bit chubby in the mid-area; his dark brown hair was parted at the center and slightly held up by a black sweatband worn across his head. Judging by his attire, I could make a first impression that he was a bit on the nerdy side; he wore an open, cream colored jacket with a black v-neck shirt that depicted some flashy anime girl brandishing a dual pair of guns; looking down further, I could see he also wore a pair of slightly ripped dark grey denim jeans and a pair of black laced up boots.

Regardless of how he looked, his expression was notably strewn with confusion, likely experiencing the same emotions as I just a couple minutes ago; seeing as I wanted to at least provide a little bit of relief for us both, I slowly walked over to his position and raised a hand in greeting.

"Hey there," I called out to him, as he turned to meet my gaze, I could see him tense up and take a small step back.

"Whoa whoa, hold up there man!" he replied with a seemingly hostile tone, I halted my progress so as to not provoke him further, "What…no, who are you!? Where the hell am I?!"

A chill flowed down my spine for the sudden escalation, more than anything, I didn't want this guy to start acting crazy while being the only other living human I'd come across thus far.

"Hey hold on a second, I'm sorry if I startled you!" I raised my hands in defense, "I promise, I'm not here to make trouble; if fact, I'm just as lost here…" As my voice trailed off, I could see my fellow student lower his physical guard a little bit, knowing I somewhat respected his boundaries must have elevated my words.

"You're…not with them?" he asked, "With…the ones who put me here?"

"No, I promise," I replied, "I just woke up here not even about fifteen minutes ago, I have no clue what's going on here…but I hope to find that answer soon."

A moment of silence was ushered between us, to believe my words of forced determination would coax him to speak up as well was reciprocated rather mellowly; in fact, all he did was raise an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Look, let's just…start over," I purposed while stretching out a hand, "My name is Eiichi Karitomo, I'm a first year in Hope's Peak…or at least, 'was' supposed to be…are you new as well?"

The student gave my hand a once-over glance, I was worried for a second that he would toss aside my introduction. Fortunately, he gave a somewhat light grin in response and grasped my hand in mutuality,

"Yeah, that's right," he coincided, "Name's Kouta Atsubu, I'm the Ultimate Skeet Marksman attending this year."

CATHEDRAL FOR ASPIRING HOPE

KOUTA ATSUBU - ULTIMATE SKEET MARKSMAN

The Ultimate Skeet Marksman, huh? I've heard of many Hope's Peak students brandishing a wide array of talents from nominal quirks to occupational prodigies, but I had to admit the sport of skeet passed by my head when envisioning the different talents.

"Wow, that's a unique skill," I admitted, "You must have really good eyes to be an ultimate marksman of any kind."

Kouta took in a sharp breath, lowering his head slightly, he took off his glasses and slowly rubbed them with the bottom of his shirt. The amount of squinting his eyelids made with his glasses absent almost looked exaggerated.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but my vision really sucks," he admitted, slightly clearing his throat, "It's a wonder I can even see with these, you're nothing but a blur when I don't have my glasses or contacts in."

I reeled back from his remark, perhaps it was a little shallow of me to just automatically assume a person's talent correlated with bodily advantages; perhaps it was the unique talents allowing them to surpass physical limitations that made these ultimates so revered.

"I just have a really good perception and muscle memory," Kouta continued, "Once you shoot perfect scores for the better part of fifteen years, it kinda just becomes natural."

"You don't say?" I thought to myself in exasperated disbelief, to think that a feat as substantial as that would seem child's play to Kouta made me question my own humility.

I was getting off track, it was nice to finally have friendly conversation in this intimidating environment, but the energy could be used much more efficiently trying to find others that could help us.

"Say, Kouta," I spoke the name aloud with a sense of relief, now assured I had at least one familiar face to account for, "I have to ask, have you run into any of the other students around here?"

He gave a slight frown as his gaze traced the many lit doors behind us,

"No, I can't say I have…" he replied in disappointment, "To say the truth, I just woke up in that room back there…it's strange to just wake up in a bed you aren't familiar with, y'know?."

Beds were not commonly seen in a school, so Kouta's input raised my interest,

"So wait, are those rooms supposed to be…dorms?"

The organized levels and description Kouta was giving me were sufficient enough to conclude with that assumption. He nodded in agreement that it was indeed the case.

"Interesting," I thought to myself, "If there are living accommodations in place for us here…one could suspect whoever put us in this situation plans to keep us prisoner for quite some time…"

I felt a slight tap on my shoulder, lifting my brain from the muddled thoughts, I faced Kouta again.

"Sorry," I blurted out, "we should get going…"

Looking around, I could see that our only means of direction was the long hall that led out of the makeshift dormitory hall; not uttering another word, I began slowly making my way down it, the steps my shoes gave on the tiled floor rang out in a soft echo, coupled with the one's from Kouta.

The hall was lined with several lights, all hanging from the walls on eccentric posts that were screwed into the wall. The design was foreign to what I normally saw, but taking an educated guess would lead me to believe it was of European make; however much the possibility was hard to believe for me. Hope's Peak was supposed to be based in the far easters metropolitan district, so why was I witnessing a central-world design?

I once again got lost in my thoughts, such was my bane interchangeably with gift; through the muddled air in my head I could still hear Kouta's presence close to me; comfort eased through me knowing I had another person in this strange world.

The hallway was beginning to open up, and through the large opening, I could begin to see rows upon rows of benches.

"Huh?" I questioned aloud, feeling curiosity building up, I quickened my step and jogged into the opening, what was presented to me was a giant hall adorned with columns and rows of seats leading up to a central alter; just above the intricate structure were several stained glass windows with the Hope's Peak insignias illustrated on the central points; but the object that stood out the most to both of us, was a ginormous pipe organ; roughly around sixty feet tall and filled to the brim with pipes.

"Eiichi…what…the hell is going on…" Kouta's voice rang from behind me, I was too transfixed by the sight to respond with my own interpretation. Walking down the center aisle, I kept looking to the stained windows that decorated the walls, each with an insignia and a word;

"Hope? Fruitfulness? Pride? Success?" I read off the glass as I exchanged views to the left and right.

Kouta was far behind me at this point, I assumed he was just observing the pews lines out in the central area as I moved to the front.

Coming upon the central alter, I stepped up the slight inclination and looked about the flat podium that stood at the center, it was cleaned and polished, almost as if it was just newly installed.

"The classroom I came out of was so tattered and worn though," I thought to myself, "What is with these inconsistencies?!"

Frustrated with the lack of a clear explanation, I stomped down from the raised area where the podium and made my way around it.

As I came to the other side however, what awaited me was something even more surprising;

Another student was lying unconscious at the foot of the podium, completely curled up in a near fetal position. I was completely taken aback, but also somewhat relieved that I discovered yet another one who was likely lost here.

"Hey Kouta!" I called out from my position, "Get over here, I found another one!"

"What!?" he yelled back, "You found what!?"

"Another student! Quick, he's out cold!"

Kouta's rushed jog over to my position was the only sound that echoed throughout the hall, the silence that we were ensnared in only served to make the place more ominous. Finally reaching me behind the podium, I could see he was out of breath, his gut clearly showed a lack of familiarity with exercise.

"Oh geez, you're right," he remarked as he observed the unconscious male before us.

He was an odd sight, he wore a parted black jacket with white and red stripes horizontally across the middle with no undershirt, completely exposing his bare chest. He was clearly fit however, I could make out some muscle underneath the skin that showed. He also wore a pair of skin-tight dark grey jeans that disappeared into a pair of thigh-high combat like boots. Most curiously enough, he had a pair of black ears protruding out of his long, straight black hair.

"Wait what?!" I doubled back on my thinking, "Ears?! What in the hell?!" I moved closer to the body, outstretching a hand; I absolutely had to confirm my curiosity while I still believed in my own sanity. As I pinched the first ear with my thumb, I wiggled it around with force;

It moved in response to my prodding.

"AH!" I exclaimed as I jolted back, I didn't notice there was some side railing that helped separate the central alter from the rest of the hall; as consequence, I awkwardly tripped back over it and landed hard on my back in a hair-raising thud.

Through the pain of it all, I could hear Kouta above me desperately trying to hold in his laughter, the escalation of the situation made my face burn with humiliation.

"God, Eiichi!" his voice was strained over his attempt not to erupt in hysterics, "Get a grip man!"

Moving over to the student's head himself, Kouta grabbed the same ear as me and lifted; surely enough, it came completely dislodged from his head in the form of a band. Waving a complete headband of ears in font of me, Kouta finally let out a quiet chuckle,

"So…you scared of a little cosplay?"

"Shut up," I grumbled in an embarrassed fit, "I could have sworn it moved on its own."

It might have been due to the amount of noise we were making; or perhaps natural time allowed it, regardless, the figure before us began to twitch. Giving out a slight groan, the student slowly began to rise from his position; I couldn't see his face, but he was clearly rubbing his eyes while stretching.

The man began turning his face to us, and only then did I realize a couple other features;

He had orange eyes with pupils like a wolf, and fangs to accompany them; but he didn't look vicious with them, in fact, they somewhat gave him a feisty kind of look.

"Mmm?" he gave out a questioned groan, I was taken off guard by his additional features, I couldn't respond right away.

"Who…are you two?" his voice was soft-spoken, lacking any hostility; so I was eased into opening up,

"Honestly, we're two guys lost here," I admitted bluntly, "Sorry if we woke you."

The student collected his footing and pushed himself to his feet, coming down the elevated step, he gave a slight grin;

"No, it's alright," he conceded, "I'm a light sleeper anyway, I drift off at a moments notice and can come right back, a falling pebble could wake me."

Kouta's snickering started back up, I shot him a dirty glance.

"Hey!" the student's voice suddenly took a frighteningly hostile tone, "Just what do you think you're playing at!?"

I turned to see Kouta being stared down by the new guy, he began stomping his way to his position.

"H-hey man, easy!" Kouta stammered as he held out his hands in defense; the student grabbed his left forearm with a tight grip,

"Ow! Hey knock it off!" he retorted in response, the hostile student immediately snagged the pair of ears from Kouta's hand. Placing the headband and tucking it neatly underneath the long strands of hair, the new guy's expression immediately shifted back to a lighthearted grin.

"Thank you," he spoke again in a soft voice.

Kouta and I exchanged glances for a second or two, he honestly looked as if he was another second away from having a panic attack.

"Hey you," the figure was speaking to me, giving an outstretched hand, "What's your name?"

Considering I was on his good side, I was comfortable reciprocating his gesture

"My name's Eiichi Karitomo," I introduced myself, "your former thief over there is Kouta Atsubu."

"Hey!" Kouta protested, "I'm fully capable of my own introductions!"

A slight pause lingered,

"And I'm no thief, you bumbling clutz!"

The student laughed slightly at our light insults,

"Name's Nekari Terria, that goes for both of ya," he responded, "I'm the Ultimate Kemono, I'll take a stab saying you guys are ultimates too?"

CATHEDRAL FOR ASPIRING HOPE

NEKARI TERRIA - ULTIMATE KEMONO

Kouta took a moment to readjust his belt, probably to make a futile tough guy look,

"Sure am," he almost proclaimed, "I'm the Ultimate Skeet Marksman!"

"Oh…" Nekari's voice almost sounded disappointed by the title; Kouta's grew silent at the snubbing.

"And how about you Eiichi?" he moved on,

"Me?" I questioned aloud, "My ultimate talent?"

Silence once again drifted among us

"Hey that's right," Kouta remarked, "You never did tell me your ultimate talent, what gives?"

I stood motionless, until that point, I don't believe I ever even realized it; the single, most important detail since I woke up in that abandoned classroom;

I don't remember my ultimate talent.

"Crap," I thought to myself, "If I go and say that, I'll look like a total dunce…I might get shunned, or worse." The possibilities of being a social pariah bit at my neck.

My two new classmates eyes me suspiciously, seemingly allied when they were just opposing each other a second ago.

"Oh…you know," I beat around the bush, "It's a secret."

"Are you serious Eiichi?" I immediately badgered myself, "That's hands-down the most cliche dismissal in the book."

Kouta and Nekari looked like they shared my thought process, raised eyebrows of disbelief and all.

I had to change the subject, I needed time to get my thoughts altogether, maybe there within would I remember my talent.

"So Nekari, what's a Kemono anyway?" I asked intently, practically forcing my enthusiasm.

Either he was being sympathetic or genuinely interested to share, as Nekari's expression became lighter,

"Well, it's kinda like a beast-man," he began, "Think of a human…but kinda mixed with an animal!"

"So your talent is dressing up like a wolf?" Kouta monotonously murmured, taking in a sharp breath through his teeth as he folded his arms behind his head, "Pretty lame if you ask me."

I would have expected him to be somewhat perturbed by such an insult, but Nekari seemed to laugh it off without showing a hint of being offended.

"No no," he interjected, "It's much more than that, my talent is more within the knowledge of ecosystems and behavioral patterns of animals. In fact, I can calculate predictions in migrations to temperamental changes down to the most minute second with ninety-eight percent accuracy!"

Kouta's expression was struggling to come up with a rebuttal,

"And the missing two percent?"

"Well there's too many variables in life to be one hundred percent accurate, Kouta! Biology isn't all about lining a straight shot up you know, in fact…" Nekari paused as he crossed his hands, "One may say your talent puts an end to what my talent prides in."

Kouta turned away from us, hiding his head slightly,

"it's nothing like that."

His sudden reaction was somewhat odd to see, it almost looked like he was mixed with shame and embitterment. Nekari and I exchanged confused gazes for a second while Kouta began walking down the center aisle,

"Come on, we should look around more," was the only sentence he followed up with, ushering us to follow him further down the row.

We were silent as we approached the opposing end of the main chapel hall; from there we could see an opening at the west end completely across from the eastern entrance Kouta and I emerged from.

Kouta and Nekari seemed like good-natured enough students, though we had differences, it was clear we shared a circumstantial disadvantage; perhaps through it we could set aside everything that sought to drive us apart and work together to band even more potential students to our cause;

To figure out just where we were being held, and who was our gatekeeper.

AFTERWORD,

Alright, two down, 14...more...to...go...*wipes forehead*, no...it'll be alright, just be consistent...

I'll be updating the list just for your help in reference to who we come across!

1. Eiichi Karitomo - Ultimate ?

2. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx - Ultimate ?

3. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx - Ultimate ?

4. Xxxxxxxx Xxx - Ultimate ?

5. Xxx Xxxxxx - Ultimate ?

6. Kouta Atsubu - Ultimate Skeet Marksman

7. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx - Ultimate ?

8. Nekari Terria - Ultimate Kemono

9. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx - Ultimate ?

10. Xxxx Xxxxxx - Ultimate ?

11. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx - Ultimate ?

12. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx - Ultimate ?

13. Xxx Xxxxx - Ultimate ?

14. Xxxxx Xxxxxx - Ultimate ?

15. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx - Ultimate ?

16. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx - Ultimate ?